Red Phoenix's Blog, page 27

Sensual Erotica: The Complete Collection by Red Phoenix

Sensual Erotica: The Erotic Love Story of Amy and Troy is now available on Smashwords and Amazon for the bargain price of $4.99!

This is the entire collection of 14 sensual "quickies" all gathered into one book. Not only is it convenient, but it's cheaper as well! When I wrote the series following the sensual journey of Troy and Amy, I always planned to bundle it into a collection. However, I got a little distracted with the Brie Series... 

* I will also be publishing it as a real book too for all you non Kindles and Nookies out there. (grin) Expect a post announcing when it is up for sale on Amazon. It would make an excellent Christmas gift! Way better than a scarf or tie, don't you think?  ;)

Sensual Erotica: The Erotic Love Story of Amy and Troy:

Troy and Amy were meant for each other, but fate had different plans… Join the erotic adventures of Amy and Troy as they make their way in the world. True love reigns, but fate continually throws the young couple into the arms of others. The titillating quickies are written from both Troy and Amy's point of view so you get it both ways.

* Each short story is a new erotic adventure from ménage, bondage, exhibitionism, anal play, to good old-fashioned lover sex.


Reviews:

“A very seductive tale that presents itself with depth and imagination.” – Shane

“Read the books with Troy, Amy, Brad and a whole host of sexcapades.” - Adelaye Hearst

“Oh me Oh my!! Brad is one HOT piece! I believe he would make the women line up just for him to be their master :)” - DragonRene "~AVA~

“Red Phoenix does a lot of things well, but s/he truly excels at writing fabulous displays of sexual tension” - Avid X

“I love the way there is not a moment of boredom in Red Phoenix books!! You never know what to expect and when you expect something, something else pops!! Delightful Hot, Erotic story!!!” - marian

Adult Material (18+)

Warning: This book contains sexually explicit content and scenes that some readers may find objectionable.

"I Googled It, Sir" and Brie Series Merchandise for Red Phoenix

Collectible Magnets that will take your breath away!I believe it's my duty as author and creator of the Brie Series to test out and play with all the goodies I have for sale.

I am happy to say that I could not be more tickled with what Zazzle and Cafe Press have done to make Brie a reality!


Yep, that me with the mug!
 
From  the artful magnets that Nicole Delfs created for the Brie Series to a fun mug that is now my most favorite in the world!



Two-sided keychain




I also purchased the keychain, and look totally sexy and hot wherever I drive the car!
Brie Buttons in all sizes


I bought the smallest buttons and attached them to my purse strap. Now I have to admit, I really enjoyed playing with them because they make such cute sounds in your hands, but they style up my purse quite nice.





But the thing that gets the most attention is my "I googled it, Sir" tee!
Shirt shown is the Jr. Spaghetti Tank
To purchase any of the Brie and Phoenix items featured here, please visit Zazzle by clicking:   Red Phoenix Store  - Zazzle
To purchase "I googled it, Sir" tees, please visit CafePress by clicking:  Red Phoenix Store - CafePress

Red Phoenix at the 2012 Olympics

Fiery Red Phoenix displayed at the 2012 OlympicsCan I just say thank you to the kind and enthusiastic fans in England? I really did not expect to have such a wonderful spectacle in my honor at the end of the 2012 Olympic Games.

I had to wipe away the tears of gratitude. Here I am, a simple indie author doing her best to please and tease the world. I doubt I deserve such praise from an entire nation, but I bow my head in appreciation. You are a kind and loving people.

Thank you,

~Lady Red

How Red Phoenix Creates Her Book Covers

How This Indie Author Makes Her Covers

Creating book covers is an exciting part of the writing process for me. My covers are another creative outlet to express the story, almost as exciting as the writing of it. Anyone who tells you the cover doesn't matter is fooling themselves. You can have the best story ever written, but as an unknown author if the cover doesn't grab the readers they will be less likely to take a chance on you.

It starts...

 
1) The first thing I do is go through pics until I find the one I think represents the story the best. I like to go for more subtle pictures for my erotica. Many people go for the shock value, but I'm not interested in that. So, in the case of Brie on Display , I went to the website Romance Novel Covers and bought one that spoke to me.

* Make sure you purchase pictures that specifically say they can be used for book covers.
 


 
2) I didn't want or need the entire picture, so I cropped it to highlight what I thought was sexy about the photo and would draw the readers in.

* Keep in mind that a lot of indies are using the same site. If you are not cropping and manipulating the photo, you are going to have the exact same cover as other indies. Not cool!





