Banned Books Blog Hop

Welcome to the Banned Books Blog Hop! It’s always a surprise to me to see the list of books that have been banned over the years, especially when they contain books that I’ve read and found so enlightening, like TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, or so entertaining, like HARRY POTTER. To me books, especially books of fiction, are one of the best ways that we can explore issues in society and bring them to the forefront for discussion and consideration.

When I was a teen, a local high school not only banned the books, but burned them. That case went all the way to the Supreme Court. To this day I always questioned why a few thought some ideas were so radical they needed to be eradicated by burning, like in FAHRENHEIT 451.

Which I guess is why I love America. We have the First Amendment and protections against restrictions on our speech. We also have a way of resolving our differences about whether or not the speech contained in certain works merits those protections. I hope that we never reach a point where things like “fairness doctrines” stop us from being able to openly discuss issues that are of importance for our society.

Take a moment to visit the other blogs for their discussions and giveaways. For this blog and to be entered to win a $10 gift card, THE LOST T-shirt and some swag, please either tweet or share on Facebook the following:

PLZ RT #JerseyShore + Energy Gatherers + Civil War=THE LOST #Paranormal by @CaridadPineiro 4 Stars RT Book Reviewshttp://ht.ly/6iBHZ

For those who are hopping and are here for the first time, I’m a writer of paranormal romance and romantic suspense. My latest release is THE LOST and here is a little excerpt for you. If you can’t see the excerpt, you can visit this link:

http://www.scribd.com/fullscreen/61045171?access_key=key-xf0enng1oa342vs8mam

THE LOST Paranormal Romance Free Read

Drop by other Banned Books Bloggers to see what’s happening with them!

Many thanks to I READ BANNED BOOKS and I AM A READER, NOT A WRITER for putting together this blog hop.

Leanore Elliott

Today we are lucky to have with us Leanore Elliott who is her to tell us a little bit about herself and her books!

WHO ARE YOU LEANORE?

Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before;
But the silence was unbroken, and the darkness gave no token,
And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, `Lenore!’
This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, `Lenore!’
Merely this and nothing more.
Edgar Allen Poe ‘Quoth The Raven’

I’ll try to l explain why I start this spot with a stanza by Poe. My Pen name is Leanore Elliott. I took this name for reasons, which others may not fully understand. No—I did not wish to obscure my real name, nor do I write porn, to hide the fact from my family and friends!

I use the name Leanore for one purpose…MAGIC. Yep. Simple ethereal, pixie dust, wand-wielding caldron on the fire—magic.

Yes…I know I’d better keep on with the explanation.

I have always been a bit different, endearingly thought of by others as sweet, giving and just a little—tetched. (chuckle) As a child, I spun stories at family gatherings. I embellished them with incredible accomplishments and feats by magnificent heroes, and of journeys to faraway lands.

I had friends no one else could see. Yes, yes, I know. There are many who claim they had imaginary buddies as a child. Me? I had entire imaginary worlds. I played for hours in places no one else knew existed.

To this very day, my mother tells the stories of what a time she had with me. I would actually disappear on her. Nowhere to be found. Later, after hours of searching, I would suddenly be found in the yard, or my room.

At her glowering face and enraged expression? I would rush on with an answer as to where I was and what I’d been doing. I tried to tell her of fantastic people and colorful places I had just visited. She would grit her teeth as I gave her scare after hair pulling scare.

After raising a family of four kids and traveling all over the US my kids and hubby retired me in 2007. They lovingly told me, go and write those stories. I did, I learned, studied, researched, self published and failed at that. Then, I submitted my stories to publishers and was picked up by three. I proceeded with zeal to learn all I could from nine pro editors. Now, I have my own imprint, Wicked Muse Publishing.

Okay, so I will finally get to the crux of my explanation: Leanore is my Muse. She spins the tales. Some of these stories are just incredibly unique and out of this world! And…I think they may really be from another world entirely. I am just a determined writer, Bonnie Lea Elliott, dedicated to the display of these stories. I am but a glorified editor and formatter. I also, possibly may be really good at channeling.

To give my Muse the credit due her, I gave her part of the billing.

Here is just two brief descriptions out of the 15 stories she’s spun and afterward, you will see why I believe such an outrageous, surreal idea.

BEASTS~The Eyes Of Constance:

A psychic has visions of Serial Killers. She partners with a Homicide Detective. After three years of tracking and stopping these killers, she finds one day that she hadn’t seen anything yet. She finds that her cop partner and best friend isn’t what he seems—he isn’t human at all. He is a Gargoyle, but with no tail, no horns and such. An immortal with superhuman abilities and strength. He can change his appearance as in, his skin can become, marble, stone or even obsidian. He is also sexy as forever is long and promptly shows Constance this.

Can’t tell you more without spoilers. But here is what some readers said in their reviews.

    ” Different and intriguing…”
    “Leanore Elliott took the term Paranormal in a totally new direction.”
    “I don’t think we are in Kansas anymore…”
    “The tale begins one way and takes you to a world that you never knew existed.”

The BEASTS Books became what I later called: ‘My Erotic Epiphany’ as Leanore and I spun three full novels in just over 3-month’s time!

Author friends would ask, “How do you write so fast? I’d reply with a shrug, “I was afraid that if I didn’t keep up with the story? I would lose it, as it got ahead of me.” (No one ever replied, “Oh yes! I know what you mean!”)

Revealed:

Glory is a thief and has been groomed all her life, to steal just one thing—the heart stone.

Dell is a thief/killer for hire. He is hired to steal the stone from Glory.

In turn, the stone steals them and their will. It is the heart stone of the Marquis de Sade and he reveals all their innermost fantasies. He takes them on the most erotic ride they’ve ever known, while everyone around them is trying to kill them both, in order to get the coveted stone.

    “I have to say it was sex-citing, all the manipulation and sex-apades had me going ga ga.”
    “…More please!!”
    “The sex scenes are absolutely smoking. This book should have its own warning label.”

Leanore and I went on to produce 10 books in one year. In 2011 so far, we’ve penned 4 more. My family thought they ‘d lost me to some obsessive artist’s world, where I did not respond to even the loudest booms in the house. I never heard whenever anyone spoke to me at all.

The stories just flowed out through my mind, down my arms and onto the keyboard. I went through four keyboards in 2010 and my friends joked: You literally burned them up! They would wisecrack about smoke rising from the keys.

I become a child again, perhaps…Lost in those worlds, which were built in front of my eyes. Magic, I say and truly, I believe this over any other explanation.

I want to thank my old friend, Caridad Pineiro for having me as her guest today here on her wonderful site.
(Leanore gives you all a ‘Wicked Wink’)

Please see all our books at these websites:

Listamania Page: http://www.amazon.com/Books-by-Leanore-Elliott/lm/R3ELV11ZSQT7H2/ref=cm_lmt_srch_f_1_rsrsrs1

1 PLACE FOR ROMANCE: http://1placeforromance.com/index.php?search=Wicked%20Muse%20Books&_a=viewAffsearchMe=Wicked%20Muse%20Books&column=publisher

Wicked Muse Website: http://wickedmusepublishing.webs.com/

Leanore’s Home: http://captivesouls.weebly.com/-leanores-home.html

Fun & Fandom

I’ve been counting the weeks until last weekend which I knew was going to be fun and filled with lots of SQUEEE moments! Why the SQUEEE! Well, my buddies and I planned to go down to Boonsboro, Maryland to get our copies of the just released FROM NEW YORK TO DALLAS, the next book in my favoritest IN DEATH series.

We started our journey with lots and lots of traffic which unfortunately made for a late check-in at the INN AT BOONSBORO ON THE SQUARE which is partially owned by Ms. Roberts.

Each of the rooms in the Inn is themed to a book and my friend and I were lucky to be in the Nick & Nora suite (although we coveted the Eve and Roarke suite across the way! LOL!) The room was gorgeous as was the inn and the innkeepers, Suzie and Patty, made us feel like we were at home.

