HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY, JUST GOTTA SAY!

by Laura Kaye

It’s so hard to believe it’s been a whole month since my contemporary erotic romance, Just Gotta Say, released! And boy do I have something special for you guys to celebrate! Not only am I offering a copy of the book to one commenter (must leave email address!), but I dug into my writing vault and found a deleted scene from the story. If you’ve read JUST GOTTA SAY, you’ll know why this scene was cut; if you haven’t, consider taking a look and seeing if you can figure it out! Either way, get comfortable, make sure your significant other’s nearby (ya know, for after, ahem), and enjoy this exclusive deleted scene from Just Gotta Say:

Warning: This excerpt contains molten hot sexual tension and explicit sexual content some readers may find offensive… Now if that doesn’t turn you off (!), read on…

Noah awoke with a start.  He flew into a sitting position, shaking his head free of the cries in his dream.  His eyes couldn’t make sense of his surroundings.  This wasn’t his room at home.  He looked down at the bed onto the sleeping, naked forms of his best friends.  His memory of the night’s events came rushing back. 

He found the source of the cries and whimpers.

Callie lay on her side, facing the middle of the bed.  Lucas spooned her.  How he wasn’t awake Noah couldn’t imagine, because Callie was moaning and mewing.  Her hips rocked and shook with those of some phantom lover.

“Jesus.”  Noah combed his fingers through his curls.  Her apparent erotic dream fueled an immediate hard-on.

“Want you too.”

Used to her sometimes talking in her sleep, he gently climbed around Jack and lay down on his side facing Callie.  He cupped her cheek lightly, not wanting to scare her awake, but hoping to soothe her.

“Sshh.”

“Noah…”

He grinned and stroked his fingers over her cheek, her hair.

Callie’s eyes blinked wide open and she sucked in a breath.

“Sshh.  Hey, hey, it’s just me.  You were dreaming.”  His voice was quiet, calming.

She froze for a minute.  “I know.”  Noah inhaled sharply when Callie grabbed his neck and pulled his lips to hers.  She sucked at his top lip, his bottom, over and over, turning her head this way and that.  “Of you,” she finally said, before falling right back into him again and exploring his mouth with her tongue.

The kissing was great, amazing, even, but Noah finally pulled back.

“I want you to have your turn,” Callie whispered.

Noah’s eyes widened.  “That’s not—”

“No, I want you.  This night, this experience—it’s not complete for me without you.”

“God, Callie, are you sure?”

“Please, Noah?”

“Whatever she wants, Ryder, right?”

Noah cut his gaze to Lucas’s intense stare over Callie’s shoulder.  He hadn’t noticed when he’d awakened.  Noah was amazed at Luke’s generosity—not because Lucas was a selfish man, because he wasn’t—but because his possessiveness of Callie dripped from every pour like territorial pheromones.

A warm feminine palm gripped his dick and squeezed.  He grunted.

Then Callie groaned.  Lucas’s hand was buried between her thighs.

“She’s so ready.  Aren’t you?”  Lucas kissed and sucked on the shell of her ear.

She nodded, her eyes half-lidded and pleading with Noah.

Noah turned to find a condom and found Jack kneeling, skimming his hands over the comforter.  “Ah, there it is,” he said.  “Had it out from before.”  He gave Noah a quick kiss and tore open the square foil packet.  “Allow me?”

“Yeah.”  Jack treated him to a half-dozen tight-fisted strokes, then sheathed his dick.

Lucas grabbed Callie’s top knee from underneath and lifted her leg up and open.  Noah had heard their private whispers, knew that Lucas wanted to hold her in his arms during.  That suited him just fine.  Besides, he knew Callie was the one offering, but the visual was stunning—the picture of a man offering up his woman, holding her open, calling the shots.  His cock twitched.

And then Noah was right there, pushing into her.  Slowly.  He didn’t want to hurt her, though his confidence was bolstered by what she’d handled earlier.  And then, as her nails dug into his shoulders and she groaned from deep down in her gut, he filled her until his dark curls met her golden ones.

