Carrie Ann Ryan's Blog, page 194

Writing the Perfect Romance with Cari Silverwood and Leia Shaw

Writing the Perfect RomanceThere are any number of reasons why us writers choose to pen a romance – fun, a desperate need to tell stories, a need for more alpha males in our lives, money…Leia and I had all those and one extra one. So many of the romances out there are well, romantic. The men are ten feet tall with ten inch dicks and pretty much always get it right. And we women like that don't we? Having a man who can almost read our minds, who knows just the right spot to nibble, lick or smack?In BDSM romances the Dom or dominant male seems to become even more idealized. He is often the experienced one who can take his woman to the height of a world-shuddering orgasm with the precision application of ropes, cuffs, floggers and maybe a few more exotic pieces of equipment like candles, feathers or pieces of ginger used in a very naughty way.A lot of women have a desire for some aspect of BDSM. It's a fact supported by many surveys over the years. And although we all pretty much know that fiction is fiction, there does seem to be an extra potent effect when women first realize their desires may have a real life possibility of being forfilled. That they may not be freaks. That there may be a man out there who shares their desires for something kinky. I've seen a lot of women ready to kneel at the feet of almost the first real man who answers to the dominant label. The problem is, even Doms are human. They aren't perfect. They do make mistakes, and they do have to start somewhere. Both Leia and I saw the need for a real story and since one of our friends had the same idea, was ready to let us tell her story, and hell, she even had a silly side to her that made writing the story fun, we went with it.So here it is. 31 Flavors is the story of one married couple's first foray into the land of BDSM. It's not perfect. Sid's husband Nick, is not infallible, and some of their mistakes may make you chuckle out loud. The comedy in the book , as well as the steamy sex seems to be grabbing our readers, and that's good. Because as one reviewer has said, "Wow… just wow! This novel is brilliantly written, it is well balanced with humor (at some parts hilarious), saucy sex scenes and genuine life drama.There were times while reading that I thought "OMG that's so true", and there were times that just wanted to jump into the novel and give Sidney a hug and say, "never ever doubt who you are". I was captured from the get go…"We hope you enjoy reading it as well as perhaps ending the novel with some new insights on what can make a marriage hum.
Oh and FYI 31 Flavors will be  on sale for $0.99 all weekend!!!!!
You can find more about this awesome story here http://thirtyoneflavors.weebly.com/

First chapter:
"Come here."

His voice, low and full of authority, slides through me like a cold shiver. My breath hitches as I glide silently over our office carpet.

"On your knees."

I immediately drop. Acutely conscious of my nudity, I sit with my ass resting on my heels and my hands on the curve of my upper thighs.

"Do you know why you are being punished?"

A lump of anticipation lodges in my throat. I keep my eyes downcast and nod.

"Good. Now, I'm going to tie you to the desk, spank you and stuff you with the vibrator. And you're not to come without my permission, do you understand?"

My stomach lurches and I'm soaked with arousal. I can't trust my voice so I nod again.

"Answer me."

I clear my throat and croak a shaky, "Y-yes, sir."

"Stand up and bend over the desk."

My knees tremble. I can barely hold my weight as I walk to the desk.
A thin rope dangles from his hands. I dare to look in his eyes. They remain impassive, foreboding. I'm a prisoner in the shadow of my executioner. Can I do this?

His brows raise a fraction of an inch. "Go on."

I steel myself and bend over the desk. The glass top is like ice on my naked breasts. My breath quickens as he coolly and effectively ties my ankles to the desk legs, then my wrists behind my back. I twist my hands, checking the tightness. No give, at all. Suddenly I feel vulnerable. Too open, too exposed.

I notice the wooden paddle on the desk only when he reaches for it. I gasp. From fear or anticipation, I'm not sure. He moves away so I can no longer see him.

From behind me, I hear, "Count, Sidney."

I squeeze my eyes shut, and the paddle whistles through the air –

Beep. Beep. Beep.

I wake with a start, flushed and wet. A dream. I exhale a deep breath then slam my hand on the snooze button. Nick stirs beside me, his body heating me through the blankets. My dream comes back full force, an assault on my already over-eager libido.

Nick. His eyes stern, his lips turned down in a disapproving frown. The rope, the paddle… oh. I can't stop a sharp inhalation.
The idea is laughable. Nick wielding a paddle? He's more likely to cross-dress and pierce his nipples than mercilessly paddle my ass.

Nick is the nicest man I've ever met. It's why I married him.
I sigh in frustration and push my fantasies away. The dog jumps at the door. Nick rolls over. His voice is groggy. "Honey. The dog wants to go out."

