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NEW YORK CITY..GOTTA LOVE IT!

I love visiting New York City. Last year the Romance Writers of America conference was held so close to Times Square I could see it out my window…all.night.long…. When they say it is the city that never sleeps, they are right! All night long, lights shine, people come and go and taxis honk.

I love it! As a writer, I live in my own little office, barely socializing with anyone until I come out of my cave for conference. So what a difference to go to New York City.

The city is so rich in culture, a variety of people and interesting places that stories abound. I returned home with the challenge to write a proposal for a paranormal story for Nocturne Cravings. Immediately, I knew I had to set the story in New York City. I wanted a kick-ass heroine and a sexy-as-hell demon hero. Having just walked through the streets, down some back alleys and through the shadows of skyscrapers of Manhattan, I couldn’t think of anywhere I’d rather write about. Thankfully, Harlequin bought my story idea and this month HOT DEMON NIGHTS released. ~EJ

!!!PRIZE ALERT!!! – I’ll give away a download of Elle James’s HAUNTED to one lucky commenter. So leave a comment on this post for your chance to win!

HOT DEMON NIGHTS

Rookie cop Katya Danske didn’t ask to become a member of Manhattan’s Paranormal Investigative Team or to be partnered with a sexy-as-hell demon. Then a zombie literally drops into her lap and she’s recruited to help Blaise Michaels battle an impending zombie outbreak.

Blaise is as exasperating as he is arousing, but while Katya’s head tells her she should keep her distance, her body wants something else entirely. Forced to work closely together, their investigation takes them into the darkest shadows of the Manhattan underworld and makes their attraction impossible to deny. But with the zombie threat rising, their hot nights together may be their last…

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Thanks for having me as a guest, Delilah, I’m excited to be here. For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Lauren Fraser and I write contemporary romance, generally my books tend to be on the hotter side so you’ve been warned.

I admit I enjoy reading and writing ménage type stories but there are times when a HEA for the group just doesn’t make sense, my latest book Rode Hard was one of those times.

When I was writing Rode Hard I spent a lot of time thinking about the various ways a couple can explore their fantasies. Part of the fun in creating a sexually adventurous couple is exploring limits; what works and what doesn’t work for each person and also examining any potential ramifications. I mean let’s be real when you throw extra people into the mix things can potentially get troublesome. And I love all the emotion and angst that can bring up. The whole falling in love process should be a little messy. *grin*

Giving Kat her fantasy made me curious about how many is too many? Being with three guys isn’t necessarily a typical fantasy or at least not one most people would admit to. So I’m wondering for you as a reader how many is too many? I think we probably all have a line that makes our eyes bug out and think holy crap there’s no way. LOL

I know for me as a reader, when I’m looking at multiple partner books I have to factor in the end result as well. At the end of the day was this a couple who explored a fantasy or are they all supposed to live happily ever after? Because I have to admit that changes things for me too.

So I’m curious for all you ménage fans out there. How many is too many for you?

Blurb

Six weeks surrounded by hot, rugged cowboys doesn’t sound like hard work at all. In fact, writer Kat McCray is going to enjoy this assignment. One look at sexy ranch owner Justin Shaw and she knows exactly how she plans to spend her downtime. In his bed.

Justin works hard and has the body to prove it. And he plays even harder—him and his two best friends. He’s more than happy to help Kat explore her darkest fantasies…especially the ones that involve all four of them.

Kat’s walk on the wild side is only temporary—Arizona is a lifetime away from her real life in New York. But she can’t deny she’s starting to fall for Justin. He’s sexy as hell and sweet as sin. And their sexual experiences with his two friends are nothing short of scorching. That doesn’t change the fact she’s going home at the end of her stay. Unless she can somehow turn this fantasy into reality.

Ellora’s Cave
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~Lauren Fraser
http://www.laurenfraser.com
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Writing a book is sometimes like watching a movie. You don’t know which direction it’s going to go. Sometimes characters do that. Take the first book in my Eternal series. When I orginally started that book it was supposed to be a stand alone when all of a sudden, another vampire that Dimitri (the hero) had spoken several chapters before just made an appearance out of the blue. I had no idea it was going to happen. It surprised me and when he (Jacque – the friend Dimitri spoke of) was immedately taken with Kelly (heroine’s friend) book two was born.

Characters take on a life of their own. Right now I’m in the middle of Eternal Salvation. Those characters fought me every step of the way until finally on the fourth try I got it right and they are cooperating perfectly now.

Do writers have multiple personalities lurking around? Yes. Of course we do. Sometimes the voices are really loud, and others are subtle. but in the end they will be heard and they will have their way. Scary movie moment? Possibly…”The Attack of the Pcitzo!” Awww…just give ’em a laptop and let ’em go.

Marrying the enemy can be the sweetest torture…

Hannah Dawson never expected to be attacked by Yankee deserter’s where she lives in the Tennessee Smokey Mountains…but she never imagined she’d be forced to marry the Yankee officer that saves her either.

