Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Halloween Story Contest Results!


HALLOWEEN CONTEST RESULTS!

Congratulations to Deidre Durance! She wins a Halloween tin of chocolate and candy coated pretzles from Figi's! I just loved her sexy Halloween Story! Here it is! Enjoy!

Halloween Story

I sighed as I slipped into my pink and black striped stockings. I thought of his hand on my ankle, holding it with this thumb, feeling my pulse as he kissed the tender warm skin, sending chills through me. A tear slid off my fake golden lashes and snaked across my flushed cheeks. I watched as it fell from my chin, dripping into my soft stockings, leaving a spot of hot pink. I sniffed as I buckled my witch shoes to my feet. I stood, walking to my vanity to place my feathered witch hat on my shiny black wig. He'd never recognize me tonight and I refused to skip Cleo's annual Halloween party because he would be in attendance. I applied blood red lipstick and smiled at the witch in the mirror, grabbed my velvet purse and headed out the door.

The night was chilly, but it felt good to the sensitive flesh exposed by my skimpy black minidress. I was met at the door by someone dressed as Frankenstein. His costume looked expensive and I had to wonder what he did for a living. That was the wonderful thing about these parties, getting to be someone or something else. Who knows, the Wolf Man dancing beside me could be an accountant and the lady dressed as Elvira might be a librarian by day. The anonymity was intoxicating to me.

I spied a vampire standing at the punch bowl dipping the red liquid and pouring it into his skulll encrusted mug. Could it be him? I watched him walk away and realized that it couldn't be, I would recognize my one-time lover's walk. Feeling frustrated, I glided out to the designated dance floor and began to lose myself to the music. The strains of Marilyn Manson's version of Sweet Dreams are Made of These accompanied the grinding of my hips. I could feel that I was being watched and it made me even bolder. I dipped my lower body towards the floor knowing that it would afford my watcher an amazing view of my ass and maybe more since I didn't bother to pull a thong on with my super short dress. As I slowly lifted myself up, I glanced behind me to see a man dressed as the devil eyeing me with interest. How appropriate, considering that I was feeling wicked myself. I straightened and turned around keeping my moves smooth but allowing myself a better look at him. It was obvious that he was a perfect specimen of what any woman would die to have a piece of. He was wearing black from head to toe with the exception of the blood red vest that fit him like a glove. He had the most luxurious long dark hair that I had ever seen. I ached to bury my fingers in it, reveling in the feel of it. I began to feel a heat flow through me that although it felt delicous, had nothing to do with the exertion of my movements. I sensed it was coming from this stranger who pinned me with his electric blue eyes. I broke free from his gaze for only a moment and when I looked back, he was standing in front of me. I was startled, but accepted his hand when offered for a dance. Was it a coincidence that the song that was playing was Devil Inside by INXS? I began to think that this was more than a man and I wasn't sure if I should be frightened or embrace this feeling creeping through me. I embraced him instead and felt the strength of his arms as he encircled my body with his own. He leaned down and I tensed, not knowing his intentions. He placed the most gentle of kisses upon my neck. I shivered from that butterfly in my stomach feeling as his lips traced up to my lips and he slipped his tongue into my mouth. Something felt so forbidden about our encounter, yet so right at the same time. My old lover was forgotten as I became enraptured in my devil man's arms. He whispered into my ear that he wanted to find a place to talk. I simply nodded my head and leaned into him as we walked towards the door. All of the partygoers flitted from my mind so that I hardly noticed them at all as we descended the steps. As soon as we were in the darkness he pulled me close and the world fell away. I opened my eyes to find myself standing inside the most decadent home I had ever seen. There had been few words between us so far and I adhered to that by imploring him with my eyes. He bestowed upon me a wicked smile as he explained to me that he was truly the Devil and that we were destined to be together, pre-ordained to rule together in Hell. Imagine my surprise to find that I was delighted with this news. I always knew that I was fated for great things.

And that my darling children, is how I met your father.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Halloween Writing Contest!



