Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Guests: Angelica Hart and Zi

SPICY HOT VANILLA
BY: Angelica Hart and Zi

Angelica Hart and Zi are writers published by Champagne Books.

In all romances there is that moment when sex finds fruition, that instant when all the tug and pull, the laboring through emotional upheaval and external complications finally finds its way to culmination. It does happen. Sometimes the reader has to wait until nearly the end of the story, but then there it is, the reward, the prize in the cracker jack box called a romance novel. We cannot and will never trivialize that. The challenge for the writer is to make the reader want to be a page turner voyeur. This has to be accomplished by getting one to root for the story's couple to share lovemaking, but also for the reader to want, crave, and desire the outcome as much as the hero and heroine, to have a stake in their lives, and at times to relate to the situation in that they nearly meld with one of the characters, experiencing all there is to experience. But as important as is that, it is also crucial to make that scene interesting. The same old same old must never feel as if so. The act in of itself would be simple and maybe boring if not dressed in all the luxurious trappings a writer's imagination can provide. We want to put the fiery desire into those moments. We owe it to characters and the readers. So how?

"Would you like to
With Elinor Glyn
On a tiger skin?
Or would you prefer
To err with her
On some other fur?"
- (author unknown)

The afore poem was written about Elinor Glyn a 20s writer of torrid love stories. My Grams watched the soaps and she call them her stories. "Got to get done so I can watch my stories," she'd say, or "Run out and play during my stories." She'd grab a cup of coffee and a snack and sit in the big chair, losing herself to the scenes unfolding in a way that made her part of the characters' world. She loved the edgy.

We are lead to believe that Glyn found a certain amount of sensuality having the feel of fur on her skin. We are in a time where toys and kink are becoming more and more commonplace, and the usage of them is no longer a hidden secret. There are even fetish parties that play out just like a Tupperware party used to be demonstrated with a group of ladies in someone's home. We most certainly believe that traditional love making holds a profound import not just because of the grandness of all sensations but those sensations begin in the largest sex organ the brain. But there is much to be said that spicing up the act can be good. Perception of what is exciting varies from person to person and catching segments of that perception is what stirs readers, encouraging them to devour the scenes.

We as a society get our paraphilias, our sexual arousal, from a variety of sources. Glyn in the 20s was not vanilla but she is very much so in this day and age. We live in a world of adventurous lovers.

Our role if we use such fetishes is to give them value within the relating, because at the end of the day when you tally up the score, it is not the color of the condom on the talliwacker, or whether they score, but truly the honest exchange of emotions that facilitate meaningful physical expression. All the other paraphernalia and erotic action is just fun.

Our proclivity is spicy hot vanilla. That is apparent in KILLER DOLLS and stretched toward rare uniqueness in SNAKE DANCE.

What would you like in love scenes found in your favorite genre?

Our release KILLER DOLLS is a wonderful romantic thriller based in bio-terrorism. SNAKE DANCE which is about to be released is a sci/fi-fantasy adventure romance placed in a unique culture. CHASING GRAVITAS is a gentle paranormal romance which provides an unfolding mystery.


SNAKE DANCE
The Story:

On the planet Starling wRen defies her heritage so she can be with VeIper, an outcast bent on freeing his species from ethnic cleansing. Mong, a slayer, quells their ambition as he plots the subjugation of wRen and the death of VeIper.


EXCERPT:

With lithe movement he followed that scent, in wavy patterns slipping one way then the other catching it at its greatest strength. Coiled, flexed, and slowly rose ever so little as not to be seen, and saw for the first time in his short life something that gave him a shiver to his soul, rattling, and he noticeably trembling. This was not chills of fear, no, but a far different emotion. The full magnitude of this he could not discern but it was there like tiny flickers of fire bursting under his skin.
There captive in his gaze was a female, white and peach toned, similar to others yet nothing at all alike. She stood out against the natural background of color as if apart from it, and yet she somehow was all of it. Her face held an intricate balance of beauty and emotion. It was as if you could see the swirl of them real and raw with no apology for them. Her body held the lushness and enticement of her kind, but the enticement was somehow different. It was as if her curves had been sculptured just for his hands; as if her breasts and buttocks would fit perfectly into his palms; as if her flesh would respond instantly to the trace of his fingertips and as if her lips would curve into his with perfection. Their fingers would entwine naturally, the tender spurt of her pulse would match his.

ABOUT AUTHORS

Their combined accomplishments include book publications in print and/or electronic versions of twenty-four titles, fifteen romance specific, ten manuscripts pending, EPPIE finalist for three books, Cecil Whig award, Hob-Nob Reader's Choice Award, written over 500 shorts with numerous published in both nationwide and small press magazines, articles published in various local, city and statewide newspapers, including four as a Guest Columnist in addition to trade articles. Both are members of various writing groups.

