Norseman's Deception is a Finalist!

Some very exciting news came in tonight and what a way to kick off November! Norseman's Deception, Book 2 in The Norsemen Sagas, is a finalist in the historical category of the RWA NYC's Kathryn Hayes When Sparks Fly Contest! Needless to say, I am very thrilled by this news – doubly so because I almost missed the deadline! Literally got it in at the very last second.

Finaling on its own is a very sweet reward, regardless of whether I win or not. To me, it's a sort of validation that my books ARE good, for all the doubts I have when sales are slow, or if I get a bad review that literally takes the breath out of me.  Reading is, of course, subjective, and I fully understand that my books are not everyone's cup of tea, but sometimes the folks leaving a bad review can be positively cruel. That does sting, because as most writers will agree, our books are like our babies. We bring them to life, nurture them and help them grow to their fullest potential, just like I do with my real children – though truthfully, seeing my kids happy and successful is obviously tons better than having a book received well by readers. I'm a mom first, after all.

I'm still very excited, though! :D Who wouldn't be? This is praise from my peers and colleagues, and I thank all who read and judged Norseman's Deception to be worthy of finaling. Check out the shiny finalist badge I received:

Isn't it pretty? :D I will find a nice permanent home for it here on the blog and on my website.

Here's more about Norseman's Deception, along with an excerpt and links where you can find it:

* He Saved Her from Outlaws – Who Will Save Her from Him? *

Fearing an arranged marriage, Thora Korisdotter flees her village, vowing never to return. With her two pet wolves beside her, she is confident in her safety, protected by the loyal animals. But outlaws attack, wounding one of her beloved pets. Only a mysterious stranger saves her from certain death. Now in his debt, she must repay him as he asks – with her body.

After being cast out of his clan as an outlaw, Ari Hugisson has wandered for years. The time of his banishment is nearing its end, and Ari has the proof he needs to clear his name and unmask the real murderer – his brother. His journey is delayed when he comes across a beautiful woman under attack. Compelled to save her, he also knows exactly how to claim the debt she owes, using the passion lurking under the surface of her fiery nature.

Betrayal cuts deep with the revelation Ari has lied and knows well the man Thora was to wed. But the passion he stirs is unlike anything she has ever known, even if he insists on treating her as little more than a slave.

When Ari confronts those who would see him killed, will Thora stand beside him, even at the risk of losing her family – and her heart?

** Contains explicit love scenes featuring A Kinky Twist on History! bondage, spanking and more!

Amazon US: http://ow.ly/Zwcz305UHi6

Amazon UK: http://ow.ly/N0Qr305UHlg

Apple: http://ow.ly/yqtQ305UHrD

B&N/Nook: http://ow.ly/nxkO305UHgv

Kobo: http://ow.ly/wmw3305UHuD

Smashwords: http://ow.ly/q0mR305UHyQ

CreateSpace (print): http://ow.ly/9Hpr305UHBh

Here's that excerpt, when Thora tells Ari the reason for her flight. Enjoy!

"So you are to wed him, then?"

She nodded. "My father has made the agreement. After The Thing, he was to bring Hersir back to Grindafell for the wedding."

"You fled before they could return."

She nodded. "I won't go back. And I can't go to Tingwalla."

"An impossible dilemma." Ari leaned back against the log once more, his thoughts racing with ideas. "But I must be compensated. Don't you agree?"

Again, she nodded. "I've given your demand some thought. If I were to… offer myself to you, then afterward you can continue to Tingwalla, and I will go my way. But I will no longer be valuable as a bride. I would ask that you take a message to my father and perhaps he will stop searching for me."

Ari sucked in a breath. The wench was cunning and his admiration for her grew even more, as did his yearning. He shifted, his cock now hard and uncomfortable. He cleared his throat.

"Aren't you worried your father's honor will be ruined? You place him in a difficult position by refusing a marriage he's agreed to."

Thora shrugged. "I know. But I have no choice. My father married my mother for love, and when she died, he found another, and their love is strong. I only want the same for myself."

Ari nodded in understanding. Thora was like most other women, wanting a love match, rather than an alliance to ensure the strengthening of both families and clans. He also knew full well that she would never have that while wed to Hersir. But Ari had no intention of letting Thora leave his side. She'd likely be furious when she realized his lies, and again the idea of binding her so she couldn't flee poked at him. Hel, once she learned the truth, he'd have no choice. He held back the eager grin and thought carefully on his next words.

"Very well, Thora. I will accept your offer of payment, however, there are conditions on this agreement."

Her lips pressed together, her eyes flashing with suspicion. "What are your conditions?"

"I decide when it is time for us to part ways."

She nodded. "What else?"

"You will obey my every order. Please me and you shall be rewarded."

"And if I don't?"

He shrugged. "You'll be punished."

