Blogging Today at Sugarbeats Books!

I'm blogging today at Sugarbeatsbooks about writing what you know and experience.  Hope you'll stop by and leave a comment. I'll be giving away a free e-book to the best commenter, and you're welcome to leave more than one. Thanks! http://sugarbeatsbooks.com/2012/03/10/guest-post-with-gail-deyoung-author-of-decadent-delights/

The Challenge of Being Yourself

I’m sitting here listening to Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” while writing this article. Every time she sings “I’m on the edge of glory…”, it reminds me that there are things I have wanted to try, but never have, either because of fear of failure, or because someone told me not to do it. I wonder how many others have failed to follow through with an idea because it did not conform to the “tried and true” method.

Then I consider Lady Gaga. She certainly doesn’t conform to any norm. She’s always herself, many times shocking. Honestly, how many people would wear an outfit made out of meat strips? But her uniqueness doesn’t stop her from being successful. Instead, it gains her attention and that in turn, sells her songs. She is a great example of the saying, “if you never try, you’ll never know if you can succeed.”

This year, I’ve decided to step out of my comfort zone. In addition to the two erotica stories that I now have in the works, I’m also going to follow my gut and write some stories that have been swirling around in my brain. These, too, are romances, but the focus is not going to be so much on their sexual relationship, but rather how the two face challenges that will make them and their relationship stronger.   

In a world where many of us deal with the challenge of how to survive on a daily basis, I feel we need the courage to face our fears and never be afraid to try something new. I’m hoping these stories will foster that belief and encourage those who need a little boost. Yes, it is scary, like standing on the edge of a cliff and looking down. Do we take that leap of faith and step off, praying that the winds will carry us gently to our destination, or do we, with fear and trepidation, step back from the edge, which might have led to glory?

I hope you’ll join me on this journey. Perhaps we’ll all discover something wonderful about ourselves. This edge gives us a new perspective. Let’s embrace it and go forth with a positive attitude and the hope that a bright future awaits us all.

Sex and Chocolate

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, I felt a reprint of this article would be appropriate, especially since the holiday  mentioned in my story is Valentine's Day. The original article was posted on Tina Donahue's blog last September when "Decadent Delights" released. Enjoy!

__________________

Sex and chocolate…

What is this relationship between chocolate and sex that we hear so much about? I read that Italian researchers discovered there is a connection between female sexuality and chocolate. The more we eat, the better our sex life. It’s an aphrodisiac that increases arousal and satisfaction from sex. Chocolate contains tryptophan that our brains transform into serotonin. High enough levels of serotonin will release endorphins, and we all know what endorphins do – they make us happy. Hence, chocolate + sex = happiness. That works for me!

I LOVE CHOCOLATE! Heck, I’ve been a chocolate addict since…okay, almost since birth. I dream about chocolate. I can smell chocolate a mile away, I’ve decorated my house in the shade of milk chocolate, and my cats are even “Chocolate Point Siamese”. So, naturally I had to write a story about it — “Decadent Delights”.

Now, I have to tell you a secret. See this girl? She makes chocolate look sexy, doesn’t she? Well, sometimes it’s not all that easy. You see, I have a confession to make. I tried this once on a friend, but it didn’t work out exactly as I planned it.

He fell backwards and his hit head on the floor while I was licking the chocolate from his chest. In retrospect, I should have laid him down on the bed first, especially since I had tied his hands and feet with silk ties. What can I say? It was during my experimental phase. He was initially excited about participating in the game, well, at least until he got hurt…that kinda spoiled the fun. I just thought I’d share that with you in case you had any ideas.

Another thing I learned about chocolate and sex—first, you should really put something down underneath the person who has chocolate on them because frankly, it’s pretty messy. And if you add marshmallow cream, well, can anyone say sticky mess? Your partner should be a good sport so you can laugh about it as you’re cleaning up. Oh, and it always helps to be clean-shaven, if you get my drift.

Now, this may sound funny to you, but, hey this is serious stuff. I discovered a book on Amazon called, “101 Chocolate Sex Positions: With An Ultimate Safe Sex Guide For Guaranteed Satisfaction At Any Age and Shape” by Dr. Christine Evans and Dr. David Usher. See. I wasn’t the first to think of this. Perhaps if I had bought their book, I might not have made such a huge mistake, and that guy and I might still be dating!

Of course, in “Decadent Delights”, I make the chocolate experience fun. I don’t refer to the problems mentioned above. My heroine, Dana, is quite the expert when it comes to fashioning erotic confections. She’s got a great way to advertise her products, which turns the hero on. Although she doesn’t make chocolate bars that look like this, she does fashion statutes of chocolate body parts.

You can read a portion of the first chapter of “Decadent Delights” on my website, www.gaildeyoung.com  or at Ellora’s Cave. I hope you’ll indulge. It was a fun story to write with lots of sweets and innuendos.

Here’s the hot cover of the book and the blurb:

Chocolate and sex—two of life’s most decadent pleasures—are the marketing tools Dana Evans uses to lure customers to her erotic candy store. Her sexy dancing gets her customers hot and bothered for her confections and Trevor Stanton, owner of Trevor’s Treasures, realizes he’d rather be on her side than competing against her. He pursues her with wit, charm and an offer to model nude for one of her statues.

