Isabelle Drake's Blog, page 68

Now or Never, pre-order starts October 22

Book one in the Invitations series
Now or Never

Dressed as a sex slave and hiding behind a mask, Emily arrives at a costume party ready to make a former co-worker pay for not noticing her lush curves.
Emily grabs the opportunity to make a former co-worker she fantasised about before leaving for the US Peace Corps pay for not noticing her lush curves. Her goal—blow his mind with her sex slave seduction and leave him aching for more.
Wearing a borrowed costume and mask, Daniel accepts the offer of a woman eager to show him what she can do with the sheer scarves she’s untying from her waist. His goal—make sure the woman undressing for him knows how incredible she is and understands that he isn’t a one-night-only kind of man.
Now or Never pre-order from Total-E-Bound begins October 22.

Servicing the Undead - the cover

Romanticon - EC's Hot Annual Event

Ellora's Cave readers and authors will be in Canton, Ohio this weekend for EC's annual Romanticon. If you are already signed up to attend-awesome! If you aren't attending the event you are welcome at the the book signing on Sunday, October 14 from noon to 4pm.

The SEXporium book signing event is free and open to the public.  Come check out the fun at the McKinley Grand Hotel on 320 Market Ave in Canton, Ohio.

Want more information? Here's the scoop straight from the SEXporium website.

Don't miss out on Ellora's Cave's second annual SEXporium®! Many of your favorite EC authors will be on hand to autograph books you purchase, while the smokin' hot Ellora's Cavemen perform for your pleasure. Don't worry, gentlemen, we haven't forgotten you either! In between Cavemen dances, our nationally acclaimed poi dancers will be gyrating the afternoon away. Local ladies interested in learning the art of poi dance are encouraged to stay after their performance and sign up for classes taught by this awesome group of dancers who want all women to "discover their inner goddess!"

Happy October!

Reviews are Giving Me Mood Swings!

Welcome guest blogger Ashlyn Chase.



Okay, I can’t claim to be even keel all the time but seriously folks, a 5 one day and a 3 the next? Then another 5 and later no rating at all but a few unkind words? Ugh!
I’m thrilled and motivated to continue on and strive for excellence when I get an extraordinary review; and then if I read another reviewer’s lackluster opinion, I wonder why a mediocre hack like me doesn’t throw in the towel?  I can’t be alone in this, can I? Actually, I’m not. I know a New York Times bestselling authors who no longer reads her reviews for the same reason. I know another one who says, “If I get a good review, the reviewer is obviously a person of fine and discerning taste. If I get a poor review, the reviewer is obviously a whack-job.”
My critique partner, who gets consistent 4’s, 5’s and top picks (blast her) says my schizo reviews are the result of my being a risk taker. I don’t write the same expected thing over and over. To that I say, “Well, duh!” I—I mean, well done! That’s what I’m aiming for. Entertainment is my only goal. Maybe I’m easily bored but I like my entertainment to surprise me. And with all honesty and modesty, I can’t say I don’t deliver. (Pardon the double negative.) To bring laughter and love to a world that badly needs it is my highest aspiration. To provide a healthy escape from today’s stress is a lofty ambition but I hope I accomplish this—at least for some of the people, some of the time. I know these are tall orders, but on good days I feel as though I’ve succeeded and maybe I’ve chosen the right profession. On those other days, I think I should get a “real job.”
I had some health problems recently and was told I have to remain on a strict diet for the rest of my life. Ugh. That doesn’t help my mood, however, it doesn’t affect it nearly as much as a crumby review. I cried in my doctor’s office last week. I’m embarrassed to say it was from grief—and nobody died—just my “indomitable” spirit. He gave me his philosophy. He said, “Don’t you know the number one rule of life? It’s: There is no gratitude.” Yikes. I made sure I thanked him.
Okay, here is where some well-meaning person is going to tell me to grow a thick skin. Before you do that, be sure you can tell me where to buy the fertilizer and the “how to” book. Constructive criticism is welcome. Admonishment for lack of perfection is cause for a kick in the shins.
Do I expect stellar reviews all of the time? Of course not. I’m actually my worst critic and uniquely surprised when a reviewer praises my book to the skies. So, if I want to keep this job, how do I get off the moody roller coaster? I guess I’ll have to do what my best selling friend does. Wear blinders and count my blessings. I have a wonderful supportive husband who pays the bills while I pay my dues. I have my health—such as it is. I can still work in my garden, go on vacation, or simply enjoy a beautiful day.
I know it’s against the rules to tell reviewers anything but “thank you,” (and I’ve been “reported” to my publisher for breaking that rule) still, I’m going to take a risk here and say, “You can be nice while being honest.” A 3 isn’t enough for the overachiever in me, but if the reviewer was honest and respectful, ok. I’d also appreciate knowing why he or she wasn’t impressed enough to give it at least a 4. It sends me into another mood swing when I get a 3 and every word in the review is positive. Huh? Although disappointed, I’ll thank a total stranger who took the time to read and review my story.
I don’t like to review for my friends and try to avoid it. It’s usually suspect if the reader thinks you know each other. On the other hand, friends don’t give friends 3’s. If you’re reviewing a friend’s book, remember what you’re mamma taught you…with a twist. “Give it a shout out or shut up!” Otherwise, you’ll be perceived as one of those asses who stab other authors in the back to cut down the competition and you just may lose a friend.

