Hot Sex After Fifty...And Beyond

Yup, you got it – both halves of Adriana are over fifty, and you’d better believe we’re still after hot sex – for ourselves, and for our readers. Our quest has taken us to some fascinating places and I thought we’d share some of our finds with you in today’s blog post.

Of course you already know we’ve been dipping into the swing lifestyle. We’ve met and talked with a host of swingers and checked out some lifestyle clubs. If you think swinging is just for the young and lithe, think again – it seems no age is too old, if the interest is there and the body is willing. We’ve met swingers in their seventies and heard tales of folks into their eighties. For more information and tips on the swing lifestyle, check out our interview of Swinger and Life Coach Chantelle Austin, HERE. And of course if your interest leans more toward erotic swinging fantasies, we now have six books released in our Swinging Games series over at Extasy Books. Here’s a link to a short sample from our newest one, Who’s the Coach? Our hero/heroine couple in this series are empty nesters who are baby boomers, btw.

Two more themes pop out at us from the sexy over-fifty crowd. One is health and fitness. You don’t have to stay fit to keep having hot sex, but it sure makes a difference – in stamina, energy level, arousal, responsiveness, and mood, not to mention attractiveness. That’s a LOT of benefits, worth the effort. Some baby boomers have been following healthy eating and workout routines all their lives. For those who haven’t, it’s never too late to start, and there are lots of websites with tips for keeping older joints and muscle groups happy and healthy. Here’s a sampler:

http://movingfree.blogspot.com/
http://www.lifescript.com/
stillvital.com

The other theme is, for want of a better term, keeping up appearances. It’s a combination of self confidence, pride, presence, and attractiveness – looking one’s best, flaunting it and enjoying the heck out of it. Cougars are pretty famous for exuding these qualities, and here’s one I like, filled with tips for looking as young as you feel: Linda Franklin’s The Real Cougar Woman. She’s based in New York City. Her counterpart across the pond is Fab After Fifty.

And of course we’re writing new heroes and heroines who’ve crossed the magic fifty line. Coming in July to Whiskey Creek Torrid, Ripening Passion continues our series on a (fictional) sex institute, begun with Smoldering Passion. We’ll tease you with the blurb here and keep you posted on its progress as we approach release day!

BLURB

Claire Johnson’s dedication to sex—the cornerstone of her career—led her to found the Center for Sexuality and Sex Practices. Now in her fifties, she knows the Center must keep pace with the rapidly growing Baby Boomer market, so she agrees to go back on camera for a series on sex and aging. But work with her nemesis?

Former English Professor Max Wilson has championed the cause of the Center ever since his deceased wife sought the Center’s help to rekindle the nearly extinguished sexual flames of their relationship. He loves working on camera and welcomes the challenge to perform with the svelte but feisty temptress.

Sparks fly immediately on and off camera. Can either Claire or Max transform those sparks into a fire of sexual desire for their viewers? And if they succeed, what will happen when the movie’s over?

Sneak Peek at My Prize for Night Owl Spring Fling Web Hunt

As part of my contribution to the Night Owl Reviews Spring Fling Web Hunt, I put up a print copy of An Invitation: Ariel's Pet and Diablo Blanco Club: Unfair Advantage.

Then I got to thinking, if you've never read my books before, why would you even want to win them, so.... I decided I'd post a short excerpt from Ariel's Pet today, and another short excerpt Unfair Advantage on Monday, April 18th.

Oh, and keep your eyes out -- May 13th is my birthday and I'm thinking I'll be giving away a prize or two on my blog...more details later, after I get them all ironed out. (This year is extra special to me since my b-day falls on a Friday!!)

So, here you go, a quick look at Ariel Valerian and Dane Reese, my heroine and hero of An Invitation: Ariel's Pet.

Enjoy!

Qwillia

****************************

Ariel's body went stiff, her chin came up, and her arms folded over her chest. Every particle of her being seemed to vibrate with displeasure. She looked up at him, bright blue eyebrows arched. “Who's the chef around here?”

“You are, I'm—”

“Just because you wormed your way into handling some of my sister's duties, don't get ideas about horning in on my territory,” she warned as she fidgeted, shifted her feet, and settled her hands on her hips.

I knew it wouldn't last. Dane resisted the temptation to roll his eyes at her pugnacious attitude. “I'm not. I merely thought sea-salt-and-black-pepper chips would add an extra kick to that sauce you made,” he suggested and kept his tone cool and reasonable.

“As long as you remember who's in charge here.”

