Friday, September 27, 2013
Two Winners To Announce!
I have two winners to announce. The Great Equinox Fall Release Hop winner is Christine Merritt. Congrats Christine! The second winner is from Author Wednesday, Danica Avet, and it's Bridget Thomas-Parker. Unfortunately, she didn't leave an email to contact her. :(
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Author Wednesdays--Danica Avet!!!
Today, my Author Wednesday guest is Danica Avet and she's taking over my blog with her post. She's a hoot, she's also Cabal of Hotness: Cajun Hotness! Thanks Danica for being here today. Danica is offering an e-book from her back list to one lucky commenter. All you have to do is answer Danica's question at the end of the post. Good luck to everyone!! Winner to be chosen Sat Sept 28 in the morning.
Take it away, Danica.
First off, I’d like to thank Julianne
for inviting me to guest blog today. It’s always fun to talk about
my favorite things: Hot shifters. Because who doesn’t love a man
who’s strong, sexy and growls when he’s turned on? *looks around*
Yeah, that’s what I thought.
What makes the Cajun Heat series so
much fun to write? The characters. From Primal Song where we
meet lion shifter Ramsey “Ram” Reinhardt and bear shifter Daisy
Picou to the latest book, Primal Flavor with tiger shifter
Zachary Trahan and his lady love, human Colette Robicheaux…there’s
no end to the characters waiting to be written about, or popping up
in scenes. Oh the plans I have!
The problem is everyone (and by
everyone I mean these characters because obviously they’re real to
me and talk to me every day) knows someone who should have a book
out. It never fails. I’ll be driving to work, or brushing my teeth,
or working on a different series completely and I’ll get an
interruption that goes something like this:
Danica: *happily writing a hot sex
scene not dealing with shapeshifters*
Ram Reinhardt: Hey Danica, ‘sup?
Daisy’s the best. Just wanted to say thanks for hooking me up with
her and making me the happiest lion ever.
Danica: *looks suspicious* Leave me
alone, Ram, can’t you see I’m writing about superheroes?
Ram: Oh. Sorry.
*pause*
Ram: I really think you should work on
Nick’s book after this.
Danica: No, I’m writing a
contemporary after this superhero. Then I’m going to work on
Kanda’s story. Remember her?
Ram: Yeah, but Nick needs a mate.
Kanda: What, you don’t think I
deserve to find my mate?
Saga (From The Veil series): Hey, I’ve
been waiting three years for my story to come out, get to the back of
the line!
Danica: Saga, I’m sorry, but you know
we’re waiting for your story to fully develop in my head before
it’s written…
Ram: Seriously, everyone wants to read
about my lead guitarist. And I swear to God if he talks shit
about me being mated now…
Danica: Dude…tell him to chill. Out.
Kanda: Danica, you know you want to
write my story. Remember that scene I showed you about me and my man
on a car? Remember that?
Logan (of the contemporary waiting to
be written): I was promised sex in the bed of a pick-up truck.
Danica: Uh…It wasn’t a promise
per se, more like a possibility.
All of the female characters waiting to
be written: Nice!
Yeah, there’s a lot of chaos going on
in this brain of mine. I don’t even know how many books I have to
write because the characters keep popping up when I least expect it.
All I can really say though is that the town of Maison Rouge in
Pointe-Aux-Chat Parish in south Louisiana are going to have a lot
more stories. I have at least two scheduled with residents of the
town, but then I have even more planned for those who’ve visited
the town or are associated with them. Crazy, huh?
As a reader, do you hear characters in
your head? There’s nothing wrong with hearing voices in your head,
by the way. As long as you don’t answer…Oh boy, am I in trouble.
Great post Danica! I'm in trouble too, I always answer, not just in my head but out loud! Thank you again for being my guest today.
Book One in the Cajun Heat series
Blurb:
Deputy Daisy Picou is not impressed when Ram Reinhardt prowls into town all rock star swagger and big cat ego. She’s been burned by a lion before and has no intention of playing the fool twice. But with one scorching glance the mating frenzy ignites and passion trumps reason. An intense first encounter levels Daisy’s reservations—and most of her living room. And she’s not so sure she minds.
