Aphrodisia Authors :: Blog

Hi all,
Just want to say that BUILT is officially released today! To celebrate I’m answering questions on Danette’s blog at http://nenscl.blogspot.com/ and tomorrow one lucky commenter will win a copy of BUILT.

And yesterday I blogged at http://toberead.wordpress.com/ on how writing is like dieting! LOL…no, really it is!

BUILT received a 4 star review from RT: “…scorching romance that will ratchet up the heat….have a fan handy.”

Joyfully Reviewed said: BUILT is a great gathering of sexy stories sure to entice, and tantalize readers.

Thanks for stopping by!

Bonnie Edwards

This is Crystal Jordan, checking in for the very first time on the Aphrodisia Author blog. I think I’m the newest author to sell to Aphrodisia, and I’m very excited to be here.

On to my tale of wonder. I have to share how I sold to Kensington, because it is hands down the coolest story I have to tell. Here’s how it went:

I arrived in Dallas, Texas late Monday for an early Tuesday tourist day before the Romance Writers of America conference began on Wednesday. I sleep in Tuesday morning and am woken by Eden Bradley, a fellow naughty writer, and we discuss what we’ll be doing for the day.

A call beeps in. It’s not a number I recognize, and I consider not answering. Then I realize it might be one of my online friends that I’ve never spoken to over the phone…who might be calling from the lobby (Note to self: if the 212 area code pops up on caller ID, it’s time to spiral into gleefully panicked hysteria). I tell Eden I’ll be right back and click over.

“Hi, this is John Scognamiglio…” My first thought is that’s not how I say his name in my head. Mild buzzing in ears. “I’d like to offer for your story…” More buzzing. He wanted to buy my polar bear shape-shifter story. Oh. My. Holy. Jesus.

I babble something incomprehensible before I click back over to Eden and start screaming and jumping up and down on the hotel bed. I apologize to the Hyatt Hotel…I don’t think I did any real damage to the mattress. Eden cries and I call everyone who’s ever met me.

There’s a certain life that comes with being an author. Certain sacrifices of time and energy that go into writing a book. So to sell to Kensington while surrounded by a bunch of people who understand what I do on a daily basis was simply priceless.

Then I had to find an agent and run around conference subtly stalking every agent I’m interested in. (Also, my friends dragged me out and bought me my first tattoo and then to a tranny karaoke bar).

Two weeks after I got home I have an awesome, fabulous agent and now I’m looking at a whole new career. It’s wild and crazy, but I’m really excited. Here’s hoping for a bunch more tales of wonder to relay to everyone.

So, I’m here and happy to be so.

Crystal Jordan

My website
My blog
Myspace

Today is my very first blog post as an Aphrodisia author. Talk about an honor! There are so many talented authors writing for this line, that it’s a humbling experience to be a newbie among their ranks I got to meet several of these talented ladies at RWA Nationals a few weeks ago, and they are all as kind, welcoming and fun to party with as you might imagine from reading their books

For today, I want to share with everyone my new book, CEREMONY OF SEDUCTION, which will officially release on July 31st, but which has already been sighted in some Borders around the country, and even from one reader in the UK.

Yes, as you can see, the cover gods were extremely kind! And yes, the sensual waterfall scene is an actual scene out of my book.

You can head on over to my website or MySpace page to read an excerpt and see the terrific book video that was designed by Scrap Fairy designs. To say the least - both are just as HOT as the book So have a cool drink and some hot company handy, if possible!

Since I’m new here, I’ll tell you a little bit about myself. Like most writers, I’ve been writing since I was small, but other than the 6th grade play I wrote and performed in “The Embarrasing Moments of Santa Claus,” I never seriously pursued publication until 2003. That was the point in which my husband told me to stop talking about it and get off my butt and go do it.

I could still kiss him for giving me that boot in the tush, because it made me sit down and write an actual novel. I sold that novel in October 2004, and haven’t looked back. That first novel also recently won the Romantic Times reviewer’s choice award for best Small Press Contemporary Paranormal for 2006.

