Vallory Vance's Blog, page 25

Sunday Chat with Gemma K. Murray

About the Author

My name is Gemma K. Murray. I was born and raised in lower Michigan. My family were dairy farmers. From a young age, I worked side by side with my parents in the barns. Everyone had their chores. Mine included feeding the cows when they came into the barn and feeding the calves. We worked hard, but it was all worth it.

I’ve worked very hard to accept myself. I’ve never been “enough” in the eyes of a few family members. It has taken 20 years of being with my husband to accept that I am smart enough, talented enough, strong enough, and pretty enough.

I love quotes and collect them like some people collect plates or coins. My favorite? Wow, that’s a tough one. The quote I’ve been carrying in my heart lately is “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” The amazing Dr. Suess is credited with saying this.

I love the color green and eat Chinese food at least 3 days a week. I’m proud of the fact I got up the nerve to submit my first book which has led me here.

My favorite place in the world (as corny as it sounds) is my husband’s arms. It’s the one place on this earth where no harm will come to me and when I’m having a bad day, they are my soft place to land.

Gemma’s Journey into Writing

I’ve always written poems, thoughts, etc., but it wasn’t until my husband challenged me with the question, “What do you want to do with your life?” that I considered writing for a living. That was ten years ago. It was only one year ago that I got up the nerve to see if anyone would be interested in my stories. I was overwhelmed with emotion to find a publisher actually loved my book and wanted to publish it. They have since accepted the second book for publication.

My determination to not let the men in my life down keeps me writing. My dad and husband believed in me when I couldn’t believe in myself. My dad was able to see my first book published and he told EVERYONE about it. *Smiles* He passed away 5 months ago, but I know he was so proud of my accomplishment. My husband sat down and read my first book. That was quite a compliment since he hates to read. He has since read the second book and is anticipating the third book as much as any of my other readers.

I am most comfortable writing contemporary romance. *laughs* Funny enough, I write urban fantasy/paranormal romance. I read somewhere that you begin to live once you step outside of your comfort zone and writing Keeper of the Golden Dragon’s Heart made me step out of my comfort zone. It was the best thing I did, career-wise. Keeper led me to Natural Born Enemies, which has led to the third book and a new series.

I dream in color and I tend to be able to recall my dreams. That was how Keeper of the Golden Dragon’s Heart came to be. It started off as a dream and led to making my personal dreams comes true. I have a hard time letting the characters lead me to where they want to go. It’s a trust issue. I had to learn to allow the characters to show me the path of their story. It’s still a process to trust each new set of characters, but I’m learning to go with their flow.

Keeper of the Golden Dragon’s Heart by Gemma K. Murray

Keeper of the Golden Dragon’s Heart went off to my publisher with no title since I had no idea how to title a book. My editor read my manuscript and suggested this title.

Book Summary: The Upper Peninsula of Michigan seems like it is another country. The rawness and beauty of the land draws people from every walk of life. What most people don’t realize is there is a little town nestled on the banks of Lake Superior that an entire group of supernatural beings call home. Shifters of every shape and size live there. They raise their families there. Tourists come from near and far to visit the quaint town of Cedar River, Michigan. The tourists never realize they are walking among some of the most unusual beings on earth.

Bowie Golden is a dragon shifter who is in charge of Cedar River’s safety. Until now, the biggest threat to anyone’s safety was Anastasia Plum, a witch/puma-shifter. She has been the town hellraiser since she was a teenager. Now someone has discovered the secret the residents of Cedar River keep for one another. These radicals are determined to eradicate the entire town. It’s up to Bowie to keep them all safe.

Ana has always idolized Bowie. She may have stirred up trouble from time to time, but Bowie or one of his brothers would always get her out of the trouble she was in. One day, it happened. The unthinkable, the unimaginable occurred. Anastasia Plum fell for the “golden” boy. What an unlikely duo – the sheriff and the hellraiser!

Just as these two discover their passion for one another, a group of people is determined to keep them apart. It’s up to Ana to prove that she is the only Keeper of the Golden Dragon’s Heart.

Ana is the daughter of a witch and a puma shifter. She was orphaned at a young age and went to live with the Golden family. She is strong-willed and passionate. She and I butted heads a lot as I worked on this book.

Bowie is the eldest son of the Golden family. As a golden dragon shifter and sheriff, he’s very level-headed. His struggle with falling in love with Ana was hard for me to write. He kept telling me to trust him. I am so glad I did.

I wish I could say there is a deep, dark secret to my writing process, but this was an easy story to write once I learned to listen to Ana and Bowie. They told their story. I just wrote it out for people to read.

You can buy Keeper of the Golden Dragon’s Heart at:

Amazon , B&N , Coffee Time Romance Bookstore , and Leap of Faith Publishing

The  Writing Life of Gemma K. Murray

I do write under a pen name. The reason is I am a very private person and I like my privacy. Should this series really take off, I am hoping to maintain my privacy as best as I can. You don’t find any current pictures of me online either for this very reason.

Natural Born Enemies is the second book in the Cedar River series. It will be released this fall from Leap of Faith Publishing. I am currently working on book three in this series, a YA book on the Fae, and the first book in a spin-off series. I also have 40+ contemporary novels (all written in long-hand) that I need to get added to my computer so I can edit them for submissions.