Only the crackling of the flames broke the abrupt silence. Even the creatures of the forest had quieted, as if all waited to hear her reply. He held her stare, daring her to refuse.

She didn't. In fact, he wasn't sure he managed to completely contain his surprise when she nodded again.

"Very well. I accept your terms." She looked away for a moment, then leveled her dark stare on him once more. "When… I assume you want…"

He chuckled. "Yes, Thora, I want you. And I will have you. Tonight."

Hot Bayou Nights

I reviewed Hot Bayou Nights recently, and I can't tell you how excited I am to have Elizabeth here the last couple of days.We have a lot in common - we're both Gemini's, correct me, Liz if I'm wrong, but we're a year and a week apart, right? We're critique partners, and this fall, we're both Golden Leaf finalists. Not to mention, we have a blast with each other whenever we're together. Even when we're just walking to our cars after critique, we end up standing around talking (on Broadway no less, when we should probably just head to the bar around the corner so we don't risk getting hit by a car!)

Anyway, I loved this book - when I first heard what it was about and that snakes were involved, I thought, you have to be kidding me. And then I heard some of it. When the book finally came out this year, I grabbed it right away. I've made mention of the fact I read while on various machines at the gym - this works out well for the most part - the workouts go quicker than I realize, and lately, I find myself going so fast the machines are telling me to slow down! I like the end results there, no matter how slow the progress.

But I'm rambling again, because the point I'm trying to make is that a book with freaking venomous snakes had me enthralled from the first word I heard and read.So here's a taste of the book for your enjoyment:

When corporate consultant Carla Saunders' work takes her from the skyscrapers of Manhattan to a research facility in Louisiana filled with king cobra snakes, she sees her dreams of a job in Paris sinking into the swamp. But unexpected desire burns hotter than a sultry bayou night. The snakes terrify her, but lust for a scorching hot research scientist has her dreaming less about the Champs Élysées and more about being coiled in his arms.

Obsessed with finding a cure for multiple sclerosis, Jackson Rivard's got zero time for relationships. But when a lush, efficient business advisor sweeps into his lab, zero spikes to a hundred before he can shut off the engine. In theory, no-strings-attached sex is scientifically feasible, but having an ex whose fangs make a cobra’s seem modest brings new meaning to the phrase “once bitten, twice shy.” How can he protect his heart when Carla’s charming it out of hiding?

 Here's the steamy tidbit sure to leave you anxious for more:

Hot Bayou Nights 

“Don’t look at your feet,” he whispered into her ear. “Look at me.”

She did as he asked, raising her chin to look into Jackson’s blue eyes, and then she was lost. Her breath whooshed out as he trapped her in his gaze, like an insect in a spider’s web. Except unlike the insect, Carla never wanted out. She felt as if she could drown in him. Helpless, her mind drifted to thoughts of what he could do to her. His lips on hers, fingers skating across her naked skin, his body flush against hers on the bed while he held her down, sucking her breasts, his rock hard cock pressed against her thigh. She could reach down between their bodies and take him in her hands, stroking him, teasing, making him even harder. She would hear the ragged panting of his breaths against her skin, ready for her. His fingers would drift downward to slip between the wet folds of her pussy, mercilessly stroking until her hips arched up, so hot for him, and then he would enter -

The music stopped, dousing her fantasy like a bucket of cold water. Jackson stepped back to look down at her, smiling.

“Did you like it?”

Ooooh yeah. “Definitely. A lot.” She prayed like mad that she bore no telltale red face from her little mental visit to his bedroom and plastered on a giant smile. She needed to pull herself together and pay no attention to her trembling knees or the throbbing pulses between her legs. Jackson Rivard was dangerous—to her career, her fear assignment, her sanity. She had to remember that.

Here's where you can get a copy for yourself, and find out more about Elizabeth:

Hot Bayou Nights Buy Links: 

Amazon:

http://amzn.to/1uN9sXd

The Wild Rose Press:

http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/wildcatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=Elizabeth%20Shore

Elizabeth's website:

www.lizshore.com

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/ElizabethShoreWriter

Blog:

www.ladysmut.com

Welcome Elizabeth Shore!

Today I am very excited to welcome Elizabeth Shore to my blog. I've known Elizabeth for several years now and she's a very good friend as well as one of my most excellent critique partners. In addition, she is a fellow 2014 Golden Leaf finalist for her erotic contemporary romance, Hot Bayou Nights. Today I'm putting her in the hot seat to answer a few questions – about her, writing, and just about anything else you can think of. 

And don't forget to come back tomorrow to read a steamy excerpt from Hot Bayou Nights! Now, on with the show!

When did the writing bug first hit?

