9/10/2011

New Face Book Page for Truth or Dare Series

Well, I finally did it.  

Went ahead and made a page for the Truth or Dare series over at Face Book.

 You can get there from HERE.  

Or you can hit the like button over to the left there, and see what that does. 

 I"m learning all kinds of techno trickery here.  

I'll be updating the page with information about the series as it becomes available. 


9/09/2011

And the Prompt Is: Charity Anthology update


What is Story Orgy?
Sometime in the chilly throes of January, five writers banded together to post stories on their blogs. This in itself is not unusual, but these writers who work together as a group call themselves The Story Orgy. Along with a sixth member, their “photographer,” Jade Baiser, who captures the theme or emotion of the week’s stories in images grabbed from the web, the Story Orgy -  JR Boyd, Lee Brazil, Hank Edwards, Havan Fellows, and Em Woods - deliver humorous, romantic, spooky, sexy stories every Monday morning….
*ahem* Yeah, that’s how this whole thing got going, folks…but how do we do it? Ahh…that is the question….

We start with  prompts -- pictures, sentences, bits of dialogue, etc. Whatever the prompt, it must appear in the story on Monday morning. On Monday morning, as the birds are starting to wake, we post our stories to each of our blogs and then share the links on Facebook and Twitter. Each of us provides the links to the other blogs at the end of our story, setting up a circle of creative energy for our readers.

Feedback is always encouraged, by comments either on Facebook or our blogs, but the Story Orgy really wanted to involve our faithful readers. So we came up with the idea for a contest: readers could submit prompt item suggestions via email. The Story Orgy writers then reviewed the groups of items with no names attached and each of us chose the items that … ah, excited us, so to speak.

“And the Prompt Is … Volume One” is the result of this synergy between us writers and you readers. The stories are all m/m with a splash of sex thrown on for spice, and the result are these tales of humorous, spooky, and yearning romance.

As a special note, all proceeds from the first ninety days of sales for “And the Prompt Is … Volume One” will be donated to the Trevor Project, the leading national organization providing crisis and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. The book can be found on Amazon at this time, but will expand to other sites soon.

And that's where this update comes in.  Three months have ended, and we're sitting back waiting for the checks form amazon to come in so we can make that donation.  Thanks to our fantastic readers, we'll be donating over $240 to The Trevor Project!  Awesome! 

To become a Story Orgy enthusiast, Like our Facebook page. We look forward to seeing you at our Monday morning Story Orgies!


The Story Orgy Presents
And the Prompt Is
Available from 

Story Blurbs:
“Picking Up Quinn,” by Em Woods
Liam watched from the corner of his eye as Quinn slid into sleep. His
knuckles were white from gripping the steering wheel so tightly, but it
took everything in him to keep all the words and feelings from rushing
out. It never did any good, even when he couldn’t control himself. 
Quinn always disappeared anyway.

“Finding Pleasure,” by JR Boyd
Sterling smiled as he watched the gentleman exit with his bag of chips.
He replied without thinking. “Please, sir. I’m long overdue to do the
Dew…and you too.”
Just about the time Sterling completed his statement, a clean-cut
businessman clothed in a complete Cavaricci suit walked in clearing his
throat. “Excuse me gentlemen. I hope I’m not interrupting.”

“Farewell,” by Havan Fellows
The tears flowed down his cheeks and he started the gibberish talk that
always happened when someone poured out their hearts, like in all those
movies that Riley and he stayed up late at night watching. “I can’t Riley…
I can’t do this without you. It’s too hard; living is too hard. Every breath I
take hurts me."

“The Old Soda Shop,” by Lee Brazil
Hardening his heart, Sam continued. “That’s just it, Matt. I don’t want to
be loved. I don’t want to love anyone. I just wanted to get laid a little. I
need freedom to pursue my dreams, and taking care of you, it’s a burden
I don’t want. I thought it was all just fun. You’re taking things way too
seriously. So, please, do us both a favor and leave before I get back
Monday afternoon?”

"With This Ring," by Hank Edwards
Dylan hesitated, watching the door slowly swing shut as Carl strode down
the entrance hall of the suite. What was Carl expecting from Dylan if he
followed him? And what if the guest who was staying in it came back? If
they were caught, he would lose his job, and the Ritz Carlton was where
he had always dreamed of working. Just before the door clicked shut,
Dylan reached out and stopped it.