For some more pictures of the inn (including one of the control panel for the toilet!), you can click here.

Of course, then there came the SQUEEE! moment as we got to meet and talk to Nora and get our picture with her. SQUEEE!

We had a wonderful time and are so looking forward to going again!

The next day was likewise a lot of fun as I was due to sign and do a reading at the Brooklyn Book Festival with the wonderful Comadres group and La Casa Azul bookstore.

I had a great time with old friends like Sofia Quintero as well as making new friends with Daisy Martinez, from DAISY COOKS!, as well as Carmen Mojica Fabian, Charlie Vasquez and Justin Torres.

Speaking of friends, please drop by tomorrow when I’ll have Bonnie Lea Elliott coming by for a guest blog and join me and Anjanette Delgado on Thursday, Sept 22 at 9 pm EST as we talk about break-ups, men and all other kinds of sexy fun things during our next live video event. If you can’t see the widget below, you can use this link: http://t.wbx.me/f8qgs

It Started Out as a Short Term Idea

I have with me today Linda Mooney, a friend and fellow author who has hosted me on various occasions on her wonderful OTHER WORLDS OF ROMANCE Blog Talk Radio.

In fact, if you’re up at 11 pm next Monday, August 8th, join us as I visit Linda to talk about THE LOST, my new paranormal release.

Besides being an awesome talk show host, Linda is also the author of a number of novels including LORD OF THUNDER, a 2011 EPIC award winner from Whiskey Creek Press Torrid (torrid as in it’s way hot!)

Linda is here to chat about her short term idea for her radio show morphed into something different, but first, here’s a little blurb for LORD OF THUNDER.

Annie Mayall was a young bride, brought to Montana in 1940 by her new husband to start their new life together…as soon as he struck it rich in the promised lonely years, Annie was forced to survive by herself in the wilds of the mountains. Until one stormy night brought a severely wounded stranger to her tiny one-room cabin. A stranger both mystical and fascinating. A stranger who not only brought her happiness, but a kind of love she never knew existed.

A stranger who was not of this earth.

And now here’s Linda with “It Started Out as a Short Term Idea.”


I don’t know what in the hell I was thinking, but in retrospect I’m happy I did!

What did I do? I started a Blog Talk Radio show. A live show, mind you. Hello goof-ups and technical snags!

It began two years ago after I was interviewed on BTR. I had a new release and wanted to promote it. BTR is free. The only problem, though, was that I didn’t get much time to talk about the book. Most of the questions were about me and my writing technique, future ideas, “why I wrote the book”, etc. In addition I was noticing on the email loops that more interest was raised for a book when my promotions included an excerpt. After some deliberation, I thought I’d like to start my own BTR show and read the excerpts.

I contacted a few author friends and asked if they would like to be on the show, now called “Other Worlds of Romance” since I write sci-fi, fantasy, and paranormal stories, and so did they. They loved coming on the show and reading from their books, and they spread the news to their friends who also wrote in those genres. The next thing I knew, I was contacted by the promotions director for the Romantic Times Convention asking if I would be willing to do a full week of interviews during the con. Talk about a rush!

Like I said, that was two years ago, and I’ve lost count of how many wonderful books I’ve heard about. (My TBB/TBR list is intimidating!) But even better, I’ve met many fantastically gifted, friendly, and supportive authors. Have there been slip-ups and booboos? More than you can laugh at, but they more than make up for the fun we’ve had.

I never thought I’d add DJ to my resume. I thought Erotic Romance Author and Kindergarten Teacher were enough. I still get the jitters every Monday night like I did for my very first interview, but I’ve never regretted my decision…although there are times I think I’ve checked my sanity at the door!

Just a reminder that the DISCOVER THE LOST Release Party is underway. Leave a comment either here or any of the blogs I am visiting for a chance to win the grand prize of a SONY E-reader and other goodies! The more blogs and more comments you leave, the greater your chances of winning.

