Merry Christmas...and a message

HO HO HO J S Morbius here bringing you all seasons greetings from deep inside The Crypt.

As we all know this is the time of the year, as the saying goes, for peace and goodwill to all. However not all of society seems to be able to grasp the concept of the word ALL because even in this day and age, it's 2014 for fucks sake, there is still a lot of stigma attached to the GLBT community and it really is time for all the bullshit to stop.

Everybody, whether straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender has just as much of a right to enjoy the festivities, and not be vilified by those members of society that still can't get it through their thick heads that everybody has a right to live how they want and being different sexually isn't a crime.

So this year I'd like you all to spare a thought for any member of the GLBT community you may know who is having a hard time this Christmas because of their sexuality.

Thank you.

My year in reading...

 I read a lot less than I normally do this year and I have to admit that it was an intentional move on my part. You see, for several years I've read no less than a book a week, To some people that's peanuts but it was quite a bit for me. Often times I found myself drifting through books and sometimes even rolling my eyes at the predictable nature of them. A beginning a middle and an end and they were slowly starting to meld together into one mediocre mass of words. That's when I realized I was slowly losing my love of reading and it had nothing to do with the quality of books, just the fact that in my rush to get through them, I was forgetting what was important, the story. So this year I cut my usual reading demands in half. It was certainly easier to maintain and over the last few months I think that I've cured myself. This is embarrassing to say, but as an author I think I love to read again.
While leaving my reviews I'm still coming across some astoundingly bad reviewers. Before you think I'm being an unprofessional author, I'll explain myself. I say this because I believe leaving a review is important to the author and potential readers. You have a responsibility as a reviewer to do very few things before leaving a review that could potentially hurt an author and prevent a person from finding a great new book.

Ten things a reader MUST do before leaving a review.

1. Read the whole book or if you couldn't finish it, explain why.

2. Know what kind of book you're buying. I read a review yesterday for a book titled, Turning me on. One of the reviewers complained that it wasn't YA appropriate and gave it 1 star...come on, really?

3. Know what kind of book you're buying. Yup, I said it again. I'm not even sure how many reviews I've read complaining that a book was too short...item description folks. It says it right there. You bought it under no false pretense.

4. What did you like and what didn't you like about it. I don't want a spoiler infused book report. Was it well written? Was it funny? Was it horrible?

5. Don't complain about other people's reviews in your review. Your debate is no stronger for trashing someone else's opinion.

6. Don't judge a book by its cover!

7. Don't judge an audio book by its reader.

8. If you've given the last twelve books in a series less than three stars...you can stop reading them.

9. If hate a certain genre stay away from it. If you don't like comedies don't buy a book titled Slappy's Big Adventure in Pirate Land and then go on to complain about how silly it was.

10. This should go without saying but don't troll (give an unfair review without ever reading the book) another author because you think your writing is better than theirs. Ann Rice was so harassed by Trolls this past year that she started a campaign against unfair reviewers. It really is that big of a problem.

Okay, that's it. That's all I'm asking. Also I just wanted to use this time to say thank you to each and every reader that took the time to read one of my books this year. Whether you liked it or not, thank you for your reviews and I hope a few of you will return to read another in 2015. It's going to be another great year, I know it!

Winding Down 2014

Elizabeth Black writes in a wide variety of genres including erotica, erotic romance, and dark fiction. She lives on the Massachusetts coast with her husband, son, and four cats. Visit her web site, her Facebook page, and her Amazon Author Page.

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I love this time of year. It's a time for baking, putting up the tree, getting out the menorah, and playing holiday music on the radio. I haven't been writing much but I have taken an assessment of my year. All in all, it was a good one.

It's good to take a yearly assessment to see if you reached your goals, or achieved ones you hadn't planned on. As my readers know, I write both erotic romances and dark fiction. I either published or saw accepted six short stories this year – three romances and three dark ones. I also succeeded in getting my first short story accepted by Cleis Press. I've been trying to get into Cleis for years, and I finally succeeded. Here's a list:

Dreadful Dissonance – dark fiction

Asphodel – dark fiction

Infection – dark fiction

Longing – erotic romance

Sleep Well, My Love – erotic m/m romance

Like A Breath Of Ocean Blue – erotic lesbian romance

Three of my novels are currently sitting at either publishers or agents waiting for an acceptance. Two are erotic romances and one is a family saga/thriller.

I didn't get into all the anthologies I had wanted to get into, but I'm satisfied with how I did. My goals for 2015 are to get at least six short stories published (either horror or romance, doesn't matter as long as I have a minimum of six), find a home for those novels, do more radio shows, and self-publish my new book of erotic fairy tales. That list doesn't sound like much, but it's actually more than enough.

