Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Just what does a Princess do anyway? Advice for Kate...





by Evelyn Q. Darling
Romance Reporter At Large


Mirror, mirror on the wall…who is the fairest princess of all?
Why, Kate Middleton, of course.

All eyes are on the lovely Kate as she weds Prince William with single girls all over the world wishing they were in her shoes.

And that they could give up their 9 to 5 jobs to be a princess.

I mean, it’s not like a princess has to work for a living. It’s all fancy balls and pretty clothes and dashing around with her handsome prince, right?

No more fast trips to the market with a purse full of coupons or emptying your Spam box or cleaning your bathroom.

Imagine lounging around the palace all day, eating chocolate truffles and texting your friends about how you have nothing to do but shop…

Hold it.


As Kate is sure to find out, being a princess is a full-time job.

In past weeks, this reporter has explored how to interview your romance heroine for a job, but what if that job is for a princess?


Just what does a Princess do anyway?


Here is a Princess Primer for all you Kate wannabes to have under your pillow when your Prince Charming pops the question:


1. A princess must never forget that her job is service to her people. Duty and compassion are also important. Okay, so that means being nice to everyone you meet, including your mother-in-law, the Queen.


2. Don’t go around the palace snapping photos of the royal family on your cell phone and putting them on your website. Definitely not.


3. When addressing the queen, you say “Ma’am” as in jam. What pet name you call your Prince is between you and him…and remember, palace walls do have ears…


4. You must appear well-groomed and proper at all times. Which means no funky sweats, no sloppy flip-flops and for heaven’s sake, make certain you’ve removed the Royal Nail decals of you and the Prince before the big day.


5. And finally, when the Prince gives you that first official Royal Kiss on the palace balcony, wear smear proof lipstick. No lipstick on the collar for the future King!


And by all means, practice, practice, practice the “royal wave.” You’ll want to have it down perfect when you’re Queen!



Evelyn Q. Darling is the alter ego of Jina Bacarr, author of The Blonde Samurai: “She embraced the way of the warrior. Two swords. Two loves.”

Jina Bacarr is also the author of The Blonde Geisha ,Cleopatra's Perfume, Naughty Paris, Tokyo Rendezvous, a Spice Brief, and Spies, Lies & Naked Thighs







Monday, April 25, 2011

Revisiting an Old Friend

One of the very first books I wrote (under another name) was The Kitten Club. I loved the story, although it was pretty heavy. I could hardly get through the edits of one particular section without crying. I got more fan mail on that book than I've gotten on any other since.

Something that always bothered me about the book, though was the cover, which was a cartoonish depiction of kittens. I've subsequently learned to think through the tone of the story rather than merely the prominent elements the book contains when filling out the cover request.
I can't say I lost sales because of the cover because at signing events I think that cover got me more sales than it lost me.

But I recently got my rights back to the book and decided to give it a new life and publish it myself. My talented friend Jax of Jaxadora Design (Who also made me a killer cover for Game of Smoke and Mirrors) made me a much more appropriate cover and convinced me to change the title.

So I took that plunge and reissued the book. This isn't erotic romance, but it does have some fairly explicit love scenes. So without further ado, here's a little about Not Enough:

When forty-year-old salon owner Kitty Murphy meets dashing entrepreneur Harrison Wentworth, III she's instantly drawn to his powerful presence. Kitty fights the intense attraction, fearing Harrison's motive is to woo her precious salon away from her. But losing her salon isn't the only problem on Kitty's horizon. Josh, her son, moves back home. Delighted at first, Kitty soon discovers Josh is in denial about his drug addiction. Not only that, but his girlfriend, Brooke, is pregnant. Kitty's maternal instincts shift into high gear to protect Brooke and her unborn baby. Can she save Josh in time for him to be a father to his child? Can she trust Harrison with her heart? 

Friday, April 22, 2011

The Reviews Are In For DEAD SEXY!


The reviews are in for DEAD SEXY and they're loving my zombie romance! I didn't know what people would think about a zombie hero, and i'm so excited everyone loves him as much as I do! If you haven't picked it up yet, you might want to give it a try after reading these reviews!


GOLD STAR AWARD from JERR!

"Although I had misgivings regarding the story line for Dead Sexy, I am happy to report that I was dead wrong. While zombies are generally the stuff of a more macabre genre, the unusual plot of Dead Sexy is a masterful blend of both mild horror and romance. Drake is such a compelling character. For me he embodies the ultimate hero; strong, assertive, intelligent, brave, understanding and sexy as all get out. Simone is smart, down to earth and most importantly, possessed of common sense. She is feminine but not a wimp, which imbues her with a realness we don’t often see in heroines. Their sexual chemistry is instantaneous. And while each encounter with our hero and heroine desperately leaves both them, and you, longing for a steamy sack session. Instead we're teased with a slow build giving everyone a chance to get to know one another. But when the time is right, Ms. Tyler unleashes with some exceptionally steamy and prolonged love making. So be sure you’re
“equipped” to handle it. You too will find yourself reading until well beyond the
witching hour. Thrilling, suspenseful and passionate Dead Sexy is a wicked
read and very deserving of a Gold Star Award!"



