New Cover Goodness - Candyman

Once again, the amazing cover goddess, Syneca, has smiled down upon me. OMG! The cover for Candyman is purrrfect! Exactly what I imagined with the heroine reflected in the glass. Classy, hot, sexy...YUMALICIOUS. And the hero...rawr! Love those eyes. He's dark and gorgeous and...WOW! I'm in LOVE with this cover!

Candyman
Coming January 28, 2009 from Ellora’s Cave Publishing
Vampire

Elisa Wilde’s recurrent dreams transcend time and place. Dreams so real they seem to be actual memories of a bygone era. Driven to unravel the mystery and reclaim her life, she’s drawn into an amazing adventure—the search for another woman’s lover.

In a tragic twist of fate, Michael Claret lost his truelove. He has waited decades for her return, but getting her back is only a small part of the battle. Edie has changed, evolved into a different woman. Not only will Michael have to once again win her heart, he must also gain her acceptance of his true nature. And to keep her requires she make a huge leap of faith by completing the mating bond—a sharing of blood binding them together for eternity.

Fate is a cruel mistress who will not be cheated or denied. To make the most of their second chance, Michael and Lis must alter the path chosen for them, and rewrite their love story or be lost to each other forever.

True Beauty

What is beautiful? It’s rather hard to pin down a definitive answer as beauty means something different to each individual and each culture.

According to dictionary.com:

–adjective
1. having beauty; having qualities that give great pleasure or satisfaction to see, hear, think about, etc.; delighting the senses or mind: a beautiful dress; a beautiful speech.

2. excellent of its kind: a beautiful putt on the seventh hole; The chef served us a beautiful roast of beef.

3. wonderful; very pleasing or satisfying.

–noun
4. the concept of beauty (usually prec. by the).

5. (used with a plural verb ) beautiful things or people collectively (usually prec. by the): the good and the beautiful.

6. the ideal of beauty (usually prec. by the): to strive to attain the beautiful.

–interjection
7. wonderful; fantastic: You got two front-row seats? Beautiful!

8. extraordinary; incredible: used ironically: Your car broke down in the middle of the freeway? Beautiful!

Culture has a great impact on our definition of beauty. In Brazil, France and here in the US, we are inundated with advertisements showing off the thin, beautiful people with their supposedly perfect bodies. When asked, most men in these countries will describe Barbie when defining beauty—large breasts, tiny waists and mile-long legs. Get real! The models in the ads have had a team of pros working them over to make them look picture perfect. The photos are touched-up and air-brushed to exemplify an unattainable image of beauty.

The ads make me want to run to the nearest plastic surgeon for an entire body overhaul. I have fought the battle of the bulge my whole life. Swimsuit model skinny is not physically possible for me. I will never be below a size 8 on bottom due to my wide pelvic bones, and even if I had my breasts surgically removed, I’d still be a size 10 on top because of my broad ribcage. Even when I was in the military and in excellent shape, I was still a size 10. And you know what, that’s all right. Personally, I think being curvy and healthy is a lot more attractive then looking stick-thin and starved.

Guess what? Without all that makeup and team of pros even movie stars lose their shine. Want proof, just look at Sharon Stone without all the glitz and glamour.

Throughout history and in many non-Western cultures, large women are considered desirable as they are seen socially as having wealth. Obesity is viewed with admiration in many countries, including Africa, where fat women are thought to be more sexually desirable. Being fat is seen as a sign of fertility, strength and prosperity. Women are actually fattened up before marriage.

Hmm…I may need to relocate. LOL!

Most of us have known someone who seemed pretty average or not that attractive upon first meeting. But then you get to know that person and they grow on you. What's happened is you've stopped judging by the outer appearance and seen that persons inner beauty. Then average Joe isn't quite so average anymore.

We are so superficial that we tend to judge beauty more by the outward appearance than what’s on the inside. IMHO, truly beautiful people are the ones who have beautiful souls. So don’t stress over your weight or what you perceive as your flaws unless they’re causing health problems. Be beautiful on the inside and it will outshine everything else.

Have a Little Faith in Me - Available Today!

Have a Little Faith in Me, a stand-alone book in The Hussies series, is now available from Ellora’s Cave Publishing. I can think of no better way to spend Black Friday than safe and sound at home with a good book.

Genre: Paranormal/Interracial

Blurb:
Believing in the paranormal is no stretch for healthcare worker Andreana Costas. She’s used to dealing with things most people won’t admit exist. But convincing a man of science to have faith in her intuition—impossible. Andi has no choice. A mystical warrior assigned her a mission that will have a profound impact on all mankind. Success requires big personal sacrifices, like the career she loves and the hunky doc she desires.

Helping trauma surgeon Darius Raines race to the rescue and save the world just in the nick of time is going to require all the bravery and strength she can muster. That, along with some duct tape, several silk ties and a nice firm bed.

Excerpt:
*Nicole Austin’s books are intended for those readers 18 years old or older. If you are under 18, please click here.*

When the light changed, she drove to his middle-class family neighborhood. Kids gathered on one corner to wait for the school bus. Adults walked dogs, pushed strollers and collected the newspaper from green lawns.

