Jenika Snow's Blog, page 10

Guest Julia Rachel Barrett

Anybody out there?
If you're reading this, apparently the end of the world as we know it; has not materialized.  Well, maybe it will happen someday, but I hope not.  
It's kind of funny how self-anointed prophets arise from time to time and proclaim the end of the world.  I think it's happened several times in recent memory, the most recent being the change from the Twentieth to the Twenty-First Century.  Of course, we have the Mayan calendar to consider, but whether you think the world will end in 2012 or in the year 2116, according to the corrected version, guess it's none too soon to start worrying.
Truly the Mayan calendar predicts the change of an era, not necessarily the end of the world, but as my father likes to say, "One never knows, do one?" (I must attribute the quote to its originator, Fats Waller.)  In the meantime, I'm working on a dystopian or post-apocalyptic novel, Salvation.  The setting is most definitely after the end of the world as we know it.  More information to come!
Jenika was nice enough to give me her space so I'll talk a little, a very little, about my coming release, Incorporeal.  This book, which I'm still working on by the way, breaks the unwritten rules of romance.  When the story was doing nothing more than rattling around in my brain, I was told by two different publishers not to write it.  Hmmmm.  Telling me not to do something is a surefire way to get me to do it.  That's me…contrary to a fault.  We'll see.  The characters are quirky, the story is unique – I see Incorporeal as a good old fashioned work of romantic suspense, it has a riddle within a riddle, like, say, The Maltese Falcon, by Dashiell Hammett,  which is one of my all time favorite mystery stories. 
So, if you're still here the day after the world ends, check out my site, my new cover, my books.  Feel free to sign up for my newsletter.  My books are available on Amazon and with my publishers:  Siren, Cobblestone, Evernight, and Resplendence.  
Thanks, Jenika!   

Where to find Julia on the web:
 http://juliarachelbarrett.net
 
Twitter:  @JuliaRBarrett

Contest...Contest!!

In celebration of my newest release, Master of Mine, I am offering one lucky reader the chance to win this anthology book filled with hot, steamy BDSM stories by my fellow, very talented, authors over at Evernight Publishing. The rules are simple, just post a comment to this blog post answering the question below.

-Why do you like to read BDSM?

The winner will be announced on Friday May 20th. Also, if you comment from now until May 20th you will automatically be netered in for a chance to win my upcoming release, The Diary of Lilly's Surrender which is due for release soon.


Have fun and let the comments begin :-)

Guest author, Nichelle Gregory

*Read below for your chance to win a FREE eBook from Nichelle Gregory!
Tasty tidbits about Nichelle Gregory
-Do you have a favorite author/s? There are so many, but here are a few: Stephen King, Dean Koontz, J. R. Ward, Virginia Kantra, Brenda Jackson, Lara Adrian, Nalini Singh...
-If you could be any animal what would it be? Unicorn
-What is your favorite color? Mmm...I like too many, let's see...If I could only choose one it would be yellow.
-How many pieces of jewelry do you wear on a daily basis?  Always my wedding ring, 5 earrings and my favorite necklace...that makes 7!
-Have you ever gone commando (no underwear)? Every day! J Just kidding, yep, I have...haven't we all?

Interview with Nichelle Gregory
-Do you think there is a difference between making love and having sex? Absolutely!
-What is your current project? I'm currently working on As You Desire, the sequel to As You Wish available now with Total E-Bound!
-Do you have any series out? Djinn Brotherhood is my first series.
What is it about?Here's the series blurb:
There exists within our world a brotherhood of Djinns...genies bound by magic, bound by honour to fulfill the desires of their masters. Enter their realm with caution! Danger lurks between dimensions, fiery passions ignite without control and wishes are granted for those brave enough to ask...
- Do you have a day job?  I'm a wife and mommy to two...my day job is really a day and night job. There's always something to do and someone asking for me to do something!

-Where do you see yourself in five years? In five years, I look forward to having even more time to dedicate to my writing. I hope to have more books published for readers ready to indulge their wild side!
I want to thank Nichelle for taking the time to join us for this interview. Find out more about her, where she resides on the web, and what her current stories are below.


A race against time to save a loved one from supernatural forces leaves Karis, a novice clairvoyant, no choice but to trust a very sexy genie granting three wishes and an offer to help her tap into her psychic abilities...if she'll come willingly to his bed.

Karis has always turned her back on the supernatural world. When her estranged, self-proclaimed physic mother mysteriously disappears she puts her life on hold to find her.
When she discovers and touches a beautiful bottle in her mother's belongings, she comes face to face with Vander, a very sexy telepathic genie who offers her three wishes. The only way Karis can help her mother is by trusting Vander and her own tamped down physic abilities. She will have to face her own fears and listen to her heart to fulfil her wish for happiness.
http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=1091



***Book Giveaway!*** One lucky commenter will win Doll, my first Lust Bite with Total E-Bound!
Warning! This super-hot story contains BDSM elements, toys, and a lesbian scene. You will need a tall glass of ice water while reading!

