19 Dec

Naughty or Nice

In case you missed the Romance Writers Behaving Badly’s Stuff Your Stocking Blog tour, I am posting the “Is Christa Naughty or Nice?” entry for those of you who would like to enjoy it, as well! Congratulations to Stacey Siferd-the winning commenter.

Am I naughty? Or, am I nice?

This is an interesting question that requires deeper thought and a bit of evidence. An examination of sorts just might give us the answer.

First let me look at the following picture. Go right ahead and look too. You too can take Christa’s simple, two-step Naughty or Nice test.

(Pillow Fight)

Now, to determine one’s status as naughty or nice it is good to define what each means.

naughty (ˈnɔːtɪ)
— adj , -tier , -tiest
1. mischievous or disobedient; bad
2. mildly indecent; titillating

nice /naɪs/
— adj,
1. virtuous; respectable; decorous
2. suitable or proper

Since we have something to refer to now, let’s examine another picture….
(Beach Santas)

A few notable quotes might help for a reference point:

Let’s be naughty and save Santa the trip.
Gary Allan

It is nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.
John Templeton

(You are looking at the pictures again aren’t you?)

I know that my mind does not have any virtuous, respectable or proper thoughts in it, right now. So, that’s all the evidence I need to diagnose my present state of mind….

I’m NAUGHTY But…
I’m also NICE because I shared those lovely photos with you!

So who is with me in the naughty group?

May you have the naughtiest, nicest Christmas Day!
Christa

Romance Writers Behaving Badly
03 Sep

Six Sunday 9/4: Make it hurt: Some more kink.

Welcome back for another Six Sunday post. I’m still working on Love the Way it Hurts, my kinky pain and pleasure story. Today’s Six comes from Ian and Alexa’s first time together. Ian has just introduced her to the strike of his belt and wants to know if she’s strong enough to continue further instruction.

“What do you feel?” Pushing her past the limit served no purpose. He’d break her spirit and ruin her budding trust in him. He didn’t think she was ready to stop, but he had to make sure she could handle increasing the pain.

“Tell me,” Ian prompted while keeping his impatience under firm control.

“It’s like my body’s on fire, every inch of me is crying out for you to stop, but I need you to give me more.”

 
Six Sentence Sunday

 Thanks for stopping by today.

Have a great Labor Day!

Christa

 

 

31 Aug

Sexy Vampire Bites: Part 2

Today, I am going to continue with the various places a vampire can take sustenance from on his lover’s body.

So, let’s examine another location where a hungry vamp can feed from and what her body’s physical reaction just might be.

Last time the bite spot was the “Old standby.” To read about that one, click here: At the throat.

Today, we will look at a more covert and concentrated area on the body: The inner thigh.

Starting with the back of the knee and kissing upward will end in a bouquet of suckling delights for any hungry vamp. Licking and sucking there in gentle sweeps brings a rush of fresh blood to warm the spot. As he works his way higher to the middle of her thigh, he can locate a variety of nerve receptors where his mouth titillates while he awaits the rich cells to travel through not one but three large veins. Right at the juncture of her leg and the feminine spot where her secrets reside, is the rushing femoral vein. It’s hidden in a most auspicious position but once accessed, never fails to increase her stimulation at the same time it surely satiates his appetite.

 

In my upcoming release, Bound By Obsession, the hero Traian finds himself losing his famed control as he kisses his way up Bethany’s thigh. He isn’t allowed to bite her, though. Temptation is surely something he must battle.

Next time, we will look at a bite spot that is rarely shown in vampire stories.

Christa

28 Aug

Six Sunday: August 28th—A bit of Kink.

Here are six sentences from my unedited WIP–a kinky spanking story tentatively titled: Love the Way it Hurts.

Alexandra’s head angled up and big, blue eyes focused on him. A lance of molten heat sizzled between them and his gut twisted impossibly tighter. Those eyes, he wanted to see them wide with wonder, filled with excitement and clouded with tears– tears of pain, tears of pleasure. Ian could imagine them dilated and wild with ecstasy.  Could they get started today? He glanced over at the table; it looked sturdy enough.

Thanks for stopping by.

Christa

24 Aug

Coming Soon: Bound By Obsession

My third paranormal romance in the Blood-Vine series is due to release very soon. I wanted to share the cover art, done by the most talented April Martinez, the blurb and an excerpt from Chapter One.

