Guest Interview: Shoshanna Evers

I'm thrilled to welcome fellow Ellora's Cave author Shoshanna Evers to my blog. I bugged her with a whole bunch of questions, which she was kind enough to answer. And when I saw that she's an advice columnist as well as a writer, I got really intrigued!

What inspired you to start writing even though you’ve had a couple other fascinating careers? (Nursing and advice columnist, right?)

Thanks for having me, Juniper! Well, I’m still working as both a nurse and an advice columnist! I work every other weekend as an RN charge nurse on a 52-bed rehab unit, and I have a weekly advice column under my alter-ego’s name. That column is hopefully going into syndication soon, which is exciting.

But I’ve always loved writing fiction. I’ve been writing since I learned to read. My love of books inspires me to write.

In your role as advice columnist, what sorts of things do people ask your advice about?

Usually relationship advice or advice on how to deal with family members or friends. I also answer health questions and use that as an opportunity to teach the community about important health issues, such as taking your blood pressure medicine even though you can’t feel your pressure being high. That sort of thing.

Do you ever get ideas for your writing from advice seekers? If so, can you give an example?

Well, I get ideas for my writing from everything around me, but in general, no, I don’t get writing ideas from advice seekers J

Can you give us a thumbnail sketch of what kind of books you write?

I write erotic romance. Most of my stuff has a bit of a BDSM slant to it, but I’ve also got some manuscripts I’m working on that are more mainstream. I write what my characters tell me to write!

If you wanted to introduce a new reader to your work, which book would you point them to?

It depends on what book length they like. Ginger Snap is a short Quickie. Punishing the Art Thief is a novella, and Hollywood Spank is novel-length. They’re all light BDSM, or in other words, they’ve got a little spanking and bondage mixed in with the love story.

Is there a genre you’re afraid to tackle?

I don’t know if I’d say I’m afraid per se, but I’m a happy camper writing romance, so I plan on sticking with that. Someday I may write a non-fiction advice book based on the column, or a kid’s book so my son can read something I’ve written. But not now. Now I’m focusing my efforts.

What’s the biggest learning curve you’ve faced in your writing career?

When I look back at old manuscripts (like from ten years ago) I am able to easily spot why they didn’t sell. My POV is all over the place and every other sentence has an exclamation point. That’s one thing I’ve had to learn how to reign in.

I'm a little overfond of exclamation points myself? What kind of books do you like to read?

I read everything. If I don’t have a book in front of me at breakfast I’ll read the cereal box. I love romance, especially erotic romance, and especially BDSM erotic romance. I also love How-To books and financial planning books, I love stories of survival, and I love Stephen King. I’m a diverse reader. Oh, and I love books about how to write books, lol.

What do you think of the current state of publishing – what does the future hold for epubbed authors?

I’m just going with the flow and trying to make a living as an author, however that happens. I do have a story in a Berkley Heat (Penguin) anthology coming out December 6^th called Agony/Ecstasy, edited by Dear Author’s Jane Litte. So as much as I love epubs, I’m excited to be with a big NY pub too.

What project are you working on at the moment?

I’ve got a few up my sleeve. I’ve written a full length post-apocalyptic erotic romance and I’m testing the waters to see if an agent might want to represent that for me. I’m also writing a novella for Ellora’s Cave for a new series that’s sort of hush-hush right now J Later this year I’ve got Taste of Candy coming out with The Wild Rose Press and Chastity Belt coming out with Ellora’s Cave, and Agony/Ecstasy with Berkley.

Your blog is called "The Writer's Challenge." What is that about?

Write 1000 words a day - that's about 4 manuscript pages - every day, come hell or high water, until your novel is written. Then get an agent. Then get it published.

If you write 1000 words a day, that's 365,000 words a year. Even if you skipped over two months in days, you'd still have written 300,000 words—that's like three 100K novels. If you write one full length novel to sub to an agent, let's say it's about 80 or 90K, and then write some novellas for e-publishers, you can write about six or seven 25K+ novellas in addition to your full length book.

I have tons of info for writers and authors at my blog.

Thank you so much for stopping by today. One last thing. Can you share a favorite excerpt with us?

Absolutely! This is from my new Ellora’s Cave BDSM erotic romance, Hollywood Spank.

