It's a very Naughty Spring Fling! (@naughtyliterati #boxedset #99cents)

It's finally here! And it's wonderful!

The Naughty Literati have given birth to another boxed set--our third in about six months (and yes, it's been exhausting).

I'm very proud of this anthology. The stories are marvelous and Nicole Austin, our cover artist, has, as usual, outdone herself. She just gets better and better!

Here's a snippet from my story, Spring Training. It's about a hot baseball pitcher who gets very special training...

She practically dragged him to her room, and once she’d gotten him inside, slammed him into the wall and tore off his jacket. “Nice of you to dress properly,” she murmured while she made quick work of his tie, then ripped his shirt open.

“You too.” He grabbed her head and pulled her in to kiss her hard on the lips. “I practically came in my pants when you walked into the room. I’ve been hot for you all fuckin’ day long.”

He shoved his tongue into her mouth. Pain lanced through him, starting where she’d bitten his tongue. “If I want your tongue, I’ll go in and get it,” she snapped.

He jerked back and stared at her, jaw slightly agape.

“Have you done this before? Not sex, but giving up control to your partner?”

“Not really,” he said slowly. “Not as such... I mean, there have been times that a woman pushed me down and mounted me, but nothing stated. Nothing blatant.”

She slid her hand into his hair and clenched her fist, holding him tightly. “Nothing like this.”

His scalp tingled. Tears started in his eyes and he blinked. His cock jerked, hardened. “No, nothing like this.”

She released her grip to rub his scalp, and the tingling faded, replaced by warmth. “Okay, so you’re a newbie. Why did you agree to give yourself to me so quickly?”

Give yourself to me. A shudder ran through his body. “The very thought of it... It’s hot as hell. You’re hot as hell. And your confidence is a big part of it.”

She grinned again. “Do you have any idea what’s going to happen?”

He shook his head.

If you want to know what's going to happen, get your copy of Naughty Flings here: http://indi.uno/1EaiEqB

Want some free naughtiness? Naughty Hearts, a previous anthology, is free one more day! So if you want more romance spiced with a little naughtiness, go for it!

GET IT HERE: http://indi.uno/1BH3Uxu

And...we have a contest! Yay! We're giving away a Kindle Paperwhite loaded with books from the Naughty Literati.

Who are the Naughty Literati, you ask?

They’re a group of authors who’ve come together to showcase their epic talents in stories filled with powerful eroticism and satisfying romance. Their tales range from heartwarming and sweet to scorching hot erotic; medieval to futuristic; humans to aliens and shape-shifters; vanilla committed couples to kinky ménage fun.  

Here's the site URL with the contest:

http://www.naughtyliterati.com

ENJOY!

A #99cent Saturday Spanking from Suz deMello

This spanking comes with a nod toward Valentine's Day and, yes, that movie... I've discounted the book from $3.99 to 99 cents for the weekend!

In publishing my BDSM memoir, Perilous Play: The Real Fifty Shades, I observed people, quoted them, criticized them. Naturally I had to run the manuscript by folks I featured, even if I fictionalized their names as well as the times and places where we met.

One such person was Trapper Hart, my first Dom. My misadventures with Trapper comprise a large chunk of Perilous Play since, because it was my first kink relationship, had an enormous impact. In fact, Trapper left me not only with a broken heart, but a huge case of PTSD and a bladder infection.

We met to discuss the book on Valentine's Day exactly one year ago. He told me he did not want to think he was "that guy." I looked him straight in the eyes and said, "I told the absolute truth."

He visibly wilted, and when we parted that night, apologized for his poor conduct.

BFD.

Anyhoo--the sex was OTT great even if Trapper and I were, ahem, not well suited otherwise.

Here's a sexy little spanking scene for ya:

...he wrapped his arms around me in a full-body embrace.

I had never felt so cherished in my life. Trapper’s hugs were all consuming, his

kisses magic.

Then, without warning, he swatted my bottom. Hard.

I yelped.

“Don’t yell in my ear,” he growled, and slapped my ass again.

I buried my face in his shoulder and emitted a squeak.

Here's what the book is about:

One woman’s journey into the contemporary kink underworld, Perilous Play is Suz deMello’s explosive personal account of her experiences with BDSM. Engaging and honest, this groundbreaking memoir will grab you and never let you go.

