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Liz Everly's Blog, page 15
October 27, 2017
The Night Author Laurie Olerich Got Felt Up By A Ghost. True Story.
Halloween is almost upon us, and what better way to celebrate than to read some ghoulish fantasy or paranormal books? Laurie Olerich is a best-selling author of paranormal romance and erotic romance. Her latest series, Demons After Dark, is hot as Hades, appropos since Hell’s name is evoked many times. Before diving into a writing career, Laurie dedicated 20 years to her country by serving in the United States Air Force. Much of her time was spent around men with guns and cool toys which she says explains her obsession with both.
Laurie stopped by to tell us exactly how she got introduced to the world of angels and demons, including how one very randy ghost attempted to have his way with her.
ELIZABETH SAFLEUR: Welcome Laurie! I’ve been meaning to introduce you to the LadySmut crowd ever since I found out you were a Supernatural fan and wrote super-hot angel and demon stories. In fact, I hear you have a line into the “other world.” Is it true you were once sexually harassed by a ghost at the historic Menger Hotel in San Antonio?
LAURIE OLERICH: Oh, yeah, true story! There’s nothing more annoying than having a randy ghost bouncing on your bed at 3 a.m.
ELIZABETH SAFLEUR: He got “handsy?”
LAURIE OLERICH: Someone was pushing the edge of the mattress like a little kid trying to wake up their mom. I sat straight up and stared angry daggers into the dark, cursing and threatening Casper. Yeah, I know. I probably should’ve been afraid… but, hey, it was the middle of the night and I love my sleep! When it happened a third time, I threw the covers off and yelled, “Either get your ass in bed with me or get the fuck out of my room!”
It left and never came back. In hindsight, it was probably one of the poor little dead kids…
ELIZABETH SAFLEUR: Well, that’s macabre! Is that what gave you the idea for your Demons After Dark series? Not that you have any dead kids in there…more like hot as Hades Demons…
LAURIE OLERICH: The series is a crossover from my urban fantasy series, the Primani Series—“
ELIZABETH SAFLEUR: Which, by the way, is filled with compelling characters and tons of action, humor, and heart.[image error]
LAURIE OLERICH: Yessss! That! Seriously though, I love each of the couples and their stories. But the more I wrote about the demons (the bad guys!), the more I wondered about their motivations, their histories, and what kind of lovers they’d be (that’s where my mind went!).
ELIZABETH SAFLEUR: Perv. You’re our kind of author.
LAURIE OLERICH: Oh, you have no idea! I’m showing restraint in these books! Anyhow, in the Primani stories, the demons became seducers and were sensual and irresistible. Even though they were the villains, they kinda made my nipples wave hello.
ELIZABETH SAFLEUR: Hi! Oh, sorry…
LAURIE OLERICH: Don’t be! So this new series flips the demons around. Now, they’re the good guys, the irresistibly sexy, crazy, and bold bad boys that are stuck saving Lucifer’s archangel ass.
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And, look! A coupon code to get the first Demons After Dark for free.
ELIZABETH SAFLEUR: What is it about those demons?
LAURIE OLERICH: The answer to that isn’t simple. In my world, the demons radiate a dark energy that draws people to them. It’s seductive. It’s lingering. It’s filled with the temptation to taste …
ELIZABETH SAFLEUR: To touch …
LAURIE OLERICH: Uh, huh. And, my heroines aren’t shy. They are curious and open so they dive right in. An element of mystery and subtle inhuman current surrounds the demons. They’re not evil. They’re not righteous. They don’t bother to lie and tell it like it is. They know what they want and they go for it.
ELIZABETH SAFLEUR: Like, they come at life with both barrels.
LAURIE OLERICH: And, they’re extremely sexual—anything goes. The crazier, the darker, the better. They’re unapologetic about what they want and that’s sexy to me. Think of them as the ultimate alpha male with an insatiable appetite for pleasure and you’ll be drawn to them too!
ELIZABETH SAFLEUR: Did they surprise you with anything?
LAURIE OLERICH: Ha! Of course, they did! Vanek (Ed note: the demon anti-hero in the first Demons After Dark book) turned out to be a lot smarter than I thought—and he showed up with a penchant for bondage. That must’ve come from his work as a Painkiller in Hell where he tied up and tortured dirty souls for a few thousand years.
Another surprise was how multifaceted each of the demons in the series have become. As you read their stories, you really understand how their childhood in Hell shaped them into the demons—now men—they’ve become and the conflict they feel. On one hand they want to clear their names and go home to their families. But on the other hand, they begin to feel human emotions for the women they meet. They discover that the human plane is filled with adventure and fun. They struggle to balance their anger with humor. At the end of the day, they surprised me with their capacity for gentleness.
ELIZABETH SAFLEUR: Your Primani series is quite the saga – anything you can share with us about how that got started?
LAURIE OLERICH: Primani started as a desperate attempt to escape from my boring life. One day I realized I’d hit 40 and still hadn’t found myself! Years earlier, I’d started several writing projects but always got sidetracked. This time, I dove in head first. Where to set it? New York, of course! One of my absolutely favorite places, upstate New York became the setting. Male characters? Well, they had to be hot, badass fighters. Oh, and have supernatural powers to keep things interesting. Bingo! Primani! Not quite angels but created by archangels to keep demons under control. I put my military experience to use and decided on an immortal special ops team.
And there had to be at least one woman, so I could live out my own daydreams!
