Losing a Publisher...Now What Do I Do? by Marianne Stephens

A "sign of the times": small publishers going out of business. Sad to see this happen. But with the onslaught on so-o-o many people self-publishing, it was bound to happen.

First, two years ago, Breathless Press went out of business. I only had one book there. Revising it now for re-pubbing in another anthology group.

Last year, Secret Cravings closed their doors. I had one nonfiction book there and just haven't done anything with it. I self-pubbed the print versions of the book, so I guess I should do the same with an ebook version.

And now, sad to say, Ellora's Cave is closing. I got my first contract through them. Loved the people there and was treated fairly. I know others had complaints, but other than being unhappy with one cover, I enjoyed my time as an EC author. Actually, two authors: Marianne Stephens and April Ash.

So, what will be my next step? Find another publisher "home" for the stories I'm getting rights back for? Self-pub the books myself, after doing some editing? Just seek ebook publishing? "Fork in the Road" decisions to make.

SIGH.

Not sure what I want to do. I have print versions of my books and will keep some...forever.

It's like being laid-off. So many years with a company and now it'll be over in a couple of months. 

Thank you, EC, for giving me my start as an author. Thanks for the parties/lunches/whatever at conferences. I have great memories! Loved those Cave Men!

Marianne Stephens
http://www.mariannestephens.net
http://www.aprilash.net
http://sensuousromances.com
http://naughtyliterati.com
http://www.romancebooks4us.com

photos: Flickr: HeyPaulStudios and Conbon33 photostreams 

The Line Between Very Sensual and Erotic Romance Stories by Marianne Stephens

I've had two pen names for years: Marianne Stephens and April Ash. I say that MS writes mainstream, sensual romances and AA writes erotic romances.

Now, however, I'm not sure. I think the two names/sides of me have merged.

My sensual romance stories in all the anthologies are pretty hot...scenes are very descriptive and some naughty words are used. Marianne Stephens has been the author for all these. While I don't write extremely graphic scenes nor do I ever use the "F" word, I wonder if some people think I should label them as erotic.

Terminology: Yes, I use some strong, sexual words. But when I compare these stories to what AA has written in the past, I consider my short stories a bit more tame. Not sweet, but right up near that erotic category.

What do you think separates very sensual stories from erotic? Is it how graphic sex scenes are? Sex terms used?

Until I think I've crossed the line into writing an erotic story, I'll keep using my MS pen name for my hot stories!

Two stories out in anthologies/boxed sets this month.

Naughty Heatwave - Turn Up the Heat, is out now: My story is HOT BUNS.
Blurb:
Hot Buns ~ Marianne Stephens
Angela offers to pay Vinnie to use his bakery ovens until hers are delivered. For financial reasons, he agrees. Being near her threatens his determination never to forgive her betrayal. When the truth surfaces, both must share the blame. Can smoldering love between them flame into passion once again?
Buy links found HERE.

Wickedly Wanton releases on 15 June but is available for pre-order.
My story: DANCE FOR ME
Blurb.
On a dare, Carla enters a stripper amateur night contest. Fellow professor Nate catches her practicing in her office. Always intrigued by her, Nate asks to watch again and their mutual attraction leads to a lusty affair. Her secret’s out, but she won’t know his until the amateur contest night.
Buy links found HERE.  It's already a Best Seller at ARe!

Marianne Stephens
http://www.mariannestephens.net
http://www.romancebooks4us.com
http://naughtyliterati.com
http://sensuousromances.com

Red or White Chrysanthemums: Love, Truth/Fidelity...Like in Romance Stories!

By Marianne Stephens 

Either white or red in color, the meanings behind the colors of chrysanthemums are in romance stories.

White: absolute truth and fidelity

Red: love

Romance stories are always about love. And, many times, truth or fidelity play a part in the theme or conflict. Both are so important in making a relationship grow and turn into love.

If you can't trust your partner to tell the truth, how can you continue to love him or her? If your partner can't be faithful or loyal, there's no trust.

