Hello Everyone!

I am deeply delighted you chose to visit today, whether you are with the Blog Hop, one of my fans, or if this is your first time.  

A smidgeon about me, I'm a full-time erotic romance author with over 50 short stories out.  I have everything from raunchy cheerleader "porn" to sweet historical erotic romance (with, of course, lovely sex!).  I have been writing since I was a child, though it was much more innocent there has always been an element of the romantic.  I have never had a book where the character doesn't progress partly out of love.  I am a mother, a wife, and an artist.

For the blog hop I have decided to give away one of my books (Deep: A Rape Fantasy) and a $10 gift card to your choice of Smashwords, Amazon, or Barnes and Noble.  Simply place your name, preferred gift card vendor, and email in the comments below this blog for an opportunity to win! 

Deep: A Rape Fantasy is the first of a story-heavy series about a school teacher, Alysson Jennings, and her best friend Micah Noble.  

When Micah asks Lyssie about her deepest darkest fantasy, he isn't expecting her to talk about rape!  The two discuss the different aspects of her fantasy, and Micah decides he wants to be the one to give it to her!

Each of this (currently) six part series brings a hot, dark, and steamy relationship to new levels and has the characters dealing with psychological and physical trauma.  

Thanks so much for visiting, I hope you have a hot and steamy summer and a fun time exploring the rest of the blog hop!

                               Kisses, 
                                     Lesa

P.S. Be sure to look around the "All Lesa's Works" tab to the left - if you don't see something you like email me - I love a challenge!

Being a professional writer can cause a massive headache of words.  Many writers have word goals or page goals in order to meet their novel or output goal.  Since most writers work from home those goals can sometimes be put aside in favor of laundry, taking children to the park, Facebook, dinner, and that show you've been waiting for on TV.  If your family relies on you for certain things words can be "justifiably" put on the wayside to put your family first.

I find that my output has greatly suffered since my daughter stopped taking naps, there is always more to do with a three year old on the loose.  Finding ways to stay focused while she is entertained come in spots of maybe an hour, but typically closer to 30 minutes, or the time it takes for her to watch a cartoon.  I find that I need to set up certain points in order to help me stay focused.

Here's what I do - let me know what you do to stay focused for your chance to win a $5 Gift Card to Amazon!  (Please be sure to put in your email so I can get it to you!)

1.) Set aside or fulfill your distractions.  I start my day by getting my 3 year old breakfast and a show.  While she eats I get my blog out (If I'm doing one that day.)  This ensures that she's happy and distraction free for at least a half hour, while also being happy and cared for.  Laundry is also another easy one to do throughout the day, set it and forget it for an hour.      

2.) "Go to work."  An environment change helps me remember I am at work, despite the fact that I'm still sitting in my living room.  My favorite is to turn on some music.  Something mood setting and not overpowering.  But if you aren't a music writer, try a candle, or water fountain.  Not only does will this help me remember I'm writing, but it also is an indication to my family.  They hear my music and know I'm not ignoring them, I'm working.

3.) Come up with a plan.  What piece will you work on?  What scenes are you hoping to get through? Are you introducing a new character - whats his name and stats?  If you are having difficulties staying focused during your writing period, write these out beforehand in a quick outline so you know where you are going.

4.) Open your document.  I know this is ridiculously silly, obvious, and simple, but you have to have your work available to work on it.  My biggest problem is I sit down at my computer and the first things I open are Facebook and Farmville.  Not conducive to getting words on the page.  If you are starting a new piece get it set up and organized the way you like, save it before hand so you can just hit ctrl+s on occasion without breaking your flow. 

5.) Set up "break times" typically a work day out of the home goes for 2 hours, has a 15 minute break, goes for 2 hours, has a lunch break, goes for 2 hours, 15 minute break, 2 hours and done.  Obviously the point of working at home is the flexibility, but giving yourself a gentle schedule will help you put off getting your coffee until your "coffee break"

6.) If your pen or keyboard is still not functioning take some time to look for inspiration or free write, but set a goal time of when you'll try writing for work again, I usually go about 15-20 minutes for these inspirational moments.

