Guest Blogger Amber Skyze - Real Life?

I’m often asked if I use any real life events in my writing. The answer: sometimes.

I’ve been writing for almost twenty years and of course something from life has to creep into my writing. Back when I started writing, everything from my life or the lives of family and friends went into stories. I wrote for Modern Romance and True Confessions; they wanted real life. Now don’t get me wrong: I know not everything is “real”. After ten years of writing for them, I’d ran out of true stories and began making them up.

Once I wrote a story about a woman who was in love with a drug addict. She wanted out of the relationship, but he was so controlling he’d rather kill her than let her leave. He handcuffed her to a radiator and started a chair on fire. My editors loved this story. Sadly, it was a true story that happened to a very good friend of mine. With her permission I wrote and published the story.

Not all true events will pass. Years ago I read a “too crazy to be true” article about a woman who grew tired of her husband’s nagging and shot him. The bullet lodged in his false teeth and he lived. I wrote a short story about it and my editor said, “This isn’t believable.” LOL Really?

When I published my first erotica book, Mistletoe Studs, I made the mistake of giving my heroine’s best friend the same name as my best friend. It really wasn’t supposed to stay Lisa. It was more of a place holder, but somehow I went through edits and forgot to change it. What a mistake that was.

After Lisa read the story she whined and asked why her character didn’t get to have sex.

Hmmm, it wasn’t about her!

This taught me a valuable lesson – leave out friends’ names and stop using real life events. Besides, when you escape into a book you want a fantasy, right?

Now when I write my erotic stories I stick with my fantasy what-ifs. If something from my life does happen to make it into a story I will cover it with so much fiction, no one will recognize it as being real.

From a very young age, Amber began making up stories--the only child syndrome. She grew up reading sick and twisted murder mysteries. Romance was for little kids and their fairy tales. One day her grandmother died and she inherited a boat load of romances and she found a new genre to love. Then she discovered erotic romance and found her calling. When not creating sexy, seductive stories Amber can be found at the ocean or floating around in her pool, with music blasting in the background. Her love of music inspires many of her stories.

www.amberskyze.com

http://amberskyze.blogspot.com

Party on the Ninth ~ Welcome Juniper!

Today we're officially welcoming Juniper Bell to the NNN fold. As you might imagine, when it came to choosing our new number nine, we put a great deal of thought and careful consideration into our decision...

It was important to us that our new member be someone who could fit in, who could handle all her new responsibilities--as well as all the craziness that goes on around here. After all, this was someone with whom we were going to be sharing our virtual hot tub and winery...

                                             ...our waiter, our wine maker...                                                                                     

...and our neverending tequila bar.

(Click here and have another round on us!)

Not to mention all the super secret details of our sooper seekrit projekt, which we'll reveal right here a month from now (September 9th) at our next "Party on the Ninth".

But, that's next month. Today, in honor of Juniper's arrival, we'll be giving away one copy of each of her books and some truly luscious chocolate. For details on how to win...well, we'll let her tell you about that. Just keep reading.

Now, before our guest of honor takes center stage, let us just say this:

Juniper, we're all thrilled to have you on board. We can see by your icon that you've successfully located our "Laptop and Lingerie" closet and made yourself at home. If you need anything else, our valet is standing by to assist you in any way possible...

Hello and thanks for coming to the party! I’ve been having a private party of my own ever since I was invited to join the Naughty Nine. I love this group. Writing is a lonely occupation. It sure helps to have some company, especially when they make you laugh so hard you nearly short out your computer.

So here’s a little about me. Like the other Naughty Nine, I’m published with Samhain Publishing, as well as Ellora’s Cave and Liquid Silver Books. I write naughty, I admit it, and for some reason each book keeps getting naughtier. (Somebody stop me!) At the moment I’m working on a sequel to “Training the Receptionist,” called “Restraining the Receptionist,” and a series of red-hot contemporaries set in Alaska.

 Oh, I suppose I should mention that’s where I live – Alaska.   My town is known as the Halibut Capital of the World. Some of the Deadliest Catch fishermen can be spotted at the Laundromat and the video store on occasion. The winters are long and hard and very conducive to writing escapist fiction. On a personal level, I’m engaged to be married to my sweetie. New Year’s Eve will be my last day as a single woman. One of these days we have to start planning the wedding. We’re both the kind of people who leave things to the last minute. Hmm, maybe that’s why we’re getting married on the last day of the year.

