Monday, July 30, 2007
Mercykill: Shattered Melody by Michael Barnette
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Michael Barnette was nominated for a Spectrum Award in 2003 for his first published erotic short story Zoner which has now appeared internationally in both English, Italian and Japanese language editions. Zoner was featured in the Lambda Award Finalist anthology Wired Hard #3 from Circlet Press.
Once a resident of Coconut Grove and South Beach in Florida, Michael relocated to Georgia where there were fewer gunshots and yard to yard searches for suspects to disturb the writing muses. He has since moved on and now lives in a very small town in the Midwest.
2007 Spectrum Award Nominee-Mercykill: Shattered Melody
http://www.mojocastle.com/mercy/kill1.html
2007 Golden Rose Honorable Mentions
Mercykill: Shattered Melody-Suspense
Midwinter's Night-Fantasy/Scifi
http://loveromancesandmore.com/goldenrose.htm
2006 RoRR Best Novel Award winner-Apocalypse Dance
http://phaze.com/scififuturistic.htm
Phaze site: www.phaze.com/authors-mbarnette.htm
Blog: http://m-barnette.livejournal.com/
Newsgroup: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/immortal_heroes/
ABOUT THE BOOK:
BLURB:
Mercykill is on their way to fame as the newest visual kei (metal) band to hit the big time in Japan. But from the heights of fame to the depths of crushing sorrow takes but an instant. Can the band recover from senseless tragedy and salvage their lives from the ashes of despair?
This is a jrock suspense novel with paranormal twists and explicit m/m and m/m/m sexual content.
EXCERPT:
An electric melody rolled out across the crowd, the sound like liquid silver, bright-toned, sad, the stage still darkened.
Excitement rippled through the sea of fans, played on the stage of faces, lights flickered across them, revealing painted hair, leather clothes, lace, velvet, wild makeup.
The guitar’s lonely melody was abruptly joined by the bone-vibrating thrum of a bass, the sharp crack of drums and the lights came up on stage, bright as a lightning flash.
A roar from the audience drowned out the music for an instant, the sound making the concrete walls of the venue vibrate with the sound.
A crescendo of glittering notes, rose over the noise of the crowd, the opening melody of the band’s first song rising like sparks from a bonfire.
On stage the guitarist stepped forward, bathed in a pool of light, red and black
streaked hair, red and white painted face, slim body encased in leather from neck to toes, only the dancing white of his fingers against the inky darkness of his the guitar visible.Behind him his band mates were playing, the drummer in a floor length dress that was a confection of black taffeta, dove grey lace and pearls, blue hair elegantly styled, the makeup that turned good looks into incredible beauty was perfect.
To his right their bassist moved to the music in a pair of micro-shorts in black velvet, high heeled patent leather boots and a violet velvet crop top with long pointed sleeves that looked like vintage 1960s era clothing. A torrent of violet hair that reached almost to the bassist’s waist sparkled with motes of silver glitter. A bar of violet broke the perfect geisha-white of the bassist’s pretty face.
This was their first major appearance since they’d signed with indie label Poisoned Dragon Recording Company.
They just were the opening act for a well established band, but they didn’t care. They were playing to twenty thousand people, the biggest audience they’d ever had. And, even more thrilling, the whole thing was being recorded for later broadcast on a couple of pay per view stations, including Music Alive in the States.
It was their dream come true and Takeshi whose stage name was Kei felt his veins filled with the power of such an accomplishment. They played better than they’d ever played before, song after song leaving the listeners wanting more, the crowd’s roar a drug to the man who’d dared to dream of fame.
Fame. Right here in their grasp.
And they’d saved their number one hit for last.
As the roar of the crowd slowly died, anticipation of their next song silencing the fans, the guitarist saw movement at the corner of his vision. Backstage. A man and a woman. He didn’t know the man, and he couldn’t see the woman clearly with the lights in his eyes but if they were there then they must have permission.
While he couldn’t tell who they were, he could see they were arguing.
But that wasn’t any of his business at the moment. He had work to do. Work he loved. Wouldn’t have traded for anything in the entire world.
Music flowed from his hands in a glissando of notes that fell like brittle tears on the crowd. Slow. Sad.
He stepped forward to the microphone, the opening lyrics to their biggest selling single pouring from his lips, “Iku tokoro wa shiranai.
“Itta toko wa oshienai,”
Hana, the drummer echoed the words in chorus with Maki the bassist, their voices blending smoothly.
Over their heads the huge display showed falling rose petals, the English translation of the lyrics in bold lettering. The display provided for the English speaking audience that would later watch the broadcast.
I don’t know where I’m going. I can’t tell you where I’ve been.
A change in lighting resolved the woman into the familiar figure of their handler-- the manager for their band. She was standing there in her all her tatter-lace beauty, black mascara artfully streaking her cheeks. Sadness incarnate. Gothic Lolita, her makeup turning her face white as death.
But he still didn’t know who the man standing there with her might be.
It didn’t matter. They were no longer fighting and Kita was watching them with adoration in her wide eyes, hands pressed together in front of her breasts.
He could feel her love even with most of the width of the stage between them.
Their hard work had paid off. Hers. Theirs. Together.
Pride and love burned in his chest as his voice soared into the next verses.
“Namida ga ame no you ni ochite. Hi ga kimi no egao to kieta.”
Rose petals changing to falling rain on a sere and dead garden, the words streaming across the display as he sang them.
Tears fall like rain. And the sun is gone with your smile...
Singing the words to the first hit song they’d ever had, in front of such a huge crowd was more than Kei had ever believed possible. Yet, here they were despite all the fighting, the struggles, the hard work finally paying off.
Kei glanced sideways, trying to see Kita, wanting to make sure the man was leaving her alone. But they’d either moved away or the lights on stage kept him from seeing them. This wasn’t the time to be distracted. They had to be perfect. Nothing less was acceptable to Kei. He focused on the song, fingers sliding and fluttering across the guitar, creating music.
INTERVIEW:
Why did you become a writer? Was it a dream of yours since you were younger or did the desire to write happen later in your life?
I started writing because both my mom and sister were doing it. LOL
What do you love about being an author? Is there anything you dislike?
Talking to readers and fans. I like to hear from my readers and find out what they liked about my stories and which characters are their favorites.
Dealing with contracts. There are so many things publishers can put in them that take different rights that going over them is like walking through a mine field.
How do you balance your personal and writing time?
I'm not married and have no family commitments so all I have to do is write and go to my day job. My friends all live in other states, so that leaves my day pretty open for writing.
How do you write? Do your characters come to you first or the plot or the world of the story?
It varies from book to book. Sometimes I wake up with the characters in my head, sometimes it's the worldsetting. Occasionally it's both.
What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?
I write anything but straight up contemporary. Almost everything I write has some paranormal elements. As I tell my readers if you think you're reading a contemporary story, just wait for the twist.
Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?
My characters are the product of my imagination, though having known a wide variety of people does help make my characters more real.
Out of all the characters that you've written, who is your favorite and why?
That's an easy one: Bells. He's the oldest character I have and the one I've written most about. He's also a favorite of readers and appears in three different series, Through Neon Eyes, Dragon Dance and GameNet.
What would you want readers to take away from your books?
The feeling they've just watched a movie rather than that they've just read a book.
Do you have any advice for beginning writers in regards to writing a book?
Never let a rejection letter stop you from writing. They aren't a rejection of you as a person, they're just an editor letting you know that the story or book you sent isn't right for them. Read them, learn from any comments made, and sent the story or book out to someone else. And never wait between replies from publishers to start your next project. Keep writing at all times.
What are you reading right now?
I mostly read fanfiction for amusement rather than books.
If you could be anyone or anything that you wanted, who or what would you be?
Myself. I'm comfortable with who I am, but a little more money to pay bills would be nice. LOL
REVIEWS:
5 Angels: Recommended Read
Michael Barnette wove a very beautiful story that held me spell bound from the first page. The descriptions of the members was so vivid that they leapt from the pages and came alive for me. I will be waiting to [read] the sequel Mercykill: Killers.
-- Teresa, Fallen Angel Reviews
5 Hearts: Mr. Barnette holds nothing back. He writes emotional love scenes between his characters, high action, and he manages to squeeze every emotion out of the reader. This reviewer bows to Mr. Barnette’s awesome talent and waits somewhat impatiently for the next story.
