Sue Lyndon's Blog, page 56
May 10, 2012
13 Books with HOT Spanking Scenes! ~ Thursday Thirteen 5/10/12
I love a book with good spanking scenes, whether it falls in the bdsm category or is a spanking romance or a domestic discipline story. It gets my heart pumping! If you're the same way, you'll want to check out the books on this list. I've read them all, some twice, and I heartily recommend them. Of course I had to list two of mine...can't blame a girl for a little shameless self-promo now and then:) Enjoy!
1. Mountain Devil by Sue Lyndon
2. Valentine Submission by Sue Lyndon
3. Traditional Love by Alta Hensley
4. Unexpected Consequences by Cara Bristol
5. Lily Mine by Annabel Joseph
6. The Point Of It All by Jade Cary
7. Kindred Spirits by Maren Smith
8. The Unrequited Dom by Carolyn Faulkner
9. Once a Princess by Johanna Lindsey
10. Plain Passion by Nattie Jones
11. Spanked Princesses: The Pianist by Erika Moran
12. The Lonely Dominant by Ella Jade
13. Treasured by Crystal Jordan
Please feel free to leave a comment listing your favorite books with spanking scenes...I'd love to hear them!
1. Mountain Devil by Sue Lyndon
2. Valentine Submission by Sue Lyndon
3. Traditional Love by Alta Hensley
4. Unexpected Consequences by Cara Bristol
5. Lily Mine by Annabel Joseph
6. The Point Of It All by Jade Cary
7. Kindred Spirits by Maren Smith
8. The Unrequited Dom by Carolyn Faulkner
9. Once a Princess by Johanna Lindsey
10. Plain Passion by Nattie Jones
11. Spanked Princesses: The Pianist by Erika Moran
12. The Lonely Dominant by Ella Jade
13. Treasured by Crystal Jordan
Please feel free to leave a comment listing your favorite books with spanking scenes...I'd love to hear them!
May 5, 2012
Spotlight Saturday with Jennifer Chambers
Please help me welcome fellow BTGN author Jennifer Chambers to my blog today for Spotlight Saturday. She's here to answer a few questions and talk about her upcoming release,
The Curious Bookshop
.
Jennifer's last two releases, Christmas Miracle at the Mall, and Learning Life Again, are available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
Jennifer, who are a few of your favorite authors?
Ooh, that’s a tough one. I read books like a glutton inhales Big Macs, so I’d have to go with some of my all-time favorites: Charles Dickens and Charlotte Bronte as far as classic writers, and I do love a good cozy mystery like those by M.C. Beaton and Laura Childs. Currently I’m reading a Jayne Ann Krentz- love her.
Tell us a little bit about your upcoming release.
My YA novel, The Curious Bookshop , is a historical where the teenage heroine time-travels through a magical book into the body of Queen Elizabeth the First.
Where can readers find your newest release?
I received the (very helpful, I might add) edits for the book from the editors at Books to Go Now. http//:www.bookstogonow.com/ I hope to have them turned in ASAP so I imagine it will come out quite soon. This is my third book with the company. I love the e-book format, having published books both ways. It helps to have a wonderful company to work with!
Coffee or tea?
Can I answer both? Near the beginning of 2012 I went gluten-free due to a health condition and boy do I need my coffee to get going! I drink a lot of tea as well, mostly decaf in the afternoons. Nothing like a cuppa. With Milk!
What inspired you to start writing?
When I was 15, I was in a car accident and sustained a traumatic brain injury. I had to re-learn everything, from walking and talking to tying my shoes and brushing my teeth. In the process of recovery I had to intensely observe people for cues. Really basic things, like how many seconds to pause after you’re spoken to before you respond, were the most difficult to regain. But they were also the most valuable. Nuances like that are some of the most important emotional “tells,” I write about. This is a round-about way of saying that I was inspired to write because it’s in my nature to observe; and I want to figure out what makes people do the things they do. Real life is infinitely fascinating!
Where can others connect with you?
My blog, where I talk about writing, books, and food, is www.jenniferbchambers.blogspot.com. My website is www.jenniferbchambers.com, and it has my speaking/signing schedule as well as links to all my other work.
What genres have you written in?
Lots of them! Horror (Ghost Stories, Vampires, Werewolves, Zombies.) Women’s Fiction, Inspirational Fiction.
Anything else you would like to share with readers?
I won the Erika Atkinsson Award given by the South Coast Writer's Conference in February 2012. You can read my entry, which is the first section of the book I'm working on, here: www.socc.edu/scwriters.Also, I own part of and edit for a literary magazine, Groundwaters, www.groundwaterspublishing.com. Our mission is to help writers, artists, and photographers learn and grow through the publication process and have the satisfaction of seeing their work in print.