“In the kitchen, yes.” He crowded closer to her. There didn't appear to be any rationale behind her animosity. It could be her determination to avoid any kind of change. It could stem from the resentment he knew she carried because he was the one to coax her sister away from the café for a month. No matter what the cause of her anger, he'd be damned if he would back down now.

Her gaze narrowed. “And out of it.”

Dane shook his head. “Sorry, doll, but only in the kitchen. I run the rest of this place until your sister gets back.” The fire that flared in her eyes probably matched the one in his gaze.

“You are not in charge.”

“If you have any complaints, talk to your sister,” Dane offered, his arms crossed over his chest. “I have no doubt she'll side with me when it comes to who should run the financial side of your café.”

“Why do you think that? Because you've played on her interest in sexual submission?” The flash of varied emotions in her gaze disappeared, replaced by icy disdain. “And I would contact her, but you seem to have forgotten the rule about no communication with the outside.”

“Ah, so Alayna did discuss the rules with you.”

“Rules?” Ariel scoffed. “Prison sentence is more like it. Thirty days trapped at your mansion with no way to contact anyone.”

Dane shook his head, marveled at Ariel's dogged misinterpretation of the facts. “Not trapped or without a way to contact anyone. Alayna chose to accept the rules for her training, as a submissive is expected to do—”

“Without the right to think for herself, without being allowed to—”

“Again you show your ignorance of the D/s life.” The deepened pitch of his voice silenced Ariel. “Negotiation is key between a Dominant and a submissive. Nothing happens until both parties agree and expectations, limitations, and safe words are in place. You have this fanciful notion that Alayna languishes under a whip, bound and helpless beneath the control of some faceless, nameless man.” Dane leaned forward, and his tone dropped to a whisper as he held her gaze. “Maybe because that's a particular fantasy of yours? Fostered by a lover who tempted you to push the boundaries you desperately cling to?”

Resolved to make the little shrew see the errors in her thinking, he continued. “There is a difference between BDSM and D/s, Ariel. Dominance and submission do not require bondage and discipline practices. They are an exercise in trust and control. Leather, whips, ropes to tie a partner up—those can be part of the play, but at its core, a D/s relationship is about an equal exchange of power.”

Dane was sure Ariel didn't realize her expression was a mixture of disappointment and envy. He knew she would heatedly deny any desire to be in her sister's place, to experience the training Alayna was undergoing, but her gaze and the tone of her voice betrayed her curiosity about it all. Or perhaps his increased interest in controlling her was coloring his analysis. “What has you so angry, Ariel? That your sister asked me for help to navigate a new world? Or that she's doing something for herself for the first time in ten years but didn't include you?”

She blanched at the observation, and Dane cursed his impulsive comment. Retracting it would be useless; he watched the cool mask Ariel consistently adopted around him slip into place. It reflected her refusal to listen to reason. At least from him. This only seemed to exacerbate the fact that his ability to maintain a professional attitude toward Ariel was a facade. One that crumbled easily when she pushed him.

“You have some sauce on your face.” She pointed toward his chin.

He reached up to wipe away the gooey spread, wary of the keen look she gave him. It made him wonder what form of retribution she might concoct.

His suspicions grew when she stepped in close and gripped the tie he'd loosened earlier. “You may have my sister thinking you're needed here, Master Reese”—she tugged his face closer to hers—“but we both know it isn't true.”

Taking her time, she smoothed the tip of her tongue along his chin and licked away the smear of sauce before swiping upward to his cheek.

The damp track of her mouth removed any of the spread. “Be careful who you try to push. I'm not Al. And I have no intention of ever calling you my master.”

And that's where his problem lay, Dane admitted as he watched Ariel scoop up one of the covered containers on the prep station and carry it to the walk-in cooler. In that moment he realized those were the words he wanted to hear. My master. His imagination readily conjured images of Ariel kneeling before him, her bright green eyes ablaze with desire, her naked body dewed with sweat as she trembled at the cusp of orgasm, requiring only his touch, his words, to slip over the edge.

The Royal Wedding I'd Much Rather See

The Royal Wedding I'd Much Rather See

By EM Lynley

As a writer I'm gifted (or cursed) with the combination of an overactive imagination and the stunning ability to completely ignore reality. In fact, it's somewhat of a job requirement to make the impossible sound plausible and even preferable to reality.

So while a large portion of the rest of the world waits for Will and Kate to make that long-awaited walk down the aisle at Westminster Abbey, I'm not particularly interested. In fact, I'd love to see them decide in the wee hours of Friday morning to say "Sod this, let's elope!" and be discovered hours later on the beach in some former British colony trying to blend in with the locals.

