Ellora's Cave #RomaniCon12 Conference Blast

Ellora’s Cave sure knows how to throw a conference, I mean party to celebrate their authors and readers. Whatever you want to call the 4-day event in Canton, Ohio from October 11-14 RomantiCon was a huge, HUGE hit.

The entire McKinley Grand Hotel was taken over by erotic romance authors, readers, reviewers, some media, EC staff and the hunky Cavemen.

Nick & Ace (never see Ace w/o a smile)

Canton is a nice little town with historic architecture, a First Ladies Museum across the street, an Antique Car museum a few blocks away and the Football Hall of Fame. The hotel provided shuttle service to the Football Hall of Fame and dh loved it.

Cavemen did a number of amazing shows

Thursday started with a Meet 'n Greet which felt like a family reunion of old friends and a chance to meet new ones. During the day on Friday and Saturday many of the workshops were standing room only. I participated in three: BDSM, Why We Love it; BDSM Hurt So Good; and Paranormal Creatures: The Good, The Bad and the Undead.

 

 

I got some great feedback from the workshops and hope to do similar ones next year and maybe some new ones. Besides the workshops, there were pitch sessions with the editors and fun demo/participating events like a class on Zumba with Caveman Nick, a hulla hoop class and one on lap dancing with a very interesting demo. Congratulations on Caveman Nick for winning Mr. RomantiCon 2012.

Cole,  David Cavemen

 

Christine d'Abo dancing away

 

PARTY!!!! Friday night was the Party Like It’s the End of the World (aka Mayan Apocalypse). Lots of bling and an awesome show by the Cavemen. The second night was the party of the survivors and biters (zombies). After the apocalypse. Amazing costumes and EC did a wonderful job with the creepy table settings and backdrops.

 

That's me w/Mr. Kathy
 

 



Cris Anson & ???



 I was dressed as a zombie killer who looked more like Trinity in the movie Matrix one attendee said and dh was dressed as a zombie. White business shirt and tie, coated in blood with yucky zombie makeup. He looked like the office worker who got out of work and got bit.

Kaenar Langford & Isabelle Drake

 

Nick & Tara Nina
 

By the second night, even the two cops who were hired to keep things in order got into the party mode. They must’ve realized they had nothing to worry about after the first night. We know how to party but no one was getting out of hand. So on Saturday night, they wore EC’s “Got Sex” black tee-shirts, sunglasses and had cameras with them. Gotta love it.

Joey Hill & Desiree Holt

 

Awards were given that night for Rising Stars: new EC authors who had their first book published and special awards nominated by the editors. I received a Super Star award for Damned and Defiant for the Best Reason for Getting a Sunburn. LOL.

 

Lynn LaFleur

The book signing on Sunday was a huge success. My new anthology WORK AND PLAY with fellow authors Ruby Storm and Virginia Cavanaugh SOLD OUT!!! I’m so excited to be included in this anthology with these two talented authors. What a great trilogy of stories. Check it out on October 30^th. The official release date.

Virginia Cavanaugh

I also sold a number of Something Wicked this Way Comes anthologies and several eBook coverflats of Damned and Defiant, Emerald Dungeon and Spring Break.
 

PJ party w Taylor

The last fun event: The Bingo PJ party. That will have to be a yearly tradition. Everyone had so much fun. We all win when you get to watch the Cavemen walk around in their PJ’s and furry slippers. Can’t wait until next year. I miss everyone already. Many thanks to the Ellora's Cave staff, the hotel staff,  the Cavemen and everyone who helped to make this conference a HUGE success.

Hot Sci fi and Pirates: Interview with Christine d'Abo

I'd like to welcome author Christine d’Abo to the Passion Sense blog for an interview today. She’s talking about her new release that came out July 6^th     at Ellora's Cave
No Master.

Hi Kathy! Thank you so much for letting me chat with you.

-Tell us a little about the book and where did you get the idea to write this story.

I’ve been writing seriously for six years now and I’ve been published for four. Many of my ideas come from me having an  image pop up into my head. At that point I’m already asking myself, what if…and the next thing I know, I have a story!

