#Erotica and Happy Endings by Stella Grae

MUSE MONDAY

Please welcome Stella Grae to Discover... What a fun post. And I just love the last line in her excerpt, so read to the end for a zinger.

A common question writers have to navigate is “How did you come up with the idea for this story?” It’s a fair question. When discussing seeds of ideas concerning erotica, I find people fall into two categories: those who don’t ask because they’re afraid of the answer and then those who do ask because the answer could be a wild ride into another life that might be fun to try on…at least for a little while. 

I didn’t begin my writing career thinking of erotica as a viable outlet, but it came to be in quite an interesting way. Most authors pull some part of themselves into a work, even if it’s just their own personal fantasies. Just Call Me Confidence and its sequel, which I’m working on right now, were both born of a failed relationship. I was about to have another birthday and the realization hit me: I might have lived half of my life already. There were exotic (or dangerous!) trips to take, interesting people to meet, and dancing in stilettos to be done. I was lonely in my relationship at the time, but didn’t want to do anything stupid, so I created characters and situations that were based a little on reality, but twisted them to create the kind of relationship that I actually wished I had had. The relationship fizzled, but the plot sizzled, as they say. 

While not every story can have a happy ending, every story has the potential to be mixed with fantasy. What you do with that is your business. But I know this: fantasy can sometimes be the one thing that keeps us sane, and our inner stories that we tell ourselves alive. And sometimes, fantasy and reality collide. In that case, I’ll channel my inner Just Call Me Confidence protagonist, Jenna, and leave you with some wise words of advice: Not every story is meant to be a reality, but every story can be the chrysalis for a newfound confidence. 

BLURB

Jenna Craig is a 40-year-old freshly-minted “hot momma” looking for a little love in her post-divorce life. After a night out with her cougar tribe, she wonders whether she’s still got “it”—the double-takes from the college clowns at the bar quickly put her doubts to rest. Though she may be alone, she knows she’ll never be lonely. 

Jenna’s newfound confidence is buoyed by some swim club eye candy: Travis the lifeguard. Hot trysts in the locker room leave her wondering if she might want something more. When her naughty, new boy toy introduces her to his friend, Collin, Jenna is engulfed with waves of emotion that she thought she might never feel again. With two younger men vying for her heart, will she choose the perfect guy for right now, or the man who could give her another shot at love? 

The experienced Ms. Craig is certain of one thing: She better bring the confidence to pull off the choice of her desire. 

EXCERPT

“I’m glad we’re friends, and that you think nothing of racing to my house to help me with my man woes, and my panties. But you know what I appreciate most?” 

“You appreciate my sarcastic, brutally honest, down-home wit?” 

“No, the fact that you don’t judge me or what I do, or don’t do. You’ve never said you think I’m acting like a whore.”

Fielding hugs me and doesn’t let go. Patting me on my back she responds, “I’ll never stoop to calling you a whore because you’re simply acting like a woman with a man’s morals.”

AMAZON BUY LINK

GOODREADS

BARNES & NOBLE

Stella Grae is an unassuming English professor, copyeditor, and copywriter living in Lexington, Kentucky. She’s the author of the short story “Power Play” that was originally published in the website erotica journal Oysters and Chocolate. In her spare time she enjoys sipping on bourbon, nibbling cheesy grits, and philosophizing about love and sex in her blog, “Bone Up,” which can be found on her website: stellagraeerotica.weebly.com…along with other sexy tidbits.  This is her first erotica novel.  

Website: https://stellagraeerotica.weebly.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sgraeerotica/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SGraeErotica

AllAuthor: https://stellagraeerotica.allauthor.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/159637845-stella-grae

Email: stellagrae@proton.me

Amazon Central Author Page:

www.amazon.com/author/stellagraeerotica

Book Tour & Giveaway #giveaway #NewRelease

Wild Horse Peaks Novels officially kicked off with the first book, The Art of Love and Murder, releasing 2/21/2023. A wild ride of a book tour begins today. Every stop is different and you can win a gift card. Hope to see you there.

A woman searching for her past. A sheriff hiding in his present. 
Their future together threatened by murder.

Wild Horse Peaks is a second addition series that is sure to bring you lots of entertainment in the romantic suspense genre. 

Feb 23

kickoff at Silver Dagger Book Tours

Handbags, Books...whatever

Bedazzled By Books

Craving Lovely Books

Insane Books

Midnight Book Reader 

Feb 24

Journeys with Jana – GUEST POST

Rene's Getaway

Musings of an Independent Artist – GUEST POST

Iris Blobel

AnnaDelC

Mythical Books

ⒾⓃⓉⓇⓄⓈⓅⒺⒸⓉⒾⓋⒺ ⓅⓇⒺⓈⓈ 

Feb 25

The Book Junkie Reads . . .

