H.K. Carlton's Blog, page 177
January 17, 2014
#MySexySaturday The Devil Himself Gard Marschand
Welcome to the 32nd week of My Sexy Saturday.
We’ve always loved the song Underneath It All by Gwen Stefani. To us, it has always been about the beauty on the inside of a person. Outsides are important but if the inside is rotten to the core, what does a pretty face matter? Share with the readers just why your unlikeable characters are likeable and redeemable.
You know the ones we’re talking about. The demon who loves a woman. The vampire who will do anything to save the human he loves. Or just the plain Jane next door who becomes the most desirable woman on the planet. Share just what is underneath the surface.
As soon as I read Lynn's prompt for this week's My Sexy Saturday, my first thoughts went to Gard Marschand. The anti-hero from my Scottish Highlander historical romance The Devil Take You. He's really not a nice guy, but I fell in love with him while writing his story and every reader that has reviewed this book or contacted me personally, fell in love with him too—badass or no, Gard is the man. That's what I wanted to create when I started this story. A man with seemingly no redeemable qualities. The classic anti-hero.
Excerpt: The Devil Take You:
"Come, I will teach you to use the dirk.”
“T'is fairly straight forward, is it no’?” she asked.
“Nay. It is not. An attacker will be stronger, faster, more savage than you. His
determination will be more than yours. You will have to be more cunning to make up for the lack of strength.” He moved toward her, pulling her up to stand. “Do you have it on you?”
“O’ course.”
“Remove it.”
“Ya told me na ta.”
“I would prefer neither of us run afoul of it. Remove it.”
She lifted her skirt and slid the dirk from the leather, placing it on the pallet.
“Remove the leather,” he instructed, his voice deepened at the sight of her long
shapely legs as she did so.
“You will wield to kill, Braelynn.” Her eyes widened at his words. “You cannot simply wound a man, you must aim for the kill. An injured man is like a
wounded animal. First he will be angry that you wounded him. Then he will seek his revenge and he will punish you and probably turn the weapon upon you, after he is done with you. You cannot give him the chance.”
Gard handed her a wooden rule from his desk to act as a dirk. “Now, if he
should come for you head on, most like his arms will come from above or mid-level. You must go underneath and aim upward.” He raised his muscular arms and came at her.
She did as instructed and ducked under him aiming the makeshift blade toward his ribs.
“Excellent. The ribs, the stomach are good places. The heart will be
instantaneous, the throat as well. Aim here.” When he placed his thumb to her
jugular, her gaze met his as he touched her lightly, belying his ferocious nature. He slowly scanned her face halting to focus on his own hand at her throat. He stroked his fingers lightly over her neck, sweeping over her breastbone before surprising her with an unprovoked attack. He had her flat on her back before she knew it, smothering her with his weight, out muscling her with his strength. Taking the wooden blade from her with ease, he flung it away from her.
“Now what will you do, Braelynn?” He continued to overpower her raising her
heavy skirt. She fought and kicked as she had in the lean-to. “Come, you must stop me. My will is stronger. I will get what I want and take it because you are not strong enough to fight me. My will to get inside you is stronger than your instinct for survival.” Deliberately, he tried to provoke her so that she might turn her anger into something useful. She made all the same mistakes again, ending in the exact same position with him—her skirt up around her waist and Gard with his granite-like hips thrust between her thighs.
“Will you let me do it to you again?”
She went completely still. “Ya willna hurt me.”
“Doona be too sure.” He spoke as a Scotsman to her. For some reason it
seemed to disarm her. He would use all the tricks to show her how deceptive an
opponent could be. “I told ya ta keep tha’ dagger on ya fer a reason. Yor first
mistake was lettin’ me so easily convince ya ta relinquish it. Do ya think I possess any more control o’er my cravings than Cowan does? I am goin’ ta take wha’ I want from ya, Braelynn. Stop me.”
“Yor word. Ya willna hurt me. I trust tha’.” Was she daft?
“Well, ya shouldna,” he roared, diving for her neck. Their impassioned mock-battle had him acutely aroused. Viciously, he seized her hips, his fingers biting into her enough to make her cry out. Surging against her, pulling at her bodice he exposed her and raked his teeth down her bared flesh.
The Devil Take You MuseItUp Publishing Amazon Canada Amazon UK Amazon US Coffee Time Romance Barnes and Noble iTunes All Romance eBooks
I hope you enjoyed this week's excerpt. Dont forget to check out the rest of the My Sexy Saturday authors from the list below.
Have a Sexy Saturday!
We’ve always loved the song Underneath It All by Gwen Stefani. To us, it has always been about the beauty on the inside of a person. Outsides are important but if the inside is rotten to the core, what does a pretty face matter? Share with the readers just why your unlikeable characters are likeable and redeemable.