In five years, I hope Gemma K. Murray is a household name. *laughs* Seriously, I hope to be finished with the spin-off series and finishing up the Cedar River series (yes, there are that many stories). I hope to be writing to my heart’s content and creating worlds that readers really want to read about.

I’ve been blessed with only positive reviews, but I know the bad reviews are out there. I was a reviewer for 4 years so I know a bad review is simply someone’s opinion. Do I like the reviews telling me the reader can’t wait for the next book? Of course, but I know there are people who don’t like my writing style or my stories. That’s okay, too.

The Silly Question

If you could star opposite any film actor in an onscreen love scene, who would it be?

Oh goodness, so many choices! I’d choose Joe Manganiello. He’s the inspiration for the Cedar River fire chief.

Thank you, Vallory, for allowing me to spend the day with your readers. It has been a wonderful day. If your readers would like to find me on the web, here are my links:

Website

Facebook

Goodreads

Google+

I also started a Facebook page where readers can interact with the Cedar River series characters. Here is the link to that page:

Cedar River series

 

An Interview with Marla Malone by Jason Jaxx

Marla Malone is the project co-coordinator, chief facilitator and customer liaison for Fantasies4U, a company that aims to match clients up to their fantasies in order to fulfill them in a secure environment where discretion and confidentiality are of paramount importance.

After much negotiation and guarantees, Ms. Malone finally agreed to this interview on the grounds that I agree to follow the same rigorous screening procedure that all her clients have to undergo. Although I was not permitted access to any client records or meet any of her customers, she was prepared to discuss specific cases as long as anonymity was preserved. Obviously, I agreed and after a hectic week of appointments, documentation and phone calls, I was finally told to meet her at a secret location.

Ms. Malone (not her real name, she informed me with a grin) is a beautiful 30-something brunette with piercing eyes, a fiendish smile and a body that proved something of a distraction. She is extremely professional in her attitude and behavior but has an irresistible flirtatious side that sneaks through. Hopefully this comes across in the written form as sensually as it did in person.

Jason Jaxx: Hi, Ms. Malone. Thank you very much for taking the time to answer my questions.

Marla Malone:  Please, Mr. Jaxx, call me Marla.

JJ: Ok, Marla but only if I’m Jason.

MM: As you wish…Jason.

JJ: Is this the first time a representative from your company has agreed to be interviewed?

MM: Yes, you were the first person who agreed to follow our procedures and effectively become a client of ours. Did you enjoy your session?

JJ: (coughs) Ah, yes, very much so. However, I’d like to get back to you and the company, Fantasies4U. Could you maybe explain to the readers what exactly it is that you do?

MM: Well, Jason, we specialize in matching our clients’ fantasies. So, for example, someone may have a yearning to be dominant and we will try to match them someone who expresses a desire to be submissive.

JJ: And how does that work exactly? I would imagine that one doesn’t just arrive here and demand a suitable partner.

MM: No, the initial contact is kept as anonymous as possible until both parties (us and the potential client) are certain that we wish to pursue this course. All our clients go through a screening procedure and are required to meet several stringent medical, personal and professional criteria. You have gone through this process so can speak to its thoroughness.

JJ: Indeed. I can also vouch for the security as the confidentially clause and waivers I had to sign were quite thorough.

MM: Yes, I’m glad you mentioned it so I didn’t have to remind you.

JJ: You will get a copy of this transcript before I send it off

MM: Yes.

JJ: So once everything has been checked and signed off?

MM: We arrange a date and time for the appointment and the parties meet up. At this point, having made the introduction, we usually excuse ourselves from further interactions. We cannot legally suggest or guarantee any activity, sexual or otherwise, that may take place. We do guarantee confidentiality and security and our track record proves that this is something we can deliver on.

JJ: Aren’t you ever tempted to join in?

MM: (raises eyebrow in a most arresting manner) Of course. I would have thought that it was obvious after…..

JJ: (interrupts) Ah, yes, moving on. What makes your services different from any other dating or adult chat site?

MM: That’s an important question. Firstly, we’re not looking to set people up for dating or long-term relationships. It is also not about chatting or sexting. This is real people meeting up with other real people to share their innermost desires.

JJ: Surely there are other ways to acquire such services?

MM: We at Fantasies4U have no issues with sex workers or escorts but once again that is not the service we provide. With us, you are getting willing participants eager to live out their sexual needs without payment being a motivation.

JJ: Money does change hands though.

MM: Yes, but not between clients. We charge an administrative fee to cover our costs and yes, we are out to make a profit but we believe the quality of service you get in return is worth the price.

JJ: I would certainly attest to that.

MM: Thank you.

JJ: Ahem. Could you maybe give us an example of the services you provide? Without violating any confidentiality, obviously.

MM: Obviously.Let me see. (pauses, tapping her perfectly manicured nails on the arm of her chair) We had a client recently, let’s call her Ms. A., who told us she had a craving to be taken by two unknown men in a submissive role.

JJ: Ok

MM: She had, I assume still has, a husband and so couldn’t really go to a bar, club or dating site without running the risk of ruining her marriage. We offered her an alternative method, an opportunity for pleasure that she seized willingly and .with complete understanding of what she signed up for.

JJ: Did she enjoy it?

MM: Judging by the reaction of her and the two gentlemen we selected for her, I am happy to report that our 100% customer satisfaction record is still intact.