But I digress. The royal wedding I'm waiting for…Prince Harry's. In my world, Prince Harry finally comes out and decides to settle down with a guy. And it's not so far-fetched. Rumors and speculation about Harry are nothing new. He parties at gay bars in SoHo, has plenty of gay friends and there's even at least one official report he kissed a guy in public (confirmed by his rep). He's the wet dream of a good portion of the gay world, and it's just a matter of time, right?

Wonder how the Queen would handle that? I'd love to see the look on her face! A gay member of the royal family might not be anything new, but would they embrace the situation or keep covering up bad news.

Of course, it would mean Britain would have to legalize gay marriage, but with a royal on their side, maybe it would sway the lawmakers to hurry up and make it happen.

Would the world wait to see what the grooms would wear? Or what they'd be serving at the reception? Would whole new generations of little boys dream about being Prince Harry's groom the way girls are wishing they were Kate Middleton?

I certainly hope so!

Anyone else out there like to see this version of a royal wedding? Who would make a good partner for Harry?

Like guys in tuxes? Check out EMERALD Rewriting History Book 1. A museum curator has an unexpected reunion with an old flame who's now a jewel thief. Will Tobin let Pierce steal the emerald or his heart? Book 2 ULTRAMARINE comes out in July from Torquere Press.

EM Lynley writes gay erotic romance.

Visit EM Lynley online at www.emlynley.com

Free reads at http://www.emlynley.com/free_reads.html

What's your take on Ménage Stories & Romances

By now I'm sure you know, the hottest genre in erotic romance is Ménage a Trois. It is so hot, one e publisher even created an entire line of ménage books called Menage Amour and releases three or more new ebooks a week. This line now numbers in excess of a two hundred books.

A year ago last September I wrote a blog entitled 'Are Ménage Romances Here to Stay' that generated a lot of interest. This is sort of an update on that blog. At the time I’d penned a few women’s ménages (two or more men and a lucky woman) and had more in progress. Now twenty months later, under my name and a couple pseudonyms, I've written some fifteen and more if you count multiple partners.

This year, I've released two, Naked Research and very recently Playing with the Band. That was a milestone for me having a woman enjoy the comfort of five strapping musicians, but more about that later.

Writing a woman’s ménage as a hea romance is a bit of a challenge in that you don’t want the heroine to come off as a tramp. I've read a few where that is exactly what happens. In the erotic stories, the woman can be normal, a slut or worse, but in the romances the woman should be as normal as possible.

Even though I'm a man, the truth is, since I started writing women’s ménages I don’t think about the other kind (one man and multiple women) much anymore. It seems more natural for a woman to receive the affections of multiple partners then men, and of course, women are both better equipped and can have multiple orgasms—lucky ladies. LOL.

Why is this sub-genre so popular? Women readers love to fantasize about having two or more lovers. They live vicariously through their daring heroines, enjoying all the fruits that could possibly be enjoyed by multiple coupling. Lips, tongues, hands fingers and let’s not forget cocks.

Maybe, just maybe, women also like the idea of throwing convention out the window. From chastity belts to burkas the little box of sexuality women have confined to has been the work of men. Now that women are basking in the light of sexual freedom, some want to test the limits.

As for the women that experience a ménage, I wouldn’t be surprised if there was an element of exhibitionism involved. You certainly wouldn’t invite two or more men in your bed and then turn the lights out—would you?

I think while men are perceived as the sexual creatures, society has it wrong. Men may be the seekers of sex, but once her passions are evoked, a woman has a greater capacity for sex and the ability and the desire to enjoy it more and longer. From my experience, they certainly make the most noise in the bedroom.

I once talked with a woman who fantasized about being gang banged. I asked her how many and she didn’t know, just more than two. When I pressed it by asking ten, she thought and said, "Maybe."

How about you? How big is your kink—real and imaginary?

What about woman’s ménages? Do you think they’re immoral or overdue? Do you dream of them? Given the opportunity, would you consider inviting multiple men into your bed? Or maybe that smile is because you are recalling the ecstasy you felt when you lived the woman's fantasy.

Then there are the books? Are you a fan of ménage romance novels? If so, do you think you could get tired of them? Will the demand for them continue to grow, go flat or dry up with time?

If you read my blog, please comment. Think about it as an opportunity to have a say in my next book. And if you'd like to comment privately you can email me: deedawning@yahoo,com.

Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to tell you more about my latest book, Playing with the Band.

LOCATION: Monterey Pop Festival, 1967.
SCENE: A beautiful woman named Carol, a five piece band named Maidenhead, a motor home and desire.
RESULT: An incredibly, erotic, quinte-sensual experience.