Day a in the Life of Isabelle

6:30 Wake up, pack lunch, get dressed into work appropriate clothing, and head to day job.
8:10 - 10:00 Entertain and inform twenty 18-23 year-olds with YouTube clips, articles on celebrity train wrecks, local politicians, and “End of Men” theory. Sneak in critical thinking skills and composition writing information.
10:10 - 12:00 Repeat previous 2 hours, including own jokes.
12:00 - 1:20  Change out of work appropriate clothing into sweats and t-shirt. Put on headphones, jog to weight room. Lift for an hour. Get clean, change back into work appropriate clothing and head back to office.
1:20 - 2:00 Eat lunch, text with sons and husband, while responding to email while watching Vampire Diaries on Netflix.
2:00 - 3:00 Attend essential department meeting but instead of paying complete attention to key discussion points, start thinking about scene of current work-in-progress. Make some notes. Hide them.
3:00-3:15 Have lofty academic conversation in the hallway. Decide something important.
3:15 Return to office. Collect student work awaiting comment. Head home.
4:00 - 5:30 Buy any food that needs buying, pick up any dry cleaning that needs picking up, change out of work appropriate clothing, eat dinner husband cooked, fret about the mess in the kitchen, unfinished chores, and piles of laundry.
5:30-10:00 Ignore most all the dishes, chores, and laundry. Alternate between talking with sons and husband, reading student work, and writing.
10:00 - 11:30 Watch Madmen with husband.
11:30 > Dream about next story I plan to write. 

Happy Labor Day

Perfect weekend for BBQ!

Now or Never - cover reveal

Now or Neverthe first in the Invitation Seriesavailable Oct 22 for pre-order from Total-E-Bound

Fetish 101: Podophilia (Foot Fetish)

According the wikipedia, foot fetishism is "the most common form of sexual fetishism for otherwise non-sexual objects or body parts" and is most commonly a male interest.  Foot fetishists are intrigued by anything relating to the feet: polish or no? toes rings and anklets? high arch? long or short toes?

While doing some reading I came across research that suggested that foot fetishism increased as a result of epidemics of sexually transmitted diseases. For example, in the 16th and 19th centuries Europe experienced significant syphilis epidemics.  The theory is, feet are safe, no diseases from foot porn.

It's very easy to find sexy feet videos on YouTube. This video includes many shots of the "sexiest feet and toes in the world.



My question: are feet truly a non-sexual body part? Says who? The idea that our bodies are divided into sexual and non-sexual parts is horrible. Who's making this list? We need to see it, don't you think? And then have a conversation with whoever is silly enough to think feet, or elbows, or ankles, or forearms, aren't sexual.

August 1st!

Hope it's hot enough for you.