9/08/2011

Crawl in Bed With Hank Edwards and a Good Book


*crawls across the bed* Important things first, are these sheets silk or cotton?
Actually, they are bamboo sheets. I love them. Very soft and good for the environment.


Yes, I see... very comfortable. What are you wearing?
An XL V-neck T shirt and boxers. And you?


I'm wearing black and white plaid flannel sleep pants and a black tank, I like soft, comfortable, and warm. What are we snacking on in bed while we read tonight?
I don't usually snack in bed, but since you're a special guest I'll make an exception. Possibly Pirate Booty puffed rice and corn, or maybe the messy disaster that is Crunchy Cheetos (always crunchy, never puffed)


I'm going to have to switch on comment modera
tion to filter out the Pirate Booty humor now.  So, if I open this nightstand drawer, what will I find?
Depends which one you pointed to. Top one is remotes for TV and DVD player, note pads, pens, flashlight, bookmarks. The bottom one is the fun one. :)


*eyes bottom drawer*  I'll keep that in mind.  Do you roll up in the blankets like a burrito, or kick the covers off during the night?
I like to sleep like a loose fitting burrito. I'll pull the covers up tight around my shoulders, but maybe stick part of a foot out. Sort of like how those lizards with the big fins on their backs use them to cool down.

Can I put my cold feet on your calves to warm them up?
I'm usually running about 10 degrees colder than anyone else, so it probably won't do much good. And after the initial shock of your cold feet and my resulting 
scream, of course you can!

Me, too.  I"m always cold, that is.  You know what they say, or I say to the SO, is 'cold hands, warm heart'.  Applies to feet too, I think.  So, what are we reading? 
I'm reading my new book, Bounty, the first book of my Venom Valley series. It's a vampire, zombie, witch mash up set in the Old West. Perfect season for it, don't you think? Right now it's available at Amazon only but I'm working on adding it to other places as well. Here's the link to Amazon:


Here's the link to the Facebook page where I'll post any updates about new file formats and the upcoming sequel titled "Bait!" http://facebook.com/VenomValleySeries.

Bounty Excerpt:
There was a body inside the house, Josh could feel it.
He stood on the porch as the chill wind blew sand around his boots and against the wood planks of the house. The warm feeling inside him, long absent and only just recently returning, had started again. It sat low in his belly, just above his groin, a ball of heat like a stone pulled from the ashes of a smoking fire. It wasn’t too bad, not yet, but Josh knew what the sensation meant. He had only felt it twice before, and both times he had been near a dead body. 
A dead body that suddenly started to move.
Behind him, Clementine tossed her head and snorted where she stood tied to the porch railing. 
“Easy, girl,” Josh whispered. He licked his dry lips and reached for the door latch. The warmth spread, became a hot, prickling sensation that filled his chest and spread down his arms, bringing his hand to a stop. 
He swallowed the little spit left in his mouth and stared at the door latch. If Agnes were behind the door, he didn’t think he could do what had to be done, not to her. She was the only mother he had known. He should just turn, step off the porch, climb into the saddle, and ride off into the September dusk.
But what if it wasn’t Agnes dead inside the house? What if it was someone else, maybe an Indian attacker Agnes had shot, and then she had gone for help? Or maybe it was an older lady caller who had had a bad heart? Josh had to know for sure.
He moved away from the door, crossing the porch in three long strides to lean his rifle against the house. Cupping his hands around his eyes, Josh peered through the dust-streaked window.
A single oil lamp was lit, the flame fluttering in the drafty sitting room. Josh squinted and looked all around the room but saw no sign of a body.
Yet the heat inside him remained, building, growing hotter still. It was as if his blood was being boiled over a fire and poured back inside him. 
Clementine snorted again, impatiently it seemed to Josh, and he shot the mare a dirty look. “Clem, hush now. I’ll take the saddle off soon.”
Josh picked up his rifle and moved back to the door. He adjusted his grip on the wooden stock, checked to make sure the safety was off, then thumbed the door latch and pushed inside.



Find Hank at



9/07/2011

Refreshing Summer Drinks: Lemon Drop Martini



In Taking the Dare, the fourth Truth or Dare book, Dan Blake's favorite drink is the Lemon Drop. 


 It's perfectly suited to his personality, tart and sweet.




I'm very fond of lemon based recipes -- Lemon Meringue pie, lemon cake, lemon tea...




