Showing posts with label Interview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Interview. Show all posts
Today I'm blogging...
Curious about Caleb?
Want some juicy details not found in the book? Robin Badillo has graciously interviewed Caleb from Creative License. Stop by and find out why he makes even his writer swoon. ; ) Today...
I am all over the place!
Please join me at Robin Badillo's blog where she has me in the hot seat! (and we're talking cookies cakes and pies)
It's getting steamy in Michele Zurlo's Steam Room where a comment may win you a gift certificate from Samhain Publishing.
And things are getting spicy, and I'm revealing how I set the mood for my erotic scenes, at Emma Lai's Spicier Side blog.
I'd love to see you there! : )
Please join me at Robin Badillo's blog where she has me in the hot seat! (and we're talking cookies cakes and pies)
It's getting steamy in Michele Zurlo's Steam Room where a comment may win you a gift certificate from Samhain Publishing.
And things are getting spicy, and I'm revealing how I set the mood for my erotic scenes, at Emma Lai's Spicier Side blog.
I'd love to see you there! : )
Under the Covers with Dee Carney
I discovered Dee Carney when I first started playing around on Twitter. Since then, I’ve only grown in my respect for this talented writer. So it’s my please to welcome Dee under my covers so we can all find out what’s between hers.
First important question. Silk, satin, cotton, flannel. What is your sheet of choice?
I live where it’s hot. Definitely cotton. (BTW, no matter what anyone says, certain activities are practically impossible to perform on silk. Just sayin’)
LOL Shhh! That’s a trade secret! But Dee, slipping and sliding can be fun! It’s three o’clock in the morning. What are you wearing?
Depends. Am I with my husband, with someone who’s not my husband, or with my husband and someone who’s not my husband?
Ohh… now I have questions for off the air! ; ) It’s a slumber party! Calories don’t count. What snacks will you be munching on at midnight?
I’m a total cookie monster. Practically any kind. The best are those straight out of the oven, so gooey you can bend them in half and they won’t break.
Oh, and I’m addicted to making cookies. I know what we’ll be doing tonight. I’ll share my chocolate chip cookie recipe with you. But first a little business. How would you describe your writing style?
I really can’t describe it to you. The words people have used to describe my writing to me include “literary”, “eloquent”, “sophisticated” and “dark”. (Don’t ask me how that last one got inserted there. LOL) One of my publishers told me she can spot my voice within the first few sentences of a story. While intellectually I know what “voice” is, at the same time I’m a little flummoxed by what is my own voice and rely on others to tell me about it. I can tell you that in every one of my stories, either the hero or the heroine has, or is going to, suffer. Poor dears.
I’d take all those descriptions as compliments! I’m with you. I just write, I’m not sure what my style is. It may be that we’re too close to it. What inspired you to start writing?
I know it has its fans and its critics, but believe it or not, National Novel Writing Month, aka NaNoWriMo, prompted me to write my first novella. I knew I wanted to participate in the November-long project of writing a 50,000 word novel, but I didn’t want to jump in with both feet, never having attempted anything like it before. So, I decided during the October prior I would write a 25,000 word story. SOLDIER (Cobblestone Press) was the result of that effort.
Really? I’m neither a fan nor a critique, but I've often wondered if any of the books written go on to publication. I’ve been tempted a few times but it seems I’m always way deep in edits during November.What is the best piece of advice on writing you’ve ever received?
The best advice I’ve ever received and the one I still hand out is finish the damned book. Authors don’t study their character’s astrology, or research the meanings of their names, spending so much time on their character’s history they can’t delve into the actual story. They don’t participate in exercise after exercise, but never complete a story. It doesn’t matter if you have twenty incomplete manuscripts sitting in a drawer. The difference between a writer and an author is one is published. You can only be published with a finished product.
That’s great advice! What kind of goals to you set for yourself when writing? Word count? Page count?
I work Monday through Friday, so by the time I get home from work, I’m exhausted. Typically during the week, I set my goal as zero. Anything over that is a win. LOL. On the weekends, however, I do aim for 5,000 words a day. Fortunately, I have a couple of online author friends with similar goals and we push each other into meeting or exceeding them.
I may have to join in. After work M-F, I don’t have much energy left to write but on the weekends, there’s the yard, and house, and soccer games, etc. Maybe if I had someone push me a little… : ) Do you listen to music while you write?
I don’t listen to music, but I do have the television on. I can’t concentrate in silence, so I keep it on for the noise. (Comes in handy when I need a secondary character name too. Just scroll through the listings and voila!) My dogs know when the television goes off on a weekend, it’s time for bed.
Where were you when you heard your first book was contracted. What did you do?
I will never forget it. I was working the dreaded 7 to 3 shift at the hospital on Christmas Day. I try to work these hours on this day so that people with children can spend it with them. Fortunately, it’s also usually a pretty relaxed day. Not having anything else going on, four weeks before I expected it, I received my contract offer from Cobblestone Books. None of my coworkers knew I work, so I kept mum, but the friends who did know received a forwarded copy of that email.
Tell us about your newest release.
If you follow me on Twitter (@dee_carney), you know I’m a huge Spartacus: Blood and Sand fan*. I would record it and watch the episodes over two time zones with a friend. We commented on Twitter all the while. Of course, watching all of that man-candy would inspire anyone so I started wondering about a former gladiator living in modern times. What would he be like? Thus, HUNGER AROUSED was born.
It’s my debut release with Carina Press and I’m very proud of this vampire romance. Jasmine, the heroine, has been accidentally made into a vampire. Corin, as vampire executioner, is sent to eliminate her.
*Best wishes to Andy Whitfield and family as he battles non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Let’s hope he recovers quickly! I’m also a huge Spartacus: Blood and Sand fan. If you haven’t watched it, I believe Hulu is still airing episodes. And Dee, now I want to read HUNGER AROUSED even more! Do you have anything else in the works?
Although I never write a book with any intentions of creating a series, somehow I’ve managed to talk myself into writing a sequel to HUNGER AROUSED. Right now, I’m working on PASSION AROUSED, which was inspired by one of the secondary characters in the original story. For now, I’m not saying who.
Tease! You’ve already said you work a day job, so what do you do when you’re not writing about hot characters?
I work as a nurse full-time, so I spend my weekends writing. If I had to count up the hours in a week, I’d say I spend roughly 30 hours a week writing or doing writing-activities. Whew! No wonder I’m tired.
Where can we find you?
I’m everywhere!
My site: http://www.deecarney.com/
My blog: http://www.deecarney.com/blog
My books: http://www.deecarney.com/bookshelf
MySpace: www.myspace.com/dee_carney
My Twitter: www.twitter.com/dee_carney
Time for Truth or… well, truth. ; ) Have you ever had a one-night stand?
Um, yeah. Who hasn’t?
What is the craziest or most unusual place you’ve had sex?
*blush* In the walk-in freezer of a grocery store. (See previous question.)
LOL! Did you defrost the ice cream? What would you consider a romantic date?
(Don’t look at question #2) I’m really one of those gushy types who loves any effort a man puts forward to show me a romantic time. I think some of my best dates were sunsets at local parks, just walking and talking while watching the waves come in. I’m not impressed by material things and so relaxed times like this call to me.
That does sound romantic! What is the best pick-up line someone has ever tried on you? Did it work?
I was working the information booth when this guy walks up and says “Please, I need you to call 9-1-1!” When I asked him why, hand over his heart he said “Because you’ve taken my breath away.” *rolls eyes* No, it didn’t work. It’s perhaps one of the oldest lines in the book.
Okay, I'm getting hungry. What is your favorite thing to eat?
Cookies. All kinds. Homemade are best. Not too sweet. Cookies. Just cookies. Did I mention cookies? Can’t go wrong with cookies. Yes, cookies. Mmmm…cookies.
LOL. You're certainly passionate about cookies. Do you have a favorite color?
Purple. (It’s the color of my aura too. Neat!)
Could be connected. What is your favorite time of day?
I’m a night owl. Any time after dark, especially during a full moon, calls to me.
Maybe that's why you write paranormal. ; ) Out of curiosity, what is your favorite season?
Fall.
Mine too! Until spring, and then that’s my favorite season. It’s hot where I live so the transition seasons are the best! If you could have any car, which would it be?
For PASSION AROUSED, my hero drives a Ferrari Scaglietti. MSRP: $372,000. I’m not impressed by material stuff, but really, I’d love to know what exactly could be so great about a car that costs more than my house.
What is a movie you could watch over and over?
I don’t know that I have a single favorite movie, but one I’ve seen easily a thousand times and can still find something to laugh at with each viewing is The Fifth Element. Bruce Willis and Chris Tucker are a hoot!
What is your favorite non-alcoholic drink?
Because it’s so calorie-laden I rarely have it, but I love a virgin Pina Colada. Yum!
Well, today is a special occasion! So while I slide The Fifth Element into the DVD player, I’ll get the chocolate chips out for cookies and you mix up the Pina Coladas!
Here is a blurb for Dee Carney’s newest release HUNGER AROUSED:
Jasmine is sick in bed when a sexy stranger breaks in and reveals she’s suffering an irreversible case of vampirism. And because her turning wasn’t approved by the Council, he must kill her once the transition is complete. In the meantime, the executioner offers to ease her torment with chocolate, hot peppers or sexual release. Fortunately for them both, Jasmine’s kitchen is bare…
Corin’s honor demands he do his duty, but he cannot execute the lovely woman while any part of her humanity remains. He must also find—and kill—her sire. Jasmine denies ever having contact with a vampire, causing Corin to question the justice of his orders. Sensing his hesitation, the Council dispatches another executioner, forcing the pair to make a run for it.
Every hour they spend together—every sensual encounter they share—finds them growing closer. Now Corin will have to choose: kill the woman he loves, or go against everything he believes to set her free
And while we munch on my secret recipe chocolate chip cookes, here's an excerpt:
“You know of vampires?” he asked finally.
“Vampires? You mean…like garlic-hating, cross-avoiding, destroyed-by-sunlight vampires?”
“Truth.” The corner of his mouth lifted. “Vampires, as in Bram Stoker and the like.”
“Are you trying to tell me,” her eyes narrowed, “that someone bit me and I’m becoming a vampire?”
“In a manner of speaking, yes.”
“I see.”
Corin could almost hear the wheels of her mind spinning. Definitely anticipated the way her body tensed. In her position, he expected nothing less. When she vaulted from the bed, he was already two steps ahead of her.
The first thing he realized as he wrapped his arms around her waist and hauled her against his body was how incredibly soft she was. The second thing, as pain exploded against his side, was how determined she was to get away.
Jasmine threw her elbow against him, again and again, ramming into him with the strength of a Mack truck. “Fucking lunatic!” she screamed.
More pain centered in his shin, where she used the heel of a bare foot to deliver a bruising kick. Ignoring the throbbing, he maneuvered around her and made her turn, putting her chest against his. Feisty little thing. If he thought her anger turned him on before, this side of her just about brought him to his knees…literally.
“Wait!” He wrestled one arm behind her back, doing his damndest not to hurt her, but quickly about to lose if she didn’t stop wriggling. “Gods damn it, wait and let me explain.”
“Instrument of death, my ass,” she ground out between clenched teeth. Somehow Jasmine managed to slip her hand between his shirt and skin to dig her nails into his
flesh.
Oh, he liked this woman a lot.
Wrenching her hand away from his abdomen, possibly losing inches of meat in the process, he rushed forward. Together they slammed into the wall, Jasmine taking the brunt of the impact. It wouldn’t break any bones, but it would stun the hell out of her.
Breathing harshly, he hissed into her ear. “Listen to me. Cool your ire now.” When she began to thrash, Corin pulled back and slammed into the wall again, eliciting a grunt from her. “Get your emotions under control or you'll regret it in a matter of minutes.”
“Tough guy, huh?” she panted out. “Gonna hurt a woman half your size?”
Already the cinnamon scent began to waft from her pores. “Physiology, remember that?”
Her breath sawed in and out of her nose. “Yeah?”
“Oxytocin and endorphins. Pleasure hormones.” She still struggled, but with a little less force. “The change— yes, you are being transformed—is like fire inside you. Oxytocin or endorphins are like water. You keep letting your fear or your anger ratchet up, and the endorphins I helped you generate will dissipate, and you will burn from the inside again. Calm down.”
She’d been wearing medical scrubs before and he prayed it meant she had some knowledge of human anatomy and physiology. With her arms behind her back, her delicate wrists locked in his hand, he thought he felt some of the fight leave her body. His cock had been like steel from the moment he pleasured her, and now it came surging back with a vengeance. If he didn’t get himself under control as well, things would become very complicated later on.
“Why me?” she muttered after a few moments. “How did this happen to me?”
Corin took a chance, released her wrists and stepped back. She glared at him, but didn’t charge. “Sometime recently,” he explained, “in the past week, you encountered a vampire. And he or she changed you.”
“Is that what you are?” She inclined her head, studying him.
“Yeah.” He resisted the urge to lift his lip to show her the evidence.
“It’s daylight.”
“Most of the fiction out there is untrue. Some of it is very true, however. What you need to recognize and accept is that you are becoming one of us. I need your help in figuring out how that happened.”
Jasmine dropped her head, her gaze now landing on the floor, and wrapped her arms around her waist. “You said you’re the instrument of my death. What did that mean?”
Swallowing hard, he took another chance. Moving closer, he reached out and stroked her face. Her soft skin temptation. “You don’t want a life like mine, Jasmine. This isn’t for you.”
She glanced up to pierce him with another one of those death looks. “You don’t even know me.”
“You’re right.” His voice was shakier than he would have liked. “In another lifetime, I would have liked to have known you. In this one, I can’t. Help me find your sire and in three days, I’ll reward you with a swift, clean death.”
First important question. Silk, satin, cotton, flannel. What is your sheet of choice?
I live where it’s hot. Definitely cotton. (BTW, no matter what anyone says, certain activities are practically impossible to perform on silk. Just sayin’)
LOL Shhh! That’s a trade secret! But Dee, slipping and sliding can be fun! It’s three o’clock in the morning. What are you wearing?
Depends. Am I with my husband, with someone who’s not my husband, or with my husband and someone who’s not my husband?
Ohh… now I have questions for off the air! ; ) It’s a slumber party! Calories don’t count. What snacks will you be munching on at midnight?
I’m a total cookie monster. Practically any kind. The best are those straight out of the oven, so gooey you can bend them in half and they won’t break.
Oh, and I’m addicted to making cookies. I know what we’ll be doing tonight. I’ll share my chocolate chip cookie recipe with you. But first a little business. How would you describe your writing style?
I really can’t describe it to you. The words people have used to describe my writing to me include “literary”, “eloquent”, “sophisticated” and “dark”. (Don’t ask me how that last one got inserted there. LOL) One of my publishers told me she can spot my voice within the first few sentences of a story. While intellectually I know what “voice” is, at the same time I’m a little flummoxed by what is my own voice and rely on others to tell me about it. I can tell you that in every one of my stories, either the hero or the heroine has, or is going to, suffer. Poor dears.
I’d take all those descriptions as compliments! I’m with you. I just write, I’m not sure what my style is. It may be that we’re too close to it. What inspired you to start writing?
