Books by Gracie C. McKeever

© 2006 Gracie C. McKeever

In This Issue:
--Siren at Love Romances Café!
--Chat at Siren Books
--Cocktail Chat at Romance Erotica Connection
--Featured Author at The Romance Room Blog Spot
--Author Day at Brenda Williamson
--Mini-Reviews (What I'm Reading/What I Bought/Recommended Reads)
--Siren Publishing Wins Big in REC 2006 First Annual Awards!
--Poetry Corner
--Fun Site
--Review Excerpts
--PNR Review(s)
--This Issue’s Article: The Wives Tales and the Idea Monster by Lara Santiago
--This Issue’s Novel Excerpt: Ragnarok Tango by Michael Barnette
--This Issue's E-Publisher Spotlight: Cobblestone Press
--This Issue's Author Spotlight: Erotic Paranormal Romance author, HH Self
--This Issue's Newsletter Contest
--Giveaways/Good Deals/Shameless Promotions and/or Sites That No (Romance) Reader Should be Without
--Odds and Ends

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Welcome back to this issue of The G-Spot!
Hope everyone enjoyed a Happy Valentine’s Day and Black History Month last month.

Movies: I did another movie marathon premier weekend. Caught STOMP THE YARD with my niece and sister and it was a high-energy affair in the tradition of YOU GOT SERVED and BRING IT ON. Skillful dance sequences and decent performances highlight this tale of redemption as a young brother overcomes the demons of his past and learns what it’s like to be a team player and sacrifice for love. Also caught PRIMEVAL and felt cheated despite knowing before going in, thanks to all the warnings in the ads, that the “serial killer is not human”. Sure, not human, but not something as mundane as…okay, I won’t tell you and ruin it for you. This wasn’t bad (how bad could spending an hour-and-a-half with Dominic Purcell be ?). Had adequate action and chills and spills to fill the time. Typical popcorn movie. Finally, caught ALPHA DOG and Justin Timberlake in his cinematic debut. Unlike my niece and sister who didn’t read the reviews I wasn’t shocked at the ultimate outcome of this movie. Despite this and the movie being based on a true story, I was still HOPING for a different ending for the simple face that I got so attached the fifteen-year-old kidnap victim in the movie. This was a good, action-packed outing of disaffected youth gone horribly wrong. JT does a nice job, but Ben Foster steals the show in a realistic and manic performance that leaves no one wondering who the alpha dog of the movie is. Took the nephews and younger niece to see EPIC MOVIE (hey, not my idea. I offered to take them to STOMP THE YARD even though I had already seen it. Figured they would like it, but they insisted on EPIC MOVIE). Silly, as expected. Few chuckles here and there. My nephews enjoyed it okay, but I think they were expecting it to be as funny as SCAREY MOVIE 4, which we all enjoyed last year. My niece (bless her 4-year-old heart) plainly proclaimed less than half-way into the movie that she didn’t like it, but she suffered through it for her brothers (ain’t sibling sacrifice grand ).

Cable/DVD: Caught RIZE on cable. Talk about high energy. I had seen this documentary about Tommy-the-Clown and the inner city dance craze—Crunking—in the theaters when it premiered two years ago and enjoyed it just as much the second time around; definitely worth the re-viewing and I highly recommend this film. Caught SMOKING ACES with an eclectic cast of characters from Ray Liotta to tyro actors Common and Alicia Keyes. Slow to start, but once the set-up was in place and the action started there was no stopping the blood and mayhem. Interesting movie with a crazy unexpected twist in the end. Yes, I’ll admit it, I watched SHE’S THE MAN with Amanda Byne and Channing Tatum. Typical teen movie of angst, and mistaken and switched identities with a high-school soccer backdrop. I enjoyed it lots more than I thought I would (could be because hunkilicious Tatum was in it, I don’t know). Either way, it was a cute movie with lots of laughs that I didn’t feel was a total waste of time. Watched STICK IT on cable, another teen-angsty sports movie with Jeff Bridges as coach to troubled, female teen gymnast. I remember seeing previews for this in the movies and wondered why I’d never seen it released in theaters, but now I see why it came straight to cable. Okay, it wasn’t bad. But unlike SHE’S THE MAN I really didn’t like the protagonist/lead female. She was too cocky, sarcastic and annoying for no reason. She softened up towards the end when we find out what her motivation was, but I still couldn’t really relate to her reasoning which made it difficult to like the movie. There were some highlights (I mean it was a sports/gymnastic movie after all) and fun scenes to make the movie tolerable but nothing to write home about. STAY ALIVE… Reminded me of THE RING only instead of dying after you watch a video, you die after you play the video game. Interesting, but the action was a little rushed and forced. Overall, a passable straight-to-cable movie if nothing else. SILENT HILL: This one needs a re-viewing. Immediately after the last scene and right before the credits started to roll, my initial reaction was deep dissatisfaction and dislike. I felt like I had wasted two hours watching it. After I thought about it and went over several key scenes and moments, I realized the movie wasn’t that bad, just not what I expected. When taken in context, the ending wasn’t as bad as I thought and there was foreshadowing throughout that built up to it. It was a horror movie, but I went into it expecting a happy ending for some reason. For the genre, it was a “happy” ending, just open.

Now for some writing and publication news (I know, you’re saying FINALLY!):

Released in February, BETWEEN DARKNESS AND DAYLIGHT spent its first three weeks at Siren in the #1 spot. In fact, for the month of February I had between 4-5 titles consistently among the Top Fifteen. Can you say “cool?”

The release date for my Siren Fairy Tale NINE INCHES OF SNOW AND THE EBONY PRINCESS was pushed up and the story is now available! See purchase link in newsletter below . I have a few reviews already and NINE INCHES... is currently the #1 Siren Top Seller (since its release and for the last three weeks). See more details in the newsletter.

In case you didn’t hear me screaming from the rooftops…I’m in, I’m in, I’m in! I finally heard about the fate of my short erotica, LEAP OF FAITH and the news was good. It was selected as one of 20 stories to be included in NYT Bestselling author Zane's Eroticanoir.com collection, CARAMEL FLAVA 2! I'm so excited I've been doing the Snoopy Dance since I found out.

And the flip side of this beautiful, shiny coin (you knew the news couldn’t be all good, but I would be remiss if I didn’t share my lows as well as my highs, wouldn’t I?)… Got word yesterday that my story IDLE HANDS was not selected for inclusion in the CHOCOLATE FLAVA 2 anthology. And it was one of those Dear Author, form letters too (haven’t gotten one of those in a while. Can’t say I missed it). Anyway, I’ve already gotten back on the old horse and submitted the story to another publisher for consideration in their anthology. As always, I’ll keep you posted with how things go. In the meantime, cross your fingers for me .

Okay, back to the good news, I found out 2/28/07 that my Top Selling Siren title TERMS OF SURRENDER was chosen by the reviewers of Ecataromance to receive the prestigious Ecataromance Reviewers' Choice Award for best e-book during the second half of the year 2006. TERMS OF SURRENDER was selected as one of the best books read and reviewed by Ecataromance during that time frame. Check out the list of winners on the CataNetwork message boards here: http://mb.catanetwork.com/upload/index.php?showtopic=418&st=0&#entry1979
TERMS OF SURRENDER is also a Top Ten Bestseller (#6 to be exact) over at All Romance eBooks. And speaking of ARe...

I completed my first m/m erotic romance (interracial/shapeshifter) (granted, a short story, but hey, I gotta start somewhere). As you read this, said story (BREAKING AND ENTERING) has been accepted by All Romance eBooks for their Sizzle line to appear in the 3/23/07 issue of their weekly newsletter, Wildfire. You can register and subscribe to the newsletter here: http://www.allromanceebooks.com Or, to read current and past issues online just visit ARe and click the Interviews-Wildfire-Free reads button on the left hand side of the homepage.

