Countdown to Christmas: 23 more sleeps...

Twas the Night Before Christmas
by Eva Scott

Buy it now
$1.99

During her Christmas Eve performance, part time Burlesque dancer Miss Ginger Snap looks out into the crowd to see her first and only love, Clay Roberts. The man who broke her heart and betrayed her. The man who caused her to flee her home town to Sydney and never look back.  Desperate to avoid him, she makes a mad dash for the last train back to her home town in time for Christmas.

For Clay time stands still as he recognises the dancer. He’s certain it’s Jessica King. She ran out on him at their high school graduation and he’s been searching for her ever since. After missing her train, Clay convinces Jessica to travel home with him.

Can Clay convince his one true love to give him the opportunity to atone and a second chance? Can Jess risk being hurt again by the man she loved?

Click here to buy it now in choice of digital formats
$1.99

More about Eva Scott:  http://www.evascottromance.com/

Enter giveaway!

Excerpt...

Miss Ginger Snap presented a vision of retro loveliness. Her auburn hair swept down over one eye in a seductive wave like a fifties Hollywood starlet. He froze, every inch of his body on alert as she sashayed across the stage. Her figure reminded him of the shape of a flamenco guitar, with her long legs and luscious hips, all curves a man just itched to get his hands on.

He watched, spellbound, as she let her evening gown slip from her shoulders, spinning around to slowly release the zipper at the back. She shot the audience a saucy wink and, with a wiggle perfectly timed to the music, allowed the dress to fall to the floor.

Stepping daintily out of it to reveal nothing more than a merry widow corset and a suspender belt, she sent Clay’s pulse through the roof. His empty glass slipped through his fingers unnoticed to bang down hard on the table. Something about this girl rang a bell deep within his memory; something about the way she moved seemed so familiar to him. He racked his brain but he couldn’t put a finger on it, not with the rest of his body busy staging a revolt.

Slowly she unfastened one stocking and peeled it off, spun it around and threw it into the audience, followed by the other, turning to reveal a pert bottom encased in deliciously frilly knickers. His body leapt in response. His imagination worked overtime imagining what delights lay beneath her scanty lingerie.

Obliging his unspoken wishes, she unclasped her corset to reveal her toned stomach, inspiring a vision of him kissing every inch of her soft velvety skin, his lips exploring her secret places. He groaned involuntarily as she threw the corset away with an impossibly elegant flick of her wrist, performing a little shimmy in her bra and knickers, and blowing the audience a kiss. Clay stood as still as stone for fear someone might notice his burgeoning reaction to the vision on stage.

His heart threatened to stop when she removed her bra only to reveal a little sparkly bandeau beneath, just barely preserving her modesty. As she danced around the enormous candy cane prop in the middle of the stage she shimmied and wiggled out of her frilly knickers, exposing the smallest sparkly g-string he’d ever seen. She took his breath away. He hadn’t felt this overheated since high school! And then, right at that moment, she looked directly at him and winked. The blood rushed from his face to pool in his feet, the erection he’d been hiding disappeared in an instant. He did know Miss Ginger Snap. How could he have missed the obvious? It was Jessica! His Jessica.

Click here to buy it now in choice of digital formats
$1.99

Enter giveaway!

Countdown to Christmas: 24 more sleeps...

Enter giveaway

I am very excited to launch my Countdown to Christmas blog event - although I admit I am cutting it a bit close to get it launched on the first of the month!

Anyway, to help get you in the Christmas spirit, I will be featuring a different Christmas-themed book every day, right through from the 1st of December until Christmas Eve so remember to keep popping back to see what's on offer.

Why?

Well, you see... it wouldn't really be Christmas is there were no presents, would it now? And the bigger the better really!

So, seeing as it's Christmas, I am offering a monster giveaway that even Santa would be proud of. Many of the books featured over the coming days will be added to a bumper prize bundle, and one lucky winner - maybe even you - will be walking away with the lot! (As of this moment, there are nine books in the bundle with more expected!)

