Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Idea Spark – A Fro Affair

Been organizing my files and came across an idea that was sparked by something I saw.

Sometime last year I was on my way home when I passed this woman who was sporting a slamming Afro hairstyle. The woman’s fro was big, high and poufy. I think it was a wig but it was so good I couldn’t tell. She was also sporting the clothing to go with the fro. She looked fierce. People were turning and looking at her. Me included. People were complimenting her on her look. Like any good diva she said thank you graciously and kept strutting. As I watched the woman stepping looking cool and fierce my mind was racing.

Yep another idea was taking shape. That day as I walked home I thought of the Fro. The idea took shape for a book with a woman in a fierce fro and clothes to match. Since reading it recently I know exactly where I will be using the fro idea. In a new series I am working on there is a supper club where the main characters go to. The owner of the super club will be getting her own. I will be writing in a sixties theme night using my afro idea spark.

A fro brought so much more than viewing pleasure. It brought an inspiration. I’ve mentioned before that there are inspirations for ideas all around you. Taking something that happens in the everyday life then using it create a concept and make it yours. The unexpected can lead to so much more.

Any little thing can give you an idea spark.



****



Taige Crenshaw is a multi-published author with books available at Ellora's Cave Publishing, Liquid Silver Books, Loose Id, and Total-E-Bound. Taige has been enthralled with the written word from time she picked up her first book. It wasn’t long before she started to make up her own tales of romance. With novels set in today, in alternate dimensions, or in the future she writes with adventure, fun sassy heroine’s, and sexy hero’s. Always hard at work creating new and exciting places Taige can be found curled up with a hot novel with exciting characters when she is not creating her own. Join her in the fun, frolic, interesting people and far reaches of the world in her novels. You can find out more about Taige at her website: http://www.taigecrenshaw.com or blog: http://www.taigecrenshaw.com/blog.Check out free reads at http://www.satinnotes.com/.

Power of Instinct - A woman does whatever is necessary to protect the man who is hers but once he finds out he goes with his instincts and makes her his.

Buy here at Total-E-Bound.

Monday, May 30, 2011

5 Must-Haves when Stranded on a Deserted Island

Imagine you're stranded on a deserted island and can only have one of each of the following items. What would they be?




1. Person (not your significant other--we're talking fiction, people)


2. Toiletry item


3. Book


4. Personal item/memento


5. Tool


Here's my list:

1. Bradley Cooper's character in the Hangover. Cute, imaginative, clever, funny, resourceful. And, um, HOT!


2. Lip balm


3. Diary


4. A hat


5. Pencil (to write in diary with)

What about you? And you can't copy my answers (not that they're very original or clever).

Becca Simone write contemporary erotic romance for The Wild Rose Press. You can learn more about her writing at her
website.



Saturday, May 28, 2011

Book Buzz

There's a buzz in the author loops I thought I'd share that is pretty exciting for readers and authors both. Two new technologies are entering the ebook market. 
#1 Great Idea: An Ebook on a Card to sell in stores:
 From: Dean Wesley Smith's bloghttp://www.deanwesleysmith.com/?p=4154

Put A Book On The Card!!!” ebook icon... it's simple and surprisingly cheap.
... talked to about a half-dozen indie bookstore owners, asking them if they would like to sell gift cards for electronic books in their store? All of them said “Yes!”
And all were enthused.  Especially when I talked about how little space they would take up and that I could give them a 50% discount and free shipping.
...it's a very, very simple way to make an electronic book into a physical product for an indie store to sell. 
In fact, it’s the solution that just might save bookstores in this new electronic world.

How This Works Exactly
Step #1: Publish your book to electronic publishing, including Smashwords. Set up the book for free on a Smashwords code page. (There are other ways to do this, but this is basic and simple for the moment.) 
Step #2: Have a plastic credit-card-sized gift card printed with your book cover on one side. 
Step #3: On the back of the card print the free Smashwords code under a black scratch-off bar plus directions and other information. 
Step #4: Either give the card away as a promotion at signings and such or put the card into a cardboard hanger with a price and sell to bookstores. 
That’s it. Just about as simple as it gets.
If anyone reads this and tries it out before me, keep me posted on your results.

#2 Great  Idea: Expresso Book Machine--POD 

The Espresso Book Machine® Hardware 



Put simply, the Espresso Book Machine® (EBM) is an ATM for books, a "bookstore in a box" for retailers, an additional sales channel for publishers, and a great vehicle for self publishing.
Readers can order books online or onsite at bookstores and libraries—global search capability with local print fulfillment. Within a few minutes a book emerges, in any language, with a full-color cover, trimmed to an exact size, and virtually indistinguishable from the publisher's version. 
Okay you found a book you love and it's only in ebook. Someday (soon) you'll be able to go to one of these neat outlets and buy that ebook you loved in a single printed copy just for your collection...in minutes, while you have a cup of coffee.
Check out this link for existing locations. HERE  


Pretty wonderful times for both readers and authors!


Gem Sivad 
2010 EPIC AWARD WINNER
2011 PASSIONATE PLUME FINALIST

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Feel is More Powerful Than Think


Feel is more powerful than think. What a thought! Here's another to go with it. Don't fear the fear that others fear.

That sounds like doublespeak, but it's actually a simple concept. Don't be afraid of what others fear, just because they fear it.

People talked so much about how many rejections they'd received on their books that I was certain the same thing would happen to me. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to keep going if that happened.

For many years, I wouldn't submit my work. When I achieved greater confidence in my skill and sent my first manuscript to a publisher, it was in Feb 2004. By that April, I had a contract. I've released seven books since then.

Whether I had succeeded or failed, the message is the same. Don't let the fear of what others fear become yours. Let yourself feel powerful. That's more powerful than you think. Don't own failures that others have claimed.

Take the next step in your journey. Leave your own footprints. When you reach a wall, don't stop. Look around and find the next place you can step forward, and then go.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Roll on, ebooks

The news is kind of old now, but I'll repeat it anyway: ebooks are outselling print books. This surprises me not at all, but it does make me think a little bit about the psychological shift that it implies.

See, for years, I've loved the cheesy romance novels, even back to the bodice ripper days, oh yeah. I even have novels with Fabio on the cover. And I always, always felt ashamed reading those things out in public. This might have been related to the fact that I was a literature student and therefore was expected to spend my free time enjoying War and Peace and Other Things of That Nature. But I never did, and I always endured the scorn of my peers.

