Blogging at Delilah Devlin's

Blogging at Delilah Devlin's. Check me out here.

Between the Covers - Immortal Bloodlines

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

Here is a excerpt from Immortal Bloodlines (Phoenix Intelligence Agency, Book # 4). Enjoy.

Killian turned down the burner of the stove and took out the last of the bacon then placed it over the paper towel on the plate.

“Someone made themselves at home,” Storm said moments before she touched him on the back.

Killian turned and kissed her. She opened, sucking in his tongue as she stroked her fingers on his spine. Storm pulled away and stared into his eyes.

“Love a man who can cook.” She slapped him on the ass. “Be careful I don’t keep you chained to my stove so you can feed me.”

“I love to cook. You better be careful what you promise. I’d enjoy being kept by you.” Killian winked. “What would be my uniform as your houseman?”

“Naked.” Storm kissed his bare chest briefly.

“Sounds good to me.” Killian stroked his finger down the bridge of her nose. “Only if you’re naked too.”

“Of course.” Storm rubbed her hand over his cloth-clad ass then squeezed before releasing him. “Now feed me.”

“Before that, would you be free tonight to go on our first date?”

“We’re doing things backwards.” Storm chuckled.

“We are doing them in perfect order.” Killian smirked. “At least we already know we’ll get lucky after the date.”

“Humph, so you assume. But I could be hard to get.” Storm sniffed, raising her head haughtily. “It’ll take more than buying me dinner to get me naked.”

“And we’re back to naked.” He leaned close to her ear. “Which you will be, after our date.”

“Sure of yourself.”

“Sure that you find me irresistible.” He winked again.

“So arrogant.” She laughed softly.

“Let’s have breakfast and you can tell me about my arrogance and how you find it so sexy. Have a seat.” Killian led her to the table then held her chair and seated her.

“More like there are moments that your arrogance makes me want to belt you.” Storm smiled.

“I know. Your restraint is admirable.”

Returning to the stove, Killian plated the bacon and the other food he’d already prepared before taking it to the table. He sat, using his energy to move the rest of their food to the table, then he watched her.

“Pancakes, eggs and bacon.” Storm glanced at her mug. “And tea, which is made, I am sure, as I enjoy it. You’re going to spoil me then I won’t be able to live without you.”

Soon when you say that you will mean it. Killian leaned toward her and Storm moved to meet him. He kissed her gently, staring into her eyes and seeing what he knew was his future. Things between them would progress the way he wished, and Storm would be his.

Copyright © Taige Crenshaw, 2014.
All Rights Reserved.

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March 2014 – Newsletter

My March 2014 newsletter was sent out. If you’re not a subscriber of my newsletter go sign up here. In my newsletter there will updates, info on new releases, and other things. Also there will be occasional exclusive contest just for the newsletter subscribers.

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That Should be on a T-Shirt Contest

Keeping this contest info on top. Scroll down for any new posts.

For my Singleton series my character Driscoll Jacobs has unique ways of saying things. Because he does his family and friends get t-shirts made up with stuff he says. The common comment made is that should be on a t-shirt and then they have it made for him. Driscoll has appeared in Perfect Fit and will appear in my upcoming book More than Temptation. In the next Singleton series Driscoll Jacobs will be the hero and I'm looking for suggestions for phrases or things that are on t-shirts that Driscoll currently has as well as something he will say in book.

For the contest offer your suggestions and if it is part of the 3 of the entries picked based on what it is used for you can be eligible for one of the prizes below and your phrase will appear in book.

Grand Prize Winner - Phrase will appear in Driscoll's book as something new Driscoll said and someone put it on t-shirt for him. Winner will receive a t-shirt with the cover of the book as well as the phrase that made it in book for his t-shirt. In addition they will get 1 an autographed print copy of the Driscoll's book when it is released.

Second and Third Place Winner - Two more entries will be chosen and their phrase will be on a t-shirt Driscoll already has and he will wear it in book. The 2nd and 3rd prize winner will each get 1 autographed print copy of Driscoll's book when it is released.

Please note: 2nd and 3rd place will only get an autographed copy of the book when it is released.

This contest will run from March 21, 2014 through March 28, 2014 midnight EST. The winner of this contest will be announced March 31, 2014.

Now for the rules:

All your information must be entered in the form here. Enter your first and last name, email address, fill in the phrase in the spot where it is stated, and physical mailing address. That’s it. Please note all the information requested is needed in order for your contest entry to be considered a valid entry to be entered to win the prize. Incomplete entries will be disregarded. Your address will be kept private and not shared with anyone. If you have more than one suggestion you can enter more than once or put in a few in places offered below. After midnight EST on March 28, 2014 no more entries will be accepted. The winner will be chosen and their name, only their name will be posted.

One final stipulation, if this contest is posted on any of the sweepstakes sites the author reserve the right to terminate the contest at our discretion with no warning and none of the stated prizes will be given.

Offer your suggestions for That Should be on a T-shirt Contest…

Enter the That Should be on a T-Shirt Contest here

Good Luck!

Taige

Between the Covers - Immortal Bloodlines

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

Here is a excerpt from Immortal Bloodlines (Phoenix Intelligence Agency, Book # 4). Enjoy.

“I’m through running from you. Now the ball’s in your court to decide what to do about that.” Storm stared at his lips. She turned and sauntered back to the doorway, passing the agents from Killian’s unit who had come into his office. They parted and let her by. Storm could feel Killian watching her and she looked over her shoulder. “Decide fast, because I’m a little impatient and don’t like to be kept waiting.”

She headed outside. Bypassing the agents who smiled at her, Storm whistled as she walked back to her unit. The agents of her unit applauded when she entered.

“When we think you can’t top yourself, you do,” someone called out. “We love your zany self, Storm.”

She bowed and winked at them. It was all in good-natured fun. The agents of the assassination unit liked to tease. Storm went into her office and waited as Allure and Harmony came in.

“What was that about?” Allure demanded.

“I finally realized why Killian bugs me so much.” Storm sat in her chair and put her feet on her desk.

“Why?” Harmony asked.

“Don’t be naïve, Harmony.” Allure smirked. “Aunty Storm finally found her libido. And it has the hots for Killian.”

“What?” Harmony frowned then stared at Storm. She opened her mouth then closed it before blurting out, “You don’t date.”

“I’ll be starting soon. That is, if Killian gets his butt in gear.” Storm smiled. “I drive him crazy already. Imagine when it is up close and personal. Preferably naked.”

Copyright © Taige Crenshaw, 2014.
All Rights Reserved.

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Twitter here I come....

Been thinking on it for a while so I finally signed up for Twitter. Please follow me if you care to: @TaigeCrenshaw.

Teasers - Action

Action is a great restorer and builder of confidence. Inaction is not only the result, but the cause, of fear. Perhaps the action you take will be successful; perhaps different action or adjustments will have to follow. But any action is better than no action at all.~ Norman Vincent Peale

More about what are Teasers

Read all Teasers here

Ink Motions with Caitlin Ricci

 

Caitlin was fortunate growing up to be surrounded by family and teachers that encouraged her love of reading. She has always been a voracious reader and that love of the written word easily morphed into a passion for writing. If she isn't writing, she can usually be found studying as she works toward her counseling degree. She comes from a military family and the men and women of the armed forces are close to her heart. She also enjoys gardening, hiking, and horseback riding in the Colorado Rockies where she calls home with her wonderful fiance and their two dogs. Her belief that there is no one true path to happily ever after runs deeply through all of her stories.

www.caitlinricci.com

authorcaitlinricci@gmail.com

 

Werewolves are real. Marius enjoys the irony that everyone calls him a dog whisperer, not just because he’s a werewolf, but for his work at the local animal shelter. He has a unique talent for pairing families with their perfect pets upon first meeting them. But he’s still looking for acceptance and a forever family of his own. Then Jack comes into the rescue looking for a big, mean dog. To prevent Jack from making the wrong choice, Marius convinces him to adopt a needy spaniel mix instead. But when Marius learns Jack is tormented by horrible memories while at his apartment, he opens his home to the sweet, scared man. As their relationship grows, Jack feels comfortable telling Marius about the horrors he suffered. Marius hopes his steady presence, protection, and love can help Jack reclaim the pieces of himself broken on that terrible night.

