Monday, June 23, 2014

Into the Sexoshphere and Beyond!

By Tabitha Rayne (Guest Blogger)


I am so delighted to be here at Lisabet's place – thank you for having me Ms Sarai. Now, Lisabet will probably have no idea about this at all but she played a important role in my confidence with this trilogy I'm currently touring. I sometimes worry that my ideas are a little bit 'out there' for the reading public... When I was thinking about this series of books, I knew the lovers would be separated at some point but would build a bond so strong that when they climax, no matter where they are in the world, their spirits would soar and meet on a sexual spiritual plane in unbounded eternal passion.

Riiigghht...

But wait, wait, it works! (Does it? - the doubting mind of a writer...) When I was almost finished writing this and getting caught up in it all – still doubting whether it would be something people would want to read, I happened upon a story by Lisabet in the Seeing Stars anthology called Bodies of Light. The characters were light beings from other worlds joining with humans. It is superb and gave me the confidence to believe that what I had written wasn't completely weird! So thank you for that Lisabet – it is a lovely erotic story set in deep space – well worth a read if you love sexy sci-fi.

The Meeting Point isn't set in space and the characters aren't made of light but they slip into that other place where souls collide and magic happens. I hope you fancy going on the journey with them. 
 

I wanted to share a snippet where the characters do fall into the orgasmic realm but I set myself these rules where I'm doing consecutive snippets so you can read the first few chapters of my book if you follow this tour... so if you want some lovin' in the sexosphere – you may have to buy one ;) - or add a comment with your email and enter to win the 2nd book (that's the one that really explores the Ultimate Unity theme).

This is snippet 6 of 10.

To see where else I've been or going – click here

Blurb – The Meeting Point

A story of love, freedom, and the future of mankind. Deborah Regan has broken free from the prison where she’s been unjustly held for the past eight years. The scale of the devastation to the land outside is overwhelming. Toxins have taken hold, and the planet is dying. Deborah vows to find her lover Marcus and flee to the safety of the hills where their story first began.

Marcus is one of the few remaining men left on earth, and Deborah finds him held captive at a pleasure farm where he is kept to service rich and powerful women. Escape for him is complex and dangerous. They can only hope that the trio who helped Deborah before will come to their aid. Marcus has heard from his clients over the years of a mythical place with its own microclimate that toxin clouds seem to miss. He is sure they can find it and will be able to build a future together.

Mae, Lena, and Angelo feel compelled to find Deborah and Marcus who they know have a special connection that might prove essential to their survival. They make haste to track the couple and realize the plan they have chosen is fraught with danger and conflict.

Will they make it to the utopia Marcus dreams of?

Content Warning: contains graphic sex scenes with multiple partners, including m/f and f/f sexual interaction, strong language, and end of the world shenanigans

*The explosive climax to Taking Flight and A Clockwork Butterfly.

The Meeting Point excerpt – The final book in The Clockwork Butterfly trilogy

Deborah stood on her tiptoes to get a view of her whole face in the wall mirror. She looked crazed. Her hair was long and wild with bits of heather still clinging to it. She pulled her fingers through the knots, trying to gain some sort of control over the crow’s nest that adorned her head. Washing her face properly, she wondered if she dare give her body a quick going over. Being clean for her lover suddenly seemed very important. She pulled down one of the towels from the bales on the shelving. She filled the basin and used the wet cloth to rub away what dirt she could, nervous that someone might come in as she stood with her legs akimbo, attending to her intimate areas. She wanted to be pretty, alluring, and beautiful for Marcus. Eight years. She arched up on her toes once more and examined her face for signs of aging. Her hair, though still wild, didn’t seem to have any gray filtering through it, and her role in the prison had made sure she didn’t get cursed with many laughter lines. There was, however, a deep frown carving its way between her brows. She was dismayed to see it and tried to smooth it away with her fingertips. Never mind, she thought, I’ll replace it with smile lines soon.

One last twist to check her profile and she left the sanctuary of the restroom. The throng of women, all ages and sizes, seemed to have increased in the time she’d been away. This was good. Deborah made her way through the bundles and knots of excited females over to what looked like an information or reception desk.

“Welcome to Crester Farm. How may I help today?” A very pretty woman smiled in the plastic way Deborah remembered people used to in the years before the terror began. It was disconcerting. The weight of her escape bore down on her and she began to feel alien. She’d been out of society for so long she had no idea what was expected, how she was meant to act.

“Yes, I want an appointment to see a male.” Her voice was steady enough, she thought, a good start.

“Don’t we all?” The receptionist laughed and Deborah felt stupid. “I take it you have booked. The waiting lists are long.”

