The revised and reissued Wilderness Girl is finally available on Amazon. The good news is that Amazon's now paying more attention to new releases to verify that the person uploading the ebook is actually the author or holds the publishing rights, which means better protection against fraudulent releases.
The bad news is the process does take a little bit longer now. Thank goodness Marci Baun of Freya's Bower, the former publisher of Wilderness Girl, was extremely prompt in verifying to Amazon that the rights had indeed returned to me. Marci's been great throughout my publishing experience. And honestly, Amazon was still fairly fast about releasing it. It took an extra two days, but in my opinion, time well worth it.
Yay! The rights for Wilderness Girl have returned to me, and I'm reissuing it on Smashwords and Amazon Kindle (just waiting on Amazon to make it available).
This was a very fun novella, and its touch of humor make it a little different than the usual erotic romance. I did tone down the graphic language a bit, but Hank and Dana's story is still as steamy. :)
I was so proud when Wilderness Girl was named a 2011 EPIC finalist.
A reviewer said: “I loved this story for one main reason- it's why I love romances. The story was so fun. It was also filled with hot and steamy sex scenes, and the figuring out how this relationship will work stuff.
I always think I like longer books, but the length on this one was just right. Enough to read in one sitting, but filled with everything I needed or wanted to know. Ms. Masters can write a story filled with all the ingredients for a good erotic, romance in my book.”
Careful, this story may make you want to go, um, camping. :) Get into the wild!
Though wait till the weather calms down. On a more serious note, I feel blessed that my home hasn't sustained damage in the crazy weather we've been having. The city of Harrisburg is shut down, the Pennsylvania Turnpike is closed for most of the way between here and my hometown in New Jersey, which is located on the banks of the Delaware River and taking a huge hit right now. We definitely didn't need another twelve inches of rain after Irene saturated us with rain. So please send your good thoughts to the folks who've been hit hard by this.
This week's question is: Genres- What two do you think mix together best?
I love mashing genres, the more the better! In my contemporary erotic romance, Wilderness Girl, I also mixed in a little humor to mix and mash a little more. :)
Here's a snippet to whet your taste buds:
Dana scanned the stacks of camping gear piled on the shelves. People must be crazy to pay full price for this junk. But planning this trip had been the first time Sean had paid attention to her like he used to. He’d been so distracted these last two months. Working late, even going missing a couple of nights, leaving her waiting for calls that never came. When she asked later, explanations stumbled out in a short, stammered rush that left many of her questions unanswered. If going camping helped him focus on their relationship, well, she’d do whatever was needed.
A deep voice behind her reached inside her thoughts. “Can I help you with anything?”
She grinned. Sean must have circled back around. He liked it from behind, and lately doggy-style was their only position. She backed the cart up until she felt his heat–it seemed more intense than usual. Maybe tonight he would relax a little. He’d been so tense lately.
“Um, yeah, I might need a little help.” She reached behind and ran her hand up his thigh. Maybe she’d give him a taste of what, in particular, she had in mind. He kept pestering her to be more sexually adventurous. She slid her fingers to his crotch. Clicking each tooth of the zipper open, his sharp intake of breath made her smile.
The sight of Sean walking between aisles, looking in the opposite direction, made her freeze.
“Oh my God.” Her breath strangled in her throat and she whirled around.
Six feet of tanned muscle, wrapped in a faded black T-shirt and jean shorts loose on his hips. Eyes like wildfire burning in a sun-kissed face. Grinning like a fox.
“Well, don’t stop there. You have my full attention.”
Thanks to everyone who visited last week. Your comments mean so much to me! Thank you.
This week, I'm taking you into the wild with my 2011 EPIC finalist, Wilderness Girl. I'm sad none received an award, but still proud they finaled.
This is the very beginning of the story, when Dana goes to Wilderness Outfitters with her boyfriend Sean. Their relationship's been rocky, and she hopes giving in to a camping trip will heat it back up. She thinks he's snuck up behind her in the store, and decides to get a little playful, and is unzipping him when she catches sight of Sean crossing through the main aisle.
“Oh my God.” Her breath strangled in her throat and she whirled around.
Six feet of tanned muscle, wrapped in a faded black T-shirt and jean shorts loose on his hips. Eyes like wildfire burning in a sun-kissed face. Grinning like a fox.