"I know."

Welcome to real life.


Excerpt 2:


"Well, maybe you could seduce me?"

I blink. "Me?"

"Yeah, like a little lap dance or a strip tease."

Fucking A. Of course the pain in the ass would pick something completely out of my comfort zone. A strip tease and a lap dance? I've never had a single dance lesson. I'm awkward and clumsy and not the least bit sexy.

Don't be a taker, I scold myself. He tied me up. He spanked me. He stepped out of his comfort zone, I can too.

Steeling myself for humiliation, I rise from the bed. As seductively as I can manage, I raise the hem of my blouse. "Like this?" I purr.

Nick puts his arms behind his head and his gaze rakes me over. A big grin stretches across his face. He likes it. Okay, I can do this. I pull my shirt up higher, exposing my bra.

"Yeah!" Nick praises from the bed.

I give him a flirty smile then start to pull the blouse over my head. It's a little tight and I tug harder. Buttons. The damn shirt has buttons, dummy. I bring my arms down to undo the top button, but something yanks on my ear.

Ow! Ow, ow, ow. I freeze, my arms over head, my shirt covering my face. The top button is stuck on the stupid hoop earrings I insisted on wearing to work today. I was trying to look sexy. Not so sexy now, am I?

"Honey? Are you okay?"

He doesn't need to see my face to know I'm blushing. I'm sure it covers my entire body. But I can recover. I can still pull this off. Somehow, I will make this sexy.

"Um." My voice is muffled in my shirt. I go for a casual tone. "I'm fine. I'm just, uh, going slow. So you can, you know, savor it." I move my hips side to side in a seductive sway while simultaneously trying to untangle my earring.

The arm opposite the stuck earring is halfway in my shirt sleeve so I jerk my upper body to the side, trying to get it over to help. But it won't quite reach where I need it. I'm panting with the exertion and getting a bit frantic that it won't come loose. I wriggle my arms furiously trying to get them out of the sleeves. Every few seconds I stop and shake my hips toward Nick. Or somewhere. I'm not really sure which direction I'm facing anymore.

Oh God, how ridiculous do I look?

I hear a strangled snort from behind me. I spin around and freeze. Is he laughing at me? Except for the crinkling of the shirt over my ears, the room is silent.

My arms ache and my ear hurts. I blow out a breath of air.

Nick clears his throat. "Do you need help?" The end of the sentence is choked off with a covered chuckle.

"Yes," I say, defeated.

I hear him rise from the bed. Then his fingers are on me, unbuttoning my blouse.

"Careful," I tell him from inside the cave of my shirt. "My earring is stuck."

"I got it." His fingers work deftly, freeing my face and arms, until just the blouse is dangling from my earring. He works on getting that loose too, leaning in close to see where the earring and blouse entangle. I look up at him. Maybe it's the lack of oxygen from being stuck in my shirt, but he's never looked so handsome.

"Hi," I say sheepishly.

He smirks. "Hi." His breath touches my lips and lingers.

Suddenly, I want to kiss him. Need to kiss him. I lean forward. "Ow!" Something tugs my earring.

"Stay still," he orders softly. His arm wraps around my waist and pulls me against his body. Goose bumps rise along the skin on my belly and back. Am I getting turned on? I exhale a laugh.

Nick is rescuing me from an utterly unsexy and quite possibly life-threatening strip tease. I probably looked like one those moles with the red tendril thingies on its head, clawing its way out of the ground. I should be digging a hole into the ground and hiding in humiliation.

Finally, the blouse falls to the floor and my ear is free. I pull both hoops out and place them on the dresser. Nick steps back and looks me over. His mouth is tight with a restrained grin.

I point a finger at him. "Don't. Laugh."

He covers his mouth with his hand and his shoulders shake. I cast him a dirty look then launch myself at him, toppling him onto the bed. I straddle his hips as his hysterical laughter fills the room.

"Shut up." I try to cover his mouth with my hand but he blocks me.

"That was cute, Sid," he says between roars of laughter. "It was like a sea cucumber giving birth to an anemone."

I gasp and try to smack him but he dodges my hand.

"A sexy sea cucumber," he adds.

This time, I go for the jugular. He catches my wrists and holds them captive. "So violent. I may be new at this, but I'm pretty sure beating up your Dom is bad behavior. Should I punish you now?"

"No! I'm too mad." I pout, pulling my wrists from his hands. "I won't fulfill anymore of your fantasies if you make fun of me."

He smiles. "Honey, you fulfill my fantasies every day just by being you."