5 Cherries from Whipped Cream!

"Humorous, original, and sexy as all get out.

Ms. Tyler has written a book unlike any thing I have ever read before. She has
taken the Voodoo zombie curse and turned it into something rather different. Ms. Tyler has weaved a complex and original story full of action that will keep
you flipping pages. This book is full of twists, turns and an ending that will
leave you blown away!"



5 Siren Stones from Siren Book Reviews!

"When the two words “romance” and “zombies” are used to describe a book,
what is one to think? For me, after reading Dead Sexy, my thoughts were a
whirlwind of “wow”. Paige Tyler made this work. With a great blend of mystery, intrigue, suspense, and action, and not to forget the love scenes, Dead Sexy kept me going long into the late hours of the night. The hair on the back of my neck stood, and chills ran down my spine. This book took me by surprise at how much I enjoyed it. I never thought I would enjoy a romance book so much that involved zombies, but I did. If you're looking for a different read, filled with adventure, excitement, and chills, then give Dead Sexy a try!"



Reviewer Top Pick from NOR!

"Ms. Tyler crafted a sexy romance that made the zombie aspect work really well. Dead Sexy is everything you want in a paranormal romance. Action, plot, hot sex, great characters and a realistic romance you won't forget. I highly recommend this book and look forward to more by Ms. Tyler!"




4 Hearts from The Romance Studio!

"This was one interesting erotic romance. When I read the blurb I wasn't sure
how a zombie could possibly be a desirable hero but if all the walking dead are
like Drake this is definitely going to be a favorite sub genre for me. This is a must-read for those who enjoy vanguard paranormal romances, I know this is one I will definitely read again and again!"




5 Nymphs from Literary Nymphs!

"I must admit to feeling more than a little trepidation before starting Dead
Sexy. I was morbidly intrigued by the unusual mixture of erotic romance and the undead and wondered where it could possibly lead. After finishing it, I’m still not sure how the author did it, but the contradicting genres ended up working very well indeed and I just could not put Dead Sexy down!"



For a sexy excerpt from DEAD SEXY and links to the complete reviews, visit my website at http://www.paigetylertheauthor.com/ExcerptDeadSexy.html


Buy it at Ellora's Cave!
http://www.jasminejade.com/p-8917-dead-sexy.aspx

Buy it on Amazon Kindle!
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004GKMEE0


*hugs*
Paige

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

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

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

It all started with a glass slipper…what shoes will Kate wear for the Royal Wedding?

by Evelyn Q. Darling Romance Reporter At Large

We all remember when Cinderella eased her dainty toes into a slipper made of clear glass. She went from being a commoner with a borrowed gown sewn by clever little mice to a dazzling princess and the happily-ever-after ending we all dream about.
Or was it a stiletto?

It couldn’t have been a ballet flat, could it? What type of shoe does a romance heroine wear in the land of fairy tales?

Or better yet, what if the fairy tale is real?



Mmm…this reporter is anxiously awaiting to see what shoes Kate Middleton will wear on her upcoming wedding day when she marries Prince William. Classic white satin pumps would be the elegant choice with princesslike appeal.

But there are so many choices available to this modern-day Cinderella.

What do you think?

I’ve put together some shoe suggestions with the pros and cons:


Stilettos: Kate and William are both tall; she could get away with it, but what will the Queen say? Off with her head?\




High-heeled sandals: It’s spring in London, but bare toes for Kate in Westminster Abbey could be a chilly proposition.\




Boots: snug, button-up or laced white boots with a curved heel would be very Victorian and flirty–and definitely wouldn’t come off Kate’s slender foot. It’s a possibility…




Ballet flats: Cute, comfy and dreamlike. Like a ballet sequence with Kate as the elegant white swan captivating everyone…including her prince.




Sky-high wedgies: Kate is a clever fashionista, but this edgy look may miss the mark with British fashion reporters who like a more upmarket look.




Athletic shoes: no, no, no!




Cleopatra roman sandals: very sexy if Kate gets a great pedicure and fit for a future queen.




Classic satin pumps: Sophisticated lady with “people appeal” like Prince William’s mother, Princess Diana. Kate can’t go wrong here.



Let’s hope that after the ceremony when Kate climbs into the fancy landau royal carriage with the sumptuous red interior, she won’t lose her slipper.

