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I admit it. I have a problem. I'm one of thousands of authors chronically addicted to checking her Amazon rankings.

Doesn't sound like much of a problem? Well, it is. Checking my email? Well, I might as well give those rankings a peek, too. Logging onto Facebook for a sec? Well why not log onto Amazon? It'll only take a minute. Just a quick looksie, just a little peek.

I sware that I log onto my Amazon page at least once a day now (and some authors are even worse than that). There is a logical reason for all this, of course. I want to know how the book is doing because, quite simply, I need to know which marketing efforts are working and which are not. I want to know if the author interview I just did resulted in any immediate sales. I want to know whether that incredibly flattering review translated into numbers. Did that book trailer or email blast or author chat or small mention in a national newspaper make a difference?

The real question is: how can I market my books effectively if I don't know what works? And how can I see what works unless I check my Amazon rank daily?

Well, good news for all of us authors out there! There are several free internet services that track Amazon rankings for books. With these sites, there is no need to check Amazon obsessively looking for trends. The sites will track the numbers for you, and show you easy-to-read graphs of your book's sales over time.  Now you can log in once a month and see the big picture, instead of viewing Amazon at random and seeing incomplete snapshots.

The two best services I have found are NovelRank and Titlez. Both are pretty comparable. The only real difference is that Titlez requires you to login, but it also allows you to save several books and compare their stats. Both monitor sales rank hour by hour, give graphs, histories, and more. Pretty nifty, huh?

Take my word for it: keeping track of your sales is essential, and these services are easy to use and very reliable. Authors everywhere, start tracking your books today (and get that page-clicking monkey off your back).

        

Today, an interview with Kilt Kilpatrick: the very talented (and quite possibly the only) straight man writing gay erotica. This gifted author has penned some of the hottest M/M erotic romances around. So how did this come about? Read on to find out:

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I am continually amazed at the incredible critical response this novel is getting! Dozens of crirtics agree: this book is not to be missed. Addicted to Romance has just posted an amazing write-up of PACK OF LIES today, calling it a "riveting" and "exciting" book that "kept me on the edge of my seat". Just look at some of the other wonderful reviews the book has received so far:



"A riveting and totally unique look at werewolf mythology...beautifully written and unimaginably compelling, Pack Of Lies sets the hook from the first page and doesn't let go."
--Kate Douglas, bestselling author of the Wolf Tales series

"A must read"
--Romantic Inks

"A well-written, vivid, detailed book...a thorough success"
--What Book Is That?

"Emotionally charged and well written...lucky for us it is the first book in a series."
--Night Owl Reviews

"an incredible read."
--Leilani Loves Books

"Romance, Wolves, Alpha Males...and a lot of action! What is not to love!"
--Bookish Life

"A dark book...descriptive and sensual...My first book by Ms. Vaughn and I love what I have read"
--Erotic Horizon

"Sexy as hell"
--Erotic Romance Reader

"A sexually charged cut throat world full of danger, lust and secrets. "
--Paranormal Haven

"Enthralling...you can't go wrong in choosing this for a hot sizzling sexy summer read"
--Book Bitch

"A real page turner, very difficult to put down"
--Lusty Literati

"It was riveting...kept me on the edge of my seat...I truly enjoyed reading Pack Of Lies"
--Addicted To Romance

"Excellent"
--Wicked Readings

"I absolutely loved it!...[T]his is a must!"
--Can't Find A Bookmark

"Hot...Vaughn doesn't pull any punches...She writes some eye-searing passages that will get your pulse pounding."
--Prurient Interests

"Beautifully written...takes my darkest desires, adds the supernatural and delivers a mighty enjoyable read"
--Urban Gypsy

 

        

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Can't Find A Bookmark has posted an amazing review of PACK OF LIES, saying "this is a MUST!". "I just couldn't put it down," she writes, "I absolutely loved it!" 

Visit this excellent site today to take a look at their Pack Of Lies review and all their other incredibly entertaining posts about the world of books!

 

        

 

 
Erotic Romance Reader has posted a wonderful review of PACK OF LIES, calling the book "highly erotic" and "sexy as hell"! It even goes on to describe the writing as "sensual", "beautiful", and "compelling". Wow! Visit this excellent erotica review site today to read more!

 

        

The eBook market is exploding in size.

I must admit that I was once skeptical of ebooks ever having far-reaching appeal. Like others, I thought there was nothing like the smell and feel of a real book in my hands, that the ereader with its flickering screen and clacking keys was a cold soulless technological intrusion into the world of books where none was necessary.

But then came the night when I was lying in bed at 1am lamenting the fact that I had nothing new to read. Snatching my partner's Kindle, I pressed a button and suddenly found every subject I could ever want at my fingertips. This was my "aha!" moment. Before that night, I understood intellectually how ebooks worked, but until I actually cuddled up with one and flipped through its pages, I couldn't imagine how satisfying they could be.

With eBooks, readers are buying more novels but at lower prices. Greater volume is always wonderful for authors (the more fans, the better); and the instant gratification and lower cost of ebooks are ideal for readers. Truly, it's a match made in heaven.

Check out this article in Publisher's Weekly saying that the eBook market is now 55% of the size of the mass market paperback market! (Amazing!) Or this New York Times piece reporting that last month 180 digital books were sold by Amazon for every 100 hardcover books they sold!

With Amazon slashing its Kindle price down to a mere $189, make no mistake: eBooks are here to stay. And I'm finally starting to think that's not such a bad thing after all.

        

Last April, Jobs declared the iPad would remain free of "pornographic" apps. In February, he also removed "overtly sexual content" from the iPhone app store. (Both decisions resulted in huge arbitrary clusterf*cks as Apple axed apps like Suicide Girls--which showed pin-up style shots of gals in bras and underthings--but permitted apps by Playboy and Sports Illustrated--which showed the same amount of nudity.) 

When the iPad released, Jobs also chose not to allow Flash on the device. Flash is the most commonly used video software on the internet, and is used on countless sites--even major ones such as Hulu. Users around the globe were puzzled by this decision, as it seems to only inconvenience iPad users and provide no benefit to them. Many speculate, however, that Flash was disabled on the iPad as part of Jobs' anti-porn crusade. (Flash is, after all, the way most porn sites display their streaming videos. And we can't have adults watching material like that, now, can we?)

Now comes the last straw. Yesterday, Apple removed erotica books from its iBookstore rankings. Several titles--including Six Sexy Stories by Ginger Starr and Big Sis by Carl East were bestsellers at the very top of the charts before they mysteriously diappeared from the iBookstore yesterday afternoon. 

Does Apple not recall the embarrassment Amazon suffered after censoring its own charts?! (Amazon has since corrected the problem and apologized.) In Amazon's case, GLBT books were deleted from its bestseller lists, not erotica; but the notion is the same.
 
Steve, when technology fights porn, porn always wins. Period. Remember why VHS beat out Betamax years ago? VHS embraced porn while Betamax resisted it. If the iPad resists porn, it will also go the way of the Beta cassette. No matter how sleek and attractive this product is, no one wants to surf an internet that is censored. The market will not stand for it. Consumers will turn to their Kindles for uncensored eBook selection and to myriad other devices for uncensored browsing.