I chuckle nervously. "Sure." But I'm touched, whether it's true or not.

We stare at each other silently for a moment, giddy smiles plastered on our faces. In a bold move, I get my retribution by snaking my hand up his chest to pinch his nipple.

"Ow!" He grasps my hand to free his nipple. "You're not a very good sub," he teases.

"Maybe you're not a good Dom," I counter with a saucy grin.

"Probably." Evil glittering in his eyes, he folds his arms around me, then yanks me down for a kiss. Our lips meet and he holds the back of my head as the kiss deepens. Not that I'm planning on leaving. The play of lips on lips, soft and hard, tongue and teeth, is a dance Nick has always done well. I snuggle closer and catch my breath. My eyelids drift lower as I give in to the sensations. I sneak my hand onto his chest, palm flattened, and play with the hair above his shirt neckline. When he stops kissing me, I'm breathing hard and very conscious of his body beneath me.

His gaze locks with mine. "So let's just be us."

I smile. Us. Nick and Sidney. Not vanilla. Not Rocky Road. Any kind of thirty-one flavors we want to be. I bite my lip and nod.
With both hands, he grasps my ass and squeezes. "Now let me tie you up so we can fuck and feel better."

A Sneak Peek and Updates

Hi everyone!

I have some updates, a sneak peek at A Taste for a Mate and a CONTEST!!!

It's been a busy month and it's not over! A Taste for a Mate just came out this month and I'm so excited about it. Thanks to all who have bought it and emailed or facebooked me about it! You really make writing worth it.

People have been asking about Reed's book, Trinity Bound. It's currently at my editor's, but it will be out in April. So that's not too long.

And yes, all of the Jamensons will get their own book. You can check my website for all of the titles.

After Reed's book, I'm going to start a new series, Dante's Circle. Dust of My Wings is the first book and will be out this summer.

After that, is Enforcer's Redemption!

I've been super busy but so excited!


As a thank you for a great release month, I'll be giving away a $15 Amazon GC to someone who signs up for my newsletter here http://www.carrieannryan.com/contact-me/192-2/ and comments on this post! Thank you guys!



I thought I'd give y'all a cute excerpt from A Taste for a Mate, book two in the Redwood Pack series.

You can find it on Amazon and Barnes&Noble


Jasper led Willow to the large two-door refrigerator and opened it to reveal fairly stocked shelves. He didn't entertain or cook often, but when he did, he preferred a good, hardy meal."Is there anything you're interested in? I have everything you could possibly need for breakfast. At least I hope. I know you have more expertise in that area than I do."Dear God. He was rambling like a teenager. Except for that one glorious kiss when he'd put her to bed, they'd barely touched. He knew many things about her, but she didn't know that much about him.  That would have to change – and soon. She may have been forced into his world, but he would do his damndest to make her feel included and part of their Pack.Willow studied his offerings like an artist would study a blank canvas before painting. In a matter of moments, he knew she'd cataloged his food and would come up with a perfect and delicious meal. Glancing up at him with a sly smile, she took out eggs, cheese, and veggies and set them on the island. With her second trip, she grabbed bacon, potatoes, and oranges.He would have offered to help, and the man his mother raised begged him to, but he didn't want to interrupt her thought process. He loved the way she glided around the kitchen as if she'd been here all along. Even with the bruises, she was still gloriously beautiful and he knew through the mate mark she would heal any injuries quicker than a normal human. It was a one-time only perk of the bite and she wouldn't heal fast with other injuries until she changed.If she changed."Do you think you can make orange juice and coffee?" Willow's soft request brought Jasper out of his thoughts. "I can do the rest, but I don't want to take over your kitchen completely.""I can do that." He walked over to the cabinet and pulled out fresh gourmet coffee beans and put them in the grinder. Soon the smell of freshly ground coffee filled the air. He quickly set the automatic coffee maker to percolate and began slicing and squeezing oranges.Willow moved around his kitchen with ease as she made breakfast. She broke the eggs against the side of the bowl before whisking them. He followed her hands as she moved quickly. The sound of fatty bacon popping and sizzling echoed in the kitchen, and she went back to the cutting board to slice onions and mushrooms for her omelets.When he wasn't looking, she'd diced potatoes for homemade hash browns that were now browning on the stovetop. Already his mouth salivated at  the thought of such a gourmet meal. Like a magician, Willow prepared light and fluffy omelets bursting at the seams with bacon, spinach, mushrooms, and feta and ricotta cheeses. On the each plate, she put three slices of bacon and still sizzling hash browns before he had time to put their drinks in mugs and glasses.Thank God he was a werewolf because his arteries would be screaming if he was a normal human at his age.Taking the plates from her hands, he set them on the table next to the drinks. Before she could protest, he took her face between his hands and placed a feathery light kiss to her lips. He lifted his head from hers, looked into her eyes, and gave her a smile."Thank you for breakfast. This has got to be the best meal I have ever seen made in this kitchen. I can't wait to see what you come up with here in the future."At his startling reminder of their mating and future, her eyes widened and her lips parted. Jasper took this as another invitation to kiss her plump lips again. So he did.When he pulled away, he smiled and said, "Let's eat."Because if he didn't eat food, he'd want to indulge in her. And ravishing her against the kitchen table might not be the best way to slowly introduce her to this whole mating thing.Willow bent over the table and set her plate down, her firm ass right near his crotch.Jasper groaned. Yeah, this might be harder than he thought.