Work-in-Progress: I’m working on my second same sex erotic romance, a (solicited) m/m fairy tale (angels/interracial/reincarnation) novella entitled ZACH AND THE DARK SHAFT (my take on JACK AND THE BEANSTALK). Some interesting developments since my initial idea and I’m having fun exploring the plot and characters. Will keep you all posted as to the progress of this one too.
That’s all for now.
As always, hope you enjoy this issue of The G-Spot!
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SIREN AT LOVE ROMANCES CAFÉ
Siren authors will be at Love Romances Café, Sunday, March 25, 2007 from 1:00pm – 9:00pm EST to chat, discuss their books and give away more of the same. Don’t miss out on the fun. Join at: http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/LoveRomancesCafe

CHAT AT SIREN BOOKS
Siren hosted another chat Saturday, February 10, 2007. There were hourly drawings between 10:00am and 10:00pm EST from messages posted during the previous hour. Twelve winners got to choose any e-book from Siren’s current releases. Join Siren Books at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SirenBooks/ to find out about the next chat, new contests and keep up with your favorite Siren authors.

COCKTAIL CHAT AT ROMANCE EROTICA CONNECTION
I was the featured author at Romance Erotica Connection, Sunday, February 11, 2007. In the spirit of Black History Month and Valentine’s Day, the theme was African American and interracial authors and/or their work. Thanks to Yahell, the event got off to something of a bumpy and slow start, but about an hour and a half in it started to pick up. I discussed the inspiration behind my interracial characters and storylines, gave away some books and just generally had a nice time chatting up my titles. Join REC at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Romance_erotica_connection

FEATURED AUTHOR AT THE ROMANCE ROOM BLOG SPOT
I had the pleasure of being the featured author at Cheri Valmont’s Blog Spot the week of February 11, 2007. Check out IN PLAIN SIGHT and Cheri’s blog at: http://theromancroom/blogspot.com Join The Romance Room at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/theromanceroom

AUTHOR DAY AT BRENDA WILLIAMSON
I had an author day at Brenda Williamson Romance Party Yahoo Group Saturday, March 3, 2007 where I posted hot excerpts, gave away books, and discussed my titles from Siren Publishing, Awe-Struck E-Books and Fictionwise. Come meet some other great authors, learn about their wonderful books and join the next party at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BrendaWilliamsonRomanceParty

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AVAILABLE NOW: from Siren Publishing, Inc.: "A man who wants to save the world one child at a time…a young teen looking for acceptance and a savior wherever he can find them…and a woman who wants only to save them both. Somewhere between darkness and daylight they will all find and save each other." BETWEEN DARKNESS AND DAYLIGHT, erotic paranormal romance (psychic/interracial). An NCWA (New Century Writer Award) 2003 Novel/Novella Finalist by Gracie C. McKeever http://www.sirenpub.com/graciecmckeever/bdad.asp
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1933563362/sirenpub-20
SIREN TOP SELLER! ~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~

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AVAILABLE NOW from Fictionwise: "Old World Evil vs New Age Passion… Can their love survive an ancient vendetta?" A centuries-old Djinni betrayed...a modern career woman and wife bereft. Can this thoroughly mismatched couple find comfort and vindication in each other's arms? More importantly, can their love survive the ancient vendetta of one unforgiving and powerful demon Djinni, Kane's sworn enemy Ifreet? Find out that anything is possible when a devout and mystical djinni from the old-world joins forces with an urban-reared spitfire from the new.
DESERT DREAMS by Gracie C. McKeever – Paranormal Djinni Romance http://fictionwise.com/ebooks/eBook30601.htm ~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~

EPIC's BOOKSTORE:
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off has helped create a store for The Electronically Published Internet Connection (EPIC). It's a published writer's organization that has both ebook and print published members. It also has Industry members such as publishers and agents. Epic is the most recognized authority on epublishing. This bookstore will hope to sell ebooks by epic members that are on sale at fictionwise.
Visit EPIC's Bookstore-http://store.fictionwise.com/epic/

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AVAILABLE NOW from Awe-Struck E-Books: RT 2002 Award Nominee – Best Small Press Paranormal -- “Sean Casey has convinced himself he's content with his blue-collar existence but at an emotional and philosophical crossroads in his relationship with his yuppie lawyer fiancee. When Echo Quinn--an adolescent flame, but now successful health club owner--suddenly resurfaces with their "gifted" and troubled ten-year-old son in tow, Sean is forced to confront his deadly past and find absolution. Watch the sparks fly when a pyrokinetic firefighter, and an alcoholic telepath--reunite in this "secret baby" story with a supernatural twist...” FLAMES PAST by Gracie C. McKeever, Contemporary Paranormal Romance http://awe-struck.net/AUTHORS20/flames.html Also available in Trade Paperback from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Flames-Past-Gracie-C-McKeever/dp/1587492547/ref=sr_11_1/102-5235251-9271348?ie=UTF8 and Earthling Press http://www.earthling-press.com ~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~

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AVAILABLE NOW from Awe-Struck E-Books: “Will a spoiled rich debutante get rid of the chip on her shoulder and stop wallowing in self-pity long enough to let her physical therapist rehabilitate her? Watch classes collide in this story of self-discovery and healing.” DANCING IN THE DARK by Gracie C. McKeever, Contemporary Romance available from Awe-Struck E-Book’s Ennoble Line http://awe-struck.net/AUTHORS6/ditd.html ~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~

MINI-REVIEWS (WHAT I'M READING/WHAT I BOUGHT/RECOMMENDED READS): You’ll probably notice most of my reads the last two months have a couple of things in common: they’re from small, independent online publishers and they deal with the fast-growing erotic romance sub-genre of man-love. I hope you’ll enjoy the variety and fare as much as I did.

CHAIN OF THORNS by Willa Okati: An interesting man-love book by one of the trailblazers in this fast-growing genre. This one features Riven McDaniel a gay and proud survivor of Earth’s destruction by warring alien factions. Now a spoil of war and given to retiring alien Commander Phoenix, Riven is confronted by his painful past as a submissive, a past that damaged him more emotionally than physically; a past that damaged him more than even he realized. Can he shed the brutal memories of his first, kinky and homophobic love to accept the tender love and dominance of the alien, Phoenix? This was a fast and engaging read with two appealing male leads and a solid conflict and plot. Available from Changeling Press http://www.changelingpress.com

ENDURING PROMISE by Tempest Knight: Restless and edgy, Evan Harris embarks on an unknown trip, just wanting to get as far away from New York as possible. En route out of town his sports car breaks down. Caught in the middle of a sudden thunderstorm he seeks shelter and happens upon an old abandoned house. During his exploration of the house, he discovers Giselle Dunoir in one of the upstairs bedrooms—a very naked, beautiful and sleeping Giselle. What follows will change both Evan and Giselle’s lives forever. Giselle is at once predatory and endearingly vulnerable. Evan is her charming and forceful match in every way. Solid, plausible story with engaging characters and great h/h chemistry make this a decent vampire tale. Hot and sensual BDSM encounters make this a great erotic romance. Available from Cobblestone Press http://www.cobblestone-press.com

GAMES DRAGONS PLAY by Michael Barnette: This story takes place two years after the end of APOCALYPSE DANCE and focuses on the romance and D/s relationship between Nikky and Jason (aka Bells) and the rescue of several female slaves from the clutches of Lone Star Empire followers who refuse to let bygones be bygones and let go of the past. Well-written narrative, fast-paced story, hot love scenes. Great follow-up to AP, with several promising openings for more sequels. I had only one minor problem with this book…it was way too short ! Available from Phaze Books http://www.phaze.com

GETTING LUCKY by Marilyn Pappano: I’ve had this book on my tbr piles for a while now (the copyright date of 2001 is a good clue of how long), but to say the tale is timeless would be an understatement. In it we meet Ben Foster, a bad (ol’ country) boy from Atlanta who is trying to make amends and reunite thirteen years after abandoning his baby daughter. He hightails it to the quaint town of Bethlehem where his ex’s relatives have taken in his daughter and her half-sister and brother to raise them in the embrace of a caring and loving family. Ben lands a construction job working for the ambitious workaholic ice queen of Bethlehem: Lynda Barone. From the minute these two meet the sparks fly and never stop. But can Lynda forgive Ben deserting his helpless baby daughter and the child’s needy mother years ago? Heartwarming and affecting romance peopled with loads of colorful and engaging characters, specifically the well-delineated hero and heroine in Ben and Lynda. One problem for me, and it was almost a deal-breaker…the ending seemed so unresolved. Of course Lynda and Ben got together, but there was a major part of Ben’s life that was left still unresolved and the epilogue presented more questions than it answered. In fact, it seemed more like a prologue than an epilogue. You know what this probably means, there’s a sequel out there somewhere set in the quaint town of Bethlehem that I need to pick up. Otherwise, this was a great read, I highly recommend! Available at major online bookstores like Amazon.