“Well, don’t stop there. You have my full attention.”
What a great surprise my email held this morning! At Dark Diva Reviews, Wilderness Girl is up for August Book of the Month! It's the first time one of my books has had such an honor. I'm so excited!
I would also love your vote! You have to scroll down through July, to the bottom of August, but it's there. Here's the link to the poll. Thanks!
Wilderness Girl, my contemporary humorous erotic romance, is also a 2011 EPIC finalist! Woot! Go Wilderness Girl.
Wilderness Girl began with a line I distinctly heard spoken in my head. No, I don't normally hear voices; it's never happened before, and hasn't since. But it was enough to launch this story.
First, a little backstory on the voice. I love to garden (though this year my gardens are a miserable failure, but that's another story altogether). Unfortunately, we live in an area where snakes are prevalent. Not just one type of snake, but several, including poisonous copperheads. When I was little, I loved to collect all sorts of slimy reptiles and bring them home, including snakes. Now, of course, I prefer to avoid snakes altogether. One of the perks of age is reason, I suppose. :) But one rather long black snake would regularly slither through our yard on his way to doing snake business wherever.
I actually didn't mind this snake, and it apparently didn't mind us either. It even let my kids and dog check it out. I checked it out from a distance. :) But other snakes weren't so easy to identify, and while working in the garden, I'd often see them up close more often than I cared to. (Yes, there's a point to this story.)
Weeding one day, I had a close encounter, and (here it is...) heard the voice. What did it say? Very clearly, I heard: **ck me till I'm blind.
It seemed a reasonable exclamation from a girl out in the wild when confronted with such a snake. Someone whose wilderness skills ranked somewhere between zero and point five on a scale of 20. So Dana was born: web developer, she's artistic in a virtual way, and practically lives online. She even met her boyfriend online. So when she meets Hank, he's more than a breath of fresh air. He opens her eyes to the joys of manual labor. :)
As I mentioned yesterday, guys on motorcycles really intrigue me. Not necessarily bad boys, they usually think a little more independently than guys, say, who drive compact cars. Whenever I see a couple on a bike, they always look so in synch with one another, physically as well as emotionally. They look happy.
Camping's one of those activities where couples need to be in synch with one another, and depend on one another. Not only to look after their partner's welfare, but their emotional well being too. I'm sure it's a great test of relationship strength as well.
Like most of the characters in my stories, Hank and Dana emerged from the deep shadowy recesses of my brain fully formed. I had to get to know them a little, but as usual, too, it was like getting reacquainted with old friends.
I hope you'll come to know and love Hank and Dana as much as I did.
One final note, about the trailer. The incredible music was composed by Michael Eli, who generously allowed me to use it. I erroneously attributed it to the band Soul Custody in the credits. but it's Michael's sole composition. It's so beautiful, I let it run a little longer than the video.
You can view the entire Story Elements series (so far) by entering the key words Story Elements in the search box to the right.
