Frivolity

Two Lips Reviews Under Fire

Title: Under Fire
Author: Alessia Brio and Will Belegon, editors
Publisher: Phaze
Genre: Anthology
Publication date: 2007
ISBN: 978-1-59426-857-1
Pages: 288
Series: Coming Together
Reviewer: Aviana
Heat Level: F/M; F/F; M/M; M/M/M
Rating:

Coming Together: Under Fire is a collection of short stories and poems dedicated to the victims of the Southern California wildfires in October 2007 and to the courageous men and women who battled those blazes. All the proceeds go to help the victims, some of whom will surely struggle for years to put their lives back together. As part of the Coming Together series - benefiting a variety of charities and natural disasters, Coming Together: Under Fire is both an extremely worthwhile project and the perfect book to dip into before bedtime.

Editors Alessia Brio and Will Belegon made sure this collection of 37 short stories and poems include something for everyone. Many of the entries have fire as a theme, but not all. Some of the stories seem specifically written about the Southern California fires, mentioning names and places familiar to those who lived through those harrowing days, such as myself.

Poetry lovers will be delighted to find poems comprise half this volume and are interleafed between each short story. I especially liked the way the editors italicized the poetry titles in the table of contents, making it easier for the reader. It’s impossible to review all 37 entries in one short review but a few stand out.

Burn Zone by James Buchanan is a touching and erotic story about 3 firefighters, two city fireman and one smoke jumper. The men are roommates and when two of them hear the third is having trouble dealing with the loss of his teammates in an out-of-control brushfire, they go looking for him. Once they finally find him, they force him to face his guilt while affirming the unique bond they share as friends and a sexual threesome.

Drive-In by Tilly Green is a fun story about a very sexy and pent up firefighter and his patient girlfriend enjoying public sex at a private beach party. She finally gets up the nerve to express her deepest feelings and naturally that’s just when he gets paged to come back to work.

Slow Burn Blues by Lefty McGee is a powerful poem about a man drinking whiskey in a smoky bar while listening to a woman sing the blues. In just a few short stanzas, the story of this man’s regrets and his overwhelming shame is revealed.

Blind Date by Stephanie Vaughan seems written specifically for this volume. It’s the sexy story of two gay men on a blind date - arranged by one of their moms, no less! One happens to be a firefighter on call which gives the story a nice tension. The two quickly hit it off and although things go from spark to inferno they also manage to connect emotionally in a very special way.

The last title of this anthology, The End of the World by Gwen Masters, is an astonishingly tender tale of a married couple lost in the vast Gibson Desert of Australia. It’s unbearably hot, the food and water are running out and they know they can’t last more than a couple of days. With nothing to do but wait to die, they are forced to finally face the reasons their marriage failed. Although The End of the World has nothing to do with fire per se, it’s a story of hope in the face of total disaster – a fitting end to this fine collection.

http://www.twolipsreviews.com/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3126&Itemid=36

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She cheated on baseball

Well, I'd rather be excoriated because the story and/or the characters hit a nerve with the reviewer than to be slammed for spelling or grammar errors. With that in mind, this review does not disappoint. Spring Training certainly hit a nerve with this reviewer. *grin* Everyone's entitled to their opinion, of course, and it's clear that this reviewer's opinion is... um, slanted in favor of well-behaved "heroines" who cater the conventional morality of formula romance.

It would appear she was tolerating our protagonist's slutty ways until Andi expanded her horizons to include athletes from other professional sports. (The reason she did so is a plot point, but her biases apparently blinded her to this fact.)

And our hero? Well, I happen to know for a fact that men like Mark Hamilton DO exist. (Thank the heavens!) Real, strong, sexy men who are secure enough in their masculinity to not have to "possess" a woman in order to love her. THAT is a hero, in my book. The reviewer implies that any "red-blooded" man or woman that doesn't have a problem with Mark's acceptance of Andi's ways is just... wrong. Personally, as a red-blooded woman myself, I don't have a damned bit of trouble with it ... but I've always been "way, way too far over the top." *wink* (As my partner pointed out, the ending is nowhere near as implausible as the typical story arc that is so prevalent in the genre wherein one dip of the hero's mighty dick into the heroine's magic pussy cures him of his roving eyes and wandering ways. Puh-lease!)

No, the review disappoints because, in spite of the genre's abundant sex, it illustrates how rigid and insular "romance" really is. Go read the book. Make up your own mind.

