Vixenwriter

You know what word I really hate? Anus. Blech. Blech. Blech! Seriously, it’s such an unsexy word. Anal is nearly as bad but for me, it also has creepy ass porn connotations. Heh, I can’t believe I just typed the words “creepy ass porn connotations.” I love my life.

Anyway - anus is icky. But what else can you say? So I stick with words that are a bit purple like “star” or “furl” or “rosette” or the ever generic but non yucky “rear passage”

But why use butt sex at all? I don’t know. I don’t use it in every book but sometimes a book and a set of characters likes it down and dirty and in every way possible.

I just wish the vocabulary was better.

Hey everyone, a scene from A Touch of Fae is the smooch of the day at Ecataromance!

If you are so inclined, there will be a chance to vote for the October smooch of the month starting November 1 which I’ll ever so kindly remind you of in November.

There’s some new content up at my website as well if you want to surf around and check it out!

So much to talk about that has nothing to do with my own writing but satisfies my need to comment on all the “big blog stories/flaps”

The Scarlet Boa issue - What I want to say most is that the way the contest is structured is going to create a situation where authors ask for votes. And why shouldn’t they? I’m not saying anyone should bribe or beg or coerce, but as an author, I see nothing wrong with telling my readers that I have a contest entry in and can they check it out and if they like it will they consider tossing a vote my way. To me, that’s just promotion. It’s how I got three books published. BTW, I do not have an entry in the SB contest.

The contest is inherently less fair with regard to the published and unpublished authors being in the same category because as someone (I think it was Dakota) pointed out, the published authors who use scenes from already published books which have been edited. Being edited really polishes your work and so there should be a difference.

I don’t think Sarah’s contest is bribery but I do love Shi and her opinions anyway. I’m just saying their names here because everyone is not saying them but both Sarah and Shi are talking about it openly and I don’t see why either of them should be ashamed to be named. Neither is doing anything wrong.

Next issue - Oh, Brenda Coulter’s post where she admonishes reviewers to be nice to romance authors because they are senstive and it’s hard to write a romance. Not to knock Brenda, she has a right to her opinion and she seems to be a very nice person, but I think it’s attitudes like this one that do a big disservice to romance as a genre.

We ALL cringe when we get a bad review. But that’s the way of the world when you put something out there for others to see. The attitude that we should get special treatment is why no one takes romance seriously. We’re all sensitive, our books are our intellectual babies. But you need a thick skin or you need to keep your books in a drawer.

Unfair reviews are one thing, asking for special treament because romance is hard to write and we’re delicate is just offensive and patronizing.

Sure it’s hard to write a book (of any genre), but so what? It’s hard to lay brick, too but there are loads of shitty contractors out there doing a bad job of it. A good review, even if it isn’t a postive one, will stick to the book - what worked and what didn’t and why. I don’t want special treatment although I do love good reviews and I’m sensitive, too.

I think Booksquare has an excellent entry on this issue that is worth a read (and Booksquare is worth a read on most days)

Agent 007’s recent entry about what she looks for when she’s in a bookstore. Now, I like her blog and I find many helpful and interesting tidbits in it but I have to say the emphasis on things which are utterly superficial like the author photo and things out of my control as an author like the cover are disturbing. Also, as a reader I can say that author blurbs are not very important to me but it’s certainly edifying to know that an industry professional looks at them with a critical eye.

Smart Bitches has a hilarious entry about 15 things that only happen in romances.

That’s about it for now.

Is it just me or does that new gay cowboy movie with Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhall look mighty tasty? Dude, if it means I get to watch these two very tasty men make out for any good portion of the movie I am so there. Add a bit of grinding, some Dude/Dude action? Oh yep, count me in!

Let me ask why hasn’t Hollywood recognized the potential of this goldmine before? No, not in a gay porn cowboy way, which is just skeezy and not very attractive. But in a high quality film, very handsome actor way.

I say now that we’ve had gay cowboys we need gay NASCAR racers and perhaps a few gay Navy SEALs. Don’t laugh! I’m serious.

In fact, I think Suz should do her next SEAL book with two very hot men. Okay, throw a woman in if you have to, I volunteer just to be patriotic and all, but I think there should be more M/M action in erotic romance, sensual romance - whatever you want to call it.

