Tuesday, November 30, 2010

A Traditional Christmas

Christmas, Christmas time is here! Time for joy and time for cheer…


I absolutely love this time of year. I’ve collected my first Victorian Christmas village piece of the season. I’m driving my husband crazy by tuning in to the 24-hour holiday music channel. I’ve already seen A Diva Christmas and my son and I are arguing over the 12 Days of Christmas. Of course he will not accept that, yes, on the 12th Day of Christmas, 12 drummers did drum, not ladies dancing!


These are all traditions my family indulges in…or rather they indulge for me. It’s tradition that makes Christmas so special. They are particular to each family but they all have certain things in common. They usher in and identify the season. And of course, they bring a continuity that is passed down from parents to children and on and on. I remember baking cookies on Christmas Eve and playing the Motown Christmas record before going to bed before Santa arrived. That was *umphh* years ago but now, my children, niece and nephew bake cookies, play Christmas music (we now mix Motown in with some Disney-Justin-Beaver-like stuff *shudder*) and then send them to bed where some of them wait for Santa while others pretend to wait…


We’ve started new traditions as well. The 25th is one holiday guaranteed to see the entire family together from New Jersey to Florida to Alabama. So we started the Christmas Talent Show. Everyone has to prepare an act to perform for the delight and amusement of the family—and at times the utter humiliation of the performer. The first year my husband and I danced to The TemptationsRudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer while last year my sister and I sung a rousing—and off-key—rendition of Danny Boy. It ensures that our holiday is filled with much laughter!


The tradition I really love, though, is the cheer, kindness and joy that seems to exist this time of year. People’s hearts are a little lighter. Their moods somewhat merrier. And a “Merry Christmas!” earns a smile and a greeting back. The world is more beautiful decorated with lights and ornaments. For 25 days the world focuses on their neighbor. We concern ourselves with the needs and joy of those less fortunate that sadly are often ignored the other 340 days of the year. It’s these traditions I look forward to more than hearing the Jackson 5’s Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas or having the gaudiest-lit house on the block. Or even hoping for that black-knee-length-leather-stiletto-pointed-toe boots-for-$49.99-at-Shoe-Town under the tree…just throwing that out there…ahem…


So, from my family to yours, let me be the first to wish you a very Merry Christmas!


I decided to share a bit of our traditions with you below!


Monday, November 29, 2010

Just Because






Hello ladies. I've posted the above images just because. No particular reason. Well, maybe a whole bunch of silly ones.
#1 I was sick on Thanksgiving.
#2 I finally submitted by novel, Fettered Love, to my editor for the Ellora's Cave 1-800-DOM-help series.
#3 I'm rereading my favorite fantasy series, The Black Jewels Trilogy, and am inspired by the male protagonists.
#4 I wanted to.

What's the most ridiculous excuse you've read for posting gratuitous pictures of male bodies? Not that there's anything wrong with that mind you. Good old fashioned lust is highly respectable. If I spent all my time in philosophical ramblings (see earlier quotation from my November 15th post about the difference between philosophy and graffiti) I'd drive myself nuts. So consider this post my mental health break. But if you have heard a hilarious excuse for posting hot objectified male anatomy, let me know.

Enjoy!

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Oh Goody! I't my turn to blog!

Sometimes my every other Saturday sneaks up on me, but that's just because my life is moving at about 100 miles an hour.

Right now I'm writing 3 books. One is a long awaited sequel, one is another romantic comedy with my writing partner Dalton Diaz, and one I'm just editing. Whew!

The Vampire Next Door is finished and I just wrote up the synopsis for the sales team. I don't have a release date yet, but I'm hoping for something shortly before Halloween 2011. Next release in the Strange Neighbors series is The Werewolf Upstairs. It's due out Feb 1st and is available for pre-order on Amazon now.
http://www.amazon.com/Werewolf-Upstairs-Ashlyn-Chase/dp/140223662X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1279204108&sr=1-1

Okay, enough promotion. What's on my mind this morning? Oh, so many things!
Thanksgiving is over and the Christmas decorations are already up. I remember when Jina posted her pics of her "Christmas piano" last year. So clever! OMG, has it been a year since I've joined the chicks? Apparently so.

I love shopping, don't you? However, I'm not fond of being stampeded, so I stayed home on Black Friday and fashioned my own gift baskets. You've got to check them out! You'll find them on my store blog, here: http://ashlync.blogspot.com/ You can customize your book lovers basket to include one (or more) of my paperbacks--autographed, of course.

I set a price that allowed me a little profit, but we can haggle. (grin)

Friday, November 26, 2010

Cover Love!

I have four new releases in December and four new gorgeous covers to share!