Jesus, she was tight.  And so damn good.

He set an unhurried pace but made sure each thrust hammered his pelvic bone into her clit.  He tuned Lucas’s murmured encouragements out—he couldn’t listen to the lust and dominance dripping from the older man’s voice and keep his shit together.

Callie’s words were bad enough.  “Oh my god, you’re big.  I’m so full,” she kept moaning.

When two slick fingers slipped between his clenched ass cheeks in search of his anus, Noah knew he was going to be in trouble.  But he went with it, because the combination of Jack’s invasion and Callie’s tight-walled pussy had him shaking against the urge to just let go.

But then Callie cried out.  Lucas swallowed her sounds in a kiss that looked like sex as her muscles convulsed around him and milked his orgasm right out of his tight balls.

“Shit, baby girl, coming!”  He stilled inside her.  Her body rhythmically gripped him, and he shot his release.  He clenched his eyes and dropped his forehead to hers.  “Jesus,” he whispered.  He eased himself out of her.

Her little hands tangled in his damp curls.  “Aw, Noah, that was…”—she nodded and smiled—“you are wonderful.  Thank you.”  She pressed a warm kiss on his lips.

“I feel the same way.  You’re the best, sweetheart.”

And then, before too long, all four of them fell back to sleep, this time in a heap of sated bodies.

Phew! Are ya still with us??? If so, take a gander at the *10* great reviews Just Gotta Say has received in its first month:

Stacey, Sizzling Hot Book Reviews, 4/5 Hearts!: "I would recommend picking up Just Gotta Say if you love a sizzling hot story about finding yourself and where you belong."

Saskia, Book That Thing, 4/5 Stars!: "Trust and sex were two very powerful elements of the plot. Put together…hmmmmm, what a turn on!"

Bobby, Book Wenches, 4/5 Stars!: "Ms. Kaye doesn't neglect the relationships between the characters but builds believable friendship and love among them."

Kelly, Books-n-Kisses, 4/5 Stars!: "This was a great, fun, very hot & sexy short read. I would highly recommend Just Gotta Say to everyone."

Stella, Book Lovers, Inc., 4/5 Bookies!: "The humour, the sizzling chemistry and the layered and exceptionally well developed characterisations make Just Gotta Say a wonderful erotica novella, one you shouldn't miss!"

Ivy, Manic Readers, 4/5 Stars!: "In my humble opinion, JUST GOTTA SAY is hottern’ the hinges of hell and tugs at your heart, the best of both worlds. If you want erotica with plenty of heart, soul, and heat you don’t want to miss this smoking read."

Blue Shedevil, Rage, Sex & Teddy Bears: "Nice and raunchy, with just the perfect amount of kink thrown in, and then add just a smidgen of romance to sweeten the deal and you have delightful perfection."

Wendy, You Gotta Read Reviews, You Need To Read!: "It seems that Laura Kaye can write in just about any genre she chooses, and do it exceedingly well."

Night Owl Reviews, 4/5 Stars!: "This is a wonderful story that, after fanning yourself, has you smiling at the end."

Trish, Where's My Muse, 4/5 Stars!: "If you are looking for a quick read loaded with steamy sexy times and quirky humor (Yes, I laughed out loud in some parts) this is the book for you."

Thanks for reading!

Laura Kaye

Buy Laura's Books

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter SignUp

Here’s the blurb:

Callie Davis stumbles upon two of her three male roommates in a surprising, molten-hot midnight tryst and discovers a side of herself she never knew existed. Desire to play with them grips her, and she can’t stop fantasizing about having multiple men, particularly her three long-time best friends.

Callie is thrilled when a guys’ night out gives her the perfect opportunity to recreate her fantasy, with the help of a threesome porn video and a bag of sex toys. That is, until Lucas, Jack and Noah return early and catch her in the act. More than anything, the guys want to make her fantasy come true. But Callie has a secret, and she can’t help wondering if being with all three men will risk the future she’s always wanted with one of them.

