In 2009, I was finishing my Black Hills Brotherhood trilogy for Intrigue and hoping I could return to New Orleans as a setting for my next books. I spoke with my editor at RWA Nationals and pitched an idea that was beginning to gel in the back of my mind. I think I actually created the pitch as I was saying it.

Huey P. Long

One of the most infamous politicians in American history is Huey P. Long of Louisiana. He used all sorts of illegal and unethical tactics to get what he wanted as governor and in the Louisiana senate, but he was always popular among the voters. I’ve often wondered what the lives of the children and grandchildren of such a man would be like. So I created a fictitious politician named Con Delancey and gave him 10 grandchildren (including a bastard son), plus a great-niece.

Con Delancey of Chef Voleur, Louisiana, was one of the state’s most infamous politicians. His grandchildren are grown now and must live with his scandalous legacy. Each one of them has a past and a secret. And each one has a story.

The Delancey Mansion in Chef Voleur

I sent in a proposal and within a short time I heard back. They loved the idea and wanted to do all eleven books as The Delancey Dynasty.

Con Delancey’s grandkids include cops, private investigators, military and attorneys, despite the fact that each one of them received a substantial inheritance from their grandfather.

There’s an overarching mystery that runs through the books—Who really killed Con Delancey? Although his personal assistant went to prison for his murder, the man declared his innocence until the day he died. With the final two books in the series, Sanctuary in Chef Voleur (July) and Blood Ties in Chef Voleur (August,) that mystery is solved, amidst kidnappings, murder and two very steamy, very moving love stories.

Outdoor cafe from Her Bodyguard

Sanctuary in Chef Voleur hit shelves on July 1, and the final Delancey book, Blood Ties in Chef Voleur will be released on August 1. An incredibly fun thing I did to celebrate the release of these two final books was to throw a live on-air release party on June 25, 8-10 pm, on Blogtalk Radio’s Hummingbird Place, Your Home for Romance. It was SO much fun talking about my mini-series, all my characters and how I went about writing an 11 book series. But the most fun was being live on BlogTalk Radio with the host, Donna Wright. She’s an amazing host. I was nervous about having enough to say to fill up two hours, but we actually ran out of time—which wasn’t a bad thing, because the reason was all the call-ins and questions from listeners. Some of the things we talked about were:

• keeping up with everybody in a multi-book series,
• my favorite hero and heroine,
• the ending that made me cry,
• the book that took place in one night,
• the goriest beginning I’ve ever written,
• the heroes and heroines who get themselves into impossible situations and expect me to get them out, and much much more.

I gave away a lot of swag and got to talk to some fans I’d never met or spoken to, and I got to discuss what might be the best experience I’ve had writing. Putting together eleven books about one family was a daunting task for me. I’ve written three book mini-series, but this was different. I truly feel as though I know each of these couples and am friends with them.

Tarot reader in Jackson Square, Like Rose from Death of a Beauty Queen

A great thing about BlogTalk Radio and Hummingbird Place is that the programs are archived. So, although you may have missed the live broadcast, you can listen to us and all the fun we had at BlogTalk Radio, The Hummingbird Place Archives. I invite you stop by and find out just how much fun we had. Go to https://www.blogtalkradio.com/hummingbirdplace/2014/06/26/delancey-dynasty-release-party   And keep an eye on Hummingbird Place. Donna is having more release parties with some of your favorite authors. Meanwhile, check out my Delancey Dynasty mini-series on harlequin.com or amazon.com and other e-outlets. My 10th Delancey book, Sanctuary in Chef Voleur is on shelves now and the final Delancey book, Blood Ties in Chef Voleur will hit shelves August 1.

Visit me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMalloryKane, on Twitter: twitter.com/mallorykane, and on my web page (under construction, excuse my mess) at mallorykane.com.

Mallory

What do you think of when you hear the words, “Summer Lovin’”? Does the phrase conjure up fond memories of that cute guy…the one who manned the fry basket at the fast food joint where you worked during your college summer breaks? Maybe you think of John Travolta hitting the high notes in Grease, or Justin Timberlake singing Summer Love.

