Laura Kaye's Blog, page 93

It's Monday, which is a good thing, for a change! *grins*  Because I've got great news!
HEARTS IN DARKNESS won its second contest in two weeks, this time earning the designation of LASR Book of the Week!
I'm also guest blogging over at Word Wranglers today on how authors put themselves into their writing.  It's a cool post with some pretty personal sharing, plus I've got some fan-frickin-tastic man candy, so I don't even know why you're still here!!!!! ;-)
Monday also means it's time to blog hop with some lovely author friends. So, please click on a link, follow and comment, or--if you're an author--join in the fun!

Blogoversary Giveaway winners are... Heather Thurmeier and Vegetarian Cannibal! Congrats! See the May 8 #SixSunday post for details of the giveaway--you've got some choices to make! ;)

Thanks for reading,Laura

First and foremost, Happy Mother's Day! to all the moms out there!
My mom as a proud new grandma, 2004.
So, in honor of Mother's Day, I have Caden Grayson of HEARTS IN DARKNESS sharing a tender moment with Makenna, and telling her about one of his tattoos.  If you've been reading my other Sixes lately, I have to warn you that this is about 152% tamer, but I can't have a picture of my mama and baby on here and go Triple-X! LOL (See ya down below w/a plea):

Just then, as she kissed him—kissed his scar—and told him she liked him, and pulled him back from the edge of a downward spiral, he thought he just might be in love with Makenna James.          Her finger tickled the outline of his yellow rose. He watched her hand caress him. "My mom had a rose garden. Yellow was her favorite." He grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips.

Be sure to read the Other Sixers' Posts here! And drop off some Mom's Day love wherever you go! Also follow the #sixsunday hashtag on Twitter!

Now, for my plea:
HEARTS IN DARKNESS is up for Long and Short Reviews (LASR) Book of the Week!  With your help, Hearts won Sizzling Read of the Month last week at Sizzling Hot Book Reviews, can I please ask your help again today to VOTE , share, tweet, etc??? It truly would mean so much, today of all days! :) Thanks for your consideration!

And thanks, as always, for reading & commenting on my Six!  Enjoy Mother's Day!
Laura

Happy weekend, everyone!  Was thrilled yesterday that HEARTS IN DARKNESS received two top-ranked reviews, one from Long and Short Romance Reviews, making HEARTS eligible to compete in this weekend's LASR Book of the Week contest (vote here)

Voting will take place on Saturday, May 7 & Sunday, May 8.

So, once again, and with great humility and recognition that I've asked for your help before, I'm asking again.  Please vote, share, tweet, retweet!  Having a shot at winning this would really, truly add to my Mother's Day!
Many thanks for your consideration.  And, as always, thanks for reading,Laura

I'm a blogging fool today, and I'm hoping you'll come visit me so I'm not so looooonely! *grins*
Visit Laura & I'll lower this sheet...1) To "Was" or Not to "Was" - at Five Scribes Blog - everything you need to know about passive voice and 'to be 'verbs - I'll even doctor your passive voice up! [plus I have man candy, ya know, to make up for the grammar!]

2) Interview and Advice for New Writers - at All Things Books - what advice would you add?
3) Interview and Exclusive excerpt of Hearts in Darkness - at Wild Rose Press author Paty Jager's blog
Also, for your consideration, please note that my Romance Trading Cards are up for auction in a huge, comprehensive set of authors' cards as part of Brenda Novak's online auction for diabetes research! Fun items, great cause! Check it out!
  Thanks for reading,Laura

