Submissions at AA

Dear Friends:

I hope the start of summer finds you all healthy and happy. We at AA are doing well. I'm very proud to say that we now have 32 authors with books either released or under contract with Aphrodite's Apples. We set the bar very high for submissions, so to have found 32 extremely talented authors in less than a year has far exceeded my expectations.

That being said, turnaround time on manuscripts has gotten far longer than I'm happy with. Being an author myself, I know how hard that nail-biting wait for an answer is. Our focus has always been quality over quantity, and we believe it better to release 4 high-quality titles per month, than to release more titles at faster rates and sacrifice that quality.

With that in mind, HS Kinn and I have made the decision to temporarily close AA to submissions. Effective immediately, Aphrodite's Apples will stop considering new manuscripts, and will reopen to submissions in the fall, WITH THE FOLLOWING EXCEPTIONS:

1. All anthologies will remain open for submissions to anyone. This includes, but is not limited to: The Masquerade Series, Masquerade: Collier House (the GLB-themed Masquerade volume), Pantheon, and Regency Romp Volume 2. Please DO encourage friends and colleagues to submit anything they've written for these, or are thinking about writing!

2. All submissions currently under review WILL be reviewed and responded to. Any manuscripts submitted to AA prior to June 1st will not be affected.

Feel free to contact me with questions.

Best,
Kayleigh Jamison
Editor-in-Chief

Last Chance to Make a Difference!

Hey guys,

Today's the last day of Brenda Novak's Auction for Juvenile Diabetes. It's your last chance to help make a difference and scoop up some great eBooks while you're at it! Check out our the Aphrodite's Apples eBook packet -- It includes includes titles by Nikki Watson, Katrina Strauss, Kayleigh Jamison, HS Kinn, Yolanda Sfetsos, Candice Gilmer, LA Taylor, Alisha Steele, Ivana Peters and many more!

Hope to see you there, and happy bidding!

--HS

This week at Fictionwise!

Azar [MultiFormat]
by LA Taylor



Kalie Nova is doomed to a life of poverty after a brilliant career in the Pompeagan Space Navy. Kalie doesn't plan on being subject to her fate for long. In attempt to gain cash credits to raise her living status, she comes across some traitorous dealings by her superior, General Vitrac. With explosive speed Kalie learns that he is developing a biological weapon of the most unusual kind, one that makes use of an alien race. Moreover, Vitrac's project reveals the existence of a secret from her pa... more info>> (Published: 2007)

Words: 122277 - Reading Time: 349-489 min.
Category: Science Fiction/Romance
Regular: $7.99 $5.99
Club: $6.79 $5.09

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Muse [MultiFormat]
by Adra Steia



She lost him once ... She's not going to lose him again, especially to a ghost! (Published: 2007)

Words: 92765 - Reading Time: 265-371 min.
Category: Horror/Dark Fantasy
Regular: $6.99 $5.24
Club: $5.94 $4.45

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HellBlaze [MultiFormat]
by Yolanda Sfetsos



Blaze Golden thinks she's been temporarily banished from her Hellish realm of Mon to the boring, monotonous realm of the humans. Now she's stuck with no allies and a powerless body. However, when a familiar face--in the form of fellow demon, Igor--reaches her with bad news, Blaze's life is thrown into turmoil. Apparently, she's not going to serve a short sentence on the human realm, but has been banished because of an ancient, lost myth. One that claims the Dark Goddess who will come into her po... more info>> (Published: 2007)

Words: 73178 - Reading Time: 209-292 min.
Category: Horror/Dark Fantasy
Regular: $7.99 $5.99
Club: $6.79 $5.09

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These titles and more from Aphrodite's Apples, available now at Fictionwise!
http://www.fictionwise.com/eBooks/AphroditesApplesPresseBooks.htm

A geek like my father was before me

I am late chiming in to talk about Star Wars, but as it so happens I just got back from Celebration IV in Los Angeles! :D I had the opportunity to nab Carrie Fisher's (Princess Leia Organa) autograph for my dad along with David Prowse's (Darth Vader), Kenny Baker's (R2-D2), Anthony Daniel's (C-3PO), and Ray Park's (Darth Maul). If you were there and saw someone in the white battle outfit that Padme wore in episode two along with the famous japor pendant that Anakin Skywalker had given her, that was indeed yours truly. I had a wonderful time at Celebration IV and it was very hard to leave! I hope that others who were able to share the joy and the fun of the convention had a great time as well.

Where would I begin to talk about my love of Star Wars? I was literally raised with it from the time I was born, a mere eleven months after the movie was first released. My father is also a huge Star Wars fan and a fan of science fiction and fantasy in general. It was his influence as well as the inspiration from Star Wars that got me writing in the first place, and I often say that "I am a geek like my father was before me." Anyone walking into my home can see that I am huge fan; over my entertainment unit hangs a framed picture of Coruscant at night, and several action figures are on shelves and around my home.

Star Wars has also brought me in contact with many wonderful people over the years. Some of us at Aphrodite's Apples, for instance, met from writing Star Wars fan fiction together, and discuss some of our favorite characters from time to time. I am personally a huge Darth Vader/Anakin Skywalker fangirl, and collect about a million items with him on it from posters to action figures. Some have labeled my collection "most impressive." ;)

The movies have also been a source of spiritual inspiration for me. Long before I had any real religious beliefs, I always felt that the concept of the Force made the most sense to me, and likened the concept to a "tapestry" or web which connects us all. I admit to having Eastern influence in my philosophy and spiritual beliefs and it is definitely Star Wars which introduced that inspiration into my life.



May the Force be with you,

-A


***
Adrianne Brennan
www.adriannebrennan.com
Dark fantasy, science fiction, and erotica writer

Star Wars Reminiscence

Star Wars was one of the first movies I ever saw in the theater. I was a whole 4 years old! I don't remember much of the experience except that my mom took my cousin Scott (who was 8 at the time) and I to see it. I loved C-3PO the best. I even had C-3PO Underroos!

I never got a chance to see Empire Strikes Back in the theater when it was first released. Of course, back in those pre-cable TV days (I know, hard to believe), I thought I'd never have a chance to see it. Well I lucked out in 1997 when all three movies were re-released for the 20th Anniversary and saw all three back to back in the theater.

When we were kids, my cousin Gary had almost every Star Wars toy and action figure imaginable. We played out so many scenes in the yard with those things.

At DragonCon in 1999 (or was it 2000?) I got to do the fangirl thing at the signing tables of Jeremy Bulloch (original Boba Fett), David Prowse (Darth Vader). Kenny Baker's (R2D2) line was hella long. Kinda bummed about not getting his signature also.

My friend Matt is a huge Star Wars fan. He was so disappointing this past week however. He won a contest to tour Industrial Light & Magic. Only 5 people were drawn for this tour and he was one of them. The morning that we were supposed to drive to San Francisco for it though, he was really sick so we had to opt out. Getting picked for this tour was like finding the Golden Ticket to see inside of Willy Wonka's factory. It was such a huge let-down to have to miss it.

It's hard to believe that Star Wars has been around for 30 years. I saw this recently and had to laugh. Even now, Star Wars influences modern entertainment: Luke and Obi-Wan Discover Star Wars Kid.

News in the publishing industry

Print book sales are down, while e-book sales are up!

From Reuters, May 23, 2007

Americans bought $24.2 billion worth of books in 2006, slightly less than the previous year, an industry group said Tuesday, reporting sharp falls in religious and audio-book sales but an increase in e-books.

The Assn. of American Publishers said total sales by U.S. publishers last year were estimated at $24.197 billion, down from $24.263 billion in 2005.

Religious book sales fell 10.2% to $745 million while audio-books dropped 11.7% to $182 million. Spurred by progress in digital technology, sales of e-books jumped 24.1% to $54 million.

Source: Los Angeles Times
http://www.latimes.com/features/books/cl-et-quick23.2may23,0,7831051.story?coll=la-books-headlines

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away there was a little girl named Sabrina. On a fateful Saturday afternoon, she went to see a “space movie” with her best friend. That movie was STAR WARS…

I am a first generation STAR WARS fan. I followed the phenomenon of the original trilogy from my junior high school days through my senior year of high school. I stood in line, eager and excited for THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK and RETURN OF THE JEDI. I collected the comic books, bubble gum cards, had Luke and Leia dolls.

It wasn’t until the late 1980s that I became aware of the deeper meanings of the movies. Through a PBS special THE POWER OF MYTH, when the late Joseph Campbell was interviewed about mythology, that I learned to appreciate STAR WARS as a high-tech retelling of ‘The Hero’s Journey’.

I’ve attended conventions and had the privilege to meet the actors from the original trilogy I grew up with and that inspired a generation of fans. Still, to this day, STAR WARS is a fun, action-packed film. However, to me, STAR WARS is more than just a movie…it’s played a vital role in my life.

Check my blog to find out 10 Things I Learned from the original STAR WARS!

Happy 30th Anniversary STAR WARS!
Thx & Hugs,
Sabrina )O(



+ + +
Sabrina Luna
Spicy Romance with a Touch of Magick
http://www.sabrinaluna.com
Author of Dark Erotica, Fantasy & Romance

Writer's Block and Star Wars

In honor of Star Wars's thirtieth anniversary, I find myself giddy and anticipating having the weekend alone where I can sit down and actually enjoy the movies this weekend.

And, watching Star Wars is a great way to help my writer's block. Just a short time of looking at the imagery, getting lost in the story, reminds me of why I write in the first place -- that I want to take journeys to places I've never been, to see worlds that no one's ever seen, and to feel things that bind us, whether it's on this planet, or filling the stars.

I was hooked the first time Princess Leia had that blaster in her hands and shot those storm troopers in Episode Four. As a kid, I reinacted it over and over in my living room -- I WAS Princess Leia, dang it! All my Barbies had the cinnimon buns on their heads, and I drew Princess Leia on all my art in school, for like five years.

She was the coolest! She was a girl, a princess, who could shoot, tell you how it was, run a rebellion, and still be beautiful all at the same time. She was the bomb!

Up to this point, I only knew princesses who were Cinderella -- delicate, sweet and kind.

And then there's Princess Leia!

Talk about a slap in the face.

One that I love!

The Block

Yeah, I'm talking about writer's block. That dreaded stage that all writers go through at one stage or another.

Personally, my worst bout of writer's block happened when I was pregnant with my daughter, seven years ago. It was so bad that it lasted the whole pregnancy. In the end, I gave up on writing during that time. I just couldn't bear to sit down and string a sentence together. But of course, I had a very good reason, right? ;)

Nowadays, If I do get stuck for whatever reason, I pick up a book and read. Enjoy someone else's story, instead of driving myself crazy. I also go for a walk and just let my mind wander all over the place. This helps clear away the problems so that I can either work through it, or decide to tackle another story.

But the one thing that works the best for me is to keep a writing journal. Here I write about my projects, anything that comes to mind... and it really helps. I found this tactic several years ago without realizing it. Not only did it help unblock my head, but I worked through a bunch of different story ideas that hadn't been much more than a thought at the time.

Finally, the one freaky thing that doesn't always work but when it does I find it amazing, is to think about the story just before falling asleep. Not all the time, but sometimes, I'll miraculously wake up with the solution inside my head. Now that is bizarre!

I also find that researching on the internet allows my muse the opportunity to think things over while I'm cruising around... especially if I'm looking into mythology or paranormal stuff.

Personally, clutter inside my head has become a bigger problem than writer's block lately. ;)

Well, happy writing everyone!


Yolanda Sfetsos
www.yolandasfetsos.com

Now available from Aphrodite's Apples:
HellBlaze and Masquerade, Volume 3.

In the news

Adult retailer attracts Apple's ire for iGasm ad campaign



If Steve Jobs is smart, he'll refrain from suing and instead offer to buy the patent...

(And maybe techno music has a purpose after all?)

~ Katrina S.
Romance for the Black Coffee Crowd
http://www.katrinastrauss.com/

Savannah's way around Writer's Block

The dreaded Writer's Block. Honestly, I think Writer's Block should be brought behind the toolshed and taught a lesson...Writer's Block should just follow my shadowy friend's suggestion and "DIE."

But, we writers aren't that lucky. I don't have one author friend who doesn't suffer from it at one time or another.

I split my writer's mind up between two different identities, and at least three different genres, so if my brains lock up on a story, I roll over to the other persona, and tinker there. I always have a story going around in my head, it just depends on which one.

On the rare occasion that my muses totally shut down on me, I retreat to my favorites; action, or horror flicks, MMA fights on TV, shopping and having coffee with my friend. Eventually, my muses get themselves back on track, and I can pick up the plot again.

Some authors will tell you to "write through it," that if you do eventually you'll find something worth using. Well, my pet peeve is being pushed. And, I DO NOT believe in forcing the stories.

So, for me, getting past that Writer's Block is applying distractionary tactics until my brain and muses reboot.

That being said, I do subscribe to Kitty's coffee and chocolate... LOL :P

10 Ways Sabrina Luna Breaks Writer’s Block

1. Put story aside and work on another one.
2. Make a fresh pot of coffee
3. Eat chocolate
4. Hang out with friends
5. Watch favorite movies on DVD
6. Go to the movie theater
7. Browse bookstores
8. Read (or re-read) a favorite author
9. Go for a drive
10. Dink around on Myspace and read blogs


+ + +
Sabrina Luna
Spicy Romance with a Touch of Magick
http://www.sabrinaluna.com
Author of Dark Erotica, Fantasy & Romance

Habitat for Humanity Rebuilds the Gulf Coast

I'm back from a week in Mississippi, working with Habitat for Humanity building homes for victims of Hurricane Katrina. If you're interested in reading about my trip and seeing some photos, check out my blog here.

-KJ

An Exciting Announcement!

Nikki Watson now currently has a personal website!!!!

Okay, yes, I know this has been a long time in coming, but with the wonderful help from Regina Paul, we have managed to put up a website that both of us are very happy with.

The website is also very easy to navigate your way around, so please, visit http://www.nikkiwatson.110mb.com/ for all sorts of exciting updates, forum conversations, and excerpts that I'll no doubt be putting up for all to see. :D

***
Dark Fantasy Writer ~ Fascinating Darkness
http://www.nikkiwatson.110mb.com/
http://www.aphroditesapples.com/spiral.htm
Nikki Watson.

The Midnight Muses Hit The Red Door

Hi Everyone! My local promotional group, The Midnight Muses, hit The Red Door last Saturday in Charlotte NC! Check out our cool pics over at my blog:

http://sabrinaluna.blogspot.com

Thx & Hugs,
Sabrina )O(


+ + +
Sabrina Luna
Spicy Romance with a Touch of Magick
http://www.sabrinaluna.com

A Great Review for AZAR

Alice's Science Ficton Romance novel

AZAR

was given a 5 Star rating by

The Romance Studio this month.

Read the review at the link below:
http://theromancestudio.com/reviews/reviews/azartaylor.htm

See her web page: www.lataylor.net

keep an eye out for upcoming reviews on her second novel:

Solar Sensations

Both novels are now available at Aphrodite's Apples

Movin' on up!

Spellbound has moved up a few notches in the Horror category at Fictionwise and is now sitting at #3. Currently, we are outselling older releases from Laurell K. and Stephen King! Check it out here at:

http://www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/HorroreBooks.htm

While some might think being with an "erotica e-book publisher" rather than a mainstream print house makes for certain limitations, this medium opens us up to a whole different audience. As it happens, just yesterday Spellbound received a favorable review in the June issue of Pandora's Gate, which is aimed at readers of comics, sci fi, and horror. The contributors to Spellbound have definitely stepped outside the bounds of "erotic e-pub" with this one!

For more details on Spellbound, including an excerpt and other reviewer comments, go to http://www.fictionwise.com/eBooks/eBook45685.htm?cached

Link me to you!

I'm writing up a links list for the soon to be public website that is be all about me, and I was wondering if anyone who posts or reads here would like for me to list them on this links page.

I can't guarantee there will be a lot of publicity going to it straight away, as it's going to be a brand new website, but it will get your name out somewhere new and different. And hey, some publicity is better than none, right?

On Writer's Block

Ever had writer's block sooo bad that you were on the verge of picking up your computer and dropping it, just to see if the mess that followed would be worthy of writing about?

...

I'm finally writing again!! :D

TGIF --As Promised ...

last night in chat --a little Vigg-O-Rama!

Click Here

Thx & Hugs,
Sabrina )O(


+ + +
Sabrina Luna
Spicy Romance with a Touch of Magick
http://www.sabrinaluna.com

So, what is Yolanda reading at the moment?

Watchers in the Night by Jenna Black.

I started this one a few nights ago and have gotten about 50 pages in. So far it's great, has really sucked me in. No pun intended since it's about vampires. Lol.

I've actually been itching to pick this one up for a while, but just kept getting distracted by other books. I'm sure you all know what that's like. I already like Carolyn and Gray.

Anyway, here's the series blurb for this book:

A world where vampires hunt the night, where good battles evil beneath the noses of an unsuspecting population, and all that stands between the citizens of Philadelphia and those who see them as prey are the Guardians of the Night.

Vampires. They hunt in every major city, hidden by the crowds, shielded by disbelief. But not all vampires are Killers. The Guardians of the Night sacrifice the superior physical and psychic strength of the Killers to protect the mortals of Philadelphia from their more ruthless brethren. But the Guardians walk a thin line, for even a single kill could leave them helplessly addicted to murder.

Sounds interesting, huh? Well, so far it is. I love vampire stories. I don't care how many are released, more than likely I'm going to be interested. I always hear that vampires have been overdone, but if it was up to me I'd keep 'em coming for many, many years to come.

Well, happy reading everyone!


Yolanda Sfetsos
www.yolandasfetsos.com

Now available from Aphrodite's Apples:
HellBlaze and Masquerade, Volume 3.

What's Tyree reading?

So I'm sure you're wondering what does a ruthless pornographer obssessed with acidic sperm read in his spare time? Well, the truth is probably not as interesting as you might think. Or at least not as erotic.

I just finished reading Storm Front, book one of the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. Since Mr. Butcher is a fellow Kansas City resident who writes in a genre I like, I really couldnt' justify putting off reading his work any longer. For those who have been living under a rock, the books follow the story of supernatural private eye and wizard, Harry Dresden. The first story, where Harry is on the trail of a rogue wizard who channels storms to kill people in nasty ways, sets an excellent, exciting pace and introduces us to a wide range of characters both magical and mundane while never seeming crowded or uneven. I don't know if the rest of the novels in the series are as good, but with a start like this Butcher is definately a needed breath of fresh air in the crowded contemporary urban fantasy market.

I have not seen the television series adapted from the Dresden novels, but Butcher's writing is perfectly suited for the televised medium. The episodic nature of the chapters with their "commercial break"-feeling cliffhangers along with the colorful and memorable "recurring characters" definately felt more like watching an exciting serial than merely reading a story. When I can picture all the events I'm reading that well, it's the sign of a strong author. I wish Mr. Butcher the best in all mediums, literary and televised.

Just began reading Wings To the Kingdom by Cherie Priest, the follow-up to Four And Twenty Blackbirds which introduced us to snarky psychic protagonist Eden Moore. While the first book dealt with Eden exploring her own voodoo-steeped ancestry, Wings sees her reluctantly exploring a mystery outside herself as the undead residents of Tennessee's Chickamuagua battlefield begin sending desperate messages to the living. I don't find Priest's stories as scary as they could be, but Eden's narration leaves you always wanting to turn the page and see what happens next. I'm enjoying the series greatly and recommend it to anyone with an interest in ghosts and/or the very haunted American South.

Oh, and on the side I still sneak a few chapters from Masquerade, Volume 1 by several of my fellow Aphordite's Apples. I only recommend reading a few chapters at a time because, well, it's just really hot, that's why :) But you probably knew that.

What's Kayleigh Reading?

Aside from the fuckton of wonderful submissions we've received of late, and "Emmanual's Exploration of Tort Law," "Examples and Explanations: The Law of Torts," "Bar Preparation Finals Series: Tort Law," "Studies in American Tort Law"...hey, can anyone guess which final exam I have tomorrow? I have forced myself to take some me time and read for fun.



Last night I finished Fire In His Eyes, by Stella and Audra Price, the first in their Dragon Elemental Series. What a fabulous read!

Alcyone Sterling, succubus and owner of Pinkys XXX has a secret admirer, who is leaving her exotic and rare flowers and jewelry beyond beautiful. She doesn’t know who it is, and gets even more curious after a clandestine liaison in her bedroom involving a few silk ties and a blindfold.

Char, Fire elemental and strongest of the last dragons left in the Eververse, is obsessed and in love with the young succubus, and recognizes her as his mate, regardless of her demon status. He has to have her, and will do anything to attain her. When the rest of what’s left of his dying race decided to interfere, Char is forced to made some very rash decisions, all in the name of love.

I am a huge fan of the Price sisters; their gritty, no-holds barred approach to story telling, and their new twists on some old legends make them a must read. Char, a fire dragon shapeshifter, who in his human form looks like Dominic Purcell (yum!) burns up the pages with his fascination with a woman he's never met, but has watched for years. Alcyone, despite her status as a succubus is sweet and charming with her unspoken insecurities after years of being the ugly duckling in a family full of beauties and temptresses. The Price sisters write their heros just as I like them. Their books are definitely my guilty pleasure. Sadly, I've now exhausted their backlist and have to wait (WAIT!) for the next installment.

-KJ

What's Sabrina Luna Reading?

I *love* books and reading is definately a passion of mine! The last book I finished was Kate Douglas' WOLF TALES III. It's a fast-paced, fun & sexy series of stories published by Aphrodisia about an unusal pack of wolves.
Currently, I'm reading GOTHIC BLUE by Portia da Costa . It was originally published by Black Lace in 1996 and has now been re-released. Let's face it, Portia was writing paranormal erotica long before it was popular and, IMHO, this book is groundbreaking. I'm so happy to see it reissued --and now I have a copy after years of it being out of print!

Well, that's it for now --
Happy Reading!
Sabrina )O(


+ + +
Sabrina Luna
Spicy Romance with a Touch of Magick
http://www.sabrinaluna.com

Katrina's Current Guilty Pleasure

I first learned of the In Death series a year ago while researching an actor who'd inspired one of my characters. I came across a message board where readers had suggested this actor play the part of Roarke, should the In Death series ever make it to the big screen. Intrigued, I read the series' blurb and thought wow, this sounds right up my alley.

Then, I delved deeper, and found out that the author, JD Robb, is an alias for none other than Nora Roberts.

My ingrained anti-Nora sensibilities tried to kick in and scream in protest. Yet, if anything, I was even more fascinated that the reigning queen of fluffy mainstream romance could turn around and write what sounded to be such a dark and gritty series. Taking a chance, in need of a "light read" (well, "light" by my standards) I checked out the first book, Naked In Death from my library.

I now own about half of the series and am currently reading Divided in Death. (Roberts has released one installment every 6 months since 1995, an amazing feat unto itself!) To say I'm hooked would be an understatement. Set in a cyberpunk late 2050's, this series is certainly very different from Ms. Robert's usual fare, or that of any other popular romance writer. (She's no William Gibson, but her worldbuilding is impeccable.)

Tough-as-nails homicide detective Lt. Eve Dallas is far from your typical romantic heroine. A survivor of abuse, who has worked her way up the ranks of what is still a male-dominated NYPSD by the age of 30, Eve is smart, sassy, and basically does not take any crap. (Think Agent Scully cast in Kill Bill.) Since these stories center around her homicide investigations, a strong undercurrent of violence pervades, with gore smattered (or would that be splattered) throughout.

And then there's Roarke. No surname necessary, he's just...Roarke, and the reason most women like me confess that they read this series, above and all else. A self-made billionaire who is also a survivor of abuse and got his start on the shadier side of the law, he's the perfect blending of both the alpha and rogue male -- and with shoulder-length black hair and an Irish accent to boot. Once a playboy, he falls hard and fast for Eve, and there's no turning back. Does he woo this tough cookie with diamonds or furs, of which cost nothing more than pocket change to him? No. He seduces her with coffee -- real coffee, since most food products are soy-based at this point in the future.

With a bit of James Bond influence (some readers speculate Roberts originally based Roarke on Pierce Brosnan), he can pick a lock by hand, or hack into high-security government computer systems. He drives fast cars (and in the future, they get pretty fast), and he can fly a helicopter. All the while dressed in the finest fashions. He also has this knack for forcing his woman to have multiple orgasms whether she thinks she's had enough or not....gee, must be tough, Eve. >:) While the sex scenes aren't quite graphic enough for those like me who read (and write!) more hardcore erotica, they do push the envelope when compared to mainstream romance, and hey, it's Roarke, so that right there is enough to make me happy and dog-ear, erm, select passages...

HOt love scenes aside, the growing love and tenderness between Eve and Roarke is truly sweet and touching. Together, they uncover their buried, tormented pasts, and find healing in one another's arms. Roberts is also honest in that Eve and Roarke fight sometimes, and they often experience tension and conflict during Eve's investigations when Roarke sees things differently than she. But then they make up, sometimes uneasily, other times with aforementioned hot sex, but always, they get through their disagreements and learn and grow from their mistakes.

The reader is also treated to an eclectic and interesting cast of secondary characters, whose subplots only enhance rather than detract from the series as a whole. I've been just as intrigued by Delia Peabody, Eve's partner, and watching her evolution from case-to-case as she's gone from fresh-faced, eager rookie to sharp-minded, battle-scarred detective. I'm equally amused and fascinated by Summerset, Roarke's stone-faced, meticulous steward. He and Eve tend to grate one another's nerves, and their ongoing feud of quips and insults makes for some comic relief. Yet they acknowledge that they share a common love and loyalty to Roarke. And Sommerset has some dark secrets and shady abilites of his own.

Most fascinating is that this series takes place within just a few years' time, with each book covering one to two months' worth of events. So not only do you get to watch Eve and Roarke's relationship progress practically day-by-day, but it makes it easy to read the series out of order (like I've had to do) and it still make sense. This is a rather radical approach to series writing, and has inspired me to try my hand at my own series that explores one relationship through more than one book.

So, if you want a "light", genre-busting sci-fi/romance with a dark edge, featuring a hot lead male and ballsy anti-heroine who share tender moments laced with sizzlin' chemistry, check out the In Death series by JD Robb....

Okay, okay, by Nora Roberts....


~ Katrina S.
Romance for the Black Coffee Crowd
http://www.katrinastrauss.com/

What Nikki's Reading!

I'm a big fantasy buff. Romance was always my first love, but a romantic fantasy just sets my heart a-fluttering! Anything by Kelley Armstrong, which reminds me, I really need to buy the rest of her 'Otherworld' series, if I hope to keep up. I love Holly Lisle for the way she creates a story that makes you feel like you are living in the world of her creation. Anne Bishop is the other author I believe earns a mention here, with her ability to merge fantasy and dark romance with heroes that you just want to bite!

Of course, right now, I am reading books from none of these authors. ;)

A friend of mine and I have recently founded a book club, starting with Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series. We are currently in the third book. This is a fantastic time for us, for if one of us lags a little way behind, we are able to catch up to the other, with the other pushing us ahead. With such long books as The Wheel of Time, this is sometimes very much needed. We are currently up to Book Three, The Dragon Reborn.

Books we are thinking of putting onto our booklists after we finish this series include Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel's Dart/Choice/Avatar and all of the books starting with Raymond E. Feist's Magician.

Candice's Current Read

Well, I'm gonna disappoint everyone out there. I'm not reading anything currently. Not any fiction, anyway.

I've been rereading Donald Mass's "How to Write a Breakout Novel." It and Stephen King's "On Writing" are my two most favorite books about writing ever.

Donald Mass's book is amazing in that it cuts to the chase, lets you know how to complicate the heck out of your story, or to simplify it, to make it break out.

Example:

Do you have a large cast of characters in your story that all seem important, but really the story doesn't hing on their well-being? Well, why not combine two characters together? Like, say the pizza delivery guy could also be the high school student that has a crush on your main female protagonist. Rolling two less important characters together can make a decent story with "ho-hum" secondary characters into something that's really interesting, by keeping the depth in all the characters. And it's less for you to have to remember.

