Monthly Archive for March, 2011

1-800-DOM-help – Emerald Dungeon

Published on March 24, 2011 in 1-800-DOM-help. 1 Comment

For those of you who have been enjoying the series, there are a few more books coming down the pipe for you to enjoy. The latest in the series comes from the talented Kathy Kulig.

Emerald Dungeon

Dana’s summer job as a musician in an Irish castle takes an adventurous turn after she witnesses a BDSM scene in the dungeon, and her submissive side is aroused.

Jack is a sexy Dominant who recognizes the sub smoldering beneath the demure exterior. His skillful commands take Dana beyond her darkest erotic fantasies.

Whips, restraints and increasing levels of pain heighten her passion, but complete surrender and ecstasy is out of her reach. Will a summer affair be enough to find what they both need? The appearance of a mysterious 1-800-DOM-help business card offers to guide them. Secrets and strange events around the castle only add to their troubles. If Dana can accept Jack with complete trust and surrender, then ultimate pleasure and true love is possible.

Guest Author – Cassandra Carr

Published on March 14, 2011 in Guest Blogger. 0 Comments

I’m very pleased to have Cassandra Carr visiting my blog today. :D

Strange Things Writers Do

Writers have some awfully odd methods and rituals. Some use big white boards to plot their stories. Some put on special “writing gear” – a favorite sweatshirt, a specific pair of socks; and still others have to listen to a certain band or drink a certain beverage out of a specific mug.

Me? I have nothing like this. I’m not really the type to begin with, but at this point in my writing career, I can’t really afford to anyway. I write when I can. If I can listen to music, that’s fine. If I can’t, that’s okay too. I wear whatever I happen to have on that day, I write in whatever location I can find at the moment.

But I do know writers who absolutely cannot write without their little quirks and rituals. Hey – we’re all as different as our books, and that’s what makes the world go ‘round, so I’m all for it. If it works for you, by all means, do it!

Do you have any little things you like to do to get yourself through a day?

Talk To Me Excerpt

The elevator doors opened, and Drew hurried to unlock his apartment and punch his code into the security pad before continuing straight to his bedroom. He spun and picked Jamie up as she neared the door, and she let out a squeak of protest.

“Drew!”

“What? I’m trying to be romantic. Efficient too.” He grinned at her when she struggled to get out of his grip. The way she fought against him both amused and aroused him. “Not so fast,” he warned her. “I’m not planning to let you get away until I’m good and finished with you.”

Jamie cocked an eyebrow. “Good and finished? Be still my heart! Such dreamy talk from a man like you! I had no idea.”

Drew laughed and dropped Jamie on the king-size bed with enough force to make her bounce, then climbed on top of her. Before she could protest again, he’d pressed his erection into her belly and taken her lips in another deep kiss. Jamie melted beneath him, snaking her hands around his neck while his found her hips, pulling her closer. “You need to get naked,” he declared, rolling off her.

“Just me? That’s hardly fair. If I’m getting naked, then this time, so are you.” Her beautiful, full lips pouted at him.

He stood up, and in seconds, his pants and boxer briefs landed in a heap on the floor. He pulled his shirt over his head and added it to the pile. “Your turn.”

Jamie rose up on her elbows and stared at him in disbelief. “How did you do that so fast? And may I add, very nice.” She smiled and waggled her eyebrows, giving him a quick once-over.

“When I want something, I don’t waste time. And I want you naked. Now.”

He reached over and started yanking her top over her head, but she batted his hands away.

“Hey — stop that. You’re going to dislocate my shoulder with your beastlike strength.”

Drew laughed but allowed Jamie to gently pull her blouse over her head. He took it and tossed it on the chair near the window. Next she tugged her jeans off, leaving her in only her bra and panties, which Drew made short work of.

He groaned when she was fully nude. “God, you’re fucking gorgeous, you know that? And I’m gonna put my hands and my tongue and my mouth and my cock everywhere on and in your beautiful body, so you better be ready.”

Jamie shivered, and he covered her body with his, kissing her briefly before moving down her jawline, sucking and licking. This is gonna be good.

