Synchronous Rotations Release

Synchronous Rotation by Lynn Townsend

In a reimagined 1890's London, where steam-driven airships rule the skies
and monsters roam the streets, Duncan Farnsworth is discovering that being a
vampire is not exactly good for his chances of finding love, continuing the
family line, or getting a bite to eat. Maneuvering his way around a
sarcastic butler, his spinster sister, a run-in with an amorous werewolf,
and finally confronted by a dead soldier and a French airship captain,
Duncan finally finds exactly what he is thirsting for.

Continuing the storyline begun in the Shifting Steam anthology and continued
in The Blister Effect, Synchronous Rotations takes a look at another player
from that infamous card game, Duncan Farnsworth. If you like your steampunk
with a little supernatural on top, Synchronous Rotations should wind you
right up.

buy link

(At the time of posting, all stories are ON SALE, so if you haven't read these yet and want to, this is probably a good time to buy them...)

Author Extra:

Meeting Agnes, From The Blister Effect

"Agnes," Dex said, presenting the woman to Seth, "this is my dear friend,
Lord Maitland. My lord, allow me to present to you Doctor Agnes Kerohen,
brilliant blacksmith and inventor. The new engine here in the Venti is her
creation. It allows the airship to travel nearly twice the distance as other
ships this size, with much greater maneuverability. She is a genius."

"Absurdite! Jou will not make away with my secrets so easily, through jour
flattery." Agnes visibly preened under Dex's attention and Seth found his
hands curling into fists. Talons bit into his palm. Shocked, he opened his
hands. He'd not known anything but the moon could drive forward the change.
Seth took several breaths to calm himself and the cracking, fever-heat of
the shift slowed.

"I can but try. I shall never be your equal."

"In zee ships, no, but jou are briliante, how do you say, in matters of zee
tiny cogs. Not like my airsheep here, but zee small, zat must work with zee
human body. Zere is no one else who understands zee human body like jou."
Agnes smirked up at Dex, winking. "Come! I vill show joo zee sheep!" With
that, the tiny woman flounced away, her hips swinging suggestively as she
led the way deeper into the belly of the airship.

"Did you just growl?" Dex stared at Seth in astonishment.

More Smut for Chocoholics... Submissions Call

Due to the success of Smut for Chocoholics, Kev “Mitnik” Blisse is pleased to announce that he is putting together another edition. This time I’m pleased to announce that Tilly Hunter is joining me as a Guest Editor.
More Smut for Chocoholics will be a collection of erotica with a chocolate theme edited by Tilly Hunter and Kev “Mitnik” Blisse.

The More Smut for Chocoholics anthology will feature stories from a variety of genres, but they must all about indulgence, taking wicked delight in the erotic consumption and use of chocolate. Think taste, feel, smell.

Read Smut for Chocoholics to get an idea of what is required.

Requirements

Submission deadline: 25th Nov 2013

Genres: Any

Theme: Chocolate

Pairings: Any

Word count: 3,000 – 6,000

Payment

Royalties will be split 40% of the net profits with contributing authors, exact values will be given once we know how many stories will be in the final anthology. Royalties will be paid to each contributor once their share reaches a minimum threshold of £20.


How to Submit

Please format your story in Times New Roman, 12pt font, double spaced with each new paragraph indented by ½ inch. Use quotation marks in dialogue.Submit your story by emailing it as an attachment with the filename:

“your story – your pen name – chocoholic.doc”In your email, please remember to include your pen name, author bio and links along with the story word count and genre.