JJ: Has she come back?

MM: I think that’s enough about Ms. A for now, Jason. However we have had several repeat customers. There was also a client, an inquisitive man, who was interested in having sex with a woman while been serviced by another with a large strap-on and a …

JJ: (interrupting) Hmmm, yes, I think that the client example you already provided will be sufficient for this piece.

MM: (crosses legs slowly and smiles enigmatically with closed lips) Indeed.

JJ: Can a client request a specific partner?

MM: Yes, although we cannot guarantee that your request will be granted as all parties have to agree on meeting. We also tend to find that if people hit it off, they no longer require our services to meet up.

JJ: Do you enjoy your work?

MM: (looking at me as if I had asked if water was wet) Yes, Jason. I love it. Providing sexual fulfillment to those who think it is beyond their reach. Who wouldn’t enjoy it?

JJ: Well,…..

MM: (snaps, as if annoyed but her eyes are sparkling in the most mischievous manner) Yes, yes, there are the prudes and the fuddy-duddies and the censors who wish to drag us back to some bygone Puritanical era. I would assume that no-one who reads your books or this interview would fall into that category so I am excluding them from this discussion

JJ: Fair enough. In that case, I would imagine that you have a dream job.

MM: Yes. The stuff fantasies are made of.

JJ: Indeed. What about those who accuse you of providing for the erotic needs but ignoring the romance?

MM: (eyebrow cocked again) I’m not sure who these accusers are, Jason but to them I would say that sex and the erotic arts are born of and can lead to acts of romance and to try separate the two is a needless act of prurience. I would also say that such people are making the wild assumption that only people who are after sexual fantasies avail themselves of our services. We provide an intimate setting catered to our clients needs and often in such an environment, things can take an unexpected turn. The person you thought was going to fuck your brains out is instead someone you end up having a meal and conversation with. As I said earlier, we are not interested in being or advertise ourselves as a matchmaking company but I can attest to several relationships that have either blossomed or been saved as a direct result of our assistance.

JJ: I think that’s as good a place as any to conclude our chat. Thank you for your time Marla.

MM: My pleasure. I hope you found your time with us….enlightening.

JJ: If people are interested in finding out more, how can they contact you?

MM: We have advertisements on several prominent web sites or we can be reached on Twitter using @Fantasies4U.

I would like to thank Ms Malone and all the staff at Fantasies4U for allowing me the opportunity of this interview and providing me access to their excellent services…

About the Author:

Jason Jaxx is an author of erotica, starting out on the journey of self-publishing. An avid reader and music lover he is, obviously, a fan of erotica and adult-themed entertainment. He is happily married to a beautiful woman who shares his belief that fantasy is essential to a healthy sex life. Holding a stressful job that offers no creative outlet, he views writing as a welcome release and challenges himself to explore different themes and styles.

He does not enjoy writing about himself in the third person.

Online Connections:

Twitter:  http://twitter.com/jasonjaxx (@JasonJaxx)

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/jason.jaxx.7

Ashley’s Craving is available at:

Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008ZQL758

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B008ZQL758 

To find other works by Jason Jaxx visit: 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/jasonjaxx

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jasonjaxx

The Preacher and the Prostitute by Brenda Barrett

Thanks to Brenda Barrett for making the Vallory V blog a stop on her tour. 

What is your writing process like?

I write mostly at night when it’s quiet and there are no distractions. However, when I am in the zone and my characters are clamouring in my head to come out, I can write at any time.

How do you keep from procrastinating/giving up?

I have a daily things to-do-list, even if I don’t follow exactly what I have on the list, I try to accomplish at least two or three of them. When I organize my schedule like that I wake up each day with a set purpose and I try to push through even when I don’t feel like it.

I love what I do and that makes it much easier for me to keep going. If at anytime I find myself hating a book that I am writing or getting frustrated with the whole process, I leave it alone for days, sometimes months and then re-read what I wrote and fix whatever issues I had with it.

Tell me about your most recent book

My recent book, The Preacher and The Prostitute, was an idea that I had been toying with for a while. I sat down one day and said, what if a pastor fell in love with a prostitute, would it work? Could it work? How can I write that book without it being unrealistic or sleazy?

The plot – The coming together of Maribel, the ex-prostitute and the preacher (Brian) and the subsequent twists and turns were not planned by me. My characters came together and did their own thing. They never seem to follow the plot outline I painstakingly create before I start a book, yet I persist in writing one anyway.

The plot is the usual boy meets girl, except this time the girl is a reformed prostitute and active in the church, and the boy is a pastor who is very conscious of sexual purity.

The attraction between them was immediate and a little disconcerting for Maribel because there was the possibility that her past exploits could raise its ugly head and becoming a stumbling block.

Could Brian, overlook her past if she could muster the courage to tell him?

How long did it take you to write the book?

The first part of the book took me about four weeks to write, it flowed pretty well until I reached the last three or four chapters. Those took me almost five months to write. Nothing I thought of would fit; I put down the book and went on to other projects but one day I took it up and my characters were ready to go again.

What made you think of the idea for your book?

There wasn’t one thing that I could pinpoint that made me say tadah! I am going to write this. I am always fascinated with the meeting of opposites, and I sometimes ponder the possibilities.

