Crafting Tales from a Nursery Rhyme @SJThomas25 @BreathlessPress #NaughtyNurseryRhymes

Do you ever look at a cover and think...yes I'd like to read that book. Well that was my thought when I saw SJ Thomas and her books Haye Deborah Diddle. It is part of Breathless Press Naughty Nursery Rhymes series. 

Wonder how SJ Thomas crafted a book from that Nursery Rhyme? Well read on...

Blurb

Step into a world where the greatest adventure of all is desire.

When Deborah Diddle leaves her quiet village to escape a forced marriage, she soon comes across Haye, the most seductive and mysterious male she has ever seen.

Haye offers to teach her about the desire she craves, but he is not of the mortal world, and to know his touch Deborah must face the challenges of his forest; a world of bizarre and fantastic creatures, seductive temptations, and dangerous enemies.

Will Deborah succeed and win Haye? Or will she succumb and lose both herself and the male who stirs her body and soul...

Ready to read an Excerpt?

"Mmm, I could teach you about life, little Deborah Diddle, teach you all about the best bits, as you put it. Give you a taste of the desire you seek. But you would have to face my forest first. The apple will allow you to enter, but there will be challenges, things that will test you."

"And if I fail these challenges?" Deborah asked in a breathy voice.

Haye's expression tightened with menace. "If you fail, you would be trapped in there forever."

With a shiver, Deborah closed her eyes. To risk that much? Opening her eyes again, she looked up at him. "What would be my reward if I win?"

His expression softened, his lips twisting into a seductive smile. "If you win, if you defeat everything in your path, then I will be waiting for you as your reward."

Now it was Deborah's turn to tilt her head, appraising him. "And what makes you worth such efforts, sir?"

A surprised look crossed Haye's handsome face and then he stepped even closer, his expression growing dark and heated. Deborah held her ground, though she was unsure whether instinct was telling her to run or stay.

Haye stopped only a hairsbreadth from her, his height forcing her to crane her neck to look up at him. Deep in his eyes a fire burned and Deborah could feel it spreading across the space between them, fanning a flame inside of her.

"I'm the best you could ever have, little girl. I could show you things that you would never dream about in your darkest fantasies. Do things to you that would make you scream in pleasure. I could teach you everything about passion, lust, and desire you could ever hope to know. If you are worthy of me."

A sharp breath left her at his words. This close, he overwhelmed her, his silky voice and male presence wreaking havoc with her senses, and as she looked up into his eyes she felt herself being pulled toward him like a moth to the deadly flame. This male was living temptation, danger and damnation, sex and desire, in one mouthwatering form. In truth, he was everything Deborah had been looking for.

Not even realizing what she was doing, Deborah leaned closer, raising her hand to touch him, but her fingers passed through him as if he were made of air. She snatched her hand back, and looked up at him in confusion.

A mocking smile now played on those masculine lips. "I have no physical form in your world. If you want to touch me, girl, if you want my hands on your body, you will have to come to me fully." He held out the apple. "If you dare."

Oh, how she wanted his touch! With merely a look and a few seductive words, Haye had evoked more desire in her than any of her encounters with Rolf. She could barely imagine what being kissed or touched by him would feel like, but she knew it would be beyond anything her world could ever give her. In that moment Deborah knew she would risk all to experience it.

Raising her chin in a defiant gesture, she grabbed the apple from him. "I believe, sir, that you are an arrogant ass. But as you are also the most desirable man I have ever seen, I will take your challenge." She raised the apple to her lips, pausing before taking a bite. "When I see you next you'd better be as good as you say."

More about SJ...

Writing sweet yet sizzling paranormal romance, scorching paranormal erotica, and dark paranormal horror SJ Thomas has had several short stories and novellas published and she is still building up to her first full-length novel.

SJ lives in the South West of England with her wonderful husband and a very spoilt Springer Spaniel. She has a full time day job so has to fit her writing in whenever she can, although like every author she would love to write full time one day. When not writing or working she loves to read and enjoys walking, geocaching and surfing badly.

