31 January 2012

Blog Stop: When Copper Sun Falls

Welcome, welcome! Today, I have a short little blog for you, featuring an excerpt from a YA novel by KaSonndra Leigh. Enjoy!

Here's an interesting character interview to get you more in touch with who's who in When Copper Suns Fall.

Meet Faris:


Can you introduce yourself to us?
Name’s Faris. Faris Toulan. I’m a Caducean, a demon slayer. There isn’t really much else to say. **Glances at me with a set of intense gray eyes that shimmer inside the irises. I wonder if they’re really gray, or could they be silver** People around you might not understand why my skills are necessary in this day and time, but they will. You’ll be glad you had this interview with me.

In what way are you connected to Chela? 
Hmm. **massages the back of his neck as he thinks about this**  Our connection is, well…difficult to explain. You see, if I tell you about it, then you’d be at risk. **I’m dying to know what he means. Before I can say anything, he continues.** That means I’d have to take a part of your memories. I can do that, you know. **I suck my breath. Did he just read my mind?** I’ll do anything to protect Chela. Our connection is beyond words.
What can you say about your life? 

 I told you, there isn’t really much I can say. But I will tell you to be happy with what you’ve got today. Your blue skies, clean air. **he glances toward the window beside us, staring at it a long moment** Are those birds outside? 55 years in the future, that would be in this world after the Tidal Years, there are no birds. They’re gone. Poof. Vanished. You have robots. Big, black, ugly crows with cameras for eyes. They’re looking for me. Or rather, people like me. I’m an outcast according to the new leaders. They blame the Caduceans for what happened in the past: wars, earthquakes, hurricanes**A distant look clouds his eyes. I want to know what they’re seeing**

What do you think of the present world?  (2012)

 You’re lucky. Very lucky. See my last answer if you need proof of that.

What’s the strangest thing you’ve seen here so far? Why?

Everything about this world seems strange since the last time I was here. In my world, you get used to seeing dark stuff everywhere. Black waters, black beaches, gray skies.  **I wonder what he means, but I’ve learned to be patient with him.** I’ve been here before, you know. How is that possible? I can hear your thoughts so easily. **He smiles a drop-down-dead-gorgeous smile with one dimple on the left cheek. My cheeks are probably blushing tomato red**  You’ll have to read about my story to see how I got here. And your outdated cellereaders crack me up. **He means my cell phone lying on the desk beside us. He’s giving it a look of pure pity. I tell him this is the 4G version of the latest Droid. And I’m kinda mad because I used six months worth of my wages to buy it.**  The screen doesn’t have enough pixels. You can’t even read thumb imprints with that thing. Anybody could steal it and use it. **again, he has a point. Sigh sigh**

What’s the most surprising thing you’ve seen here? Why?

As I said, I’ve been here before. But I don’t remember hearing so much laughter.  What surprises me is all the happy-smiley people you have here. In the future, smiles are an endangered species. Enjoy them while they last.

If you had a chance to choose between living in our world and in yours, which one would you choose? Why?

 The mirrorlands, that’s what we Caduceans call your world, can’t touch mine. Ours is older than yours. I don’t mean to sound conceited. But it’s true. My world Bardonia is on the other side of the doorway. It’s parallel to this world. The skies are clear. The waters are sapphire blue and jade green in some places. There’s even this island where the waterfalls flow toward the sky. No pollution. No disease from contaminated waters. So tell me. Which one would you choose? **Does he even need to ask?**

Can you name one thing, event or custom that reminds you of your world?
Bonding. That type of connection Chela has with me, it’s the same way at home. But the thing is I’m not at home. I can’t go back to Bardonia. I’m exiled, cursed to live in the mirrorlands. And not a pretty little place like your 2012 world. In the future, I’m hunted like an animal by the humans. And targeted by our enemies, the Tainted. I guess the answer could be violence, too. That really hasn’t changed much over time. **he sighs deeply, lowers his head, and stays quiet**




When Copper Suns Fall:


In fifteen-year-old Chela Prizeon’s city, alchemy is forbidden, and angels hide among the mortal. With a deadly virus ravaging the globe, Chela’s nightmarish memories compels her to experience a past riddled with gloom, and now her brother is infected.

