Kiss and Tell

Parents are From Mars, Kids are From The Orion Nebula

2009-11-13T08:00:00.001-05:00

That's right, we don't even occupy the same galaxy. Yesterday my husband sent me some posts from a guy on Twitter. His i.d. is "shitmydadsays". The guy is supposedly 29 and lives with his 73 year old father. I laughed so hard I cried. As you all know, I don't Twitter. Or tweet. Or whatever it's called. You all have probably seen this already, but it was new to me. For those of you out there who are socially network challenged, like myself, here are a few gems from shitmydadsays.

"Son, no one gives a shit about all the things your cell phone does. You didn't invent it, you just bought it. Anybody can do that."

"Oh please, you practically invented lazy. People should have to call you and ask for the rights to lazy before they use it."

"Just pay the parking ticket. Don't be so outraged. You're not a freedom fighter in the civil rights movement. You double parked."

"That woman was sexy...Out of your league? Son. Let women figure out why they won't screw you, don't do it for them."

"Son, people will always try and fuck you. Don't waste your life planning for a fucking, just be alert when your pants are down."

I'm laughing even as I type those. We've all been there. We've all rolled our eyes at stuff our parents say.

I took my kids to the doctor for their annual check-up earlier this week. The doctor asked me if my 9 year old had hit the eye-rolling stage yet. I snorted. "He's been doing that for years," I told him. "Mom taught him how when he was very young." Our doctor laughed and replied, "Yeah, I suspected Mom had something to do with it." We reap what we sow.

My poor 9 year old big boy. He's my oldest, and the one we learn on. Poor bastard. I remember a line from the movie "Parenthood", which is one of my all time favorites. The mother of four says, "You're so careful with the first one. By the fourth you're letting them juggle knives."

Big boy and I have bonded over our disdain for Nickelodeon's newest pop sensation. He has the stupidest hair style I've seen recently. He looks like George Harrison in 1963. I asked big boy if he wanted to do his hair like that and he assured me no, not even if all the girls said they thought it was cute. So now I just tell him, "Wow! That bedhead makes you look just like the guy on Nickelodeon," and he immediately runs to the bathroom to comb his hair. I have my evil ways.

The other day I decided to make them watch one of my movies because I'd had all the bad kids' cartoons on t.v. I could stand. My 6 year old has been sick, and the only thing that made him feel better was forcing his poor mother to watch t.v. with him. We put in "Galaxy Quest", another favorite that they hadn't seen. (I forgot how often we see Sigourney Weaver's boobs hanging out. My 6 year old is already obsessed with the anatomically inappropriate. I'm surprised I haven't gotten a call from school about the fact that every story he tells has to involve something flying in or out of someone's butt as often as possible.)

While we were waiting for the movie to rewind (that's what old fashioned videos have to do, kids. We watched those before there were dvd's) "Tyra" came on. And to digress momentarily, does she look too skinny now to anyone else? She looks like a famine victim. I miss the fat and sassy Tyra. Anyway, she was doing a show on the rise of teen pregnancy, and had a bunch of pregnant teens as guests. (Hey! I'm going to get pregnant, too, so I can be on Tyra. Duh.) And at least two of them were 13. That's right. THIRTEEN.

That's only four years older than my big boy. I don't even think his testicles have dropped yet. Of course, I may have initiated that process when I immediately turned to him with a look of horror and screeched, "You are never to let a girl touch you! Ever!" He backed away with big eyes, shaking his head, promising, "I won't, Mom! I swear! Never!" Parenting by hysteria, my preferred method.

A friend of ours was telling us a couple of weeks ago that she roll-played with her teenage son. Without warning him. She just sat down next to him and said, "I'm a girl, and I just told you I want to give you a blow job. What do you say?" He totally freaked. I told my husband that for the rest of his life the words "blow job" will make him think of his mother. She's an evil genius. We've filed this away for later. My poor sons.

My 3 year old isn't safe from my commando parenting, either. I realized the other night that I may be giving her conflicting messages. I told her, "That's it! I've had about all of you I can stand! Is it bedtime yet?" And then when I tucked her in, I told her, "You're the best little girl ever." Hmm. We're starting a 529 savings plan for therapy for all three kids today.

So Very Sorry...

2009-11-12T18:37:00.000-05:00

I really haven't been neglecting y'all, honest. I've been trying to do NaNoWriMo and well...I think that's going to get stuck by the wayside. I know, it's not even the 15th yet and I'm already considering bailing. I've been editing this month, revising this month, doing rewrites this month...along with a book I kind of need to get finished by the week of Thanksgiving. And the book well, it's just not cooperating yet. At least not the flow part of it.

I received edits early this morning on my new Ellora's Cave book and spent all day doing those and a couple hours ago I sent them back in. Lucky for me and my editor, there wasn't much to be done...a few grammar things, a couple word changes, a little addition to a few scenes and that's it. My other edits though, for my Loose Id book...yeah, my poor poor editor and well, we'll just say poor poor me too.

So, needless to say, I don't have much to say today as my brain is elsewhere on other words that I must come up with.

Have a good weekend everyone!

~lissa

Hug your servicemen...

2009-11-11T10:58:00.005-05:00

Today I leave the snark and sexy aside.

It’s Veterans Day and I’d like to pay my own personal tribute to the men and women who willingly give. From that giving, I am free to walk the streets downtown and not worry about being bombed. I can go to the market and have little fear of being shot on the sidewalk by a terrorist. I can know my country and my small world within it are safer because of that service. In many cases that means our soldiers are providing that service in many other countries. We are celebrating Veterans Day in the United States today, but I want us to think of everyone, all over the world, who has stood up to defend and protect.

Some do it for a job—some for love of country—some because they have no choice but to serve.

To the men and women in my life who have served, thank you for helping to provide a place of freedom for our children and a place of democracy for our future.

My Father, Walter
Three of my Grandfathers
My Uncles, Danny and Buckey
My Brother, Keith
My love, HB
My Step Father, Bud
My Friends Charles C., Zachary S., Angie W., Alan G., Mike S. and Kevin K.

Some of these people are still in the service. Two are in Iraq today. I send you love and support. I sorely miss those of you who are no longer with us. Today, as I do many days, I think of you. I miss you. I love you.

We sleep safely in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would harm us.
- George Orwell

Feel free to post the names of the people you love or the men and women you want to thank and remember.

Boo-Ya-Kasha
~Mari

It was an accident.

2009-11-09T23:54:00.004-05:00

Okay. I admit it. I have not read any of the Twilight books. I don’t know crap about them. I am among the ignorant. My teenager loves them. I have adult friends that have seen the movies and have watched them a hundred times. I write paranormal stories and I don’t want to be influenced by the Twilight craze. I’m sure one day I will read them all.

