The Divas of Desire

Why Erotic Romance is #Feminist Literature & Why I Write It

noreply@blogger.com (Rachell Nichole) — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 14:54:00 +0000

So, it's been a good long while since anyone posted to this blog. I apologize for that, readers. In honor of International Women's Day, I wanted to share some thoughts with you on why I write not just romance, but erotic romance, and what it means to be a feminist erotic romance author.

First let's start with the idea that romance is feminist literature. This may not sound groundbreaking in the news department, but it's a rather new idea on the block. For years romance has been denigrated for being anti-feminist, or bodice-rippers, glorified patriarchal rape fantasies that simply perpetuate stereotypical portrayals of women and romance in a male-dominated world. (Phew, that was a mouthful). In recent times, romance has become a better genre, but it also has become better understood, and the realization that it is actually the opposite of anti-feminist is becoming more and more prevalent.

Romance is about women, for women, written by women. That's what romance is all about.

Note however that women is not all romance is about, of course. There are lots of different flavors of romance on the market now, with new subgenres and different forms of love and life becoming more popular every day. Romance is also about men, and about love. There are ménage stories and m/m stories and stories about groups of lovers, asexual partners, trans and queer individuals, some who identify as women, and some who do not.

On the whole, even when the story is not about just women, and not written just for women, or by women, romance at its core is still about feminism, about the idea that a woman is just as good as a man, just as important and worthy, and should have the same ability to pursue life, liberty, and happiness as any man.

I was asked (as part of a large group) recently why my books were going to change the world. Why were they important enough that readers needed them? Whose lives were they going to change?

Those questions got me thinking, and now I have an answer.

My books are all about being sex-positive, body-positive, empowering and feministic. I write all kinds of flavors of erotic romance: f/f, m/f, m/m/f, BDSM, contemporary, femdomme, multicultural. And every one of my books has one theme in common: empowering my characters to know what they want, physically, sexually, emotionally, and to give them the tools to go after what they want. My characters embrace their sexuality. They embrace the idea that it’s okay to want and need a partner (or partners), to be vulnerable and sexy, and to be bold and strong, all at the same time. This is what makes my romance so feminist in nature.

With every book, I aim to break down the idea that sex is evil, or that women don’t have a sex drive. I work to dispel the myth that sex-positivity and embracing sexual desire is a bad thing. I also work to dispel the myth that feminism = man-eating bitches. Feminism isn’t about hating men. It’s about loving them in a way that doesn’t mean loving yourself less. And that’s what I write about. That is why I write erotic romance. We can break down these barriers. We can change the world.

One book at a time.

Thanks,
Rach

No Secrets Goes Live Tomorrow! #Multicultural #New Adult @nonaraines

noreply@blogger.com (Nona Raines) — Mon, 28 Nov 2016 13:00:00 +0000

Good morning, friends! I'm so excited to share the release (happening tomorrow) of my multicultural New Adult romance No Secrets!

She wants him…

Alyxandra Franklin crushed on Cris Garcia the first time they met. He wasn't like the guys in her crowd, the boys in grown-up bodies. No, Cris was a man. A man who'd stand up for his girl, hold her close and keep her love safe. In spite of her feelings, Alyx never made a move on him. How could she? He belonged to her best friend, Gabi. And now it's too late.

He hates her…

Cris figures if he never sees Alyx Franklin again, it'll be too soon. She's nothing but a spoiled stupid rich girl, too busy partying to care about anyone but herself. She's the reason Gabi, the girl he loved, lost her life.

But he's wrong. Gabi had secrets. When those secrets blow up his life, Cris is willing to go to any lengths to unravel the lies. Even if that means befriending Alyx—and sleeping with her—to learn the truth.

Only 99 cents through December 3! Find No Secrets here:

Amazon: https://amzn.com/B01N3W0N2Q

All Romance: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-nosecretsamulticulturalnewadultromance-2167966-178.html

iBooks: https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/book/no-secrets/id1173065461?mt=11

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/no-secrets-6

Excerpt:

He took her hand. "Come with me."

She allowed him to lead her to an alley next to the building. "What's here?" she asked, not afraid, just curious.

"This." He took her in his arms and kissed her.

Her lips were so pillowy soft, he wanted to lick them, bite them. Whoa, slow down there. Good way to scare her off.

She must have read his mind, because she placed her hands on his chest and gently urged him back. Her eyes were clouded with confusion. "Maybe we should…I don't know, slow down some."

He took a step back, disappointment settling in his gut. But he wouldn't be like that pushy douche outside Chauncey's who kept pestering her, who wouldn't take no for an answer. "Okay."

"I mean…" She shook her head. "I don't know what I mean. I like you, Cris. I have for a long time. But I just—"

"Because of Gabi, you mean?"

"Yeah. I was her friend, and you…"

"Yeah."

"Is it weird that we're—"

"No," he answered quickly. "We both…we cared about her." He couldn't choke out the word love. "But she's gone."

Alyx was silent, as if weighing his response. "I hope it's not wrong."

A pang of guilt zinged him, but not because of Gabi. Because he was here with Alyx under false pretenses. She thought it was just a date. He had other motives.

But enjoying her company wasn't a lie. The way he felt holding her, kissing her—that was real. "Does it feel wrong?" he asked, holding his breath for her answer.

"No," she said at last, lifting a hand to his cheek. "It feels really, really right."

They kissed again. Gently, he urged her mouth to open. He tasted hops and yeast, but the bitter tang of the brew was no match for the sweetness of her kiss—a flavor he wanted more of.

When he released her, reluctantly, she sagged against the side of the building. Her eyes were dreamy and soft. She smiled hesitantly when he gave a quiet laugh. "What's funny?"

"Just…your makeup." Scary looking as it was in the glow of the streetlamp, it couldn't hide her natural beauty. "I never pictured I'd be kissing a zombie."

She laughed. "Well, I'm kissing one too."

When he tried to kiss her again, she stopped him. "Wait."

After fumbling in her purse, she pulled out a handful of tissues and touched them to his face. He jerked back at their moist feel. "What are you doing?"

"They’re wipes. To take off the makeup," she answered.

He snorted. "Baby wipes?"

"Hush, you. No, they're for makeup." Gently, she swiped the cloths across his forehead, over his cheeks, down his nose. He watched her as she tended to him carefully, tenderly. Her concentration on the task just made him hotter. Each time her fingers brushed his skin, his pulse spiked.

It felt like foreplay.

******

Thanks so much, friends! I hope you'll check out the story and its related romance, No Promises.

Have a wonderful week, all!

Nona Raines

Hot Contemporary Romance
Edgy ~ Emotional ~ Erotic
www.nonaraines.com

Readers, please don't panic!

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 04:00:00 +0000

My upcoming title is a m/f erotic, but please don’t panic dear fans. My Portland Men series is still going strong, to include (but is not limited to): shifting Rockin’ the ’Nog to reflect the series, as well as Ides of March, and creating a sequel to Ascend. Rewriting the two books above came about because of the question of Ascend’s sequel. (Read: twisting my elbow and giving me the Stink Eye.) More on that in the next blog entry because I first want to discuss my m/f erotic novel and why I didn’t shift that one to m/m.

The book is, and has always been, a response to my fans’ question of, “Hey, what’s the story of Annabel and Jeremy?” Thing is, if I were to portray the situation in its fullness, then my Jeremy stops being relatable and transforms into an abusive a*shat. Yes, Jeremy was in a terrible emotional and intellectual space regarding his fearful choice to stay in the closet, and that resulted in damage done to him as well as the people in his inner circle.

Is there any value to read about this traumatizing mental landscape? No. Butterball is already out. But there is a story to tell. In sum: Annabel’s.

What is it like to be uncomfortable in one’s own skin?

What is it like to lost and orphaned?

What and how can torn souls be healed?

Those questions, and finding those answers, is the core of my upcoming The Veteran’s Homecoming. It’s my honor to introduce Annabel Lawrence and Jeremy’s brother Zachary Roberson.

Now, Annabel has been wronged by Jeremy but that isn’t anything I will discuss. I like to keep my heroes, wounded or otherwise, stay heroic. So…Jeremy’s past is in the past. However, it is referenced because what Zach knows is the lies. Why? Because this Jeremy is pre-Travis (in Butterball) and, consequently, he’s still closeted.

That means his life is a lie.

That means that he needs to keep the reason for his broken relationship to be a secret.

That means, when given the opportunity to come clean to his brother Zach..but fails

That means, Annabel is is Zach's target for justice. Zach is a marine. Honor is the heartbeat of Zachary Roberson. He learns too late that honor honor isn’t the course of his brother at that time in Jeremy’s life. Annabel, furious about the past, is on a quest for justice.

