Allison Cassatta's Blog, page 2
September 23, 2014
Thank You!
As a thank you for all the massive support and love you guys have shown me over the years, I thought I would do a giveaway. No matter where you live (as long as it's not on Mars) you can win. I'm giving away a "You've Been Seduced" tote bag filled with autographed books and a $25 gift card from your choice of ITunes or Amazon. Again, thank you for being as awesome as you are!!!
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September 15, 2014
Author Spotlight - Cheyenne Meadows
#Q {text-align: left; line-height:150%; font-style:italic;} #A {text-align: left; margin-left: 2em;} #Close {text-align: center; font-style:italic;} #Para {text-align: left; text-indent: 25px;} It is my pleasure to introduce Cheyenne Meadows, author of Feline Persuasion
Cheyenne Meadows
Tell us a little bit about how Feline Persuasion came to life. What inspired the story? Actually, a sex scene inspired this story. Odd, huh? But, it's true. Micah, the majorly alpha lion shifter started talking in a big way and that's where he wanted to start. Right off the bat. Who was I to argue with such a commanding and growly voice? Once the first scene happened, the rest sort of fell into place. Who is your favorite character and what makes them so memorable to you? Cade, I believe. He's been hurt badly and covers his pain by a playboy persona. He lives by a motto of one man, one time. That way he can't have his heart shattered again. I ached for him and so wanted him to see and learn that love can be wonderful, with the right person or persons. In the end, he begins to understand that loneliness is portable and by shunning everyone, he's totally alone in the world. Sad, but true. With a clearer vision, he can finally see how special Micah and Stone really are. Tell us a little bit about yourself and what made you decide to write? I started reading romance novels in high school and fell in love with them. Like many others, I thought I could write for a career. My first writing class in college proved me wrong when the professor told me that she was surprised I was a writing major because I was so bad at it.
Yeah, that was rough. I switched majors that same week. LOL.
Years later, I stumbled across a favorite author's fan fiction site and joined. Not only did I meet some great people, I started writing again. That's where I really learned to write. After lots of support and encouragement from the other members who read my storyline, I finally got brave enough to submit. The rest, as they say, is history.
Just in case you were wondering, my professor was right. I look back at the first posts on the fan fiction site and cringe. They were bad. LOL. But, I've come a long way since then.
I write in a few different genres, from sweet traditional romance to highly erotic gay shape shifter romance. I enjoy spreading my wings and working in a whole gamut of realms, from contemporary to paranormal. My days off, you'll find me working on a work in progress or two as I normally have a handful of different stories in various stages of completion at any moment in time. Any advice for aspiring authors? Don't give up. Yes, I know that's cliché, but it's true. If writing is truly what you want to do, then do it. Don't let anyone dissuade you from your dreams. At the same time, practice, learn, and look at criticism objectively. None of is perfect and writing is a fluid career. Trends come and go. Publishers like different things and readers are always clamoring for something new. we have to keep learning as we go. Change is a given. So, even if someone doesn't like your material, try to take something positive from the experience, improve, then try again. I never thought my work would be good enough for publication. But, with tons of encouragement, I gave my dream a shot. Now here I am. Trust me, I'm far from perfect. Just ask my editor. LOL. But, I give it my all, keep striving for improvement, and try not to make the same mistake twice. The only way an aspiring writer will know if they can make it to publication is to take that leap of faith. It's well worth it! Closing remarks... I hope everyone enjoys this story as much as I did writing it.
And a big thank you, Allison, for having me. It's been a pleasure!
You can visit Cheyenne Meadows at Facebook or Blogger/.
WIN THE BOOK NOW!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Blurb:
When tiger shifter Cade turns an oily owner of a consultation firm over to the FBI, he finds himself with a hit man on his heels. Chester was in possession of security-breaching national secrets, and even more concerning, evidence that shifters exist, and if it got out, trouble would follow for all shifters. So now Cade is on the run. He holes up in an isolated hideout where he doesn't expect anyone to find him--least of all a former one-night stand.
Alpha lion shifter Micah can’t shake Cade from his mind. They spent one glorious night together before Cade ran off without leaving even a name. He’s determined to find his runaway and protect what he's come to think as his despite Cade's one and done rule. He surprises Cade in his secret nest in the forest, learns the reason for Cade's self-imposed exile, and decides to call for help. This nets them Stone: a top-of-the-line bodyguard and the one man Micah can’t stand. Stone isn't thrilled either. He can think of better things to do than spend days in the wilderness with the uppity alpha who stomps on his last nerve.
Despite their differences and history, they need to find a way to survive and expose the traitor in their midst. They also realize chances at love are fleeting unless you grab the opportunity between your teeth and hold on for one wild ride.
Cheyenne Meadows
Tell us a little bit about how Feline Persuasion came to life. What inspired the story? Actually, a sex scene inspired this story. Odd, huh? But, it's true. Micah, the majorly alpha lion shifter started talking in a big way and that's where he wanted to start. Right off the bat. Who was I to argue with such a commanding and growly voice? Once the first scene happened, the rest sort of fell into place. Who is your favorite character and what makes them so memorable to you? Cade, I believe. He's been hurt badly and covers his pain by a playboy persona. He lives by a motto of one man, one time. That way he can't have his heart shattered again. I ached for him and so wanted him to see and learn that love can be wonderful, with the right person or persons. In the end, he begins to understand that loneliness is portable and by shunning everyone, he's totally alone in the world. Sad, but true. With a clearer vision, he can finally see how special Micah and Stone really are. Tell us a little bit about yourself and what made you decide to write? I started reading romance novels in high school and fell in love with them. Like many others, I thought I could write for a career. My first writing class in college proved me wrong when the professor told me that she was surprised I was a writing major because I was so bad at it.
Yeah, that was rough. I switched majors that same week. LOL.
Years later, I stumbled across a favorite author's fan fiction site and joined. Not only did I meet some great people, I started writing again. That's where I really learned to write. After lots of support and encouragement from the other members who read my storyline, I finally got brave enough to submit. The rest, as they say, is history.
Just in case you were wondering, my professor was right. I look back at the first posts on the fan fiction site and cringe. They were bad. LOL. But, I've come a long way since then.
I write in a few different genres, from sweet traditional romance to highly erotic gay shape shifter romance. I enjoy spreading my wings and working in a whole gamut of realms, from contemporary to paranormal. My days off, you'll find me working on a work in progress or two as I normally have a handful of different stories in various stages of completion at any moment in time. Any advice for aspiring authors? Don't give up. Yes, I know that's cliché, but it's true. If writing is truly what you want to do, then do it. Don't let anyone dissuade you from your dreams. At the same time, practice, learn, and look at criticism objectively. None of is perfect and writing is a fluid career. Trends come and go. Publishers like different things and readers are always clamoring for something new. we have to keep learning as we go. Change is a given. So, even if someone doesn't like your material, try to take something positive from the experience, improve, then try again. I never thought my work would be good enough for publication. But, with tons of encouragement, I gave my dream a shot. Now here I am. Trust me, I'm far from perfect. Just ask my editor. LOL. But, I give it my all, keep striving for improvement, and try not to make the same mistake twice. The only way an aspiring writer will know if they can make it to publication is to take that leap of faith. It's well worth it! Closing remarks... I hope everyone enjoys this story as much as I did writing it.