I do, however, have an inkling of what they are about from all the trailers and hype in the air. A Mark Henry Tweet lead me to this SNL skit. His comment was something along the lines of “OMFG… you meant I have to wait to see this??” And I agree.

I HEART Mark Henry for pointing me to these videos…. And I HEART his books from the video blog Eliza posted last week. So Eliza--It worked. I loved it, I loved him and I went and bought all his books.

Cheers
~Mari

Primed and Ready for Action

2009-11-06T08:00:00.002-05:00

I loved Mari's and Lissa's posts. I haven't got anything so entertaining. I'm full of dull. Do you suppose that's because I'm researching the history of the Methodist Church in England for my next book? lol Not that I mean any disrespect to the Methodists. But a little John Wesley, or ANY theologian for that matter, goes a long way. This is a minor point in the book. But I want to get it right, after all. The research makes me want to go back and reread Robert A. Heinlein's Job: A Comedy of Justice. "Theology is never any help; it is searching in a dark cellar at midnight for a black cat that isn't there." That's a Heinlein quote.

I wish I could tune everything out and concentrate completely on this book. I can, I have that ability, but to do so would be irresponsible. But, oh, I so wish I could. And because I can't I get snappish. It's not pretty. "There is no way that writers can be tamed and rendered civilized or even cured. the only solution known to science is to provide the patient with an isolation room, where he can endure the acute stages in private and where food can be poked in to him with a stick. " Another Heinlein quote. He was wonderful.

A quick note on Tranformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen. I just watched that tonight with my kids in an effort to cure my snappishness. Wow. That script could have used some serious trimming. They were all over the place, and there was more than one WTF moment for me that had nothing to do with the fact I was trying to listen to convoluted dialogue and info dumps while three children chattered in my ear and cried for snacks. It seemed like there were scenes that were extraneous that they just didn't want to get rid of. And when did the Decepticons begin pulling a Terminator and wearing skin?!

But my biggest beef was the way they shut Bumblebee out and shuffled him into a bit part. He was completely ignored in this movie. Do you suppose someone read my blog and got worried? (You know. The one where I prove without a doubt that Sam, Mykaela and Bumblebee are a menage.) A fabulous threesome shut down in its prime. Bumblebee was robbed.

And whoever does the voice of Optimus Prime? Call. Me. You can just breathe heavily over the phone and then say, "My name is Optimus Prime." Seriously. That would do it for me.

Coffee and such...

2009-11-05T09:34:00.000-05:00

I've had mine this morning and I'm so cold and it hit my insides and felt so good spreading throughout my body, warming me. As long as I kept drinking it, I kept feeling warm.

We all, or a lot of us talk about coffee. Most are probably very serious. Some are probably not quite as, but still serious. And some are probably very casual drinkers. Nothing wrong with any one of these types. If not loaded with tons of sugar and cream and syrups, coffee is relatively healthy, some roasts, usually medium roasts, have a lot of antioxidants, and it's definitely better for you than loading up on sodas which have no redeeming properties other than to taste good. I love my Mountain Dew and my Coke (with peanuts of course...it's a Southern redneck thing) as much as the next guy, so...don't think I'm hating on the sodas. Just stating a fact.
                      So, enjoy the little coffee cartoons with your morning, afternoon, evening, late night, middle of the night coffee.


This one makes me things of so many people that I follow on Twitter and Facebook...grins

I make a lot of coffee at home. I had the espresso machine and if any of you have paid attention to my Twitter/Facebook posts, you'll see that my espresso machine broke. It was a devastating day. I replaced it the other night with an inexpensive French press from Starbucks. I love this thing! I buy whole bean and have a grinder for it. The smell of freshly ground coffee is heaven, almost better than chocolate. I know, shoot me. It's okay...laughs.

I have the syrups, too. I love creating the coffee shop coffee drinks at home. The cost is much less and the whole playing with recipes is fun for me. I do this with my baking, too. And my cooking. Does that make strange? No, don't answer that.

I'd change that Caramel Cappuccino, but, the sentiment is the same...

As you can see, I didn't have much to write about today. NaNoWriMo is sucking the life out of me at the moment. Or, maybe it's the edits. Could be the fact that I'm sick. But, it's probably that the holidays are being forced upon me before I'm even slightly ready for them, thereby driving me to drink...more coffee. I took my daughter to her usual Wednesday night hang-out and no lie, the town has put Christmas decorations up on the streets already. *headdesk*

I love the little dragon. He's so cute.

And for those that don't do coffee...

Have a good Thursday! By the way, I've signed a contract for my second Ellora's Cave book, an Exotika titled Simple Need. I've also signed a contract for my second Loose Id book, currently titled Driving Lily but it will be getting a new name soon... So...SQUEE!

~lissa

Random Thoughts...

2009-11-04T11:05:00.005-05:00

<< My Office Door.

I’ve been writing. I mean that really awesome-- in the groove-- get it done kind of writing that comes to us every so often and makes us love what we do. I haven’t had this in years. It’s Nirvana on a keyboard. Okay. Maybe that’s a bit over dramatic, but I am in the mode and it rocks.

However, due to my handy-dandy iPhone and it’s iNotes app, I’ve taken a few moments here and there to document some random comments overheard in the Freeman household in an average week.

These words were uttered by HB, the 8-yr-old princess or myself.

You guess. Easy-peasy? Not so much.

Bad guys get no BJ’s.

The meter of beef never gets old.

Who says taking a dump can’t be cute.

This is s-e-x.

If you have more money, you have more dignity.

I don’t want to pull a brain muscle.

Maybe it was the entrails by the door.

It’s vibrating in my pants.

She said I needed a threesome.

Sit on that and spin awhile, buster.

Panties must come off first.

That hurt. Do it again.

It’s squirrel mania out there, I tell ya.

It’s not my fault you have boobs.

I need two mustaches.

See. Sometimes it’s hard to separate the young from the young at heart… isn’t it?
~Mari

Trailer Trash Tuesday

2009-11-03T23:42:00.003-05:00

I happened to get an email in my inbox today for a book video contest going over on J.K. Coi's blog. Perfect timing huh? So I wandered over there to see what they had to offer and vote for one I liked.

I've culled my favorite but if you'd like to see the full list of nominees and vote for your favorite just click here.

My second video isn't exactly a book video but instead a Vlog. I'd really like to hear what you think of these. Do you only want to see them from the funny authors? Cause I don't think we'd all be as funny as Mark Henry.

Friday Spooktacular

2009-10-30T11:03:00.004-04:00

I saw the first video several years ago. It is VERY scary. I copied the info below from You Tube:

Turn up your speakers, kind of hard to hear the sound.
Strange but interesting.

