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Friday 31 May 2013

Erotica—A Genre For Beginners by Genevieve Bergeron


Please Welcome fellow Total-E-Bound author Genevieve Bergeron...
 
EroticaA Genre For Beginners

Hello, everyoneits so nice to meet you! My name is Gen Bergeron, and “Pick a Genre Already” is the first stop on my “Sorry, Bro launch tour. Id like to send a huge “thank you” to the lovely H. K. Carlton who has so graciously welcomed me to her blog.

Erotica is, in a general sense, a genre in and of itself (yes, Im going to pay homage to H.K.s blog title in this post!), especially to a new author like myself, who still often finds herself discussing erotica with decidedly non-erotica readers.

Sorry, Bro,” a steamy M/M short, is my second novella from Total E-Bound (the book is ten percent off during pre-ordersnag your copy now), and it represents a vast creative and stylistic departure from “Hyperpersonal, Hypersexual,” my first TEB publication, which came out late last year. While “Sorry, Bro” follows an M/M relationship and incorporates multiple partners in numerous, acrobatic positions, “Hyperpersonal, Hypersexual” describes the tech-fueled romance of a university professor and her illicit, online lover.

But to readers who dont frequent eroticaa majority of my friends and familythese nuances blend together. Erotica, to them, is simply erotica.

What do you write?” asks one friend, who has recently learned that Im an author in my spare time.

M/F and M/M,” I say. “But I prefer M/M,” and I quickly add, “Erotica,” after receiving a quizzical look.

But this oversimplification has never bothered me. In fact, I think the generalization serves as a vital leg-up for those who are new to our sultry and exciting world. Through my writing, Ive had the pleasure of introducing a number of my friends to erotica, only to see them reach for M/M or BDSM or multiple partner works.

Its a good feeling. And its also a reminder that sometimes, readers cant necessarily “pick a genre”not until they know enough to choose the ones they love! Now, grab a friend whos never read erotica before, and introduce her (or him) to our wonderful, diverse literary world!

As a special thank you to H.K. and her readers, Id like to offer a free copy of “Sorry, Bro” to one of you! Please leave a comment about your favorite genre (Im partial to M/M myself) and whyand be sure to include your email address!

Thank you all, and I look forward to reading your comments!

xo,

Gen

Blurb

Still aching from the mistakes and denials of his past, this ER nurse could heal anyone but
himself…until now.

Handsome, athletic and intelligent, twenty-six-year-old Bryce should be living the high life.

But hes far from it.

After shunning his best baseball buddy in high school, dropping out of medical school and fleeing New York to put down rootsif only shallow onesin New Orleans, Bryce is uncertain about both his past and his future. Working long hours as a low-level nurse and confined by a sexless relationship with a questionably devoted girlfriend, Bryce cant shake the feeling that things should be somehow better now hes escaped the confusion and indecision of his former life.

Yet when the ghost of Bryces high school past, the handsome and charismatic Tim, shows up injured in the ER, Bryces already turbulent emotions engulf him in a vortex of confusion and regret. Haunted by his own insensitivity towards Tim eight years before, Bryce first finds comfort in the powerful arms of a resident surgeon he barely knows, then gives Tim the explosive, cataclysmic relief he had denied him in high school. As Bryce comes to terms with his sexuality and recognises his undeniable attraction to both men, he must decide, once and for all, where his fidelityand his desireslie.

About Gen Bergeron

Genevieve Bergeron has been an avid reader and writer of digital fiction for nearly two decades. A journalist, childrens author and professional communicator, Genevieve now spends her time reading and writing hi-tech inspired romance and erotica, in addition to working a fast-paced day job as a communications director at a Washington, D.C.-based national nonprofit. With her time, Genevieve does her best to avoid any steamy political scandals while collecting flavored condoms, cooking for friends, and sampling boxed wines.





For all Gens books published with Total E-Bound, visit her page at http://www.total-e-bound.com/authordetail.asp?A_ID=241.

Friday 24 May 2013

Lost Time is Now In PRINT

WooHoooo!  Lost Time is Now In PRINT...



Also, Don't forget there is still time to Pre-order The Devil Take You and get the ebook before its release date Next Friday, May 31st, AND SAVE 20%! Delivery of your purchase will be within 24hrs.
 

Wednesday 22 May 2013

Tuesday 14 May 2013

The Seven Genre Solution By Lisabet Sarai

Please welcome back, special guest, multi-published author Lisabet Sarai...

