Category Archives: Interview
Greater Treasures by Karina Fabian – Excerpt/Giveaway/Interview
Give-Away:
E-book: Here’s your chance to win a free electronic copy of Greater Treasures. Leave a comment or question for Karina, Vern, or Sister Grace.
Grab bag: Vern gripes about the junk in his warehouse in Greater Treasures, but he and Grace have started going through boxes, and they’ve agreed to send something to one of my readers. Leave a comment or question for Karina, Vern, or Sister Grace.
Blurb: Being a private detective in the border town of the Faerie and Mundane worlds isn’t easy, even for a dragon like Vern. Still, finding the wayward brother of a teary damsel in distress shouldn’t have gotten so dangerous. When his partner, Sister Grace, gets poisoned by a dart meant for him, Vern offers to find an artifact in exchange for a cure. However, this is no ordinary trinket—with a little magic power, it could control all of mankind. Can Vern find the artifact, and will he sacrifice the fate of two worlds for the life of his best friend?
Keywords: dragons, mystery, dragoneye, noir fantasy, lance of longinus, maltese falcon, dragon detectives, neo-nazis, racial prejudice, faerie creatures, conspiracy theories in fantasy, Karina Fabian
Pages: 130
ISBN-13: 978-1484848296
ISBN-10: 1484848292
ASIN B00CEH934G
Excerpt:
Given the day I was having, it came as no surprise that when I got home, I found the dogs sprawled in a drugged sleep and the sounds of things being overturned from within the warehouse. I decided not to bother with subtlety, but I did resist the urge to burst in with flames going full-blast. I had questions first.
Naturally, I walked straight in to find an automatic weapon—yep, a bona fide black-market AK-47—and I thought only Faerie lived their clichés—and six other weapons of various types pointed at me. I didn’t stop, just closed the door with my tail while I strolled in slow and placid-like. My visitors had shaved heads, faces painted white with clown paint, and black t-shirts with swastikas in white circles.
“If you’re the housekeeping service, you’re fired.”
“You stay right there, or we gonna fire you!” said one guy from the sidelines as he held his nunchucks at the ready.
What’d he think he would do—whack me on the nose? I turned to the one holding the assault rifle. “Scraping the bottom of the barrel with that one, weren’t you?”
“He’s right. You just stay still while we search the place.”
“The place” was a ten-thousand square foot warehouse with offices on the upper floor. Boxes I still hadn’t opened line the walls and made a maze in the second warehouse room. I settled myself on the floor and rested my head on my crossed arms. “Go ahead. I get half of anything you find.”
They stared at me, unbelieving. I smiled back. Mr. Cooperation, that’s me. Finally, Big Gun snarled for the others to get to work. As he turned his back on me, Nunchucks muttered, “I got your half. Don’t think I don’t.” Guess he learned such witty repartee in Hitler Youth Summer Camp.
I watched and listened and waited. With eight teenage skinheads trashing my place, it was only a matter of time.
“I wouldn’t go in there if I were you,” I suggested as Nunchucks made a grab for the doorknob to Grace’s workshop.
“You gonna stop me?” He turned the knob.
“Nope,” I said as I closed my ears and my eyes. Even so, I saw the otherworldly light and heard the harmonious roar of Divine Vengeance followed by Mundane screams.
“The Heavenly Host on the other hand…”
I waited until the screams died down to whimpers before opening my eyes and rising.
Four of the skinheads were unconscious. Three may as well have been; they were curled up in the fetal position, whimpering. Nunchucks was actually crying for his mommy. Big Guns had collapsed to the floor as well, the gun thrown away from him. He was sitting and rocking and making high-pitched keening through the roof of his mouth.
I’d tell Grace to tone down her wards some, except that the effect is directly proportional to the evilness of the intent. Suddenly, I was feeling a little shaky about my earlier entrance.
Knights out of the armor now. I went around, collecting weapons in the office trash can and poking through pockets. I found the usual stuff—driver’s licenses, credit cards, petty cash… One kid had a condom; wishful thinking on his part, I knew. Another had a report card. MLK High. Wonder if he was the one beating up Faerie kids? Honor roll grades, too. Of all the years I’ve battled evil, there were still some things I didn’t understand.
As I was returning Big Guns’ (aka Rick Matherston’s) wallet back into his jacket pocket, he blinked and focused on me.
“What was that?”
“Angels, kid.” Actually a kind of magical shadow of the real thing, but close enough.
“But I thought angels were—”
“There’s a reason why their first words are usually ‘Fear not!’ whenever they meet a human.”
His eyes returned to their unfocused stare. I almost felt sorry for him. Then I noticed the letters FARISLAR tattooed on his knuckles. Faerie slayer.
About Greater Treasures: Most people associate the DragonEye stories with high humor ranging from puns to slapstick, and in fact, the first stories and the novels have certainly been crazy fun. But the life of a cynical dragon PI isn’t all laughs, and Vern has had a few chilling stories to tell me. Some of these, I’ve sold to anthologies, but some are too long for that. Thus, I’ve decided to start publishing them on my own.
One thing I like to do for DragonEye stories is watch old noir films. Greater Treasures came to me while watching the Maltese Falcon. If you’ve never seen it, I recommend it. (Then, reread the story to see if you catch the in jokes.) I needed something with more “oomph” than a bird statue, and since Vern has some history with the Lance of Longinus, it made a good fit. I enjoyed looking up all the conspiracy theories about the use of the Lance by Hitler, which is where the neo-Nazi angle came in. To say more would be spoilers, so please, enjoy the story.
And if you do, be sure to check out Vern’s other tales at http://dragoneyepi.net.
Author interview
Welcome Karina! Please start off by telling us a little about yourself.
I am a writer of a large and growing imagination and a large but shrinking physique. (I’m enrolled in circuit torture, er circuit training, five times week. You can read about it each Wednesday at http://fabianspace.blogspot.com). I write mostly science fiction and fantasy, plus some horror. Some of my books are very funny, while others, like Greater Treasures, are more grim. I love that my characters are so versatile, but find that they tell more stories than I can write down, which is a frustrating experience.
Is Greater Treasures a single title, or part of a series?
It’s part of a series, to use the term loosely. I have two DragonEye novels and multiple DragonEye stories in various anthologies and magazines. Vern is my most prolific character, and he tells me tales in every length from flash to novel. Greater Treasures is a novelette or novella (depending on the definition you use). It’s one of his more serious cases, although he can’t help being snarky in a very fun way. Dragons have a terrible, wonderful superiority complex, and it shines through in his narration.
What were your inspirations for the story?
For this one, The Maltese Falcon (the movie). Vern is a noir-style private investigator, a Sam Spade of the fantasy world, so often I will turn to old noir films for inspiration. Of course, the stakes are much higher than finding a bird statue.
Please share your setting for Greater Treasures. Have you ever lived or visited there? If so, what did you like most?
Los Lagos, Colorado, is a small town in a valley in the Rocky Mountains, west and south of Canon City. It’s completely made up, but I lived in southern Colorado most of my life, so I do know the general area. The only connection between our world and the Faerie, the Interdimensional Gap, is located not far from town. Caused by a combination of magical mishap on the Faerie side and nuclear explosion on our side, it has been both blessing and curse as the township has become the center of an influx of magical creatures and interdimensional trade.
When did the writing bug first bite?
Fourth or fifth grade, and I’ve been scratching it off and on ever since.
