Jane Cousins's Blog, page 6

I need a Hero...

...and he's gotta be: Smart. Layered. Flawed. Funny. Sexy. Alpha. Sweet. Magnetic (I won't put gorgeous because looks, bah, they come, they go).

Flawed? You might very well wonder why I included that on my list. Yes, I know I am talking about romantic fiction, but I don't care whether there are dragons flying overhead shooting flames out their butts, the characters have to remain grounded in some sort of reality in order to be relatable.

Just finished a book and the Hero was perfect. Absolutely, annoyingly perfect. He was handsome. Rugged. Skilled. He always said the right thing. Always stepped up to save the day in a timely and capable manner - and I HATED him.
More so, because in order to make the Hero perfect, the author did so at the cost of the heroine. She was supposed to be his match, his equal. Yet she kept losing control, which generally resulted in her saying or doing completely the wrong thing. So now I'm stuck with a TSTL heroine, and a Hero who more often than not is forced to come to the damsel's (she was supposed to be kick ass - grrr) rescue, when either her mouth or her actions get her into silly trouble.

And this perfect male got me to thinking. And the Bonnie Tyler song got stuck in my head. So here I am writing this blog about Heroes.

The perfect fictional man, IMHO, should not be perfect.

Ever read a book with a nice-guy hero? They can be a refreshing change. But nice guy would quickly become sickly sweet if he failed to have a little edge. Maybe a witty sense of humour. A take charge attitude in the bedroom. Layers... people, that's what we want, what we should be demanding.

Just as the opposite is true, the asshole hero. Now this is a fine line for many readers. Not many authors can get it right. Sometimes his backstory makes it acceptable. Damaged. Betrayed. Maybe a little OCD. Caught him on the worst day of his life - we've all had those.
But a hero must be allowed to have asshole tendencies (because if female characters can dip their big toe into the bitch pool, then guys should be allowed to also) but it has to be balanced with a whole lot of other characteristics. Witty. Smart. Loyal. Determined to do the right thing, no matter the cost. I know I am sounding like a broken record, but layers. Just like a real person. No one is perfect all the time, and fictional Heroes should be representing that fact.

I like an Alpha male as much as the next romance reader. But, for me, he can't be too much of a know it all. And he needs to use his words (with the heroine at the very least) Sure, I like the occasional mono-syllabic enigmatic Hero. But on the whole, I want him to communicate his thoughts, his feelings. Especially in his interactions with the heroine. If he starts spanking instead of talking - excepting for mutual bedtime fun - then I am out of there.
So a dollop of sweet mixed in with all that masculinity - well, it kind of melts my heart. When he's thoughtful. Caring. Even if he can't express himself in words then he darn well better step up and show the heroine his softer side.

Magnetic - not handsome. Hotness is in the eyes of the heroine - and by extension, the reader. I'm not much for pretty boys, unless they have a edge or a wicked sense of humour.
We females appear to be genetically designed to admire flawed beauty in the male of the species - scars, injuries - bring it on I say. (And the same should go for the heroines - let's not make them all beauty personified - if nothing else, it's boring)
When a Hero and heroine are attracted, it shouldn't just be about their looks. I love it when they are a perfect match on every level - humour, goals, sense of duty.

Now, if I have achieved nothing else today I have at least got you humming Bonnie Tyler's I need a hero song for the rest of the day. Huh, join the club.

Happy Reading - may all your Heroes be not so perfect.

The fine line of funny.

Humour is subjective. Worse, something you found funny one day you might find incredibly unfunny the next.

I've picked up books to re-read, and been left wondering what I thought was so darn funny about it. Because suddenly it leaves me cold.
Have I grown or matured in the interim? Or am I just not in the mood for this particular brand of funny today?

Some authors try too hard. They flog a specific 'funny' saying until you want to ram it down the characters throats because it mentally stings every time you are forced to read the words - yet again.

I love funny - but usually not at the expense of other characters who are supposedly friends/colleagues. Real people don't stay friends for long if they tear each other down for the sake of a funny line or two.
Teasing is fine. But there has to be give and take, a balance between characters. Just like there is in the real world.
The only exception to this rule is the villain. Now there is a target rich environment where feelings do not need to be taken into account.

