Fun With Police Batons And Character-Driven Sex Scenes
Today, I was working on a sex scene for Jumping Barrel, my December freebie short story, and I also received a… different… review for Speed Demon, a M/M short story I wrote years ago that has been re-released by my publisher as part of the multi-author series celebration.
I figured it would be a great time to talk about how I write sex scenes. If it works for you, great. I’m happy I helped. If it doesn’t work for you, try another writer’s method. Experiment until you find one that works.
In Speed Demon, there are fun times with a police baton. Yes, ouch. The reviewer somehow seemed to think I equated being gay with painful sex.
Let’s say I had this (extremely bizarre) perception. Writing sex scenes based on stereotypes and generalizations about groups of beings is lazy writing. It is also boring reading. And it usually doesn’t add anything to the story. It doesn’t make the story unique or special.
I prefer to write sexy times as character-driven scenes. These are two very unique individuals, with their own histories, their own personalities, their own goals. How would these two characters have sex?
Sarge is a genetically enhanced supercop. He’s in love with Nero, his partner, a blood demon, the most violent kind of demon. These two males are extremely forceful and very competitive. They run into dangerous situations, not away from them. They consider scars to be badges of honor and would display them proudly.
Sex between these two males would be very rough. They’re not human. Painful for us wouldn’t be considered painful for them. They also tend to push each other and not always (grins – not ever) in a safe way.
Sex scenes should also have a story reason for being. They should push the action forward or move a character along his character arc. If a scene, ANY scene, can be taken out of a story and the story doesn’t change, that scene should be deleted.
In Speed Demon, Sarge is deep in denial about his sexuality. He loves Nero but he’s been taught that gay men are weak men. He thinks acknowledging his sexuality will make him a wimp.
Having fun times with a police baton would likely kill a human male or, at the very least, send him to the hospital. When Nero challenges him to do this, he is telling Sarge he can be gay AND still be strong. He doesn’t have to choose. He can be both.
This is THE most important scene in the entire story. If Sarge was human or if he was a gentler male, I would have written the scene in a very different way. But this works for him.
Being true to my characters DOES create challenges. When I write Ace, Thrasher and the rebel Commander’s story in the cyborg series, there won’t be any anal sex scenes. The cyborgs equate that type of sex with torture. They would never torture a being they loved. They’d find other ways to enjoy themselves.
But being true to my characters also means sex scenes are interesting, both to write and to read. That’s worth the challenge.
Writers, how do you write your sex scenes? Readers, what is the best sex scene you’ve ever read?
Subscribe To My Release Day Newsletter: http://tasteofcyn.com/2014/05/28/newsletter/
Wild. Free. Hers.
Mayhem has spent his lengthy lifespan obeying the Humanoid Alliance’s rules. Finally free from their cruel control, the cyborg warrior plans to cause chaos. He infiltrates a remote settlement, provokes the savage locals until they want him dead, and allows himself to be captured by the sexiest little Retriever he has ever laid his mechanically-enhanced eyes on.
Imee’s sole mission in life is to keep her family alive. To do this, she must hunt rebels, returning them to the Humanoid Alliance’s evil clutches where they will be executed. She doesn’t allow herself to feel anything for her targets…until she meets a tall, muscular cyborg with wild hair and even wilder eyes.
With his sure hands, laughing lips and erotic holds, Mayhem makes Imee’s body sizzle and her resistance melt. Their love is doomed. She must deliver the warrior to his death or she’ll place her family’s safety at risk. But she can’t resist him.
Imee soon discovers that Mayhem, life, and love are never predictable.
Chasing Mayhem is Book 6 in the Cyborg Sizzle series and is a STANDALONE story.
It is also a BBW Cyborg SciFi Romance.
Pre-order Now:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Chasing-Mayhem-Cyborg-Sizzle-Book-ebook/dp/B01IRPO9WY#nav-subnav
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Chasing-Mayhem-Cyborg-Sizzle-Book-ebook/dp/B01IRPO9WY/
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-chasingmayhem-2077430-340.html
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/chasing-mayhem-cynthia-sax/1124139998
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/chasing-mayhem
Topics: Writing Tips | Comments Off on Fun With Police Batons And Character-Driven Sex Scenes
Chasing Mayhem – Available For Pre-Order
Chasing Mayhem, the next cyborg story, will be releasing September 13th. It is available for pre-order now! As with all of the longer cyborg stories, there are spoilers so you might wish to read it close to release day.
