connecting the dots by editing & writing erotica
More simple pleasures here:
It makes me happy to have Lise Horton as my guest, because she is a brilliant writer and my friend. We go way back! Her newest release, Hold Tight with Loose Id is hotter than lava and that is barely a metaphor. She is a voracious reader, I love to her talk literary to me! Read on to discover books that have inspired her, in honor of Banned Books Week…
…I was a Flower of the mountain yes when I put the rose in my hair like the Andalusian girls used or shall I wear a red yes and how he kissed me under the Moorish Wall and I thought well as well him as another and then I asked him with my eyes to ask again yes and then he asked me would I yes to say yes my mountain flower and first I put my arms around him yes and drew him down to me so he could feel my breasts all perfume yes and his heart was going like mad and yes I said yes I will Yes.
–James Joyce, Ulysses
Thinking as I do annually about Banned Books Week, I thought back to my (ahem) formative years, literarily speaking, and had an epiphany about what I love to read, and especially what I love to write.
From Ulysses to Fifty Shades, books have most often been banned not because of the violence they depict. Not for political reasons. Not because they foment bigotry or hatred. But because they depict S-E-X. Obscenity, or as the famous judge quipped, “I know it when I see it” – which to me is purely subjective personal judgement. Sex in literature is treated as something nasty, something to be hidden away, lest it corrupt us; when, in fact, depictions of adult human sexuality are based on, guess what: the real thing! That sort of important (and fun) activity we all participate in. Birds do it, bees do it and hello! Guys and gals do it, too! With great regularity. And amazing ingenuity.
As an author of kinky erotica and erotic romance I have come to discover that it was reading all manner of banned, salacious and graphic books, along with many others in my youth, that has led me to the balanced place I am today as a writer.
Some naughty tales I first partook of were historical epics by an author lost in the mists of my brain, but I later happened upon works by Anais Nin, Erica Jong, Henry Miller and Marilyn French’s The Women’s Room, in all their carnal glory. I devoured feminist tracts by Kate Millet and Simone de Beauvoir, along with earnest books like Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex and Our Bodies, Ourselves.
And into this cerebral cauldron went early romances, from Mary Stewart’s romantic suspense novels to the gothics of Victoria Holt. Books that hinted at attraction and love, but kept the bedroom door closed as tightly as could be. At a pivotal moment I read Love Story and there was no turning back!
What emerged from my odd amalgam of reading material was the magical spirit of frankness, romance and sexual curiosity that gave rise to my writing today. Writing where anything goes (as long as it is legal!) I am a feminist who believes that depicting a submissive woman in a BDSM relationship does not, in fact, go against my beliefs. A character choosing her path, sexually or otherwise, in pursuit of happiness and satisfaction, is a feminist in my mind. And adding romance to the mix is not dumbing down the human sexual experience, but rather projecting what so many of us yearn for – a trustworthy companion to share our life who happens to be as hungry for our body, as for our mind, or our heart, and soul. Rounding out the mix is the earthy carnality and unfettered lust that is part and parcel of the human condition. When not burdened with others’ mores as to what is “right” or “acceptable” men and women explore their sexual selves with great freedom. Happier and more accepting of others because of their understanding of themselves.
A wonderful mantra in the BDSM community is “My kink may not be your kink, but your kink is okay.” And “safe, sane and consensual” is a wonderful credo for everyone (vanilla or not so much) that urges us to look at the world around us and demand that adults get to go for their sexy gusto without censure or condemnation*. And that goes for what we want to read, as well!
It makes me smile to remember my favorite expression growing up – one which embarrassed my mother beyond belief.
“Whatever blows your skirt up!”
And would you look at that! I’ve grown into an author who writes exactly what blows my own way, way up – and hopefully, yours too. With that in mind, I’d like to urge everyone to turn themselves on.
In honor of Banned Books Week, read a dirty book today!
