Shannan Albright's Blog, page 37

Author Spotlight's RM Sotera

I have the pleasure of knowing RM Sotera personally and was thrilled when she took time out of her busy schedule to do this interview. So grab your coffee or tea, sit back and enjoy meeting this very talented author.
Do you do anything to get you into the zone to write? 
RM: Yes, I do different things for different scenes, however, music in my ear is a necessity for every scene I write.  When I'm writing a romantic scene (with lots of down and dirty sex) I listen to Barry White.  For lighter scenes I toss in Nelson or a mix tape.
 Which authors inspire your writing? 
RM: I would have to say that my inspiration comes in the form of many different authors.  I like YA authors, Rachael Caine and Cassandra Clare, as well as, women's authors like Anne Rice, Alyssa Day, Jeanine Frost and Sherrilyn Kenyon.  I also love Tim Dorsey.  I'm very eclectic.

What is your favorite book, character and why? RM:  My favorite book that I've written is Cassadaga Moon – scheduled to release from Siren/Bookstrand in January.  I love the character of Mia Christini, a good Catholic girl gone wild.  I think she reminds me of myself in many ways.  Second choice would have to be Brandi Lui – heroine in my Dirty Valkyrie and Dirty Immortals on Holiday novellas.  She is a kick-ass woman and is sexy in every sense of the word.
Do you prefer to write erotic or sweet? 
RM: I prefer to write in-between.   I like the burning inferno mode.
Humm don't we all? But enough of that. Which famous person, living or dead, are you drawn to? 
RM: I would have loved to have met Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement.  His drive and determination to see change shows that when you push dreams can become reality.  This stands true in every area of life I believe.  And I know my next choice of a person is going to seem off the wall – but I would have like to have met the Marquis De Sade.  Yeah…I know. JNow THAT is very interesting....
Where do you see yourself in five years? 
RM: I hope in five years my writing career is going strong, and that I am able to sit back and breathe a bit.  Ultimate goal would to see my name in print on the New York Times best-sellers list.  Just imagine…Oh yeah, I'm right there with you on that one Lady.
Finish this sentence: I know I've made it when...
RM:  I can write all the time, and I'm making a living at it. 
What advice would you give aspiring writers? 
RM: Keep writing.  When every door is slammed in your face keep pushing forward.  Hell, break down that damned door if you must, just get through it!
What do you see yourself writing in the future?
RM Paranormal romance – it's my thing, my niche.
If you could have one superpower what would it be and why? 
RM: If I had one superpower it would be—at this moment in time—to clone myself just so I could do all the things I need to do when they need done.When you find out how can I use your superpower on me too? Lol!
What time of the day are you at your best to write? 
RM: I write the best in the early am hours.  We're talking between 3-5 am.  It's when my muse, Styxx, comes to visit and whispers in my ear.  The house is quiet and comfy.

And now for something completely different…

What do you look at first with an attractive man or woman, face, body or smile? 
RM: I'm a hair person. LOL
Explain your perfect day. 
RM: My perfect day starts with sneaking into my son's room and listening to his breathing before I start to get ready for work. He is my pride and joy and sometimes I still can't believe he's my child.  Then I head to my room to get ready for work.  After what I hope is a great day at work, I head home to spend the eve with my family – enjoy a family dinner- and then do it all over again!  Knowing those that I love are happy is what makes my day perfect! J
What is the most decadent desert you can't say no to? 
RM: Key lime pie!
Do you have a favorite holiday what is it and what makes it special to you? 
RM: My favorite holiday is Halloween.  I love the costumes and the scary movies. 
What key words describe you best? 
RM: Sensitive – Spunky – Compassionate – Humorous – Shy - Content

Alright everyone RM Sotera is having a giveaway!!!!
  I will give one special reader a set of my Dirty series, Dirty Dancer – Dirty Deed – Dirty Valkyrie – Dirty Immortals on Holiday.

How do they enter to win?  They can reply to this interview via Shannon's site with what they think the initials RM mean in my name. Be sure to put your email address in the message. When will you be announcing the winner?  I will announce the winner via my facebook page and Shannon's site.
Website Facebook  Twitter Wild West Weekend Blog RM Sotera's Blog
LVRW: http://www.lvrw.org/lvrw/index.htm
 Information on her book can be found here:Book Blurb with Buy or publisher link
Dirty Series
http://www.extasybooks.com/index.php?route=product%2Fsearch&option_id=1&keyword=R.+M.+Sotera






Pick Me Up Monday and GIVEAWAYS!!!

