Allyson Lindt's Blog, page 6
June 6, 2013
Check Us out on Romance Lives Forever
It's a busy-insane week in my part of the world. We're in the middle of a major project at work, and on the writing front I'm prepping for the release of two novels. Holding Her Close will be available on July 1, so I'm making last minute everythings to make sure it's ready. And Toeing the Line is slated for August 19, so we're hip deep in edits.Because of that, my poor blog is feeling neglected again, but I haven't walked away from blog land completely. This week is publisher week on Romance Lives Forever, and they're featuring Liquid Silver Books (who happens to be my amazing and brilliant publisher as well).
My book, Conflict of Interest, was featured on Monday, along with a ton of amazing new releases (seriously, these authors are wicked talented, so check them out if you want something new and sexy to read.
And today is their spotlight on authors , I see me in there again, but more importantly, all of my talented publishing pals from LSB. So hop over if you have a moment and meet some brilliant talent.
May 31, 2013
Looking for Reviewers for Holding Her Close
Tomorrow is June 1, and that means so many things. The talented Sofia Grey has a new book out on June 12 (eep, yay!), I get to see the sunshine before work, and our youngest (and largest) cat turns 3. He's an adorable black cat who moved in and decided long ago he was pack alpha. Except that he's terrified of everything.Also, it means there's only a month until Holding Her Close , the spicy prequel in my Bits & Bytes contemporary romance series, is released. Even though this will be my second novel, I'm only just learning why authors say that last month before release is insanely busy. I didn't do a lot last time around, and I think it might be time to change that.
For starters, I have a mile long list of sites to contact about things like reviews. Also, I'm putting out a call here. If you would like a review copy of Holding Her Close in exchange for an honest review, leave a comment below (and say you're interested in reviewing) or email me directly @ allyson [dot] lindt [at] gmail [dot] com. I have no idea if this will generate a response or not, but it's worth a try, right? :-D
I'll have review copies ready in about 1 week, to hopefully give readers plenty of time before the July 1 release date. Holding Her Close is category length (about 55,000 words/160 pages). Also, out of everyone who contacts me before June 8, I'll randomly pick 1 person to win a copy of in the digital format of your choosing.
Any takers? I'd love to hear from you!
And in case you're wondering what Holding Her Close is about
Zach is haunted by ex-girlfriends. The day his fiancée dumped him she also sold her shares of his multi-billion dollar corporation. On top of that, that girl who broke his heart in high school – the only woman he’s never been able to forget – is back in his life. She’s filling his business partner’s head with delusions of recovering from the hostile takeover, and haunting his most vivid fantasies. But he’s got a plan to solve half the problem: one night together and they can put the past behind them.
It’s been more than ten years since Rae talked to her high school sweetheart. But running in the same circles –her best friend is his business partner – has caught up to her. Rae is seeing Zach everywhere, including her explicit, rampant imagination. When he proposes a single night together for closure, she hopes it will be just what she needs to move on.
The past and the present intertwine as “Just this once” becomes “Just one more time.” Especially when Rae discovers the solution to Zach’s business problems. Can he trust her enough to risk his heart and livelihood a second time, or will experience convince him to walk away from everything?
May 27, 2013
Sofia Grey's & Her First....Kiss
During the entire month of May I'm hosting a reverse blog tour. Rather than send y'all to other people's blogs to read about me, which you already do if you're a regular here, I'm introducing you to some amazing and talented authors from all walks of life and genres.
Today I have the talented, brilliant, and awesomely fun Sofia Grey stopping by. Sofia writes some hot and steamy romance, and since she's talking about firsts, I have a confession to make - her novel Wolf At the Door is the first paranormal romance I ever red with a shifter in it (and I *love* this book). But Sofia's 'first' story is a lot more interesting than mine, so I'm going to hand my blog over to her now.
(One more real quick thing, Sofia is giving away a copy of Wolf At my Door, and instructions are at the bottom of this post.)
My First...Kiss
Celebrating the launch of my first story with Liquid Silver Books, I’m blogging about other Firsts of mine.
My first kiss was at the tender age of almost-eleven. I had a delicious holiday romance that started when we both wanted to use the same swing at the park. It lasted the entire six weeks of summer break and only fell apart when we had a slight accident, while trying to construct a tree house. Our plans were ambitious, our skills not so much. I stood on the ground and tossed pieces of wood to Andy, perched in the branches above my head, only my aim was also not so good and one branch came clattering back down. It hit me on the head, blood poured down my face and I ran for home, screeching like a banshee. Andy, to give him credit, ran behind me (rather than running in the opposite direction), but after handing me over to my mum he slunk away, never to be seen again. My pride was damaged, mainly because my favourite jacket was ruined (blood can really wreck white cotton), and I still carry a scar in my eyebrow. The actual kiss in question was not so memorable as the breakup, and in truth I don’t remember much of it.
It should be a landmark moment, and I like to give my leading characters a first kiss that they will remember. In Wolf At The Door, my wolf Alpha (Jake) has the ability to enter his Mate’s dreams and their first kiss happens while Lillian is asleep and dreaming.
Here’s a snippet to whet your appetite. Lillian has asked him to guess her name:
*
Mine. Jake inhaled softly. He didn’t care what her name was, but if she wanted to play, he would go along with it. He teased at one of her corkscrew curls, watching with delight as it sprang back into shape and then darted her a mischievous glance.
“Something … exotic. Hmmm. Angelica?” She shook her head. “Cherise?” Another shake. “Mimosa?” She giggled now and he redoubled his efforts. “Jasmine? Francesca? Pollyanna? India?”
“Jasmine sounds like a stripper name.” She pouted. “One last guess and if you get it wrong the dance is over.”
What? He was done with games. Slipping one finger under her chin again, he angled her lips to be ready for him. He wanted to gorge on her. Devour her. Make her mindless with need, but there would be time for that later. Jake grazed his lips across the corner of her mouth, flicking his tongue along the seam. Dear God. He burned for her already. This may only be a dream but his cock was in danger of being strangled by his jeans.
“Lillian.” Her name reverberated through him. His Mate was called Lillian and what a beautiful name it was. He observed her carefully, noting belatedly the shock in her eyes.
“Okay, you dick-wad. How the hell did you know that?”
*
Do you remember your first kiss? Do-it-again-great? Or run-away-and-hide-terrible? My first French kiss (i.e. with tongues) has burned itself into my brain, it was so dire, but that’s another story. Thankfully my husband is the best kisser I’ve ever met, and that probably has a great deal to do with why I married him :-)
*
Wolf At The Door released Monday 13 May and here’s a little trailer to whet your appetite :-)
An icy road, a wounded wolf, and a haunting lover she only meets in her dreams all weave together to thaw Lillian’s frozen heart. Sofia Grey knits an exciting, spicy tale of love and passion in Book 1 of the Snowdonia Wolves.
Love can heal all wounds…
Pop star Lillian Hart is determined never to trust another man. She has no idea that the wolf at her door is anything other than a wounded dog, much less the Alpha of the Snowdonia Wolf pack. There’s something about the wild creature that pulls at her. Then a man with her wolf’s eyes starts to invade her dreams, and reality and fantasy merge in a way that has her hoping, against all odds, for dreams to come true.
Lillian may have sworn off men, but Jake’s not just any man, he’s a shifter, and he’s about to shift Lillian’s world to make room for him. He vows to claim her as his Mate, and when Jake makes a vow, he keeps it. But Lillian wants to take it slow and Jake is not about to waste any time.
In this battle of wills, both discover giving in and trusting their hearts can heal even the deepest of hurts.
Check out Wolf At the Door on Amazon
Don’t forget, anyone that comments on 5 of my stops, will go into a draw to win a copy of Wolf At The Door. I’ll also be giving away Kindle copies some of my favourite shifter stories, so come along and say Hi.
Blog tours are fun to take part in, and I’ve only 1 stop left, tomorrow
Tue 28-May – Jennah Scott – (http://www.jennahscott.com/) Talking about My First Shifter
About Author
Romance author Sofia Grey spends her days managing projects in the corporate world and her nights hanging out with wolf shifters and alpha males. She devours pretty much anything in the fiction line, but she prefers her romances to be hot, and her heroes to have hidden depths. When writing, she enjoys peeling back the layers to expose her characters’ flaws and always makes them work hard for their happy endings.
Find her at: www.sofiagrey.com and on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sofiagrey1.
* images courtesy of 123rf.com
Today I have the talented, brilliant, and awesomely fun Sofia Grey stopping by. Sofia writes some hot and steamy romance, and since she's talking about firsts, I have a confession to make - her novel Wolf At the Door is the first paranormal romance I ever red with a shifter in it (and I *love* this book). But Sofia's 'first' story is a lot more interesting than mine, so I'm going to hand my blog over to her now.(One more real quick thing, Sofia is giving away a copy of Wolf At my Door, and instructions are at the bottom of this post.)
My First...Kiss
Celebrating the launch of my first story with Liquid Silver Books, I’m blogging about other Firsts of mine.
My first kiss was at the tender age of almost-eleven. I had a delicious holiday romance that started when we both wanted to use the same swing at the park. It lasted the entire six weeks of summer break and only fell apart when we had a slight accident, while trying to construct a tree house. Our plans were ambitious, our skills not so much. I stood on the ground and tossed pieces of wood to Andy, perched in the branches above my head, only my aim was also not so good and one branch came clattering back down. It hit me on the head, blood poured down my face and I ran for home, screeching like a banshee. Andy, to give him credit, ran behind me (rather than running in the opposite direction), but after handing me over to my mum he slunk away, never to be seen again. My pride was damaged, mainly because my favourite jacket was ruined (blood can really wreck white cotton), and I still carry a scar in my eyebrow. The actual kiss in question was not so memorable as the breakup, and in truth I don’t remember much of it.
It should be a landmark moment, and I like to give my leading characters a first kiss that they will remember. In Wolf At The Door, my wolf Alpha (Jake) has the ability to enter his Mate’s dreams and their first kiss happens while Lillian is asleep and dreaming.
Here’s a snippet to whet your appetite. Lillian has asked him to guess her name:
*
Mine. Jake inhaled softly. He didn’t care what her name was, but if she wanted to play, he would go along with it. He teased at one of her corkscrew curls, watching with delight as it sprang back into shape and then darted her a mischievous glance.
“Something … exotic. Hmmm. Angelica?” She shook her head. “Cherise?” Another shake. “Mimosa?” She giggled now and he redoubled his efforts. “Jasmine? Francesca? Pollyanna? India?”
“Jasmine sounds like a stripper name.” She pouted. “One last guess and if you get it wrong the dance is over.”
What? He was done with games. Slipping one finger under her chin again, he angled her lips to be ready for him. He wanted to gorge on her. Devour her. Make her mindless with need, but there would be time for that later. Jake grazed his lips across the corner of her mouth, flicking his tongue along the seam. Dear God. He burned for her already. This may only be a dream but his cock was in danger of being strangled by his jeans.
“Lillian.” Her name reverberated through him. His Mate was called Lillian and what a beautiful name it was. He observed her carefully, noting belatedly the shock in her eyes.
“Okay, you dick-wad. How the hell did you know that?”
