C.A. Szarek's Blog, page 14
July 8, 2013
Tell Me About it Tuesday Welcomes Janet French!
This week on Tell Me About it Tuesday, I have fellow Gypsy, Janet French!
She was kind enough to let me interview her, and wow, the answers are cool.
Check it out!
Meet Janet!
In her own words:
I have a husband, children, grandchildren, a craft supplies shop, a cat and a canary. Life is good.
HAHA! I love it! Short and sweet!
Q. Do you do any special research for your novels?
Definitely! The world of The Cardanon Chronicles has enough about people and landscape in common with our world for a reader to make a connection and feel some familiarity with the settings. I always make sure the geography and geology is plausible but when it comes to armour or botany or sailing ships, for instance, I really check the details and make sure I don’t go badly wrong. I would rather work around it than make a bad mistake. I keep a thesaurus and a book on dogs close to hand at all times but then, who wouldn’t?
Q. What’s your favorite genre to read? Do you write it?
I spent most of the 60s and 70s reading vast amounts of science fiction. That felt like a golden age for wild imaginings and from there I moved into a lot of swords and sorcery fantasy, and I mean a lot! I like to escape when I read and it is the same when I write. I enjoy crime mysteries too which I think shows through in The Silver House. I didn’t set out to solve a murder alongside a magic and Dragons adventure but I just couldn’t help myself.
Q. What are you working on right now? Can you tell us about it?
The second of the Cardanon Chronicles is causing me no end of grief but I am plugging away at it. I have outlines for the four book set but that is a long way from a satisfying story, particularly as I seem to write long books. Book 2 will be The Ruby Princess and pick up some of the main characters from The Silver House, six years on.
Q. Did you ever write a character you didn’t like? Or one that gave you problems, going against your intentions for them or your story?
They can’t all be likeable or the story would be very boring. My characters are people, after all, be they human or Dragon. I find they come to life as the story goes on and start adding their own bits to the story but I am quite strict with them. They are there to add to the story line, not mess it up!
Q. The opportunity to go on a surprise vacation arises. You have 90 minutes to pack and get to the airport. Where will you go and what will you pack?
Here is my secret, I have never flown and I don’t have a passport. However surprise vacations are definitely my thing. I can pick up some embroidery, my Kindle and a credit card and be on the road for the English Lake District in 5 minutes. Join me?
Q. If they make a movie about your life, who do you want to play your part?
Obviously a beautiful action heroine, seductive and resourceful. Maybe Lucy Lawless or Angelina Jolie? In my dreams!
That was a GREAT interview, thank you, Janet! I am so pleased to hear about your book! Tell us about it!
Blurb:
The first of The Cardanon Chronicles, this is an adventure story in a world of Dragons, magic, politics, murder, invasion, battles and heroes.
The Zashran invaders are at the gates of Cardanon. As the city falls the Dragon Mothers take the Silver House and the city’s children into hiding away from the mortal world.
The future of the House, the threads of Power and the land itself are in the hands of a ragbag of escapees. The boy Duke of Cardanon, a beggar girl, a House Sister, a merchant’s son and a group of rescued children are led by a stranded Dragon Mother. Only accustomed to the safety of city life they must evade the pursuing Zashran and find their way through a strange and exciting countryside with only their courage and resourcefulness to rely on.
It is up to these few to face the dangers of the road and find their way to the heroes who can help them save the House and their world.
Excerpt:
Chapter One
Duke Coric leaned back into the shifting shadows against the stained and broken wall that used to be a part of Cardanon’s finest inn. Across the broad street, the Great North Gates shuddered under the pounding of the Zashran rams and the noise filled the sooty air.
Coric was tall and well made, of middle years, with an air of inherited stature and grace but the slight stoop to his shoulders and the weakness of his blue eyes betrayed a man used to seeing the world in close up, in books and histories. Three months of siege had not made his armour comfortable nor his sword fit his hand. This was the end of his city. One thousand years of history was coming to a crashing finale under his rule and the last of his dynasty would fall with it.
The ugly glare from buildings left to burn in the night lit the scene with a hellish light. Coric slid sideways toward the deeper shadows and wondered if he could be out of sight.
Even now the Duke was not left unattended, a millennium of protocol was not lost so easily, but the humour of seeing his Steward, Eoc, picking his way through ruin to offer him water had been exhausted many weeks ago. Coric scrubbed at his gritty eyes with the back of his leather gauntlet and heaved himself away from the wall.
He addressed the man, “There are plenty of men who need that more than I do. Give it to someone who can still help this city.” Coric was thankful he could still hear some authority in his voice.
Eoc stiffened, affronted, as much as he was able against a ragged crutch and stood his ground.
“My apologies, Eoc, but I am resolute in this if in nothing else. If there is water left, give it to fighting men. I am of no use to my city now.”
“Don’t say that, Sir!” Eoc pleaded. “There is only you and the House holding us together.”
Coric followed Eoc’s gaze up to where the tower of the Silver House, high behind them, was hidden in the night.
“I still pray Power for help but how can any of us hope to see the morning?” Coric’s voice betrayed him with a tremble.
“We will defend the House, Sir, even if the gates fall.”
Coric shook his head and looked around in the guttering light at the muster of men waiting to meet the Zashran invaders. He could not see more than a handful without signs of injury and those were exhausted and half-starved. The wounded that could bear any weapon at all had been brought from the surgeons’ care and were lining up before the gates. Coric’s eyes misted as he watched the men propped against buildings, their swords strapped to their hands. Women were moving out from the shadows carrying whatever weapons the fallen fighting men had left behind. The Zashran took no prisoners and gave no quarter. Cardanon’s remnants were choosing death in the open rather than waiting to be butchered.
Wow this looks like an intriguing read!
Buy it!Amazon|Barnes & Noble|Gypsy Shadow
More Janet:Website Facebook Twitter
July 5, 2013
Friday Feature: Dark Hearts!
For my debut of Friday Feature, I have the lovely T.R. Stoddard sharing her very own playlist from her new release, a fantastic New Adult entitled Dark Hearts!
So without further ado, I will turn things over to T.R!
Music is a huge part of my writing process. I have millions of ideas, at least it seems that way, vying for attention while I write. If a song can capture the feeling of the idea, it helps to keep me focused and grounded in that environment. Dark Hearts is an edgier novel with themes of depression, self-harm, eating disorders, and suicide. Naturally, I didn't find upbeat music resonated with the novel or its characters. There are plenty of endearing moments snaked within its pages, but they came naturally. No mood-setting needed.
Funny enough, music played such a huge part in this novel that I had the playlist on the first page right under the title. I opted not to keep it that way, but I would love to tell you what each song meant to me during the process. I kept the list on shuffle, so the order isn't super important. I would listen to most of the song in every area of the book.
Damaged by Assemblage 23:First of all...I love love love this song.
The beginning of the song sums up Kara's world. She lives with an alcoholic mother and an absent father, living third in her mother's eyes to the bottle and men. “I am merely the product of the life that I lived. An amalgam of sorrows and the wisdom they give. But the weight has grown heavy and it's dragging me down.”
30k ft by Assemblage 23:
This song sums up unfinished words, things left unsaid. While the theme of this song is more uplifting than the overall theme of Dark hearts, it is fitting at the same time.
Disappoint by Assemblage 23:
This song takes on suicide from the survivors' perspective. I felt that was much needed.
Swing Life Away by Rise Against:
“Let's compare scars and I'll tell you who's worse.” Self explanatory.
Bother by Stone Sour:
“I wish I was too dead to cry, self-affliction fades.” Kara cuts to try to get through the pain, all the while wishing for death. Until that special person enters her life. The right person can give you hope, the wrong person can kill it forever.
Russian Roulette by Rihanna:
This song plays a huge part in Dark Hearts, but you'll have to read to find out how.
Breathe Me by Sia:
The breathy, airy, sad quality of this song made for a long time on repeat. These kids are looking for friends, looking for help. Sometimes they get more than they bargained for.
Through the Glass by Stone Sour
Broken (ft Amy Lee) by Seether
Jumper by Third Eye Blind
Hold On by Good Charlotte
I hope you guys enjoyed getting an inside perspective onto my Dark Hearts playlist.
WOW! That's some awesome stuff! Thanx for sharing, T.R.
Let's here about that book!
Blurb:In the Dark Hearts chat room, a predator lurks amid damaged souls looking for someone to relate with. Fifteen year old Kara is certain she's found Mr. Right and vows to meet him after one month of online chatting. Can you really know someone connected only by an internet connection? Or is love universal?
After losing the love of his life to suicide, a man becomes a twisted vigilante against suicidal young women. A fixed game of chance delivers his justice. Can true love break his cycle of death, or will a twist of fate let his crimes catch up with him?Doesn't this look like a FANTASTIC read? Right now, it's a BARGAIN at .99!!!!!! Get it today!!!!!Amazon Add it on goodreads
More T.R.
Facebook
Blog
Email her!
So without further ado, I will turn things over to T.R!
