Category: Interviews

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Interview with Kaye Brand from Erin Kellison’s Fire Kissed

Kaye Brand, the heroine from Fire Kissed is here today to talk about the secret world of the mages. Be forewarned: Magekind suffers no information about themselves to become public. Kaye, however, is not about to be told what to do, and certainly not by the very people who tried to kill her when she was a teen.

Kaye, considering the danger involved, why did you agree to this interview?

Short answer? I blame Jack Bastian. Damn angel gets under my skin with his “Ms. Brand this, Ms. Brand that.” And he phrases what he wants from me like a dare—as if I can’t see right through him. <Eyeroll> He used to try to appeal to my conscience, but he of all people should know that I don’t have a soul. Why should I feel bad for humanity when the world is going dark? Not my problem. And it’s inevitable anyway. My talent—fire, by the way—is best used elsewhere. But okay, if a little information helps all the moms and dads keep their children safe, then fine. I was a kid once, and no one protected me.

Ugh. That’s not really the truth either. <Damn Bastian to hell.> Another angel helped me once. But he was kind and good when he didn’t have to be. Which is the only reason I bother with Bastian today, because of the other one. Who died for me. I’ve got him stuck inside and I can’t very well go shopping, or whatever, with the memory of the first angel aching within.

So I put up with Bastian and his “Ms. Brands” – Of course it doesn’t hurt that he’s easy on the eyes. Not that I’m interested <ha! imagine!> I just appreciate beautiful things.

He’s an angel, you say? Do you mean that figuratively?

I wish. No, Bastian and the one before him are the real deal. Angels. Beautiful, but in general, enemies of magekind. Angels don’t like Shadow and the trouble that comes with it. And there’s a whole lot of Shadow coming into the world.

Kaye, for our readers, what is Shadow? and what is a mage?

<SIGH> You should know about Shadow by now. It’s the dark magic that’s seeping into the world? You know, the monsters on the streets at night that have everybody shutting themselves inside their houses like it’s the Dark Ages?

Those things are real? I thought they were just a YouTube hoax.

Wraiths are real. I faced one just the other night before I put it out of its misery. Actually, I was the one in misery; those suckers don’t smell very good.

And they’re just the beginning of what’s to come. Think legend and fairy tale and myth, but colliding with all the biz of today. One day you might look up and see a dragon in the sky.

I don’t believe it.

<Shrugs> Eventually you will. It’s inevitable. Chocolate might help with the shock. Shadow is here to stay.

A mage, however, is someone born with Shadow in their blood, passed down through generations, like good bone structure or money. As I mentioned before, mages don’t have souls, but then souls are overrated anyway. These days mages are conquerors. They want the world and everyone in it under their control.

“They”? Aren’t you a mage? Don’t you want to conquer the world?

Truthfully, I want nice shoes and gorgeous clothes and I can pay for them myself with my own hard-earned money. Okay, not so hard-earned. But you get the point. I hate the politicking that goes on among the mage Houses.

Then why are you working with Jack Bastian in the first place?

Well, there’s that angel from before. I owe him something. Plus I’ve got a debt to settle with the people who tried to kill me when I was fifteen. Sent a wraith after me, which is how I got these scars. And why I have to hunt them.

And who sent the wraith after you?

Oh, no. <Waves hand> We mages do not name each other. Suffice to say, I was set to marry a great mage from a great House, and I refused. Apparently, they thought I had no choice in the matter. But I did. I’m alive today.

You were going to marry at fifteen?!

Not that uncommon. It was an arranged marriage and would have been politically very good for both our Houses. An ideal concentration of power and prestige among our kind. But I’ve got a romantic streak—don’t tell Bastian—and a temper—which he knows already. <Sly grin>

Magekind sounds positively medieval.

Yeah, well. Our families’ roots go back much farther than that. Once, long ago, we were like old-world gods among humanity. Magekind today intends to be the same again. The world is going dark, it can’t be helped. And even Bastian’s valiant efforts can’t stop the tide of Shadow. Magic is coming back into the world, beautiful, terrible magic. Everything is going to change.

What can a person do in this new terrible world that you speak of?

I hope that a decent or mostly-decent mage rises above the others to control the rest. But listen—humanity has angels like Bastian to protect it. He might be difficult and frustrating and you might want to catch him on fire every once in a while—no, wait, that’s me—but he is at least brave and stoic and selfless. <Ugh> And I’ll probably help him, against my better judgment, that is. At least I get to tweak his pride and drive him nuts while we’re at it, so that’s a bonus. He’s always watching me, poor man. I’m not sure he’d let me go even I wanted to part ways.
Fire Kissed
Amazon | B&N
Fae Fire
It is Kaye Brand’s power to wield. But outcast from her kind, she’s been selling herself to the highest bidder – money for her survival in exchange for a magic glimpse into the flames of the future.
Angel Ice
One of the angelic Order, Jack Bastian has no use for a female like Kaye, as provocative and unexpected as her blazing beauty. Yet he has no choice but to hire her to uncover the secrets of his sworn enemy and her former fiance, Ferrol Grey.
Magekind
War is inevitable between the defenders of the Order and the mage Houses who threaten to engulf the world in Shadow. For Jack, mage-born Kaye is off limits, no matter how hot the impossible attraction between them. But in the coming darkness, beset by danger and desire, everything is about to change…

Visit Erin on the web:

Erin’s website: www.ErinKellison.com.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ErinKellisonAuthor
Twitter: www.twitter.com/EKellison 

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My interview with Damián Orlando from Nobody’s Perfect (& giveaway)

Damián: It’s good to be back.

Kelly: Can I get you anything before we start?

Damián: If you think I’m going to need reinforcements, how about a Dos Equis?

Kelly: Oh don’t look so nervous. I talked to Kally and know you don’t like to get too personal, especially when it comes to Savi. Besides, it’s me. I have been with you guys from the beginning. So just relax, I got ya *wink, wink*

Damián: Yes, Princesa Masters Brat Kelly, you truly have been there since before Masters at Arms was even published. And thanks for helping to organize Kally’s Street Brats, too. I know the team has been very helpful to her in getting the word out about her books.

Kelly: So tell me how are things going, since Savi and Marisol came back into your life? 

Damián: Family has always been very important to me, but I never thought I’d have one of my own—not like this. Granted, we have a lot of things to work out yet, but having Marisol call me Daddy, and having Savi put her trust in me, are among two of the things I cherish most in this world.

Kelly: How surprised where you to find out Marisol is yours?

Damián: I think it was pretty obvious to everyone but me, but I took to it pretty quickly actually. Anyone would be proud to claim Marisol as his daughter.

Kelly: How do you think you are doing at being a dad?

Damián: (Laughs) Maybe you should ask Marisol that question, but we seem to have hit it off, once her mama trusted me to spend time with her. Heck, even before that. The first night, while we were waiting for Savi at the clinic, the kid showed me she can build a mean castle with Legos. Just wish she didn’t expect me to climb up the tower to rescue the princess. Anyway, when Marisol baked me a birthday cake and told me to make a wish…(clears throat)…well, it was pretty clear what I wished for. That was just about the sweetest thing anyone’s ever done for me.

Kelly: What is your biggest fear about being a dad?

Damián: Not being able to protect my little girl. Savi and I both have learned first-hand that there is evil in the world and trying to keep it away from the innocents like Marisol isn’t always easy. But we’re both committed to doing all we can to ensure Marisol doesn’t get hurt. Not that we can protect her from everything.

Kelly: How is Boots? 

