Is There Such a Thing as a Healthy Mix of Idealism and Realism?

If you're a follower of my newsletter, you may have read these words already, so bear with me.

Being an erotic romance writer is hard sometimes. Yeah, it's fun, but oftentimes I question what I'm writing. Fiction is an escape, and I think that's why women like to read hot sex scenes because they can imagine themselves inside of them. Problem with this is it can make the reader start expecting "perfection" in their own lives. Now, not all written sex scenes are perfect, but most of them are or come pretty close. I've been struggling with this. I know that some people are more susceptible to the idealistic thinking and unable to separate reality from fiction, and I am sometimes one of those. I get moments when it's all too perfect and rather irritating.

I've been uninspired to write because of these thoughts. Therefore my short story took a long time in coming this time. But then some of my writer friends gave me some advice. Why don't I use how I feel in my writing? I thought of At Second Glance, my first erotic romance. That book has a lot of reality in it. Yes, it's an erotic romance, but the couple have struggled with sexual differences in the past. It even broke up their marriage. Some of the sex scenes are a bit fanciful, I must admit, although not overly so. But they also show how a bit of courage and chemistry can heal the wounds of the past. And coming to think of it, don't we all need an ideal to strive towards? Erotic romance shows us how things can be sometimes. (Okay, not all of them. I have read some that are just...well, really, do people do that in real life?) Like menage is one of them. I'm not discounting the reality of it, I've just never heard of it happening in real life. I'm sure it probably does, but it's rare. Yet, the amount of books that have it in them supersedes the reality.

But the hot writing also gives us fantasies and something to think about that may be exciting. I think women have been oppressed for so long sexually. Only in the last few decades, have they felt free to enjoy their sexuality. Erotic romance is a good part of us breaking free and having a voice. It's good for young women to see how a good sexual partner should be. Many of the books I read have heroes who are ideal. Yes, they may have some character flaws, but in bed, they're amazing. And shouldn't that be what we want to find in a man? So, I think it's good to set the bar high. But sprinkle in a bit of realism in the mix too so we, as women, are aware that we are human and also that the man is human too. To expect perfection from anyone is cruel and unromantic.

So, I aim to mix realism and a bit of idealism in my writing. And please know, that I don't speak for all erotic romance writers. I know some who have the ability to write hot and make us identify deeply with the main characters because they're real and true to life!

I would love to know what you think on this subject. If you have any advice or strong thoughts about what I've been contemplating, I'd love you to comment on my blog. Have I got it all wrong? Have I missed the boat somewhere? Do you agree with my thinking?

If you want to read my latest April calendar story, it's available on Smashwords. You can get it for free as a follower of my blog with this voucher: SS94X. My other calendar stories are also there, plus I've put my short stories on Lulu here.

Sweetest Temptation Book Blitz

Sweetest Temptation by Tracey Rogers

Sweet Delights series, book 2

Available for 99cents/99pence for a limited time
Add to Goodreads: 

Blurb
The temperature's rising in the Sweet Delights Bakery…

Entering the most popular baking competition on TV wasn't shy bakery owner Vanessa Trent's idea. Especially as she prefers to steer clear of the media attention her famous family constantly attracts. But she desperately needs the prize money.

With his future on the line, Jake Walker vows to avoid trouble, which is difficult to do when it lands in his lap…literally. Vanessa Trent is out of bounds. He knows that. But if he can't resist her delicious cakes, how's he supposed to resist her?

Vanessa and Jake both have secrets to hide. Combine that with a vengeful ex-husband, sabotage, and throw in a little blackmail, and soon the spotlight falls on both of them. Temperatures rise, and it's chaos in the kitchen. Can they take the heat, or are they both about to get burned?

Content Warning: contains sensual sex and occasional strong language

Amazon US  ~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon CA ~ Barnes and Noble ~ All Romance eBooks

Excerpt
Gripping the woman's wrist, Jake managed to restrain her before the weapon made impact with his head again. He shoved his upper body forward and flipped them both over.
Now this was much better. Or it would be if she'd quit squirming. Not that it was a bad sensation or anything, but he was starting to enjoy this more than the situation should allow.
With one hand free, her fingers scrabbled at the side of her. When her fingers wrapped around the torch he snatched it out of reach. He grasped her wrist and yanked both of her arms over her head, holding her captive with one much larger hand than her daintier ones.
Picking up the torch, he pointed it at the large, temple-throb causing weapon. As he read the first line on the bag he snorted in disbelief. Clearly she was a novice in the weapon department.
"A confectionery product? What the hell was that meant to be—death by chocolate?"
"God no," said the muffled, completely aghast voice from beneath her mound of hair. "I would never hit someone with chocolate."
Okay, so maybe she wasn't a threat to anyone at all. Jake released his grip a little.
"Chocolate is way too expensive to waste," she continued. "I hit you with a catering pack of marzipan."
He tightened his hold again. With her still wrestling beneath him, he decided out of fear for his man parts, it was time for some answers. Reaching out with his free hand, he brushed the silky strands from her face. She bucked beneath him like a stray cat fighting for freedom. At first he thought she was furious, but then he gazed into her green eyes and saw fear.
Although he took his work seriously—hell, sometimes caution had kept him alive—no way was he a monster. Waiting for her movements to abate he lifted his chest. In one smooth movement he traded position and surrounded her hips with his legs, trying to take away the intimate contact steering him from sound judgement, yet still stifling her leg movements with the grip of his thighs. Resting more on his knees than pressing his full weight into her, the increased gap between them gave him the perfect opportunity for another perusal of her small frame.
With her arms upstretched, her small breasts raised higher with each dragged in breath. Her shirt, trapped beneath his knees, pulled taut and had lifted to reveal her scarlet knickers and a hint of smooth, pale skin peeking above. He blinked. Maybe the glorious sight was a figment of his imagination due to his recent lack of female companionship? His gaze drew to her parted lips, open to allow the release of expended energy from her lungs. The fullness of her bottom lip was so damned tempting.
"Anytime you want to get the hell off me—please feel free."
Her sarcasm cut through his momentary lapse. One more second and he'd have been tasting her mouth.
"Tell me who you are, and why the hell you think you have a right to be on private property, and maybe I will." Just maybe.
With her fingers clenching beneath his palm, he felt the spike of her pulse at the pad of his thumb.
"Me tell you?" She blinked several times before glaring at him as though he'd just sprouted bunny ears. "I live here!"

Author Bio
Usually found with a pen in my hand, or my head in a book, I’m a contemporary romance author who also thinks fangs and wings are a very attractive accessory.
A devourer of books from an early age, imagination was my best discovery. I spent much of my childhood stepping into wardrobes, searching for that magical snowy world where conversing with animals would be expected. When I wasn’t searching for those worlds, I wrote about them instead. My first step into the world of romance was when I stole sneak peeks into my nana’s books. I’m still in that world and I refuse to leave.
I live in Staffordshire, UK, with my husband and three wonderful children. An avid reader and writer of romance, I strongly believe that words make the world go around. I like nothing more than to be swept away by the words on a page. I hope I can sweep you away too.

You can find Tracey here…

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Character Interview and Spotlight for Audio Book - Rise of the Lost Prince

Rise of the Lost Prince by +London Saint James 

Series: Lost Boys,  book 1

Genre: Erotic, paranormal, fantasy, naughty fairy tale

Add to Goodreads

Listening Length: 5 hours and 1 minute

Program Type: Audiobook

Version: Unabridged

Narrator: John Thrust

Audible.com Release Date: February 26, 2015

They fight to protect those who would never welcome them into the human world... 

Petúr always knew he and his brothers-in-arms were different. Something more. Something not human. Yet, he never expected to find out the truth of their origins, nor fall for a human woman whose father was set to destroy Neverland. 

Ever since she was a child, Wyndi dreamed of an angel with eyes of the purest gold, although she never really believed such a man existed until she met the hauntingly beautiful Petúr of the lost boys. 

With a prophecy to fulfill, a woman to protect, a portal to find, and evil darklings out for blood, will Petúr be strong enough to rise up and claim what’s rightfully his, or lose everything to a long-time nemesis, Grapple the Dark?

Audible ~ Audible UK ~ Amazon ~ Amazon UK ~ iTunes

Her tongue darted out, licking her lips. Was she nervous? Well, he’d be the balm to soothe those nerves. He focused on her mouth. Those delicious lips were kiss swollen and moist, making his cock strain even more against the constraint of his pants.

“Okay,” she said in a small, breathy voice, the lids covering her blue eyes at half-mast.

He reached for the hem of the too big nightshirt covering the body he had to see, lifting until he revealed her little white panties and lacy bra covered breasts. Blood raced through his veins. He wanted to do everything with her. To her. Touch all over. Taste every inch of her. Put his fingers and cock into the tight, warm sheath he knew was awaiting him.

Take her. Hell yeah. Those two words became a chant within his mind. He wanted to take his woman in every position he could imagine and then some. His woman? Yes. Yes she was his, or would be. Slow your roll. You don’t want to scare her. He had to maintain. He couldn’t go at her like some out of control beast.

Leaning down, he kissed between the creamy mounds of her cleavage, skimmed his cheek across the apex of her right breast, watching goose bumps scatter across her flesh in a wanton invitation. Unable to stop himself from licking her, he lapped at her in one, long, lingering stroke, from the top edge of the bra, up her collarbone, only stopping because the material he’d lifted hindered his progress being bunched around her neck.

“Oh, hell,” he muttered. “You taste so good.” 

She shook, and he wanted her shakes.

“I do?”

“Yes,” he answered, feeling her warm palms slide down his biceps. Even that tantalized him. “I’m already addicted.” He went to his elbows, slid his hands under her shoulder blades, arching her up, dropped his head, grabbed the flimsy middle of her bra with his teeth, bit, and tugged, ripping it free.

“Oh!” she uttered.

Moving the material aside with his nose, he pulled back enough to see her, soaking every bit of her pink and white flesh in with his eyes, before flicking a rosebud nipple with the tip of his tongue.

“Petúr.” He reveled in the sound of his name falling from her lips, and sucked the nipple he’d been teasing into his mouth. “Mm…We should stop.” He lightly bit. Swirled his tongue around the aroused nub. “Oh…Never mind. Don’t stop,” she uttered, as she wrapped her legs around his waist.

“Never stop. No.” He sounded like a Neanderthal, but just then, when Wyndi pressed herself into his erection, he didn’t care.

London Saint James has lived in many places, but never felt “at home” until she met the real-life man of her dreams and settled down in the beautiful Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. London lives with her husband and their fat cat who thinks he owns them.


As an award-winning, bestselling, multi-published author, London is living her childhood dream. She knew all the scribbling she did, that big imagination of hers, and all those clamoring characters running around in her head would pay off someday.

Web: http://www.londonsaintjames.com
Blog: http://londonsj.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/LSJRomance
FB Author Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/London-Saint-James/154331444626603
TSU: https://www.tsu.co/Londonsj
googlecom/+LondonSaintJames
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/LSJRomance
You can also e-mail London with any questions or comments at London@londonsaintjames.com. She loves to hear from her readers.

Would you like to know more? Join her mailing list for her monthly newsletter http://eepurl.com/6P2on. Or, join her book group on Facebook, Slip Between the Pages with London https://www.facebook.com/groups/SlipBetweenthePageswithLondon/

Character Interview:

London’s lunch with the Lost Boys of Rise of the Lost Prince.

LSJ: *Pulls up a seat and waves* Vapor. Dash. Firefox. Vibe. Tera and Byte. Thanks for hanging out with me today. Did you have any problems with my directions? I stink at giving directions.

Vibe: You’re welcome. Thanks for asking us. *Glances around* You have a nice place here, and no, we didn’t have problems finding you.

LSJ: Thank you. I’m glad you didn’t have issues finding your way here. *Pours a glass of sweet tea and passes the pitcher to Tera* Lunch will be ready in a minute or two. Burgers and ribs are almost done grilling. I hope everyone likes BBQ.

Firefox: Love it.

LSJ: *Grins* Good. I wish Bell could have come.

Vibe: She went with Wyndi and Petúr to locate the portal.

LSJ: Do you think they’ll find it?

Dash: *Sits the pitcher of tea down on the table* Wyndi said she had a vision. She seemed pretty sure of the location.

LSJ: *Nods* Sorry if I’m gawking.

Dash: Don’t be.

LSJ: It’s just…Well; you guys are some of the best looking men I’ve ever seen.

Vapor: Thanks, sugar lips. *Winks* You can gawk at me any time. *Gives me the once over* In fact. Let’s leave the rest of these losers and go ‘gawk’ at each other in private.

LSJ: *Pats chest* You are the charmer, Vapor.

Dash: *Snort* Vapor’s something, but I wouldn’t go with charmer.

Vapor: Bite me, Dash. *Flips Dash the bird*

*Firefox flings a flame from his fingers. It arcs high, headed for Vapor*

*Vapor extinguishes the flame with a ball of water that splashes when it hits the tiled floor*

Firefox: Stop flirting, water boy.

Vapor: What’s it to you, hot head?

Tera: Come on guys. Stop acting like uncivilized roughians. *Smiles at me* Sorry, London.

Byte: Yeah. What he said. Sorry, London.

LSJ: You guys are fine. No worries. *Takes a sip of my tea. Swallows* Do you guys always bicker?

Firefox: Most times. But, that’s just how we are. Although, I’d die for any one of my brothers.

Vibe: We’d all do the same.

Vapor: We’ve all got each other’s backs.

LSJ: All for one and one for all, huh?

Tera: *Chuckles* Something like that, but isn’t that the three musketeers?

LSJ: *Laughs* Yeah. I think it is. *Buzzer sounds* Well, that’s my timer. I better go round up the burgers and the ribs.

Tera and Byte: *In harmonized unison* We’ll help you.

Vapor: I’ll help, too.

Firefox: Me, too.

Dash: *Groans*

Vibe: *Rolls his silver eyes*

LSJ: Sure guys. The more the merrier. Follow me.

Vapor: *Puts his arm around my shoulders* I’ll follow you anywhere.

LSJ: *Blushes*

  

Spotlight on Sweet Imperfection with Libby Waterford

Today, I'm spotlighting Libby Waterford's novel, Sweet Imperfection. She's offering a giveaway of a $20 Amazon card at the bottom so don't forget to take part. (I love the excerpt!)

Sweet Imperfection by Libby Waterford

Available from Decadent Publishing  March 31, 2015

A contemporary multi-cultural erotic romance novella

Blurb

Single and childless, Emma Chen-Delvaux is finding her ten-year college reunion almost more than she can handle. Running into recently divorced Nate Hirsch is a welcome distraction, especially when the old friends’ flirtation escalates from banter to the bedroom. Nate and Emma have off-the-charts chemistry, but will their imperfections end their affair after one red-hot reunion weekend?

Excerpt from Sweet Imperfection

She told herself a woman was entitled to change her mind and that going to Nate’s room close to midnight didn’t make her slutty. Some of the things she wanted to do to him once she got there might qualify her for the designation, but that would be between them. God, it had been so long since she’d had sex she was practically wet just thinking about making out with him.

She barreled into the building since the door was conveniently propped open, but then stopped. She didn’t know which room he was assigned to. She’d meant to get his phone number, but had been so flustered by the kiss it had slipped her mind.

Oh well, she’d have to do this the old-fashioned way.

“Nate!” she called in a fairly loud voice as she trailed through the first-floor hallway. “Nate!”

The hallway was dead quiet, so he was either ignoring her or the floor’s occupants were very sound sleepers. They were probably all at the party in Ashworth 10.

She climbed to the second floor, calling his name, feeling slightly foolish, but also pretty horny, which was more important.

“Nate!”

A woman came out of the bathroom and looked startled when Emma rushed up to her.

“Hey, do know what room Nate Hirsch is in, by any chance?”

 “Um, no, sorry,” she said, then scurried back to her room on the opposite side of the hall.

Emma wasn’t giving up so easily and again called, “Nate!” She was about to climb the stairs to the top floor of the building when the door of the corner room opened and Nate stuck out his head.

“Emma?”

“Nate.” She rushed up to him, relishing the confused but cute smile on his face and the crinkles it formed around his eyes.

“What’s going on?”

“I’m an idiot. I thought it would be taking things too fast, but we’ve known each other forever. Plus, there’s a rager going on right outside my room, and I’d rather get no sleep this way.” She planted an open-mouthed kiss on him that had them both stumbling backward into his room. The door clanged shut behind them; Emma paid no attention to anything except the fierceness with which Nate’s arms clamped around her, holding her to him as if for dear life.

Buy Links

Amazon | iBooks | Kobo | Google Play

About the Author

Libby Waterford writes steamy contemporary romances. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two sons, where she works off her weekly pilgrimage to In-N-Out by swimming and climbing the city's secret staircases.

Author Links

Website: http://libbywaterford.com

Email: libby@libbywaterford.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/libbywaterford

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LibbyWaterford

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/libbywaterford

Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/author/libbywaterford

The Weston University Novella Series

Book One: Passionate History

Book Two: Sweet Imperfection

Giveaway (March 23 – April 3)

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Spotlight on Seoul Spankings by Anastasia Vitsky

Today I want to welcome a fellow Decadent Publishing author, Anastasia. She's a very funny person who often makes me laugh. Anyway, she's talking about her newest release, Seoul Spankings, a 1NightStand story. I always enjoy learning more about how an author wrote a book and what inspired it so instead of an excerpt, I've put in some of Ana's answers to some questions.

Book Title: Seoul Spankings

Publisher: Decadent Publishing Company, LLC

Date Published: March 25, 2015

Genre(s): Contemporary Romance, Multicultural Romance, Interracial Romance, Bisexual Romance, GLBT Romance

Heat Rating: 4 flames – light BDSM and spanking elements with sexual scenes

Page Count: 80

Blurb:

Broken-hearted when her live-in boyfriend impregnates her best frenemy, Indigo Adams accepts a one-way ticket to Seoul, South Korea, and a challenge from her Great-Aunt Matilda: Forget that boy. Go and make something of yourself.

Bruised from an international public relations nightmare as the new heir to the multi-billion-dollar Han Incorporated, Hyunkyung Han seeks positive publicity in the form of a wedding. She consults with Madame Eve to find a nice, well-behaved Korean American with bilingual and bicultural skills.

Instead, Madame Eve sends Indi, a naïve philosophy major graduate working for minimum wage at the local pub. Enraged to find Indi can’t speak one word of Korean, Hyunkyung orders her sent home on the next plane to Spillville, Iowa.

Then Hyunkyung shakes Indi’s hand, and the sparks fly. With all of her professional responsibilities, how can Hyunkyung allow herself to fall for the wrong woman? How can Indi feel attraction for a woman who despises her?

Seoul Spankings offers a light-hearted romp through the perils and joys of navigating an intercultural romance. Certain to delight all fans of a happily ever after with a kinky twist.

Author Bio:

Cookie queen, wooden spoon lady, and champion of carbs, Anastasia Vitsky specializes in F/F fiction. She hates shoes and is allergic to leather. When not writing about women who live spankily ever after, she coordinates reader and author events such as Spank or Treat, Love Spanks, and Sci Spanks. Her favorite event is Ana’s Advent Calendar, a month-long celebration of books, community, and making a difference.

She is too afraid to watch Doctor Who, but she adores The Good Wife and anything with Audrey Hepburn. In her next life, she will learn how to make the perfect pie crust. She can be found at governingana.wordpress.com and on twitter @AnastasiaVitsky.

Social Media Links:

Website

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Amazon AuthorPage

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Authorgraph

Printable Book List: https://governingana.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/printable-book-list-for-anastasia-vitsky.pdf

Interview:

What’s your book about?

Seoul Spankings is about an Iowa farmgirl who overcomes heartbreak about her cheating boyfriend and finds new life and love in South Korea.

Where did you get the idea for this book?
I wrote Desire in Any Language several years ago about a girl who studies abroad in Korea, and the response was overwhelming. When I received the invitation to write for the 1Night Stand series, I wanted to return to Korea and pair a Korean woman with a naïve girl from Iowa.

What traits and other tidbits do you share with your main character?

Indigo is not much like me because I love to travel the world, learn new languages, and try new cuisines. However, I share her trusting nature and desire for everyone to get along. Plus, I think spanking is sexy and terrific.

Did any of your inspiration for this book originate in your real life experiences?

