What's New on the eShelves?

Unbound Passion: Sealed Desires OUT NOW!

Blurb:

Van has sealed his incubus nature away, denying himself pleasure and happiness. Despite his past pain, he desires elven princess Belle. Keeping her at arm's length is all he can do to keep his hungers in check.

When Belle finally decides to let go, release her inner vixen and seduce Van, how can he resist?

But when he turns the tables the question becomes who is seducing who?

Buy Link:
http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1433


Excerpt:

Unbound Passions: Sealed Desires
Selena Illyria
All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2010 Selena Illyria

This e-book file contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language which some may find offensive and which is not appropriate for a young audience. Changeling Press E-Books are for sale to adults, only, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.

Van stood as still as he could, but the sensations running over him made it difficult. Silk caressed his skin. Slivers of softness rushed up his arms and down his back to tease the crack of his ass. Shivers of pleasure skittered along his nerve endings as the silk slid between his legs, teasing his balls and the underside of his cock. Up his belly the fabric went, until the strips ran over his nipples. He cried out as a tongue lapped at the hardened nub, first one then the other, followed by the brief pain of a bite. Lips were randomly pressed against his back, the cheeks of his bottom, his thighs, stomach, chest and neck. Liquid desire dribbled down his cock as his desire grew. He wanted to come, needed to release the pressure building inside him.

A hand wrapped around his thick, blood-heavy shaft. Nimble fingers squeezed just under his cockhead, drawing out a harsh shout of pain. His oncoming climax was stopped, just out of reach. He drew in a deep breath. The scent of lavender and arousal surrounded him, teasing his nose.

"No coming. I didn't tell you yet," a soft feminine voice murmured. The tone so low and husky, it helped fan the flames of need higher.

Van's fangs ached. They had distended as soon as he'd entered the room. The sharp points pierced his lower lip, reminding him that he needed to feed on blood. Her blood.

"Shhh, I know what you need, what you want," she whispered. Soft lips pressed butterfly kisses on his chest.

"And I can give it to you if you'd just ask."

He shook his head.

"You refuse your need?" She chuckled.

Van opened his mouth to reply, but all sound was cut off when she lapped at his nipple, setting off sparks of electricity that shot straight to his groin. A moan escaped his mouth. The hand's grip loosened. Leisurely she stroked him, drawing out more drops of pre-cum. The thick trails of liquid need slipped down his cock, adding to his ecstasy and ache.

"Yes. I can take anything you dish out," he growled through his teeth. In truth, he was so close to losing control, it scared him. He didn't normally allow himself to be tied up like this. In fact, he wasn't sure how he'd gotten this way. One minute he'd walked into the suite ready for another night of pleasure, and the next he was on his knees before her. Belle. At the thought of her name, he groaned aloud.

"Doesn't sound like you can hold on."

"I can."

"We'll see." Her lips left his body; her hand disappeared. Cold air caressed his overheated flesh. Sharp taps of high-heeled shoes hitting stone echoed around the room. A large thud could be heard, and the sounds of objects being moved around followed. The next sound he heard was a sharp crack renting the air. He flinched as if he'd been hit. Van shook his head.

"No, I will not be flogged. I will not be whipped." Fear chased away the arousal. How can she be so cruel? A cold sweat broke out over his forehead and upper lip. He began to struggle against the bonds that held him in place. Leather creaked with each movement. Chains clanged against each other as he struggled.

"Don't worry. Shhh, it's okay." The soft touch of Belle's hand caressed down his back and over his bottom before rubbing his sides in a soothing motion. She placed a kiss on his shoulder. "No flogging, no whips, okay?"

Van nodded his head.

"I'll just have to find another way to tease you." Belle kissed him again before walking away. Van slouched in relief. He could tolerate anything she threw at him except for a few things. Flogging and whipping were two of those things. While he waited for her return, Van thought about his current situation. He had never thought that Belle, of all people, would have him tied up like this. If his friends could see him, they would be laughing. Van always needed to be in control. In this moment, he didn't mind so much. The pleasure she was giving him was reward enough. He looked forward to seeing what she would think up next.

"No flogging or whips, so what about feathers? Do you like those?" Softness caressed his cock, sending a shiver up his spine. The tingles at the small of his back increased. He sucked in a large breath as tendrils of pleasure extended through his body. Brief touches of the feathers teased his cock, balls, inner thighs, and the backs of his knees before they worked their way up to his ass and spine. He shook with the effort to hold back. When the feathers got to the back of his neck, he couldn't stop himself -- he began to laugh.

"You think this is funny? Let's see how you feel about this." Her footsteps made their way around him to the front. The feathers returned to tease his cock. Each stroke, every brush drove him mad. His fingers twitched as he tried to keep from reaching out to her. His toes scrunched and relaxed as his body quaked with need to move, to do something to stop the torment. His desire grew more, the flames rising higher. Van began to drown in sensation. He was overwhelmed with lust and need, pain and pleasure. What he was feeling, what she was doing to him, pushed him beyond limits he hadn't even known he had.

He cried out when he felt the flick of her tongue at the slit of his cock. She did it again and again as the feathers moved lower to tickle his ball sac. Van snapped. He felt his actions as though from a distance. His mouth fell open and a roar resounded. His muscles flexed as he jerked his arms up, snapping the chains that were connected to the floor. He grabbed Belle's shoulders and pushed her back.

"No more," he grunted out.

Liquid midnight brown eyes gazed up at him. No fear or hesitation showed on her face. A smile curled her lips, and her pointed ears twitched. She reached up, pushed his hands away and straightened up. Belle placed her hands on his chest. With strength he didn't know she had, she shoved him. He moved backward until his back hit the wall.

"Finally, it's playtime. I was getting bored." She moved with a swiftness only the elves possessed. In the blink of an eye, she was on him. Her lips covered his body, sucking at his skin. Her nails raked his sides as he buried his hands in her hair. With a groan, he pulled her head back, lowered his face and took her mouth in a possessive, hungry kiss. Van released her hair and began tearing at her clothes. He ripped the laces of her corset and shoved it off of her arms, tore at her bra and yanked at the waistband of her skirt.

She moved her face back. "You're going to owe me new clothes, incubus."

"Don't care." He moved his hands down to rip at her panties. For a moment he thought of dropping to his knees and taking off her boots. No time.

Instead, he guided her toward the massive bed at the other end of the room. They tripped over each other as they maneuvered around tables and chairs.Mental note: get rid of the furniture in my suite.

Finally, they reached the end of the bed. Impatient for her and aching for release, he grasped her hips, lifting her off of her feet and onto the platform bed. She scooted back on the mattress, pausing to remove the ripped remains of her underwear. Belle was a study in perfection with her full breasts topped by dark nipples, trim waist and ample hips. She moved back further until her milk chocolate skin was half bathed in shadow, and only her thigh-high boots were illuminated by the golden light of candles.

He watched her spread her legs. It was too dark to see her pussy lips, even with his vampiric vision. Van cursed himself for insisting on having curtains around the bed. A giggle made him pause.

"Can't see me, can you? Let me tell you what I'm doing now. I'm teasing my pussy lips, stroking them slowly while I imagine it's your tongue lapping my labia." A moan followed those words. A ripple of impatience went through him. Van climbed on the bed and made his way toward her.

"I'm now stroking my clit. Oh goddess, Van, so close. I want you inside of me now."

He didn't have to be told twice. He crawled up her body until he covered her completely. His eyes adjusted to the darkness. Belle's dark brown eyes -- now black -- glittered with the flames of desire. Her scent became stronger. He groaned as he felt her skin rubbing against his stomach.

"You're still touching yourself," he murmured. Van hung over her, waiting for her answer.

"Yes."

That single word was like a gunshot at the starting line. He needed to be inside Belle. Now! The movement of her arm stopped, and then he felt leather pressing against his waist. Sharp pinpricks of pain burst on the backs of his thighs as her heels pressed into the skin. She rolled her hips, and he felt the first brush of the damp lips of her sex against his cock. Van shook as he tried to hold back the urge to just drive into her, not wanting to be too rough. With great restraint, he reached down between them to position himself at her entrance.

Just the feel of her soft skin against his cockhead pushed at his control. Swallowing and taking in a deep breath, he thrust forward. His body shook as he pushed his cock inside inch by inch. Once he was fully seated inside of her, Van stopped to savor the feel of her tight wet heat surrounding his cock. His heart hammered in his chest as every instinct in him screamed for him to move. Instead, he remained as still as possible. With deep breaths and concentration, he pulled out and moved back, building up a rhythm between them. Belle moved with him, occasionally squeezing her vaginal muscles, intensifying the pleasure.