Damián: Into everything and, with my allergies, he’s helping to keep Benadryl in business. He’s also about the clumsiest kitten I’ve ever laid eyes on, always knocking things off shelves or whatever he’s climbing on. I hope he outgrows that soon. But he makes my two girls happy, so he’s definitely going to be a permanent fixture in the household.

Kelly: I know you don’t kiss & tell, but how is Savi doing?  Getting better I hope?

Damián: Thanks for asking. I’ve never known a woman as strong as she is. She’s been to hell and back and, as I learn more and more about what’s happened in her past, I just thank God she returned to me and that I can help take some of the burden off her shoulders. Knowing that she trusted me enough to come to me when she needed help protecting Marisol means a lot to me.

Kelly: What do you think Savi’s greatest strength is? 

Damián: Resilience. No matter how many times she gets knocked down, she gets back up again. She’s also got some mean moves of her own for when she needs to do the knocking down, which I discovered recently.

Savi, giving up just a little control

Kelly: Interesting. How are things going at Masters at Arms Club?

Damián: There will be some changings coming up in who lives at the club and we’re bringing in some new Doms to form a Board of Directors, to help share the responsibilities. Other than that, we continue to strive for a nice, safe place for us kinksters to come together with like-minded people in the BDSM community to share what we love to do, learn new techniques, and just unwind.

Kelly:  Are you still happy that Adam talked you into being a part of the club?

Damián: If Dad hadn’t pulled me in when he did, I don’t think I’d be here today. To think that I would have missed out on the opportunity of finding Savannah…Savi…again, or never gotten to know my daughter. (Shakes head) PTSD fucks up your mind and I had convinced myself back then there wasn’t any way I’d ever get back to normal. But Dad, Marc, the folks at the Wounded Warrior Project, and others taught me that I’m wounded, not crippled or broken. Sorry if I got sidetracked, but for me, the Masters at Arms was the anchor I very much needed in my life at a dark time—and I’m not just talking about the building, but the people who make it up. It continues to be an important part of who I am. When I’m there, I can get involved in scenes that help keep me grounded and focused. I’m also the resident sadist. Even though I’m not a natural-born one, I’m often called on by Doms and Masters at the club to plan and execute sadomasochism scenes that will help their submissives achieve a goal or give them what they need, whether it’s screaming, crying, endorphin release, raging, or whatever they need to experience.

Kelly: Tell me what is the biggest misconception about BDSM clubs?

Damián: That they’re filled with abusers and sex addicts. . If you were walking down the street, you wouldn’t be able to pick out someone who belongs to a BDSM club. We’re just ordinary people—mechanics, nurses, businesspeople, firefighters, teachers, homemakers, you name it. And no one is more vigilant about exposing the abusers in the community than those of us who are active in a local club.

BDSM isn’t about abuse at all. A lot of subs, in particular, with abusive backgrounds have found solace and healing in clubs. It’s not always about sex either. My relationship with Savi started out mainly as my being her Top and helping her release pent-up emotions she’d kept a tight leash on for many years. While I’ve been attracted to her since the first day I saw her in the hotel where I worked before I joined the Marines, I knew she wasn’t ready for a sexual relationship when she returned to me. We needed to work on redirecting a lot of the negative messages still rattling around in her head from things her abusers had tried to make her believe about herself. So, for us, SM is the way we’re able to help each other and connect on a very emotional level. Someday I hope it leads to more, of course.

Kelly: What would you tell someone who was thinking about getting into this lifestyle, but scared all at the same time?

Damián: (Grins) Well, be careful who you admit your fear to, because a Dom likes nothing more than to know his sub is a little afraid of him. Seriously, though, you need to do your homework. First off, find out if there’s a club in your area where you can talk with others who are in the lifestyle. Most hold public events called munches that give people a chance to meet and greet. A good place to find out about your local scene is to check out fetlife.com, an online community for kinksters. You just might want to avoid looking at the photos at first, though, if you’re squeamish. But there are some good forums there to help you get to know more about the community and the lifestyle and people, for the most part, are eager to help newcomers understand and learn about the lifestyle. Just don’t go meeting strangers without taking the same safety precautions you would if going on a date with someone you met online. There are some real nutjobs out there. Most aren’t like the Doms and subs you meet in Romance novels.

Kelly: I know you have been around for the last three stories Kally has written.  How do you feel about her telling your and Savi’s story?

Damián: I just wish she’d hurry up and finish it so I can see how it ends. (Laughs) Actually, you know Kally. “The end” never means the end. But from what I understand, I’m going to make out better at the end of this one than Marc is.

Kelly:  Did she keep the story true? Or did she leave things out? Was there anything you wanted her to add that she would not?

Damián: If anyone tries to keep things out of these stories, it’s Marc, Adam, and me. Kally is all about baring our souls for the world to see. Well, you can imagine how well that goes over with a bunch of Marines who have built walls around themselves to keep themselves safe and their secrets hidden. She’s also tenacious. Picking on my buddy again, but she knew there was something going on with Marc that he hadn’t revealed to her when she was writing Nobody’s Angel. Well, she’s quite the reporter (she has degree in journalism, you know), and a few weeks ago she uncovered the beginnings of a story from Marc’s past that’s a shocker for him and has really caused some problems in his life. He’s still reeling from the news, as anyone might be, and has to figure out what it means for him, not to mention his relationship with Angelina. But I’m sure he’ll, as Kally’s readers like to say, “get his head out of his ass” eventually.

Kelly: It is always good to have you here. Anything else you want to share before I turn you loose?

Damián: I can’t think of anything. Just be watching for announcements on Facebook, Twitter, and in her newsletter for when Nobody’s Perfect is available to be downloaded and read. It’ll definitely be this month, but no earlier than June 26 it looks like. (Holds his hands up) Hey, don’t look at me. Marc’s the one who derailed this book. Kally says I’m the easiest of the three to work with. (Grins) Hmmm. But there’s still time. I wonder what havoc I might be able to wreak in the next few days.

Kelly: Master D, don’t you dare! We’ve been waiting since last summer for Savi’s and your happy ending.

Damián: Well, for you, princesa brat, I’ll try to behave.

I can’t wait to read Nobody’s Perfect.  Here is a quick look at Damián & Savi’s book.

Nobody’s Perfect
Masters at Arms #4

Savannah Gentry, now Savi Baker, escaped the torture and degradation forced upon her by a sadistic father for eleven years and has made a safe life for herself and her daughter. When her father threatens her peace of mind—and her daughter’s safety—Savi runs to Damián Orlando for protection. Their one day together eight years earlier changed both their lives and resulted in a secret she can no longer hide. But being with Damián reawakens feelings she wants buried—and stirs up an onslaught of disturbing flashbacks that leave her shaken to the core with little hope of ever being a sexual being again.

Damián has his own dragons to fight, but has never forgotten the one perfect day he spent with Savannah in a cave at the beach. He will go to the ends of the earth to protect Savi and her daughter, but can never be the whole man she deserves after a firefight in Iraq. Besides, the trauma of war and resulting PTSD has led him to find his place as the Masters at Arms Club’s favorite sadist. Savi needs someone gentle and loving, not the broken man he has become. But he sees that the lifestyle he’s come to embrace also can help Savi regain control of her life and sexuality. How can he not help redirect her negative thoughts and actions if she needs him?

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Interview with SJ McMillian

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome S.J. McMillian to the blog today to talk about her new book City of the Gods. 