This is a car advertisement from Great Britain. When they finished filming the ad, the film editor noticed something moving along the side of the car, like a ghostly white mist. They found out that a person had been killed a year earlier in that exact same spot.

The ad was never put on TV because of the unexplained ghostly phenomenon. Watch the front end of the car as it clears the trees in the middle of the screen and you'll see the white mist crossing in front of the car then following it along the road....Spooky!

Is it a ghost, or is it simply mist? You decide. If you listen to the ad, you'll even hear the cameraman whispering in the background about it near the end of the commercial.

A little creepy but pretty cool!

And my favorite Halloween song. Ah, hell, just one of my favorite songs, period. I freaking love this song. But then, who doesn't?

I'm off to my third Halloween Parade and Festival this afternoon. I'm wearing an orange Halloween shirt with spiders all over it (my big sis gave it to me) and great big black witch hat with orange feathers around the brim. My kids love that hat. I guess Mari's rubbing off on me. What are you going to be for Halloween? And did I get you with that first video? :-)

Zombies Zombies Zombies

2009-10-28T19:08:00.003-04:00

Happy Halloween!

I love this season. My graveyard is set up out front, the pumpkins are carved and the ghouls are ready to rock! I know this season Zombies are all the rage, so I’m going to contribute in a very, very small way. I give you the Kiss and Tell Zombie Beer Run.

Lissa smartly refused my plea for a photo of her. Samantha and Eliza were unwitting participants because I already had photos of them.

BWHAHAHAHAHA!!

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

I own some creepy but interesting books, as many writers do. While cleaning yesterday, I picked up Famous Last Words, by Ray Robinson from the shelf. I thought the last utterances of some interesting characters would add to the Halloween Hoopla.

One man who would be hot even as a Zombie was James Dean. This eerily prophetic quote was made by Mr. Dean only days before his untimely death in his silver Porsche Spyder.

“You know, my fun days are over.”

Oscar Wilde, after spending time in prison for “homosexual offenses,” spent his final years in France and was reported to have said this just before his death…

“I am in a duel to the death with this wallpaper. One of us has to go.”

And I will try to live by this mantra so I can echo the words spoken by Sid Luckman, the legendary Chicago Bears quarterback…

“I had it all, I did it all, and I loved it all.”

Here’s hoping that your Halloween is filled with little frights and large chocolates!

Kiss Kiss
Zombie Mari.

Back Home Again

2009-10-26T23:55:00.004-04:00

After spending a fabulous weekend in NY at the Authors After Dark Paranormal weekend I am back home and playing catch up. Right now i'm thinking I need to catch up on some sleep i've been missing lately. :)

Conference traveling is complete for 2009 but plans are already underway for where i'll go in 2010. It's going to be a tough time picking and choosing but i'm not going to be able to do as many in 2010 as I did in 2009.

One thing I already know for sure is that I will definitely be at the next Authors After Dark conference. I love the small con vibe and the fun had with readers. I see this easily becoming a favorite event. Oh and DragonCon of course. Everything else is undecided.

I did write a brief recap last night when I got home and posted picture links to my twitter and facebook page. You can read the blog here.

It's Halloween week and i'm woefully unprepared. My 12 year old got the halloween decorations out while I was gone and proceeded to decorate. Which to her means cover every single available surface with halloween stuff. Not what I would have done but cute non the less.

Speaking of cute...My husband sent this skeleton to me because he thought it was funny. It made me smile.

And speaking of skeletons my favorite skeleton of all time. An oldie but still the best.

Just Thinkin'

2009-10-23T10:59:00.009-04:00

I was driving my kids home from school yesterday when one of my favorite songs of all time came on the radio. Unless you're a fan of 70's and 80's country music, you've probably never heard of it. It's "16th Avenue" by Lacy J. Dalton. And wham!! I had an idea for a new historical m/m book. And I really, really want to write it now. I haven't been able to stop thinking about it.

The problem is, I have a bunch of stories I NEED to write first.

And, the thing is, I really, really want to write them, too.

So what's a writer to do?! I sat down and made a list of all the books that are fully plotted in my head and waiting their turn in line to be written. I stopped at 30. No shit. I'm serious.

And yet, I sit here paralyzed and unable to start the next book. Aha. I think I realized why when I wrote the list. So I'm going to put on my big girl panties and deal with it and start writing as soon as I post this blog.

You all must go and see L.B. Gregg's free fiction. She did a very short piece for Kris 'n' Good Books. The blog readers over there gave her a laundry list of things they wanted to see in a m/m story, and she wrote an unforgettable and completely hilarious short story. I'm in awe. Here's her list:

A naked cowboy
Conflict about a pineapple
My Little Pony tat
First meeting
Conference

She ran with it. I would have choked. I just can't operate that way. Anything I wrote would have been ridiculous. But she managed to make the story engaging and the characters likable in a very short space.

When I read it and analyzed it, I had another aha moment about my own writing. Well, that moment may have actually come after I had my story idea in the car yesterday. I start with characters. A lot of writers start with plot and work from there. What if I had two people, and A happened, and then B happened, and they ended up C? I start out with characters. I have character A, and he's a *, and he likes *, and he's quirky because *. And then I have character B, and she's *, and she hates *, but * happened to her. How can I get these two people together?

So, two questions. For writers, what's your trigger? How do your stories begin? And for readers, can you tell the difference when you're reading a book? Can you tell which writers start with plot, and which ones start with character?

And, in a completely unrelated matter, am I the only one who buys the physically challenged pumpkins at the pumpkin patch? All the pumpkins I bought yesterday were misshapen, or weird colors, or bumpy. My kids think I'm crazy. But I love those darn orphan pumpkins. I find them far more interesting than those boring old perfectly round ones. Maybe it isn't unrelated at all. I like pumpkins with CHARACTER.

Filling In...Pink Buttercream Frosting

2009-10-21T18:26:00.000-04:00

Surprised to see me, aren't ya? You were expecting the every witty and charming Mari and hopefully a little snippet of Hot Body, huh? I know. But, Mari is in deadline hell and working very very hard on edits and so she graciously begged me to take her spot today. grins... As if begging were needed. Afterall, I had another book come out this month. Yesterday to be exact so guess what that means? You got it! Promo. Again.

However, not just promo of my book, but of others that came out yesterday that I want to read. I don't have a lot of time to read. So, I am choosy with what I do want. Some fabulous series books were released yesterday and I commented on Nikki Duncan's blog today where she was hosting R.G. Alexander. R.G.'s release yesterday was the 4th in her series and when I read her post, I started thinking. I don't read series books usually. Why? Because I'm damn impatient. I want the next book NOW. And oftentimes we're left waiting for either 3 to 6 months or 6 months to more than a year. I don't want to wait that long. What I have found that I do though, is I will wait until 2 o 3 of the series have been released and then I'll go back and pick them all up at the same time.

