An Interview with Honoria Ravena

Please join me in welcoming Ms. Honoria Ravena as she shares with us a little about her writing, who she has a crush with, and gives us a tantillizing snippet of her latest release, The Devil's Trap.

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:
1)  Links to website and list of books with purchase links.
Website

Books:
Biohazard
Strapless
Fear of Darkness
The Devil’s Trap

2)  How long have you been writing? What got you in to writing?
I’ve been writing for about ten or eleven years. I started writing when I was like eleven. I have dyslexia, so that was about the time I started to actually enjoy reading. And I’d always think “You know, this would make a good story” or “That’s not the way I would have ended that book.” Then I fell in love with this book by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes called Shattered Mirror. I was obsessed with her writing for a while and so I actually bothered to read her bio, and I found out she was published at thirteen. I figured I could do that. I didn’t manage it, but writing stuck.

3) What was your first published book?
Looking back, is there anything you’d change about it? My first books came out back to back. The absolute first one was Fear of Darkness. It’s since been completely rewritten for its re-release with Breathless Press, so I got to change all the things I didn’t like about it when it was first published. Biohazard came out the day after it, and I’d change a lot about that book. It’s a short story, but it wasn’t meant to be. It was a product of me cramming a big idea into a small word count. It’s still a good story. My friend Megan’s favorite actually. But there are so many places where I would expand. And when my contract is up on it, I might ask to pull it to do a rewrite. Think my publisher would go for that?

4) What or Who has influenced your writing?
Amelia Atwater-Rhodes, the woman I mentioned above had a huge impact. Laurell K. Hamilton was a big influence on me too, and gave me my love of kick ass heroines. And if there’s anything Sherrilyn Kenyon and J.R. Ward should teach, it’s how to make memorable, amazing heroes.

5) Where do you get your ideas?
Mostly books, and TV. History is a big one for me too. Sometimes something a person says can just set my brain off and send me scrambling for paper.

6) What hinders your writing? (distractions? noise?)
OMG. It’s a long list. My attention span is as short as a hummingbird’s on crack. I lack self-discipline like you can’t imagine, which is another reason why I admire J.R. Ward. The internet has to be my biggest problem. I can’t get off of it, and I can find all manner of random things to distract myself with.

7) What genre are you most comfortable with? What would you like to explore?
I’m most comfortable in paranormal romance. That’s WHAT I write. I’d like to branch out and do sci-fi and fantasy romance. I really like romance, and would like to stay in the genre. I have a few straight horror ideas, but I just don’t know if they would hold my interest.

8) Are you a by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of writer, or do you have to use an outline to put your collective thoughts into some semblance of common sense?
When I get an idea, it usually comes fully formed as the first half of a book. So I write down what I have, and it does become a sort of outline, but I didn’t brainstorm to get there. Now the second half of my books are the tough parts where brainstorming is needed, so usually there’s more outlining there, rather than random notes of stuff. Honestly I’d like to try doing more formal outlining than just jumping in there, but it takes so long, and my brain will go so fast with scenes for a new book. I’ll hit the mid-way point, and go “Well, it’s too late to outline now…”

9) Which of your books is your favorite? Why?
I love my book The Devil’s Trap. The hero is yummy bad boyness. He’s an ancient vampire, so he can be a real pain in the butt. He’s one of those characters that was so loud in my head that I had to write his book. And the heroine is the perfect match for him.

10) Do you incorporate some of yourself into your characters? Personality traits? Likes? Dislikes?
I incorporate some of my likes and dislikes. My music and TV choices. And of course, almost all my characters will have a sense of humor, because that’s what I find appealing in people.

11) What do you think is the perfect hero/heroine? Why?
I like bad boy hero’s and tough heroines. Bad boy hero’s because they’re just yummy. And kick ass heroines because they’re kind of opposite of who I am. I’m very shy, and quiet, and I just like to live vicariously through someone who isn’t.

12) What is your latest release? Please share the blurb and purchase info with us.
The Devil's Trap. See blurb and excerpt below.

13) What do you have in the works?
I’m rewriting Laden’s story now. He’s a werewolf from The Devil’s Trap, and then after comes Alaric’s book, who is also a character in The Devil’s Trap. I’d also like to start work on my sci-fi series, just because it might be nice to start something new and take a break from my paranormals.

14) Do you have any suggestions/comments for prospective authors?
Research the publishers you’re submitting to CAREFULLY. My first publisher was not on the up and up, and I paid for it. And I was lucky to get away from them, because they didn’t give rights back to all the writers that wanted to leave. So never skimp on the research, even if you think they can be trusted, make sure.

