And So I Write.

Anais Nin said, “We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospection.”

Perhaps this is why I write romance; to taste those most precious days twice. To wrap myself in those brightest times, breaths, moments when I felt love, when I knew love and called it home.

Those seconds with eyes closed tight, remembering love’s smile, love’s touch, love’s joy, so you can put it in words, can be soul saving. But the reliving is hard.

To relive those times, to have them again, even for a second, means you have lose them again too. It’s a bittersweet taste of life.

So in that way, the retrospective of love is much the same as in the moment. It is the part of life that can hold both our greatest joys, and deepest sorrows. Love is the blackest night and most exquisite light. The same love that makes you float can crush you beneath an unbearable weight.

And understanding the heavy price we might pay to have love, our hearts still seek it. Because living in those sweetest moments, and the hope of finding your heart’s home, is worth the price.

And if it is lost, writing to taste the best moments of our love twice is worth the ache of letting it go again.

And so I write.

~May

QUITE THE QUERY – May Bridges and KILLING JUNE

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If you ask any writer about the process of connecting with their agent (or publisher), the majority will say the most difficult part was querying. Not only the actual process of sending out the letters/emails, but formulating the query itself. In fact, I’ve heard more than a few authors say writing their query took them almost as long as drafting their book!

Some people have the talent of being able to summarize their book in a few sentences, but for those who don’t I wanted to provide a resource where writers could learn what works, and what doesn’t, in a query.

With that in mind, I’m pleased to share today’s successful query from May Bridges. This great query connected her with Kim Lionetti of BookEnds Literary Agency.

Killing June is a story where the world of whips and sweat-soaked skin collides with Sunday morning church, pecan pie, and keeping up appearances.

When Alex Ryan…

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Some Like It Hot.

Navigating Romance. Guest Post for The Reading Cafe.

 

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I remember the first time I read a sex scene in a book. Wow, I was seriously unprepared. Being used to YA fantasy and a softer kind of romance, I wasn’t expecting it, at all. I was sure the scene would fade to black any moment. There I was, sitting at my daughter’s gymnastics practice, hordes of other parents around, and all of a sudden, I’m reading about penetration and hard coc… ‘Oh Jesus, did she just stay that?’ I snapped the book shut, face turning red, certain every other parent in the room somehow knew I was reading a dirty book in the presence of their precious children. The book was quickly shoved in my bag, not to make a reappearance at gymnastics. It was a surprise, to say the least. And though I enjoyed my first erotic romance read thoroughly, I’d have appreciated knowing what I was in for when I chose that as my casual daytime reader…

[Read More…]

Wild Women Do…

Female Sexuality and the Role of Erotic Romance- Guest Post on Heroes and Heartbreakers.

Today we’re thrilled to welcome May Bridges (Killing June) to Heroes and Heartbreakers. Society’s view on female sexuality has changed a lot over the years, but in other ways things have stayed the same. May is here today to talk about society’s expectations and how romance places a role in it all. Thanks, May!

Wild Women Do And They Don’t Regret It…

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Yes, I do have Natalie Cole lyrics and visions of scenes from Pretty Woman running through my head right now—but on to books! I love when I find pieces of myself in the books I read. Finding something that connects you to a character, something that is fiction imitating reality, pulls you into a book that much more. Over the many years of reading romance I’ve found a common theme in many of them, one that is growing in popularity. It’s the idea of a woman finding a man she can express herself with in a sexual way, a way that perhaps only that man would understand. It’s the journey of her getting to live out her deepest, darkest fantasies, and finding a partner who loves and accepts her for those desires, not despite them. It has opened the door to more books with BDSM and S&M themes. As I look around our society, it doesn’t surprise me this has become a popular book trend. The amazing thing about books are that they can strip away social expectations and misconceptions, and allow us to look at the lives the characters live with fresh eyes.

[READ MORE…]

Running Target

Running Target, the second book in Kari Lemor’s Love On The Line series is available now! I couldn’t be more excited. These books are steamy and thrilling. You won’t be disappointed.

An innocent in the crossfire . . .

FBI agent Jack Holland broke every rule in the book falling for the girlfriend of Angelo Cabrini, son of a New Jersey mob boss. But even if Callie Lansing’s relationship to Angelo was actually a cover and her heart was free, her relationship with Jack put both of their lives at risk. Nothing, though, could make Jack regret the liaison that led to the birth of their son, Jonathan.

After Angelo discovered Callie’s pregnancy, he went after Jack and wound up dead. Now Jack is on the run with a target on his back. The only thing keeping Callie and Jonathan safe is the mob boss’s belief that the baby is his grandchild. But if Victor Cabrini discovers the truth before Jack can put him behind bars, it could mean death for his sweet covert family. . . .

Early praise for Running Target

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“Thrilling . . . Lemor once again features a dynamite protagonist who’s easily relatable, and her talent for incorporating romance and forgiveness against the odds makes Running Target even more enticing.” —RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars
“Ms. Lemor has delivered a scintillating read in this book where the chemistry was riveting; the secondary characters entertained me just as much as the main ones; and the ending took me completely by surprise.” ~ Book Magic Book Reviews

“Running Target is about finding one’s way back home. It’s about beating the odds when it seems like everything is going against you. And most importantly, it’s about family. I would recommend this for readers who enjoy their romance mixed with a light level of suspense.” ~Harlequin Junkie

Want a taste?

An infant’s cry broke the stillness of the maternity ward as Jack crept through the hallway. He looked toward the nursery. Should he go there first or to where Callie was? The room was less risky and he needed to see her. Assure himself she was okay.