Here's where you'll find it: http://tinyurl.com/MemoirDeMello (Amazon)

This is a blog hop! Find other sexy spankings here:

Perilous Play Leaves Suz Hot and Bothered (#memoir #50shades #BDSM)

The assignment from TPTB at Book Boyfriends Cafe this Friday is to give you, faithful readers, a scene in which our heroine has become hot and bothered by the hero's seductive blandishments.

The following describes one of my first submissive sexual experiences:

We explored the dungeon and the equipment. The play space was clean and nicely decorated, with the usual emphasis on chains and black leather. There were Saint Andrew’s crosses, racks and slings, all of which intrigued me. The old-fashioned dentist’s chair startled me. I’ve been with a dentist, and little about him had been sexy.

Upstairs was a huge, romantically draped bed with sturdy-looking bedposts. A few feet away was a contraption that looked as though it had been designed with bondage and discipline in mind. It had a horizontal ring to hold the face and head attached to a surface, perhaps three feet long, for one’s torso to rest upon. Arm and leg supports, and every inch of it was padded. Every part of it had rings for the attachment of ropes or chains.

I looked at him and then this…bondage device…and then back at him. He smiled.

I said, “I want you to know that when we do this, I’m going to develop some deep feelings for you. I’m falling for you.” I know myself fairly well, and am aware that for me, sex and intimacy are intertwined. I wish I didn’t feel that way, but I tend to become emotionally involved with the men I’m fucking. The weekend had already been very intimate, and deeper intimacy was coming. I asked Trapper, “Can you deal with that?”

I needed to know that I would be taken care of. Not just my body but my mind and heart as well.

He told me, “Yes, there will be a role for you.”

A niggle of doubt itched me briefly, but at the time, that was enough for me to hear. I was eager to advance into this new experience, one I had craved for so long.

He directed me to remove some of my outerwear before hooding and gagging me. Then he guided me to the whatever-it-was and eased me onto it face down. He secured wrist and ankle restraints around me, then tied them to it. Lifting my skirt, he cut off my black lace panties.

I told myself never to wear panties around Trapper again. What for?

So I was bound to immobility and completely available. I was gagged, which meant that I could maybe grunt out my “safe word” if necessary. Or not.

Again, I don’t recall exactly what happened.

I remember being spanked, flogged and thoroughly fucked. I remember being smacked repeatedly with something—I didn’t know what, but I suspected it was made of leather—that hurt like a motherfucker. I recall begging him, “Please, sir, please sir, please sir…” through the gag.

I remember coming a lot.

I remember Trapper bending over me, covering me with his body and heat, hissing into my ear, “Whose are you?”

To which I promptly responded, “I’m yours.”

And I meant it.

The excerpt is from Perilous Play: The Real Fifty Shades. Very little in this fictionalized memoir is untrue. The above scene definitely happened.

Here's what the book is about:

One woman’s journey into the contemporary kink underworld, Perilous Play is Suz deMello’s explosive personal account of her experiences with BDSM. Engaging and honest, this groundbreaking memoir will grab you and never let you go.

Links:

http://tinyurl.com/MemoirDeMello(Amazon)

This is a blog hop! Find other "hot and bothered" authors at the Book

Boyfriends Cafe!

http://www.bookboyfriendscafe.com

Get Hooked by "THE REAL FIFTY SHADES"--Perilous Play by Suz deMello (#BDSM #50shades #romance)

I'll confess: I got hooked.

While I've always been hooked on books, today I'm talking about a man. A very sexy, enticing man.

His name was Trapper Hart and he was my first Dom.

This is how he hooked me:

I had met Trapper Hart a couple months before—we attended the same law school. One day, mentally drained after a con law midterm, I left the classroom to find a tall, well-built guy lingering outside. Smiling, he engaged me in conversation, and I tried to seem really interesting because, articulate and attractive, he was everything I looked for in a man.

He didn’t ask me out right away. We started our friendship in the library, where he’d bring me cappuccinos—wet with extra foam, and treats—he knew I liked double fudge brownies with nuts.  

He’d found out what I liked, and I luxuriated in the notion that he really cared. I didn’t know this man well, but he had a knack for getting under my defenses. I’d had numerous boyfriends, and none had ever bothered to discover my cappuccino and brownie preferences. It was special, and made me feel special.

Here's what the book is about:

One woman’s journey into the contemporary kink underworld, Perilous Play is Suz deMello’s explosive personal account of her experiences with BDSM. Engaging and honest, this groundbreaking memoir will grab you and never let you go.