Thanks for stopping by, Jennifer! Please feel free to leave Jennifer a nice comment or a question:)
Jennifer's last two releases, Christmas Miracle at the Mall, and Learning Life Again, are available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
Jennifer, who are a few of your favorite authors?
Ooh, that’s a tough one. I read books like a glutton inhales Big Macs, so I’d have to go with some of my all-time favorites: Charles Dickens and Charlotte Bronte as far as classic writers, and I do love a good cozy mystery like those by M.C. Beaton and Laura Childs. Currently I’m reading a Jayne Ann Krentz- love her.
Tell us a little bit about your upcoming release.
My YA novel, The Curious Bookshop , is a historical where the teenage heroine time-travels through a magical book into the body of Queen Elizabeth the First.
Where can readers find your newest release?
I received the (very helpful, I might add) edits for the book from the editors at Books to Go Now. http//:www.bookstogonow.com/ I hope to have them turned in ASAP so I imagine it will come out quite soon. This is my third book with the company. I love the e-book format, having published books both ways. It helps to have a wonderful company to work with!
Coffee or tea?
Can I answer both? Near the beginning of 2012 I went gluten-free due to a health condition and boy do I need my coffee to get going! I drink a lot of tea as well, mostly decaf in the afternoons. Nothing like a cuppa. With Milk!
What inspired you to start writing?
When I was 15, I was in a car accident and sustained a traumatic brain injury. I had to re-learn everything, from walking and talking to tying my shoes and brushing my teeth. In the process of recovery I had to intensely observe people for cues. Really basic things, like how many seconds to pause after you’re spoken to before you respond, were the most difficult to regain. But they were also the most valuable. Nuances like that are some of the most important emotional “tells,” I write about. This is a round-about way of saying that I was inspired to write because it’s in my nature to observe; and I want to figure out what makes people do the things they do. Real life is infinitely fascinating!
Where can others connect with you?
My blog, where I talk about writing, books, and food, is www.jenniferbchambers.blogspot.com. My website is www.jenniferbchambers.com, and it has my speaking/signing schedule as well as links to all my other work.
What genres have you written in?
Lots of them! Horror (Ghost Stories, Vampires, Werewolves, Zombies.) Women’s Fiction, Inspirational Fiction.
Anything else you would like to share with readers?
I won the Erika Atkinsson Award given by the South Coast Writer's Conference in February 2012. You can read my entry, which is the first section of the book I'm working on, here: www.socc.edu/scwriters.Also, I own part of and edit for a literary magazine, Groundwaters, www.groundwaterspublishing.com. Our mission is to help writers, artists, and photographers learn and grow through the publication process and have the satisfaction of seeing their work in print.
Thanks for stopping by, Jennifer! Please feel free to leave Jennifer a nice comment or a question:)
May 3, 2012
I'm a Kreativ Blogger Award Nominee!
I've been nominated for a Kreativ Blogger Award by erotic romance author Cara Bristol. Thank you so much, Cara! I'm grateful for the nomination. I became an instant fan of Cara's after reading her domestic discipline book, Unexpected Consequences . It's the first book in her Rod and Cane series. The second book in the series, False Pretenses , will be released on June 12th. I can't wait to read it!
The Kreativ Blogger rules say I must:
Thank my nominatorProvide a link to his/her blogList 7 things readers might find interesting about meAnd nominate 7 others
7 things about me:
1. I'm terrified of airplanes and have never traveled the friendly skies once in my life.
2. I've seen Melissa Etheridge in concert almost 20 times and I've touched her hand twice.
3. I can crochet a mean blanket, sweater, hat - anything, but I can't knit a single stitch. I've tried knitting classes and how-to books, all to no avail.
4. A few years ago while I was driving cross county, I stopped for the night at a motel in South Dakota. I woke up at 2am and swear I saw a woman standing in my room. She vanished when I turned on the light. Needless to say, I packed up and got the hell out of there and drove away in the middle of the night.
5. I have a lot of firsthand knowledge about the Amish. I've been in their houses, ridden in a buggy a few times, and played with Amish children when I was growing up.
6. Mike Tyson once walked right by me in a Cheesecake Factory. He looked badass! Hmm...maybe I should write a hero with facial tattoos.
7. The best job I ever had (besides writing!) was working in a coffee shop.
I nominate these 7 authors:
1. Jane Wakely
2. Lea Barrymire
3. Liz Adams
4. Morticia Knight
5. Danica Winters
6. Lara Valentine
7. Dianna Hardy
April 28, 2012
Spotlight Saturday Recap!
