Out With The Old; In With The New

Happy New Year 2015

I'm always interested in taking stock at the end of the year. Have I accomplished what I had hoped? Did I set the bar too low or did I overreach?

My single overarching goal is to be able to support myself with writing income only. I can tell you I am a long way from that. But can I accomplish this? Someday. The publishing market continues to be wildly unpredictable. Should I sell exclusively on Amazon to participate in Kindle Unlimited? Should I find an agent? Should I hope for a contract with a New York publisher? And how do I expand my reader base? Honestly I'd rather have devoted readers than a NY contract.

All of these things are background noise to my larger vision. I want to write great books that my readers enjoy.

So for 2015 what I hope to accomplish is:

1) Publish the next two books in the Wicked Affairs series. The next two books are written and I am writing three more. I don't know when or how I will end this series. I just enjoy this world and the characters in it.

2) I am working on a two-part Dickens-like novel. The heroine is a sassy, boyish, desirable hoyden. I love her and I've never written such a character before. This book is in four parts - two parts per novel and they are very long. The first book is 95,000 words and I'm about 10,000 into Book Two.

3) I am going to look for a second publisher. While I'll continue to do some self-pubbed work, I want to try to expand my reader base through an additional respectable publisher, perhaps Samhain, Carina or another digital house. The profit isn't as great but I would like to tap into more readers.

4) I've been debating the start up of a street team. What do you think? How are the teams you are on working? Do you enjoy it or is it a burden?

5) I have several series going. Eek! I'm going to try to get a story in each series out this year. I'll be wrapping up the contemporary series Far From Home.

6) And who knows? I may even write some paranormal or young adult under a pen name. Should be an interesting year. Hope you'll come along.

22 1/2 reasons David Gandy has ruined us for all other men

Feeling the love from my favorite muse, David Gandy. I am supposed to be writing but got distracted in my David Gandy file folder.

Wanna comment? Tell the world why David has ruined you for all other men and one lucky winner will received a PRINT copy of Best Served Cold, a romantic suspense story with my own man of the world.

1)     David doesn't drive a beat-up pickup truck.

2)     David smells good. All. The. Time.

3)     You never have to buy David a tie for Christmas.

4)     No one will ever say, "And you let David out of the house looking like that?"

5)     David doesn't chew sunflower seeds.

6)     David can actually wear a Speedo.

7)     David calls back.

8)     David doesn't watch porn. He is porn.

9)     David is never late.

10) David understands the importance of a woman's shoes.

11) David doesn't wear white socks.

12) David has never peed on the side of a road.

13) When you want to watch Mad Men, David will be there with you.

14) David knows the location of Botswana.

15) Having lunch with David? He turns off his cell phone.

16) David looks good in plaid. Or nothing.

17) David knows people. (Rubes, this is Number Ten, Downing Street)

18) David doesn't get marinara sauce on his whites.

19) David doesn’t shove hankies in his back pocket.

20) David is a dog's best friend.

21) David can wear leather pants.

 22) David can changes tires. All right a half a point since your man can too.

23) David loves art.

Best Served Cold is available now in print and digital from all major retailers.

Purchase at Barnes and Noble
Purchase at Amazon

Release Day! An Occasion To Sin

A very good woman does a very bad thing... Or is it the Curse of the Weatherby Ball?

How about something new? Like the start of a new series. This story, An Occasion To Sin, is a not an erotica. Surprise, I know. Yes, there's a bit of sex and a lot of wishful thinking but this is more about Victoria Sloane's journey from being an abused, trophy wife to finding her way in spite of several shocks

and revelations that may seem like curses. But in the end, maybe it's fate. Blessings instead of curses.

Here's the blurb:

On the night of the Weatherby Ball, a bad decision results in a passionate, anonymous encounter for Victoria Sloane. The ball has a reputation for being cursed. Had she stumbled into the trap? Within days, her secret rendezvous is exposed, her husband is dead and she is carrying the child of an unknown suitor.

Joseph Smythe-Wellesley is left to clean up the messy affairs of the Earl of Doncaster. He has put the night of strange, illicit passion behind him. He would never see the lovely creature again—whoever she was. The earl’s wife is difficult to understand and she is determined to protect the heritage of her unborn child. A child she claims is the next earl. Joseph has his doubts. He is also attracted to the strong willed and strangely vulnerable Victoria.

Some might say the death of her husband was a blessing not a curse, but that event is the least of her problems especially once she realizes she shares a secret with the honorable and determined solicitor.

Buy An Occasion To Sin Here

Christmas with David Gandy

Snow always melts around David!

You know how much I adore David Gandy. Yes, adore is not the right word but makes me sound the least crazy. So I thought you would enjoy a bit of holiday magic with David.

David "All I Want For Christmas" Gandy

 

Have you been naughty?

 

Releases Galore

I would admit to being a slacker if that were the case. Yes, I know I haven't posted in awhile but I have been super busy with the EDJ. But I'm home now and have a lot to report.


The first in a new series is ready for release. It's being formatted as I type! I had this idea ages ago, probably when I first started writing. The series? The Curse of the Weatherby Ball. As you can guess from the title, bad things be happening! 

Each story will be about an event that happens at this ball at the unintended, outrageous consequences.

In An Occasion To Sin, a very good woman does a very bad thing. Victoria Sloane makes a bad decision at the Weatherby Ball and must endure the fallout for months to come.

Here's the blurb:

On the night of the Weatherby Ball, a bad decision results in a passionate, anonymous encounter for Victoria Sloane. The ball has a reputation for being cursed. Had she stumbled into the trap? Within days, her secret rendezvous is exposed, her husband is dead and she is carrying the child of an unknown suitor.

