BOOK SPOTLIGHT @InesWrites: The Loyal Steed by Ines Johnson #MFRWauthor

The Loyal Steed
Ines Johnson
Heartpsell Media, LLC

Jaspir has been in love with Lady Merlyn since they were children, but she has always been out of his reach. Trained as a Pleasure Hound and now surviving by selling his body to rich women, his heart has always remained loyal to his true love.

Liam was promised to Merlyn in their youth, but he’s always known that he's not the man in her heart. With their betrothal approaching, Liam seeks out Jaspir for help. Eager to ensure the happiness of the woman they both love, Jaspir agrees to train Liam in the pleasure arts.

What starts as rivals in an uneasy truce, soon turns carnal when Merlyn learns of their secret lessons. In a society where men are second class citizens, Merlyn is torn between the attentions of two men who would do anything to rule her heart.

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EXCERPT

""Our time is up, Merlyn.""
""Should I buy more?""
Jaspir hesitated. He closed his eyes, resting his forehead against hers. She had his heart, but he would never be allowed to possess hers. He set her back on her chair.
""No,"" he whispered. He lifted his head and looked into her eyes. ""No,"" he said more firmly.
Another hour, another day would change nothing. It had taken years to get over her. Who was he kidding? He'd never gotten over her. He never would.
""My time is up because you have another lover coming?"" she asked.
Jaspir pulled away from her, staring into her golden brown eyes. ""No. There is no one else.""
She cocked her head to the side, the birdlike motion signaling that she was investigating his words. Just as Merlyn only spoke facts, she had a knack for sensing when someone told half-truths.
""I have no other lovers coming today."" Something compelled him to go on, to assure her of her place in his heart. ""You own my heart, Merlyn. I have loved you, and only you, every day since the first day I met you. I will continue to love you every day of my life.""
She searched his eyes, her head cocking the opposite way as she considered every angle of his new statement. ""Why is it that I believe you? There is no possible way to prove your declaration. Love isn't a tangible thing that you can point to. It isn't measurable.""
Jaspir took her hand and placed it on his heart. ""Do you feel that? What reason does a heart have for racing?""
""It’s a fight or flight response from the autonomic nervous system.""
""Do you think I'm preparing to flee due to fear of you? Or that I'm preparing to harm you?""
Merlyn shook her head.
""Look at me, Merlyn. What do you see?""
""I see that your pupils are dilated."" Her eyes dipped lower. ""Your nostrils are flaring, and you are panting.""
""I can tell you that my stomach aches when I think of you. My palms sweat and I feel light headed. Not to mention what happens in my sex organs. That's nearly every system of the human body engaged at the very thought of you.""
""These symptoms happen every time you think of me?""
""Without fail.""
""Fascinating,"" she breathed, eyes bright.
Jaspir grinned at the curious creature before him. She pressed one hand to his heart. The other she ran over his forehead. Her fingers came away with beads of sweat. Her thumb returned and traced his lower eyelid.
""I'd like to study this phenomenon some more."" She looked into his eyes. Her own pupils were large, her nostrils flared, her breath came in small pants. ""May I return to make more observations?""

ABOUT Ines Johnson
Ines writes books for strong women who suck at love. If you rocked out to the twisted triangle of Jem, Jericha, and Rio as a girl; if you were slayed by vampires with souls alongside Buffy; if you need your scandalous fix from Olivia Pope each week, then you’ll love her books!

Aside from being a writer, professional reader, and teacher, Ines is a very bad Buddhist. She sits in sangha each week, and while others are meditating and getting their zen on, she’s contemplating how to use the teachings to strengthen her plots and character motivations.

Ines lives outside Washington, DC with her two little sidekicks who are growing up way too fast.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ineswrites
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ineswrites
Website: https://inesjohnson.wordpress.com/

BOOK SPOTLIGHT: Room 1024 by #MFRWauthors @erincmcrae @racheline_m

Room 1024
Racheline Maltese & Erin McRae
Erotic GLBT Contemporary Erotica
Torquere Press

When Cameron takes his submissive boyfriend Noah to a gay men's leather convention in San Francisco, Cam expects to spend the week exploring their relationship and experimenting with non-monogamy. What he doesn't expect is to run into his own former dom, Lou, in an embarrassingly public reunion.

While Noah is enthusiastic about the opportunity to play with the former international leather title-holder, Cam is more wary. He and Lou have unfinished business. A four-way encounter with Lou and his sub Stephen could be great fun—or it could show Noah that Cameron can never quite be the dom he wants and needs.

As Cameron and Noah work through the uncertainties in their relationship, Noah is offered everything he ever wanted, in a completely different way than he ever expected, leading all four men to discover that sometimes the only way forward is to revisit the past.

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EXCERPT

"Cameron Evan Beck, get your perfect ass in here!”
Cameron turns to follow the voice, so familiar and fond coming from one of the workshop rooms, before he even thinks about it. It’s only as Lou, completely dressed in leathers and holding a bullwhip in his hand, pulls him into a hug in front of what’s clearly a workshop Lou’s leading, that Cam starts to realize just how fucked he is.
“This,” Lou says, introducing him to the room before Cameron can even manage to make a sound, “is Dr. Cameron Beck, professor of queer studies at Boston University. ” There’s only the slightest of dramatic pauses before he adds, “Cameron used to be my boy.”
With that, Lou gives him a wet, smacking kiss on the cheek.
Cameron can’t help but look sheepish. This is not how he wants to be introduced to a room ever, even if reflex and history leave him a little proud.
Lou calls a break with his class and then turns to Cam again. “Are you here with anyone?” he asks quietly, glancing down appraisingly at the leather band on Cameron’s left wrist. He looks good. Lou’s not tall, but he is broad with wide shoulders, a strong chest and more than a bit of a belly. His charisma is as intense as ever, and although the touch of gray now at his temples is startling to Cam it’s also really hot.
“Yeah,” Cameron says, unsure why he doesn’t mention Noah’s name or any of his many places in Cam’s life. Forming sentences seems really hard.
“Good. Me too,” Lou says and tips his head toward a man who must be in his early thirties sitting on the floor in the corner of the room, quietly rebraiding a whip he’s obviously in the process of repairing.
Cameron feels his jaw tense with unavoidable and incredibly stupid jealousy; his fingers were never nimble enough to be really good at that sort of work.
“Are you competing?” Lou asks as if Cameron has actually been keeping up his end of the conversation.
“No,” Cam says. The whole leatherman beauty pageant competition thing may be fun to watch, but it’s never been among his aspirations. “You?”
“Oh no. Enjoying my emeritus position and a lack of annoying travel way too much. ”
“What about him?” Cameron asks, nodding to the guy. Cameron can imagine him competing for one of the bootblack titles. He’s certainly pretty enough, with tan skin and black hair that falls down into his eyes. He’s lanky, and sits kind of folded in on himself, but that’s attractive, too. Lou would certainly have no problem training him into better posture for the competition.
“What about him?” Lou’s voice is gently mocking.
“Is he competing?”
“No. I don’t feel like sharing him yet. At least not like that. Yours?”
Cameron shakes his head and finally realizes just how much he does not want to be having this conversation. He wants to go back to his hotel room, get Noah, go out and sightsee —-- and pretend none of this world has ever been his.
“We should have dinner,” Lou says. “Call me. I’m in room 1024.”