Dana can’t believe her luck when she discovers the hunky ex-model has an identical twin brother. Little does she know that her strong attraction to Trevor will cause conflict between the two brothers, especially because she wants both of them to model nude for her.

When the competition gets hot, Dana is caught in the middle. What’s a girl to do?

I hope your Valentine's Day is sweet and that you receive lots of chocolate. Because you never know what that might lead to... :)

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

W.I.P.

As I sit here contemplating a hot, steamy scene for my current W.I.P. (work in process), I wonder how many other authors are sitting at their computer right now doing the same thing…well, not necessarily writing a hot, steamy scene, but just involved in writing their current W.I.P.  It’s a good feeling knowing that I actually have a story “in process”, not just an idea bouncing around in my head, or a plot that is in the formative stage. When I say I have a W.I.P. , it means I’m actually writing the story and will have something concrete to submit to my editor in the near future (which will bring a big sigh of relief).

I promised to write this book for a series called 1-800-DOM-help almost a year ago, though I did mention to the group that I was still working on “Decadent Delights” and handling all the details of my daughter’s upcoming wedding, so I wouldn’t be able to do it right away. There are sixteen authors in the group and they assured me that there were plenty of stories to keep the series going, so I could take my time.  At this point, ten books have been published, which -- for the most part -- have received rave reviews (no pressure here). With my daughter’s wedding behind me, I can focus on fulfilling that promise. I can’t wait!

Now that I’m involved in the actual writing phase, the story seems to be flowing quite well and I’m rooting for my characters to resolve their problems and fall in love. Some authors need an outline for their plot, but that doesn’t really work for me. It’s too confining, especially when my characters take over and tell the story the way they want to do it. I know when they’re ready to begin because they start having conversations in my head while I’m taking a shower or doing the dishes. I get the urge to sit down right then and capture what they said before it becomes a faint memory. If I’m lucky, inspiration hits when I’m at home and not at work, where I wouldn’t be able to work on it.  Soon, bits and pieces of the story coalesce and before I know it, an entire scene is written, then another and another. Page after page flies by as the story comes together. Eventually, I type those wonderful two words…The End.  Ah, wouldn’t it be lovely if I could just hand the book in for publishing at that point?

But NO! Never! When I get to that stage, the hardest part lies ahead. I may have put in many hours getting to that point, but the story is still a diamond in the rough. Only a few of my best friends will have the honor of reading it because I value their critique, and know I’m far from finished. It takes a fresh set of eyes to look at the manuscript and point out the flaws, i.e., the holes in the story, incongruities, etc.  Once those are worked out, there are still other elements that have to be reviewed, from proofreading for typos, to misspelled words, punctuation, formatting, names, places and times, and a myriad of other important things. This all takes time, but it’s worth it because then the editing process moves along much quicker and smoother.

So, I sit here with a smile on my face, despite the hurdles I have yet to encounter, because I know that when this story is finally ready for public consumption, I will have produced the best book I can for my reader’s enjoyment – and that’s the bottom line. The reader is the most important element in my stories, for without them, I wouldn’t have a W.I.P.  Yes, it’s a "work in process", and I love it.   

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Kaily Hart Has Kidnapped My Blog!

My Blog sure is getting steamy today hope it's not too "hot" for you~! Please welcome our very special guest is Kaily Hart :)

Writing the ‘Hottie’


So…as a writer of hot and steamy romance it’s pretty much a given my heroes are hot hunks AKA “hotties”. I mean, the reader has to fall at least a little in love with the hero to really believe the heroine would fall madly in lust and then love with the guy for all eternity. Right? Of course, in romance, having a hero that’s a hottie means more than a pair of strong arms, lickable abs and an impressive…*cough*…you know. Although my heroes always have impressive ‘assets’ in that department of course LOL. There are other, non-physical, less tangible qualities that make a guy truly a hottie for me, which is probably why I rarely drool over a celebrity or even most pictures of guys I see, shirtless or not. Sure, I can appreciate the scenery, but I don’t know them, I don’t know who they are. I know this is going to sound corny, but I don’t know if they’re honorable, if they have integrity, if they’re respectful to women, if they’re strong, protective, if they’re a man of their word, because it’s these things combined together that great the “wow” hero for me and is the kind of hero I like to write. Of course, if you’ve read any of my books you’ll know my heroes aren’t perfect. Far from it. These qualities are all there, somewhere, deep down, when it really counts, but at first it might not be totally evident. I love to play the edge of “redeemability” with my heroes as well, although you can be sure he really is a good guy at the end of the day.

Case in point - I saw a gorgeous, ripped guy in the line in front of me at Starbucks the other day. He had on jeans and a simple, dark t-shirt. You could just make out the muscles of his biceps peaking out the sleeves, there was a hint of ink, he hadn’t shaved in a day or two and his hair had that slightly messed look. He was hard and lean and deliciously scruffy, a look not all guys can pull off. As a writer, I tend to notice details and I sure loved noticing his details as I filed away his entire appearance for later use J. He was HOT to look at that’s for sure, but do you know what the hottest thing about him was and why he stayed in my mind long after? When he ordered his drink he was so polite and courteous, so respectful of the clearly stressed woman behind the counter, I could have melted right then and there. There’s nothing hotter than a guy who looks like that, sounds like that (‘cause he had a voice to die for as well) and can still do something as simple as use good manners. And I could tell he made the baristas day.

