Big Brother is Watching You - That Means You BLOGGERS!

I don't know how I missed the hullabaloo about the new FTC Revised Guidelines that came out a few days ago - I guess it wasn't in the Top 10 Trending Topics on Twitter - or if it was, it didn't occur to me that the FTC would be interested in my blogging, book reviewing, or writing, so I didn't tune in. I was also working late at the day job then at the ball field 'til late as my daughter had softball games almost every night this week. Silly me.

The short version for those of you who haven't heard about it yet, the FTC is now making it mandatory for bloggers to disclose with disclaimers when the book they are reviewing was given to them for free and/or if they were paid to conduct the review. As the Book Smugglers say in their long post about the FTC regulation, the FTC clearly hasn't read a Smart Bitches book review or one by Mrs. Giggles. They also clearly haven't read Karen Knows Best to see that she polices the romance reading world and anything that is remotely questionable.

If you'd like to read the FTC's Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising, read it for yourself.

Several blogs I've read tonight on the topic are up in arms that the FTC is questioning their integrity. I don't blame them.


Recent posts you might like to read:

Ghost Hunting at a Haunted Hotel

People Don't Fall Out of Trees - Without Reason 

I'm Part of a Tribe


Sayonara Baby

Don't Bomb Your Audience With Turkeys

Are You Writing Me Into Your Book?

Dont Give Up Too Early

Welcome to the Spookiest Month of the Year (+ don't burn your Ouija Board!)

Friday Fill-ins Oct. 2 (& e-Readers)

You'll also want to see what Amarinda Jones, Anika Hamilton, Anny Cook,
Barbara Huffert, Brynn Paulin, Bronwyn Green, Dakota Rebel, Kelly Kirch,
Molly Daniels, Sandra Cox, Regina Carlysle, and Cindy Spencer Pape
are up to, so make sure to visit them also. :)

6 Phases of Working

I was just notified of a 4 Angels review from Fallen Angel Reviews. It's at: "Who doesn't love the nerd and the jock story?...I definitely recommend Secret Admirer!" http://fallenangelreviews.com/2009/March/April-SecretAdmirer.htm 6 Phases of Working Phase 1 You are listening to jazz -- Your first day at work is great. Your co-workers are wonderful, your cubicle is cute, you love your boss, and your President is the best! Phase 2 You are listening to pop music -- After a while you are so busy that you are not sure if you're coming or going anymore. Phase 3 You are listening to heavy metal -- This is what happens after about SIX Months! Phase 4 You are listening to hip hop -- You become bloated due to stress, you're gaining weight due to lack of exercise because you are so tired and have so much work to do and when you get home you have more work to do. You feel sluggish and suffer from constipation. Your fellow coworkers are too cheerful for your liking and the walls of your cubicle are closing in. Phase 5 You are listening to GANGSTA RAP -- After more time passes, your eyes start to twitch, you forget what a 'good hair day' feels like as you just fall out of bed and load up on caffeine. Phase 6 You are listening to the voices in your head -- You have locked the office door to keep people out, You wonder WHY you are even here in the first place and WHY did I come to work today! Personally, I'm somewhere in the middle of the second to the last and last phase. :( You'll also want to see what Amarinda Jones, Anika Hamilton, Anny Cook, Barbara Huffert, Brynn Paulin, Bronwyn Green, Dakota Rebel, Kelly Kirch, Molly Daniels, Sandra Cox, Regina Carlysle, and Cindy Spencer Pape are up to, so make sure to visit them also. :)

Bad reviews - What do you think of them?

Face it, if you're an author, you've most likely had some less than stellar reviews. If you're a book reviewer, you've probably given some less than stellar reviews. As we keep telling each other and ourselves, book reviews are subjective. Thus, we shouldn't worry about a bad review...or two. Like it or not, less than stellar reviews can teach us valuable things when we keep an open mind. If reviews honestly critique the story, they can point out things that can help the author write the next story. They've helped me. This is not to say a reviewer should ever attack a book or an author - there's a huge difference. If you have a personal beef with an author keep it to yourself or at least keep it private between the two of you. Here's an example I pulled off Amazon of a less than helpful review, "I was gullible enough to follow an Amazon recommendation on this one; it turned out to be on of my biggest mistakes. I wish I could give less than a star. Its ridicules that these books get printed while books which are so much better barely make it to e form. Just save your money, effort and time. Just stay away." While this hurts, it also doesn't help. I'd really like to know WHY the reader doesn't like the stories, both as a reader and an author. Perhaps the reader doesn't like erotic romance. Perhaps he doesn't like menages. Perhaps he has a beef about e-books. Perhaps he really doesn't like the writing - but of all three authors involved (this was about an anthology comprised of three authors)? Here's an example of a reviewer that still doesn't like one of my books, but gives me helpful insightful into "why". I took this to heart when writing subsequent stories and I owe this reviewer my thanks (even if it hurts a little). ""Pirate's Booty" was my least favorite. The love scenes were hot, but the story felt forced to me and I think I just had a really cheesy porn movie playing in my head (complete with the chick in animal skin bikini) as I was reading parts of it. But maybe if that is your fantasy the story would work for you, it did not for me." (from the anthology "And Lady Makes Three" published by Ellora's Cave at www.ellorascave.com) Funny thing is, this book is my biggest seller out of all 40+ of my published books. Maybe it's because of my anthology partners' contributions. Anyway, it did give me a tip or two so I've toned down my subsequent stories and I've been getting better reviews. (However, not better sales, so I have to wonder what that's all about...) Just to prove that reviews are subjective, here's a good review of the same story "Pirate's Booty" in the "And Lady Makes Three" anthology. "Pirate's Booty by Ashley Ladd is like a treasure cookie; plain golden temptation on the outside and warm gooey decadence on the inside. At first, I was all prepared for another "rich, useless girl falls for bum" type story and was pleasantly surprised to learn otherwise. Melena is a self-sufficient dynamo of a heroine. Keir and Zarod struggle to accept learning new things about themselves as we learn what wonderful hero material they both really are. All in all, this is a satisfyingly decadent jaunt. Ms. Ladd has created a heroine any woman would be proud to identify with and heroes that turn out to be exactly what they should be. Her way with building sexual tension does not hurt a bit either. " So, which review should I believe? I'd say both of the second two. They're both valid opinions. They both state their reasons "why". The first, doesn't give us a clue. As a reader, do you go by reviews in your book buying decisions? Have you ever bought a book because a review was good...or bad? Honestly, when a book receives a really poor review, I'm more curious than ever to see why and to see if I agree with it. I've read where some authors are tempted to write a really bad review of their book and post it under a different name for promo purposes. I wouldn't do that. I don't hope for a bad review. However, with millions of readers (at least we hope), there are bound to be a million different opinions, good and bad. As I've learned working in customer service, there's no pleasing all of the people all of the time no matter how hard you try. It's impossible. You can only do your best, please yourself, and polish a book for obvious mistakes and then set it free like we do our human children. You'll also want to see what Amarinda Jones, Anika Hamilton, Anny Cook, Barbara Huffert, Brynn Paulin, Bronwyn Green, Dakota Rebel, Kelly Kirch, Molly Daniels, Sandra Cox, and Cindy Spencer Pape are up to, so make sure to visit them also. :)

Alpha Smart Woes - again

Oy!

I was good today. I took my Alpha Smart to Barnes & Nobles and wrote for four hours straight. I was smoking!



Two hours into my writing, however, I lost, yes LOST, two segments of writing on the Alpha Smart. I don't know how. I didn't hit the send or erase keys. The batteries were brand new, although that shouldn't have mattered Aanyway. I didn't have to "SAVE" as the alphie automatically saves everything.

And yet, approximately 6,000 words of my work mysteriously disappeared.

Ouch! Major ouch!!!

I almost gave up and went home I was so discouraged. But it was merely 5:00 pm and Sunday night loomed large with nothing else to do.

So I stayed and took a chance and started all over, even though I was fuming.