All of the details, including the terms and conditions as well as a nifty little advent calendar(!) can be found on my website. You can enter the giveaway contest there, but for ease, I have also created a tab here on my blog with an entry form.

Without further ado - the clock is ticking! - I am delighted to kick off proceedings by featuring my own Christmas title by other alter-ego. Christmas is Cancelled is my debut as an author, both as Allie and Aurelia, so I am very excited and cannot wait for it to be released on December 21st to share it with you. This is also the first title added to the bumper prize bundle.

Christmas is Cancelled
by Aurelia B Rowl

Pre-Order Now

As soon as Christmas is Cancelled is available for pre-order, you will be among the first to know.

All of the books featured over the coming weeks will have buy links, but I have also created an aStore on Amazon, both UK a Store and US aStore, to make buying any of these titles even easier.

I hope to see you here again tomorrow, albeit at a much more reasonable time! Whoops!!

Enter giveaway!

Blog guest: Wendy Steele

Today sees off the start of what I hope will be regular guest spots on my blog - and with places filled until January, it's looking promising. With a combination of interviews, book features, and guest posts, I'm sure there will be something for everybody to enjoy.

Kicking things off on this crisp December morning is Wendy Steele, and seeing as I like to write following the three act structure, it seemed like a good idea to treat my interviews in the same manner. And we've all heard of 'twenty questions'.

So, without further ado, I'd like to offer a warm welcome to Wendy. And don't worry about the weather, she'll soon have you warmed up, just check out her special birthday celebration offer!

ACT ONE – all about you…

1) Have you always been a writer or is it something you fell into?

My first piece was a poem aged 10, after visiting the Tutankhamen exhibition in London and, ever since, I've come home from new adventures and committed my thoughts and experiences to paper. My first piece of published (and paid!) writing was an article for the Dancing Times, after attending my first day of belly dance workshops in London, eight years ago. After attending Swanwick Writer's Summer School, I launched my career as a writer with the release of Destiny of Angels

2) Do you have a particular writing style or ritual?

I like to wake up, make a cup of tea...and write! That's a perfect day for me. My characters write my books. I know them very well and when they get together, the story flows.

3) Is there a book or an author that has influenced you in your writing?

Having a brother seven years my senior, I was surrounded by books as a child and read Brave New World, The Hobbit, Animal Farm...anything I could get my hands on! I used to walk to the library every Saturday morning and select my three books, read them in a week and be back again for more!

This year, I've been introduced to many new Indie authors and am enjoying trying new books but the author who has influenced me most at this point is Terry Pratchett. He is the master storyteller and when I want to relax and be stroked with perfect words and phrases, his are the books I turn to.

4) Can you tell us three things about yourself that we probably don’t already know?

Oooo tricky one! I learned to read music at the age of four when I learned to read words. I drive a green Subaru Forester. I'm already a lady who wears purple!

5) What five luxury items or gadgets would you hate to be without?

I think mobile phones are a brilliant invention....though I use mine for calls, texts and photos only! My laptop (bought second hand from my daughter) is my most valuable tool at the moment as I launch my writing career.

Hot water on tap is a luxury as I love an aromatherapy bath. My car, as already mentioned, is 'an oldie but goodie', fabulous in all weather and always starts first time. Dance thongs...they protect my feet when I'm spinning and help me grip so I wobble less!

6) The festive season is looming large, do you have a particular Christmas tradition that you like to indulge in? And what about New Year’s resolutions, will you be joining in the madness for 2013?

We visit the Remus Horse Sanctuary around 12th December when they hold a carol concert in the barn with the animals. We take gifts, carrots, cat food, jar of 5ps we've saved, bin liners, cold meats and sing along to a rickety old electric organ while the donkeys and dogs join in. When my children were small, this was the beginning of the festive season as we would come home and put up the tree.

We celebrate as a family at Yule now....and do it all again for the 'olds' on the 25th!

I've never been into NY resolutions...if you want to do something...do it now!

ACT TWO – all about your new release…

7) I gather you have not one, but two new releases to tell us about?

