Clairissa SinClair

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.

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/clairissa.sinclair.9

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18495429.Clairissa_SinClair

Mewe: https://mewe.com/i/clairissasinclair

Twitter  @ClairissaSinCl1

Instagram  AuthorClairissaSinClair

Amazon Author Page:

https://www.amazon.com/Clairissa-SinClair/e/B07KX4DSKB/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

BookBub.com:   https://www.bookbub.com/profile/clairissa-sinclair

Suzanne Smith

Suzanne is another author who contributed to Mystic Desires from Black Velvet Seductions. She’s a fellow Midwesterner so that’s lovely!

Author bio

I grew up on the northwest side of Chicago. I attended Wells High School, then North Park College, where I graduated with a BA degree, my major in psychology. Currently, I live in River Grove, a small suburb just outside of Chicago. My days are spent managing a very busy dental office in Chicago’s Gold Coast area. My nights are mostly quiet ones, spent in the company of my two rescue cats, Zilly and H.K., and my dog Sammy, with an occasional night out with friends.

Tell us about yourself

I grew up on the northwest side of Chicago. I attended Wells High School, then North Park College, where I graduated with a BA degree, my major in psychology. Currently, I live in River Grove, a small suburb just outside of Chicago. When I retire from my day job in a dental office, just a few short years from now, I plan on doing a lot more writing and traveling. I’m fascinated by ancient Rome and would love to make the Colosseum my number one stop.

When did you know you wanted to be an author?

After I started taking online writing classes with a great teacher, Laurie Sanders. I could not believe how challenging it was to write a good love scene or a death scene. Or, for that matter any scene at all. But, when I finally got a scene right, it felt like a big accomplishment. That spurred me to continue as well as to strive to be a better storyteller.

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

I read pretty much any genre. I currently write dark and paranormal romance.

Is your book for adults, young adults or children?

Adults.

What is your current release or project?

I have a short story titled The Mortal Vampire in the Mystic Desire Anthology (to be released by BVS in October).

Tell us about the key characters

Remy is a cocky and remorseless vampire who loves the hunt and the kill. At least until he meets the mortal Angela. Angela is a young woman who is sweet and gullible on the surface but fiercely passionate underneath. Giselle is Remy’s vampire girlfriend, unforgiving and at times secretive. Dr. Merlot is Remy’s maker, very wise and one of the most powerful vampires in the world.

What is your blurb or synopsis of the book?

Remy enjoys life as a vampire, never giving a thought to sucking every last drop of tasty blood out of his unfortunate victims and leaving them door nail dead. But his cold and carefree existence changes the day he crosses paths with the beautiful and mysterious mortal Angela.

Share an excerpt

“Since it is hard for you to walk, perhaps I should carry you,” I said aggressively, my bold over the top proposal birthed out of the need to touch her. It wouldn’t surprise me if she told me to fuck off. 

‘I don’t want you to hurt yourself,” she said seemingly unfazed.

It took all my energy to suppress a snicker. I guessed she weighed no more than 120 pounds soaking wet. I could probably pick her up and carry her all the way home using only my baby finger. “I am very strong. No need to worry.”

“Ok,” she said shyly, stepping closer to me and turning ever so slightly to her left. “I’m ready when you are.” She reached up and looped her arms around my neck, locking her fingers together behind me.

“Lean back,” I murmured as I gathered her delectable frame in my arms, using great care to be as gentle as I could when I swept her off her feet. Once we started walking, she tightened her arms around my neck.

“This is nice,” she said, laying her head on my shoulder.

As a strong gust of night wind blew in our direction, the delicious smell of her blood hitched in my nostrils. I wasn’t prepared for that nudge from nature reminding me of who I was. What I was. My arms tightened around her body. I felt my fangs begin to erupt. I imagined how her blood would taste as I ripped open her throat and gorged myself on the precious red nectar, all the way down to the last drop. Maybe I couldn’t fuck her but I could claim a part of her after all.

“You don’t have to hold me so tight Remy,” she said as she looked up at me with effervescent blue eyes. “I won’t fall.

As much as I wanted her blood, I couldn’t bear the thought of seeing those beautiful eyes still and lifeless.  Part of me liked that she was so trusting and relaxed in my company. But the bigger part of me wanted to reprimand her for her naivety. It had almost gotten her killed tonight.

My steps slowed to almost a snail’s pace. I was taking advantage of every moment I had with her, savoring the warmth of her sweet flesh pressed against mine. Disappointment flooded me as I set her down on the top stair of her porch landing. “Well here we are.”

“Yes.” She said as she backed out of my arms. “Thank you Remy. You are my hero.”

“I’ve been called a lot of things but never a hero.”

She unexpectedly pulled me close and pressed her lips against my mine. I felt a flush rise to my cheeks. There it was a second time. That frightful but exhilarating thump in my chest. My hands shook as I pushed her away. I was not accustomed to being the seduced. I had always been the seducer. She had turned the tables and I wasn’t sure I liked it.

“Don’t be afraid of me.” She whispered as she lifted her gaze to mine. “I will not hurt you.”

Do you have a favorite scene?

I’d have to say when Remy learns from Dr. Merlot the truth of what is really happening to him. I can’t elaborate without giving too much of the story away.

I’m intrigued…
What advice would you give a beginner?

Write. Write. Write.

Social media links:

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Suzanne-Smith-Dark-Romance-Author-145176809653851/

Amazon Author Page http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B07FN6CYTG

Twitter https://twitter.com/Suzanneromance

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/suzannesmith9948

Other https://mewe.com/i/suzannesmith8

https://www.tumblr.com/blog/suzanne

Purchasing links https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Famzn.to%2F322Ziq3%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR2KzCJ1jPieaoXH5iaAqDhMrJNUlZQkpeLHqiZktJmmWhkJR-z_mqCNuE8&h=AT2xDeLpjB1a7k6fytP6GeqndDhOiPD5SInXyBMREEAbNKhsTw4qyU0EX_x_m4F2b8XRNwuqdWG-23bAZM23wIbobQcpO1fGRuQmQsqT2c0kjCaY2lwSJYdiE8Tq3qUh6Dt6pjWjz-NRa1bj-WB0Rg