She watched the house numbers for the address the doc had written down, and stopped in front of a modest ranch-style house with an average sedan parked in the driveway. Andi scratched her head and figured she must be on the wrong street. Every doctor she knew drove exotic cars and lived in big, expensive homes.

Prepared to pull away, she felt her jaw drop when the door opened. Dr. Raines stepped outside, cup of coffee in hand, and waved to a neighbor. As he bent to pick up the newspaper their eyes met. With the most devastating smile stretching across his sexy lips, he headed toward her car.

A legion of butterflies started salsa dancing in her belly. “Oh crap. He’s perfect…and you’re screwed.” Raise the white flag and toss in the towel. Like it or not, Darius Raines owned her heart.

He stopped at her door, bent down and arched his brow. “Plan on sitting in your car all day or would you like to come inside?”

Before she had the chance to work up a protest, he opened the car door and extended a hand. She reacted without thought, placing her trembling hand in his. Andi’s mind failed to function as he drew her in close. She melted under the heat of his dark gaze and welcoming smile. “I’m so glad you decided to come.”

She almost did, come that is, right there in his front yard with all the neighbors watching. As his head lowered she took a deep breath of his clean, fresh-out-of-the-shower scent and parted her lips for his kiss. His tongue plunged, twining around hers, filling her mouth with the taste of coffee and his own unique flavor.

The world tilted on its axis. Andi grabbed hold of his thick biceps and held on tight. They were both panting by the time he pulled back and stared at her intently.

“Get inside, Andreana…now. Before I no longer care who is watching and take you right here on the hood of your car.”

Rough with urgency, his deep voice got her moving. Fast. Andi raced toward the door, not even slowing when a harsh sound of animalist need rumbled through his chest from behind her. She hurried, pushing through the door without pause. He was on her before she made it past the foyer, a strong arm wrapping around her waist and pulling her in tight.

Darius felt out of control. All his plans for romantic seduction buckled under the force of his need. To hell with cooking her breakfast, taking his time and slowly working her arousal. The woman did crazy things to his insides.

Their bodies met and his hard cock pushed between the lush cheeks of her round ass. Her muscles contracted, squeezing him tight. His jaw clenched as he fought against the hunger raging through him, screaming for him to take her. Hard. Against the closest hard surface.

He forced down the savage need, determined to at least make it to the bedroom where she’d be comfortable. He didn’t take the time to explain or reassure. Grabbing Andreana, he slung her over his shoulder and charged down the hallway, not stopping until they landed on the mattress.

“I’ve waited too damn long for this, Andreana. I can’t do slow.”

Propelled by her own lust, she pulled at his clothes. Darius took her actions as agreement and let go. He had no patience for working Andreana out of her scrubs. Instead he grabbed the material in his fists and tore the scrub top down the center. He offered up praise to the inventor of front-clasping bras when her soft breasts spilled into his waiting hands.

Any remaining restraint he may have possessed escaped as he took in the erotic contrast of the creamy white globes overflowing his dark brown hands. He brushed his thumbs over her dusky rose areolas, mesmerized as they puckered and plump nipples lifted toward him.

“So fucking beautiful,” he groaned and buried his face in her cleavage. Her back arched as he drew a pebbled tip between his lips. Darius licked, nibbled and sucked on her succulent flesh, intoxicated by her sweetness.

They both continued to work at removing the layers of clothing keeping them apart. He tasted each new section of skin he discovered, reveling in her sexy whimpers and moans. She had no choice but surrender as he made his way lower, shouldering her legs apart and diving into the pink folds of her sex. Flattening his tongue, Darius licked from the bottom of her slit to the top. He coaxed her tender flesh open, dipped the tip of his tongue into each niche, tasted everywhere, taking all the cream she gave and demanding more.

Andreana undulated beneath him, thrusting her hips, fucking his face with her pretty pussy. He slurped, drinking her in as if he’d been dying of thirst…for her. She quenched and intensified his need, taking him to a heightened state of lust beyond anything he’d ever known.

She keened as he lashed her clit with his tongue. So close. He was dying to make her come. “More, honey. Give me more. Come for me, Andreana.”

Contest - Win an ARC

Have a Little Faith in Me, my next book in The Hussies series, will be available on November 28th. WOOHOO!

In honor of the occasion, I'm giving away an ARC (Advance Readers Copy) of the book.

Winning is easy, just answer this question. What is the title of my other coming soon book?

Hint: The answer can be found on my website and my blog.

Send an email with the answer to contest@nicoleaustin.net by midnight est on Sunday, November 23rd. Make sure to put "ARC" in the subject line. The winners name will be chosen at random by an impartial party (my son).

Good luck!

Good Reads for November!

November is a great month to read and this November in particular because we have TWO new books coming out in The Hussies Series!!

On November 5th (this Wednesday folks!)Sally Painter has Fae's Gargoyle for us. Here's a little teaser for you:

Maria Jennings awakes to find a naked man in bed with her—how he got there is a blank. Her shock soon turns to panic when she recognizes gargoyle warrior Denton Prescott, the man she’s loved—and hungered for—for years. Before she can steal away, Denton, the sexiest hunk ever to draw breath is seducing her again, and it’s every bit as hot as she ever dreamed.


