Thursday, January 29, 2015

Between the Covers - Power of Enticement

Today's Between the Covers is an excerpt from my book.

Here is a excerpt from Power of Enticement (Blackstone Haven, Book # 3). Enjoy.

powerofenticement2He stroked his finger down one high cheekbone to the corner of her full lips but stopped before touching them. He wanted to but he resisted, knowing he’d need his head about him when dealing with a woman who had changed his world in moments with her appearance. He moved his hand to the end of her ponytail, which rested over her shoulder and curled to just below her waist. He fingered the edges of her hair rubbing his hands over the hair tie he’d put on. Grayson looked down at what he was doing. She placed her hand over his, running her finger along the knuckle of his thumb.

“Getting to know, huh?” Grayson leaned closer. “Are you a cuddler?”

Savage lifted an eyebrow at her question. “That’s something you will find out…eventually.” He released her braid then gestured to her cup. “Now drink your tea while you tell me where you heard about shadow mates.”

Grayson picked up her cup, blew on the tea then took a sip before she answered. “I get around.”

“Grayson.”

“Ohhh…how you say my name gives me chills.” Grayson batted her eyelashes. “Say it again but make your voice deeper like so… Grayson.”

“You are going to be a handful.” Savage fought not to laugh. “Stop avoiding and tell me what you know about shadow mate.”

“I’m going to be much more than a handful.” Grayson took another sip of her tea then glanced at him. “Now for what you want to know. When I left here after Peyton fought with the death that stalks us”—she leaned her head to the side—“I assume you know about the family legend and so on?”

“Yes. Wesley and Ian filled us in on the basics,” he said. Wesley was mate to Peyton and Ian to Sinai, two of Grayson’s sisters. “You will fill me in on what I need to know later.” Savage paused then narrowed his eyes. “You think you’re going to be taken next by this demon?”

Copyright © Taige Crenshaw, 2014.
All Rights Reserved.


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Check here to find out more about Between the Covers.

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Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Uncovered

In 2015 I'm restarting a feature I used to do here on the blog. I'm usually asked many questions about my novels and from these questions I have decided to create a feature called

Uncovered.

This is an under the covers look inside my novels. You’ll go behind the scenes, inside the mind of the characters, places and so on. So each week - on Wednesday's (at least for now) I'll feature one of my books or my WIP {work in progress}. Soon you can check each week for your uncovered look.

Come and join me as we get uncovered….

More about Uncovered

Read all Uncovered here

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Monday, January 26, 2015

Ink Motions with Shari Nichols

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Bio:

Shari Nichols grew up in a small town in Connecticut where haunted houses, ghosts and Ouija boards were common place, spurring her fascination with all things paranormal. Ever since she read her first Barbara Cartland novel, her life-long dream has been to write sexy, romantic stories. Shari has been married to her own alpha hero for twenty-two years. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, going to the gym, or hanging out with family and friends.

She lives in New Jersey with her husband, two teenagers, and her adoring golden retriever. Shari graduated from Rider University with a degree in Business Administration. After spending several years in the grind of Corporate America, she quit to stay at home with her kids. Now she’s thrilled to spend her days in sweats, eating chocolate while pounding on her keyboard to create her next novel.

Her first book, Witch Hunter is available with Ellora’s Cave Publishing. Her next book, another steamy, romance, will venture into the world of ghosts and haunted inns. Shari is a member of Romance Writers of America, New Jersey Romance Writers, Liberty States Fiction Writers and Fantasy, Futuristic, and Paranormal Romance Writers.

 

Shari Nichols Links:

http://sharinichols.com/

http://sharinichols.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Shari-Nichols/706144776103554

https://twitter.com/shari_nich

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/29514513-shari-nichols

 

Ink Motions Interview/Shari Nichols/ Witch Hunter

 

How do you get an idea for your novel?

Sometimes I get ideas from watching TV, or movies, reading other romance novels and even dreams. In the case of Witch Hunter, I got the idea for the book from an article I read in the newspaper. In fact, I let the story percolate for years in my head before I actually sat down at the computer. I also spent a lot of time reading Fanfiction, which is a great outlet for ideas.

 

What is your writing style?

I spend a lot of time creating the characters before I sit down to write. I create pretty involved character sketches, and horoscope charts so that I know the characters personality type pretty well before I begin developing the structure of novel. When I get to the point of actually handing chapters to my critique partners, they will know the character’s so well they will call me out when I make mistakes, like “she or he would never do that,” which is helpful. I also prepare a detailed outline before I start the book.