ABOUT Racheline Maltese & Erin McRae
Erin McRae and Racheline Maltese are authors of the gay romance series Love in Los Angeles, set in the film and television industry -- Starling (September 10, 2014), Doves (January 21, 2015), and Phoenix (June 10, 2015) -- from Torquere Press. Their gay romance novella series Love’s Labours, set in the theater world -- Midsummer (May 2015), and Twelfth Night (Fall 2015), is from Dreamspinner Press. They also have a story in Best Gay Romance 2015 from Cleis Press and edited by Felice Picano.

Racheline is a NYC-based performer and storyteller; Erin is a writer and blogger based in Washington, D.C. They write stories and scripts about the intersection of private lives, fame, and desire.

You can find them on the web at http://www.Avian30.com or on their Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/Erin.and.Racheline.

#MFRWauthor Interview with @AdamMannAuthor The Road to Beria #erotica @ButterflyBooks9

Meet MFRW Author Adam Mann.

Adam has lived and worked in Africa and Asia for many years.  He has always been fascinated by personal relationships, and in real life is now enjoying his fourth marriage, after being widowed, divorced, had one marriage annulled as this ‘wife’ had forgotten to get divorced.

As a result he has extensive experience of social and sexual activities, which he brings into all his 16 books in explicit detail.  Underlying all these activities is a quest for a loving and ongoing relationship with his partner.  Three novels have been based in Africa.

http://www.adammannauthor.com

Why did you decide to write?
I started writing historical novels in 1996, which I enjoyed but the research is extensive.  When I approached Smashwords to publish that first novel I noticed a lot of erotic books being published.  I read one or two and thought I could do a lot better, and probably had considerably more experience and had acqured a greater technique than the authors of the novels I had read!

What I did not like was the frequent use of four letter words!  I think that those are completely unnecessary, and I would never have used one or sullied myself when making love to a beautiful lady!

Where are your books set?
Three of my books are based in Africa, and in countries which I know well, and I have brought humour into the stories, in one case as a joke.

I have seven children and four grandchildren to youngest of which is an absolute angel – a seven year old granddaughter.  Now I know where they come from!

I have lived and worked in developing countries most of my life.  I prefer the clean air in the mountains to a tropical beach - salt water and sand are not my favourites.  My most horrific experience was visiting the site of a massacre during the Biafran War, which I detailed in my biography.

Is humour important in books?
I do enjoy a good sense of humour, but there is not one specific experience that I remember.   I do enjoy my life and my family, even though a daughter of a friend of my wife was murdered two days ago – five men have been arrested! My favourite author is still P G Wodehouse.

What's your writing process like?
I write most of my romance novels in about three weeks, but before I start I use Excel to detail the characters and the plot, and the word count as I write each chapter.

The story in some books does not always stay with the original plot, as the characters can take over.
I am happy to be contacted by readers, through the guest page on my website www.adammannauthor.com or even directly to my email address adammannauthor@gmail.com.

Tell us about your writing career.
Although I started writing so many years ago, I did not start my romance novels until three years ago.  I find that when not writing I’m dealing with book promotions.  I have written over 20 romance novels with 18 at Smashwords and one each at Blushing Books, Phaze Books and eXtasy Books. And I have six or seven more in the pipeline.

I find the long wait for agents and publishers is frankly intolerable, so I revert to self-publishing in most cases.  This also means self promotion – who is the brand; the author or the book?  This gives established publishers a head start.

When I can finally put together a manuscript, a synopsis and a book cover I can relax, and pick up the book I was reading before I started that novel.

Princess Le Ngoc Han from QUANG TRUNG,

Roxanne Green from RED HIGH HEELS,

Helga Hufflepuff from HELGA’S RED THIGH BOOTS,

Tong Craig from KEEP OFF THIS GRASS,

Nick from SERENDEPIA,

Denis from SINGAPORE HEAT,

William from IT’S JUST NOT CRICKET!,

All the characters developed by P G Wodehouse.

Share your latest release.

The Road to Beira, an Erotic Contemporary Romance, with Butterfly Books

Colin and Monique meet one another on a dusty road about one hundred miles from Beira in Mozambique.  They had previously known one another when they were students but over twenty years ago, and then their lives had taken completely different paths.

Monique had just been through a nasty divorce, and had settled down to raise her two children whilst getting on with her career as a recruitment specialist.  The tall dark Colin still attracts her and she realizes that she would have to take the lead if their relationship were to develop and romance were to blossom!

It works!  But her life is complicated by the lawyers representing her recent husband who try to stop her relationship with Colin.  Can her glowing auburn hair, her attractive breasts and passionate body win the battle?

Remote Africa, Old friends attracted, auburn hair, 

tall and dark, attractive breasts, love and passion

EXCERPT

“Let’s stop here for lunch?” suggested Laura, and the driver obediently drove the vehicle to the verge of the road.  There was very little traffic now that they were nearly one hundred miles from Beira.“How far is it altogether?”“We measured it several times, and it’s about 260 kilometres from Beira, which is about 165 miles,” said Hugh joining in the conversation.  He had been quite quiet until now.They sat on a grassy bank to eat lunch, ensuring that the driver was also fed, but they decided to leave the wine until they arrived.  The rainy season was just ending, so the landscape was green, and the hills were a dark grey in the distance.  There was no sun today but it was not cold.Monique, due to force of habit, put away the uneaten food, and packed the plastic box into the vehicle, whilst the driver started the engine.  Or at least, he tried to start the engine!The engine was diesel, which usually are very reliable, and the driver got out to open the bonnet.  He was not an engineer so he just poked around at various parts of the engine, checked the water level in the radiator, and looked around for help!  He was lucky, as another 4WD vehicle was just approaching.The driver stopped and a tall thin European got out and approached them, seeing the vehicle bonnet open.“Can I help?” he asked in English.“We stopped for lunch and now it won’t start again,” explained Hugh.“Colin!” exclaimed Monique, “what are you doing here?”They all looked at Monique, and then the new arrival.“Monique?” he said, “perhaps I should ask the same!”Monique turned to the others; “we’re in luck, this is an old friend of mine from university days and his name is Colin.” and then she turned back to Colin.“What are you doing here?” she repeated.“I work here,” Colin explained, “I’m doing a survey for a new community development plan,”“What about you?” he added.  Colin could remember the attractive student he had met so many years ago, but circumstances did not allow them to do more than meet for an occasional coffee.

#MFRWauthor BOOK SPOTLIGHT: Perilous Play @SuzDeMello

Perilous Play

Suz deMello

Erotica/ Anthology

BUY LINK

One woman’s journey into the contemporary kink underworld, Perilous Play is Suz deMello’s

explosive personal account of her experiences with BDSM. Engaging and honest, this groundbreaking memoir will grab you and never let you go.

It’s part of the eighth What to Read After Fifty Shades of Grey boxed set... The Real Fifty Shades.

Five Stars...I have been active in ""the lifestyle"" for almost ten years and Perilous Play is a must read, especially for anyone exploring the darker shades. The author's experiences, both the good and the not-so-good, are carefully detailed and related with delicious details throughout. If you have read FSoG, Perilous Play is your 51st shade. --Elena J. Kelly

EXCERPT

He hooded me and draped me over a hassock in the living room. The fire was blazing; though I wasn’t drunk, I was pleasantly mellow and immediately became aroused by the position. I love being taken on my hands and knees, and the hassock was even better, because it supported my weight. I just lay there and relaxed.
Then he wrapped cuffs around to my wrists and ankles, hogtied me and gagged me.
And did I mention I was naked?
I don’t remember everything that went on. That’s the funny thing about such intense sex. It’s completely mind-bending. With perspective and research, I now know that the intensity of the sex releases oxytocin, a “feel-good” hormone that has amnesiac properties. It contributes to forgetfulness.
Unfortunately, another effect of oxytocin is bonding—in fact, it’s referred to as “the bonding hormone.” Though I did not know it and certainly didn’t consent, I was involuntarily becoming bonded to Trapper Hart.

