Adriana Kraft
When it's time to heat things up...
My blog guest today at Sweet ‘N Sexy Divas is H. K. Carlton. I’ve long admired the power and range of her stories. Once you plunge into the personal story she’s sharing today, I promise you won’t be able to put it down – just like the fiction that’s risen from it.
The best of both worlds – and why I write it, by H. K. Carlton
Welcome to MFRW Hooks, where the authors of Marketing for Romance Writers share snippets from their stories to entice you into wanting more. Be sure to click on the links at the end to travel!
Book Two of my series that began in Wales during the Roman Occupation of Britain will be released at Extasy Books on Friday!
Title: From Beyond the Curtain
Series: Seren’s Story, Book Two
Publisher: Extasy Books
Release Date: July 14, 2023
Length: 22,500 words
ISBN: 978-1-4874-3897-5
Prologue
Her place between worlds was not uncomfortable, but neither was it home. Seren suppressed a deep sigh—to sigh would do nothing to advance her cause. Across the centuries she had never ceased searching out her descendants and following their lives, looking for possible candidates in her son’s line and that of her daughter who might fall in love with each other and release her from the limbo where she seemed eternally trapped.
The task looked nearly impossible for much of the first millennium after she died. Once the empire fell, Romans—especially descendants of her son, Marcus—tended to remain close to home. Most were farmers, a few were tradesmen, but none were soldiers or had the resources or desire to travel beyond the boundaries of what they knew. If they possessed any of the psychic gifts that had been so central for Seren, they gave out no clues. The few who were at all aware of her presence tended to dismiss it as merely another dream.
Her daughter Tegan’s line had seemed a little more promising. Tegan herself had trained as a healer, traveled widely across the Silurian tribe bands, and clearly possessed many of the gifts with which Seren was familiar. Seren had enjoyed regular contact with Tegan, thrilled to be at some level a part of the life and lives she had been forced to leave behind. Sadly, Tegan had moved beyond the place between worlds and was once again lost to Seren.
The fall of the Roman Empire had set Tegan’s people back, but as they began to fend off incursions from Anglo Saxons, then Danes, and later Normans, some did travel beyond their island nation, even as far as the booted peninsula known—by now—as Italy. Still, Seren had never been successful in making a match.
Everything had changed once America was discovered—Seren couldn’t withhold a chuckle. America had always been there, well-peopled by indigenous inhabitants. It had simply been unknown to her direct descendants. It wasn’t long before America became the melting pot where Italians and Welsh could freely mix and often fall in love.
This presented an enormous dilemma. By now, Seren had countless thousands of descendants in each of her children’s lines, far too numerous to permit direct contact with even a fraction. She’d slowly learned to focus on those few—in either line—who gave evidence of carrying the gifts. In each line, the gifted ones tended to be more recent immigrants to America, descended from families who had remained close to home and married locals across the years. Seren thought perhaps this process had intensified the gifts.
Would Gwen—Tegan’s descendant—be the one? At the very least, Gwen possessed the gifts and did not dismiss Seren as if she didn’t exist or didn’t matter. Yes, Gwen was delicious in her own right.
Now, the fates had conspired to throw a descendant of Marcus directly into Gwen’s path. This time a sigh did escape Seren. So often she was frustrated by her own inability to bend fate to meet her needs. She could time travel, interact, mind-speak, and persuade, but she had no power to create or change any specific outcome. Often she still felt the capricious gods of her youth were playing with her—the very same gods who had punished her for letting her family be torn asunder. As if she could have prevented it.
No matter. Dante, too, showed promise and obviously enjoyed Seren’s presence in his dreams. Perhaps it was time to move forward.
Is she a ghost? A visitor from another time and place? A siren? A temptress? Or just a meddling dream mistress?
Seren has bided her time for centuries, waiting for the moment when two of her descendants fall in love and release her, finally, from the place between worlds. The many gifts Seren has inherited from her ancestors—time travel, entering dreams, telepathic communication—have been unsuccessful thus far. Will Gwen and Dante be the ones?
