Adriana Kraft

When it's time to heat things up...

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What do We Tweet? #Health #Boomers #Pride #Polyamory #SexPositivity

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What do We Tweet?

#Health #Boomers #Pride #Polyamory #SexPositivity

Are you getting the drift? My husband and I write erotic romance together under our pen name, Adriana Kraft. Yes, we are Baby Boomers working hard to stay healthy. Yes, we support Pride, polyamory, and sex positivity. I’ll start from the back of the list.

Here’s what sex positivity means to us: There are three criteria for judging any sexual encounter among adults:

One: consent of all involved parties, at every step of the process.

Two: Pleasure for the involved parties (however they define pleasure).

Three: it contributes to the well-being of the involved parties.

For us, this means things like no slut shaming, such as we encountered in some reviews of our erotic romance The Best Man. Yes, Kitty (our heroine) is a slut. Is that wrong? No. Does it bring her pleasure and contribute to her well-being? Sometimes – and when it doesn’t, those consequences force her to grow and figure out what she really wants. We think that stands for itself. A good read on this topic is The Ethical Slut, by Janet Hardy and Dossie Easton.

Working backwards: Polyamory (and multiple partners, whether or not all parties are in love) follows logically from sex positivity. None of us can dictate who will fall in love or even who “ought” to fall in love. Perhaps the most important line in our bio is “we believe in happy endings for all who fall in love, whatever their gender, sexual orientation or numerical combination.” We write fictional stories that adhere to these values, and those are also the values we apply in real life. Tristan Taormino has written a thoughtful book about polyamory that we highly recommend: Opening Up

Pride. Not just because we believe it is right and that it follows logically from the above values, but because both our extended family and our friendship network are filled with gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered individuals, all of whom we love deeply and believe deserve happiness and fulfillment in love.

Boomers – that cohort born between 1946 and 1964. This year, Baby Boomers are between the ages of 59 and 77, and no, we’re not among the youngest of those. Our stories often feature main characters who are in their fifties and beyond, though we also love writing younger characters. True love and satisfying erotic encounters can happen at any age and are always to be celebrated, including in erotic romance. Joan Price, an advocate for ageless sexuality, has a delightful collection of erotic stories entitled Ageless Erotica.

Health, without which none of the above would be possible. Maintaining health becomes increasingly challenging as we age, and it is our most important value. We work out. We read up on brain health, nutrition, strength training, aerobic exercise, and stress reduction. We incorporate as much of this information as we can into our daily routines, and we are each other’s cheerleader and workout buddy to keep ourselves on track.

If you are a blogger focused on any of these topics, we’d love to invite you to our pages. If you are a reader who shares our interests, naturally we hope you’ll check out our books at this LINK.

Not so innocent… Weekend Writing Warriors #8sunday #MFRWAuthor

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Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors, where writers share an 8 to 10 sentence snippet of their writing on Sunday.  Be sure to visit other participants at http://www.wewriwa.com/  and read and comment on their 8sunday posts.

Spread the word: Twitter hashtag #8sunday

Here are eight sentences from our most recent release:

Caitlin involuntarily wet her lips as Meg rolled over on the chaise lounge from her stomach to her backside. Her innocent renter had turned out to be not quite so innocent. Caitlin frowned. Maybe she was the naïve one. Not only did Meg soak up sunrays in the nude—she had a lover.

Caitlin shook her head. Was that what you called a muscle-bound brute who apparently wasn’t satisfied until he made a woman come a half-dozen times? She’d never known a man and a woman could make so much noise making love—if that was what it was.

BLURB

What could college English Professor Caitlin Shanahan ever have in common with the brash carpenter Kurt Davis?  The sexy sprite Meghan Keenan, that’s what.

Level headed English Professor Caitlin Shanahan has finally earned tenure and purchased the century-old two-story house of her dreams in the college town of Burntside, Wisconsin—at thirty-four, she’d better face facts: her future is teaching college and writing plays, not falling in love.  So why is she so drawn to foxy little hometown actress Meghan Keenan, who’s rented her upstairs apartment, or worse, to the girl’s gorgeous hunk of a lover Kurt Davis, a carpenter who’s never even been to college?

