Spring Fling with Night Owl Romance!

You know I had to get in on this! Try to find my graphic on my website, http://www.lenaaustin.com/ !

Steampunk Week with Selena Illyria

You know Madge Majesty and I just can't resist a good party, so we've flown over to Selena Illyria's website for a week long bash! See you there!


http://selenaillyria.com/2011/01/steampunk-week-lena-austin/

I was quoted on FlyLady!! Wow!!

Pam here: I just found a comment by a novelist who discovered my Stick it Right on the Money Gift kit and wrote about it. I think her sentiments match Jenny's.

This has to be the most innovative way to give a plain old monetary gift some pizzazz to show you really did think about what gift would suit the recipient.
My mother in law used to say that giving money, gift certificates, and gift cards were in a way a cop out and borderline rude. They require very little thought, and while "one size does fit all" it does show a certain casual disregard for the likes and dislikes of the recipient or even little more than a nod to the occasion. However in today's busy world, sometimes giving cash can mean a whole lot more, especially when friends and family can be many miles apart. Cash spends well without having to worry. Now, with Stick It Right On the Money stickers, you can do more than give a nod to the occasion! Each frame and stickers are "Post-it" sticky, so the money isn't damaged. (That's illegal.) See the video at the website. What a great gift idea.
Lena Austin
www.stickitrightonthemoney.com


Note from Lena: I've been a FlyBaby for years, but this is huge. Marla Cilley, aka The FlyLady, has millions of followers and devoted fans. I'm one of them. This is like having Nora Roberts quote me. I'm ready to faint. http://www.flylady.net/ I'm on FlyLady's BigTent site, where her fans can get updates and household hints every day. That's where this quote came from.

Lena Austin
http://www.lenaaustin.com/
http://depravedduchess.blogspot.com/

PG13 ADULT Excerpt: Blue Rose by Lena Austin (erotic, GLBT, Menage)

Did you know I consider this book my magnum opus? I present to you my greatest achievement to date:




Blue Rose

Author: Lena Austin
Artist: Renee George

ISBN:	978-1-60168-183-6
Genre:	Paranormal Erotic Romance
Publisher:	Aspen Mountain Press
Publication Date:	02/06/09
Sexual Content:	Erotic/M/M/Menage

Buy Link: http://www.aspenmountainpress.com/fantasy/fantasy/blue-rose/prod_213.html

Synopsis:
Ever read Dante's Inferno? The old boy must have a new nickname—Pinwheel—for all the turning over in his grave he's doing.  

     This time the tourists in Hell are a poisoned warrior princess and her two suitor princes, both of whom have secrets of their own. Their guide is not a gentle philosopher-poet, but a sassy demon with his own reasons for being their escort through all nine levels. They have to find the blue rose in the deepest part of Hell and make it into an antidote potion before the next full moon or the princess dies.  

     Things have changed a little—okay, a lot—since old Dante made his visit. Hell is timeless, existing in all times simultaneously. Along the way they'll meet the Furies, a little thief named Dodger, a few gods and goddesses, and step over Satan's chewing gum and they're getting quite an education in the process.  But time is running out for the princess....

Excerpt:

At long last, her father stood, signaling with a wave that the dancing would begin. Servants rushed to obey, but Zara rescued the bowl of grapes and hid it in a niche behind a tapestry. It would serve her well to have a cool, sweet treat to see her through the hours of dancing ahead.

Defiantly, she popped another into her mouth and grinned like a conspirator at Prince Kennit when he hid a large goblet in the same niche. He leaned over to whisper, "I shall share my water, if you share your grapes."

Nodding agreement, Zara allowed her father to sweep her into his arms for the opening dance. At least dancing quickened the heart and brought a flush to one's cheeks. She would take what she could get in the way of exercise. Undoubtedly by now the stablemen had their orders to tell her that her stallion had a rock in his hoof, a sprain in his foreleg, or any other lie to forestall her riding him away, even for an hour.

No sooner did her father relinquish her hand than a dance slate was pressed into her palm by the seneschal, who'd kindly–he thought—taken a list of partners for her. She glanced down, and read quickly. No prince was permitted more than two dances in a row with her, though there were conspicuous empty spots left on the list for her to discreetly signify her choice by permitting more than two dances with any prince that caught her eye.

Naturally, Prince Bram the Perfect was first on the list. King Ragnar was making his preferences perfectly clear. She was beginning to hate that word.

Zara handed the slate back to the seneschal with a nod of thanks, and raised her arms for Prince Bram to take her back out on the floor. She ignored the tremble in her stomach, and told her fears to settle. He may be boring, but he was the best choice so far.

But her stomach did not settle. It rumbled and grew worse. Her face felt flushed and her fingertips felt as if they were ice cold. She could no longer feel her feet, and every step became an agonizingly icy stab. Zara persevered, knowing it was likely she'd caught some small illness from all the newcomers. Tomorrow, she promised herself a morning of rest.

Many of the older courtiers retired, including most of the contenders after one dance with her. The drunkards stumbled through a dance with her before being discreetly removed by the staff, and the oldsters confessed themselves quite worn out and retired from the field. Only one contender had to be threatened with being fed his balls before he stopped fondling her, so Zara thought she got off lucky.

