Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Talking about Interacial Heat with E.A. Reynolds


Interracial Heat is a four book series. Each book is a standalone, but one character makes an appearance in each of the four books. His name is Asher Davies and he owns the dating service Interracial Heat which is featured in each of the stories. The series focuses on four dominant men finding love. Each of the men connects with his love through the dating service or Ash. Each story has a little bit of suspense in them as well. Of course, each of the stories features an interracial couple.
E.A. Reynolds
author of erotic fiction that leaves you breathless for more
 

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Writing about Love, Lust and Foreplay with Draven St. James

I'd like to address something that I run into often as a writer of the m/m persuasion. I've titled it Character Cock Blocking or CCB. This seemed to be an apt label for when I am suffering from writers block due to my characters not cooperating. Mainly because it is never both of the men, but generally just one who is holding up the tale. Thus he is so completely giving the other character an intense dose of sexual frustration by putting off the flow of words that lead to his orgasmic release. Why do the men in my books do such an act of blue ball aggression? Who's to say?

Now in Fire and Mistletoe I must admit that there was not a whole lot of CCB. In all actuality I was tempted to throw some water on Mica and Grey. But then it would just steam and I'm sure a sexy shower scene would have ensued. Those men definitely have an affinity for water. I must admit that out of the two of them, Mica always stood, his fireman gear on, slick at the ready prepared for the dangerous curves of the story line.

Then, oh the moment of sweet release, when the CCB is overcome by the universal desire to connect with the one person who fires both lust and love.

So, when you are the unfortunate recipient of CCB, I'd suggest a glass of wine, some soft music, and a little time away from your computer. Sometimes ideas need a little romancing to come to you.

With that bit of wisdom I give to you a blurb from Fire and Mistletoe. This book is a holiday sequel to Grey's Hidden Fire. So, if you want to read how Mica and Grey came to together you can catch all the dirty details and sweet moments of that initial explosion as well. I hope you are intrigued enough to want to experience their whole story.

 

Blurb:

When Greyson Hayes envisions the perfect first Christmas with Mica Cruz he sees twisted sheets, a bottle of wine and a roaring fire. What he doesn't see is a holiday spent with the uproarious Cruz family. Grey hasn't taken part in a family Christmas since the death of his parents. Despite his misgivings, he can't seem to form the word no when it comes to Mica.



 

Mica knows that Grey's not a grinch. Hell, the man shares so much Christmas cheer during the holidays that he leaves no time to experience any for himself. Not this year. Mica plans to make a few changes, starting with a few wicked and whimsical gifts. He enlists the help of his co-workers at Firehouse Six. They band together and strive to provide Grey with the same joy he gives to everyone else--with five a.m. tree hunts, strategically placed mistletoe and Mica playing Santa's not-so-little helper.

But while Mica is busy being nice, Grey has plenty of time to be naughty…


 

Excerpt:

For Mica, there was nothing better than starting the day watching Grey saunter shirtless around the kitchen, preparing him breakfast. Grey’s only clothes were a pair of sweats that hung so low on his hips Mica couldn’t help but be amazed they didn’t slide off. Hell, that was what he anticipated happening.

Such an event would truly be the beginning of a merry Christmas. Mica sat on a stool next to the island at the center of the room to continue his ogling.

“Stop objectifying me,” Grey said before looking over his shoulder and smiling.

“You like it,” Mica teased. The muscles of Grey’s back flexed each time he reached for a spice or stirred the eggs. His hair was wet from his shower and glistened with shades of gold and cinnamon in the overhead lighting.

“I may like it, but you need to eat, and then I have to work. If you’re lucky, when your double shift is over, I’ll entertain those dirty thoughts I know you’re having.”

“Oh, now that’s promising. How about we compromise for the moment? Drop your pants and bring on the food.” Mica leered comically at him. Grey’s face became an adorable shade of pink. He loved that even now Grey had his shy moments. There were so many things Grey did that made his life more complete, both at home and at work, because he was lucky enough to work and play with his lover. He’d met Grey when he’d made the best decision of his life and transferred over to Firehouse Six.

It also didn’t hurt that the man was a fantastic cook. He pivoted to stir the scrambled eggs, and Mica moved to stand behind him. With a deep inhale he breathed in the intoxicating, spicy scent that always clung to Grey, and nuzzled his face against Grey’s neck. He wrapped his arms around him, tracing his fingers along Grey’s abdomen before pulling Grey fully back against him.

“Are you sure you can’t fit me in before breakfast?” Mica whispered and nipped his ear playfully.