*
Do you remember your first kiss? Do-it-again-great? Or run-away-and-hide-terrible? My first French kiss (i.e. with tongues) has burned itself into my brain, it was so dire, but that’s another story. Thankfully my husband is the best kisser I’ve ever met, and that probably has a great deal to do with why I married him :-)
*
Wolf At The Door released Monday 13 May and here’s a little trailer to whet your appetite :-)
An icy road, a wounded wolf, and a haunting lover she only meets in her dreams all weave together to thaw Lillian’s frozen heart. Sofia Grey knits an exciting, spicy tale of love and passion in Book 1 of the Snowdonia Wolves.Love can heal all wounds…
Pop star Lillian Hart is determined never to trust another man. She has no idea that the wolf at her door is anything other than a wounded dog, much less the Alpha of the Snowdonia Wolf pack. There’s something about the wild creature that pulls at her. Then a man with her wolf’s eyes starts to invade her dreams, and reality and fantasy merge in a way that has her hoping, against all odds, for dreams to come true.
Lillian may have sworn off men, but Jake’s not just any man, he’s a shifter, and he’s about to shift Lillian’s world to make room for him. He vows to claim her as his Mate, and when Jake makes a vow, he keeps it. But Lillian wants to take it slow and Jake is not about to waste any time.
In this battle of wills, both discover giving in and trusting their hearts can heal even the deepest of hurts.
Check out Wolf At the Door on Amazon
Don’t forget, anyone that comments on 5 of my stops, will go into a draw to win a copy of Wolf At The Door. I’ll also be giving away Kindle copies some of my favourite shifter stories, so come along and say Hi.
Blog tours are fun to take part in, and I’ve only 1 stop left, tomorrow
Tue 28-May – Jennah Scott – (http://www.jennahscott.com/) Talking about My First Shifter
About AuthorRomance author Sofia Grey spends her days managing projects in the corporate world and her nights hanging out with wolf shifters and alpha males. She devours pretty much anything in the fiction line, but she prefers her romances to be hot, and her heroes to have hidden depths. When writing, she enjoys peeling back the layers to expose her characters’ flaws and always makes them work hard for their happy endings.
Find her at: www.sofiagrey.com and on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sofiagrey1.
* images courtesy of 123rf.com
May 23, 2013
Meet Author Daisy Banks
During the entire month of May I'm hosting a reverse blog tour. Rather than send y'all to other people's blogs to read about me, which you already do if you're a regular here, I'm introducing you to some amazing and talented authors from all walks of life and genres.
I'm delighted today to sit down with the witty and brilliant Daisy Banks. Daisy writes hot and touching romances, has an eye for beauty in the world around her, and is a lot of fun to talk to ^_^ But I'll let you find that all out for yourself, as she very kindly answers my questions below.
Describe your ideal writing environment
Daisy: A warm place, with a desk and a comfortable chair is my ideal place to write. The cold makes my brain and my fingers seize up. I’d love to have a place in the sun to write, somewhere close enough to hear the surf meet the shore. I stayed in a villa in Portugal some years ago. The property had a wonderful roof garden with shade from the mid-day heat and a view out to the sea. I called it my dream tower; I have very fond recollections of writing there. Yes, I even write when I’m on vacation.
At present, I write in my kitchen, it’s always warm here, and I’m close to the coffee pot too. My big wish is to buy a new and more comfortable chair. There isn’t a wonderful view of the surf or anything else as all the windows downstairs in my home are stained glass because I live in a converted chapel. This is a good place to write though and helps concentrate my thoughts. Some people might think living in a converted chapel a bit odd or even creepy, but it doesn’t feel that way here. Any lingering spirits are kindly, and I like to think of all the joyful things the chapel has seen, weddings and christenings, and the Christmas events where children sang. A place that has captured so much happiness is a good place to write.
Spring or fall?
Daisy: Oh my, I love both these seasons. The bravery of daffodils standing in a rainstorm like soldiers fighting back the winter, and the bloom of fragile bluebells, they possess such a wonderful ephemeral beauty. I don’t know if there is a collective noun for a group of bluebells, I think they should be known as a harmony of bluebells. Walking among the delicate and fragrant flowers of a bluebell wood has to be one of the most calming things a person can do. Perhaps this year spring feels more special than usual, as winter has been so harsh to us all.
Fall, autumn as I call it, is also a season full of wonderful things. The shortening days, the changing quality of light, the spectacle of the leaves as they enter the last phase of life and explode into colors to challenge any artist, all these bring me renewed joy each year. Morning mists and hazy sunshine enhance the everyday world and make the mundane mystical. The first frosts riming the spider webs in silver to make me want to wear the incredible designs as jewelry, fall has so much beauty about it. I have always found fall makes me want to travel, not to run from the season but to explore more of its power.
I am torn in how to answer this question. Perhaps it’s best if I simply say each, and I believe every season, has its own beauty. The year as it passes gives us a precious offering from our world to make us stop and stare, and teach us we walk with magic all the time.
What’s the biggest thing you’ve ever won?
Daisy: LOL. I have rarely won anything. I did once win a disposable camera in a raffle at the school where I worked, and as a child, I won a bet on the Grand National horse race, the bet being placed by my grandfather. Each year our whole family picked a horse to back from the long lists of contenders in the National, and we each bet a shilling or so, and that year I won. I think the disposable camera was worth most in monetary value but beating my brother because my horse won in the race was a bigger deal to me. I recall I spent my winnings in the local bubble-gum machine, and I have to say, no, I didn’t share with my brother, being about seven he’d lost his front teeth at the time and couldn’t blow bubbles.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?
Daisy: This is quite a difficult question. I do wish I could write something exciting like, I did a bungee jump, or swam with sharks, but no, I've not done anything like that. I once crossed the world to be with the person I loved. I gave up my job, my home and got on a plane; perhaps some people might think that rather crazy.
What question do you always wish someone would ask (you or someone else) in an interview, but no one ever does?
Daisy: What’s your fee for appearing? Now that’s a question no one ever seems to ask in any interview. Seriously, though, I’d like to be asked about my long-term goal as a writer, no one has asked me that yet, and it’s not a question I’ve seen in other interviews. Long term, ten years on will I still be writing? I’ve no doubt; I may have graduated to voice activated software. The technology is improving all the time, and eventually I think will be good enough to use for writing romance. Writing is a passion, something I love doing. I hope I’ll continue to learn and grow as a writer so I can give the readers the best experience I can offer them.
You paint an amazing picture of the world around you, Daisy, and you'll have to let me know what your fee for appearing was ;-) Anyone and everyone else, feel free to ask Daisy anything else you'd like to know!
Daisy's book, Your Heart My Soul is a unique and fantastic romance about love that won't be stopped by time
Does love last beyond death? The ghost of Sally Addleforth has no doubt. But shamed and disfigured by her murderer, her spirit lingers, hidden from the patient soul of her man, William Reliance Smith.
Libby Chesterton is an American in England, and she’d rather go home than face the problems her British inheritance has created. Her dilapidated store, with its frightful contents, proves more trouble than it may be worth.
Gareth Saunders, antiques expert and psychic, catches a bout of Lancelot fever as he helps his adorable client with the store and the spiritual possession threatening to overwhelm her. Wedding bells will ring—one way or another.
Two sets of lovers struggle on this plane and another to find their way out of chaos to reach each other…
Want a little more of a taste? I have an excerpt to tease you as well
Gareth raced back from the café, squashing the lid on a massive take-out cup of heavily sweetened coffee for Libby. He found her right where he’d left her after she fell from the counter: on the floor, in the arc of brilliant sunlight, halfway out in the small lobby halfway in the shop. The sun highlighted her dark hair with fire-bright chestnut sparks. He struggled to accept both what appeared to have happened and that he’d called her back safe and whole. He’d never dealt with anything as forceful as the entity in this shop.
Poor, sweet angel. She looked shell-shocked, stared up to him with eyes almost all black pupils still, her face so pale, he worried she might faint.
Though the boards were dirty and uncomfortable, he knelt beside her, and offered her the cup. “Here, sip this.”
She took a tiny mouthful, swallowed, and again. “What happened?”
Her voice wavered, and his uncertainty that the words were truly her own grew.
“A brief kind of spiritual possession. For a short time, the voice of another person spoke through you.”
“Oh, God!”
“Don’t panic, I’m fairly certain she’s gone now.”
Libby clutched his hand. Her nails dug deep into his flesh, and her fingers trembled. “Are you sure? Please say she can’t come and go as she wishes. She can’t, can she?”
“Relax, calm down. No, I believe she can’t. Though I have to warn you she’s very powerful, and you, well you have to be a gifted receptive to receive such a visitation.” He slid his palm over her smooth hair, stroked along, and caressed her shoulder. She needed reassurance, and to his mind, touch offered her the best he could give her at present. “I’ve not known anyone else this has happened to. All this is new to me.”
She opened her eyes so wide the whites shone all the way round. “It won’t happen again?”
He shook his head. “Not if I can help it. I’ll have to research about this kind of spiritual interaction. The power of this level of connection is unusual. Such things happen, but they are extraordinary.” Deliberate in his effort to calm her, he avoided use of the word possession again. Libby appeared terrified by the idea, and at present, he couldn’t blame her, but he must try to make her understand what was happening. “I’m afraid you will have to face the fact we might need to talk with the entity again,” he warned. “Though not today, I’m fairly certain. We’ve done enough in the shop for now, and you’re coming back to my apartment.”
“I am?”
Who is Daisy Banks and where can you find her?
Daisy Banks is from the Black Country, the heartlands of the Midlands in the UK. She is proud to count as her ancestors the people who lived in the narrow, blue brick paved streets, who delved for coal or bent the metal to their will. A legacy to be proud of. Daisy is married and spends her time writing now that her boys are adults. She loves traditional romantic songs and ballads. She is interested in antiques, art and architecture, enjoys travel, and occasionally cooks a meal that doesn’t stick to the pan.
You can find out more about Daisy at her website. daisybanksnovels.yolasite.com
I'm delighted today to sit down with the witty and brilliant Daisy Banks. Daisy writes hot and touching romances, has an eye for beauty in the world around her, and is a lot of fun to talk to ^_^ But I'll let you find that all out for yourself, as she very kindly answers my questions below.Describe your ideal writing environment
Daisy: A warm place, with a desk and a comfortable chair is my ideal place to write. The cold makes my brain and my fingers seize up. I’d love to have a place in the sun to write, somewhere close enough to hear the surf meet the shore. I stayed in a villa in Portugal some years ago. The property had a wonderful roof garden with shade from the mid-day heat and a view out to the sea. I called it my dream tower; I have very fond recollections of writing there. Yes, I even write when I’m on vacation.
At present, I write in my kitchen, it’s always warm here, and I’m close to the coffee pot too. My big wish is to buy a new and more comfortable chair. There isn’t a wonderful view of the surf or anything else as all the windows downstairs in my home are stained glass because I live in a converted chapel. This is a good place to write though and helps concentrate my thoughts. Some people might think living in a converted chapel a bit odd or even creepy, but it doesn’t feel that way here. Any lingering spirits are kindly, and I like to think of all the joyful things the chapel has seen, weddings and christenings, and the Christmas events where children sang. A place that has captured so much happiness is a good place to write.
Spring or fall?
Daisy: Oh my, I love both these seasons. The bravery of daffodils standing in a rainstorm like soldiers fighting back the winter, and the bloom of fragile bluebells, they possess such a wonderful ephemeral beauty. I don’t know if there is a collective noun for a group of bluebells, I think they should be known as a harmony of bluebells. Walking among the delicate and fragrant flowers of a bluebell wood has to be one of the most calming things a person can do. Perhaps this year spring feels more special than usual, as winter has been so harsh to us all.
Fall, autumn as I call it, is also a season full of wonderful things. The shortening days, the changing quality of light, the spectacle of the leaves as they enter the last phase of life and explode into colors to challenge any artist, all these bring me renewed joy each year. Morning mists and hazy sunshine enhance the everyday world and make the mundane mystical. The first frosts riming the spider webs in silver to make me want to wear the incredible designs as jewelry, fall has so much beauty about it. I have always found fall makes me want to travel, not to run from the season but to explore more of its power.
I am torn in how to answer this question. Perhaps it’s best if I simply say each, and I believe every season, has its own beauty. The year as it passes gives us a precious offering from our world to make us stop and stare, and teach us we walk with magic all the time.
What’s the biggest thing you’ve ever won?
Daisy: LOL. I have rarely won anything. I did once win a disposable camera in a raffle at the school where I worked, and as a child, I won a bet on the Grand National horse race, the bet being placed by my grandfather. Each year our whole family picked a horse to back from the long lists of contenders in the National, and we each bet a shilling or so, and that year I won. I think the disposable camera was worth most in monetary value but beating my brother because my horse won in the race was a bigger deal to me. I recall I spent my winnings in the local bubble-gum machine, and I have to say, no, I didn’t share with my brother, being about seven he’d lost his front teeth at the time and couldn’t blow bubbles.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?
Daisy: This is quite a difficult question. I do wish I could write something exciting like, I did a bungee jump, or swam with sharks, but no, I've not done anything like that. I once crossed the world to be with the person I loved. I gave up my job, my home and got on a plane; perhaps some people might think that rather crazy.
What question do you always wish someone would ask (you or someone else) in an interview, but no one ever does?
Daisy: What’s your fee for appearing? Now that’s a question no one ever seems to ask in any interview. Seriously, though, I’d like to be asked about my long-term goal as a writer, no one has asked me that yet, and it’s not a question I’ve seen in other interviews. Long term, ten years on will I still be writing? I’ve no doubt; I may have graduated to voice activated software. The technology is improving all the time, and eventually I think will be good enough to use for writing romance. Writing is a passion, something I love doing. I hope I’ll continue to learn and grow as a writer so I can give the readers the best experience I can offer them.
You paint an amazing picture of the world around you, Daisy, and you'll have to let me know what your fee for appearing was ;-) Anyone and everyone else, feel free to ask Daisy anything else you'd like to know!
Daisy's book, Your Heart My Soul is a unique and fantastic romance about love that won't be stopped by time
Does love last beyond death? The ghost of Sally Addleforth has no doubt. But shamed and disfigured by her murderer, her spirit lingers, hidden from the patient soul of her man, William Reliance Smith.
Libby Chesterton is an American in England, and she’d rather go home than face the problems her British inheritance has created. Her dilapidated store, with its frightful contents, proves more trouble than it may be worth.
Gareth Saunders, antiques expert and psychic, catches a bout of Lancelot fever as he helps his adorable client with the store and the spiritual possession threatening to overwhelm her. Wedding bells will ring—one way or another.
Two sets of lovers struggle on this plane and another to find their way out of chaos to reach each other…
Want a little more of a taste? I have an excerpt to tease you as well
Gareth raced back from the café, squashing the lid on a massive take-out cup of heavily sweetened coffee for Libby. He found her right where he’d left her after she fell from the counter: on the floor, in the arc of brilliant sunlight, halfway out in the small lobby halfway in the shop. The sun highlighted her dark hair with fire-bright chestnut sparks. He struggled to accept both what appeared to have happened and that he’d called her back safe and whole. He’d never dealt with anything as forceful as the entity in this shop.
Poor, sweet angel. She looked shell-shocked, stared up to him with eyes almost all black pupils still, her face so pale, he worried she might faint.
Though the boards were dirty and uncomfortable, he knelt beside her, and offered her the cup. “Here, sip this.”
She took a tiny mouthful, swallowed, and again. “What happened?”
Her voice wavered, and his uncertainty that the words were truly her own grew.
“A brief kind of spiritual possession. For a short time, the voice of another person spoke through you.”
“Oh, God!”
“Don’t panic, I’m fairly certain she’s gone now.”
Libby clutched his hand. Her nails dug deep into his flesh, and her fingers trembled. “Are you sure? Please say she can’t come and go as she wishes. She can’t, can she?”
“Relax, calm down. No, I believe she can’t. Though I have to warn you she’s very powerful, and you, well you have to be a gifted receptive to receive such a visitation.” He slid his palm over her smooth hair, stroked along, and caressed her shoulder. She needed reassurance, and to his mind, touch offered her the best he could give her at present. “I’ve not known anyone else this has happened to. All this is new to me.”
She opened her eyes so wide the whites shone all the way round. “It won’t happen again?”
He shook his head. “Not if I can help it. I’ll have to research about this kind of spiritual interaction. The power of this level of connection is unusual. Such things happen, but they are extraordinary.” Deliberate in his effort to calm her, he avoided use of the word possession again. Libby appeared terrified by the idea, and at present, he couldn’t blame her, but he must try to make her understand what was happening. “I’m afraid you will have to face the fact we might need to talk with the entity again,” he warned. “Though not today, I’m fairly certain. We’ve done enough in the shop for now, and you’re coming back to my apartment.”
“I am?”
Who is Daisy Banks and where can you find her?
Daisy Banks is from the Black Country, the heartlands of the Midlands in the UK. She is proud to count as her ancestors the people who lived in the narrow, blue brick paved streets, who delved for coal or bent the metal to their will. A legacy to be proud of. Daisy is married and spends her time writing now that her boys are adults. She loves traditional romantic songs and ballads. She is interested in antiques, art and architecture, enjoys travel, and occasionally cooks a meal that doesn’t stick to the pan.
You can find out more about Daisy at her website. daisybanksnovels.yolasite.com
May 22, 2013
Lea Griffith: Character Interview, Sexy & Cute Pictures, and Bear Shifters
During the entire month of May I'm hosting a reverse blog tour. Rather than send y'all to other people's blogs to read about me, which you already do if you're a regular here, I'm introducing you to some amazing and talented authors from all walks of life and genres.
I'm super-excited to be hosting the super-skilled Lea Griffith for today's reverse blog tour post. Lea is a blast to talk to, and writes steamy hot contemporary & paranormal romance. One of these days in the near future, I'm going to have to come back and tell you about her contemporary office romance, Fistful of Roses, but for today, well...I'll let her do the talking.
I’m here! Oh, stop it—you don’t have to keep clapping (though you can if you want to…). First things first, thank you so much, Allyson for letting me visit you today. I’ve been looking forward to visiting your site and talking BEARS!
I recently wrote a story about a bear shifter that was included in a short story collection for Liquid Silver Books. The collection has shifter stories from three other amazing authors but my contribution, Bear With Me, is about a surly silvertip grizzly bear shifter who’s really messed things up. It’s also about the woman who’s returned to claim the man/beast who stole her heart.
I was lucky enough to catch Tyee Clark and his lady, Lily, before they denned last winter in the Canadian Rockies. Seriously, if you don’t get ‘em before they go under for the winter you’re just not gonna get ‘em. They were hesitant about the interview but they underestimated my desire to tell their story. And so began the cycle where I persisted and they resisted—it was a lot of fun until … well, you’ll see.
So, where’s a good place to start, hmmm? Here with a picture of the playful bears?
Maybe here with the bear that looks like he’s laid back and chilling—posing even for an OlanMills glamour shot?
Nah, neither of those works. I need you in the mood and so I give you, Tyee Clark, beautiful Chinook Chieftain:
Hotness right? Ruggedly handsome, introspective, half naked and needing the woman his heart picked to return to him because boy did he mess up…
And yet this is so much more accurate and so I give you: Tyee Clark, silvertip grizzly bear shifter in need of an attitude adjustment:
Yeah. So now you know what I was dealing with when I headed up to Canada to interview this lovely *choke-cough-choke* couple whose story I desperately wanted to tell. So here it is, the unedited version of my initial interview with Tyee Clark and his Reckoning mate, Lily.
Me: Interview begin. Thank you guys so much for having me.
Tyee: *grunts*Lily: Oh, Lea, we’re so glad you’ve come for a visit. *looks over somewhat nervously at the still grunting Tyee* We’ll have to be fast as there’s a snow storm headed our way. If you don’t get back down the mountain before the pass closes you’ll, uh, be stuck with us all winter.Tyee: *growls*
Me: Well, we wouldn’t want that. I have a husband and kids of my own to take care of. I really just wanted to jot down some notes. I know I should be able to get the rest of your story through email correspondence. Lily, I guess I can start with you. Aren’t you from around my way?
Lily: I’m from Georgia, so if that’s ‘around your way’ I guess so. *small chuckle*
Me: Yep, I’m from right outside Atlanta. How did you end up here? I mean, it’s so damn cold!
Tyee: *growls and huffs*Lily: Tyee, stop it! *looks back at me* I pursued graduate courses in large mammal/wildlife biology at Texas A&M. For my thesis I came up here to investigate the legend of bear shifters. I met Tyee and the rest, well…
Me: Yeah, tell me the rest. *I lean forward excitedly at this point*
Tyee: Back up, lady. *growls*
Me: *backs up immediately*
Lily: *laughs outright now* Tyee, leave Lea alone. She came to tell our story and damn it, if our story will help others you need to shut your deer chute and tell the story! *laughs again*Me: Uh, deer chute?
Tyee: *grunts and pulls Lily to him in a, yeah—a bear hug* I eat deer; hence, my mouth is a deer chute. She thinks she’s funny.
*It’s important here to note he never looks at me. His gaze is always trained on Lily. Always. It makes my heart flutter and takes my breath.*
Lily: I am funny. Tyee: *grunts*
Me: Ooookaaaay, so Tyee, tell me about the reckoning. Why did you push Lily away and leave her to suffer without you for a year?
Tyee: *stands abruptly, knocking over the beautiful Ash wood rocker he was sitting in as he turns a wide-eyed gaze on Lily* You told her?Lily: *smile serenely and nods* Yep. How are others supposed to learn if we don’t tell our story, Chief?
Me: Yeah, how are others supposed to learn?
Tyee: *glares at me and growls between clenched teeth as he points a decidedly delicious index finger my way* Stay out of this. This has nothing to do with you.
Me: *I stare at him innocently* I’m not in anything. But apparently you weren’t either for an entire year. *I snicker*
*Note to self: don’t ever mock a bear shifter—ever. The air squeezed around me, there’s no other word for it and ozone permeated the den. Between one blink and the next I am staring at an enormous silvertip grizzly. I’m the one knocking over my chair now as I back all the way to the wall. It still doesn’t seem far enough.*
Me: Uh, Lily? Help?Lily: *guffaws and points at my face* If you could see your face…
Me: But I can’t and uh, he’s really scaring me.
Tyee/Bear: *ROARS and paws the floors beneath us digging long furrows into the beautiful wood with six inch claws*
Lily: *sobers and looks at me* Don’t wet your pants. *turns to Tyee/Bear* Be quiet, Chief. Ain’t nobody got time for that.
Me: Sweet Brown? He looks like he wants to rip me limb from limb and you’re quoting Sweet Brown?
Lily: *shrugs* It was appropriate. *sighs* Okay, Lea, he’s not going to cooperate and once he shifts back, well, you won’t see us for a few hours if you, uh, get my meaning. So maybe you should go ahead—
*the air squeezes around me again and ozone is a bitter taste in my throat. Tyee is now standing in front of me in all his naked glory—and doubt it not, it is GLORIOUS.*
Tyee: LEAVE!Lily: *holds her hands up* Tyee, she’s here to tell our story—Tyee: And now she isn’t.
Me: Do I not get a say in this?
Lily: *shakes her head and backs away from Tyee* Probably not, Lea. Tyee: *stalks Lily then turns to me and growls again before returning to his lady*
Me: Okay, can I email you later, Lily?