Scorching sex aside, Maria is a Hussy, and her reawakened desires for him threaten her mission—to save Denton. But Denton has a mission of his own—convincing Maria it takes more than the loss of gargoyle magic to stop two soul mates from falling in love. He’ll use every weapon in his erotic arsenal to prove it.

Wooo baby, I got to have me some of that action!!

And to wind up your month with some heat that won't drive up your power bill (but might drive up the winter action in your house), Nicole Austin gives us Have a Little Faith in Me. Here's a snippet to tantalise you:

Believing in the paranormal is no stretch for healthcare worker Andreana Costas. She’s used to dealing with things most people won’t admit exist, but convincing a man of science to have faith in her intuition—impossible.

Andi has no choice. A mystical warrior assigned her a mission which will have a profound impact on all mankind. Success requires big personal sacrifices, like the career she loves and the hunky doc she desires.

Helping trauma surgeon Darius Raines race to the rescue and save the world just in the nick of time is going to require all the bravery and strength she can muster.

That along with some duct tape, a few silk ties, and a nice firm bed.

Duct take, silk ties and a firm bed? I'm there baby! Can't wait to get my hands on this one.

This is Ci wishing you all a great week and daring you all to beat me to the front of the line on opening day of these great reads:)

Big hugs!!

Gettin' Naughty - Sex in Public

Why is it such a turn on? Is it the fact that sex in public is forbidden or taboo that creates the appeal?

Come on, you've read the books, you know how it happens. It may start as a little naughty touching under the table at a restaurant. Or a couple gets hot and horny from rubbing up against each other on the dance floor. Then he's whispering his desires in her ear, enticing her to be daring, push some boundaries, take a few risks.

The thrill of explicit exposure can be a heady aphrodisiac. And after all, stimulating the mind is a big part of great sex. There is definite mental titillation in the idea of getting it on in a public place. The danger of getting caught fires up the adrenaline. Thoughts of someone witnessing such intimate moments can start the heart palpitating. Senses come to life, tingling with awareness at the chance of exposure. Excitement heats the blood at the idea of such wicked behavior.

If your sex life has fallen into a rut, a little daring just might bring it back to life. But—yes there's always a but—both partners have to be into it. If the idea of discovery scares the hell out of you then it would not be fun. If thoughts of someone watching gives you hives think up a different way to spice up your sex life. Fear is not conducive to great sex!

On the other hand, if thinking about possibly being discovered while having sex in public gets your juices flowing, keep one very important thing in mind—location, location, location!

Sex where you work could get you fired. Sex in public places can get you arrested. Sex where kids could see will get your ass kicked and then thrown in prison. Heck, there are security cameras everywhere now. Like in the elevator, stairwells, alley, parking lot... Yeah, definitely think about location. Perhaps semi-public might be a better idea.

That's the problem the hero and heroine of my current WIP are facing. They can’t leave the building where they are, and it’s full of security cameras. For them to be caught messing around would not be good. But where there’s a will… *g*

When you do find the perfect spot for some hot and sexy fun, enjoy! And hey, if you feel like sharing places that have worked for you, please do. There was this time at a friend's party... um... actually, on second thought, I'm gonna keep that one to myself.

Halloween = Sex + Candy

It's almost Halloween, the perfect time of year. When else do you get to dress up as a fantasy and eat free candy 'til you tummy aches. Sex and chocolate, yeah baby!

For one day (several if you go to a few Halloween parties) we get to be someone else. Put on a sexy costume and mask, flirt with a vampire or super hero, perhaps do a bit of role playing. *G* Halloween is the best holiday ever!

Have you picked out a costume yet? Decided on a theme? There are so many possibilities for singles and couples. Perhaps a ...

Naughty schoolgirl and the principal
Geisha and samurai
Harem girl and sheik
Police woman and gangster
Angel and devil
Nun and priest
Wench and pirate
Cheerleader and quarterback
Virgin and vampire
Maiden and knight ...

I can't decided if I want to wear my cavewoman or witch costume. But I know no matter what I choose, it's going to be a blast to step outside myself for a night and be someone different!

What about you? What are you going to be for Halloween?

Some New Moves

Sex should be fun and exciting, not the same old boring thing. It's not necessary to go searching the internet for the latest in bizarre sexual practices to keep things interesting in the bedroom, just adding a new twist to your old favorites can revive your unresponsive sex life. Here are some fun tips I've found recently while conducting research.

Hot oil art - warm up some massage oil and put it in a turkey baster. Use this to draw shapes or spell out words on your lover’s body. The hot oil moving in specific lines is supposed to excite the skin. After creating your hot, slippery designs now go for the massage with your hands.

Pearl Necklace - Get an 36 inch strand of fake pearls and wear them all day so your body heat warms it up. When ready to play, dribble some lube on the necklace then coil them around his penis. Careful, you want it to be comfortable not so tight it pinches. Slide your hands up and down the beads to create a unique sensation he'll love. He can also use the beads on you by rolling them beneath his palm over your clit.