***SIMPLY LEAVE A COMMENT AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST TO WIN BOUND TO HIM!***

I have recently been reading 50 Shades, and one thing that continually strikes me is the use of music through the entire book.  E. L. James has no issue whatsoever mentioning some songs by title in her books, and the moods they cast help shift and adjust the emotions tied into that section of the book.  

Take the below two songs, sexy, erotic, breathy, vs. . . 

. . . fun and silly, old school romance.  The diversity fits with the sections of books they're aligned with.  (If I remember right a graphic sex scene and a sweet dance at a party.)  On E. L. James' website she lists a selection of music from the books. 

Stephenie Meyer also is rather infamous for having her soundtrack in mind when she was writing The Twilight Series.  If you visit her website she includes entire lists of music she wrote to, was inspired by, and her own soundtrack, one for each book.  

The idea of a "Booktrack" has come so far as to now be released in an Apple App.  Booktrack adds ambiance, soundtracks, and special effects, while you read.  The app claims to track where you are reading and create a "truly sensory experience."  And from the reviews it seems to do just that.  

Have you ever experienced Booktrack?  Do you listen to author's "Soundtracks" when they're available?  Do you come up with a sound track while writing?  Comment below with your email address for your chance to win:

For your Kindle, Nook, or in .pdf.  The winner will be chosen Tuesday (Aug. 7th) in the morning.  

I wanted to personally thank all those that participated in the Hero's Blog Hop this past weekend - writers, readers, and commenters alike!

Natasha Donohoo 8 won my $5 gift card, and the official release of who won what is here! :) 

I also wanted to thank all of you who took the time to vote for The Binding: An Erotic Fantasy while it was nominated for the GraveTell's Reader's Choice Award for June of 2012 - bad timing that it ran right in the midst of the Hop, but ah well. :) 

I also want to take a quick moment to say Thank You for sticking with me through my two month hiatus, I haven't noticed a drop at all from my dedicated blog readers, and I want you to know how much I appreciate that.  I am also doing a some giveaways this month as a thank you for being here, reading, and commenting!

So Again: 

THANK YOU!

Lesa: Hello and Welcome new visitors and long time readers!  Today we're in for a special treat.  I've invited Charlie and Meredith from The Penance Through Submission Series in today to chat with us and give us some insight into their interesting lifestyle.  Charlie, Meredith thanks for coming today!

Charlie: Thanks for having us. 

Lesa: So Charlie, you aren't the "typical romantic hero," but I find that you're one of my favorite people to write about.  What do you think makes you "heroic." 

Charlie: I would hardly classify myself as a hero, my wife strayed from me because I had neglected her needs, not a very heroic act.

Meredith: Respectfully, I disagree, Charlie is an amazing man.  He works hard to provide for me and to ensure his workers are well taken care of.  For years he sacrificed a lot of who he was with his desire to protect me.  He's also very humble and forgiving.  (She smiles lovingly at him.)

Lesa: What do you mean when you say "he sacrificed a lot of who he was?"

Meredith: Charlie and I were married when I was young and he was not so young.  He had experience, but he was my first and only.

Charlie: When I met Meredith she was perfect and  innocent, it seemed wrong to expose her to the world of BDSM, even though I was fascinated with it.  I walked away from the lifestyle for her.

Lesa: That must have been hard. 

Charlie: You have no idea.

Lesa: And it was her cheating that brought BDSM back into your life?

Charlie: I realized that I had let our relationship get stagnant.  As much as I loved Mere, I found myself continually wanting to be at work... I am an addict-personality, when I find something I enjoy I want to dedicate all my time to it.  

Lesa: So you started tying her up to spice up your love life?

Charlie: (He chuckles, squeezing Meredith's hand.) Not at first. The first time I was just so pissed that I wanted to lock her away from the whole world.  I didn't want some punk nosed prick fucking my wife again.

Lesa: (I blush and chuckle.)  So how is married life now that you've had some time since the incident? 