ABOUT Suz deMello
Best-selling, award-winning author Suz deMello, a.k.a Sue Swift, has written seventeen romance novels in several subgenres, including erotica, comedy, historical, paranormal, mystery and suspense, plus a number of short stories and non-fiction articles on writing. A freelance editor, she’s held the positions of managing editor and senior editor, working for such firms as Totally Bound and Ai Press. She also takes private clients.

Her books have been favorably reviewed in Publishers Weekly, Kirkus and Booklist, won a contest or two, attained the finals of the RITA and hit several bestseller lists.

A former trial attorney, her passion is world travel. She’s left the US over a dozen times, including lengthy stints working overseas. She’s now writing a vampire tale and planning her next trip.

--Find her books at http://www.suzdemello.com
--For editing services, email her at suzdemello@gmail.com
--Befriend her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/suzdemello
--She tweets @Suzdemello; https://twitter.com/SuzdeMello
--Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/suzdemello/
--Goodreads: http://bit.ly/SuzATGoodreads
--Her current blog is http://www.TheVelvetLair.com

If... Then... #MFRWorg Gets Down and Dirty with Author @Emerald_theGLD

Emerald is the pen name of Emily McCay, an erotic fiction author whose work has been featured in anthologies published by Cleis Press, Mischief, and Logical-Lust. She is an advocate for sexual freedom, reproductive rights, and the rights of sex workers, and she serves as a Facebook group moderator and assistant newsletter editor for Marketing for Romance Writers (MFRW). Her first single-author collection, If…Then: a collection of erotic romance stories, is out now from 1001 Nights Press. Find her online at http://www.TheGreenLightDistrict.org.

With no time to waste, MFRW gets down and dirty with Emerald...

Generally, how long does it take you to write a book? 
Good question! Thus far, I have only worked in short form fiction, so my books are collections of short stories. If I ever complete a novel, it seems I’ll be better equipped to answer this! But the amount of time I take to complete a short story seems to vary greatly. In some cases, I’ve written a complete first draft in a few hours and then spent only a few days editing. In other cases, I’ve had a story in the works for years that just hasn’t seemed to draw to a close yet.

Do you have a set schedule for writing or do you just go with the flow? 
Ideally, I would like to have a schedule, but historically, I seem to write when the urge strikes. I will say that, schedule or not, I have tended to write much more prolifically and effectively when I give myself permission to focus on <i>only</i> writing and not constantly feel as though I “should” be doing something else. The internal patterns of my psyche have historically seemed pretty distracting that way.

Tell us about your latest book, including its genre. Does it cross over to other genres?
While I’ve had about 30 short stories published in various multi-author anthologies, I am immensely thrilled that my first solo book, If… Then: a collection of erotic romance stories, was released in mid-September. It contains ten stories (eight previously published and two new) and would most fittingly be called contemporary erotic romance. A few stories contain LGBT and BDSM elements.

How do you come up with story ideas? 
That seems such a common and understandable question, yet I have yet to figure out a simple answer for it. Things just come to me, it seems. Sexuality is a subject of fascination to me, so I’ve been known to see it in a lot of situations. When that’s happened, I’ve not infrequently made a story out of it!

What does your husband/wife think of your writing? 
I have found my partner invariably supportive of my writing endeavors. I haven’t asked him to read all of it (generally, I’m loathe to ask people to read my work, especially when it’s unpolished, and I only tend to do so if I feel particularly stuck around something or in need of specific advice/feedback), but he has read some of it, and some of it he’s heard when he’s accompanied me to the various readings I’ve done. :)

Do you ever ask him/her for advice? 
Yes. Especially when I’m writing from a male point of view. While I don’t at all buy into the idea that men and women have fundamentally different viewpoints from each other or that each respective group (male and female) is monolithic regarding perspective, I do like to check in with him to make sure the mechanics, if you will, all make sense!

Who, if anyone, has influenced your writing? 
I have no doubt many people I don’t even realize have influenced my writing have done so. Probably, on some level, everyone with whom I’ve ever come in contact has influenced it. As far as those of whom I’m aware, the authors (of any genre) whose books, especially fiction books, have left me in awe have influenced me by inspiring me in an intangible and profound way to express as beautifully as I feel they have. That list would include, among numerous others, Victor Hugo (Les Miserables), Edith Wharton (The Age of Innocence), and Donna George Storey (Amorous Woman). I also feel that any author or book (in this case I refer more to nonfiction) that results in increased self-awareness and expanded consciousness in me allows me to write more effectively, as such things allow me (or anyone) to do virtually anything more effectively.

What can we expect from you in the future? 
My second single-author collection, Safe: a collection of erotic stories, is due out in a matter of days. (!) I actually submitted Safe and what became If… Then as a single manuscript. My publisher recommend we split it into two volumes, an idea I initially resisted but have come to see was an excellent idea. If… Then is an erotic romance collection, while Safe is erotica. Erotica is my usual genre, though I’ve been known to write erotic romance as well. I’ll have a new short story included in the Best Erotic Romance 2015 anthology forthcoming from Cleis Press, and I recently finished a baseball-themed erotic novella for inclusion in a forthcoming Sweetmeats Press anthology on sex and sports.

How do we find out about you and your books? 
I welcome anyone reading this to visit my website, The Green Light District, at http://TheGreenLightDistrict.org. There’s a section devoted to my publications that includes not only information about If… Then and Safe but also the various anthologies edited by others in which I have had stories published.

How can readers/fans contact you? 
The upper-right corner of my BLOG (just under the header) shows a plethora of icons representing ways to do just that! :) Readers are welcome to email me at the address linked to there, and I am on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Google+, and Goodreads and may be reached via my profile on any of them.

Favorite book? 
My favorite novel ever falls into the “classic” category: The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton. It feels difficult to me to articulate how I have felt affected by the reading of that book. The words “yearning,” “breathtaking,” “poignancy,” “gratitude,” and “inspiring” would likely all be jumbled in there were I to try.

MFRW Author Emerald recently released If... Then: a collection of erotic romance stories with 1001 Nights Press.

In these tales of sizzling erotic romance, deep affection and the warmth of familiarity underlie the erotic connection between longtime lovers. “The Plant on the Mantel” explores the unexpected implications of a generations-past affair on a young married couple. “Honey Changes Everything” finds Kim wondering how to lead her husband out of his state of despair upon losing his job; inspiration comes when breakfast in bed serves up more than just pancakes. And “If…” and “…Then” examine what happens when Valerie finds herself intensely attracted to someone other than her boyfriend—and what he does when he finds out.

With original stories (“Soft and Gray” and “Shattered Angels”) joining the eight previously published tales in this collection, If… Then is a testament to the scorching eroticism that can so seamlessly subsist with long-term romance. " In these ten tales of sizzling erotic romance, deep affection and the warmth of familiarity underlie the erotic connection between longtime lovers. If… Then is a testament to the scorching eroticism that can so seamlessly subsist with long-term romance.