I really love this book, and seriously, if you want to be better at what you do, you need to read this book. Granted, some of his predictions about where genres are going isn't exactly on par, since the book is a few years old, but his advice is timeless.

I highly recommend it.

I *love* to read...

Tomorrow I'm going to chat about the book that I'm currently reading. So I thought that before doing that, it would be a cool idea to list the books I've read so far this year.

And here they are:

MORTAL DANGER: Eileen Wilks
HELL TO PAY: Simon R. Green
POSSESSED: Stephanie Doyle
DAUGHTER OF THE BLOOD: Nancy Holder
MINION: LA Banks
NIGHT RISING: Chris Marie Green
MASQUERADE, Volume 3: Various AA writers ;)
DEFINITELY DEAD: Charlaine Harris
BLOOD BOUND: Patricia Briggs
KITTY TAKES A HOLIDAY: Carrie Vaughn
THE LAST OF THE RED-HOT VAMPIRES: Katie MacAlister

I like to read at least 52 books per year, although last year I only managed 47. The year before that I read 53. Now that I'm constantly working on my own writing, edits, promo, website updates and everything else that is connected to being published, it's harder to squeeze in as many books as I'd like to. The rate at which I buy books is still pretty high, though. Lol. :D

Well, I'll be back tomorrow with what I'm currently reading.

Yolanda Sfetsos
www.yolandasfetsos.com

Now available from Aphrodite's Apples:
HellBlaze and Masquerade, Volume 3.

Spellbound!

Spellbound - Tales of Mischief & Mayhem is currently ranked as the 7th topselling Horror title over at Fictionwise! Check it out:

http://www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/HorroreBooks.htm

This was a Halloween release with a limited run last October, but it looks like this deliciously spooky anthology has risen from the mists and come back to haunt us. ;)

For more information, check out Spellbound here:

http://www.fictionwise.com/eBooks/eBook45685.htm?cached

Loop chat today at Loves Romances Cafe!

We'll be chatting all day, throughout the day, over at the Love Romances Cafe Yahoo Group. Please drop in to read our excerpts, ask questions, or chat in general at any time!

Tuesday, May 8th
Aphrodite's Apples Press
All Day Loop Chat
Love Romances Cafe Yahoo Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LoveRomancesCafe/

Another 5 Stars for Masquerade, volume 3!

It's another 5 star review for Masquerade, volume 3, this time from Euro-Reviews. In fact, the reviewer expressed that she wished she could rate it higher! Cathie says of the collection overall:

"Masquerade, Volume Three deserves its perfect rating and more. Each story within this anthology is totally unique and unexpected with surprises that will leave the reader wanting to read more by each and every one of these authors[...] The reader will also want to read Masquerade, Volume One, and Masquerade Volume Two. It's hoped that this publisher, Aphrodite's Apples, will continue these volumes of Greek god stories."

Find Cathie's glowing review of all five stories here:
http://euroreviews.eu.funpic.de/bookdetails.php?book_id=994

Regency Erotica Story Accepted!

Hello Everyone & Happy Monday! I'm happy to announce my Regency Erotica Story has been added to my upcoming publications list:

THE MARQUESS' MISTRESS -A Regency Erotica Story
has been contracted for the
REGENCY ROMP II Anthology
at Aphrodite's Apples Press

This story will be Coming Soon, so Stay Tuned!

Hugs & Thx Again for Your Support!
Sabrina )O(


+ + +
Sabrina Luna
Spicy Romance with a Touch of Magick
http://www.sabrinaluna.com

4 Lips for Svetkavista

This review just in from TwoLips Reviews for Svetkavista.

Julianne says, "...the more I read, the more fascinating the story became. ...This is a riveting story; I couldn't stop reading it and really didn't want it to end. I am so glad that I read this book by Kayleigh Jamison. She definitely knows how to write hot and steamy sex scenes that will make you turn the air conditioner up a notch or two! I would gladly recommend Svetkavista to anyone."

Read the whole review here.

The Viewer's Choice Award voting is live for the Romance Galleria's Cameo Awards and the trailer for Leading Her to Heaven is one of the nominees! I expect you to vote. For me.

Also, you can enter to win crap if you do.

http://www.theromancegalleria.com/cameoawards/

Auction for the Cure!

Join Brenda Novak and Aphrodite's Apples Press in the search for a cure for diabetes! Brenda’s Third Annual On-line Auction for Diabetes Research is on now, and Aphrodite's Apples has an eBook packet, worth $50 up for sale! It includes includes titles by Nikki Watson, Katrina Strauss, Kayleigh Jamison, HS Kinn, Yolanda Sfetsos, Candice Gilmer, LA Taylor, Alisha Steele, Ivana Peters and many more! Bidding is open now!

