Blood and Lust, Baby!

Hello all!

Happy almost Halloween! Guess what dropped in time for the Holidays? My latest novella, and it's a bloody, hot paranormal thriller. BLOOD AND LUST, my lesbian vampire tryst, was just let out the gate by Riverdale Avenue Books and I couldn't be prouder of my new baby - - even if she's got fangs and a thirst for blood. I love all my babies. This novella (distinguished from a novel by its length - - crisp and tight at 20,000 words) is a particular thrill for me, because it marks my departure from contemporary realism into the world of fantasy and vampires. And let's not forget vampire romps. Ooh, those hot lesbian vampires and the ladies who can't get enough. I hope you'll check out  Blood and Lust and let me know what you think. Once it's got a hold on you, it won't let you go. Don't say I didn't warn you!

Here is the blurb!

The eyes of a rising Broadway starlet are opened to a world she never knew existed, and a passion she never knew burned inside her…

After an opening night party, Emma Jones naively accepts a ride home from her lecherous producer and finds herself in a desperate struggle. But when a beautiful, mysterious stranger rescues her, Emma realizes that the real danger may have just begun.

Her savior, Skarlet, is an agent of the Vampire Commission, a secret organization with an intense interest in Emma - - or more specifically, her blood. Skarlet’s mission is clear: deliver Emma into the clutches of the Commission. But as they near their destination, Skarlet cannot deny the intense attraction she feels toward her breath-taking captive. Emma is drawn to her magnetic heroine as well and a fateful decision sets the two on a path of extreme danger and forbidden love. As the Commission closes in, a startling discovery raises the stakes and both women must choose - - between all they’ve ever known and a passion they’ve never known before.

Click on Amazon to purchase now!

Enjoy!

Hilarious! Happy Monday :)

A friend sent this to me. Looks like HuffPost Gay and I were on the same page at the same time. Rad!

LOVE this super-cute commercial. Makes me want to drive a KIA, like, NOW :-)

Have a great night!

Nomencliture: Euphemism vs. Literal Description in Sex Scene Writing

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My First Interview

Thank you to Michael Scott, co-host of Bookmark Radio. I reprinted our interview here. My first one!
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Interview With Taryn Rose, Author of L World

Over the years I’ve had the pleasure of immersing myself in many genres of books. But none more intriguing than the lesbian romance category.

I was introduced to a book called L World through a Google+ feed and decided to take a much needed diversion from my normal staple of economics, sociology and Eastern religion reads. I was so intrigued with the book that I reached out to its author Taryn Rose. And I am happy to report that our friendship is rapidly blossoming.

So what was it like writing a book on lesbian romance?

I spent five years as an associate at a national law firm dreaming about writing novels as a opposed to legal briefs, and I felt grateful for the opportunity to delve into a genre that held a great deal of interest to me. It was fun to flesh out the characters and once I organized my plot, the words just seemed to flow.

Your two heroines Blake and Janie offer some interesting insights into lesbian relationships. Can you talk about this?

This books explores common challenges that all of us face, regardless of our gender preferences in establishing relationships. The story starts with a chance encounter in a salon between Blake, a high profile attorney and Janie, a top hairstylist. Both of their lives are turned upside down as a result of their attraction to each other.

So what are you attempting to convey to your readers through this book?

I believe in the importance of fantasy in terms of helping us awaken to who we are or have the potential to be. As women we should take time to deepen our understanding of self and desire, especially when that desire shakes up our whole world.

It appears that there are in fact many thematic juxtapositions throughout the book

Blake's encounter and ultimate relationship with Janie allows her to tap into a part of herself that she has long kept hidden. Despite being younger and newer in her career, Janie is further along in her personal development than Blake.

L World exposes the risky side of torrid affairs for women who are in high powered professional roles. Using Blake’s example, what lessons does this book offer to professional women in terms of the balancing act between one’s intimate needs and feelings and desire to climb the proverbial corporate ladder?

In Blake’s case, when she meets Janie, she is close to the top of that ladder–with a lot at stake. She’s a top corporate attorney, a mother of a teenage son, and has a relationship with her ex-husband. Coming out for Blake could change they way she is perceived by her  partners, clients and family members–and she knows that. I think Blake’s journey reinforces the need to be cautious and deliberate, but also brave and unafraid to live life to the fullest. Blake behaves immaturely and at times, selfishly and cowardly. But when she realizes she has more to lose by letting Janie go, her decisions become empowering and life-affirming.

What sorts of fears or vulnerabilities (if any) surfaced for you as a writer in Chapter 7 as you began to articulate the first deep physical encounter between Janie and Blake? What sort of message were you hoping to impart to your readers in terms of the often secret world of lesbian intimacy?

I was concerned with being completely in the scene, making it as visceral and passionate as I conceived it. It was equally important for me to capture both the emotional dynamics at play and the downright animalistic lust that overwhelms the two heroines. That particular scene is the culmination of the early stages of Blake and Janie’s courtship, and it had to work in order for the story to move forward.

What sort of impact did writing this book have in terms of examining your own life?

