The month of April means spring for most people around the country, waiting for snow to melt and flowers to bloom.  Here in the desert of Phoenix, where we only have two seasons—hot and not very cold—we’ve had a very mild winter and am already hitting the mid-ninties.  Yeah, I’m sure you can feel my excitement.

For writers, April also means it’s Camo Nano!  It’s our chance for redemption if we weren’t able to complete the original NaNoWriMo back in November.  For those of you who don’t know, NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month where authors of all genres attempt to write a complete novel, typically around 50,000 words.  Some people are able to meet that goal and go on to publish those works, others like myself, use it as a excuse to socialize.  I know, very lame but hey, who doesn’t like to make friends?

Last last November my critique partner and I set goals for ourselves and of course made a wager to see who could beat the other.  Because we’re not competitive at all. Nope, not us.  Of course I got my butt handed to me but it was fun to try.  The point was we made each other accountable for the goals we set.

Goals are extremely important when you want to achieve something.  Whether it be writing, or losing weight ( raises hand ), a home project ( raises other hand ) or something as simple as laundry ( raises a foot, wobbles and falls over ), a goal can help you focus on one step at a time and not getting overwhelmed.  That’s my biggest problem, getting overwhelmed when I look at everything all at once.  For instance, I have edits for my upcoming release sitting in my inbox, I’ve got a recently completed short story that needs editing and polishing, I’ve got half of a book written and another short story to write all in the next couple of months.  When I think of those projects and the messy house and 18 craft projects in my garage, all I want to do is sit down and read.

Of course, I can’t do that.  So I decided to use CampNaNo as a way set small goals.  So far I have met one of the three goals set, and as a reward I am watching Once Upon a Time. I may have had some Thin Mints we do don’t talk about those.

What about you guys?  Do you think goals are important? Do you use a reward system also?  Let me know, I’d love to hear from you.

My next release, Moon Over the Bay, the second book in the Moonlit Nights series, has a cover and blurb reveal May 3rd with a release date at the end of May.

In the meantime you can pick up the first book in the series, Talk to the Moon on Amazon and then available at all online retailers May 22nd!

When Kyle Chase was eighteen, he had his life all mapped out: a business degree and a long, happy life with his childhood sweetheart. Seven years later, Kyle is still haunted by the girl who declared her undying love to him before disappearing without a word as soon as he left for college. With the realization that the memories are stopping him from living his life, Kyle posts an ad in hopes of making contact with the woman who broke his heart.

Sadie Long has finally found her niche in the world as an artist, years after leaving the South and her trailer-trash parents. Every month, her muse drives Sadie to create another artwork featuring a vivid full moon and the boy she left behind, and it’s driving her crazy. When she comes across an ad in Craigslist’s “Missed Connections,” she knows it’s from him, and even though she’s terrified of how he might feel about what she did when they were teenagers, she has no choice but to respond to the ad.

When the truth comes out, will Kyle be able to forgive Sadie and move forward, or will they always be stuck in the past?

Talk to the Moon on Amazon

Contact:
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Morgan
“Don’t force success. People can’t tell you how to do it. You’ve got to do it by yourself and if they judge you and the process you’ve chosen… let it be.”

The one thing I love about life is it’s never stagnant. There are changes that range from minor to huge. No matter the change, it causes a ripple effect of some kind, which leads to good or bad things. Right now, I’m thinking of changes because of a book I’m writing.

My characters are at a crossroads. In the book, they went through the change of letting someone close to them. It caused for both a major ripple in their lives as they adapted to each other. Once they did accept the change and letting someone into their lives they rode the wave of that ripple and are enjoying the journey. But any life’s journey as I mentioned doesn’t stay stagnant. My characters have already been through the change of realizing they actually care beyond the sexual for the other.  But now it’s time for them to be shaken up. Time for another change that will either make them stronger as a couple or break them apart. *grin* I love exploring the complexities of relationships.  It’s going to be fun to see where their adventure will lead as I take them through changing.

****

Taige Crenshaw is a multi-published author with books available at Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Liquid Silver Books, Loose Id, and Totally 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.

Immortal Bloodlines —  A stubborn woman is hard to capture, but once you have, what do you do with her?

Buy here at Totally Bound.

Waltz with a Lawman, set in 1882 in the Arizona territory is more that just another release for Brit Blaise. It’s something much more than that. It was a labor of love and the character’s show the truth of this bold statement.