More details about SJ's current and future works can be found at the following links and she is always happy to chat via Facebook or email.

www.sjthomaswpr.weebly.com

www.facebook.com/sjthomaswpr

www.twitter@SJThomas25

sjthomaswpr@hotmail.co.uk

www.pinterest.com/sjthomas25/

A series that surprises.@sarahcass @secretcravings #newrelease

Surprise! 5 Ways My Novel Series Shocked the Heck Out of Me.

I love a good surprise.

The unexpected flowers from my husband for no reason at all.

A visit from someone I thought I wouldn’t see for a while.

Hubby bringing home my beloved fountain pop for me when I didn’t even have to ask him to is a top-notch surprise.

An amazing story twist that I never once expected in a million years? Nothing makes me happier.

My Dominion Falls series was full of surprises for me. In more ways than I dare to count – but today I’m going to narrow down five, if I can.

1. It’s a series!  This was planned as a short(ish) story. Not that I had any idea what I was doing when I first thought of Cole, then the amnesiac Jane…but I expected one book. Not three – certainly not the 2-3 follow up ‘later in life’ books.
2. Gilbert Hamm “Hammy”.  He was a throw-away bit part in book 3. That’s all. When rewrites came, Hammy became a regular part of the scene, and there’s no one better. I adore that man and his purple gloves.
3. The huge twist/event at the end of book 2.  It’s huge. It wasn’t in the plans, but sometime mid-first draft, my mind seized on it and after tons of research I realized it could totally happen, and had. Every time I wrote/edited it, I ended up in tears. It’s just awesome.
4. The secondaries.  I’ve always liked secondary characters, sometimes way more than the main characters – whether in books or on-stage. The secondary characters in this series just built up and got bigger and took on these amazing lives and personalities where I have people asking me for stories just about them.
5. Jane never regains her memory.  So often you see stories with amnesiacs and things go right and their memory comes back and their love comes back. That doesn’t happen with Jane.  She never becomes “Clara Young” again. She never remembers that life. She becomes exceptionally comfortable with people from that life, but she never remembers.

The Dominion Falls has been a fun ride for me, surprises and all.  I always dreamed it would see the page in print, and now it has.  I still have people asking me for book 3 and what happens next (soon – September!)…and growing to love that little town the same way I do. 

I can’t wait to see how the later books in the series surprise me…neither can I wait to see how the new series I’m working on will surprise me. 

Writing is the adventure. :D

Along the way I’ve had several people surprised by events that happen in the novel.  The “Did that just happen?” questions come in. I’ve also gotten lots of comments on my “atypical” romance in both story and characters.

Do you like it when a novel surprises you? Or do you like more typical stories? (Nothing wrong with either, I like them both depending on my mood).

*~*

Derailed (Dominion Falls Book 2)

Blurb:

The sins of a past she can’t remember could destroy a present she’ll never forget.

The crimes of her forgotten past threaten the very life Jane Doe has learned to cherish.

Jane is out of time. With a warrant on her head, a maniac out for her blood, and a secret baby on the way, something has to give.

Without Cole Mitchell's help to find the answers, there may be no hope left.

Cole has nowhere left to hide. He unwittingly let Jane into his heart, and is ready to share the secret of his dark past.

Fate has a way of playing its hand, and tragedy strikes. With the world crumbling around them, it's easy to lose faith. If they can't forgive past sins, they have no hope for the future.

Because the noose waits for no man or woman. 

