The Pink Banana

Well, we didn't sign many books last night, but we had a good time ... and yours truly dropped a chunk of change on lingerie. *blush*

Shara Lanel posted this pix from the signing on her blog:


That's yours truly in black.

Greetings from EPICon

When I catch my breath, I'll tell you what a rush it is to have Sherrilyn Kenyon ask for your card!

Fantasies I

Phaze Fantasies, Vol. I
by Alessia Brio, Leigh Ellwood, Bridget Midway and Ann Regentin
March, 2007
ISBN 1-59426-556-9

Four tales of erotic fiction by four Phaze favorites! Alessia Brio continues the Costa Rican adventure that launched fine flickering hungers, her 2007 EPPIE Finalist for Best Erotica. Bridget Midway shines with "Service Recall," a tale of relationship rebound done right. Leigh Ellwood opens the door to a magical menagé in "Midnight Passions." And Ann Regentin's "Midnight Conversations" explores the sexual memories of a fixer-upper's past occupants.

Length: Quasar (Anthology - 94,000 words)
Rating: Nova - 5 (Stories include scenes of MMF and MFM sex)

Sexography Reviews ArtiFactual

Carrie White, of Sexography, reviews Artifactual: Tales of the Erotique Mystique:

With the obvious success of the erotic adventures of Bruce and Mandy, Alessia Brio and Will Belegon have really pulled out all the stops to round this collection off perfectly. The newest addition to this series, Closing Arguments, is much longer than the rest but, I feel, is by far the best of the bunch.

Hauntings, erotic, passionate scenes and intrigue are just a few of the treats awaiting you from one of the finest writer collaborations in the Erotic genre.

RT Review of Phaze Fantasies I

Fantasies I will be released on 5 March:

CTR Reviews "Artistically Inclined"

Coffee Time Romance had some really nice things to say about Artistically Inclined:

The first two pages immediately draw you in and hook you. The description of the art and the feeling Cyndi has while painting it are vibrant and colorful. The reader can practically feel the passion she has for her work, and particularly this piece. Bring in the Alpha male and you have a passionate explosion worthy of reading time and time again. This story will definitely not leave you wanting for anything. The sex is exhilarating, but tastefully done at the same time.

New Reviews at FAR

Amanda H. from Fallen Angel Reviews had some really nice things to say about our recent and upcoming releases:

"What a fantastically fun read. San Diego Sunset was definitely not what I expected when I first started reading it; although I should have known it would be amazing with authors Alessia Brio and Will Belegon. Everything these two write together is outstanding. Somehow, they always manage to keep their stories and characters fresh and full of fun."








"Hold onto your seats ladies and gentlemen, we have lift off! What an energetic, engaging, passionate, lust-filled story. Authors Alessia Brio and Will Belegon are amazing together. I loved Cyndi and Kevin. Both of these characters came from bad previous relationships and were willing to do anything to be creative and keep this new relationship on fire. Everything about Artistically Inclined was superb, from the characters and the plot to the hot and heavy sex scenes. I cannot wait to read more from these two amazing authors."

And, with regard to our Mandy & Bruce anthology which contains the previously published stories (Erotique, Switch, and Amichu) plus a brand new story (Closing Arguments) that's longer than the earlier three combined: "If you’re looking for a collection of stories with the same characters throughout with a ton of crazy sex with items you’ve probably never even thought of, then this story is definitely for you. However, I do suggest buying this whole collection instead of each individual book..."

NOTE: Previous FAR reviews of a couple of the stories in ArtiFactual: Erotique and Switch.

Whoop!

We SO rock!

Giggling

Mrs. Giggles reviewed Amichu. I'm not gonna comment about the review itself on this blog. If you wanna read my thoughts, pop on over to MySpace.

Amichu is the latest sexual adventure of Mandy and Bruce (Erotique, Switch). Well, after experiencing their body switch, they've now switched back into their old bodies again for an adventure to Rapa Nui to collect an artefact, a "huamanga carving", for their antique shop Erotique. As you can predict, these two spend most of their journey on their back.

Perhaps it is tough to follow up to a body switch act, but nonetheless Amichu is a disappointing story. The sex scenes are pretty mundane when I'm expecting the authors to at least incorporate some wild conga jungle monkey sex here or there. In fact, the story ends when our boinking twosome reach their destination so the story is less exotic that I'm led to believe. I'm hoping for more erotic jungle fever moments like Ms Brio has offered me in her collection of short stories fine flickering hungers but Amichu, at only 30 pages, is just begging me to ask in a most sarcastic manner, "Why is this short little thing even published in the first place?"

The sex isn't as good as that in the previous book and the story is actually half a story since it ends abruptly as if it's initially meant to be a part of a longer story. I believe these two authors are actually some of the few romantic erotica authors capable of writing erotic stories that actually make me curl my toes so it is a waste if they insist on putting out half-baked stories like Amichu. Why not wait a while to expand the story a little more and then publish it? Maybe Mommy needs new shoes, I suppose. I understand that the authors and Phaze have plans to package all the boinkersome adventures of Paul [sic] and Mandy into one collection. I'd suggest that people wait for that collection to come out instead of paying for something as short and unsatisfyingly truncated as Amichu.

Rating: 51

Promo Flyer

An EPICon Event Announcement

Phaze's Rad 80s Party!

Break out your Jordache jeans, high-top Reeboks and flourescent clothes! Phaze, the erotic imprint of Mundania Press, LLC, is taking you back to the 1980s with their Rad 80s Party complete with food and drinks, a cash bar, a DJ spinning all of the old 80s tunes, and gift baskets and prizes for lucky attendees! The party will be March 10th at 9:30 p.m. directly after the EPPIES awards banquet at the Surfside Inn at 1211 Atlantic Avenue in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Come dressed to impress in your best 80s-era gear. During the party, Phaze will unveil their newest find, the Phaze Phenom, the new face of Phaze. Authors, be ready. Along with the unveiling, Phaze will announce a special contest. Get a jump on the competition by being on the groundfloor when the announcement is made!

So come join the fun. The party is free and open to the public, however conference and/or banquet attendees will have a guaranteed spot in the party. Don't wait! The last day to register for the conference is February 15th, and the last day to purchase tickets to attend just the banquet is February 22nd! For more information on the conference and the hotel, go to http://www.epic-conference.com

Mrs. Giggles Reviews "Artistically Inclined"

I suppose we were due for a spanking from Mrs. Giggles. However, I can't help but be amused by her criticisms of Artistically Inclined:

Do take note that Artistically Inclined was published only a few months ago by Venus Press and the authors have merely switched book publisher after Venus Press starts experiencing perplexing mysterious issues like telephones and emails that never work without making any changes to the story.

In our story, Cyndi is in a relationship with Kevin. She's an artist while he sells sport equipment and all, so this could either end up in pieces or work beautifully to the grand finish. Currently, however, she feels that their sex life has fallen into a rut and, inspired by a sexy work she's been working on for an anonymous client, she decides to spice up things between her and Kevin this Valentine's day. They will exchange a list of five sexual fantasies and if they have any same sexual fantasy in their lists, they'll do that one come Valentine's Day. Boy, this could be asking for trouble, especially if the other person comes up with a list that includes not just his ex-girlfriend or Dakota Fanning but also his mother, the family bulldog, or something he's seen in a Japanese dirty cartoon involving tentacles.

Artistically Inclined is not a bad read at all but I feel that the payoff isn't as good as the build-up. For one, I'm intrigued by the painting Cyndi did since it was supposed to be sexy while at the same time fit for display in, say, a church or in a school. What is it that she ends up painting, I wonder? Also, the story has Cyndi thinking about how she'll only let Kevin do the backdoor thing to her if he's willing to take it backdoor as well or how Karen, Kevin's secretary, has a thing for Cyndi so I'm really looking forward for all kinds of mind-boggling permutations and combinations one can have for two guys and two gals in a bisexual free-for-all. However, the payoff is pretty mundane in comparison to the build-up since the sexual fantasy Kevin and Cyndi opt to carry out doesn't even cover a fraction of such possibility. I won't spoil what they end up doing, but Artistically Inclined doesn't push the envelope as much as it seems to promise me at the start of the story.

Perhaps if this is a longer story it would deliver all the graphic and naughty things it promises to in its set-up, but in its current short length, all it does is to set my expectations high and then leaves me hanging high and dry. That's not a very nice thing to do, I must say.

Rating: 73

Can You Say PRINT?

Buy it HERE.

Let's Do the Time Warp ...

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.

My short story Time Warp was selected as one of Phaze's FURY line of HeatSheets. In addition, it will be the first release in Phaze's new UMBRA category.

Release is scheduled for April 9, 2007 which, coincidentally, is my birthday. *grin*

It's February!

With the new month comes new ... ME! *grin*

I have an interview posted at Coffee Time Romance.  (It was supposed to go up in December, but they had some staff issues. I updated the interview for them, but apparently it got misplaced 'cause the version posted still mentions the holidays. *sigh*)

And, I have a new story in this month's issue of Oysters & Chocolate!

The 2006 Preditors & Editors polling ended last night at midnight.  Unofficially, it appears that I finished in the Top 10 in three categories:

Poet
Poem (Tapestry)
... and with Will ...
Short Story (Switch)

Second Coming

I'm delighted to announce the re-release of Artistically Inclined. Will & I opted to move this title to Phaze due to the exceptional promotion & wider distribution it provides.

And stay tuned for its sequel, Bound for Success!

Switch Gets Giggled

Will & I are very pleased with Mrs. Giggles' review of Switch:

Alessia Brio and Will Belegon collaborate on Switch, which is a sequel to Ms Brio's Erotique. The same characters from Erotique are back. Amanda Long and Bruce, whose last name is still a mystery, are back and this time around they are happily having some fun in bed during a thunderstorm when lightning strikes and they find themselves having switched bodies. Which is to say, Mandy is now in Bruce's body while Bruce is in Mandy's body. Under ordinary circumstances, people in this situation may say, "Wait a minute, this is creepy, change things back arou[n]nd please!" But ah, our Mandy and Bruce are no ordinary people. They are soon having fun especially by doing things to the other person and experiencing sex from the perspective of the other gender.

Switch is nothing more than that. It's all sex and more sex. Detailed sex, by the way, from the curve of the penis Mandy sort of borrowed from Bruce at that moment to Bruce's first experience of a female orgasm. A long time ago, the greek philosopher Tiresias lived both as man and woman (not at the same time, of course, because that will be really surreal) and he later insisted to Hera that women experience greater pleasure in sex compared to men. However, in this story both Bruce and Mandy realize that they really like experiencing sex in the other person's body so the fun is very democratic in how it's being distributed to all parties here.

As a very naughty and fun story of an unusual sexual situation involving two romantically-linked people, Switch is a rare story that is confident about its erotic quality that it doesn't try too hard to include orgies and vampiric anal sex in order to live up to its romantic erotica label. Naturally, it succeeds in doing so, which is why this story is pretty cool.

Rating: 80

Enchanted Ramblings Reviews "Artistically Inclined"

WHOOP! Helluva way to start the week!

Audiotalo from Enchanted Ramblings gives Artistically Inclined 5.5 (of 6) magical wands and some terrific praise:

This is easily one of the best contemporary erotic novellas I've read in a long time. What's even more impressive about it is that Cyndi and Kevin are not hot young twenty-somethings, but an attractive middle-aged couple. Both characters are sympathetically and excitingly drawn, with enough details about their workday lives to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind. With sexual tension buzzing throughout, a threesome and some m/m action, this is one hot read. Recommended!