And a big thank you, Allison, for having me. It's been a pleasure!
You can visit Cheyenne Meadows at Facebook or Blogger/.
WIN THE BOOK NOW!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Feline Persuasion
Blurb:When tiger shifter Cade turns an oily owner of a consultation firm over to the FBI, he finds himself with a hit man on his heels. Chester was in possession of security-breaching national secrets, and even more concerning, evidence that shifters exist, and if it got out, trouble would follow for all shifters. So now Cade is on the run. He holes up in an isolated hideout where he doesn't expect anyone to find him--least of all a former one-night stand.
Alpha lion shifter Micah can’t shake Cade from his mind. They spent one glorious night together before Cade ran off without leaving even a name. He’s determined to find his runaway and protect what he's come to think as his despite Cade's one and done rule. He surprises Cade in his secret nest in the forest, learns the reason for Cade's self-imposed exile, and decides to call for help. This nets them Stone: a top-of-the-line bodyguard and the one man Micah can’t stand. Stone isn't thrilled either. He can think of better things to do than spend days in the wilderness with the uppity alpha who stomps on his last nerve.
Despite their differences and history, they need to find a way to survive and expose the traitor in their midst. They also realize chances at love are fleeting unless you grab the opportunity between your teeth and hold on for one wild ride.
August 31, 2014
Author Spotlight - Zee Kensington
#Q {text-align: left; line-height:150%; font-style:italic;} #A {text-align: left; margin-left: 2em;} #Close {text-align: center; font-style:italic;} #Para {text-align: left; text-indent: 25px;} It is my pleasure to introduce Zee Kensington, author of Finally Home
Zee Kensington
Tell us a little bit about how Finally Home came to life. What inspired the story? Finally Home is the sequel to my short story, Krung Thep, City of Angels, which was published in the Dreamspinner Press anthology Two Tickets to Paradise. In Krung Thep we met Marco—a novice tourist lost in Bangkok—and Chris, the experienced travel writer who takes him under his wing. In one whirlwind day the two discover that they have more in common than both being Americans abroad, and their camaraderie blooms into romance.After I finished the short, though, it was clear that Chris and Marco’s “one night in Bangkok” had the potential to grow into a longer story. There was a whole host of questions I had. Now that Marco had accepted his identity as a gay man, how would he come out to his tight-knit family (or would he at all)? How would the solitary Chris deal with being on his own again after two weeks of sharing his life with someone? Could a travel fling survive re-entry into the “real” world amid family drama, career doubts, and old ghosts? Finally Home was the answer to those questions.I also want to point out that though the story began in Krung Thep, Finally Home can definitely be enjoyed without having read the short first. Who is your favorite character and what makes them so memorable to you? I love both my guys—the twentysomething SoCal native Marco with his zest for life, love, and travel; and Chris, my jaded culinary travel writer.If I had to pick one, though, I think Chris would win. He’s constantly in motion, hopping from one country to the next. He’s always searching for the next new flavor to try, the next untold story. He’s the type of person who can make friends anywhere with just about anyone. However, his passions for food, writing, and travel mask a host of insecurities, most stemming from his failed career as a foreign correspondent. He also has a complicated relationship with his family back home in New York City, which he finally has to face when crisis strikes. He’s complex. He’s also pretty dang hot. I’m a sucker for shaggy blond hair, tanned skin, and blue eyes. Tell us a little bit about yourself and what made you decide to write? I’ve been a writer for most of my life. I love telling stories, and I honestly cannot remember a time when I wasn’t writing something or another. There’s something magic about losing myself in my characters, diving into their psyches to see what stories they’re waiting to tell me. I think it’s a form of therapy for me!I’ve penned and published a range of things under a variety of names—short stories, erotica, screenplays, comic book scripts, magazine articles, fan fiction, blog posts—but Finally Home is my very first novel ever.On a more personal note, I’m an almost-native Californian, and I currently live in the San Francisco Bay Area. I became a mother while working on Finally Home, and though most of my time now is spent wrangling my toddler, I enjoy reading, watching movies, and playing video games with my husband when I have free time. I also love to travel, and I’m looking forward to the day my son can be part of my adventuring party! Any advice for aspiring authors? I know it seems obvious, maybe a little trite, but, for me, it can be summed up in two words. The first is write. I have to admit, I'm not keen on the term "aspiring author". If you really want to write, why aren't you doing it? If you wait for permission to write, or for that mythical "spare time" to just appear, you'll never do it. And if you are writing, you're not aspiring, you're doing it. The second word is read. The more you read, and the more widely you read, the better feel you'll have for how stories work. There will also be all those ideas sloshing around in your mind, mixing together and creating new ideas for you to write about. Closing remarks... First and foremost, write from your heart. Don’t think about what is “marketable” or “trending.” If you try to force your YA vampire romance when what you’re dying to write is an offbeat western/noir fairy tale, then you’ll end up miserable and conflicted, and your writing will show it.
Whatever you do, though, DON’T QUIT. Put your butt in your chair, and write something down every single day. Even if you think your writing is terrible. Especially if you think your writing is terrible! You’ll only improve through practice, and you’ll amaze yourself when you turn around and see just how much you’ve done. Momentum is a powerful form of encouragement. Closing remarks: Thank you so much for having me here today, Allison! It was a real pleasure hanging out and talking with you and your lovely readers. I’ll be continuing my blog tour through September 12th, and I hope some of you will join me!
You can visit Zee Kensington at Goodreads, Facebook, Dreamspinner Press, Amazon, or zeekensington.wordpress.com.