I know it has its fans and its critics, but believe it or not, National Novel Writing Month, aka NaNoWriMo, prompted me to write my first novella. I knew I wanted to participate in the November-long project of writing a 50,000 word novel, but I didn’t want to jump in with both feet, never having attempted anything like it before. So, I decided during the October prior I would write a 25,000 word story. SOLDIER (Cobblestone Press) was the result of that effort.
Really? I’m neither a fan nor a critique, but I've often wondered if any of the books written go on to publication. I’ve been tempted a few times but it seems I’m always way deep in edits during November.What is the best piece of advice on writing you’ve ever received?
The best advice I’ve ever received and the one I still hand out is finish the damned book. Authors don’t study their character’s astrology, or research the meanings of their names, spending so much time on their character’s history they can’t delve into the actual story. They don’t participate in exercise after exercise, but never complete a story. It doesn’t matter if you have twenty incomplete manuscripts sitting in a drawer. The difference between a writer and an author is one is published. You can only be published with a finished product.
That’s great advice! What kind of goals to you set for yourself when writing? Word count? Page count?
I work Monday through Friday, so by the time I get home from work, I’m exhausted. Typically during the week, I set my goal as zero. Anything over that is a win. LOL. On the weekends, however, I do aim for 5,000 words a day. Fortunately, I have a couple of online author friends with similar goals and we push each other into meeting or exceeding them.
I may have to join in. After work M-F, I don’t have much energy left to write but on the weekends, there’s the yard, and house, and soccer games, etc. Maybe if I had someone push me a little… : ) Do you listen to music while you write?
I don’t listen to music, but I do have the television on. I can’t concentrate in silence, so I keep it on for the noise. (Comes in handy when I need a secondary character name too. Just scroll through the listings and voila!) My dogs know when the television goes off on a weekend, it’s time for bed.
Where were you when you heard your first book was contracted. What did you do?
I will never forget it. I was working the dreaded 7 to 3 shift at the hospital on Christmas Day. I try to work these hours on this day so that people with children can spend it with them. Fortunately, it’s also usually a pretty relaxed day. Not having anything else going on, four weeks before I expected it, I received my contract offer from Cobblestone Books. None of my coworkers knew I work, so I kept mum, but the friends who did know received a forwarded copy of that email.
Tell us about your newest release.
If you follow me on Twitter (@dee_carney), you know I’m a huge Spartacus: Blood and Sand fan*. I would record it and watch the episodes over two time zones with a friend. We commented on Twitter all the while. Of course, watching all of that man-candy would inspire anyone so I started wondering about a former gladiator living in modern times. What would he be like? Thus, HUNGER AROUSED was born.
It’s my debut release with Carina Press and I’m very proud of this vampire romance. Jasmine, the heroine, has been accidentally made into a vampire. Corin, as vampire executioner, is sent to eliminate her.
*Best wishes to Andy Whitfield and family as he battles non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Let’s hope he recovers quickly! I’m also a huge Spartacus: Blood and Sand fan. If you haven’t watched it, I believe Hulu is still airing episodes. And Dee, now I want to read HUNGER AROUSED even more! Do you have anything else in the works?
Although I never write a book with any intentions of creating a series, somehow I’ve managed to talk myself into writing a sequel to HUNGER AROUSED. Right now, I’m working on PASSION AROUSED, which was inspired by one of the secondary characters in the original story. For now, I’m not saying who.
Tease! You’ve already said you work a day job, so what do you do when you’re not writing about hot characters?
I work as a nurse full-time, so I spend my weekends writing. If I had to count up the hours in a week, I’d say I spend roughly 30 hours a week writing or doing writing-activities. Whew! No wonder I’m tired.
Where can we find you?
I’m everywhere!
My site: http://www.deecarney.com/
My blog: http://www.deecarney.com/blog
My books: http://www.deecarney.com/bookshelf
MySpace: www.myspace.com/dee_carney
My Twitter: www.twitter.com/dee_carney
Time for Truth or… well, truth. ; ) Have you ever had a one-night stand?
Um, yeah. Who hasn’t?
What is the craziest or most unusual place you’ve had sex?
*blush* In the walk-in freezer of a grocery store. (See previous question.)
LOL! Did you defrost the ice cream? What would you consider a romantic date?
(Don’t look at question #2) I’m really one of those gushy types who loves any effort a man puts forward to show me a romantic time. I think some of my best dates were sunsets at local parks, just walking and talking while watching the waves come in. I’m not impressed by material things and so relaxed times like this call to me.
That does sound romantic! What is the best pick-up line someone has ever tried on you? Did it work?
I was working the information booth when this guy walks up and says “Please, I need you to call 9-1-1!” When I asked him why, hand over his heart he said “Because you’ve taken my breath away.” *rolls eyes* No, it didn’t work. It’s perhaps one of the oldest lines in the book.
Okay, I'm getting hungry. What is your favorite thing to eat?
Cookies. All kinds. Homemade are best. Not too sweet. Cookies. Just cookies. Did I mention cookies? Can’t go wrong with cookies. Yes, cookies. Mmmm…cookies.
LOL. You're certainly passionate about cookies. Do you have a favorite color?
Purple. (It’s the color of my aura too. Neat!)
Could be connected. What is your favorite time of day?
I’m a night owl. Any time after dark, especially during a full moon, calls to me.
Maybe that's why you write paranormal. ; ) Out of curiosity, what is your favorite season?
Fall.
Mine too! Until spring, and then that’s my favorite season. It’s hot where I live so the transition seasons are the best! If you could have any car, which would it be?
For PASSION AROUSED, my hero drives a Ferrari Scaglietti. MSRP: $372,000. I’m not impressed by material stuff, but really, I’d love to know what exactly could be so great about a car that costs more than my house.
What is a movie you could watch over and over?
I don’t know that I have a single favorite movie, but one I’ve seen easily a thousand times and can still find something to laugh at with each viewing is The Fifth Element. Bruce Willis and Chris Tucker are a hoot!
What is your favorite non-alcoholic drink?
Because it’s so calorie-laden I rarely have it, but I love a virgin Pina Colada. Yum!
Well, today is a special occasion! So while I slide The Fifth Element into the DVD player, I’ll get the chocolate chips out for cookies and you mix up the Pina Coladas!
Here is a blurb for Dee Carney’s newest release HUNGER AROUSED:
Jasmine is sick in bed when a sexy stranger breaks in and reveals she’s suffering an irreversible case of vampirism. And because her turning wasn’t approved by the Council, he must kill her once the transition is complete. In the meantime, the executioner offers to ease her torment with chocolate, hot peppers or sexual release. Fortunately for them both, Jasmine’s kitchen is bare…
Corin’s honor demands he do his duty, but he cannot execute the lovely woman while any part of her humanity remains. He must also find—and kill—her sire. Jasmine denies ever having contact with a vampire, causing Corin to question the justice of his orders. Sensing his hesitation, the Council dispatches another executioner, forcing the pair to make a run for it.
Every hour they spend together—every sensual encounter they share—finds them growing closer. Now Corin will have to choose: kill the woman he loves, or go against everything he believes to set her free
And while we munch on my secret recipe chocolate chip cookes, here's an excerpt:
“You know of vampires?” he asked finally.
“Vampires? You mean…like garlic-hating, cross-avoiding, destroyed-by-sunlight vampires?”
“Truth.” The corner of his mouth lifted. “Vampires, as in Bram Stoker and the like.”
“Are you trying to tell me,” her eyes narrowed, “that someone bit me and I’m becoming a vampire?”
“In a manner of speaking, yes.”
“I see.”
Corin could almost hear the wheels of her mind spinning. Definitely anticipated the way her body tensed. In her position, he expected nothing less. When she vaulted from the bed, he was already two steps ahead of her.
The first thing he realized as he wrapped his arms around her waist and hauled her against his body was how incredibly soft she was. The second thing, as pain exploded against his side, was how determined she was to get away.
Jasmine threw her elbow against him, again and again, ramming into him with the strength of a Mack truck. “Fucking lunatic!” she screamed.
More pain centered in his shin, where she used the heel of a bare foot to deliver a bruising kick. Ignoring the throbbing, he maneuvered around her and made her turn, putting her chest against his. Feisty little thing. If he thought her anger turned him on before, this side of her just about brought him to his knees…literally.
“Wait!” He wrestled one arm behind her back, doing his damndest not to hurt her, but quickly about to lose if she didn’t stop wriggling. “Gods damn it, wait and let me explain.”
“Instrument of death, my ass,” she ground out between clenched teeth. Somehow Jasmine managed to slip her hand between his shirt and skin to dig her nails into his
flesh.
Oh, he liked this woman a lot.
Wrenching her hand away from his abdomen, possibly losing inches of meat in the process, he rushed forward. Together they slammed into the wall, Jasmine taking the brunt of the impact. It wouldn’t break any bones, but it would stun the hell out of her.
Breathing harshly, he hissed into her ear. “Listen to me. Cool your ire now.” When she began to thrash, Corin pulled back and slammed into the wall again, eliciting a grunt from her. “Get your emotions under control or you'll regret it in a matter of minutes.”
“Tough guy, huh?” she panted out. “Gonna hurt a woman half your size?”
Already the cinnamon scent began to waft from her pores. “Physiology, remember that?”
Her breath sawed in and out of her nose. “Yeah?”
“Oxytocin and endorphins. Pleasure hormones.” She still struggled, but with a little less force. “The change— yes, you are being transformed—is like fire inside you. Oxytocin or endorphins are like water. You keep letting your fear or your anger ratchet up, and the endorphins I helped you generate will dissipate, and you will burn from the inside again. Calm down.”
She’d been wearing medical scrubs before and he prayed it meant she had some knowledge of human anatomy and physiology. With her arms behind her back, her delicate wrists locked in his hand, he thought he felt some of the fight leave her body. His cock had been like steel from the moment he pleasured her, and now it came surging back with a vengeance. If he didn’t get himself under control as well, things would become very complicated later on.
“Why me?” she muttered after a few moments. “How did this happen to me?”
Corin took a chance, released her wrists and stepped back. She glared at him, but didn’t charge. “Sometime recently,” he explained, “in the past week, you encountered a vampire. And he or she changed you.”
“Is that what you are?” She inclined her head, studying him.
“Yeah.” He resisted the urge to lift his lip to show her the evidence.
“It’s daylight.”
“Most of the fiction out there is untrue. Some of it is very true, however. What you need to recognize and accept is that you are becoming one of us. I need your help in figuring out how that happened.”
Jasmine dropped her head, her gaze now landing on the floor, and wrapped her arms around her waist. “You said you’re the instrument of my death. What did that mean?”
Swallowing hard, he took another chance. Moving closer, he reached out and stroked her face. Her soft skin temptation. “You don’t want a life like mine, Jasmine. This isn’t for you.”
She glanced up to pierce him with another one of those death looks. “You don’t even know me.”
“You’re right.” His voice was shakier than he would have liked. “In another lifetime, I would have liked to have known you. In this one, I can’t. Help me find your sire and in three days, I’ll reward you with a swift, clean death.”
Under the Covers with Brindle Chase
A big welcome to Brindle Chase! Congratulations on being the first man to join me under the covers. I’ll scoot over *pats mattress* I promise not to bite, well, unless you ask nicely.
How about nibbling? Nibbling is good. Especially if chased by a soft, warm and wet dabs of a tongue… =oP … I so bad!
Yes, you are. Behave. First important question. Silk, satin, cotton, flannel. What is your sheet of choice and why?
For sheets, I like flannel. I like to be very warm and snug at night. I wrap myself up like a mummy half the time. *lol*
A flannel-wrapped mummy. ; ) It’s three o’clock in the morning. What are you wearing?
This sounds boring as hell, but a tee shirt and sweat pants. Nothing fancy.
There’s nothing boring about comfort. Calories don’t count. What snacks will you we be munching on at tonight?
Pringles! Original flavor!! This is not a paid endorsement. *lol*
I love Pringles! When playing truth or dare, would you pick truth or dare?
It depends on who I’m playing with. And if there’s a six pack of Mike’s Cranberry (again, not a paid endorsement! Hehehe) involved, the more likely I am to pick dare.
Okay. Dare! What’s the most daring thing you’ve ever done?
The most daring thing I’ve ever done was actually like a cut scene out of Jackass. I was dared to jump off a freeway overpass without looking to see if any traffic was coming. Luckily, no traffic, but I twisted my ankle something fierce. I was young and stupid…
Good thing you weren’t hurt! Okay, as dares are out—you’ve maxed out!—how about a truth: Have you ever had a one-night stand?
Yes. Far too many. I was a complete male slut as a teen. I often wonder how many of them I would take back if I could. There was one girl, who I was best friends with. We crossed that line and I was too embarrassed and ashamed to talk to her again. Obviously, that was petty and immature. I was young and stupid and ruined a great friendship. I regret that one for sure.
What is the best pick-up line someone has ever tried on you? Did it work?
It wasn’t a line, but a girl who I ended up dating for awhile, came up to me and took off her sunglasses and cleaned them using the leg of my shorts. This was back in the 80’s when even guy shorts were short. *lol* So it was in that region that young men pay the most attention too. She got my attention.
I guess she would! If you could have any car, which would it be?
A 70 and a half hemi Cuda. *drools uncontrollably* Google it… you’ll fall in love too!
Who is your favorite band or singer?
I’ll stretch it to the top five. Iron Maiden, Nightwish, Abba, The Beatles and Mozart.
I can never pick just one either. Abba, huh? Well, we have 4 out of 5 in common. What is your favorite song?
It’s hard to say. I have three that I consider to be the greatest songs ever written. Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin. Hallowed be thy Name by Iron Maiden and Ghost Love Score by Nightwish.
What is your favorite alcoholic drink?
There is nothing like a greyhound.
Now that you’re under my covers, lets get under yours. How would you describe your writing style?
My stories are character based. I concentrate on making my characters very real, with strong dialogue to carry the action. Once I get them in my head, they act out the story for me and I simply type it.
1. How did your friends/relatives react when you told them you wanted to be a writer?
No one was surprised when I became an author. People know me as having a creative and overactive imagination. That I became a romance writer was a little shocking.
There aren’t many male romance writers. What kind of feedback do you get from other writers and readers.?
2. What is the best piece of advice on writing you’ve ever received?
That the rules of writing are not rules. The best writers learn to write without rules. That rules are for those who can’t write, but would like too. I don’t know how true it is in general, but it’s very true for me.
3. Do you listen to music while you write?
Oh yes! From Iron Maiden and Nightwish to Garth Brooks and the London Symphony Orchestra. I’m embarrassed to confess I even have Miley Cyrus in my playlist. I like all kinds of music and it blocks out background noise so I can get into my character’s heads and tell their tales.
4. I promise I won’t tell a soul about Miley Cyrus. Do you have anything in the works?
I’m working on several. I have 7 novels and 7 shorts in progress. In between revisions on my upcoming release, I’m trying to focus on an experimental piece. It’s a romance written strictly from the hero’s POV instead of the heroine’s. No head hopping. Part of my style is, I don’t head hop hardly at all. In this experiment, it’s to see if I can still live up to romance reader’s expectations, while conveying the romance from a realistic man’s point of view. I have a couple publishers interested in the outcome, so it’ll get out there I think. How it’s received will be interesting.
5. Wow, that’s a lot of WIP! Do you write full time or part time?
Way part time. My job takes up 60-70 hours every week. Then I’m daddy to my 2 daughters and hubby to my wife. I don’t write at home. I write for about 15-20 minutes before I start work and then for a half hour on my lunch break. That’s the only time I get to write. I have to make it count. I write regardless of my mood, because I can’t put it off for later.