Happy Monday!
The weather outside may be frightful, but holly cow! It sure is sweltering looking at this!

Hope everyone had a great week. I am putting the finishing touches on Passions Flight then off to Evernight it goes! You may have noticed I've got a lot of activity going on these days on my blog. I've started Author Spotlight Thursday and Lilith Duvalier gave away her latest book out on Friday last week. Congratulations Ju Dimello!

This Thursday we have another give away with my guest RM Sotera so be sure to stop by and leave comments.

I have also started giving snippets of my books on my blog on Friday and Sundays so you can have a little taste of what is coming next.

I also am in a blog hop starting Monday 11/14 through 11/21 called "Save a Turkey: Gobble a Book" I will be giving away PDF's of Dark Passion Rising, Beloved Wizard AND a $15.00 Amazon Gift Card so be sure to leave LOTS of comments to win!  I also will be on The Romance Studio's Thanksgiving Day Party where you have another chance to win a PDF of Beloved Wizard. That starts 11/19/11 through 11/22/11.

Whew, and it isn't even December yet! Well, back to work everyone have a fantastic week!

Six Sentence Sunday



It's Sunday and time for another Six from Passions Flight!


Moisture pooled between her legs, her dry throat made her voice sound breathless, barely more than a whisper in a strong wind. "Why, you don't like me."  She repeated, some part of her mind refusing to let it go. His mouth lifted showing a flash of straight white teeth and her stomach did a strange flip. "Not the problem, never was." His voice dropped low, his words swam in her head making her feel dizzy with a light giddiness that took her completely by surprise.


Be sure to see all the tatalizing six sentences at

http://www.sixsunday.com/

Weekend Dirty Dozen

 Here is another 12 from Dark Passion Rising: A Dark Breed Novel
Things go from bad to worse for our hero Marcus as he grapples with the knowledge that Tambra could very well be his Consort. His mussings are short lived though when he walks right into an ambush.

six figures moved out of the shadows to face him. He saw two vampires among the Weres as they circled around him. Ferals, he thought with disgust. Crouching low, he prepared for battle, knowing he was outnumbered, which was how he liked it. His lips twisted into a cold smile as he nodded at one particularlylarge Were. pulled one of his daggers free of its sheath. There was no more time for talk as the Weres attacked with a flash of teeth and claws.

Enjoy all of the Dirty Dozen excerpts at Weekend Dirty Dozen He would not even think it. Fate could not be so cruel as to give him a Consort he could never have. Tambra belonged to another and that was the end of it. A movement out of the corner of his eye drew his attention in time to see a figure duck between a house and vacant lot. Curiosity made him move forward until he stood looking down the long walkway between the house and the lot. At the end of the walkway,

Author Spotlight's Lilith Duvalier

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I want to welcome Lilith Duvalier to my blog today. She has a wonderful giveaway in store for you today. There will be a bit more on that in a while. Right now lets grab our coffees, settle into your comfy chair and chat with this Eclectic and talented Lady.
Do you do anything to get you into the zone to write?
      I work in my room, so I tidy it up, make my bed and sometimes light a couple of candles. There also has to be music. I go nuts in the quiet.
Which authors inspire your writing?
     It doesn't come across at all in "The Promise of Silk", but the authors that inspire me most are Terry Pratchett and Joss Whedon. I'm hoping to bring some of that style to the book I'm working on now, "All About The Dress".     What is your favorite book, character and why?
     Lancelot DuLac from "The Once and Future King" because he's the most perfectly        written imperfect character ever. TH White gives him this tragic self loathing as his motivation for trying to be the perfect knight and manages to write every single character, even someone as evil as Mordred, as a real human being with reasons to feel bad for them, even when they are doing evil.
Do you prefer to write erotic or sweet?
     I prefer to write erotic. Sex is a transformed force and I like exploring the way it changes characters and how they interact with each other.

Which famous person, living or dead, are you drawn to?
     I am so jealous of and impressed with Chris Colfer. He's just ridiculously talented and incredible and, at three years younger than me, has accomplished everything I ever want to do in life, while still seeming to be pretty well put together.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
     In five years I would like to be a full time freelance writer, and maybe teaching some kind of community or adjunct class. Or I would like my part-time theater job to go full-time. Or I would like to be in grad school.
Finish this sentence: I know I've made it when –

     people leave me reviews like "this isn't my thing, but I liked it anyway.