I think back to those days fondly, and to be honest I miss them.  The days weren’t always carefree and full of fun.  Sometimes they were filled with angst, love, pain, drama and even sex!  Really, really great sex where we were just learning about our bodies! The best thing about being a writer is we can go back to those times through words, and using our experiences we can recreate everything we felt, loved and hated.

When I, along with five other authors decided to do a project together, we started brainstorming ideas.  In no time at all we found ourselves swapping some really fun stories about our own lives. Perhaps not surprisingly, most of those stories took place during our respective college years…those summers when we were on our own for the first time, exploring what it meant to be an independent adult.

Those magical summers during college have a really specific feel and fit perfectly with our Summer Lovin’ theme, so we decided to make all six books in the series New Adult contemporary novels. Each story takes place over the same summer, at the same vacation resort in Canada, so there’s quite a bit of fun character overlap!

So tell me, what are some of your fondest memories from your twenties? 

To learn more about the Summer Lovin’ series, check out our facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/SummerLovinNewAdultRomance

We’re releasing a book every two weeks starting July 7^th, starting with Cathryn Fox’s Crashing Down.

Each couple’s story is unique, emotional, and as hot as the summer temps!

The Summer Lovin’ authors are also hosting a giveaway!
https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b6ff204/

To learn more about each book on Goodreads:
July 7:  Crashing Down by Cathryn Fox
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22046235-crashing-down
July 21: Losing It by Audra North
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22047639-losing-it
Aug 4:  Loving Lies by Renee Field
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22046428-loving-lies
Aug 19: Surviving Nikki by Lilly Cain
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22048922-surviving-nikki
Sept 1: Taming Tess by Jan Meredith
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22046428-loving-lies
Sept 15: Saving Sullivan by Sara Hubbard
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22043110-saving-Sullivan

Top five things I learned about mixed martial arts while researching In Your Corner, my new sexy fighter romance…

1. Yes, professional and most amateur fighters really do look like “that” i.e. hot, toned and ripped.

The pressure to “make weight” i.e. make the cut off to fight in a lower weight class, means that they cannot afford any excess fat. A 195 lb fighter will dehydrate and starve himself before a weigh-in, often cutting up to 25lbs in a matter of days and then gaining it back before the fight. Hands up everyone who wants to lose 25lbs in two days. Me!

2. Fighters protect the family jewels with shorts that have a built-in carbon flex groin protector.

I was “treated” to a demonstration of the effectiveness of the “carbon flex groin protector” during one of my research trips. As you can imagine, it involved my host, thudding his knee between the legs of his “friend” and saying “see it doesn’t hurt” while his “friend” grimaced and tried not to cry.

More interesting than the groin smash demo, however, were the names given to said equipment. After all, a man can’t put his family jewels in a simple cup. Oh no. Something that precious must be protected with a “Bad Boy Thai Metal Groin Guard” or a HEXPAD Thudd Short with Extended Thigh”. Sounds kinky if you ask me. And I would know. I wrote a kinky book.

3. MMA is about fighting. Not BDSM.

MMA is a sport. It has nothing to do with sex. So put away your copy of Fifty Shades of Grey and don’t be fooled by commentators talking about fighters taking the “dominant” position or forcing opponents into “submission.” The “ground and pound” is a  fight move, it’s not about rough sex. Think sports and you’ll appreciate the skill involved in a good ‘ol “Rear Naked Choke.” And don’t get me started on the “mount.” Just remember…you don’t want to be a bottom in the mount position because you will be in danger of being submitted. Oh Christian…

4. The Submission Master wants you.

Since we’re on the subject of submission, you may not know that fighters train with “dummies.” Often life-like (although sadly not anatomically correct) fight training dummies come in all manner of shapes and sizes, but my personal favorite is…THE SUBMISSION MASTER. Dark and mysterious, The Submission Master “holds its arms and legs up where they belong… not flat out on the floor.” If you prefer blonds, his bestie, Grapple Man, has a lifelike appearance and his skin has the feel and resiliency of human flesh. Or, if you’re feeling kinky, you can have them both.

