Rate me...

So, I got an email this morning about Male Me doing okay and being rated in a top ten somewhere. That's nice. I appreciate the support from readers and it’s always good to hear you don’t suck completely at something. However, I’m not big on ratings in anything be it writing or life. Why? Because I have never believe in rating people on a scale of one to ten. To me, it’s wrong. It’s the old apples and oranges thing. You can’t compare people, personalties and you never, ever know what brought somewhere to where they are in their life and how can you measure one person’s struggle against another? You can’t.

The only time I cared about ratings was when I desperately wanted out of Promptel, code word for crap phone company, and I wanted a redundancy (retrenchment package). They rated you on a scale a how good an employee you were. The worse you were the more likely you would be to be retrenched. Yes, correct, I went out of my way to be an utter pain in the arse. I even convinced my manager, let’s call him Charlie, to make me sound terrible. I pointed out to him that it actually worked in his favour if I sucked as an employee. How? Because he wanted a redundancy too and if it looked like he could not control his staff then the more likely he was to go as well. Oh yeah – we got out. See where teamwork can get you?

So thank you to everyone who bought Male Me. That you did means more to me than a number on a scale of one to ten.

Survival….changing subjects as I do….we have a couple of magpies swooping people near work. They have nests in nearby trees and they are instinctively protecting their young. I have to admire this pair of maggies as I work in a heavily industrial area with trucks rocketing past, people wearing fluoro safety outfits and continuous motion all around and yet this pair continue to dive bomb people, cars and trucks. They never stop. To me that’s true survival at any cost.

And don’t forget – today September 19th is International Talk like a Pirate day…shiver me timbers.


Taking the Fall – released October 10th at Resplendence Publishing

Jontie Rhodes holds the fate of the future in her hands. The only problem is she doesn't know it. When she attends a friend’s wedding she has one thought in mind. She needs a man. It has been so long since anyone has touched her in passion.

Two men want Jontie. An angel and a demon both know she has a decision to make that can affect the lives of many. They each have a plan to subtly watch her and influence her to suit their own purposes. However what starts out as manipulation soon turns into love.

Jontie is caught between heaven and hell and she is enjoying every hot, sexy moment of it.

“What is it you want, angel?” The tall man with the ash blond pony tail looked at him, not surprised to see him.
“She is not for you, James.” The angel’s tone was most adamant. “You are a demon. She is too pure for you.”
“It is not for you to tell me anything, Saint Gilbert of the anally righteous. We both know I am beyond your limited powers. If I want her, I will have her.”
Gilbert’s hands curled into fists. “You cannot always take what you want.”
“And yet you are here for the same reason as me.” James assessed him with cynical amusement. “You plan to manipulate her as well. You are no better than me, angel.”
“I do not have to justify myself to you, hellhound.”
James threw back his head and laughed. “Is that the best you can do? I have been called much worse.” His eyes locked once more on the woman. “She is fascinating isn’t she?”
“Yes, most beautiful.” Gilbert swallowed hard, trying to focus on keeping control.
James reached out and snagged a glass of white wine from a waiter passing by. “And she does not have a clue of her destiny.”
“I cannot allow you to use that against her.”
“Must you angels always assume those from hell are after something?”
“Historical evidence proves that your brethren only want what is best for them.”
“As do you holier-than-thou types.” James downed his glass in two long swallows. “You cannot tell me that who she is does not interest you, Saint Gilbert.” He reached over and grabbed two more glasses, offering one to the angel at his side.
Gilbert declined his offer. “She is why I am here.”
“You knew I was coming for her.”
“Yes.” That was a fact and they both knew it. They were enemies who would do whatever they had to in order to get their own way.

www.amarindajones.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AmarindaJonesNewsletter/
Go ahead: Live with abandon. Be outrageous at any age. What are you saving your best self for?

The Wednesday Interview

Ahoy maties…had to get that in as it is International Talk like a Pirate Day. However, it's also the Wednesday Interview with a brilliant author day. This week it’s Solange Ayre and her current book One Thousand Brides. And check out Wizard’s Woman released October 1st.Next week Anh Leod drops in to chat about her next release Bijou's Bonds.

