Today
Those lovely but naive ladies at the Australian Romance Readers Association asked if I’d like to guest blog for them. They probably assumed I’d be interesting and witty. Er, not so much, but I did ramble on and manage to write a whole post. I talk about becoming a writer and how it changed my world. There’s also a little hint in the comments section, if anyone cares for a sneak peek on upcoming news. Also, Book Thingo posted a lovely review of Perfect Formation. I don’t normally announce reviews on my blog, just post them in the reviews section, but this one is connected to the ARRA thing, and besides, I felt like it. 
Eden’s Back
It’s been awhile since I’ve pimped out some Divas, and one of my favorites has a new release!
Spring Equinox
Eden Bradley
Once upon a time, two young lovers vowed to reunite…
Celestial Seductions, Book 2
After a bitter divorce, Isabel Asher returns to Isla de Margarita to find the only man she’s ever truly loved. Twelve years ago, on her eighteenth birthday, they made a pact to meet…if they both were free. Now she waits, wondering if Rafael Cruz will be her every fantasy come to life…or just a foolish dream.
Rafael never forgot their summer of love all those years ago. Since then, no other woman has measured up to the memory of Isabel in his arms. Their chemistry is still stunning, the sex is sizzling. The power of their memories is overwhelming. Yet it’s too soon to tell if she wants to be with him as much as he wants her.
As her time on the island grows short, their sensual play heats up, and includes a night with Rafael’s best friend. But they must decide if their passionate reunion is simply a celebration of the past…or a new beginning for lasting love.
Valentine’s Day Part Two
I had a lot of fun watching the events unfold at The Romance Studios 2009 CAPA Awards. I didn’t win my category, but it was so amazing to be nominated I couldn’t stop smiling. I worked on a critique for a fellow writer, before giving in to temptation and settling in with Branded Sanctuary, by Joey W Hill. I love her and this series is amazing, so I was thrilled to see her latest was out. I tore myself out of the story a little while ago, and checked my email, to find Perfect Formation has been nominated for the 2009 Australian Romance Readers Award! I am seriously overwhelmed right now.
*happy sigh*
Happy Valentine’s Day!
I’m over at The Romance Studio’s CAPA awards blog, watching the action. I blogged there the other day, and they are giving away a copy of Perfect Formation. Ooh, looks like they’re announcing the first category, gotta go!
Free Read
The folks at Excerpt Monday are doing a special full read for Valentine’s Day. Check out my contribution here!
Don’t forget, I’ll be around on the 14th, watching the CAPA awards at The Romance Studio.
Contest the First
My first contest!
A bunch of erotica authors and I just happened to be at the Hustler store in Hollywood, and I thought of you, my dear readers. I picked up a few items I thought you might enjoy, and then actually remembered that Valentine’s Day is coming up. So I thought, why not have a contest now, so that the winner can receive the prize in time for Valentine’s Day?
Here’s a pic of the prize. 
There is the Sex & Chocolate book, Adult Mad Libs, Pocket Kama Sutra, Pocket Erotic – the Ecstatic Secrets of Sensual Massage, and 52 Orgasm Tips flashcards.
I’ll also give away a copy of either of my books, Perfect Formation or Alpha Turned, unless the winner already has them. In which case, they can choose any ebook I’ve pimped on my site (there are a bunch, just click on the pimpin’ tag at the bottom of this post to see them all).
So, the contest. Comment below and you’ll be entered once. Email the response to one or both of the following for additional entries, for a maximum of three per person, to kb at kbalan.com. DO NOT put the answers in the comments below, or you will get zero entries in the contest. Please add something like “Contest” in the subject line. You’re also welcome to use the contact form here.
1. Tell me the name of any character from any of my works in progress (in other words, not from my published books). These can be found fairly easily in my blog posts.
2. Tell me the name of one of the review sites that has reviewed either of my published books. These can be found on my website.
All comments/emails must be received by Friday February 5th. I’ll announce the winner on Saturday the 6th and as long as the winner gets me their address by Sunday, I’ll put the package in the mail on Monday to make sure you have it by Valentine’s Day, in case you want to make use of any of it. 
