An excerpt of my upcoming release...A Winter's Grave

                                   
Ceres is a brand new Reaper and she’s going to meet her Hellhound for the first time…
Goofy stuck his nose under the bed and his large paddle of a tail started to wag hard enough to cause wind shear. There was a startling vicious snarl from under the bed and the big dog yelped pulling his head back and dragging the bed askew in his hurry to get away. Once freed he turned and trotted full throttle for his mistress with his tail tucked firmly between his legs.
Judging from the look on Stacy’s face, her massive Hellhound was usually a little bolder than that. She grabbed his thick leather collar and they both started to back towards the door. “It won’t eat you.” She gave me a nudge forward and nodded reassuringly. Her words of encouragement might have had more effect if she wasn’t shaking like a leaf. “Call him.”
“Here doggy,” I squeaked out of my suddenly dry throat. I didn’t know what to expect – a two hundred pound pit-bull… a Velociraptor… I just didn’t know. Anything that could scare a Mastiff-looking Hellhound named Goofy had to be pretty bad stuff right?
The dirty dust ruffle on the bed shifted and the tip of a shiny black nose poked out and sniffed, and then the whole dog came out and stretched as if we had just woken him from a very nice nap, but…
“What the hell is that?” I spun and looked at Stacy who was trying her best to cover her startled expression.
“What is that? A puppy, right? It has to be a puppy. Right?” I repeated loudly.
He pranced towards me and Goofy dropped quickly onto his back exposing as much of his flabby underside as possible, he was submitting dominance to – well to whatever kind of Hellhound I was supposed to have.
“They don’t come as puppies. That’s as big as he’s going to get.” Stacy had switched out her shocked expression for one of abject confusion.
“The only thing big about that dog are his friggin’ ears.” They were enormous for the size of his head. If I walked him on a windy day they could double as wings. They stood straight up from his tiny black head and were slightly rounded at the tips. “He looks like a friggin’ fruit bat!”
“Aw, he’s cute.” Stacy smiled and cooed but seemed to know better than to touch him.
“Yeah, but he doesn’t exactly strike fear into the hearts of the damned though, does he? I don’t know a whole lot about this Reaping thing but I’m guessing I’m not collecting Souls from nursing homes here.”
She finally failed at keeping her laughter silent and shook with the effort to gain enough composure to speak. “He’s got a heart on his hiney.” She pointed at the dog’s tiny rump and other than that quarter sized white heart; he was completely black; like some demonic Care Bear with glowing amber eyes.
“This isn’t funny. I’ll be ripped apart by the first machete wielding spirit I try to grab. I mean, no one wants to go to Hell when the Angel of Death comes for them, but I’m pretty sure they won’t be party at all to the idea of some lame chick and her pocket pooch being the ones to take them there.”
“I’ll… be… right… back.” She was back to laughing at me. She held up a hand in apology as she left the room with Goofy close on her heels.
I crossed my arms and looked at the twelve pound dog. “Hi, sorry, but there has been some kind of mistake apparently, so I think we’re going to have to return you.”
He sat down in front of me and put a tiny paw on my leg. He cocked his head to the side and looked up into my eyes, making his extra big and round.
I cleared my throat and looked at the ceiling. “Sorry buddy, we can’t get attached.” I looked down at him again. “Listen, unless you can cute some murderous fiend into the fiery pit of Hell, I think this is a no go.”

New Release Roundup

This week, I'm doing something a little different. I thought a New Release Roundup would be a fun way to check out what's fresh on the shelves --both virtual and physical-- as well as what's coming out soon.

1. Willing Sacrifice by Cree Walker 

 How much could you give up to save the ones you love?
Would you be willing to make a true sacrifice to an angel of death, a deal that could haunt you until the end of time?
In this story Sugar makes several willing sacrifices for her freedom and that of her Pack - some of which will haunt her forever, and one that puts her in debt to a Reaper.

Cree Walker's newest release is the second installment in the Sugar and Spice Series, and is now available in paperback! You can find book 1, Whisper on a Scream, at Amazon and the Naughty Nights Press eStore. 


2. Enchanted, an Anthology with contributions by Gemma Parkes

Four of the best writers of modern erotic fiction have created a different story of the magical enchantment of love and passion.

NNP's very own Gemma Parkes contributes Patrick's Pendant for the anthology. When Katie ran away from a party in the middle of the night, she looked for solace in a small spinney and found herself embroiled in Patrick’s world and it was one she was reluctant to leave.