This is for PROTECTIVE CUSTODY, my sexy contemporary erotic romance from Whiskey Creek Press Torrid. I absolutely love it! There's a scene just like it in the book, so it's perfect! Kendra Egert is the artist and it features the very hot Jimmy Thomas!





Paisley McCoy is a sexy reporter who writes about the San Francisco club scene for a local magazine. Having a dad on the police force has led to one hard and fast rule--she doesn’t date cops. She likes her men sensitive and intellectual, two qualities in short supply in any cop she’s ever met. However, when her safety is threatened and her life in danger, she gets stuck with a standard-issue cop for a bodyguard - aggressive, opinionated, and certain he’s always right. In short, the complete opposite of the kind of man she usually goes for.

Gray Beckham is a no-nonsense cop who’s peeved about being taken off a major burglary investigation to babysit the captain’s bratty daughter. Just because she’s gorgeous doesn’t change the situation. His career is important and she acts as if the whole situation is a joke and insists she doesn’t need his protection. While she might be sexy as hell, there’s no way he’s going anywhere near her, not if he can help it.

Despite their differences, though, Paisley and Gray can’t deny the chemistry between them. As that connection turns into a romance neither can avoid, they find out that the stalker is a far greater threat than they originally thought. They’re dealing with a crazed lunatic who has decided that if he can’t have her, no one will.

Read an excerpt here!
http://www.paigetylertheauthor.com/ExcerptProtectiveCustody.html

Look for it December 1st from Whiskey Creek Press Torrid!



This is for NOT THE MAN SHE THOUGHT, my sexy new sci-fi spanking romance from Blushing Books! It falso eatures the very hot Jimmy Thomas and the artist is Rae Monet, who does all my covers at Blushing Books. It's so gorgeous, I love it!







Beautiful Laken Andara is determined to find a way to be with her fiance. The only problem is that he’s on a planet half a galaxy away. To get there, she sneaks on board a cargo ship heading in that direction. But stowing away is a crime, and the captain has his own special way of dealing with spoiled brats who sneak on board his ship. He puts them over his knee and spanks them!

Outraged at being manhandled by the handsome Rade Karsten, but desperate to be reunited with her fiance, Laken has no choice but to put up with Rade and his spankings.

As Laken gets swept up in Rade’s world of piracy and intrigue, she discovers that men can sometimes be more - and sometimes less - than what they first appear, and she finds herself falling hard for the rogue who drags her over his knee for a sound spanking every time she disobeys his orders.

Read an Excerpt Here!
http://www.paigetylertheauthor.com/ExcerptNotTheManSheThought.html

Look for it Dec 1st from Blushing Books!

This is for DEAD SEXY, my hot new paranormal romance with Ellora's Cave! Isn't it too hot for words?! When the art department at EC sent it to me, I probably gazed at it for a good ten minutes in mouth-drooling appreciation before I could email them back telling the artist it not only rocked, but totally fit the book. The hero is "Dead Sexy," after all! LOL!




Romance author Simone Kent thinks she might just have found the most perfect guy in all of New York City - in bed and out.

But Drake Parrish is about as far from perfect as any man can get. Eight years ago, he was cursed by an evil Voodoo priestess to live part of his life as a zombie. Since then, he has lived like a recluse on New York's Upper East Side, afraid to go out for fear he'll suddenly turn into one of the walking dead.

Being with Simone reminds him of everything he was forced to give up and Drake finds himself feeling things for her that he hasn't felt in a very long time. When the Voodoo priestess learns of their relationship, however, she comes after him again. She doesn't believe Drake has paid for his sins and is determined to make sure he won't have a future with Simone.

Read an Excerpt here!
http://www.paigetylertheauthor.com/ExcerptDeadSexy.html

Look for it Dec 10th from Ellora's Cave!




This is for SEXY SECRET SANTA, my contemporary Christmas-themed erotic romance from Ellora's Cave. I think it captures the sexy, playful feel of the story, and I really like the way they're gazing into each other's eyes! Syneca, the artist who does my Ellora's Cave covers, always does amazing work!





Hollie Kerr has lusted after hot architectural engineer Dirk Fraser ever since they started working together, so she’s thrilled to discover he’s her Secret Santa at the office Christmas party. What she doesn’t know is that her friend has led him to believe Hollie prefers a good spanking over a boring, old present any day.

Though Hollie is surprised when Dirk put her over his knee, she can’t pass up the opportunity to get spanked by a hunky guy like him. Her upturned bottom isn’t the only thing that gets hot, however, and soon they’re having sex right there in the office. By the time they come up for air, the party has wrapped up, their coworkers have left and the building is locked up tight.

What’s a girl supposed to do when she’s trapped all night in the office with a gorgeous guy? Have sex in all the places she’s ever fantasized about, of course!