But then it won’t matter, will it?

She’ll already have her Prince Charming…I mean, William.

So, what type of shoes does your romance heroine wear?


Evelyn Q. Darling is the alter ego of Jina Bacarr, author of The Blonde Samurai: “She embraced the way of the warrior. Two swords. Two loves.”




Jina Bacarr is also the author of The Blonde Geisha ,Cleopatra’s Perfume, Naughty Paris, Tokyo Rendezvous, a Spice Brief, and Spies, Lies & Naked Thighs

Monday, April 18, 2011

Of Zoos, Vacations and Random Brainstorming

I'm on vacation and not feeling particularly inspired at the moment. Hence, the randomness of this post. However, I was called by my writing muse to consider a new character today. I don't usually write shapeshifters, but today we visited a zoo and I fell in love with the spirit of the sea otter. I love sea otters. They are playful and social and graceful as all get out. It so happens that I've been reading an urban fantasy novel highlighting the Native American Coyote trickster. And watching the otters today I was struck that the same trickster traits might do well in an otter character.

Brainstorming comes from all nooks and crannies of life. I still don't believe I will write a shapeshifter story, but I can see myself creating a hero with a strong totem association like the otter. And making him a cunning, devil may care trickster. A super intelligent, manipulative, wise ass, fun loving, sharp toothed, good hearted man. Who is misunderstood by a heroine (or another hero) as he gets himself into trouble.


How I can fit this character into a BDSM story I'm not completely sure. He will have to be a submissive, don't you think? Perhaps I'll make him an ultra spiritual man, embracing his submission as part of his connection to the great spirit of the world. I've always considered BDSM as holding a tremendous potential for spiritual connection, but none of my previous characters have spent much time speaking about this explicitly in their stories. But this otter/trickster/submissive hero may have to walk this path. Time for research.


And I did all this brainstorming while walking among the noisy, inquisitive families at the zoo today. The idea blossomed between the pony rides, the big cat house, the primates, and the gift shop. Now I need a story for my otter man. And one or two partners. Maybe I'll visit the science museum next for my plot.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Straight Chicks Writing Queer

Please welcome guest author Lucy Felthouse!

First I want to say a big thank you to the Naughty Author Chicks for having me on their blog today. As a bit of a naughty girl myself, I feel quite at home! Today I want to talk to you about straight chicks writing queer.

It seems publishers are crying out for lesbian erotica right now. Readers are obviously buying it in droves and the publishers are striving to meet demand. I don't blame them one bit. Observing this trend made me think about who was writing this fiction, though.

I've written lesbian and bisexual fiction and publishers have bought it, which naturally, from my perspective, is awesome. But what's interesting about this is the fact that I'm not lesbian, or bi. I'm a straight chick who's never even kissed a girl in that way.

One of my most recent publications is a story in an anthology from Ravenous Romance, I Kissed A Girl II: More Virgin Lesbian Stories. I've been doing various promo around the release and somebody expressed confusion that I'd been published in a lesbian anthology, knowing that I have a male partner. After me explaining that I am in fact straight, this person went on to ask how I could write about lesbians, then? What did I know?

I told them that it's pretty simple, really. Although I'm straight, I'm certainly not anti-lesbian. I believe that everyone has the right to be happy, no matter what gender they are, or want to be with. Plus there's the fact that women are beautiful. I can quite happily gaze at photographs of women and appreciate their aesthetically pleasing forms and exuding sexiness. I don't salivate over them in the same way that I would a photo of my favourite hunk of the moment, but I can definitely look and praise.

Therefore, writing lesbian fiction is just as easy to me as writing hetero fiction. It just happens to be with two women. I have, after all, got the equipment down below so I know damn well what a woman looks and feels like down there. I simply times that by two and let my imagination run away with me. My publishing successes with lesbian fiction indicate that I must be doing something right—and long may it continue.

So what I really want to know is, am I in the minority here? If you write (or even just read) lesbian fiction, are you lesbian? Bi? Or straight? I'm interested to know your perspectives on this. Let me know in the comments!

* * * * *

During Lucy’s first year studying Creative Writing at the University of Derby, she was dared to write an erotic story. It went down a storm and she's never looked back. Lucy has had stories published by Cleis Press, Noble Romance, Ravenous Romance and Xcite Books. Find out more on her website. She's also on Facebook and Twitter.

Lucy's most recent release, a story in I Kissed A Girl II: More Virgin Lesbian Stories, is published by Ravenous Romance. It's available direct, and also from all good eBook retailers.

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Laughing matters...

Sorry I'm late, folks! I slept until 10:30 this Saturday morning. I attended a surprise b'day party last night, and the b'day girl is probably still snoozing away.