She felt every stroke, every sensation, as he possessed her completely. His hands gripped her thighs, holding her steady so he could force his way in as deep as possible. The stretching of tissues, the friction, the pain, the possession, his words, his grunts and growls barreled up and up, and everything began to tighten and coil deep inside, like a spring, poised to fly, to send her into an orgasm so monstrous she might not survive.
–Lise Horton, Hold Tight
* I advocate sexual freedom only among consenting adults. I do not condone fetishes that fall into the realm of abuse, pedophilia, bestiality, etc.
I know you enjoyed Lise’s passage from Hold Tight, click on your preferred format below to get your copy!
Amazon Kindle
Apple iBooks
B&N Nook Books
Kobo
All Romance E-Books
Oscar stood across from Polly, she looked beautiful but severe. Alice had stared between them, so he knew it was tense enough that she felt it as well. But Alice had gone to get coffee for them. They had not opened the viewing for the public, but Colin was there. Colin lingered by a DuBuffet, one of the several pieces that he had in the sale and he also lingered around Polly.
So Oscar stood across from Polly, and wanted to be angry. Wanted to show he was angry that Colin was there, that he was always there. He was convinced Colin acquired the pieces so that he could sell them to her.
Yet he could not say a word, and he knew that she knew it. Colin was her Eliza basically. Polly let him go see Eliza, without questioning him because he explained the nature of their relationship. Even though the last time that he saw Eliza, he wanted to sleep with her. He didn’t though, and came home to Polly. Right after that, there was Colin like a shadow all the time. Polly had not planned it to be vindictive, half of the sale was his pieces. Including the star Modigliani that Colin now circulated around.
“Here is your coffee,” Alice said.
Polly smiled, and took a sip.
“This is Oscar’s,” Polly smiled at him, and licked a bit of foam from her lip.
Oscar took the cup, continuing to stare at Polly as he sipped.
“Thank you,” he said with a delay, monitoring Polly’s eyes.
And then the energy in the room changed like lightning.
Alice moved like lightning when she saw Fiona. Oscar smiled, thinking about the ease with which Fiona and Alice connected. But seeing Fiona put him on alert. First he saw Rafe, and then he saw Eliza.
Eliza’s eyes were filled with hunting for him as well. Her dark hair was pulled up messily in a bun that still looked elegant nonetheless.
But when she put her hand to her face, he was startled to see the familiar diamond on her finger. When he met her at the bar, the ring was prominent to him but he did not let it deter him from getting closer to her. Her eyes fell on him as he revisited that night in his head. The not knowing if she was going to go with him, the first time he touched her…
They looked at each other for a long moment, before he caught himself. When he turned to look at
Polly, she was staring at Eliza. Polly looked at him briefly, then looked at Colin.
“Go say hello to your Eliza,” Polly said coolly, not looking at him.
“Polly…”
Polly cocked her head to the side, and Colin walked over to her.
“You are covering one of my best paintings Polly,” he said, his hands on her hips to move her out of the way.
Oscar went to tap him on the shoulder, but the look on Polly’s face made him think otherwise. So he leaned there, and watched Colin. Colin moved his hands from her hips, and talked about Dubuffet.
It was not until the cocktail party that night, that he actually spoke to Eliza. She stood by the bar, staring at her fiancé.
“Waiting again like if for Godot?” Oscar asked, his tongue swirling around a cocktail onion.
“Where is your girlfriend?” Eliza said.
“Further away than your fiancé…” Oscar’s voice trailed, and he realized the unintentional double entendre in what he said.
He did not know where his fiancée was, but he knew where Eliza was…
More revisiting here:
cocktail onion via google images
Nichy closed her eyes when she saw Tyler outside of the bar. She was pretty sure that her face was contorted with desire, and Tyler stared at her.
“Renee is in there, and I am not sure what is going on with the two of you,” Nichy started, turning to Gavin. “It might not be a good idea.”
Tyler stared at her for a long moment, then looked at Gavin who had his arm about her waist protectively.
“I am not going to run from Renee, I did not do anything wrong to her.”
