Showing posts with label Secret Cravings Publishing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Secret Cravings Publishing. Show all posts

From Reader to Writer in three not-so-easy steps!

For several years before I even formulated an idea for my first book, I was reviewing books. Being a voracious reader since I was a child, reviewing seemed like the natural choice for me.

When I was still in school, my teacher assigned us students to choose three books each semester and write a few paragraphs about them. This was my first taste of book reviewing! While I was reading and reviewing Harold Robbins and Sidney Sheldon, my teacher came to me and said, You really should be reading the classics.

To me, Sheldon and Robbins were the Masters.

Book reviewing is an art that requires a special skill set. Book reviewing sites are professionally run, and most require interested applicants to audition. Book reviewers know how a book is put together, they understand the elements of plot, setting, scene, and point of view. They look for flow, for consistency, and most of all, they know how to remain neutral.

So if a book reviewer understands the mechanics of how a good book is put together, can they become writers themselves? Maybe.

About a year ago, I decided to make the leap into writing. First and foremost, I stopped reviewing contemporary and paranormal romance (the genres I was interested in). I did this by my own choice. I now review mostly mystery and inspirational romance.

I already had my idea for a contemporary romance, and I signed up for an intensive six month course in the art of novel writing. This past summer, I sold my first novel, Change of Address, which is now available at Secret Cravings Publishing. Within a few weeks of my sale, I was offered a contract for my short paranormal, Antique Charming, which is now available at Books To Go Now. Back To You followed, which is now available from Bradley Publishing.

I have made successful leaps from avid reader, to reviewer, to finally, writer. But everyone’s journey is individual. Not all reviewers will become writers, not all writers review. When people ask me, how did you know you wanted to review? How did you know you wanted to write? I tell them my truth. For me, it was a burn inside of me that would not let up until I started reviewing, until I started writing. Each reader, reviewer, and writer must follow her own path to personal satisfaction.


Change of Address
by Natalie-Nicole Bates


Saved from a traumatic past and successful in her present as a home care nurse, Josselyn Adler’s dream of home ownership in the idyllic town of Unity are dashed to pieces when Dr Ben Parnell, a cancer specialist, shows up on her doorstep claiming to be the rightful owner of the house—and Ben has a will to prove it! To Josselyn, the house represents a new start in her life. With a stable home, hopefully a much wanted family wouldn’t be far behind.

After a near career-ending allegation is made, Ben has returned home to lick his wounds. But now he must prove Josselyn’s claim to be a fake, that she used her position as a live-in nurse to his sick father to ingratiate herself into his good graces. But as he gets to know her, he can tell by her shy, often standoffish behavior, that Josselyn is a woman who has been deeply hurt in her past. Although he is attracted to the dark haired beauty that has invaded his life, he is still suspicious of her true motives and her past involvement with his father.

EXCERPT

When she arrived at the foot of the stairs, the front door rattled. Fear, cold and stark, rose up in her throat and choked her as she heard the lock snap and watched, rooted to the floor, the creaky old door jiggle in its frame. The anticipation mingled with fright, produced a potent, sick feeling churning inside her like the bad horror movie she’d recently viewed on late-night cable television.

After what seemed an eternity, the door flung open. The first thought entering her brain was a ghost had entered her home. A younger, blonder visage of Morgan stood in the threshold. Before she could utter his name, a second, more coherent thought followed; a ghost wouldn’t use a key.

The man in the doorway took one step inside and stopped abruptly, clenched his jaw, and stared. The familiar stranger invading her new home could only be one person.

“My goodness, you’re Ben! You’re Morgan’s son!” she exclaimed.

“Well, we know who I am. Now who the hell are you, and why are you trespassing in my house?”

“Your house?” she asked with disbelief. “This is my home. Morgan gave it to me!”

“I don’t know who you are, lady, but I suggest you get a move on it. I’ll give you five minutes before I call the police.” He pointed to his platinum-cased wristwatch for emphasis.

“Don’t bother waiting.” She reached into her handbag and removed her cell phone. With shaking fingers, she punched in 911.

The line connected after the second ring. “911, what is your emergency?” asked the female dispatcher.

