Update! News! Still Here!

Hello everyone!
I know it's been ages since I've posted. My sincere apologies, life with a teenager a couple of years away from college and decision to go back to school have caused some crazy busy days.

Since my last post, I've several releases to announce. Most recently, I teamed up with six talented Erotica/Erotic Romance authors for an anthology with WLK Media! Each story is hot, the price is fixed at $.99, and it's available in digital format at Amazon, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Kobo, iBooks, and Smashwords! My story is titled Birthday Cuffs, featuring a hardened vice detective and his kink-curious neighbor who bakes him up a seductive birthday surprise.

In addition, I've the third book in my Abcynians series available at only $2.99! Here's the cover, and like the anthology, it's available at Amazon, Kobo, iBooks, and Barnes and Nobel for Nook!

Along with Redemption, you can add Book 1, Persuasion, and Book II, Pride to your Kindle, Nook, or e-reader. Stay tuned for the fourth book in the series set predominately in England. In the meantime, prices are soon to change so they'll be in sale!  https://www.books2read.com/u/4AwZVK


Again, I apologize for the delay since my last post. As life gets complicated, and my return to school nears, please know that I'm still writing, still planning books, and I've a brand new Contemporary Romance series featuring Second Chances coming soon!!!

Until Next Time,
Frances Stockton 

Ink Master, Ellora's Cave Taboo, in Print!

Greetings! Summer is winding down fast, school supply shopping is on the horizon and we've just returned home from a beach vacation. It was AWESOME.

That said, I have major news, Ink Master, Ellora's Cave Taboo is available in trade paperback! While it's also available in digital/ebook format from Amazon, B&N, ARe, Sony, Kobo and, of course, Ellora's Cave, the print book is also available.
This book also received a great review from You Gotta Read!
http://yougottaread.com/review-ink-master-by-frances-stockton/

Here are the urls:
Ellora's Cave: http://www.ellorascave.com/ink-master-1.html
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Ink-Master-Kink-Frances-Stockton/dp/1419969048/ref=sr_1_1_title_1_pap?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1376314748&sr=1-1&keywords=Ink+Master+by+Frances+Stockton
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ink-master-frances-stockton/1106957633?ean=9781419969041&itm=1&usri=ink+master+by+frances+stockton

Blurb:
Phalen, a former Army Ranger turned PI and tattoo-shop owner, is a Master waiting for someone to challenge him. Submissive-in-denial Cassie is the perfect partner in lust. Having been out of town for a case, Phalen returned determined to claim his woman and discovers she's more open to BDSM than he'd hoped. He couldn't be more turned-on.

 

Then Cassie nervously reveals her submissive twin sister may have been killed by an abusive Dom, who died shortly after. Despite the fact that her family and the cops believe their deaths were murder-suicide, Cassie hires Phalen to find the truth.

 

While he investigates a cold case, their relationship scorches the bedroom and his dungeon. But when his investigation points toward someone close to Cassie, she's caught in a psychopath's web of lies. It'll take all Phalen's skills to unravel the clues-and save Cassie's life.

 

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, it is necessary to exit this site.

An Excerpt From: INK MASTER

Copyright © FRANCES STOCKTON, 2011

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

Chapter One

5:00 a.m. Book Haven Diner-Salem, MA



The first step on my path to submission was acceptance. I’m a professional woman and have responsibilities I’ve worked hard to achieve. There was no way in hell I would willingly submit to a man, much less let him bind me to his will and lead me on a sensual journey few can understand. But that was before I met Master and my body knew before my heart that he was destined to make me fly.

Under his domination, I became a powerful woman. Under his control, I flew. And when I accepted his collar, I did so with the power of love…

Cassie Williams pushed her glasses back into place on her nose and tucked her sister’s journal into the pocket of her apron. Fiddling with the coffee machine, she poured fresh Columbian beans into the grinder while trying to reason out how a financial adviser on her way to being the CFO for a big shot corporation could be something totally different in private.

Allie had been a submissive in a D/s relationship, something her family kept secret.

Even as Cassie filled the water basin, she recognized something in herself. She and Allie may not have been identical twins, but her sister’s prophetic words made her wonder if she’d ever know what it was like to fly beneath the skill of a Dom’s hand.