And another thing is get feedback on you’re writing. Join a critique group. Submit to contests. It’s important! I was the Acquisitions Manager at Breathless Press for quite a while, and so many things get rejected because of mistakes that would have been pointed out in your critique group.

JUST FOR FUN:

1) Is there anywhere you’d like to visit? Why?
I LOVE travel, and I’ll make it simple and say I want to go everywhere. I love studying history and other cultures. At the moment I really want to go to Scotland. Been reading too many books with Scottish hero’s lately.

2) Do you have any obsessions? What are they?
Oh yeah. I love belly dance. I love to watch it, do it, and buy the accessories. I’m mostly a tribal fusion dancer, and a great admirer of Rachel Brice. I’m also a beauty product junky. Mostly makeup, but some skincare and hair care products. I’m actually going to school for skincare and makeup application right now. I will hopefully be a licensed Esthetician by the end of 2012

3) Do you have a crush on any actor/actress? Who?
Ian Somerhalder from The Vampire Diaries. He’s so hot, and then you read things he’s written and he’s smart, and started a foundation for the environment, stopping animal cruelty and educating young people on these issues. SO he’s hot, and a positive influence on people.

EXCERPT from The Devil's Trap:

Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Breathless Press
Purchase

Format: e-book

BLURB:

Regan is the best vampire hunter money can buy. But when she's paid to kill one of the most powerful vampires in existence, she doesn't realize she's in way over her head. Things go terribly wrong, and there is no escape...

Zarek is so powerful, he scares other vampires. One little hunter should be no challenge. However, Regan is different, and as soon as he sees her, he will do anything to keep her. But she's a stubborn woman who refuses to let someone else control her.

When a powerful enemy comes to town, she's forced to trust Zarek with her life. Who is the larger threat? The man out to destroy humankind? Or the vampire determined to own her heart?

Excerpt: Adult

I reached the wooden bar and slid onto a sleek black stool with a groan of relief. In front of me, a shirtless vampire buffed the countertop, muscles flexing with each circle he made. Now this was a guy you actually dreamed about seeing naked. He was built like a god. Every muscle toned to perfection. He had probably been a big, chiseled guy before, and vampire blood washed away any flaws he might have had as a mortal. His raven-black hair gleamed in the lights. He was the perfect thing to bring in young women for a bite on the neck.

I sighed in pure feminine pleasure. Just because he was a vampire didn't mean I couldn't appreciate the view. But, a black aura and raw vampiric strength bled from him. He would have been jump-his-bones hot if his power didn't creep over my skin like spiders. I suppressed a shudder. No matter how enticing their form, vampires always made my skin crawl.

His gaze met mine, and I drew in a breath. He had the most gorgeous violet eyes. They were filled with an ancient intelligence. His lips curled into an amused grin, as if he knew I was ogling his body.

I frowned. It annoyed me that he read me so easily. I shook my head. I needed to remember the real reason I was here. I was here to kill Zarek, not drool over some gorgeous vampire. I was in a den of evil creatures, and he was one of them. Now really wasn't the time to do any lusting.

The smile widened and he raised his voice over the music. "What can I get you?"

He had a subtle accent I couldn't identify, and the deep, growling bass made my toes curl. It soothed my nerves in spite of what he was and caused another kind of excitement to bubble in my stomach. God, this was not the right guy to get that good down-low tickle for. Focus, Regan!

I cleared my throat and leaned closer to him. "I'd like to see the owner."

The smirk turned wicked and suggestive. "I'm Zarek. I'm the owner." He scanned my body, eyes finally resting on my throat. The scrutiny made me flush and wish I could hide my neck. Unfortunately, my black tank top and ultra-short shorts didn't leave much to cover up with. People who went into vampire clubs usually favored bare skin and a gothic appearance, so I'd been forced to blend.

Had he fed tonight? Vampires were twice as dangerous when they were hungry. The better question was, had he killed tonight? For some strange reason, I found myself hoping he hadn't. I tried to shake the ridiculous feeling. Even if he hadn't killed tonight, he had in the past. And even if he'd stopped, like Alaric and his brothers, it didn't change what he was, or the fact that someone wanted him dead.

He licked his lips before meeting my gaze again, leading me to believe that he hadn't fed. Great, I wouldn't leave this place without giving a little blood to him, even if I ended up killing him. If a vampire wanted blood, he'd find a way to take it.

"Again, how can I help you?"

I barely kept my curse of frustration to myself. I'd hoped to meet with him in private. Fighting to the death in the middle of his bar was a bad idea.

***

Read the first two chapters of The Devil’s Trap here

Between the Lines by Ivy Bateman

Please join me in welcoming Ms. Ivy Bateman. Today she shares with us her very first release, as well a little info about her writing and what type of immortal she's like to be.


INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:

1) Links to website and list of books with purchase links.

This will be easy! I've only got one book for purchase!

Breathless Press, Between the Lines By Ivy Bateman

I'm very excited. This is my first ebook! It comes out January, 27th/12.

You can also find Ms. Bateman at:
Facebook
Twitter
Blogland

2) How long have you been writing? What got you in to writing?

I've been journaling off and on ever since my aunt gave me a diary for my 9th birthday. I have a giant plastic tote in the basement brimming with angst filled musings that will never see the light of day! I wrote a bit in college, in scriptwriting class and I enjoyed it a lot, but it wasn't until 3 years ago that I started writing with an audience in mind. A local Writer's Group asked if the music store where I work could host a monthly writer's event and I was hooked.

3) What was your first published book? Looking back, is there anything you’d change about it?

As I mentioned in question one, Between the Lines is my first published book. At the moment, and maybe because it's still new, there isn't anything I would change about it.

4) What or Who has influenced your writing?

This may sound a bit cheesy, but the need to be creative drives my writing. If I'm not doing something creative, and writing is the easiest way for me to express myself right now, I get very blue. Writing keeps me sane which is great for the people who live with me.

5) Where do you get your ideas?

It really depends on what I'm writing about. If I'm writing a blog entry I may get an idea from something I've seen that day or done. If I'm working on a short story, when I sit down at the computer, I may only have the tiniest inkling of what I'm going to write. I get in a zone, and things just sort of fall into my head. It's very trippy really.

6) What hinders your writing? (distractions? noise?)

It depends on my state of mind or if I have a deadline. If I'm stressed, everything is a distraction. If I'm in a perfect writing mood, nothing stops me.

7) What genre are you most comfortable with? What would you like to explore?

I really enjoy being silly and making people laugh so I find I'm very comfortable writing in a comedic way. However, I'm a huge Neil Gaiman fan and I love taking a seemingly normal story and twisting it into something very strange and unexpected. I would really like to explore erotic writing with a paranormal twist and yet...still funny...if that's possible!

8) Are you a by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of writer, or do you have to use an outline to put your collective thoughts into some semblance of common sense?

Definitely the former; more often than not when I sit down to write a chapter, I really have no idea where my brain is going to take me. I love it actually. Some of my best ideas have come out of nowhere!

9) Which of your books is your favorite? Why?

I guess I'll have to go with the only one I've written. But in all seriousness, I am extremely proud of it. I hope people enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

10) Do you incorporate some of yourself into your characters? Personality traits? Likes? Dislikes?

What does it says at the front pages of a book? All resemblance to real people is coincidental? If I end up in the characters, it's never really intentional and when a character has a trait like mine or behaves in a way that I would, I don't even really notice until I reread what I've written.

11) What do you think is the perfect hero/heroine? Why?

Perhaps this is because I'm a bit of a Lord of the Rings Nerd, but Aragorn is a wonderful hero; noble, strong, complicated, flawed, brooding, but not afraid of showing his feelings for the woman he loves by giving her a big ol' sloppy kiss in front of thousands of people. Sigh...

12) What is your latest release? Please share the blurb and purchase info with us.

My latest release is of course, Between the Lines. It will be available January, 27th, but it is available now for pre-order!

Breathless Press, Between the Lines By Ivy Bateman

Here's the blurb for you!

Lara Munroe is perfectly fine with the characters in her books having better sex lives than she does, until the night she meets Devin Monaghan.

When erotica writer Lara Munroe heads down to the ballroom to take part in an extravagant book launch, she has no idea her path will finally cross with political writer Devin Monaghan. He's smart, sexy, and roguishly handsome, and the chemistry between them is instantaneous. Lara feels her natural guard slip whenever she lays eyes on him. The thought of a night with Devin becomes more than a little distracting.

Devin, who could have any woman in the crowd to share his hotel bed, quickly sets his sights on Lara. He finds her alluring, beautiful, and intoxicating, and his attraction to the erotica writer had started long before their first encounter in the hotel elevator.

Lara and Devin have their careers to think about, a busy evening ahead, and very little chance for verbal communication. However, that doesn't stop them from coming together. They are both authors, and words are their greatest medium, but even they know that when it comes to figuring out how to get exactly who you want, it could be as simple as reading between the lines.

13) What do you have in the works?

At the moment, I'm working on 2 paranormal stories, but outside of my Ivy life, I'm busy directing and acting in a one act play that I also wrote. Once that's over, it's back to the world of erotic tales!

14) Do you have any suggestions/comments for prospective authors?

Write, write, write. I heard a lovely phrase last month that really helps me when I'm feeling blocked "Just get out of your way and you'll be able to create." The inner critic is an annoyance we all deal with, but the more you write, the easier it is to ignore that demon and really love what you're doing.