Funny thing was, I didn't know if I was fuming at myself for accidentally hitting the wrong keys, or if I was mad at the stupid Alpha Smart for losing my work. Actually, I hope it was my dumb mistake rather than have my Alpha Smart be defective and thus ineffectual for future work.

Fortunately, the second time, the work saved and I finished the story and uploaded it to my computer when I got home. A short story, I've already re-read it and sent it winging on its way to my editor at TEB.

Another friend that I met at Lori Foster's event in Cincinnati is imploring me to write for Belle Books, so I'm going to start something new for that now and see what happens. But it's a completely different type of book. First, I need to read a couple (or more) to make sure I get the tone right. I have so many projects still in progress, however, I'm not sure I shouldn't finish those first.



Also, getting back to my alpha smart ordeal, I decided to treat myself to an ice cream cone afterward. So I took a stroll down The Walk and visited an ice cream parlor I've had my eye on for a long time. Figuring it couldn't be much more expensive than say Cold Stone, I ordered two dips of chocolate in a waffle cone. To my horror, the damned cone cost almost $8.00. For one ice cream cone? That ice cream had better have been imported! That's highway robbery! It wasn't even that good. Cold Stone and Carvel and Dairy Queen is far superior. Never again will I buy anything without checking out the price first. I just never dreamed anyone would charge so much for ice cream. I could have bought the family a couple gallons of the stuff for that.

So, up to that point, my day wasn't exactly stellar. But I had a nice surprise awaiting me in my in box when I got home. Bless you, Kerensa, of "Crave More Romance" at www.cravemoreromance.blogspot.com

I'll let you read what she said and see why it made my day.



"I've just finished BEST MATES and couldn't get enough of it. Talk about sexy men! I'd just love to feature my review of Best Mates as this Thursday's Tempt Me pick of the week. I've gone ahead and pasted my review of BEST MATES in this email. Thank you so much for sharing it with us at CMR."

As you may recall, "Best Mates" is one of the short stories in the "Brit Party" anthology published by Total-E-Bound.com

Here's a snippet of her review: "Best Mates is both heartwarming and deliciously sensual. Ms. Ladd knows just how to make her readers tremble with anticipation with each sentence she delivers. Her characters are genuine enough to make every reader’s heart swell, even for those who don’t typically enjoy reading ménage romance. There is no doubt in my mind that readers everywhere will be anxiously awaiting more of Ms. Ladd’s writing after finishing BEST MATES."

Awesome, huh? I'm pumped. And I'm now a big fan of Kerensa, too. :)

Thirteen Things I've Learned at the Gym

Thirteen most romantic and sexy songs of all times 1.... Always Be My Baby - as sung by David Cook - the new American Idol 2.... So Long - Constantine Maroulis 3.... Reunited - Peaches & Herb 4.... Careless Whispers 5.... Just When I Needed You Most - Randy Van Warmer 6.... Unchained Melody - Righteous Brothers 7.... You've Lost That Loving Feeling - Righteous Brothers 8.... Truly, Madly, Deeply - Savage Garden (my son's wedding song) 9.... Since I Don't Have You - the Du Prees 10... I Will Always Love You - Dolly Parton/Whitney Houston 11... Hello - Lionel Richie (I love David Cook's version, too) 12... Tonight's The Night - Rod Taylor 13... This One's For You - Barry Manilow

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others' comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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What are your favorite love songs?

I'm soooooooo happy, I'm chair dancing. My newest release, "Brit Party" is now #1 on the TEB bestseller list and it just got this great review. Read on...





"What do you have when you combine the talents of Lacey Thorn, Brynn Paulin, Ashley Ladd, Dakota Rebel, Desiree Holt and Lisabet Sarai? You have the incredibly sexy anthology called Brit Party published by Total-e-Bound. This is the hottest anthology I have ever read! Each seductive story takes you on a sexy ménage-a-trios journey. Whether the sex is between three people or four, these stories are sure to turn you on and get your motor running! .... (specifically about my story "Best Mates") Ashley Ladd’s contribution to Brit Party is called Best Mates. This is not only a wonderfully sexy story but it is also big on emotion, drama and some incredible ménage-a-trios scenes. What really made this story stand out for me were the dialogue and the genuine fondness that the three characters had for one another. Ms. Ladd wrote another fantastic story and how lucky for her fans that it is included in this awesome anthology... ~Reviewed by Julie Kornhausl"

http://www.simplyromancereviews.com/srrreviews/britparty.aspx

I've read all the stories in the anthology and I concur it's a great anthology. Congrats to my fellow authors. :)


There's so much I wanted to do tonight but there's never enough time.

