Kissed By Venus

Hi All

We're really excited to bring you our very special Halloween interview, were we talk to the co-conspirators of the exciting new paranormal romance, everafter, Trinity Tam and Nell Stark. To quote:

"Nell and I never expected our romantic partnership to evolve into a writing one. One day, I was sharing an idea with her and she strongly encouraged me to write it. When I pointed out that I had never written anything longer than a short story by myself, she offered to lend her novel writing experience and co-author with me."

Find out what makes this pair of writers tick, on both a professional level as well as an emotional one.

This Halloween month also sees Jeanne Nicholas' review of everafter, which garnered a 4-star rating and rightly so. To quote:

"Stark and Tam have managed to scare the bejesus out of me in their highly skilled effort to introduce Valentine and Alexa, two professional students, who are thrust into the forbidden realm of Vampires and Were’s. The violent act of Valentine’s turning and the progressive changes that take place, puts the bite in the creepy word Vampiric. Deeply in love the two struggles to find the balance between making love and controlling the changes taking place that allow Valentine to dominate her human partner in body and blood."

Just her write-up had me wanting to sink my teeth into this one.

Other up and coming reviews this coming month, will include:

• SECRETS IN THE STONE by Radclyffe

So don't forget to stop by and check the 'REVIEWS' section for new updates.

Enjoy!

Hi All -

As promised we have two new reviews posted over at Kissed BY Venus. First up is the thoughtful tale of middle-age awakenings, ARUSHA by J.E. Knowles, as reviewed by Jean Roberta.

Edith Rignaldi, the forty-something wife and mother at the heart of this novel, lives a life of quiet desperation in small-town Tennessee until her family falls apart and she begins to discover herself. The narrative voice shifts from Edith’s viewpoint to those of her husband Joe, her son Jeremy and her daughter Dana. All the viewpoints are handled sensitively and clearly enough not to confuse the reader.

Posted today comes the salacious and sexy, THE SEDUCTION OF MOXIE by Colette Moody, as reviewed by Jeanne Nicholas, in which we take a trip back in time to the roaring 30s of New York bootleggers, gangster, and Speakeasy dives, where Moxie Valette meets the all but irresistible Violet and the inevitable seduction begins. Not to be missed!

Enjoy!

Hi All

The start of another month, here at Kissed BY Venus, would not be complete without our featured interview. And who better to kick off October with than newcomer, and first-time novelist, J.E. Knowles. Catch what Jacqui has to say about life, writing, and her new novel, ARUSHA.

This month also sees a new column A Snatch By Any Other Name from the ever fertile, if not, twisted-mind of author, Colette Moody, in which she argues:

"...what makes les-fic decidedly lesbian is the sex—that without it, the stories would be in the same category as books about girls who share a magical pair of communal pants, or a gaggle of middle aged “ya-yas.”

And who can argue with that?

We're also pleased to showcase a wonderful new author, Magen Toole, and her arcane story, THE OCTOPUS' LOVER, here on Kissed By Venus.

"Some nights Lily could feel the bite of toothy suction cups on the tips of her toes, the wet slither of cold arms around her thighs, but said nothing of that to anyone. Other mornings, on the street, with cups of designer coffee to chase away these waking dreams, Lily passed a woman with fireworks for eyes and ribbons in dark hair."

You might never look at your next trip to the Aquarium the same way again, after reading this one. Remember, you've been warned!

Up and coming reviews we are looking to publish this month, will include:

• ARUSHA by JE Knowles
• THE SEDUCTION OF MOXIE by Colette Moody
• EVERAFTER by Trinity Tam & Nell Stark

Stop by and check the 'REVIEWS' section for updates.

Enjoy!

Hi All,

Just to keep you up to date with what's new over at Kissed By Venus, if you haven't stopped by this weekend. You can find new fiction and reviews for your reading pleasure.

First up is a short story that goes, as the title suggests, 'BEYOND THE CLOSED DOOR'. Penned by newcomer, Caroline Morris, this bitter-sweet short peeks into the lives of those of us that reach a certain age and then, find ourselves confined to a 'nursing home' with nothing more to keep us warm than our memories of past loves.

New reviews up for this coming month include the bisexual romance, WRITING SKIN by Adriana Kraft, as reviewed by Jean Roberta. So stop by and see what Jean had to say about this erotic romp of a novel.

Enjoy!

Hi All -

I'm pleased to announce that we have a second column up on site (for your reading pleasure) from the ever fertile mind of author, Colette Moody. This month she is writing on 'How to Gay-Up The Classics'. I mean, come on, with a title like that you have just got to stop in and have a read and get Colette's 'take' on how to add a little zing to Little Women, Moby Dick, or Catcher In The Rye!

