Being Supportive in Groups is NOT a One Way Street #amwriting #MyWANA

See article by author Cassie Mae

Welcome back to Through Stephanie's Eyes. This week I'd like to talk a bit about a topic that's near and dear to my heart. I believe as authors, we should support and encourage each other in our goals to get our name, brand and books out there to the readers. There are literally hundreds of support groups out there to choose from but you have to BEWARE.  What may look on the surface to be a group that fully supports all it's members, may actually be one where you and a few others are doing all the sharing and promoting and getting nothing in return.

As you know, I'm one of several pen names for author Tammy Dennings Maggy. I'm the "good girl" of the bunch and write the mainstream romance and fiction. My audience is at best a PG crowd. My other alter egos have adult audiences and some of their work is EXPLICIT and only meant for the over 18 crowd. Okay they are definitely NC-17 rated. I still promote them here but with censored posts. That's to keep with the theme of this blog.

Now in support groups where it's stated in their rules that everyone must share and support each other, I don't think it's fair when members pick and choose what posts, links, tweets, and books they'll share with their followers. The excuse that the avoided material is not something they wish to be associated with because it's too explicit or goes against their morals is simply...

A crock of shit.

It's all well and good when these erotica, erotic romance and adult fiction writers share all members's posts and promotions to THEIR adult audiences, but not the other way around. Association goes both ways, folks. If you think an author's book is pornography, then what the hell are you doing in a group where your children's book is being presented to the fans of the porn writer? It's obvious to me your morals only come into play when you wish to make a high and mighty statement.

Honestly, it makes you look bad in the eyes of the other authors in your group. They're good enough to share your work with their connections, even though they may not be fans of it, and yet you feel it's okay to shame them by saying your "morals" won't allow you to post "that kind" of material.

There was an incident earlier this week in another group in which I'm a member. Seems a small fraction of the membership complained about one promotion of a book that had a couple making out on the beach. Mind you, the couple had bathing suits on, but according to the "moral minority" they refused to promote blatant porn. 

Let that sink in a moment. Ready? Okay now picture this. Some of the authors refusing to promote a bikini clad model on the cover book, want the author of the "offensive" book to tweet about their cartoon illustrated kiddie book.

These self-righteous few joined this group knowing all the ground rules ahead of time. They didn't have to join at all. They knew in ADVANCE there are erotica, erotic romance and spicy romance authors in the group and all are expected to reciprocate. It's the only rule of the group.

It's the one rule these few wish to change. They don't see why they should have to compromise their morals to participate.

Do you know the answer to this dilemma? What would've been the best course of action for these few to take in the very beginning?

DON'T join a group in the first place. LEAVE if there are promotions you don't feel comfortable sharing. No one is holding a gun to your head to stay but your actions and slamming the work of your fellow authors will earn you the label of yet another author behaving badly.

Don't be one of those authors. Join groups where you can give and receive the support you need. Don't start up groups saying you support all genres and then later ban specific ones. Don't try to change the group dynamics because you didn't read the rules nor did you think they actually applied to you specifically.

If by now you think I've been a bit harsh in this article, you're right. I've been pushed to this point and frankly, I'm sick and tired of it. There's no reason people have to treat each other this way: use them for what you can get out of them and then toss them aside like used Kleenex. 

I feel just as used when my email accounts, Twitter direct messages, and Facebook inbox is inundated with requests from authors and their street team members to help them promote their work. I don't have a clue who they are, and yet they think I want to take the time out of my day to spread the word about their self proclaimed novel of the century.

It would be nice to have a bit of a conversation going here and there. Some interaction between us like clicking the RT button or "share" button once in a while. It's NOT okay to send me fly by promo within one minute of me accepting your friend request or following you on Twitter.

You want support? You have to give it in order to receive it. They way to do that is to put YOURSELF out there for all of us to get to know a bit better. Then we'll all WANT to help you promote your work because we already like YOU.

Food for thought my lovelies. Until the next time.
~Steph

How to Send #Ebooks to Your #Kindle or Kindle App Without Going to Amazon Directly

Welcome to Wild Card Wednesday! This week I decided to touch on a subject that many Kindle users need a lesson on...

how to send ebook files to their Kindle or Kindle app without the "one click" purchase from the Amazon site.

I know some of you are staring at the screen and shaking your head. "How the hell can you do that?"

It's really easy and will enable you to be able to purchase your ebooks from sites other than Amazon if you wish. Yes, there are more sites out there that sell mobi format ebooks. Here are a few:

All Romance Ebooks

Omnilit

Bookstrand

Evernight

Ellora's Cave

Smashwords

Secret Cravings

and coming soon...Sassy Vixen Publishing

Not only can you get ebooks at fabulous prices from these sites, you can also win them during blog hops and other giveaways. Authors and other groups routinely giveaway free copies of their work to promote themselves and to introduce new readers to their stories. You can even take one file type and convert it to a Mobi file for your Kindle...that's a topic for another post, but you get my point.

