What do you think is sexy?

What is sexy? How do you define it when so many have so different a view about what is sexy? And it’s not just how we view others, but ourselves and what we think is sexy, how we want to look to grab attention of our girlfriends, boyfriends, husbands, wives or whatever.

Chubby Chaser—I can’t begin to tell you how much I hate that term. It is a commonly used nickname for men who have a taste for curvier women that are not afraid to own what they’ve been given.  Who are we to say the women they are after are chubby, instead of voluptuous? I have friends that love the "dangerous curves". But sexy is about a lot more than just the shape or size of a body.

Another friend of mine loves men with big hands. It’s her number one turn on. Hands? Okay, I can work with that. Anyone else out there got a hand fetish?

Current trends say tattoos are hot, and I’m one of those women that love my guy inked up, but I have quite a few friends that can’t stand it. Sometimes you hear comments about women with ink, and how they would be so pretty if they hadn’t marked their skin. In my humble opinion, the more the better. Live free or die, sister.

I also love bald men. There’s just something about men that have the confidence to take it all off and own it like there is no tomorrow. And while I find this smoking hot and sexy, others may not.  

I also think confidence is sexy, and I doubt anyone will disagree with me on this one. Many people will perceive you as you see yourself. It’s a “I think, therefore I am mentality.” When you meet someone like this, you'll know. People are drawn to them like a magnet, and there is a reason for it.  

When my husband asked me  a year ago, what I thought was sexy, I said I love bald men that are not afraid to show it (he just happens to be one of those). You never see a woman move faster, than when he asks me to shave his head. So, when he asked me if I had any bald heroes in my books, I couldn’t think of a single one. Yeah, my  bad. I didn’t, even though they rev my engines. Why? Because I was going on what I thought the majority think is sexy. But you know what? There are a lot of crazy chicks like me out there that love bald, inked men, and I’m going to gamble on what they really think is sexy about that.

Confidence. That, and if you've ever rubbed a freshly shaved...uh, never mind.

Hot flash!

So, I had to change that. In my upcoming release, Being Prince Charming, I not only chose a mature hero who is in his mid forties, I also shaved his head and made him bald, and my heroine is going to find out just how charming he can be, with or without hair.

So, really, what do you think is sexy? I’d love to know.

Character Dressing

Story ideas pop into my head and run around my brain with free rein. One thing that happens is my visualizing the character/characters in all manners of dress. I know, I know, they do spend a good deal of time undressed but that’s another story. *grin*

Sometimes I see them in leather, sometimes jeans and occasionally in a suit. Truly I love men dressed to the nines—suit, pressed shirt, snazzy tie, and shiny shoes—but it seldom comes true in the actual story. I can’t tell you why this phenomenon happens, it just does.

The cats usually end up in leather, the dogs mostly prefer jeans and there have been a few suits in the mix and I always enjoy describing them, the color, the accessories and how well they fit. When I’m finished I always think “I’d sure love to run into a man dressed like that!”

So, you knew there would be pics right? No faces, just guys dressed like I’d want to see them dressed if they wore suits. Mr. Blackwell…eat your heart out. Here’s my top five. Though you know them, you’ll never guess who they are.

Growl and roar-it's okay to let the beast out.-J. Hali Steele

How I Met My Hero

Nineteen years ago today, I stood in front of my very own hero and exchanged vows. We were both extremely young then -- I was eighteen, out of high school only a year. He was twenty-one and sporting a high and tight, courtesy of the United States Marine Corps.

A lot of people (including a lot of family members) said we'd never last. We were too young to get married. Too young to settle down. And I'll admit, it wasn't love at first sight for us. In fact, if I went off first impressions, I never would have dated him, let alone married him. See, I kind of disliked him with an intense passion when we met in 1990. He was a show-off, arrogant and came off with an attitude where he thought he was such a smooth talker. I was even a little perturbed my ex-boyfriend had brought this guy around (yeah, that's a story for another time, but the ex and I were good friends).

