I was so excited to get this review yesterday!
Men of Tokyo: Sudden Bliss was phenomenal. The story glided effortlessly from between the story and the sex. The emotional obstacles Koji and Naoto faced would have had lesser men throwing in the towel and giving up on love, life, and happiness. Koji was the typical Japanese Salaryman; working long hours, not taking vacations, and thinking that their work was so important that no one else could do it if they were unavailable. Naoto could not escape the nightmare of his lover’s murder. The need for revenge was only staunched by his respect for his mentor. I loved Naoto because he was the alpha-male and protector of those he loved. As a reader, you could feel the anger Naoto felt when he noticed the scars on Koji. Men of Tokyo: Sudden Bliss is part of Ms. Guillone’s new White Tiger Series. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Archive for March, 2008
I’m just addicted to my White Tigers! I had to put aside Fantasy Thief for a bit because a sequel to Men of Phuket: Tongue-Thai’d was yelling at me to be written. My webmistress will be putting up the sneak peek I sent her for posting, so I hope you’ll check back and take a look in the near future.
The new title is Thai-ing the Knot, just to give the title a visible link to its predecessor. There will be a couple of surprises inside as to plot, only adding to the whole yakuza intrigue. 
In other news, I finished the series Samurai Girl. I loved it! Six books in all, but I made the mistake of going onto a forum where some thoughtless girl had posted a MAJOR spoiler! Of course, I read it anyway and completely understood the situation in the story differently from how people were discussing it. I don’t want to spoil it for anyone who might read the series so I won’t go into details. But the other thing was, people were complaning about how the series ended on a worse hook that the previous books. When I read it, however, I found the ending completely satisfying. 
It does leave the possibility open for more while at the same time, leaving it satisfying in case the author decides not to write further. Of course, yours truly made the mistake of writing to the publisher and offering to ghost write some more of the series if the author couldn’t do it. I should have read the last book first before saying anything! I need to learn patience! With three, no, FOUR works-in-progress of my own, I really have a full plate right now. In any case, I totally recommend Samurai Girl for a cool series with lots of martial arts action and some romance.
Actually, yesterday was the day I declared this day. But, well, for me, every day is Man Appreciation Day
I’m declaring today Man Appreciation Day. (Which for me is every day). Let’s face it, where would erotic romance writers like myself be without guys? How would I spend all day fantasising about men and the many things they’re capable of doing with us and with other guys and then weaving all the scenarios into a delicious romance that other people will want to read? That is worth more than I can possibly express in one blog entry.
When I was younger, I had an idea in my head that as I got older, I would burn this man-crazy thing out, especially since I am lucky to be with a man I adore. But I’m about to turn 39 next month and the feeling just gets deeper. It’s not this satisfying-my-lust kind of thing more than a deep appreciation of the textures, smells, personality of a man, the way guys tease women (we love that, let’s face it!). The whole person. I hope I’m explaining this clearly.
The other day I went into Dunkin Donuts to get a coffee. There was a young girl and a young guy working behind the counter and the guy was teasing the girl – jostling her out of the way, taking the carfe from her as she was about to pour coffee and then using it himself. They caught me grinning at them and I could see the girl was loving it. I said to her, “It’s better that way.” She nodded and I could see she understood exactly what I meant.
All that said, the pics I’ve posted here are of men I especially appreciate. (Is it hot in here? Someone turned the fan off. Oh, it’s me.) Thanks for sharing Man Appreciation Day with me. Hugs, Sedonia
Today I did edits for A Werewolf for Christmas. I’ve also picked up Fantasy Thief again after setting down well over a year now. I really got sidetracked by my White Tigers series which I adore! Even so, I managed to put in one link to the men at the White Tiger to the hero in Fantasy Thief even though the hero in this story, Takeshi, is straight. Takeshi’s grandfather back in Tokyo is the elderly man who frequents the White Tiger and who is waited on by Ryu all the time. Old Mr. Hamura is mentioned briefly in Men of Phuket: Tongue-Thai’d and in Men of Tokyo: Sudden Bliss, he appears briefly walking through the hotel with Ryu. Mr. Hamura, though we don’t really meet him, was a cool guy, really loving with his grandson and, we learn, ends up being a true friend to Ryu.
Perhaps looking at those pics of Gackt really did give me the inspiration I’ve been needing! Madelynne sent me another picture of Gackt, this one which had served as the inspiration for her character, Takeshi, in her Black Lace erotic romance Dark Designs which I love so much I’ve begun to read a third time! I can’t get enough of the character she created. Inspiration below…
I’ve not been able to write this week. I have three works-in-progress that need my attention but there’s stuff going on at home that needs my attention first. HOWEVER, when the time comes, I have some new inspiration I found on Madelynne Ellis’s blog. This Japanese pop singer Gackt whom I’d never heard of.
Wow! Is all I can say and he definitely fits the description for Yuzo in my current White Tigers series. Men of Tokyo: Sudden Surrender, excerpt coming soon.
Just finished reading: Samurai Girl Book 3 – This Young Adult series rocks! I’m totally hooked.
Just watched: Moonlight, first season. John O’Laughlin as a sexy vamp/private detective. Yum!
Also just watched: The Best of Top Gear – love this British show with the three funny guys doing funky things with cars. Hilarious!
