SJ Thomas's "My Business, Your Pleasure"

Today I'd like to welcome SJ Thomas, a fellow Evernight Publishing author. She's here to talk about My Business, Your Pleasure, her MM paranormal romance, which has just been released as part of Evernight Publishing's Romance on the Go line.

Writing sweet yet sizzling paranormal romance, scorching paranormal erotica, and dark paranormal horror, SJ Thomas has had several short stories and novellas published and is currently building up to her first full-length novel.

SJ lives in the South West of England with her wonderful husband, her new baby daughter, and a very spoilt Springer Spaniel. She has a full time day job so has to fit her writing in whenever she can, although like every author she would love to write full time one day. When not writing or working she loves to read and enjoys walking, geocaching and surfing badly.

More details about SJ's current and future works can be found at the following links and she is always happy to chat via Facebook or email.

www.sjthomaswpr.weebly.com

www.facebook.com/sjthomaswpr

www.twitter@SJThomas25

sjthomaswpr@hotmail.co.uk

www.pinterest.com/sjthomas25/


Welcome SJ. Thanks so much for joining me!

So, what do you do when you are not writing?

I am currently on maternity leave so most of my time is taken with looking after my four month old daughter. I have to confess I haven't written anything for ages due to a severe lack of energy and focus but my baby girl have just started sleeping through the night so I am hoping I'll have some more energy soon.

How did you choose the genre you write in?

I write what I like to read and everything I write has a paranormal edge. I just can't make myself write anything 'normal', its got to have a vampire or ghost or demon or some other exciting paranormal creature and I love the sexy exciting edge it gives.

Where do you get your ideas?

My ideas can come from anywhere, an image, a song, a film. I normally get a scene or piece of dialogue in my head and from there think out the why and how and often before I know it I have the rough outline of a story in my mind.

What is your favorite part of the book?

Definitely the spark between the two hero's, Elliot and Justin. There is so much chemistry between them and the whole premise of the story is Elliot and Justin confronting their feelings for each other. Neither of them shy away from telling each other how it is and I think it makes for some great lines.

What was the hardest part to write in the book?

This was my first MM so definitely the sex scenes. It was really important for the sex to be accurate and respectful. A couple of fab MM authors I know were kind enough to read it and give feedback and I had some err 'technical' advice from a MM reads group on Goodreads.

What advice do you have for someone who would like to become a published author?

Firstly, it would be to write. Get something finished because having a completed story is crucial.
Secondly, is to remember that first drafts are normally rubbish but that's what edits are for, you can rewrite and polish and perfect after you have finished.
Thirdly, don't think you have to have an agent or go via the big traditional publishing houses. There are some fantastic e-publishers out there actively seeking submissions and they don't require agents.

Alrighty, onto some fun questions...
Are you a person who makes their bed in the morning, or do you not see much point?

I always make the bed. I am a fairly neat person and can't stand it if the house is messy.

Do you get road rage? What pisses you off the most about other drivers?

I am embarrassed to confess that I do, especially when people pull out in front of me. Drives me crazy!

Do you go out of your way to kill bugs? Are there any that make you screech and hide?

Yes I'm afraid I kill spiders, or at least I set my dog on them or get my husband to kill them for me. I just cannot settle if there is a spider in the room.

Which of your characters would you like to meet in person and why?

Whichever one I am writing about currently! I normally majorly crush on my current hero and it would be lovely to see them in the flesh!

Can you give us a blurb and Excerpt for My Business, Your Pleasure?

Blurb

Justin has one rule; do not get involved with immortals. It's bad for business and dangerous. Trouble is his business partner Elliot—an immortal being of unknown origin but undeniable sex appeal—makes him want to break that rule. Hoping a night with an immortal will get this infatuation out of his system, Justin visits a rival club looking for a one night stand.

Elliot has wanted Justin for ages, but despite his best efforts has gotten nowhere. When he learns about Justin's plans he turns up at the club. While he hopes one night will turn into many more, Elliot needs to have Justin at least once.

Will Justin let down his guard and let Elliot become his partner in more than just business?

Excerpt

"Looks like you've got this all planned out."

Elliot ignored the bitter accusation in Justin's voice, shrugging out of his jacket before he closed the curtains. When Elliot turned to face him, Justin stood with his arms crossed over his chest, his tousled dark blond hair falling across his brow, his usually calm, almost delicate features brimming with anger. Elliot suddenly found his courage failing him.

When he didn't speak, Justin narrowed his eyes. "Well? You wanted to talk, so talk. How did you find out about this tonight?"

As he looked at the man he wanted, Elliot knew he needed to be honest with him. "Kara helped me."

"Kara."

"Yeah, she figured out your plans and clued me in."

"She what? I can't believe this. She is so fired." Justin paced back and forth for a few seconds, and then stopped, his head jerking toward Elliot. "How did she know what I was up to?

"Kara's smart and she knows you too well. Plus she worries about you. She thinks you work to hard and worries that you're lonely."

Justin's brow furrowed as he shook his head. "But why did she tell you?"

"She's a good friend, and she knows how I feel about you."

A sharp intake of air was Justin's only reaction, and Elliot forced himself to carry on. "I've wanted you for ages, Justin, but I knew you'd never go out with me. Your damn rules about not getting involved with immortals would stop you. She thought if I got you away from work, then you might admit your feelings for me. If I could get you to see me as something other than your business partner." He gestured down at himself.

Justin followed the movement, his gaze sweeping over Elliot. His full lips parted, eyes darkening with obvious lust and Elliot's cock swelled in reaction, body growing hard with desire. His tongue darted out to wet his lips, and Elliot stifled a groan.

Justin spoke in a husky voice. "I'd have never thought you could pull that look off."

Elliot shrugged. "I've had many different looks in my life." He offered a cocky smiled. "And I've rocked them all."

Justin's mouth twitched and hope flared within Elliot, until Justin shook his head. "This," Justin gestured to the champagne, "and you," he nodded toward Elliot, "doesn't change anything. Why would you think it would?"

"I know you are attracted to me, but you've never acted on it. I tried so many times to take our relationship further, but you always shut me down."

Justin's brow furrowed, his expression turning pained. "You know why I have my rules. The club runs better if we don't get involved with the clients—"

"I'm not a client." Elliot's voice was harsh in the snug confines of the booth.

