Ever wander into the dark corner of the library and think that The Sexy could happen there with a very good looking man? Preferably a hot Brit. Or perhaps you've ogled that good looking librarian perched at the circulation desk just waiting to check you out. Er, check out your books for you. Amelia Fayer's LUST IN THE LIBRARY will show you that libraries are sexy.
WELCOME TO THE BLOG AMELIA!!!
Meet Amelia:
Amelia Fayer lives in New England with her husband within close range of an inspirational library. When she is not writing, she likes to read, hike, garden and knit (not necessarily in that order).
Thank you to the ladies at Romancing Rakes For the Love of Romance for having me here today.
Usually when people think of the library, they only think of a bunch of shelves with books on them all lined up. A lot of libraries, though, have all sorts of interesting nooks and crannies in which to indulge in a little ‘extracurricular reading.’
Amelia Fayer’s Top Five Places for “Lust in the Library”
5) The Copy Room – Plenty of stuff to lean against or prop yourself up on and you can take home a souvenir.
“I think we’d look better from this angle.”
4) The Reading Room – Usually this room is so quiet you can hear a pin drop. Perhaps it needs a little excitement.
“Shh, this is a library.”
3) Special Collections – All those old fusty folios need to be shaken up every now and then. The only reason this isn’t ranked higher is because all the double entendres might get tedious.
“I’d like to see your ‘Special Collection.’”
2) Circulation Desk – If he’s going to check you out, might as well follow the rules.
“I’m due back on the 17th.”
1) Up against a bookshelf, preferably one of love poetry – Having two of my most favorite things within reaching distance? Perfect. And after, you can make him read to you.
“Here, read some Barrett Browning please.”
Did I forget any place? Screw up the order? Let me know in the comments!
LUST IN THE LIBRARY:
Some like it hot, and some like it in the reference section.
Sara is having a love affair with books. But, since books can't make love to you, it means she's in the middle of a very long dry spell. Until a sexy Brit shows up. Suddenly she's learning just how stimulating a library can be up against a bookcase, behind the card catalog, on the circulation desk…
Meanwhile: Veronica is incredibly frustrated. While Sara and her new man are using the library as their personal adult playground, she's stuck with only her thesis and her sexual fantasies. But Andrew, her crush, isn't above using his assets to get Veronica right where he wants her: alone, in a darkened corner of the stacks. Who knew reading could be this pleasurable?
Remember, the more stops you comment at, the better chance you have at winning that giftcard.
A huge thanks to Amelia for stopping by the blog and providing the fun giveaway. Also, thanks to the ladies at Goddess Fish Promotions for forwarding correspondence between Amelia and us.
We love kickass heroines, seductively sexy heroes and explosive attraction between the two. Lori Toland's latest, SOUL SEDUCTION, has all three.
WELCOME TO THE BLOG LORI!!!!
Meet Lori: CEO by day, erotic romance writer by night, Lori Toland lives in Orlando where the summers are hot but the romance between her characters is even hotter. Writing since the tender age of 13, Lori somehow finds time to play video games and watch movies while taking care of her beloved cats and a husband who will forever be her hero.
CAUTION: This post contains an R rated excerpt. Proceed at your own risk...
Jamie & Kati: Who is Lori Toland? (author, cat lover, international woman of mystery)
Lori: I ask myself this question every day. LOL. I'm definitely the author, although that is sort of amazing to me. It's hard to believe I've been working in the pub business for 3 years now. I'm also a very active cat parent, along with my wonderful husband, and this season catnip mice are all the rage. I'm not so much the international woman of mystery. I think I'll leave the whole international thing up to my hubby. He's much better at the whole time zone change than I am.
J&K: Tell us a little bit about SOUL SEDUCTION. L: Demon slayer meets human and falls in forbidden love with him. Ashlee shouldn't be attracted to Luke, because he's human but she inexplicably is. Luke seems to be everywhere Ashlee is, which makes battling her lust for him even more difficult, but when he's in her dreams, it's the one place she can have him and her seduction may lead her to pay the ultimate price.
J&K: Tell us about your hero and heroine. L: Ashlee is a kick-ass demon slayer, wishing she could find another slayer to fall in love with and become mated to but demon slaying and working every shift she can at the hospital is hard on the love life. Candidates for the job of boyfriend never stick around for very long but Luke is different.
Luke is the hot neighbor who has been tasked with checking in on her, which he believes means involving himself in every part of her life. That includes following Ashlee on a demon slaying mission. He exasperates her to no end, but she can't deny the lust and attraction between them for long.
J&K: Do you have any writing rituals? (blasting music, drinking wine, complete silence...) L: I love to write in the morning because the house is quiet and I have a cup of coffee by my side. Oftentimes I am surrounded by my furbabies. They try to mummify me in my blanket. It's hard to move and get that second cup of coffee. Which I need now…
J&K: What can readers expect from you next? L: Well, definitely a second book from the Slayer's Mate series, with Ashlee and Luke again. There are so many big surprises in store there. My next slated release however is The Long Con, m/m suspense erotic romance. I just finished my first edits on that and I'm really excited I revisited Tony and Bradley. The chemistry between these characters is so white hot!
Thank you to Romancing Rakes For The Love of Romance for having me stop by! :)
SOUL SEDUCTION:
Ashlee Bennett has her priorities straight. Fighting demons is at the top of the list until she meets her sexy neighbor, Luke Byrne. Even though he is human, she can't stop dreaming about his buff body and sexy grin, until her dreams turn to nightmares.
Her world is turned upside down when Luke follows her one night but instead of being afraid, he is only more determined to stand beside her and fight. Ashlee knows she needs to keep her distance from Luke, not just to protect her virginity but her heart as well. But Luke may be the only one who can save her from the night, and her dreams.
He looked as good as he did every time I saw him, except now he wore a green polo shirt. His grin held little apology as he said, “Sorry.”
He wasn’t being insincere, just mischievous. It reminded me of grade school when Bobby used to pull my hair and then apologize when I cried. “It’s all right,” I said, spying what was inside his bag. “Went grocery shopping?”