How far it too far when it comes to the wacky? Authors like Gini Koch are a master at the wacky. And I think as a reader you are either swept along for the ride (madly giggling to yourself) or you toss the book onto your dnf pile the moment you hit chapter six.
Given the series is about aliens and people with superpowers, it's not surprising there is a fair amount of wacky. The thing about Koch though, she makes you care for her vast number of characters. And she sets the stakes high, major characters are occasionally killed. So once again, some measure of balance comes into play.

I have been known to step away from some funny series when they devolved too far into wacky territory. I couldn't tell you what triggers my sudden dislike. Perhaps a certain amount of believability. Which I know sounds weird, we are talking fiction here, and usually PNR/UF fiction - so shifters, vamps, and magic are often in the mix.
I think perhaps my problem might be that the main character has failed to grow, learn any lessons from the previous six/seven books. Usually she's in a relationship, she and the Hero are moving forward with their lives. Probably living together by book two or three. Maybe marriage, kids.
But our Heroine is still doing the same stupid stuff she did in book one. Which was okay then, I found it fresh and funny. But by book seven I would be expecting her character to be evolving (and still funny) not devolving - and veering towards the wacky.

Pop culture funny. I think a lot of authors forget how specific this type of humour can be. Great if your entire target market grew up in the nineties. Not so great if the jokes are only relevant to a region or town. What's funny in the UK may leave any one reading in the US completely mystified.

Weird out of the blue funny. Read a novel years ago, admittedly not enjoying it very much. The characters were kind of unlikeable. But I was interested in the world building and wanted to see where the author was going to take things.
About three quarters of the way through - the heroine decided to cook a turkey. Even though she can't cook and the stove is too small. Suddenly I was confronted with this bizarre scene - where the turkey ended up somehow on someone's head (don't remember who).
As a reader, I was left frowning and a little gobsmacked. The scene just did not fit into the book. Worse, it put the final nail into the coffin of my feelings for the TSTL heroine.

When the funny stops for the sex scenes. Reading a book a couple of weeks ago. The H & h had a lovely snappy relationship. Zingers. Teasing. Light and fun. But every time they had sex, suddenly everything was very serious, bordering on the transcendent as they declared their feelings. Suddenly they seemed like two different characters.
I'm not saying the sex scene had to be funny, or full of one liners. But those sex scenes cast a kind of gloomy pall momentarily - as if the sun had gone away. It was jarring. And what the characters were saying wasn't consistent with eighty percent of the book.

As I stated upfront in the blog - humour is subjective. But when you find a funny book, the feeling is pretty darn great, isn't it? Your life is a little brighter. Your problems lessen - even if momentarily.


So here's wishing you all a little funny - Happy Reading

Owning / Re-defining words in the feminist new age

Let's talk about all those words assigned purely to the female of the species with negative connotations. You know the ones I mean - bitch, harpy, hormonal, sassy, feisty, snappish, ditzy, cranky etc etc.

Hey, I can be all of those and ten other descriptive words two minutes prior to my first cup of coffee in the morning.

Only in the last few years have I felt women have begun to step out from under the burden of these stereotypical descriptives and either own them or re-define them.

Bitch - I think we still have a way to go on this word. But more and more there is a lingering idea that a bitch takes charge, says what she likes and gets things done. It isn't all negative all the time.
Just like it is hard to be a bitch twenty-four/seven. Women are multi-faceted and I think we need to remember that.
Just like we need to channel our inner bitch for good, not evil. Not for bringing people down. But for standing up for ourselves and others. Refusing to back down when we know we are right. When we see an injustice. If I get labelled a bitch just for speaking up, just for speaking my mind - then I will wear that label proudly.

Sassy - I often note that female comedians are labelled sassy. As if that is a compliment. For me - to sass someone is generally to talk back to your betters/elders. So yes, I have a problem with sassy, as a label I find it a little demeaning for grown women to be associated with child like behaviour.
I'm going to have to work harder on re-defining this word.

Ditzy - ever hear of a man being labelled a ditz? Me neither.
To be fair, I have been known to have the occasional brain fart. My brain, mouth and or limbs don't always co-ordinate in perfect harmony.
But for some reason women and their level of intelligence is deemed a marker in our society. Not enough we have to be a size 0, a loving wife, an organised mother, a wise friend, a pillar in the community - now if you don't at least have a degree in theoretical physics ( which of course you never use because you are too damn busy recycling and chauffeuring the kids around) you get slapped with the ditz label.
This one needs to go - there's no hope of re-defining.