If you know how to send files to your ereader, you won't be tied down to just using Amazon for everything. You do need the Kindle email address assigned to you when you registered with Amazon for an account. You have one even if you only have the Kindle App for your phone or iPad.  It should look something like stephryan@kindle.com

Now that's not my actual kindle addy but you get the picture. This is the email address you have to send all files TO.  Now what email account or accounts are accepted by your Kindle is up to you as well. Go into your Amazon account and choose the tab that says: Manage Your Kindle.  In there you'll find a spot where you can add all the sites that are allowed to send you material. In mine, I have my gmail account and Bookstrand's email. By allowing Bookstrand to send me stuff, I get an INSTANT upload to ereader. That's about as close to a "one click" shopping you can get!

Now if someone were to send me a ebook file, in MOBI or PRC format...or even PDF format, I can download the file to my computer.  I don't open the file yet. Instead, I send it as an attachment from my gmail account to my kindle address.

That's it. Within five minutes I have the file on my ereader. 

If you'd like more detailed instructions, here's a step by step on how to do it straight from Amazon. 

So go on and get used to sending files to your Kindle. You'll be able to receive ARCs from your favorite authors, become beta readers for others, read the ebooks you've won in contests, read PDF files for your job...anything you can think of, you'll eventually be able to do it. Go on. Give it a go!

~Steph

Pre-Release Day Celebration for @4SeducedMuses and @SassyVixPub #holiday #erotic #romance

Welcome to Through Stephanie's Eyes! Today is an exciting day for my publisher. We're launching a pre-release day party and giveaway for a new venture. Sassy Vixen Publishing joined with our friends The Four Seduced Muses to create their very own imprint. Their very first anthology is called 'Tis the Season for Seduction. It's made up of five naughty novellas that will melt your e-reader as well as your panties!

I know, I know. I'm the good girl of the SVP bunch, but I have to tell you. I loved every bit of this book from the sexy vampire to the menage a quatra. There's something for every fan of erotic romance all in one book.

Tomorrow SVP officially releases this one in all ebook formats and print. That's right. You don't have to wait four months to get this bad boy in print. You can get it now.

That's right. I said. RIGHT. NOW.

The book's already available on most major outlets including All Romance/Omnilit, Smashwords, and Amazon/Createspace. If you wish, you can enter to win a free ebook copy of 'Tis the Season for Seduction starting today. One lucky winner will get an ebook 
AND an Amazon gift card to boot!

No more waiting. Here's the Rafflecopter. Get as many entries as you can each day. Monday we'll announce the winners. 
Good luck!
~Steph


a Rafflecopter giveaway

#ImWithShea: STAND UP & AND STOP STANDING BY! #BRAVE #MyWANA

Welcome back to Through Stephanie's Eyes. The last time we visited together I shared a video I found on Facebook that literally brought me to my knees. The bullying depicted in the video led to the child attempting suicide. Of course the video was a dramatization depicting a "what if" scenario, but the actions were very real. That type of tormenting does occur on a daily basis and is getting out of hand.

It horrifies me to see more and more of these type of stories in the news. Just within the last few weeks two Florida teens were arrested for their part in the vicious cyberbullying that lead to the suicide of one of their classmates. Now another beautiful young woman is being harassed mercilessly by other students and strangers because she's different. 

Shea Shawhan is an 18 year old high school junior in Texas. For the last eight months she's been receiving horrible texts calling her ugly, whore, wishing she would have a seizure and die already.  Yeah, that sort of sick crap is going on by people who think they can say anything they want under the guise of being anonymous over the Internet and in text messages. 

Who does this sort of crap? Why on earth do this other than to get your rocks off out of deliberately hurting another human being?

It's time we all stood up to this sort of childish, mean spirited and ILLEGAL activity. These people think they can get away with doing this to Shea and others because they don't think they'll be found out or turned in. 

I've got news for you asshats. Sending threats and harassing messages over text, phone, or the Internet is a crime and they authorities do have the ability to trace where these messages originate. You will be brought to justice and the book thrown at you. No longer will you be able to hide behind the idea "kids will be kids."  The judicial system has ZERO tolerance for this sort of thing.

Whether you are an adult or a minor, you will be punished to the full extent of the law. Those of us with Shea will accept no less.  

If you are the target of this kind of harassment and bullying, don't keep quiet. STAND UP.  Tell the local police. Tell your story so others will do the same. Bullies only have the power if we stand back and let them have it.

I'm with Shea and all the others like her. Are you?