First, I stayed at work late, till 6. Then I picked up my prescription meds, dropped my daughter off at her best friend's house, and then got my hair cut. Then I went to the gym for 1 1/2 hours and worked out. I'd wanted to go to Borders, too, to write, but I was worn out after the gym and it was 9:30 and I had to pick up my daughter before it got too late.

It seems there's either time to write or to work out, but not both. I only have a bit of time to blog and get ready for work tomorrow. Oh well...

Florida's on fire! new release - Brit Party Anthology, review Wild Fantasies

South Florida is on fire. Yikes!

I don't mean the other side of Florida, although that's possible. I mean MY part of Florida.

The piece of the Sawgrass Expressway that lies between my day job and my house, was on fire. It was closed off. Helicopters hovered overhead. My hubby called to warn me to take a different way home. Our switchboard operator at the day job who fancies herself to be a traffic reporter announced to avoid that route.

The air was a bit hazy but not as bad as I would have expected since my day job and my house are not that far at all from that stretch of burning road.

A commercial for tonight's 11 pm news showed houses gutted by fire. I imagine that's further away, but I'm not sure. I'll have to watch at 11.

We've had fires almost every summer in the Everglades which is only a few miles to the west. But this is even closer.

Scary...

On a happier note...

The Brits are having a party. But who's invited?


Celebrate the release of Total-E-Bound's new anthology Brit Party with our "The Brits are having a party. But who's invited?" contest.



Total-E-Bound is celebrating the release of Brit Party, a sizzling anthology of stories celebrating polyamorous encounters. Some tales feature three lovers, some four, some, perhaps, more. The possibilities are mind-boggling! You can win a free copy of Brit Party! Tell us who's coming to each author's party. On June 15th, we'll randomly choose two winners from all correct entries. The first prize winner will receive the print version of the book, while the runner up will get the eBook version. Good luck!

To enter this contest - CLICK HERE!

As you can see my newest book, Brit Party Anthology (my story is called "Best Mates") released today at www.total-e-bound.com

Here's a blurb for my story.

'Best Mates' by Ashley Ladd

Lovers Alec Russert and Kevin Cosby feel horrible for their best mate, Jennica Chapman, when her current beau dumps her. And yet, they're glad he's out of her life.

Unfortunately, thirty-six year old Jennica thought this was her last chance to have a baby, and she's much more upset about this than losing the boyfriend. As Alec is feeling his biological clock also, he suggests to Kevin that they help her out of her predicament.

But, they're the ones in for a shock when Jennica tells them they may be too tame for her sexual likes. It turns out that Jennica is a submissive and she loves to be bound and spanked by her master. The shock wears off quickly when Alec and Kevin decide that Jennica will like two Dom masters much better than one.

Soon they realize their best mate really is their best mate, and that she's always owned their hearts.

In addition, I received a review on my book, WILD FANTASIES, today that put a smile on my face.

Ashley Ladd has created a fun, erotic tale. She leaves nothing up to the imagination, and delivers tantalizing sex scenes. Her characters are a source of immense desire which sets the backdrop for extremely intense sexual encounters. I found this story breathtaking and hard to put down. WILD FANTASIES takes us on a pleasure ride that is impossible to resist. No one can go wrong with this quick, sexy story.

Reviewed by Maureen Boylan on 5/12/2008.

NovelTalk Review

Oh! And I'm still waiting for the hubby to send the wedding and Daytona pics to me. Soon as I have them, I'll post them, including the drive-in church (no kidding).

