Yes, once again I have moved to a new website with a new URL….and man am I loving it! But don’t worry, all the blog posts have come with me, so have the characters of The Butterfly Memoirs. Join is as we celebrate the release of Kaitlyn’s story, Lonely Heart. See you there!!!!
MJ
Maybe you’ve heard of it….that novel that parodies 50 Shades of Gray, but is about a lot more than ‘the life’, 50 Shades of Jungle Fever? If not, you need to catch up!
I’m happy to share the second release of my good friend, L.V. Lewis’s second novel in The Ghetto Girl Romance Quadrilogy, Exit Strategy!
Ex·it Strat·e·gy (noun) 1. A preplanned means of extricating oneself from a situation that is likely to become difficult or unpleasant. 2. The method by which a venture capitalist or business owner intends to get out of an investment that he or she has made in the past.
Will Keisha and Tristan exercise their elaborate EXIT STRATEGY and end their unorthodox arrangement?
Assailed by demons she thought she had conquered, Keisha Beale has uttered the words to end her tumultuous relationship with Tristan White. Separated, they grapple for a time with their personal demons. However, when their lives apart become unbearable, a credible threat brings them back together prematurely.
As they seek to discover who is responsible for the threats, several seemingly unrelated incidents throw them into a tailspin. Will Keisha’s youthful indiscretions or Tristan’s un-reconciled feelings for a former sub derail their tenuous arrangement?
In the meantime, trouble in Nathan and Jada’s paradise send dramatic ripples that hint of future difficulties in the idyllic pairing.
Nothing Ventured…
Tristan uses his vast wealth and connections to correct a gross miscarriage of justice, while Keisha makes herself utterly vulnerable to Tristan and fears he has chosen to exercise his own exit strategy.
…Nothing Gained!
Will this be the end of the indecent arrangement that became a fairy tale? Or will Keisha and Tristan reveal the trauma from their pasts so they may heal and completely embrace their relationship?
Sensual, suspenseful, and still infused with the riotous levity of Triple-G and Fairy Hoochie Mama, the Ghetto Girl Romance Quadrilogy departs from full parody with a distinctive take on love, loyalty, sacrifice, redemption, and acceptance.
Amazon Barnes & Nobel iTunes Smashwords Kobo Sony eBook Store
Excerpt: Chapter Seven
“Tell me again why you can’t stay?” Tristan says as we stand in front of the elevator.
“Because it’s just not a good idea. And I don’t have anything to wear.”
“Actually, you do,” he says. “Mrs. Naven found some things in the laundry after you left. Problem solved.” He takes both my hands and backs up into the sitting room.
“Tristan, we still have some things to sort out. Tonight was great, but I still don’t think I’m cut out to be your submissive.”
“Just my submissive, Keisha?”
I drop my head. “No. Anyone’s.”
“You’re afraid you’ll have panic attacks again, aren’t you?”
I feel like I’m about to be swallowed up by the sincere blue eyes tracking and pinning mine so effectively I can’t look away. “Yes. And I’m no use to you if I can’t endure the scenes, particularly the occasional disciplinary consequences.”
“What if there was a way you could?” His finger traces a gentle path down my cheek.
“What do you mean?”
“Just what I said. If there was a way we could work around the panic attacks, would you come back? For good?”
“You mean until you perfect your exit strategy? That’s what you venture capitalists call it, don’t you?”
“Ah, someone’s been paying attention at our semiannual business meetings?”
“I have a rather exacting mentor who insists on being heard.”
“Asshole,” he says and pulls me close.
I place my hands on his chest in an effort to sustain some emotional equilibrium, but he doesn’t let me go. “I’m the one who’ll be ass-out when you lose confidence in your investment and decide it’s time to diversify your portfolio again.”
“I don’t think that’s going to happen anytime soon.” He draws me closer, palming my hips, and I get his point. Pun intended. “I can’t seem to get enough of you.”
I slip out of his arms and put some space between us. “Chemistry has never been an issue for us, Tristan. I know your lifestyle is important to you, and I don’t know if I’ll be able to keep up.”
The truth is, I’m hopelessly in love with a man who hasn’t given me any indication that he will ever want a real relationship. Nothing has changed on that front. He still just wants just a Dominant/submissive relationship, which might enjoy a longevity his other arrangements haven’t had, but it will eventually end.
