Leta Blake's Blog, page 91

Song of Late Spring and Roses

And a live version.

Writer Wednesday: Casey Cox & Finding King

 

What are your names? And tell us a little about yourselves?

Merrick: My name is Ged Merrick. I’m Captain of the Breaker-one-Niner. It’s a military class ship designed for deep space missions. And she’s fast, she is mighty fast when we need her to be.

Jessie: And sometimes we need her to be.

Merrick: Yeah, we don’t always work within the law.

Jessie: You can’t say it, can you? We’re pirates. We never work within the law.

Merrick: It’s a small crew, usually just ten men. It fluctuates. We work mostly in the Zeta Quadrant, but have been known to drift closer to the homelands from time to time. More lately, I guess, in the search for Jessie.

Jessie: You went back into homeland territory for me?

Merrick: Of course we did. I thought he might have been sold back to Rexalon for reconditioning. Oh, that’s our home planet. Where we were trained. Farmed really. They pay big money for runaways.

Jessie: I’m King Jesson. I used to be second in command on the Breaker but for the last six years—

Merrick: You don’t have to tell them about that Jessie.

Jessie: Sure I do. For the last six years I’ve been working as an erotic dancer all over Zeta and the surrounding quadrants. There was a … we got caught up in … some bad stuff and I was uh … captured. And sold. But that’s old news. Now I’m back with the Breaker.

What do you believe is your worst or most frustrating quality? What about his/hers?

Jessie: He’s stubborn, boneheaded and never thinks of himself.

Merrick: Uh, I was going to say the same about him.

What is your best quality? What about his/hers?

Jessie: He’s stubborn, boneheaded and never thinks of himself?

Merrick: Oi, cut it out. I said he was very bendy, didn’t I?

If you could have one wish come true, what would it be and why?

Merrick: I only had one wish, and that came true.

Jessie: He’s playing you. He wants a Helden 54 fighter platform with duel relay.

Merrick: You’re right I do. It’s the latest in military tech. Full cloaking, quantum generators and she can be remote piloted from five hundred clicks.

Jessie: I knew it. You bastard. I’ve only ever wanted Merrick.

Merrick: Except when you didn’t.

Jessie: Yeah, well. I was lying.

How did you meet? Was it love at first sight?

Jessie: It was for me. Merrick didn’t know I existed for a long while.

Merrick: I did. I just didn’t want you to know I had a thing.

Jessie: You had a thing for me? That’s too sweet for you Merrick, you didn’t have a thing.

Merrick: I was a kid, of course I was sweet. And who didn’t have a thing for that stupidly bendy body of yours?

Jessie: And I thought it was my eyes, and my charm that got you. We met in training. On Rexalon. Pair of kids being forced to make hard decisions. He blew my world. All that anger and compassion bleeding through his skin. Hot as hell. And I should know—I’ve been there. It was a precise military operation to get his attention.

Merrick: Don’t be daft.

Jessie: Took a lot of effort to hook him, but once I did—

Merrick: I basically didn’t stand a chance.

BUY FINDING KING

***

Casey, tell us a bit about yourself! From your back catalog, do you have a secret favorite? If so which book and why?

Ooh, that’s a difficult one. It’s got to be The Rise of Alec Caldwell series. I’m addicted to the characters’ lives and Alec never shuts up, he’s always up to something in my head and the muse is crazy about him. I can’t ever imagine a time when I won’t be writing about Alec and his adventures, even though the published version will end with Volume Four.

What is the most rewarding aspect of writing and/or publishing? The most terrifying/frustrating?

The best part is when a reader really gets the characters. I’m amazed at some of the reviews and emails I’ve had. It feels good to share a little bit of love and inspiration and to brighten someone’s world for just one day.

The most terrifying is the same with any creative venture, sharing a story is like sharing a little piece of yourself. That and the fact you always think people are going to hate it, and of course, sometimes they do.

What’s next for you?

Finding King is the first in a trilogy, so the next installment is on the drawing board. I have Alec Volume Four in progress and a couple of new WIP’s, a novel length paranormal fantasy, a psychological thriller and a couple of contemporary novella’s. I am also working on a sequel for Be My Boy.

