The Writing Spirit by Ariel Tachna

So how does a moderately successful m/m romance writer spend her Friday evenings?  I can’t speak for anyone else, but I like to spend mine at The Wine Merchant, a local wine shop with international flavor.  I admit it, I’m a wine snob.  I have been since I first discovered wine, almost twenty years ago, as a junior in college in Dijon, France.  Yes, that’s right.  I had the very good fortune to spend an extended period of time not just in the premier wine producing region of the world, but living with the son of a vintner whose youngest daughter married into a family of vintners.  

I am spoiled.

The semester in France did wonders for my appreciation of Burgundy wine, but there’s a whole, big world out there, and with the help of a good friend and The Wine Merchant, I’m slowly discovering it a region at a time.  The wine tastings are not only a great way to discover new wines (I almost never go home without a bottle or few), they’re also a great way to spend an evening with friends.  Whether it’s just Nessa and me or whether we have a huge crowd, the casual atmosphere and go-at-your-own pace evening provide a great social venue.  Nessa and I have plotted entire stories, solved the world’s problems—or at least our own—and critiqued the latest round of movie or TV offerings, among other things, as we sample the best of what The Wine Merchant has to offer.  

Being a writer is, by its very nature, a somewhat solitary occupation.  I don’t know very many writers who can sit in a room full of people and concentrate on the characters in their heads.  Inspiration, however, requires outside stimulation and the wine tastings are a perfect opportunity for me to blend my love of wine with my occasional need to get out of my house and into the rest of the world.  I can mingle or not, observe or participate, enabled by the glass in my hand to maintain my silence by sipping at the opportune moment or to join in a conversation by making an observation about the wine I’ve just sipped.  And the things I overhear!  If I wrote humor, I’d have a never-ending supply of funny moments from the evenings, snatches of conversation that probably made perfect sense in context.  I don’t have the whole story, though, just that random line, to which I can attach any context I want.  The best one yet?  “It’s not that I sell drugs or anything, but….”  The rest of the utterance was lost to the noise of the crowd, but I bet we can all finish that sentence.

Go ahead.  Give it a try.  You never know.  There might be a writer lurking inside of you too.

You can find Ariel Tachna at www.arieltachna.com and buy her books at www.dreamspinnerpress.com or any retail outlet - amazon, ARe, fictionwise, etc

Living and Writing in Paradise By Rebecca Leigh

The Trials and Tribulations of Living and Writing in Paradise.

By: Rebecca Leigh

I’ve lived in paradise for one year and four months.  Not long, admittedly, but long enough to have given me a chance to experience the pain of constant sun.  The torture of warm weather.  And the horror of never ending beaches. 

On weekdays, I work at my dreaded day job – with no windows and hardly a chance to see the sun.  I find little inspiration in thick black books filled with legal statutes and cases.  The people I work with are wonderful, but none of them possess fangs or claws.  They don’t tear down my door looking for blood . . . or sex.

On weekends, I find little inspiration as I travel this island oasis.  I’m distressed to always find myself sticking my bare feet into the hot sand of one of the many white sand beaches that surround my home.  I weep as I wade into the warm waters of the Pacific.  I curse each time I hike to the top of a dormant volcano in order to experience breathtakingly beautiful views of the island.   

Hell on Earth? 

Perhaps if you were a vampire. 

I am not (although I am inextricably drawn to any book written about these blood thirsty, sexy fiends).

In all honesty, I have enjoyed every minute of my time in paradise.  I love my day job and my co-workers.  I love the sun.  I love the beaches and the warm water. 

I also love to write.  I write hot, steamy erotic romance of every sort.  Straight, gay, lesbian, ménage . . . you name it, I write it.  And do scenes from my little corner of heaven make their way into my stories?  Quite often, yes.

Be on the lookout for my debut novel, Have Stake, Will Travel, due out in May 2010 from Noble Romance Publishing.

Blurb for Have Stake, Will Travel:

Orion Masters is no ordinary slayer, she's a dhampir--half vampire-- and
uses her superhuman abilities to her advantage. 

After all, a girl’s gotta make a living. 

But her life takes a dramatic u-turn on a small island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.  The balmy nights of paradise hold a forbidden temptation.  Hot, steamy sex with Julian Hunter. 

Like Orion, Julian is a slayer.  Unlike Orion, Julian is a pure blood.  Their paths cross on the hunt and Orion finds herself unable to control the allure of Julian’s seductive powers.  Yielding to her body’s instinctive, and passionate, reaction to Julian, she discovers the erotic lure of heritage, shared blood, and destiny.  

Orion Masters will be writing about her life as a slayer on her blog, "One Slayer's Journey" at http://orionmasters.blogspot.com/

Exotic Places - Spring Romance

Why are Exotic Places just so much more romantic?  I know I would love to be walking around Rome and swept off my feet.  Or have a Scot carry me out of the Pub over his shoulder for  romp.  Oh and let's see what else there might be... 