They moved against each other. Her nipples brushed his chest. Her nails raked his back. The pace picked up. The sound of wet flesh slapping and sliding against each other filled the air. His incisors throbbed. Moisture pooled in his mouth as the urge to sink his fangs into her neck and drink slipped into his desire to claim her. He fought himself, wanting to keep his urges out of this joining, but they became an insistent buzz that wouldn't go away.

Belle turned her head to the side, exposing the long column of her neck to him. "Drink, Van. Please."

Her fingers slipped into his hair. She pulled his head down. Stifling a groan, he moved his face closer. Van took a second to trace a line from the crook of her neck to her pulse point with his tongue and she moaned.

He growled at the burst of pain before scraping his fangs over her jugular.

"Please," she mewled, arching her neck.

Unable to resist her plea, he opened his mouth wide before biting down. Her blood burst into his mouth, rushing over his taste buds. His body came alive. Electricity danced along his nerve endings as he fed. Everything became magnified: the slide of their bodies, the salty tang of her blood, the pleasure from the simple act of pulling out and pushing into her tight sheath.

Van moaned around the wound. The world narrowed down to fucking and drinking. The tattoo between his shoulder blades burned as his incubus nature awakened. His hungers increased. He began to move his hips faster, pounding her pussy harder. Fire danced along his spine as the pleasure increased. With each thrust and every sip, he was pushed closer and closer to climax. Pressure welled up inside until the sensations spilled over. His cock twitched and thickened. His balls pulled closer to his body.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

Van shouted out his release just as his alarm clock sounded. The dream faded around the edges.

"NO!" He yelled out as his cock continued to spurt jets of come. Shaking, the sheets clinging to his sweat-soaked body, he groaned as the fantasy melted into nothing. The last of his seed dribbled out to stain the bedding. Breathing hard, Van rolled over. The hunger and thirst had been fed, but the man in him felt unsatisfied. It had all been a dream, one he hadn't wanted to wake up from.

Buy Link:  http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1433

Dear Reader, Let Me Seduce You . . . Love, Selena Illyria: http://www.selenaillyria.com/

Have you read this?

Contest and New Release

Timid, geeky quantum physicist Molly Timmons lives in a man’s world of metaphysics when she meets a handsome John St. James at a Spin Wash and Go. One dark night trapped in the Spin Wash isn’t enough. Even as their relationship deepens, they learn of a dark secret the Spin Wash is hiding… a secret that could tear John’s world apart or could save his daugther‘s life.

Molly’s the key.

Time is running out. Will they figure out the Spin Wash’s secret or will they both be lost in time?

Excerpt

His arms flexed as he slid the basket under his arm and walked around the washers. This was ridiculous; she needed to get laid if the simple pleasure of watching a man cross the floor had her flushed with sexual need.

Laundry detergent, White Rain shampoo, and something indefinable invaded her space and filled her senses as he walked past her.

It was hard to stay put.

She closed her eyes, took in another deep breath, and repressed a moan. This was why women loved sweaty men. Pheromones trumped common sense every time.

Forcing her eyes open, she watched him move; the hard muscles flexing and bending to his will A shift of his basket and his eyes clashed with hers, darkening. With a slow perusal, he took in her lightly muscled legs, encased in short blue shorts. She mentally slapped herself, thinking of how opaque her white T-shirt must look. Her mama had told her that, even with small breasts, she should always wear a bra.

Nipples peaked, pebbling through her shirt, as he continued his inspection, gray eyes almost black. She breathed shallowly, trying to ignore the ache blooming deep inside.

Molly was past shielding herself; she wanted those eyes on her. Her lack of propriety would have had her mother screaming a blue streak. Taunting a man like that, walking out of the house looking like a slut.
God, he had to stop looking at her.

He finally jerked his gaze away from her body and leaned down to drop his basket, then pulled the detergent and softener from it, those lovely muscles moving deliciously under his tan.

He was so close, and those jeans hit him in all the right places. She had to watch every movement, mesmerized by the bending and flexing of his thighs as he placed the detergent into the washer.

He was done too soon. His strong hands worked efficiently, the muscles underneath moving like strings on a piano. Strong. Graceful. Just the idea of those strong digits strumming her body, gliding across her skin, made her hold her breath.

She needed to get ahold of herself -- and quick -- if she was going to look him in the eye. Her face was tight, the skin undoubtedly flushed and almost feverish and not just from the heat and stickiness of the Spin Wash. She was letting her imagination get away with her.

Email me at april.morelock@gmail.com today to receive great free reads; you’ll also be entered into a contest for a copy of my new book Best Little Spin Wash in Texas. Or visit http://www.loose-id.com/ for your copy of Best Little Spin Wash in Texas today!

* * * *
Personally, I [as in Tilly Greene] love this title, and have a copy sitting on my iTouch waiting to be read during my long drive at the end of the week. I cannot wait!

M&M Makin’ the Rounds

Big thanks to Tilly Greene for letting us come here and play today! We’ll get started with our first Q&A.

That Voodoo We Do So Well

Q: What is it the two of you do?

A:
Michelle: On a molecular level or just in general? (see Mandy, I told you I could use big science words in a sentence)

Mandy and I are both fiction authors, writing in several genres. We also co-own RavenHappyHour.com and TheRavenBooks.com, a bookstore, paranormal blog, radio show, and chat group.

Aside from fiction, I write a monthly column for Paranormal Underground Magazine and am a photographer.

Mandy: I sing songs and dance naked in the rain. Sometimes, I mimic the noises small woodland creatures make. Once I nearly got shot by a hunter. Not really but it sounded nice and exciting, didn’t it?

I try not to think in terms of a molecular level. I can’t be sure but I think my brain would burst if I put too much thought into it. Okay, thought about it. I’m still here. Shocking.

Like Michelle mentioned we are authors who are multi-published and award winning. Yeah. I said it. We’re award winning. (Makes us sound all important and stuff. We need trumpet players to announce us upon entry. Ooo and men in loincloths to carry us as we recline and eat grapes or popcorn. I like popcorn more than grapes but I’m pretty sure grapes would look sexier and pull off the vibe we’d be aiming for).

When I’m not writing and bothering Michelle, I’m doing cover art for a variety of publishers. It keeps the creative juices flowing and a nice steady paycheck coming in. Plus, it does help with bail money when I’m caught singing and dancing naked in the rain. (Side note: Officer Smith, you rock for being such a good sport about the last incident.)

Featured M&M Book of the Day:

Buy Link http://www.ravenhappyhour.com/Michelle_M_Pillow_Books.html

Raven Books
http://www.theravenbooks.com/
Raven titles are available on Amazon.com as well as other third party sites

Mandy M Roth
http://www.mandyroth.com/

Michelle M Pillow
http://www.michellepillow.com/

Thanks for letting us hang here, Tilly! Everyone, remember that to be entered in the contest at the end of the tour, you need to comment on the posts. You can enter as much as you like. :-)

Join us tomorrow when we visit Lex Valentine where we answer the question Do We Bite? (Lex’s url Blog : http://www.sunlightsucks.com/

Friday Funny!

How to Tell the S*x of a Fly

A woman walked into the kitchen to find her Husband stalking around with a fly swatter.

"What are you doing?" She asked.

"Hunting Flies," he responded.

"Oh! Killing any?" She asked.

"Yep, 3 males, 2 Females," he replied.

Intrigued, she asked. "How can you tell them apart?"

He responded, "3 were on a beer can, 2 were on the phone."

Works for me :-) Thank you S, you've kept me rolling with laughter, and the I Can Haz Cheezburger kitties are to die for!

The Wonders of Research!

It's an adventure to delve into the realm of research, especially when I know just enough to encourage my interest. So what have I recently been seeking more information about?

Mary McFadden, an American fashion designer.

After a quick look, there wasn't much beyond the bullet point details of her life, career and education, but I had a specific focus I wanted to know more about before mentioning it - no matter how limited - in my WIP. Back in the days when fashion was my focus, McFadden was a designer I found interesting, and still do, and it grew out of a fascination with Fortuny's.



Fortuny [left] and McFadden [right] were both inspired by the Ancient Greek fashion, and the fabrics they added their own twist to helped.  In the early 1900's, Fortuny used rollers and treat the gowns like "skeins of yarn" to help hold their shape, and gown owners would return them to the designer when they needed to be repleated.  McFadden, with modern technology, moved the process a step further, and the pleats were made permanent.  Travel and elegance abounded through these two designers collections and I focused on the elegance side that looked beautiful and a variety of body shapes.