ELIZABETH SAFLEUR: With a guaranteed happy ending…
LAURIE OLERICH: Yes, but because real life is about more than finding true love and having great sex, my characters face devastating losses, painful truths, and choices that tear them apart. Exploring what makes us human is what I enjoy about writing. I love to put my favorite characters into painful situations and then watch how they handle it. Sure, I’m mean to them, but they like it!
ELIZABETH SAFLEUR: Do you think writing about supernatural characters “calls” them to you in real life?
LAURIE OLERICH: I don’t think simply writing about them calls them. However, I don’t mess around with demons. I’ve done a ton of research into demonology and have a very healthy respect for them. I absolutely do not name my fictional demons after “real” or mythological demons. I make up my own names. I’m superstitious about that. I believe you can call dark forces by speaking their names often enough. I don’t even want to write those names! I’ve had a few experiences with angry spirits and I don’t want to leave myself vulnerable to any new visitors.
ELIZABETH SAFLEUR: Ooo, you mean the dark side came calling?
LAURIE OLERICH: In the worst kind of way. I moved into an apartment that came with its own malignant entity. It got into my dreams and terrorized me. One night I dreamed I was being dragged into the closet and woke up on the floor—clinging to my sheets with my legs in the closet! I managed to run to my neighbor’s door and demanded he let me in. I never went back to that apartment.
ELIZABETH SAFLEUR: I’d have moved states. But, back to writing for a sec, who are some of your writing influences?
LAURIE OLERICH: I have so many faves! If you’re going to force me to narrow it down, I’d have to say J.R. Ward, Janet Evanovich, and Eve Langlais. By creating their unique worlds, they’ve inspired me to go all out with my Primani and Demons After Dark world-building. They opened the door for me to let my imagination run wild without worrying that I might go too far. My readers seem to like my crazy imagination so I’m going to keep right on going!
Janet Evanovich gave me (not literally) permission to be true to my natural voice when I wrote my first books. Mica (the heroine) has a dry sense of humor and the ability to get into trouble that balances the darker drama in her books. How does that relate to Janet? Have you ever read any of her Stefanie Plum books? I’ve read all of them and I can completely see myself as Stefanie Plum! Ha! Mica, from the first Primani book, is kind of a mess like that too!
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ELIZABETH SAFLEUR: Rumor also says you’re a gourmet cook. How did that happen, and how are you still single?
LAURIE OLERICH: I love to eat and I love all kinds of food! In 1989, I started getting Bon Appetit magazine. That’s where my kitchen education began, and I actually went to culinary school but dropped out to finish my bachelor’s degree. You might find this surprising, but I get bored easily!
ELIZABETH SAFLEUR: Uh, no…your imagination seems to know no bounds!
LAURIE OLERICH: I hate eating the same things all the time and sadly, there isn’t a wide variety of restaurants within a quick drive. I love being able to whip up chicken tikka or Vietnamese Pho when I have a craving. My son swears I never cook the same thing twice! I think I’d love being a personal chef for someone with refined tastes and a thick wallet.
ELIZABETH SAFLEUR: And write on your non-kitchen hours?
LAURIE OLERICH: Well, I certainly have a full plate for the rest of 2017. I’m working on book four in the Demons After Dark series. I’m also putting together a cute novella featuring one of the Primani kids. Both of these books will be released between Dec and Jan 2018. After that? In 2018, I’m planning four more books. A couple more in DaD. A couple more in the Primani Series.
Check out Laurie Olerich’s supernatural world here and here! Just in time for Halloween and All Soul’s Night.
The LadySmut Fast Lane
Beach or Mountains? Mountains!
Ride on the back or drive the motorcycle? Ride on the back and hang on tight.
High heels or cowboy boots? Heels!
Night Owl or Early bird? Early bird gets the worm–and I like morning sex!
Cocktail or Wine? Wine, unless there’s bourbon. Bourbon’s not a cocktail.
Vampire, Shifter, Demon, Ghost or other supernatural creature? Demon… but my Primani are wicked hot and not filled with hellfire… so them!
Sam or Dean? (Supernatural TV stars and LadySmutters, if you don’t know who I’m talking about you have been missing out on life.) DEAN. All day. All night.
And finally, the top thing on your bucket list? Watching a NY Rangers NHL game in Madison Square Garden.
Love Links
Connect with Laurie here:
FACEBOOK AUTHOR PAGE WEBSITE PINTEREST TWITTER AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE
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Elizabeth SaFleur writes contemporary romance that dares to “go there.” Expect alpha males (and females), seductive encounters, and love. Learn more about her steamy and sexy stories by following her on Amazon and Bookbub.
The post The Night Author Laurie Olerich Got Felt Up By A Ghost. True Story. appeared first on Lady Smut.
October 25, 2017
Queens of the Damned
‘‘My book came out last year a week before the presidential elections,” says Madeline Iva, author of the fantasy romance Wicked Apprentice. “What I came away with, standing in the blasted devastation of our liberal democratic psyche, was that I’d just written a book about a woman who ends up holding all the power—and people are very nervous about it.”
The experience inspired Iva’s upcoming panel, Queens of the Damned: Women Who Write Horror, Fantasy and Paranormal Fiction, and she will lead a discussion October 28 at Barnes & Noble on how women are challenging and changing genre fiction.