Chela’s only hope is the Caduceans, slayers sworn to protect the last seven Light Keepers and the ancient memories they share. A group led by the sometimes elusive, sometimes infuriating boy who intrigues Chela. But can she trust this boy with the mysterious past, someone who can influence her memories?

With the Caduceans aid, Chela races to defeat her rivals, to unearth dark family secrets, desperate to find a cure…only to discover the glutovirus is far more than a simple disease.

In this haunting debut, KaSonndra Leigh offers an escape into a world as intriguing as The Mortal Instruments and a story as chilling as Enclave. Full of celestial creatures, fascinating villainy, high-stake choices, and a secret romance, When Copper Suns Fall, is a fresh and original urban fantasy—with a dystopian twist—that will take readers on an unforgettable adventure.


Excerpt:



Forcing my eyes to open, I found myself outside the Cradlehack. I was standing in Faris’s arms, my head against his chest, my fingers entwined in his black vest. It was a smooth fabric that felt like silk. A cloth no one had worn outside of ceremonies since before the Tidal Years. This boy was no common citizen. His earthy-sweet smell made me feel hypnotically safe, as we stood among the crowd fleeing down the hillside. He lifted my chin, stared in my eyes. But this wasn’t some dumb player’s move.

No, a mysterious thing stirred behind his silvery-gray eyes.

“Feel better, Chela?” he asked. I nodded.

“Thanks for helping me,” I said, still fighting a light head. Still afraid the dreaded black blobs lingered somewhere around us. Somewhat ashamed I’d spoken so horribly to him moments ago.

“You probably shouldn’t do that,” he said.

"Do what?”

“Thank me.”

"Why? Because I caught you using alchemy? That’s what your kind does. Make magic in the shadows, right?” I said.

His left eye ticked. The girl in the hoodie had called him a Caducean. Could it be possible? Father told me Caduceans were a mythical group—demon slayers from a time long gone. Yet, here I stood with a boy who didn’t deny my claim.

Around us, fewer people were leaving the Shack. They paid no attention to the two idiots standing and staring at each other. Did Jalen and Lexa make it out safely?  They were taking forever to reach me.

Did I really want them to find me?

“They’ll call me, now, and make me a witness against you. I’m sorry, but I already have too many problems. So I—I have to tell the truth,” I said.

“That won’t be a problem.” Faris smiled, a catchy one that lit his face up. I couldn’t decide whether it was angelic or downright wicked. Just like I couldn’t remember where I’d ever heard an accent like his. What kind was it? Old southern? Old English? Irish? It sounded like a mix of all three, but with a deep timbre, making him sound god like. “In a few minutes, you won’t remember me or any of this.”

“Really? How do you figure that?” I asked, heart racing.

“Because my gift to you…” He moved his face closer to mine, pulling me into whatever was happening in his head. “My gift is to remove memories that cause you pain.”

"Okay, um, right.” Had I lost my mind? It probably wouldn’t have hurt to scream.

He held my gaze, locking me into something I couldn’t explain. A tear puckered up in his left eye, and slid down his cheek where it stopped on his top lip. Then he blinked, snapping us out of whatever place he’d taken us to, and glanced behind my head. “Here comes your dark knight,” he said, easing his arms away from me.

He strolled off into the last group of stragglers hanging around the Shack. How did he know my nickname for Jalen?

I wiped away a tear rolling down my right cheek. 

“Chela, there you are. You scared me, girl.” Jalen’s voice cut into the moment. He spun me around to face him. I blinked, clearing my eyes. “What’s wrong? Did you get hurt?”

I glanced around us. The boy was gone. A dull headache joined the fuzziness in my head. Lost inside a clouded mind, I forgot what I wanted to say. The entire night’s events were hazy.

I fumbled with my thoughts.

What happened to me in there?

About The Author:

KaSonndra Leigh lives in the City of Alchemy and Medicine, North Carolina. She likes to write about teens doing fantastical things in magical worlds. Her two sons have made her promise to write a boy book next.

