Today is supposed to be the first day of spring. It certainly doesn’t feel like it. We’re supposed to have scattered flurries today. Winter is my least favourite season because of that fluffy white stuff. I look forward to spring every year because that means the weather is getting warmer, the snow will melt away and more sunshine is always good. I live in a university town so spring also means the mass exodus of students in May. The town goes back to normal, no loud parties keeping us up at night. The coming of spring makes me want to clean out the house, open the windows and enjoy the longer days.
The start of spring last year was when I got the idea for my short story Laundry Day. How can doing laundry be sexy? I didn’t know either when the idea first came to me. I mean, to me, laundry is a chore I’d rather not do. So it piles up until I have no clothes to wear and have no choice but throw a few loads in the washer. When I thought about a character walking down the stairs carrying a laundry basket full of clothes, wearing nothing at all, the idea evolved to a co-ed laundry day party.
The story was a blast to write but a challenge. The whole turning an every day chore into something sexy stumped me at first. I had the image in my head of a woman holding that basket but no idea how she got there or why she did laundry naked. Gradually the idea developed into a kind of key party but with a twist. Carmela runs an apartment complex for swingers. Her key party of choice is actually a laundry day party – clothing prohibited.
Excerpt:
Naked, sitting on the sofa with her legs crossed, Carm studied Declan as he pulled his clothes out of the washing machine and tossed them into the dryer. Spending the day naked with a hot guy had seemed like a good idea when she’d first dreamed it up. But after so many months with Declan not applying she’d almost given up on the laundry day she envisioned. She shifted on the sofa wishing she’d put down a towel. While comfortable when fully clothed, the blue fabric irritated bare flesh, making her itch. If she stuck with the naked all day rule she needed more comfortable furniture.
She resisted the urge to cover herself. Being modest now would shatter the confident impression she’d given earlier. Finished loading the dryer, he began sorting through the clothes on the floor in front of the washing machine. He grabbed a pile of her delicates and a pile of his boxer briefs and threw them into the machine. The image in her head of their intimates rolling around together brought to mind them rolling around on her bed. The play of candlelight across his back emphasized corded muscles. She could stare at him all day but she wanted him inside her again.
If they were going to repeat their performance they needed food. Now that the next load was in she stood and marched into the kitchen. She eyed the stove, fleetingly rationalized wearing an apron to make a hot meal but tossed the idea aside. Start breaking the main rule and they’d start breaking other rules. There had to be something in the apartment they could eat that wouldn’t risk third degree burns.
Laundry Day is available on Amazon but you can get it andnine other stories for $0.99 in Bring On the Heat! Check it out an Amazon – http://amzn.com/B00HOHUUF2
About Keira
Keira is a former strip club bartender. Nights at the bar gave her lots of sexy ideas to work on. Working nights meant her days were free to dream up characters to put in sexy situations. Now, in the IT industry, her steamy stories are an escape from numbers and computer code. She writes thrillers, paranormals and contemporary stories, usually exploring an erotic twist. Her characters have never complained.
Her fiancé keeps her home life hot and romantic. She lives with him and their three cats.
Some books are easy to write. The words just flow straight from my brain to my fingers and BAM! I have a story. While others are…less so. I should’ve known Sawyer would be a pain in my ass. Are things ever really that simple when a Dom is involved? And Sawyer is a rope top which made things especially tangled. (Sorry I couldn’t resist!)
Which is where research comes in. It took me a while but after a few books—both fiction and nonfiction—more videos than I want to admit, and a few lengths of my own rope, the ideas started flowing.
Here are a few nuggets of wisdom I picked up while researching bondage:
You cannot go wrong with an Eden Bradley BDSM story, but then I’m biased since she’s my mentor 😉
I found instructional videos easier to follow rather than nonfiction books. Some things you just gotta see to understand. I recommend Two Knotty Boys or Twisted Monk.
Always have a pair of safety scissors on hand when playing with rope. You don’t want to bother untying knots when things start to get tingly—and not in the fun way!
Be very careful which links you click on when hardcore BDSM videos are involved. One person’s kink is another’s squick factor.
I could keep going, but we’d be here all night! I have to be honest—research is one of my favorite parts of this job. It’s a hard life 😉
Have you ever gone outside of your comfort zone for your job? Hit me up in the comments and I’ll pick a couple of lucky winners to receive the first book in my Pleasure Code series, WICKED WEEKEND.
Book two of The Pleasure Code*
After the loss of her dom and first love two years ago, the time has come for Kyla to again allow herself the pleasure of giving up control. She isn’t looking for anything serious yet, just the comforting embrace of rope and a firm hand on her body for the night.
Rope-top Sawyer is extremely skilled and he doesn’t do relationships—but he’s fascinated by the gymnastics instructor who approaches him at a kink con. By the end of the day he’s vowed to help her feel submissive pleasure again, and to introduce her to a few doms she can choose from.
But as Sawyer breaks down Kyla’s emotional defenses, his barriers also come down. Soon he can’t imagine giving Kyla over to any other dom—and Kyla can’t imagine being with anyone else. When their feelings are put to the ultimate test, they’ll learn that while taking risks in the bedroom is easy, taking risks in love is terrifying.
*Up In Knots is part of a series but can be enjoyed all on its own 😉
Excerpt
Kyla’s heart raced at the predatory look Sawyer tossed her way. ZOMG! Had she bitten off more than she could chew here? She swallowed hard and smiled back at him.
“All right, everyone. Now if you’re a nice top, you can untie your submissive before we get to work on the next tie.” He paused as most of the couples struggled with their rope before finally untying their partners.
“But for those of you asshole rope tops who brought along extra rope, you can leave your partner’s legs tied for the next lesson. Everyone ready? Great. I’ll show ya’ll how to tie a rope shackle next.”
Kyla held her breath. She was disappointed he was going to take away the rope so soon. The abrasiveness of the rope against her bare ankles reminded her every second of its presence. That she was trapped. At his mercy.
She closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths to try to calm her racing heart. It didn’t work. She wanted more.
But instead of untying her legs, Sawyer reached into his bag and pulled out another length of rope. Her confusion must have broadcast over her face because instead of addressing the group, he turned toward her.
“What? You didn’t think I was a nice guy, did you?”
He barked a soft, cruel laugh. “Oh, honey. I think you might be in too deep here.”
He might as well have called her a sissy. Little did he know, she was used to proving herself. She had years of training and self-discipline under her belt. Plus the crap she went through the last two years would have crushed a lesser person. But she had nerves of steel and bigger cojones than half the men she knew. She could handle whatever Sawyer threw her way.
Sawyer stared down at her, assessing her. She knew if she didn’t say something soon, he would untie her and send her on her way. There were scads of eager, willing women to take her place. All he had to do was snap his fingers and the line would form to his left. A few titters from the group reminded her of their audience.
She could feel their stares, but it didn’t faze her. Heck, she had practically grown up in front of an audience.
This small group was nothing compared to the stress of a televised National gymnastic trial.
She could do this. To see that thrilling look in his eyes, feel his hands and his rope on her body again and what it did to her… Oh, yeah. She was beyond willing.
“Bring it.”
“Ooooh,” a few brave souls in the group chorused.
But Kyla didn’t turn in their direction. She couldn’t look away from his hypnotic stare.
“Okay. Have it your way,” he growled menacingly.
The implied threat in his voice had her sex swelling and pulsing in response. Cripes, this man was potent.
And yet her inner imp couldn’t help but mutter, “Don’t you mean your way?”
Apparently not quietly enough.
His ominous expression told her he’d heard, and she’d be paying for it later when or if they were alone.
A shiver swept her body and her nipples hardened at the promise of dark, forbidden things in his eyes. She really, really hoped they would be alone later.
“I think after the rope shackle, I’ll show you all how to tie a gag for those bratty submissives.” He sent a significant glance her way, and the group chuckled.
Available now from Carina Press and all major etailers!
Gillian Archer lives in Northern Nevada with her amazing husband and two goofy dogs. When she’s not writing (but probably should be) Gillian is usually thinking about naughty things, doing naughty things, or watching reality tv (hey, don’t judge! LOL). You can find her at her website, on Facebook or Twitter.
I have a few announcements. Pay particular attention to the second one,
because that’s happenin’ today! ~DD
Cowboy Heat releases today!
Here’s what the book’s all about…
Broad Shoulders, Well-Worn Jeans and a Lean-Hipped Swagger
He may ride off into the sunset, but the cowboy in our heart never goes out of style. Even when coated with dust from riding alongside a herd of cattle or up to his knees in mud taming a wild stallion, this stud still generates plenty of Cowboy Heat.
USA Today bestselling author Delilah Devlin takes you back to the ranch with stories of rugged romantics, rough riders, and rope wranglers sure to satisfy your desire for a real man. In “Shall We Dance?,” by Myla Jackson, a waltz teacher learns about rhythm from her rancher student at the Flying M. The rodeo champion in Megan Mitcham’s “Coming Home” discovers that true love might be waiting at the end of the trail. A high school reunion at the honky tonk finds a city girl back in the strong arms of her cowboy crush in Cat Johnson’s “Unfinished Business.” Saddle up!
“A wild ride!” —Beth Williamson, author of Hell for Leather
“Devlin Devlin is the go-to for cowboy romance that will make you hot under the collar.”—USA Today
Check out the roster of authors who contributed stories and find all the BUY LINKS to this collection at our website: Cowboy Heat Website. And if you do get your copy, please take the time to post a review to tell other readers about the book!
Cowboy Heat Release Party
Most of the authors who contributed stories to COWBOY HEAT will be online today, between 9:00 am – 10: pm Eastern Time, as part of our release day party! There will be prizes all day long and a chance to chat with some of your favorite authors! Click on the link to come join the fun! I’ll be there in the evening, but will make it a point to jump in as often as I have time to say hellow! Cowboy Heat Release Party
Poll Results
One last quick note…
If you recall, I ran a poll last week, asking you what “flavor” of short story collections you would want to see in the future. The results were very interesting. As popular as New Adult books seem to be, y’all weren’t all that keen on seeing a collection of short stories following that theme. I was also surprised with the 2d place tie between the Fast & Furious/Fast Car theme and the paranormal collection, because I thought paranormal themes were waning… You’ve definitely given me plenty to think about! And thanks to everyone for your suggestions for things you’d like to see that weren’t listed. I’ll be sharing the results with my publisher!
What themes would you like to see featured in future collections?
Bad Boys -- bikers, rockers, tattooed bad boys, etc. (33%, 27 Votes)
Red Hot Wheels -- think 007’s Astin Martin, Fast & Furious, NASCAR drivers, illegal drag racing (19%, 16 Votes)
Love Everlasting -- paranormal stories that are “fresh”—not all vampires! (19%, 16 Votes)
Sports Heroes -- the hockey player, football player, etc. (10%, 8 Votes)
Small Town Love (10%, 8 Votes)
Celebrity Crushes (6%, 5 Votes)
New Adult -- young women in college or in their first job, finding their first loves... (4%, 3 Votes)
When we’re lucky, someone comes into our lives who holds the power to change how we view things, even ourselves. With that power comes the ability to twist us into knots of worry and frustration, and those knots can turn us into so many different directions that could lead to the greatest love.
TASTE ME DEADLY, the 5th story of the Sensory Ops series, explores that kind of relationship. Through the exploration, Liam Burgess’ biggest secrets are revealed. I thought it would be a little fun to interview Liam to see what it was like for him to meet his someone.
Let’s get started.
Nikki: Can you tell our readers today when you met Grey? Liam: Two years ago. In Vegas. Nikki: I already know you’re not a big talker, Liam. It’s part of what made your story so challenging. Can you try to come up with a little more, though? Liam: Maybe. Nikki: Okay, let’s try this question. Your friends have tried setting you up several times in the last few years, but they’ve mentioned you never gave in. Liam: I did not. Nikki: As if I’d give you another one word answer option. Tell us, because I’ve put the timing together, what it was about what happened in Vegas that you didn’t want to leave it in Vegas? Liam: That’s a complicated question. Nikki: (I greet him with a silence that would do him proud in an interrogation room.) Liam: (He sighs heavily.) My mom always said I was a romantic at heart. There was something about Grey that called to me. When she disappeared the morning after, and I couldn’t find her, I guess I became obsessed. Nikki: That sounds like an over simplification, Liam. Is there some secret you don’t want us to know? Liam: You do realize I’m an FBI Agent, right? Secrets are my life. Nikki: So that’s a yes. Can you give us a hint? Women aren’t normally the ones to do the sneaking out the next morning. And you’re a great guy. Seems to me, fear would be a great reason for a woman to leave a man she seems to like. Fear of what, though? Liam: That’s a great question. Nikki: Are you going to answer it? Liam: It’s not my place. Nikki: It’s Grey’s.