~Stephanie

To learn more about Shea and lend your voice with hers and her mother's, follow her on Twitter and Facebook.

Turning the Tables On The Norm: Bullying Hurts Everyone #BRAVE #MyWANA #ASMSG

One of my friends on Facebook posted a Youtube video that grabbed my attention immediately. By the end of it, I was in tears and moved to write about it. The creators of this powerful short film turned the tables on society "norms" by portraying a world where heterosexuality was considered taboo. Everything in day to day life revolved around this concept from school to religion.  Take a look for yourself.

I'll let you take a moment or two to compose yourself.  (passes tissues).  Okay?

This amazing video depicts bullying from a point of view you many never have experienced. As a heterosexual myself, I've never been picked on or shunned because of my sexuality, but I have friends and family who have. I stayed quiet about it for far too long thinking it would just go away if we ignored it.  Well it didn't and it won't.  The time for silence is over. 

Teaching our children to hate those people who are different whether it's because of their sexual preferences, weight, color or religion is wrong. By doing so, we create another generation of intolerant, narrow minded individuals. Instead of talking "smack," why not encourage you children to listen, learn and formulate their own ideas and opinions.  You may not agree with everything they say or do, but that's the beauty of life. If we're all cookie cutter images, life would be boring and we miss out on so many other experiences and possibilities.

Children don't just start out being mean and nasty. It's a learned behavior. They emulate the adults and older kids in their community in order to fit in or get attention. Look at the video again. The part in church where the reverend is condemning heterosexuals from the pulpit after laws have been passed to make it legal for "breeders" to get married mirrors exactly what's happening across the country now.  The teacher berating the child who was just bullied is classic. Telling the victim if they would only just try to fit in the attacks wouldn't happen is the wrong advice. That teacher should have stepped up and protected that child.

This is what the #BRAVE movement is all about. Stand up and make your voice be heard. If you see an injustice, speak up and don't let it go on. Don't sit back in silence hoping it will all pass over.  It won't. 

The differences between us are what make us unique and the world an exciting place to be. We can learn from each other and grow as human beings because of our differences. By cutting people out of your life who are different than you or hold different beliefs, you've not only done yourself a disservice, but also to those who could have benefited from having you in their lives.

Speak up and stand up for these children being tortured by their peers. STAND UP for marriage equality. SPEAK OUT against discrimination of any kind. You don't have to share the same religious beliefs, but support another's right to have their own or none at all. If just one of us stands strong with these innocents, another life can be saved.  Just like the song says, "Say what you wanna say and let the words fall out. Honestly, I wanna see you be brave."

♥♥♥♥♥

~Stephanie

The Quiet One Speaks Out #BRAVE #MyWANA

As the "good girl" alter ego, I've taken the backseat to Tammy and Lia. I've let them take the center stage with their writing and socializing for the last two years and it's been for the best. Now, it's time to find my own voice. I have opinions too. I may not write erotica or go on about BDSM, but I do have things to share.

While they've stood up and voiced their opinions about authors behaving badly, the arguments between what is and isn't romance or erotic romance to be specific, I've kept up the silent support. No more. I have very strong opinions about the same topics, (Don't get me started on Fifty Shades! LOL) but I feel Tammy and Lia can handle that part of our publishing world.

I've been involved in several author support groups and have to say most of them are okay. Some folks actually do support other members while there are those, more than a few really who just take all the group has to offer with little or no reciprocation. Whatever. I'm not going to get all bent out of shape if all of my tweets with a specific hashtag aren't retweeted. Geez! I've got bigger fish to fry and so do the rest of the people in that group. We all have to WRITE.

When did it all become about the number of twitter followers, likes on Facebook, followers on blogs and reviewing each other's work?  What happened to the WRITING??? With all the fancy "time-saving" tools out there now, authors are supposed to be able to tweet and update Facebook posts in advance by scheduling them to go off at specific times around the clock. Not only that, but many groups expect you to share every single post the other members make every single day. How do they do that? They set up the "shares" to go out at specific intervals, be it every 15, 20 or 30 minutes...around the clock.

Ummmm...that sounds a hell of a lot like commercials to me.  What do we all do with commercials on television? We tune them out or fast forward through them to get to "the good parts."

Well what happens when you fast forward through all the promo only to find...nothing. Not one thing the author posts is personal or in any way social. There is no engaging with others on Twitter and Facebook. "I don't have the time. I have to schedule my tweets for tomorrow and make sure I have the next posts in Triberr edited and shared to go out too. Oh and of course I have to set up all my direct messages with the thank you and please go like all my pages right now messages."