You know the ones we’re talking about. The demon who loves a woman. The vampire who will do anything to save the human he loves. Or just the plain Jane next door who becomes the most desirable woman on the planet. Share just what is underneath the surface.
As soon as I read Lynn's prompt for this week's My Sexy Saturday, my first thoughts went to Gard Marschand. The anti-hero from my Scottish Highlander historical romance The Devil Take You. He's really not a nice guy, but I fell in love with him while writing his story and every reader that has reviewed this book or contacted me personally, fell in love with him too—badass or no, Gard is the man. That's what I wanted to create when I started this story. A man with seemingly no redeemable qualities. The classic anti-hero.
Excerpt: The Devil Take You:
"Come, I will teach you to use the dirk.”
“T'is fairly straight forward, is it no’?” she asked.
“Nay. It is not. An attacker will be stronger, faster, more savage than you. His
determination will be more than yours. You will have to be more cunning to make up for the lack of strength.” He moved toward her, pulling her up to stand. “Do you have it on you?”
“O’ course.”
“Remove it.”“Ya told me na ta.”
“I would prefer neither of us run afoul of it. Remove it.”
She lifted her skirt and slid the dirk from the leather, placing it on the pallet.
“Remove the leather,” he instructed, his voice deepened at the sight of her long
shapely legs as she did so.
“You will wield to kill, Braelynn.” Her eyes widened at his words. “You cannot simply wound a man, you must aim for the kill. An injured man is like a
wounded animal. First he will be angry that you wounded him. Then he will seek his revenge and he will punish you and probably turn the weapon upon you, after he is done with you. You cannot give him the chance.”
Gard handed her a wooden rule from his desk to act as a dirk. “Now, if he
should come for you head on, most like his arms will come from above or mid-level. You must go underneath and aim upward.” He raised his muscular arms and came at her.
She did as instructed and ducked under him aiming the makeshift blade toward his ribs.
“Excellent. The ribs, the stomach are good places. The heart will be
instantaneous, the throat as well. Aim here.” When he placed his thumb to her
jugular, her gaze met his as he touched her lightly, belying his ferocious nature. He slowly scanned her face halting to focus on his own hand at her throat. He stroked his fingers lightly over her neck, sweeping over her breastbone before surprising her with an unprovoked attack. He had her flat on her back before she knew it, smothering her with his weight, out muscling her with his strength. Taking the wooden blade from her with ease, he flung it away from her.
“Now what will you do, Braelynn?” He continued to overpower her raising her
heavy skirt. She fought and kicked as she had in the lean-to. “Come, you must stop me. My will is stronger. I will get what I want and take it because you are not strong enough to fight me. My will to get inside you is stronger than your instinct for survival.” Deliberately, he tried to provoke her so that she might turn her anger into something useful. She made all the same mistakes again, ending in the exact same position with him—her skirt up around her waist and Gard with his granite-like hips thrust between her thighs.
“Will you let me do it to you again?”
She went completely still. “Ya willna hurt me.”
“Doona be too sure.” He spoke as a Scotsman to her. For some reason it
seemed to disarm her. He would use all the tricks to show her how deceptive an
opponent could be. “I told ya ta keep tha’ dagger on ya fer a reason. Yor first
mistake was lettin’ me so easily convince ya ta relinquish it. Do ya think I possess any more control o’er my cravings than Cowan does? I am goin’ ta take wha’ I want from ya, Braelynn. Stop me.”
“Yor word. Ya willna hurt me. I trust tha’.” Was she daft?
“Well, ya shouldna,” he roared, diving for her neck. Their impassioned mock-battle had him acutely aroused. Viciously, he seized her hips, his fingers biting into her enough to make her cry out. Surging against her, pulling at her bodice he exposed her and raked his teeth down her bared flesh.
The Devil Take You MuseItUp Publishing Amazon Canada Amazon UK Amazon US Coffee Time Romance Barnes and Noble iTunes All Romance eBooks
I hope you enjoyed this week's excerpt. Dont forget to check out the rest of the My Sexy Saturday authors from the list below.
Have a Sexy Saturday!
January 15, 2014
I'm over at N.R. Walker's Today @NR_Walker
I'm guest blogging at N.R. Walker's today talking about The Best of Both Worlds the sequel to Streetlight People which comes out general release on Friday. Stop by and check out the excerpt. It's a hot one.
Single White Female seeks perfect couple...
Ménage mff Contemporary Erotic Romance
This is Toni's story...
Reader Advisory: This book contains references to f/f intimacyMeet me over @
N. R. Walker's Blog
Single White Female seeks perfect couple...
Ménage mff Contemporary Erotic Romance
This is Toni's story...
Reader Advisory: This book contains references to f/f intimacyMeet me over @
N. R. Walker's Blog
January 14, 2014
Please Welcome Back Donna Gallagher @donnag63
Please Welcome Back my friend and fellow Totally Bound Author Donna Gallagher...
