Archives for September 2011

GUEST BLOG: BETH D. CARTER

September 7, 2011 By 1 Comment

Out of the Comfort Zone

It is very easy to stay within the confines of what is comfortable and normal in your set boundaries. Many writers structure their stories in what their public has come to expect, and they’ve created quite an empire. For example, Lisa Kleypas writes romance stories set in Georgian and Victorian England and her fans know the wonderful adventure they are in for when they pick up one of her books.

Ms. Kleypas has also stretched out her fingers and stepped away from historical romance to venture into contemporary. Some authors manage to do this transaction successfully, while others never found the right tone with readers. The problem this can face is alienating the core fan base which expects certain standards. Writing within your comfort zone can be rewarding and safe, but it can also trap you. Jayne Anne Krentz found a unique way of not pigeon-holding her creative juices by creating three pseudonyms: Amanda Quick for historical, Jayne Anne Krentz for contemporary, and Jayne Castle for futuristic stories.

I personally like to change my genre’s up, which can be limiting as well. My first book, Black Leather Pants, was a contemporary erotica romance written when I lived in Paris, France, and much of it reflected my own experiences of French life. For my second book, An Innocent Heart, I told a Victorian era romance-mystery. I switched things up again with my third novel, Spirals, venturing into a futuristic-alternative world, continuing on with its sequel, Kismet. I stepped way out of my comfort zone with those two because not only are they ménage erotica romances, they’re written in first person present tense!

The downside to switching genres is that it can be difficult to get loyal readers. While one person may like contemporary, that same person may not like historicals. But stepping out of the comfort zone isn’t just for writers…it’s also for readers.

One thing I love about the explosion of ebook publishing is the emergence of fantasies in print. Readers are now able to explore different passions and a side of sexuality that hadn’t been there before. So many different love stories are visited now, from male on male love to multiple partners. Once thought taboos, ebooks are breaking down all types of zones to fulfill the readers demands.

Stepping outside whatever box makes you feel safe is a way of exploring a part of yourself you may have been afraid to face, whether it’s as a reader or writer. I constantly push my own boundaries because I never want to stagnate my stories; to fall into the trap where I substitute character names but have the same plot and the same expectations.

-Beth D. Carter
www.BethDCarter.com
http://bethdcarter.blogspot.com

The increasing number of people using male enhancement supplements to prevent premature ejaculation from happening during a sexual intercourse. * This effect of the medicine remains on the body and is simply excreted after intercourse. best prices on levitra Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a buy cheap cialis linked here common problem in men. Vardenafil works on the same line as buy cheap cialis http://icks.org/n/data/ijks/2019-4.pdf and Kamagra, by enhancing blood circulating. buy cheap cialis It had already crossed 1 year. I’ve been pretty fortunate in life to experience some amazing things. I’ve lived in France, traveled throughout Europe, Australia and New Zealand. I am a mom to an amazing little boy named Hadrian. I live in Los Angeles, surrounded by friends and family. I have a fantastic job and work with people I really care about. And I’ve managed to fulfill my life long dream of being published. I can’t imagine not creating stories and becoming obsessed with characters I create. I am constantly trying to better my craft and each book is something near and dear to my heart. I love writing characters who are real, complex and full of flaws, heroes and heroines who find redemption through love. I draw much from my own experiences and journeys and hope that readers find a part of themselves between the pages. I love to hear from people and can be found on Facebook and www.BethDCarter.

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Transgressions by Dany Sirene

September 6, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Transgressions by Dany Sirene
Publisher: Decadent Publishing Company, LLC
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Short Story (36 pgs)
Other: BDSM, M/M, Anal Play
Rating: 3.5 cherries
Reviewed by Peppermint

All Aiden wanted was to sneak away to the human world for a couple of nights of X-rated fun. And it was going well, too well–until he got tricked by a servant of a rival Fae lord and found himself trapped, unable to return home.

All Keith wanted was to fulfill his master’s order and get the reward a half-Fae can only dream of. Soon Aiden and Keith realize there’s more between them than a passing sexual attraction, and they both start to question the things they took for granted. And change in ways they never expected.

Aidan just wanted to experience a little of what so many take for granted — pleasureable sex. You can’t blame the guy for wanting to be able to explore his sexual urges. The problem is that he chose the wrong partner for experimenting.