I'm just as guilty here. I post once in a while in this blog and every single day I make sure I share every post of my tribe mates on Triberr. The tweets from that go out every 15 minutes. Being the silent pen name of the three of us, that's all my feed has become...promotions for other authors and their works. Where is the SOCIALIZING???

Social media is supposed to be social. You're supposed to find new friends and connect on multiple levels and not just cram your new books down their throats. Sure we all want sales and wish to the Goddess someone sees our tweets and actually buys our books because of them. Why should they?  We're no better than those mindless commercials we choose to ignore. I mean I change the channel whenever the Humane Society ones come on. Seeing those sad eyed animals doesn't make me pick up the phone to donate. I see enough of that in my day job as a veterinarian.

What I'm trying to say is let's stand up and take back all the social media sites and return them to what they were intended to be—online gathering points to share bits and pieces of our lives and not endless commercials selling our books. Okay so I'm not published under Stephanie Ryan yet, but I am as Tammy Dennings Maggy and Lia Michaels. I do know what I'm talking about here. All three of "us" have gone about this all wrong...at least for us.

Won't you join me and buck against the crowd? Come on. Let's be BRAVE!

See you around!
~Steph

#ThursdayThirteen: @HouseofTaboo Author Lia Michaels Shares A Taste of Forbidden Destiny #eroticromance #LGBT #shifters

Welcome to Through Stephanie's Eyes. Today you're in for a special treat. My alter ego, Lia Michaels has released her first LGBT erotic paranormal romance. This one is a short story companion meant to wet your appetite for some sexy eagle shifters. To top it all off, these men are in the Army...whew!  I mean, you can't go wrong with sexy men in uniform.

Forbidden Destiny introduces you to Abraham and Ethan. These two star crossed lovers search for each other through their dreams where they can shift into eagles and soar high up in the clouds together. Have you all seen the National Geographic videos of the courting ritual of raptors like the bald eagle? Well, go look for some and you'll end up breathless watching them just like I did. It's an amazing sight.  

But I digress...

Let's get back to the task at hand and share the blurb from Lia's short story.

Ethan Quaderer is the Great Thunderbird, the creature of Native American legend.  From childhood, Ethan soared high across the land, as one with the majestic bald eagles—only larger and more powerful. Great Thunderbird has one mission, to save the Native American people. But first, he must find his Chosen, his soul mate.

Abraham Tuttle grew up in a household where being different was unacceptable. Forbidden.  He hid his true nature, a Two Spirit—not male or female, but both.  For many Native American tribes, being Two Spirit is a blessing, one to be honored and revered. Not so for Abraham.

Through the Thunderbird dreams each finds the happiness they long for. One dreams of the Great Warrior who’d someday rescue him. The other dreams of the one he’s searched for through many lifetimes.


Dreams turn into reality when both men come face to face in the real world. Can Abraham find it within himself to let go of his past and embrace his future with Ethan, or will his doubts and fears of who and what he really is cause him to lose the only one who could ever complete him heart and soul?

Got your attention now, don't we? ;)  Here's the first thirteen sentences. It's from the opening dream sequence through Abraham's eyes.

“Come to me, Abe. Together we’ll save our people.”

Abraham scanned the shoreline for the source of the deep, haunting voice. He walked up and down the trails in the woods surrounding the lake and so far he turned up nothing. That is, nothing but the bald eagles soaring high in the sky. 

As he watched the aerial display, one of the largest birds of the group broke away from the trio circling overhead. Abraham’s eyes followed the majestic creature through every dive and swoop back up toward the treetops. His breath caught in his chest each time the free fall began. “So beautiful.”

“Join me now, my Chosen. Together the Thunderbirds will bring peace and hope to all our people.”


Abraham’s heart raced and goose bumps immediately covered his bare arms.


Sorry folks. That's all you get for now. If you want to read more of the story, you can get your very own copy today from Smashwords, All Romance ebooks and Amazon.   I've already got my copy in my hot little hands. What's taking you so long? Go on. If you're over 18 years old and enjoy M/M erotic paranormal romances, this one's for you.

About the Author

Lia Michaels is the alter ego of bestselling poet and erotic romance author Tammy Dennings Maggy. With so many characters clamoring for their stories to be told, the job became a bit overwhelming for one sassy vixen to handle. Lia "volunteered" to explore the world of M/M erotic romance as well as menage. Tammy will still tell the M/F and F/F stories but don't be surprised if the two of them collaborate from time to time. With Lia, very few topics will be taboo so look for more fantasy and paranormal tales from her. She'll leave the more contemporary stuff to Tammy but still encourage her to push the limits!

