Aphrodisia Authors :: Blog

So, I turned thirty a couple of days ago. New year, new decade. It’s an exciting time for everyone. So, let’s celebrate! I’m going to give away some books. Let’s say one for each decade…that’s three. If you want to win, just comment on this post. Tell me the best birthday gift you’ve ever received.

This year, my best friend and her mom made me cupcakes from scratch. Even the frosting was homemade. So freaking yummy.

Here’s what I’m giving away…

With the ability to shapeshift into white tigers, the Kith have arrived on Earth in search of their “One”–the soul mates who are destined to satisfy their scorching lust…

Wicked Lord

U.S. Sergeant Major Bren Preston has no control over keeping half-human, half-tiger Kith Ambassador Lord Farid Arjun from entering her dreams at night–and surrendering to the feral hunger he sets off in her. Though powerless in dreams, she’s determined never to succumb to her desires in person. But seeing Farid transform into his magnificent feline form elicits a wild passion that won’t be denied…

Carnal Empress

Jana Townsend doesn’t know what’s more incredible: Falling in love with a shapeshifter or discovering that Kith Emperor Kyber traveled the universe to find her. Now together, their union is a perfect joining of souls and bodies as Jana discovers a ravenous desire that begs to be sated again and again…

*

The Between. A race of people between light and dark. Good and evil. Human and animal. The world discovered their existence over a decade ago, and so far the balance between humans and Between has been precarious at best. One bite is all it takes to cross the line from human to Between. It doesn’t matter what species of shapeshifter bites a human–only the soul can dictate what kind of animal is most suited to a Between. Many humans think they’re dangerous and should be locked away, while others covet their power.

On a fateful camping trip, fiery Oregon beauty Rhiannon Reid is kidnapped and turned into a “Between”–a magical shape-shifting creature. Now forced to prove her worthiness to the group’s golden king, lion-shifting Elan Delacourt, the two test each other’s strength and character–but lose themselves in the hot-blooded battle…

*

Meet the Cruz brothers. They look human—except for the golden sheen their eyes take when they’re aroused beyond control…and the way their claws come out when it’s time to play rough. They’re Panthers, ancient shapeshifters, and their survival depands on mating to bring out their wild sides…

Undeniable
When Antonio, the strong, sexy new leader of the Panther pride, meets luscious Solana in a dark alleyway, their passion lights up the night. But she’s an outcast, an impossible mate—and her touch makes him lose all control…

Irresistible
Ex-model and businesswoman Andrea doesn’t need anyone—until she meets Miguel, who tempts her mind with daring games and teases her body with dark, forbidden please she can’t resist…

Indescribable
Wild twins Ricardo and Diego do everything together—and their women appreciate the teamwork. Until shy Isabel takes refuge in their pride, and both want to claim her. Of course, sometimes two mates are better than one…

70 Author Book Fair!

I’ll be at the Book Fair October 2nd, along with about 70 other authors. It’s open to the public from 4pm – 6pm, in Bellevue, WA (adjacent to Seattle) at the Bellevue Hilton. I hope to see some of you there! List of authors.

Elizabeth Amber
Nicholas | Raine | Lyon | Dominic | Dane
hot historical paranormal romance
Kensington Aphrodisia
www.elizabethamber.com

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ElizabethAmber/

Night Owl Reviews Halloween Hunt

Just a heads-up that Night Owl Reviews is hosting a month-long Halloween Web Hunt in October. Over 100 prizes, including gift cards, signed books, and more. Click graphic for deets:

I finally sat down today and started writing Wolf Tales 12. I’ve been thinking a lot about this one since it’s the final book in the current series, and I realized I couldn’t just start it at a point where Wolf Tales 11 leaves off. I decided to jump five years into the future so that I can show a lot of story lines resolved, but as I was getting set to write, I realized that in five years, there HAD to be more babies born! I mean, I left off WT11 with Tala’s twins and Lisa’s daughter’s birth (both are pregnant in Wolf Tales 10) and Keisha and Xandi both considering having more babies, and a few other characters pregnant, and I had a typical, author-like “OH SHIT!” moment.

That lasted about ten seconds before I sat down with my list of characters and figured out who would have babies in the ensuing five years, what sex they’d be, what their names and birthdays and ages were, and all the details that are required to turn imaginary characters into real living, breathing people. I had NO IDEA how much fun that would be, and I can’t wait for you to meet the rest of the next generation of Chanku…once I get them all written, of course! They’ll all be in Wolf Tales 12, along with, hopefully, the resolution to a lot of issues I’ve raised throughout the series. In fact, if you have any questions you want to see answered, I hope you’ll leave them in the comments section below. I really don’t want to risk missing anything!

I got the cover art for Wolf Tales 11 the other day, and as usual, it’s gorgeous! What do you think?
It’s got a different feel from the others–the color scheme is more along the lines of my DemonSlayers books. Not sure if that’s on purpose or just the current “color of the day” for bookcovers, but what I really love is the female model–she looks exactly the way I picture Liana, who has a fairly good role in WT10 and 11. Of course, the guy looks more like Logan Pierce than Adam Wolf, but I’ll take what I can get…and you KNOW how those Chanku are! I’m sure Liana and Logan have diddled at some point…

Wolf Tales 10 is out, and I’m hearing great things from readers. I was a bit worried about this one–killing off a character is frowned upon in romances, but as I told readers, this IS paranormal. Dead doesn’t necessarily mean gone… I can promise a few tears and a lot of smiles with this one, and you will never again hear the phrase, Louiseville Slugger, in quite the same way…

Anyway, that’s about all the news I’ve got for now. My editor assures me that, even though the series is ending with 12, there’s a good chance I’ll be able to bring it back at some point, so I’m tending to think of it more as if I’m just going on hiatus. You know…sort of like killing off characters in a paranormal romance–they might be dead, but they’re never really gone. And please, let me know what story lines you want to see settled. I really appreciate your input, and I’ve discovered that often my readers have much better memories than I do when it comes to the nitty-gritty about my books! I will be following up on those hieroglyphics that were discovered on the cavern walls in the cave beneath Anton’s Montana home (Wolf Tales VII) and telling you more about Lily and her amazing abilities. She’s definitely her father’s daughter! But remind me, if you will, of other things I need to remember. I’ll be picking a few names from those leaving comments to win a free book, so even if you just leave a post saying “HI!” you’re entered!

If you’re 18 or over (yes, they’re WAY hot) check out first chapter excerpts of Wolf Tales 10 and Wolf Tales 11

>I almost forgot! I just heard from Danielle, one of the reviewers at Coffee Time Romance, letting me know that Wolf Tales 10 has been given the CTRR (Coffee Time Recommended Read) award.

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
my e-newsletter for contests, news, and more

Dane, The Lords of Satyr

I work with some hot men…all half-satyrs and all sexy alpha hunks from 1800s Italy. But is my husband jealous of any of them? Of Nicholas? Or Raine, Lyon, Dominic, Dane? Not at all. He’s proud of my work and very supportive.

But he is jealous…of the time I spend social networking on my computer. Blogging and chatting with readers on Facebook or via my e-newsletter group every month takes time away from our lives together. But it’s mostly fun for me and it’s what authors do. We want to meet our readers and to talk about our books.

Although he’s very tech-savvy and is a vocal proponent of MACs, my husband is not interested in social networking. He’s never been on Facebook or Twitter or MySpace, and he doesn’t understand their appeal or why they’re useful. I discussed this with a friend who said that her husband resents the time she spends online as a blogger-reviewer of adult and YA mystery and sci-fi novels.

So I’m wondering…are there people in your lives–husbands, partners, brothers, mothers, friends, and/or significant others—who are jealous of the time you spend social networking online? How do you handle their feelings? Do you try to spend more time with them? Bargain about how long you’ll spend online? Explain what you’re doing and why it’s important to you? Or are there some husbands, boyfriends, partners, who hang out in the blogosphere too? And are you jealous of the time they spend online and away from you?

GIVEAWAY: Please drop a comment with your thoughts. I don’t have copies of my June release, Dane, The Lords of Satyr, yet, but I’m giving away one copy of your choice of the other satyr novels (Nicholas, Raine, Lyon, or Dominic) plus an autographed Dane bookmark to one person who drops a comment here within the coming week. Winner announced here April 4th (next Sunday). Looking forward to your thoughts!

Elizabeth Amber
Nicholas | Raine | Lyon | Dominic : The Lords of Satyr series
June 2010: Dane ~ Read an Excerpt
hot historical paranormal romance
Kensington Aphrodisia
www.elizabethamber.com

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ElizabethAmber/

Hi all! The Noelle half of Chloe Harris here. Thursday Thirteen was a meme that started a while back where each Thursday bloggers posted a list of Thirteen things in any theme they chose. The main website where people posted links to their TTs is gone but the idea reminds and many people still post their lists on Thursdays.

So here is a list of 13 words or phrases plucked from the pages of Secrets of Sin. Use at least four of them in your comment in any way at all that you choose (even a list of your faves) and be entered to win a copy of Secrets of Sin plus a second Kensington title. Your choice between three of my favorites Wild Heart, Sinful Surrender or His Woman.
So don’t lay there like a bedcover. Put down the cafe-au-lait and get posting. It might just payoff with a sweet as sugarcane prize!

1. Barhydt-O’Driscoll Shipping Company
2. Bedcover
3. Bougainvillea
4. By-your-leave
5. Café-au-lait
6. Chambermaid
7. Crop
8. Ginger
9. Métier
10. Payoff
11. Red-handed
12. Sirene
13. Sugarcane

And don’t forget to check out The HOT GUY CONTEST at the Chloe Harris website featuring a HUGE Kensington prize package.

Maybe you’ve seen the four star review in Romantic Times or the hot Kate Douglas quote on the cover and you’re thinking of purchasing Secrets of Sin when it debuts this month on Januray 26th, well here are five reasons not to buy it. But you still have a chance to win it.

1. If You Want a Perfect Hero
If you are looking for a Mary Poppins Hero – Practically Perfect in Every Way – then Reinier is not the man for you. The boy is charming but he has some serious issues.

2. If You Think Strong Women Can’t Have Weak Moments.
Although Emiline is a very strong woman the girl definitely has her weak moments and bad days but don’t we all.

3. If You Like Things Black and White.
Even in the bright Caribbean sun there is a messy gray. There are no Dudley Do Rights and Snidely Whiplashes here, thank goodness!

4. If You Don’t Believe Love Can Redeem.
Well hell, if you don’t believe that why are you even thinking of reading Romance?

5. If You Only Like Plain Vanilla.
This book is spicy! Vanilla is not spicy. The characters in this book are individualists all and are not afraid to try new and different things in and out of the bedroom. Baskin Robbins couldn’t even keep up.

If you can identify with any of the above statements then please do not buy Secrets of Sin.

But if you’d like to win it instead leave a comment for a chance to win one of two copies of Secrets of Sin!!!

Two winners will be chosen by 6:00pm on 1/12/10. Good Luck!

www.authorchloeharris.com

I’m going to make this a super easy post for me and a super duper easy contest for you. I now have my author copies of On The Prowl in my hot little hands, which means I want to give some of these (autographed) goodies away. What do you have to do for a shot at the book? Just leave me a comment on this post and on Friday I’ll choose from the entries and announce the winner in the comments section.

Go forth and say something witty!

Here’s what all the fuss is about:

Meet the Cruz brothers. They look human—except for the golden sheen their eyes take when they’re aroused beyond control…and the way their claws come out when it’s time to play rough. They’re Panthers, ancient shapeshifters, and their survival depends on mating to bring out their wild sides…

UNDENIABLE
When Antonio, the strong, sexy new leader of the Panther pride, meets luscious Solana in a dark alleyway, their passion lights up the night. But she’s an outcast, an impossible mate—and her touch makes him lose all control…

IRRESISTIBLE
Ex-model and businesswoman Andrea doesn’t need anyone—until she meets Miguel, who tempts her mind with daring games and teases her body with dark, forbidden please she can’t resist…

INDESCRIBABLE
Wild twins Ricardo and Diego do everything together—and their women appreciate the teamwork. Until shy Isabel takes refuge in their pride, and both want to claim her. Of course, sometimes two mates are better than one…

**WINNER ANNOUNCED: SARA HURT**

So Many Clothes, So Little To Wear

There’s a smarter way to shop for clothes than the way I’ve shopped all my life.  This, I discovered when my best friend (BF) came over recently to help me go through my closet and come up with some “outfits.”  I have plenty of clothes, it seems, but few outfits. Why? Because I buy clothes on impulse.

On the other hand, BF is very disciplined. She’ll try on something in a store that looks great on her, and I’ll urge her to buy it.  She’ll often refuse, saying, “I don’t have anything to go with it.”  My response has always been bafflement. “Who cares? You’ll find something.”

So BF came over that afternoon, and like a fashion drill sergeant, she ordered me to hang my clothes in color groups. Then we mixed and matched.  When we managed to put together an “outfit,” she took a photo of me wearing it, so it would be easy to remember. Along the way, I realized how many pieces of clothing I have that are lovely, but that I haven’t worn because they don’t go with anything else I have. That has always frustrated me.

By the time BF left, I had six outfits.  And a shopping list.  She told me to get a long, narrow, red scarf; high, chunky-heeled black shoes; a black belt; and a red camisole.  “Yes sir!” I replied.  I’ve gotten three of the four.  (Red camisoles of the right length and decoration are hard to find.)

I’m not saying I’ll never impulse-buy again, but I’ll be doing less of it. I really learned something about shopping from my best friend that day:
1. The RIGHT accessories go a long way.
2. Buy smart—buy things that go together.

If you’ve felt the same frustration when trying to put your clothes together, invite a willing friend over to do this. It’s fun and worthwhile!

CONTEST:
My new release, Dominic, The Lords of Satyr pubs in March and I’ll offer a copy of it in next month’s blog. This month, I’m offering an autographed copy of the first book in the satyr series, Nicholas, The Lords of Satyr, since I have extras. Next Wednesday (Feb. 4th), I’ll have someone randomly select a winner from among those who leave a comment here.  Good luck, and thanks for visiting the Aphrodisia Authors’ blog!

~ Elizabeth Amber

Well, I’m kicking off the Holiday Season with a couple of contests. First off, visit my blog and help me choose which photo to use for the new site — and you’ll be entered in a drawing to win a red hot iPod.

Secondly, it’s time for the third “Chase the Dream” contest for writers, which I co-sponsor with author Leigh Michaels.

So, enter the first 1,000 words of your unpublished manuscript, and you could land a contract with an editor or agent. We’ve got some great editors on board — and this year, you can listen to audio clips from editors and agents telling you what they look for in a submission!

So, please stop by http://chasethedreamcontest.wordpress.com for more information.

And, feel free to spread the word about both contests. The more, the merrier.

Happy Holidays!

Best,
Rachelle
www.RachelleChase.com