Tyee: MUCH LATER! Now leave.
*Another important note here, Tyee Clark has yelled in my face and told me to leave. As I’ve seen him in both bear and naked glory, and I can literally feel the sexual energy pouring off him and Lily both, I have decided to end this interview. I wish my husband would stalk me like that…yummeh*
And so the interview ended. As the door to their den closed behind me, I was smiling. I got to see, Tyee Clark, a real-life bear shifter AND I got to see Tyee Clark, the man, naked. It felt a lot like winning. Oh, and because I love me some Sweet Brown, here’s the link just so you’ll know who Lily was quoting: http://youtu.be/Nh7UgAprdpM
So it wasn’t much of an interview but it gives you some indication of what you’re getting with Tyee and Lily. Allyson, thanks for having me. I’ve enjoyed sharing a little of Tyee and Lily with you.
Thank you so much for stopping by, Lea. If anyone has any more questions for Lily or Lea, feel free to ask. You can ask Tyree, too, but you may not get much of an answer ;-)
Want to know more about Bear With Me from the Under a Moonlit Night short story collection?(Available now at all e-book retailers and Liquid Silver Books.)
Tyee Clark screwed up bad and he’s been hiding to lick his wounds. The last thing he expects is to find the woman he craves more than anything else taunting him. She should know better than mess with a sullen grizzly. Unless she means it.
Lily Baskins has been hurt bad and she’s been waiting for the right time to institute a whole lot of payback. She’s not about to let sleeping bears lie. Not when she knows what she wants and is willing to face down a beast to get it.
Lily’s had the man. Now she wants the bear.
And just who is Lea Griffith, anyway?
Lea Griffith began sneaking to read her mother’s romance novels at a young age. She cut her teeth on the greats: McNaught, Woodiwiss, and Garwood. A firm believer that love makes the world go round, she still consumes every romance book she can put her hands on, but now she writes her own.
Lea lives with her husband and three teenage daughters in rural Georgia. Two dogs, a cat, and a Betta fish named Coddy George complete a family always in motion. When not working at the EDJ, she’s usually at her keyboard, using every spare second to write.
Science fiction, paranormal and contemporary romance, oh my! Nothing is off-limits when it comes to her writing.
You can find Lea atWebsite: http://www.leagriffith.com/Facebook Profile: http://www.facebook.com/lea.griffith.58Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/LeaGriffithWrites?ref=hlTwitter: https://twitter.com/LeaGriffith
I'm super-excited to be hosting the super-skilled Lea Griffith for today's reverse blog tour post. Lea is a blast to talk to, and writes steamy hot contemporary & paranormal romance. One of these days in the near future, I'm going to have to come back and tell you about her contemporary office romance, Fistful of Roses, but for today, well...I'll let her do the talking. I’m here! Oh, stop it—you don’t have to keep clapping (though you can if you want to…). First things first, thank you so much, Allyson for letting me visit you today. I’ve been looking forward to visiting your site and talking BEARS!
I recently wrote a story about a bear shifter that was included in a short story collection for Liquid Silver Books. The collection has shifter stories from three other amazing authors but my contribution, Bear With Me, is about a surly silvertip grizzly bear shifter who’s really messed things up. It’s also about the woman who’s returned to claim the man/beast who stole her heart.
I was lucky enough to catch Tyee Clark and his lady, Lily, before they denned last winter in the Canadian Rockies. Seriously, if you don’t get ‘em before they go under for the winter you’re just not gonna get ‘em. They were hesitant about the interview but they underestimated my desire to tell their story. And so began the cycle where I persisted and they resisted—it was a lot of fun until … well, you’ll see.
So, where’s a good place to start, hmmm? Here with a picture of the playful bears?
Maybe here with the bear that looks like he’s laid back and chilling—posing even for an OlanMills glamour shot?
Nah, neither of those works. I need you in the mood and so I give you, Tyee Clark, beautiful Chinook Chieftain:
Hotness right? Ruggedly handsome, introspective, half naked and needing the woman his heart picked to return to him because boy did he mess up…
And yet this is so much more accurate and so I give you: Tyee Clark, silvertip grizzly bear shifter in need of an attitude adjustment:
Yeah. So now you know what I was dealing with when I headed up to Canada to interview this lovely *choke-cough-choke* couple whose story I desperately wanted to tell. So here it is, the unedited version of my initial interview with Tyee Clark and his Reckoning mate, Lily.
Me: Interview begin. Thank you guys so much for having me.
Tyee: *grunts*Lily: Oh, Lea, we’re so glad you’ve come for a visit. *looks over somewhat nervously at the still grunting Tyee* We’ll have to be fast as there’s a snow storm headed our way. If you don’t get back down the mountain before the pass closes you’ll, uh, be stuck with us all winter.Tyee: *growls*
Me: Well, we wouldn’t want that. I have a husband and kids of my own to take care of. I really just wanted to jot down some notes. I know I should be able to get the rest of your story through email correspondence. Lily, I guess I can start with you. Aren’t you from around my way?
Lily: I’m from Georgia, so if that’s ‘around your way’ I guess so. *small chuckle*
Me: Yep, I’m from right outside Atlanta. How did you end up here? I mean, it’s so damn cold!
Tyee: *growls and huffs*Lily: Tyee, stop it! *looks back at me* I pursued graduate courses in large mammal/wildlife biology at Texas A&M. For my thesis I came up here to investigate the legend of bear shifters. I met Tyee and the rest, well…
Me: Yeah, tell me the rest. *I lean forward excitedly at this point*
Tyee: Back up, lady. *growls*
Me: *backs up immediately*
Lily: *laughs outright now* Tyee, leave Lea alone. She came to tell our story and damn it, if our story will help others you need to shut your deer chute and tell the story! *laughs again*Me: Uh, deer chute?
Tyee: *grunts and pulls Lily to him in a, yeah—a bear hug* I eat deer; hence, my mouth is a deer chute. She thinks she’s funny.
*It’s important here to note he never looks at me. His gaze is always trained on Lily. Always. It makes my heart flutter and takes my breath.*
Lily: I am funny. Tyee: *grunts*
Me: Ooookaaaay, so Tyee, tell me about the reckoning. Why did you push Lily away and leave her to suffer without you for a year?
Tyee: *stands abruptly, knocking over the beautiful Ash wood rocker he was sitting in as he turns a wide-eyed gaze on Lily* You told her?Lily: *smile serenely and nods* Yep. How are others supposed to learn if we don’t tell our story, Chief?
Me: Yeah, how are others supposed to learn?
Tyee: *glares at me and growls between clenched teeth as he points a decidedly delicious index finger my way* Stay out of this. This has nothing to do with you.
Me: *I stare at him innocently* I’m not in anything. But apparently you weren’t either for an entire year. *I snicker*
*Note to self: don’t ever mock a bear shifter—ever. The air squeezed around me, there’s no other word for it and ozone permeated the den. Between one blink and the next I am staring at an enormous silvertip grizzly. I’m the one knocking over my chair now as I back all the way to the wall. It still doesn’t seem far enough.*
Me: Uh, Lily? Help?Lily: *guffaws and points at my face* If you could see your face…
Me: But I can’t and uh, he’s really scaring me.
Tyee/Bear: *ROARS and paws the floors beneath us digging long furrows into the beautiful wood with six inch claws*
Lily: *sobers and looks at me* Don’t wet your pants. *turns to Tyee/Bear* Be quiet, Chief. Ain’t nobody got time for that.
Me: Sweet Brown? He looks like he wants to rip me limb from limb and you’re quoting Sweet Brown?
Lily: *shrugs* It was appropriate. *sighs* Okay, Lea, he’s not going to cooperate and once he shifts back, well, you won’t see us for a few hours if you, uh, get my meaning. So maybe you should go ahead—
*the air squeezes around me again and ozone is a bitter taste in my throat. Tyee is now standing in front of me in all his naked glory—and doubt it not, it is GLORIOUS.*
Tyee: LEAVE!Lily: *holds her hands up* Tyee, she’s here to tell our story—Tyee: And now she isn’t.
Me: Do I not get a say in this?
Lily: *shakes her head and backs away from Tyee* Probably not, Lea. Tyee: *stalks Lily then turns to me and growls again before returning to his lady*
Me: Okay, can I email you later, Lily?
Tyee: MUCH LATER! Now leave.
*Another important note here, Tyee Clark has yelled in my face and told me to leave. As I’ve seen him in both bear and naked glory, and I can literally feel the sexual energy pouring off him and Lily both, I have decided to end this interview. I wish my husband would stalk me like that…yummeh*
And so the interview ended. As the door to their den closed behind me, I was smiling. I got to see, Tyee Clark, a real-life bear shifter AND I got to see Tyee Clark, the man, naked. It felt a lot like winning. Oh, and because I love me some Sweet Brown, here’s the link just so you’ll know who Lily was quoting: http://youtu.be/Nh7UgAprdpM
So it wasn’t much of an interview but it gives you some indication of what you’re getting with Tyee and Lily. Allyson, thanks for having me. I’ve enjoyed sharing a little of Tyee and Lily with you.
Thank you so much for stopping by, Lea. If anyone has any more questions for Lily or Lea, feel free to ask. You can ask Tyree, too, but you may not get much of an answer ;-)
Want to know more about Bear With Me from the Under a Moonlit Night short story collection?(Available now at all e-book retailers and Liquid Silver Books.)
Tyee Clark screwed up bad and he’s been hiding to lick his wounds. The last thing he expects is to find the woman he craves more than anything else taunting him. She should know better than mess with a sullen grizzly. Unless she means it.
Lily Baskins has been hurt bad and she’s been waiting for the right time to institute a whole lot of payback. She’s not about to let sleeping bears lie. Not when she knows what she wants and is willing to face down a beast to get it.
Lily’s had the man. Now she wants the bear.
And just who is Lea Griffith, anyway?
Lea Griffith began sneaking to read her mother’s romance novels at a young age. She cut her teeth on the greats: McNaught, Woodiwiss, and Garwood. A firm believer that love makes the world go round, she still consumes every romance book she can put her hands on, but now she writes her own.
Lea lives with her husband and three teenage daughters in rural Georgia. Two dogs, a cat, and a Betta fish named Coddy George complete a family always in motion. When not working at the EDJ, she’s usually at her keyboard, using every spare second to write.
Science fiction, paranormal and contemporary romance, oh my! Nothing is off-limits when it comes to her writing.
You can find Lea atWebsite: http://www.leagriffith.com/Facebook Profile: http://www.facebook.com/lea.griffith.58Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/LeaGriffithWrites?ref=hlTwitter: https://twitter.com/LeaGriffith
May 21, 2013
Rosanna Leo Guest Posts: When Is A Menage Not A Menage?
During the entire month of May I'm hosting a reverse blog tour. Rather than send y'all to other people's blogs to read about me, which you already do if you're a regular here, I'm introducing you to some amazing and talented authors from all walks of life and genres.
Today I'm fortunate to be hosting the witty, talented, and multi-genre-faceted Rosanna Leo. Rosanna writes both smokin' hot paranormal romance, and contemporary romance. She covers so many facets of steaminess, from Greek Gods to bear shifters to modern day hotties. And she's going to talk to day about menage. But rather than give her a weak blurb, I'm going to let her take over the show now.
WHEN IS A MENAGE NOT A MENAGE? WHEN IT’S NOT A MENAGE, OF COURSE!
Huge thanks to Allyson for hosting me today. I’m so happy to be here.