The Seven Genre Solution
By Lisabet Sarai

Greetings, everyone! I'm so happy to be back here at H.K. Carlton's Pick a Genre Already – where I can truly be myself. What do I mean by that? Well, as I bop around the web doing guest appearances on various blogs, I take on the role of M/M author (e.g. at R.J. Scott's recently) or BDSM author, or ménage author, or science fiction author, or whatever. I customize my posts to the audience I'm addressing. When I'm visiting H.K., though, I can admit the truth. Not only do I not have a signature genre (though BDSM comes closest), I have little or no patience with genre labels.

To me, “genre” implies constraints, rules you have to follow in order to satisfy the readers' expectations. I believe readers need to be more adventurous, that genre labels have the tendency to encourage a certain narrowness of focus. And I've always enjoyed stretching the rules.

When I wrote my first three novels (Raw Silk, Incognito and Nasty Business), I considered them to be erotica. I really knew nothing about romance and its sub-genres. However, now the first two books are being marketed as erotic romance. Meanwhile all three have happy endings focusing on a committed relationship. At the same time, they don't really fit what I now understand is the traditional romance model, in that they include sexual interactions between secondary characters and between the hero/heroine and individuals who are not their eventual partners.

So what?

Personally I'm a great lover of variety. (See my post at Emily Wells' blog about PuPu platters, for more on this topic...!) I have no problem whatsoever with a book that mixes heterosexual, gay and lesbian relationships. I've written contemporary, science fiction, paranormal, historical, interracial, multicultural, steam punk, BDSM, voyeurism, menage, gay, lesbian, suspense, mystery, even a bit of humor. I refuse to be labeled.

I think this attitude probably hurts my sales. Many readers are more cautious than I am. I guess I can understand a reluctance to spend money on a book that's different from what you've read before – but don't readers get bored?

Anyway, I'm sorry, but I'm not about to pick a genre. It's just not going to happen. However, with my most recent release, I've hit upon a possible solution to the problem of satisfying readers. Rajasthani Moon, which is now available at Total-E-Bound (at 10% off until May 31st) is my most ambitious genre-bending effort to date, in that it includes elements of seven different sub-genres: steam punk, shape shifter, BDSM, ménage, Bollywood, Rubenesque and multicultural. I figure that there's something for everyone!

I began writing this book as a lark, with the deliberate intention of incorporating elements of as many genres as possible. Once I'd created Cecily, Pratan and Amir, they took on a life of their own. The book flowed much more quickly than many I've written, perhaps because I'd thrown all constraints to the winds. The result is – um – can I say a bit over the top? – but I personally think it's great fun.

Here's the blurb and an excerpt. You be the judge.

Oh, and because my delightful hostess is one of my favorite people, I'm doing a special giveaway of Rajasthani Moon here on this post – the first anywhere. Get a copy before the general release date of May 31st! Just leave a comment, with your email, telling me how you feel about the question of genre labels.

Blurb

Neither kink nor curse can stop a woman with a mission.

Cecily Harrowsmith, secret agent extraordinaire, is a woman on a mission. When the remote Indian kingdom of Rajasthan refused to remit its taxes to the Empire, Her Majesty imposed an embargo. Deprived of the energy-rich mineral viridium, essential for modern technology and development, Rajasthan was expected to quickly give in and resume its payments. Yet after three years, the rebellious principality still has not knuckled under. Cecily undertakes the difficult journey to the rugged, arid land of the Rajputs to determine just how it has managed to survive, and if possible to convince the country to return to the Empire's embrace. Instead, she's taken captive by a brigand who turns out to be the ruler's half-brother Pratan and delivered into the hands of the sexy but sadistic Rajah Amir, who expertly mingles torture and delight in his interrogation of the voluptuous interloper.

Cursed before birth by Amir's jealous mother, Pratan changes to a ravening wolf whenever the moon is full. Cecily uncovers the counter-spell that can reverse the effects of the former queen's hex and tries to trade that information for her freedom. Drawn to the fierce wolf-man and sympathising with his suffering, she volunteers to serve as the sacrifice required by the ritual—offering her body to the beast. In return, the Rajah reveal Rajasthan's amazing secret source of energy. In the face of almost impossible odds, Cecily has accomplished the task entrusted to her by the Empire. But can she really bear to leave the virile half-brothers and their colourful land behind and return to constraints of her life in England?

Reader Advisory: This book instantiates kidnap/captive fantasies. It includes robot bondage devices, animated nipple clamps, electric play, clockwork dildos, flogging, spanking, anal sex, double penetration in a dirigible, a small amount of F/F intimacy, scenes of MFM and sex with a werewolf in shifted form.

