Tilly Greene's Hot Thoughts

What did I bring back with me?

2009-07-13T16:36:00.006-04:00

A flag!

The cutie is British, English actually, but specifically a Yorkshireman! With this we'll have to add another flag pole to the front porch, one on each side of the stairs.

Another good thing to happen is that Ellora's Cave is discounting loads of paperbacks more than 20% while supplies last! Customers also receive one free paperback on each print order and two free books on print orders over $35 (free books are selected at random).

Woohoo News!

2009-06-14T20:49:00.005-04:00

Highland Heat is now available in print and to make it even more exciting, it's on SALE! To get your 10% discount enter ECWEB2009 into the coupon field when completing your purchase.

eBook and Book Talk!

2009-06-09T15:45:00.000-04:00

Today, doing laundry, shopping for grad gift and weeding, I got to thinking about tattoos. I'm not entirely sure why, but I was, and the subject led me to pick out stories I've written with unique ways characters have chosen to celebrate their bodies. Tattoos and piercings, I find them interesting.

So which stories are they found?

An Invitation to The World: New Zealand has Timu Tuhaere, a Maorian hunk of a rugby player who "sported a tribal tattoo that snaked from his knee around his inner upper thigh and up to finish atop a spectacularly muscular ass."

The Gilded Cage has Max Stephenson, a Brit with "four metal balls of his magic cross piercing." My editor had one comment when this piercing was later detailed: ouch and yet it offered nothing but pleasure.

The Painted Lady is a bit different in that they aren't tattoos, but Saffron Hoyt has her body painted to suit some very erotic images, like "...in the guise of a naked Princess Leia sitting before Jabba the Hut from Return of the Jedi...".

Fun times, I wonder what other areas I've touched on before?

Naughty Thought for Monday

2009-06-08T06:00:00.001-04:00

If you've ever checked out my website's Links page, then you know that Isabella Rossellini's Green Porno on the Sundance Channel makes me laugh.

Well, get ready for more fun, season two is here!

A bit of random ridiculousness...

2009-06-05T06:00:00.006-04:00

An interesting bit of random ridiculousness - Captain Kirk from the recently released Star Trek movie, Chris Pine, went to the University of Leeds, and so did I.

© Cliff Watts

Fabulous Fashion News and More!

2009-06-04T06:00:00.004-04:00

Carmen Dell'Orefice, fabulous supermodel at 77, is back working because of Bernie Madoff's dirty dealings, actually non-existent trading. I've always thought Carmen to be a beautiful woman who carried herself with a great deal of grace, now I know it!

Check out this candid interview with her on WOWOWOW: The Women on the Web. It's interesting and keeps the positivity going.

© Getty Images

Hump Day Reflections!

2009-06-03T06:00:00.002-04:00

It's June and I bet you're wondering where my head has traveled this month. Well, it is a month I think of sun, sand, and surf and this picture from Surfer Magazine made me think of one of the things I do while at the beach - check out the surfers as they're checking out the waves.

Head over to check out this months Eye Candy and be inspired by what the sun brings out.

Book Talk!

2009-06-02T12:14:00.004-04:00

Recently I read a Linda Fairstein book [she's my current go to author for an entertaining read without having to make a major brain or time committment] and am still dwelling on something that was mentioned, probably because I wasn't buying it. It wasn't a big deal, not part of the plot or character development, just a throw away comment that was completely opposite from what I thought. After a murder, the main character [a lawyer] mentions there were more guns in LA than NYC. Not gang related guns, but your common citizen owning guns.

Ummm, no, I don't think so. Growing up in So. Cal., I never once saw a gun and knew of one person who had ever been to a shooting range [job related]. Considering I go back a few times a year, nothings changed. On the other hand, having spent ten years on the other coast, I can count on one hand and have left over fingers, the people from our little town that I know [as in have weekend bbq's with] who haven't ever touched a gun.

Yup, that one statement jarred me enough to even ask others which place they thought had more guns. Half a dozen people asked [we were Indiana at the time so, other than me, neither coasts inhabitants were involved] and all agreed on NYC.