From Tanya at Joyfully Reviewed:

Andi is a young, successful woman who has just returned from a Hawaiian vacation and is getting ready for the new spring baseball season. For Andi, this means there is another new slew of “home talent” to help fill her bed. This season will be a tough one for her, though, as at the close of the last season, she let her two pitchers go for their own good. Though she was never a woman to be exclusive, these boys had her attention for quite a while. But Andi knows when to “cut and run.” Now she is trying to keep herself busy so that she doesn’t miss them. One thing she hadn’t counted on was the attraction to coach Mark Hamilton. Mark is a retired ball player who is now the pitching coach and there is a palatable attraction between the two. The question is, will either act on it?

Spring Training is a follow up to Double Header, where you learn of Andi’s romance with a pair of pitchers (Eric and Brad) who do make a couple of cameos in Spring Training.

I will start my opinion part of the review with a quick dissertation on double standards. Yes, I know they exist and I abhor them, but there are a few that no matter if it is a man or woman who is committing them, it drives me nuts. Spring Training is a prime example of one of these cases. The fact that Andi is a “bat bunny” would have bugged me, but then you find out she also chases hockey players and basketball and even a woman’s sports team. I mean, come on, pick a sport at least. It's the same reaction I would have to a man who sleeps around at the frequency Andi does. We are talking a different guy each night. Then you add to the fact she keeps a rating journal on their performance and her reactions to them. Give me a break. As you can tell, I did not like a large part of this story. I was at the point of giving up completely when in comes a likable character. I thoroughly liked Mark and his actions around not only his players but Andi. The ensuing romantic suspense kept me reading, but it was not enough for me to give a favorable review. Mostly due to the fact I completely hated the ending. I can’t believe that any red-blooded man would go for that ending, and I know it upset this red-blooded woman. Spring Training has a wonderful blurb with the publisher and the team of Alessia Brio and Will Belegon have had a number of successful stories in the past, but Spring Training is not one for me. Way, way too far over the top.

In contrast, Holly Tibbs from Manic Readers says:

SPRING TRAINING is apparently a follow up to DOUBLE HEADER, which was released in October 2007. Not having read that story, I am introduced to Andi and immediately get my first impression of her as one who sleeps around a lot with men in sports, nothing more than a groupie. However, as SPRING TRAINING progresses, a little more insight into her character emerges and she’s not unlikable, just a little harder edged than most heroines. Andi is not afraid to take pleasure and rarely turns down a man, but yet, it is Mark she eventually becomes attracted to. He’s the “unattainable one” because he’s honorable and respected.... In the end, when things (and some danger) come to a head, it brings Mark and Andi together. But is he “the one” she can commit herself to?

The sex scenes are smoking hot and the characters are plentiful, with an added glimpse into the lifestyles of baseball players. If you like to read stories based on sports, then you’ll no doubt enjoy SPRING TRAINING.

# # #

Well, Damn!

No sooner than I post my June-July newsletter, I find new news in my inbox. I'm not complaining, though. Not by a long shot!

Will & I are delighted to announce that ArtiFactual: Tales of the Erotique Mystique is a finalist in the 2007 Dream Realm Awards!

The awards will be announced at ArmadilloCon, the Texas SciFi convention, in August.

Fireworks!

Tomorrow (Independence Day) only, get 20% off all orders from Phaze using code FIREWORKS08.

Lettin' it all hang out

Author Sherry Morris spells out small press promo woes on her blog. Have a read. Then go write.

Me? I'm fondling the medallion I received in today's mail for the 2008 Next Generation Indie Book Awards. Check it out on the Coming Together blog.

Surrender Released!

Back cover blurb:

Breaking Skye by Eden Bradley
Skye Ballard dreams of sexual submission. Convinced that all it will take to purge the yearning is one night, she searches for the perfect Dominant. But Adam Dunne, exceeds her wildest dreams. Skye soon discovers that being with him only makes her crave more and that one night will not be enough. Beginning with the idea of training her for someone else, all Adam can think of is breaking Skye and keeping her for himself.

Submissive Secrets by Eliza Gayle
After eight years, Carli's ex-fiancée, Aidan, shows up naked in her bed. Will she have the nerve to tell him the truth about herself and why she ran from him? Forced to return on a mission, he just wants to get the hell out of town, until a thorough search of Carli's home unearths some secrets that shock him to the core. With this new information, a plan formulates. Aidan is determined to discover just how far Carli will go.

Cupid's Captive by Reese Gabriel
John Cupid is a sensual Dominant with no use for love, until he's roped into taking Steffy out for Valentine's Day. He expects a night of baby-sitting, but Steffy is all grown up and knows what she wants: a chance to be tied down and ravished by the man she used to call "Uncle John." He tries to resist, but the beauty proves to be the perfect slave for him. Is John about to be hit by one of his namesake's infamous arrows?