Amazon BUY LINK  |  Barnes & Noble BUY LINK  | Smashwords BUY LINK

The Write And Long Of It with #MFRWauthor Kathryn Blake @KRBwrites

Kathryn R. Blake gives us the Write and Long Of It in today's interview.
We Asked. She Answered.

How long have you been writing - have you always wanted to be a writer?
I've been writing stories since elementary school, but I started out wanted to be an actress and was a Drama major in College.

How many books have you written, how many have been published?
I'd say I've written about fifteen books and six have currently been published.  A few may never see the light of day again, since I keep writing new books instead of going back to ones I've put aside for various reasons.

A Simple Misunderstanding is Kathryn R. Blake's fourth novel with Blushing Books, and third spanking romance where Domestic Discipline is primary to the plot.  Although Kathryn is new to the spanking romance market, she is not new to stories where the hero spanks the heroine.  In fact, most of her novels have some sort of spanking in them.  However, even in Kathryn's novels where the hero firmly believes in using spanking as a deterrent, he has no desire to cause the heroine injury and takes no delight in hurting the woman of his heart. 

After you've written your book, and it's been published, do you ever buy it and/or read it?
I always purchase my own books, especially from my publisher, so I have a copy in every format they offer.  I own a Kindle, so I also go to Amazon and download the book on my device; however, I rarely read it again.  I've read each of my books at least twenty times before it is published, so I don't really need to read it again afterward.

List two authors we would find you reading when taking a break from your own writing.
Only two?  I have some that are automatic buys for me.  It's so hard to limit myself, since there are so many other authors I enjoy, but I'll list Cara Bristol and Maren Smith.

If I was a first time reader of your books, which one would you recommend I start with and why?
I'd like to think I improve with each additional book I write, so I'd say start with my last book, A Simple Misunderstanding.  It has a powerful theme of a woman caught in an abusive relationship in a community known for its tolerance with spanking relationships.  It's the 7th in the Corbin's Bend series, but if definitely stands alone.

Kathryn released A Simple Misunderstanding, an Erotica Novel with Blushing Books/Lazy Day Publishing. 
Spousal spankings in Corbin's Bend... She thought her husband was the man of her dreams, until he became the man of her nightmares. Elly Benson struggled to be the properly submissive wife her husband desired.  She tried to do everything he asked of her, until he convinced her she could never be the perfect woman he expected and demanded by nearly killing her. As a vet, Jerry Douglas recognized signs of abuse when he saw them.  Elly Benson, however, was a married and consenting adult who insisted all her bruises and welts were nothing more than a simple misunderstanding between her and her husband, until the day Arthur Benson took his authority and discipline one-step too far.

AMAZON US  |  AMAZON UK

Which comes first, the story, the characters, or the setting?
That's hard, but I'd say the idea for the story comes first, then the characters that best fit the story I want to tell, and finally their setting.  However, they are almost simultaneous since the story requires certain characters and a setting.  Without them, I wouldn't have a story.

What is the hardest part of writing/the easiest for you?
Dialogue is the easiest.  The characters talk in my head, so their dialogue flows onto the page.  Narrative is more difficult since the picture is in my head like a movie, but I sometimes have difficulty putting what I'm seeing into words.

Are you in control of your characters, or do they control you?
I'm ultimately in control of them, but they are in control of their own lives.  In Arrested by Love, I had two secondary characters that started to take over the novel.  I couldn't allow that, so I cut them out and gave them their own book, which became A Dom's Dilemma.

What is the single most important part of writing for you?
Being able to tell the story that's taking place in my head.  As I kid I wrote scripts and had my friends act them out with me, so I've always been telling stories.  That's the fun part.  The creative part for me.  Editing is the professional part, and probably the most work I do on a manuscript.

How can readers connect with you?
Website: http://www.kathrynrblake.com
Blog: http://krbnaughtythoughts.blogspot.com
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/KRBlake.page
Facebook Profile: http://www.facebook.com/KRBlake.profile
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/krblakepin/
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Kathryn-R.-Blake/e/B003G5G15Y
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4058144.Kathryn_R_Blake
Twitter: http://twitter.com/KRBwrites

BOOK SPOTLIGHT: Zane's Choice by #MFRWauthor @MardiMaxwellRom

MFRW Author Mardi Maxwell released Zane's Choice (The Doms of Club Mystique 4),

an Erotic Romance, with Siren Publishing.

Beautiful, curvy, Ravyn Templeton saw Zane Ramsey in a BDSM club in Houston three years ago. He’s haunted her dreams ever since.

Zane is an Assistant District Attorney but he’s also a co-owner of Club Mystique, the BDSM club he and his brothers built on their Texas ranch. When Ravyn’s ex-husband is arrested for hiring an assassin to kill her the case is assigned to Zane.

The moment Zane meets Ravyn he wants her and even though he knows having an affair with her will jeopardize his career he can’t resist her. When Ravyn’s ex-husband accuses her of laundering money for a drug cartel, and she refuses to answer Zane’s questions, he leaves her.

Fate steps in and brings them together again. Zane has the power to save Ravyn but only if he loves her enough to fight for her.

Bookstrand Buy Link

What Reviewers Say...
The Book Fairy Reviews - 5 stars - This series just keeps getting better and better! Although I still love the dynamic between Addison and Cade(they are my fave's) I love how conflicted Zane is in this book. The Ramsey family just keeps growing adding more subs with each book, which means more women who really rule in the Ramsey Ranch... see the rest of the review at goodreads.

Beverly Ovalle - 5 stars - Okay, let me just say that I finished Zane's Choice and read it again! Once again Addison is matchmaking, trouble making, the view depends on who she has in her sights. Zane is torn by his job as ADA and Ravyn. Ravyn has secrets she can't afford to tell Zane. Bullied and blackmailed Ravyn does what she has to do, regardless of her feelings for Zane... see the rest of the review at goodreads.

Excerpt

A moment later, Zane Ramsey appeared. His black hair was mussed as if he’d shoved his hands through it a dozen times, and his black suit jacket was rumpled and hung open. His leaf-green eyes blazed with rage and she wanted to slip behind Thor or Mac, or even Ben for protection. Instead, she lifted her chin and dared him to do his worst. He took one step into the room before his eyes zeroed in on her.
“You can’t be here, Ravyn. This puts me in an impossible position.”
Ravyn rested a graceful hand on her hip. “Well, hello to you, too, lover.”
Zane cursed, then stalked toward her. Without pausing, he clenched his fist in the hair at her nape, then curved her into him until their noses were almost touching.
The heat from his body sent a shiver of arousal through her. “Let go, Zane.”
“You need to leave, Ravyn. Now.”
“No. I’m hiding from the press and everyone else who wants to put me behind bars—people like you.”
“Dammit, Ravyn. I told you I would protect you.”
“No, you didn’t. You said you would get me the best deal you could if I would turn state’s evidence.” She tried to move away, but he tightened his hand and pulled her head farther back while curving her pelvis against his. His erection pressed into her belly and she breathed a swift sigh of relief at the proof that he still wanted her.
“I told you from the beginning if you were guilty, I wouldn’t lie for you,” Zane said, the words gritted out between clenched teeth.
“Then you shouldn’t have fucked me.” Ravyn reached up and tried to pry his fingers from her hair. “Let go, Zane.”
“This time you’ve gone too far. Be still or I’ll beat your ass.”
“You can’t. You’re the one who set the limits of our relationship.” She gave up trying to pry his hand loose then lowered her voice. “You said fucking only. Nothing else.”
“Tell me the truth, then—tell me what you know and I’ll help you.”
“Nothing. I don’t know anything.”
“You lie to me and then you question why I won’t—” He pulled her head back until the tendons in her neck stood out. “Just don’t lie to me again. It really pisses me off.”
Ravyn glanced to her right and saw that everyone’s attention was focused on them. “Zane, let go. Everyone’s watching.”
“Don’t mind us,” Cade said. “You’d be surprised how often something like this happens around here lately.”
Zane shot a dirty look toward the room’s occupants, then focused on her again. “Everyone out.”
Cade picked Addison up, then settled in the chair behind his desk and smiled. Addison grinned at Zane, then snuggled into Cade, letting him know they were staying.
“We may have some information you might be interested in knowing, little brother.” Cade smoothed his hand down the length of Addison’s braid.
Ravyn glanced at the wall behind Cade’s desk and saw a large portrait of him and Addison. In it, Addison was over Cade’s shoulder. One of her hands grasped the waistband of his leather pants as she looked down at the camera with a huge smile on her beautiful face. Cade’s large hand nearly covered her entire bottom as he held her in place and looked over his shoulder at someone below them. The dark look of passion on their faces was mesmerizing.
That was the way she wanted to be loved. Passionately, as if her death would totally destroy the man who loved her.