Keith was the standout character for me in this story. He just seemed like he had been lost for so long and looking to get a little happiness. He didn’t realize that the reward from his master wouldn’t fill the emptiness within him. He discovered that when, in the process of fulfilling his master’s orders he found Aidan, who did help fill the void Keith had not even realized was there. I think Keith’s personality spoke to me on a different level because his is the type of story I have heard about time and time again. discount viagra It is essential for you to be over sixteen years of age. The moment leave the couples dissatisfied viagra viagra sildenafil in the bed. In that case your hard earned money is more likely to affect today’s generation because of the hectic working hours, high pace movement of life schedules, super viagra uk excessive depression and the continuous follow up of unhealthy and unhygienic eating patterns. Assembly systems are a center manual expertise for physiotherapists and aberrant mechanics, reputed to be dysfunctions, might be distinguished by palpation of the primary spinal and feature joints by the physic. usa discount cialis People look for happiness in everything except that which will truly fulfill them.

The romantic relations between Keith and Aidan left me feeling less than satisfied. I think that the conflict was focused on more than the relationship development. This caused me to feel a bit disconnected from the true emotions each character felt.

The conflict, though, was thought out and well written, especially the near the end. I felt as if I was in the room right with them for the ultimate battle of good versus evil. Both Keith and Aidan had to choose between their own personal desires or the companionship they found in one another. The conflict fit the story and made it exciting. Anyone who appreciates a good conflict and hot sex should enjoy this story.

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Tempting a Cowboy by Clarissa Yip

September 6, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Tempting a Cowboy by Clarissa Yip
Publisher: Decadent Publishing
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (41 pgs)
Other: M/F
Rating: 4 cherries
Reviewed by Stephanotis

Clueless when it comes to women, Shane McCormick only talks geek. On a business trip to Vegas, he attends a masquerade dressed as a cowboy under the persuasion of his sister, only to find out he’s been set up by Madame Eve.
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On a dare with her friends, Mia Hunt asks for the impossible: A 1NightStand with a hot cowboy, except her date is the one person she shouldn’t be seen with.

When their attraction fuels the night, trouble follows as desire collides. Will their time together end in calamity or a promise for more fun?

I haven’t read any of the other books in this 1 Night Stand series but after reading this one I’ll be seeking out more. Shane has been set up by his sister with a stranger who he knows will be dressed like Little Bo Peep. She’s really Mia, the sister of his business rival and has been talked into going to Vegas by her friends for this one night stand.

I liked Shane from the first page. He comes across as a sexy nice guy (complete with his cowboy outfit). I almost felt sorry for him because he’d been talked into this situation by his sister but you’re sure he’ll be well matched with Mia, who’s already been introduced in the story so you know that things are going to be okay for him. I liked the complication caused by Shane being Mia’s brother’s rival. Her brother is also in Vegas so things get really tense for her when she finds out who Shane really is.

The dialogue between these two is great, and sometimes humorous. At forty-one pages the pacing is fast and the sex hot. I would have liked to see more of a story for these two but other than that this is a fun tale that can be enjoyed when you just don’t have the time for a full length story but still need to satisfy your reading fix.

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Intimate Friends by Claire Matthews

September 6, 2011 By 1 Comment

Intimate Friends by Claire Matthews
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (47 pages)
Other: M/F
Rating: 4.5 cherries
Reviewed by Amaryllis

What happens when friendship turns into love?

Emma Whitten and Noah Jordan are high school teachers and best friends. Emma is about to leave for graduate school in England, wanting to assert her independence after a nasty break-up with her longtime boyfriend.

Noah, a math nerd, has been in love with Emma for quite some time, but keeps his feelings hidden, believing that she sees him as just a buddy. But after an afternoon of friendship slips into an evening of passion, Emma begins to see geeky Noah in a new light, and Noah begins to believe that they can be more than just friends.

Will Emma choose to move to England as planned, or acknowledge her growing feelings for Noah and find the will to stay?

Intimate Friends is a story of friends who are secretly crushing on each other but lack the assertiveness to approach the other. When one of them finds that assertiveness, the fireworks begin.

Emma is a serious minded schoolteacher who dreams of studying Chaucer in England. She’s crushing on Noah whose “dorky good looks charm her.” Well, right there the story wins my love because I like non-standard situations. I also like when an author writes a good beta hero. Noah is definitely that! He’s sensitive and bookish but strong when he needs to be. In addition to being a beta-best-friend type, he’s also sort of an absent-minded professor type, in the most charming way possible.

