Taking the next step

Seems everyone and their mother are getting NY contracts these days. Me...I have one for the Pocket novella that was done via Ellora's Cave. In my mind, I don't even count that as being NY published. I know, I know, I should, but I don't. Granted, I am excited to walk into the store and see my book on the shelf. (I actually went to B&N this weekend and saw both Royal Bondage AND Pirate's Misteress on the shelf. It was quite a thrill. However, I still don't feel like I've done much of anything. I hear authors who entered the scene a year ago getting multi deals and I want to scream.

It is only my fault I am not in NY at this point. No one elses but mine. I actually have to submit. No one is going to come knocking unless I make the first move and write up a proposal and send it in.

Right now I am working on a novel I have a lot of positive feeling about. It is actually good. Hopefully I will have it done and ready to send out and then announce my own book deals in the near future. After the NCP fiasco and my disappointments in epublishing, I am ready to take the next step. FINALLY!

Sorry about today

I was supposed to blog today but got busy writing. Hope you all forgive me. I did blog over on the TEB Hot Spot, so go check it out. Clue: David Boreanaz from BONES. http://totalebound.blogspot.com/

Catch me tomorrow over at Anya Howard's blog at http://anyahoward.blogspot.com/

BOOK TOUR: ROYAL BONDAGE is out TODAY!

ON SALE NOW

Royal Bondage

Ellora's Cave (Ellora's Cave)

By Samantha Winston and Delilah Devlin and Marianne LaCroix

Format: Trade Paperback

Price: $14.00

Description

A lady's every rapturous wish is the king's commandin three regal stories where sex rules the land.

SAMANTHA WINSTON - Llewellyn's Song

After Llewellyn, an elf on a mission from the king, rescues a member of an all-female tribe from a dangerous beast, she opens her heart -- and her voluptuous body -- to his forbidden passion...and a tantalizing surprise.

DELILAH DEVLIN - Arctic Dragon

Fleeing the mannerly courtship of the tiresome Prince of the Frost Faeries, Queen Larikke of Northland finds ecstasy in the embrace of a sexy barbarian with a seductive secret who shelters her from a winter storm.

MARIANNE LACROIX - Scorpion King

When the underwater city of Pacifica is in danger of crumbling, beautiful Queen Naiya Pisces meets a virile naval scientist whose special tattoo fulfills an ancient legend of her people and arouses her most erotic desires.

Virtual Book Tour - Mari

May 12 - Today's stop: Six Degrees of Sexy at http://sixdegreesofsexy.blogspot.com/

Free Read on my site | Virtual Book Tour!

I am serializing a short novella on my blog, DARK LONGINGS, starting today. Check back each Wednesday for a new installment.

First installment can be found here: http://www.mariannelacroix.com/
or specifically at http://www.mariannelacroix.com/?p=88

AND starting May 12th, I will be on a virtual Book Tour promoting ROYAL BONDAGE (Pocket Books - Ellora's Cave series) and PIRATE'S MISTRESS (Ellora's Cave). First stop: Six Degrees of Sexy at http://sixdegreesofsexy.blogspot.com/ More details to come on my blog.

Mari
www.mariannelacroix.com
Royal Bondage, Pocket Books - In bookstores!
Crossed Swords, EC 4 1/2 Stars, RT Top Pick!
Pirate's Mistress, Ellora's Cave - New in Trade Paperback!!

RT 2008

Annmarie Ortega and Marianne LaCroix, Partners in Crime who are "On the Same Page"

Here we are with model Christopher Thomas Howell....a man "bursting with fruit flavor".

Join us with Chris at his BRAND NEW FAN GROUP at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OfficialChristopherHowellGroup/join

I also posted on the Romance Kittens this morning and thought I would send you there today to see some more pics of RT. http://romancekittens.blogspot.com/2008/05/i-was-at-rt-too.html

New paperback released: Pirate's Mistress

Includes Crossed Swords and Sea Hawk's Mistress.
Buy it here: http://www.jasminej ade.com/p- 3944-pirates- mistress. aspx?skinid= 11
Erotic Adventure Romance
Available from Ellora's Cave

Reviews for CROSSED SWORDS:
4 1/2 Stars, RT Top Pick! - "LaCroix has outdone herself. This swashbuckling tale will have you offering to swab the decks, if it will put you in good graces with the wickedly handsome pirate captain! There's plenty of action in and out of the captain's quarters to keep you flying through the pages of this sizzling story." ~ Romantic Times BOOKClub

"5 Stars...wonderfully written story about the powerful sea Captain and his prisoner falling in love...If you are looking for steamy sex, that will leave you seeking your own release, look no further...It’ s perfect!" ~JERR

Reviews for SEA HAWK'S MISTRESS:
“4 Stars...a fun blast-from-the- past...This was a terrific, sexy little romance...The romance is sweet and tender; the sex scenes are vanilla with a touch of dominance and bondage. Sea Hawk’s Mistress was good to the last drop...” ~JERR
-------------------

Chck out my Sunday post at Unusual Historicals. It is a release party!

http://unusualhistoricals.blogspot.com/2008/03/release-party-pirates-mistress.html

Leave a comment to be drawn next Sunday to win a copy of Pirate's Mistress!

What I Find Sexy/Romantic in a Man Is...

Okay, I will admit, I have a weakness for men who are big, blond and dangerous. Love it. I think that came about long ago. Love blonds. Then I saw Lucius Malfoy played by Jason Isaacs. OMG... I was inspired. Of course, Lucius in Descendants of Darkness [book] was inspired by Jason Isaacs in that blond wig. Hubba hubba. Readers like him...loved him. Yeah, I had a few readers thinking I was a direct link to Lucius. The book went on to be a RT Top Pick and a Reviewer Choice nominee (2004).

I've written a lot of books since, but it wasn't until Crossed Swords [book] that I revisited my image of the ultimate male--big, blonde and dangerous--with Captain Fredrick Thorne. He is a mixture of Lucius the vampire but with a slight change. He looked more like Ryan (pictured), one of EC's models. The book was one of thos stories that flowed from me onto the computer. I took a chance and wrote my passion--historical romance. It isn't vampires or wolfies, but the hero was much more real to me as a pirate bent on forcing his captive into his bed. I didn't expect much in return for the book, but I hoped readers would be swept away into the pirate fantasy. I am happy to say Romantic Times BOOKClub magazine gave it the "nod". Crossed Swords is an April 2008 Top Pick!

I wanted to write a sequel featuring Fredrick's brother, Malcolm, but I hesitated because historical erotic romance isn't as popular as dark paranormal. But now I changed my mind! More blond, big and dangerous heroes are in store as they set sail for adventure on the high seas.

Okay, so sexy man to me is blond and goreous.

Romantic is something beyond looks. The most romantic man is a man in love and is willing to stand by his woman. That is my husband. He believes in me and my writing. His endless support is the most romantic thing. I love him.

Yes, every hero I write--no matter his hair color--has a little of my husband mixed in there.

Yo ho! Yo ho! A Pirate's life for me!!! Drink me harties, yo ho!

If I could go anywhere in the world...

...I would go to Italy. It is a lifelong dream to go to Rome and visit the Sistine Chapel, travel to Florence to see the David by Michelangelo, and float in a gondola in Venice. I love Italian Renaissance art, so that would be my dream vacation. Just me, Italian art, and my charcoal and sketchbook. Heaven.

Oddly enough I am writing a book that takes place in Rome, Italy. My hero whisks the heroine off to Venice for a weekend of sex and romance. (He is desperate to get her to agree to marriage...but he hasn't admitted to himself or her that he loves her. Men!) The book keeps changing in title, but at the moment it is called Seduced by the Italian Millionaire. Yeah, it is targeted to Harlequin's Presents line. I like the rich man fantasy. I can't help it. Hubby says I married the wrong guy... LOL!

Coming next week: CROSSED SWORDS

Coming from Ellora's Cave 11/23/2007:

CROSSED SWORDS

Read more

New Release: Fairy Dust & Magic Kisses

FAIRY DUST & MAGIC KISSES
Marianne LaCroix
New Concepts Publishing
http://www.newconceptspublishing.com/fairydustandmagickisses.htm
New Reissue!
LENGTH: Long Category
SENSUALITY: Carnal


Who’s Afraid of the Big, Bad Wolf?-Jack Horner might be a lady’s man, but he was in serious trouble. When he escaped ‘justice’ in Faylin, he ended up in the Cloud Kingdom of the giant, Titus, just in time to rescue the beautiful fairy princess, Shaylee, from the giant’s amorous clutches.

Ivan and the Snow Maiden-Sasha, the snow fairy, had no idea why she was so drawn to the hunter, Ivan, but she longed for his touch and couldn’t bring herself to obey Father Frost’s order to stay away from the human.

Clara and the Nutcracker Prince-Clara had no idea how she’d gotten in limbo, or where the handsome prince, Dimitri, came from, but his caresses set her on fire, dousing any thoughts of resisting.

Rating: Carnal-this is a collection of stories, adult language and situations.

New Release: Stolen by the Sheikh

STOLEN BY THE SHEIKH is out at Red Rose. It is also available at AllRomanceEbooks.

Morocco, 1912 - While in Casablanca, Lady Christine Langtry is stolen right off the street by a dark, handsome desert lord, Sheikh Zafar bin Hassan. Christine succumbs to his touch, surrendering her body to his possessive kisses and commanding caresses. Then Christine discovers the shocking truth—her deceased husband had traded her away to the sheikh!

More Raves for the Muses: Dawn and Marianne Garner Praise

I am so proud of my fellow muses and thrilled to be surrounded by such talent.

