Where Being Different Is Celebrated
Guest Post & Giveaway – Sara Brookes
Sep 21st
I confess. I actually emailed Liia Ann ahead of time to check to make sure she was comfortable with the topic I’d thought about when she mentioned something different and sexy would be good for this guest post. Since she gave me the okay, consider this your warning this is a NSFW post today—there’s talk of male masturbation.
Wallace leaned against the far wall of the sanitizer he’d repaired when I hadn’t paid attention. The water poured from a long thin opening high on the wall to fall directly onto him, slicking all those sculpted muscles of his with a glistening sleekness that was riveting. His eyes were closed and his head was tilted back to rest against the wall.
While the sight of him presented in such a way was mouth watering on its own, the fact he held his very erect cock in his hand to pleasure himself just made him even more so.
A soft sigh escaped from his parted lips and his voice deepened into a guttural moan as he slipped further down into a place of pure pleasure. His hand moved with steady motions and despite the fact, he thrust his hips with the movement, he moved his fisted hand slowly.
The water continued to fall on him to lubricate his hand and Wallace jerked his hips a little as he let his hand slip off entirely. He palmed the head, closed his hand around it completely before he thrust his hips forward so his hand slid down the hard shaft again. A tremor traveled through his entire body as he pushed against the wall behind him for support and he fell into a steady pace again almost immediately. ~ Midnight’s Shadow
Phew. Yeah. So, what was I saying? Oh yes…when I recently finished up my first gay paranormal erotic romance story a short time ago, I realized it wasn’t the first story I’d written with a male masturbation scene. The little snippet from my sci-fi romance Midnight’s Shadow you read above was.
Now, I’m not exactly sure why, but it’s probably related in some way to the idea of a strong, handsome man unafraid to take matters in his own hands (yeah, I went there).
I also realized there was a common thread between those two scenes and some recent scenes I wrote for other books, namely my soon-to-be-released BDSM short, Perfect Limit (Decadent Publishing, $1.99 September 23rd). That pattern is voyeurism. Not one that is necessarily a problem either. *g* But, wow, do my characters like to watch each other or have people watch them.
Perfect Limit is a perfect (ha!) example of having people watching.
Reaching down, he cupped his hands under her thighs, lifting her legs so they straddled his. He held her legs in place to ensure she stayed opened and ready. In this position there was no way for her to hide. Burke knew the crowd would, once again, react accordingly and it all reminded him why he liked the stage.
He fed on the energy gifted by the assembled group and being with Rayna in the dark; he’d forgotten how he could use it to fuel him and his chosen partner. Lately, his chosen partner had always been Rayna, which he found curious in its own right.
He’d never been one to stay with a single submissive for any length of time—not like this. However, he was intrigued by her denial of her true beauty, and it drove him to push her further. He wanted to show her she was so much more than she thought.
“You deserve this kind of treatment. To be on display just as much as any other sub you’ve seen at the club.”
“No….”
He slid a hand around her waist and let his fingers trail slowly through the dark, damp curls he’d just washed. “Yes, you do. You’re only different from them as you’re mine. Show them what I cherish.” ~ Perfect Limit
So, do you find that you have a preference as to what you like to read (don’t worry, it doesn’t necessarily have to be erotic romance)?
One lucky commenter will win a copy of Perfect Limit.
~*~
Sara Brookes is an award-winning, multi-published author who has always been fascinated by the strange, the unusual, the twisted and the lost (tortured heroes are her personal favorite). She is an action movie junkie, addicted to coffee and has been known to stay up until the wee hours of the morning playing RPG video games. Despite all this, she is a romantic at heart and is always a sucker for an excellent love story.
Interview with Heather Thurmeier
Sep 20th
Today I welcome the wonderful, talented, person I’ve met in real life AND publishing house buddie Heather Thurmeier.
Your debut release Love and Lattes is a sweet, sensual story. Where did the inspiration for the story come from?
I was sitting in the café of a local bookstore trying to revise my first novel which I’d just finished writing. I noticed a young couple wandering around the store looking at books and chatting. The excitement of chemistry sizzled around them, and that one moment sparked what became LOVE AND LATTES.