“My name is Josselyn Adler. I’m the new owner of 22 Little Pine Road. A man has let himself into my home and is now threatening me.” Although she was quaking on the inside, she strove to keep her voice and demeanor strong and confident.

“I have an officer on the way, Ms. Adler. Would you like to stay on the line with me until he arrives?” she offered.

“No, thank you. I’ll be fine,” she assured her.

As she disconnected her phone, Ben’s gaze burned into her. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of showing any fear. While growing up, she had dealt with her share of tormentors. One forty-year-old, blond-haired bully was not going to intimidate her or drive her from a home that was rightfully hers.

“Very nice performance,” he said snidely.

“Excuse me?” She furrowed her brow and made eye contact. Ben Parnell had his father’s glacial, blue eyes.

“Any moment one of Unity’s finest will be arriving to play knight in shining armor and save the poor maiden from the big, bad wolf.”

Before she could utter a word in reply, a black patrol car came to a screeching halt on the street. An officer threw open the car door and made long, quick strides to the house. His uniform and Unity Police Department baseball cap matched the color of his car.

A lump formed in her throat. As she was growing up, a police car in front of the house and an officer at the door meant her father was in some sort of trouble yet again.

“Good evening, Miss. I’m Officer Smith.” He looked to Ben. “It’s certainly been a long time since you’ve been around, Ben.” Not waiting for an answer from him, he turned his attention back to Josselyn. “What seems to be the problem tonight?”

He knew Ben by his first name. They looked to be about the same age, and in this small town, it was likely they knew each other growing up. Although Officer Smith seemed friendly enough, would he side with the hometown boy rather than with the stranger girl?

“This is my house. Morgan Parnell left it to me in his will. Now he...” She paused and pointed at Ben. “He thinks it’s his house.”

“I have a will, too,” Ben loudly interrupted. “And mine is legitimate!”

His deep voice vibrated through her, causing her head to ache. Flustered, she pulled an envelope from her handbag. Morgan’s attorney gave to her a copy of the will a few days earlier. She handed it to Officer Smith. To her dismay, Ben also produced a document from a briefcase.

This is very bad.

She hoped Ben had been bluffing.

_________________________

Natalie-Nicole Bates
Website

Big Dicks From Arkansas

Now, don't go crazy on me. It's not what you think - well, it is - but, it isn't. You see this was one of my grandmother's saying. She passed a few weeks ago at – almost 94 - and she was a character. When she was young, she heard someone talking about so-and-so being a 'big dick' from Arkansas. She never forgot it. So anytime she thought about somebody being important - she called him a big dick from Arkansas.

Well, I write erotic romances and have ten releases under my belt. My grandmother read them all. One day she asked me if all of my heroes had big dicks. I laughed at her and admitted that 'yes' they did. She looked at me over her spectacles and said that it was probably a good idea because who would want to read a romance novel about a man who had a little dick.

My grandmother critiqued my stories and in the beginning she was not so happy about all the sex scenes. She mellowed out somewhat - even though the oral sex part was not her favorite. My graphic descriptions of luscious blow-jobs was not her cup of tea. But, let me tell you this. Last year, we went shopping together. At one point, it was too cold for her to get out of the car and I handed her a book to read to entertain herself. Now, it wasn't one of mine. I won't tell you whose it was - but it was on the New York Times best seller list. I left her reading and went to do my errands. When I came back, I found that she had tossed the book over on my side of the car and it was lying in the floor board. I took that as a sign that she didn't like the book too much. I asked her what the problem was - now, get this. She said that it wasn't spicy enough for her. I almost died. This was the woman who had initially wanted me to write Christian romances. I laughed at her and told her that she had been reading too many of my stories. She said that I was probably right - that she liked - now get this - she liked stories with big dicks and happy endings. I laughed till I cried. Big dicks and happy endings.

I told the woman who does my computer work about that and she said we ought to incorporate and call our company BD&HE - Big Dicks and Happy Endings. Could anything be more perfect? Now, my grandmother's definition of a happy ending is not the standard masseuse table definition. She literally means that a 'happy ending' is a sweet love story that ends with the hero and heroine riding off into the sunset together. One of my favorite Elvis songs is 'Happy Endings'. I have always pictured myself speaking at a Romance Writer's of America Conference on the topic of - let's say 'big dicks and happy endings' and finishing the speech by breaking into song - - - "Happy Endings. . . Happy Endings – singing about a story with a Happy Ending. When boy meets girl and they never part again - but live forever happily -" If you don't know the song - you should - go buy an Itunes version. There's no one and nothing like Elvis.

