Risky Business With Dena Garson

My guest author today is the fantastic Dena Garson. Dena and I shared an editor and also partnered for an upcoming paranormal book series that will be soon be released through Ellora's Cave Romanica line.
Here's Dena:

Hi, everyone! *waves* I’m thrilled to be a guest of the Scribes again!

And I’m even more excited to tell you about my newest book with Ellora’s Cave, Risky Business.

Have you ever been sitting in a business meeting and suddenly realized the cute guy sitting across from you was far more interesting? Did you find yourself wondering if he was single, or if he liked eggrolls or maybe even how he kissed? Did you ever make a move to find out?

Those of you who have worked in a business environment know what can happen when co-workers move beyond a professional relationship. More often than not, those relationships don’t work out. But when they do… hooo! The sparks can fly.

Risky Business

By Dena Garson

EC Link: http://www.ellorascave.com/risky-business.html#

Blurb:

Mia Sanford has been working with Jake Hudson for years. Despite their obvious attraction, neither has been willing to take the chance and act on their feelings. Even though, as they both discover, everyone in the company thinks they should have gotten together long ago.

When Mia becomes the target of an embarrassing betting pool at the annual office party, Jake alerts her to the danger. But Jake is the company playboy, and has never expressed an interest in Mia until now. Is he really looking out for her, or just trying to win the pool himself? Mia must decide if she can trust him not only with her reputation, but also her heart.

Excerpt:

“Mia Sanford, where the hell have you been?” Robin’s voice rose over the noise of the crowded ballroom.

Mia rolled her eyes as she joined her two best friends, Robin and Mandy. Mandy elbowed Robin in her ribs.

“Ow,” Robin complained. “What was that for?”

Mandy whispered, “You don’t have to call attention to the fact that Mia’s been missing. Mr. Patterson could have been within earshot, you goof.”

Robin scanned the people nearby. “Oh.” She dropped her voice to a whisper. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay,” Mia said, resigned to the fact that Robin was just that way.

“Where have you been?” Robin asked quietly. “We were getting worried.”

“I had an, uh, an equipment malfunction.”

“What’d you do? Pop a bra strap or something?” Robin pressed.

“Worse,” Mia grimaced, not wanting to admit what the real problem was.

Robin and Mandy tried to suppress their giggles.

“Were you able to—” Robin tried to stifle another fit of giggles but failed. “Did you fix the problem?” she asked with a huge grin.

“No.” Mia looked around to make sure that no one was listening nearby. “I finally gave up and tossed them.”

Robin, in true Robin fashion, blurted, “So you’re going commando?”

Mandy elbowed Robin again. Mia prayed for a hole to open in the floor so she could disappear into the abyss. Unfortunately such a rescue would not be forthcoming. She took a deep breath and reminded herself that she really did love Robin like a sister and she shouldn’t kill her. There was little to be done about what everyone around them had heard so Mia shrugged and admitted quietly, “I’m afraid so.”

Both of the girls broke into a fit of laughter.

“Oh my God, that’s too funny. At the annual office party too.” Mandy added, “If Mr. Patterson only knew.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Mia mumbled. “You wouldn’t be laughing if it were you.”

“Well, there are advantages to going without,” Robin admitted.

“Really?” Mia asked with disbelief as she crossed her arms across her chest. “Do enlighten us.”

“If you pick up a guy in the bar, it saves a little time getting down to the deed.”

Mandy nodded her agreement. “And you wouldn’t have to worry about losing them at someone else’s place.”

Mia covered her eyes with one hand. “That is more information than I needed to know about either of you.”

“What?” Robin said innocently. “I didn’t say it had happened to me.”

Mandy snorted, “Yeah, right.”

“I need a drink,” Mia groaned.

“You want watered-down tea off the buffet or a real drink?” Robin asked.

“A real drink,” Mia said, with emphasis on “real”.

“Me too.”

“Let’s go.” They spoke in unison.