Gwen McFarland has always been in touch with her Celtic roots. When Seren—who looks to Gwen like a Celtic goddess—materializes and invites her to a love tryst in another time and place, she does not hesitate. That Seren sometimes brings along another woman is simply an added benefit.
Fast paced trial lawyer Dante Emmanuel has no time for sentimentality or relationships. A string of satisfying sexual encounters suits him just fine. He’s mystified when a recurring figure enters his dream life, but he won’t turn down Seren’s exotic sexual talents or the dreams that now seem more real than ever.
Who will make the first move in this three-part game of chess? Timing is everything.
This is a blog hop! Click on the links to travel.
My blog guest today is Lisabet Sarai, with her exciting new release By Moonlight.
Historical Lesbian Erotic Romance
Five flames
16,000 words, 63 pages
Smashwords and Amazon KDP
ISBN (Smashwords): 9798215460337
ASIN: B0C99C59RY
Inspiration is fickle. One day you’ll be seized by an idea that just won’t let you go. You throw yourself into the writing, intoxicated by the process of creation, certain this will be the best book you’ve ever produced. The sentences and paragraphs flow, the story taking shape on the page almost without effort.
Then, suddenly and inexplicably, the fire dies out. The magic evaporates, and you’re left to plod along, trying dutifully to complete the opus to which you’ve devoted your time, despite your doubts about its quality.
If you’re trying to make a living writing, you can’t afford to wait for the muse. You’ve got to produce. If, like me, you write primarily for the joy of the process, you may abandon the entire project when your inspiration disappears.
That’s what happened with By Moonlight. For years, I’d wanted to write an erotic tale based on the Alfred Noyes poem “The Highwayman”. One day the stars aligned. I sat down and wrote the first chapter in a couple of hours. It turned out exactly as I’d imagined it, both lyrical and arousing. I was chuffed, as my UK author friends would say, eager to push the tale forward.
The next weekend, though, when I sat down to continue, I discovered that inspiration had fled. The whole notion seemed silly. I really couldn’t force myself to write any more.
So I put the barely-started tale aside and worked on something else. I always have lots of potential projects in mind, far more than my writing time allows.
That was four years ago. I’d almost forgotten By Moonlight. Then a stormy night recently reminded me of the poem, and the poem reminded me of the story. When I pulled it up and re-read it, I was freshly impressed and determined to complete it.
After such a long lag, I worried that I wouldn’t be able to recreate the tone of that intense first installment. Fortunately I was able to get feedback from my online critique partners, who helped me to adjust the language and the atmosphere appropriately. All in all, I’m happy with the result. I think I’ve managed to fulfill my intentions, offering homage to the Noyes poem while twisting the story in an original (and happier) direction.
The lesson here, though, is clear. If you are an author, don’t throw anything away! Keep all your snippets, all your abandoned projects, all your monuments to the departed muse.
You really never know when inspiration will return.
I’ll come for you by moonlight – though Hell should bar the way
In her eighteen years on earth, Bess has never traveled more than twenty miles from her Devonshire village. The raven-haired innkeeper’s daughter has little time to dream of adventure as she labors from dawn to dusk to keep her abusive father satisfied.
Then, at the weekly market in Tavistock town, she meets a handsome dandy who claims her with a single stolen kiss. When the gallant gentleman makes a midnight visit to the inn, Bess learns that her new lover is none other than Kit Latour, a notorious French highwayman who has been boldly relieving the local nobility of their valuables. Well-aware of the risk she’s taking, Bess still offers herself to the seductive outlaw. Even Kit’s darkest secrets cannot quench the flames of her love.
She must have drowsed, despite her determination to remain on guard. She heard no hoof beats clattering in the inn yard, no tapping on the barred shutters, only a soft whistle under her window that had her instantly alert.