The vibrations from Grey’s moan resulted in an answering hardening of Mica’s cock.

“You are the worst tease,” Grey admonished.

“And you’re so damn practical.”

Grey shifted around in Mica’s arms and grinned. “That is one of the many things that you love about me.” He ran his fingers through the damp strands of Mica’s hair. “As it is, because of our shower time, I’m already going to be late.”

Mica trapped Grey against the counter and gave in to the temptation of Grey’s soft lips. Grey’s hands tightened in his hair and drew him away.

“Before you, I was always on time.”

“I exist to create fun chaos in your life.” Mica wiggled his eyebrows.

“I see evidence of the chaos,” Grey murmured with a pointed look. “Not just in my life either.”

“No, we settled this.” Mica framed Grey’s face with his hands. “You always work over the holidays. This year you’re mine.”

Grey sighed and looked to be gearing up for another long dialogue about how the guys depended on him to cover their shifts and how the holidays would be ruined if he didn’t.

Mica pressed his fingertip to Grey’s lips. “I want you with me for the holidays. My family will love you, and you’ll have fun.”

“Mica, I haven’t really enjoyed doing—”

“Babe, we discussed this, and I know it isn’t your first choice of Christmas options, but we will still be back to do all the volunteer activities. I promise.” Mica brushed his thumb over Grey’s lips before leaning in for a soft kiss. “Besides, if you’re good and do this for me, then maybe I’ll do something fun for you.”

“Is that right?”

“Of course, I don’t know how it will compare to the little surprises you have in store. I saw the bag this morning.” He pulled back to meet Grey’s twinkling amber gaze.

Grey shrugged. “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he replied, his eyes wide with mock innocence. Any trace of annoyance seemed to vanish, and Mica hoped that was the last of it. Grey turned to finish scrambling the eggs that had begun to burn.

“I call bullshit. I saw what was in that bag. Looked like something from that adult store down the road,” Mica confessed. The store sold all things erotic, from videos to sex toys.

“Maybe it isn’t for you?” Grey countered.

“It had better be for me.” Mica jokingly glared at Grey.

“Have a smidgen of patience. Christmas is right around the corner.”

Mica stepped away from Grey and put his hands on his hips. Grey rotated to face him. The man was too attractive for his own good. Every time Mica saw Grey, all he could think was how lucky he was they had been brought together. Of course, all his cock could think about was how quickly they could find a flat surface.

“Fine, you win this time,” Mica said, eyes narrowed. “But I have high expectations for after my shift.”

“I’ll be surprised if you don’t just fall asleep on me.” Grey laughed.

Mica had to work a double, but not even that would keep him from slipping into bed with Grey and showing him how much he missed Grey on those long shifts. Ever since they had come out to the guys at work, they had tried to keep their interactions with each other professional. It was a little easier given they had all the time in the world to satisfy their frustrations outside of work.

“When have I ever done that?” Mica asked.

“There’s a first time for everything. Maybe I should take care of myself while you’re gone,” Grey threatened and slid his free hand down to rub his shaft through his pants, putting on a show for Mica.

“Now who’s the tease?” Mica walked off toward their bedroom to get dressed before breakfast, and briefly glanced over his shoulder. “Payback is a bitch, babe.”

“But so much fun.”

 
Contact Draven St. James through these websites


 Blog: http://dravenstjames.wordpress.com





 

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

The Nick Spinelli Mystery Series by Valerie J. Clarizio and giveaway

I want to welcome Valerie J. Clarizio to the blog this morning.
Valerie brought presents with her. One ebook copy of Covert Exposure will be given to one lucky Minion chosen by random. All you have to do is leave a comment!


Blurb:
Detective Spinelli's life is tossed sideways when he is reassigned from the Homicide division to assist in the Child Services division of the Social Services Department for the holiday season. From the beginning, Spinelli and Caseworker Shannon O'Hara generate their own kind of fireworks, causing more than the normal workplace stress. They both have their own philosophies for dealing with the clientele. However, the forces of nature have their own plan for Spinelli and Shannon.
Shannon moonlights as Santa Claus' little helper at the mall, and when Santa and an elf turn up dead Shannon appears to be next on the killer's list. Spinelli is placed back on homicide and goes undercover as Santa to help capture the killer. He catches a great deal of grief along the way but will he capture the heart of his little Santa's helper as well?