In my story OPERATION MAN HUNT, not knowing the truth...those little white lies that get in the way, or omissions left uncorrected...create a final showdown between the hero and heroine. Sometimes, things said are not fully interpreted the way the speaker meant them to be understood. All create confusion and sometimes lead to hurt feelings...and mistrust.

Operation Man Hunt is part of the ENTICE ME - Luscious Love Stories Anthology now available:  BUY LINK

  

 

In my book STRIP POKER FOR TWO by April Ash, the heroine omits telling the hero of the competition she's in with another woman...that involves getting men. She's after a vacation prize, but soon decides she doesn't want to use the hero. However, she doesn't tell him. And, the black moment evolves when he hears about the competition and assumes she was only using him. Hurt feelings. Trust gone. Of course, since it's a romance story, they work out their problem...gotta have that HEA!  BUY LINK

 

Some romance books create a lack of those white Chrysanthemums before the red ones can happen. Or, the hero/heroine fall in love, suffer through the pain of hurt feelings because they discover the truth behind lies told/or what they're given the impression about by their partner, and love teeters of the brink of evaporation.  

Marianne Stephens:

http://www.mariannestephens.net

http://www.aprilash.net

Photos:Flickr:rahelgreenbelt, Diane Phillips, and bhaarat dudeja's photostreams

 

Wandering Body Parts - How Do They Move?

Read your books carefully and see if you find any "wandering body parts". What am I talking about?

Remember: body parts can't move on their own.
Examples:
Her arms flung out to grab him.
His hand rubbed her back.
Her eyes swept across the room to the door.

A person has to DO the action using body parts; they can't DO anything on their own (unless you detach these parts and they have the ability to move on their own).

How many times have you read "wandering body parts" (WBP) sentences without thinking about them? I would guess many times. Your brain knows what the author is trying to say, and you just accept "moving parts"!

Pick up a book you're reading or have read, and really look at action sentences. Do body parts move on their own? Or, has the author remembered to "make" movements possible. For erotic books, WBP can be funny (or if you're so engrossed in the action you don't notice it) and make you wonder just how DOES sex happen between the characters!

I know that when I judge contest entries, I'm more aware of WBP...maybe because I'm reading with a different sense of WHY I'm reading. For books I choose to read, I may skip over WBP a number of times. But if it becomes clear that the hero/heroine have lots of disembodied parts moving all over the place, I usually take note and will either finish reading the book realizing this or decide to stop reading.

Do you have any WBP encounters to share? Have you (authors) been guilty of this?

http://www.mariannestephens.net

photos:Flickr: Chris Piascik's photostream

Pacing Your Story: Are We There Yet?

Figuring out how fast/slow your story should unfold is a puzzle. After many years of writing before getting published, I decided:
1. the pace has to keep readers ready for action on the next page
2. if the pace can't hold my attention, it's either too slow or too fast.

I have a tendency to want to tell the whole story NOW...and forget how important it is to pace your story to give it substance and make it interesting. It's not boy meets girl, attraction happens, dark moment, and happily-ever-after.

The above sentence would take a few pages, and I'd have a really short book.

Pacing includes:
!. Scene setting...although I dislike reading pages that give me a "tour" of an area. Just enough setting can move the story. Too much stalls it.

2. Emotion...readers want to "feel" what the hero and heroine "feel" and share in their emotional ups and downs. Make your hero and heroine less than perfect. (No one wants a perfect man/woman...is there such a thing?).

Knowing how characters "feel" moves the story...but don't get bogged down in dwelling on circumstances or past history. Readers want to know some backstory, but elaborate explanations can lose readers as they get confused by too much information.

3. Build up the attraction. Instance sparks are fine, but some reservations in moving forward too quickly add to character coupling interest. Let that ember of lust burn between the hero and heroine, but give it time to burst into uncontrollable flames.

