C.S. Sax, Medieval Dragon Shifters And Short Stories
I’ve been debating releasing my short stories for years. I love writing short stories. They are great food for my muse. I also love reading them. Romance short stories are little hits of happiness. But my focus was (and still is) on the cyborg series and people have told me again and again readers don’t want short romances.
Then the Great Pause hit.
I sometimes struggle now with reading longer works. With everything going on, with all the changes in my life, I often want a short romance, something with some steam and definitely with a romantic happy ever after.
I decided to take the leap and release some collections of short stories (I’m releasing collections because those are easier to produce. I only need one cover and only have to format it once.).
If they make one reader a little bit happier during the Great Pause, I will be happy.
Note: The stories in the first collection, Medieval Dragon Shifters, have all been previously published. They have been heavily revised and are 50% longer. The original stories were titled Dragon Lord’s Mate, Dragon Lord’s Prize and Dragon Lord’s Fire. I changed the titles because there have been some trademark discussions over ‘Dragon Lord’ and I don’t want to wade into the midst of that. That’s also why I didn’t mention this in the blurb. I like to keep the drama on the page. (grins)
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Medieval Dragon Shifters
It is a time of legend, a time of gallant knights, fearless ladies and mythical beings, a time when dragons rule the land. Primitive, possessive, deadly, these dragons have a secret—they’re also the human-appearing rulers of their kingdoms.
Dragon-shifting warriors court their fated mates in three tales of adventure, magic and passion.
The Spare (The Black Dragon) – Taja dreams every night of a great scarred dragon. She is stunned when, one morning, her dragon-shifting lord arrives at her father’s castle, intent on claiming her forever.
Dragon Games (The Golden Dragon) – Sabine wants to wed a serious, constant lord. She is in love with a teasing, laughing dragon warrior.
Dragon Fire (The Red Dragon) – Trinia must compete against an ancient prophecy to claim her dragon warrior’s heart.
Claim your inner dragon. Escape into a medieval fantasy world with these lunch-hour-length romances.
Pre-order Now:
Amazon US:
https://www.amazon.com/Medieval-Dragon-Shifters-C-S-Sax-ebook/dp/B08D9SHLSX
Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Medieval-Dragon-Shifters-C-S-Sax-ebook/dp/B08D9SHLSX
Amazon AUS:
https://www.amazon.com.au/Medieval-Dragon-Shifters-C-S-Sax-ebook/dp/B08D9SHLSX
Apple Books:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/medieval-dragon-shifters/id1524315213
B&N:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/medieval-dragon-shifters-cs-sax/1137367627
Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/medieval-dragon-shifters
Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1033843
Topics: C.S. Sax | Comments Off on C.S. Sax, Medieval Dragon Shifters And Short Stories
Interview With Lexi Post And Contest!
I sat down (virtually) with Lexi Post for a short interview. Lexi Post’s latest release is Masque, a wonderful Paranormal Erotic Romance. She’s also giving away a Venetian mask to one lucky Taste Of Cyn reader!
Cynthia Sax: Where did you get the idea for Masque?
Lexi Post: I love this question because I write erotic romance inspired by the classics. The classic story that inspired Masque was Edgar Allan Poe’s short story “The Masque of the Red Death.” I had a university student turn in a paper on this story and since I hadn’t read it in a long time, I decided to re-read it before grading the paper. I’m so glad I did!
As I read about the 7 colored rooms that Poe created in his “Abbey” and about the partying that went on there, I knew I had to use the story and make each room a Pleasure Room. But I still needed a hero because the main character in Poe’s story was Prince Prospero who was a selfish man, and the only other clear character was Death, Red Death to be exact, and everyone died at the end. So I decided that the masked figure of the Red Death was really Synn MacAllistair, a friend of the Prince, who just wanted to scare him in to doing what was right, but it all went wrong. Unbeknownst to Synn, he was a carrier of the Red Death. So then I decided to keep 73 ghosts and added a modern day heroine who buys the haunted abbey and soon finds herself caught up in Synn 😉
Cynthia Sax: Where is Masque set?