1. Can you please share with us a little about yourself?

     I live in southwest Missouri with my supportive husband and my three fun loving kids. Along with being a wife and mother, I have a full time job as an administrative assistant during the work week. I enjoy reading, exercising, eating junk food, watching movies & TV, singing loudly, and dancing terribly.

2. Have you always wanted to be an author?

     I didn’t even consider becoming an author until I finished The Descendant a couple years ago. I remember when I was younger I wanted to be a teacher, but as I grew older I changed my mind several times. For a while I wanted to be an FBI agent, which changed into wanting to be a photo-journalist. The photo-journalist didn’t work out because even though I wanted to write, I didn’t want to write about news. Well that, and the fact that I suck at photography.

3. Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing?

     My favorite writers include Katie McAlister, Michele Bardsley, Lynsay Sands, & Christine Feehan. Any and all of these amazing writers influenced my writing. All these women write strong characters that I always end up falling in love with. Not to mention, they all have an element of humor in them which is another thing I love about their books. I want to have those strong believable characters in my stories. I want the reader to love my characters and stories just as much as I love these ladies stories.

4. How did you get into writing in this specific genre? Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre?

     As you can see from my list of favorite authors, I have an affinity for paranormal romance. I’m just not real comfortable writing the steamy love scenes you often get in those. Urban fantasy is a nice blend of paranormal, horror, and romance. I can put a bit of romance into the story without having to write that full on steamy love scene, but still put just enough gore in the story to make you cringe, but not puke.

Once I finish the City of the Gods trilogy, I do have a story in mind that rides the line between paranormal and urban fantasy. I also have plans for a ghost story and a humorous fiction series. One day I will venture out of my comfortable urban fantasy world, but it will be a few years from now.

5. What are some of your writing rituals?

     I usually have to have some kind of music playing as background noise and I always have to have something to drink handy. Those are the only things that are a must for me while writing. Anything else would be a distraction.

6. Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?

     The title of my current release is City of the Gods: The Descendant. It’s about Katalina, a girl who is a descendant of an ancient civilization. Unknown to her, she has been appointed by the Gods to save humanity from annihilation by an evil priest. Three of the original citizens of the civilization are given the mission to train and protect Katalina until she is ready to defeat the evil.

Katalina’s life has been a constant struggle since the loss of her parents when she was younger. She doubts her ability to save the human race, when she can barely protect herself. It’s up to her friends, who have survived for many centuries, to convince her that she does indeed have what it takes to accept the mantle of Redeemer.

7. How did you come up with idea for this story?

     This story has been in the making for over ten years. At the time I was reading lots of paranormal romances. I wanted to write a story of my own. The earliest version of this story had vampires, werewolves, and witches running amuck throughout it. Then came that little phenomenon Twilight, and then Vampire Dairies hot on its heels. I didn’t want to write something that was like everything else out there. I wanted to give the reader something different. One day while researching I came across the city of Teotihuacan in Mexico. I was intrigued by its limited history. I consumed all the information I could find on the city, short of traveling there myself. I took out the vampires and werewolves, and created something unique. It came out better than I could have possibly hoped for.

8. Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?

     I’m currently working on the second book for the City of the Gods trilogy. I’m hoping to have it completed by the end of June. The only things I can tell you about the book without spoiling the story is that it takes off where The Descendant ends, and centers more on another character.

9. What would you be if you were not an author?

     A poet or artist. I can’t draw worth a crap, but I would still have that need to express my creativity. As an author, I’m able to express that side of me.

10. What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

       I’m so far behind on my reading. On my nightstand right now is Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. Yep that’s right, the 2nd book in the Hunger Games trilogy. I was also told by a good friend of mine to read Shades of Grey. There are probably many others out there that I would read if I had the time.

11. Is there anything else you would like to add?

       I would like to thank your readers for taking the time to stop by and read my babbling. I also love hearing from readers and fellow authors. You can find me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mcmillansj, on Twitter at www.twitter.com/mcmillansj, or come by my website at www.mcmillansj.com.

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Interview with Kristine Grayson

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome first time visitor Kristine Grayson to the blog.  We are chatting about her newest book Thoroughly Kissed.

1. Have you always wanted to be an author?
As long as I can remember, I wanted to write. My mother kept my first book, which I wrote (and, sadly, illustrated) at seven. It was about a pony. I was such a girl.

2. Who are some of your favorite writers?
Currently, I’m enjoying Julia Quinn, Mary Jo Putney, and Mary Balogh. I also like Laura Griffin’s Tracers series. And in urban fantasy, Ilona Andrews, P.N. Elrod, and a host of others.

3. Who do you feel has influenced your writing?
Well, that’s tougher. I reread F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby and Daphne Du Maurier’s Rebecca every year, but what I write is nothing like their works. I have a hunch my influences for these books are the 1930s & 1940s screwball comedies. I love Bringing Up Baby, The Philadelphia Story, His Gal Friday, and all of those witty romantic films.

4. How did you get into writing this specific genre?
Accidentally. Under my real name, Kristine Kathryn Rusch, I published a short story called “The Strangeness of the Day,” and my husband, writer Dean Wesley Smith, told me that it was really a novel. I wrote the novel, which became Utterly Charming, and decided to publish it as a romance under a different name for commercial reasons. It’s been a fun ride ever since.

5. Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre?
I do write in a different genre. In fact, I write under different  names in almost every genre. Kris Nelscott for mystery, Kristine Dexter for romantic suspense, Kris DeLake for futuristic romance, Kristine Kathryn Rusch for pretty much everything else, including nonfiction. I’ve been nominated for everything from the RT Book Reviews reviewer’s choice award to the Edgar award, and I’ve won the Hugo award and the Herodotus Award for Best Historical Mystery among other awards. Plus my short stories have ended up in (at last count) 18 years best collections.

6. What are some of your writing rituals?
Tea. Cats. Cats. Tea.

7. Can you please tell us about your latest book?
Thoroughly Kissed follows Sleeping Beauty ten years after she woke up in our world. She’d been asleep for 1,000 years. She’s managed to thrive by learning everything, ending up as a history professor of the Dark Ages (which she lived). Now she’s come into her magic without training and she needs help. Unfortunately, her mentor can’t travel to her, so she has to go to him. And she can’t fly or take public transportation because her magic is out of control and she might kill someone. Through a series of mishaps, she ends up traveling with her handsome boss and—well—you can figure out the rest.

8. How did you come up with the idea for this story?
Sleeping Beauty was a side character in Utterly Charming—back when she woke up. And I couldn’t stop thinking about her, wondering what happened next. I finally had to write the story to answer that question for myself.

9. Can you share your current work in progress?
I’m working on the next book in the Assassins Guild series that I write as Kris DeLake. These are futuristic romances set in the far future. I just finished the latest Grayson novel, Charming Blue, which has (of all people) Bluebeard as my hero. (He’s horribly misunderstood.)

10. What would you be if you were not an author?
Hopeless.

Seriously, a composer, probably. Something in the arts.

11. What is in your TBR pile that you are dying to start or an upcoming release that you can’t wait for?
I’m waiting for the next Michael Connolly mystery and the upcoming Jeffrey Deaver Kathryn Dance novel. Tonight, I’m going to start Julia Quinn’s latest, A Night Like This. The book arrived today; I can hardly wait to finish work so I can read.

12. Is there anything you’d like to add?

Just a thank you for asking me to participate in the blog.