Who was your favourite character to write? Chase or Julia, and why?
Oh, that’s a tough one. I loved writing them both for very different reasons. I liked writing Chase because he’s this powerful figure in the Meadow Ridge community, but all he wants is for people to see him for more than his name and status. I loved writing Julia because she is an outsider to the Meadow and I can totally relate to what it feels like to live somewhere you don’t quite fit in.
Since each author’s experience is different, I have to ask; how does it feel to be published?
It feels great! LOL. This is my debut book release and everything still has that ‘new car smell’ so to speak. Everything about the experience has been so fun and exciting. Even the time spent deliberating over every little edit was fun to me and I can’t wait to do it again with LOVE ON LANDING, the second book in the Meadow Ridge Romance series. I still can’t believe that this whole book thing is all real! Now I’m anxiously awaiting some reader reviews of my book. A few people have told me they loved it, but they’ve been people I know in real life, so they may be tad bit biased. 
What are you working on at the moment?
Right now I’m writing my first paranormal romance novel called STAR STRUCK. I’m hoping it will be the first of a series, but time will tell. First I have to write it! I’m also waiting for edits on LOVE ON LANDING due out in Spring of 2012. And I’m hoping to start work on a third Meadow Ridge Romance novella that I am tentatively titling LOVE OR LUXURY. Not to mention I have two full-length novels that are out in the world looking for homes right now.
Wow. Someone’s a bit busy!
Is there any author specifically who has inspired, helped or mentored you?
Oh, where to begin. Yes, yes, yes. One of the best things I ever did was join RWA and start attending chapter meetings and conferences. Every single author I’ve met through RWA has inspired, helped, or mentored me in some way—Ms. Liia included (Naw cue my blushing lol). Romance writers are an amazing bunch of people. They have encouraged me when I’ve struggled, corrected me when I was wrong, and celebrated with me when I succeeded. I couldn’t possible name everyone who has made a difference in my writing life, but you girls know who you are!
If you had to be an animal, what animal would you be?
I’d probably choose to be a big cat of some kind—a tiger or panther or cheetah. They are strong, beautiful, graceful, and sleek. And they get to take a nap every afternoon when it gets hot. I could use a nap.
How about flower?
I’d be a Gerber daisy. They are so beautiful and cheerful and every time I see one, I smile.
They’re my all time favourite flower! I knew I liked you 
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
And now a bit more on Love and Lattes.
Chase gave up hope of ever finding someone interested in more than his wealth–then he met Julia. She could be the one to tame his player ways, but can their love survive once he becomes her new boss?
Chase has given up hope of ever finding a woman who wants something more than just his family name. Julia is funny, incredibly sexy, and finally, after two years of playing the field, Chase gets a chance to date a girl who’s interested in him, not his status.
Julia can’t forget the night of passion she spent with Chase after dancing at the club. When she runs into him on her first day at a new job, she’s thrilled to see him again–until she learns he’s her new boss.
Julia doesn’t know what to think when she’s threatened to stay away from Chase and then overhears gossips painting him as a player and Julia as his new toy. Should Julia heed the threats and gossip or is a chance to fall in love worth the risk?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Excerpt:
Elbowing her way through the crowd, Julia Walker finally reached the bar and attempted to flag down a bartender. She wiggled her fingers at the one nearest her as he walked by. Of course, he stopped at a woman further down and leaned across the bar to hear her order. As far as she could see, other people seemed to be trying the same tactic as her own. If the drinks lining the edge of the bar were any indication, all of them had apparently been more successful than she had.
Sighing, Julia propped her head in her hand and resigned herself to the fact she wasn’t likely to get a drink anytime soon. In a normal setting, people looked right through her. Why had she thought the bar would be any different?
Why is coming to the club fun?
Maybe if she was tall and blonde, with her breasts bursting out of her top like so many of the other women she saw around the bar, she’d stand a chance of being noticed. But, with her straight black hair falling slightly above her shoulders and a dress only providing a hint of what hid underneath, she simply couldn’t compete.
