NYC Sex Museum For The Win

I was lucky enough to go to NYC over Memorial Weekend with my bestest bestie and I got a chance to step into the hallowed, amazing, stupendous halls of The Museum of Sex! Let me tell you, if you haven't gone, you must. I plan to return whenever I'm in NYC because they have revolving exhibits and there's so much to see and do and learn. It's a mecca of informative, naughty goodness. I also picked up a black "Museum of Sex" mug for my morning tea!

Resistance is Futile

No matter what I do, no matter how big my backlog is on my TBR (To Be Read) pile is--I can't help it, I'll buy more books. It's a literary disease! One that makes my skin itch every time I see a new literary world I haven't explored yet that's out on the shelf ready for my enjoyment. And then, of course, my long time favorite authors happen to release all their books around the same time and I'm once again completely and utterly helpless.

It's a physical rush knowing that soon I'll have three of my favorite author's books in my hands so I can savor every word!

I went on vacation recently. Guess where I stopped? Two discount bookstores. I came home with thirteen books, three Disney mugs, a Tangled towel, and none of the clothes I was supposed to buy for a new wardrobe at the outlets. How does that work? It's the magic of the books.

Among some of the fun books I picked up are: a biography on Emily Post, Miss Manners Extraordinaire, A memoir of Julie Andrews, A few chick-lit reads, and a romance fiction book about Casanova's love letters found by a young museum curator and how their two loves are parallel and connect through time and space.

Variety is the spice of life and when it comes to books--resistance is futile. It will only hurt more when you try to be good. Be bad, your brain will thank you later.

It's Official, My Website is Live and Kicking

So after Blogger's epicness of going down FOREVER, I didn't get a chance to share with anyone my new, gorgeous website www.ehwriting.com made by my loving husband. Isn't it pretty? I really love everything about it and it's perfect timing for my new release Party Games from Ellora's Cave. What do you guys think?

I'm on vacation until Wednesday so posts may be a little non-existent as well as my tweets. But I'm thinking about you lovely readers!

New Release: Party Games from Ellora's Cave

Hey ladies and gents, I know I've been a little silent around here but I've got some epically good news! My new release from Ellora's Cave comes out today! Yay!!! Meet, Party Games:

Blurb

William’s boring lovemaking leaves Catherine unsatisfied. Harboring fantasies she can’t put into words, she longs for a sexual voice but finds herself too stifled by her proper social upbringing.

When a blackout hits their resort hotel and William proposes a sexy version of hide-and-seek, playtime takes on a whole new salacious meaning. Charlotte’s mind races with sexual scenarios. But even her fantasies fail to compare to the titillating adventure her husband has planned for her—with the help of another man.

Soon everything she knows about lust will be irreversibly changed—and she’ll moan for more.

Reader Advisory: Contains scorching-hot M/M/F sexual scenarios, a woman giving orders on an erotic high and slight trickery.

Excerpt 

Her fingers trembled—should she risk giving into fear and walk out of the closet or wait for William? Without a doubt he’d planned this as a sexual hunt. A naughty bedroom game. But huddled among heirloom furs in her thin silk slip, she was already prey.

“I’ve got you.”

She couldn’t mistake that wicked laugh. It was him. David, who had been a friend at galas she’d attended, but whose body she couldn’t help tracing with her gaze as he had made his way around the room. He was magnetic—and something she shouldn’t want. Which made her desire flare to life every time he had kissed her hand in formal greeting. Through her glove, his lips had been a seal of heat that had built underneath her flesh.

Until a sexual beast she hadn’t known she held inside roared to get out. Had it been fate that he had found her here? Or perhaps something more devious. Either way she couldn’t push back the relief that flooded her limbs at the sound of his voice.

At last, a voice she knew. One of the doors to her left unlatched and creaked, jerking back to reveal a lean, masculine figure against the weather’s cruel backdrop. One of his large hands groped her breast and tweaked the tender nipple. She muffled a groan between her clenched teeth. Goodness, this was wrong—but he moved in beside her and closed the door.