It helped me play out some of my own ideas and philosophies related to how complicated the journey of life really is.

There has been quite a bit of buzz of late with the release of the steamy Shades of Grey series. What do you think this reflects in terms of the proliferation of interest in these sorts of books?

I think that it’s a signal that women’s romantic and sexual fantasies are important and no longer have to be taboo.

And where do you see the whole world of lesbian romance books headed in ensuing years?

The market for lesbian themed e-books appears strong, especially among bi-curious, queer and lesbian identified readers. That said, I have been contacted by men who relate to the romantic challenges the heroines face in L WORLD and enjoy exploring those in the context of the physical intimacy involved between two women. I think that heterosexual women enjoy a powerful and well-written romance that explores the boundaries and complications that may arise when two women discover more than friendship. Because this is a subgenre that has appeal for all types of readers, I believe it will grow exponentially in the coming years.

Michael Scott is co-host of Bookmark Radio. Learn more here.
Order L WORLD here.

Erotic Author Lucy Felthouse Swings By!

I am excited to be hosting my very first guest author! It's not all about me and my adventures today and that feels strange, but I'm so glad to shine the spotlight on Lucy. I was so giddy about it, in fact, that I almost titled this post "Erotic Author Lucy Felthouse Swings Bi" (instead of "By") because then I'd get in a cute double entendre and feel all cool. But I was afraid you might think I was describing the author and not her work, so I'm explaining the pun instead of making it...(Real smooth, Taryn!)

Lucy's stories are so good that you may wonder about her sexuality. And that is why I found her account of a recent talk that she gave particularly interesting. Take it away, Lucy!

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Luscious Ladies

I did a talk for a local writer's group a couple of months ago. I was nervous beforehand, because previous appearances I've done have been at erotica-related places or events. This was a writing group with members ranging from 17 to 93, and although they knew the speaker was an erotic writer, I still wasn't sure what they'd make of me.

There was a great turn out – people were obviously curious enough to turn up and see what I was like. I don't know if they were disappointed by my normal appearance or not, but everyone was really friendly and interested in what I do.

Anyway, after I did my talk, I then had a Q&A session, and happily, lots of people asked me questions. One of them (from the 93 year old, in fact) was along the lines of, "If you have a boyfriend, how do you write lesbian fiction?"

I answered by saying that I can write about two women together, because I am a woman. I have the right equipment, I know what things look and feel like, and what feels pleasurable. As a writer, I have the imagination to duplicate that into two (or more) women in a story – and there you have it! Sexy lesbian or bisexual fiction.

My answer seemed to satisfy the group, though they couldn't quite get their heads around who reads lesbian fiction. I answered that I read lesbian fiction. I also read straight and gay fiction. Many people will read all kinds of fiction just because they love that type of story – it doesn't have to have any bearing on their sexuality or preferences. When I let slip that my lesbian fiction outsells my straight fiction, there were lots of raised eyebrows around the table. They weren't rubbishing my claims, or the genre, I suspect it was just something they'd never considered before.

This led the conversation onto gay fiction, and when I said it was mainly women writing and reading it, there was a great deal of confusion. But then I pointed out that it's similar to when straight guys (not all of them, of course, I'm not generalising!) say things like "Ooh, lesbians! Hot!" I believe their mentality is that they like women and women's bodies, so two women together is twice the sexiness. This brought lots of nods from the group – why wouldn't women think exactly the same thing about seeing two guys together?

Overall, it was a fun evening with a group of people who were very curious about what I do and the erotica and erotic romance genre in general, which prompted several discussions similar to the ones I've just mentioned. One comment that sticks in my mind is when I said that my luscious ladies outsell everything else, someone basically told me that I was obviously doing something right, and to keep writing it! A "go girl" if ever I heard one. So, with that in mind, I shall leave you in peace and go and write some more Sapphic sexiness, and smile as I think about the education I gave the local writing group. I suspect I was their most controversial speaker in a while!

Living in her remote cottage in the woods, Heidi doesn’t get many visitors. So when she spots a fox in her garden, she’s delighted. However, her joy quickly turns to dismay when she thinks the beautiful creature may be injured. Heading out to see how she can help, Heidi is astounded when something happens that makes her question her eyesight – not to mention her sanity. Once she gets over her shock and discovers the reason behind the peculiar encounter, Heidi is mighty glad that the fox chose her garden to visit.

More info, excerpt and buy links: http://lucyfelthouse.co.uk/published-works/the-cottage-in-the-woods/

Lucy is a graduate of the University of Derby, where she studied Creative Writing. During her first year, she was dared to write an erotic story - so she did. It went down a storm and she's never looked back. Lucy has had stories published by Cleis Press, Constable and Robinson, House of Erotica, Noble Romance, Ravenous Romance, Resplendence Publishing, Summerhouse Publishing, Sweetmeats Press and Xcite Books. She is also the editor of Uniform Behaviour and Seducing the Myth. Find out more at http://www.lucyfelthouse.co.uk. Join her on Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to her newsletter at:              http://eepurl.com/gMQb9