O For Two: A New Season Of Sin Begins

I know some of y'all have been waiting for the second season of The Den of Sin and it's here. Holley Trent is first up with O For Two. Be sure to pick up all the titles the first week they are out to get the sale price of $1.49.

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Olivia Patterson is a rolling stone…or maybe a flying one. As a flight attendant, she lives in the air. She’s never put down roots, and liked it that way…until now. When she touches down on the ground, she wants there to be someone waiting for her. For now, she’d settle for a bit of no-strings-attached company. She accepts an invitation to the Hotel Beaudelaire’s exclusive Den of Sin expecting to have her kinks indulged, not her heart battered.


Clint Morstad and Ken Brook have been in a committed, monogamous relationship for eleven years and are a mostly perfect match. However, after a decade together both admit their relationship needs a feminine influence. They visit the Den to search for their perfect woman, and believe easy-going Olivia could be their ideal match.


As much as she adores them, Olivia doesn’t want to get attached to men she can’t keep. When she slips away before they can invite her home, Clint and Ken left with a dilemma. Should they give chase to the only woman they’ve wanted to share, or let her fly?



(An mmf erotic romance - contains scenes of m/m intercourse.)

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The line up:

Illicit Passions by Ambrielle Kirk (June 13th, 2014)
Debauching The Virgin by Mel Blue (June 20th, 2014)
You can read blurbs and excerpts by clicking on the links. In short, just visit The Den of Sin website.

Genre Expectations: I Ramble About IR Romance

As you know, I don't blog often. When I say blog, I mean something other than Go Buy This Book or Giveaway, Giveaway, Giveaway! A big part of that is I started actively blogging in 2005. Damn. Almost a decade. So...I've run out of things to say. So what's inspired this post? Race. Or rather, the idea that colorblindness in IR romance is problematic.

I'm a bit conflicted myself. I don't have the right answer. I'm not a scholar or an academic so don't look for two-dollar words in this blog or a complete unpacking of all the myriad nuances. Quite frankly this just might be a ranty-ish ramble.

But let's start with this:

http://romancenovelsforfeminists.blogspot.com/2014/04/color-aware-interracial-romance-nina.html

A quick summary of this review is that the blogger was surprised that even though the characters were aware of race and the complications, the black moment dealt with a run-of-the-mill romantic uncoupling.

Now, it's pretty obvious she's new to the IR romance scene. Because she asks the question, “Yet is there no room in the genre for romances that gesture toward, or even confront, the difficulties that interracial couples might face in our purportedly post-racial society?”

Uh. Yeah. I'm pretty sure you can pick up any IR romance written in the 1990s or the early 2000s and find almost every damn book is about the difference of race between the characters. If they had made peace with it, a family member or friend had an issue. Personally, I suffered from reader fatigue with this trope. Yes, I was happy to see heroes and heroines with my skin color in books. But, for the love of God, could they break up over him being a good ol' fashioned man-jerk every once and a while?

And I think that reader fatigue is how IR romance evolved. It's why you can look at the landscape of IR romances now and not see race as the core issue. Let me emphasize that. THE CORE ISSUE. Which is a great thing in my opinion.

And where things start to get complicated. Why? I am more than my skin color. I'm proud to say I've never looked at a picture of myself and gasped, “OMG, I'm African American. Why did no one tell me?” So I think I'm pretty aware of my race.

Then there's this blog post, which is insightful and wonderful and highlights all the nuance I'm not equipped to write:

http://vacuousminx.wordpress.com/2014/03/06/love-color-and-blindness/

“When good authors write minority characters, of course they want to highlight their individuality. That’s what makes a powerful fictional person. But race and ethnicity is an inescapable and foundational part of a minority group member’s psyche and lived experience. It isn’t the same lived experience for everyone. Some feel that identity every waking hour, some may go long stretches without thinking about it. But no one has the luxury of never thinking about it.”

Yup. Yup. Yup. I took a journalism course in college. They entrusted students to write articles for the newspaper. Now February rolls around and they wanted to highlight the African American Studies class. They wanted someone to volunteer to do the story.

All eyes turned to me.

Did I forget to mention I was the only chocolate drop in class? By no means was I the only minority, but I was the only African American. These people never treated me any differently, any other time. The newspaper crowd, at least in my college course, were an odd and quirky crowd. I fit right in being odd and quirky. But in that moment, right before I replied sarcastically, everyone else made it clear they knew I was black.

So to say people are truly colorblind is a bit of a misnomer.

The same can be said that race infiltrates every avenue of a minority's life. To me that's saying all my problems are because I'm black.

