Vote for Lynne Roberts' Creative License!

Hey everyone,

A very good friend of mine - and one of my CPs - is getting married next weekend and is running short on time to promote her AMAZING release, Creative License, being up for Book of the Week at LASR/Whipped Cream. How do I know it's amazing? I critiqued it for her and read it cover to cover twice and still loved every word. If you're so inclined, could you pop over to WC and vote for CREATIVE LICENSE? It's a sexy, fun, emotional book I would recommend to all fans of erotic romance. Thank you!

Several other good friends and great authors are in the running this week as well: Kaily Hart, Laurann Dohner, Shelley Munro...so lots of wonderful choices, no matter your pick!

Vote HERE.

Ready to be provoked?

I'm happy to announce I've recently sold my third book to Ellora's Cave, a novel entitled Provoke Me. * insert manic squealing* Along with being the longest book I've written to date - over 80K - it's also the one closest to my heart. To be honest, I'm having a bit of trouble letting the characters go! But the good thing is the series will wrap up with a Quickie about them so I'll get to visit them once more.

For those that have read Reveal Me, Provoke Me is the next story in the Baring It All series (tentative title) and involves Kelly, Alana from Reveal Me's best friend, and Spencer. I've just finished the series proposal for the stories revolving around Kink, the voyeurism club that connects all six books I have planned. Even though a sex club plays a role in each of the stories, these are still pretty emotional books - or at least I hope so. And of course, they're pretty fun too.

Right now I'm working on Need Me, the third book in the series. This one is about Spencer's sister Marcia and her lover Tony...and his best friend Kale.

Here's a little (unedited) snippet of Provoke Me to get you going... ;)

“I’d like you to get started on that redesign of the romance section we talked about yesterday. Marcia recommends you,” Spencer said when she didn’t speak.

“You said I could do it when I got time. With the two day sale, I’ve barely had time to pee never mind artfully reshelve books.”

His benign expression registered nothing. “You redesigned the café last year, did you not?”

The bright, cheery café that got raving comments from customers on a daily basis? Oh yeah, that was her work. She’d chosen everything from the glossy sepia photos for the pale green walls right down to the glass-topped tables bearing wicker baskets of Leigh’s lemon cookies.  “Well, yes, but—“

“Your eye for design is well known around this store. Are you saying you’re incapable of fitting the redesign into your schedule?”

Even as Kelly seethed at his impervious tone, she plastered on a smile. “Never said I was incapable, Spencer. Just that it will be difficult.”

“The sale’s over today. I expect you’ll be able to start the redesign tomorrow. If that’s a problem, come see me and we’ll find a way to make room in your daily duties.”

“What if I don’t want to do it?”

She knew she sounded pouty and didn’t care. She hated that he never seemed to see her as anything but another cog in the wheel. No matter how many department redesigns she executed or innovative ideas she voiced, he never saw her as anything but his goddamn day manager.

Yeah, he’d ogled her breasts for all of two seconds. He’d also given her a couple hot looks. But then he’d gone right back to business as usual.

“I think you know the answer to that question, Ms. Crossman. And I don’t appreciate being baited.” He slipped her folder into a drawer, a succinct dismissal.

Get out of my sight.

Before the guy she’d so stupidly lusted after for years banged any more nails into her coffin of shame, she got the hell out of his office.

And one more announcement before I go...the winner of a pdf ebook of Lynne Roberts' First Date is greenduckie13! Congratulations! I'll be sending your prize out to you ASAP.

Welcome Lynne Roberts, author of Creative License, out today!

And...Insatiable's out today HERE as well! Woohoo! :)

I'm so excited to share a release day with my good friend, Lynne Roberts. Especially since I love her writing and especially love Caleb, the hero of Creative License! He's delicious. :) And look at that hot cover!

And not only that...I'm giving away a PDF copy of First Date, Lynne's awesome first book from The Wild Rose Press. Contest will run for about a week, winner randomly chosen from the commenters. So check out my interview with Lynne, take a peek at Creative License's blurb and excerpt and comment away! Ask a question, gush about Caleb, whatever you prefer!