Finally, only Prince Bram and Prince Kennit remained. Kennit took pity on her feverish face and asked that a small table be set near one of the open windows, permitting a cool breeze to dry the sweat pouring from Zara's brow.

Prince Bram, not to be outdone, fetched her grapes from their hiding place and fed them to her one by one, pausing only when she turned and shared Prince Kennit's goblet.

Finding a common subject to discuss had been difficult, for they, all three, had vastly different interests. The three of them settled on a card game made fashionable in Bram's kingdom the previous summer, and he taught them to play "Bell and Candle" with enthusiasm.

Zara noted their differing styles with interest. Bram played with reckless abandon, bluffing and making daring plays to get desired sets of matches. Kennit played with care and precision, rarely making a bluff but devastating when he did because it was unexpected. She counted the cards and noted the matches already made, and could guess at what would be dealt next. Between them, they rang the bell provided by the staff equally well.

Soon, Zara's illness began to tell upon her. She fought her wavering eyesight and surreptitiously wiped the sweat pouring from her brow, using the ruse of setting the water and grapes on the ledge of the open window to cool them as an excuse for sticking her face in the wind as much as possible, even if the breeze seemed to stick a thousand icy needles in her skin. It dried her sweat and made her appear less like an apple-cheeked peasant, didn't it?

Kennit had escorted her to the window, ostensibly to get a drink for himself from the goblet. He leaned close and whispered, "You are ill, Zara. End this charade and stop teasing. Pick Bram and have done. Go to bed. Your wedding and bedding of his perfection can wait a few more days."

Zara planted her trembling hands on the ledge and ate another grape for its cool sweetness in her hot, dry throat. The floor seemed wreathed in smoke. How odd. Was there fog and the window allowed it entry? Shame washed over her as she realized that's what both the princes thought–that she was teasing and being coy. How wrong they were! "I'm not teasing, Kennit. I can't decide." The fog rose higher, swirling around her thighs. She reached up to close the shutter, and her hand met only air.

Bram's chair scraped. "Watch her. She's going out the window!"

Kennit's hand closed about her wrist. "Stop, Zara. Stop. If you can't choose, then go to bed. None of us will die before the morrow."

Zara swayed and fell into Kennit's arms. "Pardon. Are you sure, Kennit? Why can't you be perfect too?" The fog wrapped around her and enveloped her.

His soft voice was the last she heard. "I am. I'm perfectly me, and that's all I want to be."

Buy Link: http://www.aspenmountainpress.com/fantasy/fantasy/blue-rose/prod_213.html

"Write Drunk..., Edit Sober..." Ernest Hemingway

Lena Austin

PG13 Excerpt: Spaceport-- Time Bomb by Lena Austin (futuristic, GLBT, Menage, SF)

I already have an Inspector Gadget, sorta. Kade Starke was a cyborg with multiple extensions. (VBEG) Since the hero has his first sexual encounter while still tied down, I guess this has a little BDSM, too.

Spaceport: Time Bomb
by Lena Austincover art by Zuri
ISBN (13): 978-1-59596-691-9
Genre(s): Futuristic, Sci-Fi
Theme(s): Ménage, Bisexual and More, Spaceport
Series: Spaceport Multi-Author
Length: Novella

http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=995

Blurb:

Pepper and her cyborg ally, Kade Starke, scavenge space junk hoping to find that one-in-a-million hunk of rock that will make them rich. Then they find the sad wreck of an old shuttle, and a hunk inside named Dr. Logan MacDonald. Oh, and several billion credits worth of long-lost artifacts and art. Now everyone from pirates to Imperial forces want Logan and his treasure. To get the artifacts to where they can be shared by all humanity and not just a wealthy few, Logan and his scavenger friends may just have to turn the treasure ship into a literal time bomb.

Excerpt:

This e-book file contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language which some may find offensive and which is not appropriate for a young audience. Changeling Press E-Books are for sale to adults, only, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.

