Bondage Party - Release of Dial B for Bondage

Just a few days away from Romanticon in Akron, Ohio and I'm thrilled to have a new book out --

Dial B for Bondage at Ellora's Cave. This book is an anthology with four hot novellas from the 1-800 DOM-help series. Not only that but look who's in the anthology with me!

Delilah Devlin, Samantha Cayto and Francesca Hawley!

Here are the blurbs for the novellas. I've read them all and they are awesome reads! I have to admit I read Delilah's story on the plane coming back from my trip and was getting pretty worked up. LOL

Begging For it

By Delilah Devlin

Website: www.delilahdevlin.com

She needs punishment…before she deserves pleasure.

Tragedy scarred TJ Lipton. Now the only way she can find pleasure is when it’s delivered with a heavy-handed dose of S&M. But finding a lover who can give her what she needs proves an elusive quest—until she finds the sex club Unfettered and a Dom named Cross McNally.

Cross understands all too well what drives TJ. He takes command of her body to give her everything she needs—restraint, the stinging kiss of a flogger, the thrill of a three-way—a sexual adventure that pulls her beyond her painful past and has her begging for more of his tender brand of domination.

Controlling Interest

By Francesca Hawley

Website: www.francescahawley.com

Mozelle “Mouse” Vincent inherits money, a club and her boss’ son as a business partner when society leader Regine Stuart dies. Torin Stuart knows what his late mother’s wishes were for his exclusive BDSM club, Erotically Bound, but he’s pissed that he’s forced to trust Mouse—especially when her inherently submissive nature arouses the sexual Dominant in him.

After baring all in a heated, intense scene, Mouse realizes they still have to work together, but now Tor challenges any business suggestion she makes. When she wants to offer education classes, Tor dares her to organize the class and participate—as a submissive.

To his chagrin, Mouse agrees, but he can’t stand the thought of any other Dom touching her. Suddenly there’s far more at stake than the controlling interest in their club…because love is the ultimate prize in their power exchange.

Mistress Mine

By Samantha Cayto

Website: www.samanthacayto.com

FBI agent and ex-military man Trey Boudreau likes to be in control and issue orders. But the bedroom is not a battlefield. His secret desire is to submit his body to a strong, older woman. He discovers a card that promises him the right one to bring him to his knees.

Juliette Coyne is a Domme determined to overcome a past experience that left her questioning her ability in the lifestyle. She is challenged by Trey, a strong, younger man in need of a good lesson or two. Old habits die hard, however, and the past continues to haunt them. Trey and Juliette grapple with each other and themselves for control, trust and a future together.

Emerald Dungeon

By Kathy Kulig

Dana’s summer job as a musician in an Irish castle takes an adventurous turn after she witnesses a BDSM scene in the dungeon, and her submissive side awakens. Jack is a sexy Dominant who recognizes the sub smoldering beneath her demure exterior. His skillful commands take Dana beyond her darkest erotic fantasies.
Whips, restraints and increasing levels of pain heighten her passion, but complete surrender and ecstasy are out of her reach. Secrets and strange events around the castle only add to the couple’s troubles. Will a summer affair be enough to find what they both need? The appearance of a mysterious business card may help guide them. If Dana can accept Jack with complete trust and surrender, then ultimate pleasure and true love are possible.

Buy at Ellora's Cave 9/26/11

Dial B For Bondage: Ellora's Cave

Also available at: Amazon     Barnes and Noble



The Supernatural in Romantic Fiction

At the last Pocono Lehigh Romance Writers we had guest New York Times and multiple Bram Stoker award-winning author Jonathan Maberry speaking on “Romance With the Unknown: The Supernatural in Fiction”.

I’m a huge fan of paranormal fiction with or without romance so I was really looking forward to this workshop. Jonathan gave me some fantastic ideas for tweaking a current vampire novel I have and also for future paranormal stories I want to write.
In vampire fiction, some hard core readers might get upset when a writer strays from what is considered “true” vampire folklore. But what we think is true vampire legend is actually based on old movies and not actual folklore.
Here are some examples. Most people “know” that fictional vampires can be killed by fire, beheading, stake through the heart, sunlight, possibly a crucifix or Holy water.
In ancient folklore of vampires, a stake is only used to hold them down, while garlic is stuffed in their mouth and they are the beheaded. A beheaded vampire can still get up and roam around. They need to be secured while the garlic kills them. Modern folklore says that garlic only wards them away, but ancient folklore says that garlic acts like cyanide, or like kryptonite is to Superman. It will kill a vampire.

Sunlight harming vampires was also not in original folklore. It began during the making of Nosfuratu when the director couldn’t decide how to end the film and doing cheaply. And do you know the true meaning of Nosfuratu? Most of us thought it meant the ‘undead’. Its translation means ‘plague carrier’.

The film was shot in shadows and dim lighting to give a creepy effect. It was suggested that sunlight could be what kills the vampire. A cheap way to end the film.
In the original Dracula movie, Dracula was killed by having his throat slit and then stabbed. He crumbled into dust. But by true folklore, that shouldn’t have killed him. He should’ve reformed someplace else. Hmmm.