She holds the MFA in creative writing, and loves to play CLUE, Monopoly (the Indiana Jones version), and Pandora’s Box (good writer’s block therapy). She lives in an L-shaped house with a garden dedicated to her grandmother. It has a secret library complete with fairies, Venetian plastered walls, and a desk made out of clear blue glass.

When Copper Suns Fall is her debut novel.


27 January 2012

Blog Hop!

Welcome aboard! Today, I have an interview with the chance to win a $25 gift card to amazon! Unfortunately, as my blog screwed up this morning and I'm posting from a mobile, I can't add pictures yet. Check back in about 5 hours for pictures! Thanks for reading!

*Note* This blog has been updated and corrected, and images added. Thanks for being patient!

Please tell the readers a little about yourself:

I had an interesting combination of jobs in the past, including being a chemical engineer, a market research manager, a university lecturer on ad copywriting, and an editor of two different magazines. Now I’m retired and doing what I want to do—write fiction and poetry. My first novel Sissy! was highly successful, had positive reviews and won the J. Donald Coffin Memorial Award.  I’ve been considered for the Pulitzer on my second novel, All Parts Together, and won the Nelson Poetry Book Award for my poetry collection, The Uni Verse.

How about your latest release?

My latest release is Stories to Enjoy, a compilation of 16 short stories, some of which have won awards, others that had been previously published, and new ones written exclusively for this book. A successful novelist named Gordon Kessler loved the fact that I gave O. Henry twists that will surprise and entertain readers. These stories cover several genres—suspense, mystery, fantasy, children’s, thriller, and historical. I wanted readers to know I am comfortable in writing entertaining stories that cover a huge spectrum of life situations.  

What was your primary inspiration for this book?  

Since Stories to Enjoy has 16 different stories in it, I guess you can say I had 16 different inspirations.  So I will pick out a couple of stories from this book to answer this question.  “Breakfast Over Easy” was inspired by a friend of mine named “Doc” with whom I’d meet at a café for chai tea. Well, Doc died of pancreatic cancer. My story deals with a man who meets regularly with a  guy named Larry, but one day he doesn’t show up and Larry’s fiancée’ informs him that Larry is dying from cancer. My other story, “Real Characters” was inspired by a stage play I wrote with the same title.  

Do you have any muses?  

The only “muse” I have which sometimes helps me drive my story forward is music. I wrote a thriller novel called Advent as I listened to Dvorak’s “New World Symphony.” It put me into a new dimension as I wrote that novel.    

Do you control your characters or do they flog you into shape?  

I learned early on that I cannot control my characters. When they become real to me they take on a life of their own and I watch them with fascination as they try to go in a new direction. Sometimes I let them so I could see if I agree with where they’re headed, but if they get too far afield I have to coax them to get back into the story.  

When you write, is there a special routine you follow?  

I wish I could say there was. I tend to write in spurts—unless I get so deeply drawn into my story and my characters that I cannot stop.  This is both a good and a bad thing.  Good, because I know I’m on to something. Bad, because it stops me from doing other important things, such as taking out the garbage.     If you could be one animal, person, or at a place for a day what/who/where would it be?   I would like to be John Steinbeck sitting on a pier in Monterey, California watching the tide roll in while trying to come up with a novel that will win me another Pulitzer or Nobel Prize.    

Five random facts about you:  

1. I love teaching young kids how to write.
2. I have a deep fascination for composers like Beethoven and Mozart.
3. I wish I could go deep sea fishing again (I did it only once and caught a huge salmon.)
4. Even though I have an engineering degree, I still don’t understand computers and electronic gadgets.
5. I really hate hot summers where I have to have the air conditioner on and stay indoors.    

Are you working on any new releases later this year?  

I have a new novel coming out next spring called Angels at Sunset. If you’re interested in knowing what it’s about please write to me.  

Anything else you’d like to say?  

