I was sad to hear about Demi Lovato’s overdose today. I’m a fan, and I’ve been following her journey. It’s a reminder about how difficult it is to beat addiction. Demi’s always let us see her vulnerabilities and has been honest about her addiction, eating disorder, and mental illness. I wish her well and hope she finds sobriety again.

Romance can be like an addiction. People crave it. Some people have it in their lives but desire more. Some want to explore new aspects of it that they have not experienced. Still, others who have only heard about or seen it from afar strive to introduce it into their lives. Books are a perfect way to do all of these things. And the best part is, readers can choose how it happens.

Want to be whisked back in time or catapulted into the future? Fine. How about being swept off one’s feet in a realm or universe that does not exist? It is possible. Perhaps it high action adventure on the rolling seas or the three of not knowing what lurks around every corner with that special someone at your side. Not out of the question. Or maybe love in the here and now with a sexy co-worker is the fantasy. Done. Romance novels have something for everyone.

Romance novels are also convenient. Traditional books can be purchased, of course, but also audio for listening while motoring down the cruise way, commuting on a train, or tuning out in a boring business meeting you’ve dread all week. (I’ve done all of these things.) They come in e-form and can be read on readers, laptops, smartphones, or tablets. And they can be read anywhere—in restaurants, parks, mountain cabins, backseats, airplanes, doctors’ lobbies, police stations… Well, maybe not at the police station. If one is there, chances are probably other issues are taking priority. The point is: romance is accessible in so many forms all the time if a person only reaches for it.

At one point in history, romance novels were the redheaded stepchildren of the literary world, branded to be a dirty little secret. Publishers and critics did not take them seriously, and the genre was chalked to be nothing more than a cheap thrill. Funny that one would consider Jane Austen’s writings to be lumped as a collection of soft porn. Fortunately, those days have passed. What has not passed, however, is a clear understanding of the difference between romance, erotica, and pornography.

Actually, pornography needs to be taken out of the equation of this discussion since no one seems to be able to define what it is exactly, including the judicial system. It seems to be a vague, catchall to snare anything offensive. But what is offensive to one is not to another. The best definition I have heard of pornography is it cannot be described in words but one knows it when it is encountered. However, for fun, one standard definition of pornography is the depiction of erotic behavior that is intended to cause sexual excitement or the depiction of acts in a sensational manner to arouse a quick intense emotional reaction. Now, isn’t that a doozy? Intense emotional reaction. Hmm. Moving on.

Erotica is a simpler term. In fiction, erotica is stories that the main focus is the sexual relationship and that relationship pushes the story forward. That does not mean erotica is without plots or subplots. It simply means removing the sexual relationship would cause the story to crumble. The sex in erotica is necessary and in the spotlight.

So, how is that different from romance? In romance novels, the focus is on the romantic relationship (which may or may not involve sex) between characters. If sex does occur between the characters, it is to deepen the bond between them. Removing this element from the story would not be detrimental. However, omitting the romantic relationship would dissolve the story. Many stories may have romantic subplots or themes. However, in those, the relationship is secondary to whatever plot is happening. In order for a literary work to be considered a romance, the relationship must take center stage. For example, in a movie like Bourne Identity, there is a romantic interest between Jason and Marie. If the writers and producers wrote this out of the script, the movie still would work. Why? Because the plot is not the romance but Jason discovering his past. It is about fight scenes, car chases, and things getting blown the hell up. Viewers are more interested in if he or won’t he learn the truth. Will the villains be caught? Will Jason live or die? This movie is clearly an action suspense with a romantic subplot. Now, consider another movie like 27 Dresses. If there were no spark between Kevin and Jane, what would be the point of this movie? Write out the romance, and the movie would be less than ten minutes. This movie is a romantic comedy.

For an example of erotica in film, think of a lot of the 1980s b-movies. Many focused on overly hormonal teenager boys looking for ways to score with their female classmates or strippers. The relationships between the characters really did not matter as long as they got freaky between the sheets.

I used examples from movies, but the same principles apply to books. If one ever wonders if a book is truly a romance, just ask can the story exist without a romantic relationship between characters. If the answer is yes, it’s not a romance. With that being said, romance isn’t only fun. It brings people to life. It eliminates boredom. It allows people to feel special and that someone cares. It is not dirty or frivolous or something that needs to be hidden. And it sure as heck isn’t easy to write. Some people are fortunate enough to experience this daily, weekly, or monthly in their lives. Others may not, but that does not mean one cannot live vicariously through books. Therefore, no one should ever be embarrassed to purchase or be seen reading romance novels. Get your piece of romance. You deserve it.