One Thousand Brides - The Blurb

Janis Stone awakens on an alien colonization ship, one of a thousand human women destined to become Brides of the Terilian colonists. At first outraged by the kidnapping, Jan soon finds herself intrigued by Delos, the Terilian doctor who serves as liaison to the human Brides. They embark on a sensual journey, exploring their species' sexual compatibility.

But their new love is threatened when a higher-ranked male desires Jan. As she plans a mass wedding for the Brides, she dreads the upcoming "Spring Running", the mysterious rite where Terilians will mate with their Brides. Will the wrong groom claim her?

The Interview

1. You have some sizzling sex scenes in your book. How hard is it to write sex and make it convincing?

Actually, I think the difficulty is to make the sex scenes different from book to book, so that they are unique for each couple.

In my novella One Thousand Brides, the hero is a Terilian, an alien with some catlike characteristics. I didn’t want Delos, the hero, to make love just like a human male. It was a challenge to come up with some differences that would still be sexy to human readers. So I said the Terilians didn’t kiss, but were very good at licking.

2. Romance and the condom. How hard do you find to slip it in or on when the action is hot between characters?

I just finished a contemporary jewel novella, Emerald Eyes, that my editor is considering. The hero is a quirky guy so I used the condoms as a humorous point a few times. For instance, he buys a red, white and blue condom and tells the heroine, “If we don’t use this, the terrorists will have won.” (*Amarinda - I love that line)

I don’t think it’s difficult to mention “he sheathed himself” or something like that—I actually think the disposal is a little more of a problem, since that part isn’t sexy.

3. Do you think romance just happens or do you make your characters work for it?

In my books, the characters usually fall in love quickly, but an external force keeps them apart. In Brides, Jan and Delos wish to choose each other at the alien mating ritual, but a higher-ranked alien male has decided that Jan will be his bride. My Halloween quickie, Wizard’s Woman, is coming out October 1. In that story, the heroine has disguised herself as a young man and apprenticed herself to a wizard. She’s desperately in love with the wizard and wants to take him to bed, but she has to do that without revealing she’s his apprentice.

4. What is it about your hero that makes him irresistible to women?

I write about heroes who are intelligent, considerate, and sensual. Much like my dear departed husband, St. Georges Ayre, who not only had all those qualities, but was also one of the wealthiest men in the world. All of my heroes have a little bit of St. Georges in them.

5. Do you think readers want to escape or do they want to identify with a character?

Definitely both! When I read a book, I want to escape into the world the author is showing me, whether it’s a fantasy world, a science fiction world, or merely a different contemporary setting than I live in. (Although being lucky enough to live on an island-republic named after me—Ayriana—I have a nearly idyllic life). But I also want to identify with the characters, whether they’re wizards or aliens or police officers.

6. What do you think is the most important thing to remember when writing romance?

Keep the emotion high and the sex hot!

7. What are you working on now?

I’m writing a novella, tentatively titled Bride Reborn, about another one of the thousand human women kidnapped by the Terilians. This heroine is happy about the kidnapping because she’s ill and in a nursing home on Earth. The Terilians cure her and put her under the care of a handsome and muscular physical therapist.

***Click on the cover and buy the book!***

Last weeks brilliant author – Rena Marks and Born Again

Anny, as always, has surpassed herself in creativity and insanity for our blog serial . What do I mean? Check out www.annycook.blogspot.com. And what's all this about hamsters? All I know it has something to do with Kelly. Lord know what madness she will bring us on to Thursday's edition on www.kkirch.blogspot.com.

www.freewebs.com/janetdavies

Go ahead: Live with abandon. Be outrageous at any age. What are you saving your best self for?

There are pirates among us....

Ahoy!
I had a quick chat to Cap’n Slappy who is busy preparing for the annual International Talk Like A Pirate Day. It’s on September 19th. What’s it all about? Why talk like a pirate? Why not?

From the Cap’n....
I can quote no one greater than internationally syndicated Pulitzer Prize winning columnist and novelist, Dave “Bluebarrybeard” Barry when he writes o’ Ol’ Chumbucket and meself in reference to our founding International Talk Like a Pirate Day;

“Every now and then, some visionary individuals come along with a concept that is so original and so revolutionary that your first reaction is, ‘Those individuals should be on medication.’”