Since March, I've interviewed eight wonderful authors here on my blog for Spotlight Saturdays. If you're interested in being spotlighted, please send me an email. Dates are available in June and beyond.
Here's a recap of the previous authors who have been spotlighted, as well as links to their newest releases...
Genella deGray interview
Lara Valentine interview
Allison Merritt interview
Kacey Hammell interview
Brenda Dyer interview
Chris Karlsen interview
Danica Winters interview
Skye Warren interviewI enjoyed getting to know each and every one of these talented authors a little better. I hope you enjoy the interviews and maybe even discover a new book to add to your to-read pile!
Thanks for stopping by today:)
April 22, 2012
Six Sentence Sunday ~ 4/22/2012
I've spent the past few days continuing work on the first book in my Alien Warriors series. Here's a snippet from book one (Surrender):
“Will you let me up?” she asked in a hoarse voice. Her thoughts and feelings were too twisted up for her to be able to articulate anything else. She wanted Marqok to leave her alone so she could curl up under the covers and hide until morning. But his hand kept moving over her bottom cheeks, massaging, squeezing, and becoming more familiar with her body with each passing second.
“I don’t think so, little one. I like you right where I have you.”
I'm happy to report I'm about 3/4 done with this WIP. I'm in love with the characters and can't wait to share the whole story with everyone in the weeks to come. Thanks for stopping by!
“Will you let me up?” she asked in a hoarse voice. Her thoughts and feelings were too twisted up for her to be able to articulate anything else. She wanted Marqok to leave her alone so she could curl up under the covers and hide until morning. But his hand kept moving over her bottom cheeks, massaging, squeezing, and becoming more familiar with her body with each passing second.
“I don’t think so, little one. I like you right where I have you.”
I'm happy to report I'm about 3/4 done with this WIP. I'm in love with the characters and can't wait to share the whole story with everyone in the weeks to come. Thanks for stopping by!
April 21, 2012
Spotlight Saturday with Skye Warren
I'm excited to welcome author Skye Warren to my blog today for Spotlight Saturday. She's here to answer a few questions and talk about her latest release, Trust In Me.
Skye, who are a few of your favorite authors?
I adore Kitty Thomas’ work. Her language is lyrical and moving and yet still accessible. The Last Girl, her latest release, is exactly what I want from all paranormal romance, but never find. I don’t want my vampire hero portrayed as a regular guy with fangs. I want them dark, tortured and even violent – because that’s the only way I can believe in them.
Annabel Joseph is another fabulous author. Comfort Object wasn’t the first book of hers that I read, but it was like a revelation. While my work is read by regular erotic romance readers, it is always with the caveat that this is dark and disturbing. Annabel managed to take every kinky fantasy I didn’t even know I had and wrap it up with an HEA.
A new author in the dark erotica space is Lucy Rodgers. Her debut, Maid For It, was a sweet romance with a dubious consent twist.
Tell us a little bit about your newest release.
Mia longs for the daily torture to end, but one last task keeps her holding on. In a betrayal of the crime lord who pulled her from the gutter, she’ll free the shipment of human cargo, and if she’s lucky, die in the process. The alternative is unfathomable, even to a woman well-versed in erotic torture. But luck abandons her yet again when she meets the security expert in charge of the shipment and finds herself face to face with her childhood crush. The man she once begged for help. The man who failed her.
Tyler Martinez is an undercover FBI agent with one chance to right the wrongs of his past. Thrust deep into the seedy world of human trafficking, he must put aside his guilt over abandoning Mia all those years ago in order to save her now.
Someone’s pulling the strings in this sadistic play on trust, but Tyler and Mia may not live long enough to see the curtain fall. Trust in Me is a story of erotic pain and incipient romance, spiraling ever faster toward betrayal or redemption.
WARNING:
This book contains explicit scenes of dubious consent, graphic violence and sex. It also depicts abuse and captivity situations. Not appropriate for anyone uncomfortable with these situations or anyone under the age of eighteen. This is a work of fiction.
“Dark, disturbing, haunting, and beautiful, Skye Warren will take you into the depths of depravity but bring you home, safe in the end.”- Kitty Thomas, author of “The Last Girl”
Where can readers find your newest release?
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
All Romance
Goodreads
Do you like to listen to music while you write? If so, who are your favorite artists?
No, I really cannot focus enough on the writing if music is playing. However, I do take inspiration from writing. I created a playlist to cover some songs that helped inspire Trust in Me:
[image error]
What inspired you to start writing?
Not being able to find certain storylines or characters that I was looking for. I like to read in many genres, and can generally find plenty of great stuff. However, dark erotica is not as common, so I decided to try my hand. I’m so grateful to my readers who have accepted me into the fold.
