Cream: The Best of the Erotica Readers and Writers’ Association edited by Lisabet Sarai at Amazon. Read my story, “Laying Down the Law.”
Desire’s Dream at Cobblestone Press or at Amazon.
The last thing Ruth Cavanaugh wants in her life is a man who thinks he can control her. So why is she having lust-filled dreams about Jake Fitzgerald, a man who values control above all else?
Jake can’t believed prickly but sexy Ruth has invaded his dreams so thoroughly. He’s happy she’s there, but what can he do to convince her she’s got the wrong idea about him? He has a few ideas and they all involve letting go of control once and for all. He’s more than willing, but is she?
Familiar Strangers at Cobblestone Press or at Amazon.
After being attacked in Court by a sex offender, prosecutor Calliope Marchant wants to rest and heal. But after a chance meeting with her first love Mitch Taylor, she decides to reignite their tempestuous affair. Thinking some sizzling sex with no emotional attachment is just what she needs, she doesn’t count on falling for Mitch.
When Mitch sees Callie again, the pain of the past rears up, as well as the promise of a future he wants to grab. But can he let her know who he really is? Will she be a willing participant in his unusual sexual needs?
Friends and Lovers: Two Erotic Tales at Kindle, Diesel and Smashwords
Two stories previously published as Playing with Trouble and Ghostly Desires. What do you get when Jake Horsley, Australia’s richest man, marries Chrissy, a hooker forty years his junior? Trouble. Especially when she also loves another woman. Honest and straight forward, Chrissy won’t lie about how she feels about Jen. But Jake isn’t worried. Chrissy is everything he’s always wanted, wild and unconventional. He knows he can’t limit her and doesn’t want to. Trouble however, has other plans. Jake’s son David, appalled by his father’s marriage, plots to hurt Chrissy. Protecting herself and those she loves will challenge everything she’s ever believed about herself and what she’s capable of.
Thea thinks a resident ghost is the perfect addition to the ramshackle mansion she’s inherited from her eccentric uncle. But sexy Judith, a ghost from her past, wants to upset her plans. Thea thinks it’ll be no problem.She’ll just get her into bed and win her over. Judith, however, has other plans . . .
As you can see, I’m tinkering with the guts of my site. Still working out how to customise bits and pieces. Since I’m about to have a four day long weekend because of Australia Day and it’s supposed to rain the whole time, this is a good time to fulfill one of my 2012 goals which is revise my website. I think I need a bit more food. After that I’ll be bunkering down for a few days.
My goals for 2012 were a little ambitious since I made them and promptly went off on a holiday to the Far North Coast of NSW for a week. Nothing like humid tropical weather and a holiday mindset to throw me off my game.
One thing I learned about myself was that I could never live in a tropical climate. The humidity slays me. My joints swell and my mind melts. I’m writing this at home in the Blue Mountains were the temperature is 11C but is supposed to feel like 7C. There’s a howling wind outside and I’m happy as a pig in mud. Cold weather suits me and my writing.
I was staying not far from Mullumbimby on a gorgeous property full of clumping bamboo which is the good bamboo that doesn’t run and become a pest. Now I’ve developed a lust for this plant. Since several varieties originate in China and cope with the cold, I’m busy devising a plan to grow some. The picture here is a bright yellow bamboo which was lovely but there was also a black bamboo with stunning green stripe. I feel an obsession coming on.
As to the goals, the main one is the erotic novella that I thought I’d finish on 9 January 2012. That’s looking more like 16 January 2012. Everything else recommences from tomorrow.
Like everyone else on the planet, I’m in a mood for reflection this New Year’s Day. And like everyone else, I’m contemplating what I’d like to achieve for this year. 2011 was a year of consolidation for me. My big change year was 2010 when I quit my job without another one to go to, moved back to the mountains and took five months off paid work.
In November 2010 I got a part-time job which suits me down to the ground. So I had a lot to be grateful for in 2011. I earn enough money to live on and have a lot of space to write. But one of my worst character traits is self-criticism. Even though I substantially got my writing groove back after some years of letting life getting in the way, I still berate myself for not developing a consistent, reliable writing practice.
Nevertheless, I wrote half a novel, a couple of novellas and some short stories, but my inner critic tells me I could’ve done more. And she’s right, I could’ve.
So this year I’m putting forward some SMART goals. Goals that are specific, measurable, attainable realistic and time-bound. I like Paula Roe’s model so I’m following that.
Writing
Promotion
Craft Education (developing/strengthening skills)
Health/Relaxation/Inner Self
Outreach
So can I do all this? No reason why I can’t. We’ll see. 