WIN THE BOOK NOW!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Blurb:
Zee Kensington
Tell us a little bit about how Finally Home came to life. What inspired the story? Finally Home is the sequel to my short story, Krung Thep, City of Angels, which was published in the Dreamspinner Press anthology Two Tickets to Paradise. In Krung Thep we met Marco—a novice tourist lost in Bangkok—and Chris, the experienced travel writer who takes him under his wing. In one whirlwind day the two discover that they have more in common than both being Americans abroad, and their camaraderie blooms into romance.After I finished the short, though, it was clear that Chris and Marco’s “one night in Bangkok” had the potential to grow into a longer story. There was a whole host of questions I had. Now that Marco had accepted his identity as a gay man, how would he come out to his tight-knit family (or would he at all)? How would the solitary Chris deal with being on his own again after two weeks of sharing his life with someone? Could a travel fling survive re-entry into the “real” world amid family drama, career doubts, and old ghosts? Finally Home was the answer to those questions.I also want to point out that though the story began in Krung Thep, Finally Home can definitely be enjoyed without having read the short first. Who is your favorite character and what makes them so memorable to you? I love both my guys—the twentysomething SoCal native Marco with his zest for life, love, and travel; and Chris, my jaded culinary travel writer.If I had to pick one, though, I think Chris would win. He’s constantly in motion, hopping from one country to the next. He’s always searching for the next new flavor to try, the next untold story. He’s the type of person who can make friends anywhere with just about anyone. However, his passions for food, writing, and travel mask a host of insecurities, most stemming from his failed career as a foreign correspondent. He also has a complicated relationship with his family back home in New York City, which he finally has to face when crisis strikes. He’s complex. He’s also pretty dang hot. I’m a sucker for shaggy blond hair, tanned skin, and blue eyes. Tell us a little bit about yourself and what made you decide to write? I’ve been a writer for most of my life. I love telling stories, and I honestly cannot remember a time when I wasn’t writing something or another. There’s something magic about losing myself in my characters, diving into their psyches to see what stories they’re waiting to tell me. I think it’s a form of therapy for me!I’ve penned and published a range of things under a variety of names—short stories, erotica, screenplays, comic book scripts, magazine articles, fan fiction, blog posts—but Finally Home is my very first novel ever.On a more personal note, I’m an almost-native Californian, and I currently live in the San Francisco Bay Area. I became a mother while working on Finally Home, and though most of my time now is spent wrangling my toddler, I enjoy reading, watching movies, and playing video games with my husband when I have free time. I also love to travel, and I’m looking forward to the day my son can be part of my adventuring party! Any advice for aspiring authors? I know it seems obvious, maybe a little trite, but, for me, it can be summed up in two words. The first is write. I have to admit, I'm not keen on the term "aspiring author". If you really want to write, why aren't you doing it? If you wait for permission to write, or for that mythical "spare time" to just appear, you'll never do it. And if you are writing, you're not aspiring, you're doing it. The second word is read. The more you read, and the more widely you read, the better feel you'll have for how stories work. There will also be all those ideas sloshing around in your mind, mixing together and creating new ideas for you to write about. Closing remarks... First and foremost, write from your heart. Don’t think about what is “marketable” or “trending.” If you try to force your YA vampire romance when what you’re dying to write is an offbeat western/noir fairy tale, then you’ll end up miserable and conflicted, and your writing will show it.
Whatever you do, though, DON’T QUIT. Put your butt in your chair, and write something down every single day. Even if you think your writing is terrible. Especially if you think your writing is terrible! You’ll only improve through practice, and you’ll amaze yourself when you turn around and see just how much you’ve done. Momentum is a powerful form of encouragement. Closing remarks: Thank you so much for having me here today, Allison! It was a real pleasure hanging out and talking with you and your lovely readers. I’ll be continuing my blog tour through September 12th, and I hope some of you will join me!
You can visit Zee Kensington at Goodreads, Facebook, Dreamspinner Press, Amazon, or zeekensington.wordpress.com.
WIN THE BOOK NOW!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Finally Home
Released 08.29.14 from Dreamspinner Press
Blurb:After one night in Bangkok turned into ten days trekking together, novice backpacker Marco and seasoned travel writer Chris parted ways thinking they’d never see each other again. Three months later, Marco still can’t forget the greatest adventure of his life—or the gorgeous guy he shared it with. Too afraid to come out to his family, Marco is suffocating in his suburban Southern California life, until Chris announces he’s coming to LA.
Chris has spent the past four years wandering alone, rebuilding himself from the ashes of a failed journalism career. He arrives in Los Angeles eager to eat, write, and resume the sexy, casual fun he had enjoyed with Marco. But when Chris finds his friend is a terrified closet-case at home, he’s determined to help Marco confront his fears.
Priorities change when Chris’s father suffers a stroke, and Chris rushes to New York City to face a harsh homecoming with the family he abandoned. When Marco defies his parents to be at Chris’s side, Chris begins to realize there may be more to their relationship than just work and play, and that Marco may be the one to show Chris what it means to finally be home.
August 15, 2014
NEW RELEASE - Dream 'til Monday
Dream 'til MondayReleased August 2014 Dreamspinner PressEDITIONS: eBook, printLENGTH: NovelGENRE: M/M, ContemporaryCOVER ART: Allison CassattaWhen Hollywood comes a-knockin’, a young, small-town Mississippi photographer named Sawyer Taylor packs his bags and heads to the West Coast. He’s been hired to photograph for a romantic comedy in San Francisco and looks at the opportunity as a chance to rebuild and reclaim his life. But a quick, drunken hand job behind a bar in the Castro might prove a horrible mistake. Film director Miles Eisenberg isn’t a man who wants to commit. He has a daughter who means the world to him at home, and he worries over how his decisions might affect her. He comes up with a million good reasons not to give Sawyer a second look, but sometimes the heart is determined to love, and the brain can’t convince it otherwise. His affair with Sawyer becomes a whirlwind romance worthy of the silver screen, but life doesn't always imitate art, and imperfect heroes don't always get their happy endings.
Buy it now!Dreamspinner Press
Amazon
All Romance EBooks
Or try to win it!a Rafflecopter giveaway
August 14, 2014
Author Spotlight - Kristen Slater
#HTML8 {display: none;} #Q {text-align: left; line-height:150%; font-style:italic;} #A {text-align: left; margin-left: 2em;} #Close {text-align: center; font-style:italic;} #Para {text-align: left; text-indent: 25px;} It is my pleasure to introduce Kristen Slater, author of Working It Out
Kristen Slater
Tell us a little bit about how Working It Out came to life. What inspired the story? Several of my stories have started when the first line popped into my head out of nowhere, and that's what happened here. The words "What is love, anyway? I mean, you tell me how you know you’re in love" just appeared. It's a question that occurs to me on a regular basis, because I'm not sure either. In a way, the story started as an attempt to answer that question. By the time I'd got to the end of the first chapter I realised it was obvious Cas, the character asking the question, was head over heels in love with his boyfriend. The problem was, how would he realise it? I picked a rather dramatic method, but it did seem to work. Who is your favorite character and what makes them so memorable to you? I think it has to be Cas, because he's asking "my" question, the answer to which has always eluded me. I think he's also the one who has more of me in him than any of the others. He's not a big touchy-feely person and doesn't articulate what he feels very much. And he works in a library, one of my favourite places in the world. Tell us a little bit about yourself and what made you decide to write? I've always been a bit of a daydreamer and most of my life has been spent with my nose buried in a book or five. I never thought I could be a writer, however. That was something done by people with fancy educations and independent incomes, not people like me. Writing wasn't even on my radar. Then, in October 2009, in the forums of a website I frequent, there was a post simply headed "nanowrimo". Being incurably nosey, I read it and was no wiser because it didn't explain what it was about. I googled it and found it was National Novel Writing Month. My immediate response was that I couldn't do that and it wasn't for me, and I sort of forgot about it. About three weeks later, on my way home from work, I found myself almost unconsciously writing - in the white margins around the edge of a newspaper page. When I got home I typed it into the computer and found I'd got, well, a lot of words. So I decided to give it ago and on 5 November 2009 I signed up for the challenge. After that, there wasn't really any decision to make. Having started, to see where it went, the words began to pour out of me. I found I can't *not* write. So it's still the case that my nose is usually buried in a book, but it's as likely to be because I'm writing nowadays. When the cat lets me, that is. Any advice for aspiring authors? I know it seems obvious, maybe a little trite, but, for me, it can be summed up in two words. The first is write. I have to admit, I'm not keen on the term "aspiring author". If you really want to write, why aren't you doing it? If you wait for permission to write, or for that mythical "spare time" to just appear, you'll never do it. And if you are writing, you're not aspiring, you're doing it. The second word is read. The more you read, and the more widely you read, the better feel you'll have for how stories work. There will also be all those ideas sloshing around in your mind, mixing together and creating new ideas for you to write about. Closing remarks... I still can't believe I wrote a story that someone agreed to publish, and it's been out for a month now. It's been a bit overwhelming, and a lot exciting, and very satisfying. I've had to learn about social media, something I'm really not very good at, and how to edit. I've also come into contact with a whole bunch of great people who've welcomed me into their ranks - the other authors with my publisher.