Here's another Wilderness Girl excerpt different than the usual: The guy at Wilderness Outfitters had been right. This seemed an excellent spot. The slope offered a perfect view of the stream at the bottom of the hill. But where was he now that she needed him? Probably having a good laugh, imagining her here by herself. The only other vehicle in the parking lot was a motorcycle–obviously not another camper. Perhaps he’d never intended to show up at all. Maybe he’d gone back to the coffee shop that night and made plans with the Frappacino Girl. Should she head back to the car? She’d have to gather everything up again, trek back through the woods…. No. Going back meant giving in to failure. Next, she’d be sitting home on weekends, feeling like a complete loser. She’d never been that girl, and she wasn’t about to start now. The instructions. Though they read like something translated from Japanese to Greek to English, maybe the illustrations would be of some use. She bent to retrieve them. When she reached for the pole, it moved. Oh good God. A snake. Four feet long, maybe five–hard to tell, after panic set in. Looking at her with its beady black eyes, flicking its awful tongue. Why, of all things, did it have to be a snake? She’d rather have wrestled a grizzly. Happy to leave the city-dwelling man-snakes like Sean behind, she hadn’t thought about the possibility of facing the real thing. She should have known better than to take off into the mountains alone. Her cell phone had zero reception on this hill. If the thing bit her, she’d die out in the wilderness. “Oh, **ck me till I’m blind.” Behind her, a twig snapped and leaves rustled. She didn’t dare look. With her luck, the bear had arrived to take on her challenge. A husky voice asked, “If I get rid of that snake, will you ask me again?” She turned her head ever so slowly. It was him! Wilderness Guy. He looked even better than the night they’d met. His sparkling gaze danced across her in appreciation. The way he looked at her made her want to peel off her clothes layer by layer, to see the pleasure in his face grow. She struggled to regain her composure. “You’re here! Can you please help me before I’m eaten alive?” He rested his hands on his hips. “I told you I would be.” Relief gushed over her, her earlier disappointment forgotten. He shifted his feet. “But you didn’t answer my question.” Disappointment returned. He’d seemed so nice at Wilderness Outfitters, but here he was, acting like they were at a singles bar or something. When he arched a brow, his teasing flared her temper. She’d had enough of self-absorbed guys who thought they could get whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted. He obviously knew he registered a twenty on a scale of one to ten. After putting up with Sean’s games, she wasn’t about to let this guy call the plays. “You….” His hand shot out. “Don’t move.” Oh damn. The snake–she’d forgotten for a blessed second. It coiled upon itself and raised its head. Its tongue darted out. “Oh no….” She fought her buckling knees. “Stay calm.” His low voice fanned embers of the fire she’d felt that night in the store. He slunk toward her like a warrior stalking an enemy. Graceful as tai chi, his serpentine movements mesmerized her. No wonder the reptile watched him as though he were a snake charmer. He moved nearer and her muscles tightened, imagining him melding into her embrace. When his arm grazed hers, she gasped. His touch felt electric, magnetic, just as it had the night they’d met. He winked. Already in a slow boil, heat bubbled from within her to her surface. She seethed, “Are you going to get rid of it, or play with it?” He arched a brow. “I love to play. Don’t you?” She opened her mouth to argue. Before she could form the words, he lunged downward. One hand below the serpent’s head, the other in the middle, he lifted it into the air. Man and reptile twisted in a tangled dance down the hill. Her heart raced. The scene played like a primal ritual. He proved such a hot and skilled warrior. She followed, unsure what to do. What if it bit him? Old movies came to mind of cowboys cutting the skin of a snake bit partner, sucking the venom out. Ugh! Never again would she go camping. Her gear would be on eBay as soon as she made it home. With halting steps, he made it to the creek, wrestling the snake at arm’s length. In one final twist, he bent at the water’s edge. It shot from his hands and disappeared into the stream. She tried to steady her breathing, to fathom what she’d seen. “Are you all right?” “Yeah.” Wiping a forearm across his brow, his dark eyes searched hers. “I’m shaking all over.” The snake aside, his six-pack abs and leg muscles resembling a personal trainer’s could account for the bulk of her trembling. He watched her. Studied her. Her jaw hung open like a gaping moron; she realized too late, and snapped it closed. He bit his lip and burst out laughing. “What?” Why was he laughing? Maybe he’d realized what he’d done, and hysteria had set in. She wanted to wrap her arms around him, to comfort him, to bring him back to the moment, but he convulsed with giggles and chortles. He slowed down several times before exploding all over again. Holding his stomach, he wiped at his eyes, but when his gaze met hers again, he chuckled. “I’m sorry.” He held his hand to his stomach, watching her concern turn to confusion. He dipped his hands in the crystal water and splashed his face. “Oh man, I needed a good laugh.” Tendrils of damp sandy brown hair curled around his neck. “I don’t follow. Was that supposed to be funny?” The scent of a setup began to fill the air. He bit back a smile. “Garter snakes are harmless.” Her cheeks burned. “Garter snakes. Like that one.” So he wasn’t being careless by teasing her while the snake cozied closer. One last chuckle bubbled to the surface. “Yup.”
My novella, Wilderness Girl, was definitely an excursion into the wild side for me. My first erotic romance, it takes a very lighthearted approach nonetheless.