Buy Links:

Secret Cravings Website -  http://bit.ly/12J4bO9

Amazon -  http://amzn.to/1ahJIu4

Barnes & Noble -  http://bit.ly/1bkEnQw

All Romance Ebooks -  http://bit.ly/170laAc

Bookstrand – http://bit.ly/1diptbG

Goodreads - http://bit.ly/14UlKhj

BIO:

Sarah Cass’s world is regularly turned upside down by her three special-needs kids and loving mate, so she breaks genre barriers, dabbling in horror, straight fiction, and urban fantasy. An ADD tendency leaves her with a variety of interests that include singing, dancing, crafting, cooking, and being a photographer. She fights through the struggles of the day, knowing the battles are her crucible and though she may emerge scarred, she’s also stronger. While busy creating worlds and characters as real to her as her own family, she leads an active online life with her blog, Redefining Perfect, which gives a real and sometimes raw glimpses into her life and art.

Where to find me:

Redefining Perfect – http://redefiningperfect.com

Sarah’s StoryLines – http://authorsarahcass.com

Twitter – http://twitter.com/sadiecass

Facebook – http://facebook.com/SarahCass.Author

Excerpt:

“Miss Jane.” Boards clattered to the floor to help announce Hammy’s arrival. He pulled off his hat and slipped his fingers along the brim. “I brung some scrap wood like you asked. Got my men headin’ over to help.”

It was impossible not to smile at the man. Jane found him endearing despite his regular drunken state. Except on very rough days he was never anything but polite, and the man never seemed to have a rough day. “Thank you very much, Mr. Hamm. Did Cora give you a list?”

“Sure thing, Miss Jane. Right here. Said the tables ain’t gonna get in for three days. Lent four tables to you until then.” The paper trembled when he handed it out, and he slipped his hat back on. “Guess four is better than nothin’.”

“It is. That will give us five. Unless you can help.” Jane squeezed his hand, her smile straining her cheeks when he blushed. “Do you think you can make tables and chairs out of some of your scrap wood?”

“Aw, gee. We can sure try. Don’t know how fast, though.” Hammy stuffed his hands in his pockets. “There’s an awful lot ya want doin’.”

“Well, Mr. Hamm, look at it this way. The sooner we get it done, the sooner the saloon can open and you can get your beer.”

That perked him up. A grin formed. “True. Guess I best get on it. Will you be stayin’ here?”

“I would, but I need to go see Graham at the jail. Then I need to help Reverend Greene with his deliveries.” Jane kissed his cheek. “We’re low on beer, but I told Cuddy that you got priority. Your beer is on the house at least until Cole gets back.”

“Weren’t necessary, but I’m much obliged.” He tipped his hat again and shuffled his feet. “I best get on it so’s the saloon can open.”

Something different. Ties That Bind @Unboundgirls

This is not a book but just a short piece. Nevertheless, I am delighted! Go and have a read of The Ties That Bind.


https://unboundbox.com/magazine/blog/posts/the-ties-that-bind

https://unboundbox.com/magazine/blog/posts/the-ties-that-bind

Why not look around at the same time. You'll find lots to interest you.


Find out more:

Twitter: 

https://twitter.com/unboundgirls

Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/UnboundGirls

Tumblr: 

http://unboundmagazine.tumblr.com/

All or Nothing, Myself in Enver. @wtprater @breathlesspress

I am delighted to welcome Wt Prater today. Over to you...

Eventually, every author gets asked, how much of yourself is in this story? And almost every author answers differently. When asked this question about "Exercising His Options", my latest story, I would have to say: all and/or nothing. I am nothing like Enver, but my wife is exactly like Deanna (in my eyes). I totally heart Kurt, but I have never been audacious enough to do half of the things he does and will do. All three of these characters have nothing to do with me but they also hit me at my hearts soul.

If you've heard my previous posts on this blog tour, you know about my church experience (http://louisabacio.blogspot.com/2013/07/down-on-my-knees-wt-praters-journey.html) , my thoughts about marriage (http://diannehartsock.wordpress.com/2013/07/18/wt-prater-sexuality-doma-and-beyond/), prostitution (http://www.jpbarnaby.com/?p=1269) and straight men in love with men (http://www.mychaelblackbooks.com/guest-wt-prater/). 

