News! 5 Stars, Updates, and More, Oh My!

I'm so excited! I recently found out that Lipstick and Camouflage received an awesome 5 Star review on Amazon.

Not only did it make me do a little Snoopy dance, the reader totally 'got' it. This means the world to me as an author, and, while not everyone will share that same opinion, it was the first review for this book so I simply had to share.

As many readers might know, reviews help a book's algorithms so that readers of the same or similar genre might be able to see a new book, especially so with Amazon, but I believe all vendors are important. Hopefully, a reader will see the review, read the book's excerpt and blurb and like it enough to add it to their bookshelf or cart.

Now, I'm a huge fan and author of several genres, predominately Romantic Suspense and Paranormal/Shapeshifter, and when I'm hunting on Amazon for a new book for my tablet, thanks to the Kindle app, I'll see a row of books in those genres.

If you'd like to see the review, it can be viewed here:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01B05BYAS?keywords=Frances%20Stockton&qid=1454538429&ref_=sr_1_1&s=books&sr=1-1

Maybe, it'll help a reader who is on the fence about the book or the genre or an author new to them. It would be wonderful, but I'm grateful for the post nonetheless.

Note, also, that I've updated my website, details on Lipstick and Camouflage and my previously released Indie title, UnMAsKed  are on the home page on the Romantic Suspense bookshelf.
http://www.francesstockton.com
http://www.francesstockton.com/romanticsuspense.html#lipstickandcamo

Also, in coming weeks, my very first books published with Ellora's Cave under the Cerridwen Press/Blush imprints, will be going away. That does not mean the Abcynians, introduced in the Panthera series, are disappearing or going instinct, I promise they will return revamped and re-imagined. And, though they are set during my favorite eras in History, the Abcynians are a force to be reckoned with.

As soon as I'm able, I will share more details about the changes and the new release dates, including updates on my website.  In the meantime, I'm hard at work re-imagining the first book and plotting the next title in my Major Crimes Unit series set in Ocean City, Maryland and began with UnMAsKed.

Until next time,
Frances Stockton

Lipstick and Camouflage, Coming Soon!

Greetings one and all! First, let me thank everyone, and I mean everyone, for the support and comments on my last blog post. And, I wanted to wish everyone a Happy 2016! Wow, what a year 2015 was, and though this world has lost some of the greatest talents, artists, and musicians this month, they will not be forgotten, ever! IMO, David Bowie, Glenn Frey, Natalie Cole, Lemmy, and, of course, so many others from jazz greats to drummers, must have formed a helluva band already.

Not to mention, Alan Rickman, who will always be Colonel Brandon to me, though should also be commended for his presence on the big screen and on stage.

But, I digress, I'm here today to share some awesome information. My latest Romantic Suspense, the first of a multi-book series titled Brandt's Dozen, is coming soon. I'm currently doing a final read-through and then it'll be ready to go. You'll be able to find Lipstick and Camouflage at most digital vendors, Amazon, B&N for Nook, Kobo, iBooks, etc, and if all the stars align, in print at a later date.

How about an introduction to Travis and Cassidy's story?

Lipstick and Camouflage
Brandt’s Dozen: Book One

Security specialist Travis Blake’s undercover assignment should be easy. The former Navy SEAL has to protect Cassidy O'Neal from an elusive assassin. Yet, nothing about this case is simple.

For Cassidy, it’s easier to believe in ghosts than to think she’s in danger. Despite a series of unusual happenings around her apartment, she never suspects why she’s felt so uneasy, or that her hot new neighbor is far more than he seems.

What starts off as simple flirtation quickly turns passionate. But, as the danger intensifies, more than just their hearts are on the line. Travis must do whatever it takes to protect Cassidy, including revealing who he really is.  

Now that you've gotten a look at the blurb, here's a fun excerpt!

Federal Hill—Fletcher Street Apartments

The whir and tumble of an old dryer accompanied Cassidy’s reading choice of the afternoon, The Count of Monte Cristo. Having been an avid reader as long as she could remember, she enjoyed the chance to get lost reading about a French sailor’s false imprisonment only to emerge as and reinvent himself as a nobleman to exact revenge on those who’d wronged him.

Hmm, at least Edmond, the hero, had a love life, albeit a complicated one. Today, in this cramped old laundry room that served the apartments upstairs, Cass had nothing but a book, a mound of laundry, and her headphones to keep her company.

She wished she could remember the last time she’d had a real date, much less an orgasm with someone other than herself and her imaginary book boyfriend of the night. Yeah, sad, but even though her brother’s roommate had asked her out on a date, she didn’t have it in her to be a cougar.

Maybe Justin was the reason she was so jumpy lately. He’d not exactly left that night with a smile and she’d wondered if he’d come back and try again.

Or, maybe it was something else, something unexplained. Ever since she’d gone to Salem and took Mike Smith’s place as the lead cameraman in a ghost hunt, something had been off kilter about her apartment and the building itself. Granted, they’d caught some amazing EVPs that night, but the experienced investigators in her group, Jerome and Sam, concluded what they’d caught on audio was residual and non-threatening.

If it wasn’t Justin Myers or a ghost, maybe it was that surveyor who’d staked out the neighborhood. He’d claimed to be doing a favor for a friend looking to move into the area and open a new business. She hadn’t believed him. That man had an aura about him that was mysterious and dark, maybe dangerous. She’d run him off, and as far as she knew, he’d not returned.

Frustrated, she snapped her book closed and set it aside, going over to check the last load of laundry for the day. Being Friday, she’d worked a half day and had plans to do laundry, eat rocky road ice cream for dinner, and continue reading Edmond’s tale of revenge, justice, and romance until he skewed his best friend with a sword.

Okay, she’d read the book a couple of times. Next week, she’d open up The Three Musketeers and have four book boyfriends, though her personal favorite was Aramis.

Yeah, like anything that exciting would happen to her, but one could dream a tale of fiction even if her day job wasn’t exactly the same as a French sailor’s false imprisonment or Musketeers saving a king from a treacherous cardinal.

Taking a moment to switch up her music, she chose her classic rock playlist and increased the volume, singing, well, mostly humming until her favorite line, “We were making it,” came out loud and clear.

As if it mattered how badly she was singing while pulling bras and panties out of the dryer and tossing them into the hip-hugging basket on the floor beneath the machine.

Slamming the dryer door home and picking up her basket, she turned to go back to where she’d been sitting when movement caught her eye. Whipping around, she saw a tall, impressively built man standing in the doorway, as if he’d stepped right out of the pages of one of her novel.

A heartbeat later, he came toward her, proving he was no figment of her active imagination and seeming to get bigger with every step. Unsure what to do, Cassidy threw her basket at him and rushed for the door, getting less than two feet before her bare foot caught his boot and she went tumbling.

Certain she’d break something when she hit the stone floor, she tried to brace herself for the impact…only she never hit. The man caught her, shifting her momentum so that she landed right on top of him.

Breath caught, her headphones clattering to the floor, she would’ve scrambled to her feet if it wasn’t for the fact that she could not move. Good God Almighty, he looked a lot like Joe M. No, of course it wasn’t possible that an actor who made women everywhere drool over werewolves and male strippers could be in a laundry room with her.

If that was the case, maybe she had knocked herself out and was dreaming about her current book boyfriend, Edmond. His hands were incredibly big. She knew because they were braced right on her ass. His chest was broad, muscles beneath his black tee shirt strong as steel.

The beard that so reminded her of Joe’s, trimmed, defining a face that was incredibly good looking and sexy, tempted her to trail a finger along his jaw to see if it was scratchy or soft. His piercing amber eyes fitting to a lion’s captivated her. He was looking right up at her, unapologetic, his grip strong, maybe there was even concern in his eyes.

The only problem she could see at the moment was the bra on his head that skewed her ability to make out the length of his shaggy sable-brown hair.

Wait! That leopard-print bra was hers!

“Darlin’, it doesn’t matter who Joe and Edmond are right now, if you keep grinding your hips like that, I’m gonna make sure you forget anyone else’s name but mine, Travis.”

His hands on her ass tightened, bringing her into better alignment with his hips. No, not his hips! Jeez, he was real, she was wide awake, and still on top of him, between his spread thighs. His hard as stone fly brushed her exactly where she needed it most. Her clit woke up, she was soaking wet, preparing…for what, sex with a stranger on the laundry room floor?

“Please tell me I didn’t talk out loud,” she grumbled, dropping her head to his chest and didn’t feel the least bit ready to move.

What the hell was wrong with her? Something about him warned her that he could be as dangerous as that surveyor, yet she was not afraid of him.

“All I know is that you called me Joe and compared me to Edmond, your book boyfriend, whatever that means,” he answered, the timber in his voice so deep, his drawl southern, everything in her that was a woman was screaming ‘how do you do’ and ‘where have you been all my life’?

“And, the longer you stay here, the less likely I am to ask your name. But, take your time. There are all kinds of advantages to having you on top.”

Snapping her head back up, she growled, “Stop talking like that!” Although she wouldn’t mind having him talk to her for hours, days, however long he wanted, so long as that deep drawl of his whispered sweet nothings in her ear.

“Sorry, couldn’t help teasing,” he countered. “I sure didn’t mean to scare you. What do you say? Think we can get back on equal footing?”

Realizing that this was actually happening, common sense returned and Cassidy got to her knees, hindered in her efforts by his hands. “Let go of my ass, cowboy. As it is, I think your fingers left marks. I bruise easy.”

“Dammit, don’t say that. Now I’m gonna want to check that out,” he warned, showing absolutely no compunction to let go, not that she really wanted him to. As big as his hands were, he cupped, not injured.

In the end, he let go and she scrambled to her feet. Considering her knees were all wobbly and her legs felt as if they’d turned to jelly, it was nothing short of a miracle that she didn’t fall over him or stomp on his balls in her efforts. Would’ve served him right for being an unrepentant, cocky bastard, though he was a really, really hot cocky bastard.

And, that didn’t help anything, neither did her bra.

“Easy, I’m not going to hurt you,” he said, getting back on his feet with nimbleness that no ordinary man should possess. It was catlike, or maybe a lion.

“Okay, who are you and where the hell did you come from?” she demanded, ignoring her embarrassment by punching her fists to her hips, hoping to look more formidable.

The guy was big, like Superman or Thor, big, tall, and muscular. He should be slow as molasses going uphill in winter. How tall was this guy anyway? She was a hair under 6’ and felt tiny compared to him.

“My name’s Travis Blake, moved into apartment 2 B a couple hours ago. Came down to do laundry and found you rocking out, wanted to alert you that I was there. Never meant to scare you, I’m sorry. I’ve ID on me, if you need to take a look,” he said, pulling his wallet out of his back pocket and flipping it open.

Taking a glance at his ID, she saw he had a Virginia license, but the photo was accurate. Finally, she nodded and stepped back, assessing him with the benefit of distance. Okay, it wasn’t that much of a distance since the laundry room was only big enough for three coin-operated washer and dryer units, a couple of plastic chairs, a mini-vending machine for detergent and fabric softener, a rack for hanging clothes, and the counter where her clean clothes were neatly arranged.

“Hey, you still with me, darlin’?” he asked, sounding genuinely concerned. “Did I hurt you?”

“No, no, I’m fine. I’m Cassidy O’Neal, tenants here call me Cass, take your pick. We’re neighbors, Mr. Blake.” Vaguely, she recalled the building manager putting notices on everyone’s doors about a new tenant fitting Travis’ description moving in today.

“Mr. Blake’s my dad, nice guy. When he visits sometime, maybe you’ll like him.”

“I’m sure I would,” she replied, her eyes drawn to his head. “Can I, ah, have that back?”

“What?” he asked, as if he wasn’t aware that her bra was on his head. He acted as if he didn’t care, cool as cucumber.

“My bra, although I’m not sure why you’re wearing it,” she said, gesturing to his head.

“Got to admit, never had a woman throw her clothes at me, but, damn, you stopped me in my tracks,” he replied as if she’d earned his respect.

Stay tuned for more, excerpts, links for where to find Lipstick and Camouflage, and any related information.

Until next time,
Frances Stockton 

Ellora's Cave: It's Time to Speak Up

Greetings everyone! I know it's been a while since I've posted, but I hope you'll stick with me for a post that is certain to be long.

You may have noticed an uptick in former Ellora's Cave authors and/or staff speaking out about their experiences with a publisher that once rocked the mainstream publishing world with innovative, sexy, erotic, and adventurous oftentimes hardcore romances that broke the mold. For that alone, I say, bravo to Jaid Black, who decided not to kowtow to New York and write sexy stories about aliens from another universe, a result that launched EC into a huge financial success. Long before Fifty Shades of Grey, Jaid, along with many other erotic and erotica authors were venturing into sub-genres such as BDSM, Older Woman/Younger Man, Menage, M/M, and horror, just to name a few.

Many of those authors have gone on to become huge bestsellers on the New York Times, USA Today, Amazon, and B&N lists, and to them, I can only tip my hat.  Likewise, I continue to believe that Jaid's Trek Mi Quan universe is one of the most creative series I have ever read. Is it for everyone? Maybe not, but, again, props to her for writing what she loved, for sticking to her guns, and giving those books life through a lot of hard work and determination during a time when the concept of electronic books was as alien as her hot, sexy characters from a far away world.

Keep in mind, e-publishing has come a long way since the time of downloading files, printing them out or reading on a PC. With the advent of the Kindle, Nook, iPads/Tablets, buying eBooks is as easy as a 'click', and it's on your device in the matter of seconds. Self-publishing, of which I am now a huge fan of as a result of my last few years experience with EC, has become very popular and eBooks tend to be priced in such a way to make them affordable. Now, if I was J.R. Ward or Sherrilyn Kenyon, perhaps a reader would be willing to pay upwards of $6.99-$7.99, and at some third party vendors even higher, for a 100K+ novel on their iPad or Kindle. But generally, that's a lot to ask for a digital book.

That said, the following is my account and my experience with Ellora's Cave Publishing, and while it's not intended in any way to bash anyone or TPTB at EC, and I will not go into any contractual information that I have with them, I've had enough with the vitriol going on or being said about my fellow former EC authors and/or staffers and editors who are only telling their truths and their experiences. 

My first book was published with Ellora's Cave under the Cerridwen Press imprint, titled Seductive Persuasion, and was the first of an historical-paranormal four book series. Soon after the third book in that series, Sea Captain's Ghost, released, I learned that the imprint was going on hiatus. Eventually Cerridwen Press would become known as Blush. More on that in a bit. As I tended to write more sensual than erotic or explicit, this was awesome to me. But, I still had one book in the series left and wondered what would become of it. I debated turning it into an erotic story, however, given the time period it was written in, late-Georgian, and it just didn't seem to be right.

Instead, I set it aside and went back to a book I'd started a year before and stopped because it was 'out of my comfort zone', translation, erotic, featuring an older woman and a younger man as the heroine/hero. During an RT Convention in Columbus, Ohio, I'd attended an EC spotlight in support of my publisher and learned that older woman/younger man scenarios were selling very well, and, I immediately went home and wrote what would become Quarterback Blitz. To this day, that book is and continues to be very popular with readers, it won Best Erotic Contemporary from several online book review websites, and it launched a series of six books, a series titled Ink and Kink, Let me just say that I am proud of each and every story in that series, as well as those that I wrote separately or featured secondary characters in the Maddox brothers/Ink and Kink universe. In between, yes, I'd finally completed the Panthera series with Arrington's Claim for the Blush imprint.

