Guest Author Doris O'Connor and her new book Riding Her Tiger

Welcome author Doris O'Connor to Sorensen Shorts.  Please leave a comment to try to win a copy of this book for your own.

1) What genre do you write and why?

I write Erotic contemporary and paranormal romance. It has to be romance, because I'm a sucker for a Happy Ever After and it has to be erotic, because I can never stop my characters from jumping each other 

2) If  romance, what subgenres doyou write in? Why?

Like I said it's contemporary and paranormal, because that's what I like to read and my latest project shave all had BDSM elements in them. I'm a panster, so I simply listen to the voices in my head and the stories develop from there.

3) Are you aware of any themes that run through your stories? If so, what are they?

All my heroines are sassy and give asgood as they get, but they all tend to struggle a bit with their sexuality. Be it that they don't see themselves as passionate or pretty enough, or they carry scars from previous relationships, both emotionally and physically. It takes the heroes to coax them out of their shell. And my heroes, well, I do like the bad boys with tortured souls, the more tortured the better.

4) What would you like readers to take away from your stories?

I like to take them on a journey, to laugh and cry, and to get hot and bothered, and finish the book with a sappy grin and a warm glow inside.

5) What inspires your stories?

Anything and everything. My muse is a precarious little thing. I never know what may spark her off, but when she does, she's like a dog with a bone and will not let go until that story is written 

 6)What is your writing schedule like?

I have to smile at that. I'm a mum of nine, the youngest only being eight months old, so schedule, lol? I write whenever I get a chance. Most of it gets done late in the evening, when the kids are in bed and when I'm in the middle of a story, hubby takes over at the weekend, so I can simply write. Though I have been known to write whilst cooking dinner… Whatever it takes really.

9) Do you have any other passions besides writing? If yes, what are they? Why?

My family, obviously and I'm a voracious reader. Always have been, from the minute I could read. Give me a good book and I'm happy as Larry.

10) What is your best memory?

The day I met my hubby. Soppy I know,but we'll have been together for 25 years this year, and I simply couldn't imagine life without him.

11) What is your favorite comfort food?

Chocolate!

12) What relaxes you?

A nice long soak in the bath, lounging in the sun, the sound of the ocean, baby giggles, children'slaughter.

13) What is your favorite guilty pleasure?

Don't think I really have any. I take my pleasure without guilt, thank you. This is such a busy household, if I didn't take time out for me, I wouldn't be any good to anyone.

14) What decade has been your favorite?Why?

Hmmm, It would have to the current one,simply because I'm living my dream and I'm a published author. Every other decade had great things about them, and I don't regret any of them tbh.

15) What is your favorite way topromote your work?

Argh, promo. I would be quite happy if I didn't have to do it, but I do quite like interviews. Either givingthem or interviewing other authors. That's fun and I have nocompunction at pimping other author's stuff. Not so good at doing myown, lol.

16) Where is your favorite place towrite? Why?

My bedroom, cause I shut the door and hide away from the world.

17) What is your favorite fairy tale?Why?

Goldilocks and the three bears. In fact my naughty nursery rhyme Goldie And Her Bears is based on that tale. It's long been a favourite in this house, only problem is nowadays I can’t read it to the kids without sniggering!

1 What was your favorite vacation?

19) If you had another career, what was it?

Something in the caring profession.

20) If you didn’t write, what would you do instead?

I would still be a mum and would probably be more involved at the children's schools.

21) If you could have one wish, what would it be?

To have a bigger house.

22) If you could describe yourself in only one word, what would it be?

Passionate

23) Are you a cat or dog person? Do you have any pets and if so, please tell us about them.

Cat, but hubby is a dog person. So we have two dogs, two cats, and four gerbils. Over the years we also had guinea pigs, rabbits and fish.

24) What is the one thing you most want to do that you haven’t yet?

See above. I would love to have a nice big, rambling house by the sea. One day…

25) When the zombies take over, what will you do?

Hide under my duvet, lol.

26) Vampire or werewolf?  Why?

Oh impossible. I like them both!

27) Please tell us about your most recent release and where we can purchase it.

Blurb for Riding Her Tiger (releases May 1st)

Can one night change your life forever? Estelle has been lusting after her kinky boss Nathan for ages, but how you do you snare a much older Dom? You enlist the help of the internet. Matched to exploration facilitator Ink, Estelle explores her submissive fantasies to the full. When online sex turns to a real life ménage will a case of mistaken identity ruin her chances with Nathan? Or will the shifter claim his mate?

http/www.evernightpublishing.com/riding-her-tiger-by-doris-oconnor/ 

http/www.bookstrand.com/riding-her-tiger 

http/www.allromanceebooks.com/product-ridinghertiger-786880-142.html 

http/www.amazon.com/Riding-Her-Tiger-Club-ebook/dp/B007Z9DDH6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1335886979&sr=8-2 

2 Please give us your urls and your publisher’s url.

Website:http/www.dorisoconnor.com/

Blog:http/thetardisscribbles.blogspot.co.uk/

Twitter:https/twitter.com/#!/mamaD8

Facebook:https/www.facebook.com/pages/Doris-OConnor-Romance-Author/241366635885432

Publisher:http/www.evernightpublishing.com/

29) Is there anything else you’d like to share with your readers? Please do so here.

