VIOLET'S VELVET ICE

2011

2011-01-01T08:49:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year and welcome 2011. Vj and I have many projects, seperate and together. I'm making it a priority to do a lot more reading this year.
I've also decided that I will truly make the effort to become more organized in every facet of my life. Easier said than done. I am always amazed at those who can remian together regardless of what pops up in thier lives. For me one small thing can totally disrupt my day and send me right over the edge.
I've also figured out that if I want this year to be a great one than it will be up to me to make that happen. Of course there will be times when everything around me is falling apart but its how I handle it that will make the difference.
I tend to be dramatic- Big surprie coming from a a writer- as such I have raised 3 dramatic children..lol... They of course will follow my lead with how I respond to any given situation.
Last year proved too be such a difficult one mentally as well as physically that I am more than ready to embrace change in anyway that it comes.
I would love to know what you've learned from the previous year and what you hope to gain in this new year.

Sierra

2010 a year in review

2010-12-23T20:44:00.000-08:00

This year has been the best and the worst for VJ and myself. We've been through some tough personal issues that have kept us from writing as much as we wanted to accomplish this year.
I'v never been good at taking the bitter with the sweet and as such its been harder for us to get back on track.
The good news is that I had my first solo project release from Liquid Silver back in August- A Taste of Haven. A paranormal shifter book with a tough as nails heroine and the man brave enough to love her.
VJ released Under the Influence in September at Ellora's Cave. A m/m erotic suspense romance.
In other news we released another story in our Queen's of Merab series- Nuriel's Wolf.
Coming in January from Liquid Silver will be the second in the Night Creatures Series- Forever Rowan.
We are currently working on a new Scenes from Velet Ice book. The list of our WIPS is long and we are chipping away one story at a time.
We are working on a few little surprises for the near future and hopefully we will be updating the couples from The Worthington Group.
We are also aware that many of you are looking for Brady and Celia's story.
It will be written just not yet. Brady isn't ready for the things that Celia will force him to face about his past and who he is now.
There are two more Scenes from Velvete Ice also planned and within those novella's you'll learn just a little more about Brady and who he is. We know its a terrible tease but trust me when I say that Brady is one seriously messed up male.
We are hoping this new year will give us the opportunity to write more and that day to day drama will not be such a pain in the ass for us both.
Sierra

Motor City Stroy Tellers

2010-03-20T09:37:00.000-07:00

VJ had an awesome idea a few months ago to start a local authors group for those uncomfortable or unable to afford memberships to national groups. We live in South Eastern Michigan and have five wonderful ladies who meet together one a month at a local Borders book store.
We are always looking for unpublished or published writers who want to experience a non judgemental supportive setting among poeple who love writing. IF this is something that you may be looking for shoot us an e-mail at violetsummers@yahoo.com.
VJ and I will both blog later about what happened and all the fun we had. This is a great way to bat around ideas, to talk about your difficulties and to annouce your accomplishments. We look forward to hearing from any one who is serious about writing and would enjoy this group.
Cheers,
Sierra

VJ's Take on Emotion

2010-03-09T15:02:00.000-08:00

I'll have to agree with pretty much everything Sierra said - sex for sex's sake is great, but it's sort of like no-sugar-added dessert: ultimately unfulfilling. The first scene in a book by another author that jumps into my mind is from Joey W. Hill's Rough Canvas. It's a m/m BDSM story in her Nature of Desire series - my first m/m, my first BDSM, and still one of my favorite books ever. At the very beginning the characters have a confrontation - Thomas left Marcus to care for his family, and Marcus has come to, er, retrieve him.; As they argue, Marcus slams Thomas into a corner between the barn and fence and the sensation of Marcus' body against his, the scent of his lover's skin, the sheer power of his love for Marcus, which he'd thought was buried, slams Thomas into a violent orgasm. The intensity of the moment, driven almost exclusively by the intensity of the men's emotions, hits me in the solar plexus every time.

It's funny, when I read Sierra's post, I knew EXACTLY which scene exemplifies - for me anyway - the impact emotion has on our sex scenes. We've told the story many times of how Daniel's Surrender was the first book we finished together, and to this day it remains my favorite of our stories. I think that each and every love scene in the novel is emotion-driven - from the lust and denial in Daniel and Matty's first few encounters, to the healing power of Shannon's touch on both men.

For me it's the actions of a character, every bit as much as their words, that reveal their emotions. In this excerpt, Daniel is emotionally raw. He's just begun to realize that what started out as a menage fling has grown into something much, much more. Hard on the heels of that terrifying revelation, Matthew is critically injured in a car accident. In this scene Daniel is reeling - swamped by more emotion than he knows how to deal with, and Shannon is trying to sooth him the best way she knows how:

EXCERPT:
Abruptly, she knew how she wanted him. In a way he’d never given himself to her.

Deftly she slipped out of his grasp, easing to her back on the bed next to him. She had to smile at his raised eyebrows.

“You might be done,” his voice had a sleepy, sexy rasp that she could get used to hearing first thing every morning. “But I’m just getting started.”

She smiled and reached a hand out to him.“Oh, I’m not done,” she knew her eyes glowed almost gold. She could see their reflection in his. “Come here, then.”