So, without further ado, here is your first taste of Traian Komar in Bound By Obsession.

In his long life, Traian Komar has managed to escape the mating noose. Being bound forever to a female isn’t anything he’s ready for. However, when he runs into Bethany, a woman from his past, every bonding instinct within him surges to life. Bethany’s the one who got away and he’s never forgotten her. Traian’s sudden obsession with her is all-consuming. But, he can’t do a damned thing about it. Dr. Bethany Miles is a mere mortal, and Kan Asma aristocrats are forbidden to mate with humans.

 For several long years, Bethany, a child psychologist, has devoted her life to her work. When a request for an appointment with an adult comes in, she’s ready to refer the case to her colleague … until she notices the patient’s name, Traian Komar. Beset by memories, Bethany agrees to see him. When he shows up, she doesn’t count on the passion he awakens within her.

The moment they’re face-to-face only intensifies the burning lust they’d always resisted. This time, Traian doesn’t hold back. His lack of restraint turns both their lives upside down and uncovers secrets that could jeopardize their growing bond. Because of his refusal to conform to his people’s traditions, Traian risks losing Bethany and any hope they have for love. He must conquer the threat to their mating and find a way to make her his … forever.

 

And now an excerpt:

Chapter One

Traian’s hunger propelled his long steps and brought him closer to his destination. Beside him, Tray’s brother, Mikhail, matched the quick pace, keeping up with his typical swagger. They rounded the corner and automatically slowed down. The floor-to-ceiling glass windowpanes of the storefront caught their reflections. Tray didn’t need the reminder that they stood out with their tall height and muscular builds. The differences between them were stark. Mikhail was the thick-necked, dark-haired one. Tray looked more lean and fair with shoulder length blond hair. Mikhail reached out to open the door. Tray entered first and came to stand in the back of the busy room. Mikhail followed him a second later.

“It’s a benefit to us that California has such early sunsets in winter,” Traian said as he turned to face Mikhail. Tray had been looking forward to this meal all afternoon. Sundown couldn’t come fast enough.

“True, it’s a fortunate advantage for a hungry vampire.” Mikhail smirked, showing the slightest hint of sharp fang tips.

“We’ve definitely come to the right place. I see plenty of options that’ll hit the spot.” Tray bit down into his lower lip, flashing Mikhail a bemused look.

“That particular one would be enough to satisfy even my cultured palate.” Mikhail lifted his finger and pointed across the space, indicating just what he wanted to dine on.

“Only you, kardes, would indulge in such a pig-out.” With a chuckle, Traian reached over and smacked his brother on the shoulder. “Better watch the calories; you might end up with a bit of pudge around your gut.”

Sniffing derisively, Mikhail quirked an eyebrow and cocked his head to the side. “Well, I already know what you’re pigging out on, and I’d like to warn you against such a mistake. All carb, no protein… Really, brother, how do you intend to keep that girlie shape you’re sporting?”

“By kicking your scrawny ass,” Tray flashed a wicked smile before stepping forward. He cocked his head over his shoulder and muttered jubilantly, “Looks like I’m going first.”

Mikhail only swore in Turkish and shoved his brother before saying, “Well, hurry your bony butt up, I’m starving here.”

Tray shrugged and ignored Mikhail. He turned his full attention frontward and met the bored look of a young, college-aged girl. Mousy features framed by multi-hued hair, in varying lengths, showed off the oval shape of her face. A silver barb, pierced through her upper lip, muted the sweet innocence of her youth, a bit. When she noticed him, her pale gray eyes widened and she moistened her lower lip with the tip of her tongue. Yup, another piercing there, too. Before he’d moved near, she was slouched over and tuned out. One earbud, from her IPod, hung over her shoulder and the other fit in her ear. She straightened and yanked the headphone out. Tray leaned closer, crossing his arms over his chest. He watched her stare flick down, roving across the outlines of his torso, tracking over his rounded biceps.

Clearing his throat, he effectively redirected her attention back to his face. Her dreamy expression deepened and Tray almost rolled his eyes. “Ma’am?” he said, just to seem polite.

“Yes,” she replied rather breathlessly.

A nudge in his ribs made Tray flinch, “Hold your horses, youngling. He forced into his brother’s thoughts.

“Stop flirting with the human, I’m famished,” Mikhail replied tersely.