Hi everyone and thank you H K, for inviting me to your blog.
One of the things an author does when she/he has a new release is ask around to do guest spots on blogs. There is this frantic blog post writing that happens around this time and it’s really hard trying to find new ways of promoting or showcasing that new release. You’ve got to get it out there for people to see in the hope some may find the excerpts, blurbs or posts interesting enough to catch their eye and maybe enough to buy your book.
Now, I do have a new release – Cassie’s Choice, book 7 in my League of Love series is available for early download at Totally Bound and will be released to all other outlets on 24th January. But instead of talking about that I decided what I really wanted to blog about was how awesome H.K. Carlton is, as both an author and a friend. She better post this blog or else ;)
I met H.K. on line when we both released our first books with Totally Bound Publishing back in 2012. We’ve not met in person but have exchanged many emails. I ribbed her unmercifully when I took my trip to Scotland last year because I knew how much she loved the country and wanted to visit one day. I think I mentioned my trip on every blog post or email for about six months prior. On my way to Scotland I read H.K.’s historical erotic books, The Devil Take You and You Found me. Seriously they were such great reads and got me into the Scottish spirit of things. I have a bit of a crush on Gard.
H.K. has also introduced me to the m/f/f ménage genre with her books Streetlight People and Best of Both Worlds. Both seriously hot books. Loved them! If You Can’t Stand the Heat was another spicy little read and so timely with all the cooking reality shows on at the moment. Friends of mine are ‘foodies’ and I had a little giggle thinking about them in this book.
The thing is H.K. is not only a talented author writing across a variety of genres, she is also a very supportive one. I was at a lunch in Sydney the other day and a fellow Totally Bound author mentioned that we didn’t need a street team (a group of fans that talks up your book) because we had H.K. You see H.K. will repost on twitter or share on Facebook every significant (and some not so important) milestones in an author’s career. She is so incredibly supportive. I think she has made more comments on my blog than anyone else (Jennifer Wright is up there too) I’m sure that she spends her whole day visiting other authors blogs just to make us all feel loved. And to top it off H.K. is a sports fan! I love the hot ice-hockey player pics she posts.
Tyler Bozak from my beloved Toronto Maple Leafs
Patrice Bergeron my beloved! Just named to the 2014 Canadian Men's Olympic Hockey Team. Oh, and BTW he was on the 2010 Gold Medal Winning team too. Just sayin'.
So this blog is to say a big THANK YOU to H.K. Carlton for being such a wonderful woman. To encourage anyone who may not have read any of H.K.’s books to give them a try. One day I will get to Canada and met you (and your rugby playing son) H.K. to thank you in person but for now this will have to do. Big cheers to you from me on behalf of all the authors you have supported.
Thank you, Donna, right back at you. And now while blushing and hanging my head, let's get on to what this post should really be about. Celebrating Donna's four nominations for the 2013 Australian Romance Romance Readers Association Awards.
In the Favourite Erotic Romance category not one but two of Donna's books from her extremely popular and highly regarded League of Love Series:
In the Favourite Continuing Romance Series category for The League of Love Series,
The Sexiest Hero from a romance published in 2013 category for Gareth Andrews also from Emily's Cowboy
and finally the ever coveted Favourite Australian Romance Author category.
Big Congratulations, Donna. I'm so excited for you! I hope you'll come back in March with an arm load of well earned and much deserved sparkly hardware (and that can be taken in a totally different context with a room full or erotic romance authors) and we'll devote that entire post to you and share a glass of bubbly. Cheers, my friend and all the best of luck!
The Australian Romance Readers Association sixth annual Australian Romance Readers Awards will be presented on Saturday 22 March 2014. If you're a member please remember to cast your VOTE!
January 10, 2014
#MySexySaturday Justify My Love
Welcome to the 31st week of My Sexy Saturday and our first Saturday of 2014.
Justify my sexy…bet you’re wondering just what I mean. Well, the feeling is that every sexy moment needs to happen naturally between the characters. The books that just have those sex scenes added as an afterthought or just plunked down to fill a quota, generally aren’t the best. Here at MSS, we aim to bring you the best sexy moments ever put to page.
Those moments could be a moonlit walk on the beach, a romantic dinner, flying a spaceship where your hero has been forced to be with the same tempting person for days. It could be two lovers gazing at those stars and dreaming of space travel…or a backyard pool…each and ever moment is important to the characters and the readers.
Readers want to see all those special places and moments. They love the first kiss, the first time the characters make love or are just aware of each other. It can be the look shared across the room, the nerd who makes our heart pound, the construction worker who can’t wait to get in our hot tub or the fireman that we bought at the charity auction. Sexy has nothing to do with looks or status or even wealth. It doesn’t demand perfection and it isn’t pretentious but it does make us want to read those books. We know that everyone has their own idea of sexy and we all love sexy!
The rules are simple...yet I still can't seem to play by them...
Post 7 paragraphs or 7 sentences or 7 word
For this week's My Sexy Saturday I decided on a snippet from The Best of Both Worlds (mff ménage contemporary erotic romance)
Single white female seeks perfect couple…
After participating in a threesome with her boyfriend and a female schoolmate, Antoinette Oakes finds herself alone. But Toni is less upset by the loss of her boyfriend than she is by the realization that her idea of the perfect relationship requires two people. A man and a woman.
The week before graduation, in the midst of setting up job interviews and apartment hunting in New York, Toni is summoned back home to Manchester, Georgia—a place she swore she’d never return to—and to a father she has no desire to see. The last thing Toni expects is to rekindle old feelings for her high school beau, Griffin, let alone reawaken a past infatuation with her former best girlfriend, Avery, with whom she once shared a passionate kiss and a little bit more.
But keeping her eye on the ultimate prize, Toni is determined to move to New York, where the impossible dream of finding that perfect couple just might be possible. Something the small town intolerant community she grew up in would never understand. Toni wants the best of both worlds and will settle for nothing less, even if that means leaving Griffin and Avery behind, for a second time.
This Excerpt follows up from my last Sexy Saturday post before the Christmas break
He sat down beside me, not even saying a word, and pulled me into his strong arms. I gave into the misery that hounded me. And just like always, Griff let me and he was there for me. I didn’t have to be tough. I didn’t have to do it alone. Not when I was with him. He’d shoulder it all if he could and I knew it.
Griff stretched out, his back on the blanket. He coaxed me into his chest and just let me cry it out. Stroking my hair and wiping my face, he mumbled little words of comfort and kissed my forehead, just waiting me out. As I calmed I listened to the slow and steady beat of his heart under my ear. How many afternoons had I spent, just like this, wishing we could stay like that forever?
I took a deep breath and lifted up on my elbow so that I could see him and my heart twisted in my chest when I gazed into that rugged, beloved face and saw trails of moisture down his cheeks. I wiped them away. I didn’t want to hurt him again. Not him.
“This is what I came here looking for,” I admitted.
“To the creek? Or back to Manchester?”
Good question. Leave it to Griff to point out the obvious. Could I
have subconsciously wanted this all along? When Everett called, had I jumped at the chance to come back home?
I smiled tremulously. “Maybe both. I don’t know.”
“I don’t think you came back here for your daddy, Annie. You don’t owe that man a thing and there’s no love lost between the two of you. But your heart is here. Whether you want to believe it or not. You went off, you did your thing. And here you are. In my arms again. Where you belong.”
“Is it?” I honestly didn’t know. I’d never felt like I belonged anywhere.
“And don’t tell me you don’t fit,” he began as if he’d read my mind. “Nothing fits better than you and me. When I’m holding you, when your head is on my chest? Is there anything that feels like that? Did you find that when you were looking for yourself out there? No. You didn’t. Or you wouldn’t be here right now.”
I didn’t want to get into that with him. My thoughts were one big cluster fuck inside my head.
I played with the button on his plaid shirt. “How’d you know?” I asked quietly. “That I needed you?”
He shrugged a broad shoulder. “I always knew.”
I put my head back on his chest and we snuggled down. We spent hours there just nestled in our own little place.
“I love you,” I said quietly.
I didn’t think he was going to reply.
“Stay.”
That one simple word pierced me right through the heart.
The Best of Both Worlds available now at Totally Bound (Available at most other vendors January 17) the sequel to Streetlight People
I hope you enjoyed this week's excerpt. Don't forget to check out the My Sexy Saturday Authors from the list below.
Have a Sexy Saturday my Streetlight peeps...
Justify my sexy…bet you’re wondering just what I mean. Well, the feeling is that every sexy moment needs to happen naturally between the characters. The books that just have those sex scenes added as an afterthought or just plunked down to fill a quota, generally aren’t the best. Here at MSS, we aim to bring you the best sexy moments ever put to page.
Those moments could be a moonlit walk on the beach, a romantic dinner, flying a spaceship where your hero has been forced to be with the same tempting person for days. It could be two lovers gazing at those stars and dreaming of space travel…or a backyard pool…each and ever moment is important to the characters and the readers.
Readers want to see all those special places and moments. They love the first kiss, the first time the characters make love or are just aware of each other. It can be the look shared across the room, the nerd who makes our heart pound, the construction worker who can’t wait to get in our hot tub or the fireman that we bought at the charity auction. Sexy has nothing to do with looks or status or even wealth. It doesn’t demand perfection and it isn’t pretentious but it does make us want to read those books. We know that everyone has their own idea of sexy and we all love sexy!
The rules are simple...yet I still can't seem to play by them...