Ram Reinhardt has burned through and brushed aside just about every adrenaline-inducing thrill life’s thrown at him. But Daisy sets the gold standard for a premium rush. Her combative personality should turn him off, but every time they fight they end up in bed, or on the floor, or against a wall—and the sex is always more combustible than the time before. And he’s not about to give that up. Ever.
Buy Links:
Ellora's Cave: http://www.ellorascave.com/primal-song.html
Book Two in the Cajun Heat seriesBlurb:
Fashion designer and bear shifter Kitty Chambers thought fifteen years was enough time to get over her first love Monk Badeaux, but when she sees the sexy cougar again, her mating instincts return and it’s all she can do to keep her paws off him. Despite her wariness, Monk unearths a part of her sexuality she’d never known existed, using it ruthlessly to win her back. Monk is hazardous to her well-being and her heart, but Kitty isn’t sure she stands a chance against all this heat.
If you love something, set it free. Monk Badeaux did that and suffered the consequences. When Kitty comes home, he falls head over heels in love with the independent, no-panty-wearing woman his childhood sweetheart has become. And she hates him. Luck is on his side when he discovers his mate has a streak of exhibitionism he’s more than happy to exploit if it’ll bring them closer. Alleys, school gyms, cars…nothing is sacred when a cougar is out to win his mate.
Buy Links:
Ellora's Cave: http://www.ellorascave.com/primal-design.html
Book Three in the Cajun Heat series
Blurb:
Being a human in a parish filled with shifters, Colette Robicheaux has learned to be tough as nails. She’s a hunter with the kind of lethal skills that make most men nervous, but all it takes is a single hot look from Zachary Trahan to make her melt into a puddle of goo. And this tiger shifter doesn’t fight fair, using his hot body and his many skills in the kitchen to melt her panties. But there’s a danger in the swamps that threatens to tear them apart, an evil that could turn this hunter into prey.
When chef Zachary Trahan took a break from work to hunt, the last thing he expected to find was his mate. A human huntress with a hot temper, a quick trigger finger and the kind of body destined to keep him up at nights, Colette makes his tiger purr. He’ll have to fight his stubborn mate, her impossible family and the threat hiding in the swamps before he can finally claim her for his own.
Buy Links:
Ellora's Cave: http://www.ellorascave.com/primal-flavor.html
The perfect man—with the imperfect cock and oral skills. The Dom who isn’t a dom, and the man who proves it to him. The alien with dessert-flavored semen and three cocks. The older man (a kajillionaire with a penthouse in Seattle…) who has limitless ability to come all night with his naïve little virgin. A woman on a diet who craves a feast of meat and finds herself five Broadshaft Brothers who can deliver.
If you're looking for the perfect romance with the perfect hero and heroine, this isn't it! This is a series of spoofs, paraodies, just-for-fun lighthearted take-offs. It's for all us longtime, hard-core romance readers who can laugh at the clichés, purple prose and "suspend your disbelief" plot devises that haunt our beloved favorite genre.
Buy Links:
Ellora's Cave: http://www.ellorascave.com/fondled-and-gobbled-someone-had-to-do-it.html
Blurb:
A well-endowed germaphobe goes for a wild ride with a woman who knows no boundaries and her inadequately endowed boyfriend. Two BDSM novices learn that not everyone can top—when everyone wants to sub. Big boobs, big hair, a shrill voice and gunfire fetish—the hero finds the perfect woman. A girl who has never seen a penis before—but her momma told her what to do if a man ever whipped one out in front of her.
If you’re looking for the perfect romance with the perfect hero and heroine, this isn’t it! This is a series of spoofs, parodies, just-for-fun lighthearted take-offs. It’s for all us longtime, hard-core romance readers who can laugh at the clichés, purple prose and “suspend your disbelief” plot devices that haunt our beloved favorite genre.
Buy Links:
Ellora's Cave: http://www.ellorascave.com/fondled-and-gobbled-one-more-slurp.html
Thanks for stopping by today and next Wednesday my guest is Piper Trace!!!
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Six-Pack Stud-A-Thon Blog Hop & Giveaway
Welcome to my stop on the Six-Pack Stud-A-Thon Blog Hop & Giveaway!!! I have two fantastic men that are cover models, CJ Hollenbach and Nick Soto that I'll be showcasing here. Both CJ and Nick have given me permission to post pictures from websites and facebook pages.