I wish I could say I’m mercenary about my ideas or have a master plan when it comes to my series. I don’t typically. Typically, I create a universe in my head and then wonder about the type of people who populate it. That is how my Eurus colony came about (Eternal Bond series) and why I’m now writing about space pirates (Bounty series).

My newest book, No Master is book three in the Bounty series. I wanted to explore the type of person who would lead a group of cut throat pirates in space. The Admiral of the Black quickly morphed into Korbin and he had a lot of trust issues. A fun but challenging character to work with.

- How did you get started writing novels?

I’m one of those crazy people who have always written. It wasn’t until I was home on maternity leave with my second daughter that I started writing seriously. Basically, I was looking for a way to save my sanity.

I began by writing a historical romance. It was terrible. I learned a lot though and at least knew I was able to finish a novel. I may a few more attempts at different romance sub-genres until I started The Bond That Ties Us. Sci-fi romance is my favorite thing to write.

- Are you seat of the pants writer or plotter?

I am a total pantser. I tried to plot a few times, but find once I’m done plotting, I no longer want to write the book. For me, half the fun is figuring things out as I go.

- If you could turn any of your books into a movie which book or series would it be?

Hands down, I’d pick The Bonds That Ties Us. I really love the world I’d created there and to have a chance to see it on the big screen (little screen, Internet thing…) would be amazing.

- Which actor screams SEXY to you?

Oh, this is a hard one. I have a type you see. Usually tall, black or dark brown hair and blue eyes. So many actors fall into that category and yet, I know not everyone thinks the same as I do. I’m more than a little in lust with Jeffrey Dean Morgan (Supernatural, The Losers), Michael Fassbender (X-Men First Class, Jane Eyre), Gareth David-Lloyd (Torchwood). That said, Gerard Butler is at the top of my Want to Shag list. J

- Do you write full time or work outside of the home?

I have a day job and yet I do manage to get in 10-15 hours of writing in a week. I get up early, write on my lunch hours, stay up late, pretty much anything to get some writing time in.

- How do you balance writing for more than one publisher?

I’m still learning how to do this! This spring I had to learn how to negotiate with multiple editors from different houses on deadlines. Being up front with them, letting them know what’s going on, and finding out about wiggle room was critical. It certainly left me with no time to procrastinate.

- Are you an outgoing person?

LOL Yes. Sometimes I’m a bit too outgoing. I’ll talk your ear off and not even bat an eyelash. I’m also slightly hyper and tend to bounce around. Standing still isn’t something I do.

-Do you write a novel straight through? Or revise as you go? Plan a whole series in advance? Or does the series evolve?

I tend to write a novel straight through. I learned early on that I can’t revise as I go, or else I never get the damn thing finished. I don’t tend to plan my series either. I generally introduce characters as supporting cast and then want to learn more about them. I suddenly have a series on my hands.

- Do you use Beta readers?

I have a group of amazing women who I work with before my stories ever reach an editor. Typically, I only send my critique partners my final draft, but on occasion I do use them for “sanity” checks. Normally, it only takes them asking me a few questions for me to realize what’s wrong. I wouldn’t be where I am without them.

If anyone is interested in learning more about me or my books, please visit me at my website www.christinedabo.com or come say hi over at Twitter (Christine_dAbo).

No Master

By Christine d’Abo

Blurb:

Book 3 in the Bounty series.

No man in the galaxy inspires more fear than Korbin, the Admiral of the Black. His life as leader of the pirates leaves little room for trust, so when Korbin’s second in command disappears without a trace, he suspects the worst.

Zain Strand has left his life as a sex slave behind and risen within the pirate ranks. But he’ll abandon it all to rescue an old friend from recapture by the slavers--even if that means a suicidal confrontation with his old master. He doesn’t expect Korbin’s arrival, doesn’t want Korbin’s help...but Korbin gives Zain no choice.

Posing as Master and slave to infiltrate a slave auction, Korbin and Zain embark on a journey of lust that rapidly reveals their deeper feelings. When Zain’s old master discovers their ruse, Korbin must do everything in his power to save both their lives and their newfound love.

