syn·es·the·sia also syn·aes·the·sia (sĭn′ĭs-thē′zhə)

1. A condition in which one type of stimulation evokes the sensation of another, as when the hearing of a sound produces the visualization of a color.

2. A sensation felt in one part of the body as a result of stimulus applied to another, as in referred pain.

3. The description of one kind of sense impression by using words that normally describe another.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.

It probably sounds odd to say that an erotic romance heroine was inspired in part by my mother, but there’s a bit of my mother in Jen, the heroine of Out of Control. Not Jen’s romantic arc and certainly not her sex life. (I know my mother had a sex life. I’m here, after all. We both prefer to leave it at that.) But like my character Jen, my mother has synesthesia. Sounds have colors. Colors evoke physical sensations. Music affects her more strongly than it does many people because it’s a whole-body experience, involving not just hearing, but sight and touch—she feels it on her skin. I decided that this so-called disorder (which doesn’t sound much like a disorder to me, though I’m sure it could interfere with your life in extreme cases) would be an interesting trait for a character, especially an artist like Jen. It also becomes a source of conflict with her hero Drake, a mathematician, who literally can’t see the world through her eyes because her way of perceiving things is so atypical. Never having known another way of experiencing the world, Jen doesn’t think of synesthesia as a disorder. In fact, she uses it to her advantage. Since numbers have colors in her world (something one of my girlfriends experiences, and uses in her work as an engineer), her financial records and business plan are a sea of color. Makes sense to her, if not to anyone else.

The more I learn about how the human brain functions, the more I realize that while there is an objective reality “out there,” we all filter it through our senses and brain in a different way. In some cases, the differences are extreme and have the potential to interfere with one’s life, a true sensory or neurological disorder. But how do we know what someone else is truly experiencing when they see something “green” or listen to music? Makes life interesting.

And because the human brain is elastic, we can often compensate for serious sensory and neurological handicaps in fascinating ways. A blind friend shared a humor piece about “dealing with sighted people” and helping them deal with their limitations. While it makes fun of well-intentioned but frustrating efforts to “help” someone who might not need it, it also underscores something that’s obvious from watching my friend in action: blind people perceive the world in a full, rich way even though they can’t see. In fact, a blind person may pick up on things that sighted people miss because they’re overwhelmed by visual clues.

That realization is partly why one of my upcoming books has a blind heroine. But that’s a story for another day.

He’s got her tied up, but she’s got him out of control.

Glass artist Jen Kessler has hit the jackpot—a cheap apartment in a charming Victorian house, complete with a sexy, intense, buttoned-down landlord…who may or may not have a riding crop in his bedroom.

She’s not looking for a lover, but when her innocent, impulsive hug sparks kisses as hot a molten glass, it leads to bondage, spankings, and more naughtiness that, up to now, she had only tasted.

His new tenant may have wild, dyed hair and an unconventional job, but Cornell math professor Drake Matthews admires the work ethic that got her out of debt. Then he’s stunned at how quickly she destroys decades of his carefully cultivated self-control.

Soon their sexual and emotional passions push them to the edge—and beyond. But it’s not all good, dirty fun. As Drake takes more and more control of Jen in the bedroom, her deeply ingrained independent streak pushes back. And it’ll take more than a shared penchant for ropes, paddling, and coffee to overcome pasts that could unravel their relationship before it begins.

Warning: Contains kinky sex, molten glass, geeky higher mathematics, family secrets, and irresponsible consumption of coffee.

Excerpt:

Drake laid one hand on the back of her neck. “Be still.” His voice was deep, calm, soothing. He stroked the nape of her neck as if he petted a beloved but jumpy pet. Something melted inside her, like glass would melt in a furnace, and she went limp across his lap.

“Good girl,” he whispered. “Surrender to the sensation. Surrender to me.” Still stroking her hair, he spanked her again.

Jen dimly though it may have been even harder than the other times. But the sting didn’t feel like pain. It felt like a gift, a gift Drake was giving to her, and that at the same time she was giving to him. Which made no sense, but the thought was the clear spring green of truth. She accepted it just like she accepted the pain and pleasure, the gentle hand on her head and the hard one smacking an ass that felt as red as her thoughts.

She was molten. She was soft and pooling, ready to be molded and shaped—another one of those nonsensical thoughts colored like truth. She wanted to squirm, try to rub herself to orgasm against the coarseness of denim and the hard muscles underneath. Wanted to push back and beg for more. Wanted. Wanted. But at the same time, she just wanted to see what Drake would do next. So far, she had no complaints, though it was hardly how she would have anticipated things going their first time together.

Hoped, maybe; anticipated, no.

The blows were coming faster now but felt lighter. Was that real or was that just because her clit and pussy were throbbing more than her butt was, making it impossible to think of pain as pain?

Colors exploded behind her eyelids, swirling together in impossible ways. She clung to the colors as best she could, some dim part of her knowing she could reproduce the effect, maybe even the surreal spangling, in glass if she could remember how it looked.

Then Drake let his fingers trail between her throbbing butt cheeks to stroke her pussy.

The colors exploded into fireworks of hues she saw only in dreams, and she exploded with them. No way could she capture those colors. She didn’t think she could see them again unless she was coming, and orgasms and hot glass would be a dangerous combination.

Though with Drake’s hand on the back of her neck, maybe she’d be safe, as safe as she felt now to let go with a cry and soar among the colors.

Samhain / Amazon  / Amazon UK / B&N / Kobo

*~*~*~*~*

Teresa Noelle Roberts started writing stories in kindergarten and she hasn’t stopped yet. A prolific author of short erotica, she’s also a published poet and fantasy writer—but hot paranormals and BDSM-spiced contemporaries are her favorites. Find her at www.teresanoelleroberts.com, on Facebook or on Twitter, where she hangs out as @TeresNoeRoberts.

And aren’t you glad for it?

The release of SEALs of Summer marks my third time participating in a military themed boxed set. And it’s the third and last story in my Adventure Girls series. Each of my hapless travel agents finds her own true love in the midst of danger. I have three more SEAL projects coming, and I’m struggling to find a way to link them. Any ideas? Seriously. 🙂

Anyway, here’s my latest release. I hope you’ll give the set a try. How can you lose buying 10 stories for just $.99? And if you read the book, how about posting a review? You’d be doing a good deed—helping out the authors and other readers!

Military Super-bundle of TEN novels and novellas by New York Times, USA Today and award-winning bestselling authors.

IT TAKES A SEAL, An Adventure Girls, Inc. story by USA Today Bestselling author Delilah Devlin: A travel agent visiting friends in the Bahamas is stranded on a desert island with a sexy ex-SEAL after their private pleasure cruise is interrupted by men who mistake her lover for a reclusive billionaire.

SEAL OF MY HEART by New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Sharon Hamilton: Kate Livingstone’s engagement is at risk the instant she sets eyes on the handsome elite warrior sitting next to her on a plane trip to visit her sister. Navy SEAL Tyler Gray had thought he knew what he wanted in life, until he meets Kate and their obvious attraction for each other sparks something deep in his soul. What starts out as innocent letters between friends turns out to be much more. Can someone fall in love deeply just with words and letters exchanged, or is this just a pleasant fantasy that will ruin their lives forever?

SMOKING HOT by National Bestselling Author Anne Marsh: When an ambush kills his teammate, Navy SEAL Tye Callahan vows to spend the summer in Strong, California, fighting fires with the smoke jumper team and looking out for Katie Lawson, his teammate’s fiancée. Now, as the summer heats up, they must decide if the chemistry burning between them might just be their second chance at living their own lives… together.

THE NAVY SEAL’s E-MAIL ORDER BRIDE by National Bestselling author Cora Seton: If Mason Hall, Navy SEAL, can’t find a wife and get her pregnant–and convince his three brothers to marry, too–before the year is up, he’ll have to forfeit the ranch his family has prized for over a hundred years. Who knew one city girl and three wayward brothers could put up such a fight?

FALL OUT by National Bestselling Author Zoe York: Drew Castle is a Navy SEAL with a bad case of indifference. Until Annie Martin shows up on his doorstep, scared out of her mind, and all of a sudden, keeping her safe becomes the most important mission of his life. And this time, he’s on his own.

CLOSE QUARTERS by New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Roxie Rivera: Getting tangled up in Jamie Pearson’s latest hot mess–or her sheets–is the very last thing Navy SEAL Leland Gates needs, but in close quarters like these, there’s no denying the white-hot passion blazing between them.

KILLING HONOR by International Bestselling author S.M. Butler: Returning home after a disastrous extended deployment, Navy SEAL Brody Battles struggles with nightmares and government secrets building a wall between him and his wife, Devyn, especially when a security breach compromises his identity. While they’re adjusting to being a family again, an old enemy waits in the shadows, salivating for the sweet taste of revenge.

COMING IN HOT by Award-winning author Kimberley Troutte: For Navy SEAL Mack Riley, rescuing a family in Colombian jungles isn’t as hard as seeing the admiral’s daughter again, but since Jenna is joining the hostage rescue team, his orders are to protect her. In the heat of battle, love breaches their defenses just as missiles lock onto their coordinates …can they save the family and get out alive?

A SEAL’s SONG by Golden Heart Finalist author Jennifer Lowery: Navy SEAL Jack Taggart’s plans to catch some much-needed downtime between deployments are demolished when he risks everything to rescue beautiful wedding singer, Darci O’Shea, from a band of thieves. Will the battle between their inner demons be the hardest one to fight, or will they find rescue in each other’s arms?

SEALS’s EMBRACE by USA Today Bestselling author Elle James: Injured Navy SEAL and the critical care nurse he’s attempting to woo join forces to stop a terrorist attack.

Buy at Amazon
Buy at Barnes & Noble
Buy at Kobo

Camille, the heroine of Breaking All The Rules, prides herself on not doing anything anyone expects her to do. She’s a green-haired, pierced, tattooed rebel, living by her own rules. I love her spontaneity.

This do anything, try anything attitude isn’t merely fun. It’s healthy also. Scientific studies show that new experiences keep brains fresh, active, young. Gaming companies market programs designed to give us these new experiences. I prefer to get my new experiences between the virtual pages of a great story.

I challenge myself to read a least three erotic romances a month from a new-to-me writer or in a new-to-me theme or in a new-to-me format (such as serials or interactive stories or other innovations). Because these are new-to-me reads, I usually choose shorter, more sample friendly lengths, novellas or short stories.

How do I find these new reading experiences? Sometimes I’ll pick a post at random from a favorite blog (like Delilah’s) and buy a story from the featured writer. Or I might enter every contest I find and read any stories I win. Or I’ll buy a book advertised in a certain place on an online bookseller’s site. One of my buddies reads the number one selling erotic romance on a certain bookseller. Another buddy reads the newest story.

Of course, I also read my favorite writers (like Delilah). These are often my comfort reads, stories and writers I know I can depend on. But there’s something very thrilling about reading a story or writer that I don’t know anything about. Anything could happen.

Sometimes I love these new reading experiences and sometimes I don’t but I always feel as though I’ve grown as a reader, expanding my boundaries within erotic romance. That is something Camille, my green-haired heroine, would approve of.

How do you keep your reading experience fresh?

***

Nathan Lawford, Blaine Technologies’ chief financial officer, is known as the Iceman. He conducts his personal and business affairs without emotion, never allowing himself to become involved with anyone. When Nate sees something or someone he wants, he negotiates, paying a simple, set monetary price.

Now he wants Camille, the company’s green-haired intern.

Camille Joplin Trent never expected to be paid to pleasure the man of her dreams. She can’t quite figure out why this is a bad thing. Nate is intelligent, handsome, sophisticated, everything she’s ever wanted in a lover and never thought she could have. Their contract is for a month, thirty lust-filled days of making every sexual fantasy they’ve ever had come true. At the end of this month, the rules state their relationship will end.

Of course, Camille has never been good at following rules.

Buy Now At Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Breaking-All-Rules-Erotic-Novella-ebook/dp/B00F2I2GXY

Buy Now At Barnes And Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/breaking-all-the-rules-cynthia-sax/1117501082

Author Website: http://cynthiasax.com/

Blog: http://tasteofcyn.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.sax

Twitter: @CynthiaSax

You must have read my mind.

It’s something I say to my husband all the time. We’ve been together for so long, that we just know each other that well. He can tell by the look on my face if I’m happy or upset. And when he asks me a question, he can usually get a feel for my answer just by how long I pause before speaking. This is the real world, though, so of course he can’t really read my mind.

But what if he could? Sometimes I think it’d make things easier. Certain things are just easier thought than said. You know why you need something done a certain way but you just can’t quite put it in words. Other times I think it would be disastrous. Because, let’s face it, as much as you love a person there are times they’re going to be upset and have not so nice thoughts about you. Or what if they see those fantasies that you’re keeping a secret?

So what if a person could read other people’s minds? Could they ever hope to find love? Those were the questions I asked myself when I wrote Subservience. Harlow is a Subservient. A government geneticist created her to serve the military’s needs. Her particular ability is she can read people’s minds. And since most people know this, they have a hard time being around her. But not Parker. He loves being near her from the moment he steps onto her ship.

Can they make it work? I’ve found that where there’s a will there’s a way. But first they’re going to have to save Harlow’s ship, The Tempest. And figure out why someone’s trying to sabotage its mission.

Universal Defiance, Book Five

Harlow is a Subservient, created to serve the military’s needs. Even though her kind’s been freed and she’s managed to become a military captain, she still struggles with relating to humans, many of whom hate or fear her. So when a hot new navigator comes aboard her ship and she can’t stop imagining him naked above her, she has no idea how to handle the pleasurable distraction.

Parker is a genetically engineered soldier, modified to be the strongest, brightest and fastest. But not even he is strong enough to fight the pull between him and his new captain.

As their attraction grows and the affair deepens, they have to work together to stop a political coup. If they fail, Harlow will lose the ship she loves. Parker doesn’t know if she’s capable of sharing his feelings, but he’s willing to risk it all to protect her.

A Romantica® sci-fi erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave

If you want to know more about the story stop by my website or the Ellora’s Cave site to see a excerpt:
www.ChandraRyan.com
http://www.ellorascave.com/subservience.html
or you can download a sample from Amazon:
http://amzn.com/B00J2XAC2W

SEALs Of Summer: Military Romance Superbundle – Navy SEAL Style

Military Super-bundle of ten novellas and novels by New York Times, USA Today and award-winning bestselling authors: Delilah Devlin, Sharon Hamilton, Anne Marsh, Cora Seton, Zoe York, Roxie Riviera, S.M. Butler, Kimberley Troutte, Jennifer Lowery, Elle James.

This is my first time to be involved with a boxed set of any kind.  To be included in this spectacular line-up of authors is better than a dream come true. Heck, I don’t think I could have dreamed this up if I tried. I am beyond excited for April 21^st when the set goes on sale because these books totally rock.

You can preorder your copy now by clicking on the cover:

You can also join the SEALS of Summer Ladies for our party by clicking here: 24 Hour FB Launch Party, April 26. There will be fun and prizes.

Before I go, here is a little taste of the books in the boxed set:

IT TAKES A SEAL, An Adventure Girls, Inc. story by USA Today Bestselling author Delilah Devlin: A travel agent visiting friends in the Bahamas is stranded on a desert island with a sexy ex-SEAL after their private pleasure cruise is interrupted by men who mistake her lover for a reclusive billionaire.

SEAL MY HEART by New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Sharon Hamilton: Kate Livingstone’s engagement is at risk the instant she sets eyes on the handsome elite warrior sitting next to her on a plane trip to visit her sister. Navy SEAL Tyler Gray had thought he knew what he wanted in life, until he meets Kate and their obvious attraction for each other sparks something deep in his soul. What starts out as innocent letters between friends turns out to be much more. Can someone fall in love deeply just with words and letters exchanged, or is this just a pleasant fantasy that will ruin their lives forever?

SMOKING HOT by National Bestselling Author Anne Marsh: When an ambush kills his teammate, Navy SEAL Tye Callahan vows to spend the summer in Strong, California, fighting fires with the smoke jumper team and looking out for Katie Lawson, his teammate’s fiancée. Now, as the summer heats up, they must decide if the chemistry burning between them might just be their second chance at living their own lives… together.

THE NAVY SEAL’s E-MAIL ORDER BRIDE by National Bestselling author Cora Seton:  If Mason Hall, Navy SEAL, can’t find a wife and get her pregnant—and convince his three brothers to marry, too—before the year is up, he’ll have to forfeit the ranch his family has prized for over a hundred years.  Who knew one city girl and three wayward brothers could put up such a fight?

FALL OUT by Zoe York: Drew Castle is a Navy SEAL with a bad case of indifference. Until Annie Martin shows up on his doorstep, scared out of her mind, and all of a sudden, keeping her safe becomes the most important mission of his life. And this time, he’s on his own.

CLOSE QUARTERS by Bestselling author Roxie Rivera: Nationally Bestselling author Roxie Rivera brings you Close Quarters. Getting tangled up in Jamie Pearson’s latest hot mess—or her sheets—is the very last thing Navy SEAL Leland Gates needs, but in close quarters like these, there’s no denying the white-hot passion blazing between them.

KILLING HONOR by International Bestselling author S.M. Butler: Returning home after a disastrous extended deployment, Navy SEAL Brody Battles struggles with nightmares and government secrets building a wall between him and his wife, Devyn, especially when a security breach compromises his identity. While they’re adjusting to being a family again, an old enemy waits in the shadows, salivating for the sweet taste of revenge.

COMING IN HOT by Award-winning author Kimberley Troutte:  For Navy SEAL Mack Riley, rescuing a family in Colombian jungles isn’t as hard as seeing the admiral’s daughter again, but since Jenna is joining the hostage rescue team, his orders are to protect her. In the heat of battle, love breaches their defenses just as missiles lock onto their coordinates …can they save the family and get out alive?

A SEAL’s SONG by Golden Heart Finalist author Jennifer Lowery: Navy SEAL Jack Taggart’s plans to catch some much-needed downtime between deployments are demolished when he risks everything to rescue beautiful wedding singer, Darci O’Shea, from a band of thieves. Will the battle between their inner demons be the hardest one to fight, or will they find rescue in each other’s arms?

SEALS’s EMBRACE by USA Today Bestselling author Elle James: Injured Navy SEAL and the critical care nurse he’s attempting to woo join forces to stop a terrorist attack at a military hospital.

Happy reading!

Kimberley Troutte
Website
Facebook SEALS of Summer

At this time of year, we do think about honor and sacrifice. These weeks in April are high holy weeks for several of the world’s religions, when we take stock of our roots, our commitments to each other and to something greater than our own lives.

Our world is populated with cycles of life and death, renewal and sacrifice.  Every week I get letters from parents, grandparents, wives and children of men and women who have served our country through military service. They show me their pictures, tell me their stories. It has become something I never expected, but something I treasure.

I’ve also received intimate thank you letters as people remember a loved one who fell in the line of duty, or perished as the result of injuries years later.