Where to find Nichelle Gregory
Website http://www.nichellegregory.com  Blog:  http://www.simplysexystories.blogspot.com  Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/nichellegregory
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/nichellegregory  Total E-Bound Buy Link: http://www.total-e-bound.com/authordetail.asp?A_ID=147
Noble Romance Buy Link: http://www.nobleromance.com/BrowseListing.aspx?author=64

Guest author, Taige Crenshaw

-What is your writing day like?I go over what I did the day before. I research anything I might need. Then I start writing. My writing might be broken by random moments of me dancing when I get a scene how I want it. LOL.
-Do you have a favorite author/s?Everything as long as it is interesting. I have so many books in every genre. 
-What is your favorite color?I actually have three. Yellow, Red and Peach.
-What is your favorite junk food?I'd have to say Jello. LOL. My friends know that give me some Jello with a little whip cream on top and I am a happy woman. LOL.
-What is your favorite movie?Yes I am an avid movie fan. Love all types of movies and make plans to go see them when they are coming out. 
-Who is your favorite musician/s?I have very eclectic taste in music so is my taste in musicians. The list is too long to list.
-What is your current project?I'm working on 3rd book in the Blackstone Haven series and a 3rd book in the Phoenix Intelligence Agency.  I'm working on some joint projects.  There are a few surprises I have in store for the series. I'm also self-editing some books in my series that I have at various publishers. It is going to be a sizzling and busy year. LOL.
-Do you have any series out? If so what is it about?Yes I have multiple book series. I write in multiple genres such as paranormal, fantasy, contemporary, and romantic suspense. I love them all. Love exploring all that there is.
I have too many to explain each but here is a list of them.
Blackstone Haven Phone Intelligence AgencySeductive PursuitsOlympus Unleashed Immortal BlossomRarities Incorporated
Nefer Investigations Force
Club Immortality
-Why did you choose your particular publisher/s to go with?I have a few publishers. I choose them based on researching their reputation, what I'm writing and the fit to my career. 
-Do you have a favorite character/s you've written about? If so why are they your favorite?
Can't say which since they are all special to me.
-If you could go on a date with one of your characters who would it be and what would the date be like?
All of them otherwise they would be jealous. LOL.  And we would have a potluck dinner. Everyone bring a dish. It would be so we can eat like family. Since that is what I think of them as.


Here are some places you can find me on the web.
My Website: http://www.taigecrenshaw.com/
My Blog - http://www.taigecrenshaw.com/blog
Chat Group ~ Crenshaw Café - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/crenshawcafe
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Taige-Crenshaw/717505841

To sign up for my Newsletter
http://www.taigecrenshaw.com/newslett...
To email me
http://www.taigecrenshaw.com/contact.shtml