“I picked up a few things,” he said amicably, but then a silence stretched out between us. I got my key out, wanting to say so much more but not knowing where to start. “I see you did too.”
Oh my God. I covered up the side of my bag, even though I knew he’d already seen the big yellow rooster with Cocks-A-Lot emblazoned on the side. I really had to have a word with Terry about his packaging. “Uh, yeah.” Way to go. You’re really wowing him with the witty commentary.
He shifted his bag to dig for his house key. “So what’s in the bag?”
“I don’t really know,” I said slowly as my cheeks heated. Luke raised his eyebrow. “My friend owns the shop, and he was just getting rid of some stuff.”
“That’s great,” he said. “Would you like to try those out with me?”
PLEASE NOTE: THE FOLLOWING EXCERPT IS R – RATED AND CONTAINS ADULT LANGUAGE AND SITUATIONS
“I can’t just leave,” I protested as the cool evening air hit me. “I came with a friend.”
He rounded on me, and I nearly ran into him. “You mean your boyfriend? Do you want to stay with him? Just say the word, Ash.”
The possessive tone in his voice ticked me off. “What the hell, Luke? I don’t even know you, and you’re acting like you fucking own me.” But even as I said the words, I wanted him to grab me, hold me, and take me however he wanted. My lust for him clouded my ability to say no.
“Ash,” he said gruffly, “all I think about is having you.” He moved forward as he spoke, and I stepped backward, keeping my distance until my back met a wall. I knew my control around him was shot to hell, and I couldn’t trust myself. He snaked his hand into my hair and roughly grabbed the strands. He angled my head so I couldn’t look away. If I were able to breathe, I would have hyperventilated.
“Don’t.” My plea sounded weak, and I doubted he even heard me.
“I can’t help myself,” he said and kissed me gently. It was the lightest of pressure on my lips, until he coaxed them apart. When my tongue met his, I was tentative at first, but Luke took charge and claimed my mouth.
I was strong enough to pull away, to tell him no and kick him in the nuts if he didn’t stop. But I didn’t want to. I let myself drown in his kisses. I was so wrapped up in what he was doing to me with his mouth, I barely noticed he had lifted me up and held me against the concrete wall.
He settled his hips between my legs and rocked them, pressing his cock against my clit. The only thing keeping him from fucking me was the thin barrier of our jeans. I spiraled higher, and my pussy clenched, desperate to have him inside me.
He pulled his lips away from mine, and my vision whited out. My clit pulsed faster and faster, and I accidentally banged the back of my head against the hard concrete wall as every muscle in my body tensed.
I shook from the intensity of my climax, my teeth grinding together. He leaned in and kissed me, claiming my mouth with his tongue again. Then he broke our kiss and whispered, “You are mine, Ash. Don’t doubt for a second that I will own you. All of you.”
I quivered, my lips parting, ready for more. I felt like we were frozen in time, and I would have spent forever there, memorizing his face.
Of course you want to know about the giveaway! Who doesn't? Lori has been kind enough to giveaway a $25 gift card to the winner's choice of book retailer (Amazon, All Romance or Loose Id). Here's how to get your hands on that:
Leave a meaningful comment for Lori (not just--'thanks for the giveaway') along with your email addy ninja style: yourname at gmail dot com.
Follow Lori's tour here and the more you comment, the better chance you have at winning that gift card.
Good luck!
A huge thanks to Lori for stopping by and hanging as well as giving away a fun gift card. Also, thank you to the ladies at Goddess Fish Promotions for forwarding correspondence between Lori and us.
Who can resist a title as HOW MISS RUTHERFORD GOT HER GROOVE BACK? The play on movie titles for romance book titles has become a favorite. Today we would like to welcome Sophie Barnes to the blog. She's here to share a little about herself, her debut release and how Hugh Jackman would play the hero from her book if Hollywood ever came a-knockin'.
HOWDY SOPHIE!!!
Meet Sophie:
Born in Denmark, Sophie has spent her youth traveling with her parents to wonderful places all around the world. She’s lived in five different countries, on three different continents, and speaks Danish, English, French, Spanish and Romanian.
She has studied design in Paris and New York and has a bachelor’s degree from Parson’s School of design, but most impressive of all – she’s been married to the same man three times, in three different countries and in three different dresses.
While living in Africa, Sophie turned to her lifelong passion – writing.
When she’s not busy, dreaming up her next romance novel, Sophie enjoys spending time with her family, swimming, cooking, gardening, watching romantic comedies and, of course, reading. She currently lives on the East Coast.
Kati and Jamie: Who is Sophie Barnes? (author, movie buff, multilingual, international woman of mystery...) Sophie:I’d love to tell you that I’m an international woman of mystery. However, I think of myself primarily as a wife and mother. Come May, my husband and I will have been married for 10 years – as unbelievable as that is for both of us.
I was born in Denmark, raised in Spain and lived all over the world, before finally getting married and settling down in the US. I like to think of myself as “Danish at heart” (even though I’ve scarcely lived there). I suppose speaking the language and going back to visit my family “in the old country” on a regular basis has left its mark. That said, I feel as though I belong everywhere in the world, whilst not really belonging anywhere at all…if that makes any sense.
Writing is still so new to me that telling people I’m a writer in response to the age old question, “What do you do?” still doesn’t roll off my tongue so easily. I love being creative (to use on old cliché), whether it’s writing, cooking, painting, sewing or decorating. But whatever it is, the ideas for my novels are forever present in my mind.
K&J:Tell us about your book [no copy and pasting blurb :)] S:Emily Rutherford is about to discover what it means to have her heart broken – not just slightly broken, but shattered into a thousand pieces and ground to dust, broken. She is also about to find out what it truly means to fall head spinning, heart hammering, weak in the knees in love.
The subject of Emily’s affections is Adrian Fairchild, the man that she intends to marry. He is wonderfully charming, strikingly good looking and he’s been Emily’s close friend since childhood.
To top it all off, they have an agreement.