Let's face it, we all like to look at those smexy book covers. When you're shopping in a book store or online, what grabs your attention to a book? What influences you to then buy that book? For me, the first thing I notice is the cover, if I like it, then I read the blurb. If the cover doesn't grab me, then I'm probably not even going to pick it up to read the blurb. There are some authors for me that are auto-buy and it doesn't matter about the cover. Do you let friends influence you book choices? What about reviews?
Some of my favorite CJ covers.
You just gotta love a man with long blond hair, gorgeous eyes and rock hard abs. Can you say yummy????
The first time I ever saw a picture of CJ was on Between Your Sheets website. There were several photos of cover models and it was a public vote for a favorite. The first thing I said was, "Who the hell is the that?"
I don't think the pictures had the models' names, but I really don't remember. I voted for CJ. Then I joined a yahoo group and met Mary and DCL Publications. I quickly found out who that gorgeous long blond hunk was. CJ Hollenbach.
I then got the opportunity to attend the Romantic Times Convention in Pittsburgh. I so wanted to met CJ, but was kinda scared at the same time. I mean this man is awesome!! What would I say to him? What would he think about me? I finally got to see CJ in person and almost fell on the floor in a dead faint. CJ is so freakin' HAWT in pictures, but in person, he's phenomenal. CJ was talking to someone when I approached him and when he was finished, I introduced myself. I was hugged instantly, and his smile was magnificent. We talked for a little bit, and when I was able to walk again, I moved away and sat at a nearby table. I don't know what I was worried about. CJ is sweet, friendly, funny and just great to talk to. I love that man,
he's just exceptional.
Golden Adonis is is such an awesome cover. CJ's eyes seem like they can see into your soul. And there's that strong chin, Oh My!, I just want to lick it. And lay my head on his chest. *big sigh*
I so look forward to seeing CJ at any conference I'm able to attend. He just has a way of making you feel so good. He's genuinely happy to see you and just talk about anything. That's one of the other things I love about CJ. He's so down to earth and very approachable and fun to hang out with. I'm really looking forward to seeing CJ in October! I can't wait.
The one thing I will say about CJ is that he is all class!I have a t-shirt that CJ once wore for just a few minutes, I like to smell it,
hug it and sleep with it. Makes me feel like........ ummmm, errrrr..... you know what I mean. *blushing*
This unbelievably handsome man is Nick Soto. I first met Nick in 2011 at EC's Romanticon. He was a new Caveman. I spent a lot of time just looking at all that hunkiness that is Nick.
This is my all time favorite cover with Nick. I just can't explain it, but this is so sexy and those abs just scream at me to lick them. And those sunglasses just make him the ultimate bad boy!
And this cover??? OH EM GEE!!! I'm going to have to buy this book when it comes out in print so I can sleep with it under my pillow.
I was pretty speechless when I first saw this cover the other day. If this is what's waiting in ecstasy, you can sacrifice me to it any time and the quicker the better. GAWD I just want to squeeze those butt cheeks.
Oh please, spank me! I really like this cover too, it's so smexilicious.
I just made up my own word! heheh
Last year's EC's Romanticon, it seemed like Nick came out of his shell a little bit, that he was a little more comfortable at the conference. He led a Zumba class on Saturday. I wasn't able to participate, but I so enjoyed watching Nick dance! I could watch him dance forever. Nick's smile and energy are infectious, and before you know it, you just want to get up there and join in.
Here's a picture of the grand prize up for grabs!!! Lots and lots of yummy pictures and some books!!!
To enter for the grand prize, just fill out the rafflecopter below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
And now for a few pictures of CJ and Nick!!!! Enjoy and keep your drool towel handy.
CJ at EC's Romanticon! I think I growled a little.
I can also growl at Nick! *blush*
This is such an awesome picture of CJ. I love it!!
Check out this smile. Nick is always smiling. Even when he's sweating teaching Zumba. It's a fantastic smile!! I love it.
CJ is writing a book. I can't wait to see it. I hope everyone will check it out when it's available. It will have to be fantastic because CJ wrote it!!!
Why so serious, Nick? Geeez, I have to go take my blood pressure now.All this hotness has my heart pounding.
Where can you find these guys???