I’m mystified by the fact that people still come up to me and say they have a great idea for a book. They either want me to write I for them (not interested in doing that) or they want me to promise I won’t steal their idea (I’ve got plenty of my own story ideas, thank you), or they say they never have time to write (but they don’t want to give up watching TV at night). Lindsay's Scribbling to this one: That is quite interesting. I didn't think people would be so brass. lol


Thanks for the interview, Tom! Here's a excerpt from his novel:

This unique collection of 16 short stories written by prize-winner Tom Mach includes stories such as "Real Characters," which is about a writer who gets his wish--that his characters come alive.... "Breakfast, Over Easy" makes you wonder about loyalty in the face of temptation.... "When Kansas Women Were Not Free" takes you to a time when women were less free than former males slaves.... "Son" make you think differently about compassion. One novelist describes STORIES TO ENJOY as "memorable and intriguing, with O. Henry twists that are sure to surprise and entertain."


She leaned forward and her eyes searched my face. “How about joining me for breakfast?” she asked.

“Okay,” I said quietly. We talked for the next hour. As I told her about my having been a Hollywood writer for five years, with important contacts such as director Ron Howard or actors like Kate Winslet or Bruce Willis, her face brightened. I wanted to learn more about her, but she never gave me the chance.

Before we parted company at the entrance door, she brushed herself against me and widened her smile. “I can make it here every Monday morning from now on if you’d like. It’d be just you and me. What do you say?”

I looked back at the empty table and stared at it for a long while. Then I returned my gaze to her. Damn, she was pretty.

“What do you say?” she asked again, this time with a hint of desperation in her voice.

And last but not least, Tom's bio:

Tom Mach wrote two successful historical novels, Sissy! and All Parts Together, both of which have won rave reviews and were listed among the 150 best Kansas books in 2011.Sissy! won the J. Donald Coffin Memorial Book Award while All Parts Together was a viable entrant for the 2007 Pulitzer Prize Award. He also wrote a collection of short stories entitled Stories To Enjoy which received positive reviews. Tom’s other novels include: An Innocent Murdered, Advent, and Homer the Roamer.

His poetry collection, The Uni Verse, won the Nelson Poetry Book Award. In addition to several awards for his poetry, Writer’s Digest awarded him ninth place in a field of 3,000 entrants. His website is: www.TomMach.com He also has a popular blog for writers of both prose and verse at http://tommach.tumblr.com



http://twitter.com/kansasauthor
http://www.facebook.com/kansasauthor
http://www.linkedin.com/in/tommach
http://tommach.tumblr.com

26 January 2012

Blog Hop: Carrie Ann Ryan!


Welcome to Thursday, folks! Today, I'm hosting Carrie Ann Ryan. Enjoy!


Welcome aboard! Tell us a little about yourself, please.

Hi! Thanks so much for having me. I’m a chemist by day and a paranormal romance writer by night. I live in New England with my hubby and two kitties that seem to take over my day. J But the voices in my head needed a place to go – hence I write. J

What about your latest release?

An Alpha’s Path is a story of finding your soul mate – and then trying to figure out what to do about it. J

Here is the blurb:

Melanie is a twenty-five year old chemist who has spent all of her adult life slaving at school. With her PhD in hand, she's to start her dream job, but before she does, her friend persuades her to relax and try to live again. A blind date set up through her friends seems like the perfect solution. Melanie can take one night away from the lab and let her inner vixen out on a fixed blind date - a chance to get crazy with a perfect stranger. The gorgeous hunk she's to meet exceeds her wildest dreams – but he is more than what he appears and Melanie's analytical mind goes into overdrive.

Kade, a slightly older werewolf (at over one hundred years), needs a night way from the Pack. Too many responsibilities and one near miss with a potential mate made Kade hide in his work, the only peace he can find. His brother convinces him to meet the sexy woman for a one night of fun. What could it hurt? But when he finds this woman could be his mate, can he convince her to leave her orderly, sane world and be with him and his wolf-half, for life?

Ok, let’s get down to the fun stuff. If you were stranded on a lush tropical island, and all of your basic needs were met, what two items would you have with you? What person would be with you? Remember, you’re stuck there for an indefinite period with only each other to occupy the time.

Hmm… Henry Cavil and I will be secluded together I think. *sigh* Let’s see – my Kindle (because Henry has to sleep sometime LOL) and my camera. To take pictures of the *ahem* scenery…sure…

If you could play opposite any of your lead characters, which one would it be and why?

I would be Melanie – that way I can take Kade home. I mean, he’s her soul mate! And delicious.

If you could lead any of your secondary characters, which one would it be and why?