Unfortunately, Adrian has no recollection of this agreement, whatsoever. So, when he tells Emily of his intention to marry her best friend Kate, Emily’s world falls apart before her very eyes. With her heart torn to shreds and feeling more betrayed than she’d ever thought possible, Emily suddenly finds herself whisked off to London together with her sisters by a man she can’t stand -Adrian’s cousin, Francis Riley, the Earl of Dunhurst.
In spite of his troubled past and years of pent up rage, something in his darkened soul shifts at the sight of Emily’s suffering. Without fully understanding why, Francis suddenly has an almost desperate desire to see Emily smile again, especially if there’s a chance that her smile will be directed at him.
K&J: Tell us about your hero and heroine. S:Francis Riley, the Earl of Dunhurst is a troubled soul. For years he’s been keeping the truth about his heritage to himself – a truth that’s concealed in a letter and that, if revealed, will bring a monstrous scandal crashing down over his head. In addition, he’s being blackmailed by a woman so callous, she’ll put any villain to shame. But, beneath his cool façade, Francis is a man of honor and integrity, a man who longs to love and to be loved in return, even if he has yet to acknowledge this fact to himself.
Emily Rutherford has always found a means by which to overcome life’s hardships thanks to her positive outlook and sunny disposition, but when Adrian Fairchild breaks her heart, she’s confident she’ll never recover. As she starts getting back on her feet with the help of her sisters and Francis, a woman willing to speak her mind, one who often finds herself in a fit of laughter at the most inappropriate moments and who most definitely wasn’t born yesterday is gradually unveiled.
K&J: If you could cast your book, who would you put in the starring roles? S:Hugh Jackman’s a definite possibility together with Keira Knightly.
K&J: What do you have next in store for readers? S: I’m working on a three-book series about Alexandra, Ryan and William Summersby. The first book in the series, presently titled A Change of Heart, stars Alexandra Summersby, a veritable hoyden and skilled swordfighter. When her brother William, sent to Paris to spy on Napoleon, is accused of treason, Alexandra disguises herself as a young man in order to accompany Michael Ashford, the Earl of Trenton, on his mission to uncover the truth. Unaware that the young man tagging along is in fact a headstrong woman who not only doesn’t trust him but insists on fighting him at every turn, Michael has no idea of the trouble lying ahead. It’s packed with action, adventure and passion. Due for release by Avon Impulse in early summer 2012, you can keep an eye out for it by visiting my website, or by following me on Facebook and Twitter.
Either/Or: Alpha or Beta? Two 3rds Alpha and one 3rd beta. Virgin Widow or Secret baby? Virgin Widow. Swashbuckling pirate or naval captain? Naval captain – less likely to end up at the gallows and more likely to be a gentleman. Belle of the ball or Wallflower? Wallflower turned belle of the ball. Debutante or Spinster? Debutante. Friends to Lovers or Strangers to Lovers? Strangers to lovers unless they’ve had a turbulent friendship. Titled peer or Working man? Titled peer. Love at first sight or Second chances? Second chances. Writing or reading? I’m a bit conflicted here. If I’m writing I can’t read, because if I do I won’t write. Truth be told, I love both. Plotter or pantser? Pantser – Ideas just come to me from out of nowhere. When I sit down to write a scene I’m not sure how I’ll manage it – it just happens. e-Books or Bound books? Wouldn’t want to live without bound books on the shelf, but since getting my kindle, most of the books I buy are e-books. Past, present or future? Past – More elegance, more lavishness and better manners. Authors choice. Thank you so much for visiting me today at Romancing Rakes. I’ll be popping in throughout the day to chat with you and to answer any questions you might have. For a chance to enter the $25 Amazon gift card giveaway, just answer the following question: who’s your all-time favorite romance couple?
K&J: Thank you so much Sophie for hanging out at Romancing Rakes For The Love of Romance! S:Thank you so much for having me =)
If you’d like to find out more about me, How Miss Rutherford Got Her Groove Back, or my upcoming releases, please visit my website: www.sophiebarnes.com
HOW MISS RUTHERFORD GOT HER GROOVE BACK
Emily Rutherford is having a very bad day. Of course, having the man you’ve loved forever, announce his engagement to your now very former) best friend will do that.
Emily is sure nothing good could possibly come out of this horrid situation. But she lets her sisters and Adrian’s cousin, Francis Riley, the delectable but brooding Earl of Dunhurst, convince her a season in London will be just the thing.
Now Emily has a choice: sulk in a corner while her sisters enjoy the glitter of the ton. Or become the belle of the ball, dazzling everyone on an earl’s arm. But as Francis helps Emily get back on her feet, she quickly realizes that a childhood crush is nothing compared to the power of true love.
You heard the lady. Sophie is giving away a $25 Amazon gift card to one(1) lucky reader during her blog tour. Here's how to get your hands on that gift card so you can fill up your shelves or Kindle:
Leave a comment answering Sophie's question: Who's your all-time favorite romance couple?
Leave your email addy along with your comment, ninja style: yourname at gmail dot com
Follow Sophie's tour here. The more blogs you comment at, the greater chance you have at winning.
A huge thank you to Sophie for stopping by and sharing her recent release. Also thanks to Marianne at Goddess Fish Promotions for forwarding correspondence between Sophie and us.
To tell you the truth, I've never read a Love, Inspirational book but there's always room for expanding out of my go-to genres. Terri Reed is here today talking about her latest release, The Secret Heiress. Let's give her a warm welcome:
HOWDY TERRI!!
Meet Terri:
At an early age Terri Reed discovered the wonderful world of fiction and declared she would one day write a book. Now she is fulfilling that dream and enjoys writing for Steeple Hill. She is an active member of both Romance Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers. She resides in the Pacific Northwest with her college-sweetheart husband, two wonderful children and an array of critters. When not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, gardening and playing with her dogs.
Thank you for having me here to day. Great questions!
Kati: Who is Terri Reed? Author, mother, avid gardener... Terri: Author, yes. I sold to Love Inspired Romance in 2003. Since then I have written 25 books. Mother, another big yes. I have two kids that I love beyond measure. Now that they are teenagers they keep be on my toes. My oldest is looking at colleges. I have to say I’m not anticipating her going away. Avid gardener—not as much as I used to be or as much I’d like. I used to have a rose garden and flower bed that I tended to consistently, but as my deadlines have increased and my kids have grown older, I don’t find myself out in the garden like I used to. When the kids were little, I’d putter in the flowers while the kid’s road their bikes or did sidewalk chart art. Those days are sadly gone.