The two come together like a swirling confluence of raging rivers…and fall in love. Isn’t that a lovely thing? Did I mention that Zach’s personal sexual kink is BDSM’s owner/property? Annabel’s miniscule amount of trust makes that sort of play problematic.

Now Zach must find a way to fix what he broke. He needs to heal what he injured. He needs to accept that Annabel may very well be his future.

Welcome home, marine!

-------------------------------------------------------------

So, another moment of genius or madness? Intrigue the audience or alienate them?

Time will tell...

Does #Romance Require #Research? #Writing

noreply@blogger.com (Nona Raines) — Mon, 24 Oct 2016 12:00:00 +0000

Good morning, friends. Nona Raines here. I'm proud to be a romance author. Unfortunately, romance writing is often downplayed as not being "real writing." When it comes to fiction genres, ours tends to be looked down upon as Cinderella sitting in the ashes. Never mind that ours is the top selling genre of fiction. And sadly, too often romance writers are not looked upon as "real" authors. But we work hard at our craft, and it also involves a good amount of research. Today I want to share some of my adventures in research.

*No, I don't mean that kind of research, LOL.* Kindly get your mind out of the gutter! :-) Though truthfully, I've been known to research sexy topics when trying to spice up a love scene.

In my first book, One Good Man, the heroine was a librarian. For the character of Andie I used my own career in public librarianship to guide me.

For more on One Good Man, please go here.

For other books, I've had to research my characters' careers. I've also researched locations, cities, and landmarks. Having friends and family who live in certain spots can be very helpful. Good old Google is your friend. Google Maps and Google Earth can be very helpful when trying to get the "real feel" of a place.

You can go old skool and use books, as long as they are up to date. Sometimes even an out of date book can give you insight into how the job has changed through the years. Your local library is a great resource and if it doesn't own a copy of the book you need, can often borrow a copy through interlibrary loan. Speaking of the library, let me give a shout out to the fact that internet access is available for free at most public libraries--in case a person does not have the means or the access to their own computer or modem.

But let's face, nothing beats the internet. When it comes to researching careers, you can find a lot of information. There are plenty of blogs and websites devoted to different types of careers and jobs. I found a lot of info this way when researching Emergency Medical Service personnel for No Promises. I found not only interviews, but video as well. Even comments on blog posts can be extremely enlightening. And don't forget good old YouTube--though there you must be careful to separate the wheat from the chaff.

For more on No Promises, please go here.

But our best resource is always other people. Interviewing folks about their real life jobs is so rewarding. Talking to someone provides real insight into a person's career and relationship to it. I've found most people more than happy to share information. During my research I've interviewed several EMTs and paramedics, a highway worker, an owner of a consignment shop and a 911 operator. If you're polite and respectful, most folks are only too happy to share. Facebook friends too can be amazingly helpful. I've quizzed a few about working retail for my current WIP.

That's about it folks. As important as research is, we authors have to be careful not to fall down the rabbit hole and get lost. At some point we have to get busy and write! :-) Delivering a good story is what it's all about.

Have a wonderful week, all!

Nona Raines

Hot Contemporary Romance
Edgy ~ Emotional ~ Erotic
www.nonaraines.com

Genus or madness?

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Thu, 20 Oct 2016 04:00:00 +0000

Genius or madness?

I’m sitting at my keyboard and contemplating that question. Why? Because I decided to rewrite my title Rockin’ the ’Nog. Complete revision of the story. Why? Because I’m either a screaming genius or corkheaded and mad.

So, what happened when I first wrote ’Nog—way back when—was a small story placed in the Christmas time of Portland, OR while I was in a time of transition in my life. No, not a cancer scare specifically (as mentioned in the book) but drowning in loneliness due to the alienation I’m forced to endure in order to escape the PTSD delivered by the childhood I’ve endured, survived, and continue to process in my fiction. It’s been hard, but I’m now out of “survival” mode and into “thriving” mode.

But, back to the book. As I’ve done in the past, and will probably do in the future, I used my fiction to help me process things that are happening in my life. More, I did receive a mistaken “c*ck shot” from a buddy, who thought he was texting someone for a hook-up. HILARIOUS!! Then I put it into a book and we all laughed. (The trouble of being buddies with a fiction author. Anything interesting that crosses my plate could, and probably would, end up in a book.)

But now, four years later, ’Nog has something else to say because I have something else on my plate. That plate is full of concerns for my audience who follows my Portland Men stories and characters. Specifically, my publisher’s murmurings for a “sequel” to Ascend. (The thriller about the knife-wielding serial killer?)

Well, okay. I’ll produce a sequel but, in truth, a sequel isn’t simply “picking up where the other left off.” There is usually more, at least when I produce a sequel, because for me a story must be larger before it can encompass more time and space. So, to produce a requested sequel I needed to produce MORE.

“Backstory is dead story” so, no, I wasn’t happy to lump it into the one manuscript. (I mean, why? I’m a fiction author. When I make a story I usually put it to paper. (Why do all the work and not get paid? #justsaying.) So, I decided to sacrifice my peace of mind—and more than a bit of my sanity—to restructure and revise Rockin’ the ’Nog, now to my m/m brand with Loose ID Publishing.

Yes, there will be a romance between two characters—one who just happens to be the attorney prosecuting the criminal who tried to kill the starring characters of my Ascend—and the guy he’s been lusting after but…well, you know.

Aside that romance, please pluck a bit of the criminal’s story from ’Nog. That would have been the “backstory” of a sequel but, like I said, I loathe backstory dumps so…yeah. Anyway, enjoy the new ROCKIN’ THE ’NOG and Merry (Upcoming) Christmas! And look for the Ides of March, my St. Patrick’s Day story which is getting the same revision treatment.

After that, Ascend’s sequel. Also, btw, I’ve working on upgrades of Catching Her Balance and, also, something new. My first try at serial-type detective fiction.

I expect 2017 to be GREAT!!

I'm Getting Married Tomorrow!

noreply@blogger.com (Rachell Nichole) — Fri, 14 Oct 2016 10:00:00 +0000

Good morning Divettes,

Just a real quick post to say that I am still around, just very swamped with my very own personal real-life romance. I am marrying the man of my dreams tomorrow. It's been a whirlwind of planning and life the past few months, preparing for the big day. I, of course, got sick last week, and have had a nasty chest cold for 7 days. I'm finally feeling better, so here's hoping I'll be in tip top shape for the wedding day (and night ;-p) That would never happen in a romance novel - the bride getting sick just before her big day! Though I suppose it could be a chance for great conflict in the book! It's certainly been a hell of a thing, trying to work, and get better, and finish up all the million and one little last minute details.

But I am off now to go get ready for my rehearsal and dinner! Wish me luck!

~Rach

The Quest for Erotic

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 04:00:00 +0000

There’s nothing more annoying than a know-it-all. Am I right? Worse, once again the truism of “those who can’t write, critique” is proved. Yeah, I’m a long-term reviewer and, thus, I have an opinion. About everything. “It’s what I do.”

Worse, I’m o-so-confident in myself that I put my beliefs to action and I put my hands to a keyboard to write erotic romance. I’d love to say that it was an easy thing to do, with all the history I’ve had in the romance genre, but it wasn’t. Romance itself demands a deep sense of authenticity, erotic more so.

One can talk about something, maybe even build a scene around something, but unless one is actively inside that something—now or in the past—then the reader will recognize that. Worse, they will not forgive it. No, that’s not specific to romance itself, but this hard line in the sand is often proven in the romance genre.

I remember reading a book in the 80s where the protagonists were “on the bridge to Catalina Island and…” There is no bridge. Read that again. There is NO BRIDGE TO CATALINA ISLAND. Just a nauseating two-hour boat trip that I endured twice a summer, every bloody summer, because my mother dragged me on the boats for the hellish yearly July 4^th trip—this is not a therapy session.

Anyway, as you can see I *still* remember that gaffe and, no, I don’t forgive it. But back to EroRom and the tacit contract of authenticity between reader and author. It was that very thing that gave me pause when my (then) publisher invited me to write m/m romance. Of course I said, “Yes,” but my mental answer was, “But, I don’t have the equipment for that.” Yes, EroRom demands authenticity and not to make too fine a point on that topic, I know what it’s like to desire a someone. More, (I’ll say it) I know what it is to touch and by touched by a guy I’m attracted to.

As for the “male specific” bits of authenticity—and, yes, there is a huge difference between the male mind and the female mind—I find authenticity from what’s authentic. A guy. My buddy Brian, in fact. (So very often he sighs when faced with a question, but he’s never let me down.)