I would love to know more about my Jamenson siblings – hence I’m writing a series about them. J

You’re locked in a closet with Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, three paperclips and a string. How do you get out?

LOL. I will hand the paperclips to Kate and say good luck. I’ll take the string and hang out with Johnny and Colin. I’m sure we can come up with something. *grins* (My poor hubby is reading this and shaking his head, but I’ve let him have Jennifer Garner and he said he’d take Kate as well, so we’re even LOL)

Name five things you can do with a pencil.

Write, hold up my hair, amuse myself by pretending it’s a rubber pencil, play darts with it against a picture of a coworker that bugs me, clean out those little holes on my calculator at work that gets dust in them… (reached for that last one, though I do it LOL)

Who’s your favorite character from your book(s)? Why? Don’t worry, we won’t tell.
Maddox. *sigh* You won’t meet him until book 2 in the series, A Taste for a Mate. But he’s so tortured and quiet. I love him.

Where can we find you around the vast interwebs?
Twitter: @CarrieAnnRyan

What about your books? Where are they being sold at?

You can find An Alpha’s Path on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Thanks for dropping in! Any last words?

Thank you so much for having me! And your questions were hilarious!

Excerpt:

Melanie took a deep breath as she gave herself a good look in the mirror. This bathroom may be the greatest and most luxurious thing she’d ever seen, but she barely gave it a second glance.

What the hell was she doing? There was a gorgeous god standing in the room that she practically ran from. What the hell was she doing in here?

All throughout dinner, she couldn’t seem to string two coherent sentences together. She resembled acting like a ditzy, shy deer in the headlights. It was no wonder Kade was just fine with not having sex tonight. Oh, he may have said that he wanted her, but he didn’t seem to fight for it.

Oh, that was just great. Kade was considerate of her feelings, yet here she was, making him the bad guy. 

This whole experience made her a wreck. Maybe Mel wasn’t experienced with men, but she was experienced with meeting people and communicating with another human being. Tonight was a once in a lifetime opportunity to have wild and passionate sex with a near stranger. And oh yes, just looking at Kade, she knew it would be exactly that. She grew damp just thinking about him, and what wicked things could await her if she would just say yes.

And honestly, what was stopping her? Going through with this would leave her with an amazing and glorious memory. She needed more of those. The need to hear she was beautiful, sexy and wanted overwhelmed her. Mel didn’t want to be the “smart” one anymore. She squared her shoulders and looked at herself in the mirror once more.

25 January 2012

Wednesday Brief: Pam con't

It's time for another Wednesday Brief! Today, I'm continuing Pam's story. Enjoy, and make sure to peep the other fabulous stories today!


Cinco de Mayo, and I was walking towards a ghost hunt of all things, with a man I barely knew.

Granted, this guy had the best ass I’d ever seen, but still. What would my mother say? I know what she’d say. “Pamela! How dare you let the devil in your heart like that. He’ll cut off your limbs and burn your body.”

Because she had an active imagination like that. Tommy nudged me with his elbow.

“What are you thinking about?”

“Nothing,” I replied with a smile. “How much farther is this place?”

“Just around the corner.” But instead of turning towards the hopping downtown district, we turned onto a deserted side street. Ahead loomed a building, the walls sagging with age, windows broken, and graffiti lining the aged bricks. I swallowed. “There she is,” Tommy said, a note of reverence in his voice.

“We’re going…in there?” He nodded and I pursed my lips. “Ah…Is it safe?”

“Yeah, sure. Come on.” He dragged me a little quicker towards the side of the building. I looked to the front door and noticed a chain around the handle and a nice long sticker with the word “Condemned” splashed across the front.

Tommy shoved open a door in the back corner of the building with his shoulder. I jumped at the bang and dust settled across the entry.

“Tommy, I thought you said a group was coming on this.”

“They’ll be here. Come on, I want to show you something.” His eyes glistened with youthful energy, and I swallowed and followed him in.

Darkness engulfed us at once as the moonlight outside was sealed out with a creak of the door. I stood still, waiting for Tommy to find my hand. He clicked a flashlight on and shone the beam down the hall before taking my hand.