Dawn's book, Devil's Pearl, just got 4 HEARTS from the Romance Studio (http://theromancestudio.com/reviews/reviews/devilspearlhalliday.htm). Brenda Talley wrote:
This is a well plotted, fast-paced book about true love and how it can affect different personalities. Ms. Dawn Halliday has written an interesting story with intriguing characters that seem quite real. This powerful story has much to impress the reading public. It ends quite uniquely and is hard to put down. I recommend this book for a quick read that you will remember well.

And Marianne's book, Beast In My Bed, got 5 out of 5 BIG BAD WOLVES at Reviews by Sandra (http://www.gottawritenetwork.com/ReviewsBySandra2.html). Sandra wrote:
Beast In My Bed is an entertaining, well-written story. The characters are interesting and real and more important, believable. Ms. LaCroix makes one think they might just like something big, furry and sexually talented in their bed. While the sex is hot and frequent, Sophia and Greg's emotions play a huge role in making this story a great read.

So if you are looking for something erotic and entertaining this weekend, you know where to look.

Me? I'm counting down the days until my first release from Ellora's Cave, ROLL PLAY, comes out. One week from today. The champagne is chillin'!

Hugs,
Rowan West

Desert Lords, Sheikhs....Bad Boys in the Sand

Okay, I have a thing for men who are downright rogues....bad boys at heart. I love it. So it seemed perfectly natural to pick writing about a sheikh. Had to be done eventually. One of my favorite books of all time is Johanna Lindsey's Captive Bride. The story has stayed with me for years. I need to go out and get a new copy and re-read it.

Anyway, I am writing a short novella entitled Stolen by the Sheikh for Red Rose Publishing. Looks as though it will come out ASAP to launch their "Desert Rose" line. Here's the blurb:

Morocco, 1912

Lady Christine Langtry travels to Casablanca after receiving a desperate
message from her husband. Upon her arrival, she discovers that he’d been
murdered. While there she catches the eye of Sheikh Zafar bin Hassan and is
stolen right from the street. She is then taken to a remote oasis outside the
city and held as his prisoner.

With one heated glance of her golden hair and curvaceous body, Zafar
decides to take her as payment for Lord Langtry's past crimes. Zafar will make
the British widow bend to his will and be the vessel of his vengeance.

Anger reigns beneath the desert sun, but by the moon’s glow, passion and
desire dominates. Christine succumbs to the touch of the handsome sheikh,
surrendering her body to his possessive kisses and commanding caresses. But can
she relinquish her heart to a man bent on using her for revenge? Why does Zafar
seek retribution? Is Zafar ruthless enough in his purpose for revenge to murder?

Hmm I wonder if I should admit to having watched the silent movie The Son of the Sheikh starring legend Rudolph Valentino? Nahhh.

Marianne LaCroix
SEA HAWK'S MISTRESS, Available at Ellora's Cave
CROSSED SWORDS, Coming from Ellora's Cave
www.mariannelacroix.com

Article on Women Pirates of the Caribbean

I posted an article on Women Pirates of the Caribbean at Unusual Historicals today. Check it out at http://unusualhistoricals.blogspot.com/2007/08/women-pirates-of-caribbean.html

Mari

SEA HAWK'S MISTRESS

Available now at Ellora's Cave

http://www.ellorascave.com/productpage.asp?ISBN=9781419911972

http://www.mariannelacroix.com

Painting: "Mary Read, Anne Bonny, Calico Jack Rackam. Circa 1720" by Chris Collingwood

Raves for THE GLADIATOR and SEA HAWK'S MISTRESS

Got some great reviews back for THE GLADIATOR and SEA HAWK’S MISTRESS! Whoohooo!

SEA HAWK’S MISTRESS [buy]

4 Blue Ribbons, Romance Junkies - LaCroix’s storyline is fun and enchanting! Her description of Jason’s reaction to a beautifully groomed woman of the 20th century is humorous as well as arousing. LaCroix’s time travel stories always fulfill the daydreams I have, asking the question…’what would it be like if?’ Whether it’s a woman claiming a gladiator in ancient Rome or a woman captured by a sexy pirate, LaCroix always most satisfyingly provides the answer!”

THE GLADIATOR [buy]

4.5 Blue Ribbons, Romance Junkies - “Set in ancient Rome, LaCroix’s tale of love, death and intrigue is very entertaining! Julia struggles with adapting to the harsh reality that is Rome while fighting her growing affection for Marcus. Her struggle is matched only by the overwhelming passion she feels for the beautiful Gladiator. LaCroix’s erotic love scenes leave nothing to the imagination—as it should be! She certainly had me waving a fan to keep my cool! Anyone who ever imagined what it would be like to live in ancient Rome—or anyone who drools over Gladiator movies—would be very well off taking time with this quick, enjoyable read.”

Oh yeah, guess I should mention I am contracted for a time travel sheikh short story at Red Rose Publishing. It's called Stolen by the Sheikh.