Shyla Colt's Blog, page 26

TGIF: D’shar Men Interviewer come meet the boys

TGIF!

Hey all, sorry my post is coming in so late. Little ones have a way of totally derailing your plans. You guys seemed to enjoy the interview with Oliver and Juni so much I invited my boys over for a little chat of their own. That’s right y’all the D’Shar brothers are in the house. Welcome, Phelan, Bastien, Kade , and Marsden.

“Thanks for coming in today, guys.” I say as they walk through the door.

“Thank you for having us over,” Phelan says.

The four men take various seats around my office as I try not to stare. Each of them is more gorgeous than any one has the right to be. I avert my eyes before they catch me giving them a once over. Phelan is very taken, and Bastien makes me a tad bit nervous. Marden’s blue eyes twinkle with what I think is mirth, and Kade is cool and composed. Just looking at them, it’s clear to see they all have very distinct personalities. It’s like a smorgasbord of alien hotness. It’s a good thing I’m a professional and taken. I clear my throat and begin.

“Phelan, the wedding is fast approaching, how’s the planning coming going.”

“Too slow, great, it’s an all consuming entity.”

The different answers fire at me all at once, and I direct my laughter behind my hand as I pretend to cough. These boys sure, don’t hold back.

“Well, tell me how you really feel,” says Phelan.

“You know we love you and Zasha , but our house has been overrun by wedding planning, and we kind of want it back,” Marsden said.

“Mars, you’re barley there anyway,” Phelan said.

“Not the point, bro.” He accompanies his words with a wink and a grin that makes Phelan roll his eyes.

“It’s only a month out, we’re fine, ignore Mars,” Kade said. I can see why he’s the politician. I get the feeling he’s often the peace maker.

“I usually do, it’s what keeps him unharmed.” Phelan’s tone is dry, but tinged with humor. As the eldest of this motley crew, I’m sure he’s used to it. His playful, smile tells me I’m right on the money with my assumptions.

“Your fans have compiled a list of questions, I want to ask five today if you’re amiable.”

“Sure, I’ve got nothing to hide,” Marsden says. His cheeks dimple and I feel my heart melt a little. I can see why he’s been dubbed the ladies man. If I was single…

“Number one on the list, are you single?”

Chuckles fill the room.

“Well I’m exempt from this one,” Phelan said. He leans back in his chair and swivels to face his brothers. “ I want to hear this answer myself.”

Kade’s face has a light red tint that makes me smile. A bashful, politician, who knew? He shakes his head from side to side.

“I’m not seeing anyone right now.”

“Marsden?”

“Call me Mars, lovely lady, and yes, I am currently between love interests at the moment. But you never know when the right one is waiting around the corner.”

Smooth.

“Bastien?”

“No, my job prevents me from investing that kind of time into dating right now.”

His brothers rolled their eyes and my right eyebrow rises. I’d love to dig deeper there, but his cool tone and serious expression stop my thoughts short. He lacks the warmth his brother’s have, and I get the feeling it’ s not just because he heads their military. I’ve known plenty of military men, and not all of them have the aloof air he presents. There’s a story there.

“Question number two is posed to you, Phelan. What does the future hold for Alien/Human relations now that you’re engaged to Zasha , because of her status with the P.I.U.?”

“Good question, we plan on working toward more events that will help encourage positive interactions between the humans and the Shar. It’s secrecy that really breeds distrust and paranoia, and we don’t want that. We’ve been here for five years, and people still don’t know more than a few basic facts about us. “

Phelan shakes his head.

“What sort of events do you have in mind?”

“One of the ideas we’ve discussed is a festival.”

“That sounds like a lot of fun; I’d definitely go to that.”

He flashes me a smile, and I’m almost blinded by his pearly whites.

“We’ll be sure to send you an invitation then, Shyla,” Marden says. Such a flirt.

“Thank you, Marsden, I’ll turn the next question to you. What do you look for in a woman?”

“A sense of humor, an open mind, and it’s always nice bonus when I find a girl who’s shorter than my 5’8.”

I can’t help but laugh out loud. His brother’s snort and Bastien nudges him with his elbow. It’s the most emotion I’ve seen the man show. He’s an enigma.

“Kade, this one’s for you. What do you do in your spare time?”

“I like to listen to music, and visit museums. Human’s history and pop culture fascinates me because it’s so different from our own.”

“I can imagine it’s completely different, you guys should open up a Shar museum, so we can learn more about you.”

“That’s actually a fantastic idea! “ Phelan says. His brown eyes sparkle with excitement.

“ I won’t charge you for it, but I will request an invitation to the opening if the idea comes to pass.”