So that was my 2014. Many publishers are closed for submissions for the season, and I'm taking full advantage. There are a couple of anthology calls due by the end of January so I'll try to whip us something for them. Look for more fiction from me in 2015. Happy holidays!

A taste of a little something different...

Ok, so normally I'd just talk about something that holds my interest. Well, to be honest the only thing that people seem to be talking about right now is Christmas, and I'll freely admit that I've been a bit of a grinch for a while, but particularly the past couple years. I just find it a little depressing for personal reasons. So instead, I'm just going to share a tasty little sumthin' sumthin' as a hot break from all the caroling, tinsel and trees.

An excerpt from Jeannie's Cowboys, my first (unedited) attempt at m/f/m erotic romance. 

Courtesy of Flickr user brutalSoCal

“Did I fall and hit my head in the shower?” Chris’s voice was rough with lust.

Tyler spoke in low tones that rumbled through his chest, still pressed against hers. “It seems our boss is quite the kinky little minx, and has been plagued by dreams about the two of us. At the same time.” His use of her own words almost made her giggle, but she bit it back and just smiled coyly at the other man.

“So we’re going to help turn those dreams into reality?” Chris questioned, taking a step towards her and gently tracing a line down her back, slowing as he passed over her ass.

“Indeed we are. We can’t allow our boss to lose sleep, now, can we?” Tyler responded, cupping her breasts as Chris moved to stand against her back. The throbbing between her legs was driving her wild, but she was determined to savor the moment. The heat from the two men standing so close to her was almost unbearable, and she was relieved when they started to undress her, Tyler unbuttoning her blouse and Chris unzipping her pants. With the top layer of her clothes tossed on the floor, the men then slowly removed her underwear, skating their fingers across her sensitive skin and producing goose bumps. Once her bra was out of the way, Chris moved close behind her again, reaching around to cup both her breasts and rolling her nipples between his fingers. Her breath caught in her throat and she bit back a hoarse whimper. Tyler, meanwhile, had removed her panties and gently pushed at her to lean into Chris’ chest so he could lift her right leg and delicately placing her foot on the edge of the low bed. He now had access to the heat between her legs. Both men took their time teasing her

Courtesy of Flickr user Joel Nillson Nelson

with their hands.

All too soon Tyler stood up and Chris stepped away, though Chris’ grin as she turned to face him told her they hadn’t finished playing just yet. Moments later she felt Tyler move in behind her, only this time there was no cloth separating their skin. She was grateful that she was wearing her hair high as Tyler’s mouth gently plied kisses where her neck and shoulder joined. Chris moved forward and gently massaged her breasts, pressing his erection against her stomach. Resting her head against Tyler’s shoulder, Jeannie closer her eyes and sighed, in complete rapture.

Tyler stepped back, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her with him around the edge of the bed. When he let her go, she turned around to see him crawling on to the bed, beckoning her to follow once he was on his back. She gleefully climbed towards him, but when she tried to straddle him, he shook his head.

We can’t leave Chris out, sweetheart.” His voice deep and gruff with aroused amusement. 

Come join me over on AReCafe on the 19th for the official cover reveal of Once Bitten Twice Shy, book 2 of my debut series, Wolf Smitten!

Phoenix Johnson is an Australian author who has always had the passion for the written word. She had her nose in at least one book ever since she could read and would even scrutinize the back of the cereal box every morning at breakfast. It was only natural she take up writing.
After reviewing a few delicious titles for Naughty Nights Press as she wrote her first title, The Wolf in the Neighborhood, Phoenix was of one mind to submit it to NNP, and she hasn't looked back. The Return of Their Master now joins her first title for sale, and both books are receiving great reviews. Phoenix feels that being invited to write for the NNP blog is a great honour, and loves being part of the team!

You can get in touch with Phoenix on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr or view her website here, or buy her books direct from Naughty Nights Press, or other good ebook distributors.

The Power of Fire and Ice

Cassandre Dayne

Ah - the power of the two - amazing and something that can't be denied. When I penned the Fire Series, I had no idea how many readers would follow and love my two main characters. Putting a human cop, one with several flaws with a Russian vampire ended up being a sizzling event - especially when they were forced to work together in order to solve horrific crimes as well as an ancient curse. As the trilogy ended readers wanted more. Then again, so did I. So the Ice series was born. This time around things are different, given my cop was turned into a vampire, but the crimes remain, horrors unlike anything we've ever experienced worse than ever. A taste of what will be...

