Spanking Stories Book Club---Humbled by Renee Rose

It's the last day of January! 2014, which I have dubbed The Year Of The Spank (TYOTS) is 1/12 over, but there are still lots of spanks left to be enjoyed.

This week I am excited to talk about Renee Rose's latest book, Humbled

Blurb: Sentenced to die at age eleven for stealing a pig, Jean-Claude receives an unexpected reprieve when a young aristocrat girl takes the blame instead. When the mobs of the French Revolution fall upon her château years later, Jean-Claude knows he must save her and repay his debt, but as they begin their long flight to safety he makes it clear he is not her servant and he will deal firmly with any disobedience. Though he initially intends to send her off by ship, the beautiful, feisty Corinne inspires a fierce protectiveness in Jean-Claude that makes it hard to say goodbye. 

Corinne is alternately infuriated and attracted to the handsome peasant who has no qualms about turning her over his knee and spanking her bare bottom when she steps out of line. When he ends up joining her on a ship to New Orleans, their futures become inextricably intertwined, but can a common-born blacksmith and the daughter of a lord find enough common ground to make a permanent match? 

Publisher’s Note: Humbled is an erotic romance novel that includes spankings, anal play, graphic sexual scenes, and more. If such material offends you, please don’t buy this book. 

My thoughts: As you may know, I am a big fan of Renee Rose and historical spanking romances. I found Humbled to be an extra treat because it was set in France at the time of the French Revolution, something new for me. I beta read for Renee and I'll admit that I even did some fact checking on my own to make sure she had the details right. (According to Wikipedia, she does). 

Discussion Points: 

This book created an interesting dichotomy between the privileged class and the poor. Jean-Claude supported the Revolution, but also felt honor bound to repay the debt he owed to Corinne. He clearly does not treat her with kid gloves on their journey, yet, when they finally reach New Orleans he encourages Corinne to seek a husband who is of higher rank than him. [Don't worry, it all works out for them.]

What do you think he would have done if she had followed his suggestion? 

During their journey, Jean-Claude and Corinne held themselves out as a blacksmith/silversmith and his wife. However, Corinne's upbringing gave her away, despite her efforts to play her role as a peasant. 

Are the distinctions of class as evident now? Would you be able to tell the difference between a person of "good breeding" and someone who was lower born based on their mannerisms? 

Have you ever had the experience of being treated as though you were a peasant (or the modern equivalent)? What was that like and how did you react? 

The title of the book is Humbled. For those of you who have read it, which character do you think was most humbled over the course of the book? Corinne who lost all of her standing or Jean-Claude who had a few arrogant assumptions about the type of person Corinne was? 

Did reading this book (or even this post) make you want to do any of the following: 

Learn more about the French Revolution? 

Go to New Orleans? 

Get spanked? 

February 7--- A Bride For Lord Esher by PJ Perryman with guest hostess Patricia Green. 

February 14---Aching to Submit by Natasha Knight with guest hostess Casey McKay

February 21---Mail Order Switch by Patty Devlin with guest hostess Sue Lyndon

Sue Lyndon's New Release: Daman's Ward

Sue Lyndon is here today to share a steamy excerpt from her newest release, Daman’s Ward.

In my brand spanking new release, Daman’s Ward, the heroine, Shana, is secretly in love with her guardian, Daman. In the book, she has just turned eighteen and she’s having a hard time staying out of trouble. To further complicate her feelings for her guardian, he starts spanking her for misbehaving. Determined to make him see her as an adult and more than his ward, she fashions a new dress with a low neckline in hopes of getting his attention. In the following scene, she’s succeeded in gaining his attention, but the outcome isn’t quite what she hoped…

Excerpt:

“Look at me, Shana.”

His stern voice pulled her gaze to his, and she wrapped her arms around her body as she stared up at him. She tried desperately to utter a proper apology, but her words weren’t intelligible. Her throat constricted and her mouth went dry, and she concentrated on taking deep breaths to calm her racing heart.

Uncle Daman’s dark eyes burned into her with a fierce, penetrating gaze. She wished she still had the shawl on so she could hide the swell of her breasts from his scrutiny. Two whole inches off the neckline? What had she been thinking? Oh right, she’d been thinking about seduction and love and other silly things that apparently Uncle Daman wasn’t interested in. At least not with her. The anger shielding her heart cracked, leaving her vulnerable and forlorn.

“Unbutton the front of your dress,” he said, not blinking once. “Don’t think, Shana, just do it. Now, or this will go even worse for you.”

Her fingers shook as she worked the buttons down to her stomach, careful not to let the fabric fall away to reveal her chemise underneath. It dipped lower than the neckline of the dress, and its white sheerness made it nearly see through. Her nipples decided on that moment to tighten, as if conspiring to give her more to worry about. Surely her firm tight peaks would be clearly visible through the chemise.

“Good girl. Now since you disobeyed me in the kitchen, I’m going to dress you every day for a week. I’ll pick out your clothing to make sure you don’t try to wear anything as revealing as this dress, and any argument from you will result in a spanking. Just like before. Bare bottom with you bent over the desk in my study.” He stepped closer and parted the front of her dress, slipping it over her shoulders and pushing it down past her hips, until it pooled beneath her and she stood in nothing but her in thin chemise and a pair of equally flimsy undergarments.

Blurb:

Shana has never given her guardian, Uncle Daman, a bit of trouble . . . that is until she turns eighteen and decides she’s an adult and can therefore do as she pleases. After getting caught drinking and transporting illegal alcohol, the council in Jackson Settlement lock Shana and her friends up. Uncle Daman comes to her rescue, but she soon discovers she hasn’t escaped punishment entirely. He gives her a spanking – her first spanking ever. He also insists turning eighteen doesn’t change a thing. She’s still his ward, and she’ll remain subject to his discipline as long as she lives under his roof.

Daman is shocked by Shana’s sudden rebellious behavior, and he’s determined to curb it by whatever means necessary. One spanking isn’t enough, and his little niece soon finds herself back in his study, bent over his desk with her bottom bared for another lesson. Daman disciplines her with love, and as time passes, he realizes his feelings for her have changed drastically. White hot jealousy consumes him at the thought of another man taking her away, and now he’s reluctant to set up a marriage match for her even though she’s come of age. She’s his niece by marriage, not by blood, and he wonders if she could ever see him as more than her strict uncle.

Now that she’s come of age, Shana worries she’ll have to take a husband soon. But she doesn’t want to leave Uncle Daman. Not ever. She loves him, though she worries he will forever see her as a child and as his ward. Neither of them are ready to confess their true feelings, but will a little honesty be enough to repair their changing relationship?

Note: Daman’s Ward is the prequel to Shana’s Guardian, however both stories can be read as standalones.

Buy links:

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Barnes and Noble

All Romance

Blushing Books

We Can Do It! Liz Borino Shares All

Liz Borino is here to share her tips for getting more done. 

Celeste Jones: Are you a full time or part time writer?

Liz Borino:  I like to say I am full time everything because of the amount of hours I work, but not the pay I receive (yet).

Celeste Jones:  What other responsibilities do you have to juggle along with writing? Children? Aging parents? Exercise? A disturbing number of pets? Critiquing for other writers?

Liz Borino: I just finished my master’s degree in English, so for a long time I was juggling schoolwork and writing. Now it’s my editing ‘day job,’ job hunting, and my migraines, which make staring at the computer screen difficult.

Celeste Jones: Do you have a set schedule for when you write? If so, what is it?

Liz Borino:  I try to write in the morning and late afternoon as those are my most alert times of the day.

Celeste Jones: Do you have particular productivity goals for each day or week or just go for it?

Liz Borino: Yes, but what they are depends on my deadline. If I need to finish a manuscript in a “crazy short” amount of time, I will make an outline and decide how many scenes have to be completed each day meet said deadline. One thing that is important for the way I work though is the word scene and not word/page count.  I don’t often decide how long a book will be, I figure out what needs to be in it and let the charactersdecide how many words they will take to tell it. Sorry that was a derailment. Anyway, if my most pressing deadline is for the day job, then that takes priority.

Celeste Jones: What is a typical day (if such a thing exists) like for you?

Liz Borino:  No such thing. As I mentioned above, my schedule/goals depend on the most pressing deadline.  I can say that I wake up every day between 5:30 and 6, take a shower, eat breakfast, and poke around the internet until around 7-7:30 when my brain engages enough to do things that matter. I tend to focus promotion, phone calls, and emails during my off-peak times (late morning or night) when possible.

Celeste Jones:  Do you work on more than one manuscript at a time?

Liz Borino: Yes. I generally have one each stage: pre-writing, writing, and editing. But I have a problem actively writing in two different worlds at once.

Celeste Jones: Do you use any special writing programs like Write or Die?

Liz Borino: I love Scrivener! It works well with my ADD style thinking. I don’t need to write the book in order because I have scenes organized for every chapter. I never used to outline, but it has made writing my last few projects so much easier.

Celeste Jones: What about promotion? Do you have particular time when you visit blogs or use other social media? How do you monitor your time?

Liz Borino:  I visit blogs around my books’ release dates, but I try to have a consistent social media presence so people don’t forget about me. Time management is the most difficult aspect for me. Because I truly want to be everywhere, yet I know I can’t.  Even more than that, though, I haven’t always seen ROI (return on investment) for the most time consuming tasks, like blog tours. So, I’m going to try scaling back for my upcoming releases and see how that works.