Do you have any hobbies or special things you like to do in your spare time?
When I remember what spare time means, I’ll figure out a hobby to fill it. However, this year, I decided to get serious about getting fit. I was nearing 170 and running out of breath going up the stairs. How pitiful is that? There’s a gym on the way home from dropping the kids off at school—Biofit Bootcamp. The instructor is a great guy who sets difficult but reasonable tasks and knows how to inspire without overpushing. I go five times a week for an hour. The routines change daily, so every muscle gets punished—er, worked on—each week. I’ve only lost fifteen pounds because I don’t diet, but I’m toning up, which is what I really care about.
What’s the strangest thing you’ve heard or seen?
In Metaponto, Italy, the ruins of the Pythagorean temple are coated in snails. Thousands and thousands of snails. You cannot walk without stepping on snails. I always wanted to write a story about the inhabitants getting turned into snails.
Bio:
Winner of the 2010 INDIE for best Fantasy (Magic, Mensa and Mayhem), Karina Fabian has imagination that takes quirky twists that keep her–and her fans–amused. Nuns working in space, a down-and-out Faerie dragon working off a geas from St. George, zombie exterminators—there’s always a surprise in Fabian’s worlds. Mrs. Fabian teaches writing and book marketing seminars, but mostly is concerned with supporting her husband, Rob Fabian as he makes the exciting leap from military officer to civilian executive, getting her kids through high school and college, and surviving daily circuit torture…er, circuit training. Read about her adventures at http://fabianspace.com.
Find Karina at:
Website: http://fabianspace.com, http://dragoneyepi.net
Blog: http://fabianspace.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karina.fabian
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/KarinaFabian
Google +: https://plus.google.com/103660024891826015212
EXTRAS FOR YOUR BLOG:
Outside Links: I’ve been told that if you link to outside articles, you increase your SEO. Here’re some:
Lance of Longinus: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Lance
Maltese Falcon: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033870/
Live and Let Fly: http://dragoneyepi.blogspot.com/p/live-and-let-fly.html
Magic, Mensa and Mayhem: http://dragoneyepi.blogspot.com/p/magic-mensa-and-mayhem.html
Book tour link with all the stops: http://dragoneyepi.blogspot.com/2013/04/greater-treasures-book-tour.html
Coming Unbound by Lacey Savage – Review/Author Interview
Lacey will be awarding a $25 Amazon gift certificate to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Make sure you leave a comment and your email. Good luck!
BLURB:
Ginny and Cole have struggled to connect intimately since before their marriage. When Cole suggests they surprise each other with the most sexually daring things they can dream up for their anniversary, Ginny reluctantly musters every ounce of courage she possesses to get nipple piercings.
Cole’s surprise?
He’s turned their suburban basement into a dungeon—and hired a sexy Dom to teach them the art of BDSM.
Desperately in love with his wife, Cole’s aware of sensitive sexual demons in Ginny’s past, and will try anything to beat them. Whips, toys, ménage play with the Dom…all these and more could help Ginny find pleasure, break through her issues.
Or, if they’re not careful, possibly just break Ginny.
Excerpt:
By the time our third round of drinks arrived, we’d determined that I had no imagination of my own, which probably explained why I had chosen technical writing as a career.
We had also established that I’d never thought about dressing up as a naughty nurse or a strict schoolteacher or a sexy maid. I didn’t fantasize about being blindfolded or tickled with a feather or covered in chocolate sauce. I’d also never wanted to have sex in public or watch porn or pose for nude photos.
“Wow.” Donna twirled the stem of her martini glass between her fingers. “So what do you fantasize about?”
An image of a woman tied to a tree in a dark forest flashed through my head. It was brief and sudden, jolting me so I sat ramrod straight in my chair. “Nothing.”
She tilted her head at an angle and looked at me as if I’d just sprouted a third eyeball in the middle of my forehead. “Come on. You can’t be serious.”
I couldn’t hold her gaze anymore, so I looked past her right shoulder into the crowd. I used to have fantasies. Filthy ones that involved whips and pain and reddened flesh. But Ben had cured me of those long ago.
“There’s something wrong with me, isn’t there?” I was feeling more and more miserable with each passing second, and the cocktails weren’t helping. I huffed out a breath. “Listen, I like sex. It’s pleasurable and pleasant and nice.”
Donna’s laugh startled me. It went on and on. “Nice?” She gasped when she could finally catch her breath and dabbed a tear from the corner of her eye. “Sex is nice? No, no, no. A foot rub is nice. A perfect creme brûlée is nice. The sight of a sleeping kitten is nice. Sex is… It’s toe-curling, incredible, mind-blowing.”
I lifted an eyebrow. “Mind-blowing?”
She nodded. “If you’re doing it right.”
Clearly I’d been doing it wrong for a very long time. Was that my fault or Cole’s? I still had so many questions, and I was no closer to figuring out how to surprise my husband for our anniversary.
I stared down into my empty glass. “There aren’t enough drinks in the world for this.”
Welcome Lacey Savage! Please start off by telling us a little about yourself.
Hi Harlie! Thanks so much for having me here today.
I live in Ottawa, Canada, with my fabulous husband of 14 years and a cat who’s convinced he runs the place. (We don’t have the heart to tell him otherwise.) I’ve been published since 2003, and I currently write for Ellora’s Cave, Carina Press (under a different pen name), Changeling Press, Loose Id, and Amber Quill Press.
Is Coming Unbound a single title, or part of a series?
It’s a single title, but I’ve learned to never say never when it comes to possible sequels.
What were your inspirations for the story?
I had a flash of inspiration while lying in bed one morning. I imagined a married couple wanting to bring some heat back into their bedroom, and started to wonder how things could get complicated for them. I knew I had my story when I pictured the husband opening the door to what had previously been a run-of-the-mill suburban basement, and showing his wife the BDSM dungeon he’d had installed. Surprise!
Please share your setting for Coming Unbound. Have you ever lived or visited there? If so, what did you like most?
Coming Unbound is set in Chicago, with a detour in San Francisco. I visited Chicago last year for the Romantic Times Convention, and promptly fell in love with the city. There’s so much wonderful architecture, and so many things to see and do. I’ve never been to San Francisco, but I have a friend who adores the place, so I’m looking forward to taking a trip there sometime soon.
When did the writing bug first bite?
When I was in sixth grade, my parents and I moved to New York City from Romania. I was having trouble fitting in at school, but on a whim I entered a creative writing competition despite the fact that I barely spoke English. And let’s not talk about my grasp of English grammar or spelling, because both were pretty much non-existent at the time. So it wasn’t a surprise to me when my entry came back drowning in a sea of red pen. I don’t think there was one word the teacher didn’t have to correct. But what was surprising was the fact that despite all that, I actually won! Turns out my storytelling skills were much stronger than my grammar skills, and that’s what counted the most. Winning that competition gave me such a sense of accomplishment, and made me feel like I could follow my passion no matter what obstacles stood in my way.
Who are you favorite authors, book/series?
Oh boy, too many to count! I adore epic fantasy, so I’m a huge fan of George R.R. Martin’s A GAME OF THRONES. I also love Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series. And a friend recently recommended Nalini Singh’s archangel series, which I’m devouring right now.
If you could have an author roundtable discussion with any authors, who would you invite?
