Just Plain Wicked

It's here! Azula's Rebellion

2011-01-03T15:13:00.001-05:00

The wait is over. The third installment of Deep Space Encounters is here. Azula’s Rebellion. Get your copy today at Changeling Press. If you’re looking for a sizzling hot menage with a healthy dose of deep emotion, try this book. And as promised, here’s the cover.

The lore says all Illuminarians have one true mate. Princess Azula runs away from an arranged marriage only to be kidnapped. When one of her rescuers turns out to be her true mate, she’s shocked to find out he’s already involved — with his handsome co-pilot.

Jace left Illuminaria, and Azula, in order to see the universe. He’s tried to deny the lure of his mate, but now that she’s only an arm’s length away, how will he be able to deny himself and his lover of her kiss, her love, her touch?

With no clothes and no money, she must depend on their goodwill. But will she succumb to their desire?

Get it | Read an Excerpt

Excerpt: Reclaiming Isis by Selena Blake

2010-07-06T14:51:00.002-04:00

Enjoy!

Reclaiming Isis is coming July 9th from Changeling Press. I’m so excited about this new release. It’s my first foray into science fiction romance. If you’re a fan of menage, check out Reclaiming Isis.

Excerpt from Reclaiming Isis

The grand hall smelled of sex and sweat. And fear. Bodies brushed against her. Heat crept up the back of her neck as she ran toward the light. “Natacha?”

Her friend didn’t answer. Isis gulped back her fear and pushed on. One of her oldest memories was of an Octican scare. She’d been young. Some of her friends hadn’t made it to the ship in time. She tried reasoning with herself. In recent years the Octican warnings sounded when the level of Octican reached deadly levels on PrimeC. She silently prayed she’d have enough time to get on board. Once on a lifeship, they could wait until the levels returned to normal… she just had to get there.

There had to be a shortcut. Her hand brushed a knob and she twisted it. “Natacha!” Her friend still didn’t answer. Natacha had always been the faster runner. She was probably all the way to the end of the hallway by now. Isis worried her bottom lip for just a moment, wondering if she should take the shortcut.

The voice over the speaker system thrust her into motion again. “Octican warning. Octican warning. Please board the nearest lifeship.”

Isis slipped through the door and found herself in another hallway. Her eyes were finally adjusting to the dark, but the floor was freezing against her bare feet. Ahead, she saw the blazing red symbol for the ship pad. She paused, sighing with relief, then ran toward the glowing sign, every muscle in her body moving in perfect unison toward one goal: getting off this planet.

Her sore toe snagged on something and she pitched forward. Pain throbbed up her leg from the arch of her foot. “Oh!”
The warning bell continued its annoying blare overhead. With limbs heavy from the orgasm, the cold, and the exertion, Isis pushed on. Shivering, she focused on the glowing sign, concentrated on putting on foot in front of the other.

Her time wasn’t meant to end by suffocation and the explosion of her capillaries. She was supposed to be pregnant. A mother. A real woman.

All of a minute passed before her hand closed over the heavy bar that bisected the door. She pushed and the door swung wide. The deck of the ship pad was a blur of motion. Women ran in all directions it seemed, anxious cries falling from their lips. She looked for Natacha or any other face she recognized. But these were not the women she knew.

They wore suits, head-to-toe white. Their feet were not bare. They wore thick-soled boots that came to just below the knee and laced all the way up. Their hair was braided and they carried guns. Isis shrank back.

PrimeC was a peaceful planet. These women were dressed and outfitted like soldiers. An army of worker ants. She watched them, noting how what she’d thought were chaotic movements were really a neat assembly as they headed for lifeships.

And just as quickly, they were gone. The floor was cleared. The polished white surface looked freshly washed, as if no one had ever been there. The doors to the lifeships closed with a barely audible whir. And Isis was alone.

Panic gripped her for the first time since the siren had gone off. “Wait!” Unable to move, she watched the ships levitate and float out of the big door at the end of the yard, and felt like she would throw up. There must have been a dozen of them at least. And she wasn’t on a single one of them.

Tears filled her eyes. She brushed them away and tried to come up with a plan. Maybe there was another bay. Maybe they’d send more ships. Momentarily, she debated chasing after them, but as the last vessel flew away she saw another ship, hidden by the monster-sized lifeships. Sleek, almost elegant in its design, gleaming silver, it was unlike any ship she’d ever seen.

She made a run for it, racing as fast as her freezing feet would carry her. Who knew how long it would be until the gas levels became lethal. She was ten steps away when someone darted from the shadows beside the vessel.

She skidded to a stop, her heart pounding in her chest. She trembled with fear that threatened to buckle her knees. A male, she was almost certain, though she’d never seen one, stepped into the light. Tall and broad shouldered, he had long, black hair, and a dark mask covered his face, revealing icy-blue eyes. Ink laced his arms and he had a dagger tucked into his wide belt.

Isis took a step back. Tripping over her gown, she went down hard. A cry escaped her lips as bone connected with the metal platform, but she couldn’t hear it over the ship’s engine.

The male strode forward, a determined glint in his eyes. He looked every bit as dangerous as the maid-mothers said he would. There was a power to his movements, a grace she wasn’t familiar with, yet admired even though he scared her.
He reached for her. She opened her mouth to scream but he moved like light. Silently, easily, he lifted her. His strength astonished her. He settled her over his shoulder, and for an instant she was still, unable to do anything but wonder at the foreign hands touching her.

Get Your Copy!

Interdependence - First Kiss

2010-06-18T14:28:00.004-04:00

I stole this idea from @l_shannon. Can you blame me? She had the brilliant idea of posting first kiss excerpts. Don't believe me? Look at what she posted for Amethyst Bound. Nice, huh? I just celebrated my debut release with Loose Id, entitled Interdependence, a few days ago. Here's a small snippet from the first kiss scene...

He maneuvered until he stood in front of her, forcing her to halt, so he could look directly into her eyes. The hesitant smile on her face made his heart thump harder. Her eyes glittered in the twilight, and her hair lifted beneath the small gusts of breeze drifting from the lake before settling around her shoulders again.

“And if you change your mind, you’ll let me know? We want you to be happy here.”

“I am happy.” He must have taken too long to respond, or perhaps his poorly disguised longing flittered across his face, because she cocked her head at him. “Elijah?”

His gaze dropped to her mouth, and a flush of heat filled him. When he lifted his gaze to meet hers again, he tried to clear his thoughts with a single shake of his head. Despite the perfect setting, the closeness of her, and the need for her curled within him, Elijah felt awkward. “I don’t know how to do this right,” he muttered.

“Do what?”

In all the years of making love to women, the one time he needed it to matter, for the life of him, he couldn’t figure out how to do something as simple as kiss this woman.
Throwing caution to the wind, he just did.

She didn’t yield to him immediately. Elijah kept his mouth pressed firmly against hers, ready to pull away if she gave him even the slightest sense he wasn’t welcome. He had to have shocked her with his forwardness, and that thought alone kept him from stopping altogether.

She tasted sweet, the lingering traces of fruit salad they’d savored as dessert flavoring her breath. He breathed in her air, his lips caressing gently across hers in sweeping touches. Then her mouth parted, her tongue meeting his halfway. The kiss between them as delicate and fragile as she seemed at times.

When she rested her hands on his arms, Elijah pulled her closer. She made a soft sound in her throat, and for right now, he let himself become lost in her. Their salvation.

For more about this m/f/m paranormal menage, visit my site. Or if you want to jump straight to reading more about kissing (and more!) twin brothers, visit Loose Id.

Best,
Dee

Exciting News from Selena Blake

2010-06-11T10:04:00.002-04:00

I have some exciting news to share with everyone. I recently got word that I was one of two winners of Changeling Press’s submission contest. How cool is that?! Aside from a contract, I get a membership to The Romance Studio. Neato.

If you like hot Alpha males this is a story for you. Yes, I said males. Plural. Reclaiming Isis is a sci fi menage.

About Reclaiming Isis

Men don’t exist on planet PrimeC and machines are responsible for pleasuring and impregnating women. Isis can’t help but feel as if something is missing. When a poisonous gas warning sounds, she gets lost while rushing to evacuate and finds herself in the arms of a man. Not just any man. Tall. Wide. Dangerously handsome. And he insists that she belongs to him — and his best friend.

Watch for Reclaiming Isis on July 9th, 2010 from Changeling Press. Visit my website for further details and fun: www.selena-blake.com

Warning: includes hot sex machine lovin’, anal pleasure, a BBW, and two gorgeous men who make her dreams come true.

Fearless (Rated R Excerpt!)

2010-04-16T17:58:00.004-04:00

Fearless is my little known book available now from Amazon or Smashwords. It's part of the Stories in Ink series where people relay to the artist how and why they've decided on the tattoo they're receiving. Needful and The Prowl are two other books available in this series. Here's a little snippet from Fearless, my dark paranormal erotica about a man who chooses a she-devil tattoo...

“Babe, you don’t want to go inside?” he asked almost breathlessly. Just for propriety’s sake. Out here in the middle of buttfuck, there’d probably be no one around.

She kept pressing her mouth against his, plunging her tongue inside. Her need for air ended the night she died, but he was still very much alive and had to keep talking just for the sake of grabbing some. “I love you, Laura,” he murmured. “I’ve missed you and God, how I need you.”

Her dark eyes bore into his, a hint of a smile in them. A small gasp escaped his lips because in his moment of inattention, she’d found her prize. Cool hands freed his cock from its cloth prison and he lifted his hips to allow her to free him completely. Laura wrapped her tiny hand around his shaft and pumped. “You still love me, Eric?”

He swallowed hard, the sensations she caused tortuous. “Always.”

She threw a leg over his, settling close. The other one soon followed suit until all he could feel against his erection was the heat of her pussy, so very, very close. “Show me.”

He leaned forward, dropping his hands down the sides of her calves, caressing the soft sides, moving up, sliding, learning her legs all over again. He touched behind her knees, stroked over them until he met the inside of her thighs. She spread them of her own accord, but he gripped her harder, baring her open for his scrutiny.

As always, she wore nothing beneath that scrap of a skirt and the pink folds of her pussy glistened before him. He sucked in a breath as his thumbs came so close to the center of her core. She was primed for him, ready for him to impale her with his cock, but his senses had returned if only for the moment and he wanted to drag this out.

The twin straps of her barely-there shirt had fallen down her creamy arms. Any gentleman would have pushed them up or ignored the sultry way her breasts now peeked out as a result, but Eric had never considered himself a gentleman. He curled his fingers around the strips, pulling them down and exposing her pink nipples to the air. Laura arched her back, and her breasts thrust into his face. He kissed down her neck, tasting her skin with each inch he covered, but the twin temptations drew his attention.

“Lovely,” he whispered almost to himself before taking the first one into his mouth.

Go get your copy of Fearless now! ;)

Dee
http://www.deecarney.com

Satisfying a wicked muse...

2010-04-02T18:46:00.000-04:00

Anyone who follows my work knows I have a little bit of a problem with focus. In short, my muse has a wicked case of attention deficit disorder. Not to mention oppositional defiant disorder. Yep, the muse is naughty, no doubt about it.