Forgetting her worries, a mysterious beauty beguiles band members from a talented rock quintet, and lets go for a rollicking erotic celebration none will forget.

Buy link

Playing with the Band

Excerpt

Wasn't she something, coming out and looking so good wearing nothing, but her sheer white skirt and a chain around her neck? Like a Vegas showgirl, only without the heavy make-up and better looking, she pranced around the five of them.

Shaking his head as if waking from a dream, Zach forced himself to answer, her initial question. "Mind? If it doesn't bother you, sweetheart, it certainly doesn't bother me. I know I'm lovin' the scenery. I really doubt any of us mind."

Petey fidgeted in his seat. "I think you look beautiful."

The other band members nodded and Rossi said, "I'll say."

Carol's suckable breasts heaved as she inhaled deeply. She sighed. "Oh, thank you. You guys have been so kind I hate to ask for another favor, but I don't suppose you could take me to my motel, so I could get out of this wet skirt. I have a room about two miles from here at the Econo Lodge. I got a ride from a group of people heading here, but got separated."

"Fuck sweetheart, if it's wet, take the fucking skirt off, now."

They all gasped at Hogan's crude language, but Zach secretly wished she'd do it.

When everyone glanced at Hogan, he blushed.

Carol's laugh was light and carefree. Flashing a mischievous smile, she sidled up to Hogan. "Don't worry big guy. Fuck is one of my favorite words. I say it all the time. So…it wouldn't bother you if I took my skirt off?"

Zach couldn't believe Hogan's nerve when he bent down and wrapped his lips around her nipple. Carol's eyes closed and Zach wished it was his lips.

Obviously wobbly, she grabbed Hogan's broad shoulders for support.

Hogan pulled away with a pop, his lips swollen and eyes glazed, then blurted, "Fuck no, lady!"

Probably recovering from the thrill of having a young stud sucking on her nipple, she lifted her index finger to her lips. "Hmm. Does that mean fuck no, don't take it off or fuck no, take it off?"

Hogan grinned. "Fuck no, I'd like to see you strip bare assed naked."

Carol had Zach hard as a steel beam. Got she's hot! I can't imagine how hot she'd be without a stitch on. He snickered. I wouldn't mind finding out though. He glanced around. He wasn't the only one. He could see the outline of Hogan's cock though his pants and smiled as Petey and Rossi, adjusted themselves.

Carol flattened her hand against Hogan's chest. "Tell me, did you want me to take my wet skirt off so I don't catch cold or do you have somethin' else in mind."

Hogan glanced Zach's way, scratched his head and took a deep breath. "Sweetheart, you are so fucking righteous, I'd like to lay you on your back, spread your bitchin' legs and suck up every last drop of the nectar that runs from your fab pussy."

Wouldn't that be something? I'd pay to see that.

Glancing Zach's way, Carol squeezed her legs together and blushed, but she couldn't hold back the smile as she batted her eyelashes. "Ooh…that does sound like fun. Maybe later, after you drive me to my motel room."

Call Me Crazy...

Yeah.

Call me crazy, but I like to poke around graveyards.  When Jonathon and I went on our second honeymoon in Ireland, England and Scotland, we had a blast checking out all the dead people.  It became a running joke about how the dead people and sheep had all the best views in the country.

But joke or not, I really enjoyed wandering around and looking at things.  For me a graveyard isn't a spooky place, though I'm sure it can be.  Instead it's peaceful and filled with the memories, longings and the life forces of those who've gone before us.

I've traversed graveyards in the USA where there is little more than a stone to mark the fall of Custer and those who were unfortunate to die with him.  I've sat in the shade of a spreading oak tree next to Benjamin Franklin's grave and pondered all that he gave his people.  I've wept at the tomb of the unknown soldier and left a rose at Kennedy's grave.  I've visited hundreds upon hundreds of graves of the "common man".  Those who lived and loved and finally died doing the normal ordinary things we all do.

I've stood literally on top of Darwin's grave and left flowers for Princess Diana.  I've visited other royalty, stood in their musty crypts and shook my head over the custom of burying people right beneath my feet as I kneel and pray.  One of the most emotional things I've ever done was stand in the ruins of Pompei and see the ash hardened bodies of those that died in the fury of the nearby volcano.  There are no graves per say, but the death you see there isn't something you ever forget.

