Xondra Day's Blog, page 9

My Thoughts About What I Write

I cruise Goodreads like a lot of other authors do. At times since I've joined the site it has annoyed the hell out of me, but for the most part I do enjoy it thought I don't go on their every single day.

I'm going to talk a bit about reviews. Today I got two for my latest m/m. One was from a review site and it was positive while the other was from a reader and negative but constructive. Like any other author, I love getting positive reviews. I'd be crazy if I didn't, but it was the negative review that made me think about what I write in general and why I write it.

Since I've started writing I've had a couple of readers contact me via Facebook PM and through my author email. One questioned me about my less than noble characters and why I write them. A couple of reviews have again brought this issue up. My characters often have sex with other people outside of their relationships. In Menage on the Prairie, the hero had the heroine come to him by missleading her. In Apples to Oranges, Jace fools around with another guy, but is interested in another and doesn't tell him even after they get together. This is a big no for some readers and to top things off, most of my endings are HFN(Happy for now).

I understand that romance/erotic romance readers want an escape. Most want the happily ever after. It's rare for me to write that. I write what I like to read. I love m/m and I read a ton of it. I like quirkier stories with characters who are leave me thinking and if they don't run off into the sunset with each other that's okay with me. I also draw from my own real life experience. I am not a gay man of course and I've never been in a menage relationship, but I have been cheated on and found myself in some pretty strange situations over the years. I think this often rolls over into my writing. Saying that, I have found the man of my dreams and married him(Yay!).

I hope this offers a little insight to my readers who have had questions about what I write or for those who have had a WTF moment when they've finished something of mine.



XD

Interview with K. Williams

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XD- I'm always interested in the path a writer takes to becoming an author. Tell us about yours.
K- I've been writing for a long time, ever since I was a child. I was never very confident in my work and though being an author was a dream of mine, I never tried for it. My husband was the one that demanded I at least try to get something published. So, I did, and I'd say so far it's going pretty well.
XD- What inspired you to write Hero?
K- Well, I was listening to one of my favorite bands, Rise Against. The song Hero of War came on. It's a very emotional, raw song that deals with the painful realities of war. It put a scene in my head and I wrote the whole thing around that one scene.
XD- What advice would you give to budding authors?
K- I honestly have no idea. I'm still a budding author. I guess, I would say, just do what you love to do and don't get caught up in things that don't really matter.
XD- What's the one thing you can't live without?
K- I'd have to say a laptop with Internet access. Because with it, I can still write and stay in contact with friends and family, which are very high on my list of priorities.
XD- Cats or dogs?

K- Oh, that's tough because I have both. I'm gonna have to say cats though. Because my dog thinks he's a cat.
XD- What's next on your writing agenda and where do you envision yourself in a year?
K- Next on the agenda is a M/M werewolf story I just started working on. In a year, well hopefully I'll be closer to done with my degree in social work. I'd like to have a few more books out. Hopefully the husband and I (if he's not deployed) will be in a spot where we can start talking about starting a family.
XD- Sounds great and I wish you luck with all your endeavours. I'd also like to thank you for taking the time to be interviewed. It was a pleasure.
K. Williams can be reached online at: http://khwkitten2010.blogspot.ca/ and her newest release, Hero is also available on Amazon, Bookstrand, and All Romance.

Release Day: Apples to Oranges

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Today's the release day for my latest MM, Apples to Oranges. If you like stories about young love and coming out, this one will appeal to you. I'd also like to take the chance to thanks my readers. Without readers authors would not exist. Thanks :)
Apples to Oranges is also available at Bookstrand, Amazon, All Romance and other third party retailers.

Product DescriptionWhen bad boy, Brandon, moves to eighteen year old Jace's small-town, Jace’s life is suddenly turned upside down.

During the last year, Jace has experienced a lot of loss. His dad's untimely death in Afghanistan and his mom's subsequent nervous breakdown have left a lasting impact on him, and meeting Brandon gives him hope for the future. Jace is ready to make big changes in his otherwise mundane life. He's at a pinnacle and can’t help but think what it would be like to come out.

Brandon's life has been nothing but chaos from day one. That is until he meets straight-laced Jace. Jace stirs feelings within him that are new and exciting. And after a hot unexpected night together, he’s left with questions that desperately need answering.

As their feelings grow for each another, they come to a bridge that must be crossed. Is their love enough to keep them together or will their differences tear them apart?

