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My Lakota Heroes...

I am back at work on my third in a series of Native American Heroes...

I found my hero in a dream three nights ago, and I got up to get him on paper (or should I say, on word.doc).  He is one of the men from my past. Patterned after a wonderful Native American man who caught my imagination and made my pre-teen heart go pitter-pat.

I wrote several short stories about him in grade school, Jr. High School, and High School, but I never managed to get him exactly right. Of course now that I write erotic stuff, I can make him as hot as he should be. LOL!

When I was a kid in school, I had a wonderful teacher who migrated into my little home town from California, met the man of her dreams, and stayed to teach school.  The first time it really snowed, she got so excited, she excused the whole class to go out and run around in the big fluffy flakes, catching them on her tongue and her try to grab them in her hands. Unfortunately, the Principal saw us, and we all had to go back into the classroom while she got a stern lecture. But the spontaneity of that wonderful moment will never leave my mind. 

She was my favorite teacher, hands down.  And the man she married was a full blood Goshute who worked the railroad. I saved the tiny little piece of wedding cake that she put into tiny white boxes for each of her class. I broke off the icing, of course...no use letting good sugar go to waste, right? But I had that bitty box for many years. I may still have it, buried away in my storage unit in my old old old stuff.

But I digress...it was her love of Native American Lore that led her to her hubby, and led me to a greater love for the many wonderful tribes that surrounded me where I grew up. Some of my best pals were NA kids, and when we played cowboy and Indians, I always got stuck with the cowboy part, when I wanted desperately to be Chief Snake in the Grass. Sigh.

So now I am resurrecting that marvelous Native American man I drooled over so many years back. I am going to have this finished as I resolved, within the next week.

See you later...

Fran Lee

Caught Kissing "Beautiful Strangers" Again!

I’m cheating today. I posted this blog earlier in the week on Whipped Cream’s Goddess Fish blog, and took part in their terrific Valentine’s Day party loop. For everyone who stopped by—thank you very much I enjoyed your company. 

For those who didn’t, here’s a second chance to read that same blog! lol

It’s so much fun to blog about first kisses. There’s nothing more romantic than a beautiful first kiss. Even a vicarious first kiss shared with fictional characters can be a big thrill.

Kissing is a subject I take seriously. I write in the erotic romance genre and I try my best to ensure kisses don’t play second fiddle to the more spectacular scene-stealers. I love writing about that magnetic first kiss where the reader knows with certainty the characters involved are destined to be lovers.

I absolutely love kissing and I have to admit that a million years ago when I was single, I let more than a few interesting young men go simply because they just couldn’t kiss!

I’m not sorry I did it either. I had my best interests in mind. I wanted to spend my life with a man who could kiss and fortunately I found one.

My advice to younger women or any woman for that matter is to holdout for a great kisser. You won’t regret it. 

Kissing tells a woman everything she needs to know about what to expect romantically from a man. A man’s level of patience, caring, sensuality and self-restraint all figure into this affectionate exchange.

The first kiss I want to share today is from “Beautiful Stranger”. In this scene David and Lily are on their first date. Things are going great until they run into Lily’s ex-husband Jimmy, in a restaurant in the French Quarter. Lily has just decided to go away with David for the weekend.

His fingers stroked her hand. “You’re not doing this to make Jimmy jealous?”

She felt a little shiver of electricity pass between. “I’m doing this one hundred-percent for me.” Her heart raced.

The lazy, sexy look of a big cat crossed David’s face. His hand dropped below the table and brushed against her thigh. “I think you made the right choice,” he whispered.

Her body shivered as David’s fingertips grazed the hem of her skirt. Her skin warmed from his slightest touch. Her heart raced. It already felt as if they were lovers.

(And later in the meal…)

David’s fingertips gently brushed the side of her cheek. “I’m glad you’re with me. I almost feel sorry for him.” He moved closer to her and casually draped an arm around her shoulder. He pulled her closer and whispered in her ear, “I think he’s a complete fool.”