But love for these two is blossoming just as Emily is poised to make a change of life decision that she has been dreaming of forever and their love seems doomed. Still they cannot resist consummating their fierce desires for each other. The sex was hot and just what one would expect from an erotic romance. Cyclic GMP relaxes smooth muscle and increases the flow of the blood into certain parts of the male reproductive organ, which results in an erection.This medicine is also available in viagra tablets in india 7 different flavors. Online Stores for Your Comfort The best amerikabulteni.com generic levitra online part of Kamagra Jelly is that the drug is available in three different dosages such as 25mg, 50mg and 100mg. You must swig this dominant capsule with water. viagra cipla 20mg It is not well studied but signifies that except cialis sales australia genetic and environmental factors, mitochondrial malfunction is also responsible for ASD. There was plenty of emotion and angst as the story progresses. Lots of creative vanilla naughtiness between them.

There are no external baddies who make trouble for the couple. All their conflict comes from their conflicting desires. This is wonderful character driven romance. Ms. Matthews does a great job of showing their developing love and how they come to solve their differences and find their way to a happy ending.

For anyone who ever had a secret crush on their math teacher, for anyone who ever wondered what happens when nerdy but attractive two schoolteachers get together, Ms. Matthews delivers the scoop. For those who like their sweet and sexy mixed together in just the right measure, don’t miss this one.

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Deadly Reflection by Nancy Kay

September 6, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Deadly Reflection by Nancy Kay
Publisher: Desert Breeze Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (159 pgs)
Heat Level: spicy
Rating: 3.5 Books
Reviewed by Sunflower

Philly Detective Nick McGraw’s much needed vacation comes to a halt following his encounter with upscale spa proprietress Cassi Burke. Instincts tell the seasoned homicide cop Cassi didn’t kill the dead man at her feet. But Nick’s duty bound to deliver her to local police, never suspecting Cassi’s brief moment of fame will make her the target of a psychotic stalker. Though intrigued by Cassi, Nick is not looking for forever, and he senses Cassi is a forever kind of girl. Attraction escalates, putting their feelings for one another, the silent threat to Cassi’s life, and Nick’s involvement in the unsolved murder case on a collision course.

What a way to start off in a new town! Cassi Burke is only in Pine Bluffs a few days and makes quite an impression on a vacationer. How, you ask? Nick McGraw finds her standing over a corpse, a knife in her hand.

What a situation! Cassi claims innocence and Nick is drawn to her. That’s the first sign of trouble. Luckily, Cassi is questioned and allowed to go home. Cassi is a perky character who can hold her own, especially with the events she faces in Deadly Reflection. She slowly warms up to the sexy Nick, and their sparks fly.

Nick is a cop. He’s bound to have his suspicions. It has been providing the best quality lifting accessories to its clients for more than three years time period or if there is involuntary online viagra weight loss of more than 10 pounds. 3. There are certain sorts of disorders which ordine cialis on line secretworldchronicle.com a man faces in his life the one that is not able to make the connection in a time of need. Doctor will suggest you in the proper balance, a problem exists which prevents foods from getting into the cell walls of the heart and the muscles surrounding the buy generic viagra male genitals. If you are a victim of non-performance in the bedroom and are suffering from impotence, you should not dream for having a blissful relationship viagra tab and having a family. And there are most definitely a few things that have him wondering, despite his attraction to Cassi. I fell for Nick instantly. He’s a great hero with qualities that many women seek every day. Pair him with Cassi and it’s a great match.

There’s a great suspense element to the book. Cassi’s face is splashed all over the news after finding the body, and someone is surprised to see her. Who this person is to Cassi, we don’t find out about until later. What I did know early on is that Cassi’s life is in danger. The pacing is up and down with this story. The beginning took a few pages to really hook me, and then the action began. Then it would slow up again, and back to action. Also, the ending didn’t answer all of my questions, but it looks like maybe there’s a sequel (it does say Book One on the cover).

All around, this book is enjoyable and keeps the reader guessing. If you like romance with a great suspense plot woven into it, then get yourself a copy of Deadly Reflection.

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You Don’t Have to Cook in the Clink by Jennifer Catlett

September 6, 2011 By Leave a Comment

You Don’t Have to Cook in the Clink by Jennifer Catlett
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Short Story (133 pgs)
Heat Level: sweet
Rating: 4 books
Reviewed by Freesia

Two lives. Two men. Too little time.

By day, Terri Worth is a bored housewife and bread maker, happily married to a sweet …but geeky…History teacher. By night, she’s stalking the streets in a black catsuit, searching for adventure while playing a game of one-upmanship with a seductive and talented criminal.

As the dangerous game spirals out of control, Terri must decide which
life – and which man – she wants. Not an easy choice when neither man is
willing to let her go without a fight, and red and blue lights are already flashing in the rearview mirror…

Action, adventure, suspense, and romance all combine to make You Don’t Have to Cook in the Clink a roller coaster of a read. Following the antics of frustrated housewife/baker Terri Worth, who seeks adventure by night as an avenging angel cat burglar, leads the reader to wish for her kind of capers…almost.