Website/blog

Sassy Vixen Publishing

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

Until next time

~Steph

Easy Come, Easy Go: Dealing With Fair Weather Friendships As If You're in an Episode of the Real Housewives

This isn't the type of post I'd usually write for the Saturday Spotlight here at Through Stephanie's Eyes but I thought it was appropriate given the myriad of changes in the lives of many of my friends and that of my alter egos.  Both Tammy and Lia have new releases coming up and I've taken a backseat to help them prepare for those. Not that I mind one bit. I'm still finding my own niche and going through my old manuscripts. A few I've been able to tweak and get presentable and others are just, well, just NO! LOL!

Being in the background, many people forget I'm there and I end up privy to a lot. I've watched authors slam others for no reason other than they're perceived as threats and because they can. I've sat back and watched a close, dear friend (let's call her Jacqueline) make the decision to distance herself from another of our friends(let's call her Teresa) because she couldn't stand being lied to anymore. Okay, lying is a bit harsh, but it was enough of a problem "Jacqueline" just couldn't overlook any longer. Instead of confrontation, she ended their affiliation and online friendship with "Teresa." 

Teresa didn't understand why it happened, but instead of going to the source, the questions were presented to the online groups involving people who had no business getting involved. This was and still is an issue between TWO individuals and has NOTHING to do with anyone else.  So why can't others stay out of it?

It's only human nature to want to help a friend who comes to you upset, but it's another thing all together to add fuel to the fire. Instead of just supporting the friend and allow them to work it out, another person (let's call her Kim D) felt it was her "duty" as mentor, shoulder to cry on, den mother, and enabler to step in and demand an explanation. 

Wait. It gets a bit more convoluted. When the demand for an explanation was met with only silence from Jacqueline, the conspiracy theory wheels began turning. Now instead of an issue between two people who probably would work this out on their own if everyone else just stayed out of it, it's become a nasty bit of business with little barbs and digs tossed out about Jacqueline and any other person (let's call her Caroline) who appears to support Jacqueline.

All the subsequent B.S occurring is now based all on the word of "Kim D" who as it turns out has been trying to put wedges between Teresa and Jacqueline for quite some time. 

Low and behold Jacqueline and Teresa pick up the phone and start talking. Yay! They hashed out their differences, laughed about the silly crap that got them there in the first place and agreed to work on their relationship from that point on. Of course that's not what Kim D wanted to hear!

Ms. D is mighty upset. Seems Jacqueline and Teresa have been comparing notes and find out from each other all the little lies being told about not only them but Caroline and the rest of their little group of friends.  All of it being spread by one person...KIM D.

Kim D's hold on the group of friends is slipping and more of them are breaking away, moving on to greener pastures and leaving her behind. This doesn't sit well with her and she launches a whole new barrage of attacks, telling such ridiculous tales about former members of their group. All of it is proven to be false. 

Jacqueline, Teresa and Caroline continue on with their friendship and meet new friends along the way. Ms. Kim D...well, that's a tale for another day, my friends. The smoke around her hasn't cleared yet. I'll let you know!





Until next time
~Steph

#ThursdayThirteen From Author @ZeeMonodee And Her New #Multicultural #Romance The Other Side

Another week's gone by and I've another Thursday Thirteen to share with you. This one is from author Zee Monodee's contemporary romance The Other Side (Island Girls 1).  On August 10th, Zee visited with my alter ego Tammy on our sister blog Not Enough Time in the Day for the Saturday Spotlight. You'll want to stop in there and take a look. The author shares quite a bit about herself and this series as well as what's coming up on her project list.

The book we're teasing you with today, was released on July 30th and can be purchased from Decadent Publishing or Amazon. Here's the blurb to wet your appetite...

Divorce paints a scarlet letter on her back when she returns to the culture-driven society of Mauritius. This same spotlight shines as a beacon of hope for the man who never stopped loving her. Can the second time around be the right one for these former teenage sweethearts?

Indian-origin Lara Reddy left London after her husband dumps her for a more accommodating uterus—at least, that’s what his desertion feels like. Bumping into him and his pregnant new missus doesn’t help matters any, and she thus jumps on a prestigious job offer. The kicker? The job is in Mauritius, the homeland of her parents, and a society she ran away from over a decade earlier.
But once there, Lara has no escape. Not from the gossip, the contempt, the harassing matchmaking...and certainly not from the man she hoped never to meet again. The boy she’d loved and lost—white Mauritian native, Eric Marivaux.

Back when they were teens, Eric left her, and Lara vowed she’d never let herself be hurt again. Today, they are both adults, and facing the same crossroads they’d stood at so many years earlier.

Lara now stands on the other side of Mauritian society. Will this be the impetus she needs to take a chance on Eric and love again?

Here's the Thursday Thirteen "taste" from The Other Side...

She shouldn’t have come. The sound of her mother’s high-pitched voice crept over the din, asking if someone had heard a car stop in the driveway. They’d come out in the next minute.

