Friday, May 31, 2013

Overcoming obstacles: A new month, a new beginning.

Dear all,

Happy 1st of June! As you might have noticed, I have been quite absent throughout this past month. There have been no Wednesday Brief posts, few TnT Confidential posts and even less Sunday Snippets. I have avoided all social media as if it were the plague. I wish I could say it was because I had been writing like crazy or had won the lottery and was off in an exotic destination having the time of my life… but the truth is that I have been walking the dark path of despair, frustration and negativity. 

Have you ever had an obstacle that you can't seem to overcome no matter how hard you try? That's driving for me. I have been beating myself up over the seemingly impossible task of getting my driver's license. I have been stressed, depressed, frustrated... other things which at other times weren't big problems started to gain significance in a disproportionate way. Everything was going wrong ( I mean, the other day I felt like I was in a movie. You know those scenes when everything seems to be going wrong for the lead actor, they trip and fall and then it starts to rain? Been there.) 

I'm not exactly a very positive person... but, as it is, I've had enough. I'm going to focus and get back to what’s important: family, friendship, writing and of course, you guys, my readers!  That brings me to this blog,  I’ve been thinking that In A Dream Beyond is a little stale, so I'm aiming to making it a little more active. My first step is going to be to make this baby a little more personal and dynamic. Hopefully, you'll be hearing a lot more from me, and who knows? Maybe in the future I’ll even be brave enough to do a Video Blog like my friend and author CJ Sullivan.

So, before I leave you all to your Saturday: Is there anything in particular you’d like to see or read about in the blog? 

Have a great day!

Xoxo
Elyzabeth  


 *In a post that dates back to January I sort of explained how getting your driver’s lesson in Spain is expensive and a hellish experience. If you're interested, you can read about it Here.

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Come chat with me and Nikki Prince today!

Hey Lovelies,

author Nikki Prince and I will be chatting from 1:00 to 4:00pm EST at the Coffee Time Romance Yahoo Erotic E-loop (here). Join us! 


Wednesday, May 15, 2013

TnT Confidential: Tyler Robbins: A Beautiful Lie


 Hey lovelies, today I have author Tyler Robbins with her latest release, A Beautiful Lie, here with me. Her title reminds me of that 30 Second to Mars song and it's video which was shot in Greenland, but I think her story is more on the hot side *wink* 

Jesse Reagan has had more than his share of tragedy, and he may have been dealt another blow when, once again, cancer threatens the sister who raised him. Faced with the possibility of being left behind, Jesse vows to care for her young son, though he’s not convinced he can.

When Trip Cantrell returns to town, he’s blindsided the instant he’s reunited with his kid brother’s lifelong friend, Jesse. His inability to find happiness in the years he’s been gone, suddenly makes sense. Love’s been waiting at home all along.

Life begins to look promising, except for the fact that neither have come out of the closet publicly, and that’s not even their biggest problem. Someone has a secret so shocking they may never find a way past it.

Will they be accepted in their small Texas town, or will secrets, lies,and the threat of tragedy destroy everything?

Some small towns just aren’t meant to hold big secrets.




We both know you want to read the excerpt... (beware of the language)

Jesse lay back on the dock with his hands folded under his head and one leg crisscrossed over the other at the ankle. He wore a pair of black swim trunks, flip flops, and a navy blue t-shirt, the usual lakeside attire. 

Trip eased up, enjoying his uninterrupted view. As he reached Jesse, his shadow cast a dark void that blocked the sun from Jesse’s upper torso, including his face.

Jesse looked back, and sprang to his feet the instant he saw Trip standing there. “Oh, hey.”

“Hey.” Trip stepped closer. “You, uh, bolted pretty fast this morning.”

“Yeah. Had a lot of stuff to do.” Jesse reached down and picked up a red, plastic gas can.

“Too busy for a goodbye?” Anxious knots twisted Trip’s insides. A first time for everything.

“Look, man. Last night—” Jesse’s cheek puffed out as he exhaled. “Last night was crazy.”