Elizabeth Lhuede has established the a reading challenge for 2012. Over at Australian Women Writers she’s set up details. The aim of the challenge is to “help counteract the gender bias in reviewing and social media newsfeeds that has continued throughout 2011 by actively promoting the reading and reviewing of a wide range of contemporary Australian women’s writing.”
There are a variety of staged challenges and you can sign up to do some reviewing.
It will certainly challenge me to read more literary fiction which I’ve neglected over the past few years and some science fiction which I rarely read.
Have a look and sign up!
As well as astrology, I love gardening. It’s spring here so my garden is gorgeous. The daffodils are out, my Manchurian Pear and plum are blooming madly and I’m so thrilled to have a whole lot of crocuses come up this year.
Buddha looks happy and so am I. As I write, I can see my huge pink azalea and deep read camellia blooming their heads off.
I’m deeply immersed in the first draft of my crime novel and finishing off a novella. The lure of outdoors is almost too much to resist though. Some rationing is in order. If I can get my 1,000 words done. I can fertilize some more roses and maybe go and buy some lobelia for a hanging basket.
Here’s an extract from the short story in Friends and Lovers: Two Erotic Tales, now available from Kindle, Smashwords and Diesel.
_______________________________________________
The rain cleared the next day and Thea wandered through the grounds peering into sheds and picking some bedraggled flowers. It was much better than she remembered. When the sun was out, it was spectacular. Her mind ticked over with possibilities. The idea of a bed and breakfast specializing in eco tours through Wild Rivers National Park looked more and more attractive. She’d get the place fixed up and a marketing plan written. First though, she’d figure out why Judith wanted to get rid of her.
Thea spent an amusing if sleepless night listening to the laughter and creepy howls of what she assumed was an attempt at a resident ghost. It made her think that an occasional murder mystery weekend or a ghost theme might be quite an attraction for the place. The people who didn’t want to go off trekking in the wilderness could play games and be warm while consuming fabulous food and wine.
She’d have to ask Judith for some suggestions after she worked out what to do about her. An environmental scientist who could cook like an angel was a definite asset. The fact that Thea wanted to spend a large amount of time picking her brain while wrapped around her, was neither here nor there. Not that she really wanted to do much talking. Her mouth would be much better employed trying to taste every inch of Miss Judith’s glorious skin.
She made her way back to the kitchen, found a vase for the flowers and planned her next move. She didn’t have to wait long. Judith staggered in the kitchen with a pile of wood in her arms looking frazzled and tired. She’d ditched the grey serge for a worn pair of jeans that molded her every curve and a snug black sweater. It was still cold and Thea’s mouth watered at the sight of Judith’s nipples, tight and distinct under the wool.
“Morning. How did you sleep?”
“Fine,” Judith snapped. “What about you?”
“Perfect. There were a few noises in the night, but I just assumed they were the resident ghost and went back to sleep. I think that’s the best thing to do with ghosts, don’t you? Just ignore them and they either give up and disappear or settle in to become one of the family. I hope this one settles in. Has it been around for long?”
Judith glared at her and piled the wood into the wood box. “I didn’t hear anything.”
“No? I must be sensitive to ghosts then.”
She smiled at Judith who gasped and dropped the wood, peering at her hand with a curse.
“Shit! I’ve got a splinter.”
“Let me see.” Thea pulled Judith’s hand into hers and saw a sharp fragment of wood embedded in the base of her thumb. “Stand still, I’ll get it out.”
Blood welled out of Judith’s skin as Thea eased out the wood. She lifted Judith’s hand and sucked on it, swirling her tongue around the broken skin. She tasted of copper and salt mixed with panic. Thea moved closer, sliding her arm around Judith’s waist, while still licking her hand. When she moved her tongue to the inside of her wrist and felt her frantic pulse, Judith’s sharp indrawn breath sent a tingle of delight through her. She lifted her head from Judith’s hand and pulled her closer, her mouth almost touching Judith’s slightly parted lips.
“Is that better?”
“Yes,” Judith whispered, her eyes wide and round.
“Good.” She dropped her gaze to Judith’s breasts and smiled. “Very good. You should put something on it.” Stepping away from her, she picked up an apple from the fruit bowl and bit into it. “I’m going into town to talk to a few trades people. I want to get this place fixed up as soon as possible. Need anything?”
Judith shook her head. She seemed to be having trouble breathing.
“Okay. I’ll see you later. Look after that hand.”
167 members