Here in Macau as in most of China, the graveyards are like mini cities.  They have small boxes in stack that we call "condos", regular tombstones, and family grave sites the size of a small apartment.  The bigger ones come complete with picnic tables so you can have a snack while talking to Grandma or play a little mahjong while chatting to Uncle Chin.  A little weird if you ask me, but hey, my idea of a great ceremony is a funeral pyre complete with dancing.  Or getting sent off to eternity by having my boat lit on fire.

It's not like I have a fascination with death or anything.  I like being alive too much.  But the choices of how to spend the afterlife have always amazed and intrigued me.  Some day I'd love to visit the pyramids and see the ancient tombs there.  Another on my to do list is Greece where I can visit the ancient temples and see how they lived and died.  I'd love to have enough money to spend an entire year touring nothing but all the ancient sites, graves and churches.  For me that would be a slice of heaven without actually having to die to get there.

Are you into graveyards or something equally weird and fascinating?  Let me know in the comments below.  I'd love to hear from you!

See you next time!

 CJ England

Follow Your Dreams
http://cjengland.com/secondchances/lifesadance.htm
http://cjengland.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CJsaysFollowYourDreams/

The economy of conventions

Con season is in full swing but with the economy still struggling and so many people trying to make ends meet authors and readers have to pick and choose which events they want to spend their hard earned money on.
There are a ton of events that take place each year throughout the US and abroad and narrowing them down to a list of three or four must attend cons is a hard and sometimes impossible task. I try to vary my schedule though several cons hold my attention year after year. With my day job being dissolved in less than a month I am really having to be inventive with my con spending. Trying to get the most bang out of my buck without going overboard.
I'm doing all i can to save on promo materials, travel expenses, lodging, ticket costs, etc... and looking for venues where making a bit of cash is a possibility. I can't afford to go to an event and dig myself into a giant hole of debt so that cuts several of the possibilities off my list.
The really big ticket costs of cons that seem to be more about the party then any educational or promotional value have been scratched off my list. I can party closer to home for a fourth of what those trips would cost me, maybe less.
I'm looking for opportunities that focus on what I write, and what i like to read and offer me a chance to improve and make connections. So far two events fit that profile and are on my must attend list.
GCLS and the first annual EAA convention.

For those of you that enjoy reading quality lesbian stories or writing them and aren't familiar with GCLS... First i have to wonder why NOT??? GCLS (Golden Crown Literary Society) is the group to be a part of if you have any type of interest or association with lesbian literature. They hold a convention once a year with some of the top names in les lit in attendance, plus they are classes, readings, fun get togethers, an author auction I've heard rumors about, LOL and the events culminates with the Goldie Awards. If money holds out I'll definitely be there in Orlando in June for this one. I went last year and I stayed high on the estrogen for months afterwards.
for more info and to purchase your tickets visit:
http://goldencrown.org/annual-conference/

The second event on my must do list is the first annual EAA conference in LAs Vegas this coming September. I'm actually on the advisory committee for this one. Kathleen Bradean just recently took over the reigns of the EAA (Erotic Author's Association) and she has some amazing stuff planned for the first con. For more details, dates and to get your tickets before they are gone check out the Sex in Sin City con info at:
http://eroticauthorsassociation.com/EAA/conference/registration/

http://eroticauthorsassociation.com/EAA/conference/about-the-conference/

I'm also looking at a few local events that i do every year that don't break the bank since they are close by. Here's my question for everyone. What cons have you attended so far this year or plan to attend? Any specific authors/genres you want to meet or see represented?
Beth
www.bethwylde.com

Caressing Caitlyn - An Erotic Romance by Sascha Illyvich

Yes, I'm rehashing content but only for a different audience that may or may not have seen this!  It's a short video I created and posted some time back on my site about my contemporary romance, "Caressing Caitlyn" available from Sizzler Editions. 

Buy Here

What's your reading guilty pleasure?

I think most readers have a "guilty pleasure" read they turn to when they just need to relax -- kind of like chocolate or potato chips for the mind.

Before I start on this topic, I want to say that I don't think there's anything wrong with this. Reading should be fun, and it doesn't always have to be difficult to be rewarding. I have my own guilty pleasures, which I will discuss in a minute.

I do have a problem with the way some people try to condescend to those of us who read romance in general, or who read particular types of romance ("fluffy" types especially), as if that makes us less intelligent. Judging people on the basis of what they read is just rude, in my opinion. (And on a side note, this has happened to me several times. I get very annoyed when someone who's reading the latest trendy whatever tries to "elevate" my tastes. Like reading generic trendy "literary" books is any better than reading romance, lol)

And now, back to your regularly scheduled blog -- Guilty pleasures.