I'm a woman. I'm a single mother. Last year was the first time I peaked over that poverty line. Race, for me, is not a core issue of my life. So why should I have to write about it being a core issue for my characters, if it doesn't apply?

Back to Sunita:

“We treat non-minority people as essentially individual and not representative; they don’t stand in for all majority group people. But minority people are different. They can be treated as conforming to type or challenging type, but type is almost always there.”

This is probably the closest answer to why IR/MC/AA romances have this unspoken expectation from outsiders, and sometimes insiders, to represent a specific race, culture, etc. in a certain way. These characters are not just characters. They are supposed to be representations for all. Caucasians don't have to carry that burden into their fiction. Their fiction can be about how the girl next door falls in love with the bad boy down the street. They can write that fiction without criticism. Or the notion they are doing their subgenre a disservice for not spotlighting an obvious real life issue or circumstance.

The problem is, what is African American culture? And that's a huge problem for those who aren't aware, because there isn't one clear and obvious culture. Just like any other race, you have many. It really is quite easier to shape a character by their upbringing. And then take a moment to consider how race shaped them.

I am vastly different from someone who was raised middle class. Even if we share the same skin color. Then you have to add in the nuance to my life in general. Just let my mother tell you about her trials and tribulations of having to go to Finishing School. Being raised by a Southern mother who wore gloves to church like a proper lady. Having an aunt who believed red nail polish was as racy as a miniskirt. And my own issues, given to me by my mother, of seeing someone wear white stockings with black shoes, or vice versa. My father's side of the family is the true melting pot of 'Merica. If I get started on being raised in church, this blog post will have no end.

And all that still doesn't touch on the relationships I've had. Taking a mental gander at them there have been issues about fidelity, honesty, my role as a “woman” and a lot of other things. My weakness for...never mind. The point is race wasn't an issue. This goes for relationships that were outside my color line. This is my experience. Not everyone's. Same goes for having moments in life where I was completely aware I was black and that was the difference and the problem. Let me emphasize that. MOMENTS.

Truth be told, I'm not a representative for my race. Lawd be a fence if I was. I see color. I'm not blind. But most times what's more important to me is if you're an asshole. That's not saying I don't see a culture's differences from my own. I usually do. I usually ask a million questions for book fodder and the fact I'm nosy. It doesn't rule my life and that is reflected in the books I write.

Yet IR romances are being called to the mat for not dealing with race? So instead of exploring everything that is love and relationships, IR authors should focus on what's historically been done to every minority ever—center on nothing more than the color of their skin.

Hmmm.

Is it something we should continue to talk about? Absolutely. But saying things like race is being swept under the rug makes me twitch. We write romance. That IR designation does not change the fact the book is a romance. Readers don't expect every book to be about women's rights as the core issue. So why put that same restriction on IR romances? It's not being colorblind. It's actually, I don't know, writing a romance where the main issue might be that the hero is just an ol' fashioned man-jerk.

So that's my two cents. I may be wrong. I may need to get schooled. I can live with that. Anyway, the next time you hear from me I'll probably try to sell you something. Enjoy this reprieve while you can.

The 14.5k Likes Giveaway: The Official Heads Up

I'm part of a massive giveaway until April 24th. The amount of authors involved is ridiculous. It's hard NOT to win a prize. So what do you have to do? 

Put a dent in this rafflecopter to win.
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It's Been A While But...Writing, So...UPDATES

Why so silent? Well I've been writing like a fiend. December rolled around and I kind of noticed I only had one book written that I planned to release in 2014. Given I planned to have at least six releases...Cue an epic panic. Thankfully when I decide to put the pedal to the metal I can be quite prolific. So far I've knocked out 3 out of the 5 planned releases. One of them being Debauching the Virgin. Another installment in the Den of Sin series.The official release date May 9th. I'll provide more details the closer the date looms.

Speaking of...Did you know we decided to put the four books into a boxed set for a limited time? Yeah. We totally did. You can pick it up for a buck right now. So don't miss out on that sale. Here's the blurbarge:
Leave your inhibitions at the door...and turn the page.

New Orleans's elegant Beaudelaire isn't just an acclaimed five-star hotel. Several times per year, the Beaudelaire transforms into a discreet den of sin, and its most important rule is guests must leave their inhibitions at the door. At the Den, lonely hearts connect and secrets are kept. Some guests go home alone wearing smiles, but others find the start of their happily-ever-afters.

