Saturday, 31 December 2016

2017 can only be better, right?


We're on the cusp of a new year and looking back, 2016 had its ups and downs, though it frequently seemed that there were more downs than ups. That means, though, that next year will be better. And I'm going to do the best I can to make it better.

I've talked about New Year's Resolutions before and if you're anything like me, they barely make it into the second week of January before something happens to throw them off. For example, I sat down at the computer tonight intending to transcribe some writing I had done in my notebook, and instead I've written two blog posts and played on Canva for an hour. 

At any rate, I do have some writing goals for this year. I hesitate to give timelines because I feel awful if I miss something, but here they are:

  1. Finish and submit Losing It Two At A Time (Losing It #4).
  2. Write a submission for Evernight's next anthology, Owned By the Alpha.
  3. Finally finish that damn werewolf biker book I've had sitting on my computer for years! 
Of course, if I can get more writing done that would be fantastic, but I'm trying to be realistic. And positive. I'm my own worst critic and that never helps anything.

Have you got any resolutions for 2017? How do you stay positive when you struggle? I'd love to hear from you!

And Happy New Year!



Saturday, 10 December 2016

Productive Procrastination

Image from chibird.com


So right now, I have an important thing to do for the EDJ. And instead, I'm feeling the urgent need to catch up on Facebook and Twitter, check out new types of swag to giveaway, and blog. In short, I'm procrastinating.

The lovely cartoon above sums me up perfectly. I start with the best intentions, but somewhere along the way my plans get derailed.

I've always known I was a procrastinator, but I still struggle to understand why. With this particular report I have to do, I'm pretty sure it's because I'm overwhelmed and feeling like I don't know jack. A bit of perfectionism is thrown in there because I hate not being perfect. Don't we all?

But procrastination in itself is not necessarily a bad thing. I needed to catch up on FB and Twitter. I need to find swag. I need to do more blog posts. Never mind that they're not the most important thing I have to do - they still needed doing.

I think that's the key. If you have to procrastinate, make it productive. I know so many people who procrastinate by cleaning the house (I think they're weird, but hey), or taking the dog out for a walk, or going grocery shopping. All of those things need to be done.

I'll get to the report after this blog post after supper before bed eventually. It will get done. But in the meantime, I'm going to go colour.

What's your go-to procrastinating job? How do you get yourself back to what you're supposed to be doing? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Saturday, 3 December 2016

Revitalization



When an urban area becomes old and run down, nobody wants to go there. Residents and businesses leave, and shadier characters begin to move in. Buildings fall into disrepair from neglect. Kind of like my writing career.

But if some enterprising souls come along and begin to work on the area again -- slowly, one project at a time -- it breathes new life into the community. As more improvements are made, more people return to the area and soon it's a vibrant destination rather than something to be avoided.

The process is called revitalization and it has some lessons that I've been able to apply to myself. How is this happening for me?

I had two stories published this year: one in the Dark Captive: Manlove Edition anthology, and another Romance On The Go title, Losing It In the Closet. Considering my last published work was 2 years ago, I was thrilled to have gotten those titles out. I've been writing more this year and it makes me so happy to be able to do that. I just have to work on time management so I can find more time to devote to something I love so much.

Both of those books were recently nominated for the Evernight Readers' Choice Awards, to my surprise and delight. It appeared that there were people coming to visit my writing after all.

A good friend, Kacey Hammell, invited me to blog with her and an amazing group of Canadian authors over at Romance Eh? Canadian Style. I gladly accepted the invitation as one more step in my revitalization process but realized that my own blog had suffered from neglect.

Yesterday I spent several hours developing new branding; I designed a new logo and updated the design of my blog and other social media. I cleaned up some of the content here and fixed broken links as well as adding my latest releases. I'm pleased with the results and the new look made me feel a lot better.

Then this morning I discovered that Losing It In the Closet had won the award for Best Romance On The Go!

Things are looking up for sure. But revitalization isn't a solitary process. This wouldn't have been possible without the love and support of some amazing people along the way: my family, who have been learning to survive on cereal and take-out while I get stuff done; the amazing staff at Evernight Publishing who have been with me through the publishing process; writing friends that I had the pleasure of meeting this fall at an Evernight retreat; Kacey and the ladies at Romance Eh?

And of course, my readers. Without you there would be no purpose to what I do. Thank you for being with me along this journey.





Sunday, 22 May 2016

#NewRelease #Giveaway Tour: Dark Captive: Manlove Edition by @EvernightPub #GLBT #Romance




Everyone has a dark side.., 

Dark Captive is an exclusive collection of dark erotic romance stories featuring alpha men with fierce sexual appetites. They'll stop at nothing to get what they want. And they have their sights on one man. Possessive and bold, these heroes give their conquests exactly what they crave—to be taken … to be owned. Any resistance offered will be tested, but in the end love rules. 

Kidnapping, abduction, and sexual slavery are just a few of the titillating taboo themes in this hand-picked manlove anthology.