On sale now for the discounted price of $3.99!

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/509003 (smashwords)

http://tinyurl.com/MemoirDeMello (Amazon)

Remember, this is a blog hop! Find other authors' fantastic work here:

A Discounted Spanking--Perilous Play is on sale! (#spanking #sale #fiftyshades

This weekend, I've dropped the price of my bestselling memoir, Perilous Play, down to $3.99.

What's it about, you ask?

One woman’s journey into the contemporary kink underworld, Perilous Play is Suz deMello’s explosive personal account of her experiences with BDSM. Engaging and honest, this groundbreaking memoir will grab you and never let you go.

And here's that sexy spanking:

We stopped on Mount Tamalpais and walked through the forest. Atop the mountain, we could see the ocean through the damp, cool redwoods. Evening was starting to fall and the setting was very romantic.

I brushed a hand over some of the abundant foliage and asked, “Would you like to cane me, sir?”

He didn’t ask me to strip or even take down my pants, which surprised me. But when he started on me, I was glad. I was reduced to begging and pleading within seconds.

       When he finally stopped, he stuck his hand down my jeans and caressed my pussy... I came instantly. 

If what you read intrigues you, find the discounted book here:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/509003 (smashwords)

http://tinyurl.com/MemoirDeMello (Amazon)

Remember, this is a blog hop! Find other authors' sexy spanking snippets here:

A Dark and Dangerous Midweek Tease~~Perilous Play, The Real Fifty Shades (#FSOG #fiftyshades #50shades #bdsm)

I'm trying a blog hop that's new to me--at least I think it's a blog hop. It seems a little different than most I've participated in. It's called the midweek tease.

This week I'm promoting my fictionalized memoir, Perilous Play: the Real Fifty Shades, in anticipation of the release of the filmed version of Fifty Shades of Grey on Valentine's Day. My story however, is decidedly dark and dangerous by comparison to the Harlequin-esque Fifty Shades novel.

The cover of Perilous Play states: based on a true story. The fact is, very little in this memoir is fiction.

Places and names have been changed. The time in my life when these events occurred is altered. One scene was added, to wrap up the story and tie it in a tidy bow.

But otherwise, it’s all true.

Check it out:

One woman’s journey into the contemporary kink underworld, Perilous Play is

Suz deMello’s explosive personal account of her experiences with BDSM. Engaging and honest, this groundbreaking memoir will grab you and never let you go.

Here’s an excerpt of the only fictional event—a ménage with two men I did have relationships with. Alas, I never got that ménage experience I’ve craved for so long! But it’s a hot scene and I hope you enjoy it.

I drove to Lafayette feeling hot and ready. I thought I’d be able to persuade Mark to allow me to top him again, which really excited me. That emotion quickly changed to deliciously terrified seconds after I rang his doorbell.

Because Tobias opened the door.

Mark stood behind him, arms folded over his torso. Both looked grim, which surprised me. Wasn’t Mark’s birthday a joyous occasion? Squelching nerves, I entered, handed Mark his gift and hugged him. “Happy birthday, sweetie.”

“Sweetie,” he said, contempt infusing his voice. “Is that right?”

“Well, yeah, honey, of course.” I still had no idea what was going on. Tobias had stated quite firmly when we’d met that he wasn’t interested in a threesome with another man, so why was he here? He certainly didn’t look as though he was in a celebratory mood. Though mystified, I had no course of action other than to wait until the men told me what was up.

I set down my toy bag and handed Mark his gift. Without opening it, he tossed it onto the kitchen counter, reached into his pocket and took out his cell phone. So did Tobias. After brief finger-tapping, they held out the phones so I could read the screens. On each, I saw:

Good morning and Happy Thanksgiving! I hope today is everything you want it to be, sweetie!

I was fucked. Or going to be fucked. “Uh, guys,” I started, backing away and holding out my hands in entreaty. “Uh, I know this looks bad, but—“

Tobias reached around me and shoved the door closed so hard it slammed. His other arm caged me between his solid body and the door.

I wasn’t going anywhere Tobias didn’t want me to go.

I stared into his dark eyes, trying to read his expression, divine his thoughts. The only conclusion that I could reasonably reach is that I had insulted my Dom.

“You know what you’ve done,” he said.

I nodded.

“You know it wasn’t appropriate.” His mouth twitched and I realized he was trying not to grin.