I don’t mind sending internationally, but don’t guarantee delivery by the 14th. Actually, I don’t guarantee that domestically either, just that I’ll get it in the mail by the 8th. I’ll email the selected ebook late on the 13th or early on the 14th.
You don’t have to say anything special in the comments, but if you want, you can tell me what you plan to do for Valentine’s Day. While life is subject to change, as of now my plans are to stay in my pajama’s all day, possibly do some writing, read an erotic romance (any suggestions?) and attend the CAPA awards at the Romance Studio (Did I mention I was nominated for best BDSM book of 2009?!?! I did, but I’ll mention it again, because it’s pretty freaking exciting).
How’s that for a first contest? Did I forget anything?
Loving Feisty
My friend Lilli Feisty has a new book coming out! I love all her work but especially her last release, Bound to Please. Her next book, Dare to Surrender is coming out February first and looks just as delicious. She’s got an absolutely hilarious list of Fascinating Feisty Facts on her blog, and a contest to win an advance copy of Dare to Surrender.
Dare to Surrender
Lilli Feisty
Art gallery curator Joy Montgomery has never liked her body’s generous curves. And she’s always been too shy to explore her wild side. But tonight, everything is going to change…Desperate to save her job, Joy approaches bad-boy artist Ash Hunter and asks him to exhibit his erotic work at her gallery. Ash agrees on one condition: Joy must pose as his model. But business soon turns to pleasure, as Joy experiences a passion beyond her wildest imaginings and Ash finds more than just inspiration in his voluptuous new muse.
Excerpt Monday
Once a month, a bunch of authors get together and post excerpts from published books, contracted work or works in progress, and link to each other. You don’t have to be published to participate–just a writer with an excerpt you’d like to share. For more info on how to participate, head over to the Excerpt Monday site or click on the banner above.
***
This is another excerpt from my work in progress, Keeping Claire. It’s a bit further along than the previous excerpt. Just a reminder, this is a work in progress, so it hasn’t been edited! I worked on this scene in a great online workshop at Liquid Silver’s forum, and I just love it, so I had to share. Feel free to let me know what you think.
“What’s your name?”
“Claire Fiordalisi.”
“You’ve already admitted you lied about your name on your application.”
“It’s my name right now.”
He was pretty sure he managed to keep the growl from escaping his throat. “Fine. What was your name before that?”
“Sara Lancaster.”
“And what was the name you were born with?” He had to unclench his teeth to get the sentence out, but somehow managed to keep his hands from strangling her.
“None of your business.”
“I think it is.”
“I can’t really help what you think.”
“Maybe not, but you can’t leave until I’m satisfied, either.”
Her breath hitched at that and she glanced at the clock, her face paling. Was she supposed to be somewhere? Meet someone?
She took in a deep breath, which he recognized as a concession on her part. She was letting them see that she was tired and frustrated. Was she going to stop hiding? Stop pretending?
“All right, look. I didn’t mean to be contrary, but the truth is, as I said earlier, I lied about who I was but I did my best for this company. Nothing else matters. I’m going to leave. If someone comes looking for me, tell the truth. I was here one day and gone the next.”
Her move to stand this time was slower, but when she gained her feet without any apparent dizziness she looked at him, then Jacob. “I’m very sorry if my actions bring any trouble down on you, but it’s best for all of us if I leave immediately.”
She stepped around him and walked to the door, slinging her purse up on her shoulder.
He was beginning to wonder how much of the meek and compliant thing was an act. Sure, she’d come quietly when they’d gone to get her. She’d let him search her and been polite even when telling them to shove it. But her instinct when waking up had been to come up swinging and she’d managed to tell them essentially nothing so far, despite that acquiescent attitude.
When she reached the door, he held his breath, strangely eager for her reaction. She didn’t disappoint.
…
No matter how much she pulled, the office door refused to budge. It wasn’t locked, the knob turned freely and there was no deadbolt, but the door remained closed.