 For a steamy excerpt, check out her blog to read more, or get the book at Amazon!


3. A Winter's Grave by Cree Walker

Cree Walker's a busy bee in the month of March! She has another new release, A Winter's Grave, which is available to order at Naughty Nights Press and All Romance eBooks.

What would you do if you woke up in the snow with absolutely no memory of who you are or how you got there?

What would you say to your savior when she tells you that not only are you now dead, but you’ve been chosen to become a Grim Reaper?



4. Staged Whispers by Cassandre Dayne

When a horrifying accident nearly claimed Dylan’s life, Cole and Brandon were given a last request, one they were unable to refuse. As Dylan’s mysterious past finally became known, a serious of mysteries dragged them all into a private hell. The truth was far too damning.

This is a recent release by Ms. Dayne, available at all your favorite digital bookstores: Naughty Nights Press, Amazon, All Romance eBooks, B&N, and Kobo.



5.  Naughty Hot Shots - The Girl Next Door by Abby Hayes

 When Mandy moves into her new apartment she is surprised to so quickly and easily strike up a conversation with the man next door who offers to help her carry in a few boxes.

She is even more surprised, though, when they have her over for dinner, to learn Mike and his roommate, Kyle, have been experimenting with their own sexuality, with each other, and want her to join in on the fun and games.

When given the opportunity to play the dominant in their sexual games, should she take the golden opportunity or just walk away?

You can find Abby Hayes' new release at Naughty Nights Press, Amazon, All Romance eBooks, B&N, and Kobo.


Okay, my lovelies! That should tide you over until next month. There's always something exciting going on with NNP and our amazing authors! Feel free to leave a comment with links to your favorite new releases, and to authors' blogs featuring their releases, reviews, and spotlights! There's always naughty fun to be had!

-Ciao!

***

Writing is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration. That inspiration can carry you through the 90%, but only by understanding the tools at your disposal. Delena knows a thing or two about writing tools and how to make the most of your writing. Want her to prove it? Visit her blog The Printed Fox and check out her series For Writers, By Writers. Delena Silverfox is a historical erotic romance author with Naughty Nights Press.

Naughty Nights Press Shares News! - New "The Erotic World Of Paganism" will be accepting submissions soon!

NNP has just started another new line, one we are truly looking forward to. 

Thanks to Ms.Erzabet Bishop, a new author with NNP, and her Beltane Fires submission, for sparking the inspiration. *wicked grin*

So... similar to the Naughty Hot Shots erotica short stories line, we now have:

The Erotic World Of Paganism:

— These stories are considered erotic literature more than erotic fiction as they center on the Pagan/Wiccan faith, both ancient and modern day, and all the beauty it entails.  The editor for all stories within this line will be Cynthia Boudreaux.

The Erotic Pagans Series - A series of short stories (4500-6500 words), based on Pagan/Wiccan traditions, spells, handfastings, holiday rituals, etc., with an obvious erotica theme.

The Erotic World Of Pagan Romance  - This part of the line will consist of novellas, novelettes and novels where works are erotic romances, and the primary focus is on the romantic relationships of the characters and the defined categorical choice. These erotic romances can be any manner of couplings.

Must follow some sort of REAL Pagan/Wiccan traditions, cultures, spells, handfastings, holiday rituals, etc., made into stories of an erotic romance nature and contain all the other typical requirements for any of our erotic romance works. Each story MUST have HEA or HFN and fit into one of the categories listed below:

Amorous Pagan Traditions - stories based on Pagan, non-holiday traditions where the characters engage in some sort of romantic relationship but where the Pagan tradition is a primary focal point within the work.

Passionate Pagan Rituals - stories based on Pagan rituals where the characters engage in or further a romantic relationship. Perhaps a Pagan ritual for fertility, true love, etc. The ritual or rituals performed must be a primary focal point within the work. The expectation is that the ritual will be shared within the book and the source(s) quoted.

Sensual Pagan Weddings - stories focused on handfastings/bindings (weddings) where the characters engage in a romantic relationship before, during and/or after the wedding but where the handfasting is a primary focal point within the work. Vows can be original or traditional and will be listed within the story with source(s) quoted.

Impassioned Pagan Holiday Traditions - stories focused on Pagan or Wiccan holidays and traditions for a specific holiday where the characters engage in a romantic relationship but where the holiday tradition is a primary focal point within the work.