3) For Brie, I like the black and white look, so I use Paint.Net (free image and photo editing software). The program takes some getting used to, but it is free so I like it well enough.




4) I have a lovely Phoenix that I put on all my covers and I do not want the girl's shapely butt to be covered up by it. You see, I love the way he is cradling her ass and didn't want that to be lost. That meant I had to reverse the image, but understand that is good a good thing! It means that the picture will be less recognizable if someone else chooses the same photo for their cover.








5) Now I add the title, Phoenix, and my name to the cover. To make it POP, I also add a little color. For Brie's books I use a transparent purple, white lettering for the title, and a black background with red lettering for my name. I do that for every book of the series so my readers can easily identify it as a Brie book.





So there you have it. Each cover is an extension of the book and important in its own right. The process is simple, but should be thoughtfully done. It will either attract readers to your work - or not. The choice is in your hands.

Brie on Display... The Seventh in the Series by Red Phoenix

Sexiest cover yet!Brie on Display available on Amazon and Smashwords
 
Once I started writing this story, I just couldn't stop. The idea of public display is arousing to me. I also couldn't wait to reveal the third Dom vying for Brie's attention. To top it off, I decided to introduce a character from one of my other series into the submissive training center environment. Brie's heart is about to get pulled in different directions, but through it all she remains strong and continues to grow in her calling as a submissive.

FYI - I am in LOVE with this cover! Growl...

Brie on  Display:

Brie’s fourth week of submissive training introduces her to public display. From encounters in the vanilla world, to a field trip to a BDSM club she is entranced by the D/s lifestyle. Brie continues to be tested and stretched by her vigilant trainers, exposing more of her hidden desires. Shockingly, a new trainer has entered the scene and a third Dom makes his move - one she did not see coming.

This delicious novelette will become your new guilty pleasure, filled with erotic situations and moments that will make you go aww…

Extended Description:

Join Brie as she experiences different forms of public display, a stage scene with two Doms, and her fourth Auction Day filled with mystery and intrigue. Brie does not know their new trainer has a special skill and is surprised when she personally experiences it at The Haven. She also comes to appreciate the allure of a simple feather. Week four will be a roller coaster of sexual delight for Brie and all who follow her escapades.

Adult Material (18+)

Warning: This book contains sexually explicit content and scenes that some readers may find objectionable.

Introducing the Brie Characters by Red Phoenix

An Artful Interpretation

Brie Bennett - finds her submissive callingIf you love the characters of the Brie Series, then you will enjoy the creative interpretation Nicole Delfs brings to the table. Each creation represents the individual characters you have grown to love.


Brie Bennett - a sub embracing her true calling. The posture defines her nature and the fiery phoenix represents her birth into her submissive callling.




Sir Thane Davis -  headmaster of the Submissive Training Center and Brie's love interest. The lion, strong and powerful - master of the school.







Tono Nosaka - the Kinbaku master who wants Brie for his own. The elegant dragon represents his noble character and Japanese heritage.





Marquis Gray - master of the whip and supporter of Brie. The hawk sees all and is a fierce hunter.





Mary Quite Contrary - a sub struggling to come to terms with her past. The dark bordering speaks to a past that threatens to strangle her future.






Lea Taylor - a big-boobed sub with a fun loving spirit and a joke always handy. She has fairy nature that Brie finds endearing.







* You can find each in both Magnet and Button form at the Red Phoenix online store: http://www.zazzle.com/redphoenix69

R.E. Butler Shares Her Experience as an Indie Writer

I met RE Butler via email when I was just starting out. She thrilled me when she wrote, “You've got yourself a new fan.” She was the very first person to contact me about my writing and that simple connection meant the world to me. The successful paranormal author helped me navigate the self-publishing world and started me down the road I find myself today. My advice to other indies is the same advice she gave me when I wanted to thank her  – Just pass it on!    ~ Lady Red

