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Friday, May 29, 2015

A Novel Expereince

So if you have been following my blog for a while, or have looked at past posts, you know that I have been working on a novel for about a year now. Well I am happy to say a couple weeks ago I completed the first draft!

How I feel about finishing my novel

Now as other writers know, I am a long way from done. I am currently working through my first rounds of editing, including adding in new characters, expanding some characters' roles, and inserting an entirely new subplot that wasn't even hinted at in the first draft.

Needless to say it's all a lot of work. But if I'm being honest, I would wish for anything else. There is nothing quite like the satisfaction of having completed a novel and I want to feel that satisfaction again and again. I already have plans on bringing out a manuscript I started before and redoing it. In the meantime, other than editing I am working on my first script attempt. I'll probably be on here to babble more about that endeavor later. Until then, write on folks.

Friday, May 1, 2015

Video: Beauty of Fan Conventions

I have been dabbling recently in the art of filming and film editing. It's been a fun thing to teach myself and I've been enjoying every part of the long frustrating process.Today I am sharing my latest effort, a video on fan culture and the world of fandom conventions.



Saturday, March 21, 2015

Organization for Transformative works: Part Four Transformative Works and Cultures

Today is the final installment on my series about Organzation for Transformative Works. I have had fun talking about a couple of their projects, and saved my favorite of them for last. My academic heart goes aflutter every time I think about Transformative Works and Cultures. Anyone in academics can tell you the pain of having to find articles and the perfect one is behind the barrier of subscribers only journals. Even more so, those interested in fandom culture or pop/media culture in an academic light, find peer reviewed work scarce. Transformative Works and Cultures decided they do not want to be like other journals and made their peer reviewed work available for free to anyone. All you have to do is visit their website.



TWC is a bi-annual journal, that accepts work on different aspects of fan culture, media studies, and related topics. They keep the costs down by making the journal only available online. Having it online also helps to make the information covered within the journal easily available to any who want to read it. Being Gold Open Access means that anyone who goes on to the site are allowed to read and print the work, sharing it with others.

Earlier this week the TWC came out with their March issue, a special edition on Performance and Performantivity. The issue covered topics like "self representation in literary fandom," Doctor Who themed weddings, and football fandom.

Even if you aren't into fandom academics, you should check out the journal just for the different views on various aspect of fandom. It is all very interesting and would intrigue anyone who wants to keep their finger on the pulse of fan culture.

Friday, March 13, 2015

Eddie Redmayne and Trans* Actors in Hollywood


I  had some thoughts about the recent wank about Eddie Redmayne and The Danish Girl and thought to put it down. To at least attempt to keep the amount of wank down, I’m going to put this all under the cut. If you don’t want to see it, then don’t click.

All right kids, so I have see a lot on my dash lately about Eddie Redmayne playing Einar Wegener/Lili Elbe in The Danish Girl. At first, I too was upset that a cis man was playing the role of a trans woman. Then I had a discussion with my mother about the topic and how we need more representation of people on the queer spectrum and of races in the screen (this was not just about Eddie but also Scar Jo playing Motoko in Ghost in Shell). 

She was of the opinion that because there aren’t many trans* actors, it makes sense that a cis male would get the role. I heartily disagree with this sentiment. I think there are so few trans* actors in Hollywood because they are not getting hired, not because they don’t want to act. What struck me though is when listing the two examples of trans* characters played by trans* actresses, I remembered something. 

Laverne Cox’s character Sophie in Orange is the New Black had scenes that were pre- and post-op. The thing is, Laverne couldn’t play both parts. They hired her twin brother to play the part of pre-op Sophie. Not every actress is as lucky as Sophie to have a twin that can play the male version of her character. 

My point being that in order for someone trans* to play a trans* role that requires the character to be pre- and post-op needs to have someone that looks enough like them to play the other role. If that is not the case, then it is easier to get an actor that is of the same original gender. Especially in the case of a movie like there where a large portion of it seems to be on Einar pre-op.

Plus, this saves the film money, instead of having to pay two actors, they only have to pay one. I’m not saying money is a good reason for this to happen, but as someone on the fringes of film industry, I know films never have enough money in their budget. That’s why scenes constantly get cut. From the outsider’s point of view, the millions of dollars they have may seem like enough, but it never is. That’s an entirely different discussion though.

The point is, there may very well be good reason behind the hiring of a cis male for a trans*woman role. None of this is to say I agree with the decision, just that I could possibly understand where they are coming from. Even more so I would love to see trans* actors in both trans* and cis roles. If a cis actor can play a trans* role, why can't a trans* actors play cis roles?

Friday, March 6, 2015

Organization for Transformative Works: Part Three Fanlore

Fanlore was launched in 2008 and left the beta stage in 2010. Since then, it has been running strong. With a current count of over 30,000 articles, it is understandable why Fanlore has become a go to place to find out almost anything you want to know about fandom.


The site prides itself on being a place fans can "read about fan activites, fannish vocabulary, and the histories of fan communities--and add your own voice, memories, and experiences to [their] collective story." Fanlore also offers a chatroom, news page, and social networking communities for users to connect with each other.

Because anyone can edit, Fanlore offers tutorials on proper editing. And if you are totally new to their wiki, there is a New Visitor Portal to explain how Fanlore works.

Like other projects the Organization for Transformative Works is involved with, Fanlore has an intuitive and easy to use search engine. As an example, I searched for the first fannish thing that popped in my head: I'll be in my bunk. Typing that into the search engine at the top right hand corner of the screen, a page devoted to the phrase came up. The page explained the phrase's meaning and origin, plus gave sources for the information. I can admit, I spent several minutes searching things in order to stump the site, to no avail. I actually ended up learning more about the things I thought I already understood.

