A note from Vonna:

Stop the world. I want to turn off my brain.

Okay, I don’t really mean that. Ever since I invented Vonna Harper, I’ve been writing like a mad woman and enjoying almost every minute. Writing, like life, isn’t always a smooth ride, but what fun would it be without the downs.

The world is spinning like crazy these days and I feel as if I might get thrown off if I blink. The reason is simple: publishing is changing as never before. Ten years ago almost no one had a thought to electronic publishing. Now it’s the wave of the present and future. Ten years ago writers mostly wrote. Now the Internet has changed that and writers are expected to promote like energizer bunnies. Twitter. Facebook. Blog. Trailer. Contest. Newsletter. Etc. Etc.

Oh and don’t forget pirates who take the labor of our imaginations and sweat and steal it.

Okay, I won’t go there.

Maybe its just me, but the moment I’ve finished edits on a story and turn it over to the publishing company, it fades from my mind. I try to remember when its coming out so I can give a shout-out, but by then I’m neck deep in something new plus investigating putting some old books out via Kindle, volunteering for NINC, my favorite writer’s organization, taking my mother to the doctor, taking my husband to the dentist, taking a dog to the vet, putting on my Mother & Grandma hats—the whole nine yards.

All right, it’s mostly my fault (except for the broken water pipe). Somehow I wound up writing for no less than four erotica publishers: Kensington Aphrodisia, where I’m in the middle of a three book contract. Samhain, where I as of today threw another manuscript on my agent’s desk. Ellora’s Cave, where I’m waiting to hear on two submissions. And Loose-Id, where I’ll be submitting a theme story.

I need an assistant. I need a wife. I need a slave.

In case I haven’t bored everyone and/or scared them away, I’d like to give a couple of shout-outs. On July 27, Falcon’s Captive will come out in print from Aphrodisia. The cover gives me sweats & I loved writing about a shape-shifting falcon/woman and the hunter who captures her.

Borrowing from the back cover blurb:

“High above the desert valley, the Falcon Jola circles over the band of warriors below—men who have invaded her land and killed her mate, leaving her alone and longing for the piercing pleasure she once found in her lover’s arms. She will resist these outsiders at all cost. But in a moment of human weakness she is caught. Naked and alone, she fights her captor and vows never to submit. Yet as she lies beneath his rock hard length, her traitorous body responds to his touch.”

Hope Falcon’s Captive can live up to that.

One of my most recent novellas at Ellora’s Cave is Winter Of The Beast (yes, I have a thing for creatures).

Borrowing from another blurb:

“Dio of the Puma clan is a skilled warrior and hunter. What he doesn’t feel prepared for is his new role as ruler of a clan with few women. Does he have the necessary leadership and compassion or will his need for sex dominate? Only the massive, mysterious Beast knows.

When her cruel husband casts her out, Tawia can no longer call herself a Falcon. Her future a frightening unknown, she heads into the wilderness as winter approaches. The Beast watches.

Captured by the enemy warrior, Tawia fights her body’s demands. Trust is as incomprehensible to her as the relationship between Dio and the great puma. But neither man nor beast are willing to set her free.”

Yes, I also have a thing for capture/bondage.

Visit Vonna’s Website

Just two little questions—four answers each. How quick and painless will this be, huh? And how fun to see what everyone says! I could go on and on with answers for both, but I’ll limit my four to the top contenders!

1) What four movies can you watch over and over again?

2) What four cities have you lived in?

My answers will be in the comments!

The winner of Saturday’s contest is listed at the bottom of this post!

Warlord’s Destiny is one of my personal favorites. First issued in 2005 as part of the Fated Mates anthology, this story is being re-released as a solo story today!

WD has everything. A drool-worthy warrior. A strong woman who decides she’ll fight for his heart. Magic and sacrifice. It’s a futuristic that has a medieval feel. And there’s more than a touch of humor.

“…In Delilah Devlin’s WARLORD’S DESTINY, a strong man is brought to his knees by an equally strong woman. Interesting, attractive personalities make this read especially powerful.”