About Mardi Maxwell
"I'm addicted to books. I love reading them and I love writing them. My earliest memories are of my oldest brother reading one chapter a night of The Wizard of Oz to me and my siblings. He had to read it because he was the only one who could read at the time! lol I've loved books ever since.

When I don't have my nose in a book or my laptop I'm spending time with my family and friends, gardening, cooking, traveling, swimming and daydreaming about my next hero."

http://www.mardimaxwell.com
http://www.bookstrand.com/mardi-maxwell
http://www.facebook.com/MardiMaxwellRomance
http://www.twitter.com/MardiMaxwellRom
http://www.mardismentionables.blogspot.com/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7790271.Mardi_Maxwell
https://plus.google.com/s/Mardi%20Maxwell

#MFRWauthor BOOK SPOTLIGHT: If... Then @Emerald_theGLD

MFRW Author Emerald recently released If... Then: a collection of erotic romance stories with 1001 Nights Press.

In these tales of sizzling erotic romance, deep affection and the warmth of familiarity underlie the erotic connection between longtime lovers. “The Plant on the Mantel” explores the unexpected implications of a generations-past affair on a young married couple. “Honey Changes Everything” finds Kim wondering how to lead her husband out of his state of despair upon losing his job; inspiration comes when breakfast in bed serves up more than just pancakes. And “If…” and “…Then” examine what happens when Valerie finds herself intensely attracted to someone other than her boyfriend—and what he does when he finds out.

With original stories (“Soft and Gray” and “Shattered Angels”) joining the eight previously published tales in this collection, If… Then is a testament to the scorching eroticism that can so seamlessly subsist with long-term romance. " In these ten tales of sizzling erotic romance, deep affection and the warmth of familiarity underlie the erotic connection between longtime lovers. If… Then is a testament to the scorching eroticism that can so seamlessly subsist with long-term romance.

Amazon BUY LINK  |  Barnes & Noble BUY LINK  | Smashwords BUY LINK

EXCERPT
I entered the bedroom as Sylvia was turning down the sheets, already in her nightgown.  Her countenance was thoughtful, as it had been since our return from her grandparents’ estate.

“What’s going to happen to the plant?” I asked her.

“What?” She straightened and turned to me.

“The plant. At your grandparents’ house. Where’s it going to go?”

“Oh,” her voice sounded casual, but for some reason I suspected the thought wasn’t new to her. She paused. “I don’t know.”

“It just seems kind of important, it being so old. Seems like someone should take care of it.”

Sylvia looked introspective and nodded.

“I never really knew my grandmother,” she said after a silence.

I looked at her, unsure where this new thread was going.

“I mean, we lived much further away from them when I was growing up, and I was only 19 when she died.” Sylvia sat on the bed, still not looking at me.

“Her affair seemed...mysterious. I wonder if there are more letters that we didn’t find, or how it ended, or why. I wonder if my grandfather found out. My mom and sister and I found the letters—we decided not to mention them to him,” she added.

I had wondered those things briefly too, but since she hadn’t volunteered any information, I hadn’t wanted to ask. I watched her. She still hadn’t looked at me.

“They were very...explicit. The letters, I mean.” I thought I saw Sylvia blush faintly, and a soft, spontaneous smile lifted my lips.

She looked at me then and saw it. “Yeah, I know, you think I’m a prude,” she said with a self-deprecating smile, huffing a little as she looked back down.

I went to the bed and sat beside her. “No, I don’t think you’re a ‘prude,’” I said. I didn’t. She tended to be somewhat reserved verbally and publicly about sex, but it didn’t stop her from letting loose when it came down to the act. I smiled. “I just think it’s interesting that you would seem surprised that your grandmother may have been sexually ‘explicit.’”

Sylvia blushed more and laughed a little, still looking down. “Well, it’s admittedly not something I ever thought about in relation to her. I just experienced my grandparents as so...stiff. You know?”

I shrugged. “Maybe that’s why she did it. Maybe she didn’t fit in with that environment and needed more than she was getting.”

Sylvia looked up at me, slight surprise in her expression.

“I’m sorry,” I said immediately. “I didn’t mean to be disrespectful to your grandfather.” I paused. “I almost forgot who we were talking about for a minute.”

She looked back down, nodding. “Yeah. I know what you mean. That happened to me earlier this evening when you talked about the plant. What it had seen.” Her voice trailed off. “It’s weird to think that it was sitting there that whole time, all those years, in that same place. It’s been alive and sitting on that mantle for more than half a century.”

I pictured the motionless collection of sturdy leaves, twined together and looped around each other and the surrounding objects, growing languidly for six decades in the best seat in the room for anything that took place there.

-from ""The Plant on the Mantel""

ABOUT Emerald
Emerald is the pen name of Emily McCay, an erotic fiction author whose work has been featured in anthologies published by Cleis Press, Mischief, and Logical-Lust. She is an advocate for sexual freedom, reproductive rights, and the rights of sex workers, and she serves as a Facebook group moderator and assistant newsletter editor for Marketing for Romance Writers (MFRW). Her first single-author collection, If…Then: a collection of erotic romance stories, is out now from 1001 Nights Press. Find her online at http://www.TheGreenLightDistrict.org.

Blog: http://TheGreenLightDistrict.org/wordpress
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmeraldAuthor
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+Emeraldauthor
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/EmeraldAuthor/
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/emerald
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/652859.Emerald
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Emerald_theGLD

BOOK SPOTLIGHT: Simple Misunderstanding by Kathryn Blake @KRBwrites #MFRWauthor

MFRW Author Kathryn R. Blake released A Simple Misunderstanding, an Erotica Novel with Blushing Books/Lazy Day Publishing. Spousal spankings in Corbin's Bend... She thought her husband was the man of her dreams, until he became the man of her nightmares.

Elly Benson struggled to be the properly submissive wife her husband desired.  She tried to do everything he asked of her, until he convinced her she could never be the perfect woman he expected and demanded by nearly killing her.

