Wednesday 31 August 2016

Work in Progress

So apart from editing the Love & Lust in Space anthology what am I working on…

Several things:

1.     The anthology mentioned above in which I have a story, too. Hope it will be out later this Autumn.

2.     A sequel to Naughty Christmas Wishes which will be called Naughty Christmas Present. Aiming for it to be out this Christmas.

3.     A crime anthology where the stories are taken from real life family history stories I have uncovered in my researches. Won’t be out until 2017.

4.     A kid’s fantasy story involving lionmen, merfolk and fairies. That may take much much longer!

5.     I did start on the next in the Haunt of the Wolves series but didn’t get very far!


Monday 29 August 2016

Love & Lust in Space anthology

Love & Lust in Space anthology



I can now declare we have an anthology! The stories that were submitted fell into two categories: futuristic earth and alien worlds. So the anthology will be in two halves with one epilogue story which covers both those areas.

I will tell you more about the stories and authors in due course, but as the publisher said, ‘They are a cracking set of stories’! All I will tell you is that we have MF/MM/MFM stories, which includes weightless sex, sex toys, an alien princess, BDSM, exotic dancers, alien archaeologists, hired killers, an alien ambassador, reproduction in space experiment, futuristic virtual reality and randy astronauts (well, that’s exactly what we want!).

One of the stories is mine involving a woman married to a man who has sex only once every five years when she discovers a Sonic Dilda’tor and uses it to enhance their marriage…

Actually my story came out of the Sex in Sci-fi workshop I did at the last Smut event and at the end I had them do a sci-fi cluedo exercise (a person, a location and an object). The example I gave was Miss Scarlet on Vulcan with a Sonic Screwdriver – so I adapted that. She is now Skarlet on Vulvania with a Sonic Dilda’tor. I am saying nothing more. You will have to read it. J


Hope it will be out later in the Autumn. Watch this space…

Friday 26 August 2016

Wicked Weekends

WICKED WEEKENDS


Author: Hazel Hughes

Title: Dance with Me

Genre: Steamy Romantic Suspense

Sexual orientation: MF

Type: novel

What’s hot: Sherry and Alexi get down and dirty as she cleans him up after his performance at the Lincoln Center.

Blurb:

Reporter Sherry Wilson-Wong knows she’s crossed the line. But playing Alexi Davydenko’s drinking game—a shot and a kiss for every answer—is the only way to loosen the bad boy’s lips. She gets her story, he gets his fun. But his answers only lead to more questions. And Alexi wants more than fun. 

Digging into the ballet company’s shadowy secrets, Sherry learns that the beauty on stage masks some ugly dealings. The more truths she exposes, the more lies she’s forced to tell herself—investigating a company with ties to the Russian mob isn’t dangerous, and licking every inch of Alexi’s naked body while hunting down evidence of his guilt isn’t a conflict of interest. With each touch and each kiss, she's falling deeper in love with the very man who could destroy her.

Buy links:






Title: Finally His

Author: Doris O’Connor

Genre: BDSM/Contemporary

Sexual Orientation: M/F

Type of story: Novella

What’s hot? Sex on the stairs, Bondage, Spanking, Champagne and Ice cube play ;-)

Blurb:

Jolie Pierson has lusted after her hot as hades boss forever, so when he finally takes notice of her, she can’t help but melt at his dominance. Besides, it would be rude to not give him a present on his birthday, right?
Richard Tomlin never dates the women at his office. However, this woman makes him forget all the rules and brings out his primitive instincts—to take, to devour, to mark her as his until everyone knows she belongs to him.

Buy Links:






Wednesday 24 August 2016

Rio Olympics reflections

Reflections on the Rio Olympics

It was a fabulous fortnight and the end result was that GB is the only nation to beat their medal haul in the Olympics after they host it with 67 medals (27 gold, 23 silver, 17 bronze) and defended over 12 of their titles. YIPPEE!!! Well done everyone.



