Winners for the More Than Just A Kiss Blogfest and The 13th Floor Collection cover reveal giveaway

Thank you to everyone who participated in the MORE THAN JUST A KISS Blogfest. It was awesome. So many great entries. Even more so, each kiss was so very different. Some made me laugh, others had me sighing or fanning myself, and a few made my eyes watery. These were more than just kisses.

My most marvelous fellow judges - Cecilia Robert, Kyra Lennon, Laurelin Paige - and I had a tough time picking the winners. We all have different tastes, but there are three that stood out.

Here are our top three:

Our first place winner of a critique (not exceeding ten pages) from Cecilia, Kyra, and I is

L.G. KELTNER!

Our second place winner of a critique (not exceeding five pages) from Laurelin and I is

MICHELLE WALLACE!

Our third place winner of a one page critique from Cecilia and I is

ADRIANNE RUSSELL!

Congratulations, ladies! An email has been sent your way.

But wait! We have some bonus prizes to give out. Each of us judges have picked one entry to win our bonus prizes. Here they are!

Laurelin's pick to win FIXED ON YOU:

ROE!

Cecilia's pick to win TRULY MADLY DEEPLY YOU and REAPER'S NOVICE.:
ALEX TANNER!

Kyra's pick to win IF I LET YOU GO:

SUMMER ROSS!

My pick to win all six volumes of The 13th Floor series:

SHAH WHARTON!

Congratulations to you all!

And thank you again to every participant. Every single scene was great.

Now on to the winners of my cover reveal giveaway!

A huge thank you to everyone that helped introduce The 13th Floor Complete Collection to the world.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congratulations to the winners!

Emails have been sent your way.

Join the More Than Just A Kiss Blogfest

Sweet, sizzling, fiery, awkward, mind-blowing. We want to read your kissing scenes.

 

The rules are simple:

1. Sign up on the linky list and post the badge on your blog.

2. On one of the days of the week of September 9th, post a kissing scene on your blog. It can be either fiction or non-fiction.

3. Please do not exceed 250 words.

4. This is a blogfest, so visit the other participants and have fun!

But wait! This is more than a blogfest.

We're offering prizes!

The scenes will be judged by these amazing romance authors: Cecilia Robert, Laurelin Paige, Kyra Lennon, and Christine Rains. (Hey, that's me!) We will choose three posts to win these awesome prizes.

Prize 1 - A critique of a kissing/intimate scene from your WIP (not exceeding ten pages). Critiques will be done by Cecilia Robert, Kyra Lennon, and Christine Rains.

Prize 2 - A critique of a kissing/intimate scene from your WIP (not exceeding five pages). This critique will be done by Laurelin Paige and Christine.

Prize 3 - A critique of a kissing/intimate scene from your WIP (not exceeding one page). This critique will be done by Cecilia and Christine.

BONUS PRIZES:
Cecilia, Kyra, Laurelin, and I will each choose one of our favorites to give out some fantastic ebooks.
Cecilia – TRULY MADLY DEEPLY YOU and REAPER'S NOVICE.
Kyra - IF I LET YOU GO
Laurelin - FIXED ON YOU
Christine – All six volumes of the 13th Floor series.

 

SIGN UP HERE!

 

My kiss today comes from 1302 - THE ALPHA.

“You did it without a thought of yourself. That’s what a pack truly does for each other. You might be a lone wolf, but you’ve done more for me than anyone in a long time.” Her thumbs ran along his jaw, feeling the light growth of stubble.

A rough yet quiet sound reverberated in his chest. James' hands remained by his sides. Body tense and eager under her, he made no move to turn this into something more. He wanted to, she had no doubt about that, but he held himself back. His control and respect amazed her.

“It was the right thing to do.” He swallowed. His nostrils quivered and his lips parted slightly.

Stefanie couldn’t help herself any longer. Her mouth mashed to his. No sweet first kiss. She was never that type of girl. She was fire and passion, hot right from the start.

Her hands held his head in place, but slid up so she could play with his hair. Soft and thick, reminding her of silken down. Tongues twined and teeth clinked. Her hips pressed down and his answered, rubbing up. Too many layers of clothing between them for her, but they couldn’t contain the heat from the friction as it seared up through her body.

James murmured her name as he ran his hands up her thighs to rest on her rear. Fingers dug in and pulled her harder against him. She growled her approval and nipped at his lower lip.

