Catching Up

Here we go again – if you follow this blog, by now, you know I'm probably one of the worst bloggers ever. The last several months have been incredibly busy, and what time I've had to devote toward writing (anything), has gone toward the projects I've been bouncing between for months, rather than this blog. One project is now complete, the other is thisclose to being done. Family issues have taken a chunk of time as well, and unfortunately, the blog was the sacrifice while I worked through it all. I still haven't figured out how I managed when I was working full time. While I now have more time available, I find it fills up much more quickly. And no matter how carefully I plan out my days and weeks, something pops up nearly every single day to trash that. However, I take great satisfaction in knowing several of my house projects are also done, though that list seems to grow way faster than I can keep up with.

 

I've decided to try some new things here – I'll be hosting some author interviews and the like, and I thought I would also do some brief reviews of some of my recent reading material. I've managed to read a few books while at the gym (thank you Kindle App!), it's a great way to make that 45 minutes on the treadmill or elliptical go much faster.

But before I get to all that, I figured I should share a little about the projects I've been working on. As I may have mentioned before, I am a HUGE fan of History Channel's original show, Vikings. I have long planned to write a series about Vikings, and the show inspired me to push that plan to the top of my ever-growing list of books I plan to write. I recently finished the first in what is currently a trilogy, though I may want to add to that. I had a lot of fun writing it, even through the dark moments of the story.  I'll share more info on the release of that book as I get it. In the meantime, I can't wait to get on to the next books. I already know that book 2 will be a deeply emotional book. The heroine is introduced in book 1, and at that point, she's not very likeable, so I have a tough road ahead of me to redeem her. But her story is a bit dark, she's suffered tremendously, and that's part of what drove her behavior in book 1. I'm looking forward to revisiting the gritty and bloody world of 9^th century Scandinavia.

The other project is the third in my Medieval Warriors series. I'm also enjoying this – these characters have been kicking around in my head for a very long time, though their story has changed drastically from its first incarnation. It's also a bit longer than the first two books in the series, and I am calling it a prequel, since it tells the story of Gillian and Royce, the parents of Marissa and Rowan from the first two books. I also have a fourth book planned in that series - and it's got a cool paranormal twist!

And lo and behold, just this last week I think I solved the huge plot dilemma I had for a shelved project. This one is a vampire tale, and incorporates several BDSM elements. I've combined both of my favorite genres with this one! This story also has some very dark moments, which I love to write. So that story is now back in the queue for finishing/polishing.

Last but not least, summer is finally here. I love summer – it is my absolute favorite season. That may have something to do with the fact I was born the day before the summer solstice. I have found over the years that people tend to prefer the season they were born in most of all. Of course, there are exceptions, but generally, most of the people I've discussed this theory with have agreed. So if you're a summer baby like me, enjoy! For those who prefer the colder climates, don't worry – they'll be here again before we know it.

Warrior's Wrath Blog Tour Winners!

I am pleased to announce the winners of the giveaway from the Warrior's Wrath Blog Tour.

The Grand prize winner of both Warrior's books in eformat, swag and a $25 Amazon gift card is:

Jai Gagne

Three other winners also get copies of each Warrior's book in eformat and some fun goodies. Those winners are:

Lori Kushner-Hayes

Patricia

Shelly Hammond

Keep an eye on your emails, I'll be contacting you with more details. 

A big thank you to everyone who came by.  And also thank you to all my hosts. I do appreciate your support, so much.

                              

We've Come a Long Way - But Apparently Not Long Enough

For those who write and read erotica, especially BDSM-themed, you know that lately there has been an escalation in what seems to be an attack on these works and authors by several sites (one in particular) , based on content THEY find offensive. The folks over at Pink Flamingo, one of my publishers, are very active fighting against this sort of thing, but sometimes it's like beating your head against a brick wall. In any case, they've asked that I re-post this for them, and as they have put it so much better than I ever could, I'm happy to do so. And considering a couple of my titles, it's likely I'm going to be banned in some of these places as well.

Unfortunately, I don't have time to add my own rant in at the moment (off to a friend's daughter's wedding - when did the kids grow up and we get old?), but rest assured, I will be back to speak about this again. In the meantime, please read what PF is dealing with and see the ways you can prevent being cut off from your favorite erotic books and authors.

A Request To Our Faithful Readers...

As some of you already know, we have had problems with major retailers banning our books. Pink Flamingo Publications has always strove to publish what our readers want. Some of those books include non-consensual or harder books that may have content that some people deem offensive. The major retailers, such as Amazon, Apple, and Google Books are now taking it upon themselves to determine what you find offensive. Even though our books are pure fiction, if they have non-con or even fantasies of non-consensual acts, they are being kicked off the websites. This is not just affecting Pink Flamingo, but other erotica publishers as well.

We understand that the retailers have made it quite easy on customers to get our books, especially with their 1-click buttons. But when they make our content harder to find, unless you’re a searching guru or they just take our books down, what will our customers or any erotica book lovers do?

Our request is simple. If you want to keep seeing the books that you love, from the authors you want to read, please buy the books directly from the publisher or from Indie Retailers. We have quite a few Indie Retailers that will be happy to help you find the books you want and need.

Our websites:
www.pinkflamingo.com
www.eroticbooknetwork.com
Indie Retailers:
http://a1adultebooks.com/
http://www.adultebookshop.com/
https://www.malloferotica.com/Home
https://www.allromanceebooks.com/
http://femdomcave.com/
https://www.smashwords.com/
Audio Retailer:
http://www.marsaudiobooks.co.uk/

Please spread the word. It is your right to pick what you want to read and what you find offensive.

Happy Mardi Gras!

It's Mardi Gras! I've never experienced it, though I did get a tiny (very tiny) taste of it when I was in New Orleans for St. Patrick's Day many years ago. That was quite an experience on its own (yes there were plenty of beads and the like!), so I can imagine how overwhelming (and exhausting) Mardi Gras can be.  And in the spirit of the day, I thought I'd share a little about why I love Louisiana, and New Orleans so much.

Part of it is the rich history. The Louisiana Purchase was a huge step toward the growth of the United States of course. The port of New Orleans was a hotbed of political contention for years. It was where the United States defeated the British once and for all.

Jean Lafitte had a huge base of operations there, though he ultimately moved to Barataria. He was one of my favorite kinds of people. Not only a pirate, or a privateer as he preferred to be called, but he was both a villain and a hero, the latter for his part in defending New Orleans during the War of 1812. 

 Okay, enough with history lesson. Exploring the surrounding area is always lots of fun. The restored plantation houses that run along the Mississippi River are phenomenal. We toured several of them and it was such a thrill to immerse ourselves in the past. It felt like we walked with the original residents as we peered into the elegantly appointed rooms. There were aspects of the Antebellum way of life that still hold a very romantic feel today.

What I like particularly about the area is the magical, supernatural feel. Not just New Orleans, but deep in the bayous, where all sorts of dangers lurk, and not just alligators and other predators. There is definitely magic in the air, in the very essence of the land. The people who did settle brought all sorts of beliefs with them and they melded perfectly with the atmosphere. Maybe because the natural mysticism of the land enhanced the ability to practice their brand of magic. I love pondering the possibilities.

I set the Bayou Magiste series in the New Orleans area for just that reason. The original Magiste settlers recognized the power found there and how it could be used to their advantage. It made sense to build their new society in that area. In fact, I patterned the Whispering Winds plantation after Oak Alley, possibly the most famous of all the plantations still in existence. The fame comes not only from the oaks that name the place, but the fact that it's been in several movies. I have a beautiful artist proof print of Oak Alley in my dining room, and I find myself looking at it a lot. It inspire me. Maybe I should move it to my office.

So, in keeping with the festivities of the day, Laissez les bons temps rouler!