New publication: DIRTY GIRLS

The DIRTY GIRLS anthology is out! I know this because I have a copy in my hand :) It’s a beautifully produced book, with the cute addition of mucky fingerprints on some of the pages. Love that!

This anthology is edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel and published by Seal Press. It has an amazing line up of authors including Alison Tyler, Carol Queen, Marilyn Jaye Lewis, Shanna Germain, Madelynne Ellis and many, many more. My story, “Live Tonight,” is included. Yay!

Amazon.com
Amazon UK

Worst cover :)

KINK is one of bunch of covers up for the "worst cover of 2007" award!

Sasha and I were much amused by this news! We're both of the opinion that no publicity is bad publicity. LOL! Even so, I'm surprised. It wasn't quite right for the stories (or the market) but I didn't think it was all that bad, and it certainly alerted the reader what they were going to get. :) Someone must have hated it enough to nominate it, though. Whoever you are, we thank you. :)

Sunday smile

Win the next best thing to being in Vegas! Last few days to enter

Still a few days left to enter to win a copy of WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS.

Go here to enter!

Romantic Times convention, book cover models, and heroes

I'm being a bad blogger, I know. I confess that the time I've had on line over the past week has been spent reading news from the Romantic Times convention and ogling photos. Attendees have been very generous with sharing the good times and I for one appreciated it hugely! Some of the reports and photo collections I've been checking out: Gennita Low, Lauren Dane, Sasha White, Lillian Feisty, and Megan Hart. Thank you, ladies!

We’re seriously thinking about RT in Orlando next year, it looks like a fun meet. I read rumours of tiffs, but tbh it didn’t bother me. I’ve been to a lot of “special interest” events that involve booze and dressing up, and they invariably involve some drink-addled antics and a bit of a punch up. It’s human nature. The half-done hotel renovations and plaster dust worried me more.

One of the things that interested me is how all these lovely ladies know the names of the cover models for the romance novels. So much fun! It’s another world I haven’t even thought about. Well, that’s not entirely true. Timothy Lantz, who does the Juno covers, is very good at attributing his models, so I know that the lovely lady who modelled for both my Juno covers is Mira Noir. She has a portfolio online but it’s down right now, otherwise I’d link.

However, what occurred to me over the past few days is that someone might recognise the models on my forthcoming RECKLESS cover, which I LOVE to bits. It’s just perfect for the book. Should I know who this hunk is? :) Is there anyone out there who can name the bare chested guy sweeping my heroine into the almost-kiss here? :)

Oh and talking of heroes, happy St George’s Day everyone! :)

Missing out on RT?

If you're like me and wishing you were at the Romantic Times convention right now, you've got to go check out these super video diaries by Liz Maverick and Marianne Mancusi. They're just wonderful! A big thanks to the lovely ladies for sharing with us.

Just cos...'s funny

Posting one of the best ones from the vault!

Knee-deep in html

Friends and readers, is there anything else you’d like to see on my website? There’s a new site in the works, so if you have any requests now is the time to send them my way!

My job at the mo is to freshen and tidy up all the internal content, check links, and so on. We're getting rid of some pages and adding a few new features, such as a printable book list. The new design is going to be much more streamlined and user-friendly, with more of a focus on the stories. I’ll be able to add bits of info about the places I’ve set the novels and so on.

Meanwhile I’m writing in my head (no honestly, :-) It’s always this way with short stories for me, I work the entire thing out in my head then sit down to pour it out. And we’re off to see the wonderful Omid Djalili tonight, live at Leeds City Varieties. I’ve heaps to do before then, yikes.

Have a great day!

Fun with banners

Where do you get your ideas? Problem girls to the rescue

"Where do you get your ideas?" is a popular question to ask an author.

Many years ago (around about 1995, yikes,) I went to a horror reading where an author sent up this question in a very amusing way. I actually went to the reading to hear Kim Newman, a fave of mine (and I confess to having a bit of a crush on him at the time. I was in my intellectual-Victoriana-goth phase, and I have to say he was perfectly adorable about my starstruck approach for a book signing, bless him.) One of the other authors (whose name escapes me right now - hey, I had eyes only for Kim, remember ;-) told this story about how he got his ideas from the "horror bag" of sweeties/candy you can get at the fairground. He opened up a bag and explained how each item related to one of his books. It was a very amusing anecdote.

Anyway, I'd long forgotten this event, until I was browsing for something on the net the other day and came upon THIS image. It made me giggle, cos it struck me that it was packed with ideas for the naughty erotic writer! Take a look, you've got it all... bad girls, BDSM, deviancy, bondage, knife play, men(!) fire AND water sports... all that and she has money, too! I think I might have to print it out and put it on my notice board. :0)

Review plus book giveaway!

