Busy, Busy, Busy

Sorry I wasn’t here last week. I was in the hospital and learned the hard way that my mini laptop wouldn’t allow me to post any blogs. It was a bit frustrating, but I’ll know for when I go in that I’ll have to pre-post or not blog at all. I spent three days in the hospital for pre-term labor. Luckily the doctors were able to get it under control. They sent me home with no real restrictions, but I am taking it easy.
Well I was until yesterday when I returned to work. I spent over 10 hours on a conference call, on top of dealing with little kids, big kids, family who were leaving to head back to NY and dogs who wanted to go to the park to run, but it was too hot. Why is it when it rains it pours?
The stress settled somewhere around 8pm when the DH and I crashed to watch some television.
The only positive to the day was I added words to my wip. It was the first time in a long time. I did this before all hell broke loose, so that was a plus. Only 14 workdays before I take my leave of absence, unless the doctor pulls me before that. Even though I’m just coming back from vacation, I’m really looking forward to the longer leave. LOL

Summer is not going the way I planned, but it seems I’m not alone. I hope you are all enjoying the warm temperatures and beautiful days.

In other news I found I have a new print book out. It’s currently only available on Barnes and Noble, but you can check it out here - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cougarlicious-cerise-deland/1104199317?ean=9781419964800&itm=12&usri=amber%2bskyze

There's a Cougar in Town

Hey everyone I'm really excited about this book, which is available tomorrow. The book is part of the Cougar Challenge series over at Ellora's Cave. I'm honored to be part of an amazing series. I hope my story lives up to the rest of the books. :-) Here's a little taste of my cougar and her cub.

A story in the Cougar Challenge series.

Marcy Brown can’t get enough of Lucky, her massage therapist. Lucky’s fingers always linger dangerously close to…sensitive areas, and ignite a fire she can’t ignore. Marcy isn’t looking for a relationship, but a friend with benefits would be right up her alley. The women of her fave blog, Tempt the Cougar, swear by younger men, but Marcy doesn’t want to train someone. She wants a man who can give her orgasm after orgasm.

Lucky offers to be her secret lover and help her realize all her fantasies. With Lucky, Marcy discovers the thrill of sexual positions and taboos she’s been missing out on—up to and including sex with two gorgeous men at once.

All bets are off when this Cougar is challenged to get her growl on.

An Excerpt From: GETTIN’ LUCKY
Copyright © AMBER SKYZE, 2010
All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc.
Chapter One

“Isn’t he hot, sweetie?”
“Mom!” Marcy groaned.
“What? Is there something wrong with me thinking the young doctor is sexy?”
“Mother, please.” Not that there was anything wrong with her admiring the younger doctor. Shit Marcy fantasized about younger men, but she kept it under wraps. She didn’t speak the words out loud.
Marcy wished she could crawl under a rock and die. They were in the recovery room. Her mother had just undergone surgery for her broken wrist. It wasn’t like they were alone. The room was full of other people who had come from surgery too, along with their family members. Marcy looked around to see if anyone else was listening to her mother’s tirade. She couldn’t believe her mother was talking about how hot the doctor was in front of all these people. Christ, he was young enough to be her son, possibly grandson.
“Thank you,” the doctor said. “Now I want you to rest for the next few days. No using those fingers, either. You need to give your body time to recuperate.”
“Anything you say, Doctor.”
Marcy watched as her mother made googly eyes at the doctor.
“Do you make house calls?” she asked, reaching out with her good hand to touch him.
He chuckled.
“They don’t allow us to go to patients’ homes, but I’ll see you in a few days at my office. All right?”
“If you insist.”
“I’ll see you soon.” He patted her mother’s leg before rushing off to his next patient.
Marcy looked down at her mother.
“I can’t believe you just said those things to the doctor, Mother,” she whispered.
“It’s all right, Ms. Brown,” the nurse said. “There’s nothing to be ashamed of. Lots of women enjoy the company of younger men.”
Not my mother and certainly not me. Though she couldn’t deny the growing attraction she’d been feeling for Lucky. Lately every time he massaged her he came dangerously close to her pussy, stirring up tingling sensations she hadn’t felt in a very long time. Thankfully her vibrator gave her the relief she craved after leaving her weekly massages, because she couldn’t risk losing Lucky. Entering into anything sexual with him would cross too many boundaries for her. She might have to change massage therapists and that would be a pity.
“I appreciate your understanding, but that doctor could be her grandson.” She knew she was exaggerating, but seriously. Her mother was too old to be drooling over the doctor.
The nurse laughed.
Marcy didn’t find anything funny about her mother fawning over the young stud. Yes, he was cute, not her type, but nice-looking.
“Stop being so uptight, Marcy. Just because Dan wasn’t smart enough to stick around doesn’t mean you’re a dead fish. You can have a little fun if you know what I mean.” Her mother winked.
Marcy wanted to flee the recovery room.
“It’s the anesthesia.” The nurse patted her hand.
“Thanks.” Marcy looked at her name tag. “Elizabeth.”
“No problem. I have a few things to check on, but I’ll be back shortly. Don’t worry about your mother. Once the anesthesia wears off she’ll probably forget the things she said.”
God she prayed the nurse was right. She couldn’t have her mother talking like this.
“I appreciate your understanding.”
The nurse nodded before heading off. She returned an hour later.
“Here are your discharge papers,” Elizabeth said. “And here’s something just in case your mom is serious.”
Marcy took the business card.
“Tempt the Cougar? What’s this?”
In a hushed tone, Elizabeth explained. “It’s a blog where women who want to experience the thrill of younger men gather.”
“Oh no. My mother definitely doesn’t need this.” Marcy attempted to hand the card back to her.
“Take it. You never know.”
“I’m sorry, but I do know. This is not something my mother would be interested in.”
Elizabeth shrugged.
“Then keep it for yourself. You never know, you might find it interesting.” She rushed off before Marcy could object.

