Monday, January 2, 2012

MAKE MINE EASY MONDAY with author, Diane Hartsock: Love with Awareness is True Love


True love. What an amazing phenomenon. It’s what all of us long for and so few of us find. I’m talking about Romantic love, the kind that flashes in the beginning and burns steadily all through life.
Love is an emotion of strong affection and personal attachment. In philosophical context, love is a virtue representing all of human kindness, compassion, and affection; and "the unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another.”     -Wikipedia

To me, true love is the love that stands the test of time. I’ve loved several men, but it’s only with my husband that love has lasted through the trials and unlooked for tragedies of life. And yes, desire is still smouldering underneath, ready to flame to life at any given moment!

As the author of half a dozen m/m erotic books, I’m often asked if true love plays a part in my stories. Absolutely! My men share the exhileration and thrill of falling in love. Suffer the heartache of seperation and breakup and the wonder and delight of reunion with that one person who makes them whole. The only difference would be, where in other romance stories the door would close on their lovemaking,  we get to climb into bed with my men and share the passion and joy of discovery.

With Shelton (Shelton in Love, Shelton’s Promise, Shelton’s Choice), it was love at first sight. New offices were being built onto the bank where he worked as a loan officer. The architect they’d hired had come to drop off the blueprints for the offices, and when Nevil walked through the doors, he stole Shelton’s breath and heart. Nevil. Handsome, sexy, witty. Do you know the song ‘Last of the Famous International Playboys’ by Morrissey? That’s my Nevil.

Shelton is shy and beautiful, unsure yet alluring in his own way. A definite temptation. But when I started writing their story, I wasn’t sure how to get them together. I couldn’t just start with them in bed, however much as I’d like to! Should I start with their first meeting, where Shelton falls helplessly for Nevil’s charm?
Too predictable, though even as I’m writing this, I picture their first encounter in my mind, Shelton meeting Nevil’s burning glance across the room, his bones melting as the gorgeous man seemed interested in him…
But no, I wanted their relationship to be special. So I started later. In Shelton in Love, Shelton’s already hopelessly in love with Nevil but his happily ever after is still achingly out of reach. The story is about Shelton’s struggle to win Nevil’s elusive heart and not break his own.

In Shelton’s Promise, Shelton’s been with his lover for six months and is more than ready to commit himself to their relationship for the rest of his life. But is Nevil ready? The man can’t seem to help himself when it comes to flirtations with other men. It takes a near tragedy to get Nevil to see how important Shelton is to him.
Their love comes to a header in Shelton’s Choice. Shelton has to move to another state to take the promotion he’s been working for. Can their love survive the separation and sense of betrayal such a move entails? This is the ultimate test of their love, and thankfully, it turns out to be true and everlasting.


Shelton in Love

Shelton is falling hard for his best friend and roommate, finding Nevil’s dark good looks and moments of gentleness almost impossible to resist. But Nevil is more interested in affairs of the body than the heart. As Shelton’s desire for the man grows, he wonders if he can change Nevil’s mind. But does he even want to? Nevil might not stay, once he learns Shelton’s secret, and then his loneliness would be complete.


Shelton’s Promise

Shelton has a gift he’s eager to give to Nevil. At a party, Nevil flirts with one man after another, keeping Shelton on his toes. Then Percy, an ex, shows up to complicate things. Despite his best efforts, Shelton can’t find the right moment to give Nevil his gift. Will Nevil ever let Shelton get close to him, or will Shelton have to keep the gift in his pocket all evening?

Shelton’s Choice

After a year of bliss with Nevil, Shelton is offered the promotion he's been working toward at the bank. Unfortunately the new position is in another state, and Nevil doesn't want to move. As tension mounts between them, Shelton is given another challenge in the form of a besotted coworker. Torn between the pressures at work and at home, Shelton has to choose his future. That is, until Nevil takes the decision out of his hands.