Send to: choc@smutters.co.uk

Release Blitz; Random Acts of Crazy by Julia Kent

Random Acts of Crazy by Julia Kent

Review snippets: USA Today Bestseller! 346 pages

Top 20 ebook in the entire Nook store -- Top 5 New Adult book on Amazon --Top 5 Romantic Comedy on Amazon -- All Romance eBook bookstore Best Seller

"It was funny and irreverant like Wallbanger, but deep and moving like Barbara Elsbourg's Strangers. That is a tough mix to pull off. I should warn you though, this book should come with a surgeon general's warning: 'Do not start this book if you have any where to be, anything to do or need to pretend to be remotely interested in conversations with breathing human beings that are not currently also reading this book.' Enjoy!" -- Amazon reader review

"Random Acts of Crazy one of the best if not the best books I've read in a long time. Could not put it down. I laugh so hard my side hurt. Thank God I didn't pee myself!! Congratulations on such an awesome read." -- Goodreads reader review

"Be warned, this is not your mother's romance. It's hard and gritty and smacks you in the face like that burst of heat when you first open an oven door, which is exactly what makes it a  refreshing change from a typical sticky sweet love story." -- Featured Staff Pick from Cat at All Romance eBooks

Blurb:


I never intended to pick up a naked hitchhiker wearing nothing but a guitar. A guitar. Really. I don't collect guys like that (don't ask what kind of guys I do collect), but when you spot a blonde, tanned, sculpted man with a gorgeous smile and his thumb poking up and practically begging you to stop - you stop.

And I definitely never thought I'd be staring into the bright blue eyes of Trevor Connor, the lead singer for Random Acts of Crazy, an indie rock star I followed like the slobbering fileshare fangirl I am. How he came to be nude and lost six hundred miles from home is quite the tale, but how we fell in love is even more unreal.

Because someone like Trevor Connor, headed to Harvard Law next year, isn't supposed to want someone like me, a rural Ohio chick majoring in Boredom at Convenience Store University who is all curves and frizzy blonde hair and manners so unpolished they have sharp edges that make you bleed.
But he did.

When his best friend, Joe Ross, the bass player for Random Acts of Crazy and a man who makes Calvin Klein models look like Shrek, drove eleven hours through the night to rescue him, though, it got real complicated. It's one thing to like two different guys and be torn.

What do you do, though, when maybe - just maybe - you don't have to choose?

As my Aunt Josie says sometimes, "It's always complicated."

Available from:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
iTunes
Kobo
Bookstrand
All Romance eBooks
Smashwords

* * * * * *

Random Acts of Crazy is a standalone, full-length novel (300+ pages, 85,000 words) featuring Darla Jo(sephine) Jennings, the 22-year-old niece of Josie Mendham from the Her Two Billionaires series. It has, like many New Adult novels, an exploration of sexuality for the three main characters, doesn't shy away from mature content, and Darla has a sailor's mouth.

******

My info:
Twitter: @jkentauthor
Facebook:
Blog: jkentauthor.blogspot.com
Bio:

Julia Kent turned to writing romance novels after learning that she could not work as a fighter pilot because her fear of flying disqualified her. Turning to her second love, she became a dog groomer, but had to abandon that job after adopting too many strays. Writing about very real, very flawed people is a natural extension of her life and, well, her. She lives on the east coast with her partner, two small children, seventeen dogs that weigh less than fifteen pounds each, and a monthly consumption of Nutella, brie and french bread that makes cardiologists cringe.

She is originally from Ohio.

She loves to hear from her readers by email at jkentauthor@gmail.com, on Twitter @jkentauthor, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/julia.kent.100. Visit my blog at http://jkentauthor.blogspot.com

Final Kristina Wright Submission Call

Passionate Kisses: Erotic Romance Fantasies for Couples

Editor: Kristina Wright

Publisher: Cleis Press

Submission Deadline: November 1

Payment: $50 per story and 2 copies of the book, on publication

E-mail: kissesantho@gmail.com

In the tradition of Violet Blue’s Sweet anthologies, Passionate Kisses will give those sexy couples’ fantasies a romantic spin. These are romantic, passionate, meant-to-be-shared stories that capture the wild and wicked fantasies of couples in love. Anything goes between partners in love and these sexy tales should push boundaries and make me blush!