Excerpt:
Brandon was right about the weather. In less than an hour it was pissing down rain. Mike and a few others, including Brandon, had taken to the van.By nine, Jace had the flashlight out and was reading a book he’d brought along, hoping it would pass time while the others drank themselves into a stupor. Mike had asked if he wanted to join them, but he declined. This wasn’t his idea of fun, especially with…girls all around him. If anything, he’d feel like the odd one out. No thanks.Jace jumped when he heard a door slam. Then he heard footsteps walking in his direction. When the zipper opened to the tent, he saw that it was Brandon. From the way he flopped on his sleeping bag, Brandon was dead drunk.“Fuck, it’s cold and wet out there,” Brandon said. He turned on his side, facing Jace. “You should have joined us in the van.”“I’m okay here. I have my book.” Jace held it up and suddenly felt lame.“One of the girls was asking about you. She was wondering where you were. I think she was interested in getting together with you.” Brandon grinned widely. “Like I said, you should have joined us. You might have gotten lucky with her.”Just what Jace wanted. “Thanks, but I’ll pass on that.”“Not interested?” Brandon questioned.“Correct.” Jace went back to the pages of his book.“In her, or do you mean girls, period?” Brandon’s face was serious, but his eyes were full of mischief as he connected with Jace through the dim lighting.Jace’s pulse sped up and even though there was a chill in the air, he felt warm, extremely warm. He swallowed hard and his mouth felt like cotton. “What do you mean by that?”****God, he was buzzed. Otherwise, he would never have had the nerve to be this open and bold. Brandon thought about what to say next, choosing his words carefully. His eyes traced Jace’s expression, trying to read him. “Maybe you’re not into girls.” It was a comment and not a question.“I…” Jace stammered, his eyes looking from Brandon to the book he held. “I can’t believe you’re asking me this.”“There’s nothing wrong with being gay or whatever.” Even though his hazy judgement, Brandon wondered how come he did think this way when it came to his own ambiguous sexuality. At this moment, he was erect inside his jeans. That alone told him much more than anything else about how he’d felt.“I know there isn’t anything wrong with it,” Jace replied. “What makes you think I’m gay?”“Well,” Brandon lowered his voice. “Call it a vibe. It’s hard to explain. I did notice you looking at me in class at school.” It was all coming out now.“I wasn’t looking at you,” Jace protested. “Besides, how would you notice me looking at you unless you were also looking at me?”Brandon laughed. Jace was too cute for words. With his hair slightly dishevelled and his eyes looking so intense…he’d never noticed how green they were before now. “So.” Brandon inhaled deeply and his heard beat hard inside his chest. “What would you say if I asked if I could kiss you?” And before Jace had a chance to reply, Brandon leaned in and did it.****Jace almost came right then and there when their lips connected for the first time. He didn’t pull away, but the sheer surprise of the moment did cause him to flinch a little.“You taste sweet,” Brandon said, his voice husky. “Tell me you liked me kissing you and tell me you want me to do it again.” Brandon ran one finger down Jace’s forearm as he spoke. “So soft.”Jace did want it to happen again. “It’s gum and yes, please.”Brandon smelled vaguely of cigarette smoke and he tasted like beer and cherry lip balm. His tongue slipped inside Jace’s mouth for the second time. Jace fell back on his sleeping bag and moaned as Brandon crawled on top of him, one leg pushing both of his slightly apart. Jace felt Brandon grinding against him, his hard-on pressing and throbbing inside his jeans.“You can touch me if you want,” Brandon said. “It’s okay.”Jace pressed his hands against Brandon’s firm chest and reaching down, he pulled up on the hem of his t-shirt.


Winner E Book Giveaway

The winner of my 3 e book giveaway was Vickey! Congrats!

Chatting with Shyla Colt

XD- You have a new release coming out. What's it about?



S- It’s called Lessons from the Professor, and it’s all about facing your fears, getting over your past hurts, and being brave enough to face your future.

Professor Sidney Rothman is no stranger to heart ache at the hands of a younger woman. So when he meets the alluring Sutton he’s wary. Her pension for submissive behavior, coupled with their undeniable attraction over-powers his doubt, and he takes her on as his submissive in training. What he didn’t’ account for was the effect she’d have on his emotions.

Sutton Atkins is a woman who thrives on pressure. She’s spent the past few years setting her emotions aside to accomplish her career goals and tend to her family. The habit has begun to catch up with her now as she sees her lonely her life and her bed are. Sidney seems like the answer to all her problems, until he introduces her to the world of BDSM. The lifestyle sets of a reaction in her she didn’t expect. Good girls didn’t beg to be spanked , did they?

Can Sutton embrace the lessons from her professor, or will she loose out on love?

XD- What inspries you most to write and how do you come up with your ideas?