Interview with Caitlin

 

When or what made you decide to become an author?

I’d always been a reader and so writing wasn’t that far of a jump for me but it was a counselor when I was young that suggested I give it a try as a way to change what was happening in my own life at the time. I couldn’t actually change the events but I could write them differently. From there characters started showing up.

 

How do you get an idea for your novel?

I knew that I wanted to write about an animal rescue at some point and the characters started falling into place. I had Marius first and then his best friend and everyone else in his life but it wasn’t until I was looking through dreamstime.com to find characters for another book that I found Jack.

 

What is the inspiration you use?

A lot of my inspiration comes from looking at photos of future characters. If I need to find a character inspiration image for a cover I block off a good chunk of my day to do it because I know that there will be at least a dozen more characters out there begging for attention by the time I find the one I originally went in to find.

 

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

It depends on the story. Some flow perfectly and I don’t need notes. A series usually requires notes. Co-authored books always need notes and an outline. In general though I try to just go with it. I know that my characters are going to go off course anyway so I try not to put anything down too concretely to start with.

 

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

My guy. I walk up to him, tell him I’ve got a problem, and he gives me a dozen ways to fix it. Its fantastic because he also gives me more ideas to write about as well.

 

Walk me though the way you create a novel from conception to completion.

There is no typical path but generally it starts with an idea or a picture of a character or place that needs attention. I’ll mock up the basics and decide what kind of relationship this person should have and what their life is like. I’ll spend some more time on dreamstime to get some images for my pinterest board so that I have something to look at and reference when I need to. Then I pick some music to start writing to, open Write or Die and then jump into it. Its typically done in less than a month and I’ll have something going on the side too in case I get blocked somewhere or need a break from an emotional scene. Then give it a read through, fix glaring errors, and sub it to a publisher.

 

What is the type of voice you use and why?

I generally use third person though I have played with first person recently. I like them both but third feels more natural to me.

 

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

That depends on what length you consider a novel. I’ll go with nine-thirteen since some of the works in progress might turn out to be a little shorter but it’s a minimum of nine.

 

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

I have a lot of them. Generally anyone that can make me really connect with a character or that shows me something new I like.

 

What is you favorite plot line type?.

Anything that ends in an HEA. I’ll read almost anything as long as I know everything will be okay for these characters in the end.

 

What is your current work in progress and how did get the idea for the Work in

My current project is a MF erotic romance that was inspired by a girl I saw checking people out at a grocery store once last year. She had really sad eyes and I decided to write a story where she got a happily ever after.

 

Describe the major conflict between the heroes in your novel?

In Rescuing Jack, the conflict is Jack’s own personal demons and his recovery from a horrific experience. He doesn’t want to let anyone into his life and refuses as much as possible, but Marius slowly works his way through patience and understanding.

 

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

Make writing a habit and trust your gut. Submit even if you don’t think you’re ready because even a rejection will often come with advice on how to improve your work.

 

Where are the bodies buried? IE Is there any old work in progresses you threw aside and decided not to complete and why?

I have quite a few that I’ve pressed pause on for one reason or another but I don’t like to let anything just sit and so I’ll be picking those stories up again this year and finishing them off from now until probably sometime late next year.

 

What is a good villain?

Anyone can be evil but the best villains are the ones that a reader can sympathize with. You know they do bad things but you understand why and sometimes even find yourself rooting for them. Loki and Kahn are my favorite examples.

 

Are there any last comments you may want to include?

Thank you for having me and you can find Rescuing Jack here from Dreamspinner Press.

 

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4665

 

 

Immortal Bloodlines – Available Now

Immortal Bloodlines
By: Taige Crenshaw
Totally Bound
Available Now
ISBN #: 9781781849781
Series: Phoenix Intelligence Agency, Book # 4
Genre: Paranormal
Length: Novella
Format: E-Book
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A stubborn woman is hard to capture but once you do what do you do with her?

Storm Davis does not like being told what to do. Her new partner in the Phoenix Intelligence Agency seems to think he has the right. She can’t seem to shake him like she has her previous partners. He is infuriating her with his calm unaffected boredom. When his calm shatters, it is with unexpected results and Storm isn’t one to shy away from anything.

Killian Erutan is still working through being brought back from the dead and now a firebird. He is still an Amazonian Warrior and now being a firebird he has more to handle. Add to that the aggravating partner he’s saddled with and Killian has his hands full. Storm is in his opinion flaky, a pain in the ass and used to having her own way. He will not stand for it. The warrior is him cannot trust such a person at his back. Yet she gets under his skin and one sizzling kiss later, he finds he aches for her and has no idea why.

When they stumble upon the man, they are seeking who can bring the danger that will collapse the world, Storm surprises him with her actions. The danger of what they are facing and their rising passion makes these two come together. Sometimes in life, you find the one who makes your immortal bloodlines…come alive.

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Ink Motions with Gail Bridges

 

Ink Motions – Interview with Gail Bridges

 

When or what made you decide to become an author?

 I've always written. As for wanting to be an author, from the time I was about twelve years old, I dreamed of being published. I remember walking to and from school, a trek of about half a mile, lost in thoughts of being all grown up and writing and publishing book after book. I even made up plots and scenes and titles for my future novels.

How do you get an idea for your novel?

 Most of the time, great ideas just seem to come to me unbidden. Sometimes one idea will lead to another, and so on. I jot down these ideas and often I won't use them, but just the act of writing them down will make a better idea take form.

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

My process has changed with time. When I first started writing, I didn't have much idea where a story was heading or how I would get there. Now, I pretty much have the main plot elements figured out and have a decent idea of who my characters are before I even start. 

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

 My husband is my writing muse. He is a genius of a developmental editor, and he is always willing to let me bounce ideas off him if I feel a bit stuck. He reads everything that I write and offers spot-on feedback that vastly improves my work.

Walk me though the way you create a novel from conception to completion.

I've already mentioned that I begin a novel with a very good idea of where it is going, and the fact that my husband offers developmental editing. Before a novel gets to the point where he reads 50-page chunks of it and makes his critiques, I will have written and re-written the part many times. When he and I have completed the back-and-forth, I then go back and do a few final passes of the novel before I send it off to my editor. 

What is the type of voice you use and why?

 I write in first person. I feel that first person offers a close, intimate narrative that draws the reader in.

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

 I have written five books. One is a memoir of my seventeen years as a craft show artist. Four are novels (of which one is science fiction).

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

Octavia Butler, a wonderful science fiction author, is my writing idol. I adore her feminist take on issues which are as relevant as they are outlandish.

What is you favorite plot line type?.

I love a great survivor story. "The Gray", my science fiction novel, is a survivor story. In a way, so is my most recent work, "Inn on the Edge", where the main characters must fight to save themselves from a demon who has captured them on their honeymoon. 

What is your current work in progress and how did get the idea for it?

 I am currently working on "Over the Edge" - which is a prequel to "Inn on the Edge". It is set in the same world, and has the same sex demons. It is shaping up to be deliciously spicy and frightening.

Describe the major conflict between the hero and heroine in your novel?

 The hero is a demon - although he doesn't mention this fact to the heroine until halfway through the story. There is also the small problem that, although he is deeply in love with her, he has been using her to learn how to wield his demon powers.

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

My advice would be to work at it. Hone your craft, like any other thing you wish to excel at. 

Where are the bodies buried? IE Is there any old work in progresses you threw aside and decided not to complete and why?

 Luckily, I do not have any works in progress that I've abandoned. However, I do have many "plot bunnies" - ideas - that I've jotted down and then never came back to.

What is a good villain?

 Mr. Abiba, the villain of "Inn on the Edge", has character traits that keep him from being a total monster. When he's not being manipulative and cruel to the main characters, he is truly kind and considerate.

