New release: Christian Mingle #erotic

Such a sweet cover by artist Scott Carpenter

Christian Mingle

A Sex University Novella

It’s getting hot at Sex U! Happy release day with a new novella that walks the wayward edge of reality TV. 

“Louisa Bacio has some scorching hot lessons to teach at Sex U! Erotica as funny, sharp, and intelligent as we wish all our college classes could've been.”

-- Cecilia Tan, author of The Siren and the Sword, the Magic University series

Sometimes you need to experience what’s wrong in order to find out what’s right.

As scandal after scandal piles up and her husband’s caught cheating, Jody Druger hides at the last place the non-reality TV shows expect: Sex University.

While fighting through her bedroom inhibitions, Jody learns who she really is and forges plans for an independent future, discovering new pathways toward pleasure in the process, a truly religious experience.

Available now via Amazon, ARe, Riverdale Avenue Books, Smashwords and soon at other eRetailers.

Until next time,

Louisa Bacio

http://www.Twitter.com/LouisaBacio

https://www.facebook.com/Louisabacioauthor

Censored: Supporting #BannedBooksWeek

"Artwork courtesy of the American Library Association."

In all of the English and literature classes I teach, we discuss those challenged and banned books. If you haven’t looked, you’d be surprised at the list of well-known and loved classics on the challenged lists.

Books that many readers, maybe including you, have dared to read.

A glimpse of the American Library Association’s Top 10 Books Challenged from 2000 to 2009 includes I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou as #7; The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain; Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck; Forever by Judy Blume and, the most recent additions, Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling.

This week marks Banned Books Week, sponsored by the American Library Association. Explore their activities, increase awareness and especially read.

* * *

Recently, I experienced an instance of censorship with a short story, Sex U. Summer School. Amazon deemed it “erotica” and shuffled it off to no man’s land, which means if you don’t have a direct link, it cannot be found. Do a search for Louisa Bacio + Summer School and nothing comes up. (But if you go to my author page, it can be found.) On Wednesday, the second novella, Christian Mingle, in the series releases. What are the odds that it’ll be filtered away?

My oldest daughter is 12, and she’s found some extremely questionable products on Amazon. Once, she was looking for a tail for a costume and came across ones that “installed,” ummm, down there … with pictures! So that pops up, but a book with “sex” in the title becomes too taboo?

Join in the discussions! What challenged books have you read? I’m such a rebel: Harry Potter! (To start.)

Until next time,

Louisa Bacio

http://www.Twitter.com/LouisaBacio

https://www.facebook.com/Louisabacioauthor

I Cry Alone …

I've held onto this post all day. I've decided to hit publish since I've been told in the past that my sharing has helped others heal, knowing they are not alone. I'm currently in a good place, going out for dinner and ice cream and maybe some wine with my family. 

Warning: If you only like to read the positive, skip this one.

This post is one of those I need to write – for me. It deals with an event that day-to-day I don’t think about, but sometimes, like this week, I can’t ignore it without acknowledgement.

I’m not alone in my grief. Many others have gone through similar experiences, and even worse. I can rationalize that if it never happened then I wouldn’t have what I do now, and still the heart hurts.

Sept. 25 marks what would have been the due date of my first pregnancy. After going through infertility treatments, we finally received the miracle positive on the at-home pregnancy test. So excited, and to verify, that weekend I went to Planned Parenthood and received a positive result there, too.

The next week I went into my doctor, and on the ultrasound, there was no heartbeat. Blood tests confirmed the pregnancy levels dropped.

It doesn’t matter that I knew for only a short week. Whenever I’ve had my palm read, they usually see me having three children. We have two beautiful daughters, and I feel our family should have had a boy. Perhaps, it’s the one we lost.

Why the title? It’s not to be dramatic. Pregnancy loss continues to be one of those gray areas where people don’t know how to act. Even my husband – while understanding – shies away from the subject because it’s too difficult. At the time, he said he thought I’d never be the same again.

This week, it’s hit me harder than most years. Maybe because 13 is one of those magic ages. On the radio today, they were talking about teaching your children about grief and how to mourn. The psychologist said it’s normal to be sad, but to give yourself, say, a half hour and then go on. Set limitations. I don’t let the sadness confine or define me.

After a few days of laying in bed late at night, crying, while my husband slept, I called him during the day and let him know. Sharing that sadness made me feel better.

Within life, there are so things to be thankful and happy. But every now and then, we are forced to remember.   

Lots of love,

Louisa Bacio

FlashFiction Challenge Feedback

Finally received the feedback on my entry in the NYC Midnight, Flash Fiction Challenge, #1. It's a mixed cup, and I appreciate all the time spent by the judges. 

For someone who regularly writes paranormal romance with stories about shifters, I guess having too many details isn't really a bad thing!

