Xio Axelrod's Blog, page 21

FOX Update: New release and giveaway from Gemma Brocato!

A warm FOX welcome to Gemma Brocato! Gemma’s latest, EXPOSED TO PASSION, is now available. Let’s take a look.

Leading a vagabond life as a curator for a traveling photography exhibit translates to a lot of bad days for Rikki Salerno. But her trouble doubles when a careless high school student shoves her into a marsh. Being rescued by teacher Sam Kerrigan should have made things better, but Rikki’s inability to confess her true identity casts a shadow over their budding affair.

When Sam refuses an overly aggressive parent’s marriage proposal, she’s determined to ruin him. Not only does she doctor photos to make it look like Sam’s behaved inappropriately in front of students, she hacks the foundation website to reveal Rikki’s true identity. Faster than the blink of a shutter, Rikki’s focus changes from pursuing her full-color future to the black and white necessity of clearing Sam’s name.

Sounds fantastic, right? Gemma was sweet enough to give us a sneak peek:

Rikki quietly set down the coffee cups onto the dresser and snatched up her camera. She liked the funny, considerate, responsible Sam, who interacted so well with the teens he taught. She loved the sexy, demanding, but giving partner he turned into behind closed doors. The sight of him, lying in her bed, completely relaxed, demanded she catch the image on film. It was a picture she could pull out again and again while she traveled, whenever she needed a reminder of this man she was in danger of losing her heart to.

Adjusting the F-stop for the natural lighting, she clicked off several shots, changing the angle of the camera and her position in the room. Zooming in on his face, she fired the shutter three times before she realized his lips had curved up in a decadent smile.

“I hear a camera whirring,” he said, his voice rough from sleep. Or the lack of it. They’d gotten very little last night, putting a big dent in the supply of condoms Rikki had picked up yesterday afternoon.

The sheet fell partially away when he lowered his arm and shifted to his side, coming to rest on his hip. The fire in his eyes heated her where she stood at the foot of the bed. There were those dimples again, and the muscular cuts on his sides. She needed to research spontaneous combustion, because she was pretty sure that’s what was happening right now.

“But I also smell coffee, which might make me forgive you for taking pictures while I was asleep.” Grabbing the sheet, he stared her down, as if daring her to snap more photos.

Smiling impishly, she put the camera on the dresser and picked up the cups. Walking over to the bed, she said, “Sorry, the artist in me had to capture the perfection. Christ, Sam, even your butt cheeks have dimples.”

He chuckled, scooting up in the bed until he reclined against the headboard, the sheet draped modestly across his lap. “There’s something you don’t hear in everyday conversation.” Accepting a cup from her, he grinned, humor and sunlight warming his eyes.

Settling cross-legged on the bed next to him, Rikki sipped her coffee, savoring the strong, crisp taste, the delicious smell of roasted hazelnuts wafting in her face. She smiled at him over the rim. “Did you want to run this morning?”

“What time is it?” He leaned forward to look at the old-style analog alarm clock on the nightstand. He scrubbed a hand over his mouth, stifling a yawn. “Is that thing right? Is it really eight already? I’m sorry, I can’t. I’m supposed to meet Avery in two hours to start work on the exhibit panels.”

“Oh,” she said, unable to hide the disappointment in her tone.

Setting his cup aside, he plucked hers out of her hand and put it down, too. He framed her face, then pressed a light, soft kiss on her lips. The simple gesture escalated until she was on his lap, wrapped in his arms, breathless and straining to get closer.

Ending the kiss much too soon, Sam lowered his hands to her hips, smiling ruefully at her. “Why don’t we go out? I’m meeting my brother and his fiancée at Red’s for drinks tonight. Maybe my parents, too. If Mom can drag Dad out.”

“I don’t want to intrude.”

“Rikki, it would only be an intrusion if I didn’t invite you. But I did, so…” He lifted a hand, as if to say, you know you wanna.

His eyes shone with hope, his grin charmingly lopsided. Her heart tilted in her chest. “Who could resist that look? If you want me to meet you there, you better give me details.”

“How about if we make this a real date? Not a field trip or a business meeting. Just a man and his smoking hot girlfriend going out to meet some friends.”

“Girlfriend?”

“Smoking hot girlfriend.”

Oh, jeez. A date—where his parents might show up. Good Lord! Was she ready for that? Maybe. “What time will you be here?”

 

Wow. This is serious stuff. Right? I don’t know about you guys, but I can’t wait to read more! Pick up your copy of EXPOSED TO PASSION at these fine retailers:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

iTunes

Kobo

Kensington

Also! Gemma is celebrating the release of EXPOSED TO PASSION with a fabulous giveaway. You could score:

One Digital Copy of Exposed To Passion, One Leather Brighton London Flat Pouch, Assorted Picture Frames, $25 Amazon Gift Card, $15 Starbucks Gift Card. For one US Winner only. Prize package valued at $185.00

 

About the Author:

Gemma’s favorite desk accessories for many years were a circular wooden token, better known as a ’round tuit,’ and a slip of paper from a fortune cookie proclaiming her a lover of words; some day she’d write a book. All it took was a transfer to the United Kingdom, the lovely English springtime, and a huge dose of homesickness to write her first novel. Once it was completed and sent off with a kiss, even the rejections addressed to ‘Dear Author’ were gratifying.

