Friday, January 29, 2010

Step Away from the Internet

I'm off to spend a week with my Sweet, which means limited internet access. Probably for the best. The internet is hugely distracting as I try to write. I'm obsessed--addicted perhaps--to checking my email, website stats, Twitter...anything! It's bad.

But there's exciting news on the Donuts & Desires front. Very soon, some of your favourite authors will be taking over to share their Valentine's Day advice! Love, sex, romance, relationships--sexy and silly stuff. It's going to be scary and awesome. Actually, you might not want to stop by. It could get a little extreme. Yes, on second thought, step away from the internet! These people are crazy! (unlike me, who is so obviously not)

Alrighty, folks, I shall see you around. Remember not to stop by. I can't guarantee you won't be frightened by the sex-obsessed writers.

Bright Blessings,
Giselle Renarde

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Burn the Dictionary!

*sigh*

I just heard a news story about parents insisting their children's grade 4/5 teacher remove the dictionary from their classroom to prevent students from looking up inappropriate words. "Oral sex" was their main concern.


I'm not saying every tidbit of knowledge is appropriate for every age group (hell, kids should definitely not be reading my work) but for goodness sake, people, children are curious little beggars. They're going to find out about these things one way or another and if they have the presence of mind to look a word up, it's obviously percolating in their quickly-expanding brains.

When I was a child--younger than grades 4 and 5, as I recall--we did the very same thing. My friends and I had three dictionaries to work from. We'd look up naughty word in the french dictionary just to see if they were there. Next, we'd look them up in the french-to-english dictionary for translation, and finally move on to the english dictionary to find out if the meaning was the same. As we discovered, some words that are naughty in one language are entirely innocuous in another. (Except for the word "cock"--that one's pretty universally euphemistic LOL)

Children are like cats--naturally curious. Where they differ is that children are not going to die from looking up words in the dictionary! Removing a classroom's dictionary is akin to book-burning in my mind. It's revolting. Parents, this is what educators refer to as a "teachable moment." You might feel uncomfortable dealing with it, but pretending "bad" words don't exist is not going to help your child's development!

I just pulled out my Oxford English Dictionary to look up the word in question.

ORAL SEX - noun Sexual activity in which the genitals of one partner are stimulated by the mouth of the other.


That's what everybody's so upset about. Hmm...maybe if they were getting a little more of it, they wouldn't be so fussy. Just a thought.

Hope you have a censorship-free day!
Bright Blessings,
Giselle Renarde

Monday, January 25, 2010

Interview with Kiernan Kelly


1. Hi Kiernan! Would you be so kind as to tell us what type of stories you write?

KK: I write gay romance in almost every genre – historical, contemporary, paranormal...you name it and I’ve probably written at least one story in it. I currently have seven novels and a plethora of shorter works available.

2. What are you reading right now?

KK: At the moment, I’m re-reading Lisa Marie Moning’s Highlander series. Fabulous stuff, even if it is straight romance. LOL

3. I hear music in the background…what's playing?

KK: Well, now, that depends on my mood. Since its Christmas time, you’re probably hearing “The Twelve Pains of Christmas,” from the Dr. Demento’s Twisted Christmas CD. Or maybe its Glen Miller’s “String of Pearls,” or Pink’s “I’m Not Dead.” I’m pretty eclectic when it comes to music. I listen to almost everything.

4. Do you have a favourite naughty word?

KK: If you mean what do I use most often on the rare occasions (yeah, right!) when I lose my temper or get frustrated, then it’s usually “freaking,” or “frigging,” although I’ve been known to drop the “F” bomb now and then. I also say “crap.” A lot.

5. Is there a word or phrase that absolutely makes you cringe?

KK: “Greased love pole.” Seriously. I’ve seen it used it stories, and nothing will ruin a love scene for me quicker than that particular phrase.