Read an Excerpt here!
http://www.paigetylertheauthor.com/ExcerptSexySecretSanta.html

Look for it Dec 22nd from Ellora's Cave!


*hugs*
Paige

"Stories so hot, they'll make your cheeks blush!"

http://www.paigetylertheauthor.com
http://paigetylertheauthor.blogspot.com

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Thanksgiving, Sherlock and Blonde Samurai, oh my!

Thanksgiving Day is almost here...and what a wild year it's been in the world of publishing.

E-books are sprouting up everywhere, bookstores are going through changes in how they do business, websites are evolving to meet the new technology, but one thing will never change.

It's the story...

However, whenever, wherever we want to read, it still comes down to the story.

Even with the classics. They will never change.

Or will they...



I recently tuned in to Sherlock on PBS--a young Sherlock Holmes who texts faster than most people can blink, along with a battle-weary Dr. Watson suffering from PTSD from his service in Afghanistan.

Sherlock and Dr. Watson have mobiles (as they're called in the UK), GPS systems, computers that do everything but clean house (Mrs. Hudson is once again in the fray--though she's quick to point out to the gents that she's "your landlady, dearie, not your housekeeper..."--but the wonderful, witty Mr. Holmes hasn't changed.

He's still the master of deduction (with a website yet!), who calls himself a "consulting detective" and solves murders with the finesse of a master chef whipping up the perfect soufflé. And that, my dear Watson, as Holmes would say, is a craft no computer can touch.

Like the craft of writing.

We writers have the entire alphabet at our fingertips, swirling around in our brains like Pachinko balls, bells and whistles going off when we "get it right."

But oh the trials and tribulations we go through to get it right.

Learning the craft of writing is like spooning just-cooked chocolate pudding into your mouth on a brisk autumn day. Sometimes it's too hot, sometimes it's too cold and sometimes it's just right...





Which is why I'm so pleased to announce that my Spice novel, The Blonde Samurai, got it right and has been nominated for a Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award in Erotic Romance.

It's a wonderful honor and I'm pleased to be in such esteemed company as Lauren Dane, Charlotte Featherstone, Jaci Burton, Nadia Aidan, and Chloe Harris.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Monday, November 22, 2010


With the holidays gearing up, my calendar is filling with social engagements and family obligations. One of those social events is a yearly party we attend or host with a group of five other families. We've been doing this for more than ten years now. Some of the kids are in college now, some of the couples no longer together, but the tradition continues.

One of the things we usually do is a White Elephant Exchange. None of us are wealthy, but we all have enough. So when this year's hostess suggested we do something different, I immediately applauded the idea. She said she has a few soldiers stationed in Afghanistan to whom she regularly sends little gift packages. This year, with so many people hurting financially and so many soldiers away from home and their families, she wants us each to bring a gift for a soldier. She will then mail the items off.
The kids usually do their own exchange, but we decided to have each bring a new toy for a local toy drive for children in need.

I thought the sentiments were so worthwhile, I should blog about it. Maybe other people will follow suit. With Thanksgiving just days away, I always think about everything and everyone I have in my life. Of course, I am very thankful to be part of the Naughty Chicks, a great, supportive group. I'm also thankful for those who put their lives on the line every day to keep the rest of us safe.

That said, here are some links to help you send items to soldiers:

US Postal Service Supporting Our Troops links: http://www.usps.com/supportingourtroops/



Friday, November 19, 2010

Guest Author Jillian Chantal!

Please welcome guest author Jillian Chantal to Naughty Author Chicks! This is her first time visiting but hopefully not her last!


Thanks Savannah, for having me here today. This is a great blog and I love reading it and keeping up with all of you here as well as enjoying all the great men you post. I’m thrilled to have been asked to visit to talk about my book release with SirenBookStrand. This is my first novel release. The book is due to be released on November 23, 2010, and I’m beyond excited about it. I write what I like to call Romantic Adventure with an International Flair.


The book is called Solo Honeymoon and although it’s not erotica, it’s categorized as steamy by the publisher and has a language warning. There are several steamy sex scenes and my hero is quite the alpha male. He’s an Italian Count that’s also a shoe designer. I mean, really, what woman wouldn’t want a hot, Latin lover that also can provide her with shoes to match every outfit? I’m just saying.



Here is an excerpt:

Dario came around to the side of the table where she stood. “I’ve taken the liberty of having dinner served to us here in the conservatory. Please be seated, and the chicken sorrentino will be served.” He pulled out her chair, and she sat.

“What’s in chicken sorrentino? I’ve never had it.”

“Its chicken, eggplant, two kinds of wine, and mushrooms.”

“It sounds divine,” she said. “Why the limes?”

“I had the chef pour some marsala in a pitcher, and I like to add lime juice to it as a aperitivo. Would you like to try it?”

