Friday, July 29, 2011

It's Friday Foreplay!

Come join the eXtasy Books authors and staff today for Friday Foreplay!  You can win an eBook just for participating.

The first way to win is to come out of lurkdom and tell us you're there!  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/theexfactor/ 

Tell us the name or nickname you wish to be called.  Tell us the most recent eXtasy book you've read and enjoyed, or, run to eXtasy's brand new website and tell us one that's on your wishlist. http://www.extasybooks.com/

Make sure you register for a bookshelf because that's how your prize will be delivered if you're chosen as one of our lucky winners. (This takes just a minute or two)  That way you can download it in any format you wish.  You can also subscribe to the newsletter in the same spot!  Just click on "yes" for subscribe.

Continue to jump in on the conversations where you can today... all participation in group discussion counts as an entry to WIN!

HAVE FUN! And we look forward to getting to know you!

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Welcome Mogger

I'd like to welcome a very special guest and hope everyone who stops by does the same. I actually had to tackle this guy, hog tie and gag him, threaten him with a fate worse than celibacy to make him talk. Jeeze, what's a woman have to do to get a reader to say boo?

Well, it worked and I'm thrilled to have Moggers here today. An old friend, very light on the old and incredibly deep with the friend part there who's also a reader. He's a special man who I'm sure Mrs Moggers appreciates to the fullest. Now, without any more blunderings, babblings or commentary from yours truly, here's Mog:


1. When did you begin reading romance and / or erotica
I can’t remember NOT reading it, so I guess it’s a pretty long time

2. What is your favorite genre?
M/F straight. Though, like most (probably all) men, the thought of two girls making love is – er –interesting…I prefer modern day in some exotic location, but again, just to be different, I’d love to write a series of imaginary letters from a soldier to his girl set in WW1. The contrast between the misery of the trenches and the delights of being with his girl could be very powerful. It would take a much better writer than me to write that though.

3. Besides reading, do you have any hobbies?
I/ We love to travel. We’re not backpackers, more tourists but we do our best to get around, and I write up our experiences  in the form of a journal when we get home again.

Small tool woodworking (no wisecracks please) I’m currently making some wooden toys for my grandson.

Cooking: I’m no chef, but I enjoy cooking up a storm in the kitchen. Mrs. Mogger just raises her eyes heavenwards and gets ready to wash up. I recently acquired a breadmaker, and as I’m writing the house smells of freshly baked bread – is there anything nicer?

4. If you could be in a romance book what would the title be?
Not a clue! How about “Loving with Floured hands”? or possibly “A Feast of Fun in the Bedroom. As you can see, imagination is not my strong point. Book titles must be a nightmare LOL

5. Have you ever met an author? If so, who?   
Only one – you, and the four of us (that’s us two and our spouses) had a pretty wonderful day and a bit together. Take care – we may come back one day!

6. What clothing makes you feel sexy?
What my clothing or someone else's? My clothing: I don’t know about sexy, but I like to look as good as I can if I’m going somewhere special .Normally I’m not one for ties but I have been known to look out the old Dinner Suit, most times though I’m pretty casual. I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m a bit old for jeans and I actually prefer to wear trousers. I still have several pairs of jeans though.  

On others: I like to see a good looking woman in nicely tailored clothing, elegant length skirts and nice shoes. That’s everyday wear, if we’re talking lust, then latex, spandex and black hold ups can work wonders…. Actually black hold ups with lacy tops are – never mind LOL

7. Has a book or story ever given you ideas for a romantic evening with your lover?
Of course, isn’t that the idea?

8. Do you have a favorite author? Or two?
I’m probably too biased to answer that meaningfully I only “know” yourself and one other author, Jenna Byrnes, two if I include D Musgrave, so this is a tricky question for me. Of those three, I’m not prepared to say which I enjoy most. You’re all very good!

9. What’s your favorite comfort food?
I love plain old fry-ups. Sausage egg and chips, bacon & egg, Nothing like it – the original heart attack on a plate. If we’re going out I love a red hot curry with a beer.