When Lieutenant Lane Peterson, of the Union Army rescues a Tennessee belle and is injured in the process he is surprised when Hannah takes him in and nurses him back to health. Unable to keep his hands from exploring her tempting body, Lane finds himself in a compromising position and before he knows it he is standing as a reluctant groom for a shot-gun wedding. As soon as his wounds heal, Lane plans to head north, find the first Union Army camp he comes to and get his marriage to the Southerner annulled. But mother-nature and fate have plans of their own. Snowed in for the winter, Lane and Hannah find a passion that will not be denied North and South of the Mason Dixon Line.

But when the weather clears Lane must return to the war. After several months of fighting, Lane keeps his promise and comes back for his Southern wife, but soon they find it isn’t the struggles on the battlefield that will test their love, but the acceptance of family and a nation’s wounded spirit and scorn. Will Lane and Hannah find the strength to fight for each other? Or will they be lost to the differences that lie between them and lose the battle they’ve fought so hard to win….

Website: www.annlory.com
Blog: www.annlory.blogspot.com

The Mansions and the Mills

Thank you, Delilah, for having me as a guest blogger.

After finishing The Oath, a historical romance about a woman doctor in 1890’sNew York City, I began searching for inspiration for another book about a Victorian career woman.  We tend to think of Victorian women as primarily wives and mothers, but often these same women created opportunities for themselves in a variety of occupations.  Now I had to decide which one my heroine would pursue.

One day, I was driving to Manchester, CT, to brainstorm with my critique partner when I passed three stately Victorian mansions sitting high atop a hill that crowned a luxurious sweeping lawn, not far from a group of brick mill buildings.  My friend told me the mansions and mills had been owned by a large, prominent family named Cheney, and silk fabric made there.

Silk?  In Connecticut?  That was news to me.  Like all native New Englanders, I knew about the region’s once-thriving textile industry, but I’d never known anything about silk manufacturing except that it involved temperamental silkworms and mulberry leaves to feed them.  Sensing a novel, I began researching the subject.  Soon, many tantalizing dramatic possibilities emerged.

I started playing my favorite game of, “What if..?”  What if my spirited heroine Hannah found herself in a marriage of convenience to a man who loved his silk mill and another woman more?  What if she tries to win her husband’s love by learning everything she can about running his beloved mill and making it prosper?  And what if she’s swept away by a forbidden love for Samuel, her husband’s artist brother?  Add the theme of how one woman’s choices define and shape her life, and The Vow was born.

As a writer, I always keep my eyes and mind open to new sources of inspiration.  So when I see three mansions on a hill, I don’t drive by without a second thought.  Instead, I play, “What if…?” and see where the journey takes m.

Lindsay Chase is the author of The Oath and The Vow, part of Samhain’s Retro Romance line, and Honor, coming in July.  Lindsay’s website is www.LindsayChaseBooks.com, and you can join her on Facebook and Twitter (@lindsaychase10).

Check the comments of yesterday’s post for the winner of the free download!
Oh! And remember The Texas Two-Step Grab Bag contest ends Tuesday! ~DD

Why Attend a Conference?

Rachel and I are attending Spring Fling, the conference of the Chicago North chapter of Romance Writers of America.  A large regional conference, it focuses on workshops and activities for aspiring and published authors, as well as a reader event that includes a book-signing.

Having just gone to the RT Booklovers Convention earlier this month, I am beginning to “get the hang” of how I like to “do” conferences.  I figured I’d pass along some tips that work for me and Rachel:

1.  Plan ahead.  Look up the schedule on the Internet before you go, so you know what you want to attend and where, if any, slack exists so you can relax.

2.  Come early to get the lay of the land, check in, and get your “swags.”  Most conferences give various freebees, from books to pens, mirrors, and even candy in naughty shapes.

3.  Many people use conferences as networking tools, so pay attention to the lounge and lobby areas.  Editors and authors like to just hang out, rather than attend every workshop; impromptu discussions can take place.  You never know who you might meet.

4.  Don’t be afraid to have some fun.  Most conferences offer parties of various kinds, from relatively mild receptions to full-blown extravaganzas with costumes, models, and stage productions.  It’s not all serious, so lighten up and let your inner child play.

5.  Bring business cards.  Collect business cards.  Even if your cards are simply your name and email, you have the opportunity to make connections and put a face to your branding.  Folks are more apt to connect with a real person, which is invaluable as you’re starting out.

6.  Take care of your appearance.  You might want to dress up in order to give a good first impression.  While jeans and a t-shirt are comfortable, you are representing you and your brand.  Dress the part.

7.  Remember to drink plenty of water and bring snacks.  There’s no reason not to spend money at the hotel or convention center if you’ve budgeted for it, but why pay seven dollars for a bottle of water when you can bring it with you?  Plus, you might not want to leave a workshop just because you get the nibbles.

8.  Bring something to take notes with.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions.  People love to talk about their craft.  The more you ask, the more you’ll learn.

9.  If you see an author you like, go up and talk with them.  They’re here to connect with the fans.  Take advantage of that and be a fan.  Just don’t bother them if they’re trying to have a quiet meal or already in conversation with someone.