But alas, the muse is the muscle behind my creative side so I have to tread carefully with any punishment. Wouldn't want to lose that muse to a better mistress.

One of the things I do to keep the muse happy is by indulging in new pursuits. Last year was poetry and song writing and this year is script writing. So in March I signed up for Script Frenzy. Much like NaNoWriMo, Script Frenzy is a writing challenge with the goal being to write a 100 page script in 30 days.

Well I always love goal setting, sprints and challenges. It's the only leash I have for that naughty muse. And this one is going pretty well so far. I'm at around 15 pages on day 4.

Time to get back to that script. It won't write itself.

Shannon

Why do some men turn my stomach to mush?

2010-02-26T12:48:00.000-05:00

I was character shopping recently... this is when we authors day dream about settings, characters, clothes... The important details that make up a story. And like I usually do, I started my shopping by looking for a hunky fellow. There's something about having a picture that helps me write.

What I want to know is, why are some men just so damn gorgeous? Why do some, just a picture, turn my stomach to mush?

Need an example... here he is ladies... the picture that brought me to my knees. Mercy.

Sticks and stones...

2010-02-19T16:59:00.003-05:00

Call me as many names as you'd like. I won't lose a wink of sleep, believe me. And please, do me a favor...come up with something a little more original than 'bitch', okay?

That's the way Commander Davana Black feels about it too. Cold Blooded isn't just the name of the book, it's a lifestyle. Come read more at Liquid Silver Books.

Commander Davana Black hates being in the human realm, but when two rogue demon juveniles make it their place of hiding, it’s her job to go in and retrieve them. If she’d had just the slightest clue she’d end up feeling the mating call of her kind while there, she might have requested a different assignment. Things only go from bad to worse when she discovers it’s a human male who sparks the rush of emotion…and worse still, other demons have picked up their connection and made him a target. Now, not only must she contend with finding the juveniles, somehow she has to fight nature’s call to him while reluctantly keeping him alive.

Quinn McVey never thought much of his heritage until the day the raven-haired beauty drags his family’s tragic secret into the light of day. It is because of it, and the lure she has on him, his once dull life is thrust into a battle between warring demon factions. In the frenzy of trying to stay one step ahead of their pursuers, he’ll do whatever it takes to convince the commander he’s worthy of her…and her love.

All the best,
Dee

Wickedly Hodge-podge

2010-02-08T15:32:00.003-05:00

Ooops, late on my post. bad me.

The excuse: we just got the biggest blizzard of the decade and then some. 23 inches of snow dumped all at once and I've spent the last 3 days helping my family dig out. Can barely lift my arms. But that's life right? Hope anyone out there hit by this weather can stay safe, warm and at least a little bit wicked. After all if you have to be snowed in what better way to be so than with a wickedly hot man?

Big welcome to to Moira Reid! Glad to have you! Welcome aboard! Always knew you'd end up here with your wicked ways. lol

I'm editing away on Amethyst Bound for Carina Press. No news yet on a release date. I'll let you all know as soon as I hear. Exciting things happening over there at Carina. You can stay caught up by stopping over at their blog at http://carinapress.com .

One topic that's come up in a recent book is beta heroes. How do you feel about a less than alpha hero? Can he be just as wicked when not in control? maybe I'm a little alpha myself but to me its super sexy when a man has enough confidence to hand over the reins to his lady. But what do you think?

Shannon
http://lshannon.net

So, be honest...

2010-01-29T17:53:00.002-05:00

I was totally flaking on what to talk about today, and finally it came to me. Now, be honest... which would you rather (since it's kinda cold out) a scorching hot romance or a scorching hot hunk?

Just curious. ;)

Me, I'm gonna go with C.

Wait, there is no C. Well, there is now. What is option C? The Scorching hot romance read by said scorching hot hunk...and maybe acting out the fun parts later.

So if you had to choose, what book would you pick? An old favorite or a new love? And if you had to cast the role of your handsome hunk, who would he be?

Smooches,
Selena

PS. New free read on my blog, go check it out! http://www.selena-blake.com

Hello everyone!

2010-01-28T20:12:00.003-05:00

I've been invited to join the Just Plain Wicked writers! Woot! Glad to be here, ladies!

I'm Moira Reid and I write...hey wait a second. This is my favorite summary of who I am...wrote this for one of my publishers:

Moira Reid writes erotic and romantic suspense (among other things that take her fancy at any given moment). She loves long walks in the park, the outdoors, and … no wait, that’s somebody else. Moira sits in front of her computer day and night making up stuff. Yeah, that’s Moira. She’s the obsessive-compulsive one that gets an idea one day and is typing furiously the next while housework, bill-paying, cooking, and all other chores go undone around her. She has a husband who brings food to her on occasion and keeps her supplied with coffee hoping that once in a while she’ll take a break for some “research.” He’s been waiting off and on for over twelve years now—patient fellow.

Moira started out writing a long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. Her 9-year old daughter often asks why Moira laughs at her own jokes—alone. Her friends say when she commits to laughter, she commits. What any of this has to do with her writing is beyond me, but you’d have to meet her to appreciate why it seems important. Her outlook on life is pretty simple—be nice, smile a lot, give something back. (Especially if you weren’t really supposed to borrow it in the first place.)

Visit her at her website: www.readmoore.com

I thought it was funny. :-)

Anyway, from what I hear we're going to be doing a Round Robin story together soon. Stay tuned!

Starting the new year with a HAWT new cover!

2010-01-01T12:54:00.003-05:00

I feel I owe readers an explanation for the sudden disappearing act of my shifter series last year.

So the story goes a little like this. I started off 2009 with the big hoopla of The Black Cougar Trilogy with Lucas released in January and Kane was to follow a few months later and then Malcolm. Well, best laid plans sometimes spiral out of my control and when Samhain Publishing made the unexpected decision to close Linden Bay Romance (the original publisher of my series) the series was pulled.

But all's well that ends well because in 2010 the entire trilogy WILL be published by Phaze Books. Woot!

Lucas is due out February 1st with Kane to follow in April and Malcolm in June. For those new to the series or those returning anxious for Kane, the first book has been reedited with some small additions. All three books will be available in eBook first with the print versions to follow shortly and as usual you will be able to find them at the Phaze website or your favorite retailer.

Not much else to say right now other than watch out for big contests coming your way to celebrate and check out the fabulous cover done by Kendra Egert, cover art goddess.

The cougars are coming...let the adventure begin.

Would you like a countdown widget for your blog, website or myspace page? I've got that too! If you decide to post it be sure to leave a comment. I'll be running an extra contest for those who use the widget.

Have a Happy New Year!

Eliza

Ready for 2010?

2009-12-29T13:13:00.003-05:00

I am so very ready for a new year. This year has been, eh. You know. Not the best. Not the worst certainly. But I'm ready for a fresh start.

I've got my To Do list all typed up and ready to go, go, go. Lots of projects to finish. A few new to start. Hope to have lots of naughty news to share throughout 2010.

What about you? What's on your list? Planning a grand ring-in-the-new-year-kiss with some handsome guy or pretty girl? Tell all. We want all the wicked details.

Either way, I wish you the very best. A naughty, happy, safe, and healthy 2010. Just be sure to stop back by soon and tell us how your To Do list is progressing.

Selena's Tips for Tackling a To Do List

Write your Goals in ink. Permanence, baby. Commit to your list.
Break your goals down into To Do items. What must you do in order to snag a new man? Finish the book? Buy a house?
Write those To Do items in pen.
Type goals and To Do items and share with friends. Accountability is key. For die hards, blog about both. The interwebs is watching.
Buy a shiny new highlighter and mark off your to do items as you complete them.

Now you're well on your way to completely your goals and tackling that To Do list. Good luck!

What is your challenge?

2009-11-20T11:48:00.002-05:00

By now you have to know about #NaNoWriMo. If you don't, go here. If you're too lazy to do even that (wow), keep reading and I'll give you the broad overview.

Basically, every November writers everywhere challenge themselves to write a 50,000 word story between November 1st and November 30th. To give you some idea how long that is, according to Wiki, the word count for Twilight is 118,975. According to Yahoo, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is 76,944. Also per Yahoo, the reported word count for The Color Purple is around 66,000.

Do they win some sort of prize for doing it? Not really. Does it guarantee a publishing contract with some great company? Not even close to it. So why?

The Challenge.

William Frederick Halsey, Jr. said "There are no great people in this world, only great challenges which ordinary people rise to meet." Truth be told, I hate writing long stories. They're just not my forte yet. I prefer writing books less than 30K in length, but every November I do my damnedest to hit that 50K mark. I'm as ordinary as you get. As of this moment I'm about 3K short of my daily word count, but that won't stop me. I'll persevere and try to beat 50K by midnight on November 30th.

Maybe writing isn't your thing. Maybe your challenge is just being nice to the ass in the next cubicle over. Maybe your challenge is saving $1000 for the vacation trip to Disney your family's been wanting for years now. It doesn't matter what your challenge is, so long as you do challenge yourself.

So tell me. What's your challenge?

All the best,
Dee
http://www.deecarney.com

Win books on your wish list

2009-11-01T21:23:00.004-05:00

Book lovers will want to take advantage of this announcement from All Romance Ebooks/ OmniLit.

Want to win all the books on your wish list?

ARe turns 3 in November and we'll celebrate by making your wishes come true!

Every day in November we will choose a winner at random from that day's purchasers and buy them the books they have on their wish list. *

To get a head start simply fill your account wish list with books you'd like to read (be sure to log in first) and then every day that you make a purchase during the month of November, you'll be eligible to win.

So what are you waiting for? Log in to your All Romance/OmniLit account and start making out your wish list. We want to make your wishes come true!

*up to $100.00 per customer, check back here for a list of winners

Halloween Week!

2009-10-26T10:12:00.002-04:00

Wow I seriously cannot believe it's Halloween week already. Where has this month gone?

I just returned from the Authors After Dark Paranormal weekend in NY and that was loads of fun. So many great authors and readers getting together and getting to know each other. It's very exciting to sit down with readers and hear their passion for what they like about books. Very good for the creative juices.

I know I will definitely be going again next year and hope all of you will as well. For my brief recap of the event you can read that on the Authors After Dark blog.

Now i've got to finish preparing for Halloween and NaNo. For halloween that means more decorations. (time to get the scary stuff out) Also, need to consider menus for parties. My daughter wants the kitty litter cake again. The reactions to a cake that truly does look exactly like a dirty cat box are priceless every time. LOL

For NaNo, i've got to get some writing done on a story, revisions and edits done and then some more planning on what i'm writing. I have more than one WIP that needs to get done in the month of November. Should be interesting.

Take care and have a great Halloween!

Eliza

Zombies? Really??

2009-10-16T18:59:00.003-04:00

Am I the only person scared shitless by zombies? I mean, it's not even funny how much they wig me out. Take a vampire, for example. Fairly easy to kill off. Some holy water, a cross or a stake and it's as good as gone. Werewolves? Easy peasy. Silver. Goblins, witches, trolls...it doesn't matter. All of them have some sort of weakness that's convenient to exploit.

Not zombies.

