This idea of turning over my blog to someone else, is becoming a bit of a habit, but it is one that I like in order to try and support my fellow "indie" authors. 
Today, I am proud to be part of the "Release Blitz" for a new book called Dark Vortex: Mated By Magic Book One. This book is written by Chantel Seabrook and Stella Marie Alden. 

Release Date: February 29th, 201 6
 
Add to your TBR List!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28820982-dark-vortex
Cover Designs by Queen Ninie: 
https://www.facebook.com/DesignedbyQueenNinie/

​​SYNOPSIS
For the survival of his clan, Jack Fialko needs to mate with a witch of equal power before the end of the solstice. He finds the perfect woman, except for one serious flaw. She has no idea how to engage in the dangerous magical foreplay–the duel for sexual equality. The task of training her in two days seems insurmountable, especially while other warriors are trying to kidnap her.
 Zoe is a warrior-healer hybrid. The trouble is, she has no idea what that means. It’s all a harmless game until one night a dominant, brooding, sexy-as-sin warrior touches her and ignites a shameless craving to mate. Zoe must decide if the scorching chemistry between them is worth fighting for.
Can love and lust exist together in an exhilarating magical combination? Or will their bond combust?
WARNING: Book contains mature themes, steamy, sexual scenes and graphic language.

BUY THIS FANTASTIC  NEW BOOK: 
Buy Links: Free on Kindle Unlimited
AMAZON US: http://amzn.to/1JUr26b 
AMAZON UK: http://amzn.to/1WYNIEb   
AMAZON CA: http://amzn.to/204zHF7
AMAZON AU: http://bit.ly/23FFHZB

EXCERPT:
Power coiled through him. Roughly, he hauled her to the bed. Her back met the mattress and he positioned himself above her. He spread her thighs wider with his knees. She curled her hands over his broad shoulders, feeling the muscles clench and tighten under her palms.
He stilled above her. The thick head of his cock nudged the swollen folds.
Amidst the addictive hunger, there was something more. Something Zoe didn’t want to speculate on. For a moment, apprehension edged at her arousal. 
“Say it, Zoe. Say you’re mine.”
It was a claiming.
He was claiming her.
And she desperately wanted to belong.
“I’m yours,” she whispered.
He thrust into her, working himself deeper, his gaze locked with hers. She gasped and gripped his shoulders tighter. He eased back, then pushed inside her again, slowly, deeply. He filled her perfectly.
“Mine,” he growled. “My mate.”
“Yes.” She was fighting to breathe. Fighting to make sense of the sensations tearing through her.
His hips jerked hard, burying himself inside of her.
 “You need to say it back to me, angel.”
“My mate,” she whimpered, feeling a new surge of energy pulsating through her body. A brilliant array of color, pleasure, sensations vibrated through her. For a brief, intense moment, she felt as if her body and soul merged with his, and her senses exploded with the pleasure of it.
His cock throbbed inside her, thick and hard, stretching the sensitive tissue. Electric pulses began to race through her body. Jack’s jaw clenched, fighting for control. He pulled back, then slammed in, harder, deeper. Impaling her with swift, hard strokes.
She dug her nails into his shoulders and gasped. Her vision darkened as she cried out with her release. The pleasure broke her. Every neuron in her body seemed to explode in ecstasy.
The vortex burst, sending violent waves of energy ricocheting off the walls. She heard Jack’s shout, felt the overpowering pleasure of his release pulsating inside her.
Closing her eyes, Zoe held onto him and knew nothing would ever be the same again.
She was lost to him. 

AUTHOR BIOS
CHANTEL SEABROOK:
Chantel Seabrook currently resides in London, Ontario, with her husband and two daughters. She is passionate about writing and enjoys reading fantasy, paranormal romance, and science fiction. Chantel has a four-year Anthropology degree from Western University.
 
