The Christmas Eve Surprise

Being the want-to-stay-at-home-and-read-all-the-time introvert I am, I find it incredibly hard to make friends. So when I come across someone who clicks, I count it as a huge blessing. One huge blessing in my life is author Ivy Bateman. We met online in the blogging world and have supported each other in our writing endeavors ever since.

So when I heard she was having a book release today, you know I had to cheer her on. She writes the most inventive stories I’ve ever read.  I have no idea where this woman gets her ideas, but each tale she tells is completely original...and freaking steamy hot (since she happens to write erotic novellas)!

Christmas Eve Surprise is no different. For this one, I actually know where the idea came from and still...still!...the slant she took on O. Henry’s famous holiday story is ingenious.

This is my favorite Ivy Bateman story yet (though, okay, I tend to say that after each one she writes), and not just because she dedicated it to me (oh yeah, you heard that right!! This one’s for me, baby), but this short, tasty thing actually ends with a happily ever after.  I love to tease her because none of the couples in her stories have gone off into the sunset together at the end.  Until now! (you can thank me for that... okay, fine, you can thank Ivy for that!)

I’m so proud and completely excited to give the mike to Ivy and let her give you a glimpse into her head, showing us where some of her story inspirations comes from...or hmm, how her story inspirations get lost!


Inspiration Lost and Found

First off, thank-you, thank-you to the lovely Linda for having me on her blog today! I'm so happy to be sharing space in her niche in the cyber world on release day! Christmas Eve Surprise is out and about and ready to be purchased. It's a warm and funny Christmas story, perfect for reading by a cozy fire…or on the bus…or in the tub; where ever you prefer to read your digital stories!

So, the other day I was trying to think of a topic for this blog post. I've written quite a few over the last week or so due to my promo tour for this release. I always try hard to come up original topics for each post, but it's not always easy. Anyway, I was in the shower, thinking away when inspiration hit and before I got out of the shower, I had the post half written in my head!

However, when I sat down to write it, it was gone! I couldn't remember a single word let alone the topic! I was quite annoyed with myself for not having taken time to at least write the idea down so that I wouldn't forget! Now, I ask you, why does this happen? And not just with writing but with many things: books you want to buy, gifts for friends or family that you think will be perfect, that song that you have to buy right now because you can't believe you've lived this long without it AND then! You go to buy it or at least remember your fabulous idea and it's disappeared; just vanished from your head like it never existed. I'm not really looking for answers so much as giving a general wondering some word play.

Tired of trying to remember the fantastic blog topic that didn't want to scurry out from under the other pile of things I need to remember to do, I went and told my husband of my woe. He said that the loss of inspiration sounded like a good topic in itself. I agreed and said it was a good idea and he said that I was welcome and that he was awesome. I also agree. He is awesome and very helpful.

And as you can see, this blog post is basically about his suggestion, but to expand or side step just a little, my story Christmas Eve Surprise is actually an idea inspired by my husband that had to wait. Last year he suggested I write a Christmas story based on Gift of the Magi, a tale we both enjoy, but I just couldn't get into it. I had a kernel of an idea, but I wasn't in the head space to write something as nice as this story turned out to be. Instead I wrote Baby, You're Cold Inside (this week on Breathless Press it's only 99 Cents!) which was based on A Christmas Carol and although it's a fun story, it's a much darker and well, colder tale. I had very little trouble writing it so clearly it was a story that at that point in time I needed to write. This year however, has been a bit of rough one emotionally and personally and I was only too happy to turn my focus to something fun, light hearted, warm and happy.

From time to time inspiration is lost in the shuffle of life, but eventually it may let itself be rediscovered and be exactly what you need at the exact time you need it.

I wish all of you the very best of the season.