“Oh, I…” Deborah’s cheeks heated. Stupid. She decided to be honest...well, to a degree. “It’s my first time. I have no idea about the procedure.”

To her relief, the woman smiled kindly.

“Don’t worry, we have lots of first timers every day.” The woman opened up a large ledger book and dipped her pen, ready to write. “So, I’ll need some details. And we take payment up front.”

Damn. Deborah fondled the near empty coin pouch in her robes.

“Oh, I’m only here for the day. Are you sure there’s no way you can squeeze me in? I’ve traveled such a long way.”

The woman must have seen the desperation in Deborah’s eyes and her expression softened, something flashing across it—familiarity? Deborah shook the thought away. The last thing she wanted was to be recognized.

“Well, I’m afraid I really can’t give you an appointment, but I could let you into the oxytocin bars. There isn’t an official time book for there, just a sort of queue.”

“What kind of bar?”

“You know, where the pheromones are piped in from the servicing chambers.”

“Oh yes, of course, forgive me. I’ve had a long journey and could do with some refreshment.”

“Listen, please don’t mention I helped you in this way,” she said, opening her drawer and taking out a thin leather strap with a green bead on it. “It’s just...I saw you faint earlier in the crowd, and reckon you really are in need of a little oxy-boost.”

Deborah couldn’t believe her luck and held out her wrist for the woman to tie the leather band on.

“Now, this will get you into the bar and the viewing chamber.”

Deborah had to hold in a shriek and steady her body which had started to shake. “Thank you, thank you,” she gushed. “But why are you helping me?”

The woman leaned in, casting a shifty glance around the female filled room. “You look different. You seem different to all these other rich bitches,” she said in a low voice.

Shit. She did stand out.

And besides...” The woman held tight to her wrist and breathed the words right into her ear. “I know you.”...


Book 3: The Meeting Point – out now! And what this post's been all about:

Book 1: A Clockwork Butterfly Now Available for only 99c!

Book 2: Taking Flight – now available – comment on any of my tour posts and I'll pop you in a draw for a copy of this one – if you can't wait, here's the buy links:


About Tabitha

Tabitha Rayne has been told she is quirky, lovely and kinky – not necessarily in that order or by the same person. She writes erotic romance and as long as there’s a love scene – she’ll explore any genre.

Her short stories are included in anthologies from Cleis Press, Ravenous Romance, HarperCollins Mischief, Xcite, Oysters & Chocolate, Burning Books Press and House of Erotica. Her novella, Mia's Books won a Reader's Choice Award with TwoLips reviews. The Meeting Point is the third book in The Clockwork Butterfly trilogy from Beachwalk Press.

Tabitha also has a passion for art and takes great pleasure in painting nude ladies.




Amazon Author Page (UK)
Amazon Author Page (US) - provides an up to date book list
Goodreads Author Page


Thank you for reading – hope to catch you somewhere on the interweb x x x

Sunday, June 22, 2014

Lisabet's June News - plus Sunday Snog #129 and a CONTEST

[Check the end of the newsletter for the snog and information about the giveaway!]

Lusty Couple on the beach

New and Upcoming Releases

Summer's here at last! Time to laze in the hammock or relax on the beach - though relaxation doesn't seem to be much on the minds of couple above...

Time to catch up on your reading, too! And I have a couple of new releases for you to enjoy, with more on the way!

Eyes of Bast CoverMy new paranormal erotic romance The Eyes of Bast is getting rave reviews. No BDSM in this tale, but it's got enough steamy sex to really heat up your summer! Not to mention paranormal twists and a deliciously evil villainess. Check out an excerpt here. You'll find lots more sexy scenes spread out over the web, since my fellow authors have been really generous in helping me get the word out about this book.


If you're looking for something darker, Written on Skin is finally available, including my dystopian tale The Last Amanuensis. I haven't had the opportunity to delve into my author's copy yet, but I know that anything edited by Remittance Girl will offer both quality writing and breath-stealing eroticism. I'm honored to have been included in her collection.


Speaking of anthologies, I just returned the edits for The Last Stone, which will be part of Cheyenne Blue's anthology Forbidden Fruit: Tales of Unwise Lesbian Desire. I think my story about a nun falling for a hooker fits squarely into the theme. You can read a brief excerpt by clicking here. The collection should be out next month; I can't wait to see the cover.
Ingredients of Bliss Cover

And last, but hardly least, my novel The Ingredients of Bliss, the sequel to Her Secret Ingredient will be available for pre-order from Totally Bound in July, with early downloads in August and full release in September.