Are there any last comments you may want to include?

Writing is a beautiful thing. More than anything, I love shaping words and thoughts into new worlds. It is my greatest joy to bring my inner thoughts alive so that other people may enjoy them.

 



 

"Inn on the Edge" Book Blurb:

Angela and her brand-new husband Josh have just arrived at their honeymoon destination, a romantic bed-and-breakfast hotel on the breath-taking Washington coast – the Inn on the Edge.

But everything isn’t as it seems. The lessons that come free with the room aren’t for painting the lovely coastal scenery – the lessons are for better sex. Angie and Josh, shocked and titillated, immerse themselves in every sensual offering with each other and with the other newlywed couples at the Inn.

It doesn’t take long for things to go horribly wrong. They discover that the old man running the place is a sex demon, who has been stealing their sensual energy. Worse, he’s dangerously in love with Angie and he has plans for her – plans involving an heirloom wedding ring.

"Inn on the Edge" Buy Links:

Ellora's Cave: http://www.ellorascave.com/inn-on-the-edge.html

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Inn-Edge-Gail-Bridges-ebook/dp/B00H2L3TSU/ref=la_B00HCRT8G6_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1390281804&sr=1-1

I have three grown children. I live in Seattle, Washington with my husband and our five cats.

In the past I have worked in a variety of different artistic media. I have a BFA in painting from the University of Washington, and  for over fifteen years I made award-winning Fine Art Jewelry (silver and handmade ceramics) and sold my work at local and regional Fine Art and Craft shows. My business, Vivid Arts, flourished – but always, I felt driven to write. Two years ago, no longer able to deny the writing muse, I took an open-ended sabbatical from my art shows. Since then, I’ve written a number of novels and several published and unpublished short stories.

Social Media:

website: www.gailbridges.com

blog: http://gailbridges.blogspot.com/

Twitter: @GailWBridges

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/gailbridges123/

Realization and loss

I’ve been thinking for a while about something that has been bothering me. Finally I decide to write it down and share at least in general terms here with you all. :)

A few months ago around my birthday I realized that I hadn’t heard from a good friend of mine for a few months. We usually don’t go that long without speaking. In a month we speak almost weekly sometimes just a quick call to say hello and how are you and I’m thinking of you. It was during the summer and I had my family visiting so I got busy and hadn’t know I hadn’t spoken with them in a while. It wasn’t until my birthday and my friend didn’t call that I thought something might be wrong but I dismissed it. Some years my friend would not call on my birthday but call a few days later and I would tease her about forgetting and we would laugh about it. :) After not hearing from her I thought that was the reason then when more time passed and nothing I really got worried. That is when I reached out and tried to contact her. All my forms of communication with her netted nothing. You see although I had her email we usually spoke on the phone (work, cell and home) but nothing I called or including email got a reply. Then finally I knew she had a facebook page and went there. We never communicated via facebook since I enjoy the voice to voice or face to face communication with my friends when I can. It was on her facebook I saw that she passed away. Months earlier and I had not know. I was wreaked and gutted that I didn’t know that my close friend was gone and had to learn it from her facebook page. I knew her family and they knew me but seems like no one knew how to get in touch with me and assumed I would be on her facebook which I wasn’t. The other thing that brought me to my knees and wailing was my friend lived in another state and they brought her home close to New York to bury her but since I didn’t know I didn’t get to pay my last respects. I was so devastated by the loss then missing that last rite for her. My friend I loved and shared so much with. We’ve know each for over 15 years and met at work. Then we actually became close friends outside the job and clicked on a level that is so rare. (I only have a few friends like that) We still stayed friends through so many changes in our lives like job changes and her moving to a new state. Through the good, bad, ugly and my almost dying and she was there. She came to see me whenever she came to NY and I kept planning to go see her. in Texas but didn’t get a chance too. I planned to take her where I was born—St. Thomas—to show her the beauty of where I grew up. I planned to take her to RT Convention with me along with another friend of mine then have these two friends I care about so deeply meet. We planned to take some trips together to just have fun. Now I won’t get to do any of that and I’m saddened and angry at myself for not getting too.

Although it has been months since I learned this I have so many moments come up when I experienced or was doing something and I would think I need to call her then realize I can’t she is gone. GONE. Her loss has made me evaluate my friendships and that is where my realization has come in. For a while I have been cutting or changing my relationships with people I call friends. I realized although I had there were still a few who were not true friends and it saddened me. So I’m doing things about it getting those who take, take and say hurtful things without even knowing or caring they do.

This post has come up because yesterday I had one of those so called friends that I trust and thought better of who did as I mentioned above. This lead me to thinking of the last long while and little things that they have done. This made me realize I needed to change and step back from that person. Which I as of yesterday will do. They probably won’t notice or if they do care but I know for me it is necessary.

As for my friends who are true I plan to keep them close and cherish them. Friendships is precious and should bring joy to you not negativity. I’m going to RT Convention this year with one of my best friends. She is my confidant and one of those who are true. We have that rare connection that I get with those friends I call true friends. When we go we have a great ole time. I also get to see other friends who I only see rarely but talk to via email and other ways. This year when I am at RT Convention I will have fun but be thinking of my friend who I loss and that she isn’t there with me. I plan to have a drink in her honor and maybe shed a tear or two but I know she will be there in spirit having a great ole time with us.

After writing this I now feel so much better. I needed to write what I was thinking out. And I thank you for listening. :)

Ink Motions with KaLyn Cooper

 

Thank you Taige for sharing your blog space with me!

 

People always ask, “How did you come up with this story?”

 

I’m a different kind of Romance writer because I write factual-fiction. My books start in fact. True, sometimes they are obscure facts, often unbelievable, but facts none the less.

Explosive Combination, my recent release, grew from several facts. I was researching explosives for a different story and learned the following:

 

True fact: Scientists at the University of Michigan recently discovered that co-crystallization of two common explosives creates the most lethal, non-nuclear bomb on the planet, casually called Chaz.

 

True fact: In September 2012 Popular Mechanics magazine published the formula, which is similar to a process used in pharmaceuticals, to make Chaz. (Can you believe they actually did that? The link to the article is on my website.)

 

True fact: In 2003 the ATF was moved to the Department of Justice and became the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and created the ability to assemble an International Response Team.

 

My brain put pharmaceuticals, i.e. drugs, together with Colombia and the ATF’s international reach concerning explosives these days and the Explosive Combination story was born. Add to that the fact that I was supposed to go to Colombia once upon a time and had researched the country extensively.

 

Many years ago I was set to go to Colombia to oversee a photo shoot, both stills and video, for a client who offered dove hunting, deep sea fishing and mountain stream fly fishing to tourists all over the world. I’d worked in a trip to the emerald mines (my birthday happens to be in May) and a few days at a beach resort. But Macho Marine was headed to Command and Staff College which required a higher level of security, beyond his current top secret clearance. When the FBI agent asked us if we had plans to travel outside the U.S.A., I excitedly told him about my planned trip to Colombia. He closed his little black notebook and stood. Shaking his head, he announced, “If she goes to Colombia, you’ll never get this clearance and you’ll never be promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. Your career will end.” Needless to say I didn’t go but Colombia is on my bucket list.

 

Getting the details right are important to me so I do a lot of research. I want the reader to see the colors of the jungle through the character’s eyes, smell the jet fuel and feel the heat radiate off the deck of the aircraft carrier.

 

As I said, I’m not your usual romance writer, but my stories sizzle with sexual tension and edgy suspense. Explosive Combination weaves fact and fiction, but I leave it up to the reader to decide what is truth and imagination.



 

BASIC DETAILS:

Explosive Combination

Released March 3, 2014

Published by: eBook by Liquid Silver Books

Print by KaLyn Cooper (Create Space)

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Heat Level: Spicy (explicit sex, no BDSM), Violence, Language

BLURB

Separately, Harper Tambini and Rafe Silva are lethal…together, they’re explosive.