Trip nodded. “Yeah, more than I bargained for, that’s for sure.”

Jesse swayed from one foot to the other. He’d yet to look Trip in the eye, which only added to the tension mounting between them.

“So, how are you?” Sh*t. I sound like a girl.

Jesse shrugged. “I’m cool.” His voice kicked up an octave, giving his reply an air of indifference.

“Cool.” Trip folded his arms across his chest, suddenly feeling awkward as f*ck. “Well, I wanted to see if you’d be up for a ride out to the island later today.”

Jesse squinted as the sun cascaded across his face. He covered his eyes with his hand. “I don’t know, man. I have a lot to do around here.” He sloshed the can of gas and started to walk past Trip.

 Trip raised his hand and gently touched Jesse’s chest. “I just want to talk.” He spoke barely above a whisper.

The instant Jesse’s deep green gaze met Trip’s, a frenzied charge of electricity tingled across his skin.

“Trip, if Eric finds out—” Jesse shook his head. “Why are you doing this?”

“Why am I doing this? Jesse, something happened. Something I can’t explain.”

Jesse drew in a deep breath. “I’ve got a lot going on right now. Having my best friend find out I f**ked his brother is the last thing I need to deal with.”

Trip tugged at the hem of Jesse’s t-shirt. “I have as much to lose here as you, but if I don’t see you … and I mean alone, and face to face, it’s gonna drive me f**kin’ nuts.”

Jesse scanned the area around them then gently nudged Trip’s hand away. “I can’t make any promises, but I’ll try.”

“That’s all I’m asking.” Trip instinctively leaned in for a kiss, but checked himself before getting too close. He ran a shaky hand through his hair instead. “I’ll be on the island before dark.”

Jesse nodded. “Okay, but please, for sh*t’s sake, don’t f**k me over with Eric.”

Trip swallowed a mass of air clinging to the back of his throat. “Don’t worry. I know how to be careful around my brother.”

Jesse pushed past Trip and continued toward the store.

“See you later.”

Jesse turned back, took another good look then gave Trip a partial smile. “Yeah.” He opened the door and disappeared inside the bait shop.

Trip closed his eyes, savoring the scent of Jesse’s cologne, thankful for the smile, no matter how small it was. Tonight, given another chance, he’d memorize every inch of Jesse Reagan.

Buy Links:



Tyler’s Links:







Saturday, May 11, 2013

#8Sunday Weekend Writing Warriors: A Decade of Longing

I almost forgot to do this, but here we are again with another Sunday, another Snippet. *smile* The following sentences belong to A Decade of Longing and take place a little after last week's post. Have a great day and thank you for all your comments. 

#8Sunday Sentences for...


 
Alexander had felt elation at hearing her whisper his name.
She had not forgotten him. Even when he interrupted her, giving her
his new name; despite her initial rebuff, when he had felt as if a
thousand little needles had pierced through his heart simultaneously,
Alexander knew she was aware of him. The thought urged him to
pursue her.
“Please, my lady. I insist. I hear you are a marvelous dancer.”
He would not take no for an answer.
 
More Weekend Writing Warriors? Click Here  || Follow them on Facebook and Twitter
 

A Decade of Longing

Picture Angelica and Alexander fell in love at a young age. Unfortunately, their love is doomed since the beginning. Forcibly separated, Angelica is obligated to marry another man at her father’s convenience while Alexander is prohibited from ever seeking her out again.

Ten years later, however, Alexander is no longer the callow boy he used to be. Now an influential gentleman, he is bent on recovering the only woman he has ever loved. No matter the cost. But has their love withstood the ravages of time?

Available at:

 
 
Here for the Caliente Blog Hop? Click Here 

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

TnT Confidential: M.A. Church: Be my Alien and Co-authoring

If you're here for the Caliente Blog Hop, please, Click here!

Greetings everyone! Today I have author M.A. Church with a most interesting topic: To co-author or not? 
She's recently had some experience, writing with Julie Lynn Hayes a mm novel titled Be My Alien. (I have to say I love their cover. Yum! If that's the alien, I'll be happy to be his.)