The internet is not a PG rated place, and anyone marketing internet technology needs to come to terms with that.

        

For some reason, they're always hotter.

Take Thora Birch in Ghostworld. Her frames give her a kick-ass attitude no one can top:

Or Liv Tyler donning a pair at the Academy Awards:

Admit it. Their nerdy charm even adds a little something to the gorgeous Scarlett Johansson:

Not to mention the hotness of all the spectacle-sporting erotica authors out there like Rachel Kramer Bussel and Violet Blue: 


                 


So what do you think? Do glasses give girls a little something--a quirky offbeat aura that simply cannot be ignored? Is it just me, or are a pair of geeky frames the ultimate erotic accessory? 

Hmmmmm. Maybe I should break out my old pair...

        

Lusty Literati has agreed to feature a VERY explicit exerpt today from my novel Pack Of Lies! This hot scene involves a strong Alpha struggling with accepting a submissive sexual role for the very first time. Enjoy the juicy M/M exerpt here (and make sure to leave a comment)!


Here is the full blog tour schedule:

July 1 - Wicked Readings
July 2 - Strange Candy Reviews
July 3 - Obsidian Bookshelf
July 4 - Stuff Of Myth and Men
July 8 - Leilani Loves Books
July 9 - Urban Gypsy
July 10 - Paranormal Haven
July 11 - Not Really Southern Vamp Chick
July 12 - Marilyn's Room
July 14 - The Book Vixen
July 16 - Kristina Wright
July 17 - Larissa's Bookish Life
July 18 - Prurient Interests
July 21 - Book Bitch
July 22 - What Book Is That?
July 23 - Parajunkee
July 24 - Man Eater
July 25 - Lusty Literati
July 29 - Erotic Romance Reader
July 30 - Can't Find A Bookmark
July 31 - Addicted To Romance
Aug 1 - Leontine's Book Realm

PACK OF LIES is available now!!!
Amazon

Ravenous Romance



Enjoy!

        

...or is Maleficent incredibly hot?

She does demand to be called "Mistress Of All Evil"--which is kind of kinky--. And am I the only one who swoons when she turns to her raven and purrs "come here, my pet"?

        

Man Eater is a stop on the blog tour!!! Erica Rivera--the brilliant writer who operates the site--is a genius when it comes to combining the worlds of food and sex. Just look at her Pack Of Lies post, if you don't believe me! She expertly weaves wit, titillating sexual adventures, and recipes together every time into a beautiful quirky offbeat style that has to be read to be believed.

Visit Man Eater today, and discover more about a talented writer's mouthwatering coital and culinary adventures!


Here is the full blog tour schedule:

July 1 - Wicked Readings
July 2 - Strange Candy Reviews
July 3 - Obsidian Bookshelf
July 4 - Stuff Of Myth and Men
July 8 - Leilani Loves Books
July 9 - Urban Gypsy
July 10 - Paranormal Haven
July 11 - Not Really Southern Vamp Chick
July 12 - Marilyn's Room
July 14 - The Book Vixen
July 16 - Kristina Wright
July 17 - Larissa's Bookish Life
July 18 - Prurient Interests
July 21 - Book Bitch
July 22 - What Book Is That?
July 23 - Parajunkee
July 24 - Man Eater
July 25 - Lusty Literati
July 29 - Erotic Romance Reader
July 30 - Can't Find A Bookmark
July 31 - Addicted To Romance
Aug 1 - Leontine's Book Realm

PACK OF LIES is available now!!!
Amazon

Ravenous Romance



Enjoy!

        

. . .or are curves in again and hotter than ever?

Just get an eyefull of Christina Hendricks, the voluptuous redheaded star of Mad Men,

 and at Scarlett Johansson sporting her curve-hugging catsuit in Iron Man 2.

What do you think? Is Marilyn's classic silhouette coming back in a big way?

        

 

I am overjoyed to have Parajunkee as part of the PACK OF LIES tour today!

Parajunkee is a tremendously popular blog featuring reviews of paranormal books (and even some movies)! If you are not already following this amazing site, start today! Fans of sexy tales of Vampires, Werewolves, Ghosts, Demons, WItches and more will find this a tremendously entertaining daily stop. I can't say enough great things about it!

Here is the full blog tour schedule:

July 1 - Wicked Readings
July 2 - Strange Candy Reviews
July 3 - Obsidian Bookshelf
July 4 - Stuff Of Myth and Men
July 8 - Leilani Loves Books
July 9 - Urban Gypsy
July 10 - Paranormal Haven
July 11 - Not Really Southern Vamp Chick
July 12 - Marilyn's Room
July 14 - The Book Vixen
July 16 - Kristina Wright
July 17 - Larissa's Bookish Life
July 18 - Prurient Interests
July 21 - Book Bitch
July 22 - What Book Is That?
July 23 - Parajunkee
July 24 - Man Eater
July 25 - Lusty Literati
July 29 - Erotic Romance Reader
July 30 - Can't Find A Bookmark
July 31 - Addicted To Romance
Aug 1 - Leontine's Book Realm

PACK OF LIES is available now!!!
Amazon

Ravenous Romance



Enjoy!

        

Check out my guest blog post "Everything You Always Wanted To Know About M/M Fiction But Were Afraid To Ask" today at What Book Is That!

What Book Is That has a huge directory of reviews for Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, and YA books. Visit the site today to read my post, as well as see their analysis of all the hottest new releases and participate in fun reading challenges!

Here is the full blog tour schedule:

July 1 - Wicked Readings
July 2 - Strange Candy Reviews
July 3 - Obsidian Bookshelf
July 4 - Stuff Of Myth and Men
July 8 - Leilani Loves Books
July 9 - Urban Gypsy
July 10 - Paranormal Haven
July 11 - Not Really Southern Vamp Chick
July 12 - Marilyn's Room
July 14 - The Book Vixen
July 16 - Kristina Wright
July 17 - Larissa's Bookish Life
July 18 - Prurient Interests
July 21 - Book Bitch
July 22 - What Book Is That?
July 23 - Parajunkee
July 24 - Man Eater
July 25 - Lusty Literati
July 29 - Erotic Romance Reader
July 30 - Can't Find A Bookmark
July 31 - Addicted To Romance
Aug 1 - Leontine's Book Realm

PACK OF LIES is available now!!!
Amazon

Ravenous Romance



Enjoy!

        

I am thrilled that Book Bitch is such a fan of PACK OF LIES! She has called the novel "sensual" and "enthralling", saying "you can't go wrong in choosing this for a hot, sizzling, sexy summer read"!!!

Book Bitch is today's stop on the blog tour. She loves steamy books, and is one of the hottest and sassiest bloggers you're likely to come across. This reviewer pulls absolutely no punches. She tells it like it is about the hottest Erotic Romance, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy and M/M books out there. Check out the Book Bitch blog today, and start following her reviews if you're not already!