5. What’s your ring name?

For obvious reasons (see paragraph about male ego above), fighters are not allowed to choose their own ring names. They must “earn” their name as selected by their peers. If you are a good fighter and a popular guy, you might luck out and be named Pulverizer, Axe Murderer, or Terminator. But if you piss off the coach, or you’re the kind of guy who is left standing at the side during the high school dance, you can expect a name like Babalu, Putz or Bambi.

What’s your ring name? Check it out on the Fighter Name Generator below. https://www.bleedingmedia.com/fighter_name_generator.php

Thanks to Delilah for hosting me today!

IN YOUR CORNER BY SARAH CASTILLE

A Publishers Weekly Best Summer Book 2014! “You have to go. I won’t be able to control myself. I’ve wanted you so bad for so long and after I’ve been in the cage…I can’t think straight.” He gives a guttural groan and his fist clenches on my hip.

Primitive. Primal. His need speaks to me. I tighten my grip on his neck and rock up to kiss him. He takes over. His kiss is hard and demanding.

“Mine.” His voice is raw, savage and for a moment I truly believe he may lose control.

He rules in the ring

Two years ago, Jake and Amanda were going hot and heavy. But when Jake wanted more, Amanda walked away. Jake immersed himself in mixed martial arts, living life on the edge. But that didn’t dull the pain of Amanda’s rejection-until a chance encounter throws them together.

A high-powered lawyer, Amanda was a no-strings-attached kind of girl. But two years after her breakup with Jake, she still hasn’t found anyone who gets her heart pumping the way he did. And then he shows up in her boardroom, hot as sin and needing help…

But can he rule her heart?

Jake is darker, sexier, and impossible to resist. As their chemistry builds, Amanda’s not sure if she can stay in control, or if she’s finally willing to let him claim her body and soul.

BUY LINKS:
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/1mkcsql
Barnes and Noble: https://bit.ly/1nS1iJn
ITunes: https://bit.ly/TguA90
Kobo: https://bit.ly/TsW4IM

Against the Ropes (Redemption #1): A Publishers Weekly Top Ten Pick for Romance & Erotica and #1 Amazon Erotic Romance Bestseller: Amazon https://amzn.to/1o0sXYe

BIO

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author, Sarah Castille, worked and travelled abroad before trading her briefcase and stilettos for a handful of magic beans and a home near the Canadian Rockies. She writes erotic contemporary romance and romantic suspense featuring blazingly hot alpha heroes and the women who tame them.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Sign up for Sarah’s newsletter for info about new releases: https://bit.ly/SDdzWX
Website https://www.sarahcastille.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahcastilleauthor
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/sarah_castille
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6920675.Sarah_Castille
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/scastilleauthor/
Amazon Author: https://www.amazon.com/author/sarahcastille

EXCERPT FROM IN YOUR CORNER

“Don’t move.”

Totally immersed in painting the cupboard, I freeze mid–paint stroke at the sound of Jake’s deep voice behind me.

“What? Am I doing something wrong?”

He closes the distance between us and runs his finger along the back waistband of my gym pants, sending delicious tingles up my spine. Then he slides his hands around my waist, bared by the rise of my T-shirt as I stretch to reach the top of the cupboard with my paintbrush.

“Yes. You look too damn sexy. Do you know what it does to a man when he catches a glimpse of something he isn’t meant to see?”

“I hope it makes him tell the woman she can call off the panic attack and drop her arm,” I mutter as I do just that. “I also hope it makes him decide his hands might be of better use somewhere other than around her waist.”