6. Be honest: What are you snacking on?

KK: Quiche. I make these little quiches in a muffin pan for special treats for my family. They’re exceptionally easy, quick, and tasty. All you do is combine sixteen ounces of ricotta cheese, ham cubes, six eggs, and a cup of shredded cheddar in a bowl. Then you line the muffin tins with one-half of a Pillsbury Flaky Biscuit (you know, the kind that come in the roll you have to smack against the counter to open), preheat the oven to 350, spoon the quiche mixture over the biscuits, and bake for about twenty five minutes. Yummy.

Promo time! Flog your wares. Any exciting new releases? How can readers find out more about you and your work?

KK: Readers can find a list of all my available work at my website, www.KiernanKelly.com. At the moment, I’m working on a half dozen projects, and I have several releases upcoming, including a Single Shot from Torquere Press called “Skywalker.” It’s the story of a Native American steel worker.


You guys are cracking me up these days with the cringe-inducing naughty words. Last week it was "smegma" and today "greased love pole." That's one I have never had the misfortune of encountering in the world of erotic fiction--lucky me!

Thanks for the interview--and the quiche recipe! In my 20's I found a quiche recipe on the back of a Bisquick box. That was my go-to for years because it was sinfully simple, but I think I'm past it now.

Thanks again!
Giselle Renarde

Friday, January 22, 2010

NEW RELEASE! All in a Valentine Day's Work

Take one sexy building super and add lots of naughty tenants.

V-Day is only weeks away! I'm sure you'll be bombarded with plenty of sweet romances until then, but I've got something a little different for you. "All in a Valentine Day's Work" is the erotic story of Lexi's bisexual trek through an apartment building full of naughty tenants. I can't even begin to tell you how hot this book is...so I'll let the marketing materials do that for me LOL.

Before I hand you over, I just want to say I snuck a peek at this ebook and--visually--it is truly gorgeous. What a lovely job Shadowfire Press has done with it! I'm really impressed.

And now, without further ado,

All in a Valentine Day's Work by Giselle Renarde

A 'Be My Naughty Valentine' themed story

Genre: erotic bisexual Valentine themed story

Warnings: contains both m/f, f/f and menage/voyeurism

Heat Rating: Fire

http://www.shadowfirepress.com

Blurb

I'm here to fix your plumbing....

Lexi the Sexi building superintendent (okay, assistant super) thinks she's taking Valentine's Day by storm. She doesn't do ‘romance' or ‘relationships.' Casual sex with attractive tenants is more her style. After an exhausting porn-watching session with a cute guy in the building, the beautiful Mrs. Suraj won't release her until those rusty pipes are fixed. The sexy super comes home to a pussycat pair of college friends desperate for someone to help them out with their Valentine's Day gift to each other: homemade porn! For Lexi, gettin' it on is all in a Valentine Day's work!

Excerpt

"Today is Saint Valentine's Day," she said. Her tone of voice was sweet almost to the point of being patronizing, like a school teacher.

"Yeah...." I couldn't stop staring at her neck. It was so long. And it met up seamlessly with her jaw line. Her contours flowed like silk. This Mrs. Suraj was a woman of incredible, indescribable beauty. "Oh," I said, snapping back into reality. "Valentine's, yeah it is."

Taking my hand between her soft palms, she asked, "Do you have a Valentine?"

I held my breath. I didn't want to hate her, but that question made me grit my teeth every time. "No," I said. No, I didn't have a goddamn Valentine to waste my money on. What a stupid holiday....

Sunita must have sensed my hostility. She changed gears. "When I was growing up in India, nobody had heard of Saint Valentine's Day. Now, you go to India and it is a big thing for the young people there. They love this idea of celebrating love and romance. It's like rock-and-roll was. It's a rebellion. It's good for them, I think."

"Oh," I said. I wasn't sure why she was telling me any of this, but I suddenly felt badly for snapping at her. It was undeserved.

Changing gears yet again, she went on to say, "My husband and I married for business reasons, not for love. It was more of a corporate merger than a marriage. From our second bedroom, he runs a textile business. From this

bedroom..."

"Let me guess," I interrupted, looking around at the rolls of fabric strewn about the room and the sewing machine in the corner. Not to mention her trendy threads. "You're a fashion designer?"

