Latest review rounds for Katrina Strauss!

I've received favorable reviews on a few titles this past week, so thought I'd share with the group!

First of all, m/m reviewer Boylove Addict has read and favorably reviewed.... m/f novel Secrets Revealed! I definitely take that as compliment! Boylove Addict says: "I discovered that I can enjoy almost any type of erotic story when written by the masterful hand of an author whose style I adore... I really want to put this book in the hands of readers that are always whining about the 'complete' lack of strong heroines in m/f." See what else Boylove Addict has to say about the mostly het happenings between Inga and Lord Eldritch here: http://boylove-addict.livejournal.com/40152.html

Next, Val Kovalin of Obsidian Bookshelf offers glowing praise for my steam-fueled Victorian m/m tale Sleight of Hand. Kovalin says: "This is a jewel of a novelette that will delight fans of homoerotic fiction, steampunk, the Victorian era, and beautifully written supernatural coming-of-age stories. Highly recommended!" Catch Kovalin's complete review at: http://www.obsidianbookshelf.com/html/sleightofhand.html

Jenre of Well Read also enjoyed Sleight of Hand and reviewed it as one of her "Saturday Shorts". Jenre says: "I really enjoyed reading this as the historical setting was a bit different; the character of Edwin was likable and easy to identify with; and the sex scenes were tender and nicely written... A great short read which gets a grade of 'Very Good' from me." See what else Jenre has to say at: http://jenre-wellread.blogspot.com/2009/04/saturday-shorts_18.html

And last but certainly not least, Kassa of GLBT-specific Rainbow Reviews says of futuristic m/m short A Roof for the Rain: "Surprisingly well developed characters and a beautifully written story fit perfectly within the shorter length and combine to offer a story that is easily one of the best I’ve read this year." Kassa's 4-1/2 star review may be found here: http://rainbow-reviews.com/?p=1231

Man thanks to each of the above reviewers for their kind and encouraging comments!

#amazonfail and they fail it big

As the current Amazon debacle sets the blogosphere ablaze, I have nothing constructive outside of "WTF???" and "Massive Fail!" to offer but the following:

Please support your favorite authors via venues outside of Amazon. If you read e-books exclusively through the Kindle 1, you may purchase unprotected Mobi (.prc) files through multiple legitimate sources.

Check out the frequently updated Dear Author or Smart Bitches for current news, as well as information on how you, the reader, can make your voice heard.

Oh, and Amazon? Two words for you: Amazon Rank

Thank you, and that is all.

New acceptance - Off the Beaten Path

My m/m novella Off the Beaten Path will be released this summmer by Loose Id as part of their special vacation theme. This one's a little lighter than my usual fare, though features a quirky cast of characters in what I hope is a unique vacation setting. I'll announce an official release date as soon as I have one. In the meantime, here's a blurb to whet your appetites:


Travis Bell is openly gay to family and friends, but as a college athlete, he chooses not to define himself by his sexuality. When he covers for a friend’s misdeed, he’s forced to negotiate his future as a student without losing his lacrosse scholarship.

The last thing Travis plans on, however, is a “volunteer vacation” in the remote wilderness with members of Omega Beta Pi, aka Off the Beaten Path, a fraternity devoted to gay rights and environmental causes. To make matters worse, he must share a tent with Kyle, an opinionated activist who also happens to be the hottest guy Travis has ever laid eyes on.

Kyle Schafer is a proud activist who disapproves of Travis’s ignorance on issues affecting the environment and gay community. To his even greater annoyance, Kyle finds himself attracted to his shallow tent mate on a purely physical level. Travis goes against everything Kyle believes in, but that doesn’t dampen the chemistry that sparks between them.

In battling their desire, can polar opposites Travis and Kyle find there’s more to one another than meets the eye?

Secrets Revealed reprint is out today!

Available now from Loose Id!
Eldritch Legacy 1: Secrets Revealed



Lord Eldritch hides his face behind an iron mask, and his tortured past beneath a hardened soul. When the dark knight investigates rumors of a medicine woman practicing the forbidden art of magick, he finds Inga, a strong-willed maiden who ignites his passion and stirs memories of a love long lost. Sensing her mutual desire, he imprisons Inga in the castle dungeon where he may possess and keep her forever.

In time, Eldritch's seemingly hapless prisoner learns that, even in submission, she wields power over her captor. Can Inga unlock the hardness of Eldritch's heart while she, herself, resists the seductive lure of dark magick?

"Mystery, mythicism and sex at its elemental best." Lee, CK2's Kwips & Kritiques

"Will snare you from the beginning, keep you on the edge of your seat, and surprise you with all the twists and turns involved in this plot." Tara, TwoLips Reviews

"This is a dark fantasy, and the characters are definitely not Disney." Elise Logan, BDSM Reviews

Read an Excerpt:
http://www.loose-id.com/KSTEL1SRex.aspx

Buy the E-book:
http://www.loose-id.com/prod-Eldritch_Legacy_1__Secrets_Revealed-914.aspx

Kudos for a Roof for the Rain!

A Roof for the Rain is currently ranked as Red Rose Publishing's #1 GLBT title, as well as placing in their top 10 erotic romance titles overall. It has also received some nice reader reviews. Here are quips and links to two:

Boylove Addict says: "A Roof for the Rain is everything I hoped for and more... [It] has the perfect balance of wistfulness and poignancy with drive and determination. As always, I am in awe of Katrina's ability to draw a detailed picture with a few well placed words."

Read the full review here:
http://boylove-addict.livejournal.com/29864.html

The Yaoi Review says: "[The story] lent itself to some beautifully descriptive language and bitter sweet imagery... Overall, I like the plot and think you will too. It's different, fresh and with men that could actually exist."

Read the full review here:
http://community.livejournal.com/the_yaoi_review/86695.html

Many thanks to Boylove Addict and The Yaoi Review for their thoughtful comments!

New Anne Cain cover art for Secrets Revealed reprint

I'm pleased to unveil the cover art for the upcoming re-release of my first novel, dark BDSM fantasy Eldritch Legacy 1: Secrets Revealed. Anne Cain has done an absolutely beautiful job:



Secrets Revealed will be out next week from Loose Id, so stay tuned! For those of you who read Secrets Revealed during its first run with a different publisher, you should know this new version has been re-edited and revised with a few scene changes. And for those of you who are new to the Eldritch Legacy and are wondering what the heck this is all about, here's a blurb to whet your appetites:

Lord Eldritch hides his face behind an iron mask, and his tortured past beneath a hardened soul. When the dark knight investigates rumors of a medicine woman practicing the forbidden art of magick, he finds Inga, a strong-willed maiden who ignites his passion and stirs memories of a love long lost. Sensing her mutual desire, he imprisons Inga in the castle dungeon where he may possess and keep her forever.

In time, Eldritch's seemingly hapless prisoner learns that, even in submission, she wields power over her captor. Can Inga inspire Eldritch to face his past and challenge the king while she, herself, resists the seductive lure of dark magick?

Note: Secrets Revealed is a re-edited, revised story previously released under the same title by another publisher.

Check back soon for more details!