Sunday, November 30, 2014

Love at First Bite

No, this isn't a vampire post. And it isn't a werewolf post (though I would expect one here soon if I were you). It's actually a cooking post. Sometimes, in interviews, I'm asked what it is I like to do when not writing. It's a pretty good sized list. I enjoy a lot of things. But one of my favorites is cooking. It's something I have in common with my husband. We both enjoy being in the kitchen. Sometimes so much so that we actually fight about who is going to cook that night and what we're going to make.

I'm not a gourmet chef. I don't wander too far out of my comfort zone. If I can't pronounce and have never tried a dish, chances are I'm not going to attempt it. But I do really enjoy cooking. Especially this time of year. So after we'd eaten the stuffing, green bean casserole, brownies, and pumpkin pie, I started craving something with a little tartness to it. More than anything else, I wanted cherry crumble! Which was kind of crazy because I hadn't had it since I was a child. And I quickly realized that, as much as I loved eating cherry crumble, I'd never actually made it. Not even with my mom when I was a kid. Which was a shame given how easy it is to make. So this was my first attempt. And it was pretty darn good if I do say so myself. Even our guest who dislikes cherry pie filling liked it. She had two servings.

Cherry Crumble


Ingredients:


6 tablespoons butter

1 1/8 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup granola (I used a vanilla/almond granola but I can’t wait to try it with coconut/chocolate)

6 tablespoons packed brown sugar

a pinch of salt

1 (21 ounce) can cherry pie filling

Directions:


1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

2. Melt butter or margarine in a large saucepan (I melted mine in the microwave in a microwave-safe bowl).

3. In a large bowl, combine the granola, flour, brown sugar, and salt. Pour melted butter over the mix and stir in until a dry, crumbly dough forms. Press about 2/3 of the dough into the bottom of 9 inch square pan, making a firm even layer.

4. Spread cherry pie filling in the crust, and sprinkle with remaining crumb mixture.

5. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until top is lightly browned. Serve warm or at room temperature. Refrigerate any left overs.

Happy holiday! 



Saturday, November 29, 2014

A Hot Night Series from Amanda Usen!

Need a little dose of something HOT to keep you warm this holiday season?!? Well - have I got the series for you!!!
Show a little love to one of my BFFs, Amanda Usen!!! *and the crowd goes wild*
Love, Jenn :)

ItF_300

She’s cooking up a recipe for revenge…
Heir to the Calabrese restaurant empire, Jackson Calabrese can buy whatever he wants—except creativity. He can craft perfect paella, but if his new restaurant is going to take New York by storm, he’ll need help. And there’s only one chef with the culinary creativity to reinvent their menu: former rival—and lover—Lila Grant. The one woman with all the right ingredients to drive Jackson wild. And damned if he doesn’t want another taste.
During their time at the culinary Academy, Lila brought the heat in the kitchen and between Jackson’s sheets. Seducing her back into his bed—and his kitchen—should be easy. But after the way things ended between them, Lila isn’t giving anything away for free. Jackson may have made her an offer she can’t refuse, but she wants revenge, and she’ll take it served hot…one delicious bite at a time.
INTO THE FIRE e-book is available from AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE, GOOGLE, iBOOKS, and more!
“…simply mouthwatering.” RT Book Reviews TOP PICK!

 StP_300

The best desserts are worth the wait…
Pastry chef Jenna Cooper crushed hard on playboy chef Roman Gallagher when her older brother brought him home to share their family Christmas six years ago. Now she’s old enough to do something about it, and she won’t take no for an answer—for anything.

Out of the frying pan into the fire…
Roman has one hard and fast rule—don’t sleep where you eat. But he can’t say no to Jenna’s plea for him to help her save her family business. Soon she’s working for him, and their scorching chemistry melts Roman’s resistance.

If you can’t stand the heat…
Jenna knows Roman has reservations about enjoying the heat between them, but she’s got a plan. She’s going to keep this sexy man so satisfied in—and out—of the kitchen, he won’t regret a thing. But Roman has his own ideas. He wants more than a few hot nights, and he’s going to teach Jenna a lesson about playing with fire.
SEDUCING THE PLAYBOY can be purchased at AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE, GOOGLE, iBOOKS, ALL ROMANCE e-books, and more.

Need a bit more Amanda until Make Me, Take Me (Book #3 in the Hot Night Series) comes out NEXT MONTH?!?!?!?

Stalking is encouraged and rewarded with a dry wit, gorgeous face and little tidbits of food, family and smutty fun!!!