JUST FOR FUN:

1) If you had super powers, what would they be? Why?

It's cliche, but I'd love to fly. However, if I couldn't get that ability, I'd settle for super speed. And super strength. Those could be handy when it comes to helping friend's move.

2) If you could be an immortal, what would you want to be? Why?

I have a thing for vampires, but I don't know if I'd want to be one. Perhaps an Elf...again we go back to Lord of the Rings...beautiful, wise, graceful, crafty...I could get used to that.

3) What would be a perfect date for you?

A perfect date is exactly what my last anniversary was: pizza, wine and a great movie.

7) Is there anywhere you’d like to visit? Why?

I would love to visit Ireland and Scotland mostly because I have a lot of roots there. I'd also like to place my hand on a piece of really ancient history. You can't really do that in Canada.

8) Do you have any obsessions? What are they?

I guess I'd have to say that I'm obsessed with the TV show Corner Gas. It makes me very happy and I never tire of it.

9) Do you have a crush on any actor/actress? Who?

When I read this question out loud to my husband he just laughed...yes I suppose I do.  Not serious crushes...just for fun. To name a few...Christian Bale, Viggo Mortenson and Michael Fassbender. They are all, not just lovely to gaze at, but fantastic actors.

EXCERPT:
She felt herself grow hot—she knew she was blushing, and she should at least acknowledge his presence, but she couldn't. Devin...she'd completely forgotten the unbelievably sexy Irish writer was one of the seven authors launching a book tonight!

For some time now, she had been hoping to meet him and, had she remembered Devin was part of the book launch, she would have steeled herself for this moment. Ever since Isaac introduced her to Devin's work, she had developed a crazy, high-school crush on him. She loved his rough-around-the-edges good looks and often gazed hungrily at his author photo on the back cover of his books—cigarette in hand, sometimes smiling, sometimes not. Lara usually found smoking to be a turn off, but this didn't seem to be the case when it came to Devin. He had beautiful hands and sexy eyes. When he held a cigarette, it looked as though he was making love to it. Lara found him irresistible.

She snuck a glance at him in the reflective elevator wall. He was lovelier than his publicity photos had ever captured. He was looking at the floor and grinning slightly, a dimple adorably apparent on his right cheek. He ran his hand through his mop of dark brown hair. It gleamed in the light, begging to be touched. Lara immediately pictured his head working its way down her body, her hands tugging at his locks, maybe pushing it to go even lower...

Lara quickly stopped her imagination from running wild and was about to look away when he looked up and met her eyes in the glass. He smiled at her; a shy, slightly knowing smile...one that told her he knew what she was thinking. That was ridiculous. How could he know?

She returned his smile, or hoped she did. She may have just let her jaw drop. She started to attempt a sentence when the door chimed and opened into the lobby. For a moment, neither of them moved; they stood in the elevator looking at each other in their reflections on the wall.

"After you, Ms. Munroe," he quietly lilted.
 

An interview with Lee Brazil

Please join me in welcoming Lee Brazil as he dazzles us with some personal information about his writing technique and a tantalizing peek at his personal thoughts on super powers and perfect dates.

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:
1) Links to website and list of books with purchase links.

Blog

Book Links
Keeping House  

Breathless Press
Amazon
All Romance eBooks

Telling the Truth  
Amazon
All Romance Ebooks
Breathless Press

Giving Up
Breathless Press 
ARe   
Amazon   
BookStrand  
1 Place for Romance

Loving Jacob  
Breathless Press 
Amazon 
All Romance Ebooks

The Librarian 
ARe
Amazon
Bookstrand
Breathless Press

And the Prompt Is
Amazon
1 Place for Romance

Word Play 
Breathless Press
Bookstrand
ARe  
Amazon

2) How long have you been writing? What got you in to writing?

I've been writing for publication for a little over a year. I always wanted to write, even as a child, but somewhere along the line reality and the need to put a roof over my head and food on the table put that ambition on a back burner. When I retired form teaching, I picked writing up again, first as a hobby for my own entertainment, and then a friend convinced me to try for publication.

3) What was your first published book? Looking back, is there anything you’d change about it?

Keeping House was my first published book.  It's been out less than a year.  If I were writing it today, I'd probably make it longer. I have all these random ideas, and I know they're eventually going to go into a sequel. SO, I probably should have kept going.

4) What or Who has influenced your writing?

I think my writing is influenced by the music I listen. I also take a great deal of inspiration and support from the writing group I belong to, Story Orgy.

5) Where do you get your ideas?

Ideas seem to come from all around. Mostly from people. I mean, I conceive my characters first, and build a plot around them, rather than creating a plot and building characters to suit it.