Join me tomorrow for the 13th Floor Collection cover reveal!

More Than Just A Kiss Blogfest continues and Sacrifice HER cover reveal

At the first kiss I felt
Something melt inside me
That hurt in an exquisite way
All my longings, all my dreams and sweet anguish,
All the secrets that slept deep within me came awake,
Everything was transformed and enchanted
And made sense.
~Hermann Hesse

Have you joined the blogfest yet?

All it takes is one kiss.

One scene to be entered to win great prizes.

READ THE RULES AND SIGN UP HERE!

My kiss today comes from 1303 - THE DRAGONSLAYER.

Xan breathed out, forcing his overly tense muscles to relax. This just might work. The odds were stacked against him, but if he could manage to get in without sounding an alarm, he might be able to save the girl.

“Thank you.” He wanted to stuff Lois back in the car. Every bit of him screamed to keep her safe. This was no place to make a scene, though.

Lois grabbed him by the collar of his fireproof black jacket and yanked him to her. Her mouth mashed against his. Supple and hard, hot and desperate. There was a hint of caramel from her coffee on her lips to add a bit of sweetness to a kiss that was anything but. An electric tingling raced from his ears to his toes, and a rush of adrenaline that had nothing to do with the mission ahead.

He didn’t realize he was kissing her back until she pulled away. Lois made a small sound, something between pleasure and frustration.

“Good. Now I’m flushed. I look much more drunk. It’s been four minutes.” She ran her hands through her hair, but it only looked more tussled. She hitched up her skirt a few inches. Her long legs pale and gorgeous in the moonlight. “Good luck.”

Lois winked at him and wobbled down the sidewalk before he could gain enough sense to grab her.

The day has finally come. Time to reveal the cover of Sacrifice HER. Be amazed. 

Title: Sacrifice HER by Sheena-kay Graham
Goodreads: Sacrifice HER
Release Date: December 2013

Summary: When a city is at stake is the life of one sixteen-year old girl worth risking thousands? Deidra Moore goes on the run after escaping from a group of human sacrifices for Bane: God of War. She doesn't believe he exists and sees uncertainty in the scorching desert as a better alternative. But Faux City isn't finished with her and their leader Lord Brinn is ordered by Bane - through one of his maiden worshipers- to bring her back or face dire consequences. In the desert Deidra meets a wanderer named Kane and as feelings spark can they find a safe place to lead a new life before Lord Brinn and his soldiers catch up with them? Yet the question remains. Does Bane really exist and if he does what will happen if either side succeeds or fails? Told in alternating perspectives of both the runaway servant girl and the blonde strong willed leader.

 Author Bio: Sheena-kay Graham was never meant for a traditional job behind a desk. Her childhood career plans included becoming a ballerina, actress or someone who helped people. So naturally she decided to be a writer who writes from her bed. Yes, no desk for this Jamaican book lover. No matter if it’s reading, writing or using the computer....you get the gist. The love of the written word has always been with her leading to stories, novels, poetry and way too much fan fiction. This Christian woman can be found trolling Amazon online, in local book bookstores, watching movies on the big screen, or in her bed, or reading/writing/on the laptop...again in her bed. Mainly writes YA fiction and is ready to unleash her creativity to wow the masses.
 

Links

Website: http://queendsheena.blogspot.com/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5448863.Sheena_kay_Graham

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/queendsheena

Cover Design: 

Image of woman with flowing hair (purchased): © Transfuchsian | Dreamstime.com

Cover Designer:  Langao @ http://fiverr.com/langao

And for a final bit of wow factor. Look at what I got for free without asking.

Untethered Realms post & More Than Just A Kiss blogfest continues

Join me today at the Untethered Realms blog.
I discuss finding your audience and marketing with speculative fiction works. Share with us any strategies you have and learn something new.

 Sweet, sizzling, fiery, awkward, mind-blowing. We want to read your kissing scenes.

You can WIN PRIZES!

We had a great start to the MORE THAN JUST A KISS blogfest yesterday. It's still early in the week. There's still time for you to join in on the fun. You can find the sign-up list HERE. You don't need to be a romance writer, and you can opt not to be included in the running for a critique. Yet we do have bonus prizes. Awesome ebooks from fabulous romance authors!

My kiss today comes from my FREE paranormal romance, FEALRESS.