These are my opinions of course. BUT were I in an alternate universe, I could see myself believing and living as Enver does or having the type of sex life Kurt does (http://beccabutcher.wordpress.com/2013/07/08/introducing-wt-prater/) . I feel this is a beautiful non-answer to a question that is far too complex to answer in a short post or even a large novel. So I say again: All or nothing. Next question?

Here are the buy links:

http://www.breathlesspress.com/index.php?main_page=product_free_shipping_info&cPath=18&products_id=460&zenid=9k2bci5sdle7diob81rcbi6d36

https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-addicktionvol3-1228214-166.html

http://www.bookstrand.com/ad-dick-tion-vol-3

BLURB

Exercising His Options

When Enver Mann started jogging every morning, it was at his wife’s provocation. After a year, he’s still at it, but now it’s his choice. Little does he know, that choice may open up a whole world to him. While jogging one day, he happens upon two men having sex, and for the first time he wants that. The man with the red hair and the incredible ass. And while his mind might second guess him, his wife doesn’t. When she instigates their encounter, Enver knows he will never look at life, or sex, the same way again.

AUTHOR BIO

Wt Prater is a writer, having four short stories in various states of publishing, and approximately thirty works in progress. Just Write and SO Gay is his blog, which he strives to update weekly. He is a producer and host on Blog Talk Radio, partnering with Marketing for Romance Writers of which he helps lead. He is also an Assistant Organizer of the Nashville Writer's Group. Online, he has active social networking on Facebook, Twitter, Fetlife, Linked In, Tumbler, Goodreads, and Meet Up. In real life, he stays just as busy bouncing around in his non-profit volunteering from the GLBT commuity to the BDSM community to church community.

EXCERPT

As Enver Mann looked at Kurt’s hair caught in the wind, and the freckles on the back of his neck that disappeared somewhere into his jacket, Enver wanted nothing more than for this man to lay him down and kiss him. All of course while he was fucking him as hard as he could. The breeze continued to blow the leaves up and around, creating still more of the tornado like shapes. As the sun continued to peek out of the sky, from behind a cloud, Enver noticed that it now set its gentle light on some places while leaving some spots completely dark. He looked at Kurt again and saw that the light bounced from his copper hair to his now sweaty shirt. For the first time that he could remember in his life, his mouth actually watered for a sexual act. Thinking of that tender flesh, and the taste he had been yearning for since he had first seen Kurt, he got even harder. Every dream and desire for the last week or so had all involved this man, in some form or fashion. His wife made sure of that

Perfect Set Up #SexySnippets @thenuthousescribblers #summer #freereads

Welcome to another addition of Sexy Snippets. 

ROLL UP ROLL UP Coming soon: The Nuthouse Scribblers share stories from a circus like no other......step this way ladies and gentlemen for a trip you'll not soon forget! Starting August 1st!!

Today my snippet comes from a new story called Perfect Set up. It will be on The Nuthouse Scribblers blog page as part of our Summer short story free reads. Each story is based around a Circus. 

My story is about love, longing and a set up. Gigi, the clown hides behind her makeup but Hugo, the Bear Shifter sees her and desires her. But how does he get close to someone who hides away all the time?

Ready for a snippet?

The weight of the two cubs nearly toppled her over until she was grabbed by strong arms and pulled against a warm body.

"Be careful, these two are great wrestlers, they got me." Hugo's deep voice fanned her neck.

Gigi's spine tingled, in a way she had not felt for a long time. Straightening up, she turned and looked up into brown eyes that had flecks of amber. She thought she felt his arms tighten slightly. Her throat felt dry all of a sudden. 

The Nuthouse Scribblers Free Summer Read starts 1st August. Don't miss it!