Fine, his own stomach growled in protest at his stalling, as well. Tray blinked and pulled back a bit. Time to sate one of his most basic needs: food.

She followed as far as she could but the thick slab of granite separating them prevented her from all out touching him. Tray rocked on his heels and lifted his gaze to fix on the far wall. “I would like two clubs on rye, with all the fixings. Add a side of that famous apple coleslaw, and peach cobbler. Also, two passion fruit iced teas. My brother here wants an egg salad on whole wheat, a large order of fries and the fresh fruit salad. As you can see, he is just as boring as his food choices. No sense of adventure, the poor bastard.”

The cashier dutifully entered each item into the register. When Tray rambled off Mikhail’s order, she focused directly behind Tray. Her smile grew almost flirty and that tongue came out again. This time, it brushed across her teeth while she appraised Tray’s brother.

“Hello there, doll.” Mikhail sidled alongside Tray. Mikhail’s cultured Russian accent deepened as he continued, “Is Tray here giving you a hard time? I could break his face with my fist, be your champion extraordinaire.”

The poor thing was dumbstruck. Her lips parted but nothing came out. Now, Tray indulged his urge and rolled his eyes. “Oh yeah, if he’s Prince Charming, then I must be the Big Bad Wolf.” He fake growled, hiding his fangs behind taut lips.

A quick flash twinkled in her eye at his statement. She tried to smother a laugh but it didn’t work. Tray noticed she diverted herself by plunking at the register keys, totaling their order.

“That’s gonna be twenty-two dollars, sir.”

Tray reviewed the sum and peeked at the menu board. After a quick calculation of each item, he grimaced. It didn’t add up. “I think you might be missing something,” he offered courteously.

She shook her head and stared at Mikhail. “His is on the house.”

Before he could utter a thing, Mikhail slapped Tray’s back and whooped with hilarity.

“Serves you right, big bro, a bit of chivalry goes a long way.” Mikhail swaggered to the dining area where he ass-planted it in a back booth. His big, soldier-like body took up the space of one bench.

Tray paid the total, tossed the change in a glass tip dish, and leaned against the partition. When their order was up, he grabbed the tray with their plates and sauntered over to join his brother. He set the food down with a hard clank and one of Mikhail’s melon slices fell off with a wet plop. Sliding onto the opposite bench, he scowled at Mikhail and said, “Who do you think you are? Cujo?”

Mikhail’s lips twisted in a paltry attempt to keep his amusement at bay.

Tray drummed his fingers on the tabletop, waiting for a reply. He hated having his back to the room. Even with heightened senses, he preferred to see danger coming at him. It gave him time to calculate his responses, to determine what he would do to the person posing the threat. And, it spared him the heebie-jeebies feeling that was presently crawling along his skin, prickling with gooseflesh. Tray hated the infernal sensation and would never again be caught unawares in any situation.

When he’d fled their village in Abkhazia, some twenty-odd years ago, it was only after several horrible weeks of agony and torture. He hadn’t been spared the suffering. Luckily, while he was trapped, his brothers effectively found a way to evacuate the survivors.

Tray had found them nearly a month later. His physical injuries limited his ability to move speedily. Despite his wounds, his mind was his greatest weakness. The atrocities he witnessed in the scientist’s lab scarred his soul in ways he never thought possible.

Lured by the lovely, Sascha, he’d been blinded by his growing hunger and never noticed her duplicity. She was his blood host, his Adak; he required her vein to sate his need, and her body to give him release. It had been a fulfilling relationship for many, many years. Until the bitch had betrayed him.

Before dawn, on the day of the invasion, she’d convinced him to let her tie his hands behind his back in a mock attempt at seduction. What male wasn’t up for a little bondage now and then? Traian shuddered. The memories of being ambushed from behind made his gut roil. Sascha knew his Híbe, the special talent of manipulating nerve endings, was no good to him as long as they restrained him. He was utterly powerless, like that damned Samson who was deceived by his lover Delilah. Tray had fought with every ounce of his strength but he couldn’t battle the drugs pumped into him. The massive elephant tranquilizer had effectively shut him down. He’d been unconscious through the brunt of the incursion.

And when he finally woke up, he was in hell.

“Those bastard quacks,” Mikhail sneered with a low growl. “It’s been almost three damn decades and your head is still scrambled, Bro.”