Seductive Pagan Potions & Sex Spells - stories focused on potions, blessings or spells used within the story to assist the characters in engaging in or furthering a romantic relationship, but where the spell and/or creation of a potion is a primary focal point or necessity within the work. The expectation is that the spell or potion will be shared within the book and the source(s) quoted.

So, polish up those research skills and lets make some magick start covering the pages of your word processor. We can’t wait much longer! 

Blessed Be!

PLAN? REALLY?

 freedigitalphotos.net

 "Pencil On Paper" by digitalart

   'IT WAS ALL A DREAM...'

Hi all, I’m delighted to be back here on the Naughty Nights press blog.

Something l was talking about with my daughter the other day got me thinking about how we authors write and how different that can be from the way we were taught to write.

I still work with teenagers on their written work and l teach them, as do my colleagues, to always plan their stories. This is something that l hardly ever do and sometimes as a consequence l am left wondering how the hell I’m going to end my latest Wip.

So how many of my fellow authors actually sit down like at school, and plan a beginning, a middle and an end before they start? Oh l know it never works according to the plan, but the idea is that you don’t get too side tracked.

However as l was condemning myself for not following my own advice l suddenly realised why we teach children to plan in the first place. If they are writing a narrative for an exam they usually have around 20 minutes to do it. If they do a rough outline of four or five paragraphs then they’re likely to stick to the point and complete it in the given time. It’s different for us isn't it? We have (unless there’s a deadline) as much time as we like to go with our story. We also use a hell of a lot more words. So if we intended our character to be a hard ass, independent person and then can’t resist letting them fall in love, we still have plenty of time and space to think about what to do with them next!

The only problem is l sometimes don’t know what to do with them next because the half idea l had as l was beginning to write has gone off on a tangent, swept away by my emotive mind and now my characters are staring up from the page saying “You put us here, now what?”
Even worse is the completed sex scene, a hot menage where limbs and tongues have been all over the place and l have paused several times to...cool down. Oh yeah it's really hot! My readers have been on the journey with me as every touch and shiver has been explored and revealed. But now the characters are flat out on the bed or somewhere more exotic, spent and panting. What can l do with them now? Will one of them go off and make a cup of tea? Will they all fall asleep? 
For me It's like waking up from a beautiful dream when l reach that part of the story. Like a furtive voyeur, l just want to sneak away whistling.

Please tell me I’m not the only one!

Below is the worse ending l ever wrote:

‘For Tom, Nathan and Alice it was a beautifully exhilarating experience and one that they were to share again and again.’

I promise l rewrote it, but only after my daughter laughed till she cried!

Live, love and write with passion,

until next time,

Gemma Parkes

http://gemmaparkes.blogspot.com/

Feminism and erotica...

An interesting concept and something that came as somewhat of a revelation to me this past week. Feminism. The scary 'F' word. It conjures up all sorts of bra-burning images and non-shaven legs and the like. All horrific stereotypes in all honesty, and well, I liked to think of myself as an enlightened woman, a feminist in all ways, with a good life and equal status in my everyday roles. Then, a few things happened.

I realised my husband was actually a feminist.

Which made me realise, much to my horror, that I wasn't.

There was a long road leading up to this, and a lot of soul searching and realisations. How can an educated woman, who writes erotica, and happily supports all of her friends and family in equality and progress, not actually be a feminist? In a number of ways actually, and although I have addressed them now, and I have changed how I think, it's not an easy road to really understand the depths of how we are conditioned by society and the affect others have on you throughout your life. The issue I was discussing with my husband and others was this.

Random men, some I had passing acquaintance with, others I have never met before, slapping my bottom.

Simple. Laughable. It's nothing really is it? It happens to me and other women quite frequently. Standing on the train, close proximity with a slow brush and squeeze which makes you freeze up. Or walking down the street and a quick 'slap' which makes you gasp in shock, or even in nightclubs or bars when you're dressed up to the nines and the touches are much more lingering as a sign of 'you're attractive', but you just think 'oh they're drunk' and just shrug like nothing happened. I used to think this was normal. Even, if you're chatting to someone and they brush your hand, or arm, and everything about that touch makes your skin crawl. They're just touching your hand right? That's not sexual assault. Or is it?

Where is the respect in such contact? Would I dream of touching anyone else in that manner without their permission? The answer is a resounding no. Male or female, the answer would still be no. As good friends and my husband asserted 'how dare they do that?' and at first I laughed as I thought they were overreacting. And then I saw the look on his face, and the weight of the words. An epiphany. My body, my value as a person was worth more than being viewed as a desirable object or piece of meat. Misogyny as such, is viewed as an old fashioned concept, but actually, in olden times, respect by a gentleman for a woman, wouldn't have found such behaviour acceptable. So why has it changed now? A couple of articles which may give cause to think are listed below... I urge you to read and think about them... It has been something that I have had to re-educate myself in in recent weeks, perhaps it's something that needs addressing more openly now...

A satirical article, but valid look at the flipside...

A shockingly accurate article on how we perpetuate our own image as women...

So how does this affect my writing as an erotica writer? It certainly makes me think more about what I write. I can't change the stories and thoughts in my head, however, I have a feeling these revelations will change what I put down on the page now. We all have fantasies, and of course, that's the point. Equality in today's society, even with our own self-imposed restrictions in some ways, at least allows most of us, this one thing. Freedom of choice. We are allowed a chance to have the dreams and hopes that we harbour within ourselves, even despite hidden barriers that we may not even realise are there until something, or someone stops us and makes us think.

That's what true feminism is about. Not belligerence and fighting which is often lauded by the media, but the strength of respect and freedom. And that goes for everyone, male or female, trans or gay or lesbian. Everyone deserves respect for who they are.

.

Quick Read This! New Releases...Get Yours Now!

Naughty Nights Press (NNP) is very proud to announce that we have two new releases today and invite you to purchase your own copies at all good ebook stores.

Don't forget that our authors love to have their books reviewed by you the reader. So if you would like to leave a review, we ask that you do so on the NNP eStore site or at Amazon and let others know what you think of the book!

NAUGHTY HOT SHOTS - THE GIRL NEXT DOOR

Author: Abby Hayes

Genre: Erotic, Bi-Sexual, MMF, Female Domination, Kink, Light BDSM

Publisher: Naughty Nights Press

Ebook:  All ebook formats

Pages: 20

Release Date: March 2^nd 2013

Purchase: NNP eStore | All Romance eBooks | Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Smashwords | Kobo

Coming soon to:Barnes & Noble | Diesel | Apple Books

Book Synopsis:

What woman could say no to two sexy as hell, bisexual and experimental men asking her to join them? What happens when they want her to dominate them both in their new found sexual games?

Having run from vicious rumors her ex spread about their deviant sex life back home, when Mandy moves into her new apartment she is surprised to so quickly and easily strike up a conversation with the man next door who offers to help her carry in a few boxes.

She is even more surprised, though, when they have her over for dinner, to learn Mike and his roommate, Kyle, have been experimenting with their own sexuality, with each other, and want her to join in on the fun and games.

When given the opportunity to play the dominant in their sexual games, should she take the golden opportunity or just walk away?

STAGED WHISPERS

Author: Cassandre Dayne

Genre: Erotic, Ménage, Gay Male,BDSM

Publisher: Naughty Nights Press

Ebook: Available in all formats

Pages: 98

Release Date: March 2nd 2013

Purchase: NNP eStore | All Romance eBooks | Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Kobo | Smashwords

Coming soon to: Apple | Barnes & Noble | Diesel Books 

Book Synopsis:

When secrets and tragedy threaten to destroy three lives, will the friends and lovers learn to face their personal demons or succumb to the horror of tragedy? 

Cole Dumont, Dylan Wyler and Brandon Foster were old chums who decided just out of college to open Forever Green Lawn. Their business catering to the wealthiest families in Fort Lauderdale, their pristine reputation afforded them every indulgence. Unable to disclose their gay lifestyle, they sequestered their dark desires, sharing passion as well as their lives. Terrified to admit their needs, they all hid behind a mask. The reasons were too damning to admit – at least for one of the men. 

When a horrifying accident nearly claimed Dylan’s life, Cole and Brandon were given a last request, one they were unable to refuse. As Dylan’s mysterious past finally became known, a serious of mysteries dragged them all into a private hell. The truth was far too damning.

Short Story Submissions Call: Campus Sexploits 4 - Foreign Exchange Students Anthology

"Campus Sexploits 4 - Foreign Exchange Students" -College/University Anthology

Due to the overwhelming response to the first three "Campus Sexploits" Anthologies, once again we have decided to open calls another anthology in this sizzling series!

This line is very popular so the earlier you get your story in to us, the better chance it will have of acceptance. We reserve the right to close the submission call before the posted due date if we have reached the maximum number of 200 submissions.

Naughty Nights Press (NNP) is seeking short stories, between 4500 and 5000 words, involving college or university settings and the sexual antics of the students within. This can be a real tale of something that happened when you attended college, or something you wished would have happened.