Fanlore is the perfect place for a fan, or someone even remotely curious, to learn more about fandom history and the things surrounding fandom.





Saturday, February 21, 2015

Organization for Transformative Works: Part Two AO3



Okay one of my favorite things that the Organization for Transformative Works is their fanfiction archive, Archive of Our Own. I literally go to that website everyday. Founded in 2007, Archive of Our Own (more commonly referred to as AO3) is now the third largest archive for fanfiction.

For the fiction that is available on the site already, there is the most comprehensive and easy to use search engines on any fanfic archive site. You can search by character, ship, language, rating. Rank my comments, kudos, newness. These are only a few of the features you can use to search. I've been reading fanfiction for over ten years now and this is the best search engine I've ever come across. Even better is the tagging system. They make it easy to either use already popular tags that will help people  better find things related to what they want to read or the author can make up their own tags so they can be a specific as they want.

One of my personal favorite features of the site is the ability to add a piece to your account without posting it yet. The site will keep your work for up to a month. This is great for writers who have finished something and may want to keep it for a little while before posting it. Because many fanfic writer participate in bangs or exchanges, it is nice to be able to semi-post something while waiting on the deadline.







The volunteers for the website also run Twitter and Tumblr accounts to keep their users updated with anything that is potentially going on with the site. This is great for times when the website might be down for maintenance or there are problems with your account and you need someone to contact.

I could easily go on and on for pages about the wonders that AO3 brings to the universe. They are a marvel for both fic writers and readers. Despite there being a myriad of archives out there, this is the main one I use. Partly because it is gaining so much popularity, but also because it is most conscientious and helpful websites out there. 

Friday, February 13, 2015

Organization for Transformative Works: Part One

I was recently reading an article and it was mentioned that media seems to "see bronies as far more newsworthy that Organization forTransformative Works or the Vlogbrothers' Nerdfighter movement." Now, I see a lot of things about Nerfighters, and the Green brothers in particular, but have not seen much on OTW outside of those in the know. So I decided to fangirl all over one of my favorite organizations for a post. Then I realized that I would need at least a couple posts to fully share my love and appreciation.



The first thing you probably need to know about OTW is their mission statement. Their website states that their mission is to "serve the interests of fans by providing access to and preserving the history of fanworks and fan culture in its myriad forms. We believe that fanworks are transformative and that transformative works are legitimate. The OTW represents a practice of transformative fanwork historically rooted in a primarily female culture. The OTW will preserve the record of that history as we pursue out mission while encouraging new and non-mainstream expressions of cultural identity within fandom."

Basically what this means is they want to support fan culture and the history of fan culture any way they can, which is pretty awesome.


The second thing that is probably important is that the OTW has seven main branches: Archive of Our Own, their fanfiction archive; Fanhackers, their fannish news blog; Fanlore, a wiki to document fandom history; Fan Video and Multimedia, a multimedia fandom project; Legal Advocacy, legal advice and help to do with fanworks; Open Doors, a project to help preserve in danger fanworks and archives; and Transformative Works and Cultures, a peer-reviewed academic journal about fandom and fanworks. This does not include the social media accounts (Twitter and Tumblr among others) that keep fans connected with what is going on within the organization and how they can help.


I have a passing familiarity with all of the projects OTW has going on, but I am most familiar with Archive of Our Own, Fanlore, and Transformative Works and Cultures, so each of these articles will focus on one of those three.

Friday, January 23, 2015

New Year and a New Blog



As you can probably tell, I have not been posting to this blog much in the past few months. That is partly because I felt lost with my blog. I enjoy doing reviews, but I felt that I was reading the same thing over and over and there wasn't much new out there. I was getting burned out.

So after some long deliberations I decided to turn this blog into something I enjoy more.

Don't fret, I will still be happily talking about books, just not only about new/unpublished book reviews. I will be talking more about movies, academia, fan culture, and all the other things that excite me. Almost everything will still be book related, but things will be more diverse and probably a bit more all over the place.

Another new addition you will see on here is a page keeping up with all of the books I read this year. It is a new years resolution of mine to read a piece of classic literature or nonfiction for every book I read for fun. I am hoping this will expand my knowledge and broaden my horizons.

I look forward to you enjoying the changes being implemented on this blog.

Friday, November 14, 2014

NaNo Blurb

I thought I would share the blurb for the story I am using NaNoWriMo to work on.

Imani has always been easy going, or if she is being honest with herself, passice. Whether it's her friends pressuring her into clothes she normally wouldn't wear in a million years  or her boyfriend dragging her to the latest club, she always gives in.

But when the secret order, Society of the Pantheon, tells her she is the latest vessel for a Norse goddess, she better gain more confidence in herself or she will never gain control of her powers.

Matters aren't helped when between a rocky relationship, finding out who her true friends are, and budding godhood, she has to help figure out who is killing the other vessels.

No one ever told her college would be this hard.

What do you think? What are you spending November working on?

Friday, November 7, 2014

NaNoWriMo 2014

I've been avoiding doing a post about NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) out of the fear that this year will end in my shame like every other year. See every year I swear I am going to win, then within the first week I quit. So I thought I would spare myself the shame. But low and behold here I am talking about it.

So what changed?

This year I actually feel genuine confidence in myself and more understand about myself. I'm not the fastest writer, generally I am happy to be able to squeeze a couple hundred words out when I try really hard at writing. This probably wasn't helped by my lack of taking time to write. I would go weeks, if not months, between sitting down and writing. Recently though, I've stumbled across a group of people on Tumblr that gather in a chat and run Word Wars (the practice of writing as much as you can in a set amount of time). Most of the writers in the group are fanfiction writers, and when I started writing with them, that was what I was working on. But now with NaNo in the air, some of us are working on original works.