That all being said, I do want to read some of these series and others.

The Seeking Kiss by Eden Bradley

I want to read this because well, I don't pass up on reading anything Eden writes.

Trinity by Lauren Dane

This one...a funny comment during a sex scene about Target. Yes, the store.

Bound and Determined by Jane Davitt and Alexa Snow

BDSM and male/male. 'Nuff said.

Dancing with Danger by Desiree Holt

Well, now, just look at the cover. I'm a sucker for black and white covers. Well, and the story looks yummy.

Now we all know what I want to read. What about you? What new releases are you wanting to read? Pick from any genre, any publisher, and tell us.

One more thing...cupcakes. Yep. There's a contest that started today. Below is the blurb of the contest from Romance in the Backseat's Terry Kate:

9 Days of Giveaways From Romance in the Backseat and Naughty in the Backseat!

I get to claim a little credit, but there are three other blogs and twenty authors involved. It is a Pink Buttercream Frosted Cupcake Giveaway. It starts October 21st - my B-day and runs to the 30th - oddly enough another of the bloggers Birthday. (The fabulous Cecile from All I Want and More) It is a scavenger hunt. Search the six sites listed daily for the Prize Logos of the day. Find the logo - click on it and enter to win.

Prizes? Cupcakes of course! We have cupcake hats, cupcake bags, cupcake aprons, cupcake candles, and actual cupcakes that will be shipped to your door thanks to the Cupcake Station. Throw in a few books from Simon and Schuster and to top it off the grand prize is a book a month for 2010 and a cupcake goody bag!

Wanna play - check out all the details at http://www.romanceinthebackseat.com/cupcakegiveaway.htm

Want extra chances to win the Grand Prize? Blog about the Giveaway - tweet - Face Book - My Space - Post the cupcake badge and link and let us know about it at RITBSDoni@gmail.com Better yet buy a book or item from any of the participating stores or authors and get 10 extra chances to win. Email proof of purchase to the email listed.

So maybe you are wondering why I went cupcake crazy as well as why they are pink cupcakes. The reason, Pink Buttercream Frosting the Book by Lissa Matthews. Talking with her got my brain to moving - plus this naughty novel sounds divine! I can not wait to read it. In the book she is frosting a cake - but cup is my favorite form of cake so I am switching it up a little. Hope everyone enjoys.

All you authors out there I have something Special for you. A chance to win three months of ads on Romance in the Backseat and two lucky winners will recieve a banner ad designed by - Creations By Kendra (http://www.creationsbykendra.com/)

So, be sure to check out all the details! I am excited that I was inspiring. And be sure to check out Pink Buttercream Frosting, out now from Samhain Publishing!

Now, share! grins...

~lissa

I'm addicted to good television!

2009-10-19T23:50:00.003-04:00

And I think Castle is my favorite and I simply cannot get enough of Nathan Fillion. Most shows I watch after the fact either from the DVR or Hulu but without fail I will be at my television on Monday nights at 10 for this one.

His character is definitely my favorite but the scenes with his family are usually priceless. Week after week he gets me with that smile, or his charm and definitely with his ability to deliver amazing dialog. In fact I have decided I need to be a writer for the show. lol Is anyone out there listening? I want that job. K? Thanks.

Of course the fact that his character is a writer and he goes to great lengths to research his books has nothing to do with it. (yeah right!) When he starts to explain some of the ways people butcher words and their meanings I get chills. LOL Tonight it was the oft mistaken use of irony when people usually mean coincidence. Love it!

And just for fun I found an outtake reel on YouTube. I swear EVERYTHING is on youtube. There is even a book trailer for the characters tie in book.

And did I mention he's gorgeous? Did I really need to?

Shagadelic New Book

2009-10-16T11:21:00.004-04:00

I'm back from RomantiCon. If you saw this woman shaking her groove thang, it wasn't me. Okay, it was. But there were actually three of us at the party wearing that dress. We laughed and posed for pictures. I mean, it's a fabulous costume, baby. I don't have one of the three of us, though. If anyone does, send it my way. Btw, I was not drunk when I was dancing with Hot Body in that picture. Hard to believe, huh?

I've got a new book today! And it actually ties into RomantiCon. Not a great lead in, but I'm tapped this morning. Play It Again, Sam is the first book in a new multi-author series from EC. The series is about a group of friends who met at RomantiCon, bonded over their love of all things younger man, formed a blog celebrating sexy younger men, and then went out and found a younger man to make their fantasies come true.

Blurb:
Monica Allen has always been attracted to younger men. She even married one. But after the divorce, she thought she was through with them for good. Then she meets a group of ladies at RomantiCon, and they form a blog celebrating younger men, Tempt the Cougar. (It's a real blog! Go there!)

After another lonely Friday night, Monica challenges her friends to each find a younger man to make their fantasies come true. She doesn't have to marry him--been there, done that, threw away the t-shirt. But for a night of hot sex? Hell yes.

But Sam Lincoln refuses to be just a fantasy. He's a graduate student with a yen for older women and he may have just found the one to make his own fantasies come true. With a little help from his roommate Josh, Sam fulfills Monica's deepest desires. Can he convince this sexy cougar to give him a chance at happily ever after?

I WANT TO BUY THIS BOOK NOW! Then click here.

It's a very sexy series, and I had a blast writing this book. Since the premise was about fulfilling fantasies I sort of took it a step further and my hero had a few of his own fulfilled. If ya know what I mean. *wink, wink* Of course you know what I mean. Sheesh. My heroine, Monica, has a sense of adventure and humor that rival my own. She has as much fun with Sam as I had writing the two of them together. My favorite line? When Monica's best friend Stevie (Mari Freeman will be writing her book) tells Monica, "Coo, coo, ca-choo, Mrs. Robinson. While you're at it advise them all to go into plastics." I laughed myself silly over that one. Ah, well. At least I amuse myself.

So go. Read it. I'll help out two lucky winners by giving them an ebook copy if they can find a picture of me at RomantiCon and paste the link in the comments. First two get it, and they have to be different pictures. You have to get it from somewhere besides Kiss and Tell Girls, and it can't be the same pictures posted here from another source. Happy hunting.

Lean On Me

2009-10-15T15:21:00.000-04:00

In my upcoming release Pink Buttercream Frosting, my hero Aidn and my heroine Bailey each have a friend that appear in small roles.