Anyway - my grandmother had a unique way of looking at things. I can picture how she looked reading one of my books – in my mind, I’m watching her read as she eats Doritios - she chuckles every once in a while and when she does, I know she's come to one of the big dick parts.

Below is an excerpt for you from My Aliyah - Heart in Chains, my novel of a Texas Ranger with a big dick - but he's not from Arkansas.



My Aliyah
Heart in Chains
by Sable Hunter

Aliyah jerked awake. She had been touched! Every battle instinct that she had went on red alert. Slipping the knife from her thigh, she flipped her attacker onto his back and held him at her mercy. With one slight move she had the knife right where it could do the most good. The tip end of it nestled at the base of a tender sac - the only thing saving her nemesis was his thin BVD‘s.

About two seconds later, she was awake enough to realize that it was Ty she had way-laid. She remembered where she was and how she got there. Still, opportunity was knocking and Aliyah was nothing if not resourceful. A quick thinker, she decided to play the hand she had been dealt. “All right, Ranger Landon. Do I have your attention?”

Well, good Lord! Did she have his attention? Hell, yeah! She had a knife to his balls. “Undivided.” Better his attention be undivided than his nuts be shelled. “I’m sort of attached to my business, baby.” Even though she pretended to be threatening to castrate him; Ty was harder than ever. She was spread over him like icing on a cake and he could feel her unfettered breasts molding tenderly to his chest. He didn’t know what this was all about, but he did know that she wouldn’t hurt him “What did I do to get your dander up?”

“You must have touched me in your sleep. This is how I react when I’m startled out of my slumber.” She could feel his cock pressing against her. It was hard and throbbing. What if he had been like this all night? Poor baby. Mustering up her courage, she decided to make the most of the situation. “I will do you no permanent damage; if you cooperate.” She kissed him on the end of the nose. It was almost dark in the room; but she could still see his face quiet clearly. To say he looked surprised, was putting it lightly. “You are a living doll, Ranger. Would you like to be my man?”

He chuckled, realizing she was turning the tables on him. With complete disregard for the sharp blade pressed to his twig and berries, and with an effortless twist of his body, Ty rolled her over until he had her pressed securely into the mattress beneath him. “The knife wasn’t necessary, sweetheart, there’s nothing I’d rather be than your man.” Aliyah was careful not to stick him as she pulled the knife from between them. Instead of using it on him, she threw it to the floor. For this she needed both hands. Edging one knee and one leg out from under him, Aliyah put an arm around his neck as if she were about to pull him down for a kiss. Instead, she applied unexpected pressure to a few strategically placed nerves - and flipped the two hundred fifty plus pounds of cowboy to his back. Now, she was on top - astraddle an erection as big and hard as an iron pipe. “Oh, baby!” He laughed. “I’m going to enjoy playing with you.” With slow, caressing movements, he slipped his hands under her tank top. Her skin was as soft as the softest silk, “What did you have in mind, Ah-Lee-Ah?” Right now, he would take a long run on a short pier - anything to get a piece of her. “I’m yours for the taking.”

Moving slightly, she took hold of his hands, pulling them away from the bare skin of her back. She didn’t want him to find the scars - couldn’t bear to see the look of disgust and rejection on his face when he realized exactly who she was and what she’d had to do to survive. Kissing him across his brow, down the bridge of his nose, Aliyah trembled on top of him. “This is for the good of the mission. Our sexual tension - it is causing too much distraction. Now, lay perfectly still - or I will have to temporarily paralyze you.” She smiled so radiantly at him, that he started to volunteer for the paralysis - but, he really, really wanted to participate in this sensual exercise. “Take off your underwear,” she ordered.

Eagerly, Ty raised his hips up and shucked his shorts. “Take off yours,” he urged - more aroused than he could ever remember being.