Tray realized he’d zoned out, totally ignoring Mikhail and the food sitting there waiting for him to dig in. Lifting his chin, he met his brother’s concerned stare. With an indifferent shrug, he picked up the first half of one sandwich. “Next time, I’ll just toss you on your ass so I can sit where I’m comfortable. That way, I can spare you my little traipse through memory-fucking lane.” 

Christa

08 Aug

Sexy Vampire Bites

Where is the best, most sexy place for a vampire to bite?

 As an author of paranormal romance novels featuring vampires, I have the added delight of writing the sexy biting scenes. While I spend most of the prose imagining the sensual effects of those nips and nibbles, I’ve found that there are biological aspects to incorporate, too.

When my hero is starving and in need of a rich blood source, he isn’t going to play around with benign spots on his female’s body. That, would be foreplay. This nourishment thing is dead-serious business and locating the spot he can sip from, while ensuring his lover receives pleasure, is about strategy and tactics.

 So, over the next few days, let’s examine the places a hungry vamp can feed from and what the body’s physical reaction just might be.

 Today’s bite location is: The Old Stand-by:

Let me sip from you.

Why is the throat where a vampire tends to drink?  It is well known that the neck and throat are full of sensitive erogenous zones. The spots run from the tender flesh below the ear all the way to the shoulder. When a vampire spends time kissing up and down the column the arousal begins to flood the bloodstream, whipping through the jugular vein and the carotid artery. As the fangs scrape across this area pushing with more pressure, touch is intensified. Eventually, the harder the bite the more the nerves will respond. It’s a great all around place for quick and easy access to feed from.

Do you have a favorite place for vampire bites?

Christa

04 Jul

Happy Fourth of July

For a fun and sexy holiday read, check out my novel Kissin’ Cops 2: Star Spangled Kiss

Kissin’ Cops 2

                                                                                                                                                                                  

Detective Tyler Mason always gets what he wants, until he tries to seduce unattainable social worker, Sophie Perez. Suddenly, everything he thought about women is turned upside down. Now, he will do anything to make her his. Sophie resists her attraction to Tyler. She knows he only wants one thing. However, at a Fourth of July barbeque, she is given a glimpse of the man he truly is.

Amidst the fireworks of the holiday, their passion ignites. Tyler must win Sophie’s heart or risk losing the one woman who can teach him how to love.

I hope you have a wonderful Fourth of July. Enjoy the food, fun and fireworks.

Christa

01 Jun

Thursday Thirteen: Unique Hero Names

Cross Posted at Liquid Silver Books, Silver Expression’s blog.

Every author has an important task set before him or her. The mission is in choosing the perfect name for their characters. There are popular names for heroes that seem to dominate romance novels. An avid reader can come across several of the same names, spelled in a variety of different ways. Off the top of my head, I can think of Kane, Kaine, and Kayne. There is also the big name shortened into a nickname, like Jackson to Jack. I did a quick search of heroes named Lucan, Luc or Lucien and there were pages of them in both regular and paranormal romances. But today, for my Thursday Thirteen post, I thought I would list 13 uniquely named heroes.

So, after a little bit of research, these are the thirteen distinctive names I dug up:

  1. Beckett from The Heat of the Knight by Scottie Barrett
  2. Shaz from Trina M. Lee’s Only Vampire’s Cry Blood.
  3. Amanda Steiger’s Dark Geist has a hero named Smoky Striggs.
  4. Slander Weldon is the hero of Stone Dead by J. Hali Steele.
  5. Lissa Matthews’s Vinter is one naughty Bassist in Simple Need.
  6. Lora Leigh could top off the next five or ten with most of her Breed novels, she has Callan, Taber, Styx, and Cabal, etc…
  7. J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood is right up there with the Breed novels in regard to interesting name. I’m sure fans of the books could pick out the most exceptional for them. Not only does she have interesting emotive names, but she spells them differently, as well like Zsadist, and Vishous.
  8. Lionello “Lion” Andreas is the enigmatic hero of Iris Johansen’s Wind Dancer.
  9. The pirate prince Lazar di Fiori in Gaelen Foley’s The Pirate Prince won’t rest until his kingdom is returned to him.
  10. In the same theme as Lazar, Christina Dodd’s latest release Taken by the Prince features the hero Saber, a king who is fighting to get his throne and country back.
  11. As a Pride and Prejudice fangirl, I can’t forget Jane Austen’s Fitzwilliam Darcy. That name’s sure a mouthful.
  12. In the Urban Fantasy department, Alexis Morgan’s Paladin series features an other worldly hero named Larem in her latest release Bound by Darkness.
  13. It’s only fair that I contribute my own interesting hero name from Bound by Obsession which is my newest novel due out really soon. It features a vampire hero named Traian.