If you’re an erotic romance reader you'll have heard of Lauren Dane. Lauren is not only a prolific e-book author, but she’s recently had work signed by Harlequin Spice, Berkley Heat, AND Black Lace. That sort of acquisition list gives a girl a reputation, one that demands you take notice. When I had the chance to get my hands on an advance reader copy of Lauren's forthcoming novella, STRIPPED, I was delighted.

STRIPPED is part of a four-author anthology called WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS, published by Spice in May. Along with Lauren, there are stories by Jodi Lynn Copeland, Kit Tunstall, and Anya Bast.

Right from the start I was hooked. Anyone who knows me will know how important the setting of a story is for me, and I loved that this anthology is themed around a place. Mark has visited Las Vegas (and LA) but, alas, I haven’t. (I’ve visited San Francisco before, though, so we kind of have a set between us.) I also really liked the cover of this anthology, because it’s playful and fun, and it says so much about the place as well as the spicy contents of this book. I would also add that the book is different to what I’ve previously read on the Spice line. There's a lot of diversity on this erotic line, and the covers work really well to indicate the contents – this one is no exception.

STRIPPED is a kind of across-the-tracks love story about Dahlia Baker and Nash Emery. Dahlia is studying for her MBA and to make ends meet she’s working as a burlesque stripper. I really enjoyed Dahlia's character. She’s intelligent, sexy and strong, and yet soft and feminine at the same time. Her role made me reminiscent about an old movie favourite of mine, Gypsy, starring Natalie Wood as burlesque icon Gypsy Rose Lee. Dahlia's story is a different, modern-day take on that and if you enjoyed that movie, you’ll love this book. Dahlia is doing just fine when playboy Nash comes into her life. She tries to resist, but she can only do so for so long, and then a compelling combination of conflict and desire is unleashed between them.

Nash is just to die for. Yummy, sexy, strong, and increasingly smitten with Dahlia, he’s a hero who has a few lessons in store during his pursuit of this lady! :) In fact, they both do. I don’t want to give too much away about the plot, but I do want to say that when I finished reading this novella I had the satisfied feeling I usually only get after reading a full-length novel. The story also features great supporting characters who are cleverly portrayed, even if they are only onstage in the story for a brief time. That takes talent.

Lauren Dane is a really good writer. If she were a wine I’d describe her work as full-bodied, :) because of the richness of the story and the depth of the characters. STRIPPED is both hot and touching, it’s a true erotic romance, and I know that readers are going to love it.

To help Lauren and the other Las Vegas ladies celebrate the release of this anthology, I’m giving a copy away to one lucky reader. Just leave me a message here in the comments section. If you are a Lauren Dane reader, you can tell me which book of hers I should read next. Or you can tell you something about Las Vegas, if you have visited. Or you can just say hello, and I’ll add you to the draw. I’ll keep this contest open until the first of May, release day for the book. Please come back then to see if you’re lucky winner.

New interview

I'm featured in Wildfire, the All Romance Ebooks newsletter, this week! If you'd like to read the interview, just click on the banner.

Busy, but not writing

It’s been a busy week here at home on shady lane, because I got stuck into the job of preparing an ARC for RECKLESS. I copy all the copy edits and proofing over to the final rtf document, partly so that the ARC is as accurate as possible to the print book, but also because I learn from every correction by working them in. Once that was done, I got the PDF made and mailed out to the review sites today. I hope some of the reviewers will be tempted to give it a read! :)

It’ll be exciting to hear what readers have to say about this one. I fell in love with the story all over again this last couple of weeks. I can also see how far I’ve come since I started out in novel-length. Can't help being nervous, though!

I also did a fun interview. That should be going live tomorrow and I’ll post a link then. I hope you’re all having a great week. More updates, (and a contest,) coming soon!

UPDATE: If you are a reviewer and RECKLESS appeals to you, just shoot me an email. There's a link in the right hand menu.

Another random image from my world...

We have Klimt's The Kiss on a massive wall hanging behind the bed. It makes me feel very decadent as I slide beneath the covers, which is no bad thing ;-)

Some exciting news

ALONG FOR THE RIDE is going to print! I'm so excited!

British publishers Total-E-Bound are putting several of their ebooks into print, and ALONG FOR THE RIDE will be one of them. Yay!! This means my print readers who don't venture into ebooks will have the option to try this early publication. The story is a longish novella/short novel, a very naughty ménage romp with a romantic ending. You can read a sample and reviews HERE. More news on dates etc, when I have them.