“We won’t let any children die. We’ll go, but let me handle everything. I can carry you.” His fingers stretched over her hips, slipping under the hem of her shirt to touch bare skin. She sucked in a breath.

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Abby snorted, immediately regretting how unattractive that was. She set down the knife and turned, intending to put a few inches more between them and tell him to quit treating her as a fragile doll. His mouth immediately mashed to hers and words were forgotten. His tongue parted her lips, demanding entrance. She didn’t deny him. A wanton whimper escaped her, and her heart hammered in her chest.

His hands eased upward, taking her shirt with them. When his thumbs skimmed the underside of her bra, she managed to find her voice. “We don’t have time for this. We need to leave as soon as possible.”

“We have time.” Demetrius insisted, kissing down to her neck and nibbling upon her sensitive flesh. She gripped his biceps and clenched her thighs.

“We need to go.” Abby’s voice wobbled. She should be pushing him away. Not just because she had a job to do, but because this could never be anything other than a fling. She was one of the Fearless. Her duty came first and it would claim her life sooner than later. He was one of the fae. His world wasn’t hers. He would leave after his blood debt was paid. And she didn’t do flings. Already she felt too much for him.

Friday Five for September 6, 2013

1. It's been a long week. I haven't done anything in terms of writing or revising. Yet today the boy is staying for lunch at school, so I get an extra hour to myself. I've got lots of emails and blog stuff to catch up on. I'm nervous about the reveal of my 13th Floor Collection cover in one week. If you search around the net, you might find a few spots to get a sneak peek!

2. In two days, it's the MORE THAN JUST A KISS blogfest! My lovely co-host, Cecilia Robert and I want to read your kissing scenes. We're offering prizes including critiques and ebooks. Two other generous romance authors have volunteered to help judge the entries. Thank you to Kyra Lennon and Laurelin Paige! You don't have to be a writer to participate. You can opt not to be entered to win a critique, but surely you don't want to miss out on the fabulous ebooks offered. I'll be posting kisses from my books every day next week. I hope to read one of yours.

3. I survived my first day assisting with my son's class at his preschool. The kids are very good and wonderful little helpers. I made mini blueberry muffins and brought apples for their snack, and the kids loved them. My little guy got a bit ornery with me there, but the teacher assured me he was much better behaved when I'm not around. Yup, saving all that for mom. He was testing me again yesterday and broke my camera. For the fourth time. Thankfully it's still under warranty. I really need my quiet time this morning.

4. I think I wanted to mention something else that was going on. Wow. My brain is on the fritz! I'll tweet it if I remember. Wait! I have a post on marketing next Tuesday on the Untethered Realms blog. Was that what I wanted to tell you? I don't know. Yup, brain fuzz.

5. No plans for this weekend. I obviously need to catch up on my sleep! Have a fantastic weekend!

Update: I forgot what I needed to add! Heather Musk shared her thoughts on THE DRAGONSLAYER yesterday. Pop on over and tell us what you thought about the book. :)

Wicked Wednesday - the details of a kiss

It's the moment in all stories with a romance that we wait for: the first kiss. It might not be the individual's first kiss or the couple's first kiss, but it's the reader's first one, and it needs to be worthwhile. We can add a little magic into it with the supernatural, maybe some paranormal pheromones, but the kiss itself should be believable.

Here are some facts about kissing that will help add realism to your intimate scenes:

- 66% of people close their eyes when they kiss.
- The lips are 100 times more sensitive than the fingers.
- A substance 200 times more powerful than morphine is produced when kissing giving the feeling of euphoria.
- Two-thirds of kissers tilt their heads to the right.
- In some studies, men are more particular about women they kiss than women they have sex with.
- The majority of people rub noses while kissing.
- Though customs vary around the world, 90% of people kiss.
- 63% of men do not like to kiss women wearing lipstick.
- Nearly half of both men and women do not like nibbles or biting while kissing.
- The number one turn-off is bad breath. Couples are less likely to kiss right after a meal or first thing in the morning.
- Men are more willing to forgive and teach a bad kisser than women. Women are more likely to break off a relationship if they've experienced a bad kiss.

Also, don't underestimate the emotional side of the kiss. It's far more important than the physical.

What's your favorite literary kiss?

The latest 13th Floor series giveaway is still going on. You can be the first to own the entire 13th Floor series! Click here to find the giveaway.