About two years ago, a friend of mine, who was starting a movie business in the Caribbean, asked me for some ideas for a movie and I told him I was thinking about writing a book about a preacher and a prostitute. He was so excited about the idea that I left the conversation determined to write the book.

Any other projects in the works?

Yes, my eighth book and first of a series, Private Sins, will be out this month. It is the story about a pastor’s wife who had an affair with one of the church leaders and subsequently got pregnant.

Could she keep the secret from her husband and pretend that all was well? Or should she confess her private sins and let the chips fall where they may?

Do you write full time?

Yes I do. In addition to working on new books I also write for several blogs including my blogs BlackHair101.com and FiwiBooks.com.

Where can people buy your books?

All my books are on Amazon, you can also find them on B&N, Sony, Smashwords etc

Where can we send fan letters? 

Email still works – brenda AT Fiwibooks, but I’m loving twitter – @authorwriterbb

What are some of your favorite books/authors?

This is hard! I have so many favorites; here are some, in no particular order… James Herriot, Lynne Graham, Kwame Dawes, Clive Cussler, Audrey Niffenegger, Jean D’Costa, John Grisham, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Alex Haley, Johanna Lindsay, Louise Bennett, Ellen G. White.

Tell me something random about yourself.

I love to bake, many of my plot lines are formed while kneading bread or baking cookies or whipping up the batter for a chocolate cake.

What is your #1 tip for aspiring authors?

Have a passion for your craft; write for the love of it. At first don’t worry about book sales, if you put out a fair amount of good pieces and interact with readers, your target market will eventually find you, but if you don’t absolutely love writing, go do something else. Life is too short to waste time doing stuff you don’t absolutely love.  Besides, if you don’t absolutely love books and the writing process your readers will instinctively know it.

Where you can connect with Brenda and find her books:

Preacher and the Prostitute: http :// amzn . to / MFY 3 jK

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorBrendaBarrett

Twitter: @authorwriterbb

Amazon: bit . ly / BrendaBAmz

Barnes & Noble: www . barnesandnoble . com / c / brenda - a - barrett

Blog: FiwiBooks.com

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/user/show/10366453-brenda-barrett

***Brenda is hosting a giveaway! One lucky winner will receive a  $50.00 Amazon Gift Card, check out FiwiBooks for your chance to enter.***

 

Passionate Cook Anita Philmar – Smoking Hot Bourbon Beef

I’ve been playing around in the kitchen since I was a kid. My recipes don’t always come out the way I have planned, but I enjoy trying new recipes.

Smoking Hot Bourbon Beef

Ingredients

1 tablespoon honey

2 tablespoons brown Sugar

1 cup of your favorite steak sauce

1 cup bourbon whiskey

2 teaspoons prepared mustard

4 (10 ounce) steaks

Directions

1. Combine first 5 ingredients together (everything except

the steak) in a baking dish or large plastic storage bag

and mix well.

2. Add steak and cover or seal. Allow to marinate for at

least two hours or overnight.

3. Preheat grill to medium or high heat. Can also cook

under your broiler in the oven.

4. Grill steaks. Allow 5-7 minutes on each side depending

on the doneness you prefer. Turn over halfway through

grilling.

I like to save the marinate. Heat it up in a sauce pan until its thick and serve it over the steaks.

Add a bake potato and a salad.

Dinner is ready.

 About the Author 

Anita Philmar likes to create stories that push the limit. A

writer by day and a dreamer by night, she wants her readers to see

the world in a new way. Influenced by sci-fi programs, she likes

to develop places where anything can happen and where erotic

moments come to life in a great read. Naughty or nice? Read her

book and decide.

Blurb for HotWired

Hotwired for each other…

When Ross Dixon is kidnapped from his office, along with the sexy lawyer who’d been busting his balls over a deal that should have been a walk in the park, he wakes to find a devotion chip surgically implanted in his brain. If that isn’t bad enough, the chip, designed to trigger emotional reactions between him and the woman lying next to him, is working overtime on his libido.

Mistaken for Ross’s flavor of the month, Kayla Michaels, a 22nd century lawyer doesn’t have a problem spending time in Ross’s bed–or over his desk–but she wants no part in the romantic feelings the chip is provoking. She’s been down that road before and ended up burned.

Kayla and Ross struggle to find answers while coming to terms with the constant lust sizzling between them, but along the way each wonders if the emotions are real or just a side effect of being hotwired.

Available from The Wild Rose Press at: http://www.wilderroses.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=88&products_id=870

Stop by and visit Anita at http://www.anitaphilmar.com and read excerpts of her books.

The 51st Shade – Gray Interviewed by Chris McC

I was offered this opportunity to interview one of my characters…any of them, really.  Quite unique to interview your own creation, really…in a sense it is like interviewing your own child, just a bit wackier.

So, I first picked the coffee shop where I would do it.  I picked a quaint little place…no, not a chain…in an area of Toronto called Yorkdale.  Better I do it somewhere very public in case things go south.

The next part was whom I would invite to join me.  So many to choose from, and yet I knew immediately whom it had to be.  Having killed him off, it could only be Gray…

When he walked into the place, his hair and whiskers were their usual salt and pepper but a bit longer and scruffier.  His Levis were black and his black tee-shirt was tight enough to show off his muscular frame.  He sat down across the table from me and scanned around the room with concern to see if anyone was watching.  His blue eyes finally rested on me with a glare that would have cut through bricks…

Gray – Why could you not have chosen one of the women?  Dude, this is awkward.

