Would you illegally download ebooks?

After my strange encounter of today, I had to write this wee note about illegal E-book downloading. I can already hear some of you sigh with boredom. Don’t you worry your sweet head! I’m not going to write a long and a boring essay.

Let’s start by the obvious question! What is illegal downloading? I know you are thinking “come on, everybody knows the meaning” you might be surprised by the amount of people who are still ignorant about their actions.

I asked my daughter of 8 years old to quickly surf the web and find me a short and easy definition of illegal downloadingJ. She gave me the odd look and without searching the internet, she gave me the answer along with the link: /

That’s what she came out with: Downloading media (films, shows, games, music etc.) or software off websites for free where it is actually on sale. It is most commonly found off torrent sites such as Mininova. Although, they are found mostly of bittorrent sites, most of them are not allowed and deleted when they are found. The soon possibly defunct "The Pirate Bay" is one of the exceptions to this.

Ref: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=illegal%20downloading

Would you like to know the consequence of Web piracy? Oh, yes! There is a penalty for this type of actions and it’s a hefty one, too!  Not only people are literally stealing from hard working individuals but also their life hood.

-         People caught distributing copyrighted material may find themselves facing a lawsuit.

For example, in the case Capitol v. Thomas, the defendant, Jammie Thomas-Rasset, was initially required to pay $9,250 for each of the 24 songs that she shared on the file-sharing program Kazaa. However, there was an error in the original trial, and the second trial ended with Thomas-Rasset having to pay $80,000 for each of the 24 songs she infringed upon, totaling $1.9 million.

-       People caught downloading are faced with a big fine or/court order.

For example, A Minnesota woman at the center of a long-running court fight over the unauthorized downloading of copyrighted music said there's still no way she can pay record companies the $222,000 judgment she owes after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear her appeal

Ref: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/18/jammie-thomas-rasset-supreme-court-illegal-downloading_n_2902093.html

A big word of advice STOP IT OR FACE THE CONSEQUENCE

Monday's Tea with Fabienne Lunaire

I’m really excited and honored to have Fabienne Lunaire as my guest on my Monday’s tea room.  We will be talking about the release of her first book on the 30^th of April 2014. Also, we will learn more about this extraordinary woman behind the book.

Straight to the Assassin’s Heart

Released on the 30^th of April 2014

Here’s a wee blurb:

Derrick McNeal has been kidnapped by his lover’s crazy father. To make matters worse, Derrick is thrown headfirst into the paranormal world. In this world werewolves are real and they are dead set on using their claws and teeth on Derrick.

Logan Hunt has been a proud member of the Assassins Guild ever since he lost his family at a young age. When his Alpha sends him on a mission to rescue a werewolf and his human lover, little does he know that the mission will change his life forever.

When Logan finds his mate near death he is determined to do anything in order to protect the man destined to be his from future harm. While Logan and Derrick are busy building a new life together their enemies are still out there waiting to strike again. When they attack, Derrick and Logan have to trust in their bond and their friends in order to stay alive.

Reviewer’s rating: 5 - Outstanding

Really enjoyed this book! The background for a series is well set and the tidbits for the next book leave you with anticipation

I can’t wait to hear more about her book. Let us start our chat by asking her some personal questions. I promise to be gentle with you. Well! I’ll try and do my best.

Here’s Fabienne, 

Q: Welcome Fabienne, I’m so glad you could join us.

Fabienne: Thank you for having me here.

Q: Can you tell us a little about your background and where you come from?

Fabienne : I’m 30 years old and I’m from Germany. I grew up in a small town in the Black Forest. I’ve been all over the world and have lived a couple of months in London, New Jersey, Paris, Luxembourg and even Shanghai. But like with a lot of people at some point I got tired of moving around and settled back home. I have always loved reading and started reading historical romances at an early age. At some point I began reading erotic romances and finally discovered the mm genre. I’ve always dreamt of being a writer, creating stories in my head but never writing them down or finishing them. Earlier this year some personal experiences prompted me to try it again and this time it worked. I submitted my work and well here we are.

Q: What one word would you use to describe yourself?

Fabienne : Chaotic

Q: Do you have pets? If so, how many?

Fabienne: I have five cats on my own and some wild ones that let me feed them. But we have a lot of space and they are mostly outside.

Q: What is your favorite book and why?

Fabienne : My favorite mainstream book is Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen. The way she describes human behavior is brilliant and funny. My favorite erotic romance is Cut & Run by Abigail Roux. I just love Ty & Zane so much. What both books have in common? I’ve read them several times and I still love them.