Website: http://www.chantelseabrook.com 
Amazon author page: http://amzn.to/1T3T0zx
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/authorchantelseabrook?fref=nf
Goodreads Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25737458-cara-s-twelve?ac=1
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChantelSeabrook?lang=en

STELLA MARIE ALDEN:
Stella Marie Alden loves Zumba, yoga, watercolor painting, and fixing up her house.
Growing up in Vermont, crayons fought over placement in their cardboard box and imaginary friends crowded the house. Her brother complained. “Tell her no one’s here, Mother.".
She’s been a librarian, a clarinetist, recording engineer, electronics repairman, and now architects software. She lives in NJ with her life-long hero and two cats. Her girls are grown but ever supportive. Go Mom!
Website: http://www.stellamariealden.com 
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/stellaMarieAlden/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27212966 
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/StellaAlden/how-to-marry-your-wife-book-2/

Today I am handing my blog over to the exclusive use of that wonderful erotic/fantasy author Christina Mandara, in order to promote her fantastic new book; Good As Dead.

I've read a couple of Christina's books and thoroughly enjoyed them. I am currently reading Good As Dead and trust me, it's an absolute winner. I am loving the story and the characters are really endearing, despite their tendencies to want to be assholes. It's a fantastic book focused around a Vampire and a Witch.

​I can highly recommend you buy this and read it, along with the rest of Christina's portfolio. So, without any further ado, I'll turn this over to Christina and her new book Good As Dead.

C.P. Mandara: Author Bio: 
Christina Mandara was born in the UK, but has spent most of her life travelling the world. She speaks three languages and has been chiefly employed in the fields of finance and travel. Her favourite city is Sydney and her favourite holiday destination is the south of France.
She loves keeping fit and enjoys running, cycling and water sports. Think surfing or sailing. She's a big fan of BDSM in all of its glorious forms, and her favourite item in the toy closet (a box simply isn't big enough) is her riding crop.
In her spare time she's usually cuddled up with a good book, exploring the countryside or baking in the kitchen. In fact, she loves her kitchen so much she's one of few woman who wouldn't mind being tied to it! Her first and foremost love is writing, however, and more often than not you'll find her on a laptop spinning tales of romance, erotica or dark, paranormal fantasies. 

An Excerpt From: Good As Dead: 
​
​"You will do as you're told."
He yanked on the curl he had captured and she had no choice but to stare at his mesmerising gold eyes. Swallowing at the invisible lump in her throat, she tried to force her head away from his dangerous gaze but could not break his hold over her. She wanted to roar in exasperation, for this mess could rival the Minos Labyrinth. She felt helpless and frustrated. They were two emotions she had very little experience with and she preferred it that way.
“Or what?” Lainey tried to bite back the retort but it was too late, the damage was done. When the vamp looked down at her, his eyes were rapidly darkening and his face was contorting with anger. She swallowed hard knowing she’d pushed him too far. Instinctively trying to back up, the wall was unforgiving and she smacked her head against it. His head was coming towards hers yet there was not a thing she could do about it. Wanting to scream, all that came out of her mouth was a pathetic little squeak.
He didn’t stop until his forehead rested against hers, his breath blowing heated little flutters against her lip. Her pulse immediately rocketed into orbit and her senses fled. She was only aware of his tempting soft lips, and a great urge to kiss them. For a second, she had a strangled moment of indecision, unsure whether she was willing her body to remain still or urging it to close those last few millimetres separating her mouth from his. Still stranded in torment, he smiled at her as if he knew the inner struggle she was having, and finally made the decision for her.
Pulling back abruptly, he put some distance between them by slamming both of his outstretched arms on either side of her head. It made her jump. Eyes which had licks of red and orange flames resting in their depths connected once again with hers, and although he was a little further away this time, it didn’t make him seem any less intimidating.
“A nice punishing kiss would probably keep you in line for a couple of days, I think. Should I bruise those soft sweet lips of yours and train them to worship mine? I have a feeling though that once I get a taste for you there’ll be no going back. Then again, seeing a lovesick doe-eyed look in those eyes wouldn’t be so bad. What do you say?” He unleashed the full power of his smile upon her and whilst there was no warmth behind it, Lainey got the message.
“No,” she whispered, immediately understanding what he had threatened. “I’ll do whatever you say, no questions asked.” She could not be bitten under any circumstances.
He huffed out a breath, and slowly removed his hands from the wall. Lainey sighed with relief as she had a little breathing space back but something akin to disappointment washed through her veins, and it horrified her. She could not feel this way, especially anywhere near a vampire.
“Well, I guess that spoiled all my fun for the evening,” he said regretfully. “But it should make the next couple of days rather interesting because at the first sign of disobedience, I’m claiming my kiss, Miss Hargreaves. Are we clear?” He raised an eyebrow and gave her a lopsided grin.
Lainey shuddered. “Crystal.”
“Good.”
“Who are you?” There was a hint of fear in her voice.
“My name is Mercer.”
“Mercer who?” Lainey pushed her hands against his chest and he backed up a little bit, allowing her a chance to examine him.
“That’s all you need to know."