 

How many novels have you written?

Witch Hunter is my debut novel, but I’ve written many others that are all in the drawer right now. LOL  I’m currently working on Book 2 in the series. All the same characters and the town are featured in all three books, but the hero and heroine change in each one and find their HEA.

 

Who’s your writing idol?

I love, Alice Clayton! She just accepted my friend request on FB and I stared at the computer screen grinning like an idiot for ten minutes. LOL. I do love her! I also adore Christina Lauren. Those two ladies are quite a duo. All of their books are so well written and steamy! I cannot get enough. I also love Kresely Cole. She’s a master at creating a very intricate paranormal world.  I’ve read almost every one of her books. I also love Emma Chase!

 

What is your favorite plot line type?

I love plot lines where the hero and heroine start out disliking each other at first and then grow to become incredibly attracted to one another and then eventually fall in love, despite their differences.  Those kinds of books always pull me in the most! I think I stayed up all night reading Beautiful Bastard!

 

Is there any advice you can offer to anyone who would like to write?

I would say join a critique group, that’s number one. You’re responsible for other peoples work and they are for yours and it forces you to create deadlines. It’s too easy to put your writing on the back burner when you’re not published. Make writing a priority. I would also say enter contests, despite the fact that the judging can be brutal. It’s also very subjective, having said that, it’s still worth the effort. I’ve gotten great feedback and edited and rewrote my novel from the wonderful suggestions I’ve gotten. I also learned to be a better writer from each contest entry, striving and pushing myself to improve.  Also, I would recommend going to conferences, network with other writers, and put yourself  out there as much as possible. No one understands the writing struggle like other writers. Take classes, online or through your local writing chapter and read, read, and not just fiction, but books on how to write and learn something new every day!

 

What’s a good villain?

Well I hope readers will like my villain in the sense that they find him scary and his actions quite deplorable. I think the best villains are those that make you feel some type of empathy for them, ones that aren’t all dark. Although my villain appears to have a black soul, there’s still something in him that makes you feel sorry for him. He’s faced trauma like everyone else, which makes him who he is today. And my villain is based on a real crime story

 

Thank you so much Ink Motions for having me!

 
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Determined MBI (Magickal Bureau of investigations)agent Alex Denopoulos will stop at nothing to catch a killer, including recruit notorious felon, Willow McCray to work for the agency. The lines between duty and passion become blurred the more time he spends with the sultry witch. In the midst of the investigation, they succumb to the dark edges of desire, placing both their lives in danger. Alex will risk more than his badge to keep her alive.


Kick-ass witch Willow must use her powers for good if she wants to stay out of Hellios, a mage prison for those who have broken the Wiccan Rede of ‘Harm ye None.’ Willow never expects to fall so hard for Alex, a mortal with a penchant for justice and a deep seated hatred of witches. Though a future together seems impossible, she doesn’t want to let him go. If only she can vanquish the evil surrounding them and give Alex what he wants, her mind and body-before she loses her heart and maybe her very soul in the process.


Excerpt: 


Willow took a sip of her margarita and glanced down at Alex’s big hands, tanned and sprinkled with a smattering of dark hair. Funny, she never found a man’s hands sexy. Suddenly her mind filled with images of Alex trailing those big, masculine hands over her body. She wondered if he fit the stereotype. Big hands, big…

“You never did answer my question. Are you considering taking me up on my offer?” The sound of his voice pulled her from a host of fantasies. Willow dug her nails into her palm to get her head back in the game. She shouldn’t be thinking about this man in such a raw, sexual way.

“Why not? My car’s parked in the back.”She probed through the nearby crowd to check if Alex came here with bodyguards. A virtual cacophony of conversations invaded her thoughts, but nothing about protection for Alex. Once she got him alone, she’d take her chances and pray she wouldn’t be outnumbered. “Then let’s get out of here. Unless of course I’ve got some competition.” He   motioned over her shoulder to the incubus whose head now lolled forward over the bar.

“I think you’re flying solo here.” She’d set her trap and let the consequences be damned. She rubbed her finger along the rim of the glass and licked off the salt.

She lifted the glass to her lips, savoring the tangy flavor of margarita mix along with the zing of tequila as it slid down her throat. Headrush. No surprise there, she couldn’t remember the last time she’d slept or eaten in the past forty-eight hours, existing on a combination of raw nerves and pure adrenaline.