Being a hottie is so much more than just good looks. This is one of the reasons I don’t spend a great deal of time on physical descriptions in my books. It’s sort of not as important as a heroes’ actions, his words, the way he interacts with the heroine, the way she makes him feel, how she makes him see himself and (sigh…) what lengths he’ll go to for her. And of course, I like the reader to use their own imagination to some degree to build a visual picture of the character, particularly the hero, because it has to be someone the heroine would be attracted to, someone the reader would believe the heroine would be attracted to and yeah…someone the reader would probably be attracted to J.

During this post I went searching for some pics of guys I consider “hot” and came up kinda empty. Sure, there were a lot of beautiful pictures of the male form but there are very few guys out there that have the entire package in my opinion. Maybe that’s why I write fiction? I can make up the dream guy, book after book LOL. In the end I went with one of the hottest pictures I’ve seen in awhile. I think it’s a combination of the obviously fit and healthy and gorgeous male, but there’s a story to the picture and the pose too. One of male relaxation, of confidence, of ‘who cares’ that I think I like as well. I sure do love a guy with attitude J.

So…tell me, what do you think makes a guy hot, a guy truly a “hottie”? I’ll pick a random commenter to receive their choice of an ebook from my backlist!



About Kaily

Kaily Hart, a seemingly straight-laced mother of four left corporate America and a high-powered, lucrative career to be a stay at home mom. Ha! That lasted about four weeks, during which time she realized she had a deeply repressed dream —to write. And romance at that! By day, Kaily plays conservative wife and soccer mom, but at night crafts hot and steamy tales of romance and love with gorgeous heroes who wouldn’t dream of leaving the toilet set up. Ever. She’s smart and sassy, at least in her own mind, and is trying her best to bring the alpha male solidly back to contemporary romance, one hot story at a time. Two years ago she never would have thought she’d be doing this, but now that she is? Well, you couldn’t pay her enough to do anything else.


Kaily’s books, PICTURE THIS, PAY UP, PLAY ME & POINT BLANK (yes, she has a thing for book titles that start with ‘P’), are all currently available from Ellora’s Cave and all other ebook outlets.

If anyone would want to contact me (which I would love by the way) or just keep up with what I’m doing, you can find me all over:

Web – www.kailyhart.com

Blog - http://kailyhart.blogspot.com/

Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/kaily.hart

Twitter - http://twitter.com/kailyhart





















It's the New Year - Now What?

As I sit here contemplating my New Year’s resolutions, I chuckle about something my daughter told me a couple of years ago when she was 21. She had dated several young men around her age, but had broken up with them shortly thereafter. When I asked her why the relationships hadn’t lasted she said, “Mom, I asked them what their five-year plan was, and they didn’t have one.” I laughed and told her, “Sweetheart, what did you expect? You’re dealing with 21 year-old boys, and they only have two things on their mind – getting drunk and getting laid, and not necessarily in that order.”

I must admit that I was quite impressed with her level of maturity. I wasn’t going to tell her that I didn’t have a five-year plan at that point, either! After all, it’s hard enough to know what you’re going to do in the next 365 days, let alone five years down the road. But she’s right -- having a five-year plan is a good idea, because if you set an attainable goal within five years, every decision you make along the way will take that future achievement into account. You’re more than likely to get it because you focused on it.

Two years ago, I decided I wanted to lose weight. The pounds had crept up on me in my sleep, and one day my clothes no longer fit me (I have the broken zippers and holes in my shirts to prove it). Knowing that it was wise not to try to go “cold turkey” all at once (because “diet” is a dirty word to me), I set reasonable goals for each year. I am proud to say that I have now lost twenty pounds in the last two years. I am aiming for another ten this year. Making slow and steady progress works for me. I am now receiving compliments from people who haven’t seen me in a while and their comments reinforce my belief that it is possible to do anything if you put your mind to it.

Five years ago, my first story was accepted for publication. I can’t tell you how long I dreamed about that becoming a reality. Now, five years later, I have five books published and am working on more. Last year, I had hoped to produce second book, but my daughter’s wedding took precedence. The wedding was beautiful and well worth the investment of time and effort. But now that we have that special occasion behind us, I can focus once more on my goals. In 2012, I’m aiming for at least two books.

Also, on my New Year’s resolution list this year, I will put: “make a new five-year plan”. I did pretty well on my last one. Hopefully, I’ll have even better success with this one.

I wish you a lot of luck in 2012 and that you will be successful with your resolutions.

Happy New Year!

Christmas Contest Winners!

We are pleased to announce the winners of our "Christmas Contest."

Barb Kettler - Amazon gift cert


Patsy Hagen - candy

Mina Gerhart - Chico's gift certificate


Thank you  everyone for participating and please come back often for the next contest. :) on web page and blog

Scent-sational !