Jake slides his fingers around to my stomach, resting them just over my mound and his voice drops to a low growl. “I could make use of them here.” Read the rest of this entry »

Fireworks, Rodeo, and Cowboy Romance all for only $.99
in Randi Alexander’s Fourth of July Story ALL HAT NO CATTLE

A year ago today, I was sitting in the stands watching the Black Hills Roundup PRCA Rodeo in western South Dakota. It’s an experience I’ll never forget. Lots of cowboys to look at, that’s for sure, but the talent of the riders, ropers, bull fighters, barrel racers, pickup men, and the whole crew was truly inspiring.

The roughstock was incredible, and it wasn’t until the third day of the rodeo that one bullrider stayed on eight seconds. I guess in cowboy language, those were some rank bulls. Some of the sponsors of the rodeo are adult beverage companies, and it got me thinking about all the work that goes on behind the scenes.

It gave me the perfect occupation for Harper Johansen, the heroine of All Hat No Cattle. She works for an adult beverage manufacturer and travels to rodeos across the country representing her company. She’s seen a lot of cowboys, but hasn’t yet run into the perfect one for her; a cowboy who shares her dream of one day owning a ranch.

When Shaw Donahue sees Miss Harper, he’s hooked. She’s got what he’s looking for in a woman, and he intends to prove that despite his current occupation, he’d be the perfect man for her. And he has lots of clever ways to do the proving!

All Hat No Cattle is one of the Red Hot and BOOM! Stories, and I hope you’ll heat up your Fourth of July with a copy of Harper and Shaw’s story.

It’s Independence Day, and Harper Johansen is at the rodeo in South Dakota on business. While she’s deep in cowboy territory, she’s hoping to meet a real cowboy—one who shares her dreams for the future. Shaw Donahue, tall and sexy in his cowboy hat, jeans, and boots, could be that man, and Harper quickly falls for his seductive charm. Until he tells her he’s a roughneck.

Shaw can’t believe his luck. Harper is an accomplished, intelligent businesswoman, and she’s beautiful, sexy, and willing. Until she learns he’s working the local oil field. Before he can explain the reason he’s roughnecking, she pushes him away, telling him they can only be friends. He doesn’t fit into her plans. With four days of rodeo ahead of them, can Shaw convince Harper to value a man for more than his cattle?

Here’s a sexy excerpt to get your holiday fun started:

Shaw used Harper’s key card to unlock her hotel room door. He held it open and she walked in first. The air conditioning hit her like a polar blast. Before the door closed, he spun her toward him and kissed her. He was exceptionally skilled at it, too. His hands caressed her arms, over her shoulders, and up and down her back as his tongue played with hers, coaxing hers into his mouth for her own exploration.

Wherever he touched, tingles burst on her skin. She squeezed her thighs together to intensify the sweet ache in her pussy.

He slowed the kiss and stared down at her. “Are you sure, Harper? This is what you want?”

It didn’t even cross her mind to stop now. Batting her eyes at him, she ripped open the front of his shirt, popping all seven snaps. “That’s how sure I am, cowboy.” Referring to him as a cowboy when he technically wasn’t one didn’t bother her a bit. She liked him. She trusted him. She wanted to have breakfast with him tomorrow. And many mornings after that.

Harper ran her fingers through the soft, brown curls that formed a light thatch on his chest and thinned to a trickle as they headed south to his waistband. “God, I love your hair.” She touched the brim of his hat, and when he bent toward her, she pulled it off and set it on a chair. With her fingers, she combed his hair, letting it go wild.

He shrugged off his shirt and tossed it aside, then pulled off her shirt, boots, and jeans until she stood there in only her pink bra and panties. “You are beautiful, Harper.” He stroked her hair. “Everything about you. I liked just sittin’ and talking with you today. You’re so smart. Makes me wonder if you—”

She brushed her fingers across his lips. “Let’s save the heavy stuff for breakfast.”

He kissed her fingers and picked her up in his arms. “There’s a lot of hours between now and breakfast, Red.” He tossed her on the bed and she bounced a couple times, sliding along the satin comforter.