"No, but you are an immortal. How can I tell our staff to keep their distance if I can't myself?"

"So, what is this all about then?" Elliot tilted his head toward the club. "You came here for a one-night stand with an immortal, a stranger. Is that keeping your distance?" Anger and frustration flowed through Elliot. The thought of Justin fucking some random immortal who'd do God knows what to him, filled Elliot with rage. Vampires bit, werewolves clawed, and some breeds of demons tasted their lover's souls. Image after image of immortal creatures hurting Justin flitted through Elliot's mind

"I was doing it to get over you!" Justin shouted, and that nasty little creature called hope once again flared inside Elliot.

"You do want me then." Elliot spoke it as a statement, not a question.

Justin ran his fingers through his hair. "Maybe I do, but I'll never act on it. I am not going to risk our relationship for one night of sex. And I couldn't face myself if I was such a hypocrite." Justin shook his head. "This isn't what I wanted tonight."

Despair and frustration fueled Elliot's next words. "No, I know what you wanted. A night of make-believe with some random guy. Well, get this straight, if you aren't going to be with me then you're not going to be with anyone else, mortal or immortal. I'm not letting any other creature get his hands on you."

Justin's lips parted, his eyes going wide. "Tell me you didn't just say that?"

Elliot didn't answer. He just lifted his chin and set his lips in a stubborn line.

Justin laughed bitterly. "You immortals, thinking you own the world. This is exactly why I don't want to get involved with your kind. I see the possessiveness, the control you want over your lovers." He stomped over, getting right up in Elliot's face, sexy as hell in his anger. "No man, mortal or immortal, owns me. No man will control me, got that?"

He'd never seen Justin so angry, so forceful. All Elliot wanted to do was take Justin in his arms and crush their lips together. "You're sexy when you're angry, you know that?"

Justin's lips parted and he gave a sharp exhale. "You are unbelievable. And I am not going to do this."

He went to step away, but Elliot gripped his arm, stopping him. The look Justin gave his hand would have sent an enraged demon running, but Elliot refused to be frightened off that easily. "Justin, please. Don't walk away from this. You have no idea how good this could be."

Justin’s gaze flicked up to Elliot's face, and for the briefest second Elliot saw indecision in those hazel depths. Then Justin's jaw tightened, and with a methodical movement he took Elliot's hand and forced it away from his arm. "I can't do this with you." Justin's voice was strained, full of anguish, and as he yanked aside the curtains and walked away, pain speared through Elliot's chest.

Elliot let out a ragged breath, his gaze tracking Justin as he weaved his way across the dance floor. Shit, that couldn't have gone any worse. He stood for a moment, unsure whether to follow or just let Justin go.

No. This might be his only chance to have Justin, and even if all he got was a single night, Elliot wanted it too much to give up without a fight. Elliot squared his shoulders and stalked across the dance floor.

I want to thank you again for joining me and for telling us about My Business, Your Pleasure. It sounds like an incredible read, and I can't wait to check it out. :)

Release day!

Yep, it's that time again. One of my favorite things about being an author is the long-awaited release day.

The HIS anthology just became available this morning and I'm so excited to share a spot with some absolutely incredible authors. I'm also so grateful to Evernight Publishing for putting this all together, and to my editor Marie Medina for working some long hours to make sure everyone's stories shine.

I'm hoping to sneak out of the house for a bit today and celebrate with a yummy lunch with my sweetheart, and then after that I'm going to curl up with my tablet and read everyone's contribution to the anthology. No doubt there will be some hot, steamy lovin' going on that'll leave me breathless. After all, that's what those authors are pros at!

Strength. Power. Experience. No obstacle is too great when an alpha male decides what he wants, and these dominating men are so sexy and irresistible, no woman would dare think of anything but submission. Billionaires, Doms, and mobsters alike aggressively go after the women they want, and they will stop at nothing to fully possess them and make them beg for more.

Come and find out how good it feels to be HIS.

To check out the HIS Anthology, stop on by Amazon, Evernight Publishing, or many other eBook retailers.

Anthology info!

I've had a pretty exciting week so far. Not only have I been working more on my Highlander novel, but I've also had the chance to chat with some fans about my Primordial Guardians series. To top off the awesomeness of this week, I just got cover art for the anthology that my publisher, Evernight Publishing, has been working on for a while! I'm lucky enough to have gotten into the anthology along with some incredible authors.

How can you not love a cover like this???

Woo! So excited my novella, Angels Incorporated, will be released in the His anthology on August 15th. That's less than two weeks away! Squeeee!!

Kacey Hammell's Sweetest Salvation

Today I'm here with Kacey Hammell to talk about her Contemporary Erotic Romance, Sweetest Salvation. And hold on to your panties, girls, this one's got Light Bondage.

Thanks so much for chatting with me today, Kacey! So, can you tell me a little bit about yourself?

I’m a Mom of three, wife, cattle farmer, school council volunteer, jane-of-all-trades kind of gal. I love to watch tv…my pvr never stops running, I read at least ten books a month and collect many things.

Do you have a day job as well?

No, I have been a stay-at-home Mom for eleven years now. I volunteer a lot at my kids’ schools, take care of things here on the farm while the men are out at their EDJs(Evil Day Jobs) *rolls eyes*, and watch over the new babies that are born often.

How did you choose the genre you write in?

I’ve been a huge fan of contemporary romances, romantic suspense stories for a long time. I feel most comfortable writing in these genres but have branched out a bit with a Ghost Paranormal, and added some light bondage to my stories when the characters lead me that way.

What sparked the idea for your novel?

Sweetest Salvation is based loosely on a true story. While I led Andy down a more sexually aggressive path, the real Andy was already nearly there before she was able to let go of some of her grief and despair.

What was the hardest part to write in the book?

Sweetest Salvation is by far the hardest book I’ve ever written…simply for the fact that it is very personal to me and the story itself is so heartbreaking. I used many tissues and spent many hours agonizing over this story.

If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Marilyn Monroe—she just fascinates me. I’d have loved the chance to sit and just talk to her. Hear her thoughts about things and how she stayed as strong as she could in difficult situations.

What was your life like before becoming an author?