The other day, I drove by a tent filled with live Christmas trees and without even setting foot inside, I recalled the wonderful scent of fresh-cut pine trees. I couldn’t resist the urge to immerse myself in the ambiance created by those trees, so I parked my car and wandered down the aisles, inhaling the scent that reminded me of the upcoming holiday. In my mind, I was suddenly transported to Christmas Day, and my mouth watered at the thought of roast turkey, candied yams, corn pudding and gingerbread cookies. I could hardly wait for the party to begin. How I love getting together with family and friends at this time of year!

Isn’t it amazing how easily scents bring back memories? Just smelling chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven is enough to make me salivate. The scent triggers an automatic reflex and I can’t wait to sink my teeth into them, especially when they’re still warm and soft straight from the oven. I get a glass of ice cold milk ready for the moment they’re done, just like I did when Mom went on a baking spree. Fresh hazelnut coffee has the same effect on me because of the wonderful aroma of the beans as they’re brewing. But food is only one of the many scents that can set off an emotional response.

Think of baby powder and what comes to mind? A baby, squeaky clean from a bath. Is there any smell more wonderful than a baby wrapped in a fluffy towel? Then there are roses. Inhaling the scent brings back memories of being a teenage girl receiving a boutonniere from a boy taking me to my first prom! When I smell fresh-cut grass, it reminds me of my childhood, when on warm, summer days, I would sit inside the house with the windows open, and listen to my father running the lawnmower in the back yard. The wind would capture the scent and carry it to me.  If I didn’t know better, I’d think there was something magical about scents. Fragrance manufacturers know quite well how we respond to sensory stimulus, and take full advantage of our sense of smell.  I’ll bet you can recall your favorite perfume or cologne right now even if you’re not wearing it at the moment.

Because we’re so accustomed to our sense of smell, we take it for granted. But imagine not having it. Wouldn’t life be duller? Perhaps even less enjoyable? I believe the same holds true of a story that doesn’t take advantage of our sense of smell.  We don’t have to have the item in front of us to know what it smells like, because our memories are so great about recalling them. Whether the scent evokes a pleasant memory or one that is nasty (spoiled garbage, for instance), we still react to the image. That is why I try as often as possible to mention a scent in my stories. I think it adds a bit of spice to the story. I hope you agree.

Here’s wishing you and yours delightful, scent-sational holidays!  

       

Coming Soon - Kaily Hart

Website of Kaily Hart

Kaily Hart Blog

Kaily Hart on Facebook

Kaily Hart on Twitter

I'd love to hear from you, whether you have comments on my books, a question or just want to say hi! Please stop by my blog or send me an email at the below address:


kaily@kailyhart.com

Books:



Available Now:

Point Blank

Warning: This story contains one hot & hungry bad boy who has waited a long time for a chance at the one woman he could never forget. Now he just has to convince her he wants it--and her--for good.

Available Now:

Play Me

Warning: This story contains one hot, leanly muscled bad boy. He thinks he wants it hard, fast and rough--until he gets his hands on Lily and then everything changes.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available Now


Pay Up

Warning: This story contains a hot, ripped firefighter with wild and wicked thoughts about his next door neighbor. The excerpt contains noisy sex, a mention of toys and one frustrated heroine.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available now!


Picture This

Warning: This story contains a disgruntled alpha male with crude thoughts, bad language and a hot bod. I so enjoyed writing the hero, Sam Steele. He's arrogant and too used to getting what he wants, when he wants it and how it he wants it, especially when it comes to women. And sex. Until he meets Jillian, of course. Enjoy!

Marilyn Campbell Hijacked My Blog Today!

REMEMBERING MY FIRST TIME

(getting published, that is)

Once upon a time, long, long ago, I fantasized about being taken aboard the Starship Enterprise by Captain James T. Kirk and being the one female in all the Universe he couldn’t leave behind. Since I couldn’t turn that fantasy into reality, I decided to write a science fiction tale that allowed the hero and a lucky Earth girl (namely me) to have a happily ever after. Unfortunately, the publishers back then believed crossing genres was completely out of the question.

Sometime around my 70^th rejection letter, I attended a Florida Romance Writers conference, where every editor and agent I approached confirmed the futility of writing the stories I wanted to tell. Thus, no longer caring what they thought of my mental stability, I attended a cocktail party and freely regaled the crowd with some off-color police stories. (Oh, it might help if you knew I was married to a Miami-Dade cop for a couple decades.) At the end of one anecdote, a young woman declared, “I want that book! When can you get it to me?” She was a Harlequin editor who thought I was relating an opening scene rather than an actual event. Although I had never read a category romance let alone considered writing one, I paused only a moment before replying, “In four weeks.” Although it wasn’t exactly Captain Kirk and the Enterprise, I figured this stranger was still offering me a shot at the stars.

Because of that unexpected opportunity, the anecdote became the opening scene in DAYDREAMS, my first published novel.  It was released in 1991 (yep, you read that right), under the pseudonym Marina Palmieri (my Sicilian grandmother’s name), because back then, publishers often included a clause in the contract whereby they legally owned the author’s name, even if it was her true name. Also way back then, I handwrote my manuscripts then typed them on a correcting Selectric typewriter. Adding one paragraph meant retyping a whole chapter. My first personal computer, a Commodore 64, was still a few years away (I was a bit of a holdout). Cell phones and the world wide web were in their infancy and I did research using a set of encyclopedias.