A little thrill shocked me, but I hardly noticed as I took in the building. The wavering light illuminated closed doors or partially open ones, and peeling wallpaper reached towards us from the ceiling. I glanced into an open room and the moonlight shone in past the torn curtains hanging loose from their rod to expose medical tools. Sharp scissors and rusted scalpels glared at me before Tommy tugged me further down the hall.

“Watch your step,” he said, leading me to the edge of a stairwell. The stairs were in surprisingly good condition compared to the rest of the building, and I gripped the dusty rail as we began to ascend the steps.

“Okay,” I whispered. “This is kind of weird.”

“Just wait. You’re about to see what I needed to show you.”

What he needed to show me? I let my inhibitions slide to the pit of my stomach and pushed on, trying to ignore the creeping shadows along the wall. My heart pounded as we moved along, Tommy’s sure footsteps guiding me behind him, until the world opened up.

The entire floor had no ceiling, nothing to hide the bright moonlight. My breath frosted in the cool air and Tommy turned to smile at me.

“Isn’t it beautiful? They call this the stairway to heaven.”

The stars seemed so close I could reach out and grab one. “It’s stunning.” I wrenched my eyes back to his face. “It didn’t seem like we climbed that long.”

“Never does.” He stepped a little closer and brushed a stray hair from my cheek. “You’re beautiful, you know that?”

I blushed and looked away. “Thanks.” Something in a corner caught my eye and I turned to look in the direction so fast my neck hurt. But the only thing I saw were shadows. Hand to my heart, I looked back at Tommy. “Did you see that?”

“What?” He had been facing the full moon.

“Something moved in the corner there.” A bang surprised me and I jumped with a little gasp. “What was that?”

Tommy pulled my arm until I hovered at his shoulder and stared into the darkness. He began murmuring words I didn’t understand, though they reached my ears clear as day, and then a shadow rose from the corner.

I screamed and stumbled backwards, but Tommy kept chanting his phrase. The shadow formed into a somewhat human shape and its black holes for eyes stared into my very soul before it opened its mouth and released a horrifying and high pitched scream. Everything bad I’d ever done flew before my eyes and every bad memory I held was laid out for display against the wall. My mother beating me into submission to rid me of the demons, my uncle raping me, my first time trying heroin.

As I stared at the monster in the corner, his shape began to fold into itself and the scream died away until a soft pop was heard and then silence.

Sweet, blessed silence.


~End~

The Briefing Crew:


Nephylim    m/m
Lily Sawyer     m/m
Sara York    m/m

23 January 2012

Blog Hop: Lila Munro

Welcome aboard, folks! Today, I'm welcoming a special guest by the name of Lila Munro, and she's here talking about Assumed Identity. Without further ado:


Hi everyone! Thanks Lindsay for having me back over—it’s always a treat to come talk to your audience. I know everyone is used to seeing something naughty from me, but I thought I’d talk a bit today to the writers out there about vices by sharing what mine are and how I’ve dealt with them
When I first started out, as many people know, I was surprised and almost horrified that I got an acceptance letter straight out of the gate from the first and only publisher I sent my work to. I thought, well, it’s either that good, or it’s that bad and they just sign everything that comes their way. As it turned out, it wasn’t that good and it wasn’t that bad either. A few months after my first release I tried again in another arena and that’s where I met up with a woman named Edna, a barbarian of an editor and whom I adore to this day for pointing out my vices.

What were they and still are? Good grief what weren’t they would be a more fitting question. Punctuation, passive voice, point of view issues, dangling modifiers…I could go on. At the time it was almost overload and I wasn’t even sure where to start or what to try to fix first. Along with that I was furious with my first editor for not pointing all this out to me in my first story. If I’d known the first go around, I could have already resolved some of these issues and moved on. As it was I had no choice but to get over my fury and adjust.

The passive voice I got right away—don’t use felt anything. Okay that was easy enough, now that everyone and everything was owning their actions that looked much better. Dangling modifiers…attach them to something. Again, easy enough. Stop leaving things dangling about. Okay. J Point of view. Let me tell you, that one came a little harder. I wanted to tell what everyone was feeling and seeing and thinking at all times. Every other paragraph in some instances. Yikes! What a mess. So, that book went out with a few POV issues still, but I started to work on it and now I can write an entire story from one person’s point of view without a problem. And my work is much better because of it.