Ivy Bateman

Story Blurb:

It's Christmas time and Tim and Stella are on the hunt for the perfect Christmas gifts for each other. Since last Christmas, their hot love life has cooled substantially. Tim feels he's to blame and Stella thinks it's her fault, but this Christmas both of them have put a lot of thought into how to make the other happy and put the fire back in the bedroom. However, with such unorthodox gifts ready to be revealed, will their Christmas Eve present opening be a pleasant surprise or an unwelcome one?

Excerpt (beware: it's racy!):

As the weeks crept closer and closer to Christmas Eve, Tim had had begun to worry that he wouldn't find a man that would have sex with him in front of Stella. He had fixated so much on this fantasy-fulfilling evening being his Christmas present to her that he'd not taken the time to find her another gift. Both he and Stella took finding each other the perfect gift very seriously. It wouldn't do if she was to present him with a gift she'd put a lot of thought into, like the beautiful chain she'd gotten him for his fob watch last year, only to be presented in return with a cardigan she didn't like or a hat she'd never wear.

He pulled out a key, unlocked his desk drawer, got out his black book, and pored over all of his carefully written notes. Tim looked at the dozens of entries he'd written about most of the single and attractive men in his office. None of them had seemed to be someone who would be willing to have a night of hot man sex in front of his wife. He felt doomed to give Stella a gift she would remember forever, but only because it was one he hadn't put any thought into. With a heavy heart he closed his black book and returned it to the drawer.

As he was locking it, his boss Terry walked in with an extremely good-looking man. The stranger filled his office with a god-like presence.

Ivy's books are available from the Breathless Press Website:

 

IvyBateman on Breathless Press

Ivy B Misbehavin

Or follow Ivy on Twitter:

Or Like Ivy on Facebook:

 

Or drop Ivy a line at: ivybmisbehavin@gmail.com

Win a Copy of "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak

LAST DAY!

YAY!!! We've made it to the twelth and final day of my big blog book tour for The Color of Grace. Whew!

Today, the grand finale book to win here is The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.

To get a hardback copy of The Book Thief, simply play the scavenger hunt by visiting every stop on the tour for today and finding the answer to this question:

On which month and day did Linda Kage's (that's me's) first kiss happen?

When you have your answer, type it in the comments section on this blog post. One lucky name I draw from all the correct answers, WINS the book!

Today, I’ll be at five different places.

So, you are cordially invited to attend:

#1

What : An interview.

Hosted by : Ivy from Ivy B Misbehavin'

Where : at http://ivybmisbehavin.blogspot.com/ *Caution: There is an adult content warning on this blog, but today's post is all-age friendly*

Why : Because it’s the grand finale for my Book Tour!

Prizes : If you visit Ivy and comment on my interview post before October 15th, you will have a chance to win the tour’s grand prize – a $30 Amazon gift card.

#2

What : A Guest Post (called "That was so five-minutes ago")


Hosted by : Fran from Books and Beyond

Where : http://www.booksandbeyond.net/

Why : To celebrate the last day of The Book Tour!

Prizes : If you visit Books and Beyond and comment on the post there before October 15th, you will have a chance to win the tour’s grand prize – a $30 Amazon gift card.

PLUS, there is also a chance to win a totally awesome touch screen gloves on Books and Beyond today.

#3

What : An ebook Giveaway of The Color of Grace


Hosted by : The Romance Reviews

Where : http://www.theromancereviews.com/

Why : Pretty much to celebrate the END of this tour, woo hoo!

Prize : an ebook of The Color of Grace.

#4

What : A puzzle plus a paperback giveaway of The Color of Grace


Hosted by : Romancing the Book Blog

Where : http://romancing-the-book.com/

Why : Because it's all over!

Prize : a paperback copy of The Color of Grace.

#5

What : A review and giveaway

Hosted by : Fara from Tumbling in Books

Where : http://tumblinginbooks.blogspot.com/

Why : The fat lady is SINGING!

Prizes : If you visit Fara and comment on the post there before October 15th, you will have a chance to win the tour’s grand prize – a $30 Amazon gift card.