Can I really do this? I certainly don’t think I’ll become any less in love with him over time. Reentering a sexual relationship with Tristan now would be exceedingly counterproductive to the reasons I left in the first place, but I am hard-pressed to make myself walk away again.
Tristan moves so close behind me that I can feel the warmth of his skin, his breath wafting over my ear as he speaks. “We’ll take things slow—again.”
He runs a finger along my arm, and gooseflesh sprouts like ivy in its wake. I feel a pull toward him that can only be described as magnetic—my body eager to be reunited to his. Even though it could conceivably be more painful for me this time around, I’m not sure if leaving him again is within the realm of possibility. I can’t rationalize staying, but leaving becomes increasingly more difficult with each second I remain in his presence.
I turn to face him. “Slow isn’t necessarily going to keep the attacks at bay.” Or guard my heart if he decides he’s done with me.
“We’ll figure out a way to do that together.” He takes me into his arms again. “These three weeks have been . . . just please stay.”
I look into his eyes, and all I want to do at that moment is kiss him senseless. He may not have given me a declaration of love, but somehow I know this is as close as I’m going to get with a man like Tristan White. For now.
As an answer, I stand on my tiptoes, throw my arms around his neck, and kiss him with everything in me.
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L. V. Lewis doesn’t have the financial means of Tristan White, but she wouldn’t want readers to go away from this new release empty handed, so she’s giving all readers the chance to win some fabulous prizes.
This time there are too many to list, but you can read the list and “Like” or “Follow” the Authors participating in my Release Day to enter the attached rafflecopter giveaway!
The giveaway will run from now until November 28, so like and follow my friends, then tweet about the giveaway daily to increase your odds of winning!
The giveaway will run from October 29th – November 28th.
During the week of October 29th – November 5th, Fifty Shades of Jungle Fever will be on sale for $.99!
DISCLAIMER: If for some reason the book doesn’t load on all the platforms by the release date, this will be due to circumstances beyond my control. I apologize in advance for any snafus that might occur.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
L. V. Lewis has one foot in South Georgia and the other in North Florida. She’s been blessed with a husband who’s put up with her for a lot of years and has given birth to four children, two of whom she has raised to adulthood and one to near adulthood. She delights in her almost empty nest status so much that she writes the kinkiest novels she can conjure up.
L. V. Lewis’s Exhaustive List of Contact Info:
Email: lv.lewis148@gmail.com
GoodReads, Twitter, Facebook, The Block, & Pinterest
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Thank you for stopping by! I love to make new friends. Got questions or comments? Leave a comment, or connect with me online! If you’ve enjoyed this post, sign up for the monthly newsletter by following this blog!
MJ
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No Sample Sunday today, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have something for you!
Tomorrow is the last day to enter the contest to win an eBook copy of Lonely Heart (Book 3 of The Butterfly Memoirs) on the day it releases! That date will be announced on Tuesday, October 1st, along with the winner! Good luck!
Contest and interview with Brian and Ebony of A Heart Not Easily Broken!
This evening I will be participating in a phone chat with the Real Readers Real Words Facebook group! This should be a lot of fun! If your not a member of the 3RW, no worries! You can still participate! Call and listen in! If you have questions you’ve been dying to ask, post them to my Facebook Author Page and I’ll try my best to answer them on the air!
7:30 PM EST!!! 605-475-4000 code 126643#
Hope to ‘see’ you there!
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Thank you for stopping by! I love to make new friends. Got questions or comments? Leave a comment, or connect with me online! If you’ve enjoyed this post, sign up for the monthly newsletter by following this blog!
MJ
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I can’t believe it! September 20th marked the one year anniversary of the release of my debut novel, A Heart Not Easily Broken! While it is a celebration of my journey into the world of being a published author, it’s also the ‘day’ Ebony and Brian meet for the first time, thus…it’s their Book-A-Versary!!!
I managed to find time during both of their hectic schedules and mine, to sit down for a chat and find out where they are now in life. (And this, my friends, is why authors are often in need of strait jackets…)
MJ: Ebony, Brian, it is so good to see you again! How is life treating you?
Ebony: Very well, thank you.
Brian: Good, busy, and a hell of a lot of fun. (He grins)
MJ: I am so glad to hear that! So, congratulations and Happy Book-A-Versary! I can’t believe how fast time has flown by.
Ebony: And a lot has happened.