Post 7 paragraphs or 7 sentences or 7 word
For this week's My Sexy Saturday I decided on a snippet from The Best of Both Worlds (mff ménage contemporary erotic romance)
Single white female seeks perfect couple…
After participating in a threesome with her boyfriend and a female schoolmate, Antoinette Oakes finds herself alone. But Toni is less upset by the loss of her boyfriend than she is by the realization that her idea of the perfect relationship requires two people. A man and a woman.
The week before graduation, in the midst of setting up job interviews and apartment hunting in New York, Toni is summoned back home to Manchester, Georgia—a place she swore she’d never return to—and to a father she has no desire to see. The last thing Toni expects is to rekindle old feelings for her high school beau, Griffin, let alone reawaken a past infatuation with her former best girlfriend, Avery, with whom she once shared a passionate kiss and a little bit more.
But keeping her eye on the ultimate prize, Toni is determined to move to New York, where the impossible dream of finding that perfect couple just might be possible. Something the small town intolerant community she grew up in would never understand. Toni wants the best of both worlds and will settle for nothing less, even if that means leaving Griffin and Avery behind, for a second time.
This Excerpt follows up from my last Sexy Saturday post before the Christmas break
He sat down beside me, not even saying a word, and pulled me into his strong arms. I gave into the misery that hounded me. And just like always, Griff let me and he was there for me. I didn’t have to be tough. I didn’t have to do it alone. Not when I was with him. He’d shoulder it all if he could and I knew it.Griff stretched out, his back on the blanket. He coaxed me into his chest and just let me cry it out. Stroking my hair and wiping my face, he mumbled little words of comfort and kissed my forehead, just waiting me out. As I calmed I listened to the slow and steady beat of his heart under my ear. How many afternoons had I spent, just like this, wishing we could stay like that forever?
I took a deep breath and lifted up on my elbow so that I could see him and my heart twisted in my chest when I gazed into that rugged, beloved face and saw trails of moisture down his cheeks. I wiped them away. I didn’t want to hurt him again. Not him.
“This is what I came here looking for,” I admitted.
“To the creek? Or back to Manchester?”
Good question. Leave it to Griff to point out the obvious. Could I
have subconsciously wanted this all along? When Everett called, had I jumped at the chance to come back home?I smiled tremulously. “Maybe both. I don’t know.”
“I don’t think you came back here for your daddy, Annie. You don’t owe that man a thing and there’s no love lost between the two of you. But your heart is here. Whether you want to believe it or not. You went off, you did your thing. And here you are. In my arms again. Where you belong.”
“Is it?” I honestly didn’t know. I’d never felt like I belonged anywhere.
“And don’t tell me you don’t fit,” he began as if he’d read my mind. “Nothing fits better than you and me. When I’m holding you, when your head is on my chest? Is there anything that feels like that? Did you find that when you were looking for yourself out there? No. You didn’t. Or you wouldn’t be here right now.”
I didn’t want to get into that with him. My thoughts were one big cluster fuck inside my head.
I played with the button on his plaid shirt. “How’d you know?” I asked quietly. “That I needed you?”
He shrugged a broad shoulder. “I always knew.”
I put my head back on his chest and we snuggled down. We spent hours there just nestled in our own little place.
“I love you,” I said quietly.
I didn’t think he was going to reply.
“Stay.”
That one simple word pierced me right through the heart.
The Best of Both Worlds available now at Totally Bound (Available at most other vendors January 17) the sequel to Streetlight People
I hope you enjoyed this week's excerpt. Don't forget to check out the My Sexy Saturday Authors from the list below.
Have a Sexy Saturday my Streetlight peeps...
January 9, 2014
Please Welcome Back Donna Gallagher @donnag63
Please Welcome Back my friend and fellow Totally Bound Author Donna Gallagher...
Hi everyone and thank you H K, for inviting me to your blog.
One of the things an author does when she/he has a new release is ask around to do guest spots on blogs. There is this frantic blog post writing that happens around this time and it’s really hard trying to find new ways of promoting or showcasing that new release. You’ve got to get it out there for people to see in the hope some may find the excerpts, blurbs or posts interesting enough to catch their eye and maybe enough to buy your book.
Now, I do have a new release – Cassie’s Choice, book 7 in my League of Love series is available for early download at Totally Bound and will be released to all other outlets on 24th January. But instead of talking about that I decided what I really wanted to blog about was how awesome H.K. Carlton is, as both an author and a friend. She better post this blog or else ;)I met H.K. on line when we both released our first books with Totally Bound Publishing back in 2012. We’ve not met in person but have exchanged many emails. I ribbed her unmercifully when I took my trip to Scotland last year because I knew how much she loved the country and wanted to visit one day. I think I mentioned my trip on every blog post or email for about six months prior. On my way to Scotland I read H.K.’s historical erotic books, The Devil Take You and You Found me. Seriously they were such great reads and got me into the Scottish spirit of things. I have a bit of a crush on Gard.