She surveyed the dance floor from her position at the bar but couldn’t make out her friend anywhere in the sea of people. Julia had never been to Oasis before, even though there were only three clubs in the neighborhood. Her friend and roommate Tali had sworn she’d stay by her side so Julia wouldn’t end up standing alone and bored the entire night. But where’s Tali now? They’d gotten separated almost as soon as they’d entered the bar, with men naturally flocking to Tali’s side, hoping for her attention.
The club was inside the gates of Meadow Ridge, so all the customers were either born and raised in the Meadow–which meant they were stinking rich–or they were students from the local university like she was–which meant they were dirt poor and barely scrimping by on meager student loans. Tali fell easily into the first group and Julia did not. Somehow, they’d remained friends regardless of the difference in their bank account balances.
Julia turned away from the dance floor and back to the bar. She needed a drink soon. She was already dehydrated from the hot, sweaty club and hadn’t even danced yet. Sending her most award-winning smile directly at the bartender, she waved her hand again. He looked right past her to the girl in the see-through dress, which may as well have been non-existent for all the coverage the flimsy material provided.
A man in a dark blue button-up shirt suddenly blocked her view. “Hey,” he said, smiling at her with perfect Hollywood teeth, bending down until his mouth brushed her earlobe. His warm breath caressed her delicate skin. “You look like you could use a drink. Can I get you one?”
You could get me more than a drink, I’m sure.
He must have been about six feet tall, with the most gorgeous sandy-brown hair. His features were sharp and defined with a strong jaw and chiseled cheekbones. Even though she could tell he was only a couple of years older than she was, he looked far too distinguished to be mingling in a club full of students and twenty-something singles. The warmth of his breath at her neck sent a tingle along her flesh.
“You can try.” She finally found her voice enough to answer him. “I haven’t had much luck yet.”
“What’ll you have?”
“A Cosmo.”
He leaned across the bar and instantly a bartender wandered over to take his order.
How’d he do that?
She couldn’t hear his words over the sounds of music pounding through the club, but moments later a frosty martini glass filled with bright pink liquid was at her lips. The tart cranberry instantly quenched her thirst as the heat of the liquor quieted the butterflies in her stomach.
“Thanks,” she shouted, hoping he could hear her over the noise. She reached into the small clutch she’d brought filled with essentials and pulled out a couple of neatly folded bills. Before she could offer them to him, he put his hand on hers, shaking his head.
She should have insisted on paying. She wanted to pay. But the moment his hand touched hers, every thought she’d ever had vanished. The only thing she could focus on was the heat of his touch. His hand lingered on hers and she would swear she could feel actual sparks firing against her skin. Does that really happen to people?
She’d read plenty of romance novels that talked about the chemistry–the spark between two people–but she’d always thought an actual spark sounded a bit farfetched. Stuff like that didn’t happen in real life, did it?
Her eyes sought his, finding the most interesting kaleidoscope of colors she’d ever seen. Flecks of blue, brown, and green intermingled to create eyes she wanted to stare at forever. “The next one’s on me.”
“There’ll be another?” He gave her a teasing grin.
Oh, damn. She began to sweat and wondered if her assumption about another drink had been completely wrong. When he’d bought her this drink, he was probably just trying to be nice to the poor, thirsty girl at the bar. He most likely had a girlfriend somewhere in the club waiting for him right now and wondering where he was.
“No, I didn’t mean that. I just wanted to repay you for this drink since you were so nice to buy me one. That’s all. I’m sure you have someone else to buy you the next drink, so you won’t need me too. Of course it’s not like you need anyone to buy you a drink, I’m sure you can afford to buy your own drinks–” She shook her head and sighed under her breath. Damn it. At the ripe old age of twenty-two, she still couldn’t speak to men without getting flustered.
His grin spread across his face and she thought she heard a small chuckle escape his lips, but it was impossible to know for sure over the dance music relentlessly thumping through the speakers. “On second thought, I’d love it if you’d buy the next round.”
He’s exceptionally cute when he smiles.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
You can find Heather at her website, Twitter and Facebook.
Love and Lattes is available now at Silver Publishing, Amazon and other ebook stores.