Lexi Post:
The story is set in Nova Scotia on Cape Breton as I love that place and thought it the perfect place for a 160 year old Abbey. Ashton Abbey is named that to hide what really goes on inside, which is the Masque that occurs after midnight. That’s when the 7 colored rooms – the parlor, the concert room, the library, the billiard room, the tea room, the game room and the smoking room – change into different sexual Pleasure Rooms. The way the rooms are lit is by braziers behind colored windows (Poe’s idea). The Abbey has secret passageways for the servants, dual grand staircases and is four stories tall, complete with crenellated wall walk. It even has a small chapel, numerous courtyards, a pond, and of course, a graveyard with a headstone for every resident ghost. I can’t say what each room turns in to after midnight, but I guarantee it is very sexy 😉
Cynthia Sax: What causes problems between Rena and Synn?
Lexi Post: Rena Mills buys the Abbey for a song because it’s haunted. She plans to add electricity and hot running water and open up a haunted Bed and Breakfast. She is driven to prove that she can be successful on her own without the help of her family or ex-fiancé.
Synn blames himself for the death of every person in the abbey. He is determined to help the ghosts cross over to the other side. He’s spent over 150 years trying to make that happen but nothing has worked. When Rena arrives, he believes if he can get her to complete each Pleasure Room in exact order that the grandfather clock (another Poe item) will start working again and the ghosts will rest in peace. So obviously, he can’t tell Rena his plan because if he’s successful, her enterprise fails.
Cynthia Sax: What do you love about writing erotic romance?
Lexi Post: What I like about writing erotic romance is that the reader isn’t left wondering how that intimate relationship develops. She gets to see it develop. Sometimes the sex is intense, sometimes it’s loving, sometimes kinky, sometimes the couple laughs and sometimes they end up fighting. The sex is all part of the relationship and the reader sees how it brings them closer together or causes problems.
I don’t write erotica, though I do enjoy reading it. I write erotic romance and as my agent says, I write erotic romance with a “whole lot of story.” Because my romances are inspired by classic literature, it also allows me to follow where the chosen classic leads me. In some cases it’s down a paranormal path, like Masque. But other times it might be a contemporary cowboy romance or straight contemporary. Believe it or not, Emily Dickinson’s poems inspired my Sci-fi series that takes place on the planet Eden where all the hunky mean walk around naked. There are so many classics I absolutely love, that I can’t type fast enough. I guess that’s one of the drawbacks of having taught literature, I just have too much inspiration J
Cynthia Sax: Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Lexi Post:October is my annual Venetian mask giveaway month and I’ve picked a beauty for Cynthia’s blog because Cynthia is such a beauty herself. So be sure to enter the Rafflecopter for a chance to win this mask made in Italy and hand decorated.
Cynthia Sax: Awww… you’re a sweetie. (big hugs) I love you so much, Lexi, and thank you for joining us today!
Lexi Post’s Website: http://www.lexipostbooks.com/
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Rena Mills plans to turn an abandoned abbey into a haunted bed-and-breakfast to prove she can be successful without her ex-fiancé. What she finds inside is Synn MacAllistair, the distinguished, self-proclaimed Ghost Keeper. Her dreams soon fill with sexual cravings for him. But are they dreams?
Synn, born in 1828, is determined to free the souls of the resident spirits, blaming himself for bringing the Red Death that killed them. When Rena steps into the old Pleasure Palace, he’s sure he can take her through the after-midnight Pleasure Rooms and stoke her passion to complete the Masque so the souls can cross over. Her innocent fire makes him crave more, but it’s far too late for him.
As Rena begins her erotic journey, her heart becomes more involved with every sensual caress until she discovers by completing the Masque she would lose her ghosts. Synn’s betrayal wars with her compassion for her ghostly friends. Torn, she must make a choice between her financial security and freeing seventy-three trapped souls. Either way, she could lose her Synn.
