Hell hath no fury like Alex Finley…
For as long as Alex could remember, life had taken everything from her. Her father had abandoned her and her dying mother, only to return upon her death to reclaim the family’s Wyoming ranch—with a new wife. Alex’s rage drove her away to Los Angeles to live with a man who could never satisfy her.
Only after ten years does she come home—and she hits the town with a vengeance, unleashing her pent-up lust on willing cowpoke Connor Matthews. But she’s in for several shocks. It turns out that the ranch is now a resort, that her late father split the estate between Alex and her young step-brother, and that Connor—the bucking bronco she wants in her bed—is running the place.
Now, Alex is torn between accepting a new family, and a lover who can give her everything she needs—or selling out to a smooth-talking neighbor and leaving the past behind her. But only when her life is on the line does she realize what she desires most of all…
* * * * *
July marked the release of my very first full length contemporary romance – it’s a hot one too. I’ve written contemporary erotic romance before, novellas and short stories only though. Unbridled was a test for me, making me switch gears. I’ve received mixed reviews, but it’s all good because it means people are reading my book.
As someone who’s been writing historicals for five years, switching to contemporary was harder than expected. When you write historical, you know you have to be careful about language, clothing, money, food, etc. There are so many small details you have to be wary of that it becomes second nature to check everything.
Writing contemporary, well, that just opened the door up to just about anything. Kind of like letting a gorilla (that’d be me) out of her cage at the zoo. There is so much to see and do and experience, where do I start? I think that was the major stumbling block for me. I had to really get into the story in order to let myself be free.
Unbridled also contains my first menage scene between two men and one woman. That was also something I was nervous about – how did I do? I mean, how did they do? LOL. I decided my gauge was, if the sex scene was hot enough to make me squirm, then it was good. 😉
Another first for me with Unbridled was the erotic full length contemporary. I’ve written erotica and erotic romance novellas and short stories, but never an 85,000 word story. I wondered if I could do it, and sure enough, I did.
The characters were real to me, people I could imagine running into. I gave them imperfections, as we all have them, as well as dreams and aspirations. I fell in love with Connor, as I always do with my heroes, and identified with Alex. She was rough around the edges and had a big mouth, but she finally found where she belonged, and damn but I love a happy ending.
I’m currently working on the next book, Untamed, which is Claire’s story, She’s a 35 YO widow, also Alex’s stepmother, from Unbridled. She and Yancey are going to have their own story written. 🙂
I hope y’all enjoy Unblirdled and live life on a ranch in Wyoming for a little while. The door is always open.
—
Beth
* * * * *
Thank you so much for visiting, Ms Williamson!
Leave a comment to enter a drawing for a $15 amazon gift card, courtesy of Ms Williamson. To learn more about her work, visit Ms Williamson’s and her alter ego, Emma Lang’s, website !
Hi, Beth and Emma! I think it’s great that you are changing gears and switching lanes and taking us all along for the ride. To me, that means that you still feel the excitement of being a storyteller and connecting with your readers. Sounds as though you have many fantastic tales yet to weave! Thank you : )
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[…] I’m blogging with Fatin over at her blog, talking about switching gears and writing a contemporary erotic romance, […]
This book is definitely in my TBB list! 🙂 Definitely looking forward to it.
Hi Beth,
While I am not a writer, I totally agree with you that switching genre gears is harder than most people think. I have been very disappointed by more than one author who didn’t realize there is a big difference between contemporary and historical. One author, who shall remain unnamed, is very successful with her contemps and paranormals but, IMHO, totally flopped when she thought she could just as easily write an historical. Taking a character from 21st century and dropping her/him in the 19th century without making those language details fit the time period just didn’t work.
Congratulations on UNBRIDLED, it sounds like a good book. Oh, and I’m laughing at your comment…’if the sex scene is hot enough to make me squirm, then it was good’. I’ve often wondered if authors get ‘turned on’ while writing those hot scenes! Guess they do! Another one of those questions you always wanted to ask has finally been answered! OL
Hi Beth!
congrats on the release!!! Unbridled is already on the way to me 🙂
I even find it hard for me as a reader to switch from historicals to contemp from one second to the other, but for a writer it must be even more difficult – glad you made it!
greetings, Ina
Hi Beth. Congrats on the release of Unbridled. Sounds great. I love that you are writing more than one genre. 🙂
Congrats on the release! I normally don’t read contemporary romance but this sounds great 🙂
Hi Beth and congrats on your release !!
Yet another yummy book to add to my evergrowing TBB list. And with a cover like that I’ll probably go for the paper copy (and not the ebook version).
I read a lot od contemp romance and have a VERY soft spot for cowboys **sigh**
Congrats on your new release Beth! Your new book sounds fabulous and I would love to read it! I do love me some cowboys but have never read yours before and its always good for a person to change every now and then.
I’m sorry I missed your signing this weekend! But I want to say congrats on your new release.
I can imagine it’s hard, harder if you are writing one and editing a different genre, I’d think.