“Fuck! What part of I have to leave to keep you two asshats and your fucking company safe are you not understanding?”
Was that a snicker she heard? Whirling around she found both men right where she’d left them, faces solemn. She narrowed her eyes, too furious to keep her expression guarded any longer. For fuck’s sake, how was she supposed to keep them safe if they wouldn’t let her go? Ryan, it had to be Ryan who’d laughed. He was trying too hard to look innocent.
She advanced on him, finger raised.
“I am trying.” She poked her finger into his chest. He raised his eyebrows at her.
“To help you.” Another poke.
“To keep you from becoming the target.” Poke. Poke. “Of some seriously deranged motherfuckers.”
Tiny little crinkles appeared next to his perfect lips. He’d been pissed before, but now he was laughing at her? He’d better keep it inside or she was going to test out her knee-to-testicle coordination.
Ryan’s warm hand gently enfolded hers and brought her still pointed finger to those damnable lips. Her eyes bugged out in shock as he laid a gentle kiss on the tip before bringing it back down and urging her whole hand to lay flat against his chest. His rock hard chest. Wait, that wasn’t the point. He—
“Careful. I don’t want you to hurt yourself,” he said, allowing a tiny smile to form.
Oh no, he didn’t! “Arrrrggghhh.”
Not exactly articulate, granted, but the phrase perfectly expressed her feelings at the moment. She tried to pull her hand free but he held firm.
Fine. On to plan B after all.
Careful not to telegraph her move, she brought her right knee up sharply. Only, she didn’t connect with his gonads as she’d expected. Instead his other hand caught her neatly below the knee which he moved to the side as he stepped in close.
The sound of a throat clearing reminded her that Jacob was also in the room. Ryan didn’t move however, and she was unable to.
“As entertaining as this is,” Jacob drawled with a hint of an accent she hadn’t really noticed before. “Perhaps we could get back to the matter at hand?”
Claire swallowed hard as Ryan let her leg drop, his hand running along her thigh, pressing it into his own leg as she lowered it. She found herself practically straddling his leg, his hand on her ass.
“Links to other Excerpt Monday writers
Note: I have not personally screened these excerpts. Please heed the ratings and be aware that the links may contain material that is not typical of my site.
The End, Again, My Friend
This weekend I finished the first draft of Keeping Claire. I didn’t set up a reward for myself this time. What do you think, another massage? Or an extra nice dinner out? Must decide soon, or it doesn’t count! In the meantime, I’m excited not just for finishing, but because it means I get to go back and do the revisions for Bound by Sunlight. It’s been more than a month since I finished it, and lately I’ve been thinking about all the things I want to do with it, not to mention missing Connul and Kyr. I’ll let Ryan and Claire rest while I revise BbS. By the time that’s done, I should be itching to get back to them, lol. Now, another decision, this one for the upcoming Excerpt Monday. I have to decide if I want to do another excerpt from Keeping Claire, or introduce one from Bound by Sunlight. There’s a scene just a bit further along than the one I already did for Claire that I really love, so I’ll probably do that. Plus, I did a lot more versions of Claire than BbS, so the early pages are much more polished. BbS just sort of came out in one long effort, where I have about six versions of Claire.
While I’m here, I’ll pimp a new release from a fellow Romance Diva. I haven’t had a chance to check this one out, but it looks yummy.
For Sage, attending the Parisian sex club, Plaisirs Sombres, was the ultimate fantasy. So when the conservative gallery assistant is cloaked behind the velvet mask, she never expected to be the object of the club owner’s desire. Spurred on by D.S. Gregoire’s erotic and sensual brush strokes of the exclusive club, she gives into a brief liaison that leaves her breathless and wanting.
For Damien, known to the art world as D.S. Gregoire, his art has always been an adrenaline rush. But when an exotic and mysteriously uninhibited ’sex club virgin’ enters his establishment, he is willing to break his club rules for another taste of the dark pleasures she brings him.
Enjoy!