When I'm tired, stressed, or just not in the mood for a deep, thought-provoking read, I have a few go-to plotlines I like to seek out. Just like chocolate, they lift my mood and make me feel that all just might someday be right with the world again.

One of my favorite guilty pleasures is the immediate connection. Normally, I'm annoyed by characters who are practically in love right away, but if the storyline is done right, and I'm in the right mood, I like it. Even as a cynic regarding love at first sight, there are times I enjoy reading about it.

Another guilty pleasure of mine is stories featuring children. Secret babies are a big no for me no matter what mood I'm in, but if I'm feeling down a cute-child-helps-couple-connect story seems sweet rather than cloying.

The aforementioned "fluffy" stories have a place in my guilty pleasure stable as well. I consider a story without a whole lot of conflict, or with an easily resolved conflict, to be fluffy. Everything's resolved fairly easily, and the ending isn't just happy, it's glowingly so. I can't read too many of these. Like donuts, I really only want one at a time. Still, like the donut, I enjoy myself immensely while I'm devouring the story.

Probably the biggest of my guilty pleasures is what I like to call "angst overload." I'm talking country-song-to-the-nth-degree level angst and drama, not regular romance level. When I'm having a rough time, sometimes I paradoxically want to read about horrible things happening to other people. By the time I get to the happy ending, I will have cried a few tears, and I'll feel better than even such a sad situation can have a hopeful resolution.

What are your guilty pleasures? Do you have any secret baby books lurking at the bottom of a bookshelf? Are you a sucker for stories about royalty, or millionaires, or cowboys?

Cassandra Gold
Gay romance with a heart of gold
www.cassandragold.com

Japan Relief - Do Your Part To Help Out

Numerous authors are participating in writing projects designed to provide money to the Japanese in light of the recent earthquakes and tsunami. A close friend of mine who is a writer hails from Japan, so the devastation that country has experienced touched close to home for me. This man has told me over the years about his own personal history, his childhood growing up in a coastal Japanese town during World War II, his travels around the world, and we've shared both friendship and writing. I wanted to do something to help when news of the earthquakes and tsunami broke.

I've written two stories based on Japanese folklore, so I chose one as my personal project. I'm also participating in an invitation-only anthology project to benefit the Japanese that will be released in June. My story for that project is almost finished. In my personal project, I chose to donate proceeds from my short story Fountain Of Youth to the Red Cross.

From the press release:

Searching for a way to help relief efforts, Ms. Black and her publisher Romance Divine, LLC collaborated to earmark all sales of her short erotic story Fountain of Youth through June 15, 2011 to be donated to the Red Cross foundation to assist the Japanese in their recovery.

Fountain of Youth is particularly appropriate as it is an m/m erotic short story based on a Japanese folk tale. In Ms. Black's Americanized version, as in the Japanese original, a lesson is learned: be careful what you wish for. What if you could have a do-over; a second chance at love and romance with the object of your heart’s desire? What would you wish for? Careful, sometimes wishes do come true, but they might not always be exactly what you expect. Sydney finds romance, and changes, after discovering a secret Fountain Of Youth.

For more information, including cover art and buy links, please go to my web site - http://elizabethablack.blogspot.com/p/japan-relief.html. All proceeds from this short story sold through June 15 will be donated to the Red Cross foundation to help with relief efforts in Japan.

The second story I wrote based on Japanese folklore is Mud Licker, published by Circlet Press in its Like A Myth anthology. Mud Licker came in 7th in the "Top Ten" at the Preditors and Editors Poll Awards for "Best Romance Short Story". Buy the book and find out why!!

This anthology of erotica is based on unusual folklore. Mud Licker is a hot and sexy romp based on Japanese folklore. Suffice to say this odd little horny creature lives in bathrooms, and cleans them up - with his two foot long tongue.

You may find more information about this story on my Short Stories  tab on my web site. Scroll down until you come to Like A Myth.


So enjoy some unusual erotic tales with Japan as the focal point, and participate in a worthy project at the same time. Fountain Of Youth is rising in Kindle rankings, and it is in the top 20 at AllRomanceEbooks for my publisher, Romance Divine. Please buy the book and send its ranking even higher!


Other books by Elizabeth Black:

   
  

Spring cleaning your mind--have you started yours yet?

I am loving all the spring weather here--finally! It's been snowing and raining cats and dogs and donkeys for what seems like forever, and I'm in California!

So now that it SEEMS like spring, I am getting into my spring cleaning mode. No, that doesn't mean my house is getting clean (much to my husband's dismay), although that is on the list, too.

Mine is more of a spring cleaning of the mind and goals.

