WARNING!!! So Hot, It Will Fry Your Kindle!

It's no secret that what I write is very erotic, with BDSM elements a common theme through all of my books. Since my books are historical and/or paranormal, I can twist things around a bit, break some of rules that are common to contemporary set BDSM romances, and generally make things up as I go.

My historical-set books in particular break a lot of rules. I like to call these stories "true-to-the-time" in regards to the fact that the heroes of my books are men who see what they want and simply take it, much as the men of the 13^th and 14^th centuries did exactly that. The difference being of course, that even though my heroes (or anti-heroes, in some cases) do take the heroine, there is a strong attraction and an emotional connection of some sort at the start. The heroine is his, and he will do anything he needs to do to protect and keep her. They aren't simply ruthless brutes, though my heroines might not always agree, at least at first.

 

When writing Warrior's Possession, I was able to use the theme of a secret traitor, possibly the heroine, Gillian, to propel some of the sexual aspects of the book. Royce has quite a set of sensual tools he wields against Gillian, to get her to reveal all her secrets. Gillian, on the other hand, is determined to keep those secrets, and finds herself enjoying Royce's torturous games. I had a lot of fun writing those scenes, and the chemistry between the two made it easy to spice up their love scenes.

Apparently, I spiced those scenes up a bit too much.

A friend of mine and fellow writer/critique partner, Janet Lane Walters, recently purchased Warrior's Possession for her Kindle. Unfortunately, the download fried her Kindle! Literally – she got about halfway through the book and the Kindle ceased to function.

Janet described to me what happened: 

"The day my Kindle died, I was reading your book, Warrior's Possession. The bit on the bottom said I had read 50%. Did that mean the glass was half-full or empty? What happened was my Kindle was empty. Did I cry? Nah, I just did what the screen told me to do and recharged the battery. Twenty-four hours later, the screen still said Battery Needs to be re-charged. Would I never be able to read this book? Now I could read it on the computer but I hate sitting at the computer and reading anything much longer than email or blogs of friends. So here I was with a dead Kindle and a half read book. The screen didn't even have what looked like lightning bolts. I called Amazon. This was Sunday afternoon just before I needed to leave my study and make dinner. I explained the problem and was told they would send me a new Kindle and I should return the dead one. Monday morning my third Kindle arrived. I returned the other. Then I had to wait for my son to come home from work to key the Kindle into the internet. I really blame the burn out on the heat level of this book. I will never know but now I can finish the story, one I've seen in several incarnations."  

Wow – you got the Kindle the day after you called! I'm impressed by that quick turnaround! Sorry I fried your Kindle, but so glad you were able to replace it and get to finish the book!

So a warning to anyone reading my books – make sure you are in very cool surroundings, the content alone will set the temperature to blazing hot! Dare to take the risk? Here's where you can get Warrior's Possession:

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Warriors-Possession-Medieval-Legends-Book-ebook/dp/B01AYF21PC

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Warriors-Possession-Medieval-Legends-Book-ebook/dp/B01AYF21PC

Apple/iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/warriors-possession/id1077626963  

B&N/Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/warriors-possession-gianna-simone/1122431121

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/warrior-s-possession-2

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/609611

CreateSpace (print): https://www.createspace.com/6157297

If you don't want to risk your reader, Warrior's Possession is also available in print:

https://www.createspace.com/6157297

Here's a little taste of this scorching erotic romance – but be careful! This might be the scene that shorted out Janet's Kindle! Keep some ice on hand in case you get burned! lol

“Tell me, what are you thinking about?”

Gillian met Royce's gaze, and gave a small shake before lowering her head. He tilted her chin up.

“Do not keep secrets from me. ‘Twill go badly for you.”

She stiffened and tried to ignore the burst of panic. “I keep no secrets.”

Proud of her steady voice, she boldly held his stare.

“I’m not so sure. But I don’t wish to think on that now. First is the matter of your punishment.”

“What? I’ve done nothing to warrant it!”

“Ah, but you have. Do you not recall striking me last night?”

