Sexy Snuggles

It's snowing and icing and basically being as frigid as possible here in the Midwest, which I've made a point of complaining about as often as humanly possible, but then I thought, what are the good things about being in the middle of winter?  

And then it came to me: sexy snuggles.  

Which inspired me to think about all the other sexy parts of winter:

Sexiest Parts of Winter

• Sexy snuggles.
• Thigh high socks
• A little bit of, um, friendly exploration under the throw blanket while watching television
• The fire crackling in the background
• Reading a sexy book under the covers
• Long hot baths...alone and with a friend
• Whiskey and Scotch to warm the blood
• Making out by the light of the Christmas tree
• Love Actually on all the time
• Peppermint ice cream

But to every light side, there must be a dark.  And winter is very dark:

Least Sext Parts of Winter:

• Chapped hands
• The never-ending runny nose
• Bulky coats that make noise when you move
• Cold, wet socks
• Muddy, snowy footprints all over the floor
• Egg nog (I'm saying it's not delicious, just that it's not sexy.)
• Scraping ice off your car
• Dirty snow at the edge of the road

On that note, stay warm and sexy everyone!

Spoilery Motherfuckers!

If we're friends, chances are you'll have heard me call you this if you've let a spoiler slip. I'm like River Song with a trucker mouth. And I'm SUPER sensitive about this with books. So. Writers.

A blurb is NOT a synopsis.

A synopsis tells us what happens.

A blurb should give us enough information to make us WANT TO KNOW what happens.

It's the difference between running into the bedroom naked, or showing up in sexy lingerie, making them desperate to see what's underneath it.

Naked's hot. But there's no mystery. If I already KNOW what's beneath the (book OR bed) sheets, you're being a SPOILERY MOTHERFUCKER!

This goes for readers - and reviewers - too. DON'T go through the plot and summarize it in your own words, and give away the ending. Don't waste words on summing up the book - it likely has a blurb in the review, or at the top of the page for the reader to see if they are interested. It IS possible to review things without giving the plot away! I promise! THINGS CANNOT BE UNSEEN. Way to kill the mystery.

I started reading a series that had a metric SHIT TON of books in it. I had read over ten books. A patron came into the library and had gotten the newest one - she was about 4 books ahead of me as I'd only started a few months before, and had a lot of catching up to do. She was like, 'Have you read it yet?' I was like, 'No! So PLEASE no spoilers!' She smiled and replied, 'No spoilers. She's still working at _____. Still hasn't chosen between the two love interests.'

If you do this, I hate to break it to you, but 1. THAT IS A SPOILER! and 2. YOU ARE A SPOILERY MOTHERFUCKER!

You can be a spoilery motherfucker just by asking an ill thought out question. You notice someone watching tv, or reading a book. 'Oh, have they found out he's the father yet?'

-_-

SPOILER!

I realize I sound OCD about this, but I am HYPERSENSITIVE to spoilers. If I know I'm going to read a book, I won't even read the blurb on the back, because all too often they give too much away and I can figure things out. I also won't watch previews to movies I know I'm going to see. Same reason. The previews used to entice. Now they give it all away.

Leave a little mystery. Make me work for it. Don't thrust your things in my face, all out there and revealed. I want to discover the inner workings for myself.

Spoilery Motherfuckers not only ruin it for their friends, but they ruin it for themselves. Because we hate them.

Only you can prevent Spoilery Motherfuckery. 

Coming Out of the Smut Closet

I've been thinking a lot lately about this weird area romance/erotica writers occupy. I mean, it isn't exactly a surprise to my mom that at age 30, I know about sex. Or that I've had it. I think she would be far more concerned if I hadn't by now. I must assume most of our parents, siblings, co-workers, and friends feel the same.

But then, if you tell any of them you WRITE about this stuff, you get judgey-face. Wtf, for reals, guys. We are all allowed to do it, and thanks to shows like Sex and the City, we are allowed to freely discuss it, but when we write descriptions of two fake people doing the same deed, we get embarrassed and nervous.

I read an erotica book just last week and really enjoyed it, which led me to the author's blog. One post said something like "I always thought I would write something incredible, but turns out I just wrote sex." WHY. WHY do we feel like we have to apologize for this?

When Nicholas Sparks makes people cry, when Bill Bryson makes people laugh, when Chuck Palaniuk makes people cringe... Do you think they say sorry for causing Feels in their readers? So why the hell are we?

Welp, the only people who can change this is us. So here's my tiny contribution. I'm not Lucy Stark. Lucy Stark is dead. My name is Kayti McGee, and I write smut.

