Wednesday Briefs

I'm sorry I am still so busy writing my story that I just didn't have the time to do a Weds Brief this week.  Don't worry I have not forgotten Ben and Tom.   I hope they will return next week.

In the meantime here is the link to my fellow flashers who did write a story this week.

thanks

Nephylim    m/m

MA Church     m/m

Victoria Blisse   m/f

Sara York     m/m

Tali      m/m

Julie Lynn  Hayes  m/m

I'm a guest on In a Dream blog

I am honored to be a guest on In a Dream Beyond blog for T n T Confidential. 



I'm talking about my new release "Laying the Foundation"  which can be found in the "Reluctant Romance." anthology   Guys and Guys

http://inadreambeyond.blogspot.com.es/2012/07/t-n-ts-confidential_17.html?zx=3c84733ca6d9830d

Thank you Elyzabeth

Welcome guest author Sondrae Bennett

 I am honored to welcome guest author Sondrae Bennett to my blog today.  Let's find out more about her and check out her book "Worth Fighting For: All's Fair In Love and War." 

1-How long have you been writing?

Well, I’ve always loved to write, especially fiction, but it wasn’t until a few years ago that I ever considered making it more than a hobby. The idea never entered my head until I started writing more frequently while unemployed for a few months. Then, once the idea took hold, I wondered why I hadn’t considered it earlier. I’ve always been an avid reader, and I loved to tell stories. So I decided to try and write professionally and never looked back. One of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

2-What is your favorite genre to write?

As both a reader and a writer, romance is my favorite genre. Pairing people up and watching them fall in love is such an amazing feeling. It’s like falling in love myself over and over again as I go through the ups and downs with my characters. Although, I also love to read urban fantasy and have a few ideas for an UF series.  I’m looking forward to writing it once the idea has fully matured.

3-What are you working on now?

Right now I’m in edits for the fifth book in the Alpine Woods Shifter series, Cover Desires, which will be coming out the third week in December, and I’m also working on writing Kalindra, which is my contribution to a collaborative series I’m working on with Renee Rocco, Silke Juppenlatz, and Annie Nicholas. It’s going to be a really fun series, so look for the first Gatekeeper book early 2013!

4-When you start a new story do you begin with character or plot?

Usually a little bit of both. The story needs a little bit of plot to get it going, but my characters also need to be well rounded from the beginning to get emotional depth. Especially when writing novella length stories, both the characters and the plot need to hit the ground running, so to speak.

5- Tell us about your latest/upcoming release, what inspired it?

Worth Fighting For, the fourth book in the Alpine Woods Shifter series, just came out this past May, and this story really holds a special place in my heart. Although this book is the fourth in the series, all of them can be read as standalones, although I always recommend reading them in order. The hero was first introduced in the first book, and as soon as I wrote him, I knew he needed his own story. It took me a few books, but I finally found him a heroine worthy of him in Misty, and boy was she a hoot to write! Together, the sparks definitely started to fly.

Buy Link 

Here’s the blurb:

All’s fair in love and war.

As leader of a fox skulk, Cody is used to feeling protective. But when his best friend, Misty, gets attacked, his panic has nothing to do with duty. Suddenly, he’s noticing Misty as a woman instead of the girl he grew up with. But pursuing those feelings would risk their friendship, something he's unwilling to do.

Misty's tried everything, without success, to convince Cody she's not "one of the guys". Yet now that he's looking at her like she always dreamed, he pulls away every time she gets close.

Danger lurks in the background, waiting to pounce. Someone plots against the foxes, leaving them all in jeopardy…especially Misty. Will Cody overcome his fears in time to save the woman he loves?

Excerpt:

The first thing Cody heard when he approached Misty's front door was laughter. The kind of laughter that came straight from the gut, borne of pure joy. A sound he'd come to associate with Misty. He smiled as he opened the door and strode into her living room.

The text he'd received earlier had said to come right in, but his confident steps faltered as he saw the cause of her giggles. Misty in human form, sat on the floor with a beaver puppet, playing with a fox. The kit's eyes were open, but he still possessed his black baby fluff. It couldn't be older than a couple weeks.