MURPHY’S LAW by Lori Foster: This was a decent outing for the author with her typical brand of interfering family members and friends on the fringe of the h/h budding romance, featuring self-made and very well-off businessman Quentin Murphy (last seen pursuing off-beat and hardworking Ashley Miles in JUDE’S LAW), now putting in an earnest effort to get his woman—though independent and stubborn she may be. Villain Elton is also along for the ride and will stop at nothing to get revenge on the woman responsible for his dire straights and his being on the run with nothing to his name. This was typical Foster fare, maybe too typical. Solid enough story, interesting characters, but maybe I’ve reached my quota for now and need to check out some new romance authors. This one’s available at your local bookstore or major online bookstores like Amazon.

MIDWINTER’S NIGHT by Michael Barnette: Another short treat from one of my fast-becoming favorite authors. This story is one of love tragically and prematurely lost. Aerdyn is a Seelie Knight, a fae exiled to the mortal realm after the murder of his love, Ellian, an Unseelie princess. Lian is Ellian’s younger brother who holds Ellian’s spirit and magic within him, their souls sharing Lian’s body. If you think this is confusing, wait until you check out the love scenes between Lian and Aerdyn and Ellian—a veritable ménage by proxy. The narrative is beautifully and poetically written but only a writer as gifted as Barnette could convincingly pull off the homoerotic love scenes without either male being homosexual and with sensitivity and taste. This is a Heat Sheet available from Phaze Books http://www.phaze.com

ORANGE by Thom Jaymes: Yet another writer I’ve discovered through MySpace, this one also m/m erotic author. In this short story, we meet depressed circus clown Ralph and Kadin the tiger that performs with him under the bigtop. I’m not going to say more for fear of giving anything away, but suffice to say this was a touching, bittersweet and powerful story, eloquently and succinctly told with great metaphors and symbolism, especially evident in the ending. Available from Twisted Shift http://www.twistedshift.com

PARALLEL FIRE by Deidre Knight: This is an Amazon short I found out about through, where else, MySpace, when the author (and literary agent) Deidre Knight posted about it in a bulletin. I had been hearing a lot about the two full-length books out in Knight’s The Warrior Series and have to admit my interest was piqued. In PARALLEL FIRE Anna is a member of the elite royal protectors in the Madjin Circle. She has had a thing for Lieutenant Nevin Daniels, her current superior, since she was a girl of seven and he was a young man of seventeen and in the king’s command, but even once she’s old enough to act on her feelings, she doesn’t know how to approach the stoic and exotic-looking Lieutenant. And once this particular Refarian male reaches maturity at a young thirty-eight, Anna finds it even more difficult to approach Daniels. But what she doesn’t know is that Daniels has a major thing for her and always has. Daniels is in the same quandary, and afraid to approach Anna fearing he is too old for her young twenty-eight but more, he does not want to deprive her of the privilege of having children since he has reached a stage in his life when he is infertile…or so the powers that be would have him believe. Loved the world-building and h/h chemistry in this fast-paced story, and it definitely whetted my appetite for the other books in the series.

ROUGHHOUSING by Laura Baumbach: This is the first title I’ve read by one of the reigning queens of m/m erotic romance, and I can see why she has the title. Initially slow to start for me, but once it did, whoo-boy. Excellent story of man-love featuring two very different men with one thing in common: their love for each other. James Justin is a junior architect with his firm and Abraham (Bram) Lord is his powerful and more successful businessman lover. James has a laundry list of emotional hang-ups about roughsex and submission that keep getting in the way of his relationship with Bram, but none more important than his lack of trust and abandonment issues. It take’s Bram’s confidence and determination to make James see he’s worth everything to Bram. The bondage and submission scene against the apartment door alone is what initially made me buy this book, but the rest of the story lives up to the hype. Available from Phaze Books http://www.phaze.com

THE BROKEN H by J.L. Langley: In this sequel to Langley’s THE TIN STAR, we meet ranch foreman Shane Cortez and Sheriff Grayson Hunter. Grayson’s parents own The Broken H and have entrusted the running of it to Shane for more than a decade. Rejected by his family and left to his own devices at sixteen when his homosexuality was discovered, Shane has proven an invaluable part of The Broken H over the years and has become part of the family. Grayson, however, sees Shane as more than just an older brother and part of the family, his fondness and idolization turning into lust and desire somewhere around Gray’s eighteenth birthday. When Gray makes a pass at Shane, kissing him on one of their long-established fishing trips, Shane rejects Gray, but not for the reasons Gray first thinks. It takes Gray’s father having a heart attack a decade later to bring Gray back home to the ranch and reconciliation with Shane. This is another winner from Langley featuring a strong but sensitive pair in Shane and Gray and a fast-paced and engaging cast of subplot characters to round out the story. Available from Loose Id http://www.loose-id.com

Currently Reading: DREAM-HUNTER by Sherrilyn Kenyon;
YOU DON’T KNOW JACK by Erin McCarthy; STUDS R US, anthology (various authors); THE POLYAMOROUS PRINCESS by Melodee Aaron…enjoying all so far!

Recently Bought: Lucy Monroe’s THE REAL DEAL, GOODNESS HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT and SATISFACTION GUARANTEED; Deidre Knight’s PARALLEL HEAT and PARALLEL ATTRACTION; GET ‘N’ SERIOUS by Rory D. Sheriff; BRUSH STROKES by Alvin Lloyd Alexander Horn; HER SEXIEST MISTAKE and SMART AND SEXY by Jill Shalvis and BAD BOYS SOUTHERN STYLE by JoAnn Ross, et. al.

I got a nice surprise at a Chatting with Joyfully Reviewed event in January when I won 3 titles (trade paperbacks) by Elizabeth Burton—DREAMS OF DARKNESS, SHADOW OF THE SCORPION and THE UGLY PRINCESS—in a random drawing (it pays to participate ).

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AVAILABLE NOW from Siren Publishing, Inc.: Genesis has been on the run from her people for twenty-eight years, guarding the cambion Alex Ryan, who doesn't know she exists. But that's about to change when an attempt is made on Alex Ryan's life that leaves his father dead instead and Alex alone in the world….or so he thinks. GUARDIAN SEDUCTRESS: SISTERS OF EMSHARRA 1, erotic paranormal romance (interracial/psychic/shapeshifter/urban fantasy) by Gracie C. McKeever http://www.sirenpub.com/graciecmckeever/gs.asp SIREN TOP SELLER!
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SIREN PUBLISHING WINS BIG IN REC 2006 FIRST ANNUAL AWARDS!
The polls for Romance Erotica Connection’s 2006 First Annual Awards closed Wednesday, February 14, 2007 and Siren Publishing emerged a major winner taking 8 out of 11 awards!

Of particular note, my title BENEATH THE SURFACE won for Story of the Year 2006; the cover for GUARDIAN SEDUCTRESS won for Best Cover of the Year 2006 and Tabitha Lyons of BENEATH THE SURFACE won for Choice Heroine 2006.
The complete list of nominees and winners can be viewed here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Romance_erotica_connection/polls

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AVAILABLE NOW from Siren Publishing, Inc: Montana Freeborn has been having visions of the "pony-man" since she was a child, her first live encounter with the centaur after a near-death experience when she was five and Seth Phoenix saved her from drowning. More than two decades later, the pair meet again and this time Montana's doing the saving. SPELLS CAST IN SHADOWS, erotic paranormal romance (African-American/psychic/shapeshifter/urban fantasy), by Gracie C. McKeever http://www.sirenpub.com/authors-img/gcm-scis.jpg SIREN TOP SELLER! Now Available in Print! Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1933563346/sirenpub-20
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POETRY CORNER:

When We Pass
By HH Self

When we pass will you speak
Or will your eyes divert.
Eyes that once burned to meet
As we folded into one
Will you utter weak my name
A shadow of the past
It once was screamed for all to hear
Ecstasy declared, clear, certain
I see you bathed by glowing moon
Passions taken in savage rapture
I feel the touch of heated breath
Savored scent of desire’s capture
Wet heat engulfed
Soul and hardened flesh
A starlit tempest raged
Entwined in ebb and flow
When we pass will you speak
Or will your eyes divert
Your taste swirls within my mouth
A tongue feeling pebbled flesh
I hear the moan as fingers probe
Silken folds yielding with a shudder
Beads of sweat
Bejewel flushed breasts
Mouth half open speaking not
Eyes rolled back envision
Frozen
Quivers
Exhaled Sigh
When we pass will you speak

Catch my PNR review of HH Self’s erotic paranormal romance OPEN DOOR this issue and the Author Spotlight on HH Self, also this issue!

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AVAILABLE NOW from Siren Publishing, Inc.: “One man wants to Dominate her; the other wants to kill her”...Two competitive and at-odds advertising executives are thrown together when a job assignment and a matchmaking New Age sister of one – who knows each better than they know themselves – decides they are soul mates and perfect for each other. While Dominant Nick Vega and submissive Slany Breeze come to the conclusion that Nick's sister is absolutely right, a serial killer is on the loose and has set his sights on Slany for his special “training program.” TERMS OF SURRENDER: THE MATCHMAKER 2, erotic paranormal romance (bdsm/interracial/suspense) by Gracie C. McKeever http://www.sirenpub.com/authors-img/gcm-tos.jpg SIREN TOP SELLER! ECATAROMANCE REVIEWER’S CHOICE AWARD WINNER 2006!
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1933563389/sirenpub-20
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FUN SITE:
http://redwing.hutman.net/~mreed/
Flame Warriors -- Either you've met one, have been the victim of one, or you are one. Site includes extensive table of contents, definitions and full-color illustrations…everything you ever wanted to know about those infamous FWs.

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AVAILABLE NOW from Siren Publishing, Inc.: Embittered after her exile from Emsharra, LaMia Enlil meets her match in orphan empath Mateo Diaz, whom she kidnaps and falls in love with. But can he forgive her for causing the deaths of his family years ago? From ancient beings unaccustomed to asking for anything, much more begging for forgiveness, LaMia Enlil nonetheless wants just this from Mateo Diaz, a gifted and unique human male who makes her question the foundations of her Inanna beliefs. PREDATOR’S SALVATION: SISTERS OF EMSHARRA 2, erotic paranormal romance, (bdsm/interracial/psychic/shapeshifter/urban fantasy) by Gracie C. McKeever http://www.sirenpub.com/authors-img/gcm-ps.jpg
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AVAILABLE NOW from Siren Publishing, Inc.: Dara Kelly and Samantha Taylor should not have died, but did. And now both women are on the trail of two men – one an abusive, cheating husband-turned-killer, the other a rival bounty hunter whom will not be bested by any woman. Each woman will have her revenge, but at what cost to Caution Foster, the man they both love? IN PLAIN SIGHT, erotic paranormal romance (interracial/reincarnation/ghost/suspense) by Gracie C. McKeever – http://www.sirenpub.com/graciecmckeever/ips.asp SIREN TOP SELLER!
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1933563427/sirenpub-20
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REVIEW EXCERPTS:

BENEATH THE SURFACE:

“...a hot, steamy, love story of two people who care for each other but who are never on the same page. It is the typical story of boy meets girl, boy loves girl and girl has too many issues. Tabitha is portrayed as an irritating, anal retentive, control freak who can work your nerves with her need for perfection. The characters are well developed and it is an interesting story of the ups and downs of love, with wild sex thrown in for color. If you like erotica, then this is the book for you.” Raw Rating: 3.5/4, Reviewed by Alice Holman of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers. To read the full review, visit here: http://www.blackbookreviews.net

BETWEEN DARKNESS AND DAYLIGHT:
"Between Darkness and Daylight is another exciting and captivating paranormal entry from prolific and exceptional author Gracie C. McKeever. The reader will find it impossible not to fall in with the struggles and concerns of heroine Nova and her quest to find the man in her visions and warn him-and love him. The plot with its rampant paranormal element is rapidly paced and intriguing. As always, Ms. McKeever delivers steamy sensuality interwoven into a wonderful story line with sympathetic characterizations." 5 Kisses, Frost, Two Lips Reviews

“...Between Darkness and Daylight is an exciting and highly suspenseful romance. Three very compelling characters draw the readers into their lives as they meet and fall in love. A frighteningly insane stalker bent on evil wants to end their happiness. Readers will be glued to their chairs waiting the time when he makes his move. The tension is constantly building as the readers are allowed inside the mind of the stalker and see what he does and how he manipulates those around him. Readers will not be able to put this one down until they know how it will all end….
The romance from the very beginning is steaming. Nova has spent time imagining what Zane would be like before she ever meets him. She is already in lust before they ever meet. The two characters almost combust from the heat of desire when they do meet. Readers will find that when these two finally come together it is with a desperation that leaves the hearts racing.

Between Darkness and Daylight is a wonderfully creative paranormal suspense. Readers that enjoy the supernatural including psychics will be fascinated by this story of a psychic on a mission. They will love the surprises in the end. I encourage readers to look for this story for its frightening suspense and its passionate romance. Between Darkness and Daylight by Gracie C. McKeever is a love story that offers something for everyone’s enjoyment.” 4 Hearts, Anita for The Romance Studio. To read the full review, visit: http://theromancestudio.com/reviews/reviews/darknessdaylightmckeever.htm

“...Between Darkness and Daylight was a very intriguing story with a great plot and characters. Ms. McKeever provided a strong heroine with Nova. I’m not sure how many women would have left her fiancé and traveled across the country to help a complete stranger all based on a vision. I wasn’t sure at first if this would be believable or how it would work, but I must say Ms. McKeever did an excellent job of reeling me in. I also enjoyed Zane’s character as the strong male who felt the need to stand firm and be there for his nephew to help him through the loss of his mother. What I enjoyed most about Zane was his ability to realize that Ransom really needed to see Zane admitting his fear and sadness. I pictured Ransom more as a primary character providing the physical link that Nova and Zane so often needed to help them, rather than a secondary character. The sex between Zane and Nova was very hot! Their sex acts were not unusual with toys or bondage, but had an almost vanilla feel that proved to fit with their character. The plot flowed well throughout this entire story… Overall, I thought this was a very well written book about the power of second sight and I daresay it made me a believer. I am looking forward to reading more work from Ms. McKeever.” 4 Stars/Hot, LT Blue for Just Erotic Romance Reviews http://www.justeroticromancereviews.com

IN PLAIN SIGHT:

“Wow, Ms. McKeever, wow! When this reviewer first read the premise/synopsis of this novel, it seemed to be very convoluted and unreal, but through the extraordinary talent that Ms. McKeever has to make any story line believable, not only did this great tale spring to life but it was also extremely plausible and realistic. It was difficult to write a summary of this tale for fear of giving away too much information, but please believe that once a reader starts this story, they will find it most difficult to put down. Although this tale contains fewer sex scenes than other books this reviewer has read by Ms. McKeever, the ones it does have pack a powerful erotic punch. The characters in this story are unforgettable, especially sweet. Sam, who proves surprisingly strong and tough-as-nails Dara, who shows flashes of heart-tugging vulnerability. The ending of this tale is not to be missed and was deeply satisfying! Every time this reviewer thought that the mystery was solved, Ms. McKeever would throw yet another plot twist into the mix. Ms. McKeever has written a great tale that all readers of erotic paranormal romance should love. This one is truly a tour de force. Highly recommended!” 5 Hearts, Leah for Love Romances and More! To read the full review, visit: http://loveromancesandmore.com/reviews/Feb07/inplainsight_leah.htm

Just to preface this next one, RT doesn’t give out 5’s, and if you know anything about the reviewers there and the magazine, then you know how rarely they give out 4’s, so this next review is pretty darn special!