Around the time the last Ink and Kink book was released, Switch Master, I'd begun tracking my royalty statements, primarily because sales dipped dramatically. I figured there were several causes, EC was releasing a lot of books, some re-releases, some in trade paperback per week. And, while that is their prerogative to release that many books in a given week, I also saw that more and more eBook publishers were on the rise, ditto for self-publishing, and the costs of those books were much more attractive to consumers than the pricey MSRP of my admittedly long stories. Yes, I write big books and I cannot lie. Yes, I think they are worth every penny, but I'd wished that the market would've been a bigger factor in the pricing.

The problem with the downturn in the market, therefore, my royalties, which were starting to come later and later, or in one case, a new release's sales figures were not accounted for, though quickly and professionally corrected within days, had dropped to the point that I could not afford to attend the Romantic Times Booklovers Conventions or many other conventions with the exception of Ellora's Cave's conference known as RomantiCon, and my local RWA chapter conference. I also couldn't afford blog tours. Book reviews declined dramatically and eventually stopped altogether.

All the while, royalties declined, and I thought, I'll write more books and establish a back list. EC started a few marketing campaigns, such as 1st books in a series free for two weeks, and, yes, this helped, some. But readers will rush to get a free book yet when the next book is priced so drastically above other books of similar genre and length, they move on. Now, some of this is taste, not every reader or reviewer is going to like my books, and that's their right and opinion. However, pricing and affordability makes a difference in a consumer's choice when money is tight.

With the last book in the Ink and Kink series, I'd started a new series based on some secondary characters readers had been introduced to already. Those books simply did not sell well and while I understand that opinions vary, I began to think about making some decisions about my future. My favorite genre, in all honesty, is Romantic Suspense, and I really, really wanted to go into mainstream fiction.

In 2014, many things were happening, my royalty checks were coming very, very late, and while contractually EC was to pay quarterly,they primarily paid monthly. Checks came at odd times, likewise, they were dated a whole month before they were actually stamped and mailed. In two cases, there was no date on the envelope. Authors were told this was due to a glitch in the accounting software program. I have no idea if this is true or not, that's what we were told via an author email loop.

In August of 2014, the wheels fell off and my eyes were opened. While on a family vacation and very concerned because I'd not received royalties in a while and an email inquiry as to whether my check was lost in the mail or sent at all went unanswered, and in the midst of content edits for what would become the last book I've published with Ellora's Cave word was sent to the private author email loop that many EC staffers, including freelance editors, mine, too, were being let go due to a downturn in the market and blame seemed to be placed on Amazon. In my opinion, Amazon is a powerhouse in the eBook world and will remain so, and most of the sales I'd been making came from that vendor. I was devastated, not only for myself, but for the editors, especially my editor, whom to this day is one of my favorite people on the planet and continues to be my editor for my self-publishing ventures. For many reasons, I've chosen not to include her name in this post, though I'm sure she knows that I've the utmost respect for her. I'd also like to thank her for taking a chance on a newbie and helping me through the publishing process.

Within an hour, maybe less, of the announcement sent to the authors about the layoffs, an unknown party shared that same message on a public forum. I saw and read it on Absolute Write, but it was shared elsewhere and within a very short time, I received countless messages from readers and authors outside of EC sharing their concerns for the stability of the publisher. I had them too, but I wanted to believe it would be okay. My editor graciously finished the last round of edits for Pleasure Trove and the book received a release date within two weeks of the books final draft and FLEs, Final Line Edits, were done in a rush. Guess what? Despite blogging and doing as much promo as I could, the book tanked, I couldn't get it to sell, no matter what. A few of my faithful readers were concerned that I wouldn't receive the royalties and asked what they should do. I didn't know and did NOT EVER ask anyone not to buy the book or any of my titles. I still haven't done so. However, they have graciously purchased my self-published title, UnMAsKed, and are eagerly awaiting the next, also a Romantic Suspense titled Lipstick and Camouflage.

In September of 2014, I was attending a weekend writer's workshop in Connecticut. It was a great weekend, especially as I was able to get away from the stress of what was happening with EC. I had finally received a check dated in late July 2014 that arrived in my mailbox a month later, at the tail end of August. I was grateful. Yes, my checks were coming later and later, but they did come eventually. The problem was that EC became radio silent on our private loop, primarily, I believe, because private messages were being shared on public forums. For the record, I did not like that private emails were being made public and felt that this was hurting authors more than anything else going on. Again, my opinion.

I started talking to my husband about what I should do going forward. Okay, actually, we'd been talking about this for a long time but things were heating up. Should I ask for rights back based on contract terms? Let it go and hope checks come as they were supposed to? But then at that same writer's workshop, everything got drastically worse. NOT because one of the ladies at Dear Author had written a very long 'writer beware' type of article titled The Curious Case of Ellora's Cave. That article is on DA's blog and I'm not going to go into specifics, except to say that the blogger corrected a few details recently, yet the majority of it remains.

What alarmed me and so many authors and reviewers and bloggers, as well as readers, was EC's decision to sue the writer of the post. I was familiar with Dear Author and similar sites, yet, I'm honestly not a frequent visitor or reader of it, primarily because it's a little bit 'mean girl' for my tastes. That said, the blogger had every single right to write what she substantially believed to be true, she'd researched court cases, looked at tax liens accrued against the publisher that are on public record, and listened to author accounts of not receiving royalties. That's called FREEDOM of SPEECH. It's part of our Constitution, the Bill of Rights. And, Ellora's Cave turned around and sued a blogger in what appeared to be a SLAPP suit. From there on the Streisand Effect took root. Readers and reviewers boycotted. The vitriol that resulted since steamrolled, more readers bailed on EC's books out of concern that we weren't getting paid, royalties came later and later and that all meant to me that the publishing company was in serious financial trouble.

A few months ago, EC also launched a new website. I didn't care for it visually, but I'm not a web designer by any stretch. Some say it's more user friendly, some say otherwise, and there appeared to be more than a few glitches that needed to be fixed. What I know is this, during the change something happened to all of the blurbs on my books on EC's site. They're not only missing commas and punctuation, they appear amateurish. Therefore, I have not asked my web guru to change the links on my website that directs readers to purchase my books from the publisher's site, nor have I any plans to. It seems to me that the responsibility for hunting down and correcting typos and punctuation errors is on whoever maintains that site.  

Honestly, I've no idea what the financial status of EC is. I'm not going to guess or take a jab at the ownership or current staff members, other than to say, that I absolutely believe the authors who say they haven't been paid or that their payments are way late or breached. At the time of this blog post, I have not received a check since February 2015's sales that came in September of 2015. Could a check arrive this week? I hope so, we were informed via the private loop that we would receive payment for three months in one check, yet even if it arrives they are still months behind. I hope they really do catch up, authors worked hard on their books and deserve to get paid.

Let me say that up until the last year or so, I've enjoyed my experience as an EC author. I loved RomantiCon and the friends I've made through the convention, both authors and readers. I adored the Cavemen models who danced for us, and I will miss Angelo forever. He was incredibly charming and charismatic and appeared on the cover of Field of Play, not only signing my cover flats to help the book to sell, but also one for me that's now framed and in a place of honor in my office. For those who don't know, Angelo was tragically shot and killed (for the true story I recommend the documentary produced by Joe Manganiello, from True Blood/Magic Mike, titled LaBare). To this day, my fellow EC authors and former editors remain my friends, people I respect, admire, and trust. They are speaking up, they are telling their truths. If they're asking readers not to purchase their books, respect their decision. It is not because their books are poorly written or they are ashamed of it. Despite what's being posted on social media by an EC principle and a few EC authors who are in her corner (that's their right, too), those who are speaking out or speaking up are not liars, they are not misogynists, Bad Apples, or bullies. To sick a very nasty troll after a group that follows a Twitter hashtag known as #notchilled, the same person probably best known for GamerGate, is, by my measure, very low and irresponsible and an another attempt to 'chill free speech.' That's the purpose of #notchilled, not to malign EC, but to come out in defense of a blogger's and anyone else's right to write what they believed to be substantially true.

It is because of the lawsuit that I have chosen not to write for Ellora's Cave any longer. Yes, the case settled, and there's a sense of letdown by all parties of interest, but an attempt to stifle free speech did not sit well with me, and still doesn't. That's why I made the decisions I have since August of 2014. I'll continue to write and publish mainstream Romantic Suspense, and I'm venturing into paranormal again. When or if I get the rights returned on my back titles, I'll heavily revise, re-title, re-cover, and set prices according to what is most affordable for readers. If I go with a mainstream publisher, who knows what's down the road, you can be certain that I will never sign a contract without a lawyer and hopefully an agent's assistance.

Please note that this is my experience, another author or staffer's story may vary. It is not intended to sling mud, there's already too much being thrown around by both sides of the situation. Frankly, I hope the bullying on Twitter from sock puppets and trolls ends. I hope the vitriol stops and business-like discussions resume. I do not hope EC goes into bankruptcy, there are authors, staffers, publishers, artists, copy editors, you name it, who depend upon this publishing house. I do not wish ill upon Jaid Black, Patty Marks, or anyone else involved with Ellora's Cave, nor do I seek to cause trouble for them or create further chaos. It was simply time to speak out.

To authors who remain supportive of EC, I wish you success. To authors who have chosen to speak out or request readers not to purchase their Ellora's Cave titles, whether it's a business decision or something more personal, I support you unconditionally. To my readers, I hope you will continue to support my self-published titles, UnMAsKed is available at Amazon, B&N for Nook, Kobo, and iBooks. For information on this, hit me up in the comment section or check out the following page: http://www.francesstockton.com/romanticsuspense.html#unmasked           

Until the next time,
Frances Stockton

  
     



   

UnMAsKed Unleashed! My first Indie Title!

Greetings! I know, I know, I've been quiet. I assure you, for good reason. I'm not going to go into detail about my publisher, Ellora's Cave. Let's suffice it to say that I'm still writing, still here, just kinda watching what plays out, you know? I also appreciate the readers who have bought and read my books through EC, I am as proud of those books today as I was when I'd written them, truly.

That said, upon reflection, I decided to take my books in a different, more mainstream direction. While the content is hot, some books will not be AS HOT as EC's, nor considered erotic or Romantica or erotic romance. I have been a huge fan of Romantic Suspense for a long time and decided to give it a try. That's how UnMAsKed began!

Having been born and raised in a county north of Baltimore, spending summer vacations at the beach in Ocean City, or going 'down the shore', created memories for me and my family, and we still enjoy the boardwalk, Thrasher's, Fisher's Popcorn, fudge, ice cream, the boardwalk, the rides, the haunted house, there was the one on The Pier, Morbid Manor it was called when I was a kid, and the haunted house on the boardwalk that you went through in motorized 'coffins'. What I remember most? A woman's hands coming out of a toilet! LOL, true, but to get to the point, Ocean City, Maryland became the setting of my new Romantic Suspense series titled Major Crimes Unit. UnMAsKed is book 1.

UnMAsKed introduces readers to a small task force of detectives, vice and homicide, crime scene investigators, and the thrills and chills of mainstream romantic suspense. This book starts off with rookie homicide detective Faith Oliver, who, after a breakup, needed a change and moved to Ocean City, MD to start over, sexologist Dr. Kane Welbourne, who becomes her adviser on all things kinky and sexy and fetish-related, and Faith's partner-in-solving crime, Detective Toryn Spencer, set to have his story told in Book 2! Stay tuned.

Better yet, UnMAsKed set at an AWESOME price, only $2.99 for a full length novel! I hope you will give it a chance, this is my first self-pub/indie release and I am wicked excited. It's available at all major vendors, Amazon, Nook, Kobo, Apple iBooks, and a new-to-me 'rental' service called Scribd!

Here are all relevant links:
https://www.scribd.com/book/260603553/Unmasked-Major-Crimes-Unit-1
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id982005204
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/unmasked-frances-stockton/1121675722?ean=2940152192612&itm=1&usri=2940152192612
https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/unmasked-34
http://www.amazon.com/UnMAsKed-Major-Crimes-Unit-Book-ebook/dp/B00VIV7JTA/ref=sr_1_9?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1428072306&sr=1-9&keywords=Frances+Stockton

Thank you so much for giving UnMAsKed a chance! Before I go, let me give you a little teaser!

Major Crimes Unit: Book One

After a broken engagement, rookie detective Faith Oliver is given a new start in Ocean City, a beach resort near Maryland’s Eastern Shore. When her first case involves the murder of a man associated with a mysterious fetish club known as MAsK, Faith turns to renowned sexologist, Dr. Kane Welbourne for help in understanding a dark lifestyle she’s only read about in sexy romance books.

At first, she finds Kane arrogant but handsome as sin, and nearly impossible to resist. But when another victim dies and Kane’s life is threatened, she must unravel a web of lies while guarding her heart. Once the killer is revealed, will it be too late to believe in happily ever after? 

This story contains the hot detectives and crime scene investigators of the MCU, Faith’s sex-doctor boyfriend, BDSM elements, including between the hero and heroine, and the thrills and chills of mainstream romantic suspense.

Pleasure Trove Available Now at EC, Amazon. ARe and Google Play!

Greetings! I'm thrilled to let you all know that my newest release, Pleasure Trove, Ellora's Cave Moderne, is Available Now directly from Ellora's Cave, Amazon, ARe and Google Play/Books for Android tablets!

While these links will be available on my Bookshelf page on my website http://www.francesstockton.com I wanted to update my blog with the links as well!

I'll also add a great excerpt if you're interested in getting a glimpse of a standalone Contemporary Erotic Romance with a HEA.

Pleasure Trove Links:

Ellora's Cave: http://www.ellorascave.com/pleasure-trove.html
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Pleasure-Trove-Frances-Stockton-ebook/dp/B00N971GZY/ref=sr_sp-btf_title_1_11?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1409758446&sr=1-11&keywords=Frances+Stockton
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-pleasuretrove-1612155-340.html
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Frances_Stockton_Pleasure_Trove?id=g5lmBAAAQBAJ

Excerpt:

By reading any further, you are stating that you are at least 18 years of age. If you are under the age of 18, please exit this site.

An Excerpt From: PLEASURE TROVE

Copyright © FRANCES STOCKTON, 2014

All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc.

“Oh hey, you’re the new girl,” Hardy said, grinning at her.

“I’m Calysta MacIntyre, the PA,” she answered, wondering how long it’d been since anyone called her a girl. She’d turned thirty a month ago. “Can you lend me a hand? I don’t want to spill anything on my first day.”

“Sure, sure,” Hardy replied, reaching out to take one of the carryout trays. At least the trays were divided and each cup had its spot. Still, they’d been heavy and awkward. “You’re mighty pretty, if I do say so myself.”

“Thank you, that’s sweet of you to say.” Callie lifted her head, hoping her long wild light-auburn hair remained twisted up at her nape with the aid of a strategically placed pencil.