There were lots of firsts including: first ever hockey gold (and others), first time 2nd in medals table, first ever trampoling medal, first woman to win four Olympic gold medals in total - Laura Trott (see pic below with fiancee Jason Kenny who won three golds); world records in cycling, swimming; Glover and Stanning unbeaten in 39 races going back over five years; fifth consecutive Olympic title in rowing - men's fours; first person to win eight Olympic medals - Bradley Wiggins; the women's team pursuit cycling record was broken THREE times during the course of the event in Rio by Great Britain Katie Archibald, Elinor Barker, Joanna Rowsell-Shand and Laura Trott; and many many more.



I think it's a credit to how inspired Brits were after the London Olympics to take up sport themselves but also how it inspired sponsors to fund our athletes in various sports to give them the resources to enable them to train and achieve this result!

Brits get no prize money - a medalist might gain the notice of potential sponsors to continue their training – the key word is ‘might’. It seems Jason Kenny has no sponsors other than national funding, despite now having six medals (hopefully he will now get the sponsorship he deserves). Unlike some countries who give money, apartments, cars, and sausages(!). One person after 2012 Olympics had a national holiday and a lighthouse named after him in Trinidad and Tobago!

Interestingly, the year we only got only gold (Atlanta in 1996) appears to have been the kick up the backside because the following year UK Sport was instigated and funding went up from £5m to £54 in a year. These days it is in the hundreds of millions – but well spent if it encourages people to go out and keep fit! 

Lump in the throat highlights included NZ and US athletes in the women’s 5000m who stopped to help each other after a fall and inspired the other to continue (see below), a British taekwondo athlete who missed out on gold in FINAL second and who was so distraught (but well done his opponent). Nick Skelton for winning gold at 58! Mo Farrah being tripped up but getting back up and winning and a selfie taken by North and South Korean athletes.



It was also heartwarming to hear how many of our athletes have overcome injuries, illness (one athlete was at death's door with a 5% chance of survival), asthma, bowel disease, and personal issues to get to the Games.

On top of this there was some debatable or severe judging in various sports and some boxing judges were even removed although it didn't change things for the poor athletes who were at the harsh end of their dodgy judging.

There were also a lot of other controversies including ethics of a poor country like Brazil undertaking the Olympics in the first place but also the Russian drugs scandal, sex scandals, arguments, and athletes who lied.

A friend said she thought sport was a gentleman's pursuit. I laughed and pointed out sport isn't gentlemanly when you consider so many of the sports involves punching someone in the head (boxing), wrestling you to the floor (wrestling/judo), kicking your body (taekwondo), hitting your ankles with a hockey stick (hockey), tackling you to the ground whilst running (rugby), tripping with you whilst running even if it is accidental (long distance running), firing a tennis ball and other items at your opponents body at lightning speed (tennis and other sports), drowning your fellow swimmers (long distance swimming/triathlon/water polo), cutting in front of your opponents at high speed causing them to crash (cycling), cutting in front of your opponents and causing them to capsize (sailing),  stabbing them with a sword (fencing/modern pentathlon)....

Sad things - apart from all the controversies, was presenter Charlie Webster who was in a coma for a time after completing a 3000 mile bike ride to Rio for charity. Wishing her a good recovery. And possibly watching the end of Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps at major events.


Amusing things included the Tongan flagbearer who came on with a hunky oiled chest! And the GB cyclists who had been told not to shave ‘down below’ to avoid saddle sores!

Here is a great review of how well we did with lots of fun graphics


And this one relates to medals by numbers
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/37148372 

I had fun with this Olympics – I put up bunting and had tablecloth/plates/and cups with GB flag, did teddy bear Olympics with my great niece (our opening ceremony below!), had gold, silver and bronze medal chocolates which I ate after each relevant win by a member of the GB team (had to go out and buy more gold medal chocs!).





Also had a great weekend with a friend who stayed over for the middle weekend – we had Olympics pot luck for dinner one night as we were too busy watching the tv to cook so it was whatever I had in the fridge!





And now it’s all over for another four years.




Monday 22 August 2016

First Chapters - BDSM Weekend

I’m back from hols with the next in my first chapters series. 




Lindsey Park Manor

Wanting variety in your sexual lust?