Picking up her courage, and wishing it were Dutch courage despite her not being a drinker, she tore her fingers and head from the wheel and threw the door open. Lara peeled herself out of the vehicle at the same time a chorus of gasps resounded in the garden.

All three older women were over her like a bad rash. Hugging and kissing her cheeks, holding her face in their hands while they exclaimed how beautiful she had become. All of which were simply tactics to lull her into complacency for when they’d really pounce on the meaty topic—her divorce.

With their deceptively frail-looking hands on her shoulders, they pushed her toward the back door to the kitchen. A memory of being pushed around in the same way toward the altar on her wedding day, the glittery gold and red veil over her eyes, assaulted her. She stopped in her tracks, the pain coming in from nowhere to slice through her heart. The biddies must not have noticed her stilling; they simply continued to steer her inside until she was seated at the table. A plate of towering hot bhadias appeared in front her, along with a bowl of satini cotomili, the coriander, tomato, and chili paste-like dip Mauritians ate with all their fried foods.


Auntie Ruby, resident gossipmonger, lived up to her reputation. She had been the first to mention Lara’s failed marriage before they made it back into the house.

To find out more about Zee Monodee and her work, you can find her on her website, Amazon Author Page, Twitter and Facebook.

Until next time

~Steph

#ThursdayThirteen With Author @dochappycamper And #CoverReveal #eroticromance #LGBT

Welcome to a special Thursday Thirteen today at Through Stephanie's Eyes. I'm so excited to be a part of the celebration for my fellow Sassy Vixen author and alter ego Tammy Dennings Maggy. The third book in her now and forever series is going to be released within the next month. To get you all ready for it, she's agreed to share the first thirteen lines from The Surrender of Julia (Now and Forever 3) as well as give us a look at the fabulous and smokin' hot cover created by LMK Graphics. 

First let's take a look at the blurb...

L.A. artist phenom Julia Santos appeared to have it all. After a nearly two year long dry spell, her creativity was at its peak and she had her muse and model Jacob Hartley to thank for it. He brought the fire and raw sexuality back to her sculptures and into her bedroom, and a sense of security that only one other person in her life had ever given her. At last she had found the perfect balance between her professional and private lives, until the day a single call from someone in her past threatened to tear her world apart.

Fearful of losing all she’d worked so hard to accomplish, Julia delved deeper into the hedonistic lifestyle she’d come to rely on to give her an escape from the horrors of her past. Instead of bringing her comfort, her sexual urges lead her down the path of destruction; not only for herself, but those around her.  With Jacob fighting for his life after a near fatal motorcycle accident and Julia on the brink of death herself, Fate and her Guardian Angel Daniel intervene and transport her to a safe haven called the Island.


There she’s given a choice: stay on the Island and wait for her next rebirth, or go back and fight to be with the one who has been there for her through every lifetime.  Will she take the easy way out and leave all the pain behind, or will she choose the long and hard road reliving the horrors of her childhood in order to have her happily ever after with the Mistress of her dreams?

And now the gorgeous cover that brings Tammy's characters to life...

And here are the opening lines to tempt you even further...

“What if he doesn’t want to see me after all this time? What if he can’t ever forgive me for hurting him thirteen years ago?” Julia Santos continued to pace the floor of her art gallery as she wrung her hands together to keep from running them through her hair one more time. The new asymmetrical bob her stylist put her in did show off her raven colored hair beautifully, but Julia was having a hell of a time getting used to not having her locks piled on top of her head or cascading down her back.  The new cut was to help give her a more professional and confident look for one of the biggest meetings of her career. Now her nerves were shot to hell and her confidence was fading fast. I can’t do this now. I should never have let Carmen send that letter to him.

“Well at least you tried. If you end up doing the artwork for the club at the MGM Grande, you may run into him from time to time. His brother is Stephen Eischer’s right hand man. You’re going to have to work fairly close with him too.”

Julia stopped her pacing and stared at her lover and partner of over twenty-five years. “Carmen, I don’t think I can do this…”

Learn More About Tammy

Tammy Dennings Maggy is a multi-published poet and erotic romance author with Siren and Sassy Vixen Publishing. Her writing explores many facets of romance from ultimate betrayal to finding your soul mate. Her poetry serves as a companion to her novels and has inspired entire series all on their own. Tammy and her alter egos Lia Michaels and Stephanie Ryan make up the core authors at Sassy Vixen Publishing and together they've created the shared world series Temptations Resort. Look for the first books in that series to come out later this year.

Now happily married to her own Muse and soul mate, she continues to live her dream and act as secretary to all her characters demanding to have their stories told.