How liberating it is, however, to whip out my BlackBerry or iPad in a post office line or on a bus and indulge to my heart's content and never hear the slightest disparaging sniff from people who ought to be minding their own business anyway.

There's another paradigm shift that accompanies the changeover from print books to ebooks: length. Word count is no longer dictated by paper prices or shelf space. An ebook can be as long, or as short, as it needs to be. Savanna Kougar
noted this inher RWBB post discussing the popularity of ebook novellas and short stories. As she pointed out, the ebook format certainly aids readers who are just looking for a short-term distraction, but I think it also means that books that need 120k words can get them without deforesting a small county.

I like this flexibility. I like the anonymity and personalization. I like the trend.

But I still have a secret desire to hold a printed book of mine in my hot little hands someday.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Monday Morning Follow Up


An hour of sex burns 346 calories—the equivalent of a morning jog, weight- lifting session, or even four hours of writing.
Since making a similar statement in my Sinful Saturday post, I've recived questions regarding calories burned during sex so I found a break down.


Calorie burning activity/ Calories

Activity group: Motivational context
Afire with passion 85
Because there’s nothing on TV 37
Out of guilt 55
Out of curiosity 73
Like it was some major emergency 911
To gather information 411

Activity group: Foreplay
Tickling 17
Licking 24
Nibbling 28
Noshing 33
Sucking 38
Pleading 19
Using vibrator (personal size) 22
Using vibrator (industrial size) 114
Horseplay 67
Horseplay with saddle 94
Wrist wrestling to see who gets to be on top 77
Nagging her/him into doing it 21

Activity group: Insertion
Both partners fully aroused 11
Female not fully aroused 46
Male not fully aroused 108

Activity group: Positions
Missionary
Man 32
Woman 16
Woman above
Woman 75
Man 23
“Canine” variation
Man 35
Woman 15
“Wheelbarrow” variation
Man 59
Woman 78
“Weightlifter” variation
Man 100
Woman 45
Spotter 13
“Caribbean Pirate” variation
Man 47
Woman 33
Parrot 4

Activity group: Types of bed
Queen size bed 26
King size bed 29
Exxon CEO size bed 58
Vibrating bed 34
Bunk bed 37
Waterbed 44
Flower bed 51
Oyster bed 73
Futon 18
Hammock 155
Hospital bed 98.6

Activity group: Outside the bedroom
In the garage V6
In the rec room 52
In the gym 141
In the John 3:16

Activity group: Non-bed surfaces
Floor 11
Couch 17
Piano bench 29
Piano 4/4
Kitchen table 16
Coffee table 24
Conference table 30
End table 37
Pool table, side pocket 15
Operating table IV
Cocktail lounge table 13
Cocktail lounge booth 19
Cocktail lounge bar stool 41
Cocktail lounge bar 7&7
Monkey bars 85
Teeter totter 63
Waterslide 47
Diving board 52
Ironing board 39
Dartboard 1-20
Surfboard 9 by 9
Sideboard 11
Cheese board 17
All aboard 66
Board room 1

Activity group: Geographical
New York City 100
Los Angeles 76°
Seattle 2.0
Las Vegas 6-1
Beverly Hills 90210
Miami 65+
New Orleans Category 3
Rome XXXVII
In a convenience store 7-11
At Cal Tech 101101


So how did you add up?

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Sunday Musings ~ Novellas & Short Stories

Originally posted at LINDSAY’S ROMANTICS ~

Lady Sheridan, Sun Rocket, Corporal Kattalonia, Sable Kiki, and Stacy

These are the heroines of my novellas and one short story. I just thought it would be a kick to see their names this way. And, it’s sort of my tribute to them.

This is a pic of my current heroine, Z'Pasha of Dendera, a granddaughter of Bast.
~~~

In these times of dash, no time to take out the trash, many readers are turning to short stories or novellas to enjoy during work breaks, while standing in line, or waiting for an appointment Or, any small amount of time, where they can pull out their e-reader and/or their paperback book, and enter another world, lose themselves in a fantasy realm, and indulge in a romance.

This is also a time when attention spans have been shortened, in general. One example: my generation grew up on hour-long dramas, and half-hour sitcoms. I’ll let the other generations speak for themselves. However, another example is the ubiquitous and standard ‘sound bite’ in our American culture. I’m not certain how this translates around the world, though.

What has become apparent to me over the past year, is that there is a hearty appetite for short stories and novellas. Many authors are smartly feeding that reading hunger, and reaping the economic rewards.

Yep, I’d like to join the banquet more often. However, I haven’t been able to write fast enough. Although, having recently finished a novel that was supposed to be a novella, I’m now trying my penning hand at another novella, a shapeshifter romance based on the ongoing story a group of us authors have been posting at SHAPESHIFTER SEDUCTIONS.

More than the current demand for shorter stories, as an author, I prefer to vary the length of my books. It’s a change of pace. I enjoy the challenge, and it keeps the brain cells peppier.
~~~

As I complete each chapter of my WIP, I’ve been sharing the first six sentences, *unedited* of course.

White Fang, Ace Reporter

Chapter One ~ White Fang Kent

Talbot’s Peak, Montana

White Fang Kent seated himself before the used desktop computer he’d picked up in town, not four hours ago. As an instant upgrade, he slid a formless silicon device into the USB port. Brought from his home planet, some four light years away, the adaptive technology did his bidding.

With urgency eating at his gut, he positioned his chair, then removed the specialized pair of eyeglasses he often wore while in public. They helped disguise the odd intensity of his eyes and changed the blue coloring to a shade Earth humans didn’t question him about.

In no time, White Fang scanned the online version of the town’s newspaper that had recently been taken over by a werewolf pack.
~~~

Chapter Two ~ Z’Pasha of Dendera

Z’Pasha stepped back into the concealment of the shadow she had created. Prepared to swiftly transport herself with magick, she observed the Super Wolf leap over the deck rail.

After quickly looking around, he focused like a hunting dog on a trail. Because he would remain unaware of her existence, Z’Pasha watched him flash inside the ethers. With her feline-superior gaze, she followed the streaming lines of his frequency.

Once the lines dimmed, she dissolved her shadow.
~~~

Chapter Three ~ Truth, Justice and the Shapeshifter Way

White Fang Kent sniffed the odor-laden air inside Talbot Peak’s courtroom. An unfamiliar, yet enchanting and sultry fragrance kissed his nostrils. If he didn’t know better, he would have said there was a goddess present. However, the magickal ancient ones rarely left their mist-shrouded enclaves for any length of time.