Zombies are like a plague. They just keep coming and coming. And they--oh my God--breed! Even if you manage to off one, another four are ready to take its place. Also, how do you kill a zombie? You have to blow its brains out, behead it or otherwise smoosh it to smithereens. (Meanwhile, the others are creating even more zombies.) At the end of the day, the only thing you can do in a zombie attack is run.

Run?

Seriously. Is that the best defense you've got for me? Movies like Resident Evil, Sean of the Dead (yes, I realize it's comedy, but still), Dawn of the Dead, 28 Days Later, etc. all pretty much have the same ending. In it, humans don't win. Zombies do. See what I mean now? Zombies are evil and totally worth peeing myself over.

So tell me, now that Halloween is fast approaching, what creature of the night completely makes your skin crawl?

*shivering*
Dee
http://www.deecarney.com

Ready to BICHOK?

2009-10-03T01:00:00.001-04:00

Here's a little quote to get you started today:

Action is the foundational key to all success.
Pablo Picasso

Action, in our case, is writing. So put your hands on the keyboard and just do it! And when you're done, get back here and tell us all about it.

~Selena

BIAW (at the starting gate)

2009-10-02T00:01:00.000-04:00

It's Friday. Do you know where your WIP is?

My work in progress is open and ready to run. That's right, its Book In A Week time! No more delays, no more putting it off. If your goal is 500 words a day or 100,000 in the week, now is the time to say that out loud and be ready to put your words where your mouth is.

STEP ONE in the process, make a pack with yourself and make it public before your peers. I'll start with my promise to write 20,000 words during this challenge. For me this is not only a big goal, but a HUGE one. But I also know that if I don't let my head get in the way it is achievable. My goal will take my current WIP from beginning to end but leaves the fluffing/fleshing/expanding for the edit. I'll be working on the third Tascryn Royals story titled, Blood Justice.

I've done mine. Now it's your turn. Post your commitment as a comment below.

Shannon
www.lshannon.net

JPW BIAW CHALLENGE!

2009-09-30T13:00:00.002-04:00

A Just Plain Wicked Book in a Week Challenge!

What is a BIAW?
Well BIAW is all about pushing yourself to reach a goal you think is just out of reach. The "B" might sound intimidating but really it is should be a "G" for goal. Now my goal happens to be 20,000 words written during the challenge and also is most of one novella. But someone else's goal might be 5000 words, or 100,000 words. The goal is something you pick that will push you to do just a little bit more than you think you can.

Why does it work?
Writing is a lonely business. And most writers (if you're like I am) get pretty deep in your own head and worn down by doubt. BIAW is all about production. The push shouldn't leave enough time to worry about doubts or fears. With other writers all facing the same challenge it helps drive away the solitude of writing and foster the right atmosphere to be productive.

How does it work?
Our BIAW includes three parts.
#1 Set a goal and make it public. By doing so you are signing a contract with yourself to do everything in your power to reach that goal.
#2 Get together and support each other. We use the yahoo conference rooms to get a group together to write in sprints. Many of us call it Word Warring or WWing. It's social and supportive but also very structured and best of all it kills excuses. Ever heard BICHOK? (Butt In Chair, Hands on Keyboard)? Yes writing really is that simple. Good writing comes later with editing. LOL
#3 confess your sins. Every round or at least every day, post your word counts. Not only does this force you to track your productivity, but it helps show what works for you and what doesn't. During the sprints we share our success or failure after every round. Here on the blog we'll share every day.

This BIAW will run Friday October 2, 2009 until Sunday October 9, 2009. Yep, it will be a long week. Start and stop times if you worry about such things will be midnight (midnight where is up to you, lol)

BIAW... are you in? If you'd like to give it a shot, post your goals here as comments. You can also send me an email at lshannon@hotmail.com for more information or to be added to the word warring call outs.

Shannon
www.lshannon.net

Sneak peek at COTW4

2009-09-27T21:14:00.003-04:00

Just got my gorgeous new cover and I'm literally working on edits right now for this book. Here's a sneak peek for you. The Craft of the Wise 4: Healing Hearts releases November 23rd.

* * * *

“You must be Devin Remington,” Mayda said. With grace, she walked towards him past the phalanx of werewolves, her hand extended.

Devin glanced at her outstretched hand and ignored the peace offering. His raking gaze traveled to where his brother stood. With a gritty voice, he announced, “The Devil Remington.”

Selena winced. So, he knew the name the others gave him.

“I wouldn’t know about that. I do know that we need your help and I’m very glad you agreed to meet with us.” Mayda maintained a smile as she dropped her hand. If she’d been the least bit offended by him, she didn’t show any sign.

“Welcome to our home,” Ava added. She started forward, but Aaron shifted to block her path. He continued to say nothing to his brother, his silence as telling as any words they could have exchanged.

He pierced Ava with a slanted look. “I am not welcome and we all know it.”

Devin stiffened and tilted his chin up. He sniffed the air, holding himself as if invisible hackles rose. His body all but vibrated as he scanned the room. When their eyes locked, Selena held her breath. In that moment, in the milliseconds of time that passed between them, his past, who he was--dear Goddess--their future together, filtered through her mind at rapid-fire speed. Images, emotions, sensations swirled around the core of her being, demanding that she understand. Acquiesce.

She’d never known anything before like it. Before her legs buckled from the weight of his presence sinking into her soul, his voice whispered into her mind.

Mine.

With impossible speed, Devin rushed forward, maneuvering past the other werewolves before they could react. A scream locked in her throat, but he was there, looming over her, separating her from the others in the room. His menace filled her nose, the masculine scent of him awakening something within her that responded in a very feminine way. Heat echoed between their bodies, spreading over her until she could have melted from the intensity.

She backed up as fast as her unsteady legs allowed, but a wall prevented her full retreat. Devin pressed himself tight against her body, his arousal evident. All the while, her mind filled with his possessive growl.

Strong hands grazed over her skin, igniting a trail of flames. With the delicate strokes of a lover, he explored her, almost reverently. Then with his large hands, he gripped her jaw, tilting her face up to meet his.

Selena’s heartbeat roared in her ears when his mouth descended.

Under a Full Moon

2009-09-04T01:41:00.004-04:00

I wrote this last night after walking home from my parents house where I'd hung out for the evening watching the Steelers' last preseason game. Hope you enjoy.

I walked home alone in the dark. No, not dark. The full moon light up the narrow road clearly enough to not even bother with my dangling flashlight.

Why was it that the cool stillness felt both welcoming and dangerous? Maybe it was the soft sad howl in the distance, or the chuckle of a raccoon in the nearby woods, or the strange reaching silhouettes drawn on the country road by the swaying trees. Peepers, crickets, an owl. All easily identified sounds. And others nos so easy. The whole of the valley seemed alive.

Deserted, stalking, creepy. But it wasn't. No matter the sounds, or the stillness. The walk was a familiar one. It was home.

Now, I've been a busy girl. Summer is coming to an end and I'm nowhere near ready to let it go. :) But then I never am. But in the meantime, between work on a driveway, a bridge and more repairs to the shack... I've of course been writing and editing and all the things that go along with it. Sometimes those things are super fun.

Such as this new cover for the newest Steel City Vampires Story: Bound and Determined. I freely admit I'm no cover artist, but this cover is one I did myself. So what do you think?

About the book...
Bound and Determined
coming soon with Excessica Press

New Review for COTW3

2009-08-21T22:07:00.003-04:00

For the most part, I try hard to ignore reviews. I don't seek them out and if it wasn't for my publishers, I'd probably never have a single one. I have writer friends who live for reviews, and that's okay. It's just not me. I prefer reader feedback, hands down.

Now...that isn't to say that when I get a great review, I don't love it because baby, I do. I just received an email from Whipped Cream Erotic Reviews for this book and I'm pleased as punch by it. This is what she had to say:

Dee Carney has given us a very enjoyable third installment in her Craft of the Wise Series. I love her sense of humor, and I thank her on behalf of all of the readers of romance who are less than perfect. Liana is a plus sized heroine, and makes few apologies for it. And the fact that she decides to go in spite of the “yellow streak that ran all the way down her back” is just great. This is not a brave and invincible heroine, but one who knows she must do what is needed in spite of her fears. And once the twins claim Liana, the heat kicks up to blazing hot. I wouldn’t mind a set of werewolf twins in my bed, either.

I loved this book, and can’t wait for the next installment to see whose story is told next.

Thanks Holly!! The last book in this series will be out in November and it's a page turner, if I do say so myself.

For more information about The Craft of the Wise 3: Rule of Three, please visit my web site by clicking on the cover.

Wicked is as wicked does...

2009-08-07T00:08:00.008-04:00

And boy have I been wicked! Here in the heat of summer, I've been spoiling myself and taking time to smell the roses. As well as catching frogs or death by bad-mitten with my nephews.

And writing. Yep, I still do that every bit as wicked as ever. In fact, I have a book coming out on Sunday!

The Vixen Files
ISBN-13: 978-1-60272-556-0
AUGUST 09, 2009!

James Smith is a notorious spy, selling his skill to any power willing to pay his steep prices. Smith’s lack of loyalty is the only consistent intelligence Agent Mae Vixandra can gather on this mysterious man. Now it’s fallen to her to capture him once and for all, and if possible, convince him to finally use those impressive skills for something more worthy than a quick buck.

If flipping a rogue spy were the only purpose, Mae would have the job tucked to bed without a second concern. She’s spent a couple centuries protecting her adopted America. Now she does so with the backing of a secret agency and a team staffed by her own six werewolf daughters. Together or apart they can handle about any job sent their way. But capturing James Smith offers Mae a very personal agenda. If her premonition is right, he’s her mate, and she’s been a widow long enough that even a traitorous spy is a risk worth taking...

If you love fanged or furry heroes and tough girls in ass-kicking high heels, don't miss out on this exciting new story! On August 9th you can buy it here http://www.amberquill.com/AmberHeat/VixenFiles.html

wickedly yours,

L. Shannon
www.lshannon.net

Writers Block, Apathy, and the Plague

2009-07-24T21:00:00.004-04:00

I probably shouldn't even speak it's name, but I wanted to talk about writer's block. Not saying I'm blocked(don't want to curse myself), but just haven't had the desire to push through this latest book. Once I know how a book is going to go, the magic is kind of over for me. I guess that's why I like to have a few different ideas rolling around in my head.

But what causes writer's block? And what is it? And what does it have to do with readers?

I think everyone has their own definition of writer's block. To me it's when you can't figure out what to write and have no desire to do so.

And I think there are many causes. For me, I tend to get swept up in everything going on around me. Lately I've been craving silence, getting out of all the hype and just doing my thing. Putting words down on the page.

What does it have to do with readers? Well, when author's aren't writing, books aren't being written, and that means nothing new to read. Down right scary, isn't it? I know, but never fear. A nice note to your favorite author will keep her writing.

Speaking of which, what's new with all my blog partners? Morgan? Shannon? Eliza? Bonnie? Visitors, how about you?

