Soon to be dipping my toe in the self-publishing waters

Like many authors nowadays, I've weighed the pros and cons of self-publishing. A few peers who've successfully made the switch have encouraged me to try the same. Even my spouse, who hasn't always been sure about this whole writing gig, has recently suggested I give self-pub a go. I've been hesitant to dip my toe, let alone take the plunge, but with the Universe nudging me in that direction as of late, I've finally gotten the hint. This summer, I'll be self-publishing the reprint of my older M/F novella Windswept. I'm aiming for a June "poolside read" release, so please check back next month for more details. If all goes well with that, my next self-pub venture will be a totally new M/M story. As always, stay tuned!

Light bondage, set in the year 1920, with a Rubenesque heroine... Efflorescence is available today!

Available now from Amber Heat Publishing:
Efflorescence -- A light BDSM novelette

The year 1920 signals a time of change. The wholesome Gibson Girl is fading from grace, but the spirited Flapper has yet to emerge. In the midst of this transition, Hannah struggles to find her place. Her modeling jobs among the budding bohemian scene of Greenwich Village lead her to Russian painter Pavel.

Displaced from his homeland and dissatisfied with his art, Pavel identifies with Hannah's restless spirit. Finding his muse, the emigre is determined to bring out the best in his shy, young model. In turn, Hannah surrenders herself to the artist’s whims. But when his unorthodox approach stirs Hannah’s innermost taboo desires, she faces the truest test of convention...and the heart.

With themes of light bondage, and a guest appearance by a young Anais Nin, Efflorescence explores Hannah's coming-of-age at a time when women sought to expand their role in a changing world.

 Available in e-book at:
Amazon Kindle
  Amber Heat

   All Romance

50 Shades of Easter Dye

This morning's supply list:

1. Vaseline? Check.

2. Latex gloves? Check.

3. Button-down men's dress shirt given to me by my husband several years ago for this express purpose? Check.

No, I'm not re-enacting a scene from Fifty Shades of Grey, or doing research for one of my own books. I'm just covering my shades of gray with a little camouflage. Instead of dying eggs this fair Easter morning, I'm coloring my hair.

Carry on, and Happy Easter everyone.

Inspirational hottie + earworm du jour = today's blog post

Partner-in-crime Violet LeVoit has proved the usual evil influence by hooking me on IAMX's latest offering, I Come With Knives. Dare I say Chris Corner picks up where Peter Murphy leaves off in the "beautiful man with tight lyrics and tighter leather pants" department:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=nt0MkotVIEc

The ever-informative Wiki says Corner's lyrics "concern subjects such as sexual identity, death, love, narcotic intoxication, decadence, critique of religion and politics, alienation, addiction, modern society and gender bending." Sounds like my kind of party. Or maybe one of my books. The above song certainly inspires my creativity, and I do believe I've found a new Muse...but so far today's to-do list consists solely of "1: Find out how to become a model in an IAMX video" followed by "2: See # 1."

New cover for upcoming reprint of Efflorescence

Here's the new cover for the reprint of Efflorescence, my "nostalgic contemporary" novella with BDSM elements, coming this April from Amber Heat. Thanks to Trace Zaber for the lovely visuals!

Sigh.

There are times when I want to come out of the erotic romance e-pub closet and give my pen name to the personal friends and relatives who don't know what I do. Like when one friend suggested I give e-books a try after she bought a Nook last year... Or when two others asked if I'd read 50 Shades yet because they had never read anything like it before. But then I think again and don't let them in on my little secret. Ah well. Good for both a private joke and quiet facepalm. :P

New review for Secrets Revealed!

Yes, the ! at the end of my subject line is quite appropriate. Between Secrets Revealed being a reprint (it was my first published novel, once upon a time), and the fact that my M/F readership is less vocal than my M/M one, it hasn't received much fanfare during its current run with Loose Id. It hasn't helped that I wrote Secrets Revealed as deliberate homage to those now politically-incorrect "bodice rippers", the kind my grandmother read and that I took peeks at when my mother wasn't around. Or that my M/F isn't strictly so, with a touch of F/F and M/F/M sneaking in here and there. The readers and reviewers who have been vocal over the years about Secrets Revealed often cite it as a guilty pleasure or under-the-sheets-with-a-flashlight read. Nothing wrong with that, as that's sort of the point of the book, but it does hinder word-of-mouth publicity.