Obviously I have a lot to celebrate. And when I say “celebrate,” what I really mean is “give away chocolate.” See, I need some help here. I need to know what I’m getting into with these Nine Naughty ladies. If you leave me a comment telling me something I ought to know about the Nine Naughty Novelists – something good, something naughty, something juicy, something about all of them or one of them, true or completely fabricated – we’ll put you in a drawing for some fabulous Vosges Chocolate as well as a copy of one of my books. 

So let’s party like it’s 19 Naughty 9! (I’m proposing that as our theme song … Yes? No? Cute? Lame?)

 Juniper Bell

Until we can convince His Purple Highness to re-write the lyrics, I guess this will have to do. Now, what's a party without presents, right? Well, that's what we thought. So before we turn things over to all you lovely readers (remember post your comments to Juniper to be entered in our drawing!) we've each assembled some goodies to help Juniper fit in...

First up,  is Skylar Kade who says,"Here, Juniper, is your very own paddle!   This will be invaluable when, say, Erin wants to make another poll, PG rants against boxed wine, or the super seekrit project is being unruly!"

From Meg Benjamin is a Duross and Langel Kama Sutra gift box containing chocolate soap heart, massage oil, massage gel, bath salts, and mood candle. "Because after a hard day of writing, who doesn't want to, well, relax."

Next, Kate Davies says: "With our email conversations, something else time-wise has got to go. Here's a little help around the house so you can stay on top of things!" http://www.merrymaids.com/ 

Sydney Somers also thought you could use some assistance, or as she puts it, "Someone to do the cleaning and someone to tackle the manual labor so Juniper can concentrate on...writing. Yeah, writing."

According to Erin, "With this group you'll need plenty of energy to keep up! :)" We don't think she means keep up with handymen, but just in case, she offers this:   http://www.5hourene rgy.com/

Kelly Jamieson says: "Many of the Naughty Nine have a signature wine but here’s one that’s appropriate for the group from Naughty Cellars and a special naughty corkscrew to open it with! Welcome Juniper!"

PG Forte thought you might find some Yuengling Porter helpful when dealing with a certain editor (no, we have no idea who she means) or, if all else fails, a pair of killer heels!
















Of course, there are a few more items that might come in handy, like a portable voting booth for all those polls Erin loves so much...

...a "real French language" dictionary to facilitate communication with Kelly and Sydney (our resident Canucks) or to impress Skylar...

...a  German Grammar Guide to impress Kate (who loves her some  German actors!)



And, just in case you lose your head and start believing Alaska is like...I dunno, the biggest state or something equally silly here's a bumper sticker to help keep you on Kinsey's good side...

Video link (in case you forget).

And, finally, while we're on the subject of Texas--and because you can never have too much good music--here's a concert clip featuring Joe Ely (from Meg's adopted state of Texas) and Bruce Springsteen (a native of PG's home state of New Jersey). 

Release day for Power Struggle!

Is that a hot cover?

Today Power Struggle is out with Ellora's Cave.

You know, I truly never expected to end up writing stories about BDSM but there are so many aspects of BDSM that appeal to me as a writer. I love a good journey for a character, love watching them learn about themselves and each other while they fall in love. And this is one of those stories, but I twisted it up a bit this time.

Tori is 37 years old and a successful executive. At the office, she's in control, making decisions, taking charge, solving problems. Dev is 29 and a new doctor. He and Tori are attracted to each other and at first she rejects the idea of them getting together for a couple of reasons. One is that she's so much older than him. But once they get past the age difference, there's another reason. Tori is an experienced submissive who likes to have control taken away from her in the bedroom. Being bound, having an edge of pain to her pleasure, sets her free from all the responsibilities of her life. Most men she's ever gone out with don't understand that and can't give her what she needs, so it doesn't seem likely that Dev will be able to either. But yet...as she gets to know him, she sees that dominant side to him, how he likes to be in control in the bedroom.But is Dev really going to be able to give her what she needs?