What genres have you written in?
My dark erotica is definitely the centerpiece of my brand, including Keep Me Safe and Trust in Me. I love insanely tortured heroes, submissive heroines and villains who really earn the name.
I also have a couple of contemporary erotic novellas, without the very-dark tones. Sweetest Mistress is a BDSM romance with femdom themes. Below the Belt is a contemporary erotic romance with a spotlight on the competitive martial arts world.
Where can others connect with you?
Website: http://skyewarren.com/Twitter: @Skye_WarrenFacebookGoodreads
Coffee or tea?
I’m a southern girl, so it’s tea for me. My husband’s the coffee drinker of the house. I like good old comfort food, he likes spicy. I like pop and R&B music, he likes techno and rock. We are opposites in every way, so thank goodness we attract!
What is your ultimate writing goal?
For you to read my book, of course ;-)
But seriously, I do love connecting with my readers! That’s more on the publishing side than writing. I have a recurring character in my dark erotica books, Carlos. He’s a bad guy. I mean, really bad. From the feedback I’ve seen that readers kind of hate him and think of him as pure evil, that kind of thing. That’s fine, because that’s (mostly) the only thing he’s shown them. However… he will be getting his own book. Not the next one, but a couple down the road. From a writing perspective, he’s going to work pretty hard to win everyone over. I have faith in him :)
Please feel free to leave Skye a nice comment!
Skye, who are a few of your favorite authors?
I adore Kitty Thomas’ work. Her language is lyrical and moving and yet still accessible. The Last Girl, her latest release, is exactly what I want from all paranormal romance, but never find. I don’t want my vampire hero portrayed as a regular guy with fangs. I want them dark, tortured and even violent – because that’s the only way I can believe in them.
Annabel Joseph is another fabulous author. Comfort Object wasn’t the first book of hers that I read, but it was like a revelation. While my work is read by regular erotic romance readers, it is always with the caveat that this is dark and disturbing. Annabel managed to take every kinky fantasy I didn’t even know I had and wrap it up with an HEA.
A new author in the dark erotica space is Lucy Rodgers. Her debut, Maid For It, was a sweet romance with a dubious consent twist.
Tell us a little bit about your newest release.
Mia longs for the daily torture to end, but one last task keeps her holding on. In a betrayal of the crime lord who pulled her from the gutter, she’ll free the shipment of human cargo, and if she’s lucky, die in the process. The alternative is unfathomable, even to a woman well-versed in erotic torture. But luck abandons her yet again when she meets the security expert in charge of the shipment and finds herself face to face with her childhood crush. The man she once begged for help. The man who failed her.
Tyler Martinez is an undercover FBI agent with one chance to right the wrongs of his past. Thrust deep into the seedy world of human trafficking, he must put aside his guilt over abandoning Mia all those years ago in order to save her now.
Someone’s pulling the strings in this sadistic play on trust, but Tyler and Mia may not live long enough to see the curtain fall. Trust in Me is a story of erotic pain and incipient romance, spiraling ever faster toward betrayal or redemption.
WARNING:
This book contains explicit scenes of dubious consent, graphic violence and sex. It also depicts abuse and captivity situations. Not appropriate for anyone uncomfortable with these situations or anyone under the age of eighteen. This is a work of fiction.
“Dark, disturbing, haunting, and beautiful, Skye Warren will take you into the depths of depravity but bring you home, safe in the end.”- Kitty Thomas, author of “The Last Girl”
Where can readers find your newest release?
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
All Romance
Goodreads
Do you like to listen to music while you write? If so, who are your favorite artists?
No, I really cannot focus enough on the writing if music is playing. However, I do take inspiration from writing. I created a playlist to cover some songs that helped inspire Trust in Me:
[image error]
What inspired you to start writing?
Not being able to find certain storylines or characters that I was looking for. I like to read in many genres, and can generally find plenty of great stuff. However, dark erotica is not as common, so I decided to try my hand. I’m so grateful to my readers who have accepted me into the fold.
What genres have you written in?
My dark erotica is definitely the centerpiece of my brand, including Keep Me Safe and Trust in Me. I love insanely tortured heroes, submissive heroines and villains who really earn the name.
I also have a couple of contemporary erotic novellas, without the very-dark tones. Sweetest Mistress is a BDSM romance with femdom themes. Below the Belt is a contemporary erotic romance with a spotlight on the competitive martial arts world.
Where can others connect with you?
Website: http://skyewarren.com/Twitter: @Skye_WarrenFacebookGoodreads
Coffee or tea?
