New review

A lovely review from Coffee Time Romance Reviews for Seduction of a Proper Lady-4 steaming cups of coffee!

You can read the whole review here, but here's the gist of it. :)

Ms. Reed takes her characters to the height of passion, and as the reader you are allowed the opportunity to enjoy every moment of their journey.

And Happy Halloween! What's your favorite horror movie? And I'm not talking gratuitous blood/slash like Saw 1-100.

Friday Recipe: Pulled Chicken Crescents

Yes it was posted on allrecipes.com by Pillsbury. Do I care? No. Is it delicious? Yes. Would I recommend it? Absolutely!

Prep Time: 10 Min
Cook Time: 20 Min
Ready In: 30 Min

Ingredients
1 (8 ounce) can Pillsbury® refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
1 cup shredded cooked chicken
1/4 cup barbecue sauce
1/3 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 egg, beaten
Directions
Separate dough into 8 triangles.
In bowl, mix chicken and barbecue sauce. Spoon chicken mixture onto short end of each triangle; sprinkle each with 1 teaspoon of the cheese. Roll up loosely as directed on can. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Brush with egg; sprinkle with remaining cheese.
Bake at 375 degrees F 12 to 15 minutes.

Nutritional Information
Amount Per Serving Calories: 187 Total Fat: 9.9g Cholesterol: 46mg

And it's flu season

Seriously? Already? I'm barely over allergy season.

So who's had a flu shot (me), who refuses (several coworkers which means I'll probably end up sick anyway), and who already has the flu (an aunt of mine who did get the shot-but she was laid low for only 24 hours)?

Hellfire Club series

It's not like this is a new thing, but I'm currently in the process of plotting a shorter Hellfire Club story, set just before Masque, in Paris during the revolution. This one, however, will be free. Marketing strategy? Yes, but I also think it's a good idea.

I like free! Who doesn't?

This will allow readers to sample my work in a complete story and then decide if I'm worth the price. I certainly hope the answer is yes, but I understand everyone is different and likes different things. It really is in the hands of the reader!

I'll post the second it's available for download!

Romantic cliches

It's true, there are plenty of them. What are your favorites and least "If I see this again I'll scream" ones?

I'll start:

Favorite:

You didn't come after me

Absolute Least:

I didn't realize I was really having sex but thought it was all a dream.

French Revolution

My newest story is set during the height of the Reign of Terror of the French Revolution. It lasted from September 5, 1793 to July 2, 1794 and saw anywhere between 16,000 and 40,000 killed.

The most notable story about the revolution (La Grande Révolution) is The Scarlet Pimpernel Baroness Emmuska Orczy. Sir Percy Blakeney, baronet, and the "League of the Scarlet Pimpernel". Percy risks life, limb, and head to rescue French nobles destined for Madame Guillotine.

It's romantic, it's adventurous, and it's theatrical--all hallmarks of a great story. I prefer the 1934 version with Leslie Howard, Merle Oberon, and Raymond Massey rather than the TV series from the 2000s.

Does Masque have anything to do with The Scarlet Pimpernel? Yes and no...it takes place during the same era, but there are no dashing English noblemen riding to the rescue across The English Channel to whisk away doomed Frenchmen.

What it does have is sex, menage goodness, love, protection, and terror in escaping Paris before the mob can find them and guillotine.

Today Lucy Felthouse has a new release, Weekend at Wilderhope Manor. Here's a bit about it!

Blurb:

When Stephanie and Jenny go to a Murder Mystery Halloween weekend at Wilderhope Manor, they’re expecting fun and games. But following creaky floorboards, spooky noises and an alarming encounter in the Manor’s grounds, the girls begin to wonder if there’s more to Wilderhope Manor than meets the eye. As they find frequent comfort in one another’s arms – and their bed – will the girls discover what’s causing the bumps in the night, or will they run scared?

Excerpt:

The car trundled up the long driveway, the crunching of gravel beneath tyres the only sound as Stephanie and her girlfriend, Jenny, peered out of the windows at their surroundings.