As a vet, Jerry Douglas recognized signs of abuse when he saw them.  Elly Benson, however, was a married and consenting adult who insisted all her bruises and welts were nothing more than a simple misunderstanding between her and her husband, until the day Arthur Benson took his authority and discipline one-step too far,

AMAZON US  |  AMAZON UK

What an Amazon Reader Reviewer Said...
I absolutely loved this book!! This is the 7th in the series but stands alone quite nicely. Frankly, you will be sorry if you miss this one! There is a wonderful plot, no spoilers here, that handles a sensitive subject very well. Elly is such a strong woman although she doesn't think so but with Jerry's help she discovers she can be strong enough to rid herself of her troubles and find love along the way. This is written extremely well and I had to read it in one sitting to get to the best ending ever! Very well done!! - SH

EXCERPT
Jerry stepped over to open the park gate for Elly, but she gave her head a single shake. “I can’t stay. I only came to return your coat. Thank you.”
Accepting his leather jacket, he placed a staying hand on her arm. “Were you punished last night because you had this?”
“No.” Her emerald green eyes held his gaze, but he sensed there was more to the story than she was saying, so he raised one eyebrow and waited.
With a sigh of defeat, she added, “I was punished for not being properly dressed yesterday. And, given the unpredictability of Colorado autumns, I should’ve known better, as you intimated yourself.”
Though she spoke to him without any pretense of hesitancy or deference today, he didn’t particularly care for what she said. “Were you late getting home?”
A touch of green fire lit her eyes as she stared at him. “What do you think?”
“I think you’re angry enough you’d like to take your frustration out on someone, but you’re not sure how, or whom to attack.”
She turned away at his words. “I need to go.”
“How long before you’re expected back, Eleanor?”
Her back stiffened with displeasure, but she didn’t yank free of his gentle restraint. “Five minutes.”
“Then stay with me for one more minute.” When she didn’t take off running, he asked, “Do you object to me calling you by your first name?”
“No.”
“Then why did you stiffen?”
She briefly met his gaze. “I prefer to be called Elly.”
Smiling, he bent his head toward her. “Good to know, Elly. So, tell me. Did your husband restrain you last night?”
Her head snapped up, and she glared at him through eyes alight with unshed tears. “So what if he did? That doesn’t mean I’m not submissive to him.”
Jerry promptly released her arm. “Whoa. I never said or implied you weren’t.”
“Well, isn’t that what everyone else thinks? I’m such a lousy wife and incompetent submissive, my husband needs to restrain me during my chastisements?”
“No, Elly. No one thinks that.”
“Why not? It’s true. Thank you anyway for your concern, but I need to leave.”

ABOUT Kathryn R. Blake
A Simple Misunderstanding is Kathryn R. Blake's fourth novel with Blushing Books, and third spanking romance where Domestic Discipline is primary to the plot.  Although Kathryn is new to the spanking romance market, she is not new to stories where the hero spanks the heroine.  In fact, most of her novels have some sort of spanking in them.  However, even in Kathryn's novels where the hero firmly believes in using spanking as a deterrent, he has no desire to cause the heroine injury and takes no delight in hurting the woman of his heart.

Website: http://www.kathrynrblake.com
Blog: http://krbnaughtythoughts.blogspot.com
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/KRBlake.page
Facebook Profile: http://www.facebook.com/KRBlake.profile
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/krblakepin/
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Kathryn-R.-Blake/e/B003G5G15Y
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4058144.Kathryn_R_Blake
Twitter: http://twitter.com/KRBwrites

BOOK SPOTLIGHT: Rent Me @BrinaBrady #MFRWauthor

MFRW Author Brina Brady released Rent Me, a GLBT Erotica Book, on Smashwords on May 27, 2014.

Rent Boy Brennen wants to belong to his lover Dmitri Dubrovsky. The Russian mobster controls every inch of his life in and out of bed. Brennen works for Dmitri’s escort service. His only desire is to please his lover. When Dmitri marries Nika, his lover moves him out of their home to an apartment in Beverly Hills and tells him nothing has changed. What is Brennen going to do now?

Warning: This is a Gay adult consensual story focused on themes of corporal discipline punishment and explicit sex with some elements of BDSM between adult men over the age of eighteen.

Amazon US  |  Amazon UK  |  Smashwords

What Reviewers Say...
"Wow! This book is super hot, but the story itself is so compelling I was up until 4 am reading. I spent half my time wanting to smack the guys upside the head, and the other half going awwww...
Their relationship is by no means conventional, but it somehow manages to work for them. Now if they could just learn to communicate! But oh, such sexy sweet, naughty, and downright horrid boys they are! All I can say is... more please!"​ - Amazon Reviewer

"This author can write! I loved this story. The characters were interesting and relatable, and the storyline is HOT! Every scene got better than the next. I'll be looking for more from this author." -
Amazon Reviewer

Excerpt

"Dmitri pounded his fists on the table and said, “Now, you are being disrespectful to me.”
“Well, you are siding with all our enemies.”
 “What the hell are you talking about? You are under my protection and in exchange, I asked you to respect me. And if you disrespect me, I am in charge of the consequences. You agreed to this. Do you remember our written agreement?”
“Yes, I remember. Sorry if I was disrespectful, but I feel you don’t treat me like an adult.”
“Sorry is not good enough this time. For your punishment, you have three choices. Your first choice is to quit being an escort. Your second choice is for me to take you back to Adrik. Your third choice is to give your consent to be whipped with my belt and it won’t be play discipline.”
“I can’t believe you want to bring me back to Adrik.” Brennen shook his head. “I’m not quitting my job. Especially now since you are married. And you are not going to punish me with a belt. You're my boyfriend.”
Dmitri got up from the table, picked up the red apple timer on the stovetop, and set it down in front of Brennen. When he had gotten into trouble, Dmitri and Mischa used the timer for time-outs. The timer was their way of giving him some quiet space to think about what he had done wrong.
“Why a belt? Brennen looked up at Dmitri.
“Did you think I would discipline you with our play paddle?”
“But Adrik used to hit me with a belt.” He was annoyed at his own whining voice.
“It’s punishment. Quit your damn escort job, then.”
“I can’t believe you are doing this to me,” Brennen said.
“You have twenty minutes to decide which punishment you want. You only have three choices, but if you don’t accept any of the choices, then you are choosing to walk away from me as your lover.”
“You don’t mean this, do you?” Brennen asked.
“Have you ever known me to lie to you?”
“No.”
“I will always take care of you, but you will no longer be my lover if you don’t choose one of the three punishments. Our relationship is based on me being the top man who makes the rules and you are the bottom man who follows the rules. You knew this when we became lovers.”
 Dmitri set the apple timer. “You have twenty minutes to decide.” He left him alone in the kitchen with the red ticking frying pan clock.
Why was he doing this?
Brennen knew Dmitri could force him back to Adrik. But even if he made him go there, he would probably be able to run away. He did not want to take any chances. No, that was not an option, and Dmitri knew that.
Dmitri playing God again.
This was all about Dmitri forcing him to quit the escort job at the agency. Brennen was not going to quit his job. He loved it, and it made him feel good about himself. But to walk away from Dmitri as his lover was not what he wanted either. The only thing left was to give consent to be punished with the belt. How hard would he hit him? The timer continued to tick along with the clock on the wall. His nerves went to hell.
Dmitri entered the kitchen as the timer buzzed. Brennen covered his ears and slapped it. He picked the apple timer up and returned it to its proper place.
“What have you decided?” Dmitri asked.