Well, I’m sure you are all aware of just how much technology has changed since then. So you can imagine how very excited I am to announce that, after substantial revisions and updating—technology is not the only thing that's changed—DAYDREAMS is now available in e-book at www.belgravehouse.com and most major e-tailers.

I think the new cover image perfectly depicts the tone of this contemporary romantic comedy about a yummy Miami cop with a penchant for daydreaming and a feisty housekeeper with a grounded agenda that leaves no room for a man in her life.

Blurb:  From the day he mistook Kathy Alvarez for a burglar, Officer Jake Slaughter’s daydreams focused on making her his wife. But Kathy’s marital experience convinced her to never give another man control over her or her child, no matter how sexy or considerate he is. Convincing Kathy to change her mind takes every seduction skill Jake has…and one he has yet to learn.

Tripling my delight, also re-released in e-book this month are PRETTY MAIDS IN A ROW and SEE HOW THEY RUN, the two sexy thrillers that put my name on bestseller lists fifteen years ago.

I always enjoy hearing from readers and invite you to visit my website to check out some of the other things I've done.

MARILYN CAMPBELL

www.marilyncampbelll.com

Facebook: AuthorMarilynCampbell

Twitter: MarilynCampbel3

For excerpts and buy-links, please visit my Amazon Author Page:

 http://www.amazon.com/Marilyn-Campbell/e/B000APBB2G/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

Catch Marilyn Campbell Blogging Here - Thursday December 1st!

Marilyn Campbell
http://www.marilyncampbell.com/
http://facebook.com/AuthorMarilynCampbell
http://twitter.com/MarilynCampbel3
http://passionatereads.com/.
e-books available at Amazon, Barnes&Noble, Fictionwise, All Romance Ebooks, Goodreads, Ellora's Cave, Belgrave House

True Love Does Exist

This weekend I witnessed the most beautiful confirmation that true love does exist. You see, my daughter got married to the man she has been dating for three years. As they stood at the altar facing one another, there was a radiant look on their faces. David had forgotten to bring his written vows, so he spoke from the heart, telling Kari what made her so special and how happy he was to become her husband. She smiled broadly while the rest of us wept at the tender, heartfelt words he expressed.  Kari then read her vows, telling him that he was the one she was searching for, the perfect man she had always dreamed she’d find. The sincerity of every word they spoke was evident.

The aura of happiness around these two told everyone of their deep, abiding love for one another. We could tell it in the way they glanced at one another, as though a secret message was being passed between them. It was in the bright smiles that light up their whole face when they looked at one another. Most of all, their body language showed that something very special was going on. Yes, their spoken words conveyed their thoughts, but even if we hadn’t heard them, we still would have known how dearly they care for each other.

Kari was excited and nervous about the “first sight” – the moment when David would see her dressed in her wedding gown for the first time. David said he felt a little faint when he laid eyes on her. She was even more beautiful than he had envisioned. I wasn’t there, but those who were at the waterfall where they had chosen to do it said the look on his face was priceless.

In a world of fake reality shows where multi-million dollar weddings end up in divorce shortly thereafter, a love like Kari and David’s is a breath of fresh air. No one can fake a love like theirs. It reinforces my belief that if you find your perfect partner, true love does exist. It was a wonderful, touching ceremony, one that will remain in my mind and heart for years to come.  

We have our winners!!!!

And the winners of the "Decadent Delights Chocolate Giveaway" contest are as follows:


Tammy January -- Godiva chocolate

Tammy Ramey -- Fannie May chocolate

QuenKne -- Godiva mug.

Congratulations everyone be sure to check back soon for our Christmas Holiday Giveaway Contest!
 
 A new contest begins soon for Christmas!  Three winners will be chosen to receive another box of Godiva chocolate, and a $25 Amazon gift certificate, and $25 Chico's gift certificate.
 

Best Book Honors - Decadent Delights -Voting This Weekend!

 "Decadent Delights" was reviewed by "Whipped Cream Reviews" and this week and is up for Best Book honor this weekend (voting runs from Saturday, October 29th through Sunday, October 30th). Please cast your votes for my book at the link below. Thank you!

Please vote at the link below for my book "Decadent Delights"

Whipped Cream Erotic Romance Reviews: Decadent Delights by Gail DeYoung

Decadent Delights by Gail DeYoung
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave Publishing
Genre: Contemporary Length: Short Story (112 Pages)
Other: M/F, Ménage in dream only Rating: 4.5 cherries
Reviewed by Myrtle




Click on the link below for my review:

Whipped Cream Erotic Romance Reviews: Decadent Delights by Gail DeYoung

Feed Your Fantasy

Let’s face it. It’s very easy to get into a rut in life. Day in and day out, we go through the same routine. Before we know it, weeks, months and perhaps years have gone by. Yet, nothing has changed. It’s not that we wouldn’t like to do something different, it’s just that there are things that must be done to keep the household running, the kids going to school, and the bills paid. Whether we’re single, married or divorced, life can become monotonous and routine.  

