Category: Author Interview

Interviews with authors about their new releases or their writing

S K White

by eileentroemel, posted in Author Interview, Book Tour

Tell us about yourself.

Some might say I’m an introvert, but I’m not so sure—perhaps an introvert with a touch of extrovert tossed in; I was a cheerleader in high school, played sports, and have done assemblies in senior centers, schools, and classrooms to promote my books. I also taught K-7, Title One, and Adult Basic Ed, so I must have a bit-of-extrovert hidden in there somewhere. I speak with a soft voice, but have been known to vigorously debate an issue endlessly. Early in my life, my family advised me to become a lawyer—hence argumentative; but instead, I followed a far more rewarding path for me and became an educator. No regrets here. Teaching is one of the hardest professions you’ll ever love and stays with you for the rest of your life—we all know you definitely don’t do it for the money! For the next part of my life’s journey, I hope to fill blank pages with endless inspiring and curious creations that others will enjoy. So… in the end, who am I? All in all, I guess I’m a walking contradiction—an introvert/extrovert. At least I keep things interesting—you never know what to expect.     

When did you know you wanted to be an author?

I remember listening to a song called, “Paperback Writer,” as a teenager and thought, that would be so cool. However, I first realized I could actually do it when I was teaching elementary and co-wrote a book with my students. I stood at the chalkboard and together we created “Squeakers,” a story about a mouse; it was one of the most checked out books in our school library for years until it finally fell apart. Also, when I taught Title One, I did a special poetry class with grades three-through-seven and submitted them; they were published in an anthology the next year. I wrote several manuscripts after that and got a children’s book published a couple of years later called Eagle Feather.   

What genres do you like to read? Are these the same genres you write in?

I read and write in several genres. I’ve written in sci-fi, romance, paranormal, mystery, time travel-fantasy and a file cabinet full of other genres. If I find a topic or premise interesting, I’ll read it; that’s also true for writing.   

Is your book for adults, young adults, or children?

I’ve written manuscripts for all three; but as far as published books, I have two adult books and one children’s book. The adult science fiction romance books are BOUNCE and ALL GONE. 

What is your current release or project?

ALL GONEwas released by Black Velvet Seductions (BVS) in December 2021. I’m currently working on a paranormal romance mystery called THE TREE; stay tuned, THE TREE is still a work-in-progress.

Tell us about the key characters

For BOUNCE, the key characters are:

Whitney Ann Rhodes, the conservative architect who bounces into the alternate realities of Whit—a tattooed, freedom loving, illustrator and liberal artist, and Annie—the ever-obedient wife under the rule of a militaristic dictator in a restrictive authoritarian world.

And Sawyer. In Whit’s world, Sawyer is an irresistible musician who captures Whitney’s heart and soul, but later proves to be unattainable in her own world. In Annie’s world, Sawyer is the loyal servant under the thumb of their brutal-authoritarian-dear-leader.

And last of all, Jason—the surprise discovery for Whitney, Whit, and Annie.

For ALL GONE, the key characters are:

Paige Martin, the passionate, dedicated investigative reporter who investigates a series of identical crop circles that suddenly appear near major cities across the world. Its cryptic message leaves the entire globe wondering whether the invitation to the next sighting—scheduled to be one year later—is a first contact or the second coming.

And the ruggedly handsome Nick Landon, a mechanical engineer who offers much-much-more than his intellect and ingenuity.

For THE TREE, my ghostly murder mystery.The key characters are:

Megan Warren, a curious-tenacious-witty college student, who finds herself thrust into a mystery that takes her on a perplexing journey of adjustment, numerous obstacles, and amazing discoveries.

Kinsey Warren, Megan’s very persistent older sister.

And Blaine Driggs, the hard-charging private investigator, determined to solve every case that comes across his desk, be they living or dead.     

What is your blurb or synopsis of the book?

For BOUNCE:

What if you found yourself in a different reality… same face, but different you? Whitney Ann Rhodes bounces into the alternate realities of Whit and Annie. Can she navigate Whit’s complicated and volatile life or survive Annie’s dystopian world living under the rule of a global authoritarian leader and his military regime? Will she resist or comply? Afterward, can Whitney return to her world and face what lies ahead?

For ALL GONE:

Are the newly discovered crop circles an invitation to the second coming or a first contact? Investigative reporter Paige Martin is thrust into a mystery that takes her on a wild adventure of survival, betrayal, and romance. Can she find the answers in time and survive in a world that could end at any moment? 

Share an excerpt

For BOUNCE:

Whitney forged a plan to survive in Annie’s strange world. She placed the book back on the table and whispered, “This reality is full of hazards at every turn. The laws are exact, and the punishments extreme for infractions.” Whitney reviewed the rules in her mind. They stone women for adultery, strap them for disobedience, and execute them for treason. It’s Sawyer’s job to ensure that the women in his household are submissive and obedient at all times.

For ALL GONE:

In this excerpt, Paige interviewed two people for her article on the mysterious crop circles: the first a UFO enthusiast, and the second, a reverend at a mega-church. 

The man sat up straight. “This looks like it may be an opportunity for a first contact by extraterrestrials. I believe they will arrive on April twentieth, 2025. The numbers coincide with Easter. Perhaps this represents the dawning of a new beginning. I acknowledge its importance by the way the numbers are displayed repetitively. It is also clear to me that something will appear in the sky on that date, and logically, that could happen at the locations of the first crop circles.” …

The reverend drew in a breath. “Well, the religious symbols lead me to believe the message is for the believers, and the image pointing to the skies tells me to be watchful.”

Do you have a favorite scene?

I selected my favorite romantic scenes this time; both books are full of suspense with a lot of action, so I wanted these excerpts to focus more on the softer side. 

For BOUNCE:

She stepped on the rug and gazed into the mirror. A woman with long black hair stared back. What’s happening? One side of her head was shaved. She drew closer to the mirror. The face was hers, but thinner, and instead of her shoulder-length hair, she now adorned long hair that flowed down her back. She glanced down at her breasts and viewed a nipple ring on each nipple. She flicked them. They were indeed pierced. Whitney scanned across her upper arms and spotted perplexing tattoos that resembled ancient writing. She turned around and found a tat of a huge dragon draped in roses beautifully place between her shoulder blades. Her familiar curves were replaced by lean, toned muscles—the sleek body of a runner.

Her ears perked at rustling noises coming from another room. She cracked the door opened. There stood a man putting on his faded blue jeans. She stared at the dark-haired man. He was tall and had a runner’s body, too. His arms and back were tattooed just like her new body. Her eyes grew wide as he acknowledged her.

She whispered, “Oh, my God. He’s gorgeous.”

He blinked. “Hurry up, Whit.”

Whitney remained frozen.

He peered at her and raised his arms. “Hey, beautiful, we’re going to miss the train.”

She closed the door and leaned against the hard wood, drawing in a long slow breath for courage. Okay, okay, Whitney, just calm down and find something to put on. She searched for something to wear but found nothing. Whitney grabbed a towel and put it around her. Then with one last tuck of the towel, she opened the door. The dark-haired hunk put his shirt on and sat on the bed. He slid on his boots and glanced up. She went over to the closet and opened it. Shit, only men’s clothing. She tried the next closet. Thank God. She pulled out a shirt and opened several dresser drawers. The dark-haired hunk glimpsed up at her, befuddled.

She chewed the inside of her lip. “Where is it?”

“What?”

“Never mind. It’s not important,” she said. Then a few drawers later, Whitney found a bra, lace underwear, and put them on. The hunk pointed to her jeans on the chair.

She nervously giggled and slipped them on. “Thanks.”

“Last night must have been rough.”

“Rough morning.”

The man pulled her down in his lap and kissed her on the cheek. “I’ll make it better tonight.”

For ALL GONE:

Nick moved in closer and put his other hand on the wall behind her. “What’s so important that it’s keeping you up all night?”

Paige peeked up. “Did I wake you up the other night when I called out your name?” …..