K: Tell us about your book (no copy and pasting the blurb) T: I wanted to do something a little different than I’d done before so I set this book in the deep south on an old plantation. I tried to give the setting a gothic feel, which I think the art department captured in the cover. I had introduced Caroline Tully and Donovan Cavanaugh in my November 2009 release Chasing Shadows. Caroline had been adopted as a baby. And like most adopted children wondered about her birth parents. When a man claiming to be her birth mother’s father asks her to visit his estate, she’s compelled to go. Only with an inheritance at stake, someone doesn’t want her to live long enough to uncover the secrets from the past. She hires a bodyguard to accompany her, a man who’d once piqued her interest but showed no interest in return. Concerned for her safety, Don agrees to accompany Caroline, and posing as her fiancé seems the best way to explain his presence. But as a killer draws closer, Don and Caroline find pretending to be engaged comes easily. Don now must not only protect Caroline from a dangerous threat that wants to keep her from knowing about her birth parents, but also from breaking her heart.
K: How did you break into writing and why did you choose Love Inspired romance? T: Growing up, whenever asked what I wanted to be I’d say an author. I loved all my English writing assignments, especially the creative writing ones. I had many teachers encourage my writing all the way through college. But other interest sidetracked me from my childhood dream. I started pursuing a writing career in the early 90’s. My first attempt was a historical. I had a hundred pages written when I joined RWA and learned I didn’t know a thing about craft or POV or third person narrative. I hope someday to resurrect that story. When Harlequin opened Love Inspired I found where my voice belonged. It took ten years of submitting before I finally sold.
K: Do you have any writing rituals? (blasting music, sitting in silence, eating cookies...) T: I prefer to write to music. I listen to a wide variety of styles, mostly upbeat with fast rhythms. I drink a lot of tea when I’m working as well. And usually keep some small snack nearby—animal cookies, hot tamales or gorgonzola flavored crackers and sometimes pop tarts.
K: What can readers expect from you next? I have two more books coming out in 2012. T: 1)June 2012, The Deputy’s Duty, a Love Inspired Suspense. This book is set in a fictional New England fishing village and revolves around the lives of the Fitzgerald clan, the majority of which are in law enforcement. The first book in the continuity is out this month. A murder has shocked the close-knit community. And one of the Fitzgerald’s is the prime suspect. Through the course of the six books, the investigation into the murder progresses as each story features a different Fitzgerald and their love interest and the danger each faces. My book, The Deputy’s Duty, is the last of the six and wraps up the murder investigation but is also fraught with a new threat. Deputy Chief Ryan Fitzgerald must bring down a murderer, rescue a missing baby and choose between protecting his family or the love of free-lance journalist Meghan Henry. Meghan will stop at nothing to bring her cousin’s murderer to justice, but when she uncover a Fitzgerald scandal, she will have to choose between her career or love.
2)Fall 2012, The Doctor’s Defender, a Love Inspired Suspense. This is the third book in my own bodyguard mini-series, The Protection Specialist-Guarding the Innocent. Set in Chicago at the end of summer, Doctor Brenda Storm is being targeted for murder and she doesn’t know by whom or why. She has no choice, but to hire a bodyguard, former Navy SEAL Kyle Martin. As danger closes in, Kyle has to not only protect the pretty doctor but his heart as well.
In 2013 I have two book contracted by Love Inspired Suspense for release.1) The fourth book in the Protection Specialist series will be out early in the year. This book is as yet untitled.2) May will see the release of (working title) Cold Case Murder, book 5 of the Texas K-9 unit continuity series. This is a series about the special canine detectives and their handlers. My book will feature an adorable drug sniffing Beagle named Sherlock and his handsome handler Parker Adam.
K: Authors choice. T:What was the name of the heroine in Chasing Shadows where Caroline and Don first appeared? (hint: Find the answer here)
THE SECRET HEIRESS:
A Shocking Revelation Finding out she is heir to a fortune shocks Caroline Tully to her core. And to “qualify” for the inheritance, she just has to visit her newfound grandfather’s Mississippi home from Christmas to New Year’s. Adopted as a baby, Caroline knows nothing about her mother’s family...and doesn’t realize they can’t be trusted. When attempts are made on her life, there’s only one man who can protect her. Donovan Cavanaugh—a man who made her lonely heart want to love again. Posing as her fiancé, Don promises to find the would-be killer. But will his protection-and his love-be enough to keep her safe?
Protection Specialists: Guarding the innocent.
EXCERPT:
“Mr. Maddox will see you now.”
A flutter of nerves hit Caroline as they followed Horace up the stairs and down the hall to the other end of the second story. He opened a door and stepped aside.
The room was shrouded in shadows. The curtains closed and only a small table lamp in the corner glowed near a full-sized bed where a wizened old man lay. Thinning silver hair covered his head. He stared at her with bloodshot eyes and lifted a hand, beckoning them closer. “Isabella?”
Heart hammering in her chest, Caroline walked forward. She wasn't sure what to say to this obviously ill man. Her grandfather. Compassion filled her, as it would for anyone brought low by sickness. She took his hand in hers. His skin had darkened on his arm and felt clammy, and the bones were so fragile. “No, I'm Caroline. And this is...my fiancé, Don.”
The old man seemed to shrink a little. “I'm sorry,” Elijah Maddox said in a raspy voice. “I shouldn't have brought you here, child. It's not safe.”
Stunned, Caroline glanced at Don. Good thing she had him to protect her.
A thundercloud of anger darkened Don's expression. He stepped closer. “So you know someone has tried to kill her?”
Elijah's eyes widened. “No!” He closed his eyes for a moment, a spasm of pain crossed his bony features. When he opened his eyes, real fear shone bright in the amber depths. He looked toward the door then back to Caroline. “Someone's killing me!”