Excerpt

Tossing the switch onto the mattress, he turned his back to her and strode over to the communications
console. The apparatus glowed as he flipped it into active mode. Cecily wondered where he’d got the viridium to power the device. Unless of course the rebels had managed to smuggle the precious mineral into the country from elsewhere… But where? All the neighbouring kingdoms had been brought under Her Majesty’s sway.

“Amir—are you there?” Pratan lowered the volume of his voice as he spoke into the mouthpiece, and switched to Hindi, but Cecily had excellent hearing and a natural linguistic facility.

“Brother! How are you? I’d hoped to see you here at the palace tomorrow for the new moon festival.”

“I’ll be there. With a guest.”

“A guest. And who would that be?”

“I’m still trying to figure that out. It’s a woman—a damned seductive woman—whose carriage I ambushed this evening. She looks Indian—dark skin, black hair, plenty of flesh on her bones—but I think she’s English. She’s got these amazing blue eyes… Her given name is Cecily. That’s all I’ve managed to get out of her.”

“With your skills of persuasion? I’m most surprised, brother.” The Rajah’s amusement came through clearly. “And you’ve given up?”

“I figured I’d let you take a crack at her.”

Amir chuckled. “I could enjoy that, though Sarita might object.” There was a pause. Pratan scratched his head. Cecily found herself distracted by the way the muscles in his back shifted. “Bring her along then. Should I send the aerocopter to pick you up?”

Cecily shuddered. Faced with the threat of a trip by air, could she maintain her silence?

“No, no—I think I’ll commandeer her vehicle—quite a fine self-propelled amphibious coach, a good deal more sophisticated than any of ours. I imagine it should have more than enough fuel to make it to Jaipur, since I suspect that’s where our mystery woman was heading.”

“Sounds as though it will be an excellent addition to our fleet. I’ll alert the engineers. So I’ll expect you tomorrow, then. Travel safe, brother.”

“As long as I keep my—ah—guest securely bound, I doubt that I need to worry.”

Accha! I look forward to meeting her. Ram ram.”

Ram ram, Amir. Till tomorrow, then…”

“Wait a minute. ‘Cecily’, you said? Something’s tickling the back of my brain… Let me examine the Universal Electropaedia…” In the ensuing pause, Pratan glanced over his shoulder towards the bed. She assumed a demeanour of indifference. “Ah, yes…Dark complexion, you say, and blue eyes?”

“Correct.”

“Between twenty-five and thirty years of age? About eleven stone?”

“Ten stone four pounds!” Cecily interjected before she could help herself.

“Yes, and tall too, for a woman. And from the way she’s straining against the ropes, I’d say she understands every word we’re saying!”

Her spirits sank. Did the Electropaedia actually include an entry for her? Why hadn’t the Empire’s censors excised it? This unforgivable breach of security might well have sealed her fate, though she wasn’t about to give up yet.

“Brother, I believe that you’ve succeeded in capturing one of Queen Victoria’s most notorious agents—Miss Cecily Harrowsmith. According to reports, she is brave, brilliant, beautiful, and as dangerous as a king cobra.”

Pratan rubbed his bruised shin where she’d kicked him and grinned at her with genuine menace. “That sounds like her.”

****

Don't forget to leave a comment if you'd like to enter the drawing. And for more information about me and my varied backlist, visit my website http://www.lisabetsarai.com and my blog http://lisabetsarai.blogspot.com

Thanks for hosting me, H.K.!

~ Lisabet

Saturday 11 May 2013

The Devil Take You Is Now Available for Pre-Order @MusePublishing #historical #romance #Scotland #Britain

I'm so excited to announce my second historical romance The Devil Take You with MuseItUp Publishing is now available for Pre-Order. 

  Save: 20%
  Release May 31, 2013

Blurb

Scotland - 1307 - During the Scottish Wars of Independence
Cover Designer Karen Phillips
Gard Marschand will stop at nothing in his pursuit to regain what is lost. Concealing his true identity, he will associate with his enemies, kill his own countrymen, even sell his soul to the devil if all else fails. He will lie, cheat, steal, rape and siege his way across two countries gaining power and reputation in his malevolent wake. His determination all consuming, until King Edward commands Gard to lay siege on Ross-shire holding, where Braelynn Galbraith obliterates his single-minded purpose.

Braelynn Galbraith wants peace for her beloved Scotland, marriage to her childhood sweetheart, Callum, and a house full of children. In that order. But evil incarnate in the form of Gard Marschand, turns her life inside out and destroys all hope of a decent marriage.

Can Gard abandon his deep-seated need of revenge for a love that might just save his soul, or will he succumb to the demons that hound him and surrender to the devil within?

I believe your stay in purgatory has only just begun...