What advice would you give aspiring writers?
     Read. Write. Read some more. Write some more. Write for fun, write for practice just keep writing. I also found this nano exercise that I love where you write a list of things that you love in books, and a list of things that you hate in books, which is a nice way to get a grip on what you want to write about.
What do you see yourself writing in the future?
     I have an m/m historical western nearly done and the project I have lined up  after that I'm calling a "gender-queer" romance, and it's about a few heterosexual people who find themselves in situations where gender and sexuality get a little fluid. The alpha male character has a secret and the another character finds himself embarking on a somewhat unconventional relationship. It's a contemporary and a little bit of a comedy.
If you could have one superpower what would it be and why?
     I want to be able to teleport. Commuting is the worst thing in the entire world.             Also, then I could sell my car and not have to take the bus.
What time of the day are you at your best to write?     From 11-2 at night. I can double a whole days worth of writing in those three hours.  I am constantly exhausted.        

                                          And now for something completely different…

What do you look at first with an attractive man or woman, face, body or smile?
     The thing that makes me go – oh wow- when I guy walks into a room is definitely his eye brows and cheek bones, preferably with black hair, but the thing that makes a guy continue to seem attractive is his smile and his laugh.
Explain your perfect day.
     A snow day, preferably with at least one friend snowed in at my place. Then a whole day of Buffy and cookies and wine. Possibly a nap and some writing.
What is the most decadent desert you can't say no to?
     I had a friend at one point who would randomly show up at my apartment with             pans and ingredients and make things, like some sort of pasta and booze elf. He once showed up at midnight with a blender one time and made us these amazing chocolate, rum, khalua shakes that we have never been able to recreate.
Do you have a favorite holiday what is it and what makes it special to you?
     Christmas. I like doing the family and food thing.
What key words describe you best?
     Daydreamy. Tired. Analytical.


Here is a small taste of her book The Promise of Silk

Blurb:
An airship pirate who ran away from his soul crushing London life, finds himself at an infamously decadent carnival out in the English countryside. A fellow pirate does his best to convince him to go and sample the lovely women of The Row, but Buck isn't sure he ever wants a woman again.
That is until a mysterious woman in a red dress and mask sits down across from him, entrancing him instantly. He follows her back to her red silk tent, where she puts him through his paces, whetting his appetite for more erotic delights. Each time he returns, she brings him further beyond his boundaries, while learning that he can help her break her bonds.  Excerpt: A small white hand appeared to one side of the tent flap and pulled it aside. The masked woman stood, still and silent, with the red silk of the tent flap draped over her arm. She said nothing.            She did look like a demon now, with deep shadows carved into the ruches of her dress by the far off carnival lights, her mask rising over her head like devil's horns. Buck hesitated under her stony gaze, and then, with a gulp, he stepped out of the light and into the black interior of the tent.             A spicy, sweet smell filled his lungs the instant he stepped inside. He wondered why he hadn't been able to smell it from the outside but continued in, shuffling carefully in the darkness. The woman walked behind him, the fabric of her dress making a soft sound as it moved over the ground.            "Who are you?" he asked. She didn't answer. There was a light scraping noise and a match flared in the darkness, illuminating her face and throwing the edges of her mask into sharp relief. She lit a candle, shedding light on nothing more than a stretch of red silk and the corner of a table, then stepped forward and lit another candle, bringing a muddled shape of something standing on the table into view. She walked farther into the room, lighting another candle every few steps. Buck stood by the tent opening, heart throbbing as though he were still running. Bit by bit, the room came into view.             A rug was spread out over most of the bare ground, grass peeking around the edges of it. A large wooden box sat on top of it, occupying the entire middle of the tent. A small wooden vanity, with a large round mirror attached, stood against the back wall, directly across from the box. A few trunks were neatly arranged in a corner. The table with the statue of the woman on it, incense burning in front of it like it was an Eastern idol, was near the tent entrance.              The Red Lady stood across from Buck, eyes drilling into him just as they had at the pub.             "Tell me your name." Her voice was soft, deep, and steady.  It was like a river speaking.             "Buck."            She tilted her head, the corners of her mouth tipping upward in contrast to the dripping points of her mask. "Tell me your real name."            "Alaric," Buck admitted. He hadn't used it since that last day at the factory. Alaric was a clerk and a doormat. Buck had some status, even if it was only among criminals. He had gone out of his way to make sure none of his fellow pirates ever found out he wasn't called Buck. Not that pirates bothered about a man's real name.              The Red Lady's expression returned to blank beneath the mask.                  "What's your name?" Alaric asked.             "I haven't decided what you'll call me yet."            His heart beat picked up again, and a tremor started in his legs.            "Why did you follow me here, Alaric?"            He shrugged, not sure of the answer. "Well…this is The Row isn't it?"            "It is."            "And you're a woman on the Row right?"            She didn't reply. Alaric felt his face heating, a faint prickle starting in his cock despite it.  This was worse than in China, when that beautiful girl pretended to react to his clumsy fumbling and then tried not to laugh when he paid her for an hour and only lasted a handful of minutes.            "Look, my ship's just back from a long tour. I can pay you."            "We'll see," the Lady said, a small smile quirking her lips up. "You've accompanied a prostitute before?"            "Of course." He pointed at himself with a touch of bravado. "Pirate."            The Red Lady let a silence land there, stretching out before him.            "Just once."            "It didn't go well."            Now she was reading his mind. He should go, simply turn around, leave, and never see a prostitute again. Maybe she really was a demon. Maybe the mask was hiding the demon parts of her face.              His mind was trying to move his limbs, turn his feet, push him out the door, but his body was entranced. The tremor in his legs climbed up to his groin, making him very aware of the way the dim candle light moved across her rounded body.             "No."            "Why didn't it go well, Alaric?"            His mouth was starting to go dry. His hands were beginning to shake.             "She laughed at me," he told her, dropping his eyes to the floor.            "Why?"            "Because I…I couldn't, I didn't…," He stopped, gulped, wondered again what magic he had run across.            "Look at me when you speak, Alaric."            He lifted his gaze up from the pattern of pomegranates running along the border of the red rug and met her shadowed eyes.             "I couldn't.... I barely got inside her before…."            The Red Lady didn't reply. Alaric suffered a terrible moment of fear she would throw him right back out of her tent and let him find a lower class prostitute who would welcome a quick trick like him between the carnival crowd.             "Fortunately, that won't be a problem here," the Red Lady told him, a smile spreading over her red lips. "Undo your trousers, Alaric."Available through Evernight Publishing : The Promise of Silk

