Monica Schultz and I both wrote for the same anthology – Slow Burn. She resides in Australia – one of the places I really want to visit.
Author Bio
Monica Schultz is a full-time Mathematics and History teacher from Ipswich, Australia, with a passion for writing fantasy. When she isn’t busy finding ‘x’ in the latest equation, you can find her curled up with a young adult book and a cat on her lap.
Tell us about yourself.
Hi, my name is Monica Schultz. I’m a High School Math and History teacher from Ipswich, Australia. I’m also a Cat Mum of a grumpy Devon Rex and his newly adopted little brother. When I’m not writing or teaching, I am busy training to be the next Poke-Master or creating havoc in my poor Sims lives.
When did you know you wanted to be an author?
I’ve always loved writing. I wrote the first draft of my novel during a family camping trip when I was 10 years old. The draft was terrible, but thankfully my writing skills have come a long way since then.
What genres do you like to read? Are these the same genres you write in?
I love reading young adult fiction. It can be anything from romance to fantasy to historical fiction. Sometimes I venture out and dare to read a novel other adults consider mature and insightful, but I always come back to the comfort of YA. This is why I love to write younger characters.
Is your book for adults, young adults or children?
While most of my work is aimed at young adults, this short story focuses on new adults. Although set in the 50s, Faye’s desire to leave town still rings true to the emotions felt by new graduates moving out for the first time.
What is your current release or project?
I’m currently working on an urban fantasy series set in Australia. Mythical creatures, from werewolves to mages, all live in a secluded corner of Australia, under the thumb of the Human Protection Society. Most Mythicals learn to live without basic freedoms, but this isn’t good enough for one teenage elf, Arya.
Almost all my short stories are also set in this universe, including More than Magic, and will tie back to Arya’s life in some small way.
Tell us about the key characters
More than Magic is centered around the life of Faye, a young woman desperate to leave town and chase magic in the big city. This is until she meets Laurie, a charming new volunteer firefighter. When Faye first meets Laurie while waiting tables, she wants nothing to do with him. Yet, Laurie quickly wins Faye over with his honesty and charming smile.
Share an excerpt.
“‘Scuse us Miss,” a firefighter calls to my back, “We’re ready to place our orders now.”
I give the table one last hard swipe, satisfied with the result of a little elbow grease. Plastering on a smile, I turn with a sharp twist, knocking over a chair in the process. I mumble a curse and straighten it, frustration knitting my brows together.
“What can I get for you?” I ask, failing to mimic Debbie’s sunny voice.
The men remain silent, their jaws flapping like fish out of water. My foot taps, restless against the timber floor as I wait for them to find their voice.
“December’s special pie is pork and plumb if you want to try it,” I suggest, my eyes flicking to the chalkboard resting by the front door.
Still nothing. I comb my fingers through my hair. Surely, I’m not sweating that badly after the lunch rush that they won’t look me in the eye. Flushed and confused, I turn to Debbie for support. Her made-up lips form a perfect ‘o’ at the sight of me.
“Uh, Faye, how ‘bout you fetch me some more serviettes from the back room, while I serve these blokes,” Debbie says.
Before I can protest, Debbie rushes around the benchtop and pulls me into a tight embrace.
Debbie presses her cheek against mine. “Your buttons are undone,” she whispers.
I freeze, glancing down. The white lace of my bra peeks back at me. Horrified, I yank my shirt closed and stare at the countless buttons scattered across the floor. Oh God. Blood pounds in my ears, drowning out Debbie as she chatters to the customers, to distract their lingering gaze. With a light shove, Debbie sends me on my way, hurrying out of sight. At least now I will be too embarrassed to cry.
Do you have a favorite scene?
My favourite scene is Faye and Laurie’s date at Lake Alford. The emotions captured by this scene leave me sighing at all the right places and longing to write them into my main series.
What advice would you give a beginner?
Join a writer’s group and don’t be afraid of criticism. I only really started my journey as an author in January of 2019. The realisation that my writing was miles from professional was rough, but I’ve grown so much from putting myself out there and accepting the support of others. By writing short stories and drabbles, something I never thought I could do, my novel has improved by leaps and bounds.
Pamela Binnings Ewen is the author of one non-fiction book, Faith on Trial, and six novels, including The Moon in the Mango Tree, awarded the 2012 Eudora Welty Memorial Award. She practiced law for many years before retiring to write. Her newest book, The Queen of Paris, a novel on Coco Chanel, is the story of Chanel’s secret life during the Nazi occupation of Paris in WWII. Pamela lives in Louisiana, near New Orleans. Visit Pamela at pamelaewen.com.
Interview Questions:
Tell us about yourself.
I’m a reformed lawyer. Practiced corporate law for twenty-five years in Houston, Texas. I loved every minute of it, but after my first book, Faith on Trial (non-fiction), was published, I retired to write full time. The Queen of Paris, a novel on Coco Chanel, is my seventh book. Now I live near New Orleans with my husband, our lab, and a very talkative parrot.
When did you know you wanted to be an author?
From an early age and all through childhood I loved books—loved to read. In the fifth grade I taught myself how to type and wrote a ‘book’. (It was pretty much a rip-off on Little Women.) This was a great experience. I kept writing on a random basis just for myself after that. I never thought of it as potential career, however. As a young adult, I worked at various jobs, but at the age of twenty-five found myself pretty much on my own with a young son to support. This was a real wake-up call. So, I took a job at Tulane University in New Orleans in order to obtain free tuition for college courses. After I graduated, I received a scholarship for two years of law school and began working my way through school all over again. Just got on that treadmill and started to run! But always, everywhere, my spare time was spent reading. (It’s great escapism!)
What genres do you like to read? Are these the same genres you write in?
I love to read and write historical fiction, although two of my books don’t fall into that category. For one thing, I love the research with historical fiction. It’s fascinating the things you find. For instance, did you know that M&M candies were invented for soldiers in WWII? The chocolate was a treat and energizer, but chocolate melted under battle conditions. So, someone had the great idea to put hard colored shells around dabs of chocolate. The shell kept the candy from melting in the soldiers’ pockets. Thus—M&M’s!
Also, with historical fiction here’s something thrilling about knowing that what you’re writing is based to a large extent on facts.
Is your book for adults, young adults or children?
I think both adults and young adults will be interested in this book. For young adults, I’m thinking from perhaps the age of 16 or 17 on—someone who already likes to read. Someone who likes history too.
What is your current release or project?
My newest book is The Queen of Paris, a novel on Coco Chanel. It is fiction based on fact—I think of this as writing in the shadows of history. In The Queen of Paris, I discovered things about Coco Chanel that I don’t think most people ever knew, information only available in recently released WWII military files. To my knowledge this is the first book of fiction exposing Coco’s secret life in Paris during WWII, as the Nazi’s occupied France. She made some explosive decisions during those years, things I don’t think anyone would have guessed. My quest, however, was not just to tell story, but also to understand why she did the things she did. And I think I found the answers. Foreward Reviews said something I love in their review–that The Queen of Paris has opened a new door in the House of Chanel!
Tell us about the key characters
The key character is Gabrielle (Coco) Chanel. Coco lives in the Paris Hotel Ritz during the German occupation of France, along with the Nazi High Command. Because of the war she has closed her couture business, and as a result, she relies upon revenues from No. 5. But, because of the war she’s under threat of losing her rights to No. First, she’s under pressure from her Jewish partner who has fled to New York prior to Hitler’s invasion of France, taking her secret formula for No. 5 with him. Even though No. 5 was a French company owned by her partner, his brother, and Chanel. And second, she is pressed by Reich Marshal Hermann Goring’s greed and his attempts to claim rights to the perfume for himself and Germany. In fact, Coco used every weapon at hand to protect her legacy and No. 5, including new anti-Semetic German laws prohibiting Pierre, as a Jew, from owning and selling No. 5. Coco fights her own personal wars on these two fronts when the final blow strikes—she finds that her beloved nephew was captured by the Germans at the Maginot Line, and is missing, or possibly dead.