I can't remember ever not liking to write, so I guess the answer is that the writing bug hit me in the womb. Haha! Seriously, I do remember when I first had the idea for writing romance. I was listening to a talk radio show and on it was a discussion about writing. The host of the program had brought up something about the romance industry and how those editors are always looking for new writers. It was a lightbulb moment, really. I suddenly thought, I could do that!

Are you a plotter or a pantser?

I'm a plotter. I think about my characters, and the story around them, and how their relationship develops, and then eventually I come up with an outline. However, it's not at all chiseled in stone. I firmly believe that if you know your characters well enough they're going to tell you where they want to go and whether or not you've taken a wrong turn. It's perfectly fine to stray from the outline when your characters lead you that way. But I like having an outline just to remind myself what I'm thinking about for any particular story. I can't write every day because I have a full-time "day job," so when I can write I don't want to spend huge amounts of time reminding myself where I left off and what I'm intending to do.

Do your characters come first, or the story?

I've had it go both ways. I'll see or hear about an interesting person and start thinking, "I wonder how she'd react if this or that happened" and suddenly I'm thinking about a story. Alternately, I'll envision some kind of story and think about fascinating characters that will add dimension to the plot.

How much of your personal life inspires your writing?

My personal life is pretty unassuming, which is why I find myself thinking up fun stories! But certainly one's own life is influential in writing. We authors all bring something of ourselves in every story we write, I think.

What (else) inspires you to write?

I'm really pretty fascinated by people. Everyone has a story, and the more time you spend getting to know people the more you find yourself inspired by stories you could write. So, without wanting to sounds like a bad cliche, I'm pretty much just inspired by life. 

What was the most valuable piece of advice you received when you first started your pursuit of publication?

Join an RWA chapter!

Where's your ideal writing space?

In my office, fingers on keyboard, cat on lap.

What's your average word count per day/week/month?

I try to aim for 3,000 words per writing session, but there are many times when the words just don't come. So I really just try to focus on writing something that I think won't end up in my virtual trash heap.  

What's your favorite time of the day for writing?

I'm definitely a morning person. Everything is so fresh and filled with promise in the morning. My mind is clear and I'm ready to go. I love the nighttime, but not for writing ... :-)

How do you set your writing atmosphere – with music, lighting or something else?

I have to have something to drink by my side at all times, generally coffee. Sometimes I don't even drink that much, but there's something comforting about having the steaming cup there, like a faithful friend. I like my office to be filled with light, and filled with music. Depending on what kind of scene I'm writing, it's either soft classical or really loud metal. Hey, I'm a Gemini.

What's the same mistake you still find yourself aggravatingly making from your early days?

Wordiness. Why write one sentence when a paragraph will do?

When you hit that brick wall (as all writers eventually do at some point or another), how do you get through it?

One time when I was young I refused to eat the food on my plate at dinner. My mom, in an effort to make me understand about not wasting food, wouldn't allow me to get up until I ate at least some of it. I kind of apply that same effort toward brick walls when I'm writing. I just sit there, refusing to get up, until I've written at least something. That something more often than not leads to something more and I start knocking away at those bricks.

If you had the chance to do one day in your life over again, which day would it be? Why?

I wouldn't re-do any days because I like to live in the present. That said, it would be lovely to have the chance to speak to my mom again. We were very close and she died before I got published. I'd love to show her what I've been up to and hopefully know that I've made her proud.

A giant asteroid is about to hit the planet. What do you want to be doing at the moment of impact?

Spending time with someone I love and who loves me while eating Ben & Jerry's peanut butter cup ice cream without one single twinge of guilt.

Coffee or tea?

Coffee. Lots of it.

Beer/wine or hard liquor?

Beer. Gotta make my home state (Wisconsin) proud.

Chocolate or vanilla?

I'll stick with the aforementioned peanut butter cup.

What was the craziest out-of-character thing you've ever done?

Modeled nude for a sculpture artist.

How would you react if you lost your cell phone?

Egad. Even the thought of it makes me twitchy. So, I guess I'd get twitchy!

If you had the chance to offer advice to yourself as a newborn baby, what would you tell yourself?

Treasure this gift of life you've been given and leave the world in a better way than it was when you entered it.

What's the one thing you could never live without? (besides air, water, food)

Love.

Great interview, Elizabeth! Thank you for coming by this week. I gotta tell ya, some of your answers surprised me - and inspired a few more! lol But I knew damn well what you would say for some of the other questions! (cough - cell phone - cough)  ;) 

And of course, congratulations on being a 2014 Golden Leaf Finalist. I'm looking forward to celebrating with you. 

Here's where you can find Elizabeth and Hot Bayou Nights:

Hot Bayou Nights Buy Links: 

Amazon:

http://amzn.to/1uN9sXd

The Wild Rose Press:

http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/wildcatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=Elizabeth%20Shore

Elizabeth's website:

www.lizshore.com

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/ElizabethShoreWriter

Blog:

www.ladysmut.com