Me – Nice to see you, too.  I figured you and I had not talked in a long time.  It has been more than a year now.  How have you been?

Gray – Dead, thanks to you.  How are you?

Me – I am good.  Still writing.

Gray – That is great to hear.  So why did you kill me off?  Now, don’t get me wrong, you killed me off while I was getting laid, and I can appreciate that…but why?

Me – It just seemed a good time for you to go.

Gray – And it was, but I didn’t want to go.

Me – So what have you been doing?

Gray – What do you think I’ve been doing?  I’ve been trying to figure a way out for you to resurrect me.

Me – Now why would I want to do that?

Gray – Dude, it’s me.

Me – What? Are you like Han Solo or something?

Gray – Yeah, only better.   I wish you’d send me back to Australia.  That was an awesome trip.

Me – That was the trip that you accidentally slept with the sister of the woman you traveled there to meet.

Gray – There’s no accidents, I tell ya.  Alex, my twin brother…you remember Alex, right?

Me – Of course.

Gray – He was so pissed off when he realized I got the wrong twin.  He was even more upset when he found out I got both of them.

Me – I bet.  What about the photo session?

Gray – Oh, man, I forgot about that one.  Takes some kind of lady’s man to get two gorgeous women to do a shoot like that.

Me – That or a wad of cash.

Gray – I just wish the blasted camera had worked…and that they hadn’t both left before I got undressed.

Me – Lady’s man?

Gray – Hey, I had a lot of gorgeous women.

Me – Yeah, I recall a blonde you met when you lost the bet.

Gray – She was envious, man.  She got one look at this naked physique and she wanted it.

Me – Even with the shrivel factor of sub-freezing temperatures.

Gray – I should have killed Grace for that.  That was bloody cold and unfair.

Me – Why did you not end up with Grace?

Gray – You killed me, remember?  She was awesome, though.  She really was not the type I ever expected to be with.  She always reminded me of Bailey from WKRP.  Was that who you had in mind for her?

Me – Not initially but she evolved that way.  She was missing the glasses, though.

Gray – Yeah, Bailey and Jennifer on that show were like an 80s version of Marianne and Ginger.  Grace was not the statuesque blonde I figured I should be with…but I did love her.  Just never realized it until…

Me – Until?

Gray – I guess I just didn’t see the end coming.  I was so busy thinking with my little head and ego that I missed the bigger picture.  Then you go all Joss Whedon on my ass and kill off a main character…you bastard.

Me – So if I were to resurrect you, what would you do differently this time?

Gray – For one, I would finish university.  Truth is picking up garbage might be great for the physique, but it really doesn’t do much for the image.  I always wanted to get into film production.

Me – That would be fantastic.

Gray – Yeah, like that other character you had.  Always wish you did a cross over story with me and that guy Director Jake.  I thought he was brilliant.

Me – Oh, so by film you mean…

Gray – I would love to shoot porn.

Me – Of course you would.  What would Grace think?

Gray – She’d never let me.  Truth is, I’d love it if you’d write her and I into a real romantic erotic piece.  That would be perfect.

Me – She’s really not the erotic type leading lady, though.

Gray – Dude, who are you kidding?  All your characters are flawed, and she would fit that perfectly.

Me – Perhaps she would.

Gray – Do me a favour though.

Me – What’s that?

Gray – If you do bring me back, don’t put me in any more stories with that chump Cliff.  He scares me with his dreams.

Me – No promises.

Gray – Is it odd that I have a Duncan Sheik tune in my head?

Me – Which one?

Gray – I’m not sure.  There is this line in it that goes: “We won’t say anything, we are ghosts, we just sing…”

Me – Great song, that one.  “Take a Bow” from his last album…oddly appropriate for you, speaking of flawed heroes.

Grey – Hero?  Not sure I’ve ever thought of myself that way.  I suppose if all of this has taught me anything it is that I should love…I should sing…

Me – That’s another line from the song, you dolt.

Grey – Oh, sorry…damn, this coffee is cold.  They don’t serve beer here, do they?

 

About the Author

“Stranded in Toronto” is a pen name used by Chris McC.  Chris is a third generation Canadian originally from Calgary, Alberta, Canada.  For the last 27 years, he has been living in the far west end of the Greater Toronto Area, known as Peel Region (go Steelheads!).  He is a divorced father of two daughters.  His job of selling wood (literally) is only meant to fund his nasty writing habit.  He has published short stories in erotica, science fiction and humour; as well as writing a weekly column on celebrity atheists.  Outside of the writing, his spare time is spent reading, playing with the daughters on PS3, and wandering the Twitterverse.  He also has an obscene music collection that centers on the works of Rush and the Foo Fighters which is usually turned up REALLY LOUD while the writing process is underway.

Connect with Chris online:

Website:  http://strandedintoronto.wordpress.com/

Twitter:  http://twitter.com/stranded_in_to

The Gray Series:  http://wp.me/P1cp3D-1j1

Passionate Cook Sharon Kleve Shares a Romantic Menu

Besides writing, cooking is my passion and I spend a lot of time in my kitchen. A few years ago we remodeled it and now I have a large kitchen that inspires me to do even more.