Listen to Me by Alessia Brio
A bonus short by an EPPIE Award-winning author, poet, and editor of the philanthropic Coming Together anthology series.

What do your books look like?

Double Header

Spring Training

Coming Together: Under Fire

Coming Together: For the Cure

Coming Together: With Pride

ArtiFactual: Tales of the Erotique Mystique

Pura Vida!

Happy Father's Day from Phaze

Everyone has a dad, so celebrate yours with some erotic fiction! Take 20% off your entire order from the Phaze site all day today & tomorrow using coupon code BIGDADDY08.

And, if you're lucky enough to still have your dad around, give him an extra big squeeze today & tell him how much he means to you! I miss mine every damned day.

Road Trip!

So, I'm off on a much-needed, non-working, long weekend road trip with my dear partner. I'm picking him up at the Pittsburgh airport in the morning, then we're headed to Baltimore by way of Gettysburg. We'll have dinner at Phillips tonight and stroll around the Inner Harbor.

Tomorrow, we'll do more Baltimore stuff and take our sweet time getting to DC for the evening ball game. Saturday, we plan to hit the Smithsonian during the day. Then, Saturday evening, the primary reason for the trip: we're GOING to the True Colors concert! We'll be proudly sporting our Coming Together: With Pride T-shirts and passing out promo buttons.

Back to Casa de Brio on Sunday for a couple days before I have to return him to the airport for his flight back to San Diego. Then, it's headlong into summer... with kids out of school and very little in the way of travel until fall.

Don't say I never gave you anything!

Expiring TODAY, here's an online coupon for $10 off a $50+ purchase from Books-a-Million: MAYSTEBP

So what? you ask. Well, if you forward your order confirmation email to me at alessia [at] eroticanthology.com and it contains at least 3 titles in the Coming Together charity anthology series, I'll buy you a Millionnaire's Club membership.

Further, if you want to have your order shipped to me, I'll sign the books and send them on to you. Just contact me via the email address above so I can give you my shipping address.

Offer expires at midnight Eastern today, 31 May 2008. :)

peace & passion,

~ Alessia

From tedious to orgasmic

THIS makes balancing your checkbook kinda fun! *grin*

Surrender

I adore this cover. It's just so damned yummy! And to make it even more delicious, I am under the covers with some terrific company.

Watch for this print compilation featuring Eden Bradley, Eliza Gayle, Reese Gabriel, and yours truly on 23 June 2008 from Phaze Books.

A Hand-y way to fund RAISE

In 1995, Good Vibrations decreed May as National Masturbation Month in protest of the firing of Clinton-appointed U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Joycelyn Elders, who spoke positively of masturbation. The capstone event -- the annual Masturbate-a-Thon -- was added in 1998 and went live in 2000 at the same time promoters launched The Center For Sex & Culture, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization devoted to positive sex education for adults.

This year's orgasmic event is TOMORROW! With its locus in San Francisco, there are venues worldwide and in cyberspace. There are Featured Masturbators accepting pledges on various sites, with proceeds benefiting The Center For Sex & Culture. You can watch live feeds of the event, and you can play along at home! If you're a Twitter user, you can follow (and add to) the O count through TheBiggestO. There is also a Facebook profile.

From the Masturbate-a-Thon website:

Although most men and women today are aware that masturbation isn't a "degrading act," as past generations might have been taught, many are still constrained by the notion that it's a selfish, immature activity or a second-rate substitute for partner sex. We live in a society in which sexual expression has always been legislated and restricted and the pursuit of pure pleasure is frequently condemned as egoistic or childish. A lot of people who consider themselves free of sexual hang-ups have simply rewritten the equation "sex is only good if it involves procreation" to "sex is only good if it involves two people." The fact that masturbation is a pleasurable end in itself gets short shrift in many mainstream sex manuals, which focus on masturbation as a useful tool in the building of a better sex life with one's partner. The Masturbate-a-Thon is dedicated to honoring masturbation as an excellent way to have sex while also raising money for non-profits.

I heartily agree. Self-stimulation, with or without anyone else in the room (or on the phone... or the webcam... or the chat window), is a healthy part of one's sex life. In some cases, it's ALL of it -- whether by choice or by circumstance. It's the safest form of sex on (or off) the planet. And it's HOT.