Fairy Tales to Thrillers – GUEST POST

Readers Roost – GUEST POST

4covert2overt ☼ A Place In The Spotlight ☼

Books all things paranormal and romance

 Feb 26

FUONLYKNEW – GUEST POST

#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog

All Things Dark & Dirty

❧Defining Ways❧

Scrupulous Dreams 

Feb 27

A Wonderful World of Words  – GUEST POST

Word Processor, Romance, Cats, Kids and Creed

Books a Plenty Book Reviews

Girl with Pen

Momma Says: To Read or Not to Read

The Book Dragon 

Feb 28

Sharon Buchbinder Blog Spot

Book Reviews by the Reluctant Retiree

The Sexy Nerd 'Revue'

eBook Addicts

Inside the Insanity

Stormy Nights Reviewing & Bloggin' 

Mar 1

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Mar 2

Maggie Blackbird

Valerie Ullmer | Romance Author

Indie Author Book Reviews  – GUEST POST

Tina Donahue - Heat with Heart

The Bookshelf Fairy

Fearless Friday Humanitarian by Anne Fowler #fearless #humanitarian #memoir

FEARLESS FRIDAY

Talk about fearless! My guest today, Anne Fowler, is the definition of fearless. Enjoy her post:

For Fearless Friday the question asked was, “Have you done something that's rash or life changing (moved across country, quit your day job?)” I think my answer definitely qualifies me to participate! In 2001, I uprooted my life in Toronto where I was a successful business owner, sold both my home and company leaving behind an over 30- year career in human resources. Why?  So I could relocate to Honduras, a country once dubbed by the BBC as “the murder capital of the western world!” When I first travelled there on a medical brigade in 1993, the Honduran people captured my heart. I was hooked and spent the next 7 years driving my staff, friends and family crazy with my obsession to retire and become a “do gooder!” What exactly would I be doing? Didn’t have a clue other than I would live for half the year over an El Progreso eye/dental clinic for the poor, one that I had become associated with from several previous mission trips; then, the remaining 6 months at my Canadian cottage acting like a normal retired person. Oh in my HR mind I had a vague idea of what was needed at the clinic; updating their administrative procedures, hiring and training more staff, improving overall efficiency and increasing the number of patients, but I knew that until I was actually living there I couldn’t assess the situation properly.

I continued my annual 2 week medical brigades right up until it was time to pack in my “old life.” The only exception to my usual brigade participation occurred in October1998 when Hurricane Mitch, the second deadliest Atlantic hurricane on record, hit Central America, devastating Honduras. For the second year in a row, two weeks prior to the brigade’s start, I had travelled to Guatemala to study Spanish. Even now 25 years later I can still visualize the devastation caused by Mitch. On November 7, I was transported by military helicopter from Guatemala to San Pedro Sula. As we flew over Honduras nothing could have prepared me for the devastation that I viewed from the air.

Our team members from North America were unable to come. The airport was inoperable with mud and water reaching to the second story of the terminal building. I joined volunteers and local medical personnel at a crisis centre set up at the Lions Hall in the centre of one of the hardest hit cities, El Progreso. And the people came, thousands of them. Many had lost everything and they all echoed the same physical complaints; they were completely traumatized psychologically. Each day, we worked long hours until we couldn’t stand any longer. The lines never seemed to get shorter and returning the next morning, there were still thousands waiting. After a few weeks, some of us were able to venture outside the city in an attempt to provide medical aid, blankets, clothing and food to surrounding devastated communities. The conditions encountered were akin to looking at photos of Hiroshima. My two- week brigade turned into a two month Honduran stay and I didn’t return to Toronto until just before Christmas. Was I exhausted? Absolutely. Did the experience change my mind about moving to Honduras? No one was surprised to hear it had only solidified my determination.

The day finally arrived in October 2001 when I said goodbye to friends and family and moved to the clinic in El Progreso.  I know I had previously said that I couldn’t properly assess the situation until I was there on the ground. Boy, did I ever miscalculate THAT situation, I’d had no idea just what I was getting into!! It soon became clear that simply increasing staff numbers and updating systems were the least of my challenges. Besides moving from a 4,000 square foot home to a 12X16’ room over the clinic, there was the small issue of communication and my Spanish language skills proved less than fluent. Fortunately, there were a couple of bilingual people on the clinic’s staff who enabled me to forge ahead. Some things worked, some were dismal failures. But I persevered and wrote some pretty good programs, many of which are still in operation 22 years later.