Those who live together know that seeing the other person on a daily basis complicates the ability to excite their companion. The simple fact is they’ve seen us at our best and our worst. No surprises equals same old, same old.

Those who live alone, for whatever reason, may also experience a lack of excitement. Even going out to the bar scene or on a blind date doesn’t guarantee any luck in finding the thrill we seek. And if life has dealt one a blow, such as an illness or the loss of a spouse, it may seem impossible to ever feel again. 

So, where is that joy de vivre that used to make us look forward to greeting each new day? Where is the spark that gave us a tingly feeling when we thought about or got together with our special someone? How do we revive it so when we get together we can create some fireworks?  If we’re alone, are we doomed to never know that joy again?

Absolutely not! I’ve got good news…you can do it, but it’s going to take some work. Luckily, we were all born with an imagination and with that come fantasies. All we have to do is allow ourselves the luxury of giving into them. Fantasies add “spice” to a dull, boring, predictable life.

Sure, you say. That’s easier said than done. Perhaps you don’t think you can trust your imagination. Or perhaps you’ve been together doing it the same way for so long, you don’t know any other way. Have no fear -- erotica books are here! Yes, these books do more than tantalize; they can also teach. Read a few and see if there isn’t something in there that you haven’t tried. Then try it. There’s plenty of frank description in case you need to visualize it. You’ll surprise your partner and there’s a good possibility that it will turn him or her on and you’ll be getting pursued more often.

These days, you don’t have to be afraid of someone seeing you reading one of “those” books.      E-readers very conspicuously hide everything you’re reading, so unless someone is looking over your shoulder, you’re safe. You could buy one in the morning and by that night, have read it and made notes (if necessary) so you’re ready to experiment that evening. The book might have been so hot that you practiced a little beforehand. Who would know?

So why wait? Delve into your fantasy. It’s your imaginary world. Do what you want to do; be who you want to be. Perhaps you’ve wondered what it’s like to be a femme fatale, or a sexy woman in the red light district. How about a slave or cop working undercover? No matter what turns you on, you’re sure to find it in these stories.       

This is one of the reasons I write these books. My imagination goes into overdrive. Perhaps I haven’t done everything I write about in person, but there’s a good chance I have either seen it done in movies (x-rated, of course), or watched others do it. Do I get turned on while writing this stuff? You bet I do! If I don’t, I go back and rewrite that scene again until I do. I want my readers to “feel” as much of the story as they can. I know I’ve hit my mark when someone writes a review telling everyone how “hot” my book was.

For all those who love reading erotic romances, I’m happy to feed your fantasies.  Please visit my website or this blog for news on upcoming books. I appreciate the opportunity to satisfy your every desire. As always, I welcome your comments. 

Rhonda Lee Carver Here Today!!!

My blog has been hijacked. Today we have a special guest – Rhonda Lee Carver. She’s here to tell us about her latest book, Castle’s Fortress, which sounds amazing. Enjoy! Please feel free to leave a comment. Welcome Rhonda - take it away!

Rhonda Lee Carver

"Everyone deserves romance...one page at a time."















Author of:

Double Dare www.lyricalpress.com

Diamond in a Rose http://www.thewildrosepress.com/

Second Chance Cowboy http://www.lyricalpress.com/

Delaney's Sunrise June 20, 2011 http://www.lyricalpress.com/

Castle's Fortress just released September 19, 2011 http://www.lyricalpress.com/

Rhonda Lee Carver's website: http://www.rhondaleecarver.com/


"When love's breath breathes life into our lungs and understanding into our mind, we shall only yield to its magical hearth. To deny it is foolish. Escape is futile." RLC

Thank you for having me Gail!

Creepy is hot.

Ghosts galore, haunted houses, spooky mayhem…The more the better.

There is something about a romance novel that entwines a love story and a haunting, making it sexy. The hormonal reaction a reader gets as they embark upon the supernatural is connected with the “fight or flight” syndrome. At the very moment we are scared we get a sudden boost of adrenaline, or “power.”

You can get this “adrenaline rush” by riding a roller coaster, or walking through a jungle at night waiting for the wild animals to burst out from the darkness. A simpler, and safer, way is to read a story that is hauntingly beautiful. Be terrified by an author’s eerie imagination. Allow your “survivor instinct” to kick in as you stroll through pages of horror.


As I wrote Castle’s Fortress I wanted to keep an even balance between love and the darkness beyond the natural. I wanted for the hero and heroine to have a special connection. Jake and Fall have this. Fall has the ability to read Jake’s mind. Together they are force to be beckoned with as spirits attempt to pull them into the world of the unknown.

Castle’s Fortress was my favorite book that I’ve written so far. I hope anyone who loves romance mingled with a haunting will pick this eBook up.

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Blurb



One hundred years ago, a little girl died mysteriously. Twenty years ago, another followed. Today, Fall Winters has to find out why.

The last person Jake Castle expects to see again is Fall Winters. Twenty years ago, they were been best friends, until her father killed his sister. He left her and his sleepy hometown--and all the memories in it. He didn’t want a stroll down memory lane, especially with her.


