My bestselling erotic time-travel romance KNIGHT MOVES is HALF PRICE TODAY ONLY at Ravenous Romance! Here's your chance to check out this book (as ebook or audiobook) at half off the cover price! Enjoy!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Interviewed Today at Book Talk
I'm interviewed today at the Book Talk Blog. Drop by and comment for your chance to win a free copy of MARKET FOR LOVE!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
What's New in Jamaica Layne-Land
Hi all--
Just a few updates on the latest happenings in Jamaica Layne-Land:
First, I will have a short story included in the upcoming Black Lace anthology Best Women's Erotica Vol 1: Sexy Little Numbers. My short story "The Fantasy," which features an imaginary (or is it?) sexual relationship between a British college professor and his student, is featured alongside stories by bestselling authors Portia Da Costa, Rachel Kramer Bussell, and Janine Ashbless, among others. Sexy Little Numbers will be in bookstores this August. And check out that hot cover!
Meanwhile, my books have been getting rave reviews all over the place lately. Here's a sampling:
Crave More Romance's review of A CAPITOL AFFAIR: "Once again the fabulous Ms. Layne has written a novel that proves she is a five star author."
Crave More Romance's review of KNIGHT MOVES: "Layne’s setting is perfect, her use of magic unique, her plotline full of surprises. Oh, and did I mention KNIGHT MOVES is packed with sensuality? KNIGHT MOVES is everything I love about erotic romance! "
Jennifer's Random Romance Review's take on my anthologies EXPERIMENTAL and POWER PLAYS: "This entertaining and steamy anthology of erotica short stories has a little bit of everything. "
Coffee Time Romance's rave of VITAL SIGNS VOL 1: I'VE BEEN A NAUGHTY NURSE: "The love scenes in this book are flaming hot and occur everywhere. The passion between Joanna and Harlan is one of the hottest I have ever read. . . .Jamaica Layne keeps the reader enthralled"
There's even more than I can post here, but suffice to say that it is great to see my work getting such raves. And I think that can only mean one thing----more exciting news to come.
Last but not least, I'll be appearing at the upcoming Lori Foster Readers/Authors Get Together in Cincinnati, June 5-7. I'll be hanging around the conference and also doing the book signing. I'd love to connect with any readers who might be attending!
Peace.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Welcome Guest Blogger Ava James!
Today we welcome to the blog Ava James, erotica author for publishers like Freya's Bower, eXcessica, Wild Child Publishing, and Ravenous Romance. I sat down with Ava for an interview recently and here's the exciting result! Take it away, Ava!
What got you started writing erotic romance?
I cannot say for certian when my romance writing took a turn for the hot side, but all of a sudden there I was with explicit sex scenes between my hero and heroine. Mainstream writers like Julie Garwood initially piqued my interest in romance, and once I started reading I couldn't stop. The writing started after I had read a particulary terrible book. I was complaining to a friend about it, and she said, "If you think you can do better, why don't you?" With the gauntlet thrown down, I pulled open a blank word document and started writing.
I cannot say for certian when my romance writing took a turn for the hot side, but all of a sudden there I was with explicit sex scenes between my hero and heroine. Mainstream writers like Julie Garwood initially piqued my interest in romance, and once I started reading I couldn't stop. The writing started after I had read a particulary terrible book. I was complaining to a friend about it, and she said, "If you think you can do better, why don't you?" With the gauntlet thrown down, I pulled open a blank word document and started writing.
What makes your writing unique?
I think that my writing is unique in the mixture of humor and passion. I try to convery that emotional connection that most readers crave while showing that life is life, and sometimes you just have to deal with what comes--the good, the hot, and the ugly. Since I write in several genres, I like to blur the traditional roles to meet whatever interesting mix of elements I have in my stories.
Tell me a little bit about yourself.
I am a product of the 80's, live in the midwest, married my highschool sweetheart in a castle, and am the mother of three adopted furry children. Right now, I have a mother bird right outside my window nesting in my clematis flowers. Besides all of that I am a nanny and substitute teacher by day and an author by night. Let's see, what else can I say? There is always the shameless plug of my links: http://avajamesromance.blogspot.com/ and http://www.twitter.com/AuthorAvaJames
Do you write in other genres? If so, what?
As an author, I consider myself a genre whore. I cannot seem to stay faithful to one area, so I write whatever comes out. From Freya's Bower Publishing (http://www.freyasbower.com/) I have four releases--Royal Cargo is a futuristic Sci-Fi romance with a paranormal twist. The Eagle at Midnight has a modern girl falling for a Welsh god while she is on holiday. A Christmas Cat brings together a sheriff's deputy and a newcomer to town on Christmas Eve. One Touch, One Glance: A Sweet Romance Anthology contains my story entitled "Waking Up." From Wild Child Publishing (http://www.wildchildpublishing.com/) I only have one release, A Crone's Query tells the tale of two men named Tristan (historical).
Here's a blurb for Royal Cargo:
ROYAL CARGO: Kidnapped on her wedding day, Princess Priya of Caethern has more to worry about than her unwanted groom. The fact that she is taken by a disgusting creature, stripped of her formal attire and caged doesn’t sit well either. When she is rescued by a rugged marauder, who is everything her world is not (and all that she wishes she could have), Priya is faced with more danger than any enemy could present.