I’m a southern girl, so it’s tea for me. My husband’s the coffee drinker of the house. I like good old comfort food, he likes spicy. I like pop and R&B music, he likes techno and rock. We are opposites in every way, so thank goodness we attract!
What is your ultimate writing goal?
For you to read my book, of course ;-)
But seriously, I do love connecting with my readers! That’s more on the publishing side than writing. I have a recurring character in my dark erotica books, Carlos. He’s a bad guy. I mean, really bad. From the feedback I’ve seen that readers kind of hate him and think of him as pure evil, that kind of thing. That’s fine, because that’s (mostly) the only thing he’s shown them. However… he will be getting his own book. Not the next one, but a couple down the road. From a writing perspective, he’s going to work pretty hard to win everyone over. I have faith in him :)
Please feel free to leave Skye a nice comment!
April 20, 2012
VALENTINE SUBMISSION is FREE this weekend!
My bdsm romance novella, Valentine Submission, is free on Amazon this weekend (4/21 and 4/22)!
Synopsis:
Desperate for some peace and quiet after an ugly divorce, Anne escapes to the beach for an impromptu vacation. But instead of r&r, she finds unexpected passion in the arms of a longtime friend, Jack, who happens to be a widowed Dom. Anne is open to his lifestyle and asks him to teach her submission. But when she realizes she's lost her heart to him, things get complicated. Not only is she due back at her job in two weeks, but she fears competing with the memory of Jack's wife. Maybe it's not meant to be.
Anne's sweet submissive nature brings the Dom in Jack to life, and he finds the first happiness he's known in a long time. He plans a special surprise for her in his playroom on Valentine's Day - only to discover she's left without saying goodbye. The chase is on. If Anne thought she could leave him that easily, she'd better think twice...
Where to get your FREE copy:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Amazon DE
Amazon ES
Amazon FR
Amazon IT
Synopsis:
Desperate for some peace and quiet after an ugly divorce, Anne escapes to the beach for an impromptu vacation. But instead of r&r, she finds unexpected passion in the arms of a longtime friend, Jack, who happens to be a widowed Dom. Anne is open to his lifestyle and asks him to teach her submission. But when she realizes she's lost her heart to him, things get complicated. Not only is she due back at her job in two weeks, but she fears competing with the memory of Jack's wife. Maybe it's not meant to be.
Anne's sweet submissive nature brings the Dom in Jack to life, and he finds the first happiness he's known in a long time. He plans a special surprise for her in his playroom on Valentine's Day - only to discover she's left without saying goodbye. The chase is on. If Anne thought she could leave him that easily, she'd better think twice...
Where to get your FREE copy:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Amazon DE
Amazon ES
Amazon FR
Amazon IT
April 14, 2012
Spotlight Saturday with Danica Winters
I'm excited to welcome author Danica Winters to my blog today for Spotlight Saturday. She's here to answer a few questions and talk about her latest release, The Devil's Angel.
Who are a few of your favorite authors?
There are so many wonderful authors past and present that picking a single name is a challenge. I have loved to read romance since I was old enough to borrow them from my Mother’s office, but my favorite author has to be another author who used to call Montana his home, James Welch, and his book, Fools Crow.
Do you like to listen to music while you write? If so, who are your favorite artists?
I normally write with background noise, it forces me to concentrate and often it helps to put me into the mood of the scene. Right now I am writing the second book in a dark series so I am enjoying an amazing pianist, Emile Pandolfi. My favorite song, Let Me Fall, from his Believe album. I’ve played the piano since I was five years old and hearing a master play can bring tears to my eyes.
Tell us a little bit about your newest release.
I have a short story entitled, The Devil’s Angel, released March 31st, 2012 through Silver Publishing and this summer I will have my first novel in The Veela Curse Series entitled, Curse of the Wolf, being published by Ravenous Romance. As a treat for readers I have included a little sample from The Devil’s Angel. Enjoy!
The Devil’s Angel:
Sarah was no angel, but for the first time in her adult life, she found herself holding wire wings covered with what looked like an old pair of white nylons as she fidgeted with her ill-fitting saint mask.
She hated Halloween, and this year was no exception, the day just another excuse for her idiotic co-workers to get drunk and fondle each other.
Maybe what upset her the most was the fact she didn't have anyone to fondle her. Regardless, her solo status was only made worse by being at her boss's house, which was just then filled with a bunch of drunken ass-grabbers wearing the only attire allowed—their company's line of Halloween themed lingerie.
She slammed her car door shut. Her high heels clicked on the walkway as she tugged at the laced edges of the white satin corset that had ridden up her side. She tried to calm her racing heart as she readjusted her tilted halo.