I’d love to pick Nora Roberts’ brain, so she’d definitely be at the top of the list. I’d also like to talk to Stephen King and Dean Koontz, as well as George R. R. Martin, Tad Williams, and Janet Evanovich. That would be one fun discussion!
Do you have any hobbies or special things you like to do in your spare time?
I’m an artist in every sense of the word. I sketch, draw and paint every day. I also scrapbook, make handmade greeting cards, and create a wide variety of home décor – everything from mixed media art canvases to upcycled antique furniture.
What’s the strangest thing you’ve heard or seen?
Hmm… When I was living in New York, my mom and I went for a walk in Central Park and saw a naked man selling flowers. He seemed completely unfazed by the fact that he was nude, and sold us a lovely bunch of carnations.
Review:
Oh my…take a tried and true troupe, married couple needs to get a spark back in their sex life, and spank it hard. Yes, hard and bring in the St. Andrews Cross, toys and one sexy Dom and what do you get? Coming Unbound by Lacey Savage.
Ms. Savage has managed to throw a troupe hard, against a wall and I’m still trying to catch my breath. She writes intelligently about the one thing that most couples don’t talk about it and that’s the woman’s orgasm. Yes, the elusive orgasm. Its been argued, written about, talked about and laughed at for a long time. Most men don’t understand it and women don’t like to talk about with their partners. For them, its embarrassing and they don’t want to disappoint their lovers with their inability to have one.
Ginny is no different but with her, the orgasm has a lot more to do with a single thing in her life that she has repressed so far back in her mind that it wasn’t until the Dom figured it out and pulled it out of her. Plus, it doesn’t help that her only other lover belittle her and suppressed even further her sexual needs. Her husband Cole is well aware of her demons but is desperate to help her find her orgasm for her. He just never knew how repressed she really was sexually.
*Taking a very deep breath* The scenes were very well written and intense. Ginny and Cole had no idea how the whole Dom teachings would take. It would either make them stronger or pull them apart. I held my breath after one scene because I became very afraid that they had reached Ginny’s breaking point. While the sex scenes were highly intense they only enhanced Ginny’s journey to find the truth about her sexual needs.
Be warned that when you find out about what has been repressed in the far back of Ginny’s mind, you will be able breath again. At least, I was. 
Ms. Savage wrote a beautifully intense, highly sexual book about sexually repression and the lengths that one couple went to find out the who, what, where and how to help Ginny.
I can not highly recommend Coming Unbound. Yes, its that’s AWESOME.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Award-winning author Lacey Savage loves to write about her dreams – or more specifically, she loves to breathe life into her steamy fantasies (and she’s got plenty!). She pens erotic tales of true love and mythical destiny, peopled with strong alpha heroes and feisty heroines. A hopeless romantic, Lacey loves writing about the intimate, sensual side of relationships. She currently resides in Ottawa, Canada, with her loving husband and their mischievous cat.
Links
Website: http://www.laceysavage.com
Blog: http://www.laceysavage.com/blog/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/laceysavage
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lacey.savage.7
Book buy link: http://www.ellorascave.com/coming-unbound.html
A Tiger’s Claim (An Ashwood Falls Novel) by Lia Davis – Review/Character Interview/Giveaway/Excerpt
GIVEAWAY!
Lia is giving away a $25 Amazon GC and a swag pack to one commenter during the tour. Rafflecopter link is at the bottom of the post. Good luck!
A Tiger’s Claim – Ashwood Falls, book 1
By Lia Davis
Publisher: Fated Desires Publishing
Blurb
As the Alpha’s only daughter Shayna Andrews has always been treated like a rare gem, protected like royalty, and she’s suffocating. Her longing to be independent has driven her to sneak out one evening after dinner. After relishing in being able to run free without an escort, she finds herself face-to-face with the enemy, miles from home, and nearly loses her life until a lone wolf comes to her aid.
Travis Hunter’s main objective is to destroy the Onyx Pack—a group of drug using, murdering rogue shifters. His seek-and-destroy plans are put on hold when he rescues a female from a brutal attack. The beautifully exotic tiger shifter, Shayna, stirs a passion he thought died with his long-lost mate.
When Shay’s first heat cycle slams into her, Travis has no choice but to submit to her needs—and his own. But there is always a price to sleeping with the Pack princess. Not only will they have to face her Pack, Shay and Travis will have to deal with a mating that is beyond a single night and could have consequences more than either of them had thought. And when Travis finds out Shay wears the enemy’s brand, things will go from bad to worse.
Warning: One alpha female who doesn’t take no for an answer, a wolf with more on the line than just his heart, and a combustible attraction that’s sure to cause more than one sweaty night.
Find it on:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ARe | Kobo
Find it in Print (also includes the prequel, Winter Eve):
Excerpt:
It took ten minutes too long to reach his small one-bedroom cabin. Once inside, he carried her straight to the bedroom, flung the comforter back, and laid the female on his bed. As soon as her leg touched the mattress, she groaned in pain. Frowning, he walked to his dresser, grabbed a pair of joggers, and put them on.
He went back to the bed and sat down next to her, jarring her hip. Another painful groan made him pause. He lifted her sweater to undo her jeans so he could look at the wound. When he touched the button, she flung opened her eyes, screamed, and swung her arms wildly.
Damn it.
He fought with her for a few seconds before he got hold of her arms and pinned them to the bed. “I’m not going to hurt you.”
Her eyes held a wild fear he hoped never to see in a female again. The claw marks etched into both her cheeks fueled his fury more. He breathed in then out slowly.
Calm down before you scare her more than she already is.
“My name is Travis Hunter. You’re safe.”
She blinked then looked around the room. “Where…am I?”
He growled low in his throat. The tremor in her voice cut through him. “My home.”
She tried to break from his hold, and he tightened his grip. “You’re safe. I killed the rogues.”
The woman stilled and searched his face, the wildness still heavy in her blue eyes. “You’re a wolf.”
He smiled and nodded. “And you’re a tiger.”
“A white tiger.”
To match her white-blond hair. “And a beautiful one.”
Harlie’s Character Interview Questions
Name: Shayna Andrews (Shay)
Tell us a little about where you live.
I live in Ashwood Falls. It’s a leopard/wolf Pack located in the Smokey Mountains. Yes, I said leopard and wolf. About thirty years ago, before I was born, the leopards and wolves merged their Packs together to better protect themselves and fight against the Onyx Pack – a Pack of rogue shifters.
Ashwood is a strong Pack and all the members have learned to live together. I love the diverse community.
Who are your closest friends?
Cameron, a black jaguar and a senior enforcer. She is also my older brother’s, Blaine, mate. Cam is only ten older than me, so we relate on so many levels.
Danica is my other bestie. She’s the Pack Healer.
Describe yourself in three words:
Strong, caring, and protective
Who do you love?
Travis Hunter. He’s a sexy wolf who had saved me from a rogue attack.
Without giving too much away, what was one of your favorite moments with that person?
Anytime we are together, no matter what we are doing.
Anything you would like to say to your author?
I’d like to tell her thanks for telling mine and Travis’s story so we can share it with everyone.
Review:
Before I start my review I have to admit something…I don’t read a lot of shifter books. I admit it and I’m not proud of it but its out there. What intrigued me about A Tiger’s Claim was that the fact it dealt with a tiger and a wolf. Most shifter books keep within the same species so again…how is this going to play out? How are their babies going to come out in the end? Half tiger, half wolf? I can’t even imagine how the shift would happen. But in this book we don’t have to worry about that yet but darn it, now I’m hooked on the start of the series, so I’ll keep reading to find out.