Wednesday 8 May 2013

Sage Marlowe First Anniversary Blog Tour and #G!veaway



Sage Marlowe’s First Anniversary Blog Tour & Giveaway

Knives & Feathers


Hello and welcome to the latest stop of my 1st Anniversary Blog Tour & Giveaway. Thanks for hosting me, H K

One year has passed since my successful debut novel, Sub-Mission, was released on May 14, 2012. A lot has happened during those twelve months. I’m taking the chance to look back and tell you a bit about the background of the books I’ve published, but also about things that happened in my life or that are on my mind. There’s one stop for every book, and of course, there are prizes waiting for you, because as always, good things for me mean good things for you, my dear friends and readers. Please read the “Giveaway” section below for details. 

Today, I’d like to talk to you about tears. Yes, tears. Emotions. One of the most frequent feedbacks I receive on my books is “It moved me to tears” or something along those lines. Now, honestly, crying over a book is nothing to be ashamed of and I totally understand it. I’m the kind of reader who just recently got in a funk over the death of a fictional character and spent an entire afternoon grieving him. Actually, make that an afternoon and an evening—the book was really well written and haunting. 

Anyway, whenever I hear this from a reader, I’m torn between feeling sorry—who wants to be the reason someone cried, after all?—and being one hell of a proud author. I know it’s been said that making people laugh is even harder than making them cry, but hey, moving someone to tears means I have succeeded in stirring emotions, doesn’t it? 

Incidentally, the first person ever to say this to me was my editor Sue. She sent me an e-mail one day, informing me that she was just about to start editing Knives & Feathers. It was the first time we worked together and I didn’t really know her back then so didn’t have a clue what to expect. Less than an hour later, I received a second e-mail: “Bloody hell, I’m crying here.” That was all, six words, but bloody hell, I was crying, too, after that. 

I still get a knot in my throat when someone tells me they cried over my books, although I have to admit that there’s also always a little devil sitting on my shoulder. Guess what this little bugger says? I bet you’ve already thought it. “Maybe they cried because the book was so bad…” Well, I keep hoping that my writing makes people cry because they feel for and with my characters so much.


Ladies & Gentlemen, this is the book that made my editor cry:

Knives and Feathers

They say that love can heal all wounds - even the ones that are self-inflicted?

When best-selling author Chester Banning requires inside information on the life of a forensic pathologist, he comes across an enticing yet rather unwilling study subject in the shape of sinfully attractive Dr Nicolas Sheridan.

After a hot and slightly unsettling one night stand, Sheridan turns out to be as inapproachable as he is intriguing but clearly not interested in intensifying the liaison. Chester however finds himself falling head over heels in love and doesn’t rest until he succeeds in cracking Sheridan's icy shell. What he discovers underneath is a man who is well capable of love and affection but caught up in a web of lies spun by his abusive and possessive partner, Jake Simmons.

Led to believe that he is responsible for the death of his past lover, Sheridan's sense of guilt makes him tolerate the mistreatment he receives from Jake and seek punishment in self-harm.


Will the love and support Chester can give be enough to help Sheridan free himself from the demons that haunt him or is all Chester can do watch him go further down the road to self-destruction?









Giveaway—Here’s what you can win:

#1 - Sage’s Goodie Package:

Contains a signed copy of Sub-Culture, a set of signed book cover photographs and some surprise goodies to spoil you

#2 - Create a character

Here’s your chance to create your very own fictional character that will be featured in one of my next books. The winner gets to pick the name and distinct features like hair / eye colour, height and a few personality quirks of a hero (male characters only, and please keep it doable…). Depending on the specification, I will either include him in a current WIP or use him as inspiration for a brand new story. The winner will also receive a free e-copy of this story once it’s published.

How to enter:

Leave a comment in the comment section asking to be entered in the giveaway. The winner will be picked at random and announced on my blog on May 20th. Multiple entries are allowed and will increase your chances to win. For additional terms and conditions, please go to http://www.sage-marlowe.com/p/contests.html


You can find the full tour schedule here: http://www.sage-marlowe.com/p/blog-tour-may-2013.html

About Sage Marlowe

Sage is a multi-published author of gay erotic romance novels and novellas and loves exploring the flavours of gay erotic fiction.
A willing slave to all the fascinating guys who keep queuing up and want their stories told, Sage can almost always be found cooking up the next hot story or daydreaming about new ways of rubbing sexy male bodies together to make the sparks fly.

Contact and buy links









For all books published with Total-E-Bound, go to: http://www.total-e-bound.com/authordetail.asp?A_ID=224
 
For all books published with Siren-BookStrand, go to: www.bookstrand.com/sage-marlowe