Check out:

Tammy's Website
Tammy's Blog
Tammy's Books on Bookstrand, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords,  and iTunesSassy Vixen Publishing
Friend Tammy on Facebook
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#CoverReval From @mtnmoxiegirl Author Amber Lea Easton

Welcome to Through Stephanie's Eyes and today you're in for an extra special treat. One of my friends and fellow authors has written a memoir of her journey to come back after the death of her husband. She details her struggle as well as that of her children to understand their loss and then to be able to go on without the head of their family. 

One of my own worst fears is losing my husband and having to go on with my life without him. Author Amber Lea Easton not only lived the nightmare, but somehow made it through taking care of herself and her children in the process. I'm honored that she agreed to share the cover of her new book with me here and on all of my sister blogs. The book should be available the beginning of August.  Until then, take a look at the amazing cover!

BLURB

One moment is all it takes to change a life forever.  In one instant—in my husband's final act—he stripped away my identity as wife, stay at home mom, and best friend.  In one moment our world crumbled from beneath our feet. He'd been the center of our universe, but then he was gone.  Everything I ever believed to be true unraveled before my eyes.  

Free Fall is our journey of piecing our lives back together again—overcoming children's anxiety as we traversed the brutal grief and trauma process, learning to say the word "widow" without cringing, surviving the fall out from friends and family who simply didn't understand our journey, triumphing over the stigma of "suicide", forgiving my husband, and finding peace amidst chaos.

This memoir is for other widows, widowers, survivors of suicide, children, or loved ones who need encouragement that there is another side to grief. There is. We're there now. We're looking back and holding our hands out to you saying, "hang in there, you're not alone, and you'll get here, too." 

About the Author

Amber Lea Easton is a multi-published cross genre author of romantic suspense, action adventure, mystery thrillers. Her current releases cross all boundaries and appeal to a wide audience. If you love a clever plot, action that will leave you breathless, riveting characters and sexy love scenes, her books will appeal to you. "Smart is sexy," Easton says, which is why she focuses on smart heroines who always have a lot to lose yet find the courage to face their fears to overcome adversity. She's an avid reader of all genres or "whatever turns her on in the moment".

Easton grew up in Hartford, South Dakota, where she spent her time daydreaming of big adventures over the horizon under a giant blue South Dakota sky. Now living in Colorado, she's an avid traveler who incorporates her real life travels into her novels as much as possible (minus the illegal activities her characters become immersed in--she swears). To her, setting is another character in the novel and often serves as an inspiration. Love is her motivation for all things--whether it be writing, traveling, playing with her dogs or hanging with her two teenagers--if it's not done with love, then what's the point?

Where to Find Amber

Website

Amazon

Smashwords

Barnes and Noble

Bookstrand

Twitter

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#OhMy!Monday: Author David Russell Presents Literary Erotica At It's Finest

Welcome to Oh My Monday. I'm Stephanie Ryan and your host today for a real treat. Don't let the title of the post fool you. Today's guest author has written a piece of erotic literature, but it's definitely not in the same explicit categories as that of my alter egos. This novel has been described as "literary, lyrical, and poetic." That alone intrigued me and the excerpt provided piqued my interest enough that I wanted to find out more. Trust me. This is not like many novels labeled as erotica. 

This is a beautiful example that there are many different levels to erotic literature with varying heat levels. That's what makes all of it fabulous! So sit back and enjoy author David Russells' Self's Blossom.

Blurb

This is about a young woman's self-discovery. Selene is a 'success story', having become a top journalist, while retaining her dazzling looks. However, in the past she has had unhappy relationships, and feels she has missed out on hedonistic fun.  This she obtains, firstly with a young stranger on a beach, and finally with enigmatic Hudson: tryst is preceded by cultural tourism, and careful sizing up of minds. Afterwards Selene returns to her 'I stand on my own' attitude.

While she is on holiday, her mind is free to ramble, often into Selene's chequered past. Flashback blurs into the present, past-rooted interior monologue into direct observation. The dialogue is sparse. Selene is a cautious, premeditative type, in whom thought, reflection and analysis outweigh direct action.

Selene’s subtle, monitoring mind coolly observes and controls all the events. Maybe she is super-confident, or perhaps has a deep, underlying insecurity. She is many things to many readers.

Excerpt

Here, she was on a beach, pure and simple. Now the sea breathed heavily, whispering and murmuring to her. It was returning her stare, speaking to her. It was the spirit of love, beckoning her with a pulsing, sinewy body. In all its lines, shades, and fleeting forms, Selene saw the essence of pure beauty, all grace of form, flesh, limb and feature. It was in one, all the lovers of whom she could possibly dream, conflated into one elemental ideal. He, pure love in soul, bade her to enter his domain and make it hers. His arms moved her hands to unclasp, unbutton, and unzip . . . the blossom emerged. The sun became the eye of all that was not earth, and Selene loved fully, though the pallor of her skin left her momentarily abashed.