1) What made you decide to publish erotica and what would you say are the hardest and most enjoyable aspects of being an erotica author?
I didn't really set out to publish erotica.  While there are authors out there that like to ride trends, I write what comes to me because it’s what I love. I sat down to write, and when I went to publish, I discovered that some of my stories were classified as erotica.  It certainly didn't bother me to be in a category with other such incredible authors as Virginia Wade, Carl East, Katie Cramer, and the amazing Red Phoenix (to name a few).  The truth is I write about things I like.
One of the hardest things about erotica is the competition. There are so many erotica books out there, and new ones being published every day. For me, that means I have to write better books. Better storylines and better characters at better prices so I can retain my current fans and draw in new ones.  My favorite thing is the freedom that comes from exploring a more uninhibited story.
2) You are a successful indie - Yay! What have you done to encourage that success?
*blush*  I take advantage of media outlets.  I blog, I'm active on GoodReads and Amazon forums, I do book reviews, I email and tweet. Prior to this book, I was a subtle promoter, using my blog and email to promote my books.  But because Tribe is a new series and I want it to be successful, I’ve made some investments, including a cover artist, pro editor, advertising space on a romance website, plus this blog tour which has been so much fun.
3) Reviews feel like they can make or break you as an author. How would you suggest new writers treat reviews (both good and bad)? What has been your experience?
I think anyone who has published a book has gotten at least one bad review.  It cuts in a special way, because you’ve invested time and effort into your book, and when someone says something disparaging, it can feel like a personal attack.  I read every review.  If it’s positive, I grin like an idiot for about an hour.  If it's negative, I read it with an open mind and ask myself - did they just not like the book or was there something actually wrong that could be fixed (such as editing)?  But if a person just doesn’t like the story, if the review reflects a negative view of either the characters or the story itself, I take it for what it is - an opinion - and move on.  Sometimes the bad reviews will hang with me for a little while, like old ghosts, but I just pull up an email from a fan and remind myself that I’m not writing for the reviews, I’m writing because I have something to say and I want to share it.
My best advice is to develop a sense of humor, and keep in mind that there isn't anything out there that everyone will love.  Look up your favorite book and read the reviews.  You'll probably be surprised by what people say. You can’t live and die by your reviews, or your writing will suffer for it.
4) For me, watching the success of other indies is inspiring because we all can learn from each other. R.E., can you share a part of your journey with us?
I grew up wanting to write.  I started writing stories when I was in elementary school and wrote my first novel my freshman year in high school on my mother’s old typewriter.  I still have some of those first pages that I hammered out.  But then I was in college and working full time, and then I was married with kids.  It wasn’t until about three years ago that I remembered how much I had enjoyed writing, and it was because I’d kept those first, old pages that I decided to sit down and write.  At the time, I’d just gotten my kindle, and I was reading a paranormal romance series.  I didn’t like how the author had done things in the series and I thought “hey I can do that better”, so I tried to.  Of course, no one will eversee that first story!  But it woke up a love of writing for me, and I began to write a little bit every day.
I was on a message board for an author I really love, chatting about characters and such, and I got messaged by a woman who wanted to know if I was a writer, because my messages were always so nicely written.  When I told her that I was writing, she asked if I’d like her to read something and give an opinion.  I sent her the first four chapters of the first of my wolf series, and waited for a month until she got back to me.  I was so nervous!  When she was encouraging and offered to read the rest, I jumped at the chance and she has been my faithful reader, editor, and cover designer ever since.  That was April of 2011. My journey from sometimes-writer to full-time writer has been an amazing one.  I find it incredibly satisfying when someone tells me that they loved a particular character and want to know more.  That I can make a character or a scenario feel real to a reader is what I strive for, and knowing I hit the mark is a real pleasure.
5) What do you feel makes your work stand out above others?
Two things:  believability and characterization.  Even fictional worlds need to be believable in some way.  I might be writing about a place that doesn’t actually exist, but that doesn’t mean I can ignore what their reality might be like.  The Tribe’s Bride is about a fictional Native American tribe from the 1600's that is located in a fictional mountain range in North America.  Even though the actual scenario and people didn’t exist, I had to research that timeframe and the general area where I had the mountain range.  I couldn’t have snow in a place where there was no snow, or the wrong animals.  
And my characters are different for paranormal stories.  My men aren’t alpha-assholes.  I like my men dominant but not Doms, alpha but not alpha-holes.  I get shivers when a man I’m writing about takes charge to make sure his woman is safe, but I like them to have that softer side so they’re not always so unyielding.  I like my women to be dually natured as well.  Strong but soft, independent but willing to take a chance on love.
6) In your new book, The Tribe's Bride, you focus on a relationship involving three men and one girl. I am curious, multiple men seems to be a theme in several of your stories. What attracts you to those relationships?
I love multiples!  What’s better than one hot man?  Two or three!  I love writing ménage stories because they’re just so much fun.  Instead of working with just one man, I can have multiple men to explore and the woman in the story gets all the pleasure.  In The Tribe’s Bride, the three men are vastly different.  Coyote is the leader and a bit on the aggressive side, the I-know-best sort.  Bear is the protector and expects everyone, including his brothers, to do what he says when it concerns safety.  And Hawk is the youngest, the caretaker of the group, sweet and shy.  It was a lot of fun writing the men, digging into their back-stories to find out what made them tick.
I’m so glad I had a chance to come on your blog today, Red, and share a little of myself with you and your followers.  Thank you for having me!