I'm launching my first non-fiction title Wendy Woo's Year – A Pocketful of Smiles – 101 ideas for a happy year and a happy you. It's a book that does exactly what it says in the title! It's packed full of ideas that I have used, or still do, to bring a smile to every day. Too Hot for Angels is a little book of six extended, sexier scenes from Destiny of Angels. Following feedback from readers, I felt this was a fun accompaniment to the Lilith Trilogy and I shall be bringing out a similar one when I launch the second book Wrath of Angels.

8) Did the stories flow from your finger tips or did some scenes take a bit of cajoling?

Most of the scenes in THFA are between Angel and Aidan and these were easy to write as they are a loving, sexy couple. I loved writing Smiles, being able to share with my readers those things that have brought happiness to my own life.

9) How long did it take for the initial spark of the story to make it onto the page and then onto the publisher’s desk?

I wrote A Pocketful of Smiles in four months as I waited for my house to sell....it still hasn't sold! Too Hot For Angels was written the moment I had the idea...I just couldn't wait to get the words onto the paper.

10) Do you have a favourite paragraph or sentence from each title that you would like to tantalize us with?

Too Hot for Angels

Fire leapt around them as they rolled around the floor and the white light around Aidan expanded until it filled the room. He felt his muscles bulking and his strength growing as he took the object of his desire and played with her like a rag doll until she screamed. His energy flooded her whole being, pouring from him like a swollen river until the storm subsided. Sated, Aidan's power diminished, the light surrounding him weakening until he rolled off Angel onto his back, panting and licking his lips.

Wendy Woo's Year – A Pocketful of Smiles – 101 ideas for a happy year and a happy you

16. Be a child again

Either alone or with friends, light a yellow candle (or white if that is what you have to hand) and take your mind back to happy, child hood memories.

One of my favourites is crabbing on the beach with my Dad. Balancing from rock to rock, we'd journey to a land of tiny islands. Once they surrounded us, we'd dip into the rock pools between, carefully turning the stones to find the crabs beneath. My Dad was an expert. He'd talk to the crabs as they emerged and he knew how to pick them up gently. Soon, other children from the beach would join us and he became the crab man, encouraging everyone to handle them carefully, study them, talk to them, take them to show their parents in their buckets but then return them to a suitable pool. I can see my Dad in his beach sandals and shorts, smell the breeze from the sea and feel the slimy seaweed beneath my feet.

Immerse yourself in childhood bliss.

Now, go be a child. Climb a tree, make a den, have a pillow fight or dance for the fun of it. Watch a favourite children's film. Enjoy the sense of fun of being a child again.

11) Over to you, what can you tell us about these books to make us rush out and buy it?

As a celebration of my fiftieth birthday, you can download all five of my books for free from 1st - 5th December. I would love for as many people as possible to download my books and explore my writing, both fiction and non-fiction. (Pssst... scroll down for buy links!)

12) What can we expect from you next? Is there something you are working on right now?

I'm writing the second book in the Lilith Trilogy, Wrath of Angels and will be focussing on this as my writing project for next year. I'm also putting together three non-fiction books for the future, A Bucketful of Moonbeams, Here comes the sun and Wendy Woo's Tummy Friendly Cook book.

QUICK FIRE ROUND – it’s pop quiz time…

13) Plotter or pantser?

I have an idea, I start writing!

14) Secret Seven or Famous Five? (please tell me you know them!?)

Famous Five

15) Digital books or print books?

I love paper books! However, I can also see the benefits and worth of digital and I've been dropping hints at home that a kindle would very much be appreciated for my birthday! The publishing industry is moving forward as the music industry did before it and I believe it is important to encourage everyone to read, whatever device they choose to use.

16) Tea or coffee?

Rooibos or green tea

17) Cats or dogs?

Cats...we have Tiggy, Olly and Rowan now after our beloved Merlin went to the Summerlands this year.

18) Extrovert or introvert?

I am an introvert but trying to embrace some extrovert qualities to raise my profile as a writer.

19) Save or spend?

Save

20) Facebook or Twitter?

Facebook...just can't get my head around twitter. I've only been online since March 2012 but I've met and made friends with some lovely people on Facebook. 