“Tyler, Nichy is right,” Gavin said, looking at Nichy. “Renee is in a bad way, you might want to rethink that.”
“Thanks for the warning, but it is a free country and I am going to have a drink.”
Tyler walked past them, into the bar.
Nichy looked at Gavin. Gavin’s eyes were dark, filled with emotions that scared her and made her even wetter. She squeezed his hand.
“We have to go back in there. It is going to be a mess if we leave them alone.”
“It is not really our business Nichy, we have our own business to attend to and I cannot wait a minute longer…for you…”
Nichy looked down at his shoes, and felt herself clench with desire.
“I just want to prevent having to hear about it for a really long time Gavin. If I don’t, she is going to need to tell me. Which means coming to my place…or something.”
“So we will go to my place…”
Gavin caressed her backside with urgency, and she was just about to turn with him…when Renee ran out of the bar, holding one of her stilettos in her hand. But before her barefoot touched the sidewalk, Tyler grabbed her arm.
“Nichy!” she yelled, pulling away from Tyler. “Nichy, can I go with you and Gavin?”
Nichy turned to look at Gavin.
With her face buried in Gavin’s sleeve, Nichy tried to avoid Renee and Tyler making out on her couch. She and Gavin sat across from them, her hands in fists between her legs.
Nichy kissed the cotton of his sleeve, and her own breath warmed her lips. Gavin flinched like her mouth was fire.
“So I guess you two have made up?” Gavin said, with undisguised sarcasm.
Nichy liked this more aggressive side of Gavin, as Renee and Tyler looked at him. Tyler put Renee’s hand, between his thighs.
“I told you not to worry about us.” Tyler said, as Renee licked her lips and stared at them before she licked his cheek.
They kissed again as if Nichy and Gavin were not there, before Tyler stood up and Renee got up with him. He kissed her hand, before he smiled at Nichy and Gavin.
“I guess we should go,” he said.
Nichy stood up, and followed them to the door. Her heart sunk, as Gavin walked ahead of them.
“See you,” Gavin whispered in her ear, chewing on it just a bit. “And don’t you dare touch yourself before I do.”
Nichy looked at him mournfully, and nodded.
“Have a good night Nichy,” Tyler smiled knowingly at her.
Nichy closed her door knowing that Renee and Tyler were probably going to fuck in the backseat of a taxi.
And she promised Gavin that she would not touch herself.
When she closed the door, she pressed herself to it and a knock on the door vibrated through her as if someone had directly touched her clit.
She turned, and looked through the peephole.
Gavin.
When she opened the door, he closed it behind her and pressed her up against it.
She felt his hard length pressed against her and looked up at him, caressing the stubble on his cheek. Quickly, she unbuttoned his shirt and pressed her palms against his nipples. Her hands rested on his stomach, before she unbuckled his belt. The click of his belt, echoed in her ear as she unfastened his dress pants.
It was not the echo of his belt though, she soon realized as she felt a familiar coolness press at the small of her back.
She stopped breathing.
The last time she felt that chill, she was having sex with someone and she was terrified. But she never thought that she would have the same experience more than once.
“You did not call me back baby, and you know that I do not like to be ignored…” Nichy froze at the familiar intruder’s voice.
Nichy normally checked inside of her apartment, when she did not walk in with so many people. And with Gavin being there, and with the heaviness of desire she felt, she had not thought…
Nichy was frozen as she was pushed back to the wall. Gavin was hit with the butt of the gun that had been on her back. His blood was frozen in her thoughts as he fell to he floor, and she dropped onto her knees over him. Blood was on her fingers, and she absently brought them to her face before she blacked out…
Nichy woke up in a body harness, she could see her bound reflection in the mirror. Her chest was heavy with the gun that was bound there. She was completely naked, and Graham stared at her. When he called her the other night, she had hoped that he was not going to be able to find her.
How could she have been so naive to think that he was not going to find her? She had been running from him for such a long time, but she knew he was going to find her eventually…
“Now I have got you my pretty,” he said, caressing the gun against her chest.
