YIPPEE!!!!!!! Look what I just learned:

MISS ISABELLA THAWS A FROSTY LORD is a finalist in the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence contest, novella category!

I am so very happy about this! After not entering any contests since being published in ‘05 (I confess to entering many before then, for the judges’ critiques and feedback) I decided to enter two contests this year. Deceived by Desire I entered in the erotic romance category of one (who hasn’t yet announced finalists) and my traditional Regency Christmas novella, Miss Isabella, I entered in the above mentioned contest.

Gayle Wilson has the distinction of being an author I’ve long admired. One of her novellas, published by Harlequin Historical, has long been in my keeper pile. Interestingly, it wasn’t until completing Miss Isabella, that I realized while my heroine is blind, the hero is blind in the story by Ms. Wilson. Quite a coincidence.

Anyway I’m delighted! This contest is open to all published authors, whether electronically or in print, and to know that the judges thought my story worthy of being named a finalist — Tom T. Terrific!

FYI, I know I’ve been playing least-in-sight lately when it comes to blog posting and other things, but I’ve been working furiously on Jonah and Suzy’s story (Bottoms Up Book II) and expect to be submitting it to our editor in just the next couple of days. Whew! I’ve been working on this one since last May…that’s a long time to spend with two characters. I’m happy to report that I just completed reading the entire manuscript, and just this morning Mr. Lyons finished his “proofread”. Both of us found the emotional and physical journey of these two very satisfying.

More soon! Larissa

PS, Miss Isabella Thaws a Frosty Lord can be found in this book:

Tags: Bottoms Up, Regency romance

A phantom, medieval fair? An early 20th century authoress who wrote nonfiction stories with titles that would’ve been right at home in today’s erotic romance market?

Join me over at Raven Happy Hour today and learn more.

Read all my paranormal and ghostly posts here.

Tags: England, ghosts, Paranormal places

Oops! A quick glance at my blog calendar–and the lack of recent posts–and I can certainly tell I’ve had my head buried in a book!

The good news is — it’s Bottoms Up, Book 2. I received it from Alyssa in January, 6000 words (bringing the total to over 120K!) and one sex scene richer. Now I’m going through the entire story and doing my “final” thing. I know I’m a slow writer. I know much of that has to do with physical limitations and my computer stamina. When I push, my body screams at me and it takes days, sometimes weeks, to get back on track. Ergo, I’ve learned not to push!

But I had a revelation over the weekend that helped explain to my highly analytical brain the other reason I write so slow. Check out this post. It’s one of the absolute best summaries I’ve ever seen on self-editing. Cutting the flab (unnecessary words, paragraphs, etc.) out of your manuscript so that your story reads as swiftly and flawlessly as you can make it.

That’s always been a goal of mine–to make every book the absolute best I can. Are there things I would do differently on my first couple of historical releases? Heck yes! But clarity comes with time, and I’ve learned do the best I can at the time then let it go.

So I know it’s taking a while but I can promise Jonah and Suzy’s story covers a lot of emotional ground, with plenty of surprising laughs sprinkled throughout. I hope everyone waiting for the second book in the series will love it, and I’m happy to report we’re definitely closing in on “The End”. (well actually, I’m closing in on “the middle”, but the end won’t be far behind! )

Stay warm! Larissa

Tags: Alyssa, Bottoms Up, current project, writing

Right now, you can vote for RESTRAIN ME as your favorite 5 Heart Sweetheart of 2009! What an honor winning this would be – Aly & I are loving our rowdy cowboys, and we’re hoping readers are too.

We’d really appreciate your vote!   Just click here: http://theromancestudio.com/ 5heart_form2009. php scroll about 3/4 of the way down & select “Restrain Me by Alyssa Brooks and Larissa Lyons 8/17/09” and enter your name & email. That’s it – and THANK YOU!!!
Larissa

Tags: Bottoms Up, Restrain Me

Yummy and easy!

Banana Fizz Smoothie

for 2 servings:

Blend ~ 4 or 5 sliced bananas

1.5 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup orange or pineapple juice

top with banana slices or cinnamon

Tags: breakfast, recipe

Night Owl Reviews awarded Cotillion Christmas Spirits 5 out of 5, and a TOP PICK!

(and why oh why does the centering never want to work on this blog??????)

The reviewer enjoyed all five stories, saying, “This was a lovely and wonderful book filled with such sweet stories about love and hope that they can and should be read throughout the whole year, not just at Christmas!” Janean

Larissa

Tags: book reviews, Christmas, Regency romance

Woot! Yippee! Yeehaw! And any other dorky, excited thing I can holler from the rooftop.

My first single title print release is here…

Deceived by Desire –

A whore without any whoring credentials? Laney’s convinced she can pretend well enough, after all, she’s pretended to be a mistress for years.

Cursed into the form of a lion without nightly sex, Nash Hammond wants only two things—his wenches wild and willing, and his liquor strong and smooth. What he doesn’t need is a virgin!

Only problem is, Nash develops an affinity for the deceitful Laney—the “whore” who gives a man reason to hope.

FYI: Includes anal sex, multi-gender spanking and lots of growling.

AVAILABLE NOW from Ellora’s Cave

Tags: blurbs, book releases, Roaring Rogues

Want to meet a ghost named Florrie?  Find out the most common tavern name in all of England? (And no the title didn’t give it away!) Learn about a paranormal place called Avebury Circle?

Then join me over at Raven Happy Hour today where all your questions will be answered!

Read all my paranormal and ghostly posts here.

Tags: England, ghosts, Paranormal places

Well this was like a Christmas bonus! The Romance Studio announced their 2009 CAPA nominees and Restrain Me earned two! One for the content (kudos to me, Alyssa & our editor!) and one for the cover (congratulations fabulous cover artist Syneca!). Officially, we’re up for Best Contemporary Erotic Romance of 2009! [Can I get a yee-haw?!]  (and no, before you ask…our characters don’t talk like this. )

Bottoms Up, book 1 – Restrain Me

Alyssa’s been reading over Bottoms Up book 2 the last several weeks — and laughing a lot, judging from the feedback I’ve been receiving. That makes me a very happy camper. Stay tuned for more writing updates, contest announcements, and other goodies. Meanwhile, if you haven’t given Restrain Me a try, go see for yourself, there’s a lot to love — sexy cowboys especially! Larissa

Tags: Alyssa, Bottoms Up, Restrain Me