4. Conflict/dark moment. Yes, conflict keeps the angst alive but the "I want him/her, I don't want him/her" because of differences in inner emotions or outside influences can drive readers away. I once read (not the whole book) where the hero and heroine did so much "I want him but I can't, I want her but I can't", that after three chapters, I didn't care if they ever got together.
Keep the dark moment real. Both hero and heroine must agonize over this, and have hurt feelings. Readers must "feel" their pain.

A conflict/dark moment that's resolved too quickly will lead to unhappy readers. From experience, I've heard this about one of my books. And yes, I rushed through the dark moment in an effort to give the hero/heroine their happily-ever-
after. Not good for me to do as an author, and the readers told me so!

5. Dialogue. Make dialogue meaningful and "normal". Every sentence of dialogue doesn't need a tag. Fast dialogue between people can just flow. People don't always use the other person's name in dialogue.

Slow dialogue, that goes on for pages, will have readers closing the book. Let dialogue flow, enough to get points across and move the story, but not slow enough to stall the action.

Readers and authors: What do you think is important about pacing?

Marianne
http://www.mariannestephens.net
http://www.aprilash.net
photo:Flickr: emily792872's photostream

National Rose Month...the Flower of Love

Let's hear it for the roses...all sizes, shades and colors! The wonderful aroma, beautiful bouquets, bushes, etc., all around us. Colors of Roses and what they mean:

RED: Known as the Lover's Rose, shades can go from light to deep crimson. What better Valentine's gift than red roses? Maybe with chocolates to add a special "romance" meaning?

PINK: Expresses gentility, femininity, elegance, admiration. Deep pink: gratitude. Light pink: grace.

WHITE: Represents purity, innocence and celebrates weddings and young love.

 YELLOW: Evokes a sense of warmth and friendship. In Victorian times, it symbolized jealousy!

ORANGE: Symbolize desire, attraction, and passion...that can lead to a wild romance!

LAVENDER, LILAC, PURPLE: Displays enchantment, and imagination...and love at first sight.

 

TURQUOISE: Expresses well-being, calmness, fertility.

BLUE:  Embodies a sense the impossible and of mystery while hoping for an extraordinary chance for the beginning of something new.

GOLD: No better way to say "I Care", "Welcome Back", "Remember Me", my friend.


 

  Whatever color you choose, you can't go wrong...except with black. No romance there. Just sorrow so stay away from them. Although, I'm sure some paranormal romances feature these black roses as the shade choice for dark tales!




http://www.mariannestephens.net
http://www.aprilash.net

Credits: Teleflora, Proflowers, Morrison Gardens, Roses for Life.
Photos: Flickr:Jarostaw Pocztarski, toastforgbrekkie, VickiB3, the Gufted, Angela M. Michel, BONGURI, dorena-wm, ghenqill, KIUKO, and newtown graffiti's photostreams.

Me, Myself, and I...and My Writing

Are you one of those people who gets pulled in 14 different directions because you desperately try to satisfy everyone's need for you to do something for them thus fulfilling their perception of you? Or, do you attempt to be /behave/react the way you think they feel you should? Lord, I fall into that trap so easily you'd think I had multiple personalities.

Wait. I do.

I'm my real name (not telling!), then Marianne Stephens, and also April Ash. The real me is a wife, mother, daughter, sister, sister-in-law, cousin, niece, aunt, grandmother, friend, volunteer. Hmm. That's 11 personalities right there.

Marianne Stephens is an author, promotions expert (yeah, right!), speaker on writing, writing groups member, blogger, loop joiner (way too many!), twitter member, LinkedIn member, FB page member, creator of Romance Books '4' Us yahoo group, blog, and website.

As April Ash, I do all of the above as an erotic romance author. However, Marianne Stephens also writes nonfiction books, and April Ash doesn't.

How do I pull off switching personalities to suit everyone else...especially when it comes to my writing? A better question might be...should I?

The three of me (me, myself, and I) sometimes end up going in circles trying to please everyone while catering to others. Sometimes the grandmother encounters the speaker who's trying to help the erotic author explain why I write what I write as April Ash. That has been a difficult task as the real me has found out. Telling people I write erotic romance books as April Ash hasn't been embraced by some as an accomplishment. In fact, some think I've "crossed over to the dark side" by doing so.