Here is the full blog tour schedule:

July 1 - Wicked Readings
July 2 - Strange Candy Reviews
July 3 - Obsidian Bookshelf
July 4 - Stuff Of Myth and Men
July 8 - Leilani Loves Books
July 9 - Urban Gypsy
July 10 - Paranormal Haven
July 11 - Not Really Southern Vamp Chick
July 12 - Marilyn's Room
July 14 - The Book Vixen
July 16 - Kristina Wright
July 17 - Larissa's Bookish Life
July 18 - Prurient Interests
July 21 - Book Bitch
July 22 - What Book Is That?
July 23 - Parajunkee
July 24 - Man Eater
July 25 - Lusty Literati
July 29 - Erotic Romance Reader
July 30 - Can't Find A Bookmark
July 31 - Addicted To Romance
Aug 1 - Leontine's Book Realm

 

 

 

PACK OF LIES is available now!!!
Amazon

Ravenous Romance



Enjoy!

        

Kate Douglas--bestselling author of the Wolf Tales series--is a PACK OF LIES fan!!!

Douglas has called the book "powerful", "sensual", and "dark", describing it as "A riveting and totally unique look at werewolf mythology" that is "beautifully written and unimaginably compelling". "Pack Of Lies sets the hook from the first page and doesn't let go," she raves!

That is indeed high praise coming from the undisputed Mistress of werewolf fiction! Kate Douglas is currently finishing the 12th installment of her brilliant Wolf Tales books. Check out the sizzling shifters of her newly-released Wolf Tales 10 or sink your teeth into her action-packed DemonSlayers series today!

Here is the full text of her recent review of Pack Of Lies:

Pack of Lies by Vanessa Vaughn takes a riveting and totally unique look at werewolf mythology—the first person point of view from Marcus, the werewolf alpha of a local pack, and Jack, his unsuspecting victim, puts the reader into the thought processes of two men going through major changes in their lives.  For Jack, it’s the unbelievable metamorphosis from human to werewolf—something impossible for him to accept—as well as his unexpected attraction to another man, which he finds even harder to believe. Marcus fights an equal attraction to Jack, risking everything in order to protect a man whose life he has changed forever.

 

Beautifully written and unimaginably compelling, Pack of Lies sets the hook from the first page and doesn’t let go—Vaughn brings the reader directly into the minds of two powerful and yet terribly conflicted men as they struggle to come to grips with an unexpected passion and an entirely new reality. Powerful, sensual, dark—and at times, unexpectedly sweet—this is a story that begs for a sequel.

I'm speechless!

Ravenous Romance
Amazon.com

        

 

The blog tour for PACK OF LIES continues today at Prurient Interests!

Prurient Interests is a deliciously naughty blog run by erotica author Louis Friend (author of the books Freedom is Slavery and Life On my Knees). The blog features kinky photos and short tantalizing tidbits of erotic writing--the perfect break in the middle of a hectic day. Visit Prurient Interests now!

Here is the full blog tour schedule:

July 1 - Wicked Readings
July 2 - Strange Candy Reviews
July 3 - Obsidian Bookshelf
July 4 - Stuff Of Myth and Men
July 8 - Leilani Loves Books
July 9 - Urban Gypsy
July 10 - Paranormal Haven
July 11 - Not Really Southern Vamp Chick
July 12 - Marilyn's Room
July 14 - The Book Vixen
July 16 - Kristina Wright
July 17 - Larissa's Bookish Life
July 18 - Prurient Interests
July 21 - Book Bitch
July 22 - What Book Is That?
July 23 - Parajunkee
July 24 - Man Eater
July 25 - Lusty Literati
July 29 - Erotic Romance Reader
July 30 - Can't Find A Bookmark
July 31 - Addicted To Romance
Aug 1 - Leontine's Book Realm

PACK OF LIES is available now!!!
Amazon

Ravenous Romance

All Romance eBooks

Fictionwise



Enjoy!

        

 

The blog tour for PACK OF LIES continues today at Larissa's Bookish Life!

Bookish Life is a truly excellent review blog with regular giveaways, fun countdowns for highly anticipated new releases, and in-depth reviews of numerous books.

I am so thrilled that Larissa has had great things to say about Pack Of Lies! "Romance, Wolves, Alpha Males...and a lot of action! What is not to love!,"  she raves. Visit Bookish Life to read more! 

Here is the full blog tour schedule:

July 1 - Wicked Readings
July 2 - Strange Candy Reviews
July 3 - Obsidian Bookshelf
July 4 - Stuff Of Myth and Men
July 8 - Leilani Loves Books
July 9 - Urban Gypsy
July 10 - Paranormal Haven
July 11 - Not Really Southern Vamp Chick
July 12 - Marilyn's Room
July 14 - The Book Vixen
July 16 - Kristina Wright
July 17 - Larissa's Bookish Life
July 18 - Prurient Interests
July 21 - Book Bitch
July 22 - What Book Is That?
July 23 - Parajunkee
July 24 - Man Eater
July 25 - Lusty Literati
July 29 - Erotic Romance Reader
July 30 - Can't Find A Bookmark
July 31 - Addicted To Romance
Aug 1 - Leontine's Book Realm

PACK OF LIES is available now!!!
Amazon

Ravenous Romance

All Romance eBooks

Fictionwise



Enjoy!

        

 

The blog tour for PACK OF LIES continues today at Kristina Wright's Blog!

Kristina Wright's erotic fiction has been published in over 80 anthologies. She has won the prestigious Golden Heart Award for Romantic Suspense, and is now editing several exquisite erotic anthologies for Cleis Press. Her most recent--Fairy Tale Lust--is not to be missed!!! Pick up your copy today! 

I am so thrilled that Kristina has called Pack Of Lies "filled with hot men and delicious sex" and "a perfect summer read!" Visit Kristina's blog to read more about my debut novel and about Kristina's love of the supernatural. (Kristina's current project is editing a new paranormal romance anthology entitled Dream Lover. Be sure to keep an eye out for it when it hits the shelves!)

Here is the full blog tour schedule:

July 1 - Wicked Readings
July 2 - Strange Candy Reviews
July 3 - Obsidian Bookshelf
July 4 - Stuff Of Myth and Men
July 8 - Leilani Loves Books
July 9 - Urban Gypsy
July 10 - Paranormal Haven
July 11 - Not Really Southern Vamp Chick
July 12 - Marilyn's Room
July 14 - The Book Vixen
July 16 - Kristina Wright
July 17 - Larissa's Bookish Life
July 18 - Prurient Interests
July 21 - Book Bitch
July 22 - What Book Is That?
July 23 - Parajunkee
July 24 - Man Eater
July 25 - Lusty Literati
July 29 - Erotic Romance Reader
July 30 - Can't Find A Bookmark
July 31 - Addicted To Romance
Aug 1 - Leontine's Book Realm
 

PACK OF LIES is available now!!!
Amazon

Ravenous Romance

All Romance eBooks

Fictionwise



Enjoy!

        

 

The blog tour for PACK OF LIES continues today at The Book Vixen!

Book Vixen is one of my very favorite book review blogs. Start following this amazing site now if you're not already!!! They feature fun in-depth reviews of the latest paranormal and contemporary romance--not to mention the fact that they regularly host incredible book giveaways!

