Lora Leigh’s Tempting the Beast is book one of the Breed series. I didn’t start there, which is fine because the stories stand alone very well.
For me, this series holds the same kind of appeal I suspect the Twilight series has for so many. The story world is well formed and blended with enough reality to make the suspension of disbelief nearly unconscious.
The romance remains firmly center stage. This too works well, because IMHO romance is Ms. Leigh’s strong suit. Her writing is clear and convincing. The erotic scenes. always tied to the romance, are frequent and steamy.
Rather odd clinical word choices interspersed with common, sometimes coarse, terms for body parts jar me, but not enough for me to set the book down. ;)
What I write is fiction, always. The characters, the situations, and sometimes the settings are all imaginary. And yet, real life does play a part.
In my neighborhood there are two pirate houses. I don’t know the occupants in either case. But they fly the Jolly Roger on a standard flagpole at one abode and the other has the friendly skull and crossbones professionally stenciled on every window. That same property is posted with a sign warning that all trespassers will be flogged. Nothing says pirate to me quite like flogging warnings.
Then we have the Seafair pirates, who dress up and play pirate for a day of summer fun.
Not to mention the real life news making pirates. Who are not any fun at all and bear no resemblance to my sexy modern pirates. ;)
The word meter on my News page doesn’t really tell it like it is. Balloons and the cartoon writer is hoisting his pint doesn’t fit with finishing a first draft–not for me.
A first draft, is going to get at least one more revisions before it is available for the kindly eyes of an editor, and yet another revision before it is exposed to the tender eyes of readers.
Revising to correct a mistake is easy, revising that involves changing basic character traits and/or major plot points is not so easy.
And that’s exactly where I am with the Christmas Story, I love the characters–but the characters that captured my heart aren’t on the page with the depth and clarity they need to have for readers to fall in love with them as I have.
One other slight problem, the outer story is missing. I’ve read lots of romances where the relationship was the plot. But, the kindly editor was firm on this point–her readers expect a story–something more unique than boy meets girl.
So, unsympathetic characters and missing plot–the sub-plot I’d agonized over? Best part (though not a romance). Kindly editor recommends stripping it, since it detracts from the main story or what should be the main story.
Since receiving the feedback, I’ve been thinking about what to do with the manuscript, still haven’t decided. What it needs is deep revision. I’d rather write fresh than do deep revision. And yet, I love the characters in my head and no one else knows their story….
Speaking of deep revision, that is also what’s needed for the current story, which I envisioned as a short piece. Now, I’m wondering how on earth I’m going to get two complex people and satisfactory story told in relatively few words. I know other writers do it. I’ve even done it myself a time or two. Right this moment, it strikes me as an insane ambition.
Manipulated into spending a long weekend at a romantic Caribbean resort by her demanding boss, Rhianna makes the best of the assignment. What she needs is to get laid because it’s been so long she’s almost forgotten what a real man feels like. She hopes that the long weekend will include a suitable lover. But, the resort is a honeymoon haven, leaving her the odd woman out–as usual.
Damien, the dominant masseur, is the answer to all of Rhianna’s overheated fantasies, except that he’s fourteen years too young–barely legal. Ready, able, and willing to play sex games with Rhianna, the beautiful executive. He doesn’t bother disclosing his real agenda. To protect his mother, he needs leverage to expose Rhianna’s boss as a fortune hunter. Rhianna holds access to the proof he needs. But, she’s only cooperative about sex and the rules of their games keep changing….
No, I’m not back to work yet. The delay is due to conflicting goals (a good thing in a story–but, not so great in real life). Along with wanting to get the next story going I also have aspirations about becoming more spontaneous. I had a chance to get away for a few days and I said yes. Problem with that is I had so much fun I was much too tired to get back to work when I got home.
I should be back on schedule next week.
In the meantime, in no particular order here’s six things I love about traveling:
1) Someone else cleans up my messes
2) I can be in another part of the world in a few hours
3) It’s always an adventure
4) Someone else does the cooking
5) The scenery changes
6) Coming home is sooooo comforting–far more so than when I haven’t gone anywhere…
Crying Wolf by Peter Abrahams, which you can learn more about by going here he’s excellent a thoroughly satisfactory thriller writer. Everything I want in that kind of story and few things I’d forgotten to ask for…
To catch a Heiress by Julia Quinn–for more details you can go here. Ms. Quinn captures my attention effortlessly and without keeping me up too late–just the right relaxing blend of a personable romance that lets me lose myself in another world.