And this recipe for a Lemon Drop Martini



1 1/2 ounces vodka
1/2 ounce triple sec
1 teaspoon superfine sugar
3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice
4 -5 ice cubes
superfine sugar, for the martini glass rim
lemon twist

 Directions:
1. Chill martini glasses in freezer for at least 10 minutes prior to serving.
2. Place Vodka, Triple Sec, lemon juice and sugar into a cocktail shaker with 4-5 ice cubes and shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
3. Run the lemon twist around the edge of the chilled martini glass and dunk in a small amount of sugar for a coated rim.
4. Pour the strained martini into the chilled glasses and serve.

9/06/2011

Crawl Into Bed With Havan Fellows and a Good Book




Kicks off boots at the door and jumps n the bed.  Important things first, are these sheets silk or cotton?  *Pulls back comforter and arranges pillows for Lee and me* I'd love to say satin ... but nah - I like the t-shirt sheets you can get ... dark green preferred

So, what is that you're wearing?  *shakes hips and turns to show off jammies* either my boy shorts or my flannel Betty Boop bottoms ... tonight the Boop wins - but always a tank no matter the season - this is Florida 

What kind of munchies do you have here, Havan? I like a little snack while I read, you know.  Well Lee ... if you are offering *leans over Lee and rests on his chest ... reaches arm out ... fingers splayed ... licks lips and stares Lee in the eyes ... grabs more than a handful ... eyes go wide in surprise*  Oh my!  I've never had that much in my hand before!  *leans back and looks down at hand and sees a couple M&Ms fall on Lee's chest* What?  I always have dark chocolate M&Ms on my bed table *blinks innocently and stares at candy on Lee's chest* Um ... you gonna get those or should I?

 *looks around curiously* If I open this nightstand drawer, what will I find?  *smirks*  A notepad ... pens and pencils ... and three golfballs - um ... don't ask *face palm* ... now if you are wondering what's in my notorious bag ... well that is under the bed - I have inquisitive kiddos you know ... *winks wickedly*  Shall I get it?

*Tugs blankets up to chin... *Do you roll up in the blankets like a burrito, or kick the covers off during the night?  Neither ... the blanket drapes over me like most things tend to do - well that is until it's my turn ... *sighs and giggles* ... but I do like to keep my feet uncovered for some weird reason *shrugs*

Can I put my cold feet on your calves to warm them up?  Oh honey ... there are much warmer places to put those sexy feet ... mmmmm feet ... *shakes head and blushes* ... oops - sorry I got a little lost there in my head ... so what did you want me to do with you feet? *grabs feather and runs it between your toes*

 *peers at kindle over your shoulder* What are we reading?  Well ... to commemorate you being here and me being here ... I figured Giving Up was a good read for the night.  I thought maybe we could reenact the sleeping and cuff scene ... that was by far one of the hottest things I've read!  *starts crawling over Lee throwing the pillows and blankets around*  now I know I keep an extra pair of cuffs around here somewhere ...


Book 3      Giving Up

From Breathless Press
On August 5, 2011
  Now Available at


                ARe
                Amazon    
                BookStrand 
                1 Place for Romance

Can Dr. Arden Grey teach Brandon Blake that giving up control is worth while, with the right woman?


Brandon Blake has a problem.  His family is fed up with his controlling ways. They don’t need him managing their affairs any more.  Brandon doesn’t want to lose his connection with his brothers, but he doesn’t know any other way to live.   He’s been in charge for a long time. Now his brothers are leaving home and making families of their own, and Brandon’s interference has caused some serious rifts. Brandon’s stressful job as CEO of the family production studio and his concerns for his brothers have contributed to the ulcer his doctor recently diagnosed. Therapy is supposed to help Brandon learn how to let go and give up the need to control every thing.  Brandon finds the counselor he’s been sent to intriguing, if a bit intimidating, though she has absolutely nothing in common with the women he’s dated in the past.

Dr. Arden Gray knows about control.  A survivor of marriage to a dominant, abusive partner, she’s spent the last twenty years turning her life around.  She’s learned to take control and has made a career of teaching others to do the same.  Brandon Blake is a surprise.  When his doctor sends Brandon to her, Arden isn’t sure how she can help the man.  But after a few sessions, she sees something intriguing hidden inside Brandon Blake, something that tells her he just might be the man she’s been looking for.  If only she can convince him that giving up control to the right woman will solve all his problems!

Be Yourself

To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting. ~e.e. cummings, 1955
The Romance Reviews