H.K. has also introduced me to the m/f/f ménage genre with her books Streetlight People and Best of Both Worlds. Both seriously hot books. Loved them! If You Can’t Stand the Heat was another spicy little read and so timely with all the cooking reality shows on at the moment. Friends of mine are ‘foodies’ and I had a little giggle thinking about them in this book.
The thing is H.K. is not only a talented author writing across a variety of genres, she is also a very supportive one. I was at a lunch in Sydney the other day and a fellow Totally Bound author mentioned that we didn’t need a street team (a group of fans that talks up your book) because we had H.K. You see H.K. will repost on twitter or share on Facebook every significant (and some not so important) milestones in an author’s career. She is so incredibly supportive. I think she has made more comments on my blog than anyone else (Jennifer Wright is up there too) I’m sure that she spends her whole day visiting other authors blogs just to make us all feel loved. And to top it off H.K. is a sports fan! I love the hot ice-hockey player pics she posts.
Tyler Bozak from my beloved Toronto Maple LeafsPatrice Bergeron my beloved! Just named to the 2014 Canadian Men's Olympic Hockey Team. Oh, and BTW he was on the 2010 Gold Medal Winning team too. Just sayin'. So this blog is to say a big THANK YOU to H.K. Carlton for being such a wonderful woman. To encourage anyone who may not have read any of H.K.’s books to give them a try. One day I will get to Canada and met you (and your rugby playing son) H.K. to thank you in person but for now this will have to do. Big cheers to you from me on behalf of all the authors you have supported.
Thank you, Donna, right back at you. And now while blushing and hanging my head, let's get on to what this post should really be about. Celebrating Donna's four nominations for the 2013 Australian Romance Romance Readers Association Awards.
In the Favourite Erotic Romance category not one but two of Donna's books from her extremely popular and highly regarded League of Love Series:
Sarah's Soldier
and
Emily's Cowboy
In the Favourite Continuing Romance Series category for The League of Love Series,
The Sexiest Hero from a romance published in 2013 category for Gareth Andrews also from Emily's Cowboy and finally the ever coveted Favourite Australian Romance Author category.
Big Congratulations, Donna. I'm so excited for you! I hope you'll come back in March with an arm load of well earned and much deserved sparkly hardware (and that can be taken in a totally different context with a room full or erotic romance authors) and we'll devote that entire post to you and share a glass of bubbly. Cheers, my friend and all the best of luck!
The Australian Romance Readers Association sixth annual Australian Romance Readers Awards will be presented on Saturday 22 March 2014. If you're a member please remember to cast your VOTE!
Donna's Website Blog Twitter Facebook Totally Bound
December 24, 2013
Have a safe and Merry Christmas
Have a safe and
Merry Christmas
Have a safe and Merry Christmas
Have a safe and
Merry Christmas
December 20, 2013
#MySexySaturday The Right Setting
Welcome to the 30th week of My Sexy Saturday The rules are simple Post 7 paragraphs, 7 sentences or 7 words from a WIP or published work Have you ever noticed, as a writer or reader, that sometimes the setting more than helps with the romance? Excerpt from The Best of Both Worlds (ménage, mff, contemporary erotic romance)
I took off to the creek with the same old blanket that Griff and I used to keep handy. We never knew when we’d need it for ground cover or to wrap up in so that we could hide what we were doing. I smiled, remembering how crazy we’d been.
As I rounded the trees, hearing the trickle of the water, I hoped Griff would be there, like he’d always been in the past. It was like he’d had a sixth sense when I’d needed him. Whether it was my dad, or school, or Avery, or just the need to get the hell out of this place, Griff had known that I’d been hurting and he’d come. He’d let me talk and cry my heart out and he’d just held me.
My hopes sank as the brown murky water came into view and there was no big strapping cowboy waiting for me. I sighed heavily and laid the blanket out, taking a seat. I pulled my knees up to my chest and held them with clasped hands.
It was weird—as strong and as independent as I’d like to believe that I was, being back there made me realize just how much I’d missed having Griffin in my life. Back then, he’d been everything to me, rolled up in one. Without a mom, a father that hated my guts, and a best friend who couldn’t even look at me, Griff had become my whole world. My lover, my best friend, and yeah, even in a way, I guess he was like a parental figure. My moral code. God knew where my wildness would have taken me if not for him. Griff had let me be wild and foolish with him. But he had a slow and sturdy way about him. Like his daddy, I guess. They were good men. Hardworking, honorable, steady as they come, God-loving gentlemen to the end. I’d never gone wrong taking Griff’s advice. Sometimes just the strength and kindness that he offered had been all that I needed.
Even when I had talked about leaving and going to school far away, as much as I’d known that it had hurt him, he’d never once out and out asked me to stay. As selfish as I was, he was selfless and he’d let me go because he’d known that’s what I’d wanted, what I’d claimed would make me happy. And isn’t that what real love is? Putting the happiness of the person you love above your own? Well, he always was a better person than me.
