NEW RELEASE! Odium (Blurb & Excerpt)

Title: Odium
Purchase Link: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/Odium.html
Genres: Gay / Contemporary/ The Arts/ BDSM/ Voyeurism/ Exhibitionism/ Public Places
Author URL: http://www.adriannadane.com
Publisher: Amber  Quill Press/Amber Allure
ISBN: 978-1-61124-549-3 (Electronic)


BLURB:

One man has a taste for whips and braided leather collars, riding a dangerous dark edge; the other man wields paintbrushes, the odd easel, and concrete walls and vacant buildings, expressing his artistic passions at the dead of night, in sometimes dangerous places.

Something is missing from Chaz’s life and it’s going to kill his career as an artist if he can’t resolve it. What’s missing is passion—real, honest-to-goodness passion—and emotional connection. Without it, there is no art. In desperation to find answers, Chaz takes a job at an all-night diner, hoping something, or someone, will spark that passion.

He’s not wrong, because one night, a mysterious man with a simple tattoo enters the diner. Chaz senses something different about the stranger, and becomes intrigued when the man arrives with a different date every Friday night. And what transpires in that last booth on Fridays at midnight is enough to spark anyone’s libido.

Icarus Smith, a former slave in the BDSM world, is trying to break out of a lifestyle that has become onorous and destructive. And he has taken drastic measures to accomplish this, but it’s not easy turning to affluent clients with dark needs for the only relationships he allows himself. Things, however, are about to change.

When a new employee shows up at the diner, all hell breaks loose for both Chaz and Icarus as they fight against the unrelenting grip of fate.

Two men, vastly different, and yet some spark, some need, some danger draws one to the other. Is it simply desperation, or can this be true love, the one thing that has eluded both men until now?

EXCERPT


"Hello there," a deep voice said.

Chaz glanced up, then quickly turned his sketchpad over on his knees. He felt the telltale heat slide up his neck and flood his cheeks. God, he was pathetic. You'd think he'd never been interested in a man before. But Icarus made him feel like some virgin attracted to a man for the first time. He remembered what that felt like, just like now. But he wasn't fifteen any longer, and Icarus Smith was most definitely not Chaz's French tutor hired that long ago sizzling summer by the law firm to pump up his failing boarding school grades. Oh yeah, far from the suave Mr. Taylor who'd tutored Chaz in more than French.

Icarus was masked in black leather, but the banded tattoo around his very muscular bicep was telltale enough as to his identity.

"Oh, hey, how are you?"

"I already saw what you were drawing," Icarus said. He hovered over Chaz, an arm raised to the silver bar above his head, as he stared down at Chaz.

"Shit." Chaz didn't know which way to look. He couldn't imagine being more embarrassed than he was at the moment. Nor more excited. "Sorry about that."

"Embarrassed at getting caught sketching me?"

"Yeah, I guess. Some people get funny about that kind of thing."

Icarus leaned in closer. His dark blue eyes were made more prominent by the confines of the bat mask. The dangerous look of the man took Chaz's breath away. "You can sketch me anytime you like. Any way you'd like."

Chaz felt the sweat break out on his forehead. Was it hot in here? He hadn't thought so a moment ago, but now it felt like a sauna.

"Uh, thanks. I'd like that."

"Maybe when we have that coffee."

God, the man's mouth was so...exciting. So expressive. Looking so tasty. Way too tasty.

"That would be...nice."

"Maybe someplace private, if you want to sketch me nude. Do you want to sketch me in the all-together, Chaz?"

"I--" Holy Christ, this man had a way of leaving him speechless. Did he do that with all the men he went out with?

Icarus chuckled. "You think about it. If it makes you as horny as it does me, you let me know and we'll get the thing done."

Change of subject would be good now. Very good. Chaz swallowed. His throat was so damned dry. And he forgot to bring a bottle of water. "Going to a party?" It was the only thing he could think of to ask. "Or...an appointment?"

Icarus tilted his head. "I'm free tonight. This is for my own pleasure." He paused for a moment, and then gave Chaz a penetrating look. "Wanna come with me?"

"I-I don't have a costume."

"You don't need one. Are you the kind of man who likes to take chances? I'm betting you are." He stepped back, and held out a hand to Chaz. A hand with big, thick fingers sheathed in fingerless black leather. Like a man asking his partner to dance. An offer to join him on the dance floor. The train slowed. Chaz shoved his sketchpad back into his backpack, slung the backpack over his shoulder. This was exactly the sort of opportunity Chaz wanted. His heartbeat quickened. And the offer came from a man he wanted more than anything to learn more about. Chaz yanked his cell phone out of his backpack. He quickly tapped off a text message, then shoved the cell phone into the backpack and zipped it up. Chaz glanced up at Icarus and then clasped Icarus's proffered hand.

Icarus gripped his hand and yanked Chaz up from the seat. He fitted Chaz in front of him between his hard body and the solid silver pole. The pole rubbed against Chaz's cock, making him want to groan. But it was the hard cock grinding against his back that really had Chaz sweating.

The train picked up speed again. Chaz gripped tightly to the metal pole. His sweaty palms kept sliding down it and he had to focus on retaining his grip.

"Ever seen a pole dance?" Icarus whispered into his ear. "Ever been to a gay strip club?"

"N-no. Have you?" God, Chaz didn't think he was going to last the night.

"I used to dance. When I first ran away from home I was seventeen, and I looked my age. The owner liked the look of me and he let me slide by. He turned me out a year later after he broke me in."

"He's your p-pimp?"

"He was then. For almost three years. And then I met another man, a different sort of man, with a different sort of club and more exotic expensive tastes. He liked me and I wanted what he offered."

"What did he say?"

"He said I had potential. How old are you, Chaz?"

"Twenty-two. Why?"

"Just want to make sure I'm not robbing the cradle. You're not lying to me, right?"

"I can show you my license if you insist. I'll be twenty-three in April."

"Hmm. An Aries. Creative genius. Adventurous. Impulsive. Someone who doesn't submit easily. Do you get spankings on your birthday? Do you like getting spanked, Chaz? Or do you prefer to be the one doing the spanking?"

Oh, God, Chaz couldn't last much longer. Although he wasn't quite sure where Icarus was going with all of this, the only thing Chaz knew was that he was in way over his head. And he loved how that made him feel. How Icarus made him feel. Totally out of control.

The car slowed and the doors shot opened. Icarus yanked Chaz away from the pole and pulled him out through the doors before they could slide shut again. Icarus dragged him along, past the platform, away from the stairs, and down along the track. And farther along into the darkness until they came to a set of stairs and a door. Icarus opened the heavy door and shoved Chaz through. The door slammed with a bang.

What had Chaz gotten himself into? ...

New Release, "Love Me Tonight" and a chance to win 5 stories...

“Love Me Tonight” is included the newest AmberPax Collection from Amber Allure, “No Tell Motel.” My contribution to the Pax is a tasty little story about a secret assignation at a seedy little motel. Here’s a little bit about this steamy story.

Title: Love Me Tonight

Author: Adrianna Dane

Click to Purchase or Find out More

Genres: Gay/Contemporary

Adrianna Dane Website

Amber Quill Press/Amber Allure

ISBN: 978-1-61124-517-2 (Electronic)

Blurb:

At Hotel Draysden, management fraternizing with staff is a no-no. Casper Rosabella knows the rules, but he also believes that sometimes rules were meant to be broken. Sometimes it was worth taking a risk, especially when the man Casper craves is as hot as Lando Madrid.

Eye contact leads to a need to experience more, and through phone calls and texting, the men start to learn about each other. But then the lines blur when Casper and Lando make arrangements to meet for one night of unfettered sex in a seedy motel room, when taboo passions will culminate between two men who work at the same place, but certainly shouldn’t play together.

With secrets shared and desires revealed, the men are drawn deeper into a burning need to know more about each other. But considering their situation, could the relationship become something other than just a one-night stand?

Excerpt:

"You decided to come," Casper said.

Stepping farther into the room, the door slamming shut behind him, Lando efficiently blocked out the rest of the world. And now, at last, it was just the two of them. Lando smelled of fine, clean things. Casper inhaled sharply. Musk, maybe some vanilla, earthy sandalwood perhaps. The mix of scents was intoxicating. Lando gave Casper the shadow of a smile as his gaze rode over him assessingly.