Joseph Smythe-Wellesley is left to clean up the messy affairs of the Earl of Doncaster. He has put the night of strange, illicit passion behind him. He would never see the lovely creature again—whoever she was. The earl’s wife is difficult to understand and she is determined to protect the heritage of her unborn child. A child she claims is the next earl. Joseph has his doubts. He is also attracted to the strong willed and strangely vulnerable Victoria.

Some might say the death of her husband was a blessing not a curse, but that event is the least of her problems especially once she realizes she shares a secret with the honorable and determined solicitor.

Coming in January, I'll have another release titled The Trouble With Scots. This is the third in the Body of Knowledge series. I depart from the traditional historical by inserting some proto-science: time travel, mind reading, voodoo. You get the idea.

Well, Lord Dunbar has visions of the future and for the last ten years she has appeared to him in various visions - the woman who is to be his wife, the woman with no name. Oh, I love this story.

Don't forget Wanton Christmas Wishes is still on sale for .99 cents. Readers seem to be enjoying this anthology, chock full of hot and sexy.

Wanton Christmas Wishes Sneak Peek: Loving Michael by Kate Pearce

Enjoy this excerpt from Loving Michael by Kate Pearce. Former courtesan Angelique is quite a pill and determined to get her man.

Angelique’s hand slid down from his arm to capture his hand. “Wait a moment.”

“I thought you were the one who was eager to see the duke?”

“Not until we have finished our conversation.”

“I’m sure you are quite sick of hearing me whine about myself.”

She chuckled. “Not at all. I find you very interesting. I always have.”

Shock made him forget himself and stare right into her beguiling blue gaze. “You… think I’m interesting?”

“And handsome.”

He firmly removed her hand from his and placed it in her lap. “We are old friends . Don’t feel obliged to drown me in fake compliments because you feel sorry for me.”

She wrinkled her nose at him. “I don’t feel sorry for you.”

“Then what do you want?”

“To understand you.”

“In God’s name, why?”

She smiled. “Because I have always wondered about the extent of your abilities. I am a courtesan, after all.”

“You want to know if I am capable of fornication.”

“Oui,” she said simply, her expression inquiring.

“Go to hell, Angelique.”

Wanton Christmas Wishes Sneak Peek: A Christmas Wish by Jess Michaels

It's almost Christmas time again and what better way to celebrate than with an anthology of Christmas wishes - the hot and naughty kind. Join me and several of today's hottest erotic historical romance writers. Today's tease is by author Jess Michaels.

She turned her face and stared out as the drive wound through dense, beautiful woods for a few moments. She couldn’t help but think of the last time she’d seen Stephen. It had been the day after her wedding…and her wedding night. She had still been basking in the glow of having the man she loved introduce her body to such pleasures and then…

Then she had found out the terrible truth about him. 

“My lady!”

Amelia jolted at Helen’s sharp tone and found her servant was now holding out a crisp handkerchief. She blushed as she realized that a tear had escaped her eye and was winding its way down her cheek.

“At least I’m doing this in the safety of my carriage,” she muttered as she swiped the errant tear away. “I certainly don’t want to weep in front of his servants so they can report it to him when he arrives next week.”

Helen nodded. “You’re strong, my lady. You’ll manage.”

“I will,” Amelia agreed. “I must. For the sake of our families and the upcoming holiday. I certainly won’t let Lord Blackgrove see that his lack of affection causes me any pain. Luckily I have seven days to make certain I hide the bitter truth.”

Helen had stopped looking at her and was now staring out the carriage window. Her face was suddenly pale and her eyes wide.

“My lady,” she began, then trailed off.
 
Amelia wrinkled her brow at the servant’s obvious dismay. “What is it?”

“It—it’s…” Helen pointed out the window as the carriage stopped. “It’s him!”

A Christmas Wish is available as part of the Wanton Christmas Wishes anthology, releasing on November 18th and most retailers.

And thanks to our fans, we're already at #14 in Victorian! Woot!

 

A Rafflecopter Giveaway - WIN a Kindle Fire HD

Wanton Christmas Wishes is coming soon!

Join us for a month long party including a great giveaway - a Kindle Fire HD!




Here's the giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wanton Christmas Wishes - Pre-order your copy now

I am so happy to be part of this wonderful new series with some of today's best erotic historical romance writers.

And what is really great is that you'll be reading the first books of several new series each author is introducing.

Kate Pearce - Diable Delamere Regency series

Samantha Kane - 93rd Highlanders series

Monica Burns - Prequel to Self-Made Men series

And me, a new series - The Infamous Foresters

Pre-order your digital copy of Wanton Christmas Wishes

Cover Reveal: Wanton Christmas Wishes

One of the high points in the writing process, aside from a finished novel, is the day the cover arrives! And here it is. Many thanks to Kim Killion at Hot Damn Designs for this beauty.

Wanton Christmas Wishes will be available on November 18th.

Please stop by Goodreads and add it to your WANNA READ pile.

Excerpts from each story will be coming soon and stay tuned for upcoming prizes and giveaways.

David Gandy and What He's Really Thinking

So here it is, ladies: The definitive guide to understanding David Gandy.

Yes, my friends, some of those smoldering looks are actually just him being British but underneath it all, what is David really thinking? After much sleuthing, I have all the dets.


The quizzical brow...

"Tom Hiddleston. Really?"

The mischievous grin...

"If you were a book, I'd stay up all night reading."

The dubious look...

"I'm sorry. Well, not really."

The WTF glance...

"Are there other options?"

The hard stare...

"Don't go there...without me."

The megawatt grin...

 "I don't always smile but when I do, I slay women."

The go away glare...

"That is clearly nonsense."

The over the shoulder ignore...

"I'm still amazed I get paid for bad hair days."

The long day pierce...

"Can they tell I look tired? Oh, that's right. I'm David Gandy."

The half smirk...

"Another wanker wanting a picture."