Paranormal fascination

2009-07-17T15:01:00.006-04:00

I don't get it. There is a huge world beyond vampires and werewolves, but inevitably, they seem to be the creatures of the night that capture and then sustain our attention. But if you look at the different definitions of 'paranormal', there are so many other things out there that should hold us mesmerized as well. Ghosts, hauntings, demons, monsters...the list goes on and on. Fairies, dragons and the like hold the dubious position of being able to fit into both fantasy and paranormal arenas, but I think most people associate them more with sci-fi.

But why?

Search Wikipedia (lol. I know. Not the most scientific resource, but hey, it's easy to get to.) for the definition of 'paranormal' and you get this: "Paranormal is a general term that describes unusual experiences that lack a scientific explanation, or phenomena alleged to be outside of science's current ability to explain or measure."

Notice the lack of mention that paranormal means alpha male with the capability of intensely loving you as easily as he could kill you. (Hello, werewolves and vampires out there! This means you.) So is that what this fascination with the paranormal means to you? Walking the razor's edge with a dangerous man who suppresses his very nature for the woman he loves? Or can you become as fascinated with other creatures not natural to our world?

You tell me.

A soft spot on a well traveled road...

2009-07-03T22:49:00.002-04:00

A rut.

We all get in them from time to time. The reason it happens varies for each of us. In my case the soft spot was comfortable and safe and so I lingered for longer than I should.

After some self reflection I realize its time to get out of this rut. But how...?

Thinking of my battered old gardening wheelbarrow and how sometimes the untreaded metal wheel gets caught on even the slightest bump I know one thing. To break free from my rut inspired inertia, I need momentum. I need to rock the wheel back and forth and shake up my world.

For a person who does not seek out change, who prefers to surround myself in familiar comfort. For me, this is a challenge. One I'm up to.

And the first change... From night to day. If this ends up being my last post, perhaps I really am (or was) a vampire. *wink*

Shannon
www.lshannon.net

The Fallen 3 Release Day!

2009-06-19T16:19:00.003-04:00

For everyone who is holding their breath to find out what happens to Bailey and Caleb, the last book in this series, The Fallen 3: Siren's Song, releases today! If you still haven't had a chance to read about them for yourself, The Fallen (first in the series) is now available at Fictionwise. Get your new book discount before it goes away!

Here's a brief excerpt --just a tease, really-- from The Fallen 3: Siren's Song:

The air shimmered, and then he stared off behind her, as if someone stood right there. She almost turned to see what might have invaded their privacy, but his eyes narrowed. The pure rage on his face sent a chill over her body, and she stilled.
“After everything we’ve done, what you’ve been through, you would still defy us, Caleb?”
Another chill made her breath catch when the voice of something serpentine spoke over their heads. It carried in its words a dread, which weighed her down.
Before she could react, Caleb pulled her against his chest, his wings forming into a canopy that covered their bodies. He whispered harsh words against her ear. “This is about me, not you. You are safe, Bailey. Remember that. You are safe.”
“Caleb?”
He hurried on, his words growing more bitter, more urgent. “It is for me alone to face them, and I will watch over you always. If you never see me, know I am there. You are safe!”
“I don’t understand, Ca—”
His mouth pressed against hers, cutting off any words of protest or question. When he pulled away, his eyes were the piercing blue she adored. “Listen to me! You are safe, and I am watching over you. You and our child are safe, Bailey. And I…”
Then she was in her bed, in her home.
Alone.

***

Get your copy today at Cobblestone Press

Big News!

2009-06-13T17:17:00.002-04:00

After months of nail biting and waiting to hear, I received the official word last night that Loose ID is contracting my paranormal menage Obsession Of Jayde.

Squeeeeeeeee!

Based on some recommendations from several people (you know who you are and I thank you so much for your input) this story was tweaked considerably and expanded by about 8k before it was sent to Loose ID and it really paid off. It is scheduled to come out sometime this fall and of course i'll keep you updated as I find out more.

Here is the unofficial blurb for Jayde:

Tragedy leads Jayde home but Obsession keeps her there…

When Jayde returned to Hickory Falls to settle her grandmother's estate she didn't know what she was in for. A secret antique puzzle box with a necklace and a note that only says Beware of the Obsession. A bakery everyone is anxious to see reopened despite her inability to cook and a pair of hunky too good to be true tenants living in the same house.

Marc and Anthony are lovers waiting on their third to complete them, the Guardian they have sworn to protect. When Jayde arrives they are anxious to get her in their bed until they see the necklace around her neck. Now they have to take things slow, seducing her before they reveal the duty she has been called for.

When the Guardian denies her calling, the protectors will do anything in their power to convince her but in the end it has to be her choice. Will she sacrifice her heart to do what is right? Sometimes free will is a bitch.

Stay tuned for more news as there is a lot going on and as soon as I have the 'official' word I will share it all.

Have a good one,

Eliza

Wicked Love

2009-06-05T00:01:00.000-04:00

When you meet someone new its easy to fall into a pattern of common chitchat and one question that usually comes up is, "What do you do?" For several years now I have proudly answered I'm a writer. Which of course leads to the next inevitable question; "What do you write?"

I write paranormal romance. Which if any of my friends or family are nearby leads to much scoffing. Not about the paranormal. Oh no... They all know I embrace the odd and dive in deep to the weird. At least when it comes to entertainment, as in movies and reading. In real life I'm not too odd, more of a girl next door, or a "she seemed so quiet" kind of gal...

But back to the scoffing. They would of course not understand my very romantic side, seeing as it is often buried from sight. So buried in fact that most would never even understand it. But the truth is, I am very romantic at least in the meaning that I feel very deeply if not in a traditional way.

So what brings up this particular topic?

Today my husband and I are celebrating our tenth wedding anniversary. And I'm not going to pretend that it isn't a fantastically big day. It is monumental. Ten years of marriage. Actually I've been in love with this man for almost 20 years. Yep, it didn't take me long to figure out how important he was to me. It did however take us a while to figure out how to make our love actually work. Perhaps we're still figuring it out. Regardless, he is "the one". And I think I've known it and been terrified of that truth from the start.

What started off as two teens in search of the perfect pull-off (one that offered at least a little privacy and wouldn't rip the muffler off his old Maverick) has led past youthful naughtiness, through some rough times and to a something more lasting.

So here we are ten years after the "I do" and guess what? I still do. And don't be thinking that we've left all that youthful wickedness in the past. Certainly not. In fact I think I'll dig out the flogger and cuffs and remind "the one" just who wears the leather chaps in this house...

Here is to celebrating 10 years of closer than close friendship, wild new experiences, singe your eyebrows hawt make-up sex, a soft touch you know where, and ten more years of wicked love.

Shannon

Length, Girth or How it's used?

2009-05-29T16:39:00.000-04:00

Length, Girth or How it's used? This question usually pops up when I've writing a sex scene, specifically when I'm trying to undress the hero for the first time. As an author, I have to envision the hero, describe him and make him different from all my other heroes (especially in a menage when there's another man in the room.)

How long is it? How thick? Does any of that matter? Does size matter to his lover? Does size make him a better lover?

You see how the questions start spiraling around in my brain? Such a sad thing for an author, really...to have to think about such things...envision such things. *snicker*

Personal experience always comes in handy at a time like this.

Length is always good...for reaching certain spots, scaling new heights. But is there such a thing as too long? Oh dear. A new question. And sometimes, in some erotic romances, the author would have us believe that the hero is unbelievably long, er, well endowed. So long that it won't all fit.

To which I say... ouch?!

And while length is important, is girth not more important? Many a romance have waxed poetic about feeling full. Some have gone as far as to say stretched. Does stretching bring to mind scarier moments that should only come along nine months later?

So how does one describe all this? How long and thick is just right? Does any of it really matter in real life or in fiction? Is it all in the motion? Or is there something more important here?

Stamina, for instance? Self control? Shape?

If you want to get a closer look at Andre, in all his glory, check out the release of Mated to a Cajun Werewolf on June 6th (from Cobblestone Press). ;-)

Picking a book (Poll)

2009-05-15T14:03:00.002-04:00

Two things happen when I buy a book. a) I already know the author. In this case, I will pick up everything by him or her and read everything in their library, good or bad. b) If it's a new author, that's a whole 'nother story. 99% of the time, I read the blurb and that's about it. If it resonates with me, I'll buy the book and hope for the best.

It's a skosh different with ebooks, though, isn't it? The gorgeous cover art, intriguing titles, reputation of the publisher...all of these things help me decide what books to purchase. So now I want to hear from you about how you purchase books. My reasons for asking are a little selfish -- I'd like to know if I should spend a little more time on the title or the blurb, for example. Secondly, I also want to try out this poll gadget-thingy. :D

You only get one choice -- and I know that's unfair, because that's not how it works in real life. Just humor me. Please. :)

Fragging Hell!

2009-05-12T09:43:00.003-04:00

An American Army Sgt sationed in Germany shot and killed 5 fellow American soldiers (Known as Fragging) in a stress-clinic on Monday in Camp Liberty, Iraq. It was his second altercation of the day after being disarmed once already that day. This was the Sgt. 3rd tour in the Iraq war 15 month tour in the War torn area. According to the article HERE, a stress-clinic is where troops can go for help with the stresses of combat or personal issues. What surprised me was that this wasn't the only episode of this happening during this war. There have been several other incidents in the Iraq War of Fragging:

Last September, Sgt. Joseph Bozicevich, 39, of Minneapolis was detained after allegedly killing two members of his unit south of Baghdad. The case remains under investigation.

In April 2005, Army Sgt. Hasan Akbar was sentenced to death for killing two officers in Kuwait just before the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.

In June 2005, an Army captain and lieutenant were killed when an anti-personnel mine detonated in the window of their room at the U.S. base in Tikrit. National Guard Staff Sgt. Alberto Martinez was acquitted in the blast.

Spc. Chris Rolan, an Army medic, was sentenced to 33 years in prison in 2007 for killing a fellow soldier after a night of heavy drinking in Iraq.

In 2008, Army Cpl. Timothy Ayers was sentenced to two years and four months in prison after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the fatal 2007 shooting of his platoon sergeant in Iraq.

It's bad enough our Soldiers are dying at the hands of religous zealouts. But to die at the hands of our own who hide behind masks and paste on a smile when they're hurting inside instead of talking about whatever is it that think violence is the answer to whatever the question is that plagues us.

Soldiers Killing their fellow Soldiers is NOT okay. And when wars go on year after year after year, and seems like a hopeless cycle to the soldier and they that killing people is the only possible answer to their problems, then all we're doing is creating more monsters for our children to fight in the future.

Flash Story: My Wicked Demon

2009-05-01T05:55:00.007-04:00

FLASH STORY: My Wicked Demon

As she did every night, she offered of a short prayer before laying down to sleep. For night was not to be trusted. Only in the darkness did he come to her. Even in her own room, in her own bed, nowhere was safe. The soft tug at her mind offered warning, calling out "There is no escape. I come for you."

A whimper slipped out between barely parted lips. He would come. Nothing could stop him.

Sometimes drink helped, but other times it seemed to weaken her will against him, tightening his grip ever more quickly. The doctor had left drugs but they did little to stop the nightmare. Still she took a dose. More than Doc said. Less than would help.