Even though, White Fang wanted to hunt farther down that luscious trail, the current situation demanded his complete focus. Besides, he would have recognized the pungent feline scent, now assaulting his nose, beneath a pile of New York City’s garbage.
~~~

Chapter Four ~ Drinks With a Renegade Werewolf

“Pasha.” Smiling with an allure she knew most men responded to, Z’Pasha introduced herself to Dante.

She offered her hand in the current-day, American manner to the werewolf biker. Earlier, Z’Pasha had singled him out as the alpha in charge of the rough-tough bar hidden away in the depths of the forest surrounding Talbot’s Peak.

He rose with careless gallantry from the barstool he’d occupied since she’d entered, about an hour ago. Dante clasped her hand, his gaze enigmatic and disconcertingly direct.
~~~

Chapter Five ~ A Story With Bite

White Fang stealthily moved behind a row of tall prickly bushes. Werewolf musk hung in the night air as heavy as his own balls. That is, ever since he’d first caught a whiff of the potent mating odor.

Hidden by deep shadow, White Fang halted next to the roughhewn lodge. He’d discovered the place inside an isolated forest clearing. By simple observation, he’d found out it was a local alpha hangout for bikers, and any shifter who was wolf enough to bloody his fangs, and ride with the top dogs.
~~~

Chapter Six ~ Shere Khan’s Dishonorable Ninjas

A whirling wind heralded dawn, and blew through Z’Pasha. Once Earth’s breath intermingled with her essence, she knew she had achieved her desired diaphanous state.

Z’Pasha retained the full use of her magickal skills as she would while fully materialized, yet she could also travel as the wind. Aware Shere Khan possessed a similar sorcery due to his disciplined practice of the esoteric knowing, Z’Pasha sent breeze-like tendrils to act as her alarm.

While the Yakuza leader’s ninjas were advanced in the art of fighting astrally, they did not match his abilities, as Z’Pasha had discovered. She considered Shere Khan a dangerous enemy.
~~~

Chapter Seven ~ Interview with the Biker Alpha

White Fang followed Dante through the bar’s rudimentary kitchen. The Biker Alpha halted, opening a storage room door.

Instead, they stepped onto a carpeted platform, and White Fang held his tongue as they moved down a wide, newly installed stairway at a brisk pace. Once they walked along a spacious corridor, atmospherically lit with gaslights, he estimated they were a good twenty-five feet below ground.

Dante stopped before a door at odds with the nineteenth century setting. It could have come from a medieval castle, and White Fang’s brows raised as he read the ornate sign: There Be Shapeshifters of Every Kind. Beware of Fangs, Claws and Tails.
~~~~~~

~~~ Here are my current FF&P Erotic Romance Novellas and a Short Story ~~~

JUST ANOTHER PARANORMAL HALLOWEEN ~ an Anthology from Mojo Castle ~ mojocastle.com ~ featuring my short story: THE TIGER’S MASQUERADE. Available in ebook and print.

Blurb ~

Stacy wasn’t looking for a tiger-man to erotically and exotically fill her tank, then steal her heart. That is, until the Halloween ‘Call of the Wild Masquerade’ ball. But, what kind of tiger does she have by the tail?

Zyrru wasn’t looking for a human woman to un-tame his fiercest passions, and alter his royal life forever. After all, he’s only vacationing on Earth, and is almost engaged to The Princess. But, her rosefire scent is irresistible.

Available at ~ mojocastle.com/ParaHalloween.html ~ EBOOK & IN PRINT
~~~

BLACK CAT BEAUTY

Blurb ~

A private Halloween party in a gothic mansion hidden in the Hollywood Hills. Add one party crasher, Sable Kiki, a naughty black cat with a sexy wild human side.
Her covert assignment from her devious, always-cunning father: use her seductive wiles to find out the truth from Devon Zant, a movie star on the rise to super stardom.
Posing as the superhero actor, Devon Zant, D’Torr has arrived on Earth seeking revenge for the capture of his younger brother, and to assist in stopping a powerful enemy.
The leviathan warfleet of the Altirrux wants rule of all intergalactic trade routes to Earth, endangering the survival of D’Torr’s race, and all the inhabitants of the rare blue jewel, Earth.

Available from Liquid Silver Books ~ liquidsilverbooks.com/books/blackcatbeauty.htm ~
~~~

TANGERINE CARNAL DREAMS

Synopsis:

Corporal Kattalonia is a galactic enforcer-agent for her home world. Her father has just been accused of treason. She chases after the villain in an old rickety craft. Recovering her father’s stolen data cube will exonerate him, and halt the sale of top level secrets. The trouble, the villain’s trail leads to Yemisque, a world of tangerine carnal dreams. Great place to hide out. Great place for the erotic adventures of your choice.

Prince Ziocese, Bad Boy Extraordinaire has discovered his one woman. She shoots fire from her palm and is not an equine shifter, a mate his royal parents won’t accept.. Renegade from his world, he still honors his sacred tradition, chasing her half-way across the galaxy. He will do anything to help her, to protect her. Whether she lets him or not. Trouble is he can’t catch her to prove himself. Or, to possess her with extreme pleasure.

Available from Aspen Mountain Press ~ tinyurl.com/6vu6hm ~
~~~

ALL SHADES OF BLUE PARADISE

Blurb ~

Destiny and love can be denied for only so long...
Except for her daring equestrienne competitions, Lady Sheridan lives a quiet life caring for her family's estate, staving off financial ruin and keeping her brother's misdeeds from ruining his marriage and the life of her beloved nieces. Despite all his desperate efforts, Baron Zaggry has never discovered why his Sherfantasy broke their engagement. Now, his ruse successful, Sheridan is finally his, his slave lover. He has ten years worth of denied pleasures to make up for, to savor however he erotic chooses.
[Erotic Fantasy Romance, OtherWorld, Aristocratic Intrigue]

Available from BookStrand ~ bookstrand.com/savanna-kougar ~
~~~

RED LIONESS TAMED

Intro ~

If yer partial to a futuristic adventurous romp of lust and love on the high celestial seas of space...if you have a yen for those cat shifter types, lament no longer...
And watch out if yer a bad kitty shifter roaming the galactic ports, there’s a kick-ass Lioness on your fleeing furry tail.
Year 3051, the Earth calendar used on Terra-Mars, a terra-formed moon orbiting Mars, the home world of ‘Sun Rocket’ Kahoqua of the Windgrass Clan.