"What is that?"

Apparently unaware of his presence until he spoke, she jumped at the sound of his voice.

"Oh, hi Cody." She looked at her wrist as if expecting a watch to be there. Why she did that when he could count the times she'd worn a watch in the past two years on one hand, he'd never understand. "Is it time for training already? I'm not dressed, yet."

Cody looked down at her clothes. Skin tight jeans that looked way too appealing and a black t-shirt with the words Foxy Lady spelled in big pink letters across her breasts. Perky breasts that would fill his hands perfectly.

Way too tempting. Those clothes had to go. Wait. He mentally back-pedaled, rephrasing his last thought. She had to change into different clothes, more clothes. Some nice baggy sweats would be perfect. Something to hide her figure. And tennis shoes, he thought as he watched her bare toes curl into the carpet, the bubble gum pink polish peeking out from under her jeans.

Cody shook his head and refocused on the problem at hand. "You can change in a minute. What is that?" he asked again, pointing to the animal at her feet.

"What's what?"

She looked down, as if unaware anything abnormal was going on. Apparently in Misty's world, playing with a fox on the living room floor was business as usual.

"That's a fox. You know, one would think the Premier of fox shifters would know that."

The teasing tone almost brought a smile to his face, but his curiosity wouldn't let the subject go. "I know it's a fox. What is it doing in your living room?"

"I adopted it," she said.

"Adopted it?" Cody looked down at the animal again. There was no humanity in its scent, but the boy was still a baby. He hadn't been around enough newborns to know the difference between a shifter baby and a fox baby. "It's a shifter, then?" He hadn't realized Misty was considering adoption. But the more he thought about it, the more he realized Misty would be a great mom.

"No, it's a fox." She spoke slowly as if to a simpleton. "I feel like we've been here already."

BIO:

I love romance. I love reading romance, living romance (who doesn't), but I especially love writing romance. There's no greater feeling than watching my characters come alive in each other's arms. Most of all, I love giving my characters the happily ever afters they deserve, with a little necessary drama first.
One of my favorite things is picking up a new book and sinking into the story, immersing myself in the emotions between the characters. I hope someday to inspire readers the same way my favorite authors have inspired me.
When not writing, I can usually be found curled up on the couch with a good book, taking my dogs for walks, or spending time with my family.
It always makes my day to hear from my readers.

http://www.amazon.com/Worth-Fighting-Alpine-Shifters-ebook/dp/B0080E4P68/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1336161862&sr=8-13

Welcome guest author Ella Jade

I'd like to welcome guest author Ella Jade to my blog.  Let's find out more about her and her book "Make Me Stay."

1-How long have you been writing?

I've been writing all of my life. As a child, I always had a pen and paper in my hand. The plots and dialog have been running rampant in my head my whole life, but I never knew what to do with the stories. That all changed when I discovered the eBooks industry.

2-What is your favorite genre to write?

Contemporary romance with a BDSM flair. I like a strong, alpha hero, but I want him to have a sensitive side too.

3-What are you working on now?

I'm working on the sequel to Make Me Stay. There was a secondary character who had so much potential, so I'm giving him his own book. It's called Surrender to Me.

4-When you start a new story do you begin with character or plot?

Usually character. I often write an entire book around a few lines of dialog.I create these people and I can't let them go, so I start writing a scene or two, and the next thing I know, I have a new book.

5- Tell us about your latest/upcoming release, what inspired it?

Make Me Stay is a contemporary, BDSM Romance. Believe it or not, the song The One That Got Away by Katy Perry inspired this one. I had that song stuck in my head and the next thing I knew, I was writing a novella. I have no idea what that song has to do with a Dominant/submissive relationship, but it triggered the book.

