Okay. I’m totally borrowing/stealing this topic from Nicola O.
Nicola mentions in her post that penises in some paranormals are different from the norm. I’ve run across this phenomenon before. Most notable are Lora Leigh’s Breed books where barbs and knots appear during the sexual act, locking the hero and heroine together for long minutes. I remember reading this for the first time and thinking, well. That’s interesting. I’m glad it’s not me. Since this happens in nature I can accept it in a book, but it does make me squirm and not in a good way.
I remember reading ebooks written by Brenna Lyons (Kegin series) where a similar thing occured. In Brenna’s books, the heroines were a little astonished. Yep, that would be me as well.
I’ve also read a couple of sci-fi romances where the hero has two penises. For the life of me I can’t think of the title or author, but I remember that I had to read the paragraph twice. It could have been an EC book. The title will come to me, if I think about it for long enough.
Recently I’ve been reading some of Shannon McKenna’s romantic suspenses. I really enjoy Shannon’s books, but I’ve noticed that her heroes are all very well endowed and that they’re good with foreplay. They have to be because of their size. She also mentions the term “girl juice” several times, which just cracks me up.
In a more recent post Nicola also mentioned that her blog stats went crazy after her paranormal penises post, so I just had to experiment you understand and try my own penis post.
Now in my own writing I keep the size vague. I don’t go into great detail about length but I might mention appearance. My feline shapeshifters don’t have this mysterious barb, although the more I think about it, the more I want to introduce one. Watch this space.
Writers – I know most of my writer visitors write erotic romance so what do you do with the size and appearance thing?
Readers – what is your opinion of the barbs and knots and extra dangly bits? Do they make you go eek or do they just make you giggle? Do you skip those paragraphs?
Recently I’ve added some free reads to my website in the hope of attracting new readers. I’ve been surprised by how many extra visitors these free stories have brought to my site already because I haven’t advertised them yet.
I thought I’d do a little promotion on behalf of my fellow writers at Romance Divas since many of them also have free stories available on their websites. The genres and sensuality levels differ so check these first before you download the stories.
Here are some free reads from Romance Diva authors, in no particular order:
After reading Leah Braemel’s post on making a book trailer and seeing her new trailer last week, I decided to try making one of my own. Armed with Leah’s instructions, plus the instructions I’d saved a while ago from Brenda Coulter, I started on my book trailer journey.
I enjoyed making my trailer, although Leah was right when she said it was a huge time suck. It took me all of Saturday night plus most of Sunday to get as far as I have. It’s fairly basic and I haven’t experimented much with fading pictures out etc. That will come with my next attempt. One thing I knew for sure was that I shouldn’t make my trailer too long. As a viewer of trailers, my attention wanders after one and a half minutes. I decided I needed to make my trailer as short as I could.
There are some wonderful book trailers available for viewing on Youtube and some real stinkers. I think mine fits somewhere in the middle. I’m happy with my first attempt, and I’m sure that next time will be easier because I’ve learned so much. Trial by doing!
Do you like to make book trailers? Do you have any handy hints to share on making trailers? Readers, do you enjoy watching trailers or do you run a mile when you see authors promoting them? Are there particular things you like or dislike about trailers?
I’m blogging over at Access Romance on Monday 19th January. The subject? My recent trip to Tongariro National Park. The post goes live at 6.00am. I hope you’ll pop over and say hello.
I enjoy watching a good game of rugby, and it’s no secret that I gain hero inspiration while I’m watching all those players run up and down the field. I also like reading romance, so I was excited to hear Harlequin is releasing some rugby related romances. The first book, the Prince’s Waitress Wife by Sarah Morgan launches on 1 February.
And speaking of rugby romances, I’m ahead of the times because I have two stories out already with Ellora’s Cave. Issy’s Infatuation is about women’s rugby while Best Man is an m/m story that features two rugby players.
And finally, I have a cover for my February 27 release, Leticia’s Lovers. You can find a blurb and excerpt if you follow this link.
Congratulations all! I’ll email you all in person, but feel free to email me too. I’ve had problems with emails going astray in the past. I need to know which format you’d like your downloads in and once I know that, I can email you your prize.
Note – there’s still a copy of Middlemarch Mates: Cat Burglar up for grabs in the Triple D contest. The winner of the last prizes in the Deliciously Decadent December contest will be announced very soon.
Second note – don’t forget to pop back next week to visit with Emily Bryan. Everyone who comments will have a chance to win her new book, Vexing the Viscount.
I’ve read my very first book for 2009. I’m still in my contemporary/western phaze, and when I was trying to decide which book to read from my to-read pile, I picked up Wicked Burn by Beth Kery.
Wicked Burn is a recent release. You might have noticed some of the wonderful reviews out in webland. I have and was looking forward to reading it. I wasn’t disappointed. Wicked Burn is a sexy read, dripping with emotion and has a strong alpha hero. Very yummy. The heroine is no slouch either. They are perfectly matched and I believed in their happy ending. If you like hot contemporaries you can’t go wrong with Beth Kery’s recent release, Wicked Burn. She has done a great job with her first NY release, and I’ll be waiting impatiently for the next one.
What is the first book you’ve read in 2009? The first book you’ve started to read?