Both my pen names write romances with “happily-ever-afters”. The differences occur in how they get there and the language/details I write for each book. While Marianne Stephens enjoys writing the more sensual, funny, contemporary/paranormal and sometimes suspense type of romance stories, April Ash has written two erotic romance stories. More story ideas flood my head all the time. In fact, I'm working on more than one book now.

Can I please everyone with my very different approaches to romance writing? No. In fact, hell no. I can no more keep everyone happy with their ideas of who I am/what I should or shouldn't do than I could fly minus the use of a plane.

While I try to compromise on some things to keep others happy with their image/expectations of me, it gets harder to do that the more I want to see how far I can get with my writing career.

So, how do you handle keeping everyone happy...or, do you? Not getting what you want or expect can be a valuable lesson, no matter how old you are. I've got to have a therapy session with the three of me and learn to help others accept my combined trio of personalities!

Or, I just need to note their disappointment/refusal to accept my different approaches to writing and do as I please. After all, satisfying my need to get words on paper and create a story is my goal. I respect other opinions, but what I write is ultimately up to me.

In your writing, consider your choices and what’s best for you. If you value the opinions of others more that your desire to write with your voice/style, you may need to rethink your goals. Write for yourself, not for others. You’ll find fans and fellow authors who value your voice and style. But, you may never please everyone in your career.

http://www.mariannestephens.net

http://www.aprilash.net

photos:Flickr: Mosieru J. and Joanna Penn's photostreams

Recognizing Your Soul Mate

I read something in the Wall Street Journal about how to have a happy life. One of the suggestions is to learn how to recognize your soul mate. It made me wonder. Do you actually "learn" this? Is it a "gut" feeling you get? Do you "just know"...love at first (or more) sight?

Today, some cultures still practice arranged marriages. The bride and groom don't have any input in the decision. If they've been brought up to believe that this is how life works, they may be happy. They may not be happy but do their best to make a marriage work. They may be unhappy the rest of their lives.

Dating helps you figure out who might fill this position in your life. Some seem to know very quickly if they've found that "special" mate. Some take years in making the decision and commitment.

Things to consider:
Similar tastes in things/interests in couple activities.

Chemistry...is there any "spark" between a couple? Does your potential mate make you feel special? Sexy?

Long term plans that incorporate/mesh the goals of each person to make them a couple.

Financial attitudes...saving for the future? Live month to month? 

Family planning...kids? No kids? 

Location. Live in one spot/area forever? Be adventurous and travel/live in different countries?

Feeling comfortable/at ease with a possible mate...are jokes okay? Can you cry? Talk about anything and not get embarrassed/ feel awkward?

Lots to think about.

I think about how I knew my husband was "the one". Sometimes, love does come "at first sight". I met him at a dance and we talked for hours. He had goals; I had goals. We both worked. He was in the military and I admired him for that. We talked about our families and found we had things in common. I remember thinking to myself, "This is someone I can bring home to meet my mother".

On our first date, I met him at the door with my hair still in curlers. A friend was with me and she told me later that I was crazy to let him see me like that. I remarked that since he had a sister my age, he'd seen curlers before. I felt so at ease/comfortable with him that I hadn't given it a second thought.
 
We got engaged after 2 months and married 3 months later. And, we're still married after 43 years.

I thought about my romance books, and realized none of my heroes/heroines experienced "love at first sight". Most times, they were "at odds" with each other over some type of conflict...what all romance books have. But in each book, the heroes and heroines fell in love. They learned what they needed to know about recognizing their soul mates. The road to romance and love was always rocky, but they forged ahead.



What's the one thing you think is important is recognizing a soul mate?

http://www.mariannestephens.net
http://www.aprilash.net

photos: Flickr: emily792872 and Susan_d_p's photostreams

Men's Underwear and Wall Street: BRIEFONOMICS

I swear I saw this discussed on a TV news channel and thought I just had to write a blog about it!