It's garnered some wonderful reviews too. Dark Diva Reviews gave it 5 Divas, saying "Wilderness Girl is an adorable contemporary romance with a really cute beginning that will make you laugh out loud! There are multiple funny moments as Hank teaches Dana how to be a wilderness girl. This storyline was a nice change of pace... and it was quite enjoyable."
Hank, the hero, is tall, blonde and artistic, with an easy smile. He also rides a Harley. There's just something about a guy on a motorcycle that gets me every time. Brad has that same laid-back vibe. Equally at home building a fire on a hilltop or running power tools in his workshop, Hank's the kind of guy who intrigues me because he's always up to something new. He thinks before he speaks rather than blurting out the first thing that comes to mind. Though he might take a little time to trust his instincts, he's a guy who knows what he likes when he sees it.
So when he meets Dana in the Wilderness Outfitters store, sparks fly. A web developer, Dana's outdoor experience to date consisted of walks to and from her car. She's not thrilled about camping, but can't resist the offer to try it. Initially, she'd hoped it would bring her closer to her boyfriend, but after he dumps her, she resolves to go it alone. And hopefully run into Hank in the wilderness. Winona Ryder starred alongside Brad in my head. She loves to take on the roles of quirky, interesting characters, so it seemed a good fit.
You can view the entire Casting Call series (so far) by entering the key words Casting Call in the search box to the right. Watch for Story Elements about Wilderness Girl tomorrow.
Here's a little different excerpt than the usual: Exhaling a long breath, he shook his head. “Dana. You’re dangerous.” He bit his lip and looked at her. Gently, he tugged her T-shirt into place. She ran a hand over his arm to his cheek. “Not really. Only if you want me to be.” His face went blank. “We should get back.” “Why? What’s wrong?” Scrambling to her feet, pebbles shot off the edge and tumbled below. “Nothing. It’ll be dark soon.” When she was safely away from the edge, he walked back the way they’d come. He moved at a brisker pace, pushing branches aside, waiting for her to pass. What had she done? Had she said something wrong? He was practically running away from her. Nearing the trail, she scraped past a bush. “Ow.” She hissed through her teeth, looking at her thigh. A thin red line of blood appeared along a scratch. His lips formed a thin line. “That’s why you shouldn’t have worn those damn shorts.” “What is your problem with my shorts?” She held the edge above the scrape so the blood stain wouldn’t seep in. He pointed up and down. “Because your legs are….” “My legs are what?” You like my legs, she wanted to taunt. She stifled a grin. So she was having an effect on him. Maybe as powerful as the one he was having on her. A groan burst from him and he walked ahead. “Let’s just go, all right?” Wordlessly, she followed him to the stream. He bent without looking at her. She climbed on his back. “Careful–the blood will get on your arm.” He hoisted her up. “You probably didn’t even bring a Band-Aid, did you?” She held his shoulders, less tightly than last time. “No. I hadn’t planned on traipsing through the woods.” Yikes, she sounded like a scolding mother. He stepped into the water too quickly and slipped on a rock. He was rushing to get back–why? “Whoa. Slow down.” She clutched tighter. “What?” He still sounded upset, and still plunged ahead too quickly. “I don’t want to drown.” He mumbled something under his breath. “You know, I’m not out to hurt you.” “What are you talking about?” He walked faster. Too fast. His shoes slid across the rocks. “All of a sudden, you act as if I’m poison to you. I’m just trying to understand why. I’m every bit as vulnerable as you.” She clung closer as he jostled her with his fast stride. “That’s what I said.” His leg went crooked beneath him and he lost his balance. He gripped her thigh tightly struggling to correct it, but released his hold when they fell to one side and toppled into the stream. Her head went underwater. The stones in the stream bed grazed her knee. At least she wouldn’t drown—it wasn’t deep here. She pushed herself up to a wobbly stand, the current surging around her legs. Throwing back his wet head, he rose from the water and lurched toward her. “Are you all right?” “Fine.” Her arms flailing for balance against the stream, she forced her legs ahead. “Here, I can carry you.” He reached for her hand. “No.” She moved away from his grasp and her sandal slipped on a slimy rock. Was he playing with her? He had to know how sexy he was, how women reacted–too easily–to his animal magnetism. The water whooshed when he slogged past her. “Just get on.” “I told you I can take care of myself.” Pushing her