“Done,” he said.

“Last ,but not least this question is posed to you, Bastien.” His shoulders tense, and I scan the paper for something light hearted.

“ What is your most treasured possession?”

“ A necklace made of stone from my planet. My mother had one commissioned for each of us when we were born. Now that she’s gone and our planet is all but destroyed it’s got a tremendous sentimental value.”

So there is a heart inside of there.

“Wow, I’m sure it’s beautiful, Bastien, what does the stone look like in comparison to ours?”

“The stone is a glossy black , with bursts of color in the center, each one is unique, and it’s believed to have the healing properties of a mother’s love inside it. They were very popular where we’re from.”

“ Very awesome. Are you taking notes for that museum, Phelan? These are the things we’d eat up.”

“Duly noted.”

“I know you’re all very busy, so I won’t keep you any longer. I loved having you over, and I hope you’ll stop by again to answer more questions.”

“Of course,” Phelan says.

Hope you guys enjoyed a little more insight into the D’shar Men. They’ll be back in the blog again real soon. If you have a question about them or their world you’ve been dying to know, shoot me an email. It may just end up in the next interview .

Shy

Glossary for those who haven’t read , The Wanting ( it’s available on Evernight’s website by the way http://www.evernightpublishing.com/products/The-Wanting-by-Shyla-Colt.html)

P.I.U- Paranormal Investigation Unit

The Paranormal Investigation Unit, or P. I. U., was sent to the

site of all situations thought to involve otherworldly beings. Each

agent underwent specialized training and had been born with talents

that needed to be kept off the record. From telepathy to predicting the

future they possessed mixed bags of tricks. Their weapons and

protective gear were modified to stand up to the Shar.

Tara Chevrestt says ” I live in my books”

I’d like you all to give a warm welcome to my pub sis, Tara Chevrestt aka Sonia Hightower. She’s stopped by the blog to tell us how her life and writing intertwine.

I live in my books.

No, really, I live in my books, and a part of me will always exist. Long after I’m dead, someone will pick up a book I wrote or flip through their kindle and find a story I penned that they bought long ago and are just now getting around to reading, and I will live forever this way.

Because I am in my books.

I live through Angeline and Adelaide in Ride for Rights. That moment when the sisters are riding their motorbikes up Pike’s Peak during the first ever Annual Hill Climb, and all the fellows are shouting insults and jeers at the women… “There was one instance when Adelaide was almost certain her sister had waved a single finger at an insult hurler, but surely she was seeing things.”

He he. That’s me. I’ve done that many a time, and it’s usually aimed at an insult-hurler, some rude fellow who doesn’t think a woman should do a “man’s” job.

In A Facebook Affair, when Kelly is labeled retarded… The blonde snorted. “She talks funny.” She jabbed her friend in the shoulder. “Sounds retarded.” She laughed.

It was Kelly’s turn to frown. “Oh no,” she corrected the girl. “I’m not retired. I’ve never had a job.”

The blonde’s mouth fell open and the short girl stared at Kelly, a look of disgust on her face. Kelly didn’t know what she had said wrong, but wanted to hang her head in shame.

That’s me. I lived that for real and put the scene into a fiction novel. The story revolves around a young, hearing “impaired” woman who despite excessive school bullying and “you can’t do its,” made something of herself and finds love.

In Afterburn, Crystal faces sexual harassment on a daily basis. She’s a man working in a “man’s” world and is constantly reminded of it. That moment in the break room when she feels like she can’t win, when she’s sent out on yet another assignment while the rest of the crew plays cards and looks at nudie mags…

Crystal gulped. “No, sir.” She didn’t need another black mark on her record from this guy. He had already held her back from one promotion. What was his deal? Was his detestation of her due to the fact that she wasn’t welcoming his little “accidents”?” She knew that Roxy was. She had caught them in a compromising position just two weeks ago. Was that what she had to do to get respect around here?

Yes, been there.

I did the EEO office thing, too.

And then there’s Deaf Isn’t Dumb. There’s a whole lot of me in there as I clip-slap my high-heels from job to job, admitting I can’t speak on the telephone and being paid cash and sent home.

Heck, even my f/f bdsm has a bit of me in it. What author hasn’t sat there in despair and pep-talked themselves like Katia does in The Submission?

Katia closed her eyes and laid her head back against her leather office chair, trying to regain control of her tumultuous emotions. All her hopes and dreams were going down the drain right in front of her. She would be a waitress for the rest of her life. Instead of asking people, “Who would you like me to inscribe the book to?” she would be asking, “Would you like fries with that?”