Daniel hesitated before he let Shannon draw his body over hers. For all the exotic, mind-blowing sex they’d had, they’d never done straight missionary alone with just the two of them. Somehow, heart to heart, eye to eye, it seemed so much more intimate than any of the things they’d done, alone or with Matt.

Now she lay under him, like some sort of feast. She was so tiny, dwarfed by his larger frame. Her fragility was a bigger turn-on than he’d ever have guessed.

Moving more gently than he’d planned to, he crooked his knee under one of hers, bending his leg to draw her thigh up and open. When she was open enough, he fitted his hips into the cradle of hers. He slowly slid his throbbing erection over her slippery folds as he automatically reached for a condom, only to swear viciously when he remembered that they were in his bed. He didn’t have sex in his bed. Thus, no condoms in the room.

He started to lift off of her, but her soft hands on his cheeks stopped him.

“You’re clean,” she whispered. “You showed me your blood tests.”

Of course he had. Any responsible, respectful lover would be sure to reassure their partners of their health.

“I’m on the pill.” He stiffened as he suddenly realized where she was going with this.

“Oh, no,” he’d seen Matt take her bareback, but had never ever imagined doing so himself. One did not do that with a temporary lover.But fuck, it was tempting.

“Daniel,” she continued to hold him captive with tiny hands and enormous eyes. Her lower body arched, undulating over his straining cock relentlessly. She was painting him with the moisture of her lust, and he felt all his scruples beginning to melt beneath the flow. “I need you in me,” he shuddered out a low groan in response. “I need to feel you,” with a mind of its own, his bare, burning cock tunneled deeper between her folds. “And I can’t think of anything sexier than feeling you shoot inside me,” his hips jerked involuntarily. She was unraveling him with nothing but her words. “I need to feel how much you want me.”

That did it. With a deep grunt of excruciating pleasure, he plunged fully into her steamy depths.

“Fuck,” he’d never done it bare before. Now he wondered how he’d ever do it any other way.

It was too much, too intense. He couldn’t form words. Hell, he couldn’t form coherent thoughts. He couldn’t do anything but drive all the way in, until he didn’t know where he ended and she began.

She wriggled against him, but he braced on one arm and used the other to hold her hips still.

“No, let me,” he panted. “Let me take it slow.” He had to take it slow. He’d never feel this again, and he wanted to savor every second of it.
*
She felt so full. So incredibly surrounded. So cherished. Having him over her, in her like this, was beyond anything. She could feel every ridge, every pulsing vein on his cock rasping her sensitive tissues. It was fricking amazing.

He continued to power in, in, in, and then so slowly back out. Each thrust touched her deeper, until he was touching her very heart. Her soul.

Suddenly, unexpectedly, those laser blue eyes connected with hers. She’d never seen them so open. So vulnerable. God, if he was touching her soul, she was looking into his. And it was beautiful.

The sight ratcheted her pleasure even higher. She could feel her body drawing tighter, the deceptively strong muscles of her sheath clutching at his cock as he kept his relentlessly slow rhythm. She knew she was about to come, and she thought, from the way his breath jerked from his chest, he might be too.

“Daniel,” her voice was ragged and broken. Her heart was in her voice and in her words. “My Daniel.” He closed his eyes, tipping his head back. He pushed up on his hands, on straight arms so she could look down and see him working that enormous, gorgeous cock into her.

Her jagged whimper brought his eyes back to hers, and finally the words she’d kept bottled inside for so many weeks broke free.

“God, I love you Daniel,” his body jerked tight and his cock seemed to swell even bigger as his eyes widened in shock. “I love you so much,” she knew there were tears in her eyes and in her voice. She thought there might be tears in his, too.

“You own me,” now that she’d started, she couldn’t hold anything back. “You own Matt and me both.” With each word his hips pistoned faster, driving her implacably closer to release.

Suddenly he slammed into her, seating himself to the hilt and grinding his pubic bone against her straining clit.

She came with a shriek that was his name.
*
What the fuck.

He’d never heard those words from a lover before. In fact, he’d specifically chosen lovers that would never say such a thing, even in the heat of passion.

He’d like to believe it was the orgasm talking, but he knew better. Shannon had shown her love in so many ways since the first time they’d met. And now, hearing those dreaded words, all he could think was that he wanted to hear them again.

It terrified him that it didn’t terrify him. It terrified him that he wanted to say it back.

Fuck.

He felt himself swell, her sweet honey anointing his aching flesh. He felt her shudder her release under him as her pussy rippled over him. His Angel wasn’t normally a screamer, and when she screamed his name it was like music to his ears. He choked back the words that stopped up in his chest.

Fuck.

He had to do something to regain his balance. And fast.

In a lightning fast move he pulled out, ignoring her wail of protest. Grabbing a pillow with one hand, he used the other to flip her to her stomach. He jammed the pillow under her stomach, pointing that delicious bubble-butt in the air as he crouched behind her, like the animal he felt like.

Before she could brace herself, he’d poised his cock at her wet, ruby red opening and was driving in.

This was better. All the pleasure, and fuck she felt good on his bare skin, with none of the longing looks and terrifying intimacy.

Finally, his control slipped its leash. He pounded into her almost brutally, drinking in each of her gasps, savoring her grunts as he drove her into the mattress. He was swelling, swelling, and then he came.