Today, The Book Vixen is posting an interview with me!!! Visit Book Vixen to read more about why I chose the pen name Vanessa Vaughn, why I find writing M/M scenes much easier than M/F, and what's next for me!

Here is the full blog tour schedule:

July 1 - Wicked Readings
July 2 - Strange Candy Reviews
July 3 - Obsidian Bookshelf
July 4 - Stuff Of Myth and Men
July 8 - Leilani Loves Books
July 9 - Urban Gypsy
July 10 - Paranormal Haven
July 11 - Not Really Southern Vamp Chick
July 12 - Marilyn's Room
July 14 - The Book Vixen
July 16 - Kristina Wright
July 17 - Larissa's Bookish Life
July 18 - Prurient Interests
July 22 - What Book Is That?
July 23 - Parajunkee
July 24 - Man Eater
July 25 - Lusty Literati
July 29 - Erotic Romance Reader
July 30 - Can't Find A Bookmark
July 31 - Addicted To Romance
Aug 1 - Leontine's Book Realm

PACK OF LIES is available now!!!
Amazon

Ravenous Romance

All Romance eBooks

Fictionwise



Enjoy!

        

The blog tour for PACK OF LIES continues today at Marilyn's Room!

Marilyn's Room is the blog of award-winning erotica author Marilyn Jaye Lewis! Marilyn is the founder of the Erotic Authors Association, and has penned multiple erotic story collections and novels. Her newest is Freak Parade, a gritty, arousing, and truly brilliant novel about a singer looking for love in the arms of both men and women--and the aging punk rockers, closeted movie stars, young Puerto Rican boys in drag, wise guys, and obscure guitar-playing geniuses she meets along the way.

If  you're not familiar with Marilyn's writing, you can read a juicy exerpt on her website. Then snag a copy of Freak Parade. You won't be disappointed! 

Visit Marilyn's Room to read more!

Here is the full blog tour schedule:

July 1 - Wicked Readings
July 2 - Strange Candy Reviews
July 3 - Obsidian Bookshelf
July 4 - Stuff Of Myth and Men
July 8 - Leilani Loves Books
July 9 - Urban Gypsy
July 10 - Paranormal Haven
July 11 - Not Really Southern Vamp Chick
July 12 - Marilyn's Room
July 14 - The Book Vixen
July 16 - Kristina Wright
July 17 - Larissa's Bookish Life
July 18 - Prurient Interests
July 22 - What Book Is That?
July 23 - Parajunkee
July 24 - Man Eater
July 25 - Lusty Literati
July 29 - Erotic Romance Reader
July 30 - Can't Find A Bookmark
July 31 - Addicted To Romance
Aug 1 - Leontine's Book Realm

 

 

PACK OF LIES is available now!!!
Amazon

Ravenous Romance

All Romance eBooks

Fictionwise



Enjoy!

        

 

The blog tour for PACK OF LIES continues today at Not Really Southern Vamp Chick!

Not Really Southern Vamp Chick is a not-to-be-missed paranormal and urban fantasy blog. They regularly host amazing giveaways and have some of the most fun insightful book commentary on the web. Start following this cool site today if you're not already!!!

Today, Not Really Southern Vamp Chick is posting a review of PACK OF LIES and an interview with me!!! Visit Not Really Southern Vamp Chick to read more!

Here is the full blog tour schedule:

July 1 - Wicked Readings
July 2 - Strange Candy Reviews
July 3 - Obsidian Bookshelf
July 4 - Stuff Of Myth and Men
July 8 - Leilani Loves Books
July 9 - Urban Gypsy
July 10 - Paranormal Haven
July 11 - Not Really Southern Vamp Chick
July 12 - Marilyn's Room
July 14 - The Book Vixen
July 16 - Kristina Wright
July 17 - Larissa's Bookish Life
July 18 - Prurient Interests
July 22 - What Book Is That?
July 23 - Parajunkee
July 24 - Man Eater
July 25 - Lusty Literati
July 29 - Erotic Romance Reader
July 30 - Can't Find A Bookmark
July 31 - Addicted To Romance
Aug 1 - Leontine's Book Realm

PACK OF LIES is available now!!!
Amazon

Ravenous Romance

All Romance eBooks

Fictionwise



Enjoy!

        

The blog tour for PACK OF LIES continues today at Paranormal Haven!

Paranormal Haven is the best blog out there for paranormal romance reviews, fun author interviews, and news from the world of paranormal book publishing. If you aren't already following this amazing site, you're missing out!

Today, Paranormal Haven is posting a fun interview with me about PACK OF LIES!!! I am so flattered that they loved the book, and have described it as "a sexually charged cut throat world full of danger lust and secrets". Visit Paranormal Haven  to read more!

Here is the full blog tour schedule:

July 1 - Wicked Readings
July 2 - Strange Candy Reviews
July 3 - Obsidian Bookshelf
July 4 - Stuff Of Myth and Men
July 8 - Leilani Loves Books
July 9 - Urban Gypsy
July 10 - Paranormal Haven
July 11 - Not Really Southern Vamp Chick
July 12 - Marilyn's Room
July 14 - The Book Vixen
July 16 - Kristina Wright
July 17 - Larissa's Bookish Life
July 18 - Prurient Interests
July 22 - What Book Is That?
July 23 - Parajunkee
July 24 - Man Eater
July 25 - Lusty Literati
July 29 - Erotic Romance Reader
July 30 - Can't Find A Bookmark
July 31 - Addicted To Romance
Aug 1 - Leontine's Book Realm

 

 

 

 

 

PACK OF LIES is available now!!!
Amazon

Ravenous Romance

All Romance eBooks

Fictionwise



Enjoy!

        

The blog tour for PACK OF LIES continues today at Urban Gypsy! (NSFW)

Urban Gypsy is an amazing sex blog!!! It chronicles the life of a normal wife living in the suburbs who five years ago underwent a sexual awakening. Ever since she has been exploring every aspect of her sexuality that she once repressed. Step into the world of dirty IMs, bisexual adventures, piercings, gorgeous bodies...oh, and even a recipe for delicious banana chai coconut pancakes!

Today, Urban Gypsy is posting some tempting tidbits about my erotic werewolf novel PACK OF LIES!!! I am so flattered that she has called the book "beautifully written" and "a mighty enjoyable read" that "turns [her] on immensely". Visit Urban Gypsy to read more!

Here is the full blog tour schedule:

July 1 - Wicked Readings
July 2 - Strange Candy Reviews
July 3 - Obsidian Bookshelf
July 4 - Stuff Of Myth and Men
July 8 - Leilani Loves Books
July 9 - Urban Gypsy
July 10 - Paranormal Haven
July 11 - Not Really Southern Vamp Chick
July 12 - Marilyn's Room
July 14 - The Book Vixen
July 16 - Kristina Wright
July 17 - Larissa's Bookish Life
July 18 - Prurient Interests
July 22 - What Book Is That?
July 23 - Parajunkee
July 24 - Man Eater
July 25 - Lusty Literati
July 29 - Erotic Romance Reader  
July 30 - Can't Find A Bookmark
July 31 - Addicted To Romance
Aug 1 - Leontine's Book Realm

 

 

PACK OF LIES is available now!!!
Amazon

Ravenous Romance

All Romance eBooks

Fictionwise



Enjoy!