1) I'm browsing an e-bookstore and trying to decide what to buy. Who is Lynne Roberts? And what will I get between the covers of one of your stories? 

 Who is Lynne Roberts? That’s a really good question. Lynne is a pen name I use for my erotic romance books. Recently, I participated in a group blog in which our significant others were asked what it’s like to be like to be married/involved with a romance writer. Because we’re of like minds (which is kinda scary sometimes) that started a conversation around whether he’d ever met ‘Lynne’. To make a long story shorter, and avoid TMI, let’s just say that we agreed that he had indeed met Lynne.

Okay, besides the fact that I'm a writer. (You all know that) I am a mother to 5 wonderful children and a lucky not-mom to my boyfriend’s awesome son. I love to bake and my dream is to one day open a bakery/book store called “Buy the Book” or “By the Book.” My boyfriend and I are of two minds—I won’t tell you which I like, but I will ask you to please tell me which you like best.

I love to garden and this is one of my favorite times of the year. Here in California, the leaves and flowers are budding on my fruit trees, the carrots, peas, lettuce and spinach are up and growing like mad. My daffodils and anemones are beginning to flower now that the narcissuses are fading.

And I guess I should add I tend to ramble. ; )

What will you get between the covers of one of my stories? Romance peppered with a strong dose of wit and humor. I find witty banter sexy and I believe one of the best ways to fall and stay in love is to laugh together. Chemistry. Even as I’m writing, I’m rooting for the characters to get together, to find their HEA. However, you’ll also find flawed, relatable characters. Honestly, when I first started writing Creative License, I didn’t like Lily much. She was a little too snobby for my taste. It took several edits for me to see what Caleb saw in her and then I had to admit there was a chance I was jealous. I believe if I don’t fall in love with the hero, no one else will.  When I wrote Caleb, I let loose. He’s as close to perfect as a perfectly flawed hero can get. In my opinion anyway. Oh yeah, and you'll find some pretty steamy sex, if I do say so myself.

2) Creative License is one of my favorite stories...well, ever. I loved it that much! Caleb is a hero to die for. How did you come up with the story? Did you have an inspiration for Caleb? (...who is mine by the way. Just saying, ladies. I called first dibs last summer, LOL) 

Creative License wouldn’t be the same without you, you know! Thank you! One morning, as I drove home from dropping off one of the kids at school, Katy Perry’s Waking Up in Vegas came on the radio. I was half-listening to it but the lyrics, “Shut up and put your money where you mouth is. That’s what you get for waking up in Vegas” clicked something in my brain and started the “What-if” train. What if you did get married in Vegas… you could get in annulled, right? What if two very different people with incredible chemistry found themselves in Vegas… I could see the morning after scene vividly... The large fake diamond wedding ring... The look of horror on her face.

And then I dropped it. Vegas stories had been done to death. But the characters had already been given enough life that they wouldn’t stay quiet. Finally, I pitched the idea to an editor friend who told me to run with it. She assured me that boss/secretary stories still sell for a reason and she liked my twist on the set-up. Hence the “Vegas Story” was born.

Oddly enough, I never really used the morning after scene and the story doesn’t take place in Vegas at all.

My inspiration for Caleb was easy. I wanted to create the perfect man… that doesn’t mean he’s not flawed, he is. To me a man without flaws would be impossible to live with. Originally, Caleb had dark hair and green eyes but as he developed, I kept picturing Josh Holloway from LOST so eventually, I went back and changed all the descriptions to better fit. There are some major differences. Caleb is younger and a bit broader through the shoulders… well, you’ll have to read the story. ; ) Okay, I know you didn’t ask, but we have to talk about Lily. Lily is one of those names I love but never considered using it for one of my girls. I thought it fit this character well. I wanted to show a woman who grew up privileged. A woman who had her life planned out and under control until she met a man who challenged her, who made her look at her choices and who woke in her not just passion, but a passion for life. What would she do? Continue with a safe, predicable life that she knew, or take step off the diving board hoping love would catch her?