Fall has never believed her father was guilty. He was responsible for a lot of things, but not kidnapping and killing a teenage girl. Now, Fall’s own sister is missing under similar


circumstances. It looks like she was right. She must find her sister alive and prove the connection between the cases, not to mention her father's innocence. Fall turns to the only person she can trust--Jake.

Jake agrees to help Fall on one condition: They never step foot in the ramshackle haunted house that almost left Fall dead when she was ten. Jake wants to believe the ghost they saw that night was a figment of his imagination. But as they delve further into the mystery surrounding the kidnappings, Jake begins to realize there is a connection to the house, and a stronger one with Fall. He knows it’s time to face his fears--and the feelings inside his heart that lead him straight to Fall.

Excerpt

“Jake...”


His sensual gaze roved over her from eyes to worn boots, an impish smile taking the place of the innocent grin. She resisted the urge to squirm while he smoothed a glance over her chest.

Jake made no effort to do the decent thing and remove his gaze from her. This was a new side to him. It would take some getting used to, but from the ache building in her, she didn’t find it an unwelcome change.

Damned body betrayed her mind. She hadn’t asked him to come to Marietta to start up a romance. In fact, feelings of a sexual kind could only deter from what she needed.

She narrowed her gaze on him, hoping she did a good job at hiding any sign of attraction. “Jake, don’t they have breasts in New York?”

His gaze trailed a slow, intense path upward until their gazes locked. “I believe you had a psychic vision and saw me coming.” One corner of his mouth kinked as his brows wriggled in covert meaning.


She wondered if he used this manly magic on all the women. She sighed. “You didn’t come all the way to Ohio to admire the view.” She relaxed her hands on her waist and slanted a hip. “Right?”

“Although the scenery is quiet spectacular here,” he flicked a glance over her again, “I have other things in mind besides sightseeing.”


She couldn’t imagine many women could block an internal heat wave under Jake’s magnetism. He possessed a quality that probably had women falling at his pricey loafers all the time. However, she wasn’t just any woman. Charming or not, she wanted one thing from Jake, and it had nothing to do with what lay behind his zipper. Although, she was a bit curious at what did lay there.

She swallowed the naughty-girl lump in her throat and tore her mind back on path. “Did you drive all night?” The inky darkness rimming his eyes was a sign that he needed sleep.


Jake nodded. “I couldn’t wait to get here.”


Did his lip curl? She caught the sarcastic tone to his words. She blew it off as she unplugged her machinery and tossed her woodworking tools into the leather case. When she turned back to him, she planted an award-winning smile on her lips. “As far as I see it, you won’t be any good to me until you’ve had a large dose of caffeine and a moment to catch your breath. I need your energy, not your attitude.”


Eyebrows curved, he smiled. “Sounds kinky.” He ran a long finger along the edge of the table and her stomach did a flop. He should have just slid that finger down the line of her curves. It would have had the same effect on her. “Be honest with me, Fall. Did you bring me here just to live out your childhood fantasy of kissing me?”


Oh, he was a charmer.


His lure was dripped in warm honey butter, and she didn’t need the calories. “Jake Ivan Castle. Not only do you adorn yourself with a big company and fast cars, I hear you like those same qualities in your women.” She bit back a smile when he appeared offended. “As you see, my breasts reside in one county and my brain is bigger than a pebble. The only thing fast about me is my skills at woodworking. So, in layman terms, I’m not your type, and truthfully, I like men who enjoy the simpler things in life. Now, let’s clean our thoughts. We have work to do.”

Rhonda Lee Carver Will Be Blogging Here On Friday September 23rd!

Castle's Fortress

Author: Rhonda Lee Carver
Genre: Romance/Paranormal
Digital ISBN: 9781616503178
Length: Short Novel
Digital Publication Date: September 19, 2011
Cover art by Renee Rocco
Formats: .epub, .lit, .pdf, .prc, .html
Buy direct for Kindle, Nook

Rhonda Lee Carver, Author of  "Second Chance Cowboy", "Double Dare", "Diamond In A Rose" and "Delaney's Sunrise", will be here on Friday to blog about her newest book "Castle's Fortress" which was released on September 19th.

About Rhonda: I'm a believer in love and love happy endings. Creating interesting characters and crafting romance stories is not only a thrill, but means as much to me as taking my next breath.



Castle's Fortress Blurb:

One hundred years ago, a little girl died mysteriously. Twenty years ago, another followed. Today, Fall Winters has to find out why.


The last person Jake Castle expects to see again is Fall Winters. Twenty years ago, they were best friends, until her father killed his sister. He left her and his sleepy hometown--and all the memories in it. He didn’t want a stroll down memory lane, especially with her.

Fall has never believed her father was guilty. He was responsible for a lot of things, but not kidnapping and killing a teenage girl. Now, Fall’s own sister is missing under similar

circumstances. It looks like she was right. She must find her sister alive and prove the connection between the cases, not to mention her father's innocence. Fall turns to the only person she can trust--Jake.

Jake agrees to help Fall on one condition: They never step foot in the ramshackle haunted house that almost left Fall dead when she was ten. Jake wants to believe the ghost they saw that night was a figment of his imagination. But as they delve further into the mystery surrounding the kidnappings, Jake begins to realize there is a connection to the house, and a stronger one with Fall. He knows it’s time to face his fears--and the feelings inside his heart that lead him straight to Fall.