Buy Now:
On Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0157E67Z0
On Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1QEgdTR
On iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1038734956
On Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/masque-9
Topics: Author Interviews | 5 Comments »
Interview With Tina Donahue
I sat down (virtually) with my good friend Tina Donahue for a short interview. Tina Donahue’s latest release is Surrendering to the Beast, an erotic paranormal and romantic comedy.
Cynthia Sax: What makes Daemon so freakin’ sexy?
Tina Donahue: Daemon may be a bad boy satyr, but he’s all heart, especially when it comes to Heather. He loves that sweet fairy like nobody’s business. No matter how much he’s hurting carnally, her needs come first. What a guy. While she’s taming him, he releases her inner bad girl. They’re the perfect paranormal couple, especially when Mistress Jin, or MJ, enters the picture and heats things up even more.
Cynthia Sax: Why are you super excited about Surrendering to the Beast?
Tina Donahue: Surrendering to the Beast is book two of my Taming the Beast series. I absolutely love writing these characters. I have a very irreverent sense of humor and have always liked romcom with a dash of the erotic. The series takes place at From Crud to Stud, a makeover service for supernatural beings. The characters include a good fairy, a reformed demon, a voodoo priestess, a god, Satan (of course), vamps, weres, and a half witch/half mortal who owns the joint. I’ve had so much fun creating these stories – they’re sexy and playful, but oh-so romantic.
Cynthia Sax: What is your favorite line from Surrendering to the Beast?
Tina Donahue: A little background before I provide the line. Daemon, a satyr, comes to the makeover service to get rid of his horns, tail, and hooves. He wants to look totally human and boogie with mortal babes, until he meets Heather. After the makeover – OMG, what a bad boy. Since he lived in a forest all his life, clothes don’t mean much to him. Heather, a good fairy, takes him to her apartment since he doesn’t have anywhere else to stay. She calls for a pizza delivery and warns a very nude Daemon to cover his family jewels when the guy shows up.
Clueless, Daemon asks, ““Is his a lot smaller than mine? Will I make him feel bad
if he sees mine?”
Cynthia Sax: Where did you get the idea for Surrendering to the Beast?
Tina Donahue: It just happened. I had finished one series and wanted to try another. For some reason, I started thinking about a makeover service for supernatural beings. In many stories, vamps, weres, witches, whatever, have awesome powers and no problems because of them. I started thinking – what if the powers were giving them problems living in the world with mortals? What if they wanted to intermingle more easily with mortals? For example: what if a vamp wanted to date a mortal babe without sucking her dry? Thus From Crud to Stud was born. Weres get moonlight therapy so they don’t shift during a full moon. Vamps get therapy that curbs their bloodsucking ways. The more I thought about it, the more I saw it as a romantic comedy.
Thank you, Tina Donahue, for joining us today!
Tina Donahue’s Website: http://www.tinadonahue.com/
Tina has a contest!
Enter this awesome Rafflecopter giveaway
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When she’s good, she’s very good. But when he’s bad, she’s better.
Taming the Beast, Book 2
As a good fairy, Heather is empathetic and chaste to a fault. No bad language, no dirty thoughts, flirting and no sex. But when a satyr named Daemon steps up to her reception desk at From Crud to Stud, she finds herself on the fast track to exquisite corruption.
Daemon is the total bad-boy package with a kiss straight from the dark side. Though he’s here for a supernatural makeover, Heather can’t imagine why any red-blooded woman would want him to change.
A disciple of the god of wine, Daemon has had his share of good times. But sex has never been this good. Heather brings out a new side of him, a side that makes him want to protect as well as pillage.
But Daemon needs a little creative backup to help set his fairy’s naughtiness free. And that means bringing in Mistress Jin. Under the genie’s tutelage and Daemon’s shameless lust, Heather is about to learn what it means to let loose.