Xoxo,

Kayti

Unwrapped Cover Reveal (we love revealing ourselves)

COVER REVEAL

A New Adult Romance

Six different novellas

by the NAturals

Laurelin Paige, Gennifer Albin, Melanie Harlow, 

Sierra Simone, Kayti McGee Downey, and Tamara Mataya

Release: December 23, 2013

Cover designed by Tom Barnes Design

Six romance authors present six very different novellas in this anthology of new stories: Ménage a tango lessons. A bride DYING to say, 'I don't.' A horny college boy at a purity rally. Time-traveling graduate students meet Victorian playboys. A rugby player who's as dirty off the field as on. And kissing under the mistletoe with a Scottish exchange student. Something for everyone, the NAturals present sweet, funny, and erotic tales of new adults meant to be Unwrapped all year long and not just at Christmas.   About the Authors Laurelin Paige, Gennifer Albin, Melanie Harlow, Sierra Simone, Kayti McGee Downey, and Tamara Mataya are the six authors who blog for TheNaturalAuthors.blogspot.com. They each write romance and adore pushing the boundaries of the genre. Above all, they love reading smut, looking at pictures of hot men, and making up names for the band they’re always talking about forming. Blog | Facebook | Twitter  

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Best Laid Plans AKA Self Publishing: You're doing it wrong!

Many of you who follow my twitter, or know me, may have known I was planning on self pubbing my manuscript, The Best Laid Plans, a sexy contemporary romance. I had a few manuscripts on submission, and had a bit of a life changing experience with the flash flood in June. I decided to take the bull by the horns and self publish. I wanted to have a book Out There where people could read it!

So, it might come as something of a surprise that I signed a 3 book deal with Swoon Romance for that book! Heres the cover, done by the fabulous Genn Albin! <3

Self Publishing: I'm doing it wrong!

The thing is, if my Editor's vision for the book hadn't matched mine - if she'd wanted to make the book into something it wasn't - then I'd have turned down the deal. At the end of the day, it's about what's right for YOU and for the BOOK.

And you can enter to win a print copy!
Goodreads Giveaway!

I'm SO happy right now! Today is the official release day, but it came out a couple days ago.

The Best Laid Plans on Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Goodreads

Thanks for reading! <3

SPEAK LOW by Melanie Harlow. Good God, it's finally here!

If you read SPEAK EASY by our very own Melanie Harlow, then you've probably been dying for the hotness that are Tiny, Enzo and Joey to continue. If you haven't read it yet, you'll want to. As soon as is humanely possible because the sequel, SPEAK LOW, is here!!

Here's the blurb:

July, 1923

After bootlegging enough whiskey to free her father from the DiFiore crime family, twenty-year old Tiny O'Mara is determined to leave home and take control of her own life.

But it’s going to cost her.

Her alliance with sultry Enzo DiFiore is based more on their intense physical attraction than any loyalty or trust. When he offers her an apartment and nights spent together where anything goes in exchange for some information, she's tempted beyond measure.

But taking Enzo's side means betraying gorgeous childhood pal Joey Lupo, the only man she trusts. And even though they spend most of their time at each other's throats, the heat simmering between them is becoming too hard to ignore--then one night, it boils over.

And won't stop.

As Enzo’s greed and deception escalate and her feelings for Joey deepen, Tiny realizes her mistakes. She just hopes she gets the chance to fix them before it’s too late.

To make it super easy, SPEAK EASY is on sale through the month of November for 0.99.  Hot gangsta's, people. Hot gangstas.'

Alpha This, Alpha That

Alpha males are an indispensable part of romance, and they have been since Edward Rochester locked his wife in the attic and decided to seduce a nineteen year old (spoiler alert.)  And I've read a lot of great Alphas lately, which has led me to wonder about the appeal.

What do we readers (and writers) like so much about this archetype that we keep coming back to it over and over?  Is it the freedom that having a dominant lover brings?  Freedom from choice?  The freedom of knowing you'll be taken care of emotionally and sexually?  Is it something instinctual within women?  Something engineered in us from back when having an alpha mate was necessary to our (and our host of cave-babies') survival?

I think these are unanswerable questions because the answers will be different for every woman.  Some women might find the physical attributes of the Alpha the best while others might crave that emotional dominance.  And some women might find the idea of the Alpha altogether repulsive--after all, we aren't living in caves any more and more women than ever are the heads of their households and relish the role.  I'm somewhere in between.  I am the breadwinner and I wouldn't trade my marriage with its foundation of mutual respect and equality (both in the bed and out) for anything.  BUT, the Alpha presents a fantasy for me.  A fantasy of being swept off my feet, of having everything taken care of so that I'm free to love and pleasure as much as I can.  An escape, a vacation from reality.