Blurb:

Make Me Stay

http://beachwalkpress.com/make-me-stay/

Can the sub teach the Dom to play?
Natural submissive Gracie Miller thought she had found her other half in Cade Jameson. Not only did he help her through a difficult time in her life, in the bedroom he brought her more pleasure than she could have ever imagined. They seemed perfect for each other.
Cade knew what he wanted in the bedroom. Gracie brought out his domineering side and ignited his passion. But he feared he was too dominant for this beautiful, naïve girl, who was so young and impressionable, so he ended their relationship.
Two and a half years later, Gracie returns to town a new woman. She had moved to the city and found a "Master" who showed her what she was truly capable of. Now she's back and wants to show Cade exactly what kind of submissive she could be for him.
But after hearing all that she's experienced, Cade now wonders if he's dominant enough to satisfy her. Can he be the man Gracie needs him to be?
Content Warning: graphic sex, BDSM themes
You can connect with me at http://ellajadeauthor.blogspot.com
Thanks so much for having me;)

I'd like to welcome guest author Nicole Morgan

Let's give a warm welcome to author Nicole Morgan.  Let's find out more about her and her new release "Impetuous"  which just came out July 14th from Silver Publishing.

1-How long have you been writing?

I began writing in 2008, and while I wrote at a leisurely pace for a few years it wasn't until this past year that I truly gave it my all. I'm giving it my all now and keeping myself focused. My goal was to have 10 books released in 2012 and so far I am scheduled for 8. I have 2 more to wrap up to meet my goal and have every intention of doing so! :)

2-What is your favorite genre to write?

Wow.. that is a tough one to answer. I love to write erotic contemporary romance with a bit of suspense thrown in. However, in August I have my very first paranormal romance coming out through Siren Bookstrand. The Nexus was a lot of fun to write, but also a lot of work. I was out of my element so to speak. Truthfully I sort of enjoyed the challenge. :)

3-What are you working on now?

Right now I'm smack dab in the middle of writing an erotic romance about a submariner and his girlfriend. It's a fast paced story of their time together right before he's deployed again. It's filled with a lot of hot and steamy scenes to entice the reader.

4-When you start a new story do you begin with character or plot?

I almost always begin with a character, but once in a while I will have a story nagging at me that just needs to be told. I really leave it up to my imagination and let my mind take me on the journey. Even if I had a plan I doubt I would stick to it. I am the opposite of a plotter. LOL

5- Tell us about your latest/upcoming release, what inspired it?

My most recent release is Impetuous [Incessant Passions Book 1] through Silver Publishing. The series focuses on a resort in the Caribbean which is the backdrop for couples whose passions are awoken. The second book of the series is due out in October of this year. My hope is to take my readers to a tropical paradise and lose themselves in the ecstasy of the moment. Unlike a lot of my books, this series doesn't have any suspenseful elements... but, there is tons of anticipation!

 

Buy Link

BLURB:

The Callaway Corporation recently bought the high-end resort property Jenny Jacobson manages. In that time, they have micromanaged both her and it into the ground. With no budget for repairs she does most of the work herself.

In the middle of a plumbing emergency, Beck comes to her rescue and fixes the problem, saving her from further disaster and costly repairs. Despite her best attempts, she cannot seem to get away from this man.

Regardless of her cold treatment toward him, he turns on his charms. Will his cocky arrogance mixed with his sexy smile break down her tough exterior? If so, what secrets is Beck keeping that could ultimately ruin any chance they have to find happiness together?

Excerpt:

"Have you ever tried scotch?"

"No. I told you, it's not my kind of drink."

He picked up his glass and guzzled some more down. With the glass completely empty he slammed it down on the counter and said, "That's because you've never tasted it."

She must have seen the challenge in his eyes because her one-word reply invited him to up the ante.

"Meaning?"

"Meaning… you never know how sweet something can taste until you've tried it."

He walked around the other side of the bar, meeting her behind it. Dipping his finger in the glass, he dabbed up the last few drops that were in it. Raising his finger to her mouth he brushed the wetness along her lower lip. Then ever so slightly he slid it inside her mouth, touching her tongue.

Hesitance and uncertainty were etched on her face, but in her eyes he saw that fire again. Her lips closed softly around his finger and she sucked on it delicately as she closed her eyes.