I hope you have alot of success with this release!
hugs,
WendyK
Best wishes on your new contemp. I do love contemps and hope you will write many more.
This one looks v.g.
Virginia ~ definitely still feel the thrill of it! Thanks!
Meg ~ Awesome!! 🙂
Karen H ~ Yep, that’s a big transition to make. When I write historicals, there are many words I can’t use, some of my favorite curses for example. Glad I could answer the burning question (wink) in your mind.
Ina ~ Thanks so much! I hope UNBRIDLED fits the bill. 🙂
CrystalB ~ Thanks! I am always trying new things and this was definitely a first for me. 🙂
Raelena ~ Well, I’ve got plenty of western historicals too. LOL. Whatever you read, and whoever you read, enjoy!
Emmanuelle ~ You and me both girl. Cowboys rock my world. *double sigh*
Quilt Lady ~ Yep, exactly. Change is good!
WendyK ~ sniff, sniff. Yes, I missed meeting you this weekend too. 😦 Maybe next time? Thanks for the congrats!
Pat L ~ Thanks so much! Alex and Connor kept me on my toes that’s for sure. 😉
Congrats on your new release!!! Sounds wonderful… Wishing you the best! 😀
Oh wow… switching gears is always a good thing. And with this one… wozaer!!!! Awesome read!!! Congrats on your release!!!
**raises glass to Ms Beth** Congrats hon!!!
Please count me in!
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Congrats on the new release and the plunge into a new genre. That’s an accomplishment that deserves a special pat on the back.
Congrats on the new release!! Sounds great. Hot cover.
Congrats on the new release! I think it is great for an author to stretch their wings and try something new. Wow! Does this story sound intense! I am looking forward to reading it. Thanks for guestblogging!
Congrats on the new release!
Whatever genre you write I will read.
Those are some interesting firsts that you mention in your post. Unbridled sounds like a wonderful read.
Historical or contemporary, Beth or Emma – you are one of my favorite erotic romance authors. Can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of Unbridled! 🙂
Colleen ~ Thanks so much – great name BTW. It’s my first name. 🙂
Cecile ~ I gladly accept your toast! Salute!!
LSUReader ~ Thanks so much!
Reader10 ~ Thanks – the cover is smokin!
Cherie ~ Thank you for stopping by!
Estella ~ Aw, thanks!
LLL ~ Well, there’s a first time for everything right? 🙂
Catie ~ Thank you hon!
Congrats on the new release, Beth. I love it when authors branch out into a new sub-genre.
Awesome post and I have unbridled shipping to me now!
Hi, Beth 🙂
Congrats on this release! I always look forward to your releases 🙂
Congratulations on your first contemporary! I like reading both historical and contemporary althought I go through periods where I only might read one or the other.
Wow, so many firsts for you! By the sound of the storyline and the good reviews I’ve been reading, it definitely sounds like you succeeded. I love menage stories and am excited you’ve written one. I’m definitely looking forward to reading your new book.
I switch gears all the time depending on my mood, and since I love your historical romances, I already have this one on my wish list.
ooh, this looks really good, count me in, i cannot wait to read it. Congrats on the release!
cyclops8 ~ Yay! So happy to hear it. 🙂
Jeanette ~ You bet it is. Look for it in a day or so!
Ali ~ You’re a sweetie! Thanks!
Maureen ~ Yep, me too. Although I can’t say why! LOL
Joder ~ There is a menage, but it’s only one scene. I didn’t want you to think the book was about the three of them, rather than the hero/heroine. Although I did enjoy writing the menage scene… immensely. 😉
Cathy M ~ Woot! Thanks doll!
Kris ~ Thanks so much!
Congrats on the new release, Beth! I enjoy contemporary romance, and I look forward to your book.
Thanks for the contest! 🙂
hi beth…a great posting…looking forward to reading your fabulous book 🙂
wow this sounds like another great read and man the cover gods are smiling on you. That is one lickable cover.
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Wow, Beth–thanks for sharing about the gear switch for you! While I’m not a writer, I do agree that switching gears is usually not an easy thing–it can have awesome results (as in Unbridled!) but the change is not always without challenges! Can’t wait to read your new gears’ products 🙂
This book sounds fantastic! Will definitely be on the look out for it in the bookstore!
OMG! I love that cover! Congrats on your new release. Sounds really good.
Congrats on the release of Unbridled Beth.It sounds fantastic.That coveris very eyecatching 🙂
Congratulations on your new release! Sounds like another winner!
I loved this book! I had pre-ordered it and read it as soon as it arrived. I’m glad to know we’re going to get Claire’s story. I liked her and wanted to know more about her.
I just bought your book and I plan to read it during my vacation next week!
Yay, looking forward to it 🙂
Hey y’all – thanks for coming by and hanging with me. I’m so happy to see so many new and familiar “faces”. 🙂
Fatin ~ What can I say? You rock. Thanks for hosting me and I’m so glad to have actually met and hugged you in person!!
Ditto, Beth, ditto! 🙂
congrats on the book
the cover is very hot
love contemp cowboys they are hot