CJ Hollenbach:
www.cjcovermodel.com
https://www.facebook.com/cjhollenbach
https://www.facebook.com/groups/18384087103/photos/Nick Soto:
http://www.nicksoto.com/
Fit The Rhythm Studio https://www.facebook.com/FitTheRhythmStudio?ref=stream
https://www.facebook.com/rockstarsotoo
https://www.facebook.com/NickSotoBoA?directed_target_id=0
www.youtube.com/TheNickSoto
I want to again thank CJ and Nick for agreeing to be on my blog for this hop! Thank You CJ and Nick!!!
You guys RAWK!!!!!!!
CJ has graciously offered two autographed 5 x 7 photographs to two lucky commenters. So how do win one of the fabulous pictures????
Kate Hofman has also offered one commenter their choice of 2 of her Golden books:
Golden Adonis, Golden Heart, Golden Dreamer, Golden Christmas, or Golden Heart!!!!
I will also be offering 10 assorted Romance Trading Cards. So that is FOUR winners!!
1) Follow my blog by GFC or by email.
2) Leave a comment about the post or ask CJ a question.
That's it. Easy peasy! CJ is supposed to stop by and leave a comment or two. so I'm sure if you have a question for him, he'll be glad to answer. Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to stop at as many stops as you can for more chances on prizes!!!
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
The Great Equinox Fall Release Hop
LISTOPIA One More Chapter’s Top Books of September
The Order of the Black Swan, Book 5.
Release date September 19th, 90k words
GENRE: fantasy romance, scifi romance, paranormal romance
"…a complete rollercoaster ride.”- Hooked on Books
"...sexy, very exciting, a really fun read." -Vampire Romance Books.com
"…like a many layered dessert." - A Tale of Two Books.
“…a must read.” – Fangs Wands & Fairy Dust
READING THIS SERIAL SAGA IN ORDER HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Try before you buy. Book 1, My Familiar Stranger, is permafree everywhere.
Legendary Black Swan knight, Sir Engel Storm, is REALLY not himself. B Team reunites to try and preserve his reputation. Jefferson Unit is left defended by a skeleton crew of scoundrels when Ralengclan launch an assassination attempt on Elora Laiken. This book explores two age old questions. Do you believe in destiny? Do you think any part of it is predetermined by fate?
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/vdanann
;
and a big thank you to the co-sponsors:
Blood Brothers by Susan Arden
Love's a Witch by Hope Welsh
Underneath It All by Cassandra Carr
From Chemo...with Love by Teresa Jones
Lust Emergency: Uniform Encounters 3 by Morticia Knight
Halo's Wish by Sharon Kleve
Wunder, Book 2: Reunion
Fractured Legacy by Skye Callahan
Pink Girl by Kate Baum
Speakeasy Dead by Vicky Loebel
Burlesque! Le Cirque d'Amour by Michelle Fox
Vampire's Fortune, Fortune Teller's Curse by Kara Ashley Dey
Leap of Faith by Michelle Cary
The Heart of a Hunter by Natalie-Nicole Bates
The Sheikh's Crowning by Gemma Juliana
A Knight of Passion by Tarah Scott
Wicked Secrets by Eliza Lloyd
Loco, Razer 8 and Ghost by P.T Macais
Alpha by Fierce Dolan
Tunneling For Revenge by Travis K. Sharpe
Fast Balls by Tara Lain
Bedroom Games by Charity Parkerson
Armed and Desired by DC Stone
Consume Me by Paige Matthews
Grand Prize:
PRIZES by RAFFLECOPTER:
(One) Grand Prize: Kindle Fire (U.S.only) plus $100 Amazon Gift Card plus e-copies of all sponsored releases
(Two) First Prizes: $100 Amazon Gift Card plus e-copies of all sponsored releases
(Three) Second Prizes: One e-book from every participating author.
Curvy
Ann Griffin has a secret—she’s in love with her longtime best
friend and business partner Joe Mathews. After suffering through a
date from hell—which definitely wasn’t worth putting on her
strangling shapewear for—Ann heads home. How was she supposed to
know the night would end with her throwing herself into his arms and
allowing him to fulfill her every fantasy?
What’s
a guy to do when the woman he loves kisses him senseless? Go with it,
that’s what. For more than a decade, Joe has fought back his needs
for the voluptuous beauty. In his mind, the only thing missing in
their relationship was the ability to explore every inch of her
luscious body.