The three friends headed to the cash bar, pausing only long enough to say hello to a couple of coworkers as they passed. Mia was the last to get her drink and had just taken a sip when Mandy mumbled out of the side of her mouth. “Jake Hudson at one o’clock.”

Mia tried not to choke or show any reaction to Mandy’s statement. Thankfully the lights were low enough in that part of the room that the pink she was sure was staining her cheeks wouldn’t be noticeable. Jake Hudson was Mia’s longtime secret crush. They had always gotten along well when they had worked on the same project team, but Mia thought Jake was a bit out of her league when it came to personal relationships.

With his dark-blond hair, blue eyes and athletic build, Mia guessed Jake tripped over single women every time he stepped out of his apartment. She was far more comfortable in well-worn jeans and t-shirts. No competition against the urban chic-clad girls Jake normally dated. Not that she could wear her comfy-cozy clothes at work.

Robin stepped closer and added, “I think he has a thing for you, Mia.”

Mia’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Why would you ever think that?”

Mandy nodded in agreement. “I think so too. I’ve seen him watching you when you’re not looking.”

“What are you two talking about?” Mia couldn’t contain her disbelief.

“Seriously. I’ve been in meetings where he’s stopped listening and watched you walk by,” Mandy said matter-of-factly.

“That doesn’t mean anything. He was probably just bored with the meeting,” Mia suggested, still stunned that her friends would ever think that about Jake. She frowned as she thought back to all the times she and Jake had caught each other looking. Was it possible that her attraction wasn’t as one-sided as she first thought?

Happy Release Day Dena!

XXOO Kat

Resolutions and Goals

Did you make any resolutions or set any goals for yourself? This year I decided not to. What I did do is set up a new writing schedule, which includes some non-fiction too. January is over and how did I do?

Pretty damn good if I say so myself. The book I started at the beginning of the year is currently at 24K and will be completed and submitted next week.

I subbed another book and a series proposal to one publisher. In my non-fiction I subbed four short stories. I researched, wrote and subbed five queries. Overall I’d say 2013 is off to a great start.

I also decided 2013 is the year for me to reclaim my health and get back in shape. So, while I’m almost back to normal health, I’m taking the exercise slow. I’m walking a mile a few times a week. I have a surgery in March to help one of my health problems.

I’m taking the steps to find a new job and building a foundation to write full time.  

All in all this year is going to be a great year. I feel it.

How about you?

A brain teaser for the group...

The first person to correctly name the person in this picture wins one of my back-list e-books...

If you know who this is, e-mail me at fran.lee.romance@gmail.com and put "pic quiz" as the subject, and the full name of the person in the picture.

Good luck...

Hugs!

Fran Lee

Women Writing Men Doing Men With Fierce Dolan!

Today I have something really special to share. My guest author today is Fierce Dolan. I read Fierce's articulate comments on-line and was so impressed, I begged Fierce to write a short piece for Seven Sexy Scribes. The question that came up on-line a short while ago was, "why are so many straight women writing and reading M/M romance between two male lovers?" It's a fascinating topic that made me wonder if it is a trend for the merely curious or is this something more, a sea change in how our culture views romantic love? Wouldn't that be nice.

Fierce Dolan also has a new novella available "Journal of a Lycanthrophile", Book One of The Scattered Dark Series. This is the provocative cover.

Women Writing Men Doing Men

It’s a cultural staple that straight men dig girl-on-girl, or better yet—the mythological Hot Bi Babe waiting to indulge every het couple’s desire—which a lot of men still reduce to girl-on-girl. A lesser known fact is that women write (and read) the majority of m/m erotica on the market today, and the booming smut industry wants to know why.

First off, let’s distinguish between gay fiction and m/m fiction. Gay fiction generally encompasses the journey of the character, that is, some reality of an LBGTQ life path cloaked in a fictional portrayal. Despite the made up plot and circumstances, the character’s journey is the emphasis, shaped by factors of sexual orientation, possibly gender identity, community acceptance or creation.