        

The July blog tour for Pack Of Lies continues today with a live author chat at Leilani Loves Books!

I will be chatting with you and all my terrific fans today at 5 Pacific Time/ 7 Central/ 8 Eastern here! Want to discuss Pack Of Lies? Have questions about becoming a writer? Want to debate the love of Vampires vs Werewolves? Come on down this evening and join us for some fun and some great free giveaways!

Here is the full July blog tour schedule:

July 1 - Wicked Readings
July 2 - Strange Candy Reviews
July 3 - Obsidian Bookshelf
July 4 - Stuff Of Myth and Men
July 8 - Leilani Loves Books
July 9 - Urban Gypsy
July 10 - Paranormal Haven
July 11 - Not Really Southern Vamp Chick
July 12 - Marilyn's Room
July 14 - The Book Vixen
July 16 - Kristina Wright
July 17 - Larissa's Bookish Life
July 18 - Prurient Interests
July 22 - What Book Is That?
July 23 - Parajunkee
July 24 - Man Eater
July 25 - Lusty Literati
July 29 - Erotic Romance Reader
July 30 - Can't Find A Bookmark
July 31 - Addicted To Romance
Aug 1 - Leontine's Book Realm

 

PACK OF LIES is available now!!!
Amazon

Ravenous Romance

All Romance eBooks

Fictionwise



Enjoy!

        

Pack Of Lies is receiving wonderful reviews so far! Take a look at what critics have to say about this hot new werewolf series:



"A must read for M/M fans"
--Romantic Inks

"I definitely recommend Pack Of Lies to you! Romance, Wolves, Alpha Males...and a lot of action! What is not to love!"
--Bookish Life

"a sexually charged cut throat world full of danger, lust and secrets. "
--Paranormal Haven

"Excellent"
--Wicked Readings

"descriptive and sensual"
--Erotic Horizon 

"an incredible read."
--Leilani Loves Books 

 

Get your copy today!!!
Amazon
Ravenous Romance
All Romance eBooks
Fictionwise

 

        

Hungry For Your Love  - the first zombie romance anthology - is now available for pre-order at Amazon! The book officially releases on September 28th, but you can reserve yours today.

As you can see, the cover is a fun play on the stereotypical romance cover (strong shirtless hero and swooning heroine), but this time the hero is a zombie whose shirt has not been ripped open but ripped completely to shreds! It is also an iconic horror image, and a great homage to classic films like The Creature From the Black Lagoon. I love it! 

The anthology features short stories by some truly amazing NYT Bestselling authors such as John Skipp and Brian Keene. I am proud to say that my short story "Some New Blood" is also part of the collection. It involves a zombie couple in the suburbs who use their neighbors' bodies (and brains) to breathe some new life into their marriage.

You'll have a lot of fun with this collection! I know we had a great time writing it! Pre-order your copy today!

        

Happy 4th of July! The blog tour for PACK OF LIES continues today at The Stuff Of Myth And Men .

The Stuff Of Myth And Men is the official blog of wonderful author Keta Diablo. Keta has written erotic M/M novels and novellas for numerous GLBT presses, including Ravenous Romance, Noble Publishing, and Amber Quill. Her newest releases are the vampire novella Blood Oath  (about a vampire trying to learn more about the handsome protector shadowing him at every turn), and the M/M historical Magnolia Heat  (about a gorgeous duo who are deliciously punished when they seek answers about mysterious secret gatherings). Her brand new novella Lip Service releases tomorrow, July 5th. Check it out!

     

Today, Keta is posting some tempting tidbits about my erotic werewolf novel PACK OF LIES!!! Visit The Stuff Of Myth And Men to read more!

Here is the full blog tour schedule:

July 1 - Wicked Readings
July 2 - Strange Candy Reviews
July 3 - Obsidian Bookshelf
July 4 - Stuff Of Myth and Men
July 8 - Leilani Loves Books
July 9 - Urban Gypsy
July 10 - Paranormal Haven
July 11 - Not Really Southern Vamp Chick
July 12 - Marilyn's Room
July 14 - The Book Vixen
July 16 - Kristina Wright
July 17 - Larissa's Bookish Life
July 18 - Prurient Interests
July 22 - What Book Is That?
July 23 - Parajunkee
July 24 - Man Eater
July 25 - Lusty Literati
July 30 - Can't Find A Bookmark
July 31 - Addicted To Romance
Aug 1 - Leontine's Book Realm

PACK OF LIES is available now!!!
Amazon

Ravenous Romance

All Romance eBooks

Fictionwise



Enjoy!

        

The blog tour for PACK OF LIES continues!!! Today's stop: Obsidian Bookshelf .

Obsidian Bookshelf is a blog operated by the very well-known Val Kovalin, a prolific reviewer of M/M fiction. Val has reviewed M/M erotica, romance, historical, steampunk, sci-fi--in short, just about anything in the genre that manages to catch his eye. And as the operator of the popular blog Obsidian Bookshelf and the author of a regular M/M column for All Romance eBooks, his opinions in the world of M/M fiction are very well respected. Visit Obsidian Bookshelf today to read more!

Here is the full blog tour schedule:

July 1 - Wicked Readings
July 2 - Strange Candy Reviews

July 3 - Obsidian Bookshelf

July 4 - Stuff Of Myth and Men

July 8 - Leilani Loves Books

July 9 - Urban Gypsy

July 10 - Paranormal Haven

July 11 - Not Really Southern Vamp Chick

July 12 - Marilyn's Room

July 14 - The Book Vixen

July 16 - Kristina Wright

July 17 - Larissa's Bookish Life

July 18 - Prurient Interests

July 22 - What Book Is That?

July 23 - Parajunkee

July 24 - Man Eater

July 25 - Lusty Literati

July 30 - Can't Find A Bookmark
July 31 - Addicted To Romance

Aug 1 - Leontine's Book Realm

PACK OF LIES is available now!!!
Amazon

Ravenous Romance

All Romance eBooks

Fictionwise



Enjoy!

        

The blog tour for PACK OF LIES continues!!! Today's stop: Strange Candy Reviews.

Strange Candy Reviews is a fantastic blog operated by a 24 year old book lover from Australia. The site tends to favor paranormal romance, but her fun entertaining reviews also touch on fantasy, thrillers, young adult . . . oh, and a slight Twilight obsession. Find out more today!

Here is the full blog tour schedule:

July 1 - Wicked Readings
July 2 - Strange Candy Reviews

July 3 - Obsidian Bookshelf

July 4 - Stuff Of Myth and Men

July 8 - Leilani Loves Books

July 9 - Urban Gypsy

July 10 - Paranormal Haven

July 11 - Not Really Southern Vamp Chick

July 12 - Marilyn's Room

July 14 - The Book Vixen

July 16 - Kristina Wright

July 17 - Larissa's Bookish Life

July 18 - Prurient Interests

July 22 - What Book Is That?