After returning to America, she spent a number of years as a copywriter, dedicating her skills to making insurance and the agents who sell them sound sexy. Eventually, her full-time job as a writer interfered with her desire to be a writer full-time and she left the world of financial products behind to pursue an avocation as a romance author.

Where to find Gemma:

www.Gemmabrocato.com

https://www.facebook.com/gemma.brocato

https://twitter.com/GemmaBrocato

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7229886.Gemma_Brocato

http://www.wattpad.com/user/GemmaBrocato

https://plus.google.com/+GemmaBrocato/posts

Flash Fiction – Love Letters #LoveChatWrite

Hey m’lovelies! It’s that time again. Each Tuesday, we at Romance Writers Weekly try to bring you something new. This week, our own Mishka Jenkins challenged us to write a love letter, in 400 words or less. The letter had to contain the words: sweet, pumpkin and brush. Great one, Mishka! And timely too.

Hopefully you just read Elizabeth Janette‘s take on this interesting challenge. Amazing, isn’t she? Before I share my letter, I have a funny.

Mr. X and I have a running joke. Often when he needs something, he’ll ask me as if he’s reading from a Civil War-era letter. Sort of like:

My Dearest Darling [insert name like Gertrude/Elizabeth/Penelope/Hildegard],

It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that I have run out of tea. I was enjoying the fine brew that you made for me, but alas it is gone. The loss consumes me. If you could find your way to making me another cup, it may help to stave off the dysentery one more night.

Forever your devoted husband,

Beauregard (or something to that effect.)

By the way, I just read that out loud to him and he is laughing his ass off. We’re nuts, I know.

So, here is my love letter. I may or may not be inspired by my WIP.

——–

To the one who matters,

You are the bravest person I know. You took a chance and I blew it. I’m sorry I was such a coward.

God! I was so scared, baby. Am scared. Terrified, really, but not of losing you. I’m afraid of having you and losing myself. I saw the future, my future, in your sweet smile and it scared the shit out of me. And I can’t just blame it on my past. Or yours. You didn’t want promises, I know that now. You just wanted to show me what we could be and I brushed you off. I let you get on that plane.

But know that I have felt every single mile you’ve put between us. The distance has been slowly carving into me like a pumpkin. I can’t bear it.

Not having you there with me made my being there not worth a damn. So I am here. If your heart is still open to me, please open the door. Let me in.

I love you.

Forever yours,

The one you matter to most

———-

Would you let him in? Maaaaaybe? Next stop on the tour is the lovely Brenda Margriet. See you next time!

FOX Update: UNEXPECTED EDEN by Rhenna Morgan

My friend, the talented and lovely – not to mention hilarious – Rhenna Morgan, has a new release coming. UNEXPECTED EDEN will be unleashed on 29 December.

Most people believe Eden no longer exists. Lexi Merrill’s about to learn they’re wrong. A hard-working bartender with a self-sufficient backbone and a wary nature, she knows pickup lines like a second language. So, when Eryx Shantos barges into her world with too-smooth words and a body to back it up, she locks up her libido and vows to keep her distance.

Eryx has other ideas. As king of the Myren race, Eryx is duty-bound to enforce the laws preventing exposure of their existence to humans. Yet The Fates have led him through his dreams to Lexi, a temptation he doesn’t want to resist. The question is, is she Myren, or human – which makes her forbidden fruit?

When Eryx’s nemesis tags Lexi as his next target, Eryx insists on taking her home where he can keep her safe. Lexi had no idea “home” would mean the one-and-only land of creation…or that she’d trigger a prophecy that could doom her newfound race.

Here’s a sneak peek at Chapter One:

Slow breaths in, slow breaths out. All Lexi had to do was focus on the thump of Rihanna’s latest hit, keep the drinks flowing, and stick to her half of the bar. The mother lode of testosterone on Jerry’s side couldn’t sit there all night. Could he?

“Don’t suppose you’ve noticed, but there’s a scrumptious not-from-around-here type giving you the eyeball.” Mindy grinned and handed over the latest round of drink orders.

White t-shirt, killer muscles, and dark chocolate hair halfway down his back? Yeah, she’d noticed. Repeatedly. And every time she went for a visual refill, his silver gaze shocked nerve endings she’d long thought dead.

“Drop it, Mindy. Guys like that are an occupational hazard and you know it.”

