This is cross posted from the Aphrodisia Author’s Blog, but I figured my 7 brain surgeries one had been up long enough and it was time for a fresh post  I’ll try to be better about getting back into blogging

But here goes:

As someone who writes not only romance, but also HOT, erotic romance, I’ve had my fair share of self righteous people trying to tell me I’m immoral, bad, a bad mother, or going to go to hell for what I do. I’ve always written those people off as not realizing what huge hypocrites they are, since I’m sure they are entirely blameless in their own lives (yeah – right…) I’ve never been ashamed of what I write and what I do. If people don’t like it – they don’t have to read it, unlike those people who try to brow beat me with their warped version of morality, I don’t shove my books down people’s throats. I have quite a fan following without doing that, and for those who try to shame me into their idea of morality – just so you know – Jesus has quite a fan following without your help also…lol! As does God.

I recently had two people very close to me come out as gay, and I’ve gotten to see first hand another cross sections of this hate and intolerance. Now, let me say that most people in our lives have accepted it quite readily and still love and support them both, which we all appreciate! However, they’ve been offered numbers for counseling so they can get “fixed”, and some other insensitive things. Let me say for the record, neither of them are BROKEN in any way! So Therefore they don’t need to be fixed. They are purely being brave enough to acknowledge their own feelings, who they are, and what they want out of life, not to mention what makes them happy. I’m extremely proud of both of them, and want them to be happy, no matter what form that takes. And as close to the situation as I am – if I don’t have an issue with it, I don’t see what right anyone else has to have one!

There have also been a very few people who have offered their condolences to me or to them. And while I understand it’s a complicated situation in some respects. I mean what I’ve said since this entire thing came to light – I love them both and want them to be happy. I’m just happy they’ve both been brave enough to be honest with themselves and the world at large. They are both amazing people, and if the outer world doesn’t see that – then it’s the world’s loss. When people start accepting other people for who they truly are and not who they want or expect them to be, the world will be a much better place.

This is not a political statement or anything like that – this is purely an opinion that love and acceptance, not intolerance and hate are better for everyone – individually, and as a larger consciousness. If anyone truly tries to argue against that, I think they’ve lost their argument from the outset – at least with me.

I know my posts aren’t usually controversial – well, maybe sometimes just because I tend to be outspoken, but I think since I’ve seen both sides of this issue first hand – especially more recently, it has become something of a hot button with me.

Also, I know not everyone lives locally and has gotten the full scoop – I’ve received several emails, tweets and texts from people wanting to make sure I’m okay and they are okay. So for those – yes, all three of us are happy, healthy and enjoying life. Thank you!!

May all of you experience love, happiness, acceptance and inclusion in your lives, and may you be brave enough to share those same things with others! 

Cassie Ryan
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Sexy, Supernatural, Sensuous
www.cassieryan.com
www.butterscotchmartinigirls.com
Seducing the Succubus – Available Now
The Demon & The Succubus – Available Now

I know I’m really behind on getting my newsletter out the door.  I’m shooting for sometime this weekend.  (Cross your fingers for me!)  Anyway, I have a few things I thought I’d announce on here.

First, I came home the other night to find a box on my doorstep from Kensington.  I figured they’d sent me a few more author copies of Vision of Seduction, so I didn’t open it right away.  Once I finally got around to opening it, I was happily shocked at what I found.

Ceremonia de Seduccion, aka, Ceremony of Seduction in Spanish, as sold in Spain.  Woo Hoo!  Before this I didn’t even know any of the foreign rights had been sold.  I did Google it to try to find the cover image to post up here, but the image showing on the Spanish bookstores isn’t the same one I received, so there might be a few different versions floating around out there.

The cover it actually has on it is a fuzzed out picture of a couple embracing–so much more tame than either of my Seduction Series covers in the US…lol!

Now the only Spanish I know is what I learned on Sesame Street, so a lot of the words in this book are totally beyond my comprehension…lol.  However, in the dedication, I had said, “To my Critique Group, The Butterscotch Martini Girls…” and the Translation of that is fun “Mis Mejores criticas, las Chicas Butterscotch Martini”

Anyway, I’m still doing a big happy dance off this one!  Cassie Ryan has gone International!!  Here’s hoping for more translation books to pour in!!  I’d love to be able to add “Whose books are available in 44 languages world wide!” or something fun like that to my bio.  Tee Hee!

Also, I received some new reviews for Take It Off:

Take It Off was certainly one hot, yummy book! This was my first time experiencing Tina Gerow’s writing, and I definitely look forward to reading more of her exciting storytelling.

            -4 Stars, Contessa, Fallen Angle Reviews I fear that I’ve become a Tina Gerow junkie and Take It Off is a perfect example as to why.  The chemistry between Samantha and Chase is HOT and ignites the pages.  Rarely have I read love scenes that are hotter so you might want to have a bucket of ice and a dry pair of panties nearby when you read this sexy story.  Not only is Take It Off hot, it’s sweet and funny.  Tina Gerow’s creativity will have you laughing out loud and turning each page just to see what she’s come up with next!  My only regret was that this story wasn’t longer! 