Coco’s lover, Hans von Dincklage, known as Spatz, is a Nazi spy with the Abwehr, which is German military intelligence. He is tall and handsome, a ladies man. Spatz offers to assist Coco in her search for her nephew, as well as in her battle with Pierre over No. 5. But the price for his help is high. In turn, she must agree to spy for the Reich. Desperate, Coco at last agrees under certain conditions, even though she’d be committing treason.
I began writing this story after viewing photographs of Chanel’s WWII military files showing that she was indeed recruited as a spy by the Abwehr. Wanting to understand why she made that choice and others just as electrifying, I researched the questions. As a result, The Queen of Paris includes brief, but pertinent, flashbacks to Chanel’s painful early life, moments that would have influenced her many years later. Moments that were ‘turnings’ in her life.
I make no judgements in the book. That is left to each reader. In an Authors Note at the end, I’ve given explanations as to which parts of the story are true, and which parts are based on interesting circumstantial evidence–what I’ve referred to above as ‘writing in the shadows’.
What is your blurb or synopsis of the book?
Legendary fashion designer Coco Chanel is revered for her sophisticated style—the iconic little black dress—and famed for her intoxicating perfume Chanel No. 5. Yet behind the public persona is a complicated woman of intrigue, shadowed by mysterious rumors. The Queen of Paris vividly imagines the hidden life of Chanel during the four years of Nazi occupation in Paris in the midst of WWII—as discovered in recently unearthed wartime files.
Coco Chanel could be cheerful, lighthearted, and generous; she also could be ruthless, manipulative, even cruel. Against the winds of war, with the Wehrmacht marching down the Champs-Élysées, Chanel finds herself residing alongside the Reich’s High Command in the Hotel Ritz. Surrounded by the enemy, Chanel wages a private war of her own to wrestle full control of her perfume company from the hands of her Jewish business partner, Pierre Wertheimer. With anti-Semitism on the rise, he has escaped to the United States with the confidential formula for Chanel No. 5. Distrustful of his intentions to set up production on the outskirts of New York City, Chanel fights to seize ownership. The House of Chanel shall not fall.
While Chanel struggles to keep her livelihood intact, Paris sinks under the iron fist of German rule. Chanel—a woman made of sparkling granite—will do anything to survive. She will even agree to collaborate with the Nazis in order to protect her darkest secrets. When she is covertly recruited by Germany to spy for the Reich, she becomes Agent F-7124, code name: Westminster. But why? And to what lengths will she go to keep her stormy past from haunting her future?
Share an excerpt.
I, Coco Chanel, have discovered
The first rule of survival:
Trust no one but yourself.
PROLOGUE
Paris, Place Vendome
Fall 1944
Once, all of Paris lay at my feet, and Europe, too. The World was mine. Even after I closed the House of Chanel in 1939 in a fit of pique, my luminous No. 5 still sold, until Pierre stole it away. No. 5 was perfection. It infused my legend, lit my world like a brilliant star held in the weightless universe by the sheer grace of unknown powers. That perfume bore my name, making me famous and, until now, rich beyond my dreams. Like me, No. 5 has staying power—the sillage of it, the persistence—a ghostlike scent that lingers in the air even after substance disappears. The problem is that such fragrance triggers memories—for me, and others—and not all of them are good.
I’ve done terrible things. But really, I had no choice. And I always understood the risk. Still, I never thought this moment would come. The Germans have left Paris and there will be no last-minute absolution, not for me. Just ask the howling mob below in the Place Vendome. Yesterday I watched from my rooms in the Hotel Ritz, peering through the lace curtains while vicious thugs stripped a beautiful young woman of her clothes. I think I knew her. But where is her SS lover now? There she stood, naked, while they shaved off her lovely hair. The rabid crowd cheered when they burned swastika upon her forehead.
Oh—I still hear her screams.
There are people down in the streets today—I cannot believe my eyes—a string of women tied together with a rope. They’re called “horizontal collaborators,” the callabos. They weep, they beg, they plead. But with the Nazis gone, this is the time for vengeance.
This is the purge.
Next they will come for me. I tremble like a coward thinking of it. When they come I’ll walk instead of being dragged, even though there’s no one left to care. I am Mademoiselle Chanel, after all. Perhaps they’ll forget about me. Perhaps I’ll call downstairs for a cup of tea. Perhaps it will be my last.
Life is strange. You would think a star as bright as No. 5 could have lifted me up into the light instead of pulling me down into this darkness. It all began with Pierre’s betrayal, I suppose.
Or perhaps my descent began earlier, with Andre’.
******
Chapter One
France, the region of Provence
Spring 1940
Cannes, old and dense, still the rococo queen of the Cote d’Azur, is a palette of muted pastel this early May morning. Spring has arrived in Provence and the light is radiant, glazing the town in an apricot glow. Across the boulevard, the sandy beach is white, and flecks of gold sparkle in the green sea. On the Cote d’Azur you’d never know that the iron fist of the Reich already grips Czechoslovakia, Poland, Norway, and Denmark. But the gossip around town is that they’re headed this way.
Gabrielle Chanel—Coco to most—does not believe this is true. She sits at a shaded table off the boulevard across from the sea with a cup of tea before her, as she does almost every morning when she’s at La Pausa, her villa on the coast. She glances about, breathing in the fresh salt air. It’s good to get away from Paris for a while, away from the tension of the war, of guessing what comes next, and away from the hoards invading Paris from towns and farms close to the German border. When they realize the migration is all for nothing, they’ll run back home and then Paris will return to normal.
Coco is not worried; merely annoyed. France declared war on Germany nine months ago, and nothing’s happened since. Not here on the Riviera at least. This is a phony war, Coco thinks. Even the Duke and Duchess of Windsor remain in residence not far from here, in Cap d’Antibes. If a German invasion were imminent David would be the first to flee despite his friendship with the German fuhrer. The former king of England—Edward VII, known as David to his inner circle—makes no secret of his admiration for Hitler. And, after David abandoned his throne for the woman he loved, the fuhrer hosted him in Berlin with all the trappings of the throne. But facing a real war is something else. David isn’t nearly as tough as Wallis; the duchess’s pleasant manners and polished exterior hide a needle-sharp spine, which, when necessary, carries the venomous sting of a scorpion fish. Coco has seen Wallis cut other women dead when they get too close to David.
Do you have a favorite scene?
Yes. It’s the last scene in the book. I think it rounds out the story and will give a feeling of satisfaction to the reader. It was also fun to write.
What advice would you give a beginner?
Read to learn how to write. Look for how the great writers create their magic. First, read the old classics—Edith Wharton (The House of Mirth), Virginia Woolf (Mrs. Dalloway, To the Lighthouse), F. Scott Fitzgerald (The Great Gatsby, The Beautiful and the Damned), Tolstoy (Anna Karenina), etc. That is how I taught myself to write. For example, F. Scott Fitzgerald writes wonderful dialogue. His words are sharp as cut glass, and just flow naturally. I think every beginning writer should also read the best of contemporary books as well. But I would start with the classics.
Second, learn the business of writing. If you are serious, it’s not a hobby. You invest years of your life into the research and writing. So read about the business of writing. Because if you don’t know how to handle what comes next, no one will even know your book exists. You should become involved in local literary and book groups, and similar groups on social networks. Get to know people running your local bookstores. Attend book festivals. Book festivals and conferences are great places to learn, and many of them include an opportunity to meet with an agent or editor and have them read samples of your work. And become active in Goodreads on-line and other on-line book groups—there you’ll find some of the most informed readers in the world, and a bonus is, they’re fun.
And when you’re book is ready to submit, invest in a great website.
The Queen of Paris is now available in e-book, audio, and hard cover at most Independent bookstores, Barnes & Noble and other national and international bookstores, and on-line at Amazon & Nook and other e-book retail sites.
A.M. Gilliam and I got in touch through a mutual acquaintance. She writes steamy romances.
Author Bio
A.M. Gilliam is an American Romance Author. She’s best known for her debut novel “Sweet Serenity” Published by Next-Century Publishing in 2017.
As of, 2020 she will be self-publishing. Her love for reading romance novels, sparked an interest in writing them. Since the age of 12, she has always loved telling stories and writing them.
She currently resides in Richmond, Virginia with her family. When she’s not writing steamy romance novels, she’s spending time with her daughter, and working at her Event Planning business in her local area.
Tell us about yourself.
Well, my name’s A. M. Gilliam and I am a romance author! I write contemporary romance novels and are currently venturing out to paranormal romance in what I’m working on now. I’m a mother, a writer, an entrepreneur and a full time medical accountant.
When did you know you wanted to be an author?
I knew I wanted to be an author when I was about 12 years old. I loved writing short stories and I adored the feeling of creating something and see it on paper.
What genres do you like to read? Are these the same genres you write in?
I read romance in any and everyday. Paranormal, erotica, contemporary, Christian etc. When it comes to love I don’t discriminate. And yes that is the genre I currently write.
Is your book for adults, young adults or children?
It’s definitely for adults. Some of my novels are boarder line erotica. LOL.
What is your current release or project?
I just released a novel called “Redemption” and it was released March 16th. Right now I’m currently working on a paranormal series. The first volume is set to be released in August 2020. Volume I will have the first 2 books in it. The cover reveal is set for May 2020.
Tell us about the key characters
My new release “Redemption” is about second chances and loving someone through mental illness. Crystal is a mother, and a career woman who suffers from a mental illnesses. She reconnects with Zane who she dumped, after a long time, and her past catches up to her and she either has to learn from the past or repeat its history.
What is your blurb or synopsis of the book?
When Crystal met Zane five years ago, sparks flew instantly. She knew he was the one for her. Zane was everything she wanted in a man, and in a father for her daughter. But internal turmoil caused Crystal to pack up everything, including her daughter, and leave Zane and Virginia behind.
Five years later, a chance encounter causing old wound to re-open and past hurt to resurface between both. Zane’s livid and demanding answers. But will answers just be enough? When lies, obstacles and a little family drama turns their journey into a trying one, can their love smooth things over? Can Crystal learn to let go of the past, and find her Redemption? Can Zane love Crystal through her pain?
Share an excerpt
It’s him! Zane McGowan. Sitting in the front fucking row of my very important conference. My body goes rigid and my heart slams into the pit of my stomach. If I wasn’t standing in front of two hundred people right now, I would swear that this was a dream. His tall, muscular frame would be hard to miss. I stare at him completely ignoring the fact that everyone’s eyes are on me.
My God! He’s still gorgeous. Even after five years. His milky chocolate skin is as smooth and flawless as I remember. His tailored grey suit makes him look even more appealing. Big brown eyes stare back at me. But I can’t notice any shock as I gaze into them. As if he knew I’d be here. My heartbeat picks up its pace and my palms begin to sweat. I can’t believe he still makes me feel so alive.
Looking at him is like looking at everything that I’ve ever screwed up in human form. Immediately, the last eight years of my life replay in my head like flashes of light.
Regret… That’s all I feel as I stare at him. He was the love of my life. Honestly, he still is. But there can never be anything between us again. I ruined him once, I won’t do it again.
“Ms. Hunt?” The mc calls. I force my eyes to break free from him, then I look over at the mc. He glances towards the audience suggestively while gesturing for me to move closer to the podium. Hoping that I can still salvage this conference, I cleared my throat. Thank you all for coming today. I’m so grateful to be here. We are here to discuss a great environmental breakthrough. We believe that by the end of this conference, you all will have the necessary tools to help us change the environment for the better.
No matter where you live or what your financial circumstances are, you can help save this planet. YOU can be the change.
Do you have a favorite scene?
Yes, my favorite scene is the hot and spicy one
What advice would you give a beginner?
Don’t give up! Keep pushing! The reward Is greater than the fight
AJ Kurtz and I met through social media. She’s an eclectic author and writes in a variety of genres.
Author Bio:
Best-selling author AJ Kurtz resides in PA with her two children. She has two cats, loves traveling; spending time with her family; friends, and supportive fiancé. She enjoys reading books by Stephen King, Anne Rice, Tolkien, and many more. Music is her muse to write; anywhere from classical music to rock.
AJ’s been writing most of her life, and has taken it more seriously since 2009, with no plans on slowing down. She’s the author of five published works, and is currently working on a short story along with her upcoming Odyssey Trilogy.
Tell us about yourself.
I’m a best-selling
author, who’s been writing over ten years now. My best sellers include
“Andromeda: The Crown of Fire” and “Atlantic Island Universe
Anthology.”
When did you know you wanted to be an author?
I have always had a
love for writing, even as a child. It wasn’t until around 2008-2009 when I
wanted to start taking my writing more seriously and become an author.
What genres do you like to read? Are these the same genres you write in?
I’m very eclectic when
it comes to reading books. Anywhere between historical to science fiction. I’m
currently reading a post-apocalyptic science fiction book. I’ve
written from paranormal romance to sci-fi and fantasy fiction, so yes, I
tend to write in some of the same genres.
Is your book for adults, young adults or children?
My books range from
young adult to adult.
What is your current release or project?
I helped co-author an
anthology with Fredric Shernoff, Dawn Dagger, Lala Leo, and Rennie St. James
called, “Atlantic Island Universe.” Each of us wrote a short story
for it. Mine is, “Odyssey: The Fated Ones.”
We’ve all signed a
contract to work on trilogies of our own that are spinoffs from Fredric’s
Atlantic Island Trilogy. In other words, expanding his world into a multiverse
which has been a lot of fun.
Tell us about the key characters.
Agent Jaymes Ryker, has come from the future, 2082, to the year, 2075, on a mission to find help for his timeline that’s on the brink of a civil war. He must show Kensie Rockwell that she’s much more than a middle school teacher, and Kensie’s faced with a difficult choice. Her past with her ex- girlfriend, Morgan Kelly, will complicate every move Kensie and Jaymes try to make.
What is your blurb or synopsis of the book?
My part of the story is about a woman recovering from a breakup with her ex- girlfriend as she begins to time travel in her dreams. She attracts the attention of the MMEA, and learns there might be more to the breakup than she realized.
Share an excerpt
Do you have a favorite scene?
I have a few, but I
won’t give anything away.
What advice would you give a beginner?
Every writer is
different and does things that may only work for them. Find out what works for
you, what POV you like to write in, what genre you enjoy writing about etc.
Write as often as possible. If you ever need help, there’s an enormous writing
community out there to ask questions and find answers from. When you hit the
point where you want to quit, don’t. Instead, take a break from writing and
come back to it refreshed. It can be a lonely process, make sure you have
support or someone you can talk to.
Sarah Hadley came to me through one of the groups I post book tours for. Her books sound interesting
Tell us about yourself.
Hi! Thanks for hosting me today! So a little about
myself—I’m a mother of two young men, a grandmother of a toddler, and a cat mom
of two furry children. I would consider myself an introvert, but with my day
job in the nonprofit world, I have to push that aside and focus on doing the
job, which means being sociable—once a completely alien concept to me. It can
be exhausting, but I’m passionate about what I do, so it’s worth it.
I love old movies and musicals, anything with shrimp, and Captain Janeway of Star Trek Voyager is my idol!
When did you know you wanted to be an author?
As a child, I created little books for my dolls, writing
short, one-sentence stories, including “The cat ran over the hill” and “The
doll wore a pink dress”. Genius, I know… but it awoke something in me. Reading
Little Women and the kinship I felt with the character Jo, only solidified my
desire to write.