Okay my lovelies, Terri is giving away a $10 Visa gift card to one(1) lucky commenter during her blog tour. Here's how to increase your chances at that prize:
Leave a comment for Terri answering her question: What was the name of the heroine in Chasing Shadows where Caroline and Don first appeared?
Leave your email ninja style: yourname at gmail dot com
Remember: The more you comment, the greater the chance you have at that fabulous gift card!
A huge thank you to Terri for hanging out at Romancing Rakes and to Marianne at Goddess Fish Promotions for forwarding correspondence between Terri and I. A thank you to Terri for providing the giveaway prize.
You all know how much of a sucker I am when it comes to stunning covers and well, Roni Loren's debut novel is no different. Look at the cover. Good golly Miss Molly, that's one sexy, sexy cover. Today, Roni is hanging out with us here at Romancing Rakes sharing all that goes into a sex scene. What?! We're all adults here. I find it fascinating how authors go about writing these scenes wondering if they have some sort of ritual or outline or what have you to get them through it. Let's give Roni a warm welcome:
HOWDY RONI!!!!
Meet Roni:
Roni wrote her first romance novel at age fifteen when she discovered writing about boys was way easier than actually talking to them. Since then, her flirting skills haven’t improved, but she likes to think her storytelling ability has. Though she’ll forever be a New Orleans girl at heart, she now lives in Dallas with her husband and son. If she’s not working on her latest sexy story, you can find her reading, watching reality television, or indulging in her unhealthy addiction to rockstars, er, rock concerts. Yeah, that's it. Her debut novel, CRASH INTO YOU, will be published by Berkley Heat January 3, 2012.
First, I want to thank Kati for inviting me over here! I don’t write historical romance, but I definitely write (and love) rakes, so I’m excited to be here. : ) [We don't discriminate here at Romancing Rakes. We'll take our hotties any way we can and in any position.]
As an erotic romance author, I get asked about sex way more than is socially acceptable. Thankfully, people (mostly) aren’t asking about my sex life, but I do often get the question—how do you write a love scene without it coming across as corny (or porn-y)?
Love scenes can be quite a challenge. I’ve read some that I’ve found myself skimming through because it started sounding like blah blah blah slot A tab B mechanics with no emotion. And I’ve read others that used so much euphemistic language that at the end I’m left wondering—wait, did they actually do it? Or were they just watering flowers and talking about swords?
So when I sit down to write the love scenes for my own books, I try to make sure that I have a few key components present.
Tension This is the be-all-end-all for me. If adequate tension hasn’t been created between the couple and built up beforehand, the love scene won’t hold my interest. For instance, if a book opens up with the characters already in bed, why would I even care about them or what they’re doing? That’s not to say you can’t have a love scene in chapter one; I’ve seen it done well. But those authors built up tension quickly. I need to feel on the edge of my seat and be just dying for the two (or three—I do write erotic romance after all, lol) people to touch each other.
Emotion Without this, the love scene will turn porn-y. I need to know that these people are being affected on a deeper level than just the physical. It doesn’t have to always be about love—though they are working towards that if it’s a romance—but they need to be emotionally invested in the act.
Senses When I write a love scene, I try to imagine it as if it’s happening in slow motion. It’s not just about touch—all the senses are involved. So I try to press pause in my head and imagine what the hero or heroine would be experiencing in that snapshot in time—the scent of candles mixing with his aftershave, the sound of his breath, the taste of his skin. Those things help draw us into the book and forget that it’s just words on a page.
Dialogue This may be a personal preference, but I like when there’s talking in a love scene. Not full out conversations necessarily but some dialogue can help add to it. The dialogue in a love scene can set the whole tone—Are they playful and teasing? Are they intense and focused? Are they into dirty talk? I write BDSM so dialogue often plays a big role because the Dom is issuing orders. It adds a level of intensity that wouldn’t be there if they were quiet.
Change Every love scene should serve a purpose and move the story forward. The couple must be changed after each scene in some way—even if it’s minor. Maybe she now trusts him more. Or maybe it freaks one of them out because they feel themselves falling for the other and he/she backs away. Often the early love scenes make things worse for the couple. Sex always complicates things. And I think love scenes should be written such that IF you skipped them, you would miss important components of the story. If they weren’t necessary for the story, they shouldn’t be there. : )
So those are my big things I look for in a love scene. What are your favorite components? Have you ever found yourself skimming a love scene—why do you think it lost your interest? Which of your favorite authors are masters at writing great love scenes?
CRASH INTO YOU:
Brynn LeBreck has dedicated herself to helping women in crisis, but she never imagined how personal her work would get, or where it would take her. Her younger sister is missing, suspected to be hiding from cops and criminals alike at a highly secretive BDSM retreat—a place where the elite escape to play out their most extreme sexual fantasies. To find her Brynn must go undercover as a sexual submissive. Unfortunately, The Ranch is invitation only. And the one Master who can get her in is from the darkest corner of Brynn’s past.
Brynn knows what attorney Reid Jamison is like once stripped of his conservative suit and tie. Years ago she left herself vulnerable only to have him crush her heart. Now she needs him again. Back on top. And he’s all too willing to engage. But as their primal desires and old wounds are exposed, the sexual games escalate—and so does the danger. Their hearts aren’t the only things at risk. Someone else is watching, playing by his own rules. And his game could be murder.
*CRASH INTO YOU is told in chapters alternating between the present and ten years earlier. This is from a “past” chapter.*
“That’s one of the things I like about you. You don’t seem to give a damn about who my family is, so I can just relax around you.”
She laughed. “Yeah, once I found out you couldn’t fire me, you lost all shot of me kissing your ass.”
He slipped a hand onto her hip and pulled her closer, their bodies almost touching. “So what’s your stance on kissing other things?”
Every muscle in her body strained to move forward, to close the sliver of distance between them, but she held still. “Probably not a good idea since we work together.”
He smiled and shook his head. “See, you’re always such a half-empty kind of girl. Working together means we’ll get paid to hang out with each other.”
“And everybody in the office will think I’m hanging out with you for the wrong reasons.”
He shrugged. “That’s why we don’t tell. It’s none of their business anyway.”