Welcome M.A.! 



To co-author or not to co-author
  

Well now, that *is* the question, isn’t it, lol? When I first started writing, I really didn’t get the whole co-authored thing, and I also had dozens of questions on how it would work. *shrug* I dismissed the whole concept, actually, as something that wasn’t for me.

Then I met Julie Lynn Hayes, lol. Julie and I became friends when she edited my Nighttime series. As time passed, we became very good friends. Then the fateful day came and one of us made a joke about co-authoring something… and there you go, lol. Our first co-authored book, Be My Alien, was born.

My first question was how the devil did this deal work? Would I do a chapter, then she do one? Who was supposed to take notes? Could we both write each other’s characters? *laugh* Julie was very patient with me, and decided how we wanted to do this. I also found this isn’t for everyone. Stories written by two people can be a thing of beauty… or a flipping nightmare. I did worry about the nightmare part, to be honest. I found out very quickly in order to work together the co-authors had better be able to separate friendship from business. It’s give and take, and most relationships are, right?

I can’t speak for all co-authors, and this post is strictly from my perspective. But in Julie’s and my working relationship there’s a level of trust, which is needed for those times when bluntness is called for. I can tell you, this is no place for egos. Julie and I are good enough friends we can shoot down an idea, or twist an idea, or expand on it… and there’s no hard feelings. And we’ve done just that. It comes down to what’s best for the book.

We also share the workload. Meaning we both deal with edits, emails, setting up promotions, picking titles, choosing the cover, and anything else connected with our book. We both wrote it, so why should only one of us have to deal with all the little things? It’s sort of like a symbiotic relationship.

We’re also comfortable enough to write each other’s characters. Our voices are similar enough to do that and pull it off. She came up with Taz, and I created Reed. Why didn’t I take the alien when I’ve written aliens before? For that very reason. Julie has more experience writing than me, but scifi is one of my loves, lol. I’ve written aliens, so we agreed she’d do Taz for the experience. And God, Taz is a cutie.

Julie likes to say I got her into scifi, lol.

There are pros and cons to this too. One of the pros is working with someone. One of the cons is… working with someone, lol. When my hubby is off, I’m not usually on the computer. That’s our time together. So that means for a day or two I’m not available. Of course, that doesn’t include emergencies. Then there’s the fact I still have one child at home. Throw in she’s about to graduate this year and things can get busy.

I guess my overall point is co-authoring a book can be good, bad, or downright ugly. Friendships can be strengthened or destroyed. The whole damn thing can turn into a PIA of major proportions. I like to think this has helped my friendship with Julie grow. We haven’t scratched each other’s eyes out yet, lol.

As I said, these are just my thoughts. J




Blurb:
A man too busy for love…

Reed owns an upscale men’s boutique with a naughty back room. While making a late delivery to a client, he runs into Taz.

A man on a disastrous date…

When Taz agreed to come to Earth on a date, he didn’t expect to be dumped and left with no way home. Then he falls into Reed’s arms—literally.

A coffee date soon becomes a trip back to Reed’s apartment. But when Taz’s stripes begin to show, Reed discovers Taz comes from a planet far, far away.

Reed never believed aliens existed, but he’s facing one now. What in the world is he going to do?

Excerpt:

“Are you okay? Hello?”

Reed dragged his mind away from those sexy green eyes. “Ah, huh? What?”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to fall on top of you like that. You see, it was like this. I was pushed, and you just happened to be there and….” The stranger grinned at Reed. “And down we went.”

Reed shifted under the body lying so contentedly on top of him. Hell’s bells, the guy fit against him perfectly. From the feel of things, they were both close to the same height. Which also meant certain things were… aligned. “Oh yeah, I’m okay. Banged my head a little, but I’m fine.”

The stranger bit his bottom lip, his teeth worrying the tender skin. Reed debated slamming his head against the floor a few more times in the hopes of rattling his brain back to normal as the stranger rolled off him.

“I really am sorry.”