As three strong sets of hands caress and undress her, Callie surrenders to desire, because sometimes you just gotta say...yes.

About Laura Kaye:

A multi-published author of paranormal, contemporary and erotic romance, Laura Kaye’s hot, heartfelt stories are all about the universal desire for a place to belong. Laura is the author of the bestselling contemporary romance and award-nominated HEARTS IN DARKNESS and the bestselling and award-winning paranormal romance FOREVER FREED (NJRW Golden Leaf Award for Best Paranormal of 2011), as well as an erotic romance novella, JUST GOTTA SAY. Her fourth book, contemporary fantasy romance NORTH OF NEED, is the first in the 4-book Hearts of the Anemoi series. Laura lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

Four-Way Thursday, Naturally

 So, normally, things around the Daily Dose of Decadence blog would be known as “Three-Way Thursday” today. But I just can’t make that work. Because, you see, my debut Decadent title, just released on September 30, is about a foursome. So, in the spirit of my contemporary erotic ménage JUST GOTTA SAY, it’s Four-Way Thursday, just for today! *winks*

This Four-Way Thursday…

Here’s what I’m thankful for:

I’m thankful that I get to be a writer. In my day job, I work as a college history professor. I’ve always liked my job. I’m good at it. I studied to be a professor for a long time. I receive good student evaluations, my scholarship has been well received, and I like my colleagues. Once I started writing fiction a little over three years ago, though, I realized the difference between doing something you “like” it and “are good at” it, and doing something you love because you simply can’t not do it. That’s what writing is like for me. Despite the fact that writing is hard work, it doesn’t feel like work to me. I look forward to doing it, sneak some time in for it whenever I can. I love the creativity and freedom of my writing life. And I’m absolutely thrilled about all the writer and reader friends I’ve made along the way. I’m very thankful to be a writer.

Here’s what I’m thoughtful about:

Writers live a life of the mind, so this one’s tricky! I would have to say I struggle to be thoughtful about maintaining balance in my life, in so many ways. Balance between the need to keep my butt in a chair and my fingers on a keyboard, and to make time to exercise and be healthy. Balance between my desire to play with my characters and my kids. Balance between my need to keep up with the million non-writing tasks a writer’s job entails and the million domestic tasks being a wife and mother involves. Balance between reading or writing Just. One. More. Chapter. and getting a decent night’s sleep. I don’t think these things are unique to me, by any means. But they are the challenges I’m always thinking about how to work out.

Here’s what I’m thirsty for:

This one’s easy. I’m most thirsty for the day when I can make writing a full-time job. I have four books releasing in 2011 and five more in 2012, and that’s just the ones I know for sure. Having sufficient time to meet my writing commitments—whether writing, revising, editing, or promoting—is my single biggest challenge. And working a full-time job and being a mother to two young children (ages 5 and 7) in addition to the very exciting developments in my writing career is sometimes a whole lot to juggle. I’m loving every minute, but that doesn’t keep me from thirsting for the day I make enough income from my writing to do it full-time.

And, a Four-Way extra, here’s what I’m thunderstruck by:

Two things have most surprised me about being a writer. First, I am in fact thunderstruck by how much my characters have become a part of my life. I think about them all the time. They talk to me. I see things in my real life that remind me of my characters. They’ve introduced me to new music interests and, when I’m writing them, do and say things I never expected—just as if they were separate people with independent needs, wants, and interests all their own. This is completely fascinating to me, and one of the things I love about writing. The second thing I’m absolutely awed about is hearing from readers that my stories mean something to them. Even if it’s just that they were having a bad day until they read your book, and your words made them forget it all. Recently, one reader told me that one of my books is her “happy book”—whenever she’s feeling down, she re-reads my story and it makes her feel better. A few months ago, a reader in ill health said my stories were the one thing that made her forget the pain that keeps her bedridden. There are no words to describe how deeply honored I am to impact someone’s life in this way, even if only for a few hours. Thunderstruck is not too strong a word, not in the least.