PLUS there is an added giveaway for an ebook of The Color of Grace on Tumbling in Books today as well!

***

Have fun hunting for that answer...and maybe learning a little about my new book while you're at it!

All the winners of all the tour prizes will be announced Wednesday, October 17th!

Please Welcome Guest Author, IVY BATEMAN!!

What I like best about blogging is meeting new people and actually making a new friend. Case in point: Ivy Bateman. I met her online in an interview she had at Amber Skyze's blog (I think that was where, anyway!), and ever since then, we've become email pen pals, talking about our families, and writing, and occasionally ranting about this and that together.

Another thing I like about making a new writer friend is getting to read her stories before they're published!! And, oh my goodness!! Was I ever blessed to get a preview of Ivy's THE FIFTH STORY!  It was...well, I don't even know what word to use. Engrossing, maybe. Captivating. It sucked me in until I just couldn't put it down.

After reading the blurb, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. Maybe something like The Never Ending Story, except the erotic version (since that's what Ivy writes).  *Shrugs* I don't know.  After reading the entire book, however, I'm even more clueless under which genre to label this story.  It's like a class all unto its own.

It's easy-to-read, yet these hidden depths will jump out and surprise you. The theme you discover the entire story was about all along is utterly amazing. Yet it's disturbing and dark with an adventurous race against time that keeps your flipping pages to see which bizarre, unbelievable thing will happen next. Granted, it's intended for a certain kind of crowd; the adult content is...very adult. I remembering thinking, "This is wrong. I shouldn't be reading this. My mom would disown me if she knew," all the while, my eyes were as wide as golf balls as they stayed glued to my iPad screen. It left me thinking about all the plot twists and turns long after The End. Reading The Fifth Story wasn't just reading, it was an experience.

Which had me wondering...how in the world did Ivy come up with such a crazy, genius idea for this tale (I'm picturing a mad scientist. You have Einstein hair, sticking up at all ends right now, don't you Ivy)? How did she piece all the different parts--that seemed totally unrelated to each other--together to make one uniform, amazing story?

Well...here's her answer.  Take it away, Ivy!

Thank-you Linda!

I have to say that one of the great things about being friends with someone who has asked you if you’d like to promote on their blog is that sometimes you get to read your introduction beforehand! That was an effusive and extremely flattering review of my book!  I can only hope that other readers will feel the same way. Yes, there are very adult bits...bits that I would be mortified if any member of my family read! However, they were very fun to write!

And I have to agree with Linda that one of the best things about blogging is the people you meet. Linda, as regular readers of her blog can probably tell, is a very warm person and I know this even though we’ve only spoken in written words. She has been a huge support in more than just putting me on her blog. I’m very grateful that we connected all those months ago and am very happy to be on her blog for the second time!

So, the questions at hand…how did I come up with idea for The Fifth Story and weave the stories together? Those are good questions. I have partial answers and I don’t know answers too; answers that I'm not at will to answer the questions, but I'll try.

The Fifth Story exists because of NanoWriMo 2010. (The National November Writing Month) At the encouragement of a couple of friends of mine I signed up for the contest and unfortunately, went blank; not a good feeling. However, on Halloween Night, a novel idea finally hit me. I had a few stories, half stories and random ideas, kicking around; stories that I liked but hadn’t really found the time or the inspiration to complete. How could I use these fragmented ideas? I decided that my character Bryn had written them all and that the fact that they were complete in her world was enough. When she entered, she would know what was going on and be able to reveal to the reader just enough to keep them from being lost...hopefully.

I immediately became excited. I had an idea! Something to work with, but I felt that Bryn needed to have 4 stories to travel around in and not just 3. That's when something very strange happened. As I drifted off to sleep, the ghosts of Halloween circling around my room, a stray image flowed into my semi-conscious brain. I’m not sure if I was dreaming or whether my imagination just picked up the thread of a thought and ran with it, but within seconds a fully formed story about a fisherman and his wife dropped into my mind. It was an incredible feeling. I knew this story would be perfect for Bryn to go into. I felt certain that all of the four stories would work together even though they were very different. When I woke up in the morning, I was ready to start the challenge of NanoWriMo 2010.

That is essentially how I came up with the idea for The Fifth Story, but how I wove them together, well...that's where the "I don't know part" comes in. I consciously connected parts of the stories and brought in things from one story into another, but theme that is carried out throughout the book was not intentional. The ending, and what makes The Fifth Story, also did not become fully realized until I reached the final chapters. Even though it was a writing challenge and I didn't have any intention of getting it published, I'm a perfectionist and I still wanted it to make sense and before I wrote the last few chapters I reread all that I had written. Anyway, as I read through the novel I realized that without meaning to I had written a novel with a fairly significant theme. I was very happy to discover it was there because it meant that there was really only one way to end the novel.

For those of you who would like to read on, here's my blurb and an excerpt. Thanks again very much to Linda for having me on her blog today!

BLURB:

Every day we encounter doors. Some of these doors are open to us and some of them are closed, but when we pass through any door, a different truth or mystery lies beyond the threshold.

The night Bryn is pulled into a world of her own stories by a shadowy being, her reality is changed forever. Souls and danger, hauntingly beautiful witches, sexy and dangerous vampires, a soldier with a dying wish; she knows that each door leads to a story and to outcomes she can't control, but in order to return home, Bryn must complete a set of tasks for the enigmatic and strangely sensual Darkness.

With four stories to enter, four items to retrieve, Bryn takes part in plot points so out of character that she almost loses herself in the tales she's written. More than once she questions her sanity and curses herself for creating such perilous realities, but she always remains focused on her goal; the creation of the fifth story.

EXCERPT:

She walked quickly around the counter and headed to where the sign indicated where the washrooms were, but she couldn't find the women's room. Then she almost slapped herself with ridiculousness. Who cared if she went into the men's room? She marched over to the door and pushed on it. Immediately she fell back. The door was stuck. She pushed on it harder, but could only open it about a foot. Something, or someone, was lying in front of the door. Bryn squeezed her head through the narrow space and looked down at the floor. Coran was lying passed out on the cold tile.

Bryn thought maybe something strange had happened in her story, and Coran was already dead. How lucky would that be? However, she realized that the story hadn't changed that drastically when Coran groaned, revealing that he was very much alive. He rolled over, away from the door.

With his weight suddenly off the door, and Bryn's weight still being pushed against it, the door went flying open. Bryn stumbled and fell into the washroom. None too gracefully, she hit the floor with a satisfying smack, and knocked her head against the tile floor with a hard clunk.

"Ow," she said, as she rolled on her back and pressed her hands against a rapidly rising goose egg on the right side of her head. "Ah" she yelped as the door closed on her foot.

"Are you okay?" asked a voice with a gentle Scottish brogue.

Bryn turned her head and opened her eyes. Coran, who looked like he'd been through a rough time, was leaning over her. His blond hair was a mess and it fell into his gray eyes. He had soot on his face and he smelled, not unpleasantly, of smoke. He gave her a little smile. "My dear, are you all right?" he asked her again.

She smiled in return. She was touched by his concern. The ash on his face and the apparent absence of anyone else in the castle told her she had come into the story not long after the first time she'd entered with Darkness. Coran had every right to ignore her and he really had no time to get involved with a stranger and yet, he didn't seem to be in any rush at all. Instead, he helped Bryn sit up.

As soon as his hands touched her skin, Bryn gasped and felt her heart beat quicken. Coran looked embarrassed and quickly, on unsteady legs, he stood up and got a paper towel. He wet it with warm water and kneeled down a couple feet away from Bryn. He handed her the paper towel. "Your face, it's quite dirty." 