An Excerpt From: HOLLYWOOD SPANK © SHOSHANNA EVERS, 2011

Mark stepped quietly into his trailer and placed his script on the little desk. The sight of the slender, beautiful young woman lying on his cot caught him off guard and he swallowed a gasp of surprise. His new personal assistant.

Despite how busy they’d had him in the last couple of hours, Mark had been unable to get Andrea off his mind. He had almost flubbed a line, since his thoughts kept wandering back to his trailer and that amazing ass of hers.

And now, to find her sprawled out on his cot, looking so sweet and…inviting, he could see why she had proved to be so distracting.

His gaze lingered over her long, shapely legs, clad in tight denim jeans, then traveled up her fitted long-sleeve blouse, its deep V-neck revealing just a hint of the swell of her perfect breasts.

He could stare at Andrea like this for hours and never get bored. Mark wanted to pull those tight jeans off her gorgeous legs and ravish her right then and there. His cock thickened at the very thought of having sex with Andrea. Too bad he promised her he wasn’t there to fuck her…and too bad she agreed there would be no fucking.

Andrea crossed her arms over her chest and looked up at him.

“Uncross your arms,” he said. “I want to see your breasts.”

Andrea slowly uncrossed her arms and actually blushed as she did so, even though she was fully dressed.

“You aren’t really experienced as a submissive, are you.” It was a statement, not a question. She had lied. It was obvious now that this was all very new to her.

Andrea gasped and shook her head. “I’m sorry, Sir. I just really, really wanted this job.”

“Enough to let me actually spank you?” he asked, surprised.

“I may have lied about my BDSM experience to get the job, Sir, but I wasn’t lying about my skill as an assistant, and you saw for yourself that…what you did turned me on.”

Mark looked at her thoughtfully. “That’s true. So let me get this straight. You’re a very good assistant and you’re fully willing to explore the idea of me spanking you.”

“Yes.”

“Because it turns you on.”

Andrea blushed again. Man, that was cute. “Yes,” she said softly.

“So even though I said no sex before, if all this really turns you on, are you willing to get a little sexual?” He sat on the edge of the cot next to her and held her chin in his hand, forcing her to meet his eyes.

“I just met you, Sir, and I don’t usually have sex with men I just met,” she said. “I mean, I never do. So, can we get a little sexual without actually having sex, for right now?”

Mark grinned. “Absolutely.”

“So I can stay?”

“Say, ‘Sir, may I stay?’” Mark said.

Andrea didn’t hesitate. “Sir, may I stay?”

“Yeah, you can stay. But I want you over my knee right now for lying to me.”

“Thank you, Sir. For the job, I mean,” Andrea said as she nervously draped herself over his lap.

He locked his legs around hers to keep her from escaping her punishment and raised his hand, relishing that moment right before he brought it down on her ass. “Say thank you for the spanking too.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

“My pleasure,” Mark said. “And hopefully, it will be your pleasure as well.”

Sexily *Evers* After… ShoshannaEvers.com Twitter Facebook Blog Titles at Ellora’s Cave

Romance Trading Cards

Have you heard about the new Romance Trading Cards? A lot of authors are making them to hand out at RT and RWA, as well as Lori Foster's event and other romance hotspots! I'm going to be at RT in Los Angeles -- hope to see you there! -- and I chose to do this card in honor of the Training the Receptionist sequel coming out in June. I hope you like it!

And speaking of the sequel ... hot off the presses, here's the blurb.

RESTRAINING THE RECEPTIONIST

…the Receptionist, Book 2

Every deal has a loophole.

Dana Arthur’s new job with the firm of Cowell & Dirk is going well. Translation: the occasionally kinky ménage with her two bosses, Ethan and Simon, has been several months of politically incorrect bliss.

Except the relationship feels unbalanced. While Ethan is the undisputed master, the partners’ iron-clad agreement stipulates that Simon must be present as she performs her “duties”. And she senses there’s a subtle, powerful tug-of-war developing for more than just her body.

Simon had agreed to share the firm’s fiery, sensually daring receptionist…to a point. With Simon out of town, Ethan plans a feast of erotic temptations designed to have Dana begging him to break the deal. He didn’t realize his heart would be a casualty.

Once she surrenders to his wicked demands, Dana realizes there’s no going back. It’s time for a three-way renegotiation…this time, all or nothing.

Warning: NSFW!! Do Not Try This at Your Job. Contains highly inappropriate workplace behavior including m/f/m, m/m, bondage, creative use of office space and a high-stakes trip to Atlantic City.