Hot mint - using hot and cold sensations is nothing new, but here's a new twist—warm mint tea. This will heat up your mouth and provide a warm sensation. When your move your mouth away, the menthol in the mint will cool down the area. Sip the tea often to get the full cool and tingly effect of the mint.

Oral tickle - when giving him oral, slip a finger in your mouth and softly tease his sensitive spots at the same time you are stimulating with your lips and tongue for unexpected new sensations.

And don't forget to change up the old positions in fun new ways.

Lay on the bed face down, hips slightly elevated and together. With his thighs bracketing yours the position creates a snug fit and the minimal elevation allows for deeper thrusts.

For doggy-style without the backache roll to your side. Have him straddle your bottom leg and wrap the top one around his hip. This allows the deeper penetration of doggy-style in a more comfortable position and give the added benefit of allowing face-to-face contact.

Another more comfortable rear-entry position is to tuck your knees up toward your chest to support your torso.

And don’t forget the toys. There are toys out there now to satisfy all your tastes and cravings. With toys you can even have one of the top women’s fantasies without any guilt or jealousy—dual penetration.

Gettin' Naughty - Chemistry

As readers of erotic romance, you've surely seen many references to the chemistry that can exist between two people. Sparks fly, the earth moves, emotions swell and overwhelm. According to an article on MSN by Jonathan Small, there are many different kinds of chemistry you can experience. Here are the five most common types of chemistry couples might share. And the good news is that even if its not the explosive kind, with a little bit of time it can turn into something wonderful.

#1 – Lusty chemistry

The most common and most confusing kind of chemistry. The uncontrollable hunger for sex. Let’s face it; at some time in our lives, most of us have fallen in the trap of confusing physical chemistry with love. Lust tends to fade after scratching the itch and may or may not return later. One big difference is you can feel lust for several different people simultaneously without becoming jealous, but love tends to make us very possessive. The great thing is that over time, lust can grow, evolving into something deeper and more meaningful.

#2 – Comfy chemistry

These are those types of relationships where you have that instant connection and effortless rapport. This is the person who finishes your sentences or is so easy to talk to and you feel relaxed to be around. It doesn’t have to mean you are better friends than lovers though. Love can develop and quickly lead to passion.

#3 – Funny chemistry

One of the top characteristics on most people’s lists of attractive qualities is the ability to make them laugh. Someone who can help us have fun is priceless. And researchers have found that attractiveness between two people increases when they laugh together.

#4 – Opposites attract chemistry

Most of us like personalities that complement our own. Those who accentuate our positives and mask the flaws. Like the swim-suit model and the computer geek. Why would such opposites attract? She makes him feel sexy and he makes her feel smart. We are naturally drawn to those who have the qualities we lack. Those who make us feel more well-rounded.

#5 – Common ground chemistry

Those with common interests tend to gravitate together. It allows you to get to know each other in a comfortable environment, and makes spending time together easy. The two of you can bond and develop a lot of great memories over shared achievements.

So even if electricity doesn’t immediately arc between you, and your heart doesn’t start trembling whenever he’s around, that doesn’t mean you won’t have great chemistry. If given time, what you do have can grow into something lasting.

Gettin' Naughty - Striptease

Performing a private, sexy striptease for your guy is a great way to turn him on, if done right. One of the most important factors is to feel comfortable with yourself, the music and what you're doing. If it doesn't feel right the performance will be awkward and fumbling, which is more off a turn off. Finding the right song for your personality and tastes makes all the difference in the world.

Here are the top ten guy recommended striptease songs, according to iVillage.com. The tune itself matters much more than the lyrics. You want something smooth and sexy.

Pony by Ginuwine



Eyes Without A Face by Billy Idol



I'm A Slave For U by Britney Spears



Buttons by the Pussycat Dolls



Closer by Nine Inch Nails



She's Always In My Hair by D'Angelo



Sex (I'm A) by Lovage



Hot in Herre by Nelly



Justify My Love by Madonna



Cream by Prince (Sorry, couldn't find it on YouTube)

IMHO they left off a few of the best all time strip songs.

Leave Your Hat On by Joe Cocker



Feelin Love by Paula Cole



Whatever song makes you feel sexy, crank it up, put on something sinful and have a good time turning him on!

Nic
So naughty its sinful!

Fire!

Anyone have some matches? I need to send up a smoke signal!

Annoying Alphas

What is it about those infernal alpha males that keeps us reading? Do we love to hate them? Are we waiting for them to redeem themselves? Waiting for the heroine to open a can of whop-ass? What is it?

I'm reading a book right now with an alpha hero who I have nicknamed "dickhead". He is a vampire, a dark prince, with a massive attitude from centuries of being treated as if every word out of his mouth is verbal gold. No one disputes any of his demands they just go off and do his bidding, even if they don't agree. He is egotistical, selfish and jaded. A total jerk!