Blurb ~

What does a lioness shifter do when she's suddenly trapped in an unknown space cruiser's cargo hold? Then, despite her ability to savagely defend herself, she's trapped beneath the handsome human Captain. And next, cat-scratching ridiculously, she finds herself carnal-trapped, and meow yowl! bound by leather straps in his bed?
Answer: She fights tooth and claw. Problem: The loner Captain is nova-hot at seducing her.

Available at Liquid Silver Books ~ liquidsilverbooks.com/books/redlionesstamed.htm ~
~~~~~~

Happy Erotic Romance Reading...

Savanna

Savanna Kougar

~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~
~~~~~~

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Sinful Saturday - More Chocolate


OMG! I found an amazing collection of decadent, orgasmic, sinful chocolate recipies! All in the form of Lee's Orgasmic Chocolate Desserts A site you MUST visit.


Here are links to some of my sinful favorites:

Decadent Chocolate Delight

Chocolate Blackout Cake

Bacardi Double-Chocolate Rum Cake To die for!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gorgeous Chocolate-Hazelnut-Cake

Don't feel guilty... simply remember an hour of sex burns 346 calories.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

The Delete Key

The dreaded key. Sometimes known as "backspace", and also referred to as "ctrl-x".

Ctrl-X even sounds bad. Like a disease, or an experiment gone wrong.

Sometimes that's what it is.

Writing is an experiment. Especially to someone like me, affectionately known as a "pantser". I don't have my plot all figured out when I sit down to write a story. Sometimes I don't even know who's writing the damn thing, thanks to living with an alter-ego in my head.

And so I've become quite friendly with the delete key. For example, I wrote a scene in my first m/m attempt. It's a pretty sensuous elevator ride:

Jackson gripped the chrome bar behind him in the elevator. The State Insurance offices were on the fifth floor, but he really had no idea how to find Noah. He'd waited by the truck that Noah had driven from the bar, but after every other vehicle left the lot, Jackson had gathered his courage and entered the building.

Maybe there would be a directory. Or a receptionist. Maybe he'd just walk around until he found him. Maybe Noah went home with somebody else. A woman. A man?

Maybe I should have called. Maybe Noah won’t be happy to see me.

Fuck.

He wiped his hands on his jeans. He had to take that chance. The building was all but deserted at five thirty. Noah probably wasn't even in his office.

The elevator stopped on the fifth floor, and just as Jackson pushed away from the wall, he looked up to see Noah on the other side. He let his gaze travel down the man's crisp shirt and pleated dress pants, then back up to his eyes.

Noah had done his own perusing, but he hadn't moved to enter the elevator. When their eyes met, Jackson smiled, and reached out to hold the doors.

"Going down?"

Jackson couldn't help but smile at the flush of awareness that darkened Noah's cheeks. Years ago, they would use double entendres just like that to get under each-other's skin.

Oh yeah, Noah remembered. He looked around the empty hallway before spearing him with those serious eyes. "What are you doing here?"

Jackson's smile faded at the harsh tone. This was a bad idea. He shook his head with a sad smile, dropped his arms to his sides, and took a step further into the elevator. "You don't have to worry. I'm not here to ruin your life."

Noah closed his eyes for a long moment, then walked into the elevator. When the doors closed behind him, Jackson took his time soaking him in.

From the top of his messy brown hair to those lips that Jackson knew could be both soft and demanding. His gaze moved down his stubbly jaw to the masculine jut of his Adam's apple. The man was beautiful.

And straight.

"How did you find me?"

Jackson smiled. "The waitress at Jonny's. Seems you have an admirer."

"Oh. Yeah." Noah's eyes lowered to the ugly tile floor, but Jackson's cock jerked as they swept down his torso.

At least he didn't look mad. Not that Jackson could tell, Noah was pretty good at hiding his emotions. "Are you pissed?"

Noah met his eyes again. "We'd agreed to a clean break." His voice was husky. Distracted. The hunger in his gaze was encouraging.

That didn't really answer his question, but Jackson's mouth went dry, and he wanted to close his eyes and just enjoy the knowledge that Noah was here. Looking at him with such familiarity that neither could deny the fact that they shared something intense. He didn't close his eyes though. Instead he relearned the man in front of him. Noah's skin was darker than it had been, and the freckle at the corner of his left eye didn't show up like it used to. Still, the memory of kissing that mark on their first night together was enough to send his gut twisting.

The combined rasp of their breathing drowned out the tinny music piped in through the ceiling. Electricity arced from them to bounce off the elevator car, leaving Jackson's skin pebbling with each buzzing lick. Noah took a step closer and Jackson leaned in. When Noah stiffened and sucked a breath through his teeth, Jackson took the cue and leaned away.

Noah sighed. Whether from frustration or relief, Jackson couldn't tell, as he'd turned to face the panel by the door. After flexing his fingers and clenching them into fists a few times, he ran his hand through his hair.

"I just want to talk to you, Noah." Jackson gripped the metal bar until his palms squeaked against it.

Noah didn't face him. He didn't acknowledge his words, but he didn't open the elevator doors to get back off either. Each second that the man willingly stayed in the cubicle gave Jackson hope that he'd listen, but those doors could open any second and he'd lose the man again.

"Regardless of what we once were, I still consider you a friend. The only one I ever told a bunch of shit about me. The only one who won't judge me. I'm just here to talk. Catch up. Not ruin your life. I'm not going to blackmail you, or out you to your friends and coworkers. I didn't come here to seduce you—"

"Fuck." Noah hissed. He spun to face Jackson, and caged against the wall.

Now he looked pissed.

"You didn’t seduce me. I knew exactly what I was doing back then."