Currently, this title is only available at Venus Press, but we hope to soon move it to Phaze for wider distribution.

Also coming soon, its sequel (entitled Bound for Success).

Enchanted Ramblings Reviews "San Diego Sunset"

Astrea from Enchanted Ramblings had this to say about our Phaze Snuggler San Diego Sunset:

This is a romantic story about what happens when two people are fated to meet. I enjoyed the way it feels as if they could be anyone, even the woman or man next door.

Sketch by the incomparable Patty.

Sensual Reads Reviews "Amichu"

Tee from Sensual Reads & Reviews gives Amichu four roses:

Amichu is an action filled, humorous and delightful story. It is very well written and well researched. The love scenes are very believable and quite steamy. Alessia Brio and Will Belegon work great as a team and each compliment the other very well. If you want to curl up with a quick read by the firelight, then this is the book for you.

An old review ...

I'm not sure what prompted me to follow up on an old review submission, but I'm glad I did. Apparently, the completed review never made it into the print edition of The MENSA Bulletin, but appeared online (where I didn't see it). Anyway, this is Tom Elliot's July 2006 review of fine flickering hungers:

FINE FLICKERING HUNGERS: An anthology of erotic short stories and poetry by Alessia Brio (2005, 147 pp., eBook; publ. Phaze, Cincinnati OH, www.Phaze,com, ISBN 1-59426-540-2). "A collection of 8 erotic short stories with accompanying poetry. Sexual scenarios vary from hetero- to mono- to homosexual to group, with the only common thread being that they seldom (if ever) take place in a bed…The fantasies swirling around in my head reached critical mass. I had to set them free to make room for more. I write to make people feel good about themselves, about their sexuality, and about their passions. Call it ‘erotic altruism’" Definitely a book for bedtime reading, offering an imaginative romp stretching from "Boiling Point" and "Surrogate Sin" to "Topping Love", "Wetter Has Never Been Better", and "Ghouls Just Wanna Have Fun: Learning to Love Halloween". Something for everyone, and literately and lushly written besides. Hot, hot, hot - don’t say I didn’t warn ya.

TRS Reviews "Switch"

The Romance Studio gives Switch, our Phaze Surge HeatSheet, four hearts:

Switch provided me with a short, extremely erotic and gratifying read! Amanda and Bruce are fun, light hearted characters who find themselves in an extraordinary situation. I just loved the experience of watching Amanda learn what it means for a man to experience sexual arousal. She found out that she, in a man's body, had to control her strength. Brad (sic) learned that his new body was intensely sensitive in odd (to him) places. I did have some difficulty with the easiness with which each of them adjusted and went right back to sex. It seems that Amanda and Bruce have been in other stories together and I will enjoy looking for them.

Sensuality rating: Explicit

Reviewer: Marcy Arbitman
January 16, 2007

How Did I End Up On The Cover Of This Romance Novel?

This classic from The Onion is worth reposting ...

December 13, 2006 | Issue 42•50

Last week at the supermarket, while shopping for my weekly supply of three dozen eggs and 12 pounds of mutton, I spotted a rack near the checkout lane containing several romance paperbacks. Normally, such trash wouldn't get a second glance from my coal-black eyes, but the sight of one book practically made my chiseled jaw drop. There, on the cover of Dark Passions was yours truly, Duncan Larksthrush, in the flesh.

At first I thought it must have been a coincidence. There must be thousands of men with huge, glistening pectorals and shoulder-length golden hair whose steadfast gaze betrays immeasurable fathoms of passion.

But there can be no doubt it was me. The cover artist must have followed me during a recent visit to my ancestral estate on the tempest-swept promontories of Northern Scotland. Judging from the picture, the sketch was based on the occasion in which I chanced upon Arden, the crofter's nubile young daughter, kneeling upon a rocky outcropping and picking some wildflowers from the weathered stone. Even though I had only just finished tilling seven acres of firm earth, I knew at once my broad, thewy arms could take her. "You rogue! I shall not allow this offense against my honor!" she cried out, her titian hair uncoiling in the Caledonian wind. As I dipped her low, her pounding heart betrayed her pleas for her chastity, and my turgid manhood would be denied no longer.

That bastard must have been hiding with a sketchbook in the bushes.

You can understand my smoldering rage. I certainly don't recall agreeing to have my well-hewn physique splashed across every newsstand and bookrack in town. Admittedly, my schedule has been full lately—I purchased a new leather arm cuff, reclined on an empty beach in my tattered sheepskin boots and full riding gear, waxed and re-oiled my chest—however, posing for the cover painting of Dark Passions definitely was not on my list. But apparently, a rugged, flat-stomached man's privacy means little to author Stephanie Blackmoore when it comes to the pursuit of profit.

I just hope no one I know sees it. The other blacksmiths would never let me live this down.

Nor can I imagine what would possess someone to depict such a scene. I was certainly far from respectably kempt: Having just finished reaping oats with my scythe, my white, blousy tunic was dirty and tattered. It was practically torn from my shoulders, and the striated muscles of my bronzed torso were exposed for anyone to see. And my errant tresses had slipped out of their leathern knot and clove to my cheek with the dewy sweat of a full day's labor. Blazes! Had I known I would be fronting a bestseller, I would have taken a shower and put on my nice red shirt, and maybe a tie.

I never asked for this. The life I chose to lead is one of solitude, whether I'm building log cabins in the foggy Ozarks, or tending to my vineyards in the Tuscan countryside. But those blissful days of rugged independence seem to be over. Will I ever again be able to collapse wounded into the arms of a busty field nurse during my town's annual Civil War reenactment without becoming the poster boy for the next vulgar potboiler?