She giggled. Her voice was like music. "I make some clothing, yes, but costumes mainly. Both our businesses are becoming highly successful. I have contracts with a major theatre company and a few smaller film productions."

Noticing the bed was draped in layers of fabrics, I said, "If this is your bedroom, where do you sleep?"

"There is a bed somewhere underneath this mess," she said, sorting through fabric. "I sleep in here and my husband sleeps on the couch in his office. That is my problem." Sunita must have noticed me eyeing the door, because she shifted to block the exit. Okay, that was a little weird.

I started to ramble, "If you moved your office into the dining room, you and your husband wouldn't have to contend with all this fabric at the end of the day. Your bedroom should be your sanctuary. When you enter it, you should forget all the problems of the outside world."

"Even so," she said. "My husband has no time for me. And even if he had time, he would still have no idea how to please a woman." She took a step toward me. "He has no clue how to give me pleasure."

Gazing at Sunita's long black hair, her glowing cinnamon skin, and her

delicate features, I admit I was tempted. And who could blame me? Her blouse was tight, and buttoned almost all the way to the neck. From her perfectly proportioned hips flowed a long skirt. I was drooling to see what was underneath.

"I'm not exactly sure why I'm here," I lied, trying to appear puzzled.

"I've seen you around the building and, forgive me if I'm wrong, but judging from the clothes you wear and your short-short hair, I thought you might..." She was searching for the right words, I guess. "...you might have some experience in pleasuring women?"

I gasped. I tried not to. It seemed really nerdy to react so obviously, but I couldn't help it. True, my tank top and cargo pants were a far cry from the smart outfits most city girls wore, but I always hated it when people pigeonholed me based on my clothes or the fact that I fixed things for a living.

When Sunita brushed my bare arm with her fingers, all bets were off. Man Alive, she looked at me so seductively I had to let it go. I wanted her. I couldn't resist. "But your husband's in the next room..." I stammered. Not that I cared all that much, it just seemed a little rude to cheat on him on Valentine's Day. Or any other day, I guess.

"Oh, he's working," she said with a shrug. "Nothing can distract him from his business. Trust me." I had to be dreaming! No way this was really happening.

Click the link to buy

http://tinyurl.com/ylpz3su

Thursday, January 21, 2010

2 Free 2 Be 4-gotten

Who likes free stuff? Free erotica? Free romance?

Today I have two--count 'em: TWO--free reads for you!

Wedding Party by Giselle Renarde

This is a sexy short. Boy, girl. Car, parking lot. Quickie...Wedding Party? (This actually happened to me--Yikes!)


In Memoriam by Giselle Renarde

A sweet romance! Yes, I can write those. Check it out if you don't believe me ;-) And no, nobody dies and there are no ghosts. It's called "In Memoriam" because it takes place in a cemetery. You know I love a good cemetery.


Have fun with them, my lovelies.
Hugs,
gigi

In the Whipped Cream Spotlight

In case you missed my mountain of tweets, this week I've been in the Author Spotlight at Whipped Cream!
Marianne and Judy, the wonderful women at the Long and Short Romance Reviews and Whipped Cream sites, asked me to send them a blog post for every day of the week. It wasn't hard to narrow in on a theme. I figured I could write a whole lot of fluff that would keep every sort of reader moderately entertained/unoffended OR I could send them posts that were off the beaten path. Emotional. Educational. Heartfelt. Close to home. The type of blog posts where some readers might take one look at the title and click away, totally put off.

Wanna guess what I did?

I went the activist route. How could I not?

Ultimately, I thought: I have a spotlight. What am I going to put centre stage--myself OR the interests of trans people here and everywhere? How could I choose my own small self or even my body of work over a marginalized, groundlessly feared, and hypersexualized segment of the population? Particularly when my partner is a member of that population?