Holy hell! His cock, which was hard just moments ago, suddenly turned to stone. Any discomfort he felt from her knee earlier ceased to exist, and now was replaced with lust. Her hot mouth wrapped itself around his finger and drew on it so sweetly he could only imagine what it would be like to place something else between those lips instead.

He needed to rein in his control. She was an intelligent woman. Not the type to just jump into bed with anyone based on chemistry alone. If he was going to have Miss Jenny Jacobson, he would have to seduce her until she was willing to submit to him.

"How does it taste? Do you like it?"

Her eyes opened at his question, and she blinked twice before releasing her lips from around his finger and nodding.

"See. It just goes to show you that you never know how good something can taste until you get a little lick of it yourself."

He could have stopped there. Lord knew he should have stopped there, but his efforts to control the animalistic urge to rip off her clothes, lean her up against the bar, and fuck her until she screamed were not working. So he didn't stop. No, he did quite the opposite of what every instinct told him and went in for the kill.

"Take you, for example. I am dying to taste every inch of you, yet I know without even having tried you yet that you are probably the sweetest, most succulent tasting sugar in all the world."

Buy Link: 

https://spsilverpublishing.com/product_book_info/coming-soon-c-2/products_id/983/

BIO:

Nicole Morgan was an avid reader who kept having one recurring problem. Ideas of stories kept popping into her head. Today Nicole is an author of erotic romantic novels, which more often than not have a suspenseful back story. Erotic romance mixed with a good old-fashioned whodunit. She tries to place strong emphasis on the characters’ emotions while also throwing in some spicy and hot love scenes. Her alpha male of choice will more often than not have a uniform of some kind. From military to police officers, she has a love for writing about those who protect and serve.

While still trying to stay true to her style, she is finding her writing is evolving as she takes on new and uncharted territory for her. There are many areas of erotica out there that she hasn’t had a chance to really delve into just yet, but she is anxiously looking forward to doing just that.

Nicole's blog


Nicole's website


Nicole's yahoo group

Welcome guest author Nell Du Vall

I'd like to welcome author Nell Du Vall, who also writes under the name Alex Stone.

Writing career:

I’ve written most of my life. My first piece of fiction was written in the third grade. The teacher asked us to write a letter about why we liked the library. We had just moved to the area and I had never been to the library, so I interviewed my classmates and wrote my letter. I won a book, A Pony Called Lightning.

I wrote poetry from my teen years on and didn’t start on fiction again until mid-life. I started with short stories, some with a touch of horror, and then migrated to a short romance. I struggled through the first novel and finally managed to hit 40,000 words. Eventually, I wrote novels of over150,000 words, too long for most publishers. Eventually, I sold my first novel, a time travel romance.

Favorite Genre:

So many genres fascinate me, but I write romance, paranormal romance especially time travel, mysteries, and science fiction. I have three published novels, a short story anthology by me, and other short stories in anthologies with other authors. A mystery novel is scheduled for release in August.

Mysteries of all sorts fascinate me whether involving a crime to solve or the paranormal. I love ghosts, myths, and history in novels.

Current work:

I’m working with a co-author on a sequel to Beyond the Rim of Light by Alex Stone, a science fiction novel. I’m also waiting on the copyedits for my mystery, Selvage. Mélange Books bought both of these. I am polishing my trilogy of paranormal romances and hope sell these soon.

Character or plot:

For me these are intertwined. I always know the ending, but the path may change. Characters drive the plot. Often, they reveal aspects I hadn’t recognized before I started writing the novel. Characters must have flaws as well as virtues. Their flaws make them real for the reader and also a reason to change and grow.

A strong novel requires strong characters and a strong plot.

I love to write villains. I hope the readers will understand why villains do what they do and even on occasion feel sympathy for them. Often, the villain poses an alternative romantic interest for the heroine.

Latest release:

Beyond the Rim of Light by Alex Stone was released at the end of May by Mélange Books.. It’s an ‘Alice through the worm hole’ story with the heroine defying two galactic governments to save a sentient species. While her actions threaten her life, her lover and friends are punished in other ways. It also has a love story where the heroine saves the hero.