“The title of this panel references that post-election moment,” Iva says. “I have to keep writing that kind of book. Young women need to see and hear about women having power, being comfortable with it, and everyone else not freaking out.” — from “Local Women Break Through In Fantasy & Horror” CVILLE WEEKLY, 10.25.17
[image error]Never before have I felt so in tune with horror/suspense/gothic novel sensibilities before. Something bad is going on. It’s out of site, (if you don’t live in Charlottesville, VA!) and it’s infecting us all dread.
It’s the American political scene, of course. The hurricanes. The mass shootings. When was the last time America was so inflicted by so much sexism, bigotry, hatred, gun violence AND the wrath of the heavens all at in one year? I feel scared. Do you feel scared?
When I’m not hunkered down in front of Netflix madly clicking for something light and comedic to watch to distract me from all this, I’m craving like a heroin addict, a hit of something gothic, something full of fantasy and vaguely brooding. It fits the atmosphere in my head, but it’s removed from the here and now at the same time.
On the other hand, never before have we had (thanks to social media, and people banding together into raving mobs) so many angry women & feminist men making their voices heard about Harvey Weinstein & the #metoo campaign. I often cringe before people rallying together swiftly to thrash someone out of line (what if they’re making a mistake? What thinking person really rejoices in mob mentality?) But sometimes, it would seem, you have to burn it all down to the ground to get the message across that this will not stand any more.
We’re full of dread, yes, but we’re also fighting back. This is what this panel is about at Barnes & Noble. Women claiming space in what was once considered a male sphere. Women writing the characters they long for. Women fighting for inclusiveness, including diversity of race, sexuality, gender, ability, and class. Women not tolerating a ‘boys will be boys’ climate. Women supporting each other in the face of others (men, but sometimes other women too) writing them off as not interesting, not serious enough, not legitimate, worthy, etc.
We’ll talk about how collaborating together makes success in publishing happen. How we’re subverting the male paradigm in terms of female SFF characters. We’ll talk about other fun stuff as well, like Halloween costumes, what we love about our favorite genres, and more!
(Turn Of The Century Suffragette anyone?)
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Amanda Gale nails it for Halloween.
Here’s the rest of the article with more about the other authors on this Halloween event at Barnes & Noble in Charlottesville, VA. The panel is at 12, the signing is from 1 – 3. My fellow authors Shawnee Small (USA Today Bestseller!), Mary Behre, Jodi Meadow, Tina Glasneck, and S.A. Hunter will be there too. Join us! Tell a friend.
And here’s a link to the store event page and locator.
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Thanks to women the horror genre is changing and growing–come to this event and hear more!
The post Queens of the Damned appeared first on Lady Smut.
October 22, 2017
Winner RONE Award for Best Suspense/Thriller: Short
by Kiersten Hallie Krum
Remember, lovely Lady Smutters, when I shared the news that my debut romantic suspense novel, Wild on the Rocks, was a finalist for the prestigious RONE Award from InD’Tale Magazine for best Thriller/Suspense: Short of 2017? Weeeeeelllllll…
https://ladysmut.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/I-won.mp4
Last weekend, I spent five wonderful days in Southern California at the InD’Scribe Con and Book Festival put on by InD’Tale Magazine, the magazine or self-published authors and independent publishers. I met tons of new-to-me independent authors while attending several excellent workshops. But this wasn’t just about the meet and greet or writer self-improvement. We sure got our party on! The conference kicked off with a Medieval costume party followed by a “Knight’s vs Highlanders” themed, author-sponsored costume party the second night.
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…flapping my way through the other one.
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Wenching it up at one costume party…
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Yes, that’s a *T-Rex* at the kick-off costume party! It was an “anything goes” kind of soiree!
I’ll admit, southern California in October? Ah, yeah, I hit the pool and got in some sun. But I also enjoyed a splendid, Reader’s Day that included the conference’s first Reader Rave Luncheon where readers were able to sit and have lunch with their favorite authors, including conference headliners Marie Force, Brenda Novak, and Catharine Bybee–and moi–along with a busy afternoon book fair!
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Signing books at the book fair!
Of course, no California trip, however short, is complete without some delicious Mexican food, plenty of margaritas, and a glimpse of the Hollywood sign.
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The weekend was topped off by the presentation of the magazine’s RONE Awards (Reward of Novel Excellence) at which I received the award for Best Suspense/Thriller: Short of 2017 for my romantic suspense novel, Wild on the Rocks!
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No, that’s not Jon Snow. With cover model and gentleman, Brandon Katz.
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A beautiful, engraved, crystal book for the award!
I was honored to dedicate this award to my mother, who I lost suddenly earlier this year. I know she would have been over the moon. She loved Wild on the Rocks, and I’m a fortunate woman to know how proud she was and how much she loved me because she told me, frequently.
I am fortunate, too, for all you lovely Lady Smutters who read and supported Wild on the Rocks. In thanks for that support and in celebration of my win, I’m going to give away two limited print copies of Wild on the Rocks. Just leave a comment and tell me what costume you would most want to dress up in for Halloween or a costume party.
The award-winning Wild on the Rocks and its follow-up, SEALed With a Twist, which has been named one of the Top 5 Romantic Suspense Picks for Fall by Heroes and Heartbreakers, are both available now exclusively from Kindle Worlds.
Follow Lady Smut. Costumes optional.
Kiersten Hallie Krum writes smart, sharp, and sexy romantic suspense. She is the author of the prestigious RONE award winner, Wild on the Rocks, and its follow-up, SEALed With a Twist. She is also a past winner of the Emily Award for unpublished novels.