Q: If you had to choose, which writer/s would you consider an inspiration?

Fabienne : I love to read and there are many authors that are great. What I love in a book is a strong hero or heroine. Shelly Laurenston is a master of creating strong female characters to love. Her books are also extremely funny.  Abigail Roux has created a pair of very strong alpha males who make it work together which I admire greatly. Her storyline is strong and you’re never bored by her books. And last but not least I love Lynn Hagen. She has created some of my most favorite erotic romances. Her characters are flawed but loveable. There are a few more I could add to this list but these three would be my main inspirations.

Q: Where do you find your inspirations?

Fabienne : I write what I would like to read myself. I find inspiration from other authors, sometimes from TV series or even a picture.

Q: Do you write one book at a time?

Fabienne : Not necessarily. I’ve started another M/M novel before writing “Straight to the Assassin’s Heart” but haven’t finished it yet. I just began working on it again but at the same time I’ve also been working on the second book in the Assassins Guild series. 

Q: What do you find hardest and what easiest about writing?

Fabienne : I find it extremely hard to just stick to one POV. My thoughts are constantly jumping around and I want to know what everyone is feeling all the time, so sticking to one POV is difficult. Sometimes the language barrier is also a hindrance. In my mind, I know what I want to say but sometimes it just takes more time to say it right. For me, writing is not easy. I just love it so much so that it’s worth the effort.

Q: What is your favorite way to relax or reward yourself after a long, productive day of writing?

Fabienne : Watching an episode of NCIS, Criminal Minds or Supernatural while snuggling with my cats or reading a book while snuggling with my cats.

Q: How did you get started writing M/M (Male/Male) stories?

Fabienne : I first started writing a couple of years ago, but I never finished a book. Back then I was mainly reading historical romances à la Stephanie Laurens, therefore I also wrote them. Now, if I read erotic romances I read M/M stories and it made sense to me to try to writer one. As strange as it may sound, for me it’s easier to write M/M than M/F.  

Q: Your first book, Straight to the Assassin’s Heart. Can you tell us a bit about your main characters?

Fabienne : Both Logan and Derrick are strong personalities. Logan is a powerful werewolf who had to grow up fast after his family was killed. He wants to cherish and protect his mate but goes a little overboard with his protectiveness from time to time. Derrick on the other hand is a human who got thrown into the shifter world by dating the wrong man. He sometimes struggles with all the changes in his life but he loves his shifter mate and doesn’t let his mate walk all over him.

You know, they’re the kind of men I would date, if they weren’t gay. J

Thank you Fabienne for joining me today on Monday’s Tea. I hope you have enjoyed your visit as much as I have.

Fabienne : It was lovely. Thanks again for having me.

Where to buy her books: http://www.bookstrand.com/fabienne-lunaire

Where to find her: http://fabiennelunaire.wordpress.com/

PRE-ORDER!

http://www.bookstrand.com/zaras-second-chance

One of my favorite Wild & wicked Author

Jan Graham

With her latest book

Switching Mercedes (MFM)

Wylde Shore 3

[Ménage and More: Erotic Consensual BDSM Ménage a Trois Romance, M/F/M, spanking, paddling, flogging, wax play, sex toys, HEA]

Blurb

Zane Reynolds believes he’s found the perfect submissive for he and his brother but there’s a problem. Mistress Mercedes Harris-Shore doesn’t want to submit to anyone. Zane hopes a bet will solve that issue, along with providing the key to finally win not only Mercedes's submission, but also her heart.

Ash Reynolds knows he isn’t a good man for any woman to fall in love with. He’s a paid mercenary, disillusioned with life and his ability to fit into the civilized world. Zane insists he’s found the perfect woman for them to share, but the problem is, Mercedes has no idea Ash exists.

Mercedes has more to worry about than a wager where she plays submissive to Zane for a week. She’s just become a serial killer’s new target and met the man assigned to protect her, Zane’s twin, Ash Reynolds. Ash appears as interested in her submission as Zane, but Mercedes isn’t looking to be shared.

Links to her Books:

http://www.bookstrand.com/switching-mercedes

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jan-Graham/e/B0071Q0SA8

Release Day

Lara's last journey

There were some loves that were too strong to derail or escape from. 

Lara Dunups always felt like she was born in the wrong era. Only to wake up in a bedroom in the year 1521....

