GIANNA"S LATEST NEWS

A Five Star Review for The Journey: "Lovely Paranormal Erotic Romance With a World View"


Hot Chocolate Kiss is now out of print, but I have copies.

Specials on packages and personalization


Upcoming Events:


February 6, 2016
Meriden, Connecticut

March 18-20, 2016


Past Appearances:

A Paranormal Author Goes Straight The Book Boost 8/29/11



Sunday, December 12, 2010

Order Holiday Gift Packages of My Eternal Press Releases

Hot Chocolate Kiss

Extreme weather, three witches, two skiers fighting their own demons...and each other. Who wins?

This fast paced, sexy read is a great stocking stuffer or Valentine's Day gift. Guys will love this one for the sports--on and off the slopes.



The Journey       

As the North prepares to battle the South a witch, a sailor and escaped slaves discover the journey is not about a destination.

Email Gianna for personalized gift packages including chocolates and a gift note

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An excerpt of Hot Chocolate Kiss


The blonde perched on a stool wore boots that looked like she’d strapped a husky dog to each leg. Keela doubted she had ever skied in her life. That sleek blonde ponytail wouldn't fit under a helmet, and she'd freeze her perky tits and tight ass off wearing that pink fleece jacket and black spandex pants.



She prattled out the usual disclaimers while processing the credit card transaction. "No refunds for conditions. The gondolas are closed due to high winds. Only the open chairs are going to the summit, and we might have to close them as well. The ski patrol has put up an extreme weather alert: no exposed skin, take frequent re-warming breaks."

Keela tried not to sound bitchy. This wasn't one of Ken's girlfriends. The kid was just doing her job. "Thanks for the tips."

After securing the $75.00 ticket on her parka and putting on every piece of protective equipment in her pack, she waddled out the door like a stuffed pig, sweating like one, too.

She knocked the ice off the bottom of her boots with her poles and clicked into the bindings. No matter who I’m with, it’s always me against the mountain—alone.

Keela skated over to the lift where the same guy she’d met outside the can was working. "It’s the Tuckerman lady." He winked and guided the chair under her butt.

She couldn't see the rest of his face but imagined him licking his lips.


The lift swept her up, and he called out, "Seriously, be careful. I’ll buy you a Hot Chocolate Kiss when you come down from the summit, sister."


I don't think so, dude. No more being treated like a buddy who happened to have a receptacle instead of a plug. No more schlepping boots and ski equipment, plus a backpack full of camping gear to the summit of Mount Washington , dodging rockslides and avalanches, to ski Tuckerman Ravine. No more romantic nights crammed into a lean-to, surrounded by a unisex cadre of other idiots, with a sleeping bag, thermals, and Gore-Tex to light her fire.               View the Trailer

           An excerpt of The Journey

Villagers swarmed around the dappled gray stallion to obstruct her passage. They buzzed like flies on  dung. Since the day Milena stumbled dazed and disoriented out of the Swampscott forest, and Hecabe'slair, they'd branded her a sorceress. Thomas found her huddled near the docks, knowing little of the world and nothing of her origins, surviving only by an innate ability to forage and perform simple magic. He transformed her from an illiterate, illegitimate enigma with his love and attention, teaching her numbers, letters and the ways of the civilized.


If not for the laws on the books, and the protection Thomas provided, Milena would have been hanged. Being shunned was the extent of her punishment. And for that she owed him her loyalty and fidelity. Perhaps the winds of war blowing since Lincoln 's election and the Southerners' secession now occupied the Northerners' attention, but Milena knew prejudice to be a blinder as effective as those used on skittish work horses.


"Go back into the woods where you belong, witch." A woman reached up and tugged Milena's ebony plaits. "Immodesty in dress and action. No cap covering your hair, devil worship at the full moon."


Greystone reared. The crowd fled the horse's shrill whinny and pawing hooves.


The woman spat on the ground. "Good riddance, demoness. Ride your ghost mount back whence you came."