For her early-morning interview with Sven Erikson, she wore a light-green and rose-flowered print maxi dress that flowed prettily to her ankles. Trendy sandals were on her feet. Normally, she’d wear a business suit or slacks to work and her hair would be straightened or sedately braided. Admittedly it’d been nice not to fuss with it this morning.

Fortunately, Sven hired her shortly after the interview began, as it’d been the third since they’d first met. At the time, she’d been certain she didn’t stand a chance, as she had no actual studio work on her resume. Her saving grace had been a long-standing stint as a theater technician and a background in creative writing and plays.

“Sorry for the delay in getting to the door,” Hardy said, breaking her train of thought. “I was tied up elsewhere when you returned. Come on, follow me.”

“I understand, I hope I didn’t come across as impatient,” she replied, entering the building and making a quick right into a small sitting room before moving through it into another short hall and the depths of the studio. The entrance reminded her of a maze.

During the interview process, she’d learned that Pleasure Trove Entertainment had two primary locations, this one in Hollywood and another smaller one on Catalina Island that was used for outdoor shoots. Most of the movies, however, were shot in this gigantic converted warehouse and the director’s office was located here.

“No worries,” Hardy explained. “The crew is putting the finishing touches on the set now. Mr. Erikson will have plenty for you to do shortly.”

“I’m grateful he’s giving me a shot. I’m hoping to learn about screenwriting, but my experience is primarily in theater,” she admitted, silently thanking her former college roommate’s agent for helping Callie get an initial interview with Sven Erikson.

Callie knew from her experience as an investigative reporter that when it came to going undercover, it was best to stick as close to what you actually knew than make up a false identity on a resume.

During her initial interview with Sven, she’d been honest with him as to her identity, explaining that she’d been placed on a two-month furlough from her job as a copy editor at Bingham and Hardwick Publishing. On the chance that the job would be cut permanently, she’d started sending out resumes.

When pressed further, she told him the small publisher had been bought out and the new ownership began cutting positions and furloughing employees due to economic reasons. What she really hoped to accomplish by coming to LA was to find a job as a screenwriter, she’d told Sven.

She’d also admitted that the publishing company produced pamphlets and textbooks on Maryland history, local magazines and small-town newspapers. While her role as the Phantom Reporter had been anonymous, it was possible that someone doing a background check could find out the truth.

As simple as the title of her former column had been, she’d insisted on anonymity due to the nature and sensitivity of going undercover. At the beginning her articles had been well-received until the paper she’d written for was placed online and became more fluff than informational.

So far she thought her Phantom column was safe from discovery. Otherwise, she doubted Sven would have called her back for a second interview and requested a copy of the play she’d written as part of her master’s degree in English lit.

During that interview, she’d been able to shine. Sven asked about her experience in technical theater, something she truly loved and believed was the reason he hired her. He didn’t ask a thing about Bingham and Hardwick and she’d been grateful.

It’d been then that she asked if she could be known around the studio as Calysta MacIntyre, her pseudonym. He’d agreed and was hired on a trial basis.

Callie had been relieved. Her aunt and uncle’s pain was immeasurable. If she could give them some answers as to how their daughter could be lost for so long only to become a porn star and then be discarded as if no one cared one iota for the loss, she’d do whatever it took to make that happen.

She wasn’t at Pleasure Trove to write a story or a tell-all. But if she found proof that the director or anyone in power at the studio knew about Laura’s stint in underage porn or was even responsible for it, she’d turn it over to the detective who’d first notified her aunt and uncle about the death of their daughter.

From what Callie knew, Detective Morrison had investigated her aunt and uncle’s concerns about the black-market DVDs, but they’d found nothing to implicate Pleasure Trove as responsible for producing illegal porn or they’d have rightfully closed them down.

Regardless, this was Laura’s last known place of employment and this was where Callie needed to be. She honestly didn’t know who produced the illegal movies. But it was possible someone on the inside knew. Someone had sent those movies to her family. She hoped to find that person and see what he or she knew about who produced Lola Lane’s older movies.

“Mr. Erikson saw something in you that he liked or you’d have never made it past his office,” Hardy was saying, bringing Callie back to the task at hand.

“Well, I certainly know my way around set building and stage managing,” she assured. “I’m also great at striking sets, prepping flash pots, creating fog, running sound and light boards and helping actors change costumes in record time.”

“What kind of theater were you in?”

“Community, non-union, not that I begrudge someone for joining one,” she answered.

“Ever act?”

“Only as an extra in big musicals for fun and experience,” she said.

“Then you can move,” Hardy remarked. “You’re certainly pretty enough to be on camera, should you ever consider trying.”

“I’ll stick to what I know, tech work. Give me a power drill to fix something or gaffer’s tape to keep cables from becoming a trip hazard, I’m good,” Callie commented.

Walking carefully as she carried her tray, she refrained from asking too many details about the studio itself. Now that she’d been hired, she had to show everyone she belonged.

Hardy continued on. The guard was at least six foot five and broad-shouldered with a lot of pumped-up muscle, yet the cavernous size of the building made him appear small.

Along the walls were heavy-duty shelves stacked with lumber, windows, doorways, canvas flats, tools and props. A U-shaped second floor above them looked to have a dozen different production rooms or small offices. The ceiling beams were made of metal with industrial lighting.

A little afraid they’d never reach their destination she picked up her step, nearly colliding with Hardy when he stopped in front of a red-velvet curtain with gold ropes. Pulling on one of the ropes, he drew the curtains aside.

Lights were up, a crew was scurrying about fixing this or that and a handful of models in skimpy lingerie and super-high heels huddled together on a big sectional sofa off to stage left. On a platform in the center of the enormous room was a tropical-island set, complete with white sand, palm trees and a bamboo shelter with an enormous round bed.

Four men in tight bathing suits held palm fronds in their hands, practicing waving them up and down. They were good-looking with dark hair, lean muscles, and judging the fronts of their bathing suits, endowed, their tans as artificial as Hardy’s.

In one corner, a tall, leggy brunette with an ultra-trim waist and huge breasts wore a short see-thru beach robe over a barely there crimson bikini. Judging by the conversation she was having with the director and someone behind a screen, something had irked the actress.

“Mr. Erikson, I’m sorry to interrupt, but I’ve brought your coffee orders,” she said to the director, silently reminding herself that she’d left Callie in Baltimore. “Where should I place them?”

Right here, right now, she needed to be Calysta MacIntyre, calm, cool and professional. That was until Sven Erikson moved away and a man stepped out from the screen and she momentarily forgot who she was.

Resembling a beautiful blond Greek god, he didn’t have a sprayed-on tan. Oh no, he was taller than Hardy by at least two inches, broad, built and sculpted with gorgeous wavy shoulder-length hair left wild and unbound.

Wearing nothing but bathing trunks, he filled out them out beautifully. His face, perfection, chiseled perhaps by the gods themselves.

Trembling nervously, Callie caught herself, waiting for the director to tell her what to do when the actor’s eyes met hers from across the room. He smiled, flashing perfectly white teeth and sending a sharp pang of sensation low in her belly.

For the longest time, they stared at each other, both seeming unwilling to look away. Tiny butterflies took flight within her, her heart thudding. This wasn’t just any actor, somewhere in her cluttered thoughts, she recognized him as Pleasure Trove’s leading man, Maksim Steel.

News: New Release and 50% Off!

Hello everyone,
I know it's been a while since I've blogged, however, I've been busy through the summer with family vacations and writing! In fact, I've a new release coming this week! And I've some awesome news to share regarding the price of seven of my previous titles! Yes, seven books with Ellora's Cave have been reduced by 50% of the original retail price, books include Ink Master, Field of Play, Quarterback Blitz, Arrington's Claim, Sea Captain's Ghost, Rhiannon's Pride and, my first book, Seductive Persuasion! Prices range from less than $4.00-$1.00! These prices are available through EC, Amazon, ARe, Barnes and Noble, and Google Play! Visit my website for direct links: www.francesstockton.com

My new book is Pleasure Trove, featuring an all-new cast of characters, and for now is a standalone, though who knows what the future could bring for some of them? Pleasure Trove features former investigative reporter Callie Andrews seeking answers as to how her long-missing cousin died in California. Her search takes her to Pleasure Trove, an adult film company.

She never expects to meet the enigmatic and charming Maksim Steel, much less become his fluffer, or the daring affair that results! For more information about Pleasure Trove, follow the link: http://www.ellorascave.com/pleasure-trove.html

For a look at the cover, here you go!

Review for Field of Play!

Wow, two reviews in one day. How exciting. You Gotta Read sent an excellent review of Field of Play, Book 2 in the Ink and Kink series. I'm honored that earlier books in the series are getting noticed.

http://yougottaread.com/review-field-of-play-by-frances-stockton/

Hazard's Dare Available Now from Amazon!

Yay! Big news to share today. Hazard's Dare, Ellora's Cave Moderne, is now available from Ellora's Cave, ARe and, finally, Amazon.com. I expect it'll be available from other venues, B&N, Sony, and Kobo soon.

Here's a direct link to Hazard's Dare on Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Hazards-Dare-ebook/dp/B00BND224U/ref=sr_1_14?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1364947025&sr=1-14&keywords=Frances+Stockton

Blurb:

Hazard, talented linebacker for the Alexandria Griffins, is known for hard hits, record-breaking sacks, fast living and engaging in unconventional relationships. During a week off from football, he travels to Dare, Nevada, for some R and R and to hook up with a hot woman or two.

When Avery, his agent’s sister, walks into the club wearing a wicked red dress, he’s not immune to her delectable charms. After several tequila shots, Avery invites him to her hotel room for a week of hot sex with no promise of commitment, and he gladly accepts.

Of course they don’t expect their brief sexcapade to quickly turn into love—nor are they aware that someone dangerous has been stalking Avery’s family for years. Someone who’s about to strike. When Avery disappears, Hazard might lose the best thing he’s ever had. But not without a fight.

A Romantica® contemporary erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave

Excerpt:
http://www.amazon.com/Hazards-Dare-ebook/dp/B00BND224U/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1364994896&sr=1-1&keywords=hazard%27s+dare#reader_B00BND224U

Hazard's Dare has also received a fabulous 5 Kisses/Recommended Read from Tangie at TwoLipsReviews!
To find out more, here's a link: http://www.twolipsreviews.com/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8912&Itemid=36

I hope you'll check it out and I'd appreciate feedback, too.

 

Release Date: Hazard's Dare

Greetings everyone!

Thank you so much if you've stopped by to check out my posts. I really appreciate the support. Today, I wanted to share a big announcement: Hazard's Dare, Ellora's Cave Moderne will release on February 27, 2013!

Is anyone else used to typing 2013 yet? I'm still getting used to it, but I'm also wicked excited about Hazard and Avery's story coming your way. 

In coming weeks before the book's release, I'll share excerpts. But if you'd like a sneak peak, here's a link: http://www.ellorascave.com/hazard-s-dare.html

Read below for the blurb!



Hazard, talented linebacker for the Alexandria Griffins, is known for hitting hard, record-breaking sacks, fast living and engaging in unconventional relationships. During a week off from football, he travels to Dare, Nevada for some R&R and to hook up with a hot woman or two.

When Avery, his agent’s sister, walks into the club wearing a daring red dress, he is not immune to her smoking-hot charms. After several tequila shots, Avery dares him to come back to her hotel room for a week of hot sex with no promise of commitment and he accepts.

Avery and Hazard never expect their brief sexcapade to quickly turn into love, and neither is aware that someone has been stalking the Grant family for years. When danger strikes and Avery disappears, Hazard stands to lose the best thing he’s ever had.

The Maddox Brothers

Hello and TGIF from rainy New England!

As it is raining and an early fall morning walk isn't an option, I thought I'd write about three of my favorite heroes, the Maddox brothers, Phalen, Ethan and Taran. Having grown up in South Boston, or Southie as the Maddox men would say, they are incredibly loyal to all things Boston, the Red Sox, the Patriots, Celtics and Bruins.

After having lost their parents when the oldest, Phalen, was in college, he was charged with taking care of his slightly younger brothers and assuring their futures. Taking after his Alpha father, Phalen was drawn to the BDSM lifestyle and became a Master who instructs Dominants, male or female, on the safe and proper techniques of bondage and discipline. He's also handed this trait down to his brothers. Ethan and Taran have their own dungeons, their own fetishes, and their own favorite ways of enganging in D/s relationships.

First introduced in Quarterback Blitz, an Ellora's Cave Sophisticate available in print and ebook from EC, ARe, B&N, Amazon, Sony and Kobo, Phalen became an instant reader-favorite! Truth be told, he become my favorite, too.

Phalen is also a former Airborne Ranger who nearly lost his life on a Special Ops mission. Today he is a private investigator who operates out of his tattoo and body art shop in Salem, MA, Ink Master.

To learn more about Phalen and his submissive-in-denial heroine, Cassie, visit http://www.francesstockton.com or http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9646-ink-master.aspx

As I began writing Ink Master, Phalen's younger brothers came into focus and in my writer's imagination, became very significant. Like Phalen, Ethan and Taran regard family, friendship, loyalty, and justice as character traits. Their combined likeness for tattooing, born from their father, a Vietnam vet who opened a tattoo shop in Boston after the war, and each one has ink work that expresses their individuality and their likenesses.

Detective Ethan Maddox and his heroine, shy psychic Morgan Everhart, became significant in Ink Master, and now in Cuff Master, their HEA has been told. Ethan is the middle Maddox, the even-tempered, logical detective is skeptic of all things supernatural, yet he is drawn to Morgan instantly.  To find out about Ethan and Morgan, follow the link to their blurb:    http://www.jasminejade.com/p-10258-cuff-master.aspx

Now, I admit that Taran Maddox's story has yet to be told. However, that doesn't mean his hasn't begun. Taran's the youngest at 30 years old who passed the Bar and is now a practicing attorney. Taran's the rebel and troublemaker, and yet, he is a peacemaker and an outstanding litigator in the courtroom. Outside of the courtroom, he'd prefer to be working in the Boston tattoo shop or riding his Harley or winning the heart of the woman who caught his eye months ago.

Of course, I'd love to tell you more about Taran, but that would be like telling the end of the story before the beginning, wouldn't it? So now that you've learned about the Maddox brothers, I hope you'll give them a try if you haven't.

Before I sign off for a bit, here's are Phalen and Ethan's covers! Enjoy.

Who's Who and What Came Before

Hello!
Anyone else as excited about football as I am? I admit it, I'm a huge NFL fan and am so glad the season's underway. Looking forward to some fall TV shows, new ones and returning favorites.

Today, I'd like to get you all caught up in the Who's Who and What Came Before regarding my highly sensual Contemporary Romances. While the books themselves are not a 'series', they do have common characters, with each having a central hero/heroine that have a story and HEA that's all their own.

To clear up some confusion, here's a quick glance at what books have come before the most recent release, Cuff Master, Ellora's Cave Taboo.

Quarterback Blitz, Ellora's Cave Sophisticate Erotic Romance, which features hero and veteran QB Kyran Black for the Alexandria Griffins and the team's mascot, Anna James, a high school physical education teacher and assistant JV football coach who needs the extra $ being a mascot provides.

Kyran and Anna's story introduces readers to Kyran's best friends from his college days at LSU, sports agent Alexander Grant and PI/Tattoo artist Phalen Maddox, a former Special Ops soldier.

