Valerie's Blog

We're Havin' a Heat Wave

2009-10-01T01:00:00.001-05:00

And now, a special announcement from our weather consultant, the under-qualified, yet pretty, Babsie!

Babsie: Good evening, Romancelandia. I hope you have your parasols ready, because it's going to be a hot one.

We have the perfect story of high pressure sexy romance and down low gossip and tips forming over the Pacific. How'd this happen? The ladies of International Heat have created a unique Yahoo group for erotic romance fans. Members will be eligible for "members only" contests, never-before-seen deleted scenes, cover art madness, and lots of sneak peeks of the Coming Soon lists of Viv Arend, Rhian Cahill, Mari Carr, Lexxie Couper, Jess Dee, Lila Dubois, Jambrea Jo Jones, Sherry Ricardo, Jayne Rylon, T, and Valerie Tibbs. This is category five erotic romance hotness.

Heat wave isn't a chat group (isn't it?) and we don't swap recipes, but we do give you exclusive access to some of the best erotic romance professionals in the biz.

1 editor, 1 cover artist, 1 reviewer, 8 erotic romance authors: 1 yahoo group

Join during the month of October to be eligible to win ebooks, print books, gift certificates and banners. Simply click here to ride the Heat Wave!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Over the month of October the members of International Heat have lined up some great contests for you.

There is a major contest for every week, plus we'll also be doing some random drop-in contests, so keep your eye open for those throughout the month as well.

The fine print: Each week there will be a new MAJOR prize package available to win. Ebooks, banners, gift certificates, book covers. Each prize package will show you what is in that prize. What you see is what you get, so if you already own some of the books in the prize, you'll just have to enjoy the ones you don't have yet.

Of course if the prize is a choice of backlist, you'll get to choose!Winners will be drawn on Saturday at 12pm eastern for the previous week. MINI contests will be announced throughout the week, and you'll usually have a day to enter to win. Again, prizes as stated in the announcements.

There's also a GRAND PRIZE--and WOW, it's pretty awesome!--that will be drawn on November 1st during our three hour Heat Wave Beach Party. Each contest will explain what you have to do to enter.

Hope you enjoy getting to know the members of International Heat during this month and have fun.

Gone with the Monster - new release by Lila Dubois

2009-09-23T18:35:00.003-05:00

My fellow International Heat buddy has a new release out. This is book 3 in her Monsters in Hollywood series. They are great books, and I got my copy today! *off to read*

“Gone with the Monster” by Lila Dubois

Buy from MBaM!
Read An Excerpt Online
Genre: Fantasy Romance, Red Hots!
Price: 4.50
Publication Date: September 22, 2009

Kidnapping and bondage are no way to win a girl. Well, actually…

Monsters in Hollywood, Book 3

Runako has good reason to distrust humans. His sister’s murder taught him it’s safer to keep his Monster form under wraps. Now comes word that a woman is making a movie that will supposedly “help” his people. He’s not sure about that, but one thing is sure…Margo is too beautiful to be ignored.

Presented with the opportunity to use his people’s Captive Caves—a secluded mountain fortress designed to hold hapless, tasty humans prisoner—Runako knows exactly whom he wants to star in his ultimate fantasy.

Margo knows exactly what she wants and how to get it. At least where her career is concerned. Runako is just the kind of bad boy with whom she’d like to heat up her nights. In a land of skinny blondes, though, a hottie like him would never notice her lush, Latin curves.

No one is more surprised when she finds out his version of “wooing” includes kidnapping. Forced to stand before him in chains, her paper-thin confidence is burning up fast in the heat of his desire. And when it turns out she can identify his sister’s murderers, they both must decide where their loyalties lie…

Warning: This title contains light bondage, spanking, anal play, sex with a Monster and misuse of home décor.

Read An Excerpt Online
Buy from MBaM!

You can buy all of Lila's Samhain books here:

http://new.mybookstoreandmore.com/shop/author.da/107

Wise Words From an Editor

2009-09-19T19:46:00.002-05:00

Sherry Ricardo posted the following blog topic at International Heat. I thought I'd bring this over here - it's a good topic. I'm not an author nor am I an editor, but it's nice to see the other part of publishing.

It's all about the author:

If you’re like me…
When you’ve finished a really good story, you whiz through the streets of cyberspace, searching frantically for the author’s website or blog, and that—sometimes elusive—“Contact” link so you can share your joy with said author about their fabulous story.

When you’ve finished a story that sucked, you stare at your ereading device in stupefaction, cursing at the waste of your time. If it’s an old fave who’s going downhill, you make a mental note to give them one or two more chances before you cross them off your buy list. If it’s a new-to-you author, you make a mental note to avoid said author’s work at all costs. If parts of the story were shockingly incongruous, you might ask, “How on earth did this get past an editor?” If you see a trend in that all the stories that sucked have been from a particular publisher, you make a mental note to be careful about buying stories published by that house.

The Crux
Edits can be tough. When you receive edits, don’t burn the effigy you’ve created of your evil editor because of the sea of red they desecrated your baby with. Take a step back. Then another one. And another. That’s it, you’re out of the room. Go do something else.

When you return to the computer, follow these steps:
1) Open the document and go immediately to the drop down box with viewing options.
2) Select “Final” (i.e. you don’t what to see the markup).
3) Read the story from beginning to end as if you had purchased it NOT written it. If something jumps out at you as wrong, make a note using the “Comment” option. By this stage, two things would have happened. Either, the story sounds better than it did when you submitted it and you release a sigh of relief. Or, you had to insert tons of comments—you can burn the effigy now.
After the smoke clears, return to the document and:
4) Accept the edits you agree with.
5) Revise the sections where your editor’s changes clash with your vision.
6) Send new version to your editor.