“Sure.”

He took a knife from the table and cut the limes open. As he squeezed the limes and smiled at her, she felt her insides melt at the intensity of his stare. His dark brown eyes were bottomless, and she knew she could lose herself in them and never want to come up for air. His hands were strong and capable as they pulverized the limes, and she blushed to think what those hands could do to her body.

“How do you say it…‘a penny for your thoughts,’ Emma?” he asked.

“I have no thoughts.”

He laughed. “So, you’re just sitting there watching me and your mind is blank?”

“Of course not. It’s just that I’m really just relaxing and have no specific thoughts.”

“Sure, cara, sure.” He smiled again at her.

Thankfully, the young man that had brought Emma the note earlier brought in the plates of food at that very moment, and she was spared having to come up with a plausible story of what she had been thinking.

Wonder what he would say if I told him I was thinking of those big strong hands squeezing my…

Emma, are you all right?” Dario asked, interrupting her thoughts.

“Fine. Fine,” she replied as she picked up her fork and took a bite of the chicken.

The food was delicious, and Dario seemed to be on a charm offensive with her as he told her stories of his childhood days with Vincente and their adventures at the estate when they were on holiday from school.

Once the plates had been cleared, Dario stood. “I’ve brought in an old Victrola and would love for you to dance with me. We didn’t get a chance at the town party, and as dancing is my passion, I’d like to share it with you. Will you?” He stood and took off his dinner jacket. The white dress shirt he had on clung to his body. He held his hand out to her, and she rose from her chair and took his hand in her own.

They walked over to the Victrola, and Dario picked out a Viennese waltz by Strauss and put it on the turntable to play. As the scratchy sounds came from the machine, he held out his arms to Emma, and she moved into his dance space, and they began the first steps of the waltz. As soon as Dario touched her back, he stopped short. He spun her around to face away from him.

“Nice dress, Emma. I’m glad your seamstress ran out of fabric and couldn’t finish the back.”

“Very funny, Signore Conti.” She shuddered at his touch.

“Come here, woman,” he said in a low voice as he pulled her to him again.

They danced until the song ended. After the song ended, they stared into each others eyes and kept dancing as Dario hummed until the candles sputtered and went out. At some point, Dario’s hand on her back changed from the waltz position to a caress. She pulled herself closer to him as his hand ran up and down her back and eventually inside the fabric of the dress around to the side of her breast. As soon as his fingers touched her breast, she stopped moving. He stopped as well and, as his thumb inside her dress thrummed her nipple, he bent and kissed her. She groaned, and he said, “Will you go alone again to your bed tonight, bella mia?”

“No. I don’t think so, but I don’t think I can move right now to go anywhere.”

“No matter, bella, I’m not sure I can either. My passione is inflamed for you.”

“I know.”

He smiled. “You noticed?”

“Of course.”


Hope you enjoyed the excerpt, and, to celebrate this release on Tuesday, November 23, and in honor of the shoe designer hero, I’m giving away a shoe charm to one commenter. Tell me your favorite city for romance for a chance to win. Visit me at http://jillianchantal.wordpress.com/ And at my group blog on Saturdays: http://southernsizzleromance.wordpress.com/ Or email me at JillianChantal@gmail.com


Thanks again for letting me drop by! Happy Thanksgiving next week to everyone.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Cleopatra’s Perfume: Twittering like it’s 1939


Last week I put up my story video about Lady Eve Marlowe's adventures in 1928 Berlin, years before my novel, Cleopatra's Perfume takes place (it opens in Berlin in 1941 with my heroine, a handsome downed RAF pilot and a very unhappy SS officer demanding that my hero make love to Lady Eve while he watches...).

I twittered about the post and my story videos, which got me to thinking about what it would have been like if Lady Eve twittered about life in that time when--

 “As the world teeters on the brink of war in 1939, the privileged classes pursue the delights of the flesh in exclusive clubs. Lady Eve Marlowe possesses a treasure–an elixir of ancient origin with a power so great it sweeps her into a dangerous erotic game.” 
So here are a few tweets as Lady Eve would have written them back in 1939.

Think of it as a Twitter time machine…and you’re at the controls.


–I adore my British motorcar, but I hear you can buy a new 1939 Dodge sedan back in the States for $815.

No GPS system or air bags back then, but a spare tire and bumpers were included and something new: safety glass. Dodge was a sponsor of the Major Bowes Original Amateur Hour–the American Idol of its time. 


–My skin gets dry here in Cairo, so I started using Palmolive soap made with palm and olive oils to give my skin a boost.

No surprise here since it says so in the name, though ads at the time claimed olive oil was the secret ingredient.



–I always use Calox Powder to make my teeth shine.