10.  Be a sponge.  Keep your eyes open.  You never know when you might see the next idea for your novel, idea for a cool promotional concept, or a new friend.  Let the world around you stimulate you.  After all, that’s what you paid for.

A. Catherine Noon and Rachel Wilder
Blog Website
Check out BURNING BRIGHT, available now from Samhain Publishing.
Watch for EMERALD FIRE, coming soon from Torquere Publishing.

Elle’s winner is named in the comments! Be sure to check there! ~DD

Born to Be Wild

Hey everyone! I’m super excited to be blogging with Delilah today. When it comes to erotic romance, she is definitely a master. In fact, one of the very first erotic anthologies I ever read was a western that included a Delilah novella, and since then, I was hooked!

I write a variety of genres, romantic suspense being my main one, but if I’m being honest, sexy contemporaries are my absolute favorite to write because they’re always more fun. My latest release is definitely one of my hotter ones (Actually, my contemporaries only seem to get sexier and sexier with each book, but nobody seems to be complaining, so… :))

Born to be Wild, my latest ebook with Samhain Publishing, centers around Jake Bishop, a bona fide bad boy who comes home looking for a distraction. And he finds one in the form of Bree Lockhart, the wealthy good girl who spent a few months in high school being very, very bad with Jake. The moment they’re reunited, it’s obvious that the flame still burns hot, and Jake, of course, is determined to lure Bree right back to the wild side.

So, here’s a little excerpt that shows exactly how persuasive Jake can be! Anyone who stops by and comments today will be entered in a draw to win a copy of BTBW, so don’t be shy! Let me know what you think of the excerpt, or your thoughts on erotic romances, or how hot is too hot (if that’s even possible), or anything else that strikes your fancy! The winner’s name will be posted in the comments section at midnight tonight (eastern time).

Also, be sure to stop by my website (www.ellekennedy.com), or connect with me on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/AuthorElleKennedy) or Twitter (@ElleKennedy). I love chatting with fellow readers and writers!

Order links:
Buy at Samhain
Buy at Amazon

EXCERPT:

Jake wanted to lick every inch of Bree’s delectable body. Unfortunately, she was sitting all the way across the table, and there was all this damn food between them, acting like a barrier. He couldn’t believe how incredible she looked. And he’d forgotten how frickin’ smart she was. As she spoke in length about her latest case—a lawsuit against a pharmaceutical company that had knowingly sold defective drugs—it surprised him to discover that he was actually interested in everything she had to say.

“What are you thinking about?” Read the rest of this entry »

With a Twist, Please

My husband constantly complains at the twistiness of my brain, usually as I try to explain my latest plot and the elements I’m combining to create the story. At times like that I put my nose in the air and remind him how much more difficult his life would be if I focused those particular talents on him, rather than use them in my books! But that slightly unscrupulous willingness to cause drama and turn the well-known on its head, while a pain in the butt in real life, is a good gift for an author.

Honest, honey. It is… *shifty eyes*

Recently I started branching out from historical romances and took on the world of fantasy/paranormal, but I couldn’t leave my love of history and myth behind and had to add my own twist to some familiar concepts.

It started simply enough with reading about Churchill, Manitoba, the Polar Bear Capital of the world, on the internet. Of course, I clicked on link after link, going from sites about modern-day Churchill to Inuit culture and myths, and so on. Before you could say, “Get back to work” I had the outline for Arctic Destiny, which was released by Ellora’s Cave Publishing earlier this year. In this book a sexy Polar bear shifter and the tenacious lover he had to leave behind collide with erotic, soul-stirring and potentially heartbreaking results.

Next came the idea for a series of stories centered on a group of friends working in a tattoo parlor. Sounds simple enough, until I started working on the plots and deciding on the characters. Somehow I ended up researching the mythology of the Kingdom of Dahomey, a part of what is now Benin, in West Africa, and no, PLEASE don’t ask me how I found myself doing that…I have no clue. Then suddenly I was browsing Scottish sites, then Norse, then… You get the idea!

The end result is two books being released by Ellora’s Cave in July as part of their Pricked series, the first of which is now available for pre-order (WOOT!) and is slated to be released on July 7, 2012. In Fleeing Fate, the first in my Unveiled Seductions series, the banshee heroine needs the help of a delicious, banished West African storm god who isn’t sure he’s the right man for the job. But Jakuta recognizes a gathering storm when he sees one, and he knows Gràinne will blow through his life with all the force of a sensual, emotional hurricane.

In book two, Stone-Hard Passion, Jasmina Elalmadhoun is a jinn on a mission—to seduce her client and friend Vidar Jarlsen, a troll. I know, I know. You’re all out there thinking I’ve truly lost my mind this time, just like Jasmina’s friends think she’s sprung a brain leak for being attracted to a troll. But even if no one else can appreciate him, Jasmina sees how yummy he is, and I hope you’ll all agree when the book is released on July 27.

And the characters keep coming, so this is a world I hope to continue exploring for a long time. After all, a girl’s got to keep her twisty brain occupied and herself out of trouble.

Sorta…

Cheers!

Anya Richards
Journeys Through Seduction