His fingers crept over her body against the slide of silk. He was gentle, but underneath her skin there was an elated tingle where he touched her, his caress stripping her mind of all logical thought. She wanted him everywhere at once. His heavy palms pressed and curved against her like he would memorize her form in the dark. He found her every reactive spot.

Against his eagerness she rose to the occasion. Their breaths came out in loud, tortured rasps. The roar of rolling thunder silenced their noises as the darkness shrouded them from reality. When his hand grasped her hip and he drew her in tight against his body, his cock against her stomach was a heated, pulsing barrier between them.

“I’ve always wanted you, from that insipid garden party until this moment.”

“Why?”

“You’re my ultimate conquest. My sweet as sin fantasy. I want to please you as only an illicit lover can please his lady.” He whispered against her cheek so she could only focus on the low rumble of his voice. “You need me.”

She wouldn’t deny it.

“Then take me.” She sought out his lips. The thrill of possible sin with another man made her flesh burn from his touch.

William must have his fair share of dalliances outside their marriage bed. What would be the harm in her having just this one? Her husband worked nights often. She knew what the sewing circles whispered. William had never made any motion to make her doubt the gossip. If anything, his actions only enforced the rumors because he would come home at night with different women’s perfumes on his skin and wrinkles in his untucked shirts.

Briefly, the thought of her husband in an affair stung until she buried it away. They didn’t know each other well enough, like other married couples, for her to waste so much time on her emotions. Their courtship had never been a match of love, but their marriage was one of business between families.

So it didn’t make sense to waste pain on the hypothetical. It wasn’t as if she could change things. Where would hurt get her in the end? She wouldn’t be any better for it, so it was best for her to lock it away.

But surely William didn’t care enough for her for this to hurt him? He’d never done much but scold, reprimand or mount her―that is, when they saw each other at all. William couldn’t deny her curiosity. Not when David might bring her to life again. She couldn’t resist when the timing was so right.

If anything, William should be pleased that she might finally have fun in the bedroom—or a closet. Maybe this would teach her to bring her own desires to her husband. Wouldn’t that be ironic?

It was no secret that it took two to make a marriage. In or out of the bedroom. Though she and her husband had intercourse—because that was the only clinical thing to call it—often enough Charlotte rarely knew the whimsical pull of truly earth-shattering sex. Yes, she couldn’t begin to know how to ask for what she wanted—but William would probably laugh and then deny her everything.

David, on the other hand—he wouldn’t give her a choice in the matter. A hard, hot flush crept up her cheeks. There would be no going back now. She straightened her shoulders and came to her decision.

David held her back for a moment with his strong hands on her shoulders. Was he rethinking this? Caught between a frown and anger tightening her chest, she let it all go when he drew close again. Each inch was a mile. His tongue traced her lips in a sensory sweep that left her weak-kneed and dizzy.

As an excuse for something to do with her hands, she groped until she could begin to unbutton his dress shirt. When his mouth crushed hers, she took pleasure in exploring his hot, muscled upper body. God, it was much naughtier without lights.

When had been the last time she used the word naughty in her vocabulary? Not since school. And then it wasn’t for anything as serious as breaking a commandment or committing a sin. But if she was going to hell for the way David possessed her—body and soul—it was all worth it.

Now her hands trembled for an entirely different reason. Undeterred by his fingers inching up her slip, she raised her arms and her final protection slithered to the floor. In preparation for her husband, she’d removed all other garments that would get in his way before she got into the closet. William never liked to take his time. But now she leaned into David’s touch and tightened her grip on his body.

Determined to go slow with her exploration of his flesh—even knowing time wasn’t a luxury they had because of the game winding throughout the old resort hotel—she cupped the sides of his face in her palms. Under her hands his jaw hardened, a brief protest that died on his lips. He turned until his soft mouth delicately kissed her palm, sending a fluttery jolt of desire to her abdomen. Beneath his fingers she flushed from the attention as he traced her curves in tingling, barely there circles. Her fingers caressed his high cheekbones as she relied on her heightened sense of touch.