“My nakedness will not be required for this encounter.” She wiggled around until she fit her damp, silk-covered center over his engorged cock.

Tyler moaned his appreciation of the erotic contact. “I don’t mean to put in, doll-face, - this is your rodeo - but it would all go in a lot smoother if there wasn’t so much material clogging up the works.” He caught his breath as she started to ease herself up and down over his tumescence. Her clit drug deliciously over the hard ridge of his flesh.

Stop! She warned herself, her pleasure was not what this was about. She stilled, knowing that she could not allow any intimacy on her part without revealing to him her sordid history. All the background information that she had dredged up on him, told her that he was a good man - while she was unworthy to latch his shoes.

“I want inside you,” Ty growled, trying to push her brief underwear aside so he could find her hot, creamy center. “Now!” he demanded.

Aliyah captured both of his hands within her own. “We do this my way - or not at all. Understand?” She was talking big, but Aliyah was so excited she was already damp with desire. “I am in control.”

Ty clenched his teeth - he was dying here! “Hell! Fine! Whatever you say! Just please, for God’s sake - take off your top and let me suck on those sweet tits!” His demand fired up her blood. For a moment, she debated the issue, then giving in to both of their needs, she surrendered on that point. Lifting her arms over her head she pulled the tank top off, revealing honey colored breasts tipped with nipples that were puffed up with passion, stiff and distended - reaching for his lips. “Sweet Jesus,” he breathed. “How fuckin’ perfect could you get?!” Reverently, he touched them - one in each hand, testing their weight. Running his palms up the sides of the generous mounds, he circled them languorously, not only enjoying the feel of her skin - but the look in her eyes as he gave her pleasure. “I have never seen more beautiful breasts. Do you like that, Ah-Lee-Ah?”

“Oh, yes,” she sighed as she fought not to scrub her velvety core over him. Her labia lips were cupped over his girth as if they were two pieces of the same puzzle - they fit like a matching set. “But, do you have to say my name like it has seven syllables?” Laughing, she decided to enjoy the moment, so she put her hands over his, pressing them into the flesh of her breasts. “Harder,” she demanded. The Dom in him went on red-alert. Even though she was on top and supposedly in control, her request for a more intense touch told him volumes. His baby was not made of spun glass - she was a flesh and blood woman who could give as good as she got.

He found her nipples with his fingers and began milking them with sure, womb-contracting strokes. Aliyah leaned into his hands, the joy that she was receiving from his touch was a thousand times more than she had imagined. “Suck them, Tyler. I need your mouth on me!” At her bidding, he anxiously brought his lips to her breast.

“Mmmm, I’ve dreamed of getting these into my mouth. Let’s see if they taste as good as they look.” Aliyah closed her eyes in ecstatic bliss as he began to lave and suck and pull and suckle. Ty wasn’t quiet about it either - he expressed his enjoyment in moans and grunts of appreciation. Grasping his head with both hands, she kissed him on top of his soft brown hair repeatedly as he nursed at her breast.

“I want you!” he gritted, letting one nipple pop from his mouth. “I can’t stand it - I’m about to explode!”

She wanted him, more than she had ever wanted anyone or anything in her life - but her sense of decency held her back. Aliyah wasn’t ready to bare her heart and soul - and until she could do that, she would not go all the way with him. Instead, she would give him relief. “I will take care of you.”

Before he could say Judge Roy Bean, she had slid down until her mouth was level with his penis. “Aliyah, what are you doing?” He tried to pull her up, but she held back. “I want to make love to you,” his voice had a hard, desperate edge to it.

“Patience, love,” the endearment slipped out before she caught it. “I am going to make love to you.” The promise in her voice soothed him, but he was still confused as to why she was avoiding his ardor.

Aliyah closed her hand around his gigantic member. “Ty, you are beautiful,” she praised him. “If it were possible, I know you would fill me up and it would feel amazing.” A sad note in her voice gave him pause, and if he hadn’t been about to burst - perhaps he would have pursued her wistfulness. “I am sure that you are an incredible lover,” she continued to praise him. With her lips and tongue she began a sure caress, rubbing her mouth up and down him - tasting, licking, letting her tongue dance over his silk covered steel.