Wild. Free. Hers.
Mayhem has spent his lengthy lifespan obeying the Humanoid Alliance’s rules. Finally free from their cruel control, the cyborg warrior plans to cause chaos. He infiltrates a remote settlement, provokes the savage locals until they want him dead, and allows himself to be captured by the sexiest little Retriever he has ever laid his mechanically-enhanced eyes on.
Imee’s sole mission in life is to keep her family alive. To do this, she must hunt rebels, returning them to the Humanoid Alliance’s evil clutches where they will be executed. She doesn’t allow herself to feel anything for her targets…until she meets a tall, muscular cyborg with wild hair and even wilder eyes.
With his sure hands, laughing lips and erotic holds, Mayhem makes Imee’s body sizzle and her resistance melt. Their love is doomed. She must deliver the warrior to his death or she’ll place her family’s safety at risk. But she can’t resist him.
Imee soon discovers that Mayhem, life, and love are never predictable.
Chasing Mayhem is Book 6 in the Cyborg Sizzle series and is a STANDALONE story.
It is also a BBW Cyborg SciFi Romance.
Pre-order Now:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Chasing-Mayhem-Cyborg-Sizzle-Book-ebook/dp/B01IRPO9WY#nav-subnav
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Chasing-Mayhem-Cyborg-Sizzle-Book-ebook/dp/B01IRPO9WY/
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-chasingmayhem-2077430-340.html
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/chasing-mayhem-cynthia-sax/1124139998
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/chasing-mayhem
Topics: Coming Soon | Comments Off on Chasing Mayhem – Available For Pre-Order
I Ain’t Afraid Of No Trolls – Is Your Book Being Targeted By Trolls?
As I’m writing this post, Crash And Burn, book 3 in the cyborg series, has an average Amazon rating of 4.6 stars out of 5.0. It has one 2 star review and zero 1 star reviews.
Defying Death, book 4, in contrast has an average Amazon rating of 4.0 stars out of 5.0. It has FOUR 1 star reviews and FOUR 2 star reviews.
Readers of my series know that, of the two books, Crash And Burn is FAR more controversial than Defying Death.
If I printed out the upset emails and messages I received from readers on Crash And Burn, I could fuel a wood stove for an entire winter. I set up a page on my site to talk with readers. That’s how upset everyone was. Yes. Ouch.
I only received ONE upset email/message from readers on Defying Death and that was from my beloved super anti-fan who hates every story I write (yet continues to buy and read them). I’d be worried if I didn’t receive an email from her.
(Defying Death has also been nominated in the Best Syfy/Fantasy Romance category at the Smexy Summer 2016 Beach Reads celebration. They must think it is a good story.)
So how is it possible that Defying Death has a lower rating and more 1 and 2 star reviews than Crash And Burn?
It was the target of a troll campaign.
What Is A Troll?
In Romanceland, a troll is the name given to someone who posts reviews, not to benefit other readers, but to serve their own purposes. Their objective is to dampen sales of the book, perhaps prevent future actions, and sometimes, unfortunately, hurt the writer.
How To Recognize A Troll
Trolls are often well organized. They usually don’t operate alone. Their strength comes with anonymity and, in the case of campaigns, with numbers.
With a campaign, one of them might read the book first or they might pluck some of the bad points from previous reviews and emphasize them. They take their trolling seriously. They know how to kill a book’s sales. They know how to make a review look like it is legitimate.
These reviews will almost always be tagged verified purchases. The trolls understand the system. They know that 1 or 2 star non-verified purchase reviews are likely to be deleted. They will buy the book, review it, and then return it. OR the person organizing the troll campaign will reimburse the troll for the price of the book (and sometimes pay for the review itself).
The trolls will often start the review with “I don’t usually give 1 star reviews” or “This is my first 1 star review ever” or “I’ve liked all of Cynthia Sax’s previous books but I couldn’t finish Defying Death.”
They make it seem like they’re the writer’s biggest fans (which not only kills sales but inflicts the most pain on the writer). They put in enough ‘truth’ that the review seems legitimate, add typos to make them look real. Sometimes they’ll stick in some good points (but not enough to make the reader buy the book).
And they ensure they use the sales-killing words/phrases, words/phrases like “waste of money”, “the writer wasn’t even trying”, “amateurish”, “disappointed”, etc. These are all words/phrases that will make readers not buy a book.
Combine the sales-killing words/phrases with the writer’s biggest fan words/phrases and you likely have a troll review. A writer’s biggest fan wouldn’t try to kill one of her series like this. She just wouldn’t.
With my books, the easiest way to determine legit reviews from troll reviews are the spoilers. Trolls usually don’t read the book all the way through so they rarely mention spoilers. The one 2 star review for Crash And Burn was posted by a troll. She didn’t mention the HUGE reason the legitimate readers were upset with that story.
Other than these two points, it is often difficult to differentiate between a troll and a legitimate unhappy reader. That’s one of the reasons I’m writing this post. Many people will push back on a writer’s claim that she’s been trolled, denying this is an issue in Romanceland. In my case, it was obvious that I WAS trolled.
Writers might not be skilled at differentiating trolls from legitimate readers but trolls are certainly skilled at writing these so-called reviews. This is their focus, their ‘job’, and yes, often they’re paid to do this.
Why Do Trolls Exist?
Some trolls are compensated. It is a business for them. There are writers who buy great reviews for their own books and there are writers who buy bad reviews for books they perceive as competition (that’s a sad way of looking at the world – but there are a few unusual writers in Romanceland).
Some trolls belong to street teams or they consider themselves to be super fans of a ‘competing’ writer (If anyone claiming to be my super fan does this, TELL me. I view other writers as my friends, not my competition.) They think they’re helping their favorite writer by hurting the perceived competition.
(In reality, what they’re doing is destroying any chance that these two writers will ever work with each other, which is a shame because working with another writer is one of the best ways to meet new readers.)
Some trolls have other agendas. Maybe they don’t like erotic romance or they have an issue with writers putting romance in SciFi stories or they have a personal non-writing-related issue with the writer. They have a problem with something other than the specifics of the story.
What Are Trolls Trying To Do?
They’re trying to kill sales. That’s their number one agenda. And that’s one of the reasons why I like to promote pre-orders (the main reason being my stories usually have spoilers in them and reading the story on the first day ensures readers don’t see these spoilers). Trolls can’t attack a not-yet-released book.
The happy thing is… if the trolls’ goal is to kill sales, it is because they believe the book has sales to kill. Maybe they hear excitement about the book. Maybe the book hits an Amazon Top 100 list. Maybe they see the cover, read the blurb, think, “Damn. This book looks awesome,” and they feel threatened in some way.
They often don’t want the writer to write another book. I believe that was the key goal behind the troll attack on Defying Death. It was Book 4 of a series. Book 5 in a SciFi Romance series is usually when readership really starts to grow (if writers don’t do what I did in Book 3 – sheepish grin – The irony is the troll attack wasn’t needed. I killed my own sales. Thank you very much.).
There could be other goals but these are the main two.
How To Avoid A Troll Attack
Stop publishing your stories. That’s the only way to avoid a troll attack.
I have seen the nicest, most generous writers in Romanceland have their books attacked by trolls. I’ve seen great, skillfully-written, emotionally-gripping books attacked by trolls. I’ve seen first books attacked by trolls (which I find especially disturbing – these writers haven’t yet developed the rhino skin needed in this business). I’ve seen last of a series books attacked by trolls (which makes no sense to me).
If you’re in this business long enough, at least one of your books will be attacked.
What Can Writers Do?
Your book is attacked by trolls. What can you do?
First, pat yourself on the back. It is a sign that something you’re doing is working. The trolls are trying to kill sales they believe your book deserves. DESERVES. Say that out loud with me because you need to hear it. Your book deserves to be read. Your book is also causing excitement and, unfortunately, some of that energy will be negative. Always. It comes with a bit of success. You might not see yourself as successful but someone else does and isn’t that a cool thing?
Second but equally important…
Know that it is okay to reach out for reassurance about your writing.
It was clear what was happening with Defying Death yet I still doubted myself. That little bit of truth that the trolls focused on did a number on my self-confidence. My heroine WAS passionate about viruses (as many writers are passionate about writing and many readers are passionate about reading). Did I overdo it? What if Mayhem, my next hero, is too wild? Or Imee, his heroine, is too strong? I questioned everything. I think that’s the reason I put a zillion more rounds of revisions into Chasing Mayhem, Book 5. I wanted that book to be perfect. My editor had to force it from my hands.
So do what you need to do to get your confidence back. Surround yourself with readers who love your writing. Re-read the great reviews. Review all of your positive writing milestones. If you have an editor or a publisher, remind yourself that they loved your story, that they wouldn’t allow you to release a bad story. Your book DESERVES to be read. Repeat that a million times if you have to.