What about you?  Why do (or don't) you like the Alpha in romance?

Get UNWRAPPED

Something exciting is going down, and we can't wait another minute to share it with you. The NAturals hosts have come together to create a sexy, fun novella anthology called UNWRAPPED, just in time for the holidays.

What's it all about? Gennifer Albin, Tamara Mataya, Laurelin Paige, Melanie Harlow, Kayti Downey and Sierra Simone are six very different (and amazing!) authors, sharing six equally different (and hot!) stories with you.

Because of the amazing interst you all had in The Boy Next Door story earlier this fall, we decided to bring you more. And by more, we mean MORE.

UNWRAPPED debutes on December 23, 2013. What's that? You want a little taste of what's to come. Do you really think we'd leave you without a treat?

Here's an excerpt from CHERRY POPPER, by Laurelin Paige, available in the UNWRAPPED anthology.

~~~                         ~~~                           ~~~                              ~~~                            ~~~

Chase Matthews was in goddammed heaven.

When he’d agreed to tag along with his buddy Jake to the dinky little bar forty-five minutes outside of their college town, he’d thought they’d have a good time—shoot some pool, flirt with some chicks, use their fake IDs to get a couple beers.

He hadn’t expected to be crashed against the wall of the back storage room with the legs of the sweetest little blonde in the place wrapped around his waist.

The instant he’d locked eyes with her, he felt the mutual attraction. It had only taken thirty minutes of flirting before she’d made it over to their table. She was alone, which was the universal signal for I’m looking for someone to mack with. At least it had been where Chase grew up. He wasn’t taking it as a given. Colorado was new territory. Nothing like the California town he’d come from.

For half a second, Chase worried Jake would try to pick her up instead. But then God intervened—or some divine power that Chase had yet to identify—and another smokin’ chick took Jake away to some dark corner.

And now here was Chase with Kira Larson’s legs wrapped around his waist and her lips locked on his.

Man, she tasted good. There was a faint taste of Amaretto Sour, but mostly she tasted of the cherry flavor lip gloss she’d applied and reapplied throughout the evening. Even without the gloss, he suspected she’d taste good. How could she not? He hadn’t been with enough women to not appreciate anyone who wanted to bruise mouths with him.

The things she did with her tongue… Every time she flicked it across the tip of his, his dick throbbed as he imagined it flicking across his crown. And the sexy little sounds she made in the back of her throat made his jeans even tighter. God, she was an angel.

He pressed her against the wall, relieving some of the weight from his arms so his hand could explore other parts of her body. The new position angled their groins more perfectly. It was both amazing and amazingly uncomfortable all at once.

Trying to ignore the ache in his pants, Chase distracted himself by concentrating on Kira’s breasts. He didn’t want to go too far and piss her off, but if he could just hold one of the perfect little mounds in his palm, he knew it would be worth it. He swept his hand down the side of her torso, then up again, this time a little closer to the object of his desire. Finally, on the third pass, he couldn’t take it anymore. His hand circled around her perky tit and squeezed.

Instead of the protest he’d half-expected, she moaned. Moaned and he was nearly exploding. That was all the invitation he needed. Within seconds his hand had made its way under her t-shirt and slipped under the cup of her bra. Had he thought he’d made it to heaven before? Well, he was wrong. Because this was definitely heaven. Soaring on the wind, floating on air heaven.

Then she said the magic words—the words every guy wants to hear when his dick is painfully hard and his hand is wrapped around her tit—“I have a condom.”

Sweet Jesus, he was going to get laid.

Which NAtural are You?

Remember those quizzes where you'd find out which Sex and the City character you were? Well, here's one that's just as useful and important--which NAtural are you?

1) The cute guy you're flirting with at the bar offers to buy you a drink. You order:

A) Wine, but only half a glass--you're on a deadline and you have to leave the bar in 10 minutes
B) Champagne, you can afford it
C) A box of wine and ask for a coffee mug to drink it in
D) A gin martini, in and out with the vermouth, please
E) Canadian beer (they don't really make beer anywhere else, do they?)
F) Scotch from one of the distilleries you visited last year


2) Someone just called your bestie a slut on Facebook. To show your wrath, you:

A) Post a scathing, exquisitely well-written treatise on slut shaming which is subsequently shared all over the Internet
B) Name the bitch character in your next bestseller after the name-caller. Revenge is sweet.
C) Make a poison tart and mail it to the name-caller at work, then go have amazing sex with the boy next door. It's all good.