–yes, powder, not toothpaste. I call this early teeth whiteners. FYI, the first toothpaste came in a jar in the 1870s, but the familiar toothpaste tube didn’t make the scene until 1892.


–Have you heard? There's a new method of sanitary protection. It's called Tampax.

This was a innovation that gave women the freedom, according to the ad, to wear sheer evening gowns without detection. A month’s supply, a box containing 10 Tampax, costs 35 cents.


I'm going to write my memoirs someday. I bought a portable Smith & Corona typewriter with a back spacer–Swinging Shift–84 characters for only $29.75.

The typewriter weighed only nine pounds. Best feature about this typewriter: no Spam email to distract you!



Happy twittering--hold on a minute.

The jitterbug was a big dance craze at that time, too. So--

Maybe they would have called it "twitterbugging."

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Face-to-Face with Another Chick!

Being an author has its moments that are so wonderful you will never forget them. The first contract. Receiving your first bookcover. The second contract. Receiving your second bookcover. The first email from someone who loves your book--and they are not related to you. The first check that officially makes you a PAID published author. The third contract. I can go on all day...



Two weeks ago I experienced another of those "moments". My RWA chapter, Southern Magic, hosts an annual Readers Luncheon. I attended two weeks ago and had a ball! Meeting great people, reuniting with those I hadn't seen since the last luncheon, goody bags stuffed with--hello!--goodies, great food and...good God! Did I mention the food??



It was incredible. Still that isn't the "moment" I'm talking about. That belongs to meeting Katie Reus also known as Savannah Stuart. I've known Katie for a little over a year. A couple of days after the release of my first book, Sweet Ultimatum, I Googled myself and found a Monday morning blog about reading my book over the weekend and loving it. It was Katie! I don't think I can--or could at the time--express how much that meant to a new author. She made my day, week--my month! A little while later, she invited me to join Naughty Author Chicks and the rest is history, if I can be cliche-ish. And, yes, I can since this is my post!

Finally meeting Katie face-to-face after was one of the highlights of my day. I have to admit I was a little anxious the entire week leading up to the luncheon. What if I can't talk to her like we do in emails? What if she's like, this chick is loose! What if? What if? What freaking if?? Yup, I was nervous. But as I walked down the hall and she came out of the bathroom, we took one look at each other and all you heard was, "HEY!!" And like that *finger snap* the comfort level we enjoyed online transferred over to reality. We shared a table, talked, laughed and had a wonderful afternoon. It's moments like that luncheon when you realize that being an author is more about writing, being published and promoting. It's about camaraderie, both professional and personal. It's about forming friendships within this unique community that allow us to celebrate each other's triumphs and offer to down a king-sized Hershey bar in heart-felt commiseration over disappointments. It's about meeting a fellow author for the first time and being able to say, I know you--and it's true.

So, I'm officially thanking Katie for giving me one of those moments. It's one that's right up there with the contract and the cover!

Monday, November 15, 2010

Love in Quotations

We all run across them. Notable quotations that strike a cord in our soul. In which we recognize some basic Truth in the universe. I have a file of them and I love to drag them out from time to time and sigh over their words. They provide inspiration and I believe feed the muse in all of us. Does that happen for you? Do you use the feeling that bubbles up from an inspirational quote?



As a romance writer the quotations related to love hit me hardest. I'll share a few I've run across most recently. Add your favorites to the comments and let's compare. I'm always in need of more inspiration.




"Tell me who you love, and I'll tell you who you are." -- Creole proverb





"I've been holding out my hand for a long time now, so stop making me wait and reach for it."
--unknown



"The only difference between graffiti and philosophy is the word fuck." --anonymous
(okay, that's not a love quote, but I was amused)



"Love is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because that is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion. That is just being 'in love' which any of us can convince ourselves we are. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Your mother and I had it, we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossoms had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two." -- St. Augustine



Two Trees...
"A portion of your soul has been
entwined with mine
A gentle kind of togetherness, while
separately we stand.
As two trees deeply rooted in
separate plots of ground,
While their topmost branches come together,
Forming a miracle of lace
against the heavens."
--Janet Mills



"When life itself seems lunatic, who knows where madness lies? Perhaps to be too practical may be madness. To surrender dreams, this may be madness. To seek treasures where there is only trash...Too much sanity may be madness, and maddest of all is to see life as it is and not as it should be." --Miguel De Cervantes, Don Quixote de la Manc



And to end on a light note--- Charles Bukowski said it best: "Sexual intercourse is kicking death in the ass while singing." (okay, not love, but that other wonderful pastime)



So what's in your quotation file?

Friday, November 12, 2010

SQUEE! New Contract with Ellora's Cave and GOOD COP, BAD GIRL is an EPIC AWARD Finalist!