I reviewed for many online companies, did freelance editing and such. Now solely concentrating on writing, I find ideas come faster (tho I wish I could type that fast!!) and my mind isn’t full of other people’s works.

What is your writing routine?

Depends on the day of the week. I write mainly during the weekdays since my kids are at school, and on the days when my husband is working a day shift. I used to love a lot of noise when I write but find that I can’t handle that any longer. I don’t know if it’s the Muse just wants more dominance or what but that has changed. But when I’m deeply hooked into a story, I’ll block everything out that I can and just type.

Do you ever experience writer’s block?

Yes, sometimes. When I’m in the middle of a book and things just stop flowing then I can’t get beyond the block. Most times I’ll just move onto another story and begin something new but at times, I just need to take about a week off and I can get back to it.

Do you work with an outline, or just write?

Depends on the complexity of the story that floats through my mind. If there are many intricate details –as in my romantic suspense titles with villains and a lot of characters – I find it best to get the minute details down before they are forgotten.

What are you working on now?

I have 3 WIPs on the go. Each contemporary, all different levels of heat and at the halfway point in each.

What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

The last chapter. The summation of the journey is always one of the best parts for me. I love to finish a book smiling and knowing that the characters have found their way, and are happy.

How did you come up with the title?

Oh it was difficult with this book. I originally wanted “Learning to Live Again” but it didn’t really click. I played with three or four other titles, but nothing really hit me hard. Til I was talking with another author and we were brainstorming…I wanted Salvation, Hunter is that for Andy – they are to one another – and Sweetest just seemed to fit.  But there were about five other titles I’d considered. That part was just as hard as writing the story! *g*

Are there certain characters you would like to go back to, or is there a theme or idea you’d love to work with?

A bit of both. My In the Arm of the Law series, there are nearly a dozen recurring characters, some I’ve bonded with a lot. They’ve been with me the longest. I keep working on each story of theirs with this scene or that, and wait for each of them to decide who is next.  Characters are what lead a story IMO and are usually what leads the idea into fruition.

Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?

Just keep writing. Never give up. You never know when that one story will catch an editor’s eye and pull you into the publishing world. And let your story lead you, don’t force a story or then it won’t be completely honest or pure.

Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans?

Thank you for all your support, feedback and loving to read as much as I do. Without readers, this job just wouldn’t be all that fun! J

Where do you find the most inspiration to write?

Music. Lyrics from songs, various artists sometimes become a small picture playing in my head when I hear them.

Alrighty... On to some fun questions: Are you a person who makes their bed in the morning, or do you not see much point?

I NEVER make my bed. *blush* But there is little point. My husband works split shifts of nights and days so it seems there is always someone in it. And it still drives my Mom nuts to this day that I don’t make it. Really, what is the point? I’ll only end up back under the rumpled covers within twelve hours or so anyway! LOL

Be honest, how often do you wash your hair?

Every other day—on the advice of my hairdresser. I have very thick hair, it’s very dry as well, and washing too much just makes it feel horrible.

Do you get road rage? What pisses you off the most about other drivers?

I have a lot of road rage. I’ve had to pull off to the side of the road more than once just to breathe deep. I detest people that do not use their signal lights, pull out in front of me when I’m about ten feet away from their intersection, and hate to see people texting or talking on their phone while driving.

Do you go out of your way to kill bugs? Are there any that make you screech and hide?

I don’t go out of my way to kill any, no. But if I see a snake, I’ll be gone faster than anyone can blink. I’m not much of a runner but I’ll be damned if I stick around a snake!

Book Details:

Sweetest Salvation

Contemporary Erotic Romance/Light Bondage

Content Warning: Contains Voyeurism, Spanking, Multiple Partners

ISBN: 978-1-77130-330-9

Available at Evernight Publishing / Amazon.com (and more links below)

*An Evernight Publishing Editor’s Pick*

Book Blurb and Excerpt:

After the deaths of her husband and child, tragedies that she blames herself for, Andrea “Andy” Sheaver has shut herself off from the world. The only place she finds any relief from her shattered heart is Club Splendor, where she and her husband often frequented together.  There, Andy submits to pleasure and pain in situations so her grief is forgotten for a little while.

But Hunter Sullivan won’t stand idly by and watch Andy self-destruct. A friend of her husband, and the owner of Club Splendor, Hunter has kept his love for Andy hidden for years. He refuses to think of her at the club, cold and detached as she’s become, looking for an easy fix to take away the pain in her heart.  Hunter wants her to vibrant in life again and sets out to prove he is exactly who she needs.

Excerpt © Kacey Hammell, 2013

Hunter sighed, which caught Andy’s attention. Her eyes met his briefly before lowering to her hands, which were clenched tight in her lap.

“Look, Andy,” he began.

“What do you want, Hunter?” Her forest-green-eyed gaze met his. Anger swirled in their depths.

“I’m tired of this. Dammit.” He snarled, rising, and crossed to the fireplace. He ran his fingers through his hair and leaned one arm on the mantel. He looked over at her, stomach churning with indigestion and pain. He’d loved Patrick and Peter too. Could she not understand that she wasn’t the only one suffering?

“Tired of what? I never asked you here.”

“This!” Hunter spread his arms wide. “You. I’m so tired of seeing you locked away in this house, never leaving and pictures gone.”

“Go to hell,” Andy spat and leapt to her feet. She moved behind the loveseat, obvious fury making her hands shake as she laid them on the back of it. “You don’t have any say in how I live. I never asked for your opinion. If you don’t like it, get the hell out of my house. And my life!”

Hunter breathed deep, nostrils flaring. He could no more walk away from her than he could from the Sheavers. She was as much a part of his life, and his heart, as they were.

But his love for her went far beyond sisterly.

He pushed that thought away, buried it deep within himself as he’d done for years. She was Patrick’s girl, his wife. He always honored that.

“Dammit, I don’t want to argue with you, Andy. But you really need to move on. Live life again and leave this house.”

“I leave the house. You don’t know what I do every day.”

“Oh yes, you go out. Like the other night? Why did you go to the club? I thought we agreed you were no longer a member,” Hunter demanded, curious about her answer.

“No. You decided I was no longer a member. Not me. I never said I wanted that. Who are you to make decisions for me?” Andy retorted, cheeks flushed, hands on her hips.