“Me too. I’m glad we agree on that.” She smiled when she realized David was acting a bit territorial toward her and she liked it. “You arranged a beautiful dinner and I’m sorry Jimmy showed up. I’m not going to let him spoil our evening. He’s not important anymore, let’s just ignore him.” 

She looked into David’s eyes. Warmth and understanding brimmed in his eyes. Her body wanted to lean toward him and be close. His attitude was so relaxed she hoped it would rub off on her. He was the perfect man to run away with for the weekend.

He leaned over and causally kissed her as if they were well-acquainted lovers.

At first touch his full lips barely brushed against hers. His touch was light but the kiss sent an electric tingle through her that rocked her body backward against the seat. Her breath caught. His actions were restrained but the desire behind them was immense and unbounded. Heat radiated off the surface of his skin. The temperature between them rose. 

She was almost startled when her senses snapped to attention and took notice of every detail. Her blood rushed. Dear god, he felt good. How did he convey so much longing into one tiny kiss? Butterflies fluttered in her chest.

He didn’t pull away. He stayed close.

She was acutely aware he was only a hairbreadth away. He waited for her to come to him. She leaned forward and tentatively returned a single soft kiss. 

It felt so right. She wanted more. Without thinking, her hands reached out and gently caressed the sides of his face. Her fingers tangled in his hair. She felt his warm breath on her cheek. Her lips parted and gently glided against his. She pressed her lips against his soft mouth. His full lips begged to be nipped and gently dragged her teeth across the cushioned softness. 

David felt so good. He took her breath away. Had she ever enjoyed a first kiss this much? He had such a beautiful mouth, what would it feel like to have David’s soft kisses stray between her thighs? Her throat tensed. She crossed her legs and squeezed her thighs together beneath the table. A sharp thrill zipped through her. She wanted to wrap her legs around him and cover his face in kisses. This could get out of hand fast. It felt so natural to kiss David. He was so good to be near. She wanted to go on kissing him but reminded herself they were in a restaurant and the tablecloth couldn’t hide everything that was going on. She breathlessly broke the kiss and slowly pulled back.

David and Lily don’t stay in the restaurant for long…lol

I hope you enjoyed the excerpt.

XXOO Kat

Katalina Leon “Beautiful Stranger” Ellora’s Cave Sophisticate Line.

http://www.jasminejade.com/pm-8323-569-beautiful-stranger.aspx

Throwing In the Towel?

There comes a time when we as writer’s wonder if what we’re doing is worth the time. Is what I’m doing reaching people? Do they like what I’m writing? Can I continue to produce books worth reading? I face these demons frequently. Lately I’ve been struggling with giving up more than ever.
I’m going through a lot of personal and professional issues. I’m at a point in my writing career where I’m not sure where I want to go with it. What should be my next steps? And in all honesty is my writing any good.
I wish I could share the struggles I’m going through personally, but at this point I can’t. I’m hoping in the next few weeks I can. One of the reasons I want to share is the writer community is so supportive and caring. You’ve helped me through one of the most challenging times of my life. I know you’ll be here for me again.
That being said, a writer friend has been here for me when I feel like giving up. She’s offered me a shoulder to cry on, words of encouragement and honest feedback to my concerns. I’m blessed to have her as a friend. I’m sure we all are. Thanks Katalina Leon.
That’s not saying others aren’t there too. The bottom line is this profession is a very lonely business. You need to have someone to talk to and share what you’re feeling. The most likely choice would be another writer. They know what you’re going through. Don’t struggle on your own. Talk it out.
The bottom line is we came into this business for a reason - a love for the written word. I want my motto to be "Never Give Up".
While I’m not giving up I am reassessing my career and where I see myself in the future.
How do you handle the doubts?

The lover who didn't work out...and thank goodness.

 I think Valentine's Day provides a great moment to recall the Ones Who Didn't Work Out.

The one you thought was so cool when you began to date who...mellowed (I use the term loosely) so much he faded. Like bad wallpaper. And was just as exciting.

Or the one who was getting divorced. And wow, after a few hot and heavy dates, you decided that his soon-to-be-ex was RIGHT ON. He was a DUD. (Not a Dude. DUD.) Yes, ma'am.

Or how about the guy who treated you reaaaaaaally well. Had brains. Money. Spent it on you, too. Dinner.

Theater. Then proceeded to act like an ass and chased you around his living room. (Why did you/I go there in the first place? Ah. Well. Good question. Smart ass answer, too.)

Or the guy your mother adored?

And the one your father hated?

THEY HAD something there!

I count myself fortunate that I left all those bad duds in the dust.

And my honey is my Valentine every day of the week.

And the cover of I CAUGHT THE SHERIFF is lickable, no? Out tomorrow at EC!

Ciao, bella! Enjoy!

Romance is in the air...

Spring is just around the corner, and lovers are getting down to business...

The sun has actually come out to brighten the days the past week, and it feels SO good!  The winter's depressive gray days are breaking away to allow the light to reach us again. Just looking at this photo of a couple on a hot, delicious beach is enough to get the creative juices flowing again.  

I have actually started to spruce up my 1986 epic and dump the purple prose out of the part that I have transcribed from that set of six big old 5 1/2 inch floppy disks I created on my 1978 Atari game computer, using the Paperclip word editing program that you stick into the side like a flash drive.  

I bought Dragon Naturally Speaking so that I can transcribe the entire 400 page manuscript and start edits to bring it up to date and see what I can do with it.

It truly amazes me what you have to do to get going once you hit these slumps.  Sheesh! I am going, though...moving once again in a forward drive to defeat the enemy...that old thing we love to call writer's block, but which is, in reality, total depression and the inability to function.

I was on a roll in 2009 and then in 2010, I fizzled like a firecracker left in the rain.  I want to thank all of my friends who kicked my fanny, encouraged me, and otherwise helped me get moving in the right direction once more.

It is still an uphill roll at this point, but I am flexing muscles I haven't used in years, and I think I will manage to get it over the hump.  So welcome, Spring!  I keep pulling out these great pics and sighing. I think I can...I think I can...I know I can...I know I can...

Thanks for being so patient and so helpful...and when I have this epic finished, I will sub it and see where it takes me.

Fran Lee

http://www.franleeromance.com

The More, The Merrier?

Julia Barrett had a guest blogger on Monday who talks about the “ick” factor in erotic romance. www.juliarachelbarrett.net I highly recommend you check out the post, it is priceless, as are some of the comments!

I started thinking about things that I like and don’t like about one of my favorite erotic romance situations – ménage. My following thoughts pertain to long term ménage relationships, not just the dabbling in a bit of sharing for fun and excitement!

For the purpose of this discussion, let’s divide things into two broad categories – real world humans and everything else.

Shifters, particularly wolves, have the pack thing going. Vamps have to deal with keeping things interesting for all eternity. Aliens, well they’re aliens, pretty much anything goes. With these characters, I have no problem believing (or writing) multiple partner relationships that are happily ever after.

It, however, takes a talented author to convince me of the same outcome with contemporary humans.

Yes, I understand it is fiction, but I can’t stop myself from fixating on certain issues or aspects of the relationships. Jealousy would have to come up at some point, as would the inevitable explanations required by the other humans the ménage participants encounter in day-to-day life. What about marriage, child-bearing, retirement planning? If a book is going to be set in real life, these issues spring into my mind when I’m reading – sorry, I can’t help it! I’m not asking for every potential problem to be solved, but acknowledging at least one or two of them in the course of the story definitely adds realism!

Two or more dominant, alpha men being in a permanent ménage relationship raises huge questions for me. Eventually, wouldn’t they end up battling each other to be ‘top dog’?

I think stories with brothers and/or close family members sharing a woman are the trickiest of all. I’ve read some really good ones and some that had me squirming in my chair. It takes a skilled hand to keep them out of incest-land!

Are you a fan of threesomes (or more)?

Tessie Bradford

www.tessiebradford.com