Did it ruin the story for me? No, but it sat in my mind as being off kilter.

This happened with another author I enjoyed reading only I couldn't let their throwaway comment pass so easily. My hometown was the setting and the heroine drove "the coastal route" down to San Diego, enjoying the view of the ocean and beaches along the way. Ummm, no, can't be done. Camp Pendleton doesn't open its gates to anyone to drive through. Besides that, the author mentioned the drive took an hour and a half, double no. Speed limit, no traffic, it's more like 45 minutes. I couldn't let this pass - if you're going to be specific, then be right. Anyway, I might pick up a random book by this author, although that's about it, no more automatic buys.

I'm not sure why I didn't react as harshly to Fairstein as I did with the other author. Maybe because I don't write mysteries that I'm more tolerant, maybe, although I don't think so. How about you? Have you not only been pulled out of a story, but also pulled away from an author?

Fabulous Advice!

2009-06-01T12:58:00.004-04:00

Recently, the blog "How Publishing Really Works" posted a guest review on Elizabeth George's book "Write Away". In the review, it is noted that George offers some great advice on the first day to students in her creative writing course and it struck a cord with me.

The review is interesting, I've just bought a copy of the book for myself, but if you can't make it over there or read the book, then here it is:

"You will be published if you possess three qualities; talent, passion and discipline.

You will probably be published if you possess two of these three qualities: either a combination of talent and discipline or a combination of passion and discipline.

You will likely be published if you possess neither talent nor passion but still have discipline."

Fabulous advice for all writers!

Naughty Thought for Monday

2009-05-18T06:00:00.000-04:00

Milk does a body good - right?

Andrey Razumovsky's Racy Liquid Fashiontography definitely makes me look at the carton of milk in a different way.

A Chance to Kill Two Birds!

2009-05-17T06:00:00.000-04:00

Brenda Novack's Annual Online Auction to Benefit Diabetes Research is going on right now. There are some great things on offer, but there's only one where you get:

1. Admission to RomantiCon 2009, Ellora's Cave's first ever convention devoted to our exciting trademark brand of Erotic Romance called Romantica. Be there for this historic (and rowdy) event, including three days of parties, workshops, photo shoots, cover models

2. Food, Hotel Accomodations, and Roundtrip Airfare (Continental United States only!)

AND, BEST OF ALL!!

3. Your photo with the Ellora's Caveman cover model of your choice, featured on the book cover of your choice and 10 free copies of the book.

WOW! Head over and place your bid. Help kick diabetes booty and become a cover model!

Come one, come all!

2009-05-15T09:06:00.004-04:00

Sorry, have the c-word on my mind - writing about a couple of cowboys and their chick...see, I have c's on my mind. Anyway, tomorrow I'll step out from under the laptop!

A group of authors [Jacquelyn Frank, Stella Price, Cat Johnson, Bianca D'Arc, Allie Boniface, Philippa Grey-Gerou and myself] will be visiting the Borders at 1 North Galleria Drive, Middletown, NY talking and signing books from 2-6:00pm.

Shall be a blast, so come visit!

Oops, there's that c-word again :-)

Fabulous and Funky Fashion News!

2009-05-07T06:00:00.002-04:00

This past Tuesday was The Costume Institute's Gala event held at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. There's an exhibition on now until August 9 and I know I'll be attending.

If you're into fashion, then this is the event for you. The gowns are always top-notch, from the fabulous to the funky. This year, I liked a few dresses, but wasn't wowed by any of them.

However, what did catch my attention was Melania Trump.

Now, I admit that when I write about a female character wearing an evening gown, it's often with her nipples being barely covered. Hey, I write EROTIC ROMANCES and feel comfortable dressing them in this extremely sexy way, but here, it looks to me like an act of desperation for attention - not so sexy. I think Trump must have been worried if his wife took too deep of a breath, there'd be some serious flesh flashing.

Hump Day Reflections!

2009-05-06T06:00:00.004-04:00

It's been a rough couple of days and I know exactly who to blame - pirates! So, to turn my attention in a new direction, I found one heck of a sexy hunk who sails around the world and could easily play a gorgeous pirate that I wouldn't mind spending time with, although I'd hate it just as much if he was robbing me blind as well!

Anyway, Errol Flynn, remember him? He was a film star who is best known for playing a swashbuckler type [like Robin Hood] and led a wildly exciting life off screen. The expression "In like Flynn" supposedly comes from his ladies man reputation.

Well, get this, he has a grandson, Luke Flynn, who just so happens to be representing Nautica cologne. Nice! Now that is a pirate I can deal with and remain happy.

Happy Kinko de Mayo!

2009-05-05T13:26:00.002-04:00

Love that play on words and it's all for the readers!

Now through May 6th, get 15% off your next order at Phaze! Use the code KINKODEMAYO for the discount.

Also, they have CINCO free reads for you today - hot shorts by Jude Mason, Leigh Ellwood, Becca Dale, and Nona Wesley. Download them today!

Funky Fashion V

2009-04-23T06:00:00.001-04:00

For $1.5 million dollars, you can buy a wedding dress that took eight people two months to make - using 2,009 peacock feathers.

To be honest, upon hearing about this dress, I built an image in my mind of what to expect, only it isn't this.

Hump Day Reflections!

2009-04-22T06:00:00.003-04:00

It's Earth Day - go au nautrel!

eBook and Book Talk!

2009-04-21T06:00:00.005-04:00

Earth Day is tomorrow meaning much of the media is spending this week focusing on green issues and I thought I'd take a moment to address something that falls in this arena and seriously bothers me about the book business.

Print runs.

Basically, they're ugly number wise and yet every author hopes they sell through their first and more than a second printing is needed. So let me give you a couple of numbers and see what you think.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by JK Rowling had 500 for the first run, 300 went to libraries. Ten years later, Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows had 12 million. Interesting and shows what a great success the series was and still is. [Side note: Did you know they were published in the UK with one set of covers for children and another for adults? They were and the US should pay attention to this way of encouraging people to read outside their comfort zone.] Anyway, what strikes me as odd is that the Harry Potter series still isn't officially in ebook, but Lord of the Rings now is.

Why not?

Yesterday came news of the latest big print run and it belongs to Dan Brown, author of Angels and Demons and The Da Vinci Code, amongst others. He has a new Robert Langdon book, The Lost Symbol, coming out this September and it's going to have an initial run of 5 million. Hmmm, the series is a success bookwise and in movie theaters, but there are two things that bother me about the size of this run. One, will people buy even though so much time has passed since he released a book [2003], and two, will people not buy because of the ugly copyright lawsuit filed against him? Brown won, but after watching last night’s 60 Minutes, will be proven innocent be enough for the public?

Okay, those are big selling books, so let's bring it down a bit. A mid-list author's mass market paperback will have an average around 50k for a print run and rarely come close to selling through. What isn't sold are left to be stripped [pulling the cover off and throwing out the inside] - that's right, thrown out. This doesn't happen to a couple hundred or a thousand, but ten's of thousands. On the other side, small publishing houses that use the POD technology have much smaller runs, reprinting at a moments notice, and escape the necessity of stripping, wasting raw materials.

The book business has its ugly secrets, but a day without books would be seriously bad. Me? I think it’s time for a massive and well thought out revamping of publishing as a whole. In regards to print runs, maybe if houses moved away from their traditional selling plan of hardback for a year and then some form of paperback for the remainder of the contract [and with only a select few going into ebooks]. Here's an idea, smaller print runs and simultaneous print/ebook releases. This would make everyone happy: the print and ebook readers each have their format of choice, authors make money, publishing houses supply books and make money, and environmentalists can calm down about senseless waste - all good.

LIP gets 4 stars!

2009-04-18T15:44:00.003-04:00

LIP is actually "Love's Immortal Pantheon Anthology" and it has my story "Hephaestus Lays Down the Law" between its covers.

A snippet from the * * * * review is:

Mythology is the inspiration for this collection, which resonates with lust, love and liaisons. These seven tales offer fresh takes on the gods, portraying them as flawed individuals with the same desires as the mortals they hunger for. Their randy love-play, include menages and orgies, makes for a titillating read.