Fashion is fascinating and so is fabric!

Get ready!

There's going to be a couple of special guests here at the Hot Thoughts Blog on August 23rd.

No rules, no limitations, just them having fun - can you handle that? Fun?

Looking for something different?

If you're in the Columbus OH area then there's a convention called Context coming August 27-29 focused on speculative fiction and related games, comics and film in your backyard and shall be great fun! The fee won't break the bank and the environment is a friendly relaxed one - a great way to spend the weekend.

There are interesting panels to sit in on [i.e. How Did I Get Here? and Illustration from the Artists Point of View and I'll be sitting on Paranormal Romance amongst others] and a booksigning on Saturday. You'll find a gaming and dealers rooms, and more. Plenty to explore.

Readers, writers and fans of the different are all welcome!

Friday Funny!

INVOLUNTARY MUSCULAR CONTRACTIONS

A professor at Northern Michigan University was giving a lecture on 'Involuntary Muscular Contractions'.

Realizing this was not the most riveting subject, the professor decided to lighten the mood slightly and use an example of an involuntary contraction to get their attention and help the students better understand the subject matter.

So, he pointed to a young woman in the front row and said, 'Do you know what your asshole is doing while you're having an orgasm?'

She replied, 'Probably deer hunting with his buddies.'

It took 45 minutes to restore order in the classroom...


AHHH! WooWoo! Too too funny! Thank you, you naughty minx!

Movie Talk!

Back in May, when I first started playing with Netflix, I watched a documentary that has stuck with me ever since.


The flick is called Sacco and Vanzetti and is about two men who were accused, ultimately found guilty and put to death for a murder they didn't commit. Not a new story, but what makes this one unique is that they were pinpointed because they were immigrants. It's surprising how often these two men come to my mind during these current times where immigrants are often the lead story on the news.

Scary.

The blurb says: "Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti were Italian anarchists accused of murder in 1920 and put to death in 1927 after a famously biased trial. The pair came to symbolize the bigotry directed toward immigrants and dissenters in America. Their struggle is retold in this probing documentary by Peter Miller. Actors John Turturro and Tony Shalhoub read the prison writings of Sacco and Vanzetti, while commentators include Arlo Guthrie and Studs Terkel."

In case you're wondering who else was touched by the injustice these two men faced, then look no further than Woody Guthrie wrote song called Two Good Men, Upton Sinclair wrote a documentary novel called Boston, and Ben Shahn painted The Passion of Sacco and Vanzetti.

Good flick.

WARNING! Personal Issue Revealed!

Monday night, the cutie and I watched The Big Bang Theory [a show we both enjoy and there aren't many], and I had a moment of self-discovery.

Here we go.


Sheldon Cooper, the top nerd, is my twin when it comes to food and a few of his quirky qualities.

When a scene focused on the usual Thursday night meal not being the one in front of him, I laughed, and the cutie held it in. Even though I'd never paid that much attention to our similarities, I get it now and he did as well, but wasn't about to say anything.

So, when I say I'm a seriously picky eater, it is the absolute truth.  Sheldon understands.

That's it. Confession time is done.

Book Talk!

Since the end of June, I've made some progress through my TBR stack and I've added to it, but what am I waiting to be released?


Veil of Night by Linda Howard - while I have purchased her last few books, I admit to not be pulled in to read them, and they sit on a shelf waiting for me jump in with both feet. [releases today!]

Wicked Appetite by Janet Evanovich - glad she found a publishing house to continue the Stephanie Plum series. I have an add love affair with series. Yes, I love them, but the minute an author says there's a finite end, I won't read anymore until that last one has been handed into their publisher. [September 14 2010]

Renaissance Art Pop-Up Book by David Hawcock [designer] and Stephen Farthing [author] - you all know by now my joy of the pop-up and since I can't make it out to this years Moveable Book Society biannual conference in Portland OR, I'm indulding my passion, and not waiting for it to be a potential Christmas pressie! [October 5 2010]

Indulgence in Death by JD Robb - I like Eve and Roarke and even though I have two sitting on my TBR shelf, waiting for me to read them, I intend to get this one to wait for me as well. [November 2 2010]

There are also the books I've had recommended [in a mystery mood] that I still need to get and they are:
Echoes from the Dead by Johan Theorin - friend's brother recommended
My Friend Maigret by Georges Simenon - friend's brother recommended
Deep Lie (Will Lee Novel) by Stuart Woods - friend's father recommended
One Day by David Nicholls - friend recommended


Then there are the ones I keep forgetting to order because they aren't usually found on the shelves or I forget to look for them, and they are:
Silhouette: The Art of the Shadow by Emma Rutherford [enjoy this artform]
Hollywood by Gore Vidal [my great grand-uncles murder is in it]

And, I can't forget I'll be picking up some books at Context 23, AAD and AlbaCon! The TBR shelf will be bowing beneath the weight!

Oh, to have more time to indulge my joy of books and reading them!

AAD Update!

Registration is officially closed for weekend attendance and I can't wait for it to all start!

A small hint of what there will be for attendees is free books from Ballantine, Kensington, Harlequin, NAL, TOR, MLR Press, Changeling Press, PHAZE, Tease Publishing and Dorchester Pub among others, as well as loads of goodies and awesome gifts! So Cool!

Now, if you can't make it for the weekend, don't stress, the booksigning is open to the public on Saturday from 2-4pm! If your in the area, come in, say HI! and maybe pick up a book or two then get them signed.  Below is the poster that lists the authors who will be there signing.




New this year is Day passes. A day passes include a welcome bag (while supplies last) but no meals or the goodies given therein. Day passes cost 35$ and can be picked up at the Registration table from 8-10 am on Friday or Saturday.

If your interested in coming to the Masquerade party only - which is a totally cool event as you can see from my pictures of last year, tickets are 25$ and include the party, and if your in costume, entry into the costume contest. Doorprizes, free books and gifts not included. Masquerade tickets are on sale Saturday from 8-9pm at the registration table.

There you go, soon I'll have a list of the panels going on - for readers, wanna be an author, and published author! Something for everyone!

Hope to see you there!

Friday Funny!

Power Outage!

At my recent assault trial, I offered a plea of "Guilty with an explanation." The judge asked me what my explanation was, so I told my story.

"Your Honor," I said, "I had a mammogram appointment, which I actually kept. I was met with: 'Hi! I'm Belinda!' This perky clipboard carrier smiled from ear to ear, tilted her head to one side and crooned, 'All I need you to do is step into this room right here, strip to the waist, then slip on this gown. Everything clear?' I'm thinking, 'Belinda, try decaf. This ain't rocket science.' Belinda skipped away to prepare the chamber of horrors.

"With the right side finished, Belinda flipped me (literally) to the left and said, 'Hmmmm. Can you stand on your tippy toes and lean in a tad so we can get everything?' 'Fine', I answered. I was freezing, bruised, and out of air, so why not use the remaining circulation in my legs and neck and finish me off? My body was in a holding pattern that defied gravity (with my other breast wedged between those two 4 inch pieces of square glass) when we heard, then felt a zap!

"Complete darkness and the power went off! 'Oh, maintenance is working. Bet they hit a snag.' Belinda said, and headed for the door. 'Excuse me! You're not leaving me in this vise alone are you?' I shouted. Belinda kept going and said, 'Oh, you fussy puppy...the door's wide open so you'll have the emergency hall lights. I'll be right back.'

"Before I could shout 'NOOOO!' she disappeared. And that's exactly how Bubba and Earl, maintenance men extraordinaire, found me... half-naked with part of me dangling from the Jaws of Life, and the other part smashed between glass! After exchanging a polite 'Hi, how's it going' type greeting, Bubba (or possibly Earl) asked, to my utter disbelief, if I knew the power was off. Trying to disguise my hysteria, I replied with as much calmness as possible 'Uh, yes, yes I did thanks.' 'You bet, take care' Bubba replied and waved good-bye as though I'd been standing in the line at the grocery store.

"Two hours later, Belinda breezes in wearing a sheepish grin. Making no attempt to suppress her amusement, she said, 'Oh, I am sooo sorry!' The power came back on and I totally forgot about you! And silly me, I went to lunch. Are we upset?'

"And that, Your Honor, is exactly how her head ended up between the clamps...."

"Case Dismissed!!"