"Your invitation intrigued me."

"Do you get a lot of propositions like this?" Casper couldn't help asking the question.

Lando shrugged. "In my position, I get a few. Usually from women. It took a lot of guts to approach me the way you did. I admire that in a man. But are you certain you know what you're asking for?"

"I've asked around. Discreetly, of course. As far as I can tell no rumors of rudeness or disrespect or otherwise. Most of the people I spoke with have the greatest respect for you, at all levels, and that's not easy to do. I've been watching you for the last year."

"Watching me?" Lando asked a little sharply.

"Not the way you think. We can't help but stumble across each other on occasion, you know. But it wasn't until I saw you in the Cascade Bar that I thought maybe... Well, until then, I didn't know you were gay, so all I allowed myself to do was... Well, enjoy the view so to speak. But when I saw you in the bar, then I knew. You keep your private life very close, don't you?"

"I guard my personal life. It's nobody's business." He shrugged. "What I like, who I like, and how I like it is my business. No one else's. And I expect my privacy to remain that way."

"Yet, you're here. Do you trust me to keep your secrets?"

Lando circled the room. He studied the candles, the new sheets on the bed, then he turned back to Casper. "I don't know yet. But I've asked around about you, too."

"We don't travel in the same circles."

"No, we don't. I'd bet we grew up differently as well. I'll bet you went to private schools and expensive universities. I went to public school and just barely stayed out of the gangs. But, when it comes down to it, in a place like this, we level the playing field, sí?

Casper licked his lips. He was so ready for the games to begin. "But I bet we have similar dreams, similar fantasies. Or we wouldn't be here, would we?" Casper paused. Lando remained silent. "No promises," Casper finally said.

"None," Lando agreed. "No strings attached."

"No strings," Casper echoed.

Casper took several steps toward Lando. Casper's cock was already hard. He reached out, but, like a striking viper, Lando grabbed his wrist and stopped Casper from touching him. The grip was not so punishing, but Lando certainly made Casper aware of who had the control. "Have you done this before?" Lando asked.

"No. Not in a long time," Casper responded, not fighting the firm grip on his wrist.

Lando glanced at the bed. "You did as I requested."

"Yes. Do you like them?"

Lando released Casper's wrist and walked over to the bed. He ran his hands across the sheets. "Very nice." He checked the corners on the bed. "I am impressed. Perfect corners. I wouldn't have expected a man like you to make your own bed so well."

"I possess a certain skill. My father was in the military and he was a bit of a taskmaster about certain things. If the corners weren't right, he had a habit of ripping all the bedding off and making me do it again. Maybe you don't know as much about me as you think you do."

"He sounds harsh," Lando said. "Any brothers or sisters?"

"No. Just me." He hesitated for just a fraction of a second. "I had a younger brother, but he died when he was two. A blood disease. My mother wouldn't agree to more children after that." Another one of those silences. Lando stared off toward the curtained window. "And you?" Casper asked in order to fill the void.

"Five sisters, one brother."

"Where do you fit in the line-up? I always wanted to be part of a large family."

"It's not as much fun as you might think. Especially when you know you're different. You learn to keep certain things to yourself. I was the oldest, my brother was the youngest, with the girls in the middle. Like bookends who have to shore up the middle."

"Do your parents live in Seattle?" Casper asked.

"No." That was it. Lando turned back to face him. Again, that blue-eyed look that scanned Casper from head to foot. And then his gaze fastened on Casper's crotch. He sat on the side of the bed.

"Pull off my boots. I want to get comfortable. And then I want you to strip for me. And then once you're bare, I want you to bring me a glass of wine. And when you bring it to me, I want you to kneel in front of me. Think you can handle that?"

Casper's pulse quickened. "Y-yes. I can do that." Just by the list of demands Lando had texted him, Casper had developed a sense of Lando's likes, as well as his desire for dominance. Casper might have called a halt to this dalliance right then and there, but he hadn't. In fact, the whole thing had excited him.

Now about that contest...

Keeping in mind that a red car isn’t always simply a red car that looks pretty on the cover, today at the AmberPax blog I'm blogging about what's under the hood, discussing my latest release, "Love Me Tonight," from Amber Allure, and digging deep inside not just the characters, not just locations, but objects and symbolism as well. Stop by and comment, be entered to win a copy of the AmberPax Collection, "No Tell Motel," which includes 5 stories written by 5 different authors: Vivien Dean, Heidi Champa, L.A. Witt, Rick R. Reed...and me. http://amberpax.blogspot.com/2013/11/its-whats-under-hood-that-countsby.html.

Object Personification, or something like that...

I have a messy office,I admit it. But, it's my mess, and I do sort of, go through it now and then. It's a cave, and one might consider it Aladdin's cave of strange and unusual objects, some of which possess magical qualities. To someone else, looking at my office, it likely would be with a sense of horror on how much...stuff or junk to them...I have crammed into such a small space. I look around and I see things that matter. Things with energy, magical, creative energy. I see them differently than what another person will see them.

Sometimes when I write, I like to have images around to inspire me. Sometimes those images end up being three-dimensional items that I pick up that I think inspire me. The first thing that inspired me to write a swan-shifter story was an small snippet of an article that I read in Renaissance Magazine. The article had to do with the discovery of a shrine or temple where it was thought that they had once worshipped swans. I was intrigued. I pulled out my trusty "Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Traditional Symbols" by J.C. Cooper, to look up the symbology for swans, as I tend to have a feeling that certain images, or totems come into one's life for a reason. So I looked up, "Swan." It says...

"Combining the two elements of air and water, the swan is the bird of life; the dawn of day; solar. It also signifies solitude and retreat and is the bird of the poet; its dying song is the poet's song; its whiteness is sincerity."

Thus the idea for a story began to emerge, and Swan's Lake was born.

A sensual tale of seductive shifters, good vs. evil, and dark, enchanted lust vs. a unique, pure and passionate love in the magical world of Valliana. Managing to free herself from a brutal captor, Martine, a swanshifter, escapes through the swan arch landing in the enchanted world of Valliana...

So how does this tie in with the objects in my office? Swans--the image of that beautiful, graceful creature. I like visiting second-hand stories for inspiration. I can find some pretty cool stuff there. Hence, I have several "swans" resident in my cave. But they can't just be decorative, they do have to make themself useful, particularly once the story is completed. They have to find their place because space is limited.

I found several swan planters--small ones. One of them has become my pencilholder and sits on my desk. With that long neck, she's also agreed to collar any stray rubberbands, the sort I use for banding my index cards and such. She was sitting on a store shelf, cast out and with nowhere to go. I picked her up ran my fingers across her glossy feathers, and that long elegant neck, considered her, listened to her, and finally decided the orphaned Swann would thrive and do very nicely in my magical cave. Though she has rather an aloof sort of personality, so far, she 's made herself very useful and is a positive addition to the atmosphere.

But she didn't arrive alone. Although Swann requires center stage, on the other side of the room nests a tiny little creature--Thumbelina Swan. Thumbelina has made herself useful by holding mementos from a recent trip, of small, fluffy peacock feathers I'd gathered while in Florida. Thumbelina isn't fond of being alone, so next to her stands her guardian faerie, Blue. Blue was a gift to me from my daughter. Thumbelina displays, Blue stays nearby, within whispering distance and quite a close relationship has developed between the two. Though I can't get either of them to dust the shelf. Seems no one in the office has a passion for dusting. Even me. Oh, well. On occasion we have no choice. I tried to give them at least a once-over before photographing them. They weren't very happy with me. Blue stuck her nose in the air, hands on hips and says, "Dust particles are just important as the rest of us, you know. You're making them very angry." Yes, I could tell, as I erupted into a fit o sneezing. Enough. I swept the little goblins on their way, at least for now.

Thumbelina and Blue take their job very seriously and guard their space closely. On the other side of Thumbelina sits the blue turtle, Mozy, head reared as Mozy surveys his surroundings, reminding me to go ever forward at my own pace, doing it my own way, because that's the surest way to get to my destination. Blue reminds me that there are worlds unseen, but nevertheless they do exist, I just need to be open to seeing them. Thumbelina reminds me even the smallest, tiniest speck of an idea can grow into something momentous and glorious like Swann.