All stories are to revolve around the difficulties a foreign exchange student may encounter in a new school and in a different country and “show” how the reader can differentiate between the characters.

We are looking for descriptions that shout out the non-American status of the exchange student: physical descriptions, accents and brogue relative to their natural country, and any other means of identifying the differences they may encounter in an American University and the possible ways they may use to get around those differences when engaging in sexual escapades, or attempting to.

Some Examples:

* Cultural differences of foreign exchange students when it comes to food options, preparation or method of eating and how they can be overcome via the age-old common interest of all students: Sex.

* Having trouble with the language barrier, how else can the student make himself or herself understood?

* An exchange student hires you, their young Professor, as an after school hours tutor to help them better in understanding your class and you find you’re the one being tutored in more ways than one. Or perhaps, you are teaching them something more “American” that is done via the bedroom.

All stories are to be well written, drawing the reader in and making them feel as though they are there – touching, exploring, and tasting every little image and emotion, hearing the beauty to behold of an accent, smelling the intoxicating scents.

Several submissions will be chosen from those stories we feel best represent a foreign exchange student and contain a strong story line focusing on the relationships and sexual escapades of the characters. At least a HFN ending.

No bestiality, rape, or underage sex.

Works must be original, previously unpublished or free of existing publication rights, polished and ready for publication. This means we do expect all submissions to be free from spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors, AND formatted as requested.

Please ensure that all submission requirements are followed in the manner detailed below. For multiple submissions please send each in its own individual email with separate cover information, synopsis, word count etc. Limit of 2 submissions per author please.

Text is Times New Roman 12, 1.5 line spacing. No other formatting, header/footer, page numbers, tabs, indents or spaces please. Underline all text that is to be italicized.

Identify chapter breaks with *** centered, one blank line above and one blank line below.

  

Required on the first page of the manuscript:

Your Legal Name and FULL Contact Information

Pseudonym

Title

Genre/Sub-Genre

Word Count

100 -150 word short blurb

A 50 -75 word biography written in the third person

Link to blog or webpage (choose one only)

Your Marketing Proposal

Include a brief synopsis in the body of the email.

Please ensure you include your story as an attachment to the email in .doc format (No docx or rtf). Save the file in the following manner: YourLegalName_StoryTitle_Campus Sexploits4.doc

Do NOT put stories in the body of the email or they will be automatically discarded.

Send to: submissions AT naughtynightspress DOT com with "Campus Sexploits 4" in the subject line.

Submission Deadline: April 1, 2013

Notification: June 2013

Ebook Publication: on or before September 2013

Payment: One time payment of $10 upon Ebook publication, and one eBook copy of the anthology for personal use only.

Exclusive worldwide publication rights.

Campus Sexploits 4 cover design courtesy of Shane Willis, Rad Act Photography

http://radactphoto.com

Patience young grasshopper...

                                          

           This is something I’ve been seeing a lot of lately not particularly with NNP and their authors but I’ve been seeing it just the same. I’m not lecturing anyone because we as writers all have days when we think to ourselves that we want things to move to the fast track for our careers. We want one of our books or short stories to be discovered by the masses, without having to lift a finger, we want it to be turned into the next big thing. When this doesn’t happen immediately we tend to blame it on a few different things.

One, it wasn’t this particular book’s time. Trends happen in everything in our lives, clothing, interior design, hair styles and entertainment. Last year it was Help, this year it was Fifty Shades of Grey, two vastly different books, next year who knows. It might be your book and it might not but for it to be the book of the year…well you would have better luck of getting struck by lightning and a bus at the same time. Focus on moving forward instead of wondering why this one wasn’t it.  

Two, we start to look outside ourselves and our books for someone to blame. It isn’t our fault, its everyone else’s. Usually our publishers are the ones to take the brunt end of this particular jab. When this happens you typically blame your publisher for not getting the books out fast enough. Okay, first off, do you want the job done quick or do you want the job done right? I’m sure a publisher would love to see one more book on the shelf…they need them there if they are ever going to start paying off the debt generated by getting it there. It costs them money, a bigger gamble than we ourselves as authors make; you in turn need to remember that patience is key. You’re worried about one book, they are worried about twelve.

