While I’m away, I let my friends come out to play. Welcome Lexi from Romance Writer by Night… ~DD

I’ve got a confession to make.

I used to hate Valentine’s Day.

That’s a horrible thing for a romance writer to admit, but it’s true. This whole season, stretching from the day after Christmas until Valentine’s Day, is the season of romance, right? Well, it’s not so easy to stay festive when you’re single. I’ve got a birthday right before Valentine’s Day, too, just to add that extra kick. It was a triple whammy: no midnight kiss, another year older and then another dateless Valentine’s Day! Yay, me! How could I think of romance when the whole world was a huge reminder that I was single?

I’ve come to realize, though, that hating Valentine’s Day and singledom in general is no way to go through life, especially as a not-yet-married romance writer. If ever there was a time to make lemonade from the proverbial lemons, it’s right now. So I’ve turned my attitude around, and I’ve discovered that the lemonade has been good for my writing, too. Here’s how.

1. Window Shopping for Heroes

Checking guys out. It’s one of the biggest perks of the single life. Not that women in relationships can’t check guys out, of course they can. No harm in looking, right? Especially if they’re looking for heroes to star in their stories. Hey, they can’t all look like the SO or the DH.

But there’s a certain shameless freedom that we single ladies can bring to the table. Even if all we do is look, the knowledge that we could do more than that—flirt, swap numbers, fly to Vegas for a wild weekend culminating in an Elvis-themed wedding—makes the whole project more exciting. So when we check guys out, we can do it with a dual purpose. That guy across the room might have the perfect look for our next story, or he might turn out to be our real-life leading man. Wouldn’t that be an awesome “how we met” story?

2. Being Positively Wishful

It’s not easy to think romantic thoughts when your one of your eight bags of groceries has exploded in the parking lot, leaving you alone, in the rain, to put everything back together so you can get it up all those stairs to your home. That’s not easy at all. (Don’t ask how I know.) But it does pay off. Before I learned to love Valentine’s Day, I’d have lots of colorful words to share with the parking lot and my groceries and my nonexistent boyfriend about how wonderful it was to be lugging two weeks’ worth of food all the way from the car to the front door. Now I’ve seen the light.

Today, when I’m faced with one of those single-girl challenges like leaping across the rainy parking lot without dropping any of my single-serving frozen foods, I ask myself this question: How would I rather have this work out? Then I let my imagination run with the idea.

Maybe a hot stranger hops out of his car with an umbrella. Maybe I chase a wayward can of corn down the sidewalk until it rolls onto the patio of his studio apartment. Maybe, while I’m huddled beneath my raincoat on his patio, rearranging my groceries, I catch a glimpse of him through the sliding glass door. Maybe he’s a good-looking artist, the lean, intense type, adding the finishing touches to a painting … of an equally lean, intense male model … who sees me on the patio. Now that’s nice, isn’t it? Even though, in reality, I haven’t left my pile of spilled groceries in the parking lot, far from my front door, I’ve got a nice story idea in my head and a smile on my face. That won’t put my stuff back in the bag or stop the rain, but that hey-it-could-happen feeling does make the heavy lifting more bearable.

3. Making the War Stories into Your Stories

Into every woman’s single life wanders the occasional Evil Ex-Boyfriend.

Okay, maybe “evil” isn’t the right word. After all, none of my exes has plotted world domination, or built a weather machine designed to melt the polar ice cap, or re-animated the dead. At least not that I’m aware of. But Evil Ex-Boyfriend has a certain ring to it that Amoral, Self-Absorbed Creep doesn’t.

Thoughts of the Evil Ex have a way of resurfacing in a single girl’s mind at this time of year. Well, that’s fine. Now those thoughts have a place to go: the WIP (Work-In-Progress). I used my memories—the despair, the blame, the shock, all that great stuff—to add detail to my heroine’s breakup with her own Evil Ex. The more I thought about it, the more detail I could weave in, from the icy prickle of anger to the smug expression on Mr. Evil’s face. My heroine’s Evil Ex became someone who felt real without becoming a copy of my real exes, and getting those feelings onto the page made me feel better about surviving that pain.