What genres do you like to read? Are these the same genres you write in?
I am an insatiable reader and never limit myself to any
certain genre. While I would say romance is my favorite (contemporary,
historical, LGBTQ), I also read sci-fi, historical, political, mysteries, suspense,
nonfiction, erotica, older classics, and anything on space and ancient times. I
have a constant desire to learn and explore something new.
Right now I’ve been leaning toward political books, but my therapist has put me on a “Politics Diet”—meaning I can still read them, but not in a row because I tend to get so worked up and let it carry with me for days. I have to alternate with other genres, only reading a political book every third one! (I see her weekly and honestly, therapy has changed my life!)
Is your book for adults, young adults or children?
The Twisted Oak is definitely for adults, as there are some erotic scenes included.
What is your current release or project?
I’m actually working on the second in this series—I’m
planning on at least three. The second one takes place in the same town, with a
new love story, but continues with the backstory that was started in The Twisted Oak.
I’ve got several novellas I’m currently working on in the same genre—MM Romance, as well as a historical romance I’ve been working on that features a F/M couple. I’m also hoping to have a holiday story out this December.
Tell us about the key characters
Wade Dwyer is fiercely loyal, loves unconditionally,
strong, and willing to do whatever it takes to save the family ranch. He’s also
in love with his older brother’s best friend, but an awkward incident in his
teens has caused him to avoid Lance for years.
Lance Matthews is Casey’s Dwyer’s best friend. He’s also
the lawyer who helped draw up Casey’s father’s will and has the loathsome task
of letting all three Dwyer boys know of the condition in the will that may
cause them to lose their ranch. He hopes his plan will work. And so what if it
means spending time with the man he carries a torch for?
What is your blurb or synopsis of the book?
Wade Dwyer’s life is turned upside down when his father dies and he learns he must marry or he and his siblings will lose the ranch. One last jab of the knife from his father. On top of that, his father’s only friend knows about the stipulation and is determined to own the property by any means necessary.
He’s facing the very real possibility of being the reason his family loses their home when his brother’s best friend, Lance Matthews, offers to walk down the aisle with him. A faux marriage to the man he’s loved for years is a torture he isn’t sure he can endure.
Can he keep the ranch … and the man of his dreams, too?
Do you have a favorite scene?
I feel so close to this book, these characters, that it’s hard to pick a favorite scene. I do love the scenes between Lance and Wade when they first tiptoe around each other, knowing they were going to be spending the next year together. And the scenes when they are riding over the land, just enjoying the freedom.
What advice would you give a beginner?
I know it sounds like a cliché, but seriously, just keep
writing! Write something every day. Get into a routine. And read! It’s
important to read as much as you can, as we can still learn from other writers.
Don’t be afraid to take a chance, either. Look for publishers that are open to submissions and give it a try!
A.D. Wayne and I met through social media. She’s a lovely person who is an incredible writer. She sheds a unique perspective on horror and darker side of writing and a wonderful artist. I’m impressed with her work.
Author Bio
A.D.
Wayne grew up in the artistic and publishing world. She studied visual art as
well as creative literature, parapsychology, and astronomy. Despite her
introverted personality, Wayne decided to realize one of her secret dreams to
create a gothic magazine that would reach out to all who had a passion for what
goes bump in the night. That is when Gothic Bite Magazine was born.
Wayne’s first dream achieved, she then desired nothing more than to publish her series of novels. Torn between two passions she unites with science, Wayne created a Gothic series and Sci-Fi series. She made her place in the author’s world by believing she could do it as long as she followed the words of her favorite villains, “Resistance is futile,” and keep writing.
Tell us about yourself.
Hi! I’m Alexa Wayne, aka the OCD Vampire and creator of Gothic Bite Magazine. I’m obsessed with Vlad III or Vlad the Impaler. I am an introvert, and I do not hide it anymore. I even believe it to be an asset for someone who is like me. I am writing and drawing all day long with my little dog, Carey, by my side.
I
studied graphic and web design a decade ago, along with 2D and 3D Animation. I
also took online Sequential Art | Inking & Rendering | Anatomy and Comic
Book Art classes with Comics Experience. I then went to Syn Studio and studied
Digital Painting | Storytelling & Design | Character Rendering | Comic
Book. I own a diploma in WordPress with TechUComp. I have various certifications
and qualifications in Proofreading & Editing | Creative Writing | Novel
Writing | Successful Self- Publishing | Social Media Marketing | Blogging
Business | Virtual Assistance | Ufology | Astronomy | Cryptozoology | Wicca |
Hoodoo | Kitchen Witchery, with Centre of Excellence.
I
took many art classes to help me in my development as a well-rounded artist. I
didn’t wish to rely on anyone to become the writer that I envisioned in my
head. I love everything when it comes to creating something. I like doing
research, marketing, graphic, and web design. I enjoy the entire process of
turning a piece of art, including a novel, into something incredible.
When did you know you wanted to be an author?
I grew up in the artistic world. I went to acting school for thirteen years of my life, and that included classical ballet, along with singing and various types of acting and dancing styles.
If
someone asked me why I love to read and watch the most, it would be Dracula or
vampires in general. To me, the comic book is the most accurate form of art
when it gets closer to acting. Some would argue, of course, debate it to the
contrary, but acting has many faces.
Time
passed, I needed something more, and that was to gain writing experience. The
Geek Initiative became the first professional blog I worked for, and it was
epic. I enjoy the geeky environment and the opportunity they gave me. The
founder, Tara M. Clapper, and editor in chief became my first novel editor.
She
gave me the backbone I needed to find my way as an artist and author. I am now
the proud creator of Gothic Bite Magazine. I write paranormal suspense novels
in the horror genre. It took me some time, but now I know that I am proud to be
a monster nerd, and a hundred percent living in her twisted mind!
What genres do you like to read? Are these the same genres you write in?
I like to read history books in the subjects I love the most such as The Knight Templars, The Dark Ages, Kings & Queens of the Middle Ages, Pharaohs, Vikings and a lot about Vlad the Impaler!
I
also read a lot in the genre that I write to understand better and learn from
authors that made a name for themselves or simply to keep me updated. Those
would include Oliver Bowden, Bernard Cornwell, C.C. Humphreys, Charlaine
Harris, Jeaniene Frost, and Stephen King, to name my “go-to.”
Is your book for adults, young adults, or children?
My books are for a mature audience, 18+ because of the explicit goriness and some violent graphic scenes. The language is also a factor when dialogs take place between characters.
I
also put warnings if there are mentions of PTSD, chronic anxiety, suicidal
thoughts, or even any type of phobias. I keep my characters, despite them being
fictional, as real as possible in the environment that they are. So, they do
have psychological problems or obstacles to overcome. Again, those are factors
that make it more for a mature audience.
What is your current release or project?
My latest novel that came out on January 31st, 2020, is The Gravedigger. It is the second installment in the Lord Impaler series, the sequel to Mrs. Blackwood. Although it is a sequel, it is not necessary to read Mrs. Blackwood to enjoy the novel, as it was an introduction, an extra to the series.
Tell us about the key characters
The main female character, Clémentine Lyon or Dr. Lyon, is a professional vampirologist who studied anthropology and ancient history. She worked for the RunwayLAB, who denied her the recognition she deserved when discovering the legitimate remains of a petrified vampire corpse near the Moosham Castle in Austria.
She
is a quite special hereditary witch, gifted with a strong bloodline that
allowed her the title of Gravedigger. She is quite aware of the monster world,
referred to as “Frankensteins.” Furthermore, her passion for Vlad the Impaler
brings her to question quite a few obstacles on her quest to save and protect
the Frankensteins and peace between humans and her people, the Nightfall Coven.
