The care and feeding of muses by Cassandra Carr

Readers often ask how writers are able to keep writing, day after day. After all, writers write when we’re tired, when we’re sick, when there are kids running in circles around us – you name it. So how do we keep our inspiration alive?

The truth is, sometimes we don’t. Sometimes we write even when we’re not “feelin’ it”. After all, having words on a page, even words you’ll have to come back and edit heavily later, is better than not having words on a page. But every writer has things they do to keep that inspiration hangin’ around.

Some of my tried-and-true methods for staying motivated: knowing that readers are excited about a story, wanting to see my name on another book cover, trying to stay feeling sexy (I write erotic romance, after all), and talking to other writers – whether I’m commiserating or congratulating, it makes me feel inspired to support other writers.

How do you keep yourself going through your daily routine?

* * * * *

Cassandra Carr lives in Western New York with her husband, Inspiration, and her daughter, Too Cute for Words. When not writing she enjoys watching hockey and hanging out on Twitter. Her debut novel, Talk to Me, was released by Loose Id on March 22, 2011. For more information about Cassandra, check out her website at http://www.booksbycassandracarr.com, "like" her Facebook fan page at http://www.facebook.com/AuthorCassandraCarr or follow her on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/Cassandra_Carr.

Buy Talk to Me - http://www.loose-id.com/Talk-to-Me.aspx

Excerpt from Talk to Me by Cassandra Carr

By the time the show ended and Jamie thought about how long it would take her to shut everything down for the night, then hustle herself off to the subway station and take the three different trains to get to her apartment all the way out in Brooklyn, she was truly afraid she would self-combust.

Drew ran out of the place like a bomb scare had been called in, so at least she didn’t have to worry about him anymore. Nonetheless, Jamie waited a good ten minutes past when she was finished with her nightly duties, then made her way back to the small production room where she and Drew had recorded his promo earlier. She knew a copy of it would still be stored on the computer in the room, and after scooting in and shutting the door, she booted it up. She told herself she needed to check it one more time before giving it to the station manager tomorrow, but who was she kidding? She needed to hear him but in a safe environment. Where she couldn’t do anything stupid. She needed his voice to weave inside her, through her, like a drug.

The rough yet strangely melodic sounds of Drew’s voice drifted over Jamie as she leaned back in her chair. Closing her eyes, she pictured his face in her mind -- his to-die-for lips traveling down the length of her body, just as her hand was doing at the moment; his navy blue eyes, focused only on her as he brought her to orgasm… She reached the button of her jeans and eased them open, propping her feet up on the desk.

She couldn’t believe she was doing this at work, but no one was around, and if she didn’t do something to assuage this ache, she was likely to jump him the next time she saw him. Bad idea. Bad, bad idea. Fantasizing about the man was one thing; straddling his powerful, muscular thighs in the studio chair and offering herself to him was another. That thought brought another rush of heat to her pussy, and she moaned. She needed serious help.

At first she just teased herself a little, rubbing outside her panties, but it soon became too much. She needed relief too badly to continue to torment herself. As Drew’s voice continued to assail her from all directions in the small, windowless room, she pushed her hand down inside the waistband of her panties and through her curls until she found the damp center of her sex. The sweet smell of her musk wafted up to tickle her nose, arousing her even more.

Twirling her fingers as much as the constricting position allowed her to, she imagined they were Drew’s tongue instead. She let out a plaintive moan as the picture caused her juices to flow even more, soaking her fingers. Plunging two of them into her pussy, she pressed her thumb on her clit, craving the direct stimulation. Jamie gasped as shock waves of pleasure shot from her pussy through her clit and up her spine, her back arching. And through it all, Drew’s voice urged her to new heights.

Buy Talk to Me - http://www.loose-id.com/Talk-to-Me.aspx

* * * * *

Cassandra Carr lives in Western New York with her husband, Inspiration, and her daughter, Too Cute for Words. When not writing she enjoys watching hockey and hanging out on Twitter. Her debut novel, Talk to Me, was released by Loose Id on March 22, 2011. For more information about Cassandra, check out her website at http://www.booksbycassandracarr.com, "like" her Facebook fan page at http://www.facebook.com/AuthorCassandraCarr or follow her on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/Cassandra_Carr.

Snippet Saturday – Springtime

Today’s snippet theme is Springtime. Enjoy a look from one of my books.