When I got to know him a little better, because he annoyingly kept coming around to my lunch table everyday, but we ended up becoming really good friends. Then we started dating and he was shipped off to Paris Island, SC for basic training. That summer was spent exchanging letters. Letters I still keep in a box on my dresser even though they're just starting to turn brown from age.

Life wasn't all rainbows and cupcakes, but we're still together and that's my own personal HEA.

Latest Inspiration

Writers draw inspiration from life, music, movies, anything and everything.

I’m particularly moved by music. You might have noticed since I named a novel of mine Everlong. I’m not immune to the allure of a good show, though, and History Channel’s new series, Vikings, did what few television series have managed to do. It held my attention, and I tuned in to watch faithfully each week.

There were several things I loved about the show—its grit for one. Another was the lead character’s wife, Lagertha. She is a shield-maiden, a female warrior, and she is fierce as a mother and as a fighter. I fell in instant love with the strength and complexity of her character.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the song used during the opening credits. It’s a haunting melody called “If I Had A Heart” by Fever Ray. You have to take a listen. I bought the song after I heard it the first time. Needless to say, the lyrics “this will never end, ‘cause I want more” is sparking all sorts of ideas for future books.

How about you? Have you seen a show or heard a song lately that inspired you? Or maybe you’ve simply found a new show to watch or heard a new song that you enjoy. Let me know your latest discovery, and I’ll enter your name in a drawing for a $10 Samhain gift card.

Lia Davis--The Divinities Series

The Divinities Series by Lia Davis

Over three hundred years ago children were born to an elite group of witches that were unlike any of the other magical children. These children were born with a mark, a living tattoo of a single rose on the inside of the left forearm. They possess natural divine powers. The magical communities, called Covens, believed the children were gifts from the gods and called them The Divinities.

For decades the war between witches and demons seemed to diminish. Until recently. Two Divinities are missing. Three are dead, along with their spouses.  The victims were among the Divinities appointed by Hecate to watch over the Sinew–the source of all magic.

Now it is up to the Divinities to keep the Sinew from the demons and protect magickin and the world from a fate far worse than anyone can imagine.

~~ Book One ~~

Forgotten Visions

Released July 2012

About 62,000 words

Blurb:

Kalissa Bradenton isn’t your average coffee shop owner. Born to an elite witch bloodline with a rare genetic mutation, she’s a Divinity on a mission. The death of her parents sends her away from her Maxville, Florida, home and into an ancient war between witches and demons. When childhood friend Ayden Daniels comes to her aid after an almost fatal accident, visions of a past she doesn’t remember sparks an old flame and new desires. With the past slowly becoming clearer, she eagerly sets her sights on mending Ayden’s heart and gaining his trust–until a ghost from her past returns to claim her as his demonic mate.

Ayden, the new Sheriff of Maxville and grandson of the oldest living Divinity, is investigating a series of Divinity killings. When he comes face-to-face with the one woman he hopes to have little to no contact with, old pain rises, quickly followed by anger and resentment. Through his rare power of adaptability, he learns actions from the past may not be what they seem. Hope fills his broken heart and determination pushes him to do whatever it takes to win Kalissa’s heart once more before he loses her forever.

Together they must find the strength to mend their tormented souls, while fighting an evil out to destroy the world.

Get it in eBook at Soul Mate Publishing | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ARe

Get it in paperback at Amazon

~~ Book Two ~~

Death’s Storm

Released November 2012

About 42,000 words

Blurb:

Technical genius and demi-goddess--aka Divinity--Khloe Bradenton relies on no one for help, and she definitely doesn’t need comfort from anyone other than her twin. After her parents died by the demons’ hands over two years ago, she has graciously stepped up to her place in the war between demons and witches. When a creature far more dangerous than the ones responsible for killing her parents claims he is her guardian, she is torn between her desires for the dark predator and the painful loss she has endured at the hands of her enemies.