Then come to Lindsey Park Manor, near Thorpe-in-Lindsey, on the A159, for a splendid three-night stay at a renowned manor house, equipped with rooms and activities that will suit whatever predilection you should desire.






Prologue


Dear Mr Shaw,

I am delighted to confirm your booking of a holiday package at Lindsey Park Manor. The ‘Weekend Kink’ course is particularly popular for newcomers to the so-called ‘deviant’ sexual practices we teach here. Most of the other delegates will be in the same position as you and your wife, wanting to experience more than you currently do in your lives. There will be the opportunity to experiment with various tools and techniques such as whips and floggers within a safe—and tutored—environment.
Please find attached a map of the estate, with details of our location, and the ‘Weekend Kink’ programme with the list of sessions, demonstrations or activities from which to choose.
Mistress Beatrice and I look forward to welcoming you. Do feel free to contact us if you have any queries beforehand.
I remain,
Your servant,
George Lindsey.

Hell! James put the letter down on the kitchen worktop and stepped back, almost distancing himself from the evidence of his folly. He was unsure if he had made a huge mistake booking this holiday for him and his wife, Caroline, or if this would take things to the next level in their relationship.
They had been together for twelve years since meeting at university, married for eight, and on many occasions in the last few months had tried out several BDSM toys. His attempt at wielding the bullwhip brought a smile to his face. Instead of hitting Caroline’s backside, all he had managed to do was knock over a vase that happened to be a family heirloom.
Okay, so it was bloody ugly and deserved to be destroyed. The whip had whistled up in the air and got tangled in the lampshade, much to his humiliation. Meanwhile, Caroline rolled on the bed in hysterics. So much for his attempt at dominance.
“What’s the look for?” James jumped as Caroline walked into the kitchen straight past him and the incriminating evidence, heading for the kettle.
Uh-oh.
James snatched the letter back, thrusting his hand behind his back.
She stopped suddenly, half way to the sink, her long blonde hair whipping around her face. The kettle was in one hand and her other hand on her hip. With her good humour was gone, she frowned at his action, clearly guessing something was up.
“What have you done?”
“Umm.” Oh God. How do I tell her?
“James! You’re hiding something. Out with it.” Her tone was commanding.
Anyone would think she is the dominant one! James insisted on taking control in sexual matters, but outside she could be very strong-willed.
He finally broached it. “I’ve booked us a weekend trip away.”
Confusion came over Caroline’s face. “That’s good—and unexpected. Where?”
“At Lindsey Park Manor. It’s in Lincolnshire.”
Caroline frowned again. “Don’t know it. Why there? We haven’t been talking about a holiday, and it isn’t my birthday or anything.”
James cleared his throat. “It’s a special venue.”
“Sounds like it. A manor and all. So, do they have a spa or golf course?”
Noooo.”
She put the kettle down with a bang. “James!”
“Okay, okay.” Taking a deep breath, he readied himself for his big announcement. “It’s a place that does BDSM holidays. I’ve booked us onto the package for beginners.” James’ heart was racing by the time he finished.
Caroline’s blue eyes opened wide and her jaw dropped.
James decided to jump in while he had the chance. “It’s a beautiful manor in lovely grounds with great activities such as whipping in the dairy, and flogging at the pillory, and a gala dinner, and—” He stopped. Caroline was holding her hand out. She wiggled her fingers and James suddenly realised she wanted the letter, which he handed over very tentatively.
She scanned it quickly, widening her eyes at the point where he guessed it said deviant sexual practices. He winced.
“And when did you decide on this?”