I closed my eyes tight, as tears rolled down my cheeks. It hadn’t made me happy and I still hadn’t found what I was so desperately looking for.
I heard the rumble of the tractor coming closer, then the blessed silence as the engine cut. The heavy crush of his work boots in the dirt coming closer. I didn’t have to turn around. I knew it was Griff.
The Best of Both Worlds the sequel to Streetlight People is now available for early download, exclusively at Totally Bound, until general release January 17th
I hope you enjoyed this week's snippet and don't forgetto make the rounds and check out the rest of the My Sexy Saturday authors from the list below...
The Best of Both Worlds - Early Download @Totally_Bound
The Best of Both Worlds the sequel to Streetlight People is now available for early download at Totally Bound.
Single White Female seeks perfect couple...
This is Toni's story...
Prologue
I sat watching my ex-boyfriend Street and his new girlfriend Andi, from across the cafeteria. I wasn’t really that upset about the break-up. Dean Overstreet’s usefulness had run its course. But the woman at his side had not only captivated Dean—she’d also touched me. Figuratively and literally.
What had started out as a birthday gift for Dean, fulfilling one of his fantasies, had ended in a night of passion for all three of us—one that I will never forget. But the morning after, Dean and I had amicably agreed to part ways. The problem was that we both wanted to actively pursue Andi.
When Dean had brought up the idea of a ménage à trois, my mind had immediately jumped to Andrea. And when Dean had explained the perfect woman he’d envisioned to complete our trifecta, I’d known that he’d had Andi in mind as well. It had been obvious that Andi preferred Dean that night and that it had been her first experience with multiple partners. But when Andi had touched and kissed me, there had been a spark between us. Perhaps she’d favoured Dean, but I was convinced that Andi could go both ways, she just needed a little convincing. Maybe someday, but not now. She and Street were still too hot and heavy with all that new relationship rapture for the moment—when everything a new partner does is still cute and endearing, unlike later when all the secrets are out in the open. But when things cooled between them, I could definitely help them put that excitement back.
It had been more than a month since we’d been together, but I couldn’t get it out of my mind. Sighing, I shook my head, disappointed in myself. I’d never been one to dwell on things, so why the hell was this bothering me so much?
Early Download: 20th December 2013 General Release: 17th January 2013
Thank you, Donna!
Single White Female seeks perfect couple...
This is Toni's story...
Prologue
I sat watching my ex-boyfriend Street and his new girlfriend Andi, from across the cafeteria. I wasn’t really that upset about the break-up. Dean Overstreet’s usefulness had run its course. But the woman at his side had not only captivated Dean—she’d also touched me. Figuratively and literally.
What had started out as a birthday gift for Dean, fulfilling one of his fantasies, had ended in a night of passion for all three of us—one that I will never forget. But the morning after, Dean and I had amicably agreed to part ways. The problem was that we both wanted to actively pursue Andi.
When Dean had brought up the idea of a ménage à trois, my mind had immediately jumped to Andrea. And when Dean had explained the perfect woman he’d envisioned to complete our trifecta, I’d known that he’d had Andi in mind as well. It had been obvious that Andi preferred Dean that night and that it had been her first experience with multiple partners. But when Andi had touched and kissed me, there had been a spark between us. Perhaps she’d favoured Dean, but I was convinced that Andi could go both ways, she just needed a little convincing. Maybe someday, but not now. She and Street were still too hot and heavy with all that new relationship rapture for the moment—when everything a new partner does is still cute and endearing, unlike later when all the secrets are out in the open. But when things cooled between them, I could definitely help them put that excitement back.
It had been more than a month since we’d been together, but I couldn’t get it out of my mind. Sighing, I shook my head, disappointed in myself. I’d never been one to dwell on things, so why the hell was this bothering me so much?
Early Download: 20th December 2013 General Release: 17th January 2013
Thank you, Donna!
December 13, 2013
#MySexySaturday You’re One Sexy Character
Week #29 ~ My Sexy Saturday ~ The rules are simple.
Post 7 paragraphs or 7 sentences or 7 words (and yeah, I can't count this week either)
This week for My Sexy Saturday's sexy character, and in keeping with the theme for the last couple of weeks; some more Victor Mayhue from my upcoming family saga series Always Cambridge [eXtasy Books]. This is a snippet from Victor and Holly's first meeting.
Unedited Excerpt:
"You a Steelers fan?" My helper asked picking up the season tickets that had tumbled out of my purse. The ones I'd purchased to slip into Randy's stocking. He'd said no presents from me but he couldn't stop Santa from spoiling him.
I smiled. "No my boyfriend is." I took a quick look at him; he had dark smiling eyes. Warm chocolate brown. He seemed amused. He was young. Older than me but not as old as Randy. Maybe twenty, twenty-one, I guessed.