Even at dusk the tree-lined driveway was impressive with perfectly maintained parkland, spanning for acres on either side of it. As Stephanie steered the Fiesta around a bend in the track, they both gasped. Their destination, Wilderhope Manor, had come into view and it was stunning. The Tudor style property was huge, with no less than three frontages visible from where they were. Chimneys with intricately built patterns jutted into the darkening sky, with tangles of ivy climbing parts of the manor, giving the place an appearance that was both beautiful and foreboding.

Presently, the driveway opened out into a gravelled area, which as far as Stephanie could tell, doubled as a car park for the weekend. Stephanie manoeuvred into a spot between two vehicles and killed the engine. As she turned to Jenny, she jumped, startled. Her girlfriend had leaned in close, making a scary face with her hands mimicking claws.

“Are you ready to be scared out of your wits, young lady?” Jenny rasped, wiggling her eyebrows and fingers theatrically.

Stephanie shoved her playfully, laughing. “Come on, you silly cow. It’s a murder mystery weekend, not a monster hunt. There will be no ghosts, ghouls or vampires involved.”

Stephanie got out of the car and closed the door. She’d already popped open the boot and started unloading their bags before Jenny appeared alongside her, pouting petulantly.

“But it’s Halloween tomorrow,” Jenny insisted. “Anything could happen. The veil between the living and dead will be at its thinnest, and this place is meant to be swarming with ghosts.”

“If you say so, sweetheart,” she replied, rolling her eyes. She was used to Jenny’s crazy beliefs by now. “Grab your bags and let’s get inside. It’s cold. You got the tickets?”

Jenny nodded, brandishing her handbag in response. Jenny picked up her overnight bag as Stephanie slammed the boot lid before locking the car, then followed her toward the grand entrance to Wilderhope Manor.

* * *

A little while later, they were installed in their room. They’d each been handed a “Welcome Pack” by the staff member who had attended to them at Reception, which consisted of their itinerary and instructions for the weekend.

As they unpacked, she voiced one of the thoughts that had run through her head. “Have you ever noticed how places never bat an eye at two girls sharing a room, and yet, if it’s two guys, they automatically assume they’re gay?”

“They’ll soon change their tune when they see your outfit for tonight!” Jenny replied, grinning cheekily at her. “It screams ‘lesbian’ with every stitch!”

“Whatever do you mean, you saucy wench? Someone with girl parts dressing as a distinguished gentleman does not a lesbian make.”

“True, but I wonder what it’ll do to you? Perhaps it’ll work in reverse and turn you straight!”

Buy Links:

http://summerhousepublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_book_info&cPath=23&products_id=84

http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-weekendatwilderhopemanor-607598-140.html

http://www.bookstrand.com/weekend-at-wilderhope-manor

*****

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

Guest: K D Grace

KD Grace has a new release out today and has asked me to post her blurb and an excerpt to help her promote it.

Blurb

An erotic novel by best-selling author K D Grace.

In appreciation for a job well done, STELLA JAMES 's boss sends her a pet – a human pet. The mischievous TINO comes straight from THE PET SHOP complete with a collar, a leash, and an erection. Stella soon discovers the pleasure of keeping Pets, especially this one, is extremely addicting.

Obsessed with Tino and with the reclusive philanthropist, VINCENT EVANSTON, who looks like Tino, but couldn’t be more different, Stella is drawn into the secret world of The Pet Shop. As her animal lust awakens, Stella must walk the thin line that separates the business of pleasure from the more dangerous business of the heart or suffer the consequences.

Excerpt

"YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS," O'Kelly said, nearly dropping the phone. "You can't really mean to give Stella James Tino for the whole weekend. Wouldn't a nice gift voucher from Selfridges be more appropriate?"

The Boss offered her a tolerant chuckle on the other end of the phone. "Didn't she tell you she thought an occasional shag wasn't too much to ask for doing such a demanding job?"

"Yes, but she was joking. I'm sure she never expected–"

"Well, she's right. It isn't too much to ask, is it? She's a very dedicated employee, and we've always done our best to reward dedicated employees, especially one with such promise, one that we have such plans for."