6. Who is your favorite character in your novels?
I only have one novel released, so it would be from Gothic City Lights. From that, I definitely love Lilith. She is so fun to write. She’s an insatiable succubus, but tries so hard to be a good girl. She’s only half-demon, so her two halves fight for control.
What is a movie you could watch over and over?
Saving Private Ryan, Last of the Mohicans, Underworld, Pulp Fiction. See, I can never just pick one!
Ohh, lets watch Underworld! Before I turn on the movie, where can we find you after you leave here?
I make my home at www.forlorn-hope.net and can always be found on my facebook, www.facebook.com/brindle.chase
Blurb:
Taryn Blaze is the reigning queen of rock-n-roll. An ultimate diva who's never been refused anything or anyone--until the hunky security guard doesn't show at the prescribed time, dressed in the white silk boxers her assistant had delivered to him. Outraged, Taryn does what she always does when she doesn't get her way--she throws a tantrum.
Derek Abrahms, a locally hired security guard, is thrilled when Taryn notices him, but instead of recognizing him from her past, she orders him to her hotel room for a night of lusty passion. Determined to teach the diva a lesson, he does what no man has ever done before--he denies the goddess.
When Taryn unleashes her prima dona temper, can Derek remind her of the sweet girl she once was? Or is his Diva-Licious just too wild to tame?
Excerpt:
From Diva-licious from The Wild Rose Press
With considerable effort, she fought off the need to snarl. Instead, she'd slice away at his undeserved sense of superior intellect. She was a lot smarter than people gave her credit for. The perfect witty retort came to mind and she couldn't resist a smug grin as she unleashed it.
"You should—"
"Oh for the love of God...Shut up." He grabbed her hand. Before she knew what was happening, he dragged her down the hallway, through her open door, and kicked it shut behind them.
"What the hell do you think—"
His mouth captured hers. His kiss was fiery, hungered, and brutal. He just took her, possessively searing his lips to hers. She thought hers might bruise, even bleed from the roughness. It was sheer bliss. His mouth was wet and warm, his tongue wild in its exploring flicker. Her body was on fire. Shivers of erotic need surged down her spine and her skin pebbled with excitement.
"Shut up," he repeated in a raspy whisper. His hand slid around her neck and gripped her nape tight and hard, while the other traced a finger along her jaw. A trail of fire followed his touch, adding fuel to the fires bursting all through her body. Her head felt dizzy. With rage and with want.
"Don't tell me to—"
He yanked her wrist hard, forcing her to follow him into the living room. A twist of his hand forced her face down across his lap. One of his hands had both her wrists pinned behind her and held at her hip to give him complete access to her ass. Her legs were pinned in the curl of his knee. He was so strong, and she couldn't get loose.
What the hell?
He shoved her thick robe up, exposing her ass. His hand swatted an explosion of stings across her backside. Hard, but not viciously. It stung, and the pain reverberated throughout her pelvis and pooled liquid heat in her pussy. The fury flooded her lust-fueled body. He was actually spanking her. Spanking her! Taryn Blaze!
"You son-of-a-bitch—"
How about nibbling? Nibbling is good. Especially if chased by a soft, warm and wet dabs of a tongue… =oP … I so bad!
Yes, you are. Behave. First important question. Silk, satin, cotton, flannel. What is your sheet of choice and why?
For sheets, I like flannel. I like to be very warm and snug at night. I wrap myself up like a mummy half the time. *lol*
A flannel-wrapped mummy. ; ) It’s three o’clock in the morning. What are you wearing?
This sounds boring as hell, but a tee shirt and sweat pants. Nothing fancy.
There’s nothing boring about comfort. Calories don’t count. What snacks will you we be munching on at tonight?
Pringles! Original flavor!! This is not a paid endorsement. *lol*
I love Pringles! When playing truth or dare, would you pick truth or dare?
It depends on who I’m playing with. And if there’s a six pack of Mike’s Cranberry (again, not a paid endorsement! Hehehe) involved, the more likely I am to pick dare.
Okay. Dare! What’s the most daring thing you’ve ever done?
The most daring thing I’ve ever done was actually like a cut scene out of Jackass. I was dared to jump off a freeway overpass without looking to see if any traffic was coming. Luckily, no traffic, but I twisted my ankle something fierce. I was young and stupid…
Good thing you weren’t hurt! Okay, as dares are out—you’ve maxed out!—how about a truth: Have you ever had a one-night stand?
Yes. Far too many. I was a complete male slut as a teen. I often wonder how many of them I would take back if I could. There was one girl, who I was best friends with. We crossed that line and I was too embarrassed and ashamed to talk to her again. Obviously, that was petty and immature. I was young and stupid and ruined a great friendship. I regret that one for sure.
What is the best pick-up line someone has ever tried on you? Did it work?
It wasn’t a line, but a girl who I ended up dating for awhile, came up to me and took off her sunglasses and cleaned them using the leg of my shorts. This was back in the 80’s when even guy shorts were short. *lol* So it was in that region that young men pay the most attention too. She got my attention.
I guess she would! If you could have any car, which would it be?
A 70 and a half hemi Cuda. *drools uncontrollably* Google it… you’ll fall in love too!
Who is your favorite band or singer?
I’ll stretch it to the top five. Iron Maiden, Nightwish, Abba, The Beatles and Mozart.
I can never pick just one either. Abba, huh? Well, we have 4 out of 5 in common. What is your favorite song?
It’s hard to say. I have three that I consider to be the greatest songs ever written. Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin. Hallowed be thy Name by Iron Maiden and Ghost Love Score by Nightwish.
What is your favorite alcoholic drink?
There is nothing like a greyhound.
Now that you’re under my covers, lets get under yours. How would you describe your writing style?
My stories are character based. I concentrate on making my characters very real, with strong dialogue to carry the action. Once I get them in my head, they act out the story for me and I simply type it.
1. How did your friends/relatives react when you told them you wanted to be a writer?
No one was surprised when I became an author. People know me as having a creative and overactive imagination. That I became a romance writer was a little shocking.
There aren’t many male romance writers. What kind of feedback do you get from other writers and readers.?
2. What is the best piece of advice on writing you’ve ever received?
That the rules of writing are not rules. The best writers learn to write without rules. That rules are for those who can’t write, but would like too. I don’t know how true it is in general, but it’s very true for me.
3. Do you listen to music while you write?
Oh yes! From Iron Maiden and Nightwish to Garth Brooks and the London Symphony Orchestra. I’m embarrassed to confess I even have Miley Cyrus in my playlist. I like all kinds of music and it blocks out background noise so I can get into my character’s heads and tell their tales.
4. I promise I won’t tell a soul about Miley Cyrus. Do you have anything in the works?
I’m working on several. I have 7 novels and 7 shorts in progress. In between revisions on my upcoming release, I’m trying to focus on an experimental piece. It’s a romance written strictly from the hero’s POV instead of the heroine’s. No head hopping. Part of my style is, I don’t head hop hardly at all. In this experiment, it’s to see if I can still live up to romance reader’s expectations, while conveying the romance from a realistic man’s point of view. I have a couple publishers interested in the outcome, so it’ll get out there I think. How it’s received will be interesting.
5. Wow, that’s a lot of WIP! Do you write full time or part time?
Way part time. My job takes up 60-70 hours every week. Then I’m daddy to my 2 daughters and hubby to my wife. I don’t write at home. I write for about 15-20 minutes before I start work and then for a half hour on my lunch break. That’s the only time I get to write. I have to make it count. I write regardless of my mood, because I can’t put it off for later.
6. Who is your favorite character in your novels?
I only have one novel released, so it would be from Gothic City Lights. From that, I definitely love Lilith. She is so fun to write. She’s an insatiable succubus, but tries so hard to be a good girl. She’s only half-demon, so her two halves fight for control.
What is a movie you could watch over and over?
Saving Private Ryan, Last of the Mohicans, Underworld, Pulp Fiction. See, I can never just pick one!
Ohh, lets watch Underworld! Before I turn on the movie, where can we find you after you leave here?
I make my home at www.forlorn-hope.net and can always be found on my facebook, www.facebook.com/brindle.chase
Blurb:
Taryn Blaze is the reigning queen of rock-n-roll. An ultimate diva who's never been refused anything or anyone--until the hunky security guard doesn't show at the prescribed time, dressed in the white silk boxers her assistant had delivered to him. Outraged, Taryn does what she always does when she doesn't get her way--she throws a tantrum.
Derek Abrahms, a locally hired security guard, is thrilled when Taryn notices him, but instead of recognizing him from her past, she orders him to her hotel room for a night of lusty passion. Determined to teach the diva a lesson, he does what no man has ever done before--he denies the goddess.
When Taryn unleashes her prima dona temper, can Derek remind her of the sweet girl she once was? Or is his Diva-Licious just too wild to tame?
Excerpt:
From Diva-licious from The Wild Rose Press
With considerable effort, she fought off the need to snarl. Instead, she'd slice away at his undeserved sense of superior intellect. She was a lot smarter than people gave her credit for. The perfect witty retort came to mind and she couldn't resist a smug grin as she unleashed it.
"You should—"
"Oh for the love of God...Shut up." He grabbed her hand. Before she knew what was happening, he dragged her down the hallway, through her open door, and kicked it shut behind them.
"What the hell do you think—"
His mouth captured hers. His kiss was fiery, hungered, and brutal. He just took her, possessively searing his lips to hers. She thought hers might bruise, even bleed from the roughness. It was sheer bliss. His mouth was wet and warm, his tongue wild in its exploring flicker. Her body was on fire. Shivers of erotic need surged down her spine and her skin pebbled with excitement.
"Shut up," he repeated in a raspy whisper. His hand slid around her neck and gripped her nape tight and hard, while the other traced a finger along her jaw. A trail of fire followed his touch, adding fuel to the fires bursting all through her body. Her head felt dizzy. With rage and with want.
"Don't tell me to—"
He yanked her wrist hard, forcing her to follow him into the living room. A twist of his hand forced her face down across his lap. One of his hands had both her wrists pinned behind her and held at her hip to give him complete access to her ass. Her legs were pinned in the curl of his knee. He was so strong, and she couldn't get loose.
What the hell?
He shoved her thick robe up, exposing her ass. His hand swatted an explosion of stings across her backside. Hard, but not viciously. It stung, and the pain reverberated throughout her pelvis and pooled liquid heat in her pussy. The fury flooded her lust-fueled body. He was actually spanking her. Spanking her! Taryn Blaze!
"You son-of-a-bitch—"
Welcome P.A. Brown to Under the Covers with Lynne!
Cotton in summer and flannel in winter. Silk and satin are a waste of money and time, I live alone. In the winter I like my bedroom very cold and I pile 4 or 5 blankets on top of the flannel sheets. I bundle.
I like to snuggle under warm sheets too! I’ll scoot over *pats mattress* Here's a warm flannel blanket. It gets cold at night, even here in California.
It’s three o’clock in the morning. What are you wearing?
Track pants and either sweatshirt or T-shirt.
Sounds comfy! It’s a slumber party! Calories don’t count. What snacks will you be munching on at midnight?
Chocolate, especially semi-sweet. If not that then I love winegums.
I’m a chocolate kinda girl, but I’ve never heard of winegums.
A winegum is a little bit like a dense jujube. They're not super sweet, but I find them addictive.
I'll be on the lookout for them. When playing truth or dare, would you pick truth or dare?
Dare. I like daring myself and others
What’s the most daring thing you’ve ever done?
Coke in a bar bathroom with a guy. I think it was the girl’s bathroom. Hey, I was young.
We’ve all been young and foolish. ; ) Okay so truth! Tell us something not very many people know.
I sleep naked.
That should make things interesting. ; ) What is the craziest or most unusual place you’ve had sex?
Bathroom, see above. Or maybe the pool table in a UAW pool hall (Empty except for us – I’m not that crazy)
LOL My next release involves some bathroom sex! I should have had you read it for authenticity. If you could take a date anywhere in the world, where would it be?
The floating hotel on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
I’ve seen pictures of that! It looks awesome! What is your favorite thing to eat?
Bacon, mushroom and green pepper pizza on thin crust.
Done! How did your friends/relatives react when you told them you wanted to be a writer?
They told me it would be a nice hobby. But no one really took it seriously.
I bet they are now! What is the best piece of advice on writing you’ve ever received?
Write the stories you want to read. Don’t try to write to the market or what someone tells you to write.
That is good advice. Do you have anything in the works?
I have several stories in the works or finished but with no publisher. One is a mainstream historical novel set in 1929 L.A. Another is a gay dragon shifter story, a contemporary gay story set in the gang world of L.A., plus a gay historical, also set in L.A. I’m playing around with a mainstream police procedural set in modern day L.A. and I’m doing NanoWriMo this year so who knows what I’ll end up at the end of that.
A gay dragonshifter... that sounds interesting! I’ve never participated in NanoWriMo, but I’ve heard good things! If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
That’s easy. Los Angeles. I fell in love with it when I lived there years ago and I was back this spring and fell in love with it all over again. I thought going back would show me reasons to change my mind. It didn’t. I plan to go back next year and stay longer so I can do some in-depth research.
Los Angeles is only a few hours from me! Thank you so much for sharing yourself with us. Where can we find you?
I’m online at 2 sites, one for my gay fiction
The other is for my mainstream fiction
I also have 2 blogs, again one for my gay blogs
The other for my mainstream blogs
Wow, you must be busy! Last question: What movie would you like to watch?
Avatar
Oh, I love that one too. Warning, I’ll cry. While P.A. and I watch Avatar and munch on pizza, you can read the blurb from P.A's latest release. BETWEEN DARKNESS AND LIGHT, is available now.
Downtown Los Angeles' old financial district is the heart of this thrilling murder mystery and the unwanted love that grows between a cop with a dark secret in his troubled past and an up and coming world class artist. LAPD homicide detective Russell Hunter. A shadow man, an enigma. He is a man who has purpose but no goal. A figure who walks between the darkness and the light in search of salvation from the terrible mistakes of his past.EXCERPT:
Chapter 1
Monday, South Spring Street, Old Financial District, Los Angeles, 3:00 am
The woman was dead.
I could see that even before I laid my fingers along her cool throat to feel for a pulse that was no longer there.
Even before I saw the surprisingly small, almost bloodless hole nearly hidden behind the screen of the blood matted bottle-blond hair hiding her face.
Behind me Danny shouted at the 911 operator who must have been wishing this was the night she called in sick and stayed home with the kids.
He was hyperventilating and gasping out words like "Body! Blood! Oh my God, she's dead! She's dead. Oh, God, you have to come--"
I took the iPhone from him and clamped my hand down over his slender shoulder, forcing him to look at me. The blue eyes that met mine were nearly as empty as the dead woman's. I was tempted to slap him, but knew that would only put him over the edge, a place I didn't want to go. Instead I squeezed his shoulder gently, stroking his collar bone.
"I've got it, Daniel," I said, wondering as I did how I could stay so calm when Danny was freaking out. Didn't I feel anything except annoyance this would happen tonight, after such a successful gallery showing? The night spent schmoozing up art patrons on the Art Walk suddenly seemed so distant. Maybe even unimportant.