Jonathan mentioned what seems to be the popular trend in supernatural fiction: Damaged and Dangerous characters. Look at your heroes and heroines in your post-apocalyptic, urban fantasy, dystopian, apocalyptic, and paranormal stories now. Hunger Games is one example. Also when writing paranormal fiction, whether romance or mainstream, make sure your story has a big BAD in the plot. (A threat to the characters, the world, etc.)

When looking for ideas for stories, research old folklore, monsters, creatures from different cultures. Don’t assume you know the characteristic of a werewolf or a vampire or Eigi Einhamr (the creature I based one of my shapeshifters in my Demon’s in Exile books. A Norwegian shapeshifter myth).

What are your favorite paranormal/supernatural stories?

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The booksigning at the Palmer Library in Easton, PA, sponsored by Pocono Lehigh Romance Writers was a fun event. Authors attending were Kathy Kulig, Autumn Jordon, Jonathan Maberry, Christine Bush, Kathleen Coddington and Tina Gallagher.

Interview with Denise A. Agnew

I'm so glad to have author Denise A. Agnew as a guest. She's a talented author and a very nice lady. Denise A. Agnew. She's an award-winning author and has recieved Top Pick from Romantic Times magazine. She writes for Samhain, Ellora's Cave and Liquid Silver Books. Her books are suspenseful, erotic, edgy, thrilling, romantic and adventurous. What more could you want?

www.deniseagnew.com

 

BEFORE THE DAWN

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

Before The Dawn is set in 1850 Pennsylvania and features a high-society heroine who lost her virtue and self-respect, and an Irish American hero just released from Eastern State Pen. He’d been framed for a murder he didn’t commit. One day I was watching a ghost hunting program about Eastern State Pen and started forming all these ideas. Everyone who went into Eastern State Pen was in solitary confinement. I wanted a hero who could come out of that situation without having gone bonkers, although he obviously has some issues. It was a great time writing that book!

- What’s the best and worst part of being a writer?

The joy of creating stories is the best part. Dealing with self-doubt, creative slumps, and a persnickety publishing world is the worst part.

- What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

No matter what people tell you, there isn’t one right way to write a book. Learn your craft, but then don’t be afraid to break the rules and write what makes you happiest. Don’t follow the trends because it’s a trend. Follow the book of your heart.

- Are you seat of the pants writer or plotter?

Seat of the pants most definitely.

- Have any of your titles ever been changed from your original choice?

Yes. But it was usually a better fit for the book.

- Do you have a character in one of your books that continues to haunt you at night or surprised you when you wrote the book?

The serial killer in Treacherous Wishes and Jack The Ripper in Dark, Deadly Love.

- Which actor screams SEXY to you?

I can only pick one? Darn! Okay, I’ll pick one off the top of my head. Daniel Craig.

- A lot of people think that genre hopping isn’t a good idea. What do you think?

It depends on what a writer wants for their career. Genre-hopping is the only thing I can do and be happy. I can’t write in one avenue of romance and write good books. My mind and my writing won’t stay fresh that way. A lot of other writers don’t sound fresh or interesting anymore either when they write the same genre within romance all of the time. But then I’m not conventional. What I need to keep me functioning and happy isn’t the same as it is for most authors. Authors risk alienating readers when they don’t stick to one genre because many readers prefer writers to stay in a certain groove. At the end of the day, though, if I’m not happy writing the end product won’t satisfy the reader. So I have to write what blows my skirt up.

- Do you have any favorite movies?

Tons! Two favorites are The Mummy and Gladiator (the one staring Russell Crowe.)

- Is there an author you feel your writing style is somewhat similar to?

No. I hope not. J

Before the Dawn by Denise A. Agnew

From Samhain

From Amazon

Blurb:

A fallen woman must decide to stay down, or rise and fight…

Elijah McKinnon has been found innocent of a heinous murder, but it doesn’t erase the hellish years in prison he endured. He boards the train to Pittsburgh a changed man, certain he will never feel free until he’s wreaked revenge on the brother who ruined his life.

The passenger who catches his eye is intriguing, but he’s seen her kind before. The kind who puts on airs—and looks down on Irishmen. Still, he can’t seem to stop himself from stepping between her and a pack of ruthless cads.

Mary Jane Lawson is grateful for the handsome stranger’s help, but her journey has a higher purpose: to rise above her shattered reputation and declare her independence, come flood or famine. Propriety says she should refuse Elijah’s suggestion they pose as husband and wife—for her own protection, of course. Her practical side says it won’t hurt to pretend, just this once.

Come nightfall, though, their little charade must be carried all the way to shared sleeping quarters, where their vulnerabilities become painfully clear. And when danger past and present threatens, trusting each other becomes a matter of life and death.

* *

Product Warnings

A hot Irish accent mixed with high adventure may cause combustion. Beware of falling for this hunk. The heroine says he’s hers. 

Click here for an EXCERPT

Enjoy!! Thanks for stopping by Denise.