Speaking of Totally Bound, have you tried their new One-Click Shopping feature? Just like the Big Guys, TB lets you purchase any ebook and have it sent directly to your ereader with single click. Talk about immediate gratification! TB is the only independent publisher to offer this convenient feature. Now you have no excuse to buy from anti-erotica monopolistic conglomerates (who shall not be named), at least for books published by Totally Bound.

Other News

On my free stories page, I've got two new and very different tales for your reading enjoyment. Thunder Road is a nostalgic vignette inspired by a Bruce Springsteen song, with a summer theme. It's dripping with desire, but has no actual sex. On the other hand, The Interview offers a light-hearted, triple-X tale about a very naughty young couple who meet their match. Don't read it unless you have a cold shower (or a hot partner) nearby!


Did you know that I have more than fifty free reads up on my website? (Not to mention a dozen or so poems.) I was pretty amazed myself, when I decided to count. They're all neatly categorized by theme. If you're not very familiar with my work, the free reading page is a great place to start. Be sure you sample more than one or two stories, though. The tales are very diverse, from romantic to dark, PG to triple-X, and pretty much everything in-between.


So now that I've finalized The Ingredients of Bliss, I'm debating what project to work on next. I've been planning a steampunk BDSM series for a while, but I'm torn as to whether it should be erotica or erotic romance. Meanwhile, I'm also contemplating a romance entitled The Gazillionaire and the Virgin - in which the filthy rich tycoon is female and the virgin is male. Yes I know, I love to break the rules!


Last month in my exclusive VIP readers contest I gave away two $10 gift vouchers from Totally Bound. I received a record number of entries. For June, I'm going to offer two multi-book packages from my back list, one print and one electronic. I'll be sending out the information to my readers next Wednesday. Want to get in on the fun? Just email me at lisabet [at] lisabetsarai [dot] com with the subject line "VIP subscription" and I'll get you on the list faster than you can say "French Kiss".


Lisabet's Pick of the Month

My June pick of the month is Allie Ritch's blog. Allie writes science fiction and paranormal erotic romance, and let me tell you, she rocks! I've posted at her blog a couple of times and had a fabulous time. Drop by her place and see what she and her guests are up to!

Sunday Snog # 129 - The Eyes of Bast

Since I didn't post a snog last Sunday, I thought I should do so today. Here's one of the many kisses in The Eyes of Bast - which I notice just got a five star review on Amazon!
Don't forget to visit BlisseKiss.co.uk, for lots more sexy kisses, when you're done here!
****
“I sense her more clearly when I’m in feline form.” Sitting cross-legged on the carpet opposite me, Tom gnawed at the last of the buffalo wings I’d ordered from Herb’s Barbecue around the corner, then tossed the bone into the cardboard take-out container. After our last frenzied coupling, we’d both been ravenous. “I felt her, close by, the day I ended up in your cage.”

Guilt rocketed through me as I recalled his terror at being restrained. “I’m so sorry. I work with a shelter that helps ferals around the city. We trap, vaccinate, and neuter—” Sudden horror choked me. What if I hadn’t discovered Tom’s secret?

He recognized my distress and reached out to stroke my cheek with slightly greasy fingers. A now-familiar surge of desire pulsed through me, even with this minimal contact.

“It was not your fault, Shaina. I know you meant well. However, confinement in the cage kept me in my cat-form even after nightfall. I believe she is more aware of me in that shape as well. I bit my leg in the hope that the blood scent would mask mine.”

“That awful wound was self-inflicted? Oh God, Tom...” I drew him against my breasts and, naturally, his lips sought mine. Tabasco and brown sugar flavors mingled with his usual wild and earthy taste. My sex felt sore and inflamed after his most recent ravishment, but that didn’t stop me from craving the sensation of his relentless cock pummeling me again. However, with something like resignation, he pushed me away. Residual arousal rippled along my skin.

“Tom?”

“I’ve got to go. Every minute we are together increases your danger. She’s somewhere in this city, seeking me. She’ll find me, before long. She’ll find us – and when she does, she’ll punish you as viciously as she will me.” With a grace that almost made me sob, he rose to his feet and headed for the bathroom. “If you’ll lend me some money, I can be on an outbound bus in a couple of hours.”

I followed him, standing in the doorway as he splashed water on his face and under his arms, then patted himself dry with my towel. Despite his washing, his musky odor filled the tiny cubicle. I ached to hold him tight, to never release him. Still, I knew that he wouldn’t lie to me. He wanted to stay with me – I had no doubt of that, could feel it in my very bones. But he didn’t dare.