Copyright 2011, Rhonda Lee Carver
All rights reserved, Lyrical Press, Inc.

http://www.rhondaleecarver.com/

Join my author page at:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rhonda-Lee-Carver-Author/155568577811615?v=wall

Purchase:http://www.lyricalpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=81&products_id=425



GOTCHA - FIRST LINES THAT WON'T LET GO

             I love first lines in a book that make me want to read more. Whether they shock me, tease me or make me laugh, they snag my attention and draw me into the story. Before I know it, I can’t put the book down and I buy it. I’d like to share some of my favorite first lines that caught my attention. I am delighted to say these books reside on my bookshelf or in my e-reader.

“Well, thank God, this is about to be over.” Ill Wind by Rachel Caine

“If he catches me, I’m dead.” Destined for an Early Grave by Jeaniene Frost

“His brother had thought Hell a fiery abyss, but Nicolas Montfaucon knew better. Seduced by Darkness by Delilah Devlin

“Many things are not as they seem: the worst things in life never are.” White Night by Jim Butcher

“Once, there were more of us.” The Dream Thief by Shana Abe

“Death, Pestilence, Famine – They surround me, my lovers, the terrifying Unseelie Princes.” Dream Fever by Karen Marie Moning

“A funeral always made for a bad day.” Falling Awake by Jayne Ann Krentz

These are just a few of the many, many books that have drawn me into them. What do all of these have in common? They beg the question – what in the heck is going on?  I have read the front and back cover, so yes, I have an idea what the story is about. But I always open the cover and read the first page or so to see what the writing is like.

Knowing that I enjoy reading quite a few genres and, in those genres, there are hundreds of new books to choose from, I peruse the book store looking for the next gem that I will take home and devour.  If an author has a series that I’ve already started, i.e., Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files, I don’t even have to do any of my “research”. I just pick up the next book in the series because I know I’m going to love it. But I have discovered a plethora of new authors who I now follow simply because I read the first few intriguing lines.

So how important is that opening? To me, if I don’t know the author, it’s paramount. It could make the difference between buying that book and choosing another. When I put it that way, there’s a lot of pressure to get it right.

Now, it wouldn’t be fair to judge others if I didn’t let you judge mine, also. So here are the first lines of my books. Have I done a good job of hooking you?

“There was so much blood. Everywhere.” Leaves in the Wind by Gail DeYoung

“The sign on the door to Decadent Delights read, ‘Mature audiences only. Anyone under 18 not allowed.’” Decadent Delights by Gail DeYoung

“Submission…the most intimate exchange of power. If this is your goal, let me take you to your limits and beyond.” Desire’s Awakening by Gail DeYoung

I welcome your comments.

Length -- Does It Really Matter?

            I know what you’re thinking. But, no, this isn’t about that topic. Well, at least not yet. You see, there is a much more important aspect of length that I wish to discuss.

Stories come in all different lengths, from a few hundred words to -- yikes – close to a thousand pages. “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows” is 759 pages. It takes a lot of stamina to do that. I truly admire authors who can work at both ends of that spectrum. It’s just as difficult to fit a convincing story into a short-short as it is to weave a tale that goes on forever. From an author’s point of view, editing a short story can be a breeze, while working with a monster could possibly take a long, long time.

But from a reader’s point of view, what is more appealing?  Do you find yourself skimming a big book, but paying closer attention to detail in shorter ones? Do you look at your unread list and decide what to read next based upon the amount of time it will take you? Would you prefer to read one lengthy novel, or five shorter ones in the same amount of time? Or does length really matter at all?

From my perspective, I prefer to read what I call “middle of the road” length books. These are stories that I can breeze through in as little as two hours or as long as four. Perhaps my preference has to do with my writing. I haven’t mastered the art of crafting the short-short. Well, not yet, but that’s a goal I will attain one of these days! Anything over 500 pages scares the heck out of me, but that hasn’t stopped me from buying quite a few of those books to put on my bookshelf. Because there aren’t enough hours of the day to accomplish all the tasks on my “To Do” list, I have to weigh my choices carefully. Ah…decisions, decisions.

Add to that my tendency to read more than one book at a time (I know – who does that?) This is a skill which I believe was bred into me by my mother who insisted that I learn to multi-task when I was growing up. The funny thing is that no matter how much time has passed since I picked up a book, I recall every detail I previously read. So when I sit down to read a book, not only do I have to decide on what length of book to choose, I have to decide whether or not to finish a previously-started book or a new one. If it is late at night and I’m going to bed soon, I have to choose something that won’t take too long in case I fall asleep.

Ah, such a dilemma! Now add to that my love of writing and well, I think you get the picture – I am juggling every minute of the day. My current WIP (work in process) needs attention, but I mustn’t forget several others sitting on the back burner brewing in my creative juices. Crafting a story takes time, and I find the longer I “sit” on a story, the more interesting the plot and characters become.

Now, as to what you thought this article was going to be about, I won’t keep you in the dark any longer. Does length matter? I used to think so, but an older and wiser me believes it’s not the length of the pole, it’s how he wiggles his worm.

 I welcome your comments.