When his face tightened in a smile, she found the irresistible dimples that showed up whenever he complimented her at parties. Her fingers traced up and over his forehead, normally creased with concentration, and through his short, mussed curls. She didn’t need light to know and appreciate the raven color and feathery texture under her hands. A crash of thunder outside the room’s windowpanes made her startle and his wicked, honey brown irises lit up. From the crack in the closed doors there was just enough illumination to catch a glimpse of his cupid-bow lips parted in pleasure. His hungry gaze locked on her nude body.

“I like when you look at me like that.”

“Like what?” He coaxed her onward.

“When I glimpse my attraction and what I’ve wanted to do to you all those long months dancing in your eyes. I’m glad we understand each other.” She sealed her words with a scorching kiss of tongue and teeth. But it was with reluctance that she pulled back from his eager hands. “But we can only do this once. This is my time to be selfish, but I can’t take the prolonged guilt that these engagements take out of a person.”

“I think you’ve read too many romance novels.”

“Please. I’m serious, David.”

“All right,” He let out a small exhalation before returning to his deft work over of her body. “I’ll make it good then, my very best for the lady.”

Satisfied, she sank gratefully into his touch.

Buy HERE

Spicy, Sexy, Sizzle

So, with all these edits I'm hiding under lately, I've been kind of boring. Lets spice things up with some links to my favorite erotica writers and erotica/publishing research links.

Sommer Marsden
Alison Tyler
Violet Blue
Shana Germain
Jeremy Edwards
Oh Get a Grip (An introspective, honest look at erotica from the authors)
Pier's Anthony's Guide to E-book Publishers
Smart Bitches, Trashy Books (A site that will cheer anyone up on there worst day)
Pimp My Novel (Great promotion advice as well as a round-up of all the publishing news every week showcased on Friday)
Query Shark (Though these queries aren't normally erotic, the crits can teach you alot and make you laugh hysterically for days)

That's it for my list--for now. These are my daily doses of sanity that I read while drinking my morning--or afternoon--tea. Have fun! Hopefully, I'll be back soon with something a little more substantial like a share of my latest or, mayhaps, a release date? Keep your fingers crossed!

New Release: Kissed From Beyond A Paranormal Erotic Anthology

My new release, a paranormal erotic novella, One Rub More, is showcased in KFB along with Amber Scott, Keta Diablo, and Stacey Kennedy. I had a lot of fun with this anthology. The character's really spoke to me and it's my first true erotic romance. I hope you'll enjoy reading it. Here's the blurb:

This 'must read' anthology will take you to the mystical beyond and back with four erotica novellas from bestselling and award winning authors:

-Keta Diablo
-Amber Scott
-Elise Hepner
-Stacey Kennedy

Can you handle the magic?

"Cradle of Dreams" by Keta Diablo

With visions of battle still fresh in his mind, Roane Bradfield returns home to find the woman he loves betrothed to another. He corners Kendrick Moreland at Dowager Huggins' Grand Ball and whisks her into the secluded library. One way or the other, he will know the reason the duplicitous beauty cut him from her life when she promised to wait forever.

Kendrick can't believe her eyes when Roane suddenly appears at the ball. Has he truly risen from the dead? Amid wagging tongues and hushed murmurs, the fantasy of her every dream whisks her from the ballroom. And the expression on his face is anything but loving. Revenge, danger and powerful love collide in the Cradle of Dreams.

"A Love Soul Deep" by Amber Scott

If only Sara had known no man would ever make her feel like Crew did, she would have let him love her. A regret that can never be undone. His death haunts her dreams and her wishful thinking only reminds her of everything she has lost.