According to the commentator, a good sign for the economy is when more men's underwear is sold. A spike in boxer and briefs sales coincides with a jump in the Dow Jones number and a good indicator that the economy will improve.

So...my creative mind wondered about men's undies. Does that mean men keep using the same ones for years and don't see the need to buy new ones unless they feel the economy is gonna get better? Is it a male thing about not making unnecessary purchases until money issues seem solvent? Maybe only then would they splurge on new undies.

Totally unlike women.

Sorry, fellas...we women need new underwear on a constant basis. What woman doesn't always want to look her best and feel "hot" under her clothes...no matter what economic crisis is looming in front of us? We want to look and feel sexy for the love of our life, and sexy bras and panties are our solution.

Women will buy fancy, sexy underwear in all economic times...good and bad. It's a mindset thing for us. Plus, we keep the companies that produce these items in business, thus keeping our own sector of the stock market (hopefully) in the black.

Hmm. Maybe now I'll have to start looking for a company that makes men's briefs and boxers and buy some stock. Of course, I'll have to check the numbers and see if sales are on a rise and raising the company's status. Any suggestions? Fruit of the Loom? Hanes?

In my erotic romance book, Strip Poker for Two by April Ash, there are a few references to the hero's underwear...before he removes them! Some fancy designs; enticing for the heroine (who, by the way, helped him choose the underwear on a shopping trip!
From the book:
She focused on his boxers, one of the ones she’d picked out for him. Cute little devils with pitchforks pointed to the flap opening... “Nice underwear. You have good taste.”

He bent over and picked up his pants. “Nope, not me. I have an excellent dresser. How about another glass of wine?”

“Sure. Are you ready for a second hand? I deal this time.” She batted her eyelashes. “Get ready to lose your devils.”

So-o-o, buying your favorite man some underwear can help the economy...and spark your interest in reading romance books. After writing this, I think it's time to buy my husband more boxers. Maybe I can be helpful and be part of the movement to spur the stock market upward.

Ladies everywhere...go buy your men undies and help the US economy!

http://www.mariannestephens.net
http://www.aprilash.net

photos:Flickr: p22earl, Arnololy35, and fordsbasement's photostreams

Book Titles...How Do You choose One for Your Book?

Titles of romance books are the first thing a reader sees...just how important is a title?

Can a title influence a potential buyer/reader? I'd say, "Absolutely!" If the title sounds boring, confusing, or just plain stupid, why would anyone want to read your book? Would you buy a book titled, Sorry We are Open...as the sign above mentions. Does it make sense to you?

Does the word "SEX" have to be in the title to entice readers? No. I feel that implying a message/inviting a reader to enter your world of promising romance through a catchy title is so-o-o important.

Some authors don't have the luxury of choosing a title...a publisher does that. You may think, "Okay...the publisher knows how to sell books." So, you accept their choice of title for your book; and perhaps it's an uneasy feeling for you.

I've chosen all my titles. One was a compromise...I'd wanted something different but the publisher felt there were other books out with the same title so we settled on a compromised title. Funny...it's the same book whose cover I had no input on...and the one book that makes me cringe every single time I look at the cover. Did the book "sell"? Yes...but not as many copies as I'd hoped. Perhaps it was the cover; perhaps it was the title. Perhaps it was a combination of both.

I look at the title, cover, then blurb. If the title sounds weird (and it's not a Sci Fi/paranormal/fantasy book), I'll think twice before buying that particular book.

Case in point: I have known one special romance author for years and I have nothing but the highest praise for her as an author and friend. However, I couldn't get motivated enough to buy one of her books. Why? The title.

Pregnesia.

That strange title made me frown; who would name a book that? Not the author. She had no say in the title. Honestly? Someone actually thought "Pregnesia" would intrigue readers and sell books?

Then again, maybe it did do just that...interest enough readers to buy her book. I just couldn't get beyond the strange/weird/ridiculous title.

How about The Pregnant Virgin (is this about the Virgin Mary at Christmas?)? HUH? Does this title make sense...or capture you curiosity? 