A member of the Romance Writers of America, the New Jersey Romance Writers, and the Long Island Romance Writers, Kiersten has been working in book publishing for more than twenty years in marketing and promotion. At other times in her career, she’s worked back stage for a regional theater, managed advertorials for a commerce newspaper in the World Trade Center, and served as senior editor for a pharmaceutical advertising agency.
Writer, singer, editor, traveler, tequila drinker, and cat herder, Kiersten avoids pen names since keeping her multiple personalities straight is hard enough work. Born and bred in New Jersey (and accent free), Kiersten sings as easily, and as frequently, as she breathes, drives fast with the windows down and the music up, likes to randomly switch accents for kicks and giggles, and would be happy to spend all her money traveling for the rest of her life.
The post Winner RONE Award for Best Suspense/Thriller: Short appeared first on Lady Smut.
We Love Our Male Readers Because…
…they only leave positive comments without ever being too explicit or creepy.
However, Rachel Kramer Bussel relates in this article on Ravishly.com what it feels like to get that kinda creepy email fan letter.
The post We Love Our Male Readers Because… appeared first on Lady Smut.
October 20, 2017
Sexy Saturday Round Up
[image error]By Elizabeth Shore
What a round-up we have for you this week! From transgender Playboy bunnies to pumpkin spice cravings and everything fabulous stuff between. So grab a pumpkin spice latte and kick back. You’ve got some reading to do!
What Irish folks do while stuck indoors during a hurricane.
The first playmate of the month since Hugh Hefner passed is a transgender beauty.
Should you give your ex another chance? No. No, you shouldn’t. And here are 10 reasons why.
The dirt on all those dating apps, and which ones to use for what.
What sex addiction really is – as explained by a therapist.
Men who force women to watch them maturbate, and why.
The science behind your pumpkin spice craving.
From Madeline:
What kind of sex do YOU desire with your partner – tips for monogamous couples
The Atlantic talks about the #metoo movement
She’s in Pussy Riot, he’s far right — but can they stay in love?
From Vox: Twisting Rom-com tropes on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend…
From Romance Novels For Feminists: The pressing matter of racial diversity in romance — will RWA follow up?
From Is your man a mansplainer? A few helpful tips to nudge him out of this habit.
From Salon.com Sex on a pirate ship: I Played Japan’s Best Selling Date Simulator
Heroes and Heartbreakers goes all snarky on that asshat from the NYTimes who belittled romance.
From Jezebel: Can’t stop, won’t stop: Reading Mary Stuart Retro Romantic Suspense
The post Sexy Saturday Round Up appeared first on Lady Smut.
October 15, 2017
Nancy Gideon’s PRINCE OF POWER: Sexy Sunday Snippet
Hey Gang! Nancy Gideon’s got a contemporary romance for you today that takes place in New Orleans, and has a sexy cast of spies and clans.
Obsessed with an enemy – the only female to ever walk away from him . . .
Colin . . . Prince in the House of Terriot
Brawny, cynical negotiator for his clan, Colin Terriot sees a move to New Orleans as an escape from a painful past and his reputation as a legendary lover. What he didn’t expect was to fall hard for a rival spy, the female who tricked and betrayed him by leaving his bed for his brother’s. Now, he now must work with her, up close and personal, as the envoy for her clan. Things are about to heat up.
Determined to have him – even if having him means losing all . . .
Mia . . . Strong-willed Guedry heir
Denied her rightful legacy, Mia Guedry plans to stake her claim over the bodies of those who killed her family. But best laid plans fall before her desire for the one male she can’t resist, the one who will never trust her once burned by her necessary deceptions. Saving her Terriot prince from plans already in motion may cost more than her inheritance . . . the price could be her life.
Excerpt from PRINCE OF POWER, House of Terriot series, Book 2
The alley behind the Shifter club, Cheveux du Chien, was lit by a single flickering bulb. As Colin thumbed his key fob, the lights to his ride flashed like lightning strikes in a complement to his mood. He turned up his collar as the first fat raindrops fell, then came to a dead stop. The vehicle had a new hood ornament. His blood pressure dropped to his groin.
Mia Guedry perched on the front of the rental, knees spread slightly to accommodate the indolent dangle of her hands. “What took you so long, Dreamy? Hashing out world peace?”
“Get off.” He started around the car, refusing to look where his eyes wanted to go.
“I was hoping to, but you’re not making it easy.”
As he crossed in front of her, one sexy leg stretched out at crotch level to bar passage and the other set up a road block behind his butt. He stopped but refused to turn, demanding, “What do you want, Mia?”
[image error]“You.”
His shoulders rose and fell in aggravation. “You’ve had me and made it very clear I was nothing interesting enough to hold your attention. Stop messing with me. I don’t like it.”
Both legs began a suggestive rubbing. “Maybe I was wrong.”
“You are wrong.” He faced her abruptly, hands gripping those tempting bare calves hard enough to leave unintentional bruises. “Everything about you is wrong. You’re bad news I don’t need. You want my brother, take him. He’s a big boy. Be his problem. I’ve got my own.”
Mesmerizing dark eyes fixed on his. He couldn’t look away as she said what he hoped was the only true thing to come from between those red lips.
“I don’t want your brother. I want you.” Rain fell heavier, misting her features, wetting thick black hair, molding the fabric of her top to glorious breasts. “Colin.” Just his name.
All reason fell away.