“Honey, that man is way past hazard. More like Chernobyl.” She leaned into the trendy concrete countertop. The modern pendant lights spotlighted her platinum hair and ample cleavage. One thing about Mindy—she knew how to work her assets. “I’ll bet the fallout’s worth it.”

“It’s packed tonight. You gonna get those drinks out and stash a few tips, or waste ’em on eye candy?”

Mindy’s dreamy smile melted and she pulled the loaded cocktail tray close. “All work and no play, huh?” She shook her head and turned for the crowd. “Have fun with that.”

Well, hell. Another social interaction down the toilet. At twenty-five-years-old, you’d think she could handle a little female bonding in the form of man-ogling. Especially when four of those years had been spent tending bar. But damn it, some things weren’t meant for discussion. Her overactive man-jitters being one of them.

Crouching to snag a fresh bottle of vodka beneath the counter, she peeked behind her. Lips guaranteed to make a girl forget her name curled into a sly smile.
Busted.
She spun away too fast and scraped her forehead against the rough edge of the bar. “Son

of a fucking, no good piece of shit.” Head down, she counted to three and fought the need to check for witnesses, thankful the music was loud enough to cover her curse. The graceless gawker routine wasn’t normally her deal, but for the last thirty minutes she’d come up woefully short in the finesse department—and it was all the dark-haired man’s fault.

New bottle ready for action, she faced two middle-aged men dressed like frat boys and settled into her pour-and-bill groove. The routine was a comfort, a stabilizing rhythm to counterbalance the ever-present gaze heavy on her back.

“Hey, Lex.” Jerry smacked her shoulder and motioned behind him, never breaking stride as he headed for the register. “Tall, dark and handsome wants to see you.”

She wouldn’t look. Not again. The giggling trio of barely legal blondes fighting their way into ordering range wasn’t nearly as nice on the eyes, but at least they kept her anchored. “Since when did you take up matchmaking?”

“Since the guy offered me a Benjamin to make sure it was you who took care of him.” What? She spun.
The stranger met her surprised stare head on, his smirk a potent mix of humble and

confident. “Sold me down the river, did you?”
“Damn right.” Jerry winked, shoved a stack of wrinkled bills into the register, and

swaggered toward the waiting blondes without so much as a wish for good luck.
Lexi huffed and took an order from the none-too-shabby twenty-something guy right in

front of her on principle. Mystery man could cool his jets for a minute or two. Besides, if his banter matched his looks, she’d need every second she could get to batten down the hatches.

She filled orders with slow deliberation and an extra bit of bravado, grabbing snippets of recon where she could.

A vicious looking man sat next to her dark-haired hunk. Lazy raven waves fell to a hard jawline, a tightly trimmed goatee making his harsh face a downright menace. Entirely the wrong selection for wingman material.

Out of customers and bar space, she faced both men and wiped down of the counter. “What can I get you?” The catchall phrase came out shakier than she wanted, and tried to cover it with an intensive, yet completely unnecessary study of the bottles stocked below the counter.

“You disliked my tactic.” God help her, the man had a voice to match his face. An easy glide that left a slow burn in its wake. Kind of like fifty-year-old Scotch. “I admit it’s not my style, but I was desperate.”

Not exactly the approach she’d expected from a hottie, but it did help ease her tension. “There’s not a thing desperate about you and we both know it.”

He answered with a megawatt smile that damn near knocked her off her feet. Utterly relaxed, he rested muscled forearms on the bar and raised an eyebrow. “Have dinner with me.”

She shouldn’t be able to hear him in such a crush, let alone register a physical impact, but damned if she wasn’t processing both loud and clear. “I don’t even know you.”

He offered his hand. Long, strong fingers stretched out, showing calluses along his palm. “Eryx Shantos.”

Wingman stared straight ahead, his aqua eyes cold enough to freeze a soul.

“Lexi Merrill.” As their palms met, a rush fired up her arm and down her spine, and she shook as though she’d cozied up to a blow dryer in a bathtub. She ripped her hand away and rubbed the tingling center up and down her jean-clad hip.

Eryx didn’t so much as blink, his sword-colored gaze glinting with dare and determination.

Maybe fatigue was taking a toll on her imagination. Or the flu. Or a desperate need to get laid. Gripping the bar for support, she took an order from a cute little brunette trying to avoid a middle-aged, bald guy’s come-on.

Except for a slow pull off his beer, Wingman stayed stock-still. His angry expression screamed, “Stay the fuck back.”

“Now you know me,” Eryx said. “Have dinner with me.”
“I have to work.”
“Then lunch.”
“I work then too.” A lame excuse, but true. Two jobs and part-time college didn’t leave a

lot of room for being social. Not that socializing ever managed to work in her favor. “Breakfast, then.”

A half-hearted laugh slipped out before she could stop it. “You’re persistent, I’ll give you that.”

