Amanda Young's Blog, page 13

Friday Five: Michele Rakes

Hi all! My guest for this week’s Friday Five is Michele Rakes. Please give her a warm welcome. Thanks for joining us this week, Michele.

Tell us what kind of books do you read for fun?

I read gay fiction and mm romance. Also, I read spy thrillers. Love them, and my favorite is cleaner Micah Dalton from David Stone’s Echelon Vendetta. Would love to see Micah with a hot dude who isn’t trying to kill him, but alas, he’s straight. Bummer. Right now I have a long list of TBR’s. Currently reading The Price of Dick by D.w.Skinner. Special Forces is next on the list, by Aleksandr Voinov. I’m also beta reading my friend, Meg Amor’s new book, Hawaiian Lei.

What’s the one thing you can’t live without?

My kids. (and new grandbaby, Madisyn.)

If a genie granted you three wishes, what would they be?

For my children to be happy, safe, and never want for the necessities. If I can get all that in one wish, then the other two would be for my writing to become a full time job paying my bills and to live where I can ride my Harley all year. I guess I don’t really need a genie for those, huh? How about an unlimited supply of frequent flier miles?

What is best writing advice you can give?

The best advice is to send your stuff out. Don’t sit on it and think, my friends read it so it’s all good. Get it out there for the rest of us to enjoy. Take chances and keep writing.

Can you share a little about your current release with us?



Kane Abel has had a rough life and it gets rougher. At the start of the story, he’s just been attacked by a group of men who have beaten, raped, and nearly killed him. Paramedic Garrett Young performs a life-saving tracheostomy on Kane and gets him to the hospital. While Garrett isn’t completely whole either, he hides a struggle with the aftermath of a firefighting accident that left him burned and scarred mentally, he still tries to take care of Kane. Garrett’s drawn to the man. When Kane needs someone to take care of him, Garrett can’t resist, and they soon discover someone isn’t through with Kane, not by a long shot.

When Garrett first came to me, he was struggling with a mental disorder and was considered a non-compliant schizophrenic. For Kane and Garrett’s ending to eventually be a HEA, in the long run, Garrett needed to be somewhat whole. I still would like to tell a story like that, where they survive and love, growing used to the daily difficulties of that kind of relationship. With Kane, he needed Garrett to be different, and so when Garrett started to tell me about his mother, I knew what had to happen. I know it sounds weird talking about my characters as if they talk to me, but it’s more like an impression. When ideas come to me, I treat it as though the characters are fleshing themselves out, rather than I’m actively doing anything. To me, that makes them live more on the page, but I don’t let them run amuck. The bad guys try to in my stories where I write from their POV too. I have to knock them down a few pegs.

Dark stories appeal to me, and I tend to write characters in the midst of some sort of struggle, either physical or psychological. Whatever it is, they have to walk through the muck and mire to find their HEA. There is always some sort of happy ending to my stories. I think my characters earn them and so does the reader.

Buy Links:

http://www.loose-id.com/saving-kane.html

http://www.amazon.com/Saving-Kane-Michele-M-Rakes-ebook/dp/B00MNYKYCA/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1412348482&sr=1-1&keywords=saving+kane

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/saving-kane-michele-m-rakes/1120133779?ean=9781623002794

https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-savingkane-1592932-149.html

Author Links:

www.michelerakes.wordpress.com

Twitter: @michelerakes

Friday Five: Sindra Van Yssel

Hi all. This week’s guest for Friday Five is author, Sindra Van Yssel. Thanks for joining me here on the blog, Sindra!

So, what kind of books do you read for fun?

I read a lot of different things, but lately it’s been mostly mysteries or manga. I’m a big fan of old-school mysteries like Ellery Queen and Dorothy L. Sayers.

What’s the one thing you can’t live without?

I’m really very fond of my computer and a bit addicted to my cell phone. But I could live without them if I really had to.

If a genie granted you three wishes, what would they be?

Genies can be so tricky! You wish for world peace and they destroy the planet. It’s dangerous business, and I doubt anyone wants to hear about that kind of wish anyway. For artistic and financial reasons I’d love for a few million people to read and pay for my books. I’d like a fully stocked private dungeon I could throw parties in. And I’d like everyone to have access to basic healthcare, including contraceptives.