After a pretty big car accident in late 2009, I was concentrating more on recovery than much of anything else. But I'm feeling much better now, and I'm ready to jump into spring full-bore!

So what does spring cleaning the mind and goals mean? No, it doesn't mean I'm shoving feather dusters in my ears and twirling them (please leave the feather-brain comments elsewhere!).

Personally, I've started working on the 'new me' including changing eating habits, losing weight, exercising, even thinking about entering some walking events sometime in the future.

Professionally, I've been going through my stories, writing new ones, submitting stories, updating websites, guest-posting on blogs, ramping up my own blogging, and generally having fun being an author.

The first result of my 'spring cleaning' was that I'm losing weight! Yay!

The second result is that I submitted a short erotica story called Visual Seduction that was accepted by Razor's Edge Press and will be published soon! I guess clearing the cobwebs out of my brain was a good thing.

Here's a little tease on the story:

Visual Seduction

Danielle has a naughty little fantasy she hasn't felt free to share with her lover, Chris -- until now!

(contemporary, exhibitionism, spanking)

So what do you do to 'spring clean your brain' around this time of year? I can't be the only one dancing around with feather dusters! Let me know I'm not alone...

Miracles

Do you believe in miracles? Have you ever had one happen to you or someone whom you know, on the scale of a cancer cure, a narrow escape from death, or a surprise windfall of money that allowed you to pay a major bill?

I know of people who left one of the towers before the planes hit on 9/11 and others who have had strange things on the order of warnings from the great beyond which they heeded and were grateful afterward. Real life can sometimes be weirder than fiction--and even inspire great works of fiction.

I'd love to hear of some of your good luck stories.



Love & Magic,
Adrianne
www.adriannebrennan.com

Confessions of an Ebook Author

I have a few confessions to make. I'm not a fan of technology. There, I said it. I could do happily without cell phones, video games, ipods and even computers. Now, that said these are things that I use daily and it would be difficult to do without them but I have to wonder if we'd all be better off without them. Facebook, Twitter, Myspace and Glee. My goodness, we even have 3D televisions now and computers that will run your entire house!

There are kids and adults alike who spend more time socializing online than in person. We depend so much on technology to wake us up, keep us entertained and even hook us up with a date. I often think back to a time when we didn't have so many of these new and great ideas and sigh with memories of a simpler time. These devices cause stress and unrest at times.

In the old days, and by old I mean about 20 years ago, kids played outside and people met one another at parties or through friends. 40 years ago you had to actually get off of the couch to change the channel and block parties were considered a fun Saturday night.

Long ago cursing on tv and showing partial cleavage was considered taboo and now, as a society, we're desensitized to those kind of things. Even in ebook publishing it seems that authors are pushing further and further into unheard of 'limits'.

Many of you will tell me I'm wrong that technology is the wave of the future and you're probably right. I'll keep writing ebooks and print alike because I enjoy reading both. But if you see me with a smile on my face, know that I'm secretly wishing for the simpler times of yesterday.

What technology is your must have?

Let Them Read Cake

By A.J. Llewellyn

The Internet is a superb place to meet new people and discover similar passions...such as writing. And cupcakes.

It's amazing how well these two pursuits go together and I have found many authors who share my passion for both these things.

British author Serena Yates is one of them. Some months ago, we emailed back and forth after we had both contributed to an anthology of short stories called Stealing My Heart.

Serena had read a few of my blogs and was intrigued by my obsession with cupcakes and with the explosion of cupcake stores across the US.

We began chatting back and forth and she mentioned an idea she had for a book about a cupcake store owner and bringing a paranormal element into it.

Somehow this morphed into the idea of us doing it together and one book became four, with each book focusing on a natural element.

The Cake, our first book in the Elemental Superpowers Series, which was released yesterday at Total-e-Bound, is a fire element story. We're almost done with our 'water' story, The Blancmange, and we have plans for the remaining titles...but first, let's talk about The Cake.

Our story has humor, passion, magic and yes, cake.

Our editor said we drove her crazy with our food descriptions and that's a good thing. In fact, thanks to our Serena, our book catalogue listing even warns readers:

Reader Advisory: This book contains mouth-watering descriptions of cupcakes and hot references to other foods.

In The Cake, Daine Paradis owns a successful bakery in San Francisco but soon learns that he is under scrutiny by a law firm that thinks he is misusing his magical powers to make his business boom.

Huh? Magical powers? Daine had no idea he had any...and anyway, is there such a thing?

The hunky lawyer, Phillip Sedgwick, who's been sent to investigate him seems more inclined to help him rather than hurt him.