With my favorite holiday just around the corner, my Halloween writing contest kicks off today! Finish this story and email it to alishapaigewilson@yahoo.com with "Halloween Contest" in the Subject Line. The winner will receive a Halloween tin of chocolate covered pretzles, peanut butter pretzles and white candy coated pretzels drizzled with orange and chocolate from Figi's!



Halloween Story

I sighed as I slipped into my pink and black striped stockings. I thought of his hand on my ankle, holding it with this thumb, feeling my pulse as he kissed the tender warm skin, sending chills through me. A tear slid off my fake golden lashes and snaked across my flushed cheeks. I watched as it fell from my chin, dripping into my soft stockings, leaving a spot of hot pink. I sniffed as I buckled my witch shoes to my feet. I stood, walking to my vanity to place my feathered witch hat on my shiny black wig. He'd never recognize me tonight and I refused to skip Cleo's annual Halloween party because he would be in attendance. I applied blood red lipstick and smiled at the witch in the mirror, grabbed my velvet purse and headed out the door.

Rules: THERE IS NO LENGTH TOO SMALL OR TOO LARGE. NO PUBLISHED AUTHORS MAY ENTER THIS CONTEST. ONLY READERS AND UNPUBLISHED WRITERS. ANY HEAT LEVEL ALLOWED, FROM SWEET TO EROTICA. OPEN TO U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY.

Deadline: October 25, 2009, Midnight Central Time.



Good Luck and Happy Halloween!
~Alisha Paige

Thursday, October 15, 2009

An Interview with Debut Author, Karilyn Bentley!


Please welcome Karilyn Bentley to my blog today! I'm excited to have her here! Her werewolf tale releases this Friday!

Alisha: Can you tell us a little bit about your childhood? Favorite memories?

Karilyn: We lived in the city and didn’t have a lot of money growing up, but we had a lot of fun. Some of my favorite memories are the homemade Christmas gifts, based all on puns. Like the 12 carrot necklace. Or the years Mom and a friend crafted gifts in the shape of the 12 days of Christmas. Dad used to make up poems with clues and hide them around the house, each “clue” led to the next one and at the end was the present. I was always encouraged to make up stories and to this day Mom is really upset b/c one of my stories was never finished and she wants to know the end and I have no clue what she’s talking about.

Alisha: What wonderful memories! Tell us about the hero and heroine in your latest release.

Karilyn: Vonda and Tom. Vonda is a werewolf who is currently hoping to be a dog trainer. Tom is her first client. When his daughter is kidnapped, Tom has to rely on Vonda to help him rescue her. But there’s more to the kidnapping than meets the eye.

Alisha: I'm intrigued! If you were granted three wishes by a genie, what would they be?

Karilyn: Oh wow. I don’t know, let me think. Hmm. Eeek! My hubby just doused me with a bucket of water b/c he thought I was on fire from all that smoke coming out my ears. Ok, sorry (shakes self off). I guess I would wish for peace and happiness and to continue to have my stories published.

Alisha: If you could go anywhere tomorrow, where would you go?

Karilyn: I’d go back to Sweden with a stop-over in Scotland and Iceland. Or maybe I’d tour the National Parks. So many places, not enough money.

Alisha: If you could see anyone tomorrow (dead or alive), who would it be?

Karilyn: The first thought that popped in my head was Jesus and Buddha. Don’t ask.

Alisha: LOL...I won't touch that one. If you could choose six people to spend one week on a desert island, who would it be and why?

Karilyn: Am I there with them, or am I punishing them? Ha! Ok, I’m there with them. Hmm. Hey, hubby, put the bucket down. Down I say! Ok, where was I? Desert island. Perhaps my favorite authors. Then I could pick their minds and learn all their secrets. Bwahahahaha!

Alisha: Snort! What word or phrase tingles in all the right places for you?

Karilyn: A sentence that pulls me in and makes me become the character and feel the same things she does.

Alisha: If you had one day to spoil yourself, what would you do?

Karilyn: I’m assuming money isn’t an issue so I’d go to a spa. Get all wrapped up in seaweed and have them rub salt all over until my skin glows.