Hunter had to admit he was finally seeing a glimpse of the fiery, strong woman she’d been until this last year. He liked her eyes ablaze, jaw clenched and fury radiating off her body. He just needed to provoke her enough and challenge her to move beyond these walls and back to the things she loved to do.

“I don’t want to make decisions for you.” He took a calming breath. “Listen, the club is not the place for you any longer. Without Patrick… There’s no need for you to be there anymore.”

“Why do you think that?”

“He was the one who wanted to show it to you. He never really thought you’d come to enjoy it as much as you did. Neither of you interacted with others. What can you find there now without him?”

Andy smiled, cold and detached. He hated that smirk.

“Oh, come now. You know what happens in your club. Surely, I don’t have to spell it out for you.”

Goddamn her.

Yes, he knew what she’d done inside the room she’d once used with Patrick. Though he normally didn’t interfere in his members’ activities unless there was a problem, he did ask Paige and Nolan if Andy had simply watched. He’d been shocked, then livid, to learn a few details of what happened between the three of them.

Andy had always been a devoted wife to Patrick, faithful to the core. To know she’d been an active participant at the club for the first time had suddenly left him empty and alone.

But he couldn’t allow his feelings on the matter to distract him from pushing her back into life.

He shrugged. “No. You don’t have to spell it out for me. But is that what you truly want and need in your life?  Sex with strangers? Do you need to find comfort in people who don’t care about you?”

Andy glared at him. “That is none of your business.” Her voice rose as she continued. “What I do in my life is for me to decide. I never asked to have you in my life. Don’t expect me to want you there now.”

His heart clenched. Her words were like a punch to the gut.

Yes, he’d sort of come as a package deal when she’d married Patrick. But the Sheavers were the only family he had. And when Peter was born, oh, he’d played the dutiful uncle to the little boy. Though she’d never voiced her frustration at his being in attendance at nearly all family gatherings or taking up some of Patrick’s time once a week for a guys’ night out, he’d understood the stone-faced woman who left the words unsaid.

“I always promised Patrick I’d look after you if he couldn’t.”

“Fuck off, Hunter. Don’t give me that.” Her hands fisted at her sides. “Look, please just go. I don’t need you here. I have things to do.”

He wouldn’t be so easily dismissed.

“Things to do? Like what, plan your next adventure at the club? I don’t think so. Why? Explain to me why you felt the need to go there?”

Arms wide, she yelled, “I wanted to fuck somebody. Is that what you want to hear? That I wanted to have a cock inside me for the first time in almost two years? I wanted to have a man inside, pounding me—brutal and painful. What better place to do that than at the club where I know I’m safe?”

Hunter’s heartbeat accelerated. To know she needed someone that close to her was agonizing. It was a barren and desperate act of someone who had nothing to live for. Or didn’t think she was worth much.

“Why pain? You couldn’t have found satisfaction in that. No pleasure, Andy? You, of all people, found pleasure in that kind of sex? I don’t believe for a moment that you’re now into rough sex,” Hunter said, gruff. His mouth was dry, and confusion made his head hurt. Would he never understand this woman?

Andy crossed her arms over her chest. She looked out the window behind him. Her gaze was unfocused, filled with pain.

“Yes, pain. It’s what I deserve, isn’t it?” Her gaze captured his. Hunter felt his heart crack at her desolate look. 

Buy Links:

Evernight Publishing / Amazon.com / Amazon.ca  / Amazon UK /

aRe / Bookstrand /

~~~

Canadian author, Kacey Hammell is a multi-published erotic romance author who writes mainly in the Contemporary Erotic/Romantic Suspense genres.  She is a true romantic at heart.

Where to find Kacey…

Website / Facebook / Facebook Author Page / Twitter / Amazon / Goodreads / Pinterest

Giveaway: For a chance to win a backlist Ecopy of mine, please leave a comment & your email address below and you’re entered! Winner will be chosen April 13^th.

Thanks for joining me today, Kacey. I can't wait to check out your book. And by the way, hot, hot, hot cover!!

Passion Ignited going to print!

I just received an email from Evernight Publishing that Passion Ignited is going to be in print within the next two weeks! I'm doing a happy dance around my livingroom. I just can't wait to hold it in my hands and smell the ink and paper - you know, that book smell. :)

I'm also happy that I'll be able to give a copy to my grandma. She's read the book before, but has been asking for the 2nd one in print for a while.

So excited!

The print version of Dark Seduction has also been updated, since my Immortal Guardians series name had to be changed. So check it out on Amazon, or on Createspace.

St. Patrick's Day Special? I think yes!

Are you ready to GET LUCKY and save a little GREEN tomorrow? Don't miss Evernight Publishing's one day sale. ALL TITLES will be half off at checkout. That's right, that means you can get all three of my Primordial Guardians novels at only half the price. And, Evernight is even offering a bonus: One LUCKY shopper will win a $50 Evernight gift certificate!

So, stop on by Evernight's site and check out all of the incredible authors. Here are the links for my titles:
Dark Seduction
Passion Ignited
Born of Silence

Remember, this awesome sale is only good on St. Patrick's Day (March 17th, 2013) so stop on by and get caught up on the Primordial Guardians series while the gettin's good.

DC Stone's Feral Craving

I'm so excited to have DC Stone on my blog today, to talk about her Paranormal Romance, Feral Craving, Book One of the Justice Demon series. After DC's interview, I'll meet with a character from her novel!

Welcome DC! Can you tell me a bit about yourself?

Well, outside of writing, the full time job and kids keep me busy. When I’m not diving into the world of romance, I’m investigating financial crimes, focusing specifically on internal measures. Yes, you caught it, I’m a corporate version of Internal Affairs. I served the United States Air Force for eight years, and learned most of what I needed investigating crimes there. It’s come in a little handy, in BOTH my jobs. ;)

Oh wow, that sounds really cool! And thank you so much for your service! So, when did you first start writing and when did you finish your first book?

Oh boy, I first started writing about four years ago this March. I fell into a group online (not fan-fiction, but close). Focusing full time on my book, which coincidentally this book was the first novel I ever wrote, it took me about eight months to finally feel as if it were ready for submission. Even then, I think I could have waited. I’ve heard many feel this way though, so I went ahead, quashed the internal critique, and hit send. 

Where do you get your ideas? 

I get my ideas based off of thoughts that come to me, or crimes I’ve read about. It’s no secret what I do, and within the thriller side of the house for me, driving a story around that crime, or within the paranormal side, developing a story off one small idea, is the most rewarding and challenging aspect of our careers. 

What sparked the idea for your novel? 

I wanted to do something different outside of vampires and werewolves. I wanted to give the readers something they hadn’t seen before. Within that, I remember reading something on the Goddess Themis, and decided to develop that idea I was previously talking about, into this series. There will eventually be four, but Bari’s book starts you from the very beginning. As we go along, the reader will pick up more on exactly what these Demons do, and exactly which side of good and evil they are on.

What are some of your favorite authors/books? 

Pamela Clare. She is phenomenal and such an inspiration. 

Which comes first: The character's story or the idea for the novel? 

The idea. While I outline the plot and unfolding of the story (the idea), the character’s background is built as I go. I may start with something small, but that background builds as I write. A lot of it comes from the character themselves, as they push their way into the story. 

What advice do you have for someone who would like to become a published author?

You see all kinds of different advice, and while I’m not a seasoned writer myself, I’ve had a few ask me this question or even call me their mentor. I have to say, it’s a little odd at times seeing that in an email or on a phone call, because I wonder what I’ve done to deserve it, but then again, it’s also something that is humbling.
The best piece of advice I can give a new writer is this: keep writing. Don’t stop just because you’ve received a rejection letter. Don’t put down that laptop just because someone says you write like crap. But keep going. You have to think of writing, and the creativity that comes with it, like a muscle. If you don’t use it, you’ll lose it.

I’ve seen this a few times in my time writing. I’ll go a week or so and haven’t written a word and when I go to pick up the laptop, my writing suffers. I now make a point to at least get a little in each day or every other day, whether it be a chapter in a novel I’m working on, a blog entry, or an interview, like this.
Outside of keeping the writing going, you also need to invest in your mind. I’m not saying spend money, but look for the articles on writing, check out a book at the library on writing, and try to get in to workshops. But inside of that, don’t take any one person’s advice as if it’s the rule. There are no rules in writing—but you do need to know what’s out there. 

If you had to go back and do it all over, is there any aspect of your novel or getting it published that you would change? 

I would join a critique group sooner than I did. No new author can learn anything more valuable anywhere else. 

What are you working on now? 

I’m actually working on the thriller side of the house right now. Empire Blue series is about a group of law enforcement officers and their quest to not only solve crimes, but also the interruption they cannot ignore—love. These books are also something that will be new to the market, something that may shock readers. The men are real, raw, and dangerous. I am typing out book 2 and working jointly on book 3 of the series. Once those two are done, the second book in the JC series will be started. 

Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination? 

Oh, I can tell you there are MANY personal experiences in this book. Once you read it, I’d love to see if any of the readers can guess. Make sure to stop by and let me know. 

Will you have a new book coming out soon? 

Yes, although a date hasn’t been set, I have a novelette coming out with Decadent Publishing. It’s part of their 1 Night Stand series, and I’m really excited to become an addition to this. A really great author, Jennifer Probst, also submitted to this series, and it is humbling to become a part of that team. 

That's exciting! Congrats! Now, let's move on to some fun questions: Are you a person who makes their bed in the morning, or do you not see much point? 

Oh, it drives me nuts if I don’t make the bed. I think that’s the military ingrained in me, but one thing you will NOT see in my home is hospital corners. Sorry, Drill Sergeant Espinoza, you tried. 

Be honest, how often do you wash your hair? 

Everyday. 

Do you get road rage? What pisses you off the most about other drivers? 

Ugh, I have to admit I do, but I it’s so rare, which is interesting because I live just outside of New York City, and the drivers around here are RUTHLESS. 

Which of your characters would you like to meet in person and why?

You know, this is my seventh book I’ve written, the third to be published, and I gotta say, I’d love to meet Bari. He was my first true character love and I don’t think you ever get over that. 

Hahaha, I know how that goes. Now, let's move onto the Character Interview. I' adore meeting characters from books, and DC has graciously scheduled some time for me to meet with a devastatingly handsome guy from Feral Craving!
What is your name?

*Arches brow and crosses arms* And see, here DC told me you’d be prepared. *Smirks* Damn woman, first she goes and tells a very private story and now she doesn’t even give you a heads up. *Leans forward* The name is Bari. Bari Daxter. And no, don’t say it like James Bond. I’m much tougher. 

(I can see that he's much tougher ... not that I'll tell him that.) Is there a nickname you’re known by? Do you prefer it? 

*chuckles deep* Hell, let’s see … Dick, asshole, jerk, fucker, fuck-head, Sarge, bro … I could go on if you like … 

*Waves a hand* Uh, no, hahaha. I've got you. So, do you have any scars, tattoos, piercings? What do they mean to you? 

*smirks* I have a few tats, although they only come out when he comes to visit. You wanna piss me off enough to find out? 

*Shakes head* No, no, that's okay. (I search my list of questions for something safe.) Ah, who are your parents?

*glares* Next question … 

With whom do you live? How do you feel about that person / people?

You know *rubs back of his neck* you’re almost as personal as DC. Because I promised to play nice, I’ll answer. But I swear, if you start asking about my favorite position, we’re gonna have issues.

I currently live with Mackenzie, and yes, she’s my fucking rock. And as much of a pain in the ass she was recently, I love her. I’d give my life, my soul, the last scrape of air I could find to her—to make her happy. Don’t even ask what I’d do if she was in danger. *eyes flash* I don’t think you would want to find out. 

*shakes head emphatically* No, no. I'm good. Umm, do you have any pets? 

*Grins* Of course, his name is Tyler. 

What is currently your biggest responsibility or commitment? 

*Lets out a deep breath* Well hell, you really do know how to push the deep questions don’t you? *glances up to the ceiling* Let’s see, and pardon me if I blow through all of this faster than you can keep up, but I’m still learning how it all works myself.

Apparently I’m here to keep the world level in terms of good and evil existing. *Twists lips* Hmmm, yeah I think that about sums it up. 

Who is your biggest rival or enemy? 

*Narrows eyes* You remember that parent question? *waits* 

Oookay ... moving on. What is your greatest talent? 

*slow grin* I think Mackenzie might help you with that answer.

Have you undergone any dramatic physical transformations in your life?

*chokes on drink* Have you read the fucking book? 

*coughs* It's on my to-be-read list. What? I don't get to read as much as I used to. Let's just do one more question, 'kay? How do you feel, generally, about the opposite sex?

*gives a slow, leisurely glance along the length of her body* I don’t know, how do you feel about sex?

Oh, I'm absolutely a fan of se-

Annnnd ... that's all I'm listing here, folks! I'll let you fill in how I responded. :)

A big thank you to DC Stone and Bari for meeting with me today! Check out the links below to check out more on DC!

www.authordcstone.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authordcstone
Twitter: @DCStoneauthor
Find Feral Craving at Evernight Pubslishing!

I'll Be Damned, Stella Berkley

Today I'd like to welcome Stella Berkley, a fellow Evernight Publishing author. She's here to talk about her erotic, paranormal romance, I'll Be Damned, which is a collection of five short stories where, for one night, love is enough to bridge the distance between heaven and hell. There’s a law that keeps angels and demons apart, and the collection follows five couples sneaking trysts over the course of the same evening when God and Lucifer’s attentions are diverted.


Very cool. As every knows I'm a huge fan of anything paranormal so your novel sounds A-MAZ-ING!
So Stella, tell me a little bit about yourself.

Aside from being a wife, mother to a cute wee girl, and a working grunt, I’m an author of many faces. I write mainstream dark romantic fiction under another pen name, with one novel trilogy completed and the opener of a five novel series signed and due to release in May of this year. My YA self is also working on two novels and a short story I hope to shop around by the end of the year.

If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Definitely Stephen King. I’d like to crawl into his head and see the world through his eyes. He can write a character like nobody else, and since I wholly believe characters are what make or break a story, I’d like to learn about character building from the pro.

How personal is your writing?

My writing is me. It’s how I try to make sense of the world around me, why people might do the things they do. I can put characters in a scenario and see both sides of the coin. Human nature is fascinating.

Do you work with an outline, or just write?

I’m a total pantser. I often hit Chapter 1 with an idea only and a few names jotted down to use for my main characters. Sometimes I only start with a character. Their appearance and characterization usually comes as I write.

Can you tell us about your upcoming book?

I have several coming up, but I’ll stick to the first of a seven-book series I’ve just signed called Stone Chameleon, an Ironhill Jinn Novel. It’s an urban fantasy/PNR following Lou Hudson, a preternatural pest control expert who is jinn, a species of elemental shapeshifers that are condemned and thought extinct. She lives in secret in Ironhill. When someone frames her for murder, her heritage is in jeopardy of coming out. Add a hot vampire in a kilt and a drool-worthy Persian love interest, and you have Stone Chameleon. 

Ahh yummm... Vampires in kilts? Sign me up!

Okay (after fantasizing about kilt-wearing vampires) let's move on to some fun questions. Are you a person who makes their bed in the morning, or do you not see much point?

Oh, hell no. I have a duvet that only requires one fluff to make the bed, and I don’t even do that. I don’t see the point when I’m just going to crawl under it again the next night. An extra few seconds to write. :)

Do you get road rage? What pisses you off the most about other drivers?

Hmm…I certainly used to when I lived in the city, but now that I live in the boonies, traffic consists of one car in front of me at the traffic light, so not so much anymore.

Do you go out of your way to kill bugs? Are there any that make you screech and hide?

Ick to all bugs. Spiders especially, or any with long legs. I can’t even deal with those little crab things in the aquarium stores with long spindly legs. I’m shivering as I type this. Afraid of bugs, who me?

Which of your characters would you like to meet in person and why?

Oh boy, this is a hard one. It’s a toss-up between Lucifer from I’ll Be Damned and Parthalan from my Lila Gray trilogy. They’re both a little arrogant and vain, and way too delicious not to want a taste.

Hahaha, I love it. 

Blurb:
For one night, love is enough to bridge the distance between heaven and hell.

In Devil Be Mine, Lucifer’s soul whore, Delilah, is tempted by her favorite submissive, Micah, an angel as pure as she is naughty.

In Fire and Ice, heaven’s black sheep, Qenna, meets her match in Pyro, chaos incarnate and devilish charm in a designer suit.

In Raven, a reaper forces the Guardian, Mara, to accept what’s in her heart or say goodbye to her Raven forever.

In Hunting Pleasure, Lucifer’s Lieutenant, Selene, indulges in heaven’s highest ranking sentinels, Michael and Arael, who turn the hunter into the hunted.

And finally, in No Mercy, God’s right hand, Gabriella, must convince Lucifer to abolish the law standing between her brethren and their lovers. To right a wrong she played a part in, Gabriella agrees to a private meeting with the object of her darkest fantasies—the devil himself.

Excerpt from No Mercy:
     “How badly do you want this for them?” Running fingers down the tight line of his belly, Lucifer edged closer. “Decide, because my patience is thin tonight.”