Snappish/Cranky - look, we are adult women, I refuse to allow any label that is more appropriate for a toddler to be slapped on me. You want to see snappish, just go ahead an accuse me of being it, and we'll see how far it gets you.

Which brings me to the word - Shrew. Not a word you hear a lot of lately. Shakespeare used it to define the lead in one of his plays (interesting to note that the role would have been played by a male in drag originally - oops, tangent) I'm not sure if you know the play - The Taming of the Shrew - the lead female was acknowledged as mouthy, and smart but what really set the cat amongst the pigeons was that she didn't listen to every male opinion, nor did she feel the need for a man in her life to complete her.
Yeah, yeah, love wins out and the arrogant male lead 'tames' her - but for how long, seriously? Once the curtain came down I give it two days before she kicked him to the curb for being a know-it-all idiot.
Shrew, might be a hot button word for some. But to me, Shrew is just another word the male of the species uses to label any woman who is strong, speaks her mind, is independent and doesn't pine for a man/kids to complete her (she'll get around to him on her terms, when she is good and ready)

I even identified one of my heroines as being a Shrew (book 7) but I think I made it clear that Devon, my h, could have cared less what people thought of her. She was funny, snarly, bitchy, loyal, loving, thoughtful, and independent. And yes, I labelled her a Shrew - but I think she owned the title - and didn't let the title own her.

Labels are inevitable - but it's up to each of us to own them or re-define them according to who we are and what we want out of life. Those labels, those words, they are only as negative, or as positive as we allow them to be. We are the ones who give them power - so use that power wisely - my sage, gorgeous and wonderful friends.

Happy reading

Writing a 5 star PNR - It should be easy

Right? I mean, I'm not that hard to please. I just want to be swept away by a hot sizzling romance. Some tension/action thrown in, with a layered bad guy. Make the dialogue sparkle. And the laughs should be unexpected and plentiful. Easy, right?

Yeah, not so much. But not to worry, I am getting closer to cracking the formulae for not just writing a 5 star, but how I go about choosing books to read.

101 - guide to creating the books I (and hopefully you) want to read.

- Avoid the Tropes. No ones magic should just increase exponentially for no reason just to get characters out of a tight spot. No one should get punished because they didn't know the rules of the secret society. Seriously, it's a secret, find another way to have the H spank the h (if you really, really must, but I really wish you wouldn't) Every male character should not be in love with the h, who the author keeps insisting is kind of plain, but either her magic or the way she blinks lures them in constantly, no explanation given.
...Too many tropes to address but you know what I'm talking about.

- The heroine. She can't be all bitch all the time. But nor can she be the opposite end of the spectrum and all light and sunshine. A reviewer hit on the perfect 5 star heroine - I want to be her best friend.
Lightbulb moment, people. Yes. Think about the emotional facets of your BFF. Funny. Dark. Edgy. Cheerful. Bitchy. Sympathetic. Knows how to talk you down off a cliff. Knows when to tell you to suck it up.
There will be grim moments, but we all know, even in the darkest moments when you are with a friend you smile, you laugh.
She will be smart, capable, there will be no TSTL moments - unless she gets herself out of the trouble on her own. There might be tears, but they won't be woe is me, they will be tears of frustration and she will come out swinging. She won't take crap. And she knows her worth.
Yeah, every heroine I meet, I should would want to be her bestie (thanks Pet, for distilling that down for me)

- The hero. He can be Alpha. But he can't be an asshole. He can be smart. But not an arrogant prick. And the only reason, EVER, that he should spank a grown woman is for mutual consent bedroom fun times. Never to get information from a woman, nor as a form of punishment. First, it demeans women. Second, it makes me want to gag when a couple of chapters later she shrugs it off, and gets into bed with him.
He should have a sense of humour. Be capable. Skilled. He should respect the h, and everything she brings to the relationship whether that be mental or physical skills. I don't mind if he has to be taught this, but the h needs to make sure he learns.
He should have friends, family, be a fully developed, layered character.... who just also happens to look fantastic bare-chested in a kilt.

- Bad Guy/Villain - their motivation needs to make sense. They too need layers. And they don't necessarily have to be bad all the time.. They can show other emotions, I won't think any less of them.

- World Building. I want some. But I want it to be done with a deft, light touch. If you info dump all over me, we are courting dnf status. I don't want things spoon fed to me. I'm a grown up, I can extrapolate if I have to.
Most importantly, once you've laid out the world and the rules - be consistent. If you change the rules (a character getting an unexpected power upgrade) then explain why they are an exception. If not, I'm just going to think the author is lazy and has no creativity.

