Reader’s Edyn

I always felt like I could do something more than just read. Finally, I have found both a creative outlet and a chance to do something meaningful with my reading. This blog was created in appreciation of and tribute to all of the authors who have brought me joy through their books. These reviews are my way of giving back to authors and providing recognition for the hard work that each one completes every day!

Friday, June 8, 2012

Guest Post with author Tory Richards

Ellora’s Cave Feature Month
Brought To You By
Reader’s Edyn


Guest Post with author Tory Richards

Good Morning my Lovelies! Quick reminder: Ellora’s Cave Feature Month ~  Remember, the author may have been previously published with EC or is currently published with EC. Either way you will be learning an awful lot about the Ellora’s Cave authors this month. I hope you will continue to join us for this exciting adventure! You are sure to find it very entertaining! So let’s get on with it!

My next EC author is Tory Rickards. Here is her bio from the EC website:

**BIO**

A little about Tory Richards…

Tory is a multi-published, best-selling author who lives in Florida with her soul mate and three crazy cats. She likes to travel, preferably by cruise ship, and doesn’t like to fly but will if she has to. She collects antiques and art, loves chocolate (who doesn’t?) and good coffee.

Tory has wanted to be a writer since she was a kid, but life got in the way of her dreams. A few years ago, with the support and encouragement of her family, she decided to get serious. Her romances are laced with humor and filled with suspense and sizzling sex.

Talk Dirty to Me is Tory’s first erotic romance with Ellora’s Cave and she vows it won’t be the last!


Ms. Richards has generously sent me all three of the Quickies I will be spotlighting toward the end of the post. I have two read currently and need to write the reviews as soon as I finish the last one, so soon you will see what I thought of these three stories.

Please help me welcome:

**TORY  RICHARDS**


**GUEST  POST**
**How  To  Handle  A  Bad  Review**

What? What do you mean a bad review? Not my books! No way! No one would dare! I'm a good writer. I wouldn't be published if I wasn't. Ah...would I? Of course not!

Well, I have news for you. At one time or another you're going to get a bad review. But that doesn't necessarily mean you wrote a bad book. It might, but I tend to look at it differently. The reviewer simply didn't like your story. That's okay. Not every reviewer who reads your book is going to love it. I know that's a hard pill to swallow but come on, get real, that's life. People are different.

My dad rant and raved about how wonderful this one book was, "THE FIVE PEOPLE YOU MEET IN HEAVEN". He couldn't praise it enough and bugged me to read it until I broke down and did. Ohmygod Louise, I had to force myself to finish it. The whole time I kept asking myself, what did my dad see in it that made it so good to him?

Does it matter? Not really. He liked that book and if he'd been a reviewer he would have given it five, count them, five stars. Me on the other hand? Two stars and that would have been generous. I just didn't like the book. But that doesn't mean it was a bad book.

That' s how I look at reviews. I've been lucky. I'm not going to say I haven't received any bad reviews. I couldn't believe that RT (Romantic Times Magazine) gave "CUPID'S ARROW" a bad review and only rated it a two. After all, I'd received so many good reviews for it that they must be wrong. They said the gist of the story was to get the two main characters into bed. Well, duh! Isn't that what some romances are all about?

"CUPID'S ARROW" was on the publisher's best sellers list for two consecutive months. It's one of my favorite books, more like a sweet romance that's packed with humor and steamy moments between the two main characters. Almost immediately of reading what they had to say about the book I calmed down and shrugged my shoulders. To me it simply meant that one person didn't like it. Then I reminded myself of all the other good, no great reviews I'd received for it.

So when the day comes and you get that bad review I hope you remember this post and that it helps you in some small way.

Thank you so much for letting me spend the day here. Leave a comment to be entered into a drawing for a copy of one of my Quickies. Three names will be drawn and each person will receive a different book. Good luck all!

~Tory Richards

You can visit Ms. Richards at the following places:

I want to thank Ms. Richards for appearing today and for taking the time to create this informative post. Ms. Richards has several books out with a couple different publishing companies. If you visit her blog at the link included above, you can check them all out. But for today, I would like to share a few of her Ellora’s Cave titles with you.