D) Stare at the name-caller's profile pic thinking evil thoughts, one brow arched menacingly.
E) Flip a table.
F) Find out where she lives and karate chop that bitch!

3) You're down to your last $100. You spend it on:

A) Your hair, your nails, and a fantastic pair of boots. You gotta go on tour tomorrow!
B) Cab fare to the bank to get some more hundred dollar bills.
C) Wine and Books--who needs anything more?
D) A blow-out, a pencil skirt, and a pair of peep-toe pumps--maybe someone will buy you a cocktail at Happy Hour.
E) The homeless guy on the corner--he needs it more than you do.
F) A corset, a pair of handcuffs, and a time machine--what, it's research!

4) The stereotype you find yourself most attracted to:

A) Boy with an accent and a heart of gold
B) Billionaire alpha male
C) Boy next door with amazing hair and stamina whom your friends have nicknamed Sugar but they're totes not jealous, no, not at all
D) Boy in a three-piece suit who knows how to dance
E) Boy with chiseled features, longish hair, and a guitar on his back
F) Michael Fassbender. Rawr.

5) Your perfect date:

A) Dinner, a movie, and ice cream in bed (silk scarf on the nightstand)
B) Limousine ride to red-carpet event (you may or may not make it there before he tears your expensive underwear off)
C) Cook Sugar a gourmet meal in your new kitchen, then get so distracted by each other you forget to eat the tiramisu you made for dessert
D) Happy Hour cocktails, slow dancing in a dark corner of a jazz club, extra-curricular activities in the front seat of his vintage car
E) Dinner and a jam session, during which both of you will be called up to perform, which makes you so hot you have to leave early
F) Attend a scotch tasting, a Michael Fassbender movie, come home and tie each other up. Take pics for friends (I added that last part...still hoping she does this)

So, which one of us are you?

Mostly A's: congratulations, you are the supremely gifted and gorgeous Sophia Bleu/Gennifer Albin. But you probably have a book coming out in five minutes, so you're not even on the Internet because you're so disciplined. You only check in to give advice to people and reassure your loving minions you're still alive. Now get back to your tour--fans are waiting!

Mostly B's: congratulations, you are the fabulous BESTSELLING Laurelin Paige, and you just sold a thousand books while you were taking this quiz. It's really unfair that you're also genuinely sweet and beautiful and super generous to your fans and other authors.

Mostly C's: congratulations, you are the lovely, plucky Lucy Stark/Kayti McGee, and not only do you have awesome hair, you can cook like nobody's business, agents seek you out for your brilliance, and you consume a lot of Sugar without ever getting a cavity. You might occasionally get stuck hiding from your boyfriend's family in a basement, but that will make a good story someday...

Mostly D's: hello there, twinsie, you are Melanie Harlow (me)! Your iPod probably has at least one Frank Sinatra song on it, you have equal amounts of high heels and sneakers in your closet, and you like both contemporary and historical stories--as long as the smut is good and the verb tense consistent.

Mostly E's: congratulations, you are the sexy Tamara Mataya! You just wrote six books in six months, so you might be a little tired, but you still have time to edit books for 25 friends, clean up your town after a flood, record a tune, and make everyone laugh. Right after a hot bath. It can get chilly in Alberta, Canada!

Mostly F's: congratulations, you are the beautiful, mysterious Sierra Simone. No one really knows much about you (except that you write scorchingly hot scenes) and you like it that way. It's good to keep people guessing, and a dash of erotic Jane Eyre fanfic here and there is a good thing, you know?

Cover Reveal: FAST FORWARD by Marion Croslydon

COVER REVEAL, FIRST LOOK, and GIVEAWAY

A New Adult Contemporary Novel

By Amazon Bestselling Author Marion Croslydon

Second Chances, #2

Expected release is December 19^, 2013

Cover designed by Claudia at PhatPuppyArt

 

 From the Amazon bestselling author of No Reverse comes a moving story about love, redemption and what happens when life switches to fast forward.   Cassie learned the hard way: Love forgives… in the end. In No Reverse, Josh and Cassie’s epic love story went from the brink of destruction to a fragile new beginning. Now they must mend their broken family and win back the son they gave up five years ago. But second chances need to be earned and the road ahead is rocky. With Cassie on tour and Josh trying his hand at a political career, the struggle becomes clear. When the adoption takes a bad turn, Cassie and Josh are prepared to give up everything for the fight of their lives. Will this young family finally heal the years of heartache, or will they be torn apart for good? There is no cliffhanger.
 

Can’t wait to begin reading? The author has made available the first chapters for download here!

 