Grab: Good As Dead Today: 
Get it on Amazon: http://mybook.to/GAD
Sign Up for C.P. Mandara's Newsletter Here: http://bit.ly/1MVubkR  
Like Her Page on Facebook Here: https://www.facebook.com/CPMandara
Follow C.P. Mandara on Twitter Here: https://twitter.com/cpmandara  
Check out her Blog Here: http://christinamandara.wordpress.com/ 
Follow C.P. Mandara on Goodreads Here: 
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7113521.C_P_Mandara
Check C.P. Mandara's Amazon Author Page Here: http://author.to/CPMandara

This is a reblog of a blog written by Elisabeth Joye and is reprinted with her permission and all credits to her. Her blog is reproduced in full here:  
Elisabeth's original blog can be seen here: http://www.elisabethjoye.com/blog-1/hiddenreviews 

ATTENTION: A New Anti-Erotica Change to Amazon's Policies #indieauthor #bookbloggersFEBRUARY 18, 2016

Amazon has already created the "adult dungeon" to hide our "dirty" books from showing up on searches. Now, Amazon is now trying to hide the REVIEWS of romance and erotic books as well.

Here's Amazon's official new policy: As of December 10, 2015, Amazon says that "all new activity associated with sensitive products will be hidden by default from your public profile. You may have existing sensitive activity that is still visible. You can change this by going to your privacy settings."

And THIS:

"When checked, any activity related to sensitive products will be automatically hidden on your profile. These products include certain personal care products, jewelry, intimate clothing, self-help, erotic media, and other product that may be controversial in nature, including some products used for personal protection. You may opt to show activity associated with sensitive products on an individual basis through the options available on the activity card within your Profile activity feed."

Thanks to Amber Lea Easton and Night Owl Reader Romance Reviews for letting me know about this mess.

This policy change is BAD BAD BAD NEWS for anyone that regularly posts reviews on erotic books, as well as us authors who need reviews of our books to be visible in order for our potential readers to see them! 

Here's how to see if your reviews are being hidden and change your settings:
- Log into Amazon
- Go to Your Account
- Scroll down to Personalization
- Click on Your Public Profile
- At the bottom of the page you see a box with *New and Privacy Settings
- Click the "Privacy Settings" link
- Scroll down to the bottom of the page
- UNCLICK "Hide Sensitive Activity"
- Save

If you are an author, book blogger or just a book fan who writes reviews on Amazon, GO CHANGE YOUR SETTINGS NOW.

It remains to be seen what the implications of this change will be. On Invisible Ink, I haven't noticed any reviews being hidden from my readers...but who knows if Amazon just hasn't gotten around to me yet? The way these standards are applied seem really random and impossible to predict, much like the way Amazon deems what is "adult" content vs. erotic or romantic content.

I don't understand why Amazon continues to create policies that are bad for authors. As one author I read said, Amazon's erotica sales CREATED the market for the Kindle! Why keep creating rules that makes it harder and harder for readers to find our erotic books? 

Thanks to Elisabeth for bringing this to our attention.