Kate Pearce's Blog

Simply Shameless out next week!

2009-04-24T10:53:00.000-07:00

Are you excited?? I'm excited!

Here's an excerpt to get you all interested.

Simply Shameless
copyright@Kate Pearce 2009

“My wife would never stoop to such salacious behavior.”
“Perhaps you should bring her here and see if that is true? You might be surprised.”
Philip swung around to face Helene more fully. “My wife is dead. But I can assure you, that such erotic displays would have shocked her immeasurably.”
How terrible for you. It took all Helene’s resolve not to speak the words out loud. If Philip’s wife had indeed been such a lady, it was no wonder he looked so repressed and unhappy. She took a deep breath.
“I apologize again, sir. I should not have mentioned your wife.”
“Why not? I’m sure you’ve been wondering about her all these years,”
“I beg your pardon?”
Philip shrugged. “You know who I am. Don’t try and lie to me.”
“Indeed I do, monsieur.” Helene paused to gather her defenses. “I thought you must have forgotten me and I hesitated to remind you of my existence.”
His smile was almost a sneer. “How could I forget you? You haven’t changed at all.”
Helene touched her face. “That is hardly true. I am no longer eighteen.”
His laugh was harsh. “Thank God for that.”
“I’m not quite sure what you mean. I’m certainly glad I’m not eighteen any more. I make far wiser choices than I did then.” She swallowed hard. “I sincerely regret my comments about your wife. I did not intend to cause you pain.”
“You did not intend to cause me pain.”
His loaded words hung in the air between them, throwing her back to the nights they’d shared, the feel of his skin against hers, his laughter and the delights of their lovemaking. Had she hurt him? Helene focused her attention on his plain white cravat to avoid looking into his face.
“Why are you here, sir?”
“Because Lord Gideon Harcourt brought me and because I’ve often wondered if the infamous Madame Helene could possibly be you.”
“I am infamous?”
He bowed. “You are renowned as the women who can have five men a night and still be looking for another for breakfast. A woman who only has to look at a man to drive him to his knees and make him forget anything but having you.”
“If that were true, I would indeed be an amazing woman. But I have learned never to listen to gossip.” She tried to laugh. “And now that you have seen me, what will you do now?”
He raised her chin with his finger. “Surely that depends on you?”
“I do not understand.”
He bent his head until his mouth met hers and outlined her lips with his tongue. Before she could protest, he kissed her, backing her up against the wall while he ravaged her mouth. She responded from somewhere deep inside as his remembered texture and taste flooded her, taking her off guard and into a world of pure sensation.
She flattened her hands against the grooved wooden paneling to stop herself from touching him. She couldn’t stop her reaction to his kiss which was as immediate and heated as his own. His body pinned her to the wall from knee to neck, his cock was hard against her stomach.
When he drew back she would’ve stumbled if he hadn’t caught her arm and pushed her back against the wall. She watched as he retrieved his handkerchief and deliberately wiped the red stain of her lip color from his mouth.
“You did say that no one gets paid for engaging in sexual activity in your establishment?”
Unable to speak, Helene simply nodded. He tucked the handkerchief back into his pocket.
“Then perhaps you’ll fit me into your, no doubt, already full roster for tonight.”
A roaring sensation destroyed Helene’s common sense. She stepped forward and slapped him hard on the cheek.
“I also said that everyone here has a choice to participate in sexual acts or not.” She curtsied. “Good night, Mr. Ross.”
He shrugged. “Let me know when you change your mind. I’m sure you’ll run out of men soon.”
“I wouldn’t bed you if you were the last man on earth.”
His eyebrows rose. “Is that a challenge? You should know better than to throw down the gauntlet like that.”
“Good night, Mr. Ross.”
Helene gathered her skirts and turned away from him, heading for the private areas of the house. She wanted to run from the cynicism and dislike on his face but refused to give him the satisfaction. How dare he appear and insinuate that she was in some way responsible for how he had turned out? If anyone had a complaint to make about the results of their night together, surely it was her?

Visit next week to take a look at my new website design and get a chance to win a copy of the book!

Kate x

Ooh look at me!

2009-04-15T09:59:00.001-07:00

I entered 'Simply Sinful' into the 4th Annual Passionate Plume contest, figuring that if I didn't do okay in a contest specifically for erotic romance novels I might as well give up. LOL But, hey-I finaled! Judging from the very excellent competition this might be my finest moment ever. I'll find out at the RWA conference in July-that's a long time to bite my fingernails...

I'm getting so fancy these days-a new book out in a couple of weeks (Simply Shameless -excerpt and cover will be up on the main page soon) and a fabulous new website design coming up as well!

I can't wait...

My new cats :)

2009-04-03T20:26:00.001-07:00

As promised a better picture of my two new cats.

George is on the left and Chowder is on the right. They are both long-haired and about a year old. George has golden eyes and Chowder's are bright green Despite their different looks we are convinced they are brothers. They love each other dearly and play fight and then lick each others hurts all at the same time.

