Get Seduced by C.J. Roberts, Interview And Giveaway!

For those of you that are eagerly awaiting the release 
of  the second installment to C.J. Roberts two part series The dark Duet, your wait is almost over!  There are a few of us here at S,E,R's that are extremely excited for this release.  If you haven't read the first book, Captive in the Dark, be sure to check that one out first!

Rhonda's Review of Captive in the Dark

Thessa's Review for Captive in the Dark

On August 14th 2012, S,E,R's will post an early review for Seduced In the Dark, which will also include a giveaway for 2 ebooks of Seduced in the Dark!

Coming September 1, 2012         

In February 2012 we posted an interview with C.J. Roberts. In anticipation for the upcoming release we decided to post it again. We have also posted a radio interview from 2011 courtesy of C.J. Roberts. 

Our Interview with C.J. Roberts 2/2012

Rhonda: C.J. I am very excited to have you here today. (Contains “fan girl” self)  Would you tell us a little about yourself, and when you decided to become a writer?

C.J. - You crack me up, Rhonda. “Fan girl”…indeed, lol. About me? The truth is I’m sort of weird. Or at least, I started out that way. Nah – still weird, but I embrace it now.

I grew up the oldest of seven children in a mostly-single parent home. I saw my father in the summers and on holidays. My mother struggled to raise us herself, and though we went without certain comforts from time to time, we were always rich in love.

I always felt like an outsider though. I didn’t grow up in the best neighborhood and I felt like the people outside my front door were foreign to me. My interests revolved around theatre, movies, TV, music, and books. I got made fun of a lot.

My mom encouraged me though, and I applied to better schools outside my district; my middle school was a performing arts magnet, in HS I was the president of the Thespian Society. I felt more at home there in some ways, but less so in others. Suddenly, I was surrounded by people with more money, more social standing, and more access to ‘the outside world’, and it was difficult to fit in sometimes.

So, be it at home or at school – I was always the odd one. To get through, I wrote in my journal a lot. I studied people. I kept acting and singing. You’d be surprised how easy it is to become someone else, when you don’t know who you are.

Over time I grew thicker skin; I became stronger, funnier, wittier, and smarter – probably meaner, too. In time, I became someone people wanted to follow, instead of the person always looking in on others.

But to answer your question simply: I didn’t become a writer – I’ve just always been. However, I will add that with practice I’ve gotten better and even now, I know I can still improve.

 Rhonda: I am going to be honest; I don’t read much erotica because most of them tend to lack a good story.  I was intrigued by the synopsis of your book “Captive in the Dark” and decided to pick it up.  I have read some erotica involving BDSM, but they have usually involved a sex club and introducing a woman to the lifestyle as the premise.  This book was very different; in fact it didn’t involve clubs at all.  Was Captive always the story it is today, or did it evolve as you were writing? 

C.J. - Captive definitely evolved.  It evolved with me. It was my dumping ground, the place I went to get things out of my head, to escape from things, or just to laugh. At the time, I had never intended anyone to read it.

I was tired about reading books that revolved around a formula. I was tired of reading about ‘bad boys’ who weren’t really bad or messed up people who really weren’t. But I think I mostly wanted to read about a fucked up person, falling in love with another fucked up person. Probably because, at the time, I thought I was messed up and no one would ever ‘get’ me.

So I envisioned the most fucked up couple I possibly could. LOL

Rhonda: “Captive in the Dark” is a really dark story, what was your experience like in writing this book?

C.J.- This is a super hard question and the answer is complex. It was emotional. It was liberating. It was scary and disturbing. It was my guilty pleasure (I hear Charles Dickens in my head right now =P).

Like any piece of writing that comes from your imagination – it reveals things about you. Some of what Captive revealed to me I enjoyed and some of it I didn’t. That’s all I can really say.

Rhonda: Now for Caleb, our unconventional hero of the story.   Caleb is so tortured from his past and also with his present.  He is always dealing with conflict within himself, whether from his past, his loyalty to the man who saved him, or his feelings for Livvie that he doesn’t understand.  What inspired his character?

C.J. - Shit, where to begin! Caleb is a combination of people. He’s the devil that tempts us into doing horrible things. He’s the conscience that keeps us from doing the unspeakable. He’s everybody.

If I say any more, this is going to get very boring and metaphysical. Someday when we’ve split about eight bottles of wine – I’ll hold nothing back. I’ll go full nerd on your ass Rhonda, FULL NERD!

Rhonda: C.J. there were times I found it really difficult to be in Livvie’s head.  The fact that she is so young did add to the difficulty, but you wrote her so smart, and having suffered mental abuse from her mother and the life she had lived basically made her wise beyond her years,  so there were times when I forgot she was so young.  Livvie is written in the first person POV, what was it like to write her??

C.J. - This is my first novel – ever. I don’t have any manuscripts sitting in my house. I mention this because I feel that if you were to read any author’s first work (not first published) you will find that there is a lot of reflection in the work – more honesty. Seduced in the Dark is already very different from Captive.

I tend to be very introspective, always have been. So in a way, Livvie was the easiest to write, but by far, she was less fun to write. Writing her reconnected me to old angst. Old insecurity.

CJ (Forrest) Gump says: “And that’s all I have to say about that.”

Rhonda: How did you come up with such a dark story?

My mind is a very dark place to be sometimes. I thought I’d publish and invite others into the fray.

Help me!

I’m stuck in here.

Won’t you come in and turn on the light?

Nom nom nom nom!

You have been eaten by a grue.

 Thank You C.J. for sharing with us today, and I look forward to more from you, whether it's the next Novel... Which I can't wait for!! Or chatting, and I hope you'll visit again soon! 