Most small publishers are more open to author title suggestions. And, self-publishing authors can do whatever they want.

But please...if you have input in naming your book, give it some quality thought. Name it with something to intrigue/entice readers.

Readers: what do you think about book titles? Do they help you choose a book?
Authors: can you voice your opinion about what your book should be titled? Are you happy with your titles?

http://www.mariannestephens.net
http://www.aprilash.net

photo: Flickr: wnstn's photostream

The "Pretty Face" on a Book Cover

I freely admit that I check a book cover first before buying a book. I look at the blurb and consider if the book sounds interesting. Excerpts and reviews fall far behind the first two things I do before purchasing a book.

Ugly/weird faces/people on covers would probably not entice me to check further and not even read the blurb.

 
A "pretty face" can apply to both heroes and heroines. Images have to be enticing, likeable. And sometimes, there are no faces. Perhaps it's a cover of a place or thing. Or, it's a faceless torso with rippling muscles. Or bodies intertwined in sensual positions.


Not all those mentioned above will catch my attention. I want a "hero/heroine" visual; something to take residence in my head as I read the blurb. I'm more likely to buy books with "bodies/body parts" on the covers as opposed to places or things.

I made a mistake with one of my book covers in NOT asking for people on the cover...and it's my favorite book! Street of Dreams should have shown the hero and heroine. Instead, I asked for a "street" scene...and I think killed my sales. It received a "4" from Romantic Times, but has had the fewest sales of all my books.

And, it's the only one without people/body parts on the cover.

To the other extreme: one book cover goes beyond what I'd wanted and shows too much "body". This can be a "turn-off" for some readers...it is for me. Although not happy with the cover, Sexy Games sold better that the one shown above with no people on it.





I'm happy with my other covers...all have people on them and perhaps you can't see faces, but you see "body parts".

What do you look for in a cover as a reader? What do you ask for as an author?

Marianne Stephens/April Ash
http://www.mariannestephens.net
http://www.aprilash.net

Photos: Flickr: !borghetti, Skate-in, Corruptkitten, and Lord Khan's photostreams.

"Mother Goose Day": Naughty Adult Rhymes!

Before I start, I've got some great news! "Strip Poker for Two", an erotic romance book by April Ash, tied for first place in the "Best Book Title Contest at: http://thebookboost.blogspot.com
Check my website for information about the book: http://www.aprilash.net.

Yep...It's the official "Mother Goose" Day! But this blog is NOT for kids!

Just the mention of "Mother Goose" brings back childhood memories of quirky tales I loved as a child...ones each generation imparts to the next. Do you have a favorite? Jack and Jill? Little Bo Peep?

Consider these rhymes as tales for adults by "tweaking" them...and you can come up with some naughty wording to fill a page!

Jack and Jill went up the hill
and lovemaking they did do
they did this every day they could
Now Jill will eat for two.


Jack be nimble
Jack be quick
Let's make it a threesome
So go call Rick.




Little Jack Horner sat in a corner
eating his Christmas pie
he spread some on me
and ate heartedly
and contentedly I did sigh.

Peter , Peter, pumpkin eater
had a wife and couldn't keep her
Made love to her every night
Never did she stray from sight.

Simple Simon met a callgirl
going to the fair
Said Simple Simon to the callgirl

Let me taste your ware.

Said the callgirl to Simple Simon
Show money and your dick
Said Simple Simon to the callgirl
No money but I'm quick!

So how many rhymes can you convert to naughty short tales that would make Mother Goose blush? Book idea: Madam Goose Tales for Naughty Adults!

Photos: Flickr: M.V.Jantzen, Max Sparber's photostreams.

http://www.mariannestephens.net
http://www.aprilash.net
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/romancebooksrus

Yes, You're Stuck with me on the 12th

Hello! Linda Kage here. I guess I get to bore—I mean, ENTERTAIN—you all on the twelve of every month. So, I’ll just introduce myself this first post to give you some fair warning about what you can expect from me every thirty days or so.

