Guest blogs, giveaways & reviews, oh my!

I wanted to let you know I guest-blogged on Women and Words (the amazing multi-author lesfic blog) today, about my reasons to go hybrid. The blog comes with a giveaway-all you have to do to enter to win one of my e-books is to leave a comment on the post here:

http://womenwords.org/2014/09/21/the-hybrid-way-by-raven-j-spencer/

I also have a new review from the Naughty Lady Publications blog.

http://blog.naughtyladiespublications.com/wp/?p=383

It's really fun to have the reviews coming in and see that very different reviewers all had nice things to say about A Perfect Dream.

Pinterest Woes and More Reviews

After my dismay over "one or more" pins being reported for explicit content, this new review by AfterDark Online really made my day. Pinterest first. Okay. Wow. I am quite proud of my collection of beautiful art and photography admiring the female form (mostly dressed, but lingerie at the very least, some nude paintings, nothing people wouldn't see if they went to the museum).
I assume that not everyone who checked my boards and liked travel destinations, cocktails and interior design has the same appreciation for lesbian kisses, weddings etc., but come on. Why can't you just move on? It's for the same reason that youtube fan videos featuring same-sex kisses get flagged. I assume. I can't say for sure, but it makes me unsure about following new people, and the overall experience a lot less fun. Addressing this in a message to the help center, I got a response with instructions for when your account gets suspended--but it's not! It was in order to avoid that fate that I contacted them in the first place. Oh well. Switching channels.

An awesome new review for A Perfect Dream went live today.

"Wow! What a beautiful story. (...) Who is this author? I want to read more, because I love reading a good f/f story. (...) I was very amazed of the heat level to the story. You’ll love the delicious scenes in the story; nonstop f/f scenes throughout the story, and I must let you know it’s not just one girl-on-girl scene, but it leads to multiple female partners in the story." (Ray Sostre, AfterDark Online).

You can read the whole review here.

I got signed...and had to get over myself.

First of all, happy news!

My dark erotica novel "Soulless" was accepted by Damnation Books, a publisher specializing in dark fiction. The "A Perfect Dream" series will continue, so I'll be officially in the hybrid category. I'm thrilled with all the future possibilities.

It was also one of those moments, when, as a writer, you just have to get over yourself.

"Soulless" is much darker than anything I've ever imagined or written before.

Robin is dealing with a difficult work situation and the end of a long-term relationship. Natalie, young, charming, and irresistible, awakens sexual needs and desires Robin didn’t know she had. She soon learns that Natalie has a dark side.

As Detective Jean Shelby tries to solve a series of puzzling murders, she is drawn into the current of a relationship defined by obsession and the struggle for control. No one can remain innocent.

As an LGBT person, you will likely come across pre-conceived notions at some point, if not in person, then in the form of articles or comments you read about on the internet. One common question/accusation: "Why is always about the sex?"

The answer: It's not. You're the one who makes it all about the sex by bringing the subject up all the time, and, oddly, seems to think about it a lot more than most LGBT people. We have everyday lives, families, jobs, just like you.

And then there are erotica writers, who, by definition, get to think about sex a lot. That much is true, but it's the same for straight and LGBT writers.

The other point is that as lesbian writers, we often feel like we face expectations from within the community to represent, but what does that mean anyway? No one story, or even a dozen, can represent the complete lesbian community. Sometimes, a story is a metaphor or an exploration of how far the mind can go, and how far readers are willing to follow.

Do the "Fifty Shades of Grey" represent all straight women and their sexual fantasies? I know many who'd not only disagree, but would point out the absurdity of the question. Do "Dexter" and "Hannibal" represent all male writers? I don't think so either.

I loved writing "A Perfect Dream", where respect and consent are the ultimate rules. With "Soulless" and the character of Natalie, I delved deep into the darkness, and yes, there are lots of erotic moments in it as well.

I had to get over myself and realize I can write this type of book, and still be a lesbian and a feminist. When you touch a boundary in writing, the answer is not "okay, this is the point where I turn around and go back into my comfort zone." It's to go further.

I invite you to accompany me.

Truth or Dare Excerpt

While I'm working on new stories in the A Perfect Dream universe, my standalone novelette Truth or Dare is now available from Amazon. To get you in the mood for a sexy, Caribbean vacation, here's a excerpt:

The evening found them at the same sports bar as the night before. Lane was wearing the necklace, a red dress this time.

Tessa noticed that Adrian seemed to be a bit more relaxed about the appreciative looks Victor gave her. However, tonight, they unnerved her. Colada time. Tonight, with the local specialty, guavaberry liquor. Her reasoning might be hypocritical, but how much of a jerk was this guy not to appreciate his own wife, a smart and kind woman for all Tessa knew, coming with that package? She was similarly frustrated with Adrian who, for all intents and purposes, had found a new friend. Was that what he aspired to be like, a cocky businessman who took a woman like Lane for granted and thought he could impress the people around him with his money? She didn’t want to be married to a man like that. This trip was shaping up to drive the message home, and maybe she didn’t want to be married at all, just be happy and carefree with people who felt the same way. Adrian had once been that way, and she sensed the potential underneath Lane’s reserved exterior. Not that it was any of her business what Lane was like beneath that front, in more private moments, but damn, it seemed like she had a hard time thinking about anything else.