“Red, huh? Not very original.”

He bent and pulled off his first boot. “My brain wasn’t fast enough that morning in town to ask your name. I had to call you something.”

She loved that he admitted it. Not a cocky cell in that hot body of his. Her gaze drifted over his solid length as he bent and pulled off his other boot. Working the oil field evidently did wonderful things for a man. Bulging biceps, ripped pecs, defined shoulders, and a six-pack that she needed to taste. Her breathing grew ragged as her brain switched off all conscious thought and turned on her primal desire. She wanted him hard and heavy on top of her, pressing her into the mattress.

His hands went to his belt buckle. Her eyes followed. Slowly he undid the belt, unbuttoned his jeans, and slid the zipper down.

Her mouth watered and her hips started circling, needing to see what came next, knowing it was going to be good.

He dropped his jeans, bent over to take them and his socks off, and came back up wearing only his black boxer-briefs and the sexiest smile she’d ever seen. His long, thick cock pulsed in the stretchy material.

“Cowboy.” She held out her hand to him.

He nodded. “Red.” He strolled to the bed. What had she said about him not being cocky? He was confident and bold as he hit the bed, rolled on top of her, grabbed her wrists in his calloused hands, and settled his hard staff in the vee between her legs.

An explosion of desire raced through her and her hips tipped up, welcoming him as cream trickled from her pussy lips, hot and slick.

His nose nearly touched hers and their breath mingled. The brown of his eyes had turned dark, nearly black, and his jaw set in a stubborn clench. “I want you. I’ve never wanted anything this bad, Harper. I’m into you, more intensely than I know is good for me.” Between his eyes, a wrinkle formed.

His words threw her heart into a gallop. To have a man admit something so personal made her want to…

“I want you too, Shaw.” Shivers coursed down her spine. “I want you pulsing inside me, hot and thick and long. I want to scream your name.”

His hips jerked and his hard erection tweaked her clit. “Harper.” He shut his eyes for a few seconds then locked gazes with her. “I gotta taste you first.” He sucked her earlobe into his mouth and whispered, “Everywhere.”

~*~*~*~*~

Read the first chapter HERE

And get your copy for only $.99 at:

AMAZON US
AMAZON UK
AMAZON CAN
AMAZON AU
SMASHWORDS
BARNES & NOBLE
ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS
KOBO

Thanks for hosting me again, Delilah, and have a great Independence Day weekend everyone!

Randi
“Rode Hard and Put Up Satisfied”
RandiAlexander.com
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The fourth of July is just around the corner. It’s that time of year in the states where picnics and swimming parties can be found everywhere. I love going to both but it occurred to me at the last cookout that I went to that the social aspect of our traditional gatherings isn’t what it used to be. People don’t sit and talk. They have their cell phones out—texting, gaming or surfing on some social media site. Now I don’t usually complain because I’ve been known to pull out my phone for a quick peek 😉 but I hadn’t seen some of the guests in years. With some help from other relatives, we instilled a thirty minute flashback—pick an activity you enjoyed as a youth. Here’s a few of the simple games that filled out a whole afternoon of fun without the cell phones!

• Catch—Yep, that’s it. Toss a ball and catch it. Pretty high-tech stuff.
• Marbles—I was shocked to learn some of the younger kids had never played it.
• Drawing with chalk—This was one of my favorites 🙂
• A nature walk—We were lucky enough to be near the woods but if you’re resourceful it can be done anywhere.
• Telling a funny or memorable story about another family member—This one really brought everyone together and surprisingly was the activity that drew the kids in. Weddings and how people met fascinated them. It touched my heart too.
• A spin on the above was ghost stories! I love hearing them.

So do you have any good ways to bring people together? I’d love to hear about it.

Also, do you want to learn about my next release, Hunter Betrayed? Read on. It’s available for pre-order!

