What I’m Reading Now–Love, Come to Me by Lisa Kleypas

Posted on April 16, 2012 by Jenna Jaxon

I started reading Lisa Kleypas about three years ago, just after I started writing my first book.  I was and am a huge Kathleen Woodiwiss fan and one of her novellas was in the same anthology as Lisa Kleypas’ “Promises.”  I wanted to be adventuresome, so I read it.  Devoured it, rather.  Adored it and the writing/storytelling style.  That sent me on a buying frenzy of Lisa Kleypas.

Looking in a bookstore, I bought “Again the Magic” based on the blurb.  It rocked my world!  Not anything like Woodiwiss’s sensual romances, Kleypas went into the bedroom and ripped the covers off the bed.  I was hooked.  I bought and read almost every Kleypas except for a few.  My love scenes owe a lot to Ms. Kleypas–she showed me the way.

And now I have one more notch on my Kindle.  I just last night finished Love, Come to Me, a very early Kleypas that she herself says “was written with an enthusiasm that will hopefully atone for any weaknesses that I must cheerfully ascribe to youth and inexperience.”  Having read her later works (this one was published in 1988) I can still see in Love the trademark characters and conflict, drawn with a skillful if somewhat less finessed hand.

In fact the major fault I found with the book was a tendency to head-hop that became
extremely distracting.  There are authors today who do this and it still annoys  me.  But I tend to believe it was an accepted convention of the 70s and 80s because Woodiwiss’s books from that period have it to some extent as well.  And I picked it up from reading these writers when writing my first novel, which will make that revision a real bear this summer.

But other than the head-hopping, I must say I thoroughly enjoyed this tale.  Set in the North, in the years after the Civil War, it’s the story of a Northern girl and the Southern rebel who falls for her and determines to make her his.  There’s a sort of  forced marriage and a lot of misunderstandings due to insecurity and the very real differences between people of such polar upbringings, though Lucinda is very tolerant of Heath’s Southern sympathies.

There are a couple of plot twists that are Kleypas’ stock in trade and she did them well even in her early books.  Her love scenes in this novel are not quite as rich as some of her later novels (my favorite is still Devil in Winter, though Mine until Midnight is a close second.  HOT!), but little is left to the imagination.  Yum!

So in the end I am sad another Lisa Kleypas offering is finished, though I am very glad to have enjoyed it.  It makes me yearn to go back and re-read the Wallflower series and the Hathaway series, her Bow St. series–frankly, I could go on a week-long bender of nothing but Kleypas books and emerge cranky and irritable from lack of sleep but thoroughly sated on hunky alpha heroes and sassy and smart heroines.

I need to consult my list of books by this wonderful author–and see what is still available to put on my TBR.  Can’t wait for the next one.

Thanks for visiting my blog today.  I hope you come back next week to see What I’m Reading Now.

Posted in On Writing, On Writing Historical Romance, Reviews, What I'm Reading | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Six Sentence Sunday–4/15 Only Scandal Will Do

Posted on April 15, 2012 by Jenna Jaxon

Welcome back to Six Sentence Sunday!

Thanks once again to everyone for your great support each week.  I do appreciate your comments, so keep them coming.  I also look forward to visiting your sites and reading your wonderful snippets.

Today I’m going back to Only Scandal Will Do for my six.  If you want to read the section just before this snippet, check out my post from two weeks ago.

The masked man has purchased a woman in a brothel auction and has come to claim his prize.  His “slave” however, continues to insist there has been a mistake.  He has managed to turn the tables on the “lady” and call her virtue into question.  While evading the man’s advances, they discover a missing bit of vital information that seems turn the tide of his opinion of her.  Then, in a moment of weakness, Katarina lets down her guard and things begin to heat up. When we left off, she was reveling in a scorching kiss from the stranger:

 

Every magnificent swirl of his tongue resonated, not only in her mouth but in the deep, private places of her body as well. Katarina moaned into his mouth, the low, guttural sound rising from some unknown reservoir of need. Pressing him to her, her hands slid up the steely hard muscles of his back, evident even through his cloak and clothes.

All she wanted was his hands on her, his tongue in her. Of its own accord, her tongue thrust into him, bringing a growl of approval that encouraged her to frenzied explorations of his warm, wet mouth. His hand slid down to rest on the swell of her breast, an impudent finger nudging inside the gown’s low décolletage to brush against her aching nipple.

