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Annabel Allan: Wildfire

Today I’m delighted to welcome Annabel Allan to my blog to give us an insight into her work as an erotic romance writer.

Over to you Annabel…

How did I get into writing erotic romance?

I already had a background in romance (historical romance), so the romance part was easy! It was the erotica part that was actually difficult to get into, since my sex scenes before were just “love scenes” and didn’t go into descriptive detail.

I found inspiration in other novels, such as Maya Banks Breathless Series and Shayla Black’s Wicked Lovers Series (both excellent series!). It was great to find hot erotic romance that I could learn from. I tried to learn from their style and adapt my own.

It was a learning experience, that’s for sure! But, I just did as my muse told me and wrote Wildfire, which at the time was under the working title Licking the Flames.

I actually had no plans on making a series, but I had inadvertently made the ending open ended for a second novel. My spidery-sense must have been tingling at that point!

After I queried a few publishers and agents, I got accepted by Accent Press and signed for a three book deal, which of course, led to four books. Again, not my plan, but you got to go with the flow.

I saw that office romances were actually quite popular, so I decided that would be the setting. Then I used my ideal man for Quinn and based Stephanie on myself, hence it being her POV. I then just took fantasies and turned them into prose. It seemed to work, especially with the romance aspect of the novel.

I also decided to set it in my city, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I know the city fairly well and figured being in a big city can make for some good drama, as seen in Firewhirl.

What’s next for Annabel Allan?

It’s actually going to be the BDSM world with her new series Risqué Behaviour. Much like Shayla Black’s Wicked Lovers series, a personal favourite of mine, it’s going to take secondary characters from each novel and make them main characters in the next. Each will have a theme and it’s going to be extremely spicy. I’m very excited for it!

Blurb for Wildfire

Stephanie Fournier is a simple assistant at a law firm in Toronto, Ontario. She has her 9 to 5, but her real dream is to be a famous writer — until Robert Quinlan, the gorgeous CEO of the company takes up her thoughts. At first she takes to his obvious interest with glee…and then he finds out she’s a virgin. His sudden disinterest is not only embarrassing, but awkward around the workplace, especially with the heat still present between them. Stephanie sets out to prove she’s unshaken, only to entice him back into her thrall. But can an amateur really win over an expert in the art of seduction?

Buy Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wildfire-length-erotic-romance-Chaser-ebook/dp/B01AI4G9UW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502031132&sr=8-1&keywords=Wildfire+Annabel+Allan

Website: www.stephanieohanlon.com (temporarily)

Facebook: www.facebook.com/annabelallanauthor

Twitter: @annableallan

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Bio-  Annabel Allan is the pen name for author Stephanie O’Hanlon. A full-time author living in Toronto, Canada, she loves to write spicy novels with a romantic twist. See her Smoke Chaser series released by Cariad.

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Many thanks for dropping by today Annabel. Good luck with Wildfire.

Happy reading,

Kay xx

Getting Acquainted with Anal Play

I’m delighted to welcome Elizabeth Morris to my site today to give us the lowdown (no pun intended!) on anal play.

Over to you Elizabeth…

Anal play is a subject that we get asked about all the time and tends to provoke excitement and confusion in equal measure. Anyone with an interest in all things erotic will likely have at least considered anal play either alone or with a partner. But getting started can be a bit of a minefield. So, we thought we’d do this “quick start guide” with all you need to know.

What is Anal Play?

Anal play is any sexual activity that involves stimulating the anus (entrance to the bum) and/or the rectal passage, either in men or women. While anal play typically involves penetration, it need not. For example, rimming or performing a “rim job” is when you lick your partner’s anus. The rusty trombone is when you reach around and perform a hand-job while simultaneously rimming. Anal play can be done alone or with a partner.

Why is it Enjoyable?

In both men and women, the anus is an area rich in nerve endings and hence stimulating with a tongue for example is pleasurable even if no penetration is involved. In women, the rectal wall and the vaginal wall are very close so when anally penetrated, pressure is put on the back vaginal wall which creates a pleasure sensation. If also vaginally penetrated (double penetration) the vagina will feel tighter which feels great both for the lady and the guy penetrating. Anal stimulation when coupled with clitoral stimulation eg receiving oral sex with a butt plug inserted will lead to more intense orgasms.