Twenty-year-old Meg has a plan. First she’ll seduce the reluctant professor, then she’ll share her sexual delights with both Cat and her brawny carpenter, and when she’s successfully brought them together, she can make her escape and explore what’s beyond the only town she’s ever lived in.

Kurt can’t stand the up-tight professor who’s hired him to build a gazebo and refurbish her old house—the house he wanted for himself. Even if Meg’s scheme succeeds, he knows Caitlin would never look at him twice.  No need to go there in his fantasies…

BOOK INFO

Meghan’s Playhouse Book One
May, 2017, Extasy Books
Novella, 28,000 words
Cover by Syneca Featherstone
Heat Rating Four Flames
Explicit sex: M/F, F/F; Ménage: F/F/M, F/M/F;
anal sex; sex toys

BUY LINKS

  

A different first kiss… #MWTease #MFRWAuthor

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Welcome to MidWeek Tease, where authors share tempting snippets to tide you over till the weekend. A huge shout out to author Angelica Dawson for hosting our blog hop every week!

We’re continuing to offer you snippets from our most recent release, the erotic romance Seducing Cat. Last week we dropped in on Cat’s first kiss with Kurt–but before that, Cat experienced another very important first kiss…

What could college English Professor Caitlin Shanahan ever have in common with the brash carpenter Kurt Davis?  The sexy sprite Meghan Keenan, that’s what.

Meghan’s Playhouse

Book One

May, 2017

Extasy Books

Novella, 28,000 words

Cover by Syneca Featherstone

Heat Rating

Four Flames:

Explicit sex: M/F, F/F;

Ménage: F/F/M, F/M/F;

anal sex; sex toys

 

EXCERPT

“Cat!”

Caitlin stepped out into the foyer to see Meg dashing toward her holding out a newspaper and grinning from ear to ear.

“What is it?”

“We’re in the paper,” Meg said breathlessly. “Both of us.”

“Let me see.” Caitlin scanned the article. “Sure enough. This is the best marketing we could hope for.”

“Weren’t you interviewed for this piece?”

Caitlin smiled. “Yes, I’d forgotten. I didn’t think much about it at the time. I thought the reporter was doing some background stuff she might use at some point in the future.”

Meg hugged herself and whirled around. “Well, the future is now! Do you really think I’m an exceptional actress?”

“I said it, didn’t I?” Caitlin knew it probably wasn’t the right moment, but she forged ahead anyway. “You could go a long way if you’d go to a drama school. It could be a conservatory or a college. You just need some polishing, and better coaching than I can provide.”

“You’re an excellent coach, Cat. You inspire me and give me so much. I don’t want anybody else.” Meg’s smiled beamed as much warmth as the sun. “I only want you.”

Caitlin’s thanks never escaped her lips, because they were covered by Meg’s.

BUY LINKS

  

~ o ~ ~ o ~ ~ o ~ ~ o ~

Be sure to check out the great teases from the authors below!

Her Breathing stopped… #MFRWAuthor #MWTease #firskiss

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Welcome to MidWeek Tease, where authors share tempting snippets to tide you over till the weekend. A huge shout out to author Angelica Dawson for hosting our blog hop every week!

Seducing Cat is on tour through June 19 with a contest for an Amazon gift card – scroll to the raflecopter graphic at the end of this post to enter!

What could college English Professor Caitlin Shanahan ever have in common with the brash carpenter Kurt Davis?  The sexy sprite Meghan Keenan, that’s what.

Meghan’s Playhouse

Book One

May, 2017

Extasy Books

Novella, 28,000 words

Cover by Syneca Featherstone

Heat Rating

Four Flames:

Explicit sex: M/F, F/F;

Ménage: F/F/M, F/M/F;

anal sex; sex toys

 

Last week’s tease gave us a peek at our trio’s first ménage scene (and you can read it HERE 🙂 ). This week we’re backing up a bit – do you remember your first kiss with the person who turned out to be the love of your life? I sure do, but my personal history contains nothing resembling the sniping that’s been going on between English professor Cat Shanahan and carpenter Kurt Davis for the first two thirds of our newest release, Seducing Cat. They’ve been spitting bullets at each other.

They’re an unlikely pair: She’s 34, newly tenured at the college in the small town of Burntside Wisconsin, and author and director of plays at the community theater in town. Kurt’s 24, a high school graduate who teamed up with a buddy to create a construction company and is doing very well. He volunteers as a set designer at the theater, and Cat’s hired him to restore the century-old foursquare home she recently purchased.