Delight Me Wednesday

Delight me, tease me, punish me? Hmmm, Is BDSM on your list of must reads? Then Desiree Holt's new book in the 1-800-DOM-help series is sure to please. Desiree recently said about her new book, "Delight Me give me a chance to let out my inner Mistress and she's having a really good time."

Delight Me by Desiree Holt Available at Ellora's Cave Wednesday, January 26th.

ISBN: 9781419932267

This is one of the books in the hot new authors series at Ellora's Cave called 1-800-DOM-help series. Other authors in this series included: Marilu Mann, Christine d'Abo, Michelle Polaris, Samantha Cayto, Ari Thatcher, Delphine Dryden, Francesca Hawley, Delilia Devlin, Shayla Kersten and Kathy Kulig.

Keep an eye out for new books coming out soon and check out the ones recently released!!

Blurb for Delight Me:

Dani suspects her growing dissatisfaction with the lifestyle suggests she might be in need of a role reversal. When she finds a mysterious business card, she calls the number, 1-800-DOM-help, and is paired with Ethan, a sexy-as-sin sub. Dani learns the erotic effects of wielding the whip and the intense arousal that stimulating her sub with toys can bring.

As their sessions progress, Dani and Ethan explore every aspect of D/s play—from restraints to punishment to exercising control to achieve mind-blowing orgasms—and Dani comes to understand the value of receiving trust, as well as giving it. But her newfound, strong emotional feelings for Ethan scare her to death. Their current course could change her life forever—if she’s brave enough to accept what’s being offered.

To find out more about Desiree Holt and her books: http://www.desireeholt.com/  


________

The premise for the 1-800-DOM-help arose from a “what if” question and the discovery of a similar number that made Lise Fuller share it with some author friends. And they thought, “Wow, that would make for a great series concept!” So the authors took it a step further: What if a dominant or submissive needed help with their significant other? From there, they developed a “help line” for dominants and submissives to call. The help line is used if someone needs help dealing with a problem or if they want to connect with a new partner.

Check out the lastest news about the 1-800-DOM-help authors on their blog:
http://1800domhelp.blogspot.com/

What Will be Your First Nook/Kindle Download?

Are you getting a Kindle or Nook this year for Christmas? If so, what do you plan to download first?
If you have one, what's on your wishlist for ebooks this year?

This has been a busy couple weeks trying to get ready for Christmas - shopping, decorating, menu planning, cleaning, and I'm in the middle of a home improvement project. Painting two bedrooms. I love to paint but what was I thinking starting this project so close to the holidays?? During all the craziness, I'm still determined to finish a novella by the end of December for the 1-800-DOM-help, the Ellora's Cave author series. I'm having a blast writing this book, and I'm very excited to be a part of a group of very talented authors. I have the first two books in the series on my NOOK: Commanding Acquisitions by Christine d'Abo and Needing Harte by Marilu Mann. Coming Soon in January is Delight Me by Desiree Holt.This series is going to be very hot! Here's a cool promo video for the series:


Here's another ebook idea for your first download on that new Kindle or NOOK this year? This week I have a CONTEST for a FREE ebook download of DRAGON WITCH at Anna's Book Blog. Stop by Anna's Blog for a chance to win a free one. If you visit her blog and post a comment on my guest post, you'll be entered. The drawing will be held on December 22nd. Anna's Book Blog also gave me an awesome 4 Star review

"This story has a little bit of something for everyone. A futuristic setting, lush-erotic scenes with paranormal and fantasy elements. Now normally I'm not a fan of threesomes, but this one worked for me. All the different elements sucked me in. Dragon Witch is one Hot story. I loved this one. It was sexy, sweet and definitely an adventure. The situation between the witch, dragonshifter and the fleet captain was intriguing. The ending perfect.

Happily Ever After Reviews gave Dragon Witch 5 Tea Cups. Here's the review:

"Braden is a nice guy who occasionally does bad things. Jaida is a talented, misunderstood women who is willing to lie to save the people-or animals-she loves. Together they have great chemistry. Add to that a shapeshifting dragon who needs to change shape and mate twice a year and you have a really unique menage story that entertains from start to finish. I was really impressed with this book and this author. I'll be checking out her writing in the future."

Please share you ebook wishes. What are you downloading this holiday season???