Can't a brawny, brooding man ride his stallion slowly through the fresh-smelling air of a misty forest at dawn and think ruefully back to his tender childhood that seems to him now to exist in another world entirely—without having to constantly look over his perfectly sculpted shoulders?

No, this is no way for a free and unfettered man with a small fortune inherited from a distant noble relative to live. Therefore, I have decided to weigh anchor and set sail with my crew of strapping young seamen aboard my sloop, The Moonlight Arrow, toward destinations exotic and unknown. Once at sea, as the suzerain's daughter I have shanghaied from our last port-of-call clings hungrily to my abdomen, her honeyed breath playing about my breast, I will gaze stoically at the horizon from the prow of my ship, where none of those frauds at Harlequin/Silhouette would ever care to find me.


© Copyright 2006, Onion, Inc. All rights reserved.
The Onion is not intended for readers under 18 years of age.

It's That Time Again

Time for the annual Preditors & Editors Readers' Polls. Yours truly is nominated in several categories:

Author published in 2006
Poet published in 2006
Short Story (all other genre) published in 2006
Print/Electronic Book Editor
Poem published in 2006
Other nominations include my favorite forum (Literotica Authors Hangout) ...

Writers Discussion Forum
and, my publisher (Phaze) ...

Print/Electronic Books Publisher
So, what are you waiting for? GO VOTE!

TANSTAAFL

Heinlein fans will recognize the acronym for there ain't no such thing as a free lunch. There is, however, such thing as a free story!

Today my primary publisher, Phaze, unveiled its Flare promotion. Free fiction! No purchase necessary. Just visit the Phaze Flares page and add the desired titles to your shopping cart.

This week's titles include my & Will's very first collaboration: Bleep! Download it FREE today!

RRT Erotic Reviews "Artistically Inclined"

Terrie Figueroa from Romance Reviews Today (RRT) Erotic gives our Venus Press debut a "Multiple O’s" rating!

"Public sex, ménage à trois -- what will this intrepid pair dare?

"Sexual tension starts on page one and the consummation is incendiary!"

Read the entire review HERE. (You'll have to scroll down a bit.) Buy the book HERE.

Ho! Ho! Holiday eBook Sales!

Last minute shopping got you down? I have the perfect solution for the avid readers on your list! FictionWise, the industry leader in eBook sales, is having a fantasic end-of-year sale:

Now through December 31, every MultiFormat eBook is discounted 20% and every Secure eBook receives a 20% Micropay rebate. These discounts also apply when you use the "Buy this eBook for a friend!" button, which is located right below the "Add to Cart" button on every eBook description page. These are just like gift certificates -- you can email them now to your friends and family or send the gift letter to yourself to deliver on Christmas. Buywise [15%] discounts combine with these sale prices....

But wait ... THERE'S MORE! *grin*

On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Phaze is offering a whopping 50% discount store-wide using the code SANTA50. (That's, like, HALF OFF!) And, if you miss that sale, you can still catch the 25% discount from December 26th-30th using the code SANTA25.

There are no lines, no sales tax, and no waiting for UPS to deliver! You can bliss out with a hot read RIGHT NOW. So ... what are you waiting for? GO SHOP!

Happiest of holidays to you & yours, and all the best for 2007!

peace & passion,

~ Alessia

CTR Interview

With winter chills looming on the horizon, the days may be getting colder, but the stories just keep getting hotter. Today, we have Alessia Brio joining us to talk about a new release, Coming Together, another offering in a series to benefit various charities, this time The American Red Cross disaster relief efforts. Welcome to Coffee Time Romance and thank you for taking time from your busy schedule to join us, Alessia.

Thanks, Charissa. It's my pleasure, especially given our topic.

To start things off, could you tell our readers a little about yourself?

This is, for me, the most difficult question to answer, and it always seems to come at the beginning of an interview (when I'm all tense-like). Labels kinda bug me. I could tell you that I'm a 40-something work-from-home mother of 3, but what does that really tell you about me as a person? *grin* I'm far more comfortable talking about my work.

Each of the Coming Together anthologies benefits a charitable organization. Where did this concept come from and how did you gather so many wonderful stories for each collection?

A couple years ago, some writer friends & I were tossing around ideas for bundling our short stories and poetry into a self-published print anthology. At the time, none of us were professionally published. We hammered out the details, but we got bogged down when the discussion turned to money and how to handle the distribution of the proceeds.

That's when the suggestion was made to donate the proceeds to charity. We realized that the sales income, once divided 15 or 20 ways, was never going to amount to much. But, if we came together, we could do some good AND get a wider audience for our work.

The first volume of Coming Together hit the cyber-shelves of CafePress in June of 2005. Three months later, a second volume followed. Then, Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast, and we decided that we needed to come together for another cause!

In all, there are 5 volumes of Coming Together currently available (4 in print, 1 electronically). Readers can check 'em out at www.eroticanthology.com

Outside of your assembly of these anthologies, you've written or co-written works as well. Can you tell the readers about those and how easy or difficult is it to have a co-writer?

Actually, it was my work on the first volume of Coming Together that prompted me to collect my own short stories and poetry into an anthology. At first, I simply intended to self-publish a single copy as a gift to a friend, but once I had the manuscript pieced together, I figured I had nothing to lose by sending it off to a publisher. fine flickering hungers was contracted by Phaze just a couple months later. J

I joined the Phaze family in the summer of 2005, just as its first round of themed HeatSheets (Sparklers) were being released. When the call was made for the second round (Shivers), I knew I wanted to be involved. I nearly drowned in the research for Erotique, but it was worth it. The story is part of the Shivers line, and it has inspired several more tales co-written with Will Belegon. We have Switch, which is a Surge, and Amichu, which is a Samba, and we're just finishing a fourth story called Closing Arguments, which will be bundled with the other three in an anthology called ArtiFactual. It will be released by Phaze early in 2007. February, I believe.