By the way, here’s the blurb for Men of Tokyo: Sudden Surrender: In desperation for his life, Yuzo Kitano escapes the sadistic clutches of Taro Suzuki, one of Tokyo’s fiercest yakuza, and seeks refuge with Suzuki’s arch-rival, Kikuchiya Fujimara, owner of the White Tiger, a luxurious love-hotel for gay men which also serves as a spiritual community for its inhabitants. From early meetings with the handsome, charismatic leader who trains men in the sexual Tao, Yuzo senses deep inside he’s found someone he can trust and who will keep him safe. What he doesn’t expect is the absolute sensual bliss he finds with Kikuchiya’s skilled lovemaking and realizes he’s found what he’s really wanted his whole life. But does Kiku want him in return?
At first, Kiku sees only Yuzo’s alluring beauty and desperate need for protection. But the headstrong impulsive Yuzo is also the first man Kiku has ever met whose touch is healing and calming for him, rather than a distressing channel for his psychic abilities, and the more he makes love to Yuzo, the more Kiku is in danger of losing his heart to another for the first time in his life.
However, Kiku also knows that when Suzuki finds out where his slave has gone, there will be hell to pay. Kiku has already made one harrowing sacrifice to the yakuza in return for his freedom and might not survive a second…
I’ve been watching that vampire/cop show, New Amsterdam. And yes, it’s a recycling of a familiar theme (like Forever Knight). However, Danish-born actor Nikolaj Koster-Waldau, makes this show worth watching!
This week I sent two synopses into an editor at Kensington and he requested both full manuscripts! I am so excited…but not too excited yet. I won’t know for another 3-4 months whether he wants one or both for the Kensington Aphrodisia line. I will DEFINITELY keep you posted! 
I’m so excited. This came out today at Total-e-Bound! I got a lovely plug for it from Madelynne Ellis on her blog. Madelynne writes delicious m/f/m erotic romance for Black Lace Books and she’s one of my faves. If you keep checking up, you’ll find an interview with her on this blog.
Here’s a blurb for the book:
Book two in the White Tigers Series
Desperately in need of a vacation, Koji spends the most deliciously erotic week of his life at the White Tiger, a luxurious love-hotel for gay men. Naoto, his personal attendant, is everything Koji has ever fantasised about: muscular, long-haired, ruggedly
handsome, gentle yet commanding. Naoto is a White Tiger, after all, trained in the erotic arts, knowlegeable in every way to bring a man to bliss.
Naoto’s appreciative eye sees the honourable and sexy man Koji-san is under the work-driven shell. Little by little, his massages and more coax the real man, the passionate, artistic, sex-loving Koji, to the surface. Yet, the
more time Naoto spends with Koji, the more he finds his own soul craving a partner again, the one thing he thought he’d never find after his lover was killed three years ago. He’s not sure he’s ready to get that close again. And even if he were ready, it doesn’t mean that Koji wants the same thing. In fact, Koji once mentioned that he was supposed to get married. Yet, when an agonising secret from Naoto’s past is revealed to him, Naoto wants only to turn to Koji.
When Naoto comes to him for help, Koji is suddenly faced with a harrowing decision: remain in his work-driven, soul-killing world or follow the path his body and heart have really chosen for him? And he must choose – for in a world where passion and spirit find union, there is no in between.
Available at Total-e-Bound!
We were in Georgia this past week looking at real estate. The Georgia coast with its marshlands and live oaks dripping with moss is one of the most beautiful places in the world and has inspired my writing in the past. However, I simply hate riding in a car for hours on end, I get car sick so easily and end up being a major pain in the ass for my poor man. The best parts of the trip were visiting Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation (gorgeous with 900 year old oak trees and a surprisingly modest house) and then having lunch at the Jekeyll Island Resort. After that, I was more than ready to get home. I really missed sitting down to write every day. I know, I’m so exciting. lol.
Oh, before I forget, I was in the tiny gift shop on the island. Stepping onto the porch, I was greeted by a table piled high with Harlequin Blaze books as well as other Harlequin lines. THAT was surprising to see considering this is not really a book store and the few books they carry are regional Georgia authors and titles. But then, upstairs in the store was a tiny room that sold books and in there they carried a whole bunch of Kensington Brava as well as a women’s erotica short story collection. Whoa! We erotic romance writers are taking over the shelves!!
Writing-wise, I’m excited because Men of Tokyo: Sudden Bliss releases this Monday! Yay! Did Final Line Edits in the hotel room this past week and I really hope people like the book. Like I said before, it’s not full of action. This story is more the sensuous unfolding of the passion between Naoto and Koji. However, I’m busy at work writing two more White Tiger books simultaneously. For those familiar with my characters, Men of Tokyo: Sudden Surrender is about the romance between Kiku and Yuzo – who both first appear in Beautiful Samurai, White Tiger (Torquere Press). However, there is so much more to see than what I have time to show in that book which centers more on John and Toshi. The other White Tiger book is Men of Tokyo: Sudden Heat. That romance is between Quan Chan, who is mentioned in Beautiful Samurai, White Tiger and who is a side character in Sudden Bliss, as well as Hiru who is Koji’s friend at work and has a small appearance in Sudden Bliss as well. Needless to say, I’m hooked on my own series.
Recently saw: 3:10 to Yuma (Incredibly awesome!!) Russel Crowe and Christian Bale were AMAZING and the story was gripping.
About to begin the next Samurai Girl. Yay! I’m so looking forward to that.