Robert is Aidn's friend. They open the book with a conversation. They have known one another a very long time. They used to work together until Aidn went into business for himself. They have shared many things, women included. Robert knows what has hurt Aidn and he speaks with a frankness that lets the reader know how much this event has played a part in shaping Aidn. Robert says what he says and lets it go, for now.

They are best friends, Aidn and Robert. They trust one another and they are there for one another should the need arise. They are men though and are not emotional about it. They take jabs at one another verbally, but know that they other has their back.

Bailey's friend in this book is Jen. They, too, are best friends. Jen has been with Bailey through everything...her divorce, the start up of the bakery, and even her journey into BDSM. These two women know when something isn't right with other one. They are the friends that call one another at least once a day, more if there's illness, need, sadness, etc... They are there for one another and it comes out in this book. When Bailey is hurting, Jen is there for her, trying to get out of it, trying to get her through it, even though there is frosting to help with that! When it appears that Bailey is perhaps going to be hurt again, Jen stands up for her, stands in the way, tries to help.

There is history there. There is support, love, depth. They would do anything for one another, close as sisters, and yet probably closer than...

However, they aren't 'I Kissed A Girl' close...grins

Friendship takes on many different forms.

Friends with Benefits. Oh my. Oh yum. If you can emotionally handle it.

Friends that are more than with benefits. They share everything, including sex. Sometimes this comes becomes happily ever after.

There's the 'I Kissed A Girl' type of friendship between women.

There's the friend we don't see or talk to but once in a blue moon, that we don't share most things with, but we still call them friend. I have a few of these, mainly from high school that have found me on Facebook.

There's the very best friend. You can't find this in pictures. This is the one you talk to nearly everyday. This is the friend you tell everything to, good and bad, the one you call when you need a shoulder or a drink, the one that calls when you're sick, the one that you couldn't do without. This is the kind of friend we all dream of. Some of us have found her or him, some of us have not. But, we need this friend. There should be, needs to be someone we can turn to no matter what hell we're going through or what high we have to celebrate. There should be someone in our life like that that is irreplaceable. It may be a different person in the different stages throughout our lives, but, there should be someone, always.

As humans, we need that connection. Even men. They need that person they can count on. Women need it, too. We need someone who understands us as no one else does. It can be a spouse, many say they are married to their best friend. But, if you're not married to someone you can share or tell everything, anything to, then you need and should have a best friend. A night out with your girlfriend. A night in. Time together. The one you can spill your guts to, that will be there with you in the hospital or in the courtroom. This is the one person that you would trust with your children if there were no one else...

My teenage daughter had a friend online for a few years. They would talk constantly, everyday, text, IM. If you could be inseparable online, they were it. Recently, this online friend began getting mean...rude...and my daughter was walking the proverbial eggshells more often than not, feeling bad abut things she had no reason to feel bad about. After a particularly unkind text message, she'd had enough. She told this friend off and blocked her from all online contacts. My daughter came to me later that night and told me how much better she felt for having rid herself of the girl, that no best friend should be like and if they are, then they aren't a best friend at all. Everything was always about the other girl, she didn't ask how my daughter's day was, how school was, or anything. It was all just about her.

I have to give kudos to my daughter for being so adult about it, so mature that she could stand strong enough against someone she at one time cared for and would have done anything for and I will say, her attitude in life, is much better now that she's rid herself of a negative force. That's what it was, too...negative.

We've all had that kind of friend, too. The toxic friend, that simply took and never gave. The poisonous friend that was always negative, that never had anything nice or good to say about themselves or anyone else. The mooch, the leech, the hanger on, the one that only wants to be friends with someone to get higher up the ladder.

Do you have one of any of these type's of friends? Do you have that very best friend? I've read about Mari and Sam here calling one another and talking for hours. They know things going on in each other's lives and Hot Body and Mr. Kane are even part of their friendship. They share many things. And to see them together, you know they are very very close. It's an almost envious thing to witness.

I started this post off talking about Pink Buttercream Frosting and that's what I'll end it with, too. The book comes out Tuesday, October 20 from Samhain Publishing.

Blurb:

Aidn Greer is a much-sought-after Dominant in the BDSM lifestyle with an unusual problem. He hasn’t owned a submissive in more years than he cares to think about. He’s bored with unchallenging women, yet mentoring other Doms and training subs has left him cold as well. He’s craving something other than plain old vanilla—a taste of something sinfully sweet that, for once, he can really sink his teeth into.

Professional cake baker Bailey Harris wasted ten years bored to tears with her marriage, enduring a job she hated, and harboring a secret desire for something passionate, fulfilling and dark. Then she found it…in the world of BDSM. Exploring on her own brought the kind of mind-opening experiences that led her to declare her independence—and exposed a yearning to find the one Dom for whom she’s willing to kneel. Permanently.

When Aidn and Bailey meet, it’s fire and ice. Sugar and spice. And an experience that satisfies every detail of both their fantasies. Almost. While the big, beautiful sub is everything Aidn wanted, her fierce independent streak could be more of a challenge than he bargained for…

You can go here to read an excerpt.

You can go here to read a review.

Here's hoping that you are the kind of friend to another that you wish and hope they will be to you.

~lissa

Interview

2009-10-15T13:21:00.003-04:00

Hi all! I just wanted to post a quick note that I was interviewed at The Blackraven's Erotic Cafe today. Stop by and say hi! I'm giving away some books.

This Weekend Rocked!

2009-10-14T13:10:00.022-04:00

From the resounding kudos on the all loops, I dub RomantiCon the best of the best when it comes to reader’s conventions. The intimate setting and the relaxed atmosphere orchestrated by Ellora’s Cave combined to create a very special moment for readers, authors and industry people. We got to actually spend some time getting to know one another. The professionalism of the staff and the relaxed nature of the sessions made this a great time. I already eagerly look forward to next year.

Because I was having so much fun, I didn’t blog or tweet as much as I had indented as the weekend progressed, so you get the Monday morning quarterback version of the weekends events.
RomantiCon 2009
Hot Body and I rolled out of North Carolina at a painful 6:30 am Thursday morning. I needed proof to give to some friends that I could actually get up that early. I didn’t believe HB when he said Starbucks was open at that time. It made my eyes burn.

Nine hours later we rolled into the Quality Inn and the awesomeness began immediately. Jeania and Val checked us in and gave us registration bags filled with the best goodies. Books galore. (HB will be giving his up to a lucky blog member shortly.) They also gave each of us a really cool The Tarot of the Lotus Circle set.

The coolest part of that package wasn’t apparent at first, but the little convention book turned out to be the hit of the weekend. It had all the workshop handouts, schedules and locations for the weekend and places for notes.