“Dreaming about me, Ms. Martin?”

She shut her eyes. “Yes.”

Nick stuck his finger under Paige’s waistband. He brushed his fingertip below her belly button, abrading her mound of hair. She froze as an electric shock raced through her body. He pulled her boxers open, peered down the front of her shorts, and softly moaned into her ear.

Paige stuttered. “I-I… just wanted to apologize if I woke you up.”

Nick inhaled the aroma of jasmine shampoo, grazed her earlobe and brushed across her lips with his. He moved to her other ear and whispered in his low, breathy voice. “Apology accepted. You can wake me up anytime, Paige.” Then he kissed her forehead. “Can I do anything else for you, babe?”

She opened her eyes. “No, I wanted to apologize.”

Nick narrowed his eyes and gave her his crooked smile. “Well, then, I’ll wish you good night.” …..

Paige stared into Nick’s green eyes. A slow smile crossed her lips. He winked and released his grip. She strolled down the hall. Her hips swayed with each step. He closed the door and clenched his jaw.

“Damn.” Nick kicked off his shoes and plopped on the bed. “Bo, come.” Bo placed his head on Nick’s chest. He stroked Bo’s fur. “It won’t be long now. I’m in her dreams.”

What advice would you give a beginner?

One of my old professors told me years ago to schedule at least 15 minutes every day to write and let it become a habit. He was right. You do it faithfully and it becomes a part of you. Also, never give up, no matter how many rejection letters you get. Remember, you only need one yes; and as you build confidence and your skills, that one yes can be you. You can always self-publish when you’re ready. My last bit of advice would be to listen and consider the suggestions editors and experienced authors give you—most only want to help you make it the best it can be.   

You will find my Facebook, Website, Twitter, and Instagram at: https://linktr.ee/skwhite

Purchasing links: For ALL GONE: https://amzn.to/3DWgtwS?fbclid=IwAR1eP_nmmMZ8sP4lOJMlpi-0SnaOh1vXZFcsuWYM7fOBoX2XCJdYFteF-cU

For BOUNCE:

For THE TREE: It’s still a WIP (a work in progress).

BIO:

S. K. White is a lover of Science Fiction Romance and enjoys inventing new worlds and situations for her characters to discover, grow, explore, and fall in love in. She treasures writing in her journal and recording thoughts and ideas that flow from the experiences she sees and hears all around her. She uses many of those reflections to create the characters that appear in her novels, and the poetry she writes. S. K. White lives in a small town in the west and embraces glorious sunsets in the cool evening breeze, and savors the captivating western landscapes that surround her.  

Chloe Gilholy

by eileentroemel, posted in Author Interview

Tell us about yourself.

I am Chloe. I am a health care assistant living in Oxfordshire. I was born in Staffordshire and lived in England all my life. I am in the process of transferring to the NHS as a lab assistant. In my spare time I like writing books, reading books, listening to music and going out to conventions, concerts and traveling.

When did you know you wanted to be an author?

It was a very young age. English was one of my favorite subjects at school and I loved reading books and it made me decide that I wanted to write books too.

What genres do you like to read?  Are these the same genres you write in?

I love comics and graphic novels the most. But I do enjoy dystopian fiction that’s wild and crazy like Battle Royale and Hunger Games. Most of my published books have been poetry books. My current WIPs consists of two romance novels aimed for the teenage market.

Is your book for adults, young adults or children?

Game of Mass Destruction is defiantly an adults book due the nature of the content.

What is your current release or project?

I completed the first draft of my k-pop novel. It’s about a music mogul who plays cupid with her neglected godson and alcoholic ex-boyfriend to improve their lives, but mainly to sell records. I’ve been trying to make the music mogul more likable and unique and less like Sia. Even villains have to be likable.

Tell us about the key characters

Game of Mass Destruction focuses on Yuzuko Shikumi. She sees her country as a utopian state because her grandfather is head of a robotic welfare company. She sees the game of mass destruction as a terrible thing cause it’s a show about destroying robots. She is a 19-year-old widow with one son. She finds out that her mother has nominated her and her girlfriend to take part in the same.

The surface of Yuzuko’s family history is only touched in Game of Mass Destruction. Some of it has been saved for another book.  

What is your blurb or synopsis of the book?

Yuzuko’s perfect world is disturbed when she is forced to take part in the 30th season of Game of Mass Destruction, a reality tv show where 20 contestants have to fight robots and each other for a chance to become a billionaire. Each robot they destroy gives points, but extra points are rewarded for acts of sex and murder. Whilst Yuzuko is united with online friends, she discovers dark secrets about her family as she confronts the gameshow’s owner the notorious Sia Bucks. Will she survive and become victorious, or will it be a comedy of errors with violence and chaos?

Share an excerpt

“We’re just machines,” they said.

“Products of science.”

We have no purpose.

What is our purpose?

Why were we created?

If we were born to die?

So, this is what a monster looks like.

The race that made us also wants us dead,

For the name of entertainment.

Artificial intelligence:

Doomsday for humanity.

Hence why we have this show.

Game of Mass Destruction

On this tranquil island.

Our hunger for life drives us.

We use what we can for fuel.

Anything we can get our hands on.

Sometimes we eat people.

We can’t help it

It’s in our program.

We’d love to go to the world beyond.

My knowledge lies deep.

The facts I have outnumber

Sahara grains.

But my only wish

Is a simple one: to

Dance with wild horses.

This is the poem that opens the novel. A lot of readers love the poem. I think it captures the POV of the robots as well as bring thoughts and conflicts that happen in the story.

Do you have a favorite scene?

My favorite scene to write was the scene nearer to the second half where Sia and Yuzuko are alone and Yuzuko finds out that Sia is her grandmother.

What advice would you give a beginner?

You should just go and write it. Because at least one person will enjoy what you create, and that will make it worth it.

Links

I am Chloboshoka on TikTok, Wattpad, instagram, Snapchat and Twitter.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Game-Mass-Destruction-2018-Sympathy/dp/152723388X/ref=monarch_sidesheet

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/game-of-mass-destruction-chloe-gilholy/1136589863

Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/game-of-mass-destruction/chloe-gilholy/9781838411053

Lulu: https://www.lulu.com/en/gb/shop/chloe-gilholy/game-of-mass-destruction/paperback/product-1e4jpr4p.html?page=1&pageSize=4

Dee S Knight

by eileentroemel, posted in Author Interview

Today I’m talking with Dee S Knight. We met through Jan Selbourne and BVS.  I enjoy her writing very much and am looking forward to learning more about her. So Hi Dee and welcome to my group.

Good morning, Eileen. Thanks for having me.

Please tell us about yourself and how you got started in writing

I started writing almost twenty years ago, with a few stops and starts along the way. It’s really as simple as this–I had time on my hands while my husband finished a contract job. He suggested I fill that time by writing a book. Like an idiot, I thought Sure, why not? So I sat down at the keyboard and created a novel from an idea I had in my head and a month later sent it to an online publisher that was just starting up, Liquid Silver.

The publisher wrote back and said she liked the story but could I write something with moe sex as they planned on being an erotic romance house. At that time, I had no idea there was such a thing as erotic romance. So a month later I sent her another novel with more sex. She accepted it, and there I went. It was all a fluke that I fell into by accident almost.

Happily fell into. I really like erotic romance, and as Dee S. Knight that is what I write.

Do you have a background that would lend itself to writing… like being an English teacher or something like that?

No. I was a sociology major way back in the dark ages. I love reading and literature but never thought about writing. When my husband and I went on the road as over the road truckers, I left a library position in Richmond, VA. I was in acquisitions and my boss told me that now that I knew what readers like to read, I should write a book about my adventures. I thought, Yeah, right. No way did I ever think I would write a book.

Sounds like an exciting life.  You said you write erotic romance under Dee S Knight.  Do you write under other names?

It took a lot of years after that, but that first novel I wrote and sent to Liquid Silver was one about trucking.

