Natalie Dae and Me! by Lily Harlem

For the last year or so I have indulged in the very pleasant pastime - if rather racy - of writing with fellow UK erotic romance author Natalie Dae.

Natalie writes under several different pen names. Natalie Dae is the name she uses for male/female erotic romance. Here at Total-E-Bound Natalie has quite a few titles to her name!!!

And that is only some of Natalie's books, impressive eh!! Find them all HERE.

Our co-author novel, That Filthy Book, is also published by Total-E-Bound and has been getting some great reviews.

Blurb

Out of sight, out of mind. Or so I thought, but it turns out an old, dog-eared book with contents so filthy and so depraved that I’d been forced to hide it after reading, has sank deeper into my erotic subconscious than I’d ever imagined. Luckily though, Jacob is up for exploring the new side of me that has risen to the surface after all these years.

In a whirlwind of wanton adventures that push us to the limits of our sexuality, we begin to re-discover what it once was that had us screaming with pleasure and how to accept that nothing will ever be the same again between us.

Reader Advisory: This book contains bondage, BDSM and an element of dubious consent within a consensually acted out rape scenario.

I adore writing with Natalie and recently gave an interview about my thoughts and how we work together. If you would like to head on over to Lisabet Sari's delightful blog and read that interview then click on the strawberry below!!

And if you would like to give us a like on our Facebook page, that would be cool too.

writing

Between writing as fast as I can during odd hours to make the deadline of a story I promised, visiting hospital with my mum who has been diagnosed with cancer and will start chemo soon, listening to the stories of our sons about university and being a wife to my wife, I’m trying to come up with something actually interesting to say about writing, and my own writing in particular.

But, you know, life sometimes happens. It simply happens. 

PS. The cats are complaining I don't even mention them. 

More Classics Exposed

Too much fun! I was recently interviewed by Fox 35 in Orlando / WOFL-TV. My interviewer was the affable and charming Chase Cain.

The experience was nothing like I thought, and more fun than I imagined.

I spent a crazy day at the mall beforehand, buying a new outfit (I could hardly show up in the clothes I wear for writing!) and getting a makeover. (Fox didn’t provide makeup, so I found an artist at MAC who gave me tips for television.)

I did the interview remotely, from the Fox studios in Denver, Colorado. I was concerned about the downtown parking situation, especially in what I have now dubbed as my “Sierra” pumps. They’re black and taller than most skyscrapers. But I needn’t have worried. The station has a parking garage for guests and employees. It was fun seeing news trucks! Before being admitted to the garage, you have to talk to a security guard through a metal speaker.

Once parked, I took an elevator to the spacious lobby and signed in. The lobby had lots of glass, couches, and, the coffee table book was a guide to hiking all of Colorado’s Fourteeners (mountains that are over 14,000 feet tall, and some of which I have climbed!).

It was an interesting wait in the lobby for Linda Kicak, the energetic woman who was my Denver contact. Linda was extremely efficient, professional, and, as I’m sure she is every day in the new business, busy. The Denver station was preparing to hire some interns, so there were several young, energetic journalism students there with me, dressed in their best and sizing each other up.

Coordinating a remote is complicated and time-consuming. Sarita Kichok at Fox in Orlando set the whole thing up, arranging schedules for me in Denver, Linda in Denver, the cameraman, Total-E-Bound in England, and Chase Cain in Florida. (I can't imagine being that efficient!) She had to be flexible, constantly checking in with everyone's schedules. 

My lovely assistant, Whitney, went with me, and I was glad to have her along! Nerves started to assail me, and as the time dragged on, I was ready to offer to come back another day. Whitney kept me calm and focused.

Finally, Linda came down to the lobby for us and escorted us to the Green Room. They were trying to find a cameraman and get things ready on the Orlando side. Technology is wonderful, but I can’t imagine the logistics of having people coordinating schedules in two different states!

There room itself was cozy with a small couch and a couple of arm chairs. There were also a couple of salon-type of chairs, a couple of large mirrors with lighting around them, a curling iron. We watched television, I re-read the notes I’d prepared in advance, and my nervousness grew.

Finally, Linda collected us from the Green Room, and we followed her through the news studio. Two things struck me. First the room is enormous. Second was the stunning number of desks. It was much grander than I imagined. But I didn’t get interviewed in the big studio. Whit and I were escorted to a room that could more accurately be described as an office, with padded chairs.

Once we moved from the Green Room, my nerves settled down. (Well, really, I had a lot to do concentrating on not falling off my heels on the wooden studio floor, especially with all the wires around!)