“I wanted it to be a surprise.”
His wife chuckled—and it wasn’t a nice one. “Oh, it’s that all right.”
He nervously asked his next question, “So, are you pleased?”
Pleased?”
Uh-oh! Even if her tone didn’t sound good, her expression told him how she felt. His heart plummeted and he knew he’d made a big mistake.
“You expect me to bend over in front of an audience and let you spank me, or flog me, or other things?”
Things couldn’t get worse so James went for it. “Yep. Probably naked, too. That’s you, not me. At least I don’t think the Doms get naked in public.”
There was a moment of utter silence before Caroline burst out laughing. His mouth twitched and he couldn’t hold back the smile as Caroline continued chuckling hysterically.
“It wasn’t that funny. Come on, Caro. If you are really not happy then I can contact them and cancel the booking.”
As usual when Caroline giggled that much, she got hiccups. Taking some deep breaths, she held her nose before she could talk normally. “Oh, darling. You’re not exactly Dom material. I mean, I know you are in the bedroom, but really!”
James gave her a mock growl. “One of us has to be the Dom, otherwise I’d imagine they will split us up and give us both a Dom.”
Caroline’s eyes opened wide. “I’d love to see you naked being led around by a woman yielding a whip.”
She yelped as he swiftly grabbed hold of her and planted her on the worktop, arms either side of her legs as he brought his face up right up to hers, narrowing his eyes as he did.
“If you ever think I’m having a woman spanking or hitting me—even you, sweetheart—you can think again!” James had only been joking about them both being given Doms. He would leave if that happened.
Before she got the chance to respond he spread her knees wide, pushing up her skirt and pulling her close to him.
Ooo! Just what I like. A strong man.” She wrapped her legs around his waist and leaned back slightly. “Go for it, lover.”
“Lift your butt, Caro. I don’t know why you bother with knickers. In fact, I don’t know why you wear so many clothes. It will be wonderful to have your gorgeous body naked and available to me at all times when we are at the manor—if you want to go.”
His wife tensed and made a face. “Yes. You and everyone else there. What happens if I don’t want others touching me or worse?”
James paused in the process of pulling Caroline’s knickers off and frowned. “Well, for starters, they make it quite clear everything has to be consensual. And, besides which, I will only let you have sex with someone I approve of.”
Caroline looked intently at him. “Are you serious about me having sex with others?”
He tried to sense her mood. “To be perfectly honest, I have no idea until we are in that situation whether I could cope with you having sex with anyone else. Even if I am, you still have to be happy doing it.”
She nodded and he knew that meant she would go.
“Great. We’ll just see what happens and play it by ear.”
Reaching down she cupped him through his jeans. “Or play it by cock.”
James grunted and pushed her hand aside to pull down his zipper to release himself. “If you are going to do any playing, do it properly.”
Caroline grinned and did as her husband requested, fondling him just as she knew he liked. He throbbed in her hands.
“It’s always amazing how quickly you get me going.” James groaned. “You’d better be wet because I’m coming ready or not!”
Her response was to widen her legs as he pulled her right to the edge enabling him to slip inside her.
Oh yes, she’s ready, all right! Good thing she was on the pill. Condoms were something he never needed to think about, although that might change after this weekend if they started to include others in their lives.
Caroline gripped his shoulders tightly as she moaned and pushed against him. He couldn’t hold back, and thrusting deeply inside her as his balls tightened, they both yelled their release at the same time.
James sighed. He just hoped Caroline would be this eager when they were at the manor.