The release date is June 14. I can hardly wait!

Peace and Love,

Juniper

First Reviews for Go Wild

It's always a relief when you get your first reviews and they're not a disaster. Great reviews are even better, of course! The first reviews of GO WILD are coming in, so I thought I'd share a couple.

Romance Junkies gave it 4 blue ribbons and had some great things to say. Here's a sample:

"a deliciously dirty story ... Juniper Bell weaves a spell binding story that will make you shiver with delight ...While GO WILD is definitely erotic, at its core this is a love story...it was a fantastic read from start to finish!'

Night Owl Reviews calls GO WILD a "smoking hot story" and gave it 4 stars. You can click on the two links to read the complete reviews.

Big thanks to the reviewers who took the time to read GO WILD and share their thoughts. Reviewing books isn't easy -- I sure couldn't do it! But someone has to, and I truly appreciate you guys.

Peace and Love,

Juniper

Welcome Darah Lace!

I'd like to welcome my fellow Ellora's Cave author Darah Lace to my blog! If you like hot cowboys (what's not to like?) and a little kink, you should definitely check out BUCKING HARD.

Here's the blurb and an excerpt:

All her life, tomboy Bradi Kincaid has wanted two things—a career as a veterinarian in her hometown Grayson, Texas…and Mason Montgomery. Problem is, he’s her best friend and according to him she’s “one of the guys”. Convinced he’ll never see her otherwise, Bradi comes up with a sure-fire plan to get over Mason—flirt a little, dance a lot and get laid.

What Mason imagines doing to Bradi is just all kinds of wrong. But the woman on the dance floor isn’t the girl he grew up with. She’s hot and sexy and turning him on. Him and every other man in the bar. She’s also had too much to drink and is unaware of the trouble she’s inviting. He does what any friend would, he steps in, then sets out to teach her a lesson.

But before the sun rises, Mason discovers Bradi has a thing or two to teach him.

This story contains spanking, biting and some “tie me up”, bucking-hard sex.

An Excerpt From: BUCKING HARD

Copyright © DARAH LACE, 2011

All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc.

Mason crested the hill overlooking the creek and reined in Rocky, his favored mount for riding the range. He’d heard the bawling calf a quarter mile away and figured he’d find it stuck in the mud. He hadn’t expected to find Bradi Kincaid. In fact if he’d known she’d already ridden to the rescue, he would have headed the other way.

But here she was not ten feet away, ass in the air, up to her knees in green slime and mud, her arms around the struggling calf’s neck, and she still managed to light a fire in his gut. And dammit, that was just all wrong.

They were best friends, for Christ’s sake. Practically raised in the cradle together. They’d fished and hunted side by side, ridden drag to bring up the tail end of cattle drives. And they’d gotten into more trouble than a switch could whip out of them. She was his best bud, one of the guys.

So why did his dick suddenly become a divining rod every time she was near?

She wasn’t unattractive. But Bradi was nothing like the women he preferred. She wasn’t sleek or polished or sophisticated. Her fingernails were cut close to keep the dirt out instead of long and meticulously painted to match her outfit. Her dirty blonde hair was either in a ponytail or a braid, and as far as he knew, had never been streaked, colored or cut to the latest fashion. And she might carry ChapStick in her front right pocket to ward off the blistering Texas sun, but that was the extent of her makeup.

Bradi was Bradi—natural, earthy and blessed with athletic grace that made ranch work look easy—and more often than not these days left him wondering what that lithe and flexible body would be like in bed.

“You gonna sit there all day, or are you gonna help me?”

Leaning forward to rest his forearm on the saddle horn and hopefully hide his growing erection, he tilted his head to one side and smirked at the picture she made. “I don’t know. You look like you’re doing just fine on your own.”

She blew wispy bangs out of her green eyes and gave him a withering glare over her shoulder. “Throw me a rope.”

“Where’s yours?” He looked around for her horse but the only other animal in sight was a cow waiting for Bradi to rescue her calf. “Wait, don’t tell me. You were riding Dahlia.”

That damn horse had a habit of leaving Bradi high and—his gaze wandered over her again—not so dry. Covered in muck, the front of her faded yellow T-shirt was wet and clung to her breasts. Breasts he’d known she possessed but never really noticed until two weeks ago. His gaze locked on the words peeling across the chest. Not that he cared what they said with her nipples prodding so diligently through her bra.

