How Do You Buy?

How do you choose the books you buy?  Sure, everyone has their favorite authors, those whose books are 'auto-buys', but what about a new or fairly new to you author?  Is it the cover that draws you in?  Do you need to see a great review before you'll pick up a book?  Read an excerpt?

For me, a great cover will be the first thing that catches my eye.  This will get me to pick the book up and read the back cover blurb. (or if I'm on the internet, follow the links to the back cover blurb)  Guess what, I'm still interested...then I open the book to a random page.

Interestingly enough, there are people out there who don't do 'random', but instead chose whether or not to buy a book by looking at page 99.  I'd never heard of this before, but once I was told about it, I decided to give it a try with a few books on my TBR pile.  Then, I decided to try it with my romantic suspense, NOT WITHOUT RISK.

Here's what I found on page 99:

As her legs suddenly went weak, Paige forced away the thought.  She couldn't get involved with him.  Couldn't let herself care.


She dragged in a shaky breath.  "I'm sorry I've wasted your time."


Justin set his jaw.  His hand curled against his thigh.  "I never said you were wasting my time."


She'd been so afraid, coming out of a nightmare then hearing someone move around downstairs.  So sure of what she'd heard, certain someone was in her studio.  Now...


Maybe it had been a dream, or the panicked imaginings of an exhausted mind.  Paige didn't think so, but couldn't be certain.  "I must be overreacting."


"It would be understandable."


She closed her eyes against the kindness she heard in his voice.  They snapped open at the feel of his finger beneath her chin.  He tipped her face to his.  "Then there's the broken bottle in the darkroom.  Imagination doesn't explain that."


Relief filled her, driving away some of her tension.  Maybe she wasn't losing her mind, after all.  "Thank you."


"For what, doing my job?"


"For answering my call, even though you were probably busy with something else.  For believing in me.  Again."


"We aren't going to start this again, are we?  I wasn't busy," Justin explained as he lifted his hand and traced his fingertip along her jaw.  "I had dinner with my mother earlier.  On the way home, I stopped off for a drink.  That's where I was when you called."


Paige took a deep breath, trying to slow her racing heart.  The caress of his fingers across her skin made her pulse trip.  "I'm glad."


Give it a try, it's fun.  Those books on your TBR pile, would you still be interested if it was only page 99 you'd read before buying?  What about your own books?  I'd love to 'see' what's on page 99 of your books.

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Spotlight On...Sloane Taylor

Today I have a very special guest, erotic romance author Sloane Taylor.  Sloane is a fabulous woman, who I'm very excited to have visiting the keyboard today.  Please help me welcome her!

Welcome, Sloane, can you tell us a little about yourself?

Hi, Sarah, thank you for having me out today. My trusty pearls are slung around my neck, so I’m ready to chat. :)

I’m a sensual woman who believes humor and sex are healthy aspects of our everyday lives which carry over into my books.

My stories are set in Europe where the men are all male and the North American women they encounter are both feminine and strong. As a true romantic, my women bring more than lust to their men’s lives.

I was born and raised in Chicago. Studly, my non-husband and mate for life, and I split our time between a home in Illinois and a weekend cottage on the back roads of Indiana…or you can catch up with me as I travel though Europe, researching new material.

Tell us about SULTRY IN SWEDEN and where it’s available.  

Sultry In Sweden is my latest release from Amber Quill Press – Amber Heat.

This is the blurb:

Battered hockey player Colt Coltrane arrives in Sweden with one thing on his mind—victory. A bad spill later, however, and he's at the tender mercies of the sexiest masseuse he's ever seen. From that point, all his good intentions go straight to hell when he strips for the Swedish iceberg.

Disa Ellstrom has had it with sports figures who always expect more from her than a massage. She can't believe her friend Carl sent the American goalie to her. Unable to ignore the man's pain, however, Disa takes on Colt and soon finds her heart melting faster than a spring thaw.

Combine a hot-blooded American and a Swedish spitfire and they're sure to set Stockholm ablaze...

Read an excerpt HERE

Describe your writing in three words.

I’m a writer, Sarah, three words aren’t enough. LOL How about we go with hot, hotter and hottest!


How did you start writing?

It was the strangest thing. These black and white pictures kept charging through my mind like an old-time silent movie. I had to jot them down just to clear my poor brain. When I started to do that, the images changed to colors. I honestly thought I was losing my mind. It got better, easier, with each book, but it’s still weird. :)


Why did you choose your genre?