Alisha: Can I come along? Sounds like bliss! If you could change one incident in your life, what would it be and how would you change it?

Karilyn: I’d stop and help the lady having car trouble instead of thinking she was crazy (in all fairness, she was hopping around shaking a white scarf like her car was the bull and she the matador). My conscious is still beating me up over that.

Alisha: Aww. What’s the sexiest thing a man has ever done for you or said to you or both?

Karilyn: My hubby is great, but he wouldn’t like me to say what it was. One thing I will say, he’s a great cook!


Werewolves in London – in the Taming of the Wolf anthology available October 16
Excerpt


“Your dog doesn’t respect you.” Vonda reached down to scratch behind Sam’s ear. “I can help you with that problem, but I can’t help train him to herd. Do we have a deal?”
Tom took off his hat, scratched his head and slammed it back on as if to hold in steam. Judging from the color of his face, he should have let his hair wave free in the breeze. It might cool things off. One long finger pointed at Sam. One nicely shaped, work hardened finger. The list of things that finger could do to her body rushed through Vonda’s brain on fast forward. It didn’t help that the man whose finger provoked such lascivious thoughts was the best-looking thing in this little Podunk town.
Why was she thinking such thoughts? Concentrate, Vonda, concentrate! Last time she thought this way about a man she was in heat. Oh shit. Not again. No wonder Sam stuck to her like proverbial glue.
Wait. Tom’s mouth was moving. “...me?”
“Huh? I’m sorry, what did you say?” Good job Vonda, way to look stupid on your first visit with a client.
“I said, how can that dog not respect me?”
“Well, dogs see things differently than humans. If you don’t act like the alpha, then they assume they are the alpha. That’s what creates problems. That’s where I can help.”
“Yes, yes. I know. But I have other herding dogs. None of them give me problems. What’s up with that?” A frustrated green stare bored into her.
Men frustrated so easily. Humans in general. Ever see a canine with hypertension?
Sam licked her hand. Then she smelled it. The scent of a man. Not just any man. A man she wanted to mate with. A man about six four, with sandy blond, almost brown hair and green eyes. A man who stood less than three feet from her.
Damn hormones.
If she didn’t get out of here soon she’d lose any chance of ever being a dog trainer.


Karilyn: Thanks so much for letting me visit today, Alisha! I’m excited that The Wild Rose Press is releasing Werewolves in London in the Taming of the Wolf anthology coming out on October 16th. Come visit me on my blog at Karilyn's Blog

Alisha: Come back anytime! Great excerpt!

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Are Writing Contests Fair?


I encourage all of you to research any contest you enter before sending in your application and contest fee. Even if you think the contest is a big, reputable contest, it may not be. There may be things you are unaware of behind the scenes. First of all, if there is a fee to enter the contest, get your feelers out. These writing contests are big money makers. Even in big chapters within RWA (Romance Writers of America)you need to read between the fine lines. Find out who is judging the contest, how many rounds of judging are involved and whether or not the finalists will be judged by real editors and agents. Even if you win a contest, there is no guarantee of publication for most contests. I've met many authors who have won very well respected contests and are still unpublished. In my opinion, you're better off spending your money on postage for submissions to real editors and agents.

I decided to write this blog after judging a contest recently. This contest was held by a chapter of RWA. I agreed to judge the paranormal entries. Four entries were sent to me but after reading them, I discovered that only one entry was a paranormal. Two were fantasy and one was science fiction. I asked the contest organizer about it. I did not receive a response from my email so I asked again. I was told that paranormal was sort of a mixed bag of entries this year. Either there were too many entries, not enough judges, not enough categories or not enough editors/agents interested in the various genres. I never received a true explanation. I felt this was wrong and should have excused myself from judging right then and there, seeing that the finalists in this category would go to a editor shopping for paranormals, not fantasy and sci fi. Those three entries would be ignored, regardless of their scores. What a waste of money, time and sweat for that poor author.