Sometimes they are sheiks, or other dark and dangerous sorts.  Or Greek tycoons - though those are most popular with Harlequin.  I want an island in the sun and a tanned, well muscled man to rub me down.  The coast of Spain.  The city of Paris.  Vienna, Prague, London, Tokyo, Iceland, they all sound very tempting.  I have not been on vacation in a while if you have not guessed.  My wanderlust is getting the better of me.  

Spring is in the air and I am having a taste for love abroad.  Anyone else feeling it?  

I invited some authors on who either live somewhere Romantic or at the very least wrote about somewhere romantic in their stories.  So where would you like to go?

Share - share!  Photos in order - Fontana di Trevi Rome - Donnerbrunnen Fountain Vienna Austria - Somewhere on the British Coast

Good Guys Deserve Bad Girls By AP Miller Review

Good Guys Deserve Bad Girls 

By AP Miller

Noble Romance Publishing

You know what “they” say . . . . There are girls you don't take home to mother. There are girls you don't date on a serious basis. There are girls that are fun to be around, but that you never, ever consider for marriage. They're not nice girls. They're bad girls . . . and you should never fall in love with a bad girl.            Or so they say.

But if all that’s true, then what is it about bad girls that make good guys want them so very . . . badly?     Andrew is definitely a nice guy. He’s a hard-working, decent Christian fellow. Good with his hands, honest, honorable, and does the right thing by his family and his church.

Pathrusim is definitely a bad girl. About as unchristian as you can get, what with her being a demoness, straight from the pits of hell itself. She wants to wrap Andrew around her little finger, and enslave him for all eternity.

But what is it about Andrew that draws her to him? If she's such a bad girl, why does she want so badly to have a . . . nice guy?" Synopsis from nobleromance.com

Special Content Alert: Comedy, Biblical subtitles, succubus

Good Guys Deserve Bad Girls By AP Miller

Review by Book Reader Fairy

4.5/5 Whips from the Backseat

Who doesn't fantasize about wanting the forbidden?  That's what Good Guys Deserve Bad Girls by AP Miller is all about. We have all had fantasies about the hot 7th grade teacher, the next door neighbor, or even the clerk at the corner store. What would do if you could have them all? 

We all find out what Andrew does when he finds Pathrusim under heroic circumstances and then finds out she is not was she first appears to be. He is afraid of her and drawn to her at the same time.  Patti can be anyone or anything to fullfill all of Andrew's deepest, darkest desires, and doesnt believe he will be any differant

then any other man before him.  

I loved the creative story and how Andrew gives into the desire and needs of Patti but still sticks to his integrety. The story was fast paced and interesting and so HOT HOT HOT! AP Miller knows how to write erotic in a way that makes your skin hot, your legs shake, and your panties well you get where I'm going!!

If you are looking for a fun fantasy filled adventure you will find it with Good Guys Deserve Bad Girls by AP Miller.  It was great and I can't wait for more. I give it a 4.5 out of 5 whips!

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Convincing Arthur By Ava March Review

Convincing Arthur 

By Ava March

 

Mr. Leopold Thornton missed his chance ten years ago. He isn't about to let this one pass him by.

Given Leopold's reputation for vice and debauchery, Mr. Arthur Barrington has a fair idea why the sinfully beautiful man invites him to his country estate. A shooting excursion? Unlikely. Especially considering Arthur is the only guest invited to the estate. He shouldn't consider the invitation, but a few days of mind-blowing sex could be just the thing to help him get over the heartbreaking end of a ten-year relationship. Then he can return to London to his thriving law practice, and quietly search for an amiable man who understands the meaning of the word discreet and who recognizes the value of commitment.

There was a time when Leopold wasn't such a rakehell. When every night didn't end with an empty bottle of whisky. When he believed in the rewards of patience. When he didn't give himself over to just anyone who'd have him. Old habits die hard, especially when tempted by six feet of solid muscle, but Leopold will only have a few days to convince Arthur he can be the man he's looking for -- that his love is genuine and he's worthy of Arthur's heart.  Synopsis from loose-id.com
Publisher’s Note: this book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, male/male sexual practices.

 

 

Convincing Arthur By Ava March 

Review by Book Reader Fairy

4/5 Whips from the Backseat

 

Have you ever had a crush from afar? Maybe you have been friends with someone and was afraid of ruining that friendship by taking it to the next level even though you can think of nothing else. If you have been there then you will totally relate to Convincing Arthur.

 

Convincing Arthur By Ava March was my first dive into a M/M erotic romance. I was unsure of what to expect. But I thought the authur did a great job at writing this story. I thought the setting was beautiful and the characters were easy to relate to. You understand Leopold desire to have some one that he has watched so long from afar and Arthur's reluctance to jump into another relationship after his 10 year relationship has just ended.  The romance between the two people was heart touching and there was plenty of very hot sex scenes to make your belly flutter, your knees bounce and seat squirm.