Excerpt for Riding her Tiger:

"Leanback against me, and relax. Nothing is going to happen, yet."Her stomach tightened at the growled words into her neck, and she watched as he grabbed the huge sponge by the side of the bath and proceeded to run it up and down her arms slowly. He washed every inch of her body with great care. Her breasts grew heavy and her breathing shallow, her nipples jutting out into the humid air of the bathroom,and he smiled into her neck. By the time his hands reached her pussy she was so aroused the slightest scrape of the sponge against her labia sent her tumbling into an orgasm.

Ink groaned into her neck, and she froze. Shiiit ! He hadn't given her permission to come.

"Ah,sweetheart, that was fucking hot, but not very wise." Her eyes flew open at Grisha's husky words, and her mouth went dry. "We'll have to think of a suitable punishment, Ink." The Russian was stark naked, his huge swollen cock jutting up out of its nest of thick, black hair, to his tight abdomen, the tip glistening with drops of pre-cum. She hadn't been able to fully appreciate the sheer size of him before, and she licked her lips. He smiled at her and fisted himself with slow, measured strokes. Her cunt clenched, and her insides tightened, recalling his earlier promise. She was never going to be able take him in her ass.

As if Ink had heard her thoughts, his hands spread her ass cheeks, and his fingers probed. She bit her lip at the invasion of two and thenthree long fingers.

"Indeed we will, Grisha." She squirmed as he thrust his fingers in and out of her tight hole. He pinched her clit with his other hand, and Estelle moaned as the pain zinged along her pussy, to join with the sensations spreading from her ass. She whimpered when he released the tight nub of nerves only to repeat the action, again, and again. Her labia swelled and throbbed, and she writhed in the water, dimly awareof Grisha joining them in the bath. He knelt in front of her, and his hands grabbed her hips, holding her still.

"Stop moving, and take your punishment like a good little sub, sweetheart."He smiled when she went still, and Estelle bit her lip to stop herself from moaning. She watched as he leaned forward and took one of her nipples in his mouth. He bit down hard, and tears sprang into Estelle's eyes. He soothed the sting with his tongue and then repeated the action to the other nipple. Ink pinched her clit in time to Grisha's bites, his fingers in her ass pushing deeper and deeper,until Estelle couldn't distinguish between the waves of pain swamping her. Pain that morphed into something else entirely. Unable to keep her eyes open, she let her head fall back onto Ink's shoulder. Her body felt lighter, every nerve-ending on fire, sending pulses of heat through her veins, Ink's murmured encouragements in her ear grounding her in the here and now.

Her skin tightened, and her clit throbbed in time with the waves rushing through her. She shuddered when cool air hit her wet flesh, before she encountered smooth leather. Ink pushed her down until her breastswere flattened against the padded bench, and she gasped as her legs and arms were fastened. Before she could panic at being restrained to the spanking bench, Grisha's face was in front of her.

"Focus,sweetheart, on me. Breathe with me, and count the strokes." He looked behind her, and Ink's warm hands massaged her butt cheeks.

"She really has a fantastic ass, Grisha. She'll look hot as sin when it's nice and pink from our hands." Ink's voice send tingles of awareness through her, and her panic subsided. His hand dipped lower and spread her pussy lips. He bit her ass, and she squirmed when hisfingers sank deep into her already weeping channel. He curled them into a figure of eight, and Estelle panted her excitement as her sensitized tissues responded instantly.

She closed her eyes against the knowing smirk on Grisha's face.

"How is she doing, Ink? Though I bet she's wet for us."

Estelle screwed her eyes shut tighter at Ink's chuckled confirmation.

"Now remember, Estelle, no coming until I give you permission, or you'll be strapped to this thing for a very long time indeed." Ink's voice had lost its amusement, and Estelle breathed her confirmation.

"Goodgirl, sweetheart, you can do it." Grisha brushed a kiss across her lips. "Now count."

The first slap took her by surprise, and she screeched.

"Count, Estelle." Ink's voice brooked no argument.

"O…one." She bit back tears and barely caught her breath before the next slap came. "Two." Slap. "Three…"

Grisha's hands massaged her shoulders. He murmured Russian words she didn'tunderstand, the warmth of his hands chasing away the goose bumps spreading over her body. Her butt on fire, the strange floating sensations returned. Her pussy clenched with each slap of Ink's hand across her ass until all of her senses heightened. Every trickle of her arousal down her legs left a wave of fire in its wake, sensations too intense to name consuming her. Her body climbed, tensing,clenching, clamoring for the tension within to burst to freedom.

With one last slap hard enough to send her body forward along the bench as far as the restraints would allow, Estelle breathed, "Fifteen."

"Goodgirl, you did so well." She hardly heard Grisha over the rushing in her ears, her heart beating so loudly, she felt sick. She winced at the coolness placed over her burning ass, and when her restraints were removed she collapsed into Ink's arms.