And the feathers, which came from walks on the beach early in the morning remind me to slow down, breathe deep, and look around, listen closely. There is beauty to be found in the world around me. There are ideas in every object. There's energy and stories to be told, I need to just stop and listen, and look with different eyes, be open to a new way of seeing.

My cave is filled with wondrous objects, each has a story all its own, each object within these walls means something special to me. To the outside it just looks like a mess and mix of weird stuff, to me this is where magic happens.

An excerpt from Swan's Lake.

“She is very beautiful.”

Reynaldo couldn’t look away from the view of the serene lake surrounded by the lush forests. So different from the barren fields and fallow grounds on the other side of the estate.

At one time, the lake had been just as stagnant as the dried up land. Before she came. But only the lake and the surrounding woodlands seemed to have been affected by her magical appearance.

He felt Satrius’s presence behind him, but Reynaldo was focused on the beauty of the swan who was about to take flight. He watched as her powerful wings extended and she glided across the lake, her mirror image reflected in the shimmering, clear blue water, and finally soared into the air. His gaze was glued to the arc of her neck as she stretched out, and he could almost feel the wind against his own face, the freedom of the sky as he followed the perfect symmetry of her form. He felt his soul reach out to her, yearning to soar with her.

His thoughts faltered as he felt Satrius stroke his long hair, drawing his attention back to the room. Closing his eyes, he absorbed the seductive touch. Satrius was a powerful magician and Reynaldo had summoned him to the estate in hopes that his magic would heal his land.

What he had never understood was that his own soul was much like the land, barren and rootless. He had been listless and despondent until the arrival of the magician and his entourage. Satrius had changed everything. He had touched a deep, hidden part of Reynaldo. He felt alive when he was with Satrius, saw things differently.

Reynaldo had been warned of the dangers of summoning Satrius to the estate. His magic was indeed powerful, but also very dangerous. This land was a legacy of his ancestors and he was losing it, yet he was unsure why. He needed help, desperate to restore the land to its former fertility.

Satrius promised it would be as it once was and assured Reynaldo his magic could do what needed to be accomplished given time. He wove a spell around Reynaldo—a spell steeped in dark lust that Reynaldo was unable to combat. Slowly, he was drawing him deeper and deeper into the web of passion from which he now felt no desire to break free. Yet still the land lay barren.

At least he felt something, even if it seemed he moved in a shadow world where he only came alive when driven by his sexual arousal. If Satrius could awaken something inside his dead heart, could he not also revive the land as he promised?

It was the man himself who mesmerized Reynaldo over the many months he had been ensconced at the estate. He had seduced Reynaldo until he could envision no future without Satrius being a part of it. Not only to return prosperity to the estate, but in order to convince Satrius to remain with him, he had finally agreed to act as stud to the protégé who accompanied him. Satrius had convinced him it was the best way to return prosperity quickly to the land.

Reynaldo did not love her. Truly, love played no part in any of the emotions he felt even when it came to his desire for Satrius. He was promised that as a child would grow in Belinda’s womb, so would his land again become fruitful.

There were two reasons to bed the woman. The important one for Reynaldo was that the magic he wove with her would help his land and the people who depended on him. The second was that Satrius wanted the child to train in the ways of his magic. Reynaldo had asked why he didn’t bed the woman himself if he wished an heir, but had been told Satrius was no longer able to sire children.

Reynaldo had given up a search for romantic passion and thought himself incapable of any greater emotion than that of the lust and need he felt for Satrius.

Until the appearance of the Maiden. Everything had changed since her unexpected arrival. Suddenly he was torn in his desires.

“She is not for you,” Satrius murmured from behind him. He turned Reynaldo to face him, forcing him to looking deeply into the mesmerizing emerald depths of the magician’s eyes. Satrius cupped his face and locked with his gaze, searching for his soul.

“She must have some magic to have healed the lake and the forest. I have run there, I know it has recovered. But why not the remainder of the land? That is what I cannot figure out.”

“She has not the power you think she has. She is weak. She cannot give you what you desire. Only I can do that.”

He looked into Satrius’s eyes, felt his willpower ebbing, giving over to the magician. “Yes, I know you are right.”

Satrius penetrated inside him, Reynaldo could feel the heat blazing from his presence. The lust grew to twine around him. Satrius tilted Reynaldo’s head back and studied him closely through a narrowed gaze. “Do you? She should never have been brought here. She is not of our kind. Her magic is different. You must not allow her to come between you and that which you want.”

Reynaldo felt the heat of him as he lowered his head and his lips claimed Reynaldo’s in a demanding kiss that scorched through him. He felt his cock rise thickly against his leg. Satrius held him fast with his hands and with his mind. He wanted to please the master magician. He needed him and submitted to him, even knowing Satrius used him for his own ends as well. He could not deny him—they had moved far past that point.

Satrius broke the kiss and looked deeply into his eyes once again. “You know what you must do. It is time to send the Maiden away. She and her kind are a distraction.” He stroked Reynaldo’s hair and calmness dropped over him even as his passion soared. Any thought of his desire for the light of the Maiden disappeared from his thoughts as Satrius drew him forth into the passionate darkness.

Even in bringing the maiden to the house when he had found her wounded and unconscious he had defied the will of the magician, a thing he did not often do. Something stronger had driven him and he could not fail her, even knowing Satrius might leave him because of the act of defiance. Satrius demanded obedience in all things and would accept nothing less.

“I will tell her she and the others must leave now that she is healed. I could not send her away when she was so near death.”

Satrius slipped his shirt over his head, baring his muscular chest, taunting him with his flesh. “Soon.”

Reynaldo nodded as he lowered his head to draw one of Satrius’s nipples into his mouth and sucked deeply, hands gripping the magician’s hips. He heard his sharp intake of breath. “It will please me when this is done. Her presence agitates Belinda. If you do not handle this quickly, I fear for the life of the Maiden. Do you wish her death on your hands?”

Reynaldo knew Satrius used the threat to force his hand. He knew Reynaldo was drawn to the Maiden—her magic so different from that of Satrius and Belinda. There was a freshness, a purity in the swan magic. He had tried to keep himself separate from her, but something kept drawing him back to her. His own level of magic was nothing compared to that of the swan, or Satrius. He had never exercised his inherited power, never wanted it. Until now. But between Satrius and Belinda they sapped him completely until he was totally powerless to fight their control.

He looked up into Satrius’s dark gaze. “I do not want to talk of her any longer today.” The dark, seductive magic wove its passionate spell around him. He needed the intimacy with Satrius, like one addicted to opium. His cock grew heavy with anticipation.

Tone of Story and Word Choice

When you write a story, do you take into consideration the genre you are writing?

For example, what words do you use to describe...anything...in a horror story?

What about a mystery?

In horror, do you simply use that tone in the specific scene where a ghost appears? Where a monster makes its appearance and maybe kills a victim? Where does build up begin?

When do you start to seduce your reader into the ambiance of a horror or a mystery or a romance?

The same is true for the eroticism of a story, wouldn't you say? Word choices throughout the story give it the texture and tone for the genre, not just the number of A-into-B sex scenes, or a murder scene, or the swashbuckling warrior scene in a fantasy. It is the whole ambiance.

Would you disagree with that?

When I describe a mountain (such as in Breathless Peaks), a pair of gloves (Skin Tight), a painting (Caution: Wet Paint), in an erotic romance, that item is imbued with sensuality. That is part of the plot. In a mystery, in a horror novel, what are your word choices for bringing a reader into the emotion of that story from the very first page?

From Breathless Peaks:

They both called to her--both wanted her total attention. The feeling was like being drawn to two possessive lovers--neither one willing to let her go. Neither one giving an inch. No matter how far she ran or how deep she tried to hide, they wouldn't let her be. Not really. She'd always felt their presence.

There were times when she thought she'd won, but those times were fleeting. Like a sharpened nail of silvery metal, she was drawn by a powerful magnetism she fought against daily. She was weary of the fight. She wanted to simply let go and go back. To bend to their will, to give them what they wanted. What she needed.

If she went, would she lose her sense of self? Would they press her between them and suffocate the life from her?

Every time she thought about them, her heart beat faster, raced like a ticking bomb, ready to explode. The heat of remembered contact coursed through her like an avalanche that she couldn't fight and she was swallowed whole, buried alive. Not any more. Not now.

She loved them both. More than she should. Both left her breathless, always wanting more. Needing it, and nothing could change that.