BLURB:

Loose ends have a way of tripping you up… 


Years ago, a law school graduation weekend in Vegas had been part of Lily MacPherson’s plan. Waking up next to a naked Adonis with a ring on her finger was not. After a quick annulment, she relegated Caleb Anderson to her late-night fantasies—and very short list of mistakes—until his voice on the other end of the phone asks a favor that could shake the foundations of her neat and tidy future.


Caleb is still haunted by Lily’s horrified expression that morning in Vegas. At least it had made it easy to set her free…except they aren’t. The papers were never filed. And when the nosy patroness who could launch his painting career insists on meeting his “wife”, does he confess, or call Lily? He calls Lily.


When she steps off the plane, Caleb’s determination to play tour guide disappears in the San Francisco fog. Lily thought she could keep up the pretense for one weekend, cut the last tie to her past, and move on. But their chemistry still pops and sizzles, finally exploding into passion at Caleb’s studio.


It’s everything they remember…but so is the yawning chasm of differences that, in the end, could once again drive them apart.

Product Warnings
Contains balmy ocean breezes, coffee as seduction, the creative use of melted chocolate, and naughty shower lovin’ that gives new meanings to the term “shower head”.

EXCERPT: 

The computer screen blurred. Lily blinked to refocus her tired eyes on the deposition and sighed in relief when the phone rang. She loved her job, loved working for a law firm, but staring at a computer screen for hours took its toll.

Blowing a strand of dark hair out of her eyes, she reached over a stack of law books. “McPherson.” Lily glanced at the clock as her stomach rumbled. She’d worked through lunch again. Damn.

The other end of the line was silent for so long, she thought the caller had changed his or her mind. “Hello?”

“Yes, hi.”

The rich, masculine voice sent chills down her spine and knotted her stomach. Eyes closed, she gripped the phone so hard it hurt. Even after all these years, she knew that voice. “Caleb?”

A low, sexy chuckle rumbled through the line. “You remember me.”

Oh shit, why was he calling her now? Memories of the most erotic night of her life flashed through her mind. Lily opened her eyes, reminding herself the most embarrassing morning of her life had followed. “How did you get this number? Never mind.”

Despite the deep breath, the receiver trembled in her hand. “Can I do something for you?”

An intake of breath and then a pause. “We have a slight problem.”

Lily’s stomach churned acid. None of their problems had been small, not for the twelve hours and twenty-two minutes they’d been married. “Yes?”

Caleb cleared his throat. “It seems the annulment didn’t go through.”

“Oh, shit.” I’m in a bad movie. This has got to be a joke. She leaned against the back of her chair. “What do you mean it didn’t go through?”

“We’re still married, sweetie. The annulment was never processed.”

Married? “Why?” Lily rubbed the ache growing between her eyes. “No. I don’t care. Just get it processed.”

“It’s too late now. We’ve been married too long.”

“We are not married.” Lily tried to swallow past the tide of rising panic.

“The state of Nevada would disagree, sweetheart.”

She could almost see that sexy grin, those sparkling green eyes. She definitely remembered what they did to her. She’d been chocolate under the heat of his sun. “I am not your sweetheart.” She reached for a notepad. Who to call? Certainly no one in the firm. Though they were all professional and talented, people talked. She couldn’t let it get back to her family or… Oh, God. Stewart. “I’ll file for divorce in the morning.”

“Um, about that.”

She didn’t have the patience to wait out the pause. “What?”

“I was wondering if we could delay that a bit.”

A pain in her hand alerted her to the death grip she’d taken on the phone. She was suddenly glad she’d skipped lunch. “Delay? Why?”

“I need a favor.”

“Well you’re out of luck. I’m fresh out of favors.”

“Lily, please listen.”

His voice had lowered to almost pleading. Something in her heart softened. What’s wrong with me? I don’t owe this man anything! He’s a stranger. “You call me out of the blue to tell me we’re still married and now you need a favor?” It came out a little more acerbic than she’d meant.

His chuckle sounded nervous. “I guess that pretty much sums it up. You’re not married or anything, are you?”

Lily closed her eyes. “No. I’m not.”

“Well.” He cleared his throat. “Except to me.”

Intrigued? Of course you are! Buy Creative License from Samhain HERE.

