Alyssa Linn Palmer's Blog, page 24
February 20, 2013
Free reads! A new addition to my site.
It’s time to give you a little taste of what I work on in my spare time. Yes, I’ve finally begun to post some free reads!
Check it out in the top menu bar, or click here.
February 7, 2013
A new way of being naughty. Wicked Way Interactives!
I’ve been naughty and neglecting this blog. Mea culpa. I shall try to do better.
Today is better. Today is where I introduce you to a brilliant new series by erotic romance author Daire St. Denis. She’s created ‘Wicked Way Interactives’, which is an erotic romance where you, the reader, get to participate. Not in getting naked with the characters (pity, I know), but in a ‘choose your own adventure’-style read.
Her first is Sex, Spies, & Photographs, and it’s hot. Here’s the blurb:
Claire Marshall has a hot husband, a nice home in the burbs and an assortment of hobbies to keep her busy. She’s perfectly happy, right? Right?!
So why can’t she stop spying on the new neighbor next door?
When she finds out he specializes in boudoir photography, she employs his services to help spice up her love life with husband, John. However, things heat up beyond Claire’s imagination when the neighbor and his exotic wife turn up at their place and the two couples end up involved in more—much more—than a photo shoot.
The relationship that develops between the neighbors is like nothing Claire has ever experienced, forcing her to realize she’s been living a lie, biding her time in the burbs, waiting for something to happen. Well, now something has happened and she’s faced with an impossible decision.
Claire needs help. Your help. Will you help her?
In this exciting new erotic format, you get to make the decision for Claire. You get to decide whether Claire will find her happily ever after. Or…something else altogether.
I devoured this book. I loved the dynamic between Claire & Martin, and the changing dynamic between her and her husband. And then, there’s Martin’s wife…each character affects the story so strongly that to take one out…it might not work. Now, when you have a choice of things for Claire to do, that’s when it gets interesting. The dynamics shift even further.
Now, if you’re like me, you’ll go back and choose your second pick option after you’ve read through the first, just to see what’s different. (I did that with the Choose Your Own Adventure books when I was a kid, too.) And then watch out for more hot Wicked Way Interactive books!
Buy it on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Wicked-Way-Interactive-Photographs-ebook/dp/B00BC4BXUY/
January 19, 2013
Book Review: Caught in Amber, by Cathy Pegau
Caught in Amber by Cathy Pegau
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a fantastic sci-fi romance. One of my very favourites of all time.
Reformed drug addict Sasha is out of rehab and trying to get along on her own, and trying to stay clear of amber. After all, amber’s what got her in trouble in the first place: living the high life (pun intended) with top drug dealer Guy Christiansen. Trouble is, staying clear is easier said than done. Agent Nathan Sterling (briefly seen in Pegau’s previous work, Rulebreaker) needs Sasha’s help. In exchange for releasing her from parole, deactivating the chip in her neck, and even helping her get offworld, he needs her to get him into Christiansen’s circle to save his younger sister, now an amber addict.
From the first page, I was immediately captivated by Sasha, and stayed that way for the entire story. And from reading Rulebreaker, I’d been curious about Nathan Sterling, and for him to get his own book (so to speak), I could hardly wait to read.
Even if you’re not a big fan of sci-fi, you really should read Caught in Amber. Pegau’s world building is impressive, and I can promise you that you won’t be able to put this book down.
January 9, 2013
Check out the Lesbian Fiction Appreciation Event!
It’s that time! The most excellent KT Grant is hosting her second annual Lesbian Fiction Appreciation Event! Check out at her blog: http://kbgbabbles.blogspot.com/
I’m one of the guest posts in the event, and today (Jan 9th) I’ll be talking about some of the great lesbian fiction I’ve read in the last year.
January 8, 2013
Happy Birthday, David Bowie!
I’m feeling rather happy this morning, having just heard the news that David Bowie has released a new single, and has a new album forthcoming soon. A perfect way to celebrate his 66th birthday, in my opinion. 
I’ve listened to the single once, and thus far I like it. I have a feeling it’s one of those songs that will grow on me. I’m really more excited about what else is on the new album…
Articles in The Mirror, Billboard.
January 5, 2013
These are a few of my favourite links!
These are some of the articles and such that I have been reading recently:
Cory Doctorow’s Locus article, Where Characters Come From
NYT: The Well, blog about The Versatility of Spinach
Kristine Kathryn Rusch, The Business Rusch: Year-End Numbers
My French Life, French Film Friday: The Queer Side of French Film
Of course there are more, but these are the ones that I found the most remarkable.