Thank you S! I hope this one is gone from my brain when I go in for my mammogram!

Writing Cave Update!

A week ago I mentioned diving back into an ms/trilogy that I'd set down for over a year ago and am now almost done with the hardest stage of self-edits. The slash and burn one and I've done that in spades, and I have two chapters to go. I've also added 8k and was surprised to notice that. I'm not a total word count junkies, in fact, it's something I rarely look at because the length of the story is set when it's finished.

So, what's "Come, Now" about?

To put it succinctly: Russians in New York City, politics and medical research, shape-shifters and the paparazzi, all while a search for trust is taking place!

My research has been varied.  Before I even started the story way back when, the first thing I looked up was Genghis Khan, and the other day it was a search for more specific details about the hypodermic needle. I need to make a trip into NYC to confirm a piece of the puzzle that I have a picture for, but not specifics and will do that next week.

The first book in the trilogy has Mikhail, the eldest Ivanovich, as the hero and he's struggling. Why? It's because of Cassie Johnston, the woman he loves also happens to be the one he walked out on - albeit with the best of intentions.

There you have it, an update with details.

Friday Funny!

A male patient is lying in bed in the hospital, wearing an oxygen mask over his mouth and nose, still heavily sedated from a difficult four hour surgical procedure.


A young student nurse appears to give him a partial sponge bath.

'Nurse,' he mumbles, from behind the mask 'Are my testicles black?'

Embarrassed, the young nurse replies 'I don't know, Sir. I'm only here to wash your upper body.'

He struggles to ask again, 'Nurse, are my testicles black?'

Concerned that he may elevate his vitals from worry about his testicles, she overcomes her embarrassment and sheepishly pulls back the covers. She raises his gown, holds his penis in one hand and his testicles in the other, lifting and moving them around and around gently. Then, she takes a close look and says, 'No sir, they aren't and I assure you, there's nothing wrong with them, Sir !!'

The man pulls off his oxygen mask, smiles at her and says very slowly, 'Thank you very much. That was wonderful, but listen very, very closely...

' A r e - m y - t e s t - r e s u l t s - b a c k ?'

Thank you to the wonderful K for this gem!

A peek into my writing cave

Okay, my writing cave isn't a physical place like an office, but more like a mental one. With all the tooing and froing we do, it works for me to have a mental place I go when it's time to buckle down and get down to the nitty-gritty of writing. So, what's going on inside the cave?

This week has been carved out for going through a completed ms that's I adore, but haven't touched since January '09 - "Come, Now". I'm self-editing and it's an interesting stage, especially the more distance I have from writing the ms. I see places I glossed over some interesting details, a messed up timeline, and have found two evil tell vs show passages. What this all means is that I've deleted loads and rewritten or added even more. I've also double check my research and made sure what I've used of it is readable and interesting. I'll go through a couple more times, one time I'll listen to it - this will be a first for me, and see if any of my bad habits remain.

Once I'm finished with my contemporary shapeshifters, the list is long of what I need to get to. My tentative schedule is to finish a contemporary bondage [Missing] short promised to a publisher, rough out a contemporary was it blackmail or her idea all along short as part of a proposal, and rework a short-short paranormal bondage [Caught] for a possible place in an anthology. Once those two shorts are done, polished, and ready for submission, I'll go back to the trilogy, specifically the second book, "Come To Me". It's three-quarters written and so will finish it and then possibly move onto the third, "Come and Stay". I've already noted the bullet points for it, but there's a couple of conventions to go to around the time I figure to be wrapping up the second book so not sure how I'll work it.

I imagine you thought it was always a just sit down with a cup of coffee and delve into the write, edit, submit process. Nope, during all this self-edit, finishing and starting stuff, there's three conventions and two signings to prepare for and go to, and that's just on the work side of life.

Fingers crossed it all goes to plan, no matter how loose and flowing it might be.

There you have it, now, any queries about the cave?

Today is a day to celebrate...

the 20th anniversary of President George H. W. Bush signing the American Disabilities Act.

Do it by reading a romance with a hero or heroine who has a disability. Now, I admit to not being able to think of any heroines that might fit, but I do know of a hero who does, actually two.

Elvis Donnelly, from Susan Andersen's Exposure, has to be one of my all time favorite heroes. He's gorgeous, sweet, and I adore him. Elvis was concerned about how Emma [heroine] and her daughter would see him, being imperfect, and that made him even more endearing to me the reader.

So, it shouldn't suprise anyone that, when give the chance to write about an Ancient Greek mythological figure - I chose Hephaestus. He may have been physically deformed in the texts, but I gave him a fabulous stick, and a sexy stride in Hephaestus Lays Down the Law.

Can you think of any other wonerful romantic heroes that have a disability that we should read? Inquiring minds want to know.

UPDATED 7.28.10
Well, that will teach me to not open my mail as soon as I get it. Last night I opened the September 2010 issue of RT Book Reviews and on page 10 is a "Trend Watch" article called 'Unconditional Love: How heroes and heroines with disabilities are winning readers' hearts' by Liz French. Great read and at the end is a reading list broken down by challenges faced. Blindness-Eyesight, Deaf-Mute, Mental Disability-Head Trauma, Scarring-Amputee-Disfigurement, Lameness-Limp, and Paraplegic-Wheelchair. It was cool to see titles and/or authors Sherry and Diana both mentioned. There were even a few others I'd read and hadn't remembered the challenge being present. Is that a good thing or not? I'm not sure. I didn't make any effort to hide Hephaestus' issues, but neither did I write it so that was the main focus of the story. It will be interesting to see how I approach the same issues next time [already in progress]. Actually, the bulk of that story is written - an erotic contemporary shapeshifter - and the physical challenges the heroine faces are there, but again, not the thrust of the story or even the romance, simply a part of who she is and unique challenges she faces.

Friday Funny!

The pastor asked if anyone in the congregation would like to express Praise for answered prayers.

Mary stood and walked to the podium.

She said, "I have a Praise. Two months ago, my husband, Bob, had a terrible bicycle wreck and his scrotum was completely crushed. The pain was excruciating and the doctors didn't know if they could help him." You could hear a muffled gasp from the men in the congregation as they imagined the pain that poor Bob must have experienced.

"Bob was unable to hold me or the children," she went on, "and every move caused him terrible pain. We prayed as the doctors performed a delicate operation, and it turned out they were able to piece together the crushed remnants of Bob's scrotum, and wrap wire around it to hold it in place." Again, the men in the congregation were unnerved and squirmed uncomfortably as they imagined the horrible surgery performed on Bob.

"Now," she announced in a quavering voice, thank the Lord, Bob is out of the hospital and the doctors say that with time, his scrotum should recover completely." All the men sighed with relief. The pastor rose and tentatively asked if anyone else had something to say.

A man stood up and walked slowly to the podium. He said, "I'm Bob." The entire congregation held its breath.

"I just want to tell my wife that the word is sternum."

HA!  K, I'm laughing so hard with this one - thank you!

Censorship Sucks!

Okay, I often use Photobucket for the pictures I post here and elsewhere, and they've crossed the censorship line - big time! 

Back in my university days I spent weeks studying this gentleman, taking pictures of him from every angel, and do not think he is obscene in anyway!  His name is the Lansdowne Herakles and he lives at the Getty Villa.

He's a spectaular specimen of Roman improvisation work, which is unusual because they normally flat out copied Greek originals.  Those are good, but this Herakles is spectactular.

How dare you, Photobucket!

How dare you takedown and label this fine specimen of Roman sculptural artwork as "inappropriate".  He has survived almost 2000 years - intact - will you be able to say the same thing?

A question for another day is Herakles vs Hercules - fascinating stuff.

Where have I been lately? vol. 3

I think my family are the only people on the planet who know about my love for a seriously good cheeseburger. 

Yes, yes, there's burgers everywhere, but I'm very particular.  When I go back home, to the left of here, I beg for quality burger time and indulge myself because they are fabulous!  So, during this last break, I was able to get a few and thought I'd share the joy with you.

First up was a visit Husky Boy.  We can walk to this joint and bring home piping hot cheeseburgers, twice fried fries [just makes them crispy], or we can go across the street to the beach and sit there to eat them.  No matter where they're had, they're seriously good, so much so, I put Husky Boy and this fabulous meal into a Extreme Speed, Total Control.  Yup, real life and me, all in one place!