Buy link: http://www.loose-id.com/Talk-to-Me.aspx

Bio: Cassandra Carr lives in Western New York with her husband, Inspiration, and her daughter, Too Cute for Words. When not gleefully torturing characters Cassandra enjoys watching hockey and eating.

For more information about Cassandra, check out her website , follow her on Twitter , or “like” her fan page.

Friday Funny

Published on March 11, 2011 in Friday Funny, Fun, Life and Writing. 0 Comments

What a week! Life in the d’Abo household has been clipping along at a good pace. We are in the process of selling our house, which means LOTS of cleaning and decluttering. The minions aren’t very happy about the extra work, but they will survive.

I do have some excellent news about a new contract coming up, but I can’t quite share it with you yet. I hope everything will be finalized next week and I’ll be able to give you the deets. Needless to say, I’m ecstatic. :D

I’ll be participating at the Toronto Romance Writer’s March critique session again this year. I hope I’ll be able to offer a bit of advice to the new writers in my group. Thankfully J.K. Coi is my critique partner, so they will benefit from her expertise as well.

Seeing as it’s Friday, I thought I’d share another funny video with you. This one isn’t safe for little ears or work (unless you have headphones). I laughed my ass off!

Happy Friday everyone!

Author Interview – Kendall Grace

Published on March 8, 2011 in Interview. 1 Comment

I was lucky enough to get two kick-butt author’s lined up for interviews this week (actually I totally double booked, but Kendall is awesome and let me shift her to today (Izadork)). The very cool Kendall Grace is with me here today on my blog and has agreed to answer some of my half-baked questions.

Thanks for coming by today, Kendall. :)



What or who inspired you to first start writing?

The voices in my head :) I figured it was either start writing or entertain the real possibility that I was going crazy.

When you are writing and hit a stumbling block, what do you do to try and get over the hurdle?

I force myself to write, even if I feel blocked. I often must go back and delete some of what I’ve composed, but just the act of writing itself helps to move me past those frustrating moments.

What was the strangest thing that ever inspired a scene/book? What was the end result?

I don’t know if this is necessarily strange, but it was a small thing that turned into a work I’m very proud of. I was listening to “Sweet Home Alabama” and the idea of my current release, “Southern Exposure” came to mind. The idea of a small town in Alabama intrigued me, and when I decided to throw a NY City attorney heroine into the tiniest town possible, my book was born.

Is there a type of story you would like to write, but are terrified you wouldn’t do a proper job? What is it and why?

I have an interest in writing a ménage, as I love to read them, but I fear I wouldn’t write one well. There’s so much to keep in mind—the mechanics of the love scenes, the emotional growth of each character individually as well as how they all react to one another. It may be one of those situations where I would just have to bite the bullet and give it a try. In the meantime, I’ll just keep reading other authors’ work!

E-books vs print books? E-readers vs. paper? Can’t we all just get along? What’s your preference?

I have been a fan of eBooks for a while, as I have a huge issue with clutter. Books were overtaking everything and the idea of storing them all electronically made sense. As a writer, just having my work out there is satisfying. I don’t feel the need to be able to hold a print book in my hand. And with the way the market has begun to favor electronic books over print, I think more and more authors will begin to feel the same way. In the end, we want our stories read. If they’re read on paper or an eReader screen really shouldn’t matter.


What project are you working on next?

That would have to be projects—LOL. I often juggle a few books at once. Whether that is wise or not I can’t say, but since I’ve had two recent releases it has to be working on some level! I have a novella featuring a sexy single-engine pilot and the woman who is co-owner of the Charter Company. This is the first book I’ve written where the couple bickers. A lot. It’s very fun to write. I also have a novel-length book that features a Native American hero and a woman who escapes a bad marriage by relocating to a miniscule town in Georgia. An Apache shaman helped me with the research on this book and it is full of Native American beliefs and culture. Both of these projects are still in progress, although the novel is complete. It’s just not where I want it to be yet. Does that ever really happen, though? :) I have a few others in the works in varying stages of completion.


How can readers find out more about you?

My books are available at Ellora’s Cave. Readers can visit me at www.authorkendallgrace.com I am also on Facebook and Twitter. Those links are available on my website.

Thank you so much, Kendall for stopping by!

*does a snoopy dance*

Author Interview – Inez Kelley

Published on March 6, 2011 in Interview. 2 Comments

I’m thrilled to have the wonderfully talented Inez Kelley visiting my blog today. She’s let me pick her brain about a few things (and didn’t run away screaming) and I’m here to share them with you.

Thanks for stopping by my blog, Inez!

What or who inspired you to first start writing?

Two people. My grandmother wrote in secret. To my knowledge, she finished one story, a sweet romance. I have that manuscript and it is one of my most prize possessions. The second was an 11-year-old girl. I myself was 11 as well and asked what she was writing. I read her story and realized I wasn’t alone, other people also had weird stories and voices in their head. If she could write them down, so could I. I literally started that hour, writing in my science notebook.

If you could go back in time and lay claim to any book written, which one would you want and why?

Well I’d say Harry Potter for the royalties but then it would have been a different story. Honestly, none. I wouldn’t want someone claiming mine so I’ll give others the same respect.

When you are writing and hit a stumbling block, what do you do to try and get over the hurdle?

I have been known to stare at the same word for 3 days. I can’t plow ahead, I must fix it now before moving on. I may walk away, read or listen to music, talk it out with some Crit buddies but ultimately I push forward. Doesn’t mean I don’t have to go back and rework the scene later but at least there are words on the page TO FIX.

What was the strangest thing that ever inspired a scene/book? What was the end result?

Oh wow. *thinking* It’s weird what can inspire a story really. A fan-made video for Lord of the Rings inspired Salome at Sunrise but I don’t think that is too weird. A song can inspire a scene or a tone and often does. Sometimes it’s a comment someone makes in conversation. I think the strangest thing would have to be stepping on a Matchbox car one night. That spawned a story that kept growing. It became my freebie series and is available on my website.

If you could have supper with any of your characters, which one would you choose and where would you take them?

To date it would be John Murphy, hands down. He has entranced me since he first spoke. I think he’d feel more comfortable at a diner than anywhere so I’d order some pie and just listen.

Is there a type of story you would like to write, but are terrified you wouldn’t do a proper job? What is it and why?

*shifty eye look* You’ve been tip-toeing through my hard drive, haven’t you? I have a finished historical that I love. It’s a medieval romance heavily steeped in religious beliefs of the time and is beautiful… but it sucks. I am not ready to tell that story yet. One day maybe. I also have a YA that I *WILL* finish one day that is not a romance. I love that story but it drains me to write it.

If you could sit down with one author from any time in history, who would it be? What questions would you want to ask them?

I automatically went for Shakespeare since he created so many words that have become commonplace but then my mind threw out a stop sign. I think maybe the writers of the Old Testament. The questions there could fill a book themselves. Or maybe Bram Stoker, the father of the vampire lore.

Can’t I just have a Dead Author Party and invite them all?

If someone gave you a minion tomorrow, what would be the first task you’d ask them to complete?

LAUNDRY!!

E-books vs print books? E-readers vs. paper? Can’t we all just get along? What’s your preference?

I have both and like both and don’t want either to go away. I love the convenience of digital and the ease of having thousands of books at my fingertips. I also love the feel of a traditional book in my hands and until the powers that be make it easy to sign an ebook, more fan-friendly.

If you were a superhero, what would your name be and what super powers would you possess?

LOL uhm… damn, you ask hard questions. The Frost Queen. I want to freeze time.

What project are you working on next?

In the next month, I am finishing edits on an August release with Carina Press titled TURN IT UP. That’s a romantic comedy. I also want to get my fantasy story out the door. It needs a solid day or two for a final polish then out he goes! Currently I am working on a soooper sekrit project. *insert evil laughter* I expect that to fill my next few months.

How can readers find out more about you?

They can visit me at her website http://inezkelley.com/ Follow me on twitter at @Inez_Kelley or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/inez.kelley

Thanks so much for stopping by, Inez! And if you get that freezing time superpower, please let me know. I could certainly use your help. :)

And don’t forget to check out Inez book, Sweet As Sin at Carina Press!