     I flinched at the sharpness of his tone while his aggression stirred thoughts of him spreading me upon one of the—stop it! “What is it you want, Lucifer?” What would I be willing to give? “I’m not sleeping with you, so don’t even think about it.”
     A flick of his fingers undid his jacket, and he slipped it off. “No, what I want is much simpler than that, Rielle. Just a kiss, one like I gave you that night on the steps, only this time there will be no running away. If you run, then the deal’s off.”
     A sensory memory filled me with flame that ate me up. Hot breath on my lips, the urgency of his mouth on mine, the demand of his fingers fisted in my hair. The sounds, more animal than man, all for me. A tiny moan slipped out before I swallowed and shook my head. “No. Not that.” I’d be finished. He’d almost had me then until I remembered my place, where my loyalties lay.
     Each button of his shirt came undone under his skilled hands, revealing more and more of his muscled chest, his rock hard stomach.
     “Why are you taking your clothes off?” I’d never seen him nude. Did he have wings? Could they trap me? Caress me?
     “You forget so easily that I know what you want before you do. I’ve never shown them to anyone who I wasn’t personally reaping or wanted to scare the life out of. This is my final offer. If you want to free those sneaking around in the dark, then you will agree.”
     He shrugged out of his shirt, baring his defined shoulders and rounded biceps that appeared strong enough to confine me however he pleased. “There are different shades of darkness, all the way from evil up to the kind in my strong, bold angel. It’s already inside of you, begging for you to accept it. Accepting it won’t change who you are, Rielle, not with me.” Groaning, he extended wings of black that spread out like a beautiful nightmare, made of fire and feathers and mist. “All I’m asking for is a kiss, and after that, you’re free to walk away from me.”
     “It isn’t just a kiss. Nothing between us has ever been, or ever will be, as simple as that.” I reigned in my quivering voice. “And how can I ever be free? Since the night of my reaping when you stood on the riverbank where I drowned, fucking me with your eyes, you decided I would never be free of you.”
     “Or you decided. You were so tempted to follow me that night. Your indecision was written on your face, and your arousal scented the air like cherries. Even your body flies my colors, your wild streak of red visible in your otherwise pure white hair and wings.”
     Was that why I ended up with crimson markings instead of gold or silver or blue like the rest? No, it couldn’t be true. “I will never follow you.”
     “Yet here you are, wrapped up like sex in a pretty package, begging me with your every movement to tug on that ribbon.” He bore down on me, those wings folding around to blot out the world. “Decide. Your stubborn pride? Or their freedom?”


Buy Links:

Amazon | All Romance Ebooks | Evernight Publishing

A little more about Stella:
Stella Berkley grew up in small town Ontario as a farmer’s daughter, usually up to her ears in some kind of trouble. A career daydreamer, Stella has a vivid imagination and a love for fantasy, especially the dark and steamy kind. Two of her novellas have been published with Cobblestone Press, and two novels by her tamer self were published last year. When she isn’t writing, she hangs out with her husband and young daughter at their little house in the woods.

Thanks so much for joining me today, Stella. It was a pleasure to get to know you better!

Raven McAllan - A Shimmer of Silk (Interview and Contest!)

Today I'd like to welcome Raven McAllan. She's here to talk about her new Erotic Regency, A Shimmer of Silk, book two in The House on Silk Street (Evernight Publishing). There is even a contest to win some of Raven's books!

About the Author
Raven lives in Scotland, along with her husband and their two cats—their children having flown the nest—surrounded by beautiful scenery, which inspires a lot of the settings in her books.
She is used to sharing her life with the occasional deer, red squirrel, and lost tourist, to say nothing of the scourge of Scotland—the midge.
A lover of reading, she appreciates the history inside a book, and the chance to peek into the lives of those from years ago. Raven admits that she enjoys the research for her books almost as much as the writing; so much so, that sometimes she realizes she's strayed way past the information she needs to know, and not a paragraph has been added to her WIP.
Luckily her long suffering DH, is used to the dust bunnies that go forth and multiply under the bed, makes a mean curry, and pours a perfect glass of wine.

So Raven, what do you do when you're not writing?

Think about writing? Ha, I do all the boring mundane things that have to be done, like washing and ironing. Apart from that I like to read, and I go for long walks with a friend and her dogs. We live on the edge of a forest, so there's plenty of places to walk. 

 When did you first start writing and when did you finish your first book?

I can't remember ever not writing. I finished my first 'book' in primary school. About a budgie if I remember correctly.My first 'proper' book was when my DH got me a computer and told me I had no excuse. As that was when you put discs in and out for what seemed like a thousand times before you could do anything, it took me ages to finish. And it was terrible, but I did 55k. Then nothing for years until about eighteen months ago. That one was accepted.

 How did you choose the genre you write in?

It chose me. We were chatting in my crit group (UCW hi ladies), trying to decide what to write, and I suddenly said I thought I'd write regency, and it would be about two girls and a man. I have no idea where that came from. They dared me and I did.

Where do you get your ideas?

They hit me…a word, an overheard conversation (I'm the one behind you with ears flapping) my murky mind…

Haha, love it. So what sparked the idea for your novel?

A Shimmer of Silk is the second book in the series The House On Silk Street. The first was Silver Silk Ties.I love the Regency era, where so much wasn't spoken about openly but it all happened. This is my interpretation of some of those happenings. The research is so much fun. It was a scene in a book I'd read that got my brain cells thinking how would this have worked in 1818? Then my heroine started shouting and I started to write. Being a pantster, I had no idea what was going to happen.

What is your favorite part of the book? 

That is so hard to pick. I think the struggle by Deborah to come to terms with her needs.

What was the hardest part to write? 

The knife and wax play bits. Even though they are mild, I'm scared I don't get them right. I have to keep reminding myself I have researched it, I have asked questions, and it is 1818.

Is there anything you wish was different in the book? 

I think after every book I've written I re-read it and think I should have said this, or done that… I'll leave it up to my readers (if there is any) to tell me…

What was your life like before becoming an author? 

I've been very lucky and lived a great and full life so far.(I hope I've got a good few more years in me) For many years I worked in the public sector, and latterly as a marketing manger for a tourist site. I've been a tour guide around a stately home, which really increased my interest in all things historical, and a classroom assistant in a primary school. Now, I write. 

What is your writing routine? 

It all depends where I am. If I'm at home, I'm often up well before DH. In the winter, I sit as near to the Aga as I can without burning my bum, and write before 'the day begins'. Once I have the house to myself It's a quick housewifely half our, a cup or three of coffee and write. Then off for a walk, chat about the world and his wife to my mate, and back home to write. Then usually I get a mad oh-my-god-is-that-the-time panic, and rush to do all the other things I should have done. Um in 'write' include messing on Facebook, Skype, in-box stalking where necessary, phone calls etc etc.If I'm on holiday, I usually write for an hour in the morning, on a balcony or something… Amazing how much gets done like that.