Music is a huge part of my writing process. I have millions of ideas, at least it seems that way, vying for attention while I write. If a song can capture the feeling of the idea, it helps to keep me focused and grounded in that environment. Dark Hearts is an edgier novel with themes of depression, self-harm, eating disorders, and suicide. Naturally, I didn't find upbeat music resonated with the novel or its characters. There are plenty of endearing moments snaked within its pages, but they came naturally. No mood-setting needed.
Funny enough, music played such a huge part in this novel that I had the playlist on the first page right under the title. I opted not to keep it that way, but I would love to tell you what each song meant to me during the process. I kept the list on shuffle, so the order isn't super important. I would listen to most of the song in every area of the book.
Damaged by Assemblage 23:First of all...I love love love this song.
The beginning of the song sums up Kara's world. She lives with an alcoholic mother and an absent father, living third in her mother's eyes to the bottle and men. “I am merely the product of the life that I lived. An amalgam of sorrows and the wisdom they give. But the weight has grown heavy and it's dragging me down.”
30k ft by Assemblage 23:
This song sums up unfinished words, things left unsaid. While the theme of this song is more uplifting than the overall theme of Dark hearts, it is fitting at the same time.
Disappoint by Assemblage 23:
This song takes on suicide from the survivors' perspective. I felt that was much needed.
Swing Life Away by Rise Against:
“Let's compare scars and I'll tell you who's worse.” Self explanatory.
Bother by Stone Sour:
“I wish I was too dead to cry, self-affliction fades.” Kara cuts to try to get through the pain, all the while wishing for death. Until that special person enters her life. The right person can give you hope, the wrong person can kill it forever.
Russian Roulette by Rihanna:
This song plays a huge part in Dark Hearts, but you'll have to read to find out how.
Breathe Me by Sia:
The breathy, airy, sad quality of this song made for a long time on repeat. These kids are looking for friends, looking for help. Sometimes they get more than they bargained for.
Through the Glass by Stone Sour
Broken (ft Amy Lee) by Seether
Jumper by Third Eye Blind
Hold On by Good Charlotte
I hope you guys enjoyed getting an inside perspective onto my Dark Hearts playlist.
WOW! That's some awesome stuff! Thanx for sharing, T.R.
Let's here about that book!
Blurb:In the Dark Hearts chat room, a predator lurks amid damaged souls looking for someone to relate with. Fifteen year old Kara is certain she's found Mr. Right and vows to meet him after one month of online chatting. Can you really know someone connected only by an internet connection? Or is love universal?
After losing the love of his life to suicide, a man becomes a twisted vigilante against suicidal young women. A fixed game of chance delivers his justice. Can true love break his cycle of death, or will a twist of fate let his crimes catch up with him?Doesn't this look like a FANTASTIC read? Right now, it's a BARGAIN at .99!!!!!! Get it today!!!!!Amazon Add it on goodreads
More T.R.Blog
Email her!
July 2, 2013
Tell Me About it Tuesday Welcomes Morticia Knight!
I am really excited to welcome another fantastic fellow TEB author on this week's Tell Me About it Tuesday!!!
Welcome multipublished, and all around lovely, Morticia Knight!
About Morticia:
Erotic Romance author Morticia Knight enjoys a good saucy tale, whether it is contemporary, paranormal, historical, ménage, M/M or BDSM - she loves it all! One of her passions is bringing people's fantasies to life on the page, because life is too short for even one boring moment. Her stories are volcanic in heat, deep in emotion, and sprinkled with doses of humor.
When not indulging in her passion for books, she loves the outdoors, film and music. Once upon a time she was the singer in an indie rock band that toured the West Coast and charted on U.S. college radio. She currently resides on the northern coast of Oregon, where the constant rain and fog remind her of visits to her family in England and Scotland when she was a child.
Check out our interview! It's cool!
Q. Do you do any special research for your novels?
Oh yes. I never realised how many little details go into even contemporary novels that are set in an area I’m familiar with. If I say something as mundane as “they headed west towards…” and people who know that locale inside and out will think “she has no idea what she’s talking about!” But more significantly, it takes the reader out of the story, and that’s always a bad thing.
Q. What’s your favorite genre to read? Do you write it?
This might sound odd, but I love memoirs. It doesn’t
necessarily have to be about a famous person. I’ve been working on a memoir for quite a while, but my naughty boys keep taking up my time. I mean the ones in my books! But I also love a good Highland romance *wink*
Q. What are you working on right now? Can you tell us about it? It’s a new MM series set in a recent historical era. The rest of the details are being kept under wraps, but it will follow the journey of the same character through all of the books.
Q. Did you ever write a character you didn’t like? Or one that gave you problems, going against your intentions for them or your story?
In one of my earlier BDSM books, one of the characters was so unlikeable, that even though his attitude was essential to how the other characters behaved and responded, I still wanted to smack him!
Okay...enough with the business questions! How about some fun stuff. You know, just between the two of us.
Q. The opportunity to go on a surprise vacation arises. You have 90 minutes to pack and get to the airport. Where will you go and what will you pack?
Hawaii – probably Maui. I would pack my snorkel gear.
Q. When YOU read, what do you like to pick up?
As before – memoirs. My favourites are Augusten Burroughs, David Sedaris and Jenny Larsen. And in addition to hunky Highlanders, I love historicals and sci-fi. I guess everything in between doesn’t do it for me!
Q. If they make a movie about your life, who do you want to play your part?
Oooh, good one. I’m a million years older than her – but Jennifer Lawrence would be my pick. She is such a great actress she could even make me look good *snort*
Q. Tell us one thing about you that might surprise us...it can be a secret...we won't tell. :)
I used to be the lead singer in an indie rock band that toured and recorded. Aah – the bad ol’ days. Never go to Hollywood kids ;-)
Now for my fave part!!!!!!! Let's hear about that new book! (Seriously yummy cover, right?)
Blurb:
Native American Quinn and Detective Jake come from two opposing worlds. But when opposites attract, the result is explosive.
The Bondage Butcher has just claimed his third victim, and newly promoted homicide detective Jake Gutierrez is anxious to speak to the one man who has been intimate with all three victims—Quinn Verdugo. The reclusive and mysterious artist and poet stays just out of Jake’s grasp, until one night when they catch him trespassing at his ancestor’s ancient ruins.
Quinn is devastated by the recent murders, and for the men he once dallied with. Not trusting his heart to anyone since a cruel rejection in his teens, he trusts the police department of Mesa, Arizona even less. He is determined to find the bastard who is committing these gruesome murders, and take care of things himself.
When Jake and Quinn finally meet face to face in the interrogation room, both men are startled at the direction things take. Agreeing to work together, they have no idea the dangers they have yet to face. But what is more dangerous – the murderer, or the spark that has been created between the two very combustible men.
Excerpt:
He was in dangerous territory by staying alone with the man at his place. There couldn’t be any nonsense going on between them. Besides, Quinn hadn’t exactly invited him over, he had just barged his way in. Now he was feeling foolish. Had he overstepped his boundaries? It was just that he’d been so upset when Quinn had told him about the previous night—a knot of fear had settled in his stomach at the thought of that sick bastard being alone with Quinn, touching him, getting ready to do God-knows-what.
He would be completely professional. He was only there to keep watch. That was it.
It was going to be a long night.
He also needed to head to the station early in the morning to make sure that the whole poetry night sting was set, and brief the lieutenant on his progress. Plus, he had to follow up on the list Quinn had given him of previous partners. He couldn’t just remain glued to Quinn’s side, even if that did seem like a nice idea.
Down boy.
He could feel a stirring in his jeans, and wasn’t sure all the resolve in the world would help him if he were to arrive at Quinn’s place with a hard-on.
They got there ten minutes later, and Jake felt he had himself under control. It was a gorgeous starry night, and he marvelled at the display in the sky this far out from the city lights. That was one of his favourite things about the desert—everything seemed much purer out there.
He jumped out of his truck as Quinn languidly got out of his car then walked towards him. He had the briefest sensation the man was going to punch him or something, because his pace quickened and he moved with such intent. The light from the waning full moon illuminated Quinn’s graceful and sexy form as he drew nearer. Just as he got to him, Quinn reached out, grabbed the back of Jake’s head and clamped his mouth onto Jake’s lips.
His breath was startled right out of him, but all he could do was melt against Quinn’s muscled body, and reach up to twine his fingers in the man’s glorious mane of hair. This was exactly what he wasn’t supposed to be doing, but all reason and sanity had disappeared once Quinn had locked lips with his.
There was nothing polite or reserved in the kiss. It was raw and feral, and everything Jake had dreamt it would be. They used their hands everywhere on each other’s body, as Quinn continued to plunder Jake’s mouth. He felt himself being guided towards Quinn’s front door. At some point, Quinn managed to get it open—no lock as he’d said—and they stumbled inside, still tangled up with each other. Quinn kept pushing Jake farther in, and he began to feel the smallest stirrings of concern.
It’s not right. I shouldn’t—not yet.
Dang. HOT. I wanna read it. NOW! Don't you?