Guest Author Isabella Olivia Ellis with her novel The Vampire's Bride

Please welcome Author Isabella Olivia Ellis to my blog today, She has answered some questions for us, and most graciously given us her lovely book cover to drool over. Her story, The Vampire’s Bride is available here - http/www.evernightpublishing.com/isabella-olivia-ellis/

Find her blog here – www.isabellaoliviaellis.blogspot.com

Find and like her on Facebook here - www.facebook.com/bellaoliviaellis

Leave a comment…Isabella is giving away a copy of The Vampire’s Bride to one lucky commenter.

(BOOK COVER TO COME TOMORROW)

Here is the blurb, doesn’t it sound just scrumptious? - “The Vampire’s Bride, takes place in the fictional country of Scollfyld during the 18th century. A decades old prophecy deems that the countries of Scollfyld and Bernehart will be united by the marriage of the Crown Prince Sloane Vaughan (of the royal vampire family of Bernehart) and the Chosen. The Chosen is a virginal girl of noble blood from Scollfyld who was born in the year 1761. The Prophecy states that the Chosen will stand by the Prince as he unites countries and leads an empire, but stipulates that if the marriage does not happen, then the rival vampire clan of the Scarclyfs will reign. Lady Caroline Haley is selected as the Chosen, but she struggles with this. Will she accept Sloane as her husband? And will she be strong enough to withstand the danger that being the Chosen puts her in?”

Author Interview Question –

1) What genre do you write and why?

Erotica. I have no better answer than it is simply fun.

2) If romance, what subgenres do you write in? Why?

The Vampire’s Bride is, obviously, a paranormal tale. However, it is also historical (set in 1760s) and fantasy (I created the countries).

3) Are you aware of any themes that run through your stories? If so, what are they?

I strive to put an underlying current of strong females in my stories. I think it’s important for my lead characters to WANT their men, not NEED them.

4) What would you like readers to take away from your stories?

Most of all, entertainment. That’s why I write in this genre. It’s fun to write, so I hope it’s fun to read.

5) What is your favorite comfort food?

French fries, but also almost anything fried.

6) What relaxes you?

Hot baths or showers. Singing karaoke with friends in dive bars.

7) When the zombies take over, what will you do?

My secret plan is to use my neighbors as cattle. Though, I guess it is no longer secret.

Welcome Guest Author Rosanna Leo with her Debut Novel - For the Love God

Please make Rosanna Leo welcome, read her amazing excerpt...leave a comment....one lucky commenter will get a copy of the book free....Come on everyone, you know you want this book.

Hello friends of romance! I’m so excited to be here!

My debut novel, For the Love of a God, is now available! You can find it at:

www.liquidsilverbooks.com

http/www.amazon.com/For-The-Love-God-ebook/dp/B007WZHRNO/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1

If you love a sexy paranormal, full of love-starved Greek gods, then this is for you! My story was inspired by a trip to the local museum where I fell in love with a statue of one of the Greek gods. It was so beautiful, so manly, and I couldn’t help wondering what might happen if Greek gods were real.

I live near Toronto, Canada and am passionate about mythology (although I’m also partial to vamps!) I just love it when the geeky, awkward girl gets the hot guy, and I’ve made it my mission to see this happen in my books as much as possible. Please check out my blog atwww.rosannaleo.blogspot.com

Blurb:

Conservator Maia Douglas is an expert on ancient Greece and its mythology. She would never tell anyone at the museum where she works, but she's always had a secret crush on the mythical Eryx, Greek god of love. There is nothing she loves more than to tend to her favorite statue of him, and her nighttime dreams are filled with luscious images of Eryx making love to her.

One day, the peace at Maia's beloved museum is shattered when a new director arrives. A man who looks exactly like her image of Eryx. As Maia watches, he manages to upset her ordered museum world, at the same time he inflames her with unwanted desire.

Maia does not know that her new boss is actually the god Eryx, disguised as a mortal so he may work in antiquities. Although he is the god of love, he has forsaken his sexual nature because of a curse that has killed any woman he's dared to love. Though he fights it, Eryx is drawn to Maia with a force he's never experienced in a thousand years. But can he convince her of his true identity? And can he protect her from a vengeful goddess who seeks her destruction?

Excerpt:

Toronto, Present Day

Maia Douglas woke with a start. She looked around, disoriented. Then she remembered. She’d only put her head down on her desk for a minute. Her brown eyes bleary, she peered toward the clock on her office wall. Seven o’clock. “Dammit. Naps at work. Bad idea.”

It may have been after hours and the last tourist may have already been long gone, but she knew she was playing a dangerous game. One of these nights, she’d sleep right through and wouldn’t get her work done.

It was her fault for insisting on working late. She could work during the day like a normal person, but she loved the tranquility of the museum at night. Besides, she hadn’t been sleeping well lately anyway. Might as well work through the night.

She rubbed her eyes and gathered her wits. She took a sip of her cold coffee and stared at the wet spot on her blotter where she’d dribbled a little. “Ugh. Real dainty, Douglas.”

She pushed away from her desk. As foggy as she was, she knew it was the perfect time to do her preliminary inspection. She hated doing her work when people were milling about anyway. She gathered up her collapsible stool, a notebook, and her Holly Hobby satchel, the one containing her pencils and various tools of the trade. Thus armed, she stumbled out of her office.

Maia looked around the conservation office. All the other conservators were already gone for the day. No surprise there. She was the only one who kept such ungodly hours.