Soon to follow  in August from Mélange Books will be Selvage, a bank scam mystery. A woman is convinced someone killed her brother, but the police insist he died of drug overdose. Unable to convince them, she goes undercover as a hostess in a men’s club to solve the mystery.

Why I write:

Puzzle solving attracts me. I love working out why things happen and why people act in ways that appear to observers as irrational. I strive for consistency in my writing, but that means consistency within the bounds of the character’s nature, experience, and the setting  even if it seems irrational to a reader. Some may smile, but I live with my characters day and night until the novel is finished. For me, they are real people I like and respect, especially my villains. I hope the readers find them entertaining as well.

Thanks for asking me to share these aspects of my writing.

Nell DuVall

Links and blurb:

When Lilacs Bloom by Nell DuVall, http://www.amazon.com/When-Lilacs-Bloom-ebook/dp/B007RMYSCA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1341515666&sr=1-1&keywords=DuVall+%22When+Lilacs+Bloom%22#_

Changing history won't be easy--not even when Libby goes back in time to save the man she loves.

Beyond the Rim of Light By Alex Stone, http://www.melange-books.com/authors/alexstone/beyondtherim.html

From the unsuspected warp and weft of the universe to the pleasure world of Satina IV, Marissa Latham fights two galactic governments to save the planet Arden, its sentient Rheos, and the friends who were condemned along with her.

Welcome guest author Cara Marsi-contest

I'd like to welcome Cara Marsi to my blog today.    Cara is promoting her book "Murder Mi Amore'"   She is also giving away a free copy to one lucky winner.   All you have to do is leave a comment and your contact info. 

Murder Mi Amore'

Blurb:

Lexie Cortese is in Rome to forget. The last thing she expects is to meet a sexy Interpol agent who suspects her of being part of a terrorist plot involving a stolen diamond. Suddenly thrust into a world of murders, muggings, and kidnappings, Lexie doesn’t know what to think—or who to believe.

Dominic Brioni’s assignment is simple. Befriend the American and bring her to justice. Only Lexie seems the most unlikely terrorist Dominic has ever met. Sweet, determined, and direct, she faces life with courage and fire, a fire that sparks his protective instincts and a longing for something more—something he allowed himself to hope for only once before.

But that woman betrayed him, and his boss isn’t about to let him forget it. With his career on the line and Lexie in danger, will Dominic learn to trust his heart before they both get killed?

 Excerpt:

            Lexie had started to run to him when someone grabbed her arm, pulling her around. A man, his face hidden by a ski mask, held tightly to her. Her shock ratcheted to fear. “Let go,” she yelled, trying to jerk her arm away from him, but his grip tightened. The dim light from the balcony above illuminated his flat black eyes. She had seen those eyes before. Holy shit. She was in trouble. The masked man grabbed for her purse. She screamed, and with strength she didn’t know she possessed, whammed him on the head with her purse. He staggered back, swearing, and slipped and fell. Lights and freedom beckoned from the nearby Via Corsi, but all Lexie could think about was Dominic. Turning on her heels, she ran to him, slipping on the ancient stones herself as Dominic struggled to stand. But before she could reach him, the mugger caught up with her and grabbed her shoulder, twisting her around. Dominic sprang up and flew at the mugger, knocking him to the ground. The two men grappled, rolling together on the cobbled street. Lexie, her heart thumping wildly, looked for an opening to bean the mugger again, to give Dominic a better chance at overcoming him.

            “Stop it! Stop it! Leave him alone!” The mugger ended up on top, and she whaled away with her bag, getting in any shot she could.

            Shouts and the slap of running feet vibrated through the alley. The mugger swore, jumped up, and raced away, a few men giving chase. Several others helped Dominic to stand, yelling in excited voices, and gesturing toward where their attacker had disappeared.

            Dominic winced in pain. Lexie looked down at his ripped, blood-soaked pant leg. “Dominic, you’ve got to get to the hospital. You’re bleeding.”