-- Valerie, Love Romances and More
Mercykill: Shattered Melody is also a 2007 Gaylactic Spectrum Award Nominee.
Mercykill: Shattered Melody by Michael Barnette
ISBN: 1-60180-01609
Length: Epic
Rated: The Iron Maiden
Genre: Mystery/Suspense, Paranormal
$6.99 from Mojocastle Press
Purchase Mercykill: Shattered Melody by Michael Barnette HERE!!
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Altered Destiny by Lynda K. Scott
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
I'm a computer operator/programmer for a Building Automation System and a bit of a geek; love technology and love to figure out how it works. I also love science (even if a good deal of it's over my head, I love to read Scientific American) and history though not recent history. I'm a wife and a mom and I've done all the mom things like make costumes for dance classes and Halloween, bake sales, chauffeuring, etc. I've done the Girl Scout Troop Leader thing (which was a LOT of fun!) I've got so many interests that it's hard to catalogue them all and, like the heroine of ALTERED DESTINY, I often refer to myself as a Jack-of-all-trades.
As for writing, I mostly write cross-genre futuristic romance with a good strong adventure though I've written some erotic paranormal and I have a historical that's been begging for attention for the last few years. But, right now, I'm working on a futuristic romance tentatively titled, RIDER'S LUCK. Here's the premise: What happens when a female 'Han Solo' falls in love with 'Judge Dredd'? When I finish this, there are a couple of secondary characters who are quite insistent about getting their own books, so who knows what I'll write next? So many ideas, so little time to actually write them!
Website: www.lyndakscott.com
Blog: http://lyndakscott.blogspot.com
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/lyndakscott
Newsletter: LyndaKScott-Newsgroup-subscibe@yahoogroups.com
ABOUT THE BOOK:
BLURB:
Stranded on an alternate Earth, architect and Jill-of-all-trades, Liane Gautier-MacGregor must find her way back to her homeworld before she's enslaved...or falls in love with a man who is the exact duplicate of her ex-husband.
Devyn MacGregor's alter ego as the Reiver Lord is the only way he can fight the Qui'arel and their nefarious Bride Bounty, a tax paid with human females...until he meets the oddly familiar woman who claims he is her husband. And who sets in motion the rebellion that will either free his countrymen or destroy them .
EXCERPT:
She picked up the shirt and hung it on a hanger, frowning thoughtfully. "It's funny. Last night I helped my ex-husband pack his clothes."
"Did you now? In the cottage that was not there?" Devyn cast a look at her as he passed on his way to the smaller bedroom. Her words registered and he stopped. "Ex-husband?"
"Yes." Her gaze met his, level and cool. "You're just like him, you know. I
thought you were different but I was wrong.""You loved him greatly, aye?" he asked, irritation tightening his forehead. "And I look somewhat like him, is that it?"
The lass looked startled, then offered a smile that would have chilled a buitseach's arse. "You look exactly like him. And, no, I didn't love him greatly. He was a liar and a cheat and I'm well rid of him."
She took an armload of shirts and gestured him to precede her to the smaller bedroom. After tossing his load onto the bed, Devyn shimmied the closet doors open. A single crate sat on the floor, mementos of a long ago childhood. He needed to throw that out. He couldn't even remember what the box contained.
Watching Annie perform the somewhat wifely duty of organizing his clothes did something inside him. He'd always known he would never marry...unless Cuini consented to be his bride. He'd never expected to see a human female in his room, taking care of him so efficiently. The something he felt turned into a warm glow of pleasure. And that made him uncomfortable. In self-defense, with a tone of patently false sympathy, he asked, "You make a habit of mistaking one man for another, do you?"
Her gaze flicked toward him and away as she continued hanging the shirts, organizing them by style and color. "I doubt I'll make that mistake again."
"Too late for me, aye?" He leaned against the wall. The coolness in her voice shafted a spike of irritation through him. If she was a spy, she would be willing to share herself with him. If not, she would fight him. He needed to know which way she would react. He needed to know now. He stepped forward, put his hands on either side of her as she backed into the wall. Her eyes widened. Her breath grew unsteady. Her cheeks flushed pink and her tongue touched lips as silken as a rose petal. He stepped closer, watching for the flare of interest in those bonnie eyes and nearly crowing when he saw it. To hell with control. "I'm going to kiss you."
She made a breathless sound. "Don't be silly. You don't want to kiss me."
"Silly?" One hand drifted up her arm to encircle the supple column of her neck while the other settled on her waist. He leaned forward, slowly, letting his body brush hers. Desire rippled over him and he lowered his head until her warm breath danced over his skin. His lips met hers, slowly, smoothly, until she softened beneath him. Then he kissed her in earnest. Her lips were sweet and her reluctance soon vanished as he pulled her closer, pressing her against his body, chest to hip to thigh. Her hands settled on his waist, holding him close, as a low moan vibrated in her throat. Her warmth filled him. Her taste satisfied him yet made him hunger for more. His blood roared in his ears and it was all he could do to pull back, to release her. He nodded, slowly. "Aye, silly."
INTERVIEW:
Why did you become a writer?
It's what I do.
Was it a dream of yours since you were younger or did the desire to write happen later in your life?
Though I've written since a very early age, it was only the last ten or so years that I sought publication.
What do you love about being an author? Is there anything you dislike?
I love learning about the characters in my stories and I love discovering the different worlds they inhabit. What I dislike about being a published author is the necessity to promote my work...I'm not much of a salesperson. I'd rather just say here's the book, enjoy! Then cross my fingers that they do
How do you balance your personal and writing time?
It's tough. When my daughter was younger, I put my writing aside because I felt she would only be that age (whatever it was at the time) for a very short while and I planned to enjoy as much of it as possible with her. Now, she's out on her own (and boy, do I miss her!) so I have more writing time available. The only drawback is the dayjob which takes a hefty chunk of time. And weekends, well, I have to fall back on FlyLady routines to keep the house clean and I kind of like to spend a little time with my husband
How do you write? Do your characters come to you first or the plot or the world of the story?
Generally my characters march up and say Hey! Have I got a story to tell you! Then they turn shy and I have to pry the plot and the world out of them
What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?
I write SF/F/P action romance. I fell in love with science fiction, oh about a hundred years ago, and it just seems a natural choice for me.
Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?
Generally my characters come straight out of my imagination but now and then, a few select secondary characters might exhibit some characteristics of real people that I know or have met at one time. None of the characters are based solely on anyone that I know; they're more like a melange of people
Out of all the characters that you've written, who is your favorite and why?
I am so fickle--I always feel like my favorite is the one I'm currently writing
What would you want readers to take away from your books?
Most of my stories are about trust and love and trying to be the best person you can be. I think we should all strive to be the best possible person but we shouldn't fault ourselves if we fall short of our goals. We just have to try harder and be proud of what we have accomplished.
Do you have any advice for beginning writers in regards to writing a book?
The absolute best thing a beginning writer can do is to read (both in and out of her/his genre) and then re-read dissecting the book to discover what made it a great, good, or so-so read. Then the beginner should sit down and write, write, and write some more. It's only through sharpening your own skills that you can create a great book.
What are you reading right now?
Right now, I'm re-reading (yep, I re-read books all the time, LOL) a terrific book, SLEEPING WITH THE AGENT, by a friend of mine, Gennita Low.
If you could be anyone or anything that you wanted, who or what would you be?
If I had to be human, I'd be me. I'm comfortable with myself (though I sure wouldn't mind losing a few pounds!). If I didn't have to be human, I'd want to be a much-loved pet (dog or cat) in a household like mine. Talk about having it made! LOL
REVIEW:
"ALTERED DESTINY is a rousing tale of despair, hope, love and courage. ...I recommend ALTERED DESTINY. I am keeping it."
-- Vi Janaway, Romance Reviews Today
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Blood Creek Haunting by Derek Musgrave
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
D. Musgrave grew up being told more often than not that daydreaming was a waste of time. What a crock that turned out to be. Those wild, fanciful dreams were to one day become the fodder for the erotic tales that now flow onto the pages of D.'s stories.