Please read my previous Cleis Press anthologies, especially the first two editions in the Best Erotic Romance series, to get an idea of what I’m looking for in this collection. The anthology will be primarily heterosexual with a female audience in mind, but lesbian and bisexual scenarios are welcome. I have a preference for realistic stories with contemporary settings, but any time period will be considered. The usual taboos apply: no incest, nonconsensual sex, bestiality or underage characters, please. According to Romance Writers of America, a romance must include two key elements: a central love story and an emotionally-satisfying, optimistic ending. In erotic romance, the sexual component is critical to the development of the romantic relationship.

I will consider up to two stories per author. Please be sure to follow all of the submission guidelines. Unpublished stories only, no simultaneous submissions. Please do not send me a story that is being considered elsewhere. The desired story length is 2,500-4,500 words. Double-space and indent the first line of each paragraph.  Do not put extra spaces between paragraphs. Include your full contact information (legal name/pseudonym, mailing address and phone number) and a bio of 50 words or less written in the third person.  Please paste your story into the body of your e-mail and attach it as a Microsoft Word .doc file. Send your submission to kissesantho@gmail.com with Submission: Story Title in the subject line.  Please direct any questions to the same address. The deadline is November 1, but earlier submissions are very much appreciated.

Payment will be $50 per story and 2 copies of the book upon publication.  Contributors retain the rights to their work and Cleis Press has final approval over the stories selected for the book. All submissions will be confirmed upon receipt and all authors will receive a reply once the final book has been approved. If you have not received a response by March 1, please feel free to query me.

Gratitude

About 18 months ago, I went to a writer's workshop at our local sci-fi con (MarsCon... which is awesome and if you are local, you should totally go!)

At that time, I'd just gotten notified that On the Fly was going to be picked up for publication, so I had three stories accepted; Golden Moment, Shadows of Kenfig, and On the Fly. Not many. Certainly not enough that I considered myself a professional writer.

(I have since been informed - rather tartly -  that I became a "professional" the moment someone paid me to write. So, there's that.)

Anyway, I attended two writer's workshops that weekend, one for hooking your reader with a good opening paragraph or two, and the other for scene setting. Allen Wold, his daughter Darcy, and Danny Birt were among the panel members who were offering their advice.

I wrote two paragraphs. (I cannot find the original draft with my notes on it from the seminar, but rest assured, it was pretty rough.)

"Do you know, Jamison," Duncan Farnsworth, Earl Leveret said as he stripped off his gloves and deposited them in his hat, "what the absolute worst thing is about being dead?" The sun was skimming the horizon. Another few minutes and he might have had some unpleasantness. Jamison closed the heavy door behind his master and Duncan shuddered with relief. 

"I fear you are about to tell me, sir," his butler replied, entirely uninterested.

"It is simply this; being deceased has done nothing to improve the quality of my social engagements." 

"Perhaps, sir," Jamison said, ushering his lord into the parlor and folding the rain-damp coat over one arm, "you should lay down and play dead with slightly more conviction."

Those starting paragraphs went on to become the beginning of my soon-to-be-published short-story, Synchronous Rotations. (Which will be out July 3rd, from Torquere press.)

Synch is the 3rd of my London Steam saga (started with Shadow of Kenfig and continuing in The Blister Effect) but it stands alone better than Blister Effect did. I've also learned to Make Sure that the fact that it's a continuation story is in the marketing materials. Blister Effect did not do as well as I'd hoped, probably because the only review for it, the reader was fairly confused.

In a reimagined 1890's London, where steam-driven airships rule the skies and monsters roam the streets, Duncan Farnsworth is discovering that being a vampire is not exactly good for his chances of finding love, continuing the family line, or getting a bite to eat. Maneuvering his way around a sarcastic butler, his spinster sister, a run-in with an amorous werewolf, and finally confronted by a dead soldier and a French airship captain, Duncan finally finds exactly what he is thirsting for.