I’m not a huge believer in the New Year’s Resolution; I’ve got some long-term commitment issues, which I’m sure are totally unrelated to my current single status. But I am determined to take advantage of the single life, both the perks and the unhappy memories, as Valentine’s Day approaches. Singledom’s been pretty good to me, all things considered, and now it’s making me a better writer, too.

What’s not to love about that?

While I’m away, I let my friends come out to play. Welcome Michelle Polaris…~DD

First off, I want to thank Delilah for allowing me to kidnap her blog while she’s away and so help pursue my plan for total world domination. Oops, did I say that out loud? Sorry Delilah-faithful, I’ll have to get back to you on the particulars of my plan, as its details are still quite fuzzy. I’m such a tease. Instead, I’m here today thankful for having a chance to pimp my book, Bound Odyssey, released by Ellora’s Cave this past fall.

But before I jump into shameless self-promotion, I wanted to share a few thoughts I had about why I love erotic romance. One thing fiction does stupendously is allow readers to a place to explore or connect to emotions or ideas in a less overwhelming way. Sexuality and all its flavors is a basic component of our species, but for many it’s difficult to acknowledge. Especially its less mainstream expression. Having a place to connect to our feelings about the varieties of expression is crucial if we’re to avoid crushing our own complex identities. A story that explicitly touches on emotion, relationship and sexuality is a mother load for doing this. As a writer of BDSM romance this strikes me as particularly true.

I am also a fantasy and science fiction reader by nature. I love world building. I adore speculative fiction. They provide the chance, just like erotic romance does for issues of sexuality, to explore a lot of provocative topics without triggering our human tendency to shut down about unpleasant realities. For instance, the threat to the environment. How sexy is it to tune into the news and listen to the debate about global warming, the melting polar icecaps and rising sea levels? Not too sexy. Or to issues about bigotry and violence in our world? I don’t see Cosmo covering these topics in their features about increasing sexual satisfaction in relationships. Not sexy.

Now is about the time I circle back around to my erotic romance novel, Bound Odyssey. It is a futuristic, post-apocalyptic, Femdom, m/m/f ménage which also includes male domination elements. Okay, maybe not for everyone, although it’s getting kick-ass reviews. But what I wanted to build for my readers was a way to reflect on current issues of environmental threat and the politics of hate, while allowing them the eternal hopefulness that comes out of lovers healing each others’ emotional wounds and finding their happily ever after. Life can be painful, but painting a picture of hope alongside dark reality is what keeps folks going. I better shut up now and let you read the blurb.
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While I’m away, I let my friends come out to play. Welcome Shayla Kersten… ~DD

Imagination is such a quirky thing. Where would we be without it? Probably extinct. *cackle* Human imagination has given us inventions from rudimentary weapons of survival to spaceflight. And in the process, unleashed the written word on a world curious to know everything from vampires to alternate realities to aliens.

I’ve been in love with the idea of space since I was six years old watching the original Star Trek on an old black and white television. What an amazing thing for someone to dream of! And then there we were…humans…men from earth catapulting into space atop massive rockets, walking on the moon. I still get chills remembering that fateful July day and those words—“One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”. I just knew the future held the starship Enterprise, alien creatures and amazing explorations. I wanted so bad to be part of it, to explore space, to go where no man—or woman—had gone before. *le sigh*

Alas, being blind as a bat ruled out anything to do with flight. A lack of ability with real science limited my options. The closest I came to my dream was the military. I mean, the Federation was a military of sorts, although it espoused peace. After all, they used military ranks, right?

So instead of exploring outer space, I turned to the space between my ears. My head was full of ideas for all kinds of stories. I wrote stories of cops and vampires, of men loving men and happily ever after. But I hesitated when it came to scifi. I had some ideas but not a clear enough picture to explore a universe of my own creation. Until last year.