It felt like he came for hours, for years. Her body soaked in his scalding release, and with the first spurt he felt her pussy seize up again, clutching him in yet another powerful climax.

When the storm passed, he meant to get up. To go shower. To regroup. Instead he collapsed against her, only barely managing to direct the bulk of his weight to her side before sleep claimed him.

What works for you? What sex scenes have you read that take your breath away no matter how many times you re-read them?

The Art of the Sex Scene

2010-03-09T14:05:00.000-08:00

We've had several people comment on the heat of our sex scenes. So we decided to give a little insight into what we feel is important and how we approach these scenes.

The first subject we'd thought to tackle is EMOTION in these scence. VJ will include her perspective as we are writing partners which may show how we compliment each other in our writing partnership.

We always make sure that we include emotion in every sex scene. Its not necessarily driven by love especially at the begining of a story. So the feeling each character could be anything from lust to love and everything in between. I know some find it silly but I try to think about the characters personality and they dictate what gets written. What is going through their heads as they touch and taste their lover? Be it good or bad it must be there in that characters voice. It's okay for the alpha to be vunerable when making love either in his own head or verbally. I love it when thier mind is blown by either what they are experiencing due to thier lovers minstrations.
This is an ecerpt of our very first book- Carrie's Answer and while we feel we have improved greatly I have always loved this scene. Marcus had been a cold man for five years. He'd been betrayed by his former wife and as the story goes he gave up on finding anyone who would love all of who he was. What he discovers is that he needed to love without condition to receive the same back.
Excerpt-

She stared at the place where they were joined, her eyes going wide with the wonder of their love making. Marcus placed his finger on her tight little button, rubbing and teasing her to the brink of orgasm over and over until tears formed at the corners of her eyes.

When he knew she couldn’t take one more second of his torture, he slowed down even more, wanting this moment to last forever. Needing to savor the feel of her tight and pulsing around him. To drink in her expression as she took every hard, aching inch of him, her eyes glassy, her lips wet and plump.

Nothing had ever been as perfect as this moment. There were no flowers, no silk sheets, nothing to denote romance. Looking into Carrie’s eyes, Marcus saw everything he ever needed. She was his, forever. She craved him, just as he was, the way he craved her. Unable to stave off the emotion filling him up he buried his face in her neck, swallowing back the first tears he’d let fall in five years.

But these were tears of happiness. A kind of happiness that Marcus never dreamed existed between two people. He sounded like a sappy ass and for once he didn’t give a damn. For Carrie he was willing to be anything she wanted, anything she needed. And the best part was that she needed him to dominate her in the bedroom. She needed him to love her every day and night.

For me I need the emotion in order for me to buy the romance. Sex for sex sakes is fine and I am not knocking it but in order for me to believe the Happily Ever After I want to feel right along with them.
I remeber a mainstream romance I read by Susan Crosby... I have a dog eared copy in my closet, but there are several scenes in the book that made me suck in a breath. The hero sets out to seduce heroine in order to destroy her father. The way he discovers how beautiful she is on the inside and out, its my absolute favorite book adn really shows how emotion can turn a relatively formula story into something I have neverr forgotten.
Would love to hear your opinions or examples of books that made your chest pound and never want the story to end.

Dorian vs Derek: Dueling Doms

2010-02-27T07:26:00.001-08:00

It’s always interesting to me how people react to our Velvet Ice (i.e.: our BDSM) titles. Neither Sierra nor I are a part of the lifestyle, but we’ve both sought out people who are as a kind of “reality check” for our characters. So my most recent “hmmm” moment comes on the heels of the releases of Unmasking Dorian and Velvet Valentines.

Dorian was supposed to be a “hard core” Dom. In an earlier book (Meredith’s, I think, though he made an appearance in Carrie’s and Daniel’s books, too) we caught a glimpse of him leading a sub around on a leash. At that point in our writing, the idea of that kind of submission seemed very exotic to both of us. I wonder now, though, if we didn’t push the envelope enough in Dorian’s story.

Derek, on the other hand, was so far into denial that when he finally snapped the chain, man he did it in a BIG way. Writing the scenes between Elise and Derek pushed the boundaries of what I was comfortable with on a lot of levels. Because the level of intimacy Derek (and Elise – maybe even more from Elise) demanded, I think it made me a little uncomfortable.

Interestingly, readers seem to prefer Derek.

Looking back, I wonder if that’s because of the BDSM elements in the stories, or if it’s got more to do with the emotional intimacy of the relationships. It’s a riddle. I also have to wonder how readers will react to our next book, Velvet Submission, which will be out Monday night, 3/1/10. Submission is our second venture into the mind of a Domme. The first, Binding Ben, was pretty successful at Phaze.

Submission brings back two of my favorite secondary characters – Megan from Sinful treats, and Gregori from Unmasking Dorian. Both characters are wounded, and neither realizes how much they’ve allowed their pasts to shape them. Megan and Gregori gave me all sorts of trouble – each was so sure that s/he was right, and neither wanted to bend. Of course, this made it even more luscious when they gave in!