An snippet from God Style Temptation…

“But I didn’t count on you. The temptation that you would bring me. You made me hope. Hope that I could have an invincible man who would never leave me, but then you told me about your wife dying. Yes I know she chose to save your son, but I couldn’t take the chance. I fooled myself into believing it was just sex but it wasn’t. Isn’t. I can’t take it if you die on me, Nigel, but I can’t live without you either. It’s like you died anyway. In here.” She pressed her hand over her heart.

Nigel put his hand over hers and shook his head. “Ah queinlos, we all must live the life we have now. I can’t promise you that nothing will happen to me but I can promise that even if I die I will always find you.”

Aurora looked into his eyes. “I love you, Nigel.”

The look on his face was priceless. She laughed and he joined her.

He sobered and his gaze was intense. “I love you, Aurora, my queinlos.”

Nigel gaze shifted pass her shoulder. Aurora followed his gaze and gasped. There was a breathtakingly lovely woman standing in the doorway leading to the garden. Her hair hung around her in inky black curls and her eyes were rich amber. Aurora could see the garden through the door through her. Aurora knew she was looking at the ghost of Nigel’s deceased wife Zarlu. The woman smiled, gave them a thumbs up and then she was gone.

Looking back at Nigel she saw the soft smile on his face. He looked at her and she saw the peace and love shining in his eyes. He leaned in and kissed her. Sinking into his kiss Aurora felt the hunger she always felt when he touched her, rush to consume her. Nigel murmured against her lips. Still holding her in his arms he walked toward the door to the gardens. Stepping outside he strode down the path and around the corner of the house. Stopping he lowered her to a bed of flowers and kneeled between her widespread thighs.

As she lay on them Aurora inhaled their sweet scent. Over Nigel’s shoulder she could see the snow covering the ground a little distance away from the house. The gardens and around the house were bright and warm from the sun.

Nigel was waiting for her to look at him.

Reaching up she cupped his cheek. “Make love to me.”

Copyright © Taige Crenshaw, 2008.
All Rights Reserved, Ellora’s Cave.

Go to the following sites to check out these other great authors snippets:
Emma Petersen
Lissa Matthews
Mari Carr
McKenna Jeffries
Taige Crenshaw
Lauren Dane
T.J. Michaels

Satin Notes - New Chapter Posted

A new chapter has been posted on Satin Notes, the free read site. Go check out the new chapter of our current read at ~ http://www.satinnotes.com.

Satin Notes - New Chapter Posted

A new chapter has been posted on Satin Notes, the free read site. Go check out the new chapter of our current read at ~ http://www.satinnotes.com.

Seven Minutes of Seduction by Afton Locke

Dark closet + sexy boss + 7
minutes = too HOT to stop!
Wanna play 7 Minutes in Heaven?

Releases March 16th!

Ever had a fantasy about your boss?

 'Fess up. We all have.

Despite Eliza Worth’s attraction to her boss, Zach Taunton, she’s so fed up with his unreasonable demands she’s decided to look for another job. Her matchmaking friend Margo, determined to give Eliza some sexual healing for her work stress, invites her to a singles mixer, where Eliza reluctantly agrees to play a game of Seven Minutes in Heaven. In a dark closet, Eliza is quickly brought to the edge and beyond by a sexy mystery man. Her initial intrigue quickly turns to horror when she discovers her masterful, anonymous lover is none other than her slave-driving boss himself—and Zach seems to want her for a lot longer than seven minutes. But first he’ll have to relinquish some control and negotiate his way into her heart.

Watch the Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_K4oZAFAj8

Seven Minutes of Seduction
ISBN# 978-14199-32977
Ellora's Cave Publishing 
http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9201-seven-minutes-of-seduction.aspx

(Copyright © AFTON LOCKE, 2011, All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc.)

Afton Locke
www.aftonlocke.com

Excerpt (Adult)

Her breath caught when she realized the room wasn’t just dark. It was completely black. She couldn’t see a thing now. Margo must have had special padding or weather-stripping installed around the edges of the door.

“You’re not allowed to talk, starting now,” Margo said, her voice muffled.

Eliza fought down the urge to pound on the door and beg to be let out but knew that would make her resemble a childish idiot. Not being able to see and knowing nothing about who was in the closet with her sent her heart rate into the aerobic range.