From Skin Tight:

The fit was tight, so very tight. Just the way she loved it. Slow and easy. Curving and sheathing until there was no space left to breathe. She sighed as she stroked her fingertips across the glove's supple leather, tracing the outline of each of her enclosed digits one at a time. She inhaled the item's earthy aroma, allowing it to wend its way through her.

Karli loved the scent of finely tooled gloves. And these, oh these, were perfect. They were so tight a fit, she could see the outline of her nails through the stretched fabric. Yet the leather was so pliant there was no problem at all fisting her hand, and her knuckles peaked with shiny definition.

"They look gorgeous on you, Ms. Logan. Almost like a second skin." The saleswoman smiled. This expensive pair would undoubtedly mean a very good sales percentage for the woman behind the counter. "I knew they would," she gushed. "That's why I called you right away. I hoped you'd get the message. I said it was important."

With difficulty, Karli looked away from her gloved hand to smile at the girl. "The service did get the message to me. And I appreciate the call, Wendy. You take very good care of me." Of course, the call had been vetted through several different people before it ended up in Karli's hands, but at least it had reached her. In a gesture of appreciation, Karli's gloved hand pressed the back of Wendy's bare one. She could feel the warmth of the woman's skin even through the boundary of the elegant glove.

No man's cock had ever fit her pussy as tightly as her fingers fit into these gloves. The press and scent almost had her orgasming on the spot. She bit her lip, then soothed the wound with her tongue.

"You have such elegant hands, Ms. Logan. This style looks just wonderful on you." She looked around the small shop, then back at Karli. "Actually," she said in a confidential tone, "I set them aside until you could come in to try them for yourself."

Karli flexed her hand again, enjoying the feel of confinement, the stroke and give of the leather. She wanted to touch herself so badly, to baptize them with her juices. To feel the leather against the soft flesh of her inner thighs.

Caution: Wet Paint:

"It's a very...riveting piece, isn't it? Do you know the artist?"

Clara couldn't take her eyes off the work of art. She felt the heat of a summer sun on her naked body. Sable brushes skimming across her skin, between the lips of her pussy. She squeezed her legs tightly together, trying to deny the erotic sensations that quaked through her.

"Clara, did you hear me?"

"Yes, Maggie, I heard you. It wasn't created by one artist--it was two. You know one of them."

Spread your legs, Clara. Show us your desire. Clara shivered as the ghostly demand echoed inside her head.

"I do? Who is it?"

She felt fingertips stroke gently across her inner thighs. The warmth of a bonfire against her back. The rough texture of a flannel blanket beneath her.

"Arturo."

Maggie turned to look at Clara, her mouth agape.

"I didn't know he ever did work like this. It doesn't look like any of the stuff you have on display at the gallery. Who was the other artist?"

"Samir Zahi." Prince Samir Zahi to be correct. Samir, whose mouth had tasted her, lips hot and demanding on her breasts. Her nipples burned for him as she studied the painting, yearning to feel his mouth on her flesh once again.

And in Body Parts foreshadowing a sense of darkness and mystery:

She studied the exterior of the powerful stone structure. It was built to last the ages and much too substantial to simply be called a house. Right out of a gothic novel, it was one of the most opulent pieces of architecture Korrie have ever seen.

Within seconds, the sun shifted behind a dark cloud and cool darkness settled over the property, shadows grabbing at the structure. And at her. She again looked up to study the architecture and this time her gaze settled on the towers. Just below the spires in the left column she noticed the blackened stone and boarded-up brace of windows. From the early photos, they had once held handcrafted stained glass.

It was a terrible tragedy when the Ransoms perished in a devastating fire that destroyed a great deal of the laboratory on the top floor of the mansion. It was reportedly one of their experiments that had gone horribly wrong. Most of their research papers were destroyed as well. At least that’s the rumor.

That’s what it said in the file. She should know because she was the one who’d conducted the interview with the retired newspaper reporter. One of the many reasons she wanted to come here ﷓﷓ to discover the truth. To walk in their shoes, so to speak. Now was her chance.

The lack of sun set a pall over the house, making it look like a fixture out of one of those old horror movies. A shiver spread up her spine, like tiny fingers gripping and tightening around her flesh. What experiment had the Ransoms been working on when they perished?

Does explicitness equal erotic in every scene?

Does erotic equal a full sex scene on every page?

Does revulsion equal horror in every paragraph?

Does violence equal mystery in every act?

Or is it the word choices we use as wordsmiths, throughout the story, that draws the emotion and keep the reader enthralled?

Can you segment plot from atmosphere, or intimacy from relationship, be it mystery, horror, scifi, fantasy, or erotic? If you do, is that story still firmly planted within a specific genre?

Just asking...

Adrianna
www.adriannadane.com

Esmerelda's Lovers Merits 4 Stars from RT!

I love small towns. I grew up in one and I live in one now. Not the same one, by the way. I enjoy writing about them. Esmerelda's Lovers is an erotic romance anthology with all of the stories centering around the residents of the fictional small town of Esmerelda, Massachusetts.

Janean Sparks, a reviewer for RT BOOKcub Reviews gives Esmerelda's Lovers four stars and has this to say about this erotic anthology:

Dane gives us four wonderful tales of love and romance. The characters are real and captivating, and there are plenty of spicy scenes that will have your mouth watering. You will get so wrapped up in each of these stories that everything else will just fade away.

Find the review in the May 2008 issue of Romantic Times BOOKreviews or by visiting the Romantic Times website.

A little about Esmerelda's Lovers.

Esmerelda, a small, sleepy town with passion as its foundation. It is a community built on tradition, holding deep, secrets and painful memories for some. Lives intertwine as usually happens in a small town. But as the past explodes into the present, the futures of these lovers will alter forever.

Esmerelda's Secret. A 2004 Amber Heat Wave Contest Winner John William (J.W.) Dalton and Willow MacKenzie had once been passionate lovers, two halves of one soul, torn apart by greed and misunderstanding. Now, ten years later, J.W. is sheriff and Willow has returned to Esmerelda to finally lay to rest the tormenting ghosts that continue to haunt her.

5 Stars! ...Ms. Dane has written a hot, hot short story...Her words make every touch and breath blazing... -- Julie, Just Erotic Romance Reviews

Smooth Finish. Back in high school Cody Marx and Jared Creed had been attracted to each other. But when Jared's father died and his half-brother, Kenny, got into trouble, they drifted apart. Years later, a remodeling project draws them together once again. This is one revitalization Cody can't wait to begin.

4 Angels!! Smooth Finish is a great book that has everything you need for a great bedtime story. There is plenty of sexual tension, adventure, and mystery. ... Author Adrianna Dane always creates such appealing books that it makes me eager to immerse myself in her worlds again and again... --Tammy, Fallen Angel Reviews

Ruthless Acts. Elizabeth Anthony, a hot-house flower, the pampered daughter of a powerful man. Isandro Santario, a secretive ex-con with a powerful desire for revenge. One from hell, the other from heaven. Can they discover paradise together? Or will they both end up burning in the smoky depths of purgatory?

5 Lips!! Adrianna Dane has penned an erotic and emotionally intense story that draws you in immediately and doesn't let go until the very last page. ... Ruthless Acts is a definite must-read that'll engage your senses and leave you breathless for more... --Kerin, TwoLips Reviews

Closing Time. Risking her reputation, Evelyn travels to Boston for a little taboo excitement. From the hot encounter behind the stage with the sexy guitar player, to a steamy confrontation in the back room of the Esmerelda library, Evie must face her fears and risk everything for a chance at love.

4 Hearts!! ...Closing Time is a story about taking risks. ... Ms. Dane really touched this reviewer with this plot ... Closing Time is also about sex! Ms. Dane creates some steamy scenes that will leave you breathless and craving more. ... --Tina, Love Romances and More


Read excerpts from each of these stories at my website

Listen to first chapter excerpts in podcast format at Podomatic.com.

Purchase Esmerelda's Lovers online at amazon.com.