“You missed a spot.” He ran his thumb along the seam of her lip. He put it to his mouth and licked. “Mmm, sweet.” Her plan didn’t involve foreplay…but damn he was hot. In another time and another place she would be seriously into this guy. Too bad I might have to kill him.

 

 


Thursday, January 22, 2015

Between the Covers – Firestorm Encounters

Today's Between the Covers is an excerpt from my upcoming book.

Here is a excerpt from Firestorm Encounters (Phoenix Intelligence Agency, Book # 5). Enjoy.

firestormencountersFyodor shimmered into Kaitya’s office. He nodded at the guards and they took their leave. Turning, he held back a smile as he saw the look on her face. Kaitya’s eyes were narrowed and she crossed her arms over her chest where she sat behind her desk.

“Before you yell at me for being overprotective and that you can take care of yourself, I need to do something.” He went to her.

Kaitya rose, her brow wrinkled. “What—?”

He pulled her to him and kissed her. Kaitya tensed briefly then she opened up. At the first taste of her, passion flared through him and he had to have her. Kaitya gripped his shoulder and moaned. Coming back to his senses, Fyodor slowly and reluctantly pulled away. Unable to resist, he kissed her gently once more then stepped back.

“Now you can yell at me.” He smiled.

Kaitya’s passion-glazed gaze cleared then she narrowed her eyes. “After a kiss like that, you want me to talk, much less yell?”

“Note to self, kissing will make Kaitya more agreeable to what you want.”

“Note to Fyodor’s self, don’t bet on it.” Kaitya snorted. “I can yell at you later. Kiss me again.”

“If I kiss you again, I’ll take you. Let me get a little control first then I’ll be happy to kiss you.” Fyodor wet his lips.

“And I’m not disagreeing with having you do that.” Kaitya stared at his lips. “Hell, I’m ready for it.”

Copyright © Taige Crenshaw, 2014.
All Rights Reserved.


Pre-Order here

Monday, January 19, 2015

Ink Motions with Allie Ritch

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Allie Ritch is a multi­published author of sizzling sci­fi and paranormal romance. She has an active imagination and enjoys entertaining others through storytelling. Allie lives in her own little world in the Southeastern United States, where she spends time appreciating the ocean and sunshine.

 

Website/Blog: http://allieritch.wordpress.com

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/allieritch

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AllieRitch

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/AllieRitch

 

Ink Motions Interview


 

How do you get an idea for your novel?

 

Inspiration for a book can come from anywhere. My SFR novella Switching Positions developed out of a conversation I had with someone, while my shifter romance Tribal Shift was inspired by some nature documentaries I watched. In the case of my newest urban paranormal release, Vampire Territory 1: Drinking Partners, I’ve loved vampire fiction for a long time. I’ve played around with the genre before, but this time I wanted to jump in with both feet and write something with a lot of action.

 

What is your writing style?  Do you just sit down and write or do you create character sketches, outlines, or notes?

 

I usually describe my writing process as a game of connect the dots. I get ideas for a bunch of different scenes, and I take lots of notes on those scenes before I start writing. I also type up a cast of characters so that I have the names and relationships lined up. Then, when it comes to connecting those scenes and filling in everything in between, I just sit down and write, winging it as I go. I’m a combination of an outliner and a panster.

 

Who is the "Writing Muse" in your life? I.E. who gets your juices flowing when you are blocked?

 

Most of the time when I’m blocked, all I have to do is step away from my computer and go do something routine that doesn’t require much concentration. That can be anything from taking a long walk to brushing my teeth. As soon as I stop trying to force it and my mind relaxes, the creative part of my brain usually kicks in again.

 

How many novels have you written including all work in progresses you are currently working on?

 

As Allie Ritch, I’ve written ten novels, four novellas, and three short stories.

 

Who is your "writing idol"? I.E. Who do you like and what is it about their writing that captures your soul?

 

My writing idol is Amanda Quick, aka Jayne Ann Krentz, aka Jayne Castle. I love the paranormal elements and suspense in her historical novels that she writes as Amanda Quick. I enjoy those same qualities in her contemporary works as Jayne Ann Krentz. And as a sci-fi fan, I adore the setting of planet Harmony in her Jayne Castle books. Her heroes are sexy, her characters (both the main and the minor) are interesting, and she always has me anxious to turn the page. What’s more, I think she’s a marketing genius. She started a story thread with the Arcane Society back in time with her historical Amanda Quick novels, continued the society through modern times as Jayne Ann Krentz, and then actually sent members of the Arcane Society to another planet in the future with her Jayne Castle books. Incredible!