“Let me show you, baby, how good it can be. Please?” Putting his hands under her arms, he attempted to pull her up.

“No,” she was insistent. “My way, remember?” Groaning, he fell back. She rewarded his cooperation by picking his large organ up and taking the head of it in her mouth and bathing it with the warmth of her tongue. She sucked lightly, dipping the end of her tongue deep into the slit, sipping the essence that came out to greet her. “Mary, Mother, Joseph. . .” mumbled Tyler as he succumbed to the pure pleasure he was receiving from her intimate kiss. “That’s right, angel baby - suck me - suck me hard.” Ty’s hips began to buck upward as he sought to push more and more of his tremendous cock into her mouth. Aliyah accepted all that she could; she held her head at such an angle so she could take him down her throat. Considering what she had endured in the past, Aliyah had never thought she would ever willingly put herself in a position like this again. But, with Ty - it was different. She wanted him in her mouth - she wanted to immerse herself in his taste - she wanted to inhale the muskiness of his unique, private odor. She wanted to take within her just as much of him as nature would allow.

Tyler did what she would permit - he stroked her head, he caressed her face, wishing that she would let him show her what he could do! She had no idea how deep he could run his tongue up her channel or how sweetly he could suck on her little clit. She couldn’t fathom how many ways he could take her - driving his rod home with powerful thrusts and sensuous bumps and grinds of his hips - all designed to bring her an endless number of orgasms. But, she refused to let him do anything to make her feel good. So, he lay back and enjoyed her gift.

Tyler felt like his dick was being massaged in hot, whipped cream. Every nerve in his body was screaming with enthusiasm. “That’s it baby, oh God, you’re good.” In the dim light of morning, he stole glimpses at Aliyah as she hungrily sucked his cock. It was one of the most arousing sights he had ever been privileged to see. Her little lips were stretched wide and she worked her tongue over and around his swollen glans like she was consuming a creamy dreamsicle. Her beautiful hair tumbled around her shoulders and hung like a curtain of brown silk. “You are the most beautiful woman in the world. I long to eat your pussy and make you come a thousand times.” She had her eyes closed, as if she were enjoying it as much as he was - not possible. Tyler was in absolute heaven. “I can’t take much more, doll. You’re making me crazy.” He had experienced incredible blowjobs from talented women, but nothing like what he was receiving from Aliyah’s sweet mouth. “Swallow, baby. I go crazy when you swallow.” She held his staff with both hands and swallowed several times - each time putting extra pressure on his dick right where he needed it. “Jesus! I am about to explode like that car bomb would have if you hadn’t been so sweet and brave.”

Aliyah’s heart reverberated with thick, churning emotions. The bittersweet feelings that were cascading through her heart were making this event much more important to her than it was to him - she realized that. He was an experienced, jaded ladies man - and she was - God, she didn’t know what she was. Sex was something she had been forced to endure - but, lovemaking was an overwhelming new experience for Aliyah. In some ways - it hurt. Tears began to roll down her cheeks. Shivers of ecstasy warred with the twinges in her heart as she realized that she could never do this again - it was wrong on more levels than she could count. Doubling her efforts, she sought to get Tyler off so she could get out.

* All comments on this post over the next 7 days are entered in a drawing for a copy of my book A Wishing Moon. Be sure to leave your email address in the post.

______________

Have a great day!

Sable Hunter

Coins: Fun or a lot of Work

Good Morning Readers,

First let me say, Thank You, to Brenda for having me as her guest today. It’s always a pleasure to blog at her site. I have a fun subject for you this morning, one that is near and dear to my heart.

Have you ever felt passionate about something? I mean really passionate? Of course we love our kids and dear hubby, our parents, heck, our extended families, but outside that, do you have another passion?

For me it's coins!

I’ve been an avid coin collector for years, and as my eldest son says, once I start something, I go all out. I stumbled into collecting coins by accident by becoming acquainted with an elderly gentleman who had an extensive collection he was selling. At the time, coins meant very little to me and I never even considered the value of one.
I started out small for my first collection because I really had no clue what I was doing. And I started out collecting foreign coins. I was fascinated by the hundreds of different designs on the exotic, alien coins. Frankly, some were just plain beautiful. They still are, however, I quickly learned that if I was going to be a serious collector, I needed to collect coins that were minted in the good ole’ U.S. of A.