Adrianna

Podcast Excerpt for The Lion and the Rose Now Available

Title: The Lion and the Rose
Author: Adrianna Dane
Purchase Link: http://amberquill.com/AmberHeat/LionRose.html
Author URL: http://www.adriannadane.com
Publisher: Amber Quill Press/Amber Heat
ISBN: 978-1-60272-132-6
Publisher URL: http://www.amberheat.com
Cover Art by Trace Edward Zaber

Man or beast? Mikelas, half man, half beast, caught between worlds, needs his bride desperately. As tradition demanded, he invoked the magic of the ancient marriage coin, but his Midas mate didn't answer and without her he is doomed to revert to his animal form forever. At one minute to the stroke of forever, a new scrying is performed and Rosemarie Edwards receives a very special gift meant only for a woman of Midas blood.



Rosemarie doesn't believe in fairytale love--she doesn't have faith in humanity at all. Certainly not with the memories of her tragic past shrouding her from any hope of future happiness. But an attractive messenger with an intriguing gold rose and a special invitation will send her on a savagely sensual journey that will change her life from a black-and-white existence filled with painful reminders to the full Technicolor of devastating desire.



One night of sizzling animal passion in what she thinks is a dream, leaves her with a throbbing, visible reminder of the claim of her dominant mate. How did it happen and why does she respond so intensely to the scent of the golden rose? Only by accepting the mysterious invitation to Midian will she find the answers she needs and maybe discover that there can be a happily ever after.

Listen to the first chapter of this story at: http://adriannadane.podomatic.com/entry/2008-02-15T08_30_45-08_00


Excerpt:

The door to the room burst open and a tall, attractive man stalked in.

“Tira,” he growled.

If Tira’s face could have glowed any brighter, it did at that moment. She jumped to her feet, not even bothering to cover her bared breasts.

“Lyon,” she breathed, as he reached her, pulling her into his arms and planting a searing kiss on her lips. Tira wrapped her arms around her husband’s neck and plastered herself to his body.

Rosemarie had no idea what to do. Should she leave? Slowly she began to inch away, planning to make her way to the door.

Finally, they broke the kiss, but Lyon’s hot gaze never left Tira. Tira looked at Rosemarie and smiled.

“My husband has been away on business for a few days. I wanted to remain behind in case you arrived earlier than expected.” She turned to look up at him, and stroked a hand along his firm jaw. He returned the gesture by cupping her marked breast, a measure of possession in the touch.

He turned to look at Rosemarie. “She is the one for Mikelas?”

“Yes, Lyon. But she’s only just arrived. I believe she thinks we are all a little nuts.”

“Nuts?”

“Crazy,” she translated. “Rosemarie, Sophie will show you to your room. Why don’t you rest for a bit and we’ll talk later.

Lyon was slowly dragging her toward the door. Rosemarie could only watch them in awe as they almost moved as one through the doorway. As they passed through, she heard something tear.

“Lyon, stop that.”

“I can’t wait,” Rosemarie heard the deep-throated response. Then there was more tearing.

“Oh, God,” she heard Tira scream.

Quietly she tiptoed out of the room. She’d never been a witness to such blatant sexuality. She found bits of white silk scattered all along the floor leading to the stairs. She caught a quick glance as Lyon rounded the bend at the top of the stairs; Tira was naked, obviously riding his cock as he headed toward a room down the corridor.

She heard the bang of a door and then a loud feminine peal of pleasure. Her own pussy leaked her juices in answer to the earthy scene she had just witnessed.

A woman dressed in a black and white maid’s uniform appeared and picked up the scattered remnants of Tira’s dress. She approached Rosemarie, having gathered all the pieces, and smiled serenely.

“I’m Sophie, Ms. Edwards. I’ll show you to your room. My sister, Martha, will bring along some tea for you in just a bit. I expect you’re hungry after your long trip. If you’ll just come with me.”

Rosemarie was stunned, but she followed Sophie up the wide staircase. At the top, they headed in the opposite direction from which Lyon and Tira had gone. As they reached Rosemarie’s room, she heard another ear-splitting primal scream echo through the corridor.

But what she really wanted to know was, who was Mikelas? And what did he have to do with her?





+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Like to know more about Princess Tira of Midian and her Lyon?
Purchase Link: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberHeat/MidasBride.html

Another excerpt from The Lion and the Rose: http://www.adriannadane.com/lionandtherose.html

An excerpt from The Midas Bride: http://www.adriannadane.com/midasbride.html


Photos used in this blog entry courtesy of stockvault.net.
Cover art by Trace Edward Zaber.
All Rights Reserved to the respective parties.

Latest Podcast Now Available - Excerpt of If You Dare...

"If You Dare..." has that mysterious, dark, edgy quality featuring an attractive alpha male that is so delicious to read, particularly this time of year. Julian is that dominating, fantasy hero who seduces Rachel with a touch, a mesmerizing look, and body language that positively drips with sexuality. How could any woman resist, particularly at the stroke of midnight on All Hallow's Eve...

I envision you curled up in bed, on a bewitching dark and stormy night, reading this story, the only light in the room emanates from the ebook reader backlight and flickering, scented candles burning, your black cat curled next to you, a glass of chilled white wine on the table beside you, and a small, silverplated bowl of decadent dark chocolate resting next to the glass.

Suddenly, from the darkness, a naked male body rises up and turns toward you, his muscular chest covered in dark curling hair mere inches away. You feel a warm hand reach over to nestle at the juncture of your slick thighs and your heart stops beating for a fraction of an instant as those very strong fingers knead your pliant flesh.

You glance over at the shadowed outline of the man lying next to you. A gleam of white teeth, a glitter of intent in his emerald green eyes as his fingers begin to dance across your skin and he inches closer and closer, sending a burning hot blade of desire burrowing deep inside...

You look for your cat who was lying right beside you, but find he has disappeared. The man in your bed presses his moist lips to your sensitive earlobe. He nips playfully and you find it difficult to concentrate as spirals of pleasure undulate through your body. How can you possibly think of anything but the gorgeous male you have conjured to your bed?

You feel his moist breath tickle your ear, you feel his hand travel up your body, beneath your nighshirt....

"Read to me, love," he whispers in a deeply sexy voice, almost a purr, as his nimble fingers play your body like a fine instrument.

You think this erotic story is just the right length to drizzle a little steamy foreplay into what is bound to be a very satisfying night. How can you resist?

If you dare...

Keeping with the Halloween theme this month, this week listen to an excerpt from "If You Dare..." now available from Amber Heat.

Adrianna Dane, Author of Sensual and Erotic Romance

Passionate stories with adventurous heart...

If You Dare... (an adult contemporary erotic excerpt)



Purchase Link for If You Dare...: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberHeat/IfYouDare.html


Enjoy!

Adrianna

New Podcast Excerpt Now Available for Fearfully Delicious

My latest weekly podcast excerpt is now available. This month I'll be focusing on my darker, steamy stories, several of which take place around Halloween. To start out the month I've posted an excerpt from Fearfully Delicious, now available at Phaze.com.

Enjoy!




Adrianna Dane, Author of Sensual and Erotic Romance
Passionate stories with adventurous heart...

He knows what she needs...what she fears...what she desires...

Podcast excerpt: Fearfully Delicious (a contemporary erotic excerpt) (http://adriannadane.podOmatic.com/entry/eg/2007-10-05T06_22_07-07_00)

Phaze Purchase Link: http://www.king-cart.com/cgi-bin/cart.cgi?store=Phaze&product=Fearfully+Delicious+by+Adrianna+Dane

Fictionwise Purchase Link: http://www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/eBook40177.htm

Author Website: http://www.adriannadane.com

View the Video Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yYmlMvkwpQ



READ AN EXPLICIT EXCERPT AT:

http://www.adriannadane.com/fearfullydelicious.html

REVIEWS:

5 Stars!! ...For so short a story, Fearfully Delicious is fabulous. As the tale begins, Ms. Dane brings us characters you feel like you already know, which is essential when dealing with limited pages. ... Not only did she provide characters to cherish, she managed to have a plot and some steamy sex scenes. ... Fearfully Delicious was a joy to read and I gladly recommend others to pick it up. You will not be disappointed... --Suni Farrar, JERR

4 1/2 Stars!! ...Fearfully Delicious describes this book completely. This short story quickly whets your appetite and definitely delivers a feast for your enjoyment. Although short, Ms. Dane does a wonderful job introducing the characters and their feelings. ... Needless to say, I enjoyed this sizzling story of two people in love with a little bit of fearful suspense thrown in for good measure... --Trang, Ecataromance.com


Adrianna

Postcasting and Blogging This Week

I've added a new chapter excerpt podcast this week. This one is for my historical erotic romance "The Diary of Lillian Manchester: The Stranger." This story is now available at Amber Quill Press (www.amberheat.com).