Serena and I had a blast writing this. We loved creating the magical court system that puts people on trial for violating their super powers.

It's been a wonderful collaboration and now, we have a new one to look forward to: Serena and I have a new series of anthologies coming to Total-e-Bound starting in the late summer, August 25, with the divine and insanely gifted D. J. Manly.

The Sins of Summer focuses on the seven deadly sins, in which we each picked a sin and wrote super-hot stories about them.

I can't wait to uncover more sins for the remaining seasons...or to eat more cake!

Please leave a comment to qualify for the draw for a free paperback of The Cake, when it becomes available.

For more information and for purchase, please click this link:

http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=1152

Aloha oe,

A.J.

Old sentimental films versus modern sophisticated movies of today

The Flying Duo MM Mary Suzanne www.extasybooks.com Amazon.com Kindle Books Blurb Matt realizes he’s gay at an early age. The ladies can’t hold a candle to how he feels about the handsome dudes he interacts with daily. When he meets Jason Wheeler, while hitching a ride to the circus, he believes Jason could make the perfect mate for a man, looking all muscular and virile.

What movies make you cry? The second question is what’s your opinion of some of the modern movies out today? I have Dish Cable and there are two channels that I watch all the time. One is American Movie Classic and the other Turner Movie Classic. As a writer, I find the older movies are more sentimental and touch your heart. I always have a box of Kleenex along with me before turning on the tube to make sure I’m prepared. LOL

The older movies had more heart, with depths that you could sink your teeth into while following the well scripted plots. I never understood why Paul Newman, a fantastic actor, didn’t win more awards for his wonderful portrayals. The one he did win in ‘The Color of Money’ didn’t hold a candle to his past performances, but he carried home the little statuette for this one. I’ve found I search the guide on the set for older movies that I’ve heard about and haven’t had the chance to watch. Some of those movies are On the Beach, From Here to Eternity, Some Came Running and the list goes on and on. Today, most movies look as if they were thrown together in a hurry to make sure the studios get them out to the public before Oscar night. I sometimes find it hard to follow the plot.

You might find a few that are worth your time to watch, but not very many in today’s market. If you’re into horses, I did find a current movie that I highly recommend called Secretariat. This movie is about a Triple Crown winner and it held my attention from beginning to end. Another pet peeve with me is how some of the stars are nominated for the big golden prize.

From watching the previews of the film and remembering watching the same actor or actress in another movie makes me wonder how the judges nominate such dweebs for the coveted award. There are still some good films produced. These are the ones I try to find to either rent or watch on TV, but give me an oldie any day. What is your opinion of the film industry today? Do you think we’ll ever get back to the really classy films offered earlier in Hollywood?

http://www.mary-suzanne.blogspot.com http://www.webspawner.com/users/Romancewriter/index.html

Authors Do More than Just Write

Writing is a difficult job. Generating ideas, identifying character motivations and goals, mapping out the obstacles and roadblocks that prevent the character goals, and developing a credible and powerful "villain" in a story is hard work. 

Tote bag made (and
book donated) for
Brenda Novak auction

On occasion, in order to get through the steps required to create a great story, authors find other ways of distracting themselves from the noise going on in their head. The things they do vary. Some knit, some crochet, some exercise, some shop, some design jewelry, some work on jigsaw puzzles, some read books on the writing craft, and some do a combination of all of the above. Me, I tend to cook and sew. I like jigsaw puzzles, and crocheting, and knitting, and reading books on the writing craft, but I derive the most satisfaction from cooking and sewing when I'm trying to work through a story.

Toile panels on both
sides with raw silk lining
and side pockets

Recently, I've had more "working through" time than actual "writing" time and as a result I've spent a great deal of that time reacquainting myself with my sewing machine. I have to admit that the focus on following pattern instructions and piecing things together has helped me with some ideas that have been wandering around in my head. For fun I've shared images of the handbags and tote bags I've made with people on Facebook and who read my blog.

Third handbag made,
modified with interior
pockets

Even better, I've discovered some people would be interested in actually purchasing the items I've made, so, it looks like my brainstorming activities can be both productive and profitable. 


Who'da thunk it? LOL.

Tote bag similar to first
but modified with an interior
pocket

It's been a win-win situation for me. Make handbags, find buyers for handbags, and get a story developed and plotted all at the same time. Yup, looks like things are looking up. 


Next on my list of things to do or make -- Do: plot out another novella and a novel. Make: Victorian/Steam Punk corset and matching skirt and jacket. (Now that's a challenge I'm looking forward to -- both the Do and the Make that is!!)