“You have nooo idea.” Wingman tipped his longneck for another drink, fingers loose around the dark glass despite his tight voice.

Eryx shot him a nasty glare.

“Your friend doesn’t talk much.” Lexi grabbed a few empties and dunked them in a tub of soapy water.

“His name’s Ludan. And he may not be able to talk at all by the time the night’s over. Depends on if he manages to keep his tongue intact.”

“Yo! Need a few Bud Lights.” Two college-age men in need of a manners class shoved their way to Ludan’s free side.

Ludan straightened and pushed the men back a handful of steps with nothing more than a glare.

No way was she dealing with the fallout from a brawl, even if the young punks could use the lesson. “Stand down and kill the scary badass routine.”

Ludan faced her, his eyes a shade closer to white than blue. It took a tense breath or two, but the muscles beneath his black t-shirt relaxed and he smirked. He eased down on his barstool and snagged his beer. “Your woman’s got bite, Eryx.”

She snatched a pair of Buds from the cooler and popped the tops off. “I’m not his woman.”

“Not yet.” Eryx’s calm retort landed between them—part taunt, part promise.

Wow. I don’t know about you, but I’m more than ready for chapter two. Bring it on, Rhenna! I may have to butter her up for a preview copy. You can reserve your copy at: Amazon, B&N, iTunes, Kobo, and ARE.

Rhenna Morgan writes for the same reason she reads—to escape reality.

Yes, her life rocks—two beautiful little girls, a great husband, a steady job, and the kind of friends that would take you out back if you hurt her. But, like most women, she’s got obligations stacked tight from dusk to dawn. So, when the world gets her down, she slips into something…less realistic.

Romance is a must. So is a steamy romp (or four). Nothing thrills her more than the fantasy of new, exciting worlds, strong, intuitive men, and the sigh of, “Oh if only that could happen to me.”

So, if you’re picking up one of her books, expect portals into alternate realms and men who’ll fight to keep the women they want. Romantic escape for the women who need it.

Visit Rhenna at her website or on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

FOX Update: Cover reveal from Jami Denise!

It’s a busy week for the FOXes!

Today I have a sexy cover reveal from friend of Xio, Jami Denise. Her upcoming release, DAMNED SINNER, is due out 24 November, 2014. Here’s a bit about the third book in her Jayne Series:

Vince Donovan has lost a lot in his life. He has lived life under a code of greed, lies and crime – never allowing anyone to get too close. After losing the empire he fought to build at the hands of a psychotic man in pursuit of revenge, Vince vows to rebuild what he once had. Along with his once protege and now partner, Jayne King, he sets out to create an empire that is based on beautiful women, sex and sin.

Kelsey Franklin is young, beautiful, sexy and should be forbidden. Kelsey is also the one woman that Vince has vowed never to have and yet is the one woman he wants and needs.

When love happens in the unlikeliest of circumstances Vince must ask himself – Is love fit for the damned and the sinner.

Add DAMNED SINNER to your Goodreads list. New to the series? You have time to play catch up:

See Jayne Play (The Jayne Series, Book One)

Amazon: http://amzn.to/18zBUUg

B&N: http://bit.ly/1s5MVmm

iTunes: http://bit.ly/1szoYG6

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1mJm8w

Queen of Hearts (The Jayne Series, Book Two)

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1snnNp4

B&N: http://bit.ly/1xDOo5d

iTunes: http://bit.ly/1vXm38U

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1m8EV00

Jami Denise is a romance writer from Southern California. While she waits for the next felon to come along and sweep her off her feet, she writes about swoony bad boys and sassy gals that make them squirm. She also loves cats, cars, cupcake flavored lip balm, and cherry limeade. You can stalk her on: Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads

Congrats, Jami! oxo

Romance Weekly – Dating Disasters #LoveChatWrite

It’s time for another edition of Romance Weekly! The lovely and talented Collette Cameron has challenged us to spill the beans about our dating disasters. I can honestly say that I’ve never had a truly bad date. Weird, I know.

The worst dating experience I ever had was my second visit to Mr. X. We were in a long-distance-relationship at the time, with him living in California and me in Philadelphia. I’d never been out West in the summertime. I had images of sunny beaches and perfect weather in my mind. It was mid-July, so I mostly packed for the beach.

Shorts – check

T-shirts – check

Sexy bathing suits – check

Cute little black dress – check

Yeah, I had it all planned out. Days frolicking on the warm sand, and nights frolicking in the…Well, you get the idea.

Oh Xio. You should never have trusted all of those Hollywood movies. Accuweather.com is your friend, silly woman. You had no clue!

Confused?

If you’ve never been to the Bay Area, this photo is not atypical of a summer day in Frisco. Balmy it was not. And if the city wasn’t chilly enough, the beach that we visited was in Monterey.

To give you an idea, the average high temperature in July is 66F (19C). Not bikini weather, to be sure. The day we were there, it was drizzling and in the low 50s!