In the meantime hop along for more Sexy Snippets

Why not join us on Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/SexySnippets

Or Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SexySnippets

Hop along to read more Sexy Snippets and discover new books and authors:

http://thenuthousescribblers.blogspot.co.uk/p/sexy-snippets.html

Playing a game of Tug-O-War. Who wins, Characters or Muse? @laurelcremant @evernightpub

Hi Michaela! Thanks so much for having me here today. I wanted to share with you a little bit about my writing process for my latest book Persuasion Skills. However, when I was preparing this post I realized that the best way to describe my process was to show you instead. I put together a little bit of a dialogue showing how my muse and my characters often times play a game of tug-o-war.

Me: So what next. . .?

Muse: I think there should be a sexy shower scene…

Me: Yes I think that will work.

Jax: I completely agree.

Pepper: Um guys, I don’t think—

Muse: Great, that’s settled.

Pepper: But—

Me: I think I’ll do a nice playful build . . . Have Jax carry her to the bathroom over his shoulder…

Muse: Perfect!

Jax: How about some ties? Maybe I should bind her. She’d look so hot all tied up and wet...

Pepper: Now wait a minute!

Me:  Hmmm

Muse: Maybe...

Me: No I don’t think so. Too soon.

Pepper: Gee thanks.

Muse: How about you have Jax do a sexy strip tease.

Pepper: Well, that might work.

Jax: Wait-

Me: Yes he can strip them both down.

Jax: Yeah that’s much better.

Muse: And there has to be bubbles. Lots of bubbles on wet skin.

Me: Hmmm

Jax: I love bubbles.

Pepper: Yeah, you would perv.

Me: No I think the bubbles should be on Jax. All slippery and wet

Pepper: Oh that sounds...nice

Muse: Yes! Yes! That’s good!

Jax: What are bubbles going to do for me?

Muse: Have her start rubbing his chest!

Me: Perfect!

Jax: Perfect!

Pepper: Ummm...

Muse: So how about you have her reach down and touch his-

Me: Already on it!

Jax: This is great writing keep going!

Pepper: Guys-

Muse: There has to be a steamy kiss as well, don’t forget to add some kisses

Me: good idea

Jax: This is awesome.

Pepper: Guys!

Me, Muse, Jax: What?

Pepper: He’s been bossing me around for the last few chapters.

Muse: True.

Pepper: And we all know I’m not good at being weak

Me: She does have a point.

Jax: Hey wait a minute!

Pepper: So does it really make sense that I’d be so passive in a scene like this?

Muse: She’s right.

Jax: No she’s not!

Me: what do you suggest?

Pepper: Well how about you give me the keyboard for a few minutes? I know exactly what this scene needs

Jax: Oh crap. . .

I hope you get a chance to read my latest book, PERSUASION SKILLS and get a chance to see how Pepper decided their shower would end!

GENRE: Erotic Contemporary Romance

BLURB. . .

In the aftermath of a major health scare, Pepper Holts makes the relief-inspired decision to seize the day. Unfortunately, most of her “seizing” involves a bit of merlot and her best friend's pants! After a shared night of passion she realizes that her feelings for Jax are a lot more complicated than she ever thought.

Jax has finally realized that his allergy to marriage has nothing to do with the institution itself, and everything to do with the women in his bed—or more specifically, the one woman not in his bed. Her reaction to their one night together has him scrambling to regroup. So he does what he knows best—he disappears, and he thinks. The plan?—convince Pepper into staying with him at a secluded cabin for one week. One week of pretending to be a happily married couple to show her how great they could be together.

TAGS: Contemporary,BDSM, Light Bondage, Erotic, Interracial

EXCERPT. . .

The smooth humming of an engine finally wove its way up the road as he continued to chop.

He glanced up from his task in time to see a slate grey SUV make its way up the gravel path that passed as the driveway to his cabin. Within a few seconds, he could see Pepper’s face peering at him through the front window.

The usual sense of peace that her presence always gave him rushed through, right before his skin tightened in a zing of awareness. Seeing her never failed to jumpstart his senses. Her features had changed very little since college, but she’d grown her afro out to a long mass of curls that stretched past her shoulders.