Hector gets more than he bargains for when he steals one too many freighters from the enemy. The last thing he expected to find was a stolen princess. Traversing through the universe, fleeing multiple enemies, new dangers meet them at every turn. And in the end, the greatest peril may be letting go. Buy it here.
What's next for you?
Currently, I am working to complete a western novel set in 1899 Alaska, entitled Juniper Sky. In September, my historical novel For One Dark Knight is set to release with Siren/Bookstrand Publishing. I also have a story in an upcoming Ravenous Romance Anthology and a law enforcement erotic short with eXcessica. I am a busy girl, so if you would like to hear more, be sure to visit my blog and twitter! Thank you to for having me!
I think that my writing is unique in the mixture of humor and passion. I try to convery that emotional connection that most readers crave while showing that life is life, and sometimes you just have to deal with what comes--the good, the hot, and the ugly. Since I write in several genres, I like to blur the traditional roles to meet whatever interesting mix of elements I have in my stories.
Tell me a little bit about yourself.
I am a product of the 80's, live in the midwest, married my highschool sweetheart in a castle, and am the mother of three adopted furry children. Right now, I have a mother bird right outside my window nesting in my clematis flowers. Besides all of that I am a nanny and substitute teacher by day and an author by night. Let's see, what else can I say? There is always the shameless plug of my links: http://avajamesromance.blogspot.com/ and http://www.twitter.com/AuthorAvaJames
Do you write in other genres? If so, what?
As an author, I consider myself a genre whore. I cannot seem to stay faithful to one area, so I write whatever comes out. From Freya's Bower Publishing (http://www.freyasbower.com/) I have four releases--Royal Cargo is a futuristic Sci-Fi romance with a paranormal twist. The Eagle at Midnight has a modern girl falling for a Welsh god while she is on holiday. A Christmas Cat brings together a sheriff's deputy and a newcomer to town on Christmas Eve. One Touch, One Glance: A Sweet Romance Anthology contains my story entitled "Waking Up." From Wild Child Publishing (http://www.wildchildpublishing.com/) I only have one release, A Crone's Query tells the tale of two men named Tristan (historical).
Here's a blurb for Royal Cargo:
ROYAL CARGO: Kidnapped on her wedding day, Princess Priya of Caethern has more to worry about than her unwanted groom. The fact that she is taken by a disgusting creature, stripped of her formal attire and caged doesn’t sit well either. When she is rescued by a rugged marauder, who is everything her world is not (and all that she wishes she could have), Priya is faced with more danger than any enemy could present.
Hector gets more than he bargains for when he steals one too many freighters from the enemy. The last thing he expected to find was a stolen princess. Traversing through the universe, fleeing multiple enemies, new dangers meet them at every turn. And in the end, the greatest peril may be letting go. Buy it here.
What's next for you?
Currently, I am working to complete a western novel set in 1899 Alaska, entitled Juniper Sky. In September, my historical novel For One Dark Knight is set to release with Siren/Bookstrand Publishing. I also have a story in an upcoming Ravenous Romance Anthology and a law enforcement erotic short with eXcessica. I am a busy girl, so if you would like to hear more, be sure to visit my blog and twitter! Thank you to for having me!
Monday, May 18, 2009
Coming Attractions. . .
Hey Folks---
Yes, I've fallen a bit behind on blogging. My busy home life is to blame, along with deadlines. But never fear----new posts are coming soon, beginning with a guest blogger tomorrow!
Tomorrow we'll welcome erotica author Ava James to the blog with an in-depth interview. Later this week you'll get a few posts from yours truly updating everyone out in Jamaica Layne land what's up with my latest reviews, releases, and conference/signing appearances!
Peace.
Yes, I've fallen a bit behind on blogging. My busy home life is to blame, along with deadlines. But never fear----new posts are coming soon, beginning with a guest blogger tomorrow!
Tomorrow we'll welcome erotica author Ava James to the blog with an in-depth interview. Later this week you'll get a few posts from yours truly updating everyone out in Jamaica Layne land what's up with my latest reviews, releases, and conference/signing appearances!
Peace.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
A CAPITOL AFFAIR is Ravenous' Book Of The Day!
Hey folks--
My erotic BDSM novel A CAPITOL AFFAIR is today's Book of the Day at Ravenous. Check it out if you haven't already. Bookwenches.com recently called it "an imaginative, sexually adventurous book."
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Why Write?
I was recently a guest blogger at the Writer Beware blog (I blogged about exploitive practices in the American theater targeted at playwrights), and in the comments section somebody asked me why I continue to write plays when the chances of success are so exceedingly slim (and even successful playwrights have to deal with exploitive practices and miserable contract terms).
Here was my reply to that commenter, verbatim:
"I think my motivation to write plays in spite of the odds is the same as my motivation to write fiction----because I have to. If I didn't write, I would go insane. I honestly think that the only people who should pursue writing as a career are the people who have no alternative but to write in order to maintain their sanity. If you have any other possible means of making your living, don't become a writer. There are far easier ways to make a living, believe me. I wouldn't advise anyone to pursue a career in writing, simply because it's a career with a 99% failure rate."