July 23 - Parajunkee

July 24 - Man Eater

July 25 - Lusty Literati

July 30 -  Can't Find A Bookmark
July 31 - Addicted To Romance

Aug 1 - Leontine's Book Realm

PACK OF LIES is available now!!!
Amazon

Ravenous Romance

All Romance eBooks

Fictionwise



Enjoy!

        

 

 

The blog tour for my erotic werewolf novel PACK OF LIES starts today!!! I have arranged blog stops for the book throughout the month of July, so be sure to hit up the following sites to find hot exerpts, read interviews and guest posts, participate in chats, and more!

Today's stop is Wicked Readings, where you can read a wonderful review calling PACK OF LIES full of  "sexy alpha wolves, suspense, and hot werewolf sex", and highly reccommending it for all readers, including those new to M/M erotic romance! Stop by Wicked Readings today for a look, and stay tuned for some amazing posts as the tour progresses!

Here is the full schedule:

July 1 - Wicked Readings

July 2 - Strange Candy Reviews 

July 3 - Obsidian Bookshelf 

July 4 - Stuff Of Myth and Men

July 8 - Leilani Loves Books 

July 9 - Urban Gypsy  

July 10 - Paranormal Haven 

July 11 - Not Really Southern Vamp Chick 

July 12 - Marilyn's Room 

July 14 - The Book Vixen 

July 16 - Kristina Wright 

July 17 - Larissa's Bookish Life 

July 18 - Prurient Interests 

July 22 - What Book Is That? 

July 23 - Parajunkee 

July 24 - Man Eater 

July 25 - Lusty Literati 

July 31 - Addicted To Romance 

Aug 1 - Leontine's Book Realm 

 

Pack Of Lies is available now!!!
Amazon  

Ravenous Romance  

All Romance eBooks  

Fictionwise  
 

 

        

 

Good Porn: A Woman's Guide is one of the funniest, most entertaining, and surprising books I have read in a long while! I highly recommend it to any woman who has ever sat through an adult film hoping for a good time, but ultimately left the experience feeling utterly unsatisfied (and possibly even a bit queasy).

For us women looking for a few hot films, there is hope out there! And thankfully Ms. Lust’s new book is here to point the way.

 

As Good Porn shows, the adult entertainment industry has fallen into a quagmire of bizarre clichés that distract completely from the sensuality in their films. Realism is the key to turning us women on. Realism is the thing that truly titillates and excites. Realism is the thing that allows us to imagine ourselves in the middle of the action. Yet that essential element is sadly missing from almost all mainstream porn.

 

That is why indie and alt porn is where we must turn. As Ms. Lust points out, instead of a man who looks like a “sickly muscled sex machine hung like a horse”, we women prefer a hip, well-groomed guy-next-door type any day. Instead of a tough drug kingpin or mafia don in a far away mansion, show us a stylish couple in a sleek modern apartment. Instead of clichéd horny strippers offering it up to their best customers, how about an unexpected tryst with a cute coffee shop barrista with a pin-up girl tattoo. (Oh yeah, and while you’re at it, would it hurt to show us two guys going at it once in a while?)

 

Make no mistake, this book is no drab feminist screed against the porn industry! You will find no contrived conservative anecdotes in these pages about the abuse of actresses in adult entertainment or the “dangers” of porn to our fragile society. On the contrary, Ms. Lust approaches porn as something good, something healthy, and something that has every potential to be just as enjoyable for women as for men (if only they knew where to find the good stuff).

 

To help, Good Porn includes extensive lists of quality porn websites and films that women will enjoy. I agree with almost all of the website choices in the book (such as the incredible sites Suicide Girls (www.suicidegirls.com) and I Feel Myself (www.ifeelmyself.com)). However, the film list is where I felt Good Porn fell somewhat short.

 

Ironically, I love almost all of the movies Good Porn includes. However, some are not what I would classify as “adult films”. I would have liked to see a list of films that were all explicit and all truly pornographic in nature. In some instances, it seems that Ms. Lust is trying too hard to redefine the word “porn” for women. To me, a pornographic film is not just sensual, but includes explicit graphic sex. Period. It may contain many other wonderful elements, too (such as a great story or excellent acting); but it would seem to me that graphic sex is essential to labeling a movie an “adult film”.

 

Yet some movies Ms. Lust includes in this category are merely sensual. Secretary starring James Spader and Maggie Gyllenhall is a good example. While it implies many sexual situations, there is no actual sex shown, and only one brief scene of nudity is included. Don’t get me wrong. Secretary, in all its dark comedic glory, is one of my favorites. I just wouldn’t consider it porn. The same can be said of the inclusion of Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!, which is again powerful and full of strong female characters. But porn? I think not! If we are to consider movies like these “adult films”, then why not include other mainstream movies such as Y Tu Mama Tambien, Swimming Pool, Bound, Mulholland Drive or a host of others?

 

However, I must point out that while Good Porn misfires with Secretary and Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!, it does redeem itself with many other excellent recommendations (such as Shortbus, Five Hot Stories For Her, 9 Songs, Barcelona Sex Project, and many many more.) Make no mistake, there is something here for everyone, and you are sure to come away with numerous new porn titles you are eager to explore.

 

One thing is certain: Good Porn does not disappoint! Even women once skeptical of adult films will finish this book ready to view the genre with healthy curiosity. It encourages readers to approach porn as enthusiastic consumers, but with a whole new critical eye. (Not to mention, it is also an incredibly entertaining read; and you’ll find yourself nodding and laughing along with Ms. Lust’s conversational, witty, and very easy to read writing style.)

 

This book is informative as well as fun. Pick up your copy of Good Porn today! I can’t recommend this title highly enough!

 

        

Take a look at this sexy new book trailer for my erotic werewolf romance PACK OF LIES !

The video was done by M² Productions, and they did an amazing job!!! I can't recommend them highly enough!

        

 Why are werewolves so damn sexy? Find out  in my guest blog post  today at Unbound !

        

Crossroads: Shadowland , the 4th novella in Keta Diablo's best-selling CROSSROADS series, is available now in ebook ! The first three novellas in the CROSSROADS series are also now available in one print edition here.

Shadowlands is a wonderful M/M erotic romance with some unforgettable and intense scenes. Get your copy today! Below is a short synopsis:
    
Frank must travel to Louisiana to solve another missing persons' case. This time, Rand insists on accompanying Frank to get a hands-on introduction to the PI business. Evil forces are at work in the bayou. Frank is pitted against a centuries' old ghost and races against time to save two innocent young men from eternal damnation. Rand gets caught in vortex of prejudice when he encounters a sinister duo bent on violence against gays. Sinister machinations converge in a maelstrom of retribution and hate. Frank must pull out all the stops to save the young men and the man who holds his heart.

ISBN: 978-1-60659-956-3

To learn more about Keta's gay fiction, please follow her blog The Stuff of Myth and Men, http://thestuffofmythandmen.blogspot.com

        

 

 

I am putting together a blog tour in July for my new erotic werewolf novel Pack Of Lies! If you have a blog and would like to participate, please email me at authorvanessavaughn [at] yahoo.com. Thanks very much!

You can read more about the novel here.
 
Pack Of Lies is available now at Amazon and RavenousRomance.com .

