The Series and the Stand-Alone

Series versus the stand-alone. A recent trend among romance novels has seen the slow decline of the stand-alone. Almost every ebook or print novel I read anymore has a host of characters in the mix, with follow on books forthcoming. Why? Because a lot of publishers don’t want to invest in a one-hit wonder. They want books, plural, from an author.

Now in the electronic world, we’re more flexible about plotlines and writing stories outside the box. So why so many series books? As an author, I spend so much time investing in creating a world and the characters in it, that sometimes I want to expand upon those characters. For some reason, when writing about one hero, his best friend or relative nudges me to remember him for another book. Characters who don’t exist at the onset of the book suddenly leap out and grab me by the throat, shouting, “I’m next.”

I drafted many of my stories as stand-alone titles, where secondary characters developed into follow-on books. In Tied and True, my hero’s absent business partner became the hero for Reaper’s Reward. And the owner of the resort in Reaper’s Reward became one of the main characters in Satyr’s Myst.

As a reader, when I read a great story that I don’t want to end, I look forward to reading more from the author about characters I met in that particular story. It gives me that warm and fuzzy to know I’ll get to find out what happened to Tom, Dick and Harry.

In my newest project for Loose Id, I intentionally drafted a story arc to be told over four books. And then, in the middle of book two, BAM. A minor character reared his head. Now, I’m not sure if his story will ever see the light of day, but he’s a guy who won’t leave my mind. So in the meantime, I’m working on building Circe’s Recruits into an entertaining world where the surprises keep coming.

In Circe’s Recruits: Roane, you meet all five Circs. There’s Roane, the tough leader, Hale, the relaxed second in command, Ace, the hot-head, Zack, the flexible team player, and Derrick, the loyal comrade who’s learned the hard way not to trust easily. Doc takes care of his men, those he helped create through his research for Project Dawn. And there’s Kelly, who takes care of the domestic logistics in running a compound for an absentminded scientist and the giants who live with him.

Each story is its own, read by itself. They go together to create one large story arc, but in and of themselves they can be enjoyed in or out of order. Another part of series writing that I both love and hate. Finding a book by an author and reading it out of order should be okay. It might make me want to pick up book one, but if it confuses me, I might just toss it aside. As an author, making sure the books flow can be a real challenge, but it’s one I’m excited to take on.

To read more about Circe’s Recruits, take a look at this link. The first book comes out Nov 18^th, and the ball starts rolling...

Marie

www.marieharte.com

Just released from author Amanda Young

When nineteen year old Cody Bradbury gets his hands on an invitation to the hottest party of the year at The Casbah, an exclusive gay men’s club owned by his uncle, he doesn’t plan to let anything stand in his way of attending. With a stolen invitation, fake identification, and a hastily thrown together costume, Cody sneaks into the club during its annual Halloween party with the intention of checking out the action and possibly losing his long-despised cherry.

Cody can’t believe his good luck when Dante Santiago comes on to him. He’s had a hard-on for his uncle’s friend, Dante ever since he realized what his dick was good for. He’s so enamored of the older man that he doesn’t think twice when Dante starts referring to him as pretty boy, instead of by his given name.

He knows Dante wants his body, but is there any chance the older man might want more than an orgasm? There’s only one way to find out, and Cody plans to make it a night neither of them will ever forget.

Buy it now, or read a spicy excerpt!

Author Interview: Koko Brown

Author Name: Koko Brown
Year started writing for LI: 2008
Titles: Frozen in Time
Web Page: http://www.kokobrown.net

What genre do you write in, and why? :
Even though I’m a huge fan of historicals, I seem to mainly write paranormals, which feature an interracial/multicultural relationship. The reason for this is because the genre is really underrepresented and with paranormals you’re pretty free to do anything. And I need that since my stories tend to be really over the top!


What was the first story you ever wrote about? (not nec. first published story) :
The first story I ever wrote was an 80,000 word historical set in during the Harlem Renaissance completed over six months in ‘04. The story focuses on the interracial relationship between a beautiful cabaret singer and an Italian mobster.
I shopped this one around a bit, garnered some interest from several publishers, but alas no contract.

