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Dane, The Lords of Satyr

My June release, Dane, begins a new trilogy within my erotic historical paranormal Lords of Satyr series about half-satyr/half-human brothers who guard the secrets of their ancestors while hiding what they are from humankind. In myth, the satyr are the carnal followers of the Roman wine god, Bacchus, so I created highly sexed heroes whose lives are complicated by the fact that they’re driven to engage in a monthly ritual involving fleshly pursuits from dusk to dawn.

They’re vulnerable during this time, and when we meet Dane and his two brothers, the satyr have never been in more danger of discovery due to the fact that excavations have begun in the Roman Forum.

To further cloak themselves in normalcy and entrench themselves in Italian society, they are directed to select human wives. I get to play matchmaker through the character of the heroine, Eva, who is dispatched from ElseWorld to assist in this. But when Dane meets his matchmaker — Eva — he also meets his match. She is the only female satyr in existence, something she disguises. And she has her own agenda — she’s determined to make the Roman society that scorned her mother, accept her.

Both Dane and Eva are troubled by mysterious secrets in their pasts that make them perfect for one another. I loved having a part in bringing these two together!

The settings for the satyr novels (1800s Italy) came about because I’m a museum junkie and an art history buff, and am completely fascinated by Greco-Roman history. I’m also mesmerized by museums of all kinds—transit museums, fashion museums, toy museums–pretty much any kind. I once went to Musée de l’Erotisme, an erotic museum near the Moulin Rouge in Paris. It was a little cramped, but was intriguing and worth a look if you’re ever in the area.

Museums feed my passion for the past. They fuel my longing to return to various time periods or events—not forever, but just for a few hours or a few days. I’d love to go to Coney Island during its heyday. Or to Henry VIII’s court for an evening.

Or to the Roman Forum. I so wish I could have been there during its excavation. Writing the stories The Lords of Satyr is as close as I can come.

satyr sculpture

What era and place would you return to if you could time-travel for a few hours or a few days? What’s your favorite museum?

See some of the photos I took in and out of museums on a trip to Europe that inspired the satyr novels at RT Book Reviews blog.

Dane is an RT Book Reviews (Romantic Times) TOP PICK in the June issue (4.5 stars), 5 stars from Romance Junkies, Top Pick from Night Owl Reviews, 4.5 stars from Bookaholics, and a Recommended Read at Kwips & Kritiques! Many thanks to these reviewers for taking time to read Dane and post a review.

One randomly selected commenter will win a copy of DANE, THE LORDS OF SATYR. USA only, winner chosen today (Friday.) Good luck everyone and thanks for dropping by the Kensington Aphrodisia blog today!

Dane, The Lords of Satyr (May 25)
by Elizabeth Amber
Read a DANE excerpt.
erotic historical paranormal romance / Kensington Aphrodisia
ISBN 978-0758241283
www.elizabethamber.com
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Well I had a great time at the Romantic Times conference! I enjoyed meeting other authors, readers, and others in the bookseller communities. Here’s a few fun pics to share from during the convention! One during the fairy ball, before the signing, and the vampire ball.

But I’m back now, and life has gone on as usual. Including me being so tired of the cold! Okay, maybe you’re off somewhere where it’s warm and gloriously sunny, and it may as well BE summer, but that’s not me. Recently on Twitter I had a conversation with fellow Pacific Northwesterners who share my chills. We spoke of blankets, snuggies, long underwear, fuzzy socks. What is it, winter? May as well be out here. Sigh. How’s the weather where you are?

Well, I do have some things BESIDES the weather to look forward to this summer! Three upcoming releases! I have two print books, my Aphrodisia book Need Me at the end of June, and my Samhain book Chances Are in July. Then July 20th my Samhain ebook novella, Going Down, which is the first in my Holding out for a Hero series, comes out!

I’m also hoping to travel this summer, but that’s all going to depend on a few factors! What are you looking forward to this summer?

Here’s an excerpt of my upcoming Aphrodisia book, Need Me:

Nika has trained her body into a deadly weapon—the better to take what she wants from any world, especially the well-protected planet Belton. But the moment she sees Lt. Brendon Marshall, her weapon is turned against her. A man like him could incinerate a woman’s priorities with one look. And since he’s guarding the very object of her desire, it could be so simple to use him and never look back. As long as she can ignore a more intense pleasure than she’s ever known—and a wilder need than she’s ever imagined…

EXCERPT

Brendon’s fingers clenched the glass of wine as he lowered it slowly back to the table. His gaze sought hers as she crossed the room.

Damn her. Once again, she looked gorgeous. She wore a thin red gown that clung to every sweet curve on her body. And she never looked away from him as she approached, her gaze confident. Almost defiant.

She finally stood in front of him and gave a slight sniff. “A moment of your time so that I might have a word with you, sir.”

It wasn’t even a request, more of a demand. His irritation with her faded into something akin to amusement. Just who did this woman think she was dealing with?

“I think not,” he murmured lazily. “If I give you a moment of my time, there will be no words needed.”

Emmett let out a choked laugh next to him, which he quickly converted to a cough.

Her mouth tightened even as he saw the odd mix of heat and wariness in her gaze. “All right.”

Brendon froze. “Pardon?”

“If those are your terms then I accept.”

Anger flared hot in his belly. What the hell kind of game did she play now? He pushed back his chair and strode forward, grabbing her elbow.

“Take me to your room.”

She didn’t pull away or tell him to go to hell, simply nodded and turned to lead the way.

Still clutching her arm, he followed her. Confusion and anger warred inside him. If this was another attempt at cock teasing him, then she had pushed him too far, because the moment he stepped foot into her room, he had no intention of leaving until he’d thoroughly fucked her.

Watching her ass swish beneath the gown and imagining her supine and submissive had his cock jumping beneath his trousers.

She turned and made her way up the stairs, each step bringing him closer to her room. Before she reached the top of the stairs, he finally broke.

He pulled on her arm, spinning her around. “What game do you play?”

She gave him a slow smile and licked her lips, but her gaze was not so unperturbed. “I play no game.”

The hell she didn’t. He half suspected he’d go into her room and find someone there ready to assault him.

His jaw hardened and he exhaled harshly. “Lead on, woman.”

Nika spun from him and strode on down the hall. He followed her, wary as she opened the door to her room. She strode in first and then turned, waiting for him to enter.

He entered slowly, one hand on his pocket-sized electro-mace. Glancing around the small quarters, he found it empty. Still suspicious, he closed the door and listened to the electronic lock click.

Then he lifted his head and met her gaze. In her eyes there was desire, but beneath it was something else. Maybe even…resentment? But that would make no sense. Why would she resent him when she’d been the one to agree to his terms?

“Perhaps you’ll tell me what happened to your face,” she finally asked, her lips curling upward in amusement. “Was your lady friend last night a bit on the rough side?”

“No lady did this to me.” His eyes narrowed at the reminder of what had happened at the lab. “Nor did I bed that woman last night.”

He regretted the last admission when her expression slipped from derisive amusement to surprise.

“Why did you bring me here, Nika?”

She lifted one shoulder and pulled a strand of hair forward to wrap around her finger. “Because you requested we meet in my room.”

“Yes. So I did.” He stalked toward her slowly, waiting to see if she’d retreat. She did not, but held her ground quite solidly.

He caught her chin between his fingers and held her still. Hunger flashed in her gaze, replacing any sign of another emotion that gave him doubt, as she ran her tongue across her lips.

“Twice now you have left my cock in a dire state, love. It won’t happen again.”

She did not reply, but he saw the muscles in her throat work.

“What have you to say, Nika?”

For a moment she said nothing and then, still holding his gaze, she reached behind her and unfastened her dress. It slipped down her body, catching on one pert tit before pooling onto the floor.

The air hissed from his lips. Gods. It was amazing he didn’t come in his trousers.

He let his gaze explore her body. Tall and slender, her breasts were small and perky, a good mouthful. He moved his attention lower, over her toned belly to the smooth lips of her pussy.

His cock pressed hard against his trousers, straining to get out. With a deft hand he freed himself and stroked the hard length.

“Gods, I want you. Turn around,” he commanded softly. He would fuck her now, before she pulled some silly stunt and tried to run off again. “Lean forward against the bureau.”

She swallowed hard, but obeyed, turning away from him. Her palms splayed on the wood surface, her ass pushing out toward him.