S- Oh wow, they come from every where really. At times its visual, I see a picture , or an image of a person and a tale weaved itself into being. Other times it’s a real life situation that makes me say “What If” , or even an event that’s happened in my own life. Writing can be very therapeutic that way. Those quotes about being nice to your author friends or you’ll end up in their book aren’t necessarily a joke, lol.

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XD- What are you currently working on?

S- Right now I’m working on a Paranormal Romance with a bit of a horror angle. I am very excited to finish it and share my twisted vision.


XD- What trends do you see in romance? Are you a trend setter or a follower?

S- Well I’d say vampires were hot, but I think we’re phasing out of that and moving on to angels. I personally am not a follower. I never have been. If you asked my mother she’d tell you she was never worried about me following the crowd. It was when I actually wanted to do something. I have to write what I love and care about, and if that means going against the grain so be it. My characters reveal themselves to me and their stories, and if I don’t listen it gums up the writing flow.

I really don’t think I’m a trend setter. I just do my own thing, and hope the readers will like what I’ve created.

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XD- What advice would you give to budding authors starting out?

S- Write every day, learn as much as you can, and never give up. The road to being published can be rocky but if you keep at it , and take the advice you get along the way you’ll eventually reach your goal. Also, betas you trust are a must. Sometimes you just need a fresh pair of eyes to catch the things you might have missed.


XD- What's on the agenda for you in the next year?

S- Oh wow. I have a personal goal of cracking 30 k and up, so be on the look out for some longer pieces. Also for those of you who’ve been patientlyn waiting for the next installment of The Wanting, it is in the works. I’d like to get that one out next year, if not earlier.


Links: Http://www.shylacoltsstraightshot.wordperss.com   Twitter: @shylacolt 

E Book Giveaway

To promote my third m/m release, Under the Boss with Evernight Publishing, I'm giving away a copy of each of my books with them. To enter, leave a message along with your email address. One winner will receive a copy of Beyond Friends, The Blood Between, and Under the Boss. A winner will be announced in one week. Good luck!



All books can be purchased through the Evernight site or from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, All Romance, and Bookstrand.

Losing His Religion by Alex Bowman

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Check out the debut release of new m/m author, Alex Bowman. The book releases tomorrow, but you can order it through the Evernight site today!
Product DescriptionThe Soul Collectors, 1

Discarded most of his life, Jamie had learned as a teen that he was a Soul Collector, one of a mysterious group who fought the demons that attacked fellow humans. Cast out into the world, alone, the orphan fought hard to find his way, ending up in a seminary of all places. But chastity wasn’t a problem. He had no time or trust for relationships, let alone love.
Ios felt protective of the Soul Collector, the one the prophecy claimed would one day be his mate. Following the human for years, Ios had done everything he could to ensure his safety without stepping out of the shadows. He also held his lust in check, knowing Jamie would never accept him.
The time was upon them to join forces. Could Jamie handle who and what Ios was, and trust the growing feelings between them before it was too late?

Excerpt:
“So did you?”“Did I?”“Know I was yours the moment you saw me?” Jamie pinned him with a look of lust he’d never quite seen flash on the man’s face before.Mine. Ios’s felt the rush of need spiral through him with such force that it nearly took him to his knees. His cock thickened and he felt his balls tighten. His whispered “Yes…” floated on the air, his body trembling with the hard-won control to stand in place and not cross the room and force the human to the floor under him.“I don’t know that I believe in fated lovers, predetermined to find one another.”“I’m not asking you to believe in anything.” Ios believed enough for the both of them. “I will admit, there is something…” Something? “What?” He needed Jamie to say it, that he wanted Ios. Needed Ios.Jamie’s face flamed and he glanced down, apparently unable to put the emotions he felt into words.Fuck it. Control is overrated.Ios stomped across the small space, grasped Jamie’s head in his hands and pressed his lips against the smoldering heat of the human’s mouth. Swallowing the gasp of pleasure, he thrust his tongue into Jamie’s mouth and tasted the ale left lingering there, as well as the heat and taste of his male.When he felt Jamie’s hands spreading across his chest and moving down his stomach, he tightened his whole body, needing for the hands to venture further south, needing the male to show him that he wanted more through his exploration. As warm hands rubbed against his hardened cock through his jeans he could have shouted in joy. He deepened the kiss, pressing his hips forward, languishing in the caress from his male.Ripping the shirt open, baring Jamie’s chest, the tinkering of buttons hitting the stone floor echoed around him. Ios spread his fingers along the hard muscles before him. Jamie removed the shirt, dropping it to the floor. The material puddled around his feet and Ios wanted more to follow. His shaking fingers pulled at the belt buckle Jamie wore, and he tugged at the leather, not wanting to remove his lips from the human’s.Pulling back, he was afraid the moment would be lost if he could not keep Jamie in a frenzy. His need was too great. He could not be denied this time. Ios would have the male now, or he would explode.Warm hands steadied his. “Let me.”Jamie gazed into his eyes, slowly removing the belt and dropping it to the floor. His hands then went to the top of his pants and he unbuttoned them. The slow pull of the zipper reminded him that he was overclothed as well. Ios removed his t-shirt in a flash and kicked off his shoes. By the time his pants were gone, Jamie also stood naked. His hands ached to touch the male, to explore every single inch of flesh he had to offer up for his inspection. Jamie was beautiful. Small, firm muscles curved over his slim build, his skin nearly unmarred. The wound in his chest was no longer visible.A small smattering of blond hair started below his belly button and thickened as it surrounded his jutting cock. Fully erect, it stood proud against his stomach, a pearl of fluid shining at the tip of the purple head. Thick veins spread along the shaft and Ios’s mouth watered to taste the flesh. Dropping to his knees before his human, he got a closer look at what the male had to offer.