So, that’s Four-Way Thursday for ya! There’s more about JUST GOTTA SAY for you, down below!

Thanks for reading!

Laura Kaye

Buy Laura's Books

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter SignUp

Here’s the blurb:

Callie Davis stumbles upon two of her three male roommates in a surprising, molten-hot midnight tryst and discovers a side of herself she never knew existed. Desire to play with them grips her, and she can’t stop fantasizing about having multiple men, particularly her three long-time best friends.

Callie is thrilled when a guys’ night out gives her the perfect opportunity to recreate her fantasy, with the help of a threesome porn video and a bag of sex toys. That is, until Lucas, Jack and Noah return early and catch her in the act. More than anything, the guys want to make her fantasy come true. But Callie has a secret, and she can’t help wondering if being with all three men will risk the future she’s always wanted with one of them.

As three strong sets of hands caress and undress her, Callie surrenders to desire, because sometimes you just gotta say...yes.

WANT TO WIN JUST GOTTA SAY? Come visit me during the remainder of the Just Gotta Blog Tour virtual book tour! Here’s where you can find me:

10/7: Author interview at Book Lovers, Inc.

10/12: Guest blog at Mare’s Place

10/29: Show and Tell Saturday at Daily Dose of Decadence

Heroes: Three for the Price of One…

 Like heroes? I know I do. I love broad shoulders and chiseled abs and mountainous shoulders and thick muscled thighs. I adore men with tormented hearts and tragic pasts who feel they could never be good enough for the women they love. Good old-fashioned masculine protectiveness and male desire do it for me every time.

All of which is why my contemporary erotic romance JUST GOTTA SAY simply tickles me pink. It features not just one hero, or two, but ***three*** hot, sweet, sexy heroes. It’s a total threefer!!!

Jack Fenton, Noah Ryder, and Lucas Branson are best friends from college and roommates with their fourth best friend, Callie Davis. After years of good-natured flirting and secretive fantasies, something happens that brings the four together for one explosive night.

So, just who are Callie’s friends turned lovers? I’m so glad you asked! Let’s meet the heroes of JUST GOTTA SAY, shall we?

First, there’s Jack. Here’s how Callie describes him:

She dragged her focus back to Jack, whose enthusiasm brought out the boyishness in his ruggedly handsome face framed by all those golden layers. The big tribal tattoo shifted under the flexing muscles of his chest.

Mmm, delicious, no? And, here’s Noah and Lucas through Callie’s eyes:

Damn, they were gorgeous men. And so different. Dark and sexy Noah, so sweet but a little shy. Lucas, god, Lucas. The quintessential rugged man. Tall, athletic, with a few small scars around his left eye that always cut an edge into his expression. A study in contrasts—tough and vulnerable, hard-ass and gentle.

Gah, so good! Finally, Here’s a little more of Callie’s take on Lucas:

Lucas Branson, whose broad shoulders, big hands, and too-infrequent smiles owned her. He had short, brown hair that curled at the ends when he let it grow, the most masculine and perpetually stubbled square jaw, and hazel eyes that reflected the anguish he carried inside. She’d never known anyone who looked so tough and serious on the outside, but was so broken-up and vulnerable on the inside.

And, if these descriptions aren’t enough, here’s Callie ogling a little male/male affection by her two bisexual friends:

Noah’s curse surprised her almost as much as the desperation with which he clutched Jack and planted an aggressive kiss on his open mouth. The guys were so forceful with each other, and now that they didn’t have to hide themselves, their passion burst uncontrollably from them. Masculine hands tugged hair. Bare, muscled chests pressed and rubbed. Erections ground together through denim.

Um, yeah. Just, yeah. *grins*

So, that, my friends, is a Show and Tell Saturday sneak peek of the heroes of JUST GOTTA SAY!