Lara's last journey

Woo hoo!!! The cover for my 2nd book has arrived.... Thanks Harris Channing :)))

OUT IN JULY

There were some loves that were too strong to derail or escape from. Lara Dunups always felt like she was born in the wrong era. Only to wake up in a bedroom in the year 1521....

New to Erotic Romance. Is it for YOU?

Erotic Romance can be shocking, if you are new to it. However, if you think it’s just pornography with a pretty tag, think again...

          As you might have read in my previous article called “Erotic or Porn?” in my Blog. It is quite difficult to give a clear definition. Erotic has tentacles in a dozen genres. It is also a genre of its own. It is not sufficient to say erotic is a story with explicit sex. Nor is erotic only about sex, at its purest, the new erotic novel is a brilliantly written story with super-nova sex that compliments the caliber of the writing, and is fundamental to the plot and characters. In other words, if you remove the sex, the story cannot be told.

"Romantica" is used for romance and erotic, a huge category. However, you will be hard-pressed to find traditional romance there. Erotic authors inherently do not like boundaries -- they will throw suspense, mystery, fantasy, science fiction, or paranormal into the mix.

Unlike pure romances, erotic does not use poetic euphemisms. The story is laced with sexual imagery and language. Sex acts considered taboo in romance can be a feature. The novel is charged with sexual tension.

        Reading Erotic Does Not Make you a Pervert... But It Does Make you Happy. The wonderful thing about erotic is there is a story out there for everyone.

Now, you are ready to dive into your first erotic novel!

Why not start your journey with my 1^st Book “Zara’s second chance” out in 4^th June 2014?

Monday's Tea with Naomi Powers

I’m so excited to have Naomi Powers. This amazing woman who also became part of an amazing polyamorous relationship, joins me for this week’s Monday’s Tea guest. I can’t wait to hear more about her extraordinaire lifestyle.

We all know that in this day and age, polyamorous relationship is a big taboo and often criticized as a “not lasting relation”. For some people, such relationships are ideally built upon values of trust, loyalty, the negotiation of boundaries, and compression, as well as overcoming jealousy, possessiveness, and the rejection of restrictive cultural standards.

That is the reason why I invited Naomi to come and tell us about the ups and downs of her relationship within our society.

Here’s Naomi,

Q: Welcome, Naomi! I’m so glad you could join us today.

Naomi: Thank you for having me!

Q: Can you tell us a little about your background and How did you form the relationship?

Naomi: I come from a traditional, religious background, but always felt out of place there.  I have been in many disappointing monogamous relationships that led me to question the whole idea of monogamy in the first place.  I found myself in a relationship where I was not happy but I didn’t want to leave.  I had interest in others, but that didn’t have anything to do with my feelings for my partner at the time.  However, that was considered cheating and I didn’t understand how having a heart big enough to love more than one person should be viewed as a bad thing anyway.  I don’t feel like a bad person when I love someone.  It suddenly seemed odd to me to expect strict fidelity out of me in a relationship where no marital vows have been made.  I wanted to open up the relationship because I was dying for the passion that was missing in my current relationship although I didn’t want to end it.  Unfortunately, he didn’t see things my way, so we parted and settled on custody of our daughter out of the courts.  It was a peaceful split and we are both happier now. So with these new ideas, I got involved with a very good friend of mine for about 5 or so years.  Being such good friends, he wanted to help me out in a difficult situation.  My intimate needs had been neglected for years, and to make the story a little shorter, he was helping me make up for lost times.  Lol.  He was already seeing Isis at the time and I had already met her briefly and loved her instantly.  They were in a “Don’t ask, don’t tell” open relationship.  They didn’t live together and she resided in Colorado.  As My Love and I became more romantic and more serious, I insisted that he tell and I receive her blessing to proceed with our relationship.  I didn’t want to feel odd around her when she was in town and I didn’t want to end up being hidden from her.  He was surprised I cared so much about how she felt.  It was a no-brainer to me because I just thought about how I would feel in her shoes.  After all, this is my first attempt at a poly amorous relationship.  I had no idea what to expect! Lol. I didn’t know where the boundaries were laid.  I asked a lot of questions and have read some threads on discussion forums.   We’ve all spent times together as a triad and then there’s been time when it was My Love alone with me.  And, of course, then him alone with her.   And thus, our triad was born.

Q: Do you have children? If so, what challenges does parenting as a triad present?

Naomi:  Well, that’s the easy part because my daughter is mine from another relationship, so that’s between her daddy and me.  My Love acts as a friend with some authority and Isis is assumed to be a friend when she comes around.  As soon as she is old enough to understand what is going on, I have every intention on being open and honest with her about it

Q: Have you talked to your families about it and what was their response?