MELTING ICE - DESTRUCTION (Unedited)

In the black of night there are many secrets, one that can destroy. In the light of day there is little to salvage what remains. Only death can save your blackened soul… “What are you doing?” Blinking several times he could see nothing but a bright blue light shining in the corner All around him was nothing but blackness. Where the fuck was he? He glanced around him and all he could hear was a whirling noise. Everything was fuzzy. The moment he shook his head he screamed in agony. Anguish unlike anything he’d ever known swept through every cell, every muscle in his body. “Hey! Who are you?” His words seemed to echo in the darkness. He could tell his pulse was racing.

He didn’t need to be a doctor to figure out he was close to having a panic attack. Where had he been? What had he been doing? That’s right. He’d gone to the club and had a few

drinks. Then he’d danced with the blond. Yeah. What then?

Clink!

“What the fuck?” The sound was eerie and he could swear he heard cackling laughter. “Is someone there? Please? I don’t know what’s happened to me.”

“You will soon.”

Where had the voice come from? He jerked forward, suddenly realized he was shackled in some manner. Sweat was running down both sides of his face and he lifted his head, nearly strangling himself on something. Coughing, he wiggled his jaw and whatever was positioned around his neck had just constricted from his movement. “Who are you?”

“I am no one special but I will bring you peace, faggot.”

“What? What the hell are you talking about? I have a wife and kids.” Shivering, a wafting smell, one indicating something rancid, forced bile into his throat. He retched and spit and the noose tightened. Now he could barely breathe.

“Don’t move. Just stay right where you are.”

Fear unlike anything he’d ever known enveloped him and he darted his eyes back and forth, trying to make out anything. The damn light blinded him but he heard a humming noise along with a series of clangs. He thought about his wife and kids, who’d be waiting at home, or maybe they’d be asleep. He had no idea what time it was. Why had he gone to the bar? To get fucked. You wanted a cock stuck up your ass.


The reality hit him hard. He’d been frequenting bars for almost a year for a quick fix, fulfilling a need he didn’t understand. Now he’d been caught. What would his wife think? What would happen to his practice? He licked his lips and realized there was blood on them. There was no memory of anything but… Oh God. The man had been no more than twenty, tops. They’d gone to the bathroom of the club and without any hesitation he’d dropped his pants 
in front of the boy, leaned over the sink and spread his ass cheeks.

Dear God he’d sunk to new levels. He didn’t even remember a condom. What the fuck was he thinking? A tear slipped out of one eye and he sniffed. The sound of his attacker’s laughter made him wheeze. “What the fuck do you want from me? What? Do you want money? So I was fucking a kid. Okay? I was and hell yeah, I enjoyed it. So the fuck what?” 

When there was no additional sound he jerked against whatever confines were keeping him tethered. “What!”

“Destruction will end all fears and all self doubt. Be thankful my friend, for you are one of the chosen.”

The voice was full of a dark husky, the sound almost guttural and he strained to understand the meaning of the words as the light began to swirl, crawl forward in an ominous way. The light was beautiful, mesmerizing in a way he hadn’t noticed before. There was something so very peaceful as he looked into the cascading hues and for a few seconds he smiled.

“And the damned shall rise to take over the earth.”

“The damned?” he asked as the clanging of metal against metal whirled over his head. He blinked several times as the blue light shifted, a figure settling in the middle, morphing into various shapes as it moved closer. He was enthralled by the intense beauty, the magnitude of a sudden understanding of who and what he was and for a few seconds he knew he’d found the very light of salvation.

A smile crossed his face as the figure moved from the bright light. Sputtering at the sight of the vile and wretched creature, all he could do was…

**** Destruction. The word continued to remain in the back of Jax’ mind. He swirled the tip of his finger around the rim of his coffee cup, surprised he could taste the bitter brew any longer. Everything about him had changed, including his basic desires. His dreams had been filled with enough blood and gore he was left in need every morning. He swallowed and ran his hand through his hair. Every part of him was shaking. What the hell was going on with him?As if he didn’t know. He was a vampire, recently turned.

“Detective Jax Steele, or should I say the highly decorated Detective Steele. Interesting to see you in the boughs of the city. What brings you to these parts?”

“He enjoys the ugly scenery. Didn’t you know that, Franklin? Suits his nasty moods.”Hearing the bantering of two fellow officers was normal, however this morning he was in no fucking mood for their antics, or anyone else’s for that matter. He was hungry, his needs becoming insatiable. He resisted snarling as he tipped his head. “Detectives Franklin and Oiler. You’re up early. I would have thought the bottle of scotch you drank last night would have kept you under the covers for hours.”

“Ouch!” Detective Oiler narrowed his eyes. “You running tabs on us, buddy?”

