Better late than never? Uh, huh...

An oldie but goodie...

I wrote this book in 2009 and it was published under the title A Brief Moment of Pleasure. It was a full length novel, but it didn't do so well with the publisher I submitted it to, despite the rave reviews it got. I think it had to do with the price. Seems like e-books that cost $7.00 are left in the dust, unless they come from Laurann Dohner. LOL! Alas, the publisher wasn't as well known back then as Ellora's Cave is, and sales were sadly non-existent. I asked for my rights back at the end of the contract period, and revised it, then subbed it to Ellora's Cave.

With a brand new cover and the revisions, it was re-released, and did considerably better than before, but in spite of more rave reviews, it will never hit the best seller lists. Sigh. However, I'm not giving up on it. You see, it's semi-autobiographical, and I still think it's one of the best I've ever produced.

So I am going to start doing promo on it again, and hope that word of mouth will get it going again. What d you think? 

Have you read this book under either title? What did you think? Be totally honest. I can take it. :P  Just remember that I hold a second degree black belt and am willing to travel... Snort!

Hugs...

Fran Lee

Happy Thursday!!

I recently attended a Human Resources record keeping seminar. There was an in depth discussion of written performance reviews; how they should be done and what value they have. Of course I couldn’t help but think about literary reviews as the presenter of the class offered the following:

1.      1.  Nobody is 100% perfect, 100% of the time, in 100% of the duties required by any job. A review stating that a person has reached this pinnacle lacks validity.

2.      2.  Pointing out areas that need improvement is not a negative thing if done constructively.

3.      3.  Performance reviews are not the place for personal attacks.

4.     4.  Choose appropriate and valid rating criteria.

All of these points resonated with my author self, but #4 made me smile and shake my head in agreement. As the writer of novella’s and short stories, I’ve lost count of how many times a reviewer has admonished me for the story being too short – not in a ‘I wish it were longer cause I loved it so much’ way, but in a ‘I’m rating this short length book lower because it is a short length book’ way!!

**Subject change alert**

Pleasuring Anne is now available at All Romance!!
https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-pleasuringanne-1433370-147.html

March is a very busy month for my buddy, Tina Donahue! On March 5^th, Seven Sensuous Days releases. Check it out here: http://www.tinadonahue.com/books/seven-sensuous-days/

And stay tuned because she’s going to be a guest here @ 7SS on March 6^th and March 12^th sharing excerpts and hosting a contest for the release of Stolen Desire!!

Enjoy your weekend~

Tessie

www.tessiebradford.com

My Name Is Katalina Leon And I'm A Pinterest Addict!

I admit I'm a Pinterest addict. I spend way too much time there. I currently have 74 boards on my profile, and few "secret" boards stashed away. I share the secret boards with others I work or collaborate with both for my writing and for design work. I love creating book boards, character inspiration boards and just plain pin hoarding beautiful images.

I have a Pinterest board devoted solely to Hugh Jackman. Hugh is a romance author's dream template, he's got it all! He's so versatile and handsome and apparently every second of his life is being documented in photos so why give him his own board?
http://www.pinterest.com/katalinaleon/hugh-jackman/

I have a board devoted to 304 of the most beautiful staircases and portals you've ever seen in your life. It makes me happy just to look at them.
http://www.pinterest.com/katalinaleon/staircases-and-portals/

I love beautiful clothes and I have absolutely no business buying them on an author's budget. I get my fashion fix on Pinterest with my Dream Closet.
http://www.pinterest.com/katalinaleon/dream-closet/

One of my most popular boards is inspiration for Vampiric fiction "Vampire Realms"
http://www.pinterest.com/katalinaleon/vampire-realms/

I have boards filled with art, gorgeous manicures, animals and books. I have a yoga board started that I'll post soon. But my favorite boards of all are the handsome men. I have several categories including men with beard scruff--I love it. My favorite is the board of men from Brazil and South America. These guys are insanely handsome!
http://www.pinterest.com/katalinaleon/the-boys-from-brazil/

This is Pedro Soltz from Brazil. He's so elegant and feline. I just love him, especially those eyes.

