A Human Moment

The same day Push & Pull launched my friend was admitted into ICU. As much as I'd like to say he's doing better now, he's not. They are taking him off of life support tomorrow. It seems strange that I would share this with people I barely know, but I think I owe it to my readers who have been extremely patient with me during this process. I'm thankful for your kindness. In all honesty, I have been trying to push past this and move forward with the release. I thought for sure if I could make it through the weekend I would feel much better about it by Tuesday but the timing just isn't right. The good news is that I have been writing nearly every day and Power Play will be releasing...but it won't be tomorrow.

My heart is heavy delivering this news. It's hard to not to feel like a failure knowing that I am not only letting myself down, but many others as well. I'm sorry. It doesn't feel right releasing the next installment at such a sad point in my life and I need to shift my focus momentarily. I need to grieve, collect my thoughts, and reflect on what a great life my friend has lived, regardless of how short it was.

I won't push the release much longer. I promise. But I won't give a hard date again. When I'm ready to release it I will make sure everybody knows and if you're subscribed to my newsletter, you'll know immediately.

Thank you again for your support and I look forward to continuing Claire & Liam's journey soon.

Pushed Release

Don't hate me. POWER PLAY was due to be released on March 8th, but has since been moved to March 12th. There are several factors that have led to this decision, but for now we're just going to say that the book is already doing better than I ever imagined and I can't wait to share the next part with you ;}

Keep an eye out this weekend for the blurb and cover (even though I've already done a cover reveal). It should be up on Goodreads soon. I decided not to give ARCs for this installment (again, don't hate me) but it all ties into the greater reason. Thank you for the continued support. I'm planning something soon as a give back and it'll be FAAABULOUS...I think so at least!

That's all I have for now. See you March 12th.

Did You Say FREE?

Yes. Yes, I did. February 27th, in honor of hump day PUSH & PULL will be FFRRREEEE!!! If you haven't picked it up yet, please do :} Methinks you will enjoy it...

Also, I will be finalizing the second installment POWER& PLAY and will have ARCs available starting Wednesday March 6th. If you're interested tweet @OhMissMaya or leave a comment on this post.

Thanks so much for your feedback, whether you love it or hate it, I appreciate all of you! <3 xoxoxo

Come Up For Air

I took a break from revising/editing and stumbled upon this gem. Someone I follow on Pinterest had posted it and it struck me because the image is so provocative. I don't know who the artist is, there was no link, but I had to share it. Some of you may see this and think what the hell? At first I thought the same thing, and I can't be entirely sure, but to me this is a take on the term "come up for air". Notice the lady in the fine lingerie in the lower left corner?  And the setting looks an awful lot like a hotel room. Am I right? As an erotica author, I deeply appreciate this image because we walk a fine line between plot and smut in my genre. It's always been my opinion that if a reader is looking predominately for romance then they should stick with that genre. With that being said, I have read many erotica novels that have both convincing love stories and a lot of sex. Finding the delicate balance in erotica is all about learning when your characters need to come up for air. It's in those moments that the plot needs to be compelling and direct in moving your story forward. If you've already read Push & Pull you may have noticed that while there's quite a bit of sex, the plot still moves forward and this is even more evident in book two, Power Play. I can't wait til March 8th because if you loved the first one, I think you'll like the second even more. Now...back to writing ;}

Pinning Problem!

I've been doing a great job staying away from Pinterest, but I hit a little writer's block tonight and ended up starting a board for the Push series. I know, I know...I just couldn't resist!! Check it out and see if our visions align. And if you'd like to give your own suggestions, leave them in the comment box. If I like them I'll add them to the board and tag them with your name :} Thanks for humoring me. Now...back to writing and insomnia.

Book 2 of the Push Series...

Title? Check. Cover art? Check. New review? Check!

The second installment is shaping up nicely and will launch on Friday, March 8th. If you would like to participate in a blog tour leading up to the launch date or are interested in an ARC, please contact me. Also, Romantic Reading Escapes has been kind enough to feature PUSH & PULL on her blog & Facebook. Head on over and check out her review! Okay, I can't wait any longer so let's get to it!

The second book in the Push series is called POWER PLAY and here is the cover...

I want to post the book blurb so bad, but it contains first book spoilers and I'm going to wait a bit to post it. Well, I must be going :} POWER PLAY is occupying my attention and things are starting to heat up! Thanks for stopping by. 

Breaking 100

I'm at a loss for words right now, yet here I sit, trying to verbalize just how grateful I am for the last week. The first of my series, Push & Pull, debuted last Friday and the response has been insane. Today it broke the Top 100 Hot New Erotica releases on Amazon. I'm working diligently on the second in the series and will release the title and cover art sometime next week. Seriously, my heart is overflowing with joy.