A Sneak Peak and Updates

Hi everyone!

I have some updates, a sneak peak at A Taste for a Mate and a CONTEST!!!

It's been a busy month and it's not over! A Taste for a Mate just came out this month and I'm so excited about it. Thanks to all who have bought it and emailed or facebooked me about it! You really make writing worth it.

People have been asking about Reed's book, Trinity Bound. It's currently at my editor's, but it will be out in April. So that's not too long.

And yes, all of the Jamensons will get their own book. You can check my website for all of the titles.

After Reed's book, I'm going to start a new series, Dante's Circle. Dust of My Wings is the first book and will be out this summer.

After that, is Enforcer's Redemption!

I've been super busy but so excited!


As a thank you for a great release month, I'll be giving away a $15 Amazon GC to someone who signs up for my newsletter here http://www.carrieannryan.com/contact-me/192-2/ and comments on this post! Thank you guys!



I thought I'd give y'all a cute excerpt from A Taste for a Mate, book two in the Redwood Pack series.

You can find it on Amazon and Barnes&Noble


Jasper led Willow to the large two-door refrigerator and opened it to reveal fairly stocked shelves. He didn't entertain or cook often, but when he did, he preferred a good, hardy meal."Is there anything you're interested in? I have everything you could possibly need for breakfast. At least I hope. I know you have more expertise in that area than I do."Dear God. He was rambling like a teenager. Except for that one glorious kiss when he'd put her to bed, they'd barely touched. He knew many things about her, but she didn't know that much about him.  That would have to change – and soon. She may have been forced into his world, but he would do his damndest to make her feel included and part of their Pack.Willow studied his offerings like an artist would study a blank canvas before painting. In a matter of moments, he knew she'd cataloged his food and would come up with a perfect and delicious meal. Glancing up at him with a sly smile, she took out eggs, cheese, and veggies and set them on the island. With her second trip, she grabbed bacon, potatoes, and oranges.He would have offered to help, and the man his mother raised begged him to, but he didn't want to interrupt her thought process. He loved the way she glided around the kitchen as if she'd been here all along. Even with the bruises, she was still gloriously beautiful and he knew through the mate mark she would heal any injuries quicker than a normal human. It was a one-time only perk of the bite and she wouldn't heal fast with other injuries until she changed.If she changed."Do you think you can make orange juice and coffee?" Willow's soft request brought Jasper out of his thoughts. "I can do the rest, but I don't want to take over your kitchen completely.""I can do that." He walked over to the cabinet and pulled out fresh gourmet coffee beans and put them in the grinder. Soon the smell of freshly ground coffee filled the air. He quickly set the automatic coffee maker to percolate and began slicing and squeezing oranges.Willow moved around his kitchen with ease as she made breakfast. She broke the eggs against the side of the bowl before whisking them. He followed her hands as she moved quickly. The sound of fatty bacon popping and sizzling echoed in the kitchen, and she went back to the cutting board to slice onions and mushrooms for her omelets.When he wasn't looking, she'd diced potatoes for homemade hash browns that were now browning on the stovetop. Already his mouth salivated at  the thought of such a gourmet meal. Like a magician, Willow prepared light and fluffy omelets bursting at the seams with bacon, spinach, mushrooms, and feta and ricotta cheeses. On the each plate, she put three slices of bacon and still sizzling hash browns before he had time to put their drinks in mugs and glasses.Thank God he was a werewolf because his arteries would be screaming if he was a normal human at his age.Taking the plates from her hands, he set them on the table next to the drinks. Before she could protest, he took her face between his hands and placed a feathery light kiss to her lips. He lifted his head from hers, looked into her eyes, and gave her a smile."Thank you for breakfast. This has got to be the best meal I have ever seen made in this kitchen. I can't wait to see what you come up with here in the future."At his startling reminder of their mating and future, her eyes widened and her lips parted. Jasper took this as another invitation to kiss her plump lips again. So he did.When he pulled away, he smiled and said, "Let's eat."Because if he didn't eat food, he'd want to indulge in her. And ravishing her against the kitchen table might not be the best way to slowly introduce her to this whole mating thing.Willow bent over the table and set her plate down, her firm ass right near his crotch.Jasper groaned. Yeah, this might be harder than he thought.