I sent blog posts about why I write transgender fiction, definitions of transgender terms, and falling in love with my Sweet. I admit, I made a concentrated effort to be palatable. I understand that not everybody wants two scoops of activism with their morning coffee. That's why I drew largely from my personal life, hoping readers would embrace a love story. Yes, the personal is political! (says Giselle; Sweet and I disagree on this point but we all know she's wrong LOL) I think/hope coming at it from a story-telling perspective--especially since the stories are about my own life--got the message across effectively to an audience of readers.

Judging from the loving and supportive comments I've received, it was a good choice.
Thank you for reading,
Bright Blessings,
Giselle Renarde

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

GIve Me Some Good News

I've been getting nothing but bad news all day. Two rejection letters in my inbox, and to top that off, Sweet canceled our Ottawa trip because of ongoing health concerns. Of course, I can't be upset with her for being ill...so now I'm just...upset...

But you can help me out by sharing your good news!

Authors: Any new releases you'd like to promo? New Contracts? Anything exciting to share?

Readers: Find a book you couldn't put down lately?

Anybody: Happy family news? Work news? Anything happy, I want to hear about it.

Comment at will!

Thank you, my lovelies,
gigi

Monday, January 18, 2010

Quick Six Interview with Tory Temple


1. Hi Tory! Would you be so kind as to tell us what type of stories you write?

TT: I write M/M erotic romance, mostly contemporary with a big side of drama.


2. What are you reading right now?

TT: On my nightstand I've got Julie & Julia, and in my Sony Reader I'm working through Chris Owen's Acquired Tastes.


3. I hear music in the background…what's playing?

TT: Oh, I'm definitely a country kind of girl. Some of the characters in my head just HATE that.


4. Do you have a favourite naughty word?

TT: I don't know about a favorite, but "shit" is definitely the most frequent one out of my mouth.


5. Is there a word or phrase that absolutely makes you cringe?

TT: Smegma. It's..... ew. *shudder*


6. Be honest: What are you snacking on?

TT: Too many of the whipped shortbread cookies that I'm supposed to save for a work party!


Promo time! Flog your wares. Any exciting new releases? How can readers find out more about you and your work?

TT: My newest release is a novel at Torquere Press called Chasing Victory. It's set in the fast-paced world of stock-car racing, and I think it's one of my most favorite novels so far! It's in print and electronic formats, available here: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&manufacturers_id=72&products_id=2181

My website is www.torytemple.com, and all of my work can be found there.

OMG...Smegma...LOL
Nobody has ever given me an answer to that question that made me laugh out loud!
Thanks for the interview!
Giselle

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Just Funny

Sold!
Okay... not so much. The price is right, but I think the waxing attendant lied on his resume. There's no way he graduated the four-year intensive Brazilian college course. Damn it, he can't even spell the service name right!

Monday, January 11, 2010

Quick Six Interview with C.T. Piatt

1. Hi C.T. Thanks for granting me an interview! Would you be so kind as to tell us what type of stories you write?

CTP: I write paranormal, fantasy, and contemporary erotica, mostly M/M. Most of them have a happy ending, though life isn’t always easy getting there..

2. What are you reading right now?

CTP: I tend not to read when I write, at most I’ll skim a book I’ve read before. Last books read/skimmed were; Tangled sheets by Michael Thomas Ford, Encyclopedia of signs and symbols, Hammerfall by C.J. Cherryh, and the giant book of werewolves edited b Stephen Jones.

3. I hear music in the background…what' s playing?

CTP: Metalica; Wherever I May Roam – it matches my current character.

4. Do you have a favourite naughty word?

CTP: Cock, dick, penis.

5. Is there a word or phrase that absolutely makes you cringe?

CTP: Nothing specific, just hate it when an author repeats the same phrase many times in a story. Oh, and any phrase that includes his ‘manstick’, the penis is more beautiful that a stick.

6. Be honest: What are you snacking on?

CTP: Nothing. Truthfully. *grins* just had breakfast.

Promo time! Flog your wares. Any exciting new releases? How can readers find out more about you and your work?