Satin Notes (Free Reads)
 http://www.satinnotes.com

Guest author, Bianca Sommerland

Unbuilding a CharacterWhether you're a full-fledged author, or a hobby writer, or someone who stalks authors to see if we're going to screw up—I know you're out there—you've probably heard plenty about building characters. It doesn't take a genius to spot a cardboard character: 'she was 5'4 with DD and a cumsucking mouth'  Source-the dregs of porn.And we all have well developed characters that we know and love, who make us sit up and take notice the moment they grace a scene:He was a fine, tall, slim young fellow of eighteen or twenty, with black eyes, and hair as dark as a raven's wing; and his whole appearance bespoke that calmness and resolution peculiar to men accustomed from their cradle to contend with danger.  Source- The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre DumasHow does one build a character? Well, to my mind, it's simple. Create a person and imagine their life from infancy to adulthood—put down that pen, you do not need to write this down—and let the readers come to know this person as well as you do while 'telling' them as little as possible. If your character—let's call her Sue—hates fish, then she should wrinkle her nose when she smells it cooking. Nowhere in the text should it say 'Sue hated fish', but in the dialogue, you may have her say 'Oh my God, please excuse me—I can't stand the . . ." Sue slapped her hand over her mouth as the vile scent of lemon and trout flooded the air and seemed to slosh down her throat. "I think I'm going to be sick."What's the point of scenes like this? Well, as you're learning about the character, so are the people he/she is interacting with in the story. If Sue meets a man and this is her reaction when he takes her out to dinner, there next date better not be on his daddy's fishing boat.So building a character is easy—yes, I tell myself that little lie to keep myself sane—but what about unbuilding a character? What could possibly be the point? What does it even mean?Let's take The Count of Monte Cristo for example—if you haven't read the book or seen the movie, please do so now, I'll wait . . . done? Good <g>-- Edmond Dantès is introduced as a really nice guy who gets screwed by his best friend. Nothing sexy about it, just in case you're wondering, but you M/M writers might find some plot bunnies there ;). Anyway, during the fourteen years Edmond is in prison, the character as we know him is unbuilt. The Conte of Monte Cristo is born, a man whose only goal is vengeance. Most of Edmond's ideals have been abandoned; the Conte doesn't need them anymore, so it's almost like going back through Edmond's past and erasing all the things that made him who he was. Which is what I call unbuilding.In Deadly Captive, the main character, Lydia, is unbuilt from the start. I had to know her inside and out, know her past—then take and axe to it and get to know her from the pieces that were left. Because, you see, Lydia can't remember her past. She can speak perfect English, knows details of history and geography, but she can't remember how old she is, where she was born, or if there's a single person who will miss her. Here's a little excerpt from the book, just to give you an idea:"Lydia." The abrupt way Joe said the name sent a frisson of fear straight through me. My eyes shot to the door. There was no one there. * * *Joe chuckled and deftly shot to his feet. "Well, that answers that question." I bit my lip and shook my head. What question? Why suddenly say a name when no one was . . . ? Lydia. I mouthed the name, rolling my tongue around it, and waited for a spark of recognition. I felt nothing. But he would know my name, wouldn't he? My eyes narrowed. "You were testing me." Shrugging his shoulders backward in a lazy stretch, he nodded. "Yes, but you passed. Don't worry about it." Surging forward, I drove the heel of my palm into his sternum. He stumbled into the wall by the bed, staring at me as he righted himself. I smirked. Didn't see that coming, did you, asshole? His eyes narrowed. A muscle in his jaw ticked. I scrambled off the bed when he strode towards me, but he caught a fistful of my hair and jerked me against his front. Then, he forced me into the space between the bed frame and the wall. The metal frame felt like a bar of ice on the bare flesh of my side. I tried to wrench out of his grasp and dodge him. He hauled me back and trapped me with the press of his body. "Don't ever do that again," he said, through gritted teeth. "This situation hasn't left me with much tolerance." My eyes teared, but my gaze never wavered. "Right back at you. I didn't sign up for your games." He eased his grip on my hair. "Neither of us signed up for any of this, Lydia. I wanted to make sure I could trust my cell mate." "Of all the . . . ." I shook my head. "Please, I need to know. Some kind of morbid curiosity, I guess. Why in the world would I fake memory loss? What purpose would it serve?" With a shrug, he rested his arm on my shoulder, still loosely holding my hair. "It would be a clever sympathy card." Damn it, he's right. I felt the tension ease from my body, no longer feeling very combative. "How do you know I'm not faking it? If I was, it would be pretty stupid to acknowledge my name." "No. Actually, it wouldn't have proven much. It might have made me suspicious, more than I already was. It would be strange that you'd remember your name, but not your own face. I was hoping your reaction would be revealing." He closed his eyes and dropped his head. "It was, but not in the way I'd hoped. The loss is worse than I thought. There wasn't even a glimmer of recognition." Grazing my teeth back and forth along my bottom lip, I glared at his chest. "It could be an act." Fingers under my chin, he tilted my head up. "No, Lydia. You couldn't have faked the fear I saw. You thought it was one of them." Writing this kind of character, whether they're unbuilt by choice, or by circumstance, isn't easy. But it's never boring and from my experience unbuilt characters are some of the most complex. And the most interesting.Don't know if I'll ever try that again though! lol!


Tasty tidbits about Bianca Sommerland

-If you could be any animal what would it be?
Can I choose a bug? Well technically, it's an arachnid. I've always been fascinated by scorpions. There's just something about them that appeals to me.
If I had to pick an actual animal, I'd probably pick a panther.
-What is your shoe size?
Depends on the style of the shoe. I've got everything from 6.5 to 8 in my closet.
-How many pieces of jewelry do you wear on a daily basis?
Three. I wear a leather wrist band, big silver loop earrings, and a hematite necklace.
-What is your favorite junk food?
Cookies! My favorites are Maple Leafs and Pirate cookies.
-What is your favorite movie?
Dangerous Liaisons.
-Who is your favorite musician/s?
I have a few, some more modern than others, but Bon Jovi has a special place in my heart.

Interview with Bianca
-Do you think there is a difference between making love and having sex?
Yep. Making love is usually pretty boring! lol!
Honestly, there's just something raw and exciting about the idea of two characters just 'having sex', giving in to pure lust whether they've been together for an hour or an eternity. An undertone of love is nice, but the whole 'I want to take it soft and slow to show how much I care' thing is overrated.
Sometimes it works, really depends on the situation.
-What is your current project?
Another ménage, with some serious BDSM elements. I've been talking to a lot of people in the lifestyle and learning all I can. With Deadly Captive, the BDSM elements were warped—intentionally so, but it was fantasy. My current project is contemporary, so realism is important. I'm feeling really good about it though :)
-Do you have any series out? If so what is it about?
Not yet, but I am planning sequels to both Rosemary Entwined (my first book) and Deadly Captive (my most recent release).
-If you could go on a date with one of your characters who would it be and what would the date be like?
I'd probably go dancing with Felix from Rosemary Entwined. I've had so many dreams about the way he moves I would just love to be in his arms and feel his body…*shudder*
We probably wouldn't be on the dance floor long. ;)
-Where do you see yourself in five years?
Either in a padded room or living in a secluded cabin where no one can find me—just when I've got edits and deadlines though. When I'm not writing I would love to be travelling all over the world.
Realistically, I'll probably be exactly where I am now—with a few more books under my belt.
Contest details
If my host would be so kind as to pick one commenter, I'll be giving away a copy of Deadly Captive. Please indicate your interest in your comment, Deadly Captive is not for everyone and I really want the winner to be someone who is comfortable with the content. 