Meanwhile, I'm gradually catching up on myself after a very busy few weeks. I even managed to clear my desk of urgent jobs and have a day off with the legendary Portia Da Costa yesterday! Wendy/Portia is currently celebrating 14 years of publications with the cutting edge publisher, Black Lace, and we had a wee dram to mark the ocassion. :) Then, after a long natter over lunch, we went on a bookshop trawl and hunted down all the PDC titles we could find. It was a lot of fun!

Back to work today. Hope you're all having a good weekend!

Here's a teaser...

I'm knee deep in galleys, so I thought I'd post a little teaser from my most recent work in progress.

This is a short excerpt from LOVING ON THE EDGE, a trio of interlinked stories about three brothers (I'll post more info about them soon.) This is from HOT ON HER TAIL, Col's story. Col is a policeman and this scene is set in the cells, where Lara is under arrest -- she's been set up by her ex for car theft. :)

There was an appealing mystery about him. She sensed he had secrets, and regrets. But his strength was no secret. He looked as if nothing would ruffle him, and yet she knew that if she stepped out of line he’d snap into action, the way he had back there at the car, when he’d got a hold of her and pulled her together, when she’d been upset. It was the fact he contained his strength so well that she admired. Ultimate control — how could she not admire that?

“I’m going to have to keep you here in one of the cells, until I get this cleared up. If the named owner of the vehicle presses charges, I’ll arrange for you to have legal advice, or you can contact your own lawyer.”

“Thank you.”

He ended the interview, switched the recording device off and stood up, gesturing for her to do the same.

His hand touched her back briefly as he led her to the door. It made her skin sizzle and the pit of her stomach fluttered eagerly. Her footsteps faltered. She longed for his hand at her back more firmly.

As she followed him down the corridor and into a cell, she admired his physique. His posture was perfect but understated, his large, fit body something he wore easily. He could carry her. She liked to be cared for and held, especially when she was bound and powerless. It wasn’t often she met a man who’s intrinsic power outshone their ego, but his did. What fascinated her, sexually, was the kind of domination that commanded respect, and earned out the same way. She liked reward systems, and she was willing to bet he did, too.

She barely noticed the sparse furnishings as she entered the cell, her attention was with the man who was now at her back, the man whose presence compelled her to take notice of him, even though her mind was in a mess, and her life was even more so. He stood by the door, arms folded across his chest as he observed her.

If they were at play, and this cell was their private space to indulge their fantasies, she would drop to the floor, then roll forward onto her knees and crawl across the floor. She’d keep her eyes lowered until she reached him, when she would look up at him for his approval. Then, if he nodded at her or spoke, she would rub her face against his legs until he reached down and touched her. The idea of it made her hot.

“I need to make some calls,” he said, “see if I can sort this out.”

“Thank you.” Her fingers instinctively went to her collar.

He stared at it. His eyes were narrowed and his jaw went rigid. “That’s bothering you, isn’t it?”

Relief, she felt relief. “Yes. I don’t have the key. Jeremy does.”

He nodded, and she could tell his breathing pattern altered. It was barely perceptible, but she sensed it. She also sensed restraint in him.

“I can take it off. If you want me to.”

“Yes, please, if you’re able to.” She'd tried earlier that day, scrabbling around in a service station attacking it with hairpins and anything else she could find, with no luck. It was a constant reminder, and it mocked her for trying to leave Jeremy, even now.

The policeman shut the cell door over, and closed on her. “Lift your chin, look at me.”

His command made her breath catch in her throat. Arousal pulled heavily inside her, heating her body through from the very center out, making her skin sizzle and her fingertips twitch. Lifting her eyelids, she looked at him.

He held her gaze, not allowing her to look away.

Tension filled the air, clinging around them like static. She found it hard to breathe. Oh, the scrutiny, and how he was reading her. She felt it, and it set loose a wild fluttering at her center. He could tell she was aroused; the recognition was there in his eyes.

He put one finger under her chin and lifted it, then examined the padlock. In that one touch he conveyed his authority.

It made her wet.

Reaching into his pocket, he brought out something that looked like a Swiss army knife, and flicked it open. She heard a scratching sound as he worked at it, and then the padlock was in his hand and the collar was loose.

He lifted it from around her neck and then, for the first time since she had met him, he smiled at her. His eyes twinkled darkly, and she saw desire there. It was blatant, raw, and incredibly powerful. He wanted her, and he was glad to have the other man’s collar off her.

That made her feel weak, it also confirmed what she’d sensed in him. He respected the collar, but once it was gone…

“Better?” he asked, and his voice was low. Hoarse, almost.

She nodded, gratefully, and returned his smile, her heart racing.

Then he moved closer still, so close she could feel his breath on her face, and he ran the back of his knuckles down the front of her throat, stroking her skin as if he were admiring her.