Reviews: “Such an authentic voice!”

Me: “Yeah, my guy friends give input. I’m not gonna lie.”

But then, it was a question of “do I have a character for this?” As it happens, I did. My Jeremy, bless his (fictional) heart, had threaded through my first two books based in Portland, OR. (I see a coltish awkwardness in retrospect, but learning in the public’s eye is—imho—pretty much the story of all genre authors.) So, Jeremy, a bearded and balding, chubby and 50ish dude. I wanted him to be a heel, to use a wrestling term, but he fought back.

He pushed at me, telling me he was gay and closeted. How could that be a romance hero? I thought it was me. Maybe this craft wasn’t for me? Was I doomed to only review? Then I signed up for a teaching module at Seton Hill’s WPF program, and this one was on the topic of LGBTQ romances.

(Shout out to Annie Harris!) In that module I heard an off-hand comment about how there was next to no romance characters that were less than physically perfect. You’ve seen them. John De Bare-Chested. Joe Chisel Chest. Laura of the Perfect Bosom and Flowing Locks. The idea of writing of an imperfect character was gently addressed by Annie. Basically “why not?”

I heard Annie and I heard Jeremy, and Butterball was born, now in the hands of Loose ID publishing. (To this day, it remains my bestseller. A chubby closeted gay man is my bestseller. What were the odds of that?)

~ Michelle

Author Interview with Rachell Nichole

noreply@blogger.com (Rachell Nichole) — Fri, 30 Sep 2016 13:37:00 +0000

Good morning readers,

I found some great interview questions, some of which I think I've answered before when I was interviewed, but several answers have changed, and I got some new questions. I thought I'd give you a behind-the-scenes peek into my head! BEWARE. Actually, you should all probably run screaming from the room right now....

Oh, still here? Well, aren't you the brave one. Well, here it goes. A (sort of self-)interview with me!

· What project are you currently working on?

I’m currently on a bit of a writing hiatus. But my WIP is Adirondack Avalanche, a sequel to Break Through the Ice which focuses on Lexi “Lex” an actress trying to change her image, who gets snowed in with Clark, a man dedicated to helping underprivileged youth who can’t stand the prima donna prissiness of an actress.

· What is your favorite snack?

POPCORN! I have a rampant popcorn addiction, and my (almost) husband and I have a legit homemade popcorn popper machine.

· I have heard from numerous authors that chocolate is the staple of their diet. Is it in yours?

Of course it is. I’m a woman, aren’t I? As favorites go, I LOVE brownies. And other forms of chocolate like that as well as regular chocolate bars like Twix.

· Will electronic readers ever take the place of the humble paperback?

Maybe in 50 years. But not just yet.

· If you could be one of your characters – Who would you be? And why?

I really love damaged characters and ones with really big flaws. So I’m not sure I could be any of them, because I know what all of their issues are. But I wouldn’t mind Layla Morgan’s life. She was the heroine of An Affair Across Times Square. A lawyer with a large trust fund and a true wild side. I could live that life. I love to argue, so trying cases would be right up my alley. In fact, in my day job, I work at a law firm. ;-p

· Who or what influences you when you write?

EVERYTHING. Any book that I’m reading when I write a book can influence the way I see the book and also the writing style. I’ve found myself coming up with new spinoff ideas from the books I’ve been reading through the course of the creation of the new novel. And sometimes if I start a new book in the middle of writing a manuscript, I have to go back and fix consistency issues because I started writing a character one way and then switched halfway through.

· When you have writer’s block how do you break free?

I don’t believe in writer’s block. I believe in getting it done. I’ve had really piss poor word counts this year, but as I’ve been working two new jobs in addition to my author job, and planning a wedding (which is TWO weeks away), I haven’t had a lot of dedication to my writing this year. It’s been the longest hiatus since I started publishing in 2012, but that will be one of my new focuses as soon as the honeymoon is over.

· Is there a genre of book you would like to write but haven’t yet?

I want to write an erotic romance that is also a murder mystery. I don’t know as if anyone has ever blended those genres before, but I’d really like to. I’ve never written mystery before, so I think that would be really challenging. Honestly, I want to write everything! If only there were enough hours in the day.

· What is your favorite movie of all time? The one where you can watch it and still get affected at the same spots each and every time?

Drop Dead Fred. I love it. I just watched it again the other night for the millionth time. It’s hysterical. And sweet. And just wonderful. “What a pile of shit.” – makes me laugh out loud every time, and it’s in the first two minutes of the movie.

· Who would you want to be tied to for 24hours?

Vin Diesel – no contest! He’s incredible. I’ve been in love with him for years. Could we go with fuzzy leopard-print handcuffs though?

· What is your favorite way to relax after a hard day working and writing?

Reading. I love to read, even when I’ve been surrounded by words all day.

· What is the one era you would love to go visit and why?

The 20’s. I know it’s really idealized by modern culture, and I’m sure it wasn’t really the way we all idolize it, but I would adore experiencing it for myself.

· Do you believe in love at first sight?

Yes. Maybe. Lust at first site, absolutely. Love… maybe a special kind of love. Like the initial oh, my God moment where you can picture yourself in a big white dress staring into their eyes at the end of the aisle. But the deeper friendship connection that I think we need to sustain love… not so much. That has to come later and be built on memories, on experiences, kindness, support, life. I will say that I fell and fell hard and fast for my future husband, but it wasn’t quite love at first site.

· Have you ever been nervous over reader reaction when a new book comes out?

All the time – but it’s usually before the book comes out. My mom beta reads almost all of my titles before they come out. I’m always nervous about her reaction. Her last beta read of To Sir came back with “Liz isn’t damaged enough… fix her.” And she was right, of course.

· How much does reader response mean to you over your books?

A ton. I’m a people-pleaser at heart. I love to hear from readers that they enjoyed the book or that they took something away from it, whatever that may be.

· What is the nicest thing a reviewer has ever said about one of your books?

Not a reviewer – but a fan said that my book kept them up until 4 a.m. even though they had to go to work the following day.

The Bias Against Romance, and Acting Like a Professional

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Loring) — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 14:00:00 +0000

When I started writing romance two years ago, I had an idea of what I was getting into. After all, romance is famous for nothing so much as being "formulaic," "easy to write," and "just about sex." True, romance specifically requires a happy ending--or at least a happy-for-now, so in that sense, many people consider it predictable. After all, if you know the main characters are going to get together in the end, what's the point? As I was writing, however, I realized that in romance, it isn't the destination that's important but the journey, and that journey took me to some fascinating places. I noted on a friend and editor's Facebook post about a similar topic that for this trilogy I've had to research, among other things, Russian culture and language, bipolar II disorder, what happens when a skate blade completely severs a tendon, the NHL Players' Association's collective bargaining agreement, the process for investigating an alleged sexual assault in New York State, and bronchoalveolar carcinoma. (So tell me again that romance doesn't require any research?)

What I did not anticipate is how deeply the horror community misunderstands and despises romance--and as someone who has spent most of her career writing horror, this enrages me. I would expect the horror community of all people to understand what it's like to be disparaged and disrespected. Horror in any form is frequently dismissed altogether because of its associations with violence, its critics not taking into account the wealth of psychological and "quiet" horror that balance out the more extreme variations. When I see horror writers doing the same thing to romance, when the extent of their knowledge is revealed to be thirty-year-old Mills & Boon paperbacks, I'm reminded of insecure playground bullies who make others feel bad in order to boost their own self-confidence. It's sad and more importantly, it's unprofessional. In the past few months, I've seen a horror writer refer to romance as "mindless," and I've come across this gem in a horror publisher's guidelines: "Dark Fantasy/Supernatural Romance – Yuck." I fully expect a publisher to list the genres they don't accept. What I don't expect from an alleged professional is their opinion on that genre, rendered in so juvenile a way. (Not to mention that dark fantasy and "supernatural" romance are not the same thing.)

Listen--I was one of those people who used to deride romance and tout myself as superior because I didn't read or write that crap. Then I met a bunch of awesome romance writers. I learned. I grew--which is the most important thing you can keep doing as a writer. I discovered that I wanted to write it, that I loved writing it, and that I put more time, effort, and research into The Firebird Trilogy than anything I've written thus far. But one thing I cannot conceive of doing is to publicly insult an entire genre and by extension all the people working in it.

If you don't like a genre, that's your prerogative. No one likes everything. But if you're going to conduct yourself as a professional, it would behoove you to educate yourself and act like one. It's a tough business, and we're all in this together. Let's give each other some support.