"Lucky guy." He smiled, looking at me. "There, I think we got everything," He looked around the floor. "Oop, nope. Runaway chap stick." He said rising to retrieve it from where it had rolled under one of the racks of clothing.
I stopped him. "Don't trouble yourself. I won't use it again now that it's been on the floor."
He chuckled. "It's capped." He grinned crookedly extending his hand, offering to help me rise. I thought it was sweet. I reached placing my left hand into his big outstretched palm, accepting his aid. I knew by the size of his hand that he would tower over me, but most people did. His hand was warm, I noted again as I rose to my feet. Everyone in the store had moved away from us, and there was no longer a line up. It was as if we were the only two people in the store. I thought briefly that was strange with the crowds.
"Thank you for your help," I said, letting go of his hand, finally able to look up at him, full on. He was tall, as I'd suspected, broad shouldered. I focused on his face. Oh my God! He was gorgeous! His dark hair was perfectly sculpted but messy enough that you wanted to reach out and tame it. His eyes were, as I'd noted before, dark and warm. He had full lips and a dimple appeared on his cheek as he continued to grin at me. He must be used to this kind of reaction. It was plain, he was amused now by my staring. I couldn't help it, he was stunning. If Randy was the most beautiful man in the world to me, then I had no words for this guy. And he knew it. He knew exactly what affect he had on me, on most women, I presumed. He looked like the kind of guy who got what he wanted and didn't have to wait or work at it to get it. His perfect white teeth appeared behind his amazing lips.
"No problem. My pleasure."
Oh crap, I couldn't remember what we'd been talking about. His grin turned crooked giving him a mischievous boy look. I bit my lip racking my brain for something to say. His gaze dropped to my lips and I suddenly felt warm all over. Wow! This guy was something else. Something I had no idea how to handle. I should probably get away from him, but I didn't really want to. I should get back to Randy. Randy!
Copyright © 2013 H K Carlton
I hope you enjoyed this week's snip. Don't forget to make the rounds and check out the rest of the My Sexy Saturday authors from the list below.
Have a Sexy Saturday!
Post 7 paragraphs or 7 sentences or 7 words (and yeah, I can't count this week either)This week for My Sexy Saturday's sexy character, and in keeping with the theme for the last couple of weeks; some more Victor Mayhue from my upcoming family saga series Always Cambridge [eXtasy Books]. This is a snippet from Victor and Holly's first meeting.
Unedited Excerpt:
"You a Steelers fan?" My helper asked picking up the season tickets that had tumbled out of my purse. The ones I'd purchased to slip into Randy's stocking. He'd said no presents from me but he couldn't stop Santa from spoiling him.
I smiled. "No my boyfriend is." I took a quick look at him; he had dark smiling eyes. Warm chocolate brown. He seemed amused. He was young. Older than me but not as old as Randy. Maybe twenty, twenty-one, I guessed.
"Lucky guy." He smiled, looking at me. "There, I think we got everything," He looked around the floor. "Oop, nope. Runaway chap stick." He said rising to retrieve it from where it had rolled under one of the racks of clothing.
I stopped him. "Don't trouble yourself. I won't use it again now that it's been on the floor."
He chuckled. "It's capped." He grinned crookedly extending his hand, offering to help me rise. I thought it was sweet. I reached placing my left hand into his big outstretched palm, accepting his aid. I knew by the size of his hand that he would tower over me, but most people did. His hand was warm, I noted again as I rose to my feet. Everyone in the store had moved away from us, and there was no longer a line up. It was as if we were the only two people in the store. I thought briefly that was strange with the crowds.
"Thank you for your help," I said, letting go of his hand, finally able to look up at him, full on. He was tall, as I'd suspected, broad shouldered. I focused on his face. Oh my God! He was gorgeous! His dark hair was perfectly sculpted but messy enough that you wanted to reach out and tame it. His eyes were, as I'd noted before, dark and warm. He had full lips and a dimple appeared on his cheek as he continued to grin at me. He must be used to this kind of reaction. It was plain, he was amused now by my staring. I couldn't help it, he was stunning. If Randy was the most beautiful man in the world to me, then I had no words for this guy. And he knew it. He knew exactly what affect he had on me, on most women, I presumed. He looked like the kind of guy who got what he wanted and didn't have to wait or work at it to get it. His perfect white teeth appeared behind his amazing lips. "No problem. My pleasure."
Oh crap, I couldn't remember what we'd been talking about. His grin turned crooked giving him a mischievous boy look. I bit my lip racking my brain for something to say. His gaze dropped to my lips and I suddenly felt warm all over. Wow! This guy was something else. Something I had no idea how to handle. I should probably get away from him, but I didn't really want to. I should get back to Randy. Randy!
Copyright © 2013 H K Carlton
I hope you enjoyed this week's snip. Don't forget to make the rounds and check out the rest of the My Sexy Saturday authors from the list below.
Have a Sexy Saturday!
