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Monday, April 5, 2010

The Evolving Romance Heroine


I fondly remember snatching an hour to read while my sons were taking their naps. That's been many years ago and I admit that the memories have as much to do with my children as the virginal historical heroines being saved and the domineering males who finally admitted they couldn't imagine life without them.

These days our favorite heroines are smart enough to save themselves and the heroes they end up with are more apt to admire them for it than be perplexed. How much of this has developed because of our own satisfaction at figuring out our problems and having the freedom to do something about it? Reader expectations have changed since the days when many heroes were at least fifteen years older than the heroine and expected to guide said heroine into releasing her feminine power.

Today's heroine is also more apt to be ten years or older than the hero and has discovered her feminine power many years before finding him. And he's not complaining. Perhaps that's a change brought about by the evolving hero. When you think about it, these heroes are of an age to have been raised by women from a generation who believed they could do anything. And did.



Which leads me to my personal favorite, the kick-ass heroine. She can be a demon hunter, a vampire slayer or a cop. Or someone who doesn't know how powerful she truly is and ends up taking a heroes journey with a hero who is helping her.


How about you? What kind of heroine did you start out reading and enjoying and what kind of heroine do you prefer these days?

Hugs,
Paris
http://parisbrandon.com

Friday, April 2, 2010

Meet Annie Alvarez

Hello Everyone,
I'll be posting on the 2nd of the month and I wanted to introduce myself. I have several ebooks published with eXtasy Books. I'm currently working on the Hightower Series, a F/F vampire story and on a love story between a therapist and her client, soon to be released.

I've been preoccupied with the arrivalof my sister and her family. My 10 month old niece is the cutest baby, I've ever seen and smart. She already has everyone, including her parents wrapped around her finger. I'm extremely proud that she has the "Alvarez" gene in her.

My 11 year old nephew is adorable. I know. I know. If he hears me call him adorable, he'd have a cow! I won't tell, if you don't. LOL

The family is getting ready to depart tomorrow, April 2nd and I am sad to see them go, but I know that all good things must come to an end. My hopes are that I can convince them to move to Texas.

My nephew keeps saying, "people are nice here." I hope that's incentive. LOL
In the meantime, I haven't written a single letter or vowel. I am feeling deprived from my daily routine of writing, checking emails, and posting. *sigh*


I'm excited to be here and I can'T wait wait to share with you next month.

Cheers,
Annie

http://www.anniealvarez.net/
http://naughtylittlevamp.blogspot.com/

Thursday, April 1, 2010

A HUNK For My Easter Basket!

Before I begin and you get to see my "dream" Easter gift, please check out our new ROMANCE BOOKS R US Yahoo group at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/romancebooksrus
Lots of fun for readers, pre-pubbed, and authors! We also have some Romance sites, Yahoo Romance Groups, and an editor who've joined. I'm looking for more people/groups! NO SPAM! Contests are posted every Friday. Schedule and more information can be seen on the Home Page. Just click on the link above! APRIL is a special month for me...my birthday month...and I'm celebrating with lots of contest giveaways...but you have to join the Yahoo group to participate!

BLOG:


Where's that Easter Bunny? I've got a terrific suggestion about what I'd like to find in my Easter Basket this coming Sunday. I've been reminiscing about all those childhood years and what I dreamed about finding in my basket Easter morning. Now that I'm an adult, all that has changed. Well...some things will always be desired, but then...


Chocolate? Hmm. Sure. Lots of that. But that's not my great idea.Jelly Beans? Marshmallow chicks? Colored eggs? Uh...yeah. But I've gone beyond that line of thinking. And, I've bought a giant Easter basket for my treat...(and the Easter Bunny can leave the chocolate, marshmallow chicks and colored eggs, too!)


Now, here's a basket I think will be big enough to hold what I want. Of course, I'll have to decorate it with 
lots of pastel Easter type of stuff, but that won't take long! It's already kinda colorful, don't you think? Has the right colors for Easter...just needs some "grass" and ribbons! 
                                   What, you might ask, can fit into this that I could possibly ask for?
 Okay, so he's asking about going camping for an Easter holiday vacation, but that doesn't appeal to me. Other things...ahem...about him do. So I figure the Easter Bunny can put him and his attributes in that basket...keep the tattoos and lose the shirt covering his interesting "package"...and I'll come up with something to keep him busy. The shirt won't be needed...he'll be covered with all colors of Easter basket "grass", chocolate, jelly beans, marshmallow chicks... Hmm. I'll have to eat my way to find him, I guess. Sigh. Nothing but work, work, work. What hardships we sometimes have to face!
This is DEFINITELY not an Easter basket for kids!