"Yes but–"

"Hasn't she met and surpassed our expectations since she's joined Strigida, and didn't we both agree she's exactly what we're looking for?"

"Yes, but–"

"She's not in a relationship, right?"

She rolled her eyes and glanced down at her watch. He was on a roll. Nothing for it now but to hear him out.

"No relationship, no family. Stella can afford to live in London because she has no life outside of work, all factors we took into account when we hired her. There's no arguing she doesn't have time for sex." He paused long enough for a quick breath. "Sorry to say that's the way of the world these days. All work and no play. Very sad. Very sad indeed."

"Yes, sir. It is sad, but, sir, Tino?"

"Yes. Tino."

"OK, maybe for a couple of hours, maybe. But surely not for the whole weekend."

"Yes, for the whole weekend, O'Kelly, from Friday night till Sunday evening. Every last second of it."

O"Kelly rubbed her forehead impatiently then rolled her shoulders to loosen the knots, which she could always count on the Boss to tighten. "It's not that the woman doesn't deserve a weekend of blow-your-brains-out sex. God knows she does, but ..."

"But what, O'Kelly? Get to the point."

O"Kelly squirmed uncomfortably in her seat. She found the whole thing a bit embarrassing, actually. "Well, sir, she's just so ..."

"So what?"

"She's just so tight laced, so prim and proper. I don't know – all business. I can't help but wonder if we've made a mistake, and even if we haven't, a weekend with Tino is just so hardcore at this stage, don't you think?" She straightened in her chair and brushed her skirt free of the few remaining crumbs from the sandwich she had wolfed for lunch. "I can't picture her being the kind who could appreciate or even be able to handle a weekend with Tino."

"Prim and proper? Really? You just told me she was joking about the company providing sex as a fringe benefit for its overworked employees. Doesn't sound very prim and proper to me. In fact she sounds like exactly the woman we've been looking for."

Buy Links

Paperback:

http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Pet-Shop-Grace/9781908006790/?a_aid=creativewriter1985

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/190800679X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=lucyfelthouse-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=190800679X

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/190800679X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=lucyfelt-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=190800679X

http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/k-+d-+grace/the+pet+shop/8396849/

eBook:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004Z9A5Q6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=lucyfelthouse-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B004Z9A5Q6

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004Z9A5Q6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=lucyfelt-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B004Z9A5Q6

http://www.erotica-romance-ebooks.com/the-pet-shop.html

Bio

K D Grace was born with a writing obsession. It got worse once she actually learned HOW to write. There's no treatment for it. It's progressive and chronic and quite often interferes with normal, everyday functioning. She might actually be concerned if it wasn't so damned much fun most of the time.

K D's erotic romance novels, The Initiation of Ms Holly and The Pet Shop, both published by Xcite Books, are available from all good paperback and eBook retailers.

Her erotica has been published with Xcite Books, Mammoth, Cleis Press, Black Lace, Erotic Review, Ravenous Romance, Sweetmeats Press and Scarlet Magazine.

Find out more about K D Grace on her website, http://kdgrace.co.uk. She's also on Facebook and Twitter.

Hellfire Club Erotique

That's the subtitle to my new series of novellas. (What's the word count difference between a full length, a novella, and a short? A question for a different time.) Still menage, still Regency, just a shorter and cheaper story set in the world of the Hellfire Club. These stories are a bit later than the 'traditional' time, but the club has been around, in many incarnations, since Sir Francis Dashwood founded it.

They're set in the late 1790s, the first one during the Reign of Terror in Paris. I've just tweaked the outline and will look it over a couple more times before writing. Never use the first outline! Something always changes.

Finished!

It's with great relief that I sent off my latest Regency Ménage Tale this past weekend! I'm taking this week to rest the brain (and the typing fingers!) before starting my new series, Hellfire Club. Right now it's up to my publisher over the title: Risque, Games of Pleasure, Rakes' Games.

What do you think?