You can visit Kristen Slater at Twitter or kristenslater.wordpress.com/.
WIN THE BOOK NOW!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Blurb:
Celebrating six months with his boyfriend has Cas in a bit of a panic. Joe's been saying "I love you" for a while, but Cas just can't get the words past his lips. A week before Christmas, he finally says them when a nearly fatal accident almost takes Joe, and Cas faces the possibility of losing the best man he's ever known. But whispered declarations are one thing. Through a long, tough recovery both men must work out that love is more than words.
Kristen Slater
Tell us a little bit about how Working It Out came to life. What inspired the story? Several of my stories have started when the first line popped into my head out of nowhere, and that's what happened here. The words "What is love, anyway? I mean, you tell me how you know you’re in love" just appeared. It's a question that occurs to me on a regular basis, because I'm not sure either. In a way, the story started as an attempt to answer that question. By the time I'd got to the end of the first chapter I realised it was obvious Cas, the character asking the question, was head over heels in love with his boyfriend. The problem was, how would he realise it? I picked a rather dramatic method, but it did seem to work. Who is your favorite character and what makes them so memorable to you? I think it has to be Cas, because he's asking "my" question, the answer to which has always eluded me. I think he's also the one who has more of me in him than any of the others. He's not a big touchy-feely person and doesn't articulate what he feels very much. And he works in a library, one of my favourite places in the world. Tell us a little bit about yourself and what made you decide to write? I've always been a bit of a daydreamer and most of my life has been spent with my nose buried in a book or five. I never thought I could be a writer, however. That was something done by people with fancy educations and independent incomes, not people like me. Writing wasn't even on my radar. Then, in October 2009, in the forums of a website I frequent, there was a post simply headed "nanowrimo". Being incurably nosey, I read it and was no wiser because it didn't explain what it was about. I googled it and found it was National Novel Writing Month. My immediate response was that I couldn't do that and it wasn't for me, and I sort of forgot about it. About three weeks later, on my way home from work, I found myself almost unconsciously writing - in the white margins around the edge of a newspaper page. When I got home I typed it into the computer and found I'd got, well, a lot of words. So I decided to give it ago and on 5 November 2009 I signed up for the challenge. After that, there wasn't really any decision to make. Having started, to see where it went, the words began to pour out of me. I found I can't *not* write. So it's still the case that my nose is usually buried in a book, but it's as likely to be because I'm writing nowadays. When the cat lets me, that is. Any advice for aspiring authors? I know it seems obvious, maybe a little trite, but, for me, it can be summed up in two words. The first is write. I have to admit, I'm not keen on the term "aspiring author". If you really want to write, why aren't you doing it? If you wait for permission to write, or for that mythical "spare time" to just appear, you'll never do it. And if you are writing, you're not aspiring, you're doing it. The second word is read. The more you read, and the more widely you read, the better feel you'll have for how stories work. There will also be all those ideas sloshing around in your mind, mixing together and creating new ideas for you to write about. Closing remarks... I still can't believe I wrote a story that someone agreed to publish, and it's been out for a month now. It's been a bit overwhelming, and a lot exciting, and very satisfying. I've had to learn about social media, something I'm really not very good at, and how to edit. I've also come into contact with a whole bunch of great people who've welcomed me into their ranks - the other authors with my publisher.
You can visit Kristen Slater at Twitter or kristenslater.wordpress.com/.
WIN THE BOOK NOW!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Working It Out
Blurb:Celebrating six months with his boyfriend has Cas in a bit of a panic. Joe's been saying "I love you" for a while, but Cas just can't get the words past his lips. A week before Christmas, he finally says them when a nearly fatal accident almost takes Joe, and Cas faces the possibility of losing the best man he's ever known. But whispered declarations are one thing. Through a long, tough recovery both men must work out that love is more than words.
July 15, 2014
Author Spotlight - Jeff Erno
#HTML8 {display: none;} #Q {text-align: left; line-height:150%; font-style:italic;} #A {text-align: left; margin-left: 2em;} #Close {text-align: center; font-style:italic;} #Para {text-align: left; text-indent: 25px;} It is my pleasure to introduce Jeff Erno, author of Two Dumb Jocks
Jeff Erno
Tell us a little bit about how Two Dumb Jocks came to life. What inspired the story? Two Dumb Jocks is the fifth book of the Dumb Jock series. The original inspiration for the series was my own experience. Back in high school, I was sort of a literary geek. I volunteered as a tutor, and one of my pupils was a popular jock named Brett. At the time, I harbored an intense secret crush on him, and as I got older, I imagined what it would have been like if those feelings had been reciprocal. The original Dumb Jock became my first published novel and remains my most popular work. The couple Brett and Jeff are a middle-aged, happily married couple, and books 2,3,4,and 5 feature the next generation. The series will conclude with book six, which will focus again on the original couple, Brett and Jeff. Who is your favorite character and what makes them so memorable to you? Book six is about Bryan, a teenager from Brett and Jeff's home town, Boyne City Michigan. When Bryan comes out as gay, he's disowned by his religious parents, and Jeff and Brett invite him into their family in Tampa, Florida. Bryan relocates and begins attending school, but he faces numerous obstacles, his chronic depression not the least of them. He meets and falls in love with aspiring tennis pro, Greg, and together they face a whole new set of challenges. Bryan's one of my favorite characters because he's presented so realistically. He's flawed--very imperfect--and I couldn't help root for him. Tell us a little bit about yourself and what made you decide to write? I worked my entire life as a retail store manager, but at 30 years of age, I went through a series of tragedies. Several close family members and friends died, and I went through a serious bout with depression. I began writing stories, and the writing seemed to help. Originally I shared my stories free on an amateur website. Finally in 2009 I published my first novel. Now I write full time and have 36 published works. Any advice for aspiring authors? I'm not sure I'm qualified to offer advice. But I do think it's important to maintain a humble, unassuming attitude. I'm astonished that people have enjoyed my stories, and I thank God every day for this blessing. And I strive to continue honing my craft, become a better writer, and give my audience the kinds of stories they enjoy. Closing remarks... Thanks so much for featuring my work. It's a pleasure to participate.
You can visit Jeff Erno at Facebook or www.jefferno.com.
WIN THE BOOK NOW!