I had hoped the very public buzz over 50 Shades might change that and help bring the Eldritches out of the closet (or should I say, the dungeon?) but Secrets Revealed remains, well, my dirty little secret, as does the rest of the Eldritch Legacy series. My very open Blue Ruin readers may find this puzzling, considering some of the twisted BDSM happenings that go on in that series, but trust me when I tell you the Eldritches make Derek and Blue read like a trip to Disneyland. (Granted, M/M perhaps eases the discomfort of "gender dynamics" that are very upfront in my M/F, but that's another topic discussed at length all over the M/M blogsosphere.) I don't even want my mother to know I wrote Secrets Revealed, so I guess I can understand why readers may not want other people to know they've read it...or liked it!

So, when I do hear from an Eldritch Legacy reader, it always makes my day. (Yes, I do have "crossover readers" who enjoy both my het and male/male, but they are a rare and precious breed, at least for my books.) Receiving a brand-spanking new review is even nicer! The minute I saw the title of this review blog is "I Heart Warning Labels" I knew my book had been found by a like-minded soul, the type of reader that I crafted Secrets Revealed for and hoped to reach way back in 2006. Here is what reviewer Cara has to say about the big red warning label that my Eldritch characters wallow in:

http://iheartbookswithawarninglabel.blogspot.com/2013/03/fantasy-unconventional-twisted-inlove.html

Thank you, Cara! I appreciate this review more than you may ever realize. If anyone else would like to brave the dark Eldritch waters, you can find my multi-generational bodice rippin' series in both print and the much more discreet e-book here.

Primetime Viewing: latest movie recs

I've watched a lot of Netflix and DVDs during my recovery these past several months. Here are a few movies which stood out and that I recommend.

Yobi, the Five-Tailed Fox

Family-friendly Korean anime. Sure to delight.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1077274/

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

These talented young actors shine.
(Yes, that's Hermione and Percy Jackson.)

Read the book too, if you haven't already.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1659337/

Submarine

Welsh coming-of-age with direct shoutouts to Holden Caulfield.

Screenplay adapted/directed by actor who plays Moss on The IT Crowd.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1440292/

Visible Secret

Filmed in Hong Kong. Was expecting horror but pleasantly surprised by

a dark yet quirky romantic comedy with an underground nightlife vibe.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0287811/

Explicit Ills

Warning -- does not have a happy ending, with storyline evolving from

random-and-quirky art house montage to meaningful but in-your-face social message.

Still a well-done film. Watched it for Paul Dano, came away impressed by Lou Taylor Pucci.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1095001/

Win a free Blue Ruin or Eldritch Legacy title for Read an E-Book Week!

Before Oprah convinced the rest of the world to buy Kindles, I got my foot in the writing door thanks to indie e-publishers and the early adopters of e-readers. What better way to celebrate how far the digital industry has come than Read an E-book Week, and what better way to show my appreciation than to give away some free reads? Some BDSM reads at that?

Leave a comment on this post between now and midnight EST Thursday, and come Friday I will give away one copy of any Blue Ruin book to one lucky reader, and one copy of any Eldritch Legacy title to another lucky winner. Just let me know in your comment which title you want. You may pick one Blue Ruin title, one Eldritch Legacy title, OR one of each to increase your chances of winning. Please also include your email address (suggested format/example would be katrina.strauss AT gmail DOT com to avoid spambots). Whether you are new to either series and want to start with book one, or have started the series and want to continue with the next book on your list, here's your chance to do so with a free copy in digital format!

If you like M/M or yaoi-flavored BDSM, you may find all of the Blue Ruin titles here:

http://www.loose-id.com/genres/series/blue-ruin.html

If you prefer M/F with a touch of menage, all of the Eldritch Legacy titles are here:

http://www.loose-id.com/genres/series/eldritch-legacy.html

Check back Friday, March 8th, to see if you've won. Good luck, and have a happy Read an E-book Week!

M/F/M romance Eldritch Legacy: A Forfeit Owed now available in trade paperback

Available now in trade paperback!
A Forfeit Owed (An Eldritch Legacy Story)

Featuring cover art by Anne Cain

As the daughter of a disowned noble, Korinne has few options. Forced to wait on her cousins hand and foot, she wishes fairy godmothers were more than the stuff of childhood tales. When she visits the royal palace, she finds herself wooed by not one but two handsome princes. As the battle for her hand leads to sensual encounters beyond her wildest dreams, Korinne discovers fairy tales can come true -- but at what price? Born third in line to the throne, Prince Trystan struggles with a heritage he never asked for. Locked in an ongoing game of forfeits with his brother, Crown Prince Darius, Trystan is determined to one up his opponent in their battle of wit versus brawn. When both brothers set eyes on the curvaceous beauty Korinne, they place a secret wager on her affections. Trystan will do whatever it takes to best Darius, even if it means sharing the prize short-term. But when Trystan truly falls for Korinne, the greatest loss at stake is his heart. Available in both trade paperback and e-book at: