SURVIVAL OF THE BIG MISTAKES TRR REVIEW

Today has been so exciting already! It's not even noon yet!!

LEARNING TO BREATHE Release Date MAY 3

SURVIVAL OF THE BIG MISTAKES REVIEW!

The Romance Review by Delta:

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this book. Get it, get it now!!!

Dr. Alexandra Van Zant is having a REALLY bad week. Between trying to figure out how to save the world from a deadly virus that one of her employees developed, her husband's multiple infidelities (one resulting in a child), the release of security footage showing her having sex with Patrick "Gabe" Gowan, Conor Larkin and Jonathon O'Donnell (and loving it), you'd think she'd hit rock bottom. But the worst is yet to come when she drops off the grid and heads to Montana to clear her mind and visit her brother.

Alexandra is a savant, the world's leading molecular biologist in the genomics of disease. She also has bipolar disorder, OCD, ADHD and control issues. In a word, she's an extremely brilliant hot mess. As bodies start dropping all around her, Alexandra and her supremely intelligent mind will have to sort out exactly who she can trust.

The second book in the Van Zant Siblings, SURVIVING THE BIG MISTAKES, was a doozy! I went about this series all wrong, picking up book 3, then heading back to start at book 1. Now that I have an actual background on the characters, I feel like the third book makes much more sense to me. But I digress. Alexandra is such a fascinating and unique character, one that I haven't even seen similarities to in other books. She's only ever been sexual with her lying, cheating husband, but once she has a menage a quarte with Gabe, Conor and Jonathon, she realizes that she can use sex to escape the trappings of her mind for awhile. She's literally got the weight of the world on her tiny shoulders, knowing that if she gives up, there's a good chance the death toll due to the virus will be astronomical and worldwide. She's so foreign but such an empathetic character that you can't help but just fall in love with everything about her.

Similarly, Gabe is her oldest friend in the world, and now her new lover. He's charming, affable and sexy as hell. I love that he's more than willing to share her with his mates; their menage was soooooo freakin' delectable! The action in SURVIVING THE BIG MISTAKES was terrific too, I never knew which way the wind was going to blow with Alexandra and Co., even though I'm well aware of the next book, which I should probably read with fresh eyes before delving into book 4.

Bottom Line: 

Get this. Now. Don't pass go, don't collect $200. Just get it and realize your worst fears and biggest desires all in one delectable read.

reviewer, excerpt, buy link at: http://erotic.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=20775

Chronic Illness and Disability in Erotica

Career Sidelined by Chronic Illness...

Yes, that was me five years ago when I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. 

I turned inward. Facing the devastating diagnosis I felt lesser, defeated, pushed aside...
In that moment I learned a valuable lesson from my Loyal Readers because once I stopped producing books on a regular basis I started hearing from my committed and concerned followers.

Reading their notes and emails I learned many of my readers are house-bound and chronically ill and by conversing with them I realized I wasn't useless or throw-away because of a label. My readers who so compassionately shared their stories with me to lift me up define who they are every day and if they can do it and still have a light sometimes sarcastic take on living with Chronic Illness and still be Sexual Beings, so could I...

That information combined with the knowledge that almost all of my personal friends are dealing with a chronic mental or physical illness made me start thinking about erotica and asking if our lives are so filled with the interruptions of illness, why isn't it  represented in erotica?

And now I am back!

Since those first dark years spent trying to get a diagnosis, I have found medication, which helped to normalize my life as much as possible and allowed me to return to my career as an erotica writer...

I wrote LOVERS with a woman in a wheelchair who suffered with childhood into adulthood rheumatoid arthritis. What seemed like such a small thing to me was suddenly a big deal to that titles original publisher who insisted I take out the wheelchair because it didn't belong in erotica. At which point I had a conversation with my publisher and shared a list of bdsm play parties and etceteras specifically targeted toward the disabled. I also chose to explain my own experiences because I am not a novice in dealing with chronic illness and became even more determined to "normalize" chronic illness in erotica because having to receive medication on a schedule or being confined to a chair does not make the person a lesser human being. 

Come'on... haven't we moved beyond treating people with mental and physical disabilities like children?
Apparently not.
Disability in erotica is hard to find because it confronts the idea a disabled person is nonsexual, which made it a taboo topic for far too long...

I am personally offended by that attitude!
I've always heard to "write what you know" because you can real and emotional layers impossible without having experienced something first hand. With that in mind...

I understand Chronic Illness ...
I understand BDSM on a 24/7/365 basis ...
I understand polyamory...
I understand bisexuality

I have life experiences in all four, why not mash-em-up? Enter the Van Zant Series...

To boot...

Why not have a Chronically-Ill Kick-Ass Heroine? 

And that's exactly what I'm trying to do in my Van Zant series by tackling all four points in spades, not by having the "token disabled secondary character my main character meets for lunch" but by creating main characters who are dealing with major medical problems but who are able to continue to love, laugh, play because that's what chronically ill people do every single day.

I feel confident in being able to write their stories.

Having personally played with a chair confined girlfriend and finding the experience amazing, I am able to approach my main character Alyssa who has MS and is chair bound from a positive reference point and use the lessons I garnered from "Anne" like learning to shift the focus of sex from "what makes me feel good" to "where can I touch you so that you feel good?" 

Few people know my first husband suffered from bipolar disorder complicated by schizophrenia or that he became a quadriplegic during our marriage because I never talk about him and for twenty years I have kept those memories tamped down. Recent events have brought the emotions from that time in my life to the surface and having a character with bipolar disorder was the perfect place to deal with my conflicted emotions. The side note being I have a much lesser and more manageable form of Bi-Polar, which allows me to create huge volumes of work during my manic phases is only that I am soooo thankful for my manic phases for that very bonus.

With Bipolar Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and Attention Deficit Disorder being introduced as a major players in my character Alexandra Van Zant's stories, I have really been forced to face both my present and past demons... every day I remind myself... write what I know... because I know that my experience may not be another's experience...

Reviews like this one that actually talks about how I have handled Alexandra's medical conditions as part of her characterization let me know I am on the right track and to keep going.

The series gets progressively hotter as it goes along, from Simmering to super HOT so I hope you will read Alexandra's stories and let me know what you think :)

Surviving the Big Mistakes

Conquering the Big Mistakes

Learning from the Big Mistakes

Shibari Presence

(additional works in progress)

Survival Instinct 5-Nymph Review

Survival Instincts has been reviewed at Literary Nymphs Reviews and received their highest rating! 5 Nymphs.
Here is a partial of the review:

"Roxy Harte brings us love and adventure on a beautiful Montana mountainside in Survival Instinct. Right away, my heart went out for Brian. Tobias is a man who makes me want to purposely be stranded on a mountain where I’ll require his special brand of TLC to recuperate. Sexy, handsome, with a heart of gold, he was just what Brian needed to move forward with his life. The story is a mix of action, suspense, spine tingling sex and raw emotions, which makes it a winner in my book. This is the second story I’ve read by Roxy Harte, and I haven’t been disappointed yet. Pick up a copy and enjoy."


I am very excited that Survival Instinct is being well received by both readers and reviewers since it was my first M-M release. So excited that I've started another M-M erotic romance:)

A Great Review To Bring in Yule!

First and foremost Happy Winter Solstice and Blessed Yule!
I hope tonight begins many magical family celebretory moments of the season on a high note!

I know mine has been made extra special by a four and a half star review of Prodigal Slave by Vallerianna ofNight Owl Romance qualifying it as a Reviewer Top Pick!

Charlotte Sullivan is the picture perfect Conservative soccer mom and career-minded Paralegal, complete with ex-husband, suburban home and twin daughters; but she wasn't always. A birthday present for "Cassiopeia " forces her to remember a time and person that she's worked hard for twenty years to forget. Master Francois Rene de Hart is determined to have her back, his Cassiopeia, as his slave for the rest of their lives. But time has changed them both and there are other people to think about, Charlotte's daughters for one; but the main stumbling block may by Pierre-Louis, Francois' lover. Can Francois and Pierre-Louis convince Charlotte to love them both or will she leave them again?

This book was a lot of fun. I was really able to identify with Charlotte's character, her insecurities and doubts are something that many women feel as their children grow. This is also a combination of most women's favorite fantasies, having your first love want you back after years apart and having a younger man want you. As a one-two punch it really works. Probably my favorite part was the fact that, although the story was very dramatic, little bits of humor kept it from being overly so. I really loved Charlotte's parents and daughters. Well written, this was a great read.

Read more about Prodigal Slave and read an Excerpt

Edge Review

EDGE has received a four-star review at Senual Erotic Romance!
Kimberley Spinney had this to say:

"Roxy Harte has written a novel that is definitely not for the faint of heart. The story is graphic and startling, yet it has a sensual draw that will definitely leave the reader sweating. Edge will bring you to the very limits of your comfort zone and press against all of your previous ideas of what is sensual. This is a dazzling story of suspense, intrigue, discovery and the sensual boundaries we face in the name of sexual discovery."

"Roxy Harte delves into tough topics and deep aspects of BDSM that will leave any reader breathless. While this is definitely not your typical romance, it definitely delivers a sensual feast of love and devotion that is hard to compare to. Edge is definitely four star material and I am looking forward to seeing if Ms. Harte has more in store for these three very unique characters."

CONTROL Reviewed

Pricilla Petty from Night Owl Reviews rated Control a 4.5(a keeper) and had this to say:

"When Taylor Cooper literally runs into the very handsome, sexy and rich Stephen Barrington Taylor, III, she can’t believe her good fortune. Unfortunately, the man of her dreams has a problem with sex causing her to be extremely frustrated. Taylor loves him, but she’s beginning to wonder what to do about this monumental problem. Not wanting to break up an otherwise fulfilling relationship, she listens to her friend Cheyenne and gets the shock of her life at the Vortex. Once she visits, things will never be the same.

Roxy Harte is one of my favorite authors because she seems to really understand about the BDSM world and the ultimate exchange of power between two people. I was intrigued with the idea of this story as it put a different spin on saving a loving relationship. Taylor is fun, talented and willing to do whatever it takes to stay committed to her man. It took a while to warm up to Stephen as I felt he wasn’t taking ownership of the situation, but once he opened up and got into all the kinky things Taylor learned, he was much more exciting. The sex scenes were awe-inspiring and I enjoyed the interplay between all of the characters. I was particularly impressed with Mistress Minerva and found myself wanting to actually meet her. I couldn’t wait to get to the end to find out how things worked out for Taylor and Stephen, and their relationship. Be sure to pick this one up, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it as much as I did."

Wow. Thanks Priscilla and Night Owl Reviews for this awesome review!

Gratitude:
1. There are actually reviewers out there reading my books:)
2. There are readers buying my books
3. THere are fans praising my books
I am THANKFUL!

Happiness is...Diana Gabaldon

Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy...
Diana Gabaldon is hard at work writing the latest installment of her Claire/Jaime series: An Echo In The Bone. She hopes to have it finished by December 30. Can I just say I'm excited and thrilled...elated even...as in this is the best fucking news I've had in ages...

I love Diana Gabaldon. She is a true story teller.
She is the reason Sacred Secrets went from single book to series in a blink of an eye. She taught me that characters do not have to end their story at the last page of a book. They can continue their lives in saga fashion...

She also taught me that if a book is good enough it can span more than 100K words...a lot more.
I love that most.
Wow...

I am officially ending my night elated.

The Faithful...

On Susan's suggestion, I am looking for The Faithful by Carla Dickens. I was intrigued when I found out that it is a novel set against the backdrop of the Democratic primary campaign inside the Obama camp (with fictional staffers;)

Here's the excerpt that was also highlighted on Susan's Blog, Sexy Prime:

A tiny excerpt, in the voice of Thomas, the amusing gay narrator, who is here eavesdropping on the action behind closed campaign office doors:

Behind one door, I heard Caroline’s throaty gurgle and the muffled sounds of Reggie, face surely in her pussy. (Who says black men don’t go down?) Pink tongue on pink flesh.

Their rule is: No intercourse in public places. And behind another door, Chloe’s louder moans, Evan’s heavy groans that made me imagine I could feel his balls slapping against my ass - and the sound of the desk thumping rhythmically beneath the force of their banging. I guessed Chloe was bent over the desk with Evan entering from behind.

My dick grew hard at the thought of his member, thick and hard, pulling out, thrusting in, glistening, gleaming like polished marble.

“Yes!” Chloe screamed.

So, now the search is on...Amazon seems fastest and easiest with small children in the house...

Hmmm...

If you read it before I get my copy, let me know what you think...

Of course I will definitely let you know what I think:)

Sex Free Orgasm?

Hmmm...
I was reading a review by Sadie Faye about a new book on the shelves: The Orgasm Loop (by Susan Crain Bakos) which claims to teach "the no-fail technique for reaching orgasm during sex."

Since approximately 35% of all women do not reliably orgasm during sex and 15% of women do not orgasm ever...it would seem every woman would want to read this book. Me? Mild curiosity peeked (meaning I almost skipped the book review.) It was a really SLOWWW day...so I read the review.

You can read the entire review here.
Quotes from the book review:

"First, the loop itself, which is a series of three pretty simple steps."

"Step one: Relax and focus on your "desire image," something that gets you super turned-on. The image can be anything, even if it's abstract, except your lover -- according to Bakos, you need to be totally relaxed and into yourself, and we all know our lovers don't always make us feel that way."

"Step two: When you're sufficiently turned on, imagine all your desire as a concentrated ball of energy right below your belly button, and then mentally move it into your vagina (from within, no fingers yet). Then imagine a coil of lust at the base of your spine and move it through your pelvis to your genitals. Yeah, it sounds hokey, but as I was moving the ball and the coil I actually felt heat in my lady parts, and they definitely became more sensitive."

"The last part of the technique is where the loop comes in: Breathe in and out while you do your kegels (those are where you squeeze your PC, the same muscle that stops the flow of urine). Clench as you breathe in, relax as you breathe out. By staying focused on your image, getting all the energy in the right place, and keeping this rhythmic breathing and flexing, most women apparently will come. I did -- and honestly, I couldn't believe it.

Not only did I orgasm, but the arousal felt different from most of my masturbation. I was aware of my whole body instead of just my genitals, and I felt like I had generated the desire from within instead of getting turned on from an outside source like a vibrator or porn."

Imagine that...an orgasm caused mentally...hmmm...now I am intrigued. I'm not sure if the book reviewers three step cliff notes are enough...I'll give it a try. I may even have to buy the book...

Surprise Me...Titillate Me...

This post has been delayed by Hurricane Ike...it seems forever ago that I raced to the bookstore to buy Playing...

Here's my thoughts:
I hate predictability, so imagine my surprise (and disappointment) when I read, "We're going to count the last five together." (spanks) or the line, "Just because I want to..."

Yay...
Another introduction To BDSM 101

The novel, "Playing" by Melanie Abrams lacked in BDSM originality; however, that said...the book is going on my bookshelf because she pushed all the right buttons when she dug into the psych of the heroine...

I would have really loved the book if she would have also delved into the psych of the hero...which was pretty much presented as "I'm a sadist, get over it...and if it makes you feel better see my sadism as your painful sacred path to enlightenment" (my paraphrase).

Clearly, the novel was tight enough to earn mass-marketing...
Clearly, all of my fears about showcasing children in novels has been ridiculous when this novel crosses all boundaries and puts the heroine (in my mind) who she be immediately sterilized so as not to become a child-abuser...

As a side note the author is Caucasian, her husband Indian...the heroine is Caucasian, the hero Indian...making me wonder if this was the only story in Melanie Abrams head...or if she has more to offer.

As much as I love finding new authors willing and able to negotiate BDSM erotica contracts, I hate the disappointment of losing them. Remember Laura Reese' short lived fame...Topping From Below and Panic Snap rate among my all time fav reads...and yet she has flown the coop as a fiction author. Reportedly now that she is pursuing a "real career" her writing is an embarrassment. Pity.