I nodded again, squelching my answering smile, playing the game. Why not? It was fun.

His eyes twinkled. “You’ve been a very, very bad girl.” He ran a finger along my jawline.

Shivering, I closed my eyes, allowing myself to get into role, immerse myself in the scene. Was I safe?

Oh, yes. I’d been with both men before. They knew my limits and were entirely trustworthy.

“Do you accept your punishment?”

Excitement zipped through me as though I’d dared to touch a live Taser. “Yes, sir,” I said sweetly, batting my eyelashes.

I peeked around Tobias. Though our relationship was more equal—in fact, Mark enjoyed me topping him—he didn’t look pleased. He picked up a couple of dark-gray objects that lay on his kitchen counter.

They clanked.

Shackles.

If what you have read intrigues you, here are a couple of buy links:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/509003 (smashwords)

http://tinyurl.com/MemoirDeMello (Amazon)

A Sexy #Spanking Snippet~~Perilous Play by Suz deMello (#memoir #kindle #BDSM #sexysnippets)

Perilous Play: The Real Fifty Shades by Suz deMello  

The cover of Perilous Play states: based on a true story. The fact is, very little in this memoir is fiction.

Places and names have been changed. The time in my life when these events occurred is altered. One scene was added, to wrap up the story and tie it in a tidy bow.

But otherwise, it’s all true.

Check it out:

One woman’s journey into the contemporary kink underworld, Perilous Play is Suz deMello’s explosive personal account of her experiences with BDSM. Engaging and honest, this groundbreaking memoir will grab you and never let you go.

Here's the seven sentence sexy snippet:

...he wrapped his arms around me in a full-body embrace.

I had never felt so cherished in my life. Trapper’s hugs were all consuming, his kisses magic.

Then, without warning, he swatted my bottom. Hard.

I yelped.

“Don’t yell in my ear,” he growled, and slapped my ass again.

If what you have read intrigues you, here are a couple of buy links:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/509003 (smashwords)

http://tinyurl.com/MemoirDeMello (Amazon)

Remember, this is a blog hop! Find other writers' sexy snippets here:

Sexy Snippets

 

A Short but Sexy Spanking Snippet~~Perilous Play by Suz deMello (#satspanks #KU #kindle #BDSM #memoir)

There's more where this came from...

The spanking went on and on, with Trapper holding me tight and determinedly slapping my rump until, quivering, I could do nothing but gasp, “Please sir, please sir, please sir, please…” my usual refrain.

He hooded and gagged me. Using metal loops embedded in the black leather cuffs, he tied me to the four-poster bed spread-eagled, face down.

I shook with anticipation. He was going to spank me some more, and boy, I needed that. Needed the pain that would blossom into sweet pleasure when he entered me with his cock. Needed the fierce orgasms that would tear through my body, leaving me limp.

Here's what Perilous Play is about:

One woman’s journey into the contemporary kink underworld, Perilous Play is Suz deMello’s explosive personal account of her experiences with BDSM. Engaging and honest, this groundbreaking memoir will grab you and never let you go.

Links:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/509003 (smashwords)

http://tinyurl.com/MemoirDeMello (Amazon)

Remember, this is a blog hop!

Find other authors' spanky snippets here:

A Sexy #Menage Snippet ~~ Suz deMello (#erotica #romance #sexysnippets)

Today's sexy snippet is from Gypsy Witch, contemporary paranormal erotic romance...with a M/F/M menage! Yay!

Here's what the short story is about:

The Sacramento Sheriff's Department is no place for airy-fairy wimps, and Ben McCullough is the toughest of the tough. He tells himself he's bedding luscious Elena Lautari only because she's a babe, not because she's a card-carrying member of the Northern California Church of Wicca. Ben thinks she's a feather away from an arrest for fraud, since she makes a living telling fortunes and making charms for the lovelorn. He can't see her as a lifelong mate even though she's more than a match for him in the sack, and losing her is unthinkable.

But Elena is the real deal, a modern witch of much power and even more restraint. When her daughter, Gina, steals her mother's spell book and uses it to shatter the fabric of existence and release an ancient evil, Elena must put reality back in place—even if she loses Ben in the process. Will Ben and Elena's fragile love be lost with the revelation of her magic?

Maybe, but there are others ready to heal her battered heart. When Ben's partner attempts to claim Elena, will Ben move aside or move in?