She chewed her lip. “I like you, Reid, but I don’t know . . . it’s just complicated. I’ve got a lot—”
He put a finger over her mouth, hushing her. “Stop overthinking things, Brynn. It doesn’t have to be so complex. I know you don’t bullshit, so I’m not going to either. Since the first day I met you, I haven’t stopped thinking about what it would be like to touch you.” He cupped her chin and ran his thumb over her lips. “To taste you. I leave the office every day fighting a hard-on because just hearing your voice sets me off.”
She swallowed hard, the blunt words and his finger on her lips throwing gasoline on the flickering flame of longing she’d been fighting since they’d left the office.
“So in about three seconds, I’m going to kiss you. If you don’t want that, you tell me to stop, and I’ll never try again.” He curled his hand around the back of her neck, his gaze tattooing her. “One . . . two . . .”
Okay all you fabulous people, Roni is giving away a set of her CRASH INTO YOU romance trading cards at each and every stop of her blog tourAND one(1) lucky commenter during the blog tour will get a $25 Amazon GC.
Here's how to get your hands on the set of CRASH INTO YOU romance trading cards:
Leave a comment for Roni answering her question along with your email addy, ninja style: yourname at gmail dot com.
Here's how to get your hands on that fantabulous $25 Amazon GC:
Leave a comment for Roni at each and every stop of her blog tour. The more you comment (1 entry per blog, multiple comments on one blog doesn't give you an advantage) during the tour, the greater chance you have at the GC.
Now I'm going to sweeten the giveaway pot... There's also a giveaway for blog tour hosts (like yours truly). For the blog tour host who has the most comments, Roni is giving away a set of CRASH INTO YOU romance trading cards AND a basket of romance novels. If you help me win, I'll send two(2) lucky commenters a copy of Roni's debut release CRASH INTO YOU. So spread the love and you'll get a free book. [That's right, I'm bribing for comments. But hey, we both win. Riiight?]
A huge thank you to Roni for hanging out at Romancing Rakes and sharing some sexiness as well as goodies. Also, thank you to Marianne at Goddess Fish Promotions for forwarding correspondence between Roni and I.
**A note regarding book giveaway:** I will be giving away 2 copies of Roni's book IF I win that goodie bag for tour hosts so help a girl out. Please? I might even be nice enough and just give the 2 books away because I love you all.
Fill out the rafflecopter form below to be entered into the book giveaway. It helps me keep track of how many comments I have at this stop.
Giveaway of CRASH INTO YOU book is not sponsored by Goddess Fish Promotions or Roni Loren but by Romancing Rakes. Void where prohibited. Dance like no one is watching. Line dry only. NSFW-ish.
I requested Lecia Cornwall's The Price of Temptation off Netgalley since it sounded like a fantastic read and boy howdy! it sure as heck was. I jumped at the chance to host this wonderful author on the blog today and she's sharing a little bit about her novella, All the Pleasures of the Season in which her heroine makes the biggest mistake of her life. And to top it off, it's Christmas. No one wants to spend Christmas worrying about if they've chosen the right person to spend forever with when there's celebrations all around. Let's give Lecia a warm welcome:
HOWDY LECIA!!!
Meet Lecia:
I was born in the wrong century.
Don't get me wrong, I'm devoted to the conveniences of this world, especially modern plumbing and good chocolate, but I long for the elegance, grace and adventures of the past.
I've always wanted to be a writer, and a historical writer at that. In fourth grade, I wrote a story about a Welsh mining pony that takes revenge for the horrible conditions in the pits. In sixth grade, my mother got a letter from the teacher after I wrote a story about a grandmotherly shop owner in occupied Europe who lured enemy soldiers into her shop and made sausages out of them. I was probably the only kid in my class who fell in love with the Masterpiece Theatre series The Six Wives of Henry VIII.
As an adult, I became a direct marketing copywriter. When my children were born, I stayed home with them (the best decision I ever made), worked as a freelance writer, and dreamed of writing fiction.
My big chance came when we moved from Ottawa to Calgary, Alberta. Unemployed, I decided to start downloading the daydreams whirling around in my head. After six years of learning and honing my craft, submitting to dozens of contests and editors and agents, I found a wonderful agent (Kevan Lyon) and sold my first book. I discovered the harder you work, the quicker luck comes calling.
When I'm not writing with a cat by my side, I'm volunteering at my daughter's high school, or corresponding with my son at university. In the afternoon, I can usually be found walking my dog and pondering my latest plot by the beautiful Bow River.
I was born in Toronto, raised my family in Ottawa, and now live in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies with four cats, two teenagers, a crazy chocolate lab and one very patient husband.
Kati: Who is Lecia Cornwall? Lecia: I’m the mother of two wonderful kids, a son 20 in university, and a daughter 17 in high school. I have four cats, and one chocolate lab. Given the season, I’m tempted to add a partridge in a pear tree, but while we have woodpeckers, blue jays, magpies, and finches on the feeder in our pear tree, alas, we have no partridges. When I’m not writing, I volunteer at my daughter’s high school with the band department. Oh, yes, and I’m married to a man who is eternally patient with all the mayhem listed above. We live in Calgary, Canada, in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies.
K: Tell us about your novella
click for an excerpt
L:All The Pleasures of the Season was written last summer, during the simmering heat of July. This is the first Christmas story, or novella for that matter, that I’ve ever written. I decided it was a perfect opportunity to give two characters from Secrets of A Proper Countess (April 2011) their own love story. Miranda Archer is Phineas’s youngest sister. She arrives in Town to make her debut, certain it will be a simple matter choosing the lord who suits her best from a pre- set list she’s drawn up. But she meets Gilbert Fielding, a penniless, title-less second son who is destined for the army, and realizes that love matters more than pedigree, acreage, or annual income.
Gilbert doesn’t dare to propose. Second sons of minor barons do not woo the granddaughters of dukes. Her grandfather would refuse his suit outright, and his own father would be horrified by his audacity. When Miranda announces her betrothal to the handsome Earl of Kelton, considered by many to be her perfect match, Gilbert decides to leave England at once and take up his army commission in Spain. But on the way out of Town, he discovers Lord Kelton has dark secrets that could destroy Miranda, and he must make a choice: stop the wedding or walk away.