                                                        Now for the Giveaway! 
Lilith has graciously offered a copy of her new release The Promise of Silk
How do they enter to win?

Simply go to Lilith's blog Look on in Lust leave her a comment under her "enter to win" post. She will announce the winner on Friday 11/4/11.


Good Luck everyone and have a great day

Monday Pick Me Up and Giveaway 11/1/11!

      Happy Monday! Here is a little something to get your heart pumping.          I have exciting news. You will be seeing a lot more of me starting this week. I've started Authors Spotlight. Every Thursday you will be treated to not only some extraordinarily talented authors but most will be running giveaways of their releases, giving you a chance to win! First up is Lilith Duvalier. She will be giving way a copy of one of her new releases and I can promise you it is a scorcher and then some! Be sure to stop by my blog Thursday 11/3/11 and see how to win a copy of this book. In other news my novella Beloved Wizard releases through Extasy on Tuesday 11/1/11. Yes their will be chances to win a PDF copy of this first in an eight part series. I'm also working the final edits on Passions Flight: A Dark Breed Novel. This is Tegans story and I'm very excited about this one. I hope to have a release date for you sometime in November so hang tight. There will be big, BIG contests involved with this one I can assure you.
In other news I'm working on two novellas right now for the Knights of Excalibur that follow Beloved Wizard plus beefing up my Dark Summoning: The Sentential Series for a big publisher who is wanting a read through early next year. I have a lot of other works in progress and hope to have lots to talk about in the coming months. Right now it's time to gear up for the release of Beloved Wizard and one place where you can get your copy will be at The Romance Studio Thanksgiving Party starting 11/19 - 11/22.
You can also catch me on Weekend Dirty Dozen on Fridays and of course Six Sentence Sunday on Sundays, where you can catch snippets of my up coming books and for some of you who haven't read Dark Passion Rising  you can get a sneak peek.
Have a fantastic week!

Six Sentence Sunday

Welcome to another 6 from Passions Flight

Looks like Tegan and Kyra are enjoying a little excersise at the ferals expense.

The feral dodged in low, aiming for her legs, in an attempt to seperate her from Tegans protection. With a  quick shift to the side, she flipped the knife into her other hand, the ferals forward momentum carried him past her and she plunged the blade deep into his back  twisting it with all her strength. Pulling it out as the feral fell to her feet she widened her stance and bent her knees, giving the other wolf a pinky wave ,she smiled sweetly. "Want to play?""Damn woman, I was just about ready to take back my knife, afraid you would stab me by mistake." Tegan gave her a quick grin, approval showing in the wicked gleam of his eyes.