Clothing burned harshly against her skin. Naked, she curled beneath her blankets and fought to ignore the slow throb that echoed through her body. This was how it started. A quiet ache that bloomed slowly into a thundering blinding agony beyond her control. She knew the rhythm well. Like an old adversary, the familiarity had bred acceptance. Never would she be free.

"How long has it been little one?" His voice rumbled across her mind, but she huddled silently. "You cannot ignore me any more than water can ignore heat from the sun's rays. You and I are together in every moment. You don't exist without me. Your every cell belongs to me."

It wasn't true. She wouldn't let him work his spell. This time, this time she would be strong enough. This time he would fail and she would be free.

"Why would you want to be free. I know you secretly thrill at my caress. That ache is too sweet to forgo."

Not true. But even with her eyes pinched shut in the dark and the lie circling her mind... the dull throb deepened. The silence roared with the sound of her heartbeat. Each crashing rush of blood shuddered through her, leaving behind waves of pain. But a pain so low and deep and dark... but familiar. Yes, he had her in his fierce grip. Her demon held her imprisoned and at least for now, for this night, there would be no escape.

Enclosed in blinding bright darkness. Encased in painfully echoing silence.

Never-ending in his arms. My own demon.

MyGrayne

Dedicated to all the migraine sufferers out there.

Shannon
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
L.Shannon ~ http://lshannon.net ~ Dark Paranormal Romance
Eagle Clan: Father of the Wolf - AVAILABLE IN PRINT NOW
Marked by Tears - 2/18/09 - Noble Romance
Games of Chance - 2/20/09 - Changeling Press
Nothing but Ash - 4/20/09 - Liquid Silver Books
Zeven Ways to Kill Your Lover - 5/17/09 - Amber Quill Press
FREE BOOK (Welcome Home) at http://www.lshannon.net/SCV.html

Oh So Sexy...

2009-04-24T02:04:00.001-04:00

I read a post recently on Romancing the Blog about sexy...what is sexy to be exact. And does sexy really need to be brought back?

For some reason heroes came to mind. Hunky, delicious romance heroes. And it was like a neon pink sign started flashing in my head... SEXY. SEXY. SEXY. Blink, blink, blink. Susan Andersen heroes, Kresley Cole heroes, Sherrilyn Kenyon heroes...the list goes on. What makes these men sexy? Is it their attitude? Is it their masculine appeal?

So I mentally leafed through a bunch of heroes, hello boys, and came up with a few ideas of my own. What makes a man sexy?

Confidence – I like when a man knows what he wants, knows how to do something, take care of something, when he's confident. Even if he doesn't know how to save the day, he's confident that he can do it and he'll die trying.
Protective – Let's face it. We don't live in a time where women need to be “protected and/or made honest.” There are female cops working right along side the men. Mostly, we live in a pretty civilized world here in the US. But I still like it when a man is protective...which is probably why we like romantic suspense and paranormal so darn much. Those are stories that speak to all that's feminine in us...taking us back to a time of the knights...when women really did need protecting. Now I'm not saying a woman can't kick butt with the best of the men. I'm just saying, is it really that bad of a thing for the guy to walk closest to the street? To keep an eye out for danger?
Smart – I like smart, cunning men. I like 'em well read and experienced. I like a man who can speak on various topics, perhaps speak a few languages, knows something about something. You know what I'm saying?
Tidy – I like a man who's orderly. Who knows where his stuff is. I like a man who keeps his closet clean as well as his kitchen. It shows that he respects himself and his things and perhaps there's a good chance he'll respect me. Plus, here's hoping he keeps his fingernails trimmed which...yeah, that's sexy...especially to my more tender parts.
Smile – Yes, a man's smile is sexy. Especially if it's seductive, mysterious, and a whole lot naughty. That sort of smile that whispers “you have no idea how good it's going to be, do you gorgeous?” Yep...definitely sexy.

So...in your opinion...what's sexy? Spill it! I wanna hear it.

Stay Sexy,

Selena

http://www.selena-blake.com

For the third time, I said no!

2009-04-17T18:22:00.004-04:00

I've finally reached the point where I'm overwhelmed. I could never understand people who had too much to do. You just need to prioritize, I would say. You need to learn to say no, I would say.

I'll tell you what, just like in bad porn, no doesn't always mean no. Or worse, you say no and what you really mean is yes. And the other person knows it.

In the span of twenty-four hours, I took on a proof-reading job for a 69,000 word novel. Final edits came for my 28,000 word novella, Illicit Hunger, and first edits came for my 14,000 word novella, The Craft of the Wise 3: Rule of Three. Oh yeah. And then I promised not one, but two, stories to a publisher to be delivered in under three weeks. Thankfully, both were already about 1/2 to 2/3 done. Did I mention this all happened in about twenty-four hours?

Where was my no power? Why did I do this to myself? The thing was, inside, I was telling myself no. Hell, not just telling, screaming. But yes kept popping out instead! So is it any wonder that when I finally have a day off to myself, I spend (omg) twelve hours -- straight -- of it working on edits and proofs?

Thank heavens for the light at the end of the tunnel. I'm done with half of my chores. My little fingers are now are about to start flying over the keyboard to finish those two stories (hopefully this weekend). So, should you come to me over the next week or so and I tell you no, don't take it personally. I'm learning to build up my no powers once again.

Yeah. And for the record, I'm not saying no to any of these guys. For any reason.

Much love,
Dee
http://www.deecarney.com

Introducing... well... me!

2009-04-14T11:15:00.002-04:00

Good Morning everyone,

My name is Bonnie Rose Leigh and I'm an award-winning, bestselling author of Erotic Paranormal Romance. First off, I want to thank the other wicked ladies that invited me to join their blog. To be invited amongst such amazing authors is a pure priviledge. Thank you ladies for having me here.

Anyway, I currently have over 2 dozen stories published and I've got a dozen more contracted. I'm with Cobblestone Press and eXtasy Books right now, though my goal is to finish the full-length futuristic I started and have my agent submit it to NY. We'll see how that goes. To find out more about me, visit my WEBSITE which just had a redesign go live yesterday.

So, I was going to post about a new release I have coming out tonight at midnight at eXtasy Books but instead I think I'll tell you how my day started. I spoke to my publisher on the phone last night until almost 1:30 in the morning, so I didn't get to sleep until almost 3 am when all was said and done. So it wasn't any surprise that I slept until 10 this morning.

I would have slept longer if I hadn't felt my bed shaking like we were in an earthquake followed by an "Oh, Shit!" yell from my hubby. Bleary-eyed, I squinted my sleep-swollen eyes through the blinding sunlight coming through the bedroom window.

"What? What?" I asked, irritated at being woke at all.

"The f***ing street cleaners are coming down the street."

"Oh, shit. The car, did you move it last night."

"Dammit!" he yelled as he slammed out of the bedroom, raced down the steps to the front door and sprinted outside.

Another doorslam, pounding footsteps back up to the apartment, slamming through our front door. "Goddammit!!"

I sighed, shoved the covers off my legs and sat up. "I take it the already towed our car?"

"Dammit!!"

Needless to say, the DH is pissed. He had a friend come and pick him up and take him to the garage where the car was towed. It cost us $118 for the towing plus a city ticket for $35. If he doesn't go to work soon (DH has been laid off since Jan--damn economy), life is going to become difficult. This is sooo not how I wanted to start my Tuesday.

So, support a starving artist and visit eXtasy Books tonight at midnight and buy my new release, The Protector's Keeper!! LOL

What I Love About Easter!

2009-04-12T09:00:00.002-04:00

It's Easter weekend and I thought I would share some of the things I love about this holiday.

1. Hiding Easter baskets. Really I love this part. Sure the shopping and the filling is fun too but it's too easy and too fun to frustrate the heck out of my kids by hiding their baskets. This is a time honored tradition that my mom did for me and my sister and brother so I get to torture my kids with it every year too. When I was a kid I was a big chicken and would creep around the house barely peeking around furniture to find my basket. I always thought the bunny was going to jump out and scare me or something. LOL

2. Little Hershey easter bunnies. Every holiday there is a new chocolate shape. Is it just me or are those the freshest Hershey's chocolate ever.

3. The Easter Egg Hunt. I have hundreds of little plastic eggs that I fill and hide every year for the kids. My youngest is almost too old for it :( but my nephew is here this year and he is only six so the hunt is on!

4. Making the traditional Bunny Cake. I've been making this one since I was a little girl and it truly is the easiest cake to make.

INGREDIENTS
1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
3 3/4 cups flaked coconut
1 (16 ounce) package vanilla frosting
30 small jellybeans
4 red licorice

DIRECTIONS
Heat oven and prepare two 9 inch round baking pans as directed on cake box. Prepare cake batter with as directed on package adding in 1/2 cup of coconut. Divide batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake and cool cake as directed on package.
When cooled, place one whole 9 inch cake layer on serving tray, forming the bunny's head. Cut 2 convex shaped ears from each side of the second layer, place on each side of head to form ears. Use concave shaped piece for the bowtie, place about 1/2 inch below head.
Frost entire bunny covering top and sides of bunny. Pat remaining 3 1/4 cup coconut evenly over top and sides. Decorate the bunny face and bowtie with jellybeans and use the licorice to make whiskers.

Here is a link to recipe and picture. http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Easy-Bunny-Cake/Detail.aspx Mine is actually prettier but I think you get the idea.

Happy Easter!

Eliza

Wicked Memories...

2009-04-05T17:12:00.004-04:00

Oh how I wish I were writing about some deliciously naughty wicked moment from my past... but sadly my wicked memory is just wickedly terrible at remembering what day it is.

Life here in Shannon-land is much the same as always. Spring is sprung and the weather is turning warm and calling me outside for more and more sunshine. (which opposes my usual vampire like nature) Still there is gardening to be done and ponds to be set up for the year and new haircuts for all the doggies. Plenty to keep me busy.

Of course now the muse is waking from his hibernation and so new story ideas are blooming with the spring posies. For now the new ideas are being left to grow wild on their own. I still have plenty of stories closer to the front of the line.

No new releases at the moment, but do have a couple new covers that are quite wonderful. The first is for my sweet romantic suspense, Nothing but Ash, which is the first of my Ghosts of Midnight Ridge series. You guessed it, about ghosts, lol. Nothing but Ash will be coming soon to Liquid Silver Books.

The second cover is for Zeven's book, Zeven Ways to Kill you're lover, which will be coming MAY 17, 2009 to Amber Quill Press.

Guess I'd better get back to writing. Or maybe I'll go out and make myself some wicked memories...

Shannon
http://lshannon.net

The Wonderful Waiting Game

2009-03-27T11:50:00.002-04:00

I'm sure you're no stranger to waiting.

Waiting in line. On the phone. In the doctor's office. At the airport. For the bus.

Let's face it, waiting can be a pain in the ass. On one hand, I don't mind it too much. Waiting gives me a chance to reflect, take a break, sit on my butt and read a book. But, the other side of that coin is the anxiety that comes with waiting for something. I find it hard to relax. There are dozens of what ifs that run through my mind. I find myself checking email, status reports, and things constantly.

This publishing business, it's all about hurry up and wait. Most authors will tell you that. If you're not waiting on your next royalty statement, you're waiting to hear back about a book or from a critique partner or from a reviewer. Or...from your readers.