One of the last death demons still in existence, Jagger has pledged his life to the Goddess Hecate. Charged with the guardianship over the Divinities, he is never to approach them, but to aid them from a distance. When the firestorm, Khloe, sacrifices herself to save her twin and best friend and becomes the prey, he has no choice but to reveal himself to her. He is taken by surprise when the need to claim her as his own emerges. A desire he has never felt before could be more dangerous than the demons out to destroy them.   

Get it in eBook at Amazon | B&N | ARe | Kobo

Get it is paperback at Amazon | CreateSpace

GIVEAWAY!

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~~ About the Author ~~

Lia Davis is a mother to two young adults and two very special kitties, a wife to her soul mate, a paranormal romance author, graphic designer, and co-owner to Fated Desires Publishing, LLC. She and her family live in Northeast Florida battling hurricanes and very humid summers. But it’s her home and she loves it!

An accounting major, Lia has always been a dreamer with a very activity imagination. The wheels in her head never stop. She ventured into the world of writing and publishing in 2008 and loves it more than she imagined. Writing and designing are stress relievers that allow her to go off in her corner of the house and enter into another world that she created, leaving real life where it belongs.

Her favorite things are spending time with family, traveling, reading, writing, chocolate, coffee, nature and hanging out with her kitties.

Author website | Fated Desires Publishing | Books Amour | Heartthrob Haven

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Things You Can and Can't Say to Friends with Kids

I went to lunch with a friend of mine and we were talking about our lives. We hadn't seen each other in six months or so, even though we email here and there. So were chatting about what's been happening--her and her dog, me and my family...you know, the normal stuff.

As we're chatting I realized something. There are some things you can say in front of some people and other things you probably shouldn't say in front of others. I don't mean the real no-no's or being mean. I'm referring to the moments when the person you're talking to has no vested interest in what you're chatting about (ie kids) or they can't relate.

My friend falls into the second category. She doesn't have kids and doesn't want any. She's got her pets and that's fine. She did the marriage thing and it wasn't for her. Swell.

Most of the people I hang out with have kids or spend a lot of time around kids so when the stories start getting passed around, we can all relate. This was one of those moments where there wasn't much relating going on.

I was talking about tot being in the camper and having to go to the restroom. Kids of a certain age feel the need to sing while in the potty. Mine included. I got to listen to a rousing rendition of the Star Wars theme. So I'm telling this story, because it was funny--tot on the pot, singing the Darth Vader song and getting rained on because he couldn't figure out how to close the vent above the restroom--and my friend was both horrified and embarrassed.

I realize that potty humor has it's place and time, but it was the most funny that the tot was being rained on. Her not having kids, she didn't see any humor in what I'd said. She wanted me to shut up. Of course, me being thick, didn't get that right away and finished the story. Yeah, should've quit while I was ahead. I didn't.

But it made me realize, when you're around a certain group of people, you forget what you can and can't say. A group of Mommies would totally be able to relate to the tot on the pot story. Others might not. Thankfully for me and my friend, we both have dogs--hers is a TAD more rambunctious than mine are--and could chatter about the neurotic things they do. Although to be honest, her dog does some things that trump the kid story and no, I won't share because they are gross things.

Anyone else have this issue? Forgetting your target audience and saying something you'd rather take back? I can't be alone in this. Let me know!

~~~~~

Want to know a little more about my latest release? Here you go!

Destined by Megan Slayer 

Number in Series: 2 (Haven House Vampires)

BIN: 06314-02029

Word Count: 19K

Page Count: 63

Price: $4.49

Release Date: April 19, 2013

Editor: Katriena Knights

Cover Artist: Reneé George

Genres: Erotic Romance, Novella, Paranormal

Themes: Vampires

A voluptuous blonde and a creature of the night -- can their connection withstand the strain?

Julian Moran isn’t like anyone Daisy knows. Dark, mysterious, deadly, and sexy as hell. He claims he’s going to protect her, but what exactly is he saving her from?

Daisy Greene isn’t just any woman to Julian -- they are fated. Vampires and humans don’t mix, no matter what fate says. Good thing Julian makes up his own rules.

Available from Changeling Press: http://changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=2029

~~~~~

And a bit about Megan Slayer:

When she's not writing the stories in her head, Megan Slayer can be found luxuriating in her hot tub with her two vampire Cabana boys, Luke and Jeremy. She has the tendency to run a tad too far with her muse, so she has to hide in the head of her alter ego, but the boys don't seem to mind.