Continuing in the story-line begun in the Shifting Steam anthology, and continued in The Blister Effect, Synchronous Rotations takes a look at another player in that infamous card game, Duncan Farnsworth. If you like your steampunk with a little supernatural on top, Synchronous Rotations should wind you right up.

I sent both Allen and Danny quick emails today letting them know that I had been very well benefited by the seminars.

[sic]... congratulations. News like that assures me that it's worth while to continue with my workshop. I'll be doing it again next year, as I do it at other places as well. But you're on your way to not needing it any more. More stories, more stories! -- Allen Wold

Calling All Writers, Deadline Extension!!

SEX OBJECTS: AN ANTHOLOGY OF EROTIC ROMANCE STORIESEditor: Delilah Devlin
Publisher: Cleis Press in Spring 2014
Deadline: July 1, 2013 July 15, 2013 

SEX OBJECTS: AN ANTHOLOGY OF EROTIC ROMANCE STORIES is open to all authors.

Editor Delilah Devlin is looking for hetero stories for a romantic erotica anthology tentatively entitled SEX OBJECTS: AN ANTHOLOGY OF EROTIC ROMANCE STORIES. 

High powered, high ranking...and in high heels. 

The term “Sex Object” brings to mind a curvaceous starlet on a casting couch or an iconic, bee-stung-lipped beauty being pursued by a powerful, capable man. Turn that concept upside down by allowing the woman to objectify a handsome, sensual man, using the concepts of role reversal and power play but from a female perspective, and you have the makings of something evocative and fun for the feminine, romance reading audience.

Imagine powerful women unafraid of going after the men they want...
* A beautiful divorcee stepping out for the first time as a single woman with a paid male escort.
* The movie producer using the casting couch to lure the latest movie heart throb into a torrid affair.
* A university professor calling a male grad student into conference to discuss his “thesis.”
* A worldly corporate boss asking for “dictation” from her personal assistant.
These women will be masters of their own domain, in charge and proud...capable of using sex for pleasure's sake...but ultimately succumbing to the pull of desire created by the "objects” of their desire.
SEX OBJECTS will seek contemporary stories, although the editor is open to a futuristic or historical. Exotic, international settings will be considered. Traditional themes/tropes can be used, but writers are encouraged to create tales that surprise. Delilah seeks unique stories from authors with strong voices, and above all, she’s looking to be seduced by tales filled with vivid imagery and passion.
Published authors with an established world may use that setting for their original short story.

Keeping in mind that this volume is targeted at women, the editor seeks mainly hetero stories, but will consider bisexual or lesbian encounters and polyamorous relationships. This is erotic romance, so don’t hold back on the heat. Stories can be vanilla or filled with kink, but a deep sensuality should linger in every word—and don’t miss describing the connection between strong-willed individuals learning to trust and love one another. Keep in mind there must be a romantic element with a happy-for-now or happy-ever-after ending. Strong plots, engaging characters, and unique twists are the ultimate goal. Please no reprints. These must be original stories.

How to submit: Prepare your 1,500 to 4,500 words story in a double-spaced, Arial, 12 point, black font document with pages numbered (.doc, NOT.docx) OR rich text format. Indent the first line of each paragraph half an inch and double space (regular double spacing, do not add extra lines between paragraphs or do any other irregular spacing). US grammar (double quotation marks around dialogue, etc.) is required. 

In your document at the top left of the page, include your legal name (and pseudonym if applicable), mailing address, and 50 words or less bio in the third person to realsexobjects@gmail.com. If you are using a pseudonym, please provide your real name and pseudonym and make it clear which one you’d like to be credited as. Authors may submit up to 2 stories. Delilah will respond in December 2013. The publisher has final approval over the stories included in the manuscript.

Payment will be $50.00 USD and two copies of the published book upon publication.

About the editor: Ms. Devlin has published over a hundred and twenty stories in multiple sub-genres and lengths with Atria/Strebor, Avon, Berkley, Black Lace, Cleis Press, Ellora’s Cave, Kensington, Kindle, Montlake Romance, Running Press, and Samhain Publishing. In Fall 2011, she debuted her first anthology with Cleis Press, GIRLS WHO BITE. Since then, she has published SHE SHIFTERS and COWBOY LUST. SMOKIN’ HOT FIREFIGHTERS and HIGH OCTANE HEROES  release in summer 2013.

Direct any questions you have regarding your story or the submission process to Delilah at realsexobjects@gmail.com.

Guest Writer: meet Khelsey Jackson

What are your greatest challenges in your writing career?

I would say hoping that people will love my work like I do

When did you find out that you wanted to be a writer? What inspired you to put pen to paper?

It was after my daughter Khira was born, so about 5 years ago

Of your published works, do you have a favorite? Why? 

I love all of my books but Kallos was my first

Do you ever want to go back and edit an older story? 

ALWAYS! lol I always think hmm...I should add this to that

How do you decide on character names?

Some are based after my family and other I go to a baby name site

Tell me about your first publication. Who was it with? How did you feel when you got that acceptance?

Kallos was my first accepted novel with Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly. I had to read the email a few times and had my husband read it before I believed it.

(Note: Funny, I had to do the same thing... get my husband to read my acceptance, I mean)

Tell us about a real person who has had a lot of input to your work, someone who inspired you or encouraged you, or even discouraged you and you have to prove them wrong.

If you read Kallos you have seen Sean Hunter, I based him after my husband Sean. It's a little weird when people message me telling me how much they are in love with Sean but I love it. I really didn't have people discourage me, not to my face at least.

What projects are you currently working on? Are you willing to share a small excerpt from a work in progress?

I am working on Kallos' Soul (book 3) and a story with my husband. I have a small excerpt for Kallos' Sorrow (book 2) that comes out in Aug



Kallos could feel the pressure ease in her head. It was as if there was extra weight in her head. She was going to have to talk to her about that. She couldn't be there if it was going to hurt her. Kallos shut her eyes and let sleep take her over and she began to dream.

Warm arms wrapped around her and soft voice whispered in her ear, “I love you more that life itself.” He was standing behind her and his face was against hers. He smelled good and she turned to face him. Ian was smiling at her, his stunning baby blues sparkling with love.

 Oh Ian, she thought. She missed him so much. Did he even know how much he’d hurt her when he left? Did he even care? she wondered.

“Ian I miss you,” she said in the dream, and he gently kissed her forehead.

“I know,” he murmured, stepping back enough to stare into her eyes. “But it needs to be this way.”

Kallos shook her head. She didn’t want to be without him. “Why?”

Ian ran the tips of his fingers down the side of her face. “Just because, my love.”

She glared up at him. She knew this was her dream, so she should be able to control what happened in it. He should be doing what she wanted him to do, and saying what she needed to hear, because it was her dream.

“Just know I am always here.” He touched her chest above her heart.

Kallos shook her head again, that wasn’t enough she wanted all of him. “That’s not fair! I want all of you Ian. Not just in my heart,” she shouted and pushed on his chest, but he didn’t move an inch.

Ian smiled down at her, a sad look in his baby blue eyes. “I know it’s not fair, I have to go now.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek before turning around to leave her.

“Ian, please don’t leave me again,” she begged.

Ian paused for a second, and then began to disappear.


What's your writing routine?

I need a drink and music :)

Is there a character or story that's stuck in your head and won't leave, from either your work or someone else's?

Yes all of my characters are always in my head

(Note: I feel the same way... my head is getting a little crowded.)

What writers or novels do you consider “must reads”?

Anything by, Cynthia Eden, Cameo Renae, and Richelle Mead

Tell us three things about you that are interesting.

1 I drink coffee all day
2 If I'm writing YA I listen to Teen Pop it gets me in the mood
3 I was raised by my grandmother

Links

FaceBook 
Twitter 
Amazon Author Page
My publisher