Yes. I write historical menage books as Jenna Stewart and spicy/steamy work as Anne Krist. She’s really the tamer persona. Anne doesn’t shock my mother, lol.

Was it a romance about trucking or just on trucking alone?

No, it was a romance with a trucking theme.

I love how you refer to your other pen names in the third person.  How many books do you have out under each name?

As Anne, I have a full novel, Burning Bridges which is a finalist in the Book Excellence Awards. I also have a short story in the Comfort for Cat Lovers book. Jan and I shared a book just before Christmas as Jan and Anne, and we’re soon publishing another. As Jenna, I have I think 10 or 11 books, all of them with Siren-Bookstrand. And as Dee I have gosh, I think 6 or 7 right now, with BVS and as an indie. I have a few more titles I need to republish since Liquid Silver went out of business.

You’ve been busy.  When did you publish your first novel?

On Valentine’s Day, 2003. It’s one I need to republish, called Impatient Passion.

Wow! You’ve been at this a long time.  What’s one thing you do differently now than you did when you first started?

I know a lot more about writing rules and the mechanics now. When I wrote Impatient Passion, I knew how to write but had no idea about point of view (POV) or head hopping or hooks. really. Those are things I learned from other authors. The erotic romance world was pretty small back then and the authors at Liquid Silver were fairly close so we helped each other. They also had excellent editing, and that taught me a lot about how to tell a story. How to show instead of telling. I had a LOT to learn!

I think that’s common. I know I did and still do.  Which do you prefer – traditional publishing or self publishing?

They both have advantages and disadvantages. I love working with BVS. Ric is wonderful and the group of authors he has gathered under the BVS umbrella are not only talented but are sweethearts, always willing to share and help each other. The control freak in me likes self-pubbing. BUT, it’s a lot of work–making covers, doing my own editing, completing the publishing, and keeping up with Amazon, which is no easy feat in itself. I’m still learning so much about it. If I went with regular publishing, I would definitely stay with BVS, though. They’re a strong publishing house.

I agree. The authors are wonderful and Ric is great to work with. Like you, the control freak in me enjoys the advantages of seeing the numbers. What are you currently working on?

Right now I’m trying to sinish up my novella that will be part of Jan’s and my new joint venture. The book is called Evil Lives in the Night. I’m writing our books as Anne Krist so our heat levels are closer together. I wouldn’t want to shock Jan’s readers with Dee or Jenna’s nasty ways. 😉

LOL  How do you determine what the heat level is for your books?  Do you know when you start writing or does it come as you get into it more?

As I said, when I first started writing, I didn’t even know there was a genre called erotic romance. Ellora’s Cave was about the only house publishing it. But for some reason, I was able to write sex into my books pretty easily. When I wrote Burning Bridges as Anne, I had to really control myself not to write actual sex into the book. It’s TAME, and yet one of my friends told me that the only somewhat hot scene in it made her blush, so maybe I’m not so good at measuring heat in books, lol. Writing menage is harder. There are so many arms and legs and…well, you-know-whats to keep track of.

Oh I know what… Now I’ve read your work and enjoy it. It’s a solid read and entertaining. Where do you come up with your ideas?

Coming up with ideas is usually simple. If I need something, I just tune in my favorite classic country station and let my mind take it in. The hard thing for me is to sit down and put fingers to keyboard.

So you’re inspired by music. Is there an artist or type of song which inspires you more?

With me, I normally have an outcome in mind first and then come up with the story to get there as I’m writing. And like I said, with any country song, you’ve got an situation to choose from. Then I ask “What if…?” What if I had a hero who was so cynical he says he has waterfront property in Arizona to sell (George Strait), or if two people who thought they’d love each other forever find themselves separated (Reba McIntyre)? Cry-in-your-beer songs are great for getting ideas about conflict.

You know about getting ideas. Your books are so interesting.

Two of my favorite singers.  I do know and thank you.  I try. Inspiration is a chaotic thing – I watch a lot of documentaries and odd science shows.  I know you said it took you a month to write your first book – my first book took ten years so I’m impressed. How long does it take for you to write a book?  Have you ever gotten stuck?

When I first started writing, I was a book a month for the first five books–all over 85,000 words. Then, yes, I got stuck. Passionate Destiny took me nearly 11 months to write. I have no idea why but I just could not get through that book. Finally, I told myself that if I didn’t have it finished by Thanksgiving (the end of November), that I’d let it go and (virtually) shove it under the bed. I hate giving up, so I got it done and sent it off to Liquid Silver that same afternoon. I was so DONE with it, and not just the writing, I was done with the characters and setting and everything. But, that book got my highest reviews up to that point. It won Top Pick in Romantic Times magazine. Readers wrote and asked me to write a sequel. I was shocked but so pleased that the problem child was so well liked.

These days, I can finish a book in a couple of months or longer, depending on  how I’m feeling.

Wow that’s a great story.  What helped you get through the writing?

Sheer determination, lol!

That’s wonderful. Sometimes that’s what it takes. So do you outline or write as you go?

While I was writing Passionate Destiny, I wrote Burning Bridges, that’s how stuck I was with PD–I took a month away to write an entirely different book.

I’ve done that as well.

Usually I write as I go. I do have a kind of outline in mind but not an actual outline. I usually think of a three-part outline as to where action will happen. I also use character charts to help me include things like internal and external conflict, likes-dislikes, and character traits. I’ve found that character interviews help me know my characters, too. (Thanks, Kayelle Allen!)

Sounds like you’ve got some great tools at hand.  What would you tell a new author was essential for writing?

I sometimes hate to advise new authors because there’s so much to keep in mind. I found that once I learned the storytelling mechanics that my writing slowed down because I was thinking more about HOW to write then writing itself. But I do wish I had know about those things before I started. They are things we all know but don’t recognize while we’re reading.

Very true.

So all of that is included in what I would tell a new writer. Learn your craft. Then WRITE. And keep writing. Find a good person–not a friend or relative generally because they will praise your writing no matter how bad it is–who can read and critique your work. Finding out what you’re not doing well is a huge benefit. Then write some more. Don’t be afraid. Learn to self-edit (there are tricks for this, like reading your work out loud). Read books in your genre and pick out why you thought the book was good or bad. Make sure you do–or don’t do–the same things in your book. And then write.

Great advice!

Thanks. I don’t always take it myself, but I should!

Please tell me about your latest release…

Jan and I released Finding a Christmas Miracle last December. We set in the Vietnam War era. Jan’s story was about a soldier who found a woman about to deliver a baby in the Outback and how he’s led back to her. Mine was a paranormal tale about a soldier who’s led find his true calling through the death of a woman he knows. I thought both stories were great–though I admit to a bit of bias.

Oh I read them they were great stories!

The book we’re now working on is set in the mid-1950s and has a crime element. Jan’s tale starts with a murdered man. Mine is about a missing woman. It should be out at the end of the month.

I’m excited to read both of these!

Thank you for joining me today!

Eileen, thank you so much for giving me this opportunity to share! It’s been fun.

Find out more about me and my writing personas at https://nomadauthors.com

Passionate Destiny: 
https://www.amazon.com/Passionate-Destiny-Dee-S-Knight-ebook/dp/B085Q5PTCC/

Finding a Christmas 
Miracle:https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Christmas-Miracle-historical-novellas-ebook/dp/B09MR8PKYT/

The Girl with the Brass Balls (Jenna Stewart): 
https://www.amazon.com/Unlikely-Bedfellows-Publishing-Menage-Everlasting-ebook/dp/B009HA6D9Q

Burning Bridges: 
https://www.amazon.com/Burning-Bridges-Anne-Krist-ebook/dp/B083HN3ZG2/

Virginia Wallace

by eileentroemel, posted in Author Interview

Today, I’m very excited to have Virginia Wallace who is my cohort in our Saturday author talks. She’s fun and funny and a great writers. Welcome to my blog Virginia!

Thank you for having me! A pleasure, as always.