Third but likely most important…
DO NOT FEED THE TROLLS.
This is why I waited a few months to write about this. Don’t respond to them. They love it when you react. Seeing that they’ve upset you makes the trolls happy. It draws more attention to them. It provides proof for the professional trolls to show their future clients. The trolls tell their buddies to come, join the bashing party, and the situation gets worse.
They’re not worth your time. You have stories to write, legitimate readers to speak with, other shit to do.
Fourth, fifth, sixth, whatever steps…
Many writers report the troll reviews as abuse and often Amazon will remove the reviews. I didn’t because I believe in freedom of speech so much; I’m willing to lose sales and take the emotional beats to preserve it. Thanks to the Dear Wonderful Hubby paying our bills, I can afford this stance but I don’t recommend this to others. Not reporting the troll reviews will decrease your book’s readership and your book DESERVES to be read. Report those reviews. This is a do what I say, not a do what I do moment.
Write the next book. This is the BEST way to stick it to the trolls. This is their biggest fear. You’ll write the next book and it will be as awesome or even more awesome than the book they trolled. Tell your buddies you’re going into the writing cave, put your head down and write. Pour all of your emotion onto the page.
There are quite a few fight scenes in Chasing Mayhem, Book 5, for this reason. I killed some trolls on the page and boy, did it feel good!
I also reduced the price of Releasing Rage, the first book in my series, to free. (laughs) Yes, I’m a bad woman. I knew that would irritate the trolls. That was the last thing they wanted.
What Can Readers Do?
Your favorite writer is attacked by trolls. What can you do?
First, thank you for caring. (big hugs) That writer is lucky to have a reader like you.
But
DO NOT FEED THE TROLLS.
I said this above in the writer section and it deserves repeating. Trolls thrive on attention. Starve them. Don’t respond to their reviews.
Instead, leave your own review. That’s why Defying Death has a 4.0 Amazon rating. Legitimate series-loving readers left reviews and these reviews offset the troll attacks.
Show the writer you support her, because she’s feeling a bit battered right now (even if she tries to be chipper). Tell your friends about the book. Share some of the writer’s promo posts on Facebook or Twitter. Send the writer an email or message saying how much you loved the book. Pre-order the next story in the series. Remind her that at least one reader wants her next story.
Surviving Trolls
I’m told that the first mass troll attack is the worst. It wasn’t a happy time in my life. That’s for certain. But it reaffirmed that I was meant to write, that I love writing and having my stories published enough to put up with the ugliness, that I have people around me (readers, other writers, bloggers, reviewers) who support me and want me to write more stories.
And my rhino skin is an inch thicker now. It is dang near bulletproof.
You will survive this too. (big hugs) Keep writing. Continue chasing your dreams. Don’t allow anyone to stop you.
Subscribe To My Release Day Newsletter: http://tasteofcyn.com/2014/05/28/newsletter/
Defying Death
He’ll risk it all for one moment of happiness.
Cyborgs don’t show emotion. Death learned that lesson early in his long lifespan. To survive, he hides his fierce passions behind a stoic wall. He calls no warrior friend. He never admits to caring for any being.
Even the human female he’s destined to love.
Tifara is Death’s obsession, his sole opportunity for happiness, to express the all-consuming passion burning brightly inside him. He’ll do anything to obtain the curvaceous medic: defy a direct order, abduct Tifara from her battle station, and wage war on his fellow cyborgs.
To earn her love, he’ll have to risk much, much more.
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Defying-Death-Cyborg-Sizzle-Book-ebook/dp/B01D6OUQS2/
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Defying-Death-Cyborg-Sizzle-Book-ebook/dp/B01D6OUQS2/
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-defyingdeath-2001671-147.html
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/defying-death-cynthia-sax/1123562659
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/defying-death-2
Topics: Writing Tips | 1 Comment »
One And Done Releases Today!
Woot! One And Done releases today!
He wants one night. I want forever.
Hit it and quit it—that’s Smoke Sheridan’s relationship philosophy. The tall, dark, and dangerous club owner never spends more than one night with any woman. He seduces the broken-hearted, leaving them with smiles on their faces and a sexual confidence other men can’t resist.
I need his services.
My boyfriend of four years dumped me because I’m a lousy lay. Smoke can help me win him back, teach me how to make my man writhe in ecstasy. I’ll show him such bliss, he’ll bellow my name in the dark of the night, want me with an all-consuming desire.