In a chat, our most adorable Delilah asked readers what stories they’d like to see from her or from me. Brandy W spoke up. She said she wanted to see something from me with vampires and angels. Hmmm… Okey dokie. My brain did a double take. I already have a vampire series—Eternity—and I still needed to finish the last book for it. But it was an interesting idea. Okay. I filed the prompt—vamps and angels—away for later. And went on with the stories I had in process.

A few months later a lot of buzz came around about space opera being big. You know the type of story, Star Trek, Star Wars, Firefly… Cowboys in space kind of thing. Okay… My brain took a left turn. Vamps, angels, space… Vamps, angels, space… And the next thing you know, ANGEL MOON is born. The first in a trilogy of stories with more to possibly come. I’m already into book two and book three is nagging me for attention. Hopefully, the words will flow as fast as the ideas are now! *cackle*

ANGEL MOON
By Shayla Kersten
Copyright © SHAYLA KERSTEN, 2010
Now available at Ellora’s Cave
For all of Shayla’s Ellora’s Cave’s book, check out her page
For more about Shayla check out her website

What the story’s all about:
Terra offers sanctuary to Angellum and Virkola. Unknown to the natives, a truce exists there. To Terrans, the two species exist as myths. One is a frail winged creature from religious texts. The other, a demon of the night, living off blood. Both are far from the truth…

Sorin thought sanctuary was the answer to their problems. Terra with its plentiful creatures, full of fresh blood and off limits to the millennia long war with the Angellum—who wouldn’t think it paradise? Except paradise comes at a high price. Claiming a bounty on a renegade angel hasn’t ended up the way he planned.

Teo loves his ship, his life in space, but he loves Sorin more. The plan seems sound but the bounty is a fraud and now the price is on him and Sorin. He’ll make the best of the rest of his life with Sorin, even if it were only a few weeks.

But when hope appears from an unexpected source, both men grab chance by the wings.

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

“You and your fucking bright ideas!” Teo dodged behind a stack of crates as heat sizzled past his leg. The acrid smell of ozone raised the hair on his neck. Popping out from behind his cover, he squeezed off a burst of return fire. Sweat matted his hair and kept trickling down his forehead and into his eyes. The thin atmosphere made every breath a chore. He rubbed his coat sleeve across his face but the water-resistant material just moved the sweat around and added grit to the mix.
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Welcome my friend and reader, Heather! I should be back from my trip and online again tomorrow! Thanks to the authors and readers who contributed to my blog!! ~DD

Reading was always my escape.

As a 1st grader I was reading at recess and by the time I was a freshman in high school I had completed all the books on the sophomore, Junior, and Senior reading lists. It was an easy feat because reading came easily to me and I enjoyed all of the books. My AP English teacher eventually let me read the books I wanted because she couldn’t keep up with my demand.

I was teased for always having my nose in a book. I even read on the bus for my senior trip when everyone else was watching movies. In my defense, it was Mission Impossible.

Books meant everything to me. At 31, they still do.

As I got older I started exploring fiction, which was mostly Anne Rice. Her book Belinda will forever be a favorite of mine. It was shortly after college I discovered Delilah Devlin. Her books quickly became my favorites and she soon introduced me to a lot of my favorite authors today.

I love that many of the characters in all of the books are full of life. The plots are always varied and of course the sex and romance is off the charts.

When I started graduate school, I had to cut back on my recreational reading, so books became my reward for completing my weekly work early. The reward I got for completing my semester with the grade I desired. I stick with authors I know because I am terrified of reading a book that stinks when I am rewarding myself. I review books as well, so I know that the market is flooded with stinkers.