I knew in advance that Chase would be on the phone, but it was a bit of a surreal experience to realize it was a speakerphone on the table to my left. I faced straight ahead, toward the camera. Whitney fixed my hair and continually reassured me that the mascara was still on my eyes! The cameraman placed a mic on the lapel of my brand new blazer, we did a sound check, Whitney took a place near the cameraman, and finally, finally, we were ready…And Orlando had some trouble at their end.

Now my nerves increased tenfold. I was again tempted to send Whitney to find Linda with my offer to come back another day!

Finally, we got started. There was no chit-chat. I’d watched videos of Chase beforehand and followed him on Twitter, and I knew he was fun and professional, and that’s exactly what I found. (I think he’ll go far!)

It was bizarre, though, facing a black camera. I’m sure it takes some getting used to! Chase Cain’s voice was beside me, and the most difficult part of the interview for me was looking straight ahead and not turning my head to look at the phone.

The interview lasted somewhere between five and ten minutes, and I think I ended up with five seconds of air time. Of COURSE I wish I had sounded better. Whitney had a good laugh that I was trying to be euphemistic and kept saying “behind closed doors.” And in the Clandestine Classics we are opening doors. Later she teased me, “Open door, closed door, open door, closed door.” Thank goodness my doors ended up on the cutting room floor!

Anyway I had so much fun with the interview.  The final video is lighthearted, and entertaining.Claire Siemaskiewicz is the CEO of Total-E-Bound Publishing, and Clandestine Classics was her idea. (This woman is one of the smartest people II have ever had the fortune to meet.) She also participated via phone, from England. She sounded quite polished and intelligent. I’d do this again in a heartbeat—minus the nerves.

Here’s a link to the video. I hope you think it’s as charming as I do! (With thanks, again, to  Fox 35 in Orlando / WOFL-TV) 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxBwg2I5kPw

Hugs, Sierra
www.sierracartwright.com
www.facebook.com/SierraWrites
https://www.amazon.com/author/sierracartwright

Grateful for ebooks

Today in the States, we're celebrating Thanksgiving. This typically means obnoxiously huge meals (yes, I am cooking one too - and loving every dish!), eaten with an amazingly large group of family and friends, then crashing hard to rest for the unbelievable sales the following day (of which I'm not participating in this year). 

It's also the time we openly share those "things" we're thankful for. Things that have shaped us, helped us, made a difference in our lives in some way or another. 

Here, today, with you, I'd like to share something I'm very grateful for: ebooks. 

Okay, chuckling aside, the advent of technology and ebooks, has been such a boon to so many readers and writers. 

Think about it. 

Even as little as a decade ago, most people went to a physical book store to purchase books. Let's say they went to the romance section. If they wanted a book with a little more paranormal activity, they had to hope those themed books were popular at the time. If they wanted a book with a bit more humor, again, it all depended on what the major publishers deemed "popular." And mostly, if they wanted to find some great, juicy erotic reads - m/f, m/m, or any other flavor, chances were they'd be completely out of luck. Bad news for so many readers.

Bad news for writers as well, for all of us out there who enjoy pushing the envelope or simply writing what's in our hearts. With ebooks, our light can shine brightly and securely. Finally. 

So today, I can write about demons or orgies or multiple partnered relationships, and know that somewhere out there, there are readers looking for books that are exactly what I've written.

No matter what your country, this is a day to be thankful -- for our own personal careers and those who love what we write. 

Thank you
~Ayla

http://www.aylaruse.com
~Ensnare yourself in love

Djinn Know?

I have a soft spot for fantasy. I suppose that’s fairly obvious given that I write erotic romance but what I mean here is the fantasy genre. I love make believe worlds and  fairytale characters. My favourite authors include Terry Pratchett and David Gemell. I love escaping into the fantastical.

Funnily enough though I started out writing contemporary erotic romance, in fact lots of my books are set in the modern day with characters you could easily bump into on the streets but every now and then I feel the desire to write something different.

So now I have a werewolf , a set of vampires including two free reads, one that is new  and one that is award winning . I also have a Genie . Actually he’d kill me if he heard me calling him that, it’s insulting to his people. He’s a Djinn and his name is Johnny, or at least that is what he tells humans anyway.   Johnny is annoying, he’s brusque, sarcastic and sometimes downright nasty. But I love him.  He’s a dream to write.