6) What hinders your writing? (distractions? noise?)

I think my own lack of belief in myself is what hinders me most. I'll sit down and look at what I've written and think "This is worthless". When that kind of mood overcomes you, it's very difficult to put a word on the page.

7) What genre are you most comfortable with? What would you like to explore?

I am most comfortable with contemporary m/m romance. I am venturing into a Regency m/m this year, and *fingers* crossed, will try my hand at a romantic mystery.

8) Are you a by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of writer, or do you have to use an outline to put your collective thoughts into some semblance of common sense?

I have done both. I think that most of the time I have a mental outline to work form, but it's very general.  Only twice have I actually written out an entire detailed outline.

9) Which of your books is your favorite? Why?
I think I have to say that Keeping House is my favorite of my stories. The characters really hit home with me, and everything just worked out perfectly.

10) Do you incorporate some of yourself into your characters? Personality traits? Likes? Dislikes?

Yes. How could you help but do that? My characters pick things up from me- like the music they listen to, or their views on fashion.

11) What do you think is the perfect hero/heroine? Why?

A perfect hero is one who overcomes his flaws to be with the one he loves. Or one who makes me laugh, or sigh...

12) What is your latest release? Please share the blurb and purchase info with us.

The Librarian

BLURB:
Valentine Michaels has just taken a vow of celibacy. Adrian Grey intends to take full advantage of that vow to re-create his relationship with Val.

Val is at a crossroads in his life. A college dropout, he's gone as far as he can in his career as a cosmetologist, owning his own style salon. He no longer finds satisfaction in it, though he's put years into proving to his bigoted parents that a college degree and the veneer of straightness aren't the only roads to success. They'd turned their backs on him, and he proved he didn't need them to make it.
His love life is no better than his working life. His relationships always start with a bang and fizzle into boredom, or worse, anger.

Adrian has his own agenda for helping Val: he's been in love with Val since they were freshmen. The intervening years of listening to Val's gossip about his lovers and relationships have taught Adrian just what it was he did wrong all those years ago, and he thinks this time around he now knows exactly how to get—and keep—his man.

Buy Links: The Librarian 
ARe
Amazon
Bookstrand
Breathless Press

13) What do you have in the works?

My next release in February is Truth or Dare book #5, Taking the Dare.
14) Do you have any suggestions/comments for prospective authors?
Don't give up. Keep writing, keep trying.
JUST FOR FUN:
1) If you could be an animal, what would it be? Why?

I'd be an elephant. I have memory issues, and an elephant never forgets.

2) If you had super powers, what would they be? Why?

Hmmm...the ability to teleport a cup of coffee to me in bed. I hate getting out of bed first thing in the morning to fetch that cup of coffee.
3) What would be a perfect date for you?

Perfect for me would be a walk in the woods or on the beach to watch the sun rise or set, maybe a glass of wine.

4) Do you have any obsessions? What are they?

Boy, do I. I’m obsessed with a lot of things. Too many to name.

PG EXCERPT: The Librarian
Genre: m/m contemporary romance
Publisher: Breathless Press
Format: all e-book formats

Adrian writing in purple ink stunned him more than the idea that Adrian had a crush on him. After all, they'd been down that road once before. Purple ink was so not Adrian. Black. Or Blue. Traditional. Classic. That was Adrian.

"Yeah, did you like it? Here, grab a cup of coffee and a pastry and let's take a walk." The other man turned and walked out the door, apparently assuming that Val would follow.

Val grabbed a coffee and hurried to catch up with Adrian. Jeez. Now what would he do? He had to let Adrian down gently. No sense ruining what had been a perfectly good friendship. No way could he ask Adrian to help with the redecorating project now. Distance, not closeness, was called for.
"Listen, Adrian, we have to talk. I really meant it when I said I'm not interested in men right now and honestly," he touched the other man's arm sympathetically, "you're just not my type, you know? So, much as I appreciate all the little gestures, I just feel friendship for you, okay?"

The other man's blue eyes sparkled at him, in apparent—amusement? "Are you done, Val?"

"Well, yeah, that's what I wanted to say. No hard feelings, right?"

"Right, Val. Let me set you straight on a few things before we talk about feelings, okay? First of all, I noticed you were down Friday, so I sent you the flower, yeah. I love those bird of paradise flowers. The colors are so sunny and cheerful. Then this morning, I wanted to talk to you about something, and sorry, but the coffee and pastries were as much because I knew I'd be hungry as for you. Yeah, you're hot as hell, but I know I'm not your type. And you know I know it, too. That's why you've been ramming tales about your wild and crazy love life down my throat for the past ten years, isn't it? I've heard about every new man as soon as you've met him, and every break up when it inevitably comes along. Why do you do that, Val? It's not for your own benefit, you know? You've been making sure that I knew that you weren't interested in hooking up with me all these years. I fucking get it, okay? You don't seem to see that I'm not the same man today as ten years ago. And that's your loss, not mine. I've done things, experienced things in the last few years that have helped me define who and what I am, in and out of bed, Val. Too bad you can't say the same."