The best part were the signature pages. It had a built in autograph book. Genius! It was the perfect icebreaker. Several ladies got the signature of every author, cover model and EC person in attendance. Authors were having readers sign the extra pages in the back. That groovy little book made running around and meeting people easy and exciting for even the shyest of the shy.

Thursday night we gathered and informally took pictures, chatted and caught up with friends we’d not seen in a while. The guys showed up- because what’s an EC party without a Caveman…or seven? We also got a chance to meet the newest young Hotties, Taylor and Angelo. Those two were an instant hit. Brain, Rodney and the rest of the guys were HOT, HOT, HOT as usual.

The workshops have received a ton of praise. I thought it out and I believe it’s because they weren’t set up as lectures with a short Q&A after. The EC crew intended our workshops to be interactive. Readers, publishers, editors and authors had discussions that were geared to the audience. Readers got a chance to sit in a room with publishers and authors and tell them exactly what they thought. And they were genuinely listened to! How’s that for cool?

The food was great. I believe the hotel staff stayed there 24/7 to make sure we had what we needed even when they had lost a few servers to illness. I know the bartender was there until 3am Thursday night and back to serve me coffee at 9am the next morning. I tipped her well.

Friday night rolls around and it was time for the Psychedelic Soiree. For those of you that weren’t there, Samantha and I sponsored the dance contest. Sam and I put up the cashola for the prizes, but Hot Body stole the show. He danced in as Austin Powers to the screams and laughter of the crowd. We expertly recreated a moment of the opening of the first Austin Powers, International Man of Mystery movie. I think. At least if felt like we nailed it. We were laughing so hard it probably looked more like three loons bouncing through the crowd. (If there’s video out there, I’ll pay handsomely)

Holly H. danced her cute little self into a hundred and fifty bucks worth of cash and EC gift certificates. Suzanne G. and Ruby Storm also got some spending money and a lovely lava lamp for their ability to shake their groove thangs. Congrats ladies. A special shout out to Chris Anson and Francesca Hawley for their ability to cut a rug. Sore feet were had by all.

Saturday was another day of great workshops and the meet the author sessions. We sat at big tables that welcomed readers to sit, get their books signed, and take a moment to really experience the authors. Not to mention the authors who were running around getting to know one another better and stealing each other’s chocolate.

The awards ceremony and sit-down dinner was up next. Again, we had great food, and the EC crew did a wonderful job of making this a very non-boring awards show. I mean the Cave men delivered the awards- shirtless and in a fedora. What more could you want?

Lots of fun awards were handed out including The Most Interesting Use of a Chocolate Chip Cookie. This was RomantiCon after all. Samantha won a Superstar award for Hot Heroes Who Love Heroes. Big surprise there.

After the awards we had a chance to ham it up with the models and get those much-needed photos of ourselves dressed up and looking pretty.

Sunday offered up more workshops and the book fair. I got to sit between M.A. Ellis and Aubrey Ross. What fun ladies they were. Because of the relaxed nature of the con, I felt like I recognized everyone that came by. (Even if one lovely reader believed that Samantha, HB and I were a…um… threesome. LOL Sorry Mr. Kane, you’ve been left out)

The weekend wound down with a wild session of bingo and pizza. It was another opportunity to chat, laugh and win more prizes. EC gave away so much stuff this weekend. The prize that got the most cheers at Bingo was the conference fee for next year.

Yep. There will be a next year. Jeania announced it yesterday. More good news-- Samantha and I will be sponsoring a dance contest again. Can’t wait to see what the theme is, so I can devise another outrageous costume for HB.

I can’t even begin to list all the great people I met this weekend. I would certainly leave someone out. I will say that I love my editor-- I love my publisher-- I love the wonderful, fun ladies that I share a genre with. But, most of all, I love the readers who use hard earned money and vacation time to come and see us. You have no idea what it means to us as authors. Bless ya. Kiss Kiss.

I’m tickled it was so easy to meet people here because it fits perfectly with The Cougar Challenge. It’s a new EC series based on a group of women that meet at RomantiCon, become immediate friends, and start a blog to share their love of younger men.

Seven of the wildest women of erotic romance pull out all the stops in a series about women who dare to take the challenge and experience the delights of sex with a younger man. Women who cast off the cloaks of conventionality and indulge their inner wild woman.

The authors: Samantha Kane, Mari Carr, Lynne Connolly, Desiree Holt, Dalton Diaz, Ciana Stone and Mari Freeman

Pop over and check out first posts on the Tempt the Cougar blog and get ready for the first book in the series, Play it Again Sam, by Samantha Kane.

Now for more prizes. I’ll have HB draw randomly from any comments on this blog and on the Tempt the Cougar blog. That’s two chances to win! The winner will get the Psychedelic registration bag filled with books and goodies from EC, Cerridwen Press and the Lotus Circle. I’m throwing in a print copy of Birthright (my book) to make it six books total.

Groovy Baby! I'll post a slide show with more pics on my web site later this week. I’m looking forward to next year.
~Mari

Adele and some fans!

Getting Ready for a Caveman dance>>>

One saggy boob said to the other saggy boob:  'If we don't get some support soon, people will think we're nuts.'

RomantiCon Trailer Trash

2009-10-13T15:05:00.003-04:00

We’re back from RomantiCon and boy am I beat. What a great conference. It was small, well put together and tons of fun. I’ll blog more about the convention tomorrow. This is, after all, Trailer Trash Tuesday. I’m using the conference to inspire my choices of videos for today. While in Ohio, I met many authors with great trailers, and many industry people with experience making them. It was hard to pick just two. I narrowed it down to an old friend and a new one.

The first trailer was made by Creations by Kendra. I actually met the adorable Ms. Kendra at a Romantic Times convention about three years ago. RomantiCon is the fist time since then that we’ve gotten to hang out. We had a ball reacquainting ourselves. Kendra is responsible for Samantha’s slick Tomorrow trailer, which I love. It’s not surprising that I love this one as well. Mortal Temptations by Allyson James

The jagged frame makes me feel a little voyeuristic. The music is smoking sexy. Kendra also makes banners, cover art and awesome websites. Check it out.

I was lucky enough to sit next to the fabulous M.A. Ellis for the book signing on Sunday. She was a hoot and so gracious with her fans. I had to keep from drooling over her Hard as Nails books. The cover was so hot. I was happy to find she also had a trailer for this book. I did buy it, so this is an “after the fact” trailer viewing, but I think it would have passed my test anyway.
Hard as Nails by M.A. Ellis

Don’t you love all the black and white? That music is so sultry. Cover model/Caveman Christian is the hottie on that cover. His abs against that white background are to die for. If any of those books got soggy before they sold out, I’m so sorry. They were right next to me.
I just started going through pictures. I can tell you tomorrows’ RomantiCon wrap-up is going to be fun.