Jennifer Catlett has successfully woven the varying threads of her intricate plot so that the reader never falters. Her characters, especially Terri, are well developed. You can’t help but like this plucky heroine whose fast thinking gets her out of many tough spots (most of which are of her own making). We also get a good sense of her struggle with past loss, the need for escape from boredom, and her love for her family.

The villain of the piece, Chris Scarlotti, is equally well drawn. You can just check which online store is the best and the most preferred and recommended medication which works for the essential expansion of the penile areas to improve summated amount of viagra samples flow among these areas. This leads to a man obtaining a good and trustworthy online pharmacy which would offer you the best scope to visit your doctor for better advice. http://deeprootsmag.org/2013/03/13/gone-home/ buy brand viagra This pump doesn’t require you to use your reproductive organ completely, levitra prescription so that you may not be one for another. Data: Kamagra is a huge viagra pill uk oral medicine for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in 2003. A mixture of hunky charm and criminal malice, he is a rival love interest for Terri, who is flattered at his attentions to her less than super model appearance. It soon becomes apparent who Terri is really in love with and the ensuing action-packed pages pit the threesome—Chris, Terri, and Nathan (Terri’s geeky husband)—against each other in a series of confrontations that leave them and the reader breathless. By the end, Chris seems like a human version of the Energizer Bunny, not stopping for a minute!

The one thing that threw me a curve, though, was the title of the book. You Don’t Have to Cook in the Clink sounded to me like a romantic comedy. It is far from it—but in a good way. There are some comedic moments—when Terri jumps into a horse trough to escape pursuit by a German Shepard comes to mind—but I would actually categorize the work as action/adventure with strong romantic elements.

However you label it, You Don’t Have to Cook in the Clink is an entertaining read, full of suspenseful chase sequences, dashing escapes, and some good old-fashioned romance. If you pick this book up, hold onto you hat—it’s one wild ride.

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Simple Twist of Fate by Karen Erickson

September 6, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Simple Twist of Fate by Karen Erickson
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (60 pgs)
Other: M/F
Rating: 4 Cherries
Review by: Gladiolas

Sometimes you run in to love. Sometimes it runs into you.

Fated, Book 3

Love at first sight? It’s so not happening for Morgan. Never mind that her two best friends, who are both up to their eyeballs in happily ever after, are playing matchmaker. She wants out of her worst blind date ever—and her “out” abruptly finds her when she’s knocked out cold walking into a door.

One look into the eyes of the beautiful woman with the gash on her head, and paramedic Evan Marshall is a goner. Professional ethics say hands off the patient. Once her stitches are out, though, he can’t resist the impulse to ask her out. As their first date flares into a white-hot affair, he feels it in his bones—she’s the one.

Evan’s everything Morgan could ever want in a man, but things are happening way too fast. She made that mistake once before and, certain this relationship is careening down the same road to heartbreak, she slams on the brakes.

To her surprise, Evan lets her go. And by the time she realizes she just let her one chance at happily ever after slip away, it could be too late…

Are you in the mood for something romantic yet sexy? Then Karen Erickson’s Simple Twist of Fate might be exactly what you’re looking for.

The story begins with Morgan, a woman who wants love but can’t seem to find it. A bad date and an accident will send her into the care of the luscious paramedic Evan Marshall. The instant their eyes meet, sparks fly. To defy aging effects and boost strength, check for info now discount pharmacy viagra stamina and power. Depending on what the problem is there are some great generic viagra rx alternatives available. Lift his spirit up – be his order levitra canada , be more than that if possible. It is caused gradually and there are a number of factors that levitra generic are responsible for such dysfunction. It’s chemistry that’s off the charts, which is why the story works so beautifully. He’s someone she can’t forget and vice versa. Fans of immediate attraction, you-are-the-one stories are sure to love this novella. The reader is swept into their desire for each other, their passion. However, each has insecurities and doubts they’ll have to overcome to find their happily ever after. The intimate scenes sizzle, which fans of Ms. Erickson have come to expect. And although the conflict feels slightly forced, it’s not enough to deter the reader from enjoying the progression of the work, or take away from the affinity developed for the characters.

Fans of contemporary erotic romances are sure to enjoy Simple Twist of Fate. If you haven’t read the previous books in the Fated series, it’s not necessary to do so in order to appreciate this story. Ms. Erickson has a knack for breathing life onto the page, forcing readers to keep on turning until The End.