MJ: Yes it has. (I eye the shiny ring on her wedding finger). So, without giving away too much about your story, what can you tell me about your relationship now?
Brian: (Picks up Ebony’s hand and squeezes) There’s been a lot of good in our relationship, despite the fact we had a rough time, but we made it through. The support of our family and friends has made it easier.
Ebony: I agree. I can’t believe I ever doubted for a minute what my family would have to say about us. But above all, I have to say I appreciate Brian in ways I can’t even explain. One thing I’ve learned is to never second guess my feelings. If something is bothering me or I’m unsure, I communicate it to him and we work it out. Don’t get me wrong, we’re not perfect, neither is our relationship. We’ve just learned how to make it better.
Brian: And it just keeps getting better. (He lifts her hand and kisses it; Ebony blushes.)
MJ: I won’t take up too much of your time because I know you guys keep busy schedules. I do have some questions from readers who have been asking for months if it would be possible to get an update from you. Are you up to it?
Ebony: Sure!
MJ: Cool! Ebony, we’ll start with you. Readers would like to know how your families are getting along. Brian, we know your family loved Ebony from the beginning, but your family, Ebony, well, your sister to say the least, wasn’t too thrilled.
Ebony: (She laughs) Lashana has slowly come around. Her biggest fear was whether I was thinking with my head or just looking for a thrill in trying something new. But now that she’s meet him, I think he’s growing on her.
Brian: I have that effect on people. (Ebony slaps his arm playfully)
Ebony: My brother, of course, is cool because come to find out, they have a lot in common. And my parents…they surprised me. They get along great with his family and love Brian to death. It seems as if I was the one who had the problem.
MJ: We all learn and grow. It sounds like you have done well. Next question, have you finished school?
Ebony: YES!!!! And yes, I do have the job!
MJ: Congratulations! Now of course, we know that you, Yasmine, and Kaitlyn are very good friends and have seen each other through a lot. With the change in your lives, have you been able to keep up with your Girls Night Out plans?
Ebony: Oh that is a good question. Yes and no. Each of our lives has taken a different path and the ease of being single and free is gone. We still talk by way of the phone and of course we’re always on Facebook, but the reality is we’ve had to grow up. We mostly do lunches and meet at the nail shop for mani and pedicures. (She looks at her nails), though why I bother I have no idea. But regardless, we’re always just a phone call away.
MJ: Yes, life does have a way of changing things for us. And it’s good to know your friendship is still strong. Now, Brian, the next question is for you. Have you been back on tour?
Brian: Thankfully, no. One thing I’ve learned to do is prioritize what is important in my life. I thought being on the road would be it, but it’s not. I try to stick closer to home, though my hours are still long. At least I know I’ll be home at night.
MJ: Well, that pretty much answers the next question; do you get home at respectable times?
Brian: Most nights, Ebony is asleep on the sofa waiting for me to come in the door. I can’t blame her thought, after she’s worked a long day, I’d never ask her to wait up. I try to make up for it as much as possible by planning late night dates or bring her roses.
Ebony: (She laughs) I never need to waste money on buying Glade Plugins, that’s for sure. I have homemade potpourri everywhere!
MJ: Aww…that’s so sweet. So it sounds as if the classes you guys took helped?
Brian: Most definitely.
Ebony: Yes they did. If we hadn’t taken that step, I’m not sure where we’d be.
MJ: Okay, last question, I’ve been holding on to this one. How long will it be before you start a family of your own?
Ebony: Oh wow…
Brian: (Clears his throat) To be honest, we haven’t exactly talked about it…
Ebony: With so much time spent working, it’s hard to enough to spend time together, much less raise a child.
MJ: Do you want one?
Ebony and Brian: Yes.
MJ: Then you will find a way to make it work. Well, that’s all the time I have for now. I’ve got writing to do and I’m sure you guys would like to spend your Sunday doing other things than talking to me. Until next time, take care!
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Alright my friends, now comes the fun part! In honor of the celebration I am having a contest, the winner will receive an eBook copy of the next novel in the series, Lonely Heart, on release day!!! Follow the link to follow the instructions. Good Luck! (Release date will be announced next month!)
If you haven’t read the Amazon Bestseller, A Heart Not Easily Broken, buy your copy today! It’s $3.99 and available for Kindle, Nook, iTunes, and on Smashwords. If Paperback is what you prefer, find it on Amazon or Barnes & Noble!