A couple weeks before our sixteenth year wedding anniversary this year instead of going out I created a romantic dinner for two. We drank a couple glasses of chardonnay and looked longing into each other eyes. My husband says that’s cheaper than an upgrade on a diamond ring. Ha ah!

I thought I share the rest of the dinner menu, minus the looking into each other eyes; you’re on your own with that one.

Lip Smacking Pork Roulade is a main dish in the Passionate Cooks cook book. Below are the two side dishes I served with it.

New Red Potatoes with Parsley

Ingredients

1 (1-pound) new red potatoes
2 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 bunch fresh parsley
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°.
Wash and cut the new potatoes into quarters and dry.
Put the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and new potatoes in a bowl and toss.
Add salt and pepper and toss again.
Cover a cookie sheet with parchment paper and spread the potatoes in a single layer.
Chop the bunch of parsley and set aside
Bake at 400° for 30 minutes or until tender.
Put alongside the Pork on a pretty platter and top with the parsley.

Sautéed Garlic Broccoli

Ingredients

1 (1-pound) fresh, washed and dried broccoli
4 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoon of butter
4 large finely chopped cloves of garlic
1 lime
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Directions

Preheat the olive oil and butter in a large non-stick pan
Add the garlic and slowly soften it, but don’t burn it.
Add the broccoli and sauté until tender.
Add salt and pepper to taste.
Cut the lime into quarters.

Put alongside the Pork on a pretty platter and top with lime juice.

Find out more about Sharon Klev and the The Corny Myers Series on her website at http://www.sharonkleve.com/

Book One, FLAMINGO BLUES, Available Now!

Book Two, BE MINE, Available Now!

Book Three, KLUTZY LOVE, Available Now!

Interview with Hephaestus by D. X. Luc

I quickly rush down to the hardware store, where our hero Hephaestus, waits for me. I’m hoping he doesn’t mind I’m a little late. Once inside, I realize I’m not dressed for a place filled with sawdust, holding back a sneeze. With a brush down of my dress, I look around and see a giant of a man waiting by one of the workbenches. He looks up and smiles, his lava colored eyes twinkling and he beckons me over.

 He offers me a handshake, goggles, and goes back to work. I clear my throat and hope he’s paying attention to my questions.

Me: So, hello Hephaestus.

Heph: *Doesn’t look up* Please, call me Heph.

Me: Okay then. Let’s begin with this first question. How did you like the way I told your story?

Heph: I have to say, I’m very pleased that the world now sees me as more than the “lame one”.

Me: I’m a handy gal myself and really do understand the value of working with my hands. Which, would you say, is your favorite tool?

Heph: Well of course, my Blacksmith’s hammer is my favorite. It is my symbol of power. But like you, I enjoy working with my hands. I’m very good with my hands.

Me:  * Blinks and swallows*Right then. I’m going to be honest here, you are huge. I have never seen such mass. What’s your secret?

Heph: No secret really. I’m just big. There is a need for largeness when working with heavy tools in the forge. Also, as the god of volcanoes, I’m usually bigger than the mountains I rule over. Makes sense. Do you think I’m proportionate?

Me: Oh yeah! You’re perfect. So, as the god of blacksmiths, who would you say was your favorite mortal to possess your skills?

Heph: Hmmm, there is only one that I can recall. Daedalus. I met him once, nice guy. A bit fixated on flying though.

Me: What’s your favorite cuss word?

Heph: I would have to say poutanas gie. That means son of a well..my mother to keep it nice.

Me: Ah, I totally get it. Okay, so back to the story again. What was the most difficult part about seeing your life being placed on paper?

Heph: My life has not been the best, so I feared the world knowing the abuse I suffered for years. That and I didn’t know what the gods would do to me for letting such information out.

Me: What was the best?

Heph: Vanessa. She is my true perfection.

Me: That’s very sweet. Final question. Is there anything you’d wish to add for all of us to know about you that many might not?

Heph: Ares is over in the toilets aisle as we speak and I just stuck a scorpion in the one he’s about to open. * hears a shrillish girl’s scream * Yep, there it is!

Me: * laughing* That’s awesome. Thanks so much for taking the time to talk to me today, Heph.

Heph: Not a problem. Stay and I’ll show you how to construct a birdhouse.

Get your copy of Touch of the Gods: The Wager from Amazon:

Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/The-Wager-TOUCH-GODS-ebook/dp/B0080S7PS4/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/Touch-Gods-The-Wager-Volume/dp/147762242X/ref=tmm_pap_title_0

Find out more about Author D. X. Luc from her blog: http://welcome-to-the-island-of-dxluc.blogspot.com/

Today’s Hero – Master Sergeant Kareem K. Hill

Fleet Week New York 2011

I found this as I was cleaning up the files on my computer and thought I’d share. One of my real life heroes and my brother, Master Sergeant Kareem K. Hill, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit at the Ground Zero construction site.

Val Reads – The Wicked Wager

As a writer, I hate ranked reviews. And in that vein, I will give you a review of  a thoroughly enjoyable and funny Regency style novel I recently read – The Wicked Wager by Anya Wylde.

Ms. Wylde’s story is a wonderful one that continues to draw me to this genre of controlled manners. The lengths the characters go through in which to both maintain and thwart the conventions of their society is often outlandish and in the hands of a good writer – totally believable! I flutter my fan to Ms. Wylde!