My latest paranormal romance Predator’s Kiss just launched May 20 and I couldn’t be more pleased. However, I’m here to share a little author secret with you. Writers don’t always travel a smooth road when formulating ideas…and sometimes characters fight back.
Predator’s Kiss began life as a much different animal. About a year or two ago, I decided I wanted to take a stab at ménage (in my writing, not in real life- don’t want to give hubby a coronary!) My publisher Liquid Silver Books put out a submission call for stories based on fairy tales. I was captivated by the idea, but didn’t want to do the old Cinderella or Beauty and the Beast thing. I decided on the tale of Snow White and Rose Red, two sisters who find an injured bear in the woods who ends up being a prince. I thought this could be the basis of something quite steamy.
I plotted it out. The sisters in my book became two surly brothers who were as different as could be, estranged actually. Their mother’s death forces them into close proximity. In wanders a lady bear shifter and my hot ménage would start!
Only it didn’t start so well. I had good chemistry with the brothers and their quarrels, but when the woman entered, their problems were resolved a little too quickly. There wasn’t enough conflict anymore, not enough oomph. And it was as if my characters understood because they fought me every step of the way. At first I thought it was because I had based my short story on an existing story. It didn’t ring true enough for me. But the problems with the piece went deeper, and my publisher saw it.
After much deliberation, and a lot of heartache at axing my work, I began from scratch. I ditched the Snow White and Rose Red idea altogether, and gave up on the ménage. What I was left with was two quarrelling brothers and some sizzling conflict. I made them the bear shifters, instead of the woman, and set it in a Northern Ontario fishing resort. I made one of the brothers the hero, with the other being a subordinate character (his story comes next!)
All of a sudden, the words flew from my pen! The story came to life. It had energy, tension, great sex and all the elements of a fun romance.
I learned a lot while creating Predator’s Kiss, namely to listen to my instincts. I hadn’t been comfy with the first story from the start, and my writing suffered. Once I surrendered to my voice, everything clicked. If you are a new writer, I can’t stress this enough. Listen to your heart when writing. Submission calls may look interesting, but if they don’t truly speak to you, it’ll show in the results.
I hope you enjoy Predator’s Kiss. It was a hard-won struggle to bring it to life, but I am so proud of the results….And did I mention the hot bear shifters? ;)
And I can personally vouch that the bear shifters are HOT! Any questions for Rosanna? Ask away.
And now you're asking "What's Predator's Kiss About?" Fantastic question!
Bear shifter Ryland Snow just wants peace. The peace and quiet afforded him at his woodsy retreat, the Ursa Fishing Lodge. As owner of the lodge, Ryland enjoys the tranquil life he’s created among his fellow shifters. He lives to maintain a safe haven for them, away from meddlesome human eyes.
When his rock star brother arrives, bringing trouble in the form of a possible hitman, Ryland is incensed. He’s been cleaning up Soren’s messes as long as he can remember, and is tired of his brother’s lecherous exploits.
Things go from bad to worse when Lia Goodblood stumbles upon Ryland and his lodge. Yes, the reclusive erotica author is easy on the eyes, but the human woman is more trouble than she’s worth. To say nothing of her bizarre fear of furry creatures.
Ryland determines to rid himself of her presence. But when he learns she’s on the run from a crazed fan, Ryland’s protective bear instincts flare. And the bear won’t be denied.
Sounds incredible, right? Well to tease you just a little more, here's an excerpt
She was already reviving a few minutes later. Ryland let out a sigh of relief.
Thank God. When he’d first seen the petite woman hurtling through the trees, he’d worried someone was after her. But no one else had barreled behind her. And yet she’d seemed so scared.
They hadn’t helped, presenting her with a couple of snarling bears.
She moaned a little, and the soft sound warmed him, making him hard again. Damn. He glanced around the room, remembered he didn’t exactly tend to stash clothes in guest cabins, and raced for the bathroom. He grabbed a couple of clean towels off the rack and tossed one to Soren. “Cover yourself.”
Soren grinned like a devil and motioned to his nude bottom half. “I can conduct my flirting business much more efficiently this way.”
Ryland glared as he wrapped his lower half in the towel. “Cover yourself or I’ll strangle you with it, lover boy.”
His brother placed the woman’s backpack on the floor and threw the towel about his waist. “Such animosity is really not in keeping with your sainthood, Brother Ryland.”
Ryland ignored him and turned back to the woman. He didn’t know why it mattered so much she recover and feel comfortable in his presence, but it did. Of course, as owner of the lodge, it made sense he didn’t want to see anyone scared or hurt.
Yeah. That’s it. That’s all.
His rationalization did nothing to quell the nervous tremors in his gut, though. Or his excruciating hard-on.
Okay, she’s sorta pretty and has a body made for sin. So what? Get over yourself.
Clearly it had been too long since he’d allowed himself to get lost in a woman’s body for more than a quick fuck. And this woman’s body deserved slow, leisurely loving. Greedy licks. Sensual tugs. Why, her breasts alone were so full and perfect, they just begged one to suck. To say nothing of those rounded hips and soft, womanly ass.
Ryland ran a hand over his face, feeling overly hot. Jesus Christ. Stop thinking like a horny teenager. You sound like Carter.
Besides, she was nothing like him. Human. And if time had taught him anything, it was the pursuit of romance with a nonshifter was a fool’s errand. She didn’t belong here on his resort, on his island. He needed to revive her and get her out of there.
Desperate to relieve the sudden, raging desire shooting up through his body, Ryland forced himself to look away from the woman. In doing so, he caught a glimpse of his brother. Soren was sitting next to her, his gaze contemplative, his eyes trained on her boobs. Ryland realized he didn’t like the way baby brother was looking at her. “Hey.”
Soren looked up. “What?”
“What are you staring at?”
Without batting an eye, Soren turned back to their unexpected guest. “Her. Can’t I stare?”
Ryland’s eyebrows shot up. “Staring at women has already gotten you into trouble. Maybe you should find a new hobby.” He stifled the low growl building in his throat. Now wasn’t the time for brawling, but he didn’t appreciate the way his brother gawked. His cool eye, appraising, as if he’d never seen anything like her before.
“You were checking her out too,” Soren replied.
“No, I wasn’t. I’m not interested in this … person,” Ryland retorted. As he uttered the words, he bit his tongue hard by mistake, as if confirming the words were a lie. “Damn,” he whispered, tasting blood.
“Do you think someone was chasing her?” Soren asked in a pensive tone, picking up one of his drumsticks and stroking it as if it were a lover’s finger.
“I don’t know.” Ryland sat on the other side of her small body and looked her up and down as she lay under the covers. Despite his mistrust of humans, he couldn’t help wondering who would frighten such a tiny, delicate thing. Had someone tried to hurt her? The very idea made him want to bash his head against the wall. Or better yet, bash any lowlife who dared to touch her.
No one touches her but me, his heart declared.
What?
As another stress headache shot through his brain, he wondered at the ferocity and lunacy of the feeling.
Predator’s Kiss is available at www.lsbooks.com and all ebooksellers.
And just who is Rosanna Leo?
Rosanna Leo is a multi-published, erotic romance author with Liquid Silver Books. Her books include For the Love of a God, Up In Flames, Sweet Hell, The Selkie, Sunburn and her newest Predator’s Kiss. When not writing, she can be found haunting dusty library stacks or planning her next star-crossed love affair. www.rosannaleo.blogspot.comwww.facebook.com/rleoauthor1www.twitter.com/LeoRosannawww.goodreads.com/author/show/5826852.Rosanna_Leowww.pinterest.com/rosannaleo/
Today I'm fortunate to be hosting the witty, talented, and multi-genre-faceted Rosanna Leo. Rosanna writes both smokin' hot paranormal romance, and contemporary romance. She covers so many facets of steaminess, from Greek Gods to bear shifters to modern day hotties. And she's going to talk to day about menage. But rather than give her a weak blurb, I'm going to let her take over the show now.
WHEN IS A MENAGE NOT A MENAGE? WHEN IT’S NOT A MENAGE, OF COURSE!
Huge thanks to Allyson for hosting me today. I’m so happy to be here.
My latest paranormal romance Predator’s Kiss just launched May 20 and I couldn’t be more pleased. However, I’m here to share a little author secret with you. Writers don’t always travel a smooth road when formulating ideas…and sometimes characters fight back.
Predator’s Kiss began life as a much different animal. About a year or two ago, I decided I wanted to take a stab at ménage (in my writing, not in real life- don’t want to give hubby a coronary!) My publisher Liquid Silver Books put out a submission call for stories based on fairy tales. I was captivated by the idea, but didn’t want to do the old Cinderella or Beauty and the Beast thing. I decided on the tale of Snow White and Rose Red, two sisters who find an injured bear in the woods who ends up being a prince. I thought this could be the basis of something quite steamy.
I plotted it out. The sisters in my book became two surly brothers who were as different as could be, estranged actually. Their mother’s death forces them into close proximity. In wanders a lady bear shifter and my hot ménage would start!
Only it didn’t start so well. I had good chemistry with the brothers and their quarrels, but when the woman entered, their problems were resolved a little too quickly. There wasn’t enough conflict anymore, not enough oomph. And it was as if my characters understood because they fought me every step of the way. At first I thought it was because I had based my short story on an existing story. It didn’t ring true enough for me. But the problems with the piece went deeper, and my publisher saw it.
After much deliberation, and a lot of heartache at axing my work, I began from scratch. I ditched the Snow White and Rose Red idea altogether, and gave up on the ménage. What I was left with was two quarrelling brothers and some sizzling conflict. I made them the bear shifters, instead of the woman, and set it in a Northern Ontario fishing resort. I made one of the brothers the hero, with the other being a subordinate character (his story comes next!)
All of a sudden, the words flew from my pen! The story came to life. It had energy, tension, great sex and all the elements of a fun romance.
I learned a lot while creating Predator’s Kiss, namely to listen to my instincts. I hadn’t been comfy with the first story from the start, and my writing suffered. Once I surrendered to my voice, everything clicked. If you are a new writer, I can’t stress this enough. Listen to your heart when writing. Submission calls may look interesting, but if they don’t truly speak to you, it’ll show in the results.
I hope you enjoy Predator’s Kiss. It was a hard-won struggle to bring it to life, but I am so proud of the results….And did I mention the hot bear shifters? ;)
And I can personally vouch that the bear shifters are HOT! Any questions for Rosanna? Ask away.
And now you're asking "What's Predator's Kiss About?" Fantastic question!
Bear shifter Ryland Snow just wants peace. The peace and quiet afforded him at his woodsy retreat, the Ursa Fishing Lodge. As owner of the lodge, Ryland enjoys the tranquil life he’s created among his fellow shifters. He lives to maintain a safe haven for them, away from meddlesome human eyes.
When his rock star brother arrives, bringing trouble in the form of a possible hitman, Ryland is incensed. He’s been cleaning up Soren’s messes as long as he can remember, and is tired of his brother’s lecherous exploits.
Things go from bad to worse when Lia Goodblood stumbles upon Ryland and his lodge. Yes, the reclusive erotica author is easy on the eyes, but the human woman is more trouble than she’s worth. To say nothing of her bizarre fear of furry creatures.
Ryland determines to rid himself of her presence. But when he learns she’s on the run from a crazed fan, Ryland’s protective bear instincts flare. And the bear won’t be denied.
Sounds incredible, right? Well to tease you just a little more, here's an excerpt
She was already reviving a few minutes later. Ryland let out a sigh of relief.
Thank God. When he’d first seen the petite woman hurtling through the trees, he’d worried someone was after her. But no one else had barreled behind her. And yet she’d seemed so scared.