More Masturbation Monday here:
cropped version of TIE ME UP cover via f dot leonora
I love a good logo, and when I saw the one for My Sexy Saturday, I knew that I would have to join in. And on what better day than their 100th blog post anniversary!
The story that I have picked is an excerpt from my anthology, Hot Summer Flings. I came up with the idea for the anthology on an ungodly hot summer day. I wrote the story based on my neighbor in Paris, who kept smoking in our non-smoking hotel.
And that is where the similarity ends!
“I am leaving in the morning, I’m going home to London.”
“I am in Paris for a few more days.”
“For pleasure?”
“For pleasure.”
“I want to give you some pleasure to compensate for the displeasure I caused by smoking.”
“It was not that displeasurable. I’m just a New Yorker, and I guess kind of like the Wizard of Oz I should realize I am not in New York anymore–”
Then she did not know where she was anymore, he kissed her and she knew they were going to but the charge she felt from that kiss finally coming to fruition…And not even on her mouth, his kiss on her hand that he took suddenly, and then her cheek near her jaw and close to her mouth but not there…
The complete story is in Hot Summer Flings.
For more My Sexy Saturday, click here:
I wrote this on the way to the Sexual Health Expo…
Vicky had not even allowed herself to think abut him in her most secret thoughts. But three gin cocktails in, she was no longer so controlled. Alex was taken, but she could not resist anymore in her uninhibited state half lying on a glorious loveseat at the vintage bar, she could not resist the idea of parting her knees – she did actually, the softness of her own skin to skin contact sending prickling waves of excitement to her core. But Alex slipped between her knees in her thoughts and she wrapped her arms about her arms and threw him unto (flipped paper) the loveseat for his skin…
Eliza sat at the bar, her legs crossed as she nursed her drink. Josephine, the bartender smiled at her intermittently. The sparkle of her own diamond engagement ring made Eliza blink so fast, an eyelash slipped into her eye. She blinked until the lash did not irritate her anymore, and took a sip of her cocktail. When the man walked toward her, she knew him and did not know him at the same time. She studied Oscar as he approached.
“Waiting for your fiancé again?” he asked, sitting next to her so that her thigh pressed against his.
Eliza saw Josephine look at them out of the corner of her eye, but Eliza was not able to restrain herself from pressing closer to Oscar. Not able to resist her making thigh press even more to his.
She nodded in response to his question.
Oscar put his hand on her thigh, and Eliza saw Josephine actually lean over the bar to look to see where his hand fell on her thigh.
“You going to leave with me again?” he asked.
Eliza put her hand over his on her thigh.
“You wanted me here Eliza, you wanted me and now I am here…”
She nodded, and got up with him.
“Do you have a room here?” she asked quietly.
Oscar was quiet, and in her heart of hearts, Eliza had to admit that she liked him best like this. Rougher, and taking charge of everything. Taking charge of her. He took her hand, and they walked out of the bar urgently.
“I do not have a room here, but I cannot wait anymore…” Oscar said, his hand on her hip.
They walked to a door marked “Staircase B.” And like on the staircase in the gallery at Fiona’s opening in Shanghai, Oscar kissed her. He pressed her to the wall, and it felt like a fever spread between her legs. Eliza was smoldering. When their lips parted, her mouth was still open as she panted.
“You want more?” he teased before he kissed her again, and held her face in both of his hands. He bathed her face with warm kisses, it felt like he was kissing her between her legs.
She had memorized his touch. Just as she was about to come, she was startled.
“Liza?”
Eliza’s eyes were slit, and heavy with sleep.
“Mmmmm…”
“You were moaning loudly in your sleep Liza baby, you were having a bad dream…”
She closed her eyes, heavy with sleep and deception.
Rafe kissed her shoulder, and she curled up against him. He took her hand with her ring on it, that felt like lead on her finger. She felt the weight of it, even when she was not thinking about it.
And she liked it, what the ring signified. When Rafe proposed to her again, she did not hesitate not to say yes. Yes to him, yes to wearing her ring. Her finger literally had felt naked without it. She said yes, and Josephine had given them celebratory flutes of champagne with strawberries.
Her dream did not make sense, it did not make sense that she would imagine herself meeting Oscar all over again. But this time knowing him. Knowing they were going to go off together. Knowing they were going to make love again…
Until Rafe woke her up, thinking she was moaning over a bad dream.
He did not know…
More Wicked Wednesday dreams here:
bar photo with dreamstate filter by f dot leonora
It was really lovely to listen to Lucy Felthouse read last Thursday at Between The Covers hosted by my publisher, Riverdale Avenue Books. It was just amazing to see her again in general, because the last time I saw her was across the pond at Eroticon! She is a powerhouse in the industry! Aside from writing steamy erotica, she owns Erotica for All which is a resource for writers and is an editor at Cliterati. She is also a member of the Brit Babes all of whom I love, and on whose blog I have been a guest. I am thrilled to help her celebrate the release of Eyes Wide Open!
Blurb:
A standalone novel from the Totally Five Star imprint.
An ordinary girl catapulted into an extraordinary world meets two even more extraordinary men—but what will she do when she discovers their sexy secret?
Fiona Gillespie moved to London shortly after graduating to take advantage of the opportunities the capital could offer. However, months later, she’s still living in a horrid flat and working in a grimy East End pub. The problem is, she doesn’t really know what she wants to do, career-wise. So when she happens upon an advertisement for a job at a plush Mayfair hotel, she jumps at the chance. A great deal of determination and a spot of luck land Fiona her dream role.
But working at the Totally Five Star London is just the beginning. She adores the role and flourishes, impressing her bosses and making her increasingly determined to climb the career ladder.
While her career is flying, though, her love life is non-existent. She hasn’t even thought about men, never mind met or dated one for months, so when she bumps into two gorgeous businessmen in the hotel, she’s surprised to find her head has been well and truly turned. Even more surprisingly, they flirt with her—both of them! She’s drawn to James and Logan, despite feeling that they’re way out of her league.
When a misunderstanding leads Fiona to James and Logan’s sumptuous top-floor suite, she has no idea what she’s about to uncover. Scenes of people-trafficking, drug-pushing and wild sex parties all appear in her active imagination. Yet what she actually sees is something she’d never even considered before, something that piques her interest.
After discovering their sexy secret, what will she do with this new-found knowledge?
Excerpt:
Continuing to surreptitiously peer at the men over the rim of her glass, it hit her that this was the first time in months that she’d looked at a man with interest, much less two men—and at the same time! But, ready to snatch her gaze away if one of them happened to glance at her, she realized that it wasn’t surprising that the pair had attracted her attention.
The tailored business suits would draw the eye even on an ugly guy. But on these two, the fine clothing was practically an orgasm for the gaze. They sat opposite each other, and their angle to her meant that she had a view of both their profiles—lucky her.
The one to her right had very dark, almost black hair, with a bit of a curl to it, a long straight nose, a trimmed goatee and, if she wasn’t mistaken, deep blue eyes. It was hard to tell for sure from this distance and perspective.
The one on her left had lighter, shorter hair, stubble that by some magical feat still looked smart, and the most sinful lips she’d ever set eyes on. And speaking of eyes, she thought perhaps his were green. What she wouldn’t give to go and check both of them out close up, preferably naked.
Shocked at her own sudden lustful thoughts, she inhaled more than drank another sip of the juice. Unfortunately, it hit her throat all wrong and she almost slammed the glass down as she started to cough. She tried so hard to suppress the cough, eager not to draw attention to herself, that she made it worse. Snatching up the thick linen serviette from the table, she held it to her mouth as she spluttered in a most embarrassing manner, and tears began to roll down her cheeks. By now, she was sure that the whole damn restaurant was staring at her, and she wished the tablecloths reached the floor, like the ones in the restaurant upstairs, so she could hide under the table until she regained her composure.