"Oh, thanks." Bryn said, trying to avoid looking at him too much. Her heart was pounding in her chest. Why had she written Coran to have this effect on women? "It looks like I'm not the only one that's recently been in a bit of a scrap," he said with a chuckle. Bryn couldn't help beaming at him with amazement. He was just as kind as she'd written him to be. However, if she was correct, this man should be putting all chivalry aside and be searching the castle for Melusine. He should be calling upon the ancient gods to help him in battle with the sea witch, but instead, here he was, watching Bryn wash her face and being concerned about her well-being.

"Is your head very sore? Can you stand?" he asked as he gently touched the bump on her head, but quickly pulled his hand back when Bryn sucked in her breath at the feel of his hand on her hair

"Yes, I mean—no, it's fine, and yes, I can stand," she stammered as she pushed herself off the floor. She again tried to avoid eye contact with him, but it wasn't helping. Coran was having a profound effect on her senses—something which she should have remembered could happen, but had completely forgotten about. In her story, Coran had a powerful effect on women and it was something he could do nothing about. Whether it was his aura or his pheromones, no one could tell, but women, upon meeting Coran, not only couldn't control themselves around him but didn't want to. Their thoughts would travel immediately down a sexual path as soon as they stood close to him and they would offer themselves to his every whim. Even the most reserved women would find their bodies pulsing immediately with desire for the tall blond stranger. Only those who knew how to, could control their passions for Coran. Katie, his assistant, was usually one of them, but sometimes, her guard would slip and she would be overcome with sexual longing for her handsome boss.

Bryn was finding her own guard was slipping rapidly and started thinking about very naughty things and wishing that she had time to explore her hidden bad girl side. Was this happening because she'd written him this way or was it because he looked so much like Tyler?

Ivy's Blog: Ivy B Misbehavin' | Follow Ivy on Twitter | Become an Ivy Fan on Facebook

The Fifth Story is available at Breathless Press and aRe

Interview with DEVIN MONAGHAM, Hero in Ivy Bateman's "Between the Lines"

She felt herself grow hot—she knew she was blushing, and she should at least acknowledge his presence, but she couldn't. Devin...she'd completely forgotten the unbelievably sexy Irish writer was one of the seven authors launching a book tonight!

For some time now, she had been hoping to meet him and, had she remembered Devin was part of the book launch, she would have steeled herself for this moment. Ever since Isaac introduced her to Devin's work, she had developed a crazy, high-school crush on him. She loved his rough-around-the-edges good looks and often gazed hungrily at his author photo on the back cover of his books—cigarette in hand, sometimes smiling, sometimes not. Lara usually found smoking to be a turn off, but this didn't seem to be the case when it came to Devin. He had beautiful hands and sexy eyes. When he held a cigarette, it looked as though he was making love to it. Lara found him irresistible.

She snuck a glance at him in the reflective elevator wall. He was lovelier than his publicity photos had ever captured. He was looking at the floor and grinning slightly, a dimple adorably apparent on his right cheek. He ran his hand through his mop of dark brown hair. It gleamed in the light, begging to be touched. Lara immediately pictured his head working its way down her body, her hands tugging at his locks, maybe pushing it to go even lower...

Lara quickly stopped her imagination from running wild and was about to look away when he looked up and met her eyes in the glass. He smiled at her; a shy, slightly knowing smile...one that told her he knew what she was thinking. That was ridiculous. How could he know?

She returned his smile, or hoped she did. She may have just let her jaw drop. She started to attempt a sentence when the door chimed and opened into the lobby. For a moment, neither of them moved; they stood in the elevator looking at each other in their reflections on the wall.

"After you, Ms. Munroe," he quietly lilted.