legs toward the bank, she slipped as the water grew shallow and the rocks greener. “Careful.” His hand steadied her waist. She sprinted up the bank. “No worries.” Her sarcastic tone couldn’t be helped. Mr. Take It Slow had no real worries. With his looks, he could have any girl he set his sights on. He stopped, nearing her tent, one foot planted ahead on the hill. She whirled to face him, her wet hair slapping her cheek. “You can go on. I said I’ll be fine. I’m going to get my book, dry off in the sun, make a little dinner…. Maybe I’ll even change my damn shorts.” Under her breath, she muttered, “Would that make you happy?” His gaze ran from her soggy sneakers up her stream-soaked legs to her clingy wet T-shirt. “You should clean out that cut. You don’t want it getting infected.” She said nothing. Whoever said better when wet should have seen Hank in wet clothes, chest still heaving, hair dripping down his cheek. She wanted to lick him dry. She folded her arms so he wouldn’t see her hardening nipples. He stepped closer. “I have a first aid kit. I’ll go get it.” “Don’t trouble yourself.” “It’s no trouble. I’ll be right back.” Without waiting for a response, he jogged off and disappeared into the trees. “I’ve heard that before. Adios, compadre.” If he was anything like the other guys she knew, he wouldn’t return. Something knotted inside her. He wasn’t, though–he seemed nothing like anyone she’d ever known. Still, if she intended to stay the night out here, she’d have to fend for herself. To do that, she’d need to get the fire going again. Turning, she pushed her hair away from her face. She should probably comb this mop before it dried. No–sticks first. She bent to pick up scattered twigs and dumped them into the circle of rocks. She set her hands on her hips. “Okay. Now what?” “Here, I’ll help you get it started.” Startled, she gasped and glanced in the direction of his voice. He’d come back. He extended his hand, a tube of ointment in his palm. And a Band-Aid. Yes, he was good at starting fires. Too good.
Shelly, the reviewer, said, in part: Wilderness Girl is an adorable contemporary romance with a really cute beginning that will make you laugh out loud!
There are multiple funny moments as Hank teaches Dana how to be a wilderness girl. I only wish I had this much fun when I went camping (lol)! This storyline was a nice change of pace from what I've been reading lately and it was quite enjoyable. Hank and Dana had quite a bit of fun, which made it fun for me. This is my first book by Cate Masters, but it won't be my last. I look forward to reading more from her and I'm thinking you'll feel the same way too!
Thanks so much Shelly! I'm so glad you enjoyed reading Wilderness Girl as much as I enjoyed writing it. Hope you get to find your own Hank and go camping soon. :)
Here's the excerpt: Dana scanned the stacks of camping gear piled on the shelves. People must be crazy to pay full price for this junk. But planning this trip had been the first time Sean had paid attention to her like he used to. He’d been so distracted these last two months. Working late, even going missing a couple of nights, leaving her waiting for calls that never came. When she asked later, explanations stumbled out in a short, stammered rush that left many of her questions unanswered. If going camping helped him focus on their relationship, well, she’d do whatever was needed. A deep voice behind her reached inside her thoughts. “Can I help you with anything?” She grinned. Sean must have circled back around. He liked it from behind, and lately doggy-style was their only position. She backed the cart up until she felt his heat–it seemed more intense than usual. Maybe tonight he would relax a little. He’d been so tense lately. “Um, yeah, I might need a little help.” She reached behind and ran her hand up his thigh. Maybe she’d give him a taste of what, in particular, she had in mind. He kept pestering her to be more sexually adventurous. She slid her fingers to his crotch. Clicking each tooth of the zipper open, his sharp intake of breath made her smile. The sight of Sean walking between aisles, looking in the opposite direction, made her freeze. “Oh my God.” Her breath strangled in her throat and she whirled around. Six feet of tanned muscle, wrapped in a faded black T-shirt and jean shorts loose on his hips. Eyes like wildfire burning in a sun-kissed face. Grinning like a fox. “Well, don’t stop there. You have my full attention.”
The reviewer said, in part: "Wilderness Girl is a sweet erotic romance. I felt as I knew Dana and Hank and I was rooting for their happiness. I liked the different set up (with camping as a backdrop). I felt [t]he author portrayed a new love relationship, with its obsession and insecurities well. The story worked through their issues rather than glossing over them."