I also urge you to check out the rest of Brenda's auction, she has some simply amazing goodies! Diabetes affects over 20 million people in the United States alone, and someone you know and love is affected by this disease. I'll be bidding for my mother-in-law, who has diabetes. Do it for someone you love, and do it now!

--H

CHARADE Rates 4 of 5 at BDSM Reviews!

Heidi at BDSM Reviews has rated CHARADE a 4 of 5! She says CHARADE is an intriguing book. “Ms. Luna has been able to show readers an intensity between the two people that makes the story leap of the page …” Heidi concludes her review by saying, “I would recommend it to those who love exploring the ‘fantasy’ of light BDSM.”

For the full review, CLICK HERE

CHARADE can be purchased HERE
or HERE

Thanks, Heidi –I’m glad you liked CHARADE!

Where's my Mini-Online Book Tour Today?

Check out Star Dust Press’ Bestselling Author Crymsyn R. Hart’s Blog at:
http://www.myspace.com/ravynhart.com

Thx & Hugs,
Sabrina )O(


+ + +
Sabrina Luna
Spicy Romance with a Touch of Magick
http://www.sabrinaluna.com

Subgenres Explained

One of my publishers has asked the authors to come up with definitions for the various subgenres of romance. Here's my list. Feel free to add what you like:

historical: past sex
contempo: present sex
sci-fi: space sex
paranormal: creepy sex
shifter: furry sex
vampire: bloody sex
inspirational: religious sex
BDSM: blasphemous sex...with whips.
f/f: spermless sex.
m/m: extra spermy sex

(caveat: No, I'm not being serious :P)

Once upon a legacy...

Three generations, bound by blood. One legacy, built on love, lust, and the power of magick. From the frightful depths of the medieval dungeon, to the scandalous delights of the Regency parlor, to the wild ride of the gritty urban streets, come and take a walk on the dark side as only an Eldritch can...


Katrina Strauss' trilogy The Eldritch Legacy
Now available in its entirety on Fictionwise at:
http://www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/Series884.htm




Rave reviews for the groundbreaking series that is
The Eldritch Legacy!

***"Katrina Strauss brings this world of political intrigue, excess, and royalty, mixed with help from generations past, alive in a way that most authors can't pull off...Run, don't walk to get this series, you will not be disappointed." -- Tara Gibbs of TwoLips Reviews

***"Edgy, boundary-testing and sometimes just plain testy, [Strauss is] a pure visceral reading pleasure which you'll guiltily devour even as you tell yourself you shouldn't." -- Lee M of CK2's Kwips & Kritiques

***"I easily see The Eldritch Legacy moving into place next to Anne Rice's classic Sleeping Beauty trilogy...[Strauss'] voice is different than any other writer's, with a flair for dark, gripping sagas that transcend time." -- Adra Steia of Rites of Romance

***"This is a dark fantasy, and the characters are definitely not Disney." -- Elise Logan of BDSM Reviews


Indulge in the taboo dungeon fantasy of Secrets Revealed.
Romp with the decadent Romantics in Lessons Learned.
Explore the modern gothic underground in Fates Fulfilled.
Whether read alone, or together in one sweeping epic,
these are NOT your mother's romance novels!!!

Get Katrina Strauss' The Eldritch Legacy today at
http://www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/Series884.htm

Or, own all three novels in one easy, downloadable set!
http://www.aphroditesapples.com/eldritch_legacy.htm

Sour Times at Romantic Times

Last week, as many of you know, was Romantic Times' annual convention, this year set in Houston, Texas. I wish I could have attended, but with final exams (which I am now in the thick of) it wasn't feasible. Many friends were there - Stella and Audra Price, Adra Steia, Skyler Grey, Wendi Felter, and more. They seem to have had a fantastic experience, only increasing my jealousy at being stuck in sweaty Florida studying Civil Procedure and Property law.

Not so for Laura Baumbach, an award winning author of m/m erotic romance. She was subjected to a rather nauseating series of discriminatory events that makes my blood boil.

Read her experience here: http://sensualwriter.blogspot.com/ and join me in the dignified wtfery.

I don't write m/m, nor do I have any interest in it. But that does not mean I don't support people who do. In retrospect, it's a damn good thing I wasn't there, because if I'd caught wind of this, my big mouth would have raised a stink the likes of which they've never encountered before.

-KJ

Author Promo Workshop - you are invited!

Calling all authors and readers!

Saturday, May 5th
Author Promo Workshop
All-Day Loop Chat
Featuring Stella & Audra Price

Join the bestselling Sisters Price as we discuss
successful ways to market and promote your book!

Aphrodite's Apples Yahoo Chat Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aphroditesapples_chat/

Please join the group in advance so your membership can be approved. ;)