Taking the stairs up to the fifth floor, she made her way to the new Gallery of Greece. This part of the museum wasn’t open to the public yet, and the entrance was still shrouded by opaque drop cloths. She knew it wouldn’t open officially until it passed muster with the new director.

His Lordship was due any minute, and everyone at the Toronto Museum was nervous. There was a reason for it. Eric Lord’s reputation preceded him. He was from a family of museum experts, although she’d never met him in her travels. She’d read articles by his grandfather--—another Eric Lord--—when she was a student, and had been impressed with his keen insight into the ways of ancient Greece. But the current Eric Lord was known the world over for his slash-and-burn style of museum administration. She’d heard he was a downsizer, a ruthless one. Why, last year he’d eliminated a whole department at one museum in New York for their so-called inefficiencies.

Maia sniffed. “Well, Eric Lord’s not the only museum royalty around here. And no one knows this place like I do.”

Maia’s father, Dr. Jim Douglas, was the famed archaeologist whose work formed the basis of the Toronto Museum’s Greek collection. Maia had basically grown up within its walls. So if Eric Lord was planning a cull in Toronto, he’d be a fool to get rid of her.

Pushing aside the cloths at the entrance, she entered the Gallery of Greece. One of the cleaners was just finishing up in the gallery. She made sure to sashay around the trail from his wet mop. “Hey, Wally. How’s business?”

The older man looked up. “Miss Douglas, what are you still doing here? It’s Saturday night! How come a pretty girl like you doesn’t have a date?”

“Tonight, I have a date with Poseidon’s testicles.”

Wally pulled a face.

“They’re about to fall off,” she explained. “The statue, I mean. Poor guy has some nasty cracks on him. I’ve got to fix him up for the big opening.”

Wally just waved her away with a smile. “I’ll leave the fun stuff to you conservators. I’ll stick to my mopping.”

Maia made her way through the empty gallery, wondering why every word out of her mouth always seemed so awkward. But as she pulled out her collapsible stool and placed it in front of Poseidon and his cracked gonads, she didn’t worry. Staff at the museum had long ago ceased their speculation about Maia’s quirks. After all, she was Jim Douglas’s daughter. She was excellent at her job, which rendered her many quirks negligible.

She knew the collection of Greek antiquities so intimately they could have been siblings to her. Quiet, somber siblings. Certainly there was nothing she valued more. She was an expert conservator, specializing in marble sculpture. After she’d completed her studies, the Toronto Museum administrators had been falling over themselves to offer Maia the job. Sure, there had been enticing job offers from as far away as the Hermitage and the British Museum. But she knew she’d never leave her beloved museum. It was her second home.

It was her life.

Before she began her inspection of Poseidon, she walked over to one of the other sculptures. It was the statue of Eryx, the Greek god of love. She stood before him and sighed, letting her appreciative eyes rake over his nude body. Absorbing the warmth he created in her. Feeding off his beauty.

This was her ritual and had been ever since she was a little girl. Ever since her father discovered the perfect statue in a long-hidden cove in Greece.

She remembered her dad’s excitement after the find. He’d led her through the museum after hours. She could still hear the sound of her Mary Janes clicking on the marble floors. The museum had been shrouded in darkness, but Maia didn’t mind. Even at five years old, she already knew every square inch of the place.

“Come, sweet pea,” Dr. Douglas had said as he walked with her. “I have something new to show you.”

Green lollipop in mouth, she’d scrambled after him. She’d always loved these night-time walks. As a curator, her dad often brought her to the museum at night when the tourists had all gone home. He showed her all the ancient gold jewelry and terracotta pieces and told her wonderful stories full of myth and magic. To the little girl, being with her father was the greatest adventure on earth.

Especially since mother had left them.

“Is it a big statue, Daddy?”

“Life-sized. And in amazing condition. It’s as if he was just waiting in the cave, hoping to be found.” He motioned toward the entrance of the Greek gallery. “And he’s right through there.”

Little Maia had spotted him right away. The sculpture was the new centerpiece of the gallery and had been given a prominent spot. Her jaw had dropped open and her lollipop had tumbled to the floor. Jim had grinned and picked it up, glad his little girl shared his passion.

She’d stared up at the statue of the man. He was so handsome. The way the sculptor had angled his head made it feel as if he were gently smiling down at her. Maia had smiled back, immediately smitten.

Jim walked up to her and placed a hand on her back. He spoke in hushed tones. “He is the god Eryx, son of Aphrodite. He was in love with the mortal priestess of his temple. And she was…?”

“Chloe, silly. I know that,” she’d replied. After countless bedtime stories, she knew all the myths.

“Good girl,” he’d smiled. “And do you remember the story of Eryx and Chloe?”

“The bad goddess Nemesis killed Chloe because she was jealous.”

“And Eryx?”

“He was sad. Forever.” She’d rubbed her little tummy. “Daddy, I’m hungry.”

He’d laughed. “Of course you are. It’s late, sweet pea. Let’s get you some dinner. We’ll come back and see Eryx again.”

Maia’s face had fallen. As much as her belly was rumbling, she didn’t want to go. She liked the statue of the beautiful, smiling god. Even though, all of a sudden, he looked a little sad.

What happened next, Maia had never told her father. Never told anyone.