Nominee for Best Paranormal Erotic Novel by RT BOOKreviews Magazine
TOP PICK! 4 1/2 Stars, RT BOOKreviews

Promised in marriage for a decade, Mora has no illusions she is anything other than the sacrificial lamb to ensure peace between her peace-loving planet and the warlike world that demands her union with one of their own. No great beauty, she resigns herself to a loveless marriage with a man who will only do his duty by her. However, when she meets the rugged warlord who will be her husband, Mora feels an immediate stirring of lust. She decides in that moment to win his heart—she’ll settle for nothing less!

Lord Tetrik finds his bride more than the scrawny handful he had expected. She has hips to breed him strong, sturdy sons, and intelligence that is a gift worth more than a pretty face. When he suspects his wife harbors tender feelings for him, he wonders if he can be the husband she desires. After all, love for a woman is a frivolous thing—and not a Warlord’s Destiny.

Read an excerpt
Click here to buy!

Saturday’s winner (by random number generator) is…Jody F! Jody, email me to let me know which email addy you want your book sent to!

“…In Delilah Devlin’s WARLORD’S DESTINY, a strong man is brought to his knees by an equally strong woman. Interesting, attractive personalities make this read especially powerful.”
Nominee for Best Paranormal Erotic Novel by RT BOOKreviews Magazine
TOP PICK! 4 1/2 Stars, RT BOOKreviews

Promised in marriage for a decade, Mora has no illusions she is anything other than the sacrificial lamb to ensure peace between her peace-loving planet and the warlike world that demands her union with one of their own. No great beauty, she resigns herself to a loveless marriage with a man who will only do his duty by her. However, when she meets the rugged warlord who will be her husband, Mora feels an immediate stirring of lust. She decides in that moment to win his heart—she’ll settle for nothing less!

Lord Tetrik finds his bride more than the scrawny handful he had expected. She has hips to breed him strong, sturdy sons, and intelligence that is a gift worth more than a pretty face. When he suspects his wife harbors tender feelings for him, he wonders if he can be the husband she desires. After all, love for a woman is a frivolous thing—and not a Warlord’s Destiny.

Psst! I’ll announce yesterday’s winner tomorrow, so you still have time to enter! If you post a comment to this blog entry, you have a second chance to win!

I’m baaaaack! I’m tired, have a headache, and am late starting my day! Yesterday’s mad dash to Dallas and back was a lot more fun than it should have been.

Daughter and the little one came by at noon yesterday, and since we had an hour to kill, we decided to do some shopping. I have a favorite shop, Maurice’s, that always has clothes I like and that fit. I led the shopping spree. I have new tops and a pair of capri pants, and a pretty yellow, cheap vinyl purse. Daughter has outfits and the little one has cheap, blingy jewelry. I didn’t try on anything, which guaranteed I’d have a better time. There’s something about those closed, airless, poorly lighted dressing rooms that always annoys me. I have the receipt. I figure if I try something on later and hate it, I’ll just take it back.

Anyway, we headed to Dallas with the little one asking that genetically guaranteed question, “Are we almost there?”, every half hour. We didn’t turn on the radio even once because we talked and laughed the whole way.

Little girl saw one of those semi-trucks loaded with vehicles destined for a dealership parking lot and said, “Look, Nina, their parking lot moves!”

Daughter and I decided that we’d rather lose a pinky finger than eat of bowl of scorpions. I’d rather eat a roach than a scorpion—yeah, we ask really important questions like that for fun. Funny, I’d rather eat a scorpion than one of those six-inch long monster centipedes. They’re hairy. At which point, the red-headed hellion laughed. “But you’ll eat menudo? Tripe feels hairy, mom!”

Anyway, the little one is gone for the summer. We’re sad, but she is going to enjoy spending time with daddy. I always look for silver linings.

This past week I didn’t write a single word. End of report. The family reunion didn’t wrap up until Wednesday, and then I needed to recuperate from too many people. This week, I have big, hairy plans with dozens of little legs. But first, I need to hit the pool to clear my head.