So at this time of year, and in keeping with the spirit of renewal and sacrifice, I’m not going to sell books. I’m going to just say that I thank each and every one of you who have enriched my life, who have gone with us on this journey. I blog here because Delilah has become a good friend of mine. We’ve been lucky to work together on several successful collaborations.

The other writers I have had the priviledge of working with recently are the ladies from our SEALed With A Kiss Anthology. Thank you Marliss Melton, Teresa Reasor, Gennita Low, Elle James, Stephanie Tyler, J.M. Madden. Class act writers and good friends all. Thank you.

Thank you also for the opportunity to work with other talented authors like Zoe York, Cora Seton, Roxie Rivera, Anne Marsh, Suzan Butler, Kimberley Troutte and Jennifer Lowery on the new SEALs Of Summer Romance Superbundle. We’re doing it Navy SEAL style – with grace, honor, pooling our resources, being sisters and working toward the common good. Some of you are new friends, and it has been a great joy to work with you.

We write about heroes and heroines every day. We do it because we enjoy it. But we also do it because we love bringing these stories to you, our readers. Thank you for giving us the chance to come into your lives. Before the craziness of another launch descends upon us, I’d just like to pause and say thanks to everyone.

This weekend I’d like to reflect on the gifts we’ve been given, the prices paid so unselfishly, by being grateful and enjoying every minute. That’s what those who came before us would want us to do.

NYT and USA/Today and Amazon Top 100 Bestselling Author Sharon Hamilton’s SEAL Brotherhood series have earned her Amazon author rankings of #1 in Romantic Suspense, Military Romance and Contemporary Romance. Her characters follow a sometimes rocky road to redemption through passion and true love. Her Golden Vampires of Tuscany earned her a #1 Amazon author ranking in Gothic Romance.

A lifelong organic vegetable and flower gardener, Sharon and her husband live in the Wine Country of Northern California, where most of her stories take place.

Sharon Hamilton
Life is one fool thing after another.
Love is two fool things after each other.
Author Page ** Sharon’s Blog ** Sharon’s Website ** Facebook**Twitter

If you had told me a few years ago that I would be wearing a unicorn mask and carrying a squirt gun around my neighborhood as a professional activity, I would have laughed myself silly in my old office, surrounded by paperwork and tasks and office politics more intricate than trying to get Congress to pass a balanced budget.

But here I am. Readers have asked me why — why? —WHY? — I write crazy romantic comedy that takes everything up a few notches until it’s so absurd you can’t help but laugh.

Because…isn’t that just real life? At least, that’s how my real life is. No, I don’t play naked-character squirt guns fights (you have to read Random Acts of Fantasy to understand that one…), or lose my smartphone in my hoohaw (Random Acts of Trust), run full-force into parking signs because I’m jealous of my ex touching someone else (It’s Complicated), or pick up naked hitchhikers (Random Acts of Crazy).

And I certainly don’t get caught in the men’s room with my hand down a toilet (my newest book, Shopping for a Billionaire).

Real life comes close, though.

We like to laugh because it makes us feel better about the world, or because we’re secretly relieved THAT didn’t happen to US. Humor makes the intolerable easier to live with, bonds us with others, and makes everything seem just a little lighter. A little looser.

A little more lovely.

🙂

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Bio: New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Julia Kent writes romantic comedy with an edge, and new adult books that push contemporary boundaries. From billionaires to BBWs to rock stars, Julia finds a sensual, goofy joy in every book she writes, but unlike Trevor from Random Acts of Crazy, she has never kissed a chicken.

She loves to hear from her readers by email at jkentauthor@gmail.com, on Twitter @jkentauthor, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/jkentauthor . Visit her blog at http://jkentauthor.blogspot.com

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Links:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1gBgUK8
iBooks: http://bit.ly/1o4cHZd
B&N: (it’s not up yet and I’m leaving for the airport now for a 6.5 hour cross-country flight! I can get it to you tomorrow, though!)
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New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author
Read about my books at Julia Kent’s Blog