That brings us to punctuation…Oh. My. God. Would you believe I have a degree in English and I still can’t figure out where to put a stinking comma? I hate, hate, hate commas. They still haunt me and E and Dawn at Rebel are forever trying to break me of my atrocious comma habits. If I had my way, the comma would be banished for eternity from the English language, but then we’d have serious issues wouldn’t we?
So many times I see people bashing their editors publicly. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank mine, Edna, Dawn, and E, for helping me. Without them I’d never have gone from 3 star reviews that included rants about editing issues to 5 star reviews that focus on my plots and well-developed characters. I appreciate my editors and wouldn’t trade them for anything.

My latest release is Assumed Identity, book 3 in my Identity series…

Innocent childhood games of dress-up and pretend…

Julie Stevens is as straight as they come. Or so she tries to convince herself. But it isn’t easy believing that little white lie when she has the two most sexually eccentric best friends on the planet. One is a bi-sexual Domme who believes if it looks fun, try it. The other is a gay man in the role of slave to his very sexy Master whom Julie often wishes wasn’t gay. Dante’s commanding presence makes her want to do things that set her on fire with need and embarrassment. Given her boring vanilla life, how exactly does she fit into their world? Would they like to have a shinier third wheel?

Are a completely different animal for grownups…

After one wild evening and a bit too much liquid encouragement, Julie discovers a side of herself she’s always tried to ignore. The realization she’s a sub not only scares her, it excites her and she yearns for more. But the process of finding the right man to teach her becomes a real issue, until Mason comes along. He’s everything Julie imagines a Dom should be. Armed with her masque and Renaissance costume, Julie is thrown for a loop when the handsome Master draws more willingness out of her than she ever thought possible. Is it possible she’s more than a submissive? And will the assumptions he’s made about her identity end up tearing them apart?

“Are you wet, angel?” Mason asked, running one hand down the middle of her back. Her intake of breath told him she was and that she didn’t want to admit it. “Answer me. Now.”
“Yes,” she whispered over a whimper.
Covering her body with his, Mason leaned over her and gently took her by her hair. “Tell me what you need, angel.”
Silence. Sniffling. Muffled moans.
“Julie. Tell. Me. What. You. Need.”
“Sex.” Her voice was barely audible.
“No. That’s what you think I want. I know what I want. You’re to free your mind of thoughts concerning what you think I want.” Mason pushed back up and began moving one hand over her back in a soothing pattern. “Tell me what you need.”
“I need…I…Don’t make me…”
“Say it.”
“I need to come,” she whined.
“Good girl,” he praised. “Now tell me what you want.”
“I don’t understand…”
“Yes, you do. Tell me,” he growled.
“I want you to make me come,” she gushed, arching her back into his constant touch.
“I’m going to do just that, angel,” he spoke harshly, leaning back over her and taking a handful of hair, raising her head enough he could nip her earlobe. “Tell me you understand.”
“I understand.”
“When’s the last time you had an orgasm?” She started to answer and he cut her off. “With a man?”
“I can’t remember.”
“Shame on them,” Mason told her.
He stood and while keeping one hand on her lower back letting her know he was still present, he unbuttoned his jeans then unzipped them slowly, adding to her agony by being forced to listen to the click of each tine popping open. Scooting his pants down his legs along with his boxers, he stepped out of them and when his hand left her so he could sheath himself, Julie grunted in frustration.
“Get on your back on the bed,” he said as he finished rolling the condom down. She needed the visual contact even if she couldn’t see anything but shadows and reflections.
She hesitated, looked behind her as if trying to determine if he was baiting her or not, then turned and backed across the mattress before lying down with her legs spread and her arms at her sides, her eyes tightly squeezed shut. So clinical, as if she expected to be used as a vessel. Who the hell had she been with before and what the hell had they done to her to make her think sex was about lying like a dead fish while the man got what he wanted? Then he remembered what she’d been like at the party, after he’d caught her in the chase.
She was carefree and happy, not at all a dead fish beneath him. As he’d lain on her in the garden, she was vital and eager. Mason believed she’d have done anything he asked of her she was so pliable…She’d been Hayden. Not Julie. She’d not just been dressed for the party. She was literally hiding behind her masque.
A bit of anger and sorrow wound around Mason’s state of arousal and squeezed him as he realized she had to assume an identity to feel. Then he was almost ashamed at the bit of happiness that crept in at the realization that she was not only fresh and new to his world but actually, she was like putty in his hands. She was ready to be molded into the person she was perfectly capable of being. He could be the one to show Julie how good it really could be, not just physically, but emotionally as well. For tonight though, she needed a safe haven, a place where she could turn her fears into dancing.