Since then, a variety of genres have been dabbled in, but the 'other' works had no audience, until he connected to the Internet and a whole new world of possibilities for his writing unfolded. Many struggles and much effort later, D. discovered that he indeed could write and, most surprisingly, people wanted to read the words that spilled out of his mind. If anyone is interested in sampling those daydreams that became stories, please visit D.'s website: www.dmusgrave.com.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
BLURB:
Emily is trying to rebuild her life after the loss of her fiancé. As she's having a house built on her family's land, she discovers that her great-great grandfather was the leader of a Calvary brigade that massacred an Indian village. A set of strange hauntings begins and Emily must find some way to repay her ancestor's debt and find peace in her new life before she loses everything, including her mind.
EXCERPT:
Her scream echoed through the valley. Emily hit the kill switch on the tiller as fast as she could. The tines slowed to a stop, but not before more bones were dug up by the plow. She jumped to the side, trying not to step on the skull that had rolled out on top of the ridge of dirt. At first, she didn't believe her eyes when she saw the first long white bone. When she saw another, then another, she knew something wasn't right. But it wasn't until she saw the human skull pop up out of the soil that she believed it was anything more than a dead animal.
All she could do was look at the skull, staring back up at her. There was a large hole in the forehead that looked as if something sharp and hard had stabbed through the head. Dirt was packed into the eye sockets and worms oozed out of the holes in the cheeks. It looked as if it were smiling at her, but that couldn't be. There was no skin or hair left on it. She reached out with the toe of her boot and flipped the skull over. The back was caved in and it looked as if something hard had bashed in the back of the head. Suddenly, she felt cold, even in the blazing summer sun. She rubbed her arms, but still she shivered.
Crouching down, she reached out to touch the skull. When her fingertips made contact with the cold bone, a loud rolling yell rang in her ears. Snatching her arm back, she fell on her backside and thought she saw the skull move. She reached out again and touched the skull. This time there was no sound.
Shaking her head, Emily climbed to her feet. She told herself that she was being stupid. Just because all the locals believed that the ghosts of the Cherokee warriors who died in the Black Witch Creek Massacre haunted her land, didn't make the stories true. It was just ghost stories. No superstitious story was going scare her off the land her family had owned for generations.
INTERVIEW:
Why did you become a writer? Was it a dream of yours since you were younger or did the desire to write happen later in your life?
When I first saw the following blurb on the cover of the MYST RPG box cover art, it rekindled a desire to write that I'd long ignored and pushed out of my mind.
The reader is entertained by the journey of another, but the writer is the changer of worlds. D'ni proverb.
Once I returned to writing, I wrote a handful of very rough and short stories. I posted them on a small net community of fellow writers. The feedback was astounding. Not only did I have the stories to tell, but people wanted to read my wicked words.
Looking back into my youth, I've always been inclined to create stories to entertain myself. I was the boy in the back of the classroom who was always staring out the window. Now, those silent pauses are when I'm 'working'.
What do you love about being an author? Is there anything you dislike?
I love the whole creative process. I get a huge sense of gratification out of taking a story idea that's been bouncing around in my head and bringing it to life on the page. I even enjoy the editing and revision process.
The one part of being an author that I'm not crazy about is the vast amount of promotions it takes to get my name recognized. It's a process that I don't ever feel is completed. There's such a balancing act too. I have to be cautious not to promote too much, but still do just enough so my name is recognized.
However, I love talking about writing with readers and fellow authors. That makes the promotions easier to undertake.
How do you balance your personal and writing time?
This is a tough one for me and many other writers. I have to work a full time job to support myself, add to that the upheaval of life in general; finding a steady time to write is a challenge. For me, I need a good chunk of time without interruptions to create effectively. I have to get myself into the right mindset and that can take as much time as the writing itself.
So just getting blocks of time here and there has never worked for me. It's more a matter of scheduling a set time every day. In essence making an appointment to write. Unfortunately, the only guaranteed time is in the early mornings. It's been rough, but it's just a sacrifice I'm willing to make to have the opportunity to write.
How do you write? Do your characters come to you first or the plot or the world of the story?
I've written in a vast array of methods. It largely depends on the story I'm writing at the time. If it's a shorter piece, I'll have a blurb or some short synopsis to keep the main storyline in mind at all times. With the longer, more detailed works, I've found that a detailed chapter by chapter outline is the only way I can keep all the major plotlines and subplots in the right order.
Currently, I've rediscovered the classic tried and true method of carrying a notebook with me most of the time. That way when a thought strikes me, I'll whip it out and jot down the thought, or if I have time, expand a bit on the thought. That doesn't work well in all situations, like going out on the town. It's hard to explain to someone why I'm bringing a notebook into the pub, restaurant, or movie.
As for how my story ideas form; they come to me in a plethora of ways. I've had as little as a sentence spark a storyline, while other times, I've had a full blown character develop in my mind over a period of time, then one day, they beg me to tell their story.
That doesn't sound schizophrenic does it?
What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?
I have and continue to write in several different genres. I'm comfortable in everything from erotic romance, to mainstream crime thrillers. The key to me is the story itself. I don't go into a story with a predetermined genre. Telling the story as it needs to be told is what matters, the genre will be what it is.
I write because I have to. My muse won't let me stop. Even if I never sold another story, I'd still write. I just love it too much to imagine stopping.
Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?
Most of my characters are a composite of people I've met or have known for years. There are a few characters based on real life people, but out of respect, I won't name them here. I will say this much, every character in Foxy! A Smoking Hot Tale of Bikers and Babes was based on real people and several real events from my past.
Out of all the characters that you've written, who is your favorite and why?
I can't say I have a favorite character. I loved them all for differing reasons. Jake Edmonds from Foxy was a fun one because of his growth and the depth he revealed as I discovered his story. Richard Hurtz in Jaded Dick was just great fun. Being able to dig into a character who hid his pain and self doubt behind a wall of cynicism and bitterness was a blast.
Most recently, I've revived a character who made an appearance in my short story, The Vault from Hidden Treasures: Discovering Eros. There was something about his strength that made me want to be him. He was in charge of guarding and cataloguing all the great works of an era, but he was also ran a household of submissives. The character was so powerful that I knew his story had to be told. Right now, the plan is to have his story detailed in the first of a series tentatively titled Portal of Eros.
Portal of Eros - Ascension: Kreed's story.
Ascension is the first title of the Portal of Eros series. It tells the story of Kreed. A young man who's a lost soul. He arrives in a world unknown to him through a portal in a book. Unbeknownst to him, he was summoned from his known realm to this other existence by a woman of great power—the Keeper of the Portal.
What would you want readers to take away from your books?
I want readers to be entertained and get an escape from the noise of life. To me there's no comparison to the rejuvenation I get from reading. It's more interactive than even the most so-called interactive forms of entertainment. The reader decides how things appear in their mind's eye and if the story is compelling, they can feel a part of the story.
Beyond that, if someone discovers that their wants and needs aren't wrong or wicked, then that's good too. GRIN
Do you have any advice for beginning writers in regards to writing a book?
I'd say read your contemporaries. That's the first thing I did once I decided to take writing seriously. It's not important to find an author to emulate, it's more important to know what others are doing.
Second, take your time to learn the craft of writing stories. Most people were never taught how to write a book. We were only given the basics of what it takes to communicate. To truly understand how to craft a compelling story takes real work and practice.
What are you reading right now?
I'm not currently reading any erotic romance. My nephew has goaded me into reading a series he's discovered. Percy Jackson and the Olympians. It's surprisingly well done. I was worried that it would be too much like the Harry Potter series, but it's not even close. I'm not feeling like this was dumbed down for the younger audience. It's got enough sophistication that adults can enjoy it too.
If you could be anyone or anything that you wanted, who or what would you be?
I would love to be a full-time writer and still support myself. That's one of the big myths of being published. Just having a book, or many books, published does not guarantee financial comfort.
REVIEWS:
Rating: 8 Gargoyles
"Romantic, tender, sensual, and erotic, Blood Creek Haunting is a noteworthy tale. This is more than Emily's love story; readers are given a glimpse of Little Deer and Fighting Eagle's love story. As a romantic, I enjoy the idea of loves finding each other after years of separation or even realizing what was before them all along, something Musgrave brings to life admirably. In the dedication, Musgrave mentions trying new genres and this novella proves his/her ability to write romance well. Not to be missed."