So I know a lot about you but please tell my readers about yourself.

lol … I never know where to begin on that one! I was born and raised in Norfolk, VA, USA. … and no, I wasn’t in a gang. I was home-schooled from grades 3-12, and spent most of my childhood without a TV … which is where I get my love of reading. It was either read or stare at the wall! I started writing in my early twenties, and spent a few years on the indie scene. After a long hiatus, I re-entered the publishing world in 2020, this time as a traditionally-published author. Although true to form, I would end up back on the indie scene about a year later!

No TV must have been rough. What sorts of books did you read?

Anything I could get my hands on! I’m a huge fan of nineteenth-century lit. Mark Twain blew my mind. I discovered his work when I was nine, and read his entire body of work fairly quickly. My mother introduced me to Daphne du Maurier when I was fourteen, and that was another game changer. I’m also a huge fan of pulp-era Science Fiction, like Ray Bradbury and Isaac Asimov. But at the end of the day, I’ll read pretty much anything.

Mark Twain was very nuanced in his writing. Did you read him exclusively as a child or as you got older did you discover more of the nuances?

I re-read his work often. It’s funny, some of his work was obviously born of nostalgia, such as ‘Huckleberry Finn’ or ‘Tom Sawyer’. ‘The Prince and the Pauper’ was a classic-style folk tale, but ‘A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court’ was biting social satire. ‘On the Damned Human Race’ was just plain cynical. ‘Pudd’nhead Wilson’ was pure genius, and I suspect laid the groundwork for later mystery writers.

Who do you think has had the most influence on your writing?

Stylistically, probably Daphne du Maurier. Her work has a lush, brooding, deeply introspective feel. I also love that her word usage is so poetic.

Do you feel your writing is poetic?

I try. To me, using words is like painting a picture. Articulate, prettily-written prose creates an image in the mind of the reader. Am I poetic? Ultimately, I think that one would be best answered by my readers.

You write dark novels – leaning towards horror or horror aspects in your stories. What started your fascination with horror or the darker topics?

As I’m fond of pointing out, nearly all popular tales have an element of darkness to them. Even with children’s lit, stories like ‘Where the Wild Things Are’ are quite popular. I didn’t have a very happy childhood, and I remember gravitating towards films like ‘Dracula’, or music such as Black Sabbath and Metallica. There’s something cathartic, I think, about turning pain, fear, and anger into art. Makes it less scary, you know?

I think it’s a great way to channel your inner demons. I read an interview with Neil Diamond where he confessed he tried therapy but talking didn’t work but the therapist learned all he needed from Diamond’s songs. Do you feel like you’ll get tired of the dark?

No. The human mind is full of nastiness, and I think it’s best never to forget that. I think my work would suffer terribly if I did. Darkness isn’t the point, it’s the backdrop. Love, selflessness, and heroism shine all the brighter in a dark setting. That’s a good thing, I believe. Freddy Krueger was terrifying, but what made ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ such a legendary story was that Freddy’s evil brought out Nancy’s courage, and made her the best possible version of herself that she could be.

That’s an interesting concept – like we don’t know it’s dark if we don’t have light. Do you incorporate that sort of balance into your book?

I do. Darkness for the sake of darkness is just nihilistic, and rather depressing. There has to be some kind of balance, even if it skews more towards one end of the spectrum than the other.

So I know you. I know you’re a funny person. Do you incorporate humor into your stories and how do you balance the humor with the dark and light?

There are always flashes of humor in my stories, but I realized last year that I’d never written anything that was intentionally humorous in its overall tone. So I wrote a short story called ‘The Ritual’. Ironically, it’s about two serial killers and it’s the bloodiest tale I’ve ever written. But I deliberately adopted a whimsical, tongue-in-cheek tone for it. You laugh, and you feel awful because you’re laughing … ‘cuz that stuff really isn’t funny, you know … but you laugh anyway. Or at least, I did when I wrote it. ‘The Ritual’ will appear in the anthology ‘Dark Desire’, by Black Velvet Seductions.

LOL I think dark humor is appreciated by many if done in the right way.  We’ve talked about what you do write so now tell me what you don’t want to write. Are there any genres you avoid?

Erotica. My work does feature sexual content as needed – sex being a part of life, after all – but I’d rather it not be the point. I much prefer simply building a strong sense of sexual tension, because I find that interesting from a psychological point of view. I’ve written just about every genre, though. I finally checked Science Fiction off my list with my short story ‘Orion’ (featured in ‘Cowboy Desire’). In hindsight, it was odd that I waited so long to write sci-fi because I love reading it.

Since it’s a favorite will you write more scifi?

I’m sure I will! My favorite genres are the ones that give the imagination the most latitude. Horror, fantasy, sci-fi … I actually found my contemporary romance ‘When the White Knight Falls’ the hardest to write, because I couldn’t just bust out a wizard or a spaceship as a plot device!

I agree. Last question so make your answer good…. What has helped you be the writer you are?

I always thought of myself as an artist, as a child and young adolescent. I made a fair amount of money doing portraits and advertising art, and I started taking lessons very young. What made me a writer was this: When I was in my mid-teens, my friends taught me how to play ‘Dungeons and Dragons’. I was hooked right from the get-go! It wasn’t long before I went from being a character player to being the ‘Dungeon Master’: the story-teller and narrator. (I always say ‘Dungeon Master’. ‘Dungeon Mistress’ just … well, it doesn’t sound quite right. Gives the wrong impression, you know?) I learned to find my voice as a writer by actually telling stories, not writing them down. A lot of readers have pointed out that I have a ‘conversational’ writing style, and that’s almost certainly why. Role-playing games made me an author, and I highly recommend them to everyone. They stretch the imagination like nothing else does, in my opinion.

Virginia – thank you for joining me today. I’m sure my readers will enjoy learning more about you.

Thank you for having me! I’m quite flattered.

To follow Virginia

https://linktr.ee/VK_Wallace1378

Book links – Amazon

Ariel Dawn

by eileentroemel, posted in Author Interview

Author Bio

Ariel Dawn grew up as an avid reader and is a creative soul.

What started out as writing reviews for indie romance authors led to featuring quirky, stereotypical, and weird covers on her Instagram Wrong Turn Romance, which gave her the courage to finally decide to live her dream and become an author.

Ariel writes plot driven paranormal romance and urban fantasy and hopes to venture into many more genres in the future. When she isn’t writing, she can be found cosplaying, attending conventions, creating all sorts of artwork in her studio, or editing photos for her photography business.

A self-professed geek and foodie, she loves hanging out with family and friends and playing video games and board games with her retro gamer husband.

Tell us about yourself.

I’m a self-professed geek who loves Disney, cosplays, owns a mermaid tail (that I swim in my pool with and drink margaritas), and a creative soul who loves traveling, theatre, hanging out with my friends and my retro-gamer husband.

When did you know you wanted to be an author?

I’ve wanted to be an author probably since I was in middle school. I used to fantasize about writing books, especially when I was younger. I started writing poetry when I was in elementary school, and fanfiction in middle school, but I never thought I had the follow through, or the smarts to write a book. I’ve always written though. I used to say one day I’d publish one of my books, the ones I’d been working on all throughout life. I decided in 2019 to try an anthology and challenge myself to write a short story, and after I completed this short, I decided to try and write and publish a book.

What genres do you like to read?  Are these the same genres you write in?

I read a little bit of everything, but romance is by far my favorite thing to read in any genre. Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy are probably my faves, but I also LOVE YA. The only thing I don’t really care for are bully romances and mystery thrillers.

Is your book for adults, young adults or children?

Adults.  Ariel Dawn writes all adult romance. Although I do write YA fiction under the pen name A.D. Luna.

What is your current release or project?

I have quite a few, as I am a bit of a workaholic! My book Blood & Bones is coming out in an amazing anthology called Midnight Magic on May 15.

Tell us about the key characters

Blood & Bones is technically a spinoff from my Forevermore Series, but you don’t need to have read the main series to enjoy it.