Insatiable's pretty cover!

I can't believe I haven't posted this here yet, but here it is (and in the sidebar too!) Valerie Tibbs did this gorgeous cover for Insatiable, one of few books I'd probably call "my baby." I was just a baby when I started writing it back in high school...just 15, during my summer between freshman and sophomore years. The story changed a lot since then. Rachel and Shawn were my original heroine/hero but over the years, I inserted a new hero into the story, Ryan, and Shawn became the dutiful best friend. But during one of my many rewrites (yes, I rewrote this puppy for sixteen years!..ack!...finally finishing it for good two years ago, not counting editorial edits) I realized I still liked Shawn better and rewrote Insatiable with him finally as the hero.

I love Shawn, I admit it. He was originally based on a guy in my freshman class...really popular, good-looking, way out of my league. Rachel was originally based on a girl I thought was perfect. Now keep in mind these original prototypes originated when I was in high school, but eventually the characters grew and took on a life of their own. I really can't believe that people will finally be able to buy the story I wrote back when being an author was just my pipe dream...my escape from the real life hell of high school. Shows never to stop dreaming!

Here's the blurb, subject to change...

Having all of her is the only thing that will satisfy him...
Shawn Griffin and Rachel Cooper have been best friends practically since birth, thanks to their families’ close relationship. But for the past few years, Shawn has been fantasizing about getting his best pal in his bed. When she announces she’s taking a trip to reconnect with an old lover, Shawn knows the time has come to put up or shut up. If she wants to go to New York City, fine. But he’s coming with her.

Rachel doesn’t know what to think of Shawn’s sudden interest. Determined to live life on her own terms, she refuses to fall right in line with her wealthy family’s wish that they get married and have perfect little babies. She just didn’t count on how determined her seemingly laid back -- and extremely sexy -- best friend would become after setting his sights on what he wants. Her, over and over again.

But when tragedy strikes, Rachel begins to wonder if she’ll lose not only her lover but her best friend too. 

Next week in honor of the release, I'm blog swapping with my good friend and fellow TWRP author, Lynne Roberts! We're lucky enough to share a release day...the same day Insatiable comes out, her debut Samhain release, Creative License, comes out as well! We're going to be offering up prizes and answering questions and having fun. And woohoo, Caleb from Creative License is one hot hero (and he's mine, ladies, so back off! LOL) Stop by next Tuesday 2/15 and party with us!

Say hi to the amazing Lynne Roberts!

I'm so pleased to have a chance to interview my friend Lynne Roberts. She's a great writer and fun to boot. :) Her latest scorching release, After Hours, is out now with The Wild Rose Press Wilder Roses. Pick it up now - you won't be disappointed!

1) First off, tell us all about After Hours. I've read this one, and it's a scorcher that will definitely warm up those cold winter nights! What was your inspiration for the story?

The idea for AFTER HOURS was conceived one early summer day when I was taking my teenage daughter to school. We stopped at a red light and this man crossed the street. The way he moved would have drawn any red-blooded woman's attention, and I'm no exception. I watched him walk all the way... to the high school. He was a student and I felt, for the first time, like a cougar. Okay, I blushed. But I also started wondering if it was a design of the hip that made some men walk that way, almost predatory, definitely yummy. Somewhere along the way, David was born.


2) After Hours is a cougar tale. As some of you know, I like those myself (actually, I think your David and my Alex would be good friends, LOL.) Why did you want to write a story about an older woman/younger man? And in your opinion, what age officially starts cougardom? (I have no interest in this answer myself, I swear!)

It has nothing to do with the fact that I could be considered cougar-aged. Nope. Nope. Not a thing. Let's face it, when you're in your thirties and forties, a woman is in her sexual prime. We need a younger man to keep up with us... literally. And they are so pretty to look at. 

I don't have an answer to when you enter cougardom. (35?) I think that you can't be a cougar too young because the younger man has to be old enough to know a thing or two.


3) Since I'm all about the se...uh, attraction, what attracts Elle to David and vice versa? And do you have an excerpt to leave us salivating for more?