Can a One Night Stand Lead to More?

Please welcome Leigh Ellwood to the blog!

Leigh is giving away a $10 All Romance eBooks gift card to one lucky person. Be sure to follow the tour, here, for more chances to win! 


Giveaway for this specific blog: Readers choice of two downloads from Leigh's backlist.




Can a One Night Stand Lead to More?Leigh Ellwood
Hello! I am Leigh Ellwood, author of romance and erotica, and I'd like to thank Carrie Ann for hosting me today. I hope you'll leave a comment on today's blog so I can enter you in two drawings: one for two downloads from my backlist and the other for a $10 GC to All Romance, to be drawn at the end of my blog tour. I'm happy to announce, too, that this tour promotes my contribution to the All Romance eBooks Perfect Strangers series. My erotic short, Odd is about – of course – two perfect strangers who come together during a most unusual party.
Hence the topic of today's blog. Is it possible for a one-nighter to bloom into a deeper, more meaningful relationship? These days, I would think anything is possible given how people have more avenues to explore in terms of coming together. I recall an article last year that revealed 30% of Internet users are actively seeking potential mates online. Now, this doesn't necessarily mean that Internet dating leads to one-night stands, but it does illustrate how the landscape is changing for some.
I, unfortunately, am not able to speak from experience. Like many others, I met my husband in college – we shared a Shakespeare class, and consequently our mutual love of literature and movies fostered our attraction. When you think about a one-night stand, no doubt your mind evokes images of instant lust – catching somebody's eye from across the room, a realization that you enjoy laughing at the same jokes, maybe one rum screwdriver too many – and the desire to capture and enhance that feeling through a night of passion. So you give it a shot and one of two things can happen:
1)      You cuddle close and think of a way to prolong that good feeling, and hope you are compatible enough with your one-nighter to see it through.2)      You roll over and wonder what the hell you were thinking.
I like to think of myself as an optimist. If the timing is right and the partner willing, perhaps a one-night stand can lead to something lasting and enjoyable. It's not something I can test for myself, but if it's happened to you I'd love to hear about it.
If not, I hope you'll check out Odd and see how that one night turned out! Thanks!



BIO: Leigh Ellwood is an award-winning author of erotica and erotic romance fiction. Following the release of her first novel, Truth or Dare, in 2004, Leigh has since written several novels, novella, and short stories. She is an EPIC Award winner and has been nominated for many reviewers awards for her works.Leigh welcomes reader mail at kspatwriter (at) yahoo (dot) com.
Links
Home – http://www.leighellwood.comBlog – http://leighwantsfood.blogspot.comTwitter – http://twitter.com/LeighEllwoodAReCafe - http://www.arecafe.com/members/leigh-ellwood/
Synopsis: Greg Hargrove has a ticket to the hottest party in town: Drew Bradley's annual Odd Ball. Dressed for the theme as one half of a popular sitcom duo, Greg doesn't expect to meet his match and engage in a secret night of passion while the festivities rage on. When handsome Rick Wade falls on his radar, however, Greg decides to partake of more explicit party favors. Is Rick more than a one-night stand, though, or can Greg look forward to many passion-filled reruns?