Here's a huge thank you to those who have reviewed it or are taking time to do so. Your time is invaluable and imperative to the success. I hope one day to pay it forward.

Stay tuned...

Why Installments?

As a reader, I know how frustrating it can be to purchase a "book" for $2.99+ and realize it's not full length. I've done that one before. However, I'm still a huge fan of installment series and have opted to do the Push series as such for many reasons. If you think about it, there are two types of readers: 1) Those who will read multiple books simultaneously, dashing through a few chapters here and there and 2) those who take a more monogamous approach, reading only one book at a time.

Installments appeal to the simultaneous reader because they can knock it out in a day or two and flutter onto another literary work. But they should also appeal to the monogamous type because of two little words: book coma. It's that feeling you get after reading a girthy book that has basically dominated your life for the past week. Instead of throwing yourself into another full length book, reading installments (serial novels) could be a good way to break it up.

I understand the draw back in terms of pricing and will never expect my readers to purchase a series that exceeds the amount of a traditional novel. Selling 8 installments totaling 70,000 words at $1.99 a pop is highway robbery. I would be furious! But if you break a novel up into 3-4 parts and price them to total the amount of a full length I feel it's reasonable.

Personally, the large draw to me is being able to get content to my readers in a few weeks instead of a few months. Books, to me, are a lot like television in the sense that they're often in series and you have to wait for the next episode to air. This is true with full length and serial novels. Or if you want to make it cinematic, think of full lengths as a movie and installments as a television series. Either way, if the price is right and the writing is great it shouldn't matter.

PUSH & PULL Giveaway Winners!

Thank you to everyone who took the time to enter. You don't know how much it means :} So, without further ado the winners are...

Melanie C
Barbara M

Thibodeaux

Yvonne C

Pratiksha R

Teshia R

Jill C

Myong M

Lee G

Melissa L

You should be receiving e-mails shortly, if you haven't already. I will be hosting another giveaway in the beginning of March so if you didn't win this time, please enter again. And if you can't wait that long it's only .99¢ - Get on it!

New Blog Design

Things look a little different around here. Isn't it delightful? ;} Today is the last day of my giveaway and I'm excited to announce the winners. Aside from trying to get the word out, I've been working on the second installment and it's tough. I'm confident you'll love the second, probably even more so than the first. But balancing my time between writing, networking, and a full time job is exhausting! Hearing from my readers has definitely made it worth it, and for that I thank you.

Keep an eye out soon for the title and cover art for book two! 

5 Reasons To Read Erotica

While trying shamelessly to pimp my book I had someone tell me it's not their kind of thing. Not that there is anything wrong with having preferences, but it made me think. Why do I enjoy erotica? The obvious answer would be that it's basically porn for women, which I don't entirely agree with, so I compiled a brief list of why women (and men) should consider erotica:

1. It's not a genre you normally read, and if it is then you don't need to read the rest of this...
2. When well written, it's fun to read. You're enjoying yourself and giving your mind a workout. Woohoo!
3. It provides a safe place to explore. If you're married and fervently against a threesome, but have always kind of wondered what it's like then erotica could be for you. You can experience things you'd never dare to do in real life.
4. It can spice up your relationship. I can't tell you how many friends have regained that pep in their step from reading titles like Fifty Shades of Gray. Just don't call out Christian's name in bed.
5. It's cheaper than libido/testosterone supplements. Laugh all you want, but you know it's true ;}

I just gave you 5 pretty solid reasons to maaaaybe consider erotica. And if you're looking for a good gateway book, try PUSH & PULL. Yeah, I know, shameless plug but it is my blog.

PUSH & PULL Giveaway!!

In honor of PUSH & PULL's book birthday, I'm giving away 10 FREE copies to the first 10 people :} If you're interested e-mail me

Oh, and HAPPY SUNDAY! Let's just pretend tomorrow doesn't happy and indulge in a sexy book.

Social Media & The Erotica Writer

I'm sure it's no surprise that social media and web design are not my strong suits. If you thought otherwise, allow me to pat myself on the back and be super excited that I fooled you :} Yesterday was the release of book one in the Push series, Push & Pull, and I've been working furiously to get things in order. If you're a fellow writer you know how it is. You put your heart and soul into a book, staying up countless nights second guessing yourself. And once the book is done you think now what? 

Well, that's the stage I'm at. I want to share it with the world! So, I've been all over the place today. I now have a Facebook, a Goodreads, and I'm trying to use Twitter more. It's not even about selling a ton of copies (though that would be nice). I want to understand my readers, what they like, how I can improve, and it's exciting. It's so damn exciting. Thanks for wanting to take this journey with me :} Here's where I'm at:

Twitter
Facebook
Goodreads

Now, where else can I go?