“No need to. I could smell you from across the street when I was talking home,” Jax mused as he rose from his chair. There was no way he was going to finish his coffee.

“Jesus Christ. Somebody woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning,” Detective Franklin said as he leaned in. “As a matter of fact you do have dark circles under your eyes. I think you’ve been performing some extra curricular activities if you ask me.”

“You’re right. Carnal in nature,” Oiler added.

Jax breathed in and dragged his tongue across his emerging fangs. The goading was going to stop, one way or the other. He tossed down a couple bucks for a tip and headed for the café door.

“Thought you’d like to know there’s a mandatory staff meeting later. I’m sure you won’t want to miss it,” Franklin snickered.

Everyone in the department blamed Jax for his partner’s death, something he’d never be able to get out of his mind, let alone forgive himself for. Little did anyone know about the horrific circumstances surrounding the man’s death. They simply couldn’t. “Not for the world.” Fucker. Huffing, he slipped his wallet into his back pocket and stepped outside, wincing from the bright sun. Goddamn he hated the light.

He shivered and headed for the curb.

“Aaaahhhh!”

The blood curdling female scream was instantly followed by a second and a third. Then pandemonium seemed to takeover the entire street. “What the fuck?” Squinting, he tried to make out the reason for the panic. There was no way to tell. The already busy street was quickly evacuating away from an unassuming brownstone building. The entire street was lined with quaint shops and restaurants nestled against a cobblestone street – something Richmond, Virginia was well known for. He sniffed the air, unable to detect anything but adrenaline and utter terror.

Whatever was going on horrified the crowd. He raced across the street, vaguely aware he was being followed by the two beefy detectives. He yanked out his badge, holding the steel piece above his head. “Let me through. Police officer. Let me through.” He pushed his way past men and women who wore expressions of disgust. When he reached the other side, he noticed a single woman on her knees just up ahead. Crying hysterically, her body was convulsing.

“Miss. Are you all right?” Jax asked then his keen sense kicked in. Lifting his head, the sun shifted until the gleaming steel bars shone like a prized possession. Only the prize wasn’t one of good fortune.

“Fuck…me…” Franklin said between clenched teeth as he flanked Jax’ side.

“Oh my God. Who the hell could have done something like this?” Oiler added. Huffing, the expression on his face was one of revulsion.

SYNOPSISFor Detective Jax Steele, his life serving the good people of Richmond Virginia was forever changed. Just coming to terms with his status as a recently turned vampire, he was faced with a series of brutal crimes instilling fear into the hearts of every human in the city. A monster lurked, one so heinous no one was safe from danger. Assigned to the case, he was partnered with a new detective, one who could never know he was now a creature of the night. The crimes centered around the city’s nightlife, including kink clubs and raves, he and his partner were forced to go undercover in an effort to hunt down the killer. Master Vampire Aleksandr Vasiliev’s art business was thriving as well as his newly acquired club, one catering to those interested in all aspects of BDSM. Life was good, especially given his relationship with Jax. The Time of Passing concluded, he was relishing in a peace his kind rarely experienced. When a gruesome murder occurred in his club, he was drawn back into Jax’ world, forced to question whether another malevolent force was at work. Was the killer very human or a new brand of vampire, poised to take over? As the light of day intermingled with the stench of night, a cold wave washed over the city. Would there be anyone who could survive the destruction?

I hope you've enjoyed.
Kisses...

Cassandre

Giving Thanks

With Thanksgiving only a week away in the U. S., I've decided this month's post will be about what I am thankful for as far as writing goes.

I'm thankful I have a supportive family. My son and husband cheer me on all the way.

I'm thankful to be able to write, period. I take frequent breaks so I don't get too overwhelmed, but I'm happy I'm able to put pen to paper to begin with.

I’m thankful to have a peaceful location to write. Our apartment is small but it's cozy. No stress at all.

I'm thankful for Internet radio. I listen to trance, ambient, classical and Baroque music while I'm writing. It helps me to relax enough to get in "The Zone" and write. I know some people prefer dead silence but I have to have my beats.

I'm thankful I have some opportunities coming up soon for non-fiction writing.

I'm thankful for the free turkey we're getting from my husband's work. Where it fits in the fridge is beyond me, LOL.

I'm thankful for the good publishers I'm with that support my work (including NNP). I've had my share of duds, but the good ones make up for them.

Those are a few of the things I'm thankful for this year. I love this time of year. I spend it writing as well as baking, decorating, and listening to holiday music. It's cookie season so I'm baking gingersnaps to go with my coffee I drink while I write. May the rest of 2014 be good for me.