I didn’t. It chose me. On the advice of a friend, I took an erotica writing class with the Queen of Hot, Jan Springer. When the session was over, Jan advised me to quit my day job and write fulltime. It was a tough decision, but Studs encouraged me and here I am, six years and thirteen books later still unable to believe my good fortune.


What writers have influenced you the most?

Tough question and one I can’t honestly answer. I read all genres and have learned techniques from each.

How many books have you published? In what order should we read your books?

There are eleven out now. Eight are with Aspen Mountain Press and the other three with Amber Quill Press – Amber Heat. Before the year is out, three more will release.

The only series that really has an order is the Magnificent Men of Munich. It would be best to read them: Teddi Turns On, Lonnie Heats Up, Francine On Fire and Isabella Ignites. The other series aren’t as tied in to one another, so they can be read however a person likes.


How do you think being a published author has changed you?

Unfortunately, I’ve become more reclusive. I enjoy being alone and always had, but now it’s even more so. Instead of going out three nights a week, it’s only one with friends. We do accept invitations, but I find myself being quiet and withdrawn, especially in a new group. This is so unlike the old Sloane who socialized all the time. Now, I prefer to have company and hold dinner parties as often as possible rather than go out.

On the writing side, it’s hard to read a book and not edit it. LOL. I’m not being a snob. It’s just that you notice so much after you’ve had several excellent editors.


What are you passionate about?

Besides Studs and writing? LOL. Cooking. I absolutely LOVE to create new dishes. My site has a dedicated section, “What’s Cooking”, with easy recipes from myself and many talented friends and authors who also love to cook. I’m always looking for new recipes. Hint hint. :)


Where can we find you on the web?

My site is:  http://www.sloanetaylor.com/.
The blog is:  http://www.sloanetaylor.com/blog.
Of course, there’s Facebook:   http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=617411675&ref=ts
and Myspace:   http://www.myspace.com/sloanetaylor


Is there anything you’d like to ask our readers?

Yes, Sarah, and thanks for the opportunity. I’m most interested in which media people favor between e-books and print and how readers feel about books written in first person. If anyone is willing to offer an opinion, you’re welcome to email me at sloanetaylor@comcast.net.

This has been great, Sarah. Thank you for opportunity to meet your readers and gab. :)

Thank you, Sloane, for visiting with us. 

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Sultry in Sweden by Sloane Taylor

Battered hockey player Colt Coltrane arrives in Sweden with one thing on his mind—victory. A bad spill later, however, and he's at the tender mercies of the sexiest masseuse he's ever seen. From that point, all his good intentions go straight to hell when he strips for the Swedish iceberg.

Disa Ellstrom has had it with sports figures who always expect more from her than a massage. She can't believe her friend Carl sent the American goalie to her. Unable to ignore the man's pain, however, Disa takes on Colt and soon finds her heart melting faster than a spring thaw.

Combine a hot-blooded American and a Swedish spitfire and they're sure to set Stockholm ablaze...

Warning:
The excerpt that you are about to view is Hot, Hot, HOT! 
It definately contains content only suitable for adults.

There, now that the necessary stuff is out of the way, onto the fun stuff... 

EXCERPT:


Disa ran her fingers along Colt’s deltoids, watching the strong muscles flex under her touch. His shyness had been endearing along with confusing. She wondered if his physical problem went further than the normal aches and pains of a professional athlete. If so, she intended to help him overcome the situation. If not, then he was in for a satisfying surprise. She hoped.

A quick scramble across the sheet gave him more room, then she tugged on his shoulders so he would lay back against the pillow. He winced, but continued to draw his legs up onto the bed.

She combed her fingers through the crisp auburn hairs sprinkled across his broad chest, descending to his beautiful hard dick nestled in a curly reddish tuft. She swallowed hard, fighting her desire to suck him until he came.

“You are a fine-looking man, Colt.” She rose onto her knees, then traced a fingernail around his tight balls, her inner muscles clenching with desire.

He laid a hand on her calf and slowly eased it up toward her thigh, caressing her. His fingers climbed higher. A shudder ran through her from his gentle massage over her rear-end up to the small of her back, then down, slipping a finger between her cheeks. Pressure built when he circled her sphincter, dipping his fingertip into the tight circle, out again, then back in.