This June when I got my MBA, I read erotic fiction all the time. Often times reading a book a night. Many amazing authors filled my nights while Chris Daughtry blared on my iPod. The books helped distract me from the rest of my life which was in turmoil. The Time Travelers Wife broke up over a solid month of erotic fiction. The Time Traveler’s Wife is an amazing read if you haven’t read it already.

Books have always been there for me when I needed them. They helped partially shape me into who I am. Often times it’s just helping me relax from a busy day or helping me forget the things that keep me up at night.

Happy Holidays everyone and treat yourself to a book!
~~Heather

Welcome guest blogger, Ashlyn Chase! ~DD

Why do people think I “don’t work?” Not readers or writers. I mean the people in my life. My husband, in-laws, friends…

Heck…I’ve been busy! I had three releases in September. One free short story for the Ellora’s Cave website, one for their fundraiser, and a Total-e-Bound novella, which is the only one that will put bread on the table. It’s called Oh My God and is an erotic comedy about the Greek God Dionysus. It was nominated for a CAPA and an Eppie award and is still one of my personal favorites. The cover is so spectacular, readers have told me their first words are the same as the title: Oh. My. God!

During that time, I was working on edits for my first mass market paperback which is being released in June by Sourcebooks. I’m happy to say it’s off to copyediting and proofreading now, and I’m very proud of it. I can’t wait to share it with the world!

For several weeks now, I’ve been writing its sequel. I’m under contract for a series of three books. It’s known as the “Strange series.” LOL. Book one is called Strange Neighbors and it’s a light urban fantasy set in an apartment building populated with paranormal misfits. The second one, which I’m working on now is Strange Bedfellows. By the time the third one rolls around, I hope to have another Strange title. I’ve never written books this long before (90,000 words) and it’s quite a challenge.

Sometime during the summer, I was asked to participate in a themed series with three other authors. It’s like The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, except with older women and a pair of red stilettos! I couldn’t resist! I got became especially excited about it when the awesome and talented Delilah Devlin signed on!

Our proposal was approved, so I wrote that “in my spare time.” Now I need to submit it to my editor when the others are ready. I read Delilah’s story and looooved it! I think the series will be titled Red Stilettos, but that isn’t written in stone yet.

My next release will be coming from Total-e-Bound in December. It’s a novella called Green Card. It’s not my usual erotic comedy, but it’s a hot Rubinesque contemporary. It’s about a recent immigrant, Katia, trying to make some extra cash as a life model to send to her family back home.

The cover is so beautiful, I had to keep it even though the woman in the picture is fair and thin and my heroine in the story is dark and on the chubby side. But she’s the perfect inspiration for the hero who prefers to draw voluptuous women in his sensuous artistic style. He makes her feel special and perfect just the way she is. I like a man who can see past superficial “flaws” and find the beauty within.

So, yeah, I don’t work at all. I just lie around the house all day eating bon-bons, and if I feel like doing a little housework, well good for me. LOL.

Welcome fellow EC author, Kathy Kulig! ~DD

Thanks Delilah for letting me guest blog. I thought I’d do something with a holiday theme.

I love listening to Christmas music, at home, on the way to work and at work, beginning from Thanksgiving until after the New Year. I checked out Amazon to see what the top selling CDs are. I was surprised the traditional ones I listened to as a kid weren’t in the top 10. Bing Crosby was #27, Burl Ives didn’t even make the top 100, Nat King Cole was #100. They’re really old songs but ones I hear every year on the radio. Personally, I enjoy Mannheim Steamroller and Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

Does anyone remember the house in Ohio that had their lights synchronized to “Wizards in Winter” by Trans-Siberian Orchestra? I think Coco-Cola used it in a commercial later too. Here’s the YouTube link if you want to check it out: Wizards in Winter

Some fun facts: The illuminated Christmas tree started in England during Queen Victoria’s reign 1832, and through immigration spread to North America and Australia. The first known electrically lit Christmas tree was in 1882 by Edward H. Johnson, an associate of Thomas Edison, and vice-president of Edison Electric Light Company (now Con-Edison in NY City). He hand strung 80 red, white and blue incandescent light bulbs the size of walnuts. (From Wikipedia, where else?)