[image error] I'm so pleased to have a fellow Wild Rose Press author here visiting today! Welcome, AJ Nuest!  Please share a little about yourself, your genres, any other pen names you use.
I'm originally from Northern Wisconsin, but now live in Northwest Indiana with my husband and two young children. I don't really have a set "genre". I write across lines because I find the challenge intriguing. I bore easily, so I consistently up the ante to make the writing more difficult. A good way to do that is cross genres because they each have a distinct style. Eventually, I hope to have several stories in several genres, but I will always publish under AJ Nuest.
Oh, a fellow genre-hopper! Me too! Okay, tell us a little about your latest or upcoming release.
JEZEBEL'S WISH is set at my Mom's horse ranch in Northern Wisconsin. I knew that part of the country would make a beautiful backdrop for my story. The pristine white contrasted against the agony of what Jezzy is living. I also needed to take Jezzy out of her element, away from the city, so she would have no choice but to deal with her issues. Nothing handles that better than wide-open country. 
Writing what you know always infuses a story with authenticity! Which character is your favorite and why?
In this story, Matty, the veterinarian hero, is my favorite. Jezzy is going through a difficult time and really struggles finding a path through her grief. Matty handles her in such a great way - pushing her when she needs it, calm and patient after he's broken through her defenses. Tender, supportive, but he's not about to take any guff. He's a great hero.
Mmm…Matty sounds great! As the author, what surprised you about this story?
I never expected the story to be so emotional…or dark. I'm a bit of a panster, so often my characters have a history or take a certain action that surprises me. But, I love this part of the writing process. Without fail, discovering who my characters are is what brings me back to the laptop time and again.
Oh, we have so much in common! Card-carrying pantser here myself! Will there be any sequels or other books in the same series?
Not for this story, but I am working on a fantasy series that will take part in three books. The Willow Tree will be my first series, my first novel written from several perspectives, and my first foray into fantasy. See? There's that "upping the ante" thing I was talking about.
Awesome—congrats on the new project(s)! What was the hardest thing for you about writing JEZEBEL'S WISH?
I can't say or it will ruin the story. But whenever anyone reads JEZEBEL'S WISH, I'm fairly certain they'll know the scene. It's fairly obvious.
Hmm…who's as curious as me, now??? So, what are you working on right now?
I'm working on an "edgy inspirational with romantic elements," entitled FLICKER. This story is my first experience writing from a first person perspective, the chapters flip through time, and the novel spans fifteen years of my heroine's life. And I must say, the journey has been astonishing. Writing from first person POV really had me living inside my heroine's head. It was cool.
I really enjoy writing in first person, too—it's actually where I started my writing career! What happened to the first book you ever wrote?
FORGETFUL HEARTS was published in May, 2008. You can read the blurb on my blog. J
Great—check it out everybody! What do you find easiest and hardest to write?
Easiest–verbiage. Usually by the time I sit down at my laptop, I know my characters so well I can hear their voices in my head. Their conversations play like soundtrack in the background until I get them down on paper.
Hardest–moving time. I hate moving time. But I had to get good at it with FLICKER because the book spans so many years. Again, there's that challenge thingy. In retrospect, tackling that part of the writing process to such an extent really honed my ability with moving time.
Interesting! Have you incorporated actual events or people from your own life into your books?
Of course. My mom and sister are both characters in JEZEBEL'S WISH, and I've used other friends or combinations of people I've met over the years to create characters. But my heroes/heroines are always genuine, and I don't really write from my own life experiences (not a lot of exciting things happen out here in the sticks). Rather, I create certain obstacles for my characters, and then I put myself in their shoes, keying into their emotions until I work out how they would react.
I like that. Okay, is there a theme or message that runs through your work?
Not really. All my stories are really different, and they each have their own message. In JEZEBEL'S WISH, the message is "be careful what you wish for."
JEZEBEL'S WISH is sounding more and more intriguing—one for the TBR pile for sure! Of all the characters you've ever written, who is your favorite and why?
Immanuel Emery Diller from FLICKER. He's not the hero, but man, I just love that guy. He's got all the answers, you know? He's sort of my heroine's conscience, counselor, and best friend all rolled into one. The only problem is he's way smarter than me, so his scenes are tough to write.
Aw, he does sound like a compelling character.  Okay, now, just for fun:
Milk chocolate or dark chocolate? Milk Chocolate! Dark chocolate…bleck. And don't mess up the milk chocolate with fruit or mint or anything. It's already perfect the way it is.
Salty or sweet? Depends on my mood and the time of day. I must have sweet after lunch, a cookie or a piece of chocolate with my afternoon coffee. But I love salty if the family is watching a movie at day's end. Popcorn smothered in butter and salt! Yum!
Bed or kitchen table? Oooo…bathroom counter?? ( Oh, mmm, mirrors! )
Beach or mountains? If I had to choose, I would say mountains. I'm not really big into heat. And I love natural rock formations, trees and wildlife. The first time I visited Yellowstone, my entire perspective on life underwent a drastic change. About six months later, I moved out of the city to a more rural area. One of the best decisions I ever made.
Give or receive? Give. And then give some more. But do it with love. The rewards are limitless.
Okay, let's hear more about AJ's latest, JEZEBEL'S WISH:
Blurb:

Haunted by nightmares, tormented by guilt, Jezebel came to Redemption Ranch to escape the past—except now she's stuck in the middle of nowhere with no redemption in sight. When her mother pushes her into riding lessons with local veterinarian Matthias Saunders, Jezebel balks. Sure, the doctor is gorgeous, but he's completely obnoxious and knows how to push every one of her buttons.

Only her deep connection with The Reverend, a gentle stallion who guards her darkest secrets, has her agreeing to spend any more time with Dr. Saunders. Caring for the stallion is the first bright spot in her life in months, and if being around the horse means she has to deal with Matthias Saunders, then so be it. Surely a city girl like her can handle one country vet—even one with disturbing blue eyes. Can't she?

Excerpt:

Jezzy stopped. "I thought I was having a riding lesson.""You are." He nodded toward the empty paddock. "Go in.""Go in?" Jezzy propped a hand on her hip. "You sure you know what you're doing? Because it was my understanding that an actual horse is needed for a riding lesson.""Don't you think it would be wise at this juncture to leave the understanding up to the professionals?"Jezzy rolled her eyes. "You're making this way too easy. Professionals? Please. Don't get me started.""Why not? Getting you started is exactly what I'm here for."Jezzy's jaw dropped. She didn't quite know how to interpret that remark.He held out the rope. "Now go in. And take this lead line with you." Steely blue determination glinted in his eyes. There was no way he was going to give in. Jezzy snatched the lead line from his hand and stormed through the gate, then turned when he closed it behind her.He put a foot on the bottom railing and rested against the gate, facing the horizon. "Take the chair to the center of the paddock and sit down.""And just exactly how is that supposed to teach me to ride?"He cocked an eyebrow. "You want out of the deal?"Jezzy's fist clenched tight around the lead line. What she wanted was to march back to the fence and smack his face.

Thanks for being coming on the blog! Where can we find you on the web? Website/Blog: http://ajbooks.blogspot.comFacebook: Author Page for Tattered Pages: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Tattered-Pages/259835887466Twitter: http://twitter.com/ajnuestGoodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3211858-aj-nuestAmazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B004W0DH4KBuy Links: The Wild Rose Press:  http://tinyurl.com/446f7r3 | Amazon.com:  http://tinyurl.com/3b89ogb THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING MY GUEST, AJ!  Folks, leave AJ some love & ask some questions! 
Thanks for reading,Laura & AJ

Thanks to all of you, HEARTS IN DARKNESS won the distinction of Sizzling Read of the Month over at Sizzling Hot Book Reviews!  
I'm beside myself with excitement!!!!!!!!! (<--proven by overuse of exclamation points!!!!! And, again! *grins*)
Look for me all month at Sizzling Hot Book Reviews:
Today: Bag of Hearts Giveaway AnnouncementMay 6: Hearts in Darkness Book FeatureMay 13: Author InterviewMay 22: Caden Grayson Character InterviewMay 27: Hearts & Heroes Guest Blog (meet all of Laura's romantic heroes!)May 31: Author Feature & Giveaway Winner Announcement!!!
Here's how the giveaway will work, quoted from the Sizzling page:
Laura Kaye is giving away a bag of Hearts in Darkness stuff from her Cafe Press store, and print copy of Hearts of Darkness. The contest will last until May 31st since we are spotlighting Hearts of Darkness for the month of May.

Contest is only open to US and Canada residents.

To be entered to win you must fill out this FORM.