 

If you are interested in M/M or if you just like a good erotic romance check out Convincing Arthur by Ava March. I give it a 4 out 5 whips.  Find out more about Ava and her books at www.avamarch.com
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Bound to Him by Ava March Review

Bound to Him
by Ava March

Lord Vincent Prescot’s life couldn’t be better. Thriving investments, well-respected by his peers, and mind blowing sex with a man who submits to his every desire -- what more could he want?

Lord Oliver Marsden should be more than happy with his life. He’s been in love with Vincent for over a decade and six months ago the impossible happened and they became lovers. But since then, nothing has changed. More specifically, Vincent hasn’t changed. Oliver has tried to be patient -- it took a lot for Vincent to accept the fact he preferred men. But what felt like a tiny distance between them six months ago now feels like an ever-widening chasm. Why can’t Vincent stay the night? Is it too much to ask for Vincent to call him Oliver and not Marsden? He knows Vincent cares for him, but does Vincent love him?

Then Vincent’s father asks him for a favor -- one that involves marriage. If Vincent agrees, he’ll have the respect he’s craved from his father his entire life but he could lose Oliver. Nor does Oliver make the decision easy. To keep Oliver, he’ll have to do more than deny his father. He’ll have to give Oliver his heart.Synopsis from Amazon.com
Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, Domination/submission, male/male sexual practices.

Bound to Him by Ava March
Review by Jasmine
5/5 Whips in the Backseat


Book one was great - Bound by Deception.  How can I not enjoy revisiting Oliver and Vincent?  The book is well written, the characters trials are just as dramatic and tension filled as when we first meet the boys, all in all it is a pleasure to revisit a favorite couple. 

Okay that being said here is the issue I have run into, M/M historicals face an even greater challenge in suspending my disbelief to offer the Happily Ever After.  The boys face a culture and time not open to out and out homosexual relationships.  So I worry about them.  

What do they face when the book ends?  What life will bring their way concerns me, more then I worry about other couples at the end of a book.  This sequel to Oliver and Vincent's story kinda reinforces this fear.  There are still things out there to throw a bump in the road.  Though I suppose no bump no story and then I really would have missed out as a reader.

The tension is high, the emotion gripping, the story riveting.  I was relieved to check up on two favorite characters.  Read this one?  I say, Yes, Yes, Yes!  I feel like the boys are doing well and the second peek into their Romance was a pleasure.   So boys and girls to reading and finding HEA.
- Jasmine

Find more of Ava March's Books on her site and more reviews here this week.    

Bound by Deception by Ava March Review

Bound by Deception 

by Ava March 

Lord Oliver Marsden has a secret. He's been in love with his childhood friend for years, though Vincent's never shown an interest in him beyond friendship. Ruggedly handsome, wealthy, and successful, Vincent is everything Oliver is not. And Vincent doesn't prefer men.

Then Oliver discovers Vincent hires a man during his visits to a London brothel. Desperate to be with Vincent, Oliver orchestrates a deception, switching places with the brothel's employee. When Oliver arrives at the bedchamber, he's in for another surprise. Restraints and a leather bullwhip? Apparently Vincent isn't as conservative as he appears.

Lord Vincent Prescot has a secret of his own. One kept locked away and only indulged once a month. But this month's appointment is different. The mysterious man is so perfect, so beautiful in his submission, rousing protective instincts Vincent can't deny. Yet he refuses to believe he might truly prefer men, for it could mean the end of his hopes of earning his father's respect.

Will betrayal destroy them or will they be bound together by deception? - Synopsis Amazon.com
Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, BDSM theme and content, including bondage and spanking, male/male sexual practices.

Bound by Deception by Ava March
Review by Jasmine
5/5 Whips from the Backseat

  I may have said this before but I am a sucker for a story where there has been love and pining from afar for years.  All that caught up desire and emotion.  The yearning that has had time to thicken and age, is a fabulous plaything in the hands of a talented author which Ava March certainly is.

The story caught me from page one and I was drawn in.  Oliver's life is what we might have been lucky to have should we have been born back in 1822.  Not too poor, no rookery, scullery maid, or life as a street sweep, just not the rich life of the majority of historicals.  It pulls at the heart strings to see the complex and varied life and characters that are in the story.

On the Romance end?  When you love two characters how can you not want them to be together?  Let's put it this way, it is a ROMANCE - if they do not get together after you have handed me a book claiming it is a romance I will find you.   You will feel my betrayal Authors.  Beware the reader who has had their expectations scorned...

To wrap up.  I got this one and went after Terry Kate to get MORE of this authors work.  A well deserved 5 out of 5.  
Find more of Ava March's work at her site and a new review of her work here everyday.  http://www.avamarch.com/