Dont forget to check out all the wonderful 6's at Six Sentence Sunday

Weekend Dirty Dozen

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                                               Welcome to my first Weekend Dirty Dozen!

I'll kick things off with the first of my Dark Breed books Dark Passion Rising. A Paranormal Romance/ Uban Fantasy.

Here is the Blurb:Tambra Ellis has just had her world turned upside down! Surviving a bite from a Lycan, attracted to one hot vampire guy and now she has to look forward to turning into something from some bad werewolf movie.           Marcus Valerian has enough on his plate without the added complication of Tambra Ellis. Fiery and independent? Sure. Beautiful with a body made for sin? Oh Yeh. And a human cop. Tambra is everything he needs to stay away from.    As leader of the Tribunal's enforcers it's up to him to find out why the Dark Breeds are going feral and killing humans in ever increasing numbers. Tambra's life is in the balance as the secrets of her past place her in the middle of old deceits and a betrayal that will change the world forever.     Will Marcus and Tambra's love survive or will it be too late.
It's available in ebook through Evernight Publishing at .99 for a limited time onlyShannan Albright Evernight Publishing 
Also available through Amazon


My Dirty Dozen
     "No.  I don't believe this.  I won't believe it.  There has to be some logical explanation for what I saw."  The sharp edge of hysteria rose in her voice.  "I will not turn into a dog.   I don't even like dogs."     That made him smile despite the seriousness of the situation.  She was absolutely adorable and he was in deep shit because of it.  Yet, he couldn't seem to make himself care. "Wolf, not dog.  You were bitten by a Lycan, not Lassie."

Be sure to check out all the wonderful authors at Weekend Dirty Dozen

Pick Me Up Monday

Happy Monday Everyone!
I hope everyone had a great week. With summer becoming a distant memory I thought it would be nice to have a little sun and sand, of course a gorgeous man to stare at sure doesn't hurt either. 
I'm a week and a day away from the release of Beloved Wizard. Due out 11/1/11 and very excited about it! If you like Arthurian legends I think this novella is sure to please. It's part of an eight book series called The Knights of Excalibur and it's full of all kinds of yummy men, strong women and dastardly villains. I'm working on the second and third installment right now so I'll have tons of upcoming information for you in the upcoming weeks and perhaps some small excerpts coming on Six Sentence Sunday so check back often.
I'm waiting for edits on Passions Flight: A Dark Breed Novel and as soon as they get back to me I'll be sending it on to my publisher so there will be even more upcoming news on that as well. With so much going on you would think I didn't have time to do anything else. Wrong. I'm also working on two other manuscripts that I think you will truly enjoy. The first is tentatively called Dark Summoning:The Sentinel Series and a second Series in development.
In other news I am starting Authors Spotlight where I showcase authors with new releases. I know how exciting it is for me to find new talent to add to my reading list and am excited to let you know every Thursday starting in November you will find either an interview or blog from these talented Ladies of romance. I will have the line up for you next week in time for my first guest to make her appearance. I'm very excited about this and in some cases they will also hold a special giveaway. Humm free goodies? That is worth coming by and checking out right?
Well back to work and have a fantastic week!

Pick Me Up Monday

Happy Monday everyone.
Hope you are having a great start to your week. This pic came to me via my smart phone and Lordy! My knees almost gave out. Something about Tall, dark and ripped...sigh.
I have finally FINALLY finished Tegans book Passions Flight and is in final edits/ read through with a dear and highly talented friend of mine. C.R. Moss. Once I get it back in my hot little hands it's off to Evernight so stay tuned for more information on this yummy Dark Breed installment.  I am awaiting edits for Beloved Wizard due out on  November 1, 20011 and I will be having a contest to celebrate it's release. Some lucky person will get to be the first to read the first installment in the Knights of Excalibur in PDF format.
Now off to wrap up the second novella of the Knights of Excalibur and start work on Zeke's book which will be the third in the Dark Breed series.
For those who are wondering what the heck happened with The Summoning I wanted to let you know it's being beefed up with lots of twists sure to please. If you like angels, demons, mages and all things supernatural you will like this one. I'm hoping to have news regarding it's release and with who sometime in the spring. This is a book I've been writing for three years and has changed hundreds of time before it settled into it's recent reincarnation. And yes for those who are still resistant to e readers this is being submitted to a Publisher who deals in paperbacks so you will be able to get it at your nearest bookstore. (Doing a happy dance.) More on this to come.
So I'll say good-bye for now and we will see you next Monday.
Have a fantastic week!