She leaned out, her hair spilling over the casement. “Kit!” she cried, heedless of anyone hearing. “You’ve come at last.”
“Well met, my fair lady.” The lithe figure below gave a little bow. “Did you doubt me?”
“No doubt, my love, only fear. Your fame has spread wide. There be many who’d delight in spilling your blood.”
“Even more after tonight, I’ll wager. I’ve had rich takings along the high road. A fat, dyspeptic earl and his broomstick wife contributed generously to my cause.”
“Lord Haverstock? Oh Kit, he has the King’s ear.” She shrank back into the shadows of her bedroom, then peered anxiously into the distance. She almost expected to see His Majesty’s troops mustering on the country lane. “Why must you take such risks?”
Kit chuckled. “Without risk, life wouldn’t be worth living.” The bandit grasped the gnarled ivy vines that clung to the old inn and clambered up to the second floor. In moments, Bess was face to face with her beloved.
What was her Kit thinking, to ride in such finery against the wealthy and powerful? The coat was burgundy velvet, worn over a pure white linen shirt with a ruffle of lace at the throat. Supple doe-skin boots rose half-way up those strong thighs. The jeweled hilt of a dagger glittered at Kit’s waist. The hungry light in the bandit’s eyes burned brighter still.
“Oh, Bess, how I’ve missed you!” Kit seized her, crushing her against the velvet, and captured her mouth. Bess pressed her soft body against her lover’s harder form, savoring the heady mixture of familiar comfort and forbidden arousal she always felt in Kit’s arms. A brazen tongue ravaged her mouth while knowing hands slipped under her shift to palm her buttocks and pull her closer still.
“Take this off, girl, before I rip it from your limbs,” Kit gasped, tugging at the fabric that hid her flesh. “I cannot wait another instant.”
Not so long ago she’d been a bashful virgin, but there was no shyness in her now. She pulled the garment over her head and tossed it onto the chair, shaking her long hair free. Moonlight from the window made her pale skin glow. Kit’s eyes roamed over her nakedness. She’d never felt so beautiful, or so needy.
BUY LINKS
Kinky Literature – https://www.kinkyliterature.com/book/1183-by-moonlight-/
Amazon US – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C99C59RY
Amazon UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C99C59RY
Smashwords – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1413596
Barnes and Noble – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/by-moonlight-lisabet-sarai/1143711659?ean=2940166073495
Kobo – https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/by-moonlight-8
Apple Books – https://books.apple.com/us/book/x/id6450718058
Add on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/180643788-by-moonlight
Add on BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/by-moonlight-by-lisabet-sarai
ABOUT LISABET
Lisabet Sarai became addicted to words at an early age. She began reading when she was four. She wrote her first story at five years old and her first poem at seven. Since then, she has written plays, tutorials, scholarly articles, marketing brochures, software specifications, self-help books, press releases, a five-hundred page dissertation, and lots of erotica and erotic romance – over one hundred titles, and counting, in nearly every sub-genre—paranormal, scifi, ménage, BDSM, LGBTQ, and more. Regardless of the genre, every one of her stories illustrates her motto: Imagination is the ultimate aphrodisiac.
You’ll find information and excerpts from all Lisabet’s books on her website (http://www.lisabetsarai.com/books.html), along with more than fifty free stories and lots more. At her blog Beyond Romance (http://lisabetsarai.blogspot.com), she shares her philosophy and her news and hosts lots of other great authors. She’s also on Goodreads, BookBub and Twitter. Join her VIP email list here: https://btn.ymlp.com/xgjjhmhugmgh
I started the month of June thinking that since I have well over thirty published books with bisexual or lesbian women as heroines, I should feature one of them every day all month. I quickly backed out of that plan and decided to mostly focus on other queer books I thought should be showcased, sprinkling in a few of mine as I went along.
You can find all their blurbs on my Instagram account. I hope you’ll check them out – some famous books, and some truly worthwhile books you may have never heard of. Great reads, all.