Noah's passion—whether laced with anger or desire—was like an aphrodisiac that went straight to Jackson's gut, then spread into his extremities, including his cock. He gripped the bar behind him to hold himself steady. It was either that or throw his arms around Noah and bring their bodies the last few inches together. Noah's position could have been either aggressive or sexual, but Jackson's cock didn't care which. All it would take was a deep breath from either of them to cause their chests to brush. The heat that Noah put off should have sent billows of steam through the conditioned air.

"As a matter of fact, I seem to remember a few times when I seduced you. And it looked like you enjoyed it."

Christ, Noah felt good against him, riding his front with heat, and bending him over the chrome bar at his hips.

When Noah flared his nostrils to take in a lungful of their shared breath, Jackson swallowed a groan. "I thought you'd forgotten." He released his death grip on the bar to pull the man against him.

"Don't."

Jackson flinched at the barked command, and dropped his hands before even making contact.

"I swore I'd never touch another man. I don't break promises, especially to myself." Noah hadn't moved. They still shared the space of one, yet they hadn't touched. "I didn't restrict my other senses. I can still look, and…" He closed his eyes and breathed deeply through his nose. "You smell the same."

Noah's breath brushed across his cheek and neck; his face rubbed against Jackson's aura as if he could somehow feel his flesh from an inch away.

Jackson's eyelids drifted closed, and he reached again for the metal bar behind him. "And you," he inhaled, "have a new soap." He could have kicked himself for that admission. That's giving away too much, Jack. Back off. "I…I mean—"

"I changed everything." Noah's whisper came from the other side of Jackson's face.

Jackson clenched his teeth. It was the sweetest torture having Noah mere inches away from him and not being able to touch. His hands slipped in the layer of sweat he'd left on the elevator bar, but he wouldn't let go. To touch Noah now would send the man running.

"Are you still the same man inside?" As Jackson spoke, he remembered Noah's bitter taste on his tongue, and swallowed hard.

"I don't know, Jackson." Noah's voice was sad, the words spoken somewhere near Jackson's shoulder.

Rather than turn toward his face, Jackson leaned away, giving Noah more room, baring his neck like some primitive surrender.

"I don't want to be that man," Noah continued. "I hated the man I was."

"I wouldn't have made it if you weren't that man."

Noah's breathing hitched, then continued brushing Jackson's skin. Hoping he could control himself with the sight of Noah this close, Jackson peeled his eyes open, bracing himself against the desire to turn his face to capture those lips. Noah's brow was wrinkled, his eyes closed. Maybe the guy was just trying to detach himself from this very personal act, but Jackson's mouth watered at the thought of kissing him. Or just to smooth those stray strands of hair away from his forehead.

Just then, the elevator started moving. Someone had called it. Noah's eyes snapped open, and he took a giant step away. His attention dropped to that sweet spot below Jackson's belt. The erection strong and thick, tenting his jeans. Noah swore and adjusted his own cock and turned to face the doors just as they opened.

So I kinda like that scene! Unfortunately, I was awakened the other night with the realization that Noah was a construction worker, not an insurance salesman. That changed everything. Especially the need for the elevator. So I cozy up to the delete key. I ask for mercy. "Please be gentle." I stroke the raised text on the key. I beg for forgiveness. I try to figure out some other reason these two would meet at this particular time in an elevator.

I know I should just do it. The scene doesn't work any more. I can't use it later in the book, because Noah and Jackson's relationship will have evolved.

As you can see, I haven't surrendered it to the Delete Gods just yet, but that damn rectangular key is mocking me right now.

~ Olivia Brynn

http://oliviabrynn.com


Tuesday, May 17, 2011

CRADLE OF DREAMS - New Release - Keta Diablo

CRADLE OF DREAMS - Keta Diablo
Erotic Romance - WARNING: Explicit language and anal sex. Historical/Civil War/TIME TRAVEL

 
Blurb:
With visions of battle still fresh in his mind, Roane Bradfield returns home to find the woman he loves betrothed to another. He corners Kendrick Moreland at Dowager Huggins’ Grand Ball and whisks her into the secluded library. One way or the other, he will know the reason the duplicitous beauty cut him from her life when she promised to wait forever.

Kendrick can’t believe her eyes when Roane suddenly appears at the ball. Has he truly risen from the dead? Amid wagging tongues and hushed murmurs, the fantasy of her every dream whisks her from the ballroom. And the expression on his face is anything but loving. Revenge, danger and powerful love collide in the Cradle of Dreams.

BUY ON KINDLE - $2.99

Unexpected Changes

Sometimes things don’t always go as you plan. It is what you do when that happens that will define where you go. I’ve been working on a project that is going in unexpected directions. At first I wasn’t so sure if the way it was going was for a good thing or not but I’ve been going with it.

The last few days has reveled to me why the changes were good. Things are flowing better and moving along. Yes those changes were unexpected and for a moment I thought that it wasn’t something that I could go with but I am glad that I stuck it out. Now that I am seeing what is coming I am ready for it and looking forward to it. Unexpected changes can be very good.



****



Taige Crenshaw is a multi-published author with books available at Ellora's Cave Publishing, Liquid Silver Books, Loose Id, and Total-E-Bound. Taige has been enthralled with the written word from time she picked up her first book. It wasn’t long before she started to make up her own tales of romance. With novels set in today, in alternate dimensions, or in the future she writes with adventure, fun sassy heroine’s, and sexy hero’s. Always hard at work creating new and exciting places Taige can be found curled up with a hot novel with exciting characters when she is not creating her own. Join her in the fun, frolic, interesting people and far reaches of the world in her novels. You can find out more about Taige at her website: http://www.taigecrenshaw.com or blog: http://www.taigecrenshaw.com/blog.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Mojo Monday



Ugh! It's Monday and hard to get the mojo motivated. Sometimes, all it takes is a cup of java to get my blood flowing to my brain and kick the imagination center into gear. Other times, I'm simply too sluggish to feel inspired. So I thought I'd post a few things that DO help. Maybe they will help you start your week.

Take vitamins. Keeping a healthy body, keeps a healthy mind.

“It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.”
– Paolo Coelho, The Alchemist






"Believe that you have it, and you have it."
- Latin Proverb

If the vitamins don't work, I switch to my other vice.










I've been finding this one to be very inspirational.