Don’t forget to visit Creole Bayou again. New posts are made on Wednesdays. If you have any questions or suggestions about this post or any others, feel free to comment below or tweet me at @dolynesaidso. You also can follow me on Instagram at genevivechambleeauthor or search me on Goodreads or Amazon Authors.

Enjoy sports romance? Check out my new adult romance, Defending the Net, being released in November. It is the second in my hockey series and guaranteed to melt the ice. Preordering information coming soon. Crossing the line could cost the game.

Missed the first in my hockey romance series? Don’t worry. Out of the Penalty Box, an adult romance where it’s one minute in the box or a lifetime out is available at https://amzn.to/2Bhnngw. It also can be ordered on iTunes, Nook, or Kobo. For more links where to purchase or to read the blurb, please visit https://bit.ly/2i9SqpH.

Life’s Roux: Wrong Doors, my steamy romantic comedy, is available at Red Sage Publishing. To order, follow the link to https://bit.ly/2CtE7Ezor to Amazon at https://amzn.to/2lCQXpt.

Copies of all my books and stories are available in paper, eBook, and audio on Amazon, iTunes, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble. The links are listed in my Writing Projects page (https://bit.ly/2iDYRxU) along with descriptions of each of my novels or stories.

NEWSLETTER! Want to get the latest information and updates about my writing projects, giveaways, contests, and reveals first? Click on https://bit.ly/2zJjUdb and signup today.

I haven’t taken a psychology course for mumble-mumble years but assume Freud’s teachings/theories/observations are still part of psych programs. Back when I was a student, his beliefs were presented pretty much as gospel, but I’m here to announce he didn’t know what he was talking about, at least when it came to one thing.

Back in 1908 Freud declared that a happy person doesn’t fantasize, only a dissatisfied one. Well, he was dead wrong.

As an erotic romance writer, I’ve written a lot of stories with submission/bondage themes. Not BDSM so much as capture and helplessness because, being honest here, the theme pushes my personal buttons. I’m also the product of a very conservative upbringing which means I used to ask myself if there was something wrong with me. There probably is, just not when it comes to the directions my fantasies take me. I came to that conclusion after doing some research and want to share some of what I learned since I know a lot of erotic romance readers are drawn to the same themes I am.

According to psychiatrist Ethel Person of Columbia University, 51% of women imagine being forced to have sex and another third are turned on by pretending to be a slave who must obey a man’s every wish.

What’s behind those mental journeys? Psychologists Harold Leitenberg and Kris Henning state that women who find submission fantasies arousing have no wish to be raped. Thanks to fantasy they are able to control every aspect of what happens. Via thoughts of ropes and bondage, they’re the ones in charge. University of California Santa Cruz professor Eileen Zurbriggen’s research led her to conclude that women who fanaticize about submission have a more positive attitude about sex and are less sexually guilty.

My latest erotic romance, Midnight Touch, is probably the darkest story I’ve ever written. The true darkness took place during Sara’s past when she was married to an evil man. She’s now free and determined to forge a new life, but the past won’t leave her alone. It first appears in the form of Mace Seeger who knows more about Sara and her husband than he wishes he did. He’s as trapped by a man who might not be truly dead as Sara is.

Vonna Harper
www.VonnaHarper.com
https://www.facebook.com/vonna.harper.35

My daughter and her family left this morning on a family vacation to the beach. How I wish I could have gone, but someone has to watch their six dogs, six cats, and two guinea pigs… Yeah, that would be me. 🙂

I plan to use the quiet time for a mini-one-person writer’s retreat.

Although, today, I’m doing absolutely no writing.

I began the day uploading another of my Uncharted SEALs stories onto sites other than just Kindle. I have twelve stories in total in that series. I uploaded book #8 to iTunes, Nook, and Kobo. So, if you’ve been waiting for me to use other platforms, I’m working on it!

I just pre-wrote posts for the Romance Readers Recommends Author Takeover party that begins at 3 PM Central Time. I’ll be the first author there, and I’ll be giving away free stories and gift cards, so if you’d like to hang out for an hour—set your timers!

Until the party starts, I’m turning my attention to uploading this one…

I’ll be setting this up for pre-order. It should be live tomorrow. I’ll be sure to post a link when it is. If you like an eerie, shapeshifting tale, this one might be right up your alley.

After the party, I have to go back to working on edits for a very, very sexy paranormal tale I didn’t write. So, plenty to do.