The only cure I've discovered is trying to forget I'm waiting. Moving forward. Writing something new. Talking with readers and other writers.

So, while I try to forget that I'm waiting, do me a favor and send my inbox some love. Maybe that'll take my mind off things. :)

~ Selena

Visit me online: http://www.selena-blake.com

Twilight crazed...Again!

2009-03-21T18:53:00.002-04:00

In case you didn't know it Twilight, the movie came out on DVD today and my family was at the store first thing this morning to get it. Between me and my two daughters, i'm not sure which one of us wanted it more. *g*

In fact I think i'm going to have stop admitting to how many times i've seen it now. I haven't read the books so I'm not nearly as invested in the characters as my daughters are so i'm just not sure what it is that drives me to this movie so hard.

I love the paranormal romance aspect of it even if they are teenagers. The paranormal conflict definitely adds to the typical teen angst. I especially love the visual scenery of the movie to the point that I would love to visit the Pacific NorthWest for some inspiration.

And let's not forget the James, Jacob and Edward yumminess. I particularly enjoyed James. Sure he is good looking but there is always something about a really bad boy that gets to me every time. Guess i'm not supposed to really like the villain but I did. But i'm not the only one. I've seen plenty of James love out there.

It's the Alpha male syndrome. Some of us, in fact a lot of us, really go for the Alpha male. We see it in books all the time. In my newest shapeshifter book, Lucas, I introduce you to a trio of very alpha brothers but from the letters i've gotten the bad boy brother, Malcolm really stood out. He's dark and dominant and oh sooo bad. Yep, it gets me every time. lol

And since i'm a big shapeshifter fan I cannot wait for the next Twilight movie, New Moon, so I can see Jacob become a werewolf. I might be partial to the big cats but I still love a good wolf story.

Have you seen Twilight? Did you love it, hate it, or not really care about it? What's your take on Alpha males?

Until next time,

Eliza

Exciting Updates and CONTESTS!

2009-03-18T11:08:00.000-04:00

Andre's book is FINISHED! Complete! Turned in! Whoop. I'll keep you updated about contracts, release dates, excerpts and of course, drool worthy covers.

Big thanks to Michelle for blogging for me. Dee Carney will be blogging for me soon. And you'll find me over at their blogs soon as well. Tara Nichols will also be there soon. And you can also find a post from my writing buddy, Leila Brown from a few weeks ago.

Find out more about my latest addiction and my new series idea (drool worthy photo warning!)

Over on the Double the Pleasure blog, Anya Bast is guest blogging for us and she's talking about First Lines. Come talk to us and be entered to win a signed copy of Anya's latest release!!!

And over at the Blind Bet blog, Leila Brown is giving away a book from her backlist. Don't forget to sign up for the BlindBet newsletter and you'll be entered to win a copy of my book, The Wine Tasting.

Speaking of contests...stay tuned for an awesome, mega contest.

Stay sexy,

Selena

New Release: The Fallen 2: Domination

2009-03-13T17:24:00.001-04:00

I've had a few people ask me which of my stories is my all-time favorite. That's a darned hard question to answer. More than once I've caught myself reading my stories as if a) I didn't write them myself and b) it's the very first time I'm laying eyes on them. lol. What's up with that? Anyway, I think I've narrowed it down to two books (although I still keep thinking about another two). One of them is today's release, The Fallen 2: Domination.

I'll be honest. I didn't like the ending to The Fallen. I felt a little cheated by it (and I wrote it!), so I wanted to wrap up Bailey and Caleb's story just a little bit better, so I wrote book 2. I just so happened to share the ending with L. Shannon one day while it was in progress and she suggested a slightly stronger twist to the end.

And it made it ROCK. (I owe you big for that one, girl!) When I received the contract for it, my publisher said something along the lines of 'I can't wait to read book three because this one seriously rocked.' If that doesn't just make your day, I don't know what will.

So, without futher ado...The Fallen 2: Domination. The excerpt below is rated R.

The blurb: She went willingly into the seductive arms of the dark angel and he left her world turned upside down. Only now, a week after Caleb's seduction, Bailey realizes she gave in to him too easily last time...and she paid dearly for it. Now that Caleb has returned, she'll push his buttons every way that she knows how. She'll tease, taunt and flirt...whatever it takes to show him who’s really in control.

Little does she know, Caleb has similar plans of his own.

The excerpt:

Chapter One

“You’ve been thinking about me, Bailey.”

She bit down on her bottom lip until the pain reminded her to breathe. She wouldn’t answer him. He already knew that she couldn’t get him out of her mind. One week of waiting for him to show up whenever he wanted. One week of wrestling with the consequence of having sex with him. One week of wanting him to take her again, despite it all.

The soft cotton of her panties slid down her thighs as he dragged them over her heated flesh with agonizing slowness. Over her knees. Past her toes. With each inch they traveled, her heartbeat thundered a hundred times in the moonlit room.

In a brief moment of panic, she wished she knew how to pray. She wanted to pray for guidance on how to deny this demon—this angel—whose possessive touch drove her to distraction.

He nudged her thighs apart with cool fingers, and she forgot the need to pray.

“So sweet,” Caleb whispered. The heat from his icy blue eyes made her stomach tighten. He glanced at her face, freezing her in place with his intensity before looking down on her naked sex again.

Her breath caught in her chest the moment his finger dragged over her dark curls. There was a long, tortuous stroke over the soft inside of her thigh before he cupped her warmth. He kept his hand there as if encouraging patience for what was to come. Then his palm flattened against her, and the pressure made her hips jerk.

“Ah, the female gender… Adam never had a chance.” He chuckled to himself before he stood to loosen the ties on his linen pants.

To watch as his large hands nimbly tugged on the tie, then pushed impatiently at the waistband hugging the hard cut of his abdomen. To run her tongue hungrily over her parched lips when his proud cock was uncovered. To moan with anticipation when at last he stood before her, his muscles vibrating with tension, wings spread in majesty, wild abandon in his eyes. To do all of these things spoke volumes of her addiction to him. She should have wanted to look away, but his beauty kept her mesmerized.

The muscles of his biceps flexed when he crawled onto the foot of the bed. In the dim room, he seemed to capture all of the light, his spread wings shining. Starting at her feet, he visually traced over her body, pausing only when their eyes met. The iridescent glow from his stare snapped her mind back to reality.

“Stop!” Bailey cried. This was insane. She knew this creature. Knew his wicked intentions, and she’d almost given in. Again .

Caleb’s eyes narrowed, his upper lip curled. “Stop?” The light, mocking echo belied the anger simmering beneath his surface.

Feeling less brazen, she tried again. “Stop.” This time, she spoke softly, as if she was less sure of herself. She was sickened by it.

“What is it that I should stop doing?” His voice hardened. “This?” Before she could react, he reached between her spread thighs and slid a finger over her hardened clit. With the delicious bark of sensation, she clutched the bed sheets, gripping them until her hands hurt. The cry she wanted to voice caught in her throat.

“Or is it this?” His mouth came down on the peak of her breast, pulling at the nipple with an urgency that made her back arch. Teeth that shone brilliantly the few times he’d smiled at her, scraped over the sensitive area. His cock grazed her thigh, its heaviness teasing her.

Then he was at her mouth, breathing over her as if she were his very air. With a gentleness she’d never before seen from him, he whispered, “Or, my sweet daughter of Eve, is it this?”

Their mouths met in the most tender moment of passion Bailey had ever experienced. His lips upon hers were like the butterfly kisses she once innocently shared with her cousins. He gave her soft, sweeping brushes that slowed her heartbeat, making her ache with the need to touch him more, harder. By the time he pulled away, she’d elevated herself on her elbows. She arched her back, thrusting her breasts out to him, yearning to feel him pressed against her.

The realization of what she was doing struck her, and a chill swept down her spine. Despite her best intentions, Caleb was ever the seducer.

His lips curved into a smile as he peered down on her with hooded eyes. He asked, “Do you still want me to stop?”

*****

Buy it now from Cobblestone Press.

Hugs,
Dee (w/a Morgan Sierra)
http://www.deecarney.com

Wicked Wanderings

2009-03-06T23:03:00.007-05:00

The wicked muse is at it again. Just when I was finally getting on top of my massive to-do list, now I get bombarded by a new idea. A huge and wonderfully complex idea. One that challenges me to learn new skills just to be able to share it with the world.

Much as I love my wicked muse, sometimes I get frustrated by his short attention span and ever present desire to push me a little further, a little harder.

So this time the new baby is completely different. How about a whoop for Paranormal Crime Drama! What you say?? PCD. It sounds like a drug and in TV terms seems to be a one season flash fire. Think Moonlight, New Amsterdam, Dresden Files, Journeyman, Firefly, Raines and the likes. I'm a sucker for all those as well as the more successful ones like Angel, Charmed, Buffy, et al. Well my take on it would be werewolves... Tentative title is - DARKFALL.

But enough about that.

I haven't put out a newsletter for a while so I'll give a couple brief updates while I'm in the sharing mood...

NEW RELEASES
Marked by Tears - 2/18/09 - Noble Romance
As a rogue blood demon on the run for his life, Kry'n knows he's beyond redemption. In Jane's eyes, he finds hope for a better life. He lurks in the shadows of her homeless shelter not just for easy prey but to be near her, his only salvation. He watches her dedicate her life to saving others, but when it's her life on the line, only he can save her.

Games of Chance - 2/20/09 - Changeling Press
After Chance learns that Josh is still in love with an old roommate, he'll stop at nothing to find out if Brandon is worthy of that loyalty, nothing short of a series of sexual tests. He determined to get Brandon over his longstanding fear of demons, because if he can't handle being with Chance too, he's not coming back into Josh's life.

Chance of a Lifetime - 2/24/09 - Changeling Press
The perfect gift, one hunk of an ex-lover wrapped in cuffs and a red leather bow. But will the gift be accepted in the spirit it was given? Or will the gift tear their love apart?

What else is going on...?
Well I have a couple more books coming out soon.
Nothing but Ash with Liquid Silver Books (sweeter romance with a bucketload of thriller/suspense)

AND... (drum roll please)
Zeven is finally coming out to meet the world. Zeven Ways to Kill Your Lover (A very wicked read about a werewolf assassin who just happens to be in love with his target) is coming soon with Amber Quill Press!

You can find links to reviews, excerpts and where to buy all my books at www.lshannon.net

Next on the schedule... leave my house. Get some fresh air. Prove to my family that even if the muse is, I am in fact not yet a vampire.

Stay Wicked!

Shannon

A Wicked Release

2009-02-27T17:36:00.003-05:00

Now that sounds like a good title! But before I get off on a tangent let me apologize for being horribly prepared this week. I'm on deadline. The book is due (glances at calendar and cringes) tomorrow, 18 hours from now to be specific. So rather than come up with something briliant to post I'm afraid I'm going to fall back on announcing the release of my latest smoking hot book: The Wine Tasting.
Just check out that chest... don't you want to lick it? I want to lick wine off of it! But I digress...

He's the best of the best. She's the ultimate distraction.