M/M fiction is subtly different. It focuses primarily on romance. The romantic engagement of guys is the plot. All circumstances revolve around it, all conflict and resolution, so mote it be. Yes, some women write lauded gay fiction (Brokeback Mountain), though the majority of feminine chromosomes in the homoerotic market write m/m. Why? What’s wrong with writing the good old-fashioned bodice rippers hidden under our matriarchal elders night stands?

Well, nothing, if you like that sort of thing. But what if you don’t? There's been a lot of speculation on why female authors write M/M romance/erotica, some very good insights included in the resources at the end of this blog.

Basic preference is the simplest factor. Maybe guy-on-guy is a secret treat the author writes because it’s what she wants to read. Maybe it’s something else. For some, sex with a man from the female viewpoint isn’t as literarily titillating as through the masculine perspective, which encompasses different permissions, roles, allowances, desires, sensations, sensitivities, even plot choices.

Along that line, many female purveyors of m/m erotica cite lack of projected gender roles as a factor in their reading selections. In a M/F coupling, roles are automatic. We don't consciously think about it as readers, and as writers we don't realize how much we draw on those societal assumptions to fill out character and plot. The woman is the weaker character if not sub, while the man is assumed the hero, until otherwise shown. In m/m, f/f, genderqueer romance, assuming that it's not a fetish genre, it's a wide open field. Anyone can hold the power. Anyone can behave as zhe likes. Within that freedom there is greater range to tell a new story, to have a fresh angle, to create brand (spanking) new gender, thus sexual, dynamics.

Some authors write m/m erotica because they feel obligated to. Sensitivity to sexual orientation, gender perception, biogender, and the social voice of those who identify as other than straight calls them to present in fiction what many readers would never pick up to read in nonfiction.

In the end, do we know why women write m/m erotica, or why the audience for it is dominated by women? Who can say? Artistically speaking, authors who don’t think in a box can’t write in one. If an author’s internal landscape doesn’t assume a m/f pairing the author can never convincingly write one. My question is, why shouldn't women write m/m erotica?

Do you write or read /m erotica? Share your thoughts on the genre and what role it plays in your world view.

Fierce is the gender-lite erotica author of as many pansexual, genderneutral, life-loving configurations as zhe can think of. Latest release to note is Journal of a Lycanthrophile, Book One of The Scattered Dark Series.

~ erotica author,Fierce Dolan, Words Without Limits and the blog

Buy link: http://www.amazon.com/Journal-Lycanthrophile-Scattered-Series-ebook/dp/B00AJCBHLU/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Frolic with Fierce on:

Words Without Limits www.fiercedolan.com.

FB: https://www.facebook.com/fiercedolan

Twitter: www.twitter.com/fiercedolan

Resources

Lambda Literary - http://www.lambdaliterary.org/features/06/08/straight-womengay-romance/

The Marconis - http://historicromance.wordpress.com/2008/08/15/why-do-women-write-mm-romance/

Alex Beecroft - http://alexbeecroftblog.wordpress.com/2009/04/06/why-do-women-write-mm-fiction-answers-for-the-men/

Kergan Edwards - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kergan-edwardsstout/gender-of-novelists-in-gay-fiction-does-it-matter_b_1853314.html

Thank you Fierce! 

XXOO Kat

Reviews

Taking the good with the bad.

Lately I’ve received an influx of reviews. There’s been a mixture of good and bad. I’m happy to say most have been positive. It’s the negative that sometimes leave me baffled.

One reviewer said if you can get past the heroine, the book was good. First and foremost I’d like to say, thanks for taking the time to buy and read my book. I really, really do appreciate it. More than you’ll know…I’m just confused. The heroine is a huge part of the book. If you don’t like her how did you like the book?

Talking with two other authors we’ve come to the conclusion we really need to look at the review itself. Is it poorly written, could the reviewer have a bone to pick? I’m not referring to the review above when I ask these questions. I’m asking them in general.