Maybe tomorrow, I’ll write NEW WORDS.

So, what are you doing today? Anyone planning on joining me at the party?

If you want to join Opal on Patreon, you’ll get 3-5 free books and you can receive some great rewards, including receiving a new ebook every month! Just click on the picture!

*~*~*

Hi. Sometimes you hit a bump in the road, and after falling on your butt, your need to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and get rolling again.

That bump in the road for me was cancer. I was diagnosed about eight months ago. I’m lucky, though. It was treatable with surgery and required no radiation or extra therapy.

So my story has a happy ending. I had the surgery in late January and I’ve had the follow-up where the doctors informed me they’ve gotten it all and there’s only a 5% chance of it recurring.

Relief and smiles all around!

In the months leading up to the surgery, I did alternative treatments to ensure I had every chance of getting through this with the best possible outcome. I’m still doing some of them because… well, they’re making me healthier.

I’ve lost 65 pounds, which my doctors and alternative practitioners are thrilled about. My high-blood pressure is down to normal and I’ve gone off all but one of my prescription drugs. I seem to be healthier than I was a year ago. And as I continue to lose weight (yeah, I still have a ways to go), I’ll keep getting healthier.

The whole thing has been stressful and terrifying, though. The initial diagnosis was a punch in the gut, then there was the agonizing uncertainty leading up to the surgery… and afterward until the final results came in.

I’m sure that the crazy stress I put myself under over the past few years trying to release a book or more every single month played a part in me getting sick. People close to me kept telling me to slow down or I’d burn out but my answer was that I had to keep going. Keep bringing in income. There was no choice.

But now I realize that nothing is worth losing your health. I was amazingly lucky, and now I really understand that there is always a choice. And I’m making it now. I’ve vowed to slow down and give myself downtime every day.

I know that sometimes I’ll slip (it’s already happened), but then I’ll re-evaluate and figure out how to proceed in a better way.

To help, I’ve decided to take up art to keep me excited about doing something other than work. I’m taking SkillShare classes to learn to draw, starting with some really fun stuff, like drawing a friend as a Disney princess. I want to draw mermaids, fairies, angels, and beautiful princesses. Maybe even some sexy men.

I love working with colour and am using Copic markers right now. I’ll expand to watercolour and other media as I proceed. Hopefully, next time I guest blog with Delilah, if I’m brave enough I’ll share something I’ve done.

So if you find yourself really stressed, taking on too much, finding it hard to breathe you’re so piled under, I urge you to take a moment, decide that ultimately your health is more important than anything else, and find a way to lighten your load.

Start by doing something for yourself. Grab an adult colouring book, go for a walk, meditate… anything that gives you an hour or so to relax every day. Even pick up a good book! 😉

And remember, enjoy your life.

Talking about picking up a good book, today I have a new release, Forbidden Mate. It’s the first story of a steamy sci-fi romance series called Abducted. There will be 5 books in all, and I’ll be releasing one per month.

Yeah, I know, I just said I need to slow down, but three of five stories in the series were originally published through Samhain, so I’m only writing two new ones and my very capable husband is taking on most of the production work to get the books out. So this is a wonderful opportunity for me to release every month while maintaining a lighter writing load.

Now check out the sexy cover!

Being abducted by aliens to be mated to their king is not how Aria imagined her dream vacation would begin.

Aria’s career fills the void that foster care left behind, but recently, steamy, erotic dreams make her think she’s working too hard. A free trip to a luxury resort is just the ticket. Until she’s ushered to a “VIP party” and abducted by an alien who insists she’s his king’s soul-mate. Love at first sight, let alone sight unseen, is a myth. Her increasing attraction to the ship’s captain, however, is far too real.

Captain Tai Gaman’s mission was simple. Kidnap Aria and deliver her to his king. What’s complicated is the blinding desire he feels for the Earth woman that is almost impossible to resist.

As the sexual hunger between them reaches unbearable height, Tai must make the most difficult decision of his life. Claim her as his own, or fulfill his duty to the king.

Forbidden Mate is the first book in Opal Carew’s sexy sci-fi romance series, Abducted. If you love stories with a captivity theme that lead to passion and everlasting love (and a lot of exciting, explicit sexual encounters), then you’ll love every story in the Abducted series.

Buy this passionate and sexy sci-fi romance today for some serious heat!

Buy Link:
books2read.com/u/47ZlL8
~~

Excerpt from Forbidden Mate…

Tai watched her expression go blank, then her lower lip start to quiver. Gattra, she was going to faint.