The thumping noise of the party greeted her as she made her way up the concrete steps that led to her boss’s front door.
"Are you alone, little angel?" a man asked.
She looked up at him as he leaned against the bricks of the arched entryway. His face and body were the same shade of red as the front door of the house and he had black, cow-like horns extending above his ears.
"Who's asking?"
"The Devil.” He laughed wickedly. "Or, as I would prefer—your Devil."
She slid her arms into the holes of the lop-sided wings and stepped closer to the mysterious black-haired man.
"How 'bout this, Devil. Let's stick together and make a pass around the idiot circuit, and then we can see where things take us?" She looped her arm around his and reached up to stroke his muscular chest.
She was acting like a tramp, but wearing the mask made her feel protected by the anonymity the thin plastic offered. She could say what she wanted, to whomever she wanted. The effect was exhilarating and unexpectedly empowering. Usually, she was the quiet underling, but tonight she could be the fallen angel. And if he was lucky, she could be his fallen angel….(The Devil’s Angel, Released March 31st, 2012)
The Devil's Angel is available on Amazon and directly from Silver Publishing.
Where can others connect with you?
Twitter: @DanicaWinters
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DanicaWinters
Webpage/Blog: www.DanicaWinters.net
What is your ultimate writing goal?
My ultimate goal as a writer is to create books that capture the hearts of my readers.
I want to have my readers not only learn about my characters, but in some small way themselves. In Curse of the Wolf, the first book in The Curse of the Veela Series, I raise the point that we must not be controlled by our hatred or fear. We as people must learn to forgive and move on from the traumas and pains of our pasts in order to become stronger, to grow.
I think in every great book, we must walk away with a message.
How do you go about choosing names for your characters?
I like to include my readers in naming my characters. I think it is a fun, rewarding, and interactive experience to let my readers get their hands in on creating a major element of upcoming novels and short stories. My fans are what keep me going and I like to include them in my creative process as much as possible.
Tell us about your upcoming writing projects.
I am working on my upcoming The Veela Curse Series. At this point, I have almost completed writing the second book and am beginning to come up with concepts for the third. Between novels, I like to write my short stories; and as much as I would like to say I plan these ahead, they are usually created as I write.
Please feel free to leave Danica a nice comment:)
Who are a few of your favorite authors?
There are so many wonderful authors past and present that picking a single name is a challenge. I have loved to read romance since I was old enough to borrow them from my Mother’s office, but my favorite author has to be another author who used to call Montana his home, James Welch, and his book, Fools Crow.
Do you like to listen to music while you write? If so, who are your favorite artists?
I normally write with background noise, it forces me to concentrate and often it helps to put me into the mood of the scene. Right now I am writing the second book in a dark series so I am enjoying an amazing pianist, Emile Pandolfi. My favorite song, Let Me Fall, from his Believe album. I’ve played the piano since I was five years old and hearing a master play can bring tears to my eyes.
Tell us a little bit about your newest release.
I have a short story entitled, The Devil’s Angel, released March 31st, 2012 through Silver Publishing and this summer I will have my first novel in The Veela Curse Series entitled, Curse of the Wolf, being published by Ravenous Romance. As a treat for readers I have included a little sample from The Devil’s Angel. Enjoy!
The Devil’s Angel:
Sarah was no angel, but for the first time in her adult life, she found herself holding wire wings covered with what looked like an old pair of white nylons as she fidgeted with her ill-fitting saint mask.
She hated Halloween, and this year was no exception, the day just another excuse for her idiotic co-workers to get drunk and fondle each other.
Maybe what upset her the most was the fact she didn't have anyone to fondle her. Regardless, her solo status was only made worse by being at her boss's house, which was just then filled with a bunch of drunken ass-grabbers wearing the only attire allowed—their company's line of Halloween themed lingerie.
She slammed her car door shut. Her high heels clicked on the walkway as she tugged at the laced edges of the white satin corset that had ridden up her side. She tried to calm her racing heart as she readjusted her tilted halo.
The thumping noise of the party greeted her as she made her way up the concrete steps that led to her boss’s front door.
"Are you alone, little angel?" a man asked.
She looked up at him as he leaned against the bricks of the arched entryway. His face and body were the same shade of red as the front door of the house and he had black, cow-like horns extending above his ears.
"Who's asking?"
"The Devil.” He laughed wickedly. "Or, as I would prefer—your Devil."
She slid her arms into the holes of the lop-sided wings and stepped closer to the mysterious black-haired man.
"How 'bout this, Devil. Let's stick together and make a pass around the idiot circuit, and then we can see where things take us?" She looped her arm around his and reached up to stroke his muscular chest.