10. If you had one wish, would you give away? Why or why not and to whom would you give it?
I would wish that you and Ron could visit us for a good length of time. Why? Because we only touched on our friendship, but it was pretty amazing and we have quite a lot to show you two when you finally cross the pond. Oh, and I’d like to see Tony Blair on a spit over a roasting fire! Can I turn the handle? – slowly! Why? For taking this country to war over none existent WMD, for the misery caused to the  families of our young men and women who paid the ultimate price for his adventure – and for making millions on the lecture tour and from his book sales. He wouldn’t recognize a principle if it bit him on the arse! That’s two wishes – so sue me!

11. Are you a dreamer? Why yes or no?
Bearing in mind the last answer, what do you think?

12. If you could invite any famous person, dead or alive, for dinner, who would it be and what would you eat?
Gosh, that’s a toughie! I think it would be Mark Twain. I’d love to engage with his wit and possibly remember some of his wonderful quotes. If the person was female, it would be Princess Di. She was such a deeply melancholy person (in my opinion) I would have loved to just talk to her. As I’ll eat pretty well anything, I’d leave the menu to them

13. If you could choose one vice, what would it be?
I have enough already – any more - would be embarrassing

14. Are you in love? Have you ever been?
Yes to both – for many years. Not unlike yourself buddy

15. One pillow or two?
Two – at least it’s two until She-Who-Must - Be –Obeyed pinches the second one. She’s gonna kill me for this!

16. Winter or Summer and why?
Summer, because I just love to be warm and not to wear coats and stuff, but every season has its own beauty. I love the colour of Autumn, the crisp cold Winter mornings, and the awakening of Spring. It’s very hard to choose. I’ve opted for summer, because Mrs. Mogger and I try to get away somewhere warm in Feb for our anniversary. By that time we’re fed of being cold, and want some sun on our backs

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Its six sentence Sunday - Here Puss


A teaser from my latest book out with eXtasy. Here Puss, might sound like a romp in the hay between a man and his woman, but things can be deceiving. I'm sure you'll approve at my little bit of trickery and the play on words. Enjoy



“Ja…” His breath caught, the word froze half-spoken.

Jack, much as he’d imagined, strode out of the water—naked, a towel in one hand, he stopped only when he’d reached a thick patch of grass next to the chopping block. The blade of an axe lay buried in the block, its handle thrust up, apparently a convenient place to hang the towel once he’d dried his shoulder-length, brown hair. He watched appreciatively, while Jack’s thick cock swung from thigh to thigh every time he moved.

Samuel hunched forward, making himself as small and inconspicuous as he could then broke into a run, dashing for the corner of the cabin

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Welcome Anne Kane

A special welcome this week to Anne Kane. She's an inspiration. Read on and you'll understand why I think so.


1. How long have you been writing? What inspired you to pick the pen up one day and create characters that capture the imagination?
I’ve been telling stories so long, I don’t really remember when I first started. I remember writing “ books as a small child – in crayon in a scribbler. I really wish I had saved some of those early efforts. I do have one – an autobiography I wrote when I was about eight. My parents found it in their basement when they moved and sent it to me. I’d even illustrated it! The grammar and structure isn’t all that bad considering my age, and the content reminds me of all the dreams I had back then.

2.  What influenced you to get published? How long did it take? Can you tell us the name of your first published work?
Getting published was one of those overnight wonders that took me decades. I submitted a story about a dog to a children’s magazine when I was twelve – and I was crushed when they rejected it. It took me until my thirties to work up my courage (and find some time!) and try again. I bought a typewriter and pounded out a story that I submitted to Harlequin. It met with a very quick rejection, and in hindsight it deserved it. It suffered from a sagging middle and a definite lack of originality.