Re: step 5—The story will be crystal clear in your head because it’s your story. Unfortunately, sometimes that vision just doesn’t make it all the way to the paper…uh…screen. I know it’s nearly impossible to be objective about your manuscript but if your editor doesn’t get a scene, some readers won’t either. So, tweak those sections.

Bottom line
For the editor-author relationship to run like a well-oiled machine, you can’t hold on for dear life to every word in your beloved manuscript. You have to be willing to make as many changes as needed so your story shines. Yes, aside from grammar and punctuation, etc. editing can be subjective. But, there are readers out there just like your editor.

Reading is a serious business and the experienced reader has no patience for crap. Sometimes you’ll see reviewers make the concession that a story was okay but it had “editing issues.” The fact of the matter is, readers rarely focus on the editor. It’s all about the author.

Thanks Sherry! Great post. :)

Spotlight #11

2009-08-30T11:27:00.006-05:00

Wait... 11? I thought we were only doing 10 spotlights... Oh that's the big surprise - we have a new member at International Heat!

Lexxie Couper has joined us at International Heat! Wooo hooo!!!

For those of you who have never read Lexxie's books, you are in for a treat. She writes a little bit of everything. My first Lexxie book was Savage Retribution. It's a great action/adventure shifter book. It has all the elements you want in a book - adventure, action, creepy bad guys, and romance. She has tons more books and you can check her out on her web site http://www.lexxiecouper.com/, but this is my favorite one of hers:

To welcome her in style we’re doing one final surf of the Sizzling Summer Heat wave and touring the blogs to find out what the International Heat members have to say about the latest Aussie import. (No I’m not talking about TimTams!)

MARI CARR
VALERIE TIBBS
JAMBREA JO JONES
T
VIVIAN AREND
RHIAN CAHILL
JESS DEE
LILA DUBOIS
LEXXIE COUPER

Welcome Lexxie!

Sizzlin' Summer Heat - Spotlight #10

2009-08-23T11:10:00.004-05:00

The gals at International Heat are hosting a ‘Sizzling Summer Heat‘ contest–ten weeks, ten great prizes. Each Sunday the spotlight will be on a different IH lady. If you comment on the spotlight, your name will be thrown in the hat to win a prize from that spotlighted author, reviewer, cover artist or editor. Winners will be announced on Saturdays and the next day, the spotlight will shine on someone else as a new contest begins. The more blogs/websites you visit and comment on, the better your chances of winning.

Participants include: Mari Carr, Jess Dee, Jayne Rylon, Lila Dubois, Jambrea Jo Jones, T, Valerie Tibbs, Sherry Ricardo, Rhian Cahill and Vivian Arend

Spotlight #1 – Jayne Rylon! Contest will end on June 26 – Winner is Nancy Gilliland.

Spotlight #2 – Lila Dubois! Contest will end on July 3 – Winner is Rain.

Spotlight #3 – Rhian Cahill! Contest will end on July 10 – Winner is Karen H in NC.

Spotlight #4 – Valerie Tibbs! Contest will end on July 17 – Winner is Mia.

Spotlight #5 – Sherry Ricardo! Contest will end on July 24 – Winner is Bella.

Spotlight #6 – Viv Arend! Contest will end on July 31.Spotlight #7 – Jambrea Jo Jones! Contest will end on August 7 - winner is Lynda!Spotlight #8 – Jess Dee! Contest will end on August 14 - Winner is TEZ!

Spotlight #9 – T at ebookaddict! Contest will end on August 21.

Spotlight #10 – Mari Carr! Contest will end on August 28

http://rhiancahill.wordpress.com/

http://jambrea.wordpress.com/

http://jessdee.wordpress.com/

http://ebookaddict2.blogspot.com/

http://liladubois.wordpress.com/

http://www.jaynerylon.com/

http://vivarend.blogspot.com/

http://vtibbs.blogspot.com/

http://internationalheat.wordpress.com/

This week's spotlight is on Mari Carr!

What can I say about Mari Carr? I discovered her at the Samhain Cafe. She was so funny and personable. I was having fun chatting and just enjoying getting to know her. I joined her Yahoo group and she was kind enough to let me showcase my graphic design projects. I also was excited to be a part of International Heat knowing she was going to be there. We all FINALLY got to meet in person at Lori's and it was like we were all long lost sisters.

If you haven't read Mari Carr's books, you are sorely lacking in fabulousness. Her first published book was Erotic Research. This book is wonderful and it was my first Mari Carr book too.

It was just a little innocent research…

Romance writer Julia Martin is fine with her life, just the way it is. Her simple apartment, successful career and Thursday-night pizza dates with her too-hot-for-words editor Ross are more than enough for her. At least, that’s what she thinks until her cat dies.
Ross Philips has spent years lusting after his shy best friend, but fears his rather strong sexual desires will be too much for Julia. When she falls into a depression over the death of her cat and stops writing, Ross decides she needs a change.
His suggestion? Try a new genre—erotica. And, of course, being such a good friend and editor, he even plans to help her do a little research.

Buy it from Samhain Publishing Now!

Since this book, she's published a ton of books! Check her out at www.maricarr.com.

And remember, there will be a surprise for spotlight #11! Don't forget to post at each of the blogs for your chance to win!

Happy blogging!

Sizzlin' Summer Heat - Spotlight #9

2009-08-16T12:31:00.003-05:00

The gals at International Heat are hosting a ‘Sizzling Summer Heat‘ contest–ten weeks, ten great prizes. Each Sunday the spotlight will be on a different IH lady. If you comment on the spotlight, your name will be thrown in the hat to win a prize from that spotlighted author, reviewer, cover artist or editor. Winners will be announced on Saturdays and the next day, the spotlight will shine on someone else as a new contest begins. The more blogs/websites you visit and comment on, the better your chances of winning.

Participants include: Mari Carr, Jess Dee, Jayne Rylon, Lila Dubois, Jambrea Jo Jones, T, Valerie Tibbs, Sherry Ricardo, Rhian Cahill and Vivian Arend
Spotlight #1 – Jayne Rylon! Contest will end on June 26 – Winner is Nancy Gilliland.
Spotlight #2 – Lila Dubois! Contest will end on July 3 – Winner is Rain.
Spotlight #3 – Rhian Cahill! Contest will end on July 10 – Winner is Karen H in NC.
Spotlight #4 – Valerie Tibbs! Contest will end on July 17 – Winner is Mia.
Spotlight #5 – Sherry Ricardo! Contest will end on July 24 – Winner is Bella.
Spotlight #6 – Viv Arend! Contest will end on July 31.
Spotlight #7 – Jambrea Jo Jones! Contest will end on August 7 - winner is Lynda!
Spotlight #8 – Jess Dee! Contest will end on August 14 - Winner is TEZ!
Spotlight #9 – T at ebookaddict! Contest will end on August 21.
Spotlight #10 – Mari Carr! Contest will end on August 28.
http://rhiancahill.wordpress.com/
http://jambrea.wordpress.com/
http://jessdee.wordpress.com/
http://ebookaddict2.blogspot.com/
http://liladubois.wordpress.com/
http://www.jaynerylon.com/
http://vivarend.blogspot.com/
http://vtibbs.blogspot.com/
http://internationalheat.wordpress.com/

This week's spotlight is on T at ebookadict.

This week’s winner will receive a $10 gift card to All Romance ebooks. For more chances to win check out the sites above.

T is the International Heat's resident reviewer. She's got a major love of books and doesn't hesitate to tell you what she really feels. If ever you're in doubt whether or not you'd like a book, then check out her site. She won't lead you astray. She's always there with a kind word or a push to help promo an author (or a struggling graphic artist). :D

Happy blogging!

Spotlight #8 – Jess Dee!

2009-08-09T08:50:00.010-05:00

Participants include: Mari Carr, Jess Dee, Jayne Rylon, Lila Dubois, Jambrea Jo Jones, T, Valerie Tibbs, Sherry Ricardo, Rhian Cahill and Vivian Arend

Spotlight #1 – Jayne Rylon! Contest will end on June 26 – Winner is Nancy Gilliland.

Spotlight #2 – Lila Dubois! Contest will end on July 3 – Winner is Rain.

Spotlight #3 – Rhian Cahill! Contest will end on July 10 – Winner is Karen H in NC.

Spotlight #4 – Valerie Tibbs! Contest will end on July 17 – Winner is Mia.

Spotlight #5 – Sherry Ricardo! Contest will end on July 24 – Winner is Bella.

Spotlight #6 – Viv Arend! Contest will end on July 31.

Spotlight #7 – Jambrea Jo Jones! Contest will end on August 7 - winner is Lynda!

Spotlight #8 – Jess Dee! Contest will end on August 14.

Spotlight #9 – T at ebookaddict! Contest will end on August 21.

Spotlight #10 – Mari Carr! Contest will end on August 28.
http://rhiancahill.wordpress.com/
http://jambrea.wordpress.com/
http://jessdee.wordpress.com/
http://ebookaddict2.blogspot.com/
http://liladubois.wordpress.com/
http://www.jaynerylon.com/
http://vivarend.blogspot.com/
http://vtibbs.blogspot.com/ http://internationalheat.wordpress.com/

This week's spotlight is on Jess Dee.

I first 'met' Jess online at the Samhain Cafe, and I was at the beginning of my graphic design professional leap. I sent Jess a cute little banner, just because I felt like it. She's been a driving force for me into getting my business off the ground and helping me find publishers to apply for cover artist positions. She found Aspen Mountain was hiring and the rest is history.

She also requested me specifically to design the cover for her anthology - and if I do say so myself - it turned out better than I thought it would:

Jess is a great friend in addition to being a wonderful author:

If you haven't read Jess Dee, go now! Get her books! You can buy them at MBaM or Books on Board.

Love you Jess!

Week 7 Spotlight is Jambrea Jo Jones

2009-08-02T09:09:00.009-05:00

Participants include:
Mari Carr, Jess Dee, Jayne Rylon, Lila Dubois, Jambrea Jo Jones, T, Valerie Tibbs, Sherry Ricardo, Rhian Cahill and Vivian Arend

Spotlight #1 – Jayne Rylon! Contest will end on June 26 – Winner is Nancy Gilliland.
Spotlight #2 – Lila Dubois! Contest will end on July 3 – Winner is Rain.
Spotlight #3 – Rhian Cahill! Contest will end on July 10 – Winner is Karen H in NC.
Spotlight #4 – Valerie Tibbs! Contest will end on July 17 – Winner is Mia.
Spotlight #5 – Sherry Ricardo! Contest will end on July 24 – Winner is Bella.
Spotlight #6 – Viv Arend! Contest will end on July 31.
Spotlight #7 – Jambrea Jo Jones! Contest will end on August 7.
Spotlight #8 – Jess Dee! Contest will end on August 14.
Spotlight #9 – T at ebookaddict! Contest will end on August 21.
Spotlight #10 – Mari Carr! Contest will end on August 28.

http://rhiancahill.wordpress.com/

http://jambrea.wordpress.com/

http://jessdee.wordpress.com/

http://ebookaddict2.blogspot.com/

http://liladubois.wordpress.com/

http://www.jaynerylon.com/

http://vivarend.blogspot.com/

http://vtibbs.blogspot.com/
http://internationalheat.wordpress.com/

This week's spotlight is Jambrea Jo Jones...

I got a chance to 'meet' Jambrea online - we shared a ton of Yahoo groups. I don't even know how we started chatting, but I think it all hinged on us meeting up at Lori Foster's - last year. I had a chance to meet her and hang out, and we've been friends ever since. We got with the other ladies at IH and haven't looked back since!

I was also fortunate enough to get to design her first solo cover for Freya's Bower.

And it was my first m/m cover too. I was still a newbie in the cover art business and she was so nice to work with. She makes it easy for any one to be with her. She is just a sweetheart.

She has another book with Freya's Bower - the One Touch One Glance Anthology - that was her first official published book.

And she has a new one contracted at eXtasy books - Unseen Path, which will be out in October.

And she's got her Semper Fi: Magnus book contracted at Liquid Silver. No cover or date yet, but it's really good! Magnus is yummy!

She's an author on the rise... So keep any eye out for Jambrea Jo Jones. She'll be on bookstore shelves sooner than you think!

Remember to post here for a chance to win.

Happy blog surfing!

Valerie

Week 6 spotlight - Viv Arend

2009-07-26T10:27:00.012-05:00

http://rhiancahill.wordpress.com/
http://jambrea.wordpress.com/
http://jessdee.wordpress.com/
http://ebookaddict2.blogspot.com/
http://liladubois.wordpress.com/
http://www.jaynerylon.com/
http://vivarend.blogspot.com/
http://vtibbs.blogspot.com/
http://internationalheat.wordpress.com/

The winner of week 5 is currently hanging out with International Heat’s Weekend Warrior.
Congrats Bella!

This week's spotlight is Vivian Arend.

That's Viv on the left, then Mari Carr, then THE LORA LEIGH, and me.

I was fortunate enough to 'meet' Viv online last Decembrer on Mari's Yahoo group. She's been a great friend online and offline. I was very lucky to get to pick her up in Indianapolis right before the Lori Foster event in June. We spent some quality time traveling and hanging out at the hotel. I loved every minute of it. I consider her one of my dearest friends. Love you, Viv (in a sisterly way)!

Some of the other authors in our group might comment on how fast she writes, but as a reader, I think it's fantastic! More books for ME! :D

Viv's first published book was Wolf Signs. I really loved this book. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed it - oh, well yes I can. Click here for my comments about it.

Viv's latest book is Tidal Wave. Oh boy! Water shifters, menage, St. Elmo's Fire! What's not to love?

“Tidal Wave” by Vivian Arend

Buy from MBaM!Read An Excerpt Online
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Red Hots!
ISBN: 978-1-60504-629-7
Length: Category Price: 4.50
Publication Date: July 21, 2009
Cover art by Angie Waters
Slippery when wet…

Forces of Nature, Book 1

From her first kiss to her first sight of dolphins dancing on the waves, Alexia Colten has always held a special place in her heart for Jaffrey’s Cove. Now that she’s back to help her grandmother settle into a home, she discovers this place has lost none of its remembered magic. In fact, it seems more magical than before—and more erotic.

After she’s gifted with a beautiful, dolphin-etched medallion, she finds herself surrounded by the golden boys of summers past. Her body is filled with longings she can’t explain and dreams of blue lights that turn into lovers.

Joshua Marley and his cousin Anthony are merfolk, a people capable of living beneath the waves as either dolphin or human. Alexia holds the medallion that marks her as the next in line to lead their people—if she can prove she can transform. Working in tandem, they’re sure they can arouse her passion and protect her from those who would use her simply to gain power.
But their strength alone may not be enough to help her face the challenge of her new position…

Warning: This title contains a conniving granny, naked men in the surf and shifters who take fun in the water to new depths. Snorkels not required.

Read An Excerpt Online
Buy from MBaM!

Viv has Soul Deep available at Noble Romance, and Rocky Mountain Heat which will be available from Liquid Silver Books in the fall:

Soul Deep by Vivian Arend
Genre Paranormal
Length Naughty Nibble
About the Author.

About the book:
Waiting for his life partner has been difficult. Convincing her that she's a part of an ancient Atlantis coupling is going to be harder. Luckily, Dylan Finbar has had plenty of time to develop the patience and the persistence to outlast her protests.

Rachel Hart is as mesmerized by the young visiting history professor as the rest of the student population. Only, she's the one that makes his heart complete. Anam Seis, Soul Mates. Can she accept that the attraction between them has been centuries in the making and her potential lover wants not only her body but her soul?

And lastly is Rocky Mountain Heat:

Rocky Mountain Heat

by: Vivian Arend

ISBN: 978-1-59578-588-6

Coming Soon

Blurb:

Blake Coleman is old enough to know that acting on impulse causes nothing but a heap of trouble. But when trouble’s a blonde wearing a cowboy hat with slim legs that go on forever, what’s a man to do? Wanting the sweet girl next door is just wrong. Hell, he was the one that taught her to ride a horse and now all he can think about is riding her. The responsible thing to do is keep his hands off.Jaxi has other plans for his hands, and his heart. She may have considered Blake a big brother once but that was a long time ago. She’s all grown up now and ready to convince him that she’s just what he’s been waiting for.

Add the complication of two sexy younger brothers who have suddenly noticed Jaxi and things heat up fast. Blake’s gonna have to decide if a little trouble is worth fighting for.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Viv has lots of works in progress and my fingers are crossed for all of them to be picked up by the publishers quicky so you all can enjoy her writing as much as I do.

=========================================

Remember to post on all the blogs for your chance to win!

Happy blog surfing everyone!
Valerie

Summer Heat contest- Week 5

2009-07-18T17:58:00.000-05:00

Spotlight #1 – Jayne Rylon!
Spotlight #2 – Lila Dubois!
Spotlight #3 - Rhian Cahill!
Spotlight #4 - Valerie Tibbs

Spotlight #5 - Sherry Ricardo

The winner of week 4 is currently frolicking in barn with International Heat’s Weekend Warrior.

Congrats Mia!

This week's spotlight is Sherry Ricardo. Sherry is a great friend and a wonderful editor. She's also the voice of reason sometimes when I need a second opinion on anything. She lives in Europe but is only an e-mail away whenever I need her.

Some day I hope to meet her in person. Lori Foster's next year is still a possibility! :)

Happy blog surfing everyone!

Valerie

Summer Heat contest/author spotlight - week 3

2009-07-05T09:12:00.005-05:00

Mari Carr, Jess Dee, Jayne Rylon, Lila Dubois, Jambrea Jo Jones, T, Valerie Tibbs, Sherry Ricardo, Rhian Cahill and Vivian Arend

Spotlight #1 – Jayne Rylon! Contest will end on June 26.
Spotlight #2 – Lila Dubois! Contest will end on July 3.

Spotlight #3 - Rhian Cahill!

Week 3 - Author Spotlight - Rhian Cahill

I was very lucky to be able to become friends with Rhian online. We also got to meet in person at the Lori Foster get together in June. Rhian, who's Australian and lives in Singapore, is always full of interesting stories... And she's a great lady!

Her first book, One Night in Bangkok, from Noble Publishing was released in April. The next book in her Passport to Passion series, Singapore Fling, has been written and submitted and while touring the US this spring, she ‘researched’ the third book, Naked In New York.

I know she's on her way to many many published books... And I can say "I knew her when!"

One Night in Bangkok by Rhian Cahill

One night in Bangkok is all it takes to turn Beth Martin’s future plans upside down. After being betrayed by her fiance the last thing she needs is another man screwing up her life. But Tom is different. He makes her feel sensations long forgotten, makes her want in ways best left unspoken. Can she live out her wildest fantasies in one decadent night? And when it’s over, can she walk away, or will what she doesn’t want prove to be what she needs?

Click here to purchase from Noble

Spotlight Sunday - Week 2 - Lila Dubois

2009-06-28T10:31:00.003-05:00

Sizzling Summer Heat –ten weeks, ten great prizes. Comment on any spotlight post all links can be found at International Heat and add your name in the hat to win a prize from the spotlighted author, reviewer, cover artist or editor. Winner will be announced on Saturday by the International Heat Weekend Warrior. The more blogs/websites you visit and comment on, the better your chances of winning.

Last week's winner was Nancy Gilliland

This Week's Spotlight is on Lila Dubois

Lila normally lives in Hollywood, which provides an endless supply of exciting evenings and writing ideas, but is currently terrorizing a sleepy little town in Surrey, England. She’s moved in with her shiny new fiance.

Having spent extensive time in France, Egypt and Turkey, Lila speaks five languages, none of them (including English) fluently.

Lila has yet to look the correct way when crossing the street in England and family and friends are taking bets on when she will be hit by a car.

Lila's latest book is Calling The Wild which can be purchased at My Book Store and More

Destiny is waiting…Moira doesn’t know who’s hunting her, but she knows why. In her youth she unleashed a deadly force that killed everything within range—a strange power she has vowed never to use again.

Needing protection, she risks a bit of the old magic to call for backup. She gets more than she asks for. A lot more. A proud, sexually magnetic, enraged centaur who’s far from a quiet, obedient servant.

Kiron at first tries to intimidate the witch into freeing him, but she possesses more backbone than the average human. When she’s attacked again, he realizes she’s not a real witch. In fact, she’s not even human. And the sparks flying between them have nothing to do with the magical shackles that bind them together.

Curiosity grows to admiration, then to a love that in the end may not be enough to protect her. Moira’s enemies are closing in, intending to harness her power to restore a dark kingdom that has lain dormant for a thousand years.

There’s only one, heart-wrenching way out—give herself over to the full extent of her powers hoping that her true destiny lies with Kiron, and not in fulfilling a prophecy of death…

Product Warnings:

A super-hot centaur, kinky sex with vegetation and an extensive discussion of the ecological importance of primeval forests

READ AN EXCERPT ONLINECheck out all of Lila's awesome books on her website HERE.

Sizzling Summer Heat contest

2009-06-21T09:20:00.006-05:00

The gals at International Heat are hosting a `Sizzling Summer Heat` contest–ten weeks, ten great prizes. Each Sunday the spotlight will be on a different IH lady. If you comment on the spotlight, your name will be thrown in the hat to win a prize from that spotlighted author, reviewer, cover artist or editor.

Winners will be announced on Saturdays and the next day, the spotlight will shine on someone else as a new contest begins. The more blogs/websites you visit and comment on, the better your chances of winning.

Participants include:Mari Carr, Jess Dee, Jayne Rylon, Lila Dubois, Jambrea Jo Jones, T, Valerie Tibbs, Sherry Ricardo, Rhian Cahill and Vivian Arend

http://maricarr.com/

http://rhiancahill.wordpress.com/

http://jambrea.wordpress.com/

http://jessdee.wordpress.com/

http://ebookaddictt.blogspot.com/

http://liladubois.wordpress.com/

http://www.jaynerylon.com/

http://vivarend.blogspot.com/

http://vtibbs.blogspot.com/

http://internationalheat.wordpress.com/

This Sunday's spotlight is on Jayne Rylon. See below this post.

So get on the heatwave and surf the blogs starting HERE!!

Spotlight on Jayne Rylon

2009-06-19T19:42:00.002-05:00

I was fortunate to meet Jayne at the Lori Foster event in Cincinnati in June. It was a great time and she's a great lady. Here's more about her:

Jayne Rylon's stories usually begin as a daydream in an endless business meeting. Her writing acts as a creative counterpoint to her straightlaced corporate existence. She lives in Ohio with two cats and her husband who both inspires her fantasies and supports her careers. When she can escape her office, she loves to travel the world, avoid speeding tickets in her beloved Sky and, of course, read.

Jayne is a member of the Romance Writers of America (RWA), the Central Ohio Fiction Writers (COFW) and Passionate Ink.

Her latest books are Dream Machine and Nice and Naughty:

Dream Machine is a hot and steamy book that you won't want to put down... Go grab your copy today!

“Dream Machine” by Jayne Rylon

Buy from MBaM!Read An Excerpt Online
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Red Hots!

The best dreams are made of naughty and spice.

Rebecca Williams is about to achieve her goal of graduating from a prestigious university and winning a coveted spot in her mentor’s cutting-edge psychology practice. She just needs one more qualification: sexual experience. She never dreamed it would come at the hands of the man she’s admired and wanted for six years. Dr. Kurt Foster.

Kurt, a brilliant psychologist in the field of sexual therapy, is a scientist to the core. Attraction and lust are nothing more than chemical reactions, in his clinical opinion. Love? It’s just a figment of the imagination born of nature’s directives. He’s on the brink of proving it with a new machine that uncovers latent desires.

In short order, Becca’s forbidden lust for her boss is exposed. As Kurt continues to enlighten her on the darker facets of her sexuality, the student unexpectedly becomes the teacher.
And suddenly Kurt is confronted with the irrefutable proof that love is so much more than a societal construction.

Warning: This book is only suitable for readers who are turned on by hot doctors engaging in sexual experiments, bondage, ménage a trois, exhibitionism, suspension, anal sex and other deviant behavior using mechanical stimulation devices they’ve invented to make your wildest dreams come true.

Buy from MBaM!

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And Nice and Naughty is a fantastic book - and it lives up to the title!

“Nice and Naughty” by Jayne Rylon
Buy from MBaM!Read An Excerpt Online

Genre: Red Hots!, Contemporary Romance
Menage and More Anthology

Can one man satisfy Alexa’s appetites? Or will it take two?

After a disastrous lesson in heartache, Alexa Jones confines her adrenaline rushes to intense boardroom negotiations. Her legendary control cracks and she indulges in a high-octane encounter on the hood of her sports car. She never planned to see the enticing stranger again. When she finds herself across the boardroom table from him, there’s suddenly more at stake than just her career.

Justin Winston got more than he bargained for on his summer drive, but he should have known nothing is ever that easy. He’s met the woman of his dreams yet he doesn’t know who she is. Luckily, he can always count on his practical brother for the things that matter, and this time is no exception. But, when a web of corporate espionage entangles them all, it’s clear Justin isn’t the only one who’s fallen for their mysterious siren.

In Justin and Jason, Alexa finds something as unique and rare as the patent they will risk their lives to secure. The freedom to explore—and satisfy—the full range of her desires. From naughty to nice. Can Alexa accept the love of two men?

Warning: This story contains light bondage, anal play and smoking hot brothers for double the fun and double the trouble.

Buy from MBaM!

Soul Deep is available right now!

2009-06-08T09:56:00.005-05:00

Now available: Soul Deep by Vivian ArendFrom Noble Romance Publishing

Waiting for his life partner has been difficult. Convincing her that she's a part of an ancient Atlantis coupling is going to be harder. Luckily, Dylan Finbar's had plenty of time to develop the patience and the persistence to outlast her protests.Rachel Hart's as mesmerized by the young visiting history professor as the rest of the student population. Only, she's the one that makes his heart complete. Anam Seis, Soul Mates. Can she accept that the attraction between them has been centuries in the making and her potential lover wants not only her body but her soul?

------------ --------- -----

Rachel paused to grab an assignment CD from the side table before leaving the theater and found herself face-to-face with the professor. He smiled directly at her. Her cheeks flushed hot as she realized he'd caught her gawking earlier like one of the fawning groupies."Wait, Ms. Hart," he said as she reached for a disc. "In light of the last assignment you completed I thought you might be more interested in this." Dylan reached into his jacket and handed her a blue plastic case. She flipped it over and spotted a small slip of paper tucked inside, along with the CD.

She lifted her eyes to meet his gaze. Dear Lord, the man was a walking fantasy. Speak coherently, Rachel. "Thank you, Professor Finbar." Her tongue seemed glued to the roof of her mouth in spite of the excess fluid flooding her body.

"Dylan," he insisted as he stared back intently.His eyes seemed big enough to swim in. Rachel took an involuntary step toward him, wanting to feel his body heat, wanting to let the scent of his cologne and skin envelop her. To taste his . . . .She jerked to a stop and darted an embarrassed glance around the room. All the other students had filed out. She and Professor Finbar—Dylan, she reminded herself—were alone. Wonderfully, fearfully, amazingly alone."There's no one here, Rachel. Don't worry, I've been very careful."One more step and she invaded his personal space, the deep gold of his eyes reeling her in. She dropped her gaze to his lips and pondered if they would be as firm as they looked. What they would taste like. A puff of warm air over her cheek warned her sheer seconds before his arms wrapped around her, pulled her against him and their mouths touched.Fire.Heat.Unending need.

His fingers pressed on her back to align their bodies closer. He traced his tongue over the seam of her lips and she opened to an explosion of sensation. Dylan controlled her, consumed her, his mouth the center of her existence. He nudged a knee between her thighs, separating her legs to nestle intimately against her pulsing core and her body responded, wildfire sweeping over her. Blood rushed to swell the lips of her pussy, moisture painting her passage.

Rachel raised her hands to glide her fingers through his hair, returning his kiss eagerly. Mouth tender now, his tongue slid against hers before he drew back to drop kisses along the column of her throat, stopping to suckle softly for a moment at the juncture where her heartbeat pulsed its rapid rhythm.As he caressed her, keeping their hips intimately close, Rachel slowly came back to herself. Slowly became aware she and her professor were making out in a lecture hall like a pair of randy teenagers. He cupped her breast, fingers squeezing her tender nipple. This couldn't be right; she was sure of it. No matter how wonderful it felt. No matter how good his skin tasted under her tongue as she nibbled her way along his strong jaw, how right it felt to slide her fingers over his shoulders, the taut muscles rippling as he continued to lave her skin, suckling and kissing and caressing.

"Dylan, my God, what are we doing?" Her voice floated somewhere high above them, not a part of the sensory overload that continued as they drew closer yet, nestled tighter together. His rigid cock rubbed her hip and she let out a moan, fighting the desire to open his shirt and lick his skin. Resisting the urge to dip her hand into his trousers and stroke his hard cock.Rachel gasped as Dylan fastened his mouth over her breast and nipped the erect peak through the shirt fabric. A flash of desire shot through her and released another flood of moisture from her already soaking core.

"Damn it, Rachel, you make me lose all control," he muttered against her lips, kissing her tenderly one last time before taking a slight step backward.

Go get your copy now! :)

Buy link to Noble Romance Publishing

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Also - check out One Night in Bangkok by Rhian Cahill:

About the book:One night in Bangkok is all it takes to turn Beth Martin's future plans upside down. After being betrayed by her fiance the last thing she needs is another man screwing up her life.

But Tom is different. He makes her feel sensations long forgotten, makes her want in ways best left unspoken. Can she live out her wildest fantasies in one decadent night? And when it's over, can she walk away, or will what she doesn't want prove to be what she needs?

Buy here: Noble Romance

Sexual Healing by Moira Rogers

2009-04-13T18:05:00.005-05:00

I don't give ratings... I need more thumbs for this one... I give it 5 thumbs up! Hee hee...

This is a fast-pasted look at how two people with special abilities can help each other. A psychic warrior whose emotions are keeping him from doing his job, and a psychic healer who can help the warrior through sexual satisfaction. Noelle’s ability to help through sex brings her to Damon, who in turn helps Noelle absorb his energies. I loved the characters and their reaction to each other was so much more than just ‘healing’. They were healing each other.

I really loved this book... But I've loved every Moira Rogers book I've read, so no surprise there.

Go get your copy today...

https://www.nobleromance.com/ItemDisplay.aspx?i=24

Boycott Amazon

2009-04-12T15:13:00.005-05:00

Do you know what Amazon's new policy is?

"In consideration of our entire customer base, we exclude "adult" material from appearing in some searches and best seller lists. Since these lists are generated using sales ranks, adult materials must also be excluded from that feature.Hence, if you have further questions, kindly write back to us.

Best regards,

Ashlyn D
Member Services

Who the HELL appointed Amazon as the guardians of readers? I know they have vibrators and various other offensive materials (Mein Kampf, being one of them), yet those are still there.

What possible result is Amazon looking for? They are a reseller, not a cybernanny.

WTF????

If you shop at Amazon - please boycott them until they get their heads out of their asses. Or just stop buying from them all together.

I will buy only from Barnes & Noble from now on. Amazon will never see a dime of my money again. Ever.

Check out what other authors are saying:

http://www.laurendane.com/
http://www.jaciburton.com/
www.mayabanks.com

Valerie

Taking Care of Business by Lauren Dane and Megan Hart

2009-04-05T14:58:00.005-05:00

One conference, two friends, two men who know how to take care of business.

After leaving the wrong man, Leah Griffin’s not ready to look for the right one. All she wants is to survive the conference she’s planning and spend some time with her best friend Kate Edwards. She’s not expecting the conference services manager to be so tall, dark and handsome…or so eager to please. It’s Brandon Long’s job to make Leah happy, but after a scorching interlude in her hotel room, neither can deny business has become pleasure.

Smart, driven and successful attorney, Katherine Edwards has spent her life making the right choices. Directly counter to those right choices, she’s involved in a long distance, secret love affair with a co-worker. Charles Dixon is a bad choice she can’t help but make – over and over. A conference and a promotion bring Kate back to Pennsylvania and suddenly, Dix wants far more than a few nights in random hotel rooms. He wants something permanent and Katherine has to figure out if sometimes a wrong choice isn’t exactly what a woman needs.

I can only say how much I loved this book. I love both of these authors and I started to read this book and tried to figure out who wrote what section. I couldn't tell, because this book just flowed so well. It was truly seamless. The two stories were intertwined so nicely, and I really wanted more.

Leah's breakup with her creepy dom boyfriend was such a turning point for her. Brandon came into her life at the perfect time. He showed her that she can be in control and still 'be in control'.

Katherine's ability to compartmentalize her feelings for Dix was really amazing. Having the courage to let go and deal with her emotions, was her turning point.

I enjoyed the interaction between the two friends, and the sex scenes were smokin' hot. Add in a little corporate drama, and a psychotic assistant, this makes for a wonderful book that you won't want to put down.

Go buy it now!

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Taking-Care-of-Business/Megan-Hart/e/9780352345028/?itm=13

Review of Riding on Instinct by Jaci Burton

2009-04-02T18:59:00.006-05:00

Department of Justice agent Shadoe Grayson is out to prove she’s no rookie, and eagerly accepts her first undercover assignment at a strip club in New Orleans. Working with the Wild Riders, a government agency of bad boy bikers, her goal is to bring down a corrupt DEA agent. All she has to do now is learn to strip like a pro.

Standing in her way is the arrogant and smokin’ hot Spencer King, her partner and one of the Wild Riders. Spence thinks she looks more like a schoolteacher than a stripper, and doubts her ability to do the job. But when he mockingly challenges Shadoe to strip just for him, he finds out there’s more to the surprisingly sexy agent than by-the-book rules and Government Issue pantsuits.

Now Spencer has to resist his baser instincts while Shadoe learns that taking off your clothes doesn’t always equal losing control…

I was fortunate to receive an ARC of this wonderful book. Sometimes I find it hard to write a review for a book if I really loved it. I tend to gush and sound corny. So, hopefully this is not too gushy or corny. LOL

I will admit that my favorite Wild Riders book was Riding Temptation. I loved Jessie and Diaz. Loved, loved, LOVED them. But if you have followed the Wild Rider series, I think this is the best one yet. I LOVE Spence and Shadoe. Love them. Spence and Shadoe are combustible. They are just so hot, you will surely need an ice bucket nearby. Although I didn't care for Spence in previous books, he seemed too arrogant and unapproachable to the point of being unlikeable. But Ms. Burton turned my perception of him around and found that he was the way he was because of this crappy upbringing. We all have a past to overcome and his journey was fillled with all the pitfalls one could imagine, but he pulled himself up and got involved with the Wild Riders and changed his life.

Shadoe struggeled with her own past - and absent mother, and a father who resented her for being a girl. To prove her worth to him and to do something worthwhile, she became an DOJ agent. She has been assigned to the Wild Riders to help infiltrate a group of drug dealers and to flush out a mole in the DOJ department. She has to team up with Spence and pose as a stripper as well as his girlfriend. This goes way beyond her comfort zone but she toughs it out and does her job. And gets to drive Spence a little crazy along the way.

This is a fun and suspensful and very erotic book. I loved every minute of it. I can't wait until the next chapter of the Wild Riders.

I hope you'll pick up your copy today!

Wolf Signs releases Tuesday

2009-03-22T20:27:00.002-05:00

Pick up your copy of Wolf Signs. This book ROCKS! If you like shifters, this is a great story.

“Wolf Signs” by Vivian Arend
Read An Excerpt Online
Genre: Paranormal Romance

ISBN: 978-1-60504-476-7
Length: Novella
Price: 3.50
Publication Date: March 24, 2009
Cover art by Angie Waters

Talk about getting your signals crossed…

Granite Lake Wolves, Book 1

Robyn Maxwell doesn’t care that her brother has to cancel out on their backcountry ski trip. She can do it alone. The fact she’s deaf doesn’t make her survival skills any weaker. The chance to get away from it all and relax in the Yukon wilderness is just what she’s been craving.

Meeting wilderness guide Keil at the cabin starts cravings of another kind. Keil’s one hot hunk of ripped, tasty male. Now she has to deal with raging hormones as well as strange questions about wolves and mates and challenges to the death.

Keil was trying for a nice reflective retreat before challenging for the Alpha position of his Alaskan pack. He wasn’t planning on meeting the woman destined to be his mate, or finding out she’s not aware she has the genes of a wolf.

Between dealing with his accident-prone younger brother, a deaf mate with an attitude and an impending duel to the death, his week—and his bed—is suddenly full.

Far from the relaxing getaway any of them had in mind…

Warning: Gives a whole new meaning to the phrase “talking with your hands”. Includes dangerous use of sarcasm and hot nookie in a remote wilderness sauna.

Buy here: http://www.mybookstoreandmore.com/shop/

Things that stick with you...

2009-03-17T06:13:00.000-05:00

Do you ever have a book that stays with you? How about a movie? Those characters become part of your life and you can't let go. It seems to happen to me a lot more often than it used to. Maybe it's because I read a lot more now than I did when I was younger. I recently read a book by Maya Banks (Amber Eyes) and it stuck with me for days. I don't know if it was the female lead, or the men in the story, or the subject matter that touched me, but it just would not let go. Besides crying through the book (and making my husband look at me funny), I just couldn't shake it off.

Certain movies do that to me as well. Whether it's a fun movie or one that scares the bejeebers out of me, they seem to have something that sticks in my brain. I would end up dreaming about it and usually wake up in a cold sweat from the scary ones, or find myself daydreaming at work about a scene or event, and maybe pretending I was the heroine in that movie or book.

Has that ever happened to you? Or am I just weird? OK don't answer the last part... :D

Release Day

2009-02-03T17:55:00.002-06:00

My friend Jambrea has her first solo book coming out today! YAY!

It's m/m, but sweet, so if you're wanting to try something new and a little different check it out here:

http://www.freyasbower.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=10&products_id=184

I also designed the cover. :)

I have a copy to give away, so if you post here I'll draw a name and you can win a copy!

Congratulations Jambrea!

Changes...

2009-01-20T15:50:00.002-06:00

It's a big day today, and not just in the US. Just look at the news today. Every nation is happy about our new President. And it's about time we have something to celebrate.

From my friend Joy over at JR, these are her thoughts on today:

As an African American I am overwhelmed by the change that has and will come with having a president that is not only of color, but to see Martin Luther King's dream has come true. My mother was at the march on Washington, my grandmother had to go through hell being married to someone with whom she loved because society frowned upon their union. For my nieces and nephews to see that they truly can be anything they want to be makes me happier than they could ever know. I have always held my head high through prejudices and harsh words directed at me because of my skin color. My mother/grandmother taught me well and this day I can truly say that we are finally, as a Nation, ready for change. Joy

What an amazing day for all of us. Let's stop worrying about color, or being American, or any label people want to give, and just concentrate on being the best human beings we can be.

Hopefully today, and this new President is a sign of change - and hopefully change for the better.

Valerie

Burn by Anne Rainey

2009-01-07T08:55:00.007-06:00

Anne Rainey released a new book yesterday and I didn't get a chance to let everyone know how good this book is.

I thoroughly enjoyed it. There is some seriously hot girl on girl action, but the story is really about Ally and Blake and how they come together after years being apart. They were both too young to appreciate what they had in each other and Blake walked away.

When years later he realizes what he's left behind, he makes sure to get Ally back into his life. There is this smokin' hot pool scene - you will need some ice or your own pool to dip into after you read it. This is a fun hot read that I know you'll enjoy!

Go pick up your copy today!

http://www.mybookstoreandmore.com/shop/product.da/burn

Happy New Year! Book count for 2008...

2009-01-04T09:20:00.003-06:00

I was recently asked to do a count of how many books I read in 2008... It turns out that I read 371 books. That includes e-books and print. Wow.

I didn't think I read that many. I'll try for 400 for 2009! but I'll be happy with 200.

I love to read!