As for the ease or difficulty of having a co-writer, I'd say it all depends on communication. Will & I work remarkably well together, complementing one another's strengths and compensating for one another's weaknesses. I prefer it to working solo, although I do continue to write solo & will have a couple more solo releases in 2007.

Every author has a best and worst part of the writing process. What is your favorite aspect and what do you like the least?

This depends on whether I'm writing solo or with a partner. I love plotting with Will—hammering out the story line and building the characters. My least favorite part of collaborative writing is editing it. I'm always afraid I'll overstep my bounds and create friction.

On my own, my favorite aspect is weaving the words together into a symphony of sensation. I love the craft—down to minutiae of a perfectly executed phrase. Least favorite, at the moment, is the challenge I face in producing longer works. I have two novels in progress that are currently collecting dust while I meet some deadlines. I'm tempted to just resign myself to the fact that I'm primarily a short-story writer, but ... nah!

Have you ever wondered what it would be to live the life of one of your characters? If so, which one and why?

Who says I don't already? *wink* Hrm, I suppose "wondered" is not the word I'd choose. Certainly I've projected myself into some roles—lived vicariously through a character for a scene or a chapter or even an entire work. Which character and which story really depends on my mood du jour. There is a little (and in some instances, perhaps, a LOT) of me in each of my characters.

What passions motivate you to get up and face each day?

The ultimate motivator for me is injustice. I will move mountains—and have—to right a wrong. I can't stand bigotry and intolerance. Discrimination makes my skin crawl. Until I began writing erotica and poetry a few years ago, all of my writing consisted of editorials and narrative non-fiction with a civil/human rights focus.

Do you have a single book or author who inspired you to put your own imagination to paper?

No, not really. My writing inspiration simply stems from a passion for... passion. However, I was undoubtedly influenced by those authors who filled my days and nights with their books as I was growing up: Robert Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, Piers Anthony, Stephen King, Peter Straub, John Irving, Leon Uris, John LeCarre, Lawrence Sanders, Anne McCaffrey, Anne Rice, Frank Herbert, J.R.R. Tolkein.

How that influence manifests itself, though, is a matter of opinion.

If you could spend one day with the person who has inspired you most, what would you plan?

To enact the scene from... Well, perhaps I'd better just take the Fifth on this one.

The world of erotica and erotic fiction is growing by leaps and bounds, becoming more mainstream and well embraced. Do you see it as just a passing trend or something here to stay?

Sex cannot be suppressed, and attempts to do so always fail—eventually. What we're witnessing of late is the dying gasps of another such failure. Digital publication is a boon for the author of erotic fiction because it's discreet. Your visiting pastor might notice what's on your bookshelves, but what's on your hard drive or eReader is not that evident. I look forward to the day when sex is not perceived as shameful... but I'm not holding my breath. Until then, I'll just be the delightfully perverted purveyor of erotic tales.

On your website, you mention another Coming Together anthology on the horizon. Could you share a few details about that and let our readers know what's coming up for you?

Ah, yes. Thanks for asking. Phaze is currently accepting submissions for a volume of Coming Together to benefit breast cancer research. As with the Special Hurricane Relief Edition, I'll be its editor. Submissions of erotic fiction up to 15K words will be accepted through June 1, 2007. Digital release is planned for August 2007 and print release following in October 2007. Please see the submission guidelines at www.phaze.com for details.

Thanks for the chance to talk about this project, Charissa. It means a great deal to me. Happy Holidays to you & yours... and to all the Coffee Time Romance readers out there!

peace & passion,

~ Alessia

www.alessiabrio.com

SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

fine flickering hungers is an EPPIE finalist in the Erotica category!

RRT Erotic Reviews "San Diego Sunset"

It's not the greatest review, but it doesn't suck:

SAN DIEGO SUNSET - Alessia Brio & Will Belegon
ISBN: 1-59426-567-4
December 2006
Erotic Paranormal Romance
Heat Rating: Pulsar
RRT Rating: Missionary ("Gets the job done.")

San Diego, CA - Present Day

She haunts his dreams with erotic promise and passion. Each night the dreams become more compelling and leave him restless and discontent. Dare he believe in the promise of the dream?

He haunts her dreams with erotic pleasure. She feels compelled to find him, yet, he is only a dream, even if the feelings she has for him seem more real than anything in her life. Dare she believe in the passion of the dream?

Two souls meant for each other, if only they dare to follow their dreams. SAN DIEGO SUNSET is a romantic and powerful short story about believing the impossible and making it come true.

Isabelle Spencer - 12/15/06

Love Romances & More Reviews SDS

Pam from Love Romances & More had this to say about San Diego Sunset:

As two people dream of a meeting on a beach, they begin to wonder if it’s only a dream or a future meeting. Their stories are told concurrently, as they travel to what could be their destinies. Both have begun to realize there must be more to life, than what they have experienced so far. He begins to realize the beach is one from his past, close to where he grew up. For her it is somewhere new and exciting, although costing more than she’d anticipated. As they come closer to each other, the scents and sounds around them seem to change. Feelings of being unfulfilled no longer matter; they ignore everything as the dream takes them on a journey. A journey they have no way of knowing how it will end, if it is destiny or their imagination.

This reviewer found the story strange to begin with, but the prose was so enchanting, it swept me along. Despite very little dialogue, the story is easy to follow and interesting. The imagery is very strong throughout the tale. The conflict is within the two main characters, as they find themselves doing something completely out of their comfort zone. Moods become linked and the tale flows smoothly through doubts and worries as it wraps the characters and reader within its spell. The plot winds around them as they experience something new and exciting. Passion flares as they think about the culmination of the dream, taking the reader on a sensual journey of discovery. The ‘what if’s’ are left behind as the characters surprise themselves by their own audacity. As the sun finally sets, the reader is left with a feeling of peace as darkness blankets the characters.