P.S. I pulled the cover because it’s not quite finalized. My bad!

If you post a comment today and tomorrow, you’ll be in the running
for a free download of this book!

I’ll be on the road today, taking Little Girl to Dallas to hand her off to her dad. 🙁

While I’m gone, I’ve left you a little something to read. Enjoy! I’ll be back online tomorrow.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“…Jewels of the Nile is definitely a keeper…Ms. Devlin’s MAKING THE MADAM was my favorite of the anthology, with a short fun story…The sex was written perfectly and was incredibly hot with some voyeurism thrown in…one of my favorite books this year…”
5 Stars, Just Erotic Romance Reviews

“…I could not get enough of this story and wished it went on forever…I was grinning from ear to ear…The erotic scenes in this story will make your body tingle and burn for more. What a wonderful way to spend on hour, reading away. You will crave more from Ms. Devlin.”
5 Fairies, Becky, Dark Angel Reviews

“…Ms. Devlin will take the readers on a ride on the wild side of the west. Merry and Nathan will have the readers in stitches as the story unfolds. The intense passion will have the readers screaming for more and grabbing lots of ice…”
5 Angels, Fallen Angels Reviews

Widow Merry Winslow heads west to claim an inheritance from an aunt she never really knew. She expects to take over the reins of her aunt’s emporium, but discovers the true nature of the business when she arrives — she’s inherited a saloon with a brothel above stairs! Rather than being dismayed, Merry’s intrigued and finds it the perfect way to shed the shackles of propriety that have hidden her true wild and impulsive nature. Only problem is, she needs someone to make her into a madam…

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Merry Winslow balled her hands into fists and stomped down the dusty planked sidewalk, forgetting every lesson in decorum she’d ever learned at Miss Peabody’s Finishing School or in Homer Winslow’s parlor.

Her aunt’s attorney had taken one look at her black widow’s weeds and decided, without ever taking her true measure, she was completely unsuited to the rough life in Cranston, Colorado.

She’d noted his slow perusal of her beaded lace veil, the gold watch pinned to her bosom, the sheen of her fine bombazine dress and polished leather half boots—and the odious man immediately dismissed her as unworthy.

How could he have decided within two minutes of their meeting when her own husband hadn’t known until his mother pointed out all her faults?

Her posture was straight, her clothing immaculate. Had she somehow given him a clue of her unruly, impulsive nature?

When Mr. Regis’ gaze returned to her obscured face, a small obsequious smile curved beneath his thick reddish-brown moustache.

Before he even opened his mouth, Merry sucked in a deep breath, counting slowly, reaching into the verbal pit of venom Mother Winslow bequeathed her. However, she couldn’t think of a single caustic setdown to put the man in his place.
Read the rest of this entry »

It’s been a busy week, but the relatives are gone, and I can finally take a deep breath. I’m playing catchup with work now.

Things you might be interested in…

I just did an update of my Coming Soon page. Lots of fun stuff coming, but, in particular, you will want to see what I have excerpted so you can get your pre-orders in!

Tonight, I have a live chat! Everyone, writers and readers, is invited. And I always come bearing gifts. The chat will be at the Fallen Angels Reviews chat room at 9 PM EST/8 PM CST.

I received final word yesterday that I will be in the Mammoth Book of Hot Romance! A few of you read the story, Hot Out Here, when I was looking for beta readers—remember the brown-out ménage? That’s the one!

Note from the editor:

“…the volume of submissions was greater than I expected, as was the quality of the stories I was sent….so I’ve had to be mercilessly selective. However, the good news is that I’d love to use your story.”

Lastly, I have a new old story coming out on Monday! Warlord’s Destiny is one hot-as-hell futuristic with a medieval feel to it. Read the excerpt to see what I mean: Excerpt from Warlord’s Destiny

I dare you not to drool!

Oh! And if you want Fairy Tale Lust postcards, go here to get them: Kristina Wright’s Blog