Last night Dalton Diaz (my friend and sometimes writing partner) threw a big surprise birthday party for a mutual fan who has become a dear friend to both of us. It was loads of fun and more than once we were laughing so hard we couldn't talk and tears leaked out the sides of our eyes. I'm not used to that much excitement...hence my sleeping until 10:30! My hubby had to wake me up to be sure I was still alive!

We started out the day shopping. There's an incredible clothing sale that happens once per season. Nice new clothing is donated by stores getting rid of overstocks and last season (which ends up being the current season, so we can wear the clothes we purchase right away!) The best part is all proceeds go to The Friends of Mental Health. A charity that looks out for the some of the most unfortunate and forgotten of our population.

I scored big! Spent $74.00. I got a jacket, a pair of pants, a pair of capris, 2 brand new blouses (still in packaging) 2 Indian-looking tunic tops, and a large purse! Some things will require a tiny bit of tailoring, but they still work out to be a huge bargain!

Anyway, then Dalton made the best lasagna I've ever had! So tender! My noodles are always chewy. (You mean they're not supposed to be that way?)

With twin sons, her husband, and her visiting brother The red wine and testosterone flowed around the table until everyone had increased their endorphins. (Laughter releases a chemical that makes you feel better and guys...well, they're just naturally funny.)

Top it all off with chocolate cake and it was a recipe for an altogether fun, fantastic evening. And to think...Dalton gets to live that way all the time! The birthday girl, her daughter, and I just get to visit... but it's a good thing. I don't think I could handle that much excitement on a daily basis.

For a great article on how laughter actually does make one feel better, go here:
http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/biology/b103/f02/web2/mscottweathers.html

Ash

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

“Naughty Paris” returns to Italy



“Naughty Paris” returns to Italy from Jina on Vimeo.


ROSSOFUOCO -- “Fire Red” with ROSE M.J., BACARR JINA, ANDERSEN SUSAN -- 3 books in 1 from Harlequin Italy, http://www.eharmony.it/, including my book, Naughty Paris.


My Harlequin Spice time travel about 1889 Paris, “Naughty Paris,” is being re-released in Italy as part of a not-to-be-missed 3-book Special Edition along with novels by M.J. Rose and Susan Andersen.


After being jilted by her fiancé, Autumn Maguire uses her nonrefundable honeymoon tickets to explore Paris on her own. Eager to experience the true bohemian lifestyle, she answers an ad for an artist's model. When she exchanges her clothes for the artist's lush red cloak, something strange happens…a feeling of intense sensual reawakening overcomes her. Suddenly lightning strikes and through the power of black magic she's thrust back into…


...the nineteenth century where the scandalous painter Paul Borquet is insisting she become his Titian-haired muse. Between everyone's strange clothing, the claustrophobic Parisian streets and the overpowering pull of sexual desire, Autumn can't process…just where the heck is she and how did she get here? And frankly, with Paul's expert caresses imprinted on her body, does she really care about going back to present day?


Click here to read an excerpt of "Naughty Paris." (also available as an eBook)


I hope you enjoy my video!

Monday, April 11, 2011

What an Erotic Romance Author is Not

I was at a close friend’s house the other day when her sister showed up. I’ve had a few dealings with the sister, not many. But she knows I’m a writer. She’s even read some of my books and complimented me on them. As our conversation progressed, she asked me what I thought was an off-the-wall question. She inquired if I’d ever been one of those phone sex women, who get paid to talk dirty on the phone.


I was so taken aback by her question that I was momentarily stunned into silence. I asked her if she’d seriously just said what I thought she had. She still didn’t get that she’d insulted me and asked the question again. Now maybe I was being overly sensitive but I equate paid phone sex to dancing nude in a strip club.


I explained that I've studied the craft of writing for many years, that I have a college degree in Journalism with a minor in English (from the same university where she went to law school), that being offered a publishing contract isn’t something that just happens after one writes a sex scene. She never did really "get" it, but what can you do?


Other questions people (sometimes strangers) have asked me have been just as weird. Do I conduct my own hands-on research? To this, I always reply, “Of course. And for my romantic suspense books I’ve murdered people who ask rude questions! Just for research, you understand. Nothing personal.”


Do I know the person on the cover of my book? I attribute this question to a Hollywood view of romance authors who hang around photo shoots all day. (Although there is one Ellora’s Cave author who is on the cover of her own book, but that is a fluke.)


My husband fields the questions he gets way better than I. Favorite question from his coworkers – Are you teaching your wife all she needs to know to write what she does? To which he replies, “Of course.” Another question he is asked at work -  Is that your wife on the cover? His automatic reply? “For sure.” (I have lots of different looks for my twenty plus covers.)