4 Hearts!

Sold a Poem - WHOOP!

My poem Tapestry appears in the December issue of Oysters & Chocolate!

"San Diego Sunset" Released!

Sexography Reviews "Switch"

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

TRS Reviews "San Diego Sunset"

A pre-release review of San Diego Sunset:

San Diego Sunset
Alessa Brio and Will Belegon
Paranormal erotic romance
Available from Phaze
ISBN: 1-59426-567-4
December 2006

San Diego Sunset is the story of two individuals who are about to be brought together by destiny. He dreams several times a week of lying on an empty warm beach, post-intimacy, with a woman, and waking just before he hears her name. On the days following the dream, he is both more creative and productive, and also more stressed. She finds the dream to intensify in vividness at the end of each month, and most especially at the year’s end. Both are determined to locate the location and to find each other.

San Diego Sunset is a fascinating short tale of two souls on a collision course with Destiny and each other. I found my heart catching in my throat as the two worked their way toward each other and then at first, passed by like two ships in the night, close but without contact. But Destiny won’t be denied.

Overall rating: 4.5 Hearts
Sensuality rating: Very sensual

Reviewer: Annie
November 12, 2006

The Eternal Night Reviews Amichu

Amichu

This is the 3rd delightfully erotic romp for Alessia Brio. The story follows Mandy, who inherited Erotique, a successful upscale sex boutique and erotic museum and her lawyer boyfriend. While this is a short story it fulfils its promise with plenty of delicious titillation and even throws in a bit of mystery.

When a mysterious letter arrives requesting Mandy's deceased Aunt travel to Easter Island to retrieve and transport an artifact for the Museum, Mandy and Bruce decide to go themselves to see about the artifact. What lies ahead will no doubt cause you to think twice about the power of fertility artifacts from ancient civilizations and stop for a few moments longer the next time you visit a museum displaying such items.

Another terrific tale written with both humor and heat from a talented writing duo with interesting insights into the sexual psyches from the both points of view of both sexes.

Screen Shot

You never know how long these things will last, so I got a screen shot. *grin* fine flickering hungers is the top rated eBook in the Gay/Lesbian category at the new site AllRomanceeBooks!

Check it out: http://www.alessiabrio.com/images/AllRomanceeBooks.jpg

Sexography Reviews "Erotique"

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Enchanted Ramblings Reviews "Amichu"

4.5 Magical Wands
ISBN: 1-59426-605-0
Published By: Phaze
Review Date: 13 Sep 2006
Reviewed by Astraea

Mandy and Bruce fly to South America to find out why a professor would write to Mandy's aunt. Curiosity leads them into a hunt for an artifact on Rapa Nui.

There is a lot of action, adventure, suspense and steamy loves scenes squeezed into this book. I'd have enjoyed it more if the story had more room to expand on some of the scenes. If you want the feel of a longer book but not a lot of time this would be good for you.

http://www.enchantedramblings.net/reviews/review1506.html

Wanna Cyber?

All my Phaze books are now available at CyberRead:

• fine flickering hungers


• Erotique


• Switch


• Amichu


• Coming Together (Special Hurricane Relief Edition)

Another Great Sexography Review

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Doesn't Get Any Better Than This!

Carrie White, eBook reviewer for Sexography, provides the following review of Amichu:

Mandy is the owner of a sex toy shop and museum named Erotique. Receiving a letter from a friend of her late aunt she soon learns of a generous donation of an artifact made to her museum. Embarking on the exciting trip to South America, she and her lover, Bruce, soon find that their journey becomes a battle not only for the safety of the Incan artifact but ultimately their own lives.

Although Amichu is the third in the series and I'm aware that I've not read the novels in the correct order, this is my first reading of this collaboration and I have to say the authors work extremely well together. Also, by reading novels in the incorrect order it does help to see if each book can adequately stand alone without their counterparts, and judging by things so far, it does appear that they can.

Much as I would love to know which bits are the brainchild of which author, it doesn't really matter because the final result is just pure masterpiece. There's a fine spattering of humour throughout the story and the sex scenes are naughty and fresh. Thorough research into the historical facts about the artefact and the different cultures encountered just strengthens the sense of credibility you receive whilst reading this book. Excellent read.

Visit Carrie's site for more reviews: http://www.sexography.co.uk
Here's the link to the review: http://www.bloglegion.com/Scrawler/1886/

Alliteration? Absolutely!

The Smart Bitches are having an alliteration contest HERE. Yes, one of the entries is mine. No, I'm not gonna tell you which one. Just go vote, eh?

Good Company!

What a nice feeling it is to be reading an author interview and find yourself mentioned as one of that author's favorites. To make it even better, I'm in the same damned sentence as RKB & Bill Noble ... and in the same paragraph as Susie Bright. Hot damn! Oh, and that other fella mentioned ... I, um, think he's kinda special, too. *wink*

Check out Gwen Masters' interview at Romance at Heart, where she responds:

- Who are some of your other favorite authors to read?

In the erotic genre, I love to read Alison Tyler. “Four on the Floor” was hot as hell. I’ve been a fan of Will Belegon from way back before he was published. I like Alessia Brio, Rachel Kramer Bussel and Bill Noble. And of course, I devour anything Susie Bright puts down on paper.