“No harm done.” Reed sat up and looked at the guy once again. Well, not much harm, anyway. His libido just had to pick now to perk up, didn’t it? But damn, this guy was sexy. Reed struggled to his feet and held his hand out to the man still on the floor, looking up at him. The guy took his hand and let Reed pull him up. 

“Name’s Reed. Are you okay?”

“Hi, Reed!” The guy hopped to his feet in a single, lithe movement, as if it was the most….world. “My name is Taz. Nice to meet you, and yes, I am.”

For a moment there was a flash in the guy’s eyes that belied his statement. “Good, that’s good. Glad to hear it. Well, I guess I’d better be going—”

A forlorn expression crossed Taz’s face and his pretty eyes clouded. “Oh.” 

Reed hesitated. There was something about the guy that pulled at him. When was the last time he’d felt that pull? Way too long ago. Taz was cute, sure. But there was this look of hurt. Dammit, Taz just looked so lost. Insane as it was, he wanted to make it all better.



M.A. Church
M.A. Church lives in the southern United States and spent many years in the elementary education sector. She is married to her high school sweetheart and they have two children. Her hobbies are gardening, walking, attending flea markets, watching professional football, racing, and spending time with her family on the lake.

But her most beloved hobby is reading. From an early age, she can remember hunting for books at the library. Later nonhuman and science fiction genres captured her attention and drew her into the worlds the authors had created. But always at the back of her mind was the thought that one day, when the kids were older and she had more time, she would write a book.

By sheer chance she stumbled across a gay male romance story on the web and was hooked. A new world opened up and she fell in love. Thus the journey started. When not writing or researching, she enjoys reading the latest erotic and mainstream romance novels.

My links:
Twitter @nomoretears00

Publishers:
Romance First Publishing: www.rfppublishing.com
eXtasy Books http://www.extasybooks.com/  (coming soon)


Julie Lynn Hayes

Julie Lynn Hayes was reading at the age of two and writing by the age of nine and always wanted to be a writer when she grew up. Two marriages, five children, and more than forty years later, that is still her dream. She blames her younger daughters for introducing her to yaoi and the world of M/M love, a world which has captured her imagination and her heart and fueled her writing in ways she'd never dreamed of before. She especially loves stories of two men finding true love and happiness in one another's arms and is a great believer in the happily ever after. She lives in St. Louis with her daughter Sarah and two cats, loves books and movies, and hopes to be a world traveler some day. She enjoys crafts, such as crocheting and cross stitch, knitting and needlepoint and loves to cook. While working a temporary day job, she continues to write her books and stories and reviews, which she posts in various places on the internet. Her family thinks she is a bit off, but she doesn't mind. Marching to the beat of one's own drummer is a good thing, after all.  Her other published works can be found at Dreamspinner Press, MuseitUp Publishing and No Boundaries Press, and coming soon with both Extasy Books and Torquere Press. She has also begun to self-publish and is an editor at MuseitUp.  

My links:
Twitter @Shelley_runyon
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julie.l.hayes.7?ref=tn_tnmn

Publishers:
eXtasy Books http://www.extasybooks.com/  (coming soon)
Torquere Press http://torquerepress.com/  (coming soon)



Monday, May 6, 2013

TnT COnfidential: Nikki Prince and Waking Beauty (A Naughty Fairy Tale)

Here for the Caliente Blog Hop? Click Here!

Welcome lovelies, to another TnT installment! I've got author Nikki Prince today here with me and her very naughty fairy tale Waking Beauty. I had the privilege of being a beta reader for Nikki and this tale and I assure you it's truly wonderful in both a magical way and an oh, so hot I need a fan way! 



Aurora Devine's libido has been asleep for over eight years. She's had the curse of not being able to have the big O since running away from her master Felipe Santiago Castro. The last time she came at the hand of a man it was with Felipe. Fearing what would happen if she let go with him completely she'd run.
Convinced the only way she will find peace of mind and pleasure is to go to Once Upon a Dream Fantasies she signs up for a time of pleasure asking for everything she'd lost eight years before to be fulfilled in a fantasy.
Felipe would show her that he was her only fantasy. He'd do anything to have her back in his life as his submissive. He'll play along and give her the fantasy she wants but in the end she'd realize that her submissiveness called to his dominance and they were a matched pair.