Three you’re not promoting enough or your promoting too much. For some people promotion is a joke and they choose to do the bare minimum to get by. They choose to focus the majority of their time writing new stuff. Other’s will promote a single title so hard that they’ve stopped writing all together. Now this is where it gets tricky. Like everything in life there is a happy medium and it is your job to find what that is. If promotion didn’t work, thousands of companies, musicians, and writers wouldn’t be wasting their precious time and money on it but it’s far easier to get a fan base and multiple sales if you have more than one thing selling at a time. Wal-Mart knows this. Are you going to get more notice with one book or ten…simple math, so keep writing and keep promoting.

So in conclusion my humble opinion on the matter and advice to anyone looking at writing to be as easy as winning the lottery…dream on because the chances of that happening are about the same. Slow and steady wins the race. It takes years of hard work, patience, love and above all dedication to the craft to become the writer you want to be. You want everyone to buy your book, so do I, so does he and so does she, we all want that but glory goes to those who work hardest and outlast the rest. Think of that the next time you want to quit.

For Writers, By Writers | Erotica for Dummies

Now, I know none of you are dummies. Erotica for Dummies just tickled me as a title.

Let's talk about it.

 As I was thinking of a topic for this Monday's entry, it hit me just how many ways there are to describe erotica in a story.

• Erotica
• Erotic Romance
• Romantica
• Fiction with strong romantic and erotic elements
• 18+, Meant for mature audiences only 

There are plenty of other places that define these categories, like this article over at Library Journal about Full-Frontal Shelving. Good reading. And everyone here already knows that erotica is not porn. Smart Bitch Sarah over at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books said it best. No need to rehash.

The thing about erotica is that the focus of the story is the sex, right?

Well, kinda.

If that's all it was, then we'd be writing and reading porn, right? But we say erotica isn't porn. So then, why is it erotica?

It's erotica because the story takes us there the same way good foreplay does. 

I think everyone who writes romance should read Intimate Behavior: A Zoologist's Classic Study of Human Intimacy by Desmond Morris. It's an oldie but goldie. It discusses the stages of intimacy and the patterns of human behavior learned from infancy. The potential for depth in a relationship fording the uncharted waters of intimacy and sexuality in each interaction is phenomenal for a writer who understands how it all works at such a subconscious level.

Would this level of intimacy be hotter if you knew they just met?

Sex and physical intimacy go way beyond sex. By the time Tab A fits into Slot B, the couple (or threesome, or more, ha!) have covered astonishing ground.

One of the stages of intimacy that always strikes me so powerfully is the 8th stage: Hand to Head. By the time a couple has reached this stage of physical intimacy, they have conquered other tense challenges such as Arm to Shoulder, and Arm to Waist. Oftentimes, they reach the 7th's stage --Mouth to Mouth-- at the same time they reach the 8th stage.

Why is this so important?

Imagine this:
He stepped closer, his features half-hidden in the firelight. The deep russet of his silk waistcoat seemed the color of dried blood in the flickering light. She swallowed hard, trying to still her breathing.

Her heart pounded beneath her breast, and she knew her cheeks must be glowing pink. It seemed she was alight from head to toe. "Y-Your reputation precedes you, Master Kensington." She caught herself twisting her apron into knots and smoothed it down with sweaty palms.

 He laughed, a deep rumble that made her insides quiver. "You think you cannot trust me?" Ethan reached out and tucked a stray bit of hair behind her ear. The back of his knuckles traced down the line of her jaw, then tipped her chin up to look at him. 

Her stomach was twisting in upon itself, and her knees shook. She backed away a step, out of his reach. "I know I cannot trust you."

Okay, so this is an exaggerated example, but you get the idea. Putting hands to another person's head is a considerable leap in personal space. The head houses the brain. One hard blow can incapacitate and even kill someone. Most people duck their heads when they flinch. It's instinctive. Most of our senses --taste, sight, sound, smell-- are done with organs located in the head.

To allow someone to go there is quite a statement of trust with their physical safety.

As an erotic romance author, I try to give plenty of significance to the levels of intimacy that my characters would find particularly significant, given their individual backgrounds and personal space. A finger traced down the side of a cheek, in the right context, can be more erotic than the moment before a climax involving three penises, one female mouth, seven groping hands, and a rubber chicken.

Not that I have anything against the chicken.

It's all fun and games 'till someone kicks a chicken.

***

Writing is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration. That inspiration can carry you through the 90%, but only by understanding the tools at your disposal. Delena knows a thing or two about writing tools and how to make the most of your writing. Want her to prove it? Visit her blog The Printed Fox and check out her series For Writers, By Writers. Delena Silverfox is a historical erotic romance author with Naughty Nights Press.