I liked the idea of the dominant man being the one who's just learning about himself. Although Tori learns a lot about herself in this book, too!

As usual, I give away a copy of my new release to one lucky newsletter subscriber who leaves a comment, so you can sign up here if you haven't already:

Click to join KellyJamiesonnewsletter

Also, all day today the Nine Naughty Novelists are chatting in the Latte Lounge at Coffee Time Romance - we have a new member with a recent release, other recent releases by 9NN members, my new release, and a contest for several books we'll give away throughout the day, including a download of Power Struggle.

Thursday 13: 13 Likely To Be Rejected Crayon Colors

Some things you probably don’t know (or maybe don’t want to know) about Crayola Crayons but that I found interesting… kind-of.


(This is from Wikipedia so…well, you know not to reference it in your term paper right?)
Crayola Crayons were first introduced in 1903. There are currently 133 different colors. Colors have been renamed over the years. For instance, Flesh was renamed Peach in 1962, partly because of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement. Indian Red was renamed Chestnut in 1999 due to concern that some children thought the crayon was named for the skin color of Native Americans. According to the company, however, the name originally referred to a reddish-brown pigment from India that is used in artists’ oil paint. There have also been times when crayons have been temporarily renamed for various promotions. (read more here)




Here are some (other) crayon colors that are likely to be rejected when the CEO at Crayola gets my letter. But then he’s very close-minded.



For your consideration:
1. This Is The Best Freakin’ Lemon Cake Ever Yellow
2. My Mother Would Kill Me If I Painted My Nails This Color Orange
3. Is That A Hickey? Purple
4. I Wish I Hadn’t Sent My Jewelry To Cash-for-Gold Gold
5. I Haven’t Been Out In The Sun In Months White
6. Awesome Aereola Pink
7. There’s No Way I’d Make Out With A Guy Who Drove A Car Like That Green
8. Kick Ass Boot Black
9. The Legal Drug Starbucks Is Selling Brown
10. Carpet Burn Red
11. Matthew McConaughey Blue Eyes Blue
12. Matthew McConaughey Bare Chest Tan
13. The Slut That Slept With My Ex Would Wear This Magenta



Any other suggestions? I’m not sending the letter until Monday so let me know…

I’m Never Breaking Up With You…

My husband and I celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary on July 29th. It’s funny because it feels like 6 years and 60 years depending on the day! I’m sure most married couples can relate to that. I didn’t get roses or diamonds or anything… that’s not his style. He sends flowers for random weird holidays when I won’t expect them (President’s Day, Groundhog’s Day, etc) and I’m not a big diamond or jewelry girl. I know, strange. But seriously. I’m just not that into bling. But he gave me a card that was funny and sweet and then simply wrote “I love you more today than I did when we started this crazy thing”. I choked up. I’m easy. (Oh, and we went to dinner. Like a five course dinner. With side dishes we’d never heard of… WAY out of our league, but really fun).

So, I’m going to share some other funny things about us and our 16 year journey (feel free to stop reading here *G*)

We were friends for six years before anything romantic happened. We hung out, invited each other to parties, had tons of friends in common. In fact, we dated each other’s best friends at one point and it was his girlfriend/ my friend who said “you two would be the perfect couple”. Yeah, it was weird at the time, but I never forgot it. So finally one night we were both single and we’d gone to see another friend in a play. When he dropped me off at home I finally sucked it up and said, “Have you ever thought about us being more than friends?” He turned to me and said simply, “All the time.” Seven months later we were engaged and a year later we were married.

One day when we were in the mall shopping we went past a ring store. He asked if I’d ever thought about what I liked or wanted. I knew as a physical therapist I’d be working with my hands a lot and most therapists a knew had opted to get a plain gold band to wear at work so as not to scratch anyone with their diamonds. I knew I wanted to wear the actual wedding ring every day so I said “well, I definitely want a small diamond.” He looked at me with wide eyes and repeated “You want a small diamond?” I nodded and he replied, “I’m never breaking up with you. Just so you know.” After that I realized that it was a dream come true for a poor recent college graduate to find a woman who didn’t want a ten-pound rock on her finger!