What is best writing advice you can give?

Finish what you start. I think it’s so easy to feel halfway through that you want to start a completely different book, one that doesn’t have the problems you’re encountering with the one you’re writing. But writing endings and working through those problems is different enough from writing the first few chapters that you really need to see things through to completion as much as possible to learn the craft.

Can you share a little about your current release with us?

I’ve got a series coming out from Ellora’s Cave that centers around the play parties held in a large mansion. The series is called Iron Butterfly, and the first book, Only if it Pleases, is already out. Hart and Vanessa start a relationship after Hart wins a bet with her former boyfriend. Since Vanessa is curious about Hart she goes along with being the stakes in the bet, but he’s got a reputation as a very strict Dom into some very heavy play and she’s a little nervous. He’s just the right person to train her to push her limits.

The second book, Double Bind, is coming out in November, and the third, His Private Secretary, in December.

To find out more see my website, www.sindravanyssel.com

I can be reached via email at sindra at gmail dot com, and on facebook as Sindra van Yssel. I always love to hear from readers.

Friday Five: Pia Veleno

This week’s guest for Friday Five is Pia Veleno. Thanks for visiting the blog, Pia!

Tell us, what kind of books do you read for fun?

Horror. Lately, dystopian or post-apocalyptic settings. Outside of that, about once a year I read the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series. It’s like a comfortable old blanket.



What’s the one thing you can’t live without?

Can I say something corny like “my husband”? It’s true though. Without him, I’d be an incorrigible hermit. He loves to tease me that without his friends I wouldn’t have any. It’s not completely true, but my best girl was his friend first… before her transition.

If a genie granted you three wishes, what would they be?

More wishes! Actually, I’ve geeked out enough to know wishes can be more dangerous than beneficial. Most gamers are inherently wary of wishes. They never turn out as you expect. I’m sure there’s a story to write in there somewhere, but even that makes me wary.

What is best writing advice you can give?

Don’t get discouraged. Just keep writing.

I read somewhere that a writer needs to write three novels before they’re ready to publish. I did that. I still have those three novels. It was a het vampire urban fantasy series. I read the first book again not too long ago. They were awful. I still keep them though. Maybe I’ll rewrite it someday. Or maybe I’ll keep it only to remind me to keep challenging myself, to keep improving.

Can you share a little about your current release with us?



Fallen was my first published story back in 2010. When that publisher imploded and I got my rights back, I knew I had to find a new home for this above the other stories I had there.

I wrote the first draft in ten days. I felt like I was channeling Mal. It was simply meant to be, and I couldn’t stop even if I wanted to. As I worked through production to get Fallen ready for the rerelease with Loose Id, I felt that same pull for Bran as I did back then for Mal. Then, it was easy to get caught up in the excitement of that first release, and Bran’s story was forgotten. Not this time. This time, I’ve learned, and I’m ready to let Bran speak his mind too.

While I’m working on that, dear Readers, check out Fallen released by Loose Id, with lovely cover art by Fiona Jayde.

Buy link: http://www.loose-id.com/fallen-2.html

Pia’s blog/website: http://www.piaveleno.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/piaveleno

Friday Five: Teresa Noelle Roberts

This week’s guest for Friday Five is Teresa Noelle Roberts. Thanks for visiting the blog, Teresa!

What kind of books do you read for fun?

I guess it’s cheating to say “the print kind, usually in English” so I’ll try to be more specific. I binge-read paranormal romances and urban fantasy—Jim Butcher and Ilona Andrews are favorite authors. Certain historical romances speak to me; I’m a huge Eloisa James fan, for example. In the right mood, I love history, especially cultural history. I cut my teeth on Tolkien and still adore epic fantasy. Never made it though the Song of Ice and Fire series, though; George RR Martin is an excellent writer but he described his dark, nasty world so vividly the books depressed me.

Oh, and I read cookbooks. I love to cook, but some of my favorite cookbooks to read have such complicated recipes or require such exotic ingredients I rarely cook from them. I enjoy them because they’re well written and full of stories about people told through the medium of food.

What’s the one thing you can’t live without?