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Rejected by his family for coming out, Bryan Helverson boards a plane for Tampa, Florida, where he plans to attend college. Brett and Jeff's family embrace him when he arrives, and his new "brothers," Adam and Trevor, help him assimilate into the community. While playing tennis with Trevor at the country club, Bryan meets aspiring pro tennis player Greg Lewis. But after a few minutes it's easy to see the arrogant jock is not on Bryan's menu, and he quickly dismisses the man. Forgetting he ever met Greg is not an option, though, when Bryan is hired as a waiter at the country club's restaurant, and Greg is assigned to train him. Unexpected romance blossoms just as Bryan discovers one of Greg's ex-boyfriends also works at the restaurant. Greg is not the person Bryan first took him for, though. His true ambition is to become a doctor. And as their romance grows serious, Bryan discovers Greg's mom suffers from the same debilitating depression that plagues Bryan. Unfortunately, just as Bryan is making giant strides with managing his depression, Greg's ex--as manipulative as he is abusive--takes a battered Bryan back to point A and threatens to destroy his relationship with Greg.
Jeff Erno
Tell us a little bit about how Two Dumb Jocks came to life. What inspired the story? Two Dumb Jocks is the fifth book of the Dumb Jock series. The original inspiration for the series was my own experience. Back in high school, I was sort of a literary geek. I volunteered as a tutor, and one of my pupils was a popular jock named Brett. At the time, I harbored an intense secret crush on him, and as I got older, I imagined what it would have been like if those feelings had been reciprocal. The original Dumb Jock became my first published novel and remains my most popular work. The couple Brett and Jeff are a middle-aged, happily married couple, and books 2,3,4,and 5 feature the next generation. The series will conclude with book six, which will focus again on the original couple, Brett and Jeff. Who is your favorite character and what makes them so memorable to you? Book six is about Bryan, a teenager from Brett and Jeff's home town, Boyne City Michigan. When Bryan comes out as gay, he's disowned by his religious parents, and Jeff and Brett invite him into their family in Tampa, Florida. Bryan relocates and begins attending school, but he faces numerous obstacles, his chronic depression not the least of them. He meets and falls in love with aspiring tennis pro, Greg, and together they face a whole new set of challenges. Bryan's one of my favorite characters because he's presented so realistically. He's flawed--very imperfect--and I couldn't help root for him. Tell us a little bit about yourself and what made you decide to write? I worked my entire life as a retail store manager, but at 30 years of age, I went through a series of tragedies. Several close family members and friends died, and I went through a serious bout with depression. I began writing stories, and the writing seemed to help. Originally I shared my stories free on an amateur website. Finally in 2009 I published my first novel. Now I write full time and have 36 published works. Any advice for aspiring authors? I'm not sure I'm qualified to offer advice. But I do think it's important to maintain a humble, unassuming attitude. I'm astonished that people have enjoyed my stories, and I thank God every day for this blessing. And I strive to continue honing my craft, become a better writer, and give my audience the kinds of stories they enjoy. Closing remarks... Thanks so much for featuring my work. It's a pleasure to participate.
You can visit Jeff Erno at Facebook or www.jefferno.com.
WIN THE BOOK NOW!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Two Dumb Jocks
[image error] Blurb:Rejected by his family for coming out, Bryan Helverson boards a plane for Tampa, Florida, where he plans to attend college. Brett and Jeff's family embrace him when he arrives, and his new "brothers," Adam and Trevor, help him assimilate into the community. While playing tennis with Trevor at the country club, Bryan meets aspiring pro tennis player Greg Lewis. But after a few minutes it's easy to see the arrogant jock is not on Bryan's menu, and he quickly dismisses the man. Forgetting he ever met Greg is not an option, though, when Bryan is hired as a waiter at the country club's restaurant, and Greg is assigned to train him. Unexpected romance blossoms just as Bryan discovers one of Greg's ex-boyfriends also works at the restaurant. Greg is not the person Bryan first took him for, though. His true ambition is to become a doctor. And as their romance grows serious, Bryan discovers Greg's mom suffers from the same debilitating depression that plagues Bryan. Unfortunately, just as Bryan is making giant strides with managing his depression, Greg's ex--as manipulative as he is abusive--takes a battered Bryan back to point A and threatens to destroy his relationship with Greg.
June 30, 2014
Author Spotlight - M. Raiya
#HTML8 {display: none;} #Q {text-align: left; line-height:150%; font-style:italic;} #A {text-align: left; margin-left: 2em;} #Close {text-align: center; font-style:italic;} #Para {text-align: left; text-indent: 25px;} It is my pleasure to introduce M. Raiya, author of Another Healing
M. Raiya
Tell us a little bit about how Another Healing came to life. What inspired the story? My novel, Another Healing, grew out of a horrific car accident that my family and I were in a few years ago. It involved two speeding tractor trailer trucks in the night and resulted in a broken collar bone for me and lots of bruises for everyone else. I was left with an intense fear of diesel engines rumbling in the dark, and that was what gave me the idea for the novel. One of my main characters, Ambient, is gravely injured at the beginning of the story from an accident with a truck, and a lot of what he went through was cathartic, in a way, for me.
I've also been fascinated with the concept of healing and what it might be like to live with the ability to ease people's pain and even save lives with just a touch. I imagined it would be a hard secret to keep. Hence James came into being. As I began to explore these ideas along with Ambient and James, I realized I had a novel on my hands. Who is your favorite character and what makes them so memorable to you? Oh, that's a hard question! I can't really chose a favorite between James and Ambient. I love them both. I think James is fascinating because he's trying to cope with the mysterious and sometimes terrifying gift he was born with and stay sane at the same time. And I love Ambient. He's a really and truly good person (though he'd be the first to deny it) who has horrible things happen to him and manages to keep his heart open to love despite it all. But of the minor characters, it's easy to pick my favorite. Jules is a Renaissance jewelry maker who had the misfortune to be born into the wrong era. I can imagine him saying, "Wouldst thou like to look over my wares, good people? Forsooth this diamond would grace your fingers fair... Oh, sorry, but not that one. It's promised to a comely young youth named Ambient!" Tell us a little bit about yourself and what made you decide to write? I live and write in northern Vermont surrounded by woods and streams and old stone walls. I've been a writer as long as I can remember, and I need to write as much as I need to breathe. I wrote my first novel when I was ten. (Notice I didn't say that I published my first novel when I was ten. That came a bit later.) Nature and nature photography are very important parts of who I am. And I also work with special needs high school kids. To relax, I love to swim or cuddle with my two kitties. Not to forget my husband or two daughters, of course. Any advice for aspiring authors? Well, my advice is that when you're ready to start submitting your stories to publishers, don't pick just one potential home for your words. Make a whole list. Send to your first choice first, but if it doesn't work out, send your story immediately to your second choice. Don't put yourself in a position to have to do more marketing research when you're understandably feeling discouraged. And while that story is out circulating, keep busy writing your next one. And don't ever give up! Closing remarks... Thank you so much for the opportunity to be a guest on your blog, Allison, and thank you everybody for reading!
You can visit M. Raiya at Facebook, Twitter, or blogspot.