Braxton Hughes knows he’s the best of the best. But a bet with six other extraordinary thieves gives him a chance to prove it. His task is to steal an incredibly rare bottle of wine and he only has seven days to do it.

During an evening of routine of surveillance he meets Elise Savade. Brax has always prided himself on his self control but one look at the elegant French woman in the slinky midnight blue gown and he’s thinking more about seducing her than finding his prize. Soon Elise shows him that wine cellars aren’t just for tasting wine.

Buy it! At only $2.99 it won't break the bank, and it will certainly keep you warm.

Enjoy an Excerpt

From: Zeus@theblindbet.com

To: sevenofspades@theblindbet.com

Subject: The Bet

1787 Lafite G.W.

You have seven days.

Zeus

* * * * *

Braxton Hughes stepped out of the limo and tugged his bow tie into place. Roger Savade's enormous French chateau sat at the end of the cobblestone walk, looking regal and impenetrable. He held out his hand to the woman in the backseat, and she slipped her satin-gloved fingers into his.

For a woman pushing fifty, Claire Renaldae looked great in her lavender dress with her hair perfectly coiffed. He tucked her arm through his and started up the path with the other guests, anticipation sizzling through his veins.

“Thanks for bringing me tonight,” Claire said, her voice soft. Her silver gray eyes, rimmed with dark liner, sparkled up at him. There was an air of smoky sophistication about her, showing him that she belonged at parties like this one. Rubbing shoulders with the filthy rich, dancing until dawn.

Recently divorced, she was here to show up her ex-husband with a hot new stud on her arm.

Braxton was here for the wine.

He'd known as soon as he'd pushed himself out of the pool at Chateau Le Cannet four days ago that Claire was perfect for him. Perfect for the job. She'd been lying on a lounge chair, a black one piece showing off a trim, sun-kissed figure. The big, fluffy hat hadn't been able to shadow the look of desire in her eyes when she'd glanced at his body glistening from his afternoon swim.

It had taken little effort to strike up a conversation and find out about her ex-husband and her invitation to the Savade party. Nor had it taken much effort to casually offer to escort her to said party.

“You're welcome.” He glanced around at the other guests, nodding at the few who made eye contact. “Think he'll be here?”

“Of course. He wouldn't miss a party like this, or a chance to show her off.” The her Claire was referring to was her ex-husband's new mistress, Scandinavian supermodel Mia Rassmusen. She'd mentioned the other woman several times, and he found himself wondering why a woman like Claire would waste her time and energy on a man like her ex-husband. She may not have been a hot, young supermodel, but she was smart and witty enough. And not at all bad on the eyes. Years of spa treatments had, no doubt, seen to that.

“Well, I seriously doubt she'll look anywhere near as beautiful as you,” he said, playing his part.

Claire preened under his gaze, her spine straightening. “You're so sweet.” She squeezed his arm.

The receiving line slowed to a halt.

Brax looked around the manor, noting the number of windows and doors and their locations. His gaze traveled over the shrubs and stone walls of the landscape. The large front doors were wide open, and golden yellow light poured out. He could hear music. Probably some lesser known French composer.

“Roger Savade is such a pompous ass. He hosts these parties to show off his money. His things,” Claire whispered. He glanced down at the necklace dripping with diamonds around her neck. Speaking of showing off one's wealth.... “Just like my ex-husband.”

Brax stayed silent and watched as the hosts greeted the guests. It wasn't that he didn't agree with her. Roger was known to flaunt his money and his possessions. Brax wondered if he'd have the 1787 Lafite on display in the dining room. That would sure make his job easy.

The line moved forward, and he saw their host nodding to a short, graying gentleman. By habit, Brax surveyed his surroundings for security, both electronic and hard, hired muscle.

Did Roger Savade even know the significance of the 1787 Lafite, or had he bought it just because someone had told him it was rare?

“Claire! How are you?” The feminine voice with the French accent pulled him from his thoughts. Claire tugged on his arm until they were standing in front of the blonde woman just inside the door.

“Rona. I'm well, and yourself?” Claire replied, clasping the other woman's hands in her own. They did the air kiss thing and stood back to sum each other up.

“Fabulous. Thanks so much for coming. Roger will be so glad you came.”
“Speaking of Roger, where is he?”

“I'm afraid he got pulled away. He'll be around. Who's your friend?”

“This is Braxton Hughes from L.A.”

Brax exchanged pleasantries, all the while looking around the enormous foyer. Priceless antiques and artifacts dotted the space. It was an art collector’s paradise.

“Enjoy the party,” Rona said, already turning to greet the next person in line.

“We will,” Claire cooed.

They stepped across the foyer toward the grand hall. The music and laughter grew louder. Expensive perfume and spicy cologne filled his nose.

“You know there's a rumor—“ Claire began.

“Claire.” They turned to see a silver-haired man in an expensive-looking tuxedo.

Brax felt her freeze next to him. “Charles,” she said, her voice wooden. The two stared at each other in tense silence. This must be the ex. The last thing Brax needed tonight was a jealous ex-husband drawing unwanted attention.

“Who's this?” the ex asked.

“Braxton Hughes,” she said, inching closer to Brax. “My date. Where's what's-her-name?”

“We broke up, mon petite chou.” He held out his hands, palms up as if to surrender. “Tu me monques.”

He saw her shoulders sag just a little as she put a tiny bit of space between them. The look on her beautifully made up face told him she was warring inside. It'd take a coldhearted woman to resist being called a little cabbage by the man she still loved. And when said man started murmuring things like 'I miss you', it was a safe bet that Brax was on his own.

“I'm going to go get something to drink,” he said and excused himself.

The exquisite details of the Neoclassical architecture weren't lost on him as he made his way through the crowd. Heavily-carved crown moldings detailed every nook and corner. Columns soared up to a sculpted ceiling high above the grand hall.

He strode across the polished black and white checkerboard marble and almost did a double take as he passed a heavily gilded mirror. This job had required him to cut and color his hair a rich chocolate brown. He'd put in contacts to make his blue eyes green. Gone were his summer surfer dude good looks. He smiled at the thought.

He wasn't that broken up about losing his date. At least now he didn't feel like a gigolo. But it would be more difficult to fit in and snoop around.

He plucked a flute of champagne from a passing tray and made his way through the huge rooms, casually looking for his prize.

If I were a priceless bottle of wine, where would I be? he thought and turned to see a vision walk through the door. She was tall...even without the killer strappy heels that made him dream of fast and furious sex. Curvy in all the right places with lush breasts that would fill his hands and then some. The midnight blue fabric hugged her pale skin like a glove, shimmering as she moved. It dipped down deep into her cleavage, teasing his cock and his eyes.

He stopping breathing as her eyes locked with his. Classical. Her features, the careful twist of her charcoal brown hair, the delicate jewelry she wore on her wrist and ears...all spoke of elegant taste. Her eyes looked blue from here, but he would need to get closer to see if he was right. Momentarily, he forgot about the reason for coming to tonight's party and wondered if she was as soft as she looked. If her raspberry colored lips would taste sweet and yet tart.

Remembering his mission, he mentally shook his head and then finished his champagne. “Keep your eye on the prize,” he muttered to himself and tried to think of every dull, arcane thing that would keep his cock from standing at attention. He let his gaze wander around the impressive space as he reviewed his mental checklist for tonight's reconnaissance mission. Find the item. Find a way back in. Check for security.

A soft, lyrical laugh filled the air, and he sought out the sound’s source with his eyes. It was her, of course, laughing at some older man, her hand pressed against her heart.

Damn, she was beautiful. Stunning. Doubly so when she smiled. Those lips, framing perfect white teeth, tortured him with thoughts he had no business thinking. Not tonight.

But his private pep talk wasn't helping.

All he could think of was her and the fact that he'd never been knocked off his game before. Never. Work came first. Pleasure came second. Claire had been part of the plan. Essential.

But the beauty in the blue dress with the lovely laugh.... She wasn't part of the plan at all. In fact, she was a risk, a temptation he hadn't even considered.

He needed some fresh air. Cold air.

A tall set of doors to his right opened to a stone terrace that would save him from staring at her any longer. Brax made his getaway.

Damn, he didn't have time for a distraction. He needed to look around. From where he stood, he could see a lower level of the house. Maybe it was in a vault down there. Or a cellar.

A waiter circulated among the few guests braving the chilly evening air, and he swapped out his empty glass for a full one. Slowly he sipped the bubbly liquid and turned to take in his surroundings. He carefully gauged distances, counted the exits, looked for alternate entry points and scoped out the home's security. After he finished this glass, he'd find a way downstairs.

Not that he was stalling....

“Can I give you a tour?”

He turned to see her standing halfway between him and the door, the yellow light silhouetting her. A small smile pulled the corners of her mouth upward.

“Sorry. I just find the architecture amazing.”

“It is lovely.” She stepped closer, and he felt a punch low in the gut.

“Indeed. It must have been built in the mid sixteen hundreds.”

“Sixteen forty-two, actually.” She stopped next to him and leaned against the carved stone railing. So much for the crisp night air cooling his libido. One look at her and his temperature was through the roof.

He quirked an eyebrow as he stared down into her upturned face and tried not to notice the thick fringe of dark lashes around her crystal blue eyes. Without her heels, she must have been at least five-foot-eight. With them, she came up to his chin, and he wondered what it'd feel like to have her in his arms. To nuzzle the creamy skin of her naked neck.

“This is my father's home,” she said matter-of-factly.

That cooled him down.

---
Come on, you know you want it. So go get it.

When you're done, stop by my website to see what else I have up my sleeve. ;-)

New Release: Book of Shadows

2009-02-23T08:35:00.001-05:00

My first release with Phaze Books is The Craft of the Wise: Book of Shadows. This is the first book in a series where witches and werewolves work together to save the world from a demon threat. If you haven't had a chance to read more about it, head over to my free reads page to read a very short introduction into this storyline. Until then, here's a brief excerpt from the book.

The Blurb:
Novice witch Ava Valentine's first run-in with a demon almost ends in her demise until a fierce werewolf steps in to save her. Pledged in loyalty to the coven's princess, Aaron Remington will do what it takes to protect her. After falling for Ava, he realizes he's willing to pledge not just his life, but also his soul. When the true meaning behind her rank in the coven is revealed, Aaron and Ava must stand side by side to fight the menace that stalks her or lose their growing love - and possibly their lives - in exchange.

The Excerpt:

Her neck prickled.

This was not going to work if they didn’t make some changes.

“Are you going to just stare at me all the time or what?”

“Princess?”

She shoved the pen and paper inside her personal Book of Shadows, snapped it shut, and leaned her back against the chair at the desk. They’d been sitting in her bedroom for just over an hour. She was supposed to be reading and memorizing while she sipped honeyed tea to soothe her throat.

Hmph. Had no idea what he was supposed to be doing besides looking tempting.

“Look, my name’s Ava. No one really cares if I am a princess or whatever. Just call me Ava, okay?”

“Ava.”

Never in her life did those two syllables sound the way he’d said them. It was like he was hungry and each letter was a full course meal. If he could do that with three letters, she couldn’t imagine what he could do if she asked him to call her by her full name, Avalon.