Contest!

What are your plans for the summer? Tell me in a comment below (don't forget to include your email address!) and you could win a copy of my literally sizzling paranormal novella Hot Spell!

Saturday, June 21, 2014

Voyeurism: Why It’s So Much Fun to Watch

By E.M. Lynley (Guest Blogger)

 
Do you remember the Sharon Stone film Sliver? It’s from 1993, which seems so long ago at this point. Sharon Stone lives in an exclusive apartment building in New York. She ends up having a fling with the guy who owns the place, a younger man who has wired cameras into all the apartments. She walks in on him in his secret room watching a dozen screens of residents doing all sorts of things, including having sex, though that’s not the limit to his compulsion.


Sharon’s shock doesn’t last for long. She’s fascinated by watching these people too, and she sits down and joins him. Together they eavesdrop on her neighbors.

At the time, I didn’t really understand her response. Why the hell wasn’t she angry? I sure would have been! 
The film stuck in my mind anyway.

That was my first encounter with voyeurism. I just didn’t know it at the time.

It was only later I realized it was just a kinkier version of Rear Window, where Jimmy Stewart’s character spies on his neighbors with binoculars and a zoom lens—a low-tech Sliver. He even gets his cleaning lady in on the action.


Originally, voyeurism was classified as a sexual disorder. If Jimmy Steward would rather stare out the window than pay attention to Grace Kelly, I agree, there’s something wrong there. People didn’t make out in films in 1954, but that choice is implied.

Flash forward to about five years ago.

I was watching a television show where some intelligence agents have to keep a suspect under surveillance. The guy’s into prostitutes, and the agents watch him with one particular woman several times. One of the guys really gets into watching these two together. He stays in to the surveillance room even when he’s off duty, just to watch.

I was fascinated by this. Everything clicked for me. I even liked the idea of that agent watching the couple. It kind of turned me on.

And it gave me the kernel of an idea that eventually became Bound for Trouble.

What if my character’s main interaction with the other MC was watching him? It starts out as work. He’s an FBI agent and the other MC is a hooker he sends in to get information. The more he watches the guy with someone else, the more he wants him. He has cameras in the informant’s apartment, so he can see him in a very intimate way, not just with the target, but on his own. My agent gets to know the informant with almost no interaction.

It soon dawned on me that you can’t write an erotic romance where the two main characters don’t meet and touch and eventually fuck—in person. I had to rework several aspects to the story, but I kept in a lot of scenes of the agent, Deke Kane, watching Ryan, the rent-boy/informant.

To spice it up even more, I made the target an active Dom, while the Deke had no exposure to BDSM. He finds he’s turned on by watching Ryan with this other man, and even more turned on by watching the Dom training Ryan.

Nearly all the BDSM scenes are Deke watching on the surveillance cameras, where he has to analyze his own reactions, while trying to keep cool enough to do his job. When he finally gets in the same room with Ryan, at the BDSM club, he has to act on all those pent-up urges.

I got to indulge in a lot of my own fantasies in this book, and I admit to getting pretty steamed up even during the editing process—a first for me. Usually by that time I hate the book and the characters. This time, I found the scenes having a similar effect on me and Deke. I kept slowing down to read them in full. And to needing some cold showers.

I certainly hope those scenes have the same effect on my readers!

What makes us enjoy watching others so much? For me, I can put myself in a situation I may never actually get to experience. That’s a powerful lure. Whether it’s fear or a lack of opportunity, there are plenty of things we’d like to try, but will never get to do. Why shouldn’t we enjoy watching someone else doing it?

Part of the fun at sex club is watching what the others are getting up to. Even watching other patrons at strip clubs and how they interact with the dancers is exciting in a different way than participating ourselves. And in the best situations, watching gives us ideas to try out with our own partner.

I could go on, but it’s getting hot in here again.

So, what’s your take on voyeurism?

Do you like to watch too?

Please check out my latest release, Bound for Trouble.

Daniel “Deke” Kane is a broken man, facing the end of his career in the FBI. He’s on desk duty after a botched drug raid left the suspects and two children dead. He’s got one chance to prove himself, or the only thing he’ll be investigating is the Help Wanted ads.

Ryan Griffiths has been on the run for ten years. Forced onto the streets when his father kicked him out, Ryan earns his living in other men’s beds. Finding his john dead in a hotel room drives him under the radar until a favorite client gives him a chance at a safe, clean life. But Ryan’s relatively stable new world shatters when Deke Kane catches up with him.