--Jenn

Falcon's Way by @nonaraines #Contemporary #99cents

noreply@blogger.com (Nona Raines) — Mon, 26 Sep 2016 12:00:00 +0000

Happy Monday, everyone! I'm so glad to be here today to share the news of my latest release, Falcon's Way, which is one of stories in The Charmed Bracelet: Love Stories Linked Through Time. I'm sharing the anthology with four other amazing authors: Lara Archer, Leela Lou Dahlin, and A. Catherine Noon and Rachel Wilder. I'm so thrilled to be among them.

Let me tell you a bit about Falcon's Way:

Trust no one. Barrett Gilmore survives by that creed. She learned it the hard way.

The hard times are mostly behind her now. She no longer goes hungry. She has a job and a decent place to live. And if she's not really happy, at least she's at peace.

Until Michael Falco storms into her life. Sure, she's grateful he intervened when that street kid attacked her, but she never asked him to play the hero in the rest of her life. She doesn't need rescuing.

But still he pursues her. Barrett knows there's an angle. A man with his wealth and high lifestyle could only want one thing from a woman like her. And she's not for sale. She doesn't trust him, but worse, she doesn't trust herself around him.

If Michael has his way, he'll show her how to do more than merely survive—he'll show her how to live.

And here's an excerpt:

"How's your arm feeling?" he asked, watching her alertly, as though to pick up on any discomfort.

She was stuck with him, at least through lunch. No reason not to have a civil conversation. "Not bad. I'm just glad to know it's nothing serious."

"We'll stop at the pharmacy on the way home and fill that prescription," he told her.

"Wonder how much that'll run me." She didn't see the point in paying good money for something that was probably just fancy aspirin.

"I'll handle it." Falco's voice was firm.

Damn it, he was doing it again. Had she asked him to pay for the prescription? "Is that what you do? Handle things? Make decisions for people and expect them to just fall into line?"

She hadn't expected a response, but he seemed to seriously consider the question. "In my line of work I'm used to making decisions."

"Your line of work." She remembered the card the big man gave her last night. "Falco Ventures. What's that?"

"We're venture capitalists. We look for small businesses and start-ups to invest in."

"Falco. Is that Italian?"

"Yes."

She recalled something else about the card—its logo. A large bird with its wings spread. "Falcon? Is that what it means?"

"Falcon or hawk, yes."

Perfect. Barrett had caught a nature show on falcons once. They looked so majestic and lonely, circling the sky in solitary flight as they scanned the ground for their next meal. Falco watched her sharply now with hooded eyes, the way that bird of prey might watch a mouse.

Well, he'd find out she was no mouse.

*****

I hope you enjoyed that little snippet! I more exciting news--the complete anthology is available for only 99 cents for a very limited time!

You can find it at any one of these retailers:

Amazon: https://amzn.com/B01IFYI3PG

AllRomance ebooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thecharmedbracelet-2076558-166.html

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-charmed-bracelet-lara-archer/1124100052

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/the-charmed-bracelet

iTunes: https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-charmed-bracelet/id1134573972?mt=11

Thanks so much, friends, and have a wonderful week!

Nona Raines

Website--Facebook--Twitter--Newsletter

Now available: my newest releases, No Promises and the Not the Hot Chick series

The Quest for Erotic

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 16:00:00 +0000

Reviews: “Such an authentic voice!”

Me: “Yeah, my guy friends give input. I’m not gonna lie.”

Setting the (Writing) Mood with Music

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Loring) — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 14:00:00 +0000

The human brain responds to music in a way it does with no other sound, even language. Given music's tie to dance, which was originally intended to create an intense, pleasurable sense of intoxication and release, it's no wonder so much of our music centers on love and sex and that dancing often leads to sexytime. Here's how to harness the power of music for your next writing session.

Many people prefer to write in silence or with the TV on. Because I was a DJ once upon a time and can't imagine writing without music, I challenge you to spend a little time creating a playlist, whether it's through Spotify, YouTube, iTunes--whatever your preference is. This may seem time-consuming, but it can be a lot of fun and a great way to discover new music. Center it around a general theme or your current project. I write in several genres, so I have playlists for vampires, werewolves, fantasy, even the apocalypse! I also put one together specifically for Firebird, and now I can't hear those songs without picturing the scene to which they correspond. (You can check it out here.) For me, this is part of the discovery process. I've gotten tons of ideas from song lyrics; even the mood of a song can inspire me and lead to something I hadn't thought of previously. It can influence my characters as well. Alex's musical preferences largely arose because of the genres that dominate the Firebird playlist.

The trick is to avoid music you might sing along to, because before you know it, you'll be typing the lyrics. Video game soundtracks and dark ambient have become my go-to for this reason. This is where writing my first drafts in longhand also helps--I'm more conscious of what I'm writing and less likely to transcribe my favorite song into my book. :) But don't start writing right away. Just listen for a few minutes. Let the music speak to you and let your mind wander. How do you feel? What are you thinking about? Does the song remind you of one of your characters, and in what way?

Writing something sexy and don't know where to begin with your playlist? Try the Angels: Chill Trance Essentials series or the Sexual Chillout and Sensual Trance series for starters. Typing in "erotic chill out" brings up some nice results as well. YouTube playlists are especially fun because they lead you to a wealth of other songs and artists--and hopefully, to the sexiest scenes you've ever written!

--Jenn--

Not tonight, honey, I have a headache: 5 Things that Kill the Mood

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 12:00:00 +0000

If you're here and reading this, then, like all of us, you like to fling open the bedroom door and get your fictional freak on. Welcome! You're in good company ;-) As both an avid reader and writer of erotic romance, I've read a lot of sex scenes. Some of them had me dragging my husband upstairs or running to take a cold shower. Others left me shaking my head. I've even been known to laugh out loud at times (which I'm positive was not the authors intention).

So, I've wondered, what is it about certain sex scenes that don't do it for me? What do those authors do that kill the mood? Here are my top five things that will make me roll over and cry headache...

1. The "C" Word -- No, I'm not talking about cum. I'm talking about that nasty four-letter word that's used to describe the female anatomy, or often hurled as the ultimate insult. C-U-N-T. I absolutely hate this word. There's nothing sexy about it, and every single time I encounter it in a book, I physically cringe. Every. Single. Time. Please, please use something else. I beg you.

2. Paging Dr. Penis -- I read a book once wherein the heroine either thought or said something to the effect of, "I can't wait to feel his penis inside of me." *Insert screeching air brakes sound* Nope. Cue the laughing. I'm sorry, but penis is such a clinical sounding term. If it's in a romance, it had best be used in a medical setting or by a parent having "the talk" with their kid. Seriously, I'd rather read the word "cock" or "dick" a bazillion times.

3. Say What? -- Now, I'm all for dirty talk. In fact, I find sex scenes without dialogue to be boring, and I generally skim read or skip them. But throw in some hawt dirty talk? Woo, now we're talking! However, if the dirty talk reads like it was lifted from a porno script, I'm outta there! Don't allow characters to lose their personalities simply because they've lost their clothing.

4. No Doesn't Really Mean No, Does It? -- Lack of consent leading up to and during a sex scene will make me stop reading completely. I will put the book down and walk away. And silence does not equal consent. A perfect example... In a recent read, the hero tries to get busy with the heroine while she's at work. The heroine verbally says, "We can't do this here." To me, that's a big fat NO! But the hero, refusing to be swayed, keeps kissing her and tempting her. Eventually, she gets all hot and bothered and then they have mind blowing sex. I mean, is there any other kind? This isn't sexy. This is rape-y, and with the rape culture being what it is in today's society, this not okay. At all. Ever. Period. Full stop.

5. The Never-ending Erection -- Okay, I get that this is fiction, and if the sex was portrayed realistically, people wouldn't read it. But c'mon! When the hero gets off in the heroine's mouth and then 2.3 seconds later he's rock hard again and pounding away inside of her... Let the eye rolling begin. Unless he's popped a little blue pill, give him a little bit of time to recoup.

Remember, reading is a personal and subjective activity. What kills it for me might be the thing to get your libido running. So, sound off in the comments. What kills the mood for you?

~ Lexi ~

Diversity in Writing and Publishing

noreply@blogger.com (Rachell Nichole) — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 07:00:00 +0000

Diversity is a word that is being looked at more and more closely in the writing and publishing world these days. And diversity doesn't always mean what people think it means. Diversity can have everything to do with skin color, and also nothing to do with skin color. Now, you may think that I get to say that, that because my skin is light, I can interpret diversity to mean something other than "non-white." But I would vehemently disagree. This is not me invoking my white privilege, honest.