-- Safiya Tremayne, In The Library
***
"BLOOD CREEK HAUNTING is a sizzling read in just 60 pages. Musgrave serves up a mixture of sexual stimulation and the paranormal in quite a satisfying batch. When Emily confronts her desire for Tessa, the heat fairly jumps off of the pages. Be careful not to singe your fingers while reading this one."
-- Ariel Summer, RRT Erotic Reviews
Blood Creek Haunting by Derek Musgrave
ISBN 1-59426-991-2
Rating: 3 Novas
Length: Photon (25K words)
Release Date: March, 2007
$3.50 from Phaze Publishing
Purchase Blood Creek Haunting by Derek Musgrave HERE!!
Friday, July 27, 2007
Wolf in the Garden by Anastasia Rabiyah
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Anastasia Rabiyah writes erotic romance, paranormal erotic romance, and fantasy. She often crosses genres in order to follow her muses into the darkness where they seek out destiny in all its forms. She believes in fairies, demons, angels, magic, passion, chocolate, supportive friends, e-books and writing critique groups. Her deepest desire is to pursue her creative dreams and realize them. Every spare moment she devotes to writing for her haunting muses.She is heavily involved in two online writer’s group, moderating an Erotic Romance forum. For fun, she edits for two e-publishers and helps fellow writers strengthen their work. Her current project is self-publishing her short stories on Lulu.com while she waits for edits on her seven contracted works.
Her forthcoming publications are: Rope, part of a Cowboys series contracted with the e-publisher loveyoudivine. Rope is a modern day erotic romance set on an Arizona guest ranch. Rope’s scheduled release date is August 23, 2007.
At StarDust Press, The God in the Stone is a novella about a little-loved Greek demigod trapped within a column at the Acropolis. This Paranormal Erotic Romance explores one woman’s need to be loved for who she is. Currently there is no release date scheduled.
Forbidden Publications has contracted three of Anastasia’s works. Oikoni Stone is a
tribal based paranormal erotic romance set in primitive times. The main character, Nainie, a dark-skinned native from a magical forest clan falls in love with Tiir, a fair-skinned slave in the neighboring village of pilgrims known as StoneCircle. He’s determined to free her and make her his wife.Demon in the Basement is the tale of a quirky young woman, Emme, who inherits her deceased father’s old home. In the process of cleaning out the basement, she discovers one of her estranged father’s greatest treasures, a demon. Together the two of them face their past and battle the intense sexual attraction that binds them.
The upcoming fantasy trilogy, Shahzar, will also be published by Forbidden Publications. This epic is loosely based on Arabic culture and presents a world where a wayward goddess has fallen from the sky and left behind a legacy after her death. Her soul remains beneath the city temple, and from this unusual vantage, she manipulates her devout followers. Shahzar is the young princess destined to be queen of her cursed city. Determined to bring about change, she battles the city council, the strict traditions, the rival city of Klem and even the fallen goddess to make her way.
Twilight Fantasies has contracted Anastasia’s futuristic erotic romances, Derrick 7744, a novella about a lab worker that realizes the horrible implications of what she invented at her job. She falls for a male escort who opens her eyes to the dark side of the world and many other experiences she’s never partaken in.
Nimmet, the Goddess of Love, is a larger work. It centers on Sima, the daughter of a politician who is promised in marriage to Leuj, the leader of Irnia, a corrupt city where human trafficking is permitted. Sima escapes her bodyguards and runs away, hiding in what she thinks is a hotel. When she enters her assigned room and discovers a handsome, half-dressed man there, she realizes she booked a stay at a brothel. This tale is an adventure that takes unusual turns. It’s a story of freedom in different forms.
For more about Anastasia, visit her on the web at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RabiyahBooks
http://www.myspace.com/AnastasiaRabiyah
http://stores.lulu.com/RabiyahBooks
ABOUT THE BOOK:
BLURB:
Lena likes her privacy but as fate would have it, a naked man shows up face down in her garden one morning, interrupting her coffee and seclusion. She wakes him to find out he's her new neighbor who suffers from a so-called sleepwalking problem. His unusual gaze and attractive body overwhelm her.
Her day gets better when he shows up in the afternoon to apologize and get to know her better.
EXCERPT:
The coffee steamed over the top of her purple mug as she walked along the cobbled path. Lena liked to sit by the Koi pond early in the morning when waning night grayed into day. Water trickled and bubbled over river rocks. The lush green shrubs and overgrown ferns reached for her house slippers and tickled her bare ankles. She’d pulled her hair into a hasty braid to keep the auburn wisps from blowing into her eyes when the cool breeze came down from the forest behind her yard. She chose the house for its garden and its privacy and had lived there five years by now.
The breeze came early, nipping at her body through the thin cotton nightgown she wore. Lena set her mug atop the wrought iron table thinking she ought to repaint it a cheery color. The green had long since tarnished to a grim black color. She was about to sit down when something caught her eye. Spatters of blood crossed the cobbled path that led around the stand of bamboo. She frowned.
I wonder if that was a wolf I heard last
night. She edged around the table, stepped off the path, careful to avoid the daffodils, and followed the ominous, crimson trail. On a patch of monkeygrass that had gone wild, a nude man lay sprawled across her property, his backside to her. The trail of blood led to him, though without turning him over, she couldn’t tell if he was injured or not. His tanned skin and thick, dark hair suggested Mediterranean descent.Lena crossed the grass, her gaze heavy on his body as he took in slow breaths. He’s alive. At least that’s something. She knelt beside him and touched his shoulder, giving him a gentle shake. As soon as her fingers met his skin, she felt a wave of heat press in on her senses. “Sir? Wake up.”
He mumbled as he turned onto his back. His broad chest sported a thick patch of curly, black hair. The nest peaked and darted down his abdomen where it thickened above his flaccid penis.
She cleared her throat, embarrassment burning in her cheeks. “Sir? You need to wake up.” There wasn’t any sign of injury on his body…his perfect body. Her curious gaze roved over him once more, this time taking in each chiseled feature. He appeared strong, well-muscled and lean but formidable. A jagged scar ran the length of his left bicep, piquing her curiosity. Lena grasped his shoulder and gave him another shake, this time harder. “Hey! Get up!”
His eyes flickered open in the graying light of predawn. They looked more animal than human, a strange tint coloring them a shade of amber. His dilated pupils retracted, avoiding the coming light. He gave a soft moan, and his full lips parted.
“Are you all right?” she whispered, amazed by the shade of his eyes.
His consciousness stirred. He looked down, covered his nakedness and returned his gaze to her. “Oh God, not again.” The strange man curled his body to sit up. “I’m so sorry.”
“Are you hurt?” she asked. “I saw some blood over th—”
“I probably bumped my head.” He glanced around the garden, searching for something. Lena guessed he wanted clothes.
“Well, hey if you’re okay, can you get the hell outta my yard? It’s obvious you have some kind of drinking problem or something. I’m sure most girls you meet think this is adorable, but I like my privacy.” She tried to force malice into her voice but the unexplainable urge to laugh overwhelmed her.
His thick, black eyebrows furrowed. “It’s not funny. I have a sleepwalking problem.”
“I’d say.” She rolled her eyes.
“I don’t drink.” He gave her a miffed look that distorted his handsome features. “I don’t.”“No. You just strip naked and go walking about in other people’s yards.” She stood and crossed her hands over her chest, hiding her peaked nipples. “I’m not sure if I should call the cops or the looney bin.”
He rubbed his temple. “Just give me a minute. “Where am I anyways?” he arched a brow, staring directly at her. His golden eyes changed just as the sunlight lighted the sky. The fiery color faded fast. Lena decided she must be imagining things.
“Alamenia and Schuster Street, number four. You’re in my back yard, my garden to be exact.”
He groaned. “Good. One block from home.” The man stood up shakily and held one hand out to her. The other he kept over his privates. “I’m William Thurest, your new neighbor.”
She eyed his outstretched hand, suspicious. “Lena Parks.” Relenting, she reached out, her face flushing with heat. “Thanks for the free show. You’ve given me an interesting morning.” Their fingers met, palms touched and a sweet tingle swept through her body. She held her breath.