“The Plan” to stay in Honduras no more than five years changed as I came to realize that this was where I was supposed to be. In 2005 I purchased property, built a home in the north coast village of El Porvenir and headed out into uncharted territory for a new challenge!  My existing projects were introduced into the community and we developed many more. Please visit my web page to see details. http://anne.honduranhope.net

Although I’ve slowed down (I AM after all 82!) I remain active, still “plotting” new ways to improve the lives of our Honduran people. I didn’t plan to write another book after my memoir “I’ve Worn Many Hats,” was completed, but I was persuaded to help fund our latest project, a town “bookmobile, by putting together a compilation of selected “adventures” experienced by some of our young international volunteers!

I am often asked “Have you ever regretted upending your life to move to Honduras all those years ago?” My answer? Not for even one minute! Of course I have had regrets, but they had nothing to do with pursuing my passion for the Honduran people. However, I have come to realize that each of us needs to recognize that “who” we are is the sum of choices we’ve made in our lives. What one chooses to do with that knowledge determines their path going forward. I am very happy with the path I’m on!

To order “I’ve Worn Many Hats” 

For Canadian readers:  Paperback – https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1778350321
eBook – https://www.amazon.ca/dp/BO9HDN55FV
For US readers:  Paperback – https://www.amazon.com/dp/1778350321
eBook – https://www.amazon.com/dp/BO9HDN55FV
UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1778350321
Germany – https://www.amazon.de/dp/1778350321
France – https://www.amazon.fr/dp/1778350321
Spain – https://www.amazon.es/dp/1778350321
Italy – https://www.amazon.it/dp/1778350321

Australia – https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/1778350321 

Born and raised in Toronto I grew up an only child in a traditional middle class Canadian family of the 40’s and 50’s. But my life has been anything but traditional! After finishing school my career included flight attendant with American Airlines, model, travel agent, world traveller, sales and marketing and almost 30 years in Human Resources as an entrepreneur/ business owner. I closed my company and retired in 2001 to take up another role, that of humanitarian. As someone once said when they described my various life pursuits during their introduction of me as that night’s speaker, “and she’s only 108 years old!”

Fearless Women and Inspiration by D.V. Stone

MUSE MONDAY

Fearless women are inspirational and create priceless muses...a great post. Read and enjoy my guest, D.V. Stone.

Hi Brenda! Thank you for having me on your Muse Monday blog today. I'd like to share how fearless women are inspirational in the fiction world.

When I thought about being fearless, I tried to think of adventures I took. I’m sort of the boldly go kind of person. I’m at an age where I’m a bit more cautious due to common sense, but I’m always up for a new escapade. We’ve chatted before about fearlessly living a normal life which sometimes takes guts to get up every morning and live the day. I don’t consider being ‘fearless’ with lack of fear but plunging on in spite of it.

My newest book has that kind of character. When I sought an inspiration, the first female that came to mind was Amelia Earhart. This pioneer of aviation for everyone, not only women, was born in 1897. That was one-hundred and twenty-six years ago. Can we say we’ve come a long way baby?

The other night on the news they interviewed women who were doing a high speed jet flyover in honor of the 50^th anniversary of women being allowed to become naval aviators.

Our past is chock full of women who propelled us forward. One of my favorite movies is Hidden Figures. Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson had key roles in moving our space program forward. They had a lot to fear.

It’s people like this who change our world for the better. Where would we be without Clara Barton who marched into a battlefield and receive a bullet through her dress sleeve while ministering to a dying man.

All these women I’m certain struggled with fear. But overcame it by determination and heart. So, who is Zahra Corbyn of Sea Hunter? She is a college professor of antiquities, an underwater archeologist, and a leader in her small sphere after World War II.

She had to overcome her fears after being attacked and nearly drowned. She faces down anyone who would mess with those in her care. She is a woman in a time where new and exciting possibilities were opening up for those who would boldly go.

The picture of me is after climbing a tower in Vermont above the canopy. My hubby is not a fan of heights so stayed below. I was nervous climbing by myself. I have a few medical issues but when I reached the top, there was nothing to think about but the beauty of our world.

What say you? Who do you think of in history or today that inspire and move the human race forward?