Where to find Bianca Sommerland
Blog: http://imnoangelauthorsblog.wordpress.com/
Buy link Deadly Captive: https://www.nobleromance.com/ItemDisplay.aspx?i=269
Buy link Rosemary Entwined: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=1102

Deadly Captive

Lydia awakes, bound and blind, to the whispered urgings of a man who has his hands on her. His words confuse her at first, but she soon understands they are both in the middle of a performance that will determine whether she remains in captivity or dies. The crowd must be entertained, and her cellmate makes sure it is.
Forced submission is not the only horror Lydia endures. She has no memories of life before her imprisonment, and Joe, her cellmate, is her only comfort as the powerful creatures that hold them captive torture and debase her. Together, she and Joe cling to the will to survive long enough to break free and seek revenge. Their desire to sustain one another triumphs over their wardens' efforts to destroy them. There is no pain, no suffering, that can tear them apart.
Beyond their cell, their love is tested. Can they hold strong in the face of the challenge of the new powers they have gained along with their freedom?  Rosemary Entwined



One kiss might save her, but if Rosemary has to lose even one of her men, she doesn't want a prince.
The only role of Rosemary's nest of men is to feed her insatiable hunger for lust, but that's not what she wants for them. Or what they want from her. While Rosemary presses for them to live their own lives, they each find ways to steal into her heart. With the threat of her mother's nest hanging over them, Rosemary decides to surrender to the love they offer and focus on building their combined strength to stand against the inevitable attacks.

When her control over her powers slips, another problem arises. The nest is incomplete. A prince must be chosen, and if he is not among her men, she'll be forced to let one of them go.
She once feared her heart wasn't big enough to hold them all. Now she fears she's not strong enough to release even one. Even if it costs her her life.

Guest author, Daisy Harris

Who is Daisy Harris?

Birkenstock-wearing glamour girl and mother of two by immaculate conception, Daisy Harris still isn't sure if she writes erotica. Her paranormal romances start out innocently enough. However, her characters behave like complete sluts. Much to Miss Harris's dismay, the sex tends to get completely out of hand.
She writes about trampy mermaids, sexy dragons, and snuff-y shark-shifters. Her works in progress feature zombie ingenues, horny gods, and some holiday characters like you've never seen them before. And there's almost always a mad scientist in there somewhere.
If you like science-y subplots, fantastical creatures, and red-hot chemistry, you'll love Daisy Harris. Connect with her on Twitter, Facebook and at http://www.thedaisyharris.com/



Tasty Tidbits
Do you write under a pseudonym?
You betcha! I'm not embarrassed about writing erotic romance, but I do have an "other" professional life. I also do academic editing and technical writing so I see my different names as different brands.
What's Your Favorite Season?
I have the attention span of a hummingbird on crack, so my favorite season shifts by whatever season it happens to be. I usually enjoy whichever time of year is either currently happening or coming right up.
What's your favorite junk food?
Hm. I'm not much of a junk food person. I do love cheese- but the kind that's worse for your wallet than your body. Oh- I love, love, love those chocolate candy corns you can get in Halloween Harvest Mix. Luckily they aren't available most of the year.
What's your favorite Movie?
Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. The narrator's voice is so relaxing.
If you could be any animal, what would it be?
A hummingbird on crack.
What is your favorite color?
Blue! No, wait- green. Teal! Or sometimes purple. J


Interview with Daisy
What genre do you write?
Paranormal sex comedy. I could call it paranormal erotic romance, but almost all my books contain an element of humor, and some are flat-out comedy of error.
What's your latest book about?
SHARK BAIT is my newest release and it's the story of a geeky dragoness noble who gets kidnapped by shark-shifter pirates. (Shark-shifters are exactly what they sound like. Shifters…who change into sharks.) The heroine, Sophia befriends her guard, Raider. When she's set free, she enlists Raider's help to kidnap her again- so that a handsome dragon will be forced to come to her rescue.
Basically, she needs a husband and hires him to pretend to be a villain.
Do you have any series out?
Yes! SHARK BAIT is the third book in my Ocean Shifter series. (Ocean shifters are exactly what they sound like- shifters of the ocean. Actually- they're mer-people, sea dragons, and shark-shifters. J )
What's next?
Well, I have a male-male god/mortal story coming out later this year, but I don't have a release date yet. It's called MERCURY RISING. I'm sure I'll write a sequel but not sure if I'll turn it into a series.
I also have a scifi series I'm working on called Love Dolls. The first book is tentatively called THE BRIDE.
Sounds interesting, but is there any sex in your stories?
YES! There's tons of sex! Hot, dirty, kinky sex! (Okay not THAT kinky- but there's a lot of it. I promise!) However, I like to weave generous worldbuilding into my stories. I adore alternate universes with larger-than-life characters. Some of my favorite books are comics, and I write with Asterix the Gaul, X-Men, Peter Bagge's Thanks for having me on the blog, Jennika!
Thanks so much for stopping by today, Daisy! Find out more about this incredible author below.

Find Daisy Harris at:
Thedaisyharris.comOn twitter as @thedaisyharrisBuy link for Shark Bait: http://www.amazon.com/Shark-Shifters-Publishing-Classic-ebook/dp/B004OR1KP4

 
"Raider had spent years honing his front, but as Sophia calmly assessed his erection it occurred to him--no male holds the upper hand when his pants are around his knees."