She licked her lips and shoved away the thought. Never mind that he made her panties damp. He was supposed to be her bodyguard. Nothing more.

But Goddess, she’d let him guard her body any day of the week he wanted.

Damn, how did those thoughts keep sneaking in like that? Then again, answering the question wasn’t quite rocket science. Not an ounce of fat dared show on his long body. Each time he moved was like watching mercury. Liquid, lithe and just a little bit dangerous.

Her fingers twitched with an urge to touch him but thinking about it too much held her at bay. If he kept watching her like that though, she couldn’t be held responsible for her actions.

No woman with a beating pulse could.

“I can’t concentrate when you keep staring at me like that,” she said after a moment. That was the truth. Her mind kept drifting to these incredible visuals involving hot, sweaty bodies. “And I need to learn these spells.”

“I didn’t mean to distract you, Ava…”

Her eyes narrowed at his pause.

“What?” He looked like he had something else to say. Aaron shook his head, but she wouldn’t be deterred. He did want to say something else. She could see it in his eyes. “What?”

“I’m attracted to you. Have been since the very first time I saw you.” Sweet, holy heaven on high. Now that was something she hadn’t been expecting. “It’s why I keep staring at you. I’m sorry if I’ve interrupted your concentration. I’ll do better with keeping reign on my thoughts,” he finished.

Like that little confession wouldn’t interrupt her concentration permanently. She cleared her throat.

“Oh, that,” she said as if men announced their attraction to her on an hourly basis. “No biggie.”

He turned to review the books on her shelves, but she didn’t return to the book in front of her. All plans for memorizing spells today had left the building. Instead, she visually traced the tattoo on his neck. Followed the curve to his Adam’s apple. When it bobbed, she had to stifle a moan.

Look someplace else. Good idea. Was that a…oh, man. A dimple in his chin. When had she missed seeing the cleft?

“Now you are the one staring, Ava.” He chuckled and turned back to face her.

“Right. Sorry.” She looked away briefly, then caught his gaze.

“Hell. What are we going to do about this?”

“About what?”

She dropped her gaze. “You know what. I have a feeling Grand won’t approve if I give in to my baser desires.”

He frowned, then nodded. “It wouldn’t be the first time for a witch and a werewolf. It’s not necessarily looked upon kindly, but not always denigrated either.”

It wasn’t like she was going to go running to Grand with the news. No one would have to know. Just a quick romp in the hay. They would both be better off for it. Get it out of the way. Then back to business as usual.

She snorted.

Whatever she had to tell herself.

“We’d just be letting off some steam, right?” she asked.

Aaron stood.

“Then back to employer-employee relationship afterwards, right?” she continued.

He gripped her wrists and pulled her to stand next to him. He brought his head down close to hers. He grumbled, “Just letting off some steam.”

When his lips pressed against hers, Ava’s world spun.

*****

Click on the cover above to purchase.

New Release: Letting Go

2009-02-20T18:02:00.007-05:00

I'm part of a fantastic new collection for Noble Romance - their 'Child of the Week' series. Remember that one?

Monday's child is fair of face. Tuesday's child is full of grace. Wednesday's child is full of woe. Thursday's child has far to go. Friday's child is loving and giving. Saturday's child works hard for a living. But the child that’s born on the Sabbath Day is fair and wise and good and gay.

My day is Thursday and my book is entitled Letting Go. This paranormal menage is a friends-to-lovers story that made my heart ache just writing it.

Kane has to convince his best friend Nadine of two things. First, it’s time for her to stop mourning her deceased fiancé. Second – and most importantly – Kane has fallen in love with her.

Nadine knows if she can move past Justin’s death, the tentative feelings she’s denying Kane will blossom. Only she can’t seem to move on. Desperate, she turns to a psychic for help so she can say the final goodbyes she’d been denied years before.

For one night, Kane, Nadine and Justin will face the grief threatening to break down a friendship and turn to a love that will make them whole again.

Click on the picture to read an excerpt and/or buy the book.

I love Friday the 13th!

2009-02-13T23:00:00.000-05:00

Eliza here and late to the party as usual. I would tell you all about my paranormal books but it's Friday the 13th, ya'll want something different, right? Well, just in case you want to know more about my sexy shapeshifters, hot male witches or cowboy vampire, you can visit me at http://www.elizagayle.net

Despite not being a horror flick girl and being slightly afraid of the dark, I still find Friday the 13th to be one of the luckiest days. I've gotten new jobs those days, won some money on that day, and had lots of fun at Friday the 13th parties when I was younger.

But I will never forget this one memorable Friday the 13th. It was by far the scariest i've ever had and hope ever will. As I just mentioned I am a little afraid of the dark, which is weird in of itself (at least for me), and this one Friday took place a long time ago in a very dark forest. *g*

I was in boot camp of all places at Parris Island in South Carolina. Friday the 13th happened to fall during the ten days we were in the field (that's camping for you lay folk *g*). And to make matters worse it fell on the very night we were scheduled to do Night Land Nav. Training. That's where they give us a compass and a list of coordinates to find. You find this box and you write down the code that is there and then you move on to the next. I don't even remember how many there were but it was a lot. If this had been a partnered exercise i'm sure I would have been fine, really. So I start out on my own in the dark in the heavy cover of woods. I'm hungry, tired, dirty and scared shitless. Not sure how I did it but I managed to find the first two boxes while my heart raced and sweat poured down my back. We won't even discuss my irrational fear of snakes that had me jumping at every possible sound. And that's when I heard the first scream. I have never know such sheer terror as I took a few seconds to contemplate what to do next. Part of my brain knew they were just messing with us but if one of the drill instructors jumped out at me, someone was liable to get hurt.

I'd been forced to watch those Friday the 13th movies by my evil friends. I knew what happened to girls alone in the woods on Friday the 13th. lol

So I did the only logical thing, I ran. And ran. To hell with the list of coordinates, I had to get out of the woods right then! It's not clear how long I ran but before too long I found my way to the edge of the woods at the opposite side and could see our transport truck and a few of the girls that had already been through the exercise. Before we had gotten started they said this course didn't count against us. There was no pass or fail on this one, we just had to get through it. Thank God for that. I threw down some letters and numbers on my sheet and strolled out of the woods like it was any other night. Handed over my gear and took a seat. Funny, no one ever said a word about all of my coordinate answers being wrong and honestly I never cared.

So that's my weird Friday the 13th story and i'm not sure I could ever top that if I tried.

Have fun and don't get too scared!

Eliza

A Wicked Welcome!

2009-02-13T17:08:00.003-05:00

Hi everyone! I'm one of the wicked authors here at JPW. I'm L. Shannon (though most just call me Shannon). I write paranormal romances that can be more than a little wickedly erotic, or even wickedly suspenseful. Werewolves, vampires and demons lurk in my pages and they love to suck and nibble and get up to all kinds of naughtiness.

What does it take to be wicked?
I could tell you I'm a wild twenty something that is out being bad in every local dive in the area, but alas I'm not. I am a thirty something married to a hard working man who I love to share my inner wickedness with. Wicked is as wicked does after all. Not all my writing is fiction. Although, I'm not going to share which parts are... LMWAO (Laughing My Wicked Ass Off)

What new wickedness is about to be unleashed?
On my website you can find a full list of my works including werewolves fighting to save the world, vampires bent on surviving forever and demons determined to kill all those needing killed. Coming soon are some new wicked stories which I'm thrilled to share with you all.

Marked by Tears
Noble Romance
February, 2009
As a rogue blood demon on the run for his life, Kry'n knows he's beyond redemption. In Jane's eyes, he finds hope for a better life. What began as lurking in the shadows of her homeless shelter for easy prey changes him. In her he finds purpose and being near her could be his only salvation. He watches her dedicate her life to saving others, but when it's her life on the line, only he can save her.

Games of Chance
Changeling Press
February 2009
After Chance learns that Josh is still in love with an old roommate, he'll stop at nothing to find out if Brandon is worthy of that loyalty, nothing short of a series of sexual tests. He determined to get Brandon over his longstanding fear of demons, because if he can't handle being with Chance too, he's not coming back into Josh's life.

Chance of a Lifetime
Changeling Press
March 2009
The perfect gift, one hunk of an ex-lover wrapped in cuffs and a red leather bow. But will the gift be accepted in the spirit it was given? Or will the gift tear their love apart?

Nothing but Ash
Liquid Silver Books
TBA 2009
Secrets and ghosts haunt the small town of Midnight Ridge. But which one of them can kill?

Wickedness abounds! Join in or watch from the sidelines. LMWAO! Either way, enjoy the wicked world here at Just Plain Wicked.

L.Shannon
www.lshannon.net

Wicked is as Wicked does

2009-02-13T07:05:00.000-05:00

Hello, hello, hello! I'm so glad you've dropped by. As you can tell, this is a blog for wicked souls. And today is our opening day.

Why wicked? Well, each of us has a little bit of wicked inside and Dee, Eliza, Shannon and I have perhaps a bit more than most. We let our wild side reign every so often and write scorching hot romances that will have you calling the fire department. Don't say we didn't warn you.

So.. be honest. Do you have any Wicked in you? Have you ever let your hair down and let your naughtier side take over? If not, consider doing so tomorrow. It's Valentine's Day after all. Snag yourself a man and let your Wild Side reign. Know that you are beautiful, seductive and powerful. And just plain wicked. ;)

Stay sexy,
Selena
http://www.selena-blake.com

Happy (?) Friday the 13th

2009-02-13T06:27:00.002-05:00

Today's our grand opening! Friday the 13th seemed appropriate don't you think?

For those of you who don't know me, hi! I'm Dee Carney. I write under two names, so be on the look out for both. Dee writes paranormal and interracial erotic romances. My alter ego, Morgan Sierra, writes anything that catches her fancy...and this is where you'll need a caliente warning. Morgan's stuff burns pages. In either event, since Just Plain Wicked (or JPW) is all about the paranormal, I'll keep you updated on the spooky and otherworldly from either author.

A lot of people ask how authors, in general, come up with their story ideas. For me, it's a matter of just looking around. Take something I just found on Wikipedia this morning, for example. It says, "The fear of Friday the 13th is called paraskavedekatriaphobia, a word derived from the concatenation of the Greek words Paraskeví (Παρασκευή) (meaning Friday), and dekatreís (δεκατρείς) (meaning thirteen), attached to phobía (φοβία) (meaning fear)."

Can you imagine a story all around a man who has this irrationial fear of a date that happens a few times each year? I can. I can moreso imagine a woman who shows him there's nothing to fear (and this is where Morgan Sierra could step in). I could take it a step further and have it backfire and they both discover there really is something evil out there to fear. (ooh! A Dee Carney story in the making!)

I mention this because I want you to sit back and enjoy this ride with me. I'll bring you some half-baked ideas or something that's just dying to get out on paper. There's nothing to fear here (except apparently today's date), so speak up! Talk to me. Don't let the title intimidate you.

Wicked is as wicked does.

Something wicked this way comes...

2008-12-28T19:04:00.000-05:00

If you're seeing this message, we're not ready for you yet.

Shooo...

We'll let you know when to come back.

~~The Wicked Writers