And here's the sexy seven-sentence snippet:

...the cottage was unlit and dim. Grabbing her, Ben hustled her into her bedroom while Jake followed. Once there, both men started ripping at her clothes. Jake knelt to unbutton her denim shorts while Ben pulled her tie-dyed T-shirt over her head, revealing a leopard-print bra. He deftly unsnapped the center catch, and her breasts bounced free. Her big, dark areolas crinkled in the cottage’s cooler air, the nipples pointing. He tumbled her onto the bed and nested his face between her lush mounds.

Like what you read? Here's where you can buy the short story:

http://www.ellorascave.com/gypsy-witch.html (publisher's site)

http://tinyurl.com/GypsyWitchARE (All Romance Ebooks)

          http://tinyurl.com/bdza6kh (Amazon)

This is a blog hop! Find other authors' sexy snippets here:

http://thenuthousescribblers.blogspot.com/p/sexy-snippets.html

It's a Party! Sunday Snog #150 (#sundaysnog @fetlife #free @MFRW_ORG)

To celebrate the 150th Sunday Snog--

Hey! you ask. What's a "Sunday Snog"?

The Sunday Snog is a blog hop created and hosted by the fabulous Victoria Blisse, a nice British lady who writes really smutty books--and celebrates that as much as she can. She holds events like "Smut by the Sea," an annual gathering in Scarborough. If you don't know where that is, don't worry. Unless you're English, the odds are very small that you would. She also does various promotional events all around the web as well as the in-person ones in England.

The point of the Sunday snog is that we post a snog--that's British for a kiss. (Remember what Shaw said? "England and America are two countries separated by the same language.")

So here's a special snog--it's a party snog, because this is a 150th birthday party. And parties always have gifts, so I'm giving away a copy of my latest ebook, Kinky Toes, to a lucky commenter!

And here's the snog, from Rakes in Tartan. In this scene, Dagmar and Andrew, who have recently become lovers, have left a ball to enjoy a different kind of pleasure:

He took her face in his hands, clasping firmly. His voice was deep and a little rough. “I want ye, madame, and I will have ye as often as I can. Do ye agree?”

“Ja. I…I agree.” She trembled with more than a little fear. She’d belonged completely to Ragnar, but Andrew did not love her and Ragnar had.

She kissed his mouth, looking into his blue eyes, now narrow and hot with lust. She pushed in her tongue to taste his desire, and he responded by biting it, drawing blood and sucking it hard. He then grabbed her hair to drag away her head. “If I want yer tongue, I’ll go in and get it. Do ye understand?”

“Yes, Sir.” She clung to him, limbs weak.

“That’s right, hold onto me tight. I willnae let ye go, willnae let ye fall.” 

If you like what you read of this BDSM-laced historical, find it here:

http://www.ellorascave.com/rakes-in-tartan.html

Remember--this is a blog hop, and every one of the authors in the hop is giving something away to celebrate the Sunday Snog's 150th birthday!

Find them here:

http://blissekiss.co.uk/

Listen to as Well as Read this Sexy #BDSM #Spanking from Rakes in Tartan by @SuzDeMello (#MFRWhooks #MFRWAuthor))

Today marks a new venture for me, courtesy of the BDSM group on Goodreads. They produce a series of YouTube videos, readings of BDSM-laced erotica. Sirly Eric reads a selection from Rakes in Tartan at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvMjxhjY32o&feature=youtu.be

Here's a snippet to pique your interest:

Dagmar stood. Clad all in white, her pale flesh almost indistinguishable from the clothing she wore, she seemed a woman made of ice but for the fiery stone between her breasts. Andrew was determined to melt her, break her, bring her to her knees.

He could be wrong, but he thought he’d understood her at first glance. The next few moments would tell him if he’d found the woman he’d needed all his life, or if he’d meet her son at dawn with pistols or rapiers in hand.

She turned to face him. He went to the door and locked it with a decisive click.

“Well, madame.” He thrust his hand into her hair and clenched his fist until tears started in her eyes. She gasped, and he kissed her, being deliberately rough as he thrust in his tongue.

She bit. He dragged her head back and slapped her arse as hard as he could, then wrapped his arm around her to control her thrashing about.

By Jove, but she was strong! Taller and stronger than any woman he’d ever known. He gloried in her struggle, knowing he was more than equal to her, and spanked her rump again and again, harsh swats that heated her flesh even through her clothing.  Finally she stilled and quieted.