Are you a Cougar? Can you roar, HAT TRICK?

Winging my way home as you read this, from Romanticon with my buddies, Desiree Holt, Regina Carlysle and Allie Standifer. Yep, we are all on the same plane!
And for you?
A taste of my menage Cougar Challenge release out October 20, HAT TRICK.
www.jasminejade.com/ps-8700-50-hat-trick.aspx

(Copyright 2010, Cerise Deland. All rights reserved.)

“You have children?” Trey’s brows shot up. “You don’t look old enough for that.”

“I am,” she said flatly as she whisked drops of moisture from her glass, wondering if this revelation about age and children would have both men walking out the door. “Clay is nearly twenty-four and in med school in New York. He is my husband’s and my only child. A great guy, too, I must say.” She lifted her glass in a toast. “To great men.”

“Carla tells us you were crazy about your husband,” Gage said.

“I was. Walt was a sweet man, a hard-working rancher and when he died, I thought I had lost all my passion for living.” She tried to smile and failed. “But I am still here and loving my life.”

“You never thought of leaving Winterhalter?” Trey asked.

“Never had a reason to. It’s certainly small, and I know everyone, which is good and bad. But don’t get me wrong, I love to travel, too.”

“Really?” Gage looked intrigued. “We do, too. Where do you go?”

“Every six months or so since my husband died, I pick a city in Europe and go alone for two weeks. I do the ruins and the cathedrals. I shop ’til I drop. And wow, do I eat!”

Both men grinned.

“Can’t prove it by us,” Gage praised her.

“You are one terrific-looking woman,” Trey told her, his green gaze caressing her face and drifting ever so deliberately down her throat to the vee of her white cotton blouse. “So what are you? Forty-two? Three?”

“Five. Forty-five.”

“I’m thirty-three,” Gage told her in a hushed voice.

“And I’m a year younger.”

Her lips parted. Each man sat silently looking at her, waiting for her reaction. What could she say without sounding like a predatory female? You are both stunning specimens of manhood? I want each of you? “Seems like age has nothing to do with how successful you both are.”

“It hasn’t.” Gage nodded and took in a huge breath. “The three of us went to Texas Tech together and from our folks we were each fortunate enough to inherit some money. We pooled it after we graduated, bought a ranch outside Dallas ten years ago and turned it into a shopping mall.”

“We built from there. Now, we are committed to finding a piece of land in an area where we can develop a five-star resort.” Trey finished his margarita. “We’ve done some research of this area. Jed and Gage and I think Carla’s ranch and some adjacent acreage might be the right place. But we need more help. Someone who knows the land. The ecology. The politics. The people. Gage and I hoped you would ride around with us for a few days. Show us the sights. Tell us about the town.”

Belle didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. They wanted her around not for good loving, but for her knowledge? Wow, had she gotten this all wrong. She felt like a fool. Did she look like one, too?

Gage seized her hand. “Belle? Darlin’, look at me.”