**TALK  DIRTY  TO  ME**
An Ellora’s Cave QUICKIE

**BLURB**

Lilly has been in love with her brother’s best friend Blake for years. She lost her virginity to the oil driller on her eighteenth birthday, only to wake the next morning to find him gone. After he pulled that stunt twice more, she swore never to see or talk to him again. But now he’s back for her brother’s wedding, and he’s as irresistible as she remembers.

Blake thinks Lilly’s even sexier than ever. Unable to resist one another, they don’t make it out of the airport parking lot before taking up where they left off. As the two rediscover their passion for each other, nothing and nowhere is off-limits!


**BREATHLESS  SURRENDER**
An Ellora’s Cave QUICKIE

**BLURB**

Months of running into her sexy new neighbor have taken a toll on Alexis’ libido. There’s interest in his smoky gaze every time they meet, but he seems reluctant to ask her out. They never share more than a slight nod and a polite hello. She’s about to take matters into her own hands when she finds herself thrown into a situation that could end her life.

With nothing but erotic fantasies of Alexis to warm his bed at night, Reid knows he has to stay away from her until his undercover assignment is over. But when a cold-blooded initiation to prove he’s trustworthy forces him to involve her, nothing can keep him from claiming her.

Reader Advisory: This book contains a brief scene involving forced seduction.

**HER  HANDS  ON  MAN**
An Ellora’s Cave QUICKIE

**BLURB**

Ivy and Jake were lovers until Jake’s scheming brother interfered. Three months after they part ways, a theft against Jake’s logging company brings them back together.

Ivy’s brother is the culprit and she’s desperate to keep him out of jail. She’s prepared to offer Jake a payment plan—but he has other ideas on how she can pay the debt.

Jake’s been missing Ivy, and he figures a weekend of sex, anywhere, anytime and any way, will cure his hunger. Ivy gives in to his demands and before the weekend is over, more than one truth is uncovered, giving them hope for the future.


**PASSIONATE  ENCOUNTERS **
**THIS  BOOK  IS  COMING  SOON**

**BLURB**

Mike Denton knows he’s in big trouble the minute he meets attractive divorcee Emma Stuart. Busy raising a teenage daughter, he doesn’t have time to pursue his own needs until she’s out of high school. That doesn’t mean he can’t enjoy an occasional after noon delight. The only problem is Emma’s not that kind of woman. And her pretty brown eyes and luscious curves lure him into breaking his one hard fast rule of not sleeping with the same woman twice.

Emma thought she was content with her quiet new life down on the lake. That is until a mistake lands the small town’s hunky detective on her door step. As soon as their eyes meet her body responds to his sex appeal in a big way, reminding her she hasn’t had sex in two years. After he leaves she thinks they’ll never see each other again. But what Emma hadn’t counted on was her sister’s match making skills. 


**HOT  SPOT **
**THIS  BOOK  IS  COMING  SOON**

**BLURB**

There’d been something brewing between John and Sammy twenty years ago when they were teenagers. Only good girl Sammy had been too afraid of his bad boy image. Besides, in those days all he'd wanted was sex. She opted for his safer and more predictable brother, Pat. And when they get married, John disappears.

They’re reunited during a family reunion, and the years disappear in the blink of an eye. Seeing him now, as the successful, sexy man he's become, reminds Sammy that they're both free to pursue their attraction for each other that had never fully extinguished. Only giving in to a weekend of hot anywhere, anything goes sex isn't the only thing Sammy faces. She has to come to terms with loving him.

Ms. Richards has generously provided an excerpt for us to read! Yay! We love us some excerpts on the blog, don’t we? Whoot whoot! So read on and let me know what you think!

**BREATHLESS SURRENDER**
**EXCERPT**
(adult content)

Special Agent Reid Masters, temporarily going by the name Mike Dunstin, came to a halt in front of Alexis, standing for a moment and just staring at her. She gave no sign that she knew anyone was there. But instinct told him that she did. Reid gave her credit. She had to be terrified, yet she remained quiet. No screaming out or pleading for release, no twisting at the rope binding her wrists in an effort to break the restraint. The only signs of her turmoil were the tear tracks lining her cheeks.

Resisting the urge to look at the two-way mirror again, his gaze dropped down her body slowly, feeding the need uncurling and growing in his belly. He’d never had to perform with an audience before. Could he do it? He reached forward, needing to see more of Alexis. He answered his own question when he pushed her hair back to expose her luscious breasts, swelling over the top of her push-up bra. The shape of her full, sensuous body was hot enough to bring him to full arousal.