Heat scorched her cheeks. God’s blood, she had hit him. It had led to the beguiling brutal and tender kisses they’d shared. A shiver slid through her veins.

“You insulted me.”

“There was no need for you to strike.”

He set her away from him and a chill drifted over her. Barely a moment later, he caught her wrists in one hand. She had no time to resist as he sat on the bed and hauled her across his lap.

She kicked and twisted, trying to free herself. “You bastard, let me go! I will not be treated this way.”

He said nothing while he caught her legs between his, imprisoning her further. She tugged against his hold on her wrists, but ‘twas like pulling against rock.

She screamed her outrage, but his grip only tightened. With his free hand, he stroked her arse and she gave another furious screech.

“Unhand me, you beast!”

His reply was to bring his hand down hard on her bottom. She stiffened in shock, the sting of the blow not truly painful. When the second strike landed much more harshly, she began to struggle once more.

“You cruel monster!”

“I expect to be respected and obeyed. You did neither.”

Another blow, and another, and another. Fire bloomed in her arse and she squirmed against his hold. Tears escaped her squeezed eyelids, but she held back her sobs, refusing to let him see any weakness. After several more strikes, however, the pain oddly seemed to fade, replaced with a heat that near matched what he’d stirred with his kisses. She stopped fighting, falling limp against his lap and waited for the next strike. When it came, she rolled her hips toward him.

The next blow seemed to take longer to come, but she anticipated it by counting the seconds between. This time, he didn’t hit hard, he lightly stroked her burning skin. A moan escaped to feel the fire spark still hotter at the gentle touch.

“Your skin turns a lovely shade of pink. I find myself hoping you will disobey often so I may enjoy the sight.”

His words, spoken in a gruff tone, added another dimension to the riot of thrills that took over her thoughts. And, ‘twould seem, her body. What had the man done to her?

She found herself suddenly upright, her sore bottom pressed onto his leg. Burying her face into his shoulder, she whimpered at the fresh burst of pain. Oddly, her nipples remained rock hard and eager. For what? The heat and wetness coating her sex left her unable to take a steady breath.

His hand slid along her breasts and she looked up into his face. His tawny eyes caught hers for a moment, before lowering to watch while his fingers rolled her nipple between them.

Flames erupted and she made no effort to conceal the moan of delight. His touch was unlike any pleasure she’d ever known. Her heart seemed to beat in time to the throb in the heated flesh of her bottom. Her husband continued to pinch and pull at her nipple, now turning his attentions to the other.

The wanton sensations flooding her left her quivering. To her horror, she pressed her breast into his hand, wanting more caresses. A husky chuckle accompanied a sharp pinch.

“I see you enjoyed my punishment. I don’t think you’ll like what I have in mind next.”

Before she could respond, he stood, scooping her against his chest before laying her out on the bed. The feel of the feather tick against her sore arse made her attempt to rise, but he held her down with one hand on her chest.

“Stay.”

She didn’t dare defy him. She had no desire to be spanked again, though truthfully, right now, she might not have minded, noting the delightful languid feeling in her arms and legs.

He peeled off his tunic and Gillian found herself unable to look away as he removed his shirt then his hose. In moments, he stood bared before her. She held his gaze and detected a hint of humor there. Did he realize how hard she tried not to look at him... there?

He reached down and took her hand. She used all of her will to hold his stare as he guided her hand to his shaft and curled her fingers around it. She froze, her eyes widening to realize how very large his cock was.

She was no fool, innocent she may be. She knew what passed between a man and woman. But now she realized just how little she knew. How on God’s earth would he fit that inside her?

“You are afraid?”

His voice cut into the ramble of her thoughts and she gave a nod. Finally, she dared look at the hard and warm flesh she held. Her hand, surrounded by his, barely covered half the length, and her fingers only just fit fully around. Royce began to move, sliding her along his cock. After a few moments, she shrugged him off and shifted closer, still stroking.

He gave a low groan and she lightened her grip, worried she had hurt him. When she ran her fingers over the shiny tip, a sharp hiss escaped him. She looked up and found the most intense concentration lined into his face. His eyes had closed and his lips were tight, yet parted, allowing him to suck in air. The sight set her body burning anew.

He liked her touch. Pride and anticipation dimmed her apprehension. She took her time exploring him, leaning up and using her other hand to find his balls. Another groan and he pulled her hand away.

“Enough! Lay down.”

The sudden change in his tone alarmed her. At her hesitation, he leaned over and pushed her back against the pillows.

“I see you’ll need instruction on how to properly obey.”

She had no time to respond for he stretched out above her, taking her hands and drawing her arms above her head. He parted her legs with his and the panic returned at the helpless position. Her squirming did nothing to loosen his hold. He switched both her hands to one and used the other to land a light slap to her thigh.

“Be still. I wish to... inspect you.”

Stunned by his callous words, she froze, then began to struggle against him once more. "You insult me again. Why should I obey, you insufferable oaf?”

He slapped her again. “You are my wife now, and under the law, mine to do as I please. And now, I wish to see what my wife offers.”

“As if I’m no more than livestock to be bought or sold?”

“‘Twould be very unlucky for you if you tempt me to sell you.”

She let out a snarl of anger and fought to free herself. He caught her face with his free hand and devoured her mouth, swallowing her protests with his lips and tongue. He gave her no respite, drawing the very breath from her lungs and replacing it with a fire that threatened to reduce her to cinders. Forgotten were the angry words of moments ago. Now desire took their place, and Gillian’s struggles ceased as passion surged.

The (Sort of) Secret Inspiration for The Bayou Magiste Chronicles

I have a little secret about the inspiration of the Bayou Magiste Chronicles. Okay, well, some people know how it came about, and I do mention it occasionally, though it's pretty common knowledge that I am a HUGE fan of the Harry Potter books and movies. Still, it's not widely known that a few characters from the Harry Potter series gave me the motivation to attempt a genre I had always enjoyed reading and never attempted writing. Say what you will about fan fiction, I came across quite a few very talented writers when I played in it, and some of them have gone on to do the same thing I did – take the inspiration JK Rowling and her books provided and create our own unique worlds and characters.

When Claimed by the Devil first started, it was only supposed to be a diversion from the vampires I was writing at the time. Just to see if I could make a story hot enough. I broke all the rules, I just wrote, imagining each scene and trying to convey what was in my head onto the damn screen that kept freezing up (still does - be glad you're not my neighbor listening to me lose my mind all day long! lol).

Before I started my fic, my love scenes, while sensual, didn't make pulses race. When I finally found my groove writing sex and love scenes in a way I never had before, I found it really freeing. Along the way, the characters I'd used for my experiment suddenly became completely different from the canon. The next thing I knew, an entire plot sprang up in my head, complete with a multitude of subplots, that stretched the "diversionary dabble" into a 300K word year-long project that taught me so much about what worked and what didn't, and how to bring what worked to its fullest potential. BTW, there are parts of it in all four of the books, though clearly more in some than others. No doubt I was definitely over-wordy, which my critique partners will tell you has ALWAYS been my problem, and still is (I like to talk, okay? I'm a Gemini, and I embrace it! ;p).  There were also some things included in the opus that will likely never again see the light of day – they are quite dark and I am still somewhat surprised I shared them in that realm. My beta reader, who was usually unfazed about many things, was quite disturbed by the content in at least two chapters.

Anyway, as I moved through the world I had created, so much about its origins came to life in my head. I recorded every bit of it (yep, on my famous spreadsheets), and found myself anxious to go back to the roots of the Magiste – at least as far back as how they came to reside in what is now the Gulf Coast of the US (I have notes that go even further back in time, almost to ancient times, but it'll be a while before I tackle that!). And that's when my need to incorporate something real into my fantasy world took over. I've spoken of the Inquisitions here before, and I will probably address it again – I have more books planned for the founding of Terre Nouveau. It was easy enough to find just what I needed and incorporate it into Claimed by the Zyndevine. There were a few coincidences along the way, and a few shocking surprises I'd never imagined when I started, which I happily took advantage of, and Henri and Chantal's story came to vivid life, at least for me. I hope it does for you, the readers, as well.

And here's a little more about Claimed by the Zyndevine, Book 4 in the Bayou Magiste Chronicles:

In 13^th century France, attacked by those carrying out the Papal Inquisition, Magiste Enchantress Chantal Belliveau is thankful for rescue from certain torture and death. But she never expected it to be at the hands of Henri Marchand, one of a powerful pureblooded line of ancient Magiste, the Zyndevines. Henri holds the key to her survival, but the danger he poses to her heart and soul could turn out to be even more perilous.

Henri is part of Il Resistasse, a handful of powerful Magiste fighting the atrocities the Catholic Church inflicts on their race. Saving Chantal becomes more than a simple rescue - the innocent young woman with half-trained powers enchants him more than he has ever been before. That she enjoys the dark side of pleasure he inflicts on her makes him question his determination to never give another his heart.

Chantal is horrified when Henri invokes an ancient spell, the Possede Puissant. The incantation leaves her little more than his possession. While she finds herself enjoying his dark and wicked sensual delights, she determines to free herself. Still, the security she finds with Henri encourages her to stay by his side, claiming spell or not.

Resentment toward her from Henri's family convinces Chantal she must ultimately break free of Henri's possession. But when the Inquisitioners attack, Henri convinces Chantal to embark on a journey to a new land, a journey that may well mean the survival of the entire Magiste race but the loss of her freedom forever.

** Contains lots of explicit Magically Kinky! sex of the paranormal kind, including magical sex toys, potions, bondage and spanking, and more!

Near Toulouse, France 1255

Henri adjusted his cloak, striding quickly toward the stables, thumb turning the ring on his left hand in a nervous motion.  The stone, set in nearly pure gold mined from the caves near Limoges, warmed.  He took a deep breath, teeth grinding in anger.  He had little time to reach his destination, and waited impatiently as the groom finished saddling his horse.  If he made it in time, he'd need the animal to help with the task that lay ahead.

Word had come that a family near Toulouse had been targeted by the Inquisitioners.  Each passing second seemed somehow a waste, spurring his impatience, the message arriving only minutes before.  In his mad rush to reach the stables, he'd avoided his parents, knowing they would disapprove of his actions.  While Edouard and Marie Marchand preferred dealing with the minions of the Church using dark arts, Henri feared such measures only served to increase the rabid urges of men who held power and hungered for more.  While he appreciated the use of sinister magic to bring his enemies to their knees, the brutality of the Inquisitioners far exceeded anything he'd witnessed from the Magiste.

Today's victims were a minor noble family of Magiste.  They'd lived peacefully for centuries on their land, alongside their neighbors.  What had changed to turn the evil eye of the Inquisition toward them?  The question lingered and he finally accepted the reins of his horse from the stable boy.  Thunder rumbled overhead.  Henri mounted.  Closing his eyes, he clenched his fist, the ring near scalding.

"Portalus."

Beneath him, the horse pranced as the compression of the traveling spell took effect, sending Henri and the animal through distance and time.  When the pressure eased, Henri found himself in the middle of a lush forest, damp with a recent rain.  To his right, shouts sounded, and he wheeled the horse around.  Beyond the tree line, fire illuminated the night.  Henri's heart sank to see flames erupting from the windows of a large farmhouse.  Even from this distance, he could hear the screams of those trapped inside.  Merde! Too late!

Smoke quickly wafted toward the forests, the acrid stench burning his eyes.  A flurry of movement in the brush nearby drew his attention.  He dismounted and fastened the horse's reins to a tree.  He held his hands above the animal's back.

"Cachevois."

His ring warmed and the horse vanished from view, concealed by the spell.  No Mortals would find his mount.  Henri stood motionless for a few moments.  While the shouts of the Inquisitioners echoed around him. He ignored them, concentrating on the immediate area. 

The tingling awareness of someone else possessing magic grew stronger to his right.  He turned, his ring warming further and leading him closer to the source of power.  Another rustle of foliage, this time accompanied by a choked sob.  The flash of movement almost eluded him, but he headed in the same direction.  His ring grew hotter and hotter, nearly scorching his skin.  There, up ahead. 

A woman ran, her long fiery hair catching on low-lying branches.  He picked up his own pace, desperate to reach her before the Inquisitioners.  He just about came even with her when she stumbled and fell, more sobs and gasping breaths reaching his ears, even over the din of chaos at the edge of the forest. 

Aware of two of the Inquisitioners closing in, Henri hurried to the fallen woman as she struggled to rise.  He held out a hand.

"Come with me!"

She froze, a shriek escaping before she scrambled away from him.  Damn, she thought he was one of them.

"If you want to live, come with me now!"

Claimed by the Zyndevine is available at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/CLAIMED-ZYNDEVINE-Bayou-Magiste-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B00YB65GS0

Keeping the Magic Straight (Or, Worksheets and Lists to Infinity and Beyond!)

Anyone who knows me knows I love to make lists and spreadsheets. Part of it is necessity – a way to stay organized. Part of it is because I like to see everything all together in some semblance of order, and I have been known to tinker and revise my lists and spreadsheets so they are logical and yes, look nice. :-) I'm like Santa - making the list and checking it twice, though the reality is more like 100 times! lol I make lists for everything - shopping lists, guest lists, menus, items to pack for trips - you name it, I guarantee I've made a list for it.

When it comes to my writing, I have TONS of spreadsheets. I have one huge one which catalogs all of my books, series, worlds, etc. Then I have smaller ones that are book or series specific. For instance, I am currently working on the second book in my Vikings/Norseman's series (hopefully some word on the first book soon), and in my Excel workbook, there are several worksheets – one is for the characters that are part of the series, with their names, who they are, how they are related or interact during the books. Another contains lists of items the Vikings use in their daily lives, during battles and invasions, and for special occasions. There's a spreadsheet for all the fictional town names I made up for the series, along with one for the real places which were important to the Viking society. Yet another sheet contains a list of items I still need to research, with another for all the items I did research and the facts related to them. And of course, the listing of the gods that were so important to the Vikings' daily lives.

I also have a spreadsheet for every book I've ever written that is simply a word count tally - from my working days, I worked on a lot of spreadsheets, with formulas and "If" logic and the like, and a lot of that comes into play with the word count. It's a good way for me to keep track of my daily/weekly/monthly word count, and helps to stay on track, though I keep notes as to why I didn't hit the target word count goal for the day so I don't feel guilty if I have a few days with minimal new words.

By far, the biggest spreadsheet I have for a series is the one I have for the Bayou Magiste Chronicles. Not only do I catalog all the characters, I also list various magical items that are used by the characters - yep, the magical sex toys and various aphrodisiac potions have a list of their own, of course!  But the longest worksheet in the file is the one where I list all the spells that are used either directly by the characters, or mentioned. This one was a little tricky. Since the Marchands' roots are set in France, I had to spend a lot of time translating words, then conjugating the verb forms. I didn't want to use the actual French words as they are used today, I needed to change it up to fit the story and make them a little more special. In my younger days, I took several years of French classes, and while I did well, I remember nearly nothing now. So a lot of it was re-learning words – I can't tell you how many times the light bulb of memory went off when I found certain words that fit perfectly for the spell or item I was working on. 

 

One big benefit I've gotten from my lists is they also serve as important checkpoints, especially when I am starting a new book. There are more Bayou Magiste Chronicles planned as soon as I finish this Viking book, and I've already begun going through my list of characters. I'd paired off a few people when I started Claimed by the Zyndevine, but already, I'm making changes to those pairings based on the ending of that book. There were some unexpected deaths that paved the way for characters to become heroes and heroines who I hadn't originally planned to be anything other than supporting characters. The Founders of the Bayou Magiste Society have been established and if all goes well, there will be at least one book for each of the main founding families, if not more. Because I guarantee there are many more characters I've yet to meet who most likely will start popping up when I least expect them to. It's a matter of which ones are the loudest in my head.