Review for Michelle Houston's Enslaving Heaven

(NOTE: Enslaving Heaven isn't out yet. It releases April 14th)

Enslaving Heaven has it's first review in, and it was done by Manic Readers. Reviewer Ivy had this to say about Enslaving Heaven:

Lyssa is the captain of a mercenary spaceship. Nita is her first officer. Their relationship is complex; but when Lyssa rescues a slave girl, things come to a head.

Michelle Houston writes very well. The action scenes are well done, and don't seem incidental to the plot as in some erotica. There is a plot, and it's not just there to further the sex. The sex is of the BDSM flavor, and all female/female. It's done quite well, and there is just the right amount of sex scenes. My only complaint is that you don't get enough of each character to really relate to them, or figure out how they tick, so to speak. So they come off as a little shallow, Lyssa especially.

http://manicreaders.com/index.cfm?disp=reviews&bookid=156

All in all, I think the review a good one. Understandable too why the reviewer found Lyssa to be a bit shallow - she is. LOL Characters, like people, are varied and some are simply more likable than others. That isn't to say that Lyssa isn't likable. She tries to be tough, but inside she a very vulnerable woman, and she hates it.

Part of her character quirks come from the way the story came to be, and then evolved. It was originally written for a 'calls for submissions' for an anthology on 'tough girls.' The editor was looking for women in charge, women with a 'balls to the wall' attitude who weren't afraid to show it, women who liked dominating the situation, and who in some cases weren't always likable. The original story didn't have the secondary line of the pilot - Nita - and her own exploration. That was originally going to be a second story.

When I subbed it to Phaze, it was accepted on the condition that I lengthened it. I thought about adding Nita's story as a complete second story (like how I do my myths) but then decided to play with it a bit. I wanted to do something slightly different, so I went back and added in alternating characters, and expanded the ending, so that both stories are told at the same time, but could sort of be read alone, although I wouldn't recommend it since you would be missing parts. The odd chapters tell Lyssa's story, the even tell Nita's story.

It was a lot of fun tweaking the story to work that way, and even more fun cutting chapters off right in the heat of some of the moments. : ) I worried that would be a big complaint - and was thrilled to see the reviewer liked the pacing of the sex scenes.

I'm looking forward to seeing what readers/other reviewers think about the story, and how I handled the pacing of it, as well.

Michelle Houston

5 Blue Ribbons for 413 Remembrance Lane!

413 Remembrance Lane: Diary of a House

BY: Jamie Hill, Derek Musgrave, Emma Wildes, Michelle Houston, Cheri Valmont, Skyler Grey and Jude Mason

Amanda from Romance Junkies gave us 5 Blue Ribbons

SNIPPET: 413 REMEMBRANCE LANE: DIARY OF A HOUSE is sinfully delicious! From pirates and vampires to same sex loving, there is something that will appeal to everyone in this book from today's hottest authors.

Midnight Confession-1750 by Cheri Valmont

Catherine Ashbury is in disguise as a pirate. She is in New Orleans trying to find her beloved Drew when she and her companions are kidnapped by a group of men. They are taken to a huge house where she is tossed into a room to await her fate. She wants to know why Drew broke their engagement and where he's disappeared to. Apparently, the captain that resides in this strange house has the answers. When Catherine discovers her nanny has bespelled the diary she gave her, Catherine soon realizes she's tied to 413 Remembrance Lane for better or worse. How in the world does Drew tie into this strange place and will she ever actually get the answers she seeks?

This was a very sensual and heart-breaking story. Drew basically fakes his own death to protect Catherine from ever finding out the truth about him. Catherine has waited for so long to be with the man she loves, she's not going to let anything stand in her way, especially him. The passion that finally erupts between them is spellbinding. MIDNIGHT CONFESSION is definitely the story to start this collection with. It's grabbed hold of me and I can't wait to see what the other authors have to bring to the table!


An Extraordinary Request-1815 by Emma Wildes

When Arthur arrives at 413 Remembrance Lane, he thinks it's just to spend a month with his closest friend and his new wife. However, when Henri and Serena beg him to help Serena father a child, Arthur is dumbstruck. Henri is impotent now due to a spider bite, but he and Serena always wanted children. How can Arthur possibly refuse this desperate couple? Serena and Arthur never expect to find themselves actually attracted to one another

Baby making isn't the only thing going on in Serena's life, however. She has discovered the diary left in the house. By writing in this diary, Serena will magically be able to receive her hearts desire. However, what is Serena's heart's desire…Henri, her husband, or Arthur, the man that brought passion back into her life?

AN EXTRAORDINARY REQUEST is quite addictive. I really love the tie-in of the diary through each of these stories so far. I felt so bad for Serena, all she wants is her husband but he doesn't think he's a man anymore. Henri is such a self-conscious fellow. If only he'd believe his wife's words instead of thinking since he can't offer her sex, she won't want him. Henri brings in his best friend, Arthur to have sex with his wife which was totally hot! I really enjoyed this story a lot and will be looking for more of Emma Wildes stories soon!