Instead, I finished judging the entries, shook my head and sent them off. Days later I received an email from the contest organizer, asking me to rejudge the entries because I didn't comment on every single section. If I felt there was no need to comment on characterization for example or grammar, I did not. In addition, I have a habit of scoring each section and saving all my comments for the end, giving the author both positive and constructive feedback about his or her entry. This is how I've always judged entries. I've judged for several contests and this has never been a problem.

What bothered me the most was that the contest organizer stressed that the contest prides itself on helping other writers so I really needed to rejudge my entries. Prides itself? On what? Ripping off the writers by tossing all the entries into a mixed bag contest that benefits no one, wastes the times of the judges, editors and agents and gives the writer zero exposure to the appropriate editor/agent? This seemed ridiculous and unfair to me.

In fact, I told the contest organizer this and asked her twice if the entrants know their entries are mixed in such a way. She never responded to this question. Often new writers have no idea who the editors and agents are in this industry. They had no idea that this particular editor has no interest in buying sci fi. The writer wasted her money and all that effort but who cares, the chapter benefitted. In fact, the organizer admitted she didn't know the difference between fantasy and paranormal. Great.



The contest organizer seemed a little blown away when I used the word "ridiculous" and her response was "Wow." As if I'm such a snooty author who refuses to help others. Actually, in my opinion, this kind of contest hurts writers. I asked her to remove me from the panel of judges. I refuse to support an unfair contest that makes money off of starry eyed writers.

This kind of contest is the kind that jades writers against things that are intended to help. The organizer whined to me in her email, telling me how much time she'd spent on this contest. Who cares, lady? What about the time the writer spent on the entry and the time the volunteer judges spent reading and judging the entries. These are the people that lost.

She did assure me that this problem would be fixed in the future. I can only hope so. I urge all of you writers out there to talk to your writer friends before paying good money on a contest that may not benefit you. Also, there are many contests that are free to enter. These are generally the best, looking for new talent, not money to keep their small chapters afloat. Make sure the contest is judged by only published authors. It will surprise you that some of these are not judged by authors, editors or agents. Some are judged by reviewers and avid readers. Not to say these people don't know what is good writing and what is not, but seriously, they do not know half that the published authors and editors/agents do about the craft. It's very much a craft with rules and those that learn these rules will produce better, more marketable manuscripts. This is what the agents and editors are looking for. A certificate saying you won a contest will not get you anywhere. Good writing will. Getting your writing in front of an editor or agent interested in buying your genre will possibly help your career. Mixed bag contests are unfair and waste everyone's time. Make sure the contest you enter is judged by qualified individuals. Research, talk to your friends and spend your money wisely.


Happy Writing and Reading!
~Alisha

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Sex With A Vampire







As Halloween approaches, my mind and dreams are filled with vamps making love. Reminds me of Chass and Vex from Nocturnally Vexed.




Chass nodded as she started down a well worn trail. Something called to her, but
she wasn’t sure what. The sun shone through two overlapping clouds, lighting the
tangled trees of Nunhead. They entered one of the oldest sections, where vines hugged
the wide trunks, winding all the way to the scattering arms of branches, creating a soft carpet for all the chattering squirrels skittering about in the chilly morning air. Vex followed her, instinctively knowing where she was headed. He’d had a premonition. His mouth curved into a smile as the cottage came into view. Nestled deep within a grove of ancient oaks, the abandoned cemetery keeper’s home called to them. Twigs, leaves and grass spurted from the gutters, sturdy bird’s nests, lined in metal. Vines had overtaken the doorway and windows, shutting out almost all sunlight. A lopsided, rotting wooden porch creaked when Chass stepped onto it and tried the knob.




“Hey, where’re you going, my lady?”

“Do you think anyone’s home?” she joked. She knew as well as Vex that the
cottage had been abandoned for years. It was in desperate need of repair on the outside, but when Vex managed to force it open with one solid kick of his boot, they both gasped.

Inside, a fire roared in the corner. A tea kettle whistled on the stove and a lovely
bed was dead center in the middle of a room, an oddity for sure. There was only one
room. Candles lined the fireplace mantle and the place looked as though a maid had just swept through. Vex chuckled. He guessed his mother was behind this and he’d be right too. She was conjuring magic from beyond the grave to entice his soon to be bride into his arms. They’d already made love in Xurath, though Chass still believed it to be a dream. He’d shifted during the night, left his jail cell and ran as a black cat through the streets of London. No one would suspect a stray as an accused escape killer. If he’d known Jack’s recent killing would free him the next day, he might have waited, but he didn’t want to risk it. Chass’s virgin status put her in grave danger and he needed to do something about it. Now he was determined to repeat the so called sex dream and make it a reality for her.

“How cozy!” Chass cooed.

“Hmm, very,” Vex agreed.

“Vex, did you arrange this? You sly devil, you!”

He decided to go with it. He already had so much explaining to do. The truth
would come out sooner or later. Right now all he could think of was ravishing his
betrothed again and again. “Guilty as charged!”

“How sweet! However did you manage it?” Chass asked as Vex closed the door
behind them, shutting out most of the daylight, leaving them in wavering candle glow
and flickering firelight. The tea kettle stopped whistling on its own, but Chass never noticed.

Chass curled her arms around Vex’s neck and smiled up at him. “I missed
you,” she whispered.




“I missed you more.”

“I had a dream about you.”

“Mmmm … so you said, my love. So you said,” he growled as he scooped her
into his arms and carried her to the bed.

“Oh, Vex?”

“Hmm?”

“The telepathic thing. That’s real isn’t it?”

“Indeed.” He lay beside her and kissed her once, fully on the lips. Chass looked
up at him, studying his dark face. His hair hung over his right shoulder, dipping into her cleavage. Her nipples hardened.

“It was fun. Where’d you learn to do it?” she asked.

“I was born with it,” Vex explained easily, bending down for another kiss. He
was already hard, ready to take her now.

“Can we do that all the time?” Chass asked, more interested in his telepathic
abilities than sex at the moment.

“Whenever you want, love,” Vex answered, growing more frustrated by the
second.

“Do your brothers share this unique gift?” Chass asked innocently.

“Hell no!” Vex lied. He didn’t want Chass in their heads or her in any of theirs.

Chass laughed. She didn’t believe him. Vex silenced her questions with a
searing kiss, molding his mouth to hers and sucking every last bit of breath out of her, on purpose, an old bloodsucker technique. He broke the seal and Chass came up gasping, incredibly turned on. Her green eyes shimmered like a burning spring meadow as she pulled him to her, grasping a handful silky, black hair, begging him to do it again. He took the hint, sucking her dry, and then blowing some of her own breath back into her lungs in one long drag. He could feel her lungs fill up beneath him and felt her smile curve beneath his kiss. She chuckled. He grumbled out a short laugh himself, teasing her with a few more short blowing breaths. She gasped for air and chuckled some more.

“Is that how you get all the ladies to shut up?”

“No, just you, Miss Chatter Box. Chass?”

Chass raised one thin brow.

“Will you just shut up and make love to me?”

A stream of happiness wound its way through her overheated body and curled
itself around her beating heart.

“My lips are zipped,” she whispered.

Vex growled again and took her in her arms, rolling her over, slipping her wool
skirt over her ankles in one swift movement. She wore ivory stockings attached to a
black, lacy garter belt. His mouth watered at the sight. “Damn, Chass, you are one sexy dame!”

Chass only smiled back as she shook off her sweater and unbuttoned her blouse to
reveal the matching lace bra. Vex lost it. He let out a howl that sent Chass reaching for her clothes, turning a deathly white. She stared at him wide-eyed. That was no man pretending to howl like a wolf. It was a damn wolf howl, straight from the throat of a hungry animal. Vex couldn’t help it. He hadn’t intended to howl like that, but Chass really brought out the animal in him. He wanted nothing more than to shift into a wolf and have his way with her. He went to her.

“Baby, I’m sorry. Did I scare you?”