Excerpt from Shelton’s Choice:
Shelton hurried after him as Nevil wove his way through the boisterous lunch crowd to the front entrance. His heart fluttered when Nevil opened the door of the car for him and kissed his cheek as he climbed into the Prius at the curb. Nevil rarely displayed his affection in public, a sure sign he felt as aroused as Shelton did. He remained silent as Nevil drove through the afternoon traffic, his body tingling in anticipation of their lovemaking.
"What about this blindfold?" he asked, becoming slightly breathless at the thought. Nevil could be so creative.
"That's for later, my dear, when I have you alone and enthralled."
Shelton snorted and enjoyed Nevil's easy laughter. Grateful to be Nevil's friend as well as his lover, Shelton's spirits soared. His days were filled with laughter and comradeship. He thrust Ted's stinging reminder from his mind. He'd keep that discussion for another day and take this precious time with Nevil.
He sat up in the bucket seat as Nevil skirted the city and took one of the smaller highways toward the mountains. "Where are we going?"
"You'll see. We put the last nail in Bill Stanton's place this morning, two weeks ahead of schedule, and Barker gave us the weekend off, with a bonus." Nevil patted his pocket.
"It's only Thursday."
Nevil waved it off. "I'm sure you'll come down with a cold or something by morning. Live a little, Shelton! The bank won't fall apart without you tomorrow. I want to celebrate."
Shelton leaned back in his seat. Who was he to argue, especially when Nevil's gaze raked over him with the promise of passion in his beautiful eyes? The highway ascended steadily up into the mountains, and Nevil turned off along a narrow road, then onto a private driveway. Shelton whistled appreciatively when they pulled up to a modern glass-and-redwood-sided bungalow snug against the lake.
"It's beautiful," he said in admiration, recalling the blueprints for the house on Nevil's desk last winter.
"The Gordans haven't moved in yet and lent it to me for the weekend."
"But why?"
Nevil turned off the engine and moved closer to Shelton. "I told them it was my first-year anniversary with the man I love."
Shelton reached out and cupped the back of Nevil's head, pulling him closer for a kiss. So delicious. He never tired of the taste of this man in his arms. Nevil pressed against him, and the heat of his body ignited Shelton, the scent of Nevil's skin filling him with the longing to run his tongue over every inch of Nevil's body.
Nevil groaned low in his throat and slowly pulled away from him. "Let's go inside," he said unsteadily.
"Absolutely."
Nevil squeezed his hand as they left the car and climbed onto the wide porch surrounding the house. Shelton’s heart pounded with excitement as Nevil fished the keys from a pocket and opened the door. He waved Shelton in and barely let the door close behind them before pulling Shelton tight against his body.
The dark head bent to him. "I love you," Nevil told him and captured Shelton's lips before Shelton could reply.

Dianne Hartsock



Monday, December 12, 2011

MAKE MINE EASY MONDAY with author, Abby-Rae Rose


Captain’s Virgin Fantasy – Abby- Rae Rose
Released December 5th 2011
Captain’s Virgin Fantasy was written in three days’ time. It’s a story about dominance and submission to Desire. Our heroine, Victoria, is young and naïve to all things love related. Whereas, Captain Ishmael is older and more intrigued with desire. So, we have two different people in a situation that both are helplessly drawn into.  However, Desire and Fate are dangerous together, which creates a great ending to a rocky beginning. 

Blurb:
He’s changed everything…but she can’t change the fact she loves him.
Victoria refuses to let Ishmael intimidate her— She‘s faced with a choice. Return to her life of duty, or embrace her spirit of adventure…and sail the high seas with the man who has captured her heart.
Captain Ishmael’s demands are simple… In exchange for his pleasure, and her body to quell his voracious lust, he will guarantee safe passage.
But, Ishmael’s plan doesn’t include giving up his lover so easily. And, once he gets a taste of Tori’s sweet blend of innocence and boldness, he can’t imagine living without her.