...at Emma Lai Visits the Spicier Side blog. Yesterday, Wilderness Girl was featured. Today, read how you can boost cognitive function with an erotic romance. :) Wilderness Girl happens to be an erotic romance with humorous elements. You Gotta Read Reviews gave it its top rating too!
Tomorrow my first Spotlight author will be here! And on Wednesday and Thursday, I'll be over at Emma Lai's Spicier Side blog, so I hope you'll pop over for a visit. On Wednesday, I'll be discussing how you can Boost Your Cognitive Function With an Erotic Romance. :) Wilderness Girl will be featured on Thursday. Hope to see you there!
Get away this weekend, if only virtually! Come visit with me and Jen at Book Talk with J&J. You won't even need an alibi! I’m giving away a PDF of Wilderness Girl, my sweet, funny erotic romance novella. If you haven't heard, You Gotta Read Reviews gave Wilderness Girl its top rating! Here's what the review said: I loved this story for one main reason- it's why I love romances. The story was so fun. It was also filled with hot and steamy sex scenes, and the figuring out how this relationship will work stuff. I giggled over the start of the book when Dana bumps into Hank in the camping section. It still makes me laugh and blush when I think about it. The characters have their moments of making the relationship work, but that just leads to great making up in so many ways. I had almost hoped Dana would run into her ex somewhere in the story with Hank with her. I always think I like longer books, but the length on this one was just right. Enough to read in one sitting, but filled with everything I needed or wanted to know. Ms. Masters can write a story filled with all the ingredients for a good erotic, romance in my book.
The book trailer for Wilderness Girl is up for video of the month at YouGottaReadReviews. I need many more votes! I'd so appreciate yours for Entry #4.
Starting today, the book trailer for Wilderness Girl is up for video of the month at YouGottaReadReviews. I would so appreciate your vote! Mine is Entry #4. Many of the photos in this video I took myself. I'm lucky to live in a scenic area. Michael Eli of Soul Custody, a band from my hometown of Lambertville, NJ, provided the gorgeous song Angel's Lullabye. I wish I could have used the entire song. Sometimes I'll play the trailer just to listen to it, it's so beautiful. Thanks again, Michael!
Wow! You Gotta Read Reviews gave Wilderness Girl a rating of You Gotta Read, its highest!
Here's what Jennifer, the reviewer, had to say: "I loved this story for one main reason- it's why I love romances. The story was so fun. It was also filled with hot and steamy sex scenes, and the figuring out how this relationship will work stuff. I giggled over the start of the book when Dana bumps into Hank in the camping section. It still makes me laugh and blush when I think about it. The characters have their moments of making the relationship work, but that just leads to great making up in so many ways. I had almost hoped Dana would run into her ex somewhere in the story with Hank with her. I always think I like longer books, but the length on this one was just right. Enough to read in one sitting, but filled with everything I needed or wanted to know. Ms. Masters can write a story filled with all the ingredients for a good erotic, romance in my book."
I'm especially grateful because this was my first attempt at an erotic romance, but it's always great when someone loves reading my story as much as I loved writing it. Thanks Jennifer!
Here's an excerpt from Wilderness Girl: Dana scanned the stacks of camping gear piled on the shelves. People must be crazy to pay full price for this junk. But planning this trip had been the first time Sean had paid attention to her like he used to. He’d been so distracted these last two months. Working late, even going missing a couple of nights, leaving her waiting for calls that never came. When she asked later, explanations stumbled out in a short, stammered rush that left many of her questions unanswered. If going camping helped him focus on their relationship, well, she’d do whatever was needed. A deep voice behind her reached inside her thoughts. “Can I help you with anything?” She grinned. Sean must have circled back around. He liked it from behind, and lately doggy-style was their only position. She backed the cart up until she felt his heat–it seemed more intense than usual. Maybe tonight he would relax a little. He’d been so tense lately. “Um, yeah, I might need a little help.” She reached behind and ran her hand up his thigh. Maybe she’d give him a taste of what, in particular, she had in mind. He kept pestering her to be more sexually adventurous. She slid her fingers to his crotch. Clicking each tooth of the zipper open, his sharp intake of breath made her smile. The sight of Sean walking between aisles, looking in the opposite direction, made her freeze. “Oh my God.” Her breath strangled in her throat and she whirled around. Six feet of tanned muscle, wrapped in a faded black T-shirt and jean shorts loose on his hips. Eyes like wildfire burning in a sun-kissed face. Grinning like a fox. “Well, don’t stop there. You have my full attention.”