Forbidden Rendezvous by Mel Blue

Seraphina orchestrates fantasies, but this year she'll create one of her own. It's against the rules for an employee to participate in the weekend-long sex-capade but she's willing to risk it for Luke. His past and connection to her boss is clouded in intrigue, but she knows what he wants, and she plans to star in one of his voyeuristic fantasies.

Ménage à Troys by Holley Trent

At the Den of Sin anything goes, so instead of two newlyweds letting down their guards to finally consummate their marriage of convenience, three people desperate to be touched forge bonds. That's all well and good for the weekend, but what will shake out of their tentative ménage à trois when it's time to go home?

Wicked Surrender by Ambrielle Kirk

Kris is tired of spending her nights playing with hard plastic and silicone. She enters the den in search of a man who will indulge her intimate desires only for one night. When she spots Travis Brenden, a bachelor known for both his lucrative business deals and womanizing ways, she uses his lack of memory of her as an advantage.

Redeeming the Amazon by L. V. Lewis

Karen hasn't made love fully unclothed since her double mastectomy and demise of her marriage. Paul once left his heart in Baltimore with a former model, whose crumbling marriage was the only deterrent to his waning honor. A fantasy weekend at his uncle's hotel may give him a second chance with his contemporary Amazon...if her fear of rejection doesn't become a barrier to their reconnection.

Seduced: Den of Sin Boxed Set 1 on Amazon
Barnes and Noble
All Romance Ebooks

I'll be back much sooner with updates about my other upcoming releases. 

Mardi Gras, Mardi Gras: GIVEAWAY

You guys remember that book I put out in December. The one called Forbidden Rendezvous. Yeah. That one. It would seem almost negligent not to do some sort of Mardi Gras celebration given the Den of Sin is set in NOLO. I'm giving out 5 copies of Forbidden Rendezvous.

AND, I have friends giving away copies too. Where do you enter?


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway ends March 6 at 12:00 AM EST. Open internationally. Warning: content may not be suitable for minors under the age of 17. eBooks and Digital Prizes will be sent electronically via email. Other prices may be sent U.S. Postal Service or similar service. Winners will be selected on or
before March 10, 2014 by random/computerized draw and be notified by email. No purchase necessary. By providing your information in this form, you are providing your information to participating authors. We do not share or sell information and will use any information only for the purpose of contacting winners.

The Dirty Scot's Big Brother

Aye. The man you know as the Dirty Scot has a big brother. His name is Tristan. And his book is out!

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Blurb

Keri Pearson is currently between jobs, so there's nothing to lose when her cousin promises her a glowing recommendation from a top expert in their field in exchange for a small favor. All she has to do is lie about who she is and pretend to be married to a charming Scot for three hours. Her sexy-as-hell pretend husband makes it too easy to play the part of newlyweds. The last thing she should do is trust him or the genuineness of his lust or adoration, but his touch ignites an unexpected desire.

Tristan Baird turned his back on his past with plenty of regrets, but when his brother blackmails him, Tristan can’t say no. Given his brother saved his neck, an afternoon doing what he does best doesn’t seem like too much to ask. And it’s for a good cause. Doing the job right guarantees his brother and new wife will have the home of their dreams. But his stunning accomplice complicates the job. She is everything he always wanted and couldn’t have. The kind of woman who is too smart to ever trust a former conman.

The three-hour commitment stretches into five sexually charged days as they fight the explosive connection. As each day passes, Keri must remind herself what is true and what is false, but the lines are blurring. Tristan can only hope his past doesn't come back to ruin their future.

Buy Links

Amazon

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ARe

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If you haven't already picked up Under His Kilt, here's some incentive. On sale! You can find the price reduced at these retailers:

Amazon
B&N
ARe

Happy reading!

New Den of Sin Release: As Sweet

We're gearing up for a new season of sin. Check out the latest from Holley Trent!

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Rosalinda Gutierrez, the Hotel Beaudelaire’s night auditor, finds a beautiful bouquet of roses on her desk on Valentine’s Day. She quickly learns her secret admirer is someone she’s been quietly fantasizing about for several years. They’ve been two ships passing in the night: she works nights, and he works days.

Trevor Reed tends the five-star hotel’s grounds, and in his free time cultivates flowers nearly as stunning as Rosalinda. The unsophisticated gardener is pleasantly surprised the white-collar girl is receptive to his advances, and when she escalates their friendly date to an erotic fantasy, he figures she’ll want him only for the night.

Rosalinda has other things in mind. She likes men who can make things other than money, and Trevor’s quiet dominance pushes all the right buttons for her. She doesn’t care that he’s just a gardener, but now she has to make him believe it.

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You can always check out the Den of Sin website for updates.