First Review for Plaything


Plaything, the 4th story in the Paolo's Playhouse series, will be released May 8th. Less than a month away! It's available for pre-order at Amazon & Barnes&Noble, and at the Samhain site it's even on sale for only $1.75!

I'm excited to bring Paolo's story to readers. He's the hero who started the whole series in my mind and, in my opinion, one of the sexiest heroes I've ever written. The first review is in, from Stacey at Sizzling Hot Book Reviews! It says in part:

"... Plaything is an enjoyable and quick story that delves into a very successful woman ready to take a chance on her desires."

You can read the full review here.

All the stories in the series are short for a reason. I wanted to show a couple at a crossroads and how, by living out their sexual fantasy at the playhouse, their lives are changed forever. I've loved these stories and the characters who all came alive for me. I'm sorry to see the series end, but I suppose it's always possible that later on there might be other couples who need playhouse therapy!

But even more possible, and pretty darn probable, there will be a longer book telling the rest of Paolo's and Julianne's story. I'm looking forward to delving into their lives as they fall in love while they struggle to make their life together work.

Natasha
Plaything - Coming May 8th
Birthday Girl
Risk It
Flaunt It
www.natashamoore.com

Spring Break. YAY!...Not.

This week is spring break. I hate to admit it, but I’m going to, I don’t like it when my kids are out of school. It really messes up my entire schedule. I try my best to do all my writing when they’re gone. It makes everything easier. They get my undivided attention when they’re home and I get six hours of uninterrupted writing time everyday. It’s a great compromise for us.

We’re on day three of spring break and I’m already dreading summer. Dreading it. For those that don’t know my living situation, I live with a friend of mine, who has three kids of her own. Between my two and her three, we have five kids running amuck in this house between the ages of seven and twelve.

Can you say freaking noisy?

I’m in the middle of writing my second MMA book that is contracted. This actually puts a new stress on me. Hell, a new worry. I haven’t written a word since all the kidlets got out of school. Yes, I know it’s only been three days, but it’s got me stressed out. They get out of school in eight weeks for TEN weeks. TEN WEEKS.

I sat them all down yesterday to try and explain things to them. Why things will be different this summer than it was last summer. But they’re kids, I don’t think they grasped the importance of just watching a movie for a couple of hours instead screaming. (Man, when all five of them are together they do that ALL. DAY. LONG.)

When it's just my two, I really don't have an issue, but when they have friends to play with it's a whole different ballgame. The noise level reaches maddening, and its been at maddening all week.

I wish I could toss their little butts outside but that’s not an option. We live on the intersection of two busy streets with no fenced yard. So going outside is counterproductive even when I’m out there with them. I’m more focused on where they are in the yard, keeping count that I see all five of them at the same time, than I am on my laptop.

So the question of the day: Writers with large families. How in the hell do you do it?

Thanks for letting me vent.

Esme

Guest: Camryn Rhys - Airship Seduction

Camryn's new release is Airship Seduction:


Sacha Camomescro, an Empath demon with an airship, is rescuing refugees from Victorian Europe’s war on magic when she meets a man unlike any other. Javier Vargas is a lone alpha werewolf, his pack nearly decimated by assassins, his appetite for justice superseded only by his desire for her.
But Sacha’s gift is also her curse. While reading minds is helpful in eluding the assassins sent by Europe for Progress, it cripples her ability to trust men, and enjoy sex, for she can always see the fantasies men have when they’re with her. But Javier has a single-minded focus when it comes to his pursuit, and he wants her.
Just when it seems she can trust him, Sacha’s crew starts getting picked off mid-flight, and it seems there’s a rabid animal at fault. Javier and his lone remaining pack member fall under suspicion, and in the hysteria, Sacha begins to lose control of her mission. Blindsided by passion, she must decide if she can trust the one man who wants her just as she is.
Q: Welcome Camryn! Please tell us more about your new book.
A: My latest release is called Airship Seduction. It came out in the end of March from Ellora’s Cave and the Twilight line. It’s a Steampunk Paranormal Erotic romance. Basically, the concept of the book came about when I thought, “I wonder what would happen if Victorian Europe had a magical Holocaust.” And the whole series was born from that. Sacha’s whole job in the first book is to fly her airship from country to country and rescue magical refugees. I love her.
Q: Wow this sounds fascinating! How did your story’s setting impact your plot or characters?
A: Because the book is set mostly on an airship, it affected the way the characters could interact. And because the layout of the ship was so important to me, and the way Sacha’s quarters were more inaccessible, it was a very interesting preparation process to write this book. Lots of drawing, and I suck at drawing!
Q: Why did you choose your setting and why was it perfect for your book?
A: The close quarters made the seduction possible, really. Because Javier was essentially isolated, and Sacha had self-isolated because of her powers, the two of them had a lot in common from the start. Plus, it provided them a lot of… privacy, let’s say… to explore their relationship. ;)
Q: Which of your characters is most like you? Least like you? And why?
A: My boyfriend would say that Sacha practically is me, in some ways. We’ve had several conversations about how similarly she and I look at relationships, and how we trust and allow people into our lives. But in every way I am Sacha, he is Javier. Thankfully.
Q: That's so interesting! How do you choose names for your characters?
A: Actually, for this book, I held a naming contest on my blog, where I gave away a tin of Walker’s shortbread cookies to a commenter, just to lure people in. J Javier and Raul were the top contenders, and I really was rooting for Raul, but Javier was chosen. So I ended up naming another character Raul, and he became my favorite.
Q: That's an innovative idea. Please tell us about your favorite character in the book.
A: Actually, Raul (the bad guy) is my favorite character. He just has such an overbearing personality and puts on this big show about being an alpha male, but he’s really hiding a lot of fear about his wife and son who are being held hostage by the Empire. So he’s got this whole side that you don’t really see in the book, until the end. But I know it’s there the whole time and I find myself laughing at him, because he tries so hard to cover up any sign that he cares about anything, when really, he cares more about his son than anything else in the world. I love him, and I can’t wait to see what happens later in the series, if he’s part of it.
Q: I'm hoping he is a villain who could turn into a hero. :) What do you wish you’d known before becoming published?
A: I wish I had known that you should really focus your career. Right now, I have five series worth of books in the air, and I can’t start any new projects until those are finished. It’s going to take me years to get through all the writing, and while I love it, it makes my time really precious. I definitely would have decided differently a year ago if I’d known where I would be today, I think.
Q: That's a lot of series! Would you like to ask readers a question?
A: Definitely! As a reader (whether you’re an author or not), do you prefer to have an author write in just one genre? Or do you want to see them write in lots of different sub-genres? Does it bother you when you hear an author has a book out, but it’s not one you’d necessarily read?
Good question. Would you like to tell readers about your amazing giveaway?
I have a huge release party giveaway, where every comment on this post enters you to win an e-reader and two different packages of reading materials. Some of my books will be in the packages, along with some other writers you might know. Check out my website for more information!
Thanks so much for having me! I do love to guest on Fierce Romance!
Thanks so much for being our guest! We love it when you visit! Everyone, remember to leave a comment along with your email address. Find Camryn on the web:

Sharing My Joy!

My daughter and her husband have been married for nearly five years. And have been struggling with infertility for most of that time. It's been heartbreaking watching them wait month after month, go through tests and procedures, have their hopes raised and then dashed. So many of their friends are having babies, and while they celebrate with their friends...it's been very hard for them.

And as a mom, it's been especially difficult to watch my child go through this, wishing there was something I could do for her. Knowing that all I can do is be there for her, to hold her when she cries and try to boost her spirits. To listen and share her hopes and disappointments.

I just wanted to give you a little background so you will know how truly joyful is was when our daughter asked us on Friday, "Are you ready to be grandparents???" OMG! The second IUI procedure that they thought didn't work?? Surprise! She only took the pregnancy test because she was feeling so lousy she wanted to rule it out before she went to the doctor to see what was wrong. She's so happy and she's feeling like crap! LOL Morning sickness all day long. Poor thing. Doesn't it figure?


So there will be a new baby before Christmas. I think I better increase my Christmas shopping budget. I have a feeling I just might go overboard this year!

Natasha
www.natashamoore.com

In Need of Inspiration

So I’m in a bit of a pickle. I’m 20k into my new WIP and I still don’t have an image for the background on my laptop for inspiration. That NEVER happens. When I was writing the first book in my MMA series almost three and half years ago, George St. Pierre greeted me every morning.

Who wouldn’t want to open their computer to that every morning?

When I was writing Defying Convention, Luke was none other than:

Yes, Hugh Jackman as Wolverine. I love Wolverine.

When I was writing my paranormal that I have yet to send out into the world, McArmy was a perfect model for my Aidan.

I have a major soft spot for a red-head.

And the second book in that paranormal series already has a super inspiring muse.

Thor, anyone?

My background is lonely. It’s so sad to have 20k written in this story without an inspiring picture to look at each morning. So here’s a bit about Tommy ‘Lightning’ Sparks, my next MMA fighter. He’s tall, muscular and...blonde. I don't write very many blondes. Nothing against them, I just happen to be a more dark-haired, light eyes sort of girl. Maybe this is why I'm having a hard time finding the right image.

So I’ve done some searching for the perfect Tommy tonight. Here's what I've come up with.

There is always one of the most popular blondes out there:

Then I came across Josh Lucas. He's got gorgeous eyes. Just freaking gorgeous.

And, I can’t forget Ryan Reynolds. (After this picture, I think I’ve made my decision:)) Umm... hello!!

What’s your vote?

Esme

A Spring Garden

Spring has come early to most of the country. I thought I would share some photos of flowers from my garden.
Ajuga and ivy groundcovers (and a spider.)

Primrose


Lenten Rose from earlier in the spring

Bluebells and Hostas

Trillium

Primrose

Yellow primrose and fern fiddleheads

Primrose

Tulips
Thanks for checking out my garden photos! Do you like to garden? What is your favorite flower?

Vonda

Looking for Computer Suggestions

I've had my Toshiba laptop for six years and the old girl has been very good to me. When I bought this computer I hadn't even signed my first contract yet. I've written most of my releases on this keyboard. Set up my website, communicated with readers and editors and other writers with this computer. But it's starting to let me down.

So before it totally crashes and dies, I need to start shopping for a new laptop. There are so many choices out there that it's easy to be overwhelmed. And besides the many brands of PCs, there is the on-going Mac vs PC debate.

I know what I want. First and foremost I need to write on it. But while I'm writing, I like to have Twitter open. And listen to music on Pandora. And run focusbooster, so I don't get sucked into the internet for too long. And while doing all this, I don't want the computer to slow down to a crawl. Am I asking too much?

So readers, I'm asking for your help. Do you love your computer? What models should I be looking at? Help!

Natasha
PLAYTHING - Coming May 8th
BIRTHDAY GIRL
RISK IT
FLAUNT IT
www.natashamoore.com