Craving Vengeance, A Nick Spinelli Mystery (Novella #2 in the series)
Blurb:
Nick Spinelli's normal life as a homicide detective has been catapulted into a whirlwind of chaotic holiday adventures ever since he met the beautiful Shannon O'Hara.
Nick had hoped to spend his first Valentine's Day with Shannon in a traditional manner, starting with a nice dinner out on the town and then perhaps a long warm adventurous night in her arms. His plans quickly change when cupid is found murdered in a back alley. The investigation becomes more and more inconceivable, as Spinelli discovers that Shannon is linked to the victim. When another cupid turns up dead, and it is discovered that Shannon knows him as well, Spinelli is motivated to go undercover as a singing valentine dressed as cupid, complete with wings and a quiver of arrows. How many other cupids are at risk? Is Spinelli on the killer's list as well? The stress ignited by the day's events causes sparks to fly between Spinelli and Shannon as he struggles to piece it all together and stop the string of slayings.

Bio:
Valerie Clarizio lives in beautiful Door County Wisconsin with her husband and one very spoiled cat. She loves to read, write, and spend time at her cabin in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. She's lived her life surrounded by men, three brothers, a husband, and a male Siamese cat who required his own instruction manual. Keeping up with all the men in her life has turned her into a successful hunter and fisherwoman.

Valerie is a member of Romance Writers of America and the Wisconsin Romance Writers of America. She was a finalist in the 2011 Celtic Hearts Romance Writers, Novellas Need Love, Too! Contest.
Where to find Valerie:
Twitter: @VClarizio
Buy Links:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=clarizio#/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=valerie+clarizio&rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3Avalerie+clarizio

Monday, November 18, 2013

If Tomorrow Never Comes by Lisa Chalmers


Blurb:

 
Josh Collins has the perfect life—a beautiful girlfriend and a baby on the way, until an accident takes his life and he’s suddenly forced to fight for everything and everyone he loves. 

Alone and pregnant, Avery Rhodes is suddenly faced with a painful new reality. Life without the man she loves is turbulent. Nothing feels the same any more without him and she finds herself facing the unimaginable. 

With his newfound guide Gabriel, Josh is forced to learn what happens IF TOMORROW NEVER COMES.

 

 

Excerpt:

 

Josh tensed, his body still as a statue the moment he opened his eyes again and found himself in the church, everyone he loved sitting in pews in front of his casket, his photo on an easel surrounded by flowers. He never thought he’d see this moment. Everyone mourning him. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. None of this should be happening. He wanted to reach out and yank on everyone’s sleeve like a toddler, demanding their attention to tell them he was there, he wasn’t dead. He wasn’t gone. He was just…stuck.

Tears burned his eyes, and he brushed them angrily away. He hated the sadness on everyone’s faces. The feel of the loss in that room was palpable. It burned its way through him, making his entire being ache. This was a step too far, having to see Avery suffer through this, not to mention Blake and his parents.

“Can we go?”

Gabriel studied him. “I thought you wanted to be here for her.”

“I do…” But everyone had a breaking point, and this moment right here was awfully close to his. He followed a group of people up the aisle, wanting to get close to her. He knew Gabriel stayed behind, granting him some semblance of space, of privacy.

He saw her sitting up front, the somber black dress making her appear all the more pale, all the more fragile. He moved around a couple of people whispering in the aisle, their gazes turned towards her. Josh heard the murmuring of the word baby, and his hands tightened into fists automatically.

            “You should stay.” Gabriel’s voice sounded in his head, as clear as if he stood beside him.

Why? Josh thought as he rounded the pew and walked by his brothers. Alec sat beside her, his head bowed as he played with the cell phone in his hand. He recognized the bandage on his brother’s knuckles from where he’d punched the wall. His sweet younger brother who wasn’t prone to having a temper, who rarely got mad or raised his voice, had taken his anger and frustration out on his bedroom wall, putting a good dent in the drywall which he’d hastily covered up with a poster, not wanting to have to explain it to anyone.

Josh had never felt more helpless. Hopeless. This was going too far. He needed Avery to know this wasn’t real. It wasn’t. It was…limbo, some strange in between where he and everyone he loved was being held, tested in, waiting for someone to make a decision.

 

Author Bio:

Lisa Chalmers is the author of If Tomorrow Never Comes and the upcoming paranormal romance, Dark Intent. She writes an eclectic mix, but has a special place in her heart for the paranormal and all things that go bump in the night.

 

Thursday, November 14, 2013

When Stories Link Up by Berengaria Brown


I want to thank Berengaria Brown for popping in for a visit and sharing her wonderful dream with us.