 

Sea Hunter: A Paranormal, Action Adventure, Romance on the High Seas

Release Date 3/16/23

Independent publication

Part of the Mortar and Pestle series of seven books by various authors

ASIN B0BRYJLLW1

Pages 159

Purchase link Sea Hunter        https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BRYJLLW1

Link to series                           https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BS42PKHZ

Link to Free Sample of series  https://dl.bookfunnel.com/b1ytv2r7nq

Link to Trailer                        https://youtu.be/juQwaRm4aEw

 

A wisp of smoke, a swirl of promise, a breath of destiny…a message within the Mortar & Pestle for those who want to believe. Throughout time people have sought their heart’s desire. But true love is often elusive. Carved with ancient Norse runes, the Mortar & Pestle shows paths to happily-ever-afters. Once you capture the Mortar & Pestle’s scent of magic, you’ll want to read all seven individual romances.

 

Sea Hunter:

On the turbulent high seas, an archeologist must protect a historic shipwreck from treasure hunters—not fall for one.

Zahra Corbyn.

I’m a Sea Hunter. As an underwater archeologist and professor of antiquities, it is my duty to stop treasure hunters and looters from raiding Sea Wraith. But fate is a funny thing. Now I find myself working with Jack Alexander, a treasure hunter, to protect history from a known looter. Did my heart’s desire change?

Captain Jack Alexander.

I’ve been told women on a ship are unlucky, but this one has the two pieces of the map I need to finally claim Sea Wraith. Now I find myself in a deal that makes me one-third partner with her and a known scoundrel.

Can the two unlikely allies work together while safeguarding their hearts against the power of the Mortar and Pestle?

If you like Lara Croft and Indiana Jones, you’ll love Zahra Corbyn and Jack Alexander. 

 

Bio

D. V. Stone is an award-winning, multi-genre, traditionally and independently published author. She writes books people want to read. Whether romance or fantasy, contemporary or mid-grade, her stories are about the importance of friends and family. About overcoming obstacles while often with humor.

Around the Fire is a popular weekly blog where she introduces both established and new authors giving an insider’s look into their lives and books as well as tidbits about her own life.

Now retired, she is a full-time author and incorporates her life experiences into her books.

As a former Emergency Medical Technician, she volunteered in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania. At the same time, she worked as a professional EMT in a women’s state prison. She was the proprietor of a coffee shop and a small restaurant/ice cream stand in the years that followed. After those, she was a manager in an animal emergency hospital, while her last position was in a human medical office.

When not behind the wheel of 2Hoots—a 41-foot long 13.2 feet high 5^th Wheel camper, she rambles around town in Northern New Jersey in a white Camaro. She also loves travel and history.

D.V. is a wife to an amazing husband, mother to one son, and not your average grandma to three beautiful grands. A woman of faith, she believes and trusts in God.

“My greatest pleasures are spending time outside with friends and family, cooking over the open fire, sipping a glass of wine, and reading.”

Hali, her rescue dog, always reminds her to let readers know, “Woof, woof.” Which is loosely translated as support your local animal rescue.”

 

You can learn more about D. V. by following her on social media.

 

Link Tree For one-stop connections

Website / Amazon Author Page / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram /Pinterest / Bookbub / Goodreads / Newsletter / YouTube / Around the Fire blog         

 

Un-embedded links

https://www.dvstoneauthor.com/

https://t.co/MUVW91E2iB

https://www.instagram.com/d.v.stone/

https://twitter.com/donnavstone

https://www.facebook.com/dv.stone.1

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16344100.D_V_Stone

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/d-v-stone

https://www.amazon.com/D.-V.-Stone/e/B01N154Y9U

https://www.tiktok.com/@dvstoneauthor

https://mailchi.mp/3b289d8d7569/d-v-stones-peek-further-and-campfire-crew

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoWqGJB3WxpUCV2OUE2VN_w

 

 

Wicked Humor and a NEW RELEASE by Terry Newman #WickedWednesday #NewRelease #romance

WICKED WEDNESDAY

What could be more fun on a Wicked Wednesday than humor? And I am proud to host my guest, Terry Newman, on her release day. How special. Congratulations, Terry.

Oh my! It’s Wicked Wednesday on Brenda’s blog and it’s release day for Rewrites of the Heart, my (hopefully) wickedly humorous paranormal novel.

JJ Spritely is a romance author who is known for creating characters that jump off the page. Of course, we’re talking figuratively. Until we’re not.

One day the hero and heroine of her work in progress, Alex Zurich and Blake Teesdale, leap out of the pages of their story and smack dab into the real world. And they’re determined it’s time JJ writes her own love story.

Once they’ve delivered their message, the fictional couple discovers they can’t return to their world. Alex is especially eager to get back, so they try various methods that, well, look like they should work, like, imitating Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz.