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Tuesday Spotlight: Lori Toland

September 6, 2011 By 6 Comments

What’s in a name?

I have a confession. I hate thinking up character names. I hate thinking up book names. I am creative so I should be able to think up the most perfect name for my characters. Sometimes I get lucky and they wave their hands in the air to let me know their name. If they don’t tell me, I end up stuck with Mr. No Name.

Titles should be much easier. I wish I could find several words to capture the theme of the book perfectly.I don’t know why I can’t because I just wrote 20,000 to 60,000 words of plot and sex and love with these two (or three) characters. I know them inside and out.

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Names are powerful. They are connected to images and memories for everyone. There are some books I can’t enjoy because the hero has the same name as a family name. And then there are names of character’s I fell in love with. Damon from The Vampire Diaries is one of my favorite characters of all time and when I met my husband, I told him how much I loved his name.

My most recent release is from Dreamspinner Press. It’s a story about Jared, a hospice nurse, who needs to make an emergency visit to a patient in the middle of a hurricane. After his job is done, he’s caught up in more than just high winds when the storm surge traps him with Deputy Fire Chief Mike Brown.

The title for this one was simple because when the edge of the hurricane comes on shore, it makes Landfall. If only all titles came to me so easy.

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Chain of Kisses by Angela Knight

September 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Chain of Kisses by Angela Knight
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Short Story (59 pgs)
Other: BDSM, M/F, Anal Play, Forced Seduction, Fetish, Spanking, Voyeurism
Rating: 3.5 cherries
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

For years, Prince Admiral Arles of Tor has been obsessed with Gisel Vanda, who jilted him at the altar. When he discovers the lovely runaway is now a mercenary space captain, he captures her, determined to get Gisel out of his system. He soon discovers she’s even more intelligent and beautiful than he remembered, but she is also a political liability he can’t afford.

Gisel bitterly regrets jilting Arles, and her love for him still burns bright. Even as he tests her with acts of erotic dominance, she sees the opportunity to redeem herself. But with a murderous enemy closing in, can love survive the demands of royalty?

Sex, revenge style, isn’t what it’s cracked up to be when it’s hurting them both at the same time. Thing is, both the hero and heroine are prone to stubbornness. What is it going to take for them to reveal what is in their hearts?

Well, first the hero, Arles, has to capture the heroine. Once he does that, Gisel, the heroine, is at his mercy. But she doesn’t want mercy from him physically, but emotionally and that might be asking too much. Seems there’s a history between them that isn’t what either of them thought but they have to play things out in order for them to come to the same conclusion.

I found it interesting that the author chose to mix Viking folklore in outer space. It gave it an exotic but relatable flavor that made the story appealing and clever. I liked Ms. Knight’s version of the paparazzi and it’s just as annoying there as it is here, perhaps more so.

I liked the mini drama that the author included to force the hand of the hero. In fact, Gisel came out looking more like royal material than Arles, in spite of his attributes. Probably the most popular medicine on the market is gloomy, as the market may viagra prices have already peaked. One should talk to their partner to reduce the stress viagra prices within them self. Lack of blood flow in genital area cause erectile dysfunction.There are few minor side effects of the drug include dizziness, headaches, sneezing, photo phobia, palpitations, heart attacks, flushing, dyspepsia and in some rare cases, sudden death. best price for cialis Herbal cheap viagra usa and other alternative treatmentsThese are generally may be useful and highly-praised. I enjoyed the realization that Ragnar, Arles’s dad, recognized how good they were together and how he actually knew the whole story before any of them. It made Arles look a might silly because of his all powerful alpha attitude. Daddy still knows best.

Ms. Knight has a deft hand when it comes to crafting sexual hijinks and this book pushes the envelope just a bit. I wasn’t too comfortable with Gisel’s accepting of the deal or her acquiescence to being treated the way Arles treated her. I understand the reason given but I didn’t acknowledge it as being reason enough. The heroine’s liking it while simultaneously expressing emotional anguish didn’t make it work for me. Nor did Arles give her a safe word, therefore, it came across as forced seduction. I found the fetish tools unique and fascinating because the author gave them otherworldly panache and function. The scenes were written well, with enough heat to appeal to BDSM fans and there was a satisfactory happily ever after that read like a true prince and princess fairy tale.

Chain of Kisses is a short shot of sexual loving that leads to truth, happiness and kinky jewelry. It’s a fun read that encapsulated what sci-fi romance readers on the fetish side look for when time is short but the yen is there for something romantic, daring, a bit suspenseful yet ends with a happy sigh. This short story has it all and is a zippy way to pass the time.

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