As she had followed her dad out of the gallery, she’d turned to look at Eryx one more time. Because she was five, and because it had seemed like a fun idea, she’d poked out her green-stained tongue and wagged it at him.

The statue had winked at her.

Now, as an adult, she knew the wink was probably just the overactive imagination of a precocious, little girl. Perhaps the fleeting shadow of one of the pigeons haunting the window ledges of the museum. But it had felt so real at the time. And now, every time she came to work in the gallery, she made a pit stop before the statue of Eryx.

Just in case…

“You’re such a spazz,” she told herself as she pulled her long brown hair into a messy ponytail on top of her head, affixing it with two crisscrossed pencils. “Get to work.”

She turned and seated herself before Poseidon and let out a sigh. With a gentle hand, she cupped the water god’s balls and inspected the extent of the cracks. She’d have to fill them in a little, as well as beginning a general cleaning of the statue. He was starting to show his age.

Soon, between conducting her inspection and making notes, she was lost in her work, oblivious to everything else around her. Once again, she gingerly touched Poseidon’s testes.

“How about inspecting mine?”

Maia jumped when the deep voice whispered in her ear. She snapped her head around, almost wrenching off the statue’s balls in the process. “Who’s there?”

There was no one. Beyond the entrance, Wally was still mopping, but had headphones on now and was mopping to the music on his iPod. He hadn’t heard her cry. The gallery was empty, peopled only by the many statues.

And right in front of her stood the statue of the god Eryx, still bearing the same grin as when she first saw him years ago. The grin which now appeared decidedly randy from her perspective.

“You,” she breathed, feeling her heartbeat regulate after her scare. “If any of you old rocks could find a way to talk, I should have guessed it would be you.” Dismissing the voice as a symptom of overwork and stress over the incoming director, Maia turned back to Poseidon.

Even with her back to Eryx, she felt a warm sensation along her spine. As if she was being watched.

Doing her best to ignore it, Maia continued her work.

Within minutes, she knew it wasn’t working. Her back was burning.

She should have expected it. She felt the same way each time she was in the presence of the Eryx statue. It wasn’t just her love of antiquities making her heart palpitate each time she saw him. Ever since she’d thought he’d winked at her all those years ago, she’d developed a ridiculous crush on the gorgeous statue. In a way, she thought of him as her own.

Of course, he’d always been her favorite of all the Greek gods. She loved the stories about him and couldn’t help falling a little in love with him from an early age.

The statue merely enforced the feeling. She loved the perfection of it. The way his curls fell about his strong face. The clean lines of his muscled abdomen and legs. Even the enticing length of his marble erection, as if the sculptor had wanted him captured in a state of eternal arousal.

He was the sexiest goddamn statue she’d ever seen. Michelangelo’s David was an effeminate pansy by comparison.

She shook her head. It was pathetic, how she mooned over him.

Over it.

She could never tell anyone Eryx was one of the reasons she’d chosen to remain with the Toronto Museum, rather than working for another. Since the first time her father showed her the sculpture, she’d felt oddly connected to it. It had been her inspiration as she planned her education and career. She looked forward to seeing him every day, even took extra shifts whenever she could. Just to keep an eye on him and make sure no other conservators got their mitts on him.

Let administration think she was just a devoted worker. She’d keep her strange infatuation a secret.

Frowning, she turned back to face Eryx. He looked so proud on his pedestal, so vibrant. As if he might simply walk off it. His shoulders were squared, and his face angled down toward the viewer. Although he was made of white marble, Maia had no trouble picturing what he might look like in color. Somehow, she just knew those thick curls would be honey blond. Those flashing eyes would be green and his nude body would be tanned. His generous penis could fill her, stretch her … a velvety pillar of lustful strength.

“Oh, man, I need to get out more.” She ran a hand over her hot forehead. “This place is playing tricks on my mind.”

She heard a deep, manly laugh.

Automatically, her eyes shot back to Eryx’s statue. Why was it the laugh seemed to come from his direction?

“Okay, I’ve had enough. I’m outta here.” She folded up her stool and walked right up to Eryx. “You don’t fool me, buster. I know you winked at me all those years ago. Now you’re talking to me? Maybe I am losing my mind, but if you have something you need to say to me, just get off your perch and say it. Stop messing with me.”

Then, feeling foolish for admonishing a piece of marble, she turned on her heel, and left.

For the Love of a God, available through Liquid Silver Books at www.liquidsilverbooks.com

Thank-you!

Katniss and The Hunger Games

Ok, Many of my friends know I went to watch The Hunger Games with my daughter not too long ago. AND you know I was less than impressed with the flick. I thought the book would be better, because many times it is. And I was right. It was better, ONCE you got past those first few chapters which go slower than molasses in January. BUT, once you get that far into the book, it’s one of those that you just can’t put it down.

A few things I should mention is that the media (and we ALL know what the media does and doesn’t do) seemed to have many problems with the movie. One of which was the fact that the actress who plays Katniss Everdeen certainly didn’t have the appearance of someone who would be classified as “hungry”. Well, if ANY of the people in the media that vocalized many times over this paltry tidbit had actually read the book, they would know WHY Katniss didn’t appear thin and ragged and hungry. This is for those in the media and those who have as yet not read the awesome book (and I strongly suggest you do), here is a little bit from Page 94 of The Hunger Games. “I may be smaller naturally but overall my family’s resourcefulness has given me an edge in that area. The meat and plants from the woods combined with the exertion it took to get them have given me a healthier body than most I see around me.”

