There's something all at once ingenious and nostalgic about Xcite Book's line of discreet erotica.  The Secret Library line of collected stories just might be more of a turn on for its prudish appearance.  Touted as a book you could read in public or leave on a night table, it evokes images of well pressed women indulging themselves without the boundaries of decorum.  I LOVE IT!  You won't be able to judge these books by their cover.  But perhaps you can take a gander at the heavy hitters in the table of contents to know that you won't be disappointed.  To top it off, the cover is made of velvet--just perfect for its hoity-toity Victorian vibe.  One thing I just can't resist is a healthy dose of irony.  I'm published with Xcite and I soooo want to call one of these prissy looking gems my own.  I'll certainly be looking out for calls ... you never know. 

Behind The Headlines

All's fair in love and politics ... yes?              How many times have we wondered why the "disgraced" wife of a licentious politician stands in stoic solidarity at his side while he spills his guts on live television.  The scene has played out more times than we can count.  (Some recent incidents come to mind.)  It's always the same questions that pass the lips of those who care to gossip about it afterward.  Why does she stay?  How could he embarrass her like that? I would never!  Pundits hint at it, opponents decry her plight.  I've always wondered if the image tells the entire story.  In Hypocrites, my story featured in Rachel Kramer Bussel's Irresistible, I examine the lie that's told to the world because the world commands it.  Who are the hypocrites?  Well, that's for you to decide.

Feminism Anew

I would consider myself a feminist.  I’m old enough to relate to the idea that the expectation of equality was not always a given. Yet, not so old to understand why so many willfully seek the personification of the feminine victim ideal.  There is a luxury afforded to women coming of age today in enjoying the best of both worlds.  Where much of our society has agreed that women are the intellectual equals of their male counterparts with comparative ambitions and potential for success, it is the choice of many to embrace the role of submission in the shelter or shadow of a more powerful male.  One only has to look at the popularity of vampire themes and the growing infatuation of female victimization in almost all media.

Of course, female submission is not new.  The phenomenon of today’s trends lies in the feminist right to accept, even pursue a submissive role as a matter of preference in a world of opportunities.  The strong independent woman that has evolved as the aspiration goal for a generation of girls, now has the option to discard the weight of that image and trade it for a white hot spanking on her bare ass—just for being her. 

Yes, I consider myself a feminist.  For one, I have an understanding of whence I came, which allows me to appreciate the choices I have today.  Yet as the knowledge of struggle fades, I fear the women of tomorrow will be left with the submissive ideal without the contextual freedom of choice. 

Submission without freedom is oppression. 

There's still plenty of uncharted territory in erotic romance to explore. And I just adore new experiences. My latest short story release, Drawing Diego, takes a look at a multicultural coupling rarely seen. This story of a shy Indian woman and her proud yet brooding Mexican neighbor is a celebration of the raw and basic attraction of two very different people.



It's deliciously alluring to imagine how love can buck the expectations of societal norms. As an American, I particularly enjoyed loading this melting pot with cultural references and plenty of spice. Lydia's and Diego's desires are stronger than their differences, they only need to find the courage to satisfy their cravings.



The world is full of engaging cultures and a wonderful variety of beautiful skin tones. I love to mix it up-- imagine a tangle of browns and caramels and tawny tans sliding slick with impatience and struggling to get enough of each other.



Come to think about it, multi has got to be my favorite prefix. ;)



Drawing Diego will be available on August 5th from Etopia Press.

My author's copy of Wanton Women (Xcite Books) arrived today in the mail! Lovely, lovely cover and it's chock full of steamy stories to keep me glued for the next few nights. For The Good has its debut in this anthology and is my first F/F tryst in print. What's it like writing about a sensual experience that I have never personally had? It's like being a kid in a candy shop! I thoroughly enjoyed exploring that side of the fence and will visit again soon I'm sure ... stay tuned.


-Alyssa