William did too. He stared into her a long while, his lips curving in a confused smile. “You’re welcome,” he said finally. “Maybe we can see each other again.”
“You’ll wear clothes, I hope.” She smirked at him.
“Good idea.” He released her, his hand retreating and with it the stirring desire in her core. She tried to ignore the cold that filled her. I need to get out more. Some nut sleeping naked in my garden turns me on. I’m deprived.
He turned around and sauntered away along the cobbled path toward, what she guessed, must be the house he’d rented. Lena stood there staring at his small ass. The sun clipped over the hill and caught on William’s nude form as he bypassed the herb pots and slipped through the open gate. He was handsome in a dark way, someone she might like to get to know, that is if he hadn’t showed up buck naked in her garden to interrupt her morning coffee ritual.
INTERVIEW:
Why did you become a writer? Was it a dream of yours since you were younger or did the desire to write happen later in your life?
I started writing at the age of eleven. I remember telling the boy across the street that one day I’d publish a huge fantasy novel. It was a childhood dream, and the voices *cough cough* I mean muses started talking to me then. Now, they never hush.
What do you love about being an author? Is there anything you dislike?
I love being able to get lost in a story. Sometimes, when the muse is talking non-stop, I can envision whole scenes, whole conversations. It’s like reading a great story only better.
I dislike writer’s block. There’s nothing worse than being 600 words from The End and unable to get even one word down.
How do you balance your
personal and writing time? Balance? I have an addictive personality. I’ll be honest. I lack balance. I write in the morning, in the afternoon, late into the night…sometimes I scribble a few words in the pocket-sized notebook I carry with me while waiting in line, at lectures, even at stoplights. Sick, I know.
How do you write? Do your characters come to you first or the plot or the world of the story?
I’m fused at the wrists to my laptop. If I have to be away from it for any length of time, I have withdrawals.
My characters come first. Often I see the hero or heroine in the opening scene. Sometimes they shake me awake in the middle of the night or invade my dreams. Always, they are urgent in their desire to have their stories told. They tell me the plot as the story progresses.
I’m a fly by the seat of my pants author. I try to outline but found that it slows me down. I deviate from my outlines when I make them—must be the rebel inside me.
What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?
At first I wrote only fantasy. I had a secret desire to write something naughty but didn’t have the courage until a fellow author, Dawne’ Dominique, confessed that she’d been working on a vampire erotic romance. At her urging, I delved into the paranormal erotic romance genre and never looked back. The result of that delving, my first attempt, Oikoni Stone, is contracted with Forbidden Publications.
I write what I write because the muses tell me to. Most of my characters are flawed and always human, even when they’re not! I feel driven to show people as they are. Erotic romance adds a side to the characters that I find lacking in non-erotic stories. There’s that extra connection a reader gets from being involved in even the most intimate parts of the character’s life.
Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?
That’s a good question. I see bits of myself in every single one of my characters, but only bits. They own who they are, and I am often surprised the directions they go in when I’m tapping at the keyboard.
They evolve from my imagination obviously but tend to have very human tics and goofs that make them endearing and believable.
Out of all the characters that you've written, who is your favorite and why?
My all time favorite is Shahzar, the queen of a cursed city and the main character in my upcoming fantasy trilogy (named after her because she made me do it). She is a woman that knows what she wants, and she’ll do whatever it takes to get it. Shahzar is dangerous, domineering and yet, on the flip side, she’s shut herself off so much that a tender touch scares her. Of anything I’ve written, her story was the most straining on me. I swear I couldn’t get her to shut up.
What would you want readers to take away from your books?
A good journey to a place they’ve not been before. I want them to fall in love with my worlds and my characters. I want my readers to stay up late and keep turning the page to see what happens next.
Do you have any advice for beginning writers in regards to writing a book?Yes. Join a writer’s group—a good one with real writers offering real advice. Adverbs are the devil—never overuse them. Know your characters. Know your grammar. Study the Chicago Manual of Style. Revise, revise, revise. Have thick skin. Take criticism but stick to your guns. Understand point-of-view and don’t abuse it. Don’t be afraid to give your characters internal thoughts rather than narrating all the time. Show—don’t tell and no matter what…WRITE!
What are you reading right now?
Line edits for one of the publishers I edit for, a work-in-process novel in my fantasy writers group, a romance in my other romance writers group, Shahzar in between all that so I can split her in three parts. The list never ends.
If you could be anyone or anything that you wanted, who or what would you be?
Well, that’s a good one. I’ll answer the same way I did when I was five years old: a farmer and an artist. I want to be me and I’m okay with that. Most people that know me are too. I love what I do. It makes me happy.
REVIEW:
"Wolf in the Garden is one of several short stories I have read and enjoyed by Anastasia Rabiyah. When William shows up passed out and naked in Lena's garden, she is exposed to more than a little nudity. Lena's unexplained attraction for her mysterious and handsome new neighbor causes her to ignore the danger her eyes and mind immediately perceive. This erotic quickie is just the thing to put pizzazz in a lazy summer day or steam up the windows on a cold winter's night."
-- Binnie Betten - Author
Wolf in the Garden by Anastasia Rabiyah
Download:1 document(PDF),1982 KB
Genre: Fantasy/Erotic Romance
Book Length: Teaser 3,300
Lulu Sales Rank: 75,171
$0.99 from Lulu.com
Purchase Wolf in the Garden by Anastasia Rabiyah from Lulu.com
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Phantom Lover by Susan Sailors
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Susan M. Sailors lives in Knoxville with her husband and three cats. She began writing seriously in graduate school and sold a short story to The First Line in November 2003 just after graduating with an M.A. in Literature from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Her poetry and prose have appeared in Leading Edge, Horror Carousel, Dark Legacy, Tales of the Talisman, Wicked Karnival, Worlds of Wonder, and Mount Zion Speculative Fiction Review, among others. Her novella Eternal Kiss is available at Whiskey Creek Press Torrid, and her short stories have appeared in many of their anthologies since July 2006. She edits and also writes for StarDust Press and Four Girls Publishing. Her debut novel, a fantasy romance entitled Night Gardening, is available at Whiskey Creek Press. When she isn’t writing, she spends lots of time editing between watching episodes of Dark Shadows and Doctor Who and reading H.P. Lovecraft and Neil Gaiman. When she is writing, she’s usually listening to The Cure, The Damned or My Chemical Romance. To make money to pay bills, she works in a department store. Check her out on the web at http://www.lulu.com/susanmsailors and on MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/susanmsailorsABOUT THE BOOK:
BLURB:
Phantom Lover
by Susan Sailors
Christine does not believe in ghosts, no matter how many stories she hears from the theatre’s longtime employees. However, when the shadows she sees backstage follow her home and a handsome ghost saves her life, she starts to believe in lots of things, including true love and second chances.
EXCERPT:
Here’s an excerpt from “Phantom Lover”:
Christine looked up at the balcony again. She saw a shadow there, but it didn’t move. She’d thought it was the curtain at first, but it seemed to be standing just behind it.
“Hello? Is someone up there?”
No one answered, and the shadow remained still.
She knew there were other people working in the theatre, but she didn’t like the idea
of some unknown person watching her work. She stared up at the figure a moment longer, then went back to taking her measurements.The managers had promised they’d have a renovated stage for the new season, but that promise had fallen through. Again. Now she was stuck yet another season designing sets for a stage that needed to be at least five feet longer and ten feet wider. She knew it was a money issue, but she couldn’t help feeling bitter.
“Stupid managers. What do they know about the arts?” she murmured.
She heard a man laugh softly somewhere behind her. She turned around, thinking she’d see one of the new grips getting a good look at her ass, but no one was there. When she turned back to the balcony, she noticed the shadow was gone.
Someone had been standing up there.
“Hello?”
“He won’t answer you. Not yet,” said a voice behind Christine.
She sighed as she turned to the dance mistress. “Who won’t, Madame Moncharmin?”
“The theatre ghost. He will reveal himself when he is ready to do so.”
“This isn’t Paris, Madame. We don’t have ghosts wondering the corridors here in America.”
Madame Moncharmin smiled. “Every theatre has a ghost, and it is bad luck to deny their existence. This is New England. Is it not the most haunted part of America? Tell me I am wrong.”