When she’s not obsessing over her whip collection, she can be found picking up her kidlet from school. She enjoys writing in all genres, but writing about men in love suits her fancy best. The cabana boys are willing to serve, unless she needs them. She always need them. So be nice to Javier or he will bite--on command.

She also masquerades under the name Wendi Zwaduk and is published through Changeling Press, Decadent Publishing , Liquid Silver Books, MLR Press, Resplendence Publishing, and Total-E-Bound Publishing.

Megan’s site: http://wendizwaduk.com/indexMegan.htm

Megan’s blog: http://theauthormeganslayer.blogspot.com

Megan on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/meganslayer

Megan on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5330530.Megan_Slayer

Megan on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/theauthormeganslayer

Megan on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/MeganSlayer

AuthorGraph: http://www.authorgraph.com/authors/MeganSlayer

Writing for a Publisher's Established Line - A Foot in the Door

Hello everyone! I hope you are all doing well.

It's been an exciting month for me, after releasing my first indie title, Alien Adoration, and working on edits for two more stories releasing soon from Decadent Publishing. One of the stories is Another Night, Another Planet, an erotic sci-fi romance that is part of both the 1Night Stand and Elatia lines at Decadent.

Now, I've written for several of the lines at Decadent, Elatia, 1Night Stand, The Edge, and The Challenge series. Why? For many reasons. My first story published was Celestial Seduction, a 1Night Stand story. The series had just started, and Rebecca Royce suggested I write a story for it as my foot in the door to being published. And it worked. The story not only increased my confidence in my writing, but exposed me to so many other opportunities, through my publisher, fellow authors, and more. As a newly published author, I also had a book in the same line as several well known authors who already had established readers. Because I had the same editors, readers could expect the same quality of story from me as the other authors.

With any line, there are established parameters that the author must follow in order for their story to qualify for submission. Usually, you can find that information on the publisher's submission page, or by contacting the editor(s) of the line.

For me, the Elatia line had the most guidelines, including a well-written world bible. Depending on the individual author, that can make writing the story easier or harder.

With my upcoming release, it is a hybrid of two lines, so I had to follow two sets of guidelines. And it was much easier than I expected, since I had already written for both of them, and knew them well. I hope you'll check out Another Night, Another Planet when it releases on June 14, 2013.

So, if you are an aspiring author, or looking to broaden your audience, consider writing for an established line at a publisher. Decadent Publishing has so many lines in multiple genres. Musa Publishing has several lines as well, including the Wiccan Haus, which I've heard a lot about lately, and Finally Ever After. There are several more publishers with established lines, too. If you know of any, please share them in the comments section.

Bio:

Jessica Subject is the author of contemporary and science fiction romance, ranging from sweet to erotica. In her stories, you could meet clones, or a sexy alien or two. You may even be transported to another planet for a romantic rendezvous.

When Jessica isn't reading, writing, or doing dreaded housework, she likes to get out and walk. Fast. But she just may slow down if there is a waterfall nearby.

Jessica lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband and two energetic children. And she loves to hear from her readers. You can find her at jessicasubject.com and on twitter @jsubject.

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Ending a Series...

I don't write a story intending it to be part of a trilogy or series. Most of my books come from stand alone ideas that then give birth to interesting characters that demand a book of their own.

Yep, I'm one of those weird authors whose characters rule their author - I simply write what they tell me to or the record images that consume my waking thoughts until I've put them on paper.

I'm finishing the third novel in one of my series and, I think, it's going to be the last one in this series. It's awesome to know it's finished. It's fantastic to know that I've created a set of  'real' characters, settings, and stories that have intrigued readers to follow through its entirety.

But it's also really horribly sad to say good-bye.