This sounds like a great plan. Except I see the loneliness in Smoke’s eyes, feel the wistfulness in his touch, experience the wanting in his embrace. The player isn’t as shallow as he appears.
And I’ve never been good at letting go.
One And Done contains inappropriate humor, very bad pickup lines, a BBW heroine who doesn’t know what she’s doing and a player who thinks he does.
This is a standalone story.
Buy Now:
On Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/One-Done-Cynthia-Sax-ebook/dp/B01FOVMF70
On Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/One-Done-Cynthia-Sax-ebook/dp/B01FOVMF70
On ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-oneanddone-2040641-340.html
On Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/one-and-done-cynthia-sax/1123809444
On Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/one-and-done-1
Topics: New Releases | Comments Off on One And Done Releases Today!
One And Done – Seventh Scene
One And Done is releasing on July 19th (it is available for pre-order now) and I’m sharing the first two chapters of this 300 page plus contemporary erotic romance.
Read the first scene here: http://tasteofcyn.com/2016/06/06/one-and-done-first-scene/
Mr. Sheridan tucks my curves into his hard muscle, leaving no space between us, and steers me into the club. Dance music pulses, an almost frenzied beat assaulting my ears, causing my heart to pound faster. Seizure-inducing strobe lights flicker.
“Thank you for that,” I yell, seeking to be heard above the music. “I really appreciate your help getting into your club.”
“The appreciation is all mine, baby,” Mr. Sheridan pours these words into my ear, exciting my already primed-for-sex body. “Now, let’s get drunk and make some bad decisions.”
I blink, once, twice, three times. That almost sounds as though he’s hitting on me. But he can’t be. His lines are too cheesy and I’m…well…I’m plus-sized, average me. “That’s a good one.” I grin. “Or should I say a bad one?”
Lines appear between Mr. Sheridan’s black eyebrows.
“I won’t take up more of your time.” I pat his arm, ignoring the sparks skittering along my fingers. “I can find my boyfriend on my own.”
“The boyfriend must be real then.” The caramel-colored specks fade from his eyes. “Fuck. Because a sexy woman like you wouldn’t be single.”
“Right.” I laugh, enjoying his sense of humor. “My boyfriend’s name is Edward.”
Mr. Sheridan doesn’t say anything, doesn’t indicate that he knows an Edward.
I search the crowd for my man. Bodies bump and grind, the girls clad in next to nothing, the guys in mostly black. It amazes me that all of these people are here on a Thursday night. Don’t they have to work tomorrow?
“I went to his office. He’s a lawyer.” The words spill out of my mouth, unfiltered by my brain. “But he wasn’t there. The app on his phone said he was here.”
“Edward?” Mr. Sheridan’s lips brush against my earlobe and another wave of sensation flows down my spine. He smells of spicy rosemary and woodsy nutmeg, an intriguing combination of scents.
Guilt sweeps over me. I shouldn’t be sniffing a stranger. I’m in a committed relationship. “Edward Langston.” I try to draw away from Mr. Sheridan. He won’t allow me to move, tightening his clasp on my hip. “He’s a lawyer.”
“You already said that.” Mr. Sheridan’s tone is dry. “You also said he was your boyfriend. Does he know you’re here?”
“No, he doesn’t,” I admit. “I wanted to surprise him.”
“Fuck. You’ll certainly do that.”
What does that mean? We push through dual doors and enter a smaller room. The irritating music fades to a more manageable level. The dizzying strobe lighting stops. Thin, beautiful, bored-looking people stand around the space, drinks in their hands.
“Lucy, ask Eddy and his guest to join us.” Mr. Sheridan addresses a petite, redheaded beauty. “The rest of you fuck off.” He waves his hand, dismissing them.
The occupants gaze at me with wide, curiosity-filled eyes as they exit the room, not one person protesting the club owner’s highhanded treatment. It must be nice to wield that type of power.
“Edward doesn’t like to be called Eddy.” I don’t know why I’m sharing this with him. Nerves, perhaps.
“And you’re sure you know what he likes?” Mr. Sheridan says this as though it is in doubt. It isn’t. We’ve been together for four years. “Let me take your coat.” He pulls the garment from my fingers and I reluctantly release it. “You’ll want your hands to be free.” He drapes the coat over a barstool. “When you see your Edward.”
I hear the derision in the club owner’s tone. “Edward is a great lawyer.” I defend my boyfriend. “I don’t know if he’s already representing you. He can’t share that with me due to client confidentiality. But if he is, you won’t regret it. He’ll fight to the death for you.”