From the moment of meeting the heroine, Emma, in the garden as she exclaims an “inspired curse” I was hooked! And the sneaky author kept me enthralled the whole way through with plot twists and turns and those “hold your breath” moments when you silently scream to the characters – Don’t do it!

Loved it from beginning to end!

Highly recommended for fans of Regency romances and cozy mysteries.

Get your copy here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008UWBJB4

*The author of this blog received a free copy of this work but the opinions expressed within this post are her own*

Elodie Parkes and The Horoscope Writer

All About Elodie Parkes

Where are you from?  I live in Canterbury, United Kingdom. It’s famous for the Cathedral, Chaucer, and there is a UNESCO world heritage site, which includes the ancient ruins of St Augustine’s Abbey and St Martin’s Church. There is also a ruined castle. It’s a pretty place too and the coast nearby is great.

I work in an antiques shop and write. I have two dogs that keep me fit with their need for walks.

I write romance, contemporary and erotic with a twist of mystery now and then. I like to make the story unusual in some way, by a quirk in the tale.

 What is your favorite quality about yourself?  Kindness, I am unfailingly kind, it just happens.


 What is your least favorite quality about yourself?  I’m a bit of a perfectionist and hard on myself.


 What is your favorite quote, by whom, and why?  I saw one on a facebook page the other day and I have to say it replaced everything I thought I liked before, “I don’t think that anything happens by coincidence… No one is here by accident… Everyone who crosses our path has a message for us. Otherwise they would have taken another path, or left earlier or later. The fact that these people are here means that they are here for some reason…” -James Redfield


What is your favorite color?  Green, all greens, like emerald, lime, viridian, apple, grass, sea-green


What is your favorite food?  Pancakes and maple syrup


What’s your favorite place in the entire world?  I can’t choose, because there are places in the world I would like to see ad who knows they might take that accolade when I see them.

Elodie’s Journey into Writing

 When and why did you begin writing?  I started writing when I was seventeen. I never did anything like submitting to publishers etc. until I was about twenty five and then queried to no avail.  I started writing again seriously a couple of years ago because I had so many stories in my head.


How long have you been writing?  Seriously? Maybe three years.


What inspires you to write and why?  People and emotions inspires me. The complexity of life spurs me to write.


What genre are you most comfortable writing?  Romance, contemporary and erotic.


What do you consider most challenging about writing a novel, or about writing in general?  I honestly think its marketing the book.


Did writing this book teach you anything and what was it?  ‘The Horoscope Writer’ taught me to go with my heart in my writing, and stop being so academic.


Do you intend to make writing a career?  If it will let me




What is your greatest strength as a writer?  I think it’s the joy I get from writing and so I put it back into the work.


Have you ever had writer’s block? If so, what do you do about it?  I haven’t had writers block but I have chosen to stop writing a couple of projects and deleted them, I just stopped liking their concepts.

The Horoscope Writer

 ‘The Horoscope Writer’ is about a man, Dominic, who is a writer and has lots of different writing jobs for magazines amongst which is that of horoscope writing. He is a lonely soul, living in the country on a funny country lane where a few artisan’s workshops are. Fortunately he has a friend there too, Jeremy, who has a workshop, design studio there on the lane.

Dominic is lonely. His last relationship broke up a couple of years prior to the opening of the story and he really wants love.

There is a workshop to let on the lane and Cassie comes along to rent it.

Dominic is instantly attracted to her when he sees her in Jeremy’s office and she finds Dominic irresistible.

There is a mild paranormal streak running through what is an erotic romance because Dominic has been influenced by his great uncle who was also a horoscope writer.

This is a love story, erotic and enticing.

How did you come up with the title?  The character Dominic gave it to me. (smiles)


Can you tell us about your main character?  Cassie needs to be loved. She’s kind, generous, and affectionate. She is talented and works hard.

Dominic is a darling who lives with a strange secret, and he needs love too, but doesn’t think he will ever have it until he meets Cassie.

They both have a sensual streak and ignite it within each other.

What was the hardest part about writing this book?  Marketing

 The Horoscope Writer can be purchased through Amazon:

Amazon US - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0094JIIVQ

Amazon UK - http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Horoscope-Writer-ebook/dp/B0094JIIVQ

Elodie’s Writing Life

Can we expect any more books from you in the future?  This is my third book.  I have a book in the pipeline right now, called ‘The Last Time’, it’s due to be published mid-December


How do you deal with bad reviews?  I don’t read reviews.


What are some of the best tools available today for writers, especially those just starting out?  Computers, editing suites, the WWW.


What contributes to making a writer successful?  Believing in books and reading.


Do you have any advice for writers?  Just believe in yourself and give it all you’ve got.


Do you have any specific last thoughts that you want to say to your readers?  Thank you for reading my books. I write from my heart and hope you feel the love in the books.

The Silly Question

Karaoke Night, what are you singing and are you any good?  ‘Strong Enough’ from Sheryl Crow and yes I can sing.

Find Elodie online: http://elodieparkes.blogspot.com

http://www.facebook.com/ElodieParkes

https://plus.google.com/u/0/100127291306930462635/posts

https://twitter.com/ElodieParkes

Excerpt from The Horoscope Writer

(Copyright Elodie Parkes 2012 all rights reserved.)