Blog - https://amandausen.wordpress.com/blog/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/amandausen
Twitter - https://twitter.com/AmandaUsen
Pinterest - http://www.pinterest.com/AmandaUsen/
Recipes - https://amandausen.wordpress.com/about/
Amazon to buy the sexy!! - http://www.amazon.com/Amanda-Usen/e/B005HBCGN6/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1416671110&sr=8-1

Friday, November 28, 2014

★•**•.★Holiday Sale From Sabrina York★•**•.★

black Friday Sale
The I am Thankful for my Readers Sale
 
★•**•.★Holiday Sale From Sabrina York★•**•.★ Available on Amazon.com
Get a taste of the highly-rated Tryst Island Series by Sabrina York for a bargain price this weekend. Buy all three for only $.99!! #TrystIsland Rebound Only : $.99 http://amzn.to/1Cc2YqG Dragonfly Kisses: Free http://amzn.to/1ts3syz Smoking Holt : Free http://amzn.to/1Cc3QMb Tell your friends!


SY_Snow Angels_MD   NEW RELEASE REMINDER

Snow Angels (Available Monday!) http://www.amazon.com/Snow-Angels-Calendar-Sabrina-York-ebook/dp/B00NF6LWZS/ What to 

Read After FSOG Collection #8 (Available now for 99¢) http://www.amazon.com/What-Read-After-FSOG-Collection-ebook/dp/B00PX9RJWA/ref=asap_B00856PDEO_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1417141313&sr=1-4

  Cowboy 12 Pack (99¢ Collection—Available for preorder) http://www.amazon.com/Cowboy-12-Pack-Twelve-Novel-Boxed-ebook/dp/B00PKTN7SI/




About Sabrina York Her Royal Hotness, Sabrina York, is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of hot, humorous stories for smart and sexy readers. Her titles range from sweet & sexy to scorching erotic romance.  Connect with her on twitter @sabrina_york, on Facebook or on Pintrest. Check out Sabrina’s books and read an excerpt on Amazon or wherever e-books are sold. Visit her webpage at www.sabrinayork.com to check out her books, excerpts and contests. Free Teaser Book: http://sabrinayork.com/home-2/sabrina-yorks-teaser-book/ And don’t forget to enter to win the royal tiara!   Like my Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/sabrinayork Like my Facebook Author Page https://www.facebook.com/SabrinaYorkBooks Follow me on Twitter @sabrina_york https://twitter.com/sabrina_york Follow me on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5817917.Sabrina_York Check out my Pintrest boards: http://www.pinterest.com/sabrinayork/boards/

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM THE DIVAS



A few words from Diva Simone:

Thanksgiving is a time to cast aside the gloom and pessimism and look to the things that have gone right in the last year and be thankful to spend time with family and friends. Enjoy life and celebrate. I love this holiday because it makes me pause and think about what is really important to me. Please take a moment to cast your worries aside and enjoy this time with family and friends.  These moments in life are truly special. The Decadent Divas want to wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving and if you are traveling this holiday season, we wish you safe travels.
Decadently yours,
Erin Simone, Jennifer Kacey, Chandra Ryan, Rebecca Royce, Cait Miller, 
Anna Alexander and Sabrina York



Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Grocery store madness for Thanksgiving and where I love to shop!

Happy day before Turkey Day!!!
I'm actually away from home this most amazing Thanksgiving! I'm up in the NE with the snow celebrating with some of my best friends!!!
And in honor of the cookingest holiday :) I thought I'd share some of my favorite grocery stores!!

#1 - Wegmans - this one is new to me and the most epic of all grocery stores. They are beautiful and pack so many different choices into a relatively small store and guess what?!?! They aren't crazy expensive!! Bonus! So if you can ever hit one up then DO IT!!!!


#2 - Kroger - There is a Kroger about 20 minutes from my house. It's amazing! Have wanted to live by a Kroger for forever!!! They have Grapples! Tastes like a grape and crunches like an apple! Yummo!!





#3 - Central Market - specialty store we sometimes go to in Dallas. The selection is amazing! And they make Caribbean Spring Roll Sushi for me with no cucumber and with mango. So awesome!!! Expensive but sometimes a girl just has to treat herself!!!



Hope you and yours have an amazing holiday! I'll be thinking of you!!!!
MWAH!!!


And if you need a little bit more kinky stuff on your e-reader then I can help with that too. :)

The books in the Members Only Series can be found here...
Jenna's Consent - Coming November 5th!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stand Alone
Nico's Curse - Coming SOON!!!!