She felt Trey stroke her arm.

She gulped and trained her gaze on Gage.

“We had the research planned before we came. Before we met you. Before we enjoyed being with you. And now that we have and we see how lovely you are, how sweet and smart, we want to stick around. We want to be with you.”

“Belle, cara,” Trey crooned. “We thought you’d like the idea of being with us. Helping us. But we want your company. You.”

She bristled with excitement. Beneath the table, Gage’s foot slid over to stroke hers.

Trey’s knee pressed hers. “Belle, with all your long auburn hair. And those pink lush lips. And your dreamy purple eyes. Honey, you are a vision. A ripe and delicious-looking woman who needs good company. And we want to show you how we treasure you.”

With compliments like that, what was a girl to do? Say no? Not likely. Say absolutely? Darn right! Say…

“I would love to help you. Be with you.”

“We don’t want to rush you,” Trey said. “But if you prefer one of us, the other would be disappointed, but good with that.”

If I prefer one of you? If? Her mind whirled. There was no question in her mind now about the topic they really discussed. With a few teensy issues left barring the way, she knew she was now ready to take the Challenge. “You don’t have relationships back home in Dallas with anyone who might get jealous? I wouldn’t want to damage—”

“No,” Trey replied. “I need a woman who gets in my head, first. Not any like that I’ve met in years.”

“And I meet too many women who are looking at my wallet, first,” Gage said.

“Where are their brains?” she wondered, then collected her own. “Have you both been attracted to the same woman before?”

“We have. Once.” Gage played with her fingers. “Trey and I know we have the same tastes. We don’t let jealousy become a problem. We know how to share.”

Wow. Two men who share. Had she ever dreamed of such a thing? She squeezed her thighs together. Her pussy was getting all swollen and juicy just imagining the fun she was about to have.

Trey fiddled with her wedding ring. “But the last time we shared was years ago. We haven’t found a woman in a very long time who is fascinating. And you, Belle Sterling, are one rare and exciting lady.”

The waiter appeared at Gage’s elbow. “Have you had a chance to look at the menu?”

“We certainly have,” Gage told him, checking Trey’s face and then Belle’s.

The waiter nodded in deference to Belle. “For starters, we have the soup or the salad. What would the lady like?”

She considered the possibilities. With a knowing smile at Trey and then Gage, she looked up at the waiter and told him. “Both.”

Quickies and a Contest

I love writing quickies in between other books. Why? Well because they’re fun, quick and it’s a book out there. Lately though I’ve been getting discouraged, mostly because some readers obviously don’t get the “jest” of quickies.
A quickie is a blip in time, usually one event. Take for instance my recent release Submit With Me. It’s a quickie – 7400 words. It’s a story about giving someone control of your body for one night.
Two people who purchased the book over at the Jasmine Jade site gave it 1 star. One stated it wasn’t worth the $1.49 and the other said the characters weren’t fully developed. I’m not sure how developed they expect them to be when it’s written under 10k. On top of that it was all about the fantasy.
One nice commenter gave it 5 stars.
I’ve learned to take the good with the bad, but now I question writing these quick books. Is it worth the backlash? A bunch of EC authors told me it would be a smart idea to write a free read story. They said it gives you a lot of exposure you might not have gotten otherwise. I can see the point. If you’re unsure you want to try an author a free read could help you decide if you want to buy her other books.
I had considered writing one about Tommy from Pretend With Me, book one in the Freedom Fantasies series or one about Lucky from my Cougar Challenge book Gettin’ Lucky (coming soon). Lately I’ve been asking myself WHY? WHY bother? These are under 6k – I can’t imagine what these people commenting on my stories will say then.
Readers complain they want a quick, cheap read, but expect the full plot and storyline you get from a 30k. What’s a writer to do?
Today I've decided to give away a copy of Submit With Me to one lucky commenter and I'd love to hear what you think about the story after you read it. I'm a big girl if you hate it, tell me. If you love it, tell me. :o)

An Array of Information

I’m excited. Tomorrow is release day for Submit With Me. It’s a quicker quickie at Ellora’s Cave, available for the low low price of $1.49. LOL

In other news I signed a contract last week for a book called Gettin’ Lucky. It’s part of the Cougar Challenge series, also at Ellora’s Cave. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to live up to their standards, but it turns out my editor liked the book, along with the fellow cougars who read it!

Speaking of series I’ve recently had discussions with two different authors about writing two different series. I adore both authors and am excited about the prospect of writing with them. I also feel honored that THEY wanted to collaborate with me. I know vague, but until we hash out all the details that’s all I can say.

Another exciting piece of news is the release date for Adrift from Loose-Id – November 9th. Edits are finalized. Now I’m waiting anxiously for cover art.
I recently joined a group of women from my local writer’s chapter in a new blog endeavor. If you have a chance drop by and check it out – http://apinchofromance.blogspot.com/ We’re an eclectic group, but there’s something for everyone. :o) I’ll be there every Tuesday too!

Until next week!

Brain is Fried!

I don't have much to say today. Life is crazy and I'm trying to catch up from being away all weekend. I managed to finish my Cougar Challenge book. I'm halfway done with edits so it will be in my editors hands soon.

I hit the 10k mark for Stranded the book for the new publisher. Only 15k to go! LOL

Here's an excerpt from a book from my backlist. Talk Dirty to Topaz is available from Aspen Mountain Press

Enjoy!

“Get a life!” Teagan slammed the phone down on the desk.

I want to tie you up and tease your pussy.

Maybe she was the one who needed a life. A sex life to be exact.

That was the third call this morning. Sexual frustration grew with each passing minute. She had a business to run and someone thought her business number was some sort of sex hotline. The recent surge of prank calls was taking a toll on her mentally and physically. The caller knew her deep dark desires. How could he? She hadn’t shared them with many people. She had to know this person. He knew too many details of her fantasies—like he was reading her mind.

Teagan needed sex, so the thought of being tied up and teased was very appealing in many ways. Her last real sexual encounter and not one from a rubbery, vibrating friend was nine months ago, when she’d ended her four-year relationship with Tim.

Teagan had given herself to Tim completely and the loser had cheated on her, shattering her heart into a million tiny pieces.

The phone rang again. “Designs by Topaz, Teagan speaking.” She held her breath, ready for the onslaught of profanities.

“Ms. Topaz?”

“Speaking.”

“I’m looking to…”

Oh fuck, not again. That voice sounded familiar, like the caller.

“This is a business line, buddy. I’m not interested in your offer for sexual pleasure.”

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me, I’m not interested.”

“I think there’s been some kind of misunderstanding. Are you Ms. Topaz, the interior designer?”

“I am.” She swallowed. She knew she’d screwed up.

Shit, she couldn’t keep doing this. She couldn’t keep expecting every call to be some guy talking dirty to her. The risk of losing true paying customers was too high. She could change her phone number, but that meant placing new ads and getting new business cards. The thought of all the potential customers not being able to reach her if she did change the number made her think twice. One thing she was certain of—when she figured out who was behind the prank phone calls (and she would find out) she’d…

Fuck them senseless. Yup getting laid was becoming a necessity for her sanity.

“I’m calling about your services.”

“Please forgive me. I’m so sorry, sir. It’s just that I’ve been getting these phone calls and…well, that’s irrelevant. How can I help you?” She wanted to die of embarrassment. She felt like an idiot. Her paranoia had reached an all time high. This had to end. She had to find out who was behind these calls – immediately.

“I’m looking to have an empty bedroom turned into a nursery. A mutual friend recommended you.”

“That was very nice of this friend, Mr…?”

“Black. Frank Black.”

Bogged Down

I hate to use this excuse two weeks in a row, but the simple fact is – it’s the truth.
I just finished edits for Sliding Home which is coming from Aspen Mountain on June 4th. I’m in the middle of the cover art request. I have to write TWO synopses. I don’t like writing these!
I’m in the middle of writing my cougar story and still trying to finish up self-edits on book three to send off to my editor. I’m barely coming up for air these days.
I’d like to say sorry to everyone for not posting enough here lately. I’m ashamed to say I haven’t been making the rounds too much either. I’ll get back to commenting when life gets a little simpler.
The cold weather has returned to the northeast and I’m not happy. Add in the day job which has picked up…no wonder I’ve had a migraine for three days.
Til next week when I promise to have something to talk about!

Busy, Busy, Busy!

Hey Everyone!

I'm busy editing book three in the Freedom Fantasies series to send off to my editor. She has book 2 in her hands. I'm also knee deep writing my cougar challenge book, so I'm going to keep this short today.

Whipped Cream has interviewed me. If you have a second in your busy days and wanted to pop in and leave a little comment that would be awesome.
http://www.longandshortreviews.com/WC/interviews.htm

See ya next Tuesday!