Marsh Flynn is a hard man, a man with steel in muscles and justice in his veins. When his life is reduced to one gunfight after another, it eats into the core of his integrity. The world believes a man’s desire for another man is a matter for the law with all its righteous indignation. How can he uphold a law he would break?

Lee Flynn was raised in high society secure in the love of his family. His father’s death does more than break him, it awakens the warrior growing inside him. When he’s thrown into a life rife with murder, thieves, and liars, can he be the man he needs to be to survive?

Both men’s lives are entwined in ways they’d never imagined…or dreamed.

A little about Brit Blaise:

I’ve been published since 2005, with 7 publishers and over 40 novels and novellas. The last three years have brought changes to the publishing world, and to my life. In 2011 I was diagnosed with the rarest and deadliest of breast cancers. Because of this, every book I publish now is gift unlike any before. I’m still fighting the cancer, but writing almost every day and feeling blessed! I’ve had two cowboy anthologies on the Amazon bestsellers list for six weeks now. And a good friend, New York Times Bestselling Author, Jennifer Ashley recently told her readers that: “Brit know cowboys!” Indeed, I do. I was raised among them from the time of my birth.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Brit_Blaise
Website: http://www.britblaise.com/
Books: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=Brit%20Blaise&search-alias=digital-text&sort=relevancerank

Eden Bradley is Dangerously Bound!

As a writer we always hear ‘write what you know’. For me, writing kink has always been my go-to genre because I’ve been involved in BDSM for many years. I do think my real life experience gives me a unique perspective. Having been a psychology major also helps. For me, incorporating BDSM elements in a story make it all more exciting, from creating deep, complex characters to writing smoking hot sex scenes!

I really love to explore how the human mind works—especially the kinky mind! The kink intensifies everything, including the connection between characters, and in fiction, as in real life, kink relationships are very deeply connected, very intense. This also makes for some pretty irresistibly sexy heroes! It’s that intensity, from the way he looks at you as if he can see right through you to the way he lowers his voice, sending shivers through every part of your body. It’s that natural air of command that tells you in no uncertain terms that while he may let you sass him a bit, ultimately, he is the one in control. And it’s that air of absolute authority that allows you to let go, to turn yourself over to him. To trust. What could possibly be sexier? Because no matter how modern a woman we might be, we are still female, and we appreciate a man who can help us move beyond our everyday roles as worker, parent, caretaker, and let us be taken care of completely. Who allows us to revel in our femininity. This is what a true Dominant is to me. These are the kinds of Doms I write. And this is what Mick Reid, the hero in my latest book DANGEROUSLY BOUND, is all about.

She wasn’t as innocent as he remembered. He’s twice as wicked as she ever imagined.

“For those who are born to New Orleans, it’s in your blood. It lingers there no matter where you go. BDSM is the same sort of thing. If you’re born to it—the way you were, the way I was, whether or not you want to accept that—you can never shake it. It shapes the way you think, the way you respond to…everything. And those who were a part of unleashing those desires…you never forget them, either. That’s what you did for me, Mick. For me, not to me.”

~Alessandra ‘Allie’ LeClair

~~~~~~~~~~

She can whip up something sweet…
Allie LeClair has finally returned to the sultry city of New Orleans. After ten years of studying and working as a pastry chef in San Francisco and all over Europe—and feeding her submissive side at BDSM clubs—Allie is home, and she has something to prove to the man who once fueled her desires. She’s not a child anymore.

But with two in the kitchen…
When security specialist Mick Reid hears that Allie is back in town, he knows he won’t be able to stay away for long. Ever since he discovered his darker side, Mick has tried to protect Allie from the aggressive beast within him—but that power and wildness is exactly what she wants.

Can they take the heat?
Allie has made the first move, but now it’s up to Mick. The game has begun, and playing has never been so rough.

~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT:

She waited while he walked around the truck to open her door. He lifted her down, his big hands around her waist, and his touch burned into her, making her need all the more acute. She could barely stand to wait as he led her up the walkway, up the steps, took her keys and opened her front door.

He grabbed her wrist, encircling it with his strong fingers.

“Bedroom,” he demanded. “Or it’s going to be right here on the hall floor.”

She nodded and led him down the narrow hall.

He was on her almost the moment they passed through the doorway, stripping her down until she was naked and barefoot once more. Her pulse was a hot, thready beat in her veins, her chest, between her thighs. Desire was something solid, palpable, nearly unbearable.

She put her hands on his chest, tried to unbutton his shirt.

“Mick . . .”

He took her wrists in his hands and pulled them down to her sides, held them there as he looked into her eyes, and she understood, her mind shifting gears. If they were going to be together right now they would be in role, submissive and Dominant. She understood his need to leash his desires. Understood how dangerous he felt he was to her.

She would show him tonight she could take it. That the full darkness inside him was exactly what she wanted, yearned for.

He moved around her, one hand on her body, sliding over her stomach, her side, her back. He stood behind her, and she waited for whatever would come next, her heart hammering, her body aching for more.

When he wrapped his arm around her neck and tightened just enough to restrict her breathing, she felt his command with an enormous sense of relief.

Oh, yes.