Ghillie Dhu at Torquere Press

http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&manufacturers_id=236&products_id=2191

Years ago, Euan MacKenzie had an encounter with a strange creature and part of him has been in its thrall ever since. Ghillie Dhu is never far from Euan's thoughts, and Euan longs to be back in the heart of the forest. But wishing for the attention of a force of nature is never wise and Euan may not fare well when he finds out why.

Taste Test – Artistically Yours – Solitude of the Photo at Torquere Press

http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&manufacturers_id=236&products_id=1745__._,_.___

In Solitude of the Photo, by C.T. Piatt, Jonah makes decent money taking photos, but he's never has he done a model's portfolio. Until Michael asks him. The photos torment Jonah, long after he's completed the shoot, and only when he sees Michael with his wife, happily spending time at an event, does Jonah swear to forget. So when Michael turns up at his door, magazine in hand Jonah, has no idea what to do.

I was just thinking that there are far more terms for "penis" than there are for "vagina" in the erotic sphere. I often feel very limited, especially if I'm writing a piece where the tone doesn't allow for the use of "cunt." I feel like it's just "pussy, pussy, pussy" again and again. Not that I'm opposed to that much pussy *wink* but, as you say, one grows weary of repetition. At the same time, I worry about falling into purple prose if I stray too far from the beaten path. (Ooh..."beaten path"...maybe I've found just the term I was looking for! LOL.)

If anybody has any really hot un-purple-prose-y euphemisms, please let us hear them!

C.T. Piatt, thank you so much for the interview!

Cheers,

Giselle Renarde


Sunday, January 10, 2010

Hallmark Censored My Damn e-Card!

Because if there's one thing a pornographer loves, it's censorship....



I'm a tad peeved over here. Hallmark.com erased a message I wrote to my girlfriend the other day because of "Inappropriate Content"? Seriously! And you know why? Because I'd used the word "clit." They trashed my e-card and sent me that bullshit "Inappropriate Content" message. Thanks for the censorship, there, Hallmark. Seriously? I can't send my girlfriend a thank you card for some killer lip service without spelling the word c-l-i-t?

Guess it's back to GoGayCards.com. They say yay for gay and don't censor my damn messages. Actually, it's a really cute site if you haven't stopped by. They have gay cards, lesbian cards, lots of great Pride cards, Love, Miss You, Get Well, Flirting, Birthday, Holidays...and the category I make most use of with Sweet: "I'm Sorry." Jesus, those things come in handy. LOL. Postcards and Video Cards. Something for everyone!

Actually, I've just come up with a slogan for them: "Where's a gay to go? GoGayCards.com!" Just remember, I said it first. *grin*

I also have a great affinity for someecards.com. Crikey, they have some funny greetings. And, trust me, the content of their cards is way more inappropriate than anything I could come up with. Sweet is particularly fond of the card with an elderly couple pictured and the message, "I'd wax my asshole for you." Or how about, "Things are starting to get serious between me and my hand-held showerhead"? Funny. And, the always useful, "Let's fuck in public tonight."

You have no idea how much of my life I've wasted on this site. LOL.

Cheers, my darling ones,
gigi

Thursday, January 7, 2010

It's that Time of Year~Please Vote for Me!

This is the time of year when authors become pathetic little beggars. And I'm no exception!


The Preditors & Editors Readers' Poll is up now and I will love you forever if you vote for me and my work.

Please vote for THIRD RAIL by Giselle Renarde in the Short Stories "All Others" category http://www.critters.org/predpoll/shortstory.shtml

Please vote for RED SATIN by Giselle Renarde in the Short Stories Romance category http://www.critters.org/predpoll/shortstoryr.shtml

Please vote for WEEKLY SPECIALS. SATISFACTION GUARANTEED. by Giselle Renarde on the Poems page http://www.critters.org/predpoll/poem.shtml

And, of course, GISELLE RENARDE on the Authors page http://www.critters.org/predpoll/author.shtml

If you happen to notice my work nominated anywhere else, please do vote for me there too! You have no idea how much I'll appreciate it.

Thank and Bright Blessings,
Giselle Renarde
Canada just got hotter!