He reached beneath the scandalously short skirt, tearing away nearly non-existent panties as she pulled at his belt, yanking open his jeans. He jerked her toward him so abruptly, she fell back against the hood of the car, one leg over his shoulder, the other curled about his waist. She arched, crying out at the force of his deep entry. When she tried to reach up for him, he caught her wrists, pressing the backs of her hands to the shiny paint job, holding her in place to receive his aggressive thrusts.
The light flickering behind him cast Colin’s features in harsh ridges and shadows. His eyes gleamed hot and gold. As intensity built with the speed of a bullet train, his lips curled back from savagely clenched teeth, undeniably the most rawly sexual thing she’d ever seen. Or imagined.
Too soon! His fierce plunging strokes were friction on eager tinder, striking flame, searing Mia with waves of combustive heat. The sight of him taking his own rough pleasure against the backdrop of seething heavens, head thrown back, big body shuddering, made her come in a deluge until wrung dry and trembling as he finally went still, continuing to pulse inside her. His breaths panted hard and fast for a long minute as she tried to recover from their quick and totally devastating union.
And then he stepped back, leaving her gasping and ridiculously weak, to zip, buckle, and regard her as if something earthshaking hadn’t just happened between them. His flat tone brought spinning emotions to a halt.
“Where can I drop you off?”
She blinked. Like his laundry? Like an annoying obligation?
Her knees snapping together just a tad late to protect her pride, Mia wriggled off the car, leaving her imprint on its hood. The way he’d left his on her emotions.
“Get ready for fifty shades of tall, dark and deliciously dangerous! 5-Star!” – Book Bling
“Hopelessly addicted” -Darynda Jones, NYT bestselling author of the Charlie Davidson “Grave” series
BUY LINKS:
Nancy Gideon is the award-winning bestseller of over 60 romances ranging from historical, regency and series contemporary suspense to dark paranormal, with a couple of horror screenplays tossed into the mix, and is currently testing the “Hybrid author” waters. She works full time as a legal assistant in Central Michigan, and when not at the keyboard, feeds a Netflix addiction along with all things fur, fin and fowl.
The post Nancy Gideon’s PRINCE OF POWER: Sexy Sunday Snippet appeared first on Lady Smut.
October 12, 2017
Sexy Saturday Round Up
[image error]By Elizabeth Shore
The leaves, they are a’changing. In some places anyway. So put some warmth in your cup to balance the chill in the air. We’ve got some fun and sexy links for you on this fun and sexy Saturday. Enjoy!
Need some fresh new sexting ideas? Here you go.
And while we’re on the topic, why straight men send other guys dick pics. Wtf? Is this a thing?
Is Harvey Weinstein really a sex addict or is that just a good excuse to stay out of jail?
Need to chill out or just shut out the bonehead in the cube next to yours? Check out these cool ambient noise sites. Oh, and P.S., it boosts creativity.
A comedy channel targeted to Vets doesn’t have everyone laughing.
From Madeline:
Entertainment Weekly published a report on the sad state of romance diversity in the publishing world. : (
Jezebel talks back to the numbers about romance diversity, and suggests authors who write diverse characters that we would all enjoy reading.
Two women tried having sex with ghosts. Here’s what happened.
Talking about the gender gap in tech as a plot device at Romance Novels for Feminists.
Should we decriminalize prostitution…? Maybe not for punters and pimps. A former prostitute weighs in.
The post Sexy Saturday Round Up appeared first on Lady Smut.
October 10, 2017
You Had Me At ‘Psycho-Sexual Unravelling’ RAW: Feminist Horror Movie
by Madeline Iva
There’s nothing like a good feminist horror movie to get you in the mood for Halloween. And such is our society that for the first thirty minutes of Julie Ducournau’s feminist allegorical film RAW, she doesn’t even have to go out of her way to create horror–she just turns the camera on all the normal, yet utter bullls**t young women typically go through in the world, simply by virtue of being young women.
THE BEGINNING:
A young woman named Justine (get it? JUSTine?) leaves her vegetarian parents to go off to medical college and become a vet. She goes through an initiation everyone must go through, in which she’s covered in blood and made to eat raw meat (she’s a vegetarian too.) But the initiation goes on for weeks–that’s just the beginning of it all.
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Are you getting the sense of moral violation on this still shot? Good.
La-la-la! You know, for the first half hour she goes through horrible stuff. The whole point of these initiation rituals is a kind of semi-compulsive, semi-voluntarily trial of humiliation and degradation. Justine tries to get through it all while she’s being pushed and pummeled on all sides (literally, at one point, when she’s at a party.)
As we move through this set up the first scene of actual horror comes. She’s been accused of cheating because she and another student (who is also her roommate) have the same answers on a test. Clearly he copied from her, but the professor wants her to confess SHE cheated because she’s a smarty-pants know it all, and it’s clear that this man just enjoys bashing bright, young women. Afterwards, there’s a scene that’s analogous to purging. But make no mistake–this is not a film about eating disorders. It’s allegorical. It’s about the f**ked-upness of our world. First of all it’s not food she’s purging. (No spoilers here!) Second of all, when Justine emerges from the toilet cubical having purged, the response of another young woman at the sink is this: “It’s easier if you stick two fingers down your throat.” Thus invoking a kind of sisterhood of eating disorders! Yes, that’s messed up—and THAT’s what the entire film is like. The horror of how twisted real life is with the volume dial turned up a little higher and then a little higher still.
