Overused Words

I’m reading a The Writer’s Workout by Christina Katz. She offered a piece of advice I found interesting and kinda fun. Substitute overused words. Here’s the example when you want to write “very” change it to “damn”. Just think about how much fun you can have. I know I use really, very and other words a lot. If I were to change them to damn, crap or even vagina it would certainly make for an interesting read. Obviously I’d only do that during the first draft and edit them out on the second.

It’s a great way to get rid of words you overuse or to re-train your brain to use something different.

In other news I’m busy typing away at the first draft of my WIP. I hit the 20k mark this morning. I have about 12k to go before the first draft is done. I need to get it finished because edits are coming soon for Dragons and that will be an intense few weeks.

I have all these ideas floating around in my head and not enough time in the day to write. I’m enjoying the nice weather today.

Happy Thursday.

Contest Winner Announcement

I hoped to post the winner yesterday and well, life got in the way. I was enjoying that extra day with the family. So the winner of the unofficial start to summer contest is: Gabrielle - meingee@yahoo.com

I’ll be sending you an email for your mailing address.

Congrats and thanks to all who dropped in and participated. Look for another print contest at the end of June.

Happy Tuesday.

Unofficial Start to Summer

As a kid this is the weekend when summer always began. The beaches opened, if you had a pool that got opened too. Picnics started this weekend and my mom allowed me to wear shorts if the weather permitted. I don’t care that the calendar says another few weeks, for me this is the unofficial start to summer.

I want to celebrate by giving away a print copy of my book Ignite the Flames. 

Here’s what you’ll find inside the book:

 Splashing Good Time

Reece Collins craves a no-strings-attached, torrid sexual encounter. Problem? The only person offering is ten years her junior. Nathan Donovan has lusted for Reece forever. One brief encounter leaves him yearning for more, but when she splashes cold water on his plans, he has to choose between walking away or spanking some sense into her.

Ignited

Nikaya is celebrating her birthday with a new Mustang. As she races up the side of a mountain in her new car, a police officer comes out of nowhere. He pulls her over, spanks her then whisks her away to a secluded cabin. There, the officer—and a friend—have a few surprises for the birthday girl. Surprises that include whips, floggers, blindfolds and more.

Research Required

On the run from the mob, the last thing Ethan needs is a distraction like Bailey. She’s sexy and sassy—and he wants to take her where she stands. Of course, Bailey would never have sex with a stranger. Then again, Ethan is her best friend’s brother, so that makes him a friend too, right? And what’s a little sex between friends?

To be entered in the contest all you have to do is tell me about any fun plans you have for the summer.

The print contest is only open to US residents. If random.org picks a winner outside the US I can replace the print copy with an ebook.

The contest ends on Sunday May 27^th at 11:59pm EST

Have a great weekend!

Welcome Angela Aaron!

A big Thank You for allowing me to invade your blog today.  I am honored to be counted as one of your guests.

Okay, I'm ready for the questions (rubbing hands together)- bring 'em on.

When in the day/night do you write? How long per day? 

Hm…had to start with the tough one, eh?  Well, I write when I can. I definitely do not have a set schedule.  I work full time and I'm a single mom to a wonderful son who is a senior this year.  I write mostly in the evenings and on the weekends.  I have been known to get up at 4:00 a.m. to get a few things down before I forget, however this is only on rare occasions. I get so little sleep, I don't give it up too easily. 

What is the hardest part of writing your books?

The hardest part of writing is finding quiet time to do it. I have a hard time setting aside housework and other chores to write.  I get obsessed with wanting all the work done before I write.  I am learning that it never gets done (ha- isn't that the truth?) and I just have to accept it and find time to write.

What do you think makes a good story?

I think there are several elements that make a good story, but first and foremost are characters I like to like (or hate) and that interact well together.  I've seen great characters but awkward dialog between them drew me out of the story.

Plotter or Pantser? Why?

Both and neither.  Sometimes I have a rough outline, sometimes I have nothing and just let the story develop.  Sometime I have really detailed notes.  I actually find a mixture works best for me. I like to have a rough outline, but I also let the characters take me where they want to go. Quite often I don't have an ending. I like to wait until writing is well underway before I figure out how it is going to end.

What songs are most played on your Ipod?

I have 3,427 songs on my Ipod.  No kidding.  I just looked.  I have everything from Celtic to 70's guitar rock, soundtracks to Lord of the Rings, King Arthur, and Phantom, 60's hits, bagpipes and a crazy medieval metal bagpipe band, classical and country.  The only kind that is NOT on my Ipod is Rap. 

Do you listen to music while writing? If so what?

I definitely listen to music while I write.  Sets the mood and helps set free my imagination.

Tell us about your favorite character from your books

Right now, my fav character is Aedan from my latest.  I love a big alpha male, especially one that is a bit arrogant (but has every right) and strong in his convictions.  I loved writing Aedan in Scottish dialect.  That was such a challenge.

Tell us about your current release.

I am glad you asked this and here is my shameless plug (snicker).

Imagine this:  It is 6:30 a.m. on a freezing February morning.  The air is biting crisp and the sky is clear.  It is "nose-hair-sticking" cold.  There isn't another soul around as I pull into the parking lot of work.  I have no desire to get out of my warm car and instead decide to finish my coffee and mumble about the winter doldrums. I look to my left and there is the biggest, brightest full moon I've ever seen and it captivates my full attention.  Being the hopeless romantic I am, found myself wondering how much magic that moon really has, and wouldn't it be grand if I walked inside the building and stepped into an adventure with a handsome alpha hero.  Well, the whimsical thought came and went and I eventually braved the cold and headed into work.  As I entered the building the thought came to me that I should write down what I was just thinking and make a story out of the experience. That's how The Fire of Beltane was born.

I spent the next few months observing and jotting down notes and ideas that kept flooding my brain. I developed my characters from watching the people around me.  My heroine, Aislinn (pronounced Ashlynn) is the combination of 3 different people and my Hero Aedan, on the other hand is pure made-up alpha fantasy. I love to write strong but flawed and terribly perfect heros because that is what I like to read.  I'm sure I'm not the only one.

The Fire of Beltane is a story full of sizzling romance, magic and mystery; where the impossible becomes possible.  It's a story where dreams come true…literally.

It is a feel good story at its barest! The love scenes are hot-hot-hot, but it can be no other way for Aedan and Aislinn. (Content warning:  Sizzling graphic love scenes, ancient public fertility ceremony)  And yes…I did write the "moon" scene into the story.

Blurb:

The Fire of Beltane

Angela Aaron

When Aedan is denied his soul mate that fateful Beltane night, he is given the gift of immortality, permitting him to wait for her prophesized return. Reunited after eleven-hundred years, he is disheartened to learn his true love holds no memory of him.

Wishing for a distraction from the winter doldrums, Aislinn never expected to be caught up in a whirlwind of magic and danger with a man she has spent her whole life dreaming about. What he asks of her tests the very reality she holds dear.

Now, as Beltane approaches, and with time running out, Aedan and Aislinn must reach Ireland to pledge their love to one another. But in order to live out their destinies, they must overcome an ancient foe determined to see an end to their fated love.

Eleven hundred years he waited for her. He could lose her in a single moment.

 My Website:  http://www.angelaaaronauthor.yolasite.com

The Blog I share with Heather Peters:  http://www.bodaciousbabesbookbuds.blogspot.om

Buy link: https://www.nobleromance.com/Books?author=152

Facebook:  Angela Aaron or Angela Aaron Author

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YG8uRbVTxqc

TGIF

It feels like I haven’t blogged in forever! I guess I haven’t with the blog hop and a few guests. It’s funny when I know I don’t have to blog I can think of a ton of things to blog about. When it comes time to actually write I forget those things. LOL I suppose I need to start writing down my ideas.

I’ve been busy writing and stressing over my friend Katalina Leon who is deep in edits for our co-authored book. I’m stressed because she’s buried and there’s nothing I can do. This was her baby. She knows it inside and out.  Big hugs to my friend.

I read an interview in Redbook the other day. The interview was with John Cusack. He talked about his love for music. He was asked if he could date and/or marry someone who didn’t enjoy his taste in music. He said NO. Most would be surprised with his answer, but I definitely wasn’t.

When I first started dating my husband we did talk about music – through email. He said he loved the 80s music and he was a big fan of Bon Jovi. Now when I think of 80s music, I think Bon Jovi, Motley Crue, Whitesnake, just to name a few. I thought how cool that we shared the same taste. Years later I realize how different his taste is. He does love 80s, just not the hairband stuff. I wish I could give you an example, but seriously I didn’t listen to that stuff back then so I have no clue what their names are now.

Here’s the issue. We both have Satellite radio in our cars. He listens to 80s on 8 and I listen to Octane (hard rock) and Hairbands. We take his car more often than not because mine is a lease. I get stuff listening to his stuff. It drives me nuts.

So, would I have gotten in deep with him if I knew we really weren’t on the same page with music? I’m not sure. I’m not being mean, just being honest. I will say I’m glad I didn’t figure it out until I was in love with him. I’d be missing out on a wonderful life. :o)

I realized that I don’t allow my heroines to be in relationships unless the hero shares the same interests. Maybe I should switch that up a bit and give them some conflict and show they can co-exist.

Those are my thoughts for today. :o)

Happy Friday.

Welcome Tessie Bradford

Thanks so much for having me, Amber!  

I’m so excited to announce that three of my books are together in the paperback print anthology titled Exploring Ecstasy! It is available now on amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Exploring-Ecstasy-Tessie-Bradford/dp/1607353776/ref=sr_1_15?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1336690839&sr=1-15

Despite the meteoric rise in e-book sales, many people I know have not yet embraced the new technology! A paperback is what they’ve been waiting for, and I can’t deny the fact that having these stories in traditional book form is beyond thrilling for me also!

Possessing Eleanor

Eleanor Lewis is perfectly content with her comfortable, quiet, relationship free life until she finds herself on all fours at the feet of Jackson Royce. Eleanor is stunned by her instant and intense attraction to the power and confidence radiating from the devilishly handsome building contractor. He scrambles her brain and heats her body to the boiling point.

Jackson always trusts his gut instincts. The ultra sexy woman sprawled on the floor is a sexual submissive. How intriguing that the all business, sensible shoe wearing office manager has absolutely no idea? The moment he takes her into his embrace he vows to possess her mind, body and soul.

From their first sizzling encounter, through a whirlwind courtship, Eleanor discovers being possessed by a man who loves her absolutely is what she had been searching for all along.

Pampering Jessica

David has been planning Jessica’s birthday weekend for months. His wife of almost twenty five years is having issues with turning fifty and he vows to do everything in his power to remind her how incredible she is and how much he loves her.  

Jessica’s birthday wish is to spend quality alone time with the man of her dreams, her husband. When David presents her with a gold gift bag full of sensual surprises, Jessica is more than eager to enjoy every one of them. What she doesn’t realize is that her husband has much more in store for her special celebration.

Sensations

Vivian Walcourt is completely out of her conservative, sheltered element when she finds herself at an ultra-exclusive adult club. Her free spirited best friend may think she’s in love with one of the owners, but Vivian doesn’t believe in whirlwind courtships.

Paul Landis never imagined the woman who has haunted his dreams for years would walk into his club with his partner’s fiancé. More beautiful than ever, unattached, and worked into a heightened state of horny by the evening’s entertainment, he sweeps her away to experience the very special pleasures found behind the closed doors of Sensations.  

Tessie

www.tessiebradford.com

Thanks for being here Tessie! I love your books.

Ana Hart - Reborn Book 1 of the One Powerful Addiction Series

Release date is May 17th and those who join Ana’s Release Party by May 16th will be in the draw to win their very own copy of this paranormal erotic tale.

To join the party http://www.facebook.com/events/382609318456497/

Reborn – Book 1 of the One Powerful Addiction series will be available for purchase from May 17th at All Romance E-Books, Smashwords and Amazon.

Synopsis:

Daniel Webb is your fairly average twenty-something year-old, living in the bustling city of Stone Hills, Arkansas. High school graduate, College dropout, and currently an employee of a local coffee shop, where he spends the majority of his nights hovering over a hot grill. You know, a totally glamorous lifestyle...
Oh, yeah, and Sarelia, an elder spirit of the Lower World, gifted him with powers beyond his wildest imaginings only a few months ago. Some people would have been grateful. Others would have simply been in denial.
All Daniel feels is resentment.
Because honestly, Daniel's life is kinda sucking at the moment. His girlfriend Malorie dumped him. He's crashing on his brother, Mark's couch (who's being a bit of a dick about the whole thing), and his best friend, James Harin, won't stop smothering him with pity.
But when Daniel bumps into the sexy Alyssa Vega at The Pub and ends up going home with her for some no-strings-attached fun, something finally seems to be going right. Alyssa is just the spot of normalcy Daniel needs in his freak show of a life.
Until his sexy one night stand turns out to be a freak just like him. A rather badass freak as a matter of fact.
So much for normalcy.
As the temptation to use the power Sarelia gave him grows stronger, Daniel finally gives in and embraces the strength the power gives him. With it, he can do anything.
Well, except raise the dead.
Too bad the power's so damn addicting..

Excerpt:

The young woman gave a shudder of ecstasy and fell away from the shimmering form of the other. Exhausted from their furious lovemaking, she laid in the grass for several long minutes before she finally whispered, “Thank you, Mistress.”
When the elder spirit smiled, the expression was filled with heat and yet lacking in warmth. Moving to kneel beside the girl, she brushed a few sweat-soaked strands of hair from her face.
“My dear, I have a favor to ask of you.”
Without hesitation, the young woman nodded and pushed herself to a sitting position. “Ask it. I would do anything for you.”
Sarelia beamed, reveling in the girl's obedience, and she drew her in for another kiss, for another taste of the power the girl so loved and craved. Pulling away ever-so-slightly, the elder spirit breathed against the other's warm mouth and whispered, “I need you to keep a close eye on someone for me, dear.” Sarelia's tongue flicked out to lick along the curve of the girl's parted lips, tasting of her own sweet juices still lingering there. “A man.”
The girl shuddered once more in the elder spirit's grasp and her lips parted further, welcoming in the possessive plunge of Sarelia's tongue. “Who?”
“Daniel,” the elder spirit softly purred. They fell into each other once again, fingers busy against each other's bodies as they raced towards equally desperate climaxes. “Daniel Webb.”

Stalk Ana Hart at these following places and keep an eye out for any Reborn contests she may hold!

Facebook Like Page http://www.facebook.com/writer.anahart
Twitter http://www.twitter.com/AnaHart03
XOXO And All That Jazz blog http://anahart03.blogspot.com/

About Ana Hart

Ana Hart is a writer of erotica, romance, and everything in between. Ana’s stories can be found in various anthologies, including Postcards of Passion and A Wicked & Wanton All Hallows Eve. Ana was also one of 32 finalists in the 2011 All Romance Ebooks Just One Bite short story contest and her short story, “A Fair Exchange” can be found in Just One Bite, Volume Four. Born and raised in the southern United States, Ana currently resides in Arkansas with her very supportive boyfriend and their beautiful son (who just happens to be a cat…but don’t tell him that! ) But she can often be found online – on Facebook, Twitter, or just lurking around Google and running searches on herself.

The Erotic Romance Blog Hop Winners

The following won a copy of my Cougar Challenge ebook Gettin' Lucky

Sue Sattler
Nay Nay
Heather Peters
Linda Kage

Congrats and thanks to everyone for stopping by!!!!!

The Romance Reviews Erotic Romance Madness Hop May 10th-14th

I love cougar stories, so when I heard a group of my fellow EC writer’s had band together to write a series I knew I wanted to be part of it. I’ve been a cougar in real life. I once dated a guy 10 years my junior. I like men younger than me. For whatever reason anytime I dated a man older than me it never worked out, including my first 10yr marriage. My husband now is 2 years younger than me and we get along great.

While every book in the Cougar Challenge Series is awesome in its own right I’ve chosen to tell you about Winters’ Thaw. Winters’ Thaw mixes in another love of mine – rock stars. Okay, so the hero isn’t a “huge” rock star, but he’s in a band. There’s nothing sexier to me than a guy in a band.

Each of the books in this series can be read as a standalone, but believe me, you’ll want to read them all. :o)

I’m giving away a copy of my cougar book Gettin’ Lucky to TWO lucky commenters. The contest will start on May 10, 12:00am EST and will end on May 14, 1159pm EST.  The winners will be announced on May 15^th. Please include an email address so I can contact you. It’s so disappointing when I host a contest and contact the winner. 

Blurb:

OR nurse Elizabeth Winters is forty-one, divorced and determined to figure out what all the fuss is about sex. Her ex spent over twenty years crushing her sensuality and it is long past time for release. Literally, dammit! In her quest, she befriends a group of women her age who admit having a passion for younger men—and thus begins a challenge…

Thirty-year-old engineer Kevin Springer loves solving puzzles and “Elle” has him aching to fit the pieces. The more he gets to know her, the more intrigued he becomes, especially in bed. He quickly realizes he wants more than her offered no-strings-attached, wild sex, but convincing her to take a chance on a relationship isn’t going to be easy.

Marcy Brown can’t get enough of Lucky, her massage therapist. Lucky’s fingers always linger dangerously close to…sensitive areas, and ignite a fire she can’t ignore. Marcy isn’t looking for a relationship, but a friend with benefits would be right up her alley. The women of her fave blog, Tempt the Cougar, swear by younger men, but Marcy doesn’t want to train someone. She wants a man who can give her orgasm after orgasm.

Lucky offers to be her secret lover and help her realize all her fantasies. With Lucky, Marcy discovers the thrill of sexual positions and taboos she’s been missing out on—up to and including sex with two gorgeous men at once.

All bets are off when this Cougar is challenged to get her growl on.

;

Shocking Harlequin Numbers

How ironic life is sometimes. I've been thinking about editing a book I wrote a few years ago and subbing it to Harlequin for the Blaze line. When I wrote the book, I had them in mind. I used to be a fan. I read their books faithfully every month and then I discovered other books and stopped reading them.

Yesterday I read a blog where Harlequin author Ann Voss discussed numbers. I was blown away by how horrible they were. Why would anyone in their right mind want to write for this house, except for a stepping stone to something larger. Even then is it worth it?

I'll let you be the judge. Here is the link to the blog. http://jakonrath.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/harlequin-fail.html

TGIF

It’s been one of those weeks. I’ve been trying to catch up from the conference. The good thing about the conference is I’m writing again. I’m actually enjoying the process. This week I’ve gotten to know my characters very well. So much so that I want to just keep writing. Only problem is my baby doesn’t want to watch her mom typing away. She has a huge fascination with my laptop and wants to pound away at the keys. Lol

This weekend is another busy one. I suspect most will be from here until Sept.

Thanks to random.org the winner of the print book is catscorner990. Send me an email to amberskyze AT aol DOT com with your address and I’ll mail it out to you.

Hope you all have a great weekend.

Print Book Giveaway

Yesterday I promised a book giveaway and I’m living up to that promise. I’m just a tad late posting so I’ll run this contest through midnight 5/3/12.

I’m giving away a copy of Dalton Diaz and Samantha Cayto’s signed copy of Illegal Moves. Here’s the reason. I won a gift basket from my awesome friend Dalton at the NEC conference. It was the last giveaway and I was stunned to hear my name. I laughed all the way up because of all the basket’s – I got hers. I went back to the table and it was full of awesome books by her. Guess what? I’m in one, I’m part of the cougar challenge series, so I have all of the books and the third – Illegal Moves I own a signed copy from two years ago. A few women at my table were dying for the other books so I gave them away there. I did keep Love Cuffs for myself, oh and all the goodies. :o)

How do you win? Just leave a comment. Simple.

PS...the print is to U.S residents only. I'll be willing to give an ebook of mine away to the winner if you live outside the U.S. Sorry.

Happy Wednesday.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Yesterday I blogged about the highs and lows of the NEC conference on Friday night. Today I’m going to discuss the good, bad and ugly aka, my agent appointment.

I was super excited about the appointment because the agent received the query and first 10 pages prior to the meeting. This way she had time to decide if she wanted more. The appointments last 8 minutes, after the brief introductions here’s how mine went:

Good:

I love your writing

Your dialogue zips along nicely

The flow from one pov to the next is fantastic

I LOVE your heroine’s unique name.

Bad:

BUT, the concept of a woman vigilante has been done before and I don’t feel I can sell this.

What else do you have?

I explained another book that is complete, but needs revision.

Her interest piques.

I’m thinking score one for me.

I say, “Maybe I could send you a partial?”

“Sure, you can go through the normal submission process online,” she says.

Ugly:

“Do you have any questions for me?”

I hate this question because I’ve read a lot about what not to ask. I bumbled through some question and realized the more we talked we weren’t a match. She was super professional and nice, but of course as a writer I want someone who is passionate about my work like me.

She asked if I had any more questions and I said no. I stood, thanked her for her time and left.

Time spent with agent? 4 mins.

As a first timer, it was an awesome experience and I learned a lot about what to do and not do. I’m thinking of self-publishing these contemporaries anyway, but it’s always nice to see what an agent thinks. Overall I had a lot of positives coming out of the meeting. She only made 3 minor comments on my 10 pages, so I was happy.

Tomorrow I’ll talk about the guest speaker and give away a book. :o)