~~~~~~~~~~

CONTEST!

Today I’ll give away a copy of my Dangerous Romance Series spin-off, DANGEROUSLY INKED, and a $10.00 Amazon Gift Card! To enter the giveaway, just follow me!

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EdenBradley
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorEdenBradley.EveBerlin
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/edenandeve/

~or sign up for my group blog The Smutketeers newsletter (with authors RG Alexander & Robin L Rotham): http://eepurl.com/OBKSD

~Post here letting me know where you followed-1 entry for each source followed. I’ll be back tomorrow night to announce the winner here in the comments section, so be sure to check back!

~~~~~~~~~~

New York Times & USA Today Bestselling and award-winning author Eden Bradley aka Eve Berlin has published a number of novels and novellas, both print and e-books, with Berkley Heat, Bantam/Delta, Harlequin Spice & HQN, Black Lace Books and Samhain Publishing, as well as venturing into self-publishing. Her books have been translated into German, French, Romanian, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, Czech, Polish and Japanese. Eden has appeared regularly on Playboy Radio and conducts workshops on writing craft and writing about sex.

She loves art, shoes, tattoos, reading smutty books, chocolate and sex, of course, not necessarily in that order.

Find Eden online!

www.EdenBradley.com
http://www.Smutketeers.com/

Romance readers are AMAZING!  And . . . so is Habitat For Humanity, a charity that I love supporting and volunteering for.  So, I thought, why not pair the two and help a deserving family receive a home?  And, the Diana Cosby’s Romance Reader’s Build A Habitat For Humanity Home Challenge was born.

I contacted the Habitat For Humanity office in Grayson County, Texas, where I’ve had the honor of helping with several builds and spoke with Laurie Mealy, Executive Director.  She embraced the project, and was thrilled at the thought of pairing romance readers, who love stories where heroes and heroines overcome challenges to make their dreams come true, with making the dream of a home for a deserving family a reality.

How it works:

As readers and/or readers groups send contributions to Habitat for Humanity of Grayson County, the bookshelf posted on the upper left side of their website will fill in with every donation in $100 increments. The goal is to fund an entire home – $55,000.  Donations can be sent via PayPal using the Donate link in the menu bar on Grayson County’s Habitat For Humanity’s website, or donate funds by mailing a check or money order to:

Habitat for Humanity of Grayson County
901 N. Grand Avenue
P.O. Box 2725
Sherman, TX 75091

I kicked off the challenge by donating $200.  As I write this, we’ve raised $3755.  I challenge romance readers and readers groups to challenge each other with donations.  I have total faith that romance readers together are an unstoppable force, and as the stories they love, they will leave a deserving family with a happy ending.

My sincere thanks to everyone for making an incredible difference in a family’s life.  For when they walk into a Habitat For Humanity house, it’s more thank mortar and wood, but a place where  dreams exist, and a place where finally, they can call home.

God bless,

Diana Cosby, International Best-Selling Author
www.dianacosby.com

Hi, I’m Lisa Carlisle. Glad to be here visiting Delilah’s site. I see other authors have discussed settings and that’s something I’d love to share in my latest release, Dark Velvet.  It’s the first part of a paranormal erotic romance series set on a remote New England island. I chose a remote island as the setting for this novel as it captures the gothic mood I wanted to capture with the castle setting. The tormented sculptor Antoine bought a castle that was built during the tech boom in the 1990s in a medieval style. Antoine established an art colony here to bring back meaning to an existence that has lost meaning. When Savannah arrives for a residency, his game of seduction unfolds, yet his plans are derailed when she discovers his dark secret.

Paranormal Romance Junkies just gave it 4 ½ fangs, noting the “insanely hot chemistry” between the main characters.

Intrigued? Here’s a blurb and excerpt:

Dark Velvet

Chateau Seductions series

Grad student Savannah Evans is thrilled to be accepted as a resident to a prestigious art colony. Where else would she be able to focus on her craft of writing poetry in a setting like that of the medieval-styled castle? The remote New England island is a respite from her hectic city life. When she meets her benefactor, a mysterious French sculptor, her expectations for carefree days writing near the ocean are distracted by unprofessional fantasies about her sponsor.