BUY IT! TEB|Amazon|Amazon UK|Amazon CA|Barnes & Noble|ARe|OmniLit
More Morticia!Blog Facebook Twitter
Welcome multipublished, and all around lovely, Morticia Knight!
About Morticia:
Erotic Romance author Morticia Knight enjoys a good saucy tale, whether it is contemporary, paranormal, historical, ménage, M/M or BDSM - she loves it all! One of her passions is bringing people's fantasies to life on the page, because life is too short for even one boring moment. Her stories are volcanic in heat, deep in emotion, and sprinkled with doses of humor.
When not indulging in her passion for books, she loves the outdoors, film and music. Once upon a time she was the singer in an indie rock band that toured the West Coast and charted on U.S. college radio. She currently resides on the northern coast of Oregon, where the constant rain and fog remind her of visits to her family in England and Scotland when she was a child.
Check out our interview! It's cool!
Q. Do you do any special research for your novels?
Oh yes. I never realised how many little details go into even contemporary novels that are set in an area I’m familiar with. If I say something as mundane as “they headed west towards…” and people who know that locale inside and out will think “she has no idea what she’s talking about!” But more significantly, it takes the reader out of the story, and that’s always a bad thing.
Q. What’s your favorite genre to read? Do you write it?
This might sound odd, but I love memoirs. It doesn’t
necessarily have to be about a famous person. I’ve been working on a memoir for quite a while, but my naughty boys keep taking up my time. I mean the ones in my books! But I also love a good Highland romance *wink*
Q. What are you working on right now? Can you tell us about it? It’s a new MM series set in a recent historical era. The rest of the details are being kept under wraps, but it will follow the journey of the same character through all of the books.
Q. Did you ever write a character you didn’t like? Or one that gave you problems, going against your intentions for them or your story?
In one of my earlier BDSM books, one of the characters was so unlikeable, that even though his attitude was essential to how the other characters behaved and responded, I still wanted to smack him!
Okay...enough with the business questions! How about some fun stuff. You know, just between the two of us.
Q. The opportunity to go on a surprise vacation arises. You have 90 minutes to pack and get to the airport. Where will you go and what will you pack?
Hawaii – probably Maui. I would pack my snorkel gear.
Q. When YOU read, what do you like to pick up?
As before – memoirs. My favourites are Augusten Burroughs, David Sedaris and Jenny Larsen. And in addition to hunky Highlanders, I love historicals and sci-fi. I guess everything in between doesn’t do it for me!
Q. If they make a movie about your life, who do you want to play your part?
Oooh, good one. I’m a million years older than her – but Jennifer Lawrence would be my pick. She is such a great actress she could even make me look good *snort*
Q. Tell us one thing about you that might surprise us...it can be a secret...we won't tell. :)
I used to be the lead singer in an indie rock band that toured and recorded. Aah – the bad ol’ days. Never go to Hollywood kids ;-)
Now for my fave part!!!!!!! Let's hear about that new book! (Seriously yummy cover, right?)
Blurb: Native American Quinn and Detective Jake come from two opposing worlds. But when opposites attract, the result is explosive.
The Bondage Butcher has just claimed his third victim, and newly promoted homicide detective Jake Gutierrez is anxious to speak to the one man who has been intimate with all three victims—Quinn Verdugo. The reclusive and mysterious artist and poet stays just out of Jake’s grasp, until one night when they catch him trespassing at his ancestor’s ancient ruins.
Quinn is devastated by the recent murders, and for the men he once dallied with. Not trusting his heart to anyone since a cruel rejection in his teens, he trusts the police department of Mesa, Arizona even less. He is determined to find the bastard who is committing these gruesome murders, and take care of things himself.
When Jake and Quinn finally meet face to face in the interrogation room, both men are startled at the direction things take. Agreeing to work together, they have no idea the dangers they have yet to face. But what is more dangerous – the murderer, or the spark that has been created between the two very combustible men.
Excerpt:
He was in dangerous territory by staying alone with the man at his place. There couldn’t be any nonsense going on between them. Besides, Quinn hadn’t exactly invited him over, he had just barged his way in. Now he was feeling foolish. Had he overstepped his boundaries? It was just that he’d been so upset when Quinn had told him about the previous night—a knot of fear had settled in his stomach at the thought of that sick bastard being alone with Quinn, touching him, getting ready to do God-knows-what.
He would be completely professional. He was only there to keep watch. That was it.
It was going to be a long night.
He also needed to head to the station early in the morning to make sure that the whole poetry night sting was set, and brief the lieutenant on his progress. Plus, he had to follow up on the list Quinn had given him of previous partners. He couldn’t just remain glued to Quinn’s side, even if that did seem like a nice idea.
Down boy.
He could feel a stirring in his jeans, and wasn’t sure all the resolve in the world would help him if he were to arrive at Quinn’s place with a hard-on.
They got there ten minutes later, and Jake felt he had himself under control. It was a gorgeous starry night, and he marvelled at the display in the sky this far out from the city lights. That was one of his favourite things about the desert—everything seemed much purer out there.
He jumped out of his truck as Quinn languidly got out of his car then walked towards him. He had the briefest sensation the man was going to punch him or something, because his pace quickened and he moved with such intent. The light from the waning full moon illuminated Quinn’s graceful and sexy form as he drew nearer. Just as he got to him, Quinn reached out, grabbed the back of Jake’s head and clamped his mouth onto Jake’s lips.
His breath was startled right out of him, but all he could do was melt against Quinn’s muscled body, and reach up to twine his fingers in the man’s glorious mane of hair. This was exactly what he wasn’t supposed to be doing, but all reason and sanity had disappeared once Quinn had locked lips with his.
There was nothing polite or reserved in the kiss. It was raw and feral, and everything Jake had dreamt it would be. They used their hands everywhere on each other’s body, as Quinn continued to plunder Jake’s mouth. He felt himself being guided towards Quinn’s front door. At some point, Quinn managed to get it open—no lock as he’d said—and they stumbled inside, still tangled up with each other. Quinn kept pushing Jake farther in, and he began to feel the smallest stirrings of concern.
It’s not right. I shouldn’t—not yet.
Dang. HOT. I wanna read it. NOW! Don't you?
BUY IT! TEB|Amazon|Amazon UK|Amazon CA|Barnes & Noble|ARe|OmniLit
More Morticia!Blog Facebook Twitter
June 28, 2013
HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLLISION FORCE!
I am so excited. Like really bouncing off the walls.
It's MY BOOK'S BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!
This one is very near and dear to my heart! I love this couple, and this story.
My publisher the seriously awesome Total-E-Bound is running it on SALE. It's for a limited time, so get your copy now!
Crossing Forces:Small Town Texas doesn’t always mean small time crime.
Welcome to Antioch, population fifty thousand.
With a police department full of detectives and officers who are good at what they do, throw in the occasional FBI agent, and the bad guy doesn’t have a shot, no matter how big the crime.
They work together and fight together. Relationships will be forged and changed along the twists and turns.
When fate intervenes, love and happiness can be found in unlikely places.
Collision Force Book One in the Crossing Forces series.
Bad boy FBI agent and feisty widowed police detective collide pursuing a human trafficker in small town Texas on their way to true love.
Bad boy, married to his job FBI agent Cole Lucas always gets his man. So when the unthinkable happens and one gets away, Cole grits his teeth and hunts human trafficker Carlo Maldonado all the way to Antioch, Texas, where he collides with Detective Andi MacLaren.
Cole doesn’t do small towns and doesn’t get involved with women he works with, but Andi tempts him in ways he doesn’t want to acknowledge.
Two murders, her partner shot and leading the investigation on her own, the last thing Andi needs is a cocky FBI agent who sees her as no more than a tagalong.
Widow and single mother Andi is used to being on her own. When Cole gets stuck without a place to stay, crashing on her couch puts them in dangerous territory.
Attraction and passion bring Andi to a place she’d left behind when her husband died. Her three-year-old son quickly wiggles his way into Cole’s heart, and he starts contemplating things—family, love—that he’d never planned for himself.
Can being forced to work together make them stronger or will their differences jeopardise their case and their hearts?
You gotta have it, right?
TEB|Amazon|Amazon UK|Amazon CA|Barnes & Noble|ARe|OmniLit
**Please note it's regular price at B&N**
It's MY BOOK'S BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!
This one is very near and dear to my heart! I love this couple, and this story.
My publisher the seriously awesome Total-E-Bound is running it on SALE. It's for a limited time, so get your copy now!
Crossing Forces:Small Town Texas doesn’t always mean small time crime.
Welcome to Antioch, population fifty thousand.
With a police department full of detectives and officers who are good at what they do, throw in the occasional FBI agent, and the bad guy doesn’t have a shot, no matter how big the crime.
They work together and fight together. Relationships will be forged and changed along the twists and turns.
When fate intervenes, love and happiness can be found in unlikely places.
Collision Force Book One in the Crossing Forces series.
Bad boy FBI agent and feisty widowed police detective collide pursuing a human trafficker in small town Texas on their way to true love.