How do you judge the effectiveness of the sensual scenes in your stories? :
I know this may sound naughty, but if the scene turns me on then I know I’ve done my job.

Do you ever try out the sexual positions you write to make sure of accuracy? :
Not really, but I will admit that I did a have a muse who indulged me with his wild escapades every now and then. One of his experiments turned up in my debut novel Charmed.

Ever been told, Um...sweetie, that's not how it works? :
Heck no! Usually its where did you learn that!

What one word best describes your toy collection? :
Incomplete.

Where did your most unusual plot idea come from? :
My most unusual plot idea came from a Chinese folk tale about an incubus. I turned the tale into an erotic kabuki play the main characters are watching. It’s used as a turning point between the hero and the heroine where she finally decides to forgive him.

What music inspires your writing? :
I know this may sound strange but it’s only one song – Ice Box – by Omarion, an R& B singer formerly of the teennie bopper group B2K. Featured on his second album 21, this song is the driving force behind every single story I’ve written.

I think the song provides so much inspiration for me because the lyrics talk about a young man's earnest plea to his lady love to forgive him for all the troubles in their relationship which are brought on by his inability to trust. His memories of a past ruinous relationship keep interfering in his present relationship. And although he tries to let the past go, he can’t but think if he opens up to her, she'll break his heart like the last woman.

Plotter or a Pantser? :
I’m a partial plotter and a hardcore pantser all rolled into one. I plot out the chapters with a brief paragraph summarizing what has to happen in that chapter before moving onto the next. But as far as how it happens is always up in the air.

What is your most embarrassing moment as an erotic romance author? :
Haven’t had any and I doubt I will, since nothing seems to embarrass me anymore. After my mother’s death in 2003, I learned not to care about what other people think. Mortality seems to put a lot of things into perspective.

The Personal stuff:

Any outrageous liaisons in your past?
Plenty…but I won’t kiss and tell because my past lovers are my past and they should stay there.

Where's the most unusual place you ever managed to have sex? :
The floor of a record store.

What kind of books do you read for fun? :
This is one of my biggest regrets since becoming a published author. I find it really hard to read anything to completion. I always draw myself out of an otherwise great book, due to it sparking a plot idea.

Is your real life anything like your stories? What about your fantasies? :
I wish. Who wouldn’t want to be seduced by a vampire, a Viking or a Victorian Earl?

Soulmates? Do you believe? :
I feel everyone is destined to have a soul mate, possibly even more than one. According to a psychic reading, I haven’t met mine, yet. Thank goodness for small blessings!

Sex with anyone famous? :
No and I like that way because I think it would probably be a let down…well maybe not if it’s Gerard Butler!

Things that go bump in the night.

I love being scared.

I know, that sounds weird. Why would anyone want to be scared? Yet, I keep doing things, reading things, and watching things that I know are going to scare me. And here is the rest of it.


I read Stephen King. Started when I was a preteen. And had the nightmares to go with it. I still like having the closet door open to make sure the boogeyman isn’t in there (after reading The Boogeyman in Night Shift).

I read other suspense books that are horror in a whole other way. They scare me because of the very real threat that’s in them. Paranormal monsters are one thing. Human monsters are something entirely different. I still read paranormal, too, with supernatural beings lurking at every turn. The dark isn’t my friend. Because I’m always imagining what’s in there with me.

I watch scary movies. I’ll never forget watching Scream by myself downstairs one night. All of a sudden, there was a noise out on the back deck. What did I do? Ran upstairs and got in bed with the hubby.

The hubby has learned to watch my signs when we’re watching movies. When I tense up, start hiding my eyes or talking to the screen, he asks, “Are you going to have nightmares about this?”

I always say, “No.” LOL but I do.

Are there any other souls out there like me, who must like to be scared? Let’s hear a “Boo!” if there are.

Mechele Armstrong aka Lany of Melany Logen
http://www.mechelearmstrong.com
http://www.melanylogen.com

The Sixth Cursed Halloween

Release day is here!