Thanks for reading!

Laura Kaye

Buy Laura's Books

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter SignUp

Here’s the blurb:

Callie Davis stumbles upon two of her three male roommates in a surprising, molten-hot midnight tryst and discovers a side of herself she never knew existed. Desire to play with them grips her, and she can’t stop fantasizing about having multiple men, particularly her three long-time best friends.

Callie is thrilled when a guys’ night out gives her the perfect opportunity to recreate her fantasy, with the help of a threesome porn video and a bag of sex toys. That is, until Lucas, Jack and Noah return early and catch her in the act. More than anything, the guys want to make her fantasy come true. But Callie has a secret, and she can’t help wondering if being with all three men will risk the future she’s always wanted with one of them.

As three strong sets of hands caress and undress her, Callie surrenders to desire, because sometimes you just gotta say...yes.

WANT TO WIN JUST GOTTA SAY? Come visit me during the remaining stops on the Just Gotta Blog Tour virtual book tour! Here’s where you can find me:

10/4: Author interview at Tigris Eden's The Forbidden Blog

10/6: Three Way Thursday at Daily Dose of Decadence

10/7: Author interview at Book Lovers, Inc.

10/12: Guest blog at Mare’s Place

10/29: Show and Tell Saturday at Daily Dose of Decadence

Just Gotta Share These Goodies

In just ten days, my contemporary erotic romance JUST GOTTA SAY releases from Decadent Publishing. I’m so excited to share this story I could burst! Instead, I thought I’d share all these JUST GOTTA SAY goodies with you all. If you’re interested in winning a set of the JGS romance trading cards, just leave your email address in the comments!

Here’s the blurb:

Callie Davis stumbles upon two of her three male roommates in a surprising, molten-hot midnight tryst and discovers a side of herself she never knew existed. Desire to play with them grips her, and she can’t stop fantasizing about having multiple men, particularly her three long-time best friends.

Callie is thrilled when a guys’ night out gives her the perfect opportunity to recreate her fantasy, with the help of a threesome porn video and a bag of sex toys. That is, until Lucas, Jack and Noah return early and catch her in the act. More than anything, the guys want to make her fantasy come true. But Callie has a secret, and she can’t help wondering if being with all three men will risk the future she’s always wanted with one of them.

As three strong sets of hands caress and undress her, Callie surrenders to desire, because sometimes you just gotta say...yes.

How ‘bout an excerpt:

Broad, muscular chests and hot, male flesh surrounded her. She swallowed as her gaze raked over each of the men. They were all hers for the taking. At least for tonight. And she was damn sure going to make the most of it.

Heaving a deep breath, she drew her stare from the men’s bodies and crossed her arms over her breasts. “Now,” she said. She winked at Lucas and nailed Jack with a stern gaze. “You said I could have whatever I wanted, right?”

He grinned and nodded.

She waggled her finger between Jack and Noah. “Then I expect to see you two enjoying one another, too.”

All three men went still.

She giggled at the flummoxed expression on Jack’s face. It was nearly impossible to embarrass him or catch him off guard. She grabbed Noah’s hand and pulled him closer.

“What do you think started all this anyway? I wasn’t so obsessed with this particular fantasy until I saw the two of you together last weekend.”

The boys traded glances, mouths gaping, eyes guarded.

“Next time, shut your door. Otherwise, I am so gonna watch that shit.”

At her words, Jack’s expression grew amused and his cheeks flushed.

Callie looked at Lucas. “Do you mind?”

He shook his head. “Whatever you want.” He met Jack’s gaze then Noah’s. “I don’t mind.”

She pecked Lucas’s cheek. She knew he’d be cool about them. “So, it’s settled.”

“Thank fuck,” Noah muttered. His curse surprised her almost as much as the desperation with which he clutched Jack and planted an aggressive kiss on his open mouth.

Holy mother of kissing men! Callie turned so she could see them better and leaned back against Lucas’s huge, hard chest. His warm fingers skimmed up her stomach and cupped her full breasts.