About the Author Marion loves to share happy vibes, talk book crush, fictional boyfriends and sexual chemistry with like-minded people. And because she spends most of her days on her own deep inside her writing cave, you are welcome to come and say “hello” from time to time. Just to make sure she doesn’t sink into insanity. Her friends, family and arch-enemies (there are quite a few) will be forever grateful for your help.

 Website | Facebook |Twitter   a Rafflecopter giveaway

HEAT UP THE FALL: New Adult Boxed Set

Sexy Scottish boys. Handsome instructors. Bad boy slackers. Baby, it's cold outside. Cuddle up with six hot boys in the HEAT UP THE FALL: New Adult Boxed Set, featuring six full-length novels from bestselling authors. On sale now for 99¢! 
Heat Up The Fall: New Adult Boxed Set (6 Book Bundle)
 And Enter to win a $50 giftcard to Amazon or Barnes & Noble below!


CATCHING LIAM by Gennifer Albin—Jillian has one rule when it comes to boys: catch and release. Until she meets Liam McAvoy, the kind of guy that sticks around to make waffles and who can't—or perhaps won't—take a hint. Before long, neither is sure who is catching who—or if they're playing for keeps. 

ADDICTED TO YOU by Colina Brennan—Even though Leah's been forced to attend therapy for sex addicts, her real problem is that she can't do relationships--sooner or later, everyone lets you down. But with Will McLean trying to break through her walls, love might be one addiction she can't kick. 

ONLY BETWEEN US by Mila Ferrera—Determined to reclaim her passion for art and life after escaping an abusive relationship, Romy signs up for a painting class, where the possibility of passion becomes very real in the form of her hot but mysterious teacher, Caleb. But to be together, both of them must confront the ghosts of their past. 

REDESIGNED by Denise Grover Swank—Sparks fly when fashion design student Caroline Hunter meets mathematics grad student, Reed Pendergraft. Reed doesn’t fit her future husband profile, but Caroline finds out her life is about to be redesigned. 

BY REFERRAL ONLY by Lyla Payne—Ruby's dating experiences at Whitman have taught her that she's better off sticking with steady flings as opposed to looking love, but persistent Scotsman Cole Stuart is out to change her mind. But between the girls of Whitman warning her to stay away and the secrets hidden under his kilt, these two will have to find a way to believe in the future--and each other--to make it work. 

SUBJECT TO CHANGE by Alessandra Thomas—Joey's always lived her life according to plan - study hard, get great grades, become a doctor and beat the cancer that killed her dad. But when she starts to fall behind in classes and meets Hawk, she begins to see that following her carefully measured plans may be ruining her ability to truly live. 

SIX hilarious, heart-breaking, and sizzling hot New Adult novels sure to heat you up! 

Praise for CATCHING LIAM: 
"One of the swoon-worthiest male leads to date, Liam is to drool for." - #1 NYT Bestseller Jennifer L. Armentrout 

Praise for ADDICTED TO YOU: 
"An absolutely satisfying read! I couldn't get enough of the smoldering chemistry and delicate trust between Will and Leah. Absolutely addicting!" - Chelsea Fine, author of The Archers of Avalon series 

Praise for ONLY BETWEEN US: 
"Passion and painting collide in this equally fun and devastating novel. Romy and Caleb's chemistry sizzles from page one." ~ RT Book Reviews 

Praise for REDESIGNED: 
"Denise didn't merely write the next book in the series, she pushed forward and took risks, redesigned her approach to the story she was telling. Bravo, and I can't wait for more." Jasinda Wilder, author of Falling Into You, New York Times and USA Today bestseller 

Praise for SUBJECT TO CHANGE: 
"Filled with real, raw emotion - held me captive from the very first page. I fell completely in love with Joey and Hawk." Emma Hart, NYT bestselling author of The Love Game 

Don't miss out on this limited time special offer. All six books for 99¢!
Heat Up The Fall: New Adult Boxed Set (6 Book Bundle)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

NAked with Delancey Stewart

Today we get NAked with the delightful Delancey Stewart, author of the Wine Country Series and the upcoming Men and Martinis series.

She recently released the second book in the Wine Country series, called Redemption Red. If you like a military man and a big pinot (haha), get this book!

So! On with NAkedness!

1. Who are you and what should we know about you in 50 words or less?

I'm a mom of little boys and a military spouse (though I prefer the word "bride.") I can dance, but can't sing, and my life's mission is to find and laugh at spelling errors on menus. And eat ice cream. And drink wine. All of those. Also, I'm a tad indecisive. 

OK. It's 51 words. Add verbose to the description of me. Or rule-breaker. Yeah, I'm a rule-breaker. See? I'm still breaking the rule. How many words is that?

2. Which one: chocolate or bacon?

Why must I choose? Okay, fine. Chocolate.

3. What is the name of your book and what is it about in 50 words or less?