With Pride's First Review

I'm not the least bit surprised to read a glowing, A+ review about this book. As an editor, the quality of the submissions simply blew me away. Here's what Shira from Simply Romance Reviews had to say:

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Coming Together - With Pride. This collection of stories and poems took me on an emotional roller coaster- joy, pain, arousal, laughter, enlightenment, love, disgust, passion, and submission. Every story was an eye-opener.

These stories were perfect in the way that they complimented each other and fit together in harmony. I highly recommend this book not just because all the proceeds go towards a greatly needed cause but because it was a beautiful collection of stories that I felt came straight from each author's soul.

Coming Together: With Pride goes on sale (ebook & print) in less than 3 weeks!

Philly Book Festival

Well, I'm home. Even with the Sunday afternoon rains, which cut the day short, the Festival was a smashing success! Many thanks to Tilly Greene, Stella Price, and the rest of the East Coast Authors event organizers for doing such a terrific job. I look forward to next year, when I hope to do a little sightseeing in addition to pimpin' my books. There are murals all over the downtown area. This one (below) was on the building adjacent to the parking lot on 19th and Callowhill. I'd love to see them all.

With 11 authors sharing two tent-booths, we were each limited to 18" in display space along the front tables. I was very glad I recently unearthed my old laptop case. It makes the perfect compact display.

The event was very well attended. Most of the time, I was in the street, passing out bookmarks and candy. Of course, no street fair is complete without an appearance by the 501st. Saturday afternoon, the Stormtroopers stopped for a photo. Sunday, I snagged Darth Vadar. "Darth!" I squealed, throwing my arms wide. In his breathy, mechanical voice, he replied, "I missed you!" as he swept me into a hug. *grin*

In addition, there were various characters roaming the streets -- Wild Things, Pat the Bunny, Pooh, jugglers, etc. I heard, but didn't get to see, Bernadette Peters perform. The main stage was around the corner. Everyone said Barbara Walters gave a great talk, too. I was busy selling books -- and, happily, it was my most successful event to date. I came home with far fewer books. :)

Advertising with Alison

Wanna win a copy of my & Will's latest print release, Artistically Bound? Just leave a comment on Alison Kent's blog entry & you'll be entered into the drawing for tomorrow (Sunday 18th)!

Off to Philly

Well, I'm off to the Philadelphia Book Festival for the weekend where I'll be signing and schmoozing with the East Coast Authors. Apparently, we have primo real estate, as our booths are #29-30 between Wood and Callowhill on 19th Street, near the Free Library entrance where the restrooms are. Everybody has to pass by us in order to pee. How sweet is that? We might not snag 'em on their way IN, but we'll get 'em on their way OUT -- and we'll give 'em candy. Smut writers with candy. Perhaps I should wear my trench coat.

The Program Exhibitors page says:

[29-30] East Coast Authors

Shake up your reading with East Coast Authors Christine Norris, Philippa Grey-Gerou, Alessia Brio, Leigh Ellwood, Karyna DaRosa, Rayna Vause, Donna Michaels, Bridget Midway, Cat Johnson, Robin Slick, Stella Price, and Tilly Greene. From YA to Erotica, dark fantasy to contemporary, altruistic anthologies to single titles, there's something for everyone.

Anyway, if you're anywhere near Philly this weekend, please hit the Book Festival and stop by our booth. I'll give you candy! *wink*

peace & passion,

~ Alessia

Tasting Him: Oral Sex Stories

Coming (pun intended) in September, but available for pre-cum... erm, order... NOW:

Tasting Him: Oral Sex Stories

Introduction: The Power and Pleasure of Cocksucking

Gloss by Rachel Kramer Bussel
A Treatise of Human Nature by Robert Peregrine
Quite a Mouthful: Confessions of a Sweet Cocksucker by Tish Andersen
This Just In by Heidi Champa
Blessed Benediction by Radclyffe
How I Learned to Give Good Head by Amanda Earl
Without Eyes by Terri Pray
Tony Tempo by Tsaurah Litzky
A Tongue is Just a Tongue by Michelle Robinson
It's a Wonderful Blowjob by Simon Sheppard
Down on the Beach by Alessia Brio
Getting Used to It by Tenille Brown
Cocksucker by Lori Selke
Prego by Alison Tyler
Equanimity Unbounded by Craig J. Sorensen
Fellatio: A Love Story by Scarlett French
Logic by Jacqueline Applebee
Frosted by Kristina Wright
Long Relief by T. Hitman
Open Wide by Marina Saint
Sketch of a Suckoff by Thomas S. Roche
Sculpted by Shanna Germain
After Dinner Mint by Donna George Storey

Joyfully Reviewed reviews SDS

Erys at Joyfully Reviewed had this to say about our Phaze Snuggler HeatSheet:

San Diego Sunset 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. Alessia Brio and Will Belegon write so well together you cannot tell this is written by more than one author.