 

What is your favorite plot line type?

 

I’m not sure this is a plot line as much as a theme, but I love stories about characters growing and coming into their own. For instance, a shy character comes out of his/her shell after finding love, someone bitter finally forgives and opens up, or a character embraces a lifestyle or relationship that suits him/her and finds happiness. I just like the idea of people discovering who they really are and fulfilling their potential.

 

Is there any advice you can offer to anyone who would like to write?

 

Write what you love. Experiment with different genres and styles if you haven’t found your voice yet, but realize that not every experiment will be a success. Being a writer, much like writing the books themselves, is a journey.

 

What is a good villain?

 

A good villain is one whose motives are as understandable as those of the hero and heroine. We readers know why they do what they do even if we hate them for it. A good villain is also memorable. We all remember Sherlock Holmes, but we also don’t forget Professor Moriarty.

 

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Vampire Territory 1: Drinking Partners

 

Blurb: Being the master vampire for the Mid-Atlantic Territory is a tough job. Between the Human Rebellion trying to kill him with poisonous suicide donors and snobby born vampires bucking his authority, Lucas Thane has his hands full. What he needs is a regular drinking partner to feed from and a bigger power block. He finds both in the form of Alexandra Gage, the master of the territory south of his.

 

Alex could use a little help herself, but she has no intention of letting Lucas take over. Turned into a vampire against her will, she has had enough control taken from her. She’ll never let Lucas usurp her right to rule, but will she let him steal her heart? Passion ignites between them, and it’s amazing what vampire bodies can do.

 

An Excerpt from Drinking Partners:

He dropped his hand from her scalp to her arm and slid his fingertips to her inner elbow. “We’ll have to wait until you heal to explore more, but perhaps you’d like a preview of what vampire bodies can do? We have sharper senses than humans. We have better sight, hearing, and smell, of course. And we have a far more acute sense of touch.”

 

Alex released an embarrassingly loud moan. All he was doing was touching her arm, and her whole body became an open nerve ending. Goosebumps spread across her body and made her shiver in delight. Her sex bloomed for him, spilling moisture onto the crotch of her panties until she was sure he had to feel it through his pant leg.

 

All rational thought abandoned her when he continued to stroke her skin down to her wrist. With her free hand, she fisted the thick, silky hair at the back of his head and pulled his lips to hers. His mouth was already open to receive her, his tongue quick to follow. Heat exploded between them, more nourishing than the richest blood she’d ever swallowed. It filled her until she felt as if she’d burst.

 

She’d had no idea she could feel such sexual intensity. Their tongues tangled and dueled for supremacy, and neither of them gave any quarter. The feel of her fangs extending only made her more aggressive. She would have mounted him then and there if he hadn’t held her still on his lap. Then she felt his fangs framing her questing tongue like bookends. The reminder that he was also a vampire—that she was kissing a vampire—slammed into her and made her pull back.

 

Lucas released her instantly, though he kept her from moving too much and reopening her wounds. He remained still until she stopped panting. She could feel both their heartbeats galloping like they’d come fresh from a battle. In a way, maybe they had.

 

“It’s all right.” He cupped the side of her head and eased it down to rest on his shoulder. “You’re a sensual woman, Alexandra Gage. I look forward to getting to know you better.”

 

Loose Id

Amazon 

ARe 

 

 

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Between the Covers - Saffron

Today's Between the Covers is an excerpt from my book.

Here is a excerpt from Saffron (Kemet Uncovered, Book # 4) a book I co-authored Aliyah Burke. Enjoy.

Somalia

“Look here, dammit, I don’t need any fucking geo-freak coming in here and telling me what I can’t and can’t do!” Kenric Annson shouted into the phone. “I’m here doing my God damn job. It’s not like it’s a picnic out here where you can walk up the street to the Starbucks for a venti Mocha. There’s war going on around here and sending some pencil pusher down isn’t going to do a damn thing except complicate things. My men and I are busy enough without the added job of babysitting.”

The response he received only infuriated him further. After cursing a streak at the dial tone in his ear he slammed the phone down.

“You okay boss?”

The question came from Shade, one of the workers on this crew. Actually Shade was his next in command. Kenric only knew him as Shade and that was fine. He trusted him with his life, hell Shade could call himself Tinkerbell if he wanted to. Shade was a huge muscular man with braided hair which he kept confined to a ponytail most of the time. A goatee and dark brown skin completed the package. Man looked downright lethal standing there with his personal arsenal strapped to him and everyone respected him.