No! No. After three years of writing, she couldn’t give up now. Katia opened her eyes, straightened her spine, wiped the tears from her cheeks, and glared at the blinking cursor with determination.

There’s a part of my heritage in Maiden Behind the Mask as well, my lady Zorro tale. The heroine was named after my great grandmother, Catalina, my grandmother’s mother. My grandmother passed away just this year, and I dedicated the book in her memory. I sincerely hope she knows it. I think she would be thrilled I used her mother’s name in a novel containing a spunky, sword-wielding Spanish heroine.

And that is how I live in my books.

***

Tara Chevrestt is a deaf woman, former aviation mechanic, writer, and an editor. She is most passionate about planes, motorcycles, dogs, and above all, reading. That led to her love of writing. Between her writing and her editing, which allows her to be home with her little canine kids, she believes she has the greatest job in the world. She is very happily married.

Tara also writes as Sonia Hightower. Sonia writes the racy stuff and argues that she was here first. She just wasn’t allowed to be unleashed until the last year.

While Tara and Sonia continue to fight over the laptop and debate who writes the next book, you can find buy links, blurbs, and other fun bits on their website:

http://tarachevrestt.weebly.com/index.html

or their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tara-Chevrestt-Sonia-Hightower/218383211513877.

Happy Hump Day!

Happy Hump day y’all! The week is on it’s downhill roll!! I had a wonderful blog visit, planned to tell y’all all about, but my pub sister’s site has gone on the fritz so I’ll improvise instead. Yesterday I got in a batch of brand , spanking, new Swag!!! I can’t wait until the end of the month so I can get those grab bags out to everyone!

On another note, you all know I’ve gotten back to the grind in the D’Shar world. On Friday , I’ll have some extra Sharian facts, and tidbits for you guys, so check back!

Talk about timing. I just received an awesome review as i was posting! If you’re interested head on over to the link and check it out!

Special Guest D.F. Krieger talks about her military novella, To Honor

Hello bloggers,

Today I have the beautiful and talented, D.F. Krieger over to talk about her book, To Honor. I had the privilege of reading this story, and while it’s not for the faint of heart , ( there’s some sensitive subjects explored) it is real, touching, and very well written.

In To Honor we follow the story of Evelyn as she comes to terms with the circumstances that caused her to attempt suicide. I was lucky enough for Shyla to give me free rein on her blog, and I’d like to talk about some myths surrounding suicide. I too have been in Evelyn’s shoes. I too have woke up in a hospital with the one who hurt me the most begging me not to die. I want to do my best to make sure no one else ever takes the path I took and shuffles in lace-less shoes. I wrote this post in hopes that it might help clear up some myths for those living with people suffering from depression and/or suicidal tendencies.

Myth 1: “They are just doing it for attention. They’ll never go through with it.”

People tell us all the time that if we’re sad, hurting, depressed; that we should ask for help. Yet, the stigma is that if we ask for help, often we are brushed off with the accusation that it’s all just for attention. It isn’t! Accusing all people who ask for help because they are feeling suicidal of being attention whores is like accusing all cancer victims of being smokers. Like cancer, there are many forms that depression comes in.

Myth 2: “Your depression is a sign of hormonal imbalance. If you take meds, you’ll be better forever.”

Uh, no. Sometimes depression and the desire for suicide is built on a base of too many things being piled on one person too quick. Yes, we all have trials we face, but we all also have our breaking points. It took two years worth of MAJOR mental/health/physical issues to bring me to my knees, and I’d like to think I’m a strong woman. For some people, it may only take one issue that is important to them (like their closest friend dying, or a divorce.) Don’t EVER judge someone’s strength against your own, and don’t judge yours until you’ve been there and come back.

Myth 3: “I don’t know why you stress all the time. Just relax.”

If we could relax, we would. While you are standing there telling us to relax, you are also unaware of the pain we face every waking (and often dreaming) moment. I can assure you that no one with an invisible illness is happy living with it. Not a single one of us go to bed at night thinking Gee, tomorrow I think I’ll mope all day about how much I miss my dead mother and wallow in the guilt I feel over the fact she and I argued the night before she died.

Myth 4: “This invisible illness stuff is all in your head.”