I wrote an essay back in college that was published in an introductory text to be read by all incoming freshman for years to come after I graduated, and it was an essay that I was uniquely qualified to write, because of my history. It was an essay on which the premise, there is no such thing as race, was based. Culture exists, culture is a brilliant, amazing diverse thing, but race is a social construct. It's something humanity created to make an "us and them" dichotomy. I know this, because I lived it. I'll give you a bit of a history lesson: my grandmother only dated black men after her third divorce. I had the immense fortune to grow up with six grandparents, three grandmothers, and three grandfathers, though my gram never married Sam, he was my grandfather. At every birthday, at every Thanksgiving and Christmas, etc. It was the most normal, natural thing in the world to me growing up that I had a grandfather who just happened to be a few shades darker than me.

Now, diversity in writing and publishing does absolutely include voices from other cultures and backgrounds, 100%, but it also means so many other things. I've had the chance through teaching the past few months to do some research into diversity in publishing, both within the romance genre, and from outside of it, and I couldn't be prouder to be in the publishing world than I am right now.

Looking at the awards, and the accolades, finally being doled out to women who write horror, and self-published authors who write romance, and yes, writers from different ethnicities and backgrounds - all I can think is FINALLY! Finally this industry I love, this industry I want to dedicate my life to is finally taking notice that women can write science fiction and horror, that men can write romance, that readers and publishers alike want diverse voices, authors from all walks of life and backgrounds, all ethnicities and cultures.

4 out of 16 Bram Stoker winners this year were women, and there were several more women in the running to win in multiple categories. Now, you may say that 1/4 is a piss poor statistic for women in the horror genre, and yes, this is true, but 10 years ago, there was nary a woman even on the docket, and yet, one of the most famous horror authors of all time was a woman. One of the most-used texts that has been made into countless movies and inspired millions of authors, Frankenstein, was written by a woman, a hundred plus years before women writers were really allowed to be a thing.

Now, when you look at this year's RITA award winners, it's true that they are all women, and that most of them are from "white" backgrounds, but some are not. Moreover, several of the books on the list were self-published. This is a form of diversity in publishing that we don't necessarily talk about all that often - the stigma still associated with self-publishing, as if that was the only option left when the book was deemed undesirable by everyone else - that's just not true.

Now, I am not saying that we do not need more, many many more, other voices in writing, particularly in genre fiction, because we so do. But I am saying that diversity means a lot of different things, and I for one, see that we are finally moving in the right direction. So, readers, get to demanding more diversity in your reading. Writers, get to writing diversely. Write something unique and unusual for a genre, jump into a genre you "have no business writing in" because we need you to!

As you may know, I work a lot of diverse characters from different backgrounds into my books. I write about people who are light-skinned and dark, some who have Asian or American Indian backgrounds. I write about straight people and lesbians, and gay or bi-sexual men. Because just because I have light skin and a college education doesn't mean that is the only perspective I can, should, or want to write from. I love writing about different characters from all over the place, and I hope you enjoy reading about them too.

~ Rach

#TeaserTuesday: Sibling Rivalry by Lexi Lawton

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 13:00:00 +0000

Today's #TeaserTuesday is from one of my current works-in-progress; a contemporary erotic romance called SIBLING RIVALRY.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

“You’re not seriously suggesting we have sex.” McKenzie crossed her arms over her chest, pushing her breasts up in a tantalizing manner.

Tristan took her arms and moved them away from her chest, his knuckles grazing her hard nipples as he did. Her eyes widened, but he didn’t miss the soft sigh that escaped her lips, or the way she subtly arched toward him. “That’s exactly what I’m suggesting.” He dragged his fingers up the sides of her stomach and over her ribs, causing her skin to erupt in goose bumps.

She licked her lips and inched closer.

He moved his hands along the sides of her breasts and over her nipples, flicking them gently with his thumbs.

“Oh God,” she moaned.

His cock thickened painfully, and he knew then, if he didn’t get her to agree, it was going to be a long, lonely night—And his hand wasn’t going to do it for him this time. He needed to sink into the warmth of her body, to feel her legs wrapped around his waist as he pounded into her.

“Just sex. Nothing else. Just two people helping each other get off.” He rolled her nipples between his fingers and pinched slightly.

“Oh please.” She rolled her eyes.

When the idea to seduce her had first popped into his mind, he thought it would go a lot smoother than it was. “Okay, then how about this. One kiss.” He held up his index finger. “If it’s weird or awkward or you don’t like it, I’ll go back to my room and leave you alone.”

“And if it’s not weird or awkward?”

“Then we go farther. If you want.”

She paused for a moment then shoved him hard enough to cause him to fall back on the bed. Then she climbed on top of him, straddling his waist, her hands on either side of his head so that she was poised above him. “Just call this what it is. You want to fuck me. Plain and simple.”

“Damn right I do.” He rested his hands on her waist then moved them down to her ass. He gave her cheeks a firm squeeze then held her down on him. The heat of her pussy seeped through his boxers, and his cock jerked in response. “I want to fuck you.” He lifted his hips, driving his erection harder against her. “I want to hear you scream my name.”

She bore down on him, and his stomach clenched. “And if I say no?” she asked.

“If you wanted to say no, you would’ve by now. You would’ve put your shirt back on and kicked me the hell out of your room. You wouldn’t have straddled me and dangled your tits in my face.” He caressed her ass and spread her cheeks, letting his finger slip lower, teasing her pussy with an almost touch. “Admit it. You want to fuck me just as badly as I want to fuck you.”

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Like what you've read? Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and sign up for my newsletter for the most up-to-date information. And don't forget to check out TEMPTING TANNER, coming December 2016 from Entangled Embrace.

#SaturdaySpankings: Rachell Nichole

noreply@blogger.com (Rachell Nichole) — Sat, 03 Sep 2016 03:50:00 +0000

Welcome to the new Divas of Desire site. We are now 9 authors strong, and ready to kick ass and take names.

Today, I want to share with you an excerpt from a femdomme erotic romance, Belle by Night. Anna is a mild-mannered preschool teacher by day, and a phone sex Domme by night.

He heard a loud whistle followed by a thwack. His pulse spiked. He wanted to ask what the noise was, but he didn’t dare; maybe he didn’t want to know the answer.
“Do you know what that sound is, pet?”
“No, Mistress,” he whispered, his voice almost gone.
“Oh, my sweet, you are innocent, aren’t you?” she taunted.
Since he felt about the farthest thing from it, he didn’t respond.
“When I ask you a question, pet, I expect an answer.” Her voice was hard, punctuated with another loud thwack at the end.

Anna by day, but Belle by night, Annabelle Stevens trades in her classroom ruler for a telephone and leather bustier when the sun goes down. With her heart set on finishing her Master’s degree and opening her own low-cost preschool, she had to earn extra cash somehow. And as a phone sex operator, she makes more than she could working three day jobs. But when day and night collide, Mistress Belle’s favorite caller jeopardizes her normal life, and she has to choose--the dream she’s always wanted, or the secret identity that lets her be the Domme she truly is.

Widower Dean Wellington has one goal in life: to be the best father he can be to his autistic son, Preston. But when he realizes he’s falling far short, he fears he can’t give Preston everything he needs alone. When his search for a wife leads to one disastrous date after another, he finds solace in the unlikeliest of places: a phone sex operator. He knows Mistress Belle can’t be appropriate mother material, but when she orders him to bend his will to hers, he’s lost to the passionate storm she calls forth.

When Dean realizes he’ll never find a better mother for his son than Preston’s teacher Anna, he has to choose between the Mistress that brings out his darkest desires, and giving his son everything he deserves. Little does Dean know that the choice may not be a choice at all.

Need more Belle by Night? Find it here:

Loose Id: http://bit.ly/1OUtMBl

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1Lh26jd

B&N: http://bit.ly/1jwmIxE

ARE: http://bit.ly/1hpjr1z

Need more Spankings? Find them below:

Thwack!

~Rach

Welcome New Divas!

noreply@blogger.com (Rachell Nichole) — Thu, 01 Sep 2016 09:00:00 +0000

Many many moons ago (or, you know, four years), two of my fellow Central New York Romance Writer cohorts and I sat down to have a little chat after one of our meetings. The topic, of course, was this grog (group blog) and how we could join forces and send our words into the world of blogging to talk about life, writing, books, and, of course, SEX! Lots and lots of sex.