WHAT THE JUDGE(S) LIKED ABOUT YOUR STORY - .................................The writing is terrific--you have a great ear for language. You make great use of the jalapeño. The food details were vivid...................The interaction between Jocelyn and Justin towards the end of the story is charged with magnetism................A slow start but after the 2nd meeting when Jocelyn meets Justin the story takes off.  Jocelyn's reactions to Justin are well described and their 2nd meeting is cute and builds rapidly to a perceived attraction and the first kiss................…........................  

WHAT THE JUDGES FEEL NEEDS WORK - .................................There's no need to over-explain things. Trust your readers--we will be able to figure things out. I'm not sure you need to switch POVs. You might try to write the entire story from one side.............…...Is Justin going to accept easily Jocelyn magical identity? Or Jocelyn mer-shift status will remain a secret? ...............Jocelyn as shape shifter was set up and described in too much detail. Spend more time developing the relationship and show the obstacles to their relationship rather than just hint at them........................................

If you want to read the entry, here's the link A Wet Tail.

Now the wait starts for the next round!

All the best,

Louisa Bacio

http://www.Twitter.com/LouisaBacio

http://www.Facebook.com/LouisaBacio

It’s not my fault, or maybe it is.

Tips for staying up late!

I’ve been blamed for a lot of late nights and lack of sleep. They’re not all related to people staying up past bedtime reading my books either. Oh, years ago best-selling NA author Brenna Aubrey mentioned how I had her up reading one of my Vampire, Witch & Werewolf books, but for the most part, I’m talking about getting stuff done.

When Sabrina Sol, a friend from college, asked if I had advice on writing with a busy schedule of a family, working and volunteering, I offered one thing: You’re going to get less sleep. Most of my work happens after the family goes to bed.

Recently, I got the funniest message from a friend who had to forgo sleep in order to solve a technical problem:

“Late last night started thinking, if Louisa can stay up this late, so can I.” – Linda Borders Killian. (Used with permission)

5 Tips for Staying Up Late

1) Plan ahead. Yes, it may seem like cheating, but seriously if you know you’re going to be burning the midnight oil sneak in a catnap. It’s amazing what a solid 20 minutes can do for you. Saranna DeWylde and Dorothy F. Shaw swear by them. Real adults are not afraid to admit they nap!

2) What are your goals? I find it’s easier to do with lack of sleep for short bursts of time, like if I’m on deadline. OCC/RWA President Nikki Prince balances an amazing amount of obligations, including a master’s degree program. You know what, though? It’s not forever. And that’s what I tell myself. Once I finish this book … well, another deadline will soon follow, but sometimes *shhh* I also lie to myself.

3) Don’t stay stationary. If I’m doing late-night writing, I need to get up and move around every half hour to forty minutes. Once the sleepies kick in, if I wash my face and take out my contacts, I’ll get refreshed for one more sprint.

4) Get a support group. If you know others are foregoing rest to get ’er done at the same time, it builds incentive to stay up late. For those who write at night, we’ve got Night Writers. (Watch out for the likes of Sascha Illyvich who has a big – supportive – bark, and Sidda Lee Rain, who’ll outpace you.) Then there are those other people in the world like Laura Drake, who get up SUPER early to do the work.

5) Caffeine. Did you think I was going to forget the magical elixir? (For some, ahem Christine Ashworth, it may be a glass of wine). Those days I run out of Red Bull, oh my. It’s beddy-by-time early.

There are plenty of other tricks not listed, like good music and a low-calorie snack – I go for pumpkin seeds, jelly beans, cereal. Something I can eat with one hand and keep typing with!

Tell me: Any advice you might offer?

Until next time,

Louisa Bacio << -- Staying up way late to write this blog post.

http://www.Twitter.com/LouisaBacio

http://www.Facebook.com/LouisaBacio

Under A Mating Moon by @CeliaBreslin #paranormal

We have new books joining the Black Hills Wolves pack! Look at this sexiness! *Howl*

Under A Mating Moon

Black Hills Wolves

Book 27

Celia Breslin

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Decadent Publishing

Date of Publication:  September 18, 2015

ISBN: 9781613338940

ASIN: B0148W4RHW

Number of pages: 114

Word Count: 32,200

Cover Artist: Fiona Jayde

Book Description:

British Alpha wolf Jake Marsden spends his days among humans, pursuing a lucrative music career and avoiding his pack’s politics. When his current DJ tour takes him to the US, he stops in Los Lobos to visit family, and runs into the one Wolf he never wants to see again—the mate who rejected his claim.

While visiting her brother in Los Lobos, free-spirited Lexi Luparell is shocked to encounter the Wolf she’d denied when they were teens. Now she must face her guilt for the cruel way she spurned him all those years ago, make amends, and admit the truth. Jake was right all along—they’re meant to mate.

Lexi would love to explore the mate concept and her overwhelming attraction to virile, alpha Wolf Jake, but he wants nothing to do with her. How can she break down his defenses when she’s the reason he built them in the first place?

Jake dates only human women now. Lexi had her shot at being his mate, and she threw it away. But when her life is threatened, he may have to rethink his position and do whatever it takes to claim his one true mate.

Available at:

AllRomance - https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-underamatingmoon-1875162-340.html

Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Under-Mating-Moon-Black-Wolves-ebook/dp/B0148W4RHW

BookStrand - http://www.bookstrand.com/under-a-mating-moon

Kobo - https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/under-a-mating-moon

Add Under A Mating Moon to your TBR List on GoodReads:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26165628-under-a-mating-moon

Excerpt:

         A billion butterflies battered Lexi's stomach. She shifted her attention from Ross to the piano. Sure enough, the music had stopped, and Jake faced her from his seat on the bench. Man oh man, the heavy stare from those sky blue eyes sent shivers skittering down her spine. His gaze held the same intensity she remembered from him as a kid, as if he saw into the heart of people, exposing their deepest secrets. It had driven her crazy back then, and she'd spent much time teasing him, pulling his hair, trying to distract him from being so serious all of the damn time. They were teenagers—partying was supposed to be their sole focus.

         With his ice-blue stare locked on her, Jake rose to his feet, all taut muscle and predatory power. His energy swept over her like a tsunami, forcing all of the moisture to abandon her mouth while parts much lower wept with want. Her inner Wolf howled, answering the call of this Alpha, the first Dominant male ever to make her sit up and take notice. Holy crap. Her muscles shook with the need to bound over to him, jump in his arms, wrap her legs around his torso and writhe against his hard, hot, tattooed body.

         Jake said something to his uncle then stalked straight at her, cutting a path right through the middle of the tables and the many, too-curious patrons.

         A whimper escaped her throat.

         Surprise sparked in her brother’s brown eyes. "You're kidding me. Him?" He burst out laughing. "Wow, sis, that's some major, big-time irony right there."

         Darci’s expression conveyed her bewilderment. "Now what are you two talking about?"

         Her annoying brother grinned. "See that angry Alpha headed our way? My sister here rejected him when they were teens and he's apparently her—"

         Lexi socked her brother in the ribs. "Shut it, Ross."

         "Ouch." Ross rubbed his side and chuckled at her plight. The jerk. "Come on, Lexi, you have to admit the hilarity of the situation."

         No, she did not. Nor did she have to admit that J-Bird was right all those years ago. He was her mate. O to the M to the G…. They were mates.

         Even so, he didn't look happy to see her at all. In fact, he looked positively enraged. Shit, shit and triple shit. What a mess she'd made eight years ago. Well, she was woman enough to pull on her big-girl panties and fix it. She straightened her spine and lifted her chin in challenge, meeting Jake's stormy stare. He halted before her.

         I can do this. "Hey J-Bird. Nice to see you." Lovely. Her voice sounded like she'd eaten the gravel from the lot in front of Gee's bar. Embarrassment heated her cheeks.

         One breath, two breaths, three…. J-Bird glared. Tension coiled between them in the silence. Lexi bit the inside of her cheek to avoid babbling at him. She'd said hello. It was his turn. Damn it, J-Bird, say something. He wasn't making this easy.

         "Alexina."  His arctic tone dismissed her and slapped her in the face at the same time, leaving her disappointed and confused. No one called her by her full name. No one except her parents when she'd done something wrong as a kid. He might as well have said, "Screw you," while slamming a door in her face.

         His focus shifted to her brother. "Hello, Ross. Been a while." His hand shot out to grasp her brother's in a cordial shake.

         "Good to see you, Jake. Join us for lunch? My treat. We can catch up on old times."

         "No, thank you. I'm done. Nice to see you again, Ross." Jake nodded at Darci. "Miss." He brushed past them and out the door.

         "What. Just. Happened?" The, “I'm done,” he uttered in his delicious British accent seemed aimed more at her than at her brother's offer. And the fact he hadn't even looked at her before stalking out all sexy in his gloom and doom? Yeah, that hurt.

         "I think you know, sis." The amusement left her brother's face and sympathy glimmered in his gaze. "Question is, what are you going to do about it?"

         She'd never run from a fight in her life. She wouldn't start now. "Grab a table. I'll be back in a second. Or not." She ignored her brother's knowing grin and hurried out the door.

About the Author:

Celia lives in California with her husband, daughter, and two feisty cats. She writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance, and has a particular fondness for werewolves, vampires, and the Fae. When not writing, you’ll find Celia exercising, reading a good book, hanging with her family, or indulging her addiction to Joss Whedon’s TV shows and movies.

Web site: http://www.celiabreslin.com/

Blog: http://www.celiabreslin.com/blog/

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/celiabreslin

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

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