For all you erotic romance authors out there, what’s the strangest question anyone ever asked you? And for you readers, is there anything you want to know? Now's your chance to ask!

And lest you think I've forgotten about shameless self-promotion, here it is;-) I have a brand new book out and you can get it HERE or HERE. And tell me that's not one gorgeous cover!

Game of Smoke and Mirrors

When Jia Mason’s estranged husband turns up missing from their Florida vacation home, Jia is the prime suspect in his murder. Afraid she’s being railroaded by the police, she flees to New Hampshire in search of answers only to be arrested there.

Zack Sizemore is tasked with extraditing the beautiful fugitive back to Florida until a blizzard strands them with nothing but their mutual attraction to keep them warm.
When they stumble upon a deserted cabin, Jia sees her opportunity to charm Zack long enough for her to escape. What she doesn’t count on is falling for the handsome lawman. Or the danger that awaits them in the remote cabin.

Friday, April 8, 2011

LIBRARIAN BY DAY is Back on the TOP TEN List!

I'm so excited! My sexy spanking romance, which came out in in Jan 2010 LIBRARIAN BY DAY is back on the TOP TEN List at Whiskey Creek Press Torrid! How cool is that?!


LIBRARIAN BY DAY
Naughty By Night!

Shy, reserved librarian Jennifer Davidson has a secret side that few people know about. She writes erotic spanking romances on the side. She’s never been spanked herself, but when her boyfriend stumbles across one of her books, all that changes.

Nik Evans has always hoped there was a bad girl hiding underneath his prim, proper librarian, but even he is surprised when they begin to explore her fantasies and he finds out just how naughty she can be.

Soon, Jennifer is embarking on a sensual journey of discovery in which she learns that having her bottom warmed for real is better than anything she’d ever written about in her books.



EXCERPT:

Jennifer gave her boyfriend a worried look as she set her purse down on the table just inside the entryway of her apartment. Nik had been distracted all evening and she couldn’t help but wonder if everything was okay between the two of them. Even though they had only been dating for a couple months, she was really starting to fall for him, and she hated to think that tonight’s dinner was some sort of bizarre precursor to breaking up with her. Her heart squeezed at the thought.

Not that she should be all that surprised. After dating her for a while, most guys came to the conclusion that she was way too reserved, especially in the bedroom. She really wasn’t, though. She was just naturally shy, which meant that it took a little while for her to be comfortable enough to be herself with them. Of course, they usually didn’t hang around long enough to find that out.

Jennifer had felt comfortable with Nik right away, though, and the sex had been great between them from the start. Or at least, she thought so. Sure, she wasn’t quite as adventurous in the bedroom as the girls she read about in Cosmo, but she thought she did okay. But Nik’s behavior tonight seemed to indicate that maybe she was still being a little too tame. Darn it, why couldn’t she be more like the heroines in her books? They never seemed to have a problem holding a man’s interest. And they were never shy in the bedroom. Or anywhere else they had sex, for that matter!

But as Nik took her hand and pulled her into his arms for a long, slow, intoxicating kiss, Jennifer gradually felt her misgivings begin to disappear. A man didn’t kiss a girl this way if he was going to break up with her, she told herself.

When Nik lifted his head several moments later to regard her thoughtfully, however, Jennifer felt some of her unease return. Here it comes, she thought, and braced herself.

"You know," he said, reaching up to gently brush her hair back from her face. “You kept me waiting quite a long time while you were getting ready earlier.”

Her brow furrowed, confused at his words. “I did?”

He nodded. “You did.”

She felt her face color. “I didn’t mean to. It’s just that I was running late at work, and then I had to stop at the store…” She caught her lower lip between her teeth. “I’m sorry.”

Nik’s dark eyes were appraising as he studied her. “I’m sure you are,” he said. “But I think you might need something to help you manage your time better so that you don’t do it again, don’t you? Like a spanking, let’s say.”

Jennifer blinked up at her tall, handsome boyfriend, sure she hadn’t heard him right. “Wh-what?”

He nodded. “A spanking,” he said matter-of-factly. “I’ve heard it can be a very effective way to modify bad behavior.”

Jennifer’s eyes went wide at that. Who was this guy, and what had he done with her boyfriend? Before she could think of something to say in reply, however, Nik took her hand in his and led her over to the couch. She was so stunned that she didn’t even protest when he sat down and gently guided her over his knee so that she was lying stretched out across his lap. Even if she hadn’t been robbed of speech, she wouldn’t have protested anyway. She had secretly fantasized about getting spanked for years, so much so that she had started writing about it, and tonight that fantasy was finally going to become a reality! Buy how had Nik known she wanted to be spanked?