Mouse count so far: 3/4 (I took the last one away from them-spoilsport)

This weekend-the brave new world of outside! (gulp)

Let's hope they decide to come back. We're all very fond of them already, although they are crazy mad. But that works in our house. The only resident (apart from the mice) who is not so keen on them is Hunter my dog. Despite the fact that he is twice their size, they terrify him. Hopefully they'll all get along soon LOL

Early Reviews for Simply Shameless

2009-03-25T09:47:00.000-07:00

I just thought I'd share three early reviews for Simply Shameless which comes out at the beginning of May.
Here's a quick blurb if you've forgotten what this one is about:

In escaping the horrors of the French Revolution, Helene Delornay leaves behind her not only her past as a Bastille whore, but her bastard child. Determined to succeed in England, she does not expect to be overwhelmed by the erotic charms of Philip Ross, a young aristocrat returning from India to fulfill his reluctant duty to his family. After a night of passion, his unexpected offer, forces Helene to reveal her unsavory past and drive him away.
Eighteen years later, Philip is a recent widower and Helene has become the Madame of a select fee-paying London pleasure house where every erotic dream can become a reality. While Helene tries to tempt the now dour Philip into sexual excess, he struggles to ignore his reawakened desire for her and his dark fascination with the erotic fantasies she offers him. As they explore the boundaries of their shared taste for the exotic and unusual, Helene realizes that in Philip she has truly met her perfect sexual match. Now all she has to decide is what on earth to do with him...

And here are the reviews so far :)
Coffee Time Romance
Rating: 4 Cups

Simply irresistible is what I believe describes this book to
perfection. The eroticism in the pleasure house is sure to inspire the
most delicious fantasies which are enacted by sumptuously decadent
characters. Helene is as commanding, charming, and elegant as Philip,
and together they literally burst with passion. This is certainly one
of the most intelligently written erotic love stories on the market, and
I will be clamoring to read more from Kate Pearce.

Lototy
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More

Romantic Times
4 stars
The passion of Pearce's erotic tale is focused and intense from the couple's first encounter to their reunion years later. Their sex encounters and fantasies, which include M/M, steam up the pages.

Summary: Fleeing her life as a sexual plaything for Bastille guards, Helene Delornay discovers her deep sensuality when she's stranded with Philip Ross, a young Englishman who's well schooled in the erotic arts. Eighteen years later, they meet again. She now oversees London's most exclusive house of pleasure, and he's an emotionless widower.

—M.H. Morrison

Just Erotic Romance Reviews (JERR)

Reviewer: Marcy Arbitman
Rating: 5 Stars
Heat level: O

Kate Pearce is an extremely proficient author who writes both historical and
contemporary novels. I always know that she will bring me a terrific read.
Helene and Philip were well-written characters, whose places in this
excellent plot were phenomenal.
There are many other books in this genre by Ms. Pearce and I plan to read
them. I highly recommend Kate Pearce's books!

And watch out at the end of April, when I'll be holding a contest on my blog to win copies of all 3 Simply books, including this one!

Good things !

2009-03-13T10:38:00.000-07:00

This has been a good couple of weeks.

I finally sent book #4 "Simply Wicked" to my editor-15 days late but he was okay about that. He read it over the weekend and loved it, so we are all set to go on that one! It was a little intimidating to see it already up on amazon before I'd even finished it, but I'm glad to get such a quick turnaround.

And 'Simply Wicked' was an interesting book to write. It's about Valentin's half-brother Lord Anthony Sokorvsky, who has been in all the Simply books so far and has created a great deal of interest among my readers. Anthony's had a tough few years and helping him to find himself, and love proved to be a challenge within the fabled romance boundaries. But, hey. I always break those rules anyway, so I hope you all find his 'happy ever after' as romantic and satisfying and honest as I did. It's out in October.

Other publishing news. I've heard from Ellora's Cave that "Secured Mail" will be coming out in print, which was a nice surprise! I'll get a proper link up as soon as it appears on the Jasmine-Jade site. I know some of you prefer the printed version to the e-version. And in a reverse announcement, I've also been told that "Simply Sinful" will come out in various e-formats soon as well. Again, as soon as I know, you will know.

We also got 2 new kitties!! After my daughter (who has a very vivid imagination, no idea where that came from, cough, cough) merrily told all the cat ladies in my hometown that I let my last cat run away and set my dog on him (all untrue, I swear. It was the cat who attacked the dog.) I'd begun to despair of ever being allowed to own a cat again.

In a desperate effort to avoid 6 more months of me searching for 'the one' Mr Kate Pearce gallantly offered to come with me to the next city and check out the ARF cats. I'd already been on their website and there were a few I liked the look of. One of the cats looked rather like Nick Nolte in his infamous DUI mug shot, so I knew I had to see him.

So we met George, the drunk looking one and he was adorable, a 1 yr old blue mackerel tabby. He was sharing his luxurious abode with Owen, a long haired black cat who had come in with him from the same shelter. It was obvious that these 2 loved each other to bits and Mr KP, who took a fancy to Owen, suggested we not break up the happy pair and that we adopt them both.

(I know Mr KP looks like he is holding an offensive weapon in this picture-he is normally quite sweet, honestly)

Of course I was thrilled by this :) And so they came home with us. And so the trouble began...good trouble though. Owen, now renamed Chowder by everyone else (I call him Mr Binks but don't tell them) is a complete nutcase. He's also totally fascinated by my dog. My dog is terrified of him-the big wussy, and starts hyperventilating every time Chowder wants to wash his face for him. George (as he shall remain as he is my familiar) is the quiet evil one. I like him-a lot.