The heroine is the exact opposite. She is compassionate, giving and naive. He bound her to him without getting consent, turned her for selfish reasons, and every time she asks him questions about what he's done to her or about his people and their beliefs, dickhead changes the subject to avoid answering. She's very independent, accustomed to being alone, and still she stays with him. Grrrrrr!

I want to cuss him out, smack him upside the head with this heavy book. I want the heroine to get a backbone and kick hiss ass! I want nothing more than to feed the pages, one by one, into my paper shredder while laughing maniacally. Yet I keep reading, devouring every word, simultaneously captivated and annoyed.

Why? Because it’s fabulous! Any book with the ability to draw such intense emotion from a reader is priceless. I love it when a book can increase my heart rate and get me so wound up in the story that I feel invested in what happens. And he does have redeeming qualities, other than being a dark, sexy, alpha vamp.

Here in lies the real magic—balance. There is hope for dickhead. He is a man worth fighting for. A man worth keeping.

His actions prove that he wants to keep her safe, even when she messed up and puts herself in bad situations. His internal dialogue gives the reader a glimpse of the endless love and devotion he feels for the heroine. This is a man who would die for her and literally kept her alive through the sheer power of his will. Oh, and he’s beyond good in bed. *g* When he makes love to the heroine…whoo-damn! He’s still all alpha—primal, dangerous and exciting. And he’s not a total bully with her. Even though he wants to encase her in bubble wrap and keep her locked away safely in his home, he doesn’t.

I read one book which made me come close to throwing my precious ebook reader at the wall. The hero, a dragon, took the heroine as his "primary mate" but still has "lesser mates" who he would turn to in order to increase the dragon population. Just after claiming the heroine, one of the lesser mates shows up and he is all over her, right in front of the heroine. OMG! I was so angry my chest got tight and I broke out in a cold sweat. And I didn't even like the heroine. She was a slut at the beginning of the book. But my feelings of outrage were so strong they affected me physically. I have a love/hate relationship with that story. Eventually, I came to grips with the fact that in the hero’s culture this was the expected behavior. He changed for the heroine, wanted to do so to please her, and in doing so, he won me over by the end of the book.

What about you? Have you experienced books that brought out intense, conflicting emotions? Are there alphas characters who you have a love/hate relationship with? That's what it all boils down to for me. A part of me wants a semi-alpha man like in the books. One who will desire only me and would sacrifice everything for me. One whose first priority is taking care of me and who puts me first. Strong, capable, dominant but not domineering. Someone who can get me riled, in more way than one. Yup, I want the fantasy! Doesn't every woman?

Getting’ Naughty – Watch Some Porn

As taboos go porn is still way up there on the list even though attitudes toward erotic visual arts are changing. Many women think of porn as something dirty for guys to keep hidden and watch by themselves. For just a moment set aside any objections, moral or otherwise, and look at it from a different perspective.

If you are here reading this blog then most likely you read erotic romance stories. Most female readers will tell you that they want the romance and happily ever after. Some may admit to enjoying the hot and explicit sex scenes. A few may even tell you that the books turn them on. As both a reader and writer, I can tell you that you are likely to learn a few new techniques and develop some new fantasies from the visuals created by the authors’ words.

Now think about those porn videos again. Are they that much different than the images running through your mind while reading? Some of the videos do have plot and even a bit of romance, regardless of the primary focus being on the sex. And oh my, the things you can learn by watching the pros at work!

Go ahead, find one of those videos your guy has stashed around the house and see what I’m talking about. If the over dramatic moaning turn you off then hit the mute button. Ah, that’s better, but it’s also one of the first lessons porn will teach you—enthusiasm.

A common theme you will see is that porn starlets abandon themselves to pleasure. They are uninhibited and willing to try anything once, twice if it’s good. And they let their partner know how good it is through both verbalization and movements. They take the initiative and let him know when he’s discovered one of those oh so sensitive spots. They also share what they desire in the heat of the moment without embarrassment.

Let’s face it, if you show no enthusiasm he’s going to get bored. He may even think you’re not enjoying yourself. Sex is natural and pleasurable. Enjoying it doesn’t make you a slut. Express yourself!

Now, turn the volume up and listen to the dirty talk. Something very important you can learn from watching porn is offering praise. Verbally stroking his ego is guaranteed to heat him up. If in the moment you can’t think of compliments just say what’s running through your mind. For example, if the way he’s stroking you feels good then say so. Ask him if he likes what you’re doing to him.

Another lesson you’ll learn is that porn starlets are not afraid to touch their bodies and they know how much men like to watch. There are many benefits to sharing a bit of self-stimulation with your partner. It can be a major turn on to watch as your partner masturbates. You will also be learning exactly how he likes to be touched while teaching him the same about you.

Men are visual creatures. We know this, now its time to do something about it. Look at what that porn babe is wearing before the clothes start getting peeled off. Yes, her 6” high acrylic heels look uncomfortable and impractical. So what! They are sexy as all get out and if you are wearing them to bed nobody is going to expect you to walk in them. While you are shopping consider picking up a few toys to enhance the fun, and buy some sexy lingerie that flatters your figure.