I’m not sure what prompted me to give writing another try in 2008 – maybe just the fact that I had the time to put into a serious effort. I read some very good books on plotting and structure, joined an on-line critique group run by a successful author, and listened to all the advice I could get. The result – I sold my first novella after only one rejection and by a fluke of the publishing business it has yet to see the light of day. The publisher who bought it Red Sage Publishing underwent a great deal of restructuring, including adding an e-book division. The result is that story is scheduled to release in print on July 30th of this year. Yeah!!  I’ve since sold over 20 novelllas to Changeling Press, and all of them are available at www.ChangelingPress.com , Fictionwise.com and AllRomanceebooks.com.

3. What genre would you like to try that you haven’t yet?
I’d love to write a straight science fiction epic. I’ve always loved sci – fi  but I’ve never actually written one.

4.  Most people envision an author’s life as being really glamorous. What’s your take on this? Can you tell us something unglamorous you did within the last week or so?
LOL! I am so far from glamorous, that’s funny. I live out in the country, throw on jeans and a sweatshirt to walk my dog every morning, and can change the oil and tune up my own motorcycle. My hobbies include hiking, kayaking and gardening. (Read playing in the mud)

5. Plotter or pantzer?
So far I’m a pantzer, but I just took a very interesting online class that shows how to plot so I might give it a try with my next book. I’m going to finish that full length novel I started two years ago (really I am!) and I think if I plot it it might help make it more cohesive on the first pass through. Or not. We’ll see.

6.  What do you do when you’re suffering writers block?
I write something short and totally unrelated to whatever I’m blocked on. I came across one of those sitting on my hard drive a couple of weeks ago, and it made my blush. I don’t blush easily, but this is way outside my normal zone. I’m not sure what I’ll do with it. Maybe publish it under an assumed name?

7.  What would you like to share with new writers? Any suggestions or advice?
Don’t give up, and take the advice of published authors seriously. There’s a reason they are published, and if they are gracious enough to give you some pointers, be happy. You have friends and family to tell you you’re wonderful and build up your ego. Someone needs to point out the flaws in your plot and characters. The crit group I joined in 2008 was headed by a published author who was very blunt but also very good at what she did. I give her a great deal of credit for my successes.


8. Looking over the past year, what has been the best moment for you in your writing career?
One of my novellas, Dark Kisses,  was nominated for a CAPA award. I was so thrilled to think that someone actually thought enough of my writing to nominate it for such a prestigious award. I didn’t win, but I was in amazingly good company. That’s the sort of thing that keeps me writing.

9. What do you enjoy doing with your spare time, your non-writing time? 
I live in the Okanagan Valley which is one of the most beautiful places in Canada. I love to hike, and to play in the many lakes and rivers. I own a couple of kayaks and like to take the grandkids with me on  watery excursions. I also own a vintage motorcycle and like to ride on the backroads throught the mountains. There are so many beautiful places to visit and I find something new every time I go out.

10. If you could invite any famous person, dead or alive, for dinner, who would it be and what would you eat?
I’d love to have dinner with Sean Connery. I admit it. I am shallow. Just the sound of his accent sends me swooning. As to what would I eat, who cares? I’d be way too busy drooling to eat anyways!

11.  When you wake up in the morning, what celebrity do you most resemble?
As embarrassing as this is, does anyone remember Phyllis Diller? Enough said! LOL!

12.  What are you working on now? Can you tell us a little about it?
I’m working on a novella about a Hellhound and a Werewolf / Hellhound cross who both work for the Hellhounds Detective Agency. It’s  a lot of fun! You see, the hellhound is a bit of a snob and has to concede a lot of ground when she falls in love with a half-breed.  The Hellhounds is named Fury and the working title is Hell hath no Fury.

13. Are you in love? Have you ever been?
Currently, no. Corny as it sounds, I fell in love at the ripe old age of 16 and got married at 18. We had 27 wonderful years together before I lost my husband to cancer. I’m not sure I ever got over that, but I wouldn’t trade those years for anything and I have two wonderful sons and four wonderful grandsons. So, while I’m not currently in love I am surrounded by a lot of love and quite happy with my life. 