I suppose my husband doesn’t count as a thing, and neither do my cats, so BOOKS. (I bet you get that answer a lot.)



If a genie granted you three wishes, what would they be?

36 hours in a day while not needing to sleep more than I do now.

A library-Tardis: it’s not very big on the outside but it’ll hold all the books I could ever want. I know a Kindle’s kind of the same thing, but I like print books too.

Knees that don’t ache.

I was going to say my dream kitchen, but that’s possible without a genie (though hard on a budget).

What is best writing advice you can give?

I can’t remember who originally said, “You can’t revise a blank page, but you can revise utter crap,” but that’s become my motto over the years. Just get a draft done. Then fix what you already know is wrong, share it with beta readers, listen to what they have to say and fix it some more. Lather, rinse and repeat a few times to make it the best finished product you can. But first you need the messy, partly horrid draft.

Can you share a little about your current release with us?



Witches’ Waves is the fourth numbered book in the Duals and Donovans: the Different series. (There are currently five books set in the Duals and Donovans world, but one has its own story arc.) These are red-hot paranormals, full of shapeshifters of all kinds (Duals), powerful witches who specialize in sex-magic (the Donovan extended family), and a shadowy government branch that wants to control all paranormal activity for its own ends. Witches’ Waves wraps up one major storyline in this world, but there are still plenty of sexy Donovans and their witchy relatives left for future adventures.

Here’s the book blurb, complete with the usual Samhain warning that’s more like a recommendation:

The ocean is on their side. But the fight is on land—and it’s about to get dirty.

Duals and Donovans: The Different, Book 4

Long held captive as the Agency’s secret weapon—a blind witch with visions—Meaghan has come to a line she refuses to cross. Rather than betray the infant “child of five bloods” to the Agency’s scientists, she chooses death. Except when she throws herself into the ocean, she doesn’t die. Her repressed water magic comes to life.

When the sodden, delirious witch drifts into Kyle’s arms, his otter dual instincts tell him to get her to the Donovans as fast as possible. Even though one particular surfer-dude Donovan broke his heart.

Declan Donovan continually kicks himself for pushing Kyle away, but his touchy combination of water, earth and lightning magic is too volatile, and Kyle wanted more than Deck was ready to give.

When they come together to help Meaghan control her new magic, it leads the Agency straight to the child of five bloods. They’ll have to dive head-first into total trust—in their magics, in themselves and in each other—to save the child and stop the Agency once and for all.

Warning: Contains an oceanful of sex between an ethereal blind heroine who swears like a pissed-off Marine, an overly serious otter shifter, a would-be beach bum who may be descended from a Norse god, in permutations as fluid as the sea – and themes of abuse and recovery.

And here’s the series blurb:

Welcome to an America where the non-human Different and magically gifted humans live among ordinary people. Witches are both feared and honored, but shape-shifting Duals are treated as second-class citizens. The Agency, a government agency that’s supposed to monitor illegal uses of magic and Different abilities, has developed its own dangerous agenda. But when Duals and witches join forces, the Agency and other bad guys aren’t going to know what hit them.

And neither are the witches and Duals. Witch magic grows from the positive energy of love and sex–and the only thing better than one Dual for sex magic is two of them!

Buy links for the book:

Amazon US / Amazon UK / Barnes and Noble /Samhain / Kobo

Where to find me online:

Website & blog: www.teresanoelleroberts.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTeresaNoelleRoberts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TeresNoeRoberts

Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/Teresa-Noelle-Roberts/e/B0047V74PC/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1415286559&sr=8-2-ent

50% Off Sale

For a limited time, all my self-published titles available at All Romance Ebooks will be 50% off. This is just a small thank you to my readers.

You can find the complete listing here:

http://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html

 

Now available at Barnes and Noble

Last, but not least, Barnes and Noble is now selling Tempestuous Voyeur. You can snag a copy here:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tempestuous-voyeur-amanda-young/1120728660?ean=2940046392791

 

Thank you to all Veterans, past, present and future.

New Venue for Tempestuous Voyeur

Good news! Tempestuous Voyeur is now available on Smashwords as well as Payhip.

You can see it here:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/490882

Brand New Mackenzie Twins Story!