2011 Radio Interview KMACK

Book Trailer for Seduced in the Dark

 For those of you that haven't read the first book and want to, we are going to give away 2 ebook copies of 

Captive in the Dark (The Dark Duet Book 1)

How do you feel about dark erotica??

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Skye Warren, author spot and giveaway

We are welcoming Skye Warren to our blog today.  She is an erotica author, contemporary, and DARK.  We have read her dark erotica and have enjoyed her.  If you enjoy your erotica dark, gritty, and at times disturbing stay tuned for the excerpt, and there will be a chance for a giveaway as well. 

Please welcome Skye Warren!

Sneak Peak from Hear Me by Skye Warren

Thanks to Sam, Elena and Rhonda for hosting me at their very awesome blog today! I hooked up with them back when Rhonda reviewed Trust in Me. Hear Me, the sequel, is coming out later this August and I want to share a special sneak peak excerpt with you fine ladies. This excerpt is exclusive, for Sam, R’s and R’s Awesomeness reader eyes only. But first, here’s the blurb:

She doesn’t remember her past, only her training. She can’t talk, not that a good slave should speak out of turn. None of that matters when she wakes up in the warm, rustic room. Her new master is distant, but kind. There’s only one problem: he doesn’t want her.

Longing for the shackles of safety, she pulls from the last dregs of her will to prove her worth as a slave. It seems to be working. He responds first to her body and next to her submission. The secrets of his past haunt the cabin, fraying the tightening bond between Master and slave, but it is her own memories that may finally unravel it.

WARNING:

This book contains explicit scenes of sex, including dubious consent and captivity situations. The BDSM does not conform to literary conventions, making it sometimes more realistic, and other times not. This is a work of fiction not appropriate for anyone uncomfortable with these situations or anyone under the age of eighteen.

 This excerpt is near the beginning when she has woken up in this stranger’s home. And, go:

For as long as she could remember, which albeit wasn’t long, she had wanted to be owned. Not in the compound amid the huddle of slaves and litany of trainers, but by one Master. Now she stood on a precipice between a generic slave and one with hope. She wanted this Master.

She flipped through the ways she knew to please and placate, all of them sexual. Her body was torn to bits, not pretty or sexy right now, if it ever was. She had no feminine wiles – none. Her body was too skinny, all the trainers berated her for it. Scrawny, weak.

In a reckless burst of courage, she reached out and put her hand directly on his cock. At first it felt like nothing, just the flat stiffness of his jeans. But then, there, it jumped beneath her palm, lengthened.

This was solid ground. She could arouse him, then she would get him off. Any way he wanted it, she had probably done it before, or she could learn. He would see her value then. It wasn’t exactly obedient to grope your Master without express orders to do so. The opposite, really, but she was desperate.

He put his hand on the top of her head, not pushing her closer or away. It was sweet, his hesitation, and she thought for a moment that he would let her get away with it. God, she would do anything. Please.

He gently pushed her hand away.

She wanted to live. How pathetic.

Tears fell in hot tracks down her cheeks.

“Someone really did a number on you, didn’t they?” he asked.

At his words, she looked into his eyes. Amazingly, they were filled with something like understanding. It was probably better that she couldn’t speak then, because she would have begged for him to help her. But she didn’t deserve his benediction. She’d failed.

 “Here’s what we’re going to do.” He slid his hand around her neck, grasping her firmly from behind. She melted into the firm touch. “You’re going to sleep now. Stay off the floor. Nod for me.”

She nodded vigorously, her eyes downcast in joy.

His fingers still curled behind her neck, he swept his thumb along her cheek, then down over her neck. Back and forth, he caressed her. She stayed still, watching as her breath ruffled the dark hairs on his forearm.

He moved his thumb against her mouth, then pushed it inside. She closed her lips around it, eagerly to suck it. He tasted of salt and earth and hope. This was her chance to touch him, to please him, to show him badly she wanted this.

She swirled her tongue around the tip, worshipping his thumb like she wanted to his cock. Like she wanted to lick every part of him, if it meant she could stay. The soft wet sounds filled the room, tangling with the harsh sounds of his breathing.

She begged with the warmth and wetness of her mouth. She implored with the skill of her tongue. Every swipe promised pleasure, if only.

He pulled his hand away.

Her lips were still parted, damp from his ministrations. She stayed perched on the bed, in supplication. A bulge rounded his jeans. His nostrils flared with what she recognized as arousal.

He turned and left the room.

She stared at the door for what felt like hours, until her limbs ached and her eyelids grew heavy. No trick. She sank into the clean bed.

She caught the slight sound of crickets outside, serenading her under the window. He had been surprised to learn about her defect, but he had worked around it. Nod for me. Maybe he would keep her after all.

As you may have guessed, they have some ways to go. The slavers present an immediate danger and he’s got a tortured past, but it’s something else that will threaten everything she’s learned to hold dear. 

 Be sure to read Trust in Me before Hear Me releases. And to that end, I’m offering one free copy of Trust in Me to a commenter from below. What did you think of the excerpt? Got any hot guesses about how it’s going to go down?

Holy Hell, Meet Debra Anastasia! Birthday Bash Day 3

I read Crushed Seraphim right behind Poughkeepsie.  While both stories are vastly different, both are quite enjoyable.  Today we are posting our thoughts on Crushed Seraphim. 

ALSO.... Debra was gracious enough to spend a little time answering some questions for us,  so get ready to meet this quirky, funtabulous lady with absolutely no filter between the mind and the mouth. 