Since then, I’ve published several paranormal romances, but CEREMONY OF SEDUCTION is my first forray into erotic romance. And oh, what a forray that was Talk about pushing boundaries! And I enjoyed every steamy page, and hope you do too. So mark your calendars for next Tuesday and go grab your own copy!

Here’s what some of the reviewer’s had to say:

4 Stars from Romantic Times BookReviews - “This is an incredibly creative read with likable characters. If you’re looking for a sexy escape, you’ll find it here. Ryan has crafted a sensual story that leaves nothing to the imagination.”

5 Cups from Coffee Time Romance - “Ceremony of Seduction is the perfect erotic read with just the right touch of paranormal. Ms. Ryan’s Ceremony of Seduction positively sizzles and is not to be missed!”

4 Stars from Night Owl Romance - “Ceremony of Seduction is a captivating love story of magic and sex that will take you to new levels of sexual bliss. It’s loaded with hot erotic sex that left me hot and bothered and I never wanted it to end. It’s a great read that I highly recommend for hours of sizzling entertainment.”

Talk to you next month!!

Cassie Ryan

While the official release date is still a week away, reports are that BUILT is already on store shelves. This anthology received 4 stars from RT BookReviews Magazine in the newest issue.

Kristi at RT says: This is a great book to add to your summer reading list.

Amie, Jami and I are thrilled to say the least.

For some time, I’ve been biting my nails hoping to get another awesome cover for my next Aphrodisia. I don’t know why I was worried…I think this is one of the hottest ones yet.

Thigh High is coming out in February, 2008 and I’m so pleased to offer this sneak peak at the cover.

I’m loving this one….

Bonnie

Hi, I’m Kate Pearce and this is my first post on the Aphrodisia authors blog. I don’t think I’m even on the sidebar yet! Not only is this my first post, but I’m also anticipating the publication of my first Aphrodisia title next February,”Simply Sexual” an erotic Regency romance. I don’t even have a cover to show you yet, but as soon as I do, you’ll be seeing it!

To be honest, I’m still a little overwhelmed by the fabulous authors who already write for Aphrodisia. The first book I read from the line was Kate Douglas’ “Wolf Tales I.” After I picked my jaw off the floor, I emailed Kate to tell her how fantastic her book was, little dreaming that one day, a year later, I’d be emailing her to tell her that I was going to be an Aphrodisia author too!

Everyone has been very welcoming and I know that as soon as I see that first cover, I’ll really believe its going to happen. I understand that I’m not alone and that this happens a lot for new authors, so I suppose I’ll eventually get over my awe and sense of being an impostor

I’ll finish with a bit about me. I’m originally from the UK. I moved to the San Francisco Bay area with my husband and 3 boys in 1998 where a 6 year wait for our green cards (and the birth of my daughter) gave me the opportunity to stay at home, learn about American culture (it took me 2 years to work out that you could put outgoing mail into your mailbox as well as collect it) and finally write a romance novel.

It would be lovely to say I sold that one straight off and went on to instant fame and fortune but sadly it was not to be. I gave myself a 5 year deadline to get published and accomplished my goal in the eleventh month of the fifth year after 40/50 rejections and 5 manuscripts. I sold an erotic Regency to Ellora’s Cave and realized I loved writing really sexy edgy stories. Since then, I’ve sold more to EC and 2 contemporary erotic romance novels to Virgin ‘Cheek’.

I’m still waiting for the fame and fortune but I’m not complaining…Three publishers keep me busy and I love my job so much I can’t imagine doing anything else! My Aphrodisia books center on two very interesting Regency rakes who spent several years of their young lives as slaves in a Turkish brothel, (and not in a good Princess and harem kind of way). The books explore the impact on their sexuality and their choices after they return to England-and of course feature the women, and men, who complete and redeem them.

I’m looking forward to contributing to this blog and hearing about other readers reactions to the amazing variety of books the Aphrodisia authors write.
Off for a nice cup of tea now! (something I failed to find at RWA this year)

Kate x
http:www.katepearce.com

Good afternoon all!