These are 'people' I've been 'living with' for the last few years. And we've been through some big-time serious stuff, let me tell you. I mean, everything came out okay in the end - which was a huge relief, let me tell you ;) since I was there for every step of their journey.

Again, I know logically that they aren't real people and their journeys are simply the words I put on paper - but... They were, are, and (I suspect) always will be so much more.

I know that I've felt this way when I've become particularly attached to a series I was reading as well. You almost dread reading the closing chapter because you know, when you've read that last page, it's over. You can read it again, and you probably will, but that shiny, new, amazing feeling is different now that you know how it all ends. Does it diminish you're loyalty and devotion to these characters? NO. But it does make those last, fulfilling pages of resolution in that final book harder to tear through?  :)

So, I want to know. What was the last series or book you didn't want to end? Did you read it or will you read the series or book again? What do you do when you're done reading an especially important book?

For Love of a Ghost Story

When I was a child, my brothers would love it when I'd read them ghost stories. We would set up a tent in the house or one of the bedrooms (clothesline and a sheet, nothing fancy). The dogs would curl up next to us and we'd sit around while I read stories. They begged me to read something scary. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark was a favorite. It's a great book full of short stories. :D 

I remember watching their faces as each story moved toward the end, loving the way their eyes widened and breathing changed. When the scare point happened, they nearly threw themselves out of tent. The dogs would get in an uproar, and I'd laugh until a grumpy adult came out to scold us for being so loud. LOL! I never told my brothers how reading the story to them made it seem less scary to me, but I loved it! 

That one book hooked me on the scare, the wonder of something else being out there. 

Horror movies, ghost stories (tragic, romantic, or scary), RL Stine, Christopher Pike, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, etc. fed my growing obsession. Over time I'd read most of the ghost stories out there and drifted away for a while, hoping there would be a surge of them again. When I found Ghost Whisperer, my love of ghost stories reawakened. I picked up all the ghost stories I could, but was left disappointed. 

Available May 31st!

I was talking with Ditter Kellen about my frustration over it. I wanted to read a particular type of ghost story and it was nowhere to be found. She suggested I write it myself. Now, why didn't I think of that? We talked about it, talked it over, got really excited about it, and then decided to write it together. Our writing partnership was born on this one little ghost story. 

Ditter Kellen and I wanted to write a ghost story that would draw the person in, make them want to believe in the supernatural, and give them a sexy, incredible romance. I think we did that with Haunting Melody St. Claire. It was our first book together (though another one came out before it).

Haunting Melody St. Claire, coming May 31st.

Melody St. Claire doesn’t believe in ghosts. Until a fire destroys her whole world, forcing her into a beautiful haunted house and the territorial domain of one very real, incredibly mysterious resident spirit.

Sexy Travis Santiago haunts the walls of his family home. Resigned to being alone, he merely exists in a place between the living and the dead until the frustrating little brunette enters his life and his heart. He can give her what she needs, if she would just believe.

The passion he ignites threatens to consume her, heart and soul, but may not be enough to hold back the nightmares. And Melody can’t possibly hope to spend forever with a man who is already dead.

A Romantica® paranormal erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave

Keep on down the road...

One of the best things about writing a series is letting the characters grow and expand, show the reader more of what makes them tick. While the first book is usually all about the action the second and continuing stories allow the author to show more of what the characters are all about, what makes them either so lovable or loathsome.

In "Blood of the Pride" I introduced you to Rebecca Desjardin, a cat shifter who can't shift—outcast and shunned by her family until they need her help. With a foot in both the Felis and human worlds she helped find a rogue male and at the same time found love in a curious journalist named Brandon Hanover who not only figures out what she is but loves her for it.

"Claws Bared", book two, was released this past January and sent Reb down to a small town in Pennsylvania to help figure out who killed a popular male stripper. During that adventure she and Brandon figured out where they were going with their relationship and moved to the next level.