Redemption Red. Tyson Dawes grew up in Oregon's vineyards -- a perfect family life. But he's lost when he returns home from Afghanistan, and in his darkest days he meets Audrey Montgomery, a culinary student. The book is about love, hope, food and Pinot Noir.

4. Tell us your main character's name and 3 adjectives that describe him/her. 

Audrey Montgomery: determined, loyal, resilient

Tyson Dawes: handsome, talented, focused

5. Who is your current book boyfriend?

Zak from How to Date a Nerd by Cassie Mae!

Find Delancey Stewart...

https://delanceystewart.wordpress.com/

https://www.facebook.com/delancey.stewart

https://twitter.com/DelanceyStewart

Ninety Eight by Shannon Mayer

Celebrating the release of her newest contemporary romance, Ninety Eight, Shannon Mayer is hosting a fun week long event, ‘Crawl Between the Sheets’! 

Release: October 17, 2013

Publisher: HiJinks Ink Publishing Ltd.

New Adult/Adult Contemporary Romance

Goodreads | Amazon

For a limited time, Ninety Eight will be priced at JUST $0.99!

Shannon’s other contemporary romance, High Risk Love, has also been reduced to $0.99 during the release event for Ninety Eight!

Goodreads | Amazon

Speed Limits, Lottery Tickets, Elevator Buttons Numbers are everywhere—they play such a vital role in our everyday lives. But what would happen if we measured love with equations just as we do our morning cup of coffee? My nana had many recipes in her cupboards, but it was her calculations for love that she insisted I live my life by; and I’ve followed her rules all these years.   One Animal, One Moment, One Critical Impact. That’s all it took for the numbers to start flying in a jumbled mess through my brain as I stared into the violet eyes that would forever make me question my choices. In a split second, the possibilities and reality of true love are revealed and I’m questioning all I’ve ever known.   A Tree, White Fences, Stolen Moments. I can’t ignore the storm brewing around—and within—me. Everything I am is confronted by these new numbers, and all they represent. My past, present and future will all be determined by the gambles I make right here, right now. Again, it’s all about the numbers. And what I’m learning is, one plus one doesn’t always equal two and sometimes three times isn’t always the charm.

_____

Visit the author's website for prize and event information.

About the Author

Shannon Mayer lives in the southwestern tip of Canada with her husband, dog, cats, horse, and cows. When not writing she spends her time staring at immense amounts of rain, herding old people (similar to herding cats) and attempting to stay out of trouble. Especially that last is difficult for her. She is the author of the The Rylee Adamson Novels, The Nevermore Trilogy, A Celtic Legacy series and several contemporary romances. Please visit her website at http://www.shannonmayer.com for more information on her novels.

  Website | Facebook | Twitter

Little of This, Little of That, or: What's This Post Gonna Be About, Anyway?

The first thing I wanted to blog about was inspired by a post a couple weeks ago- what was my personal NA time like? I thought and thought. I went to beauty school straight out of high school. A year later, licensed to color, I was working in a dying little salon in the burbs. I moved in with a girl I barely knew, lived on spaghetti and Miller Lite, and was too broke to do much besides watch Degrassi on her cable and hang out with my hot mess of a boyfriend.

I moved back in with my mom at the end of the year. Not much worth blogging about there.

Then I was going to write about writing. I write slow, slow, slow. I have 3 WIP's at current, and naturally that's right when I got a Shiny New Idea. Just before NaNo, was it meant to be? But that's kind of boring too.

Tonight as I'm writing this, I've just spent the past 2 days immersed, really IMMERSED in a trio of books. They're all different, but all creepy psychological thrillers. The Night Strangers, by Chris Bojahlion (sp?), The Never List by Koethie Jan (sp?), and Night Film by Marisha Pessl (spelled right). Does this happen to you guys to, where everything you pick up coincidently has a theme? 

Besides the creepy creepy thing, all of these books also have in common that can't-stop-won't-stop feeling to them. Every single page forces me on to the next. 

I'm not going to suddenly add ghosts, or murders, or mysteries or serial killers to my books. But I am going back through everything I've been writing and asking, "Will this drive the story forward so forcefully that you couldn't hit the brakes even if you wanted?"

It's a difficult thing to do, plot-wise, if you're writing romance/erotica. After all, your readers WANT the ending to be predictable. But when I look at why I can't stop reading, while I'm cooking, working, canceling plans to get another chapter in, it isn't necessarily the plot that's the cause.

It's the characters. They are so damaged, so raw, and so driven that they pull me along for their ride unbidden. It's inspiring, and fun. What can I do to my characters to make you care that deeply? I'm coming up with a million ideas. 