Don't forget to enter the rafflecoptor 2 winners will be chosen to win an e-copy of Crushed Seraphim.
We just love this Lady, and hope you enjoy her as much as we do!! Please welcome
Debra Anastasia! 

Hey Debra!!  We’re so excited to celebrate this special occasion with you , it’s always so much fun having you around.  *gives Debra tight hug*  

*grabsRhondaSamandElena'sasses*  Good luck getting rid of me. I can't imagine having a party without you wild girls.  

 So Debra,  Do you mind telling our fabulous followers a little about yourself,  and what inspired you to become a writer, and where your ideas come from??

Your followers are geniuses. I always love to see your blog post in my inbox.  My ideas come from my ass, of course. It's where I keep all my important things. I was inspired to write because I began telling humorous true tales on an internet forum. Connecting with people because of the gibberish  poured out of my horrible head allowed me access to a group of readers who I adore. Taking the step to fiction was a bit scarier because people would know what went on in my head and I'm weird. Once there was some positive feedback, I realized the more real I was, the more risks I took, the more engaging the story became.

One of my favorite things about your books is the strong characterization, and the humor you give to their dialogue.  I’m aware of how much of that humor reflects your own,  (When I grow up I hope I’m as funny as you! )   Which character overall is the most fun for you to write in the Crushed Seraphim series?

Please girl, you are hilarious and you know it. Jack was my very favorite because I love when the character has a lack of a filter. Emma is a very close second. I like how ballsy she is. As far as humor? A day without laughter is like a fart without noise --not funny. My grandfather always said, "If you're not having a good time it's your own goddamn fault." I never want to waste a day if I don't have to.

Now, Satan Jack…. *swoons a little*   He’s so naughty, and apparently says naughty things to you when you’re writing,  just like that devil perched on your shoulder whispering in you ear would.   Do you remember when Satan Jack first spoke to you?? 

Yes! I love that devil so much. I was writing along in Crushed Seraphim and when his character entered the storyline, I was charmed. The devil was supposed to be so, so scary. and when Emma encounters him, seduction is his super power. Temptation can maybe be worse than pain? Then Jack kept popping back up in the storyline and I looked forward to him so much.

Alright,  let’s let our hair down, and get rid of the bras now!!  (Yes Please!)

Do you let your emotions get the best of you and cry like a babe when reading a novel that tugs at your heart? If so,we want the name of the  book that can bring Ms.Debra Anastasia down to her knees *snickers*

My knees? I better move my boobs out of the way then. *flingsthemovershoulders* The last two books that slayed me totally were The Host by Stephanie Meyer and the last Harry Potter novel. I sobbed with both. I actually do not love to cry, but I do it fairly often. Not enough people know about The Host. Ms. Meyers flaunts her imagination in that book so much, my mouth was hanging open. Fantastic book. You have to get to the cave part and then you just can't put it down.

Which 3 celebrities would you most likely fantasize about on a daily basis? That excludes Johnny Depp cause we all know you can do more then cuddle with him!! LOL!

Okay, Mr. Depp is sort of a lady business pleaser, that's for sure. Is it okay to say my husband beats them all out? I'm stupid crazy about him and he is hands down the hottest guy I know. The dimples and the green eyes and he's super strong...sigh. Before I married, Johnny was the ultimate but I also had HUGE crushes on Jon Bon Jovi and Nikki Sixx. I even had their pictures in my locket. I was a sad sack.

Knowing you, this could be a never ending answer... LOL!  Tell us about one of your more embarrassing moments.

 Haha. Well, I don't even know where to start. Wal-mart comes to mind. Hmm. I think I'll do the time I tried to beat a Disney potty into submission:

 We hear the music, we smell the smells. Ahh. We love Epcot. First things first, the potty. The Jiggler (my ass) has a little problem with some Disney potties. You see, I rarely potty alone. I've mastered the two and three person potty trip. Of course, we all cram into one stall  This potty trip it's just me and my daughter.  Girlchild and I make our way in. I back The Jiggler in [beep, beep, beep] and drag her in behind me. I straddle the toilet and try to close the door. She was at the stage in her development where her head was just high enough to bang into the toilet tissue dispensers. I usually wound up cramming her head between the stall door and the dispenser, pinball style, a couple of times per trip.

Big green eyes would stare up at me in disbelief that she has to deal with a mom who has no concept of spatial relations. After we were safely locked in, I rotated the Jigger around to get the Jiggler protector (the toilet guard tissue). I carefully pluck just one (wouldn't want to be wasteful). Gently and daintily I lay the Jiggler protector down. The toilet is competitive, just like the spider at the car wash. The toilet feels I shouldn't be a wimp and I should just lay the bare Jiggler down. "Toughen up" the toilet thinks and then it sucks my Jiggler protector down with enough force to render me nude if I were standing closer. Girlchild screams and holds her ears.

 "The flush is too loud," she wails.

 In a frenzy to find a safe harbor, she winds up bouncing between the Jiggler and the stall door. "Well," I think, "I'll try this again. Because I like to win. I want to beat the potty at its own game." I lay the protector down, nicey nice, and the middle falls in, sets off the super sensitive sensor and… sonic boom flush. Girlchild is now a little leery of sitting on this insatiable monster that eats the Jiggler protectors so ferociously. What will it do with her teeny, tiny hiney? I'm totally unaware of my daughter's concerns. It's me verses the potty. I break out the ultimate weapon. 

The bare Jiggler.