About Brina Brady
I am from Huntington Beach, Ca. I taught various subjects at a Continuation High School in Los Angeles, California for 27 years. I obtained a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in history, Secondary Social Science Credential and a Master’s Degree in Secondary Reading and Secondary Education from California State University, Long Beach. I also enrolled in some creative writing classes at UCLA. I am currently taking classes from Romance Writers of America. I belong to the Rainbow Romance Writers.

Please visit my website here: http://brinabrady.wordpress.com
Please visit my blog here: http://brinabrady.blogspot.com
Find me on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/brina.brady.3
Follow me on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/BrinaBrady
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#Thursday13 with @LaverneThompson #MFRWauthor

LaVerne Thompson & Tenaj share 13 sentences from their new book that's part of the Hidden series, based on the collaboration of two authors.

LaVerne Thompson is an award winning, best-selling, multi-published author, an avid reader and a writer of contemporary, fantasy, and sci/fi sensual romances. She also writes romantic suspense and new adult romance under the pen name Ursula Sinclair. She is currently working on several projects. Visit her at lavernethompson.com.

Tenaj is a pen name for the co-author of Dark Mist. This is her debut published work. She is also a storyteller at RP World Group, a free read/writers site where she’s taken part in several storylines. Visit her at fantasiavirtuoso.com.

Website  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Amazon

Thirteen Sentences
Deacon, also known for a brief time in his long life as Diego Enrique Antonio Condes, stood at the open window, breathing in the scent of wet grass and cement drifting in on the dark night. He listened to the symphony of the wind as it battled to control the direction of the rain. His thoughts focused outward. He raised one finger and directed both of nature’s children to blow in another direction.

He won this round.

After a thousand years, he’d won many battles against the elements, he could control storms and lightning with but a thought. Almost as well, as he could control others, who sought to test his strength and challenge his rule. Although at times, it took more than a thought to stop some of them. Sometimes, it required their deaths, and he remained powerful enough to deliver.
This era seemed to be both a glorious and difficult time for the Hydden, as they chose to call themselves. He’d brought a kind of peace to his kind, a way for them to exist among humans without fear. Deacon smiled. Hidden in plain sight is what they were, in the heart of Memphis, among the thousands of churches with large exclusive and reclusive congregations.



MFRW Author LaVerne Thompson released Dark Mist-The Hidden, a Contemporary Paranormal Erotica on May 13, 2014.

Can he possess the unattainable?

For over a thousand years, Deacon has led his vampire brethren to live in peace amongst humans. But that was before he entered the dreams of the beautiful Rose, hungering desperately for that which he could not claim because the very laws he had set forbade it. Laws that meant certain death for the Hydden should they be broken...laws that Deacon himself might just shatter for one human. But he hungered for her blood and someone knew it.

Could he take what he desired most while still protecting himself from those who sought to destroy him? Or will Rose mourn the promise of an eternal forever if Deacon brings about his own demise?

Amazon BUY LINK  |  Barnes & Noble BUY LINK

#MFRWauthor BOOK SPOTLIGHT: Dark Mist-The Hidden @LaverneThompson

MFRW Author LaVerne Thompson released Dark Mist-The Hidden, a Contemporary Paranormal Erotica on May 13, 2014.

Can he possess the unattainable?

For over a thousand years, Deacon has led his vampire brethren to live in peace amongst humans. But that was before he entered the dreams of the beautiful Rose, hungering desperately for that which he could not claim because the very laws he had set forbade it. Laws that meant certain death for the Hydden should they be broken...laws that Deacon himself might just shatter for one human. But he hungered for her blood and someone knew it.

Could he take what he desired most while still protecting himself from those who sought to destroy him? Or will Rose mourn the promise of an eternal forever if Deacon brings about his own demise?

Amazon BUY LINK  |  Barnes & Noble BUY LINK


Excerpt

When Rose exited the airport, lightning flashed, illuminating the night sky. For a moment, everything froze, then the world turned dark again. Even though she wore a coat, she shivered and when thunder crackled overhead, goose bumps rose along her arms. This kind of weather always spooked her, but this new job in Memphis should have her crowing in triumph, and she did feel that way, until a moment ago.
She shook her head as she stood in line for a cab. Just nerves acting up, she hadn’t been sleeping lately, but she’d been excited about this move. Rose felt sorry now she didn’t let Krystal come and pick her up at the airport. It’d been late and raining and Krystal Harrington worked as an ER doctor with long hard hours. Still, it would have been nice to see a friendly face.
Rose got into the taxi and gave the driver her destination. Sitting back, she stared outside at the passing darkened landscape. This city would be her new home. Who would’ve thought a girl from a big city like Brooklyn would end up in Memphis? But the company she worked for wanted her at their home office. She would’ve been a fool to turn down the promotion of Executive Business Acquisitions Director for Hydden Enterprises, or HE, as those who worked there liked to call the place. She’d worked her butt off for the company and to get a promotion.
Others told Rose, at twenty-seven, she would be the youngest person in such a high position within the company. She reported directly to the President of HE and would have a staff of four under her supervision. Not too bad for someone who didn’t know who her father was, and whose mother died when she was ten, leaving her alone to grow up in the foster care system. It could’ve been worse she supposed…She’d gotten lucky.
The Robinsons, the family who raised her were good people. She’d been their only foster, but they’d housed exchange college students in the US for a limited time, so Rose never felt lonely, and they’d been heavily involved in the local non-denominational mega-church. Through the church, she’d netted a full-scholarship to college. Even though, she didn’t embrace any one religious doctrine, she did believe something greater existed out there, which no one could control. Then, even at times, it directed humanity onto certain paths. Still, it is up to each individual to decide which road to take or not.
In her case, an opportunity presented itself and she didn’t hesitate to take it. After graduation,

she’d gotten a job at Hydden and thus far, it turned out to be the right decision. Though, she missed her foster parents and didn’t enjoy moving so far away from them. Even if she hadn’t lived with them, since she’d started college, they’d been the first to encourage her to explore this opportunity.
She’d proven herself to the company by working hard and getting an MBA while working full-time and she had her foster parents to thank for her strong work ethic. As a result, Hydden rewarded her with some of the corporate secrets. Like Hydden was really operated and owned by one of the largest churches in Memphis.
The locale of the real head office would be where she would actually work. Yesterday, she’d been happy and excited about this step forward in her career. Now, when the cab pulled up in front of Krystal’s house and the door opened, she found herself hesitating to step out of the car…and with no idea why.

About LaVerne Thompson & Tenaj
The Hidden series is based on the collaboration of two authors.

LaVerne Thompson is an award winning, best-selling, multi-published author, an avid reader and a writer of contemporary, fantasy, and sci/fi sensual romances. She also writes romantic suspense and new adult romance under the pen name Ursula Sinclair. She is currently working on several projects. Visit her at lavernethompson.com.

Tenaj is a pen name for the co-author of Dark Mist. This is her debut published work. She is also a storyteller at RP World Group, a free read/writers site where she’s taken part in several storylines. Visit her at fantasiavirtuoso.com.

Website  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Facebook2  |  Amazon

Book Spotlight ~ Snakes In The Grass

Author:  Adera Orfanelli

Book:  Snakes In The Grass

Release Date:   06/02/2012

Publisher: Changeling Press

CP BIN: 05742-01840

Buy Link:  http://changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1840

Genre: Contemporary Erotica

Warnings: Explicit Sex, Big Snakes (Mentioned)

Heat Level: R+

Format: E-Book In Multiple Formats

Author Website:  http://www.aderaorfanelli.net

Nothing gets steamier than the Everglades in summer, except Irina's fantasies about her fellow wildlife officer, Javier. When a summer thunderstorm curtails their hunt for feral pythons, Irina and Javier seek refuge, where Irina discovers there's only one thing Javier has been hunting...her.