Back to the writing (and reading) cave!

Xoxo,

Lucy 

Cover Reveal: Entwine by Rebecca Berto

COVER REVEAL

 

A New Adult Contemporary Romance

 

by Rebecca Berto

 

Cover by: Berto Designs

 

Releasing in late November 2013

 

Sarah Langham’s life was the epitome of normal until her dad slept with another woman when she was sixteen. It ripped her family apart. Twenty-two-year-old Sarah has it together, though. Waiting at the train station to go home from her first day of her first proper job out of university, she spots a man. He is an enigma to her. She’s drawn to him, with his square jaw; buzz of hair; and his tall, solid frame, seen under the contours of his business suit. And he’s been looking at her, too. Fate pulls them together that night on a whirlwind date, exceeding anything Sarah’s experienced before. He’s even more into her than she’s into him. Finally, she wants to trust a guy for the first time since she was sixteen. But then they discover something. Something that meant they were never two strangers at a train station. And it threatens to tear their future apart before it, really, ever begins.


                                                                     

About the Author Rebecca Berto writes stories about love and relationships. She gets a thrill when her readers are emotional reading her books, and gets even more of a kick when they tell her so. She's strangely imaginative, spends too much time on her computer, and is certifiably crazy when she works on her fiction. Rebecca Berto lives in Melbourne, Australia with her boyfriend and their doggy.  

Website/blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest  

The Sexy Side of Non-Contemporary New Adult & Giveaway

Last week, Tamara talked about New Adult and how there's more to it than contemporary stories. Missed it? Catch up here.

Here's the thing, I'm mostly a contemporary reader. I'm one of those people who was perfectly happy to read the New Adult books that take place in a modern college in a modern city. Add some sexy times and I'm golden.

But then I read a book called Speak Easy by Melanie Harlow. It's a historical new adult novel. That means it has new adult age characters, but it takes place during Prohibition. SO GOOD. And guess what? Turns out 1920's gangsters are HOT. Seriously hot.

Here's the other thing. When I love a book, I want everyone to love it. I want everyone to read it and hear The Great Gatsby soundtrack playing in your mind like I do and fall asleep dreaming of thugs that look like this.

Book 2 in the Speak Easy Duet

Yumm, right?

So here's the deal. I'm hosting a giveaway for all of you. A giveaway for you to discover Speak Easy. Not just Speak Easy, but three other books in this Fall for New Adult 4 pack Bundle. Doesn't it look awesome?

You can buy it for yourself at the amazing price of $3.99.   It's a steal really. Speak Easy is worth $3.99 all by itself.

And in an effort to spread the word about this book I love so much and the awesome bundle it's now part of, here's the giveaway. Enter and spread the love.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

release event: The Story of You and Me by Pamela DuMond + Giveaway!

She's driven to save a life.

He's haunted by breaking one.

Some secrets are too risky to share.

But nothing's more dangerous than falling in love...

Nineteen-year-old Sophie doesn’t listen to the naysayers because she has hope. The kind of hope that makes you do weird things—like travel two thousand miles away from everyone she knows and loves to a strange city.

So what if her first night in Los Angeles starts with a small misstep—a brief trip to the ER after twenty-one-year-old Alejandro, the hottest guy she’s ever met, saves her during a bar fight on the USCLA campus.

The stakes are high for Sophie—life and death—as she seeks answers to dark questions in a city that can be a slice of heaven, or a piece of hell. She’s running out of time on her journey to find healing. Falling for a guy isn’t part of her plan. But healing doesn’t always come the way you think you need it.

Sophie’s healing is six-foot-two-inches tall, has stunning hazel eyes, black, shiny hair and a rock solid chest that shelters her. Her healing is Alejandro.

But he’s not your typical college party boy—he has a dangerous past. Sophie isn’t the only one who keeps secrets. As they fall in love, he fears his truth might hurt her. And Sophie doesn’t know if she has the courage to tell him:

He can’t break her—because she’s already broken.

A Story of Hope.  A Story of Love.  A Story of Redemption.

Release date: September 17, 2013

Genre: Coming-of-Age, Contemporary Romance

Age Group:  New Adult, Mature Young Adult

Event organized by: AToMR Tours; http://atomrbookblogtours.com

Links to the book:

Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18519734-the-story-of-you-and-me

Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F9UOO2Q

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/the-story-of-you-and-me