The first book he is in is Silver Screen Dream  but of course, Johnny wasn’t satisfied with one book, oh no. So I have 4 books of the Djinn’s Amulet planned to satisfy his desire for the limelight. I’ve got Book 2 ready and it’s coming out on the 31^st December, though the good news is you’ll be able to buy it exclusively at Total-E-Bound from the 1^st December. Bookmark the BollywoodNightmare  page and you can get your copy when it’s available.

Here’s the Blurb for book 2 and a totally exclusive snippet just for you!  Of course, it’s from Johnny’s point of view, he loves to tell stories!

Blurb:Sometimes what seems to be a nightmare can change into a dream come true.
Kiya is the daughter of Rahul Khan, the biggest Bollywood star of all time and she is a talented actress in her own right. Her abundant curves have taken Bollywood by storm and now Hollywood is knocking at her door.
Johnny is the Khan family Djinn. He is responsible for Rahul meeting his true love Laura. Well, that’s what he tells people anyway. His Masters latest wish is the safekeeping of his daughter Kiya on her American adventure. How he ends up powerless and alone he’s not quite sure and how he’s going to rescue the kidnapped Kiya without his Djinn magic is a mystery.
Luckily, Kiya has many talents She sets about seducing her captor, Aseem but it isn’t just her virginity he takes, it’s her heart.
Will Kiya and Aseem beat the odds, escape the badlands warehouse and have all the wild, kinky sexy they long for? Will Johnny be wished free, will he go to his soul mate in Djinnistan and will they all live happily ever after?
Reader Advisory: This book contains contains a scene of dubious consent, some hot spanking, sexy bondage and a sarcastic Djinn you are going to fall in love with.
Reader Advisory: This book is best read in sequence as part of a series

Excerpt:
Too right I wasn’t bloody missing her. I was right there the whole time trying hard to ignore the sex stuff. Yuck. Humans were obsessed with it and they never did it right, nope. There was barely a bruise to be seen the day after. Now Djinns knew how to fuck properly. Well, they had done a few centuries ago when I was still a free spirit and in love with the sexiest Djinn alive. We could fuck for hours and hours, and man, if I thought hard enough I could still feel the marks of her claws in my back…anyway, I am giving away too much again, aren’t I? Back to the story at hand.

Once Kiya fell asleep I hopped out of the amulet. It was perfectly adequate living space for your average Djinn, but it was like a human going on holiday in a caravan. Sometimes you just needed to stretch your legs a bit.

I wandered around the suite and took note of its size and opulence. Rahul would even approve of it as fit for his little princess. I looked out for something big that I could set up shop in. I knew I’d promised Rahul to look after Kiya but I hadn’t promised to stay in that damn amulet all the time. The problem with such expensive rooms was that they tended to go for the minimalist look and there didn’t seem to be anything close to the dimensions of my precious tea kettle for me to settle down in at first glance. I needed a bit of space away from Kiya’s gaze and that tiny bloody amulet. And even a Djinn needs a home away from home.  Then I noticed a long, elegant vase stood to one side of the main door into the room. It stood on the floor and had a long neck that stretched up to my thigh in human form. It seemed a little out of character, with the rest of the room being ornate and gold and covered in little pictures and Chinese script, but then who was I to comment? I wasn’t an interior designer. So I leapt in.

 It was quite a nice vase, really. Spacious, empty of course, but I could fix that soon enough. However just as I began to think of summoning furniture from home I began to yawn. A few seconds later I was asleep. Or something sleep like—having never done it before I couldn’t be completely sure—but when I woke up and poofed out of the damn thing Kiya was gone.

“What in the…” My head felt fuzzy, as if it was stuffed with wet bog algae or something equally as unsavoury, but even in my dulled state I realised something was wrong. Kiya was not the tidiest of girls but even she wouldn’t have left her bed in such a state. It looked like there’d been a struggle, pillows strewn left and right and the sheets in disarray.

I checked all around the room but her luggage wasn’t there Why would she have taken her bags to the studio with her? Deep inside I knew something was really wrong, I wanted to search more, but I couldn’t keep my eyes open. I collapsed there on the floor and gods knew how long I was out. The room hadn’t been touched when I came around once more and I darted out into the hall as soon as I could. Something in there was drugging me and I’d never felt such a thing before. I didn’t know what it was but considering I’d only been affected since checking out the vase I assumed it was something to do with that ornament.

Once my head was clear I tried to do what any sane Djinn would do and ended up with a blinding headache. I could not reach my amulet. I had not felt such a feeling of separation for many, many long years. It was frightening. I tried several times but no, I couldn’t do it. What scared me the most wasn’t the fact that Kiya had obviously been kidnapped and I didn’t know who had taken her or where she might be, no, it was the fact that someone was blocking my powers and that person had Kiya. Now that scared the shit out of me. 