One night I had a dream. I got out of bed, and wrote it down, but I had no idea what it meant, or where it was going. I showed it to author Anny Cook, and asked, “What do I do now?” She told me to keep writing. She said that sort of thing happened to her a lot. Either it turned into a book, or it would just stop. Well, I took her advice, kept writing, and it turned into three books. And finally, with the third book, I realized what the connection was. It is actually what happens more than fifty years after the “Raw Claiming” series I wrote.
 
“Forbidden Future” was the first book, which begins with my dream. As I kept writing, three characters took over, demanding their story be told.
More than fifty years ago, wicked winds, carrying deadly diseases, swept across the land, and their ancestors fled to a protected valley. But now the easy-to-gather food and fuel are used up, and the people struggle to feed themselves. The goods their ancestors had brought with them are worn out, and life is hard trying to feed and provide for themselves.
Zuri, Udo, and Tau love each other, but have to meet in the forest to make love. The people decide to go to the city to look for food and fuel. It’s Zuri who finds the ancestors’ truck and asks for a gift in return—that she, Tau, and Udo could be together.
When they get to the city they meet up with three other people, and book 2, “Future Revealed”, is the story of Ruby, Pagan, and Koby. They’re alone and lonely, but have worked very hard to survive and don’t want to give that up and move to Zuri’s village where hunger is such a threat.
And as I wrote book 3, Adena, Arthur and Ghedi’s story, everything just clicked into place. This book is called “Raw Future”, because it links back to the “Raw Claiming” series I wrote. In the “Raw Claiming” series the world has changed dramatically and the people are hiding from radioactive fallout. Only now did I understand why Zuri’s ancestors had fled from the cities to a protected valley.
And for anyone who has read the “Raw Claiming” books, “Raw Craving”, “Raw Need” and “Raw Want”, they will see some characters return fifty and more years later.
 
EXCERPT: This is the opening scene of “Forbidden Future”, that I dreamed.
He limped slowly up the long hill, leaning heavily on his cane. From time to time he stopped, breathing heavily, but he always began walking again, a little slower perhaps, the cane digging deeper into the grass as he leaned harder on it, but he persisted all the way until he finally reached the top.
When he arrived there, he rested both hands on the walking stick then lowered himself to the grass, dropping the last nine or ten inches onto his ass with a slight thump and an expletive.
Dammit, I don’t know why I come here. It always makes my knees ache and I always have to rest. Yeah and getting up is always a bitch. Gonna be a helluva bitch again today.
He smiled. He knew why he came. It was the only connection left to his childhood. A world long gone that almost no one else could remember. He was only fifty-eight years old. Not so old perhaps, but these days few people lived past forty. Life was just too damn hard. He had a dim memory of attending an eightieth birthday party. For his grandmother? Or likely his great-grandmother. Who knew anymore? But what he did know, what he still saw clearly in his mind, was the crowd of really old people, people in their eighties, nineties even, who’d been at that party.
Ah yes, it was more than fifty years ago though. Before everything had changed. Before…
He looked around him, taking in the panoramic view he’d expended so much pain and energy to see. Every time he came here, he was aware it might be the last time. The last time he could look into the distance and see the high buildings of what had once been a city. It was crumbled now, ruined, with wild grasses growing up in the cracked buildings. With houses and apartment blocks fallen down over what had once been freeways.
The people he lived with—or more accurately, the parents and grandparents of the people he lived with—had escaped from that big city and made their home here, next to a fresh-flowing river, in a lush valley where crops grew well. Where they were protected from the wicked winds that raced across the land, destroying houses and pushing down trees. Winds that for the first ten years had carried diseases that killed anyone exposed to them for too long. Winds that even now sent everyone scurrying indoors to shelter until they blew themselves out, even though no one had died from wind-borne diseases for many years now.
No one knew exactly what had happened. He was much too young then to understand more than the desperate scramble to leave the city and travel as far and as fast as they could. Until they came to the valley and there they stopped and hid and sheltered and stayed, building a new home.
But he remembered the city and yearned for its conveniences. For lights that went on when he flicked a switch. For foods that stayed cold on hot days, and for the ability to heat and cook food in moments, instead of it taking hours. The young children thought his stories about his childhood were just stories since almost no one alive had lived in the city. But although he’d only been a child then, his mind was not deranged. His memories were clear. However, he’d learned not to speak of them anymore. So here he came to look, to remember, to wonder what the children growing up in the valley would have for their future. So much hard work to produce food and fuel, and so little time to appreciate anything of beauty. No time for joy or learning. What would their lives hold?
 