Contemporary Romance, Women’s Fiction, Interracial Romance
Ebony is a smart, sexy, career-oriented black woman who wants nothing more than a summer fling with a man who challenges her mind and body. What she doesn’t expect is a blond-haired, blue-eyed bass player—who won’t take “no” for an answer—to accept the challenge.
When Ebony’s attempt at a brief fling turns into more, despite negative reactions from friends and family, she finds juggling love, family, and career are nothing compared to the ultimate betrayal she endures. Now her dreams spiral into lies and secrets that threaten her future and her best friend’s trust.
ONE CLICK for REVIEWS, FREE CHAPTER READS, ALL SALES LINKS!
For more information on The Butterfly Memoirs Series and a sample of the next book, Jaded, visit this link!
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Thank you for stopping by! I love to make new friends. Got questions or comments? Leave a comment, or connect with me online! If you’ve enjoyed this post, sign up for the monthly newsletter by following this blog!
MJ
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Interracial Romance is a genre that is still gaining recognition. Readers often have a hard time finding a good book, and for IR authors, it’s just as difficult searching out readers and letting them know we’re here!
In steps Romance Novels in Color!
For Readers:
Why waste time searching through page upon page of books on Amazon or Barnes & Noble’s sites? The way the platforms are set up, you may miss a well-reviewed novel that has been buried beneath the latest new releases. And besides, who has time to sift through hundreds of reviews?
On the Romance Novels in Color site, you can instantly view the Top Rated IR Romance Novels, watch book trailers, find author giveaways, and read the latest reviews from readers!
For Authors:
We are always looking for a new place to share our work with lovers of the IR genre. Here, you have several advertising options. And let’s face it, who doesn’t want their novel to be featured or reviewed on a site like this?
Whether you’re a Reader or an Author, stop by and check it out! Sign up for the Reader and Author newsletters to stay in the loop. Don’t forget to follow the social networking links! They’re everywhere!
I’m happy to say both of my novels have been reviewed and featured on this site, and I’m happy to have earned these badges. Check out what readers have had to say!
Review for A Heart Not Easily Broken (Book 1 of The Butterfly Memoirs)
Contemporary Romance, Interracial Romance, Women’s Fiction
5- Star Review for Jaded (Book 2 of The Butterfly Memoirs)
Contemporary Romance, Interracial Romance, Women’s Fiction
And as always, Happy Reading!
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Thank you for stopping by! I love to make new friends. Got questions or comments? Leave a comment, or connect with me online! If you’ve enjoyed this post, sign up for the monthly newsletter by following this blog!
MJ
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African American, Mystery, drama, suspense, romance.
Their desire for perfection will be shattered
Charlene Shaw embodies perfection as a highly-acclaimed actress. Within her gilded walls of beauty, she is scrambling to save her daughter, Raven, from sins she can’t even fathom. This is her self-imposed curse for abandoning Raven as a child.
Raven Shaw is captivatingly gorgeous but burdened by a closet of skeletons. After a rough childhood, she is finally living life. Jon, her best friend and the only man she’s ever loved, has returned to her. A stalker looms just outside of reach, blackmailing her for Jon’s fortune. She’d do anything to keep this man–even if it means turning to another… Mysterious, handsome Tyriq may have the key to erase her deepest, darkest secrets forever. Yet, this savior might threaten her mind’s rationale of “happily ever after” with Jon.
Excerpt:
Muscles warm, lungs hallow, Raven felt light as a feather, stepping onto the stairs at the shallow end. Slowly her lids dimmed, eyes narrowed. A pique in senses alerted her to the sound of a camera flash. She turned to the glass chairs in the back corner next to the submerged pool bar.
With his suit jacket draped over the chair next to him, Jon sat comfy-like, leaning back. He’d undone the top button of his vest, tie a shrew, peering through her camera.
At the snap of a photo, Raven’s lips bunched together. “Stop taking my picture!”
He clicked another one.
“Where have you been; to a club?” Heated, she reached over and tried to grab it.
“Uh-uh, Re-Re,” he said and she got a faint scent of alcohol from his breath.
She leaned back, looking at him through a different light. “Are you drunk?”
“Sexy,” he said, peering through the lens and took another shot.
“Shut up! You went off to work at the beginning of the week. Came back and left again. Then you had the nerve to leave a sappy message about coming home tonight. Then called to say you wouldn’t. Now you’re here! That’s bull.” Hands balled into fists, she itched to claw the half smile off his face. “Uh-huh, you had plans to come home then some slut called, and you decided to stay out. What happened, your little slut had to cancel? Your hoe couldn’t make up her mind!”
He chuckled, and she reached over to slap him. It stung her hand, but he didn’t flinch.
Jon took another picture. “Give me more ‘hood girl,’ I like that.”
“You bastard!” She tried to pummel his face. This time he grabbed her wrists and pulled her in his lap, tucking her hands behind her back. Jon dominated her with hard kisses, making her delirious. Rage momentarily forgotten.
“C’mon, Re-Re, no hitting, not just yet.” He leaned his head over, away from her untamed hand. Dominating her once more, he said, “Whoa, I haven’t had this much action since your ice skating. If I knew you’d be so stingy, I would’ve had you then and there–”
“Cheating bastard!” I’m working things out for us! Trying to make sure your image stays clean and you… Biting his shoulder, she contemplated her pending self-sacrifice.
“Do you honestly think I’ve been cheating on you?” Gone was the grin. “Look me in the eyes and tell me if you actually believe I was out with another woman?”
“No,” she whispered. I want to believe the best in you.
Hand to her chin, Jon pressed it back toward him until they were less than an inch away, and she clawed her fingers into his biceps still in limbo between adoration and anger.
“As I said, it’s been a while,” he said softly, licking his lips. “Months. I thought pregnancy was supposed to–”
“So what? I’m still mad.” She let her fingernails deepen. Part of her was concerned, but most of her didn’t care–she just wanted to hurt him the way she hurt while he was away. “I cooked lamb. I waited for you.”
“Is there any way you’d ever forgive me?”
She hated the drunk Jon. So cocky. Slowly, he pulled her closer, kissing her feverously as he pulled at the strings of the bikini behind her neck. She dragged his bottom lip through her teeth again and let her legs wrap around him in the chair. She wished her thighs were stronger, wanted to hold him siege. Planting kisses on the side of his mouth and down his chin, she bit him as her hands dug into the back of his neck. The bastard, versed in six different languages, whispered Italian notes that made her blood boil. The way he grabbed her behind, wanting and needing every last inch, said he was angry too.
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About the Author:
Nicole Dunlap holds a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and Child Development, and a Masters Degree in Counseling from Azusa Pacific University. She works for social services. She has been self dubbed the “gumbo genre” novelist, because books shouldn’t be lightly seasoned… Her stories revolve around family and relationships, women’s issues, drizzled with drama, peppered with suspense, and finished off with aromatic notes of romance. The Shaw Family Saga pays homage to dysfunctional mother-daughter relationships, with well developed characters that readers can root for; love them, hate them, cry for, and most of all, yearn to flip through the pages to the end of that character’s journey.
If this teaser excerpt enticed you to read more about the suspense of the Shaw Fmaily Saga, please check out NicoleDunlap.com Feel free to email me at nicole@nicoledunlap.com, Tweet me, message me on Facebook, and friend me on Goodreads.
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Thank you for stopping by! I love to make new friends. Got questions or comments? Leave a comment, or connect with me online! If you’ve enjoyed this post, sign up for the monthly newsletter by following this blog!
MJ
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How many times did I want to say that when my first book was published? I know, I know, it’s crazy, but the one thing I wanted my stories to be known for was not how great the love scenes were, but how great of a story was being told. Comments from reviewers have said it was hot, but not so much so that it would make you uncomfortable. Others have considered it tame, while others said they were blushing.
One thing I’ve learned since A Heart Not Easily Broken was published is this: sensuality and the degree of sex in a book is based on the reader.
Unless it’s in the genre of Erotica. The name says it all.
When I started writing, my goal was to avoid putting sex in my book, period. I mean hey, call me prude, but even though I enjoyed reading the elegant prose of a Nora Roberts love scene, I could in no way imagine myself writing it! I mean really, what if my husband picked it up and looked at me with a raised eyebrow, or what if my mom got a hold of it???? What would they think?
Then I thought about it some more and realized, hey, I’ve got four kids and they didn’t get here by way of Immaculate Conception nor were they adopted. 🙂 Sex is a part of life and hey, I’m grown! So, I put on a pair of big girl panties, (or thong) and went where the characters want to go!!! To bed!
Now, if your shy or nervous about writing sex scenes, how do you achieve it without being cheesy, unrealistic, or stiff? (I swear no pun was intended in that line!)
Research.
Research can be done in various ways. (Okay, seriously, stop laughing!) Find books from your favorite authors. If there is sex in their stories, study the way it’s written. Is it technical? Do they get creative with words, allowing your imagination to run wild without calling out each position? Or do they write in a way that gets straight to the point? (Insert tab A into slot C = HURRAY!) What about the scene leaves you warm under the collar? Is it a scene you can’t help but read again, or does it bore you to the point of sleep? Make notes of what you would like to see in your books.
**Remember, it’s okay to take a peek into the bedroom without sitting down on the edge of the bed. Leading up to what’s going to happen and stopping, then picking up later is fine, too. Go with what you feel comfortable with! Never push yourself into writing more than you feel comfortable reading for the sake of trying to sell a book. A reader can tell a badly written scene, and like your lovers, the last thing you want a reader to do is laugh (unless of course there is something that happens that is meant to make the reader laugh). Once a lover of romance novels has invested time and grown emotionally connected to your characters and you introduce that ‘moment’ but don’t deliver in some satisfactory way, they may wonder why the characters are together in the first place and quickly lose interest in your novel. (I once had a reader say she liked Brian so much she couldn’t wait to ‘jump in bed’ with him, and once she had, she wasn’t disappointed!)**
Step outside your comfort zone.
If you’ve never read an erotic romance novel, pick one up and peruse the story. I’d never read an Erotic romance story until I read J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series. Two things I learned from that series:
1) The men were hot, vulnerable no matter how tough they are, and when they made love, they experienced some deep emotions. Despite what you may think, sex wasn’t just sex.
2) While the scenes were very well written, there were some terms I would never be comfortable using in describing certain acts or anatomy.
**From the creative prose of Nora Roberts to the front and center of J.R. Ward, two totally different styles, each dealing with the same subject matter. Where would I fit in? What did I want to write? And just how daring did I want to be???? Ask yourself these questions!**
Practice.
(Okay, so I gave up on avoiding puns when I started talking about research. 🙂 )
Once you’ve decided the lingo you want to use in your scene, you have to write it! Trust me, writing sex is not as easy as you’d like to think it is! It gets very technical. Just like writing description in a scene or what your character is experiencing on a day to day bases, it’s even more intense when dealing with the ‘moment’ that can either push your character forward in a new relationship, or throw a new obstacle in their path, depending on where the story is going. I once read a blog that said writing sex is like writing an action scene. In order for the reader to know what’s going on – who punched who, and what the punch felt like or where it landed – you have to map out the action, movement-by-movement. Okay, the couple isn’t fighting in the bedroom, but they are moving together in a sort of dance. It has to be described so the reader not only ‘sees’ it in their mind, they ‘feel’ it, as well. To achieve this, the five senses must be visited.
*Touch– the feel of their lover’s hands on their body, or the way their lover feels to them. Rough hands, soft hands, a slow caress, a grip of passion.
*Taste– the taste of wine recently consumed during a kiss.
*Sight– excitement from the exposure of naked flesh.
*Sound- music in the background, a gasp, satisfied sigh.
*Smell– candles, perfume, sweat; you see where I’m going, right?
**When in doubt of how a good scene should progress, watch a few movies. Notice how the kisses can start out slow as the camera pans down to what the actors bodies are doing? Where are the hands? How do their bodies touch? What is the response of the other party? Visualize your characters as if they are in a movie and write what you see. Sometimes its slow, sometimes it’s fueled by passion and rough. It’s all in where your characters head is at.**
M.J.’s Tips:
* Don’t be afraid to write what you feel. That’s what editing is for! If your scene comes across as pornographic the first time around, don’t worry! Get it on paper, then tame it down. Take out what you feel is too much for your genre or what you feel comfortable with writing. Get a friend to read it and have them tell you what they think. Listen to the feedback, then make the changes. Trust me, editing love scenes can be the hardest part of editing! It can take me a week to edit a love scene versus the time it takes to edit any other chapter!
* Avoid the technical terms found in your old high school biology book. Talk about a mood killer! Pick up that Thesaurus, get creative, and find something you think works best.
* Make sure it makes sense!!! In real life, you don’t start standing up, then end up on the bed without transitioning to that location. Remember to add movement! In a regular scene, your character isn’t chilling on the sofa, then the next minute he’s answering the door without there being a reason why he got up from the sofa to go to the door. The same applies to love scenes!
* Dialogue during the act itself can be good, but let’s be realistic; nobody wants to read a full conversation during the act. A command, a request, a moaned response, sure, but who wants to hear about the other characters day? Leave that for pillow talk!
* Character thoughts…Okay, I am not ashamed to admit, this is where my scenes start carrying the ‘erotica’ tag. My stories are written in 1st person which means you’re already deep inside their world. You know what makes them tick, why they act the way they do, and how they truly feel without being told about it in the traditional 3rd person point of view. So, when they are with the one they love or want, you’re going to know exactly how that kiss feels, how they react physically to their lovers touch, and so on and so forth. The only difference, I don’t start shouting out anatomy in a vulgar or textbook fashion.
* Never feel you have to have an unlimited amount of sex in your book! Make each scene count! I normally have three scenes in my stories, not counting encounters that are alluded to. For me, each encounter is an opportunity for the characters relationship to grow and add more to the story and not be a page filler.
So, how has my family responded since I published my books?
My husband says I write very well, and my mom…well, she read a Sunday Sample where the character mentions his…um…physical reaction to seeing the heroine for the first time. She called me and said, ‘What do you mean he was happy he was standing behind the counter?’ Since then, she has gotten copies of both of my books and I have told her once she reads them not to call. LOL!!! And I’m pretty sure she’s going to read this post and leave a comment. I love you, Mom!
Good luck with your writing, and remember, if you can’t feel comfortable writing it, don’t. Go with what you feel works best for you! And don’t worry, sometimes it is good to shut the door on the reader, just as long as you make it known the character is happy on the other side!
And of course, I can’t talk about writing a sex scene without sharing one of my own. Here’s a little sample of what goes on behind closed doors in A Heart Not Easily Broken:
Excerpt:
I slipped my fingers between us and quickly unfastened the buttons of his shirt. Of all days to decide to wear one of these. Why couldn’t he have on a pullover like always? A quick tug would have had his chest available to me in seconds. Now I had to work for it.
Buttons free, I forced the material over his shoulders and down to his wrists. He released me to help remove the shirt. In our haste, his wrists got tangled up. I bit my lip as I looked down at him. His eyes were the most intense shade of blue I’d ever seen. His mouth parted expectantly. His lips were swollen and pink from the way I’d sucked them. I wanted to own him. Every…last…inch.
A deep chuckle came from his throat. “What are you doing?” He tried to free his wrist.
“Don’t worry, I promise you’ll like it.” I smiled wickedly as I fisted the makeshift handcuffs, trapping his hands on the bed.
I nibbled, lapped, and sucked my way to his throat while Brian groaned.
He smelled so good, so male. Barbeque and beer mixed with his musky cologne that held a hint of sweetness. His scent had driven me crazy all night. I took my time to savor every detail of his bronzed flesh, tasting every inch I could reach. But it wasn’t enough. I lifted my head from his chest and teased him with my tongue, evading his mouth as he tried to capture mine.
He panted beneath me, his chest heaved in and out, but his eyes, those crystal blue orbs stayed on me. I was driving him crazy, and my time to be in control was running out. I was sure the moment his wrist were free, he would take me down and return the favor.
Perfect, because that was exactly what I wanted.
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Click here for more information about my Bestselling novel, A Heart Not Easily Broken.
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Thank you for stopping by! I love to make new friends. Got questions or comments? Leave a comment, or connect with me online! If you’ve enjoyed this post, sign up for the monthly newsletter by following this blog!
MJ
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“If I pay with my life, you will pay with yours.”
Defense Attorney Bryan Lexan may have just taken on the case which will cost him his life. When his client, a Russian mafia boss, is convicted of first-degree murder, he vows to make Bryan pay.
Meanwhile, Jessica Pratt has always prided herself on being a modern woman–you know, the kind who doesn’t need a man to make her feel complete. So when she finds herself torn between two, she realizes that not all decisions are based on facts. If they were, her boyfriend, Bryan, would be the logical choice. He has the family name, wealth, and a stake in a successful law firm. Only thing is, when she meets Mason Freeman, the chemistry between them is irrefutable and he won’t take no for an answer.
With both of them caught up in a struggle for survival, and a powerful enemy on their heels, they’ll need to decide where their loyalties lie.
What reviewers are saying:
“Carolyn Arnold…continues the trend of writing exciting stories that keep your attention throughout…Life Sentence is a thriller all the way…Arnold never disappoints.”
—Barb, The Reading Cafe
“Though unique in her own right, author Carolyn Arnold is a masterful blend of such greats as Shirley Jackson (horror), Joseph Finder (thrills), and Janet Evanovich (humor and romance). Life Sentence is powerful and gripping, with so many twists and turns it left me gasping…”
—Betty Dravis, Award-winning Author and Journalist
Get your copy now at one of these fine retailers.
Available in E-Book or Print formats.
Amazon Barnes & Noble Apple Kobo Smashwords
Sony & Diesel to follow
About the Author:
CAROLYN ARNOLD’s writing career was born when a co-worker said “tell me a story”. From there what had started off as a few paragraphs grew into her first length novel—LIFE SENTENCE. Her writing has been compared to New York Times Bestsellers such as JD Robb, Mary Higgins Clark, Sue Grafton, Michael Connelly, Tess Gerritsen, and more. She is the author of the best-selling Madison Knight series, and Brandon Fisher FBI series. Carolyn was born in 1976 in Picton, Ontario but currently lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband and two beagles.
Website Twitter Facebook Fan Page
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Thank you for stopping by! I love to make new friends. Got questions or comments? Leave a comment, or connect with me online! If you’ve enjoyed this post, sign up for the monthly newsletter by following this blog!
MJ
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Are you an Aspiring Author or fan of The Butterfly Memoirs who resides in the Atlanta area? Well, this one is for you!
I am pleased to announce that I am participating in the Author’s Workshop being held by The Virtuous Women, LLC and co-hosted by Barnes & Noble on August 17th where I have been asked to be the FEATURED AUTHOR! Talk about existed!!!
But before I talk more about the event, let me give you a bit of history about The Virtuous Women, LLC.
The organization was formed a by Dr. Beverly Harris-Coleman, a Special Education Teacher for the Dekalb County School System. What started as a sisters and sister-in-law spa day quickly turned into more. The Virtuous Women, LLC is a Christian organization that looks to empower, educate, support, and help create businesses and opportunities within the community. They hold monthly meetings and events to share valuable information with the the goal of building a better community, one family and business at a time. For more information about to find out about upcoming community events, visit the website and get registered.
The theme for this months event is The Author’s Workshop. The goal is to provide encouragement to aspiring writers who are looking to become published authors.
Have you ever wondered what it takes to publish a book? Then this event is for you! There will be ten local authors who will be sharing their stories about why they chose to write, what motivated their project, and what challenges they overcame to see their project through to completion.
During that time, I will have some great giveaways, and if you have purchased a paperback copy of either of my books, bring it and I will me more than happy to sign it! Got a Kindle or Nook and like to collect author signatures? I’ll sign that too! Don’t forget your cameras! For more information about the event, follow this link. I hope to see you there!
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Thank you for stopping by! I love to make new friends. Got questions or comments? Leave a comment, or connect with me online! If you’ve enjoyed this post, sign up for the monthly newsletter by following this blog!
MJ
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Yep, time is running out! A Heart Not Easily Broken will not be on sale after July 31st, so grab your copy today! Don’t forget to tell a friend, too!
If you haven’t read the Amazon Bestseller, A Heart Not Easily Broken, buy your copy today! It’s .99 cents and available for Kindle, Nook, iTunes, and on Smashwords. If Paperback is what you prefer, find it on Amazon or Barnes & Noble!
Ebony is a smart, sexy, career-oriented black woman who wants nothing more than a summer fling with a man who challenges her mind and body. What she doesn’t expect is a blond-haired, blue-eyed bass player—who won’t take “no” for an answer—to accept the challenge.
When Ebony’s attempt at a brief fling turns into more, despite negative reactions from friends and family, she finds juggling love, family, and career are nothing compared to the ultimate betrayal she endures. Now her dreams spiral into lies and secrets that threaten her future and her best friend’s trust.
ONE CLICK for REVIEWS, FREE CHAPTER READS, ALL SALES LINKS!
For more information on The Butterfly Memoirs Series and a sample of the next book, Jaded, visit this link!
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Thank you for stopping by! I love to make new friends. Got questions or comments? Leave a comment, or connect with me online!
About Me Twitter Facebook Pinterest Google+ Goodreads Linkedin Email
M. J. Kane 