Slade McCord, scarred by his past, arrives in the Arizona Territory on a mission. Lillian Manchester recognizes him as the only man to tame her restless, wildfire heart. His secret objective and his inability to trust could jeopardize not only their lives, but Slade's last chance for salvation.


Also this week, I was blogging at the Servants of the Muse blog. Find out what I had to say about "Breaking Down, the Muse, and Me." Such are the joys, and inspiration, of owning a car, and having a fertile imagination.

Adrianna

This Week's Podcast: Sea Sentinel, Ep. 1: From the Waters

I've just broadcast the first chapter excerpt from Sea Sentinel, Ep. 1: From the Waters.

Here's a little about this story:

Elana Del Rio witnessed something that almost killed her. Until, alone in the middle of the ocean, something unknown, only whispered about, rescued her. Half man-half creature, all primitive lover, he breathed life back into her and claimed her in the most primitive, life-affirming sexual encounter she had ever experienced. She had heard rumors of a being who guarded the seas from man-made dangers and destruction and thought it a myth. He was known as the Sea Sentinel and his powers far surpassed any of those known to mortal man.

Listen and/or download this free chapter and others at: http://adriannadane.podomatic.com/

Have a great weekend!

Adrianna

New Podcast for Ruthless Acts

I've posted the podcast for an excerpt from Ruthless Acts this morning. You can listen or download it at Adrianna's Broadcasts.



Elizabeth Anthony and Isandro Santario are two people who should never have met, should never have loved. But in Esmerelda, anything is possible.

This story is now available at Amber Heat, the erotic imprint of Amber Quill Press.

Ruthless Acts is also available in the "Esmerelda's Lovers" anthology of erotic stories, now available in paperback at Amazon.com

Have a great day!

Adrianna

About Faeries and Podcasting

I was away this weekend attending the Faerieworlds Festival in Veneta, Oregon. That was fun and I've got some pictures up, if you'd like to see them. Here's the link:
2007 Faerieworlds Festival Pix. I will be blogging a bit about the festival.

Also, on Friday, just before I left, I broadcast my latest excerpt from Graphic Liaisons. You can listen to it, or download it at: Adrianna's Podcasts

It was interesting as I went to check out my podcast site this morning to find that on the front page of podomatic.com, my podcast was listed there among the most active podcasts today. I don't know how long it will stay there, but it was pretty cool to see this morning. Currently, you can listen to podcasts of chapter excerpts from "The Boy Next Door," "Sylvie's Gift," "Nights in White Satin," "No Choice," and "Graphic Liaisons." I'll be broadcasting a new excerpt on Friday.

The other great thing about this weekend was the release of my latest story from Amber Heat, "Tempt Me Not" which is an erotic dark fantasy. Read a short excerpt and/or purchase it at: Tempt Me Not.

Hope your week is starting out to be a great one. :-)

Adrianna

New Podcast for No Choice Excerpt Now Available

This week's broadcast is the opening excerpt from my erotic menage short story "No Choice."




No Choice is also currently available in my paperback erotic anthology, "Carnal Carnivale" now available at Amazon.





http://www.adriannadane.podomatic.com


Title: Adrianna Dane, Author of Sensual and Erotic Romance
Episode: No Choice (an erotic story excerpt)
http://adriannadane.podOmatic.com/entry/eg/2007-07-13T06_46_47-07_00

Enjoy!

Adrianna

A new podcast for Nights in White Satin

Each week I post a new first chapter story excerpt. Here's where you can find them. Or check my profile at myspace.


Title: Adrianna Dane, Author of Sensual and Erotic Romance
Episode: Nights in White Satin (an erotic excerpt)

Adrianna's Podcast

Enjoy and have a great weekend!

Adrianna

Esmerelda's Lovers Now Available at Amazon.com!!

I'm very pleased to share the news that my latest paperback erotic romance anthology is now available at Amazon.


Esmerelda's Lovers includes: Esmerelda's Secret, Smooth Finish, Ruthless Acts, and Closing Time.


From the first story I wrote about Esmerelda, this town has refused to leave me alone. I love small towns, grew up in one myself and there's just something that tugs to write the stories that take place in my fictional town of Esmerelda, Massachusetts.


Esmerelda, a small, sleepy town with passion as its foundation. It is a community built on tradition, holding deep, dark secrets and painful memories for some. Lives intertwine as usually happens in a small town. But as the past explodes into the present, futures will alter forever.


For Esmerelda's Secret--
4 1/2 Roses! The chemistry between Willow and J.W. is electric. ...a story that will pull you in from the beginning and doesn't want to release you until the end... -- Pam, A Romance Review


For Smooth Finish--
4 Stars!! What woman would allow her teenage crush to walk away a second time, especially when he makes her body sing? Boy, does he make it sing! Despite Jared's best efforts to keep his life in separate little boxes, Cody shows him that true love conquers all battles... --Michelle Naumann, Just Erotic Romance Reviews


For Ruthless Acts--
5 Lips!! Adrianna Dane has penned an erotic and emotionally intense story that draws you in immediately and doesn't let go until the very last page. The passion between Isandro and Elizabeth ignites the pages and will leave you wet and wanting, pulse racing for release of your own. ... Ruthless Acts is a definite must-read that'll engage your senses and leave you breathless for more... --Kerin, TwoLips Reviews


Esmerelda's Lovers, now available.




Thanks for letting me share.

Adrianna






Read excerpts of these stories at my website at www.adriannadane.com.

Eroticism vs. Pornography in Story

I’ve recently been visiting some blogs about erotic romance and I thought it was time for me to share my point of view on the subject. I continue to see authors who write erotic romance continue to say they admit to writing smut or pornography. If they write true erotic romance, or erotica, I beg to differ.

There are definitions set down for defining the different aspects of eroticism and sexual experimentation in story by the Passionate Pen Chapter of the Romance Writers of America. So let’s get those definitions out of the way first. Here’s how they define them:

“Porn: stories written for the express purpose of causing sexual titillation. Plot, character development, and romance are NOT primary to these stories. They are designed to sexually arouse the reader and nothing else.

Erotica: stories written about the sexual journey of the characters and how this impacts them as individuals. Emotion and character growth are important facets of a true erotic story. However, erotica is NOT designed to show the development of a romantic relationship, although it’s not prohibited if the author chooses to explore romance. Happily Ever Afters are NOT an intrinsic part of erotica, though they can be included.

Erotic Romance: stories written about the development of a romantic relationship through sexual interaction. The sex is an inherent part of the story, character growth, and relationship development, and couldn’t be removed without damaging the storyline. Happily Ever After is a REQUIREMENT to be an erotic romance.

Sexy Romance: stories written about the development of a romantic relationship that just happen to have more explicit sex. The sex is not an inherent part of the story, character growth, or relationship development, and it could easily be removed or “toned down” without damaging the storyline. Happily Ever After is a REQUIREMENT as this is basically a standard romance with hotter sex.”

(Visit www.passionateink.org for more information about the chapter.)

I’m going to rant today because, well, it’s just one of those days and I’ve been visiting some other blogs. I get a little miffed when I see a number of authors who say they write erotic romance and tell people they write “smut” or “pornography.” They say call it what it is. Well, you know what? I write erotic romance and I do not write smut or pornography. I disagree with those monikers totally. Erotic romance may be stories meant to arouse, but they are not meant to strictly arouse sexual response as appears the case in pornography and/or smut. At least not with my stories. Sex is not gratuitous, explicit love scenes are a part of the story and are important to the developing relationships.

If a reader or writer is ashamed of sexuality, then they are probably going to think erotic romance is smut. Have you ever really seen a pornographic movie or read pornography? Pornography is meant to sexually arouse. Period.

In erotic romance, or even erotica, much more is involved. There is a passion, an eroticism to all the senses, and that is what should be obvious when writing in the erotic genre as opposed to the pornographic genre.

Why do I use the term “genre?” I see pornography as a genre of pure sex, as science fiction is delving into the possibilities of science of alternative or futuristic fiction; horror meant to instill fear and terror; romance meant to inspire passion, and it is more than about the sex. If you introduce as the main part of the plot a romantic relationship, it changes the genre for pornography, science fiction, horror, or any of the other genres. The balance alters.