WIN THE BOOK NOW!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Blurb:
When James first discovers he can heal, he thinks he has a rare and miraculous gift. But when he learns the price, it feels more like a curse. He falls passionately and completely in love with every person, male or female, he heals. But only until he heals again, when he becomes hotly infatuated with the next person. He doesn't dare express feelings he knows are only transitory or hold out hope anyone will love him back under those conditions. One night, he meets Ambient, the victim of a car accident, dying, his neck broken. James heals him despite knowing what is in store. He can't resist Ambient, and to his amazement, Ambient returns his feelings. Thinking Ambient has broken the curse, James heals the next injured person he comes across. To his joy, and confusion, he does not fall in love anew. If anything, his feelings toward Ambient intensify. Awash with the certainty that somehow, he and Ambient are meant for each other, they set out to learn the truth about James's strange power.
M. Raiya
Tell us a little bit about how Another Healing came to life. What inspired the story? My novel, Another Healing, grew out of a horrific car accident that my family and I were in a few years ago. It involved two speeding tractor trailer trucks in the night and resulted in a broken collar bone for me and lots of bruises for everyone else. I was left with an intense fear of diesel engines rumbling in the dark, and that was what gave me the idea for the novel. One of my main characters, Ambient, is gravely injured at the beginning of the story from an accident with a truck, and a lot of what he went through was cathartic, in a way, for me.
I've also been fascinated with the concept of healing and what it might be like to live with the ability to ease people's pain and even save lives with just a touch. I imagined it would be a hard secret to keep. Hence James came into being. As I began to explore these ideas along with Ambient and James, I realized I had a novel on my hands. Who is your favorite character and what makes them so memorable to you? Oh, that's a hard question! I can't really chose a favorite between James and Ambient. I love them both. I think James is fascinating because he's trying to cope with the mysterious and sometimes terrifying gift he was born with and stay sane at the same time. And I love Ambient. He's a really and truly good person (though he'd be the first to deny it) who has horrible things happen to him and manages to keep his heart open to love despite it all. But of the minor characters, it's easy to pick my favorite. Jules is a Renaissance jewelry maker who had the misfortune to be born into the wrong era. I can imagine him saying, "Wouldst thou like to look over my wares, good people? Forsooth this diamond would grace your fingers fair... Oh, sorry, but not that one. It's promised to a comely young youth named Ambient!" Tell us a little bit about yourself and what made you decide to write? I live and write in northern Vermont surrounded by woods and streams and old stone walls. I've been a writer as long as I can remember, and I need to write as much as I need to breathe. I wrote my first novel when I was ten. (Notice I didn't say that I published my first novel when I was ten. That came a bit later.) Nature and nature photography are very important parts of who I am. And I also work with special needs high school kids. To relax, I love to swim or cuddle with my two kitties. Not to forget my husband or two daughters, of course. Any advice for aspiring authors? Well, my advice is that when you're ready to start submitting your stories to publishers, don't pick just one potential home for your words. Make a whole list. Send to your first choice first, but if it doesn't work out, send your story immediately to your second choice. Don't put yourself in a position to have to do more marketing research when you're understandably feeling discouraged. And while that story is out circulating, keep busy writing your next one. And don't ever give up! Closing remarks... Thank you so much for the opportunity to be a guest on your blog, Allison, and thank you everybody for reading!
You can visit M. Raiya at Facebook, Twitter, or blogspot.
WIN THE BOOK NOW!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Another Healing
Blurb:When James first discovers he can heal, he thinks he has a rare and miraculous gift. But when he learns the price, it feels more like a curse. He falls passionately and completely in love with every person, male or female, he heals. But only until he heals again, when he becomes hotly infatuated with the next person. He doesn't dare express feelings he knows are only transitory or hold out hope anyone will love him back under those conditions. One night, he meets Ambient, the victim of a car accident, dying, his neck broken. James heals him despite knowing what is in store. He can't resist Ambient, and to his amazement, Ambient returns his feelings. Thinking Ambient has broken the curse, James heals the next injured person he comes across. To his joy, and confusion, he does not fall in love anew. If anything, his feelings toward Ambient intensify. Awash with the certainty that somehow, he and Ambient are meant for each other, they set out to learn the truth about James's strange power.
June 20, 2014
Author Spotlight - Tracey Steinbach
#HTML8 {display: none;} #Q {text-align: left; line-height:150%; font-style:italic;} #A {text-align: left; margin-left: 2em;} #Close {text-align: center; font-style:italic;} #Para {text-align: left; text-indent: 25px;} It is my pleasure to introduce Tracey Steinbach, author of Gunning for Marie
Tracey Steinback
Tell us a little bit about how Gunning for Marie came to life. What inspired the story? Gunning for Marie came to me in a dream. I saw the entire story unfold and when I woke up, I could barely contain my excitement. It was completely different from anything I've ever written before. Most of my other work is erotic but Marie is all about the action. Who is your favorite character and what makes them so memorable to you? That's hard to say. Marie, I guess. She's strong, smart and innocent when it comes to the opposite sex. She's a fearless leader and had earned the respect of her team members. Tell us a little bit about yourself and what made you decide to write? Writing happened by accident. Since I was a teenager, I wanted to read books for a living. I started with an online RPG group to fill some of my time while my kids were controlling the television (I can only handle so much Disney Channel and Nick Jr.) and my husband worked. Allison put out a call for submissions for an anthology and I figured "Why not. At least, if I'm terrible, she'll be nice about it." Any advice for aspiring authors? Don't give up. Don't take edits to heart. The editor's job is to make your piece better, not tear you down. Love what you're writing because if you don't, readers can tell. Closing remarks... Thank you for having me, Allison! And thank you to all of you who came to visit today!
You can visit Tracey at Facebook, Twitter, or her blog.
Learn more about Gunning for Marie at Rooster and Pig Publishing. WIN THE BOOK NOW!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Blurb:
Several years after the third World War, resources are scarce. The poor are poorer and the middle class doesn't exist anymore. A man with resources travels from city to town buying teenagers from desperate parents and orphanages. The teens are educated, fed and clothed as appropriate for their end purpose, Soldier or Breeder. A strong, young woman, Marie Rice, falls for Gunnar Lincoln. Their attraction is forbidden, Marie meant for someone else. Disturbing events on the island lead to Gunnar and Marie looking for a way to escape and save everyone else. While they bide their time, attraction turns to something stronger. Will they escape? Will they save the others?
Tracey Steinback
Tell us a little bit about how Gunning for Marie came to life. What inspired the story? Gunning for Marie came to me in a dream. I saw the entire story unfold and when I woke up, I could barely contain my excitement. It was completely different from anything I've ever written before. Most of my other work is erotic but Marie is all about the action. Who is your favorite character and what makes them so memorable to you? That's hard to say. Marie, I guess. She's strong, smart and innocent when it comes to the opposite sex. She's a fearless leader and had earned the respect of her team members. Tell us a little bit about yourself and what made you decide to write? Writing happened by accident. Since I was a teenager, I wanted to read books for a living. I started with an online RPG group to fill some of my time while my kids were controlling the television (I can only handle so much Disney Channel and Nick Jr.) and my husband worked. Allison put out a call for submissions for an anthology and I figured "Why not. At least, if I'm terrible, she'll be nice about it." Any advice for aspiring authors? Don't give up. Don't take edits to heart. The editor's job is to make your piece better, not tear you down. Love what you're writing because if you don't, readers can tell. Closing remarks... Thank you for having me, Allison! And thank you to all of you who came to visit today!