        

 

 

My new erotic werewolf novel Pack Of Lies released yesterday, and my publisher tells me its first day sales are higher than any new release they've ever had! Thank you to everyone who already purchased their copy! The rest of you can read a hot exerpt here. 

Pack Of Lies centers around a man who has been bitten by a werewolf, and whose life gets wilder and sexier with every page. It is very kinky and intense, and I know that erotica fans will love it! Get your copy today!

Here is a short synopsis:

When Jack is attacked by a powerful werewolf one moonlit night, his world is forever changed.

Marcus is that wolf, the strong leader of his pack, who never imagined a mere mortal could ever escape him, much less ever become one of his kind. And yet, as time passes, he can't deny the handsome human is slowly beginning to change.

No longer the civilized architect he used to be, Jack feels a new power coalescing inside of him. He barely even recognizes himself as he becomes more sexual, more impulsive, more wild in every way.

But as the bite transforms him, it also binds he and his attacker together forever. The two share a powerful unbreakable link, no matter how forcefully they may each try to deny it.

Marcus is already hiding secrets from the other wolves, and his position as Alpha is threatened. Could Jack be the new ally Marcus needs to set things right, or will their desire for one another draw them away from all they know and alter the course of their lives forever?

        

Great news! The anthology Sweet Love: Erotic Fantasies for Couples  (which includes my short story "Safe") has won the Gold Medal for Erotica from the Independent Publisher Book Awards !!! Congratulations to editor Violet Blue . This award is a huge honor!

View the full list of winners here .

        

 

   

Once I cracked the spine on this juicy new offering from editor Rachel Kramer Bussel, I simply couldn't put it down. This anthology--published by Cleis Press, and available now from Amazon.com --is everything erotic anthologies should be but unfortunately seldom are.

Ms. Bussel--editrix extraordinaire--is responsible for bringing us over 20 erotic collections, and her passion for her work certainly shows. But even in a career like hers brimming with top-notch erotica books, this one is a standout.

As she explains in the introduction:

"I like the women in this collection, and not just because they remind me of me when I’m reveling in being slapped across the face, forced to the ground, utterly at my chosen lover’s (or master’s, or partner’s or top’s) mercy. It’s not just the actions here that are familiar, but the reasoning, the way they crave and cringe in the face of the power they are claiming, and the power they are giving up. They are smart enough to know that kink is not about simply embracing one’s fears, but grappling with them, battling with them, taking risks and seeing if, in fact, they yield very sexy rewards."

I couldn't agree more.

While each of the 22 stories in Please, Sir has its own unique flavor, one of my favorites--hands down--was "I Breathe Your Name" by Tess Danesi. And after reading her intense tale of submission and asphyxiation in a steaming hot shower,  I'll be sure to seek out more of her work.

One of the most amazing things about Ms. Bussel's projects is the writers she manages to attract. This anthology includes many industry legends such as Donna George Storey, Alison Tyler, and Lisabet Sarai. Just peruse the impressive Table of Contents list below, and you'll see just what I mean: 

Anticipation - Shanna Germain
Because He Can - Elizabeth Coldwell
Avery Says - Sommer Marsden
The Sub Fairy - Mercy Loomis
I Breathe Your Name - Tess Danesi
Long Time Gone - Heidi Champa
Power over Power - Emerald
Knot Here! - Yolanda West
Veronica’s Body - Isabelle Gray
The Negotiation - Remittance Girl
A Night at the Opera - Evan Mora
Mommy’s Boy - Doug Harrison
No Good Deed - Alison Tyler
Masochist on Vacation - Aimee Pearl
Lil’ Pet Brat, aka Lily Guangli - Kissa Starling
Pleasure Keeper - Charlotte Stein
Welcome to the World - Ariel Graham
Stroke - Lisabet Sarai
Sunday in the Study - Justine Elyot
Walking the Sub - Salome Wilde
Just What She Needs - Donna George Storey
Your Hand on My Neck - Rachel Kramer Bussel

Read exerpts from Please, Sir, interviews with its contributors, and more about BDSM at the book's blog pleasesirbook.wordpress.com .

All in all, I highly recommend this anthology. Please, Sir is an essential addition to the library of anyone interested in kinky, creative, and fun bedtime stories. My recommendation: get your copy today !

        

Well known sex-positive blogger The Beautiful Kind did everything humanly possible to keep her blog separate from her day job. But when her employers discovered what she did in cyberspace in the privacy of her own home during her off hours she was fired on the spot.
 
And how did this happen? How exactly was this conscientious sex educator outed for all to see?

It turns out, her crime was once typing in both her real name and username when signing up for twitter, thinking that only the username would be displayed. When she saw them both on her profile, she took her name off at once, but the deed had already been done and somewhere in the bowels of the internet both her real name and pseudonym were waiting together and would eventually months later pop up on a search engine when her boss googled her. 

This situation is horrifying--and for ALL of us, not just the erotica authors and sex bloggers out there! Even if we don't blog about sex, we all act a little differently on the internet than we do in the office. ALL of us. (I'm talking to you, too.) Be honest. Online you like to be a little more brazen, a little more opinionated, a little more bold than you really are. You might fan a deathmetal group on your Facebook page, review a BDSM book on Amazon.com, post pictures to Flikr of yourself dancing dirty at a club, or write your opinions on religion, sex, or politics on a blog for all the world to see. 

But should we really run the risk of being fired if our bosses do not approve of such extracurricular activities? Are we really expected to operate 24/7 under a polite inoffensive sexless facade as if we were still on the clock?

Take a moment to read The Beautiful Kind's version of the story for yourself here, and her other post A Very Personal Message From The Beautiful Kind  where she describes the whole experience in detail. Her tale raises a lot of questions. I hope you find them as unsettling as I do. Here's a short snippet:

"We sat down and she blurted angrily, 'I need to let you go. Corporate office suggested I google employees. I typed in your name and it took me two seconds to find your website. How COULD you put that stuff out there? What were you thinking?! I feel like I’m talking to a 14 year old! We’re DONE.'

I was in a sound tunnel of shame, a total state of shock, my face was bright red. Practically speechless, I managed to utter, 'I’m sorry.' She didn’t say a word, just glared at me accusingly."

        

  

Take a minute to read this amazing article on the MSNBC website about the ever-increasing popularity of erotica books--among women and also among gay men. It calls erotica "a bright spot in a strugling publishing industry" and goes on to state that "once condidered fringe, erotic literature is booming".

Great news for all of us in the industry, and for readers as well! See more here .

        

The independent erotica publisher Circlet Press needs your help!

Circlet is trying to release its first print book in 3 years, but is having a bit of a cash flow problem. From now until May 15th, you can purchase a CD Rom with over 20 of their best erotic ebooks for only $50. Read high quality erotic stories from top writers and get good karma! Visit this page on Circlet's website today for more info.

        

 

Hottest. Swimsuit. EVER.

At $790, this new Zahra swimsuit  from lingerie designer Agent Provocateur  comes with a hefty pricetag. But just imagine sauntering down to the pool in this on a balmy afternoon with a pair of cruel black heels, red nails, and huge Chanel sunglasses. The boning, stitching, and other details in this corseted dream are impeccable, and it offers just the right suggestion of naughty kink without going over the top. 