Available at Evernight Publishing



You know you want to read the excerpt...

The quiet continued on for a few moments longer before finally she couldn’t stand it any longer.

“Are you there?”

“Yes, Beauty, I’m here.” The voice was deep and the accent Spanish. They’d given her what she wanted. It wasn’t Felipe, nonetheless he’d do. She could pretend it was him. Only Felipe could make her come. The fantasy, if kept alive in her mind and in her heart, would make everything okay. She had to believe that. She couldn’t continue the way she was going. Hopefully just dreaming of Felipe as she was being touched would be enough.
She let herself live in the fantasy. This wasn’t a random stranger: it was her Felipe and he’d come back for her.

“I see you followed all of my instructions to the letter with exception of one.” His voice was stern and she squirmed.

“I…I...”

She heard the tsk-tsk that he gave. “Don’t bother to explain. I told you there would be consequences, didn’t I?”

“Yes, but?” How on earth did he know she’d touched herself?

“No buts, Beauty. When I give my word I mean every bit of it. So you will be punished. There is no other way around it. I give what I promise.”

His words exhilarated her and at the same time scared her. This was what she wanted and he was going to give her exactly that. He reminded her of Felipe in so many ways. “Now … do you understand, beauty?”

“Yes, I understand…” She didn’t know what to call him. From what she could hear he was moving about the room and he hadn’t tried to touch her yet. It was making her antsy.

“You should know what to call me. What did you put down on your paperwork?”

“I put Amo and señor.” Those two words were what she’d placed on the form. Amo and señor were what she used to call Felipe. Amo meant master and of course señor meant sir. She did say she wanted this to be as real as possible. This place didn’t half step at all. They followed everything that the client wanted.

“Then that is what you call me when you address me, Aurora. Is that understood?”

“Yes, señor, I understand.”

“Perfecto, my beauty.”

Damn, she really could believe it was Felipe. The accent was to die for. She let out a startled gasp as she was picked up by strong hands and held against an even stronger feeling body. In the next moment she was laid across his lap on her stomach. His fingers swept over her lower back where she had her tramp stamp.

“What a beautiful tattoo, Aurora.”

“I got it on a whim, señor.” It was vines on either side with thorns and a rose that dipped into the middle near her ass.

“Briar Rose,” he whispered softly. His words were so light that she almost thought he was talking to himself. His fingers traced lightly over the tattoo and then there was a stinging slap to her ass.

“What are you doing?” She couldn’t help the startled gasp that escaped her as the sting from his palm resonated through her whole body. Her words were given in her shock.

“I think you know what’s happening.” His palm rested on her bare ass and she squirmed.

“Stay still.” The command was given and she immediately obeyed. His large hands stroked slowly over her ass.

“What instruction did you disobey, Aurora?” All the while he rubbed his hand over her bare bottom as he spoke. It was soothing as much as it was delicious.

“To not touch myself.”

“That’s right, my beauty.” She squealed from the first smack on her ass by his palm.

“While you’re here, this is my ass, my pussy and my breasts.” With each word he slapped his hand against her backside, making her moan. Her butt was stinging from the spanking. Granted, it was in a pleasurable way. This paddling didn’t repulse her. In fact, she wanted more.

“Do you understand beauty?”

He gave her another rapid succession of slaps against her bottom. She found herself rocking her body into his lap.

“Yes, yes, señor. I understand fully.” Her ass was burning as she was being spanked as if she were a petulant child, and she loved it. Each slap set off an electric current of sensations that went straight to her clit.

Buylinks:

Where to find me:
@authornprince


Nikki Prince is a mother of two, who’s always had a dream to be a published author in the romance genre. Her passion lies in raising her children as readers, gaming, cooking, reading and her writing. Her mother can now breathe easy about the child who used to get in trouble because she was hiding books everywhere and reading when it wasn’t appropriate.