About the Author

Pamela DuMond is the writer who discovered Erin Brockovich's life story, thought it would make a great movie and pitched it to 'Hollywood'.

She's addicted to The X Factor. The movies Love Actually and The Bourne trilogy (with Matt Damon -- not that other actor guy,) make her cry every time she watches them. (Like -- a thousand.) She likes her cabernet hearty, her chocolate dark and she lives for a good giggle.

When she's not writing Pamela's also a chiropractor and cat wrangler. She loves reading, the beach, yoga, movies, animals, her family and friends. She lives in Venice, California with her furballs. If she ever gets her act together, she might even blog more often.

She's constantly updating her website, which you can find at http://www.pameladumond.com

Author social media links:

http://www.pameladumond.com

https://www.facebook.com/pamela.dumond

https://twitter.com/Pamela_DuMond

http://www.pinterest.com/pameladumond/boards/

GIVEAWAY: ADD RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY HERE. 

Upcoming Release: The Long Game, by J.L. Fynn

Book Name: The Long Game

Book Genre: NA Contemporary

Book release date: October 7, 2013

Smooth talking. Ambitious. Loyal. Twenty-year-old Shay Reilly has proven himself to his Irish-American Gypsy clan on small-scale cons, but now the clan leader has a bigger mission for him: playing the long game.

To rake in the big score he’s after, he needs to con co-ed Spencer into falling in love with him. He knows he should see Spencer as a mere means to an end, but that’s easier said than done when there’s a witty, attractive girl in your arms.

Now the only thing that can keep them apart is the thing that brought them together: Shay’s plans of revenge against someone who wronged his clan and family years before—Spencer’s father.

 

The Long Game on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7173188.J_L_Fynn

 

Excerpt:

“That girl was sex on two legs,” Jimmy Boy said.

“That girl was a buffer. Country people don’t bring anything but trouble. Besides, you’re the one who always says to never let a pretty face get in the way of a good con.”

He winked. “That don’t sound like me at all.”

# #

The Long Game on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Long-Game-American-Gypsy-Volume/dp/1491006897/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380645556&sr=8-1&keywords=the+long+game

The Long Game on Barnes and Noble: To come.

J.L. Fynn is the public face of the writing collaboration between Katherine Ernst and Chelle Bruhn. Katherine and Chelle have been writing together since they were 14-years-old and are happy to be able to team up professionally after all these years. They both live outside of Philadelphia, PA and look forward to years of fruitful work together.

J.L. Fynn on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7173188.J_L_Fynn

J.L. Fynn on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JLFynnauthor

J.L. Fynn on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jlfynnauthor

J.L. Fynn on the web: http://www.jlfynn.com/

Official J.L. Fynn tour page Pen & Muse Press: http://penandmusepress.com/long-game-j-l-fynn/

 

cover reveal: The Best Laid Plans by Tamara Mataya

Jayne Griffin isn’t looking for Mr. Right. She’s looking for Mr. RTFN and a toe-curling good time. She’s got the brains, the powerful job as a futures broker, and thanks to a makeover and a thin book of dating advice, the confidence to turn any man’s head.
               
                Malcolm Black notices his high school crush, Jayne, from the stage of her company’s work party. His adolescent feelings for her died beneath months of abuse at the hands of bullies. Abuse that was Jayne’s fault. Though this scorching hot studio musician is unrecognizable as the band geek he used to be, the hurt still lives inside him, and he hatches a plan: Seduce Jayne into falling in love with him, and then shatter her heart.
               
                The white-hot chemistry between them is a pleasant surprise. It all goes so smoothly until feelings start to develop... and that invitation to their ten year high school reunion lands in their inboxes.

                Jayne wants the perfect lover. Malcolm wants revenge. But you know what they say about The Best Laid Plans...

Coming November 12^th 2013 from Swoon Romance

BIO:

Tamara Mataya is currently a librarian; she lurked there for so long recommending books to patrons and shushing people, that she suspects they only hired her so it would be less creepy. Now she’s armed with a name tag, and a thin veneer of credibility. She’s also a musician with synaesthesia – which isn't an issue until someone plays a wrong note, which makes her want to squirm inside out. It makes for a good live show.

The Best Laid Plans on Goodreads:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18519674-the-best-laid-plans

BLOG:

http://feakysnucker.blogspot.ca/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/TamaraMataya 

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/tamara.mataya