Now with "Family Pride", releasing June 3^rd from Carina Press, the intrepid cat shifter finds herself in dangerous new territory—dealing with Brandon's family. It's one thing to meet the parents and find them wanting someone better for their son, another to be forced into working for them in order to save your own.

Here's a short excerpt from "Family Pride"!

***

"My parents want to meet you."

I dropped the thick ceramic mug in the sink. It bounced once before landing in the inch-deep soapy water. The clanging sound bounced around my skull, settling behind my left eye and throbbing.

"Your parents are dead." I turned and leaned against the counter. "Are we attending a séance?"

Bran bit his lower lip. He hadn't bothered to put a shirt on, choosing to pad around my house barefoot in a pair of jeans that fit perfectly in all the right places. We'd finally dragged ourselves out of bed for lunch, ordering in pizza because we had run out of groceries.

His dark eyes met mine, apologetic and pleading.

"They're not, ah, dead. They're sort of alive."

I picked up the mug and contemplated how much strength it would take to smash it. "Your parents are zombies?"

"My parents are alive and well and very much human."

I weighed the mug in my palm, letting him watch my fingers curl around the cool clay. "You lied to me. Four months ago you lied to my face."

"Maybe." Bran put out his hand, pointing at the mug. "Please put that down."

I glared at him.

"Okay, I lied. A bit." His hand didn't move, still outstretched toward the mug. "I told you my parents were dead but that was right after we'd met and we were on opposite sides of the case." Bran smiled. "And I didn't know how good we could be together."

I didn't blink.

"Cut me a break, Reb. You've got your own family secrets." He shifted to one side with a grin, showing off his newest scratches on one shoulder. "And I can make you purr."

Damned redhead had a point. We'd both kept things from each other back then. I hadn't exactly been forthcoming about the fact that I wasn't human, but when Bran had come face-to-face with my Felis heritage I hadn't lied and denied.

I still didn't have to like it. "Who are they and why did you lie?"

He didn't move. My gaze traveled over his bare chest, resting on the fresh scars across his midsection courtesy of our latest work trip to Penscotta, Pennsylvania. He'd fought another Felis for his life and, in his own way, for me.

The least I could do was hear him out before throwing the mother of all temper tantrums.

"My father is Michael Hanover." Bran paused. "Of Hanover Investments."

I nearly dropped the mug.

"Hanover Investments. As in, they make more money in ten minutes than I'll ever see in my lifetime?" I croaked. I'd flipped through a few business articles over the past few years when I was supposed to be reading a paper and instead using it for surveillance. The business section guarantees you won't be distracted by the articles.

"Yeah. Them." He sounded almost apologetic. "It's a family business. Three generations."

"You're related to those Hanovers?"

"Michael and Bernadette Hanover are my parents." He reached out and took the mug from my numb fingers. "The reason I lied was because it'd become an instinctive reaction to explain away my wealth. Easier to say trust fund than explain my dysfunctional relationship with my parents." He shook his head, a sad smile on his lips. "You'd be surprised how many gold diggers are out there looking to snag a rich man. Or his son."

I tried to get my breathing under control. "Those Hanovers."

"We'd just met," Bran repeated. He placed the mug out of my reach and returned to stand in front of me, both hands up. "And I used the same line I use with everyone to explain my wealth. It was automatic."

***

While I don't think many of us lied to our prospective mates about our family being dead, I think we can all relate to Reb's shell shock at finding out who the Hanovers are—and when she finds out how dangerous they are it'll force her to make decisions that will change her life and her relationship with both families and Brandon forever.

I hope you'll come along for the latest book in the series and get to know Brandon and Rebecca better—after all, there's still plenty of mysteries for them to find and solve!

On another note I'll be appearing from June 12^th to the 16^th at the Origins Game Fair as part of the Library track – if you're in the Columbus, Ohio area and looking for a great way to spend a day or five, please check out the schedule! I'll be there discussing superheroes and romance writing along with many great authors such as Timothy Zahn and Michael Stackpole and there'll be plenty of great books for sale along with some faboo gaming opportunities.

If you're in the area it'd be great to see you!