Story idea: Heroine makes a wish for the Easter Bunny to leave her something "tall, dark, and handsome"...and she finds my basket and HUNK in her living room on Easter Sunday! What should she do? What would you do?
For more about my books and updates, visit http://www.mariannestephens.net and http://www.aprilash.net
"Anything You Can Do" available at http://www.breathlesspress.com
5 STAR, Reviewer Top Pick from Diana Coyle, Night Owl Romance!
And, it's in the top 7.5% best selling list of romantic comedies at:
http://www.allromanceebooks.com/category150_4.htmlPhotos: Flickr: carbonNYC, riptheskull,  inpastel's photostreams. Target.com. Rockshots.com







Friday, March 19, 2010

Secret Identities



Typically Overheard At Any Of My Signings:
"So who are you; Molly Daniels or Kenzie Michaels? And why two pen names?"

"Molly writes Young Adult Smut for ages twelve and up, while Kenzie writes Adult Smut, for strictly the eighteen and older set."


Call it Erotic Romance, Adult Smut, or Adult Contemporary Romance...I discovered twenty-five years ago I prefer to write more of an accurate account of what happens in the bedroom. Part of it was curiosity; I'd devoured Jean M Aul's book, The Valley of the Horses, and constantly reread the 'Passage of Womanhood' rites performed by Jondalar. So when I began writing my first romance story, I drew upon my own experiences, plus the 'true confessions' of friends and roommates as we discovered more about the opposite sex.

Molly's Arbor University Tales, self-pubbed in 2002 and 2007 (Love Is Sober and Love Finds A Way), reflects college life in the 1980's, and have since discovered it's more accurately in the Women's Fiction genre.

When I joined the online community in 2007, and discovered the erotic romance books, I began reading a few and communicating with a few authors. And was challenged to see if I could step up my heat level. I wrote Teacher's Pet (coming soon from Freya's Bower...I'm awaiting edits!) during NaNoWriMo, and discovered my new blogmates had indeed 'corrupted' me, hahaha:) I also decided my teenage readers had no business being exposed to my new stuff, so I invented Kenzie in 2008 and kept writing.

My first Kenzie book, All She Ever Wanted, was accepted by Freya's Bower, first in November 2008 on a conditional basis to add more to the plot, and then fully in January 2009. It was released last May and in August went to number #3 on the Ebookwise site. I finally worked up the nerve to submit the steamier and longer Teacher's Pet, but it got lost in cyberspace and I ended up subbing it again last fall.

My goal this year is to have two or three releases; two Kenzie and one Molly, or one of each. I debated keeping Kenzie a secret, but decided against it. I did create a blog for Kenzie, and blog at least once a week over there, mainly tracking her progress. And she has her own page on my website, as soon as it is up and running. I had to cancel my web hosting last year, due to the graphics not being seen. My temporary site is here.

After all, if Marianne/April can have a successful 'split-personality', why can't I?

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Introduction time, I guess























This will be short as I hate talking about myself. I know, wrong attitude for a blogger and author, but I'd rather read about other people. I'm an writer, with a eight book series called Garland of Druids published by Cerridwen Press, and three more in a new series called Songs of the Mages. Have one more mage story scheduled for May. Plus the book of my heart, a loooong historical called the Third Rose to come out next month at Red Rose Publishing. Also three more mage stories and another historical in the works for later this year.

So I'm busy, busy, busy, and love it. Always wanted to have time to write and finally did when my DH and I became empty nesters. Here's an excerpt from Jennivere's Journey which came out the end of February. My stuff is sensual, very much so, but not quite erotic.

“I can’t wait any longer,” he muttered, as he took her in his arms and kissed her with all the passion he’d rigorously kept at bay. Only his stern determination had kept him from showing his desire even in the midst of their most heated dinner discussion. He’d known all along he was merely marking time. Waiting until he could get her alone, away from servants and any other distraction and taste the feast of those luscious lips.

She stiffened at first but he held her to him, lost to anything but persuading her with his kisses how much he cherished her. Then suddenly, just as before, she seemed to melt in his arms. She threw her arms around his neck and matched his kisses with her own.

Even in the midst of his passion he realized anew she didn’t kiss with expertise. All the better. A kiss from Jenny meant more than he’d ever expected.

He picked her up and carried her to the nearby couch, placing her on his lap so he could more easily caress her. He sat for a minute in awe, looking at her perfect and expressive features. Every emotion seemed to show as she lay in his arms. Then he suddenly realized that behind the eagerness she looked as frightened as a rabbit with its hind leg in a trap.

She wasn’t ready for where he longed to take her.