Hmmm, let’s think about it. Yes, it is a psychological disorder so it does affect us via our brain, which is located in our head. However, the reach extends far beyond that. When we sleep all day it’s not because we want to, it’s because that sleep is an escape from the pain. It’s also because depression can take the joy out of everything for you. Imagine, if you will, a lion prowling in boxed cage with electrical wiring at all the doors. There is nothing in the cage to entertain the lion, and it can see the fun others are having outside the cage. Every time it tries to get a little closer, to reach out, to be a part of that enjoyment ZAP it is popped by the electric wiring hard enough to hurt it bad. That is our bodies. We are right here, but when we make the effort to come to life, to fight back, without someone on the other side to help lessen that shock by cutting the power to some of the electrical fence, it hurts too much to keep trying. Eventually we shut down emotionally as well as physically.

Myth 5: “If you survived then you didn’t really want to die. It was just a cry for help.”

Honey, I was counting on my husband staying gone longer than he was when I attempted suicide. I truly, completely, and utterly wanted to die. The only reason I’m sitting here now is not for a lack of trying on my part, but because my husband forced me to live. Attempted suicide isn’t always someone sitting with a blade thinking, I wanna cut myself but I’m too scared so I’ll make a couple of welts and cry. For some of us, it’s because the right people walked in just in time to save us from ourselves. I hated my husband for a couple of months that he took away my one chance to die. As time went on, and I became aware of more than my own pain and sorrow again, I realized he wasn’t torturing me, he was saving me from myself. Please, even if you think the person is bluffing, don’t take that chance. When you come home, you may not be in time.

Have a Cupa with my latest characters, Oliver and Juni & Enter to win

In my upcoming release, What the Heart Knows my main characters, Oliver and Juniper met in her family owned coffee shop, called Cupa Tea. In honor of this I’m kicking of a contest.

It runs from today July 16th to July 23rd

One lucky winner wins a copy of What the Heart Knows on release day

Four others win my home made Cupa Tea blend & a heart shaped tea infuser

All you have to do to enter is leave your comment about the interview below…easy enough, right? Here we go 

A bit about, What the Heart Knows

Widower, Oliver Young has been a mess since his wife died. But a chance encounter at a coffee shop on the anniversary of her death, changes that. Juniper Juni,” Bloom, is like a beacon of light in the darkness. His heart recognizes her as a kindred spirit, and he clutches onto her youth and vitality like a lifeline as he rediscovers what it means to truly live and love again. Will he lose her when she learns the truth about his wifes’ death?

Juni is a woman with a hidden past. A near death experience has given her a new lease on life and a parting souvenir. From the moment she meets Oliver, she knows he’s the man she’s been waiting for. Now she just needs to convince him.

Unbeknownst to either a malevolent force is at work, ready to tear them apart.

Interview with Oliver & Juni

“Juni, what did you think of Oliver the first time you saw him?”

“I thought, he was lost.”

I couldn’t hide the laughter that burst forth. I gathered my

“Why?” I asked.

“ Because, I thought, there’s no way, a man that gorgeous is spending a stormy night like this one alone in a deserted coffee shop instead of be cuddled up with his significant other.”

“I’m flattered,” Oliver said.

“Hush,”Juni whispers.

Juni playfully pushed against his chest and Oliver chuckled. It’s a delicious sound, low and tinged with sincerity it made me smile. The love between them was clear to anyone who bothers to pay attention.

I want to turn this question over to you now, Oliver. What did you think of Juni?

“You have to remember, I was still grieving then—” Oliver said.

“That means it’s going to be mean,” Juni said. Her interruptions makes me choke down a laugh. Oliver rolled his eyes and sighed.

“No, not mean, per say, just not very romantic. I was looking for a place to hide, and the coffee shop seemed perfect. My only thoughts at the time were on solitude and anonymity. I have to admit once I saw her face, everything changed.”

“My face huh?”

“Among other things.”

He flashed her playful wink and she giggled.

“I hate to bring up a painful subject, but you said you were grieving. Can you expand on that?”

The smiles slip from their faces, and the atmosphere in the room sobered. It almost made me want to take back my question.

“It was my wife.”

I gasped.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay; I’ve made my peace with things now. The night I entered the café was the two year anniversary of her death and the wound was raw and bleeding.”

Juni twined their fingers, and gave his hand a gentle squeeze. Oliver offered up a brave smile, and a part of me fell a little bit in love with him. I could see his appeal. His has a quiet charisma that creeps up on you when you’re not looking.

“I was like a lion with a thorn in its paw, roaring at everyone who came within a mile of me, and going through life with a sour disposition.”

He lifted his gaze to look at me, and his green eyes bore into mine. There’s an age there that far surpasses the one listed on his bio.

“Sometimes when you’re swimming in the deepest point of the ocean the only thing you can do to survive is float, because swimming against tide get’s damn tiring. I was ready to give up and let the waves take me when Juni showed up with this brilliant, blazing light inside her that encompassed me. One look, one conversation and I knew my life would never be the same.”