“Hell no.” He popped his neck and sat on the edge of his desk, arms crossed.

“What’s up?”

“That was Frank.”

Shade groaned and rolled his eyes as he snipped the end off a cigar. Frank Grimmel was technically the boss down here. However, as far as Kenric and the others were concerned he was a waste of sperm. Part of the reason everyone called him boss, to add another dig into Frank’s authority. Frank was only here since his brother owned the company.

“What’d the dumbass want?”

“He’s sending us a civilian.”

“What?!” Shade looked over the tops of mirrored sunglasses and stared while he lit his cigar, the smoke curled up and around his face like a snake.

“Yes, something about this doctor being able to help us find the natural gas pockets faster and dig for them safer.”

A snort of derision. “Does he not get this isn’t your America? That while we’re digging we have men standing guard? Hell, even when we’re not.” Shade shook his head. “I mean even Frank has two men guard him the rare occasions he’s here.”

Kenric shrugged and got up to lean against the wall near the window. He stared outside at the steppes only to turn fully and brace a hand against the pane of glass, warmed from the summer sun.

“I have a bad feeling about this,” he muttered. “A fuckin’ rock doc.”

Shade cleared his throat. “Boss.”

“Yeah?” He continued to stare out over the brush and scrub.

“We have company.”

He spun around and found himself staring at a woman. A gorgeous woman. Whose skin, the colour of melted caramel, covered an amazing body. One reminiscent of an old pinup girl, nothing but swells, dips, and curves.

Oh fuck.

Her black hair drawn back from haughty facial features by a tight bun. On her face was a cool look of dismissal. Her navy blue skirt suit brought some other things to mind and he felt his body respond. Almost violently. Her dark brown eyes were framed by thick, sooty lashes. She had full lips which shone with a clear lip gloss.

In one hand she held a black briefcase. He’d never seen anyone so determined to dress severely and look so damn hot. He allowed himself one more leisurely perusal of her fuck-me heels, long legs, and up over nice breasts and an amazing—even with the hint of superbia—face.

Hellfire and damnation. I would love to see her in a bikini. Or nothing at all. He spied Shade staring at her too, and for some reason it pissed him off. From deep within a rush of anger coursed through him at the thought of Shade even touching this woman. Why is she looking at him?

“Can I help you, darling?” he drawled, leaning against the windowsill.

Her gaze snapped from Shade to him, her eyes narrowed a fraction before that damn unimpressed stare took over.

“First, I’m not your darling.”

Her voice was a raspy alto which sent shivers all down his spine. His cock stiffened in his BDUs and he almost shook his head to clear the fog which seemed to encompass his mind steering him down the sexual path.

Want to be? He put a toothpick between his teeth. “Testy. Who are you?”

“I’m here to see Mr. Kenric Annson.”

Another thrill rushed through him. He quirked a brow and glided toward her noting how she held her ground. Like a stalking lion, he prowled around her. She smelled fresh with a light yet unrecognisable scent. No one smelled this good around here. Another punch to his gut made him bite back his groan.

He wanted to know if she smelled like this all over. How soft her skin would be beneath his. How all those damnable curves would feel pressed to him.

Back before her, he gazed down to her waiting stare. “I’m him, darlin’. What can I do for you? Hell, why don’t you tell me who you are.”

She never blinked. “I’m...how did you put it...the fuckin’ rock doc. Dr. Eshe.”

Copyright © Taige Crenshaw and Aliyah Burke, 2012.
All Rights Reserved, Total E Bound.


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More about Between the Covers

Read all Between the Covers here

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Teasers - Magic in Enthusiasm

There is a real magic in enthusiasm. It spells the difference between mediocrity and accomplishment. ~ Norman Vincent Peale

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Thursday, January 08, 2015

Between the Covers – Indigo Rain

Today's Between the Covers is an excerpt from my book.

Here is a excerpt from Indigo Rain (Phoenix Intelligence Agency, Book # 1). Enjoy.

indigorain_800Her heart raced, although it wasn’t his eyes’ colour that caught her. No, it was the look of cool calculation in his stare. Struggling to breathe, she heard someone come up behind her. She turned slightly to see Christos come in but still kept the man in her line of sight. Kalina flicked her hand, materialising her baton.

Seeing Christos’ expressionless face, she said coldly, “I’m not working with him.”

“Why not? I’ve never even met you.” The man spoke with a smooth, sweet baritone tickling along her senses.

Kalina gave the man resting on the wall her whole attention. “Because you’re a fucking Firebird.”

“You’re a fucking Amazonian Warrior. I should be the one who doesn’t want to work with you.” He shrugged. “And I don’t have a problem with it.”

Kalina stiffened at the insult. She narrowed her eyes, seeing him quirk his lips in response. She tightened her grip on her baton, she thought of throwing it. She marked the place where she wanted to plant it, Kalina stilled herself, trying to calm down. The man, seeing her intent, smirked and she moved her hand before her brain registered the motion. She flung the baton with all her power. He never changed expression as his hand flashed out and caught it with apparent ease. He looked at the baton, then back at her.

“Kalina!” Christos hissed.

Refusing to look at Christos, she kept her attention on the man.

“Leave us,” he ordered without looking at Christos.

With surprise, she heard Christos back out and leave without a word. She’d never known the director to defer to anyone. She stood silently as he flowed in the boneless motion only shifters possessed. He came to stand right in front of her, and Kalina refused to look away from his calm gaze.

“Do you know who I am?” The purr in his voice had a challenging lilt.

Kalina stiffened, saying nothing. She knew who he was, although she had gone out of her way to not get anywhere near him. The man shot a hand out, gripping her chin before she could move.

He remained focused on her, a slight smile on his face. “Say my name, Kalina.”

She refused to give him the satisfaction.

His indigo eyes lit with flames. “Ah, a stubborn one. I like stubborn women.”

Kalina jerked away and glared at him in contempt. “No one told me Ryne Garon thought with his cock.”

The man chuckled. “So, you do know my name.” He leaned into her. “I don’t think with my cock. If I did, I would have you across the table with my dick buried deep inside of you by now. So deep your nails would make me bloody. ” He shrugged. “Then again, I just might do that.”

Kalina stilled the shudder of lust that filled her.

He won’t fool me. It doesn’t matter that being near him turns me on.

Copyright © Taige Crenshaw, 2013.
All Rights Reserved, Total-E-Bound


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Tuesday, January 06, 2015

Teasers - Imagination

Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine and at last you create what you will. ~ George Bernard Shaw

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Monday, January 05, 2015

Ink Motions with Jane Leopold Quinn

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Jane Leopold Quinn 200X284Sensual fantasies were locked in my mind for years until a friend said, "Why don't you write them down?" Why not, indeed? One spiral notebook, a pen and the unleashing of my imagination later, and here I am with more than a dozen books published. The craft of writing erotic romance has become my passion and my niche in life. I love every part of the creative process — developing characters, designing the plot, even drawing the layout of physical spaces from my stories. My careers have been varied — third grade school teacher, bookkeeper, secretary — none of which gave me a bit of inspiration. But now I'm lucky enough to write romance full time — the best job in the universe! And I'm fortunate enough to have found my own happily ever after husband.

http://janeleopoldquinn.blogspot.com

 

How do you get an idea for your novels?

 

I've found inspiration lots of ways:

1)  Many years ago, as a single woman, I went to England. At the Roman Museum in Bath I took a photo of the tombstone of a Roman soldier. When the film was developed the edges of the stone were clear but the carving in the center was hazy. I told people that the soldier came out to meet me. A few years later I went back to the same museum with my husband and took the same photo. Clear. I told people that the Roman soldier showed that he approved of my husband. I hadn't begun writing at that point. A few years later the story came to fruition in my mind. It's the story of an Iowa school teacher who visits Bath England, steps through the entry way of a 2nd Century Roman villa in ruins, and meets a Roman soldier. Ancient Ties was born. The book received 4-1/2 Stars and Top Pick from Romantic Times and many 5 star reviews. That was a pretty high place to start and to live up to. Unfortunately, Ancient Ties isn't available for sale at the moment.

2) A Bocelli song inspired my Flamenco dancer heroine, Ivy Westlake, in Jake and Ivy.

 

3) A cough syrup commercial on TV -- an unattractive guy kept coughing and irritating friends and co-workers. He takes the cough syrup and instantly turns into a handsome hunk. My story, Mercenary Desires, was born. A former special forces soldier turned mercenary-for-hire rescues a jewelry designer from Egyptian kidnappers. Even though he's undercover and bearded and scruffy looking and she has no idea what he really looks like, she falls for him.