I can see Austen and Thackery, Melville and Dickens spinning in their graves.

And you know what? Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights will never read the same again.

Enjoy!

Hi All,

Just to keep you up to date with what's new over at Kissed By Venus, if you haven't stopped by in a while. You can find new fiction, reviews, and interviews for your reading pleasure.

First up is the heart-breaking contemporary romance, 'FOREVER' penned by newcomer, Rebecca Swartz, sometimes, we just don't have forever! And while you are at it, don't forget to read the hot erotic short story, 'THE PACKAGE', by Lee Redford.

New reviews up include:

• LETHAL AFFAIRS by Kim Baldwin & Xenia Alexiou
• SEEKING SARA SUMMERS by Susan Gabriel
• BETWEEN THE LINES Bobbi D. Marolt
• EASY STREET by Elizabeth Sims
• TALON by J. P. Mercer

And new interviews include us talking to:

• Bobbi D. Marolt
• Colette Moody

And what's more, catch BSB author Colette Moody's 'Guest Column' for her take on life, writing, and the Tampon Manifesto!

Stop by and have a read, and don't forget, you can subscribe to email updates alerting you when new material is posted by signing up with Feedburner. Look out for the subscription logo in the top right-hand above the adverts!

Enjoy!

Hi All -

I just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who contacted us about the two book reviewer positions. Which have now both been filled. And I am pleased to announce that both Jeanne Nicholas and Janeen Lowell will now be reading for us, filling out our review team to three. Jean Roberta being our third member.

Yes, folks, you read right: Jean, Janeen and Jeanne... do you see a pattern emerging here? Not that it was intentional, you understand. The rest of the team here at KBV taking up other letters of the alphabet, just to even out the three Js in our midst.

I hope you will join us in welcoming these two to the fold, and show your support by stopping by KBV, to read and comment on their reviews.

Thanks!

Hi Everyone -

If you've ever wanted to know what it's like to wait for your one true love. To wait for three long years for her to notice you. Then you should stop by and read Rebecca Swartz's latest short story, FOREVER!. And read about how Rowan has been there for Siobhan for what seems like forever. Waiting for Siobhan to see her as more than the friend she's been to her. And when she does, where realization finally takes Siobhan, as well as Rowan.

"Her eyes left mine. I swallowed. I could honestly say I was quite disbelieving that this was happening. I felt caught in a moment of utter sanctity, that if I said something, made some untoward motion, the moment would end and I would lose it forever. She continued unbuttoning my shirt. I just sat and let her. Angled as I was towards her, my shirt fell open easily as she completed her task; she gently tucked the left wing of it against my left hip, exposing my chest and belly. I watched her eyes as they trailed over my skin; she reached her hand up and lightly traced her fingers over the lace of my bra. I could feel those fingers trembling. I was very aware of my breathing that it hitched once in my chest. I kept my eyes locked on hers."

For heart-breaking, erotic romance, read "FOREVER!" at Kissed By Venus.

Enjoy!

Dear All -

I just want to extend my thanks to those of you who wrote to me in query. And let you all know that while we have found one new reviewer, Jeanne Nicholas, we are still looking for one more to join the team. So please, if you were hesitant because you thought the positions might be filled, think again. We're still looking, so submit your review and you too might end on the team.

My thanks again,

The Editor.

Dear All -

We here at Kissed By Venus are looking for two, well-qualified, book-reviewers to come and join the Team. Potential candidates should have some experience reviewing books, and feel comfortable reading and reviewing objectively, and honestly, in a variety of lesbian fiction genres, not just erotica or romance.

If you think you have what it takes and are interested, then write a short piece about yourself (and background) to me, the Editor. Please include a pithy review—whether previously published or not—to be included with your e-mail, in order to give me some idea of your style.

Please do not send me any links to reviews already posted on a web site, I'm simply not interested.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Alexandra Wolfe
The Editor

Hi All -

There are some people you meet (as is my case) via the internet for an interview that you just wish you could have met in person. Because you know, here is someone who is downright funny. Author Colette Moody is one of those people. If you don’t believe me, you should read our interview with her and see for yourself.

Tampon Manifesto? You bet!

Now get thee hence, and find out why Colette had me laughing my ass off.

The Editor.

Hi All -

Are you tired of the same old, cliched lesbian romances? Are you looking for something a little different to read? How about an above average swashbuckling romance set on the high-seas? And a pirate adventure with plenty enough action, to give the romance a run for it's money?

Then look no further than, "The Sublime and Spirited Voyage of Original Sin," by Bold Strokes author, Colette Moody.