Naomi: Me? Tell my family?! No…. just no. I have a gay cousin and I think that’s all my bible thumping family is willing to accept.  We are all keeping it from my great grandmother out of fear of her having a heart attack if she ever finds out, so she would definitely just die instantly if she knew I was one of 2 women and I know about it and I’m ok with it. lol.

Q: What assumptions do people make when they find out you are in a MFF relationship?

Naomi: People who are not very educated about the subculture of polyamory usually asks how I deal with the jealousy assuming it’s an obstacle.  Of course, you have those feelings, but you realize they are culturally conditioned feelings.  For me, personally, I begin to ask myself for a reason to be jealous and I can’t ever find one.  Then I realize my feelings are superficial.  We all three love each other equally but each dyad within the triad is unique and held equal to each other.

Q: Do you have a community of friends that also have MFF or MMF relationships or places that you hang in as a triad?

Naomi: No, not really.  We’ve been to a drum circle together once but we didn’t walk around arms hooked to show off and make it well known or anything.  Isis went to play drums, I danced and mingled and My Love hung out with other friends.  We don’t announce it but we don’t hide it either.  Many of our friends in our large circle are also poly, but we are a part of a scene where non traditional ideals and are more likely shared or accepted.

Q: And last, do you have anything you would like to say to our readers?

Naomi:  If you are monogamous and thinking about going poly, please do research and really evaluate and define what your beliefs are and where you want to set your boundaries.  Also, if you have a partner wanting to explore this world with you, make sure the two of you are on the same page.  I can’t stress enough how important communication and support is in any relationship, poly or mono.  From my experience, although I changed my mind on how I felt about being in a relationship and being able to see others at the same time, I still felt jealousy.  I could’ve let that bother me and lash out at my DP, but I realized it was an irrational feeling especially since I have every right to see other people, too (not that I’m “allowed” because in reality, no body has authority to “let” you do anything) and what we do outside of our relationship doesn’t change how much we love each other.  Jealousy is an unproductive emotion and a waste of energy, but like any negative feeling you are battling with between your ego and your higher self, you need to sit with that emotion and find out where it’s really coming from and if there’s really any good that comes from it. 

Thank you so much, Naomi, for spending your precious time with us. I wish you all the best with your wee family.

Link where you can contact Naomi

Facebook.com/naomi.powers.923

For more information about polyamorous relationship, please visit:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyamory

http://www.morethantwo.com/polyamory.html

http://www.polyamoryonline.org/

http://polytical.org/

Quotes

Pleasure for one hour, a bottle of wine. Pleasure for one year, a marriage; but pleasure for a lifetime, a garden.

(Chinese proverb)

The woman behind the name : Mya Larose

Erotic or porn?

Erotic or porn?

As an erotic romance author, I’m always faced with the same dilemma. Do you write porn? Some people have this misconception that if we write about sex or describe in depth the intimate scenes. It’s pornographic or we are categorized as “P-star”.

So what is the difference between erotica and pornography? The dictionary defines the erotic as “anything that arouses sexual desire and heightens sexual excitement, “with romance and love mixed in while pornography is defined as “a commercial product designed to elicit or enhance sexual arousal by the portrayal of sexually explicit images.”

After this short and perfect definition, you’ll think that it’s perfectly clear. Oh, NO!  Here are some answers I gather.

- EROTICA is brunettes in silk, pornography is blondes in nylon. Erotica is for nice middle class literate people like us, pornography is for the lonely, unattractive and uneducated.

-  AS A FORMER bookseller, I would suggest that "erotica" is used by bookstores to disguise the fact that they are selling what most people perceive to be "pornography". The distinction lies in the psyche of the purchaser (or retailer): if you feel guilty about what you buy (or sell), then you call it "erotica". I once had a colleague who claimed a book full of pictures of naked bodies is art, so long as it is available only in hardcover.

To make it pure and simple porn is the explicit portrayal of sexual subject matter for the purpose of sexual arousal. Pornography may be presented in a variety of media, including books, magazines, postcards, photographs, sculpture, drawing, painting, animation, sound recording, film, video, and video games.

Whereas, erotica is any artistic work that deals substantively with erotically stimulating or sexually arousing subject matter. All forms of art may depict erotic content, including painting, sculpture, photography, drama, film, music or literature. Erotica has high-art aspirations, differentiating it from commercial pornography.

In conclusion, pornography shows violence and places women as objects. While erotica is more centered on feelings. It describes better the reality in a couple and the feelings felt by the two partners or more.