Warning: Not your typical bedtime story. May lead to indecent behavior, a taste for voyeurism, discipline, bondage, m/f, m/f/f and f/f action, which will result in screaming orgasms. Proceed with caution.
Buy Now:
Samhain: https://goo.gl/y3txKC
Topics: Author Interviews | 1 Comment »
Wayback Wednesday-Their Missing Lynx
Growing up in northern Ontario, Canada, I’ve seen the super shy lynx and the big strong bear in the wild. Bears would eat blueberries as I picked them. They were more interested in the blueberries than they were interested in me.
By Cynthia Sax
Now Available From Changeling Press
Ben and Lorcan want more than one wild night with Rue. The big bear shifter and the savage lynx shifter know she’s their mate. They’ll try anything — flowers, sweet words, an all night erotic frenzy — to claim Rue permanently.
Because if they don’t claim Rue, death will.
Buy It Now: http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=2102
Buy It Now at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Their-Missing-Lynx-Mates-ebook/dp/B00F8QFR8Q
Topics: Wayback Wednesday | Comments Off on Wayback Wednesday-Their Missing Lynx
Dragon Lord’s Destiny Contracted!
Woot!
Changeling Press has contracted Dragon Lord’s Destiny, the next medieval dragon shifter erotic romance in my Dragon Lord series. Dragon Lord’s Destiny will be releasing in July!
Here is the VERY unedited blurb for Dragon Lord’s Destiny.
Lady Celestria eagerly travels with her aunt and cousin to participate in festivities at King’s Keep. Decades ago, her father had met her mother in the courtyards. He took one look at her mother’s face, sank to his knees, and declared his undying love. Celestria believes this is where she will find true love also.
In the forest, less than a day’s ride away from the keep, they are attacked by bandits. Celestria fights alongside the guards. Outnumbered and disarmed, she faces her death bravely.
Then a warrior dressed all in gray, breathing smoke and fire, enters the fray. Celestria knows he’s the one, the man she’s destined to love. He doesn’t know he’s her future husband, however, and he’s riding toward her with his sword raised.
What is a maiden to do when the dragon shifter she loves won’t claim her?
Rhoslyn volunteers to be the village’s virgin sacrifice. She is bound
and stripped, presented as an offering to appease their dragon
protector, a dragon she has intimate knowledge of, a dragon who refuses
to meet with her outside their mate link.
Lame from a past battle wound, Blau knows Rhoslyn deserves a more
worthy knight than himself, but with one look at his mate’s naked body,
all of his noble plans fly out the turret. He doesn’t deserve to claim
Rhoslyn, but he can’t let her go.
Buy It Now: http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1867
Buy It Now on ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-dragonlord039scaptive-946754-140.html
Buy It Now On Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Lords-Captive-ebook/dp/B009G85MKA
Buy It Now On B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dragon-lords-captive-cynthia-sax/1113011543
Topics: Coming Soon | Comments Off on Dragon Lord’s Destiny Contracted!
Wayback Wednesday: Blind Spot
Blind Spot was my very first contribution to a multi-author series. The Dire Wolves series has wolf heroes who don’t quite fit into a normal pack. In Blind Spot, Pavel is missing an eye. Having no depth perception really hampers his fighting ability. Maggy is a very small wolf, too small, she believes, to defend herself or for any wolf to want her as a mate.
These two wounded souls find each other, discovering that their weaknesses can also be strengths and their paths don’t have to be solitary.
BLIND SPOT
By Cynthia Sax
Now Available From Changeling Press
Once Pavel was an alpha of a powerful wolf pack. Now he is a lone wolf; a scarred, one-eyed beast no one can rely on. When a small, sexy she-wolf calls for protection, he knows he’s not the wolf for the job. He does agree to train her to defend herself so she can earn her place in a pack. He doesn’t plan on falling in love, and he absolutely will not under any circumstances claim her for his own.