I'm so excited! I just signed with Ellora's Cave for my Exotica Christmas-themed Quickie SEXY SECRET SANTA!


Here's the blurb!


Hollie Kerr has lusted after hot architectural engineer Dirk Fraser ever since they started working together, so she’s thrilled to discover he’s her Secret Santa at the office Christmas party. What she doesn’t know is that her friend has led him to believe Hollie prefers a good spanking over a boring, old present any day.

Though Hollie is surprised when Dirk put her over his knee, she can’t pass up the opportunity to get spanked by a hunky guy like him. Her upturned bottom isn’t the only thing that gets hot, however, and soon they’re having sex right there in the office. By the time they come up for air, the party has wrapped up, their coworkers have left and the building is locked up tight.

What’s a girl supposed to do when she’s trapped all night in the office with a gorgeous guy? Have sex in all the places she’s ever fantasized about, of course.






Also, and I'm so excited I can barely sit still, my erotic romance from Ellora's Cave GOOD COP, BAD GIRL is an EPIC Award finalist! I'm so psyched!






Gotta love a guy who comes with his own handcuffs!

When a hunky cop shows up at Julie Hanson’s apartment to tell her the police received a complaint about the noise from her birthday party, she assumes he’s a male stripper her girlfriends hired. Upon discovering the gorgeous Kirk Chandler really is a police officer, she’s completely mortified, especially since she teased him about giving her a birthday spanking.

Kirk appears at her door for a second time later that night, bearing gifts and asking if she got her birthday spanking. Julie not only gets her bottom nicely warmed, but is treated to a night of pleasure that qualifies as the best birthday present any girl could ask for.


Read an Excerpt!
http://www.paigetylertheauthor.com/ExcerptGoodCopBadGirl/


Watch the Trailer!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jgnpc0sx354


Buy it from Ellora's Cave!
http://www.jasminejade.com/p-8153-good-cop-bad-girl.aspx






For a sneak peek at DEAD SEXY, my other upcoming release from Ellora's Cave, and PROTECTIVE CUSTODY, my upcoming release from Whiskey Creek Press Torrid, visit my website at http://www.paigetylertheauthor.com/ and click on "Coming Soon!"


*hugs*
Paige

"Stories so hot, they'll make your cheeks blush!"

http://www.paigetylertheauthor.com/
http://paigetylertheauthor.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Berlin Diary of Lady Eve Marlowe: Else’s Story

On November 11th, we celebrate our veterans.

But mothers are also veterans of war. Here is a story about such a mother written by Lady Eve Marlowe, the heroine in my novel, Cleopatra’s Perfume.

Before Lady Eve married a member of the British peerage, she was a cabaret dancer in Berlin in the late 1920s during the wild days of the Weimar Republic.

The scene in what I call a “story vid” (story video) takes place after one of the girls in the show is murdered and Eve goes to visit her mother.


Happy Veterans Day!

Monday, November 8, 2010

New Release and Giveaway


My very first erotic romantic suspense story, Tropic of Trouble, released a couple days ago, which is very exciting to me. But I will save the pimpage for later. The more suspense story lines I write, the more suspicious of real people I become. For example, my daughter asked if her friend could spend a couple nights with us since her mother was out of town and she didn't want to stay alone. I couldn't possibly subject a seventeen year old to several lonely, maybe frightening nights alone. So I said sure.

Those two nights stretched into a week. The girl said her mother was still away but I started thinking up nefarious reasons why she might be detained. Had she been kidnapped? Did the girl really live with her mother? And where was the supposed brother I vaguely remembered hearing about last year?

Turned out, her mom was with relatives she hadn't seen for a while and decided to stay longer. Darn it. I thought I'd found the basis for a new plot.

Please leave a comment and I will draw one winner to receive a download of Tropic of Trouble.

Here's a little about the book:

When Kelsey Ackerman’s assistant at her used bookstore is murdered, the police label it a botched robbery by a desperate drug addict. But Kelsey suspects the perpetrator was looking for a rare Shakespeare volume that someone unknowingly donated. Now a killer’s sights are set on Kelsey.

Jail guard Jason Jones only wants to protect her, but after suffering a controlling father and an abusive ex-husband, Kelsey wants nothing to do with the confident, hot sergeant. Until the danger becomes crystal clear, and the only man who can save her is the very man she can’t resist.


You can read an excerpt HERE or purchase the book (or any of my other books) HERE

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Meaning? What meaning?


Last summer I held a book signing in Nashua, NH, for my brand spanking new paperback Strange Neighbors.

A woman approached me, glanced at the books piled high on the table and didn't even pick it up before she asked, "Are you ever afraid people will misinterpret your meaning?"

I was stunned speechless. What the heck was she talking about? I had to ask--"What do you mean?"