Milena clutched the horse's middle with her legs, regained her balance and continued on to the docks. The gray, sticky aura of the sea's wrath shrouded everything in Milena's sight. Whitecaps frothed on the bay. Plumes of sea spray surged through the planks with each swell the agitated waters. A steady wind dispersed black clouds over the town.


Hateful eyes glared from a safe distance. She tethered Greystone and walked into the shipping company office. Her footsteps echoed in the room. The workers fell silent.

She approached the purser's desk. He surveyed her from the neckline of her sackcloth dress down to the battered boots on her feet. "What business have you here, witch?"


"To inquire after Thomas Harper." Milena ignored her heart pounding and stared directly into his eyes. He would not intimidate her.


"And of what interest is he to you?" A smirk spread over his face.


The vision of Thomas headed into the forest on the day he left flashed through her mind. Milena's voice quavered despite her effort. "He's my husband."

Unmoved, the brute spoke with the venom of a poisonous snake. "His ship was last seen leaving Cay West on two months ago. The ship went down, but no one knows where." His crooked smile indicated perverse delight in delivering the news. Despair surged through Milena's body like lightning. Her heart trembled with grief, the empty pit in her soul ached. Why had the spirits not spoken the truth? She would not show any vulnerability, she would not react, she would not give them the pleasure of seeing her cry.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Release Day for The Journey-Blog Tour and Chat Schedule

As the North prepares to battle the South a witch, a sailor and escaped slaves discover the journey is not about a destination, but rather overcoming the obstacles along the way.


Here are the blog tour dates so you can put them on your calendar. All will be a little different. Some are interviews, others posts I'll do on a specific topic, and there's even a couple of live chats. I hope you'll be able to make some of them. Subscribe to the 24-7 forums on Eternal Press and Coffee Time Romance.

 Andrew Richardson previewed The Journey. The contest is still open.
 I was interviewed on Rachel Leigh's blog and the contest is still open.
Check out the month long festivities and big give aways at Fang-tastic Books

Use the EP discount code (listed above) for 25% off all EP titles purchased through their website.

Contact me for holiday gift packages on both Hot Chocolate Kiss and The Journey.

Release Day December 7: Take your pick or make the rounds!

I've been interviewed by Dawn Roberto for the Love Romances and More Blog

There will be an all day release day party at the Eternal Press Readers Group and Eternal Press Fever Loop

Check out my Coffee Time Romance Cafe Corner Forum-Open 24 hours!

Join me for a live chat at  7:30 pm MST/ 9:30 pm EST  December 7 on the Eternal Press website

 On December 22 meet me at Beyond Romance, hosted by Lisabet Sarai

January 2011:

Celebrate the New Year with a month long contest on Coffee Time Romance. There will be give aways of both print and electronic holiday packages for Valentine's Day gifts. Details TBA

My guest blog on Saavy Authors will discuss the trials of being something you're not: Confessions of a Reformed Panster

February 2011:

Night Owl Romance will host me and three other EP authors for a live chat. Start Time by Time Zone: 5pm PST / 6pm MST / 7pm CST / 8 EST. There will be door prizes and loads of give aways.

I hope to see you somewhere along this exciting journey!

Gianna


Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving--And My Pre-Release Day Blog Tour

I'm busy cooking up my contribution for tomorrow's feast (Italian antipasti and stuffed artichokes). Then Friday, I'm back to get ready for a big week of appearances.

November 28: Andrew Richardson will release his preview of The Journey. Join us for a discussion about what inspired me to write this story.

November 30:  I'll be continuing the conversation at Rachel Leigh's blog.

December 1: Roxanne Rhodes will host me at Fang-tastic Books.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!  Hope to "see" you next week.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Welcome to Michal Scott-Author of Christian Erotic Romance

I met Michal Scott at a writer's conference last September, and all the writer/participants had the same reaction: "Christian erotica and Christian erotic romance? They let you do that?"

What impressed me so much about Michal is her engaging, down to earth personality and absolute joy and commitment she has to her work—no matter what form it takes—and to life.