Two women went by, hand in hand. They stopped for a brief moment, sharing a kiss which inevitably caught the men’s interest.

Or was it—inevitable?

“What are you looking at? It’s not like they’re going to invite you.” What was wrong with her? They were enjoying good music, food, company in a place where a couple of minute’s walk would allow her to feel the sand under her feet. Something was wrong.

“That’s not the point,” Adrian defended himself.

“What is the point? What’s it with men and lesbians anyway, why is it such a thing for you?”

Lane looked fairly interested in the subject, making Tessa blush, so she focused on Adrian. Tonight, he hadn’t stopped at beer either.

“Well, what do you want me to say? It’s hot.”

“You can say that,” Victor chimed in, and Tessa, emboldened with liquid courage, raised her index finger at him.

“Hey, I didn’t ask you. I don’t understand you. You’re giving every woman in this place the eye when you are married to someone like Lane? She is gorgeous!”

He didn’t seem to mind her words, in fact, Victor appeared amused. “If you think so, maybe you should kiss her?”

“Now that would be hot,” Adrian said.

“I need another drink,” was Lane’s comment, finally making Tessa aware of what she’d said. She cast an apologetic glance at Lane who looked surprisingly thoughtful, before she leaned over and her lips met Tessa’s. Maybe the gesture was meant to be a dare, or prove a point, but whatever it was, the encounter lasted longer than expected. Tessa shifted closer, excited by the feel of Lane’s tongue slipping between her lips, exploring gently. Tessa wouldn’t have minded if she wanted to explore all night. She could blame it on the alcohol all she wanted, but she was trembling, liquid heat pooling between her legs. Shame on her. She should have known all along. If the kiss of a woman was making her this hot, but she was dragging her feet with a guy even when he wanted to surprise her with a beach vacation, it should tell her something.

Still, Lane was married, and she had kissed Tessa with this much passion—why, exactly? Both breathless when they pulled back, they stared at each other in surprise.

The men in their company were less startled, or maybe they had no idea what just happened.

“See, that’s just…hot,” Adrian argued.

Pal, you’ll get no argument from me, Tessa thought. Lane finished her drink with a deep sip. Tasting the fruity concoction on her lips had been divine, and all of a sudden Tessa couldn’t help thinking of all the other ways she’d like to taste her.

If you'd like to know how far exactly Tessa and Lane will go, check back on Amazon Sept 1. In the meantime, you can join Beatrice and the girls at their A Perfect Dream adventure--all through August for only 99cts!

About Beatrice (A Perfect Dream)

It seems like there has been some confusion about the content of A Perfect Dream, so I want to make this very clear: I read just about everything. I write lesbian erotica, about women who, if they don't do so in the beginning, will identify as lesbians in the end. I'm fond of stories about a late awakening.

Beatrice might seem selfish at first, but she's also trapped in a loveless (and sexless) marriage. Her hunger for sensation, experience, excess is a partly due to her impossible situation. She knows what she wants, but she can't envision a life in which she pursues it openly. That's the set-up. The story focuses on her erotic journey and, eventually, an encounter which will lead her to an unexpected discovery.

In case you were worried: There is no M/F sex in this book. It's unlikely I ever go there. I promise.

So if you like a steamy read, ladies only, F/F with a bit of F/F/F fun...go for it. It's only 99cts all through August.

Amazon US

Amazon UK

and everywhere else.

The adventures of a new indie erotica author: Reviews

A Perfect Dream has received its first three reviews this week, and they are all awesome! I couldn’t be happier at this point, especially since I had no idea what to expect. I knew I put out a story I loved writing, fun, sexy and a bit thought-provoking.

Once you put something out there, all bets are off, even more so when it comes to something so individual as sexuality.

That wasn’t my only worry. I did my homework, previewed my file in every possible way and was fairly confident there shouldn’t be any big formatting issues, but who knows really what kind of black magic can happen in between hitting publish and the e-book appearing on your reader’s Kindle?

The format seems fine. The sex seems more than fine: “Amazing” (Rainbow Book Reviews), “…the sex was hot” (Mad In Wonderland Reviews) “incredibly steamy” (Cocktails and Books).

I know it probably won’t always go that way, not everyone has the same taste, opinions differ, but for a start, this is a relief.

I’m grateful to the people who take the time to put out tutorials and answers in forums for people like me. I’m fairly confident in telling my story, but the journey from the word document to an e-book published on Amazon requires a bit more than that, so thanks for all of your help!

I’d like to include a shameless plug in this post, namely letting you know that A Perfect Dream is currently at only $ 0.99, the perfect time to try, and I’d love to hear what you think.

  

Next time, I’ll tell you about my adventures with the IRS (for authors who are not from the US)--actually it’s a lot less complicated than I thought, and you might think. Stay on this channel.

My first review for A Perfect Dream

Of all the review requests I sent out, Rainbow Book Reviews were the first to get back to me, and what they had to say couldn't be more encouraging for a new erotica author. In fact, it's break-out-the-champagne kind of awesome, so I had to make some room for it on my blog as well. Here's the link to the full review:

http://www.rainbowbookreviews.com/book-reviews/a-perfect-dream-by-raven-j-spencer

Warning: You might be intrigued...