Whipped Cream is featuring me in their author spotlight. Each day this week, a different essay will appear. Today’s essay is here. To celebrate tomorrow’s release of Wilderness Girl, my erotic (but very sweet) romance novella, I’m giving away a PDF at the end of the week. So come on over and join the fun! Or if you just can't wait and want your copy of Wilderness Girl now, you can order it from Freya’s Bower. You can check out the story trailer. Here’s the story blurb: When Dana’s boyfriend drags her to Wilderness Outfitters on a Friday night, she wonders why so many people find The Great Outdoors so great. Until she meets Hank— six feet of tanned muscle, wrapped in a faded black T-shirt and jean shorts loose on his hips. Eyes like wildfire burning in a sun-kissed face. Grinning like a fox. After her boyfriend dumps her in the parking lot, humiliation becomes gratitude when Hank invites her to his favorite camping spot, and she seizes on the impulse to change her boring life. A web programmer, Dana’s outdoor experience had consisted of walks to and from her car. Alone on a mountaintop, as she struggles to set up camp, a five-foot snake doesn’t seem a welcome sight: until Hank comes to her rescue. He initiates her to the pleasures of hiking, campfires, and Harley rides down winding roads. Making love beneath a starry sky, Hank awakens a primal Wilderness Girl in Dana she never knew existed. Their weekend feels like a fantasy, which proves all too true on their return to civilization. As the daily grind eats into their time together, their romance begins to come untethered. Will her high-tech lifestyle clash with his low-tech one? Can she manage to recapture the passion of the wilderness in their city existence? Have a safe and happy Labor Day!
What a great surprise my email held this morning! At Dark Diva Reviews, Wilderness Girl is up for August Book of the Month! It's the first time one of my books has had such an honor. I'm so excited! 
Wilderness Girl began with a line I distinctly heard spoken in my head. No, I don't normally hear voices; it's never happened before, and hasn't since. But it was enough to launch this story.
I actually didn't mind this snake, and it apparently didn't mind us either. It even let my kids and dog check it out. I checked it out from a distance. :) But other snakes weren't so easy to identify, and while working in the garden, I'd often see them up close more often than I cared to. (Yes, there's a point to this story.) 
Camping's one of those activities where couples need to be in synch with one another, and depend on one another. Not only to look after their partner's welfare, but their emotional well being too. I'm sure it's a great test of relationship strength as well. 
The instructions. Though they read like something translated from Japanese to Greek to English, maybe the illustrations would be of some use. She bent to retrieve them. When she reached for the pole, it moved.
My novella, Wilderness Girl, was definitely an excursion into the wild side for me. My first erotic romance, it takes a very lighthearted approach nonetheless.
Hank, the hero, is tall, blonde and artistic, with an easy smile. He also rides a Harley. There's just something about a guy on a motorcycle that gets me every time. Brad has that same laid-back vibe. Equally at home building a fire on a hilltop or running power tools in his workshop, Hank's the kind of guy who intrigues me because he's always up to something new. He thinks before he speaks rather than blurting out the first thing that comes to mind. Though he might take a little time to trust his instincts, he's a guy who knows what he likes when he sees it.
So when he meets Dana in the Wilderness Outfitters store, sparks fly. A web developer, Dana's outdoor experience to date consisted of walks to and from her car. She's not thrilled about camping, but can't resist the offer to try it. Initially, she'd hoped it would bring her closer to her boyfriend, but after he dumps her, she resolves to go it alone. And hopefully run into Hank in the wilderness. Winona Ryder starred alongside Brad in my head. She loves to take on the roles of quirky, interesting characters, so it seemed a good fit. 
Dark Diva Reviews rated Wilderness Girl 5 Delightful Divas!
A deep voice behind her reached inside her thoughts. “Can I help you with anything?”
Tomorrow my first Spotlight author will be here!