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Quick Six Interview with Kalita Kasar

1. Hi Kalita! Would you be so kind as to tell us what type of stories you write?

KK: I write both historical and contemporary, M/M and F/F stories. Some of them are paranormal as well.

2. What are you reading right now?
KK: A non fiction book called Dreamwalker: Path of Sacred Power by Mary Summer Rain.

3. I hear music in the background…what' s playing?
KK: It will either be John Denver's Earth Songs Album, or the Debut album of Australian Idol 2009 Stan Walker.

4. Do you have a favourite naughty word?
KK: I say Damn it! A lot, but I like most dirty words. It depends on the occasion

5. Is there a word or phrase that absolutely makes you cringe?
KK: Not really. In context and at the right time any word or phrase is OK. By the same token, they can be cringe worthy at the wrong moment. Such as when your three year old decides to 'wow' your dinner guests with her vocabulary. Harken unto the voice of experience!

6. Be honest: What are you snacking on?
KK: I am not snacking right this minute, but I did have a banana a few minutes ago, and I am sipping on Lemon and Ginger Herbal tea. You caught me just as I got up. :)

Promo time! Flog your wares. Any exciting new releases? How can readers find out more about you and your work?
KK: My most recent release is a M/M Historical set in Colonial Australia. It is for the Torquere Press Color Box Line. Title is Midnight Blue.

Blurb:

Saul Matthews, the son of a wealthy landowner, dreams of breaking free from his father's overbearing ways and striking out to build an empire in the Australian bush. He longs for his own land and the space to breed fine horses, rather than following his father into the beef cattle trade. To achieve his dream, Saul has trained a fine gray thoroughbred horse, Midnight Blue, and hopes to win a local horse race which will give him the capital to put behind his dream.

When the horse is stolen by Bush Ranger, Daniel O'Malley, Saul gives chase. The attraction between them is obvious from their first encounter, but to act on those feelings is to risk everything, in an era when such 'unspeakable' acts are punishable by imprisonment or death. Available now at Torquere Books http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&manufacturers_id=204&products_id=2358

My websites:
Kalita: http://kalitakasar.com
Meg Leigh: http://megleigh.wordpress.com

"Midnight Blue" sounds great. I hear the Colour Box line is very popular. (Oops... I mean "Color" Box...I don't think I will ever get used to American spellings. I still try to get away with my "ou" words wherever I can.)
Thanks so much for the interview!
Giselle

Saturday, January 2, 2010

What's so offensive about two men and a dog?

I want to show you something. It's a picture of two men and a dog:


According to Canadian media outlets, this image sparked online outrage from the homophobic public.

What's the deal?

The picture depicts Scott Brison, a member of Canadian Parliament, alongside his husband Maxime and their dog Simba. Like many politicians, Brison sent this image of his family out as his Christmas card.

"The overwhelming response has been very positive," said Brison, an out gay Liberal MP from Nova Scotia. "There's always a very, very tiny minority of bigots. It's their problem, it's not my problem."

According to The Canadian Press, Scott Brison and his husband Maxime feel they are warmly received wherever they go.

AND YET...(you knew there had to be more to this story, didn't you) after stories celebrating the Christmas Card showed up across online newsmedia outlets, comments sections have been shut down due to what The Globe and Mail's web editor called, "hateful and homophobic remarks."

It seems so bizarre to me. Living in Canada as an out lesbian, I have never encountered any negativity from anyone because of my sexual orientation. Never. Same-sex marriage is legal here. Scott Brison won his re-election by a landslide the year after he and his handsome Maxime got married. It doesn't seem like a simple Christmas card with two guys and a dog on the front would be problematic for people here.

Do we Canadians go online to let out our inner demons? Why on earth would newmedia web articles be bombarded by homophobic comments...and over a simple Christmas card? I don't understand it.

But, then, there's a lot I don't understand.

It'll give me something to ponder, I suppose, as I spend time with family over the holiday season. I hope everyone reading this will also have time to enjoy acceptance, celebration, and love with people they care about.

Bright Blessings,
Giselle Renarde