 

4)  Nick Barkley on The Big Valley -- ah, those black clothes and gloves… He became Nick Gabriel in Jake and Ivy and is the star of his own story, The Long Road to You, which is upcoming.

 

5) Listening to music, tenors especially. Andrea Bocelli, Il Divo, Josh Groban, Mario Frangoulis, and groups like Due Voci and The Opera Band.

 

 

What is your writing style?  Do you just sit down and write or do you create…

I usually start with a rough premise, the two main characters, and I actually know how I want the book to end.  Always happily, of course.  Then I generally start writing a chapter or two to give me an idea of where this is going.  Then I'll sit down and work on a full plot.  I use a simple grid with POV character; scene description; notes about kisses, touches, partial, and full sex; and general notes.  That's when I feel comfortable enough to go ahead and write.  All this isn't hard and fast. I can go back and adjust things if my characters want me to.

 

 

How many novels have you written including all work in progress you are currently working on?

As of February 2015, I'll have 16 published books.  Ellora's Cave has 3 more under contract.  I have a few in my WIP drawer, mostly erotic shorts.  My goal is to focus on these in 2015.  My first books written were novel length, but as time has gone on, I've been writing shorter.  I'm much more comfortable with short stories and novellas.  I like to write more of a "snapshot" of the characters' lives than a full-on saga.

 

 

Who is your "writing idol"? I.E. Who do you like and what is it about their writing that captures your soul?

Most of my books are erotic romance, but there are two authors that I go back to over and over again to remind myself why I keep going.  The books also just make me happy to read.  Two authors and books are my absolute go-tos, Dream a Little Dream by Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Exposure by Susan Andersen.  Both these books have small children who are so adorable.  But the stories are beautifully written about survival and finding love.

 

 

What is your favorite plot line type?

Haha, romance.  Sorry, that's too simplistic, I guess.  But to me, romance and a happy ending are the main reasons I read and write.  I've read a lot of "literary" novels in my life, and I can understand their greatness.  But now I generally like to read romance.  The world is just too cray-cray these days, and I think we all could use some happy endings.  This doesn't mean that romances aren't deep and complicated books.  I love the way the characters fight their personal demons and maybe some human/non-human ones to find their way to each other.

 

 

Is there any advice you can offer to anyone who would like to write?

Just write.  Put your fingers on the keyboard or your pen on the paper and write.  It might be crap at first.  But it might not be, or at least not completely.  You can always fix it.  If you have a story going around in your mind, then it wants to come out.  That's how I started.

 

 

What is a good villain?

Good question.  I'm not really good at villains.  My worst villain was a man who held a grudge to an extreme and hurt people.  My second worst villain was really a sad man who had a great loss in his life that he'd never dealt with.  Otherwise, my stories generally deal with characters' internal conflicts.

 

 

An excerpt (from a novel/work in progress), poem, or short story of your choice. Word count 1000 words. Also include blurb and buy link for book .

 

 




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Jake and Ivy

The Brothers Agee - Jake

Blurb

Ivy Westlake, thought to be a demure young lady, comes alive at her friend’s hacienda in Mexico when she discovers the Flamenco. Her wild side is unleashed in the sensuality of music and dancing. She will not allow her father to force her into a marriage of convenience back East, so she runs away with the dance troupe.

Jake Agee, cowboy, horse trader, loner, has carefully built a life with no commitments. That life explodes in his face when Ivy dances. He doesn’t know she’s run away until he spots her performing in a small California town. He battles his desire to have this woman against his well-honed sense of independence.

Jake and Ivy perform their own style of pas de deux throughout southern California until their passions ignite in a desert cave in the middle of a thunder storm. Jake fights his growing love as Ivy fights her craving for their erotic pursuits. Jake’s long lost brother suddenly and mysteriously surfaces. Will this appearance tear Jake and Ivy apart? Will it destroy their love?

 

Excerpt - R-rated

The drawers dropped.

He groaned. Her dancer's body, one long graceful line from head to toe, reminded him of a painting he'd seen in San Francisco. He'd been wandering along Market Street near the Palace Hotel and caught a glimpse of a beautiful naked woman through a window. When he went to investigate, to his embarrassment he discovered he'd entered an art gallery. A painting—a woman rising from a pond surrounded by thick woods. Now he stared stupidly at the very image of the woman in the painting, at the real life woman's pale translucent flawless skin. He had the living breathing Ivy here before him, not unobtainably flat on a canvas.