Is it getting hot in here? 🙂

My Sweet Saturday Sample and Six Sentence Sunday posts from January through March here at on my blog can catch you up to what’s going on in the story.  Be sure to come back next week for another six sentence installment on SSS.

Thanks once more for visiting Six Sentence Sunday.  Click the SSS to try out more author snippets.  You’ll be glad you did!

Posted in On Only Scandal Will Do, On Six Sentence Sunday, On Writing Historical Romance | Tagged , , , , , , , | 28 Comments

Sweet Saturday Sample–4/14 Only Marriage Will Do

Posted on April 14, 2012 by Jenna Jaxon

Welcome back to Sweet Saturday Sample!  All excerpts here are rated PG-13 or milder. Today I’m continuing to post from the second book in my House of Pleasure series, Only Marriage Will Do,  set in Georgian London.

I’m going to be out most of Saturday, but never fear!  As soon as I get home in the evening, I will be hopping around the sweet samples!

Seems to be a little mystery afoot here.  Amiable has stepped in to rescue a damsel in distress and to his amazement the damsel–who he’s never seen before–is calling him husband and introducing him as the Earl of Manning (who, if you may recall, is Katarina’s brother from Only Scandal Will Do and a friend of Amiable’s).  Amiable is a tad confused.

Amiable was just able to stop his jaw from dropping open.  What the hell was this all about?  Was this woman actually married to Jack Fitzwilliam?  Despite his confusion he picked up his cue, bowed to the man and said simply, “My lord.”  He shot a questioning look at his “wife” whose smile was still somewhat strained.

            “Philippe and I were betrothed for a short time last year, my dear.  Before the scandal.”  Her eyes blazed angrily at St. Cyr, who had the grace to look discomfited.

            “That was none of my doing, Juliet.  My father broke the betrothal, not I.”  The impassioned words, uttered in English with a cultured French accent, did not sway the lady in the least.

            “But you did not fight for me, Philippe.  Not a single protest.  The servants who returned told me so.  Did you think they did not know?”  Juliet’s eyes narrowed, light sarcasm in her voice.  “You must be unaware of how much talk there is below stairs.  But then, you were always unaware of everything except what pleased your father.  And when it no longer pleased him for you to marry me, you were no longer aware that I existed.”

            “Juliet!  That is not true.” St. Cyr’s hand drifted out, as though he would take hers.  Amiable pulled her toward him and glared at the shorter man.  “I thought of nothing but you, cherie, the whole long year we have been apart.”

            Amiable allowed his face to become surly.  “That is hardly your concern now, my lord.  The lady is my wife and however much you may regret losing her, I must ask you to refrain from such statements of affection lest it become a matter of honor.”  The threat in his voice was real.  By God, if he had to face this popinjay in a duel he would do it.  It hardly mattered anymore that he did not know the lady.  His dislike for St. Cyr was more than ample reason to meet the man.

            A superior sneer raised the Frenchman’s upper lip.  “Oh, but it certainly is my concern, my lord.  I have the prior claim to dear Juliet.  In fact, I must insist that you remove your hands from my wife immediately!”

            “Your wife?”  Amiable managed to merely scowl at the Frenchman, but he sent a curious look toward the young woman who stood beside him.

            “I am not your wife, Philippe.  You must stop saying that!”  Juliet’s voice rose again, her anger obvious.  But Amiable noted that tears also threatened.  Every protective instinct raced forward, bent on shielding his “wife” from more distress.

Don’t you just love a KISA? (Knight in Shining Armor) LOL

Hope you enjoyed a little more of Only Marriage Will Do.  Stop by SSS tomorrow for more from Only Scandal Will Do.  And today be sure to click here to visit more Sweet Samples.

Posted in On Sweet Saturday Sample, On Works in Progress, Only Marriage Will Do | Tagged , , , , , | 17 Comments

Friday the 13th

Posted on April 13, 2012 by Jenna Jaxon

Step on a crack, break your mother’s back.  Walking under a ladder is bad luck.  Breaking a mirror brings seven years bad luck.  Cross your fingers for good luck  These are just some of the popular superstitions I’m looking at over on the Inkslingers Blog Site today where I’m talking about our fear and fascination with Friday the 13th.  Come join us!