In men, anal penetration is all about stimulating the prostate gland aka the P-Spot. For a detailed explanation on this see our guide to prostate massaging. In short, stimulating the prostate is thoroughly pleasurable for men and can, in and of itself, lead to orgasm but when coupled with penis stimulation, it can create far more intense climaxes eg orgasming while having anal beads inserted.

Do I need to Prepare for it?

“Fail to prepare, prepare to fail” as the saying goes, is relevant for all things anal. While spontaneity is great, a little prep’ work will go a long way to enhancing your anal experience. If you know you will be having anal sex later in the day, it is best to keep food to light meals. Try to empty your bowels in advance and ideally take a quick shower straight after to clean the area. You could consider also using an anal douche which gives the area a rinse clean and leaves it sparkling in perfect readiness for your anal escapades!

Remember that the anus is not self-lubricating, unlike the vagina for example, so lube, lube and more lube is the recommendation here. While any lube will help, try to get a thicker consistency anal lube as will last longer during play than a water-based one for example.

To get started, consider just adding the tip of your finger into a well lubricated anus during masturbation sessions just to feel your way in, literally. As you get more comfortable, consider adding a partner and/or some toys to facilitate a deeper penetration.

Are there Anal Specific Sex Toys?

Yes, there are a whole host of sex toys on the market designed to make anal play more enjoyable. Men can choose from a vast array of prostate massagers and vibrators specifically designed to drench their prostates in pleasure. Women interested in exploring double penetration can choose from an array of double penetration vibrators. Butt plugs and anal beads are perfect for men and women alike and are designed to stay in place while you do other enjoyable things such as oral sex for example. While when we think on anally penetrating a man, we tend to think of gay men, this isn’t strictly accurate. Straight men can be penetrated by a woman using a strapondildo in an act known as pegging. This really mixes things up in a straight relationship with a boring sex life by adding a whole new dimension to sex. Of course women can chose from a range of strapon dildos which can be used on men or women, anally or vaginally as per preference. As mentioned above, regardless of the anal play that you are going to partake in, always remember plenty of lube.

OK, that’s it, I hope I have given you food for thought and enough to commence your anal adventures! Thanks for reading. Finally I have included a video guide below to butt plugs which should also be of some interest!

Find us at-

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CarvakaSexToys @carvakasextoys

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarvakaSex/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carvakasextoys/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/carvakasextoysuk

BIO:

Elizabeth Morris holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and is the resident content marketing manager @ Carvaka. Carvaka Sex Toys  is an online retailer which specializes in adult toys and specifically Vibrators.

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Many thanks Elizabeth! Can’t beat a bit of anal

Kay xx

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CarvakaSexToys @carvakasextoys

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarvakaSex/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carvakasextoys/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/carvakasextoysuk

My First Time: H K Carlton

It’s interview time again folks. In the hot seat- revealing her ‘First Time’ – is my lovely friend in erotica H K Carlton. Why not join us for a cuppa and a chat?

First Time

Can you remember writing the first story you actually wanted to write, rather than those you were forced to write at school? What was it about?

The first story I remember writing, funnily enough was probably an erotic story, or at least as risqué as a girl can get at fourteen. It was nothing more than a fantasy about a friend of my brothers. As I recall, it was the first time I used the word cock. How scandalous! It wasn’t a word I was allowed to use. Not that a young lady of that age should be using certain words but I came from a fairly strict and somewhat religious household and certain things were not to be said let alone written.

Unfortunately, I shoved the unfinished story, under my bed and one day while vacuuming, my mum found it. Sex of any kind was not discussed in that house.  Instead of addressing the issue with me, for some unknown reason, my mother turned it over to my holier-than-thou older sister who took great pleasure in handing my pitiful little blue-lined sheets with the dirty words on them, back to me, all crumbled from the run-in with the vacuum hose. I remember she said, “Mom found these,” with a sanctimonious smirk on her face. I was so embarrassed. They’d obviously read it. In tears, I tore it up and I never wrote another story, not even ‘acceptable’ ones, outside of schoolwork, while I still lived under my parent’s roof. Sadly, that was the end of my writing for many years before I found the courage to try again.