When Deke’s tasked to take down a drug dealer with terrorist ties and a taste for the dark side of BDSM, his only chance to get close is the suspect’s interest in Ryan, and he convinces Ryan to become a confidential informant. In return, Deke offers Ryan immunity from his past. As Ryan falls under the drug lord’s domination, Deke finds himself falling for Ryan.

About EM Lynley
EM Lynley, a Rainbow Award winner and EPPIE finalist, has worked in high finance, high tech, and in the wine industry, though she'd rather be writing hot, romantic man-on-man action. She spent 10 years as an economist and financial analyst, including a year as a White House Staff Economist, but only because all the intern positions were filled. Tired of boring herself and others with dry business reports and articles, her creative muse is back and naughtier than ever. She has lived and worked in London, Tokyo and Washington, D.C., but the San Francisco Bay Area is home for now.
She is the author of Sex, Lies & Wedding Bells, the Precious Gems series from Dreamspinner Press, and the Rewriting History series starring a sexy jewel thief, among others.

Visit her online WebsiteBlogFacebookTwitterNewsletter




Friday, June 20, 2014

The Woman Behind Miss Tisdale

Today I'm sharing an interview with Jessica Jefferson, author of the hugely enjoyable historical romance Taming Miss Tisdale. This post is part of her blog tour for the book. See the end for how to enter her drawing - you could win a $50 bookstore gift certificate!

Lisabet Sarai: Welcome to Beyond Romance, Jessica, and thanks for being my guest. Miss Tisdale sounds like a fascinating character, quite a departure from the traditional romance heroine. Is she modeled after anyone you know in real life? Any similarities with your own personality? :^)

Jessica Jefferson: I wish I were more like her. She speaks her mind, she questions the establishment. She wants to lead her own life and not depend on a man. I think at some level, every woman has a little bit of Tamsin inside them, some of us are just better at hiding it than others.

LS: Your duke is a bit of a deviation from the stereotypes as well, hardly the forceful "alpha" some readers insist on. What is there about him that will make readers love him?


JJ: There was a lot of discussion with my critique partner about the decision to make a less alpha male. I wanted to deviate from the standard, if anything just to see if it would work. I have had some positive reception. I think some readers enjoyed the quiet, reserved type but only because he had so many moments where he was able to “alpha up” and step outside of himself. I like to think his story is really about the two competing personalities and his struggle for his alpha Mr. Wilson character to reconcile with the less alpha Duke.

LS: How realistic is your portrayal of the historical period? Are Tamsin and Marcus plausible, given the society in which they live? And do you think that sort of plausibility matters to readers?


JJ: I tried to create a tomboy with some trace of realism – she wears dresses, she doesn’t frequent gaming hells or anything of the sort. I do try and keep my characters within the constraints of the time, but sometimes “story happens”. I see nothing wrong with stepping outside the lines a little. Yes, it’s a historical romance so most of what I write should be historically accurate. But it’s also a romance—a work of fiction. Sometimes I choose to step outside what 1815 society would have allowed, and it’s all for the sake of the story.

LS: Is this the last readers will see of these characters, or do you plan a sequel?


JJ: This was the second in the series. I signed a contract for the life of the Tisdale series, which I had always envisioned as the story of the four sisters. I’ve even entertained the idea of taking the dead brother’s fiancé and giving her a story as well. Next up is the story of Lilly. She has a bit of an ugly duckling story, but it’s really about her falling in love with an unattainable man. I promise – it ends happily.




Blurb

Miss Tamsin Tisdale believes herself to be completely unsuitable for London life. After a myriad of social mishaps, and the potential ruination of her family name, she’s shipped away to her cousin’s northern estate. Only after she comes to her senses will she be welcomed home.

Marcus Winston, the Duke of Grayson, has a lackluster reputation. The last in a dying line, he’s endured a protected life—rank with privilege, encumbered by isolation. After a brief encounter with rebellion, he learns the devastating consequences of his carelessness and willingly accepts living life from inside his gilded cage.

However, a chance meeting with the brazen Miss Tisdale gives Marc the opportunity to reinvent himself into the man he’s always dreamed of being. When his deception comes to light, and ghosts from both their pasts threaten to unravel the intimacy they’ve come to cherish, will either of them set their fears aside long enough to embrace love? Or will Miss Tisdale’s stubbornness divide them?

Excerpt

Marc watched the faint outline come across the dense morning fog, becoming more discernible as it approached. The tall, thin figure was riding along at a perilous speed, given the morning’s lack of visibility. He thought perhaps it was some gangly young man misguided in the fog. It wouldn’t be the first time someone accidentally stumbled upon the vast property that made up his family’s immodest estate.