Jennifer Kacey is a wife, mother, and business owner living with her family in Texas. She sings in the shower, plays piano in her dreams, and has to have a different color of nail polish every week. The best advice she’s ever been given? Find the real you and never settle for anything less.

Website - http://www.jenniferkacey.com/
Blog – The Decadent Divas - http://www.thedecadentdivas.blogspot.com/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.kacey.7
Facebook Author Page - https://www.facebook.com/jenniferkaceyauthor
Twitter - https://twitter.com/JenniferKacey
Amazon Page - http://www.amazon.com/Jennifer-Kacey/e/B00GXHUB30/ref=s9_simh_gw_p351_d9_al1?_encoding=UTF8&refinementId=618073011&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0G8ZPDQJVKJPKXNBRY10&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1688200382&pf_rd_i=507846
Goodreads – http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6941549.Jennifer_Kacey
Pinterest - http://pinterest.com/jenniferkacey/

Monday, November 24, 2014

Guest Post: Valkyrie Vampire Ball by Cornelia Amiri

Valkyrie Vampire Ball

Do you like vampires? What about fey? Are you intrigued by Scottish lore? Do you appreciate a strong, handsome man in a kilt? If you said yes to any or all of the above, step underhill to the dwelling place of the baobhan sith. They are waiting for you. They’ve saved you a dance.
Who or what are the baobhan sith, (bah vawn shee) you ask? They are vampiric fey who roam the Scottish highlands. All of them are women, no men. They are voluptuous and enticing beauties always garbed in green dresses. Also, they have talons, no fangs. Like other vampires, they drink human blood and they fry in the sunlight. Many call them dancing vampires as they look for young men coming from the pub at night. The baobhan sith dance with them until the men are exhausted then they transform their nails to talons. The dancing grows rough as the baobhan sith rake their nails across their dance partner’s back. They claw at the men’s skin, draining their blood, so they can drink it.

My Dancing Vampire series is a modern take on the baobhan sith, the tales of seven baobhan sith sisters. They are on the hunt for men and in each book that quest turns to romance. Valkyrie Vampire Ball, the 5th novella in my Dancing Vampire series comes out November 28th.  It is available for preorder now at Ellora’s Cave. http://www.ellorascave.com/series/dancing-vampires-1.html
So Vampire Valkyrei Ball makes 5 books so far:  Dance of the Vampires, Vampire Highland Fling, Ever So Bonnie A Vampire, One Dance With A Vampire, and Valkyrie Vampire Ball.  I call them – Five Shades Of Fey.

Valkyrie Vampire Ball [Ebook]



ISBN - 9781419942785
Ellora's Cave Publishing Inc.

Blurb:
The baobhan sith—vampiric fey—Mordak and her sisters search the highlands for men to dance with and drink from. The moment Mordak spots Tor, she burns for his touch and yearns for the taste of his lips in a lingering kiss. Before she can sway her hips in a seductive dance to enchant Tor, three Valkyrie land in front of him. Mordak is not about to let the Norse blondes fly off with the man she chose.
Tor never expected to run into six gorgeous women on his way to the pub. It’s the redhead, Mordak, who catches his eye. When she fights the Valkyrie and saves his life, he knows she’s the woman for him. But Mordak lives in the fey realm where he can’t go and she promised her sisters she’d never fall in love with a human. Can he escape the Valkyrie who want to slay him and win Mordak’s love even though he’s only human?

The last book in the series, Some Vampires Shimmy will be coming in December.

Contest: To celebrate the new release, I’m giving away the first three eBooks of the series, Dance Of The Vampires, Vampire Highland Fling, and Ever So Bonnie A Vampire along with a deck of EC 2014 Hoedown  Showdown playing cards. Please comment below to enter the contest and leave your email so I can reach you if you win.
Cornelia Amiri, who also writes under the name of Maeve Alpin, is the author of 24 Celtic and Steampunk romance books. She lives in Houston Texas as does her son and granddaughter and her cat, Severus. Severus is a writer's cat, he loves books. He likes to knock them off the bookshelf, sit on them, and sniff the open pages. He also uses the computer, he sits on it, lays on top of it, and walks across the key board almost constantly. 

You can visit Cornelia at her web site: http://CelticRomanceQueen.com and FB page: https://www.facebook.com/CelticRomanceQueen




Sunday, November 23, 2014

Giving Thanks

I am a grateful person. I have many things in my life I'm thankful for. Year round I realize how many wonderful people and opportunities I've been blessed with. When times get rough, as they often do, I try to focus on the amazing aspects of my life. But this time of year, I try to stop and make lists. So here is my top five things I'm thankful for....with a twist.