“Watching them turns you on?” he murmured against her ear.

The guys were so forceful with each other, and now that they didn’t have to hide themselves, their passion burst uncontrollably from them. Masculine hands tugged hair. Bare, muscled chests pressed and rubbed. Erections ground together through denim.

“Yeah,” she rasped.

“How about this?” Lucas asked and thrust himself against her bottom as his fingers plucked at her nipples.

She whimpered. “Yes.”

“What else?”

“I want to see them naked,” she whispered.

“Say it louder.”

Callie swallowed. God, his commanding tone was sexy as hell. “I want to see them naked.”

Now, I’ve got some eye candy for ya! 

First, the trailer:

OR http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGrtYuQ3MyE

 And, now, how about some trading card yumminess:
 

So, those are definite goodies, no? *grins* JUST GOTTA SAY releases 9/30! I hope you enjoy!

Thanks for reading!

Laura Kaye

Buy Laura's Books

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter SignUp

WANT TO WIN JUST GOTTA SAY? Come visit me during the Just Gotta Blog Tour virtual book tour! Here’s where you can find me:

9/24: Guest blog at Savvy Authors

9/26 - 30: 5-day spotlight at Whipped Cream Reviews 

9/26 – 30 Author interview at Tonya’s Tales

9/27: Author interview at Manic Readers Blog

9/28: Character interviews at Fantasy Unbound Blog

9/29: Guest blog at All Things Books

9/30: Author interview at The Forbidden Bookshelf

10/1: Show and Tell Saturday at Daily Dose of Decadence

10/4: Author interview at Tigris Eden's The Forbidden Blog

10/6: Three Way Thursday at Daily Dose of Decadence

10/7: Author interview at Book Lovers, Inc.

10/12: Guest blog at Mare’s Place

10/29: Show and Tell Saturday at Daily Dose of Decadence

Laura Kaye's 10Q

How did you start your writing career?

I’ve been a writer my whole professional life—I’m a historian by education and occupation and have published two non-fiction books in history. But I began my fiction writing in 2008 after recovering from a head injury! The neurologist told me when you have any sort of brain trauma, new neural networks are formed to work around the injury, which sometimes results in new interests and even personality traits. Maybe, maybe not, but I definitely found myself wanting to try my hand at writing fiction. Maybe it’s because reading was my primary pastime while I was recovering. But, I hit my head on July 4^th, really felt the call to write in mid-August, and had a 145,000-word manuscript drafted by November 1. It’s a kinda interesting story, no? LOL

Tell us about your next release.

Ooh! My next release is a contemporary ménage a quatres called Just Gotta Say! It’s about four long-time roommates/best friends…here’s the blurb:

When Callie Davis stumbles upon two of her three roommates, Jack Fenton and Noah Ryder, in a surprising, molten-hot midnight tryst, desire to play with them grips her.  After a horny week fantasizing about multiple guys—particularly her guys, her three long-time best friends—Callie thrills to find herself home alone one night.

Threesome porno and sex toys in hand, Callie acts out her fantasy not knowing her roommates’ plans changed.  Returning early, Jack, Noah, and Lucas Branson—who harbors an unspoken love for Callie—burst in on her.  She’s mortified, until the men invite her to live the fantasy with them.  She wavers, but her crush on Lucas and the lure of his bed are too strong. The guys’ words, her fantasies, and her body’s unmet need convince Callie she’s just gotta say, “What the fuck.”

As three strong sets of hands caress and undress her, Callie can’t help but wonder if she can really handle them all, and whether being with the three of them will risk a future with the one she really wants.

LUCAS

JACK

NOAH

What was your first sale as an author?

My first sale was my first novel, the one I wrote after the head injury. It went through a lot of revisions—the published manuscript is 95,000 words, so that tells you something right there! LOL Forever Freed is a paranormal romance about a reclusive, empathic vampire who falls in love with a woman he planned to kill and her young daughter, then must fight his ancient guilt, bloodlust, lie by omission, and an old vampire rival who threatens everything he holds dear. It released from The Wild Rose Press on May 20.