Where did Christmas songs originate? In AD 129, a Roman Bishop said that a song called “Angel’s Hymn” should be sung at a Christmas service in Rome. The first specifically Christmas hymns that we know of appear in fourth century Rome. Latin hymns such as Veni Redemptor Gentium, written by Ambrose, Archbishop of Milan. St. Francis of Assisi in 1223 in Italy started his Nativity Plays with songs or “canticles” that told stories. The carols later spread to France, Germany, Spain and other European countries.

For classic songs, one of my favorites is: “Do You Hear What I Hear?” What are your favorites?

Wishing everyone a happy, safe and healthy holiday!

I have a free read with a Thanksgiving theme on my website if you care to check it out: A Moveable Feast For Demons

Warm regards,

Kathy Kulig

Read Kathy’s latest!

While working on an environmental project in the Arizona desert, research scientist Amy Weston finds herself caught in the war between two men. Dante Akanto lures her into the desert to explore the dark side of her passions, pleasuring her in ways she never thought possible with his bizarre sex games. And park ranger Jake Montag has a compelling mysticism and powerful sensuality that’s impossible to resist.

But the two men, demon and shapeshifter, are engaged in a supernatural fight between worlds. Amy and her high level of life force energy is the key. Dante’s world and his immortality depend on claiming her as his own. The choice Amy makes between the two men will affect both her world and her future.

Reader Advisory: Contains scenes of mild bondage.

Give a warm welcome to Mary Alice Pritchard! ~DD

All I want for Christmas is a weir wolf or maybe a weir tiger. Really! I love shifters. What is it I love about them? Well, besides all that gorgeous male anatomy, there is the dark tortured soul that just begs for someone to save him. Those alpha males with their dark sides are so sexy to me. Can you imagine waking up Christmas morning to one under your tree? I can dream can’t I?

What else might I want this Christmas? I don’t think we have enough time for me to give you the entire list but just to name a few: an e-book reader; a back up drive for my computer; a gift certificate for Amazon; and my list of e-books I want for my e-book reader. I don’t want much do I? Seriously, what all do you guys want? I might pick up some ideas if you share them with everyone. Leave a comment. I’d love to know.

What do I like most about Christmas? Watching people unwrap their gifts. Especially if it’s something I’ve given them. I like to see that first look on their faces when they realize what it is. Nothing is as sweet as watching children though. They get excited about everything. Well, everything except clothes that is. The younger they are the more fun it is to watch. They have just as much fun with the boxes and paper as the toy itself. I remember watching my nephews open their presents when they were younger and thinking I could have just wrapped up empty boxes for them to play with.

I write shifter books because I love to read them. I’ve probably own or read just about everyone ever written. My house is full of books. If you love to read like I do you know what I mean. Hence…the e-book reader for Christmas. Are there any other shifter fans out there? Let me hear from you. Which type do you like the most, the wolves or the cats? I’m partial to cats myself. If you read my blog you’ll learn just how much.

Right now, I have a cat shifter book out, Jaguar Nights. It’s about a jaguar shifter, Cole, who has trouble with his temper and fears he will lose his pride if he can’t control it. He meets his mate, a human who has been bitten by a rogue wolf and finds that she can help him calm his beast. Since he had to heal her using his blood, he doesn’t know if she will turn wolf or jaguar if she turns at all. Can he claim her as his mate without knowing for sure? Will he provide the home she has always wanted or will he be the death of her? The sequel to Jaguar Nights, entitled Leopard Dreams, will be out later next year. It continues the story of the weir cat pride and their struggles.

You can purchase Jaguar Nights, the first in the Tales of the Cat series at www.thewildrosepress or at www.amazon.com
Mary Alice Pritchard

Hope to hear from you about all your favorite things soon!