We all challenge and encourage each other to do better and in the few weeks I've been with them I've increased my writing speed to levels of me being able to handle the 1600 word a day demand NaNo requires. And even better I feel myself typing more and more and getting faster.


I can feel myself becoming a better writer and I feel a real confidence that this year I will make my personal goal (15,000) if not win NaNo.

Monday, September 29, 2014

Special Announcement At Misadventures

I've been sitting on a little piece of news since July. Many of you who have been following my blog knows how much I love the New Adult category, and even more, how much I support genres other than romance being represented.

Well those of you who enjoy New Adult may know of the website NA Alley and the shake ups that have been going on around there lately. I am happy to announce that I will be joining NA Alley as the representative of fantasy!

What does this mean? I will be posting on the NA Alley blog on subjects related to NA fantasy and the point of contact for anyone with questions about the genre. I am so excited to have the opportunity to really help get the word out about speculative New Adult fiction.

Now this does not mean I will be abandoning this blog. I will keep running this along side my work over at NA Alley. This will still be the place I post reviews and host reveals and interviews. I hope all of you are just as excited as me about the opportunities NA Alley brings to the authors and readers of New Adult fiction.

Friday, September 19, 2014

Five Things Not to Do to Your Blog Readers


Hey guys long time no see. Life has been a bit crazy, so I thought I would come back with a list of things a blogger should NOT do to their readers.

1.Disappear without warning
Even when real life gets crazy, just post a quick note to tell your readers. Don't just drop off the face of the earth.

2. Accidentally publish a blank post
Before you  officially drop off the face of the earth, make sure all of your posts are canceled or completed. Having a blank page is embarrassing and confusing to those who see it. 

3. Make lists with less bullet points than promised
Really I just wanted to find a silly way to apologize to everyone for disappearing and not giving an explanation. Over the summer I was working 12 hour days and had no time to do anything extra. Now that I am back to my normal schedule I am trying to get back into the swing of things and make things as normal as they ever are here.

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Cover Reveal: All Broke Down by Cora Carmack


We are so excited to get to share the cover for Cora Carmack's ALL BROKE DOWN today! A New Adult Contemporary Romance, and published by William Morrow-an imprint of HarperCollins, this is the second book in her Rusk University Series, and it is set to be released on October 28, 2014! But you can pre-order it NOW! Check out what it's about and then fall in love with this gorgeous cover! ABOUT ALL BROKE DOWN: In this second book in New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cora Carmack’s New Adult, Texas-set Rusk University series, which began with All Lined Up, a young woman discovers that you can’t only fight for what you believe in . . . sometimes you have to fight for what you love Dylan fights for lost causes. Probably because she used to be one. Environmental issues, civil rights, corrupt corporations, and politicians—you name it, she’s probably been involved in a protest. When her latest cause lands her in jail overnight, she meets Silas Moore. He’s in for a different kind of fighting. And though he’s arrogant and infuriating, she can’t help being fascinated with him. Yet another lost cause. Football and trouble are the only things that have ever come naturally to Silas. And it’s trouble that lands him in a cell next to do-gooder Dylan. He’s met girls like her before—fixers, he calls them, desperate to heal the damage and make him into their ideal boyfriend. But he doesn’t think he’s broken, and he definitely doesn’t need a girlfriend trying to change him. Until, that is, his anger issues and rash decisions threaten the only thing he really cares about, his spot on the Rusk University football team. Dylan might just be the perfect girl to help. Because Silas Moore needs some fixing after all.

  Image Map

Pre-Order Your Copy Today!

Amazon ** Barnes and Noble ** iTunes

cora-carmacks-all-lined-up

And don’t forget to grab your copy of ALL LINED UP Today!

Amazon ** Barnes & Noble ** iTunes

Headshot
About Cora Carmack: Cora Carmack is a twenty-something writer who likes to write about twenty-something characters. She's done a multitude of things in her life-- boring jobs (like working retail), Fun jobs (like working in a theatre), stressful jobs (like teaching), and dream jobs (like writing). She enjoys placing her characters in the most awkward situations possible, and then trying to help them get a boyfriend out of it. Awkward people need love, too. Her first book, LOSING IT, was a New York Times and USA Today bestseller.

Website ** Twitter ** Facebook

Author Goodreads ** ALL BROKE DOWN Goodreads

Image Map

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Book Blitz and Giveaway: Crushed by R.S. Novelle



Crushed by R.S. Novelle
Publication date: June 7th 2014
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance


Synopsis:
Brooklyn has decided to stick around campus to pursue her Master’s Degree while her boyfriend chases a job opportunity in Chicago. After discovering that long distance relations rarely work out, her best friend helps her to decide that she needs to put down the daily pints of therapeutic ice cream and join their local gym.

Though resistant to the idea at first, Brooklyn relents and finds that things quickly heat up with her new personal trainer Collin. Is it just a flirtatious crush, or is there something real there? And will the blind date her best friend has also committed her to have any weight in the decision on whether or not Brooklyn will pursue her chances with Collin?




Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22447604-crushed?ac=1
Purchase:
-Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Crushed-R-S-Novelle-ebook/dp/B00KU61KVC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403890303&sr=8-1&keywords=crushed+novelle
-Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/crushed-renee-novelle/1119711278?ean=2940045997331

INTERVIEW:
1. Tell us a little about yourself.
Oh geez, where do I start? I love writing in all its gazillion varieties. I’m a huge supporter of anything arts related – theater, dance, music, art, fashion, you name it! I’m as addicted to lipgloss as I am to coffee. I’m a huge foodie and love trying new, fun recipes at home. I believe in romance and the perfect love and all that wonderful, sappy stuff. And I have two adorable cats that I consider to be my furry babies.