Mr. Sheridan tilts his head, studying me. His left collar is slightly curled, marring the perfection of his outfit. My fingers twitch, the impulse to smooth it tremendous.
The man is unaware of his dishevelment. “The average woman, when she finds out her fuckin’ boyfriend went to a club and didn’t tell her, would assume he’s cheating, not that he’s here on business.”
This brings a smile to my lips. “Edward wouldn’t cheat on me. He loves me.”
“You have faith in this love?”
“Of course, I have faith in it.” My gaze returns to his collar. Unable to resist the urge to straighten it, I reach up and run my fingers over the material, setting it to rights. “That’s what love is—believing in another person, trusting him or her with your heart, your dreams, your tomorrows.”
“And if that faith is misplaced?” The agony and loss reflecting in Mr. Sheridan’s eyes captivates me. He’s been hurt, this handsome, world-weary man. “If your love isn’t returned?”
“Then it isn’t truly love.” I curve my right palm over his left cheek, wanting to touch him, to comfort him. He flinches but doesn’t pull away. “You try again. I experienced some false starts before I met Edward.”
“You gave up on those men.” The bitterness and pain in Mr. Sheridan’s voice tugs at my heart.
“They gave up on me,” I admit.
One of my university boyfriends moved to Silicon Valley, made a gazillion dollars and married an alpaca-obsessed, blonde nymph. The other guy is saving the world in Africa. More specifically, he’s building sewage systems. I joke that he’d rather be waist-deep in shit than continue to date me.
“I’m not the best at letting go.” I send both of my exes e-Cards every Christmas. “I tend to hold on too long, trying to make relationships work.”
Mr. Sheridan isn’t my man to comfort. I shouldn’t be touching him.
I drop my hand.
The club owner catches my wrist. “Not everyone has the same faith in love as you do.”
“True.” I summon a smile, focusing on the present and not on the lonely past. “Edward has the same faith as I do. He loves me.”
“So you tell me.”
We stand a breath apart, Mr. Sheridan holding my wrist.
He rubs small circles into my skin with his thumb, round and round. I gaze up at him, enthralled. The moment stretches, stretches, stretches.
I love Edward. I do. But this is interesting, different.
Mr. Sheridan looks at the door and then at me and then back to the door. His lips move soundlessly as though he’s debating something with himself.
“Fuck.” His gaze returns to my face. “As much as I want you, baby, I can’t watch him hurt you like this.” He releases my wrist and grabs my coat. “I’ll talk to Edward, send him home to you.”
Why would Edward hurt me? “There’s no need to send him home.” I don’t want to mess up his business meeting. “I’m already here.”
“You shouldn’t be here.” Mr. Sheridan turns me toward the doors. “You have to leave.”
Voices chatter outside the room, growing louder.
“But—”
“Now.” The club owner shoves me forward.
I recognize one of those voices. “Edward is coming.”
Subscribe To My Release Day Newsletter: http://tasteofcyn.com/2014/05/28/newsletter/
He wants one night. I want forever.
Hit it and quit it—that’s Smoke Sheridan’s relationship philosophy. The tall, dark, and dangerous club owner never spends more than one night with any woman. He seduces the broken-hearted, leaving them with smiles on their faces and a sexual confidence other men can’t resist.
I need his services.
My boyfriend of four years dumped me because I’m a lousy lay. Smoke can help me win him back, teach me how to make my man writhe in ecstasy. I’ll show him such bliss, he’ll bellow my name in the dark of the night, want me with an all-consuming desire.
This sounds like a great plan. Except I see the loneliness in Smoke’s eyes, feel the wistfulness in his touch, experience the wanting in his embrace. The player isn’t as shallow as he appears.
And I’ve never been good at letting go.
One And Done contains inappropriate humor, very bad pickup lines, a BBW heroine who doesn’t know what she’s doing and a player who thinks he does.
This is a standalone story.
Buy Now:
On Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/One-Done-Cynthia-Sax-ebook/dp/B01FOVMF70
On Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/One-Done-Cynthia-Sax-ebook/dp/B01FOVMF70
On ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-oneanddone-2040641-340.html
On Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/one-and-done-cynthia-sax/1123809444
On Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/one-and-done-1
Topics: Coming Soon | Comments Off on One And Done – Seventh Scene
Defying Death Nominated For Best Syfy/Fantasy Romance of 2016
Woot! Defying Death, along with fabulous SciFi Romances from some other writing buddies (happy dances with them), has been nominated for Best Syfy/Fantasy Romance (thus far) of 2016 (they clearly haven’t read Chasing Mayhem yet – grins – That story releases in September).
You can vote here
Subscribe To My Release Day Newsletter: http://tasteofcyn.com/2014/05/28/newsletter/
Defying Death
He’ll risk it all for one moment of happiness.
Cyborgs don’t show emotion. Death learned that lesson early in his long lifespan. To survive, he hides his fierce passions behind a stoic wall. He calls no warrior friend. He never admits to caring for any being.
Even the human female he’s destined to love.
Tifara is Death’s obsession, his sole opportunity for happiness, to express the all-consuming passion burning brightly inside him. He’ll do anything to obtain the curvaceous medic: defy a direct order, abduct Tifara from her battle station, and wage war on his fellow cyborgs.
To earn her love, he’ll have to risk much, much more.
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Defying-Death-Cyborg-Sizzle-Book-ebook/dp/B01D6OUQS2/
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Defying-Death-Cyborg-Sizzle-Book-ebook/dp/B01D6OUQS2/
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-defyingdeath-2001671-147.html
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/defying-death-cynthia-sax/1123562659
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/defying-death-2
Topics: Awards | Comments Off on Defying Death Nominated For Best Syfy/Fantasy Romance of 2016
Being Green – 5 Stars! Refreshing And Sweet
Cara at Cara’s Book Boudoir has reviewed Being Green and she has given it 5 out of 5 stars! Woot!
http://www.carasbookboudoir.com/2016/07/being-green-by-cynthia-sax-review.html
Here’s a snippet…
“Being Green is such a sweet tale of honest love! The writing is perfect! Smooth, no fluff and without a plot holes. The story line is a change of pace from the killing in the other Cyborg stories, Being Green is refreshing and sweet and I loved the way that Green is not an Alpha, but is a supportive partner for Shelby.”
Subscribe To My Release Day Newsletter: http://tasteofcyn.com/2014/05/28/newsletter/
Green, a cyborg warrior, cares for one being—his plant Windy. When Windy becomes sick, he’ll do anything to heal her, even venture across the universe to visit a worlds-renowned plant doctor.
He doesn’t expect to find love.
Doctor Shelby Cooper is the sole resident of a tiny planet. She prefers to be alone rather than risk caring for another being and then losing him. The curvaceous scientist is determined to resist Green’s patient caresses, his thought-burning kisses, his slow seduction.
She has underestimated the power of a cyborg’s passion.
Download Now For Free:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Being-Green-Cyborg-Sizzle-Book-ebook/dp/B01I8BHE9W/
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-beinggreen-2065122-147.html
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/being-green-cynthia-sax/1124071199
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/being-green-1
Topics: Reviews | Comments Off on Being Green – 5 Stars! Refreshing And Sweet
Breathing Vapor – 10/10 I would read again and again
BlackRabbitsPassion has reviewed Breathing Vapor and she likes it! Woot!
She shares…
“I was so hooked on Vapor and Mira because not only is their love forbidden on both sides but because they are so well suited for each other. Throughout the book there were happy moments, sad moments that left tears in my eyes and a few to many violent scenes ( I can handle that, but some readers probably wont).”
Read the full review here
https://blackrabbitspassion.wordpress.com/2016/06/18/review-breathing-vapor-by-cynthia-sax/
Subscribe To My Release Day Newsletter: http://tasteofcyn.com/2014/05/28/newsletter/
Vapor is the most advanced cyborg the Humanoid Alliance has ever developed. He’s a finely honed weapon, a warrior without parallel, half man and half machine. No lock can contain him. No being can stop him. Whatever he wants, he takes.
He wants Mira Breazeal, the Designer’s daughter.
She’s his one temptation, his sexy target. Vapor shouldn’t crave her caresses, steal her kisses, make her scream with ecstasy. The cyborgs want her dead and they would question his loyalty if he didn’t kill her. The humans would shoot him on sight if he dared to touch her.
Their love is forbidden. Their desire could be lethal. One human and one cyborg will risk everything for a moment of passion.
Buy Now:
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Breathing-Vapor-Cyborg-Sizzle-Book-ebook/dp/B015UN87JC/
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Breathing-Vapor-Cyborg-Sizzle-Book-ebook/dp/B015UN87JC/
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-breathingvapor-1897324-340.html
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/breathing-vapor-cynthia-sax/1122718203
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-ca/ebook/breathing-vapor
Topics: Reviews | Comments Off on Breathing Vapor – 10/10 I would read again and again
Cyborg Series Featured At ARe
Woot!
The Cyborg series was featured in the ARe newsletter today!
If you haven’t signed up for the ARe newsletter and you’re a romance lover, seriously consider it (all you need to do is sign up for an account – no credit card number or payment information is required). I love this newsletter and find many new-to-me writers and series this way.
Subscribe To My Release Day Newsletter: http://tasteofcyn.com/2014/05/28/newsletter/
Defying Death
He’ll risk it all for one moment of happiness.
Cyborgs don’t show emotion. Death learned that lesson early in his long lifespan. To survive, he hides his fierce passions behind a stoic wall. He calls no warrior friend. He never admits to caring for any being.
Even the human female he’s destined to love.
Tifara is Death’s obsession, his sole opportunity for happiness, to express the all-consuming passion burning brightly inside him. He’ll do anything to obtain the curvaceous medic: defy a direct order, abduct Tifara from her battle station, and wage war on his fellow cyborgs.
To earn her love, he’ll have to risk much, much more.
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Defying-Death-Cyborg-Sizzle-Book-ebook/dp/B01D6OUQS2/
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Defying-Death-Cyborg-Sizzle-Book-ebook/dp/B01D6OUQS2/
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-defyingdeath-2001671-147.html
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/defying-death-cynthia-sax/1123562659
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/defying-death-2
Topics: Guest Post | Comments Off on Cyborg Series Featured At ARe
One And Done And Clubs In Toronto
In One And Done, my next release (releasing July 19th), Smoke Sheridan, the hero, is the owner of a club. There wasn’t much additional research that I had to do. I was involved with the design and start up of a large club in downtown Toronto.
Most of the clubs in Toronto are concentrated in an area called the Entertainment District. The Entertainment District is located between the Financial District and the Fashion District and really comes to life at night, especially during the summer.
The area has a youthful vibe to it (which is why Jenella, our fairly mature 30 year old heroine, feels a little out of place). The legal drinking age in Toronto is 19 and the city is home to several colleges and universities.
These primarily twenty-something guests want new experiences. They don’t want to go to the same club every week. That’s why, in One And Done, Smoke is concerned with reinventing the club, keeping the experience fresh and exciting for guests.
The owners of the club I worked with had the same concern. Walls were designed to slide, to move easily. One night, the club would be one huge open space. The next night, the club would consist of a collection of smaller rooms. Lighting could be swapped, making the walls seem different colors. Different themes were planned. The club would constantly change.
It is important that a club seem like the hot place to be. Smoke parks his Lamborghini in plain view of the club goers for that reason. The club I was involved with would do the same, often renting different, sexy, interesting cars to draw in guests.
There was always a line to get in. The club could be almost empty and the doormen would still make people wait. The line attracted attention and gave people the impression that the club was THE hot spot in town.
It takes a very special person to be a successful club owner. Smoke is definitely a unique hero, one of the most interesting men I’ve ever written about.
Subscribe To My Release Day Newsletter: http://tasteofcyn.com/2014/05/28/newsletter/
He wants one night. I want forever.
Hit it and quit it—that’s Smoke Sheridan’s relationship philosophy. The tall, dark, and dangerous club owner never spends more than one night with any woman. He seduces the broken-hearted, leaving them with smiles on their faces and a sexual confidence other men can’t resist.
I need his services.
My boyfriend of four years dumped me because I’m a lousy lay. Smoke can help me win him back, teach me how to make my man writhe in ecstasy. I’ll show him such bliss, he’ll bellow my name in the dark of the night, want me with an all-consuming desire.
This sounds like a great plan. Except I see the loneliness in Smoke’s eyes, feel the wistfulness in his touch, experience the wanting in his embrace. The player isn’t as shallow as he appears.
And I’ve never been good at letting go.
One And Done contains inappropriate humor, very bad pickup lines, a BBW heroine who doesn’t know what she’s doing and a player who thinks he does.
This is a standalone story.
Buy Now:
On Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/One-Done-Cynthia-Sax-ebook/dp/B01FOVMF70
On Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/One-Done-Cynthia-Sax-ebook/dp/B01FOVMF70
On ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-oneanddone-2040641-340.html
On Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/one-and-done-cynthia-sax/1123809444
On Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/one-and-done-1
Topics: Guest Post | Comments Off on One And Done And Clubs In Toronto