I've been thinking about that response for several days now. Why do I write creatively full-time? I could make a lot more money doing what I used to do in the corporate world (which was still writing---it just wasn't writing what I'd otherwise choose to write). Even with top agent representation and multiple book contracts, it's not exactly what I'd call a comfortable living. I work long hours, meet tight deadlines, and wait forever for my royalty checks. I get beat up in the press. My neighbors look down their noses at me when I tell them what kind of novels I write. Other (less successful) writers ask me point-blank when I'm going to give up this whole erotic/romance fiction thing and write something "serious." I get insulted by my fellow Chicago playwrights---I was even kicked to the curb by Chicago's foremost playwriting organization, who told me my work was no good. (And yet, I get lots of play productions in New York City, theater capital of the world---which I don't get to see since I can't afford the days of child care or expensive hotel stays required to leave my suburban home behind for three or four days to see my work up on its feet in NYC). All of this for a paycheck that's a tiny fraction of what I used to earn. Why do I put myself through this?
Quite simply, because if I didn't write, I would go insane. Or perhaps more accurately, I'm already insane. Because only an insane person would choose to write novels and plays full-time. Sure, lots of people like to talk about how they'd like to chuck their cushy jobs so they can write the Great American Novel. But people who do that have no idea what the writing life is really like. If they did, they'd never dream about doing it full time. Being a full-time writer is a real bitch sometimes. It's the hardest work you'll ever do, for the least amount of money. Sure, the Stephen Kings and John Grishams of the world are sitting pretty with their millions of dollars and fleets of private jets. But most of us are just getting by, hoping our current release will sell enough copies for our editors to pick up our next option book, hoping to get a tiny increase in the next advance, hoping that this time around, I'll actually get paid something for that play production in NYC. And all the while, we just smile and nod when one of our relatives walks up to us at a barbecue and says "Oh, so you're a writer, huh? How's that working out for you? (chuckle) When are you gonna give that up and get a real job?"
I already have a real job. It's just a job that sucks sometimes. The old chestnut that all writers are crazy is true. Because only a crazy person would take a job that pays less per hour than most people in the Third World make in a month, has a 99% failure rate, and means public scrutiny and journalistic insult for the 1% of us that do succeed.
Just check me in to the loony bin, folks. Because I love every minute of it.
Here was my reply to that commenter, verbatim:
"I think my motivation to write plays in spite of the odds is the same as my motivation to write fiction----because I have to. If I didn't write, I would go insane. I honestly think that the only people who should pursue writing as a career are the people who have no alternative but to write in order to maintain their sanity. If you have any other possible means of making your living, don't become a writer. There are far easier ways to make a living, believe me. I wouldn't advise anyone to pursue a career in writing, simply because it's a career with a 99% failure rate."
I've been thinking about that response for several days now. Why do I write creatively full-time? I could make a lot more money doing what I used to do in the corporate world (which was still writing---it just wasn't writing what I'd otherwise choose to write). Even with top agent representation and multiple book contracts, it's not exactly what I'd call a comfortable living. I work long hours, meet tight deadlines, and wait forever for my royalty checks. I get beat up in the press. My neighbors look down their noses at me when I tell them what kind of novels I write. Other (less successful) writers ask me point-blank when I'm going to give up this whole erotic/romance fiction thing and write something "serious." I get insulted by my fellow Chicago playwrights---I was even kicked to the curb by Chicago's foremost playwriting organization, who told me my work was no good. (And yet, I get lots of play productions in New York City, theater capital of the world---which I don't get to see since I can't afford the days of child care or expensive hotel stays required to leave my suburban home behind for three or four days to see my work up on its feet in NYC). All of this for a paycheck that's a tiny fraction of what I used to earn. Why do I put myself through this?
Quite simply, because if I didn't write, I would go insane. Or perhaps more accurately, I'm already insane. Because only an insane person would choose to write novels and plays full-time. Sure, lots of people like to talk about how they'd like to chuck their cushy jobs so they can write the Great American Novel. But people who do that have no idea what the writing life is really like. If they did, they'd never dream about doing it full time. Being a full-time writer is a real bitch sometimes. It's the hardest work you'll ever do, for the least amount of money. Sure, the Stephen Kings and John Grishams of the world are sitting pretty with their millions of dollars and fleets of private jets. But most of us are just getting by, hoping our current release will sell enough copies for our editors to pick up our next option book, hoping to get a tiny increase in the next advance, hoping that this time around, I'll actually get paid something for that play production in NYC. And all the while, we just smile and nod when one of our relatives walks up to us at a barbecue and says "Oh, so you're a writer, huh? How's that working out for you? (chuckle) When are you gonna give that up and get a real job?"
I already have a real job. It's just a job that sucks sometimes. The old chestnut that all writers are crazy is true. Because only a crazy person would take a job that pays less per hour than most people in the Third World make in a month, has a 99% failure rate, and means public scrutiny and journalistic insult for the 1% of us that do succeed.
Just check me in to the loony bin, folks. Because I love every minute of it.
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