Then the fog parted in an almost biblical manner, revealing his gross inaccuracy.
Were those ... breasts?

Marc closed his eyes and thought for a moment. Typically, women didn’t ride alone at such an hour and they certainly didn’t wander unexpectedly across his property. It’d been quite a while, his last birthday to be exact, since his last intimate encounter with a woman—a gift, compliments of St. Regis—so there was always the possibility that perhaps his half-drunk, sex-starved mind had conjured up the sensual image.

He shook his head, opened his eyes, and looked back again toward the horizon.

Yes, those were most certainly breasts.

And she was most definitely not a young man. The woman’s riding habit pulled taut against her body as she raced toward him. Her hair was blowing behind her—various hues of auburn and gold, like wild flames curling about in the wind. Then a decidedly feminine voice burst through the morning’s silence, interrupting his self-doubt.

Oh, thank goodness I found you!”

This was no mirage. She was indeed very real.

And very loud.

About the Author

Jessica Jefferson makes her home in northern Indiana, or as she likes to think of it—almost Chicago. She is heavily inspired by classic sweeping, historical romance novels, but aims to take those key emotional elements and inject a fresh blend of quick dialogue and comedy. She invites you to visit her at jessicajefferson.com and read more of her random romance musings.


Buy the book at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Taming-Miss-Tisdale-Jessica-Jefferson-ebook/dp/B00K5Y8W7Y


Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter Jessica's drawing. And check out her other posts in the tour - every one gives you a new chance to win!

6/2/2014 The Reading Addict
6/3/2014 Welcome to My World of Dreams
6/4/2014 You Gotta Read Reviews
6/5/2014 Girl meets Books
6/6/2014 The Crafty Cauldron
6/6/2014 SECOND STOP A Writer's Life
6/9/2014 Erotic Author Nancy Adams
6/10/2014 Wickedly Wanton Tales
6/11/2014 Tina Donahue Presents
6/12/2014 Musings and Ramblings
6/13/2014 Queentutt's World of Escapism
6/16/2014 Travel the Ages
6/16/2014 SECOND STOP Queen of All She Reads PROMO
6/17/2014 Hope. Dreams. Life... Love
6/18/2014 Dena Garson - Real... Hot... Romance
6/19/2014 Bunny's Review
6/20/2014 Beyond Romance
6/20/2104 SECOND STOP Sharing Links and Wisdom
6/23/2014 Romantic Historical ReviewsREVIEW ONLY
6/24/2014 It's All About The Romance
6/25/2014 Book Reviews by Dee
6/25/2014 SECOND STOP Dawn's Reading Nook
6/26/2014 Angels with Attitude Book Reviews
6/26/2014 SECOND STOP Reviews by Crystal
6/27/2014 Susana's Morning Room
6/27/2014 SECOND STOP Rage, Sex and Teddy Bears





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Thursday, June 19, 2014

Pussies are Juicy, and Smell Like the Sea

I just finished the final round of edits on my most recent novel. The editor has a sharp eye, especially for confusing conversation and impossible sex positions. However, she and I locked horns again and again on issues of vocabulary.

She was quite insistent that readers would find my descriptions of vaginal lubrication "unerotic". Whenever I referred to the heroine's being really wet from excitement, I was asked to  modify the reference. When I described the heroine's juices coating the cheeks of the man who'd just been giving her oral sex, the editor asked me to excise that detail. Meanwhile, when I talked about the scent of female arousal as "tidal" or "oceany", I met with serious objections.

I guess she believed this sort of language was inappropriate for the imprint, which admittedly is supposed to be light and humorous rather than raw. And I know that my erotic romance tends to stray into territory more commonly associated with erotica. Still, I find this level of coyness a bit irritating.

My readers are mostly women. They're obviously aware of the physical effects of sexual excitement, from personal experience. A pussy that's sufficiently well-soaked to leave olfactory traces is a sign that its owner is really turned on. Isn't that supposed to be the point in erotic romance?

Furthermore, I know that the scent of a woman's sex can be highly arousing for many men. So why pretend that we're in some deodorant commercial, dry as a bone and smelling like flowers?

Mostly I gave in, because I dislike conflict and I didn't consider the issue to be a matter of principle. Still, it left me feeling uncomfortable. Are readers really so squeamish? Or is this a case where the publisher is going overboard not to offend?

What do you think? Are juicy pussies a turn-off? Or the opposite?

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Rambling On...

By Raven McAllan (Guest Blogger)

There's a page in one of the UK Sunday supplements, where they pose not quite run of the mill questions to famous people.

Now, okay I'm not famous, and I'm terrible at answering most questions, because well, I don't really have a favourite group, don't like going to the Cinema, and have no idea where my ideas come from. rolls eyes

See what I mean? A nightmare.

However this question thing is different, so I thought I'd give you the Raven Rundown of Fascinating (well let's pretend they are) facts. (Or as my friends say, Raven's Ramblings)

So in no particular order, here's we go.

I was born in Corby in England, which was more Scottish than Scotland. Seriously there was only about 3% English there and I was one of them. My best friend and I pricked fingers so I could say I had some Scottish blood in me.

I move to Scotland around 25 years ago with my DH. At first, I had to translate at times, especially the slang. Now we both have the slang in us, as they say.

Our kids are grown up, and we rattle round in a house much too big for us, on the edge of a forest. It's not that far from the ruined castle I based my Diomhair series in. It's a beautiful area, except we're to the west of the country, and are bombarded, from June to October by the scourge of Scotland. The Midge.

The children all had gap years. We tell them we are doing our 'gap year' in two (or three) week chunks. Great fun and I've been all over the world.

Favourite city…Hong Kong, followed by Singapore.

Favourite island…Sri Lanka and/or The Maldives.

Favourite beach…Anywhere in The Caribbean I reckon. Though I do love walking along Long Sands in St Andrews. We've done it in all weathers, even snow, which looked pretty surreal.

I relax by reading, writing, and no 'rithmetic. Listening to music, drinking fine wine (in moderation of course), and travelling. I'm one of those people who love flying.

Now we have eReaders, I have space for clothes in my suitcase, instead of a book for each day and few extra just in case.

My first memory is sitting in a big pram and holding (okay chewing) a hardback book. I wish I knew which one it was.

I always insist I'm growing old disgracefully. I have no particular style unless you call it Raven Chic. Which pretty much translates into I still love maxi dresses, or shock horror showing my knees. In the winter it's Uggs and in the summer Havianas or Birkenstocks. I suppose you could say I'm an aged hippy, except where I lived the swinging sixties hardly swayed let along swung.

When people ask me if I wish I'd started writing at an earlier age (I now have my bus pass) I have to say no. Oh don't get me wrong; part of me wishes I have 40-50 years left to write. However I know me. At when I was younger, I didn't have the confidence to write as I can, not as I thought I should. There's a big difference, and the couple of miserable attempts I did, and found not so long ago showed that. Stilted, wooden, cardboard, you name it and I was it.

Now, well I don't know if I'm better? I hope so.

What I do know is my voice is so not what I thought it would be. If you had asked me, even five years ago, if I thought I'd be writing erotic romance I probably would have laughed. I never thought I had it in me. But I do, and I do and boy am I enjoying it.

I just hope my readers do as well.

When I took my daughter to visit a friend years ago, and we had to pass a ruined castle, I would never have thought that one day I'd use it for the setting of a series of BDSM books. However when the idea for Secrets Shared popped into my brain, I thought of it, and knew it was the perfect place, even though in the books it's been restored.

Secrets Shared by Raven McAllan

Diomhair is Gaelic for secret. What happens there, stays there…. Whether you want to learn or teach, be in control or controlled, Diomhair could be the place for you.

Jess is looking forward to her night out. Anticipation turns to dismay when she finds out she is being taken to a BDSM club. After a disastrous experience in her past, Jess wants nothing to do with the life style.
David is doing a favour for a friend, and he is instantly attracted to the fiery Jess. The experienced Dom recognizes Jess's bluster for what it is—Fear. There is no doubt in his mind that Jess is submissive, but getting her to accept that fact will take some doing.

When Jess does give into her secret desires, can she truly let go, and be the sub David is looking for, or will she hold onto her secrets?

David is determined to help her, but it is up to Jess to accept. Will she break his heart or can they find a common ground from which to build a relationship.

At Diomhair you never know what will happen in the end.

Excerpt.

I’ve promised Jeff I’ll take you both to him, and I don’t go back on my promises. I’ll hold your hand.”

Jess paled even further and shook her head. David reckoned it was hard to believe so much colour could leach from a person’s skin, and them still be conscious.

And I should accept this why?”

He raised one shoulder. “Because your brother and friend have your best interests at heart maybe? Whatever. But listen well, you do not take it out on Kathleen. How about I give you my word? Once we get there, if you wish, you can leave and I’ll take you wherever you want to go.” He could tell she was thinking over his words. Her eyes were cloudy, and she twisted one red ringlet between her fingers. Behind her, Kath was silent. She must have understood how crucial this was.