On a happier note, I do recall writing a story for grade 8 creative writing class, that did not feel like an assignment at all. I had such a ball writing it. It was one of those times when my pencil couldn’t keep up with my thoughts. It was the first time I’d ever earned an A++. Hell, I believe it was the only time. LOL. I was extremely proud, especially when the teacher’s comments were complimentary and encouraging. Eleven pages of foolscap. Anybody remember that stuff? J It was about a stolen ring. I still remember the title, The Winkwaddle Detective Agency. I’m off to copyright that right now! J

What was your first official publication? Was that erotica?

My first book was entitled Swap, an erotic contemporary romance for Totally Bound, about a woman who had the hots for her hunky brother-in-law. I had two submissions out at that time, to two different publishers. Swap, to TB, and a historical romance with another publisher. Happily, both were accepted within weeks of each other.

I had no idea I’d be an erotica writer- it just came from nowhere! Was writing erotica something you intended to do, or was it a bit of a shock?

It was a total shock for me as well, especially after the bumpy start. I never thought being a published author was in the cards for me, regardless of genre. When I finally found the courage to write again, I did it for me with no intention of doing anything with it. My head was so full, I had to get it down on paper and out of my mind. When I finished, I didn’t feel like it was half bad. So, I did a whole lot of research and started fumbling my way through the process.

I intended to write historical romance because it was the genre I loved reading most, at the time. I’ve penned a few historical romances, but even they push the line of what true historical romance readers want to read. The sex scenes are a bit too explicit even if the language is tamed.

In Lost Time, I was able to combine both my loves—the historical elements along with erotic romance. To this day, it is still one of my favourites.

losttime_postcard

What affect did that have on your life?

I’m busier and have had to figure out how to budget my time between work and real life. But I’ve also kept my writing a secret from the majority of my family and that can be tricky at times when deadlines and release dates loom. Of course, my husband and kids know. My three children are extremely supportive and proud of me. I’ve always encouraged them to follow their dreams and they are happy for me that I’ve gone after mine. My closest sister (I have two, this one is not to be confused with the censorial one :p) has always been my champion and confidante. She was one of the first people I told when I began sending out submissions. But I have kept this secret from my mother, out of respect for her beliefs, and from my other siblings. I can only imagine my oldest sister’s smirk now, if she found out about my dirty little secret. LOL. Though perhaps now, the joke’s on her. 😉

Does your first published story reflect your current writing style?

I find this a hard question to answer at the moment. I’ve been going through a bit of a rough patch, writing lately. It’s not writer’s block, the ideas are there, but I feel as though I’m all over the place and second guessing everything. But then again, perhaps that does reflect my writing style. Though when I look back at my first publication Swap, I wonder if that wasn’t a more genuine HK than some of the things I’ve been writing recently.

What are you working on at the moment?

At the moment, I have several things on the go, including a sequel to Lost Time —though I have been working on it for years—It just hasn’t come together to my liking yet. I’d also like to continue Miranda and Jordan’s story, from Next Weekend, about a couple who discover a little something new about one another. One small problem, they are in the midst of divorce proceedings.

AdrenalineLust_FB

I’m also looking forward to starting edits on an m/m, erotica, gay-for-you story, Adrenaline Lust, that has been contracted to eXtasy Books. Also in the past week or so, I’ve finished final edits for an f/f erotic short story, entitled In the Flesh, which will be included in the Ladies Only anthology for Pride Publishing.

 

 

Author Links

Blog http://pickagenrealready.blogspot.ca

Twitter https://twitter.com/authorhkcarlton

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/authorhk.carlton

Amazon http://viewAuthor.at/HKCarlton

Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6544863.H_K_Carlton

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Buy Links

Lost Time

Totally Bound https://www.totallybound.com/book/lost-time

Amazon  http://getBook.at/LT

Pre-Order Ladies Only Anthology

Pride Publishing  https://www.pride-publishing.com/book/ladies-only

Amazon http://myBook.to/LOantho

Adrenaline Lust – Coming soon Add to your wish list http://www.extasybooks.com/adrenaline-lust/ EXtasy Books

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Thank you so much for such a great- and heartbreakingly honest – interview. I can’t imagine who awful you must have felt to have your earliest work mocked. I take my hat off to you for trying again later.

Also- I want you to write that detective book!!