The Sixth Cursed Halloween is live and I'm just so excited. This book was a challenge in so many ways. I wrote the Six Curses of Christmas with Deidre as the villain. And stuck in trees. So when it came time to write her story...I had to figure out how to find her a hero worthy of her and also make her transformation believable. I hope I succeeded and people will fall in love with Deidre, cranky as she is, and Brad, a hunky hero who could capture a man hater's heart.

Look for an excerpt behind the cut.

On Halloween night, Brad settles down to repot his Bonsai tree. After an argument with his girlfriend, he needs someone to talk to. He's not expecting the tree to talk back.

Surprise! Deidre’s cursed inside his bonsai tree. She's been curled up watching him for years. This conversation's the first she's had in centuries.

Brad tries to set her free, but at the end of the night, he loses the ability to hear the woman with the sexy brogue. He vows he'll do what it takes to get her out, wanting to know the woman behind the voice. He even has erotic dreams about the woman she might be, for the five long years he searches for the saving spell.

Deidre hates men. All of them. Or does she? Brad's such an earnest hunk, so determined to do right by her. Maybe they have some redeeming qualities - like a sexy, muscular chest.

On the sixth Halloween, a woman from Brad's life turns Deidre's world upside down. Literally. That's not a good thing for a potted tree. Now she's getting a choice: a life with Brad without her magic or back to the trees, but she can work her curses and take her revenge. What will she choose this sixth cursed Halloween?


+++++++++++

Stuck into a tree owned by a man. Adam must be laughing his ass off.

Trapped. She’d been trapped for the past sixteen years in the fucking tree. And it showed no signs of dying.

Because Brad took such good care of the little plant.

He went about getting out some little strips. Then he scooped out soil with a small spoon and put in a test tube.

“What are you doing?”

“Testing the pH of the soil.”

“You are such a geek.” Amanda held her nose haughtily in the air. “I don’t know why I put up with you.”

I don’t know why he puts up with you either. Deidre gasped at the thought. Was she taking Brad’s side over Amanda’s? Men were the scum of the earth. They were dogs.

Only Brad wasn’t.

How many women had she seen use Brad? Cheat on him? Seemed like every girlfriend he got did something that made Deidre cringe. It had been that way since high school.

Weren’t men supposed to be the ones doing the shitty things?

And Deidre wasn’t even punishing Brad. She couldn’t. Couldn’t let out one single curse to make him suffer.

The women were doing it to him all on their own. Something that should have made her happy, but she found herself discouraged by the actions of the fairer sex that were never fair.

Not that he seemed to suffer too much from what they’d done. His favorite emotion toward the women he dated seemed to be aggravation. He wasn’t a pushover. Had balls and wasn’t afraid to use them. Like now.

Case in point.

“I don’t know why I put up with you either. In fact…” Brad pointed with a hand. “Leave your key on the table. And don’t let the door hit you in the ass.”

He’d put up with the women he dated for a while. God knew why because Deidre didn’t. Unless it was the sex. He did like to have sex. Often. When he didn’t, well, he wasn’t afraid to use his hand. But, eventually something would happen in his relationships done by the women, and he’d kick them to the curb.

“You…asshole. You aren’t serious.”

“Go to the party. Screw ’em all.” His mouth twisted into a grimace. “Like being with me would stop you from that.”

She let out another of those high-pitched noises that set Deidre’s teeth on edge. “You are going to regret this. I’ll walk out and never look back.”

“Leave your key.” He studied the pH strip he’d taken.

She stormed out the house, slamming the door and knocking a picture off the wall, shattering the frame. It had been hung by a previous girlfriend.

“Never did like that picture.” He walked over and cleaned up the glass, sticking the whole thing in the trash can. He sighed, finishing his attention to the bonsai by watering it deeply and thoroughly.

Then, he popped open a beer and sat beside the pot in a dining room chair. “What’s wrong with me?”

Deidre could offer a litany of things that were wrong with him. Too bad he’d never hear her.

He didn’t look upset. Or sad. Only perplexed. “What’s perplexing you?”