If an erotic romance does not contain the correct balance of sex to relationship and plot, yes, it can be pornography, or it can be erotica, depending on how the story is written.

In story, balance of components is important. Knowing what you write, be it erotic romance, erotica, pornography, or science fiction, and not trying to pass it off as another genre, is important. Because of the fairly new acceptance of erotic romance as a subgenre of romance, sometimes even the publishers do not distinguish between the genres. But a writer should know the difference in what they are writing, no matter which level of sexual explicitness is included.

To say to someone, “yes, I write smut” or, “yes, I write pornography” when what the author really writes is erotic romance, is bending to popular, uneducated definition, that really isn’t correct, nor does it do a service to either genre–not to erotic romance and not to pornography. If I were to write erotic horror and call it horror, it comes down to the same thing. If I were to write a story of horror, it would probably be more romantic horror. And that is a different genre, make no mistake. Nor is erotic horror the same as horror, such as Stephen King would write. There is a difference, although they may be related at some level. And just because an author doesn’t want to take the time to explain the difference, doesn’t mean it is a correct definition of the genre. Or they are trying to blur the lines of writing pornography and attempting to introduce their stories into a popular, and more acceptable genre such as erotic romance. It doesn’t make it so.

I love the passion of romance, be it heterosexual, same sex, multiple partners, or whatever the dynamics. I love being able to write about the emotion and soul involved in intimacy and commitment, or the anticipation of commitment. This is erotic romance. The journey to intimacy can also be erotica, which is not necessarily written toward the end result of commitment, but some part of personality, some growth is usually involved through the journey of discovery.

Here’s a passage from my dark futuristic erotic romance story, Zytarri 1: Virgin Blood, that could be considered erotic, yet it doesn’t deal directly with recognized sexual terms. Valyn, the hero, is preparing to meet his upcoming challenge in this passage.

Closing his eyes, he breathed in, pulling deeply from his abdomen, exhaling every particle of used breath, cleansing his inner body and soul while opening to the nuances of the pulsing earth. Eventually the oneness embraced him, and he felt the steady surging of the earth beneath him, heard the flow of life rushing under the surface, and felt the creaking growth of root life as it surged and burst. The pulse beat through him until his own rhythms matched those of the living earth, and he became attuned, a part of all that surrounded him.

Everything inside and around him slowed, matching cadence to cadence, the deep breathing increased the flow of oxygen to his lifeblood, and the power and balance threaded through him, anchoring deep inside. Opening his eyes, he centered his gaze on a close-budded flower and concentrated, coaxing her response.

‘Open your sweet heart to me.’

He did not move, did not breathe, waiting for the response.

First one shy petal peeled back, then another followed, and another, until the blushing, fuchsia core opened completely to the morning light, the fragrance of its heady, potent nectar filling the air.

He did not alter his attention, but heard the buzzing presence of a male bee close by.

‘She awaits.’ The whispered words moved outward from his mind to the fluttering insect.

His gaze soon encompassed the descent of the drone as it settled into the heart of the shy flower, piercing deep into its moist, succulent core, eager to consume the nectar of the fragrant, delicate beauty.

Erotic writing is in the blending of words meant to arouse, not necessarily explicit in a sexually obvious way. It is a seduction of the senses. It is not always “in-your-face” explicit. A writer wants the reader to be seduced by the writing, not dropped in a freezing cold or boiling hot pool. There is a difference.

Here’s a passage from my recent contemporary erotic romance release, Pleasure, which uses a few of the more recognized terms in erotic writing. Helen has come to Las Vegas for a weekend away from her daily life as mayor of a small town and discovers more than she bargained for, particularly about her own needs.

She really tried not looking their way again, but it was just too difficult. Taking a sip of her coffee, slowly she angled her head, the hairs on the back of her neck rising when she realized he was watching her intently.

The woman was nowhere in sight, probably having gone to the powder room to freshen up.

Long moments passed as her gaze locked with his across the crowded room. She felt heat surge through her body and a bolt of desire shocked right down to her pussy, making her throb with need.

His dark eyes traveled over her, studying her, caressing her in the ways a lover might do, but from a significant distance away. He lifted his hands and caressed the coffee cup in front of him, still watching her. He raised the cup and brought it to his finely chiseled lips.

His tongue stroked across his lips. Her body tingled at the thought of what that tongue could do to her body. It was too much and she felt her pussy convulse.

He smiled a deliberate, sensuous smile, then brought the cup to his lips. She watched his Adam's apple move as he swallowed, then set the cup back down.

Moving his chair back from the table, he splayed his legs, drawing her attention to his groin. It came to her suddenly that he was putting on a show for her, drawing her across the room. Maybe not physically, but mentally he seduced her, tantalized her. But why?

Her focus feasted on the prominent display of male dominance bulging from between his legs. It was as though there was no one else in the room but them.

Her breathing increased, rising to rapid pants of need.
She waned to get up from the table, to join him, to have him take her in his arms and kiss her with all the passion she surmised was sheathed inside that delectable, sexy man across the room. She could smell her own arousal keenly. In that look, no distance separated them. No one else existed.

Using all the self-control she could muster, she broke the contact, thinking a fan would not be so out of place right this minute. What had he done to her?

Make no mistake, I write explicitly and use, when appropriate, recognized terminology. But I do not depend on strictly those words to carry the eroticism of the story.

Passion, using all the senses, is what brings soul and romance to erotic writing. It isn’t sex strictly for the sake of sex alone. It is intimacy, it is relationship, it is romantically erotic.

Adrianna

April Issue - Torrid Tidbits Newsletter

Adrianna Dane's Torrid Tidbits



The Exile: A Seductive Tale

No. 7 Bestseller

For March at Amber Quill

Amber Heat


No Choice

No. 10 Bestseller!

For March at Amber Quill

Amber Heat



New Reviews

For Kierra's Thread... 5 Hearts! ...Adrianna Dane has a special gift with science fiction and renders the worlds she creates as totally believable. ... The plot is also fast-paced, and maintains the suspense throughout. Kierra's Thread is worth reading, both by fans of futuristic and scifi genres, but also for readers who just love intriguing stories with excellent characters to captivate our imagination... --Annie, The Romance Studio

For Therapy... 4 Angels!! Therapy is a delightful short story centered around the love of hockey and a hockey player. ... Chris is a passionate character that readers will be cheering for, hoping she takes a chance on love. Rick is a man any woman would love to have. ... Adrianna Dane has done a good job at creating two characters readers will instantly like in a short nomber of pages... --Shayley, Fallen Angel Reviews

For Immortal Treasure... ...4 Angels! This short story is a very intriguing combination of time travel and historical romance. ... The plot is quite straightforward, and the writing conveys the deep emotion felt by the hero and heroine. The reader will find the main characters, Khafeel and Cassandra, very sympathetic. The sex scenes between this loving couple are very romantic and quite explicit... --Janean, Fallen Angel Reviews

For Pleasure... 5 Roses for the At Your Service AmberPax! ...This story was much different from the others in the set but no less pleasurable to read. Helen is a wonderful character with a lot of personality and a good head on her shoulders. ... The ending was heartwarming and pulled the story together for me. I will definitely look for more of Ms. Dane's books to read... --Robin, MyBookCravings.com


If anyone has a question about my stories, writing, or life in general, feel free to email me, and I'll answer them in my next newsletter.

Links for reviews can be found at my website

If you haven't had a chance to see it yet, there's an ebook video teaser for my February release , Train Me. You can find it at Youtube. You can also find it at my website or at myspace.



Decadent Definitions

April's Torrid Term

Excerpted from Slang and Euphemism, Third Revised Edition, by Richard A. Spears

tump: to push. To copulate. Similar to tamp. [British slang 1800s. Farmer & Henley]



Romantic Reminder #333

All You Need Is Love...

* Once a week for a year: Jot down two reasons why you love him/her.

* Once a week for a year: Jot down one great thing he/she did.

* Once a week for a year: Jot down one inspirational thought.

At the end of the year: Print all this out on a big scroll and present it to your lover.

Excerpted from "1001 Ways to be Romantic" by Gregory Godek.


A Slice from Adrianna's Daily Life

Spring is just around the corner. I can feel it in the air, and my sinuses can feel it in my head. That's okay, it means warm weather is just around the corner. I'm ready.

My granddaughter had an ice skating competition and I attended that a couple of weeks ago. She was so cute. Her grandmother in Montana made her costumes and she did an absolutely super job of it. I sew, but I'd know what I came up with would probably never fit right. I have all I can do is create a costume or two for the RT Convention for myself. I did remember to bring the camera. The drive down to Vancouver was through lots of wonderful rain. I ended up going by myself because hubby had a nasty case of the flu and he didn't need to be in a nice, cold rink. He's better now, has a bit of a cough, but I think some warm weather will help that.

I'm busily preparing for the RT Convention at the end of April. Hope to see some of you there. I've been trying to meet some writing deadlines. I have a new "Esmerelda" story that I just signed a contract for. If you've read Esmerelda's Secret, then you might remember Elizabeth, J.W. wife. "Ruthless Acts" is her story and is scheduled for release later this year.

I also recently submitted a story for my shapeshifting, immortal queen, Sahra. So look for "Jewel of Niveka" as well.

I guess that's it for now.

Adrianna


Here's another reprint of an article you might enjoy. Others are, I am sure, much more knowledgeable than I in many areas, so rather than trying to re-invent the wheel, I've found some sites that will allow me to share their words with you. I'd rather stick to the fiction. And we all may learn something fun. I do love research.

I watched the movie "The Secret" for the first time last week and found it rather interesting, sort of bringing into focus what I think we often learn as we go through life. Here's an article related to that theme that I thought you might enjoy.

Aromatherapy Bathing: What Essential Oils Can Be Used

by: Kerris Samson

Long before the term alternative medicine was being used, aromatherapy was being practiced by the Egyptians for over 5,000 years. When being used by the Egyptians oil was being extracted from the many aromatic plants around them through infusion and then used for their not only cosmetic and medicinal purposes but also for embalming as well. They then passed the knowledge they had gained on to the Greeks and it served as the beginning of their research into how to use the oils and fragrance of some flowers for their relaxing and stimulating effects. In fact when looking back further in history we find that ancient man depended very much on his environment for their basic needs and to survive which led them to discover the more natural ways of preserving food and how certain conditions could be treated using herbs and aromatics.

First of all we will look at Eastern Roots. The use of aromatics are shown in a Chinese Herbal Book by Shen Nung dated 2,700 BC and which provides specific details on over 300 plants and how they can be used. Also the ancient Chinese would burn incense and wood as part of their religious beliefs and practices and even in today's modern society many Chinese still observe these practices today. You will also discover that the Chinese used aromatics in relation to the acupressure, massage and other therapies that they used.

Whilst now in modern society many people place a very high premium on their health and well being but due to the high cost of traditional and conventional medicines available (surgery and Medicare) more and more people are turning to aromatherapy and essential oil therapy as well as other forms of alternative medicine.

The basics of using essential oils in an aromatherapy bath are as follows:-

1. It facilitates equilibrium of both the physical, mental and spiritual health of a person through natural means.

2. In some cases it has been found that alternative treatments are considered as strong and effective as complementary treatments to regular medical practices.

3. The main component of aromatherapy is the essential oils and are highly concentrated essences which are known for their healing effects.

Essentials oils are aroma producing oils which come from flowers such as the rose, from leaves such as basil, twig, bark, fruit rind and many other parts of plants. Although experts say that extracting the oils can be quite time consuming and complex and requires a large amount of patience on behalf of the person carrying out the work the benefits at the end are great. Certainly you need to recognize and accept that if you want to get about 5 tsp of oil from rose petals it will take about 220lbs of petals to do it and this is why pure essential oils are so expensive. Although the effectiveness of the oils is not comprised as it only takes a few drops to generate the effect required. However there is a cheaper alternative namely synthetic oil, however they do not offer the person the same healing properties as their natural counterparts.

Essential oils work by stimulating a person's olfactory system and later on the brain or limbic system. The fragrance along with other properties and effects relating to the oils will determine how a person's body system and its parts are stimulated. Whilst having a massage using these oils they are not only absorbed by the body but are inhaled at the same time and eventually when being absorbed through the skin they will reach the organs and body system of the person being treated. The time it takes for the oils to absorb through the skin can be from as little as 20 minutes and take as long as 2 hours or more and there it is wise to avoid taking a shower or bath straight after any massage so that the maximum effect is received from the massage therapy.

The time that the effect lasts on a person can vary from 3-24 hours to 2-3 days or even as long as week. Oils that have a short live time span in regard to their scent are Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Thyme and Bergamot whilst Hyssop, Lavender, Balm and various other oils can last between 2 to 3 days. The oils that take as long as a week to completely evaporate are Jasmine, Sandalwood, Ginger and Cedar Wood.

Many people when using aromatherapy are looking to achieve a sense of calm in their lives and these people will look to using a combination of three types of oils to help with this and they will base them on how long they last. They can be used by mixing them into a warm bath and will help the person to become relaxed and calm, they will help to eliminate the stress and depression that they are feeling as well as both energizing and soothing the body of any aches that they are feeling. Certainly by using essential oils during a massage will help increase the healing and calming effect that the person is feeling. However any massage carried out using essential oils must also include a carrier oil to help prevent irritation and skin reactions on the person being treated. Such carrier oils that are used to help dilute the essential oils are avocado oil, olive oil, sunflower oil, wheat germ oil, almond oil, soya oil and hazelnut oil.

About The Author

Kerris Samson a work from home mum who has carried out extensive research in all forms of alternative medicines, treatments and therapies over the last year. She has now set up a site dealing with all aspects of baths and if you would like to learn more please visit http://www.bath.letsgetpampered.com.

MY CAVEAT ON REPRINTED ARTICLES: The articles are reprinted for your reading pleasure and provided for your entertainment and enjoyment. I do not have personal knowledge of the author sources, business, or website, nor have I personally researched the subject of these articles; I have not proofed or edited the content, and they are reprinted verbatim from the sources noted. I check to make sure the link is still functional, but it is up to you if you wish to visit the website links or utilize any of the information contained therein. These articles are reprinted for fun and pleasure only. So enjoy!



The Latest News from Adrianna's Contests, Chats and Blogging

Book-A-Day Giveaway at The Romance Stud io. On April 12th , by popular demand, TRS will be giving away an autographed, paperback copy of Legend of the Beesinger, so be sure to stop by to enter . Give me a hint--what title would you like to see me give away in the TRS giveaway. Email me at adrianna@adriannadane.com and I'll add that title to the offerings for my TRS monthly giveaway. Put in the subject line"TRS-Book-a-Day Suggestion."

NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBERS ONLY. Winner of my Superhero Surrender drawing was birdygirl47. Congratulations!

A new contest in now running in celebration of the arrival of spring and my upcoming story, Ruthless Acts. Included in this package will be a Mt. St. Helen's magnetic bookmark, Van Dyn chocolate, Southern Comfort gourmet coffee, a compact booklight, a bar of Pike Place Espresso Seattle Chocolate, and a Secrets Volume paperback . Deadline to join my newsletter to be eligible for the Sensual Spring contest is May 31st.



When subscribers reach 650, I'll be giving away another ebook. We're very close.
Be sure to pass on the word to anyone who is not a subscriber. Deadline for people to subscribe to be entered in my spring contest is May 31st. I'm planning more contests with some nice goodies so do keep watch for details. I'll be attending the RT Convention in Houston in April, so the next contest should be chock full of goodies.

Servants of the Muse--take a moment to visit our website at www.servantsofthemuse.com and find out what our latest contest is all about.

If you've visited my website, you may have encountered the land of Phyktazia from whence my very own muse, Rexie, hails. Rexie thinks the name is very appropriate., although she would have preferred having it called Servants of Rexie, but I told her to behave herself. She is such a little minx. Lately, she's really been cracking that whip. Apparently, I like it, because I'm writing, wrting, writing...

Upcoming April Appearances:

RT Booklovers Convention, Houston, Texas. April 25th through the 29th. Book signing on April 28th.



Come chat with me at my publishers' lists:

Amber Heat. Join the list at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/amberheatreaders

Lady Aibell Press . Join the new list at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ladyaibellchat

Phaze. Join the list at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/phazechatters

Loose-Id. Join the list at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LooseId_community

Have a great and romantic month everyone! Enjoy the start of spring!



Watch for these upcoming stories:

Ruthless Acts
Primal Magic: Swan's Lake