Whoa, Mama!

Whether you're a mother or not, you can save 20% on Mother's Day at Phaze! To get the discount, enter the code HOTMAMA at checkout.

Happy reading!

Sale good all day on Mother's Day, Sunday 11 May 2008.

Cyclone Nargis

Coming Together's up to something... again. Something good. Check it out!

Off Topic Rant

I am seriously annoyed that I have to lug the eldest to the pediatrician to get a note for school saying he doesn't have conjunctivitis. Damned new nurse at the high school is feeling her oats. She doesn't know my son and is too arrogant to trust those who do.

These "professionals" -- bureaucrats & administrators -- don't have a fucking clue what it's like to have a kid with multiple disabilities. They don't see a trip to the doctor as the total pain in the ass that it is -- the wheelchair, the lifting, the ramps, the van, the parking, the diapers & extra clothes that have to accompany you everywhere you go, the logistics of finding a suitable (safe/clean/discreet) place to change a 75# young man's diaper if it becomes necessary, the hassle of recapping 15 years of complex medical history to a clinic doctor who is unfamiliar with your child & who doesn't have the time/energy to scan all 3 volumes (each 3" thick) of his "chart" -- because you couldn't get in to see his regular doctor on such short notice.



And they wonder why we insist that it's not our children themselves who are the stressors.

At least the weather's nice.

Quote:

Where Are the Parents? By Sue Stuyvesant, Parent Hey everyone. For those of you who don't know me (I'm only an occasional poster) I am mom to Michelle, 9 years old, microcephalic, athetoid/spastic CP, cortical visual impairment, seizure disorder -- and CUTE! OK, now for the reason I'm posting. To make a long story short, earlier this week a question was asked by some nitwit official as to why there weren't more parents (of special needs kids) involved in the local PTA and other issues that have come up that directly involve our kids. His question, which was passed on to me was, "Where are the parents?" I went home that night, started thinking - and boy was I pi**ed - and banged this "little" essay out the next day on my lunch break. By the way, I took copies of this to the school board meeting that night, gave it to a couple of influential people and it WILL get around............. Where are the parents? They are on the phone to doctors and hospitals and fighting with insurance companies, wading through the red tape in order that their child's medical needs can be properly addressed. They are buried under a mountain of paperwork and medical bills, trying to make sense of a system that seems designed to confuse and intimidate all but the very savvy. Where are the parents? They are at home, diapering their 15 year old son, or trying to lift their 100 lb. daughter onto the toilet. They are spending an hour at each meal to feed a child who cannot chew, or laboriously and carefully feeding their child through a g-tube. They are administering medications, changing catheters and switching oxygen tanks. Where are the parents? They are sitting, bleary eyed and exhausted, in hospital emergency rooms, waiting for tests results to come back and wondering, "Is this the time when my child doesn't pull through?" They are sitting patiently in hospital rooms as their child recovers from yet another surgery to lengthen hamstrings or straighten backs or repair a faulty internal organ. They are waiting in long lines in county clinics because no insurance company will touch their child. Where are the parents? They are sleeping in shifts because their child won't sleep more than 2 or 3 hours a night, and must constantly be watched, lest he do himself, or another member of the family, harm. They are sitting at home with their child because family and friends are either too intimidated or too unwilling to help with child care and the state agencies that are designed to help are suffering cut backs of their own. Where are the parents? They are trying to spend time with their non-disabled children, as they try to make up for the extra time and effort that is critical to keeping their disabled child alive. They are struggling to keep a marriage together, because adversity does not always bring you closer. They are working 2 and sometime 3 jobs in order to keep up with the extra expenses. And sometimes they are a single parent struggling to do it all by themselves. Where are the parents? They are trying to survive in a society that pays lip service to helping those in need, as long as it doesn't cost them anything. They are trying to patch their broken dreams together so that they might have some sort of normal life for their children and their families. They are busy, trying to survive. ~ ~ ~ Sue Stuyvesant 10/15/96: Permission to duplicate or distribute this document is granted with the provision that the document remains intact. Sue passed away in October 2003. Michelle passed away a week before she was to turn 18 in September 2005.