Bad boy, married to his job FBI agent Cole Lucas always gets his man. So when the unthinkable happens and one gets away, Cole grits his teeth and hunts human trafficker Carlo Maldonado all the way to Antioch, Texas, where he collides with Detective Andi MacLaren.
Cole doesn’t do small towns and doesn’t get involved with women he works with, but Andi tempts him in ways he doesn’t want to acknowledge.
Two murders, her partner shot and leading the investigation on her own, the last thing Andi needs is a cocky FBI agent who sees her as no more than a tagalong.
Widow and single mother Andi is used to being on her own. When Cole gets stuck without a place to stay, crashing on her couch puts them in dangerous territory.
Attraction and passion bring Andi to a place she’d left behind when her husband died. Her three-year-old son quickly wiggles his way into Cole’s heart, and he starts contemplating things—family, love—that he’d never planned for himself.
Can being forced to work together make them stronger or will their differences jeopardise their case and their hearts?
You gotta have it, right?
TEB|Amazon|Amazon UK|Amazon CA|Barnes & Noble|ARe|OmniLit**Please note it's regular price at B&N**
June 25, 2013
Tell Me About it Tuesday Welcomes Molly Cannon! Book BIRTHDAY AND GIVEAWAY!
I could SERIOUSLY bounce off the walls, y'all!
I am SOOOOOOOO excited about this week's Tell Me About it Tuesday!
It's a BOOK BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That's always EXCITING!!
HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY to my friend Molly Cannon!!!!!!
A message from Molly!
YOU'RE WELCOME, MOLLY!
So this week we're going to do something different! We're going to MEET Molly and THEN see the AWESOME new read! Then the tortuous interview! hehehe.
Molly lives a charmed life in Texas with her husband, Mr. Wonderful and her extremely large cat Nelson. When she's not writing, she spends her days reading, taking dance classes with MW, and watching every kind of sporting event imaginable. Molly has three grown children, all married to terrific people and two wonderful grandchildren. Life is good!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO Crazy Little Thing Called Love!!!!!!!!
Here comes trouble...
Etta Green kissed Everson, Texas, goodbye years ago. A big city chef, she intends to return only long enough to settle her beloved grandmother's estate and then hightail it back to Chicago. But Grammy Hazel had other plans. In her will, she left Etta part-ownership of a B&B that's about to go bankrupt before it even opens. And what's worse--Etta's partner is Donny Joe Ledbetter, a handsome devil with some serious bad boy charm. Growing up, Donny Joe didn't give Etta a second glance. Now, she's got his whole attention.
A far cry from the shy bookworm he once knew, sexy, spirited Etta Green is nothing but trouble. Yet Donny Joe decides to play nice. After all, the quicker they open the B&B, the faster this exasperating--and irresistible--woman will be on her way. Donny Joe has never been a one-woman kind of man. But one crazy little moment of unforgettable desire may change his mind--if he can convince Etta to stay for good...
Check out our Interview!
Q. How has your journey in publishing been? Anything you would or wouldn’t do again?
Hey Chrissy! Thanks for having me today. My journey to publishing started years ago when my three children were small, and then it came to a screeching halt when our life was taken over by all of their activities. Now they are grown with children of their own. I admire so many of my friends who do both at the same time, but I don’t regret the time I took away from writing. My first book in the three book series AIN’T MISBEHAVING was published last June by Grand Central Publishing and it has been a wonderful dream-come-true experience.
Q. What made you pick your particular genre?
I write contemporary romance because a long time ago a friend said we should write a romance novel. I didn’t read romance at the time. I read everything else, but when I thought about it, romance was the element that grabbed me in whatever I was reading. So, I picked up a few romance books and was hooked. I absolutely believe in happily-ever-after. I’ve been married for 43 years to the best man in the world, so that was another reason the genre appealed to me.
Q. What are you working on right now? Can you tell us about it?
I’m working on the third book in this series. This one is Jake’s brother Theo’s story. Theo made an appearance in AIN’T MISBEHAVING, but left town at the end. Now he’s back for his brother’s wedding and the wedding planner turns out to be a significant woman from his past. It is lots of fun watching these two people fight the attraction that never died and sort through what drove them apart while the whole town of Everson’s busybody folks watch.
Okay...enough with the business questions! How about some fun stuff?
Q. If you won the lottery, what is the FIRST thing you’d do? What would you buy and why?
It’s funny you ask. I never remember to buy lottery tickets, but I was with some old friends this weekend, and we all went in together and bought a bunch of tickets. We didn’t win, but it is fun to imagine what you could do if money wasn’t a worry. First I’d pay off all my kids’ student loans and put money away for my grandkids college education. Not too exciting, but I hate that young people these days end up with so much debt at a time when they are just starting out in life. Then I’d take a long European river cruise with my husband. Now that would be exciting! Some of my friends said they would stop working, but I would keep writing –maybe just from some exotic locale.
Q. When YOU read, what do you like to pick up?
Kristan Higgins, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, and Pamela Morsi for contemporary romance. I also love Julia Quinn, Eloisa James, and Tessa Dare. And I’m a big fan of thrillers – Michael Connelly, Robert Crais, Lee Child, Stephen Hunter, and Dennis Lehane. Oh, and I love cozy mysteries, too. I read everything by Wendy Lynn Watson and Melissa Bourbon.
Q. Tell us one thing about you that might surprise us...it can be a secret...we won't tell. :)
I played soccer as an adult for twelve years even though I’m about as coordinated as a drunk duck on ice. I was pretty good at penalty kicks, though.
Wow, you made me laugh so hard, thanx for the great answers!
As listed above, Molly is giving away TWO copies of her AWESOME new book!
Please leave your email in your comment!
Afraid you won't win? Go BUY that puppy!Amazon|Books-A-Million|Barnes & Noble
More Molly:WebsiteBlog Twitter Facebook
I am SOOOOOOOO excited about this week's Tell Me About it Tuesday!
It's a BOOK BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That's always EXCITING!!
HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY to my friend Molly Cannon!!!!!!
A message from Molly!
Thank you for having me today, Chrissy!
I’m so happy to be here that I’m giving away two copies of CRAZY LITTLE THING CALLED LOVE to two randomly chosen people who leave comments today.(PLEASE LEAVE YOUR EMAIL SO I CAN CONTACT YOU!)
YOU'RE WELCOME, MOLLY!
So this week we're going to do something different! We're going to MEET Molly and THEN see the AWESOME new read! Then the tortuous interview! hehehe.
Molly lives a charmed life in Texas with her husband, Mr. Wonderful and her extremely large cat Nelson. When she's not writing, she spends her days reading, taking dance classes with MW, and watching every kind of sporting event imaginable. Molly has three grown children, all married to terrific people and two wonderful grandchildren. Life is good!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO Crazy Little Thing Called Love!!!!!!!!
Here comes trouble...
Etta Green kissed Everson, Texas, goodbye years ago. A big city chef, she intends to return only long enough to settle her beloved grandmother's estate and then hightail it back to Chicago. But Grammy Hazel had other plans. In her will, she left Etta part-ownership of a B&B that's about to go bankrupt before it even opens. And what's worse--Etta's partner is Donny Joe Ledbetter, a handsome devil with some serious bad boy charm. Growing up, Donny Joe didn't give Etta a second glance. Now, she's got his whole attention.
A far cry from the shy bookworm he once knew, sexy, spirited Etta Green is nothing but trouble. Yet Donny Joe decides to play nice. After all, the quicker they open the B&B, the faster this exasperating--and irresistible--woman will be on her way. Donny Joe has never been a one-woman kind of man. But one crazy little moment of unforgettable desire may change his mind--if he can convince Etta to stay for good...
Check out our Interview!
Q. How has your journey in publishing been? Anything you would or wouldn’t do again?
Hey Chrissy! Thanks for having me today. My journey to publishing started years ago when my three children were small, and then it came to a screeching halt when our life was taken over by all of their activities. Now they are grown with children of their own. I admire so many of my friends who do both at the same time, but I don’t regret the time I took away from writing. My first book in the three book series AIN’T MISBEHAVING was published last June by Grand Central Publishing and it has been a wonderful dream-come-true experience.
Q. What made you pick your particular genre?
I write contemporary romance because a long time ago a friend said we should write a romance novel. I didn’t read romance at the time. I read everything else, but when I thought about it, romance was the element that grabbed me in whatever I was reading. So, I picked up a few romance books and was hooked. I absolutely believe in happily-ever-after. I’ve been married for 43 years to the best man in the world, so that was another reason the genre appealed to me.
Q. What are you working on right now? Can you tell us about it?
I’m working on the third book in this series. This one is Jake’s brother Theo’s story. Theo made an appearance in AIN’T MISBEHAVING, but left town at the end. Now he’s back for his brother’s wedding and the wedding planner turns out to be a significant woman from his past. It is lots of fun watching these two people fight the attraction that never died and sort through what drove them apart while the whole town of Everson’s busybody folks watch.
Okay...enough with the business questions! How about some fun stuff?