A chill ran down my spine as the intensity of the moment crawled under my skin.

It sounds terribly cliché, but I swear, that’s how things happened,” Juni said. Her voice was airy and light and I have no problem imaging how this woman could be a life line for a broken man on the edge.

“In his own way, Oliver saved me. My life growing up was very difficult, and even when I received a second chance to live how I saw fit, I was stuck in the shadows of my past. A part of me didn’t believe things could be different once those I cared about leaned my history. He showed me how wrong I was.”

“All relationships hit bumps in the road, but you have to admit yours were a dozy.”

“ Now you’re just being kind,” Juni said. She rolls her large, brown , doe eyes and I arched an eyebrow.

“Do tell.”

“ Well if I did that, there’d be no need to read our story,” Juni said. Her eyes are bright and her lips are curved upward into a smile that screams mischief.

“Give them a hint at least,” Oliver said.

“Baggage from past relationships has nothing on a pissed off entity,” she said.

They broke into laughter and I couldn’t help but join in. They have that effect on people.

“Thank you for coming by and letting us pick your brains.”

“The pleasure was ours.”

End Interview

I hope you enjoyed getting to know Oliver, and Juni better. Look for their adventure next Monday!

It’s Friday the 13th, how will you celebrate?

It’s Friday the 13th! Does it make you nervous? I was born on Friday the 13th, and I’ve found it to be like a good luck charm for me. What are you doing to celebrate? I’ll be watching the new show on, Chiller, Can you Survive a Horror Movie. I can’t wait to see it! I’m a huge horror buff, so this is right up my alley.

Just a quick reminder to those interested, I have a Radio interview coming up on, Monday the 16th. If you’ve ever wanted to ask me a question about my work, or what’s up next, here’s your opportunity to do it live. You can call, tweet or email to be included in the fun.

Monday July 16th 8-30-10:30pm Eastern time. call in number: 760 454 8856



http://www.blogtalkradio.com/beautifultroublepublishing

I had a dream….

I woke up this morning with an amazing, vivid, opening scene to my next book in the D’Shar series. It was heart breaking, and perfect for … Bastien! I am so excited to begin this journey with him. I had his story sketched out but as usual the characters has spoken and blown me away with their far superior concept.

My next story, What the Heart Knows is set to release on July 23rd, so I’ll be starting a giveaway next week. One lucky winner will receive a copy of the novel, but three others will win a cute prize that ties into the book. I’ll have more info on that Sunday!

Hope your week is going well. Only one more day till Friday!

Birthday Give Away!

The day I’ve been counting down to from the moment July began has arrived. It’s my birthday! So take a seat and have a slice of cake. I’ve just turned one, in pub years that is! This time last year my first novella, Don’t Fear the Reaper was released at Evernight Publishing, and Shyla Colt was born. I never imagined for a second I would end up here with six romance novels out, one on the way later this month, and my first Young Adult novel, awaiting its release date.

It’s been an incredible journey. I’ve learned so many things about myself, writing, and the romance industry. I hope all of those lessons show in my writing.

When you read my latest work it’s my sincerest wish that you see progress, and look forward to the direction my writing is moving in.

I am grateful for my wonderful readers (like you) who read my blog, participate in my contests, and show me love and support. Without you, Shyla Colt would be nothing.

Because this is a huge deal , I plan on celebrating in style by launching my biggest giveaway yet! Are you interested? Good, here are the rules.

The contest will run from July 6th to July 31st with the reader being announced on August 1st

All you have to do to enter is Comment on the birthday bash post in the Contest section to win ( be sure to leave your email address so I can get a hold of you)

The big winner will receive a Kindle Touch.

But everyone wins! I’ve made up a batch of grab bags filled with goodies I can’t wait to share

D’SHAR Swag preview

I’ve been busy working on promo items today, and I had to share! Here’s a sneak peek of the D’SHAR line of swag I’ll be giving away!

What do y’all think? I can’t wait to unveil my latest give away tomorrow! Okay back to edits for me.

Shy

Happy 4th of July

Happy Fourth of July everyone! I hope you have fun events planned with your family and friends. Currently I’m in the writing cave, busy working on the YA, and gearing up for my return to the world of the D’Shar. I have a fun poll up for all of those who’ve asked me if/when there would be a second book in the D’Shar Men series.

I also have an interview at You Gotta Read Reviews. If you haven’t had a chance to check this site out before, I highly recommend it. They have honest reviews, and fun contests.

http://yougottaread.com/interview-with-shyla-colt/

Two more days until I kick of the Anniversary giveaway!

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