2 – Twenty Five Things Tuesday: Paris in Spring

Paris in spring. Okay, fine, Paris anytime. I’ve never been. Before I die, I’d like to see Paris in spring (summer, fall, winter). I’d love to see Paris in all seasons.

Hints at Books to Come: Southern Coming of Age in the ’90s

This year I am going to have the final draft completed for a book that has been near and dear to my heart for a number of years now. These are your hints.

The Sunsphere

 

Peter, age 18.

 

Renee/Robert

 

Imagine this guy about five years younger and you’ve got Adam.

 

Enter Daniel.

 

And all of this.

 

And you’ve got the book I’ve called BTP but will make it out to readers under a different name sometime this year.

Let’s Talk About All the Ways This Is Offensive

1. Whore.

2. Male figure saying, “Calm Down.” This basically says that whatever the woman has just said or done is a result of hysteria or overemotionalism and thus invalidates it.

3. Overriding the woman’s self-definition with one the man proclaims more appropriate. And a demeaning one at that. Determining that the male way of doing something is the only ‘right’ way.

4. The Fake Geek Girl thing is utter bullshit.

As I said to the man who posted this:

It isn’t funny for a male figure to a) call a woman a whore, b) determine that a woman cannot define herself appropriately because his ability to define her supersedes her own, c) demean a woman’s self from the status of an intelligent human being (nerd) to a whore on the basis of, what? How she looks?

When I see something like this tossed up casually as “too funny”, I realize that we have so far to go. Then again, all I have to do is turn on the news, walk out of my house, and exist in this world as a woman to have that proved time and again.

Luck!

Fanworks Friday: Meta from Ladyw1nter, Incorporates Film Theory

LadyW1inter has posted a fantastic meta piece exploring why one particular character/story interpretation can, in her opinion, be backed up by meta analysis of the filming choices made during certain key scenes.

Warning! Spoilers for the finale of season two of Teen Wolf! READ IT HERE!

Check out her commentary here. Whether or not you agree with her, it’s clear that fans give a lot more thought to every single piece of the media they consume and use it to draw conclusions about the characters and the show itself.

It’s Spring! It’s Finally Spring!

Southland in the Springtime

Writer Wednesday: Rebound with Sabrina York

Welcome Kristi and Cam. Can you tell us a little about yourselves?

KRISTI: I’m Kristi Cross and this is Cam Jackson.

CAM: I’m a computer programmer—

K: A computer genius.

C: You just say that because you have yet to figure out how to work Facebook.

K: Shut up.

C: Seriously. I have to stop by her store once a week or so just to unscramble everything she’s enabled on her phone.

K: I’m technologically challenged. So sue me.

What kind of store do you have?

K: A book and coffee.

C: She loves books.

K: And coffee.

C: And the coffee grinder is the old fashioned kind.

K: Because, did I mention? Technologically challenged?

C: Best coffee in Seattle, though. And that’s saying a lot.

Seattle? Have you always lived there?

C: Oh yeah. We both went to the University of Washington.

K: Loved it.

Was that how you met?

C: Yep. There was a group of us living on the 7th floor of McCarty Hall.

K: Called ourselves the “Dawgs.”

C: We’re still friends with our dorm-mates. We all share a vacation house on Tryst Island.

THEY SHARE A STEAMY GLANCE.

Tryst Island? I don’t think I’ve ever heard of it.

C: It’s our nickname for it.

K: Short for Trystacomseh Island. It’s in the San Juans.

Oh, it’s beautiful there.

C: It is.

THE GLANCE HEATS UP EVEN MORE.

Ahem. So. Was it love at first sight?

KRISTI LAUGHS. Probably.

CAM QUIRKS A BROW. Only probably?

K: We met during the playoffs…I doubt he even noticed I was a female.

CAM, UNDER HIS BREATH: Oh, I noticed.

The…playoffs?

C: Our group gathered every weekend in the Fall in the lounge on our floor to watch football.

K: Mostly yell at the screen.

C: Only when the Dawgs were losing. Anyway, one Saturday, I turned around and there she was. HE CHUCKLES. Wearing her pajamas.

KRISTI WRINKLES HER NOSE. It was a nightshirt. The only thing I had with a Husky logo.

C: She was adorable.

KRISTI SMACKS HIM ON THE SHOULDER. Why didn’t you make a move then?

C: Hello. You had a boyfriend.

KRISTI GLOWERS AT THE INTERVIEWER. We wasted so much time. We both had crushes on each other.

C: And you had a boyfriend.

SHE SNORTS. You had a girlfriend. Always. Anyway, we both had these ridiculous crushes.

C: And both pretended we were just friends.

What changed?

K: We played a game of Hearts.

A game of Hearts?

CAM GRINS. Tell her what we played for.

KRISTI BLUSHES. You tell her. It was your idea.

C: A kiss. It was genius on my part, really. See, if she lost, she had to kiss me. If I lost, I had to kiss her.

K: He lost.

CAM WAGGLES A BROW. Either way, I won. Like I said. Genius.

KRISTI NODS. I did mention he was a genius.

C: An evil genius. And you liked the kiss.

SHE BLUSHES. I did.

SO Kristi, what is your worst quality?

KRISTI MAKES A FACE: I wish I was skinnier.

C: What? Are you crazy? You’re perfect. HE TUGS HER CLOSER AND NIBBLES ON HER NECK.

K: I should lose weight. Maybe I should go on a diet.

CAM’S EXPRESSION DARKENS. Don’t even joke about it. I love everything about you. Just as you are.

A MISCHEVIOUS EXPRESSION FLITS OVER KRISTI’S FACE. Everything?

C: Everything.

K: Even my…frisky side?

C: Especially that.

K: Then when are you going to let me try that…thing Holt mentioned?

A TELLING FLUSH CREEPS UP CAM’S NECK. I have no idea what you’re talking about.

K: Don’t you? SHE LEANS OVER AND WHISPERS SOMETHING IN HIS EAR. HIS FACE GOES BEET RED.

CAM, TO THE INTERVIEWER: Can we change the subject?

This seems interesting…

CAM: Please?

HE IS JUST TOO ADORABLE WHEN HE BEGS, SO THE INTERVIEWER RELENTS.  Alright. Kristi, what is Cam’s worst quality?

KRISTI LAUGHS. Other than the fact that he cheats at Hearts?

CAM PUTS OUT A LIP. Only to lose. Only for a kiss.

KRISTI CUPS HIS CHEEK. I was kidding, darling. I love that you tricked me into kissing you. And I loved everything that happened after that. Mostly, I love that we found each other.

HE GAZES INTO HER EYES. Me too.

So, if you could have one wish come true, what would it be and why?

KRISTI (STILL MOONING AT CAM): It already has.

C: Undoubtedly.

KRISTI SIGHS. But honestly? If I could have one other wish come true, I would wish my sister Bella could find what we’ve found.

CAM WRAPS HIS ARM AROUND HER SHOULDER. She will. When the time is right. You’ll see.

K: I hope so. She deserves…this.

CAM KISSES KRISTI.  FOR A LONG TIME. WHEN HE FINALLY PULLS AWAY, HE MURMURS SOFTLY, Everyone deserves this. Everyone.

***

Welcome Sabrina! Tell us a little about yourself!

I am excited to announce that I am celebrating my one year anniversary as a published author. In this year I’ve sold more than fifteen titles and garnered some pretty awesome reviews.  It’s been an exciting journey.

I wanted to do something special to celebrate, and I decided a self published series was a great way to do that. I wrote Rebound, the first book in my new Tryst Island Series, and enrolled it in Amazon’s Kindle Prime program, because I wanted to be able to give it away for free once in a while. My next free days will be sometime the first week in May to celebrate my first visit to the RT convention!

What makes your current offering a different and compelling read?

The cool thing about the Tryst Island Series is that it’s about a group of friends. So you meet the same characters over and over again. I worked very hard to make these characters people you would want to hang out with. They’re funny and smart and sexy—and undyingly loyal to each other.