ATF Special Agent Harper Tambini is kidnapped by a Colombian drug lord and forced to use her explosives knowledge to kill his competition before she can escape with the help of undercover CIA agent Rafe Silva. As they make their way through the rivers, mountains and jungles, their desire for each other detonates. But Harper reminds Rafe of his murdered fiancée, and the shadow world he wants to leave. Harper learned the hard way that men never stay, so now she doesn’t keep them around long enough to see if the sparks can light a fire that will last forever. In their short time together, can they crystalize a relationship, or will it all blow up?

 

Excerpt

 

Harper heard the click of her door unlocking. Knowing her role as his pretend lover, she ran to the door. “Who’s there?’

“It’s me.” Rafe strolled in as if he had the right to her room, and her.

In nothing but dark silk boxers riding low on narrow hips, he was outlined in yellow by the dim hall lights. His broad shoulders filled the doorway. As he moved toward her, light caught raised pectoral muscles and flashes of well-defined six-pack abs. His swagger defined testosterone in motion. He was a specimen of pure male confidence and dominance.

He addressed the guards at the door. “Take a break. I’ll let you know when you need to come back. I’m going to enjoy my woman for a while.” He left the door open enough for his guards to watch as he claimed Harper, yanking her into his arms and covering her mouth with his.

His kiss was heaven and sin wrapped in one hard body. And he was hard everywhere.

Rafe slipped his hands around her, and she felt their heat through the thin silk of her nightgown. Intensity built quickly within her, and she grabbed his head, shoving her fingers through his silky dark curls. He pulled her forcefully against his body, but she didn’t resist. No man had ever made her feel this way so fast.

At the click of the door, Harper tried to shove Rafe back, but his solid body didn’t move. She had to get away from him before she lost her senses, so she stepped out of his embrace.

“That should get them talking.” Her voice was roughened, but she kept it low. “The whole compound will know you were in my room by breakfast.” She walked over to the nightstand and pulled a bottle of chilled water from an ice bucket. She needed to cool down, from the inside out. She cracked the seal, chugged down half of it, and then set it on the nightstand. “I’m going to bed…and to sleep.”

 

BUY LINKS

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BIO

KaLyn Cooper’s romances blend fact and fiction with blazing heat and heart-pounding suspense. Twenty-two years as a military wife has shown KaLyn the world, and thirty years in PR taught her that fact can be stranger than fiction. She leaves it up to the reader to separate truth from imagination. She, her husband, and bird dog live in Tennessee on a micro-plantation filled with gardens, cattle, and quail. When she’s not writing, she’s at the shooting range or on the river.

Website: www.KaLynCooper.com

Email: KaLyn@KaLynCooper.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kalyn.cooper.52

Pintrest: http://www.pinterest.com/kalyncooper/

Twitter: @KaLynCooperbooks

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20958755-explosive-combination?ac=1

Amazon Author Page:amazon.com/author/kalyncooper

 

 

Tags: romance, romantic suspense, ATF, CIA, SEAL, U.S. Navy, Navy, military, kidnap, Explosive Combination, KaLyn Cooper

Ink Motions with Cynthia Sax

 

 

How do you get an idea for your novel?

 

Henley, the hero of Flashes Of Me, appears in The Seen Trilogy (He Watches Me, He Touches Me, He Claims Me). He’s big and scarred and he watches the people around him closely, safeguarding them from harm. I knew I wanted to give him a heroine to protect, but not merely physically. Henley is a huge guy, a massive man. Protecting someone physically would be too easy for him. I had to go deeper, find him someone he could protect emotionally. Kat is this heroine.

 

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

 

I’m a pantser, meaning I write by the seat of my pants, with no plot. I usually know my characters very well before I sit down at the blank screen. We’ve hung out for a while, kicked back with some lemonade and Nutella, and talked. I know their fears, their hidden desires, their deepest darkest secrets.

 

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

 

Cynthia Sax runs on Nutella. Give me a spoon of that hazelnut chocolate goodness and I’m wired for hours. When I’m blocked, I usually talk about my characters and scenes with other writing buddies (J.K. Coi, Amy Ruttan, Wylie Kinson and Christine d’Abo have talked me off the ledge too many times to count). Often the word constipation is because I’m trying to make decisions for my characters, instead of allowing them to make the right decisions for themselves.

 

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

 

I’ve written a zillion stories. I’ve had 68 stories published. I have 2 more stories in submission and I’m currently working on Sinful Rewards, a 12 novella serial for Avon. The first story in this serial will release in July and I’m super stoked.

 

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

 

Loretta Chase’s Lord of Scoundrels is my benchmark book. Whenever I think one of my stories is tight enough, I reread a scene from Lord of Scoundrels and I know it isn’t. Every line in that book means something. Often the line has multiple meanings.

 

What is you favorite plot line type?

 

(grins) Beauty and the Beast is, hands down, my favorite plot line type. Flashes Of Me is a modern twist on Beauty and the Beast. Henley, the beast, is big and scarred, frightening to many of his coworkers. Kat, the beauty, is more frightened of Henley learning her secret than she is scared of Henley, the man. She sees the caring behind his scarred exterior.

 

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

 

Be fearless. The great romances break the established rules. Of course, we should know the rules before we break them, but we shouldn’t hesitate to write something different, something groundbreaking. Write balls to the wall, all out.

 

Flashes Of Me may look like a regular Beauty and the Beast story but there’s a twist. I attempt something in this story that I’ve never seen done before. It was scary. I didn’t know if my editor would like it (she did – she loved it) and I don’t know if readers will like it. But I know they won’t be bored while reading it. (grins)

 

What is a good villain?

 

There actually isn’t a villain in Flashes Of Me but I do believe in the saying “A villain is a hero of his own story.” A great villain isn’t crazy. A great villain is doing the wrong thing for the hero or heroine but the right thing for himself. He truly believes he’s right and maybe he is.

 

Many of my villains turn into heroes. I love seeing the flipside of the conflict, showing that any one of us could be a hero OR a villain.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Blurb:
Henley, the head of cyber security at Blaine Technologies, is a man no one crosses. He watches employees constantly using his network of cameras and enforces his rules by any means possible. Rumors of his violent past, his scarred hands and huge size have resulted in him being feared by everyone… almost everyone.

Katalina, the new intern, worries about the revelation of her most painful secret much more than she fears her sexy boss’s wrath. She sees the loneliness in his dark eyes, feels the gentleness in his marred fingers, tastes the need in his kisses, and she knows he watches her. His silly rules about not stripping for the cameras and no sex at the office are destined to be broken.

Kat likes to be watched. Henley can’t look away. Will this beauty be able to tame her beastly boss?

 

Excerpt:

 

No one in this coffee shop knows who I am. I stand in the line, waiting to place my order. They don’t know about my past. They don’t know my last name. I tap my lavender heels against the floor, drumming an up-tempo tune into the tan-colored tile. They won’t remind me why I shouldn’t be happy.

I need to be happy. I need to laugh, to have fun, to focus on this fresh start. If I don’t, I’ll cry, and I promised my father I wouldn’t cry. I plaster a silly smile across my face and I tap my heels harder against the floor. These two actions lighten my mood, allowing me to cope with my emotions.

The bleary-eyed woman swaying in front of me yawns, adding vocals to my beat. For LA locals, it’s six in the morning. For a recently displaced New York native such as myself, it feels like nine o’clock. I’m eager to start my new job and my new life on the West Coast.

I’m two hours early. The internship orientation session at Blaine Technologies is scheduled for eight o’clock sharp, not one minute before and not one minute after. Although caffeine is the last thing I need, standing in line at this coffee shop gives me something to do and someone to watch.

I slide my gaze to the fascinating someone waiting at the front counter. The biggest man I’ve ever seen in my entire life looms over the cash register, his feet braced apart as though he’s preparing for battle. His ebony hair is cropped close to his head, hiding nothing, and he’s dressed completely in black like a villain from a 1970s spy movie.