Ava Crowley, the FMC gets into a deadly situation, and Cassius Aurelia, a vampire saves her life.  Ava is a young freshman in college who has just discovered the monsters are real, and is thrown into this world of hunters and vampires, but she is no damsel in distress.
Cassius has been hiding for years, trying to live a quiet, peaceful life among humans. He isn’t your typical vampire. He loves to bake, fancies a good glass of wine, and is a little guilt-ridden. They are probably my favorite characters to write.

What is your blurb or synopsis of the book?

When eighteen-year-old Ava and her boyfriend attend a party on campus, things turn from fun to deadly rather quickly. As Ava bleeds out on the concrete floor, the angel of death comes…only he’s not an angel. And he isn’t quite dead either.

Cassius Aurelia finds a young college student fighting for her life on the floor of a frat house basement, and he can’t turn away. His bite will save her life, but it will also bring forth a litany of consequences for the both of them that neither may be ready for.

Share an excerpt
Vampire.

The word reverberated in her cerebellum, and although she knew she should run, far away from this crazy stalker, her wrist burned with heat, her skin prickled with goosebumps, and as she looked into glowing green eyes, she knew it was true.

She knew it in her blood.

She lay in her bed, her gaze settled on the shimmering scar on her wrist. In his presence it burned, while the rest of her skin felt tiny prickles of ice, goosebumps. It was insane to think he had something to do with it, but she knew. She’d always been a believer in the paranormal; after all, it was in her blood. She’d known the lengths her family went to, changing their names to Michaels, because they wanted to escape the shadow of their family’s lineage. Crowley.

Ava had always felt drawn to her history, being a descendant of one of the most famous occultists in history. She’d amassed a small collection of books on such things—witchcraft, ghosts, divination, cryptozoology. But vampires—

She tossed in her bed, turning over on her stomach, looking out the window at the dark forest beyond.

If what Cassius said was true…that vampires truly were the ones responsible for the murders at Chester…responsible for Ross’s death…

How do I fight off something that isn’t even human?

Ava could throw a punch, and even evade an attacker, but a vampire? She doubted a solid right hook would deter something with fangs and super strength that wasn’t alive or dead.

Do you have a favorite scene?

My favorite Ava and Cas scene from this book is probably the one right before this, where she finds out Cassius is a vampire. Her reaction is still my favorite, and classic Ava.

What advice would you give a beginner?

Just write. Don’t worry if it sounds okay or if the sentencing isn’t perfect. Write first, polish later. Everything can be reworked, tweaked. Get the words out first.

Social media links:
Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/authorarieldawn

Twitter- http://www.twitter.com/arieldawn10

Instagram instagram.com/wrongturnromance

www.ariel-dawn.com

Purchasing links
http://books2read.com/midnightmagic

Deborah Kelsey Lazaroff Alpi

by eileentroemel, posted in Author Interview

Tell us about yourself.

I was born in Berkeley, California USA and raised in Orinda, California; Columbo, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka); and New Delhi, India. During my childhood I traveled throughout Asia and Europe, as well as throughout the USA with my family. I have been writing professionally since 1978, mostly as a copywriter for advertising, marketing and public relations, I am divorced and havs an adult son. I now live in Southern California.

When did you know you wanted to be an author?

I was always a storyteller; before I could read and write I drew my stories, sometimes like comic strips, sometimes just as illustrations. Throughout school I shined in writing. I served as Editor of my junior high school newspaper. I shined even brighter as a writer at university, where I majored in film studies and minored in mass communications.

What genres do you like to read?  Are these the same genres you write in?

I like to read erotica, including vampyr erotica. I also write erotica, most recently vampyr erotica.

Is your book for adults, young adults or children?

Adults, definitely!

What is your current release or project?

Creatures of The Night, an erotic vampyr love story.

Tell us about the key characters

Sarah is a budding author who is writing a novel about vampyrs, when she happens to meet a genuine vampyr, Trevor, in the all-night coffeeshop they both frequent. The two fall in love very quickly!

What is your blurb or synopsis of the book?

Vampyrs feature in almost every aspect of Sarah’s life. Her stories are filled with them. Her rich imagination has nothing on the real thing.

In her local cafe, she meets a man who sweeps away her imaginary world of vampyrs as he introduces her to the real thing.

Sarah discovers a world of intrigue and danger as she and Trevor learn to savor each other. Her ex and his ex create havoc as the two grow closer.

Can they survive their pasts to create a future filled with passion and love?

Share an excerpt

“I see you here nearly every night, working hard. Are you writing a novel?”

“Why, yes,” Sarah answered, turning to look at the source of the slightly mid-Atlantic-accented voice. She found herself facing a very trim, black-shirted midriff. She raised her head to meet the warm, smiling face of her mystery man gazing down at her. She was struck by just how handsome he was, by those rich dark eyes that gazed into hers. When did she get so lucky?

“I guess it’s more than obvious,” she continued, smiling up at him. She couldn’t help but hope she’d be spending some time with this handsome stranger, and perhaps more. She could use a little romance in her life. It had been four months since she broke up with James, after all, and this man seemed promising.

“If I’m not interrupting you, would you mind very much if I joined you?”

“Not at all.” Please do. She gestured towards the other seat at her table. “I was just finishing up for the evening and would welcome the company.”

“Wonderful, I’ll be right back.” Trevor fetched his coffee cup and got a refill before returning to Sarah’s table and sitting down.

“And what are you writing about?”

“Promise you won’t laugh?”

His smile was richer and even warmer, if that was possible. “I promise. Cross my heart and hope to die.” It was a wish he had never held over the last 200 years, as he enjoyed being a vampyr, but he liked the way it sounded.

“It’s about vampires, a whole community of them.”

“Really.”

“Yes, really.” She flashed him a broad and utterly disarming grin.

“Do you believe in vampyrs?”

Sarah smiled as her face grew hot. “Yes,” she said quietly, “I do. Or maybe I just want to believe in them.”

“There’s nothing wrong with that.” There was so much warmth and kindness in that rich voice that Sarah couldn’t help but feel drawn to this striking man.

“Perhaps I could help you with your book. I am, you see, a vampyr myself. And by the way, we spell it v-a-m-p-y-r.”

Sarah laughed. “Thanks for the tip.”

“No, truly, I am, in all seriousness, a vampyr.”

Sarah stared at him, dumbfounded.

Trevor placed a hand over hers “I don’t mean to alarm you, but we do exist, and for the most part are harmless.”

“So, you actually feed on human blood?” She laughed again. This was the wildest pickup line she’d ever experienced, even for a man as pale as this one. Could it actually be possible? Did the undead truly exist? She had to admit that she had always suspected they were real.

Do you have a favorite scene?

Probably the scene in which they go to see the original Christopher Lee Dracula film, Horror of Dracula!

What advice would you give a beginner?

I’ll share with you what playwright Tennessee Williams told me: “If you’re a writer you just have to write, there’s no question about it. And good luck to you!”

Social media links:

Facebook: Deborah Kelsey Lazaroff Alpi

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DebKlaWriter

Other

(https://www.amazon.com/Deborah-Lazaroff-Alpi/e/B001KHDPWM?ref_=dbs_p_ebk_r00_abau_000000) and look me up on goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15267215.Deborah_Kelsey and https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22222067.Deborah_Kelsey_Lazaroff and https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1803125.Deborah_Lazaroff_Alps

Blog link: https://deborahkla.livejournal.com/

Purchasing links

https://amzn.to/3GUOajX

https://books2read.com/u/bo89Yv

Kaylin Peyerk

by eileentroemel, posted in Author Interview

Today, I’m visiting with Kaylin Peyerk. Welcome,

Bio

My name is Kaylin Peyerk, and I live in the beautiful state of Michigan. I have five full bookshelves, a bursting Kindle library, and a total love for the written word. My favorite genres to read are paranormal romance, fantasy, and the occasional contemporary novel. I am a lover of swimming, video games, and my golden retriever/corgi mix.