Christine knew she couldn’t. “It has more ghost stories, yes. It’s older, and the buildings have been around longer. But that’s all it has, stories and old buildings.”
“I can’t make you believe me. That will be up to him.”
Christine had grown tired of the stories, which she’d been hearing off and on for five years, and she really did have work to do. “Is he cute? Because if he isn’t, I’m not interested.”
Madame Moncharmin’s face stiffened as she frowned at Christine. “I don’t know what he sees in you, or why he has never appeared to you in the years since you came to work here, but something in you has touched him. Please don’t say such hurtful things again.” She turned on her heels and walked away.
Unsure what to think, Christine stared after her. Madame Moncharmin possessed a fierce temper, but in this case, she had seemed genuinely hurt by what Christine had said, as if it made her sad instead of angry. Christine had grown accustomed to the superstitions of the theatre, but the dance mistress certainly took them to extremes.
Sighing, she pulled the clip out of her long black hair, shook it out, then started to put it up again. She had a lot to get done and the curls kept getting in her face.
She jumped when she felt something tug on her hair. She did a complete circle, hoping to see who had done that, but there was no one, and she wasn’t close enough to anything that could have caught her hair.
It hadn’t really felt like a tug though. It had felt like someone running their fingers through the ends of her hair. She quickly finished securing her hair in the clip and picked up her tape measure. She wasn’t going to let Madame Moncharmin or any of the other members of the company spook her into believing in ghosts.
* * * *
Christine shone her flashlight up as high as she could. She saw there were at least five backdrops hanging quite a way out of her reach. Based on the inventory, she knew one of the company’s original backdrops for Mozart’s Don Giovanni hung among them. The opera had been staged twenty years ago, so the backdrop might be useless, but she wanted to at least get a look at it.
The whole theatre buzzed with gossip because of what had happened during that production. The young singer playing Don Giovanni had been crushed when the lights above him had crashed to the stage right in the middle of opening night. The theatre had ended its season then, and the manager had left, claiming the theatre was cursed. The theatre had stayed closed for five years before new investors were found and a new company was put together. Madame Moncharmin was the only original employee to return.
Christine shook her head. Shouldn’t the tragedy have attracted people? Most people had a macabre fascination with tragedies, and a haunted theatre seemed like a pretty nice tourist attraction to Christine.
“Silly people. There’s no such thing as curses or ghosts.”
She took one last look toward the rafters before turning away, but a movement made her stop. The backdrops swayed as though a breeze was blowing across them. As she stood frozen, she realized that one of them was being lowered. When she saw the flames at the bottom of it, she knew it was the very backdrop she’d come to find. She backed up, almost afraid it might fall on her. She realized the backdrops hadn’t moved because of a breeze. They’d moved because someone had passed by on the catwalk behind them, and now that person was lowering the one from Don Giovanni.
She waited until the backdrop was just above the ground before she spoke, not wanting to startle the person lowering the massive cloth down to her.
“Who’s up there? Can you come down and help me?”
No one answered her. She peered up, trying to aim her flashlight at an angle that would illuminate the catwalk, but the scenes were in her way. Then, at the very end of the catwalk, she saw a face. When she finally trained her light on him, he was gone.
“Hello? I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to blind you with the light, but when no one answered, I got curious.”
She couldn’t hear anyone moving.
“Are you still there?”
She pointed her light at the spiral stairs that led up there, but she knew they had pulled away from the wall and started rotting years ago. Why had someone risked going up there? How had he made it to the top at all?
She heard a sigh right next to her ear.
She whirled around, only to see no one. The face she’d seen far above her flashed through her mind. Pale skin, flashing eyes, dark hair. And a scar on the right side of his face.
She shook off a chill and made one last attempt. “Well, thank you, but if you won’t help me anymore, I’m gonna go find someone who will.”
When nothing but silence met her ears, she turned around and headed for the door.
INTERVIEW:
Why did you become a writer? Was it a dream of yours since you were younger or did the desire to write happen later in your life?
I always loved to read, and I had a vivid imagination, so writing just came naturally at a certain point. It was definitely always a dream of mine.
What do you love about being an author? Is there anything you dislike?
I love getting an idea and developing it, especially developing the characters and making them come to life. At times I dislike the editing process, but more because it takes away from the writing of new stories than anything else.
How do you balance your personal and writing time?
That’s hard at times. When I feel like writing, I keep going until either I’m tired of writing or I’m “done” with whatever pulled me to the computer in the first place. I try to budget my time, as I work full-time, plus have a job as an editor for a small press. It’s often very hard to find time to write.
How do you write? Do your characters come to you first or the plot or the world of the story?
Usually the opening scene or a character will come to me first. I usually sit down and write out a whole scene, or at least a conversation, first thing because a character or situation has gotten my imagination’s attention. With my novel Night Gardening, available at Whiskey Creek Press, the first scene came to me very vividly and the story grew form there.
What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?
I write mostly paranormal stories. I’ve always loved speculative fiction. I read to escape or be stimulated, and I feel like stories about things like ghosts or vampires or faeries can help a reader do both.
Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?
It’s a bit of both. I usually make them up and then give them maybe one or two qualities based on real people I’ve known.
Out of all the characters that you've written, who is your favorite and why?
That’s a hard question. I think it would probably be Dante, the hero of my story “Welcome to the House of Fun.” It’s available at Whiskey Creek Press Torrid. I think I love his character because of how quickly he took on his own voice and started, essentially, writing himself.
What would you want readers to take away from your books?
Really, I just want them to enjoy them. I hope some of them make them think about the world in a different way.
Do you have any advice for beginning writers in regards to writing a book?
Write as much as you can, and even more important, read as much as you can.
What are you reading right now?
I am reading Lara Parker’s second Dark Shadows novel, The Salem Branch, and Neil Gaiman’s Stardust.
If you could be anyone or anything that you wanted, who or what would you be?
Totally cheesy answer, but I would be a writer. I would wish for just enough success to be able to quit my day job.
REVIEW:
Do you enjoy paranormals of all variety? Well then, the SUMMER SOLSTICE
anthology is for you! All nine of these tales will take you on a venture
that will leave you gasping for more.
SUMMER SOLSTICE is a fun-filled anthology which readers of various types of paranormal stories will thoroughly enjoy. Each story provides an entertaining plot, fascinating characters, unexpected events, and truly hot sex. Vampires, fortune tellers, ghosts, witches, demons, wizards and elves all come to life within the pages of this book. Every story is vastly different and I found myself eagerly jumping from one story to the next anticipating yet another fascinating tale. SUMMER SOLSTICE gives readers an exciting opportunity to discover new-to-you authors and several different types of paranormal stories which are represented. It's the perfect way to
kick back and enjoy the summer heat.
-- Chrissy Dionne
Summer Solstice Scorchers Anthology
ISBN Number: 9781593749668
Category: Paranormal
Release Date: June 2007
$5.49 from Whiskey Creek Press
Purchase Summer Solstice Scorchers Anthology HERE!!
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Fearless by Robin Parrish
(Bethany House, July 1, 2007)
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Book Two of the Dominion Trilogy:
The world changed after that terrible day when the sky burned, and now every heart is gripped by fear...
Earthquakes, fire, disease, and floods pummel the earth, and its citizens watch in horror.
But in the darkness there is hope -- an anonymous but powerful hero whom the public
dubs "Guardian." He is Grant Borrows, one of a chosen few who walk the earth with extraordinary powers. But while Grant enjoys this new life, signs of a dangerous ancient prophecy begin coming true, and those closest to Grant worry he may be hiding a terrible secret.A search for answers brings Grant and his friends to London, where an extraordinary discovery awaits that will challenge everything they thought they knew. With a deadly new enemy dogging his steps, Grant realizes that the world's only hope may come from unraveling the truth about himself once and for all. But what he comes face-to-face with leaves even this most powerful of men shaken with fear.
Secrets will be revealed.
Friends will make the ultimate sacrifice.
And destiny will not be denied.
The story continues...
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Robin Parrish had two great ambitions in his life: to have a family, and to be a published novelist.In March of 2005, he proposed to his future wife the same week he signed his first book contract.
Born Michael Robin Parrish on October 13, 1975, Robin's earliest writing efforts took place on a plastic, toy typewriter, and resulted in several "books" (most between 10 and 30 pages long) and even a few magazines.
By the age of thirteen, he had begun winning local writing awards and became a regular in his high school's literary magazine. In college, he garnered acclaim from his English professors and fellow students while maturing and honing his skills.
After college, he entered the writing profession through a "side door" -- the Internet. More than ten years he spent writing for various websites, including About.com, CMCentral.com, and his current project Infuze Magazine, which is a unique intersection between art and faith which he also conceived of and created.
One of his more "high concept" ideas for Infuze was to return to his love for storytelling and create a serialized tale that would play out every two weeks, telling a complete, compelling story over the course of nine months. That serialized story eventually came to the attention of several publishers, who saw it as a potential debut novel for Robin Parrish.
In 2005, Bethany House Publishers brought Robin full circle by contracting him for the rights to not only that first book, Relentless -- but two sequels. A trilogy, to unfold in the consecutive summers of 2006, 2007, and 2008. One massive tale -- of which that first, original story would form only the foundational first volume of the three -- spread across three books.
Robin is the Editor in Chief and creator of Infuze Magazine. He and his wife Karen reside in High Point, North Carolina. Karen works for High Point's First Wesleyan Church, where Robin and Karen are members and Small Group leaders.
Purchase Fearless by Robin Parrish HERE!!
Labels: CSFF
To Dance in the Desert by Kathleen Popa
(RiverOak, May 1, 2007)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Raised in the American Southwest, Kathleen began her love affair with the desert as a child. Before becoming a writer she, among other jobs, worked in both the juvenile facility fro incarcerated girls and a home for emotionally disturved children. Mother of two, sh lives in Northern California with her husband and youngest son. Visit her blog, Reading, Writing, and What Else is There? She is a member of the CFBA, too! Give her a holler!
ABOUT THE BOOK:
“Not a safe world.” How many times had she heard it over and over again? Well, it is not a safe world and Dara Murphy Brogan knew it better than most, which is exactly
why she had tucked herself away on a desert mountaintop. Now it was just her, the voice inside her head and the boxes of hastily packed odds and ends—all that was left of her pathetic excuse of a life. Hadn’t she chosen the desert because it was barren and brown and dead looking and far, far away from anyone who may have seen the news?So what was this, this trespasser, this interloper, this wacked out earth mother doing dancing outside her window? Celebrating life and the Spirit in a way Dara never could have dreamed. Until she opened her door and met Jane Cameron.
~~~~~~~~~~
A book that makes me laugh is a joy, a book that makes me cry is a rarity. But a book that moves me to dance is sublime. To Dance in the Desert is a spectacular experience. Beautifully written, deeply moving, and warmly engaging—that this is Kathleen Popa’s first novel astounds me. That she will quickly be counted among the top caliber of Christian novelists delights me. I simply loved this book.
~ Kathryn Mackel, Author of The Hidden
Kathleen Popa creates a compelling vision of a small community’s power to coax waning spirits back toward life. This gem of a novel worked on me like a dream. Popa’s evocative prose captured the nuance and complexity of transformation with equal parts mystery and truth. She conjures the deserts of Dara Brogan’s life with intimate clarity, reminding us along the way of the profound strength of what we take far too much for granted—the deep friendship of kindred spirits. This is a journey worth taking.
~ Jeff Berryman, Author of Leaving Ruin
Purchase To Dance in the Desert by Kathleen Popa HERE!!
Candy Kisses by Kissa Starling
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
http://www.sensualvenus.com/authors/kissa-starling.htm
http://kissesfromkissa.blogspot.com
www.myspace.com/kissastarling
ABOUT THE BOOK:
BLURB:
Red is an innocent young girl taking candy to her grandmother. Her mother did warn her NOT to eat the kisses, but why? One taste and she's seduced. What she didn't count on was a visit from a sexually frustrated vixen each time she ate a piece of candy. Explore the sensual, and the darker side of pleasure, in this twisted fairytale... Candy Kisses. Your taste buds never had it so good!
EXCERPT:
The woman was wearing a mask. Oh what an exquisite mask it was. It covered only the top half of the woman’s face. Black velvet made up the base. Ostrich feathers outlined the edges. Exotic bird plumes were attached to every space leading up to the eyes.
Those eyes. Never in her life had Red gazed upon such eyes. The insides were yellow
with flecks of brown. The lashes were twice as long as normal lashes and they were tipped in silver glitter. Purple glitter made up a brilliant eye shade. Their eyes locked for a short moment. Heat emanated from those eyes. Strength and power were apparent.Red’s eyes scanned down to a set of bright red, heart--shaped lips. They were the kind of lips that every man, and woman, wanted to touch with the tip of their tongues. She imagined herself licking those lips and nipping them with her teeth. Her skin was like translucent cream. A black, velvet cape started under her chin and ended at the tops of her boots.
The figure had yet to speak a word. A soft light came on even though the woman was no where near a light switch. On the other side of the room a large mirror appeared. It covered the entire back wall and gave a detailed view of the environment.
“I’m Red,” she called weakly.
The mystery woman walked purposefully towards Red and with the push of a button lowered the wooden crosses upon which Red was attached. She untied her arms from the bulky wooden right side and then bound them together in front of her. Red’s legs were untied. Red yelped as she was pulled by the hair towards a tall, wooden chair.
“Please speak to me,” begged Red. “Tell me who you are.”
Red was pushed down so that her midsection was bent over the back of a chair. The scent of the woman was stimulating. When Red closed her eyes and breathed in a strong, musky smell drifted towards her nose. It was similar to the smell of men’s cologne but yet different. A hand on her head guided her movement down so that she was leaning forward as far as the chair back allowed.
A palm rested on her ass. The next thing she felt was a soft, reassuring rubbing all over her cheeks and thighs. She should have known. She should have been prepared, but she wasn’t.
INTERVIEW:
Why did you become a writer?
I have always loved writing as an outlet. Putting words on paper is a sort of therapy for me. I kept diaries when I was young and could always keep myself occupied with pen and paper. I have always been an avid reader also. I love imagining things and creating whole new worlds.
Was it a dream of yours since you were younger or did the desire to write happen later in your life?
I have always written. I did not write with the intent to publish until last summer. I happened upon a contest and decided to enter. I didn't win but that only made me strive harder to get published. I have since contracted the story with another publisher and it will be released in November.
What do you love about being an author?
I love the research, the character development and the final product. I love seeing book covers for the first time. I love getting emails from readers who have read something I have written. I love learning new things and good writing requires ongoing learning. I love promoting too, can't forget that.
Is there anything you dislike?
I can't think of a thing. It's crazy but I even like rejections- not all the time of course. But when I get a rejection I think, "Wow, now I can spend more time with this story. Who should I send it to next?"
How do you balance your personal and writing time?
I am still working on this one. I write in the evenings and on the weekends. Most of my writing time is done when the rest of my family is asleep. I've always been a night owl. It makes for some sleepy mornings but I'm my most creative at night. My family is very supportive and understanding of my writing.
How do you write? Do your characters come to you first or the plot or the world of the story?
The plot usually comes to me first and then I develop the characters around what I want to happen in the story. Sometimes the characters tend to take over though. A great character will turn the writing to suite his/her needs. It's best to justgive them their way!
What genre(s) do you write?
I write erotic romance and fetish stories. I am thinking about breaking into the chick lit genre.
Why do you write the stories that you write?
I write whatever my muse and I can agree on. She usually wins in a debate. I can be working on a story and another will just come to me and I have to go work on that one for a while. I like being different and try to come up with storylines that haven't been done before. I write stories that I would want to read.
Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?
A little of both. Most are from my imagination but not all. I do a lot of family history research and I use some of what I find in my characters. I love to people watch and I add some of what I observe into my characters also.
Out of all the characters that you've written, who is your favorite and why?
I would have to say, Angel, from 'Angel's Wish'. I spent months researching her surroundings, likes and dislikes, clothing, music, etc. All of that brought her to life for me. She learns something about herself during the course of the book and that, in turn, helps me learn a bit about myself as well
What would you want readers to take away from your books?
Some of my writing is done just for fun and I hope that readers would have fun reading it. Some of my writing is done to reveal another side of life that readers aren't aware of. If you get intrigued or excited, or if you hated or loved a character- I've done my job.