I survey my behemoth’s broad shoulders. It’s all him under his jacket, not a hint of padding disturbing the cut. His suit is bespoke, custom made especially for his big body, and I suspect the designer was English. My mystery man is wearing Barker Blacks, his leather shoes as large as the rest of him. Even his matching dress shirt is well made, the collar and cuffs stiff and crisp.

He glances over his right shoulder, meets my gaze, and I inhale sharply. His eyes are as dark as his ensemble, his nose flattened and his chin square. Everything about him screams power, strength, vitality, and the woman in me responds, my nipples tightening, my breasts pressing against the blazer of my favorite lavender suit.

My behemoth returns his gaze to the frazzled barista and I exhale, my head spinning. It has been years since I’ve allowed myself to notice a man, to think about what I want, what I need. My fingers tremble as I smooth my flared skirt. I want this stranger desperately, more than I’ve ever wanted anyone in my life.

This is a problem, as I have no idea how to snag his attention. My last date took place when I was seventeen, and I suspect flashing my breasts at a pep rally won’t land me this sophisticated man. I chew on the inside of my cheek, having no other clever ideas.

I ponder my next steps, and my stranger moves away from the front counter, clasping a cup of coffee with his thick fingers. He ordered plain black coffee, no cream, no sugar, no whipped cream, and hell no to the chocolate sprinkles. My father likes his coffee the same way.

My mystery man stops at the lid and stir stick island and a stout man wearing mismatched jacket and pants rushes to the counter, barking his order at the disheveled barista. The rest of us shuffle forward in line. The tall skinny brunette behind me pleads into her sparkly pink phone, begging her boyfriend to give her one more chance. She’ll be the girl he needs, she promises. She’ll lose those last five pounds.

I don’t know where she’ll lose those five pounds. She’s already as thin as a yard of fine silk ribbon. I look down at my more ample bosom, my breasts wrapped snugly in the blazer.

“No, please.” The brunette sobs. “Derek! Derek!” She glances at her phone’s small screen and her face crumples. My heart aches for her. She doesn’t know how to hide her sorrow, not like I do. I can help her with this.

I touch the girl’s bare arm, diverting her attention away from her phone. “Who did your pedicure?” I feign an interest in her perfect pink toes. Although her beige sandals are adorably strappy, my goal is to distract her from her grief. “I have to know,” I insist.

The brunette wipes away her tears with the back of her hand. “I—I—I—”

I glance around us fervently as though I’m afraid someone will overhear us. The behemoth is watching me, his dark eyes glinting with intelligence. Some people think big men are dumb. Some people also think blond women are stupid and no one should wear pink at a funeral. I learned long ago to ignore some people.

“Look at what happened to me on the flight here.” I slip my right foot out of my lavender pumps and wiggle my big toe. A huge chip of coral polish has flaked off, revealing raw nail. “I rushed for a flight, banged into a baggage cart, and that was it. My pedicure was ruined.”

The brunette’s red-rimmed eyes widen. “That’s terrible.”

“It’s a disaster.” I ignore the behemoth’s shaking shoulders. He doesn’t understand. My mystery man has the strength to deal with loss directly. He doesn’t need to pretend, to use trivial distractions as a means to cope. He would never travel across an entire country seeking to escape his sadness.

“I’m in a strange city,” I explain. “I have so many cute sandals and I can’t wear them.” I shove my foot back into my shoe, hiding the offending toe.

As we exchange information and bad salon stories, the behemoth leaves. I watch his broad shoulders disappear into the LA sunshine and feel as though I’ve lost a piece of my soul, a part of my future.

***

Flashes Of Me
Buy Link:  http://www.amazon.com/Flashes-Me-An-Erotic-Novella-ebook/dp/B00F2I2GXO

 

***

Author Bio:

Cynthia Sax lives in a world where demons aren’t all bad, angels aren’t all good, and magic happens every single day. Although her heroes may not always say, “I love you”, they will do anything for the women they love. They live passionately. They fight fiercely. They love the same women forever.

Cynthia has loved the same wonderful man forever. Her supportive hubby offers himself up to the joys and pains of research, while they travel the world together, meeting fascinating people and finding inspiration in exotic places such as Istanbul, Bali, and Chicago.

 

Author Website: http://cynthiasax.com/

Blog: http://tasteofcyn.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.sax

Twitter: @CynthiaSax

More than Temptation – Cover Art

Cover art for More than Temptation (Singleton, Book #3). Love getting cover art. More than Temptation (Singleton, Book #3) will be released will be released on May 9, 2014 at Totally Bound. It will be up for pre-order in March 28, 2014.

Contracted: More than Temptation (Singleton, Book #3)

More than Temptation (Singleton, Book #3) has been contracted by Totally Bound and will be released in May 9, 2014. It goes up for pre-order in March 28, 2014.

Here is the blurb:

More Than Temptation
By: Taige Crenshaw
Totally Bound
Coming May 9, 2014
Series: Singleton Agency, Book # 3
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novel
Format: E-Book

When temptation rises giving in is the more than sweet.

Bella Locke works hard at her supper club and doesn’t have time for anything else…or so she thinks. A special event at her club brings Bella to her favorite candy shop where she meets a man who is pure temptation.

Morgan James has a major sweet tooth. Visiting the candy shop for some treats, Morgan runs into a woman whose sweet, smoky voice makes him think of things he would rather not. His life is good, settled—he doesn’t need any complications. He tells her so too.