Happy reading,

Kay x

 

My First Time: Zander Vyne

It’s time for another in my interview series, ‘My First Time.’ Today I’m delighted to welcome to Zander Vyne to talk about her early erotica writing experiences.

First Time

Can you remember writing the first story you actually wanted to write, rather than those you were forced to write at school? What was it about?

I had a fabulous creative-writing teacher in high school, so I began writing things I liked way back then. But, it being a school situation, I didn’t feel free to fully express myself in writing until much later in life. The first story I wrote with that sense of creative freedom was an adult fairy tale called Amethyst’s Feather. On surface, it was about a princess expected to marry and love the right kind of man who secretly longs to be with a mysterious man she’d met as a child. On her wedding day, she runs from the church, breaking free from convention only to discover her dream lover is an immortal beast and not a man at all. But she loves him anyway. It’s a morality tale which was actually a break-up letter to the person I wrote it for, to convince them to choose the beast over me (the more obvious choice).

ARCove-S

What was your first official publication? Was that erotica?

Amethyst’s Feather turned out to be the first story I sold. It was erotica, I thought, but a member of the writing group I belonged to at the time told me it was not erotica at all. My story contained “rape” and “beastiality” she said. She strongly discouraged me from submitting the story and warned that the editors would be horrified and never work with me again if I broke their “rules”. Instead, I wrote the editors, explained my dilemma and storyline and was asked to submit Amethyst’s Feather. They bought it, and this was the beginning of a long association with one of the editors. To my knowledge, the lady who found my story so offensive never went on to publish anything.

I had no idea I’d be an erotica writer- it just came from nowhere! Was writing erotica something you intended to do, or was it a bit of a shock?

I never set out to write erotica. Back in the early days of the internet, I was into chatting online. I loved interactive story-telling. I also developed an interest in BDSM (mostly the D part). Some of my early stories came from scenes or sprang out as ideas based on talks with people also interested in the lifestyle. So, yes, this writing direction was a huge shock. I’d always assumed I’d write horror or romance. Erotica gave me a chance to combine the two and opened a whole new world to me.

TalesofaVampireHunter_ebook_Final_small

What affect did that have on your life?

Writing erotica created issues with my family and friends. This was before FSG made erotica “okay” for all but the most uptight people. I saw most of my writing as mainstream, literary . . . more like Anais Ninn, Henry Miller, and other current, popular authors. Though I wrote my fair share of porn, most of my work was more about the impact our relationship with sex has on us as people and less about the sex itself. But it turned out most people didn’t feel that way in my Midwestern suburban community of Catholic girl-scout moms. Suddenly, I was a peddler of porn. One step removed from a paedophile. It was hard to take at first, but ultimately, their narrow minds opened mine and made me more determined to stick with writing what moved me, regardless of what anyone else thought. It encouraged me to be even more shocking. I worked in the film business for a long time and learned when people react strongly to you, you’re doing something right. I did stop talking about it while I grew a tougher skin and learned to write to please me and not others. Just to make life easier for my kids, I keep my pseudonyms separate and seldom discuss my writing with the soccer moms in my ‘hood or members of my family who are not supportive. I also support other writers with a vengeance through writing groups, workshops, encouragement, and help through many entities, including blogs, a small press publishing company, and an author services company.

Does your first published story reflect your current writing style?

Not at all! Though Amethyst’s Feather did push buttons, and explore topics that made some uncomfortable, it was really a morality tale . . . a fairy tale. Possibly the only one I’ve ever written. Now, I tend to try new styles, new genres, and new ways of expressing ideas. I love complex stories told using sparse language and writing that challenges me as well as the reader.

Bespelled by Zander Vyne Cover Art blog size

What are you working on at the moment?

I am working on finalizing print versions of my Tales of a Vampire Hunter novellas as well as an omnibus edition combining all three books. The publishing company is forming imprints and working with several clients in various genres. And I am writing a fun mainstream novel under another name as well as developing a grizzly thriller with my writing partner and a YA novel about a teenager’s murder in a small suburb very similar to the one I live in. Like much of my erotica, the surface story will be about one thing, but underneath, it’s a book about the way people judge others and think they know people, when actually few of us ever truly know others.