I Love The Way You Hurt Me by James Cox

Don’t piss off the devil while you’re in hell.

Senior Corrections Officers Daniel Norton is known as the Devil. His kingdom of hell is this prison. He worked hard to get where he is in his career but his life is a lonely existence. Seamus is a new shy and sexy recruit that has him questioning himself and his future. Devil places Seamus in ‘the pit’ to keep him safe. He didn’t plan on stripping the chained man and having sex. Is Devil becoming as bad as those he guards or is there truly something between them?

When Seamus is brutally attacked, everyone will find out what happens when the devil loses control.

Excerpt: 

“So, then tell me why you’re helping me, Devil.”
            “I told you already.” I shifted to his left side, held his wrist and placed the other cuff there.
            “I don’t think you’re an idiot.”
            “Oh but I am.” I said softly, staring down at Seamus. My breath came out in puffs and rushed across his face. “The biggest kind.” My voice went down to a whisper. “If I wasn’t already in charge of hell, I may just be heading there today.” Then like the idiot I claimed I was, I kissed him. I shoved the door closed with my foot and it loosened his chains. His arms fell to his sides with a rattle. I forced his mouth open with mine. My tongue swept inside, along his teeth and deeper still. The kiss was intense. I knew my lips would be red and swollen from the sheer pressure but I couldn’t help myself. Seamus was an irresistible temptation. I kept kissing him, falling deeper into the void and then he leaned his body against mine. I swear I heard angels singing. Fucking hell, it hadn’t been that long since my last fuck. I was acting like a randy teenager. I pulled away and Seamus followed.
            “Please. Please.” He murmured and placed his lips back on mine.
            The kiss was just as wild. I held his head in my hands and angled to send my tongue deep into his mouth. Seamus moaned and pressed harder against me. Shit, I could feel just how horny he was. His cock pressed against the flimsy prison pants and against my hip. I thrusted against him, forgetting everything but that wonderful burst of pleasure from between my legs. I jostled my hands between us and quickly unzipped my black uniform pants. My cock bounced out, hard and beyond ready. I stopped kissing Seamus long enough to open the buttons. His hair was silky soft against my fingertips. I grabbed handfuls and forced him to his knees. Idiot flashed through my mind again but it was quickly replaced by blowjob. I wanted this sexy redhead’s lips around my cock. Now.
            “Devil.” He moaned.
            The chains rattled as I gathered his wrists in one hand. I used the other to direct his head. My dick was only inches from his mouth. I took a deep breath as he opened wide. “Suck me.” It was an order, given with a harsh tone and no chance of flexibility. Seamus was going to take my shaft into his mouth. There was no negotiating. My tip was without foreskin so when his breath rushed over it, I felt the tingle all through my body. My cock was stiff, pointing upward like it was making a choice. My balls were low hangers, the left lower than the right but they were still stuffed into my pants. Only my shaft was unconcealed and ready to be slathered with saliva.
            Seamus closed the gap.
            The groan that came out of my mouth was decided high pitched as he wrapped his lips around my tip. I stared down, watching as he lathered the bulbous head with his tongue and poked at my piss slit. “Yes. Yeah. Seamus.” I tugged his hands higher, making them taunt and under my full control. Then I used my other hand to pushed his head closer. My underside slid along his teeth, gently until his mouth widened. I pushed inside without hesitation until I hit the back of his throat then I eased back out. His tongue lapped at my hot, hard flesh for a moment then his green eyes rolled up to stare at me. “Oh hell, I’m going to fuck that pretty mouth so hard.” 



Purchase from Evernight Publishing:  

Purchase from Amazon:  

Purchase from All Romance eBooks:
https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-darkcaptivemanloveedition-2043609-166.html


Join the Party with Evernight and their Authors:
Facebook Party: Thursday, May 26th:



$50 Evernight GC Giveaway



Visit all of the tour stops to find out more about each story in this amazing anthology! 



Dark Captive MM Anthology
5/20    
            Taylor Brooks http://authortaylorbrooks.blogspot.com
5/21
            Sensuous Promos http://sensuouspromos.blogspot.com        
            Lea’s Crazy Nights https://leabronsen.com/crazy-nights-blog/
5/22                                   
            Liz’s Reading Life https://lizjosette.blogspot.com
            Michelle Graham www.michellegrahambooks.com
5/23
            Ravenna Tate http://ravennatate.blogspot.com
Donina Lynn doninalynn.com
5/24
            Kitty’s Book Spot! 2kasmom.Booklikes.com
(this will be a facebook blurb post and not an excerpt containing blog post)

5/25
            Blog Reviews Janis F https://bookreviewsjanisf.com/
Illustrious Illusions Www.illustriousillusions.com
5/26
5/27
            Jules Dixon  www.julesdixon.com/blog-3/
5/28    
Erzabets Enchantments           Http://erzabetsenchantments.blogspot.com
5/29
            Nessie’s Place https://nesiesplace.wordpress.com
5/30
            L.D. Blakeley www.ldblakeley.com/blog
5/31

Saturday, 21 May 2016

Dark Captive MF Anthology Blog Tour



Everyone has a dark side... 