He jolted forward, catching the slumping woman before she hit the floor. He scooped her into his arms, and her softness and warmth pressed against him, magnifying the already intense feelings thrumming through him ever since she’d come aboard.

The result was instantaneous. Adrenaline jolted through him. Every cell in his body screamed its need for her. His groin tightened and his penis hardened.

He gritted his teeth against the onslaught. This was his brother’s woman. She would soon be his queen.

He laid her on the couch and tucked a cushion under her head.

He’d been aware of her for a long time—the residual effect of the psychic link he shared with his brother—but he hadn’t expected that awareness to increase so dramatically with proximity. It was Zander’s link, and he was still many light years away.

Tai stroked long strands of dark blonde hair from her face, ignoring the rush of arousal her silky skin triggered. His gaze lingered on her perfect oval face, pretty, curved nose and delicate, full—and very kissable—lips. Her closed eyelids hid her beautiful, cobalt blue eyes and made her seem very vulnerable.

Damn this business. He’d hated the look of fear in her eyes when he’d explained why she’d been brought here. Clearly, she believed she would be mistreated. The pain lacing her eyes when he’d reminded her of her unfortunate past still scoured his heart like steel wool. With a history like hers, stealing her from her home was mistreatment. But as much as the thought tugged at his heart, there was nothing he could do about it.

He fetched a cloth and dampened it with cool water. He knelt by the couch and pressed it against Aria’s forehead. Her eyelids flickered open, revealing two vivid blue pools speckled with gold.

“How are you feeling, Aria?”

She pushed his hand away. As her fingers brushed against his skin, he felt heat rush through him. She started to sit up, but he restrained her gently with a hand on her shoulder.

“Relax. You’ve had quite a shock.”

“I don’t want to relax. I want to go home.” Despite her protest, she slumped back against the cushion.

Although she no longer fought to sit up, he couldn’t draw his hand from her shoulder. The need to touch her was too powerful. The sharp sparking of his senses was addictive.

“I’m afraid that’s not an option.”

She scowled. “Of course it’s an option. It’s just one you choose not to consider.”

Her scent, an exotic, spicy musk, filled his nostrils. He found himself easing toward her, his voice softening.

On the edge of his consciousness, a part of him worried that these wild, erotic feelings might swamp his well-trained, highly controlled restraint.

“I’ve already explained why. Once you’ve joined with your tanash’ae, you will thank me.”

“I highly doubt that.”

Silence hung between them.

He knew her hormones must be raging. That’s what happened when a tanash’ae bond was awakened. Her need would intensify to an intolerable level as they traveled closer to Sa’oul and her tanash’ae, Zander. Tai did not intend to allow her to suffer.

She licked her lips. He couldn’t help following the motion, watching her now glistening blush-pink lips in fascination.

“So what happens now?” she asked.

Now I taste your lips and take you to the heights of ecstasy.

He found his head dipping toward hers and stopped, pushing aside the urge to sweep her into his arms and kiss her senseless.

“Well, that depends. I’m sure I can find ways to entertain you.”
~~
Again, here’s the buy link:
Buy Link:
books2read.com/u/47ZlL8

About Opal

As a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of erotic contemporary and sci-fi romance, Opal Carew writes about passion, love, and taking risks. Her heroines follow their hearts and push past the fear that stops them from realizing their dreams… to the excitement and love of happily-ever-after. Her books have won several awards, including The National Readers’ Choice Award (twice), The Golden Leaf Award (twice), The Golden Quill (4 times), CRA Award of Excellence, JABBIC (multiple time) and Silken Sands.

“There should be a burnished tablet let into the ground on the spot where some courageous man first ate stilton cheese, and survived.” ~ G.K. Chesterton

I read that quote and had to laugh. I can soooo relate to it in a couple of different ways.

First, this idea of someone taking a leap of faith with regards to food… I think it was my dd who once asked me, “Who do you think the first person was, who saw a chicken lay an egg and said, ‘I’m going to eat that!'”

And then there is my love of cheese that she finds inexplicable. The smellier, the greater my joy. I have no idea why. You’d think the smell would be off-putting, but for me, the moment I smell a really stinky cheese, I drool. Cheese is my favorite kind of food. Even more so than chocolate. Does that make me weird? My red-headed hellion certainly thinks so…

But this isn’t really a blog about my love of cheese. That quote’s not really about cheese. It’s about the spirit of adventure that lurks inside us. Some of us have more of it than others, but it’s that spirit that makes us try the cheese in the first place.