*grin*

FAR Reviews "Switch"

Tammy from Fallen Angel Reviews had this to say about Switch:

Switch is an exciting erotic story that is sure to have you feeling the currents jumping out of the book and into the room. Mandy and Bruce are both exciting characters that are fully developed and fun to read about. I love the whole idea of this story and found it very intriguing and extremely sexy. I can’t say too much more since I don’t want to give away the story, but let me just say that this is one story that you don’t want to miss.

More Movie Making

Movie Making

Artistically Inclined's First Review

TCM Reviews' Robyn Ashford had this to say about Artistically Inclined:

Forget the candy and the romantic candlelight dinner. Start a new Valentine’s Day tradition.

Is there a better endorsement? *grin*

Realms of Love Chat

Join Phaze authors Alessia Brio (That's me! *wink*), Jessie Verino, Mychael Black, and more in the Realms of Love Chat Castle, Monday September 18th at 9pm Eastern (6pm Pacific).

Phaze is a publisher of Romantic and Women’s Erotica in eBook and print. Realms of Love is a community of Romance readers and writers featuring romance reviews, news and writer chats.

Free registration is required before you can join the chat!

http://www.realmsoflove.com

FAR Chat Friday

Chat with me & several other Phaze authors this evening at 9pm Eastern!

Artistically Inclined Released

Whoop! New Cover!

*whisper-chants* can'twaitcan'twaitcan'twaitcan'twaitcan'twait

Yahoo!Group

Thanks to all who joined my Yahoo!Group over the last week! I'm delighted to announce that of the new subscribers "shebab98" was drawn as the winner of a copy of Switch, my Phaze Surge co-written with Will Belegon.

In the coming weeks, I'll be designing my newsletter. Each issue will feature a random drawing from the subscribers for an ebook or other prize. The inaugural issue will coincide with the print release of fine flickering hungers!

I'd like your help in deciding my newsletter's content. Right now, I'm planning to include regular sections entitled News, Reviews, and Interviews ... but I also want to include special sections such as an occasional contest, topics intended to spark discussion in between issues, perhaps a "reader spotlight" and an "author spotlight" ...

I welcome your thoughts & ideas! If you're not already a member, join by clicking HERE.

JERR Reviews Amichu

Title: Erotique 3: Amichu
Authors: Alessia Brio and Will Belegon
Publisher: Phaze
Publisher URL: www.phaze.com
ISBN: 1-59426-605-0
Reviewer: Aggie Tsirikas
Rating: 4 Stars ("engrossing and arousing")
Heat level: S ("simmering")

Bruce and Mandy are on their way to Rapa Nui, off the Chilean coast. They’ve been invited to collect an artifact for Erotique, Mandy's infamous sex toy shop and museum. This prized possession is from the benefactor Professor Eduardo Rojas Aguilar, a man from Mandy’s past.

Amichu is part of the Phaze Samba Short series of stories, and book three of the Erotique series, by writing duo Ms. Brio and Mr. Belegon. Mandy and Bruce are an insatiable couple and makes for some steamy encounters that only become more heated as they discover the artifact they’ve come to collect. The reader is given some interesting facts, not only about the central couple’s relationship, but also about the place they visit. I was able to appreciate the island with the information woven into the story. Both Mandy and Bruce seem like a very down to earth and sensual couple who thoroughly enjoy an active sex life. The sex does get heated and we’re gifted with an interesting opening scene that sets the tone for this story.

There are some interesting plot twists, and even an incident that will have you pausing in surprise. You don’t necessarily need to read any of the previous books in this series to enjoy this story, though I would recommend it to gain a fuller picture of Mandy and Bruce’s adventures before reaching this segment of their lives. The only thing that threw me out of the story a few times was Bruce’s turn of phrase; I didn’t expect this lawyer to speak like a surfer. Mandy and Bruce have an easy light banter that makes Amichu such an enjoyable story to read. With the added elements of adventure, and a little suspense, this makes for a wonderful afternoon read.

Aggie Tsirikas
Just Erotic Romance Reviews

Amichu's First Review!

Natasha Brooks at Bare Back Magazine gave Amichu 4.5 of 5 stars! Here's part of her review:

The writing duo Alessia Brio and Will Belegon are at it again with the third edition to the series started originally by Alessia.

This ebook is entitled Amichu. This story is filled with much more action and adventure than you can ever imagine. I sat in amazement after reading the enormous amount of creativity that was put into this ebook.

The story picks up where it ended in the previous installment, and starts off on a humorous tone, but then soon introduced an action packed plot and adventure for Amanda and Bruce as they head to South America to uncover the truth about an Incan artifact that was generously donated to Erotique, (Amanda's sex toy shop
and museum) by a lover of Amanda's late aunt.

One thing that I enjoyed about this ebook was that it was well written by the writing duo, and I could clearly and vividly visualize the story as I read it. There was some technical archaeological terminology in the dialog of the story that made the story a bit of a challenge but it fits the story very well.

In terms of the sexual heat of the story, it was well balance, considering how well the story was written.

One thing that I admire about the story is that the relationship and love between Amanda and Bruce seems realistic and is displayed in the skillful use of dialog between the two characters.

The story was outstanding.

Membership Drive

Join Will & I, along with several Phaze authors, tonight from 9:00-10:00 Eastern for a chat at NovelSpot. We'll be pimping our new releases, talking about upcoming events, posting excerpts, and chatting with readers. And, we'll be giving away a copy of our first joint publication, Switch, to one lucky participant who joins my Yahoo!Group.

Here's the link: http://novelspot.net/novelspot_chat_room

Hope to see you there!

Going to Print!

Soooooo ... if you go to the Phaze web site (www.phaze.com) then click on the "Coming Soon" link ... then scroll alllllllllllll the way to the bottom, you'll see a little notice that looks like this:

DECEMBER

fine flickering hungers (print) - Alessia Brio

I am going to print!!! And, I'll be getting a new cover, too.

Yet another ...