I asked the captain where can would be pirates buy his and Ol’Chumbucket’s book - So You Wanna be a Pirate? Here’s How.

It should be at any reputable bookstore (if not, ye have me encouragement to complain bitterly to the clerk – especially if ye go well-armed) near ye! http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0451216490/talklikeapira-20?creative=327641&camp=14573&link_code=as1

It’s always nice to hear from other authors! Keep up the good work! And keep spreadin’ the word … and the word is “ARRRR!!!”

Best Fishes!
Cap’n Slappy

Thank you Cap’n and a big ARRRR!!! back to you. So, consider spending September 19th talking like a pirate. What's the worse that can happen? Your sanity questioned? Sanity is vastly overrated http://www.talklikeapirate.com/piratehome.html

I have been gathering the goss on authors Anny Cook – www.annycook.blogspot.com and Kelly Kirch – www.kkirch.blogspot.com from the people who know them best – family and friends. Are they are as normal as they appear to be? What are they hiding? Are they romance divas or devout writers? I believe I will have the lowdown on them on tomorrow’s blog. The truth will out. In the meantime check out Anny’s blog for the latest in Emmeline runs into her estranged husband serial and god only knows what Kelly will come up on Monday when it’s her turn. Maybe I can hold the info I get from a certain brother over her head and she won’t make my head spin with her orange nippled were-bunny people…hmmm, would I do that?

Seducing Celestine – released 2nd November through Ellora's Cave
Warning Will Robinson – the following contains graphic sex.

“Don’t move,” Celestine whispered as she leaned forward and licked Nick from the top of his chest to the edge of his groin and back up again. She smiled as she heard him growl low in his throat. This was better. She had some power now. She started licking his body slowly, stopping every so often to place wet, sucking kisses over his nipples and abs. She licked the Celtic tattoo just above his heart.
“What does this mean?” The intricate knot woven in navy blue was beautiful against the tanned flesh of his skin.
“It is a Celtic heart that has no beginning or end. It symbolizes eternal love.”
“You believe in that?” It was not what she expected of the moonlight man. True, she knew little about him but it seemed wildly romantic for a man who seduced women in the moonlight. It also made her feel strangely warm inside.
“Yeah, I believe that.”
Celestine kissed his tattoo and continued licking down his body to his cock. She stopped and looked at the man beneath her. She grabbed his cock in both hands. She smiled as he groaned. Excellent.
“Shall I suck you until you come or just toy with you a little?” Celestine leant down and licked the head of his cock.
“Oh God,” Nick grabbed her head to pull her closer to his bulging cock.
Celestine pushed him away.
“Don’t touch or I won’t suck you.” The power to drive him insane was hers.
Given that alternative Nick dropped his hands to the bedding.
“I’ll behave for now.”
“Good boy,” Celestine murmured as she licked him slowly up and down the straining shaft, massaging his balls as she went. She could feel under her hands just how on edge Nick was. Perfect. She took his cock into her mouth as far as he would go and sucked down hard.
“Oh baby…” Nick felt like he was going to explode.
Celestine never knew sucking a man could be like this. It was incredibly intimate yet intensely powerful and she liked it. The buck of Nick’s hips let her know he wanted to come. Too bad. She wasn’t going to let him. She took her mouth off his cock and looked at it gleaming in the moonlight.
“Do you want me to ride you moonlight man? Do you want me to grind down on top of you all tight and wet taking every inch of you inside me? “
“God yes!” His hands reached for her hips wanting her on top of him now.
Celestine slid down on his cock feeling his hot hard heat inside her. Damn he felt good. It was a shame to waste that but that’s what she was going to do. The man had to be taught a lesson.
“Oops…I don’t have a condom. I guess we can’t have sex after all.” She lifted off of Nick’s cock and crawled off the bed. Leave her all hot and wanting would he? I don’t think so. Celestine walked toward the door.

What happens next? Someone learns a lesson.

www.freewebs.com/janetdavies
Go ahead: Live with abandon. Be outrageous at any age. What are you saving your best self for?

Talking to yourself...

Alex Navarro – scarred, psychic, hot. Amy Hart – redhead, angry, passionate. Last Man Standing - An irresistible force meets an immovable object - watch worlds collide.