Twitter: @KristineRusch

Facebook: Kristine Grayson page

Website: www.kristinegrayson.com

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Interview & Giveaway with Tigris Eden

Books-n-Kisses is super excited to have Tigris Eden on the blog today with her new novel Enslaved (released yesterday).  I got to read this book early and let me tell you it is GOOD!!!  So let’s learn a little more about Tigris

Can you please share with us a little about yourself
There really isn’t much to tell, I am a boring book nerd who loves to read write and listen to music. On occasion I make people laugh. 🙂

 
Have you always wanted to be an author?
I can honestly say yes… I’ve been writing for a very long time.

 
What is your most interesting writing quirk?
I like to write in the buff… JOKING JOKING! Seriously I don’t really have a quirk I just write when the mood hits me… Which is almost every day! Maybe that could be a quirk?
Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?
My latest book is about a werewolf and a human who have a one night stand and then by unfortunate means end of running end to each other five years later. Of course there are bad men after her and he wants her but she’s not sure about him and oh yeah there is the issue of her secret.  One night in a steamy jungle can do a lot to a girl’s brain!

 
How did you come with the idea for this story?
Was listening to Maroon 5’s Secret in the car one day and thought a one night stand would be awesome. Originally it was going to be contemporary but then werewolf getting it on sounded so much better. 🙂

 
Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?
I am actually working on Burned in Shadows while piecing together two other series ideas. Burned is the sequel to Enslaved and it’s going to be a wild ride of emotions a bit of drama and closure for two particular people. Oh and another surprise. LOL

 
Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why?
Earnest Hemingway… I have never said that before until this interview. And I promise I wasn’t trying to be brainy. If you had asked me a month ago it would have been Shayla Black and not that I don’t want to meet her face to face. It’s just I was reading A Moveable Feast, his memoirs in Paris, and well he is a description junkie…  And I love the way he describes things. But he’s gone so we will get back to Shay… Shayla Black is amazing! I just want to have one sit down, one lunch and pick her brain. I would ask her what I’ve always wanted to ask her face to face just to see the expression on her face and see what answers I get. WHAT FREAKING SEX CLUB ARE YOU GOING TO IN DALLAS TO GET YOUR INFORMAITON!  LOL! Her research is phenom!  It’s like she’s really been to the clubs… I mean seriously! She has to be a freakin member or something! LOL She writes great ROMANCE! Love HER!

What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?
Never stop no matter what! There is always room for improvement! And if you get taken to school on one of your books, take notes, don’t be afraid to dig deeper into the reason why someone didn’t like your story. Just take the notes. When schools out, go play. 🙂

Can you share with us something off your bucket list?
I want to sail the Bermuda Triangle when I’m like 89 years old. I want to charter a yacht and leave and see if A) What’s on the other side, will I be greeted by Aliens or worse the gateway to some unspeakable time warp machine that will take me back to my younger years. Or B) Gain the secret of life!  I know it sounds wacky and strange but you never know I could either come back… Or I could die either way I would have lived a full life. And that in itself will be my reward. (Thinks to self) I hope I don’t drown though, that would be a horrible way to go.!

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?
I have a long list in my TBR pile.. But I am dying for Reseph’s Book and dying for Karin Tabke’s last installment of Blood Moon Rising Trilogy! Luca Raffa you are hot! Werewolf Sandwiching is in!

 
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I can’t think of anything else at all… Thanks Kelly for having me on your blog! You rock on all kinds of level of awesomeness! I am so glad you enjoyed Enslaved, and I promise I will take the anxiety down a couple notches for you. J
Want to learn more about Tirgis?  You can check out my review of Enslaved HERE.  But you can find Tigris here

Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

And to sweeten the pot I am going to be giving away an e-book of Enslaved to one lucky person.  To enter please fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

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Interview with LJ Garland & Debbie Gould

Books-n-Kisses is please to welcome the wonderful team of LJ Garland & Debbie Gould to that blog today to chat about their new book Sins of the Mind

DEBBIE: Thanks for inviting us, I’m excited.

LJ: Yes, thanks so much for having us today!

Can you please share with us a little about yourself

LJ: Though born and raised in the south, I’ve lived on both the east and west coasts. I love traveling, and  the latest adventures I’ve added to my Bucket List: Machu Pichu and Australia’s Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef. Someday, I hope to get to those places! I’ve been married to my best friend for over twenty years, spend my time home schooling three rambunctious boys, editing in the epub industry, and writing stories that I hopes catches readers’ imaginations as much as the characters and plotlines captivate me. In my spare time (what there is of it LOL), I have tons of hobbies, including building archery equipment from scratch and creating stained glass. I have a passion for anything that goes Boom! …from fireworks to high-powered combat rifles…it’s all good. My hubby and I are both rated helicopter pilots and spent our 10th anniversary flying cross-country from east to west coast…an adventure I highly recommend.

DEBBIE: Born in Wichita Falls, Texas, at the age of two my mother and I moved to New Jersey, spending many happy years on my grandparents’ horse farm. You’ll sometimes find this setting as a backdrop in my stories. As a teenager, my mother and I found a new home in Vermont, which is where I currently reside. With a daughter in the Air Force (along with my six-year-old grandson), and two sons working for the family Well Drilling business, I now shuffle my time between a full time job as a nurse and my writing career. About seven years ago, while looking at over three hundred treasured books lining the shelves, I realized there was a multitude of stories of my own clamoring for release. Since then, I’ve seriously persevered in keeping the keyboard in constant motion.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

DEBBIE: First I wanted to be a Marine Biologist, then I wanted to join the Navy and be a chef on one of their boats, but I ended up being a nurse, then writing came along.

LJ: Well, I wanted to be the President of the United States until I was twelve. Then I smartened up! lol After that I wanted to be an actress. Did that for a while then moved to teaching college and that led to home schooling my three boys… Wow, I’m old!

Can you share with us your typical writing day.  Is there anything you have to have while writing?

LJ: Uh, a typical day? Do we have any typical writing days??

DEBBIE: No routine here. I keep telling her we need a routine, but she’s too busy drinking coffee all day.

LJ: Hey, it works, and we get the stories finished. Hmm…my mug’s empty. Back in a sec.

DEBBIE: See what I mean?

Most challenging or rewarding part of writing?

DEBBIE: Getting positive reactions from the readers would be the most rewarding. I’d say the most challenging would be coming up with a unique story they will enjoy.

LJ: Yeah. And I would add that first page. You always want to grab the reader and ensure they keep going. And reader tastes vary widely. Pretty daunting task, that.

Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?

Our latest release is the first book from the Red River series. It’s a romantic suspense from Decadent Publishing called Sins of the Mind.

BLURB: Seven years ago, Abby Montgomery survived a brutal attack. Now she is ready to put her pain in the past and move on with her life. The problem is, one by one the men in her life are being viciously murdered. The detective assigned to the case, Ethan Parker, has demons of his own to hide. As the danger gets closer to Abby, so does Ethan. But can they get past his secrets before the killer gets to them? Sometimes the sins of the mind are more depraved than the sins of the heart.

How did you come with the idea for this story?

LJ: Well, as I recall, we were both on the same Internet forum. We’d known each other for…what? Two years, Deb?

Debbie: Yup, about that. We had been brainstorming a plot in one of the books I was writing (still unfinished, lol) and I showed her the first chapter of another story that had been screaming in my brain at me. She liked it, and I asked her if she wanted to co-write it.

LJ: That’s right! And I was excited because the story was interesting. Romance and murder, what’s not to like? So, we started brainstorming ideas and things got pretty intense and…what’s the word I’m looking for?

DEBBIE: Twisted?

LJ: Yes. That’s a great descriptor. But we both loved it and voilà, Sins of the Mind!

Can you share with us your current work in progress?

