Crystal Jordan

Archive for the 'Authors I Love' Category



Eden's Yummy New Book!
Tuesday, October 28th, 2008

My friend and fellow writer, Eden Bradley, has a release out today that I wanted to mention to you called FORBIDDEN FRUIT.

Here’s the details I stole from her website:

FORBIDDEN FRUIT, my sexy, sensual food fetish book, is out today! Look for it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble online, Border’s online, or at your local bookstores!

I had such a great time writing this book. My favorite research materials were whipped cream and strawberries, which I plan to take with me to my Playboy Radio interview on November 11th-stay tuned for details!

I really tuned into the sensual aspects of food while writing this book; food is one of the great sensual pleasures in life, for me, anyway. What are yours? A steamy bath? Silk pajamas? I’m sure some of you have ideas I haven’t thought of…I hope you’ll share!

While you’re thinking about it, here’s the blurb for FORBIDDEN FRUIT:

Sometimes the forbidden…

is irresistible…

One taste is never enough.

For university professor Mia Rose Curry, it was all academic: her course in alternate sexuality was a safe, socially-acceptable way for her to talk about the things she desires most—but has never let herself experience. And while students crammed into her class to learn about fetishes, bondage, voyeurism and much more, Mia kept her own raging desires, and her most private fantasies, carefully under wraps…until one student undressed her with his eyes…

Jagger James is everything Mia wants and everything taboo, yet Mia can’t help imagining drawing closer and closer to this forbidden fruit. She soon discovers how much Jagger wants her, demanding she abandon every inhibition with him. Now, they are about to take a dangerous step, tempting each other’s flesh, savoring every touch and breaking every rule in the book—knowing that this dazzling, sensual feast is only a taste of something more to come…

And just for my blog readers, an excerpt from the book:

“That was an amazing meal, Jagger. Thank you.”

“It was my pleasure. I have dessert back at my place.”

“Oh, I don’t…I don’t think I should.”

“You’ll be ready for something sweet by the time we get there. Or we can sit and have some more wine first.”

“No, I don’t mean…Jagger, I shouldn’t go back to your place. I don’t think it’s a good idea. I need to figure some things out before I…” She trailed off, too unsure of what she needed to say, what she needed to do.

“It’s alright. I understand. I’ll walk you to your car, then.”

She nodded, half grateful he hadn’t argued the point with her and half wishing he had.

God, you really are a mess.

They moved down the street, the night air cool on her face, but Jagger’s presence was warm next to her. As they walked, he took her hand, just a gentle twining of fingers around hers. It felt good. Better than it should have, and the sensation wasn’t entirely sexual. It was more, a different kind of heat that moved through her chest, loosened her up inside. Opened her up.

They reached her car, a silver Mini Cooper, parked only a few doors down from Jagger’s building, a little too quickly.

“This is me.” She tried to drop his hand, but he held on.

“Come upstairs with me, Mia Rose,” Jagger said softly.

She wanted to. Every cell in her body wanted nothing more than to go upstairs with him, to let him kiss her again, touch her. She blew out a long breath, leaned back against the passenger door of her car.

“I can’t, Jagger.”

“Alright. But I’m not going to let you go without kissing you.”

He leaned in, and she found herself lifting her face to his, her mind emptying even before his mouth met hers. Then it was just the cool, plush texture of his lips on hers, that soft press of flesh upon flesh. Her hands went around his neck, his skin so hot and smooth there, and he moved in closer, leaning into her, the weight of his body pressing her into the car. When his tongue moved her lips apart, he slid inside. She went soft and loose all over, her breasts aching for more than the hard press of his chest against hers, with the layers of sweater between them.

In moments she was panting, wet. And he deepened the kiss, the heat of his mouth making her crazy. She wanted him. Wanted him to fuck her. Right there. Right now.

His hips were hard up against hers, and that solid ridge of flesh pushed against her belly.

God.

Her hips tilted, her sex filled, throbbed, wanting, wanting. But she wasn’t supposed to be doing this.

She was not supposed to be doing this.

He kissed her harder, wet and hurting, bruising her lips. His hands gripped her waist, his fingers biting into her, and all she wanted was more. God, she could almost come if he only kissed her long enough, just kissed her like this.

He pulled back, brushed her hair with his lips, with his cheek. He was breathing as hard as she was. He still had her up against the car, his body pressing her against the cold steel. His hands slid down over her hips, dug in again. She couldn’t have moved even if he hadn’t been holding her so tightly. She could barely breathe. She didn’t want to.

“Jagger…”

“Fuck. I’m sorry, Mia Rose.”

“No. That’s not it.”

“What, then?” He looked down at her, his eyes glittering in the silvery light of the street lamp a few feet away.

The words came out on a half whisper.

“I don’t want you to stop.”

***********

FORBIDDEN FRUIT was a Romantic Times Top Pick, and a Recommended Read at Fallen Angels. Here’s what people are saying about FORBIDDEN FRUIT:

“Eden Bradley has written one of the best erotic romances I have read this year…”

~Fallen Angels Reviews

“…Bradley delivers the goods. There is intense intimacy and heart-wrenching emotions… This is delicious and delightful from the first page until the conclusion.”

~Romantic Times

“Graphic, loving, and incredibly well-written, the sex scenes ratchet up the drama with unbelievable intensity…sexual desire intertwines with emotional intensity, resulting in a book you won’t want to put down…A thoroughly delightful read. Don’t miss FORBIDDEN FRUIT.” ~Romance Junkies

For more details on FORBIDDEN FRUIT, or any of my other books, visit my website!

Because You Need A Reminder
Friday, October 10th, 2008

Please join us at Romance Divas THIS WEEKEND!

Friday October 10th and Saturday October 11th, we will be joined by some huge names in fantasy and fantasy-romance for a workshop on what the difference really is between the two genres.

Workshop this weekend!
Tuesday, October 7th, 2008

Please join us at Romance Divas THIS WEEKEND!

Friday October 10th and Saturday October 11th, we will be joined by some huge names in fantasy and fantasy-romance for a workshop on what the difference really is between the two genres.

Romance Writers In My Dreams And Bitch Cookies
Tuesday, September 16th, 2008

I don’t dream that often. Or, rather, I don’t remember my dreams. Maybe 2-3 times a year, max.

So, last night was one of those nights. And Robin D Owens, Gena Showalter, and Jill Monroe were all in it. Since I’ve met them all in person outside of writerly events, maybe it make sense that they were there, but it was still a very odd dream.

For one, I was at a writer’s conference. Could have been RWA, but maybe not. It was in a huge, lavish hotel that I know I’ve never been to. And there was a huge buffet of dessert. Cakes and candies and chocolate fountains big enough to dance around in. It was like the Ritz meets Willy Wonka.

And here’s where it gets really weird. Jill is standing outside this door looking very secretive. So, I go up to say hi and ask about the door. She says it’s the dessert area for published authors (PAN) and everything outside is for regular conference members. She tells me not to go in because once I’m in, I can’t come back out for the regular dessert. I tell her that I should go in because I have a book out now and I’m a PAN member…plus, one dessert buffet is as good as another if they’re provided by the same people, right? Looking really saddened and disappointed, she lets me in the room.

Inside, the room is tiny. A storage closet with lots of extra chairs stacked on top of each other. On a little table in the middle is a teensy tray of sugar cookies. Gena is in there telling Robin how it just sucks that everyone else gets the awesome dessert and all we get are the “bitch cookies.” Robin’s trying to eat one of the cookies and grimacing. Gena gets even more mad that we don’t even have any juice or booze to wash down the icky, stale bitch cookies.

She stomps out of the room, grabs Jill, and insists they leave the party because the cookies are for bitches and she’s not eating the bitch cookies. Robin just looks at me, looks at the cookies, sighs, and casts a very longing glance through the open door at the Willy Wonka chocolate fountain.

I don’t know, is my subconscious telling me that being published isn’t as exciting or thrilling as I thought? Did I eat something weird last night? Or am I merely intrigued by the offer of Gena’s bitch cookies?

You decide!

Workshop This Weekend!
Monday, September 8th, 2008

Kick A$$ Characters By Authors Who Know How To Kick A$$

September 12-13 at Romance Divas

Featuring:

Bob Mayer

Lori Avocato

Maggie Price

Lindsay McKenna

Barry Eisler

Linnea Sinclair

Larissa Ione

Merline Lovelace

Want to know how to write authentic action, suspense, law enforcement, and military romance? Ask authors who know firsthand! Romance Divas is hosting a 2-day workshop with some of the hottest names in the genre. It will take place at the Romance Diva Forum. All are welcome. To get access to the forum you will need to register.

I'm on Author Talk
Friday, August 29th, 2008

Because this week of cool where my book came out isn’t awesome enough–I’m also on Author Talk!!

Jill Monroe and Gena Showalter took the time to interview me for Author Talk at RWA this year. I was totally spazzing out for my very first live interview, so pay no mind to the fact that I played with my shirt nervously the whole time! I totally meant to do that. It was planned. Seriously. I swear!

Gena and Jill were, of course, totally professional the whole time. And then Gena begged me to spank her, but we didn’t get that on camera, sadly. Gena likes to beg me for things…you’ll have to watch to see what I mean.

Also, they Author Talked Nora Roberts and if you look closely in the opening scenes, you’ll see me there! I was in a video with La Nora! Though…she never actually met me, I’ll pretend she did!

Lucienne Diver Guest Blogging about Series Success!
Wednesday, June 11th, 2008

Hey all!

Lucienne Diver, my fantabulous, made-of-awesome agent let me rope her into guest blogging today. Who, as you can tell by her picture, is also gorgeous and a published author. Makes you kinda want to beat your head against something hard and brick-wallish, doesn’t it? But, I digress. On to her words of wisdomness about what makes a great series.

Thanks, Lucienne!

Series Success

I’ve been thinking a lot about series lately and have decided that there are two really contradictory things that make a successful series: 1) familiarity – readers knowing that they can count on the same great characters and quality in each book and 2) keeping it fresh, new, exciting, surprising and constantly upping the stakes.

So let’s examine the first – readers who pick up Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series, for example, or Laurell K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake books do so because they love the voices, the characters, the relationships (maybe even the sex!). They know about what to expect and there are elements, like the callback of a comedy routine punchline, that regular readers look for and appreciate. Getting them is like being part of the in crowd.

But remember Thing Two – keeping it fresh. My idol, Joss Whedon (of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel and Firefly fame) made sure that nothing in his world was sacred. Anyone, even title characters, could die at any time. Plots veered off in unexpected directions; people said surprising things. Hell, he wrote a musical episode that actually worked! Likewise, Marjorie M. Liu in her Dirk & Steele series and Rachel Caine in her Weather Warden novels constantly up the stakes and reveal new and intricate layers of a world (ours, of course, but with unique twists) with enough room for stories within stories. I’m reminded of the immortal words of Shrek, who said “Onions have layers, ogres have layers.” You substitute “series” for “ogres” and you have my point exactly. In the Dirk & Steele series the main characters aren’t the same from book to book, but the familiarity comes from the fact that either the hero or heroine were introduced as supporting characters in earlier books. One of the great things about this and other successful series is that while some questions are answered, others arise and the reader is intrigued enough to keep pulling at threads until the whole mystery unravels.

Finally, whether it’s Buffy’s apocalypse or impending natural disaster, it’s a good idea to keep the pace pounding, the stakes escalating, and the surprises coming. You don’t want to give your readers any chance to look away. And you want to give the impression that they’ll miss something big if they blink or miss the next release!

For more on series, Sarah A. Hoyt is blogging this week about the process here: http://sarahahoyt.livejournal.com. Also, please drop in on my blog (Authorial, Agently and Personal Ramblings) anytime at http://varkat.livejournal.com and see how well I follow my own advice next year with my YA vampire novel VAMPED, forthcoming in May 2009 from Flux!

Mythology Workshop starts TODAY!!
Friday, May 16th, 2008

Come play! This is going to be an awesome workshop. And it’s FREE. Sa-weet!

Everything Old Is New Again – Using Mythology in Romance


May 16, 17, and 18 at Romance Divas

Featuring:
P.C. Cast
Robin D. Owens
Gena Showalter
Nancy Madore
Lori Handeland
Alyssa Day

Want to know how to use mythology, culture, fairy tales, or folklore in romance? Romance Divas is hosting a 3-day workshop with some of the hottest names in the genre. It will take place at the Romance Diva Forum. All are welcome. To get access to the forum you will need to register.

Tattoos and Blogging
Friday, May 9th, 2008

A friend of mine from Romance Divas, Eden Bradley, has a tattoo fetish novella coming out from Bantam soon, and she asked a few of us that she knows have tattoos to write about our experience.

As the newbie in the tattoo arena (with a whooping ONE teeny tat) I get to go first so the other authors in the series of blog posts don’t show what a weakling I am right off.

So, head over to Eden’s blog today to see my story.

Killer Fiction!
Saturday, April 19th, 2008

I’m blogging over at Killer Fiction later today because my friend (and roomie for the RWA National conference this July–woot, can’t wait!) Gemma Halliday begged–uh–asked for some guest bloggers and I said suuuuuuuure.

Come visit!