“This is an inspired romance with quirky characters who jump off the page. The fast-paced plot, with a dash of paranormal and suspense, will keep you glued to your seat.” 4 Stars, Lisa Kelly, Romantic Times Book Club http://www.romantictimes.com

“This was a fabulous book, the writer kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire book.
It was one of those books that I didn’t want to end yet I wanted to know who dunnit!

The storyline was gripping with just a hint of eroticism. I like the fact that the author wasn’t compelled to use bad language and just goes to show that you can have a book of this high calibre with death and sex without resorting to the use of constant swearing.

I would definitely read more of the author’s books and would gladly recommend her to my friends.” 4 Champagne Flutes, Purple Rain, for Cocktail Reviews. To read the complete review, visit here: http://cocktailreviews.wordpress.com/tag/siren-publishing/

NINE INCHES OF SNOW AND THE EBONY PRINCESS

“...Gracie C. McKeever delivers another fantastic paranormal tale of intrigue! Nine Inches of Snow and the Ebony Princess is a quick read that has an easygoing flow to it. In the beginning of the book, what I noticed was the establishment of the characters' voices. Aziza speaks with slang while David is acting in a way befitting to his upper crust upbringing. This is most certainly a well written new styled fairy tale. One thing is for sure when you read a Gracie C. McKeever book: you’ll always get a delightfully crafted story with her guaranteed special twist! If you haven’t read a title by the author you are missing out. Nine Inches of Snow and the Ebony Princess is one book that I unquestionably recommend.” 4.5 Flags, Chantay for Euro Reviews. To read the complete review, visit here: http://euroreviews.eu.funpic.de/bookdetails.php?book_id=934

“...This adult fairy tale is a cross between Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. David and Aziza instantly connect at the fundraiser; both know by instinct that they belong together. Aziza is a strong woman who does not take anything from anybody including David. David is a man who is used to being in charge and getting what he wants. It was wonderful to read about Aziza and David finding their happily ever after. Ms. McKeever has written an excellent fairy tale.” 4 Stars, Racine for Sensual EcataRomance. To read the complete review, visit here: http://sensual.ecataromance.com/11reviews?type=&id=638

“Oh wow...Liking this tale more and more as I read along...The book is written in such a way that it seems entirely natural that a man can be a wolf, sniff out his mate and find out where she lives and then go to visit her. I liked that aspect of this story. It was a natural progression in the tale...[Philomena, the stepmother] is totally creepy and utterly weird. I love the way she is shown in this book. I keep getting goose bumps when reading about her...I feel the need to race through and see what's going to happen. Good job...Shape-shifters, mind readers and bunny boilers. Just my cup of tea. I am so glad I read this book. I haven't been given the chills like this with a character for quite some time." 4 Champagne Flutes, Wilga Hill Boomerang for Cocktail Reviews http://cocktailreviews.wordpress.com/tag/siren-publishing/

TERMS OF SURRENDER:

“...the characters leap off the pages, immediately befriending you. McKeever deftly breeds empathy for their pain, their dreams, their every emotion from the very first chapter until the end of the book. With Terms of Surrender she also proves once again that she can write a snaky plot with the best of them – the story is fraught with more twists than a coiled-up Copperhead… Indeed, the author succeeded in keeping me guessing all through the story, and just when I thought I’d figured out who the villain was, she surprised me again – much to my delight!
In just two months, Gracie C. McKeever has moved up my list of favorite authors, with The Matchmaker series in particular being a favorite of mine. I cannot recommend this book or this series strongly enough!” 5 Klovers, Jennifer for Kwips and Kritiques. To read the full review, visit: http://www.ck2skwipsandkritiques.com/termsofsurrender_jennifer.html

“...Gracie McKeever's Terms of Surrender is a suspense filled, complex tale of the Dominant/submissive world. Nick and Slany get a little push from Nick's sister, and admitted matchmaker, Angela Calminetti before they finally realize they are perfect for each other. Both are searching for the other half that makes them whole, while unknown to them a killer lurks, waiting for the perfect opportunity to snatch Slany and force her to become his slave. The glimpse into the killer's mind is both frightening and fascinating. Terms of Surrender is a well paced, well developed story that will grab your attention from the beginning and keep it until the very end.” Georgia of Joyfully Reviewed. To read full review, visit: http://www.joyfullyreviewed.com/reviews/Feb07/TermsOfSurrender.GracieMcKeever.html

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AVAILABLE NOW from Siren Publishing Inc.: Even though both are Inanna, Genesis Enki and LaMia Enlil have varying views on how best to serve Emsharra.

When Kalika Enlil entrusts Genesis with the safekeeping of her outlawed child Alex Ryan before her death, Genesis' way is set to take up the New Regime's torch. Only one woman, the leader of the insurgents and Kalika's nemesis and cousin, stands in Genesis's way to protecting Alex from assassination: LaMia.

LaMia does not believe in the New Regime or its doctrines and is willing to do what she must to see it and the alliance between Emsharra and Gaiam fail. She will even go as far as kidnapping and enslaving Mateo Diaz who has already suffered at her hands in the past more times than a human should endure. It's Mateo's misfortune, however, that Genesis and Alex wish to recruit him in Emsharra's Harvesting Program….and Genesis and Alex are LaMia's mortal enemies. SISTERS OF EMSHARRA – Print Collection, erotic romance – bdsm/interracial/paranormal/psychic/shapeshifter/urban fantasy, by Gracie C. McKeever – http://www.sirenpublishing.com/graciecmckeever/soe.asp
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1933563664/sirenpub-20
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PNR REVIEWS:
OPEN DOOR by H.H. Self – “…a stylish and sizzling story…” Quinn White is a creative writing teacher at Durum College who up until a few weeks previous had been living the average life of an average man. That is before the dreams of a dark-haired, blue-eyed woman in the mist started to plague his sleep…Visit here to read my complete review: http://www.paranormalromance.org/reviews/review.php?id=24596
THE CAMBION’S KISS by Raquel Taylor – “…a well crafted-tale…” Exotica is a female sex demon from Middle Oea. She has worked her way up from slave to the bedroom of the prince of Oea and unwisely fallen for the detached and ruthless royal…. Visit here to read my complete review: http://www.paranormalromance.org/reviews/review.php?id=24602

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COMING SOON: Divorced and love-crossed Evelyn Vega gets more than she bargained for when she receives a two-week vacation package to a dude ranch as a birthday present. She thinks gorgeous cow boss Jason Makepeace will be the perfect vacation fling, but Jason has wife, kids and picket-fence written all over him. MANIFEST DESTINY: THE MATCHMAKER 3, erotic paranormal romance (contemporary/May-December/light bdsm) – Also a spin-off of SPELLS CAST IN SHADOWS, by Gracie C. McKeever – Coming April 2007!
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THIS ISSUE’S ARTICLE:
Spotlight on:
The Wives Tales
By Lara Santiago

Available in print at Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1933563281/sirenpub-20

The Wives Tales and The Idea Monster
Extra, Extra Read all about it…and then let me tell you my story idea.
I’m often asked where I come up with ideas for my books. When I say, “Everywhere…” the person asking usually tells me what they think I should write. I listen, however I don’t need another idea. I already have an Idea Monster flying around my brain.

My biggest problem is stopping the flow of ideas that bombard me every day. I can’t make coffee in the morning without thinking about a love story for Juan Valdez. What if he fell in love with one of his bean pickers? What if she hated coffee and preferred tea? Can you see the conflict? Can you understand why I shouldn’t be allowed to write before I have caffeine?

I’ll read the newspaper, a magazine, an ad circular, or a product label and an idea for a story will pop into my head. Then it won’t leave until I jot some notes down. I can’t turn it off even when I’m already involved in a story.

Why did I write the Wives Tales? I had to.
The Idea Monster made me do it.

I came up with the premise for the Wives Tales, while visiting my in-laws in Arkansas. I was trying to think up an idea for a short novella as a writing exercise. I started with the premise of ‘what if a group like the Taliban took over the U.S.’ which scared me to death. What if women’s rights were changed to reflect a more conservative agenda? What if American women were forced to follow similar rules as middle eastern women?

For as much as it frightened me, the premise wouldn’t leave my mind. I also couldn’t write just a single short story on this topic, so I decided to start with three. Thus the Wives Tales were born. I added three hunky alpha heroes with genetic engineering to amuse myself. I thought up three feisty determined heroines and started writing.

I wanted the occupations of the heroes to be slightly out of the ordinary. Miner, Executive and Lawman came from listening to too many southern accents while in Arkansas that trip, I think.

If a significant event happens, people ask, “Do you remember where you were when fill-in-the-blank happened?” From Pearl Harbor to John F Kennedy’s assassination to 9-11 we think in terms of our own small center of the universe.

I wanted to write a story about three different women in three different places of their lives and how a big upheaval would effect their center of the universe.

Hannah, from THE MINER’S WIFE, was in school and not allowed to graduate due to the Tiberius Group take over. Sophie, from THE EXECUTIVE’S WIFE, was working her way up the corporate ladder to support her mother and siblings before being forced to stop. Grace, from THE LAWMAN’S WIFE, was a young mother desperately trying to keep custody of her daughter.

Chronologically, THE MINER’S WIFE was the second story, but the first I wrote because my hero, Thomas ‘Brutal’ Blackthorn, was the loudest and clearest I heard. Sophie’s story, in THE EXECUTIVE’S WIFE, which I’d hinted at, came next. Matt Westland saved Sophie from the pervert with the highest bid, fell in love with her and fought to keep her. In THE LAWMAN’S WIFE, I loved Grace’s single minded focus of protecting her child. Jonathan Brent, delicious Lawmen, and brother to Sophie and Hannah, is not only honorable, readers will love him for all he does to help Grace attain her only wish, to keep her daughter, Emma.

The three stories are stand alone, but carry common threads. The heroes are secretly genetically engineered, the heroines are put up for auction in three different venues. Hannah, Sophie, and Jonathan are siblings.

The secret about these three stories is that I never expected anyone to see them. I wrote them using a darker, more erotic tone than anything I’d done previously. I banged the door open on the love scenes after I discovered Blood and Kisses by Angela Knight.
I wanted to write sexier stories. Now I can’t stop myself.

I’ve just completed a prequel to THE WIVES TALES. It’s called THE PROSECUTOR’S PARAMOUR and will be available for print only and included in the first Siren Scorchers anthology called RAPTURE Volume One. The next book in the series is THE MERCENARY’S WIFE. I haven’t started writing it yet, but here’s what I know. Tyler Blackthorn, the brother Brutal doesn’t know about, survived a long ago tragedy and believes his brother ‘Thomas’ is dead, as well. Won’t those two be surprised?

Next on my list ~ the Pillsbury Dough boy. I think Sara Lee might carry a torch.

Bio: Lara Santiago always loved to write, but her analytical side got the upper hand and forced her to get a ‘real’ job. After years of allowing her analytical side total free rein, the characters banging incessantly about her brain simply wouldn’t be silenced any longer. She bought a lap top with the purpose of writing a book to allow all those characters out. Her motto…so many characters…so little time. To those interested, her practical analytical side is now stuffed in a dark hole and only allowed out once or twice a month to pay bills.

Sultry…Seductive…Santiago http://www.larasantiago.com
The Blonde Bomb Tech ~ The Wives Tales
http://www.sirenpublishing.com

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COMING SOON: Falling to a rare sentinel illness and separated from her charges during a retrieval mission Xevera Nanay encounters the biggest threat to her survival but more importantly her autonomy when paramedic Michael Constantine recognizes and imprisons her to exact revenge for what was done to his mother by her kind. SENTINEL’S HUNGER, a Sisters of Emsharra novella, erotic paranormal romance (African-American/bdsm/shapeshifter/urban fantasy) by Gracie C. McKeever and part of RAPTURE 1: Siren Scorchers Signature Anthology – Available in your LOCAL BOOKSTORES May 2007! http://www.sirenpublishing.com/rapture ~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~

THIS ISSUE’S NOVEL EXCERPT:
Ragnarok Tango by Michael Barnette
Part of the Immortal Heroes series
Dark Tango Cycle (Snow, Jaella and Rayne)
Coming to Phaze in March 2007
http://www.phaze.com

This is a fantasy/horror erotic romance novel and contains graphic m/f, m/m, and menage content along with fantasy sexual situations. Phaze added a new heat level rating of Supernova after they accepted this title. This excerpt is PG:
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Blurb:
Guardaaz a demon of destruction has escaped from the Demon Realms into a Mortal Realm.

Nothing the people of the Mortal World have done has been able to stop Guardaaz. Jaella, leader of the Maidens of the Moon must try to summon Raene, Prince of the Coldlands, the demonic ancestor of their own bloodline. But summoning one demon to combat another one has a hefty price for Jaella and her kinsman Rayne. Their virginity, their lives and possibly even their very souls are at stake.

Prologue

A man stood on the parapet of a castle that shone like frost dusted opals. Slender minarets of crystal ice rose into the air far above the castle, curving upward in fragile twists that ended in sharply pointed tips no honest building material could have attained.

Across the land snow swirled down in an uncharacteristically gentle fall.

Normally a realm of sharp fanged rocky spires and icy wastes where the wind howled ceaselessly, driving before it crystals of snow that would slice flesh from bone, it was currently much altered. At his whim the entirety of the land had taken on the appearance of a winter garbed forest full of ancient trees.

At his whim it could just as easily become a storm tossed sea decked with icebergs the size of mountains, or change to a featureless plain of sheet ice.

It was his Realm, his Domain and he could do with it anything he pleased.

Anything except make it warm.

Or make it green.

Only a woman could accomplish that, and there were no women here.

The man leaned his folded arms on the wall of the parapet and stared out into his lonely domain.

He was tall. Almost seven feet. Broad shouldered with the physique of a pagan god. Hair white as frost fell to his shoulders, tumbling downward in fall that caught the light like crystal shards. Eyes the color of ice, a grey so pale they almost appeared colorless, stared out of a face at once starkly beautiful and unutterably inhuman.

He hadn’t always been as he now was.

Once, long ago he’d been as human as any man.

Back when the name he’d been called was Hrothrekr.

It had been his name when the Vikings had sailed their longboats into the seas and put terror of their raids into any country within their grasp.

But no one had called him that in centuries.

Not since he’d been taken by the Prince of the Coldlands, made a slave to every desire and whim an inhumanly cruel mind could conceive. And there had been an infinite number of pleasures and torments over the centuries. An infinite number of endured horrors and mind dazing ecstasies.

Like many slaves before him, and many after him, he had escaped the shackles of his master.

A master he had killed.

That death had set many of his master’s playthings free of their bindings.