You can visit Tracey at Facebook, Twitter, or her blog.
Learn more about Gunning for Marie at Rooster and Pig Publishing. WIN THE BOOK NOW!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Gunning For Marie
Blurb:Several years after the third World War, resources are scarce. The poor are poorer and the middle class doesn't exist anymore. A man with resources travels from city to town buying teenagers from desperate parents and orphanages. The teens are educated, fed and clothed as appropriate for their end purpose, Soldier or Breeder. A strong, young woman, Marie Rice, falls for Gunnar Lincoln. Their attraction is forbidden, Marie meant for someone else. Disturbing events on the island lead to Gunnar and Marie looking for a way to escape and save everyone else. While they bide their time, attraction turns to something stronger. Will they escape? Will they save the others?
June 15, 2014
Author Spotlight - Kirsty Dallas
#HTML8 {display: none;} #Q {text-align: left; line-height:150%; font-style:italic;} #A {text-align: left; margin-left: 2em;} #Close {text-align: center; font-style:italic;} #Para {text-align: left; text-indent: 25px;} It is my pleasure to introduce Kirsty Dallas, author of Decker's Wood
Kirsty Dallas
Tell us a little bit about how Decker's Wood came to life. What inspired the story? My story was inspired by a picture of the actor Joe Manganiello, (well, he inspired the character, Decker Steele.) In the picture he had oozed so much confidence, but not arrogance, and his eyes held the promise of fun. Once the character started developing in my mind, the story kind of flowed on from there. Who is your favorite character and what makes them so memorable to you? I think Andi's gay neighbor, Casey, would have to be my favorite character in the book. He is so sweet, caring, quirky, fun, lovable and his character had so many crazy and spontaneous one liners. He went to so much trouble to explain to Andi the ins and outs of muffscaping. That\'s friendship right there! He was a lot of fun to write. Tell us a little bit about yourself and what made you decide to write? I started writing when I was around twelve and I had just seen The Never Ending Story at the movie theater. From that moment on I wanted to create new worlds to crawl inside and live. I am a dreamer, always have been and always will be. Any advice for aspiring authors? Be brave, not cautious when you write. And get a darn good editor! Closing remarks... I have been bombarded with the same question since the release of Decker's Wood. Will there be more porn star comedy romance? I really can't say for sure one way or another. There are ideas floating about my head for maybe another 2 books, but I'm not going to commit until I am 100% sure I have another spectacular book. What I can say for sure is there will be more comedy romance in the future. Apparently I don't suck at it.
You can visit Kirsty at Facebook, Twitter, or at Goodreads. WIN THE BOOK NOW!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Blurb:
Decker Steele had it made...Penthouse apartment, VIP parties, girls on tap. You see, Decker Steele is the Pornography Associations award winning, money making machine. But what does a self-confessed, pussy pounding warrior do when his prized package begins to fail? Freak the 'F' out, that's what! Andi Jennings is the socially inept, geeky and awkward cousin of Decker's best friend. Only she's not so geeky and awkward anymore. Now she's a smokin' hot country bumpkin, with a smokey voice made for phone sex, and a pair of hot as hell cowboy boots. Everyone adores her, my porn star buddies, my mom and dad, my 'equipment'. So, the prized package isn't so failing anymore, the catch is, it will only perform for Andi...My friend WITHOUT benefits. What will the prince of porn do? The girl or the career?
Kirsty Dallas
Tell us a little bit about how Decker's Wood came to life. What inspired the story? My story was inspired by a picture of the actor Joe Manganiello, (well, he inspired the character, Decker Steele.) In the picture he had oozed so much confidence, but not arrogance, and his eyes held the promise of fun. Once the character started developing in my mind, the story kind of flowed on from there. Who is your favorite character and what makes them so memorable to you? I think Andi's gay neighbor, Casey, would have to be my favorite character in the book. He is so sweet, caring, quirky, fun, lovable and his character had so many crazy and spontaneous one liners. He went to so much trouble to explain to Andi the ins and outs of muffscaping. That\'s friendship right there! He was a lot of fun to write. Tell us a little bit about yourself and what made you decide to write? I started writing when I was around twelve and I had just seen The Never Ending Story at the movie theater. From that moment on I wanted to create new worlds to crawl inside and live. I am a dreamer, always have been and always will be. Any advice for aspiring authors? Be brave, not cautious when you write. And get a darn good editor! Closing remarks... I have been bombarded with the same question since the release of Decker's Wood. Will there be more porn star comedy romance? I really can't say for sure one way or another. There are ideas floating about my head for maybe another 2 books, but I'm not going to commit until I am 100% sure I have another spectacular book. What I can say for sure is there will be more comedy romance in the future. Apparently I don't suck at it.
You can visit Kirsty at Facebook, Twitter, or at Goodreads. WIN THE BOOK NOW!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Decker's Wood
Blurb:Decker Steele had it made...Penthouse apartment, VIP parties, girls on tap. You see, Decker Steele is the Pornography Associations award winning, money making machine. But what does a self-confessed, pussy pounding warrior do when his prized package begins to fail? Freak the 'F' out, that's what! Andi Jennings is the socially inept, geeky and awkward cousin of Decker's best friend. Only she's not so geeky and awkward anymore. Now she's a smokin' hot country bumpkin, with a smokey voice made for phone sex, and a pair of hot as hell cowboy boots. Everyone adores her, my porn star buddies, my mom and dad, my 'equipment'. So, the prized package isn't so failing anymore, the catch is, it will only perform for Andi...My friend WITHOUT benefits. What will the prince of porn do? The girl or the career?
June 6, 2014
Lexi Ander ~ Fal'Amorics, The Galaxies Best Kept Secret.
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Fal'Amorics, The Galaxy's Best Kept Secret Thank you Allison for having on the blog today! I thought I would talk about the Fal'Amorics, the race that Zeus descended from.
In Alpha Trine, we learn Zeus was not as human as many had thought him to be. With the restrictive ban on Terrens who travel through the galaxies, it wasn't surprising that Zeus was mistaken for human so often. When I was world building, I had to consider how many races would be able to identify the Fal'Amorics. Traditionally, their home was on Valespia, not becoming a nomadic people until thirty years before. From them came the Bespoken who formed part of the Triumphant that managed the grid. You would think that everyday people would know what the Fal'Amorics looked like, sense one was a Galactic Emperor. What about how the race disappeared from their planet, with no one realizing they were missing until after the fact? How would galactic imperials go about locating a people who didn't want to be found? Could it even be done? How was it the humans could find the Fal'Amoric when the Galactic Emperors had trouble? I had to consider. If all the people in the neighborhood down the road began to vacate, when would the average person notice? If a people in another part of the world, say the amazon, weren't heard from for a while, when would someone notice they were gone? What kind of news would it cause? Would the news reach my part of the globe? Are the farming people in the next galaxy over going to care? 