Although
sleeping with Ann could destroy everything they have, Joe won’t
allow that to happen. He knows they’re made for each other. Now he
only needs to convince her.
Excerpt:
“What the hell was I thinking?” Ann
Griffin said as she tugged at the Lycra shapewear cutting off her
circulation. She smoothed the black wrap dress over her hips and
collapsed into a kitchen chair. “Remind me never to accept a date
from a guy who’s just broken up with his girlfriend ever again.”
Leaning down, Joe Mathews pressed a
kiss onto Ann’s cheek. “You should have stayed home with me.”
The soft brush of his lips heated Ann’s
blood to boiling. Air jammed into her lungs. Every inch of her body
burned with fresh yearning and mixed with desires she’d spent the
evening trying to suppress.
Ever since he sat next to her in
Business 101 over a decade ago her hormones had been doing the tango.
Up until now, she’d been able to stamp down her lust for her best
friend. But lately her need for him blazed inside her like an inferno
needing something to consume. If she wasn’t careful, it would
consume her.
She forced out the breath stuck in her
chest. “Why didn’t you go out tonight?”
“The Patriots were playing the Jets.”
Joe moved to the butcher-block countertop and opened a pink pastry
box. “I take it your date didn’t go so well?”
He sliced a huge piece of double
chocolate cheesecake and set it in front of her.
“It was awful.” She pushed the
yummy temptation across the table.
“That’s what you get when you go
out with a guy based solely on his looks.”
“I didn’t go out with Scott for
his looks.” The sad fact was she needed space from Joe so she
didn’t jump him in the hallway between their bedrooms.
“Yeah, right,” he said.
She leaned on her elbows and sighed.
“He seemed nice when we talked at the gym,” Ann said, referring
to the business the two co-owned.
To her way of thinking, if she had to
suffer though the misery of dating someone who wasn’t Joe she might
as well have something nice to look at.
“I’m sure he was.”
“Okay,” she admitted. “It didn’t
hurt he was shirtless when we were talking. Maybe I don’t have the
best judgment when I’m at your place of business.” She laid her
head on the table. “I should just wait until after closing to do
the accounting paperwork.”
“Mr. Perfect’s is your business
too.” Joe’s strong hands clasped her shoulders and started to
massage. “Besides I need all the help I can get.”
“I’m just a silent partner.”
“There’s nothing silent about our
partnership.” His finger worked the knot at the base of her skull.
”God, you’re tight.”
A moan slipped passed Ann’s lips. The
needy pull in her core deepened with every caress of his finger. Her
pussy filled with moist heat. She should let her hormones have their
way. Perhaps then she wouldn’t be soaking through her shapewear on
a daily basis.
Ignoring the throbbing pleasure between
her legs, she lifted her head. “The gym has the revenue to hire
someone to help you out, you know.”
“Why? It’s fine the way it is.”
The butterflies dive-bombing her
stomach every time she was around Joe told her everything wasn’t
fine. “For you maybe.”
“What?”
Shit, did I say that out loud?
“Are you saying our arrangement isn’t
working for you anymore?” Joe squeezed the back of her neck and
tilted her head up. “I’ll find someone if you want.”
The concern filling his beautiful
sea-green eyes tore at her soul. It wasn’t the gym’s fault she
couldn’t keep her hormones under control anymore. “I love
helping you build your dream.”
“Then what is it?”
Hoping he couldn’t see what his
nearness did to her, Ann forced herself to smile. “If I wasn’t
bombarded with testosterone-enhanced bodybuilders all the time, Jerry
from the office might look better.”
“The testosterone levels in the gym
are all your fault.” He pressed his sexy lips to her forehead.
“Oh please.”
Straightening, Joe lifted his broad
shoulders. “It’s true. When you rush into the gym, all flushed in
your smart business suits and sensible heels, the testosterone levels
spike.”
Lust clawing at her core, Ann swallowed
the need to ask if his testosterone spiked when he saw her.
She shifted in her seat, hoping to dull the burning need coursing
through her.
Joe moved back to the counter, cut
another piece of cheesecake and set it in front of her. “You could
use this.”
“I can’t.” Ann pushed the plate
away.