He held her, keeping his arms loose around her so he’d not frighten her.

She’d begun to fill his thoughts and dreams but now as he held her his main emotion was fear of alienating her. He lowered his mouth to hers, kissing her almost gently.

She didn’t respond as much as when he’d first kissed her and he stopped, raising his head and looking into her eyes.

“I won’t hurt you Jenny. I won’t do anything you don’t want. For now I just want to bring you pleasure. Let me show you a little of how I feel.”

She suddenly sat bolt upright and then jumped to her feet.

“No, no, this is wrong of me. So wrong.”

She turned and ran. Leaving him with trousers stretched so tightly he wondered how he could walk from the house. Certainly not by thinking about how she’d started to respond to him and how even her slight response affected him beyond any other woman’s practiced touch. He forced himself to walk to the window, where he stood staring out at the dark garden. Desperately trying to think of his latest book, his first book, anything but Jenny.

He finally was able to collect himself and quietly let himself from the house.

At least she hadn’t said it was wrong of him.

Very glad to be blogging at this group. Do go to my website at www.jeanhartstewart.com to see all the pretty covers and read excerpts...

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Hi, I'm Tina


Greetings, all - I'm author Tina Donahue. I write contemporary, historical and erotic romance. I've received awesome reviews from Booklist, Publisher's Weekly, Romantic Times and various online review sites.


My newest release Lush Velvet Nights will be released shortly (early April, I hope!). Here's a brief blurb (no cover yet, sorry, but will post as soon as I get it)


Lush Velvet Nights


When wanton desires & love demand all. . .


During the day, Adriana's a lonely corporate heiress, helming the supermarket empire she inherited from her father. At night, she finds the closeness she craves by hiring escorts and scripting provocative fantasies of kidnapping, lust, submission and endless longing. It's all she has to excite and comfort her until Nathan Wynn enters her life.


Tall, blond and muscular - like a modern day Viking - Nathan's a labor relation's attorney negotiating the contract for Adriana's union employees. His imposing presence intensifies her yearning and basest desires. When he protects her from an escort he mistakenly believes is an attacker, she knows he's everything she thought - dominant and unrestrained.


Fascinated by Adriana's underlying sensuality, Nathan brings her to his secluded mountain estate intent on having her submit fully to his hunger. . .no other man's. At a gentleman's club, he makes certain she denies him nothing. Engaging in a seductive sexual journey where anything can happen and does, Nathan's caught off-guard by his stunning need for Adriana. An attraction he fears because of past events in his life. A growing emotional connection she will not let him deny.


And I currently have Deep, Dark, Delicious out. It was nominated for Book of the Week at Whipped Cream Reviews. Here's the blurb for it.
Deep, Dark, Delicious
A wickedly sensual feast. . .
Eden DeCarlo may have narrowly lost Miami's best chef competition and the prize money she desperately needs, but she has caught the eye of dangerously virile Rafael Zayas, one of the judges and a wealthy restaurateur. Despite her vow not to let any man derail her life, Eden's captivated by Rafe's imposing masculinity, then challenged by the business deal he offers. He'll invest in her new venture if, for one month, she can satisfy his culinary expectations and the sexual attraction they both feel. Dominant and unashamed, Rafe knows what he wants when it comes to carnal pleasure and will spare no seduction to have Eden in all the ways he demands - naked, wanting, submissive. Within thirty days, he will teach her the delights of yielding to passion, relinquishing all control to him and fulfilling her deepest, darkest and most delicious desires.







Monday, March 15, 2010

So, I get the 15th...

Hi! My name is Fran Lee.

Not sure whether we are getting started now, or when, but, hey...I will simply take this opportunity to introduce myself here so next 15th, you'll know who I am.

I write erotic romance for Ellora's Cave Publishing, and Resplendence Publishing. So far, I have nine books out...six with EC, and three with Resplendence. My most recent book in e-book form is shown here, and the anthology piece I wrote back in November for Resplendence just came out a week ago in print as part of the Carnal Reunions Anthology.

My website is at: http://www.franleeromance.com

I have several blogsites, and pages on Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace.

You can find all of my books listed on my website. You can contact me through my contact page on my website, too, if you have questions.

Happy to be here. You'll be meeting some fabulous authors here.

Fran Lee
http://www.franleeromance.com

Here is the cover trailer for
A Brief Moment of Pleasure



Monday, March 1, 2010

Newest Release: "Anything You Can Do"

Before I begin to tell you about my book, here's some information about TWO BIG CONTESTS I'm running to celebrate the release of "Anything You Can Do". Two lucky winners will receive lots of prizes...one winner will get prizes valued at $25! Visit http://www.mariannestephens.net for details!
 Contest runs until 31 March!
  Women always seem to be on the side of defending their position of "I can do whatever a man can do". In my latest book, the opposite is true.