"You know," she said. "Do people ever not get what you're trying to say?'"

I was lost in an existential fog, but I figured I'd better wing an answer before she misinterpreted my silence and declared me an idiot savant.

Being the brutally honest person I am, I said, "There's no meaning to get. My books are strickly FYE...for your entertainment."

Now she was the one who looked stunned. Yet she wasn't held captive behind a table full of her books, so she just wandered away, probably deeply dissatisfied with my answer.

Shrug. It's not that I can't write books with meaning. I'm intelligent enough. I'm even capable of a rare moment or two of serious depth. I just choose to write for a different purpose. I have no intention of educating or prokoking serious thought with my words. I just want to give a few hours of pleasurable giggles, good for a healthy escape--no more, no less.

I did, however, write a free short story that's dangerously close to meaningful. If any of you would like to check it out, here's where you can find it: http://www.jasminejade.com/p-8795-most-unpopular-workday-of-the-year.aspx
Or see it on the ARe site.

Most Unpopular Workday of the Year
By: Ashlyn Chase | Other books by Ashlyn Chase
Published By: Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc.
ISBN # 9990200018000

Available in: HTML, Adobe Acrobat, Epub, Microsoft Reader, Mobipocket, Rocket
add to cart

About the book
Andy is the new nurse and has to work on Christmas Day. She’s part of a skeleton crew taking care of one little boy with end-stage Muscular Dystrophy. As she reads to him, Jeff, a young intern, visits. Through their love of this little boy, Andy and Jeff discover a deep connection and love for each other.

So, how about you? Do you ever write books with meaning (like, on purpose?)

Friday, November 5, 2010

Weekend Fun!

Tomorrow I'm going to the reader's luncheon that RWA's Birmingham chapter (Southern Magic) puts on. Eeeaaaarrrrlly in the morning I'm meeting up with the fabulous Cynthia Eden and we're making the drive together.


Since quite a few of the Naughty Author Chicks were awesome enough to donate books I wanted to show off the raffle basket I'm bringing!


Sadly you can't see them all but Ashlyn Chase, Dalton Diaz and Cara McKenna all donated print books. And Dara Edmondson (Wynter's alter ego), Cara McKenna, and myself all donated a bundle of ebooks too! And even though she's not a naughty chick, Jax Cassidy also donated two print books! I added another handful of books but I wanted to give some props to the wonderful ladies at this blog for their gifts.


I've never been to a reader's luncheon before but I finally get to meet Naima Simone in person! That's going to make the entire thing worth it! I'll post updates next time I blog.


I posted this on my alter ego's blog last week and announced it on twitter but I'm still reeling from the news and wanted to share that I signed a 3 book deal with NAL/Signet Eclipse for my paranormal trilogy. Everything will be published under my alter ego but it's pretty awesome stuff so it's worth repeating!


Have a great weekend everyone!!

Thursday, November 4, 2010

News brief and a contest!

by Cara McKenna


Yeah, so… No reason for that picture. Just cracked me up that's there's a mortuary-themed male pin-up calendar. Or there was in 2008, anyhow.

It's a quickish post from me for a change—three not terribly related news items.

Item the first: it's the one-year anniversary of my very first sale! Ellora's Cave bought Brazen one year ago today. Sniff. Wherever has my innocence gone?

Item the second: new contract! Ellora's Cave has contracted Getaway, the third and final story in the Watch Me Torture Poor Shane series, or as readers seem to be calling it, the Shivaree series. No release date to share, but I would guess fans will be able to get their digital mitts on Shane's long-awaited happy ending in March. But again, that's just a guess. If you haven't read the first two stories, Backwoods is m/m and Shivaree is m/m/f and they're both contemporary erotica set in Louisiana and very fraught and a bit dark. Oh heck, if you haven't read either of them and you dig m/m, leave a charming comment by Sunday at noon EST and I'll pick someone to receive a copy of each.

Item the third: my romance-writing alter ego Meg Maguire took part in a podcast for Harlequin's "So You Think You Can Write?" event for aspiring romance authors. Talk about good company! I was interviewed along with fellow debut Harlequin authors Maisey Yates and Jeannie Lin. You can take a listen here:



That's it, really. If you'd like to win a copy of Shivaree and Backwoods, just say so in a comment.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

What is a Novel?



Writing is hard work. Sitting in front a computer with our coffee within reach and our eyes glued to the monitor. It’s easy to get caught up in our latest romance with our characters. Before we know it, we haven’t moved for…how long?

You need a break. Me, too.

I like to walk.

It’s a good time to mull over plot points and listen to my characters. I also discovered something else on my walks about writing a novel. It’s a lot like my friend, Uccello. Who is he? A little bird.