Monday 8 August 2016

Summer hols

I’m on holiday.

Catch back with you in a few weeks.


Here a few pics of me enjoying hols over the years!


Finland



 USA (Cincinnati)



Portmeirion, Wales



Amsterdam







Monet's garden in France









Scotland

Maldives

Australia


Jersey, Channel Islands


Niagara Falls!

Friday 5 August 2016

Teddy Bear Olympics


SUMMER HOLS START TONIGHT!


I have my great niece, Faith, staying with me again for a week then I have the next two weeks off to watch the Olympics on the tv. However, before that I have planned to have Teddy Bear Olympics with Faith! (She is nearly 10). We will choose 8 bears /soft toys to represent countries from around the world and make flags. Then have an opening ceremony.

Following this we will have 8 sports – so for long jump we are going to lay on our stomachs at the end of the hall corridor and see how far we can throw teddy (it is a foul if teddy hits the walls or stairs!). The longest wins!

This will be completed with a medal ceremony.

Other ideas include:

weightlifting – books of increasing weights placed on teddy’s head until they fall off.

slalom canoe – pushing teddy in a box around a course, but we have to push with our heads without the box touching the sides.

tennis – how many bounces on a racquet.

relay race – teddy is the baton that we have to pass to the other as we run down the garden path.


And so on. At the end we will have a closing ceremony with indoor fireworks! I’m going to have fun even if she thinks it is all too silly! LOL

Wednesday 3 August 2016

Spotlight on Series: Hunted

Spotlight on series: HUNTED

There are three stories in this series, which is now completed (although I am toying with the idea of a ten years on story which will be only available if you buy the paperback!), and follows the fortunes of the same three aliens in each story. They are (imaginatively titled) Alien Manhunt 1, Alien Manhunt 2, and Alien Manhunt 3.


Alien Manhunt 1

Abducted and forced to run for his life in a manhunt comprised entirely of human men, Greg spies the two aliens fiercely competing to capture him, and he begins to lust after both of them. Taran, a hunky humanoid/ reptilian, and Suva, a tall, beautiful, slender creature, are both desperate to get to the human first, while being attracted to each other. Back on Earth Greg was the dominant one, but the situation has changed now. What do they want with him? Sell him, torture him or make him into their sex slave? Each one keeps their innermost desires secret. But is the truth finally out?


(Titbit: This story came out of a dream I had and when I woke up I thought, what a fab story that would make!)

Reviews include a reader review on Amazon: This is the first book I have had the pleasure reading by Jennifer Denys, definitely will be reading much more. Gave the book 5 stars because I loved the ménage relationship between the men...scorching!”

Buy links:




Alien Manhunt 2

Planning to let his mates act out their fantasies, Suva takes them to his home planet of Espoornia and lets submissive Taran chase Dominant Greg for a change—with a sneaky scheme to end it all in a marriage ceremony.

But Suva’s plans go awry from the start and one of them is hunted for real. Worried about the one captured being sold or killed, the remaining two have a hard time searching for the other. But then they find themselves in danger, too. Will they escape? Will they ever be free to marry?

(Titbit – I never intended doing more than one story but readers said they wanted to know what the trio got up to next!)

Reviews include a reader review on Rainbow Book Reviews: “If you like space opera that doesn’t take itself too seriously, if you enjoy reading about interspecies shenanigans that include some cross-cultural misunderstandings and their consequences, and if you’re looking for a read that is entertaining, hot, and very funny in places, then you will probably like this short story.”

Buy links:




Alien Manhunt 3

Greg takes his husbands to Earth, his home planet, but Suva feels left out as Greg seems to be providing treats that suit the third in their marriage, Taran, like a romp in the sea. Because the feathers on his back would get wet, Suva stays on the shore before storming off in a huff. However, he starts to notice the local people are glaring at him before they start to shout abuse. Something has happened and he is the butt of their anger – and then they start chasing him. Can Greg and Taran get to Suva before something happens?

(Titbit – I came up with the idea for this book whilst at a spa having a hot stone massage – which appears in this book!)

Reviews include a reader review on Exquisite Reviews: “While I have not read the two previous books I am not sure how much I could gather from the story. I was surprised at the summary provided by the author and was able to get a picture of the dynamics between the characters very quickly.

I definitely want to read more about their new journey and you will have to read this to find out what I mean…”


Buy links:

Monday 1 August 2016

Behind the Scenes of a Publishing House - Self Publishing

BEHIND THE SCENES OF A PUBLISHING HOUSE – SELF PUBLISHING

Welcome to a good friend of mine, Bella Settarra. After getting a number of her books published via small publishers, she has gone down the route of self-pubbing a story.





Hi sweetie, so tell me about the story first

This is my first novella, “Ménage and Mascara”, which tells the story of a young girl who notices something suspicious while doing her cosmetics round (I’m sure we can all guess which company she works for, lol!). She reports it to the cops which lands her life in danger but also does wonders for her love-life ;)
(ooo! Exciting. JD)


Sounds fab. Why did you suddenly decide to self-publish this one?

 
I wrote the story to be part of a boxed set with a group of other authors but the project was postponed after I’d just got it all finished and edited. 
I didn’t think it likely that any of the publishers I work with would want a novella, as I always submit novels, and I knew that even if they did publish it, it would never go into print as it wouldn’t be cost-effective for them.

I spoke to some indie authors about the possibility and felt very encouraged to try to publish it myself. At the moment it is only available digitally, but I know that there is always an option for me to write more novellas and put them together in an anthology if I want to have it printed in the future.

I had already been intrigued by self-publishing and this seemed a good way of giving it a try for myself.


I have been wondering why you chose KU (Kindle Unlimited) rather than KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing). I tend to get confused between the two.

KU is part of KDP. By registering my book in the KU scheme, readers who subscribe to KU (i.e. they pay a monthly fee and can read as many books as they like as long as the books are registered in the scheme) have unlimited access to my book. I get paid depending on the number of pages read.

As part of KDP I can also sell my book on Amazon, so it increases the ways a reader can check out my story.


Are you selling it via any other retailer?

No, while the book is registered with KU it can only be made available through Amazon.


How did you go about getting a book cover, editor, etc? I presume that is quite an outlay to begin with before you get any profits back?

Yes, it is an outlay, but I look at it as investing in myself. I really wanted this book to be published and I wanted it to be the best it could be.
Although I have taken a proofreading and editing course myself, it is crucial, in my opinion, to always have a qualified editor check your work – after all, it is your reputation as an author which is at stake. A good friend of mine, Lucy Felthouse, owns a company called Writer Marketing Services, so I called on her to edit the story for me. http://www.writermarketing.co.uk/

I trusted her because I have attended workshops which she has run at such events as Smut by the Sea http://smutbythesea.co.uk/  and I have also read some of her work (Lucy is an author as well as a businesswoman, http://lucyfelthouse.co.uk/)

She is also a really nice lady, which is essential when you are working on something creative together, as it is important to be able to discuss ideas and feel comfortable to query anything you are not sure of.

Choosing a cover artist was a delight as I got to search through so many artists’ work. I was totally spoiled for choice. However, I had already worked closely with Harris Channing, http://coversbyharris.weebly.com/ who had designed some of my covers for my Sirens and Sailors series, as well as my Midnight in Montana series (both with Siren Publishing). I had also used Harris when I had two of my books Waiting on Summer and Red-Light Wrangler printed on CreateSpace while the publisher, Etopia Press, is still producing them digitally. Again, it was important to use someone I could trust and could work alongside to discuss ideas. Harris is not only extremely talented, but she is also really friendly and helpful.

Time will tell whether I will recoup my costs, but I’m confident that my book is of the upmost quality and is a good representation of me as an author.


Was there anything about the process that you didn’t expect and/or was hard?

Formatting was totally new to me. Usually a publisher does all that, as they have their own house-style which they prefer to adhere to, so an author doesn’t have any input in this field. It took some figuring-out for me, as I’m not the most technically-minded person, but I got there in the end.
(Yes I had heard that formatting is the hard part. JD)


Can you list three advantages of self-pubbing?

Only three???? Okay, here are some of them...

1.   Write whatever you want to – there are no submission guidelines (apart from the usual rules of decency, of course).

2.   Work with whomever you choose – you pick your own ‘staff’.


3.   Choose your own deadline (hmm, this could also be classed as a disadvantage, to be honest).
(I like the sound of all three! JD)


Having done it once, would you do it again? If so, what would you do differently?

Definitely. I’ve got another couple of novels which I intend to self-pub shortly, so watch this space!

I might get someone else to help with the formatting – that took an age! L


Can you give us a couple of tips for anyone wanting to do it themselves?

With pleasure – though I’m no expert by any means...

1. Although it might seem more cost-effective to do everything yourself, it is worth paying for experts for things like editing and artistic work. At the end of the day it is your reputation which is on the line – if you want your work to look its best you might have to pay for it.

2. Talk to other independent authors – their advice can be invaluable. They can often suggest other people in the business that can help you should you need it – word of mouth is the best recommendation there is.


Thanks for being interviewed. Can you give us the all-important buy links/author links?

It’s been an absolute pleasure – thanks so much for having me J

Buy link:


Facebook:

Twitter:

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

(And here's me with Bella!)