Q. If you won the lottery, what is the FIRST thing you’d do? What would you buy and why?
It’s funny you ask. I never remember to buy lottery tickets, but I was with some old friends this weekend, and we all went in together and bought a bunch of tickets. We didn’t win, but it is fun to imagine what you could do if money wasn’t a worry. First I’d pay off all my kids’ student loans and put money away for my grandkids college education. Not too exciting, but I hate that young people these days end up with so much debt at a time when they are just starting out in life. Then I’d take a long European river cruise with my husband. Now that would be exciting! Some of my friends said they would stop working, but I would keep writing –maybe just from some exotic locale.
Q. When YOU read, what do you like to pick up?
Kristan Higgins, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, and Pamela Morsi for contemporary romance. I also love Julia Quinn, Eloisa James, and Tessa Dare. And I’m a big fan of thrillers – Michael Connelly, Robert Crais, Lee Child, Stephen Hunter, and Dennis Lehane. Oh, and I love cozy mysteries, too. I read everything by Wendy Lynn Watson and Melissa Bourbon.
Q. Tell us one thing about you that might surprise us...it can be a secret...we won't tell. :)
I played soccer as an adult for twelve years even though I’m about as coordinated as a drunk duck on ice. I was pretty good at penalty kicks, though.
Wow, you made me laugh so hard, thanx for the great answers!
As listed above, Molly is giving away TWO copies of her AWESOME new book!
Please leave your email in your comment!
Afraid you won't win? Go BUY that puppy!Amazon|Books-A-Million|Barnes & Noble
More Molly:WebsiteBlog Twitter Facebook
June 23, 2013
Six Sentence Sunday: Chance Collision FIRST kiss!
I AM DONE DONE DONE DONE with my WIP, Chance Collision (Crossing Forces Book Two) I could, and have bounced off walls!
So, in honor of being done, I want to share some of it! Hope you all enjoy!
Pete’s warning bells blared into full blown tornado sirens, but when Nikki closed her eyes and brushed her mouth against his, he soundproofed his conscience and took her mouth.
Sweet. Damn, she was sweet. Ripe raspberries or something sugary. More. Deepening the kiss, Pete pulled her even closer, aware of the tightening in his jeans and how his cock throbbed as her pelvis rubbed his.
I love this kiss. I love this book! I can't wait til it's out!
Happy Sunday!
Happy Reading!
So, in honor of being done, I want to share some of it! Hope you all enjoy!
Pete’s warning bells blared into full blown tornado sirens, but when Nikki closed her eyes and brushed her mouth against his, he soundproofed his conscience and took her mouth.
Sweet. Damn, she was sweet. Ripe raspberries or something sugary. More. Deepening the kiss, Pete pulled her even closer, aware of the tightening in his jeans and how his cock throbbed as her pelvis rubbed his.
I love this kiss. I love this book! I can't wait til it's out!
Happy Sunday!
Happy Reading!
June 17, 2013
Tell Me About It Tuesday Welcomes Sage Marlowe!!
This week on Tell Me About It, Tuesday, I am really excited to welcome fellow TEB author, Sage Marlowe!!!!!!!!
About Sage:
Sage is a multi-published author of MM erotic romance novels and novellas and loves exploring the flavours of gay erotic fiction.
A willing slave to all the fascinating guys who keep queuing up and want their stories told, Sage can almost always be found cooking up the next hot story or daydreaming about new ways of rubbing sexy male bodies together to make the sparks fly.
Q. Do you do any special research for your novels?
Ah well, you know… I write erotic romance, so a lot of what I do in my life could be considered research, I suppose.
Q. What’s your favorite genre to read? Do you write it?
My favourite genre to read is gay erotic romance which is also the one I write. I also like mystery / suspense and one of my ambitions is to one day reach out into that genre as a writer.
Q. What are you working on right now? Can you tell us about it?
My current project, which is also the biggest one so far, is the Nightmare series, a gay paranormal erotic romance story. It consists of six books and combines the world of gay porn with some hard-to-resist demons. Those books are burning.
Q. Did you ever write a character you didn’t like? Or one that gave you problems, going against your intentions for them or your story?
Heh, yes. Well, I like all my characters apart from some of the secondary ones who aren’t supposed to be likeable, but since I’m usually happy for my characters to take the reins and lead the way, most of my stories turn out different from where I thought they would go when I started them. Especially Romeo, the sexy catburglar – turned –FBI-consultant from the Romeo & Julian series kept me on my toes – even I didn’t know about the secret of his identity until the very end.
Okay...enough with the business questions! How about some fun stuff. You know, just between the two of us.
Q. The opportunity to go on a surprise vacation arises. You have 90 minutes to pack and get to the airport. Where will you go and what will you pack?
Hmm, I don’t want to be pedantic, but I need more time than that just to drive to the airport ;) Anyway, I’d go to London and I would pack my laptop & power cable, iPhone & powercable, my glasses, contact lenses, passport, stack of clothes, second pair of shoes. Then I’d start packing my daughter and her stuff which means I’d miss the flight.
Q. When YOU read, what do you like to pick up?
Being an author has turned me into a very picky reader. I prefer gay erotic romance or erotica as a genre, but I’m happy to read pretty much anything if the book hooks me. For that to happen, the story has to be interesting and well-written. I also tend to read the books of authors I’ve met.
Q. If they make a movie about your life, who do you want to play your part?
Wait, you’re asking who I want to play my part, not who would fit the role, right? I’d pick Matt Bomer and offer to give him a lot of coaching, hehe.
Q. Tell us one thing about you that might surprise us...it can be a secret...we won't tell. :)
I’m ambidextrous.
Now for my FAVE part! Tell us all about the new release!
Fantasy for Sale is about Cam, a beautiful hooker with a dark past, and Nate, a journalist who gets involved with him without meaning to. There are quite a few obstacles on their way, including Cam’s traumatic past and Nate’s class-A prick of a boyfriend, but especially Nate is willing to fight for the man he loves and yes, his efforts pay off.
I ADORE this COVER!!!!!!!!
Blurb:
What's the price of reality when a fantasy is for sale?
Cam is young, sinfully sexy and willing to play without limits, a combination which makes him a fantasy turned to flesh for men and women alike - and he's for sale.
Nate is curious when it comes to carnal delights but hasn't found the right man to explore his desires with.
When a friend buys Nate a few hours of pleasure with Cam, it's not much of a surprise that Nate ends up intrigued. He keeps coming back for more and the attraction between them appears to be mutual but while Nate finds himself falling for the sexy hooker, Cam makes no secret of the fact that for him, sex is just a job.
Determined to win him over, Nathan tries to show him that sex is about more than physical satisfaction but Cam's walls seem impenetrable until a dramatic event forces him to reveal some of his secrets and Nate begins to understand that Cam pays more than just the price for the reality behind the fantasy.
Excerpt:
"Good morning, sweetie-pie!" Cynthia stood in the doorway with a beaming smile, glowing cheeks and the hint of a stubble rash on her chin.
I clutched my coffee mug. "Seems someone got lucky last night," I grumbled and took a sip. It tasted burnt.
"You wouldn’t believe!" She grinned and approached me, obviously intent on hugging me, so I leaned away from her. I frowned and pointedly sniffed the air around her.
"I really hope you’re not going to touch me before you’ve had a very thorough shower and got rid of that eau de fuck you’ve still got on you."
Cynthia shot me a wink and flashed a quick smile. "Oh come on, don’t be such a prude. No need to be Mr Grumpy-Pants just because you spent last night alone."
"I’m not grumpy," I told her grumpily. "I just don’t fancy having your fingers on me after they were sod-knows-where last night." I drained my mug and added, "And I’m not prudish."
"Oooh." Cynthia rolled her eyes, mocking me openly now. "I can assure you, my fingers were only in the best places. All places on the most gorgeous male body this house has ever seen, to be precise." Still grinning, she raised her hands and waggled her fingers. I stared at her and raised my eyebrows in fake annoyance.
She laughed. "Don’t give me that look, Nate. You know I’m just saying that because you’re beyond competition, darling. But seriously, you should see the guy. Yum-my. Believe me. Perfectly edible. And that’s just his body."
"Lovely. Sounds like he really got under your skin."
Cynthia poured a cup of coffee for herself and casually leaned her bony hip against the kitchen counter. "Well, I guess he did. Quite literally." She batted her eyelids and peeked into her cup. A naughty smile curved her lips. "Several times, in fact."
Sighing, I combed my hair back with my fingers. It had been such a pure, quiet morning—so far. "Go on then, tell me." I got a refill then cocked my head, ready to listen to what was doubtlessly going to be a lengthy and detailed description of last night. Cynthia could be shockingly open when it came to sharing her sex life with me, something I liked to think I’d long since got used to.
And still I squirmed when she said, "Four times. He knows how to handle that beautiful body of his."
Trying to hide my envy, I glared at her. "He made you come four times in one night? And you’ve only just met this guy?"
Cynthia shook her head, chuckling. "No. He came four times. I lost count after the seventh."