After seventeen mating refusals, sea dragoness Sophia Aleahar is getting more than a little desperate. But when she swims to a potential mate to convince him to reconsider, she's taken hostage by shark-shifter pirates.

Mere-shark hybrid Raider ShaCrayz has spent ten years in the hold of his father's ship. The tiny dragoness prisoner inspires his most vicious and most gentle impulses. When she offers him freedom in exchange for helping her lure a mate, Raider decides he wants to be more than just a beast on a chain.
Raider desires her like no male ever has, but Sophia needs to learn that no handsome dragon is worth more than the bad-boy shark who loves her.

Guest author, Kari Thomas

Read below to see how you can win a free PDF copy of HOLD ONTO THE NIGHT

Tasty tidbits
-What is your writing day like?K: I'm Caregiver for my elderly dad so that means an all-night no-sleep routine almost every night. By morning Im exhausted and not in the creative mood. BUT! I turn on the computer, go through emails and my calendar, and then.... get down to the business of writing. Once I've started, I feel creative and relaxed and can write for hours.
-If you could be any animal what would it be?A cat. They're sleek, sneaky, beautiful, stubborn, and mysterious.
-Have you ever gone commando (no underwear)?K: Three words: Summer in Arizona.
-What is your favorite junk food?K: ANYTHING with chocolate!
-What is your favorite movie?K: BRIGADOON. It's one of the most romantic films Ive ever seen. Sacrificing for love; what could be more precious?

Interview with Kari

-Are you strictly an eBook author? If so why did you go that route?K: All my books are available in Print as well as Ebook formats. I chose only publishers who did both because I wanted both options.
-What is your current project?K: I love writing in the Paranormal genre so most of my characters are Shapeshifters. I've never wrote a dragon shifter story so that's what I'm working on now. It's turning out to be VERY fun and very interesting!
-Do you have any series out? If so what is it about?K: Not currently. But I'm working on a Plot for a Series now. I'm enjoying planning this one out ---which is something I dont normally do with my others. I'm one of those "seat-of-the-pants" authors (grin).
-Why did you choose your particular publisher/s to go with?K: I had the unfortunate luck to have my FIRST book published by a company that went Bankrupt several months later. So I set out to find better publishers. I researched each one that I chose, asking their authors questions, etc. Too, I wanted publishers who did BOTH Print and Ebook formats so that my books were available to readers in any format they wanted.
-Do you have a favorite character/s you've written about? If so why are they your favorite?K: Lyon and Kitlene in UNDER A SHIFTER'S MOON. They are strong characters with vulnerabilities that endears them to a reader. Their sacrifices --for those they love --and for each other made them very special. Their path to Love wasn't easy and because of that, it was cherished all the more.
I want to thank Kari for taking time for this interview. Find out more about this author below.
*Comment for your chance to win a FREE PDF copy of Hold Onto the Night by Kari Thomas

Where can you find Kari at?
Author website: www.authorkari.com Author email: authorkari@yahoo.com

Spell-Kissed

Briana Adair is a witch with a glitch.

Whenever Briana's emotions kick in, her spells fizzle out. Entrusted with a magical sphere containing the Tree of Life, she can't risk letting her feelings run amok. Her life and the safety of the world she knows depend on it. But now an evil force is putting her guardianship and witchy skills to the test—and the one man she needs to help her brings enough sizzle to cause an awful lot of fizzle.

Hunter Dallas doesn't believe in magic.

Burned out, hunky police detective Hunter thinks his mother's new tenant is just about as crazy as they come. Witchcraft? Maybe it's just the power of the moonlight, but even cynical Hunter can't deny Briana has cast a spell over him. As he begins to see some supernatural threats firsthand, will Hunter learn love and magic are actually one and the same before it's too late?

Guest author, Patricia Bates

Tasty tidbits about Patricia Bates

Do you write under a pseudonym? Nope, with the amount of writing I do it would be impossible to separate personalities even fake ones. What is your favorite season? Summer, its warm, the days are longer, and I can get out and go hiking, camping, or horseback riding without worrying about frost bite, lol.What is your favorite junk food? Chocolate! If it's chocolate I'm all for it. What is your favorite movie? Depends on my mood. I love historical movies though. I'm a huge fan of John Wayne…but like I said, depends on the mood and moment.If you could be any animal what would it be? Horse – I'm a horse fanatic. If I could I'd spend hours riding – sadly I haven't had that opportunity for a couple of years. What is your favorite color? Blue. It's the color of my birthstone.