DEBBIE: We’re working on the next book in the Red River Series. Yup more murder, mayhem, and romance, lol.

LJ: Yep, we’ll be torturing the next characters even more than the first. Though, I think Sins of the Mind had several unexpected twists…and the characters got banged up pretty good.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

DEBBIE: Suzanne Brockmann, Stephen King, Tami Hoag, Cindy Gerard, Kat Martin, Lori Foster…oh the list goes on and on.

LJ: LOL I know! There are so many! Anne McCaffrey – her stories are so creative, yet easy to visualize. Her detailed worlds and series are inspirational, not to mention fun to read! Henry Beam Piper – his Little Fuzzy series is creative and memorable for sure! Orson Scott Card – Ender’s Game and all that came after was amazing. And he also did a nice twist on ‘What you think is true, might not be.’ Stephen King – because he didn’t write horror just for the sake of writing horror, there was a deep, psychological aspect that caused the blood to run cold. Dean Koontz – because his style of writing drew me. The way he wove his earlier stories was unusual, never in a straight line, which left me wondering how these diverse characters would ever collide. Suzanne Brockmann – for her high-action stories and her hero’s perspective. Robert Jordan – for his epic stories. Thomas Harris – psychologically terrifying.

Do you feel that any of your favorite authors have inspired your writing style? 

LJ: Absolutely! I think if I look at the list above, I can see bits of them all in my stories. Wow, talk about multiple personalities. lol

DEBBIE: Ditto, lol. I grew up on King, so sometimes my stories tend to be a tad dark.

LJ: Right there with you, Deb. Probably why we like writing together so much!

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

DEBBIE: Lori Foster’s A Perfect Storm and Christine Feehan’s Spirit Bound

LJ: Suzanne Collin’s Mockingjay and Linnea Sinclair’s Shades of Dark.

Is there anything else you would like to add? 

We can be tracked down at http://www.garland-and-gould.blogspot.com/ where we blog, chat about stuff, and interview other authors. –

L.J. can be caught at www.lj-garland.com and emailed at mail@lj-garland.com You can also tweet her at @LJ_Garland1 –

Debbie can be found at http://www.authordebbiegould.com/ and emailed at mountecho2006@yahoo.com. – We love hearing from people who have enjoyed our stories!

And you can find Sins of the Mind here!

LJ: Thank you so much for having us here today! We had an awesome time!

DEBBIE: Yes, thank you!

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Interview & Giveaway with Stacey Kennedy

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome the wonderful Stacey Kennedy to the blog today.  We are chatting about life, her zoo and her new books… So please make yourself at home and welcome Stacey. 

Can you please share with us a little about yourself?

I live in Ontario, Canada with my husband who gave me my happily ever after. We have two small children who keep me on my toes and can always make me smile. But we also have basically a zoo at our house with one dog, three cats and two guinea pigs. I love the outdoors, curling up with the latest flick and simply enjoying life.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

I never thought I’d be author—had big dreams for years—but looking back at my life I can see little hints that I should’ve realized it a lot soon than I did.

My journey as a writer all began as a way to keep my brain alive since being a stay at home mom can be a little let’s say―numbing. It was an escape from screaming kids, dirty diapers and plain old mom duty.  It started as a hobby, but as the stories progressed it became a passion, especially when it comes down to the juicy bits. Every mom needs a good thrill! Now with my kiddos in school, I have more time to indulge and get lost in another world for a little while.

Can you share with us your typical writing day.  Is there anything you have to have while writing?

I always need coffee! I cannot write a single word without it. My day is pretty simple. I send the kids off to school, then I sit down and get as much done in the hours that I’m alone because once they’re home it becomes all about them!

Most challenging or rewarding part of writing?

Most challenging is edits. I loathe them! I really wish I could write a perfect story the first time around, but that…for me…is impossible. But on the flipside, the most rewarding part is seeing the story pretty and polished.

I really do have a love/hate relationship with edits.

Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?

My latest release is DEMONICALLY TEMPTED, the second book in the Frostbite series. Its Tess’ continuing adventure from the first book in the series, SUPERNATURALLY KISSED. It was a blast to write…and I’m gearing up to start the third book in the series, MYSTICALLY BOUND, which will release Fall 2012.

Tess Jennings, now a member of the Memphis Police Department, is on her first cold case. The suspected suicide of Lizbeth Knapp ten years ago isn’t a theory her family accepts—they believe she was murdered.

But the case is only one of Tess’s worries. Ghosts are talking, and word of her abilities rapidly spreads. A dark ghost is terrifying the spirits of Memphis, and she must force the entity to cross over.

Tess doesn’t have to do this alone. Not only does she have her ghost-lover, Kipp McGowen, but the department has brought in a medium. Dane Wolfe might answer all her questions, but he also brings a world of trouble. Will Tess finally have all she’s ever wanted, or will everything she’s vowed to protect be ripped away?

How did you come with the idea for this story?

To be honest, I can’t remember where the idea for this series came from. I know that I was working on another project at the time and this story hit me like a ton of bricks. And ever since, it’s been a whirlwind as I’ve written each story. It’s very addictive. Tess is a fun character to write and she just flows right out of me!

Can you share with us your current work in progress?

My current work in progress is a paranormal romance called BITE ME, I’M YOURS. It was intended to be a serious action-packed story, but instead turned out to be really funny. The heroine, Kiya is probably the funniest character I’ve ever written. Needless to say, I’m enjoying every step of the way on this new book.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

Top favorites—Keri McArthur, Katie MacAlister, and Jeaniene Frost. But I have many authors that are always on my auto-buy list.

Do you feel that any of your favorite authors have inspired your writing style? 

I’m sure they have to some degree. If it wasn’t for reading their stories and falling in love with the genre, then I doubt I’d be where I am today.

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

I’m dying to read the next Dark Angels book by Keri Arthur, and the next dragon book by Katie MacAlister. But most of all I’m eager to read Jeaniene Frost’s, Once Burned. Vlad is one of my all-time favorite hero’s, so I cannot wait to read his story!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Just a big thank you as always to everyone who has been so supportive along the way! *big kiss*

Want to learn more about Stacey or her books?   Check her out here:

Website | Blog | Facebook |Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page

 Stacey Kennedy’s novels are lighthearted fantasy with heart-squeezing, thigh-clenching romance, and they even give you a good chuckle every now and again. But within the stories you’ll also find fast-paced action, life-threatening moments and a big bad villain who needs to be destroyed. Her urban fantasy/paranormal and erotic romance series have hit Amazon Kindle and All Romance eBooks bestseller lists. Stacey welcomes comments from readers. You can find her at www.staceykennedy.com.

GIVEAWAY

Stacey is doing a readers choice of ebook as a giveaway.

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Interview & Giveaway with Tamara Hogan

Books-n-Kisses is excited to have Tamara Hogan for the first time on the blog today.  We are getting to know Tamara a little better and learning about her newest book Chase Me.  Please make Tamara feel welcome. 

Can you please share with us a little about yourself:

TH: my partner Mark and I live on a small hobby farm in southern Minnesota with two cats. I have a day job, telecommuting as a technology process analyst for a Silicon Valley-based company that makes network gear. Though I studied creative writing through high school and college, I didn’t write my first book until five years ago. Taste Me, Underbelly Chronicles Book One, is that book!

Have you always wanted to be an author?

TH: I knew I wanted to try to write a book someday, but let’s just say that ‘someday’ took many more years than I thought it would when I was younger. When I got an idea for a series – this one – I decided it was time to put up or shut up. Since that book was ultimately acquired by Sourcebooks’ Deb Werksman in a three-book deal, I guess I put up.  😉

Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing?

TH: Nalini Singh. Old-skool Anne Rice. Frank Herbert, Anne Stuart, Stephen King, and of course, Nora Roberts. Maybe it’s an English major thing, but I can read for pleasure and analyze craft simultaneously; it’s not unusual for a paragraph to literally bring me to tears, and through the tears, for me to identify the exact turn of phrase—the exact WORD—that set off the waterworks, and why. I think I’ve learned something from nearly every book I’ve ever read, for better or worse, but in terms of specific influence, Nalini’s level of craft with emotional description and saturation continues to astound me—and pushes me to improve. Nora Roberts taught me everything I know about dialogue tags and beats. (Thanks, Nora!)

How did you get into writing in this specific genre?  Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre?

TH: I’ve always been a feral cross-genre reader, and started reading romance novels when I was ten. People who read my books will likely find elements of science fiction, psychological thriller, and mystery in my work. In terms of writing in another genre…CHASE ME is my second book —heck, my second manuscript —so right now I love where I’m at. My voice is still developing, still emerging. I want to feel confident before even considering branching out into a different direction.

What are some of your writing rituals?

TH: I telecommute for my day job, so an important aspect of my writing routine is simply getting up with the alarm and getting out of the house. I write at my local coffee shop, drinking three cups of black coffee with cream. I slap on my headset, dial in my music for the day, pull out either notebook or net book, and get cracking. This is a job, and I have to make the most of my limited daily writing time if I want to make my deadlines.

Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?

TH:  One of the continuing strands in this series is the paranormal creatures’ origin story: how did these paranormal creatures come to share the planet with us? In Chase Me, Valkyrie archaeologist Lorin Schlessinger has finally found evidence that the remote dig she and her mother have been working for years is the crash site of their ancestors’ ship. Due to a rather serious screw-up, her professional nemesis, werewolf geologist Gabe Lupinsky, is assigned as her dig manager.

How did you come with the idea for this story? TH: Lorin and Gabe shared a short scene together in TASTE ME, establishing their professional conflict and some massive sexual sparks. What could I do but throw them together? From a storytelling perspective, I was also interested in flipping some common paranormal tropes upside down. She’s the rough and tumble, sexually aggressive alpha badass, and he’s more cautious and deliberate, the one with a health issue/disability, who’s in touch with his feelings and looking for love. I wanted to explore the concept of masculinity through this lens. 

Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?

TH: I’m just about to turn in the manuscript for Underbelly Chronicles Book 3, TEMPT ME, featuring reformed human hacker Bailey Brown and hedonistic incubus sculptor Rafe Sebastiani—Lukas’s brother.

What would you be if you were not an author?

TH: or a technologist? 😉  My friends tell me that I suspend judgment so completely sometimes that I should train as forensic psychologist and profile serial killers for the FBI. I find many shades of gray in my villains, who, after all, are the heroes of their own stories—in their own minds, anyway. It’s all in the motivation.

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

 TH: My TBR pile is completely out of hand. One thing no one tells you when you sign a book contract is how much writing cuts into your reading time. That said, I’m excited about Kresley Cole’s “Lothaire” and Nalini Singh’s “Tangle of Need.” I’m still inching up the library wait list for J.R. Ward’s “Lover Reborn.” Yeah, I’m a complete hoor for the brothers.

Is there anything else you would like to add? 

TH: if you happen to read either TASTE ME or CHASE ME, please contact me and let me know what you think! If you HAVE read the books, which couple would you like to see get their own HEA in an upcoming book?

Want to learn more about Tamara or her books?   You can find her here:

Website |    Facebook  |   Twitter |  Goodreads      

CHASE ME BY TAMARA HOGAN – IN STORES JUNE 2012

THE SECRETS SHE’S UNCOVERING WILL BE HIS TO KEEP…

Centuries ago, when their ship crashed to Earth, paranormals of all types settled secretly into our world, quietly going about their business with humans none the wiser. Self–ruling and careful to stay below the radar, all is threatened when Valkyrie archaeologist Lorin Schlessinger and her werewolf geologist partner Gabe Lupinsky inadvertently draw evil attention to Earth and its treasured natural resources.

As the threat intensifies, Lorin and Gabe struggle to contain the chaos they’ve unleashed, and to resist their explosive mutual attraction…

“Hogan’s sharp, funny dialogue and strong but subtle character development elevate both the story and the fierce chemistry between insecure, bespectacled Gabe and lusty, aggressive Lorin. Paranormal fans will enjoy this fresh take on the genre.” — Publishers Weekly

CHASE ME Buy Links: (Amz | BN | Sourcebooks | Powell’s | BAM | Sony | Kobo)

Read an excerpt here.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tamara Hogan loathes cold and snow, but nonetheless lives near Minneapolis with her partner Mark and two naughty cats. When she’s not telecommuting as a quality and process engineer for a global networking company, she enjoys writing edgy urban fantasy romance with a sci-fi twist. A feral reader with an unapologetic television addiction, Tammy is forever on the lookout for the perfect black boots. Her debut, Taste Me, was a 2009 Daphne Paranormal Winner and 2009 Golden Heart Finalist.  For more information, please visit  www.TamaraHogan.com or follow her on Twitter, @TamaraHogan1.

GIVEAWAY TIME

Sourcebooks has given me one copy of Chase Me to giveaway. 

To enter for a chance to win please fill out the Rafflecopter form below (US/Canada Only)

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Interview with Lisa Sanchez

Book-n-Kisses is happy to welcome Lisa Sanchez to the blog today to talk about her new release Faythe Reclaimed.

Can you please share with us a little about yourself:
 You bet! I’m a stay-at-home-mom to three beautiful girls. I love chocolate, purses, reality television and books.

Have you always wanted to be an author?
Yes. I’ve always loved to write, and even as a little girl, I had dreams of making people laugh with my words.

Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing?
J.R. Ward is my favorite author. Love, love, love her! I’ve also got mad love for Karen Marie Moning, and Diana Gabaldon.

How did you get into writing in this specific genre?
Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre? I’m a huge fan of paranormal romance, always have been. So, it came as big shock to me, that I write in the same genre that I read. I’ve actually also written an erotic suspense, and a contemporary YA. I’m pretty comfortable switching genres. I think, for me, it’s not so much about the genre, but the story.

What are some of your writing rituals?
I do most of my writing in the morning while my girls are in school. My Chihuahua usually snuggles up next to me in my big chair while I pound away at the keys on my laptop.

Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?
Faythe Reclaimed is the third (and for now) final installment in the Hanaford Park series, and features Taylor and Gabriel’s love story. Unlike the first two books, which were set in present day, Faythe Reclaimed takes place in Salem Village Massachusetts in the year 1692. Taylor has gone back in time, and the story follows her on her journey to return to her own time

How did you come with the idea for this story?
I’m a panster, so I never know what’s going to happen with a story until I sit down and start typing. I realized at the end of Pleasures Untold, that Taylor had gone back in time to the Salem Witch Trials, but as for what happened after that, I was just as surprised as I hope the readers will be.

Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?
I’ve just finished up a contemporary YA involving cheerleaders and the very prevalent problem of teenage drinking and driving. It’s very different from what I normally write, and I’m super excited about it.

What would you be if you were not an author?
I’m a mom first, before anything else. If I didn’t write, I’d still be doing what I do on a daily basis: care for my children.

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?
I’m anxiously awaiting the next installment in the Lux series by Jennifer L. Armentrout. Love, love, love Daemon

Is there anything else you would like to add?
I’m just so thankful to be here today. Thanks for having me on your blog!

Fathye Reclaimed
Available at:
Amazon Barnes & Noble Tulipe Noire Press

Running through a strange forest with a bloodthirsty demon hot on her heels wasn’t Taylor’s idea of a rockin’ evening. Then again, neither was soaring backward through time and space. Time travel chafed and left a rank, nasty aftertaste. So, when she finds herself floundering amidst a sea of Commandment-loving holy rollers who fling accusations of witchcraft and bedevilment like hotcakes in a diner, finding her way home jumps to the top of her to do list. Too bad she can’t remember who she is or where she came from. And if that wasn’t bad enough, Taylor has to fall for the mysterious Latin warlock living on the edge of Salem Village and who comes to her rescue, Gabriel Castillo.
Battling an identity crisis and lost in a time that’s not her own, Taylor is determined to find her way back to twenty-first century Hanaford Park. But first, she and Gabriel must work together to uncover the dark scourge lurking in Salem’s shadows, and in doing so, save their own lives, and the lives of countless innocents from a lethal date with the hangman’s noose.

 

About the author:

Lisa Sanchez is a California cheer mom taxiing her way through life, one car ride at a time. Along with chauffer, she sports several job titles, including, but not limited to: author, chef, seamstress, videographer, nurse, enforcer, and general slave to her three daughters. The first two books in her Hanaford Park series (Eve Of Samhain, Pleasures Untold) are published with Omnific Publishing. The third book, Faythe Reclaimed, releases with Tulipe Noire Press on May 17th 2012. Her erotic suspense, Obsessed was published March 29th 2011 with Loose Id. Lisa also took the plunge into self-publishing this year and released the first novella, Cursing Athena, in her new Order Of Seven erotic paranormal romance series.

Blog:www.lisasanchezromanceauthor.com

Twitter: @LisaSanchez3

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LisaSanchezRomanceAuthor

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Interview with Ella Jade

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Ella Jade to the blog today.  This is Ella’s first visit to Books-n-Kisses so please make her feel welcomed.

Can you please share with us a little about yourself

I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. As a child, I often had a notebook and pen with me and now as an adult, my laptop is never far. The plots and dialog have always played out in my head, but I never knew what to do with them. That all changed when I discovered the eBooks industry. I started penning novels at a rapid pace and now I can’t be stopped. I’m obsessed!

I live in New Jersey with my husband and two boys. When I’m not writing, I can be found attending PTO meetings, kickboxing and hanging out with my kids.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

Yes! I don’t know that I always believed I could be one, but I’ve always been a writer.

What is your most interesting writing quirk?

I envision a scene in my head or come up with a line or two of dialog and I can build the whole story around it. I can come up with an idea on a Tuesday night and by Friday afternoon the story is plotted. It often starts with no more than two or three sentences.

Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?

Sure! Three’s A Crowd is a short, highly-erotic tale of a sexy, contemporary couple.

Here’s the blurb…

Connor Hughes is a lucky man. Janine and Sierra, the two sexy women who live downstairs from him have invited him to watch their intimate time in the bedroom. Connor is a willing spectator, but can’t believe it when Janine asks him to join in on the fun.

Connor is drawn to Sierra in ways he’d never imagined. There is something very familiar about the dark-haired beauty that has him wondering why she calls to him. When fantasy mixes with reality, Connor gives into temptation in more ways than one. Will he figure out who Sierra is to him? Can the feeling last all night?

How did you come with the idea for this story?

I do this writing exercise where I search for images (usually of the erotic kind) and write scenes for them. Sometimes the drabbles are no more than 1,000 words. I do this when I need to work out a sexy scene or get in the right frame of mind to write in the male POV. I saw this particular image and Three’s A Crowd was born. I thought the tale made for a perfect little steamy read.

Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?

This July, my BDSM romance Make Me Stay releases. There was a secondary character named Martin in that story who begged me to tell his story. Lol So, I’m working on his book now. It’s called Surrender to Me.

Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why?

There are so many! If I had to choose, I’d go with Stephen King. I think the man is brilliant and his journey is inspiring. I’ve been reading him since I was a teenager. The stories he spins are amazing.

What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?

Don’t give up. It’s not an easy road. It takes hard work and dedication, but if you’re the type of person who has to tell the story, then be persistent.

Can you share with us something off your bucket list.

Hmm… I don’t have a bucket list. Two years ago, it would have been to become a published author;)

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

Too many to name. I have several 1NS (1 Night Stand from Decadent Publishing) books waiting for me on my Kindle. That’s a great series. I look forward to reading as many of them as I can this summer.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thanks so much for having me. If I’m a “new to you author”, Three’s A Crowd is a great way to get to know me. The book is an Amazon exclusive published through Ruby Lioness Press. It’s a quick, steamy read priced at $0.99 and free to Prime Members. It is a fun pool or beach read.

http://ellajadeauthor.blogspot.com

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Ella-Jade-Author/186959391390708

@ellajade1 Twitter

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Interview & Giveaway with Alice Gaines

Books-n-Kisses is super excited to have for the first time on the blog Alice Gaines!!!!  Oh and a very happy release day to Alice.

Heat Rises

release is today.

Amazon | B&N

Snowbound in a cabin . . . able to live out all her fantasies . . . Laura Barber has dreamt of doing unspeakably delicious things with Ethan Gould for years. Now, stuck in a mountain cabin, she just might get her shot. Ethan offers her the chance to live out each and every one of those desires. They may be rivals in the business world, but in the bedroom they’re a perfect match. Knowing they have only a few days, Laura shakes off all her inhibitions. Every secret need, every lust-filled thought . . . it’s all fair game.

 

Can you share with us a little about yourself?

I didn’t discover romance until I was an adult, and I didn’t think I was allowed to read erotica.  I was never lucky enough to have an older sister or a friend who shared “those” books with me, and so I had no idea where to look for them.  I did know I shouldn’t admit to reading them, because as everyone knew, they were trash.  When I finally did get my hands on some romance novels (after I’d started writing one, I’m ashamed to say), I discovered they were what I’d loved all along.  It’s no mistake that two of my favorite classics are Jane Eyre and The Taming of the Shrew.  That William Shakespeare could sure write romance!

Have you always wanted to be an author?

My heaven’s no.  That was way too much work.  I’m a lazy bum by nature, although my friends would laugh in my face if I were to tell them that.  I’m the one who’s always pounding on the keys and turning out manuscripts.  The secret is, there’s nothing I’d rather be doing than writing.  Someone else’s perfect weekend might involve watching all of the Star Wars movies in chronological order.  Mine would be spent sitting in my back yard from morning until evening writing and doing writing related tasks, like taking this interview.

I will say, though, that I always had an active imagination, and my stories always entertained me more than anything I saw in movies or read in books.  I just had no idea until I started writing that I could enjoy the “work” aspects.  I’m glad I finally figured that out because writing has very literally changed my life by filling it with joy.  I should emphasize that it’s the type of joy I don’t have to rely on any other human being to create.  I make it myself

What’s your most interesting writing quirk?

I was going to mention the grungy grubbies I wear when I write, but I’d guess most writers do the same.  You need to be comfortable to do this.

Instead, I’ll tell you about my aversion to silence.  Total silence depresses me.  I have to have quiet noise when I write.  However, it can’t be anything that interests me enough to distract me.  I’ve tried all kinds of music, and all of it either gets me listening or annoys me.

When I can sit outside during warm weather, the ambient sounds of the city where I live, punctuated by birdcalls, makes the perfect backdrop for writing.  When I’m stuck indoors, I have less wonderful options.  I’ve found that NFL football is great noise, as long as I don’t care about who’s winning the game.  I also discovered by complete serendipity that NASCAR makes great background noise.  I’ve tried basketball, but the squeaking of the sneakers annoys me, and the buzzer makes me jump out of my skin.  I wonder if I should buy a white noise machine and see if that works

Can you please tell us about your latest books?

Can I ever?  <g>  I’ve written a series of novellas and a free short story for Avon Impulse.  They all follow a theme called Cabin Fever.  People who are attracted to each other find themselves isolate in beautiful settings where they have the freedom to explore their sexual desires in ways they wouldn’t in their everyday lives.  The free short story, Brief Encounter, shows what happens when an art professor ends up stranded overnight in an erotic art museum with a sexy Italian lover.  It’s available for free at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.  If you like it, you can try the first novella, Heat Rises, which is available today.  It depicts two people who were almost lovers in the past and are now stranded by a blizzard in a romantic mountain cabin.  That will be followed by Storm Bound in July and Mating Season in August.

How did you come up with the idea for these stories?

When I start a new story, I always try to think up a hook that’ll grab a reader’s attention.  If the story is erotic, the hook needs to be sexy.  I thought up “sexy people stuck somewhere alone together.”  Avon titled that Cabin Fever.

Can you share with us your work in progress?

I’ve just come off a heavy deadline schedule for these stories and haven’t had time to launch myself fully into anything yet.  However, my coworker and I were bemoaning the fact that there’s no Bunny Ranch for female clients.  So, I wondered if I could write a book about a bunch of women coworkers who take loans out of their 401ks and pool the money to open a stud ranch.  I think that could be a lot of fun.

Who is the one author you would love to meet one day and why?

I actually did meet her, but only for a very few minutes.  Julia Child.  More than anyone else, she brought good food and cooking to the United States.  She was a paragon of integrity who never endorsed a single product, even though a company once offered to buy her a house.  Her husband told them, “We already have a house.”  She worked tirelessly to make her recipes perfect to the point that if you follow them you end up with something marvelous.  She was an educator – one I consider my teacher.  Plus, she was funny as all hell.  I only found out after her death at nearly 100-years-old that she liked her gin.  Damn, I wish I could have shared a bottle with her.

What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone who wants to get into writing.

Write.  That’s it.  Write.  Don’t let anyone stop you.  Don’t let anyone discourage you.  Write.  Submit to publishers.  When they reject you, and they will, don’t let it get you down.  Keep writing.

Can you share with us something off your bucket list?

Going to Italy to learn how to cook.  I’d taste everything, from the squid just pulled out of the ocean to the cheese an old farmer made in his shed in the mountains.  I’d learn pasta making from the oldest nonnas I could get to talk to me.

What’s in your To Read Pile that you’re dying to start?

I have to confess that the authors are close friends of mine, but they’re also fabulous writers.  I have Pamela Clare’s historical romance, Defiant, and a mystery in Norah Wilson’s delightful Dix Dodd series.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

But enough about me.  What do you think of my work?

Seriously.  Thanks for having me.

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!!

I have one E-copy of Heat Rises by Alice Gaines.

If you want a chance to win please fill out the rafflecopter for below

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Interview & Giveaway with Dana Marton

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Dana Marton to the blog.  We are chatting about life, romance, family and her newest release The Third Scroll. 

Can you please share with us a little about yourself

I’ve been publishing for the last 10 years and have 30 or so books out there at this stage. I love my job. The most difficult part is to keep focused. I read pretty much every genre, so my ideas are all over the place. I try to be more consistent in my writing, however. Most of my books are romantic suspense. THE THIRD SCROLL is my first fantasy romance title. I’m so excited! It’s the book of my heart, a story that I waited ten years to finally see in print. I’m very glad that I never gave up. And so are my readers. The response has been absolutely overwhelming. Normally, I get one reader mail for about every thousand books sold. With THE THIRD SCROLL, about a third of the people who buy the book have written to me about how much they loved it and asking when the next one is coming out. The amazing support has been beyond my wildest dreams.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

Yes! I did take a detour through the business world first, though. But in my heart, I always knew I was a writer, and I was always working on something, writing after work or at night. My friends and family weren’t the least surprised when I finally started writing full-time. I’ve been writing since first grade. I think when something is truly in your heart, it will come out sooner or later. Your life will just never feel complete until you acknowledge and embrace your deepest purpose.

Can you share with us your typical writing day.  Is there anything you have to have while writing?

Silence is my only requirement. I start writing as soon as I get up in the morning and keep going until dinner time. I dreadfully neglect everything else, including yard work and housework. At the beginning of my career, I went to a writing workshop. The speaker talked about how difficult it was for women to succeed at a career, because we always put ourselves last, after husband, kids, pets, dishes, laundry etc. etc. You can’t say, I’ll write after the housework is done. Housework is never done. She said to ask yourself the question: Would you like to be an award-winning author someday or an award-winning housekeeper? Work your priorities.

Most challenging or rewarding part of writing?

The most rewarding part is hearing from readers. It’s absolutely the best part of my day. And it’s gotten so much easier with Facebook and Twitter. I swear every little note makes my day. I’ve made so many friends through my writing, and I’m grateful for every single one.

Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?

My latest book, THE THIRD SCROLL, is about a budding healer who is sold into slavery, thrust into the savage realm of barbarian warlords, the same realm which claimed her mother years ago. She must avoid the displeasure of her warrior lord as well as the cruelties of the concubines. Yet a greater danger looms when she catches the eye of the most powerful lord of the land and he takes her for his Pleasure Hall.

It’s a story filled with twists and surprises. I’ve been humbled by the reviews so far. RT Reviews called it “An ambitious, vividly imagined epic fantasy.” Kirkus Reviews said, “Readers will find it impossible not to care what happens next…” Honestly, I’m just dancing with excitement at this stage.

How did you come with the idea for this story?

I’ve always been fascinated by stories about healers. I loved Ayla, the heroine in Clan of the Cave Bear and Claire in Outlander. I love strong, resourceful heroines. In a historical setting, in a time when women had little power, sometimes the power of healing was the only thing left to them. Through that they could gain strength and some influence, grow into their own potential. My heroine’s character came to me pretty much fully formed. I just kept writing to see what happened to her next. She surprised the living daylights out of me a couple of times! lol

Can you share with us your current work in progress?

I just began working on the follow-up story to THE THIRD SCROLL. It’s such a wonderful, rich world. Going back to it is a real treat for me.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

Love Jean Auel, Diana Gabaldon, Nora Roberts, Susan Mallery, Maria V. Snyder, Robin D. Owens, C.L. Wilson… Too many names to list here.

Do you feel that any of your favorite authors have inspired your writing style?

I’m sure they have.

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

Summer Days from Susan Mallery. I love her Fool’s Gold series. She also writes strong women, and her stories are incredibly layered.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thank you so much for having me! Instead of raffling off one book to one lucky winner, how about this… I’ll drop THE THIRD SCROLL to 99c (from its regular $3.99) at amazon? Click HERE

And to sweeten the deal even further, I’ll send a free book bag to the first five people who leave an amazon review then email me their address. (danamarton at yahoo dot com).  Giveaway is open to US, Canada, Australia and EU.

Enjoy!

Dana Marton

www.thethirdscroll.com

www.facebook.com/danamarton