Remember to look out for Bollywood Nightmare from the 1st December! 

Romance & Autumn With a Hot Cider Recipe

Almost everywhere now, the weather is turning colder, there's a distinctly crisp chill in the air, and thoughts turn to hot spiced cider, cocoa with marshmallows, pumpkin and cranberry breads, and of course, snuggling with a significant other - or two - by the fire. Just because we can't enjoy the warm sun at the beach or take walks hand in hand out in the sun, doesn't mean that there aren't plenty of  other opportunities for romance.

The senses are so important to setting a sensual scene. You have to remember that its the combination of sight, sound, touch and smell that initiate arousal. It might be a bit chilly to parade  around in a black lace teddy, but you can appeal to your mate in other ways. Think of the entire picture and create an ambiance that goes with the mood of the season. I already mentioned the fireplace, but if you don't have one at your disposal, lighting candles can create that same romantic glow. Try picking out ones that support the feel of the season - I love apple cinnamon, pumpkin and vanilla scented candles.

To further enhance the mood, bring out some mulled wine, or hot cider. There are several great drink recipes that can be served with or without alcohol, but here's one of my favorites:

4 Cups apple cider
1 Cup Cranberry Juice Cocktail
1/2 Cup of tequila
1/4 cup triple sec or other orange flavored liqueur
Lime slice, for garnish

In a saucepan, heat cider and cranberry juice, do not let them boil. Stir in tequila and liqueur. Serve in toddy cups or mugs, garnish with lime. Makes approximately 6 cups.

Now, if you're still concerned that it's just too chilly to wear that lace teddy, and your flannel nightie is just not naughty enough, remember that velvet is very sensuous to the touch, and will keep you warm until things heat up naturally! Romance is what you make it, and any time of the year, and anywhere you are with the one you love, can be the most romantic time ever.

That's a hard lesson for one the characters in my recent MMF menage release here at Total-E-Bound. In the novella, A Spirit of Love, one of my main characters, Sophie, is a medium who was betrayed by her ex-boyfriend Martin with their ghost hunting partner Emilio. She is so blinded by her anger, that she doesn't realize just how important she really is to the two men. Things take a decidedly interesting twist when on one of their investigations, a kinky ghost gets involved. Will this spirit teach her that true love really is the answer?

So snuggle up with your significant other, sip some cider, and enjoy the romance of autumn.

 

Autumn Quest releases today!

As an author, it is my job to wonder “What if…?” With this story, I took the concept a little further than usual, resulting in a setting that can only be called ‘alternate history’. I took the Mongol culture of about AD 400 and asked, “What if…they had never been defeated by the Chinese, and, later, by the Christians?” What sort of a society would they have ended up with?

I have taken a lot of liberties in assuming what might have happened, especially in the area of potential magic and wizardry. This last takes the story into the realms of fantasy, but who knows what might have happened? The names and places I mention are all based on Mongol culture, though. While you won’t need a glossary to understand, here are a few examples:

Bayar: Joy
Chinux: Wolf
Khaganate: legendary empire of times past
Khanate: largest section left of the former empire
Naiman: common name of the Khanate
Naman: ruling royal family of the Khanate, name derived from the Khanate’s name
Khan: nobleman in Mongol times; the king in this book
Qara: black

Playing with alternate history has been fun for me. I hope you will enjoy reading about the results of my thought experiment as much as I loved coming up with it.


Serena
www.serenayates.com

You Never Told Me Erotic Romance Was All Sex!!

It's funny. I was talking to a fellow author. We'd been reading reviews on books we were considering purchasing. Most of the reviews were glowing and great recommendations. Every once in a while there would be a statement in a review saying the reader didn't realize the book would be all sex.

I've always been up front about what I write. The characters in my books tend to be sweet in nature and have emotional romance, but the stories are NEVER sweet in heat level. There's always sex involved. Why? Because I like to write provocative characters. Because I don't like to make the characters behave. When you read my books there is more than likely a nice little warning on the blurb stating there will be sex in this book.

I know if I pick up a TEB title, it's going to pack a heated punch. Heck, that's why I buy them. Makes me wonder, then, why people are shocked. I could understand if there are aspects of the book, something that's uncomfortable to you that's not mentioned in the warning, where that might jar you. Would jar me. I've read books where there was no warning label or it was minimal and what I found in the book curled my hair. But, I knew going in I was reading erotic romance. Emphasis on the erotic.