Val swallowed and pulled his hand back. He shook his head as his brain whirled trying to keep up, to comprehend all the data Adrian threw at him in one long speech. "Whoa. Sorry. I just talk while I'm working, you know? I... Shit...sorry."

***
Be sure to visit Lee Brazil's Blog for more information about his writing.

An Interview with DC Juris

Please Join me today with a warm welcome to DC Juris and fluffy...

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:
1) Links to website and list of books with purchase links.
Website
Blogspot
Facebook
Twitter 

List of Books:

Heterosexual Romance:2) How long have you been writing? What got you in to writing?

"Stars Embrace" - "Echoes of Possibilities" anthology 

"Love Revisited: Jacob and Arlite" 

"Waiting for Home" - "Hot Shots Volume 2" anthology

Gay Romance:

"Betrayed"

"Relearning the Ropes"

"Buried Treasure"

"Simply Smut"

"Who Better Than Canyon"

"Orion's Way"

"A Good Bargain"

"Dream Come True"

"The Door Under the Bridge"

"Follow His Heart"

"Sundae Surprise"

"Perfect Christmas"

"Where He Belongs"

"Cupid Knows" – "Shot Through the Heart" anthology

"On Solid Ground"

"Nice: The Best Kind of Prize"

"Finding Sanctuary"

"Omarati"

"No Place Like Home"

"Always, My Prince" – "I Kissed a Boy" anthology 

Lesbian Romance:

"Nice: Tenacious Bea and the Bite of Destiny"

Bisexual Romance:

"Tailor Made" – "Coming Together: As One" 

Transgender Romance:

"Even Guys Cry" – "I Do, Two" anthology

"Actions Speak Louder" – "Toybox Silence" anthology 

"What the Lady Wants" 

2) How long have you been writing? What got you in to writing?
I've been writing since before I entered kindergarten. It just always seemed like what I was meant to do.

3) What was your first published book? Looking back, is there anything you’d change about it?

My first publication came at the tail end of 2009, and it was a short story called "Even Guys Cry" for the "I Do, Two" anthology. There's always room for improvement in any story, but I think for first efforts, it did pretty well.

4) What or Who has influenced your writing?

I don't really have any external influences on my writing.

5) Where do you get your ideas?

They just pop into my head.

6) What hinders your writing? (distractions? noise?)

The only thing that hinders me is finding time. Otherwise, I can write anywhere, under any conditions.

7) What genre are you most comfortable with? What would you like to explore?

I like fantasy and contemporary, and I'll probably stay in those.

8) Are you a by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of writer, or do you have to use an outline to put your collective thoughts into some semblance of common sense?

I write things down as they come to me and piece them together later.

9) Which of your books is your favorite? Why?

I love all of them and they're all favorites for different reasons. I really enjoyed writing "Finding Sanctuary" because it allowed me to go to places I hadn't before in sex scenes.

10) Do you incorporate some of yourself into your characters? Personality traits? Likes? Dislikes?

Not usually. Some of my characters and I have things in common, but it's not a conscious choice.

11) What do you think is the perfect hero/heroine? Why?

I don't think there's any such thing as a perfect hero or heroine. Everyone is flawed.

12) What is your latest release? Please share the blurb and purchase info with us.

My latest release is a fantasy m/m called Betrayed. It's not like anything I've written before. It's very dark and emotionally challenging.

Blurb: Two years after he lost his soul mate to the war, Faldor still pines for Meldrick. His world is turned upside down when Meldrick appears on his doorstep late one night, seemingly back from the dead. Finally escaped from a prison camp, Meldrick protects a dark secret—one that could rip their rekindled love apart if Faldor ever learned the truth. But the longer they're together, the more questions come up. What really happened two years ago? How did Meldrick escape the prison camp after so long? Is Meldrick still the man Faldor fell in love with? Can Meldrick reconcile who he is with who he was and move beyond his treachery, or will betrayal win?

PURCHASE

13) What do you have in the works?

I have 24 WIPs right now, featuring familiar faces and new ones.

14) Do you have any suggestions/comments for prospective authors?