Of
course, Vlad the Impaler is part of the novel series. His history that we know
is quite hard to understand and pinpoint because although he was noble,
Wallachia—now Romania, was always under assault. Mixing history and taking
liberties between gaps in his life were hard choices. I wanted to create an
authentic Vlad. However, it is the first book with him present. Much more
remains to be seen concerning him, his life, as a vampire, and when alive.
Other
historical characters make their entrance, such as Matthias Corvinus, Elizabeth
Báthory, Ragnar Lothbrok, Cennétig mac Lorcáin, and others. Moreover, you have
one character named, Naten, who is quite important not only because he is
Vlad’s best friend but also because he is a revamp of a classic monster.
All
characters have a central role to play. Because it is the second installment
but also the actual “first” novel of the series, pawns have their
place to be. I like for everyone to have a reason, or at least, I try my best.
What is your blurb or synopsis of the book?
Lord Impaler Series — The Gravedigger
Clémentine
Lyons is determined to prove the existence of monsters, including vampires, to
the masses. In her attempts, she found herself face to face with her all-time
hero, the Impaler.
Quickly,
Clémentine is brought neck-deep in the horror of what it means to be an actual
vampire. Monsters are not what they seem to be, and humans are those that
should be taken down. By the Impaler’s side and her crew, Clémentine realizes
that life is a game of survival.
Share an excerpt
Chapter 1: Bad Blood
“I told you not to drink from
strangers!” He growled through his teeth, where a strong impact resonated
from the wall when propping his guard against it. “We have givers and
VitaL for a reason!” He let go of the body that fell on the wooden floor
of the French mansion, and with his smoky voice, he added, “Wipe that
blood off your face and put away those fangs, before I smack them off your
mouth.”
The vampire used his sleeve to wipe the
sanguine liquid dripping from his mouth. He looked up toward the tall and dark
lead vampire and said, “It’s strange hearing those words from the one who
used to have a forest of impaled bodies…remind me how many were there, twenty,
thirty, or was it—”
“A hundred thousand, and don’t make
me add you to that list!” He shouted through his smoky voice, adding with
a carved frown as he pulled him back up against the wall by the collar of his
shirt, “Don’t think for one moment that because you’re part of Matthias’
House, I won’t hesitate to impale you and turn you inside out! You, filthy
piece of shit!”
“I was sent by Corvinus to keep an
eye on your doings, Vladislav. The Dark Ages Council is doubting your loyalty
to our people.” His voice, reminiscent of a snake crawled up Vlad’s skin
and so he stared at the bloodsucker with his vampire’s eyes, showing a red dot
in his pupils.
“You’re abusing your rank,
Ragnar.”
“Corvinus paid me to be your
shadow, and so I shall be.”
Vladislav lost patience and threw Ragnar
out of the boudoir and closed the double doors. “Piss off!”
As he walked back toward the fireplace,
near his friend François, he thought about the many rules to follow as a
vampire leader ever since he was turned. His name had him placed on the highest
of ranks. His actions had him been feared by many vampires that demanded proof
of his maker but found none. It had Vladislav seen as a First. In spite of it
all, his reputation and life as a human who died over five centuries ago,
Vladislav had to comply with the Dark Ages Council.
Ragnar belonged to Matthias Corvinus’
House, a man who had stabbed him in the back and sold him out to their enemy
while he was still human. Vladislav despised the conservative vampires, which
were all part of the Dark Ages Council. As he was the leader of the idealists,
those who wished to be part of the human world, one female vampire was the
opposite and protected the old ways. There were many cherished traditions, and
Ragnar was one who enjoyed applying these traditions ever since he had been
turned around eight hundred years ago.
Vladislav felt a pat on his back, then
the hand moved to his shoulder with a firm grip, “Like it or not my friend,
if you don’t control yourself and start acting with that overly high IQ brain
of yours, you’ll perish at Matthias’ hand once again.”
“I lost my token, François. If I
don’t find it soon, I’ll die no matter what.”
“Any leads on who took it?”
“All of those I suspected came out
clean. I need a witch to help me find it and find the rat who sold me out,
again.”
All of the conservatives Vladislav
suspected stealing his token came out clean once under his mindspell. He
thought because the idealists desired nothing more than to live at peace with
humans, that those opposed to it and fighting for the old ways would send
someone to steal his one object, preventing him from turning into a puddle of
muddy blood. Yet, he came out empty-handed. The smell of burning logs from the
fireplace brought comfort to Vladislav’s mind, but his problems kept surfacing,
and when François showed a grin, he bent over to stare at his computer screen.
“This is Clémentine Lyon. She’s a
vampirologist and parapsychologist. She teaches classes at three different
universities. She’s also the one who found the body of an ancient vampire
petrified not too far from the Moosham Castle in Austria. She made the news,
and she traveled around until she was silenced.”
“Conservatives?”
“Yes. They stopped her from sharing
the truth and alienated the body as proof.”
Vladislav looked at her black hair going
down her neck, hazel green eyes, and fair skin. In her picture, she wore a
black tank top with a beaked hoodie and had a subtle smile while standing in
front of an iron gate. He couldn’t help but smirk when he heard his friend say,
“By doing some more research on her, I found that she has a Ph.D. in
history and specialized in legends and folklore. She is also part of the Life
at Dusk documentary series on the Dark Channel.”
Do you have a favorite scene?
I do have a favorite scene. Challenging my characters are what I enjoy the most, torturing them, and have them agonize on decisions they must make. As Spock best said, “Logic clearly dictates that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.” Followed by Captain Kirk, “…or the one.”
My
favorite scene is when Vlad’s best friend, Naten, must decide if he’s life is
worth more than Vlad’s importance to the Nightfall Coven and the survival of
humanity. He must take upon himself the role of King again for a while, but a
mummy can only survive so long before they need their own “coffin.”
That scene is one of the most exhausting ones I wrote because I could feel the
weight I put on the shoulders of Naten, Vlad, Mr. Priest, and Clementine.
What advice would you give a beginner?
I grew up in the art and publishing world. Books surrounded me since I was born. Raised by my grandparents and mother, my grandpa worked for a binding & printing company. He would often come back with boxes of books and encyclopedia worth so much money but didn’t “make the cut” because of small printing errors.
So,
my advice would be if you wish to become a graphic/web designer or illustrator,
do not be afraid to stand out. I mean, by that, do not fit in any cookie
cutters. Look at the latest trends, yes, but also, don’t be afraid to find
inspiration in the past.
Myself,
I am more of a European stylist in design than North American simply because I
prefer certain aspects of it. Put together your portfolio and a professional
website. Don’t be afraid to pay for a professional website if you must.
Graphic/web design requires a certification because of the complexity of the
rules and printing industry, as well as the online industry.
When
it comes to authors, do not stop writing because people tell you that you
cannot make it. It is NOT true. Do not listen to those voices. Keep writing and
again, stand out. When everyone goes right for the style of writing or book
cover, don’t be afraid to go left. Do not settle for anyone but yourself and
how much you believe in your story.
Another
common mistake to avoid, do not do everything yourself. Do not fear your limits
and hire a graphic designer or illustrator for your book cover. The phrase
“do not judge a book by its cover” is an excellent lesson to learn, but
sadly, every one of us bought at least one book just because the cover was
amazing. So, investing in editors, graphic designers, and web designers are
crucial parts of being an indie author. It is in those details that one can
stand out from the sea of indie authors.
In conclusion, do not let fear and peer pressure dictate what you wish to become or do with your creation. Just keep going, and you won’t regret it.
Angel Nyx is a repeat for me. We got to know her last September when she was promoting her book and giving the procedures to charity! She’s back and this time we get to learn more about her.
Author Bio (as a reminder)
Angel Nyx is an author of steamy paranormal, contemporary, and historical romance, romantic suspense, and urban fantasy. Her passion for literature was instilled in her at a young age when her mother read her fairy tale stories at bedtime. Her vivid imagination helps her get in tune with her characters to bring them to life for her readers. She is also a mom, a furmomma, a Nana, a reader, an avid gamer chick, and unabashedly retro.
She was once told that her ‘OCD is queen’ because it allows her to find errors in written word others miss. That comment led to her creating Horus Proofreading, where she goes beyond basic proofreading to help make her clients books shine.
She has also recently ventured into the realm of audiobook narration, on the suggestion of several other Indie authors,
When she’s not working, writing, reading, or gaming, she is usually relaxing to music, spending time with her furbabies, or finding new authors to fall in love with.
She has a long time love affair with the city of New Orleans, which is why so much of her work is set there, and plans to visit the city as often as possible in the coming years.
I’m really pleased to welcome Angel Nyx back to my blog!
I’m so happy to be back!
Since your last visit, give us an update on you and what you’ve been up to.
Life has been crazy since the last time I was here! I
FINALLY finished the book I’d actually started back in February, and had
planned to have out by May. My muse had other plans LOL I’ve also decided to
add a second pen name because I have some darker/kinkier books I’d like to
write that just don’t fit in with the branding for Angel Nyx, so Jeze Xyn was
born! The name is pronounced Jezzie Sin, and I’m aiming for a late
February/Early March debut for her!
Tell us about your new publication
My newest release, Luminescent Lotus, is the fifth book in
my NOLA Shifters Series. All of the books in the series are stand alones with
guaranteed HEA’s, but they’re interconnected so characters from previous books make
appearances in it! It released on December 10th, and is my 8th
published book.
Is your new book / project in the same genre
My main genre is Paranormal Romance. The last time I was
here, I talked about my first foray into contemporary romance, but PNR is and
always will be my first love and greatest passion in writing!
Describe your main characters
My heroine, Roxie Holcomb, is an interesting character, in
my opinion. She is the product of a human/shifter pairing. In my world, such
pairings can have one of three results. The child is either full shifter, full
human, or human with some shifter capabilities. The latter are called shiftless
shifters, because they have many of the qualities of their shifter kin—enhanced senses, faster, stronger,
better healing—but
they don’t have an inner anumal so they can’t shift.
That
is Roxie’s fate. Her father is a wolf shifter, her mother is a human, and Roxie
doesn’t have an inner wolf. Her entire life she wanted to be a singer, and
then, just as she was starting to make a name for herself, a terrible accident
happens that leaves her scarred both mentally and physically. She walks away
from her dream, but she still has spunk and fire to her.
The hero, Steele, is a wolf shifter. He was a sniper in a Special Ops group that consisted of other shifters, and after going to New Orleans in the first book to help former Spec Ops team mate, Declan, he decided to remain in New Orleans and become part of the Ghostpoint Pack. He’s the resident playboy and jokester, but what most don’t realize is he cracks jokes to hide the darkness he feels inside from the things he’d seen and done while working for the government.
Please share your blurb
Roxie Holcolmb
For as far back as she can remember, Roxie has wanted to be
a singer. Just as her dream is beginning to take off, tragedy strikes. She puts
her music away, intending to never pick it up again, when a chance meeting in
New Orleans changes her entire outlook.
Steele Reinhardt
When you spend a large chunk of your adulthood taking out
the dregs of society, it leaves a stain on your soul. Steele hides his darkness
behind jokes and doubts he will ever find a woman who can accept the man behind
the mask. Then his path crosses hers. Will she be the one to pull his soul out
of darkness?
Please share an excerpt
Steele
Golden eyes moved over the
crowd waiting to enter the club and he caught a flash of pink and purple just
as the doors closed behind two women. The scent lingered for a moment before it
faded and a growl trickled from his lips. His mate was in New Orleans. She was
inside Emelise’s club. What better place to meet her than inside a club owned
by a fellow shifter?
There were perks to having an
alliance between the Ghostpoint Pack and the Black Water Pard. At the door,
Steele simply gave his name and slipped inside. No waiting in line for him. It
took only seconds for his eyes to adjust to the lighting and then, using his
heightened sense of smell, he followed the scent of his mate to the bar in time
to hear her sultry voice speak.
“I’ll have a Quick Fuck.”
“I can take care of that for
you, sweetheart, but I don’t know how quick it’ll be,” he growled from right
behind her. He wasn’t quite expecting the reaction he got.
Roxie
The scent of musk hit her
nostrils and Roxie froze. The way her body responded to the smell confused her.
She’d never had such an illogical reaction to a smell before. The words,
growled next to her ear, sent a shiver down her spine and caused dampness to
pool between her thighs. It also caused her anger to flare. “Excuse me? Who in
the fuck do you think you are? Do you really think it’s even remotely
acceptable to walk up behind a woman while she’s asking for a drink and say
something like that to her? Are you really that much of a fuckwad?” She spun
around and glared at him. Brown eyes locked with gray blue ones in a battle of
wills.
“Whoa. Damn girl, no need to
bite my head off. That sounded way better in my head. Okay, yeah, that wasn’t
much better. It was a total dick-ish thing to say. Let me make up for being
such an asshole by paying for your drink. It’s an interesting choice. Don’t
think I’ve ever heard of it before. I’m Steele, by the way.”
Roxie just stared at him. Had
he lost his fucking mind? “After what you just said, what makes you think I’d
let you buy me a drink or that I give a damn what your name is?”
“Excuse my friend. She’s had a
bad day.”
Roxie glared at her best
friend. “Alli.”
“What? You have and you know
it, Roxie. Let the man buy you a drink and make up for being a dick. I’m Alli,
this is Roxie.”
When Allison’s hand touched
the back of Steele’s, Roxie wanted to rip it off. What. The. Fuck? Giving her
head a quick shake she pushed the feeling down. “Fine. I’ll let him buy my
drink. I need a strong drink that tastes great. A Quick Fuck has three of my
favorites; Bailey’s, Kahlua, and Midori.” They moved to an empty table and sat.
“You lovely ladies picked the
perfect club to forget about the worries of the day in. Scarlet Flux is one of
the hottest clubs in New Orleans. I’m not saying that because I know the owner,
who, I might add, is a kick ass lady herself. The club has some of the best
acts in the city.”
“Watch out for this one,
dahlings. He’s a bit of a player.”
Roxie blinked at the drag
queen who was suddenly standing in front of their table.
“He’s a good sort, but still a
player.”
“Thanks, Venus. You’re ruining
all my fun.”
There was a note of real anger
in his voice that puzzled Roxie. “What are you so pissed about? It’s not like I
hadn’t already figured that much out. You’re barking up the wrong tree here.
You might as well move along because this,” and she motioned between them, “is
never going to happen. Even if I was interested, I don’t do casual sex and it
doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that’s all you do. So buh-bye
now.” She downed her drink, set her glass on the table, and got up. “Come on,
Alli. Let’s get out of here.” On the way to the door, Roxie glanced over her
shoulder to find Steele’s blue gray eyes watching her leave. The look of
longing, and sorrow, in them almost broke her resolve. Almost. She forced
herself to turn back around and left, expecting to never see him again.
Please tell us about any other accomplishments
I have eight books out now; five in the NOLA Shifters series (Wild Lilies, Scarlet Roses, Midnight Orchids, Radiant Violets, and Luminescent Lotus), the first book in my Club Equinox series (Whispers of Hope), the first book in my Marchetti Family series (Black Tears), and the first book in my Hellfire series (The Devil’s Heir). I wrote a short story for the Shades of Pink anthology again this year, which was only available in October, and will be fleshing it out soon for release early in 2020.
Are you attending any events? (Online or in person)
I am attending the Tucson Book Festival in March and
Reader’s Envy Phoenix Book Bash in June, both as an author, and hope to get to
a few as a reader this year! I’d hoped to go to the Court of Sin signing in
Louisiana but sadly, I won’t be able to make it.
What’s next for you?
I have a few things planned! In my reader group we’ve been
doing group driven stories that are being turned into freebie e-books, the
first is out on e-book now!. I am already hard at work on the second book in my
Hellfire Series as well as working on the first book for my alter ego, Jeze. I
also have a novella to clean up for the NOLA series, a short story to flesh
out, AND I’ve started a completely new PNR series set in the
England/Scotland/Ireland area that will include many creatures of lore
including dragon shifters, phoenixes, griffins, selkies, kelpies, banshees,
sirens, even druids! It’s all a part of a world I’m creating called the
Shifting Myths World. I have a dragon shifter series that has 12 dragon clans,
and it’s my hope that others will want to come play in my sandbox in the near
future!
I also have a short story for a Valentine’s Day anthology
that will be connected to my Shifting Myths World and will have phoenixes ans
griffins in it.
With more experiences, what advice would you give a new author?
Don’t give up on your passion. Sometimes things get rough,
and you have to take a step back to re-energize yourself, but if it’s truly
your passion, keep going. Also, never compare yourself, and your journey, with
that of another author because you have no idea what is going on behind the
scenes that helped them to get to where they are. Your journey is your own, and
when you get those die-hard fans, because you WILL get them, remember they are
there, they love your stories, and your words brighten their lives every time
they read one of your books!
Clairissa SinClair and I met through a group of authors. We’re both participating in 7 Days of Romance.
Author bio
I spent most of my life in the snow belt of upstate New York. When my divorce became final and my youngest daughters graduated from high school we packed up and headed south for a new beginning. All alone in a new state for the first time in my life, I joined a few book clubs to meet new people and started toying around with story ideas. Eventually those ideas became books, but it was still a few years before I was brave enough to self-publish. I love loud rock n roll music. I collect (hoard) Fiestaware and make over ugly junk I drag home from curbs, garage sales and flea markets.
Tell us about yourself.
I’m a happily divorced mother of four girls. I live with my boyfriend and two very spoiled Chihuahuas on the Gulf Coast of Florida. We literally have dolphins and manatees and sea turtles swimming through our backyard! I also work full time at the local police department and in my spare time I rehab furniture and hoard Fiestaware.
When did you know you wanted to be an author?
Since always. I created tons of stories on lined notebook paper and was editor of my high school newspaper back in the day.
What genres do you like to read? Are these the same genres you write in?
I read everything. I spent an entire year reading the most frequently banned books, and another year focusing on biographies of interesting people. I also read romance, of course, which is what I write.
Is your book for adults, young adults or children?
Definitely adults!
What is your current release or project?
I finished a Valentine’s Anthology short story titled, “Captured on Film”, with a group of very talented ladies. I am releasing the 4th book in my Vampire Series Nesting Instinct and finishing the 5th, which is an M/M. I’m also working a sexy, funny, unique series I’m calling “Second Chance at Love in the Sunny Dayz Trailer Park”. It’s based on all the interesting people here in Florida. All of my characters are golden agers finding love all over again.
Tell us about the key characters.
Film is based on an idea a very good friend of mine gave me. Damaris doesn’t want to marry her long time partner, Peter, because she’s afraid it will make their life “boring” and “vanilla”. Peter plans the perfect surprise wedding for her and an equally surprising honeymoon.
What is your blurb or synopsis of the book?
Damaris and Peter have been in a very special, but entirely non-traditional relationship for ten years. Their dark secrets perfectly compliment one another. Although they’ve discussed taking their relationship to the next level, Damaris is scared that it will destroy the fantasy life they’ve created. What happens when Peter drops a shocking bombshell on her? Will she marry the man of her dreams in a ceremony that he planned, down to the smallest detail? Will Damaris’ fears come to fruition? Find out in “Captured on Film”.
Share an excerpt
Just three short hours ago, I woke up in his
arms, on our first morning at Killarney Castle, on the rocky shores of
Scotland. Peter brought me here under
the pretense of exploring my family history.
It turns out that my eight times great-grandparents lived her a few
centuries ago. They had, in fact, had
this castle built to protect them and their people in the early
fifteen-hundreds. We arrived last night, just in time for a late supper, and
spent the rest of the night making love in the massive canopy bed in the Royal
Suite. At precisely eight am, he took me
in his arms and kissed me passionately.
When he finally broke away, he said “Happy Valentines day, my love.
I got you a little something special, for the ten year anniversary of the day
we met. I want you to know that there is
no other person in this world that I could ever imagine as being my copilot in
the crazy adventure that is our life.
You are my best friend, my lover, my partner, and the other half of my
soul, and that is why I brought you
here.” I had tears in my
eyes. I will never stop being amazed by
Peter’s grand gestures. He was raised by
his mother and grandmother on the beaches of San Diego and is a true romantic
at heart, something we both agree that I am not. Nothing in the world could
have prepared me for the next sentence that he spoke. “That is why at two o’clock today, after
a very long morning of surprises, we’ll be getting married, here at the
castle. It’s all set. Happy Valentine’s
Day, my beautiful wife to be!” He
wrapped his arms around me and kissed me full on the lips again, but my body
went stiff in his arms and I was too shocked to respond coherently.
Wait?
What????? You know that sound
that an old vinyl record makes when the needle scrapes across the grooves? I hear it in my head right now. My heart is pounding out of my head and my
brain is racing. I’m furious! We have talked about marriage from time to
time over the years, but never with any level of seriousness. Marriage is an unnecessary and antiquated
ideal, as far as I’m concerned, and Peter always agreed with me. Married people become boring and predictable
and that is definitely not the future I want for us. Our lives are far from vanilla. Peter is more than just the love of my
life. He’s my Dom. He’s also the perfect Voyeur Ying to my
Exhibitionist Yang. We met through
mutual friends who shared our interests in the lifestyle. They joked that we’d be perfectly compatible. It turns out that they were one hundred
percent correct and we’ve been together every single day since then.
“Please. Peter, tell me this one of your jokes? Please tell me that you didn’t go to all of this trouble for a fucking wedding?” I sputtered, forcing myself to hold back the wrath that I’m about to unleash on the man that I love. In response he just grinned at me, revealing the deep dimples in both of his cheeks. My voice takes on an unnatural screech, “You’re not even serious right now, are you?!?” Peter chuckled. He was clearly anticipating my response. Jumping quickly out of the big bed to avoid the ass beating that I was considering giving him, he pulled on a pair of black Saxx boxer briefs over his perfectly tanned ass, and ignored my hate filled scowl, “Your first surprise will be arriving any time now. I’m giving you plenty of time to adjust to the idea of being my wife.”
“Your wife!” I sputtered, “Like your car, or your house, or your cow.” “Cow? I don’t own a cow, love?” I was mad enough to spit fire, “You know what I mean. Like property. Your property.”
“Damaris,” he sighed, “your heart has always been, and will forever be, my most treasured possession, and I hope to God that I will be yours. You will be my wife. I will be your husband.”
Why does the bastard always have to be so
poetic?
Do you have a favorite scene?
I love the moment where she finally gives in and realizes that marrying her soulmate is exactly the right thing for her.
What advice would you give a beginner?
A journey of 50,000 words starts with a single keystroke. Just start typing and don’t stop.
Title: Love on the Fly: Short Story (A 7 Days
of Romance Collection)
Author: Maggie Lowe
Released Date: February 14, 2020
Cover Designer: DAZED Designs
Blurb:
Nearly a year after she was unceremoniously dumped by her fiancé – on Valentine’s Day no less – Natasha’s friends decide that it’s time for her to get back in the dating game. Not wanting her to be alone on the dreaded anniversary of her dumping, they suggest she tries speed dating.
Natasha is reluctant, but agrees, going in to the event with the lowest of expectations. Little did she know that she’d fall in love at first sight with one of her dates. When he seems to fall for her too, that’s when things really get interesting!