Find out why a novel is like Uccello (bird in Italian) in my audio/video blog: “What is a Novel?” I’ll introduce you to Uccello on my daily walk and show you the view from my hotel room in Venice, Italy. (I was in Venice speaking and performing at La Biennale arts festival.)

Are you ready to take that break? Andiamo! Let’s go!




What is a Novel? from Jina on Vimeo.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

For Me, Santa?


There are fifty-four days left until Christmas but it has come early for me! Santa has deemed me a good girl and hey! Who am I to argue? Hee-hee! I received a contract from Breathless Press for, Claiming Christmas, a short Christmas story set for release on December 10th. Yaay!! *jazz kick and toe touch * So I wanted to share the blurb and excerpt!

Blurb:

Sabotaged Christmas pageant. Check. Number one on the hit list of cheating ex-fiancé’s mother. Check. Imminent firing from principal, who happens to be the cheating ex-fiancé’s mother. Double Check. For elementary school teacher Regan Price, Christmas is a big bah humbug. Alone, all she has to look forward to this holiday is a drink and an empty apartment. Then Cian St. John comes home. The hot-sex-walking brother of her best friend has returned to Boston with a tantalizing proposition that awakens her every fantasy. Now it appears Regan may have more than a pink slip in her Christmas stocking. All she has to do is reach out and claim it…

Excerpt:

I'm burning up. I'm burning up. The three words seemed to resonate and grow louder, as if the bar had suddenly transformed into the Grand Canyon. She closed her eyes and wished for the earth to crack open and suck her into its depths. Maintaining her senses in front of this man was proving to be as impossible as ever. Even more so since she'd discovered how he looked when he came. How his face tightened. How the dark fan of lashes lowered over his bright gaze and his full lips firmed into a taut line.

A tremulous breath passed her parted lips as she lifted her lashes and met his penetrating stare. Again she averted her eyes. No doubt her thoughts were reflected in her gaze. Along with the desire curling through her veins like a sprawling vine. For ten years she’d watched and wanted her best friend’s brother…and that’s all she’d done. Cian St. John had been like the rock star on the poster tacked to her bedroom wall—sexy and unattainable. As much as she desired it, Regan acknowledged that having sex with Cian was as likely as Flavor-Flav being voted number one in People's "50 Most Beautiful" issue.

"Carrie didn't mention you were home," she stated. "I thought you were in Milan or Paris or some other exotic city." As a financial consultant for companies in fiscal trouble, demand for Cian's expertise and services carried him all over the world for months at a time.

"Why, Rae. I didn't know you cared." He raised the dark brown beer bottle to his lips and took a long sip, his contemplation of her never wavering. He lowered the bottle, and it dangled between his strong, elegant fingers. "You never call. You never write."

And say what? Hallmark made cards for every occasion, but even they would've been stumped creating a sentimental message for interrupting fellatio.

"Well, this year has been a little busy." She hunched a shoulder, reaching for nonchalance. "You know, becoming engaged, breaking off said engagement, and then dealing with Principal Dearest at work."

Cian arched an eyebrow. "I knew about the engagement, and Carrie filled me in on the breakup, but what's this about your job?"

Rae sighed. "Long story short, my principal is the ex's mother, and she's personally offended that I don't want to marry her rat-bastard son anymore. So for the past six months, she's been making my life hell at school, with one imagined infraction or another. But after tonight, instead of being on the top ten of her 'Shit List,' I just zoomed to number one…thanks to the fourth grade."

"Oh yeah," he agreed with a nod seconds before he let out a bark of laughter. "The remix of 'Jingle Bells.'"

"You were there?"

He nodded. "I met Carrie at the school. My favorite part was when that kid mimed the Batmobile losing its wheel."

Regan slapped her hands to her face and peered at him through spread fingers.

"Oh shit."

They stared at each other. She wasn't sure who snickered first, but it was like jerking the plug from the dam. Great guffaws of laughter between them. By the time their hilarity died down, Regan clutched her aching stomach, and Cian swiped at his eyes. Damn, it felt good, like an albatross had been hefted from her neck. It had been months since she'd laughed that hard, and it felt…cleansing.

"Thank you." She wheezed. "I needed that."

"You're welcome." His grin softened to a smile. He tilted his head to the side and reached out to cup her nape. She shivered. From the hardening of his jaw and the flare of heat in his eyes, Regan realized he hadn't missed the telltale shudder. "Tell me something, Regan."

"What?" she whispered.

Cian leaned forward until the barest of space separated them. The scent of the beer he'd drunk and that flavor belonging to him alone bathed her lips, and Regan wanted to swipe her tongue across them to taste him. She drew back, alarmed by the power of her hunger. But his hold tightened and refused to allow her the distance.

"Why did you get engaged to Charles when you wanted me?"