Captain Pepper Corstorphine drummed her long fingers on the ship's console and glanced listlessly at the running vid game she was playing with her partner and friend, Kade. As usual, he was winning. He beat her nine out of ten times, but playing games was better than sitting in her chair staring at the stars of space while they hunted space junk. "Why do I bother trying to beat a cyborg?"
Kade turned his sober and scarred face to look at her, but his hookup to the console kept the game running. His face, one of the few human things visible on him, was enough to scare small children, but laser blasts did that to you. The only things untouched by his former profession of Imperial soldier were his big brown eyes. "Because you're bored out of your mind. However, it pays the bills to scour the sector for occasional hunks of debris and the rare metallic meteor worth hauling in for a few credits."
Pepper knew that. Even their conversations had become an endless loop on replay. She sighed and stood. "Give me the damn helmet. I need some virtual exercise."
"Shall we play naked and vulnerable?" Kade pretended to leer at her. They'd served as each other's sexual release often, but diddling with a cyborg's extensions wasn't much of a turn on for her. "We haven't gone without our armor in a few cycles."
"You're bored, too, aren't you?"
Kade shrugged. "Tired of being half-man and half-machine. Half a life is what I call it. I'd welcome a bit of danger right now."
Pepper reached for the virtual helmet, but the console proximity alarm beeped the warning sequence. Instantly, she was diverted. Either they had a collection to make, or they'd be arguing with another space junker for rights to the immediate sector. Either way, it was better than boredom. "Woohoo! What have we got?" Pepper hopped back into her chair, shut down the game, and called up extra power for grapplers or a boost to the engines of her ship, the Tor.
It may have looked like a patchwork of technology and corrosion, but the Tor was hers. Okay, it was the creditors' until she achieved payoff. Her ship looked like the junk they collected, but that ugliness was deliberate. Even the corrosion was fake, but would pass casual scans.
"Metal, Pepper! A big hunk of it. Barest trace of an energy signature, and it's not photon propulsion. It's -- I don't believe I'm saying this -- nuclear fission and fossil fuel." Kade's eyes lit up in greed and joy, even if the screen gave his face an eerie green cast. "I think we have a whole derelict, and it's bigger than a satellite or probe. It may be a ship!"
Her heart raced, and Pepper dove to look for herself. Hope flared in her greedy heart. A whole ship could get them darn close to payoff and much closer to freedom than either had thought possible. She and Kade discussed endlessly what they'd do if they ever got to payoff without ever believing it could happen before they were too infirm to enjoy it. "Dollavera's Nuts! Let's get over there and confirm."
The wedge-shaped hulk hove into view, beautifully framed by a nearby nebula. The white hull gleamed and winked, belying the pocked appearance of a hull that wasn't meant for deep space. "What's the inscription on the side there? I can't read it, and I thought I was pretty good with the common trade tongues."
Kade focused on the side of the ship and captured an image as well as deploying the grappling magnet. The magnet attached to the nose cone with ease, assuring their claim over the entire bulk. "Accessing the data. Hmm. It's Old Earth French, Pepper. The name of a museum called the Louvre, but that's odd. The registry number is for another ship called Enterprise. The Enterprise was supposedly destroyed during the reign of the dictator Amin in the early twenty-first century."
"Louvre? Weird name. So is it the Enterprise or the Louvre?" Pepper leaned forward to study their prize. Their big, hulking ticket to freedom. She did a tiny jig behind Kade's chair. While historical dating could place the ship and give them clues as to what types of saleable items it might contain, they could explore for themselves. It would just take longer, and longer meant more time for pirates to find them. A pulsing light caught her eye on Kade's console. "What's the energy readout blinking for?"
Kade's extensions were busy and his voice absent. "Weak energy pulse. I haven't identified the source yet. One question at a time, Captain Greedy." Images flipped at rapid speed on his screen, slowed and stopped. An image of a ship identical to their prize stood against a pale blue sky. "That thing was never meant to be here in deep space, Pepper. It was called a shuttle, meant only for flights of short duration between nearby objects of a planet, like to orbiting space stations and back to the ground. Our prize was one of only twenty shuttles ever created, and all were presumed destroyed." Kade gestured out the window. "What we have there isn't supposed to exist."
"So, no chance of knowing what's on board. Delia's tits. Okay, so we suit up and go look." Pepper sighed. "Does the pulse come from the nuclear power? I don't want a radiation leak contaminating my best power suit."
"No leaks that I can find." Kade clamped down his helmet, sealing his vulnerable face behind a smoky mask. His voice issued from the radio speaker on the console, and would until Pepper tuned in to his channel from her own suit. "I'll go see to the jet packs while you primp."
Pepper laughed and jumped into the bottom half of her suit. Since she wore a singlesuit coverall unless she was sucking up to some officious government type, primping like a sex slave was out of the question. Not that such action did her much good. Pepper fingered the scar that ran from her hairline over her eye to her jaw. No male would look at her without wincing, and that was the way she wanted it. She hit the button that lowered the top half of her suit and fitted herself inside.
By the time they jetted over to the ship, Kade had already located a hole in the hull large enough to let them enter, just behind the command module. He dove right in, and Pepper was seconds behind. They both fought with the odd wheel that opened the door to the next portion, labeled crudely "Cargo Bay."
There was no sound in space, but Pepper could imagine the creaks and groans emitted by the old mechanism when it finally gave way and spun freely. The door opened into a darkened area where strange shapes floated in the zero gravity. All were packaged, some crudely, to protect them, and many showed signs of collision with other objects.
"I'm going to cut this one open." Kade changed his left appendage from scanner to knife, and scored along the textile covering a very tall and long object. After several attempts, the wrapping fell away revealing a human female figure made of stone, starkly white in the darkness. "This looks familiar. Let me access the ship's database."
Pepper waited, pushing away the occasional object floating too near for her comfort. She'd seen statues before in pictures, mostly in newsvids of the richest homes. This statue was beautiful in a way Pepper could not describe. Pity its arms had been broken off, though they weren't in evidence nearby.
"Holy Lextu! Pepper! Turn on your link. Take a look at this." She'd never heard Kade's voice have that tone of awe and excitement before.
Pepper tongue-switched on her access to the ship, and an exact picture of the statue appeared on the tiny screen in her hood. She listened carefully to the accompanying recording.