Her pulse quickened as she felt her boyfriend firmly place one hand on the small of her back. The simple action was enough to send a little quiver of excitement through her, and she almost let out a moan. As eager as she was for this spanking, though, she couldn’t help but be a little nervous at the same time. Would having her bottom reddened sting as much as she had imagined? Would she like it much as the heroines in her books did? Would she get as turned on as they did? As her boyfriend placed his other hand on her skirt-covered bottom, she realized she was about to find out!




Read Chapter One http://www.whiskeycreekpresstorrid.com/chapters/LibrarianByDay_PaigeTyler.shtml


Watch the Trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gICE76b1gXw


Buy it at Whiskey Creek Press Torrid http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/torrid/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=374&zenid=f1e9441bb18a34984224880141ba7f5c


Buy it on Amazon Kindle
http://www.amazon.com/Librarian-By-Day-ebook/dp/B001Y35FSO/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1239029663&sr=1-10


*hugs*
Paige

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

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

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

5 Job Tips for a Great Romance Novel Hero Interview



by Evelyn Q. Darling
Romance Reporter At Large


How well do you know your hero? Is he tall, dark and handsome? Okay, so you don’t want a cookie-cutter hero, but have you really thought about what questions to ask him?

(When you can take your eyes away from his sexy grin among other parts of his anatomy.)

This reporter recently interviewed heroines for a romance gig and got some very interesting answers.

Now, it’s your hero’s turn. Ready, ladies? Start your engines…

Here are my 5 Job Tips for a great romance novel hero interview:

1. Don’t ask him to take off his shirt. Tempting, yes, as you check out his muscular arms, but this is a sexist attitude that will get you nowhere. (But oh the fun you’ll have trying!)

2. Schedule the interview in a locale where you’ll both feel comfortable. Not in a sports bar where he can eyeball the basketball scores and the waitresses with the deep cleavage. Forget tea shops that serve lemon dainties, unless you’re writing a regency and you want to see if he exudes the proper Mr. Darcy-isms.

3. Ask him to show you his…wheels. Yes, I said, wheels. Is he a Harley guy? Jaguar? Or does he drive an old pickup? Does he keep half his “stuff” in his car? Or is he a neatnik? You can tell a lot about a man by his…wheels.

4. What’s his day job? Or if he’s into night work (and what hard-working vampire isn’t?), you’ll want to make sure he’s a good match for your heroine. If she’s a lawyer, a police detective can make her life hectic; if she runs a cake and bake shop, how about interviewing a land developer who wants to tear down her vintage cottage shop? And let’s not forget the city gal who’s just aching to meet up with a real cowboy. Just make sure he can ride…a horse.

5. And finally, don’t ask him if he’s a good kisser. Tell him to show you.


Evelyn is the alter-ego of Jina Bacarr, The Blonde Samurai: “She embraced the way of the warrior. Two swords. Two loves.”

Jina is also the author of The Blonde Geisha ,Cleopatra's Perfume, Naughty Paris, Tokyo Rendezvous, a Spice Brief, and Spies, Lies & Naked Thighs

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Release Date!!


It has finally arrived!! Well, almost. In 9 days and counting, Love and Protect, will be released with Ellora's Cave! April 13th is the day! That's next Tuesday, ya'll!!

I'm not gonna lie. This blog post is going to be a straight pimp session! So with no shame whatsoever, here I go!

Blurb:
Ex-DEA agent Erin Montgomery is reluctantly back on the job, posing as the sex-kitten groupie girlfriend of rock star Sean Ledger. She’ll be joining his band’s tour to try to catch an obsessed, dangerous fan. Tormented by nightmares of her failed last assignment, Erin’s not exactly eager to be drawn back into the fray. But once she meets Sean, all rocker, all man and dripping with raw sex appeal, she knows she’s right where she belongs.

Sean is reluctant to have someone investigating his crew, but when he meets Erin, his objections fly out the window. The beautiful, hard-bitten agent turns him on like no other woman ever has. Sean’s caught glimpses of the fiery passion lurking under Erin’s cool front and he’s determined to break through her hard exterior and make her his.

But Sean’s stalker is still at large and she’s made it clear that she’s willing to stop at nothing—even murder—to get him.



Excerpt:
“No!”

Erin jerked awake. Her chest heaved as she stared with unseeing eyes at the ceiling. A shiver racked her body and the raw burn of the scream scalded her throat as years of conditioning crumbled under the nightmarish images that even now assaulted her.

God, she hated sleeping.

She threw the covers aside, swung her legs from the couch cushions and sat up. Reaching forward, she grasped the MP3 player and 9mm off the coffee table where they waited for her like old, comforting friends. Maria Callas’ La Mamma Morta poured into her ears and, with smooth motions born from years of practice, Erin broke down the weapon piece by piece. The practical, brisk task belied the emotional storm brewing inside her. Like Linus’ security blanket, the classical music, combined with the routine of dismantling and cleaning the gun, calmed her racing heart and thoughts. The cold metal in her hands reminded her that as long as she held it, she remained in control.