Love Beyond Time By Rebecca Royce – Review
Sep 14th
Rebecca Royce has done it again. Her incredibly creative mind has brought the world another unique story, species and universe.
The Outsiders are an old race that have always existed on the outskirts of society. Fighting evil, they’ve protected the world for generations without regular humans knowing they existed. They have a slew of extraordinary powers including telepathy, manipulating the elements, time travel and more.
Love Beyond Time, the first in The Outsiders series, has it all; love, lust, action, blood, guts, gore, ghosts, superhuman abilities, evil demons, possession and, yes, a bit of smut. It literally has everything I enjoy reading about in novels. And I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed this book.
I don’t want to give too much away but there’s complicated relationships between Kal, our hero, his ‘Uncle’ Veli and the rest of the Outsiders that live with them, Leonardo, Marina and Charma. Each one of them seems damaged in a ‘I want to cuddle them and make it go away’ way, but they’re also strong and able to stand on their own feet. Then there’s Isabelle, our heroine and the newest Outsider. She’s strong, talented, comes into her abilities incredibly fast and is also adorable.
In short, I loved this book and just know I will love the series. I was left wanting more – immediately! And you will be too.
Not convinced? Check out the blurb below and you will be.
Born one half of a perfect pair, Kal has spent his life believing his other half is gone. But when fate thrusts Isabelle into his arms, he will have no choice but to become the man he was destined to be. That is, if he can battle his own demons first.
Not willing to accept her heritage as an Outsider, Isabelle tries to hide from the truth. But when Kal’s life is on the line, she will have to step forward and embrace her powers or watch everything she has come to love disappear.
For a video trailer as well as an excerpt, click here.
As a part of her Love Beyond Time Tour, Rebecca is giving away a $50 Amazon gift card – yes you read right! So comment here or on any of the other stops to go into the running to win!
R U OK?
Sep 13th
A conversation could change a life..
Each year up to 65,000 Australians will attempt to take their own lives. This Thursday, September 15 is R U OK Day. It takes seconds to ask the simple question “Are you okay?” and could help someone in desperate need.
Depression and other mental illnesses still hold a certain stigma in society. It’s because of this stigma people feel ‘embarrassed’ or ‘ashamed’ to ask for help. When it all becomes too much for them to handle, they take their own lives.
I’ve made no secret of the fact that I’ve dealt with depression since I was a teenager and I’d be lying if I said I never considered the world would be a better place without me in it. There are so many others who have the same thoughts but won’t receive the help they need. Sadly they feel the only way out for them is suicide.
That’s why R U OK Day is so important to me. Not everyone has the support network I’m so lucky to have.
So take the time to ask a friend, family member or colleague R U OK?
As added support, for each retweet of one of my #Ruokday tweets on Thursday (LiiaAnn), I’ll donate one dollar to the foundation. If you let me know you’ve retweeted, you’ll even go in the drawer to win a copy of one of my books (that is an ebook or paperback copy of Elora’s Match or an ebook copy of One Hot Australian Night or Her First White Christmas). Same thing goes for people that stop by Video Ezy Forrestfield and mention my tweets.
If I can help even 1 person get help and stop a suicide, then it’ll be a great day.
Six Sentence Sunday – Elora’s Choice
Sep 11th
Hi everyone, thanks for coming back every week to read and comment on my posts – I really appreciate it!
This week, I’ve got a little snippet from Elora’s Choice – the follow up to Elora’s Match (my debut). Elora and Kadin are in Nala’s house, where she notices a rather interesting portrait.
At the end of the hall was a huge portrait of Salana, Nala’s girlfriend, naked. The witch stood with her hands strategically placed, legs twisted to cover her privates. I couldn’t stop the twinge of jealousy and annoyance that twisted through my chest. Kadin had dated Salana for years, a fact he omitted when we were getting to know each other. I’d expect to see something like that in a bedroom but not a hall.
That’s a bit much, isn’t it?
And here’s my Kadin inspiration. *drools&
For snippets from some great authors, check out the main Six Sentence Sunday site.
Until next time!
Liia