“I think we’ve had enough foreplay over the last two days,” he murmured against her ear, pressing himself into the curve of her body. “Don’t you agree, love?”

“However you want me, Lieutenant,” she agreed in a breathless voice.

Her slim body trembled against him, despite her flirtatious words. She insisted this was no game, yet something felt not quite right.

His cock throbbed against her buttocks, and he ground his teeth together. Why the hell was he overanalyzing? He needed to be inside her. Now.

Brendon slid a hand down her back, his breath catching at how soft her skin was. He moved lower, before sliding his fingers between her legs and inside her.

Her pussy was soaked, clenching around him as he added a second finger and worked them in and out of her tight channel. Her body was hot and slick, undeniably prepared for him. She let out a soft moan.

He pulled his fingers from her and placed his hand against her back, urging her to lean forward more against the bureau.

She complied, and he watched her ass raise higher, the swollen lips of her pussy in perfect view now. Gods, she was sight. All moist and pink. And submissive.

Gripping his cock, Brendon placed the head of his erection between her legs and pushed an inch into her. He stopped for a moment to let the slick cream welcome his cock, to enjoy this second before he took her. Claimed her.

“Tell me no again,” he challenged hoarsely. “Tell me you want me to stop.”

“I don’t want you to stop,” she whispered, her voice cracking. “Fuck me, Brendon. Now.”

* * * *

Available for pre-order at many places including Amazon: in print and the Kindle.

You might notice something different about my upcoming book “Kiss of the Rose” which comes out in August. Firstly, it doesn’t have the word ‘Simply’ in the title, and secondly, it’s not actually a Kensington book. But we get to promote all our work on this site, so here’s the blurb for this upcoming title-my first foray into mass-market paranormal historical romance!

Desperate to defeat King Richard III and gain the English crown, Henry Tudor made a pact with the Druids that bound him and his heirs to the Druid’s deadly struggle against the Vampires. Ever since, the Llewellyns, an ancient Vampire slaying family, have been in the permanent employ of the monarchy.

To save the king from a nameless assassin, Rosalind Llewellyn, Vampire hunter extraordinaire, must form an uneasy alliance with a known Druid slayer. Sir Christopher Ellis hails from a family that has protected the Vampires for centuries, yet Rosalind has no choice but to rely on his help. And with her life threatened and her loyalty tested, Rosalind may even have to acknowledge the unthinkable. This sworn enemy may be her soul mate.

Yes, Tudors and Vampires and Druids. My agent suggested the Tudor Vampire bit to me and when I thought about how I could add a new spin onto Vampires, my mind came up with a link with the Druids. You’ll have to read the book to find out why, but lets say, it was ‘interesting’ writing a book with accurate Tudor history, Vampire and Druid worlds and a love story. Check out my website for an excerpt.

I hope some of you will give it a try! And I haven’t given up on the Simply’s either. The next one is already written and comes out in Feb 2011, Simply Forbidden, which is Lisette’s book.

Kate x

Falcon’s Captive won’t be out until July but I figure here’s a great way to share what I think is a great cover. The male torso ain’t bad, the color’s IMO eyecatching, and the falcon gives it a spooky quality which I really dig.

Speaking of spooky (notice the smooth transition here) I’m working on something that has taken on a life of its own. That’s happened to me before but not often and not for awhile. Part of that’s because erotica which I’ve been doing exclusively for several years calls for a concentrated focus on the romantic/sexual relationship. Plots must revolve around that anchor.

Not so much with the present project. Its sexy; I’d be crazy to take off in a direction my readers aren’t interested in. But I’ve pasted a sticky note on my monitor that says “erotic suspense” Maybe I should flip that and say suspenseful erotica because the focus is more on the creepy, dangerous element than whether Maco and Shari head into the future together. Nearly every scene furthers the mystery and suspense.

Example: yesterday I was writing a scene in a pizza parlor designed to give Maco the opportunity to talk about why he’s divorced in addition to ramp up the anticipation because they’re heading to his place afterward. As I worked on it, I perceived it as a break from the strange things that are happening at both their workplaces. Then I took my dogs for a walk and the editor at the back of my brain knocked on the gray matter.

Eureka! I ended the scene with Maco noticing that a man is watching them. I know who that man is and hopefully it isn’t who I’ve been setting up as suspects.

This story–and it really needs a decent title–has a mind and direction of its own. It moves fast for me and I’ve turned into a one armed paper hanger trying to juggle two mystery threads. But damn is it fun! I’m not stopping to edit, full steam ahead. Tie off all the loose ends once I hit ‘the end’. Trust the inner editor.

Have I mentioned that I’m having a ball. Energy and excitement follows me to the computer every day.

Changing topics again and not so smoothly this time, how about some comments on the cover? Oh and if anyone has a spare title hanging around, please share it.
Vonna
www.VonnaHarper.com

A couple of nights ago, I attended Stars on Ice, a gala figure skating exhibition. I totally love figure skating, especially the dance and pairs. To me, those couples and their performances are the essence of romance. What more could you possibly want?

A man who’s incredibly strong–strong enough to lift his lady over his head and carry her safely across the ice. A man who’s tender–tender enough to set her down with infinite gentleness. A man who’s agile, coordinated, gymnastic, and graceful, without ever losing his power and strength. A man who’s good looking, wears great clothes, and presents himself well. A man who can entertain and connect with the audience, who can feel and interpret music, who can convey passion, humor, whatever emotion the particular piece calls for. What more could any woman possibly want from a hero?

And then there’s the woman. Graceful, elegant, beautiful–and just as strong and coordinated as her partner. She can do everything he can (well, except lift him over her head!), make it look easy, and look gorgeous while she’s doing it. Very definitely a heroine to be admired.

As for the couple, they portray the magic, the special bond, that’s romance. The way they gaze into each other’s eyes, the way their bodies move together and apart, the way they can reach for each other’s hand without even looking, knowing it will always be there. To me, skaters like Jamie Salé and David Pelletier (Olympic gold medalists from 2002), Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir (Olympic gold medalists from 2010), and Marie-France Dubreuil and Patrice Lauzon (twice world silver medalists) give me the same warm glow in my heart as reading the happy ending of a wonderful romance novel.

They also symbolize everything that’s beautiful and admirable in a relationship. Because it’s not just their intimate connection and the romantic face they show to the world, it’s all the individual work and teamwork that goes on behind the scenes. They are incredible athletes with the discipline to commit to a lofty goal and follow a brutal training schedule. Together. Hand in hand, as partners.

Not surprisingly, a number of pairs and dances teams fall in love off the ice, too, and marry. I think it’s wonderfully symbolic that when Marie-France and Patrice married, the couple who had trained and skated side by side walked each other down the aisle. Side by side.

Sometimes the marriage proposals even happen on the ice. When Chinese skater Hongbo Zhao proposed to his long-time pairs partner, Zue Shen, it was on the ice at the end of the performance where they won the 2007 World Championship.

Aw, isn’t that romantic?

First, let me say Happy Belated Mother’s Day to all! It’s one of the best things in the world being a mom. Now…guess what Syd did for HER Mother’s Day?

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Went skydiving!

Yep, that’s me with the clouds below. Wow! What a rush! Definitely suggest it to all. There is NOTHING you THINK you  can’t do afterwards! Thanks Gulf Coast SkyDivers!

Okay…now why I’m on this blog…LOl…i want it now

Ready to heat up your days and nights? I hope I’ve done that in my latest collection: I Want It Now! Y’all remember how I told you I decided to write only “married sex?” Well….wallah! That’s what I have here. Three steamy, dreamy, hot (searching for more adjectives here, LOL) novellas that I know will make you and  your sweetie, as we say down South, HOLLA!

You’ve Got Male starts off the trio with Dina, ambitious, successful Dina having it all except a man in her life. But that all changes when girlfriend gets proactive and on the ball and decides to “order her life’s delight.” And she got a biggun (again, a Southern term, folks!). Dubois was 6’4″ of pure Adonis, with a silky tongue and best of all…husbandship training. Wait til Dina gets a load of what all that entails. Oooohhhhh La la!

Fiending For It is up next. Elena tells her husband Chaz, “Either we spice up the bedroom…or I’m getting a boyfriend.” Of course, Chaz was a bit stunned–as exhibited by the Heimlich Maneuver Elena had to perform on him just after her announcement–but he was reasonable. There was room for improvement. And their idea how to improve it: A Sexolympics of course! Traveling all over the world, watching, participating in various sexual practices…expanding their minds along with other body parts.

And the final one, Becoming One. Topaz has her cake and is eating it too with her three luscious husbands–Terrence, Domino and Erik. Each brings something she just can’t stand to live without to the table. Life is bliss…until Topaz stumbles upon a little…thing. That’s when she decides to take it back down to being with one man and one man only. But you know men, they aren’t giving up without a fight. The question is: Can Topaz resist? And if she does, who will win it all?

This baby drops late July so watch for it!

Peace out!

Syd

The other day I was  talking with a neighbor at the park. We had been on nodding acquaintance for some time, knowing each other as my son often plays with her nephew.  But on this day we got into a lengthy conversation. I found out she is a retired cafeteria worker and widow who enjoys embroidery and watching the soaps. Very friendly woman in general. And then she asked what I do. When I told her I write Romance she gave a big smile and asked about my books.

It was a very nice conversation. But before she left she said -and yes, very sweetly-  “You don’t look anything like what I imagined a Romance writer looks like.”

Now, if this had been the first time I had heard this I probably wouldn’t have given it another thought. But this is the third or fourth time now. And it amuses me to wonder what kind of pre-conceived mental image people have when it comes to Romance authors. What are we supposed to look like? The possibilities are intriguing..

Maybe its a babe dripping in the trappings of her success?

Or perhaps the brainy woman, myopically driven to pen those Romantic fantasies, which if pursued in real life would, unfortunately, interfere with her RuneScape time?

Could it be the fun-loving kind of gal, who surrounds herself constantly by the works of art that inspire her?

On the other hand, when we consider how public perception is often colored by Hollywood imagery, maybe I”m supposed to be immersed by a fascinating mystique I couldn’t shake off with a leaf blower or keg of TNT.  You know, something like this illustrious writer..

I fear I will have to disappoint readers. I’m just an ordinary woman who doesn’t do high tea, has never met a Chippendale and the only Blackberry I own is a jar of Smuckers sitting in the fridge between the ketchup and ranch dressing. But wondering what image I’m supposed to live up to is interesting, and just for fun I’d love to hear feedback from readers: Have you ever had a mental image of what a Romance author is supposed to look like? And if so, what was it?

Thanks much and until next time, happy reading!

~Anya Howard

When you read this, I will be on board the Celebrity Infinity (not pictured here), enjoying the final few days of a 15-day Panama Canal cruise! Operative word here is enjoying, as I love to cruise. This is how we’re celebrating anniversary #35 (so, see? We deserve this trip!) and while I’m really psyched about the full transit of the Canal and the other ports/shore excursions, it’s the seven days at sea, interspersed between ports, I’m really looking forward to.

Now, what’s this trip have to do with writing? More than you might think! Each time I cruise, I decide on people or places on board I want to check out up-close-and-personal, and I’ve learned to take along a few copies of my books (yes, they check you out for security reasons, to validate that you’re an author and not a terrorist…I so resemble a terrorist!) and ask the appropriate director on board for escorts to these areas, with personal tours. My Aphrodisia book, All Night Long, is set aboard a ship, and I have upcoming titles that include onboard romances, so everything I do and see on these trips is fodder for stories.

On earlier trips, I’ve toured the hospitals, the jails, the morgues (an oversized fridge with drawers) the laundry, the room where the surveillance cams are monitored–and I’ve visited the quarters and bridge of every captain I’ve ever sailed with, at his personal invitation, after he learned an author was on his ship). It truly amazes me, how these buff foreign guys in white uniforms love to show you around if you just ASK!

This trip? I hope to talk with any full-time residents aboard the ship–yes, because it’s a fascinating thing to me, that real people really do live the cruise ship life full-time. But also because given the right conditions, I could live that life in a heartbeat! And, because an upcoming book features a hero who’s in charge of security/surveillance in a Vegas casino, I plan to go behind the scenes in the ship’s casino with someone on the security staff to see what they watch for, what their equipment looks like, and to drink in any anecdotes they might tell…and you KNOW they have some!

We’ll also have access to some fascinating classes–like learning to navigate by the stars, the way ancient mariners did. And tai chi, gotta take that one. And cooking and wine-tasting and maybe even a Rosetta Stone foreign language class.

But mostly I look forward to finding a deck chair in the shade, or on our room’s verandah, and losing myself in a good book. I do that so rarely anymore–and isn’t that a shame? And I’ll have my iPad along, with the keyboard, because I’ve started journaling on it! And I might start my next book–and I might not! And I’ll spend a lot of time gazing over the rail at the wake the ship makes because that swirling water and foam absolutely mesmerizes me…yeah, I’m a cheap date and I’m easily entertained! And I’ll totally enjoy ordering from menus with NO PRICES on them, and trying foods I don’t cook at home.

So, while you’re reading this I’ll be doing any of those things, above, or something even more fascinating than I can imagine right now. And I’ll be able to respond to any comments or questions you might have, via my iPad! So let me hear from you!

Ever have those days when you think: if everything falls into place, if everything’s just perfect, then I’ll decide. And it does fall into place and everything’s perfect and you say: Yes, I’ll go for it. I’ll do it, because if all these steps are this easy, it’s a sign that this decision on this day is the right one.

That happened to me last Friday. Yes. In spite of my intense dislike of Country music, I decided to go to the RWA National Conference in Nashville, TN.

This was a conference I’d decided not to go to. Family reasons, among others. (Not least of which is my intense dislike of Country music – I mean I leave stores if it’s playing, kind of dislike.) (See me wince – I may just have lost some readers with that admission. But, hey, everyone’s entitled to one weird thing – and that’s mine.)

But I toyed with the idea on Thursday that perhaps I should go, in spite of all the reasons not to. Overnight, I bargained with myself. If my good friend, Alexis Morgan, still had a bed available for a roommate, I’d go. (We’re negotiating on a massage for her cheering section should she win the RITA for which she’s deservedly nominated.) Then, I added the qualifier that if I could get a good price on her flight, I’d go.

All these things fell into place in under an hour: I registered for the conference at the early bird rate, Alexis had room for me to share with her, I got on her flight at a fabulous price and we even got early boarding and seat selection so we could sit together.

I mean – Wow! Right? Who wouldn’t decide that was a sign to go for it?

Then the skies over Nashville opened and the deluge began that flooded the river beside the hotel. The water rose and crested somewhere around 11 or 12 feet, washing away lives, property, homes, and businesses. My heart goes out to all the immediate victims and for all the long term effects.

By Sunday, the news was full of the devastation and people started to panic about the conference. Tweets were posted, pictures of the flooded hotel were everywhere, what ifs ran rampant on writer loops. Still, I felt good about my decision to go to National.

By late Monday the hotel was sending out cancellation notices to those people who’d booked rooms. RWA sent out an alert that they were doing everything they could to salvage the conference. It’ll have to move, it may have to change dates, it may have to be shorter, but I have faith it’ll happen.

Who knows? Maybe we’ll end up somewhere they play rock and roll or the blues, or jazz, or … sigh, anything but Country. All I know is, with all those details falling so smoothly into place, my decision to go is rock-solid.

Come hell or high water, I’ll be at National, wherever it is, for as long as it is….

Okay so maybe I have one more weird thing: my unshakeable belief that this year will be a good year to go to RWA’s national conference.

And now, to diet!

And no sooner had I sent this to publish first thing this morning, than I get confirmation that RWA has found the conference a new home in Orlando, FL. (okay, we’ve seen the high water so now I guess it’ll be hellish hot in Florida in July)

I haven’t been there in many many years, so I’m really excited about going…and this just goes to show what a great organization RWA is. They didn’t even have to change the dates. And all of this accomplished in under 3 days. Amazing!

My apologies to all. Today is my day to post, but I’m just back from the Romantic Times convention and my mom is not doing well, so I’m off this morning to drive to Stockton to see her. Instead of a rundown of the conference, I’m giving the link to all my pictures (116 of them) if you’d like to see what a bunch of us were up to last week in Columbus, Ohio. Do hope you enjoy the photos–and for your patience, I will be giving away ONE copy of my new HELLFIRE ARC which arrived while I was gone.

Take care. I will choose ONE winner from today’s posts.

Kate