Don't give up. Find an established author who is willing to give you some pointers. Be willing to listen to criticism - your words are not gold, and they may not, in fact, be salable. Chose your publisher wisely. Buy several books from several genres from each publisher. Ignore weather or not you actually like the story - pick it apart from a professional point of view. What do you think of the cover? How is the editing? What does the formatting look like? Are there plot holes an editor should've picked up? Are there name and/or eye color changes for the characters? Are there any of your personal pet peeves in the book? (Like characters referring to each other by their first names every other line, or things like "man pussy" or "man tits," or things like impossible sexual acts - people bending in ways only circus performers could achieve or lubeless anal sex). Write your answers down. If they're not favorable, then steer clear. No, it won't matter that your story is a shining example of How to Write Good 101 - if the other works at the publisher suck, you'll be lumped in the suck pile right along with them. Trust me.

JUST FOR FUN:

1) If you could be an animal, what would it be? Why?

Probably a bird, just for the views.

2) If you had super powers, what would they be? Why?

Invisibility. And no, not just to steal stuff and get away with it. LOL It'd also come in handy for avoiding douche bag individuals I have no desire to interact with.

3) If you could be an immortal, what would you want to be? Why?

If I could be immortal without being a vampire, you mean? Yeah, I'd take that. I find the concept of immortality fascinating. I wouldn't be one of those whiny "oh, ::sigh:: the world is dying around me" pussy immortals. I mean, think of the things you could impact - the changes you could watch.

4) If you could change three things in the world, what would they be? Why?

Gender equality, for a start. Why? Well, I'm transgender. I'm a male who was born a female. It's not easy, and we're still - legally - discriminated against in some states. GLBTQ equality. Why? Because it's doesn't matter what the gender orientation of the person I sleep with is, it doesn’t impact anyone else, it's no one's business, and it's certainly no reason to treat me like a second class citizen. And finally, a cure for cancer. For obvious reasons.

5) What would be a perfect date for you?

I'm not very picky. I've been on dates to fancy restaurants and plays, and then I've also been on a date to McDonalds and Toys R' Us. What's important is who I'm with. Nothing else really matters.

6) Is there anywhere you’d like to visit? Why?

Nope. I hate to travel. You're lucky GayRomLit is a recurring thing, or I'd never leave my state.

7) Do you have any obsessions? What are they?

Hmm…No, actually, I don't think I do.

8) Do you have a crush on any actor/actress? Who?

Nope. I'm a person who is more attracted to personality than looks, and since I don't know any of them personally… Don't get me wrong, Gerard Butler is fun to look at, but that's as far as it goes.

***
Thanks so much to DC Juris for sharing some personal information. Be sure to check out the excerpt for Betrayed.

Betrayed by DC Juris

Author Name: DC Juris

Book Title: Betrayed

Genre: m/m fantasy, BDSM

Publisher: Breathless Press

Purchase: Here

Format: Adobe Acrobat, Palm DOC/iSolo, Microsoft Reader, Mobipocket (.prc and .mobi), Rocket, Epub

Blurb:

Two years after he lost his soul mate to the war, Faldor still pines for Meldrick. His world is turned upside down when Meldrick appears on his doorstep late one night, seemingly back from the dead. Finally escaped from a prison camp, Meldrick protects a dark secret—one that could rip their rekindled love apart if Faldor ever learned the truth. But the longer they're together, the more questions come up. What really happened two years ago? How did Meldrick escape the prison camp after so long? Is Meldrick still the man Faldor fell in love with? Can Meldrick reconcile who he is with who he was and move beyond his treachery, or will betrayal win?

Excerpt: R rated

Objections sprang to his mind, but Meldrick ignored them. Trust me, Faldor had said. He owed Faldor his trust. He eased himself down, curled his legs underneath him, and pillowed his head on Faldor’s lap. Faldor’s hands roved over him, rubbing his arms, his neck, his back, down his thigh and back up again. The warmth of Faldor’s touch was a soothing balm to his frazzled spirit. Meldrick stiffened as Faldor’s hand dipped a little lower in its exploration. “Fal...”

Faldor’s hands stopped immediately. “I won’t do anything you say nay to, and I’ll stop anytime you ask me to. But trust me for a moment or two.”

Meldrick gnawed on his lower lip, but at length he nodded. Faldor continued the touches, teasing and petting his body, stroking his hair. He shivered as Faldor lifted the bottom of his tunic and pressed one hand to his chest, slid the other hand down into his breeches. Meldrick’s hips surged forward the moment Faldor’s flesh met his, and a moan escaped his lips.

Faldor leaned down and pressed kisses to Meldrick’s temples as he worked Meldrick’s cock with long, slow strokes. “Seek what you need, my love. Let me give it to you.”

Unable to bear Faldor’s touch in silence, Meldrick cried out, rocking his hips. But as the pleasure soared through him, so did the doubt and self-revulsion, unwelcome as the emotions were. He tried to push them away, tried to focus on the feel of Faldor’s hand, warm and tight, the feel of Faldor’s soft, pliant lips.