I love to read all sorts of romance: contemporary, suspense, historical, paranormal…you get the picture, right? If it’s a romance, I’ll devour it. But so far, I’ve only written mainstream contemporary romance.

My first book, The Stillburrow Crush, was released this February from The Wild Rose Press. It’s a contemporary Young Adult story, and strangely enough, the only YA book I’ve finished to date. The other three books I have coming out are all adult romance—not erotic but definitely on the steamy side (Oh yeah!).

The Trouble with Tomboys will be released in August from The Wild Rose Press. It’ll be available in both ebook and print. Then in November Champagne Books will release my third book, Hot Commodity. Hot Commodity will also be available in ebook and eventually print. And my fourth book, Delinquent Daddy, is currently being edited by The Wild Rose Press. They’ll probably release it sometime in 2011 (just a guess).

If you’d like to read more about any of my stories, please feel free to visit my website at www.LindaKage.com. I just love visitors!

Now, if I were a smart person, like Molly Daniels/Kenzie Michaels and Marianne Stephens/April Ash, I would’ve gotten myself a split personality and had two different pen names: one for my YA story and one for my adult work…but nope, I’ve never been accused of being a genius. So, there’s just little ol' me.

But, I digress. So onto my personal life…

I live in Kansas with my husband, daughter, and our nine cuckoo clocks (though we only run one clock at a time because, honestly who wants to wind nine cuckoo clocks every morning and evening—though technically, you don’t wind a cuckoo clock; you pull a string. Sorry, I’m not up-to-date on the correct cuckoo terminology on how to re-energize a cuckoo clock!) Anyway...

This February was a HUGE month for me because not only did my first book come out, but my first baby was born too! I know, WOW, right?

Seriously can’t believe my little Lydia Marie is already two months old. Before I know it, she’ll be walking, talking, and moving off to college. My writing time has greatly decreased since she’s been alive, but stories keep swimming around in my head, so I’m sure I’ll continue to use what spare time I can find to keep up on writing…or reading. I really miss reading as much as I used to read before she came along. But it’s still worth it. She’s been a blessing, an exhausting blessing, but a blessing nonetheless.

So, that’s the basics about me. It was nice to meet you all, and I’ll see you again next Twelfth!

WHY CHOCOLATE IS BETTER THAN SEX

Love is in the air as Valentine's Day is only two weeks away. Are you ready for love and romance? Whether it's with flowers, candy or some other special treat, enjoy the day with the one you love!
Photo: Flickr: toephotophotostream

 Below are 12 Reasons Why CHOCOLATE Is Better Than SEX:
from http://www.flowgo.com/funny/2099_chocolate-sex.html

12 Reasons Why CHOCOLATE
Is Better Than SEX!

1. You can have chocolate in front of your parents.

2. Nobody starts rumors about who you shared chocolate with.

3. People of the same sex can share chocolate without being called names.

4. The word "commitment" doesn't scare off chocolate.

5. Chocolate is satisfying even if it's gone soft.

6. No matter what kind of chocolate you like, it's legal.

7. You can have chocolate with a whole group of friends without being obscene.

8. If you have to pay for your chocolate, it's not too expensive.

9. Chocolate is just as attractive when you're sober.

10. A big piece of chocolate lasts longer, but even a small piece is satisfying.

11. You can have chocolate in the office without upsetting your co-workers.

12. It's easy to GET chocolate any time you want!!!

Do you agree? Now, I love chocolate and maybe sometimes it's just a wonderful, satisfying treat, but could anything replace sex in your life?

My romance books are all about love and sex, and none of my heroines would ever trade their heroes for chocolate...having both at the same time maybe, but not just chocolate without their men!
Visit www.mariannestephens.net for information about my mainstream romances. "Gone to the Dogs" is now available in print! "Anything You Can Do" releases 19 February from http://www.breathlesspress.com/.
VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSho7Mus4zo
Visit http://www.aprilash.net/ for information about my erotic romances.