The Fal'Amorics lived unobtrusively in their self-sustaining small communities in a jungle. Their royal family provides a Bespoken every three hundred years or so. Their foot print on the galaxy is small. They are unique in that they are blenders, carrying the DNA of more than one race. They are intersex, hermaphrodites, often born with both male and female sexual organs and selecting the pronoun they wished to be referred to as at a young age. They are also chimeras, where their children can have DNA from up to six separate parents... but these are not commodities they sell or even advertise. If they left over a period of time, with the help of others to hide their exodus, they could effectually disappear. As for how the Terrens were able to systematically capture the Fal'Amoric, well, that's the Bespoken's story to tell, not Zeus's. :) I hope you enjoyed this peek into the Valespia-verse and found it to be informative, insightful, and fun. Thank you for stopping by and reading! Attached is the blog tour schedule. Striker's release date is Wednesday, June 4th at Less Than Three Press. The giveaway ends at midnight, June 7th. 
June 1st – Hearts On Fire Reviews ~ Striker: The next leg of the journey, Atlainticia, the Ancients, and Alpha June 2nd – Ethan Stone ~ The Makings of a Warrior June 3rd – Prism Book Alliance ~ Antiheroes June 4th – GGR Reviews ~ You Sunk My Battle Ship! June 5th – Piper Vaughn ~ Mixing Sci-Fi and Fantasy, Is It Still Sci-Fi? June 6th – Read The Rainbow ~ Building Valespia-Verse, What Readers Don't See June 7th – Allison Cassatta ~ Fal'Amorics, The Galaxies Best Kept Secret. Feeling lucky? Enter to win a Kindle Fire or a Copy of Striker! About Striker BLURB: The peaceful respite for which Zeus and his intended, Dargon and Alpha, had been hoping is shattered when Zeus is unexpectedly drawn to the Waters of Poseidon and told that the safety they’ve been promised is a trap. But the Fal’Amoric aren’t the only important cargo on the Oethra 7, and countless others are depending on the success of their mission. If Zeus hopes to break the silent siege on Valespia and protect those most precious to him, he will need not just powerful allies but the fortitude to survive overwhelming odds.
a Rafflecopter giveaway About Lexi AnderLexi has always been an avid reader, and at a young age started reading (secretly) her mother’s romances (the ones she was told not to touch). She was the only teenager she knew of who would be grounded from reading. Later, with a pencil and a note book, she wrote her own stories and shared them with friends because she loved to see their reactions. A Texas transplant, Lexi now kicks her boots up in the Midwest with her Yankee husband and her eighty-pound puppies named after vacuum cleaners. Web site: http://www.lexiander.com/index.html Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexi.ander.9 Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/LexiAnder1 Blog: http://lexiander.blogspot.com/ E-mail: lexi.ander.author@gmail.com GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... Booklikes: http://lexiander9.booklikes.com/ Tumblr: http://lexiander.tumblr.com/
Fal'Amorics, The Galaxy's Best Kept Secret Thank you Allison for having on the blog today! I thought I would talk about the Fal'Amorics, the race that Zeus descended from.
In Alpha Trine, we learn Zeus was not as human as many had thought him to be. With the restrictive ban on Terrens who travel through the galaxies, it wasn't surprising that Zeus was mistaken for human so often. When I was world building, I had to consider how many races would be able to identify the Fal'Amorics. Traditionally, their home was on Valespia, not becoming a nomadic people until thirty years before. From them came the Bespoken who formed part of the Triumphant that managed the grid. You would think that everyday people would know what the Fal'Amorics looked like, sense one was a Galactic Emperor. What about how the race disappeared from their planet, with no one realizing they were missing until after the fact? How would galactic imperials go about locating a people who didn't want to be found? Could it even be done? How was it the humans could find the Fal'Amoric when the Galactic Emperors had trouble? I had to consider. If all the people in the neighborhood down the road began to vacate, when would the average person notice? If a people in another part of the world, say the amazon, weren't heard from for a while, when would someone notice they were gone? What kind of news would it cause? Would the news reach my part of the globe? Are the farming people in the next galaxy over going to care? The Fal'Amorics lived unobtrusively in their self-sustaining small communities in a jungle. Their royal family provides a Bespoken every three hundred years or so. Their foot print on the galaxy is small. They are unique in that they are blenders, carrying the DNA of more than one race. They are intersex, hermaphrodites, often born with both male and female sexual organs and selecting the pronoun they wished to be referred to as at a young age. They are also chimeras, where their children can have DNA from up to six separate parents... but these are not commodities they sell or even advertise. If they left over a period of time, with the help of others to hide their exodus, they could effectually disappear. As for how the Terrens were able to systematically capture the Fal'Amoric, well, that's the Bespoken's story to tell, not Zeus's. :) I hope you enjoyed this peek into the Valespia-verse and found it to be informative, insightful, and fun. Thank you for stopping by and reading! Attached is the blog tour schedule. Striker's release date is Wednesday, June 4th at Less Than Three Press. The giveaway ends at midnight, June 7th. June 1st – Hearts On Fire Reviews ~ Striker: The next leg of the journey, Atlainticia, the Ancients, and Alpha June 2nd – Ethan Stone ~ The Makings of a Warrior June 3rd – Prism Book Alliance ~ Antiheroes June 4th – GGR Reviews ~ You Sunk My Battle Ship! June 5th – Piper Vaughn ~ Mixing Sci-Fi and Fantasy, Is It Still Sci-Fi? June 6th – Read The Rainbow ~ Building Valespia-Verse, What Readers Don't See June 7th – Allison Cassatta ~ Fal'Amorics, The Galaxies Best Kept Secret. Feeling lucky? Enter to win a Kindle Fire or a Copy of Striker! About Striker BLURB: The peaceful respite for which Zeus and his intended, Dargon and Alpha, had been hoping is shattered when Zeus is unexpectedly drawn to the Waters of Poseidon and told that the safety they’ve been promised is a trap. But the Fal’Amoric aren’t the only important cargo on the Oethra 7, and countless others are depending on the success of their mission. If Zeus hopes to break the silent siege on Valespia and protect those most precious to him, he will need not just powerful allies but the fortitude to survive overwhelming odds. a Rafflecopter giveaway About Lexi AnderLexi has always been an avid reader, and at a young age started reading (secretly) her mother’s romances (the ones she was told not to touch). She was the only teenager she knew of who would be grounded from reading. Later, with a pencil and a note book, she wrote her own stories and shared them with friends because she loved to see their reactions. A Texas transplant, Lexi now kicks her boots up in the Midwest with her Yankee husband and her eighty-pound puppies named after vacuum cleaners. Web site: http://www.lexiander.com/index.html Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexi.ander.9 Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/LexiAnder1 Blog: http://lexiander.blogspot.com/ E-mail: lexi.ander.author@gmail.com GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... Booklikes: http://lexiander9.booklikes.com/ Tumblr: http://lexiander.tumblr.com/
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