Of Death and Desire-1898 by Jude Mason

Jonathan and his lover, Philip, are descending to 413 Remembrance Lane on a vacation of sorts for Philip to try to rest. Philip has consumption and no treatments have been able to help him. When Philip dies, Jonathan is inconsolable. He's in a non-stop drunken rage, up to his neck in his own vomit and ready and willing to end his own life. Something strange is happening here at Jonathan's new home. He is actually feeling Philip touch him, caress him and is sure it's Philip bringing him to orgasmic delight. But how can that be? Philip died! Jonathan has cut back on drinking and is taking better care of himself so are these hallucinations or Philip's last wish in the diary finally taking hold?

OF DEATH AND DESIRE had me bawling my eyes out. It was such a heartbreaking story. These two men basically had to hide what they were from the world. During the time period, gay men didn't exist. With Philip's illness, my heart tore for Jonathan. I couldn't believe how much I fell for these characters. The romance between these two men is exquisite. It's very heart-felt and truly an inspiration. The diary is a huge event in this story and by the end, I was still crying, only this time in gratification. Philip and Jonathan definitely earned a place in my heart.

The War Within-1945 by D. Musgrave

William is just returning home from the war. He and his love, Sheila had bought 413 Remembrance Lane before he was whisked away, and now he's returned home to surprise her. He's always loved the old plantation house and he and Sheila hoped to have a happy life here. Unfortunately, William isn't as carefree about his time in the war as he lets on to Sheila. He is having flashbacks of his time fighting the guerillas and he's sure he's hearing them scream. Things are getting stranger and stranger however, when William's flashbacks get so extreme, it's like he's having out of body experiences. When he strikes his wife, he knows he's in serious trouble.

William decides it's time to talk to the voodoo witch. When he finds and talks to both her and the spirit of pirate Drew (MIDNIGHT CONFESSION), he is instructed to find the diary hidden in the house. Only with this diary can William and Sheila truly be set free from the spirits trying to claim their souls. Will William head their advice and locate the diary in time?

THE WAR WITHIN both spooked me and left me dying to know how it was going to end. I can't imagine coming home from the war and reliving all of my friend's deaths and being haunted by evil spirits. I sure as hell can't imagine being Sheila and having some strange spirit, who I thought was my husband, bringing me to orgasm. William is a hero to me and the lengths he goes to in order to protect his wife and his home will have you enthralled with this story in no time. D. Musgrave has become one of my favorite authors and THE WAR WITHIN definitely cements him there. This story will have your blood turning cold, your libido shooting up to the moon and leave you wondering just how much this diary in the house is capable of.


Let the Sunshine In-1971 by Jamie Hill

Scott and Terri left California to get away from the crime spree ripping through the area. Moving into 413 Remembrance Lane should be making both of them very happy. However, Terri hasn't been in the mood for making love as of late, which is really surprising to Scott. She's been feeling very jumpy lately and now Scott is having weird dreams. Ever since he and Terri met Rafe in the diner, Scott has found himself having very erotic dreams about the man. However, Scott soon discovers he's not the only one having sinfully delicious dreams of Rafe…so is Terri!

When Rafe comes to dinner with some wine, friendship suddenly turns to a whole lot more. Scott and Terri get an experience with Rafe they never could have imagined. When they discover that Rafe has a whole other side to him, they are unsure whether they should run screaming for the hills or just embrace his furry side. He really is the most amazing thing to happen to them, after all. When Terri remembers the diary she found in the house they realize that they may just be able to wish for Rafe to be all man. Wishing on the diary always comes with a price though. Is this threesome ready to pay it?

LET THE SUN SHINE IN is orgasmically delicious! I couldn’t get enough of the scrumptious sex between Rafe and Scott. Terri wasn't my favorite character in this story for some reason. I just couldn't really relate to her like I could to Rafe and Scott. To me, they stole the story and Terri was just kind of along for the ride. This is not meant to be critical of Jamie Hill at all. I just felt the romance and passion more between Scott and Rafe then either or both of them with Terri. This was a spellbinding tale of lust, trust and acceptance. I honestly can't see just two of these characters together. They all really belonged in this threesome they created! I am a huge fan of all of Jamie Hill's work, but I have to say, LET THE SUN SHINE IN is my all time favorite! I love her male on male action and can't wait to see what else she has in store soon.


My Vampire, My Love-1993 by Skyler Grey

Candice has just moved into 413 Remembrance Lane. She's already discovered the diary in one of the rooms and how to open it. Candy has also discovered a new friend on the property…a mangy black and white cat. When a man calls her explaining that he's the nephew of the owner of the home and wishes to speak with her, Candice is nervous to say the least. However, the man's voice sends her insides to quivering and she cannot seem to stay no to him. He introduces himself as Avakis. His touch melts Candice from head to toe and she can't seem to get enough of him. He should not be able to touch her this way! Why can't she seem to stop him?

Avakis is a vampire, cursed to take pleasure from women until he finds a virgin, whom he must turn over to his master to be tortured. He discovers that he can't give his master Candice. He is hopelessly in love with her. There is no way he can remain with her without his master finding out. Is there? When Candice explains the diary, both discover that they may be able to be together after all.