More pictures of the cats soon, I promise, and more good news on the publishing front too-I hope

Here's the link for the print edition of "Secured Mail"

Our First House

2009-03-03T12:00:00.000-08:00

Mr. Kate Pearce and I watch a lot of Home & Garden T.V these days, we're always interested in new places to add to our "We're moving in 2 years, kids, bye!!" list and having lived in about 13 houses and two continents since we married, we feel quite professional and amused by the first-time buyers dilemmas.

We were talking last night about a particular couple, both young, both worked full-time, had no kids but who 'insisted' they had to have at least 2 bathrooms and 3 bedrooms before they would even consider a place.

It made us laugh because my family home, (see picture at left of the same road) a Victorian terrace house on the outskirts of London, had at his fullest 8 people living in it (2 parents and 6 daughters) and 1 bathroom...okay so there were a few 'moments' when it got ugly in there, but generally we made it work.

We were also discussing how 1800/2000 square feet seems to be about the size most first-time buyers on HGTV seem to aim at. And that brought us back to our first house as a married couple.

(please note, this is in the same neighborhood, but ours was actually smaller than this one, no porch, no bow window on the side and an upstairs window at the front rather than at the side LOL)

It cost 30,000 pounds (this was in 1986) and was approximately 280 sq ft-seriously. Picture a quarter corner of your house and you've pretty much got it. You came in the front door, ahead of you was a spiral staircase-(it wasn't big enough for a proper staircase).

To your right was the living area, 6ft x 6 ft wide, behind it was the kitchen which was big enough for a cooker and a sink, I'd say about 5 ft by 5ft. Upstairs was a small bathroom and our bedroom.

We bought a small pink 2 seater couch for 99 pounds in a clearance sale, which rolled out into a bed-that filled up the living space with the small T.V. We bought a cooker and a pine bed and that was it. Our house was complete.
We were so excited to be homeowners we even got a cat.

So you can excuse my amazement about how things have changed in the last 20 odd years :) I always used to gawp at my mum when she told me her house cost 2,000 pounds back in the sixties and that her mortgage was fixed for 25 years at 20 pounds a month. It sounded ridiculous, but as she pointed out, it was still half my dad's wage, which is pretty much how much most of us fork out these days for houses of our own.

And after we watched the show last night I turned to Mr. Kate Pearce and told him that when we move I have to have my own toilet again....that's a deal breaker for me. So really I'm just as bad as everyone else these days. LOL

Valentines Day with Mr. Kate Pearce

2009-02-16T19:35:00.000-08:00

For the last month or so, Mr. Kate Pearce has been busy with the very important task of buying me a new car. And for some reason, it hasn't been easy. the economy being what it is and car dealers being, um what they usually are x 6, getting a good deal with a trade-in seemed almost impossible at times.

Eventually, on Friday 13th, Mr Kate returned to BMW determined to get something done-or not. Before he went he made me pick out the colors I liked and then basically told me that most of my picks they wouldn't have anyway. Eventually I told him (and I admit I was a leetle short with him LOL) that as long as it wasn't silver or black or had a black interior I would be fine with it.

He calls me two hours later to tell me-he thought he had a deal, but that they put the wrong figures into the lease rate-so he didn't. At this point I'm fairly chill about it all, I reckon buying a car is a bit like buying a house, bad stuff happens and the fates are involved and if it's meant to be it will be. (Just call me cliche woman, okay?)

He comes home all gutted and sad so I cheer him up, and promise to buy him breakfast or dinner on Valentines Day. The next day, we go out to one of our favorite breakfast places and he gets a call from BMW. Several conversations later, he thinks he's got the car he wanted (sorry I wanted) and the deal to go with it.

I'm still dubious because as I said, stuff happens, so we clear out the old car and take it up to BMW...and it all worked out!!!
I have a nice BMW X5 with the extra seats in the back so that I can take the whole family out together!
The funny thing was that Mr Kate Pearce told me he had hoped to get the deal done on the Friday and have them deliver it to me as a surprise for Valentines Day on the Saturday-what a sweetie :)

Cowboy Contest Winners!!!

2009-02-09T20:27:00.001-08:00

Thanks to everyone who entered-I wish I had enough books to give you all one.

But the winners are:

First Prize: copies of all 3 books:
SUICIDE BLONDE

Second Prize; a copy of Riding the Line
PAULA

Third Prize: a copy of Riding the Line
MAUREEN

And an extra copy of Riding the Line to TAMIC for reminding me to get this posted :)

Please email me at
contactme@katepearce.com
and give me your snail mail addresses.

Please note: if the winners don't contact me by Feb 14th, I'll choose another poster.

Kate xx

'Riding the Line' Big Cowboy giveaway contest!!

2009-02-02T20:30:00.001-08:00

Yehaw!!
Welcome to my blog and my contest to win some cowboy goodies.

First Prize; Copies of all 3 of the Cowboy books! And a sweet cowboy themed charm bracelet.

Second and Third prizes-copies of Riding the Line

Just leave a comment here and I'll pick a winner at random by February 9th.
Good luck!