Reviewed by Gail Pruszkowski, June 2009, RT Book Reviews

Pick up your copy today from Amazon, B&N, BAM, Powell's or your local bookshop

A bit of random ridiculousness...

2009-04-17T11:03:00.006-04:00

Normally, I'm all about forgiving and moving on, not wasting time dwelling on the good or bad, except for when it comes to one issue in specific. I know this isn't good and I do feel bad because I had [and still am having] a happy glow when I heard about a certain someone seriously big, failed so horribly, so publically.

As far as I'm concerned, they deserve everything they get and will continue to do so until I hear about them doing something right.

Who am I talking about?

The Yankees! That's right, the New York Yankees [management, not the players] are going to continue racking up losses [old field or new] until I can get over their horrific behavior toward my cutie.

Karma, baby, may it keep on kicking you.

Funky Fashion Part IV

2009-04-16T06:00:00.001-04:00

This past week I received some fabulous news, Highland Heat will soon be released in paperback - woohoo! As you can guess, my mind right back to Scotland and, well, I forgot I had this gem in my files.

There's still a nip in the air, do you need something to keep your nipples warm? These tartan pasties can be had through Etsy, along with a cute knitted set.

Hump Day Reflections!

2009-04-15T06:00:00.004-04:00

Forget those ugly snuggly things, what you need is a a lovely soft blanket to ward off the chill.

By the way, another way to relax is with a good book and Phaze is celebrating it being April 15th with titles regularly priced $5-7 being offered at $4.01(k)! Use PHAZEWIN to save even more.

Book Talk!

2009-04-14T06:00:00.003-04:00

It's a sad time in the usually fabulous world of books. This Saturday, Judith Krug, Founder of Banned Books Week, passed away.

As if this wasn't bad enough, the industry suffered another serious setback. It doesn't sound like much when someone says Amazon deranked a bunch of books, except it is, to everyone who loves to read. This particular deranking means authors and their books [for me it's Zandia and Hot Couture] in the erotic and GLBT categories are now difficult, if not impossible for a reader to find on the online bookstores cyber shelves and purchase.

Descrimination? Censorship?

For some people it is.

However, I'm someone who prefers to look at the positive side of things and have a great solution if Amazon's actions bother you and you don't want to support them, then don't worry, there are plenty of choices out there to ensure you have your books!

You can go directly to the publisher and their bookstores [Samhain has My Bookstore and More and Ellora's Cave has Jasmine Jade]. Then there are the shops like Borders, B&N, BAM or Powell's online bookstores...or you can go to IndieBound, type in your zip code and find independent shops near you to shop at. If they don't supply the books you're looking for, ask them to order them.

And, the best part of shopping locally? It boosts the economy on your doorstep!

Edited to Add: Amazon has re-ranked both Zandia and Hot Couture

Naughty Thought for Monday!

2009-04-13T06:00:00.000-04:00

I eat tofu, but would I put it on my license plate?

Oh, wait a second, were you thinking it was something else?

Naughty, naughty!

Bad, bad, bad!

2009-04-12T20:11:00.004-04:00

Censorship - bad!

Discrimination - bad!

Amazon - bad?

Amazon is deranking books with "adult content" [a couple of mine included] which means readers may not be able to find one of your favorite erotic/glbt authors latest or oldest books at Amazon. Dear Author and Smart Bitches, Trashy Books have explained it perfectly.

A few examples of how bad this move has been that I've seen on Twitter are:

Sex in the City book, deranked and Sex in the City movie, ranked.
Joy of Sex, deranked and The Anarchist Cookbook, ranked.
Heather Has Two Mommies, deranked and A Parent's Guide to Preventing Homosexuality, ranked.
Also deranked is Lady Chatterley's Lover and Lolita - CLASSICS!

I've read about two reasons for the mass deranking of erotic/glbt books: deranking those w/customer complaints for content [except it is happening to books not yet released] and the other is a technical glitch [no, it's been going on for some time].

Ick, not liking this at all but, maybe with the economy so bad, this is the perfect time to reintroduce yourself to your local independent bookstore.

Amazon Rank!