Q. I love the twist in your book: what inspired your story?
                My husband and I use to play games. This happens to be one of my favorite, him being the DOM and me the SUB. I learned with again, comes wisdom. So, I took our monthly game and turned it into a love story. 

Q. Where did you get the idea for that naughty cherry? 
 Why a cherry and not a strawberry? Lol, I must say I really didn’t give it any thought. Cherries are smaller and easy to escape the grip of a woman’s lips, whereas a strawberry has more to hold onto. 

Q. But how did you prepare that scene? Did you hold a cherry in your mouth and wait to
see what happens? 
In my book, my heroine must hold a chocolate covered cherry in her mouth as a dare. In order to play this scene out fully, my husband placed a cherry upon my lips. Let’s just say I didn’t make it…

To my readers, have you ever tried this?
          First, you should recline (as my heroine did). Place the chocolate between your teeth. Now hold it...

Excerpt

"I am going to place a chocolate covered cherry between your teeth. You must keep it there for fifteen minutes. Keep it there, and you keep your purity. If not, you must give yourself to me willingly. In short, lose the cherry and you lose your cherry," Ishmael whispered.
Victoria‟s mind raced. What if I succeed? Will he keep his word? What if I fail? Can I even last fifteen minutes? What choice do I have?
"All right, I accept your challenge." I can do this. I just have to concentrate on breathing slowly, In and out through my nose. I can do this.
He removed her blindfold. She closed her eyes, and opened them only to be faced with a god. Big, with broad shoulders, a shaved head with a serious five o‟clock shadow issue, and grey-colored eyes. Eyes that, at that moment, stared at her like prime meal. Her heart dropped. He ordered her to lie on her back on the bed and open her mouth. Once more, she obediently followed his command. Something brushed against her lips.
"Hold this between your teeth. Don‟t bite it, just hold it. Remember, lose the cherry, and lose your cherry. Understand?"
Nodding, she took the candy between her teeth. Lying perfectly still, she took slow deep breaths through her nose, knowing that if she breathed through her mouth it would melt the chocolate. Concentrating on her surrounding, before lying down she noticed a beautiful, satin canopy dominated the bed.
The room was completely silent, except for the ticking of a clock near the bed. She tried to relax and ignore the noise, but the clock seemed to grow louder with each tick. I must maintain my calm. The minutes seemed like hours as the clock ticked away. As she tried not to touch the treat with her tongue, or allow it to melt or even worse, fall. Her mouth began to water, not with desire for the cherry but because of the strain of holding it in place.
"Five minutes gone, ten to go, you‟ll never make it." A wicked smirk crossed his face.
Yes, I will!
His hand reached for her pussy. His thumb slid between her pussy folds, searching for and finding her clit No! Not that! I‟ll never make it. Her mind raced, trying to focus attention away from the vibrations that taunted her clit, but her efforts were futile. Her breaths were deeper and more rapid. The chocolate between her teeth slowly softened. Focus, dammit focus! Don‟t let him win.
"Ten minutes gone, five to go; do you wish to surrender yourself to me?"
Shaking her head, she remained determined. He pulled a long, pink feather from the nightstand. What is he going to do with that? He quickly answered her question as the feather glided across her right breast, taunting her already-erect nipple. He is determined to have me. Her breath came in gasps as her soft cries of pleasure filled the room. A single drop of the sweet syrup inside the candy fell onto her tongue, followed seconds later by another, then another.
"One minute to go."
She tried to slow her breathing, but her efforts were futile as her cries became louder and longer. The intense passion inside her neared its crescendo. This time there would be no stopping it. Her back arched up from the bed, just as the…
There is "A Sweet Taste of The Captain's Virgin Fantasy"...
Q- Do you have any upcoming projects in the works?
I’m working on a springtime Romance right now. As well as a mystery series romance. 
Q-Where can readers connect with you?
NR.Abby-Rae@live.com

Hugs and Love ,
Abby-Rae Rose