Do you have any advice for beginning writers in regards to writing a book?
Don't give up. That's my advice for life. You're the only one who can motivate, stimulate or shut down your karma. Do what you want to do with your life- it's the only thing that matters.
What are you reading right now?
I'm in the middle of a lot of revisions right now but I always take time to read three to five books a week. I just finished The Dark Garden by Eden Bradley. It is what I like to call fetish romance, and it was great!
If you could be anyone or anything that you wanted, who or what would you be?
Exactly who I am- a mother, wife, teacher, author, reader and friend to many.
REVIEW:
"Little Red riding in a red mustang takes a basket of goodies to Grandma’s house. Yes, you heard right. This one has a twist without a wolf, and Grandma has to wait a long time for the candy kisses to be delivered, because Red is distracted.
Nightmare/Dream, I am not sure, maybe a little magic. This version sure takes and erotic twist through lesbian BDSM. Interesting short story, could of course be more detailed and even more sensual but with this story line more may actually become less. Having fun with chocolate sounds like quite a treat."
-- Aris, Alternative-Read.com
Candy Kisses by Kissa Starling
ISBN: 1-934495-11-5
Genre: BDSM/Fantasy
Release Date: 2006
$2.49 from Twilight Fantasies Publication
Purchase Candy Kisses by Kissa Starling HERE!!
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Switching Sides by Beth Wylde
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Beth Wylde currently lives in Virginia with her husband and 3 children. She's been writing for years but only recently decided to submit her stories to be published. Her first release was in April of 2006 so she's fairly new to the business but her reviews have been top notch. She writes both paranormal and lesbian erotica.She loves to hear from her readers. You can e-mail her at b.wylde@yahoo.com
Check her website,
http://beth-wylde.tripod.com often for more updates on this up and coming author.
Myspace: www.myspace.com/bethwylde
Yahoogroup:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bethwylde/
ABOUT THE BOOK:
BLURB:
Elizabeth is the wild girl on campus, known for her loose reputation and her inability to keep a man. She strikes out once again with her newest boyfriend Brad when she finds out that he's gay. Now Elizabeth is pretty sure her luck at finding true love has run out, until she meets up with Kara.
Kara doesn't hide the fact that she's a lesbian or that she has a definite interest in Elizabeth. The only question is, is Elizabeth interested in Kara? After a bit of persuasion and an extremely hot night spent in Kara's dorm room, Elizabeth is about to give her the answer she’s been waiting to hear.
EXCERPT:
Kara reached out with her free hand and gently cupped my chin, turning me back to face her. “It's still early. It doesn't get crowded in here until around ten or so because the club stays open until nearly dawn.”
As her fingers tightened their grip I suddenly realized how Brad must have felt but I didn’t have time to dwell on it because Kara had more enlightening news for me. “The only reason he brought you here was because he thought you were gay, too.”
I gasped audibly, shocked that someone might think such a thing about me While it was
true that I had a bit of a kinky streak in the bedroom that most guys seemed unable to handle it was obvious that I wasn’t a lesbian. At least I thought it was. “I…I…I'm not.”Kara shook her head and I shivered as I felt her long brown hair glide over my shoulder and across my neck. The feeling was distracting and more arousing than it should have been. “Are you sure?”
My voice was raspy, whether with shock or desire at this point I wasn’t sure. “What?”
Her hand moved higher until she found the inseam of my low-rise camouflage capris and I swore I could feel my panties getting damp. “I said, are you sure?”
I nodded but my reply sounded weak, even to my own ears. “I like guys.”
Her fingers felt like magic between my legs and as she increased the pressure just where I needed it I suddenly wished the cloth barrier between her hand and my pussy would disappear.
“That's fine,” she replied before leaning in and quickly sucking my earlobe into her mouth. “The question is, do you like girls too?”
I started to say no when she pressed the palm of her hand hard against my clit. I opened my mouth but nothing came out except for a loud groan. She smiled knowingly at me and something inside my brain exploded. I suddenly wanted to know if her lips felt as soft as they looked and considering where we were I decided to take a chance and find out.
I leaned forward, keeping my eyes open until the last moment and focused directly on Kara. Her pupils dilated slightly in shock, and then appreciation, as our mouths met.
The first few kisses were chaste and timid. I was exploring totally uncharted territory and felt very unsure about what I was doing. Kara noticed my hesitancy and took control. Her eagerness to dominate aroused me immediately and dissolved the last of my inhibitions. When her tongue slid across my lips I threw myself headlong into the kiss. I wasn't disappointed with my decision.
I've kissed lots of guys, and enjoyed most of them, but what Kara was doing to my mouth felt almost obscene. I was so hot I couldn't sit still. I rocked forward in my seat and Kara's hand pressed back against me, teasing and stroking me until I wanted to scream. I arched my back and broke away with a gasp. I was on fire and I needed to cum so badly I was about to beg for it. Sudden applause halted my plea though and as I looked around I noticed all eyes were on us. My face reddened in embarrassment but Kara just looked pleased. She threw a twenty on the table, grabbed my hand, and pulled me out of the restaurant behind her.
INTERVIEW:
Give us the 411 on yourself. You know, the basic information minus address and phone number.
I write under the name Beth Wylde. I currently live out in the boonies of Virginia with my hubby, my three children, my dog and my muse.
How long have you been a word ho for publishing pimps? (Er, a writer?)
I’ve been writing stories for as long as I can remember. (My imagination is a fun place to visit sometimes when the kids and the hubby have me stressed out) I just decided to pursue getting my work published a little over a year ago. I want to be able to write full time.
Can you give us a brief VIRGIN story? I mean, give us the nitty gritty on your first sale.
I was pregnant with twins when I decided to write seriously and try to get something published. As a result the finished product came out with a strong female lead with a bit of an attitude and a big mouth. (I blame it totally on the hormones!) I did get a few rejections but finally polished up the piece and got it published. Full Moon Madness was the result and I’m still proud of it today. I even have a sequel or two planned.
Everybody’s got a fantasy. What’s your writer’s (wet?) dream?
To be approached by a major agent or publishing house, or both. That would be my big O!
Actors wanna be in pictures. Where do you want to be?
On everyone’s bookshelf in every bookstore in the world. (I know it’s a huge wish but if I’m going to dream I figure I ought to dream BIG! LOL)
Get any bad advice early in your writing career?
Not really. In fact the person the proofreads for me is a godsend and I always try to run new pieces by her for an honest opinion before I submit them. She’s my online beta Goddess! (Pennie r u feeling the luv?)
Word, baby. Get any good directions that you’d like to pass on?
If you really want to get published do your research and your homework and make sure to submit to a reputable company. Don’t give up on the dream.
REVIEWS:
"Elizabeth has just gotten back to her dorm room after a night she will never forget. Before she goes to bed for some much needed sleep, she just has to write in her diary about her night. The evening started with a disastrous date, but while trying to figure out what happened, Elizabeth is joined by Kara whom she knows slightly from shared classes. Kara wastes no time in letting Elizabeth know that she wants her, but isn’t sure if Elizabeth will share her passion. One kiss starts the night of firsts for Elizabeth and she is determined to never go back.
Elizabeth and Kara are young college students who meet at a local hang out near the college. The erotic night that they share is so well written that it drew me right into Elizabeth’s experiences with her. While I realize that the subject matter can be controversial, I found that the characters and their passion for each other is so well presented that I found it very enjoyable. If you have not read any female/female stories but are willing to try one, I would highly recommend this story as a great one to start with."
-- Ophelia, Erotic Escapades
"Switching Sides is a Lesbian romance charting the seduction of a hitherto straight but sexually highly-charged college girl right into a Sapphic lover's arms. First time and seduction stories often make especially interesting themes and this is no exception. It is hot and explicit but tender, too.
I can see it appealing to male readers but I hope that women will read this one, too. It contains some good pointers as to why some may prefer Sapphic affairs and demonstrates how tender these may be."
-- Reviewed by Peter Rosier, TCM Reviews
Switching Sides by Beth Wylde
Genre: Red Silk Diary/Contemporary
Book Length: Stunner
Release Date: April, 2007
$3.50 from Silk's Vault
Purchase Switching Sides by Beth Wylde HERE!!