Posted in Inkslingers | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

It’s Electric! Interview with Stacey Brutger and Her New Release Electric Storm

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Jenna Jaxon

Happy Thursday, everyone!  I’ve got Urban Fantasy author Stacey Brutger with me today! Welcome, Stacey.  So nice to have you here on the Journal today.  Let’s just dive right in. 🙂

Your new release, Electric Storm is not in the romance genre.  Can you tell me what genre it is and a little bit about both the genre and your new release?

My book, Electric Storm, is an Urban Fantasy. The genre is very similar to paranormal romance except the romance takes second place to the story.

The book is about one character named Raven who works as a PI with the police. Right before her next case, she goes to a club and ends up in the middle of a slave auction. The danger is that her touch can kill. So it makes no sense when she ends up in possession of not one but two shifters. Throughout the book, she must juggle both her private life and the killer who is out to make her the next target.

What was your inspiration for this story?

I love urban fantasy. I love the world building and the possibilities. After I read my first dozen or so Urban Fantasy, I was swept away by the stories and couldn’t resist trying my hand at one as well.

I love creating character names. Are the character names in Electric Storm special in any way?

Normally, I chose my character names very specifically. In this book, all the characters came fully formed and pre-named. I had no part in it at all. At least they let me chose the book title, but they sure gave me their input for that as well. My main character is a conduit. She has the ability to control electricity. There is a spot in the book where she accidentally called down lightning during a storm. That scene is what gave me the name for the book Electric Storm.

What was your process for writing Electric Storm?  Is this different or the same as other books you’ve written?

I’m half plotter, half panster. Some books fight me tooth and nail, but these characters really wanted their story told. I would write one chapter, and ideas for the next chapter would already be brewing. I loved it! It kept me glued to the computer just so I can find out how the story ended! The one book I tried plotting failed big time. Once I plotted the story, I lost interest in writing it. I already knew what would happen.

Do you have plans to turn Electric Storm into a series?  Why or why not?

Yes, Electric Storm is the first in the series. There was just too much my characters had to say to be able to fit everything in one book. Some threads in the first story leak over into the next book.

Do you write in genres other than Urban Fantasy? 

Yes, I write paranormal romance as well as historical paranormal romance.

The next book to be released will be a dark paranormal romance with a demon assassin and her cursed angel lover. Talk about tension between those two!

Do you have a favorite romance hero or heroine?  What qualities do they possess that make them memorable?

I’m not sure I have favorites, but there are very memorable characters that I end up going back to time and time again. When I looked at them all side-by-side, they all end up being very similar. They kick-ass and aren’t afraid to go after what they want.

Who has been the greatest influence on your writing?

Not surprisingly, other authors have been the greatest influence on me. To be able to have the talent to pull a reader into another world for a few hours is an awesome talent. I want to be able to do that, too!

If you could have one wish granted just for you (not world peace, LOL), what would you wish for?

That everyone would have the opportunely to follow their dreams. Life is too short not to give it a try!

What is the most exciting/daredevil thing you’ve ever done?

Besides publishing and my family, I would have to say the most exciting thing I ever did was to travel to Germany with a couple of other students for a month when I was sixteen. I would definitely do it again. I love to travel.

Now, Just for Fun:

What is your favorite amusement park ride?

I love the unexpected thrill, dips and sways of really old roller coasters.

Tea or coffee?

Definitely tea!

French manicure or color (an if color, what color)?

Oh, color all the way. I love dark colors…reds, blues, purples.

Beach or mountains?

I’m going to have to say mountains….unless the beaches have mer-men. J

Who is your favorite villain?

This might be cliché, but I loved Hannibal Lector. He’s a bad guy and doesn’t apologize for it. The next best villains are the ones you root to win.

Thank you for having me on your blog!  To show my appreciation, I’m offering a $5.00 Amazon gift card to one lucky commenter on the blog today.

For another chance to win, visit my site where I’m offering a $10 Amazon gift certificate as well.

Contest closes on Friday at 6 pm cst.