Meldrick became aware of a distant, almost phantom itch some- where in his body, though he couldn’t quite place where. He clawed at his arms even as he realized what he felt wasn’t an itch at all, but a need. While Faldor’s touch made his cock hard and his heart flutter, it wasn’t enough. He needed—the gods save him—he needed pain.

He shook his head and tried to push Faldor away. He didn’t think poorly of anyone who did that kind of thing—what two (or more) adults did was their own business, so long as they were agreed on it. But Faldor wouldn’t agree to this out of mutual interest—only in the interest of pleasing Meldrick. And that was something Meldrick couldn’t allow. But the more he struggled to get away, the tighter Faldor held him.

“It’s all right,” Faldor murmured. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

Tears rolled freely down Meldrick’s cheeks. “I know.” And that was the problem.

***

Be sure to check out the author interview with DC Juris to find out more about his writing.

Mandy and the Cowboy Mogul by Angela Claire

AUTHOR: Angela Claire

TITLE: Colorado Dreaming 5: Mandy and the Cowboy Mogul by Angela Claire

PUBLISHER: Siren Publishing

GENRE: Erotic Western Romance

PURCHASE: Bookstrand


BLURB:
Everybody seems to think widow Mandy Parker is some kind of a Jezebel. Never mind that her two marriages to older men were never consummated or that her experience as a seductress is a myth. When a handsome cowboy happens into town, Mandy figures that if she's going to be cast in the role of the temptress, she might as well try to play the part in earnest and at least get the benefits.

Aidan Munroe has just taken over the railroad his family owns. When Mandy seems intent on seducing him, he decides to play a part himself, pretending to be a simple cowboy looking for work and claiming he just doesn't believe in "having relations" before marriage. He doesn't know what he enjoys more—the incredulous look on Mandy's face or her blatant attempts to disabuse him of the concept.

Will Mandy and Aidan ever stop playing their parts long enough to fall in love?

EXCERPT: Adult
God, she was fucking perfect, just as he’d always known she would be. He’d initially meant to have her undress for him in some tawdry striptease while he watched immobile, but the loveliness of her naked body overwhelmed him.

He’d had to let his cock out or else he’d come in his pants. Breathing heavily, he wanted to have her straddle him and ride him to a well-needed orgasm. But somehow, the complacent look on her face as she came to the bed at his behest made him change his plans. As much as it killed him to wait, he wanted to tease her some more before he gave her what they both wanted.

So he pulled her facedown over his lap. Not her face in his cock, though that would have been nice, but rather so that her pert little ass was over his thighs in just the right position for what he had in mind.

He leaned over to whisper in her ear. “You know what else I’d like, Mrs., er, Mandy?”

She shook her head. “Not really, but there’s not much I can do for you in this position, Dan. Now if I wriggle a little lower…”

She proceeded to demonstrate, apparently envisioning giving him the blow job she’d never even gotten to get started on last time, but he clapped one hand over her soft butt cheek, keeping her firmly in place.

“It’s not what I want you to do to me. It’s what I want to do to you.”

She stopped wriggling and looked over at him. The surprise on her face coupled with the tensing of her butt almost made him laugh. He caressed her silky cheek softly. “I want to…oh, I shouldn’t say it.”

This time she didn’t prompt him to, apparently unsure of the direction of his thoughts. Instead she said, “If you let me up, Dan, I can—”

He brought the flat of his palm down on one cushy butt cheek, rather lightly actually, though from her squeal you’d think it was a lot harder. He rubbed her ass, following the slap, and whispered, “I want to spank you.”

“You do?” she asked weakly.

For all her experience, it appeared Amanda was a little naïve in some areas herself. Actually, he didn’t get off from spanking a girl, but he knew it was fairly common, and God knows it’d been offered to him often enough by the experienced mistresses he’d had in the past. Personally, he usually got off more on feeling a woman’s ass while he was fucking her than he did on slapping it, but somehow he felt like Amanda really needed a good spanking, and he didn’t mind giving it to her.

AUTHOR BIO:
Angela Claire's first love was romance novels, but she resolved to give them up temporarily for law books (which were considerably less fun). In a quest for a 'responsible' career, she headed off to Harvard law school, obtained her diploma and settled into a corporate law practice in New York city...which she hated! After staying in the rat race long enough to pay back her massive student loans, Angela returned to her roots in the Midwest and is now raising two active boys and working as a lawyer at a more leisurely pace than big city law firm life would allow. She writes in her spare time and finds romance in real life with her husband of 24 years. If you would like to contact Angela via her email, she would love to hear from you.