- Action / Tension. Again, I want some. And I do not want a cliffhanger. You can leave some threads unfinished, to be picked up in the next instalment. But for the lead characters, I want either a clear HEA, or a plateau moment of happiness. I invest my time reading your novel, the least I deserve is some small measure of closure/reward.

- Be fresh/unique. I'm not into reading about billionaire bears who turn into dragons after midnight. But even if I was I would want new, interesting tales and characters every read. Not the same re-tread over and over again, just changing the title and cover.
And when an author does try something new, can we not punish them for it? Instead take a moment to appreciate a new perspective or fresh take.
I sometimes think my H, Locke, from book 3 gets a hard time from readers. He wears suits, is a dirtaphobe and more than a little OCD. But while some readers appreciate him, others, because he's not all grrr, and bare-chested, can't seem to appreciate his sense of humour, or his character.
Seriously, how many series have I read where it feels like the characters (heroines especially) are interchangeable. All sweet, petite and a little sassy. Only the names seem to change. And I get bored.
So when an author shifts the lines, suddenly starts writing sci-fi, or about elves, or accountants - let's take a breath and appreciate the attempt and provide a little support.

- Know when to call it quits. Not every idea should be transformed into a series. A stand alone book, done really well, can be a wondrous thing. And not every series needs to be a trilogy (looking at you Maria Snyder) or have ten instalments or more. When you run out of ideas, be realistic and don't kill off our love by continuing to drag it out.

I'm probably missing a host of other factors for making every book a 5 star read. That's why it is an elusive, ongoing search for perfection. And you just cannot factor in the personal taste of every reader - how often do you read a baffled 1 star review and they are wondering what all the fuss is about?

Hoping all of you are happily immersed in a 5 star read right now.

Happy reading

FREE - To Woo A Warrior (Book 1 Southern Sanctuary) - Spread the word.

Tell all your friends. For FOUR more days - To Woo A Warrior is available for free on AMAZON.

Why? Because I think every day should have romance in it - not just Valentine's Day.

Spread the word. And warn everybody not to read my books in public.
Note what several reviewers have said -

"I was laughing so loudly on the bus, people were moving away from me."

"I laughed myself into a coughing fit"


Jane Cousins

To Woo A Warrior

It was common knowledge that Hadleigh Valhalla was a complete failure when it came to men. Too blood thirsty. Too tall at six foot six and without a coy bone in her too voluptuous body. If there had been a ‘fun, flirty and feminine’ test, she would have failed it hands down.

Thankfully she was much more suited to her role as an Enforcer, protecting her magically enhanced eccentric extended family on a daily basis from all kinds of nasties. It was a job she loved, much preferring to be out there beheading the baddies than dating any day of the week … much less stressful.

Except now there’s a new threat in town. Great-Aunt Alma, the family match maker, has returned to the fold and set her sights squarely on all the singletons. Hadleigh will do anything she has to in order to avoid Alma’s matchmaking manoeuvres even if that means signing on as the newest member of the hit reality TV show ‘Paranormal Exterminators.’

Vaughn, Captain of the Goddess Maat’s Elite Warriors has a mission, to find and annihilate any and all magical beings that threaten to tilt the scales of justice into chaos.

A paranormal reality TV show provides the perfect cover. But there’s trouble on set. Their only female cast member has gone missing and they need a replacement fast. Enter Hadleigh Valhalla, the most luscious thing on two legs he’s seen in a century. From the moment he sets eyes on her he’s determined to make her his.

There’s only one problem, Hadleigh insists she has a strict no dating policy. Claiming she’d rather be fighting than flirting.

A series of mishaps means it’s a race against time for Vaughn and Hadleigh to discover just who is targeting the show and stop them before someone gets seriously hurt or dead. While doing so Vaughn intends to teach Hadleigh to break all the rules and prove to her she is his warrior. His woman.

Blame the muse...

Deep breath, do not panic. Darcy's story is definitely next. I am totally confirming that Book 12 - To Handle A Hellcat - is a go, to be published mid year.

However. You know how I said Elijah and Copper's story would be book 13 - To Goad A Goddess... um, see, there's been a change of plans. First, I did not lie. I intended to tell Elijah's story next but my Muse had other plans.
This idea surfaced and it just would not leave me alone - rather like a post-it-note sicked on me by an Air Mage. What about all the singles left behind when Great-Aunt Alma took off on her sabbatical?
No one knew at the time she was going to be gone for twenty-two years. So what about the generation that got screwed?