Buy Now: http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1401
Buy Now on ARe: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-direwolvesblindspot-448744-140.html
Buy Now on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Dire-Wolves-Blind-Spot-ebook/dp/B00FI5ZDE
Topics: Wayback Wednesday | Comments Off on Wayback Wednesday: Blind Spot
Wayback Wednesday: Demon Of Convenience
Demon of Convenience, story 2 in the Demon Chronicles, has one of my favorite heroes ever. Taurinus was nominated at ARe as one of their sexiest heroes. This ice demon assassin is determined not to fall in love. It is too dangerous, especially for his mate, a female he believes is human.
Demon of Convenience also has the hands free demon loving scene. I love this scene, very sexy!
DEMON OF CONVENIENCE
By Cynthia Sax
Now Available From Changeling Press
Mina has to bond with a demon. In return for his permanent protection, she will offer him unlimited power. When she asks her best friend for help, Taurinus — a deadly assassin — arrives instead.
Mina is horrified by the last minute substitution, but she is running out of time and has no other choice. She resigns herself to a passionless bonding of convenience… until one kiss changes everything.
Buy Now: http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1555
Buy Now On ARe: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-demonofconvenience-546828-140.html
Buy Now On Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Demon-Chronicles-Convenience-ebook/dp/B006SMMVUG
Topics: Wayback Wednesday | Comments Off on Wayback Wednesday: Demon Of Convenience
Some Inspiration For Tiger Byte
The hero from Tiger Byte is originally from India so I drew upon my recent trip to India for inspiration. It made sense to me that Nikhil’s eyes would be drawn to Violet, the purple-haired heroine. He’s accustomed to the bright vibrant colors of India.
The colors in India are wonderful!
The hubby and I took an elephant ride
A snake charmer
The security at the Taj Mahal kept out of sight as not to disturb the tranquility.
Topics: Cyn-Sights | 1 Comment »
New Release: Tiger Byte
Billionaire tiger shifter Nikhil Baagh has learned to subdue his savage nature. He no longer chases enemies through the city streets, maintaining justice with his teeth and claws. The exotic CEO follows human laws now, laying a sophisticated trap for the curvaceous hacker daring to illegally access his technological empire.
Nikhil then takes one sniff of Violet’s delectable scent and all of his most animalistic instincts stir. The plus-sized rebel isn’t merely his prey. She’s his mate, and he hunts her — tracking Violet through the social jungle, intent on claiming her permanently.
When an uptight tiger shifter meets a no-rules hacker, chaos reigns, empires fall, and old enemies resurface. Can Nikhil embrace his wild side and risk everything for love?
Buy It Now At: http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=2010
Topics: New Releases | Comments Off on New Release: Tiger Byte
Wayback Wednesday: Her Dragon Lords
As you likely know, I LOVE dragons (I also love Nutella). That’s why so many of my heroes are dragon shifters. And, of course, I couldn’t resist writing about a two-headed dragon. Come on! How could I? They’re so super cool!
This two-headed dragon shifts into twin warrior brothers. One warrior is clearly left-brained and the other warrior is clearly right-brained. I had so much fun with this. This story is also a nod to the King Arthur, Lancelot, Guinevere love triangle, fitting as Her Dragon Lords is a medieval fantasy erotic romance.
Her Dragon Lords was the first menage story I wrote and it will always have a special place in my heart.
By Cynthia Sax
Available Now From Changeling Press
knows these dreams cannot come true, and she must choose only one
warrior to wed. She selects the stoic elder brother, bidding a
regret-filled farewell to her other laughing lord.
Except her wedding night isn’t the end of their relationship, but a
new beginning. The brothers share everything, and Guinevere is about to
live out her deepest, darkest fantasies. Will she be woman enough to
tame her two wild dragon lords?
Buy Now: http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1595
Buy Now on ARe: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-herdragonlords-575801-140.html
Buy Now on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Her-Dragon-Lords-ebook/dp/B0073ICJMO
Topics: Wayback Wednesday | Comments Off on Wayback Wednesday: Her Dragon Lords