At first she lay in the tide's path, the top of her head at its most extreme mark. The sand bank made a soft bed. The sea lover smoothly caressed her calves, thighs, hips, breasts, shoulders, and cheeks before retreating to pause in his mossy pinnacles. Three times this action was repeated, and then Selene stood up, wading in with arms outstretched. Her arms were linked, as she stood up to her neck in the saline flow. The balls and heels of her feet wobbled, slithering on the moss. With the next wave, she lost her balance – her breath prepared in unison with the hissing around her. She threw her head back, once again horizontal, and launched into a backstroke, sweeping and circling. She parted her legs wide with each thrust of motion, each sweep of self-propulsion pushing out to answer the cavernous currents of his passion. Seven circles gave her a delicious, warm bliss –then the sea lover, well pleased, carried her back to a near-dry bed. Aching and contented, Selene dozed a while.

About the Author

Born in the UK, 1940. David has been writing erotica since the mid-1980s. Published extensively in magazines and anthologies (including anthologies from Forward Press in Peterborough UK.

Book Publications 'Prickling Counterpoints' (Selected Poetry & Prose), Deadline Books 1998, 'Romantic Undress' (Erotic Poetry & Prose) JazzClaw Publications 2000. Current romantica/erotica publications are 'Self's Blossom' (novella), and 'Explorations' (short story), published by Devine Destinies; 'Therapy Rapture' (poetry,prose and artwork) published by Rose Dog Books. Forthcoming are two short stories, 'My Dream of Madonna/An Ecstatic Rendezvous', to be published by XoXo Publishing.

Also recordedsinger-songwriter: vinyl album, 'Bricolage' recorded by Billy Childish for Hangman Records 1992; CD albums 'Bacteria

Shrapnel' and 'The Burglars of Britain' (1998)

Website

Facebook

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Sensuous Promo’s Book Tour for Fairy Dust by Carol Shenold #fantasy #paranormal #romance

Welcome to the sixth stop in Sensuous Promo’s Book Tour for Carol Shenold’s, Fairy Dust. 

Can a half-fairy and a were wolf find true love and save the world the same day?

Fairy Dust by Carol Shenold

Half fae/half witch, Ande Ryan’s deepest desires are simple: a stress-free, fun evening with a nice guy, to earn the respect of her peers in the Paranormal Investigation Unit, and at long last, learn to use her Goddess given fae magic.

Instead, she fights a demon, gets mugged by a pixie, meets her soul mate and oh yeah, has to try and defeat a wizard with the help of a six-foot elf and a wolf—Cal Masterson.

Cal had no idea that his first encounter with Ande Ryan would include a fight with a demon or an intense attraction to the red-haired fairy who displays as much courage and determination as any wolf in his pack. Will Cal overcome his need to protect her as they both fight the odds and allow her fulfill her destiny?

Purchase from AMAZON

http://tinyurl.com/crq2vf6

Excerpt

The thing coming at me barreled out of the trees, leaping from shadow to shadow.

Its rotten-meat smell drove me back. It didn’t hesitate before it threw itself at the circle shield. Sparks flew off, crackling in the air and weakening the shield. It kept coming, like the crazy it was, slamming itself into the arc, weakening it more and more until one of the impacts threw me back, into my own energy and through it. 

Okay, out of protection here. I threw myself over to land on my knees and came up in a crouch.

The ghoul looked around as if it couldn’t figure out where I went. When it saw me, it let out a snarl and flew toward me. I sent a stream of earth fire at his sorry ass but missed because I levitated at the precise moment I let the stream of fire loose. Ahhhhh.

It always happens at the wrong time. If I ever get control of the flying thing, it will be so great. 

Now the darkling was truly confused, and I sent another tiny but forceful fire stream toward him. This time I didn’t miss, and he burst into flame, at least his arm did.

He screamed with frustration because he couldn’t see where I was, flailed around a bit, and ran back into the trees.

“Damn it.” I needed down before the hell dog came back so I could get rid of it.

What if some kid came along. Not one child but several, in a group, with a leader came skipping toward the bridge. Damn, I shouldn’t have had that thought out-loud.

“Go back,” I yelled as loud as I could. “Hurry. Run.” The kids were chattering at the top of their lungs. The leader tried to push them faster, wanting out of the park before the sun set altogether I guessed. They didn’t hear a word I said.

Shadows crept toward them, and one shadow moved away from the others. It was back and heading straight toward the kids.

“Up here, idiot. Leave the kids alone. I’m your prey. Come on, use that one cell you have for a brain.”

“Oomph.” I dropped like a dead fairy, directly in front of the thing. I was toast.