A Tiger’s Claim starts off with a bang and never lets up. Our heroine, Shay is shot at, mauled, and left to die a couple of times and I finally caught my breath in the end. Whew! When she was attacked by the rogues in the beginning of the book, she was rescued by a wolf shifter, Travis. She didn’t know if she could trust me but when she came into heat, she couldn’t resist him. Was it love or lust between them? And what about Travis’ other mate? What happened to her? And let’s mention his daughter, Josie. She’s such a sweet little girl and learning about what happens to her in the book is… Just read it. 
I loved this book. The characters are richly drawn and engaging. I was never lost when Ms. Davis explained Ashwood Falls and how it came to be. It fasnicated me that two different species merged together to form a bigger pack and relied on each other. Most shifters stay within their own kind but not in Ashwood Falls. Oh and there is a human that has mated with a shifter, too. There might seem like there is a lot going on and in some ways there is but I never felt lost. Ms. Davis keeps the pace flowing and the dialogue crisp. Oh and did I mention the suspense element that she has woven into the story? Yep, I’m a goner. I never guessed who was behind the attacks so when it was revealed, I was pleasantly shocked. Great job!
I look forward to reading more about Ashwood Falls, the two packs that form it and the fabulous secondary characters that came alive on the page. I can’t wait!!!!
About the Author: 
Lia Davis is a mother to two young adults and two very special kitties, a wife to her soul mate, a paranormal romance author, graphic designer, and co-owner to Fated Desires Publishing, LLC. She and her family live in Northeast Florida battling hurricanes and very humid summers. But it’s her home and she loves it!
An accounting major, Lia has always been a dreamer with a very activity imagination. The wheels in her head never stop. She ventured into the world of writing and publishing in 2008 and loves it more than she imagined. Writing and designing are stress relievers that allow her to go off in her corner of the house and enter into another world that she created, leaving real life where it belongs.
Her favorite things are spending time with family, traveling, reading, writing, chocolate, coffee, nature and hanging out with her kitties.
Author website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | G+
See The Light by Cassandra Carr – Author Interview/Exceprt/Giveaway/Review
Giveaway Info: Prize is $10 gift card to winner’s choice of eBook retailer. Contest is tour-wide, open internationally and ends Apr 10. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Rafflecopter link is at the bottom of the post. Good Luck!
See the Light
by Cassandra Carr
Gay Contemporary Erotic Romance
Categories: May-December, Sports-Themed
Publisher: Loose Id
Release Date: February 26, 2013
Heat Level: Sizzling
Word Count: 42,000
Buy Links
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/See-the-Light-ebook/dp/B00BLSR1KM/
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-seethelight-1091296-145.html
Blurb
Hockey player Jason Monroe lives a double life—star defenseman and soon-to-be Olympian on the ice and closeted gay man outside the rink. A serious relationship is out of the question, and Jason makes do with anonymous sex in barroom bathrooms, not willing to take the chance on coming out as gay in a decidedly macho sport.
Advisor to the US Olympic hockey team Patrick Parker knows a thing or two about being a professional hockey player who’s not out. He’s fifteen years older than Jason, and when he senses the sexy younger man is interested, he knows he shouldn’t give in to the attraction. The two men can’t keep their hands off each other, though, and with each heated encounter it gets harder to hide their relationship. Then their world blows up around them, forcing them into the limelight. Will their love survive or be put on ice?
Warning: This title is intended for readers over the age of 18 as it contains explicit sex scenes and/or situations and adult language, and may be considered offensive to some readers.
Welcome Cassandra! Please start off by telling us a little about yourself.
Sure! I’m a multi-award-winning erotic romance writer. I’ve got about twenty works out, with more coming all the time. I write m/f AND m/m, along with themes like sports romance, BDSM and ménage.
Is See the Light a single title, or part of a series?
It will be book 1 in an as-yet-unnamed series. I wrote it so it could be either a single title or a series depending on how it sold. Well, it’s selling really well, so there are more coming!
What were your inspirations for the story?
There’s an organization called the You Can Play Project, which works with sports teams at all levels to eliminate homophobia. The NHL was one of the first sports, and certainly the first of the major professional sports, to embrace the You Can Play message. I’ve been following You Can Play since its inception and I’m really proud that the sport I love has been so receptive and supportive of the message that “If you can play, you can play”.
Despite how supportive the league and its players have been, though, there are still no “out” gay players in the NHL. Given stats on homosexuals, it stands to reason that at least fifty of the players in the NHL are gay, or one or two per team. Obviously there are gay players in the league, but they still feel like they can’t come out and be themselves. That’s sad. So I wanted to write a story about one such player.
Please share your setting for See the Light. Have you ever lived or visited there? If so, what did you like most?
Part of the book takes place in Geneva, Switzerland, during the Olympics. I’ve never been anywhere in Europe save Italy, though I’d love to go.
When did the writing bug first bite?
I’ve been writing my whole life on and off. I started writing for publication in 2008.
Who are you favorite authors, book/series?
Oh I have way too many to answer this question. I’d forget some and feel bad. Let’s just say that my fellow authors are an incredibly talented bunch!
If you could have an author roundtable discussion with any authors, who would you invite?
Jane Austen, William Shakespeare, Dan Brown, Maya Angelou, and Nora Roberts
Do you have any hobbies or special things you like to do in your spare time?
What is this “spare time” of which you speak? I watch hockey, go out with my family and friends. I like to travel, but we have a four-year-old and haven’t been doing much traveling since she was born. Soon we’re hoping to do more.
What’s the strangest thing you’ve heard or seen?
Roosters crowing, competing with the sound of the ocean, in Hawaii.
Review:
Ooooo, let me be the first to say that this book rocked! And here’s a little secret…I don’t read m/m. Sure I’ll read it in a ménage but not a straight m/m book. Nothing wrong with it, just not my cuppa. In fact the real reason I picked the book up because of two things: 1) Cassandra Carr wrote it and 2) it’s about my “mistress” hockey. Yes, hockey is my mistress. I worked for the Dallas Stars Hockey Club from 1999-2004. I saw them win the Cup and then tried NOT to throw up when Scott Stevens skated it in Reunion Arena. Tough times but I digress…BTW, I’m married to my first love…BASEBALL!!!
So to say that I picked the book because I wanted to read a book about a m/m romance would be the furthest thing on my mind. I knew that Ms. Carr wouldn’t led me astray in her writing a m/m romance and with the hockey theme, I knew it was a winner. I was not wrong on either count. In fact, I will list the reasons why you should read See The Light even if you don’t read m/m. Yep, it’s that good….
1. Its sports themed and who doesn’t like a sports themed book. No worries if hockey isn’t your thing, the universal theme in the book is sports in general. Plus, they are in Geneva at the Olympics and for some reason, “Do you believe in Miracles” kept rolling around in my head. To really show my age, I was 13 when the USA beat the Russians and won the Gold. I still get choked up when I watch the movie “Miracle”. In fact, I have a signed photo of the team celebrating their win over Russia with the commentary from Al Michaels. It’s a classic.