Riding the Line

2009-01-24T16:59:00.000-08:00

This book comes out on Feb 3rd! It's taken a while and it's been a while since I handed it over to my editor back in June 08. Here's a little blurb about it :)

Rodeo cowboy Dakota Scott has a problem. His truck has broken down and he’s stranded in small town New Mexico. He’s due in San Francisco to star in a commercial for his half-brother’s boot company and hopes to God he’s going to make it. To complicate matters he’s picked up another stray, this time a woman who needs his help.
Robyn Sparrow is a washed-up celebrity, famous in the 90’s for being the youngest of three sisters who had their own TV show. Now she’s reached rock bottom. When she meets Dakota, she’s desperate enough to promise him any sexual favor simply to get a ride back to the West Coast.
While Dakota struggles to understand Robyn and comes to care for her, he unwittingly leads her back toward the spotlight that almost killed her. Can she resist the lure of Hollywood and can Dakota really believe she’d give it all up for love?

Despite his name, Dakota is related to Grayson and Jay Turner through Beau Turner. So we get to meet up with the other half-brothers and find out what's been going on with them since they had their own books. I enjoyed writing this one. It reminded me of one of those old black and white movies starring Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant, with the snappy dialogue, the smoldering sexual tension and the ridiculous plotlines.

Anyway it was fun to write and it's also full of hot sex-in case you were worried there for a moment! I've heard rumors that as it is the last of its line, some stores won't have it on the shelves, but they will let you order it. Not ideal. Let me know if you have any problems finding it. I do know it's available at all the usual online bookstores like Amazon etc!

I'll be having a contest on Feb 3rd so remember to check back!

Kate x

Sad News

2009-01-05T13:35:00.000-08:00

My lovely Mother-in-Law who came to visit us every year from Dublin, Ireland died on New Years Eve. We were with her right to the end and it was all very peaceful. She was quite old, (I'm not going to tell you how old because like many ladies of her era her age was a big secret, but she was getting up there. LOL)

She was incredibly proud of me and very supportive of my efforts to write despite having four kids. She did read some of my very early romance stuff and skipped the 'naughty bits' as she called them, but she enjoyed the books overall. She told everyone how great I was-how great is that? I was incredibly lucky to have known her and loved her.

Send some good thoughts and prayers to Mr Kate Pearce and our kids. They'd appreciate them- and apologies if the blog is a bit quiet over the next 2 weeks...

Why I've been a bad blogger...

2008-12-21T21:01:00.000-08:00

After merrily telling you all I had BIG NEWS what did I do? I disappeared. I apologize to everyone who was waiting with baited breath to hear the BIG NEWS, but I've been sick. And not just a little bit sick-almost two weeks of a sore throat and a horrendous cough that had me pleading with Mr Kate Pearce to put me out of my misery. Two weeks of not sleeping, of coughing so loudly and for so long that all the muscles in my diaphragm seized up and got confused between coughing laughing and breathing, which meant -I just coughed.

A couple of nights ago, I left Mr K P sleeping at 1 a:m and went downstairs to sleep on the couch because I was coughing so much-being a considerate kind of person. I went back upstairs at 5:15 a.m and about twenty minutes later he THUMPED ME! He 'says' I sounded like a whale stranded on the beach and that he was just 'helping me' turn onto my side. (I had wondered who was making the groaning noise but thought it was the wind.) Needless to say I was not convinced by his explanation LOL.

Anyway, so last night was the first night I managed to sleep through and stay in my own bed for almost 2 weeks without coughing a lung up. I'm almost feeling better. I am a bit concerned about some of the tasks I completed last week in a medicated drugged up haze...Friends-did you all get your Xmas cards?? (especially JoAnn) If not, tell me now!!

I had done most all the Xmas shopping, thank goodness-I did that before I got sick and finished most of it today at the mall. The tree is finally up and the kids are happy-no one is sick so I'm hoping we'll all be fine for the big day!!

Oh, and the BIG NEWS?? Kensington offered me a new contract for two more in the "Simply..." historical erotic romance series (#5 and #6) AND a contract for a contemporary erotic romance. That means I'll be employed and busy until Feb 2010.
Considering the state of the economy and the dire warnings about book publishing in general, I consider myself a very lucky writer.

I also consider myself very lucky to know everyone who reads this blog, friends, family and fans. If you didn't keep coming back to see what I'm up to and read my books, there wouldn't be a blog or any new books to tell you about. So thank you all, and Happy Holidays to every one of you!
Kisses
Kate xx

Welcome Marie-Claude Bourque!

2008-12-16T18:58:00.000-08:00

I've had several writing friends involved in the Romantic Times American Title contest and this year is no exception. I'd like to welcome Marie-Claude from my RWAOnline chapter to my blog and let her share some of her experiences with you!

1. How long have you been writing?
About 15 months now. I’ve been writing my journal since I am a kid. But I started my first novel (my American Title entry- ANCIENT WHISPERS) in September 2007. It took me about 6 months to complete.