I spent some time in South Korea and fell in love with the country and people there. Writing books that take place there reminds me of some of the happiest years of my life. I am jealous of Indi’s good fortune and wish I could find a Hyunkyung of my own!

Does your book take place in a specific region that would make people take an interest?

South Korea is a vibrant, thriving country with five thousand years of history and culture. It boasts some of the most generous hospitality in the world, and its food offers rich delights including its famous kimchi (spicy fermented cabbage).

Could an American girl survive and thrive in South Korea?
It depends on the girl. Indi makes a terrible first impression by dressing inappropriately, expecting everyone to speak English, and assuming that US standards are universal. However, Hyunkyung is more than happy to teach her otherwise—often with a good spanking!

Could two women have a public relationship in Korea?

It’s a good question, but should we give homophobia more credence than it deserves? I dream of a world in which women’s love for each other is accepted as natural and beautiful. By writing a story in which sexuality is incidental and instead we focus on the growing love between the two main characters, I hope I can help make this dream come true. Won’t you join me?

Do you have other project in the works? If so, what are they?

I have more projects than time to finish them! I recently finished a short story, “Anchored,” that tells of a sixty-one-year-old retired librarian who moves to Florida and falls in love with the president of her homeowners’ association. It’s one of the first stories to show lesbian love at an older age, and beta readers have been thrilled to see themselves represented in romance.

I’m also working on sequels to Taliasman, Mistress on Her Knees, and a special project for Pride in June. Also, I have most of the sequel to Seoul Spankings planned out. There will be a few other projects for the summer and fall, including my first half-fairy, half-human story.

Buy Links:

All Romance

Amazon

Amazon UK

Amazon Canada

Amazon Germany

Barnes &Noble

Google Play

iBooks

Kobo

Find on Goodreads

Review and Teasers for Hong Kong Heat by Raven McAllan

Hong Kong Heat by +Raven McAllan 

Erotic Romance, Contemporary

Add to Goodreads

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24949095-hong-kong-heat?from_search=true

Debra Scotburn never thought of herself as a cougar, until she fell in lust at first sight with a much younger man.

Daniel Van Meister, a trouble-shooter for the Simply Five Star Hotel chain doesn't do commitment, until the older, curvy, vivacious brunette robs him off his ability to control a certain body part.

Unable to keep their hands off each other, they embark on a passion-filled holiday fling.

Surely that is all it can ever be? Daniel's work takes him all around the world at a moment's notice, and Debra is on the last leg of her middle-aged-crisis induced gap year.

When misunderstandings tear them apart, can they both admit their love and find the trust needed to make this more than just a fling?

Available for early download via Totally Bound
https://www.totallybound.com/hong-kong-heat
Out on general release on eBook and Print: March 27th

(Adult)

In one swift movement the lady pushed off the side, kissed him hard on the lips and turned to swim away. He was too fast for her. Braam held her by the shoulders, tread water and kissed her back.

She groaned deep into his mouth and let her tongue swirl with his. Her body floated next to his and her breasts teased his chest. The thin lace that covered her was no barrier to hide how her nipples stood out. Braam slid one leg between hers and moved one hand to hold her ass and push her tight against him.

She wriggled and ground her pussy on his cock. Yet again, the few scraps of lace she wore were negligible. Even so it took immense control not to rip them away and have nothing between them. Instead he held her close, let her rub herself on him and savoured the moment. Braam swam them backwards a few feet until he could rest on a ledge a foot or so underwater and sit his lady on his knees with her legs either side and her pussy open to his cock. It was teasing, tantalising and downright enjoyable. Judging by the shivers and mewls she made as he nibbled her ear and scattered kisses over her face and mouth, she agreed. Her hands played with his nipples.

Until his cock gave notice that a few more seconds’ play and they’d need to clean the pool out. He was so close to coming it hurt.

Braam pulled back and she moaned in protest.

“Honey, I’m so close to coming it’s painful. We need to get out and find somewhere more suitable.” He towed her to the roman steps at one end of the pool and glanced around the area. Not even a sunbed had been left out.

His lady looked dazed and her eyes were misty.

“Eh?”

“We can’t come in the pool. Well, I can’t. We need to… Holy hell and fuck.”

She sat up, half out of the water, and rubbed her face. “That sounds rude and hold on, we need to fuck? Who says?”