If I can move fast enough, I can hold that protector in place. I'll anchor it down and show that potty who's boss. The potty has had a lot of practice. I moved as quick as lightening. Place the protector, swing the Jiggler around, knock into girlchild, who bounces into the toilet tissue dispenser… again. I'm almost there; the bare Jiggler will be safe from all the germs of the 100 gazillion women that have done their business before me. I hear a high pitched whine I'm not fast enough. My plan will not work. The potty sucks down its favorite treat, for a third time. The Jiggler's not a fast enough anchor…To add insult to my bruised ego and germs to the germs I now get to wear, like a nasty accessory all day long, I get the the "finishing touch." That splash of ice cold potty water.

"Aggh!" I let out a little scream.

Big green eyes are watching this whole show. Hands covering ears. In her sweet little head, that potty just took a bite of the Jiggler and Mommy was getting sucked down next. She waits. Now, it's her turn. She bangs her head one more time against the t.p. dispenser in a futile effort to render herself unconscious and avoid being sucked down by the Jiggler protector eating, sonic booming, auto-flushing potty. She's unsuccessful and she's up next. I did what all good moms do. I bribed her. With toys, treats and ponies.

She's still not crazy about loud flushes.

 Quickie Q & A

What are you currently reading?  ( or read most recently ) 

I just finished the fifth fever series book and now for a little break, I'm reading Laura Kaye's Forever Freed.

Favorite food? Chocolate

Do you own sexy underwear??  ( No not the kind that are comfortable, and come to the belly button.) 

You dissing my grannie panties? haha. Um, yes I do own a few pairs that I would rip off no matter where I was if I had a risky fart.

If your life was a song, which would it be??  

In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel. The more exciting version with the harmony guys.

Edward or Jacob?? Both. Of course.

Debra, Thank you so much for chatting with us!!!  We just love you so much, and look forward to your next visit!!!
*sloppy kisses and cops a feel*

*grabbyhands* Thank you all so much for playing with me! I'm so damn lucky and glad we all have come know each other in the biblical sense. XOXO

Crushed Seraphim By Debra Anastasia

What a FUN book!!

I have determined that Debra Anastasia is going to tell me an incredibly entertaining story, whether she’s writing the love story of a homeless man, and his completely dysfunctional brothers, or in this case a story of good and evil colliding and finding an unexpected love.

Emma is a seraph who has been sent to earth as Jason’s Christmas Angel. Emma’s job is to show Jason, who is a half-breed vampire his self-worth. Heaven has an aversion to the half-breed vampires, and apparently Emma does too. Quickly Emma finds that Jason actually has some humanity about him, and is very kind, and quite sexy too. Along with trying to accomplish this task of Jason, she is trying to figure out how to save God, who is trapped in Hell. While God is trapped, and Emma is occupied, there is betrayal from another seraph brewing. Emma goes on quite a journey in this story. Starting with getting herself thrown into Hell, where she meets Satan Jack, who exudes irresistible sex appeal. Jack is licking a major wound that is hundreds of years old, which is responsible for landing him in Hell as Satan. Jack is quite lonely in spite the string of women that end up in his bed. That is until Emma lands in Hell, and Satan Jack’s heart finds something he thought was forever lost. As Emma’s journey goes, she starts to warm toward Jack, as she comes to know that there is still a good soul inside of him. When Emma makes the ultimate sacrifice, those who she has touched rally to try and save her.

I don’t like to give up too much of the story, because the reader unfolding the details is the most enjoyable part of reading. As I said, Emma goes on quite a journey, from seraph, to human, to sap sucking vampire, to a seraph again, and back to human. The ride in between was so much fun, and there were moments that I felt my heart ache. I got really caught up in the story when Jason was telling Emma about his past, and I just hung on for the rest of the ride. The characterization is exactly what I expect from Debra Anastasia; sweet, funny, witty, courageous, sexy, loyal, and foul mouthed. I can not wait for the next book!!

Debra Anastasia, I adore your storytelling, and I can’t wait for you to tell me another one!!

Grace's Thoughts

I had no idea what I was getting into when I started reading Crushed Seraphim. It wasn't until a few chapters in when I realized that the reader was going to get a taste of this author's more comedic work, which delighted me beyond belief! Where in the world did Ms. Anastasia came up with this imaginative and creative story where a bad angel runs havoc in heaven and where you will find compassion for the devil? There is suspense, action, moments where I busted out laughing, and even a love triangle. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this story! I very much look forward to the sequel.

GIVEAWAY!!!

Debra is giving away a copy of crushed Seraphim , Winners choice of ecopy format. 
 Crushed Seraphim, one per day, so stop back by and visit, meet Satan Jack, and celebrate with us!! 

Don't forget to visit Debra's site for the grand prize!

Debra Anastasia

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Meet Satan Jack From Crushed Seraphim! Birthday Bash Day 2

 We are celebrating the second day of the Crushed Seraphim Birthday Bash with Debra Anastasia!!
 Satan Jack, From Crushed Seraphim by Debra Anastasia came to visit. Let's see how this turned out....

He’d been here before. The ladies had been asleep, of course, and Satan Jack had indulged in his favorite drug. When the smoke left the end of his cigarette, it acted as his fingertips, brushing gently against the smooth skin of the unconscious women.

His sinful lips had lifted in a smirk when he realized they’d passed out after drinking together and having what looked like a pillow fight. So cliché, and yet so fucking sexy. Jack had wondered what Sam, Elena, and Rhonda dreamed about as the gray tendrils stroked their bare thighs.

Tonight would be different. Jack had three bottles of his best wine and one half-empty bottle of rum. He’d be celebrating tonight. He hit the door with a knuckle and waited. As the three temptresses answered, he bit his bottom lip.