Tell us about yourself.

My name is Kaylin Peyerk, and I live in the beautiful state of Michigan. I have five full bookshelves, a bursting Kindle library, and a total love for the written word. My favorite genres to read are paranormal romance, fantasy, and the occasional contemporary novel. I am a lover of swimming, video games, and my golden retriever/corgi mix.

I’ve been a reader for my entire life—starting with Harry Potter when I was seven. That’s when I fell in love with fantasy stories. The romance aspect came later in middle school and highschool when I began devouring young adult romantic fantasy titles. While I prefer to write in the new adult genre they’re the root of my inspiration. Think Vampire Academy, Shiver, and Graceling.

When did you know you wanted to be an author?

When I was in ninth grade I had run out of books in my school library to read. Well, at least I ran out of titles that interested me. So I decided to write my own during National November Writing Month! I wrote an entire 50,000 word novel in one month when I was fourteen and have been on the grind ever since. Now I look back on it, that’s kind of crazy, isn’t it? Ha!

What genres do you like to read?  Are these the same genres you write in?

I wholeheartedly believe that authors should write in the genres they love to read. Only when you know the market well will you be able to cater to what the readers love to devour. I read young adult fantasy, new adult fantasy, paranormal romance, danmei cultivation fantasy, and romantic comedy. All of these are genres I’ve written in.

Is your book for adults, young adults or children?

My books are primarily for adults due to sexually suggestive content. However, I do have one title that’s appropriate for young adult readers. Bound in Death is a new adult slow burn romantic fantasy following demigods and the tragedy of star crossed lovers. Very PG but incredibly moving. I loved writing it.

What is your current release or project?

Prey in the Dusk (Omegaverse MF Romance)

Two teens—Faye Alister & Royce McKay—fated to pair from wealthy families discover the underground secrets of their world and just how dark it has become. However, they’re unsure what they’ll do when they gather it. The perpetrator is Royce’s father—the governor of their province—and many influential families they’ve known all their lives are involved. Not only will sharing this information ruin life as they know it but also the fragile world already on the precipice of disaster. I love this title because it uses the omegaverse world to explore the issues of gender and class inequality. It’s both a romance and a woven mystery of political intrigue and suspense. This one can be read episode by episode on Kindle Vella, however, at the end of the serial, it will be bundled into a KU title!

Tell us about the key characters

Prey in the Dusk has two main narrators—Faye Alister & Royce McKay. Together, they uncover a web of secrets that cannot be unseen, nor left to continue. Faye is the omega daughter of a successful alpha scientist who fights for omega rights and the creation of more effective drugs for them. Above all, she wants to follow in his footsteps and is deeply inspired by him. Her fated mate, Royce, is a supreme alpha from the highest standing family in their world. He has been groomed to take his father’s place as the province leader for his entire life, yet all he cares about is cherishing Faye. They’re like two planets revolving around each other while the universe falls apart around them. I want the series to explore the difficulties of different social classes through the use of an ABO universe. The terror of both upper and lower class crime and how it affects society as a whole.

What is your blurb or synopsis of the book?

Faye & Royce are fated for more than pairing. By accident, the two discover underground secrets of their society and just how dark it has become. . . Exposing proof of a heat-inducing drug being tested on helpless omegas from the lower provinces. Not only that, but the main perpetrator is Royce’s father, governor of Decra, and many influential families they’ve known all their lives are involved. Well aware outing it will ruin life as they know it; can they gain the courage to expose evil?

Share an excerpt

Decra is an arrogant place.

                To someone who isn’t familiar with the province, the phrase sounds strange. It’s a fact you need to experience to understand. By stepping into a room where no heads turn. Scenting the overwhelming yet intoxicating pheromones. Witness the slow, teasing gait of society’s infamous families. They move as if the world has no choice but to pause and watch them. My eyes flit from one gilded person to the next, noting the ropes of diamonds on their necks. The rubies dripping from their ears. The expensive, exquisitely made watches tick-tocking on their wrists. These people were born to be royalty. Alphas either inherited wealth or created it through grit, blood, and trickery. In comparison, I feel like dusky silver in need of polish.

I sigh, plucking a flute of champagne off a passing tray, holding it up in thanks. The server flushes, dipping his chin while scurrying back toward the kitchens. For the tenth time since arriving, I adjust the high collar of my dress. Hating that, it forces the metal protective band around my throat to dig into the skin, rubbing it raw. During high-traffic parties like this, I’m forced to wear it. Unmated omegas take responsibility for themselves. Never once would it be considered an alpha’s fault for having lost control. For if an omega becomes so enamored with an alpha’s scent that it triggers a heat, is it not the duty of said alpha to satiate them?

I hope you picked up on my sarcasm there.

More and more families arrive, filling the room with pheromones that make my head spin. I press my back into the wall, praying my burgundy dress fades into the velvet curtains so seamlessly not a person in here will notice my presence. I much prefer to watch quietly from the sidelines, taking in as much information as possible and giving nothing away. When my gaze finds my father, it sticks like glue. Every poisonous feeling brewing in the presence of such powerful alphas flowing away like water. As usual, he holds a crowd of people around him captive, leaning toward him as if hanging off his every phrase.

His emerald eyes sparkle as he laughs, tipping his head back, coffee-colored hair falling away from his face. From the looks of it, he’s run his hand through it. The style my mother spent twenty minutes on destroyed within seconds of one of his animated conversations, as usual. Many women fawn over the display, pushing further into his personal space as if today may be the day he turns his gaze on them. He does no such thing, reaching past them to shake the hand of an arriving official. If they’re crestfallen by his obvious dismissal, it doesn’t bother the crowd of women. They back down, though, slinking to the outer edges of the circle. Behind them—leaning against a pillar as if it were made for her—stands my stoic, radiant mother.

Everyone is watching her, and if they claim not to be, they’re lying.

While most affluent families of Decra choose muted colors, my mother has never so much as toed the darker side of the color wheel. She’s a radiant flower within a field of wheat. Wrapped in a tasteful crimson dress that falls straight to the floor in a pool of shimmering silk. As usual, her long blonde hair is braided elegantly atop her head, displaying the pairing mark on the back of her neck with pride. Something most alphas in the room roll their eyes in the face of. For pairing with an omega is a waste of potential unless they’re your fated one. And connections like that are far and few between.

“The governing family of Decra province has arrived,” a man announces from the top of the grand staircase, bowing low.

As if it’s a concert for their favorite musician, people scramble to form a semi-circle around the stairs. I do no such thing, keeping my distance. My mother’s eyes slide to meet mine. Burning with warmth and steady concern, as they usually do when she looks upon her recluse of a daughter. I know what she’ll say later, what she will ask. Why did you not gather with the others? You’re too similar to me. Would it kill you to show at least the bare minimum of interest? I look away from her, swirling the champagne in the bottom of my glass just to watch the bubbles pop one by one. The doors above open wide, trumpets blaring. Still, I do not turn, waiting for the familiar prickle that climbs up my neck the moment he spots me.

Because that is how nights like this always begin.

Do you have a favorite scene?

Yes! There’s a scene in this title where Faye learns that her secondary gender is something she cannot escape and will cause her problems in the future. It’s heartbreaking in its reality and incredibly moving. While she wishes to live a life free from bonds and work toward making the world a better place for people like her, it only becomes that much more difficult.

What advice would you give a beginner?

Read as many books in your genre as possible to get a feel for what readers love and expect from such stories. To me, this is better than the advice of writing to market because rather than overused cookie cutter tropes, you’re focusing on your authentic story while weaving in themes readers recognize. My greatest accomplishment is getting a review on almost all of my stories saying it’s different from anything they’ve read but it sucked them in anyway! That’s because I’ve done a lot of research on what readers love and added it subtly into my manuscript. I have the idea first, not the trope.