Here’s the list:
Rick Reed: The Impossible Childhood of my Desire Contemporary Transgendered Romance
Patrick Field: Servant Contemporary Gay Romance
Carey P.W.: Grayality Contemporary Transgendered Romance
Jess Savage: Good in the Zak Contemporary Bi Romance
T. J. Klune: The House in the Cerulean Sea Contemporary Gay Fiction
J. Scott Coatsworth: Skythane SciFi/Fantasy Gay Romance
H. K. Carlton: In the Flesh Contemporary Lesbian Romance
Charlotte Johnson: Lady Charlotte’s Revenge Regency Transgendered Romance
Robin Lynn: Enchanted Ink Gay Fiction
Jackie Keswick: Hiding Place Contemporary Gay Romance
Gemma Johns: Baby Steps Contemporary Lesbian Romance
David Lawrence: Blue Billy’s Rogue Lexicon Historical Gay Romance
Maggie Blackbird: Back Where You Belong Contemporary First Nation Gay Romance
Lisabet Sarai: Opening Night Historical Gay Romance
V. J. Allison Honestly Contemporary Transgendered Romance
G. A. Hauser Something to Believe In Contemporary Gay Romance
Amity Malcom: Sew Into You Contemporary Lesbian Romance
Passion Series, Book Two
Erotic Romance, Later in Life, LGBTQ
Welcome to MFRW Hooks, where the authors of Marketing for Romance Writers share snippets from their stories to entice you into wanting more. Be sure to click on the links at the end to travel!
I got ahead of myself – the last two scenes I posted (6/13 and 6/14) were out of time order, showcasing a little heat once Max and Claire had started working things out. I’m backtracking today to share their first kiss…
Set Up
This scene takes place while Claire and Max are in California at the Sex and Aging workshop. They’ve been avoiding each other, but it might finally be time to “practice” together. They’re in Claire’s suite:
“I can think of something I’d rather munch on,” Max said softly, sitting down beside her.
“In due time,” Claire said, patting his thigh. “Remember, one of the advantages of age is we don’t have to rush because of galloping hormones.”
He chuckled around a cracker and sipped his wine. “Just so you know. My hormones are already trotting.”
She tipped her head back and laughed. “Just so you know, mine too.”
“Good.”
Maybe there was something to the age factor. She couldn’t recall ever being this relaxed before a first sexual encounter with a man. She refused to acknowledge that fiasco at the Center as their first time.
Max set down his wineglass and peered at her. His eyes gleamed and sparkled. “I think I have enough energy to manage a kiss.”
She held his gaze, then tipped her chin in invitation.
He leaned over and nibbled at the corner of her mouth. Only their lips touched. They explored slowly. Max etched her upper lip with his tongue. She rimmed his lower lip with hers. He tilted his head slightly, then slanted his lips across hers.
Claire willed her hands to stay in her lap. This already surpassed her expectations. Let him lead. She didn’t have to lead all the time. Their eyes hadn’t closed, as if they didn’t want to miss a thing. Claire warmed, realizing this really was their first kiss. They’d skipped this step entirely at the Center. What fools they’d been—he was a delicious kisser. Who would’ve guessed?
Can Max melt the Ice Queen? Should he even try?
Claire Johnson’s dedication to sex—the cornerstone of her career—led her to help found the Center for Sexuality and Sex Practices. Now in her fifties, she knows the Center must keep pace with the rapidly growing Baby Boomer market, so she agrees to go back on camera for a series on sex and aging. But work with her nemesis?
Former English Professor Max Wilson has championed the cause of the Center ever since his now deceased wife sought the Center’s help to rekindle the nearly extinguished sexual flames of their relationship. He loves working on camera and welcomes the challenge to perform with the svelte but icy temptress.
Sparks fly immediately on and off camera. The jury is out on whether either Max or Claire can transform those sparks into a fire of sexual desire for their viewers—let alone for each other.