So, tell me something about cheese, or about some experience you tried out of that spirit of adventure!

And yes, I BOUGHT a picture of cheese. 🙂

Out with the old in with the…well not so new?

With the closing of Kindle Worlds, authors have been scrambling to get their books back up. Many authors and readers didn’t want to see the books in the Brotherhood Protectors World go away. So I created a publishing company to allow authors to continue to write in my world (including my lovely sister, Delilah Devlin!)

TwistedPage.com will be the website for the publishing company. It’s a work in progress and will be live soon. But the books are back up!!! Get your copies if you haven’t already. And they are available in Kindle Unlimited! We’ll also be publishing more books in this year so stay tuned!

Here are the books in Brotherhood Protectors World. Read all of them! They are wonderful and the authors will love you for it! Happy Reading from Elle James and all the authors of the Brotherhood Protectors World.

Anne L Parks, Conrad: https://amzn.to/2usPIP8
Christine Glover, Falling For Her Bodyguard: https://amzn.to/2Nkmfhh
Christine Glover, Falling For Her Temporary Bodyguard: https://amzn.to/2NWSAM3
Cynthia D’Alba, Texas Marine Mayhem: https://amzn.to/2Llhcww
Cynthia D’Alba, Texas Ranger Rescue: https://amzn.to/2NmjZGg
Debra Parmley, Montana Marine: https://amzn.to/2JtvTeU
*Delilah Devlin , Big Sky SEAL: https://amzn.to/2zMfdjw
*Delilah Devlin, Reaper’s Ride: https://amzn.to/2JyVdR6
Desiree Holt, Hidden Danger: https://amzn.to/2NngWNW
Donna Michaels, Elite Protector: TBA
Heather Long, Chasing Katie: https://amzn.to/2JrkWe4
Heather Long, Shielding Shayna: https://amzn.to/2moSXCI
Heather Long, Wrangling Wanda: https://amzn.to/2Li4n9g
Ilsa J. Bick, Soldier’s Heart Part I: https://amzn.to/2NTXLMR
Ilsa J. Bick, Soldier’s Heart Part II: https://amzn.to/2uGDrFV
Ilsa J. Bick, Soldier’s Heart Part III: https://amzn.to/2JyVcfQ
Jen Talty, Rough Justice: https://amzn.to/2LkN8nI
Jesse Jacobson, Guardian Ranger: https://amzn.to/2NmPxvM
Jesse Jacobson, Rainhorse: https://amzn.to/2NYIHh2
Jesse Jacobson, Steele Ranger: https://amzn.to/2JuOHKX
JM Madden, Wish Upon A SEAL: https://amzn.to/2NpT9Nr
KaLyn Cooper, Snow SEAL: https://amzn.to/2NmCTNi
Kat Mizera, Catching Lana: https://amzn.to/2Jw3k0B
Kate McKeever, Saving Sidewinder: https://amzn.to/2Jt6IJz
KD Michaels, Montana Gypsy: https://amzn.to/2Lepbi4
Kendra Mei Chailyn, Fear the Reaper: https://amzn.to/2NUXARt
Kris Norris, Carved In Ice: https://amzn.to/2LqUH9e
Kris Norris, Midnight Ranger: https://amzn.to/2L3UtsN
Layla Chase, Ranger In Charge: https://amzn.to/2NWd5IN
Layla Chase, Ranger Loyalty: https://amzn.to/2NruAzA
Leteisha Newton, Protecting Hawk: https://amzn.to/2NmOGLA
Linzi Baxter, Grayson’s Angel: https://amzn.to/2NnI4N5
Margaret Madigan, Broken SEAL: https://amzn.to/2JwuHrz
Mary Winter, Protecting his Cowgirl: https://amzn.to/2NlhGTL
Mary Winter, Roped & Rescued: https://amzn.to/2NixCpQ
Mary Winter, Wild Horse Rescue: https://amzn.to/2L5DqXi
Paige Yancey, Hot Colorado Nights: https://amzn.to/2LtkTQK
Regan Black, Lost Signal: TBA
Regan Black, Moving Target: https://amzn.to/2NSC5Rg
Regan Black, Off the Radar: https://amzn.to/2NWd47Q
Silver James, Montana Moon: https://amzn.to/2Lvm028
Sue Coletta, Fractured Lives: https://amzn.to/2JyHCZJ
Tiffani Lynn, Rescuing Reya: https://amzn.to/2uviazM