Wild Fantasies – Wild Fun (book review)

Here's my very first review for Wild Fantasies by fellow author Jacqueline George.

Thanks Jacqueline! I'm so glad you had fun reading my book.

Wild Fantasies – Wild Fun

Just imagine yourself as a strong, independent woman, professional in every respect. And suppose that through dedication and hard work you had risen to be the Chief Tactical Officer of a starship. Now there’s a job to dream about! What more could a modern woman ask for?

That is the world Ashley Ladd has dreamed up for her heroine Jala, a wonderful place out in space where a woman can be respected for the officer she is. But there is a problem. Jala’s dreams are filled with images of the ship’s captain Adam. And Ashley being the lady that she is, these dreams are very vivid and very, very sexy.

Every starship has its holodec where off-duty crew members can retreat to live briefly in their choice of private fantasy world. And Jala chooses to spend her down time dressed in no more than a micro skirt and heels, taking advantage of a rampant holographic Adam.

The holodec becomes so enticing that Jala spends more and more time indulging in her favourite fantasies, and it becomes increasingly difficult to face the real life Adam. And things get worse when the Captain begins to suspect what is going on.

Wild Fantasies takes us on roller coaster ride through exotic lagoons, girlie bars and Edwardian London as Jala challenges and enjoys Adam, not knowing what is real and what is just her fevered imagination. And at the same time, she is working beside Adam to fight off alien space ships. The lives of the crew and the ship itself depend on them working together as closely in real life as Jala had imagined in her fantasies...

Once again, thanks Jacqueline!

Y'all visit Jacqueline's new website at Jacqueline George and check out her book that will be released soon.

Book Reviews - Wedding Jitters and The Prince of Love

I just finished two great books so I thought I'd share my reviews. I'm always looking for a good book, so in case you are, I give both of these high recommendations.


Review: Wedding Jitters

By Brynn Paulin

http://brynnpaulin.blogspot.com/

Published by Ellora’s Cave

http://www.ellorascave.com

I was the lucky recipient of Brynn Paulin’s prize, erotic short story “Wedding Jitters”. When I say ‘lucky’, I was much more.

This is one hot short story, the eroticism pouring forth on almost every page.

In this story, Dara Farine has a secret. She is a wing-sprouting, pointy-eared, magic-wielding fairy which is the bane of her existence. She wants to be normal like her sisters and to achieve her goal she is preparing to marry very normal, a.k.a boring, Tom Smith, fellow accountant. That is until the very sexy fairy prince, Merritt Fae, is sent to bring her home to his people and recognizes her as his soul mate.

What can I say? If you love fairies, if you love hot romance, you’ll love this story. Don’t deny yourself pleasure as Dara Farine. Click over to Ellora’s Cave and tune into pleasure.

The Royal Chronicles Book Three: Prince of Love

by Donna Grant

http://www.donnagrant.com/blog/

Reviewed by Ashley Ladd

Published by Total-e-Bound

www.total-e-bound.com

The Royal Chronicles Book Three: Prince of Love by Donna Grant is a truly magical romance set in the land of the Fae, mystical creatures, curses, and fated love. Prince Sorin Sinclair and his brothers must not only find and marry their true mates but return home safely before the end of the fifth moon or their entire kingdom of Drahcir will vanish. Prince Sorin’s been searching for some time for his mate when he hears a most beautiful, golden laugh and knows he has finally found her. Convincing Lady Katrina she is his true love and to marry him if only part of his challenge. They must survive the evil Tnarg who is out to murder all of them and who will stop at nothing. Nor will she be able to see her beloved family again should she follow her heart’s desire. Sorin knows if he fails his mission, not only will he and Katrina die horrible deaths, but everybody in Drahcir will cease to exist. Erotic romance heats the pages of this beautiful story until its feverish, magical end. Sorin is truly a prince among men while Katrina is more than worthy of being his princess. I thoroughly enjoyed the romance and devoured it in one sitting. I’m hungry to read the rest of The Royal Chronicles and everything else this extremely talented author has penned.

What books have you read lately? Which ones have you enjoyed?