I hope you’ll check out Velvet Submission when it’s available (that’s Monday evening, 3/1), and I hope you’ll check out Dorian and Derek’s stories if you haven’t already. We’d love to hear what you have to say!

A thank you to our readers adn an easy contest!

2010-02-16T19:03:00.000-08:00

We want to send our heartfelt Thank you to all of our readers. As VJ and I move into our 3rd writing we wanted to celebrate with all of you who have picked up our books.

To thank our readers we are running a contest. We’ll be giving several goodies away. What do you have to do…..it’s easy

1) Write and TELL us your favorite book and why you enjoyed it?

2) WHO is your favorite character and why?

3) What or whose story are you interested in seeing in the future?

So drop us a line at violetsummers@yahoo.com

Sierra and VJ

LIVE THE FANTASY FEEL THE DESIRE

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Love is in the air...

2010-02-09T12:57:00.000-08:00

At Liquid Silver Books! That's where, after seven tonight, you'll find ouor newest Velvet Ice novella, Velvet Valentines!

Velvet Valentines takes us back to the club, gives a couple mouthwatering glimpses of Brady and Master Sin, and introduces us to an entirely new level of D/s. This one, I think, pushes the envelope for us - in the very best of ways! We hope once you've read it, you'll let us know what you think!

Oh, and check out the KILLER cover!!! April Martinez is a GODDESS!!!

Now, I'm off to pray for MORE snow - I need me a snow day, baby!

Be safe and warm!

VJ

Live the Fantasy?

2010-01-23T07:37:00.000-08:00

It's not just the "tagline" for Velvet Ice - "Live the Fantasy", I mean. We've been living the fantasy - I never really believed that the day would come when people actually paid money for my little stories - and we want our readers to live the fantasy, too. That is, the urban fantasy, and the epic fantasy. Like in our paranormal for Liquid Silver, Saving Jenna. And our urban fantasy last summer for Loose-Id, Longfellow Seduced. Both are critically acclaimed (ooh, I sound pretentious!), and (in my humble opinion) pretty effing-fantastic, but no where near as popular as the Velvet Ice/BDSM books. Huh. Color me confused.

Now, we've started a new series for Changeling; The Queens of Merab. It's in the style of epic fantasy - a good friend compared it to the flavor of Anne Bishop's Dark Jewels novels (I LOVE Anne Bishop, and love even more being even remotely compared to her!). In these stories our Crown Princess, Temair, must collect her four Consorts (one for each magical element: Fyre, Rayne, Aire and Earth) so that she can ascend and become Queen. Oh, and she must also foil a plot by the men of Merab to overthrow the Queendom. Sierra and I have worked incredibly hard on these stories - and I'm so proud of how they're evolving. Doing a series gave us the opportunity to really create layers, and our writing is showing the growth.

Please, oh please, let our readers enjoy Merab as much as we do! If you'd like to check our newest adventure out, head to changelingpress.com. Right now we're still on the homepage (Yay!). Give Temair a read, and PLEASE let us know what you think! Paranormal is such a love of ours as authors - we truly want your opinions as readers!

Meantime, Happy Saturday! Hugs!
VJ

New Release From Mina Carter!

2010-01-21T09:32:00.000-08:00

We're thrilled to share a new release from a new friend, Mina Carter, and our new, fabulous publisher, Changeling Press!

Tori's trying to find Mr. Right. So far all she's found are Mr. Arrogant, Mr. Self-Obsessed and Mr. Downright Scary. When her latest date ends in her dumping her drink in her date's crotch, a frustrated Tori takes matters into her own hands. One quick spell later and her very own Mr. Right is standing in her bedroom. So what if he's a wraith, a magical construct. She doesn't care. He'll do the job far better than any of her buzzing friends.

However, the ghostly hunk standing by her bed is hiding more than one secret: like the fact he's not a wraith at all, but a sorcerer looking for a way back to the land of the living. Jacob needs an in, a chink in some mortal woman's armour. He needs to hear the words "I love you."

Available now from Changeling Press!

Available NOW from Mina Carter and Changeling Press!

A NEW SERIES

2009-09-12T17:48:00.000-07:00

We have been given the chance to write our first fantasy series. It will take place on the planet Merab and will tell the stories of three Queens. What's even better is each of these Queens will have four...yep you read it correctly four mates.
Each Queen is also the regent of their own continents where everyone are shifters.
One continient the shifters are the elements. On another the shifters are animals and the third the shifters are magical creatures.
We are excited to tackle this new world. The the same time we are also going back to the world of the Longfellows where we learn the story of Eden and Silas and what happened all those years ago to freeze Silas and kept Eden from her family.

An embarressment of Riches

2008-08-20T08:01:00.000-07:00

An Embarrassment of Riches

Sometime in my life I must have done something very good, because God’s been shooting the riches back at me pressed down, shaken up and running over for the last week or so.

We started with that scathing (in my mind) rejection of Saving Jenna, which left Sierra and me both scratching our heads and wondering what story the acquiring editor had read. It somewhat soured us on submitting to that particular publisher. They rejected Carrie’s Answer on the grounds that it lacked introspection and emotional depth (huh?), and Jenna for the same reason. So I started the week somewhat sad and confused.