So I fought hard to stop my chattering teeth while wearing my cute, summery outfit. Mr. X, ever the gentleman, took pity on me and only laughed once or thrice. We did more driving than walking, as he showed me the sights. I remember envying the seals that lounged down on the rocks in their warm fur.

While in San Francisco, we ended up buying a giant parka from one of the souvenir shops. It had a hood and fell to my knees. Hella sexy, as the kids say. Hey, at least I was warm and had a hot guy on my arm. He’s still there!

That’s my tale. Head on over to see what the fabulous, birthday girl Rhenna Morgan has to say on the subject. See you next week!

FOX Update: Hot new cover and re-release from Laura Kaye!

Hi. My name is Xio, and I am a fangirl.

Right now I am fangirling over today’s FOX (that’s a Friend of Xio) Laura Kaye and her novella, JUST GOTTA SAY, re-released with a sexy new cover!

Callie Davis stumbles upon two of her three male roommates in a surprising, molten-hot midnight tryst and discovers a side of herself she never knew existed. Desire to play with them grips her, and she can’t stop fantasizing about having multiple men, particularly her three long-time best friends.

Callie is thrilled when a guys’ night out gives her the perfect opportunity to recreate her fantasy, with the help of a threesome porn video and a bag of sex toys. That is, until Lucas, Jack and Noah return early and catch her in the act. More than anything, the guys want to make her fantasy come true. But Callie has a secret, and she can’t help wondering if being with all three men will risk the future she’s always wanted with one of them.

As three strong sets of hands caress and undress her, Callie surrenders to desire, because sometimes you just gotta say…yes.

Laura is one of my 1-click authors. Whether it’s erotica, paranormal or contemporary romance, I read everything of hers that I can get my hands on. As a writer, each one of her books is like holding a master class in storytelling in my hot little hands.

If you don’t know her work, get on it. Grab a copy of JUST GOTTA SAY and settle back for a fun and spicy ride! Available at Amazon, B&N and Kobo.

About Laura Kaye:

Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of nearly twenty books in contemporary and paranormal romance. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day. You can find Laura on her Website, on Facebook, and on Twitter.

Blog tour: Welcome multi-genre writer Gene Doucette!

Hey folks! I have something a little different for you. My friend Gene Doucette writes one of my favourite characters in literature, Adam the Immortal. Today marks the release of the final book in Adam’s trilogy, Immortal at the Edge of the World.

In his very long life, Adam had encountered only one person who seemed to share his longevity: the mysterious red-haired woman. She appeared throughout history, usually from a distance, nearly always vanishing before he could speak to her.

In his last encounter, she actually did vanish—into thin air, right in front of him. The question was how did she do it? To answer, Adam will have to complete a quest he gave up on a thousand years earlier, for an object that may no longer exist.

If he can find it, he might be able to do what the red-haired woman did, and if he can do that, maybe he can find her again and ask her who she is . . . and why she seems to hate him.

“You are being watched. Move your loved ones to safety . . . trust nobody.”

But Adam isn’t the only one who wants the red-haired woman. There are other forces at work, and after a warning from one of the few men he trusts, Adam realizes how much danger everyone is in. To save his friends and finish his quest he may be forced to bankrupt himself, call in every favor he can, and ultimately trade the one thing he’d never been able to give up before: his life. Goodreads  *   Add to Want To Read List

So Gene, did you always want to be a writer?

Yep. The story goes that when I was about three years old I was asked by a waitress what I wanted to be when I grew up, and I answered “bookmaker”. My parents assumed this meant “writer” and not “guy who takes bets on sporting events”, and I think they were probably right.

When did you first consider yourself a “writer”?

Probably not long after that story. There’s a poem I wrote about snow when I was… I don’t even know how old I was… framed on the wall of my mother’s house. My writing has improved since, although my handwriting is just about as bad.

Did it take a long time to get your first book published?

That depends on what we’re calling my first book. My first novel was never published, and neither was my second novel. My third was Immortal and it took about seven or eight years depending on when I decide to start counting. If we’re going by other metrics, I was submitting that first unpublished novel to agents in 1992, so we can start counting there if you’d like me to kill myself.

Do you have a process or routine that you follow when writing?

I mostly just have to make time for it at this point. My routine of late has been to clear one or two days (or a week, if I need it) and spend the entire time in my house going between the bedroom and the living room with the laptop, writing and complaining, and checking the Internet way too often.

What books can we expect from you in the future? Any works in progress?