Look for the winners in my Birthday Bash contest tomorrow. I meant to pick them today but things were a bit hectic at Munro house. Tomorrow, I promise!
Blurb:
Laura Adams is a cop with ambition, and a job in Middlemarch isn’t what she wants for her future. Hooking up with the wrong man is responsible for the wrong turning, and she refuses to repeat the mistake, especially with a sexy thief.
Leopard shifter Jonno Campbell takes one look at Laura and desires her as his mate. He’s enthralled with the fiery cop, and when she arrests him, he’s ready for a strip search. Convincing Laura he’s innocent and that they should work together to capture the thieves stealing from Middlemarch residents isn’t easy. A kiss laced with his easy charm does the trick and sparks fly. Passion escalates into primitive hunger. A night of hot loving convinces Jonno. He wants forever with the gorgeous Laura, but her ambition, his feline heritage and a gang of thieves stand in the way of his progress. Then there’s the ex-boyfriend who wants Laura back. This time charisma and erotic promises might not be enough to win the lady.
Want your own copy of Cat Burglar? Leave a comment here and be entered to win.
Can’t think of anything to say? Tell me if you think a leopard can change its spots. Can a bad boy turn into one who is great marriage material? Do you think you can kick your old/bad habits and turn over a new leaf for 2009?
For more chances to win visit the other Triple D author blogs.
Wanna find out where the Deliciously Decadent December authors will be next? Join our Yahoo group for updates and chances to win copies of our latest releases. Click here to join.
Rules:
1. Leave a comment and you’ll be entered to win.
2. Winner will be chosen at random via Random.org
3. You can enter a total of 8 times by leaving a comment on each Triple D author’s blog but you will only allowed to win once.
4. You must be 18 and older to enter and/or win.
5. You must collect your prize within 10 days of prize announcement or prize is null & void.
Fringe Benefits is out today!! Readers have been asking me about this book ever since I put it up on my coming soon page. Buy your copy at Ellora’s Cave today. I need every penny or cent you want to spend because that’s the only way I’ll get another trip to the US in the near future.
JERR asked to interview me recently, and my interview appears in the 16 Nov issue of their newsletter. If you write or read erotic romance and don’t know about JERR’s newsletter you’re missing out! Here’s the link to their website. Details of how to join the newsletter are on their site.
After an anxious wait, I received a review for Tea For Two this week. The reviewer said, “This is the perfect story to curl up with on a cold winter’s night, add a glass of wine, some music, and lose yourself in the ups and downs as star crossed lovers discover their soul mates. This is such a fabulous story, and I look forward to reading more stories written by this amazing author. Kudos, Ms. Munro!”
Here’s the link to the full review.
And finally, the writing is going really well. I’ve cranked out a lot of words this week, and all going well, I should have my first draft done at the end of next week. This is the first time I’ve worked to a synopsis for ages, and it’s certainly a good way of keeping on track. I enjoy writing the first draft. I think it’s the creating and allowing my imagination to wander wherever it likes. Sometimes plotting too much freezes my brain, but this time, it’s all good, and I’ve even done a few fancy steps that aren’t in the synopsis.
How has your week gone? If you’re working on NaNo, how are you going?
A menage a trois is defined in the dictionary as a domestic establishment or household that consists of a husband, a wife and a lover. They’re hot in the erotic romance world and very popular with readers. Since Fringe Benefits, my menage a trois story is out on Friday from Ellora’s Cave, I thought I’d run through some of my favorite titles and authors in this arena. In no particular order…
1. Jory Strong – I’d be hard-pressed to choose my favorite from Jory’s titles. They’re not all menage a trois but no matter what Jory writes, the story is hot and a great read.
2. Maya Banks – also writes some good books. Sometimes the bed is even more crowded!
9. Samantha Kane – hot regency historicals. Pick one.
10. Lorelei James – I’ve mentioned her books before. Some of the books in her western series have menage a trois scenes. I’m saving her latest release, Rough, Raw and Ready for the weekend when I’ve completed my word count.
12. Tielle St. Clare – Summer’s Caress Some very hot werewolves.
13. Fringe Benefits by Shelley Munro
Flatmates. Best friends. Casual lovers.
Life’s good—a friends-with-benefits deal works perfectly with her male flatmates, but Marie Wright secretly craves more. A hot threesome. Erotic pleasure. Silken touches from both Shane and Kelvin. One hot summer day the sensual tension explodes between the three. For Marie each caress is a slice of ecstasy. It’s seductive magic, and she’s bewitched. Momentary pleasure isn’t enough. She wants a future with her lovers—a permanent ménage a trois—but if she makes a wrong move, she might irreparably destroy their friendship and lose everything.
Read an excerpt here. Buy your copy from Ellora’s Cave on 14 November 2008.
Have I missed any of your favorites? Do you think a menage a trois relationship is plausible or do you think there would be too many problems to overcome?
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others’ comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted! View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
The Romance Divas annual Not Going to Conference Conference will make you feel a bit less deprived! Amazing workshops, a star-studded guest list and awesome giveaways, all on the Diva forum! Don’t miss it!
Watch this space.
Cat Burglar by Shelley Munro
Flatmates. Best friends. Casual lovers.