Elle is attracted to David's walk, his scent, his voice and to his masculinity. David is attracted to Elle's appearance and her experience. He wants a woman who knows who she is and what she wants. Lucky for him, Elle wants David. Bad.

This is a scene in which David and Elle are working together: He still wore a pale blue button-down shirt but had removed his tie and unfastened the top buttons to reveal the silky smooth skin below his neck.

Picking up a heavy box of files, he moved it from the desk to the floor. His chest muscles rolled with the effort. Was there hair farther down? Perhaps a trail leading all the way to heaven?


Stop it, girl! But for a moment she imagined undoing the rest of the buttons, letting her hands explore his chest and tiptoeing her fingers down his firm stomach to satisfy her curiosity. That's not the only thing I'd satisfy.

She swallowed with a suddenly dry throat. At least she knew where the moisture went. Maybe I just shouldn't wear underwear.

As though he could hear the thought, he looked up, met her gaze and smiled that dazzling smile that made her knees weak. She was melting into a little pool of wanton need in the chair across from him and he had no idea.

Yummy, right? Let me tell you, that hint of goodness is only the beginning! ;)

4) Your first story, First Date, came out recently from The Wild Rose Press's Wilder Roses. How long had you been writing before you sold your first book?

I've been writing for six years, but I took some time off to edit three manuscripts, two of which have been published by Random House. I wrote FIRST DATE almost on a dare to myself. It was challenging but fun. So much so that I sat down and wrote AFTER HOURS.


5) What one piece of advice would you give aspiring writers? 

Write. And when you don't feel like it: write. There are scores of things we all need to learn regarding grammar, pace and technique, but you can't edit an empty page. Second to that would be to find a good critique partner.


6) And just for fun: if you had to pick, would you prefer stamina or experience in a man? Of course, getting both in one would be a nice bonus. ;) Why?

Have I ever told you that you're an evil woman? I should.

I think, if I had to pick, experience. You see, if I had to choose between one or two pieces of premium chocolate and a box of ordinary chocolate, I'd take the premium and let it melt in my mouth, savoring it slowly.


Great answers! Thanks Lynne! If you want to find out more about Lynne or her work, stop by her blog or follow her on Twitter: Lynne Roberts. And don't forget to go buy After Hours! Believe me, you won't regret it! ;)

Second place!

Yes, I changed my blog again. This feels just a bit more holiday-like to me.

And since it's the holidays, that means it's time for holiday music, crazy shoppers, eating way too much and writing Christmas stories. ;) I've discovered I love writing short shorts (a couple K or less) so when Michelle Rowen, one of my favorite authors, decided to hold a writing contest to "give back" to the writing community, I jumped all over it. As everyone who knows my work has seen, I like to write funny. It's my comfort zone, as much or more than the sexy stuff. But this year the funny's been harder to find, so I went with a story much closer to where I was at mentally. And As Close As A Christmas Wish was born. If you're interested in reading it, it will be available on Michelle's blog on Wednesday, December 23rd. I'll be sure to post a link here then.

In the meantime, please stop back on Monday December 21st, when the lovely Lynne Roberts will be my guest here to talk a bit about her new sexy novella, After Hours.

You never forget your first...

It's October 9th, and today I'm thrilled to welcome debut author and fellow Scarlet Rose Lynne Roberts! First Date is out now from The Wild Rose Press Wilder Roses, and to commemorate popping her publishing cherry, Lynne is celebrating in a big way on her blog and elsewhere. And I'm happy dancing with her! She generously wrote up this great post about her journey to this day, and I hope all of you enjoy it as much as I did. Then go off and buy First Date! ;)

Take it away, Lynne!

In the spirit of my first release, First Date, I’m here to write about being published for the first time.

When I sat down and to write this blog, I thought I could focus on the road to publication or the tricks of the trade (not that I know many).  Definitely, I could write about perseverance and how to handle rejection. But as I thought about it, I realized that the road to publication is different for everyone. So instead of going into generalities, I thought I’d stick with a brief glimpse of my road I’d like to call: There is a contract with my name on it. Ready?