Apples to Oranges

I'm extremely pleased to show off my new cover art for my summer release with Evernight Publishing for my contemporary m/m. This story is a little sweeter than my other stories with lots of romance and angst!

Pause for Thought

Yesterday, I got a phone call from my dad. I knew something was wrong when I saw his number on my call display. It was early in the evening and he never calls at that time. I picked up the phone and nearly held my breath when he told me one of his brothers passed away. At first I didn't know what to say. I was shocked. I knew the uncle in question had a few health problems, but nothing that I thought would cause a sudden passing.

After I hung up, I was upset to the point where I felt physically sick. This morning I feel a bit better, but I can't help but reflect on my own mortality. We don't have deaths in the family very often and the last one was a couple years back and I wasn't close to that person.

We all die. There's no way around that. Sometimes I get upset very easily about minor things. It isn't worth sweating the small stuff in life. I'm not a materialistic person, so I don't get hung up on money. As long as I have enough to live comfortably, I'm happy. I will strive to be a better person. I've been lagging lately with that. That needs to change. I've also been slacking off on my own personal goals like striving to write fulltime and get more stuff out there. I also want to become healthy again. There's no time like the present to make the needed changes. I've had enough with the slacking off.

XD

Chatting with Terra Laurent

Terra Laurent is a new author recently signed with Siren Publishing. Her first release will be out on May 9, 2012 and she's agreed to tell me a little bit about it, and how she got her start as an author.

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XD- Tell us about your latest release and how the idea for the story came about.
T- Possession is a M/M erotica about a romantically bruised exorcist named Shane who falls first for his haunted client, Joshua, and then for the ghost named Gene troubling him. Shane finds both men appealing, but knows he has to either rid his client of Gene and lose the spirit forever, or allow him to remain and lose Joshua. Dark, secret motivations begin to surface, ones that both endanger Shane and force him to face the ultimate decision.
I had read a short article online about the notion of psychopomps—the guides between the world of the living and the dead—and it started me wondering about what kind of world the dead might inhabit and what a ghost’s daily routine might be like. From there grew the question of how a romance might work between a living person and a spirit. Before I knew it, I had created a framework of rules for spirits and guides. Shane, Joshua, and Gene filled in that framework.
XD- You're new to the m/m writing world. What about m/m grabbed your interest?
T- What’s hotter than hot guys who aren’t into me at all? It’s like high school all over again.
Okay, my serious answer is, I like men. Thinking and writing about every aspect of their existence intrigues me. Most of my work outside erotica uses female protagonists, so immersing myself in entirely male relationships was a challenge for me, and one I’m very much enjoying undertaking.
XD- What's one thing that most people don't know about you?
T- I like the smell of skunk. Don’t judge.
XD- What's your favourite cocktail?
T- I’m the one at the party who is standing on the side of the room at three a.m. with a sober, superior grin on my face, watching the drunken train wreck unfold. I enjoy the train wrecks more than the booze. Although, I usually have to drive the train wrecks home, which is perhaps punishment for my hubris.
XD- What can we expect to see from you next?
T- I have another contemporary fantasy m/m novel, Trial by Fire, coming out in June from Siren. I am currently working on another in the same genre of m/m. I would like to branch out, as well, explore a few other sub genres, and possibly try my hand at a historical piece—although it means I will have to do proper research for once in my writing career.

XD- Terra can be found online on Facebook. I'd like to thank her for allowing me to ask her a few questions and wish her good luck with her writing career.