Finally, porn starlets don’t wait for a special occasion to focus on their guy’s pleasure. They don’t just take, they also give. He doesn’t get a blowjob as reward for having done the dishes either. And from the way the porn star worships her guy you’ll see she gets turned on by giving him something he likes. Whether it’s your favorite activity or not you can make it even better for him by giving it your all. Make eye contact. Use those new verbal skills. Let him know how important his pleasure is to you and how much it excites you.

If you feel self-conscious about watching a video with him then take the time to view a few by yourself first. You’ll quickly pick up on the common way the scenes progress. Then when you’re comfortable watch one with him. Tell him what actions turn you on, but also what turns you off. By discussing likes and dislikes you’ll discover a new level of intimacy, openness and trust in your relationship, as well as a whole lot more mutual pleasure.

Gettin' Naughty - Sleep Sex?

Ever have a partner wake you during the middle of the night for sex? Did they seem to be more asleep than awake? Well, they may have been experiencing Sexsomia. A co-worker taking a psychology class had us all debating this “condition” at work over the weekend.

Sexsomia—sleep sex—is becoming sexually aroused and having sex while asleep and not in control of your actions. Think sleepwalking to the extreme. Sleep disorder researchers have proven it happens and psychiatrists have begun to treat the condition in the past decade. Initially, this may not sound like a problem but there have been several cases of sexual assault and even rape that have been acquitted due to this not very common medical diagnosis. It has even been used to justify being caught in the act of cheating.

That’s right. People have used Sexsomia as a legal defense and been believed by the courts. One story in the National Post (click here to read) details an Ontario appeals court upholding a rape acquittal due to Sexsomia. The man in question had passed out after consuming high quantities of alcohol and suffering from sleep deprivation.

In fact, according to one study (click here to read) sleep deprivation and stress can be triggers for this condition in people who have other sleep or sexual disorders. The New Scientist (click here for article) discusses an Australian woman who would have sex with strangers while sleeping and was caught in the act by her partner. There is also a case of a man fondling and raping young girls who was later cleared when he claimed to have sleep walking tendencies (click here for article).

Wow, I’m not sure what I think about this. Is Sexsomia an actual disorder or just a convenient excuse for some sick people? What do you think?

Book Shopping?

What motivates you to buy a particular book? Do you base your decision on the blurb? Is it the excerpts that draw you in? Do you like to try new authors or stick with the ones you know? Rely on reviews to guide your purchases? Do you judge books by their cover first then consider other factors? Stick to certain publishers? I'd really like to hear how you decide!

I've been thinking about this great deal lately. In this time of soaring prices, I am much more careful with my choices. I'm also much more likely to stick with a book longer, hoping it will get better, before deciding its not my cup of tea.

Personally, I don't like to read excerpts. When I buy the book then get to that point in the story the scene now seems anticlimatic to me if I've already read the excerpt. And no advertisement in a magazine or on a website is going to sell me a book, although it might get me to look at it the next time I'm shopping. Reviews are great, but I don't spend my money based on the opinion of someone who may not have the same reading tastes as I do. Free bookmarks and other promotional items never sold me either, but meeting an author in person will sway me.

It may be shallow, but covers do make a difference to me. I don't go for chick lit and I've found that covers for the genre tend to have a certain look that will make me pass right by to the next book. If the blurb can arouse my interest in the story, I'm sold. And if the cover happens to have the name of an author whose writing I've enjoyed in the past its even more of a done deal, but I don't shy away from reading new-to-me authors.

What about you? What will get you to take a closer look at one book vs. another? What prompts you to buy a title?

Gettin' Naughty - Pigeonholed?

During my research I got interested in birth order and personality. According to pop psychology, where you rank by age among your siblings has a profound effect on psychological development, and is a good indicator of personality. Does this sound reasonable or like a bunch of psychobabble to you? Read on to see what I discovered in my research. Although the defining qualities vary from one resource to another the general consensus is that oldest = leader, middle = adaptable, youngest = unreliable, only = self-centered.

The Oldest Child
Throughout history, most of the men elected as President in the U.S. have been the oldest child. These children tend to have serious, take charge personalities. They are planners who are not likely to miss important dates or occasions. First born people tend to lack spontaneity and dislike surprises. They were an only child for a while and often feel the need to show superiority over siblings. It’s suggested an oldest and youngest child match works well not just because opposites attract, but because some of their stronger traits can rub off on their partner.

The Middle Child
The adaptable compromiser and negotiator. Definitely not spoiled, the middle child tends to feel they didn’t get as much attention growing up. May feel life is unfair and that they’ve been left out. Stuck between the alpha older child and the manipulations of the baby, the middle child will either try and put others at ease or act out. Not the best communicators, they tend to keep their emotions close to the vest. Since the exacting nature of the oldest and only children tend to intimidate them, the middle child is said to do best with a youngest child.

The Youngest Child
Many famous comedians are youngest children. They tend to be the most outgoing and live to have fun. Opposite of the first born, they thrive on flying by the seat of their pants on the spur of the moment without any true plan. Expects others to make decisions and take care of the details. The youngest tend to not be great with finances or being on time. They may also be a bit spoiled and accustomed to getting their way, and they know how to use their charm to make sure they do. An oldest child is purported to be a good partner for counterbalance, or a middle child who understands their need to be at the center of the action.