And that simply I knew I would have to wait for the answers, because Liam wasn’t going to be opening up. The good news is, the wait for answers is just about over, because TASTE ME DEADLY releases tomorrow.
Until it does, what do you think would motivate a woman to
walk out on a great guy like Liam?
Commenters will be entered into a drawing for a .pdf copy of the first two books in the Sensory Ops series – SOUNDS TO DIE BY and SCENT OF PERSUASION.
Thank you, Delilah, for letting me visit you today. I have been very busy since the last time I was here. I added another Granddaughter, and became the caretaker to my sister. Both are wins in my book. Another little girl to spoil, and I get to have one of my sisters with me all the time. Every writer knows that life can truly get in the way of our time to write, and mine truly did, but I decided to cut back on some things so I could get a few stories written, so I gave up a few hours of sleep each night and it paid off. I published my first story, Saving Angel, in October 2012, then, Rescued From the Dark, February 2013 a short story, The Christmas Contract, in December 2013 and I just received a contract from Black Opal Books for my Young Adult, If I Knew Then. Now I’m sure your asking yourself, what does all this have to do with taking a new path.
As you can see by my book titles I’ve written different genres. My first story, Saving Angel, is an animal rescue, Mystery, Suspense. Rescued from the Dark is a Romantic Suspense. The Christmas Contract, is a contemporary and, If I Knew Then, is a Young Adult. My favorite genre to write is Romantic Suspense, but I love to try new things, some I’m good at, others not so good.
For example, I have a paranormal story, but my mind just can’t seem to wrap itself around the world of a shapeshifter. I also have a fantasy about a royal family battling the evils in different realms. That also has issues with believability. I suck at coming up with names for different worlds. But that’s not the road I was talking about.
I’ve always wanted to write an erotic story, but every time I tried my Catholic School days would come back to haunt me. I had little Nuns on my shoulder slapping the back of my head chanting, get those evil thoughts out of your mind. I know, sounds like I need a support group.
But I persevered and wrote a short erotic story filled with smoking hot cowboys. Now I still had the Nun issues, that’s why I wrote a short story, I only needed to have a few sex scenes. And It wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be. The story is called, Leather Chaps and Forgotten Promises.
Now for another virgin path I’m going to go down. This story will be my first self published book. I feel that if we want to succeed, we must not be afraid to try new things, even if we’re not that good at them.
So wish me luck as I try my hand at new things, and don’t be afraid to venture down those unchartered paths in your life. You just might find out what you use to fear, is your new love.
Leather Chaps and Forgotten Promises
Jack Logan grew up with Lace. She was his best friend and always there for him. The shoulder to lean on when he needed advice and the body he craved to heat up his nights. His life was perfect until Amy returned to town. The one girl who stole his heart, then walked away. When Amy makes her intentions clear to start back up where they left off does Jack go after the one love that got away, or lose the one true person in his life who has always been there.
If I Knew Then, Young Adult
Angel fought to keep her family safe from the evil that threatened to destroy her. She made sure she was always the one in front of her sisters when her Mother yielded her wrath. Keeping the danger that surrounded them a secret, she lived a lie that everyone believed, except for one. He was her only source of happiness until one day he was gone. With nothing left, and no one to turn to, she must outrun her past, and overcome the secret that she fights to hide, before her Mother destroys everything she has left to hold on to.
Rescued From the Dark, Romantic Suspense
She has no memory of their love…
Kidnapped by terrorists and sent into a drug-induced coma, FBI intern Mercedes Kingsley awakes with no memory of her ordeal—or the intimate interlude that left her pregnant. Convinced her child was fathered by her ex-fiancé, she walks away from the only man she has ever loved, determined to make things work with her ex, a man the FBI suspects is implicated in her abduction.
He knows the truth, but no one will listen…
FBI undercover agent Jason Michaels remembers what Mercy can’t, and those memories are breaking his heart. Forced to keep his distance from his lover and their unborn child, Jason risks his life to protect Mercy from a cell of international terrorists who have vowed to get the secrets locked in her memory, no matter the cost. Can Jason convince Mercy to trust him until she remembers their past, or will he lose her to a man who will trap her in a nightmare world of darkness from which there is no escape?
I’m an avid reader of romantic suspense and started writing after a vivid dream. I know, sounds cliché, but that’s how it started. I work full time at a Cardiology clinic, then at night you will find me in front of my computer. I grew up in Pennsylvania, but now live in Arkansas, surrounded by the Ozark mountains where I get to enjoy the four seasons without a long, cold winter. Other than spending time with my wonderful family, my favorite things to do are writing, reading and listening to music, but my most favorite is going to the beach. Surf, sand and a good book, my stress relief.
Thank you for stopping by. For purchase information on my books visit my blog, or website below.
Everyone has felt it. That strange and wonderful sense of déjà vu or the feeling of connecting to a place. Sometimes you just sigh when you look at a photo of a waterfall in Hawaii or you get goosebumps when set foot in the town where your ancestors lived. Places are powerful and the connections people make with them are even more powerful.
When I was coming up with the idea for my League of Rogues series (an adventurous Regency romance romp that promises it’s not your average historical romance), I knew I needed powerful places. I had five grown men, powerful leaders in London society who are bound by a dark secret from their past. These heroes needed a place where it all began, the genesis of their story and the friendships that bind them. How did I find this mythical place that would hold my heroes together? It’s a rather interesting story.
When I was attending undergraduate school at Oklahoma State University, I interviewed for the Cambridge Study Abroad program. This was not a study abroad experience you typically associate with undergrads and Europe. It was quite the opposite. I went with a small number of students (no more than fifteen) and with two professors. We spent all day in “class” learning on a specific subject. The program only lasted three weeks, but it changed my life. I lived in the old dorms of the University. For those of you unfamiliar with Cambridge, the campus is divided into several colleges. I lived and went to school in Magdalene College. It was here that my connection was forged. I fell hopelessly in love with the college and its grounds. The dormitories were over six hundred years old and I was living there just like students had for hundreds of years. It became my sacred place.
I envisioned the heroes of my series walking across the grass, getting in trouble with professors. I could see them lounging by the River Cam and coming back from pubs a little drunk and having to feel above the doorways to the doors the icons that had been carved in stone to identify if they were entering the right dorm or not. Cambridge rooted itself deep in my soul and in my heart. Now, in my League of Rogues Series, the heroes share the same love for that place that I do.
What places leave their marks on your heart?
Book Title: Wicked Designs
Series Name: The League of Rogues
Series Number: 1
Author: Lauren Smith
ISBN13: 978-1-61921-745-4
Length: 101k
Genre: Romance > Historical > Regency
Publication Date: January 7th 2014
The League of Rogues takes what they want—but have they taken on too much?
For too long Miss Emily Parr has been subject to the whims of her indebted uncle and the lecherous advances of his repulsive business partner. Her plan to be done with dominating men forever is simple—find herself a kind husband who will leave her to her books.
It seems an easy enough plan, until she is unexpectedly abducted by an incorrigible duke who hides a wounded spirit behind flashing green eyes.
Godric St. Laurent, Duke of Essex, spends countless nights at the club with his four best friends, and relishes the rakish reputation society has branded him with. He has no plans to marry anytime soon—if ever. But when he kidnaps an embezzler’s niece, the difficult debutante’s blend of sweetness and sharp tongue make him desperate for the one thing he swears he never wanted: love.
Yet as they surrender to passion, danger lurks in Godric’s shadowed past, waiting for him to drop his guard—and rob him of the woman he can’t live without.
Warning: This novel includes a lady who refuses to stay kidnapped, a devilish duke with a dark past, and an assortment of charming rogues who have no idea what they’ve gotten themselves into.
Godric St. Laurent, the twelfth Duke of Essex, leaned back in his saddle watching the abduction he’d orchestrated unfold. Covering his mouth with a gloved hand, he stifled a yawn. Things were going smoothly. In fact, this entire kidnapping bordered on the point of tedious. They’d intercepted the coach ten minutes before it reached Chessley House. No one witnessed the escort of riders or the driver changing his route. Oddly enough, the young woman hadn’t shown any signs of resistance or concern from inside the coach. Wouldn’t she have made some protestations when she realized what was happening? A thought stopped him dead. Had she somehow slipped out of the coach when they’d slowed on a corner before they’d left town? Surely not, they would have seen her. Most likely she was too terrified to do anything, hence the silence from inside. Not that she had anything to fear, she would not be harmed.
He nodded to his friend Charles who was perched next to the driver. A bag of coins jingled as Charles dropped it into the jarvey’s waiting hands.
They had reached halfway point between London and Godric’s ancestral estate. They would go the rest of the way on horseback, with the girl sharing a horse with either him or one of his friends. The driver would return to London with a message for Albert Parr and a wild story that exonerated himself from blame.
“Ashton, stay here with me.” Godric waved his friend over while the others rode the horses a good distance away to wait for his signal. Abductions were tricky things, and having only himself and one other man take hold of the girl would be better. She might have a fit of hysterics if she saw the other three men too close.
He rode up to the coach, curious to see whether the woman inside matched his memory. He’d seen her once before from a window overlooking the gardens when he’d visited her uncle. She’d been kneeling in the flowerbeds, her dress soiled as she weeded. A job more suited to a servant than a lady of quality. He’d been ready to dismiss her from his mind when she’d turned and glanced about the garden, a smudge of dirt on the tip of her upturned nose. A butterfly from a nearby flower had fluttered above her head. She hadn’t noticed it, even as it settled on her long, coiling auburn hair. Something in his chest gave a funny little flip, and his body had stirred with desire. Any other woman so innocent would not have caught his interest, but he’d glimpsed a keenness in her eyes, a hidden intelligence as she dug into the soil. Miss Emily Parr was different. And different was intriguing.
Ashton handed the driver the ransom letter for Parr and took up a position near the front of the coach. Taking hold of the door, Godric opened it up, waiting for the screaming to start.
None came.
“My deepest apologies, Miss Parr—” Still no screaming. “Miss Parr?” Godric thrust his head into the coach.
It was empty. Not even a fire-breathing dragon of a chaperone, not that he’d expected one. His sources had assured him she would be alone tonight.
Godric looked over his shoulder. “Ash? You’re sure this is Parr’s coach?”
“Of course. Why?” Ashton jumped off his horse, marched over and thrust his head into the empty coach. He was silent a long moment before he withdrew. Ashton put his finger against his lips and motioned to the inside. A tuft of pink muslin peeped out from the wooden seat. He gestured for Godric to step away from the coach.
Ashton lowered his voice. “It seems that our little rabbit chase has turned into a fox hunt. She’s hidden in the hollow space of the seat, clever girl.”
“Hiding under the seat?” Godric shook his head, bewildered. He didn’t know one woman of his acquaintance who would do something so clever. Perhaps Evangeline, but then if anything could be said of that woman, it was that she was far from ordinary. A prickling of excitement coursed through his veins, into his chest. He loved a challenge.
“Let’s wait a few minutes and see if she emerges.”
Godric looked back at the coach, impatience prickling inside him. “I don’t want to wait here all night.”
“She’ll come out soon enough. Allow me.” Ashton walked back to the coach and called out to Godric in a carrying voice. “Blast and damnation! She must have slipped out before we took charge of the coach. Just leave it. We’ll take the driver back to London tomorrow.” Ashton shut the door with a loud slam and motioned for Godric to join him.
“Now we wait,” Ashton whispered. He indicated that he would guard the left coach door while Godric stationed himself at the right.
Emily listened to the drum of retreating hooves and silently counted to one hundred. Her heart jolted in her chest as she considered what the men would do if they caught her. Highwaymen could be cruel and murderous, especially if their quarry offered little. She had no access to her father’s fortune, which left only her body.
Icy dread gripped Emily’s spine, paralyzing her limbs. She drew a breath as anxiety spiraled through her.
I must be brave. Fight them until I can fight no more. With trembling hands, she pushed at the roof of the seat, wincing as it popped open. Once she climbed out, she brushed dirt from her gown, noticing some tears from the rough wood on the inside of the seat. But the tears held no importance. All that mattered was survival.
Emily looked out the coach window. Nothing stood out in the darkness. Only the faint glimmer of moonlight touched the road with milky tendrils. Stars winked and flickered overhead, pale lights, distant and cold. A shudder wracked her frame, and Emily hugged herself, wanting so much to be at home. She missed her warm bed and her parents’ murmurs from down the hall. It was a comfort she’d taken for granted. But she couldn’t afford to think about them, not when she was in danger.
Were the men truly gone? Could it really be this easy?
She opened the coach door, and stepped down onto the dirt road. Strong arms locked about her waist and yanked her backward. The collision with a hard body knocked the breath from her lungs. Terror spiked her blood as she struggled against the arms that held her.
“Good evening, my darling,” a low voice murmured.
Emily screamed once, before she bit down on the hand that covered her mouth. She tasted the smooth leather of fine riding gloves.
The man roared and nearly dropped her. “Damn!”
Emily rammed an elbow backwards into her attacker’s stomach and began to wrestle free until he grabbed her arm. She swung about, striking him across the face with a balled fist. The man staggered back, leaving her free to dive inside the coach.
If she could get to the other side and run, she might stand a chance. She scrabbled towards the door, but never made it. The devil surged into the coach after her. Turning to face him, she was knocked flat onto her back.
She screamed again as his body settled over hers.
The dim moonlight revealed his bright eyes and strong features.
He caught her flailing wrists, pinning them above her head. “Quiet!”
Emily wanted to rake his eyes out, but the man was relentless. His hips ground against hers and panic drove her to a new level of terror. Her fears of being forcibly taken surfaced as his warm breath fanned over her face and neck. She shrieked, and he reared back away from her, as though the sound confused him.
“I’m not going to hurt you.” His voice vibrated with a low growl, ruining any promise his words might carry.
“You’re hurting me now!” She yanked her arms uselessly against his hold.
The man eased off her somewhat, and Emily took her chance. She tucked her knees up, and with all the power she could summon, she kicked. Her attacker stumbled out the open door and fell onto his back. Emily barely registered that he was winded before she turned and exited the other side of the coach.
The moment she emerged, another man lunged for her. To escape him, Emily fell back against the side of the coach. Rather than grab her, he held his arms wide to keep her from slipping by him, like he was corralling livestock.
“Easy, easy,” he purred.
Emily whipped her head to the left and pleaded with her mind to think, but the man she’d bitten rounded the corner and pounced, pinning her against the coach, his arms caging her in. His solid muscular body towered over her. His jaw clenched as though one move from her would trigger something dark and wild. Emily’s breath caught, and her heart pounded violently against her ribs.
The man was panting and angry. The intensity of his eyes mesmerized her, but the second he blinked, the spell broke and she fought with every bit of strength she could muster.
About the Author
Lauren Smith is an attorney by day, author by night, who pens adventurous and edgy romance stories by the light of her smart phone flashlight app. She’s a native Oklahoman who lives with her three pets—a feisty chinchilla, sophisticated cat and dapper little schnauzer. She’s won multiple awards in several romance subgenres including being an Amazon.com Breakthrough Novel Award Quarter-Finalist and a Semi-Finalist for the Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley Award.
The Secret Life of an Author: Bunny Slippers and ReaderLove
All my life I had one dream: To be a published author.
Much like being a parent, there are so many things no one bothered to warn us about. The late nights, the bleary eyes, the temper tantrums. Yeah, those all hold true in parenting too.
For some reason, I had this vision in my head of being an author. I would blithefully write my books, send them off to a grateful editor and receive buckets of praise and adulation for the brilliance of my work. And then, magically, I’d make a bazillion dollars and end up on some talk show with a (very handsome) host (who wanted to father my babies). There would, in all likelihood, be movie deals which would, of course, result in me winning an Oscar.
I’m nothing if not realistic.
Cut to reality.
I am happy to report that I do gleefully write my books—in bunny slippers and pajamas, most of the time. Having recently turned to writing full time I can write them even faster and don’t even have to shower if I don’t want to. I do receive buckets of praise and adulation (more, perhaps than is good for my ego), but I am only making a fraction of the bazillion dollars.
It’s the other elements of my life that surprised me. Specifically, how much time and energy promotion can take. We’re talking Facebook, Twitter, Pintrest, Goodreads and a host of other outlets. We’re talking research (not for my stories but of the IINDUSTRY), networking, blogging and more. We’re talking author loops and conferences and swag and chats and Facebook events and cover reveals and launch calendars. I could go on.
It’s all part and parcel of the job.
The fact of the matter is, author success is all about connections. Connections with readers and reviewers, authors and publishers, bloggers and service providers. To keep those connections alive, I make it a point to try and be personal. That means responding to emails myself. When I wake up, I will have 75 to 100 (or more) messages that require my attention. One of them may be a cheerful message from Goodreads that I “have 375 new messages.” While I am working my way through the list, another 25 may pop up.
Overwhelming? A little. But each and every one of these messages MATTER. Every reader matters. Every connection makes a difference.
But the personal touch does take a toll. Now, instead of putting in eight hours at the day job and coming home to write for a few (if I have the energy for it) I am putting in 12-16 hour days. Three to four on social media, and eight to ten writing and editing.
I never thought I would be working so hard.
So why do I do it?
Because I love it. Every minute. I love writing and editing, I love connecting with industry cohorts and I absolutely LOVE interacting with readers.
The best part of my job is hearing from readers, people who really love my work. THAT makes it all worthwhile.
If you have an author you love, know she is probably doing the same—if not holding down a day job as well. Authors make anywhere from pennies to a couple dollars on each sale, depending on the publisher, price and distributor cut.
What can you do to help?
A lot.
As a reader, you have more power than you may realize. Here are a few ways you can wield your muscle:
Tell your favorite author you like her work. An email, a Facebook message, a tweet, a comment on a blog. It doesn’t matter. It will make her day.
Buy your favorite author’s work. Don’t download it from a pirate site. Aside from the fact that some of these “freebie” sites are merely Trojan horses carrying viruses into your device, it’s just good Karma. Authors can only afford to write if they make some money at it.
Share your faves with your friends. Industry studies show this is the #1 way readers discover new authors.
Like their Amazon page. Believe it or not, that makes a HUGE difference in their author ranking, which in turn increases the discoverability of their books.
Write honest reviews.
Comment on blogs. Nothing is more depressing than working on a blog and having no one comment. In fact if you comment here, I’ll enter you in a contest to win your choice of one of my books—just as a thank you for reading this far!)
If you really love an author, join her street team and band together with other fans to help your favorite author gain momentum. Momentum is gold in our world. It effects everything like a ripple in a pond.
So readers, take up the banner for your favorite author! Share the word. Help her achieve success as only YOU can. It is, after all, all about YOU. Without readers, we’re just talkin’ to the computer all day. Seriously. And that’s hardly any fun at all.
About Sabrina York
Her Royal Hotness, Sabrina York is the award winning author of over 20 hot, humorous stories for smart and sexy readers. Her titles range from sweet & sexy erotic romance to scorching BDSM. Connect with her on twitter @sabrina_york, on Facebook or on Pintrest. Check out Sabrina’s books and read an excerpt on Amazon or wherever e-books are sold. Visit her webpage at www.sabrinayork.com to check out her books, excerpts and contests. Free Teaser Book: http://sabrinayork.com/home-2/sabrina-yorks-teaser-book/ And don’t forget to enter to win the royal tiara!
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Thank you, Delilah, for letting me visit you today. I have been very busy since the last time I was here. I added another Granddaughter, and became the caretaker to my sister. Both are wins in my book. Another little girl to spoil, and I get to have one of my sisters with me all the time. Every writer knows that life can truly get in the way of our time to write, and mine truly did, but I decided to cut back on some things so I could get a few stories written, so I gave up a few hours of sleep each night and it paid off. I published my first story, Saving Angel, in October 2012, then, Rescued From the Dark, February 2013 a short story, The Christmas Contract, in December 2013 and I just received a contract from Black Opal Books for my Young Adult, If I Knew Then. Now I’m sure your asking yourself, what does all this have to do with taking a new path.![lfrescued-200x300[1]](https://i0.wp.com/www.delilahdevlin.com/wp-content/uploads/lfrescued-200x3001.jpg?resize=200%2C300&ssl=1)
When I was attending undergraduate school at Oklahoma State University, I interviewed for the Cambridge Study Abroad program. This was not a study abroad experience you typically associate with undergrads and Europe. It was quite the opposite. I went with a small number of students (no more than fifteen) and with two professors. We spent all day in “class” learning on a specific subject. The program only lasted three weeks, but it changed my life. I lived in the old dorms of the University. For those of you unfamiliar with Cambridge, the campus is divided into several colleges. I lived and went to school in Magdalene College. It was here that my connection was forged. I fell hopelessly in love with the college and its grounds. The dormitories were over six hundred years old and I was living there just like students had for hundreds of years. It became my sacred place.
Her Royal Hotness, Sabrina York is the award winning author of over 20 hot, humorous stories for smart and sexy readers. Her 