Top Five Things I'm Thankful For As a Romance Writer:

1. The word 'Cock'
And pussy, ass, breast, clit, balls....I think you get the idea. I love that we can just call a spade a spade now. I'm not sure I could've survived in the industry if I had to write manroot or honey-pot. Not to mention all the animals a man's dick has been compared to. Yes, some writers do it beautifully. I, however, would not have been one of them.

2. Toys
Sometimes it can be hard, no pun intended, to keep escalating sex scenes. It's true, variety is the spice of life. But let's be honest for a second, there are only a handful of sexual positions that are comfortable for amateurs like myself. To try to describe a position I've never enjoyed feels deceitful. But even plain old vanilla missionary can become red hot if the right toys are employed. Handcuffs, nipple clamps, and anal plugs-oh my!

3. A healthy appreciation for women's bodies
We come in all shapes and sizes. And men love us in all them. Don't believe me? This year, we went to a Suicide Girls' show for our anniversary. I've been to a couple men's reviews over the years. And the men were handsome. But there wasn't a huge variety in their body types. The same was not true for the burlesque show. Some of the women had large breasts, some had small. Some of the women had curved asses and some of them were lean. But regardless of the dancer's body type, the audience went crazy for them. I love that so many writers have started embracing this and writing about the diversity of women out there.

4. Wine
I don't think any of my 'grateful lists' would be complete without this one. I helps to celebrate the good times and commiserate in the bad. This industry tends to be full of ups and downs. Finished you novel? Yay! Have a glass to celebrate. Got a rejection? Sorry. Have a glass and tell me all about it. Got a great review? Awesome! Let's toast to many more. In edits hell? I'm so sorry.

5. The community
This is actually my favorite thing about writing romance. The people. And I'm talking about everyone: The writers, the readers, the reviewers, bloggers, editors....everyone. You guys are amazing. I've never met a group of people more caring or supportive. You keep me going. You are the reason I write. I love you guys so much.

So it's for those reasons (and many, many more) that I'm sending out a huge thank you to the romance world! You guys are awesome. I love you all. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season and a fabulous new year. Cheers!





Friday, November 21, 2014

Hot Blog Tour to heat up your Winter...and a #giveaway!

spiceupsm

Join the party and read exclusive excerpts from three awesome authors--and enter to win books & bling! 

Three authors are participating in this event. Sidney Bristol brings us the heat with her Romantic Suspense with BDSM Elements title Duty Bound, Book 2 in her Bayou Bound series. Lisa Fox is introducing us to her Midnight Kiss Contemporary Romance series with One Kiss and the soon-to-be-released Her Perfect Lips. And a Contemporary Erotic Romance series from Sabrina York, her titles Rebound, Dragonfly Kisses, Smoking Holt, Heart of Ash, Devlin’s Dare and Parker’s Passion are all part of the Tryst Island Series.

Join us in meeting these authors and spice up your shelves (or start your holiday shopping early) with one of these wonderful romances.

Giveaway: 

Grand Prize- win a 'delicate daytime' tiara from Sabrina York and each of the eBooks listed below. 

Two winners will get:
Picture Her Bound: Bayou Bound # 1 by Sidney Bristol
One Kiss: Midnight Kiss # 1 by Lisa Fox and
Rebound: Tryst Island # 1 by Sabrina York

Drawing ends at 11:59 PM EST on 25 November – winner has 24 hours to respond. 18+ only 

ENTER HERE: http://bippityboppitybook.com/spice-up/

About Sabrina York
Her Royal Hotness, Sabrina York, is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of hot, humorous stories for smart and sexy readers. Her titles range from sweet & sexy to scorching erotic romance.  Connect with her on twitter @sabrina_york, on Facebook or on Pintrest. Check out Sabrina’s books and read an excerpt on Amazon or wherever e-books are sold. Visit her webpage at www.sabrinayork.com to check out her books, excerpts and contests. Free Teaser Book: http://sabrinayork.com/home-2/sabrina-yorks-teaser-book/ And don’t forget to enter to win the royal tiara!