Now, I'm Catholic (stop laughing) and my erotica is generally of the pagan variety. I don't think any traditional religion would appreciate my writing, and in fact, they'd likely banish me to eternal damnation.

But as with many vocal religious figures who strayed from the righteous path, the realities of their life and life experiences are much different than what they would have us believe. Witness the scandals facing the Roman Catholic Church as well as those of numerous Christian denominations.

So I applaud Michal for acknowledging that men and women of any faith, or no faith, can rejoice in the pleasures of sexuality without denying it's a basic and necessary human need--and write about it in a frank and realistic manner.

I've read some of Michal's stories. She was a finalist in the RWA Passionate Ink Chapter's Stroke of Midnight Contest, and I think it's safe to say we're going to see more of her work in print and on line. Go to her website and see read samples of Michal's truly inspired and poetic prose.

Welcome, Michal!

Can you tell us something about your background and how you define Christian erotica and Christian erotic romance?

Hi Gianna,


I'm an ordained United Church of Christ minister and have been in ministry for thirty years, first as an ordained Presbyterian elder in 1980. I've been a member of Romance Writers of America since 2003.


I define Christian erotica as writing which explores the connection between our spiritual selves and sexual selves. The seeds for my Christian erotica were planted during my seminary days when because of feminist theology I discovered Christian mystics like Julian of Norwich and the love mystics of Begijns. In Christian erotica the partners are the protagonist and God. Because my goal is to achieve in my fiction the same ecstatic level conveyed and experienced in the prayers of these mystics only an erotic heat level will do.


Christian erotic romance is more than an inspirational romance with sex. When I write a Christian erotic romance it's always (or at least) a threesome. The partners are hero, heroine and God (or any others if you're writing about a ménage.) Again the spiritual dimension (or faith arc) is the driving force in the story. The sex is an indicator of the depth of the connection to God, i.e that procreative energy defined in the Christian New Testament (I John 4:8 - Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.) And again, for me only an erotic heat level does justice to the sexual/spiritual journey of my hero and heroine. In execution the difference between my Christian erotica and Christian erotic romance is the context. The hero and heroine's faith journey is always centered in/through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

What are the markets available for these genres, and is it a new phenomenon or one that has been operating under the covers for a while?

I belong to a group called Christian Erotic Romance Writers. Looking at their titles and the markets they sell in I would say it's been a phenomenon that has been operating under the covers for a while. Erotic publishers like Red Sage and Samhain are publishers I'm targeting. But I get surprises too. I got a request for a full from Harlequin Blaze, a line I would have thought too tame for what I write. We'll see.

Are your readers older, younger, in between, or both?

I'd say both. Possibly my age fifties and younger. But I have to admit it was one of my shut-ins (a woman in her eighties) who turned me on to romance.

Do you write in other genres, and if so, which. What is your favorite thing to write?

I write inspirational romance and have a book with White Rose Publishing entitled Through A Glass Darkly. I also write gothic romance and have a novella entitled Haunted Serenade coming out in Red Rose Publishing's Shadowed Hearts series. I must say erotic flash fiction is becoming my favorite thing to write.

Which piece of your writing is the most important or emblematic for you and why?

I have to say the erotica because I get to delve into the types of questions that called me in to ministry in the first place, namely, the journey to become ourselves and reconnecting that self with others and with the love that created the universe.


How do your family, friends, and associates feel about you writing in these genres, if they even know?

Everyone knows I write inspirational and gothic romance and are quite proud of me. I'm particular about who I share my erotica/erotic romance with. My female clergy colleagues get it right away and love it. My husband gets red in the face when he reads over my shoulder, but cheers me on. His qualm isn't with the heat level. It's the spirituality he can't buy into. (He's an atheist.)

You are a clergywoman who writes erotic fiction, and you're married to an atheist. Is this a function of your denomination being more accepting and permissive than most, or just a tribute to your personal strength ministerial abilities?

I think it's more a function of being in love. But I do know that being in a denomination that cares as much about "doing justice, loving mercy and walking humbly before God" (Micah 6:8) as it does about saving souls didn't hurt.