Brick by brick, block by block, she rebuilt the white cement wall in her mind. Behind its impenetrable shield she shoved all the memories, the debilitating emotions of fear, pain and anger. The safeguard firmly in place, her calm reasserted itself. Her heart slowed, her pulse resumed its normal pace and the perspiration dried on her skin. With the barrier once again erected, nothing could shake her. Nothing.

When the already pristine gun was cleaned and reassembled, she methodically began the task again. And again. The psychologist she’d seen for all of two months had had plenty to say about the “soothing” habit. Obsessive compulsive…avoidance… Blah, blah, blah. Whatever. She was disturbed.

Fine.

As long as it kept the demons at bay.

The cell phone next to her jumped and vibrated against the table. Her gaze flicked to the digital clock on the other end of the table and back to the buzzing phone. Two a.m. Who would be calling at this hour? Hell. Who would be calling her, period?

She snatched the phone, flipped the cover up and pressed it to her ear. Long-ingrained habit kept her from speaking first. Whoever waited on the other end knew who they’d called. Besides, late night phone calls rarely meant a wrong number. Bad news, maybe, but seldom wrong.

“E?”

Surprise shoved the suspicion aside. Only one person called her that.

“Braedon?

“Hey, partner.”

Ex-partner. Erin narrowed her eyes at the sound of Braedon Roberts’ drawled greeting. Even after a year’s absence, the honeyed accent never failed to remind her of lazy days and sweet iced tea. Too bad sweetened shit gave her a toothache.

“Long time, no hear from.”

“And from your overwhelming enthusiasm I can tell how glad you are that I called.” The chuckle in her ear attested to how little her flat welcome offended him. Then again, as long as she’d known him, not much affected that good-ol’-boy, South Carolina humor. The man could laugh with you one minute and put a bullet through your head the next. His ruthlessness and focus had made him a damn good undercover agent and partner. Those same characteristics made her wary of this late night call.

“What do you want?”

“Sweetheart,” he tsked, “ever heard that you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar?”

“Since I’m not trying to catch a damn thing, maybe you can cut to the chase and tell me what you want.”

“Okay, fine. I see a year-long hiatus has only sharpened that tongue of yours.” A heartbeat of silence passed. “How about your edge?”

A dull roar burst to life in her ears, growing louder with each passing second. Her heart pounded in concert with the rising noise. Sweat prickled her suddenly clammy skin. Hell no. Hell. No. Only one reason existed for him to ask her that. Only one…

She slammed the phone shut and threw it on the couch. She eyed the damn thing as if it would sprout fangs and strike.

Seconds later, it vibrated again. She edged away from the sofa. Buzz. A glass of wine sounded good. Buzz. Damn. He wasn’t going away. On the fourth ring, she crossed the two steps to the couch and snatched up the phone with a swipe of her arm.

“What the fuck do you want?” she snarled, the white cement wall in her mind fracturing under the weight of her anger and panic. Her fingers curled around the phone and threatened to crack it in half. “Get it off your chest so I can tell you to go to hell and you can leave me alone.”

“Erin, please. I wouldn’t come to you if I didn’t need your help. If I didn’t need you.” His sigh echoed through the phone at her hostile silence. “It’s been a year, E. A year since you’ve shut yourself off from the world, from me. I’d hoped in that time you’d stop blaming yourself for Jack’s—”

“Get on with it,” she snapped, cutting him off. Wheeling around, she paced in front of the coffee table. If he continued down that line of conversation she would hang the phone up and smash the thing with the butt of her gun. She refused to go there with him.

With anyone.

She ground to a halt and pressed a fist to her forehead as if she could hold back the tide of memories that threatened to consume her.

“I’d hoped you’d healed,” Braedon said. “But I don’t have the luxury of allowing you more time. I need you, E. I have a job and you’re the only person I can turn to. The only person I trust.”

“Then that means we’re both fucked.” She didn’t trust her damn self. She still jerked awake at nights, sweating from nightmares, her only solace music and a gun. With her faulty brain, if she were the one person he trusted, then he, too, was screwed bigger than shit.

April 13th! Okay, I'm just a tad bit excited...just a wee bit...

Monday, April 4, 2011

Ten Things You Didn't Know About Orgasm

Have I mentioned my fascination with TED talks? Well today I came across a talk given by Mary Roach about unusual things we didn't know about orgasm. How could I resist posting it here? I couldn't. Did you know you can have orgasms when you're dead? This gives a completely new justification to the trends of zombie and vampire erotic romance novels. Another fact I learned was that orgasms can cure hiccups. I'm disgusted at all of the time I wasted trying to drink glasses of water upside down to get rid of those annoying things when this other solution was so much more enjoyable. Click below to watch and learn all sorts of interesting orgasm facts. Time for some comic relief, everyone. Although I swear to you I take the subject of orgasm very seriously. (BIG GRIN)

Sunday, April 3, 2011

My Road to Publication

Please welcome special guest author, Cassandra Carr!

One question I get asked a lot is, “How did you come to be published?”. Everyone has a different road, and I was extraordinarily lucky that mine wasn’t as long as some others’ have been. I started writing seriously in 2008. I wrote a contemporary romance titled Should’ve Known Better and started shopping it to agents and editors. I attended a conference in Connecticut (the CT Fiction Fest—highly recommended) and met some more agents and editors, some of whom expressed interest in my novel.

After a while, though, as a writer you need to move on. So while I continued to shop Should’ve Known Better, I began another book. This one was started in July 2009 and was an erotic romance. I titled it Talk to Me, and that’s the book that’s being released by Loose Id as my debut novel. I actually wrote much of the first draft over a three-day writing retreat in early August 2009. I went back to CT Fiction Fest in April 2010, but still wasn’t ready to submit Talk to Me, so I pitched Should’ve Known Better then too. I got some more interest, and I continued to work on Talk to Me.

A writer friend of mine, Miranda Baker (hi Miranda!) read Talk to Me and suggested some fairly major changes. I pored over the changes in my mind for a little while and made those I felt comfortable with. In late September 2010 I submitted Talk to Me to a couple of publishers. I also continued to query agents.

In October 2010 Loose Id contacted me, asking for my full manuscript. I sent it, and in early November Loose Id contacted me again, offering me a contract. I jumped up and down and hyperventilated, and then told Loose Id I had to let the other publishers know about my contract. This is accepted and even expected in the publishing world, and they were fine with it. In the end, I stayed with Loose Id, and now Talk to Me will be released on March 22, 2011.

I never did statistics about how many agents and editors I sent the manuscript to—there are only a few that are important to know , most notably Loose Id, who bought the book.

What questions do you have about the process of getting published? Ask them below and I’ll do the best I can to answer them!

Cassandra Carr lives in Western New York with her husband, Inspiration, and her daughter, Too Cute for Words. When not writing she enjoys watching hockey and hanging out on Twitter. Her debut novel, Talk to Me, was released by Loose Id on March 22, 2011. For more information about Cassandra, check out her website, "like" her Facebook fan page or follow her on Twitter.


An Excerpt from Talk to Me, © Cassandra Carr

The elevator doors opened, and Drew hurried to unlock his apartment and punch his code into the security pad before continuing straight to his bedroom. He spun and picked Jamie up as she neared the door, and she let out a squeak of protest.

"Drew!"

"What? I'm trying to be romantic. Efficient too." He grinned at her when she struggled to get out of his grip. The way she fought against him both amused and aroused him. "Not so fast," he warned her. "I'm not planning to let you get away until I'm good and finished with you."

Jamie cocked an eyebrow. "Good and finished? Be still my heart! Such dreamy talk from a man like you! I had no idea."

Drew laughed and dropped Jamie on the king-size bed with enough force to make her bounce, then climbed on top of her. Before she could protest again, he'd pressed his erection into her belly and taken her lips in another deep kiss. Jamie melted beneath him, snaking her hands around his neck while his found her hips, pulling her closer. "You need to get naked," he declared, rolling off her.

"Just me? That's hardly fair. If I'm getting naked, then this time, so are you." Her beautiful, full lips pouted at him.

He stood up, and in seconds, his pants and boxer briefs landed in a heap on the floor. He pulled his shirt over his head and added it to the pile. "Your turn."

Jamie rose up on her elbows and stared at him in disbelief. "How did you do that so fast? And may I add, very nice." She smiled and waggled her eyebrows, giving him a quick once-over.

"When I want something, I don't waste time. And I want you naked. Now."

He reached over and started yanking her top over her head, but she batted his hands away.

"Hey—stop that. You're going to dislocate my shoulder with your beastlike strength."

Drew laughed but allowed Jamie to gently pull her blouse over her head. He took it and tossed it on the chair near the window. Next she tugged her jeans off, leaving her in only her bra and panties, which Drew made short work of.

He groaned when she was fully nude. "God, you're fucking gorgeous, you know that? And I'm gonna put my hands and my tongue and my mouth and my cock everywhere on and in your beautiful body, so you better be ready."

Jamie shivered, and he covered her body with his, kissing her briefly before moving down her jawline, sucking and licking. This is gonna be good.