He gave her one final smack. Her body jolted but she did not try to break free, instead letting her quivering body sag against his.

“Good girl.” Loosening his hand, he stroked her hair. “We donnae have to fight as long as ye acknowledge who is master.”

She again tried to jerk away. Frustration burned in her dark eyes. “I have no master and do not want one.”

He gathered her skirt, drawing up folds until he could easily reach beneath them. After finding the gap in her pantalettes, he reached inside and fingered her moisture. “Och, I think you do, madame, and I think I am the right mon for ye.”

He stroked her hot, hard bump and sucked in a breath. He’d found her. He’d found her, the woman his soul had craved. Clearly no-one’s fool, she was strong but desirous of submission.

He closed his eyes to savor the moment. 

If you like what you read, buy the book here:
http://www.ellorascave.com/rakes-in-tartan.html

And don't forget to check out the reading! It really is hot :).

This is a blog hop--find other authors' sexy snippets here:
http://mfrwbookhooks.blogspot.com/

Vote for Meeeee.......Really? (#SexSceneChampionships #MFRWAuthor @MFRW_ORG #BDSM)

Every once in a while I come across one of those competitions between authors--you know, when an enterprising blogger or reviewer or even a sales page wants to rev up interest in their site, and so pits one author against another in some sort of competition. Thus far, I've participated in only one, and I thought it was fairly judged by readers--I was matched against a very well known author competing for the "Smooch" Award, which was given by the cataromance website. I won, which surprised me--like I said, my competitor was very well known, and at that time, I was a relative newbie. I had assumed that it was more like a

popularity contest than an actual contest judged on the merits.

But these so-called competitions have become more popular, and it's next to impossible to read yahoogroup 

postings for any length of time without coming across a plea like the one in my blog title: Vote for Meeeeee........!!!!!

Those pleas are awful. They're unattractive in a way I can't define. Perhaps it's the immodesty--my British mother raised me to be a lady as they were defined about a century ago. Or more. And begging has never been my strong suit. In Winter's Bone, Jennifer Lawrence's character tells her little brother, "Don't ever ask for what ought to be offered." I agree with that--especially as it applies to the opposite sex--but it feels right to me in this situation, as well. 

I signed on for the Sex Scene Championship because, well, I'm proud of my work, and also I figured it would be good promo. As many of you know if you've read my blogs and FB posts for a while, marketing is not exactly my forte.  Okay, I suck at it. So I'm experimenting by trying different venues to spread the word.

For me, this is the year of Twitter and Triberr, and so far I've been happy with the increased sales. I've also been reaching out to other writers, blogging with them and inviting them to share guest posts on my blog site. The symbiosis created by blog+Triberr+Twitter is very powerful--I have a reach of about two million. I don't delude myself that most of those two million read my books or will in the future--but it's a big improvement compared to my prior marketing efforts.

And soooo...the sex scene championships. I reached out to my competitor hoping we could evolve some kind of joint promo, but she never responded. I did the same with a couple other authors who were participating, but no one could come up with anything new, cute or inventive. And given my crippling lack of imagination when it comes to author marketing, I certainly haven't come up with anything brilliant.

So this is it. Blog+Triberr+Twitter.

Wish me luck.

The excerpt can be found at the Sex Scene Championship page:

http://www.scorching-book-reviews.com/category/events/sex-scene-championship-2014/

It's that really sexy BDSM scene from Rakes in Tartan in which Andrew practically rapes Dagmar. But as readers of this book know, Dagmar never does anything she doesn't want, and her desires are, umm... shall we say...arcane.

So: VOTE FOR MEEEEEE on August 22. Or for the other author, should you prefer her writing.

And if you enjoy the scene from Rakes, get it here:

And if you would, please post a comment about these contests and/or about the campaigning for votes. I'm really interested in people's opinions...am I out of step?  Or have I identified something that's maybe a little destructive?

Since I entered the romance community I've noticed a strong tendency away from competition and toward cooperation. Maybe it's because this genre is dominated by women, and we tend to work together toward common goals rather than competitively. The thought is that "a rising tide floats all boats." As the popularity of romance and erotica rises, we all benefit. Sure, there's competition for the scarce reader dollar, but in the main, we know that romance fans are voracious readers. Turning on a reader to romance and erotica generally benefits many if not all of us--our beloved readers don't buy one book from one authors, but tend to buy many books from many authors.

So why the competitions? Are they useful or divisive?