Excerpt Monday
Once a month, a bunch of authors get together and post excerpts from published books, contracted work or works in progress, and link to each other. You don’t have to be published to participate–just a writer with an excerpt you’d like to share. For more info on how to participate, head over to the Excerpt Monday site or click on the banner above.
So, I’ve enjoyed doing Excerpt Monday, but so far have only posted excerpts from published books. As in, books that I’m certain at least one person that I trust (my editor) likes. There’s also the fact that she’s, you know, edited it. However, I’m all about pushing my comfort level as a writer (or something like that), so here goes. Please, be gentle.
This is the first scene of one of my works in progress, Keeping Claire.
Movement in the doorway to her office had Claire lifting her head. Her stomach clenched tight with the effort of not reacting to the sight of Ryan and Jacob standing in her doorway. Clearly, the shit had hit the fan. There was no good reason for the two owners of the company to have come looking for her, a hard working but mid-level paper pusher.
Ryan Diel, took a tiny step forward, his hard body stiff with anger. Shit, shit, shit. She’d kept to herself and worked hard for the company, her small way of making up for any trouble she might inadvertently cause them. Their complete collapse, for example. Which meant the only reason for his rigid stance was that they’d found out something about her. And there was nothing good about that possibility.
She rose, slowly pushing her chair back with her legs. Ryan took another step forward when she opened the desk drawer, so she angled her body, allowing him to clearly see the purse she pulled free. He held out his hand and she gave up the bag without question. Oh yeah, this was bad. Lips that she’d fantasized about tightened as he studied her face. She made certain he saw only the blank expression that she’d honed with years of practice. Which unfortunately seemed to piss him off. He narrowed his bright green eyes for a minute before turning and walking out of the room.
She allowed a tiny hiss of breath to escape before squaring her shoulders and leaving the office. Focusing her attention on the taut ass in front of her helped tune out the sights and sounds of her coworkers as they watched her being led to the large office Ryan and Jacob shared. She needed to get out of the building fast, but it was suddenly occurring to her that the brilliant idea to work for a security company had been about the stupidest move she’d made in five years.
At her previous jobs, if human resources or management had called her into the office for an unexplained reason, she would have just left and been in a new city with a new name in a matter of hours. Only now did she realize that cardboard box manufacturers and small bookstore owners were going to react differently than security specialists. Damn it! What had she been thinking? Clearly she hadn’t been thinking enough. Maybe five years had worn her down and she was more tired than she’d realized. She remembered hitting town and walking past this building three or four times before thinking that maybe if she were at a company whose records couldn’t be hacked she would be safer. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
Realizing where she’d gone wrong was not going to help her now and she was an idiot to be wasting time thinking about it rather than how she was going to get out of this building. Regret caused acid to churn in her stomach. Though she’d been careful not to make friends, Teck Security was a good company with friendly, helpful employees and caring owners. She should have left three weeks ago when she’d found herself joking with the receptionist as they walked out to the parking lot. She rarely interacted with her coworkers, leaving them with the impression that she was a bitch. She probably was a bitch, but not the way they thought. It just made it easier for everyone when she had to leave without notice.
Ryan entered their office and she followed, Jacob close on her heels. That the blinds had already been pulled was about all she had time to notice before she was pressed up hard against the now closed door. Her whole body went stiff but she concentrated and relaxed her instinct to fight. Ryan’s hands searched her expertly but she was shocked to feel a tingle in her breasts as he passed over them. There was nothing inappropriate about the way his hand brushed between her legs, but her stomach clenched, and it wasn’t in fear.
The heat of his body left her in a rush as he stepped back. She had to lock her knees to keep from trembling, though from adrenaline or fear, she wasn’t sure. Jacob gestured to the couch and she forced herself to walk to it slowly and sit as if she’d been invited to a meeting, not thrown against the door and searched like a criminal. If there was one thing she knew how to do, and do well, it was pretend that a crazy situation was perfectly normal.
Links to other Excerpt Monday writers
Note: I have not personally screened these excerpts. Please heed the ratings and be aware that the links may contain material that is not typical of my site.