Years later, a visit to an antique store in sultry Savannah changes everything and makes her deepest wish come true. Her beloved returns to her. Her every fantasy gets the chance to be fulfilled. But she wants more than one night. She wants a lifetime and wonders what magic will let her keep A Love Soul Deep.

"One Rub More" by Elise Hepner

Flynn has been cursed for over a century for a social slight he never committed. A voo-doo priestess hexed him and forced him into a teapot where he could only be summoned by the rub of a woman's palm. Once free, he grants these women three sexual favors-and cuts off his own emotions in the process. Unable to break free from an invisible cage of lust and sex to fall in love again, he's resigned to being a sex object and nothing more.

Helena has been house sitting far, far away from her complicated past in England- including her former childhood sweetheart, who wasn't satisfied when Helena didn't want to be barefoot and pregnant. But she's resigned to leave behind the complications of men and sex. She hopes that logic will win out over her unreliable emotions-but she's put to the test when she accidently summons Flynn from his teapot prison.

Little do they know, they'll both get what they wished for, even if it's not exactly what they envisioned.

"'Til We Meet Again" by Stacey Kennedy

Ethan Thomas has spent years alone,forever trapped between worlds. Once a soldier in the Civil War, he's now a ghost bound to a chaise lounge that once belonged to him. He's spent centuries lingering in Savannah, Georgia, waiting to be saved...

Cassandra Cole is an interior designer who has been hired to restore an old Victorian home. But as she begins to furnish the home strange happenings begin to erupt around her. She suspects the house is haunted. Determined to find out, Cassie will set out to discover who this ghost is, why she feels a connection to him, and what she has to do to free him will surprise her in ways she couldn't have imagined.

Buy Links:
Amazon Kindle
Smashwords
1PlaceforRomance
Coming Soon to Nook

Publication Does Not Equal Perfection

With my super awesome (no, really, am I dreaming?), dream publishing contract from Ellora's Cave has come a lot of amazing experiences like seeing my super fun cover with my name on it and getting to email back and forth with my kick ass editor. But, there are a few things that burst my little big-time publishing fantasy inside my head. None of them are because of the actual publishing process or my publishing company--both have taught me an immense amount--but instead it's the difference between a yet-to-be-big-time published author's mindset and my now super epic, dear god I'm excited, published writer mindset.

Mainly, for some bizarre, inane reason, I had it in my head that once my book was accepted, it was perfect. The End. Sold. Money. I doubt that's the case for anyone. In fact, I knew this going into the process, there are edits, there are always edits and if there aren't any edits then your probably doing it wrong and it won't be your best work. Who doesn't want to put out their best work?

And yet--my perfectionist tendencies reared their ugly heads and I'm awash with pain that I can't do it all once and done and be on the NYT's best seller list. Because, yeah, I really think that highly of myself (insert sarcasm). One of my writer friends once told me I'm a mix of complete naive optimism, just bouncing around in my happy little world with my all encompassing drive to succeed, that I can take over the world, coupled with my crushing fear of defeat that makes me cower in a corner, doubt myself, hate everything I do and crumple. And my being published by EC is a large reflection of this mindset.

Wheeee, I'm published, everything will be perfect, I'm perfect! Followed by, Oh, they picked me. What does that mean? Oh, I bet they're so sorry they picked me now--I'm not perfect, I'm not perfect, Oh God, I suck horribly and they're regretting they ever had me sign anything! *runs around like a chicken with it's head cut off and bangs head on desk several times*. This was my process. Editing my coming soon release Party Games, it's a day to day thing where life is not all puppies, sunshine, and orgasms. No, on some days nothing goes right.

But, I can't take the process for granted. I can't dismiss this opportunity to learn about myself and my writing from some of the most talented people in the industry. Sometimes, I have to remind myself that writing never stays the same as my full time job. I'm always changing and certain things will shape me more and I have to be okay with that no matter my control freak tendencies for the day. Accept, process, and go back to square one if I have too. Because, no matter how many books I write, publication does not perfection make, no matter how many times I wish upon a star, It's silly to think otherwise.