Other characters from Secrets are here to add mayhem to the dilemma. Miranda’s sister Marianne thinks Kelton can do no wrong. her brother Phineas hates him because he knows Kelton is wrong for Miranda, but dares not interfere. Miranda’s grandfather simply wants to see his youngest grandchild married, without the scandals her siblings have caused him, so he can retire to a comfortable dotage at Carrington Castle.
click for an excerpt
But Christmas is the time for surprises, miracles and love…and what better place to spend Christmastide than in the snow-covered English countryside of England’s beautiful Lake District, in a fairy tale castle? But will the wedding of the season take place after all?
K: Tell us about the hero and heroine. L: Miranda is unlike her outspoken sister. She truly wants to please her family and do her duty by marrying well, but she’s in love with a completely inappropriate man, a man who doesn’t dare propose.
Gilbert is a quiet, honorable man. Even though he’s head over heels in love with Miranda, he knows he can never hope to win her. It’s easier to leave England forever than see her marry someone else, someone far more appropriate for her than he is. When he discovers Kelton’s secrets and realizes that Miranda faces a lifetime of unhappiness, he finds the courage to take the bold steps necessary to win Miranda, and become the kind of hero every woman can all fall in love with.
K: If Hollywood came knocking on your door wanting to make your novella into a movie, who would you cast as your main characters? L: I always find putting a face to my characters challenging. I found a very yummy picture of Henry Cavill, and he’s even in Regency costume. Perfect! (ah yes, Henry. He's the go-to man for quite a few authors)
And for the role of Miranda, I chose Rebecca Hall, a lovely classic English beauty.
K: What’s next for readers after All The Pleasures of The Season and The Price of Temptation? L: I’m working on two more books for Avon. The first, How To Deceive A Duke, will be out in late 2012. It’s the story of a lady who takes her sister’s place in an arranged marriage to save her family from ruin. Little does she know that her new husband’s nickname, Devil, doesn’t just describe his reputation in the bedroom. With secrets of his own, and a mystery to solve, The formidable Duke of Temberlay doesn’t appreciate deception, and when he discovers his new wife has tricked him, she has the devil to pay. Watch my website and Facebook page for excerpts, quotes, and details.
Either/Or: Alpha or Beta?Alpha, but with underlying Beta characteristics
Virgin Widow or Secret Baby?Secret Baby. Or secrets of any kind!
Wallflower of Belle of the Ball?Wallflower—so much more potential!
Spinster or Debutante? Spinster
Titled Peer or Working man? Titled peer
Swashbuckling Pirate or Naval Officer? Naval officer with a pirate’s heart (ooo...I like that)
Christmas or New Years? Christmas
Gingerbread or Fruitcake? Gingerbread! No, fruitcake! Actually, I’ve never met a holiday treat I didn’t like. When life gives you fruitcake, make fruitcake rum balls!
E-books or Bound books? Bound books, in stacks, shelf-fuls and libraries
Plotter or pantser? Plotter, but open to possibilities
Coffee or tea? Coffee (cream, no sugar)
Author's Choice. Thank you so much for coming to visit me at Romancing Rakes today. I’ll be here to answer your questions throughout the day, and I’d love to chat with you! And, because it just wouldn’t be Christmas without surprises and gifts, I’m giving away a copy of ALL THE PLEASURESOF THE SEASON (e-format only). My charming host at Romancing Rakes will choose a lucky winner, and I will send the winner their copy this evening. So tell me, for your chance to win, if you were casting your dream hero in your very own romance, who would he be?
ALL THE PLEASURES OF THE SEASON:
On the first day of Christmas:Lady Miranda Archer accepts a marriage proposal
On the first day of Christmas and 15 minutes:Miranda realizes she’s made a huge mistake.
For the next 12 days:Miranda must find a way out of her engagement, which is harder than it looks, especially when her fiancé is pompous, mean, and desperate for her family’s jewels… and convince her true love that all she wants for Christmas is him...
Well, you heard the lady! Lecia is giving away an e-book copy of her novella, All The Pleasures of the Season to one(1) lucky reader. Also, Lecia and HarperCollins are giving away a $25 Amazon.com gift card to one(1) lucky commenter from all of the stops at the blog tour.
Okay, here's how to get your hot little hands on the novella:
Leave a comment answering Lecia's question: If you were casting your dream hero in your very own romance, who would he be?
Leave your email address ninja style: yourname at gmail dot com
Fill out the rafflecopter form. You must answer Lecia's question to be entered for the novella giveaway. All other entries are optional.
Here's how to get your hot little hands on the $25 Amazon gift card:
Leave a comment for Lecia at any stop on her blog tour along with your email address:
Remember: The more you comment, the greater chance you have at winning that gift card. You also have multiple chances for winning the novella at each stop. So, away with you. Get to entering!
A huge thank you to Lecia for taking time to share her latest release here at Romancing Rakes and giving away an e-book copy of her novella. Thank you to Lecia and HarperCollins for providing the Amazon gift card. Also, thank you to Marianne at Goddess Fish Promotions for forwarding correspondence between Lecia and I.
Have you been invited to your high school reunion? Did you go? How did you plan for it? Author Jana Richards gives a few tips on how to survive your high school reunion. Today on the blog, let's give a big Texas "Howdy" to Jana Richards, author of THE GIRL MOST LIKELY.
HOWDY JANA!
Meet Jana:
Jana Richards has tried her hand at many writing projects over the years, from magazine articles and short stories to full-length paranormal suspense and romantic comedy. She loves to create characters with a sense of humor, but also a serious side. She believes there’s nothing more interesting then peeling back the layers of a character to see what makes them tick.
When not writing up a storm, working at her day job as an Office Administrator, or dealing with ever present mountains of laundry, Jana can be found on the local golf course pursuing her newest hobby.
Jana lives in Western Canada with her husband Warren, along with two university aged daughters and a highly spoiled Pug/Terrier cross named Lou.