 “Do you like to be called Cassandra or Cassie?” he asked her, and his lovely eyes had Cassie staring at him almost unable to speak. She truly had not seen a man quite as attractive as Dominic in a long time, not in real life, not in the flesh. His looks belonged in the pages of movie magazines or on romance novel covers.

Why was he single she asked herself?

She finally answered him when she saw that he was waiting patiently for her.

“I don’t mind either. If you want to call me Cassie you can”.

Dominic smiled again; he was thinking ‘I’d like to call you darling as I kiss you all over’.

He said, “Okay I’ll call you Cassie for the time being”.

Cassie wondered what that meant but decided against asking. Dominic was pouring coffee and offered her milk and sugar. Cassie took her coffee black and Dominic saluted her for it. “I can’t take it black I have to dilute it with milk”, he told her.

They were standing quite close to each other as he handed her the cup and Dominic took the opportunity to gaze into her eyes. Cassie was immediately intimidated and he felt it.

“Cassie you have beautiful eyes, such an unusual color”, Dominic said, and then quickly followed with, “I hope you don’t mind me saying so?”

Cassie saw the sincerity in his expression and responded.

“No it’s nice”, she said softly.

Dominic’s gaze softened as he looked at her. He wanted to trace his finger down her cheek and over her bottom lip. He wanted to hold her face in his hands and lick her lips until she opened them to his tongue. His eyes darkened at Cassie and she could feel the air of desire that Dominic exuded. She didn’t move back from him, but she drank some coffee, and the mug seemed to shield her from him.

Dominic really wanted her. He had not felt desire like this in a long time, and then he realized he had never felt desire like this. Not even for Jenny. He registered surprise in his eyes when that thought came to mind and Cassie saw it.

She had no idea what to say next and so she simply stood there, and sipped at her coffee.

Dominic drank some of his coffee and then tried to talk about ordinary things to Cassie.

“What will you be doing in the workshop or studio as Jeremy calls it?”

Cassie felt on familiar ground and answered happily. “Pottery, ceramics, sculpture and stuff. I’m an artist; well I like to think so”.

Dominic moved very slightly closer to her and then leaned over a little to put his cup on the table. As he stood up it brought their faces close together.

Cassie at first froze. She was caught in the delicious gaze of Dominic’s sexy blue eyes, and he was wondering how he could possibly kiss her without scaring her, when Cassie astounding herself, moved to him closing her eyes and offering her mouth to be kissed.

Dominic held her head gently and kissed her slowly. He made the kiss last as long as he could. It was hard to stop kissing her because she moved towards his lips wanting more when he did ease back. Dominic was enchanted. He moved his hands from her face to hold her close with one arm and pick up a handful of her hair with the other. He savored the feel of her hair in his hand and kissed her more.

Cassie felt melted from the inside out. She felt as if her body craved the touch of this gorgeous man. She felt sleepy with desire.

She had not been with a man for more than two years, and even then it had not been very satisfactory. It was a quick encounter with an old university friend, when in a mood of despair she had gone to his hotel with him after meeting him in town.

They had known each other the whole four years as they studied the same course. He had girlfriends the whole time. Two years after graduation he had left the county but was back for work, and they had met at an art exhibition. Cassie pushed herself to have sex with him out of sheer annoyance at her own continued single status. It had been okay and she had needed what little comfort it gave her. He had left the next day and she had not heard from him again.

Now Cassie was clinging to Dominic and in some part of her heart a seed of hope sprang up. Dominic was kissing her and holding her with care. He wanted her, she could tell. His lips worked magic on her shyness and she put her arms around his waist to press him close to her.

Dominic sighed with pleasure, stopped kissing her lips, and held her against his body. He molded her to him and sighed with his face in her hair, as he made sure she felt the shape of his desire through their clothes.

Cassie savored his embrace. It felt good to be held against this man. It felt safe, even though she didn’t know him, and this behavior was unprecedented in her opinion and experience. She was a grown woman, an independent woman, and anyway she had been to self-defense classes and knew that if he did anything she did not want she could immobilize him in seconds. Cassie was quite proud of that fact and that she had been the star pupil in the class. Her instructors had said she was a natural, and attempted to recruit her to their academy, but she had resisted. She stilled in his arms.

Dominic was breathing her in. Her hair had a vague herbal fragrance, something sweet and familiar like rosemary he thought. He held her gently but with possession as if he couldn’t let her go. He was surprised by her kiss and the way she stayed within the circle of his arms.

“I hope you are not afraid of me. I wouldn’t normally be so affectionate so soon, but I find you so very lovely”, he said softly, as he moved his lips in a delicate caress across her face to her lips. The barely there kisses made Cassie shiver and move her mouth to his with a need to kiss his lips, touch her tongue to his, and she pressed her hips against him.

Dominic ran his hands over her shoulders and down her back wanting to take the thick sweater she wore off her.

It was right then that the doorbell rang. Dominic smiled at Cassie and with an apologetic murmur went to answer it.

Find samples of  other works by Elodie including ‘Millie Reinvented’, ‘Two of Them’ and ‘The Horoscope Writer’ on the blog: http://elodieparkes.blogspot.com

Also available from:

http://www.amazon.com/Millie-Reinvented-ebook/dp/B008H5IF7U

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Millie-Reinvented-ebook/dp/B008H5IF7U

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008RBJXOI

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Two-of-Them-ebook/dp/B008RBJXOI