"Anything You Can Do" is now available at: http://www.breathlesspress.com.
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSho7Mus4zo I got the inspiration for this book after listening to the song "Anything You Can Do" from the musical "Annie Get Your Gun" (Annie Oakley vs. Frank Butler). Love story where Annie had to prove she "could do anything Frank could do"...and still won his love.


 For my book, think: Hunky CEO vs. kids in childcare for a week, all for a dare to prove he can do anything the tantalizing daycare owner can do. This time, a man has to defend his capabilities. Childcare clueless Jeff Ryan hasn't any idea what's in store for him when he accepts the challenge from the daycare's owner, Allison Minetti. He figures he can "babysit" with her and get to know her better. If he wins, she'll spend a pleasant weekend with him.

Allison desperately needs funding from Jeff's company to keep her business running. Offering him a partnership in Ryan's Rugrats seems like a reasonable request to her, especially since all her clients work for his company. Irritated when he calls what she does "babysitting", she issues her dare. If he loses, he'll consider her financial needs. Deep down inside, he's sparked her interest and spending time with him would be an added bonus.

Things don't go as smoothly as Jeff hopes, and he questions his sanity in accepting her dare as the week begins. But, decreased numbers in childcare attendance during the latter part of the week eases his time working with Allison, and he wins their bet.

Allison welcomes their weekend together, and the chance to explore their passion for each other. After watching him interact with the kids all week, she figures  he'll still consider her request. But, someone's interference in their challenge leads to loss of trust, heartache and a rift in their relationship. Can they find a way to clear up the confusion and salvage their love for each other?

Excerpts available at my website. Visit: http://www.mariannestephens.net for information about all my contemporary/paranormal romance books.
Visit: http://www.aprilash.net for information about all my erotic romance books.

Monday, February 1, 2010

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.

Friday, January 1, 2010

New Year, New Resolutions

Photo: ori2uru'sphotostream/Flickr

Happy New Year! May this year be a wonderful one for you!

I love champagne, but usually only drink it on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Those bubbles are wonderful and adding a berry somehow makes it taste so delicious!

I'm not doing the standard New Year's Resolutions this year as I've opted for a more "down to earth" approach. Losing weight and exercising more just gets boring! I want to focus on different things for a better upcoming year!

1. Finish my surgeries. Yes, I have ONE more to go (and this SHOULD be the last one). When the nurses and cleaning people on the hospital floor know you by name, you've been there too many times!


2. Read a classic book, not necessarily a romance. I can't remember the last time I read a classic like "To Kill a Mockingbird".

3. Go to a movie theater. It's so easy to sit at home and watch a movie on TV, but I need to get out and go!

4. Get more sleep. I'm usually up late at night because it's the only time people don't "need" me for something. Then, I get up early. Raccoon eyes aren't attractive. More sleep is needed so I should go to bed earlier or get up later...or, take a nap during the day.

5. Try new restaurants. Yeah, we all have our favorites, but how many good places have I missed because I've gotten into the same "Let's go here...it's my favorite" rut?

6. Learn to say no. I have a horrible time doing this. Everyone around me seems so "needy" that I usually cave in and "help". Then, my time is shot to hell. As an organizer, I'm programmed to "fix" everyone so their lives run smoothly. Guess what? People still screw up no matter what my "suggestions" are. Saying "Figure it out. Sorry I can't help" should be my mantra.

7. Write names on the back of old photos before no one can tell me who they are. As a baby boomer, I have to rely on my mother for the names of unfamiliar faces in photo albums. I need names and hopefully some dates so I'll have these family memories to pass on.

8. Spend more time with older relatives to record our family stories. My mother is one of two remaining siblings out of ten. My uncle has Alzheimer's. Only she can now recall stories of the past and I want to record them all. She's now 86. How much longer can I put this off?

9. REALLY de-clutter my home. I've got tons of stuff, some from my kids, still lurking in my basement. I need to go through, room by room, and decide to get rid of stuff I haven't used in the last two years. I'll say goodbye to unused items/those I no longer use at all.

10. Say "please" and "thank you" more often. I've gotten into the habit of expecting things to be done and forget the pleasant feeling I can give someone with a simple "thank you". Saying "please" will make my request seem less like a command. I take people and what they do for me for granted, and forget the good manners I was taught as a child.

Happy New Year!
Marianne/April
www.mariannestephens.net
www.aprilash.net

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