Like my Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/sabrinayork
Like my Facebook Author Page https://www.facebook.com/SabrinaYorkBooks
Follow me on Twitter @sabrina_york https://twitter.com/sabrina_york
Check out my Pintrest boards: http://www.pinterest.com/sabrinayork/boards/

COMING SOON FROM SABRINA YORK:

What to Read After Fifty Shades of Grey Gemstone Collection #8 (Available November 23) http://www.amazon.com/Sabrina-York/e/B00856PDEO/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1416423674&sr=1-2-ent

Snow Angels: My wounded warrior meets his match in a snowbound cabin! (preorder now. Available December 1st) http://www.amazon.com/Snow-Angels-Calendar-Sabrina-York-ebook/dp/B00NF6LWZS/

Cowboy 12 Pack: Twelve hot cowboys from bestselling authors for 99 cents (Preorder now. Available in January) http://www.amazon.com/Cowboy-12-Pack-Twelve-Novel-Boxed-ebook/dp/B00PKTN7SI/

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

IMMORTAL EMBRACE SERIES

Book 1 , 2 & 3


An ancient battle rages between the Order of the Dragon, a coven of vampires who have taken a sworn oath to stop the rising tide of vampire-related homicides committed by their enemies. Rogues refuse to conform while humans still remain blissfully unaware of their presence, and the intense battle that looms in the shadows of this dominion. Primordial warriors of night, these seductive dark angels hunt the nocturnal predatory Rogues who sate their blood lust by draining the essence of life from their victims. Carnal by nature, their charismatic presence and alluring sex appeal will draw you into their immortal embrace just as the females who encounter them.


A Romantica® paranormal erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave

If you are looking for a good series this holiday season, I hope you will checkout my Immortal Embrace Series.  Happy Holidays Everyone.

Decadently Yours,

Erin Simone




Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Alpha's Sacrifice Released



I am so excited to announce that Alpha's Sacrifice has announced today. This is book 1.5 in the Fallen Alpha series and although it appeared in an anthology, today marks the first time you can buy it all by itself.

I am so excited to share it with you. Hayden was born out of a trip I took to Napa last February.  In addition to being a Werewolf who is trying to save his pack, he is a winemaker.

Hayden Chaucer leads a small, but loyal pack in the Wine Country of California. Scarred from his years serving the former Alpha Prime, Hayden is ready for anything—except the arrival of a human madwoman who claims she’s lived a life with him. Not only does she know that he’s a werewolf and many more of his secrets, she’s his mate and now he will do anything to protect her and his pack. 


Consumed by her visions and held captive by the True Believers for years, Chelsea flees to the only person who can help her…the wolf whose passion burns in her blood. Desperate to convince Hayden before her fleeting visions abandon her completely, all she knows is she must save his life, even at the cost of her sanity. 

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Romance on a Dime

This time of year is always a stretch for us. As the temperature dips, so does our bank account. I'd like to say Christmas is to blame, but it really isn't. We're pretty responsible about the holiday. It just seems like karmic forces combine to put the financial screws on us. And I don't think we're alone. I think every family goes through lean times. Maybe it doesn't happen once a year for some. Maybe it happens more for others. But I think sometimes, we all see finical hardship. That doesn't mean the romance has to take a back seat to the hum drum of budget talks, however. Over the years I've complied a list of my favorite romantic ideas that also happen to be cheap.

1. Picnic:
Sounds cliche but it's true. Taking your food outdoors and opening a bottle of wine can make any meal an event. It also has the added benefit of giving your kids something to do if you can't afford a babysitter. Pick a park that has hiking trails or some other physical activity to tire the little balls of energy out. By the time you're ready to eat, everyone is relaxed and has happy endorphins pumping through them because of work out. One of the best anniversary dates my husband I have ever had was a picnic at a vineyard. How can you not feel all warm and fuzzy with such an impressive view?

2. Lunch instead of dinner:
If you absolutely have to go out to a meal for it to be considered a date, consider having lunch with your loved one. Most restaurants will have a cheaper menu for lunch and it often doesn't require alcohol, which is where the meal tab can really start to add up. But you still get the benefits of not having to cook or clean up and you get some one on one time with your mate. Plus, extra bonus, if you have school aged kids and plan it on a school day you don't need to hire a sitter.

3. Groupon:
I've never actually used this option for a restaurant. I'm not sure why. Actually, that's not true. I do know why. Whenever I think about showing up at a restaurant with a groupon, I picture that sitcom scenario where the maitre d' is rude and the waiters sneer at us for using a coupon for our meal. I know that probably wouldn't happen, but I have social anxieties. So that is really a me issue, not a groupon problem. I have used the site, however, for movies, plays, presents (groupon goods has some pretty good deals), and other events. There's a glassblowing and a trapeze lesson groupon that come up from time to time that I'd like to try. For me, it's a good way to try new experiences.

3. Making something special at home:
I'm a bit of a homebody anyway so this is one of my personal favorites. I love to scour the internet in search of a show stopping recipe that I can make at home. To date, my favorite has been caprese salad kabobs. It's such a simple (and pretty cheap) dish but it's elegant and tastes amazing. Here's a link to the recipe if you're interested: Caprese Salad Kabobs. My husband also gets in on this one. For our first date, he cooked me lemon chicken. To this day, whenever he makes it for me, it makes me a little nostalgic.

The bottom line is you shouldn't let your finances dictate your love life. You might not be able to jet off to the French Riviera or afford a new diamond this year, but that's not what romance is all about anyway. Spend time with each other. Find ways to show your mate that he/she is still important to you and that they make you happy. And if you aren't stressed out about the bill, it makes it that much easier to enjoy the evening.

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Guest Post: A few words about writing sex scenes by Suz deMello

From my writing treatise, Plotting and Planning, available at http://tinyurl.com/deMelloPlotting
My first writing treatise, Write This, Not That! is free through 2014:





Scenes are the building blocks of your story, for acts are comprised of scenes. They're nothing more than events, most often interactions between your characters. Scenes should fulfill at least one or two of the below purposes—best if you can include all four.
•Advance plot
•Reveal or develop character
•Complicate or resolve conflict
•Express setting, mood, theme
Everything in your manuscript should have a function, even every comma or em-dash.

How does this apply to the writing of erotica?

Too often, sex scenes are shoehorned into a story to increase the word count or the heat level, while those scenes don't fulfill any other function. To quote from Plotting and Planning again, Everything in a story should contribute to it, from the biggest monster to the tiniest comma.

If a scene doesn't contribute to the story, it doesn't belong there. It doesn't matter how well-written it is. It doesn't matter how hot it is. It doesn't matter how much you, the author, may love the beautiful prose or the scorching hot, kinky sex.

There's a piece of writerly advice out there: Kill your darlings.

No one's quite sure where this phrase originated, but it's been repeated often, by such notable authors as William Faulkner and Stephen King.

But it doesn't matter who originated the phrase--it's great advice. We often fall in love with our prose and are loath to cut it, especially when we may have slaved over a particularly well-turned clause or exhaustively researched, say, the eating habits of the lesser lemur of Madagascar.

But fiction is no place to be a smarty-pants. Leave that for term papers, book reports and theses.

In terms of writing sex scenes, what do we leave in and what to we cut?

We leave in those scenes that fulfill at least one of the above purposes. Ideally, a well-written, thoughtfully planned encounter will fulfill more than one purpose.

Here's a brief example, from a story I wrote called Gypsy Witch. The backstory is that the heroine is dating a cop.

Ben propped himself up on his elbows to better see the naked woman beneath him. Sheened with sweat, Elena’s lush curves glowed in the reddish half-light of her bedroom, curtained in exotically patterned swaths of gauze and silk. A curl of smoke from a lit incense stick scented the air with sandalwood. Otherworldly New Age music flowed out of a boombox in the corner, irritating the hell out of him.

Though the paragraph is very sensual, there’s quite a bit of characterization and even a little conflict—and this is only the first paragraph of the story. We see that Ben is very “feet-on-the-ground” while Elena, his lover, is exotic and New-Agey. So character is described, setting is related and the romantic conflict is shown.

If you like what you read, find the story here: http://www.ellorascave.com/gypsy-witch.html



As a romance novelist, I believe firmly that erotic scenes should never be gratuitous. If a writer keeps the purposes a scene must fulfill in mind while writing, the sex is never out of place but is a seamless part of a well-written story.


About the Author:



Best-selling, award-winning author Suz deMello, a.k.a Sue Swift, has written seventeen romance novels in several subgenres, including erotica, comedy, historical, paranormal, mystery and suspense, plus a number of short stories and non-fiction articles on writing. A freelance editor, she’s held the positions of managing editor and senior editor, working for such firms as Totally Bound and Ai Press. She also takes private clients.


Her books have been favorably reviewed in Publishers Weekly, Kirkus and Booklist, won a contest or two, attained the finals of the RITA and hit several bestseller lists.

 

A former trial attorney, her passion is world travel. She’s left the US over a dozen times, including lengthy stints working overseas. She’s now writing a vampire tale and planning her next trip.


Check out Suzie's site: http://www.suzdemello.com

And her blog: http://www.TheVelvetLair.com