Nikki’s a multi-published author with several epublishing houses. She loves to write Interracial romances in all genres, but wants to let everyone know to not box her in, because there is always room for growth.

Nikki’s also a member of Romance Writers of America National chapter (http://www.rwa.org) and OCC/RWA local chapter (http://www.occrwa.org) and is a member of the board as Co-Programs Director.  She is also a member of the online chapter Passionate Ink RWA.

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Caliente Blog Hop!

Welcome everyone to the Caliente Blog Hop!

There are some awesome gran prizes to win as you can see below, but I will also be giving away a little something. What? Any book you choose from my back list :-) (You can have a look at my books by clicking here or on the tab above) To participate in my giveaway just leave a comment below with your email and the answer to the following question:  
What does being "caliente" mean to you? 

To win one the Grand Prize you've got the Rafflecopter below :-) 


 

I'm not going to lie to you, readers, the first thing that came to mind when I signed up for this hop was Rafaela Carra and her song "Caliente, Caliente". The lyrics talk about a woman that is horny or caliente caliente.

I live in Spain and though caliente usually means that something is hot (both in and out of a sexual context), it also means that someone is horny. As a matter a fact, to indicate that someone is hot in a sexy way, people usually use: "estás tremendo/tremenda" or "está buena/bueno/buenísima/buenísimo". 

Whilst to say that they're horny, there is this great expression derives from the word caliente:
"tengo un calentón..." but there are other expressions like "me estás poniendo..." estoy cachondo" or "me pones"

There's nothing like an example to understand things better, so here we go:

Ana moaned as Javier sprinkled kisses on the soft spot underneath her ear. His hands roamed over the curve of her ass, squeezing it firmly.

"Me estás poniendo a mil, Ana." He found the hem of her skirt and lifted it. "You turn me on," he repeated in English.

"Javi," she murmured, running her nails over the hard planes of his back. He retaliated by pulling her flush against his erection. Ana gasped. 

"Ana."

His lips covered hers, his tongue roughly making way into her mouth  and tangling with hers in a passionate embrace. Ana nibbled on his bottom lip, threading her fingers through his short dark hair as he responded to her assault by reaching under her blouse and fondling her breasts. 

"Javi," she whimpered as he pressed his palms to her aching breasts.

"Estás tremenda, Ana." She arched her back as he tugged down her bra and twisted her nipples with thumb and forefinger. Her core throbbed with need as liquid heat coated her panties. She moaned again as he opened the top two buttons of her shirt and lowered his head to her right breast. 

"Please." Her eyes shut tight, she ground her hips against the bulge in Javi's jeans, desperately searching for release. His suction on her nipple increased with the pulse between her legs. Her body was on fire, sweat trickling down her back and mingling with the humid Madrid heat. She clung to his shoulders, desperate for something to ground her to earth. "Por favor, Javi. Te necesito." She ran her hands over his chest, reaching beneath it to caress the hot flesh she knew was hidden from view. His hands returned beneath her skirt. Reaching from behind, he ran his index finger across her slit. 

"Estás tan humeda, you're so wet, love." 

Ana moaned, bucking against him. Aprubtly, Javi removed his hands and stepped away. Ana's senses reeled. Little by little the world around her came back into focus. A dog barked in a nearby building. Laughter and loud voices echoed from the nearby streets. Her legs shook and her heart felt as if it was about to explode out of her chest as with trembling fingers Javi buttoned her blouse and smoothed back her hair. He leaned back into her, resting his forehead against hers. 

"Not now, Ana," he murmured, "soon."  

"But--"

Javi smiled, bringing out the dimple on his right cheek that gave him that boyish charm she'd fallen so easily in love with.  

"Soon." Briefly capturing her lips again before she could muster another word, he led her away from the dark alley and back into the illuminated street.

 
So, what do you think? Caliente? Remember to leave a comment below answering the question What does being "caliente" mean to you? and off you go to the next blog! ;-) 
a Rafflecopter giveaway