Thank you ever so much for taking part Wendy. Many happy returns for your birthday and I wish you continued success with your endeavours.

Don't forget, you can download ALL FIVE of Wendy's books between 1st - 5th December as part of her birthday celebrations. As promised, here are the links...

Buy from my Amazon aStores
UK (Amazon) or US (Amazon)

You can keep up with Wendy via her blog as well as her author pages on both Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.

If you would like to be a guest,
please CLICK HERE...

The 'Next Big Thing' blog tour

It would appear my writing "friends" - hmm! - are ganging up on me as I have been tagged by both Téa Cooper AND Zara Stoneley to take part in the 'Next Big Thing' blog tour. The idea is to copy the questions and apply them my own Work in Progress, then pass the baton over to three other authors.

Seeing as 'Allie' only ever gets to play when the heat level is too hot for 'Aurelia', there isn't really a lot happening on the new projects front. Especially with me being tied up with NaNoWriMo this month, as well as organising blog guests. At one point, I did consider writing my current work in progress, Bye Bye, Black Sheep, as Allie but I'm now ninety-percent sure it will be one for Aurelia.

I also have a very vague idea for another short story for a specific anthology being pulled together a group of in-house BP authors, but the story isn't far enough along to be able to offer any information. Instead, I shall talk about the story which is right now going through the acquisition process with Breathless Press...

• What is the title of my current work in progress?

The story is called For One Night Only and it will be featured in 'Serviced Anthology: VOL 1' with nine other stories next Spring.

• Where did the idea come from for the book?

I saw an urgent call-out for submissions by my editor, on hehalf of Breathless Press, requesting shorter stories of heat level 3 or above to feature in their Serviced anthology. Basically, it needed to involve either the military or the likes of police/paramedic/fireman etc in some way shape or form. Although the required heat level was well outside my 'comfort zone', I saw it as a good excuse to challenge myself and see if I could get over my writing hang-ups so I decided to give it a go.

• What genre does your book fall under?

Either spicy contemporary romance or I may even go so far as to describe it as erotic romance.

• What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?

Umm... this is where I confess I'm not really up on my actors.

I watch very little television - unless it's sports or children's TV - and don't tend to get to the cinema ever since the kids came along. So, I'm sorry, but I haven't got a clue. To be honest, I don't even have a mental picture of the characters in my head either, which is most unlike me.

• What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?

Kate Powell broke her own rules and fell for a soldier about to be posted abroad for a year, but then seven months in, a text arrives and she learns Corporal Mark Butler is back in the country for one night only and she isn't about to let the opportunity pass her by...

• Is your book self-published or represented by an agency?

It is in the process of being contracted by Breathless Press.

• How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?

I'm not even sure I should admit this... I actually knocked it out in just three evenings - pretty much - and thanks to my inner editor, the first draft was also the final draft bar a couple of minor tweaks.

• What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

Umm... I really do need a special clueless icon for these questions. 

Nothing I've read that I can recall but I guess it can be compared to other male/female contemporary military-themed romances, such as those which will appear in the anthology alongside For One Night Only, as well as anthologies available from other publishers, like Secret Cravings.

• Who or what inspired you to write this book?

Another one I maybe shouldn't admit to! What's with these questions, am I not allowed any secrets?

Okay... For One Night Only is very - and I mean VERY! - loosely based on a personal experience. Many years ago, I was dating a soldier who was posted overseas. One Saturday night, I got a call out of the blue inviting me to join him in London to go to an all-night rave (yes, it really was that long ago). I jumped on the next train and met him at Waterloo Station before making our way to a nightclub called Bagleys, which isn't even there anymore, to dance the night away. But that is where the similarity ends! Oh, except for the killer high heels, but I don't remember being offered any piggy-backs. Hmm...

• What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

See my last comment! 

With the story being based on a real-life experience, I can now imagine my friends and followers wondering exactly which bits are real, and which are pure fiction.

Oh, and my Editor told me she loves the vibrator scene. (Can I stop blushing yet?)