Also on the same page and a few others, she mentions why some of the other districts “tributes” appeared more healthy. They were called Career Tributes, trained specifically to volunteer for the Games and win. The districts aren’t supposed to train anyone for them, but what “The Capitol” doesn’t know won’t hurt them right?

I have started book two in this series, and All I can say is that it is better than the first. I am almost done with it, and have already bought the third one, so I can start it immediately after finishing off that last page.

Suzanne Collins is a wonderful writer, and even if the series is geared more toward young adults, I do recommend the books for anyone who loves to read. I can’t put the books down, and to think I almost didn’t read them because I thought the movie was so poorly done.

Male Porn Stars...would you make love to these men?

A discussion has come up and it ended up swirling within my head...and I hate it when that happens, so here it is...I didn't want to write a book about these men, and I couldn't risk having them in my head while I am trying to write a different kind of story...so that led me here to my blog...I don't blog often enough...and if any of the pictures on here offends you, stop reading now...and click off the blog.

First one person mentioned 1970's Porn Stars...and since she was female talking to a man, and comparing him to them...I think it was fair to assume she meant male porn stars...so I found two that I instantly thought of in this respect, and my stomach actually turned at the thoughts it provoked. So let's us get this over with...the third one, I haven't seen in action, and nor would I want too...these three just aren't for me...but here they are for your gaziong pleasure...(if that is your sort of thing)

Yeah, I know...this one is Ron Jeremy...now behind the scenes in director or production, not sure which one...but seriously...I know the whole hairy lip think was big in the 70's but this man makes my skin scrawl...and now, he is even worse as he has gotten older.

 John Holmes...let's face it...the only thing he had going for him was the size of his dick...he's scrawney...and it looks like he had a catterpillar across that lip...I mean really...what on earth is appealing in that?

This one is Kevin Kilcline, I have never seen him in anything that I am aware of...but that upper lip thing just turns me away completely...there is just something about him that makes my stomach ache.

Now, on a personal level, I wouldn't screw around with a porn star to save my life...but...you have to admit that some of them have the looks...lol...

The only thing I know about him is that his name is Jesse, and he was on a season of Big Brother. Now, I don't watch Big Brother, and I haven't seen anything with him in it...but just look at that butt....I mean really...he's just scrumptious.

Yeah I know, he has that hairy lip thing going...but lord have mercy that body...I'm not a big fan of hairy men...but this one is pretty. Hios name is Carl Hardwick...can you say stage name????

This one is Ryan Idol, another stage name I would presume...but I love his eyes, and his hair...Yeah, I know...they all seem to have that hairy upper lip thing going...what is so appealing about facial hair anyway?

Ok...so ladies...of the above 6 men...who would you take to bed?

Mature Eye Candy - does age REALLY matter?

In the Author forum for my publisher, Evernight Publishing, the authors toss around advice and ideas on things...and one author mentions an older hero, and would it be taboo...so that lead me to this...and the eye candy that will be present...Please don't drool on your computer...as I can't afford to replace it for you....lol...that being said...hold on to your seats and tell me what you think of our choices of eye candy when it comes to older gentlemen...

My personal Favorite (though I wouldn't turn any of them down) - Antonio Banderas

This is him fairly recently. Yeah it's like that, don't his eyes just melt you...is it hot in here?

Yeah, I see no difference between his younger years and the picture above, all he would have to do is look in my direction and I would lose all bodily control.

Next in line we have the always beautiful Sean Connery

In his 80's and he could still melt me with his voice alone, let alone with the way he looks.

Yeah, there is something to be said about James Bond...and right now my mind is seeing nothing but eye candy, so it is completely blank other than chest and pecks and Oh my is it hot in here?

Next in line we have yummy Mark Harmon

Who wouldn't do Gibbs from NCIS...i mean really...need I really say more?

It's like, OMG, where was he when I got married thge first time???

Next in line we have Harrison Ford

Yeah, I think Dr. Jones still has it...what do you think?

Han Solo had it...you know he did...(secretly though I had a thing for Luke instead)

Next we have Robert Redford

Yeah, he is still hot...

Yeah he was a pretty boy, and still is.

Here we have Paul Newman

I wouldn't tell him no, would you?

Man, what a gorgeous man he is...

And here we have Daniel Graig

It's the eyes, isn't it...they just well, goodness Is it hot in here, I can't think straight.

This man will be like Sean Connery, 80 years old one day, and still looking young...I see nothing different between his pictures...

Last but certainly NOT least Tom Selleck

What's his show, The Blue Bloods?  Still beautiful...

Magnum PI was it, wasn't he?...I mean just look at him...

So you see...to us author's, older men can be hero's too...they can still be appealing, sexy and beautiful with hardly any effort at all....There isn't a single man on this list that I would tell him no if he wanted to take me to bed...So you tell me, did I leave anyone off...if I did, maybe that will call for another blog...off to work I go...let me know what you think.