Interview with PatriciaWhat genre/s do you write? I write historical romance and erotic, contemporary, paranormal, and am currently working on a special paranormal erotic novel that I'm having a blast with.What is your latest book about? When did/does it come out? My latest book is Phantom Pleasure and was released in December 2010. I do have two upcoming releases, but PP is a great story…it's about a decades old woman who was murdered on her wedding night. Trapped in this world, she's drawn the handsome rake of a cowboy currently living in her old home – and is torn by her desire for him and the need to have revenge on the man who killed her – or rather his descendent. Was there anything that inspired you to write it? The challenge. I always try to vary my writing to keep things fresh and when a friend of mine suggested writing something along the lines of a paranormal I jumped at it. Took some doing but I was so happy to finish it and even happier to see that its out there and selling! What are your thoughts on eBook piracy? Ebook piracy is a crime. Something that I don't think people realize when they download a pirated copy, is that they're taking money out of my pocket…which means that they're taking food off my table. I think that those who do it should be penalized – and while it'll never end in today's technological era, it still sucks!What is your current project? My current project is a paranormal erotic piece about a lady vampire and the shifter who claims her. She's the last of her line of her breed really – trapped within a world that hates her. When she stumbles blindly into her Chosen's arms, she has no idea that his clan, his very kind, is notorious for hunting and killing Vampires in an age old battle…They are thrown together when an ancient evil stirs – wanting to end the reign of immortals who don't worship him. Hot, hot, story. Lots of sex, lots of conflict, subplots…but it's a blast to work on.
I want to say thank you to Patricia for taking the time to speak with us today and share a little bit about herself! Find out more about her below.

Where can you find Patricia Bates at?
www.patbatesromances.com www.ofinkandquille.blogspot.com www.twitter.com/PatBAuthor


Phantom Pleasure
Blurb: Forced into an arranged marriage, Frances MacKenny is murdered on her wedding night. After spending decades haunting her ancestral home, a handsome cowboy arrives. Shedding her one-hundred-fifty-year, self-imposed isolation, she decides to focus all her attention on the sexy male resident.For the first time in years, Logan Harris has a shot at living his dream by owning the best horse ranch in Virginia. At first, everything appears to be lining up perfectly. But then strange things begin to occur. And when he finds himself longing for beautiful ghost, he fears he's losing his mind. Can true love transcend death?
Ebook: http://passioninprint.com/BookStore.p...

Chapter One1859, Bellantaine Plantation, VirginiaFrom the edge of her four-poster bed, Frances stared out the window at the smattering of sunlight on the manicured grounds. From a distance, the echoes of raised voices, the crack of a whip, and the faint throb of singing from the slaves working the cotton field met her ears.With each passing moment, her attention flittered from one raised voice to the other like a bee in her mother's rose gardens. Which of those working had told her secret? Who would betray her so?Her father's incensed roar drifted up the stairs to her chamber-the tone enough to send a shudder of fear through her."Why?" she whispered and plucked at the lacy thread of her nightshift.In the distance, the local church bell rang, drawing guests for the wedding from every plantation that fell within range of the brass-toned clangs. She shivered, her heart pulsing, roaring like thunder in her ears as each toll struck like the lash of a whip against her soul. Ding-dong. The musical knoll heralded not a wedding...but her very demise.A soft creak of the hinges drew her attention. For the first time since she'd gotten out of bed that morning, the door swung inward to reveal her personal slave."Good morning, Mammy." She turned from the window, a slight but warm smile lifting her lips. As welcome as the autumn rains after a drought, Mammy had, simply by coming to her, settled her to some extent."Mornin', Miss Frances." Mammy offered a sympathetic smile, the gap between her front teeth showing. She nudged the door closed with her well-rounded hip, her worn black dress hugging her ample bosom. Waddling over to Frances' chest, she opened drawers. "Why, the ballroom be all filled up! Got more guests than I ever seen in the house. Miss Frannie, you's got a pretty kettle of fish, if'n I do say so.""Oh, come now, Mammy, surely you're jesting. Father couldn't have invited that many people, could he?" Frances swallowed against the rising tide of fear. It was hardly a bit of truth, he wouldn't...no, it wasn't possible for him to humiliate her in such a manner. Not when he wanted to keep the reasoning behind the marriage so quiet. "Why, that would mean he invited nearly the entire county.""Now, Miss Frannie, you done know your daddy will do as he sees fit. Ain't no sense to worrying yourself grey." Mammy pulled out the pale satin gown Frances would wear and hung it on the hook on the wall. With practiced speed she set Frances' stay, petticoats, pantaloons, and stockings on the bed. Her petticoats rustling, she laid out the grooming tools she would use to prepare Frances' hair. She gestured to the cushioned bench with an ornate silver hairbrush. "Come sit down, child."Her stomach twisting with dismay, Frances shuffled from the bed to her dressing table. "I simply don't see-""You'd best recall the mas'ers words." Mammy rapped her on the head lightly with the brush. In the mirror her dark eyes held sympathy and understanding. "He could have done worse...""I've no desire to wed Robert," Frances whispered tightly. "Does that not matter? I love Nathaniel. Why can't I marry whom I wish?"Mammy sighed, and Frances hunched her shoulders against the old woman's opinion. She stared at her hands in her lap. Young, handsome, Nathaniel didn't care about

Guest author, Missy Lyons

Who is Missy Lyons?
Missy Lyons has been writing from childhood, and is now a mom who still enjoys spinning a good tale. She was first published by Phaze Books in 2007 with the short story, Closing the Deal. Since then, she has written several novels and many more short stories. She is always coming up with new ideas to write about, and hopes she chooses subjects that will be emotionally moving to her readers. A romance that touches the heart, whether it is red hot, or sugary sweet.
Living in Nashville with her family and a menagerie of animals, her days are not even close to her exotic stories, but still exciting none the less. She has had many jobs over her lifetime, from an executive manager to freelance writing and graphic design, but her first love as a writer will always be her favorite career choice. She's an active member in RWA, and her local chapter Music City Romance Writers, and loves to hear from fellow authors and readers alike.