Last known picture of Venus de Milo statue, lost in 2015 during reign of dictator Amin. Presumed destroyed in his cultural purge, along with all contents of museums in major metropolitan areas of Europe, Asia, and parts of North America. Estimated value at time of destruction was incalculable…

Kade ended the transmission. "If this is the real thing…"

http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=995

Lena Austin
Http://www.LenaAustin.com

PG13 Excerpt: Holiday Howlz- Haulin' Hawg by Lena Austin (Paranormal, BDSM, Shifters, GLBT, Seasonal)

Read an excerpt

Holiday Howlz: Haulin' Hawg by Lena Austin Cover art: Reneé George ISBN: 978-1-60521-302-6 Genre(s): Paranormal, Hot Flashes, BDSM Theme(s): Shapeshifters, Christmas, Seasonal Themes, Gay and Lesbian Series: Holiday Howlz Multi-Author Series Length: Hot Flash

http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1283

Blurb:

In the six months since Loren left his biker lover back in Barkus, Kansas, they've never said those three important words. Now Loren's coming back, and silent BD has plans that involve bungee cords and a motorcycle to prove his love.

Excerpt:

Holiday Howlz: Haulin' Hawg
Lena Austin
All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2009 Lena Austin

This e-book file contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language which some may find offensive and which is not appropriate for a young audience. Changeling Press E-Books are for sale to adults, only, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.

Loren drummed his fingers nervously on the steering wheel of his eighteen-wheeler. Saying "his" even in his mind made him smile. After six months on the road without a break, save for a week's layover in El Paso while the company repaired his antenna, he was ready for a holiday at home.

Home. What a funny word for a guy who'd run away from his last foster home at sixteen and vowed never to be shackled to the system again. Now he was driving for Barkus, Kansas, making his semi scream down I-70 in the winter. Running back to the man of his dreams, Bad Dawg the biker.

The long-legged, slow-talking redhead with a voice like Sam Elliott at his finest was enough to distract Loren from the road and make him smile a shit-eating grin nothing could wipe off his face. Man, he had it bad for BD, and he didn't care about traps and being tied down to a place anymore.

Unfortunately, Loren hadn't given BD a definite arrival time. Naturally, as a low man on the hierarchy of truckers working for the company, he'd gotten all the shitty little jobs none of the others wanted. Loren had done his time and paid his dues, and now the truck he sat in was assigned to him, and him alone. He could customize the berth, up to a point, and had managed to acquire a refrigerator, coffee pot, and a specialized GPS system for truckers. Loren patted the GPS device, sitting atop the Qual-com computer. The luxury of never being lost had been worth every cent.

He hoped BD would stoop from his artistry with customizing motorcycles to help Loren outfit the berth for comfort and function. Eventually, if their relationship worked out for the long haul, Loren would send BD money for the down payment on a Harley to customize.

Loren dreamed of owning a Harley Hawg, customized in blue metallic paint. Not that Loren minded, but riding the bitch seat behind BD was murderous on the ego and the kidneys. Loren wanted his own bike to ride next to BD.

The exit to Barkus was nothing more than a tiny county road sign, but Loren's GPS beeped a warning in plenty of time for him to turn north and head toward the man he loved. The big blue semi made the turn with lumbering grace, considering Loren had dropped off the trailer in KC and was bob-tailing it home before the Qual-com lit up with another load and another delay on his requested holiday time. Four days of bliss with BD.

He hoped. Talking on the phone was fine, considering how the conversations went. BD had never been talkative, and Loren understood his private nature. Hell, a prairie dog shifter had to be cautious to survive, and BD made secrecy into a fine art.

Loren crawled his semi through the town of Barkus. Not only was the day getting on toward dusk, but the small town had strict speed limits. The last thing Loren wanted was a speeding ticket. Not a good way to meet your future father-in-law, especially since the sheriff might not approve of his son's human mate.

Loren winced to himself, still incredulous at the circumstances. A whole town of shifters, mixed with tolerant or ignorant human residents -- a gator shifter, among others! The still-pink scar on his hand reminded him of when BD had bitten him to prove the point.

He turned into the gravel and dirt driveway, which led to BD's home. The house was dark, meaning BD wasn't inside. Sure enough, the lights blazed out the window of the huge barn BD had converted into a workshop. Loren parked his rig in the parking lot mostly used by BD's biker buddies.

Loren sniffed himself cautiously when he got out of the cab. He'd bathed yesterday at a truck stop in Indiana, but he didn't want to offend BD's nose just in case. A guy got pretty darn rank when he could only stop to bathe and do laundry about once a week. Of course, BD had stated clearly when they spoke three days ago that Loren could have another religious experience in the cathedral to cleanliness BD termed a bathroom. Loren intended to take him up on the offer.

Loren walked around to the small side door of the barn and didn't bother to try to muscle open the big double doors. They were for when a bike needed to be driven in for custom work or minor repairs. A wailing scream of metal being ground -- or a tone-deaf banshee chorus warming up -- assailed Loren's ears before he even turned the doorknob.