2. While Jason and Patrick have sex in the book, Ms. Carr handles it well. The visual of two healthy, vibrant and sexy men didn’t send me shrieking. In fact, with Jason’s age and his inexperience in a real relationship with a man, its endearing. Jason’s used to only one-night stands and hookups, so his time with Patrick at first is awkward, funny (yes, funny) and tender. We feel Jason’s changing emotions toward Patrick throughout the book and he’s coming to terms with his sexuality. What he still has to figure out is how to tell Patrick.
3. Patrick is the perfect “older” man. He’s patient, kind, sexy and doesn’t come across as a “father figure” to Jason. He treats Jason with respect but also handles the age difference with a chuckle. In fact, Jason and Patrick talk about the age difference, their roles within the hockey and how it affect them and the outside world. Again, Ms. Carr handles these issues with grace and bit of humor.
4. There really is an organization called You Can Play. Its main goal is to see that sports players that are gay are treated with respect within their teams, other teams and within their league. *soapbox* This sadness me to no end that players in any sport feel that they have to hide their sexuality. Most players come “out” over they have retired and that shouldn’t happen. Good lord, 66 years ago, Jackie Robinson FINALLY broke the color barrier in baseball. Now, baseball has so many countries represented in their league, its like a UN conference. When will it finally be acceptable for gay men/women to be able to come out and still be respected in their sport? Seriously folks, with all the talk of gay marriage, gay couples adopting, benefits for companions and the like…gay players shouldn’t even be an issue. So, leave the macho crap off the field and just play the damn game. Trust me, a gay person isn’t going to hit on you in a game, practice or even the locker room. They have “straight” radar like some people have “gaydar”. * end soapbox*
5. The climax of the book was a good shocker but much-needed for Patrick and Jason. It finally opened their eyes and hearts to the relationship they were having and where they wanted it to go. Plus, the revelations from the team was eye-opening as well.
Overall, the story flowed, dialogue was crisp, funny and while the sex was hawt, it wasn’t the main focus of the book. The relationship to each other was and the reaction that the league and teammates would have if it ever come to light. That was the point of the book. How do two people have a relationship in a profession (sports) that is so macho and unforgiving for past sins? Hell, I’m still waiting for certain football players to FINALLY admit that they are gay and they haven’t played in over ten years. Can you imagine at Poconos Race Week and one of the drivers comes out…trust me, I lurve my NASCAR but there are some drivers that I wouldn’t put it past them and you know what? More power to you! Bring it and I mean that to every sport. Big it on! Its been 66 years since sports has been shaken up and its about time to do it again.
Excerpt #3:
Fate wasn’t on Jason’s side. Everywhere he turned, Patrick was there. The man had acted strangely ever since their confrontation in the hall, and Jason lived in fear that Patrick had seen something that day and would out him, despite his gut feeling Patrick wasn’t like that.
Another night, Patrick and Jason found themselves on the same elevator at the hotel. Jason groaned to himself when Patrick followed him when he exited on his floor. He knew Patrick didn’t have a room on this floor and braced himself for the inevitable. The best thing to do now was go on the offensive. When Jason reached his door, he clenched his fists at his sides and spun around. “Why are you following me?”
Patrick stopped dead before turning his gaze to the floor, where he worried at a small hole in the carpet with his shoe. “Shit.”
“What?” Jason wouldn’t stand there like an idiot, waiting for the guillotine to fall. Almost without a conscious thought, he took up a battle stance.
The older man held out a hand in supplication. “Please, just let me explain.”
Jason’s eyebrows drew down as Patrick raised his gaze, and Jason read myriad emotions in them. Pain, guilt, shame, and hidden under all that, lust.
What the fuck?
He wasn’t willing to let the man off the hook until he knew what he wanted, so he barked out, “Talk.”
Patrick indicated Jason’s door. “Can we go inside? We shouldn’t stay out here in the hall, not with what we need to talk about.”
“And what is it we need to talk about?”
Jason watched as Patrick cleared his throat and shifted his weight from side to side. In a voice barely above a whisper, Patrick said, “Our mutual attraction.”
“Fuck.”
Patrick ran a hand through his hair. “Yeah, what you said.”
Without another word, Jason unlocked his door and swung it open, motioning for Patrick to go in ahead of him. As soon as he was in the room, his eyes locked on the king-size bed dominating the space. Fortunately there was a desk chair and a small arm chair, and Patrick fell into the arm chair as Jason slowly lowered himself to the desk chair.
Jason blew out a breath. “So you’re—”
“Yeah. And so are you.”
“How the hell did you know that?” The question came out as little more than a snarl. He saw Patrick arch an eyebrow.
“I’ll admit you had me fooled for a while, but once I saw you check me out and looked into your eyes, I knew.”
“When did I check you out?”
“In the hallway a couple of days ago when we talked.”
Jason’s stomach churned. Busted. There was no use lying, especially since Patrick had already admitted he was gay too. “Can anyone else tell, do you think?”
“No. You hide it well.”
Closing his eyes, he murmured, “Thank God.”
“But I saw it, I see it, and we’re in deep shit.”
“How do you figure that?” Jason shifted in his chair. Even now his cock was half-hard, but he didn’t want the other man to notice his excitement. “I’ve hidden attraction before.”
Patrick blew out a loud breath. “Yeah, but were you trying to hide it when the other person was doing the same thing and there are countless people around at all times?”
“I’ll deal with it.” Rubbing the sudden ache at the back of his neck, he gestured toward Patrick. “Besides, if we can’t do anything about it, why even come here and dredge the whole thing up?”
“Because I think that’s better than trying to ignore it. I don’t know about you, but it was driving me crazy.”
Jason shot to his feet. “And you think now that we know we want each other, things will get easier? Are you fucking delusional?”
Patrick rose as well and stalked over to him. “No, I’m not ‘fucking delusional.’”
Jason stared at the other man, the lust burning him where he stood. He moved even closer, like a moth to a flame.
What the fuck am I doing?
Apparently Patrick didn’t know either, because his expression became alarmed. “What?”
I can’t stop.
“I need to do this.”
Not giving Patrick a chance to react to his words, Jason grabbed him, one hand palming the back of Patrick’s head as Jason’s other arm snaked around the man’s waist, pulling him into Patrick’s rock-hard body. It was obvious the man kept in shape, despite his playing days being over, and a tortured moan escaped before he could stop it. Jason dived into Patrick’s mouth as the passion flared, melting him from the inside out. He hadn’t kissed a man in years, and he realized how much he’d missed it as the kiss went on and on, neither man willing to let the other go.
He could feel Patrick’s cock as it lined up with his, and even through layers of clothing Jason felt the heat pouring off the other man. It made him want to submit to anything Patrick desired, which confused him. Honestly Jason couldn’t remember the last time he’d had a man’s dick in his mouth, but right now he’d give just about anything to suck Patrick off.
Patrick pushed them backward until they crashed into the wall, never letting their lips separate as he took control of the kiss. With a growl, the older man reached down and cupped Jason’s ass, pulling their cocks even closer and rubbing them together. Jason turned his head to the side with a gasp to break the kiss before he passed out, but Patrick kept at him, scoring his teeth down Jason’s neck to his pulse point.
“So fucking hot.”
All Jason could do in return was give a helpless little whimper.
About the Author
Cassandra Carr is a multi-published, award-winning erotic romance writer with Ellora’s Cave, Siren, Sybarite Seductions and Loose Id who lives in Western New York with her husband, Inspiration, and her daughter, Too Cute for Words. When not writing she enjoys watching hockey and hanging out on Twitter. Cassandra’s book Caught was recently named Best BDSM Book 2011 by LoveRomancesCafe and Impact was named BDSM Book of the Month for May 2012 by BDSM Book Reviews.
Connect with Cassandra Carr:
Website :http://www.booksbycassandracarr.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorCassandraCarr
Eternal Heiress by Charlene Roberts – Author Interview
Welcome Charlene! Please start off by telling us a little about yourself.
Thank you, and hi everyone! My name is Charlene Lokey, but I write as Charlene Roberts. I live in Toronto, Canada with my family. I’ve written 2 erotica e-books; Under Cover of Night and A Gentleman’s Savior, both published by Ellora’s Cave.
I’ve been writing for awhile, but haven’t been able to make the leap to full time author (but working on it!) I have a full time job as an administrative assistant with a consulting company, but I’m hoping to change that soon.
I’ve got 2 cats named Miko and Koji.
I’ve done a lot of things; modeled, worked with a film crew, reviewed books for Romantic Times, was a contest coordinator and newsletter editor for my local chapter. I want to travel and have been to several states, the Caribbean and London, England, but just don’t have the funds.
*My dream reviewer job would be for Romantic Times. sigh*
Is Eternal Heiress a single title, or part of a series?
Well, the e-book was supposed to be a single title, but when I finished the story, I realized I left an opening for a sequel. That won’t happen anytime soon as I do have other projects I’m currently working on.
What were your inspirations for the story?
It’s weird – I like to imagine “what if” scenarios. What if this happened instead of that? And it makes for a completely interesting result. For Eternal Heiress, it started off with “what if Napoleon had a second chance with his war?” He was exiled to an island called Elba after he was captured (I thought he would have been executed for his crimes), and I always wondered what he would do if given the opportunity to return to France. I give him that chance when he makes a deal with Satan, and thus Eternal Heiress was born.
Please share your setting for Eternal Heiress. Have you ever lived or visited there? If so, what did you like most?
Eternal Heiress is set in several cities and countries; Toronto, where I live; England, which I would love to go back and visit; France, which I’m dying to visit; Japan, a country that looks so beautiful, and want to travel to one day; and Egypt. Egypt is a mysterious country with history so vast that it would take more than a lifetime to learn. I’d love to visit Egypt.
When did the writing bug first bite?
When I helped a friend type her first draft. I used a typewriter (I know! Tells you how old I’m getting – lol) and it was a historical, so definitely about 250 pages. My boyfriend had moved to another province, and noticing how upset I was, my friend told me about her book but was having a hard time finishing the typing (she wrote it long-hand), and that’s when I stepped in. I was interested in her story and asked if I could go with her to her local writing group. After the first meeting, I was hooked.
Who are your favorite authors, book/series?
I love the Dresden series by Jim Butcher – a detective who’s also a real wizard? All right!!!
I’ve enjoyed the Game of Thrones by George Martin – enormous sagas of treachery, magic and trust. I’m only on book four because it invests a lot of reading time to go through them.
I know you’re going to ask; how did I end up writing erotica? (which I do). I had to spend time deciding what genre I wrote best. I’ve written historical, contemporary and romantic suspense with no results, before stumbling onto erotica. It paid off with two published works. I still write erotica because I enjoy it, but I wanted to explore genres, and the fantasy element came to light.
If you could have an author roundtable discussion with any authors, who would you invite?
JK Rowling – I’m so impressed with how she stuck it out until her first Harry Potter book was published.
Nora Roberts – she has done everything it seems, and hasn’t slowed down.
Suzanne Brockman – a nice lady (I met her once at the RT Convention when it was in Toronto). I’d like to get some tips on her research style.
Claire Delacroix – a good friend who has been in the business a long time too.
The Bronte Sisters (if possible) – their Regency romances are the epitome of sexy! All of that tension brewing under the surface. They knew how to keep their readers entranced until the last page!
Do you have any hobbies or special things you like to do in your spare time?
Not really; I spend most of it reading or writing. I go to the gym and exercise with my trainer. Being the middle of winter, I don’t do much – I don’t ski or play a lot of winter sports. Bring on summer!
From inside the flap
Revelations by Julie Lynn Hayes – Excerpt/Author Interview
Blurb:
Judas has never been very popular, not in any incarnation that he and Jesus and the others have lived through. But he doesn’t care about that. All he cares about is following the instructions of God as set forth in the script that they follow. And Jesus. For Judas has secretly loved the son of God for over two thousand years.
But now he decides that enough is enough, and he’s tired of watching Jesus die far too early, and for what? This time Judas is determined to see that Jesus lives a long and happy life, no matter what price he has to pay to accomplish it…no matter if he has to make a deal with the devil himself.
Revelations is a story of what could be, told by those who play it out, time after time after time, unbeknownst to the rest of mankind. They’ve come back again, for yet another round. But this time is going to be different.
Excerpt:
Prologue: God
It’s not always easy to sit on the sidelines and watch what is happening, to resist the urge to intervene in his best interest. My son’s that is. Jesus. But I do so, because I know it’s for his own good. As well as for the good of mankind. I can’t let my concerns as his father override my vested interest in the fate of man. But sometimes that is easier said than done.
This morning I am not alone. Someone else is with me, someone with his own agenda, although we are not as diametrically opposed as some would imagine us to be. Good and evil aren’t the simplistic concepts some would portray them as being—there are more grey areas there than you might think. And rightly so.
He smirks. Too much for my taste, I have to admit, but sometimes he does have his moments, and he too has a part to play in what is happening in the world of men. Someone needs to fill the role of the villain, after all.
The stage is being set for the third act, the scripts have been handed round, and the actors are taking their places. Will this time end any differently than the others? That depends on my son, on Jesus. I’m thinking this will be the time when he’ll make the change.
“He’ll change nothing,” Lucifer interjects, although I’ve asked him nothing, certainly not inquired as to his opinion.
I glance at him. He’s dressed to within an inch of his life, and wears the most ridiculous sunglasses I’ve ever seen. I decide not to comment on his fashion sense. “I think he might, this time. I think he’s ready for change.”
Lucifer snorts. “It’s been two thousand years, and neither one has exactly caught on yet. Why should this time be any different?”
“Care to put your money where your mouth is?”
He eyes me carefully. “I would, but you see you have this whole mystic omnipotent God thing going on. Personally, I don’t care for those odds.”
I arch an eyebrow. “I may be omnipotent, but Jesus does have free will and he does possess the ability to make his own decisions. You think I’d stack the deck in my son’s favor? Just to win a bet with you?”
“Let’s say I’m taking no chances.” He smiles. “Tell you what, though—give me free rein. Let me do what I want, and you not say anything or do anything to interfere with me? As far as they’re concerned, that is.”
I open my mouth to object, he hastily interjects. “No killing, I swear to it.”
That’s better. I still have some measure of control over the serpent.
“So be it.” I agree, turning my attention back to where it had been, to my son. I’m smirking now. Openly.
O ye of little faith, watch and learn.
Welcome Julie Lynn Hayes! Please start off by telling us a little about yourself.
Thanks for having me, Harlie! Well, obviously I’m a writer, have been for over forty years, which puts me on the other side of fifty lol I’ve lived most of my life in the St. Louis area, been married twice, have five kids, but only one still at home. I have two cats. My favorite thing to do is write, but after that I enjoy reading, watching movies, long drives in the country, visiting the Art Museum (St. Louis has a great one!), crocheting, knitting, cross stitch and needlepoint. I visit my kids when I can, and hope to do a lot more traveling in the future.