2. What did it feel like when you received the call from Romantic Times that you were one of the finalists?

It was actually an email, which is good because I would have been speechless on the phone! It was a strange combination of relief, awe and disbelief. I haven’t done too well on the RWA contest scene, so when I got asked for a partial for the American Title V contest, I got a little glimpse that maybe there was hope for me. I got great validation at that time. I honestly didn’t think I would final. I was so new at this (still am). But to have an editor choose my entry really gave me the push that I needed to continue pursuing publication. It might not happen right away but I now believe that there is a chance that it may actually happen if I work hard at this.

3. What was the hardest portion of the contest to prepare for?

I entered American Title on a whim. I had my first 50 pages ready because I had submitted them to other contests, and entering American Title was free. The full manuscript was done, but not perfect. It was also too long by 6000 words. I had ten days to polish it. I worked non-stop 12 hours a day while my two boys were at home for school summer holidays. It was quite a challenge. I sat down outside with my laptop in my garden chair for hours while I watched them play with the kids next door. And I’d be working early in the mornings then late at night LOL.
So preparing that full manuscript for an editor what the hardest thing I ever did since I started writing.

4. How has it affected your home life? Is everyone behind you or looking on in bemusement?

A bit of both. At first, of course everyone was very happy for me. Now, I suppose my husband is the one looking on in bemusement because I am so busy and tend to neglect things at home. My kids are the sweetest, because at their age, they believe everything is possible. My mom is probably my strongest supporter and is passing bookmarks to everyone she knows in my hometown of Quebec, even though she’ll never be able to read the book because she doesn’t speak English. She took her whole computer to the mall to get it fixed just so she could vote for me in the first round.

5. How do you feel about promoting yourself? Does it come naturally to you?

It is really hard to promote hot air. I have nothing to offer but the promise of a book. So that is hard. I am naturally very shy. But I have worked hard over the years to overcome my shyness by working with the public. I worked for 15 years in the fitness industry, first as an instructor and then as a fitness manager. I learned quite a lot of promoting tips from that experience.
I have to stretch my imagination and skills and do fun stuff, like the book trailer. I have good computer skills so I focus my promotion efforts online. I’ve come to accept that all I can do is ask politely if people want to help me. Most people have been very generous with their help.
How do I feel about it? Well, I realized that it is a part of the whole business of publishing. I much prefer writing of course. But, I am glad to have the opportunity to learn promotion now and find way to make it less painful for me.

6. What has surprised you most about this ongoing experience?

The number of people who are willing to help. I didn’t realize that I would get so much support. Sometimes I have friends that I suspected would vote for me but they go a step beyond and ask all their friends. I also made some great new friends online with whom I now chat regularly. I have met so many great people.
I am also pleasantly surprised to see how I have become so close to the other American Title contestants. It is a strange experience and only those who live it can truly understand. We talk almost daily and share our good and bad news. I am very lucky to count them as my friends.

7. Where do you see yourself writing-career-wise in five years time?

I am not getting any younger, so I have a definite plan of what I want to accomplish in 5 years. I cannot control if I sell or not, but I control what I write. I have 2 manuscripts and a novella completed so far. In 5 years, I want to have at least 10 more manuscripts, each submitted to a series of agents and publishers. I have a list of paranormal romances that I plan to write, including a few that are the sequels to ANCIENT WHISPERS. I also have two planned urban fantasies, one that should be completed in 2009. I’d like to try a few more novellas. I might change direction slightly towards more erotic romance or perhaps historical paranormal.
If I haven’t sold or make some sort of progress in 5 years, then it would be a cross-road for me to maybe change genre all together. I have a children chapter book outlined already and I am big fantasy geek.
Regardless of what happens, I know I’ll be writing, maybe get my stuff spiral-bound at Kinko then stashed in the basement to read when I am really old!
I promised my boys a bunch of books for them to read when I am gone 

Thanks Kate for having me today. Always a pleasure.

Marie-Claude 

www.mcbourque.com

And here's some more information about Marie-Claude's book, where to vote and other stuff-I'm so impressed she made a book trailer :)

You can now vote for best hero/heroine in the American Title V at:
http://www.romantictimes.com/news_amtitle3.php

Here is a quick mini-blurb of ANCIENT WHISPERS:

ANCIENT WHISPERS is a dark romance set in Rhode Island and inspired by the poem Evangeline (Longfellow, 1855). It is the tale of an immortal bold sorcerer and his quest to be reunited with the fiancée he lost tragically during the Acadian deportation in 1755.
It is a fast-paced story filled with tortured heroes, intense emotions, dark desires and realistic Pagan rituals, and which brings to light the history of Cajuns and Acadians.

Here is the link to my book trailer on youtube: (I made it myself)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1Vq7lpWo4s

Wishing you all the best in the next round-the story sounds fabulous! Now everyone go and vote!!
Kate x

Visting tomorrow-Marie-Claude Bourque!

2008-12-16T13:14:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow I'm welcoming Marie-Claude Bourque to my blog. Marie is one of the contestants in the Romantic Times American Title Five Contest. She's going to tell us all about herself and why we should be voting for her book to be the winner!

Hmm...my image is a bit wonky-apologies!

For Jo Leigh

2008-12-07T16:52:00.000-08:00

I've added something to this auction for a fellow writer. A signed copy of Simply Sexual and Simply Sinful, just in case anyone wants to go bid on them and help someone out. :)

See all the items by clicking this link

Kate x

Two new covers to share!