2. Tell us about your book. What inspired this story?
CRUSHED was my experiment with a different type of story and different type of characters than I normally write. I wanted to write something that was fun, sexy, slightly realistic and with a twist at the end. It’s one of three New Adult romance stories that I wrote to try something new, and I really liked the end result. So there may be more like this in the future. The other two, for those who are interested, are LATITUDES and DANCE WITH ME.

3. Is there a message you’re trying to get across the readers? What’s the one thing you want readers to think when they’ve finished your book?
There isn’t really a deep, underlying meaning with this book. Except to keep in mind that you can bump into the love of your life anywhere at any time, so keep your mind open to possibilities. Brooklyn certainly never expected to meet anyone at the gym. I really want readers to feel like they can connect in some way with the characters, and to just have fun with the story. It isn’t mean to be serious in any way.

4. When did you know you wanted to write a book?
It’s always been a lifelong goal of mine to be a published author. And now I am, how cool is that!

5. Do you have any “odd” writing habits?
Define “odd” lol. Not really, but I have to have complete silence to really get inside the heads of the characters.

6. Where’s your favorite place to write?
I have an office that I call my writing cave. It’s a really cozy and quiet and I love it there.

7. What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Write because you love it, and for no other reason. That’s when you produce your best work, and it will make you the most satisfied in the end.

8. What’s one thing about the writing process that you think every writer should know?
That it’s extremely hard! And success doesn’t always come right away. Also keep in mind that everyone gets the occasional bad review and it’s a real blow to the ego. But all the wonderful comments and reviews make up for it.
9. What’s your favorite part about the writing process?
Finally getting all the stories out of my head! And I actually love the editing part. Writing that first draft can be really tough, but going back and making it better and better is so much fun!

10. What are you working on next?
Well, my second installment in my Boyfriend series, The Perfect Boyfriend, comes out on July 27th, so I’ve been busy getting everything prepared for that. Next I’m working on the third installment to my psychological thriller series, Avenged. And then after that I’ll write the third installment in my Boyfriend series, The One.


AUTHOR BIO
Renee' Novelle is preceded by a long line of published family members, including Pulitzer Prize nominated author and Poet Laureate of Kentucky Jesse Stuart.

As a child, Novelle was already gaining recognition for several of her works, and in her formative years, she continued this trend by earning local awards for her short stories and poems.

Inspired to cultivate her talent, Novelle pursued freelance journalism and has found placement of more than 80 of her pieces in both online and print publications since 2008. Additionally, she has written multiple screenplays, and contributed her savvy, effective writing style to many non-profit and for profit organizations. She also launched several blogs over the years, which garnered international attention.

In 2013, Novelle returned to her first love - fiction. Writing under the names Renee Novelle and R.S. Novelle, she has a publication schedule that includes psychological thrillers, suspense, paranormal fiction, contemporary women's fiction, chick lit, and new adult.

Though she received her Bachelor's of Science in Communication, Summa Cum Laude, she considers herself a constant student of the written word. She's an avid reader, an enthusiastic quote poster, and rarely takes "no" as a final answer. She has an unhealthy obsession for theater, dance, music and art, and strongly believes that wine is simultaneously the beginning of, and resolution to, all of life's problems. She believes in following dreams, and that in the end, you always end up where you're meant to be.

For more information, to view pictures, read blog posts and see the upcoming release schedule, please visit the website at www.RSNovelle.com

Author links:
http://www.rsnovelle.com/ReneeNovelle/Home.html
https://www.facebook.com/ReneeNovelle
https://twitter.com/rs_novelle
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7249191.R_S_Novelle

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Release Blitz and Giveaway: Dark Paradise by Angie Sandro



DARK LEGACY
Mala LaCroix has spent her whole life trying to escape her destiny. As the last in a long line of "witch women," she rejects the notion of spirits and hoodoo and instead does her best to blend in. But when she finds a dead body floating in the bayou behind her house, Mala taps into powers she never knew she had. She's haunted by visions of the dead girl, demanding justice and vengeance.


DEADLY SECRETS
Landry Prince has always had a crush on Mala, but when Mala discovers his sister, murdered and marked in some sort of Satanic ritual, he wonders if all the rumors about the LaCroix family are true. Yet after Mala uses her connection to the spirit world to identify his sister's killer, he starts to form his own bond to her . . . a very physical one. As they move closer to each other and closer to the truth, Mala and Landry must risk everything-their families, their love, and even their live



About Angie Sandro:

Angie Sandro was born at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. Within six weeks, she began the first of eleven relocations throughout the United States, Spain, and Guam before the age of eighteen. Friends were left behind. The only constants in her life were her family and the books she shipped wherever she went. Traveling the world inspired her imagination and allowed her to create her own imaginary friends. Visits to her father's family in Louisiana inspired this story. Angie now lives in Northern California with her husband, two children, and an overweight Labrador.

Angie’s SM:
http://anjeasandro.blogspot.com/
http://facebook.com/pages/Angie-Sandro/253044268078356
@AngieSandro



Buy links:
B&N: http://bit.ly/1rImn9K
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1jWBWFM
iTunes: http://bit.ly/1lVTNkk
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1rImtOy


EXCERPT:
He looks down, and our eyes meet.

“Kiss me,” I blurt out.

“What?” His breathing quickens. “What did you say?

Oh, shit! I just propositioned him. Me, squeaky clean, cowardly Mala. Lack of oxygen must’ve given me brain damage. I take a shaky breath and straighten in his arms. “I said kiss me.” My voice cracks. “It’s okay. I won’t punch you or anything. You have my permission.”

“Your head’s not on straight.” Landry gazes off across the water … distant, cold. Oh, so sad, and it breaks my heart. All I want at this moment is to drink the pain in his eyes. Guzzle it down so it never fills him again. I know nothing’s forever. A momentary patch is about all the comfort I can give him, but maybe for now, it’s enough. For both of us.