Until then…
Kiss Kiss
~Mari

Cover Art and Signing Schedule

2009-10-12T23:55:00.002-04:00

Oh looky it's my turn to squee over cover art. I actually got this before i'd even turned in the story so I didn't feel right showing it off quite yet. But the story is turned in edits are essentially done and the release date is set for November 16th.

This is book 3 in the Purgatory series and is a bit different from the others in that it's written entirely from the hero's POV.

The fabulous art work was done by Kendra Egert, who I am grateful to have for this series. I hope to have the official blurb and excerpt up on my website soon.

As for signings for the remainder of 2009. As of now there are 2 since I just added one on this week. :)

This weekend, on October 18th I will be signing with a group of authors at the NC Fetish Art Festival in Durham, NC.

This event will be somewhat different from the last venue I attended in that its about the art of kink. there will be photographs, sculptures, paintings, live art as well as performance artists. Performances include Burlesque Dance, Magic, Single tail whip dancing and more. For more details you can check out their website at http://www.ncfetishart.com

And finally in 2009 but certainly not least is the Authors After Dark conference in Suffern, NY on October 23-25. There are so many planned events in that weekend including a masquerade party that I still need to figure out what to wear to.

For all the details on that event including the incredible line up of authors, the website is http://www.authorsafterdark.net

LB Gregg: Love Hurts

2009-10-09T11:57:00.006-04:00

NOTE: This is an interactive post...you don't have to watch the vids in their entirety, but do click to get the gist.

Hello! Thanks Kiss and Tell Girls for having me today!

Today, I'm talking about PAIN.

We all love to get to the pinnacle squishy moment in a book. The moment that builds slowly, the ones we work for, the ones that sometimes take 100 pages of angst and fist shaking to find. Tender, heart swelling, climactic gems that are the pay off for every bit of crap authors fling at us as we root for our hero/heroine to come together (sometimes literally).

I'm going to tell you a secret.

I'm a sucker for the excruciating moment. Humiliating, painful scenes that makes you die a little inside. The moment that also makes the good things later all the more satisfying.

My friend Tumperkin calls them screaming into the pillow and kicking her heels moments and she loves them, too. In Cover Me--yes promo moment--My POV hero, Michael, humiliates himself utterly--right at the get go. I'm not afraid to dig into that. I think it's real--and we all have excruciating moments in our lives to draw material from.

Which is what this post is about. The MATERIAL I draw from. (awkward segue but I'm tired).

Most notably for me, are my hideously embarrassing crushes from the 1970's. Yes. I'm that young.

::dream sequence music::

1975

When I was in the fifth grade, my best friend Beth and I used to meet on the playground to act out scenes from Starsky and Hutch. I was always Hutch. I liked him until this trainwreck. So one day I'm watching Saturday afternoon TV and I came across Fiddler on the Roof and this embarrassing interest in Paul Michael Glaser began.

He's a good guy.

1976

The year Donny & Marie launched their variety show, with the ice skating production opener and the wild costumes and that I'm a little bit country/I'm a little bit rock-n-roll skit bit. I was riveted. It was uncool. A kitch disaster. It was humiliating to admit that I tuned in each week, but even the young lisabea knew a fabulous thing when she saw it.

Today I carry the secret torch for Donny because he still possesses the quality I find most attractive in men: he can laugh at himself. Watch the vid! Don't skip it!

1977

The year I chose to go see Race For Your Life Charlie Brown over Star Wars. My family was disgusted. While my sister lusted for Mark Hamill (later I would lust for Han Solo, and rightly so...) I went in kicking and pouting to see Star Wars. Naturally, at eleven, I fell for one of the droids.

Growing and maturing is the worst. You say My how you've matured to an 12 year old and you've effectively ended that relationship. TRUST ME. So. I matured. At 12 I found one of the least cool men in America to plaster posters on my wall of. Yes friends, it's four eyes himself--and it kills me to post this--but that's the point. You have to tap into that to write it...so....uh

::dies:: But it's the Muppets! I was 12.

1978--Jr. High

In for a penny, in for a pound. Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words.

Moving onward. I saw this movie seven times in the theatre. 7th/8th grade. I was hooked, but I want you to guess which one of these losers I fell for.

Isn't this fun? But you can see that even though we often fall for the 'right man' like--Robert Redford or Sean Connery or Sting--it's the wrong man we can mine for pain.

Anyway--who's your nightmare crush from Jr. High? C'mon. I showed you mine--show me yours.

Not Going to RomantiCon, but...

2009-10-08T10:34:00.002-04:00

And I'm damn upset that I couldn't afford to go, however, I do have the next best thing...my first Ellora's Cave book release tomorrow! SQUEE!!!!!

I know I know. I've been SQUEEing all week. I can't help it though and I WILL NOT APOLOGIZE for it! *grins* But, y'all wouldn't make me either, would ya?

For those that have not seen it yet, which, why not? Here it is again... I am in LOVE with this cover! The look on his face is MMMMM MMMMM GOOD and HOT! I was hooked the moment I saw it. It was better than I could have hoped for, than I dreamed it would be. Syneca is the cover artist and she just took my breath away with this cover.

Blurb:

When ex-government assassin Delan is kidnapped by Riko, a sex demon, he’s taken care of and sexually serviced in any manner he desires by Riko’s personal sex slaves. And while not one to bemoan his good fortune, Delan is a man of action and in need of a mission. He’s about to be given one by the name of Angel.

Riko’s half-sister Angel is just that, an angel. Not just any kind of angel though, she’s a hybrid being—sex demon and sex angel. And she’s in need of being tamed. Barred by Riko from having sex with her fellow sex demons, she’s forced to suffer the inadequate fumbling of humans, both male and female.

When Delan and Angel meet, sparks fly. She’s defiant and he’s determined, but the lust and hunger hit them both between the eyes and below the belt. Sex is hard and hot, a little kinky and a whole lot naughty. But Delan needs to find something more than sex to rein her in, or she’ll destroy it all.

As I said, the book comes out tomorrow. It is my first attempt at a paranormal. I came into this industry not wanting to write paranormal books and I'm still trying to find my way around it. I am extremely thrilled that my editor Sue took a chance on me, but I'm now also extremely nervous because I have to write more for not only EC (which isn't a bad thing), I also though have to write at least one more paranormal demon. EEK!