For our honeymoon we decided to drive to the mountains. The first night we spent in a hotel near the wedding and reception, but the second night we took off on our road trip. We knew our final destination but didn’t know when or if we would stop along the way. We did eventually get tired, but couldn’t find a hotel room for miles! We’d stop, they’d be full, and we’d drive until the next one. Then they’d be full. (If I’d been on a donkey and 9 months pregnant I would have thought something supernatural was going on!) Eventually we were so tired we just couldn’t keep driving.

So we spent our second night of marriage, the first of our official honeymoon, sleeping in the car at a truck stop.

We actually found it funny even at the time and have pictures of the truck stop and car with “Love Shack” as the caption.

Anyway, here we are 16 years later, with 2 fantastic kids, lots of great memories, and still plenty of laughter… so I think we’re doing pretty good!

Anybody else have funny or sweet (or both) moments? Come on, I know you do! (this is, of course, for those who kept reading through all my mushy possibly-relevant-only-to-me stuff above *g*)
Erin

Guest Blogger Barengaria Brown - Why write ménage?

Readers often ask me why I write ménages, specifically male/male/female ménages.

I’ll answer that question in a minute. But actually I also write lesbian erotica and male/male stories and even one man/one woman stories. It’s just that the way the release dates have worked out so far, five of my seven published books are MMF ménages, and a sixth has an MMF ménage scene in it, although it is one man one woman HEA story. The seventh (for those of you counting) is my only straight male/female book sold so far.

Now, why MMF?

Just think about it for a moment, ladies. If one pair of hands teasing up your ribcage feels good, how much better would two pairs of hands feel?

If one set of lips, kissing and sucking the tender skin inside your elbow feels good, how would another mouth feel on the other elbow?

If you enjoy running your hands down a muscular back and over a taut ass, how much better would it be with two taut asses to touch?

Romantic fiction is a step outside of everyday life into what if. A woman’s most important sex organ is her brain. She can think, plan, imagine. Imagine what if not one, but two delicious hunks wanted you? Imagine how intense the passion could be in bed with two men. Four strong arms, two hard chests, two even harder cocks.

Well, I’m sure you can see where my mind is going here!

My newest release is “Double Satisfaction” from Ellora’s Cave.

Here’s the blurb.

Imogen, Gage and Liam relax at a luxury resort for a week’s vacation and some extra-hot ménage sex. The gardens are beautiful, the meals are delicious and the facilities are excellent—swimming pools, beach, tennis and golf. The men are delicious too, and Imogen is having a wonderful time—until bossy Gage makes a few autocratic decisions that remind Imogen of her manipulative father. Imogen has to decide whether the best orgasms of her life are worth risking potential heartbreak.

Buy link:

http://www.jasminejade.com/ps-8477-50-double-satisfaction.aspx

For those of you wanting to know release dates for male/male and female/female books, check my website, they’re all there. As is all the information about my backlist.

http://berengariabrown.webs.com/

My blog has a free read (scroll back a bit) and a couple of book trailers, and is updated regularly.

http://berengariasblog.blogspot.com/

Berengaria Brown

A Taste of New Brunswick

Since I always love learning about where other authors are from, and since it's my provincial holiday, I thought I'd blog about a few cool facts about my little corner of the world.

First off, I live in the province of New Brunswick located on Canada's east coast between Quebec and Nova Scotia.

Now on to a few cool facts about New Brunswick:

Saint John, New Brunswick (where I was born) is Canada's oldest incorporated city.

New Brunswick's Bay of Fundy has the highest tides in the world. In some areas a boat can by tied to wharf and a few hours later sitting on the ocean floor.



Hartland, New Brunswick has the longest covered bridge in the world, measuring 1282 feet long.



Saint John, New Brunswick boasts the world famous reversing falls. Now before you get too excited, it's not a waterfall that runs in reverse. :) And you would not believe how many tourists come into the city expecting something just like that. What happens is that the the Saint John river empties into the Bay of Fundy, but when the tides are high, it forces the river to turn and run upstream, which happens twice a day.





This is the same river (though I don't live near the Bay) that has twice flooded enough to turn my backyard into a lake.

Now your turn. Share a cool fact about your little corner of the world. :)