Yesterday I totally had a plan about what I would blog about, today not so much. It’s interesting how yesterday’s great idea is today’s “blah”. I have plenty of great things to blog about…

My life is full. I have my writing, my publishing company (which wouldn’t be nearly as much fun and rewarding without my business partner, Sable Grey), a very supportive husband, an arrogant (and yes spoiled) dog, and we’re currently planning and certainly putting forth our best effort in the reproductive process.

I published for the first time in 2004 and that filled a hole in me that I hadn’t realized was there. It’s interesting how you can send your whole life writing (since I was 12) and not fully grasp how important validation is until you’re sitting on top of it. Validation comes in spades these days. I’ve got 2 releases upcoming with Kensington (the third in my gallery trilogy- currently titled EXPOSED and a novella in the very popular anthology series SEXY BEAST). BARENAKED JANE came out at the end of April and the response has been absolutely wonderful!

“The sex simply sizzles and it proves how in tune they are with each other both physically and emotionally. Barenaked Jane proves to be a very entertaining novel that delivers in all aspects, the interesting plot, the engaging characters, good pacing, realistic dialogue and Mercy making appearances.”
5 Stars, Just Erotic Romance Reviews

“The second book in a trilogy that began with UNDRESSING MERCY, BARENAKED JANE steams up the pages right from the start. Mathias and Jane are strong, stubborn characters, well fleshed out. The writing is seamless and sensual.”
Jennell, RRTerotic Reviews

Other News:

• I’m starting the re-write on my Kyra Moray futuristic series– that’s proved interesting and more fun than I thought it would be.
• I have a few new ebooks planned- short stuff but it’s currently all up in the air.
• Next month I’m hosting a BIAM challenge on Cobblestone Press’s forum Main Street. All are welcome to join me- starts August 1.

BUY BARENAKED JANE HERE.

Hope everyone has a great day!

Deanna Lee

http://www.deannaleebooks.com/

Howdy all!!!Talk about being slow getting to the dance. I now have three Aprodisia titles out with, I think, four more in the pipeline so it’s about time I jumped onboard the blog here. Hmm. Let’s see, if I was reading about some broad named Vonna Harper, what would I want to know about her? Not the personal stuff ’cause that’s pretty boring and doesn’t sell books. Okay, how about the stuff she writes followed by the question of why anyone would want to read what I write? Okay I can go with that ’cause I’m having a ball!!!First a little name dropping and blame credited–both of which go to our own Kate Douglas. Ya see, several years ago a gal pal and I attended a conference where Kate was enthusiatically explaining the then new erotica concept. She was writing for an epublisher, something I’d never considered but since I was eager to try something new, I sat up and paid attention. Hmm. Can I write about sex, real sex, not the flowery stuff I’d been doing for Harlequin and Silhouette? Not sure until Kate emailed me one of her stories. OMG, talk about real!!! Talk about a turn-on!!! Yeah, I can do this. I just can’t tell my mother or sons.It was definitely a matter of being in the right place at the right time because nearly everything I submitted to that epublisher was accepted. And, surprise, surprise, my stories started coming out mere months after I’d written them instead of years as had been the case with Big Apple publishers. I had a personal e-friendship with my editors and felt as if we were all in this grand new adventure together. Down the road a couple of years with a growing number of stories under my belt, I was again in the right place at the right time when Kensington started looking for books for the new and edgy and fun-as-hell Aphrodisia line. With my soon to be ex agent’s (long story) encouragement, I submitted something to an editor there and had an acceptance less than a week later. Hammered out the details while standing by the mountain lake where the family cabin is, barely remembering to swat mosquitos I was so excited.Probably because what I’d initially sent them was a bondage/BDSM theme, that’s what they want from me and since I always try (okay, sometimes) to do what I’m told and paid for, that’s been my speciality. I keep wondering if I’m going to run out of ideas with that theme but not so far. I truly dig the covers Aphrodisia come out and am really excited about the one for my Dec book Night Fire which shows a naked woman’s rear torso with her hands cuffed behind her. Sexy! The earlier covers (Surrender, The Cowboy, and Roped Heat) are also winners but were a little harder to make out the details–well, except for the hunky cowboy.A question before I fade into the woodwork: how important is cover accuracy to readers? Night Fire’s model has artificial nails and the cuffs are fur lined whereas much of the story takes place in ancient Aztec times where neither of those things existed.Waving good-bye–until next month.Vonna Harper

Hello everyone! I know, long time, no post. So long, in fact, that I just had to convert my old blogger username into the new one.

