Heather C. Leigh's Blog, page 2
May 26, 2016
Romance Trends?
I was sitting down and planning out my releases for the year and began wondering what might be the next trend in romance. We’ve had
vampires
billionaires
apocalypse
step brothers
sports idols
bearded MC
Where will the genre go next?
With limitless storylines and the imaginations of thousands of authors, it’s almost impossible to tell which way the wind will blow. Will paranormal make a comeback? Or maybe young adult? It could literally be anything. I have an itching suspicion we’re tilting toward bad boys, and not of the “he smokes a cigarette and rides a motorcycle” bad boys. I mean flat out criminal menaces. Men who break the law repeatedly and without shame. They kill, injure, and maim. They steal, sell drugs, run gambling rings, and hide from authorities in plain sight.
It’s only a guess, but I’m laying my money on the Super Bad Boy springing forth on your Kindles in the near future. Maybe I’ve already penned an SBB myself.
We’ll have to wait and see.
May 16, 2016
MMA and Me—A Love Story
I’m sure everyone has at one time or another seen—or at the very least, heard of—the sport called Mixed Martial Arts, or MMA. While I won’t bore you with the history of the sport, or its continuous evolution into what you see today, I will share my own history with MMA and why it features so heavily in many of my books.
My husband is a big, fit guy who was once upon a time a bouncer in his college days. (He ended up working in computer engineering, go figure, a job that requires no physical skill whatsoever.) He never failed to miss a single episode of the very first season of The Ultimate Fighter, a reality show in which a houseful of UFC hopefuls fight until one winner prevails and lands a coveted UFC contract.
That was all it took. My husband officially became obsessed with the sport. In the ten or so years since he watched that first season, plus all of the UFC fights that followed, he dove headfirst into the sport. My husband has taken classes in Muay Thai, Jiu Jitsu, Krav Maga, and Kickboxing. He practiced each sport for several years before he would switch to another style, eager to learn as many as possible.
He studied under former and current UFC fighters, retired Israeli soldiers, and world champion kick boxers. While he honed his skills in the gym, at home I watched the televised fights right alongside my husband, rooting for Chuck Liddell, Forrest Griffin, and of course, George St. Pierre. I swear, if my husband had discovered MMA in his twenties instead of his thirties, he would have joined the circuit and become a pro fighter.
So you see, a huge part of my life revolves around one of the sub-fields of MMA in some way or another. You can’t live with someone so involved with a sport and not take interest in his passion. My hubby owns more T-shirts covered in different logos and martial arts sayings than anyone I know. Besides, it’s super-hot to see your guy all taped up, stepping into the cage with another man, ready to fight, even if it is just sparring.
As a writer, I introduced MMA in the Famous Series as a pastime of my hero, Drew Forrester. Drew used the sport as way to release stress as well as a hardcore workout. As I continued creating characters, I interwove MMA more and more in the heroes’ backgrounds. In Strike, Dax Davies, guitarist for a world famous rock band, started his life as a bareknuckle boxer in his father’s underground club in London. In 2015, I brought MMA to the forefront of a story with Ricochet, a series revolving around an MMA training facility that serves as a front for a black ops mercenary organization. Military meets MMA, soldiers and fighters. It doesn’t get much sexier than that.
Which brings me to my latest release, Killer. In Killer, the hero, Keller Keating, is a professional UFC fighter, and a master in both Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu. The sport is the reason the main characters meet, how they bond, how they are brought together. To me, skillful fighting is a way for my hero to express his masculinity and strength, without being some douchebag who punches random men for no reason. The amount of focus and control necessary to win in the cage is a big part of the sex appeal. A man who can easily demolish someone with his fists, yet choses to remain calm and calculated in his attacks, is seduction at its finest.
It doesn’t hurt that the men are half naked, trim, muscled, and usually quite attractive. I know my eyes never complain when I watch a fight with my husband.
There’s your little peek inside my head, why I tend to weave MMA or fighting into my novels in one way or another. We write what we know, right? Maybe not always. I’m currently working on a book about a heroin addict and I’ve never in my life touched or even seen the stuff.
Sometimes, it’s just good research. It is fiction after all.
Cheers and happy reading.
March 25, 2016
Now I’ve seen it all.
Lets talk lube. Yes, lube. Romance writers, especially ones who write gay romance (such as myself from time to time), mention lube. A lot. It’s one of those realities that can’t be avoided sometimes. A necessary evil, if you will.
Everyone knows the regulars— K-Y, Astroglide, Durex… So let’s talk about some of the, let’s call them “niche” lubes, shall we?
Gun Oil– Not to be confused with actual oil to lubricate a weapon (the metal kind you dirty birds), unlike the whoopsie found by shopper Jamie Lee Bracey at this Walmart. Watch video here.