Title: Ripening Passion
Series: Passion Series, Book Two
Author: Adriana Kraft
Published by: eXtasy Books
ISBN: 978-1-4874-3813-5
Length: 254 pages, 75813 words
Publication Date: June 2, 2023
Genres: Erotic Romance, LGBTQIA, Contemporary Romance
Tags: Menage, Bisexual, New York City, Later in Life
Heat Level: Four Flames
Pairings: MF, FF, FFF, FMF, MFM
Click on the links to travel to the rest of the blog posts:
Characters in novels seem to always have the perfect witty comment at the tip of their tongues. I was wishing for that skill the other morning, and the exchange made me think of our latest heroine, who would have done far better than I. She was just interviewed over at the Romance Lives Forever Blog. You won’t want to miss her snappy repartee!
I was at our small town’s local market picking up eggs and tortillas. When I came to the cashier line, a good-looking Afro-American man in dreads motioned me to get in front of him; I’m sure he was at least two or three decades younger than I. I thanked him, and then he said “May I give you a compliment? I really like your hairstyle.” I thanked him for that as well and added, “and I really like dreads, so we’re even,” and he laughed.
What I wish I’d said? “I’m lucky enough to be old and gray, so I like to look sharp.”
I know that’s what Claire Johnson would have said – though since she tints her blonde hair to hide the gray, it wouldn’t have quite fit for her.
She and I have so many characteristics in common. I’ve loved writing her story in Ripening Passion (and her role in book one, Smoldering Passion) and am sorry she only plays a minor role in book three, coming August 18. She’ll be hard to let go of. She and I are both trim, look good for our age, take pride in what we look like, and are dedicated to health and fitness. I can’t claim to be as svelte as she is – I must be at least ten inches shorter. And I will say I’ve never cultivated the icy exterior she’s so skilled at. Oh, perhaps I should add another difference – I’ve never had sex on camera.
It’s been a great pleasure being inside her head and above all having the time to come up with her witty responses as her ice starts to melt. She’s recently been interviewed at a couple blog spots, so I thought I’d throw in one of her responses here (and thank you, Kayelle Allen, for this interview question):
Please provide a physical description of yourself.
Claire: Thank you for asking – call me vain if you like, but I’m really proud of the fact that I can still turn heads at age 59. I’m a tall trim blonde, and yes, I do touch up my hair color a tad. I used to keep a severe short hairstyle, but I’ve let it grow out a bit. By now I can rely on my presence and my stature to intimidate when I need to. Did I mention trim? I work out and I watch what I eat.
You can catch Claire’s entire interview HERE, and of course I hope we’ve tempted you into checking out Ripening Passion at this link:
Title: Ripening Passion
Series: Passion Series, Book Two
Author: Adriana Kraft
Published by: eXtasy Books
ISBN: 978-1-4874-3813-5
Length: 254 pages, 75813 words
Publication Date: June 2, 2023
Genres: Erotic Romance, LGBTQIA, Contemporary Romance
Tags: Menage, Bisexual, New York City, Later in Life
Heat Level: Four Flames
Pairings: MF, FF, FFF, FMF, MFM
Can Max melt the Ice Queen? Should he even try?
Claire Johnson’s dedication to sex—the cornerstone of her career—led her to help found the Center for Sexuality and Sex Practices. Now in her fifties, she knows the Center must keep pace with the rapidly growing Baby Boomer market, so she agrees to go back on camera for a series on sex and aging. But work with her nemesis?
Former English Professor Max Wilson has championed the cause of the Center ever since his now deceased wife sought the Center’s help to rekindle the nearly extinguished sexual flames of their relationship. He loves working on camera and welcomes the challenge to perform with the svelte but icy temptress.
Sparks fly immediately on and off camera. The jury is out on whether either Max or Claire can transform those sparks into a fire of sexual desire for their viewers—let alone for each other.