Blurb for Electric Storm:

Everything changed when Raven, a natural born conduit, accidentally walks in on a slave auction. She only wants a night out with her friends before her next case as a paranormal liaison with the police. Instead, she ends up in possession of a shifter and his guardian. When your touch can kill, living with two touchy-feely shifters is a disaster waiting to happen.

To make matters worse, a vicious killer is on the loose. As mutilated bodies turn up, she can’t help fear that her new acquisitions are keeping secrets from her. The strain of keeping everyone alive, not to mention catching the killer, pushes her tenuous control of her gift and her emotions to their limits. If they hope to survive, they must work together as a pack or risk becoming hunted themselves.

Excerpt for Electric Storm:

Tiger.

He broke through the wall of people who circled the small group. Broad shouldered, lean but roped with muscles, he easily drew attention to him and it had nothing to do with the elegant clothes or wildly untamed mane of hair. The combination should’ve looked ridiculous but only succeeded in making him appear all the more dominant.

It gave him a dangerous air. An aura of bored arrogance seeped from him, but Raven knew differently. Power thrummed beneath his skin at his annoyance for being disturbed. The beast roamed close to the surface even in his human form.

“No, sir. The lady here claimed me, and Miss Jackie objected.”

“A challenge?” The tiger’s eyes sharpened in the muted light, his attention never leaving her face. He brushed against her shields, then shoved against them as if surprised to find resistance. The intensity increased, seeking a weakness. Her eyes narrowed. Usually only vampires or very powerful alphas had such strong mental ability.

Protocol dictated certain rules, and he broke them by probing her without permission. They both knew it if his sudden, impudent smile was anything to go by. If he pushed harder, she’d retaliate. She refused to let him enter her mind, refused to let him harvest all her secrets. It was too dangerous for either of them.

When he persisted, she twisted a strand of energy around his shields, using tremendous control to surround him instead of breaking through. Then she slowly tightened her hold. She let it rest there, let him feel her perusal, the threat. Her fingers trembled. Her stomach flopped like a fish out of water. It took everything she had to hold back more power and ignore the dangerous lure to crush the threat.

Then his aura fluctuated, rubbed against her own shield in a way that sent a shiver down her spine in a very pleasant way. Her blood heated, and she could almost swear she felt a purr from her core. From the startled look and the aroused flush to his face, the reaction wasn’t something he’d anticipated either.

Then he relented and retreated, bowing slightly in deference. “Please forgive my rudeness. I’m Jeffrey Durant, manager of Talon’s.”

She reeled in the string of energy, suppressing the unholy need to curse. A formal greeting. Rules of the pack dictated she reply in kind, supply her name at the very least, and the bastard knew it. She had to work with shifters. She couldn’t piss in the pond just because she didn’t want to do something.

Stacey Brutger

www.StaceyBrutger.com

Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/7sktck6

B&N:  http://tinyurl.com/cb8tee2

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5808420.Stacey_Brutger

Thank you again, Stacey!  And visitors, don’t forget to comment for a chance to win the Amazon gift card!

Posted in Guest Bloggers, Interviews | Tagged , , , , , | 17 Comments

Day 2 of Seduction for Horny Hump Day 4/11/12

Posted on April 11, 2012 by Jenna Jaxon

WARNING:  MATERIAL NOT SUITABLE FOR THOSE UNDER THE AGE OF 18!

NOT SAFE FOR WORK!

We’re on to Day 2 of my completed novella, 7 Days of Seduction–a hot and heavy roller coaster ride of sex, thrills, sex, showers, sex, videotape, and what?  More sex!

Participating authors in Horny Hump Day post three sentences from their published works or WIP, hot enough to toast your buns! I know I’m trying to! LOL

Ashley is known for her outrageous parties and last Friday night was no exception.  Except she wakes to find a video of her in the middle of a menage a tois with a close friend and a gorgeous stranger.  Unable to remember anything about the night, other than the hot sex she sees on the computer screen, Ashley begins a search for Mr. Hunk.  She has no luck until he unexpectedly shows up–in her shower.

Hunter Hopewell would love to initiate Ash into a variety of sexual experiences he finds exciting, but are his tastes too wild even for Ashley?

Day 2:  Ashley wakes up on Sunday from an erotic dream of the unknown man that has her in desperate need of satisfaction.  She settles for a shower massage and gets a surprise she hadn’t bargained on:  the stranger.  Hunter Hopewell neatly slips into her shower and into…

He pulled her back into his arms, his erection thrusting all the way into her slit like magic.