Enjoy Author Avril Ashton and her upcoming release - Far From The Usual

Welcome Avril Ashton to my blog, she has an upcoming release from Evernight Publishing, and would like to introduce it to my readers now. Give her a good welcome.

What is it with us authors and our weirdness? I don’t think there’s anybody as eccentric out there as an author. Writing rituals, hermitude (is that a word?) and just all around craziness.

All right. So maybe I shouldn’t paint everyone with my own crazy brush, right? But let’s talk about me, my crazy. Yes, I own it. I welcome it. That’s what we gotta do, embrace the cray-cray.

I have no memory.

Omg, what? Yep. I can’t remember a damn thing. Well, sure, you say it happens to all of us sometime. No. You don’t understand. My mind done gone crazy, y’all! Now I know you’re wondering if it’s age. Mayybee. Although, isn’t it a tad early?

Forget the memory thing. Let’s talk about my inability to be in the same room with people for longer than two seconds. Mr. A and the kid I can tolerate for about a minute. Now, don’t go judging me. They accept all that as part of my…charm? I just can’t rustle up the muscles to smile and nod.

Too much work.

What about my writing rituals, you ask? I must have music to write. If there’s no music around, I can’t write. Simple as that. I must have an iced caramel latte at my elbow. I said ICED…and make sure I see whipped cream on that. I can’t write a single word with people around. Exactly why you won’t see Av up in a coffee shop tapping away at them keys. I need privacy. And silence…except for the whole music thing.

I’d go on to list my many eccentricities, but it appears to me I might be scaring you off. Can’t have that, so I’ll bow out with the blurb for my  upcoming release with Evernight Publishing.

FAR FROM THE USUAL~ Coming March 15 from Evernight Pub

He’s her ex’s brother, yet Arden Windham aches to be in Cam Mercer’s arms. The man is rude and obnoxious, his blue eyes cold and unfeeling, but he makes her body melt. Being with ex-con Cam is nowhere in her plans, not if she wants the affection she’s worked so hard to gain from her overbearing father. Still, Cam’s touch is unlike anything she’s ever felt and Arden finds herself having to choose between her wants and her needs.

Cameron Mercer is his family’s black sheep, a man apart. For six months he watched Arden waste her time with his twin and now she’s free, he’s not waiting another minute. He’s on a campaign to get her off the tight rope she’s been walking. There’s a rebel behind that smooth façade and he’s on a mission to set Arden free. Too bad she insists on putting up a fight.

Buy Link: http/evernightpublishing.com 

Visit: http/www.avrilashton.webs.com

http/www.avril-ashton.blogspot.com

Friend Avril on: http/www.facebook.com/writeravrilashton

http/www.twitter.com/#!/AvrilAsh

Announcing: The re-release of Ravenwood: Night's Salvation!

I have finally gone and done it, I have delved deep into the world of Self-Publication. I have uploaded the Manuscript and book cover into Smashwords.com, and I am once again on the fast track to selling Ravenwood: Night’s Salvation.

I didn’t do this alone, and I had wonderful help offered by R.G. Hart, D.I. Mains, Buffy Christopher and Rigel Ailur, all wonderful authors in their own right. In some form they all helped me get my book up on Smashwords.com and Buffy is helping me to go a step further into it by getting it up on Amazon and All Romance Ebooks as well. I can tell you I have the most awesome friends.

That being said, the book is available right now on Smashwords.com and will soon be available on Amazon.com and All Romance Ebooks soon too.

Here is the link to get it…(Notice the slight change in the book cover)

Ravenwood: Night's Salvation, an Ebook by Laurie Sorensen

http/www.smashwords.com/books/view/132680

Night Ravenwood finds a destiny he didn't know was his with Satine, the woman he is set to wed. While tragedy strikes the couple, it only serves to make their love stronger. Someone doesn't want them together, and is willing to do anything to see they don't remain a couple.

Now I will be releasing all of the Ravenwood books in this fashion. I am still actively seeking publishers for two of my works that are finished and polished, so we shall see how that all ends. But for now, you can get the first book in the Ravenwood series on Smashwords.com.

Help required, Titles needed for three books

Ok, this is how it is…I am working on the prospect of buying a cover for each of the Ravenwood series books that will be coming after Night’s Salvation…there is a total of 5 books in the series. I have a cover for Night’s Salvation already, and I have a title for the second book in the series and that is Storm’s Destiny.

Paula has given me these suggestions for the next books in the series…and I have to say that I really like her suggestion for book 5…and I mean I really like it…book 3 – Megan’s Dilemma and book 4 – Transformation of Jones and book five – Jason’s Legacy

Now, what I am after is this…I need titles…so the covers can be done…and I need them ASAP. The person who’s title I choose for each book with have the book dedicated to them, as well as have their own name in the book as a semi-prominent figure (good or bad your choice).

Here is a short run down of the story for each book…If you can come up with some good titles that I might like…please feel free to let me know.

Book 3) This books main female character is Megan, she is the illegitimate offspring to Sir Jason Ravenwood and a mistress he had in Scotland. She comes to England when her mother sends her there to keep her safe when the safety of anyone in Scotland is in question. Scotland and England by now are at war with one another and the battle of Culloden is imminent. Megan comes in search of her father and a life he could give her. The story will be about her coming to terms with the loss of her mother, the discovery of her father whom she has only a few memories from childhood of, and finding that one true love of her life among the gentry in England.