At that moment, the mouth he’d secretly lusted after for years was set in a firm line, and a blaze of anger shone in her steady gaze. Neither warning sign prevented a smile from spreading across his face as the car drew near.

She wore a white snow cap with earflaps, her curls spilling around her shoulders, and what looked like a heavy white winter coat. She looked like a ferocious bunny.

If looks could kill. He chuckled softly.

He swung the axe one last time and planted the blade firmly in the chopping block before walking leisurely to the top of the drive and waiting.

It wasn’t hard to keep the smile on his face as his gaze caught hers and held. He could practically feel the waves of rage rolling off of her as she pulled the car to an abrupt stop only inches from where he stood.

He merely winked at her and gave a cheerful wave. God, he loved hunting rabbits.

She stared at him for a searing moment before climbing out of the tall vehicle and dragging out a medium-sized piece of luggage. She snapped up its telescoping handle and marched the few steps it took to stand in front of him.

He let his gaze wander over her frame, taking in the rapid rise and fall of her chest, the tight grip she had on the luggage handle, and the clenching and unclenching of her free hand. Yet the only thing that caused his smile to dim was the hurt mingled with the outrage on her lovely face.

He let his gaze drift back to her clenching fist for a moment before looking at her face again. Staring into her eyes, he let loose a loud sigh as he widened his stance and shoved his hands into his coat pockets. This is going to hurt.

“Go ahead. Do it. You know you want to.”

He let the taunt hang in the air, waiting for her to speak, react, do anything.

She stared at him for a few seconds before her eyes swelled with unshed tears.

The sight caused a small ache in his chest. Nothing ever hurt as much as seeing Pepper cry.

The thought barely registered in his mind before she pulled back her clenched fist and slammed it squarely on his jaw.

His head jerked to the side with a snap.

“Fuck!”

He let loose a few more choice expletives. Trust Pepper to have a killer right hook.

The stars in his eyes cleared just in time for him to watch her turn and stomp toward the porch steps and up to the front door of the cabin.

“Feel better now?” he called out to her retreating back.

Her answering response was a decisively unladylike hand gesture over her shoulder before she entered the cabin and slammed the door behind her.

He rubbed his jaw for a few seconds before turning and walking to the car door. Peering inside, he glimpsed the keys still dangling from the ignition.

Reaching inside, he pocketed the keys before popping the hood of the SUV open.

“Well, let the games begin,” he muttered to himself as he walked to the front of the car and reached under the hood.

He barely winced in pain as a smile spread across his face while he reached into the belly of the car and yanked out a bundle of wires.

BUY LINKS:

Amazon (US): http://www.amazon.com/Persuasion-Skills-Boardroom-Acts-ebook/dp/B00DSHXQWG

Amazon(UK): http://www.amazon.co.uk/Persuasion-Skills-Boardroom-Acts-ebook/dp/B00DSHXQWG

All Romance: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-persuasionskills-1228259-147.html

Bookstrand: http://www.bookstrand.com/persuasion-skills-mf

Evernight: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/persuasion-skills-by-laurel-cremant/All

ABOUT LAUREL CREMANT

Laurel is a romance author, who like most writers loves to read. Her first love (pun intended) has always been romance. From the sappy YA romance novel to the more risqué erotica novels, Laurel is a sucker for a good love story.

Laurel writes paranormal and contemporary romance and is a self proclaimed, out of the closet nerd. She admits that she can't seem to avoid adding a bit of "nerdology" or "geek-dom" to all of her books. Living in Miami, she also admits that she can't seem to avoid giving her heroines gorgeous shoes, "In Miami, we worship everything strappy, open toed and just plain hot!"

AUTHOR WEBSITE & LINKS

Website: www.LaurelCremant.com

Blog: www.laurelcremant.blogspot.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/LaurelCremant

Facebook: www.facebook.com/LaurelCremantAuthor

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/LaurelCremant