For a list of stops on the blog tour, you can click here!

Here are the blogspots you can visit today to comment:

Just Another Book Addict
Paranormal & Romantic Suspense Reviews

Discover Diane Escalera’s Dangerous Desire & Giveaway

Over ten years ago, Kensington Publishing launched the short-lived, but innovative, Encanto Latino romance line. The women who came together to write for that line formed the Encantadoras sisterhood. A sisterhood that has continued for many of us through the trials and tribulations of the publishing world.

That’s why it’s so exciting and joyful for me today to have with me Diane Escalera, one of my writing sisters. Diane is going to share with us her new release, DANGEROUS DESIRE, from Lyrical Press.

Please welcome Diane today! To help celebrate the release, I am offering up a $10 gift card and a copy of THE LOST to one lucky reader who leaves a comment by July 21, midnight PST (I want to give my California friends the time to post!)

About Diane Escalera

Born and raised in the Bronx, NY, I relocated to South Florida, a sultry paradise I instantly fell in love with. Unlike most authors, I didn’t know I was destined to write. In fact, I worked in banking for many years, but deep down knew that it wasn’t my dream job.

At the young age of thirty-five, my sister died of an illness. I realized the same thing could happen to me. There are no guarantees. I couldn’t waste another moment doing something I didn’t love.

Writing was one of my greatest joys when I was growing up. While still working at the bank, I decided to enroll in an intensive course where I learned everything I could about the craft. It didn’t take long before I left the bank to pursue a writing career.

Still living in South Florida, I’m married, have two children and a super cute Dachshund I can’t get enough of. I feel truly blessed to be able to share my stories. I only wish I could have shared them with my sister.

Dangerous Desire will be available on July 18th at Lyrical Press, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, and Digital Bookstores everywhere. The Print Edition comes out in October.

Please visit www.DianeEscalera.com to learn more about my sexy tales. I love to interact with readers! “Like” my fan page at www.Facebook.com/DianeEscaleraOfficial. Follow me on www.Twitter.com/DianeEscalera.

DANGEROUS DESIRE Excerpt

In full view, Cruz stripped off his sweaty black tee and Sienna nearly had a heart attack. Jesus Christ. The men at her gym would’ve despised him.

Her eyes slowly drank him in. Good God. He had the sexiest bod she’d ever seen. Taut and tan, his muscles were chiseled in a way that gave his dimensions beautiful symmetry. Tori would’ve been impressed. She’d always preached about the importance of muscle balance. Some men took it to the extreme. Not Cruz. He sported a tapered waist with shredded abs, V-shaped torso, and arms that made her drool because, if she had to pick a favorite body part, arms were it.

He used the dirty shirt to dry sweat off his gorgeous frame. Her eyes followed his movements, stopping at the bulldog tattoo etched on his sculpted pec, with the word Marines below. He’d been in the service, a kickass Marine. How hot!

He busted her checking him out.

She yanked her eyes away. Jeez. Her face probably looked as red as it felt.

Holding up a fresh shirt, he shook it out a few times. The sound of fabric caught her attention. Her gaze slid that way again. Okay. Sound had nothing to do with it. She just had to look one more time. He pulled the shirt over his head. Terrific. Now he wore a white muscle shirt tailor-made for his ripped physique. The thing should’ve been outlawed.

Wearing a sly smirk, he combed his fingers through his short, spiky hair. Running down the inside of his arm below his rock-hard biceps, he had another tattoo, this one with five small Chinese symbols. What a unique spot for a tattoo, and unbelievably sexy, like everything else about him.

Even his name sounded hot.

He climbed into the driver’s seat and snapped his door shut. He didn’t look at her, but then, he didn’t have to. She knew he knew what kind of effect that little display had on her. Oh yeah. He had it written all over that smug face. He might be a soaking-wet dream she didn’t mind entertaining on a nightly basis, but she didn’t have to be so obvious.

Sienna grabbed her seatbelt and tried to latch it.