BBM reviews Bound

Natasha Brooks, editor-in-chief for Bare Back Magazine, had some wonderful things to say about Bound for Success in the May 2008 issue:

Bound For Success is the follow up from the writing duo, Will Belegon and Alessia Brio (from their previous book entitled Artistically Inclined). The story picks up where Cyndi is anxious because she's having her first solo art show. Despite Cyndi feeling anxious about the art show, Kevin seemed to find time to relieve Cyndi's tension about that night in very creative and sensual ways.

The writing duo created very unique and kinky love scenes which included a taste of BDSM and sex in the most uncommon places...

The clear amount of creativity put into the love scenes makes the story extra hot!

The story line reveals a stronger relationship between Cyndi and Kevin which actually brought more credibility to the story. What really strikes my attention is the characters' playful dialogue and how their relationship seemed to flow so well throughout the story.

The story overall makes for a good read! If you liked the first installment from the writing duo then you'll surely enjoy Bound for Success even better.

Four Stars!

Reviewed by Natasha Brooks, editor-in-chief, Bare Back Magazine
Posted May 2008

Artistically Inclined (ebook) + Bound for Success (ebook) = Artistically Bound (print)

Um, so what?

Talk about yellow journalism:

Did you know that Amazon sells erotica for its Kindle e-reader? Neither did we. Perhaps that's because Amazon (AMZN) doesn't go out of its way to publicize it. In fact, Amazon is so bashful about its blue material that it won't even tell you how well it's selling.

Bashful? PUH-LEEEZE! And, of course, the obligatory erotica = porn dig:

Our bigger question: Who's buying e-book porn?

Sheesh!

I'm blogging today at eXcessica

CHECK IT OUT!

Spring Training!

In all the RT madness, I realized I forgot to blog about the release of Spring Training

Last season, Andrea Spring had the ride--or, rather, rides--of her life with a pair of pitchers in Double Header. As the new season rolls around, Andi's focus has shifted from players to coach. Does Mark Hamilton have what it takes to earn Andi's trust and complete Spring Training?

April, 2008 ($5 ebook)
ISBN 978-1-59426-874-8

You can read reviews of this work HERE and HERE ... although the latter makes me wonder if the reviewer read the same book we wrote. If so, she certainly had a different view of our "hero."

Who's that girl?

I'm gonna engage in a bit of narcissism, because sitting here barefoot in my cut-off sweats with my hair in a sloppy ponytail and the sounds of Sponge Bob in the background, the "glamour" of the RT costume parties seems so very distant. It'll probably be another year before I again don a costume (in public, anyway), so I'm gonna revel in the memories.

See that sparkly thing over there on the left? That's me in mermaid attire for the Under the Sea Faerie Ball. Everything in my suitcase was covered with that spray glitter. It's still between the keys of my laptop.

That chick on the right? She was in black lace and leather from head to toe, complete with bondage belt, buckled handcuffs, 4" studded Harley boots, flogger, and steel-boned corset. What you can't see is the only part of her costume she had to buy in preparation: vampire fangs. The rest was already in her wardrobe. *grin* She won a costume prize at the Blood & Steel Vampire Ball. (Okay, I'll stop referring to myself in the 3rd person now.)

And the BOOTS! I not only wore them, I danced in them. A lot! They're really not uncomfortable, although after a few drinks they (and I) got a bit wobbly. With denim camisole and short-shorts, plus my white leather jacket, I was a perfect tramp -- and I won another costume prize. No, the boots weren't already in my wardrobe. *wink* I bought them 'specially for RT.

Lastly, although not a picture of ME ME ME, my computer's wallpaper has been replaced with a view of the 'Burgh from the Duquesne Incline. It's the setting (albeit at night) of a scene in Artistically Bound, the book that Phaze put in the goody room this year. Will & I made a trip up to Mount Washington on Monday afternoon to get some daytime photos of the view to accompany the night shots we took in December.

Time to get back to work. I've got a lot of catching up to do -- plus some serious organization for the life changes ahead.

peace & passion,

~ Alessia

~ ~ ~

It's all over but the snarking

Well, I'm home and in the process of reacclimating to domesticity -- sorting through the mail & notes from the kids' schools, unpacking & doing laundry, taking stock of the pantry & thinking about what to fix for dinner. It's always an adjustment to return to "normal" after RT, since RT is everything BUT normal for most people.

The convention was terrific. During the day, I networked and promoted. At night, I partied. I met lots of new people, ate too much, drank too much, and didn't get nearly enough sleep. In a year, I'll be ready to do it all again.