Swallowing repeatedly to try to soothe her irritated throat, she gasped as a gentle hand laid on her shoulder, which set her off all over again.
“Oh God,” came a voice. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to make you jump. I just wanted to make sure you were all right. See if I could help.”
Unable to speak, Fiona waved a hand to try to signal that she’d be okay, but unless the guy was a mind reader, he’d have no luck figuring that out. Blinking through the tears that marred her vision, her urge to hide underneath the table grew stronger. Christ, it was only the hottie with the blue eyes. And, if she wasn’t mistaken, his sexy friend with the green eyes was also hovering close by, concern etched into his handsome features.
Managing to drag in a breath, she huffed out, “Thank you.”
Just then, Jeremy arrived with a carafe of water, complete with ice, and poured her a glassful. “Here you go, Fiona. Drink this. Are you all right? Anything else I can get you?”
Get Eyes Wide Open here, add it to Goodreads, and see the trailer!
“Nichy, are you listening to me?”
Nichy turned and stared at Renee. She really had not been listening to her friend. After the call that she had gotten last night, it was the only thing that she had thought about.
Until she got to work that morning.
She saw Gavin as soon as she walked into the office. He stared at her, at first, but then he smiled.
Nichy looked around her in the as if she was afraid that she was being watched, then stared at Renee.
“No, I was a bit distracted…”
Nichy was happy that no one knew about her and Gavin, except her and Gavin. It was awkward to be back in her real life, well, what was now her real life after seeing Dorian.
And the phone call…
Renee shrugged,
“Not a big deal anyway. I should have hooked up with you or Gavin instead of Tyler.”
Nichy was still distracted, but then Renee’s words sunk in.
“Me?”
“Well, you know…you acted like it did not happen but…something could have happened when I stayed over with you…” Renee grinned shyly, and stirred her drink. “I mean I was only ever with a girl in college to try it you know? But that night with you, you put me in the mood again…”
Again Renee’s words sunk in slowly, but this time it was stark background music as she saw Gavin.
He did not avoid looking at her, but she knew that it was because he did not want it to seem like he did not believe her. But how could he?
“Gavin!” Renee turned around and pounded on the glass window so that Gavin would turn around.
Nichy smiled softly as he walked in. He sat down next to her because it was the only space. His thigh touched hers like it did the first day that they sat together in this booth in this bar.
But now there had been kisses, now there had been almost…and then this. Not knowing what to say to him.
Nichy still did not hear anything that was being said about the demise of Renee and Tyler. The silence between her and Gavin was so thick, that she was not able to hear.
“I am going to the bathroom.” Nichy heard as a delay, after Renee was already probably in the bathroom. She pressed her thigh to Gavin’s unconsciously, and she froze until he caressed her it.
“Gavin…”
“I do not know what happened Nichy, but I want to believe that you told me the truth. I want to believe what you said because I cannot turn off what I have been feeling. Maybe I scared you off…”
“Gavin…”
“Are you wet?”
“Gav…”
Her voice fell as he slipped his hand under her dress. The crotch of her thong was curled around her clit. His finger circled her bare wet clit.
“You do not owe me any explanation Nichy, about last night or about now and how soaking wet you are…you cannot pretend to be this wet…”
“Gavin, I never pretended with you. You always make me wet, even before we were together…before this…”
“Get the check, or at least get rid of Renee, because I am not going to let you have an option this time. I am not going to leave you alone…” He circled her clit like a spin cycle that she had watched at the laundromat. Her hips moved in time with his finger.
Nichy did not have a chance to excuse herself from Renee. Gavin got up, and made excuses that she honestly did not how plausible they were.
When she got up, she was so wet and slippery. Gavin caressed her ass, when they were walking out of the bar. She plucked her thong from curling around her clit, and that tiny sensation almost made her come.
She needed to come.
More Masturbation Monday here:
washing machine via wikipedia