“I know. I’m scared.” I take Landry’s face between my hands, holding tight when he tries to pull away. “Stop. Listen. Why do I have to keep dealing with the craziness of my life alone? I’m so tired … Why is it wrong to want to escape?”

My trembling fingers lightly trace the curve of his jaw. I never in a million years thought I could be so bold. I’ve always protected my heart because I feared it would get squished. Being afraid hasn’t gotten me anywhere but alone. “I like you, Landry. And … and I think you like me. At least a little bit, right? You make me feel safe … alive. Maybe … maybe I can make you feel the same way.”

His eyes, thick, black lashes outlining luminous silver, close as I trace my fingers across his eyelids. I press my lips to the angled plane of his cheekbone in a gentle kiss. His skin tastes salty from sweat and smells of grass. Rich and pungent. Intoxicating. His stomach muscles tighten against mine, but he doesn’t move. I kiss the other cheek, then tilt his head toward mine and brush my lips across his, so lightly that it’s more a mingling of breath.

My tongue caresses his lips. I taste him in small nibbles, and then, feeling bold, I pull his plump bottom lip between my teeth, gently teasing him until he finally responds.

Impatient, he threads his fingers into my hair so I can’t pull away. His tongue flicks against mine as I open my mouth to his, deepening the connection between us. I’ve heard about French kisses, in high school the girls giggled about them and rated the boys according to skill, but until now, I’ve never liked a guy enough to want his tongue in my mouth. Landry rated pretty high on the Awesome Kisser scale. Now I understand why.

The rush of excitement chases away any lingering fear. At some point, he stretches out on the ground, and I lay on top of him. My hands caress his wide shoulders and rise to tangle in his silky hair. I rub against his chest, wishing our clothing didn’t separate us. I want to feel the softness of his skin against mine. I want to trace the tempting dimple in the small of his back and lick the faded scar to the left of his belly button.

Yeah, I totally peeked when he did his striptease in the boat. I may be the queen of denial, but I couldn’t deny myself the sculpted beauty of Landry Prince in all his glory. I pull my mouth free of his lips and slide down the hard length of his body. He sucks in a breath, stomach tightening when I run trembling hands up his chest, lifting his T-shirt to give me access to that scar. I trace my tongue around it a swirl of motion, like licking an ice cream cone. He tastes ten times better than chocolate—maybe like chocolate and caramel with marshmallow chunks—all gooey and melty in my mouth. So tasty that I want to lap him up. But I bite him instead.

Satisfaction throbs at his growl. The soft bit of flesh between my teeth almost sends me over the edge. I’m so hot … burning up inside.

I release him, licking the soft indentations in his skin.

“Mala,” he moans, quivering when I pin his reaching hands to the ground. I give him a wicked grin, then lower my head. I steadily work my way up his chest, biting and licking until I reach his pecs. I run my tongue around his left nipple, then blow across the hard nub. His hips shift, a slight jerk upward. His erection presses against the fabric of his jeans. Is it uncomfortable?

I bite my lip, scared at the bold nature of my thoughts. It’s like years of repressed sexuality screams to be set free. Too many romance novels have given me a working knowledge of what goes on. I can fake it until I make it, but I’ve got to decide right now how far I want to go. Soon I’ll be too far gone. My body decides for me.


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Monday, June 30, 2014

Blog Tour: Electrified by Rachel Blaufeld


Get Electrified with Rachel Blaufeld and the first book in her brand new Electric Tunnel series!

Electrified Cover


Title: Electrified (The Electric Tunnel Series #1)
Author: Rachel Blaufeld
Release date: April 29th, 2014
goodreads-badge-add-plus-d700d4d3e3c0b346066731ac07b7fe47

About Electrified (The Electric Tunnel Series #1):
Electrified Cover

Everyone knows her as Sienna Flower.
 
Her curves and long lashes tease and taunt from her very own billboard where the desert meets the Las Vegas Strip. She’s the hottest stripper in town, known for her sultry and indecent moves coupled with her virginal eyes.
She’s a heady and unique combination, and a mystery to all who come to see her.
Sienna captivates crowds nightly at the Electric Tunnel, leaving them wanting to know more about the sensual enigma. But no one ever sees beyond the heavily guarded stripper onstage. She is Sienna Flower 24/7.
No one other than her closest friend and boss, Asher Peterson, who helped turn a young and frightened girl into who Sienna is today. Together they created the sexual illusion known as Sienna Flower. They will go to any lengths to protect her image, which is why Sienna is convinced she must remain unattached and alone.
Like everyone else in Vegas, Sienna is hiding something and playing a role. A good girl in her former life, she was raised to be obedient and accepting of her fate, but there are some circumstances no one should be expected to accept. She escaped to a world light years away from the one she was subjected to…the Electric Tunnel.
Now she can never be anything other than Sienna Flower. Not only would she be hurt, but everyone around her would suffer the consequences.
That is, until she meets private detective Carson Graham, the dark and mysterious ex-FBI agent who watches her dance every weekend. With his dark hair and chocolate-brown eyes, Carson begins to heat Sienna’s heart and body, melting away the layers and secrets. Sienna doesn’t want to get attached to Carson, but when another man surfaces and starts hunting her down, bringing out the scars of her old life, she can’t help but seek comfort in Carson’s protection.
With everyone trading on the secrets of her past, Sienna finds herself caught in an awful web of lies. Her ultimate fear is hurting her friends at the Tunnel, but she doesn’t know who to trust. Namely, Carson. Is he good? Or bad? Does she have the luxury of finding out?