Already, the bloggers who were not in attendance are either sick of hearing about it or reveling in the snark and the attention it draws. Those who choose to watch from a distance and pass judgment certainly have no shortage of fodder. *shrug* All I can say to them is: CONTEXT. Without it, they only have a fraction of the mosaic that is RT. The nice thing about the Internet is that we all have these nifty little back click buttons. Don't like it? Fine. Don't read it.

I was largely oblivious to the cover model drama. I don't pay attention to the beefcake. I don't seek photos with the man flesh. While the Mr. Romance pageant was going on, Will and I were having a relaxed dinner at a cute little Greek restaurant with a friend from Literotica who is attending graduate school at Duquesne. We've known her for years, but until very recently, she lived in India.

Yeah, I saw some folks at the parties who were sloppy drunk. I saw some costumes that raised eyebrows. I even wore a few -- and had a blast doing it -- and won prizes for two of them. I'm sure photos will be popping up on the 'Net. Yeah, I joined many in groaning about the lame, lengthy, self-indulgent stage productions. Yeah, I bitched about the hotel's rude wait staff. But you know what? CONTEXT.

Club RT was a success. Phaze received lots of positive feedback from readers, booksellers, and authors. Will & I had a great time partying with the gals from Romance Divas. The ladies from All Romance eBooks are deserving of an award for their professionalism in the face of the ridiculous mismanagement of the eBook Expo. (If I was a cynic, I'd say that RT botched it on purpose. I'm not a cynic, though. *wink* YMMV.) I got to meet Barry Eisler, who is as cute & charming in person as he is online, and I got him to sign his back cover blurb on all the copies of Coming Together: For the Cure that hadn't already sold. We got to see Lisa Jackson again -- and simply being remembered, given the number of people she encounters at her appearances, was a rush. There was a LOT of name-recognition and good buzz for Coming Together. It didn't hurt that the convention issue (May) of the magazine contained a 4-star review of Coming Together: Under Fire ... and that Coming Together: For the Cure was a Top Pick for January.

But now, it's time to tackle the laundry while I chew on the memories.

Plunging into the second half of RT

Well, the first two days of the convention are behind us, and I think that most of the rush-rush stress is also in the past (for me, anyway). The Ellora's Cave party and Faerie Ball are over. Club RT's all set up -- and the Phaze table is getting lots of attention. My promo swag is being gobbled up -- especially the chocolate-covered cherry edible warming gel. The eBook Expo was very well attended. I'm just gonna cruise now.

Below is a pix of Eden Bradley & me at EC's Golden Age of Hollywood party. I don't have any pictures from the Faerie Ball yet -- 'cause I didn't take any. My mermaid costume was too flimsy and too tight to dance in, so once the dinner & ceremony ended, I left. The upside is that I got a solid night's rest and am ready for the rest of the convention! Tonight is all black leather attire for the Blood & Steel Ball. Tomorrow night, white patent leather thigh-high boots with short shorts. Wish me luck!

Artistically Bound

Not attending this year's Romantic Times Convention event in Pittsburgh? No problem. We're bringing the passion in Pittsburgh to you in one print volume!

Artistically Bound: Passion in Pittsburgh

Special RT Print Release! Celebrate Passion in Pittsburgh with this collection of sizzling erotic romance.

Artistically Inclined: Determined not to repeat past mistakes and allow their sex life to become stale and repetitive, Cyndi issues Kevin a Valentine's Day challenge to exchange fantasy lists. His response provides the canvas for an evening of daring inclinations and passionate creativity.

Bound For Success: A stand-alone continuation of the tale which began with this writing team's most popular novella, Artistically Inclined, Pittsburgh's daring duo is back in a hot-blooded romance with a penchant for ties that bind! When Cyndi's nerves about her gallery opening get the better of her, Kevin takes matters into his own hands, replacing one tension with another and setting the stage for a very eventful evening.

In addition, to introduce readers to another pair of our popular characters, Artistically Bound contains a chapter from ArtiFactual: Tales of the Erotique Mystique.

We are psyched that 100 copies of Artistically Bound will be in RT's "giveaway room" courtesy of Phaze. :)

~ ~ ~

Off to the 'Burgh

As soon as I shower & finish packing, I'll be heading for Pittsburgh. It's gonna be a busy convention, and this introvert is trying not to feel overwhelmed. Plus, my mojo's been MIA for weeks, so it's tough to summon the enthusiasm I'm gonna need to make the event a success both professionally and socially.

This, however, is helping. A lot. Have a listen to Tula's Sex Shoes. (So totally not kid/work-safe!) I have it on loop, and every play is coaxing that elusive mojo back a little bit at a time. It helps that these are the boots I'm wearing Saturday night. Uh huh.

In addition to attending as many of the E-BOOK & E-MARKETING sessions as I can manage, here's a rundown of where you can find me over the next few days ...

Wednesday 5-7p: eBook Expo

Wednesday 8:30p-Midnight: Ellora's Cave Fantasy Party.
I'll be the cross-dresser in the grey herringbone tuxedo.

Thursday 9a-12p, 2-6p: Club RT.
I'll be manning the Phaze table the majority of that time. However, from 3-4p on Thursday, I'll be at the All Romance eBooks table.

Thursday 8:30p-Midnight: Under the Sea Faery Ball Dinner & Dance.
I'll be in mermaid costume, feeling way self-conscious. I anticipate needing large quantities of confidence lubricant in the form of vanilla vodka.

Friday 9a-12p, 2-6p: Club RT.
At the Phaze table again, except for a brief break for...

Friday 3-3:30p: Publisher Spotlight - Phaze
Since Kat can't make it this year, I'll be hosting Phaze's session. *gulp* That means I have to act all professional. After the first two nights' parties, I'll probably feel like roadkill.

Friday 8:30p-Midnight: Blood & Steel Vampire Ball, Dinner & Dance.
Look for me in all black leather... with fetish gear accessories.

Saturday 11a-2p: Book Fair.
Will & I will be showing a couple of Literotica pals around.

Saturday 9p-12a: Dorchester's "These Boots Are Made For Strutting" Party.
White patent leather thigh-high lace-up 5" platform boots. 'Nuff said. (I'll probably be dancing barefoot by 10. *wink*)

In between all these events, maybe I'll find time to sleep. Hope to see you in the 'Burgh!

eBook Petition

It seems the federal government is active in protecting the digital rights of the film and music industries, but they can't be bothered to protect the rights of authors and publishers. That's a sad state of affairs, and it says a lot about the dumbing-down of America and the devaluing of books, in general.

The publishing industry deserves the same protections film and music do. The laws being broken are the same...copyright and, in some cases, Millennium Act. The laws exist, and the FBI and other sources are supposed to investigate when pirates blatantly set up shop. These "sharers" make illegal copies of books, break security/DRM...and even split the binding on paper books, scan them in, and pass those copies, so books that have never released in e-book are passing freely in e-book.

Putting an FBI warning in the front of e-books is not protection enough. Despite a ton of information being provided to the FBI by the e-book industry (EPIC, in particular), there has been no sign that they will make any move to protect our rights. They have been provided specific information about e-publishing, pirate scanning of paper books, and specific pirate sites, and there has been not a single word or sign of movement from them. That is unacceptable.

They won't get to work, unless we make it clear we won't stand for it. Whether you're an indie/e author, a NY author, a publisher, an editor, or a concerned reader, you have a stake in this issue. Piracy affects us all.

If the FBI cracks down on the ISPs allowing it, the servers in particular housing it...and the sharers individually, when possible, we stand a chance. By doing nothing, the FBI makes rights management impossible and debases the laws of copyright and Millennium Act. We have them for a reason. Do not let them fade away.

By signing this petition, I agree that the FBI should be investigating and shutting down pirate sites that deal in e-book sharing activities. The publishing industry deserves equal protection, under the law.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN IT

There's a new game in town ...

eXcessica is something entirely new. We are not a traditional e-publisher, instead we are a collaborative formed to remove the middleman and bring you, the reader, some of the best in truly hot erotica.

eXcessica publishes everything from sweet to scorching, including the taboo stuff other e-publishers won't touch. eXcessica authors cross the spectrum from award-winning professionals to fresh, new voices. Some are here because they want complete control over their work. Others are here because they want a larger cut of their sales proceeds. Still others, because their material is considered too edgy for traditional e-publishers.

By having each author take responsibility for their own editing and cover art, eXcessica is able to make its overhead expenses negligible. eXcessica authors know that sloppy work reflects poorly on us all and that success hinges on everyone doing their very best to ensure quality.

We invite you to step inside the minds of our eXcessica authors.

We promise you a memorable experience!

# # #

My take on the naysayers: With any publisher, quality varies from author to author. As does style. No reader is going to like every single thing published by any given house. This will undoubtedly be true of eXcessica as well. Readers are going to follow their favorite authors. Period. Those who assume eXcessica is all about uber-squicky stuff, who insist on painting everyone with one brush, are just snark lemmings. I admire Selena's efforts to make a home for her edgier works and for inviting others to join her. Only time will tell if it will be a successful venture. She has my support and, when I finish Zane, it will go to eXcessica.