RE is sponsoring a blog tour to promote her new book. It is the story of a modern girl, a magic necklace, and three banished brothers who choose to share her as a bride. If you would like the chance to win a free copy of The Tribe's Bride, you can leave a comment answering the question: What man in history would you like to travel back in time for and why? 

There are also a $25 Amazon or B&N gift card and beaded bracelets to win if you enter the Virtual Book Tour contest. See the link.

You Know You've Made It When You Become Grocery Store Talk

"I googled it, Sir"~BrieIf you have read Brie Practices Her Oral Skills , then you know the humorous line, "I googled it, Sir," spoken by Brie in front of the panel of trainers. We have joked on my FB page that it would be fun if women everywhere knew the meaning it and used that line with others. It would be like our secret code...

I never really thought it would happen until one of my fans, Victoria Webster, shared a story with me last night. Rather than retell it, I will repost it in her own words:


Just now in the grocery store...
Friend #1: I can't believe you read that stuff!
Friend #2: 50 shades is not smut!
#1: Yes, it is!
#2: it's like a manual. John and I have never been so adventurous!
#1: is that why you need lube? you are going to hell!
#2: more like the red room of pain.
Me: giggling...
#2: really, the ideas are endless. And I found this new author who is better! It's this story about this girl named Brie...
#1: I don't want to know.
# 2: I mean I couldn't put it down. I read the whole thing in one night.
Me: I googled it, sir!
#2: high fives me and hysterical laughter ensues.
#1: saunters off to the meats.
I never thought that Brie (much less the line "I googled it, Sir.") would actually become common chatter at a grocery store. That signifies true success to this little indie author!

Red's Editor and Friend: Tameika Ortiz

Tameika Ortiz
A few months ago I blogged about my horrible editing skills and that's when Tameika Ortiz emailed me offering her expertise. The stories you love (including the Brie series) have been improved by Tameika's magic touch.

As far as the storyline, I totally count on her to give it to me straight. She tells me where my characters are lacking, details that need to be added or conversations that need a little tweaking. She does all that in the kindest, most encouraging way. I love getting her emails!

I had one book, Blissfully Broken, which had its publishing date postponed because of Tameika's dedication to me as a writer. She told me that she didn't feel the story was quite there yet and that it didn't have the "Red Phoenix" feel to it. Despite my disappointment, her words rang true and a month later I finally published the novelette - one that is very much Red Phoenix. ;)

Another example of her "magic" is found in the story Brie Lives Her Fantasy. She suggested I detail the Rytsar's physique and include a tattoo. What would that sexy Dom be without his dragon tattoo? She also suggested that the man rip off his clothes as he stalks Brie. That has got to be one of the sexiest scenes in the book! Those small but essential details give the extra "punch" in the scene to make it more memorable.

I count on Tameika to open my eyes to simple changes that ensure my characters remain consistent and make individual scenes pop!

If you would like to contact Tameika for a little indie encouragement or help here is a link to her website: Indie Edits

Oh, there is one more thing: Tameika has a wickedly fun sense of humor!

Brie Embraces Bondage... The Sixth in the Series by Red Phoenix

Brie Embraces Bondage available on Smashwords and Amazon

I have been looking forward to writing this particular book for a while. Bondage is an area that interests me and it's been fun exploring it with Brie. She experiences all kinds of alluring scenarios she's been afraid to approach because of the freedom bondage affords her. I know some of you are wondering how bondage can equal freedom. Well, it can...

Brie Embraces Bondage:

Brie is thrilled when the Submissive Training Center focuses a whole week on bondage lessons. Little does the inexperienced sub know what's in store. Brie explores areas she has been reluctant to tread and finally discovers what has been holding her back. The call of the rope opens her to new experiences that leave her panting with bated breath for more.

This wickedly arousing novelette encompasses an entire week of Brie’s submissive training, including her third Auction Day.

Brie longs to delve into the world of bondage and finally gets her chance at the center. She personally encounters the "mighty" male model, her trainer Master Coen, and later surrenders to another lesson with Marquis Gray. In answering the call of the rope, Brie discovers new avenues of pleasure. But there is a hefty price to be paid when her heart becomes torn between two masters.

Adult Material (18+)

Warning: This book contains sexually explicit content and scenes that some readers may find objectionable.