Tasty tidbits about Missy

What is your writing day like?
My perfect writing day starts early. Around 5 AM I sneak downstairs and get on the computer and write for about an hour before anyone else wakes up. I find I have the best energy in the morning and I don't procrastinate if I do it before going online or anything else. 
Do you have a favorite author/s?
Of course, I think Christina Dodd is wonderful with her historical romances and Karen Marie Moning has been truly inspiring with her time travelling series. I tend to also read a lot of paranormal romances and ebooks because of their convenience.
If you could be any animal what would it be?
I love cats, so it has to be a cat but I would pick a large exotic cat for fun. I think it would be fun to be a Tiger since they love to play in water. Besides—not to give my age away but I was born in the year of the Tiger.  
What is your favorite color?
Green. I am a gardening geek and love every shade of green because it is soothing to me and reminds me of nature.
What is your shoe size?
7 1/2 but I don't write with my toes, so I am not sure what my shoe size has to do with anything…

How many pieces of jewelry do you wear on a daily basis?
If you count my wedding ring and my glasses—two. I tend to wear jewelry for special occasions but not everyday. The biggest reason is my youngest daughter is only two and likes to grab onto shiny things. 

Who is your favorite musician/s?
I love country music and have a few favorite bands at the moment that I listen to frequently: Sugarland and Travis Tritt. I often change the type of music I listen to according to what I write, and since the last few books have been about cowboys what better inspiration than good old country music?
Interview with Missy
Do you think there is a difference between making love and having sex?
Absolutely. You don't have to love someone to have sex but when you make love there is usually an emotional connection as well as a physical one.
Are you strictly an eBook author? If so why did you go that route?
I have some books in print but have gone mostly with Indie publishers. I've learned a lot about the writing craft and feel their guidance has only strengthened my storytelling abilities.
What is your current project?
Strictly Business is Book 3 in the Stud Service series. It's a project a group of friends came up with about four sisters who were about to lose their inheritance and their trust funds if they didn't find themselves a stud. My sister is determined to not let this ruin her life and is on her way to the Caribbean.
Do you have any series out? If so what is it about?
I started several series but have not finish any of them. Riding Western Style is my cowboy series that is currently at Siren Publishing. Cowboys Don't Dance is book 1 and Heart of a Cowboy is book 2.
Why did you choose your particular publisher/s to go with?
I have several publishers just to diversify. In case any one of them were to go out of business all my rights or work wouldn't be tied up for years. I chose them all for various reasons such as their stability or how happy their author are.
Do you have a day job? If so what do you do?
I think being a full time mom is a full time job but I have other jobs. I manage rental properties and work as a freelance writer and graphic designer. 
Do you have a favorite character/s you've written about? If so why are they your favorite?
Every book is my favorite when I am writing it. Colt Vance is a wealthy entrepreneur in Strictly Business. I know it should be easy for my heroine Susannah to fall in love with him because I already have.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I don't expect a lot to change in five years. I will still be a mom. I will still be a writer and loving every minute of life.
I want to thank Missy for stopping by and giving us an inside look at her life and stories. Find out more about Missy and what she has going on below.




Contest details
Share this on Facebook, your blog, or twitter this interview and you will be entered to win a copy of Heart of a Cowboy. Please also leave your email with a link so I can respond easily.

Where to find Missy Lyons
Website: www.missylyons.com
Facebook fan page for Romance Author Missy Lyons: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Romance-Author-Missy-Lyons/312367250083?v=wall
Blog:  http://www.missylyons.blogspot.com
Yahoo Newsletter: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Missy_Lyons_Newsletter/ Yahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/missylyons/


 Lynn's Love Triangle

Lynne had to videotape the supernova, hot sex the night she landed two men in her bed because she knew it would never happen again. Kurt is sweet and sexy. Troy is dominating and masterful. Both of her new lovers fulfill her better than her deepest fantasy man. How could she pick just one? Will it make a difference that they are both over twenty years younger than her? Will the flames of their desire burn out after this single night of passion is over?

And more importantly, can her new lovers pull together when it really counts and protect her from a crazy stalker trying to kill her? Only time will tell.

  Heart of a Cowboy 
Derek is only working for a month to pay off his debt to Jessie, but not everyone likes his openly homosexual lifestyle. He knows what it feels like to be beaten to within an inch of his life so he doesn't give a rat's ass what people think.

The attraction between him and the hunky Indian Ishwar is instantly satisfying. He finds himself begging for more every second he is near him, but when he falls into the arms of a stranger, things only begin to heat up, until an unforeseen peril puts him in danger.
Derek must prove he has the heart of a cowboy, and it will take every ounce of love and strength in his heart to make it through this ordeal alive.