I’ll let you all know what I think when I come home from the gay cowboy movie (after I jump on my husband of course).

I am soooo very close to finishing Cascadia Wolves! I got 4k written last night and have started writing the foundation for the finale. I have one big scene to write before I do the end but it’ll all happen on the same night so I expect to be done by Friday. I love when things just sort of unclog and the writing comes like that. Some days I’m lucky to get 400 words so I’ll gratefully take 4,000.

The sex scene I wrote last night turned out really well. Sometimes they’re steamy, sometimes there’s something really deeply emotional and special about them. Last night’s interlude was the latter and I think it really creates a feeling of connection between Lex and Nina that I was aiming for. I love it when that happens.

Don’t forget, today is the last day to answer question two in my Big Big Autumn Contest! at my website. The question is on the “goodies” page so check it out.

I’m nearly done with Cascadia Wolves. I have two big scenes to write, some edits and then it’s off to my editor and I can get back to Witches Knot and then back to Dark Justice. I’m hoping to be done with the latter two projects by mid December but we’ll see how things go.

I always get antsy at the end of a book, I don’t know why. CW started as another book but I put it down for several months when I was editing and then Dark Justice bit and when I picked it up again, Nina was a different woman - funny how that works. Anyway, I like the book’s direction now. It’s basically the same as I’d envisioned it before (in January for an anthology as a novella) but more full and rounded and with more humor. I’m pleased at that.

Hopefully that magic will stay with me when I pick up Witches Knot again to expand it and get it ready to send out. I have to think up a new title (I hate that part) because EC has the title as a series title. Perhaps a good replacement title will come to me when I’m working on it.

After Dark Justice and WK, I think I’m going to either write Jayce’s story (and start a Fae series) or Minx’s story (and start a vampire series - both offshoots of the Charvez universe). Of course, we’ll see, I might end up writing Cade’s story if I need a werewolf break in the midst of all those vampires and witches.

This one is from JERR, where Mireya gives A Touch of Fae four stars and says in part: “Lauren Dane’s A Touch of Fae is the second book of her Witches Knot series. Though part of a series, the plot begins where Triad left off, and most definitely can be read as a stand alone without problems, although chances are that, if you have not read the first one yet, you will want to go back to catch up with the first one. In A Touch of Fae we get to meet a vulnerable yet strong heroine, who after years of being essentially in the shadow of her older sister, finally finds her own voice and comes to appreciate her own strengths. As to the hero, he is fae, he is gorgeous, and so into the heroine that you can’t help but feel his love for her. One thing that I have come to appreciate in Ms. Dane’s writing style is how nicely she matches the tone of the book to the characterization, particularly to the way she depicts the heroine. In this story, the love between the two main characters is drawn out beautifully, though there is a suspense subplot, what definitely draws the reader is the interaction between Em and Con and their sensual erotic encounters. I am looking forward to Ms. Dane’s future titles.”

The part about this review that I love the most is the comment about how my writing style matches the tone of the book to my characterization - it’s so thrilling to have something like that be appreciated and noted. So thank you, Mireya!

I’m continually staggered at the generous way people receive my books - staggered, flattered and deeply touched. Thank you, each and every one of you who take the time to review my books and/or to write me personally, it means so much to me and it makes this all so special.

This last ten days I’ve received some truly excellent reviews for all three of my books. Novelspot reviewed Triad and A Touch of Fae

Triad - “You’ll want to make sure you’ve got the time to read Triad in one sitting; you won’t want to put it down. There are enough magical beings, witches, wizards, and vampires, running around to keep even the most rabid fan happy. The developing relationship between Lee and Aidan, and later Lee, Aidan, and Alex, is the part that kept me reading. (…)
Ms. Dane did indeed debut with a splash with Triad and I have no doubt that she’ll keep making waves.”

TOF- “Ms. Dane has proven herself yet again with this, her second book to be published by Ellora’s Cave. I highly suggest that you keep an eye on this new star. I have a feeling she’s going to be around for a long time to come.”

Joyfully Reviewed said of SC - “Second Chances by Lauren Dane is an emotionally gripping book. It will take you on a journey of love, heart-break, and redemption. Sure, there are moments where it’s painful, but anytime the heart is involved, that’s a risk. But oh my! The rewards are great! Second Chances reaches out and grabs your heart. What a beautiful love story!”

The Romance Studio gives SC FIVE hearts! “Lauren Dane’s brilliance as an author truly shines. We knew that Jude felt confused about his feelings for Rori; being possessive, protective and jealous for the first time in his life. Now the reader can feel his pain as he denies his love for Rori to himself because of the fear of changing his personal dating and life habits and loses her, only to watch her fall passionately in love with his friend and fellow Dom, Zach.

And we fall in love with Rori and Zach Helm. The passion between them is so hot and so beautiful, that I have read passages over again and again. The love and trust reflected are so skillfully done that I can almost forget they are about fictional characters.

The growth of the man, Jude, when tragedy strikes is awesomely depicted by Ms Dane. He becomes more human and more real. I just did not want the book to end because I really have learned to love Jude and Rori. Lauren Dane has given us all some really great new friends in Zach, Jude and Rori.”

A Romance Review gives a Touch of Fae four roses: “A Touch of Fae is a spectacular follow up to Triad. Wonderfully witty, sinfully sexy, and perfectly plotted—who could ask for more?”

The Best Reviews says of Second Chances: “SECOND CHANCES by Lauren Dane is totally awesome and is the perfect title because the book is filled with second chances, from when Rori first meets up with Jude and meets Zach after their breakup to when she gets together with Jude again. Ms. Dane does an awesome job with the relationship between them. Both Zach and Jude are dominant men who are looking for a sub and Rori is the person who fits into that world.
SECOND CHANCES is a BDSM story, it is also very hot and erotic and just might fry your circuits. Also be prepared to stay up late, because I didn’t go to bed until I was through. “

The Best Reviews says of A Touch of Fae: “A TOUCH OF FAE by Lauren Dane is just as good if not better then TRIAD. Con and Em sizzle from the moment they run into each other and nothing short of death will tear them apart.

So this fabulous review of Second Chances just went live at Romance Junkies. I’m on vacation but I had to post this quickly…

RJ and Chrissy gives SC FIVE RIBBONS! I’m still stunned at what a great review this is!
Chrissy says: “SECOND CHANCES is a heart-wrenching tale that will have you taking leave from your own life and living victoriously through Rori, Jude, and Zack. Emotionally charged, this story will have you laughing, and crying and experiencing all the emotions depicted throughout the tale. I alternately cheered Rori’s determination not to be a doormat, pitied Jude for letting true love slip through his hands due to his own stupidity, and fell in love with Zack’s gentle demeanor and demanding bedroom antics. I was left with a beautiful impression of D/s relationships and the power of the feelings the partners would have for each other to obtain that degree of trust. Lauren Dane’s SECOND CHANCES is definitely a book you’ll want to make room on the keeper shelf for. The characters stay in your memory long after you finish reading and even now I tear up thinking of how bitterly sweet this powerfully moving story is.”

I also got news today that Fallen Angel Reviews has given A Touch of Fae FIVE Angels and made it a RECOMMENDED READ!

Contessa says: “Lauren Dane is back again with a fabulous sequel to Triad with A Touch of Fae. Readers if you liked Triad then you are in for a treat with A Touch of Fae. This story packs quite a punch in the action department. I found myself eagerly turning each page anticipating what would happen next. I took great pleasure in reading how Emily flourished into a daring and powerful witch once she discovered love with Con. Con brought out the best in Emily and he gave her confidence to become the passionate woman, from within. Con turned out to be all that Emily dreamed of and more – he was down-right sexy, powerful beyond belief and totally committed to her. What more could a girl ask for? Oh yeah, the sex was ultra-hot! The delicious sexual encounters between Emily and Con were extremely passionate, electrifying and very stimulating in nature. I am very delighted to bestow A Touch of Fae with five magnificent Angels and a Recommended Read. A+ to Ms. Dane!”

Yeah, even though the baby has been sick and we haven’t had our anniversary date yet, this has certainly brightened my day!