Loren winced at the painful sound and seriously considered waiting in the truck. The sound was eardrum-shattering through the barn walls and made his skin crawl. Now he knew for certain you could kill with sound. His ears begged him not to open the door, but he had to see BD. He turned the knob, and when the door swung free, he clapped his hands over his ears and stepped into the cavernous barn.

BD was there, in a corner area where a welding setup and other metal-smithing tools stood. In front of him on a bench, clamped to a fare-thee-well, was part of a motorcycle's motor jugs, and BD made a grinder scream as he made minute adjustments to angles on the vanes of the jugs. He had a massive set of sound-deadening earphones on and, from the focused concentration on his face, was deaf and blind to anything but his work.

What Loren knew about customizing bikes would fit in a teacup in comparison to BD, but the way the already cut pieces reflected the lights was beautiful. Someone had undoubtedly paid BD a small fortune, because the Harley sitting nearby was a work of art in baby blue and silver chrome. Loren drooled on his steel toes to go admire, but he dared not.

Loren also recognized that disturbing BD in any manner while he used the grinder could destroy the bike's motor. Those finicky cuts were probably made on precise angles. If he startled BD, he could ruin a month's work. Since leaving BD there suited Loren, he backed out of the barn and shut the door softly. He hiked up to the house, found the spare key right where BD had told him the hiding rock would be, and let himself into the house. He had a little holiday surprise to prepare for one redheaded prairie dog.

http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1283

Lena Austin

Http://www.LenaAustin.com

Welcome to the 1Romance Ebooks Blog Tour!

Happy Anniversary to 1Romanceebooks.com! 

My personal thanks to Chelle Cordero at http://chellecordero.blogspot.com for sending her guests on to me here at The Depraved Duchess. This is stop #9 on the tour. Once you've read my excerpt below, please keep reading for your chance to win a prize from me! You can't win if you don't stay in! 

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 Synopsis:

Hatshepsut is a God’s Wife, a member of a secret political society of Egyptian noblewomen who use whatever it takes for the good of Egypt—money, assassination, even sex. Royal by birth, her entire life is spent in training to be the consort of the Pharaoh, Tutmose.

Despite her love for Senmut, who as a humble scribe is an unacceptable husband, Hati succeeds in winning the Pharaoh’s affections. But when Tutmose dies unexpectedly she is left as Regent of Egypt and pregnant with the dead Pharaoh’s heir.

Akenmose, her husband’s brother, is plotting to kill her and the babe—and to take the throne of Egypt for himself. Hati must protect Egypt against his deadly schemes until her son is old enough to take the throne. With Senmut and the God’s Wives standing behind her,  Hati will use every weapon she finds to keep her infant son alive. Will her sacrifices be enough to save Egypt?Or will Akenmose’s schemes succeed despite the power of the God’s Wife?

http://www.aspenmountainpress.com/more-hot-reads/the-god-39-s-wife/prod_310.html

Excerpt:

No man still breathing could've resisted the look she shot him over her shoulder from the door to the bathing chamber. Mo was sure he was still breathing, albeit raggedly. "Move, you idiot," he commanded himself softly.

It was the greatest irony that, when he could command an empire, his own body wouldn't obey him instantly. It moved like one of the wooden puppets sold in the markets, but move it did at last. His goblet of juice dropped unheeded on the floor. For once, he refused to care about a stained fur.

Mo entered the bathing chamber and found Hati waiting, already naked, in the brown water. Her long hair was piled on top of her head and held there with a single skewer. The ends of her hair curled in the steam and framed her face with little wisps. Her feline smile was still there, making her brown and gold eyes gleam in the lamplight like some lioness waiting to pounce on prey in the dark.

 Mo hesitated in the doorway, fighting the lingering feelings of self-doubt. With shaking hands, he undid his kilt, placing it on the bench provided. Mo felt like a virgin, though assuredly, he was not! Images of his previous lackluster performances threatened to un-man him, as they had so many times before. Perhaps he would be a eunuch for the rest of his life.

Hati read his thoughts as easily as she could read a scroll, for Mo could feel the bright spark of her ka in his head. Softly and enticingly, she called out his name. "Mo."

As much as he tried not to, Mo stiffened. Were it not for the fact that his unworthy brother, Akenmose, would ascend to the throne, he would have abdicated and fled into the desert rather than chance failure once more. It would be a far worse fate to allow Akenmose to plunder Egypt in his evil greed. He had to try, for the sake of Egypt. Mo set his jaw and faced his fear.

"Come, get into the bath, Mo. I cannot massage you unless you get into the water with me. The stress of ruling has made you tighter than the strings of a lyre. Let me help you. The hot water is very soothing and smells good."

She had no need to lie. He was tense, and her massage skills were excellent, as she'd proven many times since he'd accepted her as his bride. The water did smell good for all it looked horrid. There were even tiny flowers floating in the water and sticking to her wet skin.

Mo came closer and slid into the herbed water, trying to smile. "You look like a Nile goddess, Hati, with little flowers all over your—skin." One little flower clung desperately to a little pink nipple, and his eyes lingered hungrily there.



http://www.aspenmountainpress.com/more-hot-reads/the-god-39-s-wife/prod_310.html
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I remind you that you must be registered as a participant in this blog tour and have a participant number. If you don't have your number, please return to 1romanceebooks.com and register. You don't want to miss out on all these great prizes! Speaking of prizes, mine is a FREE EBOOK from my backlist at Changeling Press. If you've not visited there, the address is: http://www.changelingpress.com/author.php?uid=11 if you want to do a little anticipatory browsing. 

Now, here's the Question of the Day: Only one of my books is presently available in print. Name that book in a comment to be eligible for a prize. The more comments you leave on the tour, the better your chances of winning the grand prize: a Sony e-reader! 

Now that you've commented, the next stop on the anniversary tour is #10 with Charisma Knight at: http://charismaknight.blogspot.com . Good luck!

Website is Temporarily Down

My thanks go out to Cafee/Cathie who alerted me that my website, http://www.LenaAustin.com is down. Hard down with no host. Nothing. Zip, zilch, nada.

After a small screaming fit of pure panic, I took the advice of Marteeka Karland and went immediately to The Romance Studio and the marvelous Tina Pavlik. Thanks to Tina taking the initiative while I dealt with my family's ongoing financial crisis, Tina built me a new site.

Since I can't sing worth crap, and can't hold a tune in a bucket, I'll spare you my singing the praises of TRS and Tina. For about three seconds. La-la-la-la!!! Tina is my heroine, and from now on I am her devoted fan.

My new animated banner!!

Marteeka Karland did this cool animated banner for me. I hope it works so you can see the great pictures she found! I'm so thrilled.

Recent Release and Coming Soon List

Some of you have missed out on my recent flurry of releases, so here's the list:

***Recent Releases:***
Coyote Non Grata
http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1136

Rise to Power
http://www.aspenmountainpress.com

***Coming Soon:***

Unicorn Valley Collection
http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1172

Dawg Town: Bad Dawg
http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1182

Berdache
http://www.aspenmountainpress.com

LGBT Ebook and Print Releases April 11-17, 2009

Elisa Rolle sent me the following. I approve and pass on to you this lovely list.
Lena

Following are the LGBT releases for April 11-17 that I will post on Sunday.

Every release will have an excerpt link (posted on my LiveJournal), if available, and a buy link (to the publisher website).

The authors who haven't already sent me an excerpt to post are welcome to do so: if I receive the excerpt before saturday, I will post it this weekend, otherwise I will post it the following weekend and update the releases post.

AMBER ALLURE
Most Likely To Succeed by Shawn Lane
Paxton's Winter by T. D. McKinney

CHANGELING PRESS
Hoosier Werewolf: Howl & Prowl (Collection) by Kate Steele
Coyote Non Grata by Lena Austin
Bad Angels: Falling by Belinda McBride

DREAMSPINNER PRESS
A Strong Hand by Catt Ford
Naval Maneuvers by John Simpson

EXCESSICA
Like Magnets, We Attract edited by Jaye Valentine
Dance of the Ravishers by Habu


LITERARY ROAD
Dragonmen Book 1: Mate Hunt by Amber Kell

LOOSE ID

Northern Love by Nica Berry
Reckless Behavior by Amanda Young

LULU PRESS
Somatesthesia by Ann Somerville

MLR PRESS
Angels of the Deep by Kirby Crow

PHAZE BOOKS
Hungry Heart by Jamie Hill


TORQUERE PRESS
Between Us by AKM Miles
Out to Lunch by Anah Crow and Dianne Fox
Possessor and Possessed: A Jarheads Story by Sean Michael
Lemon Drops by Sean Michael
Saffron Stains by Alex Draven
Taste Test: Chrome by Tory Temple
Taste Test: Legendary Creatures, edited by Lorna Hinson with stories by ID Locke, Kate Roman and BA Tortuga
Toy Box: Beads edited by M. Rode with stories by Lee Benoit, S. Blaise and Syd McGinley

TOTAL-E-BOUND
Wolfen Choice by Jamie Hill & Jude Mason

Warmest Regards, Elisa

ELISA
My Journal: elisa-rolle.livejournal.com
My Blog: rosaromance.splinder.com
My Library: www.librarything.com/catalog/elisa.rolle
My Space: www.myspace.com/elisarolle

Dragon's Egg (Collection) receives 5 NYMPHS!!

Chocolate Minx gave my collection of Dragons - Dragon's Egg, Dragon's Stone, & Dragon's Quest - 5 Nymphs from Literary Nymphs Reviews!! Woo Hoo!!


Dragon's Egg

by Lena Austin

Now Available from Changeling Press!

Reviewer Chocolate Minx says, "The incredible Lena Austin created a magical plot with realism, hilarious characters and very arousing intimate scenes. Dragon’s Egg (Collection) is worthy of repeat readings..." Read the review!

Join Me & a slew of other Paranormal Authors this Monday!

Where: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LizziesTeaRoom/

Kick off, 9:00 a.m. ET on March 30^th.

Ends 9:00 a.m. ET on March 31^st.

We will be posting excerpts, sharing info, and holding contests! Drop in & out as you can. No pressure, just FUN!