“I don’t feel anything. My girlfriend walks out and I feel nothing.” He downed a sip. “A girlfriend who wanted to do every man with a pulse. Which again, didn’t bother me. I wasn’t even jealous. It’s like…I’m dead inside.”

“You ought to try being a tree.” How many times had she died now? And living this way was no better than dying and starting over. She’d never get big enough to get out. She’d be trapped inside this one tree until Brad died, more than likely. The care he took was methodical and invasive. He’d never let this plant perish.

“A tree would be better than what I’m doing now.” He leaned back in his chair, resting his head on the top.

“Yeah, well, trade places with me.”

“I would. Only who’d take care of me?” He lifted his drink again.

Deidre straightened up in the pot at his offhand comments. They were almost as if they were in response to what she’d said. But that was impossible. Her feelers went out. Searched the apartment and Brad. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. This couldn’t be happening. She had to test it out. “Elephants are pinky and blue.”

He didn’t say anything for a minute.

She relaxed. She’d been imagining things. Had to have been. There was no way that Brad could hear what she was saying.

“Last time I checked, elephants were gray, not pinky and blue. What kind of a color is pinky? I don’t even remember Amanda mentioning that one.” He shook his head as if to clear it. “Where did that come from?” He took another long draft from his beer. “How to know when you’ve finally lost it? When you talk to your bonsai tree and imagine it’s talking back.”

Her feelers went straight again.

It was true.

Brad could somehow hear her thoughts. How on fucking earth could this be?

Ménage, ménage, ménage

A hot genre to be sure…but I’d never had the right idea for it. I firmly believe the right idea is necessary before jumping into a new subgenre. Especially for a genre with as many potential issues for the relationship as ménage, we want a happy ending! I’d seriously have trust issues even thinking about it…but the right characters can make it work. Of course, I still bring up the issues. But the potential rewards to so much fun!!

When Loose Id wanted to do role playing for its Halloween theme…that’s when the right idea snapped into place for this kinky fun. Two gay men (well bi now) in a serious relationship decide to take it to the next level with their best girlfriend. They give her a big Halloween scare (playing on her own fears) and then a night of fantasy and exploration realized. I had a ton of fun writing Arresting Abby and hope my readers enjoy it as well!

Arresting Abby
Available Now! (Release date Oct 21st 2008)
Genre: Ménage(m/m/f)/ Role Playing (Halloween themed)
Link: http://www.loose-id.com/detail.aspx?ID=802

Blurb:

Being bold for the first time by dressing as a slutty convict, good girl Abby never makes it to her Halloween party. She's pulled over by two sexy men dressed as cops: her best gay boyfriends, Zach and Kevin. They know about her lead foot and her fear of getting caught by authority so it's the perfect spooky scare. But the lovers take it one step further and arrest her, taking her to their home for a night of kinky fun.

The terms: she has to fulfill their every sexual whim or be taken to jail.

Abby has no interest in resisting except when it adds to the pleasure. She's secretly wanted a three-way with them since her friend Zach started dating the rugged alpha Kevin. Not that she imagined they'd really do it, but she'd never felt free like she does with them.

The problem: Once won't be enough for Abby or Zach.

In love with them both, Abby's going to have to seduce Kevin. The sexy bad cop has never had a woman before now and may not be willing to share Zach again.

Excerpt Link: http://www.loose-id.net/CDArAbex.aspx
Buy Link: http://www.loose-id.com/detail.aspx?ID=802

So what’s your fear/fantasy? Authority figures is a popular one…From French maid to escaped convict…Halloween costumes are filled with the type. Maybe you’re a dominatrix or a witch who can cast a spell over the man or men of your dreams!

Whatever your fantasy/fear is—enjoy a thrilling Halloween. Arresting Abby might just inspire you:)

Cheryl Dragon
http://www.cheryldragon.com/

Author Interview: Michelle Hasker

Author Name: Michelle Hasker
Year started writing for LI: 2006
Titles: Midnight Rendezvous, Mountain Rendezvous, Irish Dreams, Fondest Desire, The Bodyguard, The Bodyguard: Nash, The Bodyguard: Sorin
Web Page: www.michellehasker.com


What genre do you write in, and why? : paranormal romance. I love happy endings and things that are out of the norm. I always ponder what if, and like to create stories that could happen...maybe.

How much time do you spend writing every week? : Every free minute I have :)

What was the first story you ever wrote about? (not nec. first published story) : vampires and a Frankenstein's monster type creature.

How do you judge the effectiveness of the sensual scenes in your stories? : I usually have my CP's read and crit my stories because they will be honest. Sometimes it's easy to forget that as the author I know everything about the characters while my reader's don't. Not until I tell them.

Do you ever try out the sexual positions you write to make sure of accuracy? : I try them fully clothed. I refuse to use my husband like the toy he wants to be. What's the fun if I give in :)

Ever been told, Um...sweetie, that's not how it works? : No.

What one word best describes your toy collection? : small *giggles

Favourite candy while writing? : chocolate

Where did your most unusual plot idea come from? : Most come from dreams. I'm a freak.

What inspires you to write? : Lots of things. Music, movies, books, real life around me.

What music inspires your writing? : Depends on the story. I change playlists with each book :)

Plotter or a Panster? : A bit of both but mostly panster.

Does your cat insist on sitting on your keyboard like mine does? : My daughter is allergic. No cats *sigh

What is your most embarrassing moment as an erotic romance author? : When a relative asked me for advice that on a subject I wasn't even comfortable being asked LOL

Most challenging place you've ever written a spicy scene? : My dining room at dinner time.

When you get stuck, how do you find your way back to the writing? : My Cp's beat me into submission

The Personal stuff:

Any outrageous liaisons in your past? No. I'm rather boring.

Where's the most unusual place you ever managed to have sex? : uh....*whispers The Bed.

What kind of books do you read for fun? : Paranormal romance, mysteries

Is your real life anything like your stories? What about your fantasies? :Real life is nothing like my stories. My fantasies? Bring on the naked vampires in kilts baby!

Soulmates? Do you believe? : yes.

You just gave me a story idea. Thanks!

Cake or Pie? Coke or Pepsi? Tea or Coffee? : Pie – sierra mist – decaf tea

This Is Pathetic

COMING IN NOVEMBER FROM ME, VONNA HARPER

I'm in the middle of what, for me, is the most fun and stressful part of writing a book, the mental building. A week ago I was in danger of having to jump off a tall mountain because neither of my sorta ideas was coming together. Fortunately, something I'll never understand jumpstarted in the dark recesses of my imagination and its all coming together.

Because it helps me to have an image of my main characters, I went in search of same and chose a fab model from Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. My actual heroine has a personality which I believe is totally different from the model's. I like my heroine, I really like her.

The rub and consequently the reason for my title is that so far I've been unable to come up with a photograph, etc, for my male protagonist. Growing desperate, I decided to mentally interview the men who currently cross my real life path in hopes of finding one to hang my so-called hat on. Here's what I've come up with.

1. Bob, a neighbor. Smart and funny, objective and the perfect person to act as the homeowners' association's treasurer. He's also short, paunchy, an unapologetic type A totally in love with his smart and funny wife.

2. Harry, a cowboy. Tall and muscular, lives in jeans. Big, competent hands. He's also desperately trying to stay out of jail and having an emotional breakdown.

3. Dick, husband. Intelligent and the most honest person I know. Total recall of the past, including details about every car he or anyone he's ever known has owned. Also bald and heavy, a couch potato with diabetis.

4. Greg, my doctor. Tall, slim, in great physical shape, obviously intelligent and hopefully in good financial shape. Also opinionated, dogmatic, and lately a pain in the ass.

5. Jerry, a member of my local writers group. Thinks I walk on water. Hangs on my every word. Also a true nurd. Lost in the science fiction world. Not the sharpest knife in the drawer.

Okay, so you get the idea. I could combine elements of several of these men's personalities, but the last time I tried, I couldn't shake off the 'also' part of it.

Help!!!!!!!

Hot Topic: Fetishes

Today's Topic:

Fetishes

What trips your trigger? What would you like to see more, or less of in romantic fiction?