I just barely managed to stop myself from spluttering into my coffee—or maybe spitting it across the room. "Seems he really knows what he’s doing."
"Yeah, but then again, you’d expect him to, wouldn’t you?" Cynthia took a sip from her cup and met my eyes in wordless challenge.
Soft-hearted fool that I was, I took the bait. "Why’s that?"
"Ah well…he’s a professional, after all."
"You bonked the hooker? Shit, Cyn, I thought you’d only booked the guy to go to that opening with you."
She giggled and I was fairly certain I detected a slightly hysterical note in it. Uh-oh, woman on hormonal overload. I raised my eyebrows and Cynthia had the decency to look at least a little sheepish, probably remembering my response to her idea of hiring an escort as her companion for the occasion.
"Well, that was the plan." She sighed and, cradling the mug in her hand, ran her fingertip along its rim as she continued talking. "But when he turned up, he was just so…charming. He got it all right, you know. He was polite. He knew exactly how to behave and he was so attentive. Made sure I always got a fresh drink before I even realised I’d finished, talked to people without trying to steal my fire, that sort of thing. Seriously, he was just a perfect gentleman."
"Until he tried to get into your knickers," I said, letting sarcasm bleed into my voice. It wasn’t like Cyn at all to let herself be lulled into fascination by a smooth talker—a professional, at that.
"He didn’t, in fact," Cyn admitted. "I asked him to stay."
Well, great. "And he did, of course?"
She nodded, not quite meeting my eyes.
I groaned. "Oh come on, you’ve got to be kidding me. You paid him to go to bed with you?"
Cynthia was a gorgeous, bright and successful woman who could take her pick among the men queuing up. She was the kind of girl that every man would be proud to be taken home by. She definitely didn’t need to spend money to get laid—or have someone fetch her a drink.
She shrugged. "That’s the way it works in his line of business."
"Did he tell you that?"
"Yes, sure. Aw, don’t look at me like that, Nate. There’s nothing wrong with it. Honestly, it made me feel downright good to know that he considered it a job." She tilted her head to the side and looked at me thoughtfully. "You know what it’s like to take someone home on the first night, Nate, don’t you? Especially when it’s supposed to be only that one night. It always makes me feel so self-conscious and on edge. I have to make sure not to tell him too much or say anything that would make him get the wrong impression, that kind of thing. If I make it too easy for him, he’ll think I’m a slut, if I’m too eager, he’s scared I’ll want to tie him down." She bit her lip and let out a sad little chuckle.
"And it’s bloody difficult to change your mind when you’re a woman, too. I’m not saying I do that a lot, but sometimes I just realise the guy and I don’t…fit the way I thought we would. Most guys are not too happy with that, so if it happens, I have to be really careful not to piss him off and make him think he could get it if only he tried a bit harder. Besides, an awful lot of guys think a one night stand is just so they get what they want and they expect a girl to deliver and not all of them take the time to return the favour, you know."
"Wow. It’s that good to have sex with a guy, huh?"
She rolled her eyes. "Last night, I didn’t have to worry about any of that. He was so easy about everything and focused on doing what I liked. I knew he’d do what I’d ask him to do. And boy, he did." This time I did the eye rolling thing.
"It made me feel safe with him, you know?" she continued. "Knowing he’d make it good for me without any strings attached. He wouldn’t even have stayed the night if I hadn’t asked him to."
I tried to understand. I really did. I could get the trouble with the dating part, but—"Doesn’t it bother you that he did what he did only because you paid him for it?"
Cynthia gave a shrug. "No. That’s the point. I could enjoy all his attentions without having to return any of it and didn’t have to feel bad about that."
So now you totally have to have it, right?
BUY IT!Total-E-Bound
***Fantasy for Sale will also become available from most distributors (including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Are…) on June 28th***
More Sage:
Website and Blog
Facebook
Goodreads
Amazon Author Page
TEB booklist
Siren Bookstrand booklist
Twitter: @SageMarlowe
Email: marlowe.sage@yahoo.co.uk
Thanks for being here today!
About Sage:
Sage is a multi-published author of MM erotic romance novels and novellas and loves exploring the flavours of gay erotic fiction.
A willing slave to all the fascinating guys who keep queuing up and want their stories told, Sage can almost always be found cooking up the next hot story or daydreaming about new ways of rubbing sexy male bodies together to make the sparks fly.
Q. Do you do any special research for your novels?
Ah well, you know… I write erotic romance, so a lot of what I do in my life could be considered research, I suppose.
Q. What’s your favorite genre to read? Do you write it?
My favourite genre to read is gay erotic romance which is also the one I write. I also like mystery / suspense and one of my ambitions is to one day reach out into that genre as a writer.
Q. What are you working on right now? Can you tell us about it?
My current project, which is also the biggest one so far, is the Nightmare series, a gay paranormal erotic romance story. It consists of six books and combines the world of gay porn with some hard-to-resist demons. Those books are burning.
Q. Did you ever write a character you didn’t like? Or one that gave you problems, going against your intentions for them or your story?
Heh, yes. Well, I like all my characters apart from some of the secondary ones who aren’t supposed to be likeable, but since I’m usually happy for my characters to take the reins and lead the way, most of my stories turn out different from where I thought they would go when I started them. Especially Romeo, the sexy catburglar – turned –FBI-consultant from the Romeo & Julian series kept me on my toes – even I didn’t know about the secret of his identity until the very end.
Okay...enough with the business questions! How about some fun stuff. You know, just between the two of us.
Q. The opportunity to go on a surprise vacation arises. You have 90 minutes to pack and get to the airport. Where will you go and what will you pack?
Hmm, I don’t want to be pedantic, but I need more time than that just to drive to the airport ;) Anyway, I’d go to London and I would pack my laptop & power cable, iPhone & powercable, my glasses, contact lenses, passport, stack of clothes, second pair of shoes. Then I’d start packing my daughter and her stuff which means I’d miss the flight.
Q. When YOU read, what do you like to pick up?
Being an author has turned me into a very picky reader. I prefer gay erotic romance or erotica as a genre, but I’m happy to read pretty much anything if the book hooks me. For that to happen, the story has to be interesting and well-written. I also tend to read the books of authors I’ve met.
Q. If they make a movie about your life, who do you want to play your part?
Wait, you’re asking who I want to play my part, not who would fit the role, right? I’d pick Matt Bomer and offer to give him a lot of coaching, hehe.
Q. Tell us one thing about you that might surprise us...it can be a secret...we won't tell. :)
I’m ambidextrous.
Now for my FAVE part! Tell us all about the new release!
Fantasy for Sale is about Cam, a beautiful hooker with a dark past, and Nate, a journalist who gets involved with him without meaning to. There are quite a few obstacles on their way, including Cam’s traumatic past and Nate’s class-A prick of a boyfriend, but especially Nate is willing to fight for the man he loves and yes, his efforts pay off.
I ADORE this COVER!!!!!!!!
Blurb:
What's the price of reality when a fantasy is for sale?
Cam is young, sinfully sexy and willing to play without limits, a combination which makes him a fantasy turned to flesh for men and women alike - and he's for sale.
Nate is curious when it comes to carnal delights but hasn't found the right man to explore his desires with.
When a friend buys Nate a few hours of pleasure with Cam, it's not much of a surprise that Nate ends up intrigued. He keeps coming back for more and the attraction between them appears to be mutual but while Nate finds himself falling for the sexy hooker, Cam makes no secret of the fact that for him, sex is just a job.
Determined to win him over, Nathan tries to show him that sex is about more than physical satisfaction but Cam's walls seem impenetrable until a dramatic event forces him to reveal some of his secrets and Nate begins to understand that Cam pays more than just the price for the reality behind the fantasy.
Excerpt:
"Good morning, sweetie-pie!" Cynthia stood in the doorway with a beaming smile, glowing cheeks and the hint of a stubble rash on her chin.
I clutched my coffee mug. "Seems someone got lucky last night," I grumbled and took a sip. It tasted burnt.
"You wouldn’t believe!" She grinned and approached me, obviously intent on hugging me, so I leaned away from her. I frowned and pointedly sniffed the air around her.
"I really hope you’re not going to touch me before you’ve had a very thorough shower and got rid of that eau de fuck you’ve still got on you."
Cynthia shot me a wink and flashed a quick smile. "Oh come on, don’t be such a prude. No need to be Mr Grumpy-Pants just because you spent last night alone."
"I’m not grumpy," I told her grumpily. "I just don’t fancy having your fingers on me after they were sod-knows-where last night." I drained my mug and added, "And I’m not prudish."
"Oooh." Cynthia rolled her eyes, mocking me openly now. "I can assure you, my fingers were only in the best places. All places on the most gorgeous male body this house has ever seen, to be precise." Still grinning, she raised her hands and waggled her fingers. I stared at her and raised my eyebrows in fake annoyance.
She laughed. "Don’t give me that look, Nate. You know I’m just saying that because you’re beyond competition, darling. But seriously, you should see the guy. Yum-my. Believe me. Perfectly edible. And that’s just his body."