Prologue
In the year 2008, two months after of the birth of the son of the scarred warrior, when evil has been thwarted and much blood is shed, the lands of Carronas and Melotia will unite as one. They will become one nation under one name, with one aim—peace.

After great personal upheaval, the brother warriors will lead the way to prosperity and harmony between all. Their children will carry on their legacy. The scarred warrior will never again doubt his way or question his destiny for there is no way it can be stopped. Pain and hatred will be the catalyst for greatness.
His woman will know no peace and there will be nowhere to hide.

The Prophecy of Llewellyn, Seer and Councilor, the Melotian Chronicles 1912

Last Man Standing – released 20th September - Sequel to Swift of Heart.

I write under two names and I make no secret of it. The reason behind the two names? Two different genres appealing to two different audiences. My editor, smart woman (no, I never suck up on a Saturday) suggested it as not everyone wants to read erotic romance and those that do may not want to read mainstream romance and that’s fair enough. I respect that. You don’t want to pick up an author’s book expecting to find one thing and get something entirely different. I love Robert Goddard books. They are full of mind games. If he wrote one that wasn’t I would be disappointed. But I also understand and respect those writers who choose to go into ‘deep stealth mode’ when it comes to their pen name. They don’t want to offend or be caught out in their jobs or home lives. That’s smart. I’m lucky. No one is horrified that I write erotic romance. Those who really know me are generally amused, for they are no longer shocked by anything I do. May you all have similar unshockable people in your lives.

Kelly aka Grasshopper suggested I interview myself on the blog. I said what was the point? I talk to myself all the time so and I know myself pretty well.

Amarinda: So what do you know?
Janet: Pretty much everything and anything I don’t know I make up as I go along.
Amarinda: Sounds fair enough. What are you working on now?
Janet: The next book.
Amarinda: Spooky - me too. Mine has lots of hot sex in it.
Janet: Well duh, it’s an Amarinda Jones book.
Amarinda: If only I did not have to go to work Monday.
Janet: Work sucks big time. I have only been able to write a couple of paragraphs each day as people keep asking me work questions.
Amarinda: How rude.
Janet: Some people just don’t understand my work ethic.
Amarinda: And the pretending to be deaf thing no longer works.
Janet: Yeah, but it was good while it lasted. I am thinking about telling people I have taken up an obscure religion and cannot communicate with anyone on a week day.
Amarinda: Excellent plan. Maybe you could tell them you can only use sign language.
Janet: Yes, I believe I know of some appropriate fingers I can use.
Amarinda: So, anything deep and meaningful you’d like to share?
Janet: I had my hair coloured intense red today.
Amarinda: That’s a good look. It also has the benefit of freaking people out.
Janet: That’s why I do it. Nothing else you want to ask?
Amarinda: How’s long is a piece of string?
Janet: The answer is fish
Amarinda: Smart arse
Janet: Why thank you

See? It just doesn’t work.

Well, how hot is Zoltan on www.annycook.blogspot.com? Anny left us with a cliff hanger. What will happen to Emmeline in the bedroom? I am certain Kelly has not given up on the were-bunny idea so check her out on www.kkirch.blogspot.com Monday.

Avast me hearties - remember its only three days until Talk like a Pirate Day on 19th September. http://www.talklikeapirate.com/piratehome.html.

www.freewebs.com/janetdavies

Go ahead: Live with abandon. Be outrageous at any age. What are you saving your best self for?

Thursday stuff...

Did you read about the were-bunny on www.kkirch.blogspot.com? What will happen next on the who is left alive blog serial? As always Wednesday episode can be found on www.annycook.blogspot.com. Anny, Kelly…what can I say? You are fluffy originals.

I am off work sick. I have an eye infection. Yes, actually sick and not bunging on a sickie to have a couple of days off just because I can. My boss was very supportive when I explained that the Doctor said I could not go back to work until Monday. The boss said “Well who is going to do the work?” Wasn’t that sweet and caring? Wanker. So basically for the next two days a bunch of men will run around without a clue trying to do the work that one woman does. Nothing new in that is there? Ethel, my best friend, suggested I consider wearing a black eye patch as it would suit me. Always practical Ethel. She likes the idea of pirates. It’s a shame this eye thing did not happen on International Talk Like a Pirate Day. That’s on September 19th. Check it out and maybe consider the advantages of being a pirate for a day. http://www.talklikeapirate.com/piratehome.html.