January 2, 2013
Book Review: The SEAL’s Valentine, by Laura Marie Altom
The SEAL’s Valentine by Laura Marie Altom
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
The moment off-duty navy SEAL Tristan Bartoni meets feisty yet vulnerable Brynn Langtoine, he’s a goner. He sure didn’t have plans to be attracted to a recently widowed pregnant woman who is already mother to a troubled, grieving young son. Nope, the struggling SEAL came home to Ruin Bayou, Louisiana, to finally deal with his haunting past decisions-not to start a new relationship.
Brynn has enough problems without her hormones going crazy whenever Tristan is near. Her son, Cayden, constantly lashes out at her. Her baby will be fatherless. So…what does Tristan think he’s doing, making her life even more topsy-turvy than it already is?
But when it comes to putting her heart on the line, who could be more trustworthy than a Navy SEAL?
My knowledge of the US military and its different branches is scant, reliant as it is on films and television dramas (i.e. Generation Kill, etc.), so I can’t really speak to that side of things. Fortunately, as it is a romance, I don’t have to. 
I found both main characters to be interesting, and their wounds and backstories were compelling. Brynn’s more than Tristan’s though, to be honest, as somehow I would expect a military guy often away might have marital troubles.
Truth be told, I picked up this book because I wanted a love story. And it delivered. It was easy to root for Brynn and Tristan, and I loved how their relationship grew, and how the author made sure that Brynn’s son was a strong part of the narrative. It’s a good, romantic read, especially to get you in the mood for Valentine’s Day.
(copy provided by Netgalley).
January 1, 2013
2012: My Year in Review
Lots of things this year, just like last year.
I finished a novella (The Artist’s Muse) and it’s now on submission.
I just (under the wire) finished my 1920s gangster novel, The Orpheus.
I went to Chicago in May for fun and research, including a day at the Newberry Library, taking a gangster tour and sailing the tall ship Windy, and enjoyed some great times with my parents and aunt and uncle, especially eating at some great restaurants.
In other writing news, I learned novel plotting from Michael Hauge, released my novella Prohibited Passion, and took several great courses. My story ‘Vee’ was a part of the Felt Tips: Office-Supply erotica anthology. I also attended the When Words Collide convention and spoke on a panel about historical romance.
I began working with The Author’s Red Room as an editor, and I’m so glad I’ve been able to work with so many great clients this year.
I also made a point of reading a lot of books (over 140, according to Goodreads), and watched many films. I reviewed some films on my blog: Tomboy, Shame, The Artist, In a Lonely Place, Caché, and De rouille et d’os (Rust & Bone).
And, last but not least, I met James Marsters at the Calgary Comic Expo.
I have several goals for the coming year, including writing another novel and travelling to London and Paris. I’m sure 2013 will be as great as this year.
December 31, 2012
Food: Oh so delicious macarons!
The other day I was checking out the site My French Life, and I came across a post on a stroll in Paris, which featured a photo of a box of macarons. Reading further, I found a post on the website CakeJournal and decided to try to make my own.
My macarons.
Ingredients:
100 grams of almond flour (or grind your own)
100-110 grams egg whites (about 3-4 egg whites, depending on the size of your eggs), left out one day (cover dish with plastic wrap)
200 grams of powdered (icing) sugar
4 tablespoons of granulated sugar
Mix the icing sugar and almond flour together in a bowl. I used a whisk, but you can use a food processor too. It’s important to mix them thoroughly.
Beat the eggs, and as they get foamy, start putting in the granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time. Beat until the egg whites are glossy and stiff.
Fold in the almond flour and icing sugar mix using a spatula, and go slowly. Be careful not to overmix, or you’ll lose some of that nice fluffiness. When you’re done, it should look a cream colour, and be reasonably thick. Take this mixture and put it into a piping bag (pastry bag, to the Americans), and on cookie sheets covered with parchment paper, put 1-inch dollops of the batter. (Give them a bit of space, as they will spread a bit.)
Let the batter sit for one hour (yes, really–this was the hardest part for me, I wanted to get them baked!), and then put them in an oven that has been preheated to 300˚F (150˚C) for 10-12 minutes. I found that 10 minutes was enough to make them hard and just a touch golden.
I filled my macarons with chocolate ganache (I *love* chocolate), but you could use buttercream icing, or jam, or whatever else caught your fancy. Also, if you want to make your macarons chocolate, substitute a bit of cocoa powder in the dry mix. And don’t be afraid to experiment with colour dyes!
But, my favourite part about this recipe, aside from how delicious it is? It’s gluten-free.
Happy New Year! Bonne année!
December 25, 2012
Merry Christmas / Joyeux Noël!
Photo by zoriah (http://www.flickr.com/photos/zoriah/5...)
To all my friends, I wish you the merriest of holiday seasons!
A tous mes amis, je vous souhaite toute le meilleur dans la saison!