I’ve been writing a lot of novellas lately. Between the publication of my last novel (Sapphire Blue, published as G Doucette) in March and the October 2 release of Immortal at the Edge of the World I wrote four novellas and published them for the Kindle. Three of those were about Adam from the Immortal books and were, appropriately enough, called The Immortal Chronicles. (The fourth was another step outside the genre for me, a straight-up thriller called Surviving Hector.) I’ve found the Chronicles are an excellent way to expand Adam’s world and to bring in new readers. So I plan to write more of those and hope to have a Christmas story out by December. I’m also mostly done with an erotic story for G Doucette that will come out in November. In January, I expect to publish the first three Chronicle shorts as a collected volume with a fourth piece, so the novellas can be released in print for the first time. I’m also working on a high concept multiple novella release called M Pallas. Beyond all of that I hope to start work on a new trilogy for Adam.

What genre would you write? Do you stick with this religiously?

My M Pallas concept will cover multiple genres, and I never get tired of finding out if I can write something, so I’ll probably never stick to any one anything.

Do you have a favourite book out of the ones that you have written?

Right now my favorite book is Immortal at the Edge of the World. It was the hardest one to write and has the biggest payout, I think.

Do you get feedback from anybody close to you before you submit them?

I don’t use beta readers very much. For Adam’s stories, not at all, because by now I’m pretty solid with his voice and know what it will take to get it to where it should be. For the things I’d call experimental I might try and get feedback. Like the erotica.

How do you approach reviews? Have you had many negative ones? Do you read them?

I have very few negative reviews. Almost none for the Adam stories. And I read every one of them. It’s probably not healthy.

Tell me about the graphic man you use on the cover of all your Immortal books?

My original concept for my very first Immortal cover was to put something that was clearly cave art in a modern setting. I wanted a bus stop with a guy at the bus stop who was just waiting for the bus, and he was like anybody else—briefcase and so on—except he was being represented by cave art. We never could quite get the whole thing to work, though. But the man on all the covers is an altered version of the example I sent to the artist, which originated—a few iterations ago—as a drawing on the walls of a cave in Lascaux.

Immortal at the Edge of the World is available from: Amazon, Kobo, Barnes and Noble, and TWCS PH. You can connect with Gene on Twitter,  Facebook, his Website or on Tumblr, if you’re feeling brave. =)

Romance Weekly Blog Hop – #LoveWriteChat

Welcome to another edition of Romance Weekly! Do you love romance novels? Ever want to know more about your favorite authors? Well you’re in the right place! Each week, the writers of Romance Weekly invite you behind the scenes of our books and tell all. About our writing, of course! After you’ve checked out my entry, hop along to the next stop on the tour! This week, we are answering some questions posed by our very own JJ Divine.

1. You’re moving right along with a storyline and suddenly it takes an unexpected twist. Do you go with the flow and follow where the twist leads you or do you conform your story to your way?

When I embarked upon my journey as a romance writer last year, I had no idea what kind of writer I was. I had no methodology, other than to sit down and write. Did I plot? Sorta. Most of the time, I would just start typing and see where things went. Since then, I’ve learned the terms “plotter” and “pantser” and I’ve come to realize that I fall somewhere in between. I will jot down a story idea, as well as the major plot points that I need to hit, and then I just go. So if a story begins to take an unexpected twist, I’ll generally allow it. To a point. If I feel as if the story is getting away from me, I might snap off the wonky bits and save them for another time. (I have at least one book in the queue that sprang out of the writing of another.) Generally speaking, I listen to my characters. It’s their story, I’m just here to write it down for them.

2. What time of year is your best time for writing? Winter, Summer, Fall, Spring?

I looooooove Autumn. I love its mood, its attitude, its inherit ambiance. I find it supremely conducive to writing. Winter works as well, though there are more distractions (holidays, family gatherings, etc.) Spring and Summer offer too much in the way of outdoor fun. Those warm months are great for reading (on a beach!) The colder months, I find, are better for writing.

I took this shot one Autumn while walking around in Paris. There’s a reason why they call it the “city of light.”

3. When looking for a publisher do you chose a traditional press, indie route, or one that does both, ebook and print?

Being such a newbie, I’m still exploring every opportunity. Self-publishing is a big temptation. As an independent musician, I am accustomed to that route. I do appreciate the support and stability of a traditional publisher, and many Indies offer the same perks, though with perhaps more flexibility. So yeah, I’m still figuring this one out. In the end, I think I’ll be a hybrid author. We shall see. As for eBook vs print, my ideal would be to have both, but I”d be fine with going digital-first.

Now, I’ll send you over to visit the other half of my brain, Sarah Hegger. Sarah is the supremely talented author of Sweet Bea. Can’t wait to read her answers! I know I’ll be taking notes.

See you next time!

Flash Fiction: Kiss Me Slowly #LoveWriteChat

Time for another installment of Romance Weekly! You’ve probably hopped over from my friend Leslie Hachtel’s blog. Lovely woman and fantastic writer. This week, we have another flash fiction challenge. I love these, I really do. And this week’s prompt is gorgeous!

Guhhhh. Amirite?