Lizzie will give away 3 “Special Prize Packages” over the 24 hour timeline. You don't want to miss this!

Blue Rose has Won a Golden Blush!!

To see the review, go HERE.

Wahoo!!

Thank you Chocolate Minx!!

Lena, the Stunned and Happy

Spaceport: Time Bomb is at Fictionwise!

I got this notice in the mail!


TITLE: Spaceport: Time Bomb by Lena Austin

PRICE: $4.49 CATEGORY: Erotica

LENGTH: 23638 words; Reading time: 67-94 minutes

EPUBLISHER: Changeling Press LLC Published: 2008

DESCRIPTION: Pepper and her cyborg ally, Kade Starke, scavenge space junk hoping to find that one-in-a-million hunk of rock that will make them rich. Then they find the sad wreck of an old shuttle, and a hunk inside named Dr. Logan MacDonald. Oh, and several billion credits worth of long-lost artifacts and art. Now everyone from pirates to Imperial forces want Logan and his treasure. To get the artifacts to where they can be shared by all humanity and not just a wealthy few, Logan and his scavenger friends may just have to turn the treasure ship into a literal time bomb.

http://www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/eBook83129.htm?r=3a2

Blue Rose is now at Fictionwise!

I just got this in the email this morning! What a great way to start the day.


TITLE: Blue Rose by Lena Austin
PRICE: $5.00
CATEGORY: Erotica
LENGTH: 38269 words; Reading time: 109-153 minutes
EPUBLISHER: Aspen Mountain Press Published: 2009
DESCRIPTION: Take a trip to Hell with your companions a poisoned warrior princess and her two suitor princes, both of whom have secrets. Their guide is a sassy...
http://www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/eBook82622.htm?r=2a23

In the Spotlight-- Raine Delight

Thanks for popping in, Raine. You’re a busy gal, so I’ll get right to it.

When did you know you wanted to be an author?
Raine says: I always loved to read. I think I can honestly say since I learned to read, I was fascinated by the stories authors told. Eventually, I found myself dreaming of stories and scribbling them down, not thinking of doing anything with them. In the past few years, a friend gave me the push and I found I enjoy creating worlds and appealing characters of my own.

That’s a good friend!

How long did it take you to complete the first novel you attempted?
Raine says: My first book was AWFUL!! I believe it is still in the box in my mom’s basement where I stored some things. The next one was my first book published, Sticky Magic, Devon Falls book 1. That took me one week to write.

Amazing how the good books just flow right out, isn’t it?

Are you a procrastinator, or do you set time aside everyday to write?
Raine says: Well, I go by the seat of my pants and since I work out of my home, that take precedence some days, especially as I am deadline some days. I set aside M-F while kids are in school to write something, be it fleshing out characters or checking on some WIP’s that need some work. Weekends are off limits in writing. That is my family time plus it also my errand time as well.

I hear you there! Without down time, my brain would explode!

Do you have any helpful methods or rituals you would like to share?
Raine says: um…*thinks* Always write something. Doesn’t matter if it is junk…..you can always go back and see the potential to something after it sits a spell.
I always have hot green tea on hand when I write or some Hugs Hershey Kisses. Keeps the muses happy. LOL I have music on in the background for noise unless the music is inspiring me as I write. Some of the Devon Falls books has some Music I was listening to mentioned.

I’ll have to try a bag of the Hugs and the hot tea. I’m a coffeeholic myself.

How many publishers did you query before one of them snatched you up?
Raine says: I was under one then it folded after three of the Devon Falls books were published. Aspen Mountain snapped the whole series up and my other paranormal romance book, Fairy Kisses and Magical Dreams.

I am currently finishing some tweaking on four manuscripts and sending them out to other publishers for consideration. *fingers crossed*

Fingers and toes crossed for you!

What was the hardest part about getting published? What was the easiest?
Raine says: Hardest….keeping myself from head hopping all over the place. I am getting better…a bit slowly. That is hard for me to see when I write so I am hopeful with the few manuscripts I have out there beta reading, I caught the problem.

Easiest? Research. *laughs* I am researching sex toys for a submission and let me tell you, I never blushed so much in my life. LOL Though honey loves it when I go into what he calls “Research Mode”.

LOL!! They do love to play research assistant, don’t they?

How has your life been affected as a result, if at all? Has your confidence in your writing changed?
Raine says: Well, real life does take center stage some days plus with two kids ages 9 and 7 that have dance classes and then honey and I couple time, it is a balancing act in itself. I am lucky that honey and my kids support me in this and that they are proud to hear of my accomplishments and downturns.

Yep, you’re very lucky.

What advice would you give a writer just starting out?
Raine says: network with other authors. Learn, grow and always push the boundaries. Take online free courses and keep writing!

Good advice for anyone wanting to advance a career.

I hear new genres are opening up. Can you tell us about some?
Raine says: Urban Fantasy is gaining momentum big time. I love that genre and find myself wondering if I can even go that way in writing. J

What have you published and where can I get your books?
Raine says: Currently I am at Aspen Mountain Press (www.aspenountainpress.com), you can find my books at Fictionwise, ARe, and Amazon Kindle.

Devon Falls Series (paranormal Erotic Romance)at AMP:
1) Sticky Magic-In Babes in Toyland II Anthology
http://www.aspenmountainpress.com/anthologies/winter-anthologies/babes-in-toyland-ii/prod_103.html

2) Red Hot Magic
AMP: http://www.aspenmountainpress.com/paranormal/romance/devon-falls-red-hot-magic/prod_117.html
ARe: http://allromanceebooks.com/product-devonfallsredhotmagic-13609-144.html
Fictionwise: http://www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/eBook64684.htm

3) Fiery Magic
AMP: http://www.aspenmountainpress.com/paranormal/romance/devon-falls-fiery-magic/prod_145.html
ARe: http://allromanceebooks.com/product-devonfallsfireymagic-10434-149.html
Fictionwise: http://www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/eBook70145.htm

Non-Series books at AMP:
Fairy Kisses and Magical Dreams
AMP: http://www.aspenmountainpress.com/paranormal/romance/devon-falls-fiery-magic/prod_145.html
ARe: http://allromanceebooks.com/product-fairykissesandmagicaldreams-12186-144.html
Fictionwise: http://www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/eBook76589.htm


Do you have anything currently under contract?
Raine says: Currently I am fixing up the next Devon Falls book, Haunting Magic. This one is about Damien’s twin, Rodrick and how the woman who is his mate is not what he imagines.
I am waiting to hear on a paranormal romantic comedy called Falling to Pieces and a few others as well.

Anything else you’d like to tell us?
Raine says: Celebrate Valentine’s Day in Devon Falls with hunky bachelors, a dog auction and some steamy dreams as Raven DeMarco finds herself dreaming of the one man who can give her everything she ever wanted but can Jean-Claude find her before the end of Valentine’s day? Come to Devon Falls this year and be captivated at how two people find themselves lost in their desire.

Thank you, Raine! Well, let’s get right to that excerpt, shall we?
Here’s a taste of Devon Falls!

Devon Falls: Red Hot Magic
*Book 2 in Series*
Author: Raine Delight
Aspen Mountain Press
Release date: 2/7/08
Paranormal Contemporary Erotic Romance

BUY LINKS:
AMP: http://www.aspenmountainpress.com/paranormal/romance/devon-falls-red-hot-magic/prod_117.html
ARe: http://allromanceebooks.com/product-devonfallsredhotmagic-13609-144.html
Fictionwise: http://www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/eBook64684.htm

With the help of a charity fundraiser, Jenna sets her friend, Raven, up to find Mr. Perfect. Raven though, has found Mr. Perfect...in her dreams. Now, if she could only find the sexy man in real life.

Edited Excerpt

Raven felt the soft breeze swirl and the silk sheets slither around her body like a lovers hands. She opened her eyes and looked around. She wasn’t in her apartment and she was naked. How the hell did that happened? Instead she was in a dream; something was going to happen tonight and she knew her life would change forever. “You’re awake I see. We have so many other delicious things to do yet, my love,” a deep voice whispered across the room. Raven shivered as desire raced thru her body faster than she ever had imagined. “Who are you? What do you want of me?” Turning left then right, she tried to figure out where the voice came from. As the breeze swirled around the room, it caressed her body, making her nipples tighten and wetness pool in her core. Trying not to let her mystery man know how he much he affected her, Raven tried to still her aching body with deep breaths. That is until she spied the tall man walking toward her from the shadows. With hair dark as midnight, a body that stormed her defenses with just a look, his blue eyes locked onto hers. He was easily over 6 foot 5” and he was deliciously naked…with a cock that begged to be suckled and licked. It was absolutely the largest one Raven had ever seen and it grew larger with every step he took toward her. This man would give her the ultimate pleasure she had been searching for and she would crave even more from him. Gulping, she felt rather than saw him sit on the edge of the bed. As her gaze traveled up his body to his face, she caught laughter in his marvelous eyes as he watched her take stock of his body. “Love, you don’t have to be afraid. You know who I am even if you don’t want to admit it. I’m your soul mate and I’ve been searching for you for a long time. You need me as much as I need you, Cheri. I am coming for you.” Raven shivered as those words slammed into her with a desire that almost had her coming on the spot. Shifting, Raven asked again, “Who are you?” Before she could do or say anything else, this towering man took her hand, palm side up and with a kiss in the center said, “I am your destiny!” Raven tried to speak, her lips opened but before she could say one word she felt him tip her face toward his. He settled those sexy lips on hers allowing one last thought to pierce her lust filled brain…Damn he’s like a decadent dessert…all ready to gobble up unless you slow yourself down to enjoy every last bite.

Night Critters on You Tube!!

This is the best book trailer in the world, IMHO. LOL!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBGOoZKbscs

Lena

Want to Hear Me on BlogTalkRadio?

Do you know BlogTalkRadio? Want to hear my infamous "whiskey and cream" voice? I chatted with Stella Price LIVE the other day on her BlogTalkRadioShow.

Here's the address: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/booksbeyondtheboundaries

Just turn up your speakers!

Lena