“Damn,” Cruz mumbled, as he watched her struggle with the belt. He turned on the ignition and flipped the air conditioning to the highest setting.

She looked at his face instead of his sinewy arm. It took willpower, because those arms really did it for her. “Is there a trick?” The mechanism wouldn’t click into place.

“I keep forgetting to get that thing checked,” he said. “Don’t usually carry passengers except for Roman.” He looked back at his dog and grinned. Roman sat on the bench seat patiently waiting to go bye-bye.

“It doesn’t work at all?” She preferred to wear a seatbelt, and not just because of the law. South Florida had some loony drivers.

“It just takes a little maneuvering,” he replied. “Let me give it a try.” He turned all that magnificence toward her and reached across her chest.

Holy crap, he was totally in her face, his delicious body stretched across her lap. She held her breath and pressed her back into the seat, felt his weight, smelled his soap and baby shampoo. Her every cell fell under his spell. She tried to find her voice. “Any luck?” she squeaked out.

They were eye-to-eye, his mouth so close that if she puckered her lips, that would be it. His gaze traveled downward. He tilted his head like he wanted to kiss her. Uh-oh. She hadn’t made out in years. She probably sucked at it by now. A magnetic intensity pulled her to him, and she had a feeling she’d relearn pretty quickly. Her body buzzed with sexual urgency. Not once in her life had she felt this consumed, this desperate to feel a man’s lips on hers.

Whew, is it hot in here or what? I hope you enjoyed Diane’s visit. Feel free to leave questions and comments for Diane and the giveaway.

Also, if you feel like chatting, I’ll be at the Writerspace chat room tonight at 9 pm EST. Stop by for some fun and prizes!

Visit with Chris Redding! THE FIFTH KINGDOM release & Giveaway

THE FIFTH KINGDOM romantic suspenseI know we’ve been talking about discovering THE LOST energies within us and boy, could I stand to find some energy. I’m still struggling to battle whatever cold/flu I caught at RWA.

A bummer considering that today is the release date for my new romantic suspense release from Carina Press – THE FIFTH KINGDOM!

To help me celebrate my release, my dear friend and fellow author Chris Redding is helping me by allowing me to do a guest post to chat with you about writing and THE FIFTH KINGDOM.

So please visit Chris today and leave a comment on her blog to win a $10 Gift Card and copy of STRONGER THAN SIN.

Also, mark your calendars that on Wednesday night we are having a live video event with none other than the fabulous Larissa Ione! To login into the next live video event and/or spread the news about the upcoming events, you can click here for the countdown widget or use this link: http://t.wbx.me/fgfe9.

Discover THE LOST Energies: Oozing Sexiness

How many times have you seen or met someone and thought, “They just ooze sexiness.” Have you ever heard someone say that a person has “animal magnetism”?

Does that possibly mean that an individual has more sexual energy than those around her? Does it mean that when two people are “attracted” to each other, they are literally drawn together because they possess complementary energies, kind of like the positive and negative ends of a magnet?

It’s kind of fun thinking about sex and attraction in terms of energy and it definitely would explain myths like those of the succubi who drain people of their life forces through sexual activity.

In THE LOST and then in THE CLAIMED (May 2012), you’re going to meet a Shadow Hunter whose affinity is sexual energy. Maya, a villain in the books, feeds off the arousal of others and can also create intense need in those around her because of the force of her sexual energy.

Today’s Guilty Pleasure could probably play a very sexy Maya because she’s totally hot. If you saw her in the first UNDERWORLD, I’m sure you would agree that Kate Beckinsale is a great choice for today’s Guilty Pleasure/Discover THE LOST energies discussion.

Have you ever met anyone who possesses that kind of sexiness/magnetism? What about movie stars? Many think Johnny Depp has that kind of sexiness. Who are some of your sexy favorites?

Speaking of sexy heroes, come hear about CIA Agent Bill from THE FIFTH KINGDOM at this wonderful book club blog!

Photo Credit: Mario Antonio Pena Zapatería@wikipedia.en.com