Extra entries:
+2 for being a follower of Sizzling Hot Books site
+2 for being a follower of Sizzling Hot Books on Facebook
+1 for filling out the form
+1 entries for tweeting about this contest, blogging about it, etc. 
Visit Sizzling Hot Book Reviews to enter, and participate in all the fun! Thanks for reading,Laura

It's Monday, so I'm hopping...with all kinds of good news.  Join the hop, and you can be a part of the fun, too.
Good News Number 1?  A new sale of my first erotic romance novella to Decadent Publishing.  JUST GOTTA SAY is a M/M/M/F that's got as much heart as it has heat--and that's saying something!  No word on release date yet, but I'll keep ya posted!  Man, am I salivating at the idea of seeing this cover! LOL Good News Number 2?  HEARTS IN DARKNESS has won another award--a reader award, of sorts, made possible by...YOU!  In a heated competition with a much-bigger-named author, HEARTS won "Sizzling Book of the Month" as Sizzling Hot Book Reviews in a landslide vote!  Look now for a whole month's worth of exclusive excerpts, author/book spotlights, character interviews, and SUPER COOL GIVEAWAYS, including the BAG OF HEARTS, which will be chockful of HEARTS-related goodies! Good News Number 3?  HEARTS IN DARKNESS earned another 5-STAR review, this time from Stacy Eaton's Blog!  Stacy said, "Laura Kaye reaches out with this quick fun read to enthrall readers from the get go....I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a fast paced, no putting down book filled with laughter and lust....Makenna and Caden are so well explained as characters you feel you actually might know them."
If you haven't given HEARTS IN DARKNESS a chance yet, maybe now's the time???  It's available on kindle at amazon, nook at B&N, and other formats/readers or in html/pdf form at my publisher, The Wild Rose Press!
In the meantime, check out these other great authors on the hop!
And thanks for reading,Laura

Howdy folks! Welcome back for more Six Sentence Sunday fun! So, I'm REALLY excited to share these six because 1) they continue right along from last week's excerpt from my erotic romance that y'all seemed to like so much ;) and 2) DECADENT PUBLISHING JUST OFFERED ME A CONTRACT FOR THIS STORY!!! It's called JUST GOTTA SAY and I got the contract offer just last night! (I have other news, too, for after...) Without further ado, my six, in Callie's point of view:

            Each night since, she'd given in to the ache, her own fingers a poor substitute for her imaginings of what the guys' thick fingers and thicker cocks would feel like.  She'd never before come to such images, but now they got her off faster than anything ever had.            But, damn, as good as it was, it wasn't enough.  Callie needed more.            In her room, she cued up the Sexy Times playlist on her iPod and let one suggestive tune after another soak in.  She shed her clothes and slinked into a short, hot pink silky robe, then dropped to her knees at the edge of her closet and yanked a bag from behind a crate of shoes.

My idea of Callie's primary crush, Lucas Branson!!
If the new sale wasn't exciting enough, my debut contemporary HEARTS IN DARKNESS is up for book of the month at Sizzling Hot Book Reviews, an honor garnered from its receipt of a 5-STAR review! Voting ends today (May 1) at 8 p.m. - would you please consider voting by clicking here??? It would mean so much and result in some great promotion opportunities for my book!

Thanks for reading, and commenting - I always love to read your thoughts!Laura

Hi everyone! I need your help, please!


HEARTS IN DARKNESS is up for book of the month at Sizzling Hot Book Reviews!


Would you please consider voting? Click here and see the list on the right side of the screen!


Many thanks for your consideration!


Thanks for stopping by,
Laura

Well, folks, I can't even believe it! We're up to our last guest in the 30 Days of Kay(e)s Blogfest! *sniff* It's been so much fun, and I've met so many great Kay(e)s! So, not only do I have a great guest for you, but, also a GIVEAWAY ANNOUNCEMENT!!

Everyone who has commented on one or more of the eight Kay(e) posts will be entered for the following giveaways: 1) a $5 gift certificate to The Wild Rose Press, 2) an ebook of my new release HEARTS IN DARKNESS, 3) an ebook of my upcoming release FOREVER FREED. ***You must leave your email address with your comment so I can contact you!!!***