Extra large tub of Anal Lube– pretty self explanatory, wouldn’t you say? But why on earth would you want HOT cinnamon in your nether regions?
Moist Anal Lube- Yes, because nothing makes purchasing lube more cringe-worthy than adding everyone’s most hated word to the product name.
Mr. Marcus’ Booty Butter– I just can’t even so here’s the product description. Oh, and note, it’s flavored. “Dip into this sexy anal lube and be treated to delicious scents picked out by Mr. Marcus himself! Just the treat for your next backdoor encounter, this creamy lube comes in a handy jar for easy access. The thick consistency ensures that your anal play is easy and fun, and the sweet scents are sure to arouse your passions.”
Wet Unicorn Spit- I saved the best for last, folks. Wet Unicorn Spit is, per the company, “It’s magically delicious! Wet® Unicorn Spit™ tastes like your favorite doughnut without all of the fat and no sugar. Cause unicorns are looking out for you.” AND it’s Kosher, you know, because if you’re Jewish and need anal lube, it’s gotta have that rabbi stamp of approval.
Well, I feel more educated in the world of personal anal lubricants. I mean, until today I had no idea you could purchase donut and cocoa flavored backside slippy-slide. And I really am comforted at the thought of companies taking individuals religious inclinations into account. That’s important when choosing a lube.
Now, to wash that Unicorn Spit off my hands.
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March 23, 2016
The worst date ever, and he didn’t even know.
One date. One poop. Eighteen tweets.
That’s how it started.
Mikala, aka @_blotty on Twitter, tweeted her story out Monday night while on a date.
And her final Tweet? 
There are no words, people. No words.
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March 22, 2016
Awesome Jobs- Why aren’t we doing this?
You always hear your friends say things like, “I’d love to get paid to drink beer all day.” Everyone knows it’s just a dream, a joke, right?
No. This job is very real. And yes, you can get paid for it as well as other odd ways to earn some cash. (legally)
Four months of traveling the world and tasting beer – Yes, you can be a paid intern at World of Beer. Here’s the job description as posted on their website. “Whether you’re a photographer or writer, social media maverick or beer blog surfer, we are looking for you. Adventure seekers and storytellers, beer experts or novices, brewery nerds and foodie fans all open to apply. So if you want to live, drink and tell the tale to the world, get ready to apply for the chance to share your experience as a Drink It Intern.”
Sex toy tester – Yep, you read that right. Get paid to get off. Hot Octopuss put out this ad looking for people willing to masturbate for money. “Not getting the buzz you need from your current job role? Feeling un-stimulated? Looking for a job you can grow into? Hot Octopuss has a brand spanking new role that will get you buzzing with excitement…Hot Octopuss is a British company, sitting at the cutting edge of next generation sex toy design. We develop toys for men, women and couples that are designed to fit in with people’s lifestyles, not just their bedrooms.Following the success of the world’s first ‘guybrator’, we are on the hunt for our first ever part time Orgasm Engineer to help test our new range of male products.Successful applicants will be sent prototype sex toys to review on a regular basis and will be required to report back on their experiences.”
Professional bed tester – Well you didn’t think those hotel mattresses were just chucked into the rooms, did you? Someone has to make sure the bed is comfy enough to keep guests coming back. Hotel Finn (I used the Trip Advisor link because I wasn’t sure how many of you could read Finnish) in Helsinki, Finland posted a job looking for a “dynamic person to write a quality blog” about their experience living in the “best spot of summery Helsinki.”
Caretaker of tropical island off Great Barrier Reef – Australia proclaimed it the Best Job in the World. You can be paid $100+K annually to fulfill this description. “The successful applicant will be required to report back on their adventures to Tourism Queensland headquarters in Brisbane (and the rest of the world) via weekly blogs, photo diary, video updates and ongoing media interviews.”
Next time that alarm clock goes off at 5am and you slog through two hours of traffic to get to your cubicle, think about what you’d REALLY like to do. Like drink beer. And find a way to get paid.
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March 20, 2016
Sunday Series: Spring Recipes
Happy Spring! The vernal equinox is here, and with the flowers sprouting and the trees blooming, the world looks so green and happy! What a wonderful time 
And what better way to celebrate the coming of daffodils and higher pollen counts than revitalizing spring recipes? Here are three of my favorites:
1. Fruit Smoothies
Fresh Grapefruit Juice Smoothie
The sweet taste of fruit and yogurt with a dash of honey never fails to refresh me! This smoothie recipe contains grapefruit juice which adds a nice zing to a smoothie. It also has strawberries and of course the staple banana, so you can’t go wrong. Plus it only takes 15 minutes or so to make, so it’s great in a pinch.