Guest author, Sophie Oak

Who is Sophie Oak?
Prior to becoming a novelist, Sophie worked in theater and comic books.  She lives in Fort Worth, Texas with her husband and three precocious children, who wonder when mom is going to write a book they will be allowed to read.  Her answer: probably never.  Sophie believes in happy endings for everyone, no matter how extreme the story.  Her stories may feature some of the fringe elements of sexuality, but at heart they are always about love.  Small Town Siren, Siren in the City, Three to Ride (Nights in Bliss, Colorado 1), Away From Me and Two to Love (Bliss, Colorado 2), and Siren Enslaved are available now. Sophie loves to hear from readers. 
Please feel free to contact her at www.sophieoak.com.

Tasty tidbits about Sophie Oak

Do you write under a pseudonym? I do. When I decided to start writing erotic romance I thought I would keep my real name for the mainstream urban fantasy line I wanted to start. I haven't had time to do that, so now I answer to Sophie as much as my real name.What is your favorite junk food? French fries. I love French fries. I especially love them with mayo. It makes my hubby question my sanity, but I had an English friend while growing up and that was the way her mom served them.What kind of vehicle do you drive? I drive a mini-van. It's the least sexy car a romance novelist could possibly own, but with three kids, it's a necessary evil. And it's actually quite comfy.How many pieces of jewelry do you wear on a daily basis? Three. I wear my wedding ring, my engagement ring and a pendant my husband bought me from Tiffany's. It has a scene from the Greek myth of Cupid and Psyche on it.Have you ever gone commando (no underwear)? Absolutely. Panty lines are not my friend.
Interview with SophieWhat genre/s do you write? I write erotic romance. I write contemporary and western and romantic suspense, but all of them are very erotic in nature. I'm also publishing my first paranormal this spring. Again – erotic. What made you decide to write the genre you do? I write what I love to read. I love erotic romance, and ménage in particular. What is your latest book about? My latest book is called One to Keep. It's the third book in my Night in Bliss, Colorado series. It's an erotic romantic suspense centering on an art theft. I've been building up to this book ever since Three to Ride, so I feel a little nervous about it. I really hope I got these characters right.Does your family know about your writing career? Yes. I am completely out in the open. I'm proud of the books I write. I tell anyone who asks what I write.If so what do they say about it? However, that does not mean that everyone I tell respects me. I have several members of my family who hate that I write what I write. They're embarrassed by it. Strangely enough, not the minister. My brother-in-law is a minister, and he's ridiculously supportive. My mom and my friends are supportive. My husband reads everything I write. It's enough.How old were you when you started writing? The earliest writing experience I can remember is writing a poem for a contest in 5th grade. I won third place and I was off. I wrote for my school paper and had a couple of plays produced in high school, and then life kind of took over. I wrote during college, but I married and had a baby shortly after college. Those dreams went on the back burner. Flash forward thirteen years later. I gave birth to baby number three. I nearly died during the C-section, and that was a wake-up call. I realized just how short life is. I got off my butt and started pursuing my dream. What is one thing about you that no one knows? Gosh, I'm pretty much an open book. Get a couple of glasses of wine in me and I'll tell you anything. So I'll tell you something I have never put down in any interview. I believe in past lives and reincarnation. I had a very visceral reaction to the Tower of London. I was walking up one of the tiny curved staircases they have in the incarceration rooms, and I stopped. I hyperventilated because I totally felt like I had been there before. I knew what the room at the top of the stairs looked like before I walked into it. Thanks, Jenika. Now I sound crazy!Do you think there is a difference between making love and having sex? Absolutely. I think there's an enormous difference. I write erotic romance and there's a difference between that and erotica. Erotica can both or simply one or the other. I think erotic romance is about making love. The mistake a lot of non-erotic romance writers and readers make is in thinking it's all about the sex. It isn't. In a romance, it's about the emotion. This is the way our characters connect and communicate. What is your current project? I'm writing a book called Siren Beloved. It's the fourth book in my Texas Sirens series. It's an m/m/f cowboy ménage.Do you have any series out? I have two series out right now. What are they about? The first is called Texas Sirens. It's an m/m/f series that's heavy on the BDSM. I also write a series called Nights in Bliss, Colorado. It's much lighter than my Sirens series. Bliss is set in a bohemian Colorado town. I try to make it quirky and funny. I'm starting a third series in May. It's a paranormal ménage series called Faery Stories.I want to thank Sophie for taking the time to do this interview and giving us an inside look at her life. For more about this best-selling author, read below!


Where can you find Sophie Oak?
www.sophieoak.com

Read a snippet from Sophie Oak's newest story
Siren-Enslaved


http://www.bookstrand.com/siren-enslaved
Julian Lodge has everything a man could want. He's rich, successful and owns the most exclusive BDSM club in Dallas. But something is missing.
Finn Taylor has worked his way up in the world from humble beginnings in Willow Fork, Texas. Being gay meant being on the outside in a small town.  The only thing he still loves in his hometown is Danielle Bay. He never told her he was actually bi-sexual, and he never confessed his love for her. Now she's getting married, and Finn is sure he's lost his chance with the only woman he'll ever love.
Julian's vacation to the Barnes-Fleetwood ranch brings them all together. After Dani jumps into Julian's car while fleeing her wedding, Julian knows he has to have her. But nothing is easy in Willow Fork. A danger from Julian's past threatens them all. Julian will have to convince both Dani and Finn that being his slaves could be the best decision they ever made.