Social media links:

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/kaylinpeyerkauthor/

Twitter

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/kaylinpeyerk_author/

Other

https://www.tiktok.com/@kaylinpeyerk_author

Blog link

https://kaylinwritesromanc.wixsite.com/kaylinpeyerkauthor

Purchasing here

Nigama RV

by eileentroemel, posted in Author Interview

Mutual friends introduced me to Nigama. She writes poetry. I’ve been asked many times to read poetry and it’s so personal most of the time I don’t like it. However, Nigama’s poems spoke to me. Her books are artful and tasteful. I’m quiet excited to have her on my blog!

Tell us about yourself

I’m Nigama RV from India. I come from a family of writers. From a young age, I’ve been soul-bound to fantasies and developed a love for literature in any genre: Poetry, Dark Fantasy & Romance, Paranormal, Thriller and Sci-Fi to name a few. As long as it has a tinge of romance and adventure, I want to read it. I opine books as images of writer’s imaginations and love a good HEA.

My obsession is my pastime with my cute Li’l niece, Laasya. I’m addicted to chocolates and Pizza, and a forever believer in a carpe diem.

When did you know you wanted to be an author?

I started writing at a very young age, my first poetry was published when I was 7. I’ve been writing since then. I developed an habit of writing my emotions in the form of poetry, that’s how I started scribbling. But never really thought of publishing until two years back.

What genres do you like to read? Are those the the same genres you write in?

I read everything I get my hands on except autobiographies. Until now I only wrote poetry, Paranormal romance, dark romance, LGBTQ, young adult, age-gap romance, and societal based novels. Working on a fairytale now.

Is your book for adults, young adults or children?

Depending on the genre, my poetry is for everyone, societal and YA for young adults but dark romance is purely for adults.

What is your current release or protect?

My recent publication “ECHO — BEAT OF THE HEART” is second in my poetry collection called “SOLILOQUY”. And now I’m working on paranormal romance and third poetry book scheduled to be released this year, hopefully.

Tell us about the key characters

Poetry — it’s all about feelings of emotions one goes through in their lifetime. Everything from birth to death, love to hatred, acceptance to rejection and loss and lost.

Mostly any key character from my books especially fmc is strong and independent woman. I make sure to write someone who can fight and take the dragons on her own and save her prince rather than waiting for her prince to come save her.

What is your blurb or synopsis of the book?

Echo — Beat of The Heart

Book 2 of Soliloquy

The songs of the summer

The whisper of the winter

The drizzling rains and blossoming flowers

Everything would be beautiful,

If only I have you in my arms

One last time…

Gravity took hold of me, this time though, it’s centered at the utter perfection, You…

Share an excerpt

 Perfectly imperfect

I’m imperfect, but You…

Glisten like a star when I’m lost

Guide me like a polestar to my destiny

Shine all around me, as I fight my demons

You’re the light to my darkness,

Embracing my flaws,

Submitting to your love…

I maybe made of imperfections

But am, perfectly imperfect!!!

Do you have a favourite scene?

Every scene I ever wrote or I write is my favourite.

What advice would you give a beginner?

Never give up. No matter how hard it is, never ever give up. Don’t listen to anyone but your characters they know better. Just do what they say and I  promise you won’t regret it.

Links

https://linktr.ee/nigama.rv

Read Eileen’s review of Echo on Goodreads

Virginia Wallace

by eileentroemel, posted in Author Interview

Virginia and I connected up through mutual friends. She’s a blast and you cannot take her seriously on anything.

Bio

Virginia Wallace was born and raised on the Chesapeake Bay region of southeastern Virginia, USA. She’s lived all over, from the mountains of New England to the American Midwest.

Virginia first learned to tell stories as a teenager, via playing role-playing games such as Dungeons and Dragons and Vampire: The Masquerade. It would be years before she began putting her tales on paper, but she’s been making up for lost time ever since.

The novel When the White Knight Falls marked her debut into the mainstream publishing world, and she’s also appeared in the anthologies Desire Me Again and Cowboy Desire; all three were published by Black Velvet Seductions.

Seven Forbid was her first solo collection of short stories, which she swiftly followed up with Eternally October.

Tell us about yourself.

Now see, I NEVER know how to answer that one! I mean, where do I even start? ‘I was born an orphan at the age of four …?’ I’m an author. And also a smartass. And I really like beer. Does that work as a starter? I s’pose I can add that I like whisky, too, especially Scotch. Single Malt. Oh, and at least twelve years old.

Click on the picture for more information

When did you know you wanted to be an author?

I was fourteen. I was homeschooled, and my assignment that year was to write a novel. It sucked, but I fell in love with how much fun it is to tell a story. That was the same year that I also discovered the work of comic-book writer J. Marc DeMatteis. I loved his stories so much that yearned to be just like him! I found the dark intensity of his tales absolutely mesmerizing.

What genres do you like to read?  Are these the same genres you write in?

I’ll read just about anything you put in front of me. Ooooh, look, a pamphlet on hemorrhoids!

Is your book for adults, young adults or children?

Adults. I tried writing a YA novel once. It went to hell real fast …and by hell, I actually mean Hell. No foolies!

What is your current release or project?

I’m in Black Velvet Seductions’ new anthology, ‘Dark Desire’, which should debut this spring. I’m SUPER stoked about that one!!! I have two stories in it. Romance with a body count, you know?

Click on the picture for more information

Tell us about the key characters

Well, ‘Beginning Forever’ marks the return of Jillian the werewolf, who was featured in ‘Desire Me Again’, also by Black Velvet Seductions. I also have a brand-new tale called ‘The Ritual’, starring Romy—a pyromaniac serial killer. I hafta admit, ‘The Ritual’ is my favorite short so far!

What is your blurb or synopsis of the book?

Oof … I ain’t written a blurb yet. My bad! But when I announced the contract signing, I said this: ‘Meet Romy! She’ll set your world on fire! And probably you along with it.’

Share an excerpt

“How’d you grow up in North Carolina without learning to use a shotgun?” asked Romy, handing Bert the freshly-loaded weapon

“We were never allowed to have guns in the house, at least not after Dad shot Grandma.”

Click on picture for more information

“Was it an accident?”

“No.”

Bert sighted carefully, pointing the shotgun at the younger man’s surviving kneecap. He was grateful that the old man was momentarily silent; he always hated it when people begged for their lives, and so did Romy. Life is short, and when it’s over, that’s it. Both he and she were offended that people would so often debase themselves seeking a mere few minutes more of panicking, wretched life.

BLAM!!!

Bert lowered the gun, aghast.

Click on the picture for more information

“Ooh,” said Romy, biting her lip. “That … That wasn’t his knee, Bert.”

“AAAAAAAUUUUGGHH!!! AH CAIN’T SCREW NO MORE!!!”

“Maybe we should give this guy a free pass,” said Bert regretfully, raising his gun again.

“Yeah.”

Bert sighted more carefully this time …       

BLAM!!!

“Well,” said Romy, waving away the acrid gun-smoke as she wiped the spattered blood from her pretty face, “at least you hit his head just fine!”

Do you have a favorite scene?

Yes, but I can’t share it. It’d be a spoiler, you know? It’s the scene in which Bert and Romy met, and fell in love.

What advice would you give a beginner?

How much time do you have to devote to writing? Don’t answer. Shut the hell up. Whatever you were about to say … it ain’t enough!!!

https://linktr.ee/VK_Wallace1378

Blog link

https://virginiawallace.com

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Mercelle Valentine

by eileentroemel, posted in Author Interview

Marcelle joins me on my group for our author talks. She’s snarky, funny, thoughtful, and insightful.

Bio

Marcelle Valentine has long dreamed of being an author. She wrote her first story at the age of twenty-four, but after trying unsuccessfully to find an agent, she gave up briefly on her dreams of being a writer. Only deciding to try again in her forty’s. She is the author of the Scarred by Fate Series. She lives in Ohio with her husband; she has two children, three grandchildren, and a lovable ‘lazy’ gentle giant.