“Why? It’s your favorite.” Joe
sat. “Did you have a big dinner?”
“No, Scott took me to that new raw
food place.” Sighing, she rubbed at a wrinkle creasing the vintage
lace tablecloth covering the old drop-leaf table.
“Pussy. A real man would’ve taken
you out for a steak.”
Talking about her bad date steadied her
overactive hormones. “I would have settled for a salad on a plate
bigger than a teacup saucer.”
The dimple on his right cheek winked
at her. “So, dinner was a bust.” He wiggled his sexy eyebrows.
“What about conversation with Scott’s shirt on?”
“If you don’t mind hearing about
how wonderful his ex was and how if I lost thirty pounds I would be
as hot as she was, it was fine.”
Frowning, he grabbed a plate of
cheesecake and jabbed his fork into it. “You’re fine just the way
you are.”
“Scott didn’t seem to think so.”
Ann rubbed a hand over her belly. “For two hours I had to listen to
how much better-looking I would be if I stayed away from carbs and
worked out more.”
The fork Joe held in his large hand
clattered against the Fiestaware plate. “When he comes into the gym
on Monday, I’m going to kick his ass.”
For the first time since she got home,
Ann relaxed. “Don’t do that. We need his business.”
“Fuck his business.” Joe tapped her
plate. “Eat up. Cheesecake has protein and calcium.”
“Make sure you tell my hips that in
the morning.”
“It can’t be all bad.” Lifting
his arms, Joe stood. “I eat a piece every day and look at me.”
Her gaze roamed over all six-foot-two
inches of his finely honed frame. She poked her finger into the
whipped cream topping of the cheesecake as her stomach clenched—it
did every time she set eyes on him and his mega-muscles. “Aren’t
you cold without a shirt?”
“Not with you around.” Handing Ann
a fork, Joe folded himself into the chair across from her and dug
into his cake.
Thank you, so much Heidi for offering my winner an e-book copy of In Bed With Mr. Perfect.
So what do you have to do to be in the running for a chance to win a copy of this book?
1) Follow my blog, GFC, or by email.
2) Leave a comment about the excerpt, then tell me how you are following. It's that simple.
Author Wednesdays--Cara Carnes
© Astine | Dreamstime Stock Photos & Stock Free Images
It's Author Wednesday again here at For Whom The Books Toll, and my guest today is Cara Carnes!
Welcome to my blog and thank you for taking time out to visit today. Cara or Kinky Hotness, is one of the authors in the Cabal of Hotness, a group of zany, fun loving writers who met at Ellora's Cave Romanticon Conference in 2012. And from that sprung the idea for some very creative stories. A different Cabal author will be featured every Wednesday on my blog from now until the end of October! So come and enjoy the madness that is the Cabal of Hotness. Cara will be giving one lucky commenter their choice of e-book from her back list!! Good luck to all.
How was the name Cabal of Hotness
picked for your group?
LOL…You know there were HUNDREDS of
emails streaming back and forth between all of us. And each one got
crazier than the next. Seriously. I can’t exactly remember how the
name came about but it exemplifies the zany experience that is all of
us together.
Do you have a bucket list?
Yes. Some of the items on it are pretty
basic and simple while some are pretty daunting. But I definitely
have one.
What was your ideal career when you
were a child?
Anything to write or record stuff.
Reporter, secretary. I was always, always fascinated with writing
stuff down. When I was 4 I would steal the carbon paper (hey, I know
some of you don’t know what this is, but let’s just go with it so
I don’t feel old) from my grandpa’s office drawer and doodle.
Realizing his carbon paper wasn’t safe he decided to teach me my
alphabet instead and make it constructive. Yeah, I was a geek even
back then.
(Kudos to your Grandpa!)
On average, how long does it take
you to write a book?
This really depends on a variety of
factors for me: how busy the day job keeps me, the length of the book
and how connected to the characters I am at the time. In an ideal
situation, I write 3K a day.
How long does it take to write sex
scenes?
LOL…That depends on the characters
and the sex they’re having and the underlying emotions. Some of the
scenes take a bit of time because of multiple partners and body
coordination, etc.
Where do you find writing
inspiration?
Life. I have a pretty active
imagination and am constantly spinning what-ifs in my head whenever I
read about events, hear about things that have happened, etc. The web
and social media are marvelous tools in the arsenal of a writer these
days, IMHO.