            “I’m okay,” he said. “It is nothing.” Brushing dirt off his jacket, he turned to the men and said something in rapid Italian. With nods, they strode away.

            Breathing heavily, Lexie disagreed. “You’re not okay. We’ll get a cab and take you to the hospital.”

            He cupped her shoulders. “I’ve been through worse. I’m fine. Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”

            “No. I’m…” The full impact of what had happened hit her. The adrenaline that had given her strength suddenly dissipated and she began to tremble. “I’m not okay.”

            “Lexie.” Dominic moved forward to take her into his arms. She held on for dear life, needing his strength. He rubbed his hand along her back. “It’s okay, Lexie. We’re both okay.  You’re safe with me.”

            She clung to him. It wasn’t her imagination. Strange things were happening. She had nothing anyone could want. She didn’t know who to trust. Dominic said she was safe with him. But was she really?

Buy links:

Amazon: http://goo.gl/VzFju

Wild Rose: http://goo.gl/c5iAS

BN: http://goo.gl/eV9Rk

 Also here is an article she wrote

USING YOUR ETHNIC HERITAGE IN YOUR WRITING

     You’ve all heard the old adage, “Write what you know.” Of course, we do research to write about places we’ve never visited, or we make up our own worlds. But regardless of what worlds we writers imagine, we put a little bit of ourselves into everything we write.

     I hadn’t thought of using my ethnic heritage in my writing until my third book. In the first two books I wrote (one published, one not), my heroes and heroines had Irish/English names, as do most characters in American books. Face it, we Americans have an easier time pronouncing English, Irish, Scottish and German names than we do Italian, Polish, French, etc.

     When I decided to write my third book, I had an epiphany. Why not make at least one of my protagonists of Italian descent, as I am? Thus, Doriana Callahan, the heroine of my romantic suspense, Logan’s Redemption, originally from The Wild Rose Press and now available on Amazon Kindle, BN Nook, Apple and Smashwords. Doriana, named after a woman I know who is an immigrant from Rome, Italy, is half Italian, half Irish. Doriana has the quintessential Italian mother, loving, but intrusive, named after one of my favorite aunts. Doriana’s Nana lives in South Philadelphia and is a sweet, tiny elderly Italian woman who is a terrific cook, modeled after my husband’s grandmother and mine. I had such fun writing these people because they are so familiar and dear to me. I put in a scene where Doriana, her mother, her cousin, and Nana are making Italian wedding soup. My cousins make wedding soup together every year.

     I used my ethnic heritage again in my romantic suspense novella, Murder, Mi Amore, available now from The Wild Rose Press. Murder, Mi Amore is set almost entirely in Rome, Italy, with an Italian hero and an Italian-American heroine. I even included a whole chapter set in the small town in Abruzzo where my grandparents were raised. Writing Murder, Mi Amore brought back memories of my trip to Italy in 2006. Every bit of setting — the hotel where my heroine Lexie stays, the streets she travels, even the food she eats — are authentic, based on my own experiences. However, unlike my heroine and hero, I wasn’t chased through Rome by very bad people trying to kill me. 

     In the past two years I’ve sold a dozen short romance stories, most of them to the confession magazines. I’ve used Italian and Polish names for many of my short story characters too. You have to be careful when using ethnic last names. The names must be easy to pronounce - like Russo, DiMarco, Novak, Morelli, Brioni, Cortese. You don’t want readers tripping over the names.

     But then there’s my werewolf paranormal, Cursed Mates, available now from Noble Romance Publishing. No ethnic names there. My hero is an English nobleman who happens to be over 500 years old. I’d originally given my heroine an Eastern European first and last name, but that didn’t work for various reasons. Now she has a name which better suits her, even if it’s not exactly ethnic.

     Writing characters who are familiar, who might have a shared background with you, can make for stronger stories. But the name has to fit the character. I used an English name for the hero of Cursed Mates because being a tortured English nobleman is a big part of my story and of this character.

     I’ll use an ethnic name whenever it fits, but I know, regardless of ethnicity, the characters’ names must tell the readers a little bit about them.