Like this?” she waved her hands over her face. “Eyes wide open and not covered?”

Shit. What had made her ask that?

No, not quite.” He waited. She waited, and David realised he had to speak.

Blindfold. It’s the rule.” Why was he being so arsy about it? He could bend the rules if he wanted to. David realised it was because he needed Jess to trust him. Is it just because it strikes at my ego, or because it would be the first step to a Dom-sub relationship? He evaluated his feelings. Definitely the latter.

Jess shrugged. “Then sorry, no dice. I will never, ever be blindfolded. So either I go sighted or not at all.”

And therein was his dilemma. As much as he wanted it, David accepted it was asking too much for her to put all her trust in him without any good reason. Why should she? He knew damned well if he was in her position he’d tell him to go to hell. Something was seriously wrong, and he was determined to help her get over the hurdle or phobia. For both their sakes.

Would you agree to keep your eyes shut?” he asked, trying for a compromise. “If I promise no one will touch you?” David hadn’t realised until that moment how crucial he considered her answer would be. “No one except me that is, and I’ll only touch you to guide you.”

The silence stretched. With infinite patience, he counted off the seconds in his mind. He would give her two minutes and…then kiss her senseless maybe. Why this woman should affect him the way she did, he had no idea. In truth he wasn’t enamoured with the fact she appealed to him on more than one level. Not only was his cock hard and his balls tight with arousal, David’s dominant—and emotional side demanded he make sure she was okay with everything that happened. It was a pity he was busy, too busy to give her the care and attention she needed. He grinned to himself. Just whom was he kidding? If she did interact, show even the slightest interest in him, he’d do his damnedest to have her. Under him, writhing in pleasure as he fucked her every which way possible. Bent over the spanking bench, his hand caressing her as he made his mark on her shapely ass. With him every step of the way, as he explored her limits and pushed them further. However, he had a feeling the River Clyde would freeze over before that happened.

Beside him, he saw Kath wipe her eyes and wait with him. Jess paced up and down and nibbled her top lip once more. How he’d like to reprimand her and tell her not to mutilate herself. Already a red mark had appeared on her skin, and as far as he was concerned, he should create the only red marks, and they wouldn’t mar her face.
Jess halted abruptly and turned to stand in front of him. He might be a good six inches taller than her, but he noticed she was in no way intimidated. Most women looked somewhat apprehensive when he was in full Dom mode. Not his Jessica. The thought hit him like a lightening bolt. His Jessica? Way too soon for that.

You promise? No blindfold if I shut my eyes?”

I never renege on my promises.” He heard what Jeff called ‘David’s Dom voice’ in his tone—reassuring, confident and gently insistent—and winced inside. Was that the right way to reassure her?

She took a deep breath, and nodded. “Okay then, but I want it on the record, I’m not happy—with any of you.”

He mentally applauded her attitude. Her skin now had a grey tinge, and she looked as if she could throw up at the slightest provocation, but she stood her ground. “And I’ll make sure I tell Jeff, he’s not getting off the hook easily. Let’s get going then, and get this bloody evening over and done with. There’s a gin and tonic and a good book with my name on it waiting for me at home. It was going to be cocoa, but now it’s alcohol, a double. I reckon I’ll deserve it.”

It was as well she wasn’t his sub, because if she was she’d be tied up and punished for her bratty attitude. And love it, they both would. Poor Kath, she looked more than worried, as he opened the car door for them. She scrambled in and Jess followed at a slower pace. Every movement told of her unease, and there was nothing he could do to help alleviate it.

Close your eyes. Kathleen is going to make sure you keep them closed, and if you don’t, she’ll be punished as well as you. Do you understand?” He hated that he had to persist with such a hard attitude. It wasn’t him at all. But he understood it was the way to get Jess though the journey. If it went against his chances, well, so be it. David looked through the rear view mirror and watched her face colour.

Bastard.”

Not at all.” He put the car into gear and set off. “My parents will celebrate their fortieth wedding anniversary later this year. I’m only thirty seven.”

She snorted. “And I need to know that why?”

Oh, how he was looking forward to showing her. He decided it was time to needle her in a nicer manner—well, he believed it was nicer.

Surely it’s better to know a little about the man who’s dominating you?”

Her splutter was all he could have wished for.

You can find Secrets Shared at…

Totally Bound

Amazon US 

Amazon UK

All Romance Ebooks


You can find me on https://www.ravenmcallan.com

To celebrate Secrets Shared, I'm giving away three books from my backlist. All I ask is you leave a comment with your email address, and tell me where your favourite city, beach or island is and why.

Happy Reading,

Love R x