********************BLURB********************
You just read an excerpt from:
BETWEEN THE LINES
by
Ivy Bateman

Buy Link: Breathless Press
********************************************* Linda Kage: Today, we have political writer, Devin Monagham here with us. Devin is the hero in IVY BATEMAN's debut erotic romance novella, Between the Lines, which released last month from Breathless Press. So, put your hands together for Devin! Hey handsome! The burning question in all our minds this morning is...Who IS Devin Monaghan? Could you please describe yourself in 100 words or less?

Devin: Who is Devin Monaghan, well that isn't exactly an easy question to answer. How does one talk about one's self without coming across as a bit of a narcissist? Okay, I suppose I could be described as humorous, devilishly handsome (laughs), and I enjoy quiet evenings at home with my books, my wine and if I'm lucky, with a lovely and intelligent woman who will read to me while in state of very little dress…Perhaps that's too much information…but there you have it: me in a shallow nutshell.

Kage: Give us a peek into your head. What is one happy memory you have?

Devin: Pretty sure I gave you a peak into my head in question one! But, okay happy memory… the first time someone said, well my editor said "They’d like to publish your book and here’s a sizable advance!" If truth be told, it was the advance part that really brought out the elation. However, I was both happy and horrified: happy because finally I arrived a time where I could make a decent living doing what I love, writing and horrified because I would now have to enter the world of serious deadlines.

Kage: Okay, now let’s skip to the stuff I want to hear about…this is a romance writer’s blog, after all! Before going into this story, what was your romance life like?

Devin: Romance life…I wouldn’t call it a “life” so much as “moments”. I don’t have time right now to have romance as a regularly scheduled part of my day. One day maybe, but for now, I cherish the moments which are divine, heavenly…better than I’ve experienced before and I’m pretty sure I don’t quite deserve.

Kage: I've heard rumors about you and some erotic romance author. Lara something or the other? Oh, yeah. I've heard of her! So what’s going on there, and why isn't your relationship with her like it's been with every other woman you've dated before?

Devin: Well, my goodness…someone has done their sneaky research! You are clearly referring to the lovely Lara Munroe. Our relationship…yes it is different, far different than I’ve had with anyone else. The why though…that’s what you want to know. I think it’s because she’s so free, so uninhibited and not just…you know…in a certain room…She loves her career, her writing, her fans. She loves to laugh and has a brain behind those blazing green eyes. People are drawn to her. She has an inner fire you can’t ignore and in my case, have trouble doing without. The romantic “moments” we share, well…I hope they will become more than moments before too long.

Kage: What do you like most about her? And what do you like least?

Devin: Well, what I like the most is that when I talk, she really listens to me. She understands me. A lot of women I’ve been with only nod along, and have no real interest in the world I write about. We can have deep conversations about all sorts of topics and on the nights where wine is involved, we can solve all the world’s problems while we’re at it! (smiles) But what I like least…I know I should say “Oh nothing! She’s perfect!” but, and well it’s only a small thing…she’s very chatty first thing in the morning. I have trouble remembering what brand of animal I am when my alarm goes off and Lara, she loves to have full conversations immediately. I’m just not cerebrally capable first thing in the morning..

Kage: How do you intend to handle this situation with her?

Devin: Well, I usually just mumble at her and say that if we’re going to converse when I only have four brain cells working, could she please bring me some coffee? Sometimes she does, sometimes she throws a pillow at me and heads to the shower and…sometimes…she wakes me up in a much more personal manner…I tell you…that kind of thing will get a man talking! Maybe not in complete sentences, but it’s a good warm up!

Kage: Thanks for stopping by and gracing us with some eye candy--I mean, with your presence. Was there anything else you'd like to add before getting along on your way?

Devin: Eye candy indeed…no, no…Lara’s the one who’s worth looking at! But thank-you for saying so and for the interview; it’s been lovely meeting you. Cheers!

*********************************************


If you're curious about Devin's author, here are other places to find IVY BATEMAN on the web:

Blog: http://ivybmisbehavin.blogspot.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/IvyBateman

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003227535431


Publisher: Breathless Press