2008-12-02T12:16:00.000-08:00

We had a great Thanksgiving week. Last year we were visited by the plague and everyone was violently ill. (see my post a year ago about my 3 day vacation in Sedona, AZ when I wanted to die I felt so bad) Apart from my daughter who has back teeth coming in-she's six, everyone else was well and healthy and ate!

We cheated and got the Marie Callender Turkey breast dinner complete with all the trimmings again. It was worth it. I made my own cranberry sauce just so that I could say I cooked :) Christmas is more my thing. I'll be adding roast potatoes, home made ice cream, xmas pudding, brandy butter and mince pies to my repertoire! and let's not forget the crackers-the paper hat kind I mean!

And I also have 2 new covers to share with you: the first is for Riding the Line, the third Virgin 'Cheek' book which comes out next February. It's got the road trip feel to it and she is perfect-the guy I'm still staring at, I can't decide whether he's like my character or not.

The book is full of hot sex, snappy dialogue and takes place on the road and in LA. It reminds me of one of those old black and white movies with Katharine Hepburn or Clark Gable, all smoldering sex and quick wit and sexual tension. It was definitely fun to write. The nice thing is that because it ties in with the previous 2 books we get to re-visit Grayson, Lauren, Jay and Helen and find out how they are doing too!

Next up is the Spanish translation of Simply Sexual-Esclavos del Sexo Until I opened the box, I didn't even know there was a Spanish translation of the book so it was a complete surprise! Apologies for the poor quality of the scan, it is actually in color, a pinkish, brownish bluish, if that makes sense. The cover is certainly different. At first I didn't notice that there was a man standing behind the woman, but now I get it.

If anyone wants to go and check it out in full cover, here's the link to the website.

I have more news to share, but I'll leave it until later in the week! Yes, I'm mean like that LOL

My friend Crystal's book!

2008-11-24T16:49:00.000-08:00

Centuries after the destruction of earth, several species of altered humans still survive. These shape-shifters are exciting and exotic creatures, and their human forms do little to mask their most primitive and passionate instincts...

IN HEAT
Mahlia is a snow tigress in heat and now that her tiger king has returned to rule the planet Vesperi, she can no longer deny her desperate need to mate. She greets him as a woman, but their desire for sex is uncontrollable as they come together with a primal passion.

IN SMOKE
When Lady Katryn is called back to her home world to join Lord Nadir's harim, she is curious to learn more about her weredragon nature. What she discovers is a scorching eroticism that consumes her all over.

IN MIST
Dr. Sera Gibbons is one of only two human survivors after a five hundred year cryogenic freeze. Save by the merman Bretton Hahn, she savors the way her caresses her and makes her live out her wildest fantasies.

And if you want to get it online rather than going to a brick-and-mortar store, here are the links:

Amazon.com
Barnes & Noble
Chapters.ca

Winner of Pam Rosenthal's Book!

2008-11-20T12:09:00.000-08:00

The winner is: anna

Please email me at contactme@katepearce.com to claim your copy.

Please note-a new winner will be chosen on 11/28/08 if prize is not claimed

An interview with Pam Rosenthal

2008-11-16T21:16:00.000-08:00

Kate Pearce interviews Pam Rosenthal

I first met Pam Rosenthal at one of the Romance Writers of America's annual conferences. We were both getting drinks at Starbucks and I saw her name badge and had a complete fan girl moment because I'd loved all her books. She was nice enough to say she knew who I was too, but I was still struck dumb to meet someone whose beautiful literary style of writing I admired so much.

Later, I got to know Pam even better when we collaborated with some other erotic historical romance writers over at the Spiced Tea Party blog. Her posts made me think for days and I also found out that she had an alter ego-Molly Weatherfield who wrote the classic erotic novel Carrie's Story. By that time I was also a Lustie and Molly's name came up frequently as someone whose writing was greatly admired-and I knew her! Pam very kindly consented to her first interview as Molly on Lust Bites and now she's back to share her new erotic historical release "The Edge of Impropriety"

Take it away Pam!

Kate. Why do you write in this particular time period? Is it the politics, the frocks, the repressed emotions?

Pam: All of the above. And Byron, Keats, and Shelley as well. The odd thing is that when I started writing romance, I thought my time period would be the French Revolution. Because that’s where my first romance, The Bookseller’s Daughter, was set. And because Carrie, the heroine of my Molly Weatherfield BDSM erotica, was a lover of French literature and a disciple, in a sense, of the Marquis de Sade. So I thought I’d want to write in the Marquis de Sade’s period – and never, never, in that stodgy old English Regency.

But it turns out that the English Regency wasn’t so stodgy after all, and that it was profoundly influenced by the French Revolution and by its own revolutionary geniuses like Mary Wollstonecraft. And so what I try to write about is the meeting of two worlds – the very proper ton, and the more raffish, interesting world of rebels and reformers that you’d find east of Regent Street.

K. Do you have a writing process? Do you plot or see it as it comes at you?

P. I start out with a beginning and an ending – in romance, these aren’t so far apart; the ending rather recapitulates the beginning, with all the wild desire now satisfied. It’s the middle that makes everyone crazy.