Do you have critique partners or beta readers?

Yes! I’m a huge believer in critique partners! I have the benefit of the critiquing skills of my best friend, who’s a YA paranormal author, and my local RWA chapter’s 12-member critique group, to which I belong. We meet once a month to exchange a chapter. Even when I think the manuscript is as good as I can make it, they find things that make it 100% better. Every time. No writer should go without critique partners if they can help it. The best people to give you advice on your writing are other people professionally pursuing writing and publishing.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned while writing your books?

Two things: First, that I tend to leave the emotional reaction out when I write the first draft, so that I now have a regular revision task of filling that in. Luckily, the dialogue and physical action tend to be clean on the first draft, so it’s easy to go through and amplify the emotional. Second, that the story and characters take on a life of their own and often go off in directions I didn’t anticipate. And I love those moments of discovery. Makes me feel like the story is coming through me rather than I’m making it up.

How do you describe your writing style?

I’m tackling this question even though I have no idea how to answer it! LOL I’m a visual writer—I see the scene in my head as I write, and I can actually move around within the scene in a 3-D kinda way.  So I think that makes my writing style, in part, descriptive and “real.”  It’s also a bit on the naughty side, but never without the heart to go along with it.

What do you think makes a good story?

Relatable characters with whom you can sympathize, who make you root for them. Interesting and believable conflict and tension. Snappy, realistic dialogue. An interesting world the author’s words allow you to visualize in your head. I don’t want much, do I? Things I think detract from a good story: Bickering as conflict, for one. Another would be when an author overplays the will-they-or-won’t-they conflict re: whether the hero and heroine will get together and DO. IT.  Changing verb tense always drives me a bit nuts, too. I think every story has the potential to be a good story.

Do you listen to music while writing? If so what?

Almost never. I can’t keep myself from singing when I hear music. LOL So it’s a bit distracting. But I love to make playlists and find music very inspirational when creating a new story or writing a current one. I like to listen to playlists in the car—I find driving a generally good time for brainstorming anyway. There are a LOT of instances where a particular song helped shape a whole scene in my writing. Which music varies from story to story, from scene to scene. I’ll have to come back and do a Playlist post some time! *grins*

Do you have any suggestions for beginning writers? If so, what are they?

I definitely do! And just wrote a guest post about this at another blog last week! You can read it HERE.  But I’ll sum up the main points: First, write, write, and keep writing. You can’t revise what you haven’t written, and you can’t submit what you haven’t written.  Second, treat your writing as a profession, which means in particular joining the relevant professional associations related to your genre. Third, don’t lose writing momentum after finishing your first book. Move onto your next project so you have something else to offer if an agent or editor asks what else you have. Fourth, find and use critique partners! And, fifth, know the rules and norms for your genre—because it’s harder for new writers to get away with flouting the norms regarding word length, point of view, plot, etc., so why put another potential obstacle in your way?

Tell us about the absolute BEST fan letter you have received.

Okay, I have to admit that these examples are from back when I was writing a wee bit of fan fiction, which I got into for a while after finishing that first draft of Forever Freed, but they’ve stuck with me ever since. I had, oh, several dozen people write to tell me that my stories were responsible for reinvigorating their marriages—and they weren’t joking about it either. People poured out their thanks for what my writing did for their relationships. But the two letters that probably meant the most was one where a bed-ridden arthritic woman told me my stories were what got her through the day everyday, because they helped her escape the confines of her illness. And a two-page letter that concluded with this:  “I just wanted to let you know how much this diversion has meant to me over this 3-month, one-year anniversary of my dad's illness and death. It has transported me to another reality, it has made me laugh and made me cry, and made me desire more in my own life.” Makes the hair on my arms raise just rereading it.