The unexpected fullness strained her insides almost to bursting.  If he moved much she’d explode;  but damn, he felt good.

Hope Day 2 got you good and steamy!  LOL  Hope you’re still enjoying my new work, 7 Days of Seduction.

Meanwhile, have a Happy Horny Hump Day of your own!  Oh, and be sure to leave a comment (I love your comments!) and let me know if the steam heat needs a little more water pressure. 🙂

Please check out the Horny Hump Day blog site for the other sites on the hop and go visit the other hot authors.  Quick before your thermostat erupts!   The site also gives the details of how to sign up for next week if you’d like to play with us. 🙂

Thanks so much for visiting the Journal once more for Horny Hump Day.

Posted in Blog Tours, On Hog Wild, On Horny Hump Day | Tagged , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

WINNERS For Hoppy Easter Bloghop

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Jenna Jaxon

Winners for Jenna’s Journal for the Hoppy Easter Blog Hop were:

Tory Michaels–Amazon Gift Card

Juliana–choice of my published books

June Manning–choice of my published books

Christina Vanderford–choice of my published books

My thanks to everyone who hopped down my bunny trail this past weekend and Congratulations to the four winners!  I’ll be contacting you tonight or tomorrow regarding your choice of books.

And be sure to come by tomorrow for a hot new nibble of 7 Days of Seduction for Horny Hump Day!

Posted in Blog Tours, Contests | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

What I’m Reading Now~Snowy and the Seven Wharves by Patricia Green

Posted on April 9, 2012 by Jenna Jaxon

My apologies for the absence of this post last week, but I was deep into revisions the first part of last week, then was actively finishing another WIP, so I only just came up for air late yesterday.  I’m sure you can understand these all-consuming projects, kind readers.

And what I’m reading (actually finished by now) is Patricia Green’s Fractured Fairy Tale Snowy and the Seven Wharves.  I’m not sure how, but last year when this story came out–during the launch of New Dawning Bookfair–I missed getting to read it.  I read a lot of the tales that came out then, including Patricia’s other one, Goldie and the Three Doms, Casea Major’s Pinocchio Syndrome, and Daryl Devore’s Sexy Red Hood.  My tale, Hog Wild, came out with them so I guess in the excitement of publication I just missed it.

Recently, Snowy was offered for free on Amazon–ending up something like #17 on Kindle Erotic Free Reads–and I helped by downloading it.  And started reading it.

Not your Grandmother’s Snow White.  LOL

In this version, Snow White is in a witness protection program, hiding out from her mobster-like stepmother who wants to off her before she can testify against her illegal activities.  Snowy is shuttled from one unappetizing job to another (on seven wharves where the program has safe houses), the only delicious thing in her life is the man in charge of her protection, Marshal “Doc” Dumont.  We see their attraction immediately, with several very hot encounters (including one steamy shower scene), though Doc is torn by conflict of interest between his lust for Snowy and his duty to protect her.

Patricia Green adapted the Snow White fairy tale into this sexy little romp not by having seven men protecting her with various “dwarf-like” characteristics, but by having Snowy herself take on the various dwarf behaviors (being sneezy, grumpy, happy, etc) based on the current wharf she’s hiding out on.  A clever twist on the original.

A short novella to while away a pleasant hour or so on your e-reader, Snowy and the Seven Wharves kept me delightfully engaged and, thanks to the sexy scenes, thoroughly satisfied.  It’s available at New Dawning Bookfair and the other major e-book retailers, as are many of Ms. Green’s other splendid books.

This week I’m starting a new novel, so come on back by next Monday to see what I’m reading now.

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Six Sentence Sunday–4/08 Seven Days of Seduction

Posted on April 8, 2012 by Jenna Jaxon

Welcome back to Six Sentence Sunday!  Thanks once again to everyone for your great support each week.  I do appreciate your comments, so keep them coming.  I also look forward to visiting your sites and reading your wonderful snippets.

Today I’m changing gears to celebrate finishing my erotic contemporary Seven Days of Seduction with six from that work. Next week I’ll have another six sentences  from Only Scandal Will Do.