The door was ajar so he slipped through, closing it enough to allow a sliver of light to filter in. He made out the petite shape of the sleeping woman then saw the bassinet next to her. His breath left his body. The baby was here with her.

Stepping closer, he looked down on the clear container, the blue tag proclaiming this child to be a boy. Squinting in the dim light, he read the words. Mother’s name: Callina Lansing. Baby: Jonathan.

Jonathan. She’d named the baby after him. A lump clogged his throat. A son. Damn. He had a son and wouldn’t be able to get to know him, see him grow, share in his life. This fucking world was too cruel at times.

He shouldn’t take the chance but he needed to hold him. It was vital that he touch the life he and Callie had created. He wanted—no needed—to let his child know how much he loved him. The powerful emotion emanated from his heart even as he gazed down at the tiny figure. How could love grow this fast? His first glimpse was only a second ago. Now the feeling consumed him.

Reaching down, he stroked the side of his son’s face. The baby turned his head, his bow-shaped lips opening slightly. Jack’s heart beat faster. The protective instincts that had always come into play when he was around Callie, throbbed to life and expanded as he gazed at the sweet face of his son. Heat like an electric storm surged through his blood. How could he protect this child in his current situation? He’d bring more danger upon him if he hung around. Eight months of running, trying to escape the long arm of Victor Cabrini, had shown him what hell was. Now he glimpsed a small piece of heaven.

He slid his hands under the infant, lifting him from the bed to hold him close. Jonathan barely weighed anything. His heart constricted yet again. The innocent baby scent wafted into his nostrils and he blinked back the moisture filling his eyes. The reaction was primitive and territorial. This was his son.

Their child’s eyes opened but no cry erupted so Jack relaxed. It shook him to the core knowing Callie had named the baby after him. After deserting her she had every right to hate him. As much as he hated himself. Leaving her hadn’t been in his plans but the choice had been ripped away from him. It had taken a while to recover from the stabbing. Then the fuck-up by the Bureau had happened.

He stared again at the unfocused eyes of his son, his forehead touching that of the infant’s. Kissing his face, he absorbed every little facet he could. Who knew if he’d ever see him again.

Gazing at the sleeping woman, her innocent face relaxed in slumber, caused more pain to rip through his heart. Her dark hair, streaked with natural reds and golds, was a riot of curls that framed her peaceful face. Long lashes fanned over high cheekbones, highlighting the lovely structure of her eyes. His beautiful Calico Cat.

Had the pregnancy and labor been hard? She must have looked amazing, all round and filled with his child. Regret tore through him, anger warring with that emotion. Anger that his life had been stolen from him. He’d been fighting to get it back, but didn’t seem any closer now than he’d been eight months ago.

Jonathan let out a small mewing sound and Jack snuggled him close. “I’m right here, pal. I might not be around much but I wanted to let you know…I love you very much.” His voice cracked with emotion. “I’m your Dad.”

He had a son. Was now a father. But he couldn’t be a father—not in the way that it mattered. He’d swore he’d be better than his dad. But this—he’d be worse. As it began to sink in, his hands shook with the enormity of the situation.

A noise from Callie drew his eyes to the bed. She shouldn’t see him. It was too dangerous. Still he wasn’t ready to give up holding his son quite yet. You might as well rip his heart from his chest and throw it on the floor.

Read on with a copy from any of these retailers…

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Watch for more from this stunning new author

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Killing June #Giveaway

 

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We are rocketing ever closer to the release of Killing June. I am so thankful for everyone’s support. As a thank you, I want to give you things! I’ll be selecting five Facebook followers and five Twitter followers that shared the book video trailer to win some amazing Killing June swag.

 

The winners will be contacted in July, so you have until then to enter!

The winner will have one week after being notified on Facebook or Twitter that they have won, to get back to me with a US mailing address.

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                       Amazon Barnes-and-Noble  Kobo_logo i-books Google PlayGoodReads

Killing June Swag! #BookGiveaway #Winning

Wanna know how to get your hands on some great Killing June swag? It’s easy. Post photo proof of your pre-order of KILLING JUNE in the month of May in the comments of this Tweet or this Facebook post, and be a Twitter or Facebook follower to be entered for a chance to win! Super easy, right? During the first week of June, 11 winners will be selected from the proof of pre-order entries.

What can you win? Glad you asked. One top prize winner will receive one of the Ashley Bridget, Handcuff bracelets pictured, a signed copy of the KILLING JUNE book cover, and some fun bracelet or key-chain charms.

Ten pre-order entries will win a “Life is tough but so am I” bracelet, a signed copy of the KILLING JUNE book cover, and some fun bracelet or key-chain charms.20170501_175406IMG_20170418_191116_990IMG_20170418_191201_903GREY_GOLD_1024x1024

Winners selected from the comment section of the Twitter or FaceBook post will be notified via either Facebook or Twitter message and have one week from the date of the message to respond with a shipping address. The winner must provide a shipping address within the US to receive their prize.

You can also follow May on Goodreads and Amazon for information at a later date on how to win up-coming giveaways there!

Thank you all for your support!

Proof of pre-order example below:

Pre-order at : Amazon Barnes-and-Noble i-books Kobo_logo Google Play

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#TeenPit – First Round Readers — K. Hopkins Writes

Welcome to #TeenPit! We’ve gathered some fantastic writers to help decide who makes it into the mentor round of our inaugural #TeenPit contest. Welcome to our FIRST ROUND READERS!!! Heather Van Fleet is stay-at-home-mom turned book-boyfriend connoisseur. She’s a wife to her high school sweetheart and a mom to three little girls, along with her […]

via #TeenPit – First Round Readers — K. Hopkins Writes