Which comes first: The character's story or the idea for the novel? 

Argh….I have no idea. It sort of hits me, usually in the middle of the night, so I have to get up and start.

If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Golda Meir. I read her autobiography and it threw up so many questions about her life and the world she lived in. Whether you love her or hate her she was a remarkable woman.

What advice do you have for someone who would like to become a published author?

Don't give up. Write as you can, not as you think you should. Enjoy it.

Do you ever experience writer's block?

Not really. If something isn't working, usually the character is playing silly devils, and I'll go to another WIP, until I'm shouted at. If the words won't flow, generally it's because what I've written isn't right.

Do you work with an outline, or just write?

I just write. I don't plot, I just have a rough idea where I hope to end up.

Can you tell me about your challenges in getting your first book published?

Believing it was an okay piece of writing. I was lucky, my crit group all supported me, we all researched publishers and decided where to send it. My best mate Doris who is a superb writer, 'redited' it and off it went. When Breathless Press accepted it, my editor guided me through all the things I was clueless about. (I'm not at all techno –savvy, I had no idea how to track changes, auto correct, do attachments) Luckily our crit group does I have a techno geek without whom I'd be stymied. (Thanks Cherie)

If you had to go back and do it all over, is there any aspect of your novel or getting it published that you would change?

Ask more questions, stick up for myself more when I knew I was correct. Being a newbie you are scared stiff to rock the boat.

Have you written a book you love that you have not been able to get published? 

Not yet…

What are you working on now?

A contemporary erotic romance, set in Glasgow and the home counties.

Can you tell us about your upcoming book?

A Shimmer of Silk, is as I said an erotic Regency romance, with a hint of mystery thrown in, set in 1818 London. All the books in the series can be read as stand alones, although the 'big question' won't be answered until the end of the last book.

Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?

That would be telling wink

Haha. :)  What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

The flame-throwing scene. When I was a child we used to live in a house that backed on to where the fair came every year. One of the sideshows was the man who flame threw and also stretched out on a bed of nails. He was the dad of some of the kids I used to play with. I remember watching him practice. I was fascinated. And I still remember him showing us where the nails had pierced the skin and telling us not to try it ourselves. (No chance of that, I'm a wuss about pain.)

How did you come up with the title?

I went to Vietnam on holiday a couple of years ago, and I was fascinated by the street names in Hanoi. Silk Street was where all the silk merchants used to be. Then I was in London and saw an old building in a tiny street with a shop with silver silk ribbons in the window. I had a light bulb moment, and my brain whirred into action. For book two, I remembered how the silk had changed color and depth wherever you stood.

When does A Shimmer of Silk come out? And do you have any other upcoming releases? 

A Shimmer of Silk is out today, Jan 17th!
A Rose Between The Thornes, another Regency, and a sequel to To Please a Lady is well into edits, so that will be out in next couple of months. (Breathless Press)I've a few stories in different anthologies, and a short story in pre edit stage for Evernight Publishing. It's a contemporary BDSM called 'Will You Dance Miss Laurence?'.

Congrats on today's release! I can't wait to check it out.

Are there certain characters you would like to go back to, or is there a theme or idea you’d love to work with? 

I seem to be taking some of my secondary characters and telling their stories. I'm really enjoying that, because I know how often I read a book, and a minor player grabs my interest.

What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? 

That English was obviously my second language (it isn't) The book was Regency, and Regency English isn't always the same as 21st century. I accepted it wasn't what the reader liked.

What has been the best compliment?

When someone says the enjoyed what I've written, and any facts in it are correct.

Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers? 

Write in the way that suits you, don't try to fit in. Never give up. Get a good crit group (mine are the best, but no we don't take new members). Most of all, believe in yourself. If you don't why should anyone else? (And that is the hardest thing of all to do.)

Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans?

I still go all a quiver when I realize people read—and like—what I've written a very big thank you for making my dream come true.

Where do you find the most inspiration to write? 

Oh a long haul flight. I can get a lot written there, and it just flows…nothing to do with the champagne, honest!(I was writing a very hot part of A Rose Between The Thornes. Got up to go to the loo, when I got back some guy was reading from my laptop, his hand hovering over the scroll down bit. I said "excuse me" and he moved to let me passed. snigger So I explained it was my seat. He just smiled and went off. When I went to get a drink later, the cabin crew member asked me of I was the lady in seat ***. I said yes… "Well the two gentlemen in seats *** and *** want to know what happens after she gets on the bed and faces the wall.")

Hahaha, I love it. :) Now lets find out some random stuff.
Have you ever gone out in public with your shirt on backwards, or your slippers on, and when realizing it, just said screw it?

I did go to work once with odd shoes on. And on one occasion I got a phone call from my daughter (at Uni) who I was due to meet in town. She'd got to the bus stop in her slippers. (A friend had driven her there.) So she'd pinched her boyfriend's trainers and sent him away in her three sizes too small 'baffies'. (Scottish slippers) I had to take her an old pair of her own trainers to wear.

Are you a person who makes their bed in the morning, or do you not see much point?

Yes I do make it. I may not be a domestic goddess, but I do like the bed to be all plumped up pillows and smoothed duvet.

Be honest, how often do you wash your hair?

Every other day, or it irritates me intensely.

Do you get road rage?

I may swear at tourists! But if it's traffic jam or road works I don't see the point.

What pisses you off the most about other drivers? 

What we call 'sun day drivers'. (Not only on a Sunday.) At the first hint of a fine day, they come out from the city and have no idea how to drive country roads. So they hog the middle and cringe when they see a tractor. (and drive at 20 miles an hour along a nice wide straight road.)

Do you go out of your way to kill bugs?

Only if a wasp is harassing me because I swell up like a melon if I'm stung. Otherwise if they ignore me, I'll ignore them.

Are there any that make you screech and hide? 

Not yet, though I'm not over fond of snakes and big spiders.

Which of your characters would you like to meet in person and why?

Raig In A Price to Pay, because he likes an older woman. And his history is fascinating.Deborah in A Shimmer Of Silk to ask her how she copes.

And now, a question for Raven's readers:
If one of Raven's books were made into a movie, who do you picture playing each character's part?

The winner will get two of Raven's eBooks of their choice.One other person will get one eBook of their choice from Raven's back list.

Contest runs from 1/17/2013 through 1/24/2013.



You can find all about Raven and her books on:

www.ravenmcallan.com

her blog is

www.ravenmcallan.blogspot.com (and she's always happy to see new followers there)

Facebook

www.facebook.com/rmcallan  

www.facebook.com/ravenmcallan

and she's on twitter as @RavenMcAllan


Thanks so much for meeting with me today, Raven, and congratulations on your new release!!