Buy links –

Amethyst’s Feather

Universal Amazon eBook link for Amaranthine Rain (a Short-Story Collection) which includes Amethyst’s FeathergetBook.at/Amaranthine_Rain_Amazon

Universal Amazon paperback link for Amaranthine Rain (a Short-Story Collection)getBook.at/AR_Amazon_print

Bespelled: Tales of a Vampire Hunter 3

Universal Amazon eBook link – getBook.at/Bespelled_Amazon (Print coming soon. I’d advise people to wait for the omnibus edition coming out in print and eBook forms this summer)

Link to Zander’s website zandervyne.com

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Random facts about Zander Vyne:

I used to let people think Zander was a he, to sell more stories, and because it was fun having a penis (even if imaginary, those things are the shit).

Unusual talents – drunken palm-reading and Improvisational story-spinning (usually not at the same time)

Fears – big ass spiders (because, really . . . a spider in your ass is scary as fuck); Bad punctuation (recurrent nightmares about it creeping into finished books)

Loves – weird people, head-banging music (extra points if made by a woman), sailing (lived on a sailboat for five years), used-book stores

Best job I ever had- (besides writing, which is not a job, but a love) working in a movie theatre

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Many thanks Zander- fabulous interview!

Happy reading,

Kay x

My First Time: Janine Ashbless

It’s time for another in my interview series, ‘My First Time.’ I’m delighted to welcome the multi-talented Janine Ashbless to my site today.

Over to you Janine…

First Time

Can you remember writing the first story you actually wanted to write, rather than those you were forced to write at school? What was it about?

I wrote fantasy a novel when I was 18, set in my own secondary world that I’d been imagining for years. A bunch of ill-matched people meet up and then basically encounter that world’s analogue of Jesus. Yeah, I was a Christian at the time…

It was waffly and badly plotted. I think I’d rather die than read it again!

What was your first official publication? Was that erotica?

It was erotica (“Party Piece”, published 1998 in “Sugar and Spice vol. 2” by Black Lace)

sugarspice (1)

I had no idea I’d be an erotica writer- it just came from nowhere! Was writing erotica something you intended to do, or was it a bit of a shock?

I wanted to write ghost stories! The erotica was something I thought about ALL THE TIME but I had no idea anyone actually published that sort of thing. Once I knew it was legit, there was no stopping me…

What affect did that have on your life?

That short story led to a collection of shorts from Black Lace (“Cruel Enchantment”) and from there to every other book I’ve written and a complete change in career and lifestyle. It’s changed my life immeasurably.

Does your first published story reflect your current writing style?

I’ve loosened up and become less wordy, faster paced.

What are you working on at the moment?

“The Valleys of the Earth” – the second in a trilogy about Fallen Angels, following on from “Cover Him With Darkness”.

Buy links to your first published story (if still available) and links to latest book. http://www.amazon.com/Sugar-Spice-2-Black-Lace/dp/035233309X/ref=sr_1_35

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sugar-Spice-Black-Short-Collection/dp/035233309X/ref=sr_1_1

Latest book:

FallingDeep (003)

http://www.amazon.com/Falling-Lovers-Wheel-Janine-Ashbless-ebook/dp/B01C639HPC/ref=sr_1_1

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01C639HPC

 Bio

Janine Ashbless is a writer of fantasy erotica and steamy romantic adventure. She likes to write about magic and myth and mystery, dangerous power dynamics, borderline terror, and the not-quite-human.

Janine has been seeing her books in print ever since 2000. She’s also had numerous short stories published by Black Lace, Nexus, Cleis Press, Ravenous Romance, Harlequin Spice, Storm Moon, Xcite, Mischief Books, and Ellora’s Cave among others. She is co-editor of the nerd erotica anthology ‘Geek Love’.

Born in Wales, Janine now lives in the North of England with her husband and two rescued greyhounds. She has worked as a cleaner, library assistant, computer programmer, local government tree officer, and – for five years of muddy feet and shouting – as a full-time costumed Viking. Janine loves goatee beards, ancient ruins, minotaurs, trees, mummies, having her cake and eating it, and holidaying in countries with really bad public sewerage.

Her work has been described as:

“Hardcore and literate” (Madeline Moore) and “Vivid and tempestuous and dangerous, and bursting with sacrifice, death and love.” (Portia Da Costa)

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Fantastic interview- thanks Janine. I had no idea you had been a library assistant as well- so many of us in the world of erotica!

Happy reading,

Kay x

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