Book Spotlight ~ Touch of the Gods: The Wager

Author:  D. X. Luc

Book:  Touch of the Gods: The Wager

Release Date:  5-6-12

When love and war make a little wager, what could possibly go wrong?

I am Hephaestus, God of inventions, blacksmiths, and volcanoes. I'm the loser of Olympus and a new bachelor to boot. If my divorce from the Goddess of Love isn't bad enough, I’m still being rejected by other women. To make matters worse, my brother, Ares convinced Eros to make a little bet. A wager that puts my lack of love life to the test. Sent to Earth, I'm skeptical when I lose myself in the sensual aroma and beauty of the full bodied Vanessa. She is my everything—my perfection.

Sadly, I sent our lives into a downward spiral of hell. To save her, I must get beyond my demons of the past. And to save me, she has to decide if I'm worth giving up everything.

Amazon Buy Link  

Publisher:  Sinful Restraints Publishing

Genre: Paranormal

Warnings: Explicit Sex, Forced Submission.

Heat Level: R+

Format: Kindle

Author Blog/s:  http://welcome-to-the-island-of-dxluc.blogspot.com/

Book Trailer URL:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lKDs6kSu4A

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-D-X-Luc/127121317364246

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/#!/dxluc

An Interview with Catherine Gardiene

Cat's first published novel, Mission Statement, was recently released by Loose Id. This is her first author interview, for her first novel…as a virgin, we assured her it would only hurt the first time.

Do you plot or do you write by the seat of your pants?

I try to plot. I honestly do. But I've said it before and I'll say it again: most of the time, I don't actually write. I take dictation. Something creates a spark for me, which evolves into spending an inordinate amount of time developing characters in my head, a plot outline, and an arc. Then I sit down to write and my characters take over. If I try to make them follow a plotline that doesn't work for them, they stop talking to me. I once cut over 100 pages because I tried to make my characters go where they didn't want to go. The story got flat, the dialogue got monotonous, and the whole experience was unpleasant for everyone involved. Now I listen better.

What drew you to the story line of Mission Statement?

I love writing about people making positive change in their lives, especially when they take unconventional routes to get there. Vicki finds herself completely off-track and uses some rather unconventional means to get back to where she belongs. One of the many things I love about her is that she overcomes decades of preconceived notions to get "unstuck" in her life.

What’s your favorite quote?

When I was sixteen, I was a stage manager for a local production of Nuts, the play by Tom Topor. The lead character is an unconventional woman (at best) who finds her power and control in a highly unconventional way: she becomes an extremely high-priced call girl. When she's asked how she can defend her choices, she says "You don't understand the things I do, but I do have my reasons. They're not your reasons, so they're not real to you, but they're real to me, and that's enough." I've navigated by that ever since.

What three things would you want with you on a desert island?

My Kindle. A way to charge my Kindle. And lots and lots of paper and pens. Oh, crap. That's four things, isn't it? Well, can I pretend that my desert island has a tree that grows pencils? Of course, if all those things were there, it wouldn't have to be a desert island. It could be half a mile from civilization and I'd never go looking.

Who is your favorite character in your book?

I hadn't really thought about that, but I think I'd have to say Michael. That's actually a surprise to me because I usually fall in love with a secondary character, but Mission Statement is really a study of Vicki and Michael. His illusion that he's got it all together is fascinating to me; watching it unravel makes him real. Of course, a very minor character has since inhabited my brain, so Jonas is quickly becoming a favorite of mine, but that is -- quite literally -- a story for another day.

Where do you write?

I write at my dining room table. There are sticky notes and scraps everywhere. It's free of household clutter and relatively quiet, so it works for me. I only trip over the power cord every three or four days now, which has impressed pretty much everyone in my family.

What was the hardest scene to write?

The opening scene was the hardest. That's always the hardest one for me. I just want everyone to know everything I know from the first word. The first draft becomes something of a brain dump, and it isn't pretty. If not for the supreme patience and candid feedback of my pre-readers, I'd never make it through the submission process. If not for the talent and patience of my fabulous editor, Maryam Salim, the first three chapters would be…well, probably chapters four, five, and six.

What was your favorite scene to write?

I travel a lot for my day job. I saw a woman, seated alone at a bar reading emails on her phone. There was a man in the corner watching her. That picture evolved in my brain. At the same time, I noticed my thirty-something and forty-something friends and I were spending a lot of time wondering "how did we get here?" - the female version of a mid-life crisis, I guess. That poor woman in the bar suddenly had a mid-life crisis of her own and Mission Statement was born. Since that's how the story came to me, that's how I wanted it to give it to the readers. See the answer to "hardest scene" above to see how that ended.

Who is your greatest cheerleader?

It's hard to narrow it down to one person. I have three friends who really helped me summon the courage to try publishing. My dear friend Meri was my first "beta" reader and editor in all things, and she pushed me to improve in a million ways. The story itself started as a snippet in an email with the subject line "does this suck?"; MJ, if you had said yes, I wouldn't be here. Terri is my prototypical reader and compatriot in day job world, constantly telling me that she'd hang it up and hand me Sharpies at my first book signing if only I'd just go for it. These women changed my life.

What other time period besides your own would you like to experience?

I have an obscene fascination with nineteenth century England. To be truthful, I have an obsession with England in general, but the Regency era is a time period I'd travel to in a heartbeat. Of course, in my fantasy, I'd be arriving as Lady Pennyforth-Smythe, Marchioness of Danbury, Society maven and premier member of the haute ton. With my luck, I'd come back as a serving wench at a dockside pub. Not that that's a bad thing; I do have a strong affinity for ale. I just think the experience would be very different. Perhaps I'll write about it instead, so I can have some control over who I am when I get there. Unless the plot/dictation thing messes me up again, that is.

About Cat:

Cat Gardiene spends her days behind a desk and her nights in front of a laptop, but struggles to understand why she doesn’t have a better tan or a firmer ass. A lover of theatre, books, music, and alpha males, not necessarily in that order, she is a proud resident of New York City, where all four are available within a ten-block radius of any corner she finds herself…well, perhaps not the alpha males. But she can always score an excellent cappuccino.

Her writing career began in elementary school, when she and her friends would write fan-fiction for a series she refuses to disclose, but says rhymes with Blarsky and Dutch. Since then, her male characters have become more handsome and her dialogue more suggestive, but her obsession with cops and Hollywood continues. As she did then, she credits her friends with giving her the courage and the stamina to write, and her readers with providing the greatest gift of all – feedback. Visit her at www.catherinegardiene.com. Write to her at cat@catherinegardiene.com and share your thoughts. She’s practically OCD about responding.

About Mission Statement:

Victoria Simpson’s life is crumbling around her, so why not escape to Aruba for a little soul searching? Armed with a mission statement she hopes will turn her life in a new direction, she never expects to fall for a man like Michael, a man who pushes her buttons as much as he pushes her limits.

Michael Collins had everything under control, especially the women he chose to dominate at Club Marquis. But relationships started and ended at the club door, which was precisely how he wanted it. Drawn by Vicki’s vulnerability, he can’t stay away. Her body responds passionately, but she keeps her heart and mind closed to him. Can she embrace the submissive he senses inside her, or will his need to control her drive them apart?

Mission Statement is available from Loose Id at http://is.gd/MissionStatement