Wild Hunt, Book 1

Tainted from birth, Harley lives a life cloaked in darkness and temptation. She resists the lure of her evil legacy by holding the memory of her ghostly savior close. Every night without him is agony. She fantasizes about him and yearns for his body, but he’s not the protector or lover she’s envisioned. He’s a Hunter bred to eliminate her kind. He’s also her only hope of salvation.

Calan, the leader of the Wild Hunt, was created to protect mankind from the Unseelie Court. For a millennium, he’s sacrificed to ensure the horrid creatures remain in the Underworld, but his strength wanes. He must rely on his enemy’s daughter to save him, but he doesn’t expect the intensity of their lust or love. Her touch calms his wild nature and ignites his carnal desires. He’ll risk all to save her, but doing so forces him to make the ultimate sacrifice, one that’ll damn him to suffer forever in his own living hell.

A Romantica® Paranormal erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave

Purchase Links: Amazon | B&N | Ellora’s Cave

Author Bio

Nancy Corrigan believes in unending love and epic tales with a paranormal flare. She enjoys transcending the boundaries of reality to take her readers on an erotic, emotional and romantic journey.

She resides in Pennsylvania with her husband and three children. When she’s not weaving sizzling fantasies, she works as a chemist in a pharmaceutical lab.

Social Media links:
Website
Facebook
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Youtube trailer

I have a new book out tomorrow and I’m in the midst of editing two others. So many readers and writers often ask what my writing process looks like. I like to think I treat my writing like a job. The truth is that sometimes I’m ordered and in control. At other times (most of the time) I’m in deadline hell and working impossible schedules to get the work done. Here’s a comparison between what my daily schedule should be and what it actually is.

7:00 – Rise and Shine!
7:15 – Breakfast
7:30 – Workout
8:30-12:00 – Writing
12:00-1:00 – lunch
1:00 – 5:30 – Writing
5:30-6:30 – Promo and misc

The above schedule is what it should look like. This is what it actually looks like:

7:00 – Drag myself out of bed
7:15-8:00 Breakfast
8:30-9:30 Workout with my neighbor if we don’t wimp out
9:30am -9:30pm

• Stare at the screen and wonder why I’m a writer because no words are coming out.
• Piddle at writing while checking FB or emails incessantly.
• Update my websites, make new cover art for my indie published books.
• Review audio books for content, errors, or enjoyment.
• Fill out art fact sheets for the books in production, draft proposals for future books to keep Elle James and Myla Jackson on my publishers’ schedules.
• Draft proposals for conference workshops.
• Make artwork for swag and surf for the best swag out there to take to conferences.
• Post to FB, blog, twitter. Format books for indie publishing.
• Bang head against desk when battery backup crashes and you’re forced to pull desk apart to install a new one.
• Wonder where the day went and you still haven’t written a word.
• Interruptions by family by phone or dropping into my office
• Interruptions by family by phone or dropping into my office
• Interruptions by family by phone or dropping into my office

9:30-10:15 – shower and prepare for next day
10:30 – Big Bang Theory – Sit in shell-shocked silence after a day of intense insanity

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

SECRET SERVICE RESCUE
Harlequin Romantic Suspense
Adair Legacy Book #4

The Adair legacy concludes with a shocking revelation… 

Kidnapped and held captive for weeks, Shelby O’Hara is grateful to be rescued by handsome secret service agent Daniel Henderson. But the rebellious beauty balks at his 24/7 protection until she learns the shocking secret of why she was abducted: she’s the granddaughter of the former U.S. vice president, a woman with lethal opponents in a deadly political game.

To elude those enemies, Daniel and Shelby go on the run, although they are constantly at each other’s throats…until the fighting stops with a torrid kiss. Suddenly, Shelby doesn’t feel so safe. From the bad guys, maybe, but from Daniel? He’s a clear and present danger to her heart!