Only Child
These are oldest children to the extreme. A serious perfectionist who matured quickly and tends to feel they should always be the center of attention. They take their time analyzing a situation until it’s too late to take action leaving someone else to make the first move. Again, for balance, their best pairing is said to be with a youngest child.

Now that you’ve read what the mucky-mucks believe here’s a bit of reality from my own life. If you look at my family this analysis is totally wacked (either that or my family is).

I am the youngest child and I am the least outgoing and spontaneous. To this day I struggle against my extreme shyness. I fit better into the oldest child description since I tend to be the one who gets everyone organized and plans things out. I am also the most likely to show up on time and makes sure the others are okay.

The middle child in my family got the most attention by acting the outcast. He is certainly not willing to negotiate or compromise on anything. He fits better with the youngest child description. He is the least reliable out of the three of us. My oldest brother fits more in the middle child from above. He is the one who is tight-lipped. He may be a supervisor at work, but he is far from alpha in his personal life. He tends to be the one trying to keep the peace and quietly following along the rest of the time.

My children don’t fit into this mold either. My oldest can be a leader and planner at times, but she’s also the least dependable. My youngest is all alpha, although that may be because he grew up in an all female house and felt he had to be “the man in charge”.

In my opinion, personalities can’t be predicted by an astrological sign, birth order, race, religion, sex or any other single factor. We are a product of many different influences and are complex individuals who are not easy to figure out. That’s what makes us all unique and fascinating, and keeps life from being boring.

What do you think? Does your family fit into the mold or are they much more dynamic?

Book Talk

Apparently I received some bad information because last week I told you having ten new books out each week from Ellora's Cave Publishing was finished. Oops! We're getting ten more yummy books again this week, not that it's a hardship or anything. *g*

Releasing Wednesday:



Lovers at Last - Shelley Munro (Contemporary)

Twisted Steel and Sex Appeal - M.A. Ellis (Contemporary / owym)

A Cowboy's Charm - Brandi Michaels (Western)

Perfect Cadence - Nikki Soarde (Contemporary / Menage / Gay)

Releasing Thursday:



Convincing Silvia - Erin Aislinn (Contemporary / owym)

Out of Control - Eve Savage (Contemporary / owym)

Releasing Friday:



Soul of the Sea - Alison Paige (Shapeshifter)

Barbarian's Bride - Rodine Dobeck (Historical)

Chocolate Destiny - Alexa & Patrick Silver (Futuristic)

In the Arms of the Wind - Charlotte Boyett-Compo (Romantic Suspense)

The Hussies would like to extend a warm welcome to new to Ellora's authors Eve Savage and Rodine Dobeck. We wish you all the best. And welcome back to Brandi Michaels. Its been too long since we got a new, steamy read from you!

Happy reading!

Nic
So naughty it's positively scandalous!

Gettin' Naughty - Not Gonna Write You A Love Letter

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love the to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach…
(Elizabeth Barrett Browning)

Oh Puhlease! Let’s face it. If you got a wordy love letter like that you’d be rolling on the floor laughing.

Love letters are so not my style! Sure, I did write a few in the past, but grand, flowery declarations are just not me. Does anyone even write letters anymore? With all the wonderful means of instant communication available to us today, love letters seem to be a thing of the past. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t turn down a love letter is someone wanted to send me one, but true proof of love comes from actions and how someone makes you feel.

Here’s some things to think about before penning a love letter. Most people save their love letters and read them at different times in their lives. Whatever you put on that piece of paper is how the receiver (or anyone else who gets their hands on it) is going to remember you. Be careful of promises and professions. If you have the horrible handwriting of a doctor, consider typing the letter. This gives you the added bonus of being able to use spell checker. Don’t scratch things out or deliver an otherwise sloppy letter. And give a great deal of thought to what you’re saying, both literally as well as what could possibly be misconstrued between the lines. Remember that a declaration of love in writing can be preserved for a long time.

IMHO, it’s the little things that tug at the heart strings more than a gushy letter. An ex-boyfriend of mine knew what he was doing. He worked as a property appraiser. This meant he was constantly driving all over town and taking lots of pictures. He would stop by the building where I worked and leave me little notes in those old black 35mm film canisters with the gray lids. I’d leave work and find them tucked under the windshield wiper on my car. Inside would be a small scrap of paper with a hand-written note telling me he was thinking about me and couldn’t wait to see me. I loved getting those notes! Hmm…why did I get rid of him? Oh yeah, now I remember. Um…never mind. LOL!

The point is that there are millions of ways to express your feelings through actions, which do tend to speak louder than words. I mean really, what are you going to put more stock in, a love letter telling you what your SO thinks you want to hear or a sweet and simple unexpected reminder through actions?