She let out a whimper when he touched her face, her body stiffening. It didn’t stop Reid from removing the tape over her mouth, exposing pouty lips that were meant to bring a man to his knees. She parted them immediately and sucked in air. Then her tongue came out to wet them. His gaze roamed slowly over her features, drinking in her flushed beauty. Fuck! The bastards had hurt her. A bruise discolored her cheek. He was careful not to let his expression give him away.

Tony, the brown-nose rat, had to be the reason Alexis was here. They’d gone barhopping a couple nights before. Tony had a big mouth. Reid should have remembered that. While making idle conversation with the man to gain his confidence, the topic had turned to women and Reid had casually mentioned there was a hot babe living next to him that he’d like to get his hands on.

Alexis opened her mouth and Reid knew she was going to speak. He moved his mouth to her ear and made a sound for her to be quiet. “Alexis.” He’d made it his mission to learn who all his neighbors were when he moved into the building, but he’d have wanted to learn the beauty’s name regardless. “Don’t say anything.”

She caught her breath in obvious surprise. Reid sensed it was because she recognized his voice, not because he’d spoken her name. “Mike?” The voice that passed through her trembling lips was soft and frightened. “Why are you doing this?”

“That’s not important right now.” Reid said against her ear. “Do you want to live?” Ever aware they had an audience, he ran his hand along her collarbone and around the back of her neck, burying his fingers into the fall of her hair. Damn! Just like I imagined, thick and silky. He rained kisses along her soft cheek to her mouth. But he only toyed with her lips, teasing them with the barest touch of his. Letting their breaths mingle.

“Yes,” she whispered against his mouth. “I—”

“No talking.” His hand was still buried in the luxurious mane of her hair. He pulled her head back, exposing her throat to his hungry mouth. The light scent of her flesh was intoxicating and he had to fight the urge to devour her.

“Please…” she pleaded softly, trembling wildly. “Let me go. I won’t say anything.”

She didn’t listen very well, but then he couldn’t blame her. And Reid didn’t have time to explain what was going on. He had his orders, and his gut told him to get on with it and get her out of there as soon as possible. He had to wonder whether once he removed the blindfold, she would fight him tooth and nail. Or would survival instincts kick in, allowing her to succumb unwillingly to a situation out of her control? And mine.

“Mike”

He felt her slight resistance when his mouth covered hers but he steeled himself to ignore it. Her lips were soft and the taste of mint caught Reid off guard. His moved his hands over her, from her hair down to her waist, taking hold of her hips and bringing her close to him. He kissed his way to her bellybutton, wrapped his arms around her knees and lifted her to give her arms some relief.

Buy Links


So what do you think? If you liked those blurbs, or you want to know more about Ms. Richards, please visit her website. And if you are interested in the books, support these awesome authors and buy their books. You can find out more about the mentioned Ellora’s Cave titles by clicking here: Tory Richards.

I hope you all enjoyed getting to know a bit about Ms. Richards and her EC titles. Please feel free to leave a comment or question for Ms. Richards in the comment section below. We love hearing what you think and finding out what you want to know!

Until next time …
HAPPY READING!!!

7 comments:

  1. I just wanted to take the time to thank you for letting me be a guest on your blog today. I'll pop in now and again in order to respond to anyone who leaves a comment.

    Tory

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ms. Richards,
      You are more than welcome! Thank you so much for taking the time to participate.

      Delete
  2. Kendra, this month Long feature is wonderful.

    Ms. Richards, I noticed you didn't mention responding to bad reviews. Do you think authors should respond or keep it private?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Good question! Absolutely respond to all your reviews! Very important and it reveals that you're a professional. It's not always easy to do but I usually begin by thanking the reviewer for their time and input and then ask them a question.

    Tory

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ms. Richards,
      That must be very difficult at times, but I agree that responding is a good thing. And when someone can respond professionally to a bad review without making it personal, it takes them up in my opinion. The key is to write a negative review respectfully and to try and highlight something positive from the book. Reviewers should be as professional as authors and vice versa ~ should be anyway. *sighs*

      Delete

I lurve comments! Say whatever is on your mind; just keep it respectful. I am always game for a conversation. :)