Thanks for reading,

Laura Kaye

http://www.LauraKayeAuthor.com

http://laurakayeauthor.blogspot.com

twitter: @laurakayeauthor

Laura Kaye is a multi-published author of paranormal, contemporary, and erotic romance with four books releasing in 2011. Laura Kaye’s hot, heartfelt stories are all about the universal desire for a place to belong.  Laura grew up amidst family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses, cementing her life-long fascination with the supernatural.  Though an avid fiction writer as a teenager, a career as a historian took her in other directions until recently.  Now that Laura’s inner muse has awakened, she’s constantly creating new story ideas!  Laura lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

Laura Kaye's Facts This Friday

                                

 Hey, nice digs we got here! I’m so excited to be making my first appearance at Daily Dose of Decadence. I don’t have a release date yet for my first Decadent title, Just Gotta Say, but I do have a totally yummy cover and a blurb (see down below).  First, though, just the facts:

 

I have traveled to eight countries outside of the U.S.: Canada, Great Britain, France, Belgium, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Italy. Many of these visits occurred during the “last hurrah” (*grins*) month-long European vacation my husband and I took before we decided to start a family in 2003.

When I was growing up in a small town in western Maryland not far from the Pennsylvania border, we found a sealed off secret room in the attic of our row house. Inside were two straw-and-newspaper beds, some old bottles and tin cans, and some old shoes. The room also had a secret panel that led into the adjoining row house. The newspapers dated from the 1850s and 1860s, and folks believed it was a stop on the Underground Railroad.

My whole extended family believes in ghosts and other supernatural phenomena, which is what got me interested in reading and ultimately writing about the paranormal.  I believe I have seen two ghosts in my life, and can recount dozens of stories of haunting experiences from my aunts’ and grandmother’s houses from when I was growing up.

I have two tattoos, one on my right wrist and one on my right shoulder. I want more!

I am a historian by training and a college professor by occupation.  My area of expertise is early American history, and I’ve published two non-fiction books in my field.  While I enjoy incorporating historical elements into my stories, I don’t think I’ll ever take on historical fiction or historical romance.

My “bucket list” includes: traveling to Ireland, Bermuda, Egypt, and Russia; driving across the United States; seeing my name on the NY Times bestseller list; mastering the guitar; and living for a time in London. I’m sure there’s more, but those are the do-before-I-die things that come most readily to mind!

NOW, back to that Just Gotta Say blurb:

When Callie Davis stumbles upon two of her three roommates, Jack Fenton and Noah Ryder, in a surprising, molten-hot midnight tryst, desire to play with them grips her.  After a horny week fantasizing about multiple guys—particularly her guys, her three long-time best friends—Callie thrills to find herself home alone one night.

Threesome porno and sex toys in hand, Callie acts out her fantasy not knowing her roommates’ plans changed.  Returning early, Jack, Noah, and Lucas Branson—who harbors an unspoken love for Callie—burst in on her.  She’s mortified, until the men invite her to live the fantasy with them.  She wavers, but her crush on Lucas and the lure of his bed are too strong. The guys’ words, her fantasies, and her body’s unmet need convince Callie she’s just gotta say, “What the fuck.”

As three strong sets of hands caress and undress her, Callie can’t help but wonder if she can really handle them all, and whether being with the three of them will risk a future with the one she really wants.

Thanks for visiting with me! Wontcha share a fact about yourself in return?

Laura Kaye

http://www.LauraKayeAuthor.com

http://laurakayeauthor.blogspot.com

twitter: @laurakayeauthor

Laura Kaye is a multi-published author of paranormal, contemporary, and erotic romance with four books releasing in 2011. Laura Kaye’s hot, heartfelt stories are all about the universal desire for a place to belong.  Laura grew up amidst family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses, cementing her life-long fascination with the supernatural.  Though an avid fiction writer as a teenager, a career as a historian took her in other directions until recently.  Now that Laura’s inner muse has awakened, she’s constantly creating new story ideas!  Laura lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.