What really got me hooked was when a young woman from Poland whom I’d met online and discussed coins with volunteered to send me a couple of coins from her grandfather’s collection. Her words were, “He died and grandmother doesn’t need his coins.” I was both shocked and honored that she offered them to me and expecting a couple of tiny coins in the mail, didn’t think anything else about them until the day they arrived.

The two coins that arrived in my mailbox were huge and known as thalers, and were minted in Austria. I looked them over trying to figure out just when they were minted because the letters were a bit difficult to figure out. When I saw the dates on those two coins, my heart dropped to my knees. Both coins were over three hundred years old. I was stunned that this woman had parted with them and made them a gift to me. I still have them today and they mean more to me than any coin I have in any of my collections.

Over the years I’ve collected different sets and passed them on to my children and grandchildren. I hope someday that at least one of them will feel as passionate about coins as I do and begin their own collections.

Another thing I’m passionate about is books, especially a steamy romance. I hope you’ll enjoy the excerpt from my upcoming novel, WILD, book five and the conclusion of the Montana Men Series. This novel is unavailable until late 2012. The first four books in the series will be re-released in early 2012 by Secret Cravings Publishing. They’ll be longer, stronger, extended versions. Be sure to watch for them!


Wild



BLURB:

A wild gamble…uneven odds…an assassin’s bullet…

She’d do anything―The only witness to the first lady’s assassination, Jayla Ross is the next target. She flees to Montana to the one man she knows can keep her safe, and save the life of her unborn child―except, she’s the last person he’d ever agree to help…

He’d risk everything―Wild Remington spent five years in prison because of Ross’s lies, and now, with a bullet hole in her shoulder, she’s asking him for help―right in time to be trapped in the wilds of Montana in the middle of a blizzard…

Jayla and Wild―two people who have nothing left to lose and perhaps everything to gain…



EXCERPT:

Sliding off the horse, he approached her from the driver’s side. “Hey, in there, you okay, lady?” he shouted. “Are you hurt?”

Crack!

His hat sailed through the air landing a few feet away. The mare reared and whinnied, frightened by the sudden gunshot. The reins slid from his gloved hands. The mare bolted like she’d been stung by a bee. Wild dropped to the ground, belly-crawling until he reached cover behind a large rock. “Sonofabitch, if she didn’t want help, then why did she yell for it?”

Leaning against the boulder, he looked around quickly to make sure the mare hadn’t left the country in terror. Nope. She’d stopped a few feet away. The horse was well trained, better trained than the loco female with the loaded gun poked out the driver’s side window taking potshots at him.

He peeped around the corner of the boulder. Hell, he’d had reporters charge him like a herd of stampeding cattle, but he’d never had one try to gun him down before. “Damn, fool woman!” he muttered.

She waved the pistol around above the top of the driver’s door like it was some kind of flag. “I’ve got a gun,” she yelled.

“No shit,” Wild mumbled, and ducked back down. He snatched his cowboy hat off the ground, cursing―his favorite, the cream-colored straw one with the black and white beaded band and bits of ostrich feathers on the back. He eyed it with disgust. The demon woman had put a bullet hole through the crown. What a pissy-ass day this had turned out to be.

He jammed the hat back in place, his jaw tightening with anger. He might want to kill himself, but be damned if someone else was doing the job for him. “Are you crazy, lady?” he shouted. “Don’t shoot! I’m here to help you.”

“Wild? Is that you?”

Puzzled, he rose slowly to his feet, his arms up in surrender. “Well, now, that all depends,” he drawled. “Who the hell are you gunning for?” He didn’t recognize the voice or the car. Wild side-stepped, edging around so he could approach the car from the rear and stay out of her range, or at least make it difficult for her to line him up in her sights. He walked closer, close enough to eye the plates. U.S. Government. D.C.



Please leave a comment for a chance to win a free E-copy of Playing for Keeps, book four in the Montana Men series. I’ll drop your name in the cowboy hat and announce the winner tomorrow.

Until then,

Happy Reading!