There it is, in your email. You feel the excitement bubbling up inside of you, perhaps a little squeal escapes. So what do you do? Well, tell everyone. You receive the congratulations with a kind of stunned disbelief. Yes. This is really happening to you. I bet you’re even looking forward to the editing letter. Hello! It’s. An. Editing. Letter! Like from a real editor, at a real publishing house.

It seems like you’re waiting forever. And then you get it. Deep breath, okay, you can do this. You’re a writer *teehee* At this point you giggle because it still feels kind of like cheating to say that.

You work hard and send that editing letter back way before the deadline. A few weeks later, here it comes again.

Mmm. Not quite so excited to see this one, but okay, obviously you didn’t get all the kinks out. You glance through the letter. Holy Moly! No kidding didn’t you get all the kinks out. Who knew you could even use the word ‘pull’ that many times. I mean pull? And how many times can there be ‘as’ in 8K words? Hold on a minute:  1,2,3…20! Yikes. 20!

So back to work and the manuscript you slaved over becomes a puzzle. You can’t use groan here because you’ve used it on the prior page, but growl is out too. Twine, wind, bury…. It’s time to play the synonym and clever rewording game. I’m not even going to go into the autonomous body parts—my mind is wandering.

Okay screech stop.

Somewhere around this point you get to see your cover for the very first time. This is truly an overwhelming moment. And yes, you’ll celebrate… as soon as you get those revisions done.

Suddenly it dawns on you. This book is actually getting published. You need someone to buy it! So, you jump right into the promotion whirlwind, which begins to feel more like a tornado. Blog? Website? Trailer? Oh my! Yes, you will feel like Dorothy.

Eventually, you finish the last revision (after try number 6) your editor said it’s a go and by this time you don’t want to see the !@$%^ manuscript for a long time.

No! I’m joking. It’s great! Buy it. Please.

Okay seriously. You’ve worked hard and under a deadline and you’ll celebrate, as soon as you get a little energy. *cue dramatic music* and then here come the galleys.

Galleys, piece o cake right? Um, no.  Galleys:  in which you pick apart every single word you’ve written... several times… to get them all just right… again.

But then comes the day, the long awaited release day. There it is, your book, available for purchase and suddenly, everything was worth it.

And then you get your first review… LOL I haven’t gotten yet. Stay tuned. : )

Cari, thank you so much for letting me borrow your blog! You rock! 

Right back at you, Lynne! Huge congratulations and wishing you many more release days! Now I'm off to buy First Date...

Edited to add... because I was a remiss blogger last night...don't forget to pick up Helen Hardt's Blood Wolf, and J.A. Saare's Soft as Moonlight. Both released TODAY!

Ink me...

Okay, that's a lie. I have no tattoos, but only because I'm indecisive and a big wuss when it comes to pain. But thanks to my friend J.A. Saare's insightful comment on last week's blog post, I decided to blog on this topic.

I know some people have negative opinions of people with tattoos. I'm not one of them. To me, tattoos are creative self-expression and show the bearer has confidence. Confidence and creativity are sexy. Just like some people aren't forthcoming with what they write, some get their tattoos in secret spots. A gift they only share with a select few...

Who hasn't used a tattoo to reveal more about their character's traits? What they choose to put on their body and where they choose to put it show so much.

In my erotic vampire short,  my heroine Sydney has a dragon tattoo on her spine. Her dragon's tail has spikes...spikes that look a lot like fangs and reveal a lot more about her than even she guessed. ;)

What about you? Do you have a tattoo? Visible or hidden? And I'd love to hear if any of your characters have tattoos, and what they symbolize.

But before you go...I want to congratulate my friend, Christina Phillips,on signing a two-book deal with Berkley Heat! She's got details on her blog all about her upcoming books!

And my good friend and CP, Helen Hardt, has a release this Friday. Blood Wolf won The Wild Rose Press's Got Wolf competition last year and is the perfect choice to get you in the mood for Halloween!

Okay, just one more...LOL

Please be sure to stop back on Friday when my friend and fellow Scarlet Rose author, Lynne Roberts, stops by to pop her publishing cherry in a big way with her first release, First Date!