I’m thrilled to announce the release of a brand new Mackenzie Twins story – Tempestuous Voyeur.

As many of you probably already know, most retailers won’t touch a story like this one with a ten foot long pole. For many years I figured there was little point to writing any more stories in this series because I wouldn’t have any way to get the stories into the hands of the readers who were interested. A new retailer has hopefully changed that. Payhip.com allows authors to sell directly to readers with a simple little link on their website.

As soon as I saw others taking advantage of the new service I knew I had to write another story about my twins. I hope you all enjoy reading a little more about the Mackenzie twins as much as I enjoyed writing about them.

 

Outside of Smithville, life for the Mackenzie twins is getting better. Starting over isn’t easy, but Dominic and Mason are doing their best to get by and stay together. Although Dom landed a position easily, Mason is left struggling to find work. Despite the lack of career prospects, he revels in the freedom to be honest about his sexuality and embraces the local gay community. Making new friends comes easily to him. When one of those acquaintances discovers the secret side of the brother’s relationship, Mason and Dominic use the only assets they own to ensure his silence.

Only $2.50 at the following retailers:

 

 An Excerpt from Amanda Young’s

Tempestuous Voyeur

© Amanda Young, 2014

All Rights Reserved

Mason was feeling no pain as he unlocked the front door of the apartment and led Theo inside. He turned on the living room light and hung his keys up on the key rack hanging on the wall by the entrance. “Dom! I’m home.”

Theo shut the door and shed his jacket. “Is there somewhere I can put this?”

“I’ll take it.” Mason accepted the jacket and rested it over the back of the rocking chair by the door. They hadn’t had much extra cash since the move so the only furniture in the living room was a couch and the wooden rocker they’d picked up at a secondhand place over on First Street. The rocker generally doubled as a coat rack. “Why don’t you have a seat on the couch there and I’ll go find Dom.”

Theo’s butt had barely hit the sofa before the bedroom door flew open and slammed into the wall. Dom came storming out dressed in nothing more than a loose pair of cotton gym shorts. “Where the hell have you been? My dick’s not going to suck itself.”

Theo’s jaw dropped. He stood and looked back and forth between Dom and Mason.

All the color drained from Dom’s face as his gaze landed on Theo.

Nervous laughter burst out of Mason. “Surprise. I brought a friend home to meet you.”

Theo’s intense gaze zeroed in on Mason. “Did he just say…”

“No!” Mason interjected before Theo could finish speaking. “Well, I mean, he did say that, but he was just kidding. Dom’s a real joker.”

“That’s right,” Dom agreed. “I was only teasing Mason.”

“Uh huh.” Theo eyed them both with suspicion.

Mason wanted the floor to open up and swallow him. He couldn’t believe this was happening again. One of his friends catching them back in Smithville and outing them was the reason they’d needed to move. Now history was repeating itself. Oh God. Dom was going to kill him if he didn’t find a very tall bridge to jump off first.

Dom crossed his arms over his chest. “This has been fun, but it’s late and I have to work in the morning…”

“Dom’s right,” Mason said. “I’m sorry, but you should probably go.” After all, Dom couldn’t kill him while a witness was present.

Theo cleared his throat. “Neither of you are fooling anyone.”

Mason trembled. Fuck. He couldn’t go through this shit again. He just couldn’t.

Dom’s scowl deepened. “Who the fuck are you to come into our home and cast judgment? You don’t know us. You don’t know anything about us. Why don’t you take my brother’s advice and get the hell out of here?”

“I will. After I’ve said my piece.”

Dom glared at Theo. “Fine. Say what you have to say and then get out.”

Theo nodded. “Fair enough.”

Mason fidgeted. He had no idea how Theo could stay so calm in the face of Dom’s anger. If life was a cartoon, steam would have been coming out of Dom’s ears.

“I realize this is awkward for the two of you, but I have a proposition that might make things a little easier.”

“What’s that?” Dom barked.

“What do you mean?” Mason asked. Short of erasing Theo’s memory, he couldn’t see any way out of this. Someone knew about them. They weren’t safe. Maybe they never would be as long as they continued to love each other as more than siblings.

“I’m sure the two of you would like for me to walk out of here and forget what I’ve learned. And I will. For a price.”

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