Mentally castrating himself, Mason sat up and reached for the coiled rope attached to his saddle. “When are you going to take that piece-of-shit horse to the glue factory?”

“Just shut up and throw me your rope.”

Ignoring her demand, Mason swung the lasso and sent it sailing over the calf’s head. He pulled the rope taut, wrapped it around the saddle horn, and directed his horse to back up. The little bull cried louder as the mud slowly relinquished its hold. As soon as the calf’s legs found firm ground, he dug in, resisting the pull of the rope.

Bradi laughed and reached for the calf just as it wrenched to one side and kicked. Twisting, she dodged a hind leg, but her feet were still stuck in the mud and she went to her knees. Another kick and brown sludge splattered her chest and neck. “Shit.”

Mason chuckled. “Yep, I imagine so.”

Shooting him another scathing glare, she struggled to stand. “You’re an ass.” Able to finally extract one leg and then the other, she trudged out of the creek toward the calf. “Give me some slack.”

He signaled his horse forward and Bradi deftly slipped the rope from the calf’s neck. The bull bolted for its mama and together they ambled up and over the high bank then disappeared. Looking back at Bradi, Mason wished he hadn’t.

She’d moved up the creek and knelt in a spot of grass to wash the mud from her hands. Tight faded denim hugged her heart-shaped ass and his hands itched to palm those mounds. She stretched to wet a bandana, causing the waistband of her jeans to dip lower, and a strip of hot-pink lace played peek-a-boo between it and her shirt.

His jeans tightened as his cock strained against his fly. He’d never thought about what kind of underwear Bradi wore—she was naked in his recent fantasies—but if he had consciously thought about it, he wouldn’t have figured her for the lace panty type. Last time he’d seen her in her panties, she’d worn white cotton with a Barbie logo. They’d been six and he’d wanted to brag about his Ninja Turtle briefs.

As she rose, he looked away to gather the rope. He stowed it behind him and turned to find her standing beside his horse with her hand out. Fuck. She wanted a ride. And god, he wanted to give her one.

“Well?” She thrust her hand higher. “Give me a hand up.”

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. He hadn’t thought this far ahead when he’d decided to stick around and help, and his brain certainly wasn’t working now. All he knew was he couldn’t have her sitting behind him, her tits rubbing his back, legs spread… Fuck. “You’re covered with mud.”

“Um, yeah. I kinda noticed that.” She stared up at him with expectant green eyes. Why hadn’t he ever noticed the flecks of gold or the ring of black that reminded him of the sun coming through shadowed forest trees? At his lack of response, her hand fell to her side. “You’re going to make me walk?”

“I don’t want that shit all over me.” Damn, he felt like an ass. He was an ass. He couldn’t let her walk. He’d just have to survive the ride home…and make sure it was a short one.

Before he could offer his hand or an apology, her eyes flashed with anger. And maybe a bit of hurt? “God, Mason, when did you turn into such a pussy?”

She spun around and the metallic whir of a zipper crawled up his thighs and into his balls. Lust rose high but panic shifted into overdrive. “What the hell are you doing?”

“Taking off my clothes so you won’t get dirty.”

Oh, hell no! There was no way— Shit. She hooked her thumbs into the waist of her jeans, starting the downward motion that revealed a hint of one cheek.

“Just get on the damn horse.” He pulled his foot from the stirrup and stuck out his hand. “But I can’t take you home.” His place was closer. “I have things to do.”

A long second passed, then the zipper made a return trip up. His dick jerked in disappointment as she latched on to his hand, shoved her boot into the stirrup and swung herself onto the horse behind him, mimicking his irritated tone. “Things to do.”

The warmth of her body seared his back as she settled into place. His gaze dropped to one side, taking in the slender thigh nestled close to his. The thought of those long legs wrapped around his waist made his balls ache. If she had any idea what she was doing to him, she’d be glad to walk home. Hell, she’d probably run.

But Bradi wasn’t wired that way. He doubted she ever thought about sex. She’d never dated in high school and she never talked about anyone in particular at A&M. The only conversation they’d had about sex was short-lived when he confided his loss of virginity to Katrina Forbes and Bradi made it clear right away the subject of sex was off-limits.

The odds of her still being a virgin at twenty-five were slim, but somehow he couldn’t imagine her having sex with anyone.

Anyone but him.

Click here for more.

Darah's website.