 

Available for purchase:

Amazon | iBooks | B&N

 

About Rachel Blaufeld:
Rachel BlaufeldRachel Blaufeld is a social worker/entrepreneur/blogger turned author. Fearless about sharing her opinion, Rachel captured the ear of stay-at-home and working moms on her blog, BacknGrooveMom, chronicling her adventures in parenting tweens and inventing a product, often at the same time. She has also blogged for The Huffington Post, Modern Mom, and StartupNation.
Turning her focus on her sometimes wild-and-crazy creative side, it only took Rachel two decades to do exactly what she wanted to do—write a fiction novel. Now she spends way too many hours in local coffee shops plotting her ideas. Her tales may all come with a side of angst and naughtiness, but end lusciously.
Rachel lives around the corner from her childhood home in Pennsylvania with her family and two dogs. Her obsessions include running, coffee, icing-filled doughnuts, antiheroes, and mighty fine epilogues.

Twitter | Amazon Author Page | Facebook | Goodreads | Website

 
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Friday, June 27, 2014

Book Blitz and Giveaway: The V Girl by Mya Robarts


The V Girl
Mya Robarts
Publication date: July 1st 2014
Genres: Dystopia, New Adult


Synopsis:
In post-apocalyptic North America, rape and sexual slavery are legal. Lila Velez, desperately wants to lose her virginity before the troops visit her town and can take it away by force. She makes plans to seduce her only friend, Rey, the most attractive man in her town. Lila does not love him but he is the only man who has shown her true affection, an affection she is willing to take as a substitute of love.

Lila’s coping mechanism to her mother’s rape and kidnapping is her secret. A secret that will bring her closer to Aleksey, a foreign, broody man. Lila does not trust him because his links to the troops and his rough, yet irresistible appearance. Aleksey offers Lila an alternative to her plans, a possibility that terrifies her…and tempts her in spite of herself.

All the while Lila will have to find a way to live in the constant company of death, slavery, starvation, sexual abuse and the danger of losing the people she loves the most.

This book is recommended for readers over the age of 18 due to strong language and sexual content.




Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21799202-the-v-girl?from_search=true
Purchase:
(International Amazon buy links attached!)
-Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Girl-coming-age-story-ebook/dp/B00L6MFXWG




AUTHOR BIO
I am a bookaholic and regret nothing.

I spent years trying to become a contemporary dance choreographer. Eventually I realized that I enjoyed writing my stories rather than creating dances for them.

I am obsessed with books that present damaged characters, swoon worthy guys, controversial topics and happy endings.


Author links:
http://myarobarts.wordpress.com/
https://twitter.com/MyaRobarts
https://www.facebook.com/MyaRobartsBooks
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8108373.Mya_Robarts


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Book Blitz and Giveaway: Third Date by Kylie Keene


Third Date by Kylie Keene
Publication date: June 20th 2014
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Synopsis:
At 23, Morgan is a little behind other women her age when it comes to dating and relationships. More specifically, she’s a virgin. Dating wasn’t a priority in high school and college, but now that Morgan has a job and her own apartment, she’s ready to jump back into the dating scene.

When Morgan’s friends at work inform her that most men expect sex on the third date, she panics. She’s convinced her lack of experience will be a total turn-off for guys and make for a really awkward third date. Her friends tell her to just do it with a random guy to get it over with, but Morgan isn’t sure that’s what she wants.

When she meets a guy she’s certain is her dream man, she’s ready to lose it on their third date. But doing so isn’t as easy as she thought. And then there’s the fact that she can’t get another guy out of her head.

Through a series of mishaps and misunderstandings, Morgan eventually finds herself at a place she wasn’t expecting, but the place she wanted to be all along.


Purchase:
--Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L2SHKC0

Excerpt:
I head down to the gift shop, hoping and praying it’s not full of people. Luckily, it’s empty because the lunch session is still going on in the main ballroom.

I search the shop for condoms but can’t find them anywhere. They have everything else; toothbrushes, combs, aspirin, shower caps, tampons, toothpaste.

The young woman working the cash register sees me searching the store like I’m on some type of scavenger hunt.

“Can I help you?” she asks.

The woman is in her twenties and has reddish-blond hair that hangs in loose waves several inches past her shoulders. She has huge breasts and is wearing a short black dress that shows off her long legs. I’m just guessing here, but I would say she’s probably not a virgin. Which means she’s likely found herself in need of condoms before and wouldn’t judge me for buying them at a hotel.

I go up to her and speak softly. “Do you sell condoms here?”

She looks surprised. I’m suddenly offended. Do I look like someone who would never need condoms? I’m no beauty queen but I’m not exactly ugly.

“We keep them back here.” She reaches under the register and opens a drawer. “How many do you need?”

How many do I need? How many does she think I need?

“Um, just one.”

She gives me a strange look. “They come in packs of three or more.”

“Oh, okay. Three is good.”

“Do you want ribbed, flavored, sensitive, extra sensitive, for her pleasure, glow in the dark?”

I had no idea there were so many different types of condoms. I’ve never actually shopped for condoms.

She continues. “For flavored we have cherry, citrus, grape—”

“No. Just plain. No flavors. No glow in the dark. No ribbing.”

“So do you want sensitive? Extra sensitive? For her—”

I hear people starting to leave the ballroom, coming out into the lobby.

“I don’t know. Just give me whatever. It doesn’t matter.”

“For her pleasure.” She holds the package up and smiles. “Why should guys have all the fun, right?” She punches something in the register. “Should I charge it to your room?”

I imagine myself giving the accounting department at work a copy of my hotel receipt with a charge for condoms on it. I’m sure it would just say ‘gift shop’ but with my luck, you never know.

“I’ll just pay with cash. How much is it?”

“With tax, it’s $10.59.”

“For three condoms?”

She shrugs. “The hotel jacks up the price. When people are desperate, they’ll pay anything.”

I search my wallet, which is full of ones for some reason. She notices and looks away. Great. Now she probably thinks I work at a strip club.

People from the conference are starting to linger and talk outside the gift shop. I count my money and find that I only have nine ones. That’s it. I hand her my credit card but she doesn’t take it.

“Sorry, but our machine is down. It’s cash only or I can charge it to your room.”

“I only have $9. I have to run to the ATM. I’ll be right back.” As I’m closing my wallet, my change spills out and goes all over the floor. I bend down to pick up the scattered pennies, nickels, and dimes.

“Let me help you with that.” I look up and see Brad picking up the change.

Shit! What is he doing here? Where did he come from?

“Thanks, but you don’t need to help,” I say, urging him to leave.

He picks up the last penny. “I think we got it all.”

We both stand up and he gives me the change.

“Are we still meeting for drinks tonight?” he asks.

Cashier girl is observing the scene and I feel her staring. I glance over and see her checking Brad out. I’m sure she can tell from my blushing face that he’s the reason I need the condoms. She smiles at me, as if reassuring me that Brad is worth the ridiculous price they charge for them.

“Yeah. I’ll see you then. I’ve gotta go.” I race out of the gift shop.

As I’m leaving, cashier girl calls after me. “What about your stuff? Are you coming back with your money?’

I ignore her and hurry back to my room. The whole scene was fate telling me not to do this. I’m not ready. Or Brad’s the wrong guy. Something’s wrong. Buying condoms should not be that hard!


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Book Blitz: Crossing the Line by Nicola Marsh


Crossing the Line by Nicola Marsh
(World Apart #1)
Publication date: May 8th 2014
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance


Synopsis:
Laying it all on the line for love…

Mia Cresswell is tired of being good.
Achieving geek status at college doesn’t equate with fun. So when she heads home to her dad’s tennis academy in Santa Monica on spring break, she’s determined to be bad. And hot Aussie tennis star Kye Sheldon is just the guy to help her do it.

However, Kye’s troubled past continues to dog him and attending the Cresswell Tennis Academy is his last chance at the big time. He can’t afford to screw up…by screwing the boss’s daughter.
But Mia and Kye’s relationship is much more than a vacation fling.
Will it be game, set, match, when the truth is revealed?
Or will Mia and Kye have a real shot at love all?




Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22061004-crossing-the-line?ac=1
Purchase:
-Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00K8BBMF8/ref=x_gr_w_bb?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwwwgoodco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00K8BBMF8&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2
-Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/crossing-the-line-nicola-marsh/1119477722?ean=2940045933636



AUTHOR BIO
USA TODAY bestselling author Nicola Marsh writes flirty fiction with flair for adults and spooky, supernatural fiction for young adults.

She has published 45 books with Harlequin, Entangled Publishing and indie, and sold over 5 million copies worldwide.

Her first mainstream contemporary romance, BUSTED IN BOLLYWOOD (Entangled Publishing) released to rave reviews, including a nomination for RWA's RBY, Romantic Book of the Year 2012.
Her first indie-pubbed contemporary romance CRAZY LOVE released September 2012, is a Barnes & Noble bestseller, and was nominated for a 2012 ARRA award.

Her young adult debut, BANISH, a supernatural thriller featuring Wicca, spirits and murder, released August 2013 with Harlequin Teen.
Her young adult fantasy series with Month9Books launched November 2013 with SCION OF THE SUN.

Her debut new adult novel BEFORE releases December 2013.

She's also a Waldenbooks, Bookscan and Barnes & Noble bestseller, a 2013 RBY and National Readers' Choice Award winner, is a multiple finalist for awards including the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award, HOLT Medallion, Booksellers' Best, Golden Quill, Laurel Wreath, More than Magic and has won several CataRomance Reviewers' Choice Awards.

Author links:
https://twitter.com/NicolaMarsh
https://www.facebook.com/NicolaMarshAuthor
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/583990.Nicola_Marsh
http://www.nicolamarsh.com/

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Pride Week Blitz and Giveaway







Sharp Love
by Ava March (June release) [Goodreads]
--Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Sharp-Love-Gambling-Ava-March-ebook/dp/B00I15VL4A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403029205&sr=8-1&keywords=Sharp+Love+by+Ava+March
--B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sharp-love-ava-march/1118327862?ean=9781426898464

London, 1822
William Drake has lived among thieves, bastards and beggars all his life, doing what’s necessary to survive. As a young orphan, that included looking after his best friend, Jack Morgan. But as they grew older, Jack took the honest path, leaving Will behind to fend for himself the only ways he knows how.

When an unsavory errand for his employer brings Jack back to London’s underbelly, he needs Will’s help. It’s there, among the alleys they ran through as children, that the love he’s always felt for Will returns. As their nights together grow hotter, Will discovers something new about his old friend—Jack’s need to serve extends into the bedchamber.

Will has never fully abandoned his dream of escaping London with Jack. But what could the Duke’s driver want with a dishonest cheat like him, beyond a bit of rough sex? It takes the gamble of Will’s life to find out if he can win Jack’s heart…



The Lost Year by Libby Drew (June release) [Goodreads]
--Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Year-Secrets-Neverwood-ebook/dp/B00I15VKFU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403029225&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Lost+Year+by+Libby+Drew
--B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-lost-year-libby-drew/1118327851?ean=9781426898587

Devon McCade is no stranger to adversity. As a photojournalist, he’s seen all manner of human struggle.
And as a kid, it’s what brought him to Neverwood, to his foster mother Audrey. It’s what he’s facing now, as he and his foster brothers work to restore the once-stately mansion amidst surprising signs from Audrey herself.