She nipped at his balls, laving the tight sacs, savoring their salty taste. Her hand pumped his cock, starting slow and increasing the speed. His hips jerked, rocking with her rhythm, thrust along her palm.

Deftly, Colt maneuvered out from under Disa, scooped her up and kissed her with a passion she had never known. She clung to him, loving his strength, savoring his taste. He pulled away, the skin pulled taut over his cheek bones.

“It’s time to make you happy, baby. How about rolling over?” He tugged on her hip until she faced the brass headboard. “A little more to the center, so we can watch in the dresser mirror.”

She scooted across the rumpled linen and glanced into the antique glass. Their eyes met in the reflection and breathe caught in her throat.

"Spread your legs, Disa.” He gently nudged her shoulders to the mattress. “I promise to go easy.”

Kisses rained down her back as he mounted her. His thick cock played against her wet labia, the swollen head teasing into her. After a smooth thrust, he was inside, filling her. One firm palm kneaded her lower abdomen while his long fingers curled through her pubic hair, covering her mons. He stretched a finger further along her nether lips, separating the folds and massaged her fiery clit.

Tingles shot through her, watching their wavy images across the room. His arm muscles bulged as he moved his hands to her hips, gripping them tight, guiding her to him.

He rocked into her, the strokes faster and faster, his balls slapping against her thigh. He clutched her hips, slamming into her, riding her hard. She reared back, keeping pace, clenching her muscles to hold him tight, straining to swallow him in deeper. She gritted her teeth, biting back the scream that tore through her. Her body pulsed with his touch, screaming for release from the magnificent torture that only he could provide. She clutched the sheets, wadding the warm material in her fists, and burrowed into them, inhaling his musky scent.

“Come for me, baby. God, I need you.” His voice rasped…


Whew!  Anyone else need a cold shower?  LOL

Make sure to visit Sloane's website for more information on her books.

You can buy SULTRY IN SWEDEN here.


BUY LINK http://amberquill.com/AmberHeat/SultrySweden.html

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Cover Contest

Just wanted to invite you all to jump on over to Classic Romance Revival and check out the wonderful covers in the July contest.  My cover for Not Without Risk, designed by the very talented Nicola Martinez is there.  I'd love your vote!

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It's official...I think

I signed my contract for AFTER MIDNIGHT today and dropped it in the mail to my publisher. What a fantastic feeling!!! I think I'm more excited about this contract than I was when I signed my very first contract. There's just something about this book that has always made it special to me.

No, not the six weeks of hell I went through while trying to get the words from my head to the page, or the endless amounts of fast food my family had to endure during said weeks. It's just a story that has been in my heart for a long time, and after a few 'tweaks' this past year, I think I finally got it right.

Let's hope.

Which leads me to an interesting side...while filling out the cover art sheets, I had to let the artist know whether the book is part of a series. Good question. You see, I'm currently writing about one of the secondary characters. I knew I wanted to tie the books together somehow, so when I first began writing, I chose to acomplish this by making certain that the second book had 'midnight' in the title. Then I received the art sheets for AFTER MIDNIGHT...

I thought about it, then thought some more, finally chosing to do what I never expected to do, and officially claim the books as a series. Which makes my next release from The Wild Rose Press, AFTER MIDNIGHT: Midnight Series Book 1, and my work-in-progress, MIDNIGHT HEAT: Midnight Series Book 2.

It's going to take some getting used to on my part. Not because I'm not thrilled, I so am, but it's different. What do you guys think?

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New Contract

I'm excited to announce that I've been offered a contract with The Wild Rose Press for AFTER MIDNIGHT, a contemporary romance with elements of suspense that is close to my heart.

BLURB:  Thirteen years—that’s how long Isabeau Montgomery has been living a lie. After the automobile accident took her mother’s life and left her scarred and incomplete, she hid herself away, surviving the only way she knew how. She is happy in her carefully constructed life. Until Noah Clark walks through her door...

Isabeau fights a need to create music that is nearly as terrifying as her desire for Noah. She knows that to ensure the past remains in its place, she must keep the gorgeous singer at a distance. But with his magnetic green eyes and leanly muscled body, he isn’t easily ignored.

Drawn together by combustible passion, they must face a new threat to Isabeau’s well-being and the lie she’s kept too long. There’s a risk in the truth, but it’s one she must take.

I don't have a release date yet, but I'll be sure to let you know the minute I learn it.

To read more about this story as well as my other book, please check out my website.

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