This daring onepiece is more erotic and eye-catching than any strappy thong bikini out there. The suit may not be affordable, but it is certainly droolworthy. That is why this fabulous piece has made my list as one of my official Objects Of Lust.  

        

  

Today, I stumbled on a blog entry at Holy Taco showing 25 examples of "unintentional porn"  . Nintendo, Archie, Elmo, even stained glass cathedral windows like the one above--they are all there and are all suggestive (some much more explicit than others).

The real question is: how many of these were created deliberately? Take a look and decide for yourself.

        

 

Violet Blue's newest anthology Sweet Love: Erotic Fantasies For Couples  is available now and it is hot hot hot!

I am proud to say my short story "Safe" was one of the works chosen for this juicy collection. While each tale includes a loving couple, make no mistake: these are not stories of innocent romance, but examples of the challenging, smart, in-your-face erotica that Violet Blue's anthologies are famous for. My contribution is similarly intense, and involves an adventurous couple acting out a  rape fantasy which is not meant for the faint of heart.

Take a look at the tantalizing book trailer below, and order your copy of Sweet Love today from Amazon !

        

GaGa never tries to look like a flawless Maxim model. Instead, this star isn't afraid to appear almost completely absurd in order to give us the unexpected.

And that's what sex--or any kind of excitement--is really all about: the unexpected.

GaGa taking a ferocious bite of Beyonce's honey bun in their "Telephone" video has more sexual energy to it than 100 soft-lit Playboy centerfolds. GaGa manages to make her films erotic every time by showing us a surreal, artistic, and challenging dreamworld. Instead of resorting to cliched romps on the beach with shirtless male models (the kind of romantic trash that I'm sorry to say many other music videos indulge in) the world she lays out for us is entirely unique.

Many people have compared GaGa to Madonna or glam rocker David Bowie, but in truth she is more an Andy Warhol in many ways. A true artist, she draws creative types to her like a moth to flame. Her collective of personalities, designers, fashionistas, and musicians she calls "Haus of Gaga" is nothing short of the reemergence of Warhol's "Factory". And even the title of her debut album "The Fame" mirrors Warhol's own obsession with the idea of celebrity and everyone being their own star working toward their own "15 minutes" in the limelight.

Just look at the fantastic fetishwear of her "Bad Romance" video, the truly rough stone butch dykes of her fantasy "Telephone" prison yard. This isn't the mainstream sexual playfulness of Britney Spears, but the vision of an artist who truly wants to push our buttons and expand the limits of what mainstream America finds acceptable. That is why she has become such an important symbol to the gay community, and why--love her or hate her--we just can't get her out of our heads   

        

Here is a photo of me dressed as a zombie, in honor of the zombie romance anthology HUNGRY FOR YOUR LOVE. HUNGRY FOR YOUR LOVE is available now in eBook, and will be released in print October 2010 by St. Martin's Press. The anthology includes some great zombie tales, including several by NYT best-selling authors!

One of the contributers (Lois Gresh) has posted a fun blog entry showing zombie photos of all the authors in the anthology and short explanations of how they got the inspiration for their zombie short stories. You can read my explanation below. Then take a look at the full entry on Lois Gresh's Blog.

Vanessa: What inspired me to write 'Some New Blood' was thinking about the intense connection between sex and food. There are so many euphemisms for sex that sound more like cannibalism, when you get down to it. We talk about how someone is so gorgeous we just want to 'eat them up', about how we want to 'devour' someone. We want to be 'eaten out', to be 'skewered', to be 'tasted'. We want love to make us 'ravenous' and 'hungry for more'. My contribution to this anthology is a tongue-in-cheek tale about a zombie couple in the suburbs who hunger for their neighbors' bodies (and brains) in a slightly unconventional way, and how this hunger reanimates their lifeless relationship.

        

Every day from now until December 25^th, Circlet Press will post a new FREE erotic story!

 

Though they are appearing in December, these stories are not holiday themed. (And thank God, because personally I find it extremely odd that so many publishers are producing Christmas-themed erotica anthologies. Seriously, now. Santa? Santa?! Not sexy.) 

These stories are also not just throw-away samples that didn't "make the cut". Many of these tales are from top erotica writers and excerpted from popular Circlet Press anthologies. This free Circlet collection will be very diverse, offering a little something for everyone-- including gay, lesbian, hetero, threesomes, genderqueer tales, and more. A new story will appear every morning at 1am, replacing the one from the previous day.

 

If you are not already familiar with Circlet Press, these freebies will be a great introduction. Circlet has produced some of the best scifi/fantasy erotica books available anywhere, and is run by Cecilia Tan, editor of one of my favorite vampire anthologies Women Of The Bite and author of the excellent erotic novel Mind Games. (My short story “In The Flask” was also published by Circlet Press in last year’s steampunk anthology Like A Wisp Of Steam.)

So, visit Circlet today. Whether you enjoy their free stories or purchase one of their many available ebooks, happy reading! After all, I think perusing some kinky erotica is the perfect relief from all that saccharine-sweet holiday cheer. Don't you?

        

HUNGRY FOR YOUR LOVE is getting great reviews so far. It received 4.5 out of 5 stars, and was chosen as a Night Owl Romance Top Pick! Take a look at the excellent write-up here.

        

National Writing Month begins tomorrow, and this year I have decided to participate!

If you are wondering what the heck National Novel Writing Month is, you can find out by visiting the website. In short, this is a personal challenge of writing 50,000 words in one month. The theory is that without a deadline looming, it is difficult--if not almost impossible--to get that novel you have always wanted to write down on paper. Committing to this will give you a clear goal and a clear deadline, and hopefully the extra push you need to start your first novel instead of forever putting it off until later.

Getting 50,000 words written in a simgle month is a crazy breakneck writing speed, but the hope is that the frenzied pace will allow creativity and spontanaity to come out that otherwise would have been suffocated with overplanning and procrastination. For me, at least, I can find it much too easy to outline again and again, forever putting off the day of actually putting fingers to keyboard and hammering out those first few chapters.

I have a very basic outline prepared for how my story will unfold, and pages of randomly jotted details and notations about different characters, but have not done any solid work on it yet. I have been thinking about starting this book for months, so by this point I can picture a lot of it clearly in my head already, but always the day of actually starting on it in earnest has been delayed and delayed. Basically, I keep getting distracted by short stories. Every time I think I am ready to buckle down and finally start a full length work, I seem to see several more anthologies I can't resist submitting to. Lately, I have also been considering editing an anthology of my own (which I admit would be very exciting). But from November 1st-30th this year, I am making a solemn vow to swear off the short story distractions and focus on a single project--my first novel.

I'm so excited about this new venture! A book of my own seems fun, but also daunting and intense. So wish me luck! I will try to keep you posted on my progress as the month goes along. I won't be blogging about the plot much 'till I'm finished. (But I'm sure to drop a lot of hints.)   ; )

Sign up and join me! Accept the challenge and start your novel tomorrow, November 1st!