“Morning, sweetheart, saw your car parked out back and thought I’d check in.” Phalen’s Boston accent turned the r in car into an h. Cassie loved his voice. It never failed to make her weak in the knees.

Waiting for the coffee to begin brewing, she answered, “Hey, Phalen, been awhile since you walked through my door.”

“I’m sorry I was gone so long. Had my brothers keeping an eye on things around here,” he said. “Any chance I can get a mocha latte before the breakfast crew gets in?”

In an instant, Cassie’s panties were damp. The smell of Irish Spring tickled her nose. Phalen Maddox was her darkest fantasy come to life. But damn it, her fantasies scared her sometimes.

“Sure, it’ll just take me a sec.” Turning around, she found Phalen sitting in his seat at the counter.

As always, her heart skipped a beat. Her clit pulsed in recognition of a sexy primal male who could do amazing things with his hands and tongue if they ever got horizontal. Refusing to let him know how much she wanted him, she shoved the glasses up her nose as a show of indifference.

Phalen didn’t just sit at the counter. He commanded center stage, even though all he did was offer his gigantic coffee mug and a charming devil-may-care smile.

Pulling herself together, she went to grab the mug. He caught her wrist first, holding her absolutely still. “What’s going on, babe? You were a million miles away when I walked in. The door wasn’t locked. Not a good idea when you’re here by yourself.”

Every nerve-ending beneath her skin fired in delight at the way Phalen’s hand wrapped around her wrist. His grip was strong. His fingers were calloused from years of martial arts training in Jujitsu, Kung Fu and Judo. Recently, he’d joined the Taekwondo dojo on their block and was mastering that too. There was no force. But to pull back right then wasn’t an option.

“Wow, two nicknames in less than a minute,” she said, slowly lifting her eyes from his long fingers to his face. “At least you stopped calling me darlin’.”

He called every woman that. Now women who came into the diner frequently asked for the hot blond guy with the scrumptious body and wicked charm. Granted, he was ripped. If there was an ounce of fat on him, she’d eat his Sox cap.

“Answer the question,” he insisted. Normally, she’d have thought eyes the color of melted pewter would be cold. No. His gaze made her hot from head to toe.

“Nothing’s going on.”

“Ah huh, then you weren’t daydreaming about Donatelli?” Changing his hold on her wrist, Phalen kept his eyes on her. “Ethan told me he saw you getting cozy with him on TV last Sunday.”

“This little show of dominance is about Michael? Need I remind you we’re never been on a date? Or did you suddenly appoint yourself my Master while you were gallivanting around Fairfax with another woman for more than a month?”

“I’m not interested in any woman but you. When you’re ready, I’ll be your Master, Cassandra Williams,” Phalen declared. Already turned-on, she creamed her panties. “You need to stop going out with him. Or I’ll take issue with it.”

“What will you do? Tie me up like a pretzel and flog me into orgasm? I don’t think so,” she scoffed, refusing to let him know there was a very real part of her that wanted him to tie her up like a pretzel.

“No pretzel twists. No flogger to redden that fine ass of yours, much as you’d like it. I’ll put a chastity belt on you and keep you from coming at all.”

“You wouldn’t dare. That’s barbaric.”

Phalen squeezed enough to keep her attention, his gray eyes boring into hers, one brow raised. She knew if she simply backed up, he’d release her. Choosing to stay was far more thrilling. “Test me on it, Cassie. See how long I’ll forbid you to fuck if you date him again.”

“For your information, I haven’t had sex in so long I’ve forgotten what it feels like. There’s no reason to worry about who I’m dating or not.”

“That’s good. I don’t share. When I fuck you, you’ll never go back to your vanilla boyfriends.”

Did he have to be so damn gorgeous when he said he was going to fuck her? It was difficult enough dealing with a man as confident as he was. Phalen had chiseled movie star looks, extreme height at six foot six, incredible long blond hair which he kept tied in a ponytail, gorgeous eyes a woman could melt into, a strong chin and muscles that screamed former Army Airborne Ranger.

She loved when he wore his faded Boston Red Sox cap, it was such a part of him she couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen him without it. That had been more than six months ago, when they’d opened their businesses within the same week. They’d flirted and danced around each other since.