Then we submitted Jenna to Liquid Silver. The acquiring editor’s comment was “with Angela Knight’s comments (she judged us in the SOM contest and used those magic words: New York), I can’t believe y’all are offering this to us and not New York.” How’s that for validation?

Then Wednesday rolled around.

First came the e-mail with the offer for our first submitted paranormal, Hungry Like the Wolf. We were, of course, thrilled.

Then came the e-mail with the contract for our Halloween novella, Sinful Treats. We moved from thrilled to giddy.

Then came the offer for Saving Jenna. We moved from giddy to high as kites.

We spent Thursday in a blissed out daze, which was only increased when OUR editor, our Terri whose opinion we respect so thoroughly, told us that she thought we should really think hard about sending our next “big” project to an agent with the idea of moving on to New York. This took us from “high” to hysterical in a nano-second.

Will we submit to New York? Eventually we probably will. I know that on many levels Sierra and I are both perfectly content to continue on with e-pub’s. We’ve been blessed beyond any expectation working with Liquid Silver, and for myself, the whole point of writing is to share my stories, not to be “rich and famous.” But I gotta admit, the idea of walking into Border’s and seeing my book on the new release kiosk next to an Angela Knight or a J.R. Ward is pretty heady stuff!

Oh, and to round off our amazing week, Phaze offered us a contract on The Dom Next Door, the sequel to Binding Ben (which will be out August 25th). Like I said, I must have done something good, because I’m surly being rewarded! And I’m incredibly grateful.

Cheers!

What a Month

2008-05-02T16:28:00.000-07:00

April was a month like no other for us. First we finished the Edits on Meredith's Awakening, Terri you totally rock.

Phaze gave us a contract for our short story Binding Ben.

Finally the most unbelievable news is that we are among the top five finalists in the Stroke of Midnight contest.

Angela Knight was one of our judges and gave us the greatest boost, encouraging us to try and sell to New York. Ok we're not ready for that, but it was so cool hearing from a best selling author. We've been bad about blogging, but I can honestly say its because we have been working. Polishing up the third installment of the Worthington Group: Daniel's Surrender.

Finishing up our first Longfellow book as well as the sequel to Binding Ben, called The Dom Next Door.

Wow I'm tired...lol

Sierra and Violet

Getting our second book published

2008-03-29T07:01:00.000-07:00

The greatest of news we have a second book published. Its a wonderful thing and we are so very grateful. The bad news, haven;t written very much at all. I'm not sure who to blame it on, the lousy weather, my freaky desktop or jsut the fact that I;m ahving a hard time getting back into my groove.
Has anyone else ever experienced this? Its kind of like exercise, you know you have to do it. Its the getting started that is the hardest part.
Unlike exercise I love writing, I love seeing a story unfold before my eyes, characters deciding which path they will take and me as an author pulling them back from making the worst of mistakes.
The good news my excuses are getting thinner..lol unlike me...
I received my laptop and can no longer blame the kids for taking up my computer time.
Sierra

Patience is a Virtue

2008-03-13T15:37:00.000-07:00

I've been a very bad little blogger. I think I've asked this before, but how on earth do other authors manage to have a life and still write? My day job has taken up far more time over the last few weeks than I'd like, and add college classes and odd "custody" arrangements, and you have one very tired, overextended and uninspired writer.

Of course, then something fabulously awesome happens and suddenly the inspiration comes flooding back!

In the course of the last week or so, when I've been working twelve and fourteen hour days, Sierra has been "pimping" us out. She's sent out not one but two submissions - which led to the first fabulously awesome thing. Liquid Silver Books has offered us a contract (and we accepted at the speed of light) on The Worthington Group: Meredith's Awakening, the sequel to Carrie's Answer. And Carrie's Answer is the other fabulously awesome thing: We got a pub-date!!!

So, when my energy is low on Monday, I'll just pop over to the beautiful Liquid Silver homepage, and see OUR BOOK listed as a new release!!!!

Waiting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-03-07T05:56:00.000-08:00

Patience while it may be a virtue , it certainly isn't one of mine. I don't savor the anticipation. I am a right here right now kind of girl. That philosophy may work in some areas of life, but not when your waiting to hear from publishers.
I sit and wonder when will they get back to Vi and I. DO we suck? By the end of the week I am ready to pull my hair out. I know I have to learn patience, especially in a business where you can go as long as six months before you hear from someone.
So for all you authors out there how in the world do you do it? How do you possibly wait out the time it takes for someone to read your submission and not go crazy?
I think this is why my muse is still missing. I don't have my mind where it should be , writing steamy , hot erotic stories.
I think that is why my muse is being pig headed and refusing to speak to me, he's horny and I haven't written anything to please him. Vindictive little jerk that he is, he wants me to write sex and my mind is on other things.
So I have promised Violet that this weekend I will write, write, write. I will have no excuse not to.
So muse if you're out there reading this, its time to come home honey and I will make it all better.
Sierra

The Muse is missing

2008-03-02T11:52:00.001-08:00

Ok,
Got up this morning with all intentions of working on something new. I sat down at the computer, put my hands to the keyboard and began to type. Problem is what came out was so not what I was hoping for.
I'd lost my muse. Funny thing about that damn muse it changes daily and I never know when it will hit me. I checked everywhere for the little bastard. Went through all my files of inspirational men. Looked up those naked hotties on the french rugby team. But got nothing, nada, zilch. I sat and stared at the screen silently screaming for something to take root and start talking.
Its three in the afternoon and I have been here for three freaking hours, I bet the little bastard is whacking off somewhere but hell if I can find him.
So while Violet is hard at work on Binding Ben I sit here complaining about finding my muse. At this point I just wanna punch him in the face and kick his ass out. But I can't because the muse is what keeps my imagination running wild, it gives me the most amazing ideas and stories. The characters and scenes are unbelievable. SO as much as I would like to hunt him down and do him serious bodily harm I won't.
I will instead wait until he again whispers in my ear the first word of my next sentence. I am at the mercy of the unseen force I have labeled male, because only a male presence could cause me so much frustration, such a lack in my ability to continue. Making me second guess myself until I'm ready to cry. Only a male could make me write the romance and sex of many a woman's dreams. Dare me, challange me to continue and prove it wrong. My bane and my hope. My nightmare and my dream.
So where ever you are you little bastard, I'll be here waiting on your lazy ass to get in together. MEN!
Sierra

Edits

2008-02-26T15:57:00.000-08:00

Finshing Edits!
OK SO we have turned in the last of our edits. Then as we sat down to think about it we wondered whats next? I made the mistake the other day of ratteling off every story line idea we have written down on paper. Gulp! It became over whelming...tot he point of my stomach tying up in knots and swearing over and over in my head every four letter word that I could think of and I even think I made up a few to go along with it.
So Vi and I sat down at lunch and made the decision to work on our first full length Longfellow. A new paranoramal series that we are really likng as we feel its a new take on the Genre'.
So at lunch we divided up the work that way we always do and got down to business. I have promised Vi that I would not bring up any more new story plots or characters. BUT that it sooooooooo difficult. Apparently I need a new hobby to take my mind off all the people in my head screaming to have their say.
Vi came up with a very interesting plot/stroy the other day and I felt like I was steam rolling over her with all the stuff in my files. SO I want her to know that I am ready to write her story as well....lol
Then the little witch tells me about a new band, I look them up on line and poof. Hot lead singer with the most beautiful eyes and all I can think about is Simon, my everman ( A secondary character from another Longfellow story) So I am being a good girl and putting Simon from my mind. I am so not thinking of his herione, or his body or how much of a superhero he is. I swear I am not doing that. I am not going to download his pic and put it in our character file. I wish my metabolism worked as fast as my brain, hell I'd be one skinny bitch....lol and wouldn;t have to make myself try and work out on a daily basis. Yeah I'm gonna start the gym again when the flu is gone...lol
And I am totally bummed that I couldn;t see the Police but am waiting for Duran Duran. AND no thats NOT a joke! I LOVE THEM and that just isn't going to change and if it makes me a DORK then so be it because I won't be alone my best friend TINA will be stadning right there along side of me.Haven't missed them once sine 84 and not going to stop now.
Ciao Sierra
Currently listening : Blackbird By Alter Bridge Release date: 09 October, 2007
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Friday, February 15, 2008
Alpha Males
We have been having discussions these past few weeks about Alpha Men. The kind we love to read about. My question to you is What is your definition of an alpha male?
Mine is easy. He is a man's man. He is posessive, bold, strong. He would protect you with his very life and when he falls he falls hard.
Men like Lora Leigh write, or J.R. Ward. Imperfect flawed men who walk a fine line. One toe over and he turns into an ass.
Of course most women only want to read about men like these, not have one is real life. It would be exhausting trying to keep up with a man like this. Frankly while I love to read about a hero pushing his women up hard agaisnt a wall for a scorching afternoon body rub, in real life I want a nice soft bed.
The alpha heros is romances are brash, sometimes not so nice, even with the women they love. While its by no means abusive, many females who have worked hard to be an equal to a man would not sit back quietly and let him take the upper hand.
I guess what it boils down to is give me the hard, rough, perfect hero. As long as he stays between the pages of my book he and I will get along just fine.
Violet
Currently listening : Red Carpet Massacre By Duran Duran Release date: 13 November, 2007
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Sunday, February 03, 2008
Our big announcement
last night we made our big announcement to our book club. IT was hell keeping our big mouths shut for almost an entire month before we told them we had a contract.
The reaction filled us up and was more than we hoped for. SO to all the special ladies int he club thank you.
Editing, we are satill in the begining stages of edits, mucking our way through unknown territory. As well as getting together an entry to a contest. Crossing fingers and hoping for the best.
Time to go , blogged and looped all I cna for the day. Time to get ready for the Big Game...