About the Author:
Margaret Elizabeth Lowe, was born and raised in California
and because her dad loved to travel a lot she hardly made any friends except
for her books. She was a loner. Each night she would hop into different little
worlds. Then one day she decided to write her own adventures and that’s how her
passion for writing came about.
She has one book published, Rhythmic emotion,
and by the end of the year she’ll have her second book published which is a co
authored piece.
She’s engaged to the love of her life while
enjoying the sunny days in Nevada.
KC and I met through a mutual acquaintance. We share a love for the fantasy genre!
Author Bio
KC Freeman lives in North Carolina with her husband, five
children, and the dog who daily trips her going up the stairs. After leaving
her corporate job to be a stay-at-home-mom, she found her way back to her
childhood dream – writing.
Prior to Rekindled Prophecy:
Greylyn the Guardian Angel Series Book 1 she contributed a paranormal
romance short story to the Autumn/Winter 2017 anthology The Bowman’s Inn. Another paranormal romance short story was
published with the After Dark: 9 Modern
Takes on Classic Fairy Tales anthology where readers can be introduced to
an upcoming character in the Greylyn saga.
KC writes mostly fantasy and paranormal romance novels. She is also a professional editor.
Tell us about yourself.
I
am a wife and mother of five (ages 14-19). I left corporate America behind a
few years ago to raise my kids in North Carolina. During this time I gravitated
back to my first love – writing fiction, particularly stories with supernatural
elements. For a while I was a ghost writer for cozy mysteries and romance, but
once my confidence increased in my abilities, I struck out on my own to write
under my own name. I have two paranormal romance short stories published in
anthologies (The Bowman’s Inn
Autumn/Winter 2017 Anthology and After
Dark: 9 Modern Takes on Classic Fairy Tales). When I’m not writing I’m
doing the mom thing, but hope to add more travel adventures soon, particularly
to Ireland where my female main character from the Greylyn the Guardian Angel series is from and where most on Book 3
will take place.
When did you know you wanted to be an author?
Since birth. Always wanted to write. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t want to be the next Stephen King, but real life got in the way for a good chunk of my life when I had to do the adulting thing – college, career in a field I really had no interest in, more schooling to get an advanced degree in a field I had no interest in, and then kids came along.
What genres do you like to read?
I love paranormal and fantasy fiction, which is what I write. However, I am a huge fan of historical fiction (anything to do with the Tudors and Ancient Egypt) and military thrillers.
Are these the same genres you write in?
I write fantasy and paranormal fiction with a heaping helping of romance, but I do have ideas for other stories outside the genre.
Is your book for adults, young adults or children?
18 years old and up is my target audience; however, I would
guess 15+ could also read it since there’s no sex, only romantic angst.
What is your current release or project?
I just sent Book 2 of the Greylyn the Guardian Angel series, current working title Revelations, to the publisher. Book 3 is in the editing stage and looks like the characters aren’t done with me yet so planning out Book 4 and perhaps 5.
Tell us about the key characters.
Greylyn is a guardian angel. She’s roamed the Earth for 450
years protecting humans and saving them from their own inner demons and the
more nefarious real ones. She’s originally from Ireland, but has no memory of
her human life.
Kael is a dark guardian (opposite of angel). He keeps
showing up to thwart her efforts to save people. But in Rekindled Prophecy they find themselves working together to save a
young woman and her unborn child. There’s always been sexual tension between
them, but Greylyn fights it with everything she’s got.
Jasper is Greylyn’s best friend and fellow guardian angel.
He’s French royalty from centuries ago and he hates Kael with the power of a
thousand hells.
Olivier is a fallen arch angel. It’s rumored he whispered
rebellion into Lucifer’s ear. He wants a prophecy fulfilled and will utilize
every tool he has to force Greylyn to comply.
What is your blurb or synopsis of the book?
Guardian angel, Greylyn saves innocent humans from their own
inner demons or the more nefarious real ones. She’s overdue for some rest and
relaxation, but upon finding her archenemy already entrenched at an authentic
Irish bed and breakfast, she knows her vacation is over before it ever starts.
Enemies for over four centuries, Greylyn has fought the dark
guardian, Kael; and fought her desire for him. This time, however, she must
work with the dashing dark guardian to protect innocent lives. It’s a deadly
gamble. One she has no choice but to take.
But the situation is far more treacherous than she realizes
as a notorious fallen archangel holds the lives of a mother and her unborn
child over Greylyn’s head to force her to consummate a dormant, but deadly
prophecy. One so deadly that Heaven didn’t even write it down.
Rekindled
Prophecy: Greylyn the Guardian Angel is a fantasy/paranormal novel
with strong undertones of romance and sex appeal between two enemies – one
working for Heaven, the other working for Hell.
Share an excerpt
Greylyn gulped in air. She wasn’t dead, not yet. Renewed energy pulsated through her body and gave her strength to push herself up on shaky arms. She stared, turning to look at each man as they circled each other. Both men with deadly intent etched on their faces. In between getting hit, and throwing jabs of his own, the stranger muttered, “Had to be you! It just had to be you!” One final uppercut to Jasper’s jaw, and the guardian angel fell back.
Her mouth opened to scream for
him to leave Jasper alone, but no words came out. He turned to her, his face
bloodied, but with a sad smile. “Until next time, love.” Seconds later, he
vanished down the alleyway.
Suddenly able to move again,
Greylyn jumped up and ran over to Jasper. “Who the hell was that?”
“Oh, I’m fine, by the way.”
With the indignant look he flashed her, she knew Jasper was far from being
fine. Physically, yes, he was alright. But his icy-blue eyes spoke volumes of
fury she could not under-stand.
“I’m so sorry …” She checked
him for injuries, hands roved over his body. His clothes were spatter-ed with
blood. Other than his pride, and a black eye that would fade in an hour or two,
he was in perfect shape.
Greylyn knew she looked a mess.
Hell, she should be dead. Instead, the blood had already dried and the sizzle
of her bones mending underneath her skin comforted her.
I’m not going to die. At
least not tonight.
Jasper cupped her chin. “Yes, I
know. It’s my fault. It was too soon to send you out on your own like that. I
realized my mistake and came to find you, in case you needed assistance.” A
nerve twitched in his jaw. “And, I find I was correct. You certainly needed
help.”
“Oh, no! Edward? Did he escape?
I came out here looking for him, but these guys,” she waved her hand toward the
corpses littering the alley, “were after him and …”
“Yes, yes. I get it. You ran
into the bad guys and as a bonus, you got a bloody dark guardian your first
time on your own.”
“A what?”
“A dark guardian. The exact
opposite of us, darling. You are just lucky I came along when I did. That one
would’ve carved you up like a porterhouse steak.” He pushed himself off the
ground. At his full height of well over six feet tall, he towered above her.
“Does this dark guardian have a
name?” She didn’t know why it mattered that she find out his name.
Jasper narrowed his eyes at her
in obvious disapproval. “That one in particular is Kael,” Jasper spat. “Truly
nasty piece of work. Avoid him at all costs. Hopefully, you will never have to
see that creature again.”
He turned toward her and grabbed her by the upper
arms, leaning forward so they were nose to nose. An aroma of whiskey and
tobacco wafted into her face. “Greylyn, promise me that you will stay away from
Kael. If he ever crosses your path, either annihilate him completely with your
dagger through his heart and then rip it out of his body while it’s still
beating; or run. Just run.”
Do you have a favorite scene?
Greylyn gets cornered by a shadow creature and ends up jumping into a deep koi pond to escape. Problem is, she can’t swim. But someone tall, dark, and incredibly handsome saves her. She’s more humiliated when she has to reveal that she still can’t swim after 450 years on Earth.
What advice would you give a beginner?
Trust your story to unfold naturally. Seek help from other authors, but stay true to your story. Some people think you have to follow a template for creating the story, but sometimes the story in your head has other ideas. Trust that story.