"Take a deep breath. You're going to be okay." I stroked his back, all too aware of the tension riddling his slim body. "Breathe, baby, breathe."
Danny moaned, but did as he was told. Always such an obedient boy, my Daniel Ordstrom. It made him so wonderful in my bed.
I turned away and gave the 911 operator my name and address. She said a patrol car was on its way. Would I stay on the line until they arrived? Ignoring her, I disconnected and shoved the phone back into Danny's cold hand.
"Put that away." He obeyed again and huddled close to me. I put my arm around his shaking shoulders, patting his still rigid back, wishing I could take him away from this place. Danny was too fragile to endure much more of this, but there was nothing I could do. This was a matter that had to take its course now.
I knew we'd only get into trouble if we entered my loft penthouse. I studied the dead woman who had made it to my front door before being gunned down. I didn't recognize her... wait. I stepped up beside her and crouched down, ignoring the squeak of my new Italian leather shoes on the marble foyer. I stared past the screen of hair, at the face so curiously devoid of life. Her eyes were open and her mouth gaped as though protesting the misfortune of her current state. She reminded me of a figure in a macabre wax museum. Hard to believe this had ever been human, breathing life.
Behind me, Danny still gasped for breath.
I bent down to look at the woman, and he moaned. "Oh God, Steve, please don't..."
I ignored him and peered more closely at the woman's face, trying to see beyond the mass of brassy hair. I refrained from the temptation to brush it off her face, knowing that would totally freak Danny out. I studied the pale skin and wattled flesh under her chin. The fire-stop red lips and garish blue eye shadow. Then I realized what I had thought was blood in her hair was in fact some other red liquid that had partially dried there. I had seen that combination earlier this evening, hadn't I? I sat back on my heels. Shit, I did know her. And I knew where that stain on her hair came from, too. Not blood. Alcohol and cranberry juice. The remnants of Danny's Cosmo. Shit.
"It can't be," I muttered. But I knew I was right. It was Stella Gold, the vitriolic art critic for the Silver Lake rag, The Lake. She'd been at my show, hadn't she? I remembered her poison tongue going on about how I had sold out and couldn't be trusted to give an honest showing any more. "This is just peachy," I muttered.
After her verbal assault had gone on what seemed like forever Danny had flipped on her and thrown his Cosmo in her face. I could still see the sticky strands of cranberry and alcohol in her hair she clearly hadn't bothered cleaning off before she'd stormed out of the gallery swearing she was going to get both of us. Well I guess not any more. Someone had got to her first. But here? That made no sense at all. Stella had no reason to visit me here, or anywhere, for that matter.
Did she come here right after the show, looking for me? Not even stopping to clean herself up. She must have. But why? What had brought her here? Stella and I were hardly on friendly speaking terms. I'd never seen her outside of the few shows we attended at the same time. I couldn't believe she had meant to continue the fight on my home turf. Even Stella couldn't be that stubbornly obtuse, could she? What more could she have said that she couldn't put into the scathing review I knew she was going to write?
The press was going to have a field day with this. One of their own gets snuffed: news at ten. What a fucking sorry mess.
As though in response to that thought, the ancient elevator clanked and groaned into life. I knew even before the copper doors screeched open it would be a pair of uniformed LAPD cops, with their suspicious eyes and nosy, probing questions.
I sighed and pulled my bomber jacket closer around my shoulders, otherwise ignoring the sudden chill that flashed through me, raising goose bumps all over my flesh. Any way you looked at it, it was going to be a long, miserable night.
Mutt and Jeff clearly thought we were up to no good being out of bed at this time of night, standing over a dead woman. The dynamic duo separated us. I was led over to the far wall, by the mullioned window overlooking downtown L.A., awash with lights. The officer I was with asked a lot of pointed questions about where we'd been that night and why we were stumbling home at one in the morning smelling of booze and sushi.
From across the lobby Danny's voice rose until we could all hear his answers to the same questions. Neither cop seemed impressed when Danny informed them haughtily that I was Stephen J. Fischer, up and coming rising star in the Los Angeles art world, just recently off a whirlwind tour of Chicago and points east where I had sold out every show and netted enough money to pay for my new digs back home in L.A. Clearly they weren't art aficionados.
"What happens now?" I asked when the older of the two snapped his report book closed and eyed me with disdain, while I tried to sooth Danny's fragile nerves. Poor Danny. He had made a special effort to impress tonight. New suit, blush and even some mascara. It had been a sweet gesture, but now with his bloodless skin, it just made him look like a clown. It was obvious Mutt and Jeff thought so.
"Detectives will be along to ask you some more questions. It will be up to them to decide the next course of action."
Oh good, we were a course of action now. I wanted to take Danny someplace where people weren't going to stare at him like he was a freak. I sighed. "Can we at least wait for them inside?"
"I'm sorry sir. You need to wait here for the detectives."
"Of course I do."
Once the cops finished their questioning, Danny rushed back to my side. I hugged his shoulder to let him know I was with him and he threw me a sad, lost soul look. The older of the two cops threw us a stern look and I knew they wouldn't tolerate us talking about what had happened. So neither Danny or I spoke. We just took comfort in each other's presence, wishing this mess was over. Knowing it was never going to be over. Not really.
Cops must be like larks, they travel in pairs and they wake up way too early. Probably bonded for life. The first detective off the elevator was a pasty-faced fat man who wheezed and grunted as though he'd walked up the twelve stories to my loft penthouse. I wondered if I knew enough CPR to save him when he went into cardiac arrest.
Detective Lark number two was another ball game. And I wasn't talking baseball.
He strode off the elevator after his partner like he'd been coming here for years. His dark, piercing eyes took in everything in the crowded foyer in one sweeping all-encompassing glance, glancing over the potted ficus and single stalk of phalaenopsis orchid, nodding at the uniformed officers and dismissing them at the same time. Then his gaze turned toward me and I swear every evil deed I had ever committed or even thought about flashed before me. He could see each one of them and was not impressed.
Mutt and Jeff gave their report then went their merry way, leaving Danny and me to face the larks. The pair introduced themselves: pasty face was Detective Doug McBride, and his dark, observant partner was Detective Russell Hunter.
Interestingly enough, they both ignored the body on the floor, focusing their attention on Danny and me. I wondered if that was a calculated move to unnerve us. If it was, it worked. I wanted to tell one of them to have the decency to cover her up or something, but I knew my words would be ignored. They were in charge tonight. We were witnesses, maybe even suspects. I watched enough Law and Order to know the person who found the body was always seen as a likely suspect. Knowing the victim would also make them more suspicious. And the circumstances of our last meeting were not going to go over with this pair. I scrubbed my hand over my face, smoothing my fingers over my goatee. Wishing I could be anywhere but here. McBride led a shivering Danny back over to the elevators and glanced at Hunter who took me to the other side, opposite from where the body lay. I did my best not to look down at Stella.
I watched Danny, hoping he wasn't going to fall apart in front of these two. So far he had held on by his manicured fingernails, but I knew how close he was to the edge of hysteria. And an hysterical Danny would be a handful for anyone. I couldn't imagine what these two would make of it.
Then I was pulled back to the moment by my interrogator. "I need to ask you a few questions. Let's start with the basics, Mr..." Hunter pulled out a small spiral notebook and a pen, glanced at his watch and wrote something down, then waited for me to answer. I'd already told the other officers this, but I knew I had to answer anyway. God knows how many times we would have to go through this before this nightmare day ended.
"Stephen Fischer."
Pen poised. "Is that your full name?"
"Stephen Jeremy Fischer." I grimaced at my hated middle name, cursing my father who had carried the name and forced it and his memory on me.
Hunter went on to ask all my personal information: address, where I worked, phone, who was my next of kin, my mother's name, my father's name, my height, eye color and weight. He left the door open on my latest tax return and underwear size.
"Well, Mr. Fischer, what time did you discover the body?"
I rubbed my chin and tried not to look at Stella sprawled untidily on my front step.
"We left the show around twelve-thirty."
"What show was that?" He wrote something on the first page.
"Art Slave on Spring Street held a showing of my latest work over the weekend."
"You're an artist?"
"Six years now."
By the time Hunter's partner returned with a still upset Danny whose mascara had by now smeared into a raccoon mask, the coroner had arrived and a host of other people filled my outer foyer. They crowded us in and I found myself next to Danny, who was shivering uncontrollably.
I took his hand, trying to let him know everything was going to be okay. That earned us a couple of glances from the two detectives. McBride looked contemptuous. Hunter seemed torn between bemusement and disgust, most of it aimed at Danny. I was used to that. Even guys who didn't have a problem with gay men had serious issues with the overtly effeminate ones.
Under the curve of my eyelashes I studied Hunter. He was tall, but not as tall as my six-two. Maybe six even and one-eighty and not an ounce looked like fat. He wasn't what I would call handsome in any conventional sense, but he had a ruggedness about him. Black Irish, I thought. Short, black military-cut hair, almost black eyes, an incipient beard told me he shaved a couple of times a day at least. He had a strong chin and full red lips that hadn't smiled the whole time he'd been in my building. Occasionally, when his hounds-tooth jacket would flip open I would get a glimpse of his gun in a holster under his left arm. A chilling reminder these guys weren't here on a social call.
Interview with Cari Quinn
Today I am lucky enough to have the estimable Cari Quinn on my blog. Cari is celebrating the release of her newest erotic romance, Ex Appeal.
Here's a sneak peak at the blurb:
As the webmistress for one of the Northeast’s hottest dating sites, Hunk Du Jour, Jenny Talbot is no stranger to reading the applications of potential clients. But when the latest application that crosses her inbox belongs to Ty Randall, the guy she broke up with a mere twenty-seven days ago, she does a double take. Reading what Ty wants in bed not only gets Jenny hot, it also makes her rethink ending their relationship. All she longed for was a little more spice in the bedroom—okay, a lot more—but he let her go without an argument. Faced with the possibility that Ty may really be moving on, getting her ex back becomes more appealing than ever. But will revealing exactly what she needs allow Jenny to finally experience ultimate pleasure or will she drive away the man she loves for good?
So grab a cup of coffee, your favorite snack, sit back and learn a little more about Cari and her work.
How would you describe your writing style?
Quirky, sexy and snarky. Actually, I'd probably say “weird” rather than quirky, because I tend to insert strange things into my stories in the name of character development. But quirky sounds better, right?
Quirky sounds awesome. What inspired you to start writing?
I started reading early and always loved books. By second grade, I was writing Bible stories my teacher would hang on the wall. Being the center of attention back then was addictive, though I now shy away from it. After that, I was pretty much always writing. I remember plotting out a children's book with a friend in 4th grade. Shockingly, we didn't get beyond the plotting stage.
That’s further than many 4th graders get. How did your friends/relatives react when you told them you wanted to be a writer?
I never really made a secret of it. Truthfully, writing has been a part of me my entire life. In high school, my stories were passed around by my friends. By and large, everyone's been supportive. And most people who know me would agree I do better working for myself. I'm not too good with showing up to work early in the morning, though I do. Hopefully one day I won't have to.
What is the best piece of advice on writing you’ve ever received?
Don't quit. That really sums it all up. You could quit right before you land that first contract, so don't do it. Not if it really matters to you.
That is great advice! What kind of goals to you set for yourself when writing? Word count? Page count?
To finish the book. I'm not good with hemming myself in with “goals.” I sure try. I set them and try to meet them, but by day two I've usually wandered off to do anything but write. So my goal is always the same. Finish the book. Sometimes that takes a couple months. Sometimes a couple years. I work on a lot of projects at once, so I tend to finish a bunch in batches too.
Do you listen to music while you write?
Yes. If I had my way, I'd live to music. You know how a soundtrack accompanies the big dramatic moment in TV shows and movies? I'd love that. My first love was music, and it's the one thing I need more than writing. It fuels the stories I concoct in my head, and I've gotten in the habit of doing playlists for each book. And hoo boy, is my taste eclectic. It's not unusual for me to have 30 Seconds to Mars, Loreena McKennitt, Jo Dee Messina and TuPac Shakur on one playlist. Actually, that's pretty much my norm.
That is eclectic. Tell us about your newest release.
Ex Appeal, my novella out today from The Wild Rose Press's Scarlet Roses, is about Ty and Jenny, two people who are still very much in love with each other despite breaking up a month before the story opens. Neither of them are happy about the breakup. Actually, both are miserable. Jenny's tired of their lackluster sex life, but Ty didn't seem willing to change that. But when Ty posts his profile on Hunk Du Jour, the dating site where Jenny works as the websmistress, all bets are off. Both decide to lay what they need on the line. The only question is if there's some way to make those needs mesh...but they definitely have some fun while they're finding out.
You know I love this book! Do you have anything in the works?
Oh yeah. At one point recently, I had 10 WIPs, and I'm pretty sure that number hasn't gone down. Right now, my four main stories are all erotic stories, two shorter novellas and two longer stories that may end up being novels the way they're going. One of them is Giving It Up, the third and final Hunk Du Jour story about Haley, Holly from Full Disclosure's younger sister. She's tons of fun to write. And I'm also gearing up for my first release from Ellora's Cave, Personal Research. Hope to have a release date for that one soon.
If you could have lunch with one writer, who would it be?
Hmm, tough one. It's a choice between la Nora and Jeaniene Frost, my two favorite authors. I think I'm going to go with Jeaniene, because I'm a total fangirl of hers. Plus she seems like an awesome person.
Oh I’d have to join you in the Jeaniene Frost fan club. What is your favorite thing to eat?
My favorite thing is Mexican food. Quesadillas, nachos, fajitas – love 'em all. Chili's is my go-to place when I need a pick-me-up.
You know, I've never been to Chilis. What is your favorite season?
Fall, by far. I love September and October in NY. The changing leaves, the scents, the pumpkins, the anticipation in the air. And that Halloween (my favorite holiday) is smack dab in the middle of it only makes it that much better!
Who is your favorite actor?
Jack Nicholson. Love him.
He's as quirky as they come, which works for me!
Who is your favorite band or singer?
Fleetwood Mac. Lots of others I love too, but they've been my favorite since high school, along with The Eagles. But Fleetwood Mac has several things The Eagles do not. Namely, Lindsey Buckingham on guitar and Stevie Nicks' amazing vocals. Lindsey also looks pretty damn good in leather pants, which I say after thoroughly checking him out on the cover of Say You Will just this morning.
LOL. I’ve loved Fleetwood Mac since I was a little girl. I still have them in my favorites file... In fact, I think I’ll listen to them now. What is your favorite song?
Don't Fear The Reaper. Remember that thing about my writing being weird? Well, shockingly, I'm a bit different too.
By Blue Oyster Cult? Love that song. When I was a little girl I wanted to write the story about what happens in the song.
Anime and BOC... ; ) The sound quality was better on this video.
What is a movie you could watch over and over?
Halloween, the original. I'm a huge fan of 70s horror flicks and this has been my favorite movie since I was young. Yep, I snuck out of bed to watch horror movies in the middle of the night. And though I often had nightmares, I never had one after watching movies. Guess the horror in my head's all self-created.
What is your favorite non-alcoholic drink?
Coffee. Hot, cold, bring it on! It's my fuel for all those early mornings at work and late nights at the computer.
Yay for coffee! What is your favorite alcoholic drink?
Margaritas. They're a new obsession with me, but I like them without the salt.
Makes sense as they're yummy with Mexican food. Have them put sugar on the rim... yum.
Okay, time for something more personal, have you ever had a one-night stand?
Ha, I wish. Unfortunately I'm about the polar opposite from most of my characters. I can overthink going out for pizza, so no-strings sex violates my stringent overthink clause. But I have fun writing about many-night stands in my books!
What is the craziest or most unusual place you’ve had sex?
I'd have to say in a bedroom where my boyfriend's best friend and mom were sleeping in beds across the room. And not far across the room. We're talking a couple feet. We were staying at a friend's, and sleeping arrangements were tight. But hey, gotta do what you gotta do!
Thank you so much, Cari. Where can we find you?
In my head, most of the time. Oh, you mean where on the web? Well, I'm on Twitter and Facebook (under the shockingly original name of Cari Quinn) and I have my own blog I also share a blog with my fabulous CP, Taryn Elliot, Word Wenches. And if you're not sick of me yet, we're starting a group blog with a bunch of talented romance authors called Romancing The Muses, which will be launching soon. Not only that, I'm doing a website. A very basic website. Finally! Call me anything, but don't call me early.
And to tempt you further, here is the excerpt for Ex Appeal by Cari Quinn:
Excerpt:
Ty inhaled deeply. His head swam at the scent that filled his nostrils, an aroma that was all Jenny. His fingers clenched on the doorframe above his head as he took in the sight of her lying nude on the bed. God, she was beautiful. Her golden skin glowed under the track lighting, and her wet pink lips pursed as she concentrated on what she was doing. The pain that had seized him moments ago when he'd walked in the unlocked door and heard her moans coming from the bedroom faded away in a flood of lust.
He couldn’t stop the sound that escaped him. Part groan, part growl, all need. Her gaze swung toward the door, her pupils widening until her hazel irises all but disappeared. He met her eyes briefly, electrically, before he deliberately shifted his attention back between her thighs.
Abruptly, her movements stilled.
They stared at each other in silent challenge. Her flushed face reddened even more, the color inching all the way up to her hairline. She’d always been a blusher, but he hadn’t seen that reaction from her in too many years to count. It had been a long time since he’d flustered her, and he liked it.
For a moment, neither of them moved. Hello, awkward. But in spite of the strained circumstance of their reunion, he only wanted one thing.
For her to finish.
“Don’t stop,” he murmured.
Learn more about Cari on her website. Want more of Ex Appeal? It's right here. You won't be disappointed.
Here's a sneak peak at the blurb:
As the webmistress for one of the Northeast’s hottest dating sites, Hunk Du Jour, Jenny Talbot is no stranger to reading the applications of potential clients. But when the latest application that crosses her inbox belongs to Ty Randall, the guy she broke up with a mere twenty-seven days ago, she does a double take. Reading what Ty wants in bed not only gets Jenny hot, it also makes her rethink ending their relationship. All she longed for was a little more spice in the bedroom—okay, a lot more—but he let her go without an argument. Faced with the possibility that Ty may really be moving on, getting her ex back becomes more appealing than ever. But will revealing exactly what she needs allow Jenny to finally experience ultimate pleasure or will she drive away the man she loves for good?So grab a cup of coffee, your favorite snack, sit back and learn a little more about Cari and her work.
How would you describe your writing style?
Quirky, sexy and snarky. Actually, I'd probably say “weird” rather than quirky, because I tend to insert strange things into my stories in the name of character development. But quirky sounds better, right?
Quirky sounds awesome. What inspired you to start writing?
I started reading early and always loved books. By second grade, I was writing Bible stories my teacher would hang on the wall. Being the center of attention back then was addictive, though I now shy away from it. After that, I was pretty much always writing. I remember plotting out a children's book with a friend in 4th grade. Shockingly, we didn't get beyond the plotting stage.
That’s further than many 4th graders get. How did your friends/relatives react when you told them you wanted to be a writer?
I never really made a secret of it. Truthfully, writing has been a part of me my entire life. In high school, my stories were passed around by my friends. By and large, everyone's been supportive. And most people who know me would agree I do better working for myself. I'm not too good with showing up to work early in the morning, though I do. Hopefully one day I won't have to.
What is the best piece of advice on writing you’ve ever received?
Don't quit. That really sums it all up. You could quit right before you land that first contract, so don't do it. Not if it really matters to you.
That is great advice! What kind of goals to you set for yourself when writing? Word count? Page count?
To finish the book. I'm not good with hemming myself in with “goals.” I sure try. I set them and try to meet them, but by day two I've usually wandered off to do anything but write. So my goal is always the same. Finish the book. Sometimes that takes a couple months. Sometimes a couple years. I work on a lot of projects at once, so I tend to finish a bunch in batches too.
Do you listen to music while you write?
Yes. If I had my way, I'd live to music. You know how a soundtrack accompanies the big dramatic moment in TV shows and movies? I'd love that. My first love was music, and it's the one thing I need more than writing. It fuels the stories I concoct in my head, and I've gotten in the habit of doing playlists for each book. And hoo boy, is my taste eclectic. It's not unusual for me to have 30 Seconds to Mars, Loreena McKennitt, Jo Dee Messina and TuPac Shakur on one playlist. Actually, that's pretty much my norm.
That is eclectic. Tell us about your newest release.
Ex Appeal, my novella out today from The Wild Rose Press's Scarlet Roses, is about Ty and Jenny, two people who are still very much in love with each other despite breaking up a month before the story opens. Neither of them are happy about the breakup. Actually, both are miserable. Jenny's tired of their lackluster sex life, but Ty didn't seem willing to change that. But when Ty posts his profile on Hunk Du Jour, the dating site where Jenny works as the websmistress, all bets are off. Both decide to lay what they need on the line. The only question is if there's some way to make those needs mesh...but they definitely have some fun while they're finding out.
You know I love this book! Do you have anything in the works?
Oh yeah. At one point recently, I had 10 WIPs, and I'm pretty sure that number hasn't gone down. Right now, my four main stories are all erotic stories, two shorter novellas and two longer stories that may end up being novels the way they're going. One of them is Giving It Up, the third and final Hunk Du Jour story about Haley, Holly from Full Disclosure's younger sister. She's tons of fun to write. And I'm also gearing up for my first release from Ellora's Cave, Personal Research. Hope to have a release date for that one soon.
If you could have lunch with one writer, who would it be?
Hmm, tough one. It's a choice between la Nora and Jeaniene Frost, my two favorite authors. I think I'm going to go with Jeaniene, because I'm a total fangirl of hers. Plus she seems like an awesome person.
Oh I’d have to join you in the Jeaniene Frost fan club. What is your favorite thing to eat?
My favorite thing is Mexican food. Quesadillas, nachos, fajitas – love 'em all. Chili's is my go-to place when I need a pick-me-up.
You know, I've never been to Chilis. What is your favorite season?
Fall, by far. I love September and October in NY. The changing leaves, the scents, the pumpkins, the anticipation in the air. And that Halloween (my favorite holiday) is smack dab in the middle of it only makes it that much better!
Who is your favorite actor?
Jack Nicholson. Love him.
He's as quirky as they come, which works for me!
Who is your favorite band or singer?
Fleetwood Mac. Lots of others I love too, but they've been my favorite since high school, along with The Eagles. But Fleetwood Mac has several things The Eagles do not. Namely, Lindsey Buckingham on guitar and Stevie Nicks' amazing vocals. Lindsey also looks pretty damn good in leather pants, which I say after thoroughly checking him out on the cover of Say You Will just this morning.
LOL. I’ve loved Fleetwood Mac since I was a little girl. I still have them in my favorites file... In fact, I think I’ll listen to them now. What is your favorite song?
Don't Fear The Reaper. Remember that thing about my writing being weird? Well, shockingly, I'm a bit different too.
By Blue Oyster Cult? Love that song. When I was a little girl I wanted to write the story about what happens in the song.
Anime and BOC... ; ) The sound quality was better on this video.
What is a movie you could watch over and over?
Halloween, the original. I'm a huge fan of 70s horror flicks and this has been my favorite movie since I was young. Yep, I snuck out of bed to watch horror movies in the middle of the night. And though I often had nightmares, I never had one after watching movies. Guess the horror in my head's all self-created.
What is your favorite non-alcoholic drink?
Coffee. Hot, cold, bring it on! It's my fuel for all those early mornings at work and late nights at the computer.
Yay for coffee! What is your favorite alcoholic drink?
Margaritas. They're a new obsession with me, but I like them without the salt.
Makes sense as they're yummy with Mexican food. Have them put sugar on the rim... yum.
Okay, time for something more personal, have you ever had a one-night stand?
Ha, I wish. Unfortunately I'm about the polar opposite from most of my characters. I can overthink going out for pizza, so no-strings sex violates my stringent overthink clause. But I have fun writing about many-night stands in my books!
What is the craziest or most unusual place you’ve had sex?
I'd have to say in a bedroom where my boyfriend's best friend and mom were sleeping in beds across the room. And not far across the room. We're talking a couple feet. We were staying at a friend's, and sleeping arrangements were tight. But hey, gotta do what you gotta do!
Thank you so much, Cari. Where can we find you?
In my head, most of the time. Oh, you mean where on the web? Well, I'm on Twitter and Facebook (under the shockingly original name of Cari Quinn) and I have my own blog I also share a blog with my fabulous CP, Taryn Elliot, Word Wenches. And if you're not sick of me yet, we're starting a group blog with a bunch of talented romance authors called Romancing The Muses, which will be launching soon. Not only that, I'm doing a website. A very basic website. Finally! Call me anything, but don't call me early.
And to tempt you further, here is the excerpt for Ex Appeal by Cari Quinn:
Excerpt:
Ty inhaled deeply. His head swam at the scent that filled his nostrils, an aroma that was all Jenny. His fingers clenched on the doorframe above his head as he took in the sight of her lying nude on the bed. God, she was beautiful. Her golden skin glowed under the track lighting, and her wet pink lips pursed as she concentrated on what she was doing. The pain that had seized him moments ago when he'd walked in the unlocked door and heard her moans coming from the bedroom faded away in a flood of lust.
He couldn’t stop the sound that escaped him. Part groan, part growl, all need. Her gaze swung toward the door, her pupils widening until her hazel irises all but disappeared. He met her eyes briefly, electrically, before he deliberately shifted his attention back between her thighs.
Abruptly, her movements stilled.
They stared at each other in silent challenge. Her flushed face reddened even more, the color inching all the way up to her hairline. She’d always been a blusher, but he hadn’t seen that reaction from her in too many years to count. It had been a long time since he’d flustered her, and he liked it.
For a moment, neither of them moved. Hello, awkward. But in spite of the strained circumstance of their reunion, he only wanted one thing.
For her to finish.
“Don’t stop,” he murmured.
Learn more about Cari on her website. Want more of Ex Appeal? It's right here. You won't be disappointed.
Interview with.. Me!
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Today I'm in the spotlight over at Whipped Cream where I spill all my juicy secrets. : )
Tomorrow I'll be hosting a chat on their loop. If you're not signed up for Whipped Cream's yahoo loop, sign up! I hate talking to myself. ; ) Okay, that's a lie, I do it all the time; but I'd rather talk to you!
Interviews
I've been thinking about what to do with my blog recently and I'm going back to basics. I started this blog with the intention of promoting myself but also spotlighting other writers to help them promote their work.
I'm not the most adept at promotion and I know, from talking with a lot of you, I'm not alone. It's sometimes uncomfortable to ask, and I've been so grateful for those who have interviewed me or spread the word about my writing, I want to return the favor.
So if you have a book or event you'd like me to showcase, please, contact me either via email or by leaving a comment.
I'd love to interview you or one of your characters or just showcase your beautiful cover and a blurb.
Let me know.
Lynne
I'm not the most adept at promotion and I know, from talking with a lot of you, I'm not alone. It's sometimes uncomfortable to ask, and I've been so grateful for those who have interviewed me or spread the word about my writing, I want to return the favor.
So if you have a book or event you'd like me to showcase, please, contact me either via email or by leaving a comment.
I'd love to interview you or one of your characters or just showcase your beautiful cover and a blurb.
Let me know.
Lynne
Interview with Lia Slater
Today I have the privilege of hosting the talented Lia Slater on my blog. Lia is celebrating her newest release: Off Limits. Grab a cup of coffee, you’re in for a treat.
How would you describe your writing style?
I like to think I write in deep point of view. I really try to drill into my characters’ heads and get to the bottom of things. Why are they the way they are and how is that going to affect them during the story? And how is the reader going to see them? If I can’t connect with them, then the reader won’t either.
I completely agree, if I don’t feel an emotional connect, I don’t expect my reader to. What inspired you to start writing?
Oh, just voices in my head that wouldn’t shut up. Seriously, I always had stories running through my mind and one day I decided to put one of them to paper. After that, I was hooked for life.
That’s funny, I was just attempting to explain to someone what it’s like to be a writer and I ended up saying it’s a bit like being insane. How did your friends/relatives react when you told them you wanted to be a writer?
They were happy for me. Of course, none of them are romance readers, but I’m hoping to convert them.
Good Luck. My family and friends aren’t big romance readers either. Most of them prefer horror. I don’t think I could sleep at night if I wrote that genre. What kind of goals to you set for yourself when writing? Word count? Page count?
I set outrageous, overwhelming word count goals that totally stress me out. I’m not kidding. It’s March and I’m WAY behind. Better get to work! I’m cracking my own whip.
Yes, get to work, we want more Lia Slater stories. Tell us about your newest release.
Off Limits is a “Cougar Club” Scarlet Rosette available from www.wilderroses.com. I fell in love with Austin and Kara (my hero and heroine) while writing this short story. They seemed to write the story themselves. And you know it’s a good sign when that happens.
Here is a blurb from Off Limits.
How does a woman who usually follows the straight and narrow end up handcuffed to a chair by her ex-husband’s younger brother, a wickedly delicious man who just happens to be a cop? And the star of her most forbidden fantasies. Kara Reynolds has spent the past thirty-eight years being a good girl, but there’s something about Austin that makes her want to be really bad. Now, she’s caught in a situation that could either humiliate her...or set her free.
I loved Off Limits. Do you have anything in the works?
Yes. I’m currently writing the third book in the Were Legends series. The first book, WereSlave, is available now from Ellora’s Cave. The second book, Were Seduction, is coming soon. I like to think of these as erotic fairytales. In a faraway land anything can happen. Especially if there are werewolves, witches and vampires involved.
So true! Who is your favorite character in your novels?
I always love the characters who are wreaking havoc in my mind at the moment. Right now those characters are Worth and Blanca from my third Were book. Love, love, love them!
If you could have lunch with one writer, who would it be?
Well, you, Lynne, of course. LOL! I’d love to meet and have lunch with all the authors I’ve gotten to know over the Net. I think that would be a blast.
Ah, that does sound fun, Lia. I’d love to have a huge party and invite all my Internet friends. We’d have to wear badges with our book covers or avatars so we’d know who was who. Where can we find you?
A couple of places:
www.liaslater.com, www.liaslater.blogspot.com, www.myspace.com/liaslater, and www.twitter.com/liaslater
Okay now for something a little more personal. Have you ever had a one-night stand?
Since I’m an erotic romance writer, I’d love to embellish and say YES! But, no, I haven’t. You can start yawning now. I’m more of a long-term kind of girl. Once you’ve got me, you’re stuck.
What is the best pick-up line someone has ever tried on you? Did it work?
I used to go out dancing quite a bit in my early twenties so a rush of cheesy lines just stumbled through my mind. LOL! The best? I don’t know. I met my husband in a bar back then and he did and said everything wrong including mispronounce my name. But he was so damn cute, I couldn’t resist. And he was a great kisser! I was hooked.
Oh, that’s sweet. What is your favorite thing to eat?
I’m on a diet right now so I’m trying not to think about greasy, cheesy, fried Mexican food. Sorry, gotta go wipe the drool from my mouth.
I need to get on that diet too! What is your favorite the of day?
Midday. It’s when my brain is at its peak.
What is your favorite season?
I love fall here in Colorado. The colors are breathtaking. Although we did seem to skip right over last fall and head right into winter. Not fun.
I love fall too, although right now, I’m enjoying spring! What is your favorite non-alcoholic drink?
I’m addicted to Diet Coke/Pepsi.
What is your favorite alcoholic drink?
Wine! Red wine for the most part. Right now I’m into Pinot Noir and Cab.
That’s it, we’re definitely having lunch. I love red wine. My favorite is Rioja, a Spanish wine that is very hard to find in California.Thank you so much for sharing a little about yourself with us! And now to wet your whistle, here is an Off Limits excerpt:
Austin peeled open the top button to her jeans and unzipped. The zip seemed to echo throughout the generous living room. The only other sounds were her ragged breath and her pulse beating at her temples.
He slipped his fingers in the sides of her jeans. “Lift your ass, Kara. I’m going to make you forget all your worries.”
Holy shit. Like a robot obeying a command, she lifted her bottom, and he slid her jeans and panties down in one swoop, easily taking off her ankle socks and tennies in the process.
She shivered as the room-temperature air breezed against her skin. Exposed. She was exposed. And sitting on a hard chair in her ex-husband’s home. This was so unlike her.
What was she thinking?
Hell, she was thinking Austin was going to make her forget all her worries. She believed him. She trusted him. Like no other person in her life, she needed him.
“Ah, sugar.” His sultry green gaze swept over her, from her bare breasts, to the triangle of black hair covering her mound, to her rose painted toes.
She shook with both need and anxiety.
Finally, he met her eyes. “You’ve just shattered every fantasy I’ve ever had about you into a million pieces.”
“Is it that bad?” She wasn’t sure whether to be surprised that he’d fantasized about her or horrified that she’d mangled the fantasies.
“No, Kara.” He caressed her cheek and kissed her lips sweetly. “You’re that good. Don’t you know?”
Interview with Rosalie Stanton
The talented Rosalie Stanton has agree to sit on the hot seat for us today! Thank you Rosalie!
How would you describe your writing style?
Adaptable and identifiable. I definitely feel, and have been told, that there is a certain cadence to my writing, but I likewise feel the subject matter dictates the tone.
What inspired you to start writing?
I honestly don’t remember. It just seems I’ve always written in one way or another. When I was little, my grandparents owned a printing company and had a display of scratch pads along the front display window. I would take scratch pads and draw out stories, make up characters, and so on. My first attempt at a novel came when I was about twelve years old, though I remember writing shorter stories well before that. I’ve just always been a writer.
How did your friends/relatives react when you told them you wanted to be a writer?
Total and complete lack of surprise, as well as undying support. Love of writing runs in the family. My aunt, Pamela Smith Hill, is an acclaimed author of YA fiction.
Undying support is something to be treasured. What is the best piece of advice on writing you’ve ever received?
When I was in the sixth grade, I began attending “writer’s camp,” which was a 4 day retreat aimed at young aspiring writers and hosted by one of our local colleges. We had a series of authors host workshops, and each author contributed advice as well as personal accounts that helped me develop my writing skills. It was there that I first learned the term “head-hop,” and where I was likewise told “there’s no such thing as writer’s block.”
However, I believe the most important advice I received was not to force something that won’t come. If you force it, you won’t like the result. Take a breather: go for a walk, read a book, see a movie, and if your muse is kind, it will return with a vengeance. If not, try to work on something else to get the creative juices flowing.
Wow, you really had a head start. I didn’t learn that… until much later. : ) What kind of goals to you set for yourself when writing? Word count? Page count?
My goals typical vary from project to project. In the past, I’ve sat down and said, “All right. We’ll get this scene done and that’s the ballgame.” That doesn’t always turn out as planned, as characters have a tendency to dictate where they want a story to go with little regard for you as the storyteller. Recently, I’ve started aiming for word count, as I feel those goals are more attainable. Novelist Graham Greene is said to have written only 500 words a day, but with that daily goal, he published more than 30 books.
Do you listen to music while you write? It depends. Sometimes music can distract me, as I have a tendency to sing along. However, I do enjoy putting in classical music or opera whenever I’m writing something really intense. It seems to set the mental mood.
Where were you when you heard your first book was contracted. What did you do? My husband and I live across the street from my best friend, and I was sitting on her couch surfing my email when I received the letter from Loose Id. I remember a dull buzzing in my ears and heat on my face, and the words, “Oh my God, oh my God,” on my lips. My friend asked me what was wrong, and I launched upright and began bouncing all over the room. I then tried to call my husband, but he didn’t pick up the phone, so I bolted out the door and ran across the street to tell him. I was…umm…a little excited.
I love it. Tell us about your newest release. I have two at the moment. Possession served as the antidote for life, to be quite honest. I like to write stories with heart and heat, sometimes with heat a bit more favored. Possession is a good example.
My first novel length work, Ripples Through Time, will be released on March 4. It’s a story I wrote a few years ago while studying Hamlet in school; I decided to try the “play within a play” theme in my own writing, so really, it’s two stories in one. I really, really enjoyed piecing the plot together, and I hope readers will feel the same way.
I am absolutely sure they will. Do you have anything in the works? Yes, actually, and I get more excited about it by the minute. I have a solid outline now and the first chapter has been written. It’s another paranormal romance and one I might turn into a series. We’ll see!
Do you write full time or part time? I wish I had the luxury of writing full time. By day, I’m a check-cashing, deposit-making, loan-taking machine.
Who is your favorite character in your novels? It tends to revolve around whatever character I’m writing. Right now, my favorite character is my hero in the new work I mentioned. Later, it might be the heroine. If I’m in their head, I tend to side with them.
If you could have lunch with one writer, who would it be? Jane Austen.
Now that would be an interesting lunch! What is your favorite part of being a romance writer? I get to fall in love over and over again. Who wouldn’t like that?
That’s one of my favorite parts too! Least favorite? I think there is a perception among many that writing romance makes you less legitimate of an author, in a way. However, this isn’t a remark on writing romance, it’s a remark on dumb people.
I’m smiling. You know I share your sentiments. Okay, if you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? I don’t know. All of my favorite vacation spots are my favorite vacation spots because they involve a break from my real life. My real life has bills, work, grocery lists, medical expenses, deadlines, and family drama. I have places I love to go but likewise would never want to live because bringing my life there would ruin the charm.
Having said that, I’m a liberal in a red-state, so I think I’d be happier on one of the coasts.
Now for something a little more personal. Have you ever had a one-night stand? I’m not that adventurous. I have a vivid imagination, but not much in the way of that sort of experience. My husband is the only man I’ve been with and I wouldn’t change that for anything.
That is something to be treasured. What is the craziest or most unusual place you’ve had sex with your husband? Unfortunately, all my sexual experiences have been rather tame…albeit, I do have funny stories. I suppose the appropriate answer to this question would be on my mother-in-law’s couch. This was before my husband and I were married; his mom and step-dad were out of town and we decided to hijack their house to watch an HBO special. Things got heavy…and then Mom came home. I was mortified.
What would you consider a romantic date? I’m not sure. I know the conventions and clichés, but I enjoy subtler things. For our anniversary, my husband and I went out of town to a local tourist trap and spent the day together, walking around the strip and holding hands and choosing where to go for dinner. Then later, yes, there was some hot-tub action, but it was perfect.
That sounds so romantic to me. If you could take a date anywhere in the world, where would it be? Oh, Natchez, Mississippi. Without a doubt.
What is the best pick-up line someone has ever tried on you? Did it work?
I think this falls into the “so bad it’s good” category. I was picking up a prescription when a man came up to me and said, “You’re so pretty!” At first, I blushed and said thank you, but he wasn’t finished. He said it several times, asked my name, and what-have-you. Then he asked if I was seeing anyone. When I confirmed I was, he said, “Would you like another boyfriend?” I told him the one was a handful, and he said, “I bet I’d be a bigger handful, if you catch my drift.”
I almost choked on my coffee. That’s funny. I take it the line didn’t work. What is your thing to eat? Bread pudding. Southern style. No raisins
I’ve never had bread pudding. Maybe I should try it. I’ve put you through the wringer long enough. Here are some simple questions: What is your favorite color? Red.
What is your favorite time of day? When I get off work. Must be honest.
What is your favorite flower? Magnolia
Spoken like a true southern belle. What is your favorite season? Spring and autumn are pretty evenly tied for this one, but autumn marks the beginning of the holidays, and I love the holidays.
If you could have any car, which would it be? One that works well without breaking down every fifty miles. My current car doesn’t meet this description.
Who is your favorite actor? I have several, but probably Kevin Spacey.
Who is your favorite actress? I know this is going to sound crazy, but I love Megan Mullally from Will and Grace. She’s hysterical, she’s gorgeous, and she’s not size zero. I love her.
It doesn’t sound crazy. I’m all for actresses who aren’t size zero. Who is your favorite band or singer? I love the Beatles. Always have, always will. It’s a sickness in my family.
What is your favorite song? Depends on the moment, to be quite honest. Right now I’m fond of the song “Brain Damage” by Pink Floyd.
What is a movie you could watch over and over? Lili (1953). This movie captivates the crap out of me. I don’t know what it is.
I feel like that about Gigi. I’ve never seen Lili but I’ll look it up on Netflix. (could it be the similar names?) What is your favorite non-alcoholic drink? Diet coke.
What is your favorite alcoholic drink? Marco Negri.
Where can we find you? www.rosalie-stanton.com
Here is a blurb from Rosalie's newest release: Possession
Arianna is a demon hunter who isolates herself from society. Over the past few months she has become increasingly dependent on her uncertain alliance with Kade, a vampire informant who literally stepped out of the shadows and into her life.
On the night of a rumored attack from a group of demons, called Eros, who feed off passion for sustenance, Arianna meets with Kade to plan a counterattack before the demons can strike. However, upon retreating to Kade’s apartment for supplies, both Arianna and Kade are overwhelmed with a sudden rush of passion. Their bodies refuse to obey their minds, and before they can stop themselves, they are engaged in endless rounds of lovemaking. Lost to pleasure even as their minds fight sensation and each other, Kade surrenders to his love for Arianna, and tries to convince her he is what she’s needed all along.
Sometimes, possession is mutual.
Excerpt:
More often than not, Arianna ignored the stirring of uneasiness that crept in her belly; it merely came with the package of being a single white female alone in one of New Orleans's shadier neighborhoods. While she could most definitely take care of herself, and had on more than one occasion, that didn't mean she enjoyed the solemn walk to the burned-out streetlight from the corner where her cab dropped her off. This terrain was more Kade's area, and truth be told, he likely didn't think twice before setting up the typical meet and greet. After all, vampires and other similar half-breeds didn't share the concerns of human females. Noise didn't scare, worn buildings didn't intimidate, and the knowledge that anyone could be lurking in the protection of a shadow barely blipped on the radar. Business as usual at the corner of MLK Boulevard and Simon Bolivar.
Perhaps Kade's carelessness wouldn't bother her so much if he acted as if he paid attention every now and then.
She hated demons. They always found a way to ruin her night.
“So,” Kade drawled, lighting up a smoke. “You wanna know about the Eros, do you?”
“Have I been talking to myself the last ten minutes?”
“Well, I wouldn't look at it that way.”
“Really? How would you look at it?”
He shrugged. “I thought we were catching up and all that.”
“Yeah. I'm out here to socialize.” Arianna rolled her eyes. The only thing she hated more than demons were vampires. They often didn't look favorably on demon hunters such as herself, which was why she relied upon Kade more often than not to keep an ear to the ground in the demon community. Kade appealed to the lowest sort of low: the vamps who would trade in their brother for a spot of cash. Granted, she never actually paid him; something propelled him to spill the goods to her regardless, always had for reasons she didn't understand. Only tonight, he wasn't as chatty as usual.
Tonight he just annoyed her. She had one question—one!—and he insisted on making their encounter a huge ordeal rather than a pit stop. The Eros would attack soon, and as fun as that might sound to a morally ambiguous half-breed, it likely wouldn't shape up to be a picnic for the rest of the city.
“Just tell me what I need to know,” Arianna implored, her tone low. If he didn't watch his step, he'd find himself on the business end of a stake. “The Eros.”
“Fun lot.”
“Not for the rest of us.”
Kade's brows perked. “Why not? Loads of sex could do these humans good, far as I can figure.”
“The Eros wipe your inhibitions—”
“Hence the fun.”
Arianna's jaw tightened. “According to my sources—”
“What? You have other sources? I'm hurt, really.”
“You're one second away from becoming someone's hay fever. You know that?”
His lower lip poked out, edging her nerves. On some people the gesture would look ridiculous; sadly, Kade was not one of them. Most vampires had the Anne Rice syndrome: too pretty for their own good, and Kade certainly fell into the category. He topped her in height by just a few inches, something she could begrudgingly appreciate, as being rather short, most men towered over her. His playful attitude made it annoyingly simple to forget he was the enemy. Regardless of how many times he stepped off his high horse to lend her a hand, he remained the enemy, one she would likely have to kill one day.
Her vocation as a demon hunter made it an occupational hazard. Any demon or vamp she met went on her list. Once they stopped being useful, they were dead.
She didn't want to think of Kade as dead for reasons she didn't particularly care to explore. Yet it seemed easy to forget she somewhat liked his annoying ass when he behaved like this.
Kade lowered his head, lips sucking intently on his cigarette before blowing out a pillar of smoke. “All right, then,” he drawled. “The Eros.”
“Yes, that would be nice.”
“Lust demons.”
“So I gathered.”
“They release these pheromones and make everyone jump each other's bones.” Kade grinned. “Fun times.”
“No, not fun times. Chaotic times.”
“And here I reckoned chaos implied fun.”
“Look, I just need to know—”
“When they're gonna strike.” Kade nodded. “'Cause someone wants to ruin everyone's fun.”
Arianna rolled her eyes. She seriously did not have time for this. Word of the Eros attack had swept through the underworld like wildfire. She'd only heard of it by making her normal rounds to the typical demon haunts, listening in on conversations to find the local hot spots, as they so often rotated. A demon hunter had a lonely life, but she couldn't see herself abandoning it any time soon.
She still had to find the demons responsible for killing her parents.
Cue vampire confidant. Kade had happened across her one night in an alley as she battled off three attackers. He'd stopped cold, blinked, reached for a cigarette, crossed his arms, and watched.
“You're good,” he'd said as the last demon fell.
“I know.”
He'd smirked. “And modest.”
For demon hunters, identifying vampires often seemed a game of hit-and-miss. That night, she hadn't had to guess. Men simply weren't made that pretty. Kade looked very pretty and very deadly. Dark brown, near-black hair offset his pale skin, making his every expression seem exaggerated. High cheekbones accented deep azure eyes, and his perfect mouth practically appeared painted on his face. He seemed a man who very much knew how good he looked and what those dangerous looks could do to unsuspecting women. That sort of cockiness drove Arianna mad, and had she moved just a hair quicker, Kade would have been nothing but a footnote in her history.
But she hadn't moved. She'd stood dumb for a few seconds, then blinked.
“Wow,” she'd said. “You'd think the vamps in this town wouldn't go out of their way to annoy people like me.”
“No fun in that,” Kade had replied. “And here I thought I was in for a dull night.”
“Want me to fun it up for you?”
“Didn't peg you for that sort of girl.”
Arianna's fist had drawn back, intending to send the cocky bastard to the ground. His hands had hit the sky in mock surrender, brows reaching his hairline. “Watch it,” he'd snapped, “or you'll never hear what I have to say.”
“And yet I'm sure I'll sleep well tonight.”
“Vamp nest. East side of town. Nasty sort, drawing in all kinds of little girls.” Kade had watched her for a minute, then slowly lowered his hands. “Thought we could take them out, you and I.”
Arianna would never forget that moment. Never before had any creature of the night approached her, talked with her as if she were something other than a killer of their kind. There stood every chance he meant to throw her off guard and take her out himself, but she hadn't thought so. Something in his eyes gave him away, something she couldn't explain.
“Why?” she'd asked.
Kade had sucked a long drag on his cigarette before consigning it to the pavement. “Why not? I'm bored, you're here, and it sounds like fun.”
Arianna had since come to appreciate that sentiment. If nothing else, Kade made life interesting.
When he didn't annoy the piss out of her.
Like now, when they had a problem that demanded immediacy.
“The Eros rob you of your inhibitions,” Arianna said, drawing herself back to the present, tossing her blonde hair over her shoulder. She didn't miss the way the vampire's eyes widened or how his nostrils flared. A very real, womanly part of her knew Kade wanted her, and the knowledge absolutely empowered her. “The last time they decided to interfere with our business, we were cleaning up the mess for weeks.”
Kade shrugged. “To be fair, it was Mardi Gras.”
“Just tell me what you know, jackass.”
He looked at her a minute longer, then broke his gaze away and shrugged. “Cemetery,” he said.
“What?”
“Metairie, to be specific.”
Arianna's nose wrinkled. “The Eros are hanging out in a graveyard?”
“In this town, kitten, it's almost romantic.”
“So says the undead.” She blew out a deep breath. “Are you coming with?”
Kade's eyes found hers again, and his brow furrowed. “To face the Eros? This a date?”
“Ew.”
“Had to ask,” he assured with a smirk. “It's the Eros. With their reputation…”
“Don't make me hurl.”
Kade slapped a hand across his chest and staggered as though shot. “You wound,” he said. “Yeah, I'll come along for the ride. Don't mind if we pop by my place to get some supplies, do you? Didn't bring anything with me. Hadn't exactly planned to go on the hunt tonight.”
Arianna's eyes went wide. She'd honestly never given thought to where Kade went when they weren't annoying the crap out of each other. “What?”
“Supplies? Shiny weapons?”
“You…have a place? You know…where you live?”
“Of course I have a place.” He frowned. “What? You thought I slept in the gutter?”
“Wouldn't put it past you.” Arianna sighed again, her eyes rolling heavenward. “All right. Let's go get these supplies.”
* * *
Demon hunting seemed all Arianna knew anymore. Ever since her parents' death, ever since she had learned what sort of uglies went bump in the night, she'd committed every day to ensuring no one else grew up the way she had. Demon hunters lived alone, had no family, formed no attachments, and usually did not rely upon others in their trade for information or assistance. Most hunted to silence an inner rage, to atone or seek revenge for a wrong committed, to even the balance between good and evil.
Arianna had met three or four demon hunters, perhaps, but they didn't go to bars and nurse drinks while swapping war stories or ritualize their trade in any way glamorized by Hollywood. She felt very alone most of the time, to the point where she looked forward to her meetings with Kade… Something she recognized as very wrong, yet it remained the truth, and she couldn't do anything to change it.
In all honesty, the Eros had served as a handy excuse to seek him out. He might annoy her to death, but she felt better annoyed than she did with herself as her only company. It seemed strange that a vampire remained her closest link to humanity; she didn't know what to think about it on most days.
Likewise, she'd jump into a snake pit before confessing as much to Kade. The bastard had enough of an ego as it stood.
“Wasn't planning on having people over,” Kade warned over his shoulder as their walk came to a halt. He'd escorted her to a ratty apartment complex not far from where they'd met. For whatever reason, she'd expected something less normal than a place that required an actual lock and key, though why, she didn't know. The vamp nests he'd led her to had all been in warehouses or places like this; she supposed she always expected vampires to lurk in cemeteries, thanks to centuries of flawed myth.
The room revealed only a bed and a scattering of clothing across the floor, along with several choice weapons.
Arianna made a face. “God, you're filthy.”
Kade shot her a sideways glance. “It's just a place to sleep.”
Her eyes landed on the mattress shoved against the far wall. It was easy to overlook in a quick glance. On appearances alone, she couldn't decide whether he slept in it every day or had just now come home after a long leave. “How do you find the bed?”
“Wouldn't you like to know?”
She shivered at that and crossed her arms. “Well, get a move on.”
“Aren't we in a hurry?”
“The Eros aren't exactly going to wait around.”
Kade's brows flickered. “Fancy yourself an authority on the Eros, then? Been doing your homework?”
“I just know they—”
“Are demons. I know. Try singing me another tune sometime.”
Arianna frowned. “What's that supposed to mean?”
“Whatever you want it to.” He began peeking under bits of clothing, though she couldn't help but feel stalled. Why on earth would he stall? “So how's it you knew about the Eros?”
“I told you,” she replied. “I have sources.”
“I thought I was your source.”
“I have others.” Well, that was almost true. She overheard things when she lurked in the right places. The last time the Eros attacked had seemed calamitous, but thankfully, the authorities chalked it up, as Kade had mentioned, to Mardi Gras and hadn't bothered investigating further.
Eros thrived on human passion; as long as they felt it, they survived, and every now and again they released certain pheromones that had women wetting their panties for pretty much anything male. Men suffered a similar response, and in a blur of debauchery, entire lives wound up ruined by people who didn't realize their actions were dominated by creatures from the underworld.
Arianna shivered, patience running short. “Look,” she said sharply, “are you stalling?”
Kade looked up. “What?”
“The weapons… Are you stalling?”
“For what?”
Might as well go for broke. “Are you hoping the Eros attack before we leave?”
“So… What? I get a taste of your precious self?” Kade snickered and rolled his eyes. “Someone has an ego.”
“You're one to talk!”
“No,” he replied, throwing down a shirt. “Really don't think I am. You really think I'd lure you up here—”
“That's what vampires do! They lure!”
“I couldn't give a fuck; you got it? I'm here to do what I said. Get supplies. If you want my help, you're just gonna have to wait for it.”
Arianna gestured emphatically. “We don't have time to wait!”
“Look, you're the one who asked for my help, all right? Then you come up here and ask me if…” He frowned in disgust. “You really take my little remarks to heart, kitten? Note to self… Be more careful what you say around cock-starved demon hunters.”
His eyes widened. So did hers.
“Sorry,” he said quickly, looking away. “I didn't… Sorry.”
Heat crashed over her. She felt dizzy but shoved it aside. Kade had never spoken to her that way. Not once, and she felt sure she'd feel furious if she weren't so…
Hurt.
“You are so beyond dust,” she snapped.
“Oh, yeah? Do your worst.”
So she did. She totally did. Well, she did if her worst consisted of leaping into Kade's arms, wrapping her legs around his waist, and tugging his mouth up to hers. If her worst meant rubbing herself wantonly against the hardened strain of his denim-clad erection and sucking his tongue into her mouth. Kade growled and seized her shoulders, pulling her flush against him and nipping at her lips.
“Stop,” she gasped, trying vainly to pull away from him. “Stop!” She tugged him up for another kiss and thrust her pelvis against his. “God, Kade, let me go!”
“I'm trying,” he snarled, and he sounded so bewildered and furious that she believed him. Bewildered, furious, and beyond aroused. “Get your grubby paws off me!” He concluded his tirade by fisting the loose material of her blouse and ripping it clean off her body, his mouth breaking from hers to kiss a wet path down her throat.
“Kade…” Her stomach tightened in ways that it should not tighten around Kade. And God, she felt wet. She felt on fire. Every nerve in her body blazed, and he couldn't touch her enough. “Stop touching me!”
“Are you deaf?” he growled, his teeth nipping at her breasts before ripping her bra away. “I'm trying.”
Arianna's insides trembled, trying futilely to stop. Every time she attempted to shove him off, she wound up foiled by treacherous hands that tugged him closer and a mouth that felt hexed to want nothing more than his kisses.
I can't stop. Oh God, I can't stop.
And from the way he made quick work of her clothing, it didn't take much to guess where they would end up.
The Eros. They had fallen too late.
Definitely time to panic.
How would you describe your writing style?
Adaptable and identifiable. I definitely feel, and have been told, that there is a certain cadence to my writing, but I likewise feel the subject matter dictates the tone.
What inspired you to start writing?
I honestly don’t remember. It just seems I’ve always written in one way or another. When I was little, my grandparents owned a printing company and had a display of scratch pads along the front display window. I would take scratch pads and draw out stories, make up characters, and so on. My first attempt at a novel came when I was about twelve years old, though I remember writing shorter stories well before that. I’ve just always been a writer.
How did your friends/relatives react when you told them you wanted to be a writer?
Total and complete lack of surprise, as well as undying support. Love of writing runs in the family. My aunt, Pamela Smith Hill, is an acclaimed author of YA fiction.
Undying support is something to be treasured. What is the best piece of advice on writing you’ve ever received?
When I was in the sixth grade, I began attending “writer’s camp,” which was a 4 day retreat aimed at young aspiring writers and hosted by one of our local colleges. We had a series of authors host workshops, and each author contributed advice as well as personal accounts that helped me develop my writing skills. It was there that I first learned the term “head-hop,” and where I was likewise told “there’s no such thing as writer’s block.”
However, I believe the most important advice I received was not to force something that won’t come. If you force it, you won’t like the result. Take a breather: go for a walk, read a book, see a movie, and if your muse is kind, it will return with a vengeance. If not, try to work on something else to get the creative juices flowing.
Wow, you really had a head start. I didn’t learn that… until much later. : ) What kind of goals to you set for yourself when writing? Word count? Page count?
My goals typical vary from project to project. In the past, I’ve sat down and said, “All right. We’ll get this scene done and that’s the ballgame.” That doesn’t always turn out as planned, as characters have a tendency to dictate where they want a story to go with little regard for you as the storyteller. Recently, I’ve started aiming for word count, as I feel those goals are more attainable. Novelist Graham Greene is said to have written only 500 words a day, but with that daily goal, he published more than 30 books.
Do you listen to music while you write? It depends. Sometimes music can distract me, as I have a tendency to sing along. However, I do enjoy putting in classical music or opera whenever I’m writing something really intense. It seems to set the mental mood.
Where were you when you heard your first book was contracted. What did you do? My husband and I live across the street from my best friend, and I was sitting on her couch surfing my email when I received the letter from Loose Id. I remember a dull buzzing in my ears and heat on my face, and the words, “Oh my God, oh my God,” on my lips. My friend asked me what was wrong, and I launched upright and began bouncing all over the room. I then tried to call my husband, but he didn’t pick up the phone, so I bolted out the door and ran across the street to tell him. I was…umm…a little excited.
I love it. Tell us about your newest release. I have two at the moment. Possession served as the antidote for life, to be quite honest. I like to write stories with heart and heat, sometimes with heat a bit more favored. Possession is a good example.
My first novel length work, Ripples Through Time, will be released on March 4. It’s a story I wrote a few years ago while studying Hamlet in school; I decided to try the “play within a play” theme in my own writing, so really, it’s two stories in one. I really, really enjoyed piecing the plot together, and I hope readers will feel the same way.
I am absolutely sure they will. Do you have anything in the works? Yes, actually, and I get more excited about it by the minute. I have a solid outline now and the first chapter has been written. It’s another paranormal romance and one I might turn into a series. We’ll see!
Do you write full time or part time? I wish I had the luxury of writing full time. By day, I’m a check-cashing, deposit-making, loan-taking machine.
Who is your favorite character in your novels? It tends to revolve around whatever character I’m writing. Right now, my favorite character is my hero in the new work I mentioned. Later, it might be the heroine. If I’m in their head, I tend to side with them.
If you could have lunch with one writer, who would it be? Jane Austen.
Now that would be an interesting lunch! What is your favorite part of being a romance writer? I get to fall in love over and over again. Who wouldn’t like that?
That’s one of my favorite parts too! Least favorite? I think there is a perception among many that writing romance makes you less legitimate of an author, in a way. However, this isn’t a remark on writing romance, it’s a remark on dumb people.
I’m smiling. You know I share your sentiments. Okay, if you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? I don’t know. All of my favorite vacation spots are my favorite vacation spots because they involve a break from my real life. My real life has bills, work, grocery lists, medical expenses, deadlines, and family drama. I have places I love to go but likewise would never want to live because bringing my life there would ruin the charm.
Having said that, I’m a liberal in a red-state, so I think I’d be happier on one of the coasts.
Now for something a little more personal. Have you ever had a one-night stand? I’m not that adventurous. I have a vivid imagination, but not much in the way of that sort of experience. My husband is the only man I’ve been with and I wouldn’t change that for anything.
That is something to be treasured. What is the craziest or most unusual place you’ve had sex with your husband? Unfortunately, all my sexual experiences have been rather tame…albeit, I do have funny stories. I suppose the appropriate answer to this question would be on my mother-in-law’s couch. This was before my husband and I were married; his mom and step-dad were out of town and we decided to hijack their house to watch an HBO special. Things got heavy…and then Mom came home. I was mortified.
What would you consider a romantic date? I’m not sure. I know the conventions and clichés, but I enjoy subtler things. For our anniversary, my husband and I went out of town to a local tourist trap and spent the day together, walking around the strip and holding hands and choosing where to go for dinner. Then later, yes, there was some hot-tub action, but it was perfect.
That sounds so romantic to me. If you could take a date anywhere in the world, where would it be? Oh, Natchez, Mississippi. Without a doubt.
What is the best pick-up line someone has ever tried on you? Did it work?
I think this falls into the “so bad it’s good” category. I was picking up a prescription when a man came up to me and said, “You’re so pretty!” At first, I blushed and said thank you, but he wasn’t finished. He said it several times, asked my name, and what-have-you. Then he asked if I was seeing anyone. When I confirmed I was, he said, “Would you like another boyfriend?” I told him the one was a handful, and he said, “I bet I’d be a bigger handful, if you catch my drift.”
I almost choked on my coffee. That’s funny. I take it the line didn’t work. What is your thing to eat? Bread pudding. Southern style. No raisins
I’ve never had bread pudding. Maybe I should try it. I’ve put you through the wringer long enough. Here are some simple questions: What is your favorite color? Red.
What is your favorite time of day? When I get off work. Must be honest.
What is your favorite flower? Magnolia
Spoken like a true southern belle. What is your favorite season? Spring and autumn are pretty evenly tied for this one, but autumn marks the beginning of the holidays, and I love the holidays.
If you could have any car, which would it be? One that works well without breaking down every fifty miles. My current car doesn’t meet this description.
Who is your favorite actor? I have several, but probably Kevin Spacey.
Who is your favorite actress? I know this is going to sound crazy, but I love Megan Mullally from Will and Grace. She’s hysterical, she’s gorgeous, and she’s not size zero. I love her.
It doesn’t sound crazy. I’m all for actresses who aren’t size zero. Who is your favorite band or singer? I love the Beatles. Always have, always will. It’s a sickness in my family.
What is your favorite song? Depends on the moment, to be quite honest. Right now I’m fond of the song “Brain Damage” by Pink Floyd.
What is a movie you could watch over and over? Lili (1953). This movie captivates the crap out of me. I don’t know what it is.
I feel like that about Gigi. I’ve never seen Lili but I’ll look it up on Netflix. (could it be the similar names?) What is your favorite non-alcoholic drink? Diet coke.
What is your favorite alcoholic drink? Marco Negri.
Where can we find you? www.rosalie-stanton.com
Here is a blurb from Rosalie's newest release: Possession
Arianna is a demon hunter who isolates herself from society. Over the past few months she has become increasingly dependent on her uncertain alliance with Kade, a vampire informant who literally stepped out of the shadows and into her life.On the night of a rumored attack from a group of demons, called Eros, who feed off passion for sustenance, Arianna meets with Kade to plan a counterattack before the demons can strike. However, upon retreating to Kade’s apartment for supplies, both Arianna and Kade are overwhelmed with a sudden rush of passion. Their bodies refuse to obey their minds, and before they can stop themselves, they are engaged in endless rounds of lovemaking. Lost to pleasure even as their minds fight sensation and each other, Kade surrenders to his love for Arianna, and tries to convince her he is what she’s needed all along.
Sometimes, possession is mutual.
Excerpt:
More often than not, Arianna ignored the stirring of uneasiness that crept in her belly; it merely came with the package of being a single white female alone in one of New Orleans's shadier neighborhoods. While she could most definitely take care of herself, and had on more than one occasion, that didn't mean she enjoyed the solemn walk to the burned-out streetlight from the corner where her cab dropped her off. This terrain was more Kade's area, and truth be told, he likely didn't think twice before setting up the typical meet and greet. After all, vampires and other similar half-breeds didn't share the concerns of human females. Noise didn't scare, worn buildings didn't intimidate, and the knowledge that anyone could be lurking in the protection of a shadow barely blipped on the radar. Business as usual at the corner of MLK Boulevard and Simon Bolivar.
Perhaps Kade's carelessness wouldn't bother her so much if he acted as if he paid attention every now and then.
She hated demons. They always found a way to ruin her night.
“So,” Kade drawled, lighting up a smoke. “You wanna know about the Eros, do you?”
“Have I been talking to myself the last ten minutes?”
“Well, I wouldn't look at it that way.”
“Really? How would you look at it?”
He shrugged. “I thought we were catching up and all that.”
“Yeah. I'm out here to socialize.” Arianna rolled her eyes. The only thing she hated more than demons were vampires. They often didn't look favorably on demon hunters such as herself, which was why she relied upon Kade more often than not to keep an ear to the ground in the demon community. Kade appealed to the lowest sort of low: the vamps who would trade in their brother for a spot of cash. Granted, she never actually paid him; something propelled him to spill the goods to her regardless, always had for reasons she didn't understand. Only tonight, he wasn't as chatty as usual.
Tonight he just annoyed her. She had one question—one!—and he insisted on making their encounter a huge ordeal rather than a pit stop. The Eros would attack soon, and as fun as that might sound to a morally ambiguous half-breed, it likely wouldn't shape up to be a picnic for the rest of the city.
“Just tell me what I need to know,” Arianna implored, her tone low. If he didn't watch his step, he'd find himself on the business end of a stake. “The Eros.”
“Fun lot.”
“Not for the rest of us.”
Kade's brows perked. “Why not? Loads of sex could do these humans good, far as I can figure.”
“The Eros wipe your inhibitions—”
“Hence the fun.”
Arianna's jaw tightened. “According to my sources—”
“What? You have other sources? I'm hurt, really.”
“You're one second away from becoming someone's hay fever. You know that?”
His lower lip poked out, edging her nerves. On some people the gesture would look ridiculous; sadly, Kade was not one of them. Most vampires had the Anne Rice syndrome: too pretty for their own good, and Kade certainly fell into the category. He topped her in height by just a few inches, something she could begrudgingly appreciate, as being rather short, most men towered over her. His playful attitude made it annoyingly simple to forget he was the enemy. Regardless of how many times he stepped off his high horse to lend her a hand, he remained the enemy, one she would likely have to kill one day.
Her vocation as a demon hunter made it an occupational hazard. Any demon or vamp she met went on her list. Once they stopped being useful, they were dead.
She didn't want to think of Kade as dead for reasons she didn't particularly care to explore. Yet it seemed easy to forget she somewhat liked his annoying ass when he behaved like this.
Kade lowered his head, lips sucking intently on his cigarette before blowing out a pillar of smoke. “All right, then,” he drawled. “The Eros.”
“Yes, that would be nice.”
“Lust demons.”
“So I gathered.”
“They release these pheromones and make everyone jump each other's bones.” Kade grinned. “Fun times.”
“No, not fun times. Chaotic times.”
“And here I reckoned chaos implied fun.”
“Look, I just need to know—”
“When they're gonna strike.” Kade nodded. “'Cause someone wants to ruin everyone's fun.”
Arianna rolled her eyes. She seriously did not have time for this. Word of the Eros attack had swept through the underworld like wildfire. She'd only heard of it by making her normal rounds to the typical demon haunts, listening in on conversations to find the local hot spots, as they so often rotated. A demon hunter had a lonely life, but she couldn't see herself abandoning it any time soon.
She still had to find the demons responsible for killing her parents.
Cue vampire confidant. Kade had happened across her one night in an alley as she battled off three attackers. He'd stopped cold, blinked, reached for a cigarette, crossed his arms, and watched.
“You're good,” he'd said as the last demon fell.
“I know.”
He'd smirked. “And modest.”
For demon hunters, identifying vampires often seemed a game of hit-and-miss. That night, she hadn't had to guess. Men simply weren't made that pretty. Kade looked very pretty and very deadly. Dark brown, near-black hair offset his pale skin, making his every expression seem exaggerated. High cheekbones accented deep azure eyes, and his perfect mouth practically appeared painted on his face. He seemed a man who very much knew how good he looked and what those dangerous looks could do to unsuspecting women. That sort of cockiness drove Arianna mad, and had she moved just a hair quicker, Kade would have been nothing but a footnote in her history.
But she hadn't moved. She'd stood dumb for a few seconds, then blinked.
“Wow,” she'd said. “You'd think the vamps in this town wouldn't go out of their way to annoy people like me.”
“No fun in that,” Kade had replied. “And here I thought I was in for a dull night.”
“Want me to fun it up for you?”
“Didn't peg you for that sort of girl.”
Arianna's fist had drawn back, intending to send the cocky bastard to the ground. His hands had hit the sky in mock surrender, brows reaching his hairline. “Watch it,” he'd snapped, “or you'll never hear what I have to say.”
“And yet I'm sure I'll sleep well tonight.”
“Vamp nest. East side of town. Nasty sort, drawing in all kinds of little girls.” Kade had watched her for a minute, then slowly lowered his hands. “Thought we could take them out, you and I.”
Arianna would never forget that moment. Never before had any creature of the night approached her, talked with her as if she were something other than a killer of their kind. There stood every chance he meant to throw her off guard and take her out himself, but she hadn't thought so. Something in his eyes gave him away, something she couldn't explain.
“Why?” she'd asked.
Kade had sucked a long drag on his cigarette before consigning it to the pavement. “Why not? I'm bored, you're here, and it sounds like fun.”
Arianna had since come to appreciate that sentiment. If nothing else, Kade made life interesting.
When he didn't annoy the piss out of her.
Like now, when they had a problem that demanded immediacy.
“The Eros rob you of your inhibitions,” Arianna said, drawing herself back to the present, tossing her blonde hair over her shoulder. She didn't miss the way the vampire's eyes widened or how his nostrils flared. A very real, womanly part of her knew Kade wanted her, and the knowledge absolutely empowered her. “The last time they decided to interfere with our business, we were cleaning up the mess for weeks.”
Kade shrugged. “To be fair, it was Mardi Gras.”
“Just tell me what you know, jackass.”
He looked at her a minute longer, then broke his gaze away and shrugged. “Cemetery,” he said.
“What?”
“Metairie, to be specific.”
Arianna's nose wrinkled. “The Eros are hanging out in a graveyard?”
“In this town, kitten, it's almost romantic.”
“So says the undead.” She blew out a deep breath. “Are you coming with?”
Kade's eyes found hers again, and his brow furrowed. “To face the Eros? This a date?”
“Ew.”
“Had to ask,” he assured with a smirk. “It's the Eros. With their reputation…”
“Don't make me hurl.”
Kade slapped a hand across his chest and staggered as though shot. “You wound,” he said. “Yeah, I'll come along for the ride. Don't mind if we pop by my place to get some supplies, do you? Didn't bring anything with me. Hadn't exactly planned to go on the hunt tonight.”
Arianna's eyes went wide. She'd honestly never given thought to where Kade went when they weren't annoying the crap out of each other. “What?”
“Supplies? Shiny weapons?”
“You…have a place? You know…where you live?”
“Of course I have a place.” He frowned. “What? You thought I slept in the gutter?”
“Wouldn't put it past you.” Arianna sighed again, her eyes rolling heavenward. “All right. Let's go get these supplies.”
* * *
Demon hunting seemed all Arianna knew anymore. Ever since her parents' death, ever since she had learned what sort of uglies went bump in the night, she'd committed every day to ensuring no one else grew up the way she had. Demon hunters lived alone, had no family, formed no attachments, and usually did not rely upon others in their trade for information or assistance. Most hunted to silence an inner rage, to atone or seek revenge for a wrong committed, to even the balance between good and evil.
Arianna had met three or four demon hunters, perhaps, but they didn't go to bars and nurse drinks while swapping war stories or ritualize their trade in any way glamorized by Hollywood. She felt very alone most of the time, to the point where she looked forward to her meetings with Kade… Something she recognized as very wrong, yet it remained the truth, and she couldn't do anything to change it.
In all honesty, the Eros had served as a handy excuse to seek him out. He might annoy her to death, but she felt better annoyed than she did with herself as her only company. It seemed strange that a vampire remained her closest link to humanity; she didn't know what to think about it on most days.
Likewise, she'd jump into a snake pit before confessing as much to Kade. The bastard had enough of an ego as it stood.
“Wasn't planning on having people over,” Kade warned over his shoulder as their walk came to a halt. He'd escorted her to a ratty apartment complex not far from where they'd met. For whatever reason, she'd expected something less normal than a place that required an actual lock and key, though why, she didn't know. The vamp nests he'd led her to had all been in warehouses or places like this; she supposed she always expected vampires to lurk in cemeteries, thanks to centuries of flawed myth.
The room revealed only a bed and a scattering of clothing across the floor, along with several choice weapons.
Arianna made a face. “God, you're filthy.”
Kade shot her a sideways glance. “It's just a place to sleep.”
Her eyes landed on the mattress shoved against the far wall. It was easy to overlook in a quick glance. On appearances alone, she couldn't decide whether he slept in it every day or had just now come home after a long leave. “How do you find the bed?”
“Wouldn't you like to know?”
She shivered at that and crossed her arms. “Well, get a move on.”
“Aren't we in a hurry?”
“The Eros aren't exactly going to wait around.”
Kade's brows flickered. “Fancy yourself an authority on the Eros, then? Been doing your homework?”
“I just know they—”
“Are demons. I know. Try singing me another tune sometime.”
Arianna frowned. “What's that supposed to mean?”
“Whatever you want it to.” He began peeking under bits of clothing, though she couldn't help but feel stalled. Why on earth would he stall? “So how's it you knew about the Eros?”
“I told you,” she replied. “I have sources.”
“I thought I was your source.”
“I have others.” Well, that was almost true. She overheard things when she lurked in the right places. The last time the Eros attacked had seemed calamitous, but thankfully, the authorities chalked it up, as Kade had mentioned, to Mardi Gras and hadn't bothered investigating further.
Eros thrived on human passion; as long as they felt it, they survived, and every now and again they released certain pheromones that had women wetting their panties for pretty much anything male. Men suffered a similar response, and in a blur of debauchery, entire lives wound up ruined by people who didn't realize their actions were dominated by creatures from the underworld.
Arianna shivered, patience running short. “Look,” she said sharply, “are you stalling?”
Kade looked up. “What?”
“The weapons… Are you stalling?”
“For what?”
Might as well go for broke. “Are you hoping the Eros attack before we leave?”
“So… What? I get a taste of your precious self?” Kade snickered and rolled his eyes. “Someone has an ego.”
“You're one to talk!”
“No,” he replied, throwing down a shirt. “Really don't think I am. You really think I'd lure you up here—”
“That's what vampires do! They lure!”
“I couldn't give a fuck; you got it? I'm here to do what I said. Get supplies. If you want my help, you're just gonna have to wait for it.”
Arianna gestured emphatically. “We don't have time to wait!”
“Look, you're the one who asked for my help, all right? Then you come up here and ask me if…” He frowned in disgust. “You really take my little remarks to heart, kitten? Note to self… Be more careful what you say around cock-starved demon hunters.”
His eyes widened. So did hers.
“Sorry,” he said quickly, looking away. “I didn't… Sorry.”
Heat crashed over her. She felt dizzy but shoved it aside. Kade had never spoken to her that way. Not once, and she felt sure she'd feel furious if she weren't so…
Hurt.
“You are so beyond dust,” she snapped.
“Oh, yeah? Do your worst.”
So she did. She totally did. Well, she did if her worst consisted of leaping into Kade's arms, wrapping her legs around his waist, and tugging his mouth up to hers. If her worst meant rubbing herself wantonly against the hardened strain of his denim-clad erection and sucking his tongue into her mouth. Kade growled and seized her shoulders, pulling her flush against him and nipping at her lips.
“Stop,” she gasped, trying vainly to pull away from him. “Stop!” She tugged him up for another kiss and thrust her pelvis against his. “God, Kade, let me go!”
“I'm trying,” he snarled, and he sounded so bewildered and furious that she believed him. Bewildered, furious, and beyond aroused. “Get your grubby paws off me!” He concluded his tirade by fisting the loose material of her blouse and ripping it clean off her body, his mouth breaking from hers to kiss a wet path down her throat.
“Kade…” Her stomach tightened in ways that it should not tighten around Kade. And God, she felt wet. She felt on fire. Every nerve in her body blazed, and he couldn't touch her enough. “Stop touching me!”
“Are you deaf?” he growled, his teeth nipping at her breasts before ripping her bra away. “I'm trying.”
Arianna's insides trembled, trying futilely to stop. Every time she attempted to shove him off, she wound up foiled by treacherous hands that tugged him closer and a mouth that felt hexed to want nothing more than his kisses.
I can't stop. Oh God, I can't stop.
And from the way he made quick work of her clothing, it didn't take much to guess where they would end up.
The Eros. They had fallen too late.
Definitely time to panic.
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