“Well, you didn’t say we didn’t a few minutes ago,” Braam said. “But we need condoms. I don’t suppose you have one with you?”

“Con… Argh, shit and fuck. No, strangely I don’t. They’re not something I feel I need when I go for a walk at midnight.” She sounded horrified. “Even if it does include an illicit swim. You?”

He shook his head. “Sadly no. I mean where would I carry it?

She got out of the pool and looked around her. “Apart from that, I don’t make a habit of screwing with strangers, even with a condom. Where’s a towel? Blame it on the moon, oh, I don’t know, temporary insanity or jet lag or something. Pure fucking stupidity. Look, if you try anything, I’ve got a black belt in karate. So, towels?”

“Locked away. Along with sunbeds, robes and all things needed to fuck.” He paused. “Or dry off.”

She shut her eyes and sighed. “Figures. Oh, Lord, what have I done?”

“Nothing yet, and in the future? Up to you, but let me say, I seem to have been inflicted by the same bout of insanity if that’s any consolation.”

“It isn’t. I guess I’ll have to do the walk of shame in a dress sticking to my wet body.”

“Or we could make love and dry off that way?” Braam suggested. He could have bitten his tongue out. Do I have a death wish? When will I learn to keep my mouth shut?

“Or not. Sorry. But I don’t even know your name. Isn’t it at least polite to be introduced or something?”

She shivered and Braam stood up and left the pool to grab his shirt.

“Here, use this to dry off.” He handed her the shirt and walked to the other side of the pool where his jacket and trousers were. “My name is Abraham,” he said as he used his jacket to soak up the bulk of the moisture on him. It looked like even the dry cleaners wouldn’t save it. “Braam to my friends.”

There was silence from the other side of the pool.

“And you?”

His answer was to hear the faint noise of the lift descending.

I'm growing old disgracefully and loving it.

Dh and I live on the edge of a Scottish forest, and rattle around in a house much too big for us.

Our kids have grown up and flown the nest, but roll back up when they want to take a deep breath and smell the daisies so to speak.

I write in my study, which overlooks the garden and the lane. I'm often seen procrastinating, by checking out the wild life, looking—only looking—at the ironing basket and assuring tourists that indeed, I'm not the bed and breakfast. That would mean cooking fried eggs without breaking the yolks, and disturbing the dust bunnies as they procreate under the beds. Not to be thought of.

Being able to do what I love, and knowing people get pleasure from my writing is fantastic. Long may it last.

http://www.ravenmcallan.com

http:/ /www.ravenmcallan.blogspot.com

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My Review of Hong Kong Heat

Firstly, thank you for gifting me with this book to review. It's always such a privilege to be entrusted with someone's baby to offer your opinion on.

Deb is on the last leg of her year-long holiday as a middle-aged woman. She's a widow who needed the time to herself to finally get on with her life. I loved that her last leg was in Hong Kong. What a fascinating setting, and in the beginning, I enjoyed the descriptions, but they did go on a bit too much for my liking later on in the book. It was fascinating learning about a totally different culture though. It's definitely made me keen on visiting Hong Kong.

I loved that Deb was the same age as me and that piqued my interest from the start.

The book also starts off with her meeting Braam, the hotel manager. She first sees him jogging and then meets him at the pool while swimming in her underwear. The attraction is immediate, despite their twelve-year age gap. It certainly was a sexy way to start off the relationship.

I would have loved more of his POV explanations for what attracted him to her though. And not just in a physical sense. There has to be more than just sexual attraction for a relationship to work.

At times, I loved the romance, but at other times I didn't. Some of the sex scenes were truly hot - like the last one and the one at the gym, but others didn't catch my attention at all and I had to plough through them. I do feel that sex scenes have a purpose to move the romance forward, and some of them just seemed like sex and nothing else.

I enjoyed the light banter between the characters, and Braam really was a sweetie. He was a well-rounded hero with unique character - one of the highlights of the book.

I would have liked some more detail into Debra's decisions - for a forty-something, she only seemed interested in sex and not romance. I know it probably wasn't true, but it came across to me that way.

But overall, it was a romantic story about finding love in your forties. A great read if you want hot sex scenes in exotic locations.