They made delightfully happy noises—perfect muses for his dick. “Ladies.”

Rhonda slipped forward and reached for a bottle. She grazed a hand boldly against the front of his pants. “Whoops! Sorry for grazing the goods.”

Jack gave her a full smile, his white teeth tempting her, no doubt. “That’s okay baby, most girls mistake my cock for a giant wine bottle.”

Elena giggled. “I’ll toast to that!”

The night’s tone was set, and Jack was relieved. He could do playful and sexy for hours.

Sam told jokes, Elena took pictures, and Rhonda kept leaning in for elaborate hugs. He almost felt famous. After all the bottles were empty and their cheeks hurt from laughing, the four sprawled out on the couches.

Sam broached the topic first. “So, how’s Debra?”

He tried to ignore her by lighting up another smoke.

Rhonda wouldn’t let it go. “She says she’s finished with the sequel. Was it good?”

Jack put his cigarette in his mouth and tied his hair off his face with one of his leather bracelets. It was a messy job, but he was stalling for time.

For three ladies who had put away enough alcohol for a handful of truckers, they were alarmingly coherent.

Elena came over and sat in his lap. “Don’t be scared. We’ll go easy on you.”

Jack snickered. “I sure as shit hope you girls are horrifyingly rough with me. No mercy whatsoever.”

They did that pleading thing with their eyes, and three gorgeous women did him in. Broke him quicker than any torture. Maybe it was the high ratio of vaginas to penis.

He sighed. “I’m not sure. She hasn’t let me read it yet.”

The ladies made sympathetic noises.

“The few parts I’ve seen scare the testes out of me. I’m more naked in it than anything else, and I was kissing a dude at one point.” He inhaled deeply and exhaled as he watched them try to avoid giggling at this revelation.

“You were kissing a man?” Sam tilted her head and seemed to be trying to picture it.

“Don’t even.” He gave her what he thought was a threatening stare.

It obviously had no effect because she flat out laughed when Rhonda asked, “Did she put you in pigtails for that scene?”

Jack rubbed his forehead and rolled his eyes.

Elena stopped laughing long enough to offer some condolences. “Usually that can get a girl going—I’m just saying.”

“Either way, it wasn’t what I was hoping for. The naked? Fine. But I need to know what happens with Emma.” He stubbed his cigarette out in the bottom of his moist rum glass.

“Come on,” said Rhonda. “You live in Debra’s head. We know her pretty well at this point. She won’t shred your love.”

“Really?” He stood, agitated. “Have you read Poughkeepsie?” The ladies nodded. “One word for you: Mouse. Still trust her?”

Elena bit her finger while she thought, which made Jack growl.

“Well, she gave us an excerpt!” Sam broke in. “Do you want to read it with us?”

“I’ve seen that one. It doesn’t even talk about Emma.” He began pacing. The sequel wouldn’t be released until Fall 2012. He had forever to wait.

Rhonda opened her laptop. “This is a different one.” She scanned the screen. “And it’s got Emma written all over it. You want a piece of this?” She set the computer between her legs and gave him a sassy air kiss.

Jack made it a point not to run. He walked slowly until he could kneel between Rhonda’s legs. “I’ll take whatever you’re offering.”

Elena slipped under his arm so she could read, and Jack made way for Sam as well.

EXCERPT:

“Our Father which art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done…”  Emma’s voice was just a small whisper, and the sound of it echoing off the cement walls made her feel more alone.

She tried to remember who she was, what she was. “What I still am,” she said aloud. She held her arms and legs tightly to her body. The floor was alarmingly cold. It was cold for any floor, but particularly harsh considering Emma was in Hell.

“I’m an angel in Hell. I have a purpose. I have people I love. I have a purpose.” She took a breath to steady herself. Then she tried again, “Our Father which art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name...”

If she wasn’t so dehydrated, she might have teared up. The prayer was one of the first things she’d learned as a young girl. Soon after learning her name, Emma knew how to say the Lord’s Prayer. The lack of those words in her mind was a defeat.

Emma was in her worst nightmare: the Hell hallway designed specially for her by Jack, the previous Devil. As innocuous as the simple hallway looked, it was filled with traitorous internal plagues, separated only by slender respites from the exhausting, painful tortures. Right now she was between anger and confusion.

Perhaps it was the air next to her, which was laced with confusion, that had stolen the soothing words from her mind.

Her mind. Such a simple thing to take for granted. She never knew it could be attacked from within. After Everett had tossed Emma into the hallway, she’d panicked. She’d wanted to be a strong, fearless crusader for right. So much for wishes.

Emma sat up as carefully as she could, desperately wanting to avoid a bout with the traps so close on either side of her. She stretched her back, wishing she still had her angel wings. Surely she could shield herself and her mind by tucking them tightly around her body like a feather-covered shroud.

The only remnants of her Heavenly decorations were two silver lightning bolt tattoos, or at least that’s what she guessed. There was no mirror. Anyway Emma felt it was best not to see her reflection. She judged herself harshly as it was. No need to see her gray eyes staring their agony and loss back at her.

Emma grabbed fistfuls of the short, flouncy skirt on the French maid’s costume she’d been forced to wear, trying to keep her elbows close at her sides. The power in the air on either side was very tangible.

Emma needed more gumption to try to escape. She looked at the gaping exit, seemingly so close. But where to go? When an angel (okay, former angel) is sentenced to one thousand years in Hell, she has a certain desire to see her sentence to the end, follow the rules. Even if the rules hurt every second of her existence.

Everett had left her in disgust, and she hadn’t seen him since. Which was good, although probably bad in the long run. She remembered how her ruffled panties had stayed stubbornly in place when he’d tried to force himself on her. It had infuriated him and confused her. Did she have someone or something on her side here in Hell? She tried again. “Our Father which art in…” The words scrambled from her grasp. “Damn it.”

“Who arts in something? I always thought that was the most bullshitty of prayers they fed us.” Everett walked through the doorway, exuding cocky arrogance. “Are you trying to remember the words to that one? Still a believer after all you’ve been through, Emma?”

She hated that she started shaking when she saw him. She was scared of him, and not only was it embarrassing, she felt shamed by it. Everett bit his bottom lip, trying to hold back his huge grin at her obvious fear. He was unsuccessful.

“Not talking? That’s okay. I don’t need you to talk,” he said. “As long as you can grab your ankles, we’ll be fine.” He began to unbutton his silk pajama shirt.

Emma wanted to look away—to at least deny him her attention if she could deny him nothing else—but she watched him like she would a poisonous spider. His chest was sculpted with muscle. He took a step forward with every button he unfastened.

Emma squirmed and closed one eye. This man was the Devil. He had everything, anything at his disposal in this damned place. Her flimsy panties would not shield her for much longer.

Everett untied his pajama bottoms and inched the fabric down slowly. The muscles below his hips were defined in what seemed like a promise of horrible things. “You can’t wait to see my goodies. I know, good things will come in those who can’t get away.” Everett took another step closer, just inches from the Hell hallway entrance.

The first trap in the hallway assaulted him as he stepped into it, and he instantly backed up. “What the fuck was that?” Everett pointed at the space in front of him.

Emma almost smiled. “That? That first one’s hunger. It’s the easiest one because hunger moves you forward in search of prey. The second? That’s depression. That one’s a bitch.”

He sputtered with anger. “But, but I’m the Devil. I can go anywhere!”

“Try again. It’ll give me something to watch.” Emma shrugged.

Rejection, with a tinge of fear, created a lace pattern of dismay on his face.

He tried numerous things to get to Emma: throwing a rock, which bounced off the air in front of him like a wall and hit him in the head. He tried running with a large pole he’d dug up from somewhere. It cracked in half, and the pointy end stabbed him in the balls.

He paced back and forth like a caged tiger, snarling at Emma whenever they made eye contact. Finally, as if they were having a conversation instead of experiencing his cascading failures, he demanded, “Well, just come over here then.”

Emma shook her head.

Everett tried pointing and snapping. He tried closing his eyes and concentrating.

Emma gave him the finger.

“I will get in there. You probably know better than anyone the crap I have access to in here. If I have to tear this place apart, I’ll get to you.” Everett pointed again.

Emma rubbed her forehead. It had been days, maybe weeks, since she had a drink of water, a bite to eat. She’d be dead if she were a human on earth, but a human in Hell wasn’t granted the freedom of death.

She tried to pull her long blond hair out of her face, but gave up when her elbows came close to the traps and let it tumble around her shoulders. “I hope your blue balls poison you.” Emma looked at her feet, fairly confident that she was out of his grasp, for now.

Everett crouched down to deliver his next promises. “When I can finally lick your face? Do you know what I’m going to do next?”

The sounds of Hell seeped in around his words. She looked over her shoulder, and he wiggled his tongue at her.

“Um, stick your Smurf nuts in some panties just like these and put heels on?” She tried to hold his gaze as she pointed to her underwear.

His face contorted into a very convincing mask of evil. “You think you’re sassy, but you’ll pay for every word with screams. Every insult with blood. I’m going to chain you by the neck to my ankle for at least a hundred years. You’ll lick my feet clean. I’ve so much time to play with. This hallway is just a speed bump. You should fear every moment.” He stood, and her new best friend, fear, crowded into her heart again.

*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*

Jack’s hands shook as he finished reading the last sentence. The ladies looked apprehensive. He couldn’t let them see his overwhelming concern, so with one quick snap, all three fell asleep, gorgeous in their carefree slumber.

Jack printed a copy of the excerpt to take back to Hell with him. He’d read it over and over and try to analyze how Debra Anastasia would bring Emma’s story to fruition. He’d torture the ending out of her if he had to.

With a quick wink he planted orgasmic dreams of him in each lovely lady’s head, grabbed the empty bottles, and locked the door behind him. In the morning they’d think it’d all been a dream. 

Don't forget to visit Debra's blog for the grand prize!! 

Debra Anastasia 

To win an e-copy of Crushed Seraphim!! 

Enter the Rafflecoptor, 2 more copies to giveaway!

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Crushed Seraphim by Debra Anastasia Celebrates 1 year! Day 1

 
Debra Anastasia is celebrating Crushed Seraphim's one year in publication, 

and we are very excited to celebrate this with her.  Over the next three days

Debra will share the SEXY Satan Jack with you.  If you haven't had the pleasure 

of reading Mrs. Anastasia, she is an incredibly fun lady, and it comes through

in her writing.  We hope you are inspired to pick up one of her books if you haven't , and if you're already a fan,  enjoy !!  There will be a giveaway as well, and 3 lucky winners will walk 

away with their very own e-copy of Crushed Seraphim.  

Please welcome the wonderful, sweet, and very funny Debra Anastasia!! 

One Holy Hell

Crushed Seraphim is One Holy hell of a year old! It’s been one year since I stayed up all night to watch my debut novel go live. When it finally popped up on Amazon, I peed my pants a little. I never knew I wanted to be an author, but holding that book was a huge tearjerker for me. I wrote this story as a way to tell the tale of a woman that was a cursing, smart-mouthed nightmare who also happened to have the courage to save the world. It was book one in the Seraphim Series and the conclusion, Bittersweet Seraphim, will be dropping in Fall 2012.

There was definitely a stand out gentleman from this book. His name is Satan Jack and in my head? He looks just like Johnny Depp. Jack even has his own Twitter (@Satan_Jack ) where he flirts with readers! He’s staked a claim in quite a few panties since his unveiling and he’s proud.

 Here’s the summary:

How does a foul-mouthed angel end up as the last hope for all of Heaven and Earth?

When Seraph Emma is maimed and tossed from Heaven by a rogue angel who's taken charge, she fears she'll never be allowed to return. Tasked with the impossible job of showing the self-loathing (and not even human!) Jason his worth, Emma is sure she's doomed to fail.

Meanwhile, having wormed his way into Heaven, the corrupt Everett has trapped God in Hell and has designs on unleashing evil everywhere. Fortunately, if there's one thing Emma can't do (in addition to minding her language), it's give up. Determined to save Jason and get back to Heaven-even if it means going to Hell-Emma's plan is simple yet impossible: trick the Devil to save God.

What she doesn't count on is the devotion and, well, humanity she finds in Jason; the spirit, hidden compassion, and raw sex appeal within the Devil; and the vulnerability of her own heart. With the help of two unlikely allies, she'll wage the battle for Heaven. But will Emma be sidetracked by a new sort of heaven along the way?

What's truly more dangerous? Falling from Heaven, or falling in love?

Debra Anastasia has twisted a fast-paced tale of intimate relationships with literally universal impact. Rich with humor and electrified by attraction, this novel offers a playfully off-beat take on the good and evil that make up the world.

Here’s the trailer (featuring music by the insanely talented Ron Pope)

 This One Holy Hell of a birthday party is being held from May 24^th-26^th and there are many chances to win a prize.

On this blog, leave a comment. One of the commenters will win an eCopy of Crushed Seraphim in the format of their choice.

On my blog,  http://debraanastasia.blogspot.com/ you can enter to win the grand prize and don’t forget to visit the ladies here at Sam, E and R Awesomeness for an excerpt from Bittersweet Seraphim and a visit from our favorite devil. Looking for a home are two print, signed copies of my books! Poughkeepsie will come with a matching set of temporary tattoos and crystal bracelet. Crushed Seraphim will come with an angel themed crystal bracelet and an exclusive fifteen-minute gChat with Satan Jack! That’s right, you can ask him anything.

So thank you to Sam, Elena and Rhonda for letting me flash my goods here on this site today. Feel free to check out www.DebraAnastasia.com for more information on Crushed Seraphim.

GIVEAWAY!!!

  We will select one commenter from each of the 3 posts for this celebration to win the e-book. That's Right!  Debra is going to give away 3 e-copy's of Crushed Seraphim, one per day, so stop back by and visit, meet Satan Jack, and celebrate with us!!  We would love it if you are a follower, but it is not required.  So be creative!!  ;)

Don't forget to visit Debra's site for the grand prize! 

*Please include your email address in your comment if it's not attached to your blogger account*

S.E.R's Welcomes Sylvia Day!! Author Spot and Giveaway!

I recently read my first Sylvia Day book, and it was Bared to You.  Let me tell you, it was absolutely DELICIOUS!!  5 of the 6 of us ladies here at S.E.R's have read this scrumptious treat and we all loved it! In fact it received 5 out of 5 stars from all of us. 

As I stated in my review, it wouldn't be my last.  I went right into Seven Years to Sin, and it was FANTASTIC!  It's a historical romance, that is beautifully written, and had everything I love, lovable characters, a great story, and very steamy hot. 

So, we were all pretty stoked when Sylvia Day agreed to stop in and share with us, and you.  She has also put together a very generous giveaway for you all. I'll admit I'm kinda jealous.

                               Please welcome Sylvia Day! - Rhonda

Sylvia Day: http://www.sylviaday.com/

 I’ll be honest. I’m the worst person to ask about my books. I can’t describe them or really do them justice. After all, it took me 100K + words to tell the story in the first place. :)

I’m also terrible at answering the question, “Where do you come up with your ideas?” I never have a clue. What usually happens is that a scene will pop into my head and I’ll end up writing a whole book around that one snippet. I couldn’t tell you where the scene snippet came from (although I can tell you where I was at the time it came to me--usually in the shower or while driving!). I’m always envious of authors who have fabulous stories about their inspiration and the birth of their stories.

All that said, I can tell you where BARED TO YOU started, because it began with another book of mine, SEVEN YEARS TO SIN.

SEVEN YEARS TO SIN is a Regency-set historical that tells the love story of two abuse survivors. Jessica is the survivor of child abuse so vicious she bears physical scars and is deaf in one ear. Alistair was emotionally abused and turned to prostitution as a way to survive and establish value for himself. For numerous reasons, I wasn’t able to delve into the aftereffects of abuse as deeply as I would’ve liked, so I continued to think about Alistair and Jessica after I turned the manuscript in to the publisher. For months afterwards, all through the end of 2010 and early 2011, I thought about how I’d expand upon the story if I could. I realized the historical time period had limitations I didn’t want to work within, so in my mind’s eye I transplanted Jessica and Alistair to modern-day New York.

Eagle-eyed readers of both books may notice that Gideon and Eva look remarkably like Alistair and Jessica. That’s because at the time I started BARED TO YOU, it was still Alistair and Jessica I was thinking of. Some things translated over--Gideon is a self-made wealthy man, just like Alistair; Eva is affluent and attends balls/galas, because Jessica was a peeress in her time; Eva and Jessica are both twenty-four. However, Gideon is twenty-eight while Alistair was twenty-two, because there’s no way Eva would’ve looked twice at a twenty-two year old man! There are other correlations that built the framework of BARED TO YOU, but you get the idea.

I started writing. (Or re-writing, as the case may be.) But a funny thing happened as the story unfolded. It took on a life of its own--it took on Eva’s life. She’s such a vibrant woman that she quickly assumed control of the storytelling. I’d begun the story in my usual third-person point of view, but I kept slipping into Eva’s voice. (Or Eva’s voice slipped into me!) I had to stop writing and reevaluate. What was happening?
It became clear that Alistair and Jessica’s story was complete the way it was. They were in love and happily married, and had absolutely no desire to have their story hijacked by a doppelganger couple. Besides, the new story I was writing was darker and completely its own.

So while BARED TO YOU’s genesis was in SEVEN YEARS TO SIN, they aren’t the same story at all nor do they have the same characters. Gideon and Eva are far more deeply damaged. Their pasts were brutal and their love for each other is totally unique to them.

Bared to you Review 

Sylvia Day has put together a very generous giveaway. 

She has included for two lucky winners:

1. A signed copy of Seven Years to sin, and to this winner S.E.R.'s will throw in a ebook copy of Bared to You (Kindle or Nook)

2. An ebook copy (Nook or Kindle) of Seven Years to Sin

and a Romantic Times tote with multi-author promo swag, and some books. 

*Please note: By entering the Rafflecoptor, you must be willing to give us your mailing address if you are selected as the winner.

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Jean Murray-Guest Spot!

Today we are very pleased to welcome Jean Murray, to our blog. Jean is the very talented author of the “Soul Reborn” series, and we have been lucky enough to have her happily join us on our blog today. So without further ado, I give you....

Jean Murray.

Dirty little secrets….
I re-tweeted a quote the other day that I think is so true…

We all have three faces: the one we show to the public,the one we show to our family/friends and the one we keep secret.  Well,it wouldn’t be much fun blogging about how everyone else sees you, right? Okay,maybe, but it’s those dirty little secrets we keep hidden that make things interesting.Not only for us but the characters we read about in novels.

Whether the novel is written in first or third person, the author gives you an inside kaleidoscope of the hero’s or heroine’s soul. None of the other characters in the book can see this dark place but you,the reader.  Secrets he or she will reveal only to you.

This secret place they keep hidden influences their behavior and reaction towards others.  Long suppressed memories, trauma or sinfully guilty pleasures that the hero/heroine feels are outside the social norm and/or are uncomfortable revealing -- even to those they trust.  As readers, we have the inside ticket to their wants, desires and not so nice thoughts.It makes for a wickedly delicious hero, heroine or villain.

This is what I love about my Underworld gods in the Key to the Cursed Series. In Egyptian Mythos the Underworld gods are benevolent—mostly. The other half, well, let’s just say it’s dark and dangerous.Despite their good intentions, their cursed other-half craves things beyond the normal.They do their best to control it, but of course the heroines test their resolve.They consume, but what they give back will make your heart stutter.

So what is Asar’s dirty little secret?  Or should I say secrets?  

Asar is the God of the Underworld in Soul Reborn. Despite him being a god, he’s male and he’s soulless.Okay, not that those two attributes go together—well maybe. LOL! His dirty little secret invited the wrong goddess into his life and into his bed. Needless to say the bitch stole his soul, leaving him with a dark shell of hatred and vengeance.Does he tell Lilly about this secret? Hell, no. Does she find out? Hell, yeah!!! But don’t let Lilly fool you,she has her own secrets.*Duct tape over mouth* I’ll never sell another sister out.


At some point in the book, these secrets come to the surface and make great conflict. Will the hero or heroine accept them for who and what they really are? As a reader and writer, I start rooting for the characters to make the right choice, put their neck out there and let the chips fall where they may. Because if we truly love someone,we accept all of them—the good,the bad and the dirty little secrets.
What is your dirty little secret? Or your friends,ahem…Share if you dare, no judgments will be weighed here. Or is there another character’s dirty little secret you wish to share?


I want to thank Sam, Elena, and Rhonda for having me over for a visit. If you haven’t seen Elena’s review of Soul Reborn, check it out HERE.

Jean Murray was born and raised in a small town on the east coast. In her pursuit of a nursing degree, she aspired to see the world and joined the Navy. One of the benefits of her membership in the Armed Forces, she has had the opportunity to travel and live in different parts of the world and the United States. Her travels abroad have given her the opportunity to experience different cultures. It inspired her to delve into Ancient Egyptian myths and legends for her Key to the Cursed series from Crescent Moon Press.
 
Authors Home Page
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Key to the Cursed Series Trailer:

THE HUMAN REALM, HIS BATTLEFIELD.

 Asar, the Egyptian God of the Underworld, has been tortured and left soulless by a malevolent goddess, relegating him to consume the very thing he was commissioned to protect. Human souls. Now an empty shell of hatred, Asar vows to kill the goddess and anyone involved in her release, but fate crosses his path with a beautiful blonde huntress who has a soul too sweet to ignore.

DEADLY SECRETS BETTER LEFT UNEARTHED. 

Lilly, fearless commander of the Nehebkau huntresses, is the only thing standing in the way of the goddess' undead army unleashing hell on earth. But Lilly has a secret—one she is willing to sell her soul to keep. If the Underworld god discovers her role in the dig that released the goddess, she will lose everything, including his heart.
Soul Reborn Trailer:

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