Anywho, for me, the highlight of RWA National is what happens before it. Every year, the Beau Monde chapter (which is for those who write in the Regency period), hosts its own conference in the same hotel. We start early in the morning (breakfast) and after taking a break for the Literacy Signing, we finish up late with our Soiree.

This year, I got to give a talk about “Sex During the Regency”, which was both prurient and scholarly. Which means, not only did I display pics in my powerpoint slides that were, shall we say, frank, I also had lots of research from the local university library on sexuality to share.

But the absolute highlight?

The Soiree — the conference organizers had hired a contra dance troupe (which is American-style apparently) and a whole bunch of men came along!!!! This is the first time we’ve had more than two males in the room (and one of them is Sir Reginald, one of the authors cross-dressing — although I must say she does it very very well) — so it was really nice to dance with someone taller than me.

Also, I did not manage to trip over the hem of my extremely long gown, although I stood on it a couple of times…

I blogged National over at my own blog

2200 people, mostly women, all of whom either write, read, publish or agent romance! That was Romance Writers of America’s national conference in Dallas this past week. Predictably, the bar almost immediately ran out of the pomegranate syrup for their special martinis! OK, no, I didn’t spend the whole conference in the bar - though I do thank fellow Aphro P.J. Mellor for the bellini she bought me, at the top of the rotating dome.

Aphros were all over the place. Kate Douglas has posted a ton of pictures, which I haven’t had a chance to look at yet, because I just got home and haven’t even unpacked yet. Check them out at http://www.katedouglas.com. Not only were we Aphro gals visible in the bar, our members presented workshops, attended the bookseller tea, and won awards. I had trouble keeping track of everything, so I’m hoping other authors will chime in here and blow their own and each other’s horns. I believe Sharon Page won a National Reader’s Choice Award for “Sin.” Kate D. came second in the paranormal category of the Booksellers Best Awards for “Wolf Tales” (I think it was her first WT book) and third in the PRISM. And I think Vivi Anna got a second in the Passionate Plume contest. Forgive me if I’ve messed up on the details!

My own “Champagne Rules” won two Booksellers Best Awards, one for mainstream romance and one for best first book. Woo-hoo! When they announced my name twice, I couldn’t believe it. Then I had one of those Sally Field “you like me, you really like me” moments, because it’s so thrilling for an erotic romance to achieve that kind of credibility. (By the way, that was the night I discovered those pomegranate martinis . Thanks to the gals from Oregon who helped me celebrate.)

What else was great about RWA National? (1) The amazing sense of camaraderie and support, and all the positive energy buzzing through the air. Seriously, it was even stronger than the meat-locker air-conditioning. (2) The news from bookbuyers and booksellers that romance is not only by far the biggest genre in fiction sales, but it’s steadily growing. Yay, us! (3) Terrific sessions put on by RWA’s Published Author Network, with bookbuyers, booksellers, multi-published authors and more - and the other great workshops on the regular conference program. (4) The parties, like Kensington’s cocktail party for their authors, and a fun dinner with the ladies from Romance Divas. (5) The special events, like the Kiss of Death Chapter’s pre-conference tour - featuring three search and rescue dog + handler teams. (6) The inspirational luncheon speeches by Lisa Kleypas and Lisa Jackson, the great RITA and Golden Heart awards ceremony, and the literacy signing. Imagine 2000 people in one room, all passionate lovers of romance novels. What a wonderful celebration and validation of what we read and write. (7) Having Kris, the editor of LoveLetter (the German romance magazine) bring me copies of the June issue with my story on Awesome Vancouver. Of course I couldn’t read a word, but it was so exciting to see my name, and the pix were fabulous . (8) And, as always, hanging out with old friends and meeting new ones.

Those are my off-the-cuff fond memories of conference highlights. How about the rest of you who attended? What was special for you?