Push & Pull Book Birthday!

Today was the release of Push & Pull and I've never been more proud or excited. It's been a long month and there will be many more to come. Thank you for your continued support and feedback. You're amazing :}

Title Announcement!

The past few days I've been kind of quiet...not that I've posted a ton of content before this, but you get the point. Anyway, the wheels have been turning and I've been plotting the perfect title and cover for my upcoming series in which you can catch a sneak peek here and here. Both excerpts may need a little shining up, mind you, but that's what release day is for. The first installment is due to launch February 2nd. I am incredibly excited, so without further ado the title is *drumroll*...

 

This could change, though I highly doubt it. I think the title and cover perfectly capture the essence of this book. Stay tuned for more updates & if you're as excited as I am, tell a friend

Sneak Peak #2

I've been having too much fun over here so here's another sneak peak of my upcoming series. Enjoy, xoxo!

***

Andrew moved the hair from my neck and brushed his lips along my shoulder. I took another swig of scotch allowing the alcohol to yank me back to reality.

“No. This is crazy,” I cried, stepping away from both of them. “I hardly know either of you. What kind of woman do you take me for?” The words burned me as they left my mouth. What kind of woman was I? The kind who seduces another woman’s man and hides the pleasure she gains from it under a business name. That’s what kind. My conversation with Nicole returned to me. Cringing at the thought of Lucca’s rejection, I took another swig. Maybe I was out of touch. Maybe I was forgetting it was all a game and I needed to be retaught the rules. Liam and Andrew continued to stare, unabashed by their plans to have their way with me. And I couldn’t believe for one second that I was entertaining the proposition until Andrew unbuttoned his shirt.

“Yes.” The words barely tumbled out before Liam had me pinned against the refrigerator. His mouth pressed firmly against mine, parting my lips so he could get a better taste. Andrew peeled off his shirt and started unbuttoning my jeans. His hand slipped down past my waist band. Instantly I was wet. This was happening. My mind was running through every scenario as Andrew’s fingers probed the thin cotton of my thong. Liam stripped off my shirt and began flicking his tongue across my erect nipples. I stifled a moan but Andrew caught it just in time to sneak past my thong and sink a finger inside of me. My body quivered and I bucked my hips against his hand.

“You like that?” he groaned in my ear, moving me away from the fridge and bending me over the island. I nodded ferociously, biting my lip to keep from crying out. The cold marble counter top made my nipples even harder as Andrew wrapped a hand in my hair and pushed my face down. He grabbed the crotch of my thong and yanked it down out of the way.

Another finger slipped inside of me. Liam had stepped away, almost nude aside from his pants which he began to unbutton. I hoped he’d be inside of me before this was over. Andrew jerked my head back, cramming in another finger.

“Oh, fuck,” I cried out, placing my hands over the edge of the counter.

A Sneak Peek...

Hello, my fiends ;) I've been working tirelessly on a new series, untitled at the moment, but still very exciting. I feel bad I've been keeping it under wraps so I'll give you a sneak peek. Enjoy! xoxo

*** 

 By the time I arrived the restaurant was buzzing. Women in short dresses they had no intention of wearing circled around the bar, nursing their watered down cocktails. A few of them looked up from their idle conversations to scowl at me. I could have been the ugliest woman there. It wouldn't have mattered. I was in their hunting ground now. They laughed at unimportant jokes and pretended to be much more inebriated than they really were while men sized them up. Pathetic.

The bartender motioned at me, “What are you drinking?”

“Scotch neat.” His eyebrows flickered with amusement as he began to pour. I scanned the room for crocodile shoes but the dim lights lent nothing to my cause. It was going to be a long night. I took a hearty swig of the amber colored liquid allowing it to burn down my throat. The sting made me feel like I was alive.

“Gentlemen prefer blondes,” a deep, soothing voice said from behind me. I didn’t bother to turn as I took another drag of scotch.

“I’m a redhead.”

“And I’m no gentleman,” he replied. His hand met softly with the small of my back as he flexed his palm inward, breaking the physical barrier. Clever.

I turned to him, met by fiery emerald green eyes and a solid, square jaw. Each side of his face smeared with charcoal stubble that opposed the neatly kept locks resting upon his head. He was handsome. And if I needed further proof a faint scar adorned the upper left part of his lip. It was only noticeable when he opened his mouth to speak again.

"Brandy?" He gestured towards my glass. Instead, I glanced down at his shoes. Slate colored Armani boots. Hot. But this wasn't my mark.

"I'm not interested."

"Why? Do you prefer blondes?" He flashed a winning smirk before signaling to the bartender to get me another drink.