Dark Captive is an exclusive collection of dark erotic romance stories featuring alpha men with fierce sexual appetites. They'll stop at nothing to get what they want. And they have their sights on one woman. Possessive and bold, these heroes give their conquests exactly what they crave—to be taken … to be owned. Any resistance offered will be tested, but in the end love rules. 

Kidnapping, abduction, and sexual slavery are just a few of the titillating taboo themes in this hand-picked anthology.






Take Me by Jenika Snow
After her mother passes away, Holly decides to finally have a life away from her abusive father and the darkened, lifeless world she lives in. But someone has been watching her, waiting for the right moment to take her away. It’s when she comes face-to-face with her captor that she realizes he won’t let her go.

Will Holly stay with a man that decrees she’s his, that he’ll do whatever it takes to make her see they belong together? Despite the twisted and dark nature of it all, she feels freedom for the first time in her life. Will she give in, or will she accept what he offers her … her life back?

Excerpt:

“You had no right to take me away.”
“You were running,” he said without apology. “I didn’t take you away from anything.” He stood and walked over to the kitchen, opened the freezer, and grabbed a bottle of alcohol out. He took two glasses next and came back to the table. Nothing was said as he poured clear liquid into those glasses. He pushed one to her, took the other for himself, and while looking at her, tossed it back, drinking it in one swallow.
She looked down at the alcohol, and without thinking, because this was so fucked up, she grabbed the glass and drank it, as well. It burned going down, and made her already teary eyes water even more, but she welcomed the flash of heat it caused in her veins.
“I may have been running, but you had no right to take me, to think you knew what I wanted.” She was the one to hold her ground now. “You took me to satisfy things on your end.”
Where is this strength coming from? He’s dangerous. Just look at him, and you can see it.
She saw the way his jaw clenched, the tightness of his body, and knew she might have crossed the line with her words. Holly knew nothing about him, or what he was capable of.
He’s capable of stalking me, of taking me away. He’s capable of hurting people and clearly having no remorse. I have no doubts he would have no trouble killing someone that crossed his path.
“Watch it, Holly.” His voice had gone cold, steely.
She swallowed, a shiver working its way throughout her whole body. She wanted to say “or what,” but kept her mouth shut, being smart.
“Or I might throw you over my knee and spank that pretty ass until it’s purple and your pussy is wet.”
She felt her mouth go slack at his words. But the most surprising, if not traitorous thing her body did, was react to his words by heating, her pussy becoming wet, and her nipples hardening.
“You’re insane,” she said and stood. She glanced around the room, but didn’t know if she was running from him or what she felt. She turned and saw the front door, ran toward it, but realized it had some state of the art lock on it that was activated by fingerprints. He had his hands on her waist only seconds later, the hold unforgiving. There was a little bit of pain associated with his touch, but she found it arousing.
She hated that fact, loathed herself for getting turned on by this man when she should be screaming.
“You can scream, but no one can hear you, Holly.” He let those words sink in before continuing. She heard him inhale right by her hair, and she found herself closing her eyes.
She was still breathing hard, but the need to pass out had subsided. He turned her around but kept his body pressed right up against hers. The feel of his erection against her belly was clear, and her fear heightened that he may rape her.

*****



Purchase from Evernight Publishing:  
Purchase from Amazon:  

Join the Party with Evernight and their Authors:
Facebook Party: Thursday, May 26th:

Visit all of the tour stops to find out more about each story in this amazing anthology! 

  



Dark Captive MF Anthology

5/20

            Sensuous Promos http://sensuouspromos.blogspot.com

5/21

           Michelle Graham www.michellegrahambooks.com


5/22

            Nic’s Book Nook http://nicsbooknook.blogspot.com/


5/23

           Jules Dixon  www.julesdixon.com/blog-3/

Kitty’s Book Spot! 2kasmom.Booklikes.com

Illustrious Illusions Www.illustriousillusions.com


5/24

           Ravenna Tate http://ravennatate.blogspot.com



5/25

           Donina Lynn doninalynn.com


Dearly Loved MF Books https://www.facebook.com/Dearly-Loved-mf-books-905796382810741/ (this will be a facebook blurb post and not an excerpt containing blog post)

5/26

           Blog Reviews Janis F https://bookreviewsjanisf.com/



5/27

            Nessie’s Place https://nesiesplace.wordpress.com


5/28                                  

          Liz’s Reading Life https://lizjosette.blogspot.com



5/29

           L.D. Blakeley www.ldblakeley.com/blog



5/30

            Taylor Brooks http://authortaylorbrooks.blogspot.com

            Nikki’s Nofsinger http://nikkitrueblue.blogspot.com/

 Characters Behaving Badly http://www.charactersbehavingbadly.com/

5/31

Erzabets Enchantments     Http://erzabetsenchantments.blogspot.com

           Nicki Day http://nickiday.blogspot.com/