 
 
 
 

Monday, November 11, 2013

Madison Rising - The Star Spangled Banner

http://www.youtube.com/v/c8C7i9kdEf8?version=3&autohide=1&autoplay=1&showinfo=1&attribution_tag=qY_zHNimE3bWjGutJXOSJQ&feature=share&autohide=1

Monday, August 19, 2013

Review: Dark Water


Dark Water
Dark Water by Jen Talty

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I really liked this book and finished it quickly. The story line is fast paced and intriguing.



View all my reviews

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Review: A Novel Obsession


A Novel Obsession
A Novel Obsession by Jeff Joseph

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Although, not my normal genre, I found myself flipping pages like a man woman...I would recommend this book to everyone. It's a great read for people who love suspense, thrillers and mysteries...I'm so glad that I read it.



View all my reviews

Monday, June 3, 2013

Review: Fifty Shades Freed


Fifty Shades Freed
Fifty Shades Freed by E.L. James

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Alright...1 trilogy out of the way and review is here...

50 shades of freed, was a good read, I was, as assumed in the 50 shades darker review, aware of the bad guy in this book, I hate that...I was taken aback by the twist in that particular plot, it was intriguing and a definite surprise.

I give this entire series 5 stars...yes Christian is an ass and a bully, yes Anastasia is a pushover and rather clueless at times, but they seem to make it work...I felt parts of the series did drag a bit, telling endless tales of everyday things that do not really advance the story or give us any real incite to their relationship, but it was still a good read.

The ending Epilogue was interesting and I was thankful for a wrap up to their tale. The last section, which was entirely too short, by the way *shades of Christian* and *meet fifty shades* was probably my favorite, just because I am not a fan of first person story telling...I like to know where everyone is coming from.

Last, but not least the best parts about this book are the parts you don't see coming until the sentence right before. I loved them all.

*Christian as a submissive* I almost wet myself...

happy reading Minions xx



View all my reviews

Saturday, June 1, 2013

Review: Fifty Shades Darker


Fifty Shades Darker
Fifty Shades Darker by E.L. James

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Alright, 50 Shades darker down ;)
This series is good, I would still recommend it to everyone. I gave this section of the trilogy 3 stars because Christian lost a lot of Dom points in this book.
Don't get me wrong, he is still alpha male, but he becomes quite whiny and a bit to needy for me in this book. Added to the endless harping of "I love you's" and "Will this work?" internal conversation from Anastasia, I had a few eye rolling experiences.
The twists were good, expected, but still a page turner and I did again lose some sleep reading just one more chapter.
Also, I was upset that they seemingly gave away the bad guy for book # 3 at the end of it, this remains to be seen since I'm still reading #3...
All in all still a good trilogy



View all my reviews

Friday, May 31, 2013

Question of the day

OK Minions It's time for our favorite game...Question...of...the...day:

What is the least amount of money that you would accept to never have sex again?

Looking at this guy...I would say...No amount, but I'm always wondering what my Minions would do so let me know and have an awesome weekend ;)

Review: Fifty Shades of Grey


Fifty Shades of Grey
Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



OK, I finally broke down and got 50 shades. Don't get me wrong, I love reading in general and it was not the genre that kept me away...It was the relentless marketing. I tend to shy away from things until the hullabaloo dies down so I can't get swept up in the whirlwind of it all.

I liked it...The relationship between Anastasia and Christian is believable, if not slightly abusive on Christians part. The sex is hot, but a bit repetitive, why does the author not use more words for 'down there'?

I can understand why Christian is the way he is, but it is hard to believe that he is drawn to Anastasia the way he is, but as one fucked up person to another there is no explaining ourselves or the choices we make in this life, plus it is fiction and I am able to roll with the story. It kept me turning the pages and I did loose a few hours of sleep reading just one more chapter...I would recommend this book to others, although it is not as hardcore as I would have expected, very tame in fact...But still a great read ;)



View all my reviews

Sunday, February 3, 2013


I have interesting conversations every day. Some with foreign people through my much loathed job, others with my co-workers or just strangers on the streets, this newest one had me pausing for a moment and rather curious about people’s opinion on the subject…Experience.

The question is…What makes a person more experienced in bed? Is it the number of partners they have had throughout their lives or the number of times that they have had intercourse altogether?

Leave a comment below and I’ll pick a comment at random and hunt up something for you from the prize stash;)