K. How many hours a day do you get to write and do you have a set schedule?

P. I try to write every morning for a few hours. When I’m not promoting a book, that is – promotion being God’s way of teaching us to appreciate the days when we actually get to write. And also (with a good interviewer like you, Kate) an opportunity to sit back and think about what we do, what works, and what doesn’t.

And what I’m thinking these days is that I ought to trust my own daydreams and fantasies more. The point of craft, I’m coming to think, is that when the daydreams and fantasies really get cooking, you’ll have the words, the syntax, and the general fluidity so you can get it while it’s hot.

K. How much research goes into your books? And do you do it all yourself?

P. A fair amount of research. And no, thank heaven, I don’t do it by myself. I have a wonderful research partner in my husband Michael – and I can’t describe it any better than I did in this guest post at the Wet Noodle Posse

K. What do you consider your strengths as a writer, what about your weaknesses?

P. My major strength, I think, is that I seem to be able to write about sex, to put experience that lies on the very edge of consciousness into words, syntax, and verb tense. Part of this strength, I think, is that I’m patient enough (and love the craft enough) to keep at it until I get it right. And part of it is that I probably have a few wires crossed in the erotic and intellectual parts of my central nervous system. So I think that even at my advanced age I’m still drawing on the energy of my own shy, wonky adolescent erotic curiosity and discoveries.

My major weaknesses are: first off, that I sometimes get so enamored of all that complexity and fragmentation that I don’t always move my plots along as quickly as the romance genre wants them to go; and secondly (as readers know, and I am sorry, really), that I’m a ridiculously slow writer. Which is why I think I should do more daydreaming and fantasizing up front and more writing it down (fast! And trusting to my craft!) after I’ve got the fantasies hot and bubbling (see above).

K. Do you fall in love with your heroes?

P. You bet. And my heroines. Gosh, don’t we all fall in love with our heroes and heroines?

K. Do you have a favorite character from all of your books so far? Is there anyone you'd like to keep writing about?

P. Not a favorite, exactly. But someday I’d like to find out what happens to Alec Hervey, David’s son in Almost a Gentleman, who in his sweet, brainy reasonableness is rather modeled on my own son. I haven’t thought of Alec for a while, but when the Library Journal reviewer told me how much she liked the preadolescent niece of my current hero (in The Edge of Impropriety) I found myself rather wanting to introduce this young woman-to-be to Alec – after she grows up, of course. (And hey, can I plug the Library Journal review of Edge?

K. Where do you think your books fall in the erotica/erotic romance spectrum?

P. Well, I know that these things are usually seen as a kind of spectrum from plot-driven erotic romance to episodic erotica. In the world of romance publishing, erotica’s seems to be measured by the number of sexual encounters per thousand words. While to some scholars, it’s erotica if the book is structured around its sexual set-pieces. see Teach Me Tonight.

Neither view works for me. I like to mix it up. And once in a while I get a reader or reviewer who sees it as I do – as in this recent Romantic Times review of Edge, where Kathe Robin says that “Rosenthal’s… always looking for new ways to burn up the pages and keep your mind focused on characters and plot, not just her wonderfully erotic love scenes.” I was thrilled that at least in that sentence Kathe sees it as an and rather than an or kind of thing, just as I do. And I cherish this comment from some long-ago blogger, who said of Phoebe and David in Almost a Gentleman, “even when they're across the room from each other, there's always this feeling that you're walking in on them in the middle of fucking.” I’d add that when they’re fucking I want there to be the feeling that the plot is progressing.

That said, and (at last) to answer your question, I think I write the erotica I want and need. Which changes with time. In the Carrie/SM books, it was about youthful freedom, intellectual honesty, and curiosity. But youth ends in maturity and commitment. And so finding a possible happy ending for Carrie led me to romance, which is about how we love and want to be loved. And it led me to try to write successful, and also erotic, romance novels.

These days I may be going somewhere different; I’m not sure yet.
But again, I wouldn’t be interested in writing (or reading) erotica that wasn’t as smart, as plot- and character-driven, as informed, and as technically adventurous as it can possibly be.

K. Who has influenced you as a writer?

P. Probably the only two books I’ve really entirely comprehended are Little Women and Story of O. So those are probably the deepest influences.

K. What's coming up next for you?

P. More erotica, of course (see above). Hot retellings of some canonical nineteenth century fiction. What I don’t know yet (again see above) is whether the stories will have happy endings or not.

Thanks Pam!

And thanks so much, Kate, for your wonderful questions and the opportunity to answer them.

Pam is offering a copy of "The Edge of Impropriety" to one lucky commenter!
Or buy it here

Double blog for a Double Identity

2008-11-14T19:40:00.000-08:00

The amazing Pam Rosenthal will be here on Monday to answer all my daft questions about her latest release, The Edge of Impropriety. She'll also appear on Lust Bites where we already know her alter ego Molly Weatherfield.

Come and read Pam's fascinating answers, comment and you might win a copy of the book!

Contest Winners!

2008-11-08T12:27:00.000-08:00

Full of the holiday spirit, I decided to give 3 copies away!

The winners are:

tamic
cynthya
ddurance

please email me at contactme@katepearce.com with your address!

thanks to everyone who entered-now if you didn't win go out and buy the book-it's really good!! LOL

Kate x

CONTEST!