The next special moment of horror in the film devoted to Brazilian waxing.[image error]
Let me pause here: imagine a movie in which women are tortured by having patches of hair ripped from the most private part of their body–and somewhat to the detriment of our own health (we’re talking micro tears of the va-jay-jay that lead to an increase in infections, etc.) —that’s a pure horror movie concept right there.
But wait! In this horror movie — the tortured women are somehow convinced to volunteer for this torture again and again. Moreover, to crank the horror up another notch–they start putting pressure on their friends and daughters to torture themselves the same way. It’s eventually revealed to the audience that the evil people who started this whole thing have actually gotten the women to pay for their own torture. The final scene answer the question of why would women ever do this to themselves in this way is that they’ve somehow they’ve been convinced in some nebulous, undefined way that men like it—men like women to be smooth down there like little pre-pubescent girls–as if all the men were pedophiles or something. (Insert scream of terror.)
I mean, — why hasn’t someone made a horror movie yet about popular grooming trends in modern life?????
THE MIDDLE:
Watching the film, I start to get the idea we’re witnessnessing a “pyscho-sexual” unraveling.
Goody!
Like in BLACK SWAN.(Why have I never done a blog post on Black Swan?) Like in that classic French film REPULSION. (So good!)
The truth about sexual bullying in college is revealed here clear as a bell. There’s one of those variants of college heteronormative, de-virginizing activities–certainly familiar to all U.S. college students as well–where two people are basically told “You git on in there and boink or else.”
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The pressure to loose your virginity to a stranger in college — it’s own unique horror.
The situation with the Justine’s gay roommate/study mate is also interesting – REALLY interesting. Like there’s so much I want to say but it’d be spoilers left and right. So I won’t.
Except…He’s hot. She likes him, and at one point –
Ah! I can’t go any further…you’ll have to watch the film yourself.
I will say this:
It’s fascinating, and I also, since I’m writing this blog post as I’m watching it—I’ll confess I have no idea where it’s going.
THE END:
There’s a clear indication that the movie is allegorical. It’s not about vegetarianism at all. It’s really saying something about the initiation of young women into the world. About the swift egregious violations of one’s own moral code just to get along. And then what? How can you use your own moral compass when you’ve already been compelled by social pressures to smash it?
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Hate to break it to you, but this film is NOT about vegetarianism…
The movie definitely points out how those who are oppressed in turn victimize and oppress others.
Yeah, it’s like that. Justine turns upon someone weaker than her –and wants to inflict damage. Not only does she want to do that–she also instinctively blames the weaker person for the violation. Towards the end of the film, Justine yells at a victim in remorse: “How come you didn’t fight back? You should have hit me!”
If I had to guess, I’d say this movie is about how societal institutions (like a competitive college for vets) bully and harass us into becoming aggressive, compulsive consumers (in this case of flesh). The only other choice in this false dichotomy, is to become a victim yourself.
What I’m saying, of course, is that the movie is brilliant. It’s on Netflix right now. Perfect Halloween date night horror movie–if you’re a twisted, feminist vegan—like me. ; >
Hey! Check out this HALLOWEEN ROMANCE page on Facebook Wednesday night, Oct 11th, the page is having an event where we’re watching PRACTICAL MAGIC at 9:30 EST. On Thursday, October 12th, I’ll be doing a take over and hosting some fun posts and giveaways.
And! Don’t forget if you live within reach of Charlottesville, VA I’m going to do a panel and book signing for the QUEENS OF THE DAMNED event at Barnes & Nobel. (See Our FB Event Page and let us know you’re going). It’s on Saturday, October 28th from noon to 3. Here’s the postcard:
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Thanks to women, the horror genre is changing and growing–come to this event and hear more!
Madeline Iva is the twisted sister you always wish you had. She’s also the author of the fantasy romance Wicked Apprentice. Check out her other Lady Smut posts, Join her newsletter or follow her on Facebook, twitter, and Pinterest.
The post You Had Me At ‘Psycho-Sexual Unravelling’ RAW: Feminist Horror Movie appeared first on Lady Smut.
October 7, 2017
DEPTH OF FIELD: Sexy Sunday Snippet with M/M Author Riley Heart
[image error]Kris Michaels: Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to talk with me! I’m thrilled to get to ask you questions. Okay, I’m done fangirling now. (Not really, because she’s Riley Hart, y’all!!!)
Riley Hart: Hahaha. Thank you so much for having me! I’m happy to be here.
Kris Michaels: Okay, first question: I know you publish under two names, Nyrae Dawn and Riley Hart. What was the impetus for two pen names?
Riley Hart: I was writing a lot of YA at the time and had a lot of younger readers. I was worried about having the books too connected. I didn’t want one of my thirteen-year-old readers looking me up and a super erotic excerpt popped up or something. LOL.
Kris Michaels: How long have you been writing?
Riley Hart: My whole life if feels like. LOL. I’ve always loved it. I won my first writing contest in third grade. But writing for publication? About… eleven years. It was a long road for me. I started before self-publishing was really a thing, so I did the agent and submission hunt. Took writing classes, that kind of thing.
Kris Michaels: Do you write full time?
Riley Hart: Yep!
Kris Michaels: I must admit I automatically one click anything you write under either name. I love the character driven stories you create. Walk us through the process you use to develop your ideas into stories or are you a fly by the seat of your pants type writer?
Riley Hart: I’m a combination of a plotter and a panster. I always have a basic story idea and I also know my characters really well from the start. What is their backstory? Their goal, motivation and conflict? What makes them tick? What connects them to the character they’re falling in love with? Sometimes I have a few key scenes in mind. Then I just write. Beginnings are always the hardest for me. Once I get about…15k into the book, I start breaking it down by scenes, making sure I know what’s coming next and that I’m on the right path to get my characters and their story where they need to be. I usually plot out a few scenes at a time.
Kris Michaels: Does the process change when you collaborate?
Riley Hart: Not really. The plotting part then just becomes more of a phone call and talking it out with someone. Well, that’s kind of a lie. Usually we just write until we’re much farther along than I do on my own before we stop to figure out where things need to go next.
Kris Michaels: Which of your published works is your favorite and why? (Sorry, you can’t say all of them.)
Riley Hart: That really is hard for me. I love them all for different reasons but of course some are closer to my heart. A HUNDRED THOUSAND WORDS because I relate to Tobias so much. TURN THE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN because of how important it is for me to speak up about mental health and mental illness. COLLIDE because no one loves like Noah and Cooper. CROSSROADS because that book took on a life of it’s own. DEPTH OF FIELD because I fell so in love with Shane, Van, and their story, but also Shane’s mom (which goes back to mental illness for me). Also, BROKEN PIECES because it challenged me the most.
Kris Michaels: Which book was a struggle to write and why?
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Riley Hart: BROKEN PIECES challenged me more than anything else. It was so different from anything I’d done and I knew I had to get it right, to make the relationship between the three men not only make sense, but show they really were three pieces of a whole. It needed to be equal parts that didn’t work without the other for the story to be told the right way.
Kris Michaels: Can you tell us a little about the project you are working on now?
Riley Hart: I’m working on the second book in the LAST CHANCE SERIES (following DEPTH OF FIELD). It’s Ryan and Caleb’s book. I’m super excited to tell their story and Ryan is really talking to me.
Kris Michaels: For anyone who hasn’t read your stories, I can attest to the fact that your couples are amazing and each story is wonderfully unique and absolutely enthralling. I’m curious though, did any of your guys demand you write their story even though you were supposed to be working on different projects?
Riley Hart: Oh absolutely!! I planned to write the second Blackcreek book when I had a dream about Mateo, Josiah and Tristan. That idea hit me hard and I couldn’t ignore them! I was supposed to write ROCK SOLID two when the idea for CROSSROADS hit. Bryce would NOT shut up! LOL. I was glad because I loved him, but I’ve had some writers block on ROCK SOLID two, ever since then. And I was also planning on writing WILD SIDE three when DEPTH OF FIELD demanded my attention. I have to follow the muse!
Kris Michaels: Do you still get butterflies when you hit publish?
Riley Hart: Every. Single. Time. It will never stop scaring me or exciting me. If it does, I shouldn’t be doing this.
Kris Michaels: What does Riley do to have fun?
Riley Hart: Write. LOL. Seriously, outside of my family, it’s basically my life. I like to watch my hubby and girls ride motocross.
Kris Michaels: If I strand you in the middle of nowhere and tell you that you can only access three author’s books for the next three years, who would you pick to read? Why?
Riley Hart: OMG. So hard… David Levithan, JR Ward, and Axios by Jaclyn Osborn
Kris Michaels: I am giving you a magic wand. You now have the power to change one thing in this world. What would you change?
Riley Hart: All the hate, anger and ugliness going on in the world today L
Kris Michaels: Have you set any professional goals that you are still trying to achieve?
Riley Hart: The most important thing to me is to keep being passionate about what I do, to be proud of every book I put out, and to write stories that touch readers’ hearts.
Kris Michaels: Any shout outs? People you’d like to thank for giving you that extra push, the shoulder to lean on or someone who believed in you when you didn’t think you could do it?
Riley Hart: I talk to Devon McCormack and Christina Lee daily. I would likely lose my mind without them. My bestie Kelley York always has my back. She’s an incredible writer and I’ve learned a lot from her.
Kris Michaels: Riley, thank you so much for helping me expose the Lady Smut readers to your fabulous stories. I can honestly say you are one of the sweetest people I’ve had the pleasure to meet. I adore your work and wish you every success and happiness in your future endeavors.
Riley Hart: Thank you so much! That really means a lot to me. I had so much fun. Thanks for having me.
Blurb for DEPTH OF FIELD:
Shane Wallace has made a decent life for himself in Last Chance. He built his own home on his mom’s property to take care of her, owns an automotive repair shop, and when he wants to get laid, Portland isn’t too far away. Not too shabby for the boy who spent his childhood getting bullied and feeling alone. Shane’s content to leave his past behind him…until one of his childhood tormentors comes back to town.
Maxwell Sullivan never planned to step foot in Last Chance again. Here, he was Maxwell, a teen who suffered in silence while everyone thought he had the perfect life. Now, he’s “Van,” the erotic artist and photographer. He’s only here to help his mom tie up some loose ends after his father’s death and to apologize to Shane. After that, he’s heading back to LA for good.
Shane never thought he’d have anything in common with Maxwell, but there’s a depth to Van that surprises him. Van knows what it feels like to be alone. He sees Shane in ways no one else does. There’s a shared connection neither can deny. Somehow, despite their rocky history, they get each other.