Book 4) This books main character is one that was first introduced in Night’s Salvation as a little boy at the bright young age of 12, Jones was his name. Without letting anyone who hasn’t read Night’s Salvation in on who he is, suffice it to say he is a prominent person in the story. This book is his, he is coming of age, and the time has come for him to do his duty, which all heir’s usually have to do at some point. He feels he isn’t ready for such a thing, and of course his bride (a child born in Night’s Salvation) is all grown up (to a point) and they are set to wed, someone doesn’t want them to wed, because they think Jones isn’t good enough for her, Pauline of course has her eyes set on him no matter what. Theirs is a love match, only the best for my characters. At the end of the book, they discover a very important bit of information, tucked away in a box, hidden in the ground. The box is uncovered during the excavation Jones started to add a wing to Ravenwood Manor. This box and it’s hidden treasure lead us into the next book.

Book 5) Now, to begin this one, the prologue will be ones having found the box from the last book…only because this book is a Prequel. Let me start this by saying that the entire time I was writing Night’s Salvation, Night’s brother Jason (the one that had died in the beginning of the book) was screaming out at me, begging me to write his and Mary’s story. So with all the Ravenwood books done, this is a prequel, and it does have a time travel basis, but that part is only a very small part of the story as the time travel happens only one time. Suffice it to say, Jason nearly runs her over in an open field with his horse, and love blossoms from there. She isn’t nobility, she isn’t even English, yet Jason the heir to an Earldom, falls helplessly in love with her, and secretly weds her. (this book will at least in some fashion explain why Jason was to have wed Satine before he died, leaving Satine to wed Night instead)

Now, That’s all you have to go on, I won’t divulge any other information about the books. I am seeking titles only. And the title has to begin like this “Ravenwood:” Please submit your suggestions, and you are not limited to any particular number of suggestion, as a comment for this note/blog. Please be sure to leave your email address as well so I can contact you if your suggestion is used. I am looking forward to any and all suggestions that come my way.

Sights, Scents and Sounds of the Season

Here I am on the cusp of Thanksgiving. Had a great day at work today, very productive…listened to some seasonal music while putting out the Christmas ornaments that came in tonight. It got me thinking and quite frankly, I have to admit that I’ve actually been in the Christmas Spirit since I started listening to Christmas music on or around the 15th of this month. I love Christmas music, I can’t help it, it’s in the blood. My mother used to listen to Christmas Music half the year through to the New Year. Our Christmas tree will likely go up before the end of the weekend, and my Christmas baking might well start sometime soon.

I was driving to work the other day and seemingly out of the blue, snowflakes appeared. It made me smile. Coming home from work that same night, I was noticing that people were having the Christmas lights up on their houses too, once again I smiled. Then I head I’ll be home for Christmas playing on the radio and I cried through my smile. You see, one of my babies is coming home from Iowa where she attends school through the wonderful program called the Job Corps. I can’t even tell you how much I have missed having her underfoot.

Tomorrow morning I embark upon the preparation of our Thanksgiving feast, a feast that I am beyond thankful for, however it is a feast that my oldest natural daughter won’t be sharing with us. She can only fly home for Christmas, and it just won’t be the same without her, though she will be sitting down to a wonderful Thanksgiving feast with my parents and sister. So even though she won’t be with me and my husband this Thanksgiving, I know she will be where she is loved and cared for.

Thanksgiving dinner brings Turkey, gravy, homemade yeast rolls (well, raised from frozen, I’m not a miracle worker you know…lol) pies, mashed potatoes and corn…Oh and let’s not forget the stuffing. I cook for only my immediate family, the hubby and kids…for some strange reason that I can’t fathom, everyone in our holler (the three houses here right together) are family and everyone seems to want to make their own full Thanksgiving meal. Growing up, getting together with family was always something I loved. Getting to sit and eat with my cousins…and sneak in to the “goody” table to ruin our dinner was always something to look forward too. I have a very large family, and they are close knit. I miss being able to be there all the time. I live over 900 miles away from my dad’s family…and about 400 miles from my mom’s family or the majority of it anyway…it’s just a little difficult that I don’t have that here, but I make due. I make the biggest bird I can find (this year it’s a 22 pound bird) and I reheat leftovers for a few days to make up for it I guess.

Tomorrow morning, while preparing my bird, I will have the Macy’s Day Parade on the TV. For those who might not understand my saying Macy’s Day Parade, it’s what I used to call the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade when I was a child, and I guess it just stuck, because even at 41 years of age, I still call it Macy’s Day Parade. I will bake the pies and turkey at the same time…and I will make some pumpkin bread too. I will set the rolls to rise…peel my potatoes then sit back and relax while the house fills with the smells that make your mouth water.

I leave you with this wish, I wish everyone who reads my words a Happy Turkey Day…I hope it is all you deserve and more. Spend time with your family, put up your Christmas lights and tree…get ready for those Black Friday Sales but keep in mind that even though the shopping season gets underway at Midnight on Thanksgiving, take time…to do what really matters to you. Be with your family, they won’t be with you forever.