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Sunday, January 27, 2008
Edits and websites Current mood: overstimulated
Ok,
So today was the first of our edits. Vi and I were so excited, kind of giddy. That came crashing down with a resounding thud. We are pretty good at taking critique's, at least I thought I was. Now I am not so sure.
Frankly its hard to see your 'Baby' being picked apart, and while it is all for the good. The suggestions we were given I think will defintely help our story become better. It puts you right back into that place you were at before your book was contracted. The whole do I really suck that badly?
So I will be spending the day tomorrow, reworking some scenes and hoping the end product will be more than I dreamed, before handing it off to Vi.
WEBSITES, can I just say that I hate computers.I mean really really hate them. The agony that VI and I have experienced over trying to design our own site is more than I can stomach. I know I was tech challanged, I had no idea how bad I really was until I attempted to take on this task. So at this point we are going to bite the bullet and bribe a friend for her help.
My best friend looked at our websapce page and laughed...laughed at it. So I will try in vain to enlist the help of her 16 year old much more tech savvy son to try and spruce the damn thing up a bit.
I have never felt so old than when I have tried and failed yet again to understand anything to do with websites.
Of course all of this has to wait until we are through with edits as well as another story we are submitting to a contest.
Sierra

Currently listening : A Beautiful Lie By 30 Seconds to Mars Release date: 30 August, 2005
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Thursday, January 24, 2008
Almost Nekkid Men Current mood: Musing Category: Musing Fashion, Style, Shopping
Do you like a man in a thong?
A leather thong?
Red Spandex?
As a full figured gal, I find the idea of thongs uncomfortable and somewhat squirmy. As a woman who appreciates the sight of a pair of tight male buns, I can sort of see the appeal, but when I actually read the words in print, I think things like "banana sling," and hear the Thong Song playing in my head. Which naturally leads to Baby Got Back. It's a sad downhill slide from there.
Of course, I have the same reaction to the mention of tiny little Speedo's.
So, am I the only one that would rather have her man described as naked, or even as wearing a "Leather Harness"? And what other descriptors ARE there - because a thong by any other name might not sound so silly!
Happy Almost Friday!
VeeJay
Currently listening : Kill (Bury Me) By 30 Seconds to Mars Release date: 07 May, 2007
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Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Why in the World are we Blogging??? Current mood: curious Category: Writing and Poetry
So, as a part of "learning our craft," Sierra and I have been joining loops, reading articles, and generally trying to develop some internet literacy so that we can develop some publishing literacy.
One of the articles I read today had to do with blogging. And building a "readership." We're supposed to build a readership???? Really???? There were MANY tips on blogging, one of which is to keep it to 300 words or less per post (HELLO!!! AUTHOR here - words are my avocation!), another says we should have made a clear statement of intent in our first post (as in, we clearly intend to fumble around here until we figure out what we're doing?), and finally, my favorite (nope, not being sarcastic - this time), offer up a thought-provoking topic/question to encourage your readers to comment.
So here's my thought-provoking topic/question: Sierra and I are about to release a book that we consider to be "soft BDSM," with some strong elements of D/s (Dom/submissive). To us, the D/s elements are very mental and emotional, not bound or dependant on equipment or tools. Now several people who "know" have commented that what we do isn't true BDSM (which we're fine with - not a huge fan of lables anyway), and then suggested several books for us to read that ARE. So, here's my question:
Do bodily fluids (other than that really nice one a guy gives up if you're doing everything right), belong in erotic romance? No, I'm actually pretty serious here. If your genre is erotic ROMANCE, not just erotica, should your submissive be so "broken down" that s/he can't control bladder, bowels, or vomit? More, while in certain sex play pain isn't necessarily PAIN (sorry, can't get the italics to work), is a certain amount of blood acceptable, or even sexy if you are writing a romance?
I know what I think, and I know what Sierra thinks. I'm curious to know what the average reader thinks, though.
So, consider this your engraved invitation to comment. We want to hear what you have to say!
Currently reading : The Vampire Queen’s Servant (Vampire Queen, Book 1) By Joey W. Hill Release date: 03 July, 2007
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Saturday, January 19, 2008
Book Club Diva’s
I have to agree with all that Vi has said about our book club friends. I also wanted to add a few more of the ladies in there that have touched our lives so much.
Our Southern Belle, she is a grand lady whose shares her life experiences with us in the greatest of southern traditions. Through the stories she tells us with the greatest of sounthern charm.
Her best friend, who is the picture of calm. Who is quiet but very wise and who embodies kindess and understanding.
Our political comentater, who can give you an earful about what is wrong with the country, revealing a passion and conviction that often lacks in many people today.
Our fellow writer who can describe an ocean like I've never seen before, pulling you in so that you can feel the spray of the water and taste the salt of the sea.
And of course our favorite automotive engineer, who has a wonderful wit and makes the most interesting dishes that include both veggies and fruit. You make us laugh with your sense of humor.
My writing partner, who without whom I could never have done any of this. Someone who laughs at my stupid stories. Who will write exactly what I am thinking of and who has made me want to be a better writer.
This as well as the previous two blogs are dedicated to the women who have touched our lives in the best and most profound of ways. You believe in us, encourage us , give us the kick in the pants we need as well as the ego boost we sometimes crave.
We love you all and want to say thank you.
Sierra and Violet.