            – 5 Lips, Kerin, Two-Lips Reviews

Also, I received some new reviews for Vortex Blues:

Tina Gerow’s new book, VORTEX BLUES, brings to life two riveting characters…readers can’t help but cheer them on!  Like boiling water, it soon heats up and leaves no prisoners.  What I enjoyed most was the build up of these two flawed characters who discover more and more about each other and the trust that slowly develops between Mitch and Molly.  In closing, Tina Gerow, I have only three words for you.  I want more!

         – 4 Stars, Estefanie L, Night Time Romance Reviews

Filled with supernatural creatures galore, Vortex Blues was a fast paced paranormal mystery. There were plenty of suspenseful and humorous moments to keep the plot rolling along.  The mystery was well written and I enjoyed the byplay between the other characters.  The paranormal world built by Ms. Gerow was well thought out and planned and seems like an intriguing place to visit.

- 4 Angels, Haley, Fallen Angel ReviewsLook for my newsletter soon!

Tina/Cassie

I know I’ve been a total and complete slacker about blogging lately–and that’s on all my blogging venues, not just this one.  I will say, as usual, that I will try to be better, and I will!  And hopefully this time I can stick to that

As you probably gathered from the title of the post, Triangle of Seduction has been mailed off to my editor and I’m excited to get working on the next book–an urban fantasy as Tina.  Not that I haven’t enjoyed my forays as Cassie, and I’m sure there will be many more, but Tina is jonesing to get back to writing as well!

I do have three books coming out in August, so it’s not like I have nothing to show for all my recent hard work, but whew!  Vision of Seduction, written as Cassie Ryan comes out on July 29th from Kensington Aphrodisia.  Take It Off and Vortex Blues, both written as Tina come out from Sapphire Blue Publishing on August 15th.  So there’s plenty out there for everyone to read while I work on the next one
And on that note, I’m off to find some lunch!  Hope everyone is having a great day!

Tina/Cassie

Yes, I’ll admit it.  I was a band geek for most of my life, and damned proud of it

And I even went to band camp–NAU Summer Music Camp–from the time I was going into the sixth grade until I was a camp counselor my first two years into college.  In fact I have a ton of very fond memories of my time up there.  Not only was it great to get out of the Phoenix heat and hang out up in Flagstaff with the pine trees and the cooler temperatures, and get to play some terrific music, and see all the really cute guys who went, and get to see friends from previous years, but it was also a fun chance to live in the dorms and get away from home.  Sort of a taste of independence where you were treated like an adult every summer.  And my few years as a counselor were even more fun–in fact, I remember doing a “briefs” raid on the male counselors…lol.  Ahhh, memories.

Why am I frolicking down memory lane all of a sudden?

My kidlet and his best friend are headed off to NAU band camp early tomorrow.  Now, this will be the third year for my kiddo–and I guess it’s even weirder because he’s going to be in the 9th grade this year, which is really strange for me.  I mean, I remember high school like it was yesterday!

Yes, I do realize that I attended my twenty year reunion back in 2006, but it feels so recent that I was just starting high school and going through everything he is!  And now, my baby, my little guy, who is now taller than me is…getting older and dragging me with him!  WTH?!? 

Just seems very odd I suppose, because I don’t feel old enough to have a kid in high school.

But I digress.  Anyway today will be filled with laundry and packing lists and getting munchies for the dorm, and listening to my son and his friend practice their chair audition music all day.  And since the hubby is traveling and doesn’t get home until late tonight–I’m herding cats…er…organizing the boys on my own.  Fun, fun, fun. 

But before all that–I’m off to write and then have a quick lunch with my sister and niece.

Does anyone else have kids going off to camp and/or high school?

I made it back from the Romantic Times Booklover’s Convention late last night and was very happy to sleep in my own bed with my own pillow–and my own warm hubby.  Yikes, that makes it sound like I was sleeping with a different warm hubby while I was gone…lol!  Nope!  Had the whole bed to myself.

The convention was terrific.  The hotel left a little to be desired, but the convention itself, the networking, getting to meet readers, the events, the book signing and the rest were terrific from my point of view.  I didn’t sign at the eBook signing, and I know they have a few bugs to work out with that next year, but I think it’s a great concept and they’ll get it working perfectly for 2009.

Here’s a few links to see some of the Fairy Court Ball – and you can even see me in my black and red dress in a few shots!

Rebels of Romance

Smart Bitches Great Pics of Fairy Ball Decorations

Fairy Court Members Presentation

Fairy Ball Costume Competition 

In the meantime, I’m off to spend some time recovering!

Cassie/Tina