While JJ is at her sister’s dinner party (having a disastrous time, by the way) Alex and Blake watch the movie. If the ruby slippers worked for Dorothy, then why wouldn’t it work for them? But, for it to work they believe they have to replicate the scene as accurately as possible, even if it means stuffing six-foot Blake into a dress made for a woman who’s barely more than five foot. Oh, yeah, and instead of ruby slippers, they’ve rounded up red high heels in JJ’s closet.

And this is where it gets good…

“Oh, Alex,” he chimed. “I'm ready. And I'm coming out.”

And with that Alex heard the clicks of the heels on the hardwood hallway. “Damn it!” Click. “Bloody heels.” Click. “How do you women wear these things?” Click. “Oh, my aching back!”

His voice grew louder till he reached the living room where she was standing expectantly. She couldn't believe what she saw. Standing in front of her was the man she loved, dressed nearly exactly as she was. The white dress was barely long enough to cover even a small fraction of his thighs and a pair of red stiletto heels stuffed into his feet.

“Love,” he said grimacing through his pain, “does this outfit make me look fat?”

She merely shook her head. Then she noticed something even more bizarre about him.

“Are those pantyhose you're wearing?”

“Yeah, but they barely come to my waist. I never realized how short JJ was till I put on her pantyhose.”

She doubled over in laughter. He appeared so sincere yet looked so ridiculous. “Uhm, dear, do you know how short that dress is on you?”

“Hey, it's not my fault. It's not like I was shopping at Harrods. JJ had two white dresses in her closet, and you picked the better of the two. My choices were limited.”

He turned his back to her. “Look, I can't even button this bloody thing.” At the sight of the open white dress against his hairy back, she laughed uncontrollably.

“What's so funny?” he asked, as he planted his hands on his hips. “You get to wear the good Dorothy dress. I'm stuck with this.” He looked down at his apparel.

“I just want to make sure we have every detail in place, just in case it's not the ruby slippers that actually work the magic.” He took a deep breath and held out his hand.

“Now could we get on with this please? I think these pantyhose are strangling my manhood.”

They held hands, closed their eyes and clicked their heels together. Secretly, Alex prayed the red-heeled shoes would be a good enough substitute for the ruby slippers.

“Okay, at the count of three,” Blake instructed. Alex nodded. “One, two, three. There's no place like home. There's no place like home. There's no place like home.” When they opened their eyes, they were still standing in JJ's living room.

“Let's try it one more time,” Blake urged, “just in case the Universe was busy doing something else and wasn't listening.” Disappointed and on the verge of tears, she slowly nodded her assent.

They had resumed their stance and held hands when she heard JJ walk in through the back door. As the writer entered the living, she asked, “What in the world is going on? Blake, is that you in that dress?”

The sharpness of JJ's voice sparked the flood of tears Alex had tried to hold back. She was so frustrated. She only wanted to return to her world, check on her cat, and make sure that pot of soup she had started hadn't boiled over. She didn't believe JJ when she said she took care of it for her.

Blake turned around, smiling. “We watched—”  

“I know exactly what movie you watched and it’s time the male Dorothy gets out of that outfit.”

Blake harrumphed an unintelligible reply and clomped clumsily to the bedroom, slamming the door loudly. Then from behind the door, he said, “And to think, I shaved my legs for this.”

Buy link: https://books2read.com/u/bP7YAr 

Bio 

Two things you should know about me: I have an offbeat sense of humor and characters are constantly talking to me, trying to get me to tell their stories. Other than that, I’m a normal person. 

I’ve spent most of my adult life writing in some fashion, from small-town reporter, to editor-in-chief and ghostwriter for a national natural health publishing firm. The last decade and a half I’ve worked as a freelance writer, penning ebooks that range from starting a doula services business to Native American herbs. 

I’ve finally took the plunge to fiction after pushing oh, so many doubts aside. My first novel with The Wild Rose Press, Heartquake, won a 4.5 crowned heart review with Ind’tale Magazine. 

All my books are set in fictional towns in northeast Ohio, where I grew up, and I write about things I love—like coffee. 

I have a daughter, a son-in-law, and a grandpuppy and live in North Lima, a real town in northeast Ohio with all my characters. Yes, it does get crowded. 

Social Media Links 

Website

https://terrynewmanauthor.com/

Facebook: Terry Newman

https://www.facebook.com/terry.newman.31521

Twitter: @tnewmanwrites

https://twitter.com/tnewmanwrites

Instagram: terry.newman.31521

https://www.instagram.com/terry.newman.31521/ 

TikTok: @terrynewman614 

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60574351-heartquake?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=99H2V7dnWm&rank=1

 Bookbub: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60574351-heartquake?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=99H2V7dnWm&rank=1