She leaves him with an invitation to come find her at a supper club. Despite his misgivings, Morgan seeks her out —Bella is pleased to see him and challenges him to take a chance.
They both are swept away into something that could be more than temptation.

~~~~

Yay! Very excited about my upcoming release. I'm working on other books in all my series and hope to have more news soon. :)

Hope you all are having a great Thursday!

Ink Motions with Dena Garson and a giveaway!

 

 

Ink Motions - Interview

 

When or what made you decide to become an author?

I’ve long been a reader. One day, my BFF and I were sitting around talking about a book we had both read and how we hated waiting for the next book to come out. She said “one of us should be writing this stuff.” I agreed with her! So I did some research, joined Romance Writers of America as well as a local writing group, took a few classes on publishing and learned everything I could about the romance industry.

 

How do you get an idea for your novel?

Something will trigger a scene in my head. If the scene catches enough of my attention I begin to dissect it. Who are the people and how did they come to be in the situation I was seeing? I ask “why” an awful lot. The answers lead to more questions and eventually become a book.

 

What is the inspiration you use?

Inspiration comes from a variety of places. Often it’s a conversation with a friend. Sometimes it’s an article in a magazine or newspaper. I’ve even had a couple of dreams that stuck with me enough to write them down.

 

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

I am a plotter. I may draft the original scene that inspired the book idea, but I have to create a working outline before I get very far with a manuscript. When I don’t have an outline, I lose focus and find it hard to write the next scene.

As I write, I make notes about my characters because I’m often discovering things about them that I didn’t know in the beginning.

 

What is the type of voice you use and why?

When I began writing for publication I wrote in first person. For some reason it was more comfortable to write as if I were telling my BFF the story. Risky Business actually started out in first person, but I changed it when I did a rewrite for my previous editor. Ghostly Persuasion and Mystic’s Touch are both written in third person. That was just the way I saw the stories unfold in my head.

 

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

I have five books published with Ellora’s Cave and a sixth coming out on Feb. 13^th. As for WIPs, I’m embarrassed to admit I have at least a dozen in various states of completion. This past year, I forced myself to prioritize that list. Five bubbled to the top as something I might be able to finish in a few months if I tried hard enough.

 

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

I can’t say that there is any one author that I idolize. There are many I admire for different reasons.  Sherrilyn Kenyon is a great story teller and I admire how she isn’t afraid to torture her characters even as she adds humor and sarcasm to the adventure. Julia Quinn writes wonderfully light hearted stories that never fail to make me laugh. Angela Knight’s sex scenes are some of the hottest I’ve read without going too far over the top. Hannah Howell has a way of sucking me into her stories to the point that I block out everything around me in the real world. I often take her books with me on an airplane just so I can forget how uncomfortable I am.

 

What is your current work in progress and how did get the idea for the WIP?

My current WIP is a Native American historical with paranormal elements. And of course it will be a sensual romance. The idea came from two places. A friend of mine has been pushing me to write a book with Native American characters since my own family has roots in the Choctaw nation. Then, as I was reading a few Cherokee myths and legends, one stuck with me. It was about skinwalkers – medicine men who could transform into an animal by wearing the skin of that animal. I can’t say more without giving away the plot, so I’ll just say that I’m very excited about this story.

 

Describe the major conflict between the hero and heroine in your novel?

In my newest release, Mystic’s Touch, the major conflict is that my heroine has been asked to heal the Prince but by doing so, she risks deepening a telepathic connections she has with him and revealing that she descended from a line of Mystics who have been banished from the kingdom for several generations.

 

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

Write, write and write some more. Even when your manuscript is rejected by a publisher, don’t give up. Don’t give up on yourself and don’t give up on the manuscript. Just because the story wasn’t right for X publisher, doesn’t mean it won’t find a home with Y publisher.

 

Where are the bodies buried? IE Is there any old work in progresses you threw aside and decided not to complete and why?

I am an eternal optimist. I have a couple of stories that no longer generate excitement for me, but that doesn’t mean that I won’t someday think of a new twist to the plot or characters that will motivate me to finish them.

I do have a story that I started with the idea of including a ménage. But as I got into the story line and learned more about my characters I realized I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t write the ménage. I still can’t. But one of these days I will finish that story!

 

What is a good villain?

One that makes me love to hate them.

 

 



 

Mystic's Touch

Release Date: Feb. 13, 2014

ISBN: 9781419938023

When Prince Ceros returns home to take his place on the throne, he falls prey to a mysterious malady that leaves him unable to speak or move, though his thoughts and awareness remain intact. Danet, a talented healer, realizes the prince is alert inside his body. The two are able to share thoughts telepathically. Unfortunately her connection with Ceros may bring unwanted attention to her abilities and result in her banishment from the city.

Their unique bond grows as Danet races to find a remedy for the prince’s condition. Desire turns to love, which makes Danet fear for their future when he awakens. They seek out the villain attempting to take the throne and endeavor to find a way to stay together.

An excerpt from Mystic’s Touch:

 

By the Gods, why can no one hear me!

 

Ceros continued to yell until even the voice in his head began to sound hoarse. Still no one responded. There were people in the room. He could hear them moving about and whispering. Since he couldn’t turn his head, he couldn’t see anything except the same ceiling view he’d had since he’d awakened.

 

Could be worse. My eyes could have been closed.

 

He tried to move an arm, a leg, a finger. He tried to turn his head again, but nothing worked that he could tell. One of the physicians had told his mother earlier they were bewildered by what ailed him. They only know half of the puzzle. His body may not be responding to any of the pokes and prods as they tested his reactions, but he could feel everything, hear everything and see the few things that passed through his line of sight.

 

He simply had no control over his own limbs.

 

It was frustrating beyond belief to not be able to communicate. He tried to tell them he was alive and functional inside his shell of a body.

 

Thank the Gods his mother insisted they feed him what they could. So far it had been water and broth mixed with some kind of herbs. All spooned in small quantities as someone encouraged his throat muscles to work. Ceros knew his body would soon wither away if they didn’t find a cure for whatever was wrong.

 

With nothing else to do, Ceros replayed his memories of the morning and tried to discern what happened. He’d had no unknown food or drink since he and Gehiji left Shirghada. They’d packed their own rations before leaving and traveled alone.

 

Gehiji was no threat. He’d protected Ceros’ back more times than he cared to think about. And Ceros had done the same for Gehiji.

 

He remembered meeting Aleric and the council members at the oasis on the outskirts of Licosia. After that, his memory became clouded.

 

When he woke, his father’s old physician, Darius, was speaking with his mother. He couldn’t see her, but he was sure it was his mother who clung to his hand. Darius said he didn’t know what was wrong but promised to consult some colleagues and dig through his tomes to find an answer.

 

His mother came and went several times through the day, but her own physician had cautioned her against staying and exhausting herself when there was nothing she could do to help. Ceros hated being the cause of more grief for her. She had just lost her husband, the father of her children, her king. She was probably worried she would lose him too.

 

What if the throne were in jeopardy?

 

If it hadn’t already been chilled, his blood would have run cold at the thought.

 

His father’s death had been labeled a hunting accident. Even though he knew how many things could go wrong on a hunt, Ceros felt there was room for speculation.

 

Ceros had been away from the royal court and the related politics for years. There would be no reason for anyone to hold a grudge against him. If his present condition was the result of someone’s attempt to kill him, it would most likely be someone who felt he or she had a chance to gain power, or perhaps even rule over Licosia.

 

He ran through the list of people who would step up in power if he died or was deemed unfit to rule by the council. While he’d been away, he allowed himself to get caught up in the politics of Shirghada instead of Licosia. He didn’t readily remember all of the highest-ranking council members.

 

In his present condition, he couldn’t ask anyone. He couldn’t even make a list of the names he did know.

 

Damnation! If he got out of this predicament, he would remedy that problem as quickly as possible. He allowed himself a string of curses to relieve some of the tension he felt building up inside.

 

That’s a very creative use of more than a dozen curses. And all of them used in a single thought too.

 

Ceros was startled by the sound of a female voice inside his head. Oh Gods, I’ve finally gone mad. Now I’m hearing voices.

 

You haven’t gone any more mad than I, the voice attempted to reassure him.

 

That isn’t a comforting thought.

 

The voice laughed, the light sound dancing through his mind, soothing some of his frustrations.

 

Who are you? Ceros asked.

 

There was a pause before the voice answered.

 

I don’t think I will reveal that just yet.

 