What about Patricia Bennett, Head Librarian?

I'd hinted at her love interest in Book 6 - To Date A Disaster, where she clashed with Lester Cullen who she believes is stealing her library books. They are so at odds she took him to court - which kind of backfired when his potting shed was declared an official Library Annexe.

And the more I kind of played with the idea of Patricia's story - the more I realised that it deserved to be told. Not only that - it fits in perfectly with the timeline.

Already have a few elements circling - the God of Chaos , Apep, is awake and of course wants to meet his long-lost descendent, Cara. So expect more disasters to occur at the library.
The babies are growing, fast. So we will be catching up with their progress.
Cullen has a murky past that has followed him to the Sanctuary and danger will abound.
And I may even call the cats up for some action. At the very least the interfering Great-Great-Aunts will do what they do best.

Being six foot in height, Patricia has always fancied the idea of a TALL Warrior sweeping her off her feet.
Cullen, at only five-eight, is going to have his work cut out convincing Patricia that he is her perfect match.

Have only just started, and I'm going to be seriously busy as I am in the process of selling my house - but I can see the vague shape of where the story is going to go - should be fun.
I'll be dropping more hints regarding the story via twitter as the writing progresses. Follow me there - JCousins_Author (or just search on my name and my gorgeous mug will pop up) - if you want to stay up to date with all the madness.

Happy Reading

When a series you love has a hiccup.

I am a devoted fan of a number of series. They dominate my must buy list. I stalk the authors who write them for publication dates and hints of what the future might bring for my fave characters and the world they inhabit.
But more and more lately I've hit a few speed bumps with my favourite series. A mis-step in some cases, with the series getting back on track with the next instalment. But the more worrisome trend is the out of control slide down a black-ice covered road into a ditch - and I'm not sure my love for the series will survive the crash.

So why is it so hard for authors to write consistently high quality good additions to their series?
Oh - let me count the ways.

The shock of success - You know the series, it slams out of the gates, picks you up and has you by the fandom throat by the first chapter.
First Grave on the Right - by Darynda Jones is a great example of this. Fresh, funny character. Excellent world building. An epic romance. And the next several books in the series were worthy successors. No doubt Jones had plotted out a direction for her characters/plot when she first started writing the Charley Davidson series - but did she ever think she'd be writing book 12 plus? Had she plotted that far? Did she understand that for a reader/fan - they need to see the characters change/grow, develop over the arc of a series to keep it fresh and realistic? - no one likes a character making the same stupid mistakes 12 books in.

The one star read recently published that kills all love for the series - You know the one. You're coasting along with five/four star reads. Loving the characters, the direction and the world. The next book in the series is released - happy days. You carve time out of your busy schedule, sit down, crack it open and from the first word, the first chapter, a horrible feeling clenches your gut. What the... hell? Why are the characters acting so inconsistently? Where is the plot? Where's the humour/action/romance that you have come to expect from this great author?

The repetitive factor - I'm looking at you J.D Robb. Big fan of the Eve Dallas series. I will keep on reading, no matter what. But 35 plus books into the series (with only 2-3 years passing in the book world) - I never thought I'd say it but the romance side of the equation is beginning to bore me. Haven't we seen Eve dither over having to organise the Christmas party several times already - only to triumph at the last second.
And the murder plot lines have begun to grow erratic - almost like several different authors are involved in churning these out.
And whilst I'm complaining - what happened to developing Peabody into a kick ass detective? - she's reverted into this immature squealing girly girl obsessed with all things pink.

Shifting the lead characters every book - these instalments in the series offer a fresh perspective on the world with every new book offering. But an author really needs to step up here, each new couple has to capture the readers/fans love. Which is harder than you think - how many ways are there to write alpha males and strong females without them feeling samey or interchangeable?
To make the situation even more complicated, while we don't want to read about the 'same' types of characters over and over again - the author has to be careful not to stray too far from the formula that attracted the fans in the first place.
Thea Harrison's Elder Races series springs to mind as a good example - for me, at about book 7 I hit my first speed bump - loathed the female lead. Felt better about book 8 - but then book 9 - hell, I hated the heroine, and the set-up so much that I pulled the plug entirely on the series. Yet, I still happily re-read the first 6 books in the series.
And think I need to bring Nalini Singh's Psy/Changeling series under this heading - the Changelings all began to feel - well, interchangeable. And don't even get me started on her heroines - Sahara, Ivy, et al - same girl different name. I still read the series, love the world, but damn, I wish the characters would break out of their mould. (Saying that, Silver Silence has given us Silver - and she rocks attitude - yeah)

Veering off in a completely new direction - You know the series, you're coasting along and then, wham, the author surprises the hell out of you. Sometimes this is the breath of fresh air the series needed. Other times it only makes you grit your teeth and groan - Anita Blake series, anyone? Sex over plot - interesting direction, not to everyone's tastes however.