They hadn’t helped, presenting her with a couple of snarling bears.
She moaned a little, and the soft sound warmed him, making him hard again. Damn. He glanced around the room, remembered he didn’t exactly tend to stash clothes in guest cabins, and raced for the bathroom. He grabbed a couple of clean towels off the rack and tossed one to Soren. “Cover yourself.”
Soren grinned like a devil and motioned to his nude bottom half. “I can conduct my flirting business much more efficiently this way.”
Ryland glared as he wrapped his lower half in the towel. “Cover yourself or I’ll strangle you with it, lover boy.”
His brother placed the woman’s backpack on the floor and threw the towel about his waist. “Such animosity is really not in keeping with your sainthood, Brother Ryland.”
Ryland ignored him and turned back to the woman. He didn’t know why it mattered so much she recover and feel comfortable in his presence, but it did. Of course, as owner of the lodge, it made sense he didn’t want to see anyone scared or hurt.
Yeah. That’s it. That’s all.
His rationalization did nothing to quell the nervous tremors in his gut, though. Or his excruciating hard-on.
Okay, she’s sorta pretty and has a body made for sin. So what? Get over yourself.
Clearly it had been too long since he’d allowed himself to get lost in a woman’s body for more than a quick fuck. And this woman’s body deserved slow, leisurely loving. Greedy licks. Sensual tugs. Why, her breasts alone were so full and perfect, they just begged one to suck. To say nothing of those rounded hips and soft, womanly ass.
Ryland ran a hand over his face, feeling overly hot. Jesus Christ. Stop thinking like a horny teenager. You sound like Carter.
Besides, she was nothing like him. Human. And if time had taught him anything, it was the pursuit of romance with a nonshifter was a fool’s errand. She didn’t belong here on his resort, on his island. He needed to revive her and get her out of there.
Desperate to relieve the sudden, raging desire shooting up through his body, Ryland forced himself to look away from the woman. In doing so, he caught a glimpse of his brother. Soren was sitting next to her, his gaze contemplative, his eyes trained on her boobs. Ryland realized he didn’t like the way baby brother was looking at her. “Hey.”
Soren looked up. “What?”
“What are you staring at?”
Without batting an eye, Soren turned back to their unexpected guest. “Her. Can’t I stare?”
Ryland’s eyebrows shot up. “Staring at women has already gotten you into trouble. Maybe you should find a new hobby.” He stifled the low growl building in his throat. Now wasn’t the time for brawling, but he didn’t appreciate the way his brother gawked. His cool eye, appraising, as if he’d never seen anything like her before.
“You were checking her out too,” Soren replied.
“No, I wasn’t. I’m not interested in this … person,” Ryland retorted. As he uttered the words, he bit his tongue hard by mistake, as if confirming the words were a lie. “Damn,” he whispered, tasting blood.
“Do you think someone was chasing her?” Soren asked in a pensive tone, picking up one of his drumsticks and stroking it as if it were a lover’s finger.
“I don’t know.” Ryland sat on the other side of her small body and looked her up and down as she lay under the covers. Despite his mistrust of humans, he couldn’t help wondering who would frighten such a tiny, delicate thing. Had someone tried to hurt her? The very idea made him want to bash his head against the wall. Or better yet, bash any lowlife who dared to touch her.
No one touches her but me, his heart declared.
What?
As another stress headache shot through his brain, he wondered at the ferocity and lunacy of the feeling.
Predator’s Kiss is available at www.lsbooks.com and all ebooksellers.
And just who is Rosanna Leo?Rosanna Leo is a multi-published, erotic romance author with Liquid Silver Books. Her books include For the Love of a God, Up In Flames, Sweet Hell, The Selkie, Sunburn and her newest Predator’s Kiss. When not writing, she can be found haunting dusty library stacks or planning her next star-crossed love affair. www.rosannaleo.blogspot.comwww.facebook.com/rleoauthor1www.twitter.com/LeoRosannawww.goodreads.com/author/show/5826852.Rosanna_Leowww.pinterest.com/rosannaleo/
May 20, 2013
Cover Reveal: Holding Her Close, Plus New Bits & Bytes Books
I'm taking a break from my reverse blog tour today to make an announcement. I don't have all sorts of tidbits of anything to draw this out, so I'm going to dive right in.
The release of my debut novel, Conflict of Interest has been an insane and awesome ride. I had no idea what to expect, and less than a month into it, I'm still not sure, but I do know it's been fantastic so far.
Amazing enough, I'm already doing it again. Over the next few months I have two more books coming in the same series.
Yup, two more, all this summer ^_^
The first, Holding Her Close will be available July 1. I'm doing things a little differently than those wacky 'normal' people who are smart enough to release their books in order. This will be Book 0 in the series - a 'where it all began' prequel. For those of you who have read Conflict of Interest , this is the story of how Zach, Rae, and Scott got started on this crazy journey.
Next up, coming August 19, Liquid Silver Books is releasing Toeing the Line, Bits & Bytes Book 2. Featuring Kenzie's nothing-like-her twin sister, Riley and her best friend, Zane. If you want just a little more taste of what it's about:
His time in the Air Force doing electronic surveillance has taught him a thing or two about keeping secrets. But when his best friend finds out what kind of secrets he’s kept from her, their ‘with benefits’ relationship won’t be what threatens their growing feelings for each other.
I'm so excited to share both of these books with everyone. Like Conflict of Interest , they both feature characters who have lived in my head for much longer than characters should without a story, and I'm thrilled to get them out there.
I feel like I'm forgetting something though...
...
...
Oh, right! I promised y'all a cover reveal ^_~ Below are the cover and excerpt for Holding Her Close
When heartbreak and betrayal define a billionaire playboy’s past, the last thing he needs is to fall for the one woman who can save his company. See how it all started in the prequel to Allyson Lindt’s Bits & Bytes series. Holding Her Close is a sexy, contemporary romance about first loves and second chances.
Zach is haunted by ex-girlfriends. The day his fiancée dumped him she also sold her shares of his multi-billion dollar corporation. On top of that, that girl who broke his heart in high school – the only woman he’s never been able to forget – is back in his life. She’s filling his business partner’s head with delusions of recovering from the hostile takeover, and haunting his most vivid fantasies. But he’s got a plan to solve half the problem: one night together and they can put the past behind them.
It’s been more than ten years since Rae talked to her high school sweetheart. But running in the same circles –her best friend is his business partner – has caught up to her. Rae is seeing Zach everywhere, including her explicit, rampant imagination. When he proposes a single night together for closure, she hopes it will be just what she needs to move on.
The past and the present intertwine as “Just this once” becomes “Just one more time.” Especially when Rae discovers the solution to Zach’s business problems. Can he trust her enough to risk his heart and livelihood a second time, or will experience convince him to walk away from everything?
Add it on Goodreads
The release of my debut novel, Conflict of Interest has been an insane and awesome ride. I had no idea what to expect, and less than a month into it, I'm still not sure, but I do know it's been fantastic so far.
Amazing enough, I'm already doing it again. Over the next few months I have two more books coming in the same series.
Yup, two more, all this summer ^_^
The first, Holding Her Close will be available July 1. I'm doing things a little differently than those wacky 'normal' people who are smart enough to release their books in order. This will be Book 0 in the series - a 'where it all began' prequel. For those of you who have read Conflict of Interest , this is the story of how Zach, Rae, and Scott got started on this crazy journey.
Next up, coming August 19, Liquid Silver Books is releasing Toeing the Line, Bits & Bytes Book 2. Featuring Kenzie's nothing-like-her twin sister, Riley and her best friend, Zane. If you want just a little more taste of what it's about:
His time in the Air Force doing electronic surveillance has taught him a thing or two about keeping secrets. But when his best friend finds out what kind of secrets he’s kept from her, their ‘with benefits’ relationship won’t be what threatens their growing feelings for each other.
I'm so excited to share both of these books with everyone. Like Conflict of Interest , they both feature characters who have lived in my head for much longer than characters should without a story, and I'm thrilled to get them out there.
I feel like I'm forgetting something though...
...
...
Oh, right! I promised y'all a cover reveal ^_~ Below are the cover and excerpt for Holding Her Close
When heartbreak and betrayal define a billionaire playboy’s past, the last thing he needs is to fall for the one woman who can save his company. See how it all started in the prequel to Allyson Lindt’s Bits & Bytes series. Holding Her Close is a sexy, contemporary romance about first loves and second chances.Zach is haunted by ex-girlfriends. The day his fiancée dumped him she also sold her shares of his multi-billion dollar corporation. On top of that, that girl who broke his heart in high school – the only woman he’s never been able to forget – is back in his life. She’s filling his business partner’s head with delusions of recovering from the hostile takeover, and haunting his most vivid fantasies. But he’s got a plan to solve half the problem: one night together and they can put the past behind them.
It’s been more than ten years since Rae talked to her high school sweetheart. But running in the same circles –her best friend is his business partner – has caught up to her. Rae is seeing Zach everywhere, including her explicit, rampant imagination. When he proposes a single night together for closure, she hopes it will be just what she needs to move on.
The past and the present intertwine as “Just this once” becomes “Just one more time.” Especially when Rae discovers the solution to Zach’s business problems. Can he trust her enough to risk his heart and livelihood a second time, or will experience convince him to walk away from everything?
Add it on Goodreads
May 18, 2013
Tara Quan Talks About Her First Sale
During the entire month of May I'm hosting a reverse blog tour. Rather than send y'all to other people's blogs to read about me, which you already do if you're a regular here, I'm introducing you to some amazing and talented authors from all walks of life and genres.
Today I have the brilliant and creative Tara Quan, and she's got a unique post. I know a lot of my readers are authors, and we're all going through this publishing journey in one way or another. So Tara's post about her first sale is a great read if you're looking for a first-person perspective.
My First Sale
Disclaimer: The title is not an original one. Dear Author runs a series on first sales. The articles are mostly about traditionally published authors, and they are worth perusing for inspiration. Allyson and I don’t quite fall into said category, but we’ve been celebrating our first sales just the same.
I wish publishers would put “accepted” or “rejected” in the subject lines of emails. Whenever I get an email from a publisher about a submission, my heart races, I break into a cold sweat, and my finger hovers over the track pad as I try to decide if I want to break the spell. The moment I open the email, reality comes crashing. My gaze inevitably lands on euphemisms for rejection: pass, not for us, not a good fit. The list goes on.
And then the impossible happens. On October 21, 2012, I clicked on an email from Liquid Silver Books. I knew something was off. There were more than two lines in the email. You don’t need that many words to reject a manuscript.
My brain froze. The words appeared as an indecipherable garble. I took a deep breath and focused. My suspicions were confirmed when I reached the fourth line: “We loved your story, and I’m delighted to offer you a contract for publication.” Trust me, those words never get old.
Tower in the Woods is a post-apocalyptic erotic romance based on the fairy tale Rapunzel. It comes with zombies, snipers, a fateful snowstorm and a hot alpha male. It’s my first sale--no matter how many more books I write, this one will always have a special place in my heart.
I love this story, I've read it a few times since Tara sent it to me. And because you want to know what this first sale book is about
Tower in the Woods Blurb
Raised by the Women’s Independent Territory Church (WITCH), Nel Zapur is a skilled sniper tasked to eliminate zombies. Never having once laid eyes on a man, she has been a prisoner in her tower for eleven long years. A fateful snowstorm leads a mysterious stranger to her window, and saving him may prove to be the best and worst decision of her life.
Special Agent Dane Prince was sent to gather intelligence on the WITCH, and his journey leads him to a mysterious tower in the woods. Snowed in with a virginal member of the feminist cult, Dane is determined to use the situation to his advantage. Not only will Nel provide him with the information he needs, she will also learn to submit to his every desire.
Looking for Tara and her Books, including an excerpt from Tower in the Woods?
http://taraquan.com/undead-fairy-tales/
You can also find her on Twitter: www.twitter.com/LaylaTarar
And who is this talented Tara Quan individual?
Tara Quan wasted four years of college daydreaming about the fantasy and paranormal romances she wanted to write. After graduating with two degrees she never uses, she spent three more years trying to be happy with a traditional career.
Luckily, her husband’s work took that option away, and Tara now has the license to pursue her dreams of becoming a romance author. While she still has a day-job, she spends all her free time writing. Her first novella, Tower in the Woods, was released on January 14, 2013.
Today is the two-month anniversary of her most recent release. Warlock’s Pawn is a fantasy erotic romance replete with warlocks, fae, magic and political intrigue. More information on this title can be found at http://taraquan.com/captive-fates/
Today I have the brilliant and creative Tara Quan, and she's got a unique post. I know a lot of my readers are authors, and we're all going through this publishing journey in one way or another. So Tara's post about her first sale is a great read if you're looking for a first-person perspective. My First Sale
Disclaimer: The title is not an original one. Dear Author runs a series on first sales. The articles are mostly about traditionally published authors, and they are worth perusing for inspiration. Allyson and I don’t quite fall into said category, but we’ve been celebrating our first sales just the same.
I wish publishers would put “accepted” or “rejected” in the subject lines of emails. Whenever I get an email from a publisher about a submission, my heart races, I break into a cold sweat, and my finger hovers over the track pad as I try to decide if I want to break the spell. The moment I open the email, reality comes crashing. My gaze inevitably lands on euphemisms for rejection: pass, not for us, not a good fit. The list goes on.
And then the impossible happens. On October 21, 2012, I clicked on an email from Liquid Silver Books. I knew something was off. There were more than two lines in the email. You don’t need that many words to reject a manuscript.
My brain froze. The words appeared as an indecipherable garble. I took a deep breath and focused. My suspicions were confirmed when I reached the fourth line: “We loved your story, and I’m delighted to offer you a contract for publication.” Trust me, those words never get old.
Tower in the Woods is a post-apocalyptic erotic romance based on the fairy tale Rapunzel. It comes with zombies, snipers, a fateful snowstorm and a hot alpha male. It’s my first sale--no matter how many more books I write, this one will always have a special place in my heart.
I love this story, I've read it a few times since Tara sent it to me. And because you want to know what this first sale book is about
Tower in the Woods Blurb
Raised by the Women’s Independent Territory Church (WITCH), Nel Zapur is a skilled sniper tasked to eliminate zombies. Never having once laid eyes on a man, she has been a prisoner in her tower for eleven long years. A fateful snowstorm leads a mysterious stranger to her window, and saving him may prove to be the best and worst decision of her life.
Special Agent Dane Prince was sent to gather intelligence on the WITCH, and his journey leads him to a mysterious tower in the woods. Snowed in with a virginal member of the feminist cult, Dane is determined to use the situation to his advantage. Not only will Nel provide him with the information he needs, she will also learn to submit to his every desire.
Looking for Tara and her Books, including an excerpt from Tower in the Woods?
http://taraquan.com/undead-fairy-tales/
You can also find her on Twitter: www.twitter.com/LaylaTarar
And who is this talented Tara Quan individual?
Tara Quan wasted four years of college daydreaming about the fantasy and paranormal romances she wanted to write. After graduating with two degrees she never uses, she spent three more years trying to be happy with a traditional career.
Luckily, her husband’s work took that option away, and Tara now has the license to pursue her dreams of becoming a romance author. While she still has a day-job, she spends all her free time writing. Her first novella, Tower in the Woods, was released on January 14, 2013.
Today is the two-month anniversary of her most recent release. Warlock’s Pawn is a fantasy erotic romance replete with warlocks, fae, magic and political intrigue. More information on this title can be found at http://taraquan.com/captive-fates/
May 16, 2013
Meet Author Dy Loveday
During the entire month of May I'm hosting a reverse blog tour. Rather than send y'all to other people's blogs to read about me, which you already do if you're a regular here, I'm introducing you to some amazing and talented authors from all walks of life and genres.
Today I have the honor of interviewing the delightful and brilliant Dy Loveday. Dy has a fantastic imagination, with lots of sexiness thrown in on top, and writes brilliant stories. I could go on about it for a bit, but she was kind enough to answer my questions, so I'll let her tell you all about it instead ^_^
Allyson, thanks so much for hosting me on your blog today. Here’s a few words to describe my writing and personal world.
Describe your ideal writing environment
Organized chaos works best for me. I like to have my large plot boards up behind the computer with index cards telling me what I’m meant to focus on in each scene. Then I promptly ignore the card and follow my character through the ups and downs of life in their setting.
We live in an open plan house, which sounded great on the house plans but it’s the bane of my writing existence. On weekends the family want to chat even when they know Mum is mumbling away to herself and banging at the keyboard. One day I’ll put a door on my study, but hey, then I wouldn’t get to hear all the arguments about who ate the ice cream.
I write best at night when it’s quiet, the world is still and anything is possible. Many of my short stories are horror while the novels are fantasy/science fiction with romantic elements or a strong romantic plot line. Mornings are also a good time to write, but afternoons, gah, that’s when the endless phone calls buzz me out of dreamland.
My mini iPad is nearby while books lean in haphazard piles all over my desk, on the shelves and the floor. Every now and then I’ll clean up and then go nuts because I can’t find the special writing resource I need right now. Then books go tumbling to the floor, papers fly and the parrot shrieks in excitement. So I’d have to say my study is the ideal writing environment because despite the disruptions, I know where I can locate stuff. I’m part of the house and tucked well enough away for some nefarious plotting.
Spring or fall?
Either will do. Fall in Australia is often warm while Spring still carries the bite of winter. So I’d probably lean toward Fall.
What’s the biggest thing you’ve ever won?
Good question! I won Editors Choice on the Online Writers Workshop (Science Fiction Fantasy) twice and that was a great feeling. I also won a KISS concert ticket when I was 14 and that felt w o n d e r f u l. But probably the best win was a gold medal for swimming (State), because I had to work my butt off to get it.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?
My girlfriends and I rode motorbikes across Indonesia. We’d never ridden before and hired dodgy bikes from some guys off the street. We rode for 10 hours through a smog-filled city, into isolated villages, up winding roads, steep mountain ranges and across rickety bridges. It was all in search of the Mother Temple, which we eventually found and loved. But it was crazy and risky and if my daughter did anything like that I’d have a heart attack.
What question do you always wish someone would ask (you or someone else) in an interview, but no one ever does?
If you could be any writer, who would it be?
I’d say Sylvia Plath but she died young and I have no intentions of doing that.
I think Dy is the first person to answer their own question, and I love your response, Dy! If anyone else wants to know anything about this talented author, ask away.
And after an interview like that, I know you're anxious to find out more about this author's book. So here's a blurb for Illusion
Maya McAdam has never quite fit in, even on Earth where the magical elite sells alchemy on the black market. She has wild visions of conveyer belts turning into snakes and draws surrealistic pictures of places she’s never been. Partying and tossing back spells seems like a good way of avoiding her problems.
A week before her twenty-fifth birthday, her surrealist paintings finally sell. When a scarred stranger watches her from behind one of her sketches, she knows life is going to hell.
Maya would never have imagined she’s the daughter of a cursed king, and a bargaining tool for magical guilds. Will she fight demons and give up a desire for spells so she can find love with a warlock? Or will she leave her friends and become the nightmare the magical elite fears?
And just a taste from the novel itself, to whet your palate
Resheph pulled off his shirt to reveal a back striped with deep gashes. Reaching behind, he smeared a cut with black paste. His face remained remote and uncaring, as if he couldn’t feel the pain.
“Do you need help?” she asked.
His muscles twitched. “I can manage.”
“Perhaps you should go to a hospital. It looks like it needs stitches.”
“There’s no need. I heal quickly.” Gray smoke swirled down his back, and the tendrils licked at the wound, seeping into his skin. His muscles rippled as he slapped a bandage over a broad shoulder. She flinched, knowing if he put his mind to it, she’d be dead in seconds.
The blood glistened, continuing to trail a gruesome line to his trousers.
“The bed is yours for the night. I don’t need sleep much. Please, use the facilities.” He indicated a room leading off the bedroom.
She jumped. “Thanks. I’ll change after a nap.”
She moved to the king-size bed and collapsed on the springs, watching him sort through powders on the table. The warlock made her all fidgety. She studied his hard body and the magic coiling from him in sleek waves. Toned muscles moved under taut skin as he unpacked herbs. His movements were sure and precise. Apart from the flash of anger earlier, he controlled his words and movements. Everything was contained as if he planned every action and suppressed every wayward emotion. He’d seemed angry with himself for his outburst earlier. Or maybe he just didn’t like humans? Or her?
She dropped her bag by the bed and thumped the pillow, pushing it into shape. They were so different. He was cold and rational while she was rebellious and took chances. Despite his size he was graceful and glided with an economy of movement while she tripped over her own feet. Even from here his beautiful scent caught at her throat. She sighed. No doubt she stank of residual fear.
Just as well there was so much going on or she might have made an idiot of herself. And what the hell was she doing thinking of him when Khereb were destroying the city? Exhaustion weighed heavily, her body feeling like a boulder had dropped on it.
She’d rest for a moment. Once Resheph left she’d pick up her bag and hightail it out of here, because she couldn’t afford to stick around. He might be handy with a sword, but he was one hot cauldron of grief. She didn’t need a hard-faced aphrodisiac kicking her libido into high gear anytime in the future, and especially right now.
Because when the demons had whispered in their heinous language, for a moment, just a second mind, she’d thought she’d understood them.
And you know you want to pick up a copy. You can find it at:
Liquid Silver Books
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
And you can find Dy at
Website
Facebook
Twitter
GoodReads
Who is Dy Loveday?
Dy lives and writes in Adelaide, South Australia. Her partner is a great cook and doesn’t mind when she forgets to eat dinner (much). She has a 10 year old daughter who inhales chocolate and looks like Twiggy; shares a house with two dogs, two cats, a naughty but loveable parrot and several fish.
Her background is in classics, anthropology and social work and she spent much of her childhood travelling throughout south-east Asia and the south Pacific, learning about other cultures.
Her days are spent writing, spending time with family and friends, freelance editing and chatting with crit buddies. If she’s not on the computer you can find her reading, daydreaming, drawing, haunting antiquarian bookshops or researching her latest novel.
Dy has a MA in Creative Writing from Adelaide University and is a graduate of the Odyssey Science Fiction Fantasy Workshop 2012.
Today I have the honor of interviewing the delightful and brilliant Dy Loveday. Dy has a fantastic imagination, with lots of sexiness thrown in on top, and writes brilliant stories. I could go on about it for a bit, but she was kind enough to answer my questions, so I'll let her tell you all about it instead ^_^Allyson, thanks so much for hosting me on your blog today. Here’s a few words to describe my writing and personal world.
Describe your ideal writing environment
Organized chaos works best for me. I like to have my large plot boards up behind the computer with index cards telling me what I’m meant to focus on in each scene. Then I promptly ignore the card and follow my character through the ups and downs of life in their setting.
We live in an open plan house, which sounded great on the house plans but it’s the bane of my writing existence. On weekends the family want to chat even when they know Mum is mumbling away to herself and banging at the keyboard. One day I’ll put a door on my study, but hey, then I wouldn’t get to hear all the arguments about who ate the ice cream.
I write best at night when it’s quiet, the world is still and anything is possible. Many of my short stories are horror while the novels are fantasy/science fiction with romantic elements or a strong romantic plot line. Mornings are also a good time to write, but afternoons, gah, that’s when the endless phone calls buzz me out of dreamland.
My mini iPad is nearby while books lean in haphazard piles all over my desk, on the shelves and the floor. Every now and then I’ll clean up and then go nuts because I can’t find the special writing resource I need right now. Then books go tumbling to the floor, papers fly and the parrot shrieks in excitement. So I’d have to say my study is the ideal writing environment because despite the disruptions, I know where I can locate stuff. I’m part of the house and tucked well enough away for some nefarious plotting.
Spring or fall?
Either will do. Fall in Australia is often warm while Spring still carries the bite of winter. So I’d probably lean toward Fall.
What’s the biggest thing you’ve ever won?
Good question! I won Editors Choice on the Online Writers Workshop (Science Fiction Fantasy) twice and that was a great feeling. I also won a KISS concert ticket when I was 14 and that felt w o n d e r f u l. But probably the best win was a gold medal for swimming (State), because I had to work my butt off to get it.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?
My girlfriends and I rode motorbikes across Indonesia. We’d never ridden before and hired dodgy bikes from some guys off the street. We rode for 10 hours through a smog-filled city, into isolated villages, up winding roads, steep mountain ranges and across rickety bridges. It was all in search of the Mother Temple, which we eventually found and loved. But it was crazy and risky and if my daughter did anything like that I’d have a heart attack.
What question do you always wish someone would ask (you or someone else) in an interview, but no one ever does?
If you could be any writer, who would it be?
I’d say Sylvia Plath but she died young and I have no intentions of doing that.
I think Dy is the first person to answer their own question, and I love your response, Dy! If anyone else wants to know anything about this talented author, ask away.
And after an interview like that, I know you're anxious to find out more about this author's book. So here's a blurb for Illusion
Maya McAdam has never quite fit in, even on Earth where the magical elite sells alchemy on the black market. She has wild visions of conveyer belts turning into snakes and draws surrealistic pictures of places she’s never been. Partying and tossing back spells seems like a good way of avoiding her problems.
A week before her twenty-fifth birthday, her surrealist paintings finally sell. When a scarred stranger watches her from behind one of her sketches, she knows life is going to hell.
Maya would never have imagined she’s the daughter of a cursed king, and a bargaining tool for magical guilds. Will she fight demons and give up a desire for spells so she can find love with a warlock? Or will she leave her friends and become the nightmare the magical elite fears?
And just a taste from the novel itself, to whet your palate
Resheph pulled off his shirt to reveal a back striped with deep gashes. Reaching behind, he smeared a cut with black paste. His face remained remote and uncaring, as if he couldn’t feel the pain.
“Do you need help?” she asked.
His muscles twitched. “I can manage.”
“Perhaps you should go to a hospital. It looks like it needs stitches.”
“There’s no need. I heal quickly.” Gray smoke swirled down his back, and the tendrils licked at the wound, seeping into his skin. His muscles rippled as he slapped a bandage over a broad shoulder. She flinched, knowing if he put his mind to it, she’d be dead in seconds.
The blood glistened, continuing to trail a gruesome line to his trousers.
“The bed is yours for the night. I don’t need sleep much. Please, use the facilities.” He indicated a room leading off the bedroom.
She jumped. “Thanks. I’ll change after a nap.”
She moved to the king-size bed and collapsed on the springs, watching him sort through powders on the table. The warlock made her all fidgety. She studied his hard body and the magic coiling from him in sleek waves. Toned muscles moved under taut skin as he unpacked herbs. His movements were sure and precise. Apart from the flash of anger earlier, he controlled his words and movements. Everything was contained as if he planned every action and suppressed every wayward emotion. He’d seemed angry with himself for his outburst earlier. Or maybe he just didn’t like humans? Or her?
She dropped her bag by the bed and thumped the pillow, pushing it into shape. They were so different. He was cold and rational while she was rebellious and took chances. Despite his size he was graceful and glided with an economy of movement while she tripped over her own feet. Even from here his beautiful scent caught at her throat. She sighed. No doubt she stank of residual fear.
Just as well there was so much going on or she might have made an idiot of herself. And what the hell was she doing thinking of him when Khereb were destroying the city? Exhaustion weighed heavily, her body feeling like a boulder had dropped on it.
She’d rest for a moment. Once Resheph left she’d pick up her bag and hightail it out of here, because she couldn’t afford to stick around. He might be handy with a sword, but he was one hot cauldron of grief. She didn’t need a hard-faced aphrodisiac kicking her libido into high gear anytime in the future, and especially right now.
Because when the demons had whispered in their heinous language, for a moment, just a second mind, she’d thought she’d understood them.
And you know you want to pick up a copy. You can find it at:
Liquid Silver Books
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
And you can find Dy at
Website
GoodReads
Who is Dy Loveday?
Dy lives and writes in Adelaide, South Australia. Her partner is a great cook and doesn’t mind when she forgets to eat dinner (much). She has a 10 year old daughter who inhales chocolate and looks like Twiggy; shares a house with two dogs, two cats, a naughty but loveable parrot and several fish.
Her background is in classics, anthropology and social work and she spent much of her childhood travelling throughout south-east Asia and the south Pacific, learning about other cultures.
Her days are spent writing, spending time with family and friends, freelance editing and chatting with crit buddies. If she’s not on the computer you can find her reading, daydreaming, drawing, haunting antiquarian bookshops or researching her latest novel.
Dy has a MA in Creative Writing from Adelaide University and is a graduate of the Odyssey Science Fiction Fantasy Workshop 2012.
May 15, 2013
Kate Larkindale Interviews Ozzy from the Novel STUMPED
During the entire month of May I'm hosting a reverse blog tour. Rather than send y'all to other people's blogs to read about me, which you already do if you're a regular here, I'm introducing you to some amazing and talented authors from all walks of life and genres.
I'm so very excited to have Kate Larkindale on the site today. I've known Kate (online anyway) for many years and her feedback and support has been a cornerstone in my own writing and publishing process. Plus, Kate is wicked talented and writes some incredible stories. And she's going to tell you the rest, so take it away, Kate!
Oh, wait! One more thing! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KATE!
Kate Larkindale
Having spent a lifetime travelling the globe, Kate Larkindale is currently residing in Wellington, New Zealand. A cinema manager, film reviewer and mother, she’s surprised she finds any time to write, but doesn’t sleep much. As a result, she can usually be found near the espresso machine with a long black in hand. Or later in the day, red wine which she likes almost too much.Her short stories have appeared in Halfway Down The Stairs, A Fly in Amber, Daily Flash Anthology, The Barrier Islands Review, Everyday Fiction, Death Rattle, Drastic Measures, Cutlass & Musket and Residential Aliens, among others.She has written seven contemporary YA novels, four of which other people are allowed to see. She has also written one very bad historical romance. She is currently working on a new YA novel, Stumped. The interview below is withStumped’s main character, sixteen-year-old Ozzy Hellier.You can follow Kate on Twitter @vampyr14 or on her blog http://katelarkindale.blogspot.com/And here’s an interview with Ozzy. I asked him to try and keep his mouth clean, but he’s not great at it. I hope no one here is easily offended…..
Tell us about your favorite childhood memory. A game you played, a ritual you had with friends, or something else.It’s pretty fucking stupid and corny, but one of my favorite memories about being a kid is sitting on the front steps of our house on those long, hot summer afternoons. There are big trees all around the yard, and watching the shadows move while sucking on popsicles and dripping sugary water all over my bare legs is one of those memories that’ll never disappear. Not like the steps. They're gone now. I was real sad about that when I first came home and saw what they’d done to the front of the house.
Family first or friends?Man, you know how to go right for the jugular don’t you? A year ago I would’ve said friends. Now, well, it has to be family. Sad, huh?
What's your least favorite task/chore/job duty?That’s a tough one. I don’t have a whole bunch of chores anymore. Everything’s kind of a chore, you know? But the thing I hate the most at the moment is physical therapy. My therapist’s a fucking sadist. Especially when she has me on my prosthetics. Those things hurt like you wouldn’t believe! And she’s always forcing me to do one more set of whatever exercise she’s got me doing. Just one more…
What's your favorite desert?My mom makes the most amazing chocolate mousse in the world. I have no idea how she makes it so incredible, but it’s better than sex. Well, that’s what Finn says, anyway. How the fuck would I know?
If you could have any one thing in the entire world, what would it be?Just look at me. What do you think? I want my legs back. Duh.
Curious yet? Make sure you keep an eye on the publishing world for Kate, and if you've got any questions for her or Ozzy, ask away!
I'm so very excited to have Kate Larkindale on the site today. I've known Kate (online anyway) for many years and her feedback and support has been a cornerstone in my own writing and publishing process. Plus, Kate is wicked talented and writes some incredible stories. And she's going to tell you the rest, so take it away, Kate!
Oh, wait! One more thing! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KATE!
Kate Larkindale
Having spent a lifetime travelling the globe, Kate Larkindale is currently residing in Wellington, New Zealand. A cinema manager, film reviewer and mother, she’s surprised she finds any time to write, but doesn’t sleep much. As a result, she can usually be found near the espresso machine with a long black in hand. Or later in the day, red wine which she likes almost too much.Her short stories have appeared in Halfway Down The Stairs, A Fly in Amber, Daily Flash Anthology, The Barrier Islands Review, Everyday Fiction, Death Rattle, Drastic Measures, Cutlass & Musket and Residential Aliens, among others.She has written seven contemporary YA novels, four of which other people are allowed to see. She has also written one very bad historical romance. She is currently working on a new YA novel, Stumped. The interview below is withStumped’s main character, sixteen-year-old Ozzy Hellier.You can follow Kate on Twitter @vampyr14 or on her blog http://katelarkindale.blogspot.com/And here’s an interview with Ozzy. I asked him to try and keep his mouth clean, but he’s not great at it. I hope no one here is easily offended…..
Tell us about your favorite childhood memory. A game you played, a ritual you had with friends, or something else.It’s pretty fucking stupid and corny, but one of my favorite memories about being a kid is sitting on the front steps of our house on those long, hot summer afternoons. There are big trees all around the yard, and watching the shadows move while sucking on popsicles and dripping sugary water all over my bare legs is one of those memories that’ll never disappear. Not like the steps. They're gone now. I was real sad about that when I first came home and saw what they’d done to the front of the house.
Family first or friends?Man, you know how to go right for the jugular don’t you? A year ago I would’ve said friends. Now, well, it has to be family. Sad, huh?
What's your least favorite task/chore/job duty?That’s a tough one. I don’t have a whole bunch of chores anymore. Everything’s kind of a chore, you know? But the thing I hate the most at the moment is physical therapy. My therapist’s a fucking sadist. Especially when she has me on my prosthetics. Those things hurt like you wouldn’t believe! And she’s always forcing me to do one more set of whatever exercise she’s got me doing. Just one more…
What's your favorite desert?My mom makes the most amazing chocolate mousse in the world. I have no idea how she makes it so incredible, but it’s better than sex. Well, that’s what Finn says, anyway. How the fuck would I know?
If you could have any one thing in the entire world, what would it be?Just look at me. What do you think? I want my legs back. Duh.
Curious yet? Make sure you keep an eye on the publishing world for Kate, and if you've got any questions for her or Ozzy, ask away!