Her other senses soon took over. She heard the rustle of curtain, a man’s breathing and…oh God. That was Zach’s cologne. The distinctive blend of exotic spices and understated class had distracted her mid-task more than once at work.

Coincidence, she told herself as she clasped her hand across her throat. Lots of men wore the same cologne. He couldn’t possibly be here.

This man, whoever he was, didn’t seem nearly as inclined to pause and analyze the situation as she did. She gasped when a questing hand brushed her waist and arm, followed much too quickly by two steely arms fastening around her. Goose bumps exploded across her arms as rolled-up shirtsleeves and very hot forearms slid across her skin.

A pair of lips found her ear with uncanny precision and slashed across it, sliding into a jagged path down her neck. Beard stubble—another reminder of Zach—scraped her skin, sending dual sensations of alarm and pleasure shooting down her spine.

With her arms all but pinned to her sides, she could do nothing but slide her hands around the man’s waist. His body was hot and muscular under her fingers.
Muscles flexed beneath the soft shirt as he maneuvered her to stand against a row of shelves. The delicate scent of laundered sheets mingled with his cologne, reminding her of beds.

She turned her chin toward his mouth, needing to taste him. Suddenly his hands anchored both sides of her face, holding her in place for a kiss. No, not a kiss—an onslaught. He skimmed her lips with his tongue before biting, tasting and teasing. Without even knowing exactly how, she found herself slack-jawed and senseless, wanting everything he had to give.

He tasted like wine, with a slight salty tang, as if he’d eaten caviar. While he claimed her tongue with punishing swirls of his own, his legs pressed hard against her, his cock even harder, bruising the delicate flesh over her pubic bone through their clothing.

“One minute has passed.”

The automated voice nearly made Eliza jump out of her skin. Margo had thought of everything.

The sensation of tugging at her blouse brought her attention to her breasts. Her blouse went slack and threatened to fall off when he unbuttoned the few large buttons. Needing and aching, her nipples anticipated strong fingers or a hot, flicking tongue.

At the same time, alarms went off in her head. Exactly how far did people go in this game? Surely seven minutes wasn’t enough time to go all the way but she was at his mercy, whatever he planned.

If this man fucked her in the dark, she wouldn’t even see his cock. She would only be able to feel it, thrusting into her drenched pussy.

“Wait, I—” she uttered.

Buy here - http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9201-seven-minutes-of-seduction.aspx

Satin Notes - New Chapter Posted

A new chapter has been posted on Satin Notes, the free read site. Go check out the new chapter of our current read at ~ http://www.satinnotes.com.

Snippet Saturday - Openers

Today’s snippet theme is Openers. Enjoy a look from one of my books.

An snippet from Silk and Shadows…

Welcome to Club Immortality, where all your desires will be fulfilled. Nothing is taboo, and privacy is a guarantee. We have been in existence for many centuries, hidden from those who are sensually unaware. Now, with the permission of some of our patrons, we are about to bring you into the most exclusive club. With our tales, we hope you will become enlightened.

In our current tale, we find a retired Htrae Elf who is a loner, and a woman who craves something more. What they both find is that what we long for isn’t always as we expected. When desire and fate meet, it creates a combustion that will take you on a journey--a journey that will leave you forever changed.

I'm Syn, and this is my mate, Micah. Sit back, be tantalised, titillated, and most of all, let go of your inhibitions.

Syn & Micah

Copyright © Taige Crenshaw, 2009.
All Rights Reserved, Total-e-bound

Go to the following sites to check out these other great authors snippets:

Jody Wallace
Emma Petersen
Leah Braemel
Lissa Matthews
Mari Carr
McKenna Jeffries
Selena Blake
Taige Crenshaw
Delilah Devlin
Lauren Dane
Shelli Stevens
T.J. Michaels

Satin Notes Returns ~ Psyche

Satin Notes is back.

Our new story is starting to post to Satin Notes today - March 4, 2011.

Here is the blurb for Psyche the next free read to be released at Satin Notes. The story is set in Savoy Valley. Each week on Friday a new chapter of the story will be posted.

Now we give you the blurb for Psyche.

Psyche
by Aliyah Burke, McKenna Jeffries, and Taige Crenshaw
Genre: Paranormal
Length: Novel
Price: Free
Publication Date: March 4, 2011 - April 29, 2011
Cover art by MMJ Designs


A workplace attraction that could quickly boil over into something totally unexpected.

