Well, there’s many things I could be talking about when I ask if you enjoy it. But right now, I’m asking about dressing up.
RT (Romantic Times convention) is coming up (less than two months!) and I’m getting super excited. This will be my first conference. Not only will I get to see author friends and meet readers, I get to DRESS UP! I mean, part of me will always be this kid who loves Halloween and any opportunity to put on a costume. But I never get invited to adult Halloween parties anymore <bummed sigh> and there’s never really been any other reason to get dressed up. Until RT!
So I’m getting all into the costume building, well, not as much as some people, but I am a little bit. Going more strong on the accessories to the costume (wings, head pieces, hats, etc.) Seriously, check out the headpiece–click pics to make bigger–I made from scratch (seriously I formed the wreath part and everything! I’ve got mad skillz with a glue gun!) for one of my costumes! I only used a little child labor for the beading (hey, working the fine motor skills). I’m really excited for this conference. For the costumes, the socializing, everything…did I hear something about cover models?
So who’s been to RT before? Anyone planning on going this year? Any tips for a newbie? Are you dressing up? If you’re coming please, please, please come say hi! I’ll be a total noob! I’ll also be at the signing with my Kensington and some Samhain books!
So I blogged about this the other day, but wanted to try and get more perspectives. So sex sells, right? I mean, Aphrodisia books are proof of that
And there’s so many variations on what kind of erotic romances to read. M/M, cowboys, ménage, foursomes, tensomes, bdsm, capture, vanilla erotic…all of the above? The variety of erotic romances to read is across the page.
Well, in case you don’t know, I also write for Samhain Publishing and my newest release, an ebook novella called Four Play, just came out last week (and it’s been #1 at MBAM since last Thursday!) It’s the story of one woman who has to choose between three men…until she realizes maybe she doesn’t have to choose at all! There was something so fun and delicious about writing three different men, and wondering who I’d choose if I was in the heroine’s place.
So I certainly have my favorite themes in erotic, to both read and write. But I want to know what yours is. What type of plot do you tend to gravitate toward to when you’re picking up an erotic/spicy romance to read?
Leave a comment and I’ll draw a name for one person to win a copy of Four Play or any ebook off my backlist.
In the mean time, enjoy the excerpt below!
Shelli
* * *
Duty required she choose one life mate. Her heart wants all three.
Mikayla knew this day was coming. News has come down from the planetary elders—now that she’s twenty-five, the law requires she pick her lifemate. She may be the planetary secretary, but when it comes to trying out potential mates, she’s inexperienced and nervous.
She only needs one man with whom she can trust her life. Luckily she knows three—all friends since childhood. Even if they’re not thrilled to be her potential lifemate, it’s the only way she can get through this process.
Mikayla couldn’t be more wrong about Cedric, Kyle, and Brett. They’re eager, yet resentful about the situation. Each one would kill to claim her, but they’re not too happy about having to risk their friendship to win her love. Yet, one by one, they set out to do just that.
Mikayla is stunned to learn all three men drive her mad with desire—and make her feel cherished. Loved. Choosing one seems impossible, until the one man she doesn’t want forces her hand…
EXCERPT
“That dress looks lovely on you,” Kyle murmured.
She flushed, even knowing he had always been skilled with flattery. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. It makes you look taller.”
Mikayla threw back her head and laughed, a habit she was well used to when spending time with Kyle. “You lie. I’m petite at best.”
“Yes, you are, and always have been. It’s no wonder we always had difficulty finding you during our hiding games as a child.”
“Gods, stop it!” she laughed harder and slapped his leg lightly. “You make fun.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.”
Kyle grinned and sank down next to her, then leaned back on his elbows, crossing one leg over another. The action drew his shirt taut over his abdomen, highlighting the muscles beneath.
A flutter occurred low in her belly and she bit her lip, shifting her gaze away. What was the matter with her? He was fully clothed and this was hardly the first occasion she’d spent time with him alone.
“Mikayla,” Kyle said softly and caught her hand. “What made you choose us?”
Her cheeks warmed and she shrugged. “Well, basically it was like I said. I suppose I hate the idea of making a strange man my lifemate. I know you three. I adore you and would trust each one of you with my life.” She lifted her gaze and searched his eyes. The unease hit again—was she forcing them into this? She whispered, “Am I being terribly selfish?”
His blue gaze darkened, flickered with heat. “No, kitten. Not selfish at all. Though you’ve put us in one hell of a predicament.”
“Have I? How so?” Her heart skipped and she ran her tongue across her mouth.
Kyle’s gaze dropped to observe the movement.
“Because all three of us would give our souls to possess you,” he said roughly and, with a light tug of his hand, pulled her so that she fell across his chest. He reclined fully onto the blanket and slid his hands up her waist. “To win your love.”
Surprise rushed through her. Truly? They all wanted more than just friendship from her?
Her pulse quickened and she wondered if she should feel guilty for acting so wantonly. But dear Gods it felt wonderful to lie across his hard body like this. Across Kyle. How strange…
“All of you? But Brett didn’t seem happy in the least.”
Kyle laughed. “He’s just infuriated that I was chosen to court you first. The man is more competitive than he likes to let on.” He slid his hand down to her ass, cupping her through the thin cotton. “But fortunately I am too, kitten. Do I have your permission to continue?”
Continue. Oh Gods, she could not even begin to comprehend what that entailed, but she wanted it.
Not trusting her voice, she gave a slight nod.
Triumph flickered in his gaze as he slid one hand up to cradle the back of her head, pulling her mouth down to his. His mouth was entirely too skilled, coaxing her lips apart before his tongue slipped inside.
She met his commanding touch, hesitantly flicking her tongue against his. Heat bloomed in her body as she let her weight rest fully on him. He threaded his fingers through her hair and tilted her head, deepening the kiss.
Warmth slid through Mikayla’s body, gathering heavily between her legs. She squirmed against him, needing more than the kiss, but not sure how to ask for it.
But Kyle seemed to know exactly what she needed, because he lifted one leg between her thighs so that she straddled him. His knee wedged against her pussy, sending all kinds of sparks of pleasure through her.
She cried out and lifted her head, bracing her hands on either side of his body, rocking back and forth on his knee in search of that ultimate pleasure.
“You need to slow down, kitten,” he murmured and slid his hands up her ribcage to cup her breasts.
“This is just the beginning.”
Oh Gods! Mikayla closed her eyes. If this was just the beginning of pleasure, then she was in a heap of trouble.
The holidays are over and we’re rushing toward 2010!
How did it all treat you? Did you get all the gifts you wanted? None of the gifts you wanted? Check out the suhweet Snuggie that Santa brought me!
So we’re just days away from 2010 and I’m super excited. I love the fresh start of a New Year. And I LOVE the romance of New Year’s Eve. Except, my New Year’s Eves has been so absolutely boring ever since I had a kid and dived headfirst in the world of single parenthood. Last year was the first time in YEARS I actually did something on New Year’s Eve. And even then, it ended up being kind of a dud evening (let’s not talk about how I decided to drink diet Red Bull and vodka–forgetting that I’d given up caffeine!).
Once upon a time I used to have wild evenings. Like, I-probably-shouldn’t-even-put-this-on-the-web-in-case-my-child-finds-it-years-from-now type wild. My New Year’s Eves used to be so much fun, so exciting, and so full of possibility on who I might meet. My offers lately have been from my parents, inviting me to play Scrabble and have dinner with them and their friends–oh, no, wait, not the dinner part, just the Scrabble. When did my life get so boring!?
I mean even if I got babysitting, all the fun parties and events seem to have dried up. For once I’d love to ring in the New Year with a fun date (are you out there man of my New Year’s Eve dreams?) or go to a fabulous event/party. SOMETHING! Some day again it’ll happen…some day.
So tell me, what are you doing New Year’s Eve? Anything amazing? Tell me! Let me live vicariously through you! Or maybe, is this all just part of growing up? Do we really just sit home and watch the ball drop on tv, while twittering the night away?
Here’s a song that somewhat encourages my New Year’s Eve obsession. It’s Harry Connick Jr. who positively makes me swoon when he sings (he’s not a bad actor either )
Well! I’m a bit late posting, and I apologize. I’m hung over from a number of things (but not alcohol!) I’m recovering from Thanksgiving, black Friday (this morning!) and just finishing up with jury duty this week (it was a bigger case than I expected and went on for awhile, and that’s all I’m saying!).
Did anyone shop today? I sure as heck did for a bit, but quickly realized the best deals were online! Hello, Star Trek for $9 at Amazon? I think you can STILL get that deal! The malls were crowded and I found nothing that had me drooling.
So since I’m still a bit mentally drained, how about I share my new cover for Need Me? This is for the second book in futuristic series (following Take Me, but each is stand alone!)
So Sexy Beast VII is almost out in stores and is already shipping from Amazon and Barnes and Noble (who knows, it may be in some stores already!) I’m so thrilled to be a part of this book with Kate Douglas and Anitra Lynn McLeod!
Big and bold, primal and powerful, these men have a seductive sensuality that no woman can resist. Come enter their world of carnal desires and wanton sexuality…if you dare…
“Chanku Challenge” by Kate Douglas
When Beth and Nick first discovered the amazingly sensual power of their Chanku birthright, the desire to mate was fierce and uncontrollable. But Beth remains haunted by an event from her past, and she must confront it in order to accept her new life and find the happiness she so desperately seeks…
“Eye of the Beholder” by Anitra Lynn McLeod
Terrified at the rumors of her new husband’s hideous disfigurement, Larra of Rellmon fears the night and his approach. But as the hooded Dauer caresses her body Larra’s shivers of terror become quivers of ecstasy, and under cover of darkness she willingly submits to complete sexual surrender…
“His To Reclaim” by Shelli Stevens
Five years ago Gemma gave her heart and soul to a fellow werejaguar only to have him disappear. Now Hunter has come back and kidnapped her on her wedding day in order to make her his again, and he will tempt, tease and taunt her body to the heights of hedonistic pleasure to get exactly what he wants…
So in my story, His to Reclaim, you see that Gemma (the heroine) is confronted with a man from her past. The one that got away so to speak.
For some of us, maybe we have a feeling that there might be that guy that got away (or girl!) and I loved writing this story because it gave me a chance to play with the what if factor. Leave a comment and tell me if you’ve ever had any thoughts or regrets about a special someone from your past. I admit I have! And probably with more than one.
I’ll draw a name from those who leave a comment and send out a signed copy (just by me because I don’t live near the other gals!) of Sexy Beast VII to one randomly drawn winner!
In the mean time, enjoy an excerpt from my story in Sexy Beast VII!
Excerpt from His to Reclaim
“Gemma!” The shrill scream pierced through the woods, filtering past the aged walls of the log cabin. “Oh my God! I can’t believe this. Gemma!”
The sound of feet pounding down the path mingled with the alarmed whimpers and short breaths of the approaching woman.
Gemma’s fingers clenched around the brush in her hand, her pulse quickening as she turned to face the door. Was it too much to hope that it was nothing more than the caterer having encountered a problem?
The door flung open, smashing into the wall. Her younger cousin Megan stepped into the room, eyes wild with panic.
“He’s really coming.”
They were just three words, but they were enough. The brush dropped from Gemma’s hand, and her body went numb with shock.
This was really happening…. No! The room spun and she gripped the vanity table to keep from falling to her knees. No. Was he insane?
“There’s no time.” Megan closed the door, hands shaking. “Shift and then run. Run fast. It’s the only way you can possibly escape him.”
“How far away is he?” Gemma’s voice came out remarkably calm as she fumbled to undo the buttons on her wedding dress.
The cold fear began to subside, and a hot burn of rage blazed through her. How dare he? After five years, how dare he?
Megan grabbed her arm and tugged her toward the door. “A mile. Maybe. And he’s not alone, Gemma. He’s brought friends. You must hurry! There’s no time to change out of your dress. Run, and I’ll find Jeffrey and tell him what’s happened.”
“My dress will be ruined during transition—”
Crash!
The door broke in half, and splinters of wood shot into the interior of the cabin like tiny missiles.
Heart in her throat, Gemma retreated, her body trembling as she stared at the man who now filled the doorway.
The man who’d just made good on the appallingly dark promise he’d made just days ago in an e-mail. She’d been half convinced it was a joke—someone toying with her heart—and had told Megan as much.
But it wasn’t a joke. The proof was standing in front of her eyes. Maybe a couple of years ago she would have wished for this, but not now. Dammit, not now!
Sweat clung to the hard muscles of Hunter’s nude body—it was clear he’d just shifted back to human form. A familiar heat crept through her body, and she hardened her jaw, refusing to acknowledge it. The same way she’d refused to acknowledge it for the last five years.
It was hard not to, though, with his dark hair and tan body. He was tall and broad, a mass of muscles and ridges.
Her gaze dropped, and her cheeks burned hot. She swallowed hard, unable to tear her gaze from his hard thighs and the thick cock that rested between them.
The blood raged through her veins, and she closed her eyes to count to ten. When she opened them again, her gaze was firmly back to his face, unwilling to let her eyes shift any lower than his shoulders this time, for that would be a guaranteed diversion from finding a way out of this situation.
Unfortunately, five years had done nothing but enhance Hunter’s raw sex appeal.
His eyes, burning like dark blue crystals, met hers. And like the devil come to collect his due, he advanced into the room, his face a mask of fierce determination.
Oh, God. She needed to act. Now. Swallowing against the thickness in her throat, Gemma glanced around the room, looking for anything that might be used as a weapon. She grabbed the chair from her vanity table and lifted it above her head with a grunt.
Hunter lunged forward and knocked it from her grasp, sending it crashing to the ground behind her. Before she could draw in a startled breath, he’d circled her wrists with one of his massive hands and pulled her body firmly against the rock hard wall of his chest.
“No!” She growled and lifted her knee to tag him in the groin, but he blocked the shot.
Instead, he pulled her tighter against him and forced his thigh between hers. His thick cock brushed her hip and she stilled, barely able to breathe as her heart slammed against her ribcage.
His soft laugh feathered warmth against her cheek. “You should have listened to your cousin, angel.” He leaned forward and said softly against her ear, “You should have run.”
My book Take Me is out TOMORROW!!! (At least according to Amazon, some places still say the 1st, but I bet you can find it around!) Woo whoo, I’m so excited! So today, I’m giving away a copy of Take Me!
So I was thinking how I ended up here. Writing erotic romances that could singe the eyebrows off my more conservative friends/relatives. I mean, how did it happen really? Well, I came up with a sort of theory.
When I first started out eating ethnic food, or any food type really (for me it was thai food) I was like starting at 0 stars. I wanted it as non-spicy/bland as possible. And then…after awhile, I started to add a star. Kick up the spice. I was building up a tolerance. And pretty soon I was up to 3 1/2 stars (out of 4!) on my spiciness. I had built a tolerance. What I started with wasn’t hot enough for me anymore. And oddly enough, the same process I can kind of see happened with romance novels. I started out reading books with the most mild love scenes, which at the time scandalized me, and then slowly began picking up books with a hotter heat level. Until I loved it HOT! And so when I started writing, I was already writing pretty spicy, and then the erotic romance market came in with a bang. It was just one tiny step (upping my tolerance) and I wasn’t just reading it, but writing it.
Today my love scene tastes run from spicy (doesn’t have to be erotic) to erotic. I can still read books with the not as spicy love scenes , but I do miss them.
So for a chance to win a copy of my book, tell me: have you always liked your love scenes hot? Or what is the heat level you prefer? I will draw a name tomorrow afternoon/evening!
Here’s a bit about my book Take Me.
After years as a slave to the pleasures of the powerful, Talia knows how to make a man mad with lust. But her pleasure counts for nothing—until a handsome, ruthless stranger appears. Ryder dares to look at her… to touch her… to awake in her a desire she’s never imagined. When he kidnaps her to learn her secrets, Talia vows not to let her passion take control. But soon she discovers that her captor’s intense gaze and searching hands can perform their own kind of interrogation, a sweet torture she finds impossible to resist…
To celebrate the upcoming release of my first Aphrodisia title, Take Me, I’m holding my biggest contest yet! I want to get the word out about my book, and I need your help! I’m beyond excited and having a fun contest to celebrate. I’ve listed all the details below!
ENTERING THE CONTEST
To enter the contest, copy the code (click on ’share’) of the graphic above and post it to your Facebook, Blog, Myspace, Website, or any of the options that are offered in the graphic. Leave a comment here with a link to your blog entry or wherever you’ve posted the graphic and your answer to the following question: If you could close your eyes and just be Taken Away somewhere at this moment, where would you go?
If for some reason you are unable to post the graphic, just blog about my contest or post about it on Facebook or Myspace or in a group somewhere. Just tell me where you’ve posted about it and provide a link to it, even if I can’t go there to check it out. But of course, I’m hoping you can share the link since I just adore the graphic Frauke made me!
The winner of the First and Second prize will be announced the morning of August 2nd. This contest is open to both authors and readers alike!
MONTH LONG BOOK GIVEAWAY!
I’m also going to be giving away books by other authors during the month of this contest on my blog! So be sure to check back often! The winner will be posted the morning after, in the comments section in daily drawing. Because of the time it takes, I do not track down winners, so be sure to come back and check to see if you won!
AUGUST 1ST NEWSLETTER CONTEST
All members of my newsletter will be automatically entered in a special surprise contest. The winner will be drawn on August 2nd! Sign up for my newsletter
RULES
Because of the nature of some of these books, you must be at least 18 to enter! By entering this contest you’re stating that you are at least 18 years of age.
This contest is open to residents both inside and outside the U.S. (If for some reason the Amazon/LUSH gift certificates cannot be sent outside the U.S., alternate prize will be decided upon!).
Winners are drawn randomly. I will be sending out books to winners for the book giveaway on my blog once a week (so I’m not at the post office every day!). Because of the time it takes, I do not track down winners, so be sure to come back and check to see if you won!
Everyone over the age of eighteen is eligible for this contest, including authors and professionals in the publishing industry (we’re all readers!).
Have fun and thanks for entering! (And by the way, if your comment doesn’t show up right away, it likely got stuck in the spam filter and I’ll pluck it out!)
Are you in love? Have you ever been in love? Said those three little words?
I was driving in my car today and thinking about romance novels from years past. The ones I grew up with. It seemed like every page in the book was driving you toward those three little words: ‘I love you.’ The story wasn’t complete without them. I remember reading one book, and this really stuck out in my mind, where they weren’t there. And it was just such a ‘left hanging’ feeling. There was no closure. There was no guaranteed happily ever after.
But you know, that was a long time ago and romance novels have changed. I’ve changed. For one, I’ve realized, hello…that’s not reality. Generally, you’re not going to meet someone and a week later scream you love them. Yes, I’m sure it happens to some of the lucky ones, but others…maybe not so much. Like me. I guard those three letter words. (I’m single). I’m not just going to say them the first time some guy happens to stir my blood. Because, come on, sex and love are completely different.
I often hear how the woman will say the words first, and that can be such a bad thing if the guy’s not ready (*cough* bullshit!), but really, that’s not how it went with me. I’ve said those three little words twice, and both times the guy said them first. Now granted, one was while he’d been drinking and I’m not sure he really meant it and the other guy said it during orgasm (TMI? Sorry, not really). And I didn’t immediately follow it up with an, “Oh, yes, my darling, I love you too.” One guy I really thought about it and said it when I was ready. The other kind of slipped out. I meant to say, “Wow, you’re awesome!” type thing and went, “Oh, wow, I love you!” and he took it literally. Whoops. So yeah, I really don’t want to say those words until I’m head over heels.
And in books, I’m okay without them now. As long as I know they’re really heading in that direction. If I’m left with the feeling the guy is going to jump off the love bus for the first girl in a bikini, I’m going to be not so warm and fuzzy with the book. I don’t end every book with an ‘I love you’. Though most of them I do. I’m a bit traditional in that sense…
So how about you? When you said the three words, who did it first? You or your significant other?
<——— Just about two months until Take Me releases (squeee!)
Okay, today I’ve just decided to have a fun interactive/game type blog topic. Maybe it’s a little on the wow really? side, but I promise you’ll have fun!
Now this is how I learned about this game. While out with friends on Friday night at a brewery, my guy friend piped up and said, “Beat up, Screw, Marry. Who would you rather…” And then proceeded to mention the last three secretaries of the state. I quickly realized I had to decide which option Madelyne, Hillary, and Condoleezza got. We played this game for an hour using various people to choose from and had a great time.
So since it’s hump day and we could all use a moment of fun, I thought I’d play a version on the Aphrodisia blog. Of course, with hotter people than the previous/current secretaries of state. So here we go.
Which out of the following would you rather…
Beat up. Screw. Marry.
Shelli’s answers:
Marry: Brad Pitt (cause he’s such a family guy cutie)
Beat up: Tom Cruise (Run, Katie and Suri, run!)
Screw: Russell Crow (I was torn between wanting to beat him up and screw him.)
Now time for your answers! And to all those who play, I’ll randomly draw one winner and give them a copy of my latest ebook release at Samhain Anybody by Justin.
Okay, this isn’t strictly for the gals, but the images are (I apologize to any men stopping by!)
So when we meet someone of the opposite sex and we’re attracted to them, generally something tends to catch our attention. Some feature on this person. Eyes. Butt. Smile. Something….
I mean, guys have these fun little labels for themselves like… I’m an ‘Ass guy’ or ‘Breast man’. Well, I have no shame in declaring myself a shoulder/arm gal. I love it. I mean, I’ve crushed on guys who weren’t broad shouldered and such (because bottom line personality is the winner! I don’t mean to sound like a total cheese ball saying that, but it’s true). But for the pure physical, immediate eye candy moment, that’s what I look at. The shoulders.
So yeah, I’m totally digging the guy on the cover of my upcoming Aphrodisia book Take Me.
That being said, a guy with great eyes does catch my interest too. But it’s all about how he’s using those eyes. The intensity in them.
So what rings your bell? If you were to walk into a room of say…oh, male underwear models such as the pic below, what would you be checking out? And men feel free to share your opinion on the gals!
Well, there’s many things I could be talking about when I ask if you enjoy it. 
But right now, I’m asking about dressing up.
(seriously I formed the wreath part and everything! I’ve got mad skillz with a glue gun!) for one of my costumes! I only used a little child labor for the beading (hey, working the fine motor skills). I’m really excited for this conference. For the costumes, the socializing, everything…did I hear something about cover models? 
The holidays are over and we’re rushing toward 2010!
After years as a slave to the pleasures of the powerful, Talia knows how to make a man mad with lust. But her pleasure counts for nothing—until a handsome, ruthless stranger appears. Ryder dares to look at her… to touch her… to awake in her a desire she’s never imagined. When he kidnaps her to learn her secrets, Talia vows not to let her passion take control. But soon she discovers that her captor’s intense gaze and searching hands can perform their own kind of interrogation, a sweet torture she finds impossible to resist…
To celebrate the upcoming release of my first Aphrodisia title, 
and the other guy said it during orgasm (TMI? Sorry, not really). And I didn’t immediately follow it up with an, “Oh, yes, my darling, I love you too.” One guy I really thought about it and said it when I was ready. The other kind of slipped out. I meant to say, “Wow, you’re awesome!” type thing and went, “Oh, wow, I love you!” and he took it literally. Whoops. So yeah, I really don’t want to say those words until I’m head over heels.
