Romantic Observer  looks pretty cool.

There is a blog for Romance Reviews with reviews from several romantic fiction publishers. Reviews of books by Kate Steele and Aubrey Ross and more are there.

The Romance Promo blog has general news from the romantic fiction community. Any author or publisher can post there. Read about the latest from Claire Thompson.

The Romance Excerpts blog is also open to any author and puiblisher and is a great way for romance readers to find excerpts of the new releases and decide what they want to buy. There's currently excerpts from Lizzie T Leaf, Lucynda Storey and more.

The site says they are in beta so some stuff might not work quite right but there's already some interesting reads there.

Check it out.

 Realms of Love - Upcoming Romance Author Chats

They've got the authors from Wild Rose Press and from the Man Love Authors chatting at Realms of Love soon. 

Monday, January 29, Wild Rose Press authors Maggie Toussaint, Carol Ann Erhardt and Mary Wynn Faulkner join us in the Realms of Love Chat Castle. Learn more about the Crimson Rose line at Wild Rose Press: Spine tingling suspense and heart pounding passion.

Looking for something different? We've got it next week at Realms of Love. We've hooked up with the authors of the ManLove authors list. Claire Thompson, author and Laura Baumbach, author and screenwriter will be chatting with YOU Monday, February 5.

Monday, December 18, Aline de Chevigny, Jennie Andrus, Kim Rees and Michelle Hasker chat in the Realms of Love Chat Castle.   There will be give-aways. Come on by at 9 PM EST and have some fun at Realms of Love.

Aline de Chevigny's releases include Psychotic, a Romantic Thriller, and Toss of a Coin a Time Travel/Historical. 

Michelle Hasker has Midnight Rendezvous packing in the erotic, paranormal, romance and suspense as well as Morgan's Magick from Whiskey Creek Press Torrid's Celtic Love Knots Volume 1.

Kim Rees will be sharing The Billionaire's Seduction and Past Lies, both Contemporary Romances.

Jennie Andrus has written Moving Atlantis and Last Prophecy published in the Paranormal Romance category.

Have I mentioned there will be give-aways of free downloads from each of these hot authors? Warm up your holidays with these writers brought to you by Realms of Love.

Source: Realms of Love

Monday, December 4, Wild Rose Press authors Vivienne Lorret, Darah Lace and Donna Michaels chat at Realms of Love. There will be something for everyone.

Vivienne Lorret's latest is The Cowboy Way a contemporary romance. Who can resist a cowboy?

Darah Lace will heat your hearth with Wrong Number, Right Man, an erotic romance.

Donna Michaels has a holiday story for us: Thanks for Giving.

There will be give-aways of a free download of each book.

Flesa Black, Mechele Armstrong and friends will rock the Realms of Love Chat Castle Monday December 11 at 9 PM EST.

Flesa Black, Mechele Armstrong, Desiree Erotique, Anne Douglas, Melinda Barron, and newcomer Isabella Snow will be chatting, laughing, quoting scenes and generally having a great time.

Realms of Love - Romance Writer Chats in December

Across Time by Rayne Forrest received an excellent romance novel review from Two Lips Reviews. Here's what Kerin had to say about Ms. Forrest's latest romance eBook from Aspen Mountain Press:

You definitely don't want to miss this book!  Across Time is an extremely well written, powerful and intense story.  The characters and scenes are so well described that I could visualize everything so well that I felt like I was watching a movie instead of reading a book. 

Here's an excerpt:

Excerpt of Rayne Forrest's Across Time

What was that?” Devin asked Corri. “You’re muttering.”  

“No, I’m not. I’ve got work to do.” She rose and stalked off. Devin went after her. 

Those long legs of hers were covering a lot of ground, fast. He caught up to her but she didn’t stop until she reached the beverage station. Devin snorted at the fancy brews.  

“Winston really roughs it, doesn’t he? Espresso. Cappuccino. Latte.” 

“Just pour,” Corri snapped and held out a mug. “I told him, Devin. Don’t let all the gentility fool you. Post that guard.” 

“It’s done. Now what’s wrong?” 

She jerked her head towards an area at the edge of the trees where assorted chairs were loosely assembled around a fire pit. He followed her silently.  

“I looked up references to Easter Island ,” she told him, selecting a chair and sitting. “I don’t understand how that isolated island can have anything to do with here. Those people died off, probably starved out due to their isolation. The island couldn’t support them. It’s only forty-five square miles of rock.” 

“The civilization thrived for many years.” Devin burned to know what else she’d found. He knew she’d found something; she refused to meet his eyes.  

“Do you believe in dreams?” 

“I’m sorry, I didn’t get your name,” he said in his best, politest voice. 

The look she gave him was priceless. Part disbelief, part feminine irritation, part amusement, and all Corrine Dunn. He wished he’d had his scanner ready to capture it.  

“I’m serious, Tremaine. Do you?” 

He looked out across the field where members of Winston’s team worked. He looked back, across time, to a few short months when he’d been truly happy.  

“Sure. I have to believe in dreams. I want you back.” 

She didn’t answer. Devin took the chance and looked at her. She was staring off across the rolling green hills.  

“I had a vision,” she said so softly he almost couldn’t hear her voice. Some instinct told him she was completely serious. This, then, was the strained look she had today. 

“Tell me.” He took her hand. That she allowed him to do so spoke volumes. 

He listened while she related the dream to him. When she fell silent, he didn’t speak immediately. 

He knew her. She wasn’t one to imagine things. She’d had some sort of odd experience. An icy finger of fear traced its way down his spine. He believed there were a lot of things out here, in space, that no one knew about. 

“It’s possible you dreamed it because of all the research you did before you went to bed,” he said, trying to make it seem logical. 

“Yes, it could have been so. But it wasn’t.” 

He plucked the mug from her hand. “Come on. Let’s take a little walk.” He was surprised when she nodded and called her first officer to alert him to her status. She was really shaken.  

They walked downstream for about a mile before coming to a shallow pool. They chose a large flat rock and sat. 

“I tried to find you after I got my first posting,” she told him. “You’d blocked me out.” 

“I was hurt.” I still am, a bit.

“I need the truth from you. Why are we here?” 

He didn’t pretend not to understand. He’d rather smooth out the past before jumping to the future, but he had to be patient with that, with her. 

“I don’t know. That’s the truth.” He pulled a data disk from his pocket and handed it to her. 

“That’s what I have so far. You have access to different library banks. Maybe this will add something.” 

She took the disk and slipped it in a pocket. Then she did what he’d not dared hope for. She reached out to him, needing him. 

She leaned her head on his shoulder and sighed tiredly. 

Another time he’d have pushed his advantage. Another time he’d have laid her down on the grass and made love to her the way a man should love a woman. 

But this time, her tired sigh and haunted eyes had him at a serious disadvantage. He put his arm around her and let her lean on his strength. The Corri he’d known at another time would not have permitted it. 

He kissed her hair. It was all he dared. He expected at any moment she’d realize she was taking comfort from him and snap back to her normal self and snap him in half for sitting there thinking about sex. And it would be obvious he was thinking about sex if she happened to look below his belt.

You can download this romance novel now from Aspen Mountain  Press. 

romantic fiction, science fiction, erotica, books

ebooks4u just blogged about the Laura Baumbach interview at Fallen Angels Reviews in Laura Baumbach Kicks A$$

Laura is on a crusade to bring Romantic Times into the new millenium. You can read about that in Laura Baumbach's blog.

What does Laura have to say about m/m fiction?  "God, I love men. Where one man is great, two men are so hot together."

gay, writing, romance, slash,

I like this Racy Li gal. Any woman who can share "She wanted a cat but somehow ended up with a husband" with the blogosphere has the humor and intelligence to get me to dig deeper in her blog.  

In Erotic Romance: Science Fiction's Forgotten Stepsister Racy shares a couple of interesting observations about romance novels in general and science fiction erotica in particular. I suggest you read the whole piece but here's a few gems.

Epublishing erotic romance is giving greater economic power to women as business leaders, editors, artists, and authors.

(she caught that Detroit Free Press article from a couple weeks back)

and

Yes, romance has a reputation for formulaic plots, and bodice rippers, and at times, it is deservedly so, but formulas and bad books exist in every genre. Erotic romance with its speculative elements is arguably reaching more non-science fiction readers (predominantly women) than books labeled squarely science fiction.

and Racy continues:

As a market led by, driven by and consumed by a largely female audience, those concerned with women in science fiction should take note; erotic romance may be the new face of feminist science fiction.

My only issue is she uses the word gender when she means the word sex. But maybe I'm getting as old as my father who wishes he could use the word gay the way he used to use it.

Trin is a story set in a distant apocalyptic future. JM Snyder, gay male erotica writer, recently published Trin with Aspen Mountain Press.  

Frost at Two Lips Reviews says in her review of Trin: 

I was enticed from the first sentences and the plot was off and running. Sensations of sensuality are present from the very beginning without being belabored, and the characters’ dialogue is realistic and enticing. Rarely has a novel made me this hot, this fast, and it’s surely left me anticipating more from this inspired author. I read the entire story with my heart in my mouth, and the stunning denouement was totally unexpected. I can’t recommend Trin highly enough.

That was enough to earn 5 Kisses and 3 Chili Peppers, it's hot!

Here's an excerpt from Trin, a gay erotic romance novel:

In the drowsy sun, Trin didn't hear the devlars until they were swarming over the back of the truck. "Trin!" Blain cried. His brother gave him a shove that sent him sliding off the hood and into the dust, and before he could stand Blain grabbed the back of his shirt and hauled him to his feet. Dark shadows flittered over the ground from preybirds circling above, sensing a kill. He got one good look at the devlars -- claws and teeth and hateful eyes like drops of black blood -- and then his brother foisted him into the cab of the truck, slammed the door shut behind him. Inside the heat was stifling, and Trin could hear the insidious sound of dry wings rubbing together, teeth squealing off metal, his brother's gun firing laborious rounds into the horde. And what about when the pillshot ran out? What about when they overtook Blain, and Trin was trapped inside? He tried to peer through the windows but they were thick with dust. His heart hammered in his chest -- three seconds ago, he was almost asleep. He couldn't seem to comprehend that this wasn't part of a sun-induced dream.

The ground rumbled like thunder and Trin wiped at the windshield, desperate to see. From out of the swirling sand rode two large run-gun trucks, one gunner on each roof, another leaning out the passenger side windows, flames licking from their guns. The driver of the closest truck held it on the run with one hand and aimed into the devlars with the gun in his other. Trin saw the hand steady on the wheel, felt the pellets strike the truck, each shot carefully aimed. Later, after the devlars were dead and the men gone as quickly as they had appeared, he asked Blain who they were. "Gunners," his brother replied. The look he gave Trin suggested that he thought the sun had melted part of his brother's brain.

 

You can download Trin today at Aspen Mountain Press.

gay, erotic, romance, novel

Phaze Books Authors Chat at Realms of Love

Join Phaze Books authors Alessia Brio, Jessie Verino, Mychael Black in the Realms of Love Chat Castle, Monday September 18 at 9 PM Eastern/ 6 PM Pacific. There will be a give-away of a free eBook download.

Phaze Books is a publisher of Romantic and Women’s Erotica in eBook and print. Realms of Love is a community of Romance readers and writers featuring romance reviews, news and writer chats.

Authors Alessia Brio and Will Belegon teamed up for the August release of Amichu, the further adventures of Mandy and Bruce. They are headed to South America for another trek into the amorously unknown.

Mychael Black and Shayne Carmichael wrote The Power of Two. As a vampire Master, Dominic has been eyeing his old friend, Griffith for quite a while. However, Grif's got a secret. Dominance? Submission? Read all about it in The Power of Two.

Jessie Verino's latest is Spellbound. He can't leave. She can't stay. When Joshua Neville asks Solange Monroe to help him return to his own time so he can clear his name for a murder he didn't commit, will she succeed at the risk of losing her heart, or will their budding love be stronger than a century old curse?

Never chatted at RoL? Stop by, it’s a fun, friendly group.

Be at Realms of Love each third Monday of the month at 9 PM Eastern/ 6 PM Pacific for a real good time chatting with some great romance authors.

tags: romance, paranormal, eBooks, erotica, romantica, chat, vampire, phaze books

tags: romance, paranormal, eBooks, erotica, romantica, chat, vampire, phaze books

tags: romance, paranormal, eBooks, erotica, romantica, chat, vampire, phaze books

A romance writer close to my heart, Lucynda Storey, is very excited to have received her highest rated review yet from Just Erotic Romance Reviews . Julie Esparza had to reach for her toys while reading Refugee, the BDSM romance from Loose-Id.

The review is included below, in its entirety, because it is not posted on line yet. It was posted only on the JERR Yahoo group.

Congratulations Lucynda. Reader beware: better stock up on batteries (and the tissues) before buying this one.

Review of Refugee by Lucynda Storey from Just Erotic Romance Reviews

Title: Irresistible 2: Refugee
Author: Lucynda Storey
Publisher: Loose ID
Publisher URL: www.loose-id.net
ISBN: 978-1-59632-322-3
Reviewer: Julie Esparza
Rating: 5 Stars
Heat level: H
Jack Smith answers the call of his buddy, Case Roberts, and finds himself dealing with an emotionally fragile victim of vicious abuse. She has just been sprung from the dungeon of one of the cities most vicious sexual predators. Amanda Byrne is cursing herself for giving her mind body and soul to Victor Wakefield. Jack can't stand the lost face on the angel in front of him. He refuses to act on his desires knowing he is a Dominant and the last thing that Amanda needs at this time. Even though she knows that she might have a sexual relationship in the future, Amanda can't imagine finding another man she could possibly trust with the intimacy of her submission. Jack attracts her but he is a cop and deserves a decent woman and she knows she just isn't good enough for him.

Heart wrenching, yet beautiful, Refugee by Lucynda Storey is book 2 of the Irresistible series. A continuation of Simply Irresistible, it covers the rebirth of a submissive as she struggles with her destroyed life. Amanda is a strong woman who slowly had her will stolen from her in the guise of love and submission. Intelligent, she is scared to have to pick up her life but she refuses to let life be over. Jack is a complex man dealing with his own demons and a temper that leads him into all sorts of trouble. His conviction that Amanda deserves better than him is passionate. Both hide secrets but they build a tentative relationship. Fortunately, they find neither can resist their passion. The sex is tender, hot and beautiful. The plot merges well with the previous story, but it is also able to stand alone. There is discussion of some evil acts done (before Amanda is rescued from Victor) but the story involves more of the emotional side of BDSM. This is a sweet relationship with tantalizing scenes that had me smelling the roses. Ms. Storey has another winner with Refugee.
Julie Esparza
Just Erotic Romance Reviews

tags: Romance, BDSM, Erotic, Review

tags: Romance, BDSM, Erotic, Review

The reviews for The Sacred Glade by Diane Charles Linford keep coming and they are HOT! 5 Coffee Cups from Coffee Time Romance!

Check out what Caro had to say:

Ms Linford has written an exceptionally unique story that explores ‘what if’ and alternate realities wonderfully. Written in the first person, the fast paced and gripping plot draws the reader along on a journey of discovery from page one.

The Sacred Glade is an Alternate Reality Romance available at Aspen Mountain Press. Congratulations DC!

Diane Charles Linford is often chatting in the romance writer chats at Realms of Love. Stop by and talk with this fascinating author. 

Here's an excerpt of The Sacred Glade:

Excerpt of Diane Charles Linford's
The Sacred Glade

I stopped and looked across a span of at least one hundred eighty degrees from one side to the other.  I let out a loud sigh of frustration and continued to scan the area.  Finally, I spotted the thin scratch of a trail to the southeast.  I headed toward the narrow wisp of dirt determined to follow where the path led me. 
What the heck, go for it.
    I’m glad I had enough sense to wear my sneakers as the ground which had been soaked and then partially frozen in the November weather had thawed.  The dying grass and vegetation covered squishy mud which coated the bottoms of my shoes.  I could just imagine what this trail would do to a pair of good shoes.
    I saw a glint of blue light in the trees ahead.  Could this be the portal Hannah referred to?  I decided to investigate.  At least there was something here worth checking out.  It occurred to me I might find what I was looking for but not know how to get back out when the time came.  Wouldn’t that just figure?  And me without a trail of breadcrumbs, I growled softly in frustration.  Nancy Drew’s probably laughing her ass off at me.
    Chance it, Diane.  What have you got to lose?
    I looked around to get my bearings.  Bare trees on all sides, gray sky above, and muddy vegetation below.  Oh yeah, got it now.  I continued to step forward trying to find my bearings in the forest when a bluish flash of light burst through the intertwined branches once more.  Okay, go toward the blue light.
    I wound my way through the trees for another hundred yards or so.  Well, that wasn’t quite right.  I had to cover about a hundred yards in a straight line, but the forest wouldn’t allow me to move in any kind of a straight line.   So, as I wove in and out of the trees, I tried to keep the intermittent glimmer of light in sight.
    Then I heard the sigh in the breeze, just like the one I’d heard that day from the other side of my decorative fence.  Was this a trick?  Was it my imagination playing games with me?
    Suddenly, I caught my breath.  The forest opened into a small clearing, a glade, if you will.  The earth in this patch of open space seemed to be built on a natural mound, like a dry hummock which I gravitated to naturally.  Now the shimmering blue glimmer floating above me seemed to ripple and descend toward the same dry mound where I stood.  I figured I’d remain judicious and keep back from this phenomenon.  The shimmering light looked like some sort of jellyfish membrane hovering in the air, though, thankfully, I didn’t see any stinging tentacles hanging from its core.  My body reminded me to breathe out and I released some of my tension.
    I have to say, whatever it was, the phenomenon scared and excited me at the same time.  I shook my head and subconsciously raised my hand to my mouth.  I couldn’t help it.  Whatever this thing was made me giggle.  I felt millimeters away from losing control.  I should walk up and touch the surface of the thing.
No!  Don’t do that.  That’s crazy!  Stand still.  Stand here.  Don’t move.  Well except a little bit this way, maybe.  If I move this way maybe I can see it from a different angle.
What the hell, I moved.
    The membrane of light rippled and shimmered in place over the mound.  It hovered in one spot as if holding itself in place for inspection. Curiosity seized me and I found myself magnetically drawn toward the light.
    I moved again.  The airborne membrane drifted over the mound like a blue tinted window to the other side.  Wait a minute.  This wasn’t right.  If I looked at the area across from me in the glade, it looked different than if I looked right through the blue filtered veil.  Why was that?  Was this some effect of the light?  No, the trees opposite from me stood about six or seven feet apart, but similar trees seen through the window appeared closer. 

tags: Romance, Science Fiction, Review

tags: Romance, Science Fiction, eBook, eBooks, Review

Not just for romance writers but romance and erotica are always hot categories in this contest. The EPPIE are open for entries...

Eligibility- ANY e-book of 10,000 words or more (or less for poetry or Children's) published between Oct 1, 2005 and Sept 30, 2006 and REALEASED FOR SALE. It doesn't matter if there was also a print release. It doesn't matter if the e-book is self-published, subsidy/vanity published, with indie press or in NY. It doesn't matter if you are an EPIC member or not. It doesn't matter where in the world you live, as long as the book was released in English. Re-releases in the contest period ARE allowed, as long as the book was not entered in the EPPIE in a previous year. ALL are welcome. Questions can be directed to the contest coordinator, Carol MacLeod, at xoddity@cox.net

Categories and rules- See http://epicauthors.com/eppiefaq.html and
http://epicauthors.com/eppierules2007.html Please, pay special attention to the category descriptions and the file naming requirements. These have changed this year.

Cost to enter- $20 for EPIC members and $30 for non-members. Payment is accepted in US Dollars by PayPal, check or money order. Details on the entry page.

Deadline for entry- Midnight EST 7 Oct, 2006. Finalists announced Dec
2006. Winners announced 11 March, 2007 at EPICon in VA Beach.

NEW VOICES is open for entries...

Eligibility- Open to middle school and high school students worldwide. The student may be home schooled, in public school or in private school.
Categories and rules- See http://epicauthors.com/newvoices.html Entry forms are available from Lillie Ammann (coordinator) at newvoices@epicauthors.com and will post soon on the web site. Teacher packets for the contest are available from Brenna Lyons at president@ epicauthors.com Children may submit one entry for each of their age-level categories: poetry, essay and fiction. Please, check the length limits on entries and remember that a parent/guardian signature IS required for entry.

Cost to enter- No entry fee! Prizes are awarded.

Deadline for entry- Midnight EST 1 Nov, 2006. Finalists announced Dec 2006. Winners announced 11 March 2007 at EPICon in VA Beach.

Aspen Mountain Press knows how to pick the hot romance writers. The latest is Jade Rivers. What Women Read has an excerpt from the Road to Romance spread about Jade here. 

Here's a few cool facts about Jade from RtR:

TURN-ONS:
Really loud motorcycles.
TURNOFFS:
Anorexic sex symbols.

MY IDEAL EVENING:
Winning Colin Farrel (sp?) in a charity bachelor auction for $5.00.
MY WEAK SPOT:
HA!  Like I'd tell you.

"My mother would tell you, 'Jade’s a natural-born prevaricator, fabricator, and all-around manipulator of the facts.' She’s been saying that ever since I could talk, but I don’t think she strictly means it in a nice way."

 

Jade Rivers' latest erotic romance eBook, Shattered Legacy is at Aspen Mountain Press. Here's an excerpt:

Excerpt of Jade Rivers's
Shattered Legacy

A sleek brunette parked at a corner table waved him into the seat opposite her, smiling and gesturing at a steaming cup of coffee.
He gratefully sank into a plush ginger side chair, the type you always see in cozy coffee shops. 

Leaning forward, she poised the cream pitcher above his cup, raising her eyebrows. 
He nodded and she poured generously.  Bobbing his head at her offer of sugar, he stirred while she added three heaping teaspoons, then tentatively sipped.  It was heavenly.  His brain cells stretched and snapped to attention, all systems go.  “I hope to God you’re Hilary Scott.  If not, I’m prepared to pay a premium for the seat and coffee.”
She laughed and he was enchanted by the smooth richness of her voice, like maple syrup pouring from a warm pitcher.  Sean had a huge appreciation for vocal elegance, spoken or sung.
He reached across the table and offered his frozen appendage.
She grasped it decisively in a firm, warm grip, pumping straight up and straight down, no nonsense.  Smiling, she said in that incredible voice, “Hilary Scott, at your service.  I prefer Hil.”
He smiled in return.  “It‘s a pleasure, and thanks for the coffee.  How did you know it was me?”

“I saw the cab pull up.  I seriously doubt any of the regulars are desperate enough to call a cab in weather like this, no matter how good the coffee is.”

Sean smiled and acknowledged the truth in her logic.  “So where would you like to start?”
She was direct.  “I would like to know a little more about you first, if you don’t mind.”  She chuckled, “Aside from the fact that you’re a snappy dresser, I haven’t had time to learn anything, so be thorough.” 

Snatching off his day-glo orange cap, he stuffed it deep into his coat pocket.  Sean usually shopped at thrift stores.  For winter, warmth was his highest priority, not style. 
Determined to answer her question directly, he drew a deep breath and launched into his abbreviated Bio.
“Ok, I’m Sean O' Riley.  I was born in Queens, son of an Irish cop and a schoolteacher, both first generation American.  My grandparents immigrated to America in the 30’s, both sides.  My father died in the line of duty when I was 11, so I grew up in the shadow of a Hero.  I broke a lot of rules in high school, and spent a lot of time working things out.  I started college late and majored in criminal justice, trying to measure up to a ghost.  I was unhappy as a cop, too sympathetic to the human condition.  I met a man with a plan, he introduced me to Bishop Grant in New York, and the rest is history.  I investigate matters of relevance and importance to the church and it’s affiliates in the Tri-state area, everything from desperate deacons dipping into the tithe box to—well, murder.”
She frowned, taken aback by such unexpected candor, then smiled frostily.  “That pretty well explains your presence here.  So, the Archdiocese is pushing its own law-enforcement these days…  Are they going to make this difficult for the state authorities?”

Sean raised his eyebrows in an unspoken question.
She explained; “It’s highly probable that the killer is local, possibly even in the school’s own administration.  St. Catherine’s is a closed campus, and the placement of the body suggests that the killer has a case of rather extreme moral indignation.  I don’t want someone trying to direct my investigation away from valid suspects just to save face.” 

I asked Ingrid Darzins for a bio. She sent this crap...

I'm originally from Chicago, but lived many wonderful years in Texas and now in Colorado. My husband Al and I have 3 kids, two dogs, and far too many inlaws. I currently teach at a charter school in the Denver area and look forward to being with my students every day... their parents might be another story altogether.

It just so happens that I met Ingrid at a dinner party last Saturday. She's a whole lot more exciting than that...

Ingrid has visited Latvia several times in her life, at least once during communist rule. She attended the baptism of a cousin in a boarded up church in the middle of the night. A guy showed her his Rolex in a hot tub in Sturgis. She's smart, funny and really enjoys teaching. She's got three books planned for this series and the story line might not go the way you think it's going to go. Ingrid wears sparkly gold mascara and now enjoys Mexican Coca Cola. She knows she would get any final Jeopardy question right if the category was Henry the 8th. Now wasn't my version more interesting?

Here's an excerpt from No Crime Like the Present, currently available from Aspen Mountain Press:

It had not been a good day by any stretch of the imagination and the sun had barely crested the horizon. It was only 7:05

That’s the problem with finding bodies in the copy room, ruins your whole day. Doesn't do much for the owner of the body either.

Rose was not going to look, absolutely not going to turn her head in that direction. If she knew the person who was sprawled across the copy machine, she was going to be sick. Actually, even if she didn’t know the victim she was going to be sick. (On reflection, tossing those cookies she had scarfed for breakfast might not be such a bad thing).

No, no, no, no looking.

She looked. Bad move.

Perhaps if she concentrated on something else while she endeavored to settle her stomach: men, sex, chocolate?

Maybe she should call someone? What did Hercule Poirot do when he stumbled across a corpse of recent vintage? Twirl his mustache? (Actually, that was possible for her too—note to self—make appointment for electrolysis immediately.)

Perhaps it was a dummy set out by some students who would pay dearly for this prank. No, too much blood for that. (Hold on tummy- concentrate.)

Maybe if she just closed her eyes and did what she came here to do the illusion of mayhem would fade into the mist and she could pretend that all those éclairs she had for dinner last night had finally rotted her brain.

Yes! That would do the trick. Copy that killer of a test for third period. Perhaps she might consider rephrasing that. Close your eyes and make LOTS of copies. Think positive.

It was just that the body in question was slumped over the big copier, the one that did two sided copying and, well, as long as there had to be a corpse, couldn’t it be sprawled somewhere a bit more convenient? The cafeteria perhaps. The food there was so vile that bodies lying about should be a common sight anyway.

“Miss Hill,” a quiet voice at her side murmured, “Shall I call downstairs for some help?”

“That’s probably a good idea, dear.”

 What We Read just posted a link to  Maya Reynolds'  blog about this Detroit Free Press article by Marta Salij.

Has your writing been sitting on some editor's slush pile for a year? Do you have a novel gathering dust in the drawer? Do you just know that your characters will touch the hearts of readers if you could just get their story into their hands? You are not alone.

Here's a bit of the Detroit Free Press article...

The first erotic romance is probably painted on a cave wall somewhere. Talking about sex is nothin' new.

But frank and lusty sex scenes are new when it comes to mainstream romance fiction.

Even a few years ago, the contemporary romances that included premarital sex between the hero and heroine were heavier on the tension than the actual act.

Enter a gifted Tampa erotica writer and single mom, Tina Engler, who couldn't get a New York publisher to take her explicit stories. So, in the spirit of being responsible for your own orgasmic literature, Engler turned to the Web and the promise of e-books.

The result was Ellora's Cave, the imprint she founded in 2000. She published her own stories as Jaid Black, and soon began to publish other writers. She added paperback versions in 2003.

Ellora's Cave today has more than 200 authors with more than 1,100 titles. In the first quarter of 2006, they sold more than 67,000 e-books and more than 13,000 paperbacks, says Susan Edwards, vice president of media relations.

"We like to think we started the storm," says Raelene Gorlinsky, managing editor. "And we hope we're successful at it."

Looking for more information about Romance eBook publishing? Check out Realms of Love for romance author chats, Aspen Mountain Press for an awesome eBook editor and What Women Read for romance eBook news and reviews. 

Lucynda Storey is one hot romance writer.

Check out Cyn's Blog at  Lucynda Storey  BlogSpirit.

Her latest bdsm romance story, Refugee, is available at Loose-Id.

Cyn is an author at Realms of Love, a romance writer and reader news site. She is published at Loose-Id, Triskelion and Erotique.

Click to see all Lucynda Storey's books .  She is an eBook editor at has quite a few articles on eBook reading and writing at WhatWeRead.com.

Cyn got a great review for Refugee from Enchanted Ramblings. Read about the Review of Refugee by Lucynda Storey at Realms of Love.

Here's a snippet of the review of the romance bdsm novel:

"Ms. Storey created an incredible set of characters, bringing them to life for me. I felt for them. I cheered their actions, and felt their pain. A beautiful story of how a loving, trusting relationship can be fulfilling without restricting one’s freedom and growth."

Check out all the blogs that are participating in the eBook viral marketing experiment.

Jinger Heaston has won quite a few awards for her cover art for romance and erotica eBook covers. Customers include Aspen Mountain Press  Rayne Forrest and Lauren N. Sharman.

Many erotica writers at Siren Puiblishing have Jinger's covers on their books. 

Link to Romance_Ebook's Xanga Site

Over at What Women Read they have a discount code for the eBooks at Aspen Mountain Press.

Aspen Mountain Press has romance, erotica, mystery and humor eBooks.

Use the code for a 25 percent discount off any of their releases. 

Link to eBooks for Women -- Blog Archive » eBook Discount Code from Aspen Mountain Press

Viral Blogging

I am participating in a blogging experiment hosted at dearauthor.com. To enter the contest, put up this blurb, image, and trackback and you are entered to win the following prize package.

• $200 Amazon gift certificate
• Signed copy of Slave to Sensation
• New Zealand goodies chosen by Singh
• ARC of Christine Feehan's October 31 release: Conspiracy Game

SLAVE TO SENSATION
Nalini Singh
Berkley / September 2006

Welcome to a future where emotion is a crime and powers of the mind clash brutally against those of the heart.

Sascha Duncan is one of the Psy, a psychic race that has cut off its emotions in an effort to prevent murderous insanity. Those who feel are punished by having their brains wiped clean, their personalities and memories destroyed.

Lucas Hunter is a Changeling, a shapeshifter who craves sensation, lives for touch. When their separate worlds collide in the serial murders of Changeling women, Lucas and Sascha must remain bound to their identities…or sacrifice everything for a taste of darkest temptation.

Excerpt