Archives: Featured

Guest Promo: The Last Train Home, by Jae J. Jenson

The Last Train Home

Jae J. Jenson

Casual hook-ups are not Katherine’s usual modus operandi. She’s level headed, confident and definitely not into throwing caution, and her knickers, to the wind.

However, when the last train becomes the stranded in a pitch black tunnel train, she finds herself alone in the dark with a gorgeous stranger, who makes her an offer she ought to, but can’t refuse…

Author Bio:

Jae J Jensen is the name under which I have stepped into the world of M/F Erotic Romance. Some of you may know my alter-ego, Lisa Worrall, under which I write M/M Erotic Romance.

I live in a small seaside town just outside London and am ordered around by my two children and a dog who thinks she’s the boss of me. I’ve been writing seriously for two years now and am loving giving voice to the characters clamouring inside my head–although sometimes they ignore me completely and do exactly what they want!

You can find Jae J. at her blog and you can purchase The Last Train Home at Amazon US and Amazon UK

The two words no writer ever wants to admit…

I’m stuck.

There, I said it. Send the pitchforks, blast me with fire, blow my house over with a million breaths. I’m stymied. Table for Two, my hot lunch #3, is sitting in my folder, and every time I open it up – I stare at the scene, the words written, the direction I am going, and then… nothing. Nothing comes. No divine inspiration. No prose. My fingers hover over the keyboard and my mind reels, but not with anything useful.

Ryan and Samantha wait patiently for me to get my shit together, but the truth is – I don’t have my shit together. When I write, it’s usually from some emotional place, only right now, I feel like a black hole. A vacuum. Every thing has been sucked out of me, and I am bereft.

I’m lonely without my characters whispering to me, urging me, demanding I write. I know what other prolific authors say to do – just sit down and write. Anything. You can always fix it later, but just force yourself.

I can’t. For some reason, I’m blank.

Sigh. The lights on, but there is no one coming to the door. No pounding, knocking, yelling, smiling, whispering. Just… darkness.

Just Listen, already!

Good Morning fair readers, Eliza Prince coming to you live from my… bedroom. *Winks* I’ve wrangled the hellions up and they are playing games, so I have a few moments of peace to write you this important blog post.

First, let’s start with a video called “It’s not about the nail,” for some laughs, though the the couple in the short do touch on a sensitive topic.

It’s Not About the Nail from Jason Headley on Vimeo.

There are many ways of listening to your partner. Sometimes I want to smack Jett upside the head and say, “Dude. Shut the fuck up and hear the words that are coming out of my mouth! Don’t interject, don’t give me your advice, and for the love of… don’t tell me how I feel!”

How many of you out there have experienced this level of “OMG, Just listen, already!” I know I have. I know Jett has as well. Ha – I bet you thought this was going to turn into a bash men post, well, guess what? Us ladies have to be good listeners as well. That means not getting so defensive about everything, and when we do want to rail at the fact he left his dirty clothes in a heap on the floor, as well as a trail of mud from his boots across three floors… Take a breath. Remember – His needing to talk about something, isn’t about you. Let me say that again – “It’s not about you.” (Well, unless it is about you, but that’s a whole ‘nother topic, yo.)

Why do we get defensive? Out of fear. We feel threatened by sensitive topics, afraid we will be asked to change, stop doing something our partner detests, or do something uncomfortable. (Kinky sex aside here, gutter tweeps. Experimenting might be another post, but it doesn’t totally relate to where I’m headed right now)

Defensive listening creates distance, people. You can have a closer connection with your partner by listening with an empathic ear. Focus intently on your partner. Keep eye contact. Don’t interrupt, even if you really, really want to.

I’m going to post a list from therapist Marcia Naomi Berger, on “How to Actively Listen to your partner.”

First, make sure that the conversation about a potentially sensitive topic occurs when both of you are calm and when distractions are unlikely. Then follow these six steps:

1. Stop what you are doing. Take the necessary time to really listen to your partner.

2. Look at your partner. Eye contact expresses that you are ready to listen. Body language and facial expression also indicate an interest in listening. Focus on your partner. Try to push everything else from your mind.

3. Listen to your partner. Listen without interrupting, arguing, or giving advice. If you are having a strong emotional reaction to the words, notice it. Breathe in and out slowly a few times to center yourself. You will have a chance to express yourself later, but for now, just listen.

4. Rephrase or repeat what your partner says. This step encourages us to be good listeners. It also helps us understand the other person’s meaning and feelings. Rephrasing also helps the partner recognize and clarify his or her feelings. Start with, “I hear you saying ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­__________________.”

5. Always check with your partner whether your interpretation of what was communicated is accurate. Ask, “Am I understanding what you are saying correctly?” The speaker should clarify his or her meaning if the partner’s interpretation seems inaccurate, after which step 4 should be repeated.

6. Be empathic. Seek to understand your spouse’s emotions in the situation she or he is describing. Try to put yourself in your spouse’s position. Save your advice for another time.

Then, reverse roles if you need to clarify your opinion, or viewpoint, or share your thoughts and feelings, do the same six steps for your partner.

Don’t presume to know what your partner is thinking, feeling, or going through. Just Listen, and try to understand. At the end of the day, that’s all your partner wants. For you to understand them. You don’t always have to agree, in fact, differences breed personal growth in my opinion, so embrace your differences, but listen with an open heart, an empathic ear, and zipped lips.

Sincerely,

Eliza from Finding Time.

Breaking News – Aurelia and Ceithin

Breaking News:I just unpublished Fractured Moon from Amazon- So I can go back and fix everything I want to. It’s been a year long decision in the making, and I’ve finally decided to just go ahead and do it. No time like the present. Fractured Moon will be a stand alone novel when it’s finished, and all the loose ends will be tied up. All the villains will be dealt with. There will be more action, more romance, more dialogue. I’ve learned so much over the past year, and I want to make Aurelia and Ceithin proud.

I’m happy with Fractured Moon’s new direction, I hope you will be too. — feeling excited.

Aurelia Fridell will always be a freak. Born to werewolf parents, her twin brother Ville can shift forms, but she can’t. Twenty-five years searching for answers yields nothing.As her thirtieth birthday approaches, isolation creeps in, and worry settles in her gut. She accepted her existence long ago, and yet lately, she’s felt off-kilter. Eyes follow her, prickling her senses. Her headaches are getting worse.

Is she paranoid, or is there really someone, or something, stalking her? Watching. Waiting. Drumming fingers to a sinister beat she can’t hear.

Time will tell.

Ceithin Starkley isn’t looking for a mate. Especially now. In fact, he doesn’t believe in true-matings at all. While he is being recruited for a new job, a scent on the wind stuns him, and he finds himself fighting an inner battle he never wanted, yet can’t ignore.

Sparks fly, as Ceithin and Aurelia fight fate and race against a clock neither knows is ticking.

Will he claim Aurelia before he loses her for good?

Warning: This book is sexy. Contains a drool-worthy Alpha male wearing Beta clothing. A sassy and sweet heroine with brains and brothers you’ll adore. A best friend every girl would love to hate. I mean have. And an impossible road no one will see coming.

I can’t wait to re-write Ceithin and Aura. I’m so happy to finally make this decision.

 

Monday Mourning – Totems

Monday arrived after a turbulent weekend – My dh’s birthday, Mother’s Day, four children who seemed hell bent on making the decibel level rise to noxious levels, just to torture me for their amusement. Yet here I sit, pondering life and choices. There are moments when I believe in fate, karma, past lives, reincarnation, soul mates, bonds etc. Then there are moments where I question my sanity, the world, life, and meaning. Days where I try to stay positive, upbeat, happy, when all I want is to cry for reasons unknown to me.

Do you believe in Totems? Lately, this past month, I’ve seen this Peregrine Falcon. (This is a photo from the internet, but the same coloring as the one local to me)

This is one article I read on Falcon totems: and holds true for what I am going through. (Just thought it was interesting, and I’d share)

The Angelic Shaman Totem of the Falcon almost always refers to the Falcon’s meaning of a past life connection and protection. Expect to meet someone from a past life that you have a strong connection with. You may have been sister, brother, mother, father, friend or foe in past lives; whichever the past connection it is time for your souls to work things out.

Falcon medicine also brings and suggests swift movement, mental agility & higher vision over all of the BIG PICTURE. Way back in history the Falcon originates as an emblem of the SUN, thus falcon medicine promises success, victory and rising up above a situation as so does the rising sun. The falcon also represents Archangel Michael as a sun symbol.

The Falcon is king of all birds & can also suggest a huntsman, or the Germanic sky-gods Wodan & Frigg ~ also symbolizes the trickster Loki.

The Falcon can be considered a warlike symbol.
Falcon medicine promises ‘animal totem visionary ability’, wisdom and guardianship of your visions.

Falcon medicine also indicates an awakening of visions that may lead you to your life purpose or an expansion of your life purpose as in developing unseen gifts you may have learned in past lives.

The Falcon almost always carries a message of transition and change through soul growth and healing – perhaps in your craft, work, hobby, residence, sensitivities, new level of talent, new gifts of spirit being brought that will change you.
Falcons hover in slow motion over their hunting grounds & are also very patient to sit for hours watching out for prey. Once the prey has been spotted the falcon will move swiftly towards its prey.

Falcon medicine asks us to use our mind in seeing our best move BEFORE we act at an opportune moment. It asks us to focus on precision in our decisions with strategy towards building our dreams. Sun symbols like the falcon often represent dreams that we are very passionate about in our heart. Dreams that make us happiest that maybe we have not manifested before. Spirit sends falcon to ask you to take part in your own dream by researching and planning strategy as pursuing a hunt.

The Falcon shows deepest of majestic mystery… the grace to fly alone with the dignity of knowing that not all men & women know all facts on Earth so they may not understand the solitary flight amidst the highest spheres. The falcon whispers of old secrets of our soul…

http://angelicshamanministry.com/2012/01/28/falcon-angelic-shaman-totem/

I question everything. I constantly wonder. There have been choices made in my life, by me, and by others, that I can’t explain or control. That I can’t define or make sense of.  So, I sit here staring out my window into my front yard, happy the trees are finally turning green after a long and cold winter, yet I am filled with a an inner flux. A discord. I feel disconnected and disjointed. I’m not sad. I’m not happy.

I wonder what prose I will write today.

Perhaps a new story about a Falcon.

The newest chipmunk – Code Blue Episode 1

Good Morning,

I created my first podcast yesterday and uploaded the lovely piece. I listened to it and laughed my ass off. I’d never used Garage Band before on my Mac, so I didn’t realize there were different mic settings. The beginning of my podcast showcases me in all my high pitched, chipmonkey glory. I thought about re-doing it, but the recording was over thirteen minutes and I just didn’t want to do it again. Plus, it is rather funny.

“Because I love cupcakes!”  Makes me laugh hysterically every time I hear myself say it.

Without further ado, here, go take a listen and learn a little about me, and my stories.

Confession Wednesday

Well, it certainly has been a long time since my last confession, hasn’t it? What can I say? I’ve been writing, in emotional overload, chaos has swirled around my life and my kids, well, the hellspawn are in top form. I’m still not sleeping, eating junk food, watching sports and I can’t wait for Dexter to start back up in June. Right now I’m invested in Game of Thrones, The Voice, Nurse Jackie and the NBA playoffs, though the Celtics are now out O.o.

I can’t believe May is already upon us. Seems like just yesterday it was February, and I was at the Casino with my best friend.

So, what to confess this time around.

I’m hypersensitive. Too much noise, too much light, too much chaos and I start to shake, and my head hurts then my body shuts down and I retreat. I can’t be outside without sunglasses. Whether it’s sunny, hazy, or snowing, I have to wear shades. I have wicked light green eyes, and my heritage hails from Scandinavia. (Finnish and Swedish)  I have freckles and natural blonde hair with red highlights. I’m fair skinned and pale.

Part of my hypersensitivity stems from a gift, and part of the overload comes from when my emotions get the better of me.  Sometimes large crowds affect me, other times they don’t. I never know when the HS will set in and take over. I’m not a captive to it, I don’t allow it to run my life, but occasionally I hermit myself away.

Anyway. There is my confession for the week. I hope you all have a fantastic weekend.

Today is my middle daughters birthday – She is Seven. Happy Birthday Sweetie <3

Fan made Duality Quote pictures <3

Special thanks to Lorraine Masterson for making these awesome photos.

Thank you so much, these are awesome!

Duality is on Amazon

Grrr. You know, you should never upload or publish when you’re exhausted. I put my author name wrong >.< I don’t use periods in my name. Although, I know I probably should I use ER Pierce instead of E.R. Pierce. Well, I put the periods in for Duality and now it won’t be right or like my others.

I know I can fix it after it’s uploaded, but then it will take a while because of how Amazon does things.

Sigh. Woe is me.

Still, if you’re interested in the story, check it out – Duality on Amazon

Duality is on Kickstarter ~ Spread the word

I’ve decided to take the exciting plunge and enroll Duality on the kickstarter website with the hopes I’d earn enough to pay for some really cool marketing, and the Book Expo America in May/June in NYC. If you’d like to donate/pledge here is my kickstarter page – Author ER Pierce.

By pledging you can earn cool prizes like an exclusive paperback print, swag, advanced reader copies of Duality and even dinner with me! You might be able to name a character in book two, “Righteous” or have a line in the story.

If I don’t succeed in my funding, that’s okay. Duality will still be published, but the funding will cast a broader audience net.

So, take a moment to peruse my prize packs, and if you can donate the price of a cup of coffee – awesome. If you can’t donate but are willing to help spread the word – Thank You. Word of mouth is precious to authors and artists.

Be a part of making Cordelia Kelly and Duality a smashing success!

12 days to pledge! Hurry!