She was acting like a tramp, but wearing the mask made her feel protected by the anonymity the thin plastic offered. She could say what she wanted, to whomever she wanted. The effect was exhilarating and unexpectedly empowering. Usually, she was the quiet underling, but tonight she could be the fallen angel. And if he was lucky, she could be his fallen angel….(The Devil’s Angel, Released March 31st, 2012)
The Devil's Angel is available on Amazon and directly from Silver Publishing.
Where can others connect with you?
Twitter: @DanicaWinters
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DanicaWinters
Webpage/Blog: www.DanicaWinters.net
What is your ultimate writing goal?
My ultimate goal as a writer is to create books that capture the hearts of my readers.
I want to have my readers not only learn about my characters, but in some small way themselves. In Curse of the Wolf, the first book in The Curse of the Veela Series, I raise the point that we must not be controlled by our hatred or fear. We as people must learn to forgive and move on from the traumas and pains of our pasts in order to become stronger, to grow.
I think in every great book, we must walk away with a message.
How do you go about choosing names for your characters?
I like to include my readers in naming my characters. I think it is a fun, rewarding, and interactive experience to let my readers get their hands in on creating a major element of upcoming novels and short stories. My fans are what keep me going and I like to include them in my creative process as much as possible.
Tell us about your upcoming writing projects.
I am working on my upcoming The Veela Curse Series. At this point, I have almost completed writing the second book and am beginning to come up with concepts for the third. Between novels, I like to write my short stories; and as much as I would like to say I plan these ahead, they are usually created as I write.
Please feel free to leave Danica a nice comment:)
April 11, 2012
13 Coffee Mugs I Wish I Owned ~ Thursday Thirteen 4/12/12
I started sneaking coffee from the kitchen when I was five years old. I love the stuff, and I love a good coffee mug too. Here are thirteen nifty mugs I wouldn't mind adding to my collection:
April 6, 2012
Spotlight Saturday with Chris Karlsen
I'm excited to welcome author Chris Karlsen to my blog for this week's Spotlight Saturday. She's stopped by to answer some questions and talk about her latest release, Golden Chariot.
Chris, who are a few of your favorite authors?
Michael Connelly, John Sandford, Bernard Cornwell, Julie Anne Long, Julia Quinn, Deanna Raybourn and Stephen Coonts.
Do you like to listen to music while you write? If so, who are your favorite artists?
Depends on my mood and often what scene I’m working on as I often like the music to be the soundtrack to the scene. I love IL Divo, Sarah Brightman, Fleetwood Mac, Bob Seeger, Delerium, Foreigner and Enigma.
Tell us a little bit about your newest release.
“Golden Chariot,” is a romantic thriller set in Turkey. The heroine, Charlotte Dashiell is an American nautical archaeologist with a very controversial theory regarding the Trojan War. The rare discovery of a ship sunk during the time of the war has been found near Troy. As the wreck may contain proof of her theory, she’s thrilled to be part of the recovery team. The murder of a Turkish government agent and her loose connection to a buyer of black market relics put her under suspicion by the Ministry of Culture. Atakan Vadim, the hero, is the Turkish agent sent to investigate her.
EXCERPT: Shouts of “fire” came from all sides of the camp. The west wind blew sparks in the direction of the lab. They could lose the entire camp, but not the lab, not the artifacts. Charlotte grabbed an empty barrel from the fire line. She ran with it and started climbing the stairs to the shower stall’s water tank. A man’s hand covered her mouth. His other hand brandished a gun. With the cold barrel to her ear, he walked her backwards down the few steps to the ground. “Don’t scream.” Little-by-little his palm came away from her mouth.
Where can readers find your newest release?
Golden Chariot is currently an Amazon Select exclusive here.
Coffee or tea?
Coffee
What inspired you to start writing?
I’ve always loved books. I found myself sometimes thinking I’d have done this or that different. I’d make it end differently. Things like that. So, when I retired I decided to write stories my way.
Where can others connect with you?
www.chriskarlsen.com
http://www.facebook.com/#!/chriskarlsenwriter
chriskarlsenwriter@gmail.com
What is your ultimate writing goal?
To entertain, to take the reader to another place for a little while. That said, I fantasize my books getting made into movies of the week. How cool would that be?
How do you go about choosing names for your characters?
For the heroines, I pick names I like that have either a cool sound to me or culturally suits the character. In Golden Chariot, I gave Charlotte the last name Dashiell just because I liked Dashiell. It was different and cool and Charlotte lent it another level of stylishness. For Atakan, I wanted a Turkish name, since that’s his native country. I researched various male names and their meaning. I really liked Vadim for his surname as I felt it had strength when I said it aloud. Atakan means having the blood of his ancestors.