Jair Xiong is the silent partner of Sanjai’s, a small, out of the way diner in Savoy Valley. Despite how he began in the venture, he had come to love being there and working with the staff. All but one. She made him mad enough to spit nails more often than not. Of course, that wasn’t all she made him.

Sanna Falk had her dream—a diner, not fancy, not upscale nor snooty, just an honest-to-goodness place to get some good, filling food. Her brother’s friend had signed on as the silent partner and helped her get it off the ground, for which she would be eternally grateful. But things were now different. Jair was more moody than usual. Every interaction between them tended to get blown out of proportion.

Can they realize what’s right in front of their noses in regards to one another? Or will one of them throw in the towel?

Look for Psyche on Satin Notes ~http://www.satinnotes.com, the 1st chapter posted today March 4, 2011.

Being You

I was talking with someone recently and she mentioned something that disturbed me. Basically it was all about being you. She was putting on a façade to those around her. She mentioned she could only be her with a few people and I was one of them. Since I couldn’t understand how one could not be themselves it led to a long discussion. It was really eye opening and mouth dropping. I guess I am naïve when it comes to something. But the one thing I can be very experienced about is who I am.

As I listened to her I was tired just hearing how she acted around different people. All I could think was – it was too much effort to put on a front to different people why don’t you just be you. I didn’t tell her this because she wasn’t a friend of mine. If she was I would have given her a reality check. Anyway when I left her I couldn’t stop thinking about the conversation. It made me sad that she felt she had to act a certain way to supposedly fit into certain circumstances or put on another persona to make other see her a certain way. She was basically being fake.

Being disturbed by the conversation I discussed it with a close friend. My friend was as baffled as I was. When I asked her why she thought I didn’t get it she was her usual blunt self saying “I just don’t give a f--- what others think of me. You on the other hand are too blunt like me and just enjoying being you. You are honest to a fault. Not to mention nice which those who don’t know you take as being weak or easily walked over. Boy, are they wrong. You might be nice but you don’t put on airs or take shit from anyone. It boils down to being genuine and real. And that’s what we have.” When she said that I knew she was right. Of course I had to tease her for making me blush with saying I’m nice and all that crap. I’m mean I tell ya. Mean and don’t let anyone tell you different. LOL.

Yes my friend was right I just couldn’t get it because it was so far out of the realm of what I did for myself or with people who are my friends. When I call someone friend I mean it. When I say I like or hate something I mean it. When I talk with you what I say is what I want to not a false front to make you feel a certain way about me. Again it made me sad that someone had to put on an act. All I still wonder is why. There is nothing more awesome than being who you are. Being the same with everyone. No I’m not talking about talking the same with everyone but being the core of being you.

If the person you are dealing with doesn’t like it. Tough. Not everyone will like you. Not everyone will understand you. Not everyone will want to be your friend. And that is ok. When it comes down to it all that matter is what is inside of you. Don’t let anyone change who you are or change to suit what other perceive. There is nothing better than just being you.

That Certain Place

The other day I took stock of some things. As I evaluated what has been happening in my life lately I got to that certain place. The place where I feel a sense of relief, accomplishment, and all around happy. This has been a really rough year for me. Had things happen this year that I wasn’t sure I would make it through. Now a few months later I am taking time to appreciate what happened and be thankful that I am here. I not only survived my belief once again has been proven. The way you are with others will shape what happens to you. Negativity or plain ugliness is such an unnecessary thing. No, I’m not saying you should be Pollyanna all the time. Just be an good person. A positive one as much as you can. Yes shit happens and life sometimes sucks but at least you are living. So live instead of trying to break others down. Build them up.

I have some really good friends and family who are there for me. Who stood by me when I needed it. Who gave me the support I needed. They built me up when my foundation was weakened. And I love each of them for it. There just being there was meant more than anything in the world. I am thankful for them all the time. I show them that I am and they do the same. Although they like to tell me I like to give instead of receive. This is something I work on. The ability to accept from others what I give. Support when needed. An ear to listen. Or a simple hand to hold.

These are all very basic things. An act of human kindness. In my case it is due to all the people in my life that I am here in that certain place. A certain place that lets me know life no matter the bumps in the road is there for all to enjoy.