The truth is when I go back and re-read some of the reviews I have to take the comments with a grain of salt.

You can benefit from reviews though, even the negatives. I believe we can grow from others comments and critiques.

Another thing I hear a lot is “the book was great, I just wish it were longer.” I believe I’m not alone here. A lot of writer’s get this. In the beginning I’d get pissed and want to scream. It’s a f*ing novella, it’s supposed to be short. Now I’ve decided to look at the positive side of it. The reviewer wanted more. He/she wished it were longer because they liked it and craved more.

That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. :o) Besides, it feels better when you see it in a positive light.

Yes, I read reviews. It’s just part of the writing game. What I don’t do is allow them to consume me with grief and heartache. I accept that it’s one or more person’s opinion and they have a right to express how they feel. How I interpret those opinions is up to me. 

Saturday...again?

Been so busy cleaning out rooms, I iz crapped out...

Not getting much writing done, but getting lots of stuff packed up and into storage boxes. Arranging things so I can get another bedroom free for human occupation once again.  I have forgotten what real work is lately.  I sit on my fanny all day.  I just found muscles I forgot I had.

Hope everyone is enjoying the new year...hopefully you are busy with writing (unlike me) and are getting stuff subbed so I can read more books.

Going to kick my feet up and watch some TV for a few, while my back stops screaming at me.

Hugs!

Fran Lee

"Tempestuous" Tropical Temptation With Nicole Morgan.

My guest today is Nicole Morgan. I have to say that looking at her book covers and reading the blurb is so tempting it's almost cruel! It makes me want to run away to a tropical beach and have fun. Nicole has so many steamy books headed our way she is single-handedly going to heat up our winter. Thank you Nicole!

Nicole Morgan:

Hi everyone! I’m uber excited to be here with the Seven Sexy Scribes! Thanks for having me as a guest here today guys! Tomorrow is my release of the 2^nd book in my Incessant Passions series, Tempestuous. January has been a great month for me, with the 1^st book in the same series, Impetuous being released on January 10^th.  And, I have another book due out February 7^th so be sure to watch for Surrounded by Roses!

Now without further adieu, here is my new baby, Tempestuous…

BLURB

Michelle Englehurst finally has her dream job working in a tropical paradise doing what she loves. A routine day at work proves to be more than what it seemed. Her new client Brad Conrad is charming, handsome, and causes a reaction in her like no other man has.

Brad is on a forced vacation by his father, who claims he’s overworked. Begrudgingly, he takes his sabbatical with no intention of enjoying himself. A chance encounter with a woman he can’t get out of his mind changes Brad’s workaholic ways. He finds himself extending his trip and doing everything in his power to spend more time with her.

For days and then weeks the two of them walk a fine line of casual friendship to lascivious intentions. With time working against the two, they are faced with two choices, take a chance or throw caution to the wind and be…tempestuous.

PURCHASE LINK:  http://bookstrand.com/tempestuous

Erotic Excerpt:

Her soft and sweet voice begging him was his undoing. He should have been slow and gentle. He should have eased himself inside her entrance with care and patience. There were a million things he should have done, but in that moment in time, he failed at them all.

In one thrust, he slid inside her. The tightness he felt around his finger was nothing compared to the intensity he felt as her pussy clenched around his cock. He shouted in both pleasure and pain as his dick throbbed and his balls drew up tight. His orgasm was just lingering beneath the surface, threatening to come if he dare moved.

Her insides were trembling as the walls of her pussy squeezed onto his cock, pumping him. He was completely lost to the slick vise which held him so intently. She was in control, and he was her prisoner. Nothing else mattered as the outside world as he knew it floated away.

He wasn’t even aware his eyes were shut until he felt the gentle tickle of her fingertips raking his stomach. His vision was blurry when he first blinked and tried to focus his gaze on her. After a few attempts he could see her clearly. Her eyes were swimming and looked like there was a dangerous storm of the richest dark chocolate swirling around inside them.