Is Revelations a single title, or part of a series?
Yes and no lol It isn’t part of a series, but there will be other stories that feature the characters. You might call them companion pieces, but they aren’t exactly sequels, and are still in the writing stage.
What were your inspirations for the story?
One of my biggest inspirations was Weber & Rice’s Jesus Christ Superstar. I’ve listened to it so often I know most of the words and can sing all the parts (not well, mind you, so only in private). After that, I drew on inspiration from other movies I watched and books I read, and I formulated my own ideas and they became Revelations. I think one of the biggest spurs came from listening to someone talking about the Second Coming and what would happen at that time, his vision of a fire and brimstone God that I found to be rather strange, as I began to think to myself, how do you know there hasn’t been a Second Coming already, a non-announced one? Maybe more?
Please share your setting for Revelations. Have you ever lived or visited there? If so, what did you like most?
Revelations has no specific setting, not geographically. It all takes place within a small area, including the jail of a small town, and the site where most of the action takes place, just outside of town. But you can see it as you wish, it’s anywhere you want it to be. The characters are what counts, not the setting.
When did the writing bug first bite?
When I was maybe nine or so. Our teacher was reading a book to us about some kids and the adventures they had and I began to imagine my own story and wrote it, a mystery involving an island and dinosaurs and an expensive diamond perfume (long before Elizabeth Taylor ever conceived of White Diamonds lol). Sad to say, no copy of this story exists any more.
Who are you favorite authors, book/series?
That’s a tough question, because there are so many. William Faulkner, P.G. Wodehouse are two. Charlaine Harris/Sookie Stackhouse, Sherrilyn Kenyon/Dark Hunter, Preston & Child/Pendergast series, Frank Herbert/Dune, Isaac Asimov/Foundation, not to mention great manga/yaoi series: Youka Nita/Embracing Love, Kizuna, Love Mode, Maiden Rose, and much much more. And great new upcoming m/m writers: M.A. Church, Chris T. Kat, Sui Lynn, and others. And let’s not forget graphic novels: Mike Carey/Lucifer, Neil Gaiman/Sandman, Mike Carey/The Unwritten, Joe Hill/Locke & Key
If you could have an author roundtable discussion with any authors, who would you invite?
Oh this would be fabulous! I’ll limit it to live authors, for expediency’s sake. Mike Carey, Joe Hill, M.A. Church, Sui Lynn, Charlaine Harris, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Neil Gaiman, Dan Brown, Christopher Moore.
Better stop there, that’s a full table lol
Do you have any hobbies or special things you like to do in your spare time?
Yes, I love to crochet, knit, cross stitch and needlepoint. I don’t do anything useful, like sew, though. I love jigsaw puzzles and crossword puzzles, the harder the better. And Sudoku.
What’s the strangest thing you’ve heard or seen?
That’s a hard question. I’ve seen a lot of things in my over fifty years. I heard the sound of my first husband being shot to death, although I did not see it. It doesn’t sound anything like in the movies. I’ve heard people talk in tongues, which I found rather strange. It’s hard to separate the strange from the normal sometimes, it all goes into the pool of our experiences.
Thanks for having me, Harlie! And thanks to everyone who stopped by!
Author Info:
Julie Lynn Hayes was reading at the age of two and writing by the age of nine and always wanted to be a writer when she grew up. Two marriages, five children, and more than forty years later, that is still her dream. She blames her younger daughters for introducing her to yaoi and the world of M/M love, a world which has captured her imagination and her heart and fueled her writing in ways she’d never dreamed of before. She especially loves stories of two men finding true love and happiness in one another’s arms and is a great believer in the happily ever after. She lives in St. Louis with her daughter Sarah and two cats, loves books and movies, and hopes to be a world traveler some day. While working a temporary day job, she continues to write her books and stories and reviews, which she posts in various places on the internet. Her family thinks she is a bit off, but she doesn’t mind. Marching to the beat of one’s own drummer is a good thing, after all. Her published works can be found at Dreamspinner Press, and MuseitUp Publishing, and she has also begun to self-publish at various places on the Internet.
My Links:
My blog: http://julielynnhayes.blogspot.com
My facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=527332074
My Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3442231.Julie_Lynn_Hayes
My Publishers:
Museit Up Publishing: http://museituppublishing.com/
Dreamspinner Press: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/index.php?cPath=55_222
The Secret Santa Wishing Well by Nikki Lynn Barrett – Excerpt/Interview
The Secret Santa Wishing Well
Nikki Lynn Barrett
Published by: Nikki Lynn Barrett
Contemporary holiday romance
about 55,000 words
184 print pages.
Blurb: The magic of Christmas has been lost to Jacob Winston. At the suggestion of his ill sister, Jacob takes a job as a Secret Santa at the mall, hoping to restore his Christmas spirit. Even that doesn’t seem to work, until a special little boy ambles up to make a very special wish…
Cheyenne Jensen is struggling to raise her two kids without the help of her ex-husband who refuses to acknowledge his daughter’s existence and doesn’t provide for the son he does. This Christmas is shaping up to be as heartbreaking as the last, until her son Ben’s kind actions lead a stranger to them.
Ah, but it’s Christmas time and the magic has begun.
When Jacob and Cheyenne meet, neither can deny their immediate attraction to one another. As situations arise that require they spend more time together, their feelings grow stronger and stronger.
With Christmas fast approaching, the pair learn what matters most in life. Now, if only they could ditch the ghost of Christmases past.
Maybe this holiday will bring some wishes come true- for everyone after all.
Excerpt:
It didn’t take long for her to come back. Jacob moved to the living room, standing and waiting. When he saw her coming, he closed the gap between them. Before he could could think twice, he touched her shoulder gently, wanting to thank her for the evening.
But instead of talking, he leaned in and kissed her. Just a light kiss. Gentle. Friendly.
Until she responded. She had her arms around him, pulling him for another kiss. Deeper. Sweeter. She tasted so sweet. Her need made him swell. He could do this all night. Jacob pressed her against the wall, their kisses deepening with urgency. He ran his fingers through her fine hair. Hers wrapped around. his neck, rubbing lightly.
Jacob pulled back abruptly. “Cheyenne,” he ground out. “We have to stop.” Before I lose it. He didn’t want to stop. He never expected her to reciprocate like this. Wow. Maybe it wasn’t one sided after all. Jacob sighed.
That halted everything. She pulled away, looking at him with wide, beautiful eyes. “I’m sorry. I pushed. You must think I’m a fool. I thought, when you kissed me…” Cheyenne attempted to move out of Jacob’s embrace. Oh, damn. She thought he didn’t want her. He did, oh, how he did.
“No, no. Honey, that’s not it at all. Kissing you was magical. Amazing. But we just met. I don’t want to take things too far. But I would love to see you again.” He pushed back loose strands of her hair that hung over her face when she’d moved. She looked so vulnerable. Was she going to cry? Oh hell, he wouldn’t be able to handle it if she did. The last thing he wanted was for her to be upset with him.
“I’d like that, too. It was a wonderful, amazing day, and I have you to thank for it.” She nearly whispered the words, choking up on the last part. “God, I’m a mess. I’m sorry. There’s been so much going on, and my signals are going crazy at the moment.”