So here goes 300 words…

~

Kiss Me Slowly

“Clear your mind,” he whispered, his hands cupping my knees. A nervous giggle escaped on my stuttering breath. “You’re thinking. Don’t think. Just breathe.”

“I am breathing.” I panted. He smirked. Damn him and his perfect, perfect mouth. He knew. Had to. Take me now screamed from every cell in my body. He was toying with me. “Let’s get on with it,” I huffed.

“Why are you always in such a rush?” I hoped the frown on my forehead didn’t show too many lines.

“A rush? I’m not-“

“Yeah, you are.” He moved back, his hands dropping to his lap between us. The loss of warmth was excruciating. “Haven’t you enjoyed the dance?”

“You’re supposed to be teaching me how to meditate.”

He laughed. It was a full belly guffaw that startled me and made me feel like I was thirteen years old again, confessing my crush to a fifteen-year-old John Schiavo. He’d laughed too. The spell broken, I wanted to leave. Now.

“Don’t.” He tapped my nose.

Now he was patronizing me, smug bastard. “Don’t what?”

“Don’t do whatever it is you’re about to do. Don’t think whatever it is you’re thinking.”

“So, you’re a mind-reader now?” I moved to stand but quick hands caught mine and yanked me back down hard. I landed ungraciously, and uncomfortably, on my ass. “Ouch!”

“Sorry, but damn. You’re so…frustrating sometimes!” And now he was angry? Him? “Everything you think shows up on your face.”

“It does not.” Yeah, it did.

“Yeah, it does.” He softened. “You think I’m playing games but all I’ve been trying to do is figure out how to do this.” Warm, slightly calloused fingers curled around the nape of my neck. “And this.” Warm, incredibly soft lips touched mine all too briefly.

“Do that again,” I breathed. “Slowly.”

~

Woo! Three hundred words, on the nose! Pop on over to see what the fabulous Dani Jace came up with. See you next week!

Blog hop: Meet my characters

Hello lovies!

Susan Peterson Wisnewski invited me to join in on a very cool blog hop. We’re each introducing you to a character from our book or work-in-progress. My first release isn’t available yet. Lucky for us Sam Newman and Val Saunders, the sexy hero and heroine from my novel Starstruck, were interviewed about their starring roles on their hit show, We the People. In their universe, the show has a very loyal fan base and is climbing in the ratings, thank to the off-the-charts chemistry that they share on-screen.

TV Magazine – Exclusive interview with the stars of ‘We The People’ – by Alicia Cromwell



I was recently on the set of TV’s hottest new show and had a chance to sit down with Sam Newman and Valerie Saunders. You know them better as Finnegan Green and Tara Thorn, or Tara and Finn. Hardcore fans simply refer to them as ‘Finnara’ and have made them the hottest couple on primetime. Being in the same room with these two gorgeous people is a bit intimidating, but they were warm, wonderful and welcoming. Sam and Val gave me some insight into their onscreen relationship, what we can expect going forward, and also discuss the reaction from the fans.

Alicia Cromwell: Thanks for taking time out of your hectic shooting schedule, I know you guys are amping up for the season finale. Any word on a renewal?

Valerie Saunders: Thanks for coming out, we love having visitors. No, as far as I know, we haven’t heard anything.



AC: I find that shocking, to be honest.

Sam Newman: Us too! [Laughs.]

VS: Well, studios can be twitchy about these things. It’s a lot to invest in a show and maybe they’re waiting to see if we’re just a passing fad.

SN: Are we a thing? Like, a trend?

AC: I think you’ve made a lasting impression on the television viewing public. I, for one, am forever changed by the love story between Finn and Tara.

VS: Aww, thanks! So kind of you.

SN: I think [that] it’s something that resonates with people because we all want it. We all want to find that on person that drives us crazy in all [of] the right ways.

VS: So true, so true. I mean, who doesn’t want an all-encompassing, life-altering love?

AC: And yet, you have your detractors. There are some critics of the show that say that the relationship is unrealistic.

SN: You know, I’ve heard some of that and, I have to say, I really don’t get where they’re coming from. What part is unbelievable?

VS: I know that some people have…an issue with the racial aspect.

AC: Yes, there is a very vocal segment that has come out against the portrayal of an African-American woman having an affair with a married, white man.

SN: Extra-marital affairs, by their nature, are something that society frowns upon, and for good reason. You don’t want to glamorize infidelity. But…I think that the fact that this is a television show, created for entertainment, gets lost on people. And also, this isn’t just about sex. These two people genuinely love each other.

VS: Exactly. I don’t think the show pretends to be a morality play. It’s about politics and people; people with flaws and faults. No one on the show is perfect. And I have to agree with Sam, at the end of the day, the part of the show that is about Tara and Finn is ultimately about love.

AC: Well, you will get no argument from me. Watching you two on screen together gives me goosebumps! How do you explain the crazy chemistry that you seem to have?