Excerpt:
In the ten years Drew Bradley hosted his annual Odd Ball, people knew to expect two events: sometime toward the end of the evening Drew would lose his pants, and the two winners of the Best Oscar and Best Felix costume awards would immediately hook up afterward and live happily ever after. That many of the happy couples continued to come to the big party as their chosen television personas stood testament to their host's impeccable matchmaking—and entertaining—skills.
Greg Hargrove personally didn't care if either happened on his watch. After years of watching siblings primp and prepare for the biggest bash in town, he'd finally reached the requisite legal drinking age and could now attend. Though he'd never seen the television show that inspired the theme of the party, he'd gleaned enough by living vicariously through older friends—and researching YouTube clips—to know the score.
On November fourteenth, Felix Unger was asked to his leave his apartment. This request came from his wife…
There was more to the prologue, he knew, but in his excitement Greg thought himself fortunate to recall his own name, much less those of characters from a TV show that ceased airing first run episodes long before he was a "glint in the mailman's eye," as his brothers liked to tease.
Greg adjusted his Yankees ball cap and smoothed a hand over his three-day-old stubble. It itched like hell, but he wanted to shoot for realism even if he didn't win the grand costume prize. Would be nice, though, since neither of his older brothers had won before, and Greg had heard Drew didn't skimp on the goods. Last year's couple, he'd been told, won matching gold watches.
At the front door of Drew's McMansion of a home, a wiry, unsmiling man with a long nose looked down at Greg over his John Lennon glasses. "Your invitation?" He held out a pale, almost wrinkleless palm.
"Sure." Greg surrendered the requisite card given him by his brother Joe, who couldn't make it this time. Joe hadn't kidded him when he warned about the exclusivity of the event. What the hell went on here that required protection against crashers?
The butler-bouncer, for lack of a better description, peered down at the invitation for a long moment, as though determining its authenticity. Then, curling it in his bony hand, he addressed Greg. "You may access all designated party rooms with the exception of the VIP area, and you must stay in character. How everyone behaves throughout the evening will determine the final judging for the contest."
"Got it." Damn, people sure took this party seriously. At least, going as slovenly Oscar rather than uptight Felix, Greg believed he could blend in easily. Acting like a slob came naturally to him anyway.
"Good." The man startled Greg with a warm smile that completely softened the landscape of his face. "Enjoy yourself."

Leigh is giving away a $10 All Romance eBooks gift card to one lucky person. Be sure to follow the tour, here, for more chances to win! 


Giveaway for this specific blog: Readers choice of two downloads from Leigh's backlist.

Its a Birthday BlogHop Sign Up

Hi All!

So my birthday is April 6th and I thought since I'm not having a party at home, I'll have a party online!

So let's have a blog hop!
On April 5th at 9AM EST, the authors and reviewers involved will post a blog on what they do for birthdays or a memory about their birthday.


Each author gives away something - like a book, gift card, swag or other goodies.

And if we raise enough money through donations, we can give away a grand prize like we did before with the Kindle and Amazon GC.

On their post they can promote the books they just released - because come on, that's the point right? LOL They also will have the blog graphic I made. If you sign up - you can steal this pic and put it on your website and link it to this post so others will sign up. I will also be mailing everything to y'all as well.

At the end of your post you'll put in the linky code that I will send out in emails. This code will give everyone's site and make it easy to hop.


So come on up and sign up for the Happy Birthday Blog Hop. At some point I will start sending out an email with more info and asking if we want a grand prize. I think grand prizes are amazing and bring in TONS of readers.

But come on and sign up on the Linky Below - its a blast and totally worth it! Thanks so much for making the last hop amazing and I hope this one is "hopping" LOL!!! Tell your friends - the more the merrier!

The With Love Valentine's Day BlogHop!

*This is a repost from Saturday so it would be easy for the hoppers! If you've already commented on the earlier one, don't worry, I have you down! Be sure to leave your email addys!*

Its about that time! Time to break out the chocolate and enjoy yourself! Happy Valentines Day everyone! Whether you are with someone you love, like or just with yourself - have fun and enjoy the day! You can check out more on the hop by clicking here.

I'm giving away a $10 Amazon Gift Card to one lucky commenter and autographed bookmarks to two more!!
To enter, be sure to sign up for my newsletter to receive more contest info and exclusive perks! You can do that either by signing up here http://www.carrieannryan.com/contact-me/192-2/ or by putting in your email address in the form on the right hand side of the blog!


And since you're here - did you check out my new release A Taste for a Mate, book 2 in the Redwood Pack Series? You can find it on Amazon and Barnes&Noble.


Jasper Jamenson's only responsibility to being the Beta of the Redwood Pack, second son of the Alpha, is to protect the Pack from themselves and the human world. After a century of selfless service, his brother's new found mating forced him into taking a good look into his life. He isn't sure he wants a mate, but fate may have other ideas.Willow Delton is a skinny, bakery owner – the type most woman love to hate. Being without family, she finds herself alone to the Greek god with green eyes who saunters into her bakery every morning. Her desire to follow him, to be with him, overrides every rational sense she possesses.Jasper and Willow are drawn together, despite every nuisance that works against them. But evil beyond even Jasper's supernatural compensation will make war against him, by going after the only thing in his eternal life he desires – Willow. Is Willow's heart enough to overcome Jasper's soul to save her life? A fight he cannot win, but to save her life – he must.

A Taste for a Mate: Six Sentence Sunday - #28

Happy Sunday!!

Welcome to my six! Here is a snipped from my newest release, A Taste for a Mate, Book 2 in the Redwood Pack series. You can find it here: Amazon Barnes&Noble.


He turned her around to face him once they reached the center of their yard. He slowly unbuttoned her shirt, and she let out a gasp.Oh my.His calloused fingertips brushed against her skin as the moonlight danced upon it. She inhaled the clean, crisp mountain air that mingled with Jasper's sandalwood scent. Home.
Thanks so much for coming! Here are the other sixers. 

The With Love Valentine's Day BlogHop!

Its about that time! Time to break out the chocolate and enjoy yourself! Happy Valentines Day everyone! Whether you are with someone you love, like or just with yourself - have fun and enjoy the day! You can check out more on the hop by clicking here.

I'm giving away a $10 Amazon Gift Card to one lucky commenter and autographed bookmarks to two more!!

And since you're here - did you check out my new release A Taste for a Mate, book 2 in the Redwood Pack Series? You can find it on Amazon and Barnes&Noble.


Jasper Jamenson's only responsibility to being the Beta of the Redwood Pack, second son of the Alpha, is to protect the Pack from themselves and the human world. After a century of selfless service, his brother's new found mating forced him into taking a good look into his life. He isn't sure he wants a mate, but fate may have other ideas.Willow Delton is a skinny, bakery owner – the type most woman love to hate. Being without family, she finds herself alone to the Greek god with green eyes who saunters into her bakery every morning. Her desire to follow him, to be with him, overrides every rational sense she possesses.Jasper and Willow are drawn together, despite every nuisance that works against them. But evil beyond even Jasper's supernatural compensation will make war against him, by going after the only thing in his eternal life he desires – Willow. Is Willow's heart enough to overcome Jasper's soul to save her life? A fight he cannot win, but to save her life – he must.

Interview with Gabrielle Basset

[image error] Hi! Thanks so much for coming today. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I'm a college history prof and a homeschooling mom during the day, but at night I'm an erotic romance author.  I can only imagine what my coworkers at school would think! 
Tell us a bit about your book.
Blood Avenged is the story of Vasilije and Sasa.  Vasilije is a vampire who was turned 400 years ago.  A pure hedonist, he revels in the pleasure of being a vampire, especially the pleasure he receives from being a sire with hundreds of vampires he's turned.  When one of his vampires is staked, he travels to New Orleans to find the killer, and while he's there he meets Sasa, a woman who arouses him like no other has in centuries.  Together they work to find the killer, but Sasa has secrets that threaten the passion that grows between them.  And what Vasilije finds in New Orleans shows him what happened to his vampire is just the beginning of changes in the vampire world.
Is this part of a series?
Blood Avenged is the first book in the Sons of Navarus series. 
What did you find the hardest part of writing it to be?
I have to say that writing Blood Avenged was a pure delight.  Now as for the second book in the series, Blood Betrayed, that's an entirely different situation.  Where Vasilije is earthy and pleasure-seeking, the hero of Blood Betrayed, Saint, is haunted by the past.  He's put me through a few nights of very difficult writing.
What was your favorite part?
My favorite part of these stories is that they're about vampires.  I love vampires and find them completely engrossing.  I chose to frame the non-romantic part of the series around a power struggle in the vampire world, so that's been great to write.  In addition, the back story I created about how vampires came to be was a favorite part too because it involves Greek mythology. 
Rate your story in terms of steaminess
Blood Avenged is sexy hot.  Think David Beckham in your wildest fantasies hot.
Who is your favorite romance author?
I think my favorite romance author has to be Charlotte Featherstone.  Wow, does that lady know how to get me into a steamy scene!
What is your favorite romance book or series?
Again, Charlotte Featherstone shows up.  I love her book Lust, which is the first book in the Sins and Virtues series. I can't wait for the next one!  The first book was such a delicious idea.  I wish I thought of writing about the seven deadly sins.  What a fabulous idea!
Who is your favorite romance character? If you could go on a date with that person, what would you do? Details please! *wink*
My favorite of the characters I've written is Vasilije.  There have been others I've fallen for when I wrote them, but he's just so sensual that it's impossible to not be crazy about him.  As for a date, I imagine his idea of a romantic night out would be at the opera or theatre in a tux and then home to enjoy the woman he's with.  Now if we're talking about a character not mine, then my favorite would have to be Vishous.  But if you've read anything about him, you'd know a date wouldn't really be his style.  Let's just say I imagine a night with him would include candle wax, leather, and whips, but since I'm more submissive than his current woman, he'd have to get him Dom on with me.
Boxers or Briefs?
Boxer-briefs actually.  Well, to be honest, I prefer commando. 
What is next for you?
I'm continuing with the Sons of Navarus series with plans to release Blood Betrayed in late spring and the third book, Blood Spirit, in the fall.
What were your first impressions of each other?
Vasilije:  My first impression of Sasa was that she was very human.  She was very sexy, but very human.  Not that it was a problem, mind you.  I like humans as much as the next vampire.
Sasa:  My first impression of Vasilije was that I'd never met anyone like him before.  He was dark and sensual.  It was like I was under his spell from the minute we met.  Now that I know him better I realize it wasn't a spell but just animal attraction.
What are your favorite parts about each other?
Vasilije:  I like the way Sasa feels things that I just don't.  I also love how open she is. 
Sasa:  I like how in command he always is. 