Do you know who I am? Ceros asked, allowing his royal breeding to show in his voice.

 

I believe so.

 

You don’t know for sure?

 

I didn’t at first, no.

 

How long have you been listening to my thoughts?

 

I first heard them this morning, but mistook them for echoes from somewhere within the palace. When I realized no one else could hear you and sensed how frustrated you were, I began looking for the source.

 

How is it that you can speak to me? Inside my thoughts, that is.

 

The voice paused again. I cannot say.

 

Cannot? Or will not?

 

A little of both I suppose. If it makes you feel better, I don’t think I can hear all of your thoughts all the time.

 

What do you mean?

 

This is the first time I’ve heard anything. Today was, I mean.

 

That makes me feel somewhat better.

 

I suspect that your thoughts were projected due to your intense emotional outburst.

 

Ceros considered her theory. It made sense. Do you think that anyone else can hear my thoughts?

 

Again the voice paused. It’s doubtful.

 

Why you then?

 

The voice sighed, or so it seemed. Will you allow me to find the answer to that question before I tell you?

 

Do I have a choice?

 

The voice chuckled. Not really.

 

 

 

Buy links for Mystic’s Touch:

 

EC:- http://www.ellorascave.com/mystic-s-touch.html

 

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Mystics-Touch-Dena-Garson-ebook/dp/B00G6MYL8S/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1385087163&sr=1-1&keywords=mystic%27s+touch

 

Barnes & Noble –

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mystics-touch-dena-garson/1117433039?ean=9781419938023

 

 

Inside Scoop: Ceros’ secret shifter status adds complication and intrigue to their budding romance.

 

A Blush® fantasy romance from Ellora’s Cave


 

Blush sensuality level: This is a sensual romance (may have explicit love scenes, but not erotic in frequency or type).

 



Dena Garson loves to read romance—the hotter the better. When one of her BFFs said “one of us should be writing this stuff”, she took up the challenge. If she isn’t writing, she’s designing jewelry but somehow she still manages to make it into the office on a regular basis.

 

Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page

 

 

 

Rafflecopter giveaway!

 

 

Immortal Bloodlines - Available for Pre-Order

Immortal Bloodlines (Phoenix Intelligence Agency, Book #4) is now available for Pre-Order here. The release date is March 14, 2014 at Totally Bound.

Ink Motions with Emily Carrington

 

Ink Motions - Interview

 

How do you get an idea for your novel?

I’m pretty political, and yet romances are my passion, not political thrillers. So almost everything I write has a kernel of politics at its heart. The Dragon in Training series was about equality in all its forms. Heartwood and its sequel, Black Mahogany, are about the difficulties of coming out in a small town—and some of the attendant stereotypes on both sides of that challenge. Tell Me I’m Home is, at its heart, about Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, although the first story in this omnibus takes place before DADT was put in place.

 

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

Oh boy. My outlines are notorious among my writing friends. I go scene by scene, writing out Goal, Motivation, and Conflict (GMC). Character sketches on top of all that have also become commonplace. I’m a writer trapped in a mathematician’s brain.

 

Who is the "Writing Muse" in your life? I.E. who gets your juices flowing when you are blocked? For people, that’s my girlfriend Kitty and my best friend, Katie. For music, it’s mostly Nickelback and musicals.

 

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

I have six published, but there are three others on the way. (I try not to work on so many at once, but I couldn’t help it this time.)

 

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

Two authors: Suzanne Brockmann and Stephen King. Suzanne Brockmann wrote the first mainstream romance where two gay men fall in love. If that’s not inspiring, I don’t know what is. (It’s called Force of Nature in case you’re interested.) From Stephen King, I’ve learned that it doesn’t take monsters to be scary. It’s all about the anticipation and horror you create in the mind—yours and your readers’.

 

What is your favorite plot line type?

I love romances where both heroes (or heroines) start with a seemingly insurmountable difference (in ideology, emotional make-up, or something physically daunting) and grow to love each other because of that difference. If my novels all have a kernel of politics, they also have a kernel of this plot type.

 

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

Start with what you love, not what you know. If you like writing about the Civil War but don’t know anything about it, write the novel first before you do the research. There’s always time to tweak the facts in the second draft. Get the story down first.

 

What is a good villain?

Someone who scares your pants off by how normal they seem on the surface while planning terrible things against the hero.

 

Blue Ticket:

Small town New York, 1946: Fresh from the horrors of post-atomic Hiroshima, all Don Chesterfield wants is to forget what he saw, and grieve the friend and almost-lover he lost. Back in the States after receiving a blue ticket discharge, he finds shelter a few days before Christmas with Will Jefferson, a black man who immediately sparks Don’s sexual fire and imagination.

 Will refuses to accept their powerful attraction, because of trouble he’s had with white men in the past, but try as he might, he can’t resist the pull to get to know Don. They grow closer, revealing their struggles and bonding over their unfair discharges, until their sexual attraction explodes into violence and tenderness.

 As each seeks for a way to reunite with his family, he wonders: could this man be the answer to something he wants even more than the family into which he was born?

 Adeste Fideles:

As half of the first gay couple on his Air Force base, Xander Tsoukatos feels like he’s being studied–like a bug under a magnifying glass–by the base community. His lover, Sergeant John Tsoukatos, doesn’t help when he directs Xander like he would any fellow soldier.

After seven years together, in which Xander follows John through transfer after transfer, from base to base, they are finally settled in one place and married. Without all the upheaval, they learn quickly they’ve lost any connection between them beyond sexual attraction.

 Now they must either explore the virtues of Christmas–hope, faith, and fidelity–to bring them closer, or give up each other forever.

 

Excerpt

(This is from my WIP, A Pack of His Own: Hunter’s Claim)

 

A strong, well-remembered hand closed around Charlie’s automatically outstretched right. Then the man before Charlie pushed that hand aside and grasped Charlie’s left, white cane and all.

Charlie laughed as lean, muscular arms pulled him close and tightened around his back. It was Luis. His nose had been right.

“I was planning to see you here,” Luis whispered in Spanish, his voice richer than the thrum of the best-played bass. “But I didn’t think it would be so soon.”

Charlie drank in Luis’s scent for another moment, relished how Luis held him for a breath, and then pulled back slightly, though he was still safe in Luis’s embrace. “It’s good to see you.” That was an understatement, and he was hard-pressed not to resume the kisses he’d run from in March. He had no right to such a warm welcome, and for a breath his heart lodged in his throat.

Then another smell, a stench compared to Luis’s heady aroma, invaded the library, and Charlie stepped away completely. He held up one finger. “Un momento.”

Luis retreated several paces, and Charlie blinked at the psychic vampire’s discretion. Luis hadn’t possessed anything close to respect for duty or circumspection when they’d worked together in Tampa.

Charlie went to the library doors, meaning to close them, but the werewolf he’d smelled stood before him. He made the conscious switch to English, realizing he must be overwhelmed by Luis’s presence if the change needed to be willed rather than instinctive. Or maybe I’m intoxicated again. As he’d been when he and Luis tumbled into bed for a single, blissful hour. Maybe it wasn’t the Lady Lavender drinks that got me drunk in March. It could’ve been Luis.

“Yes?” he asked, pushing for the authority he didn’t technically have here but that he should. If only.

“I came to see if everything’s all right,” said the female wolf.

Charlie blessed his quick ears and his quicker memory. “Thank you, Cassandra, but Agent Delgado and I are fine.” It had crossed his mind to say “satisfied” or “more than comfortable.” Five minutes in Luis’s presence and I’m ready to throw in all the hard-earned camouflage. “He’s here regarding the peace summit.”

“Stop talking,” Luis whispered in Charlie’s mind. “She’s intimidated by you already. Don’t spoil it.”

That was why Charlie had fled Luis. The psychic vampire couldn’t be trusted not to spy.

Or feed.

“Get out of my head.” Aloud he said, “Thank you for your diligence, Cassandra.” He reentered the library, closing the doors in her face. He crossed to Luis and the two of them sank down onto the leather sofa. “Thanks for telling me, but ask my permission next time before you jump into my thoughts.” As if such a reminder would keep Luis in check. Charlie had watched, back in March, as the psychic vampire tapped indiscriminately into people’s heads.

He’d pissed off Agent Tavery, when angering a water dragon wasn’t wise.

He’d barged into an unshielded human’s mind in the name of doing his job.

“It’s not that I’m not grateful for your insight,” Charlie continued in Spanish, in case Cassandra still lingered by the door. “But I’d appreciate it if you’d stay out of this pack’s minds.” Now that was interesting. He’d planned to say “my pack’s.” What had changed his mind?

“I’ll be good.”

Even though he sounded repentant, Charlie didn’t believe. Still, it was a step in the right direction. So he spoke more gently. “They’re all suspicious. How did you handle getting in here?”

“I hid my eyeteeth when I smiled. And of course I sent out a general impression—not into anyone’s mind specifically—that I’m harmless.”

If Luis wasn’t a SearchLight agent, such things would be accepted as a matter of course. SearchLight’s employees were held to a higher standard however, and Charlie wondered how Luis had risen to such a high position—second in command of his department—with such a slipshod modus operandi. Then, remembering that Luis was a tracker and that trackers were allowed many freedoms, Charlie set aside his frustration. It felt too good to see Luis. There would be time for chewing the younger magical creature out. Surely Luis would give him plenty of opportunities.