Amazon | Nook | Kobo

Elle James’s Bio: Elle James spent twenty years livin’ and lovin’ in South Texas, ranching horses, cattle, goats, ostriches and emus. A former IT professional, Elle is proud to be writing full-time, penning intrigues and paranormal adventures that keep her readers on the edge of their seats. She has 39 works with Harlequin, self published works under pen name Elle James, over 40 works with other publishers including Samhain, Elloras’ Cave, Kensington and Avon and 18 works self-published under pen name Myla Jackson. Now living in northwest Arkansas, she isn’t wrangling cattle, she’s wrangling her muses, a malti-poo and yorkie. When she’s not at her computer, she’s traveling, out snow-skiing, boating, or riding her ATV, dreaming up new stories.

Social Media:
ELLE JAMES Website| Blog| Facebook| Twitter | GoodReads

A few years ago, I was lucky enough to get the job of editing an anthology of local writing.  I was living in Ireland at the time, and the town where I lived received a modest grant from the Arts Council to fund the project.  It was simultaneously one of the most enjoyable and frustrating times in my writing career.

This was local writing in the rawest sense.  People turned in memoir, short stories, poems, and excerpts from longer works.  The standard ranged from extremely good professional writers, down to the wanna-bes who churned out a story over their morning porridge.  The contributors’ ages ranged from 93 down to 7.

Then there was the politics.  There were certain people I had to include: the lady who wrote the obituaries for the local paper, the librarian’s kids, a publican from one of the 28 pubs in town who wrote a long and vitriolic rant about people chucking up their black pints on his carpet.

People submitted their work, and I chose… Well, some I chose were the best, some were written by local characters that were expected to contribute, some were badly written memoirs, but they told a valuable story of local life.  Just when I’d finally got it sorted (or so I thought), people wandered up to me in the street, or in the pub and slip a tatty piece of paper covered in illegible writing into my hand. “For the local book,” they’d say.  One lady rang me to dictate her story over the phone for me to type.

The editing part was as much tact as bluntness, as much smoke and mirrors as substance—seeing what I could change that would never be noticed.  I soon learned that, for the most part, people didn’t want or care about edits. “Ah, sure, I didn’t bother reading it back; that’s what you’re here for.”

There were a few arguments, a few noses out of joint, and a few overrides of my choices by the bigwigs in the Arts Council, all for political reasons.  But there were a few who did seem to care very much, and they were as delightful to work with, as keen and enthusiastic as any professional.

The book was a quiet success.  We sold hundreds at the launch in a local pub which was attended by half the town.  People bought the book as Christmas presents, for their granny, for all their relatives, “for posterity”.  And everyone thanked me, everyone bought me a pint of Guinness, so that I had pints to call on for weeks afterward.

It was a great experience.  It was editing, of course it was, but it was also PR, HR, politicking, child care, elder care, social work, public speaking, stenography, computer repair, IT help desk, alcoholic, and cook.

Right now, I’m in the throes of editing my second anthology.  After 14 years as an erotica writer, and a contributory to anthologies, I’ve finally bitten the bullet.  “Forbidden Fruit: stories of unwise lesbian desire” will be published by Ladylit in late August.   I can’t wait!

As for the editing experience—well it couldn’t be further removed from the local writing experience.  There are 17 wonderful stories in “Forbidden Fruit”, written by professionals and a couple of extremely talented new writers.  It’s a great experience, being trusted with another’s story, and when the story is an excellent piece of writing to start with, editing is what it should be: a fine-tune, one that maintains the author’s voice and the story they want to tell.

Look out for “Forbidden Fruit: stories of unwise lesbian desire” at the end of August  2014.  It’s going to be a cracker!

None of the contributors to “Forbidden Fruit” asked me to watch their kids while they nipped around to Maeve’s to use the printer.  That’s a good thing.  But hey… none of them have bought me a pint of Guinness either!

Cheyenne Blue’s erotica has appeared in over 90 anthologies including Best Women’s Erotica, Cowboy Lust, Best Lesbian Romance, Lesbian Lust, and Frenzy:60 Stories of Sudden Sex. She lives and writes by the beach in Queensland, Australia. Visit her website at https://www.cheyenneblue.com