2008-10-30T13:25:00.000-07:00

Although it officially comes out on Nov 3rd, Simply Sinful is out and about and already available on Amazon and in some bookstores!
Comment below for the chance to win a copy!

I'll be giving away two

Kate x

contest ends Nov 7th winners will be posted here :)

Why I love this scene...

2008-10-20T09:04:00.000-07:00

This scene is from a classic movie called "It's a Wonderful Life", starring James Stewart as George Bailey and Donna Reed as Mary. It's a staple here in the USA at Christmas but was considered a flop at the time of its release in 1946. It was nominated for five Oscars without winning any, but the film has since been recognized by the American Film Institute as one of the 100 best American films ever made, and placed number one on their list of the most inspirational American films of all time.

Of course, I'm a cynical Brit, but this film really moved me. On Christmas Eve 1946, George Bailey is deeply depressed, even suicidal. Clarence Odbody, an Angel Second Class, is sent to Earth to save him — and thereby earn his wings.

From childhood, George's greatest ambition has been to see the world, to become an architect and design bridges and skyscrapers everywhere. However, George repeatedly has to sacrifice his dreams. In this clip, he's close to being able to leave the town and finally achieve his dreams, but he's fallen in love with Mary.

The moment when he stands over her when she is on the phone and simply inhales her, is probably one of the most erotic moments I've ever seen in a movie. I love the way he hates her and loves her, wants her and wants to leave, can't stop himself from caring despite everything-and both actors do a fantastic job showing this rather than just saying it. This is how I want to write-this is how I want my readers to feel.

Things work out fine in the end. Clarence is able to show George what the town would've been like if he hadn't made those sacrifices and everyone lives happily ever after-sigh-even Clarence gets his wings-perfect for an old romantic like me :)

More reviews for Simply Sinful!

2008-10-17T09:20:00.001-07:00

I got a couple of early reviews for Simply Sinful-I'll share the good bits!

Harriet Klausner:
"The refreshing spin to this historical erotic romance is that both Beecham’s receive sex lessons from the tutor. Character driven by the lead trio and filled with a variety of sexual scenarios to include ménage a trois, bondage, and male-male, the story line is actually a strong relationship drama. Sub-genre fans will enjoy this well written heated tale."

ecata romance sensual
Amelia Richard

Genre: historical
ISBN: 0758223552
Page Count: 314
Price: $13.95
Reviewer: Amelia Richard
Sensuality Rating: Sizzling
Star Rating: 5 Stars

The erotic stories by Kate Pearce are blazingly hot, yet also express heartfelt emotions throughout. Although SIMPLY SINFUL frequently depicts lusty scenes pertaining to sex, it is the emotional aspects of the story which speak just as loudly to the reader. Regardless of whether the characters are interacting with another individual or just letting their inner thoughts be known, their convincing responses repeatedly show their sincerity and even deepest wishes. Ms. Peace writes the dialogue in clearly palpable terms, making every scene so intense that the reader will physically feel the sentiments of the characters. When the moment is more about longings and dreams, you will feel their desperate anguish with potency. If sex is involved, the fervent passions will titillate and make your own heart rate rise. The sexual exploits in this story are particularly imaginative, as the often hidden cravings of the characters are played out to the fullest. Their feelings continuously surface during these encounters, too, letting the reader know exactly how they perceive the moment as being more than just about sexual satisfaction. This story is not a conventional romance, yet each scene will draw you into the extraordinarily satisfying relationship where three people must come to terms with themselves and each other. Yes, there is plenty of sex and much of it originally unconventional, but the Regency period also comes alive through their earnest emotions. Peter, Abigail and James are each unforgettable in their own way, as vivid portrayals reveal their true natures. SIMPLY SINFUL is delightfully wicked yet profoundly emotional and totally gratifying.

So far so good...I"m sure there will be some differing opinions soon!

I'm going to write a post over the weekend, talking about some of my thoughts behind this book, and why it ended up as it is, rather than in a more conventional manner.

First Review for Simply Sinful

2008-10-02T10:25:00.001-07:00

I got a lovely review for Simply Sinful from Romantic Times magazine. I was a bit nervous because this book isn't exactly conventional LOL. But I was really pleased that the reviewer saw past that to the love story within.

4 stars.

Pearce provides an interesting twist to the standard "love lessons" plot in this story where both the husband and wife receive erotic training from a master. With historical detail, strong character development, a slight mystery, caring relationships and smoking hot sex, there is something for everyone. The action includes threesomes, M/M and sex toys, as well as light bondage and discipline.

Summary: Abby and James were forced to wed at a young age, but have lived apart for most of their 16-year marriage. Wanting a child, Abby wants James back into her bedroom, but both have troubling memories of their prior relations. Enter Peter Howard, who spent a number of years as a slave in a Turkish brothel. Peter is attracted to the couple and believes he can tutor them in the numerous ways to enjoy passion. These intense encounters result in a happy ending -- just not what everyone expected. (Aphrodisia, Nov., 304 pp., $13.95)

—Joyce Morgan

I'm getting quite excited about this book coming out! I loved writing it because Peter was such an interesting character.
Watch out if you get my newsletter because I'll be offering an advanced copy of the book as a prize!

Kate x