Next was the original [and best around] Ruby's at the end of Balboa Pier.  I knew it was meant to be because, even though it was Summer, we drove right onto the ferry, got a parking space at the base of the pier, and were given a table outside.  Perfect all around.  We started going to Ruby's when it first opened and usually in Winter so we could get a table.  We had birthday parties there and even introduced the Brits to it as well.  When I was younger my sister and I would share a cup of clam chowder [yeah, I know, a seafood product+me=never going to happen, but she took the clams I the potatoes :-)] and I did the same this time with my cutie.  All of it was still a fabulous!

And last but not last on the fantabulous burger tour came down to a choice between Fatburger or In-N-Out.  Both are very good and it was a hard decision, but we went for the former!  Yummy!  We did this one down at Mission Beach [near San Diego] and while it was a small location, the cheeseburger was exactly what I needed to tide me over until I head back to the left. 

That's right, I only eat these delicious offerings when I'm visiting home, or when the cutie bbq's them.

When I say I'm a picky eater, I'm a seriously picky eater!  My mom once got up early and made an apple pie in order to get me to eat something for breakfast and it didn't happen.  Yup, picky, and proud!

Top 10 reasons to go to AAD this September!

Authors After Dark is the premier FOR READERS BY AUTHORS event.

Why?

How does it differ from other cons out there? Well here's a helpful list of WHY:

~ AAD is the cheapest con out there that FEEDS YOU 5 MEALS. For the $140 registration, you get 5 meals(2 lunch, 2 dinner and 1 breakfast). NO other con is doing it for that price.

~ AAD is the only con that offers a full vegetarian option for all meals. not just a veggie plate, you will have choices like veggie wraps, salads, pasta dishes.

~ AAD is the ONLY romance con that is doing a GLBT track and have GLBT publishers sponsoring and supporting. Readers will be treated to some of the best GLBT authors out there on panels, and doing parties, and over 200 GLBT books are being given away from MLR press! Other publishers involved include Dreamspinner Press, Phaze and Loose id.

~ AAD is giving away over 2400 free books to attendees! Books from such amazing publishers as Kensington Books, Ballantine, Dorchester, Phaze, Tease Publishing, Changeling Press, Ink Spotters and MLR Press!

~ AAD has some special book giveaways as well, opportunities you wont find anywhere else! Authors like Joey W Hill, Rosemary Laurey, Jacquelyn Frank, Susan Sizemore and tons of others! Attendees can expect Special signed books, tshirt's and ARC's galore!

~ AAD is doing a fantastic charity basket raffle with over 50 baskets! Attendees can win such amazing baskets as Kate Douglas' back list, a fabulous book basket from Gena Showalter or Maggie Shayne, ARC's and special goodies from Cynthia Eden, a much coveted goodie basket from Joey W. Hill and many more! And this year you can enter to win a NOOK, itouch and maybe even an IPAD!!!!

~ AAD is the ONLY romance con that treats Bloggers like royalty! Bloggers (like the booksellers at RT) will have their own welcome event Thursday night, including each receiving a special bag of books (ARC's, single signed books and special premium promo items) and some amazing opportunities to interview authors! The Blogger party will be populated by Authors, industry and staff, so you will be guests of honor!

~ AAD is the only con that offers FREE ALCOHOL (Wine and mixed drinks) for the entire weekend! Also, AAD is the only Romance con that has a Con suite where attendees can visit all weekend, get snacks, goodies and enjoy author sponsored events!

~ AAD's night parties are second to NONE! Our friday event has games and speed authoring, sure to give you the face time you want with the authors you love, special door prizes and a room full of fortune tellers, our fantastic Mystical Maven's event! And Saturday? A Masquerade party with a costume theme of Literary characters! And you could with an amazingly fab prize for winning the costume contest, so stay tuned for that.

That not enough reasons? Well how about out attending authors! they include: Jacquelyn Frank, Silvia Day, Susan Sizemore, Joey W Hill, Jennifer Armintrout, Judi Fennell, Rosemary Laurey, Bianca D'Arc, Leanna Renee Hieber, Caridad Pineiro, and some of the stars of the GLBT world Carol Lynne, Laura Baumbach, Kris Norris, Leigh Ellwood and many others!

Check out out website [http://aadromanceunlimited.com/] and get registered today! You know you do not wanna miss this amazing con! We will see you there!

Naughty Thought for Monday

One place my naughty mind has never traveled is to wonder about the size of cartoon characters penises, but Popten went there.

Now, if they'd been curious about Mr Darcy, I might have had something more to say.

Oh well, it's Monday, so I'm posting this to share the love - or is it mental cringing?

Friday Funny!

No I have not seen your lipstick, why would you even ask me that?

I'm insulted!

Every time something goes missing around here, everybody looks at me!

For your information, I don't even wear that shade.

It doesn't flatter my complexion and it tastes terrible.



Oops.

Tee Hee Hee! Thank you so much, S!  Loved it :-)

Movie Talk

Are you a writer who writes or wants to write a contemporary crime family type book?  Or maybe you love the gangster flicks like The Godfather Series and Goodfellas, or maybe more recently convert with the Sopranos tv series.  Either way, have I got something for you!

Ditch the archetypal stereotype of a mafioso and start thinking outside the box.



To help you do that, you might want to watch a documentary called: A Very British Gangster: The Rise and Fall of a Crime Boss. The man leading this modern day family of thugs and thieves was [although, from what I saw in this flick, I think he still has his fingers in the "biz"] working in Northern England is Dominic Noonan aka Lattlay Fottfoy. A big man with a fabulous Mancurian accent is protective and concerned for his children and those that are a part of his extended family, a violent crime boss, and gay.

That's right, gay.

I'm sure that the definition of a crime boss, if there is one, doesn't say they have to be heterosexual. Who would want to dictate anything to someone who wouldn't blink an eye after killing someone.

Hmmm, makes for an interesting twist to the tale, and how he continuously was found not guilty still amazes me. The youngsters in his family are another reason to see this documentary. One relative, when he gains a few more years, could very well be leading the Noonan gang while another is set on being the next Elvis. I dare you not to cry during the funeral. Oh, and be prepared, paranetal guidance does not exist.

Anyway, you can watch this one immediately if you're a member of Netflix.

Where have I been lately? vol. 2

Recently, while we were visiting family and friends, I fulfilled an almost twenty year promise and took the cutie into downtown LA - Los Angeles.

This city is spread out over a vast distance with pockets of pleasure dotted all around and this means it's difficult for the unprepared to undertake the task of getting to know the city of angels and come away happy.  Over the years I have visited particular areas more frequently than others and probably keep going back to them because of what they offer.  On the day the cutie, my sister and brother-in-law, and I all piled into the car [long story: we were going to do the train, but will have to do it next time], delved through the nasty traffic, and hit a few of our favorite places.


First stop was for lunch at Philippe's for french dipped sandwiches - oh yum!.  This is a place I used to go to when I was a very tiny tot which I loved then and still do.  Not much has changed over the years.  There's still a plethora of picked foods ready for devouring and everything is well priced.  There's still sawdust on the floor, the line forms perpendicular - by carver, and reeks of pesonality.  What changed is that I could actually see over the top of the counter to order, that's about it.  So, how much did I enjoy sharing this place, finally, with the cutie?  I bought a mug, that's how much - and we'll be going back again :-)

By the way, we had this all planned out [shocking if you know me], and on the plane coming out was a repeat of the Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations where he went to Philippe's.  Love those serendipitous types of things.


After lunch, about a block and a half away, is Olvera Street.  Now, this is a place we used to go to when I was in elementary school, and funny enough, it hasn't changed much either.  The big things to get back then were the huaraches - shoes - and my sister picked up another pair, plastic bags for beach and school, and special decoated eggs [cascarones].  The painted eggs are hollowed out, filled with confetti, and a piece of crepe paper tacked over the top to hold it in and we tossed them at the boys we had crushes on - not their purpose, but ours.  There's a few small to medium sized restaurants buried inside this street, with shops down the center, and it smells delicious.  What else is truly interesting is that the buildings lining either side are untouched by modern development.  The street is struggling to survive, but I won't go into the politics of it all, but will say it will be a big loss if Olvera Street is altered.  Oh, and across the street from this street brimming with Mexican goodness is Union Station, the main train station, and it too has been maintained.  It's gorgeous and encouraged the cutie and I to contemplate, again, taking the train across the country.


From there, we drove to the Tar Pits.  Now, this has been the sticking point for me revisiting LA in depth, mainly because of childhood memories.  Let me explain, the smell, an occassional bubble of tar burble up, mixed with excessive heat was never my fortay, but none of that was there.  It was hot - LA hot, not NJ hot, there was a slight smell, although nothing like how I remembered, and the bubbles were frequent but not the only thing going on.  There are some great exhibits dotted around the external space that show the visitors a variety of current digs, what they're finding, how they do it, and great ipso factos which I love.  By the way, they also are looking for volunteers - are you up for it?  By the way, LACMA [Los Angeles County Museum of Art] is right next door, but be careful walking through the park, there's tar bubbling up that isn't fenced off.

Next time we go to LA, we'll take the train, and maybe visit The Pantry - another place I used to go to frequently.  My sister and her family have recently been and give it the thumbs up.  So, there you go, a few hours spent in LA that were interesting and fun.

Pure Chaos Hits the Radio Waves!

Wanna win some AAD goodies and see what’s in store for this year?

On the fence about attending Authors After Dark this year and want some more information?

Then, I suggest you go to the Books Beyond Boundaries Blog Talk radio show and chat room where for 90 minutes it will be PURE CHAOS!  Enjoy call ins from several attending authors including Jennifer Armintrout, Leanna Renee Hieber and Caridad Pineiro and maybe even WIN some goodies from AAD 2009, complete with books and a bag and swag! Yeppers that’s right!

We welcome CALL INS!  Or you can haunt the chat room.  Got a question for us?  Or a comment?  We wanna hear from YOU!  Readers and bloggers are the stars of this convention!

Registration closes on August 1st and we really want YOU to attend and hangout with us, not to mention get tons of free books and goodies! So come and listen on the 15th, see what we have in store for you, and get that registration in!

Here’s the cold hard details for the show:
 
Date:  July 15th
Time:  1:00pm est
Books Beyond Boundaries radio show link:  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/booksbeyondtheboundaries/2010/07/15/authors-after-dark-getting-ready-for-crazy
Call in:  (347) 945-6309, after 1:05pm!

I'll be there and hope to see you as well, and pass the word along.  It's going to be a blast of a readers convention with food and drinks included!

Naughty Thought for Monday

If you were shopping for a magazine by cover, which would you buy?

Who she is, is obvious, and he is an Spanish model turned actor Andres Velencosa. By the way, have you noticed that Angelina's Vanity Fair cover trend.  Hopefully her contract doesn't require the face/hair focus thing and it's just the magazine brass focusing on what they think will sell more magazines - her lips - because they weren't paying attention to her breasts.

Personally, the headline "Sex and the Saudis" to the right that grabbed my attention, it's seriously hot right now, and I'm all about red!

Twitter Tappenings

Yes, I tweet and follow some very interesting folks, and thought I'd share a peek at my week on Twitter.  Is it a time waster?  It fan be, but there's also some interesting things happening there, and is also a good way to have a chat with someone about something - my last chat was with someone who told me I needed to read the Larsson books in order and why.

By the way, RT means "re-tweet", as in I retweeted it for my group of followers to read.

From Those I Follow that I RT'd
RT @JessicaScott09: RT @Airborne_Ranger: There are 2 things that are keeping me from watching the new twilight movie... they're called testicles. ”-lol!!

RT @cat_johnson: Amazon is selling the print of ROUGH STOCK already and it's on sale http://amzn.to/ccjX1F

RT @Borders: Now open: our new eBook Store! Choose from over a million eBooks. Your books. Your device. Your choice http://ht.ly/285Ij

RT @ellorascave: Countdown to NEW @jaidblack novella, Politically Correct 2: Subjugated, releasing Monday, 7/12! (Cool, loved Stalked!)

All sorts of interesting stuff happened last week! 


A Bit From Me
Street Beat: 11 yo boogie boarder bit by elephant seal not long after PMMC released 3 recuperating pups. Child did not require medical attn.


PMMC = Pacific Marine Mammal Center is a wonderful and necessary facility. Check them out and sponsor a seal. http://www.pacificmmc.org/

Street Beat: Citation. Wedding planner cited for putting chairs on beach w/out permit. Police couldn't say if nuptials proceeded as planned.

Feeling hot? Well, this shower is cool, unique even, but as an #eroticromance author, I'm thinking things! http://bit.ly/cn4lMA

You all know from this weeks Book Talk! that I was reading the paper from the town I was visiting and I also mentioned something about routines.  Well, along those same lines, I always check out the local Street Beat to see what's been happening, and share it :-)  Something else I often tweet is links to unique and/or interesting to me "things" I find in my bloglines and that would be the last one.

By the way, if you'd like to talk face-to-face, today I'm at the Borders in Middletown NY from 2-5:00pm est.

Friday Funny

The Perfect Comeback

I took my dad to the mall the other day to buy some new shoes (he is 66).  We decided to grab a bite at the food court. I noticed he was watching someone sitting next to him. The teenager had spiked hair in all different colours - green, red, orange and blue - and my dad kept staring at her. The teen would look over to find my dad staring, every time. When she'd finally had enough, she sarcastically asked:

"What's the matter old man, never done anything wild in your life?"

Knowing my Dad, I quickly swallowed my food so I wouldn't choke on his response - I knew he'd have a good one!

In classic style, he responded without batting an eyelid:

"Got stoned once and had sex with a peacock. I was just wondering if you were my daughter."

Big thanks to S for this one - it arrived at the exact moment I needed a laugh, hugs!

Looking for something to do on Saturday?

The Romance Unlimited gang will be talking and signing books Saturday, July 10 from 2-5:00pm est, at Borders [1 North Galleria Drive, Middletown, NY].

Who will be there?

Stella Price
Cat Johnson
Allie Boniface
Anny Cook
and me, Tilly Greene!

A great mix of authors and books, we look forward to seeing you!

Where have I been lately?

Visiting family and friends!

While I get my act back together, make some progress with the inboxes and start working through the entries I've promised to judge, I'll post a few pictures from our trip.  Take you all along for the ride.

Now, I figure I'll start with something we passed everyday as we walked into town.  Let me back up a bit, we have a blank lawn surrounded by trees, and the cutie has started an experiment beneath the furtherest at the center.  Yup, it goes with the terriroty of being married to guy who likes to tinker around - personally, better this than the fire pit thing he wants to build.  Anyway, it's the part we can see best from the kitchen's large window, and we'd love to make it interesting.


Okay, whilst away, we walked into town most days, and in doing so we passed Madison Square & Garden Cafe.  It's a garden center/outdoor restaurant - eaten there with my sis once and it was good - and they have this gorgeous giant brass Asian buddha head we think would look fabulous on a pedestal under our tree.  Over the weeks we were there, we added a motion detector so it would swivel whenever something moved around it - the adorable neighbors kitty likes to hunt bunnies back there.  The last thing we added [in our dreams because we could never put this gorgeous guy in our frigid during the winters backyard] was lights for eyes.  This last addition was to spook the deer that eat and poop - in one motion - away from the mulberry tree.

By the way, it wasn't until our last day passing this gem of a giant that we noticed the lifesized penguin behind him [inside MSGC shop].  You can just see him to the left of buddha [two white balls, a smaller black one on top, and the barest hint of an orange beak]. See the white strip behind and to the left of the head?  Okay, the penguin is between it and the buddha.  Trust me, it isn't easy, shoot, I couldn't see him and I was standing right beside the brass head, which, by the way, is over 3ft tall - so when I say giant, he was - big and beautiful!

Book Talk!

I like routines.  Good or bad, they're comfortable and mine.  So, one thing I try to do when visiting family in my hometown is to share what the locals are reading.  Let me give some basic details behind this.  My "hometown" is a smallish beach town and has two independent bookshops that keep and submit to one of the local paper their bestsellers and they're very different.  Here they are:

Laguna Beach Books
1.  The Lotus Eaters by Tatiana Soli
2.  The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman
3.  The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
4.  Montana 1948 by Larry Watson
5.  The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson
6.  The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson
7.  The Hand that First Held Mine by Maggie o'Farrell
8.  So Much for That by Lionel Shriver
9.  The Big Short by Michael Lewis
10. The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

Events the shop above is hosting this July that were noted in the paper are:

July 14 - Don Winslow, author of Savages
July 23 - Jillian Lauren, author of Some Girls and Contributors to Robot Hearts
July 28 - Janelle Brown, author of This I Where We Live

Latitude 33 Bookshop
1.  The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
2.  The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson
3.  China and the 21st Century by Jeffrey Wasserstrom
4.  The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson
5.  Hitch-22: A Memoir by Christopher Hitchens
6.  Tinkers by Paul Harding
7.  Last Night in Twisted River by John Irving
8.  Feed a Family on $25 a Week by Gabrielle Sunheart
9.  Churchill by Paul Johnson
10. Eight Steps to Happiness: The Buddhist Way of Loving Kindness by Geshe Kelsa Gyatso

Local author, T A Long, also announced in the paper the release of her first novel, Baby's Got a Brand New Bag - a murder mystery set along coast of Orange County.

Friday Funny

A group of 40-year-old girlfriends discussed where they should meet for dinner. Finally, it was agreed upon that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the waiters there had tight pants and nice buns.

Ten years later at 50 years of age, the group once again discussed where they should meet for dinner. Finally it was agreed that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the food there was very good and the wine selection was good also.

Ten years later at 60 years of age, the group once again discussed where they should meet for dinner. Finally it was agreed that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because they could eat there in peace and quiet and the restaurant had a beautiful view of the ocean.

Ten years later at 70 years of age, the group once again discussed where they should meet for dinner. Finally it was agreed that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the restaurant was wheelchair accessible and they even had an elevator.

Ten years later, at 80 years of age, the group once again discussed where they should meet for dinner. Finally it was agreed that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because they had never been there before.

Thank you Mom, it was good :-)

Big Huge Reader Contest WINNERS!

Over thirty books/ebooks, by a variety of authors, in a plethora of genres, were brought forth, discussed and enjoyed - all that's left is for the winners of the three boxes of RT Booklover Convention goodies and Pink Sony eReader to be announced.

First, I want to thank you all who participated, you made this a fun contest, and I hope you enjoyed yourselves as much as I did.

Okay, all the entries have been printed, folded, and are happily sitting in a big bowl.  So, without any further delays, the names drawn are:

Box 1 - fcammer2
Box 2 - practimom
Box 3 - stacey at sasluvbooks

and the Sony eReader goes to - Anne!

Woohoo!  Congrats to you all! 

Note for fcammer2, practimom and Anne:  I have no email addies for you, please contact me at tilly @tillygreene .com [minus the spaces] with your mailing addresses, and I'll get the boxes sent out!

Again, thank you all - now go read!

Tilly Greene Website│Blog│Facebook│Twitter

Big Huge Reader Contest - Day 30!

Today is the last day of the Big Huge Reader Contest and it's been a blast!  I hope everyone has found some books to read or hopefully new to them authors to check out further - I know I have.

These past thirty days have been my way of celebrating five years in the business and since it's the last day of the festivities, thought I'd share a bit about the book that started it all for me: Come, Sweet Creature

Tony DiTerlizzi's The Spider and the Fly [it was the fab illustrations that pulled me in] is what spoke to me the loudest when I happened upon Whiskey Creek Press Torrid's call for twisted takes on fairy tales.  Without waisting any time, I went to my bookshelves [told you above that I liked the book] and reread his flapper version, sought out the original online, and then started writing the contemporary erotic romance with bondage and D/s.

I hear you shouting:  Are you kidding me?  An erotic romance, with bondage and stuff, from a children's poem? 

Yes!  And I ask in return have you read the original 1829 Mary Botham Howitt poem lately?  No, okay, here's the opening stanza [you can find the full poem here]:

"Will you walk into my parlour?" said the Spider to the Fly,
'Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy;
The way into my parlour is up a winding stair,
And I've a many curious things to show when you are there."
Oh no, no," said the little Fly, "to ask me is in vain,
For who goes up your winding stair can ne'er come down again."

It screams naughty things are going to happen in that parlour and not just seduction, so I ran with it!  The challenge was to make my spider and hero, Tilton Spidermach, sexy and loveable.  He's gorgeous and a good-natured player, never promising more than he can offer, and wealthy enough that it doesn't matter when his bedroom escapades are splashed across the media - which happens often.

Something I did change was in regards to my fly and heroine.  While she may be small in height, there is nothing timid or shy about her, just the opposite.  One of the twists I added [and there are a few] was for her to purposely put distance between herself and Tilton.  She may think he's hot, but he's the boss, and that is a line she won't cross - at least not knowingly.

I like write twists in my books and Come, Sweet Creature is full of them.  My first book was fun to write and hopefully fun to read!

Buy eBook from ARe│Amazon│BN│Fictionwise│Whiskey Creek Press Torrid

So, there you have it, thirty days of books - all I want to read. I've bought a few, have others on my list to get for the next reading break, and hope you guys have as well. Thank you all for commenting and making this a specactular month for me and all the authors who came to share.  For the last hurrah, I'm opening the door - go ahead, ask me a question or leave a comment, today is the last day to enter the Big Huge Reader Contest and anything goes.  I'll draw names for the three RT Booklover Convention boxes of goodies and Pink Sony eReader tomorrow - good luck to everyone!

Tilly Greene Website│Blog│Facebook│Twitter



REMEMBER
Commenting and/or asking questions on an author’s blog for the day will enter you into the Big Huge Reader Contest for a Pink Sony eReader or one of three boxes packed full of RT Booklovers Convention goodies. Unfortunately, due to the grand prize being an electronic and weight of the other three boxes, this contest is for US residents only.

Big Huge Reader Contest - Day 29!

Light My Fire by Jodi Redford
Buy eBook from Samhain Publishing
Paranormal Romance/Red Hots!/Menage

Aiden Fortune’s orders are clear: Find the woman, claim her as a sexual sacrifice—and share her with his horndog twin brother. Distasteful as it is, the Drakoni council insists the ancient custom be honored. Or Aiden will be banished.

One glance at Dana Cooper, and Aiden is thrown into the dragon version of a tailspin. Claim her? Hell, yes, he’ll claim her. Problem is, she has no idea her father signed away her destiny at birth.

Dana has dated enough whack-a-doodles to fill an insane asylum. Two gorgeous men claiming to be dragons? Par for the course. Until they give her a tantalizing glimpse of their inner beasts, which makes her think she’s the one headed for a padded cell—for actually considering their offer of the hottest sex of her life, for life.

Her resistance melts away under the onslaught of two men who pack enough heat to set off smoke alarms in a six-block radius. Especially when she realizes she’s falling for Aiden. But with a town full of dragon hunters and an enemy lurking in the shadows, surviving a week of Aiden and Jace’s double-teaming will be the least of her problems…

Warning: Contains two smokin’ hot dragons and their not-so-unwilling sacrifice. A few wardrobe malfunctions and inappropriate use of paintbrushes. You might want to have your local fire department on speed dial.

Excerpt

Wiping her damp fingers on the hem of her polo, Dana hustled toward the rear hallway. She rounded the corner in time to see Aiden dragging a limp Emmaline through an opened doorway. Breaking into a run, Dana barreled down the corridor and skidded into her aunt’s small office. Her heart thundering, she gaped at Aiden and Jace while they gently settled Emmaline onto the raggedy tweed loveseat wedged in the corner.

“What happened?”

Aiden grunted. “My dumbass brother showed your aunt his inner beastie.”

Dana glared at Jace. “That better not be code for you waving your Johnson.”

Jace sputtered a laugh. “No.”

A low groan floated from Emmaline and her eyelashes fluttered. Dana rushed to the sofa. She dropped to her knees on the cushion, prompting the broken spring in the frame to give an indignant woongg. Emmaline gave her a blank stare. “I think I fainted. How quaint and embarrassing.”

Relieved almost to tears that her aunt was apparently okay, Dana grinned. “You always were a bit of a drama queen.”

“No, hon. You have me confused with Raul.” Emmaline shifted her head and yelped when she spotted Aiden and Jace. Her face went whiter than Raul’s homemade Alfredo sauce.

Dana shot Jace a fierce look. “Are you certain you didn’t show her your dick?” A hum of warning came from her aunt and Dana rolled her eyes. “Sorry, I mean penis.”

Emmaline struggled to the edge of the cushion. “Don’t antagonize them. Dragons have a fiery temper.”

“Oh my God. I can’t believe you guys told her that kooky story!” Dana jumped up and slashed her hand in the direction of the door. “Get out. Now.”

Emmaline tugged the hem of Dana’s polo shirt. “Hon, fireballs. That’s all I’m saying.”

One corner of Aiden’s mouth tipped upward. “Don’t worry. We have no intention of flambéing your niece.”

“Arrgh. Would you stop it? And you…” Dana shook a finger at Emmaline. “Don’t encourage their lunacy.”

“Sweetheart, listen to me.” Emmaline grabbed Dana’s extended hand and tugged her onto the loveseat. “They really are dragons. Drakoni. I saw it with my own eyes.” She sent a pleading look toward Aiden and Jace. “Show her.”

Both men stood stubbornly mute.

“Oh no you don’t.” Displaying her typical spunk, Emmaline pushed onto her feet and stormed toward the brothers, her orthopedic sneakers squeaking. The crown of her permed hair barely reached the middle of Jace’s broad chest. The huge discrepancy in their sizes didn’t stop her from yapping at him like an enraged Pekinese. “You’re not getting away with making me look like a blabbering fool. I’m giving you two seconds to flash her some lizard eyes or I’m telling those hunters out there exactly what you are.”

Aiden’s nostrils flared. “You wouldn’t.”

Crossing her arms over her chest, Emmaline tapped a foot. “Try me.”

“Damn it.” Aiden plowed his fingers through his hair, leaving it in messy spikes. “We didn’t want to throw everything at Dana before she’s ready.”

“Ah, screw it.” Jace stalked toward the sofa and leaned over Dana. He blinked and his blue irises glimmered, shifting into brilliant amber. Quicker than she could fathom it, his pupils elongated into distinctively reptilian-like slits.

Her chin plummeting, Dana slumped, banging her head on the loveseat’s tall back. Jace turned to face Emmaline. “Happy now?”

“Wh-what was that?” Wincing at the screechiness of her voice, Dana scrambled from the cushions and whirled in front of Jace. His eyes had returned to normal. For a brief moment, she wondered if she’d imagined the whole thing. No, that didn’t make sense. She wasn’t prone to hallucinations. Okay, there’d been that freaky incident involving cold medicine and a talking Ficus tree, but that was a long time ago.

“It was a brief glimpse of my Drakoni form. I’d have shown you more, but I didn’t want to scare you. Not to mention your aunt would have been pissed if I tore through her roof.”

Emmaline sniffed. “You can bet your cute dragon buns on that.”

Dana sank onto the arm of the loveseat and scrubbed a hand across her face. “You know you guys are only supposed to exist in fairy tales and low budget sci-fi movies, right?”

Aiden’s dark, penetrating gaze ensnared her. “And your paintings. Let’s not forget those.”

His husky voice provoked unbidden images of her fantasy dragon—the decadent beast that starred in her most bizarre and X-rated dreams. The same beast that ultimately earned a depiction in her most erotic creation. Heat spiraled from the core of her sex all the way to her nipples. Just thinking about her nocturnal dragon almost made her orgasm. Jeez, thank God she didn’t. How embarrassing would that have been? “Let’s pretend for a second that my head isn’t ready to explode. Mind explaining how you’re able to walk around in a man suit?”

Aiden’s eyebrows winged upward. “Man suit? Interesting term. I’ll have to remember it.” His expansive shoulders hitched in the faintest shrug. “The abridged version is we’re shifters. Our human form was built into our genetic code to enable us to blend in with society.”

Jace nodded. “Yep. Kinda tough for a fourteen-foot dragon not to stick out in the crowd.”

Automatically, Dana’s attention lifted to the ceiling. Okay, he hadn’t been exaggerating about damaging the roof. “Man, you guys must have ginormous houses.”

A chuckle broke from Aiden. “We limit our Drakoni forms for the outdoors.”

“Smart thinking.” Dana fiddled with a stray lock of hair that’d escaped her scrunchie. “Next question—what are you doing here? With me, I mean.”

Aiden stepped beside Jace. “I told you. You’re our sacrifice.”

“What?” Emmaline shrieked.

They all turned to stare at Dana’s aunt. The color slowly leached from her skin again. “Are you saying you’re going to eat her?”

“Well, not necessarily in the way you’re thinking.” A wicked grin stretched Jace’s mouth. Aiden punched him hard enough in the arm he stumbled sideways.

“What my brother means is she’s not that kind of sacrifice.”

“All right, then what kind is she?” Emmaline demanded.

The flush that raced over Aiden’s cheekbones was downright adorable. “Uh…it’s probably best if we don’t go into the nitty-gritty details. I wouldn’t want to embarrass you.”

Enlightenment replaced Emmaline’s scowl. “Sex? Is that what this is about? Jeez Louise, I’m not a nervous virgin who’ll fall into vapors at mere mention of the word.” She suddenly frowned. “Come to think of it, Dana isn’t exactly a virgin either. Isn’t she supposed to be untouched in order to be placed on the sacrificial chopping block? She’s had her fair share of lovers. Not an outrageous amount or anything, but let’s just say the girl’s no longer pure as driven snow. Maybe she’s not exactly tarnished as the mucky black stuff you see piled on the side of the—”

“Okay, you’ve officially clobbered that simile and it’s now whimpering for mercy.” Dana didn’t know whether to hug her aunt or throttle her. On one hand, it was darned sweet that Emmaline was fishing for a way to save Dana from becoming the sacrificial offering. On the other hand, it was rather mortifying to have her sex life up for debate.

“Virginity isn’t a requirement,” Aiden said, his strained voice breaking through Dana’s internal grumblings.

“Besides, do you have any idea how hard it is to find a virgin these days?” Jace’s smile turned teasing. “We’d have better luck finding the Easter Bunny.”

Dana dug her fingers into her temples. “Don’t tell me it exists too?”

“Don’t know. But I sure do love me some rabbit.” Smacking his lips, Jace rubbed his stomach.

“That is really warped.” Despite the weirdness of everything, Dana couldn’t help her chuckle from joining Jace’s full-scale belly laugh. Once the hilarity passed, the seriousness of the situation returned and she shoved her hands against her lap, twisting her fingers together nervously. “I’m still not clear on this whole sacrifice thing. You want me to have sex with one of you—why?”

The now all-too-familiar silent communication passed between Aiden and Jace, earning an exasperated groan from Dana. “Would you quit that and just spit it out already?”

“Fine, you want blunt?” Aiden, his jaw hard as stone, pinned her with a stare that sizzled. “You’re not having sex with one of us. We’re a package deal.”

Buy eBook from Samhain Publishing

Jodi Redford Website

AUTHOR GIVEAWAY TODAY
Leave a comment and/or query today for Jodi Redford to be entered in a drawing for a My Bookstore and More gift certificate.


REMEMBER
Commenting and/or asking questions on an author’s blog for the day will enter you into the Big Huge Reader Contest for a Pink Sony eReader or one of three boxes packed full of RT Booklovers Convention goodies. Unfortunately, due to the grand prize being an electronic and weight of the other three boxes, this contest is for US residents only.

Big Huge Reader Contest - Day 28!

Sexy Games by April Ash
Buy eBook from Ellora's Cave
Contemporary Erotic Romance

"Deliciously erotic!" - reviewed by Shayna, Joyfully Reviewed

Naughty Games Company Invitation: Test new games. Consenting adults. Male-female. Company penthouse. One week. Associates of NGC only.

Invitee employee STACY NEWMAN accepts. Betrayed by a past ex-fiancé, her goal is to concentrate on her career, sell a game idea to NGC, and open her own store.

Invitee SLOANE HOFFMAN, son of NGC’s CEO, accepts. He knows his dad wants him to take over the company. He’s been hurt and used by past lovers only after his money and what he could do for them.

Months earlier, they shared a night of passion but a panicked Sloane left without a word when Stacy inspired thoughts of “commitment” and “settling down”. His disappearance left her heartsick.

As game partners they’ll test games that require costumes, role-playing and sex. Undeniable lust and mutual desire quickly resurfaces, and they agree to a business-only venture. They choose games called “Hot Sands” (sheik and bride-to-be), “Teach Me” (nerdy professor and stripper/lap dancer) and “Royal Romps” (Lady and butler).

Spending time together offers chances to learn more about each other, fall in love, and share passionate sexual adventures. But, two misunderstandings occur, threatening to pull them apart once again, this time forever.

Watch the Sexy Games Trailer

Buy eBook from Ellora's Cave

April Ash Website

AUTHOR GIVEAWAY TODAY
June is National Candy month and I can't think of a better way to read a romance book than to have some wonderful chocolates nearby to munch on! Comment today and be entered to win a $10.00 gift card to either Russell Stover or Whitman's!


REMEMBER
Commenting and/or asking questions on an author’s blog for the day will enter you into the Big Huge Reader Contest for a Pink Sony eReader or one of three boxes packed full of RT Booklovers Convention goodies. Unfortunately, due to the grand prize being an electronic and weight of the other three boxes, this contest is for US residents only.