Sunday, May 15, 2011

Superhero Menage ~ HER INSATIABLE DARK HEROES


Late Sunday purrs, everyone. Ever fantasize about four superheroes who can’t resist your charms? Well...
~~~

Blurb:

How many Superheroes does it take to satisfy the one woman who dances like a fire goddess? Answer: the four Dark Valorous Brothers of Chrontropolis.

Before the weather wars destroyed her world, Wendra was the girl next door, except for her dancing talent and her desire to become a top performer. When she is rescued from her own desperate attempt to fly inside her flame by Dark Zavier, then Claimed by the four Dark Valorous brothers, she has no idea how to cope with their primitive insatiable sexual needs, or their passionate longing to bond with her.

On top of that, her own super power, the ability to use flame as a weapon, is becoming stronger by the day, even if it remains useless against the Dark Brothers’ determination to master her. Still, how does she make her own blazing mark, in the new world of Superheroes and Super Villains?
~~~~~~

The city of Chrontropolis ~

PG Story Excerpt ~

Zion fastened his gaze on the tornado’s advance, straight for the center of Chrontropolis. Already chunks of debris whirled in the funnel, with the larger pieces being hurled in every direction.

“What are they doing ” Wendy abruptly straightened. Her muscles tensed anxiously as he lowered them onto the chair. Riveted, she watched his brothers’ streaking flight toward the behemoth tornado snaking angrily over the ground.

Zion coded in the emergency, sending it to all of the Super Brethren. It could be too late. Whoever had created the weather monstrosity had known where to conjure it up and how to time its attack on Chrontropolis. He hoped like wild hell some of the Super Brethren followed behind his brothers, though he knew if they’d been anywhere close, the screen’s visual technology would have already shown them.

“Can they really stop that horrible thing?” Wendy’s breaths quickened in fear. “By themselves?”

Zion didn’t know which way to jump. Should he reassure her or tell her the truth? The force and size of the tornado as shown by the screen’s readouts required six supermen with the power level of the Dark Brothers to alter its course and lessen the destruction. Instead of answering her, he shut his eyes in concentration, communicating telepathically the current status to his brothers.

“My Great Aunt Minnie,” she swore. “Since you’re not answering, it must be bad.”

“Wendy,” he began. Yet what did he tell her?

“Why do you have to stay here?” she impatiently challenged. “Go help them.”

She moved restlessly while he refined the screen’s imaging capability and searched a wider perimeter for other Superheroes. Quietly he heaved in a relieved breath. The three Gallant Brothers flight-charged toward the tornado from another angle. Although their arrival would not be timely, the odds had just improved. Once again, Zion used telepathy to send the info. Next, he switched on the city’s alarm system. It was not fully effective in covering the entire metro, but still, lives would be saved if the worst occurred.

“The Gallant Brothers?” She leaned toward the screen.

“Yes,” he confirmed, desperately wanting solutions he didn’t have. Yet.

Zion studied the rough distortion at the top of the funnel. The precision of the matrix frequencies told him it was being manipulated by master scientists.

“Omygawd It’s growing.” She strained farther forward, her gaze locked on the boiling black twister.

“It’s doubling in strength.” Regretting his rash words, Zion connected mentally with his brothers, informing them.

“It’s too large. No ”

“Wendy...”

“Don’t bother with a lie.”

When he cupped her shoulder with his palm, she shrugged out of his hold. “You should have gone with them.”

His own anger surfacing, Zion seized her upper arms. “Don’t be a fool. Who would protect you if—”

“If they die,” she struck back.

He hesitated, but only for an instant. “Yes, Wendy, if they die.”

She froze, her spine stiff with dread. “It’s headed for the center of Chrontropolis, isn’t it?”

“Yes.” Zion hauled in a large breath. “I’ve sounded the city alarms.”

“You can do that from here?”

“We have control over all the city systems from here.”

She slumped back a bit, and he knew she couldn’t take her gaze away from the screen. Neither could he. His brothers flew abreast at rocket speed, their outlines blurred on the screen. The tornado had developed into a distorted serpent, furious as it spun over the ground. Uprooted trees, enormous rocks and pieces from old structures orbited the eye in a bizarre chaotic frenzy.

“Good resolution.” She trembled. “I can see everything so clearly. Too clearly.”

He stroked her arms and shoulders, trying to comfort her. “Night vision advancements. Necessary for night patrol.”

“What are they going to do, really?” Her voice cracked and she shrank into the bend of his body.

“Use their flying speed to unwind the tornado’s spin.”

She shuddered, then flung her arm up to point at two more of the Super Brethren. “Who are they?”

“The Tiger Twins.” Zion’s heart jumped into his throat, not with fear, but with hope. The twins possessed a ridiculously high level of super strength, especially when combined. Yet, would they arrive in time? Their flight was slow compared to his brothers’ speed. He mind-sent the message of their immanent arrival.

“They’re getting close.” Wendy stilled, her body rigid, hands knotted together. “Please, oh, please,” she prayed.

Zion silently joined in with his own prayer. His brothers linked arms, soaring into the whirling force of the tornado. Their flight slowed, reduced by the horrific winds they battled. Forming a wedge, they neared the top third of the tornado. Like the tip of an arrow they shot forward with their combined strength, opposite the giant’s spin.