Slow burn series - Think sometimes these are the most successful at keeping the fans hooked. No expectations. You enjoyed the first book in the series, it was well written and you liked the characters. Ah hell might as well give book 2 a go. Ten books later these series are firmly entrenched on your must buy list - Eileen Wilks - Lupi series. Ilona Andrews - Kate Daniels series. Patricia Briggs - Mercy series. Seanan Maguire - October Daye Series.

Wow, when you think about it - creating a series, where every instalment is a five star read is kind of tough. Especially given the diverse nature of fans/readers.
The problem is, I've been spoilt by the authors who make it seem so effortless - Shelley Laurenston's Pride series. Gini Koch and her wonderfully creative Kitty universe. Jim Butcher and his captivating Harry Dresden world. And a host of others.

I suppose all I can do is keep writing, striving to create the best series I can - avoid the pitfalls, stay true to the characters and the world they inhabit... no whining, I love writing, but every time I release a book I hold my breath... will this be someone's hiccup? Damn, I hope not.

Wishing you nothing but five star reads.

Welcoming 2018 - and answering all your burning questions.

Hello all you gorgeous people. Happy 2018 - may it bring you happiness, health and lots and lots of five star reads.

Decided to start this year off right - by cleaning out my mailbox. My, there are some quirky questions this time, let's get to it.

Q - Will we ever see the matchmaking cats again?
A - Absolutely. They will certainly be making an appearance in Elijah/Copper's story - I have big plans for the cats. Copper is going to prove a worthy opponent when it comes to dealing with their mischievous ways.

Q - I love all the background threads interwoven throughout the series/each book. And the re-occurring secondary support characters. How do you go about bringing it all together, through planning or is it more organic?
A - When I started writing book 1 - To Woo A Warrior, I deliberately introduced a lot of potential lead characters for future books without giving too much detail away about their magic. That way I didn't paint myself into a literature corner when it came to future creative endeavours.
Yet, the more books I wrote, the more I began to get glimpses of future works/ideas and began to add more details. Like Gigi and her 'canary' rabbit that tastes her magical chocolates/sweets in order to see if they are harmful. And I knew from book 2 - To Trap A Temptress - that Riya would be mysteriously 'magically' pregnant for her first meeting with her future meld/mate, but I really hadn't worked out the logistics - the how and why part until I came to write her story. (Which had been bubbling away in the back of my head for a few years now).
This is probably going to come as a shock, but I really considered Gaia a throw away secondary character. Expecting her to shine in book 1 as Bridezilla - but never to be seen again. But there was just something splendid about her character, and she's proven to be a great re-occurring secondary character. Plus I think she's a hoot.
I deliberately waited until book 5 - To Bedevil A Beauty - to really focus on the Southern Sanctuary and introduce the readers to the three towns and a lot more secondary characters. The three Great-Great-Aunts, Adelaide, Daphne and Margot - wow, they surprised even me with how delightfully interfering, but well-meaning they turned out to be.
And I always knew that in a future book I wanted to return to Paranormal Exterminators - The Maat Warriors TV show, and set a story based in that world. It seemed a natural progression for book 11 - To Fight A Fate - to feature that as a background, sneakily bringing Hadleigh and Vaughn's love story full circle (Where it all began).
Okay, I could keep writing about this all day, because I love this world and these characters... but you get the overall view. If you want to know more about a specific story arc, or a character just forward me a question and I'll do my best to answer in more detail.

Q - Darcy? Do I need to say more?
A - Trust me, I've got this. It's official. Book 12 - To Handle A Hellcat - featuring Darcy is written in draft form.
I like to write a book, put it on a figurative shelf for 5 months or so, and then re-work/edit it with fresh eyes. Unfortunately, I never really know how much work will be required to finalise the book until that stage - so the publication date is a little hazy but should be mid- 2018.