Celeste Jones: What about your blog? Do you have a set schedule or just blog when the mood strikes you?

Liz Borino: I’m going to be honest. This is one area that I am terrible at. I know I should blog consistently, but I just don’t make the time for it.

Celeste Jones: What tips or pointers do you have to share to help others be more productive?

Liz Borino:  Know yourself and work with your strengths, as opposed to fighting your weaknesses. For example, if you don’t work well at night, stop trying! Save nighttime for the other tasks that surround being an author. Also, study the industry.  If one method of promotion is consistently shown to work better then put your effort that. Busy does not equal productive.

Celeste Jones: What books are you working on now? What are your goals for 2014?

Liz Borino: Angel’s Hero will be released on February 26 and its sequel, Angel’s Truth, on March 12. I have books scheduled to be released in April and June, as well. I would like to have at least as many come out the rest of the year, but that will be dependent on my job hunt and financial capabilities.

Celeste Jones: Anything else you’d like to share?

Liz Borino:  No, but thank you very much for having me.

Angel’s Hero

Blurb: CIA Agent Aaron “Angel” Collins trusts a few things unquestioningly: His gut, his eyes, and his husband, Jordan, an Army Captain.  So, when Jordan’s commanding officers deliver the news of Jordan’s death, and two of his resources disagree, Aaron must decide if he can let Troy Hart into the circle to assist in his quest to find out the truth.

Captain Jordan Collins receives news of his death while sitting battered and disheartened in an Afghanistan prison. He is forced to reevaluate who and what he can rely on to stay alive and maybe make it home to Angel. Unfortunately, someone in the US government is making that difficult. Angel’s Hero is a suspenseful tale proves the resiliency of the human spirit, and keeps your heart pounding long after the last sentence.

Website:  http://bit.ly/HKPBD6

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liz.borino.1

Amazon:  http://amzn.to/1a0qkvb

We Can Do It! PK Corey Spills All

Please welcome PK Corey, the author of Cassie's Space, to our discussion of productivity. She's a full time schoolteacher, so lets see how she finds time to write about Cassie and Tom.

Celeste Jones: Are you a full time or part time writer?

PK: I wish! I’m also a schoolteacher with a total of 97 students this year.

Celeste Jones:  What other responsibilities do you have to juggle along with writing? Children? Aging parents? Exercise? A disturbing number of pets? Critiquing for other writers?

PK: My parent are gone now and my children are nearly grown although it’s not unusual for my daughter to email me a paper from college, usually around ten in the evening saying ‘Mom, could you look this over? I have to submit it by midnight.’

Celeste Jones: Do you have a set schedule for when you write? If so, what is it?

PK: During the school year I try to get in at least an hour or two of writing in the afternoon. It’s not always possible.

Celeste Jones: Do you have particular productivity goals for each day or week or just go for it?

PK: I just go for it and hope something of what I write is worth keeping.

Celeste Jones: What is a typical day (if such a thing exists) like for you?

PK: During the school year, up at six, check email and blogs. Teach; come home exhausted most days by four. Try to get in a little exercise (usually a nap instead), write on the book from five until seven while my wonderful husband fixes dinner and cleans up. After seven visit with hubby, TV, facebook, writing posts, checking email…

But during the summer, the wonderful summer, up around eight, check blogs and email until nine, head for my writing room and write until one or two, then exercise, cleaning, laundry and sometimes even cooking. I love my summers and long to retire.

Celeste Jones:  Do you work on more than one manuscript at a time?

PK: Yes and no. Right now I’m working on the Cassie series, the books are seven years behind where I am now in her life. So I’m jumping back and forth in time in her life. I also write other spanking fiction, or I have in the past. Lately I’m concentrating on Cassie.

Celeste Jones: Do you use any special writing programs like Write or Die?

PK: I write in Word, I haven’t even heard of the others. I’m very techno challenged.

Celeste Jones: What about promotion? Do you have particular time when you visit blogs or use other social media? How do you monitor your time?

PK: I’m still realizing what all this involves. I’m not great at it, but I’m trying. I really wish I could sit down with someone who really understands it all and was willing to give lesson.

[You might want to try Cassandra Carr's Marketing Matters. I keep meaning to write a blog post about it.] 

Celeste Jones: What about your blog? Do you have a set schedule or just blog when the mood strikes you?

PK: That is something else that takes time because I have three blogs. I’ve been writing Cassie’s blog for over seven years, I try to keep it fresh, but these are often three to four week gaps, I have New Beginnings, where I post about my day-to-day life. I try to post there several times a week and I host Fantasy Friday each week for anyone willing to share a story. My blogging friends often send stories and I really like that many readers will share their first writing efforts. I’ve met many wonderful people through Fantasy Friday. And I now have my ‘writing’ blog – PK Corey’s Reading Room, where I do Saturday Spankings and post concerning the books.

Celeste Jones: What tips or pointers do you have to share to help others be more productive?

PK: I’m much more in need of tips than I am able to give them, but I know if you want to write you should have a dedicated time and space in which to do it.  Treat it like any other job.

Celeste Jones: What books are you working on now? What are your goals for 2014?

PK: The second Cassie book, Cassie’s Tale, is being edited. I have the third book well outlined, but I don’t feel like it’s officially started yet. I’d love to have book three done and number four well underway this year.

Celeste Jones: Anything else you’d like to share?

PK: If you think you want to write, go for it. I never dreamed I’d actually publish, I thought I was a day dreamer, not an author. Now I’m about to publish my second book. Sometimes I get a little overwhelmed with all I don’t know. But I’m learning not to worry too much and to remember to enjoy the process.

Where to find PK:  

Cassie’s Space http://cassiesspace.blogspot.com ‘Cassie’s’ blog

New Beginnings http://elisnewbeginnings.blogspot.com ‘my’ blog

PK Corey’s Reading Room blog http://pk-corey.blogspot.com My writing blog

PK Corey on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pk.corey facebook

Amazon author page http://www.amazon.com/PK-Corey/e/B00H9W9XB4/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

Cassie’s Space on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Cassies-Space-PK-Corey-ebook/dp/B00H8BFZ9U/ref=la_B00H9W9XB4_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1389670874&sr=1-1

Blurb for Cassie’s Space:

Meet Cassie, a former wild child, who meets her match, and creates the match of a lifetime. To nearly all who know her now, Cassie is a vivacious, sweet southern lady, who is the epitome of grace and proper behavior. Look a tiny bit closer and you’ll see that Cassie has another side – the one whose language could make a sailor blush as she drinks him under the table.

Thanks to her loving husband Tom, who even after thirty years of marriage, never hesitates to put Cassie over his knee when she strays too far from his view of ladylike behavior, few people other than close old friends know this side of Cassie exists.

 Cassie and Tom show that love and passion are not the sole property of the young. Love and passion grows and changes with age. While aging may bring on challenges – the love and passion between these two people only grows stronger.

Blurb for Cassie’s Tale

 Cassie continues to live life to the fullest, from wheeling around in her new sports car to mastering the art of riding a motor scooter with no hands, she manages to keep Tom on his toes. The fly in the ointment is that Tom’s firm wants him back for a project and Cassie wants him all to herself.  When Tom takes the job, Cassie is left lonely and bored – never a good combination for her.

 Left to her own devices Cassie makes some poor decisions, frightening Sue and causing Tom to lower the boom. Tom's new schedule for Cassie, including her getting a job, leaves her little time to get herself in trouble – yet she still manages.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We Can Do It! Mary Wehr Shows Us How To Get It Done

Say hello to Mary Wehr who is here to share her secrets to writing success.

Celeste Jones: Are you a full time or part time writer?

Mary Wehr:  I’m a part time writer, Celeste.

Celeste Jones:  What other responsibilities do you have to juggle along with writing? Children? Aging parents? Exercise? A disturbing number of pets? Critiquing for other writers?

Mary Wehr:  I do a daily exercise routine, then it’s the usual housework. I have two pets and lots of critters outside that I feed. I’m an avid animal lover so my yard is usually full of birds, chipmunks and squirrels. Deer visit toJ

Celeste Jones: Do you have a set schedule for when you write? If so, what is it?

Mary Wehr:  This may sound weird, but my best time to write is in the evening and during winter. In the warmer months I spend a lot of time outdoors.

Celeste Jones: Do you have particular productivity goals for each day or week or just go for it?

Mary Wehr: Since I’m a part time writer, I just go for it. I’d like to set a goal, but sometimes family things interfere and I can’t keep to the schedule.

Celeste Jones: What is a typical day (if such a thing exists) like for you?

Mary Wehr: Seeing my husband off to work and taking care of the house. My mother doesn’t drive so I pitch in and take her where she needs to go if one of my four brothers are busy.

Celeste Jones:  Do you work on more than one manuscript at a time?

Mary Wehr:  I have three WIP’s started, but I like to complete one before I bury myself in another.  If I have an idea that’s about my other stories I make sure I type it or write it down as soon as possible because if I don’t I know I’ll forget.

Celeste Jones: Do you use any special writing programs like Write or Die?

Mary Wehr: No writing programs for me at this point, but it’s certainly something to look into.

Celeste Jones: What about promotion? Do you have particular time when you visit blogs or use other social media? How do you monitor your time?

Mary Wehr:  I do try to visit blogs and join in some weekly blog hops that I enjoy with my group, Spanking Fiction. I’ll post the blurb and links to my books, maybe once or twice a week and promo post on WTRAFSOG (What to Read after Fifty Shades of Gray) and Korner Kafe Exposed once a month. They’re two sites on facebook that help authors promote their books.

Celeste Jones: What about your blog? Do you have a set schedule  or just blog when the mood strikes you?

Mary Wehr: *sigh* I’m not a blogger. I’ll post once in a while or when I’m in a blog hop. I like to promote my fellow authors and their books.

Celeste Jones: What tips or pointers do you have to share to help others be more productive?

Mary Wehr:  Writing is a lifelong learning process. You need to keep writing in order to perfect your style. The more you write, the better you get at it, even if it’s a few lines a day. I’m guilty of not writing in the warmer months as I stated earlier. If I needed to depend on my books for an income, then I’d have to write 24 hours a day. lol.

Celeste Jones: What books are you working on now? What are your goals for 2014?

Mary Wehr:  I have three that I’m working on.  The first two are working titles ‘Just Right for Me’ is almost finished and “Wild Heart’ is finished in my head I just need to get it typed…lol. The last one isn’t titled yet. My goals in 2014 is to make sure to enjoy the writing process and not get so frustrated when I have the dreaded ‘writer’s block’.

Celeste Jones: Anything else you’d like to share?

Mary Wehr: I don’t have anything else to share at the moment, but I’d like to thank all of our readers for their support and reviews.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Wehr/e/B00A97DY5C/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1389302801&sr=1-2-ent

http://marysuewehr.com/

https://www.facebook.com/mary.wehr.7

https://twitter.com/marysuewehr

 

Her Heart’s Desire

Blurb:

Will the shame of her mother’s betrayal prevent Sara from having her heart’s desire?

 

Sara Martin spent her life longing for two things—less responsibility and the boy next door. When Cade Dalton finally noticed her, she was thrilled. But when he suggested a threesome with his brother, she knew the rumors she’d heard were true—Cade and Reese Dalton shared women, something Sara despised. Her mother had chosen a life of sordid sex with two men over her marriage, leaving a broken ten-year-old girl behind. No way was Sara going down that road. She was happy to comply with Cade’s dominant tendencies, but she would not stand for any “sharing” in the relationship.

 

To her surprise, Cade agreed to give up his lifestyle in order to be with her. He swore to never again bring up the idea of a threesome, insisting that having Sara as his wife—and the Head of Household arrangement they’d come to—was more than enough to make him happy. 

 

But six months into the marriage Sara’s brother-in-law was beginning to look mighty fine. She regretted passing on the chance to be between the two sexy Dalton brothers, but after her violent reaction to Cade’s suggestion she was too ashamed to admit she had changed her mind. And too ashamed to admit she wanted the same sordid lifestyle her mother had chosen.  

 

Content Warning: strong language, spanking, and graphic sex, including anal sex

 

 

 

 

 

Spanking Stories Book Club: Cassie's Space by PK Corey

A big thank you to Maddie Taylor and Dinah McLeod for leading the discussions for the last two weeks. Looking back, I think it's been over a month since I've lead a discussion here. 

I guess it's time for me to get busy! 

This week I'm excited to talk about Cassie's Space by PK Corey. 

Blurb: Meet Cassie, a former wild child, who meets her match, and creates the match of a lifetime. To nearly all who know her now, Cassie is a vivacious, sweet southern lady, who is the epitome of grace and proper behavior. Look a tiny bit closer and you’ll see that Cassie has another side – the one whose language could make a sailor blush as she drinks him under the table. 

Thanks to her loving husband Tom, who even after thirty years of marriage, never hesitates to put Cassie over his knee when she strays too far from his view of ladylike behavior, few people other than close old friends know this side of Cassie exists. 

Cassie and Tom show that love and passion are not the sole property of the young. Love and passion grows and changes with age. While aging may bring on challenges – the love and passion between these two people only grows stronger. 

Cassie's Space takes place mostly in the present, when Tom and Cassie have been married for a number of years (decades) and goes back and forth to different incidents in their lives. 

When Tom and Cassie first meet, she is a widow with too much money and time on her hands. One of the things that stuck with me from this book was early on in their relationship when Tom said something like "Didn't anybody ever care enough to make you act better?" I don't think that's a direct quote and I'm too lazy to look it up, but that's the general idea. 

Which leads to my first question. Isn't it really much harder to let people know they've disappointed you and that you expect better than it is to be mad at them? Or to ignore it? And I mean this within any relationship. I treasure the friends who will sit me down and say "now, look...." and even Mr. Jones must do that sort of thing on occasion. But, I know it takes love and a bit of courage on their parts to say something. 

Tom and Cassie are people of "a certain age". Though it's not always clear in the story when an incident takes place, it seems that many happen when Cassie is at least 45 and probably in her 50's. 

Next question: Is there a market for love stories between people who have been married for decades? Is this the sort of story that you'd pick up and read if you were browsing in a bookstore (or Amazon)? Or would you look for something about a younger couple or new love? 

Question number three: Cassie's friends know that Tom spanks her and they have some pretty strong reactions. Have you ever told your friends about your desire to be spanked? What happened? 

Cassie had a pretty good explanation for her friends about why spanking worked for her and Tom. If you read the story, what did you think of her reasoning? 

Next week---Renee Rose's new release Humbled

February 7--- A Bride For Lord Esher by PJ Perryman with guest hostess Patricia Green. 

February 14---Aching to Submit by Natasha Knight with guest hostess Casey McKay

February 21---Mail Order Switch by Patty Devlin with guest hostess Sue Lyndon

We Can Do It! Rollin Hand Shares His Productivity Tips

Please welcome Rollin Hand who is here today to tell us how he gets it done!

Celeste Jones: Are you a full time or part time writer?

Rollin Hand: Part time. I still work a full time job as an IP attorney in private practice.[I think IP is intellectual property.]

Celeste Jones:  What other responsibilities do you have to juggle along with writing? Children? Aging parents? Exercise? A disturbing number of pets? Critiquing for other writers?

Rollin Hand:  I’m a musician and in several groups, so I have to work that in. My exercise regimen is important too. [I didn't know that! What instrument do you play?]

Celeste Jones: Do you have a set schedule for when you write? If so, what is it?

Rollin Hand: No. It’s weekends, early mornings and breaks at work.

Celeste Jones: Do you have particular productivity goals for each day or week or just go for it?

Rollin Hand: Go for it, mostly. But on weekends I set aside time specifically.

Celeste Jones: What is a typical day (if such a thing exists) like for you?

Rollin Hand: I get up early and check mail etc., then since I’m self employed, I go to my office on my schedule, usually 9-6, come home, exercise or go to a rehearsal, eat, read a bit and go to bed.

Celeste Jones:  Do you work on more than one manuscript at a time?

Rollin Hand:  Yes. I’ll be editing backlist stuff for publication, writing new stories and working on a novel all at the same time. My motto is---if the muse strikes, write.

Celeste Jones: Do you use any special writing programs like Write or Die?

Rollin Hand: no

Celeste Jones: What about promotion? Do you have particular time when you visit blogs or use other social media? How do you monitor your time?

Rollin Hand:  That’s early morning. I check my blog, prepare blog entries, respond to email, comment on other blogs.

Celeste Jones: What about your blog? Do you have a set schedule  or just blog when the mood strikes you?

Rollin Hand:  I really try to update my blog every three days, four max. It’s a successful blog, getting 700-1500 hits a day, so it’s worth it.

Celeste Jones: What tips or pointers do you have to share to help others be more productive?

Rollin Hand:: There’s no magic. Just set aside a set period and do it. Procrastination is not an option.

Celeste Jones: What books are you working on now? What are your goals for 2014?

Rollin Hand:  I want to finish publishing my backlist which will take some editing and rewriting. My most active project is a new novel to be published by Stormy Night, a medieval romance. I’m also writing some F/M short stories for a new collection.

Celeste Jones: Anything else you’d like to share?

Rollin Hand:  For those of us who work full time it’s difficult. I would love to write full time. But I do have the luxury of being my own boss. Still, work demands come before my writing gig so I have to squeeze it in. The key is, don’t let projects gather dust. Every day do SOMETHING.

 

Me at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Rollin/e/B009ZJUH50

My blog: www.disciplinarytales.blogspot.com

Me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Rollin.Hand.58

Upcoming are twin novelettes to be published in a single volume.  First is “Willow Wood Estate”, a mainly F/F bit of spanking erotica about a country estate, its mysterious history, its imperious and beautiful owner, a young female employee, and an odd circle of women who come to visit. Next is “Madeline Smythe” the story of a college girl, her mentor and the man they enlist to help the coed with a dotty aunt who owns a country manor that she runs like a nineteenth century estate. Fans of Downton Abbey will like this one. Mostly M/F.

We Can Do It! Renee Rose On Productivity and Hot Air Balloons

I've often teased Renee Rose about having extra hands to keep up with all the books she produces...high quality books, at that. Let's see if I'm right, or if she has another method for Getting It Done!

Celeste Jones: Are you a full time or part time writer?

Renee Rose: I consider myself a full time writer, but I have some other jobs

Celeste Jones:  What other responsibilities do you have to juggle along with writing? Children? Aging parents? Exercise? A disturbing number of pets? Critiquing for other writers?

Renee Rose:  I have two children and I'm active in their schools-- PTA president of my daughter's school and dance teacher at my son's preschool.  I also have a Feldenkrais(R) practice, seeing about 5-6 clients a week. I teach dance twice a week in the evenings and I run the reservations and brunches for my husband's hot air balloon business. 

[How did I NOT know about the hot air balloon business and will this feature in a book at some point?]

Celeste Jones: Do you have a set schedule for when you write? If so, what is it?

Renee Rose: No. Just whenever I can get a chance (waiting at my daughter's piano lesson, etc).

Celeste Jones: Do you have particular productivity goals for each day or week or just go for it?

Renee Rose:  I used to go with 1K per day goal, but the last couple of months I've had to ramp it up. Using Write or Die, I discovered I could do 3K in no less time than I used to do 1K.

Celeste Jones: What is a typical day (if such a thing exists) like for you?

Renee Rose:  Take the kids to school, see 1-2 clients, try to write before it's time to pick up the kids.  Supervise homework, snack, etc and make dinner.  Write after dinner and after the kids go to bed.

Celeste Jones:  Do you work on more than one manuscript at a time?

Renee Rose:  Yes. Usually two or three.

Celeste Jones: Do you use any special writing programs like Write or Die?

Renee Rose: I just discovered Write or Die thanks to Anastasia Vitsky.  It's really helped me realize how much I used to bounce from my manuscript to Facebook, to email, just to distract myself.  If I'm using Write or Die, I stay on task and get the words out.

Celeste Jones: What about promotion? Do you have particular time when you visit blogs or use other social media? How do you monitor your time?

Renee Rose:  I really, truly wish I could say I monitored my time.  I would love to do an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening, but instead my A.D.D. brain hops all over the place.

Celeste Jones: What about your blog? Do you have a set schedule  or just blog when the mood strikes you?

Renee Rose:  Again, I wish I were the sort of person who could stick to a schedule.  It just doesn't happen for me.

Celeste Jones: What tips or pointers do you have to share to help others be more productive?

Renee Rose:  I really suggest trying a software like Write or Die just to prove to yourself you can write faster than you thought. It also helps keep the internal editor at bay, although that may mean more editing afterward!

Celeste Jones: What books are you working on now? What are your goals for 2014?

Renee Rose:  I am finishing up my edits of Humbled, a French Revolution piece and I just completed a medieval called Held for Ransom that I will be sending out for beta this week.  I have one more story to write in January and then I can take a breath and read someone else's work!

Celeste Jones: Anything else you’d like to share?

Renee Rose is a modern dance teacher, Feldenkrais Practitioner(R), energy worker and kinkster. Named Eroticon USA's Next Top Erotic Author in 2013, her books are all centered around her favorite kink: spanking. 

A lifelong writer, she has a B.A. in creative writing from Knox College, where she won the Davenport prize for both fiction and poetry, and the Lorraine Smith prize for literary criticism. She spent thirteen years in technical writing before she found a way to incorporate her deepest darkest spanking fantasies into fiction and express a part of her that longed to see the light. She is now passionate about supporting others in accepting and exploring their kink, whatever that may be.  Leave a comment and join the conversation!

Connect With Renee Rose:

Blog:  http://www.reneeroseromance.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ReneeRoseAuthor

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

Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5895073.Renee_Rose

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/reneeroseauthor/

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Renee-Rose/e/B008AS0FT0/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1358809208&sr=8-2-ent

Humbled

Sentenced to die at age eleven for stealing a pig, Jean-Claude receives an unexpected reprieve when a little aristocrat girl takes the blame instead. When the revolution sends the rabble to the girl's chateau years later, he knows he must return the favor and rescue her. As they flee through the woods he makes it clear he is not her servant. In fact, if she wishes his help, she must concede he is her master and   understand her disobedience will be punished. Intending to take her only as far as the port city Le Havre and send her off to England, the beautiful aristo inspires a fierce protectiveness in him that makes it hard to say goodbye.  

Corinne is alternately infuriated and attracted to the handsome peasant who has no qualms about turning her over his knee and spanking her bare bottom when she steps out of line. When he ends up joining her on a ship to New Orleans, their futures becoming inextricably intertwined. But can a peasant-born blacksmith and the daughter of a duc find enough common ground to make a permanent match?

Amazon 
Amazon UK

We Can Do It! Cara Bristol Gets It Done

Please welcome Cara Bristol, author, blogger, social media maven, and all around good egg. She even cooks dinner on a regular basis. How does she do it? Read on...

Celeste Jones: Are you a full time or part time writer?

Cara Bristol: Full-time. 40+ hours per week.

Celeste Jones:  What other responsibilities do you have to juggle along with writing? Children? Aging parents? Exercise? A disturbing number of pets? Critiquing for other writers?

Cara Bristol:. I have a husband and a cat at home. My elderly mother lives nearby. She doesn’t require care, just company. I do have a housekeeper who comes twice month, but other than that, I do all the housecleaning, the cooking, the errands, and anything involving paperwork (banking, taxes, paying bills, balancing the checkbook).  I also try to exercise for an hour each day.

Celeste Jones: Do you have a set schedule for when you write? ? If so, what is it?

Cara Bristol:  I’m on the computer as soon as I get up in the morning, about 5:30-6 a.m. and work until 4 p.m.  In between I take breaks to shower, have breakfast/lunch. I work seven days a week. I am a morning person, and feel I do my best writing early, so I try to write first, then do promotion.

Celeste Jones: Do you have particular productivity goals for each day or week or just go for it?

Cara Bristol:  I’m a slow writer. When I’m working on a first draft, I do a minimum of 1k every day. But often try to beat that goal because there are days when life intervenes and I can’t write.

Celeste Jones: What is a typical day (if such a thing exists) like for you?  

Cara Bristol: I hit the computer by 5:30. I check email, my blog, FB, Twitter, etc., for about an hour, then start writing. At 9 a.m, I  break to shower, have breakfast, and I’m back at the computer at 10:30. I’ll take a half hour break at 12:30 or so for lunch. I quit at 4 p.m. Between noon and 4, I try to squeeze in a 3 mile walk.

Celeste Jones:  Do you work on more than one manuscript at a time?

Cara Bristol: I have had as many as three active manuscripts in various stages (Aiyeee!!!), but I have never jumped between writing first drafts of a manuscript. I will always write one first, finish the draft, and then start the next one. But I’ve been in editing on a couple and been writing a third. I don’t like doing that, but sometimes it’s a necessity.

Celeste Jones: Do you use any special writing programs like Write or Die?

Cara Bristol: No. That sounds too techy for me. Plus, I’m a panser, not a plotter.

Celeste Jones: What about promotion? Do you have particular time when you visit blogs or use other social media? How do you monitor your time?

Cara Bristol: I check social media first thing in the morning. I almost ALWAYS swear to myself I will check just one thing and be on for just a minute, and I’m there for an hour. But I once I start writing, I stick to it for a defined amount of time. I set a timer for an hour and do not check anything during that hour. I’ll do a few quick social media checks throughout the day, then take a look before I quit at 4 pm. Only rarely do I check in the evening. That’s my time off.

Celeste Jones: What about your blog? Do you have a set schedule or just blog when the mood strikes you?

Cara Bristol:  I try to always post Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and have a snippet excerpt over the weekend. If other ideas strike me or I get guest bloggers, I might fill in a Tuesday or Thursday. I try to balance informational/entertaining blogs with promo blogs. A lot of what I post is driven by the status of my releases. I will go through periods where I have more blog ideas that I can use or have time to write and other periods where I feel I’m scraping the bottom of the barrel to come up with something.

Celeste Jones: What tips or pointers do you have to share to help others be more productive?

Cara Bristol: Set measureable goals, whether it’s word count or page count or time. Don’t check social media until you meet that goal.

Celeste Jones: What books are you working on now? What are your goals for 2014?

Cara Bristol: I’m in editing on”Major Changes,”  a short story in the DD anthology Milestones, I need to write Long Shot, a novella for the Corbin’s Bend series, which is due in March. I expect to enter editing on Breeder 2: Terran soon. I also need to finish Rod and Cane 5. And then I plan to write one more book this year, either in the Breeder or the Rod and Cane series.

Celeste Jones: Anything else you’d like to share?  

Cara Bristol: Where authors used to do book signings and readings to promote their books, they now use social media. I’ve done both and think social media is by far more effective. But it does command a lot of time. It is all about networking and being social, hence the term, “social” media.  But just because you’re schmoozing, doesn’t mean you’re wasting time. But at times you are, and the line is very fine.  It all bleeds together so sometimes you just have to set hard limits on what you will and won’t do.

Connect with Cara Bristol: 

http://www.carabristol.com

http://www.amazon.com/Cara-Bristol/e/B004D8KZTQ/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1389189496&sr=8-2-ent

https://www.facebook.com/cara.bristol.3

https://twitter.com/CaraBristol

Breeder blurb:

To secure his legacy, Commander Dak, a ruling Alpha of planet Parseon, purchases Omra, a breeder slave. He intends to impregnate her, produce a son, and hand her off to his anointed beta partner. As Dak and Omra discover a sexual bliss banned by law, he begins to question the traditions and ways of his people, causing him to jeopardize his command and endanger the life of the woman he has come to love.