But when another anguished soul arrives at Neverwood, Devon can’t hide behind his camera. Nicholas Hardy is certain he saw his runaway son, Robbie, in a photo Devon took of homeless children. Devon knows all too well that a young teenager on the streets doesn’t have many options—and Robbie has been missing for a full year.

Searching for Robbie with Nicholas stirs memories and passions Devon had thought long lost, yet knowing that Nicholas will leave as soon as Robbie is found keeps him from opening himself up to something permanent. Devon must learn to fight for what he wants to keep—his love, and his home.



Maybe This Time by AM Arthur (July release) [Goodreads]
--Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Maybe-This-Time-M-Arthur-ebook/dp/B00K4M3I94/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1403029239&sr=1-1&keywords=Maybe+This+Time+by+AM+Arthur
--B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/maybe-this-time-am-arthur/1119434592?ean=9781426898716

As a regular at gay hotspot Pot O Gold, Ezra Kelley avoids his tangled emotions with the simplicity of one-night stands and attachment-free hookups. Until the night bartender Donner Davis picks him up off the floor after a misunderstanding and too much tequila. Ezra can’t remember the last time someone was…nice. It’s more than he deserves.

Witnessing his lover’s death two years ago has Donner trapped in a holding pattern: living in his sister’s basement, working at the Pot and flirting with the customers. He’s not above spending a night with the gorgeous Ezra, but love is not in the cards. That’s more than he’s ready for.

A passionate night leads to a connection neither man expects, and they take the first steps to something that looks like a real relationship. But Ezra’s been running from himself so long he doesn’t know how to live any other way. And Donner can’t risk his heart just to lose everything again. They’ll both need the strength to let go of the past if they want to get it right this time.



Stranger on the Shore by Josh Lanyon (May release) [Goodreads]
--Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Stranger-Shore-Josh-Lanyon-ebook/dp/B00I15VL86/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1403029252&sr=1-1&keywords=Stranger+on+the+Shore+by+Josh+Lanyon
--B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/stranger-on-the-shore-josh-lanyon/1118327863?ean=9781426898327

Twenty years ago young Brian Arlington, heir to Arlington fortune, was kidnapped. Though the ransom was paid, the boy was never seen again and is presumed dead. Pierce Mather, the family lawyer, now administers and controls the Arlington billions. He’s none too happy, and more than a little suspicious, when investigative journalist Griffin Hadley shows up to write about the decades-old mystery. Griff shrugs off the coldly handsome Pierce’s objections, but it might not be so easy to shrug off the objections of someone willing to do anything to keep the past buried.






Libby Drew

Libby glimpsed her true calling when her first story, an A.A. Milne /Shakespeare crossover, won the grand prize in her elementary school's fiction contest. Her parents explained that writers were quirky, poor, and often talked to themselves in supermarket checkout lines. They implored her to be practical, a request she took to heart for twenty years, earning two degrees, a white-collar job, and an ulcer, before realizing that practical was absolutely no fun.

Today she lives with her husband and four children in an old, impractical house and writes stories about redemption, the supernatural, and love at first sight, all of which do exist. She happens to know from experience.

Libby’s State of Mind received rave reviews for being fast, clever, and relentless and was nominated for a Bookie Award for Best M/M Novel of 2011. 40 Souls to Keep, Libby’s third novel, has been described as intense and heart-poundingly good and was praised by Publishers Weekly for maintaining a high level of suspense.

An avid supporter of gay rights, Libby donates her time to the Trevor Project and organizations that work to support marriage equality.

More information about Libby’s books can be found on her website: http://www.libbydrew.com/





Josh Lanyon

Bestselling, multi-award-winning Josh Lanyon is the author of over fifty titles of mystery, adventure, fantasy and romance. Josh is the author of the critically acclaimed Adrien English Mysteries series, including The Hell You Say, winner of the 2006 USABookNews awards for GLBT Fiction. Josh is an Eppie Award winner and a three-time Lambda Literary Award finalist. When not writing Josh enjoys gardening, film noir, fine wine, vintage mysteries, and night swimming.





A.M. Arthur

A.M. Arthur was born and raised in the same kind of small town that she likes to write about, a stone's throw from both beach resorts and generational farmland. She's been creating stories in her head since she was a child and scribbling them down nearly as long, in a losing battle to make the fictional voices stop. She credits an early fascination with male friendships (bromance hadn't been coined yet back then) and "The Young Riders" with her later discovery of and subsequent love affair with m/m romance stories.

When not exorcising the voices in her head, she toils away in a retail job that tests her patience and gives her lots of story fodder. She can also be found in her kitchen, pretending she's an amateur chef and trying to not poison herself or others with her cuisine experiments.

Contact her at am_arthur@yahoo.com with your cooking tips (or book comments). You can also find her online (http://amarthur.blogspot.com/), as well as on Twitter (http://twitter.com/am_arthur), Tumblr (http://www.tumblr.com/blog/am-arthur), and Facebook (A.m. Arthur). Other titles by A.M. Arthur are available from Samhain Publishing, Dreamspinner Press, and Musa Publishing.



Ava March

Ava March is an author of sexy, emotionally intense M/M historical erotic romances. She loves writing in the Regency time period, where proper decorum is of the utmost importance, but where anything can happen behind closed doors. With over fifteen works to her credit, her books have been finalists in the Rainbow Awards and More Than Magic contest, and deemed ‘must-haves’ for Historical M/M romance by RT Book Reviews readers. Visit her website at www.AvaMarch.com to find out more about her books or to sign-up for her newsletter.

Blog: www.avamarch.blogspot.com

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/Ava_March

Facebook: www.facebook.com/avamarchbooks/

Twitter: www.twitter.com/ava_march

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/avamarch/



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