Have you ever opened a book only to find something there you hadn't expected? What did you do? Write a review? Complain to the publisher? I'd love to know. I want my readers to know what they are in store for and to enjoy the ride. So what do you think?

~ Here's a little bit from my latest release, and yep, there's a warning label on it. Grin

Say you’ll haunt me, since I’ll never stop loving you.

Felicity Black never quite understood love. She worked her assets to get what she wanted and didn’t care who got in the way. Until she met John. He saw past her superficial self to the woman inside. Death separated her from John before she could tell him how she truly felt. Now she’s got her chance...just not in the way she expected.

John wanted Felicity to haunt him. She had been the only woman to stir not only his heart but his soul as well. But the woman claiming to be his lost love can’t be her... Felicity was dead. He has to decide whether to trust his gut or walk away from a new start.

Can a second chance at a first impression lead to love or a lifetime of heartbreak?

Reader Advisory: This story contains an out-of-body experience, voyeurism, spanking, rough sex, masturbation, and a chance for love to strike twice.

Available here!

~~ Want to know more about Wendi Zwaduk? Here you go:

I always dreamt of writing the stories in my head. Tall, dark, and handsome heroes are my favorites, as long as he has an independent woman keeping him in line. I earned a BA in education at Kent State University and currently hold a Masters in Education with Nova Southeastern University.

I love NASCAR, romance, books in general, Ohio farmland, dirt racing, and my menagerie of animals. I also write under the pen name of Megan Slayer.

Site: http://wendizwaduk.com/
Blog: http://wendizwaduk.blogspot.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WendiZwaduk
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/wendi.zwaduk
Fan page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wendi-Zwaduk/195277927167481?ref=tn_tnmn
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/wendizwaduk
Goodreads:http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3495446.Wendi_Zwaduk
On Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/wendizwaduk/
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Crazy in Texas! So little time, so many addictions to serve--including the US election...which ends, thank you, today.

Aside from the fact that I keep buying books that clog up my iPad faster than hair in my sink drain (blech!) I am crazy with work.
And it is not even the holidays.
And we are expecting our first grandchild (and I cannot stop buying baby clothes for which I need a 10 Step Program!)
I am trying to finish a new novel.
I have a new puppy.
I love to cook each night.
I have committed to going to the gym more often...just so I can drink wine at night...and stay in some sort of shape!
I have 5 blogs to keep up with. (Or...God. Are there more?)
Promotion on Loops. (They grow like Topsy!)
I have trouble keeping my EXCEL spreadsheets up to date.
I can and do spend money on people and things I love. (See previous note on buying baby clothes!)
 Also add please:

• luncheons with friends. (DESIREE HOLT, you know who you are!)
• new lingerie (another 10 Step required here, please send meeting times!)
• dinner parties with friends (neighbors, political pals and whomever would like to come on over!)
• all the volunteer work I am doing during this political campaign! (No need to send a 10 STEPPER over for this addiction. I am incurable. Had it since my mother, who was a Republican, took me to stuff envelopes for her candidate when I was 8 years old—and my DAD, who was a Democrat, took me to his own local meetings for the great speeches. And then I worked at the DNC Hdqtrs. in Washington. So did hubby. Yeah. Do not bother trying to cure me here...but I will be awake all night until The Announcement Nov. 7 early a.m.)

Come visit me at www.cerisedeland.com where you will learn what I do when I do not do the above.

Ciao!

Izanami's Jellyfish

After the world was created, Izanami, the first female celestial deity in Japanese myth, told her brother-husband that there was a place in which her body was lacking. Izanagi, the first male celestial deity, replied that there was a place where his body was too much.

The events that came after hardly need to be recounted.

It’s my experience that so many of our stories are timeless and universal.  Perhaps this is why I turn to myth and legend for all manner of ideas when I’m in the midst of the creative process.

The tale of Izanami and Izanagi is most certainly a fantastical one—it’s a creation myth, after all.  But it is also a story about love and duty—it’s a societal commentary at its best.  For after initiating love-making with Izanagi, Izanami is punished by the celestial gods, bearing a jellyfish rather than a human child.

According to the Japanese, even goddesses had a strict protocol to follow. 

Quite simply, I’m fascinated by the questions this brings up about modern tropes in romance and sex. How much do we rely on the stories of the past to inform us?  How many of the themes are, in fact, universal? What traditions still influence our societies today...and our lovemaking?

How many of YOU base your stories in myths, (urban) legends, folktales, etc.?

Happy reading,

Gen

xoxo

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