“They look like tiny birds. I can barely see them. On no ” she moaned. “They’re not moving.”
~~~~~~

Quatre Menage ~ Sexcerpt ~

“Do what you want.” Zotorro slid his hands beneath her, seizing the globes of her creamy voluptuous ass like a primitive. “I know what I want. Her butt filling my hands while I stroke inside her tight little hole.”

Zavier trained his gaze on Zotorro, as did Zent and Zion. A split second later, he asked what the three of them wanted to know. “You were with her?”

“You f—” Zion compressed his lips, looked down at her, then spoke. “All the way?”

Zotorro regarded them for the barest instant. “Once.” Blinking, he stared down at her kwim, his whole body tightening as hard as his cock. “Not like this.” He struck inside her swiftly, then paused, seemingly savoring the moment as if bliss itself wrapped around his rod. His entire face was a picture of rapture. “God, I want her. I’ve always wanted her. Wendra, I want you.”

He plunged again, deep, then halted. His hands worked the beautiful flesh of her ass, molding and squeezing possessively. “Next time I’m tonguing your clit, baby.”

Deliberate and with no compromise, he speared his cock in and out of her, his rhythm fast. His jade eyes burned like live coals and remained on her face. She had thrown her head back as far as she could, her expression one of abandoned pleasure. Zent and Zion fondled the swells of her breasts, idly pinching her nipples. They roved caresses along her sides, reveling in her shape.

Manacling her wrists in one hand, Zavier captured her hair, twisting the heavy silkiness around his fist. Kneeling, he pulled downward just enough to keep her trapped the way that would give her more pleasure and make her utterly theirs at the same time. She moaned, a fragile sound of feminine helplessness, a surrender to her need for them, for what they could do to her and make her feel. At her core that’s what she wanted. Though, he knew there was still a part of her that wanted to fight for her independence. Her ecstasy kept her a willing hostage.

Zavier devoured her lips with his gaze. They were ripe like juicy strawberries, their shape both sexy and adorable. Her mouth was a luxury he wanted use of, often—beneath his lips and on his body.

“That’s it. Do her.” Zent’s growl was crude, carnal. He scraped his nail up her teat.

Zavier merged his awareness with Wendy enough to gauge how she reacted to Zent. Bursts of new arousal coiled through her overriding her shock.

“Give it her.” Zion followed with his own growl, caught up in the heathen rut Zotorro performed, his cock owning her kwim. Bending to her bright red nipple, Zion lightly bit down several times.

She cried out, her eyelids winging open fast. “Yes. Oh God, yes, more.”

“That’s it, Wendra princess,” Zotorro roughly sang to her. “How hard do you want it? Harder?”

“Harder.” She was barely able to speak beyond her raging ecstasy.

“Give it to her harder. Make her tits dance for us.” Zent tweaked her tall rigid nipple, then sank his nails in. He pulled her teat straight up and tweaked hard, alternating over and over again, as Zotorro increased the pace of his long wicked thrusts.

“Shake her for us,” Zion darkly encouraged. Raising his head up, he clamped her nipple between his fingers and twisted.

“Harder, Wendy, I’m going to give it to you harder.”

“Please.” She panted.

“Yes, baby.”

She screamed softly and continued with each pounding lunge of Zotorro’s cock. Her gorgeous body jiggled and shook with each thrust, an erotic enticement that had them all groaning low in their throats.

And had them all planning on what they were going to do to her next. Zavier knew, witnessing it on their stone-carved faces, and in the fierce, hot way they handled her body. Hell to the Almighty, he knew what he wanted to do.

And he knew what he wanted to make her do. Once he took care of her and made certain she was okay.

“Just a little harder, Wendy,” Zotorro harshly rasped. “And you’ll be flying in flame around my rod.” His body gleamed with sweat, his muscles defined as splendidly as any ancient god’s in their exertion.

“You never thought you’d want it this hard, did you?”

She gurgled a scream of bliss. The flushing stain of her climax traveled up from her mound.

“Did you?” Zotorro demanded. He sank his cock inside her, a final ruthless thrust. His orgasm glowed over his physique, and glowed his eyes to white fire. Then he nearly collapsed, his pleasure so overwhelming he nearly lost consciousness.

Springing up, Zion and Zent grabbed his arms, supporting him.
~~~~~~