Meredith: (She grins from ear to ear and tucks a strand of hair behind her ear.) Its been good, its almost like I have met a new man, and gotten to keep the one I loved before.  Charlie is more open to things, he lets me know a lot more of his past and I know now what he likes.  And I've found a lot more things I like too!

Lesa: Like?

Meredith: (She blushes and lets out a nervous giggle.) Spanking, spreader bars, teeth, flails, wax, to name a few.

Lesa: At what point did it stop being "penance" and become "romance."

Charlie: (He looks at Meredith and she nods.) I think it was at different points for both of us.  The moment that I felt it started to shift was when she was dripping with need as I spanked her.  It let me know that she wanted it and was willing.  It became more a turn on than a punishment.  Even then I had to be careful with my anger, she had indeed snapped something within me and it was like all my rage was fighting to get out.  Sometimes I think its still penance for both of us.  

Meredith: When the spanking started, I was amazed to find myself turned on by it, but I still feared I had broken my husband and our relationship.  I mean what man would lock his wife away in a bathroom for a week?  (She squeezes his hand to take the sting from her words.) I think my major turning point was the smile.  A hint that he was enjoying it, that he was getting pleasure from my obedience.  It's strange looking back I can see the romance to all of it, despite my fear and self loathing.  

Lesa: What tip would you offer to couples wanting to experiment with BDSM?

Meredith: Communication, patience, and openness.  When you're just starting out you don't know what you're capable of, you may think you'd really like to be spanked and find out that it really doesn't turn you on like you thought it would or vice versa.  BDSM becomes a very personal thing and it takes time to realize what you both like. 

Lesa: One final question, if you wouldn't mind, Since its Friday and "Sexy Song of the Week" day, what's your favorite sexy song?

Charlie: When Meredith left me I fell in love with Lady Antebellum's Need You Now.  The line "I'd rather hurt than feel nothing at all" really struck me.  

Lesa: Thank you both for sharing your story. 

To our readers, please be sure to leave a comment below with your email address for your chance to Win! 

Check out Lesa's Works at Amazon and Barnes and Noble!

I'm sure by now you know the drill, enter a comment at the end of this blog to win one of the three grand prizes, be sure to leave your email address or unfortunately we can't get back to you to let you know you won!  

We have THREE grand prizes:
1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet
2nd Grand Prize: A $50 Amazon or B&N Gift Card
3rd Grand Prize: The following Swag Pack!


I am also giving away a prize:
A $5 gift certificate to Amazon or Barnes and Noble!

Just be sure to comment with your email address!

I decided shortly after publishing my first ebook that I should host a Book of the Month giveaway, and this is our first "competition"! 

The rules are simple: 

Post a comment on this blog post. (Please include your email address so I can let you know if you have won!)  

Don't worry I won't be sending you a bunch of spam emails, and you're welcome to post it as "soandso at gmail dot com" if you feel more comfortable with that.  

The "Drawing" will be sometime on May 15th (Next Tuesday) so look for your "You win" email on Wednesday the 16th.  

I am offering one Free Kindle, Nook, OR PDF version of Penance: Seclusion, the current Book of the Month.  Be sure to check back next month for your opportunity to win next month's Book of the Month!

Some trivia about Penance: Seclusion (Check out the All Lesa's Works page to read a blurb and sneak peek).  

1. Penance: Seclusion is the first in the Penance through Submission series and Lesa's 19th book published.   

2. It is one of Lesa's first erotic fantasies, developed long before she began publishing.

3. The setting (New England) was inserted in the story after her first vacation there two years ago.

4. The idea of someone else being in complete control holds Lesa fascinated.  In addition to a lot of reading and watching, Lesa has enjoyed experimenting with many aspects of this story to make it as real as possible for her readers.

5. Lesa's lover proclaimed this "one of your personal best!"

6. The baby-faced handyman is based on a repairman that visited her home last fall.  (Lesa did not have an affair with him however!)

7. The heater not working properly during winter and heating the house with the oven happened to Lesa in 2010, though it was a Colorado winter not a New England winter.

                         Good luck and Kisses!
                                      Lesa