Field of Play, Ellora's Cave Moderne, returns to the world of professional football with Alexandria Griffins wide receiver, Dallas McKay, and PI Grace Daniels, who's been hired by Dallas to help find his biological parents.

This story features the return of Phalen Maddox, who assists Grace in the investigation when it becomes necessary to call in some extra help. Sports agent Alexander Grant, who represents Dallas, also makes an appearance.

Ink Master, Ellora's Cave Taboo, is an Erotic Romance with strong BDSM elements, minus the sadism. Phalen Maddox, the hero, is a Dom who recognizes that Cassie Williams, the owner of a bookstore-diner in Salem, MA is a submissive in denial and is determined to claim her as his.

Ink Master introduces readers to the Maddox brothers, Detective Ethan Maddox and soon-to-be Attorney-at-Law, Taran Maddox, each Dominants, and their future heroines, Morgan Everhart and Detective Samantha Riley.

Morgan, you see, is a psychic with the gifts of psychometry and communicating with ghosts, while Ethan, a detective used to dealing with cold, hard evidence and facts to solve a case, struggles to understand her abilities. Sam, on the other hand, is a bombshell blonde capable of kicking some serious ass and Taran's future? Stay tuned to find out.

Playing Doctor, Ellora's Cave Spectrum, is agent Alexander Grant and Dr. Ryan Hathaway's sexy love story. The two have a history, dating to when they were growing up. Ryan was introduced in Quarterback Blitz, as Kyran's surgeon. He and Alex were reunited in QB Blitz after Kyran was injured, and in Ink Master, Ryan returns to claim his man!

And that brings everything to the here and now, Cuff Master, Ellora's Cave Taboo, Ethan and Morgan's HEA. Here's a blurb:

Detective Ethan Maddox and psychic Morgan Everhart are on the cusp of a relationship, if she can forgive him for doubting her abilities when they first met. A Master with a fetish for handcuffs, he recognizes Morgan is a submissive who needs a patient man to guide her safely into the D/s lifestyle. He is determined to claim her.

Inviting her for a moonlit walk, Ethan kisses Morgan and her seduction begins, until a teenaged ghost interrupts. Ethan is skeptical of the supernatural, but if he doesn’t open his mind he may never collar the woman he loves.

As they work together to solve a cold case, Ethan introduces Morgan to the very dark, seductive world of sex, submission, bondage and dungeons. All the while, danger is growing. If Ethan doesn’t find a young girl’s killer soon, all could be lost.

Reader Advisory: Morgan’s sexual awakening includes watching a scorching-hot brief scene of male/male lust, with Ethan by her side.

http://www.jasminejade.com/p-10258-cuff-master.aspx

All contemporaries are available at Ellora's Cave, Amazon.com, B&N, ARe, and Sony Reader Store. In the previous post, links for each venue are provided.

To learn more, follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/francesstockton

and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/frances.stockton

I'm also on Pinterest and Google+.

 

Cuff Master is Available at ARe!

Hello again!
In coming weeks, look for some updates to my website. There's an old blog that will be removed and links to this one will be prominent. Updates, news, reviews, buy links, and contest announcements will be made on my blog and it'll be easy to follow the links.

As the subject heading indicates, Cuff Master, Ellora's Cave Taboo, is now available at All Romance Ebooks! https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-cuffmaster-923924-340.html

The ghost story contest continues and I've received a few stories so far and would love to have more. Leave your story before August 31st to win a digital copy of a book from my backlist. Don't be shy!

Thank you also to those who complimented the new look on the blog. The feedback is very helpful.

Have a great day. As soon as Cuff Master is available on Amazon and B&N, all information will be added to my website and here on my blog.

Until next time,
Frances

Cuff Master is Available Now!

Hello everyone,
I'm so very excited. Can you tell? Why, you might ask? Because Cuff Master is now available from Ellora's Cave Taboo.

Here's a quick link to Cuff Master on Ellora's Cave's New Release page: http://www.jasminejade.com/p-10258-cuff-master.aspx

I also have a blurb and an excerpt to share to whet your appetite! Be advised that Cuff Master is a Taboo with paranormal/supernatural elements and features a couple engaging in a D/s lifestyle. While there's bondage, light discipline, there is never abuse or physical harm to another person in this story or any story that I write featuring BDSM.

It is my hope that you'll give Detective Ethan Maddox and his shy psychic, Morgan Everhart, a chance and love them as much as I do.

Detective Ethan Maddox and psychic Morgan Everhart are on the cusp of a relationship, if she can forgive him for doubting her abilities when they first met. A Master with a fetish for handcuffs, he recognizes Morgan is a submissive who needs a patient man to guide her safely into the D/s lifestyle. He is determined to claim her.

Inviting her for a moonlit walk, Ethan kisses Morgan and her seduction begins, until a teenaged ghost interrupts. Ethan is skeptical of the supernatural, but if he doesn’t open his mind he may never collar the woman he loves.

As they work together to solve a cold case, Ethan introduces Morgan to the very dark, seductive world of sex, submission, bondage and dungeons. All the while, danger is growing. If Ethan doesn’t find a young girl’s killer soon, all could be lost.

Reader Advisory: Morgan’s sexual awakening includes watching a scorching-hot brief scene of male/male lust, with Ethan by her side.

An excerpt:  http://www.jasminejade.com/p-10258-cuff-master.aspx

If you'd like to read the excerpt, please follow the link. For reasons my techno-klutz personality can't figure out just yet, the blurb kept posting awkwardly. It's a PG-13 excerpt, just an FYI, and I hope you'll like it. In coming days, Cuff Master will be availabe via Amazon, B&N, ARe and various other vendors. I'll post links as they come to me.

In honor of Cuff Master's release, I'm holding a contest which will last until August 31! Leave a comment on this blog that features your favorite ghost story. Everyone has the chance to win a digital copy of a book on my backlist, which you can find if you check out my author page on Ellora's Cave's website. Thanks for playing and don't forget to leave an email address so that I can contact you if your name is drawn for the contest.

Thank you everyone. Celebrating for the rest of the day!
Frances

Release Date and Cover Reveal: Cuff Master

Hello everyone!
As you can see, I've posted the long-awaited cover for Cuff Master, coming August 22, from Ellora's Cave Taboo.

To find out more about Ethan Maddox and Morgan Everhart, here's a blurb and link to the book and excerpt on EC's Coming Soon page.  Very soon, I'll post excerpts and announce a contest to celebrate Cuff Master's release. Enjoy!
http://www.jasminejade.com/p-10258-cuff-master.aspx

Detective Ethan Maddox and psychic Morgan Everhart are on the cusp of a relationship, if she can forgive him for doubting her abilities when they first met. A Master with a fetish for handcuffs, Ethan recognizes Morgan is a submissive who needs a patient man to guide her safely into the D/s lifestyle. He is determined to claim her.

Inviting her for a moonlit walk, Ethan kisses Morgan and her seduction begins, until a teenaged ghost interrupts. Ethan is skeptical of the supernatural, but if he doesn’t open his mind he may never collar the woman he loves.

As they work together to solve a cold case, Ethan introduces Morgan to the very dark, seductive world of sex, submission, bondage and dungeons. All the while, danger is growing. If Ethan doesn’t find a young girl’s killer soon, all could be lost.

Reader Advisory: Morgan’s sexual awakening includes watching a scorching-hot brief scene of male/male lust, with Ethan by her side.

Cuff Master, Coming Soon from EC Taboo

Hello everyone,
A thousand apologies for being so quiet. Admittedly, there's a really good reason. I've been writing, submitting and working on paperwork for a new sale! If you are familiar with the Maddox family, namely, brothers Phalen, Ethan and Taran, all of which are big, bad Dominants with a strong sense of family, Celtic pride, honor, valor, and sex appeal.