What I mean by this is, how do you capture the attention of those whose beliefs are so different than yours without alienating them?

By really taking Micah 6:8 to heart. You can't walk humbly before God if you're looking down your nose at other people or deciding their worthless because you don't agree with them. The core message of the gospel of Christ is it's all about love. Not judgment.

Do you think your newfound interest in erotic fiction is a function of being "older and wiser" as evidenced by the influence of your elderly shut in friend? Which, by the way, makes me think of Ursula LeGuin who wrote of "luxury love" in her collection Changing Planes.

Most definitely. When we're young and dumb we think we know it all, but as we experience more of life, we learn there's more to life than we'll ever know.

LOL! Young and dumb. I remember being worried how my grandmother, who was a devout Catholic (lighting candles, praying to saints, etc) would react when I told her I was getting divorced. She was so incredibly supportive. I think we underestimate the wisdom and insight that living instills in us.

Can you tell readers what is the best way to stay up to date on what you're writing and new releases?

Right now signing the guestbook on my website is the best way. I hope to launch a Facebook pan page and a blog after Thanksgiving.


Thanks for being here today, Michal. And for a fascinating look at a genre I had no idea even existed. And I thought I was brave writing a five flame novella.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Cover Art for The Journey- A Countdown to Release Day

Here's the cover, and it's gorgeous. Thanks to Amanda Kelsey for all her hard work. She truly captured the essence of the story.

As the North prepares to battle the South a witch, a sailor and escaped slaves discover the journey is not about a destination, but rather overcoming the obstacles along the way.

Here are the blog tour dates I've got set up so far so you can put them on your calendar. All will be a little different. Some are interviews, others posts I'll do on a specific topic, and there's even a couple of live chats. I hope you'll be able to make some of them.

November 30:  I'll be featured on Rachel Leigh's blog

December 7: Take your pick:

I've been interviewed by Dawn Roberto for the Love Romances and More Blog


Don't forget the All Day Release Party on the Eternal Press Readers Group and Eternal Press Fever Loop

Live Chat: Time to be announced for the evening (EST) of December 7 at the Eternal Press website

December 22: I'll be featured on Beyond Romance, hosted by Lisabet Sarai

February 7: Live Chat on Night Owl Romance, Start Time by Time Zone: 5pm PST / 6pm MST / 7pm CST / 8 EST

There's more to come, I've just booked a date with Savvy Authors for January 14, 2011 but don't have the details yet.  And Andrew Richardson has written a preview. Just a little more than a month to release day. Back to edits!

Monday, October 4, 2010

The Journey's Progress

First edits are done! I've seen the cover art draft courtesy of Amanda Kelsey, and it's gorgeous! Just about two months to release day. I'm working on my book tour schedule and Andrew Richardson is writing a preview.

Stay tuned for the latest updates.

I'm was a featured author at the Coffee Time Romance Book Brew on October 4. Check out the interview by AZ Gaye. It's one of the most interesting one I've ever done--not your usual questions. There's another excerpt of The Journey coming as well.

Please stop by, anytime. Remember my Coffee Time Romance Forum is always open as well.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

The Journey: Coming to Eternal Press December 7 2010

I'm delighted to announce that Eternal Press will publish The Journey, my erotic paranormal novella with historic elements on December 7 2010.

Just in time for holiday gifts!

I'll get a blurb and excerpt and of course a cover out as soon as it's available. Meanwhile here's a teaser:

They don't hang witches in Salem anymore, but Milena's punishment is being shunned. When her lover Thomas' ship is lost at sea, she fears he perished with the rest of the crew leaving her alone in a town bracing for a war over slavery, but still rife with an older form of prejudice.

Milena travels into the Forest and Sea Otherworlds to search for him. On the long journey, Milena learns to use her powers in ways she never imagined and discovers surprising truths about her own past. Left questioning everything she has ever believed, she must make the choice whether to return home with Thomas or stay in the Otherworlds forever.

Put December 7 on your calendar for the release party!