What’s the best way to get over
writer’s block?
Take a deep breath and go back to when
the writing was working. I’ve heard this advice from so many and it
is truly the best way for me to get over the writer’s block 90% of
the time. The majority of the time I discover it’s because I’d
either written myself into a corner or was taking the story in a
direction that I hadn’t totally accepted yet. Backing up to when it
was working usually helps me get back on track.
What’s the hardest thing about
writing and how do you handle it?
Sharing what I’ve finished for the
first time. For me writing and sharing that final product is quite
intimidating. I have quite a few stories complete where the worlds
are so out there I’m terrified of what people will think. LOL.
But…rejection is common in this industry so the only thing you can
do is take a deep breath, put your big girl britches on and either
take a chance or move on.
(I'll be waiting for those strange new worlds, *eg*)
If you could travel in a time
machine, would go back to the past or to the future?
I would definitely go to the past,
probably to the wild west.
What does your family and friends
think about your writing erotic romances?
My family has been very supportive.
They’ve all taken a solemn vow to never read the really naughty
stuff. As for friends, I think that in many aspects writing erotic
romance is an ideal proving ground for friendships. Those who are
truly your friends will accept and respect your decision and support
you. I’ve been quite fortunate to have many wonderful friends.
How important is reader feedback,
good or bad, to you?
I can’t express how important it is.
Writing is such a solitary thing. And I do this to share the stories
with the readers. Readers are the most critical element to this
entire thing for me. So I love hearing from readers.
What’s the best advice you can
give to an inspiring author?
Don’t overthink and overanalyze
everything you write and do based on the opinions of others. Your
writing is unique. Your voice is unique. Listen, learn, improve. But
never lose sight of your unique vision.
(Excellent advice, Kara.)
How do you relax?
Music. It was my escape when life
overwhelmed me during my youth and it still is today.
Now for the FUN questions:
Pepsi or Coke?
Diet Coke
Chips or pretzels?
Pretzels
Chocolate or vanilla?
Chocolate
Mountains or beach?
Mountains
Favorite color?
Red
Favorite ice cream?
Chocolate
and vanilla combined (the best of both worlds)
Casual or dress up?
Casual
Early bird or night owl?
Early
bird
Cook outs or restaurant dinners?
Cook outs because I rarely have the opportunity to enjoy them.
A bakery owner gets much more than she expected from her discount android’s determination to serve her. A lovelorn stalker does whatever it takes to have the muscle man of her dreams. Two alien warriors experience the inconveniences and pleasures of being forced into human bodies. A woman has always known she was destined to join the paranormal world of shifters, and tonight all of her dreams—or nightmares—come true.
If you’re looking for the perfect romance with the perfect hero and heroine, this isn’t it! This is a series of spoofs, parodies, just-for-fun lighthearted take-offs. It’s for all us longtime, hard-core romance readers who can laugh at the clichés, purple prose and “suspend your disbelief” plot devices that haunt our beloved favorite genre.
Buy Links:
Ellora's Cave : http://www.ellorascave.com/fondled-and-gobbled-back-for-more.html
Book One in The Pleasure Brigade Series
Blurb:
Once a month Autumn Scott indulges in her voyeuristic fantasy thanks to a very sexy, very loud neighbor, who has no idea his encounters next door fuel her lust. Until she gets caught.
Now Autumn finds herself exploring her ultimate fantasy—submission. But the stakes are raised when Kade presents her with a twist to his usual play. He wants to add three friends to the game. Together the four men indulge her naughtiest desires and prove the pleasure she’d experienced before was only the beginning.
Buy Links:
Ellora's Cave: http://www.ellorascave.com/passion-next-door.html
Book Two in The Pleasure Brigade Series
Blurb:
Come play with me.
Autumn Scott succumbs to temptation and journeys to The Brigade─a private BDSM resort─for another naughty weekend with sexy neighbor Kade Berges. She expects another chance to explore her fantasies, but finds herself wanting more when Kade and his three friends push her boundaries and welcome her into their world.
Kade Berges hadn’t intended to share more than a few nights of passion with his insatiable New York neighbor, but thanks to meddling friends he finds himself unwilling to accept anything less than Autumn’s full submission. Whether she’s ready remains to be seen.