Here's the final blurb:

The young widow Mrs. Alexandria Prescott enjoys her untainted reputation. In private, however, her sexual appetites know no bounds. An encounter with Kane Huntington changes that. Alix finds she can't help herself or her desire to test his notorious reputation and invites him to prove his mettle in her bedroom.

They enjoy their pleasurable games until jealousy's green eyes come between them in the form of Brent, the young Earl of Rowan. Unwilling to let themselves be bested in this game of passions, Alix and Kane use Brent as a pawn in their maneuvers against each other.

However, Brent has other ideas about his future and what—and who—it'll involve. He skillfully turns the tables on them and, despite the games they play, creates an image of the perfect ménage. But things never go as planned and when their secret is threatened will the three of them run? Or will they be clever and strong enough, to hide their love in plain sight?

Titles, blurbs, and more

Titles--I had Risque, then changed it to Games of Pleasure, which my publisher didn't want so I changed it back. But now the title doesn't really go with the story, so have decided on A Rake's Game. What do you think?

Here's the blurb:

The young widow Mrs. Alexandria Prescott enjoys her untainted reputation. In private, however, her sexual appetites know no bounds. An encounter with Kane Huntington changes that. Alix finds she can't help herself or her desire to test his notorious reputation and invites him to prove his mettle in her bedroom.

They enjoy their pleasurable games until jealousy's green eyes come between them in the form of Brent, the young Earl of Rowan. Unwilling to let themselves be bested in this game of passions, Alix and Kane use Brent as a pawn in their maneuvers against each other.

However, Brent has other ideas about his future and what—and who—it'll involve. He skillfully turns the tables on them and, despite the games they play, creates an image of the perfect ménage. But things never go as planned and when their secret is threatened will the three of them run? Or will they be clever and strong enough, to hide their love in plain sight?

Friday Recipes: Caramel-Apple Crisp

Because what's better than carmal apple? Yum

Prep Time:           Cook Time:         Ready In:
20 Min                       45 Min                      1 Hr 5 Min

  Ingredients

• 1/2 cup caramel topping
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 6 large baking apples, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch slices
• 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup cold butter, cut into small pieces
• 2/3 cup quick cooking oats

Directions

1. Preheat an oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. Stir the caramel topping and cinnamon together in a bowl. Toss in the apples, mixing until evenly coated. Spread apple mixture into an 8-inch square baking dish.
3. Mix flour and brown sugar into the same bowl used to mix the apples. Cut in the butter with a knife or pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the oats, then crumble over the apples.
4. Bake in the preheated oven until the apples are tender and the topping is golden brown, 45 to 50 minutes.

Nutritional Information

Amount Per Serving Calories: 469 | Total Fat: 16.5g | Cholesterol: 41mg

Missing something

I've read this story over. Twice. And I swear I'm still missing something! Just can't put my finger on it. I suspect it has to do with gossip and the fact that that scene isn't strong enough.

Tonight--Regency gossip and the famage it can do.
Tomorrow--fixing the blurb. That last line is still really weak.

The young widow Mrs. Alexandria Prescott enjoys her untainted reputation. In private, however, her sexual appetites know no bounds. An encounter with Kane Huntington changes that. Alix finds she can't help herself or her desire to test his notorious reputation and invites him to prove his mettle in her bedroom. They enjoy their pleasurable games until jealousy's green eyes comes between them in the form of the Brent, the young Earl of Rowan.

Unwilling to let themselves be bested in this game of passions, Alix and Kane use Brent as a pawn in their manuevers against each other. However, Brent has other ideas about his future and what--and who--it'll involve. He skillfully turns the tables on them and, despite the scandal, creates an image of the perfect menage. But things never go as planned and when their secret is threatened will the three of them run? Or will they discover a love they've never known.

Crashed & burned

Well maybe not quite burned. But I definitely crashed! Tried to do too much at once and ended up sick. Physically as well as internet-wise. A combination of allergies and tiredness and I was out. Gone. Crashed.

So much so that I had to delete several thousand words. They weren't horrible words, they were just not the best to go in the story.

Scrapped.

Am now going over once more and struggling with the blurb. So difficult and yet so important.