MY VAMPIRE, MY LOVE is a titillating good time to be had by all. Avakis is so protective of the only woman he's ever loved. Explaining to her that he is a vampire would shock and scare the hell out of most people, but Candice takes it in stride because she loves him. She's willing to fight his master along side him to remain with Avakis forever. Once again, the diary plays a pivotal role in their lives which I absolutely love! I definitely want a diary like this to make my wishes come true. Avakis and Candice were wonderful together. The passion that explodes between these two will leave you breathless!



The Life Not Lived-2000 by Michelle Houston

When Natasha's divorce goes through, she gets to keep her house at 413 Remembrance Lane. She also receives a strange package in the mail. Figuring it's from her sister, she dons the beautiful necklace inside. Natasha has been hiding a side of herself for a very long time. Being a closet lesbian has always stood in the way of her and her husband's relationship, but Natasha can't fight it anymore. She needs a woman in her life that will give her everything her heart and body craves.

When Natasha's erotic imaginings become a reality and she finds a strange woman with her in the bed, she freaks! The woman tells her she is called a succubus. She is sure she is just dreaming the woman bringing her untold pleasure, but decides what the hell, my as well ride it out. The succubus is here to help Natasha change her fate. Once upon a time, Natasha left behind the woman she loved more than anything to pretend to be normal. Maybe, with the help of the diary Natasha has found in the house, she can go back and change her mistakes. No fake marriage, no pretending to me straight when she's not and most of all, a chance to be completely and utterly happy again.

THE LIFE NOT LIVED was phenomenal! I truly fell in love with Natasha. I understood her hesitation at ever telling anyone that she was a lesbian. Growing up in the times that she did, she would never have been accepted. However, like she discovered too late, marrying a man to hide your true self will never work. I wanted Natasha to find the diary, to make her wish and to find her lost love. I was really rooting for her throughout. She brought tears to my eyes on more than one occasion, and the provocative pleasure she discovers will make your teeth melt. Michelle Houston is a favorite author of mine and I am so happy to have been able to delve into another one of her masterpieces yet again!

413 REMEMBRANCE LANE: DIARY OF A HOUSE is sinfully delicious. Be prepared to disappear into a multitude of time periods for a few hours. Each author brings their own special ingredients to this heart-stopping collection. There is no way I can pick my favorite story, as each one I seemed to love more than the last. From pirates and vampires to same sex loving, there is something that will appeal to everyone in this book from today's hottest authors. The diary itself really kept my attention. I would love to be able to find one in my home and share all the other inhabitants' adventures! This was such a unique storyline that kept my attention riveted to each individual story. I will be talking about this collection to everyone I know for a very long time to come.

Crimson Promise Available Now

Available now: -Crimson Promise
An erotic science fiction vampire paranormal short, published by Phaze as an OZ HeatSheet.
978-1-59426-728-4
Get it at PHAZE
Victor, an undead vampire, has fled to another planet in the future to survive, for Earth is now poison to his kind.Na'lesa has been alive for eons, the last of her race--drastically changed--now she lives a life as a living vampire.One night they both run into each other over some prey. Two lonely people: they find love, sex, and blood, and not necessarily in that order.

Michelle Houston's Parallel Attraction is now available

Whoohoo! PARALLEL ATTRACTION is now available for purchase at:
http://www.king-cart.com/Phaze/product=Parallel+Attraction+by+Michelle+Houston.

It's the first in a series of stories set in an alternate reality. I still have to come up with a title for the series, but I am thinking of calling it "What If ...".

Anna-Marie Dallas is having a bad day. She's in a hostage situation where the odds aren't in her favor. When the gunman detonates the bomb he's been threatening, her fears are realized--she' s going to die.

Instead of waking up in the hereafter, she finds herself in a parallel reality, that split off sometime during the second world war. In the alternate universe, a third world war decimated their population, and they're struggling to rebuild.

Adjusting to the shift in reality, Anna-Marie also struggles with her growing attraction to Alex Brent, and finds that her life is not done changing.

The first review has come in, and it was a good one. You can check it out at: http://literarynymphsreviewsonly.blogspot.com/2008/02/parallel-attraction.html

If you have any suggestions for a series title, feel free to suggest it. My email is theeroticpen @ yahoo.com (without the spaces)

Michelle Houston
http://www.michellehouston.com/

Michelle Houston's March Newsletter

Hello everyone. : )

Just wanted to let you know that the March edition of my newsletter is available in the files section of my group. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/michellehouston/

I've also done some updates to my website. www.michellehouston.com

I've also been busy posting on my blog, and I'd love for you to feel free to post comments to them. http://eroticpen.blogspot.com

Feel free to let me know what you think about my newsletter, my website, and my blog. : ) I am always open to suggestions.

Michelle Houston
www.michellehouston.com

Oh WOW!

I was recently honored to be interviewed by the fabulous William S. Dean for Erotica Writers & Readers Association Erotic Hot Spots column. It's up on the EWRA website and can be found in the Smutters Lounge.

If you've never been to EWRA then take this opportunity to look around, sign up for the monthly newsletter, there are some fabulous things to be found here.