Because we were all erotic romance authors, Nona, Danica, and I all had a lot to share about writing and sex and writing about sex. We were all about sharing. We posted about book deals and about new releases, we had guest bloggers, and author interviews, and damn if we didn't have a good time reading each other's posts and your comments. And as the years went on, we all got a bit crazier, and ended up posting less and less, and so we have now decided to bring in some more wonderful authors to our Divas family to join in and share on the grog. We will be posting lots more, and about lots of diverse writing, erotic romance, love, sex, and book-related topics! So be sure to stay tuned for lots to come. We'll also likely be hosting some other authors and doing some giveaways and all kinds of stuff!

But, without further ado, Nona, Danica, and I would like to welcome the following Divas!

Jacki King

Michelle King (no relation to Jacki)

Lexi Lawton

Jennifer Loring

Mary Rogers

And

B.Leslie Tirell

Some of our authors are in the "pre-publishing" phase, meaning they're just starting out in the erotic romance genre, and not yet published in it, others have published some titles, and still others have published many titles! Together, we have nearly 70 Publications! How amazing is that!?

We are a diverse group and come from lots of different backgrounds and have followed different paths to writing and publishing, and I can't wait to see where we go from here together!

Please join me in welcoming the new Divas.

You can find more about us and our works here: https://divasofdesire.blogspot.com/2016/08/diva-books.html

~Rach

Meet The Divas & Their Books

noreply@blogger.com (Rachell Nichole) — Mon, 15 Aug 2016 21:26:00 +0000

Jacki King:
Find Jacki here: www.facebook.com/jacki.king.16

Michelle King:

Long known as a bookseller and reviewer under moniker of Mystique Books, author Michelle King finally put her side projects aside, picked up a pen and set about writing the books she loves. Her talent is the ability to cross the genre lines and hybridize romance novels. Her passion is FF&P romance novels, specifically Futuristic romance. The idea of exploring how we are and how we love while dancing among the stars is something she finds endlessly fascinating.

Lexi Lawton:

Lexi Lawton lives in Michigan with her husband, three kids, three pit bulls, and two cats. When she's not writing, she enjoys going to the gym, spending time with her family and friends, and obsessively listening to anything by Luke Bryan. With tastes that range from the tame to the taboo, she enjoys weaving tales of love, sex, and suspense. For the most up-to-date information, be sure to sign up for her newsletter: http://eepurl.com/b96e5X.
Find Lexi here:
www.facebook.com/LexiLawtonAuthor & www.twitter.com/Lexi_Lawton.

Jennifer Loring:
Jennifer Loring has been, among other things, a DJ, an insurance claims assistant, and an editor. Her short fiction has appeared in numerous magazines, webzines, and anthologies, including Tales from the Lake vol. 1 and DarkFuse Magazine. Longer work includes the novellas and novels Conduits and Firebird. She lives in Philadelphia, PA with her husband, their turtle, and two basset hounds.

Rachell Nichole:
Rachell Nichole is saucy mama who writes Sizzling Romantic Entanglements. The author of many erotic romances, Rachell lives in Pennsylvania with a mountain of books, the love of her life, and an invisible cat who loves to snuggle. Find Rachell Here: www.twitter.com/RachellNichole & www.facebook.com/RachellNichole

Nona Raines:

Nona Raines is a former librarian who lives in upstate New York with her many pets. She’s currently working on her next novel between walking the dog and shooing the cats off the laptop. Her contemporary and erotic romances are published with The Wild Rose Press and Loose Id. She has recently taken the leap into self publishing as well. Her most recent works are the new adult serial romance Not the Hot Chick (as N. Raines) and her novella Falcon's Way, part of The Charmed Bracelet anthology.

Mary Rogers:

Mary Rogers is Brooklyn Irish. She's been married 29 years, has four kids and multiple cats and dogs. She cannot resist a shelter. She also has too many shoes and purses, and a deep and meaningful relationship with red wine. Short, passionate affairs with white wines all end in bitter recriminations.

You can find Mary at: www.authormaryrogers.com

Danica St. Como:

A Jersey girl born & bred, for the last nine years, Danica St. Como has written at her farm in central upstate New York, usually surrounded by a gaggle of Whippets either under or around her desk, as well as a malevolent treadmill that stares at her from across the room. She puts pen to paper, in a manner of speaking, under several romance sub-genres: contemporary, MFM and MMFmenage a trois, MM pairings, erotic historical, paranormal -- all hot, all steamy, all sexually explicit.

St. Como is a member of the Romance Writers of America and the Central New York Romance Writers chapter of the RWA. Readers can contact her at Danica@DanicaStComo.com.

B. Leslie Tirrell:

B. Leslie Tirrell became a writer in the third grade when her teacher penalized the class and made them finish a story in their Spelling book. She fell in love with writing that day and never stopped. After attempts at becoming a Biologist and peon for The Man, B. Leslie returned to her true vocation of writing and earned her MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University in June of 2014. She lives in Toledo, Ohio. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys cosplay, yaoi, body modifications, being Asexual, and being a crazy cat lady. Find B. Leslie here:
https://www. facebook.com/b.leslietirrell/ & http://www.twitter.com/bleslietirrell
& http://www.pinterest.com/bleslietirrell

Redesign coming Soon

noreply@blogger.com (Rachell Nichole) — Mon, 15 Aug 2016 12:01:00 +0000

Hello Divettes!

We are working on a redesign, and should have things back up and running shortly. Thanks for your patience.

We are looking to expand our blog rotation with other erotic romance authors. Comment below if you're interested!

Thanks,
Rach

How I Got That Cat: Snickers #cats #NoPromises #NewAdult

noreply@blogger.com (Nona Raines) — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 13:00:00 +0000

Hello, friends. I'm so happy to be here today to share a bit

more about my new adult romance No Promises.

My heroine, Sam, is a vet tech who falls for Rick, a paramedic who's hiding a secret. In her spare time, Sam helps rescue feral cats and tries to outsmart a bossy stray named Big Boy. I'm not as experienced as Sam is in the rescue field, but as someone who now lives with several cats, I have a few stories of my own. All my animals have come from the Humane Society, a rescue group or are ones I've found on my own. I'd like to share a story about one of them today.

This story is about Snickers, my chubby gray and black tabby cat.

I first spotted her around my neighborhood several years ago. She was a friendly little thing. Though I asked around, she didn't seem to belong to anyone. Feeling bad for her, I started leaving food out on my porch for her every day. (I know, I know. I'm a soft touch.) I knew she was hungry, because my neighbor told me the cat had been eating bread and peanut butter my neighbor put out for the squirrels.

I found Snickers (though she wasn't named that yet) on my porch every day, mewing for me and wanting me to pet her. Of course, I caved. She was a sweetheart, even following me when I walked somewhere. I tried to do what I could to find her owner if there was one. I even placed an ad in the classifieds. Nobody claimed her, so she became mine. She bonded very well with my orange tabby Walter and became very protective of him. Walter crossed the Rainbow Bridge some years ago, but Snickers is still going strong, putting her "little sister" Topaz in her place when the youngster gets too fresh.

And that's how I got that cat.

Snickers, staring into the camera.

No Promises Blurb:

Is her love enough to save him?

Samantha Pennywell had a massive crush on Rick Russo in high school, but he was her cousin's boyfriend and strictly off limits. When she meets him again years later, it doesn't take her long to realize her feelings haven't changed.

But Rick has changed. He's not the guy Sam remembers. A tragic event has shattered his confidence, shaken his beliefs and left him rudderless. He can't make Sam any promises of love. Promises are too easily broken.

Sam spends her life caring for sick and homeless animals. She's never met a stray she didn't love. But even her love may not be able to save Rick from himself.

Available at

Amazon: http://amzn.com/B019LPXOGQ

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/no-promises-4

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1070562159

All Romance: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-nopromises-1955852-149.html

Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/no-promises-n-raines/1123260173?ean=2940157825188

#Cats Rule! (And Dogs Drool?) #Movies #NewAdult #NoPromises

noreply@blogger.com (Nona Raines) — Mon, 08 Feb 2016 13:00:00 +0000

Happy Friday, friends!

I'm still celebrating the release of new adult romance, No Promises. My heroine, Sam, works as a vet tech who also rescues feral cats on her own time. Cats play an important part in the story, especially one bossy guy named Big Boy. I've always enjoyed movies featuring animals--especially cats--and thought I'd list a few that you might enjoy, too.

Cat's Eye

A film written by Stephen King, based on his short stories. A stray tabby cat is a featured player in two of the stories in this horror anthology and the hero in the third. He battles an evil gnome in order to save young Drew Barrymore.

Harry and Tonto

This is a road movie featuring a senior citizen and his best friend, a cat. Art Carney plays Harry who has plenty of adventures with his furry orange buddy, Tonto. A funny and touching film.