What are your favorite genres?
Romance (paranormal and historical mainly) , thrillers, and historicals.
What genres have you written in?
I’ve only written in two genres so far. “Heroes Live Forever,” and “Journey in Time,” are paranormal romances in my “Knights in Time,” series. “Golden Chariot” is book one of my “Dangerous Waters,” series. It’s the romantic thriller. I’d like to try a Gothic horror set in Victorian England, down the road.
Star Trek or Star Wars?
Star Trek
Do you write under a pen name?
Chris Karlsen is my pen name. Most everyone knows about my writing.
Tell us about your upcoming writing projects.
I just finished the first draft of the sequel to “Golden Chariot.” It’s called “Byzantine Gold.” Charlotte and Atakan return to work another shipwreck off the coast of Northern Cyprus, where they come in contact with a terrorist organization and a contract killer. I’m now working on the first draft of book three in my paranormal romance series. This is called, “Knight Blindness” and is a time travel.
Please feel free to leave Chris a nice comment:)
Chris, who are a few of your favorite authors?
Michael Connelly, John Sandford, Bernard Cornwell, Julie Anne Long, Julia Quinn, Deanna Raybourn and Stephen Coonts.
Do you like to listen to music while you write? If so, who are your favorite artists?
Depends on my mood and often what scene I’m working on as I often like the music to be the soundtrack to the scene. I love IL Divo, Sarah Brightman, Fleetwood Mac, Bob Seeger, Delerium, Foreigner and Enigma.
Tell us a little bit about your newest release.
“Golden Chariot,” is a romantic thriller set in Turkey. The heroine, Charlotte Dashiell is an American nautical archaeologist with a very controversial theory regarding the Trojan War. The rare discovery of a ship sunk during the time of the war has been found near Troy. As the wreck may contain proof of her theory, she’s thrilled to be part of the recovery team. The murder of a Turkish government agent and her loose connection to a buyer of black market relics put her under suspicion by the Ministry of Culture. Atakan Vadim, the hero, is the Turkish agent sent to investigate her.
EXCERPT: Shouts of “fire” came from all sides of the camp. The west wind blew sparks in the direction of the lab. They could lose the entire camp, but not the lab, not the artifacts. Charlotte grabbed an empty barrel from the fire line. She ran with it and started climbing the stairs to the shower stall’s water tank. A man’s hand covered her mouth. His other hand brandished a gun. With the cold barrel to her ear, he walked her backwards down the few steps to the ground. “Don’t scream.” Little-by-little his palm came away from her mouth.
Where can readers find your newest release?
Golden Chariot is currently an Amazon Select exclusive here.
Coffee or tea?
Coffee
What inspired you to start writing?
I’ve always loved books. I found myself sometimes thinking I’d have done this or that different. I’d make it end differently. Things like that. So, when I retired I decided to write stories my way.
Where can others connect with you?
www.chriskarlsen.com
http://www.facebook.com/#!/chriskarlsenwriter
chriskarlsenwriter@gmail.com
What is your ultimate writing goal?
To entertain, to take the reader to another place for a little while. That said, I fantasize my books getting made into movies of the week. How cool would that be?
How do you go about choosing names for your characters?
For the heroines, I pick names I like that have either a cool sound to me or culturally suits the character. In Golden Chariot, I gave Charlotte the last name Dashiell just because I liked Dashiell. It was different and cool and Charlotte lent it another level of stylishness. For Atakan, I wanted a Turkish name, since that’s his native country. I researched various male names and their meaning. I really liked Vadim for his surname as I felt it had strength when I said it aloud. Atakan means having the blood of his ancestors.
What are your favorite genres?
Romance (paranormal and historical mainly) , thrillers, and historicals.
What genres have you written in?
I’ve only written in two genres so far. “Heroes Live Forever,” and “Journey in Time,” are paranormal romances in my “Knights in Time,” series. “Golden Chariot” is book one of my “Dangerous Waters,” series. It’s the romantic thriller. I’d like to try a Gothic horror set in Victorian England, down the road.
Star Trek or Star Wars?
Star Trek
Do you write under a pen name?
Chris Karlsen is my pen name. Most everyone knows about my writing.
Tell us about your upcoming writing projects.
I just finished the first draft of the sequel to “Golden Chariot.” It’s called “Byzantine Gold.” Charlotte and Atakan return to work another shipwreck off the coast of Northern Cyprus, where they come in contact with a terrorist organization and a contract killer. I’m now working on the first draft of book three in my paranormal romance series. This is called, “Knight Blindness” and is a time travel.
Please feel free to leave Chris a nice comment:)