I'm not gonna write you a love song
'cause you asked for it
'cause you need one, you see
I'm not gonna write you a love song
'cause you tell me it's
Make or breaking this
If you're on your way
I'm not gonna write you to stay
If all you have is leaving I'm gonna need a better
Reason to write you a love song today
(Sara Bareilles)

Book Talk

Yay, it's Wednesday and y'all know what that means—books! This is the final week Ellora's Cave Publishing will be releasing 10 yummy books. To make it even more speical The Posh in Pink Hussy and The Dude (aka Sahara Kelly and SL Carpenter) have a book out today! Coming Attractions is a hot, steamy, exotika story...yeah, baby!

Releasing Wednesday:



Coming Attractions, Sahara Kelly & S.L. Carpenter

Hand-dipped Pleasure, Leannan MacLlyr

A Lady In Waiting, Samantha Kane

Dangerous Boys and Their Toys, Shayla Black

Releasing Thursday:



Risking It All, Anna J. Evans

Built to Last, Sierra Dafoe

Releasing Friday:



Eternal Rapture, KyAnn Waters

Unbreakable, Amarinda Jones

Icefire, Lynne Connolly

In a Dark Embrace, Simone Bern

The Hussies would like to extend a warm welcome to new to Ellora's authors Leannan MacLlyr and Shayla Black. We wish you all the best!

Happy Reading!

Nic
So naughty it's scandalous!

Gettin' Naughty - Hussy Power!

Ciana, Sahara and Nat have done a good job of explaining the original meaning of the word “hussy” so I won’t rehash it all again. Instead, I’m going to tell you about my personal experience with letting my inner hussy out to play and how it has made positive changes in me.

While growing up, I was painfully shy. Attempting to help, my mother was always putting me into social situations with lots of other people hoping to bring me out of my shyness, like birthday parties with dozens of kids running around. What it succeeded in doing was stressing me out and made me feel inadequate. New people in mass quantities put me into a panic. What we found that worked was one or two new people consistently over time. I would be quiet at first, but as I got to know them I’d open up.

I have no idea why I was so extremely shy. I didn’t have a childhood trauma or anything, it’s was just part of me. I think that growing up in a neighborhood where I was the only girl helped foster my shyness. Guys don’t feel the need to talk constantly. The boys weren’t bothered by my being quiet until I got comfortable enough to talk. Through my school years my only friends were the ones with the patience to wait for me to reach my comfort zone.

When entering the work world, I chose safe jobs working as an operator, file clerk, and customer service positions where I dealt with the public only by phone. After some personal upheaval, I made a drastic move and went into the Army. There’s no being shy in the military. When anyone of higher rank asks you something you have to reply, and not in a shy whisper. My time in the military, although only two brief years, did wonders for conquering my shyness and giving me confidence but I was still very quiet and reserved.

After that, I managed to earn three college degrees (I love school) and even aced my public speaking class. In my work as a CT scan tech my supervisors observed my leadership skills and I went through the hospital’s management program. I had thought I’d conquered the worst of my shyness, but one day I got an email that changed my life.

Nothing I’ve ever experience prepared me for having one of my stories be released to the public. Talk about putting yourself out there…OMG! When Passionate Realities released, I felt like I was standing center stage under the spotlights, naked, with all my most private, taboo sexual thoughts exposed to the whole world. Thankfully, book releases have gotten easier since then and writing e-books is perfect for me. Sit behind my computer to write and talk to readers online. All very safe for a shy person.

It was another email that really brought out my inner hussy. The email was from an author who I greatly admire asking me to be a Hussy. The five of us found that we clicked really well in all our online interactions, but then it came time for the Romantic Times Convention. I’d gone to RT once before and to say I found it intimidating is an extreme understatement. Not this time though. This time I had the power of The Hussies behind me.

I haven’t talked about my personal experiences at RT much because I’m still blown away. Through the whole convention, I was bold, confident, outgoing, and put myself out there as I have never before. It wasn’t an act or simply putting on another persona, it was the real inner me. I didn’t feel awkward, inadequate or shy, and I had such a good time meeting new people, which in itself is astounding. My inner hussy shined bright! And I wasn’t a wallflower either—far from it. There was no hiding when I put on a sexy red backless gown and entered the party with my stunning Hussy sistas. When I walked across the stage on Rodney’s arm, I felt… Damn, there are really no words to describe how amazing I felt.

My shyness did rear its head at one point—the print book signing. There’s just something about that event with the power to make me sweat! Nat even got a picture of me, before they let the readers in, sporting my deer-in-the-headlights look. I hope you ditched that, Nat! LOL!

The best part is that I didn’t leave those feelings of empowerment and confidence behind when I came home as I'd feared might happen. My inner hussy got a taste of freedom and she’s here to stay! No more inhibited tomboy for me. Everyone who knows me noticed the difference right away.

Oh, I’m sure there will be a few situations able to bring out the timidity, but I’m not stuffing my hussy back in a box. Not that she’d let me. No how, no way! She's here to stay. I can tell you from first hand experience too, confidence truly is sexy!

Hussy Power, baby!

She’s in there somewhere, and trust me, letting her out can be life altering. Isn’t it time you let your inner hussy out to play? I highly recommend you do!

Nic
So naughty it's scandalous!