That age difference quite possibly qualifies the novella as a Cougar Story, but it’s so much more than that. To seize the love affair of their life, both Cat and Kurt have some deep-seated prejudice to overcome: upper class disdain for people who work with their hands, and working-class mistrust of the highly educated. Since our own extended families are filled with both academics and blue-collar workers, we’re familiar with this scenario—and we know that the deep divide can sometimes be overcome in real life, as well as on the pages of fiction.

This five book series was originally released in 2009 by a different e-publisher. It’s been unavailable for over four years, and we’re thrilled Extasy Books has contracted to re-release it, completely revised and re-edited. In the meantime, Meg insisted we write one more adventure. The six books will release approximately every ten weeks. Watch for Book Two: A Woman for Zachary in early August!

EXCERPT

Set-Up: By the time of this excerpt, Meg and Cat are already lovers. Kurt knows this, but he’s made clear he wants no part of whatever crazy scheme Meg is up to.

Wringing clammy hands, Cat stood in the small production booth behind the opening night audience. Openings inevitably made her anxious. There seemed no way to prevent it. This was her favorite place to watch the show, because from here it looked as if the cast performed only for her. Besides, no one bothered her when she was in the booth.

The first act had been superb. Meg had the crowd in the palm of her hand, hanging on every word and responding to every gesture, and yet she had a way of not stealing the show. The cast performed well together.

During intermission, Cat had visited briefly with cast members, giving them words of support before returning to the safety of her booth. Successful opening nights were so exhilarating, and this was one of those.

She startled when the door to the booth opened and closed quickly.

“Thought I’d find you here,” Kurt said softly, squeezing into the tight space to stand behind her. “She’s good, isn’t she?”

Cat could barely make out his outline in the dark and quickly returned her gaze toward the stage. His physical presence took up so much of the tiny booth she feared suffocating. “She’s superb. Meg should be in New York. Look at her work the crowd, and they don’t even know it.”

“She has a way about her, all right.”

“She’s a blend of mystery, innocence and eroticism.” She wanted to take back her words as soon as she heard them.

“Ah.” Kurt’s breath heated her bare neck. “She’s all of that, all right.”

“Do you suppose she’ll ever take the next step?”

“Maybe. If she’s supported enough. She’s more insecure about her acting than she lets on.”

“I know. I’ve been trying to help her with those insecurities.”

“I’ve heard. And I gather she’s helping you with some of yours.”

Cat’s heart skipped a beat. She should bite his head off for that comment. But she was suddenly in a joyous mood as the crowd gave the cast a standing ovation. She squealed, “Yes! They loved it.”

“Did you think they wouldn’t?”

“I never know what to think until it’s over. I better get out there.” She turned around quickly and slammed against Kurt’s solid chest. She caught herself on his shoulders, then suddenly felt his arms holding her steady.

In the dark, she couldn’t tell if he was smiling or scowling. And then he brushed his lips across hers. Her breathing stopped.

BUY LINKS

  

~ o ~ ~ o ~ ~ o ~ ~ o ~

Be sure to check out the great teases from the authors below!

Click the graphic above to travel to other tour stops for more chances to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Release Day! Seducing Cat #FFM #Menage #MFRWAuthor

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Today’s the day! Seducing Cat, Book One in our Meghan’s Playhouse series, is now available at Extasy Books!

What could college English Professor Caitlin Shanahan
ever have in common with the brash carpenter Kurt Davis?
The sexy sprite Meghan Keenan, that’s what. 

We’re thrilled Extasy Books is re-releasing this series, which has been unavailable for over four years. We started writing it as an erotic romp, but quickly learned all three characters insisted on having more meaning. Two of them already love sex, of course – Meg, and her swarthy lover, the carpenter.

Cat? She’s pretty much given up on sex – but then Meg, who rents a room from her, starts sunbathing in the nude. Who knew the feminine form had so much allure? Turns out all three characters have a lot to learn.

Meg’s only twenty as the series opens, and we had a fun time watching her mature and find her way as the series progresses. We think you’ll enjoy her adventures, and we’ve added a new adventure this time around, bringing the series to six books in all.

BLURB

Level headed English Professor Caitlin Shanahan has finally earned tenure and purchased the century-old two-story house of her dreams in the college town of Burntside, Wisconsin—at thirty-four, she’d better face facts: her future is teaching college and writing plays, not falling in love.  So why is she so drawn to foxy little hometown actress Meghan Keenan, who’s rented her upstairs apartment, or worse, to the girl’s gorgeous hunk of a lover Kurt Davis, a carpenter who’s never even been to college?

Twenty-year-old Meg has a plan. First she’ll seduce the reluctant professor, then she’ll share her sexual delights with both Cat and her brawny carpenter, and when she’s successfully brought them together, she can make her escape and explore what’s beyond the only town she’s ever lived in.

Kurt can’t stand the up-tight professor who’s hired him to build a gazebo and refurbish her old house—the house he wanted for himself. Even if Meg’s scheme succeeds, he knows Caitlin would never look at him twice.  No need to go there in his fantasies…

BUY LINK

At Least She Had the Woman’s Attention… #MWTease #MFRWAuthor #LGBT

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Welcome to MidWeek Tease, where authors share tempting snippets to tide you over till the weekend. A huge shout out to author Angelica Dawson for hosting our blog hop every week!

Coming to Extasy Books this Friday! Pre-Order HERE

 

What could college English Professor Caitlin Shanahan ever
have in common with the brash carpenter Kurt Davis?
The sexy sprite Meghan Keenan, that’s what. 

BLURB

Level headed English Professor Caitlin Shanahan has finally earned tenure and purchased the century-old two-story house of her dreams in the college town of Burntside, Wisconsin—at thirty-four, she’d better face facts: her future is teaching college and writing plays, not falling in love.  So why is she so drawn to foxy little hometown actress Meghan Keenan, who’s rented her upstairs apartment, or worse, to the girl’s gorgeous hunk of a lover Kurt Davis, a carpenter who’s never even been to college?

Twenty-year-old Meg has a plan. First she’ll seduce the reluctant professor, then she’ll share her sexual delights with both Cat and her brawny carpenter, and when she’s successfully brought them together, she can make her escape and explore what’s beyond the only town she’s ever lived in.

Kurt can’t stand the up-tight professor who’s hired him to build a gazebo and refurbish her old house—the house he wanted for himself. Even if Meg’s scheme succeeds, he knows Caitlin would never look at him twice.  No need to go there in his fantasies…

EXCERPT

Set Up: Meg has been suntanning in the nude…

Peering through shuttered eyelashes, Meg Keenan nearly purred. She’d seen the tall figure of Cat Shanahan leave the curtained window. Apparently the lanky redhead had no idea the sun struck the window in a way that showed her slim form off to nice advantage.

Meg snickered. Why else would she choose this particular time of day to come out onto the sundeck? Because the sun shining on the window exposed Cat to her view almost as much as she was exposed to Cat’s.

At least she had the woman’s attention. Meg closed her eyelids and exhaled slowly. Soon she’d have Cat’s body.

Stretching languidly, Meg smiled and sat up. Her plan was proceeding quite nicely. Kurt had been pissed she’d rented the professor’s upstairs apartment. Though Meg was quite comfortable being a townie, Kurt carried a chip on his shoulder about town-gown tensions. Was that part of why he’d never gone to college in spite of doing so well in high school? Instead, he and Jack Mobly had established a construction company. At twenty-four, Kurt had a certain amount of control over his life that Meg envied. He didn’t seem to care that there was a world outside Burntside, Wisconsin.

She, on the other hand, needed to see beyond the horizon. She hadn’t found her ticket out just yet, but she knew she’d find a way. Fortunately, they both knew that.

While she and Kurt had been lovers for two years, neither suffered under the illusion of any long-term commitments. She’d known him all her life. And they were very compatible lovers. What one partner didn’t think of, the other did, and being together meant they could enjoy their fascination with sex without having to deal with the meat market. Their relationship was one of convenience, yet quite satisfying.

But Meg was ready to leave Burntside, and she wanted Kurt to have something he didn’t even know he wanted. She wanted him to have Professor Caitlin Shanahan. And she’d given herself the assignment to make that happen.

~o~             ~o~               ~o~

All the marvelous authors below have teases waiting for you – click to travel!