"Lovely. Sounds like he really got under your skin."
Cynthia poured a cup of coffee for herself and casually leaned her bony hip against the kitchen counter. "Well, I guess he did. Quite literally." She batted her eyelids and peeked into her cup. A naughty smile curved her lips. "Several times, in fact."
Sighing, I combed my hair back with my fingers. It had been such a pure, quiet morning—so far. "Go on then, tell me." I got a refill then cocked my head, ready to listen to what was doubtlessly going to be a lengthy and detailed description of last night. Cynthia could be shockingly open when it came to sharing her sex life with me, something I liked to think I’d long since got used to.
And still I squirmed when she said, "Four times. He knows how to handle that beautiful body of his."
Trying to hide my envy, I glared at her. "He made you come four times in one night? And you’ve only just met this guy?"
Cynthia shook her head, chuckling. "No. He came four times. I lost count after the seventh."
I just barely managed to stop myself from spluttering into my coffee—or maybe spitting it across the room. "Seems he really knows what he’s doing."
"Yeah, but then again, you’d expect him to, wouldn’t you?" Cynthia took a sip from her cup and met my eyes in wordless challenge.
Soft-hearted fool that I was, I took the bait. "Why’s that?"
"Ah well…he’s a professional, after all."
"You bonked the hooker? Shit, Cyn, I thought you’d only booked the guy to go to that opening with you."
She giggled and I was fairly certain I detected a slightly hysterical note in it. Uh-oh, woman on hormonal overload. I raised my eyebrows and Cynthia had the decency to look at least a little sheepish, probably remembering my response to her idea of hiring an escort as her companion for the occasion.
"Well, that was the plan." She sighed and, cradling the mug in her hand, ran her fingertip along its rim as she continued talking. "But when he turned up, he was just so…charming. He got it all right, you know. He was polite. He knew exactly how to behave and he was so attentive. Made sure I always got a fresh drink before I even realised I’d finished, talked to people without trying to steal my fire, that sort of thing. Seriously, he was just a perfect gentleman."
"Until he tried to get into your knickers," I said, letting sarcasm bleed into my voice. It wasn’t like Cyn at all to let herself be lulled into fascination by a smooth talker—a professional, at that.
"He didn’t, in fact," Cyn admitted. "I asked him to stay."
Well, great. "And he did, of course?"
She nodded, not quite meeting my eyes.
I groaned. "Oh come on, you’ve got to be kidding me. You paid him to go to bed with you?"
Cynthia was a gorgeous, bright and successful woman who could take her pick among the men queuing up. She was the kind of girl that every man would be proud to be taken home by. She definitely didn’t need to spend money to get laid—or have someone fetch her a drink.
She shrugged. "That’s the way it works in his line of business."
"Did he tell you that?"
"Yes, sure. Aw, don’t look at me like that, Nate. There’s nothing wrong with it. Honestly, it made me feel downright good to know that he considered it a job." She tilted her head to the side and looked at me thoughtfully. "You know what it’s like to take someone home on the first night, Nate, don’t you? Especially when it’s supposed to be only that one night. It always makes me feel so self-conscious and on edge. I have to make sure not to tell him too much or say anything that would make him get the wrong impression, that kind of thing. If I make it too easy for him, he’ll think I’m a slut, if I’m too eager, he’s scared I’ll want to tie him down." She bit her lip and let out a sad little chuckle.
"And it’s bloody difficult to change your mind when you’re a woman, too. I’m not saying I do that a lot, but sometimes I just realise the guy and I don’t…fit the way I thought we would. Most guys are not too happy with that, so if it happens, I have to be really careful not to piss him off and make him think he could get it if only he tried a bit harder. Besides, an awful lot of guys think a one night stand is just so they get what they want and they expect a girl to deliver and not all of them take the time to return the favour, you know."
"Wow. It’s that good to have sex with a guy, huh?"
She rolled her eyes. "Last night, I didn’t have to worry about any of that. He was so easy about everything and focused on doing what I liked. I knew he’d do what I’d ask him to do. And boy, he did." This time I did the eye rolling thing.
"It made me feel safe with him, you know?" she continued. "Knowing he’d make it good for me without any strings attached. He wouldn’t even have stayed the night if I hadn’t asked him to."
I tried to understand. I really did. I could get the trouble with the dating part, but—"Doesn’t it bother you that he did what he did only because you paid him for it?"
Cynthia gave a shrug. "No. That’s the point. I could enjoy all his attentions without having to return any of it and didn’t have to feel bad about that."
So now you totally have to have it, right?
BUY IT!Total-E-Bound
***Fantasy for Sale will also become available from most distributors (including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Are…) on June 28th***
More Sage:
Website and Blog
Goodreads
Amazon Author Page
TEB booklist
Siren Bookstrand booklist
Twitter: @SageMarlowe
Email: marlowe.sage@yahoo.co.uk
Thanks for being here today!
June 16, 2013
Lusting For Covers! Bullet!
I am in the middle of this book, but I have been writing so much I am missing it, and can't wait to get back into it. It's a fantastic read! CHECK IT OUT!
The cover is GORGEOUS!
Lusting for Covers is a weekly meme, held on Sunday, that allows bloggers to share their current cover obsession with fellow book lovers. It can be new, old, a reprint, or even a book that is not yet out-- it's all up to you! Join in on the fun, head over to TBQ's Book Palace and list your Lusting For Covers candidate.
This meme is hosted by TBQ @ TBQ's Book Palace. ___________________________________________________________________________________
An Epic Rock Star Novel What if you discover the man you want is toxic? She tasted a little bit of heaven with him, and now they’ve gone through hell and back, but can their relationship take anymore? Valerie Quinn is a naïve college freshman when she meets on-the-rise rock star Ethan Richards. He’s an idealistic, handsome, reckless young man, but he’s captured her heart. She doesn’t give up on him and eventually his walls crumble down. By the time Valerie has given herself to him completely, she discovers he’s damaged and may be beyond help. Can she save Ethan and their relationship before he implodes, or will he self-destruct and take her with him?
I am really enjoying this read!
Buy It!Amazon|Barnes & Noble
The cover is GORGEOUS!
Lusting for Covers is a weekly meme, held on Sunday, that allows bloggers to share their current cover obsession with fellow book lovers. It can be new, old, a reprint, or even a book that is not yet out-- it's all up to you! Join in on the fun, head over to TBQ's Book Palace and list your Lusting For Covers candidate.
This meme is hosted by TBQ @ TBQ's Book Palace. ___________________________________________________________________________________
An Epic Rock Star Novel What if you discover the man you want is toxic? She tasted a little bit of heaven with him, and now they’ve gone through hell and back, but can their relationship take anymore? Valerie Quinn is a naïve college freshman when she meets on-the-rise rock star Ethan Richards. He’s an idealistic, handsome, reckless young man, but he’s captured her heart. She doesn’t give up on him and eventually his walls crumble down. By the time Valerie has given herself to him completely, she discovers he’s damaged and may be beyond help. Can she save Ethan and their relationship before he implodes, or will he self-destruct and take her with him?I am really enjoying this read!
Buy It!Amazon|Barnes & Noble
June 13, 2013
Three...errr...Six...Sentence Thursday!
Oh screw it, I was never good at math, anyway.
Here's a snippet of Chance Collision, my WIP!
I am almost there, YAY!!!!!!!!!! About 11k to go!
“I like you, Pete Crane, but this better be good,” she said by way of greeting.Pete laughed. “I’m on my way to pick you up.”“That good, huh?”“Of course, if I’m bugging you past eight p.m. it’s gotta be good.”Lee sighed.Pete heard a familiar male voice in the background. And water running. Damn, he was really interrupting them. “Tell my brother I said hi. And that I’m sorry for ruining y’all’s evening.”
And because we need to look at something awesome on Thursday, here's what Pete looks like in my head! (YUMMY)
Happy Thursday!
Here's a snippet of Chance Collision, my WIP!
I am almost there, YAY!!!!!!!!!! About 11k to go!
“I like you, Pete Crane, but this better be good,” she said by way of greeting.Pete laughed. “I’m on my way to pick you up.”“That good, huh?”“Of course, if I’m bugging you past eight p.m. it’s gotta be good.”Lee sighed.Pete heard a familiar male voice in the background. And water running. Damn, he was really interrupting them. “Tell my brother I said hi. And that I’m sorry for ruining y’all’s evening.”
And because we need to look at something awesome on Thursday, here's what Pete looks like in my head! (YUMMY)
Happy Thursday!
June 11, 2013
Tell Me Abut it Tuesday welcomes Dawn Colclasure!
This week I am really excited to welcome a fellow Gypsy, Dawn Colclasure! So without further ado, meet Dawn!
About Dawn:
She started writing as a young child when encouraged to write poems into a journal by a hospital nurse, and from there she went on to write short stories, articles, book-length fiction and songs. She later started writing plays and skits. Today she has written books, articles, essays and poems published in regional and national media, including on the World Wide Web. She has also written under the pen name Dana Mitchells.