Jean Roberta, our resident reviewer over at KISSED BY VENUS, gave this one a huge thumbs up, earning the book a 'Four-Star' rating.

Want to find out whether this one is for you? Then by all means stop by the website and read the review.

See you there!

Hi Everyone,

It's that time of the week again, Friday, and once more we have a brand new piece of fiction to share with you over at KISSED BY VENUS.

EPIPHANY is a contemporary story of relationships that has writer, Jean Roberta, writing about the love-lives and angst of two couples meeting for dinner, discovering more than they bargained for when revelations fly across the dinner table faster than insults.

Enjoy!

Alexandra

I've decided to close down this journal, here on Livejournal, by the end of this month, as there seems little or no point in continuing to up-date it when, apparently, no one is reading it.

Peace be!

Alexandra Wolfe

Publishing Editor
Kissed By Venus

PLEASE NOTE:
Further to what I stated above (after receipt of your comments) I will continue to post entries letting you know when new material is available.

My thanks to you who responded.

Hi Everyone,

It's the first Friday of February and once again we have new fiction to share with you, over at KISSED BY VENUS.

PEANUT PARFAIT is a whimsical story of childhood and has writer, Demrie Margo Alonzo, writing about Cary Grant and how we, as daughters, idolize our dotting fathers. So much so we trust them implicitly, no matter what, even if it means walking through a swarm of bees.

Enjoy!

Alexandra

Hi All -

Yes, it's that time of the month again here at Kissed By Venus, interview time. And who do we have for you this time round? None other than the ever-creative and talented artist, Cynthia Rodriguez, who kindly took time out of her busy schedule to talk to us about her creative processes, from the PENNSYLVANIA side of life.

Cynthia is a mixed media & performance artist and all round lesbian activist living in Allentown, Pennsylvania, who supports her art habit by working full time.

For more on Cynthia, her art, and who she would pose nude for, stop by and read the Kissed By Venus interview: CYNTHIA RODRIGUEZ.

Salut!

Alexandra

Hi Everyone -

It's my delight to tell you about two more great pieces of fiction published today, over on Kissed By Venus.

The first short story is by relative newcomer and science fiction writer, Tonya Moore. Her submission is both science fiction and supernatural, dealing with the complicated loves and lives of Vampires and the humans who submit to the 'Blood Contract.' If you want to read more, check out SWEET BELLADONNA.

Our second short story is a contemporary piece of flash fiction by the wonderful writer, Demrie Margo Alonzo. WHITE SPIDERS is a poignant look at how strangers can touch our lives, how ever briefly, and make us look at things differently.

I hope you enjoy both of today's servings of fiction, and come back for more.

Enjoy!

Alexandra

Hi Everyone,

I'm pleased to say the first of January's new short fiction, LA LUNA, is posted up over at KISSED BY VENUS, for your reading pleasure.

Newcomer to the writing scene, Demrie Margo Alonzo, submitted two stories to us, both of which are well written, emotive pieces. LA LUNA, the longer of the two, tells the story of attraction, and how it can wane and blossom in the unlikeliest of places, like the ocean pulled by the tides, and commanded by the moon, so too our narrator finds herself subject to the whims of moon and tide.

Intrigued? Then find out more by stopping by to read, LA LUNA, and you too could find yourself moved by the tides.

Salut!

Alexandra

Dear Writers,

We here at KISSED BY VENUS believe that gaining access to readers is crucial for writers, because even if you've written a great story, you still need someone who's willing to take your work seriously, and promote it for you so that you can build up that all important fan base. As you probably know, KBV offers not only emerging talent but also writers who have just established a toe-hold in the lesbian fiction marketplace, with space to showcase their work and gain exposure to a wider audience.

We are continually looking for talented writers with a story to tell. If you think you are ready to take center stage then by all means contact me, the Editor, and let's see what Kissed By Venus can do for you!

Regards,

Alexandra
Publishing Editor

Indeed, dear reader, January is looking set to be a bumper month for fiction over at KISSED BY VENUS, as we have four new short stories being set, ready to post in the coming weeks, and at least two more in waiting for your reading pleasure.

What a great start to 2009!

Up and coming are another hot piece of erotic fantasy from the fertile mind of UK-based writer, Maria di Girolamo. I can tell you, HIDDEN SHRINE is sure to make you want to take a cold shower. We are also pleased to be debuting RED MOUNTAIN, a SF short story from the very talented, Tonya Moore. Add to these, two wonderfully written short pieces by a new writer to our fold, Demrie Margo Alonzo. We are pleased to be showcasing her flash fiction piece, WHITE SPIDERS, and the wistful and emotive, LA LUNA.

It certainly looks to be an exciting month for fiction. Keep an eye out for these and more!

Alexandra