14. What do you hope to achieve in life and when will you know that you have been a success?
Gosh, that one makes me think. I tend to set successive goals for myself, so achievement is an ongoing process. I’ve been a cashier, a welder and a cook.  I got my accounting degree at the age of 44 and was pushing 50 when I first got published. So long as I’m happy, and always learning new things I think I consider myself a success. There’s always something new to learn, and something different to try. If I ever stop looking for new experiences, that’s when I’ll consider myself old. 

Anne has brought us a lovely excerpt from her book Imperial Temptation. I'm sure you'll enjoy. 
 
Series: Mating Season
Title: Imperial Temptation
ISBN : 978-1-60521-501-3
 Genres: Paranormal, Sci–Fi, Futuristic
Themes: Shapeshifters
Release Date:  July 1, 2011
Author: Anne Kane



BLURB:

Bryony fled her bond-mate after one weekend of incredible sex. It took six long years for Tanner to find her, and he's not about to let her out of his sight again. When a malfunctioning ship forces them to crash land on the Black Planet, he does everything in his power to convince her and her daughter that they belong there with him, on the home planet of the Imperial were-panthers.


EXCERPT:
She let a predatory smile curve the corner of her lips while she took her time sizing up the male. His scent teased her nostrils, and she let her gaze slide over every delectable inch of him. Thick ropes of muscle covered a wide chest that narrowed to powerful hips and strong legs. A massive bulge at his groin left little to the imagination.

He wanted her. Almost as badly as she wanted him.

“Time for me to make a discreet exit.” Caleb threw some credits on the bar before he stood and wandered off in the direction of the pool table.

Bryony glanced at his retreating back, grateful for his discretion. He wouldn’t stand a chance against an Imperial Were-Panther, and he knew it. She turned her attention back to the darkly sexy male. “I don’t believe we’ve met.” She tilted her head to stare up into his eyes. “I’m sure I would have remembered you.”

“Tanner Dyson.” He tipped his head in a courtly gesture that seemed out of place in a University town bar. “We haven’t yet met in person, but the stars placed us here to fulfill our destiny.”

Not only was he sexy, he had the soul of a poet! Lustful anticipation danced down her spine. “And that would be?”

A darkly sensual smile curved those sensual lips. “I don’t think I have to explain. I’m sure you know all about the mating rituals of our species. Come back to my place and we can explore them together.”

Normally, Bryony would have laughed. As pickup lines go, it had to be to be corniest one she’d ever heard, but something in the depths of his eyes caused her to lick her lips in anticipation. “I’d love to.”

She hopped off the stool, and Tanner immediately circled an arm around her waist, drawing her in close. She stared, mesmerized, while he lowered his head to capture her lips in a soul-searing kiss that left her melting at the knees. His tongue swept taking possession of her mouth and sending shivers of pure need sliding along her nerves.

Melting against him, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back with all of the pent-up frustration of hormones raging out of control.

His arms tightened around her, pulling her tight against his deliciously hard body. The massive bulge at his groin pressed against her belly and sent darts of liquid fire skittering across the surface of her skin. The kiss changed, deepened. Became an exploration of her very being.

For the first time since she’d come to this University town, she felt the urge to shift, to run free and wild like she had as a young kitten. Tanner’s proximity induced a palpable feeling of power in her, of connection to a larger whole. Her innate sense of caution deserted her as she threw everything she was, everything she longed for, into the kiss.



 And now, for a little something about this lovely lady:

Anne Kane lives in the beautiful Okanagan Valley with a bouncy Jack Russell terrier, a cantankerous Himalayan cat, and too many fish to count. She spent many years trying to fit in and act normal, but finally gave up the effort. She started writing romance, and her fate was sealed when Changeling Press accepted her first submission. She hopes you enjoy the characters that escape from her imagination and the worlds they choose to inhabit.

Her hobbies, when she’s not playing with the characters in her stories,  include kayaking, hiking, motorcycles, swimming, skating, karate, playing guitar, singing and of course, reading.

You can find Anne online at: