Blogiversay Day #7 with Gina Gordon & Giveaway

It's the last day celebrating Cecile's Blogiversary. And we have Gina Gordon here closing out the event.

Please give Gina a warm smutty welcome :)

How I met Smutty Hussy Cecile

Picture it—I was a brand new author. So green that I could even give Kermit the Frog a run for his money. I was nervous, overwhelmed, and wanted desperately for readers to like my work.

And then one day, out of the blue, this super-excited girl name Cecile e-mailed me, going on and on (really, it was a rant J) about how much she loved my work. I read it again. Then again. Each time shaking my head. Who was this insane woman? She had to be wrong. Is there another Gina Gordon out there?  Why the hell was she e-mailing me?

Elaine: **jumps up and down waving hands in the air** Me too, me too...I read it along with Cecile. She told me she was going to email you. I encouraged her to tell you how much she loved the book, but not the crazy ranting insane part, that's all on her **innocent face** ;)

But she was right, and I will be forever grateful that she took the time to give this author a sign. That was the day I realized that maybe, someday, this career might work out for me. That was also the day I made a true friend.

Cecile is sweet, generous, supportive, and despite the fact that we lives thousands of miles from each other, if I need her, I know she’s only a Facetime away. And don’t even get me started on that Louisiana drawl. I was confused as hell the day she told me she was going to send me some pecorn pie. Oh, pecan. And she thinks I talk funny? J

So, thank you Cecile, my beloved Smutty Hussy, for lending your ear and offering your friendship. My journey through this daunting world of romance writing would not have been the same without you.

A Taste of Trouble

When Liv Crawford decided to pursue her dream of owning her own bakery, it was no surprise that she forgot to add “maintaining a serious relationship” to her business plan. Not when she believes a cupcake can fix anything, even loneliness.
Jake Miller isn’t concerned about being lonely. He’s cast aside his playboy lifestyle to pursue something more meaningful, his passion for photography. So, when his boss asks him to pursue a beautiful woman and coerce her to his office for a disguised meeting—no matter what it takes—in exchange for the opportunity to turn his hobby into a career, he jumps at the chance. At first sight, Liv awakens his long-buried desire for commitment, but his secret mission could ruin his hopes of keeping her.
Despite Liv’s commitment to swear off relationships to run her bakery, Jake quickly becomes her number one distraction. Yet, even her misgivings can’t tame the heat as they straddle the line between love and ambition.

When her dream of becoming a mafia princess didn’t pan out, Gina Gordon went after her second dream…becoming a writer. And she hasn’t looked back.

Gina, a self-proclaimed happily ever after junkie and cupcake connoisseuse, loves spinning contemporary tales of knee bending first kisses, unconditional love and super-hot sex. She broke out onto the romance scene with her #1 Amazon Bestselling erotic short story Her Five Favorite Words that’s been called a “deliciously naughty tale” by Joyfully Reviewed.

When not chained to her computer, you can find Gina sipping Starbucks, making cupcakes or feeding her addiction to celebrity gossip. She lives in Milton, Ontario with her husband and lovable dog.

Find Gina here:

 Website
Facebook
Twitter



Thank you Gina for helping celebrate Cecile's 4th Blogiversary!!

I also want to thank everyone that has come by to comment and helped Celebrate with Cecile.


And to Cecile,
We met not long after you started your blog. And I am so greatful we did. (We actually started talking after Leontine started her beefcake parties..TY Leontine)  We found out we had so much in common. You are sweet, funny and patient and put up with my crazies ;) You are my southern sister. Love you and hugs.

Happy Smutty Blogiversary.

**Sorry Gina for highjacking your post**

Gina has offered a copy of A Taste of Trouble to a commenter here at Cecile's blog.

Just fill out the rafflecopter form

All Blogiversary giveaways end April 6

Please leave your email address with your comment

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Gina also has a Tour Wide Giveaway. To enter that seperate giveaway fill out this rafflecopter form below

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And remember... Always keep it Dirty, Smutty & Hussy!

Blogiversary Day #6 with L.A. Witt & Riptide Publishing Giveaway

Today we have L.A Witt here with an interview and spotlighting her Market Garden books which she co-wrote with Aleksandr Voinov.

 

Riptide Publishing has offered a fantastic giveaway. There will be 3 $10 Gift Certificates. How cool is that.
 

 

What was the very first romance novel you read? What did you think? – I don’t remember the title, but it was this really godawful historical I found on my grandmother’s bookshelf. I think I was 10 or 11, and all I really remember was wishing the heroine would either throw the hero overboard with a cinder block tied to his foot. Or tie the cinder block to her own foot and jump. Either way.  Great first impression, that book was.

 

Do you believe in Happily Ever After? – Sure. I believe I’ve found mine. I also believe we’re sometimes given the false impression that HEA means it’s smooth sailing from here on out. You found your soulmate, so the work is done. Not so much. Relationships are a lot of work. Is that a bad thing? Of course not. A HEA relationship is worth the effort it takes to keep it that way.

 

What would you do if you weren’t an author? – I’d probably still be a cubicle drone, which means I would have lost my mind by now. Nine years of that was enough.

 

Have you read any great books lately? – I’m admittedly on a bit of an Aleksandr Voinov kick. I’m re-reading Dark Soul, I’ve read Skybound more times than I can count, and I just read Counterpunch. I’m also reading Santuario by GB Gordon, which I probably would have finished on my vacation if I’d actually remembered to put it in my bag.  *facepalm*  Great story, I’m just taking an abysmally long time to read it because I’m a scatterbrained nitwit.

 

Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination? – I use photos (sometimes celebrities, sometimes not) to give myself a visual of each character, but the character’s personality evolves independently of the person in the photo. i.e., I might use an actor with a certain set of quirks, but the character will develop completely different ones.

 

Can you tell us a little about your latest release? – My latest is called Covet Thy Neighbor. This is book #4 in the Tucker Springs series, and is available from Riptide Publishing. In it, Seth, my staunch atheist tattoo artist, suddenly finds himself enthralled with his neighbor, a youth pastor named Darren. Seth has to struggle with his hang-ups regarding religion, and he might want to figure it out before he pushes Darren away forever.

Tucker Springs is a series set in a fictional Colorado town of the same name, and I’m writing that series along with Heidi Cullinan and Marie Sexton. Marie’s book, Never A Hero, will be out in May.

 

How do you come up with your book titles? – It really depends on the book. Sometimes the title comes first, and the story evolves from that, like The Princess & The Porn Star and Damaged Goods (both written as Lauren Gallagher) and A Chip In His Shoulder. Other times, it comes to me while I’m brainstorming the story, like Static and The Given & The Taken. Friends have helped with some, others have come from prequels (i.e., The Distance Between Us segued nicely into The Closer You Get and the upcoming third book, Meet Me In The Middle). If I’m really struggling, I’ll go and look up a bunch of quotes with a similar theme, and see if I can find a cool phrase. That was how Who Compels My Strength and To Know The Enemy got their titles (hat tip to Aleksandr Voinov for finding the quote that led to the latter one).

 

Have you ever named a character in your book after someone you knew? – Nope. Never. *shifty eyes*

 

Do you have a writing tip to share with our readers? – Beware the monster that is burnout. Think of it like staying hydrated during a marathon: by the time you feel thirsty, you’re already dehydrated. Pace yourself, take breaks, don’t over-commit, and know the signs of burnout before you actually hit the wall.

 

What does your family think of you writing erotic romance? – My family is very supportive. They’ve always been supportive of my writing, but I don’t think anyone expected me of all people to be writing romance. Erotica, yes. They all know I worked for a porn company a few years ago, so that part didn’t surprise them in the least. Romance, though? That came out of left field. Gay romance? Even more so.  But no one’s ever given me any grief for it aside from some good-natured ribbing.

 

What would you tell a reader reluctant to read erotica? – Try it, you might like it!

 

Quickie Time

 

You’re granted 3 wishes, what would they be?  Does each member of 30 Seconds to Mars count as an individual wish, or...

 

What’s your motto?  Shut up and write.

 

What’s your guilty pleasure? Really godawful music.

 

What are you hiding in your night stand? ;-)  Cat treats. 

 

Handcuffs or silk ties?  Handcuffs wielded by someone in a silk tie.

 

Hairy chests or smooth? Depends on the chest.

 

Sexiest feature on a man?  Shoulders. OM NOM NOM.

 

Favorite dirty word? :-) Fuck, of course.

 

Night owl or early bird? Night owl

 

What’s the last thing you Googled? Airfare to London.

 

What’s in your TBR pile? OMG, what isn't in my TBR pile?

 

Favorite tv show? Burn Notice and The Big Bang Theory.

 

Favorite color? Green

 

Left or right handed? Left-handed for writing, right-handed for can openers and scissors, ambidextrous for everything else.

 

Best Anniversary gift you ever got?  Three weeks in London!

 

L.A. Witt is an abnormal M/M romance writer currently living in the glamorous and ultra-futuristic metropolis of Omaha, Nebraska, with her husband, two cats, and a disembodied penguin brain that communicates with her telepathically. In addition to writing smut and disturbing the locals, L.A. is said to be working with the US government to perfect a genetic modification that will allow humans to survive indefinitely on Corn Pops and beef jerky. This is all a cover, though, as her primary leisure activity is hunting down her arch nemesis, erotica author Lauren Gallagher, who is also said to be lurking somewhere in Omaha.

 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GallagherWitt

Website: http://www.loriawitt.com

Blog: http://gallagherwitt.blogspot.com

Market Garden Series

Book 1 - Quid Pro Quo

 

For the past six months, Jared’s been selling sex at Market Garden, a London club that caters to the better-off. But business is slow in the run-up to Christmas, when businessmen and bankers are too busy bickering over bonuses to rent themselves a little high-class action.
Though Jared’s wallet finds the downtime unnerving, the rest of him rather enjoys the opportunity it gives him to admire Tristan, an old hand in the club whose reputation usually sees him well-booked. Jared has been crushing on Tristan for months—he’s no more immune to Tristan’s cockiness and confidence than the johns, and those are just Tristan’s inner qualities.
Just as Jared’s about to chat Tristan up, a businessman asks for something a little different: he wants to book them both. They agree—and Jared finds himself going from crush to mind-bending lust as he’s made the pawn in a sexual power game. Tristan shows him how a pro handles a john while delivering the top-shelf sex for which the Market Garden is so rightly renowned.

 

 

 

Book 2 - Take It Off (A Market Garden Tale)

 

Turnabout is foreplay.

High-end Market Garden rentboys Tristan and Jared have found their niche. Men are willing to pay good money to watch Tristan tease Jared, and the two of them seduce London’s elite with sex and power games.

Except Tristan is less and less interested in getting money out of the johns these days. He wants his partner in crime, and he wants the seduction to be real. But is Jared just in this for the pay?
When Rolex, the john who started it all, returns to Market Garden, the boys jump on the opportunity to service him—and each other—for a fresh pile of cash. Rolex isn’t the only one itching for a rematch, though. Jared’s been waiting for a chance to get back at Tristan for teasing him so mercilessly the first time.
And for a former stripper, revenge is a dish best served extra hot.

 

Book 3 - If It Flies (A Market Garden Tale)

 

 

If it flies, drives, or fornicates, it’s cheaper to rent it.

Spencer is in a rut. Long hours at the law firm are sucking the life out of him, and he doesn’t have time or energy for a relationship. He’s lonely, horny, and itching for something new, so he tries the Market Garden, an exclusive—and expensive—brothel. Spencer isn’t in the door five minutes before a cocky rentboy makes his move.

Nick isn’t just any rentboy, though. He’s a Dom, he’s a sadist, and he’s everything Spencer didn’t know he was missing. One night turns into more, and before long, Spencer is one of Nick’s regular clients.

Both men think they’re just scratching each other’s backs: Spencer’s exploring a submissive, masochistic side he never knew he had, and Nick is getting off and getting paid. But as time goes on, it’s clear their strictly professional arrangement . . . isn’t, and if Nick has one hard limit, it’s that he doesn’t get romantically entangled with his johns. The problem is, while Nick doesn't want to be owned, Spencer’s no longer content with just renting.

 

 

Link to Market Garden series at Riptide Publishing

Thank you L.A. for coming over and helping celebrate Cecile's Blogiversary!!
 

 

 

 

3 winners - each will receive a $10 GC to Riptide Publishing

 

Thank you Stephanie from Riptide for offering these great prizes.

 

Just fill out the rafflecopter below

All Blogiversary Giveaways end April 6

 

 

 

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And remember... Always keep it Dirty, Smutty & Hussy!

Blogiversary Day #5 with Cristal Ryder-Interview & Giveaway

Today we have the fantasic Cristal Ryder here to help celebrate Cecile's Blogiversary. 

Welcome Cristal

Tell us what you’ve been up to since the last time you were here?

It's been crazy busy, in both my writing and personal world. A few new releases and a couple vacay's. Since Christmas it's been hard to settle down and get my mind back in the game.

 
Who has been your favorite character to write and why?

Of all my stories, I have to say my favourite character is Rourke. He is my hunky hero in Being Ariana and Being Bound. He's just so naughty, sexy, alpha and I was told once he is very "shiver inducing" Maybe he's my ideal man and why I like him so much :)  But now as I think about it, Chet, my cowboy hero in Elemental Heat and Rock-Hard Heat is in a tie with Rourke.

 

What was your favorite scene to write and the toughest?

I have so many favourite scenes I couldn't pick one. But the toughest was the f/f scenes in No Fantasy Required. 

 

Can you tell us a little bit about your newest book? Can you share a never before seen snippet?

 

The newest book out is No Toys Tonight, An Adventure Twice Told from Sybarite Seductions. It's a double point of view story both the heroine and the hero's.

His deep voice filled the confined space and wrapped around her like hot honey. She glanced down, hoping to see his face. At that moment, a beam of light from somewhere across the parking lot
flashed over his face. Fiona caught her breath when her gaze met his. His mouth curved up on one side in the sexiest smile she’d ever seen. Not only did her belly liquefy in erotic heat but her heart did a little tango of its own. Then the light was gone and she was swallowed by the indigo night.

 

 

 

How do you go about picking character names? Do you have to get them just right and make sure they fit with the characters personality?  Is there any characters you found hard to name?

Yes, they have to be just right and sometimes I've changed a name a few times. The heroine in my current work in progress is called Faye, but it's not right and I know it will change. Anyone care to take a stab at a new name? I go through the alphabet and let names pop into my head. If something a little different is needed, then I'll look on the net, or baby names.

 

How do you deal with unruly characters? When they won’t cooperate and don’t do what you expected?

I let them tell me what's going to happen. I'm a pantser so I just go with the flow :)

 

If you could do a Freaky Friday (switch places) with any of your characters, who would it be and what would you do? ;-)

Jenna in Elemental Heat. Even though she has a life threatening event, she has Chet to keep her save and loved. 

 

For new readers, what book of yours would you recommend they start with and why?

Wow, tough question. It depends on what the reader likes. I have bdsm, cowboy, menage, sex club, romance with lotsa hot sex.

 

Do you have any little rituals you do before or during your writing process?

Nope. Sit down and write.

 

What type of scene is your favorite to write? (Fight, sex, making up..etc.)

I like to get into the character's heads and make them feel the scene, no matter which kind. I do like first meeting scenes too. They can be really fun.

 

If you could go back and give yourself advice prior to being published, what would it be?

I wish I had got my act in gear so long ago! Like about 30 years ago when I asked for Harlequin's writing guidelines. I didn't fully understand them and they scared me off. I so regret that. So, to you authors out there. If you want it, go for it. Don't let anything hold you back or scare you off.

 

What’s the weirdest thing you got inspiration from?

I have a time travel story that is homeless. The inspiration for it came from a visit to Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario and an old battlement. A creepy dark tunnel through a berm gave me the post-apocalyptic idea.

 

Do you have a favorite cover? Which one and why is it your favorite?

I think my all time favorite is Being Ariana, the old cover. It was sexy.

 

What’s coming up in the future?

 Well, a very important story for me to tell is my dad's WWII experiences. He has made notes and I've gone through them with him, but there is still a lot more I would like to get clarified. I'm starting to see the film in my head which is a good step toward the story telling.

 

What do you hope readers take away after reading one of your books?

 Enjoyment. I hope that they were able to escape for a little while from the real world.

 

What’s the last line you wrote from your current WIP?

A delightful buzz whispered through her blood and she rested back, her head turned to gaze across the dark waves. 

 

 For Fun

 Take this quiz and let us know the results

What Kind of Sexy Girl Are You?

http://www.blogthings.com/whatkindofsexygirlareyouquiz/

 

 LOL, love it. I'm Bad Girl Sexy

Girl, you are nothing but trouble. And that's hot.
You've got the classic bad girl sexiness mojo going on.
And your badass attitude makes men fear you - and crave you.
Don't give into people who say to tone it down. You're perfect as is.

 

 

Quickie Time

 

What’s your motto? Why wait until tomorrow when you can do it today

 

What’s your guilty pleasure? french fries

 

What are you hiding in your night stand? ;-)  toys

 

Handcuffs or silk ties? Ties

 

Hairy chests or smooth? Hairy

Sexiest feature on a man? legs and butt

 

Boxers, Briefs or Commando?  briefs and commando

 

Top or Bottom?  top, definitely

 

Pj’s or nude?  Nude

 

Night owl or early bird?  night owl

 

What’s the last thing you Googled?  DABWAHA

 

Favorite book? A Rose In Winter

 

What are you reading right now? Blaze book

 

Favorite tv show?  pretty much anything sci fi

 

Favorite color?  Turquoise

 

Left or right handed?  right 

 

Best Anniversary gift you ever got?  never got one

 

3 words you’d use to describe Cecile? (it is her blogiversary after all) - naughty, fun, sweet

 

Where can your fans find you?

You can find me at:

www.cristalryder.com

https://twitter.com/#!/CristalRyder

The Cabal of Hotness

https://www.facebook.com/cristal.ryderauthor

Ellora’s Cave

All Romance ebooks

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Goodreads

Sybarite Seductions

Lyrical Press

Is there anything else you like to add?

I'm thrilled to be asked to celebrate Cecile's blogiversary! thanks so much.  I hope she's able to get to Atlanta this summer so we can meet in person :)

 

 

About Cristal

Part of this journey to becoming a published author is learning to share things about myself. I think it’s harder than writing! I’ve loved telling stories for most of my life and to create worlds I could escape into, living life as my characters do.
The first romance novel I read was at age twelve. I woke up Christmas morning to find Taylor Caldwell’s Ceremony of the Innocent in my stocking.  I devoured it and my passion for reading began, followed on its heels by a longing to write.
Everyone has moments in their life that test them and I’m no different. Here I am today living my dream of becoming a published author and ready to experience all life has to offer. I hope you look for me at Ellora’s Cave, Sybarite Seductions and Lyrical Press.
I hope I can tempt and carry you along on a journey of passion to vivid locations with squirm in your seat plots and characters that will come to life for you, so you too can escape into another world.
When I’m not writing or the ideas are not percolating around in my head, I love to travel, spend time on a patio, preferably overlooking the water with a yummy cocktail in hand or lounged in a steamy hot tub, which could include a glass of red wine. I’m a single mom of two college-aged sons, and yes, they do fly home after leaving the nest only to fly off again. I said goodbye last summer to my faithful old Chocolate Lab, Mollie. So now my home is vacant of kids, pets and I’m wondering what to do with myself. Road trip!
I’m tucked away in a small town outside Toronto where let my ideas run rampant to build into another hot a sexy story for you.

 

 

 

 

Thank you so much Cristal for being here today.

 

 

Cristal has offered an ecopy of Hot Fusion to one lucky commenter

 

 

 

 

 

 

After fleeing her hometown years ago, Kara Sinclair has returned to breathe life back into the bakery her deceased grandmother left behind. She has a history in this town—one that involves her one true love. A boy she’d thought she’d give her life to before circumstance got in the way. She needs to focus on her task, but one look at Maxwell Stone and all the old feelings return. And it isn’t long before she can think of nothing else but reigniting the passion they once shared.
Max never understood what drove Kara away all those years ago, and once she returns to their Canadian hometown, he’s hell bent on getting her back into his life…and his bed. But when he uncovers the reason she left him behind, he must decide if he can move on from the past and trust his heart with the only woman he’s ever loved. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please fill out the Rafflecopter form below and leave your email address with your comment

 

All Blogiversary Giveaways end April 6th

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And remember... Always keep it Dirty, Smutty & Hussy!