Too many of my favorite authors aren’t huge commercial successes. Sadly, those of my favorites who do find fame and fortune with their writing are the exception rather than the rule.
I’ve pondered the why of this. Not least of all, because I’m one of my own favorites authors. And while I’m not counting on becoming a big dog author, I’d hate to rule it out simply by liking my own work. ;)
On Thursdays, I attend to real life. ;) This time of year that definitely includes gardening. To see the latest photos and read my garden thoughts. Please go here
Next time I get to start a new story, I plan to work on Pirate Games . When I first thought about a modern pirate series a couple of years ago, there were few pirate incidents. So, I played the what-if game in my head to come up with a story world.
Nothing I dreamed up with is half as scary as the real pirates.
Rest assured that my sexy pirate stories bear absolutely no resemblance to any real life pirate or situation.
The mech warrior triad is an irresistible combination of heavy metal bodies, strong minds, and true hearts. Each man has special talents vital to rescuing Minka. Now their mission is to win her love.
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Just for the Valentine's Day Dom 101 class, fiery Miranda agrees to play the sassy sub -- definite type casting. But since she’s crushed on Tey forever, can she resist giving him all that he demands?
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All Holly wants for Christmas is a dom to call her own. All Colin wants for Christmas is a sweet little slave and some red rope. It should have been so easy… Why the hell did she have to be human?
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When both Hunter and Tru bond with Amber their mating triangle threatens everything they hold dear.
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Determined to help rescue the princess, Cassandra agrees to act as the dragons’ sex slave, but can she guard her heart from the dominant males?
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Camille, a plump, sweet-natured breeder, is caught in New Eden’s endless war with Baldor. Her mates, Jaxon and Aegis, need cunning and courage to rescue her. They need a miracle to capture her heart.
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Werewolf-whisper Daniel is the only one who can heal Scarlet’s broken werewolf connection. If he succeeds then the pack’s needs will eclipse his claim on her heart. But if he fails, they'll both die.
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A lonely woman finds passion with a dominant much younger lover, when she tries to leave she learns her new master plays for keeps.
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One dangerous warrior woman plus two rogue demon males equals a love to threaten an empire.
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Getting paid to watch Eduardo is Desiree’s dream assignment, but when he reaches out to her, crossing the line, everything changes.
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Deep in her secret heart, she lusts for a sexy pirate who’d be her master and commander in the bedroom. But, this man may be too dangerous Read more >>>
She finds paradise in the arms of twin brothers, but their law demands she chose one warrior to mate and one to die.
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One woman, two men, three wounded hearts--though already mated their love is still forbidden.
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When both Hunter and Tru bond with Amber their mating triangle threatens everything they hold dear.
Determined to help rescue the princess, Cassandra agrees to act as the dragons’ sex slave, but can she guard her heart from the dominant males?
Camille, a plump, sweet-natured breeder, is caught in New Eden’s endless war with Baldor. Her mates, Jaxon and Aegis, need cunning and courage to rescue her. They need a miracle to capture her heart.
Werewolf-whisper Daniel is the only one who can heal Scarlet’s broken werewolf connection. If he succeeds then the pack’s needs will eclipse his claim on her heart. But if he fails, they'll both die.
A lonely woman finds passion with a dominant much younger lover, when she tries to leave she learns her new master plays for keeps.
One dangerous warrior woman plus two rogue demon males equals a love to threaten an empire.
Getting paid to watch Eduardo is Desiree’s dream assignment, but when he reaches out to her, crossing the line, everything changes.
Deep in her secret heart, she lusts for a sexy pirate who’d be her master and commander in the bedroom. But, this man may be too dangerous
She finds paradise in the arms of twin brothers, but their law demands she chose one warrior to mate and one to die.
One woman, two men, three wounded hearts--though already mated their love is still forbidden.