VS: [looks at Sam and laughs] I…I don’t know we just-

SN: People ask us this all the time, and… [Looks at Valerie. They’re just adorable!] I don’t know, we just have this connection and fortunately it comes across.

AC: So, this isn’t limited to your scenes together?

VS: Well, some of it is! [Laughs.]

SN: We are amazing friends. Valerie is an incredible human being and very trusting, and I am lucky to have someone like her to play off of.

VS: And that feeling is more than mutual, Sam is a brilliant actor. He always gives 110% and I think that’s made me…that’s caused me to raise my game to meet him. [Val is blushing like crazy! These two...]

AC: Is there any insight that you can give us into what we can expect in these next two episodes? Will things come to a head, so to speak?

VS: Yes, well…I can’t give away too much, but-

AC: Does, for instance, does Tara find out that her editor Jason Smart – played by the very handsome Devin Wilder, by the way – is in fact the man behind the assassination and cover-up?

VS: I think it’s safe to say that she learns the truth, and there will be consequences.

SN: Oooooohh. [Laughs.]

AC: That sounds exciting! Sam, have you not read the script? Do you know what happens?

SN: I’ve read my script, but there’s this thing that the writers do. They give us each slightly different scripts. So there are some moments on the show where the surprise, the reactions [are] real.

VS: Oh yes. [Laughs.] That happens.

AC: Is it true that Finn’s declaration of love wasn’t scripted?

VS: [Laughing and pointing to Sam.] You have to tell this one.

SN: Well, yes and no. [Laughing.] In my copy of the script, it said something like ‘Sam tells Tara that he loves her.’

AC: You mean Finn.

VS: Finn.

SN: Yes, Finn. Didn’t I say Finn?

AC: You said Sam.

SN: [Turning bright red with laughter.] Oh! I meant Finn, though I love Tara too.

AC: Don’t we all!

VS: I know I love her. [Laughs.]

SN: But yeah, Finn tells Tara that he loves her, but it’s not…it wasn’t in Valerie’s copy of the script.

VS: Right, it wasn’t in my copy. They’d removed it, and all I had was Tara’s reaction which was ‘me too.’

AC: Oh! So, you had no idea that he was going to say ‘I love you Tara’, or…what did you actually say?

SN: I don’t remember.

VS: I do. He said ‘I’m in love with you.” Or-

SN: No, no, I remember, I said ‘I’m hopelessly in love with you.’

VS: That’s right. That’s right.

AC: Wow. That completely explains the expression on your face at the end of that scene.

VS: Right? What girl wouldn’t be floored by a declaration like that? [Laughs.]

AC: I know I would.

SN: Hell, I would too. [Laughs.]

AC: So, is there happiness in the cards for our two lovebirds? It seems like this conspiracy is a pretty big obstacle for them, not to mention Finn’s wife, BethAnn.

SN: Which reminds me, Desiree Stanley plays my wife on the show and she [laughs] she gets so much flak from the viewers for the way her character treats me, treats Finn. She’s such a great sport.

VS: Oh yes, she really does. Poor girl!

SN: I just want to go on the record and say that Desiree is a lovely person, really caring, and you guys should be nicer to her.

VS: I second that.

AC: I couldn’t agree more. Well, thank you both for taking time out to sit with me. You’re both lovely, and I wish you every success. And I hope the show is renewed for a second season, because I really want to see more Finnara on my screen on Wednesday nights, come autumn.

VS: Thanks for coming!

SN: Yeah, thanks. We really appreciate it!

Next Week I’ll sit with Devin Wilder, Desiree Stanley and show creator Wanda Lands.

UPDATE: FTN announced this morning that ‘We the People’ had been renewed for a second season based on their skyrocketing ratings over the last few weeks. Congratulations to cast and crew!

So there you have it! You might be wondering if that flirty, sexy, yummy vibe spills off the screen with these two. You’ll just have to wait to read the book to find out! Look for it in 2015. =)

Hop on over and visit my friends next week to get the inside scoop on their characters:

Carlene Love Flores is a fan of the stars (especially Orion), music (especially Depeche Mode), and her traveling family (no favorites-she loves them all). These inspire her intimate romance stories. If she could touch someone’s heart with writing the way others have for her, she’d say there never lived a luckier girl.  Stop by and see her at: https://www.facebook.com/carlene.l.flores

Native Philly girl Kim Golden now lives in Stockholm, Sweden. She writes romantic fiction for women who know love comes in many colours. She is the author of the award-winning novel, Maybe Baby. You can find Kim at: http://www.facebook.com/SeeKimWrite

Susan Scott Shelley is an award-winning author of contemporary romance and romantic suspense. She currently resides outside Philadelphia and spends her days writing about tough heroes, smart heroines, and love being the strongest magic there is. She is the co-author of Tackled By the Girl Next Door, available October 15, 2014. Visit her: http://www.susanscottshelley.com