 

So, what original and unique names have you come across or picked as a hero’s name for your book? I know there are so many out there that it is impossible to list them all.

Have a great Thursday,

Christa

30 May

Me, sweet?

What does being “sweet” mean, really?
The dictionary says it can be an adjective, adverb or even a noun.
  • If I go with the adjective: that means that my blog tastes like honey or is sugary. 
  • As an adverb, it describes my site as being of a sweet manner.
  • The noun works best for describing my little corner of the web, I suppose, because it means that it is pleasant to the mind or feelings. I’m sure I could find some eye candy to corroborate that! 
Whatever way my site is sweet, the wonderful Vivien Jackson  ”nominated” me for the Sweet Blog award and I’m ever grateful for her support.

 

Of course, I don’t get to just accept my award with a dainty little speech.

Actually, I have to do something.

The rules of this award are as follows:

1. Thank and Link To the Person who Nominated You. Mucho Gracias, Miss Vivien! You can follow her at her blog http://www.vivienjackson.com/ or on twitter @Vivien_Jackson.

2. Share Seven Random Facts About Yourself. (UH OH)

3. Pass the Award on to 10 deserving blog buddies. (I’m quite sure that I am the last one to get around to doing this.)

4. Contact those buddies to let them know. —In the event that I’m not the last person on the romance author net to be tagged, I shall do my best to tag them.

*****

On to the Seven Facts About Me:

1. I’m a BBC Robin Hood junky but I refuse to watch the last episode because I won’t acknowledge what they did to him.  Marian calls him “Handsome.” Isn’t that the sweetest pet name ever?

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. My favorite flower is the tulip. Yellow tulips are beautiful and smell like honey. Also, the symbolism is sweet: There is sunshine in your smile.  Did you know orange tulips represent enthusiasm, passion and caring? Such pretty flowers with beautiful symbols.

 

 

 

 

3. Even though I live in Southern California, I’m a Cincinnati Bengals fan. My favorite player is not OchoCinco, nor the quarterback but #2 Mike Nugent, their kicker, because he has been the difference between a win or a loss. The kickers never get the credit they deserve.

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. I’m the biggest Star Wars geek. I even have the R2-D2 Droid phone. Yes, it does play R2-D2 signal beeps to indicate when I have a new message. Right now, my text message indicator is R2-D2 in Dagobah when he is under the swamp water.

 

 

 

 

5. My favorite romance artist is Waterhouse. Because I have a thing about knights-in-shining-armor, my favorite is Lamia.

 

 

 

6. My favorite type of food is Italian. Especially if it comes with a side of garlic bread. Yes, I am a carb-addict.

 

 

 

 

7. I love frozen yogurt. My favorite flavor is caramel cream. I load up the frozen goodness with caramel topping and marsh-mellow sauce. Yes, I have a sweet tooth and love to indulge it.

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks again, Vivien for nominating me.

Christa

19 Mar

Six Sunday: Irish Kiss

Six Sentence Sunday

To celebrate this past Saint Patrick’s holiday, I thought I would share with you a snippet from my novella Irish Kiss.

Gavin and Cassidy are at a pub. They arrived separately and soon Cassidy finds herself being manhandled by a pair of jerks. Gavin steps in and stakes his claim on her. This snippet happens right after they give the scumbags a reminder on how to behave gentlemanly. Gavin makes a quip about using his handcuffs on Cassidy and her desire for him becomes totally evident. (Please excuse the 7th and 8th sentences, I’m counting the dialog as just one sentence.)

“Son-of-a-bitch. That look on your face is gonna get you fucked up against the wall in the bathroom, Cass,” he cursed again.

“Is that a guarantee, Gavin?”

Forgetting the morons they were dealing with, he stormed over to grip her wrist and hauled her against him. “Let’s go. Right. Fucking. Now.”

Six Sunday is a great way to see what so many different authors are sharing. I hope you enjoy all the different snippets, today. To go back to the site, click the link: http://sixsunday.blogspot.com/

Have a great Sunday!

Christa