He’d had to kill some of them rather than allow humanity to suffer under the lash of beings that should never have been called out of the Abyss.

Beings like his dead master.

A demon.

For his crime of killing the Prince he was cursed for all time.

All time.

Because his curse was immortality.

And when you can’t die, time ceases to have any meaning. The past, present and future become one and the same. Nothing and everything. Infinity dancing a tango with oblivion.

Today there was a disturbance in the Mortal Realm, the taste of pain and horror breaking across his consciousness the way storm tossed seas foamed shoreward.

Someone had let a demon of destruction loose and humans were dying by the tens of thousands in one of their myriad realities. Too many, too fast. A reality spiraling down toward the totality of Mother Night’s chill embrace, toward the finality of cessation.

He heard the voices of women raised in song.

A song to the being that had previously held the Coldlands, their song calling his dead master in a vain effort to summon the Prince to do their bidding.

Nothing could force him to answer their pleas. If he chose to ignore them, he could. He was not bound by their magic. But his own sense of morality, what precious little was left of it, wouldn’t let him ignore the suffering in their Realm.

"Hear us, Raene, Lord of Winter, Prince of the Coldlands! I, the child of your flesh, daughter of your blood, Guardian of the Gate summon you to our aid!"

Raene was dead, his power subsumed by the pale man on the castle battlements.

Sighing the man who wasn’t human decided to take a hand in events before the horns of Ragnarok were blown and another world went crashing down into the Eternal Dark.

It was, after all, his self appointed job.
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Michael Barnette
Fiction with an Erotic Edge
Author of: m/m (yaoi), m/f, menage and BDSM paranormal, mystery, scifi and fantasy erotic romances. Join Michael’s Immortal Heroes to find out about all his upcoming releases and those from some of his author friends: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/immortal_heroes To find out about what’s happening in BDSM, D/s and glbt romance join: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kinkpromo/

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AVAILABLE NOW: “Chris is a talented and rising young track star who wants to make it to the nationals and break world records. He'll get these both if he can shake the specter of a crack-addicted older brother and the more clear and present danger of a steroid enhanced teammate with a mean score to settle. Tori is an intelligent non-conformist skirting the fastlane and hiding secret pains behind a wall of foul-mouthed bravado and false indifference. She hates jocks but wants to show Chris that there's more to life than running. Innocent and courageous, embittered and sexually precocious--together Chris and Tori will discover that they have miles to go... “
MILES TO GO by Gracie C. McKeever, a Byte^Me teen novel http://awe-struck.net/AUTHORS8/mtgo.html ~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~

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AVAILABLE NOW: A young wealthy philanthropist is critically injured by a spiteful friend-with-benefits when, after a bitter break-up, she runs him down with her car. Only a kiss and a little bit of sensual and erotic care from a dedicated and empathic young nurse can bring him out of his resultant coma. Can soul mates David and Aziza find justice as well as eternal love? NINE INCHES OF SNOW AND THE EBONY PRINCESS, erotic paranormal romance (bdsm/interracial/shapeshifter/urban fantasy) by Gracie C. McKeever – A Siren Adult Fairy Tale – SIREN TOP SELLER! http://www.sirenpublishing.com/graciecmckeever/nios.asp
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COMING SOON Siren Publishing, Inc.: "Gale Sinclair is a marriage counselor who has broken the cardinal rule of psychotherapy and fallen in love with one of his clients. Dying in a head-on collision and returning to life in the body of Zoelle Sutherland's estranged husband turns out to be the least of his worries.” ETERNAL DESIGNS, erotic paranormal romance (reincarnation/interracial/suspense), and a NCWA (New Century Writer Award) 2002 Novel/Novella Finalist, by Gracie C. McKeever – Coming Summer 2007 -- http://www.sirenpub.com/graciemckeever/ed.asp ~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~

THIS ISSUE'S E-PUBLISHER SPOTLIGHT:
Cobblestone Press: About the publisher (from the site): “…an electronic, full service publisher of mainstream, sensual, and erotic romance, releasing two to three digital books a week in a variety of downloadable formats. It is our mission to provide quality romance books in electronic formats and to raise the standard in digital publishing…” That pretty much sums up the operation in a nutshell, but on a personal note, I’ve seen this company grow quite a bit in the last year. I’ve only read one title so far (and enjoyed it) and I wouldn’t hesitate to try more as they publish all of my favorite genre and sub-genres (I’ve actually added some titles to my ever-growing tbb list). They have a wide variety of romances and seem like a first-class operation. I’m hoping they’ll be around for a while to come. Visit Cobblestone here: http://www.cobblestone-press.com

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AVAILABLE NOW! The fix is in when older sisters Angela – a New Age practitioner who shares her brother's telepathic abilities – and Evelyn decide to play Cupid and hook their brother EJ Vega up with Evelyn's personal shopper. From here, what starts as a professional relationship will gradually escalate into something much more when the free-spirited, "gifted" author preparing to go on his first national book tour, enlists the services of the uptight and skeptical Tabitha Lyons. BENEATH THE SURFACE: THE MATCHMAKER 1, erotic paranormal romance (contemporary/psychic/interracial/light bdsm). http://www.sirenpub.com/graciecmckeever/bts.asp SIREN TOP SELLER!
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1933563184/102-5235251-9271348?n=283155
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THIS ISSUE'S AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: The spotlight this issue is on author HH Self. Another writer I met at MySpace, Self has distinguished himself as an excellent writer of sensual and erotic paranormal romance and a pretty darn nice guy to boot. Catch my review of his erotic paranormal romance OPEN DOOR this issue and his poem—WHEN WE PASS—in the Poetry Corner. But before I go on any further, why don’t I let HH tell you a little about himself… “I write in the erotic genre under the name HH Self. But most of my friends call me Vince. I was raised in a family filled with talent. My father sang opera; my mother painted and made porcelain dolls. However my father’s ability to weave a story that had you hanging on every word started me down this path of story telling. Though my flights of fantasy were not always appreciated in my youth, in 2004 I used that skill to write my first published short-story. In 2005 OPEN DOOR was published. You can read more about me and my work at http://hhself.net or catch me on http://myspace.com/hhself”

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AVAILABLE NOW from Fictionwise: A young black man is shot down in the streets in a drive-by. But a mistake has been made. Kelly shouldn't have died. So he's returned to Earth…in the body of a young comatose white woman married to a hot looking Latino narc cop. Can Kelly resolve the questions surrounding his death? What will happen to Amire, the woman he loved in his previous life? And, most important, can he resolve his marriage – now that he's a woman named Dagny – to another man? NEW LIFE INCOGNITA: New Age Paranormal Urban Romance (interracial/psychic/reincarnation/sex-switch/wiccan) by Gracie C. McKeever http://www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/eBook36736.htm
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THIS ISSUE'S NEWSLETTER CONTEST: This issue I’m offering an electronic copy (PDF) of one of my most recent releases BETWEEN DARKNESS AND DAYLIGHT. To enter for your chance to win this SIREN TOP SELLER, just send an e-mail with your name and e-mail address to gwiz10@optonline.net with BETWEEN DARKNESS AND DAYLIGHT in the subject line. Contest runs until April 20, 2007. One entry per e-mail address, and per person. Refer a friend, however (who e-mails me with his/her request to subscribe and naming you as their referral), to the newsletter before the deadline, and you get an additional entry. The more friends you refer, the more times you're entered. (Referred friend will automatically be entered in the current newsletter contest once). AUTHOR SHALL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES THAT PREVENT TIMELY RECEIPT OF AN ENTRY AND/OR RESPONSE. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE, THEN THAT MEANS I DID NOT RECEIVE YOUR ENTRY. In order to give everyone a fair chance at winning, no individual will be allowed to win a book in the newsletter contest more than once every three newsletters or within a six month period (whichever is the longest). Author reserves the right to publish winner's name on webpage(s) and in the newsletter. January/February 2007 winner of IN PLAIN SIGHT: Marilyn Wrinkler! Congrats Marilyn and hope you enjoy your prize .

GIVEAWAYS/GOOD DEALS/SHAMELESS PROMOTIONS and/or SITES THAT NO (ROMANCE) READER SHOULD BE WITHOUT:
AWE-STRUCK E-BOOKS – “Publishes ebooks in Romance, SF, SF Romance, Regency, Western Romance, New Age, Inspirational, Teen Fiction, and Historical, and we are unique to the reading world with our Ennoble titles that feature heroes with disabilities. All our ebooks are available in HTML, PDF, Palm, Pocket PC, Rocket; some titles are also available in eBookman, and Hiebook.” http://www.awe-struck.net

BLACK LITERATURE.COM – Your home on the web for books by, for and about Black people. http://www.blackliterature.com

BOOK-REMARKS – The website that promotes books written by or about African-Americans. http://www.book-remarks.com

EARTHLING PRESS – If you haven't checked it out yet, zip on over to Earthling Press http://www.earthling-press.com, your source of fine books in print. EP is an imprint of Awe-Struck E-Books, Inc. and brings to you the same great stories—and great giveaways and sales—from your favorite Awe-Struck Awe-thors…only in print! "Earthling Press—books from your home planet."

ENCHANTED RAMBLINGS – “Our review section is continually updated, reviewing the latest offerings from both print and e-publishers…We also play host to authors in our virtual bar-The Rambler's Inn. Feel free to drop by and enjoy an e-soda, while reading the latest interviews.” http://www.enchantedramblings.net/

EUROREVIEWS: “To bring WORLDWIDE attention to both print and e-Books, whilst encouraging the interest in Dutch publishers in the American reviews industry.” http://euroreviews.eu.funpic.de/index.php

FALLEN ANGEL REVIEWS – New Releases, Reviews, Interviews, Contests, Authors Pages, What the Authors are Saying! Author Extras http://fallenangelreviews.com/

FICTIONWISE – “Excellence in e-Books” http://www.fictionwise.com

GENESIS SUN: Here for your enjoyment is the next installment of the Genesis Sun
http://www.genesispromotions.com/Newsletters/Newsletter73.php Know someone who loves to read? Tell them to come and join the Genesis Sun to get the inside information on some of your favorite authors and contests.

JUST EROTIC ROMANCE REVIEWS: “The sensual side of romance” http://www.justeroticromancereviews.com/home.html
MIND LIKE WATER E-Book Directory: http://www.mindlikewater.com: Free ebook directory and marketing

NEW AND USED BOOKS: http://www.newandusedbooks.com – Features new releases, reviews, interviews, and contests. Don’t forget to check out their new format!

PAMELA TYNER BLOG: This blog was set up for readers to locate information about e-published authors’ new releases and/or contest information: http://ebooksreleasesandcontest.blogspot.com/
Readers, this blog will be updated on a regular basis. Add it to your favorites and visit often.

PARANORMAL ROMANCE (or PNR): “New Worlds Are Our Oyster...Join us if you dare...” http://www.paranormalromance.org

R.A.W.SISTAZ (Reading and Writing Sistaz): Literary Group and Online Book Club. One of Writer’s Digest 101 Top Websites for 2006! From the Website: “…main goal is to provide information to the African-American Literary Community regarding books, authors, events, and other industry news. We offer our services and our sites free of charge, as avenues to promote literacy, to encourage our authors to continue following their dreams and to facilitate the open exchange of literary information; basically connecting both readers and writers.” Check them out at http://www.rawsistaz.com

READERS READ™: Do you like to read a chapter of a book before you buy it? Stop by http://www.readersread.com/excerpts/ to read excerpts and first chapters from the newest books. Check back frequently.

ROAD TO ROMANCE http://www.roadtoromance.dhs.org/index.htm -- For Readers and Writers of romance fiction. Reviews, interviews, contests links, and much more! Also -- FREE BOOK offers from http://roadtoromance.dhs.org/freestories.htm The Free Stories Feature has been updated and given its own page. It used to be on the contest page. These are author stories and are linked to their sites, where you can either download them or read them online. Lot's of free reading here! Follow the links offered with each.

ROMANCE JUNKIES – The name says it all. For readers addicted to all kinds of good romance…check out your favorite authors, contests, reviews, interviews and up-to-date romance news. One of Writer’s Digest 101 Top Websites for 2006! http://www.romancejunkies.com

ROMANTIC TIMES BOOK REVIEWS – The Magazine for Fiction Lovers – Books, Authors, Magazine, News, Resources, Message Boards http://www.romantictimes.com

"SHADOW OF LOVE" Paranormal Romance – FREE Novel Download from Awe-Struck E-Books http://awe-struck.net/FREENVLTTE/freeshoflve.html

SIREN PUBLISHING, INC. – “Quality erotica romance for the sophisticated reader” http://www.sirenpub.com

SPECROM: Want to find out: What Science Fiction Romance is, anyway, and why does Science Fiction Romance deserve its own newsletter and website? Wellllll…you guessed it, another newsletter. But, if you're really into the genre and want to keep abreast of what's coming out and going on with your favorite sfr authors, then this newsletter IS a must (I know, that's what they all say). The newsletter, which hosts the yearly SAPPHIRE AWARDS for the best works in the genre, has been in publication since 1993/1994 and has had an active website since 1996. Visit Speculative Romance Online http://www.specromonline.com/ Click "Join SPECROM", then "Become a Member" to subscribe/gain access to the newsletter.

THE DREAM WEAVER – "For those who believe in the magic of dreams". It's easier than ever to read the Dream Weaver online! www.earthlycharms.com/dreamweaver.htm Or send a blank email: DreamWeaverNewsletter-subscribe@yahoogroups.com to subscribe and be automatically entered in the bi-monthly drawings.

THE ROMANCE STUDIO – “The romance genre today”. Latest romance news, contests and information about your favorite romance authors and the latest romance books. http://www.theromancestudio.com

THE ROMER REVIEW – “A diverse and proactive mix of resources, book reviews, and literary works to inform the African-American Community” http://www.theromerreview.com

WRITERSPACE – Stay informed about lots of your favorite writers (and regular monthly contests) in one monthly newsletter, and consider subscribing to Writerspace-News, where you'll be kept up-to-date on Janelle Denison, Jayne Ann Krentz, Elizabeth Lowell, Stella Cameron, Rachel Gibson, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Geralyn Dawson, Susan Wiggs, Diana Palmer, Marilyn Pappano and more. To subscribe, visit http://www.writerspace.com/news.html

ODDS AND ENDS:
Please feel free to share this newsletter (in its entirety and/or including the proper credits when/where necessary) with a friend or two...or a hundred! Encourage them to sign up. Or they can just drop me an e-mail expressing their wish to subscribe to the newsletter and I'll sign them up. Want to preview the newsletter and see if it's to your liking? Check out past issues of The G-Spot (formerly known as Gracie's Gazette) at http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewnewsletter.asp?AuthorID=623

If you've ever read any of my books and enjoyed them (I hope, I hope, I hope), why not consider hopping on over to Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, or Fictionwise.com and writing a reader review. I'd be ever so grateful!

Thoughts and comments on the newsletter and/or its contents? Drop me a line (especially if it’s a compliment ) and let me know what you think. Seriously. I’d like to hear from you. Who knows? Maybe I’ll create an Op-Ed/Reader’s Comments Section just for that. Hmmmm, that’s an idea…
And if you get a chance, visit some of my and my publisher’s sites below.

GCM—
http://www.graciecmckeever.com
http://www.myspace.com/graciecmckeever
http://blog.myspace.com/graciecmckeever
http://sirenauthors.blogspot.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/SirenBooks
http://www.awe-struck.net

Thanks for subscribing and see you next issue!

"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift." –Steve Prefontaine (1/25/51 – 5/30/75)

"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say, 'I used everything you gave me.'" -Erma Bombeck (2/21/27-1996)