Stuart Little

This movie is based on the children's book by E.B White. The main character, Stuart, is a mouse who is adopted by a human family. Snowbell (voiced by Nathan Lane), the white cat who already lives there, resents Stuart and plots to get rid of his rival. (All ends happily, of course.)

Alien

Everyone remembers Ripley (played by Sigourney Weaver) as the sole survivor of toothy, drool-dripping alien in the scary sci-fi adventure. But they forget Jonesy, the orange cat who employs sneakiness and smarts to survive and escape along with Sigourney.

Walk on the Wild Side

This is a campy, over the top movie. One of those it's-so-bad-it's-good guilty pleasures. Though not in the main story, a stray black cat is featured in the beginning and end title sequences of the film. I think the cat represents the wild and untamed side of the characters. This is one of the well-known works of graphic designer/filmmaker Saul Bass. Here's a link if you'd like to see it yourself:

http://www.titledesignproject.com/walk-on-the-wild-side-title-sequence-by-saul-bass/

I'm sure there are plenty of films I've missed. Can you think of any that you've enjoyed?

No Promises:

A new adult romance by multi published author Nona Raines writing as N. Raines

She never met a stray she didn't love…

In high school, Sam Pennywell had a massive crush on Rick Russo. But he was her cousin’s boyfriend and strictly off-limits. Meeting Rick again years later, she can hardly recognize the man he’s become.

As a paramedic, Rick’s career is all about helping others. But in the line of duty, he’s become one of the injured. He’s caught in a dark place he can’t escape on his own. He can't make Sam any promises of love. Promises are too easily broken.

Sam spends her life taking care of sick and homeless animals. She's never met a stray she didn't love, and Rick is the most important rescue she'll ever make.

Find No Promises at:

Amazon: http://amzn.com/B019LPXOGQ

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/no-promises-4

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1070562159

All Romance: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-nopromises-1955852-149.html

Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/no-promises-n-raines/1123260173?ean=2940157825188

Have a wonderful weekend, all!

Nona Raines

Website--Facebook--Twitter--Newsletter

Now available: my newest releases, Her Kind of Man and No Promises

Coming Soon: Consenting Hearts @SexyMuffyWilson #erotic #romance #giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Nona Raines) — Wed, 03 Feb 2016 13:00:00 +0000

Consenting Hearts

Muffy Wilson

@SexyMuffyWIlson

Pre-Order Here

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Just as we cannot live without dreams, we cannot live without love. Love is not found, for love is truly blind. Lovers do not meet for they dwell inside of one another until the moment a whisper ignites the heart and a kiss touches the soul. And we call that the beginning...of life with love.

So on Valentine's Day, what better way to lay tribute to love and lovers than with a love story that just happens—not on purpose, not by design, not by any other intention than to live life and love without boundaries? To fly limitless into the arms of someone who completes your soul gives one wings.

Nothing can stop the power of love between a man and a woman.

This is a story about a professional woman, unlucky in love and tired of all things testosterone, who is erotically tempted by a female piano bar player and torch singer. Her intended tryst is derailed when she meets a Navy Seal in the lounge enjoying the sweet temptations of a Southern Comfort Manhattan.

How does the night unfold for the strangers above the jeweled colored sparkling lights strewn like a bed in the valley below? Perhaps a twosome or maybe a threesome. Or...

Perhaps forever is only for a night.

You know, the longer and more that I do this, it never gets easier to talk about myself. I think writers are inherently private, why I don’t know, because everything we write is revealing in some way. But, I love talking about my books and characters, so I guess, someday, I’ll get used to talking about myself too!

How long have you been a writer and how did you come to writing?

In many respects, I have written most of my life. I was in sales and marketing before I retired and I had to write proposals, proformas, presentations and contracts so I had to have some command of the English language. It was only after I started writing provocative romance and erotica that I realized how little command I actually have!! But, I started, in earnest, writing stories and books in 2010. My first story, The Storm, was published in 2010 by Oysters & Chocolate, an online magazine now defunct. The $10 I earned mad me a pro! I hope that isn’t a sign of things to come!

How did you come up with this story?

I wrote a very short workshop teaser, The Bath, for a group I am in in which the woman bathing dozes and feels hands on her, soothing her tired muscles and becoming more insistent, erotically. She gives herself over to the sensations and then as she drains the tub thinks she sees a face in the water. It was the beginning or a romance that spans a century about a seafaring man that keeps returning to his home to try to find his beloved, Amalya who died in childbirth. He mistakenly thinks that Emily, now in his home, is she. That is how this all started and these two characters literally swept me away.

What are 3 of your favorite lines/quotes from Consenting Hearts?

I have so many, but these are just a few that are PG rated for this interview:

Sailie took her first sip, feeling the warmth of the drink claiming her body, inch by inch. She savored that very first sip luxuriously. It was like a lover’s hands sliding down her body, igniting every inch as they felt their way to her toes.

Swish, swish, swish…and her thong bit into her tender folds as a poignant reminder.

Dylan lit a cigar and Sailie thought she would like to die in his arms from the mere honeyed scent of the burning leaves.

Are reader reviews important to you?

Reader reviews are very important to me. Positive reinforcement is essential to my life-force. It is like getting all dressed up for a party looking your best, and no one notices if I don’t get reviews. And it is crushing. You know, shameless self-promotion only goes so far, and that’s usually with your family! As in anything, word of mouth is the best form of advertising—and so it goes with books. Oddly enough, while I don’t particularly care for average reviews, they do not bother me. You cannot please everyone and one really never knows a reader’s points of reference. Anyway, I am harder on my work than anyone else could ever be.

I have been fortunate to be selected as a Readers' Favorite. You can read some of the wonderful nearly two dozen 5 star reviews here:

Well, I suppose I should say “Good Bye” as I would hate to bore you into thinking my books are equally tiresome! They are lovely. Read some of the reviews, speaking of reviews. It has been an honor to be here with you today. I so appreciate your time and interest in sharing my work with your friends, family and fans. They are all a special lot and I love each and every one of them. Thank you for stopping by.

She told him what she had done to herself in the ladies’ room, the slight smell of vodka and lemons on her breath escaping from full, ruby lips as he watched them move with each word and syllable. He was getting hard again; she could see the bulge in his pants. She described in detail exactly what she had done, how she felt and how it had made her feel when she emerged from the ladies’ room: strong, powerful, in control—hot. She leaned in closer and whispered into his ear.

“I am so tempted to guide your hand up to the wet desire you caused between my thighs.”

His bulge was quite obviously rock hard, as he no doubt remembered when she’d returned from the ladies’ room but in earnest at her seductive suggestion…

“I would be less than an officer and a gentleman if I didn’t oblige. I must confess,” Dylan said, “I thought I smelled the fragrance of sex on you, and you made me hard as steel—Navy steel hard…Jesus, Sailie…” Ordinarily, a comment like that would have brought some chuckles but the two of them were dead serious, staring into one another’s hungry eyes.

“Last call for alcohol. You don’t hafta go home; you just gotta go. You can’t stay here,” the bartender hollered interrupting their locked gaze.

People started to shuffle around them gathering their things, collecting their coats and umbrellas, leaving. Sailie and Dylan had just gotten fresh drinks, so they had a few minutes to whisper and touch before they would have to join the others and leave. Shortly, the bartender started turning on lights and flashing them dim to high. That was the universal message that before too long, they would stay on. Sailie and Dylan were unconcerned. They had nothing but one another in their shared look. And Sailie thought of the torch singer.

The piano player stood, looked at Sailie and blew out the candle on her piano. In the flicker of the burning light, Sailie saw the invitation.

Dylan broke his gaze, stood and took Sailie’s elbow. “We’d better leave before they have us arrested,” he said. And they smiled, knowingly, at one another. Sailie was hoping there would be better reasons ahead to get them both arrested.

“Wait. Do you mind if I give my friend, Meesa, a ride home?”

“Meesa?” Disappointment hung on his voice.

“The piano player.”

“Oh…no, of course not. But, I have a small car.”

“No problem. I mean, would you like to have a nightcap at my house? I’ll ride with you and Meesa can bring my car when she is finished here. She doesn’t have one. You don’t mind, do you?” What could he say sporting that hard-on?

“No, I mean yes! I would love to come have a drink at your house and no, I don’t mind if she brings your car. I didn’t realize you were friends.”

“Well, yes, we’ve been friends for a little while. I’ll explain later. Let me give her the keys.”

As they rose to go, Sailie broke away from the man who had held her attention the entire night to the woman that held it now. She bent to the young woman’s ear as she slipped a twenty into the bountiful brandy snifter and inhaled the lavender fragrance she remembered so swell. Her aroma sent an electric bolt to the moist center of Sailie’s desire.