So Charlie smiled a little to hide his feelings. “Since when have you known how to manipulate werewolves?”

 

 

Bio 

Emily Carrington started writing with Loose Id in 2011. She discovered erotic romance—especially fantasy and contemporary—were a joy to write. She has published five novels and two novellas (under one title) since that time, and has several other manuscripts in the works.

www.emilycarrington.com

https://www.facebook.com/emily.carrington.370

https://twitter.com/CarringtonEmily

Ink Motions with Evelyn Shepherd

 

Ink Motions - Interview

 

 

How do you get an idea for your novel?
Honestly? All sorts of ways. My main inspiration is that I want to write stories where my main characters aren’t defined by their sexuality. For my most recent novel in the Theo Bourne series, I was actually inspired by Slender Man. I wanted to write a story based around his “myth”.

My newest story (which is slated to release in March), there was a lot that gave me inspiration. I pulled influences from multiple books in fantasy, RPG video games, and the bible. Crazy, right? But I wanted to write a fantasy story set with two gay characters, and I wanted to create a world rich enough that you could get lost in it—a world you would want to live in.

 

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

 

My style varies per each book, I think. Before any book though I sit down and create multiple outlines. Depending on the book, I may also create notes, character sheets, diagrams, and so forth.

 

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

My roommate, Laney. I just have to talk to her and I can work out my problems for a story. Music wise, I’m heavily inspired by  Linkin Park, Breaking Benjamin, and 30 Seconds to Mars. I listen to them a lot when I’m doing fight scenes. But all kinds of music inspires me, depending on the story.

 

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

 

10: 5 published, 1 slated for release, 1 beginning the editing stages with my editor, and 2 that I’m currently working on. Then of course there are all the ideas that I have bouncing around in my head, demanding attention.

 

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

 

F. Scott Fitzgerald made me want to write. Diane Wynne Jones and Neil Gaimen made me want to write fantasy.

 

What is you favorite plot line type?

 

Fantasy. I love, love, LOVE fantasy. So much. I love creating worlds. I also love horror and action. Fight sequences are so fun to write.

 

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

 

I know they always say it, but never give up. You don’t have to write every day. You don’t have to read every day. But if you want to write, and I mean if you truly want to write and be published, you can’t give up. You have to harden your skin against rejection, accept that what you write isn’t going to be perfect and that there’s a chance someone has done it better, and continue to pursue your dreams. Hold them close and don’t let anyone extinguish the flame.

 

What is a good villain?

 

Someone that makes you feel. Anyone can do a bad thing. A villain is someone that does a horrible thing and you feel for it. You feel for them. You feel for the victims. You’re torn between jeering him/her and cheering him/her. He/She has as many dimensions as the protagonist. An in depth character with flaws, a past, and a drive.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 



 

Genre: Paranormal; Suspense; LGBT
Series: Theo Bourne; Previous Book: One Bad Day; and Event Horizon

Theo and Carlos are called out of vacation when a madman called the Bogeyman begins to butcher small children. It's a race against more than the clock as a third victim is abducted. The FBI has stepped in to put an end to the terror that has seized Columbus, but with very few clues to go on, Theo and Carlos are left scrambling for answers. Rhett Bishop just might be the help they've been looking for, but it comes with a price - one Theo isn't sure is worth paying.

The deeper they delve into the bloody massacre rocking Columbus, the more things spin out of control. Theo struggles with his own crippling fears and tries to build the courage to ask Carlos one of the most important questions of his life. But things can never go easy for the two detectives, and as they sort through their case, Carlos begins a battle of his own. A contender has stepped up to take Carlos's place as Alpha of the local werecoyote pack. If Carlos isn't careful, he may lose more than his position as pack leader.

 

By reading any further, you are stating that you are at least 18 years of age. If you are under the age of 18, please exit this site.

An Excerpt From: WHITE BONE, RED SKY

Copyright © EVELYN SHEPHERD, 2013

All Rights Reserved, Loose-Id, LLC.

“We just got our bags.” I passed Carlos the keys to my Challenger. I had broken down and traded in my Mustang when it had been on the receiving end of one too many lycanthrope attacks.

“Good. Vacation is over, then. I need you down here at a new scene.”

There was something tight in his voice that made a fist squeeze my stomach until it felt like my airplane pretzels were going to come back up.

“On our way,” I said. Chief rambled off a location and disconnected before I could end the call.

“What’s going on?” Carlos asked as he popped the trunk with the key fob.

“Not sure, but Chief wants us to see a crime scene.” I passed him my suitcase and bag. After we quickly loaded up, I took the keys back and slid into the driver’s seat. My hopes of a shower and bed were blown away with the exhaust as I peeled out of the parking lot.

Carlos and I were partners on the Columbus Police Department’s Preternatural Task Force, or PTF for short. The supernatural have lived among us as legal citizens for years now. It was my and Carlos’s job to investigate any crimes that arose among the arcane dark side of Columbus.

It worked for us because we each had our own ties to the inhuman. Carlos was the leader of the local werecoyote pack, though at the moment, his standing was a bit shaky. I was a Phantom, a human with the combined powers of telekinesis and bilocation. Creating doppelgängers was my specialty.

“Well, the break was fun while it lasted,” Carlos said as he leaned his seat back. I reached over and patted his thigh encouragingly. It would have been nice to ease back into work, but there was never rest for the maleficent.

I got on I-670 and worked my way west, making a loop to I-70. The interstate was dead this late on a Wednesday night, giving me clearance to test how high the gauge on my speedometer could go.

Carey Wayland Elementary, where Chief had asked us to meet him, was just off Livingston, two blocks down from the High Street intersection. I coasted to a stop behind a police car and cut the engine. The crime scene was crawling with officers. A perimeter had been set up around the school, blocking a few curious bystanders from treading on the evidence.

The fist around my stomach clenched into a vise. I had an inkling that whatever was beyond the police tape was something I didn’t want to see. I grabbed the keys and pulled myself out of the car. Carlos followed behind me as I approached the tape and slid my badge out.

Like my gun, I always kept my badge on hand. I had secured both Carlos’s gun and mine in a lockbox and brought them with us to Madrid. I never knew when the shit would hit the fan, and the bad guys didn’t care if we were on vacation.

“I’m Detective Bourne, and this is my partner, Detective Ramirez,” I said to the officer standing watch. He glanced at my badge and lifted the tape for us.

The school’s playground had a ten-foot, chain-link fence wrapped around it. Spotlights had been set up at various points, illuminating the crime scene with a harsh fluorescent flood. Police lights spilled across the pavement and over the rusted swing set and jungle gym, which looked like they dated back to the nineties. A stifling breeze rattled the swing chains.

We were just about to head into July, and the summer so far had been anything but merciful. Even after two weeks of being gone, none of the humidity had abated. Sweat had already begun to form along my back. My black T-shirt clung to me like a second, soggy skin.

“Bourne, Ramirez!”

Chief Pratt waved us over to a tall slide. Chief was a cross between a walrus and a boar: heavy on the Italian and horns. Over the years, his hair had thinned out and left him with a laurel of steel hair. He puffed on his cigarette like a steam engine and talked around the cancerous stick in his mouth.

“It’s about time you showed your asses.”

“Sorry, next time I’ll try not to be on vacation,” I said and turned to the cadaver. After years of solving grisly murders, it was natural to keep my game face on, but it never made it easier to see the victims. The acid in my stomach soured in the summer heat, even though there wasn’t the usual tang of blood that lingered around cadavers. Of course, that didn’t mean the scene wasn’t any less violent.

A girl, Caucasian and no older than ten, was stretched out along the bottom of the slide, her arms crossed over her chest. Her hands had been removed at the wrists, and her skin had taken on the ashy pallor of death. Her eyes stared blindly up at the sky, searching for a hope that had been too late.

“Shit,” I heard Carlos hiss behind me. I held my hand out and took the set of latex gloves Chief passed me.

“Has she been photographed?” I asked. With a snap, I slid the gloves on and crouched beside the body. “So who is she?”

Chief nodded. “Stacy Markegarde, age ten. She was reported missing a week ago by her father after she didn’t come home from gymnastics class.”

I ran a finger along the incision on her wrist. The skin was slightly puckered and shriveled back, like it would be from a burn, but otherwise the incision was clean. I could see the bone and muscle of her arm. The muscle had dried to a reddish brown, and I watched as a june beetle crawled across the tendons. I brushed it off and continued my examination up her body. As I lifted her arms, I noted they had begun to stiffen.

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I started writing really young, but didn’t pursue it as a career choice until a failed attempt at pursuing a degree in criminology. Now I’m a full fledged writer. My works include the Theo Bourne Series and The Meteora Trilogy. My story I Am Here has been nominated for an EPICon Award in horror.

www.evelynshepherd.com

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