His palms itched to cover her full white breasts. His body flamed hot wanting the feel of her dark rosy nipples rubbing against his bare chest. And in his mouth. His clenched jaw ached. He growled deeply in his throat at the insistent throbbing of his cock, at the thickening inside his pants. Ravenous to touch her, her breasts, her belly, the dark triangle below it, he swallowed, suddenly nervous.

He lifted a hand to her hair, slipping his fingers through it, fluffing the damp strands out to spill down her back and over her shoulders to teasingly cover her breasts. The woman in the painting, her hair was like this. He'd stood so long in front of the painting that the gallery proprietor had to cough to get his attention. At the time he believed he'd never see a woman's hair like that in the painting. But he was wrong. It was here, within his reach, rich and thick and wildly curling around her breasts, her nipples peeping through. Fingering the length of the waves drifting over her neck and shoulders, his hands shaking slightly, he reached the round cushions of her breasts. His breath caught in his throat as he brushed the backs of his knuckles down the center of her body.

His eyes widened to take it all in, his mouth watering to taste her. His lips softened, his breath rasped. He heard her sharp indrawn gasp and a moan echoed so deeply inside her he could feel its vibration on his fingers. Glancing up, he saw she was watching with fascination as his fingers skimmed around her breasts finally reaching their tips.

She looked up at him then, her lips parted in anticipation, her eyes swimming with desire. "Mm," she sighed shakily, pursing her lips, her body quivering, her eyes glazed and dreamy as he drew the backs of his fingers over her.

His only reality was his hands on her body, on her hot skin. Curving his palms around her, he caressed her breasts, her neck and shoulders. He'd never made love like this, had no plan of seduction. Yes, he'd had sex before but never with the feeling that this time would be momentous. He wanted it to be good for her. If he was going to take her innocence, he didn't want her to regret it.

"Ah."

He leaned in, their lips meeting, soft at first, just a gentle brush.

"God, Jake." She groaned into his mouth.

Their lips parted momentarily, then his kiss turned savage, his tongue plunging into her slippery mouth and intertwining with hers, filling her until he felt breathless and weak. Her fingers clutched the back of his shirt, nails digging into the skin beneath. The sharp sting kindled a spark in him. His hands raked through her damp hair, cupping her head in his palms, holding her as he moved over her lips, taking control of her mouth.

He caressed her shoulders and neck with his thumbs, nibbling at her brow and eyelids, nuzzling her ear and, with repressed ferocity, he bit her earlobe.

"Jake," she murmured repeatedly. She pulled frantically at the front of his shirt, clumsily unbuttoning it. "I want to feel your bare skin," she demanded, her voice lying low and husky. As the shirt fell open, her hands grazed across his chest followed by the hot softness of her breasts. Crying out at the contact, she kissed his shoulder. Her lips moved down, following her fingers as they skimmed over the light hair covering his chest, following the trail directly to his belly button.

He stopped her hand from going lower. Stupid son of a bitch.

 

Buy Link - Jake and Ivy available at Amazon - http://amzn.com/B00OEFC9LK

 

My Books


Ellora's Cave


Lost and Found


The Real Deal (coming Jan. 7, 2015)


Indie


Valentine's Day


His Hers & His


The Keeper


Soldier, Come Home


Winning Violetta


A Promise at Dawn


Jake and Ivy


Wooing the Librarian


Home to Stay


The Long Road to You (coming Feb. 5, 2015)


Siren


Undercover Lover


Mercenary Desires


I'll Be Your Last



Jane Leopold Quinn


My Romance:  Love With a Scorching Sensuality


http://janeleopoldquinn.BlogSpot.com  +  https://twitter.com/jelquinnauthor


Amazon Author Page


 


Thursday, January 01, 2015

2015 Plans

tcnewyear2015
Happy New Year! May 2015 be a wonderful year. There is something about a new year that makes me excited. I'm looking forward to see what 2015 brings. Here’s to a safe, a little bit naughty and most importantly a fun filled year.

As usual, I'm feeling lots of anticipation for 2015. Very excited about the opportunities that are coming.

This year I am reaffirming my one main plan from which all the others flow out. The main plan:

Main Plan:

- Write.

2015 Plans:
– Get at least 2 books contracted
– Start to Self/Indie-publish some series
– Self/Indie-publish for 1st time by end of January 2015
– Get at least 2 books contracted
– Have at least 3 books released
– Keep writing

Get ready for a sizzling year. (grin) With loads of fun and books to read!

What are your plans for 2015?

Finding me around the web....

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