Website:  Gabrielle Bisset
Blog:  Gabrielle Bisset: A Writer's Blog
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Amazon Author Page

My books:
Blood Avenged-Available now
Blood Betrayed -Coming this spring!
The Victorian Erotic Romance Trilogy
Destiny Redeemed

When a Werewolf Has No Pack

Please welcome Ranae Rose to the Blog!


When a Werewolf Has No Pack

            What I like most about werewolf/shifter romances is that shifter heroes/heroines are typically intensely loyal and form strong bonds with the people who are important to them – their significant others and pack-mates. But what if a shifter had no pack?
            I had this strong image of an alpha with no pack in my head, and when I thought about it, it seemed like it would be bound to happen (in a world where werewolves were real). After all, groups die out all the time – families, towns, entire cultures and real-life wolf packs. Shifters would be no different. What would happen to the last member of a pack, especially if he was the alpha?
            That's the story I told in Lonely Alpha. Jack was the alpha of the Half Moon pack by birth, but by the time he came around his pack had been greatly diminished by generations of problems. By his twenties, he was left alone.
            When Mandy first meets him, she harbors suspicions that spending so much time alone in the mountains has driven him crazy. But as she gets to know him (she doesn't really have much of a choice, seeing as how they're trapped on the mountain together, eluding a killer), she sees some very different sides of Jack and finds out the truth of why he chooses to live alone on an isolated mountain. Here's a brief excerpt that shares some of her thoughts:
"Why didn't you leave?"Jack's mouth twisted stubbornly, his jaw jutting out. "An alpha doesn't leave his pack."Alpha. Well, now that he said it, she could believe it. She studied his strong jaw, remembering how good he was at tilting it arrogantly, as he had when she'd first arrived on his property, lost. "Even if his pack leaves him?"Jack nodded. "Even then. It's not like I could join another pack. My father was an alpha, and his father before him, and so on and so on, back through the generations. When you're born an alpha, you either live as an alpha or a loner. There's no in between.""Jack." She reached out and touched him, laying her unhurt hand inside his. The idea of him living his days out alone on the mountain, longing for a family that had crumbled around him, was unexpectedly agonizing. He was so young for such a depressing existence – not that she would have wished it on a person of any age. "It must be awfully lonely out here. How do you stand it?"As for how Jack's story ends – well, this is a romance, so you know there's a happy ending. Let's just say the Half Moon Pack isn't quite finished. ;)****
When Mandy leaves the city behind and embarks on a retreat to the Great Smoky Mountains, she expects to spend the week alone with nature and a stack of novels. Instead, she ends up trapped on a remote mountain by a big game hunter who's hell-bent on bagging a werewolf. Lonely alpha wolf-shifter Jack, the last of the once-strong Half Moon Pack, is his target. Jack is determined to keep Mandy safe while hunting his hunter, but being around Jack brings out a wild side Mandy never knew she had. As silver bullets fly, so do sparks. If they can manage to defeat their attacker, Mandy will still have one problem to contend with: Jack is convinced that she's his mate.
****Ranae Rose is an avid reader and writer who can't resist a good love story, and the hotter the better. She lives on the US East Coast with her family and animals, and when she's not writing she prefers to be in the saddle or lost in a good book with a cup of tea. You can find out more about Ranae and her books at: www.ranaerose.comConnect with Ranae on Twitter: Ranae_RoseFriend her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100002037020587****Want to know how  this lonely alpha finds love? Comment on this post for a chance to win an ebook copy of Lonely Alpha. One winner will be chosen at random. Be sure to include your e-mail address so you can be contacted if you win.