It must have worked. People are already clamoring for Bella’s story. I’ve been scolded for not writing faster.

What keeps you inspired?

For this series? Yeah. Just look at the photo.



What is the most rewarding aspect of writing and/or publishing? The most terrifying/frustrating?

The most rewarding aspect is hearing from readers who love my books. Oh, that never gets old. And the authors I have met? What a wonderful group of ladies. It’s pretty amazing when someone you worship loves your books too! Best selling erotic author Desiree Holt had this to say about Rebound: “You can’t go wrong with a Sabrina York story. You’ll want to take the hero home with you and keep him forever. And the sex? More than you ever dreamed. Get this book today.” 

I know! Right?

*Fans self*

Self publishing was pretty terrifying. Because I had to edit the book, format it and upload it. Fortunately I had a great team to support me.

And wouldn’t you know? Now that I have it all figured out, it’s not scary at all!

What’s next for you?

Dragonfly Kisses (Cassie and Dylan’s Story) is Book 2, and Bella and Holt’s story is the third. And did I mention, there are ten stories in the series? Strap in. It’s gunna be a wild ride.

 

Rebound by Sabrina York

A Tryst Island Erotic Romance

 

Kristi Cross has had the hots for her friend, Cameron Jackson as long as she can remember, but she knows she’s not his type. She’s nothing like the women he dates. So when he suggests they play for a kiss over a game of Hearts, Kristi can’t resist. Even if she loses, she wins. Because she’s finally going to taste him.

Of course, one kiss can quickly become something altogether steamier, especially when both parties are on the rebound…

 

Fall in Love on Tryst Island

When a group of friends share a vacation house, wild hijinks, unexpected hook-ups and steamy sex ensue. And true love. Did I mention they all find true love?  Visit www.sabrinayork.com for more details.

***

About Sabrina York

Sabrina is an award winning author of erotic romance with nearly a dozen titles available, ranging from sweet & sexy erotic romance to BDSM to erotic horror. Connect with her on twitter @sabrina_york or Facebook.

 

Check out Sabrina’s books and read an excerpt on er webpage (www.sabrinayork.com) or explore on Amazon or at Ellora’s Cave.

***

Other Books by Sabrina York

Adam’s Obsession (Erotic Contemporary, Ellora’s Cave)

Dark Fancy (Erotic Regency, Ellora’s Cave)

Extreme Couponing (Erotic Contemporary, Ellora’s Cave)

Five Alarm Fire (Erotic Contemporary for the High Octane Heroes Anthology, Cleis Press)—coming soon

Folly (Erotic Regency, Ellora’s Cave)

Lust Eternal (Erotic Fantasy, Ellora’s Cave) —coming soon

Pushing Her Buttons (Erotic Contemporary, Ellora’s Cave)

Making Over Maris (Erotic Contemporary, Ellora’s Cave) —coming soon

Man Hungry (Erotic Contemporary, Ellora’s Cave)

Rebound: A Tryst Island Erotic Romance (Erotic Contemporary, Available on Amazon)

Rising Green (Erotic Horror, Ellora’s Cave)

Saving Charlotte (Erotic Contemporary for the Smokin’ Hot Firemen Anthology, Cleis Press)

Training Tess (Erotic Contemporary, Ellora’s Cave)

Trickery (Erotic Contemporary with Magical Elements, Ellora’s Cave Hex Line)

Tristan’s Temptation (Erotic Contemporary, Ellora’s Cave)

 

1 – Twenty-Five Things Tuesday: Become A Woman

Before I die, I’d like to see my daughter grow up to be as authentic a person as she can possibly become. I want to see her grow into her body and her spirit, which as always been so large. I want to be present as she her grows into her warm, sensitive, beautiful heart. I want to see her adult smile, her womanly strength, her rounded edges, her beauty in whatever form it takes. I want to learn from her as she learns from the world. I want to be the student to her teacher as she matures into someone I had no idea would even exist when she started out in my womb. I want to witness the end result of her genes, her upbringing, and her own special nature. If there is one thing in this world that I want to the exclusion of all others, this would be it.

Before I die, I want to see my daughter become a woman.