If you'd like to find out about the brothers, I highly recommend reading Ink Master, Phalen and Cassie's story. But to catch a glimpse or get to know Phalen before Ink Master, he first appears in Quarterback Blitz, shows up again in Field of Play and has a supportive role in Playing Doctor. But make no mistake, Ink Master introduces readers to the world of BDSM as Phalen slowly, patiently introduces his submissive-in-denial, Cassie, into a very dark, sensual world that not once, ever, becomes abusive.

And, like his older brother, the middle Maddox, Boston Detective Ethan Maddox, born and raised in Southie, is a Dominant with an affinity for bondage and handcuffs. Ethan and his heroine, psychic Morgan Everhart, are coming soon from Ellora's Cave Taboo in Cuff Master.

I'll have cover art, excerpts, blurbs and release date information soon. Stay tuned everyone.

And, if you participated in the Summer Kickoff blog hop last month, please check to see if you were the winner of the contest. I've tried several times to get a hold of the winner but to no avail. I'm waiting another week and if I don't hear back, I will re-draw a name and you could be the winner.

In honor of Cuff Master, a launch day contest will be held. More exciting things to come later in the summer and in the fall.

Until next time,
Frances Stockton

Alexandria Griffins Football

Greetings everyone!

I hope those of you who celebrate Memorial Day had a great holiday and enjoyed the extra day off. But of course, the day is so much more than barbecues, picnics and parades. Now that it's Hump Day, or Wednesday, whichever you prefer, let's talk about football.

Yes, football. Admittedly, I'm a huge football fan and wanted to create a fictional professional football team, the Alexandria Griffins located in Alexandria, Virginia, for Quarterback Blitz, a Contemporary Erotic Romance from Ellora's Cave Sophisticate. At the conclusion of Kyran and Anna's red hot love story, the idea for a wide receiver came to me, thus Dallas McKay, WR for the Griffins, came to me. From there, more Contemporaries evolved, specifically revolving around LSU college buddies, Kyran Black, Alexander Grant and Phalen Maddox. While Alex and Phalen are not pro football players, the three remained friends through thick and thin and each has had their story told.

Dallas McKay and Grace Daniels' story, Field of Play, also available from Ellora's Cave Moderne, included Alex and Phalen. Just a hint, more stories and books are in the works for the Griffins. Also, as a side note, to avoid complications with the NFL, the Griffins and all football teams mentioned are entirely fictitious and do not necessarily follow the schedule, as the league the teams are associated with are also fictitious.

If you'd like to check out Kyran and Anna's story, Quarterback Blitz, it's available via Ellora's Cave, All Romance Ebooks, Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble, in both ebook and print formats. It's also available from Sony and other 3rd party vendors.

http://www.jasminejade.com/p-8560-quarterback-blitz.aspx
http://www.amazon.com/Quarterback-Blitz-ebook/dp/B00413PIY0/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1338384822&sr=1-3
 http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-quarterbackblitz-451120-340.html

Field of Play, available in digital format, can also be found at all previously mentioned vendors.
http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9109-field-of-play.aspx
http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-fieldofplay-528976-149.html
http://www.amazon.com/Field-of-Play-ebook/dp/B004RP8WMW/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1338384822&sr=1-2

I sure hope you'll check them out. Related to both of the above books, Playing Doctor, available from Ellora's Cave Spectrum, features Alex Grant, sports agent for Kyran and Dallas, and his long time unrequited love, Dr. Ryan Hathaway, can also be found at Ellora's Cave, Amazon, ARe, B&N and All Romance Ebooks and a variety of vendors.
http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9986-playing-doctor.aspx

Thank you for visiting. Hop over to Sex Scheming Geniuses to learn more about contests. Commenting could lead to some exciting prizes!

Until next time,
Frances

Hop Against Homophobia

When I first found out about the blog ‘hop against homophobia’, I thought it was a fabulous idea, fabulous, supportive and needed at a time when opinions and perceptions of same-sex relationships are evolving. I’ve heard this term, have read and seen both positive and negative comments about it.

I guess it’s fair to admit that I don’t understand what’s wrong with the idea of ‘evolving’, except in the political arena, where Democrats and Republicans are in a battle over the legalities of same-sex marriage. Recently, Barack Obama, the President of the United States has come out in support of same-sex marriage. To Mr. President, I say, thank you! Thank you for making a stance, and, yes, dare I say, thank you for evolving on this very important issue.

For the record, I’m a supporter of same-sex relationships. If a couple is in love and want to get married, I say go for it and live happily ever after! Isn’t that what romance books are about? Granted, I write m/m erotic romance, as well as m/f and BDSM and there's a good chance that my contemporaries will become wilder. But today's post isn't about what I write as much as offering my support for love, specifically lovers, husbands, wives, happily ever after, regardless of whether they're traditional or same-sex.

At the same time, I’ve read some astoundingly negative comments against evolving, from those who are straight and those who are not. Some of the negativity resulted after voters in North Carolina came out against same-sex marriages. This had to hurt! It hurt me and I’m a staunch Democrat living in a state that’s already legalized it. But the outrage I read on Facebook and Twitter, the insults flung at the voters, including attacks against race, the poor and hypocritical intolerance of someone else’s view, saddened me, too.

How can opinions change if we’re attacking one another? How can homophobia be a thing of the past? How? Patience, tolerance, understanding and being open-minded, regardless of someone’s lifestyle, color of their skin, or socio-economic level. Misconceptions and hatred toward homosexuality can only be corrected or changed one victory at a time. The President's support is a victory. Parents who recognize and love their children, regardless of their sexual preferences, is a victory in overcoming homophobia. Sometimes change can take a while. That's okay, one a time is better than none, eventually more and more will come around.

As I sit and write this post, I’m watching The Ellen Show, which has won multiple Emmy's! Years before Ellen started her talk show she had a situation comedy on TV. Remember when she came out at the show’s conclusion? I’d wondered what would happen, how she’d handle the pressure. It's a good chance she received backlash and feared complete rejection. Well, guess what, obviously she showed the world that her talk show could be successful. Look at the good she does, look at the numbers of people she's helped and continues to help. More and more Hollywood and Broadway actors are coming out, more so, accepted and rewarded.

The other day, I saw a blog article on the ‘net about a certain teen musician’s recent wardrobe malfunction. Basically, his loose-fitting pants fell down during a concert. Okay, it had to be embarrassing for him and this post isn’t meant to draw attention to him, so I’ll let you all figure out who it was. But the comments were brutal. Utterly brutal, featuring the most anti-gay, racist, sexist, nastiest comments that I’d ever seen.

I was stunned! I’d thought that I lived in a more tolerant country, that bigotry and racism and intolerance of sexual orientation were changing. Obviously, there’s still work to do. 

Someone’s sexuality or sexual orientation should not be a political issue or cause for hate or ridicule and bullying. Tolerance, understanding, education, showing those who may be anti-gay or same-sex marriage that there’s nothing wrong with it is the place to start. Those in the GLBT community deserve equal rights. Let’s hope that more people will evolve and be brave enough not to bash another, but to embrace our differences and celebrate equality and happily ever after for all!

Admittedly, it's a pleasure to post about this topic. I hope readers come out and share their point of view. As part of a multi-author, multi-blog hop, the 'Hop Against Homophobia' is a week long event and my blog partners at Sex Scheming Geniuses are all posting. You may even see a repeat of this post there. Prizes are being given away, including a digital copy of Playing Doctor, my m/m erotic romance from Ellora's Cave Spectrum. A blurb and excerpt were posted here on this blog a few weeks ago, take a look in the archived section.

Until next time, be open and love freely,

Frances Stockton