Best Book of 2010 Nomination

Whipped Cream Reviews is a great review site for erotic romance, which is why I was incredibly honored to find out that MY THREE LORDS is nominated for the Best Book of 2010. A lot of great books are in the running. I was a little starstruck looking at the list, to be honest. Here's the link in case you feel inspired to vote for MY THREE LORDS or for any of the other books up for the award. Voting goes through February 27.

VOTE HERE


Thank you! I hope this doesn't come off as crowing, but if you can't share good news on your own blog, where can you?

Peace and Love,

Juniper

Spreading the Love - Valentine's Blog Tour

I'm Juniper Bell, and welcome to my stop on the Valentine's Blog Hop. I've got a lot of love to spread around right now -- I just got married! Six weeks ago I said "I do" (figuratively speaking, since we used our own version of the vows.) What amazes me the most about marriage is that someone agreed to put up with all my quirks and flaws and neuroses on a permanent basis. And vice versa, of course. There's something incredibly moving about that, which helped inspire my interpretation of the beautiful photograph chosen for this blog hop. So, flowers are nice...


sexy lingerie is fun...
but true love trumps it all.

“What’d you say?” Olivia stared down at Randall, a silly, unstoppable grin spreading across her face.

“Don’t tell me you’re going to make me say it again.” He made laughing, puppy dog eyes at her. That same look had gotten her into this fix—out on a date with him, into bed with him, and now...

“No, don’t you dare! If you say it again I’ll have to smack you.” She hoped her smile took the sting out of her words. “We talked about this, remember?”

“You talked, but you didn’t make any sense. This makes sense.”

“What kind of sense? You could have anyone. Someone who can give you what you want. What you need. I told you from day one.”

“Trying to scare me off. Told you it wouldn’t work—from day one.”

She saw the determination in the set of his jaw. He was different, this man. She’d always known it, which was why she’d been honest with him from the start. He was different and wonderful, and he deserved better than her. But the thought of giving him up gave her an ache in the pit of her stomach.

“So…you don’t care?” She whispered.

“Course I care. About you. About the future we’re going to have. The family we’re going to have.”

Her breath caught. “But I told you—“

“I know, baby. I know. I remember every word. I had to look some of them up in a medical dictionary, but I remember. There’s a word you left out, though.”

“What?”

“Adoption.”

She bit her lip and looked down at the rose in his hand. Of course she hadn’t mentioned adoption. Most men she dated didn’t want to hear about that kind of stuff.

“There’s another word too. Love. I love you, Olivia, and that’s it. End of story. The rest is details. Nothing we can’t work out.”

Her eyes filled with tears.

“Now are you going to say yes before my knees dig holes in this floor?”

Her smile held all the “yes” he could ever want.

For a very different, much steamier marriage proposal, check out my newest release, GO WILD from Ellora's Cave. How many men does it take to convince one free spirited woman to say yes? Click here to find out.

Thanks for stopping by! Here's the link to get back on the tour bus. Have a wonderful Valentine's Day weekend!

Peace and Love,

Juniper

GO WILD is out!

Tips from Wild, Alaska on how to survive a long, hard winter:

1. Throw a party

2. Make it last all weekend

3. Follow one rule – “Anything goes, nothing counts.”

4. GO WILD

Tonight, you're invited to Wild Nights 2011!

Let off a little steam, crank up the heat, and see what happens when Lars Nordegren pulls out all the stops to get Katia Pollard to say “yes.”

Go Wild

Juniper Bell

Lars loves Katia. Katia loves Lars. Lars wants to marry Katia. Can he convince his free-spirited lover that marriage will be as fun as her sexually adventurous single days?

Never before has Katia been tempted to give up her carefree ways. She’s deeply in love with Lars, but she doesn’t know if he can handle her wild side—or needs.

But Lars is a hard man to resist. The former Olympic champion won’t give up—not when he knows just how to please her.

The people of Wild, Alaska know the best way to survive winter is to let off a little steam. When Lars’ buddies hit town for Wild Nights, a notorious winter festival with one rule—“anything goes, nothing counts”—he jumps at the chance to prove he’s the perfect man for Katia.

He vows to win her over, even if it takes four rugged Alaska men and one wildly erotic night in a sauna.

Note: Features an extended ménage (M/F/M/M/M), anal play and references to bondage experimentation and sexual escapades of all types.

CLICK TO BUY.