“Come to my house when you are finished, won’t you?”

“Yes, of course, I will. I’ve been watching you all night, both of you, but then you knew that,” the long-legged blond with the soft fingertips answered matter-of-factly.

“Here are my keys. We’ll have a drink. You will come, promise? Do you remember how to get there?”

“Of course, I said I will, Sailie. I’ll be here awhile cleaning up, but I should be there in about an hour. And yes, I remember how to get there. It hasn’t been that long—just last night.”

“You don’t mind him, too, do you?”

“Mind? Oh, lord Sailie, no. Are you fucking kidding? He’s gorgeous. And you look absolutely radiant. Is that an iridescent blush on your cheeks? You look beautiful.”

“Thank you, sugar. No, it’s not blush but excitement and a little bit of cum. See ya at my house.”

Sailie kissed her ear, the twenty safely tucked in the snifter, sucked her earlobe into her mouth with a little flick of her tongue and turned to the man that had her mojo melting.

“Come on, Dylan. Are you ready to go? I’ll ride with you to my house.”

“Ah, sure, Sailie. You, ah…you, ah, you kissed her…?”

“Yes,” Sailie turned and wiggled a wave to Meesa. “We’re close.”

“Oh, well, then…”

Pre-order link for Consenting Hearts now available:

Amazon US - http://amzn.to/1lviMOk
Amazon UK - http://amzn.to/1JY8i5J
iTunes - http://apple.co/1P0GPwU
B&N Nook - http://bit.ly/1Nmklod
Kobo - http://bit.ly/1JhW5bS

Join us for the Release Event, Will You Be Mine? Multi-Author Prizes, Giveaways, eBooks, Games and Interviews. You want it? We got it!!

Welcome to the release event for Consenting Hearts by author Muffy Wilson! Release day is Valentine's Day 2016. Will You be Mine? From 8am - 9pm! All Day!

Join in for some fun as we celebrate this new release! Giveaways, contests, guest authors, games and of course, virtual food and drinks.

We hope to see you here!

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Muffy, author of provocative romance about love, sex, hope and passion, was born in Texas to traditional parents. With two older brothers, she was the youngest, the family "princess," indulged and pampered. Her father was a career Colonel and pilot in the U.S. Air Force which required the family to travel extensively. Muffy spent her formative years in Europe and 'came of age' in France which forged her joie de vivre and love for books, writing and education.

Married and living in the tropical paradise of SW Florida along the Gulf Coast, Muffy dabbles in real estate, writes and enjoys life in the sun with her husband and wee Havanese pup, Burt.

~ Live, Laugh, Love with Passion

Amazon Author Page

#Paramedics Are Not Ambulance Drivers! #NoPromises #99cents #newadult

noreply@blogger.com (Nona Raines) — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 16:15:00 +0000

Happy Friday, friends. I'm still celebrating the release of my New Adult romance, No Promises. Remember, it's available for only 99 cents through the month of January!

Blurb:

A new adult romance by multi published author Nona Raines writing as N. Raines

She never met a stray she didn't love…

Sam spends her life taking care of sick and homeless animals. She's never met a stray she didn't love, and Rick is the most important rescue she'll ever make.

Amazon: http://amzn.com/B019LPXOGQ

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/no-promises-4

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1070562159

All Romance: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-nopromises-1955852-149.html

Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/no-promises-n-raines/1123260173?ean=2940157825188

Rick,the hero of the story, is a paramedic. While doing research on his profession I learned a few things I'd like to share with you.

1. Don't Call Emergency Service Personnel "Ambulance Drivers."

Paramedics and EMTs do a lot more than driving the ambulance and running the siren. In my state, paramedics must complete a two year degree program. They're able to give medications and trained in advanced life support. They must be certified and renew their certification every three years.

2. Their jobs are physically taxing.

All the lifting and carrying they do can take a toll. They may have to carry individuals who are heavy, sometimes down flights of stairs. This is especially challenging in an apartment building where there is no elevator. They may have to deal with people who are uncooperative or aggressive due to alcohol, drugs or mental illness. Occasionally, they are even physically assaulted. They have to keep calm and behave professionally at all times while protecting themselves and others.

3. Their jobs are emotionally taxing.

Emergency service personnel are often first at the scene in cases of child abuse. They have to help a child who has been hurt by his or her own parent or caretaker. They are on the scenes of accidents where innocent people have been hurt and killed by drivers under the influence. They see some terrible, heartbreaking sights yet must keep their feelings under control and do their best to help the injured and transport them as quickly and safely as possible. These tragedies may take an emotional toll on first responders and filter into their personal lives.

4. They don't get the pay or respect they deserve.

Emergency service personnel work long hours under difficult conditions to save lives. While they are responsible for keeping people safe and getting them to the hospital as quickly as possible, their assistance often goes unrecognized by the public. They often have to deal the results of society's inability to provide enough care for the indigent, the homeless and the mentally ill. They also have to deal professionally with people who abuse the system, keeping them from those truly in need.

5. They care about people.

Actually, this was one thing I didn't have to learn from reading a book or scouring the web. I've been fortunate enough to speak to several Emergency Service Personnel and their good humor and love of humanity shines through. They don't get much pay or many pats on the back, but they don't complain. Still, it's time we "civilians" recognize everything they do and give them the recognition they deserve. They, along with firefighters and police officers, are the first on the scene when we need help.

Have a wonderful weekend, all!

Nona Raines

Website--Facebook--Twitter--Newsletter

Now available: my newest releases, Her Kind of Man and No Promises

No Promises #Review Tour! #NewAdult #99cents #giveaway @XPressoTours

noreply@blogger.com (Nona Raines) — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 13:00:00 +0000

Happy Monday, friends! Just a quick note here. No Promises, my new adult romance I've published as N. Raines, is entering its second week of publication and still only 99 cents! With the help of Xpresso Book Tours I've sponsored a review tour all this week and I'm offering a $25 GC as well. Please scroll down so you can enter the Rafflecopter.

Blurb:

A new adult romance by multi published author Nona Raines writing as N. Raines

She never met a stray she didn't love…

Sam spends her life taking care of sick and homeless animals. She's never met a stray she didn't love, and Rick is the most important rescue she'll ever make.

Purchase from:

Amazon

Kobo

iBooks

AllRomance

Barnesand Noble

Here are the schedule and the stops along the way:

January 25th
–Pretty Little Book Reviews
–mommys naughty playground
–From the TBR Pile
–For The Love Of Books

January 26th
–Reader Girls
–Obsessive Compulsive Divalicious Books Pimps and Promos Blog
–Mademoiselle Le Sphinx
–Crazy Beautiful Reads

January 27th
–Quesarasera Book Reviews
–Book briefs
–Haddie’s Haven
–Crónicas de uma Leitora
–Adventures in Bookland

January 28th
–Trulee V’s Spot Book Blog
–True Story Book Blog
–mignon mykel : reviews
–LeAnn’s Book Reviews
–Jeri’s Book Attic

January 29th
–Romantic Fanatic
–Silly, Sexy, Sassy and Occasionally Classy
–Reading Among The Stars
–Cutting Muse Blog Review

January 30th
–Worth Reading It?
–tiggerrenewing
–The Dark Realm
–Reviews from the Heart
–Book-o-Craze

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Her Perfect Man #FREE for 48 Hours! @eroticromance #TWRP

noreply@blogger.com (Nona Raines) — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 18:17:00 +0000

Happy Friday, friends! I'm happy to share some exciting news with you today. One of my backlist books, Her Perfect Man, is available for FREE through The Wild Rose Press! The offer's only good for 48 hours, so please grab your copy soon. All you need do is use the promo code perfect at checkout.

Blurb:

Kim Hansen has terrible luck with men. When her sexy downstairs neighbor shows a more-than-neighborly interest in her, she's suspicious. She's been burned too many times, by too many guys. Steamy sex is one thing, but Charlie Keller is smart, hot and successful—so what could he want with her besides a few nights of pleasure?

Though Kim does her best to shut him down, Charlie's not put off by her attitude. He doesn't scare easy. Kim thinks she's clever, using sex to maintain an emotional distance and to keep him off guard. But Charlie sees through her tough exterior to the tender heart beneath.

But Kim needs to be won over. Sure, their bedroom action is awesome, but given her past mistakes, she's convinced Charlie is too good to be true. Just too perfect. But if Charlie has his way, he'll prove that he's the perfect man for her.

This is Book 3 in The Man Series.

To read Her Perfect Man for free, click this link. Remember to enter the code perfect at checkout!