Ashley is known for her outrageous parties and last Friday night was no exception.  Except she wakes to find a video of her in the middle of a menage a tois with a close friend and a gorgeous stranger.  Unable to remember anything about the night, other than the hot sex she sees on the computer screen, Ashley begins a search for Mr. Hunk.  She has no luck until he unexpectedly shows up–in her shower.

She opened the frosted sliding door and stepped into needles of hot water shooting out of the showerhead.  The bathroom door opened and closed.  “Damn it, Sam, why is it every time I take a shower you have to pee?  Couldn’t you just hold it for once or pee in a cup for God’s sake?”

“I’m not Sam.  And I don’t have to pee.”

How awkward is that? LOL  How’s she getting out of that?  Or does she want to?

Thanks once more for visiting Six Sentence Sunday.  Click the SSS to try out more author snippets.  You’ll be glad you did!

Posted in Blog Tours, On Seven Days of Seduction, On Six Sentence Sunday, On Writing Historical Romance | Tagged , , , , , , | 29 Comments

Sweet Saturday Sample–4/7 Only Marriage Will Do

Posted on April 7, 2012 by Jenna Jaxon

Welcome back to Sweet Saturday Sample!  All excerpts here are rated PG-13 or milder. Today I’m posting not from Only Scandal Will Do, but from the second book in my House of Pleasure series, Only Marriage Will Do, also set in Georgian London.  I’ve come to the point in Scandal that’s not exactly PG 13 any more. LOL  To continue with Scandal, check out Six Sentence Sunday starting next week.

This book begins about halfway through the timeline of Only Scandal Will Do, beginning on July 2, 1761.  This is the opening scene.

 “For God’s sake, help me!  Agree with whatever I say.”

The urgent whisper in his ear startled Amiable Dawson almost as much as the kiss that grazed his cheek.  The young woman who greeted him thus was not the one he expected to see here. 

An anxious maid had answered the door looking wary, almost as though she would refuse him entrance.  She got as far as asking “Who may I . . . .” when a man’s raised voice followed by a woman’s, sharp with terror, rang out from inside the house.  “No!  I don’t believe you!” 

Amiable, used to command decisions, barged past the stunned maid and strode down the hall toward the source of the commotion.  He burst through the doorway, expecting to defend the woman he loved, then stopped dead at the sight of narrowed and frowning eyes set in the lovely face of a complete stranger.  

The unknown woman before him—honey-blonde hair swept up underneath a fashionable lingerie cap and dressed in a mauve striped gown that accentuated her curvaceous figure—turned big brown eyes to him and gasped as if in relief.  “Here he is.  Now you will have to believe me!”  The charming creature flung the words at the scowling man who stood before her. 

Amiable had the quick impression of a sullen young man of medium height, dressed foppishly in a robin’s egg blue satin coat that dripped with too many layers of frothy lace at throat and wrists, before the enchanting blonde ran swiftly to Amiable’s side, reaching up to graze a kiss over his cheek and whisper the frantic words, “For God’s sake, help me!  Just agree with whatever I say.”

Automatically smiling down into the upturned, pleading face, Amiable grasped her hands and gave them a gentle squeeze, signaling his acquiescence to her request.  “Whatever is the matter, my dear?”  He had no idea what might be required of him, but five years as a captain in Colonel Fitzwilliam’s regiment had honed his wits to a razor-sharp point.  He would let the lady lead and follow as well as he could.

Her look of relief at his words spoke volumes.  She was terribly, terribly afraid of something.  Either the fop himself or some threat he carried.  Amiable figured to make short work of him either way.  The woman smiled nervously then took a deep breath.

“My dear, may I present Philippe Tondereau, Viscount St. Cyr.  Philippe, my husband, John Fitzwilliam, the Earl of Manning.”

Seems to be a little mystery afoot here.  The Earl of Manning, if you may recall, is Katarina’s brother from Only Scandal Will Do.  But definitely not this gentleman.  Curiousier and curiousier!  LOL

Hope you enjoyed this little introduction to Only Marriage Will Do.  Stop by SSS tomorrow for another  little snippet, from a newly completed work.  And today be sure to click here to visit more Sweet Samples.

Posted in On Sweet Saturday Sample, Only Marriage Will Do | Tagged , , , , , | 15 Comments