Book trailer

One More Time Series

Book 1: Zara's second chance 

Book 2: Lara's last journey

Book 3: Yasemin's first chance

Monday's Tea with Brad Vance

I’m so excited to have Brad Vance, author of gay romance and erotica, join me for this week’s Monday’s Tea guest, and I can’t wait to hear more about his latest book, Apollo’s Curse. That’s right girls and boys. Today, my Tea companion is a hunky, “drool me all over” author

Here’s his latest release

All Dane Gale ever wanted was to be a successful writer. After a few sessions with his new friends Rose and Sherry at a romance book club, well, the more romances they read, the more they’re convinced they can do better. And do they ever! They join their creative forces to become “Pamela Clarice,” self-published romance novelist. When they look for a cover model for their first book, Dane sees the photos that will change his life.

Paul Musegetes is the world’s most popular romance cover model, and the most secretive. Dane soon finds himself obsessed with this supernaturally handsome man, and when he meets Paul at the Romance Writers’ Ball on the Summer Solstice, he and Paul connect for one night of passion…

After that night, Dane's a writing machine. He can’t stop writing romances, and every story he touches turns to gold. But he also finds that he can’t write anything but romances. And soon he's spending every waking moment of every day writing another after another...

Then Dane finds out that this Midas touch has a heavy price. When the year is over, he’ll never write again. Not a romance, not a serious novel. Nothing. Not even a grocery list. And that leaves him with only one option – find Paul, and get him to break the curse. But before he can do that, he’ll have to track down Paul’s equally mysterious photographer, Jackson da Vinci

Now for our delight, he’s here to share a few things with us and maybe we’ll even get a hint of what is coming up soon.

Here’s brad,

Q: Welcome Brad, I’m so glad you could join us.

Brad: Thank you, it’s great to be here!

Q: Can you tell us a little about your background and how you started writing?

Brad:  I’ve always been a writer, ever since I could hold a pen.  I got into erotica and romance almost two years ago now, and I’ve been publishing ever since.  I’ve narrowed my focus to long-form romance, mostly because erotica is so hard to get into some of the sales channels now.

Q: What do you find hardest about writing? Easiest?

Brad:  The hardest thing for me is endings.  I have great ideas, and I run with them, but then I get to the end and I’m all, um…  I discovered the seven point story matrix, which I kind of make fun of in “Apollo’s Curse,” but which is really invaluable for me now – it forces me to make sure I know how a book will end before I start it.  The easiest thing is sex J  I love writing sex scenes!  There aren’t any in this book, though – it’s almost a throwback to the old romances that end with a kiss on the last page!

Q: What one word would you use to describe yourself?

Brad:  Smart.

Q: what is your favorite Book and why?

Brad:  Tanith Lee’s “Night’s Master.”  It really opened my eyes to how literate fantasy could be, and it taught me how to include really amazing erotic writing as an organic part of your plots.

Q: Do you have pets? If so, how many?

Brad:  Two cats. They make a cameo in “Apollo’s Curse”!

Q: A little bird told me that you are in a complicated relationship…

Brad:  Yeah.  It’s love, but it’s not a traditional romance.  We don’t live in the same city and we’re never getting married and spending Friday nights at the Olive Garden and all that J.  But it really makes me happy. 

Q: How did you get started writing M/M (Male/Male) stories?

Brad:  Aubrey Watt did an AMA (Ask Me Anything) as a self-described “smut writer” on Reddit in October 2012.  I thought, this sounds fun and lucrative!  I sent her a sample story (which became “Good Cop, Bad Boy”) and she told me, yes, you absolutely should try your hand at this professionally.

Q: How many books have you written since then?

Brad:  Hmm, three novels now, and a boatload of stories.

Q: and last, do you have anything you would like to say to your current readers or to those that haven't yet read your work(s)?

Brad: THANK YOU, of course, to all my current ones, my hardcore fans who call themselves “Team Vance.”  For those of you who haven’t read me yet, I hope you give me the chance to sign you up for Team Vance!

I’m looking forwards to read it. Thank you Brad Vance for joining me today on Monday’s Tea.  I hope you have enjoyed your visit as much as I have.

Brad: Thank you so much, I certainly have!

Where to buy his books:

http://www.amazon.com/Brad-Vance/e/B009PLAJJW

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/brad-vance?dref=2207&keyword=brad+vance

https://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html

https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/BradVanceErotica

Where to find him:

http://bradvanceerotica.wordpress.com