... article about steamy erotic romance. This one's in the Detroit Free Press.

If you still believe that romance fiction is limited to endless pastel paperback covers with cursive titles and swooning virgins, prepare to have your world rocked.

There's never been a better time to be a reader with a dirty mind.

Or a writer with one.

I can't argue with that! *grin*

Ask Me Anything!

As if I don't have enough to do ...

New(ish) in the promo/networking blog-o-sphere is a site called FAQQLY, where you can ask the participant any question.

Drop by. Ask me a question. I promise to answer. I don't promise to tell the truth, but I do promise to answer. *wink*

A Wise Move

Things are really hoppin' at Phaze these days! One of many welcome developments is the inclusion of a large backlog of Phaze titles on FictionWise, a leading eBook store. The first of my work to be available via FictionWise is fine flickering hungers. In the next couple weeks, Erotique, Switch, and Amichu should also be available.

* * *
In other news, I'm back from the reading/signing gig in NYC. The Happy Ending Lounge is a dark and sexy place. We had a fantastic time, and the readings all sizzled. A group of Phaze authors and their (im)moral supports had dinner before the performance at a nearby restaurant called Sal's Little Italy. If you're in the neighborhood, stop by & tell Francesco we said "Hi!"


Next stop on the Alessia Brio travel calendar? San Diego! In October, I'll be attending the LaJolla Writers' Conference. We're still looking into the possibility of a signing event there. Stay tuned.

Phaze in the City!

Join Phaze authors Leigh Ellwood, Alessia Brio, Robin Slick, Will Belegon, Bianca D'Arc, Petula Caesar, and Cassidy Kent for a book reading & book signing event in New York City on Friday, August 11, 2006 from 7:30pm to 10:00pm at the Happy Ending Lounge!

Amichu Released!

Fresh from a "shocking" sexual adventure in Switch, Mandy and Bruce are headed to South America for another trek into the amorous unknown. When a friend of Mandy's late aunt sends news of an Incan artifact suited for Erotique, the duo travel to Rapa Nui to claim it. What they find instead could endanger not only the priceless item, but their lives. Amichu is the third in an exciting series of sexy adventures by the writing team of Brio and Belegon.

Don't miss this one, readers! It is one hell of an exciting $2 adventure. Download it today ... and please, let us know what you think.

Tit-Elating

I'm pleased to announce that my story Timeless is now live on the Tit-Elation site. It's a subscription-based site, but the quality of the work makes it worth the expense. Check 'em out!

Tee Hee

With the rash of media attention to the rising popularity of extra super-duper steamy romance novels (a/k/a erotica), I have a Google news alert set up on the keyword. I feel the need to keep my finger on the pulse of a shift that is responsible for my entry into the ranks of the published, y'know?

This morning, a gem of a newspaper article landed in my inbox. I'm still chuckling about it. Apparently, a candidate for public office (whose name, if you can believe it, is Fred Head -- I kid you not) can find no more substantial mud to sling than the fact that his opponent wrote a "pornographic" romance novel. Gasp!

This article is amusing on so many levels. First, his rant is a pathetic commentary on our times. (I'm quite ashamed to note that the man is a Democrat. Uptight assholery is, if you buy the stereotypes, supposed to be reserved for the fundy neocons.) One of his campaign ads reads:

Would you vote for a candidate who wrote a trashy, pornographic romance novel that glorifies premarital sex and seeks to arouse sexual interest as your State Comptroller of Public Accounts?

If she was qualified to do the job? You betcha! In fact, Mr. Head, if you were equally qualified, I'd vote for her because you are a narrow-minded twat who apparently cannot focus on the issues related to Comptrolling. Granted, comptrolling issues probably don't make good press. Sex does garner a bit more attention.

Mr. Head told reporters, "I don't know of anyone who has the gall to put their name on the ballot when they've written that kind of trashy pornographic thing." *snicker* Guess I know what to expect should ever get a wild hare up my ass and decide to run for public office.

Leaving Mr. Head alone for a bit, I turn my amusement toward the trashy pornographic thing, which was published by a now-defunct house and is long out of print. The article quotes one sentence from the book:

Their mouths had fused hotly, desperately, a feverish urgency in his touch.

How shocking! My sensibilities are offended. The adverbs ... they burn us, precioussssssssss. I'd love to see Bam or the Smart Bitches or the two Ja(y)nes tear this baby apart. (Wonder what the cover looks like?)

The article goes on to compare and contrast "smut" and "romance," with quotes from RWA's publicity director sprinkled with some publishing industry stats. All in all, a most entertaining way to start my day.

You can read the entire article HERE. Tee hee.

Dear Author

Dear Author, specializing in book and site reviews, spotlights one of my publishers this week: Phaze. It's a pretty in-depth review of Phaze's main site and bookstore. Check it out HERE.

Undercover Angel

My first ever story with Ruthie's Club (a subscription-based illustrated erotic story site) was published today! I love Gloklund's illustration, too!

Joyfully Reviewed

Cassidy at Joyfully Reviewed had this to say about Switch:

Switch is a very innovative story! I can’t remember reading one quite like it, and I definitely enjoyed every spark that it generated. Mandy and Bruce unashamedly enjoy their sex life, and anything can (and does) happen between them as they joyfully experiment. Switch definitely sparked my fire and my imagination, that’s for sure!

Read the entire review at: http://www.joyfullyreviewed.com/reviews/Switchphaze.htm

Kevin & Cyndi ...

... come to life! I am very impressed with the cover for Artistically Inclined. Thanks to Dan (cover artist) at Venus Press for his good work -- and to models Joelle & Nick for looking so incredibly yummy -- and to Walker for graciously giving us permission to use his photo of Pittsburgh at night for the background!



We should have the edits soon, with publication later this summer. WHOOP!