Antoine Chevalier built Les Beaux Arts on DeRoche Island to bring purpose back to an existence that has lost meaning. He’s wandered the earth for decades and finds solace in returning to art. When Savannah applies for a residency, something about her words touches him. After her arrival, a physical attraction grows between them, which he struggles against. She deserves more than someone of his kind.

Antoine proposes they become lovers during her stay. But the situation turns complicated when Savannah discovers his secret. She had suspicions about his identity, but finds the truth overwhelming. Consumed by her desire for Antoine and faced with a tough decision, she is blind to the danger that has arrived at DeRoche Island.

New adult / paranormal / erotic romance

Excerpt

Savannah’s fingers traced the cool marble of the god’s muscular back and then the definition in his arm as he drew an arrow to shoot. She pictured Antoine bent over the sculpture, brows furrowed in concentration, losing sense of time as he polished each portion to perfection.

“Do you like this?” A deep voice whispering in her ear startled her.

She jumped at the sound of his voice, bumping back into his hard chest, and he caught her upper arms to steady her. Only one man in the castle spoke in that smooth French accent—the sculptor himself.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Antoine.” She fumbled taking a half step forward, away from him. “I shouldn’t have touched it.”

“No, don’t apologize.” He let go of her arms, but his warm breath tickled her ear.

He took her hand, caressing her palm, which sent tingles up her arm. Her bottom lip quivered as he brought her fingers to rest again on the marble piece. She thanked the gods he remained behind her so he couldn’t witness her nervous reaction, and she bit her lip to halt the tremors. This was not the way for a young protégée to behave in front of her benefactor. He owned the castle, created the art colony here where she was attending on a poetry scholarship—she shouldn’t go gaga simply from his touch. Which was exactly what she was doing.

“It pleases me that you appreciate my work.” Leading her fingers down the figure’s chiseled chest, he leaned in closer and added, “I liked watching you admire it.”

His voice alone sent flames rippling through her. Every nerve in her being lit with awareness in reaction to him. In the months since they’d met, they’d never been alone in such proximity. Weeks of heated looks from afar had inflamed her desire so the slightest touch became intimate, strengthening her need for more.

Sounds of approaching voices indicated this evening’s performance in the chateau would soon begin. Several of the musicians in the art colony had collaborated on orchestral pieces they wanted to play in front of an audience for the first time. As fellow artists in residence, they sought the support of fellow residents.

Antoine kissed her hand like a suitor in a bygone era. “I hope you enjoy the concert, Savannah.”

Her lips parted, opening and closing like a fish while she thought of what to say. When she mustered up the courage to turn and face him, he had already left the room, filling her with both relief and disappointment. Unaware she’d been holding her breath, she exhaled deeply.

Several times over the course of the evening, Savannah caught Antoine’s dark eyes watching her. Her emotions roiled in confusion while the performers played Barber’s Adagio for Strings.The way he held her gaze without blinking made her squirm in the burgundy armchair. The rising tension and resolution from the violin and cello underscored her tumultuous emotions.

She smiled at him briefly and focused on the musicians, aware of how her heartbeat had escalated. When she glanced again at Antoine, he still watched her unabashed, as if unconcerned about what the others would think. He took a sip of Porto, nodded her way, and then returned his attention to the musicians. She sat up straighter and crossed her legs at the ankles, then uncrossed them, and crossed them again.

The attraction was becoming more difficult to ignore. In light of how he breached the physical distance by touching her so earlier, she feared she’d be unable to keep her desires hidden much longer. She’d developed an instant crush since she arrived at the castle three months before. How could she not be—he was a renowned sculptor with a devastating, dark appeal. What was she to him than just another young resident who would be gone in three months, replaced by another.

Was she reading more into the brief exchange than was warranted?

It’s just a look. Only a casual glance my way. Even as she attempted to fool herself, she knew she was full of shit.

Buy links:

Amazon
B&N
Kobo
AllRomanceEbooks

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I’m busy today. As I’m sure you are as well! So, I’ll keep this short and sweet.

If you could be better at just one thing, what would that be?