HAPPY SPRING READING

Savanna


Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~
~~~

``` Wendy & the Dark Brothers ~ Zavier, Zent, Zion and Zotorro ~ invite you to read their love story ~ How many Superheroes does it take to satisfy one woman who dances like a fire-goddess?
HER INSATIABLE DARK HEROES ~ what does it mean when The Harbinger arrives on a world devastated by weather wars...where super powers are given to a few... *4* Blue Ribbons from Romance Junkies Reviews & *4* Dark Divas ~ available from Siren Menage Amour: Siren-BookStrand ~ bookstrand.com/savanna-kougar ~ ISBN: 1606012630
~~~~~~

Saturday, May 14, 2011

From Then to Now

Hi, I'm back with some research whimsy today. Found a great site with an unexpected analysis of  "The  Victorian View of Female Sexuality by Michael Rupkalvis. (Photos found @ Photobucket)

"The "cult of true womanhood" dictated that submissiveness, purity and piety were the traits of a lady. Instead of embracing womanhood, the push was more towards making a woman asexual. The only reason a lady would have sex was to procreate. And certainly, a lady would never enjoy sex."

"Contraception was another taboo subject, being regarded as pornographic. The medical profession, too, looked down on sex. They found it absolutely deplorable to think that a woman was capable of having an orgasm. Enjoyment of sex or the desire to have sex was not considered normal for females. Pregnancy was seen as a "delicate' condition".

"The only women deemed worthy of marriage were those that abstained from sexual activity. This lead to a flourishing prostitution business. Though the male was pushed to control his natural instincts, they were considered too weak to control them on their own. So they utilized prostitutes. Unmarried women often turned to prostitution, as a way to earn money and to fulfill the innermost desires of the men they attended."
 
That was only 150 years ago and as Mr. Rupkalvis notes, "... even today, in 21st Century America, remnants of the Victorian attitudes toward female sexuality remain entrenched in large pockets of our society."  
We've come a long way, ladies. Let's celebrate our new awareness and rights by remembering where we've been as we make sure we never end up there again!
Thanks for stopping by.
Gem Sivad 

2010 EPIC AWARD WINNER
2011 PASSIONATE PLUME FINALIST


Thursday, May 12, 2011

THURSDAY 13: Cleaning and purging

My purse fell off the counter this morning and most of its contents spilled out onto the floor. Rather than just shove everything back in, I took the opportunity to clean and purge. Something I rarely do (in my purse or my house LOL).

Here are 13 somewhat unusual things I found in there:

1. A Hilton hotel key card. From a writer's conference last October.

2. A sewing kit.

3. A coffee punch card...from an espresso stand I used to frequent when I lived in another state... Nine years ago.

4. A Costco membership card I thought I lost last year. And subsequently replaced.

5. A paystub from 6 months ago.

6. A $20 bill I'd hidden for emergency purposes, and totally forgot was there.

7. A handful of faded receipts from Starbucks.

8. A Tide stain-remover pen

9. Expired breath drops. From 2008.

10. A VISA card that expired last year.

11. A SEARS credit card that I didn't even realize we had an account for.

12. A squished mini Almond Joy. (it still feels fresh, so I'll probably eat it...)

13. This guy. Okay, he's not really in my purse. But if he was, I'd eat him, too...

What's the weirdest thing you have in your purse?



Becca Simone isn't a better housekeeper than purse-keeper, but she keeps hoping if she cleans and declutters enough, she'll discover something like #13 hanging around. Learn more about Becca's writing at her website.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

The idea machine

Wouldn’t it be cool if you could write like a Mad Lib: insert character names, a general conflict, and some strong verbs, and then presto, out pops the story? I covet such a machine to do all the hard thinking for me, but instead I’m left with this silly life and even sillier brain, and then folks have the comic genius to ask how I get ideas for stories. Well…

Gathered round a tiny table on a girls’ night out, we all watched the same tall drink of water cross to the bar. He was smokin. One pal mentioned that she’d have to go home and do laundry, which I thought was a funny thing to say. I pressed, and she explained that the vibration of a clothes dryer when you’re sitting on it can be an excellent clitoral stimulant. Next day I got the oil changed in my crappy broken-down Honda, and this sweet vintage muscle car rolled in awash in candy-apple hotness. I thought about the clothes dryer and looked at the car, and then I wrote Negotiations.

On a Saturday morning made for lazy, I lay on the sofa reading a classic bodice-ripper. My husband wandered in, fresh out of the shower, and asked if I was reading something good. I said yes, but I wasn’t really paying attention. Was distracted by the bead of water that slid down his neck, wept by his still damp hair. I told him the book was good. He asked if it was good enough. And that led to, among other things, Unless.

When I was thirteen, I went with my older sister to a dancehall in backwoods Texas to see this unknown crooner named George Strait perform. I let Sis dress me up in appropriate duds: jeans, boots, and a belt buckle the size of my head. The place had two open walls and no air conditioning, and it was high summer. Sweltering. But something about the thrum of music so loud I could feel it at the base of my spine and in my throat, combined with the sweat of the crowd, saw dust on the raw pine floor, and the purr of that man’s voice stuck in my brain for long years later. And when I was sitting down to write about a cowboy, I knew right away that’s where he’d be, in that dancehall, sittin' back and nursing his beer. (This story isn’t available anywhere yet, but it’s complete.)


So, really, I guess I do have an idea machine. It’s just plain old living, coupled with a filthy mind. TM. No batteries needed.

Monday, May 9, 2011

New Release: Forged in Fire

Caught in the fires of passion and destruction, Evande struggles for a balance that could either burn or forge her anew.

My newest book, Forged in Fire - Rebirth #3 (smokin' hot urban fantasy romance), releases tonight from Liquid Silver Books and thought I'd share a little with you.


As vampire Evande Austin tries to adjust to her new found abilities, she can’t fight her new reality. She never intended to fall in love with two men. But she also never intended to take Fae blood to keep her alive either.
Trouble lurks in the shadows and Evande fears she will not be able to control the raging blood fever that burns through her because of Quinn. Thanks to Logan, the man who gives her anchor, Evande is able to maintain a thread of sanity in the blinding chaos.
When the Elders strike out and her future tumbles around her feet, Evande realizes the two men give her a bond she is unable to survive without. They need her just as much as she needs them. Giving into them both could just be the one thing that saves everyone.
But one thing remains clear—nothing comes without a cost.

Excerpt:

Logan pushed against my side, his heat enveloping me. My own blood fever triggered in the blink of an eye as his voice sounded as a deep growl in my ear. “But yes, you’re right. I do like to watch and what I’d like to view right now, is you.” His finger trailed down the front of my dirty shirt and flipped open a few buttons.
“And what is it you want me to do?” My voice a husky whisper as my fingers tightened against the solid dresser in anticipation.
My shirt brushed against my arm as it fluttered to the ground and he hooked a finger through the waistband of my slacks. I let him guide me to the bed where he stopped before pushing my pants and underwear over my hips so I stood in front of him with nothing on.
I cocked one of my eyebrows at him, but he just returned the look with a sly smile.
He pushed into me again and the cotton of his shirt and pants brushed against my warm skin. The scent of his rising arousal hit me full force and I pulled it into my lungs, savoring it.
Logan was dead sexy on his own, but aroused, he was a spectacular creature that I was pleased to have a hand in rebirthing.
“I have to say, it was really hot watching you back at the museum. You really know how to take care of yourself and I find that extremely attractive.” His voice dropped a few octaves and threaded through me. Given enough time, I could probably come just from the sound of his voice. An interesting prospect to be sure, no doubt he had other ideas at the moment.
“Thank you.” Just because I sensed his excitement level, and he undoubtedly scented mine as well, didn’t mean I couldn’t take the time to tease him a bit. “I fail to see how this relates to my current state of undress. Not to mention why you’re still fully clothed.”
“Ah, something I’m not so transparent with. Very nice.” His fingers traced the line of my collarbone a few times before he continued. “Watching a strong woman defend herself is incredibly arousing to me. I have no doubt that a woman such as you is perfectly capable of taking care of herself in other matters.”
His eyes flashed hot and dark as my gaze lifted to his. His meaning vividly clear, I needed no further encouragement to know how this would play out.
Sex with Logan had always been a clear give and take for both of us. Unlike Lucas and Callista’s position, no one person was in charge when we were in bed.
From the look in his eye, both of us would find equal amounts of ecstasy tonight.
I pushed away from him and lowered myself onto the bed. My legs fell open as I shifted around on the soft mattress and his eyes focused in the valley there. Smiling, I pushed my finger through the curls and watched his eyes follow every movement. His breath came in short pants as I teased my own skin and I basked in the sensation of what I could do to us both.
That finger moved in a few lazy circles and I took pleasure in the feel of his gaze focused solely on me. I crooked the very same finger at him in invitation to come closer and he instead grabbed for my hand.
His tongue slid against damp skin and his eyes closed as he savored the taste he discovered. “Christ, you taste exquisite.”
“That’s just a sample.”
His low groan echoed though the room. I withdrew my finger from his mouth and wrapped my hand around the back of his neck to pull him down. He came willingly, but held himself at arm’s length as he smiled at me.
“Don’t stop.” His voice held a touch of longing.
I smiled in response. “Do I detect the sound of begging?”
“I don’t beg.”
“Shame. You’d look damn hot on your knees.”