Mmmmmmm :)
2. Lemon Anything
Lemon Bars
To me nothing says spring like a good lemon dessert! Lemon is delicious year-round, but something about the cool citrus compliments the sunshine after a long winter. These lemon bars are pretty basic and easy to make, yet they’re still packed with flavor. Simple + delectable = perfection.
Love that lemon!
3. Vegetable Spring Rolls
Roasted Asparagus Spring Rolls with Bacon
I just came across this vegetable spring roll recipe, and, while it looks fancy, it’s relatively easy to make. The wrapping is the most difficult part, but after one or two you get the hang of it, and the recipe links to a tutorial just in case. Plus the asparagus and the bacon make a tasty combo, so it’s delicious no matter what. They make a great appetizer or main course, especially when eaten on the back porch while the sun sets
Happy eating!
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March 18, 2016
Weapons in Fiction
So today I was researching guns. Yes guns. I seriously think the FBI is monitoring my IPS address based on my Google searches.
I’ve searched…
how to hide a body
how to slit a throat
blood spray patterns from beating someone to death
rocket propelled grenades
Iraqi insurgent camps
Stalkers and jail time
and many, many other odd things.
But for those authors that need a little bit of basic weapons advice, here’s a small bit of help.
Pistols and Handguns
Cops use 9mm or 40caliber Glock handguns. These DO NOT have safeties. This is the number one mistake I’ve seen over and over again. They hold 17-20 rounds.
FBI are issued 40caliber Glocks.
12 gauge and 20 gauge shotguns are the kind you see people cocking loudly on TV. They are short range weapons but will blow a really big hole. Usually, just the sound of the shotgun being cocked will cause any criminal to run the hell away.A shotgun will only hold 3-5 rounds. That’s it.
Normal citizens can carry just about any handgun. Smaller ones that are easy to aim (less kickback) are good for women- 380’s, and men carry typical 9mm or 40 caliber handguns. People rarely carry around massive Desert Eagle type weapons. They are huge, loud, and heavy as hell with a kickback that most casual shooters have very little ability to control.
Semi-automatic weapons are legal in many states. They are really simply guns that don’t need to be racked or cocked each time you shoot. That includes pretty much every handgun available except for revolvers. They are not any different in anyway. Also not semi-automatic are bolt action rifles (hunting rifles).
Automatic weapons are highly regulated. Criminals may have one illegally obviously. Otherwise, the only Americans with automatic weapons are active duty military or police agencies. Citizens can purchase automatic weapons legally, but are almost never granted permission to own one. Your PI won’t have one, your undercover billionaire/security guy won’t have one. Pretty much leave these out unless you write military or police stories.
My advice is to research your weapons based on your character. Women who are citizens, would carry a smaller gun. Police, almost always a Glock. Check the individual weapons for quirks or special details.
Good luck, and happy shooting.
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March 14, 2016
Release Day Nerves
Ugh! It’s the best and worst day in an author’s week/month/year. Release day. All of your blood, sweat, and tears is available for the general public to either purchase or ignore, give a good review or slam, make cute gifs about it or hideous ones.
Don’t get me wrong, readers should absolutely purchase what they want, when they want, but we authors really want to see our books sell well those first precious few days. Weeks and sometimes months of work is edited, trimmed, and formatted into a neat 100-400 page document with an eye-catching cover, and put up for the world to see.
KILLER comes out tomorrow, and I am nervous as hell. Yes, it’s my fourteenth release. But for some reason, this one feels different. Maybe it’s because KILLER is a very different book than the ones I usually write. From celebrity romance to dark post-school shooting romance is a pretty big change. Will my fans appreciate the new genre? Or will they avoid it? Will I gain new fans? Or lose old ones?
Sigh. Unfortunately, what makes it all so stressful is that we (authors) have absolutely no control over any of this. We can only write our hearts out, put our thoughts and characters in words, and hold our breath and see if anyone cares.
If you are interested in getting KILLER, the links are here…
AMAZON US http://amzn.to/1pAc2kO
AMAZON UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01CRIYQFM
AMAZON CA https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01CRIYQFM
IBOOKS https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/book/killer/id1079179568…
KOBO https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/killer-23
*fingers crossed* I’m going to get some Mylanta now.
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March 13, 2016
Sunday Series: DIY Crafts
Hello! I’m new to the blogging world, so I hope this comes across well…I’ve decided to start with a Sunday series about crafts because I love little projects like that. I used to make jewelry and still do occasionally, but anything creative makes me happy. I found this cool post on about DIY crafts to try in 2016, and it has great ideas on anything from candles to cards to jewelry to home decoration. The ones I want to try the most are the lamp and the friendly bookmarks:
So sleek and upbeat! Find how to make it here.
These are so cute and springy Instructions here.
So now I have some ideas for how to occupy free time if I ever get any of that…What DIY crafts do you enjoy?
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