Yours aren’t the only one, Jacob thought. He pulled his cell phone from his pocket, typing in her name in the contacts and handing it to her. “Can I have your number?”
She laughed. “Of course.” Her fingers brushed his as she took the phone from him, tapping in her number. She handed it back to him. Electric shocks of awareness zipped through him. His gaze lingered on her, knowing he needed to get the hell out of here before he lost it completely.
Welcome Nikki Lynn Barrett!
Please start off by telling us a little about yourself.
I live in Arizona with my husband and young son. I long for cold and stormy days, but we don’t get many of those here…lol. I love all things creative! I have an addiction to Words With Friends and raspberry tea. I hate getting up in front of a crowd for a speech, but put a microphone in my hand and music in the background, and I can sing in front of any crowd. I often tell people that characters fight for my attention worse than siblings fighting for their parents’ attention.
Is The Secret Santa Wishing Well a single title, or part of a series? It’s a single title! Now, I have had one person ask for a secondary character’s story, but if I wrote it, The Secret Santa Wishing Well would still suit fine as a stand alone.
What were your inspirations for the story? I had an idea for awhile about a man being some kind of Secret Santa, meeting a child, and connecting to the mother that way. The first week in August when my son started preschool, I toyed with a few writing projects. Then all of a sudden, the complete idea for The Secret Santa Wishing Well hit me. I only wrote three days a week, as my son only goes to school for four of them, and one mid week day is dedicated to jewelry making with my mom. I wrote 38,000 in six weeks. After not being able to write and finish a project for years, this was astonishing for me! After rewrites, it turned into an almost 55k book! Anyway, I’m kind of straying, aren’t I? But that was the gist of it. Had an idea, rolled with it, and boom! There is the birth of The Secret Santa Wishing Well
Please share your setting for The Secret Santa Wishing Well. Have you ever lived or visited there? If so, what did you like most? I set it in Prescott, Arizona. I love that city. It’s up in the high country, I love the cool mountain air, and it’s a nice escape from the Phoenix heat. I’ve been there many times since my first time in 2003. I’ve always said if I ever made it rich I was getting me a summer home in Prescott. Better storms up there in monsoon season, too. LOL
When did the writing bug first bite? You know….it always has been with me. I loved reading and writing from early on. By the time I was in fifth grade, I completed a book- well, an 80 kids book, lol. I used to write in those one subject spiral notebooks. I was happy if my parents bought me a ton of them and a package of pens. Stories turned into writing poetry for awhile, then song lyrics, and while I still wrote books, they weren’t the focus of my attention for awhile until I hit college and wanted to write them again. I finished my first adult romantic suspense in 2003, and unless it goes through MAJOR rewrites, it won’t ever see the light of day, although to this day, my dad swears he loves that book…..
Who are you favorite authors, book/series? I’m fairly eclectic. I grew up reading thrillers and horror. I will always love R. L. Stine. I’m stoked that he released Red Rain this year! I’m also a fan of Luanne Rice. Her stories are so emotional and always take me on a journey through characters that have suffered a loss, but always find a way to make it through. I love Wendy Corsi Staub. Excellent suspense. Same with Erica Spindler’s books. Diane Chamberlain, another women’s fiction author that always leaves me with a smile. Stephanie Bond. I fell in love with OUR HUSBAND, and crave more of her books! You can’t go wrong with JoAnn Ross, or Susan Mallery. And recently I’ve been reading erotic romances and fell in love- Maya Banks was my first, and now I can’t get enough of her stories! Same with Jaci Burton. But while I have a favorite group of writers, I always love to find new ones. I’m open to anything that looks good.
If you could have an author roundtable discussion with any authors, who would you invite?
Ooooh. Nora Roberts. Luanne Rice. R.L. Stine, Wendy Corsi Staub,….kind of toss a variety in there. LOL
Do you have any hobbies or special things you like to do in your spare time? Spare…time? Huh, what? LOL. When I’m not writing or reading, I’m blogging, spending time with my husband and son. Okay…I do have a little spare time. My latest venture is jewelry making. My mom and someone else were going to go into business with it, but the other person kind of flaked out. I was taking pictures of the jewelry for them, and I wanted to do it too. Now, I can’t stop! It’s fun, addicting and soothing. So now my mom and I are partnering up. I love photography, mostly weather, but I’ve branched out. Often times I’m at a nearby pedestrian bridge and sunset with the camera and tripod, or when a storm is near. I love long walks, and swimming. I love singing. I need to get back in my lyric writing and learn more guitar. I love long car rides with music blaring. Oh, and I love sleep…except, I rarely get enough of it! haha
What’s the strangest thing you’ve heard or seen? I swear this street I lived on when I was a child was haunted or something. We were always seeing and hearing weird stuff. I know we were kids, but I still remember a lot of it. I don’t know now how true it was, but I thought the house we lived in someone was murdered in. I wonder now if I could look that up and figure it out, but I don’t remember the address. Still, there were some weird happenings on that block….
Thank you for having me here today! I’m so excited to be here.
Master’s Submission by Helena Harker Author Interview
Blurb:
When Bethany reads her Master’s note, she expects it to contain the usual set of instructions telling her how to prepare for their Friday evening play session. But her Master asks for the unexpected—he wants her to be his Domme. Bethany is terrified at the prospect, but she doesn’t want to disappoint Master. She’ll need to tap into her inner dominatrix if she’s to give her newly submissive lover what he needs.
Interview:
What started your writing career?
I’m not sure if I’d call it a career. It’s an obsessive hobby that’s been with me since I was 15. I have so many ideas in my head, all begging to be set free on the printed page!
What are you favorite genres to write? Anyone more challenging than the other?
I have written thrillers, fantasy, urban fantasy, steampunk, contemporary erotica, BDSM. They all have their own challenges. Right now I am hopelessly in love with steampunk because I have always loved the Victorian era.
I noticed on your website that you are teacher? Have your students read anything that you wrote?
They definitely haven’t read any of the erotica! LOL! I write for young adults as well, but I think my students are a little too old for the books I have written.
Describe getting the “call” or “email” regarding your first book that was published?
My most thrilling acceptance wasn’t the first novel. My most thrilling acceptance came with my current story, “Master’s Submission.” I couldn’t believe that Ellora’s Cave accepted my very first erotic story. I was ecstatic! They have also accepted another one, which will be out soon, a cougar story called “Art of Desire.”
If you could invite 6 writers for a roundtable discussion, who would they be and what would be the topic?
Philip Pullman, Stephen King, J.K. Rowling, Stephenie Meyer, P.C. Cast, Kristen Callihan. I would ask them where they get their ideas and how they plot from beginning to end.
Where do you see yourself as a writer 5 years from now?
I hope to have lots more publications with Ellora’s Cave.
What’s next for you?
An erotic steampunk novella entitled “Camellia’s Cabinet of Curiosities.” Think hell hath no fury like a woman scorn’d set in Victorian times. There’s a touch of BDSM in there too!
Thank you so much Helena for answering my questions.
If you would like to read my review of Master’s Submission, it can be found at My review
Helena Harker is a teacher by day, writer by night, a daydreamer who loves to escape to other worlds. Her fiction is populated by strong men, passionate women and lots of paranormal creatures. In her free time she enjoys photography and curling up with a good book. She is multi-published and also writes in other genres.
Email: Author Email
Website: Author Website
Twitter: Twitter Link
Facebook: Facebook Link