Tell us about yourself.

I am a sarcastic joker introvert who only comes out of my shell after I have gotten to know you. I tend to crack jokes (hence the sarcastic part), so I always want to get to know the people around me, allowing them to get to know me. I am married to a wonderful man who supports me one hundred percent in anything I do. I have two children: a daughter and a son. They have graced our family with the little lights in my life my three grandchildren. Who are the ones that help keep me grounded when grandma goes a little crazy. And did I mention my four-legged baby? He’s a Great Dane who thinks he a lap dog, at least where I’m concerned.

When did you know you wanted to be an author?

Early on, I always had a great imagination. I wrote my first story in my twenties but could not get an agent to pick it up. In early 2021 I started getting the itch to write again. In April 2021, I took the leap as I began the Scarred by Fate Series. I wrote several chapters and sent out feelers on those chapters (admittedly, these feelers mainly were with family, although they did not know the book belonged to me) to see what people thought of my book. My daughter helped get these books in some of these people’s hands, simply telling them it was a friend who wrote it and wanted to receive honest feedback on the book. Was this pipe dream something I could make a reality? Thankfully all the feedback I received, or more accurately my daughter received, was positive; they all wanted to read more.

What genres do you like to read? Are these the same genres you write in?

I really love horror and PNR (paranormal romance), but honestly, I will read just about anything that catches my attention. If it is well written, I’ll read it; aside from war stories, this is just one area I cannot make myself enjoy. My genre for Scarred by Fate is a PNR, but the book I wrote in my twenties was a horror story. I can see as I continue writing branching out to thrillers, yet I don’t think I will ever be an author who can write a contemporary romance. Not that it isn’t a great genre, and I have read books in this genre; it’s just not how my brain is wired, so I don’t think I would do the genre justice. There are a lot of fantastic contemporary romance authors; hence I’ll leave this genre to them.

Is your book for adults, young adults or children?

The Scarred by Fate Series is absolutely written for adults, but I would love to write a YA book or even a series as I continue on this path. I have young nieces who want to read my work. Also, I have thought about writing a children’s book paying homage to my grandkids. I have a grandson who is autistic, not to mention a granddaughter who started her own YouTube channel. My other grandson has this carefree attitude with a smile that could brighten anyone’s day; they all amaze me every day, so I would love to give them something back, sharing in the joy they have given me.

What is your current release or project?

I am currently working on the fifth and, possibly, the final book in my Scarred by Fate Series. I am debating the idea of a sixth book for the series that would delve into Logan’s council. I also have two planned projects that I am not ready to discuss quite yet, but one would be another series while the other would be a stand-alone novel.

Tell us about the key characters

Kenna is my female main character. She’s guarded, protective of anyone she loves or cares for, sarcastic, and has experienced a tremendous amount of loss and tragedy in her twenty-six years, yet these events have all formed her into the woman she is. Logan is my male main character; he is dedicated, kind, handsome, and once Kenna comes into his life, he makes it his mission to help her. Kat is the character that seems to resonate with readers the most; she is silly, innocent, she has no filter so she tends to say whatever pops into her head. Not only do I love writing her, everyone that I have had the opportunity to speak with regarding my series all tell me in no uncertain terms how much they love her.

What is your blurb or synopsis of the book?

This is a synopsis of book one, Ritual Nightmares: Chased for years by the demon who killed my family, I find safety with the incredibly handsome but deadly reluctant ruler Logan. Will I find the strength to let down the walls I’ve built up to let him in? And as I fall for him, will I allow Logan to put his life and the life of the family I’ve chosen on the line so he can keep his promise, or will I continue running to keep them all safe.

I know what you’re going to say Demons don’t exist, but I’m here to tell you how wrong you are because I’ve had one chasing me since I was eleven years old. Completely on my own since that one fateful night in the woods; my family is either dead or has disowned me well, except Olivia. I run, trying to stay one step ahead of my nightmare and the endless questions when people find out who I really am. Finally, finding what I hope will offer me safety, if only for a short time, I make my home in a small town named Charming. 

This is where I met him and the rest of the people I claim as the family I have always wanted. Logan is strong, determined, something so much more, and when he decides to help me, he makes it very difficult to refuse. Specifically, because he is drop-dead gorgeous, none of these things are helping me keep him at arm’s length, but when signs that my nightmare Mictulant is getting closer; will I choose to stay with them, possibly putting their lives at risk or will I run? Losing the people I care about because of my nightmare once again.

Share an excerpt

I bite the left side of my lip, suppressing the groan building up, and force my eyes back up slowly. He leans forward with his arms crossed in front of his chest, making his biceps bulge and ripple when he moves. I fantasize what it would feel like to have those arms wrapped around me, pulling me close. Warmth spreads through my stomach and settles in between my thighs, making me shift slightly. He brings his left arm up, resting his hand on the side of his face. I watch as two of his fingers drop down under his mouth, my eyes following his every movement. I continue my eye assault, moving up to those perfect lips of his and only stopping when my eyes make contact with his. The side of his mouth hitches up, revealing that sexy little grin and cue the dimples. His buddies are having a loud debate about who the best baseball player of all time is, and one of them, named Cash, hits his shoulder to weigh in on their conversation. My cheeks flush, knowing he had just caught me checking him out, but worse, I think he was doing the same thing to me. His grin increases as he shifts back in his chair, ignoring Cash entirely. Thankfully before I can embarrass myself any further, Kat sticks her face in mine.

“Whatcha looking at chica?” Which is her way of telling me she knows exactly what I was looking at. I clear my throat and look down at the bar as she starts singing, “K-I-S-S-I-N-G first comes.”

I slap my hand over her mouth, making her mumble the rest of it, “For the love of God, Kat, please don’t.” She’s mumblings something else under my hand but then goes silent. “Are you done?”

She shakes her head, yes, but when I remove my hand, she sings out, “Bom chicka wow wow.”

I groan and put my head down on the bar and begin lightly hitting it repeatedly. Hoping it might knock some sense into me. “He’s still watching chica.” She whispers to me in her sing-song voice.

“Lightning, Lava, Earthquake, Tsunami….”

“Oh, I know things that kill!”

“Nope, things that I wish would happen to get me out of this hell.”

“Oh, so drooling over boss man is hell?”

“Kat, just drop it!”

“Okay, I guess I won’t tell you that Logan and I weren’t the only ones to see you mentally undressing him.”

I pull my arms on top of the bar, resting them on both sides of my head as I begin making little crying noises, “Please don’t tell me all the guys saw it too. I don’t think I could face any of them ever again.” I groan out as I lift my head slightly to look at Kat.

“Nope, they are all completely oblivious to your totally hot fantasy.”

I pull my eyebrows together, she takes my face in her hand and turns it, so I am looking at one very pissed off Priscilla staring back at me. I am suddenly happy that laser death ray eyes are not a thing, or your girl would be toast. After getting her point across, she turns and stomps back towards the break room.

Do you have a favorite scene?

It’s tough to pick one when it comes to the series, but I guess if I have to pick one that I believe stands out, it would be a scene from book two where Kenna goes looking for Logan and Griffin. It is the ah-ha moment that provides a ton of information, and if I did my job correctly, the one you did not see coming until it is revealed.

What advice would you give a beginner?

Never let someone else tell you that you can’t. I have a saying it’s something I tell myself whenever I begin to doubt what I am doing: The greatest novels of all time began with a thought and one word written. In short, write the story you have in your heart but allow the space and grace to understand this is your baby, and like all other babies, sometimes we can be too close to our work to see where it may be falling short. If someone is offering you constructive advise take it with all hopes they are doing it to help you, which will only benefit your story.

Social media links:

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Twitter https://twitter.com/MarcelleValen20

Instagram Marcelle Valentine Author (@authormarcellevalentine)

GoodReads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21835547.Marcelle_Valentine

Website https://www.marcellevalentine.com/

Purchasing links https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09GMVJV93