Yet they’d never gone on a date or kissed. Phalen had learned how her sister died and backed off so far he’d almost dropped off the planet.

“Phalen, if you let go, I can make your latte,” Cassie suggested, letting him decide when to release her.

“Promise you won’t see him anymore.” He loosened his fingers, using the edge of his blunt fingernail to smooth the pulse in her wrist.

She shook her head. “I can’t promise not to see him. Having a state senator as part of my father’s congregation is a huge deal. My parents and his have known each other forever. Sometimes we cross paths when I go to church. But I’m not dating Michael Donatelli. He’s been dating someone for a couple years anyway. What’s the problem?”

Phalen smiled, sending her heartbeat into overdrive when he flashed his pearly whites. It wasn’t that his teeth were perfectly straight that got her. In fact, his canines reminded her of a wolf’s and one incisor was crooked. It didn’t matter. He was sexy as hell. “Thank God I don’t have to pulverize the slimy bastard.”

“You believe me?”

“Of course,” he answered, releasing her wrist. “I don’t like the guy. His TV commercials drove me bat-shit crazy last November. You know that.”

“You think he’s a conservative bore,” Cassie said, reluctantly stepping back. Now that he’d let go, she missed the strength of his hand restraining her.

“Donatelli is an asshole. Never said he was a bore. That’s on you.”

Phalen was right. Michael was boring. And so damn uptight at times that she’d wanted to ruffle his feathers by telling him who she’d voted for. She didn’t though. Her father would have a cow if she openly admitted she was a Democrat to the right wing politician. She was twenty-nine, for goodness sake. She shouldn’t have to hide what she was from anyone.

“Can I get that latte now?”

“Sure. My breakfast crew should be coming in soon if you want something to eat.”

“I ate already, thank you. Any chance you’d like to come over and pick a tat over lunch?” he asked when she turned away to play barista.

“I don’t think I’m ready for a tattoo.” She’d been contemplating getting one for months. The pain involved kept her at bay. “Maybe I’ll get one for my birthday in April.”

“How about I design something for you?”

“That’d be nice.”

Cassie loved coffee and books. Miraculously, she’d found this old diner up for sale nine months ago. She’d been saving her money while working at a coffee shop since she was in high school, had sound investments, was gifted with a nice inheritance from her grandparents’ estate and borrowed a small business loan from her parents, which she was still paying off.

Her cooks and wait-staff served diner-style dishes while customers read or worked on their computers. There were eight vintage booths, ten tables and a counter that could seat eight in the front. The tables and booths had small music boxes, each connected with a digital jukebox to the right of the counter near the restrooms.

Customers had to walk through an archway to get to the store, where she offered magazines, newspapers and gifts such as coffee mugs designed by local artists and jewelry.

Since it was in Salem and a few blocks down from historical landmarks around town, it was an attractive destination for breakfast and lunch crowd tourists. She didn’t serve dinner, deciding when she opened to switch to goodies like soft pretzels and scones until closing time. Coffee, lattes and hot teas were available all day.

“Cassie?” Phalen called out again, putting more push to his voice.

Loving the way he sounded right then, she looked back. He was still in his seat. His eyes were trained on her hair. “Yes?”

“You said maybe about getting ink,” he pointed out. “Not long ago, you said ‘no way in hell’. What’s changed?”

“The idea that getting a tattoo from you doesn’t seem so painful anymore.”

“The degree of pain changes, depending on where you want the work done. Endorphins kick in to help your body deal with the discomfort, sweetheart. For some, it’s very addictive.”

“My answer stays the same. I’m not ready yet.”

“For the tat or me?”

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.

Cover for Hazard's Dare!

Now that the Holidays are over, and a New Year has begun, there's so much to blog about. First and foremost, I have news!

As you might have guessed, I have a new release coming soon from Ellora's Cave Moderne titled Hazard's Dare. I can't give you a date quite yet, but very soon I'll post all the information readers might need.

Hazard's Dare features Trevor Hazard Osbourne, the middle linebacker for the Alexandria Griffins, a fictional pro football team, and his agent's sister, Avery Grant. The two acquaintances unexpectedly meet up in a Vegas-like town in Dare, Nevada for a week of hot sex and a bucket list of positions and fantasies to act out. With no rules and no promises, what starts out as temporary quickly becomes something far more significant.

Check out the cover by the very talented Syneca! I absolutely love it.

Previous books, Quarterback Blitz and Field of Play also featured players from the Griffins, Kyran Black and Dallas McKay.

Until next time, read often and write well,
Frances

Ellora's Cave Publishing's NEW Website and Contest

Hello everyone!
I wanted to send a quick thank you to my guest blogger, Cassandra Carr, who visited yesterday and shared about her newest book release, Master Class. I also wanted to apologize for not being as active here on my blog as I know I should be.

With Christmas and the Holiday Season upon us, life as a wife, mom and author gets super busy and I've got some BIG news coming soon regarding the Alexandria Griffins middle linebacker, Trevor Hazard Osbourne, who is referred to by teammates, press and fans by his middle name for a variety of reasons, and his unexpected romance with his agent's sister, Avery Grant. More to follow up on another day.

I'm sure you can tell by the subject heading, and you may have seen numerous posts already, but, Ellora's Cave has a brand-spanking-new website. It's state-of-the-art layout and features are incredible. Here's a note from EC regarding all that the new site can do: It first appeared on EC's Yahoo! Group for readers and authors ellorascavechat@yahoo.com If you're not a follower already, join and get up-to-date information on new releases, interact with authors and readers, and find out about contests and the always-popular RomantiCon!

Ellora's Cave launched a gorgeous new website, utilizing a state-of-the-art search system and sexy design scheme. The new design allows for more specific searching, giving fans of specific sub-genres and authors an easy way to find their dream books.
EC is hosting a contest on the website for a Lenovo ThinkPad as a thank you to fans and a fun way to kick off a new chapter at EC. To enter the contest, users complete an entertaining scavenger hunt which will leave them with a little more Romantica® knowledge.
The new site is designed for ease of navigation. The most requested feature from customers was the ability to sift through the huge and growing inventory to find books especially suited to their tastes and moods. Ellora's Cave purchased one of the most advanced search engines in the world and adapted it to our readers' very unique needs. You, of course, can find a specific author or title quickly and easily, using the search box. But you can also search and sort our books by subject, length, format, themes and other content in a whole new way. Want an erotic romance suspense ebook that's on sale featuring a male-male interracial couple set in the future with medieval overtones? Now you can find it with just a few keystrokes. It takes a little playing around with this powerful feature to learn how to use it best, but once you get to know it, you are going to fall in love.
Fans can also elect to be notified when a new book in a series or by a specific author is released. Or they can subscribe to an author or series and have future books be automatically charged to their account and a download link sent to them. If readers want to know what other fans are reading, they can use the "customers also bought" feature at the bottom of the page to find the other titles purchased by people who buy each book. For customers who browse before they buy, the "recently viewed" option lets readers view the books they browsed with one simple click.

If you're interested in entering the contest for a Lenovo ThinkPad, do follow the information provided from EC above and you could win!

As with anything new, sometimes links have changed. You might want to update your EC URL in your browser, here's the current one: http://www.ellorascave.com/ Additionally, links to favorite authors books have changed. Fortunately, EC's made it easy for readers to request email notifications about new releases, and so much more. Again, read EC's note in bold/italics above to find out all the features available to you.

Also, as I'm an author with Ellora's Cave, information and links to my books page and my books has changed slightly. Here's a link to all 9 of my current books: http://www.ellorascave.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=Frances+Stockton
and my author page: https://www.ellorascave.com/index.php/authors/index/author/slug/frances-stockton

Since the Holidays are such a busy time, and my web mistress is busy, too, it may take a few weeks before I change the links on my website. However, my website has all the buy links you need for Amazon.com. B&N, Kobo, Sony and ARe. If you do click on the EC links, you'll be taken to Ellora's Cave's home page, where you can use the search function for my name, book titles or whatever you may be looking for.

Thank you so much for stopping by. Join up for EC's huge contest to possibly win a Lenovo ThinkPad! Learn more about EC, your favorite authors, RomantiCon, gift cards, new releases, old favorites, hot sexy books and the publisher that originated the Bad Girls of Romance!

http://www.ellorascave.com/