This is Beto Malfacini my all time favorite Brazilian man.

Beto is my current go-to guy for tall, dark and handsome. I have to give credit to my nieces in Brazil for bringing him to my attention. Beto has his own Pinterest board with a whooping 801 pins!
http://www.pinterest.com/katalinaleon/beto-malfacini/

So, when I started a new WIP this weekend, one of the first things I did was look over my Pinterest boards to choose an inspiration photo for my hero. The WIP I just started is a contemporary, set in the Mojave desert near the China Lake Naval Weapons Station. My hero is newly out of the Navy and returns home to see if a woman from his past is still interested in him damage and all. I needed a handsome Latino man in his twenties and found Miguel Iglesias. What do you think?

Are there any other Pinterest addicts out there? If there are please leave your Pinterest name so I can follow you on Pinterest!

XXOO Kat

Follow me on Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/katalinaleon/

Getting there...

How often I feel like soaring with the eagles...

But end up just running in circles like a turkey on the day before Thanksgiving...

But every step I take forward means that I am getting where I want to be. I just have to keep thinking of putting one foot in front of another, and not slipping back more than one step out of every two. Progress comes in all kinds of packages...the tiny step package...the 20-league boots package...and the Fran Lee package, where I use ski poles and training wheels to move forward three feet. Heck, if it's a forward move, I'll take it!

Where I used to be RAH RAH, now I am Ho Hum. In fact, for about eight months there, I simply rode on my back list laurels, which kept me thinking that I didn't have to work at all. But after a year, people sort of stopped shopping my back list, and actually expected me to write again. So I got busy and finished one of my wips and subbed it. 

It's now been another six months, and I am working hard (or is that hardly working) on  another wip...about halfway through...and getting totally distracted again. Sheesh. Too many things going on in my life.  Time to tie that eagle feather into my hair and leap skyward.

Hugs...

Fran Lee

Reader Feedback Matters!

I received a lovely email from a reader who recently bought and enjoyed Oasis! 

Her kind words gave me incredible joy. 

Oasis holds such a special spot in my heart. It was my second release with EC. It was my first attempt at futuristic/science fiction. My editor was a stern task manager and I'm a better author for her expertise. I can't believe five years have passed!

Excerpt:

Meena walked silently with Elizabeth into the lift, keeping the door open long enough for Gareth to join them. As soon as the door closed, Elizabeth sagged against the back wall and heaved a giant sigh. Immediately Gareth pulled out the medical scanner from his belt and held it toward her.

“Are you unwell, Elizabeth? Your heart rate and respiration are noticeably elevated and your cheeks are flushed.” The genuine concern reflected in his eyes warmed her, but it was Meena who responded.

“She has just left a private audience with the commander.”

“Ah,” Gareth smiled knowingly and put away the scanner. “We understand exactly what that can do to a woman’s physiology, do we not?” The two of them nodded agreement to each other, embarrassing the hell out of Elizabeth.

“For your information,” she bit out curtly, “I find your commander overbearing, infuriating and not just a bit too full of himself, all qualities that I don’t find appealing in the least!”

“Not being possessed of any of these unsavory characteristics, perhaps I should accompany you to your chambers so we may together discover what you do find appealing?” Gareth stared down at her lustfully. “I am eager to step into my new role of teacher to you, the succulent newcomer.” He wrapped an arm around Elizabeth’s waist and gave her hip a gentle squeeze.

“Meena, help me out here.” Elizabeth smiled somewhat nervously but didn’t move away from Gareth’s embrace. It was quite obvious he was being playful and his sense of humor was refreshing after the intensity of the commander. It didn’t hurt that he was fine to look at either!

“Yes, Meena,” he drew her against his other side, “please describe to Elizabeth my formidable and indisputable ability to bring a person to the height of physical pleasure!”

“That is not what she meant and you know it.”

Elizabeth watched the emotions that passed between the two of them. They were definitely more than just friends.

“There will be plenty of time for you to demonstrate your exceptional talents when she is ready to enjoy them fully.” Meena kissed him tenderly on the cheek. “I will see to your needs as soon as Elizabeth is settled back in her chambers.” She cupped his ass enthusiastically.

“Does everything on this ship revolve around sex?” Elizabeth asked breathlessly.

“We manage to squeeze in a bit of planetary exploration when we absolutely have to,” Gareth chuckled as the lift doors opened.

Have a fantastic weekend, everyone!
Tessie
www.tessiebradford.com

Mystic's Touch BookTrailer - DGarson

Dena's Garson's "Mystic's Touch"

Today's guest is a very sweet friend and talented author Dena Garson. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to work with Dena on the Emerald Isles Fantasies book series, and she was kind enough to beta a WIP for me just this week. Thank you Dena!

(Dena sure gets great book covers, the Cover Goddess loves her for sure!)

Dena's latest book is "Mystic's Touch" from Ellora's Cave Blush Line. If you like your romance more sweet than spice and you haven't already meet Dena Garson, you're in for a real treat:

Thanks for having me today!

Did you know honey was good for more than just a natural sweetener?

While I was writing Mystic’s Touch, I did some research on herbs and healing practices that were used by ancient Egyptians. My heroine is a healer and since the world I built for them was based on ancient Egypt I wanted to know some of the methods and herbs she might have used.

What I learned was fascinating.

Honey has antibacterial properties and was frequently used by ancient Egyptians on the skin to treat cuts, scrapes and burns. It was also used as an embalming fluid and as an offering to their gods.

Ancient Greeks also valued honey. Some myths portray Cupid dipping his arrows in honey before firing them at unsuspecting lovers. Honey was supposedly favored by Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love.

Bridegrooms in traditional Indian wedding ceremonies are offered honey to improve his stamina.

Today we commonly use honey to soothe a sore throat or suppress a cough. Minor burns can benefit from honey’s anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Similarly, minor cuts can be dressed with a thin layer of honey then covered with a clean bandage or band-aid to reduce healing time and sterilze the wound. If you begin to feel like you’re coming down with something, raw honey’s antibacterial and antiviral properties may help boost your immune system and fight sickness. (NOTE: the darker the honey, the better its antibacterial and antioxidant power)

Despite its ability to naturally boost energy, raw honey may provide sleep relief by facilitating the action of tryptophan, which helps make people sleepy.

But don’t forget all the fun you can have with it too! Sweeten your own palate before a kiss to encourage your partner to want more. Drizzle honey on your lover’s body parts and take your time licking it off.

Or heat up a cup of tea and add a dollop of honey before you sit down to enjoy my new book.

Mystic’s Touch:

When Prince Ceros returns home to take his place on the throne, he falls prey to a mysterious malady that leaves him unable to speak or move, though his thoughts and awareness remain intact. Danet, a talented healer, realizes the prince is alert inside his body. The two are able to share thoughts telepathically. Unfortunately her connection with Ceros may bring unwanted attention to her abilities and result in her banishment from the city.

Their unique bond grows as Danet races to find a remedy for the prince’s condition. Desire turns to love, which makes Danet fear for their future when he awakens. They seek out the villain attempting to take the throne and endeavor to find a way to stay together.

Inside Scoop: Ceros’ secret shifter status adds complication and intrigue to their budding romance.

To celebrate the release of Mystic’s Touch, I’m giving away lots of goodies. There will be ebooks, a Dena Garson gift basket, a grab bag of author promo items, a Love: Defined necklace, Naughty/Nice earrings, and a swirl ring made by Designs By Jewelee. See my blog for more info. The drawings will be held at the end of my book tour on March 3^rd.

You can enter more than once! Following this link to Rafflecopter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Find me on the web at:

Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Blog | Ellora’s Cave | Amazon Author Page

Thank you Dena and Best wishes to you!

XXOO Kat