No longer did she look nervous and uncertain. Now she looked magnificent. Better than magnificent, she looked stunning. Her hair was haphazardly lying around her face and landed in a tangled mess against the pillow under her head.

Her plump and delicious lips that he had kissed only a few times, but already knew so well, were pursed together in a silent moan of pleasure. Her cheeks were flushed, her nipples turgid, and they looked like they could be made of stone. The way they stood at attention just like his cock. He knew how wrong he was, how sweet those rosy colored nubs tasted while he worked them in his mouth with his tongue and between his teeth.

The thought made him crave to taste her somewhere else, somewhere he was snugly nestled inside. Even though he would probably give up his life’s fortune to taste the sweet juice of her pussy, he wasn’t leaving from where he was. She made his cock feel too damn good with the sweet anguish her tight channel was causing. The pleasure far outweighed the pain of trying to hold back.

She whimpered and flexed her hips, obviously trying to get him to move with her. Fuck, he was barely holding on as it was. If he moved even a little, if he allowed her compact, little pussy to caress his cock, if only for a second, he was a goner. He forced himself to regain control. He hadn’t been this helpless to a woman’s pussy since he was sixteen years old.

Shit, he was pissed at himself. Please her, damn it! Make her feel good! You finally have her, so don’t be a selfish prick and get off before she does.

She continued to move her hips. Her head was moving from side to side against the pillow. Her focus was no longer on him as she tried desperately to work his dick in and out of her.

The slight motion she was able to create was bringing that familiar itch he knew all too well. It crawled through his insides, poking at every nerve ending in his body, screaming to him to fuck her until he no longer felt the agony of holding on.

He refused to give in to it yet. With a shaky hand, he slid his finger through the moist folds of her pussy. Her clit, already swollen, was easy to find, and as he barely touched it, her whole body shook and she screamed.

Her shriek was unlike anything he had ever heard. The way her body bucked under the tiniest, little touch made her look like some sort of mythical creature sent down from the heavens to teach the world how glorious sex could be. His balls cursed him for making them hold on when he was so close.

With increased pressure, he circled her clit once again then flicked his thumb on the center of it, paying special attention to the throb he could feel emanating from it. She was close, so close he forgot about his own agony and focused on her, needing to watch and see her fall under his ministrations.

“Come for me, baby. Now.”

He somehow channeled the energy of a thousand men as he worked her clit into a frenzy, and she writhed, bucked, and moaned as her head shook violently from side to side until finally, in one moment of splendor, she screamed his name.

Then he felt it.

Hot fluid, which could only be described as hot molten lava, poured over his cock, coating him and carrying him on a wild ride of pleasure. Her pussy clenched, squeezed, and pumped around his dick in a wave of euphoria.

“Fuck.”

He bit out the curse as his balls told him to go to hell because they were no longer capable of holding back. Instead, they were going to get lost in the sensation and find release in her. With a fierce grip, he grabbed onto her sides and jerked his hips uncontrollably as his restraint broke and the first spurts of his cum  finally broke free, filling his condom.

Nicole Morgan Bio:

Nicole Morgan is a multi-published author of erotic romantic novels, which more often than not have a suspenseful back story. Erotic romance mixed with a good old-fashioned whodunit. While she's written everything from contemporary to paranormal her leading men will more than likely be wearing a uniform of some kind. From military to police officers, she has a love for writing about those who protect and serve. From her very first novel (which turned into a four book series) about Navy SEALs to her more recent releases you will be sure to find a few twists and turns you were not expecting.

In additional to her books, Nicole also has a recurring column called, "Sex and the Single Woman" in BT Showcase's online eMagazine. Also, she has recently partnered up with three of her author friends and became Four Seduced Muses, a blog dedicated to the steamier side of romance.

Nicole’s website: http://nicolemorgan1.webs.com

Nicole’s blog: http://nicolemorganauthor.blogspot.com

Thank you Nicole for being our guest. Please come back soon and tempt us with more! 

XXOO Kat