When I first received the invitation to my 25th year High School Reunion, my first emotion was disbelief. How could it possibly be 25 years? Wasn’t it only yesterday I was a cheerleader? My second emotion was panic. I’d gained about twenty-five pounds over the last ten years, much of it in the three years since my ex-husband dumped me for a younger woman. Did I mention that Peter was my high school sweetheart and that he was planning to attend the reunion with his latest hot, young girlfriend? How was I supposed to compete with firm thighs and perky breasts?
If left to my own devices I would have chickened out and avoided the reunion entirely, but my best friend Nancy and my teenage daughters Beth and Jenna convinced me to go. And they were right. Just because I was no longer my exact high school weight didn’t mean I couldn’t attend. But going to this reunion was going to be difficult. You see, back in high school I was one of the popular girls, and sometimes I wasn’t always the nicest person. I was sure some of my former classmates would be pleased that I’d received my comeuppance in life. They’d be thrilled that my perfect figure had gone south along with my perfect marriage and perfect life. And really, I wouldn’t blame them. Back in high school I’d do anything to be part of the ‘in’ crowd, including dumping a good friend because the popular kids didn’t like her.
But I still had a little pride left. If I was going to go to this reunion I was going to go a few pounds lighter and a few inches smaller. That’s where Finn came in. He was my personal trainer during the six weeks leading up the reunion and he took me from couch potato to jogging fiend. In the end I didn’t lose all the weight I wanted to, but I gained self-confidence, self-acceptance and a fantastic new love.
So, without further ado, here are Cara’s tips for surviving the high school reunion:
Chill out! Don’t be like me and freak out when faced with attending your high school reunion. Remember that everyone will have aged twenty-five years, not just you. And you will definitely not be the only one with a little ring of pudge around her middle.
Be prepared. Okay, just because you accept yourself the way you are doesn’t mean you can’t stand a little self-improvement. To feel your best, get a new haircut, or buy a new outfit. But don’t stress yourself out like I did by thinking you have to look perfect.
Keep your sense of humor. There are likely going to be people at the reunion who will test your patience and your good humor. Don’t lose your sense of fun, or your sense of the absurd. Case in point, Nadine Archer. She took great delight in telling me and others that my ex was there with his girlfriend and she was almost young enough to be his daughter. So I decided to give Nadine something to talk about. Let’s just say she was very surprised!
Be a good listener. Ask others about their lives. Some of your classmates will have done fascinating things over the years.
Get over yourself. I was so focused on my appearance and on what people would say about me that I almost forgot to connect with the people who really mattered to me back in high school. I almost missed reconnecting with my old friend Mitzi and learning the lessons about love that she taught me.
So there you have it. High school reunions can be stressful, but in my case it was a blessing in disguise. My whole life changed for the better because of my reunion!
Thanks for letting me share my hard-earned expertise today. It was great fun! Thanks Jana for guest posting. Those are some great tips I'll keep in mind for when I get invited to my first one. :)
The Girl Most Likely:
Cara McLeod, the girl most likely to have the perfect marriage, is now divorced and, in her own words, “fat, frumpy, and over forty.” The thought of facing former classmates—and the ex-husband who dumped her—at her high school reunion terrifies her. Cajoled into attending by her kids and her best friend, Cara enlists help at the gym to lose weight and look great for the reunion. Personal Trainer Finn Cooper is more than willing to help—but does he have to be so to-die-for gorgeous?
Finn thinks Cara is perfect just the way she is. She’s everything he wants in a woman, except for one thing—she can’t get past the fact that he's eight years younger. To Finn, age and weight are just numbers. But can he convince Cara the numbers she worries about add up to only one thing for him—love?
Excerpt:
Cara floated into the ladies’ locker room on a wave of happiness.
She finished her shower and was drying off in her stall when she heard two women talking. Cara scarcely paid attention, until she heard, “Did you see the cow eyes she made at Finn?”
She stopped drying and listened intently.
“As if he’d be interested in a woman who’s got to be ten years older.”
“Have you seen the outfits she wears? Where does she shop? The Salvation Army?”
They laughed uproariously. Shame and embarrassment welled up from the pit of stomach. They were right. What could a gorgeous younger man like Finn possibly see in a frumpy, overweight, middle-aged woman like her? What a stupid, middle-aged fool she’d been.
She waited until she heard the showers running before she dressed and made her escape. Finn waved at her as she left the locker room.
“Cara, wait. Do you have a minute?”
“Sorry, no. I’ve got to get home to my daughters. Bye.”
She ran to her car and drove to a park near her home, then into a parking lot used only by maintenance staff. She pulled her car to a stop between two city trucks, finally feeling alone.
Slumped over the steering wheel, tears of shame crashed down her cheeks as waves of humiliation engulfed her. Had she been so starved for affection she’d latched on to the fantasy that Finn felt something for her?
Finally, she started her car, adjusted the rear view mirror, and wiped her eyes one last time before heading home.
Giveaway:One lucky commenter during the book tour will win a $20 gift card to The Wild Rose Pressand another lucky commenter during the book tour will win a $20 Amazon gift card.
*Leave a comment for Jana.
*Leave your email ninja style: yourname at gmail dot com
*Comment at all the stops on Jana's blog tour to increase your chances. Keep updated with the tour schedule below.
EASY PEASY!
Giveaway ends 12/9. Winners will be announced here.
OTHER TOUR STOPS:
November 28: Wendi Zwaduk - Romance to Make Your Heart Race November 28: REVIEW ONLY: Reviews by Molly November 29: Carrie Ann Ryan's Blog November 30: Words of Wisdom from The Scarf Princess December 1: Romancing Rakes December 2: Realmantic Moments December 5: Lisa Sanchez Romance Author December 6: Book of Secrets December 7: Sherry Gloag The Heart of Romance December 8: Books Read 'N' Makeup Done December 9: Romance in the Backseat
A HUGE thank you to Jana for guest posting and offering a $20 gift card to The Wild Rose Press to one lucky winner and a $20 Amazon giftcard to another lucky winner. Also, thank you to Marianne at Goddess Fish Promotions for forwarding all correspondence between Jana and I.
.JPG)