Chass only nodded like a scared little mouse.

“I learned that in college. Sounds real, huh?”

“Blimey, Vex! That was the most realist wolf sound I’ve ever heard! Are you
sure you aren’t a werewolf?” She tried to make a joke out of the awkward moment.

Damn! Yes, I’m a werewolf, a bloodsucker or any other animal you can think of.
She didn’t have a reaction when I’d told her the other night.


Of course, Chass still believed their visit to Xurath to be a very realistic dream. Vex would have to explain his heritage to her soon enough. “I promise, I won’t eat you for breakfast, now come here,” he ordered with a pretend, manly sounding growl, on purpose, just for effect to show her he really was only a man.

Chass smiled weakly. Vex pulled his sweater over his head and kicked off his
jeans. This time it was Chass who wanted to howl. His muscles in the flickering
candlelight rippled. She licked her lips. She was wet in two seconds flat. She’d never wanted a man like this. Never. He simply oozed with sex appeal. Heady, drunk lust flooded her entire being. Once again she felt intoxicated. All she could think of was of becoming one with this great hunk of a man. Nothing else mattered. All sad thoughts of Tabitha had been washed away. Vex unfastened her bra and held both breasts in his hands from behind. Chass closed her eyes.

Vex spoke to her in his mind. Oh, Chass, you’re so beautiful. Chass answered
him. Take me, Vex. I’ve never wanted another man. You are the first and you’ll be the
last.


Vex flipped her over and unfastened her garter belt in two quick snaps. He didn’t
bother to take off the stockings or the panties. He rolled on top of her while the fire crackled, sizzled and popped. The rest of the world was shut out from them both. With one thick, steadied hand he pulled the thin crotch of her panties to the side and dove inside. Chass gasped, her eyes opening wide. One second of quick pain and then incredible pleasure engulfed her. It was glorious. His warmth filled her as he began to pump into her, pummeling her with wicked desire, born hundreds of years before, made for just the two of them. All inhibitions were gone. Chass curled her long legs around him and placed her hands on his firm behind, pushing him in further. He was still being too gentle and she wanted it rough this time. Needed it rough. Hunger ate its way through her. She had to be fed. Vex screamed. All that velvet warmth, hugging him, surrounding him. His mind began fading to long beams of white light as trickles of unbearable delight rocked through him.

“Chass, Chass!”

“Fuck me, Vex! Please, oh ... please ... baby ... harder! Fuck me!” Chass
panted and groaned, bit and licked at his mouth, his chest, his nipples.

Vex sat up to get a tighter angle, pulling her to him. Her head snapped to his,
staring straight through to his soul, wanting to claim it, be a part of it, be his. He pushed her hips into his with both hands on her black panties and dove deeper still. Chass screamed, throwing her head back in ecstasy. Her breasts beat against his chest with each thrust. She held on tight, clawing at his shoulders with long nails, never wanting the ride to end. Vex pulled her by the hair. She let out a moan as her neck fell to the side, exposing a blue vein, pumping wildly in the midst of lustful passion.

He couldn’t resist. He never even gave it a thought when he bit into her, sinking his long canines into her delicate, powder white flesh. Chass’s eyes flew open in horror. Tears streamed down her face. She was unable to scream as the life drained from her. Vex drank his fill, ever the bloodsucker beneath the surface. She was half dead, slumped into his arms when he realized the beast had taken over. In one quick movement, he pulled his two-inch dagger like teeth out of the bleeding holes along her tender neck. He screamed out loud and in his head. Screamed for his mother, his father and all four brothers to come, then he buried his face into her neck and held her dying body.




Vampire Sex Rocks!

Until next week...carpe nocturne!
~Alisha

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Birthday Giveaway!


Today is my birthday. I share it with my beautiful mother so we'll have dinner tonight as always. My honey has been working out of town for a month. He's flying in tonight...woohooooooo!

Leave me a comment about your favorite birthday memory and I'll send you an ebook of your choice.




Happy Birthday, Mama!

I love you!