Dawn is married and the mother of two children, Jennifer and Jesse. She works from home in Oregon. She has worked as a freelance writer, journalist, book reviewer, editor and ghostwriter. Her specialties are in parenting, deaf news, writing, health, crafts, history and culture.
Q. How has your journey in publishing been? Anything you would or wouldn’t do again?
The journey to publication was long and trying but definitely worth hanging in there when publication finally did happen. I started writing as a child and wanted to be published. My high school would not let me be a part of the newspaper staff but my college did so that’s how I finally got published in a legit market. From there, I had articles published in the local newspaper and I finally landed my first paying gig as a writer. My very first experience getting published was getting a poem published at age 11 in a poetry anthology; I paid for publication, which I did not know at that time was a bad thing to do. But I learned from it. There are definitely some mistakes I have made on this journey to publication, but I would not want to erase anything from my past because they were all learning experiences. I have grown on this journey and I appreciate everything that has happened because that’s how I learned things.
Q. What made you pick your particular genre?
I’ve always been interested in ghosts and the paranormal, so it’s only natural I would end up writing ghost books as well as ghost stories. However, my novels are based on things that happen in my life – like a dream experience I had or a scary caller at an apartment I shared with my sister when we were living on our own – so it’s not just ghosts that keep me writing. I also like horror, suspense and fantasy.
Q. What are you working on right now? Can you tell us about it?
I am actually wrapping up a ghost book I have been working on for four years. It’s a collection of stories from paranormal investigators who have done investigations in some of America’s most haunted cities. The GHOST Group series was actually inspired by this book, because I kept asking myself, What is it like to live in a haunted city? I only know what it’s like to live in a haunted house! I am also revising Book Four in the GHOST Group series and currently trying to finish Book 2 in the “Revise Your Writing” series.
Q. Do you have a favorite story of the ones you’ve written, either published or not? Why?
I actually have one I wrote that was inspired by something I read in a vampire book. It was a fact about Elizabeth Bathory’s upbringing that I never knew about and, at that time, my daughter came up with an idea for a Halloween costume that sort of tied into what I learned. So from that I came up with an idea for a horror novel called Curse of the Blood Witch and it’s not published yet but I’m hopeful I can get it ready to submit very soon. I like it because it ties into a historical figure (Lady Bathory) and I can only hope I wrote her character well enough! I love history and I always try to tie in a bit of history in all of my stories. In my forthcoming novel, Shadow of Samhain, I had to write about ancient Gaelic Druids and that was an interesting challenge. But the blood witch in my horror novel scares me. This story is very dark.
Okay...enough with the business questions! How about some fun stuff?
Q. If you won the lottery, what is the FIRST thing you’d do? What would you buy and why?
The first thing I’d do if I won the lottery is buy is the house I am living in! I just love it. What would I buy? A trailer that I could convert into a library and place it in my backyard! I have always wanted to do that. I’d also buy each of my children new bedroom furniture and carpeting, a car for my hubby and a pretty little doghouse for my dog. Oh, and maybe boxes and boxes of books…
Q. When YOU read, what do you like to pick up?
I can read just about anything. I like nonfiction, and with that, I will read whatever grabs my interest. With fiction, I like horror, poetry, children’s books, ghost stories and suspense. I also love a good mystery!
Q. Tell us one thing about you that might surprise us...it can be a secret...we won't tell. :)
I have a bit of a potty mouth in real life.
Okay, here's my favorite part. Tell me about your newest release! By the way, the cover is VERY interesting on this book. I love it.
There’s something different about Sarah Town. It’s brimming with ghosts – and some of those ghosts need help! That’s where the GHOST Group comes in – the Ghost Helpers of Sarah Town. The GHOST Group is made up of five 11-year-old team members: Jesse, Jenny, Ryan, Trent, and Cassie.
The Ghost of Sarah Travers is the story about Sarah, who Sarah Town was named after. Her ghost haunts what used to be her home, but can the kids help her find who she is looking for before the town skeptic brings an end to ghosthunting in Sarah Town for good?
The Ghost of the Crying Valentine has the GHOST Group solving the mystery of a sad ghostly girl haunting their school. Rumors about this girl ghost catch the attention of a TV show and the kids lock horns with the show host as they try to help the crying ghost.
Coming soon from Gypsy Shadow Publishing!
More Dawn:
Blog
Website
Dawn's Author Page at GSP
Facebook
Twitter
About Dawn:
She started writing as a young child when encouraged to write poems into a journal by a hospital nurse, and from there she went on to write short stories, articles, book-length fiction and songs. She later started writing plays and skits. Today she has written books, articles, essays and poems published in regional and national media, including on the World Wide Web. She has also written under the pen name Dana Mitchells.
Dawn is married and the mother of two children, Jennifer and Jesse. She works from home in Oregon. She has worked as a freelance writer, journalist, book reviewer, editor and ghostwriter. Her specialties are in parenting, deaf news, writing, health, crafts, history and culture.
Q. How has your journey in publishing been? Anything you would or wouldn’t do again?
The journey to publication was long and trying but definitely worth hanging in there when publication finally did happen. I started writing as a child and wanted to be published. My high school would not let me be a part of the newspaper staff but my college did so that’s how I finally got published in a legit market. From there, I had articles published in the local newspaper and I finally landed my first paying gig as a writer. My very first experience getting published was getting a poem published at age 11 in a poetry anthology; I paid for publication, which I did not know at that time was a bad thing to do. But I learned from it. There are definitely some mistakes I have made on this journey to publication, but I would not want to erase anything from my past because they were all learning experiences. I have grown on this journey and I appreciate everything that has happened because that’s how I learned things.
Q. What made you pick your particular genre?
I’ve always been interested in ghosts and the paranormal, so it’s only natural I would end up writing ghost books as well as ghost stories. However, my novels are based on things that happen in my life – like a dream experience I had or a scary caller at an apartment I shared with my sister when we were living on our own – so it’s not just ghosts that keep me writing. I also like horror, suspense and fantasy.
Q. What are you working on right now? Can you tell us about it?
I am actually wrapping up a ghost book I have been working on for four years. It’s a collection of stories from paranormal investigators who have done investigations in some of America’s most haunted cities. The GHOST Group series was actually inspired by this book, because I kept asking myself, What is it like to live in a haunted city? I only know what it’s like to live in a haunted house! I am also revising Book Four in the GHOST Group series and currently trying to finish Book 2 in the “Revise Your Writing” series.
Q. Do you have a favorite story of the ones you’ve written, either published or not? Why?
I actually have one I wrote that was inspired by something I read in a vampire book. It was a fact about Elizabeth Bathory’s upbringing that I never knew about and, at that time, my daughter came up with an idea for a Halloween costume that sort of tied into what I learned. So from that I came up with an idea for a horror novel called Curse of the Blood Witch and it’s not published yet but I’m hopeful I can get it ready to submit very soon. I like it because it ties into a historical figure (Lady Bathory) and I can only hope I wrote her character well enough! I love history and I always try to tie in a bit of history in all of my stories. In my forthcoming novel, Shadow of Samhain, I had to write about ancient Gaelic Druids and that was an interesting challenge. But the blood witch in my horror novel scares me. This story is very dark.
Okay...enough with the business questions! How about some fun stuff?
Q. If you won the lottery, what is the FIRST thing you’d do? What would you buy and why?
The first thing I’d do if I won the lottery is buy is the house I am living in! I just love it. What would I buy? A trailer that I could convert into a library and place it in my backyard! I have always wanted to do that. I’d also buy each of my children new bedroom furniture and carpeting, a car for my hubby and a pretty little doghouse for my dog. Oh, and maybe boxes and boxes of books…
Q. When YOU read, what do you like to pick up?
I can read just about anything. I like nonfiction, and with that, I will read whatever grabs my interest. With fiction, I like horror, poetry, children’s books, ghost stories and suspense. I also love a good mystery!
Q. Tell us one thing about you that might surprise us...it can be a secret...we won't tell. :)
I have a bit of a potty mouth in real life.
Okay, here's my favorite part. Tell me about your newest release! By the way, the cover is VERY interesting on this book. I love it.
There’s something different about Sarah Town. It’s brimming with ghosts – and some of those ghosts need help! That’s where the GHOST Group comes in – the Ghost Helpers of Sarah Town. The GHOST Group is made up of five 11-year-old team members: Jesse, Jenny, Ryan, Trent, and Cassie.
The Ghost of Sarah Travers is the story about Sarah, who Sarah Town was named after. Her ghost haunts what used to be her home, but can the kids help her find who she is looking for before the town skeptic brings an end to ghosthunting in Sarah Town for good?
The Ghost of the Crying Valentine has the GHOST Group solving the mystery of a sad ghostly girl haunting their school. Rumors about this girl ghost catch the attention of a TV show and the kids lock horns with the show host as they try to help the crying ghost.
Coming soon from Gypsy Shadow Publishing!
More Dawn:
Blog
Website
Dawn's Author Page at GSP