Okay, without further ado, I give you the lovely and sharp-witted...
Monica Kaye!
Thanks so much for having me! I'm excited to be here.
Welcome, Monica! Okay, to start, please tell us how and why you came to use the name Kaye!
Well, "K" is my middle initial and when I was thinking about a penname, I wanted something true to myself, so it just kind of felt right.
Makes sense!  That's similar to why I used K—it's the first letter of my real last name. Okay, please share a little about yourself, your genres, any other pen names you use .
My name's Monica Kaye. I write erotic romance for LooseID. I also write contemporary romance and romantic suspense but they haven't been published...yet.
Ah, a fellow genre-hopper! Me too! So, tell us a little about your latest or upcoming release.
THE BUSINESS OF PLEASURE is out now. It's about Carmen and Drew. Drew is an uptight New Englander who finds himself attracted to the last person he should, Carmen. She's smart and feisty and sexual and not the kind of woman men think of settling down with. Drew wants a wife and family. And Carmen? Carmen is an ex-stripper with an Ivy League degree who has worked for every thing she has in the world. She is about to open a male strip club, her dream business, and the last thing she needs is Drew. He has complications written all over him and still she can't stop herself from wanting to lick him.
These are the kind of stories I like to write. People who know in their heads they shouldn't be together but can't stop themselves from ripping their clothes off. They're fun to read (and write) and I think it's some of my snappiest dialogue.
Oh, my, yes! Watching people fight but give into that kind of attraction is always yummy! One for the TBR pile, folks! Monica, what are you working on right now?
I'm working on a third "Business" story. It features Keeley and Brian. It's my first older woman/younger man story. She's not a cougar but it's been fun to write.
Ooh, fun! What happened to the first book you ever wrote?
It's lost in an old computer somewhere. Actually, it wasn't horrible. I still remember the story. I may rewrite it now that I'm thinking about it. Hmmm…
Get on it, woman! *grins* What do you find easiest and hardest to write?
I love dialogue. It's my favorite thing to write. I start stories and scenes with dialogue and build around it. Every book I've ever written has started out in my head as a dialogue scene. I especially love banter. I'm a sucker for the Hepburn/Tracy type of interactions!
I know it's cliched but writing sex is not easy. You want to keep it fresh and also emotional. I write erotic romance but my stories always end with the hero and heroine together and so their sexual moments have to also build in intimacy. That's difficult to do.
Being strong at dialogue is such a great asset—good for you! Have you incorporated actual events or people from your own life into your books?
Not yet. I'm not saying I'm above exploiting my life for fun and profit but I like playing the "What If" game. Imagining a situation and putting my characters in them and forcing them to interact. Also my fantasy life is much more interesting than my real one.
Ain't that the truth? Dang it! Is there a theme or message that runs through your work?
"Love Will Keep Us Together"—just kidding. I think a lot of my stories deal with trust. Trusting yourself and your partner. I think it's the foundation of any relationship and a lot of people struggle with it. At least, I know I do.
What would your readers be surprised to learn about you?
As much as I believe in love and romance and happily ever after, I don't believe in soul mates. I don't think there is one magical person out there meant specifically for me or anyone. I think we definitely fall in love but staying in love is a choice. I call myself a practical romantic.
That's really interesting! Which romance book or series do you wish you had written?
Wow! That's a hard question. I read so many books I admire and I wish I wrote LIKE that but not necessarily that particular book. Even a book I know I love, I think to myself that's a great idea but that's not how I would've written it. That's what's awesome about being creative people. We all see the same thing but in different ways.
True. Of all the characters you've written, who is your favorite and why?
Carmen from THE BUSINESS OF PLEASURE is my favorite. She's who I wish I was. Sexy and sassy and says whatever is on her mind. I love her and she makes me smile every time I think about her.
Um, I follow you on Twitter. I think you might be more like Carmen than you think! Okay, down to some basics: Milk chocolate or dark chocolate? Dark Chocolate Salty or sweet? Salty Bed or kitchen table? Kitchen Table Beach or mountains? Beach Give or receive? Give Thanks for being a part of The 30 Days of Kay(e)s Blogfest! Where can we find you on the web? Website:  www.authormonicakaye.comBlog: monicakayesharmlesssmut.blogspot.comFacebook: Monica KayeTwitter: @MonicaKayeGoodreads: Monica KayeTHANK YOU SO MUCH FOR PARTICIPATING! Folks, leave Monica some love, comments, questions! And don't forget to leave your emails!
Thanks for reading,Laura & Monica