I got to watch The Bold and The Beautiful today. I haven’t watched it in ages but someone killed someone, Brooke is or is not with Ridge or another sibling and Stephanie is, as always, a piece of work. It’s so surreal with its meaningful looks, pouty lips and sex without any conscience whatsoever. And how quickly do those kids grow up in soaps? I spent ten minutes trying to work out the blood relationship of a niece and an uncle who were in love. But I love all the crazy, angst ridden machinations. I am a soap opera diva at heart. You have to be to be a romance writer. Oh, and yes, luckily everyone is so promiscuous in Bold that I do believe no one is technically related to anyone. That’s handy for the script writers.

The Goddess and The Ghost – book 2 of The Goddess grind - blurb

Zipporah Scott is due to spend the weekend camping with her niece. Zipporah hates camping. The only thing that could make it worse is the gorgeous guy who has been following her. He is a ghost. So he says. And apparently she is the only one that can help him. Uh huh. Why is it that the sexiest men are always the craziest? And how can one cranky working goddess change fate?

Rian Carmichael is a man that is trapped between worlds. Only Zipporah can see him. What he sees of Zipporah he instantly likes. That he is a ghost does not bother her. That he craves the taste of her does. Rian needs to convince her that only by her love can he live again. However the lady herself is not so sure and it’s going to take a lot of hot persuasion to make her think otherwise.

Despite the uncertainty of their situation, Zipporah wants to believe that she can have a future with Rian. The touch and taste of him is real enough but can he break through the barrier between worlds and be with her forever or are they doomed to be parted?

The excerpt - middle of the road stuff, no swearing or sex.

The raw honesty in his eyes made her swallow hard. Zipporah knew that she could not throw away a brief moment of happiness because of fear.
“Turn off the light,” she murmured as her eyes locked with his.
“Shy after what we’ve done together?” Rian smiled softly at her as he caressed her hand slowly and with intent, as if it was just a prelude to what he planned to do.
“No it’s just that I don’t want my lone silhouette showing up on the canvas gyrating and grinding and people wondering what the hell I am doing all by myself in my tent.” She pulled her pyjama top and thermal vest over her head in one go, her full breasts bouncing as she threw the fabric across the tent. What was the point of being shy? She was his. They both knew it.
“I like the sound of you gyrating and grinding but only with me.” Rian switched off the light. This left more than enough to see.
“I am beginning to believe you are addicted to sex, ghost boy.” But then maybe so was she. The hunger within her to be filled by him was like nothing she had ever known before.
“My only addiction is you, baby.” Rian pulled her pyjama bottoms off in two firm tugs. “If only I could have you to myself all weekend.”
“I’d probably not be able to walk.”
“I’d happily carry you.” Rian started ripping his own clothes off as if he was burning with need.
“And get a hernia,” murmured Zipporah, her eyes on his body as inch by inch of delicious skin was exposed to her eyes. Hmm, much licking to be done. She ran her tongue along her top lip in anticipation. Zipporah never understood when others described lusting or savouring a lover’s body. She did now and held out her arms to her lover. “Take me, ghost boy, I’m yours.”
Rian needed no further encouragement. He slid into her open arms and his mouth met hers as he pressed her back into the sleeping bag.
“Youch!” Zipporah pulled her lips from Rian’s and twisted tortuously beneath him. “What the hell is that?”
“It’s something that’s going to become a nice, tight part of you soon, baby.” Rian grinned down at her.
“It’s so hard.” Zipporah wriggled to get away from the object that dug into her.
“It’s meant to be. That’s a good thing.”
“This is so bloody uncomfortable,” complained Zipporah as she squirmed against him. She saw the puzzlement in his eyes. Ah the male ego. “You are the bomb. I want you, I need you but I have a rock in my back the size of a fist.”
Rian rolled her over so he lay beneath her.
“Better?”
“My hero.” Zipporah sat astride him and looked at the goods on offer. Mighty good stuff. She ran her hands up to his chest caressingly.
“You can do anything to me, baby.”

....I think they play cards all night or something…

www.freewebs.com/janetdavies