Q - I'm really looking forward to Copper and Elijah's story, can you give me any details about what happens?
A - Damn it, yes, I know I said - Book 13 would be their story, titled To Goad A Goddess, just one problem, I kind of had this fantastic idea for Patricia and Cullen which may... or may not derail my plans.
Remember Patricia? She's the head librarian. And Cullen is the one who keeps stealing her books, turning his 'potting shed' into an official Southern Sanctuary Library Annexe, much to Patricia's horror. I kind of had this whole christmas themed story/idea... I just don't know about the timings.
Should know more when I sit down to start writing book 13 in about two weeks time.

Q - Any hints as to future couples/stories?
A - Sure, I'm always up for dropping a few teasing hints. Hmmm, let's see... okay, Daniel, host of the Paranormal Exterminators TV show - I pretty much know his story. It's in my head, but haven't bothered to write any notes as yet, but it is going to be fun.
Who else? Vague ideas are circling for Gigi, but nothing has grabbed me as yet. Same goes for Fraser, I have an inkling of what her story arc will be, but nothing concrete as yet.
Nico... yeah, don't know what to do with Nico yet. Should he hook up with the much younger Riordan (who has the four over-protective policeman brothers)... ? Maybe.
And then there is Dash and Flynn to consider... nope, only the vaguest of ideas are swirling at the moment when it comes to the final two Maat Warriors.

Q - Congratulations on 11 books, the series is wonderful. Will you just stick with writing the Southern Sanctuary Series or are you considering other projects?
A - I love the Southern Sanctuary - and at this stage don't see an end in sight for the Series. Am at the mercy of my muse - and would love to start another series, just waiting for that idea/world to seize my imagination and insist it be written.

Q - Does being funny come naturally to you?
A - Yes it does, I'm hilarious in real life. I don't really have to work too hard to write funny. Once I know my characters their witty dialogue just flows, and I'm usually just typing as fast as I can to keep up with them.

Well, that's the end of another Q & A session. Am aways interested in hearing your thoughts and reading your questions - so feel free to drop me a line/message anytime you want.

Thank you so much for coming on this journey with me - love you guys. Appreciate all your ratings and reviews... can never get enough of those reviews... especially when they are also uploaded onto Amazon (hint.. hint - it's just a matter of copying and pasting)

Time for me to go and start taking down the Christmas decorations. Happy New Year, Gorgeous People... kisses and five star reads for everyone!

To Fight A Fate - Southern Sanctuary Book 11 - out NOW.

Ever had one of those days? Riya Tong, Fate Weaver and half-dragon, is having a doozy. First she wakes to find herself mysteriously seven months pregnant. Then she encounters Marcus, Maat Warrior. The man might be gorgeous but the judgmental know-it-all jerk seems to believe he has the right to stick his nose where it doesn’t belong. Compounding the insult by making it all too clear he thinks Riya’s magic borders on the lame. Thank heavens they never have to see one another again.

Problem is, Fate has other plans. Para-Exterminators, the reality TV show Maat’s Warriors use as cover to hide their supernatural mission is under threat. There is a monster loose and a bevy of assassins targeting Marcus, desperate to get their hands on the cursed chaos rubies.

Forced to work together, Riya and Marcus quickly discover that beneath all the dislike and antagonism, an irresistible mutual attraction burns, threatening to consume them both. Only question is, will they live long enough to discover that you can’t fight Fate?

To Fight A Fate (Southern Sanctuary - Book 11) Available now for Pre-order

Ever had one of those days? Riya Tong, Fate Weaver and half-dragon, is having a doozy. First she wakes to find herself mysteriously seven months pregnant. Then she encounters Marcus, Maat Warrior. The man might be gorgeous but the judgmental know-it-all jerk seems to believe he has the right to stick his nose where it doesn’t belong. Compounding the insult by making it all too clear he thinks Riya’s magic borders on the lame. Thank heavens they never have to see one another again.

Problem is, Fate has other plans. Para-Exterminators, the reality TV show Maat’s Warriors use as cover to hide their supernatural mission is under threat. There is a monster loose and a bevy of assassins targeting Marcus, desperate to get their hands on the cursed chaos rubies.

Forced to work together, Riya and Marcus quickly discover that beneath all the dislike and antagonism, an irresistible mutual attraction burns, threatening to consume them both. Only question is, will they live long enough to discover that you can’t fight Fate?