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Friends, Too Current mood: content Category: satisfied with how the writing’s going Life
I've got to agree with my other half. There is something magical about the friends who knew you "way back when," and love you anyway. I'll always be thankful for those friends. They keep me grounded.
I'm also blessed beyond belief by my new friends.
My incredible, taller and less cynical twin at work calls me regularly, and keeps trying until I actually pull my head out of the computer and answer the darn phone. And she treats my God-child as if she were, in truth, my daughter.
My absolutely amazing partner in Johnny Depp appreciation, who is good to my God-child, and has invited me to let our friendship exceed it's proscribed limits.
Gee, I'm noticing a theme. The people who've touched me the most in the last several years have done so by extending their love and friendship to my kid. Go figure.
Then there's Picture-Boy. Man, if I were fifteen years younger, I'd have such a crush! His humor and low-key, unflappable personality are wise beyond his years, and he and the "lunch gang" are sometimes the best part of the day.
And, OMG, the fabulous ladies of the book club. Of course Sierra and I have both mentioned Tawny, our guru. What I might not have said is, without Tawny's encouragement and gentle kick in the arse, I probably would never have pursued writing. My characters would still be languishing in the computer somewhere, and my life would be so much poorer for that loss.
But our book club is filled with rich, encouraging women.
Not naming names, there's our fantasy football champion who devours every word we send her, and asks for more. There's our bohemian buddy, who takes me to mid-night booksignings for Sherilyn Kenyon, and likes the way we write boy-sex. And then there's our fearless leader, who makes a wicked-decadant brownie, and cooks for me whenever I whine at her. And that's just three of the many!
Ladies, I love each and every one of you. You've let me spread my wings and become more than I thought I could be. Twenty years ago (adding my own gulp here) I never would have dreamed I could be this... happy. Thanks for being a part of what made me that way.
VeeJay
Currently listening : Foiled By Blue October Release date: 04 April, 2006
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Friday, January 18, 2008
Friends Current mood: chipper Category: Automotive
Friends, Everyone has them, every needs them. I recieved a card from my oldest and bestest friend the other day. Congradualting me on the publishing of our new book. It made me thing about our friendship. We have been friends for (gulp) 27 yrs. Thats longer than alot of marriages. We shared drama throughout our teenage years, our love for music and books. All the ups and downs with boys. We shared our early twenties, trying to carve out our place in the real world, still full of drama, still all about the boys.
Sadly we didn't talk for several years, but found each other again. The last five years have been so great having her back in my life. As women with families, who are fairly comfortable in our lives we are able to share things about ourselves without fear of rejection or judgements.
We are able to poke fun at each other, Me- her need to shop , shop and still do more shopping.
Her- My complete inability to cook anything from scratch or do anything of a domestic nature ( yes I failed Home Ec more than once)
But the best part is that we share in each others accmplishments as well as our failures. What I have discovered over the years is that I look forward to every call, we laugh, we make fun of things and we bitch to each other.
Its nice to have that one person in your life who knows all your secrets, all the ghosts from your past, all your shortcomings and they don't care. They are your friend because of all you are, they dont; pick and choose the parts they like and when you say something completely outrageous they can laugh and shake their head ,always ready for the next time you blurt something crazy out.
So for this I want to thank The Queen, my life long friend. The person I can laugh and cry with. The person I can bitch to and moan and groan to when I am feeling sorry for myself.
The person who shares my accomplishments and is proud of me and tells me so.
I love you and hope you realize what a terrific friend you truly are.
Sierra

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Monday, January 14, 2008
Mondays Current mood: amused Category: Writing and Poetry
Its Monday. What can you say about Mondays? Well the kids are back in school. That has left me with plenty of time to search for inspriration on the web. Specifically male model inspiration.
VeeJay gives me this wonderful task where i go and find the perfect man for the perfect character. I am pleased today to say I found the perfect pic for two of our yet to be told characters. Sebastian and Jordan. We are looking forward to writing their story and hope to do it justice.
Now I only need to find the music to write their stroy by. I do that...assign a song or band to books or characters.
Thank God for 30 seconds to Mars as they are helping me with Saving Jenna and Forever Rowan.
And for Shinedown for helping with The Worthington Series. The right music can really get me in the mood, really inspire a scene or generally help when I am stuck.
ITs happened on more than one occasion that a song will in fact inspire a whole story. So today I am thankful for male models and music. What can be better.
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Adding to Vi

2008-02-22T17:30:00.000-08:00

I can only add my thanks to the ever talented Tawny Taylor, you are so awesome. As a wealth of information but mostly as a good friend who has tirelessly cheered us on and answered all of our questions.
We are luckier than most and are eternally grateful to you for everything.
Sierra

Here We Go Again

2008-02-22T05:27:00.000-08:00

Welcome to our new and greatly improved blog!

Holy cow, but this whole web-verse has been such a steep learning curve for Sierra and I. Just when we think we've figured something out, we discover that we've created a brand new way to screw something up! Oy!

So a huge thanks to Tawny Taylor, web-guru (shut up, you are, too!) extrodinaire for spending an entire day creating our new blogspot, and decorating our various web-homes. We're so PRETTY now!

Between our MySpace Blog, and our various biographical pages, we've made it fairly clear, I think, that neither of us are particularly gifted technologically. This can be a giant handicap to someone in the E-Publishing world. So we'd love to hear from those of you who find yourselves adrift in a see of incomprehensible cyber-STUFF. How do you cope? Got any cool tips or tricks for dealing with MySpace, or Yahoo SiteBuilder? Got any suggestions for a really good tranquilizer to take before tackling your daily dose of web-trauma?

Share! We want to know!

VeeJay

Testing...

2008-02-21T13:11:00.001-08:00