Buy Links:
Ellora's Cave: http://www.ellorascave.com/passion-s-claim.html
Book Three in The Pleasure Brigade Series
Blurb:
What happens in The Brigade stays in The Brigade.
Viviana Marks crashes the annual masquerade ball for The Brigade with one mission--submitting to the Chief of Security, Stryker. His voice has driven her wild for the past few months as she worked to program their new computer systems, and she isn't about to pass up this opportunity to dabble in her BDSM fantasies with the best Doms around.
The only problem is getting in. Fortunately the elusive dom Lance is never around according to her hacked intel and easy prey for Viviana's need for a sponsor.
Too bad Lance didn't know to stay away. Returning from a mission, he is surprised to discover an unknown woman posing as a former submissive of his. Curious and determined to unveil her true desires, he assists Stryker in taking control of the sweet submissive.
Together the two men begin a two week training session with Viviana, unleashing her darkest desires and awakening a need she'd ignored. When the time nears for her to decide whether she wishes to continue on this journey of sexual discovery, the true test is whether the tentative trust she's forged with the two Doms is enough to overcome her bitter past.
Buy Links:
Ellora's Cave: http://www.ellorascave.com/passion-s-training.html
Book Four in The Pleasure Brigade Series
Blurb:
Katey Meadows has a dream job—working at The Brigade, an exclusive BDSM resort catering to curious, inexperienced vanillas like her. Studiously taking notes and formulating her strategy for plunging desire-first into her submission fantasies count become an exercise in futility and sexual frustration when the Master she wants more than anything is the one man who rescued her from the brink of financial ruin. Overcoming her past was easy. Kneeling before her heart’s desire could prove impossible.
Lorenzo Garofali has adhered to a hands-off policy with Katey—until now. Determined to strip away her armor of distrust and insecurity, he soon discovers that baring her submissive desires means setting aside his baser instinct to claim her as his. Sharing her passion with his fellow Brigade Masters is tolerable. Losing her is not.
Buy Links:
Ellora's Cave: http://www.ellorascave.com/passion-s-trust.html
More good news from Cara, she's working on the next Pleasure Brigade book!! Yay, I can't wait.
Blurb:
One night of controlled passion is all she allows.
Rebecca Ann Majors fled the temptation of a ménage once, but now the two sexy men starring in her wildest fantasy are back and demanding her complete surrender for the weekend. Emboldened by lust, she succumbs to her desire and learns ecstasy has a price.
They demand everything she has and more.
Joe Davenport and Dillan Morrisey were used to handling any situation—including the sexy siren who’d sashayed out of their lives two years ago. This time she’ll quench their lust even if it means they have to share her.
When Sunday morning dawns the three must decide if one weekend was enough to sate the passion they shared.
Buy Links:
Ellora's Cave: http://www.ellorascave.com/weekend-menage.html
Bio:
Cara Carnes discovered her love of writing early in life, as most writers tend to. At the age of 11, she typed up a love story and happily mailed it off to Harlequin. Anxiously awaiting her acceptance letter and fat advance check, she dutifully listened to her mother and grandfather as they instilled in her the lessons key to her writing today.
By the time the hand-written rejection letter arrived, Cara knew that someday she would be writing the stories that she loved. Most importantly, she had learned two key fundamentals from her mother and grandfather: always expect the unexpected, and know you can do anything you set your mind to.
Cara's love for the written word found a home in erotica romance. Wanting to bring fantasies to life on the pages of her books, she enjoys crafting characters that sizzle on the pages and burn their way into your heart. While she loves all genres of romance, erotica will always have a special place in her heart because Cara believes true romance doesn't stop at the bedroom door.
Cara is a native Texan and currently resides in Austin. When she isn't absorbed in her characters, she enjoys traveling, photography and spending time with family and friends.
Cara loves to hear from her readers. You can contact Cara at cara@caracarnes.com
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/caracarnes
Website: http://www.caracarnes.com
I hope everyone enjoyed Cara's visit today and don't forget to show her some love and leave a comment for your chance to win an e-book from Cara's back list, you have until midnight (12:00AM EST) Sunday Sept 22 and the winner will be chosen Monday morning. I hope you'll all join me next Wednesday when Danica Avet will be here.
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