It has been a interesting ride the last few months and I have learned a tremendous amount about myself, my writing, and what it's like to have an editor that completely and totally believes in your writing. My EC editor is not the only one that I am speaking of in that respect. My Loose Id editor has been very supportive as has my Samhain editor. I am feeling blessed with these women. The feedback is essential I feel and they give it great detail. There is a chemistry I believe needs to be there between an author and an editor. Each must understand that the other wants the best book possible. There must be communication, clear communication. There must also be respect and at least some connection in personality. The editor must believe in the book and the author must believe that the editor has their best interest at heart. The editor knows what will sell at their particular publisher and as authors we must trust that, afterall, we send them our work.

I appreciate y'all letting me squee and promo this book. And for those that haven't visited yet, go stop by Eliza's DAMM blog. She's putting together one hell of a party!

~lissa

Party Time in Ohio!

2009-10-07T10:50:00.003-04:00

RomantiCon starts tomorrow! Yay! Samantha and I are all packed up and ready to go. oh yeah, Hot Body is coming too. I know some of you are more excited to see him than us. Then again, I promised you’d see him in shiny red pants and gold platform shoes.
I still have to pack and get the truck loaded up today so I’ll keep this short.

ROMANTICON Oct. 9-11

Friday is workshop day for Sam and a play day for me. She’s on the panels of two this year.

2:00 A Victorian Marriage: The Editor/Author Relationship and
4:30 Workshop Presenter Researching and Writing in Special Genres: M/M
7:30-11:00 is the Psychedelic Soiree with a dance contest sponsored by Me and Sam (loads of cash and prizes here kiddies!)

Saturday we’ll be hanging out, chatting and ready to sign whatever ya got at the Meet the Author sessions.

9:30-10:30 and 1:30–2:30 is Mari
10:30-11:30 and 2:30-3:30 you’ll find Sam

Saturday night is the Appreciation Dinner. We’ll be all dolled up and looking to Rock Richfield.

Sunday from 12:00-3:00 we’ll be at the Book Fair signing and selling books. This is open and free to the public. So even if you can’t stay the entire weekend, you can pop in and meet us here.
Sunday closes the conference with the Farewell Bingo Party at 5:00.

The weekend sounds terrific. Hope to get to meet some of you there! We’ll be posting and tweeting throughout the weekend. Look to see some fun pics. #RomantiCon

Oh yeah... Cavemen....

Kiss Kiss
~Mari

Trailer Trash Zombie and Monster Mayhem

2009-10-06T23:06:00.000-04:00

With the current D.A.M.M. blog party running on my personal blog this month, i'm afraid I may be stuck on one track for all of October. Although if you're going to get stuck on paranormal and horror creatures I guess this would be the month to do it.

I also went and saw Zombieland over the weekend and agree with a tag line I saw on Twitter. "It's the feel good zombie movie of the year." *g*

So in that vein I remembered two books I saw come out this year and out of sheer curiosity went to see if they had book videos.

Score!

First up Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.

And for the latest:

Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters

What can I say? It's been a long long work day, i'm tired and this amused me.

I don't usually go for the book trailers that have live action in them and these do not have the feel of a book video.

Will I buy the books? Probably not. But if they ever make movies out of them i'd probably go see that. LOL

I'm curious to see what you think.

Eliza

My New Books: Coming Soon

2009-10-02T08:00:00.007-04:00

Hi everyone! Happy Friday! It's happy for me because I've had the flu for the last two days, and I'm finally feeling human. No, it wasn't H1N1 (or heinie, as I like to call it). Just the regular old flu. Sorry. I'm so boring. But let me give a shout out to Robitussin Cold and Congestion. That stuff rocks me like Amadeus, people.

I've got two books coming this fall. Yay!!! I know, you all thought I was never going to get my rear in gear and get something out there. Well, here you go.

The first one is Play It Again, Sam, which is Book One of Cougar Challenge, a new multi-author series from Ellora's Cave. This book was sooooooo fun to write. The premise of the series is that a group of women meet at RomantiCon, EC's reader/writer convention which Mari and I will be attending next week. The women of Cougar Challenge all like younger men. So they start a blog about it called Tempt the Cougar. Yep, it's a real blog. We don't have much up there yet. That will start next week. In the first book, my book, my character Monica issues a challenge to her friends, go out and find a younger man to fulfill your fantasies. And since she issued the challenge, she feels compelled to try first. And what a man he is. Whew! My editor actually gushed over Sam, and trust me, my editor is not a gusher.

Blurb (Release date: October 16)

Monica Allen has always been attracted to younger men. She even married one. But after the divorce, she thought she was through with them for good. Then she met a group of ladies at RomantiCon, and they formed a blog celebrating younger men, Tempt the Cougar.

After another lonely Friday night, Monica challenges her friends to each find a younger man to make their fantasies come true. She doesn't have to marry him-been there, done that, threw away the t-shirt. But for a night of hot sex? Hell yes.

But Sam Lincoln refuses to be just a fantasy. He's a graduate student with a yen for older women and he may have just found the one to make his own fantasies come true. With a little help from his roommate Josh, Sam fulfills Monica's deepest desires. Can he convince this sexy cougar to give him a chance at happily ever after?

The other authors in the series (in the order the books will be released) are Lynne Connolly, Dalton Diaz, Desiree Holt, Mari Carr, our own Mari Freeman, and Ciana Stone. Mari and I will be posting blurbs as the the books are released. We're also planning some free reads as part of the series, so be sure to check those out as well.

The second new release is the newest Brothers In Arms. HOORAY! I don't have an exact release date yet, but I think we're looking at November.

As I have told a kajillion people who have emailed me (don't stop, I love the emails) Love In Exile features new characters, although many of the characters from previous books appear as secondary characters.

Blurb:
Gregory Anderson has reluctantly returned to England after more than seven years sailing the world and cataloging new discoveries. Half-Polynesian Gregory is caught between two worlds. He isn't looking for love. He's only looking for a warm body with a modicum of wit and reasonable intelligence to help him get through the few short months he'll be in England.

Nat and Alecia Digby married when they were young and foolish. An arranged marriage to please their parents led them to take lovers, and their marriage was almost ruined before it began. They don't want to give up the erotic games they learned to play and to enjoy, but they won't risk their marriage again by falling in love with someone else.

When the three are introduced by a mutual friend they think it will be nothing more than a night or two of shared pleasure and erotic thrills. But the unthinkable happens, because love refuses to be forced into exile.

As soon as I have a release date for Love In Exile I'll let you know.

I want to thank Syneca at EC for both of these gorgeous covers. I am in book cover nirvana. Add these two to my list from last week. (I have to admit that the Love In Exile cover is my favorite cover of all my books so far. So expect to see it. A lot. You've been warned.)

I also want to congratulate my buddy LB Gregg, who's newest Men of Smithfield, Cover Me, is out today. Yay LB!