We'd love to hear from anyone interested in what we do. Anyone who writes us at angeliahartandzi@yahoo.com and leaves an s-mail address, we will send you a gift and add you to any future mailings.

Angelica Hart and Zi
KILLER DOLLS ~ September 2009
SNAKE DANCE ~ February 2010
CHASING GRAVITAS ~ July 2010

angelicahartandzi@yahoo.com
angelicahartandzi.com

KILLER DOLLS and SNAKE DANCE can be purchased at
Champagne Books
http://www.champagnebooks.com/

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Friday, February 19, 2010

Review: Double Trouble by Susan May Warren

Double Trouble by Susan May Warren
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (January 11, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1414313136
ISBN-13: 978-1414313139
Rating: 4/5

I have really found a passion for books/series such as Double Trouble here lately with women PI's especially the comedic ones with the heroine always getting into tight spots and having men fighting over them for one reason or another.

This is the second book of the series and while it can be read as a stand alone I do suggest reading book one, Nothing but Trouble, first so you'll have more background into the characters and all.

In this story PJ is hired as a stand in look a like for a material witness while she is hidden away until the trial. Add in a marriage proposal, a sulky sister, and some new Russian family to the mix.

Review Copy Provided by LitFuse
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Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Giveaway and Review: Hasta la Vista, Lola by Misa Ramirez


Hasta la Vista, Lola by Misa Ramirez

Hardcover: 272 pages
Publisher: Minotaur Books (February 2, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0312384033
ISBN-13: 978-0312384036
Rating: 4/5

This is Misa's second Lola book and if you enjoy Stephanie Plum then you will love Lola because she is a saucy little PI in Sacramento, Calif that tends to get into some funny spots just like Stephanie.

Lola is working late one evening and returns home to a wake. Come to find out it's her own wake! Everybody is led to believe she is dead after a news reporter on television says so.

Turns out to be a huge case of stolen identity and now Lola has to set things straight, but that will be a big task that includes finding out who the dead lady is, why she stole Lola's identity, finding a missing child, putting up with Lola's ex Sergio, and trying to convince her grandma she is alive and not a spirit! Good thing she has her boyfriend Jack for help and support!

This was a great book full of fun and laughs especially Lola's crazy family! I Look forward to more adventures in this series!

Review and Giveaway Copy Provided by Author

If you'd like to win a copy of this wonderful book just leave a comment below. Giveaway ends February 28. No emails will be sent. Winner will be posted on blog.
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Friday, February 12, 2010

Review: The Things That Keep Us Here by Carla Buckley


The Things That Keep Us Here by Carla Buckley

Hardcover: 416 pages
Publisher: Delacorte Press; 1 edition (February 9, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0440245095
ISBN-13: 978-0440245094
Rating: 5/5

Carla not only brings forth an awesome debut novel but one that really made me sit back and ponder over the "what if's" It's a book of real life horror/terror as a pandemic of the bird flu breaks out and the pandemonium that unfolds each day that goes by.

This is the story of a broken family that ultimately has to put aside their issues and join together for the good of the family thru a horrible deadly time. As each day goes by conditions worsen with the virus spreading all over, food supplies dwindling, neighbors against neighbors, losing all phone and electricity, and ultimately leads to murders and thievery just to survive.

I really enjoyed this book because it was so real and a horror that could actually happen to me. It made me want to run out and stock up on food and supplies. In all truth it scared me.

I'm sitting on nerves wondering what Carla's next book will be! Bring it Carla! You got my attention!

Review Copy Provided by Author/Publisher
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Thursday, February 11, 2010

Book Giveaway: The Moon Looked Down by Dorothy Garlock

The Moon Looked Down by Dorothy Garlock
Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (February 23, 2010)
 
 
"Sophie Heller's family immigrated from Germany to Victory, a small town in Illinois, before WWII began. Now that the war has affected the town, the townspeople discriminate against Sophie and her family. When a train derails, it is an accident but the Heller family is blamed. Coming to Sophie's rescue is a teacher from the high school, and despite their cultural differences, a romance starts to bloom. "
 
 
 
Thanks to Anna at Hatchette Book Group I have 5 copies of this wonderful book to giveaway to you guys! Giveaway is only open to residents of US and Canada    Sorry :( 
 
Just comment below if you'd like to be entered for a copy and the drawing will be on March 5.  You will have until midnight March 7 to respond to me with mailing information or another name will be drawn.
 
No emails will be sent!  Winners will be posted on blog!
 
Good Luck to all!
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