Be back July 1st.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Sunday Book Blog
Hello! It's been a while but things are finally settled down and I can finally do my bloggy thing. At least for the next two weeks and then I'm off to Costa Rica! I know. You can smack me.
Edmund Fitz Clare has loved Estelle Berenger for years but has kept away from her because he has a secret. He's an upyr, a vampire. But when her life in endangered, no force on earth can keep him from claiming her.
Estelle has always loved Edmund but never dreamed that he could ever feel the same way. He's the adoptive father of her closest friends' for heaven's sake! Still, when it finally seems as of she's going to get all she's ever wanted, Edmund is taken from her and it falls on his family to find him.
Okay, I've never made any secret that I am an Emma Holly fangirl. I love her and I love this series. I especially love that the three books come out back to back. As always, great characterization. I love Edmund and Estelle together.
Since this is Emma Holly, there is plenty of sex. Although it's not as explicit as it can be. This book is truly and erotic romance (maybe even romantic suspense) rather than the erotica that I've read of hers before.
RATING: RUN!!!
Xia spent a lifetime as a slave to the mage Rasmus Keeler. He hates all witches and the last thing he needs is to be saddled with Daddy's little girl, Alexandrine Marit. Still, he has pledged his loyalty to Nikodemus and that includes protecting her from her homicidal father. His job is to keep her alive...if he doesn't kill her first.
Alexandrine knows that as a witch, she's not much. Her powers are sporadic at best. So when she finds an amulet while on the hunt for her birth father, she never dreams that it would plunge her into a world of danger. She doesn't trust Xia or Harsh, the brother she believed dead for years, but they must work together to bring down Keesler.
So, I think I reviewed the previous book, My Wicked Enemy a few months ago. I enjoyed it. I was peeved that when the H/H were making love, Ms. Jewel failed to describe his demonic body. She does a little better in this book but still all I get is a vague impression of blue skin and creepy eyes.
That being said, I believe that I enjoyed this book more. Maybe because I had all the worldbuilding and she didn't spend too much time on backstory. Xia was the killer from the first book and he's just as badass as he was back then. Alexandrine is tough as nails and thankfully not TSTL. They work well together. They have great chemistry even if it starts out as a hate-hate relationship. Nice sex scenes. Good story. Good read.
RATING: SPEED WALK
Until next time...Later Gators
Friday, May 29, 2009
Viola Estrella
Hello Again,
Today I am pleased to welcome another one of my critique partners and fellow Vixen, Viola Estrella, to the Harmless Smut Blog. You are correct if you believe that I ruthlessly and mercilessly strong arm all in my acquaintance to bow to my will.
Now without further ado, here's Vi!
M: Tell us, how long have you been writing?
V: I finished my first manuscript a little over six years ago.
M: Wow! You were doing what I was supposed to be doing. Stoopid grad school! Anyhoo, what attracted you to the romance genre?
V: Good question. I find the dynamics of a burgeoning relationship very intriguing. The pursuit of love or, in some cases, the denial of love, and all the conflict that arises with this process is fascinating. I have a lot of fun bringing the couple together and watching as they struggle to find their happy ending. It always gives me a huge sense of satisfaction to get them to that place.
M: I totally agree. I'm a sucker for a happy ending (and not the kind given after a massage.) Wait! Tangent. Back now. So, how many manuscripts had you completed before you sold?
V: Too many! I was working on my sixth full manuscript when I contracted my fifth, so five, I guess.
M: That's so cool. Congrats on even finishing! Now, what we want to know! Tell us about the day (the minute, the second) you got ‘The Call.’ What was your initial reaction?
V: I got “The Email” which was fine with me because I would’ve been a blithering idiot if I’d received a phone call and they might’ve changed their minds. With the email, I read and reread to make sure I wasn’t just reading another funky rejection letter. When it finally clicked that the editor was offering me a contract, I hazily remember walking upstairs and telling my husband. I was in shock so I think my announcement sounded more like a question. I think I’m still in shock actually. After pursuing a goal for so long, it might take just as long to fully grasp that I’m now a published writer. But I wouldn’t want it any other way.
M: That's hILaRIoUs! Even more so because I can picture it! Tell me that you at least did something to celebrate?
V: We went to dinner, I think. Like I said, I was in shock. LOL
M: The truth. Anyone you wanted to call and say 'Ha!'?
V: I’m not really a rub-my-news-in type of gal. Bad karma. But if I were, I do have a particularly unkind agent in mind.
M: That's why we work so well together, Vi. We balance each other out. You are WAY nicer than I am! Tell us about your current release.
V: Angel Vindicated is a sexy urban fantasy now available from www.cerridwenpress.com. Here’s a blurb:
Abby Angel doesn’t always enjoy her job, but she excels at it. Deporting unruly demons back to Hell is her specialty. Her personal life, on the other hand, could use a little work. The virtuous gene seems to be missing in this particular Angel, getting Abby into more trouble than she likes to admit. To date, her biggest vice has been Siméon Keller, a half-demon/half-human, who effortlessly managed to seduce Abby five years ago. She’s avoided him ever since but can’t seem to knock the bad reputation the blunder has branded on her.
Now the threat of a demon rebellion has Angels, Inc. overwhelmed and Abby must trust Siméon to help her find the fiends threatening to destroy Earth’s only salvation. Staying out of Siméon’s bed is the least of her worries as she fights for the lives of all Angels and humans everywhere.
M: Sounds great. Got my copy ready to go for my trip to Costa Rica. Where can we buy it?
V: Angel Vindicated is available as an eBook from www.cerridwenpress.com. My upcoming release, a paranormal romance titled Bewitching You, will be available in print and eBook form on October 30th, 2009 from www.thewildrosepress.com. Don’t forget!
M: Can't wait!!! What are you working on now?
V: I’m promoting my current and upcoming releases, and I’m working on the sequels to both of these.
M: You are a superwoman! So, any advice you have for us ‘Soon To Be Published’ writers (as I like to call us)?
V: Stay confident and don’t ever let anyone ever tell you that you can’t accomplish your goals. If you believe in yourself then there’s no stopping you. So “Soon To Be Published” is exactly the right attitude to have.
M: Well said, sister! And now because we all know I like to have a little fun, here comes the 'sexy' portion of our program. Boxers or Briefs?
V: Boxer briefs are so sexy!! Love them on my hubby and I put them on all my heroes, well, the heroes that actually wear underwear.
M: Now that, I like to hear! Although there is something about a hero that goes 'commando'. Hmm...naked. Wait! What? Where was I? Oh, so who’s your ideal hero?
V: Hmm. I could answer this question a number of ways but I’ll just go with what I like in a fictional hero:
Confident but not arrogant. Bold but not audacious. Sexy without flaunting it. Intelligent but not pretentious. Smells good without pouring on the cologne. Funny but also laughs at other people’s jokes.
Hey, you said “ideal.”
M: You're right. I did. And I want your ideal!
Thank you so much, Vi, for stopping by. I'm sure that all my readers never even got this far because they're all 'RUNNING' over to buy your book! In case you have to ask, my rating for 'Angel Vindicated' is a 'RUN!!!'
Later Gators!
Friday, May 22, 2009
Helen Hardt!
Hello and welcome to my inaugural 'First Sale Friday' bog.
Today I have with me my wonder and superbly talented friend and critique partner, Helen Hardt.
Welcome Helen!
Monica: So, tell us how long have you been writing?
Since I learned how. But only seriously with the hope of publication since the fall of 2006. I started writing romance in 2007.
Monica: What attracted you to the romance genre?
Nora Roberts, actually. Though I used to read romance a lot when I was younger, I hadn’t read one in about a decade. I needed a fun read for a plane ride in September, 2006, and I picked up her new novel, Morrigan’s Cross. It was amazing. I hadn’t read romance in so long, and I’d never read paranormal romance. I devoured the next two books in the trilogy, then decided I wanted to try writing a romance. It’s the relationship that gets me. I’m a sucker for a good old fashioned happy ending. With heart-pounding emotion and sizzling sex built in, of course.
Monica: How many manuscripts had you completed before you sold?
Quite a few. My first completed manuscript was a young adult fantasy fiction story. Then two historical romances, though the sequel still isn’t complete. Then my first NaNoWriMo project, which is a contemporary western, a novella, and two shorts. One of the shorts, Seduced in Seoul, was my first sale. So I guess that’s seven altogether.
Monica: Now what we really want to know! Tell us about the day (the minute, the second) you got ‘The Call.’ What was your initial reaction?
I actually didn’t get “the call.” I got “the email.” But it was still amazing. Total elation!
Monica: LOL! Isn't that how it goes nowadays. At least tell me you did something to celebrate?
It was a Friday, and it was my sons’ last day of school in June 2008. My older son had a truckload of friends coming over for a party, so I couldn’t go anywhere. My husband and I popped open a bottle of wine and celebrated at home.
Monica: The truth. Was there anyone whom you wanted to rub your news in his/her nose?
Yeah – the agent (who shall remain nameless) who wrote me my first rejection letter. It was nasty! I stopped writing for two weeks.
Monica: I hate her already. It's a good thing you got back to it! Otherwise you wouldn't be able to tell us about your new release. Give us some details!
Thai’d Up is my third release. It’s an erotic short, part of the Destination Pleasure series at The Wild Rose Press, Wilder Roses (www.wilderroses.com.) My first two releases, Seduced in Seoul and Passion in Paris, are also part of this series.
Blurb:
Visiting Bangkok to do an interview for her employer, Heidi Clarke is intrigued by the wild and raucous nightlife. When a handsome and engaging stranger, dressed as the Phantom of the Opera, offers to escort her into a BDSM club, she's too curious to refuse. As the man behind the mask introduces Heidi to new and exciting pleasures of the flesh, she can't help but wonder who he is. Or if she really wants to know.
Monica: Sounds awesome! (And it is because I've read it!) But for the rest of us, when can we get our greedy hands on it?
Right now!
Monica: Sweet! Where can we buy your books?
At the Wild Rose Press’s Wilder Side, www.wilderroses.com.
Monica: What are you working on now?
I have several other releases scheduled for 2009, so I’m knee deep in edits. I also have several works in progress -- two historical novellas, a cougar story, and an erotic novella.
Monica: What advice do you have for us ‘Soon To Be Published’ writers (as I like to call us)?
Self-educate, self-educate, self-educate. Never stop learning. I went from dreary contest results, to winning contests, to being published in less than two years. I attribute this to self-education. Writing a romance is more than being able to formulate a colorful paragraph. The genre has rules, and a romance author needs to learn them and apply them. There are wonderful resources available, so take advantage of them.
Monica: Okay, now for the fun questions! Boxers or Briefs on your man?
Boxer-briefs. My husband has a great butt, and he looks amazing in boxer-briefs.
Monica: Nice! Who’s your ideal hero?
I’m such a sap. My husband. Trite, but true.
Monica: Aww! Not trite. Sweet. If you could have sex with one celebrity who would it be?
Monica, you already know the answer to this question ;). I truly am desperately in love with my husband, but if Gerard Butler came knocking, I just might go for it.
Monica: And I told you before, I'd fight you for him. Bitch parts, remember! Final question. What’s the funniest or most interesting line in a book you’ve ever written or read?
Okay, I didn’t actually read this, but another erotic romance author told me about it. It was a historical romance, she couldn’t recall which one, and the opening line was: “My what a beautiful cock!” And they were talking about a rooster! I wish I could take credit for that one, LOL.
Thank you, Helen so much for visiting Harmless Smut. I'm so glad you could be with us.
Now to all of you readers out there, GO BUY THIS BOOK!!!
Later Gators!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Guest Bloggers!
So I have the line up for my first few weeks of guest bloggers.
Here it is:
5/22 My Wonderful CP: HELEN HARDT will come by to discuss her newest release 'THAI'D UP'
5/29 My Other Wonderful CP: VIOLA ESTRELLA will be talking about her new release 'ANGEL VINDICATED'
6/5 A great author that I met at RT: LILLY CAIN will talk about her status as the very newly contracted.
And (date TBD) JAYE WELLS!
Have a great day!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Book Blog and an Announcement
Okay, first an apology. I know that I am a horrible blogging person but some days I just don't want to write. Shocking I know! This week has been one of those. I'm forcing myself to write everyday. Not always successfully. I think a lot of it has to do with some things that are going on personally that I won't go into because either A) I'm delusional or 2) I'm in total denial and long for some escapism. Either way, I'm sorry for the crazy not blogging in a week thing.
But now...
MY ANNOUNCEMENT!!!
I am pleased to say that I am going to start hosting a new a FEATURE on my blog
'FIRST SALE FRIDAY'
This is where authors will come in and do a guest blog for me about the first time they received a contract and all the hard work it took to get there. I wanted some inspiration for us 'Soon To Be Published' peeps.
I've got some great people lined up thus far and hope to have more soon. I'll announce the line up tomorrow as soon as some things are finalized.
Until then...
PLEASE TO ENJOY... THE BOOK BLOG
Mackensie Elliot is more at home behind the camera than in real life. Which is why when she 'meets' Carter Maguire again for the first time, her focus shatters. Carter is everything men in her life haven't been, stable, reliable, sexy as hell and nothing she's ever wanted.
Carter Maguire has had a crush on Mac since they were in high school but she never knew he existed. So when they run into each other again, the attraction is instant. Mac, despite running a wedding planning business with her three best friends, doesn't believe in love. Carter is determined to prove her wrong.
Okay, I am an admitted Nora Roberts slut. I read any and all of her work, even as JD Robb. This book is a straight up and down contemporary romance. The kind that I love. The kind that she does oh-so-well. She has such a snappy and witty way with dialogue and characterization. I think she must spend hours just people watching and listening to conversations because she writes the way I (a twenty-something professional) would speak to my friends. She has such a beat on the pulse of the characters she's writing.
And Carter is exactly the kind of Beta hero that I love but know I can never write. He's Nerd Sexy. I love those kinds of guys. I can't write them but I love them. My only things is the same thing it always is...sex. I wish there were more but it's so wonderfully written that it's only a passing criticism.
RATING: RUN
Ajax Petrakos was promised a true love, Shayanna Angel. He was not, however, told that he would have to wait over two millennium for her. Just as he had given up hope, she comes to him. Or rather screams to him as she being attacked by demons.
Shay has always seen demons and wants to fight them alongside her brothers, something they have forbidden. When she meets Jax, she's not sure what to make of him. Or her attraction for him. Together, they must work together to solve an ancient prophesy, retrieve a priceless artifact, and kill a few demons in the meantime. Oh, and falling in love doesn't help with any of that
This is the first book by Ms. Knight that I've read. I got it free at RT and I have to say I enjoyed it. I tried reading one of her earlier books but couldn't get into it. I had no problem with it this time. Maybe it was the mythology behind it. Or maybe the fact that I've seen '300' about a million times and I kept imagining Gerard Butler as Leonidas. Either way, it was a satisfying read. Very 'Southern-style' paranormal most of which I understood because I was raised in Virginia for part of my formative years and I get the phrase 'No home training' and 'His mama didn't raise him right.'
There was something about the sex scenes that I found a little skewed but not enough for me to stop reading. I won't tell you what, you'll just have to read the book and decide for yourself.
RATING: SPEED WALK
Until next time.
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