It’s not long before the two are so drawn to each other that they tumble into bed—sometimes with Van’s camera involved. Their chemistry in and out of the bedroom is undeniable. Except nothing is ever black and white. Shane can’t leave his mom and Van’s life is in LA. With two different lives pulling them in opposite directions, their picture-perfect ending might not be in the cards.
Excerpt for DEPTH OF FIELD
Shane’s body was overheating. His pulse thumped against his skin. Christ, he was fucking hungry for the other man, hungry to slide his dick between Van’s ass cheeks and revel in all that heat around him. He wanted to just let go—fuck and feel free in ways he wasn’t often able to do. Wanted to step outside his world, and pretend it was something different.
“What are you waiting for?” Van asked him, his brows pulled together.
“Nothing,” Shane replied. He finished removing his jeans and then grabbed his lube from the drawer. There was an unopened box of condoms inside, which he tore into before plucking one out. “Get on your hands and knees for me,” he told Van who did it. His sexy, tight, ass was there and waiting for Shane. He climbed on the bed, leaned forward and licked it. Wanted to push his face in it and eat at Van’s hole until he lost his damn mind.
He wanted to make the other man come harder than he ever had before. Wanted to prove that even though he stayed in this tiny down, on the same goddamned property he’d grown up on, that he was experienced and knew what he was doing. That he could make Van scream, could make him come in a hundred different ways.
On his knees behind Van, he rubbed Van’s pucker with his thumb, and watched him tremble. “Nothing like a tight, little hole. I can’t wait to see it stretched out, taking my dick.”
Van looked over his shoulder with a cocky, grin on his face, “Then give it to me.”
Shane’s fingers shook, so much pent-up energy racing through his body, as he ripped open the condom and rolled it down his erection. He opened the lube with a snap, squirted some in his hand and rubbed his prick before adding more to Van’s hole. He pushed the tip of his finger inside, just to play with him, as he rubbed his other hand over Van’s ass.
Christ, he still couldn’t believe he had this man in his bed right now.
“Give it to me, Shane.”
Hearing Van say his name almost pulled him out of it, but just as quickly as it happened, his need took over again. Not just his need, but the fact that there was not one thing about Van that reminded him of the boy he’d been. Neither of them were the same.
“Ask me again,” he said.
“Give it to me, please. Make me see star—no, fuck that. Make me see all those damn colors you use when you’re blowing glass.”
Well…when he put it like that.
Find Riley on social media:
Riley’s books & buy links:
DEPTH OF FIELD
AMAZON US: http://amzn.to/2vTwpzj
AMAZON UK: http://amzn.to/2ime7lS
ROCK SOLID
AMAZON US: http://amzn.to/2ilTHcr
AMAZON UK: http://amzn.to/2ikv93E
COLLIDE
AMAZON US: http://amzn.to/2imdJne
AMAZON UK: http://amzn.to/2v9F1Pu
STAY
AMAZON: http://amzn.to/2wiGhnB
AMAZON UK: http://amzn.to/2vTMTI0
PRETEND
AMAZON US: http://amzn.to/2vjM7Ac
AMAZON UK: http://amzn.to/2xmsPM3
RETURN TO BLACKCREEK
AMAZON US: http://amzn.to/2x7LMCP
AMAZON UK: http://amzn.to/2g0GGnP
BROKEN PIECES
AMAZON US: http://amzn.to/2vYDxZI
AMAZON UK: http://amzn.to/2x7MYq8
FULL CIRCLE
AMAZON: http://amzn.to/2vjTE2h
AMAZON UK: http://amzn.to/2x7vIkF
LOSING CONTROL
AMAZON US: http://amzn.to/2v9b6qJ
AMAZON UK: http://amzn.to/2imdicz
CROSSROADS
AMAZON US: http://amzn.to/2fZKd63
AMAZON UK: http://amzn.to/2wsyEes
The post DEPTH OF FIELD: Sexy Sunday Snippet with M/M Author Riley Heart appeared first on Lady Smut.
October 6, 2017
Sexy Saturday Round Up
[image error]The week has whiffled by and now it’s Saturday. Time to cuddle with our sexy round up of crazy links from around the web. Sip your hot tea, sit back in bed and enjoy!
From Madeline:
Taking the joke engagement photo to a whole new level.
Savage love breaks out into really good sex stories.
The infamous “romance round up” NYTimes article—was less an ode and more of a snarky, condescending hate letter. A man named Robert Gottlieb, who despite supposedly being ‘a voracious reader of contemporary romance’ clearly despises the genre. Romance readers one and all were howling with rage after reading his article. Now comes the #sorrynotsorry response by Radhika Jones of the times. In this article she attempts the difficult hat trick of sneering at a genre while at the same time trying to engage the genre’s fans.
Have you been put on the backburner?
The wonderful world of Renaissance fair kink.
Saudi women take the wheel — now to abolish male guardianship.
Harvey Weinstein’s name is synonymous with the term ‘aggressive assh*le.’ This article suggests feminism took a giant step forward in 2017 when women started not only speaking out against sexual harassment, but expected U.S. media to notice and listen.
From Elizabeth Shore:
“Medabation,” anyone? Getting in the mood to give yourself some love.
Does having less attractive friends affect your relationship with them?
What else (besides the obvious) could you use a dildo for? Why, putting on your foundation, of course.
Who are the most vocal clitoris activists right now? The French. Naturally.
Meet Simon, the BDSM furniture maker.
The post Sexy Saturday Round Up appeared first on Lady Smut.