And there we have it. It's been fun sharing a little insight into my debut story writing as Allie. If all goes to plan, 'Serviced Anthology: VOL 1' should be available from Breathless Press from March 8th 2013. It will feature nine other stories, ranging from historical to present day, written by some incredible authors.

In order to see what some of my writer friends are doing, I’m going to tag Millie Romano, Ali Hunter and Incy Black. Let's see what you've got ;-)

Facebook Fail

I've already blogged about this on my Aurelia blog so I won't go repeating myself - you can read it here

Aurelia's blog post

In short, I am easing off Facebook and concentrating more on Twitter (@AllieABurrow) and Google+ (Allie A Burrow); I hope to see you there.

I have news!

You'll need to head over to my website and read my newsflash to find out more, here's the link.

And here's a clue ;o)

Image courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net

Tagged: The Look Challenge

I have been tagged by Gayl Taylor in the Look Challenge; the brief is to find the LOOKs in your current WIPs and post the paragraphs around the word. Choose your favorite THREE, because everyone has to have at least three, in your WIP to post then share with five author friends.

Pinched from Dianne Hartsock LOL

As I've already completed one version of the Challenge as Aurelia B Rowl, I've delegated the next 2 to Allie ;o) I'm only 700-odd words into my current WIP so will have to duck into the WIP I submitted at the weekend too...

#1 Their Last Goodbye (by Aurelia B Rowl)

Follow link to read Aurelia's Look Challenge

#2 Bye Bye, Black Sheep

Of all the stunts she’d pulled over the years, this one had to be the dumbest.

Euphemia Carrington-Faulkes kept her eyes closed and her head down as she waited inside the plush vault of books, collected over several generations. Being summoned to the library did not bode well. Nor did the nauseated churning sensation in her stomach, threatening to overflow and make a bid for freedom.

Footsteps approached, setting firecrackers off with rapturous vigor inside her brain and her pulse spiked. Was it time to face the music already? No, the footsteps were wrong, too soft… A cool hand pressed against her clammy forehead, bringing blessed relief. “You look positively green, Mia, have you taken anything for the headache?”

She shook her head and regretted it instantly as kettle drums bounced and rolled inside her brain whilst flashes and sparks danced behind her eyelids. At least there was a bathroom just next door if she ended up having to make a run for it.

The hand belonging to the equally soothing voice moved to rest her on the shoulder. “You sit tight, I’ll be right back.”

Mia coughed but it did little to clear the razor blades squatting in her throat. “Thanks, Ginny,” she croaked, peeling her eyelids apart in order to see the housekeeper. The dappled sunlight tiptoeing through the voiles might as well have been a spotlight shining on her face and she quickly shut them again. “You’re a star.”

#3 For One Night Only

An inferno raged between her legs, total sensory overload, if she didn't have him soon she was going to melt. Scratch that. She couldn't wait a minute longer. Casting her gaze around the room, she snatched hold of his hand and tried to drag him off the crowded dance floor. His eyebrows raised in question. "Come with me," she said, dodging between their fellow dancers.

Whether it was the look in her eyes or because her double meaning wasn't lost on him, he took the lead. He cleared a path far more effectively, his stature and body language screaming 'get out of my way' and he looked more than prepared to knock anyone over who happened to get in their way.

He halted at the edge and she pointed to the alcove, it grew more inviting by the second as he went all 'tough guy' on her. He nodded and almost yanked her arm out of its socket in his haste to get there.

Safely enveloped in the darkness, the bass pounded through the soles of her boots and echoed inside her ribs. She lunged and caught his face in her hands, pulling him down to kiss him, her tongue forcing a route past his surprised lips and delving into the wetness of his mouth. "Take me," she breathed. Her hand stole over the carved ridges of his stomach, following the arrow-shaped path down to wear it disappeared into his jeans. "Please…"

His mouth opened and closed and he glanced over his shoulder at the heaving dance floor. "But—"

And I tag...

Shelli Rosewarne, Mina Carter, Avis Exley, Incy Black, and Niecey Roy

Come on then, let's see what you've got LOL...