Lila Munro currently resides on the coast of North Carolina with her husband and their two four-legged kids. She’s a military wife with an empty nest and takes much of her inspiration for her heroes from the marines she’s lived around for the past fifteen years. Coining the term realmantica, she strives to produce quality romance in a realistic setting. Her genre of choice is contemporary romance that spans everything from the sensual to BDSM and ménage. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading everything she can get her hands on, trips to the museum and aquarium, taking field research trips, and soaking up the sun on the nearby beaches. Her works include The Executive Officer’s Wife, Bound By Trust, Destiny’s Fire, Salvation, Three for Keeps, the Force Recon series, the Slower Lower series, and the Identity series. She’s a member in good standing of RWA and Passionate Ink. Currently she’s working on sequels to several series to be released throughout 2012. And has a brand new line scheduled for winter 2012-13. Ms. Munro also works as the VP of Business Affairs for Rebel Ink Press. She loves to hear from her readers and can be contacted via her website http://realmanticmoments.blogspot.com  or through Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Lila_Munro You can also contact her via email at lilasromance@gmail.com For more information about Rebel Ink Press please visit their website at www.rebelinkpress.com

19 January 2012

Blog Hop: Shadonna Richards!

Hi, folks! Back to hosting many spectacular guests, and here with me today is Shadonna Richards, author of The Unexpected Bride.

Enjoy!





BEAUTIFUL LOVE QUOTES & ROMANTIC WORDS

Hi, everyone!

I’m Shadonna, author of An Unexpected Bride, a romantic comedy about Emma Wiggins who is about to marry her heart-stopping, gorgeous boss, CEO Evan Fletcher in seven days. Only he doesn’t know about it yet! Since An Unexpected Bride centers around the theme of love and companionship, I thought I’d compile a list some of the most romantic quotes or the most beautiful words you can say to someone you care about. Check this list out:

“Love means never having to say you’re sorry.” —From Love Story (1970) - Jennifer (Ali MacGraw) to Oliver (Ryan O’Neal)

“You had me at hello.”—From Jerry Maguire (1996) - Dorothy (Renée Zellweger) to Jerry (Tom Cruise)

“I love you. You’re my only reason to stay alive… if that’s what I am.”—From The Twilight Saga: New Moon Edward (Robert Pattinson) to Bella (Kristen Stewart)

“Love is like a sunshine. It brings a golden glow to its beholder’s face. And a warm feeling all over their body. It awakens souls and opens eyes. And when its over, it leaves a billions of small memories called stars. To remind the world, that it still exists.” – Author Unknown

“If you are in love…that’s about the best thing that can happen to anyone. Don’t let anyone make it small or light to you.” – John Steinbeck

“When you love someone, it’s something. When someone loves you, it’s another thing. When you love the person who loves you back, it’s everything.” – Author Unknown

“The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and to be loved in return. – Author Unknown

“Don’t give up too easy on finding true love…we all need love.” – Shadonna Richards (An Unexpected Bride, Sept 2011)

“Life is about moments…we have to make each moment a special occasion.” – Shadonna Richards (An Unexpected Bride, Sept 2011)


Hope you enjoyed the list. I thought I’d leave you with a synopsis of An Unexpected Bride. Enjoy.

Desperate to fulfill her ailing grandfather’s last wish to see her settle down and get married, Emma Wiggins, a 30-year-old, career-focused executive tells him a little white lie on his deathbed that she is in fact engaged--to her boss, deliciously handsome and emotionally unavailable, Evan Fletcher. 


The situation takes an unexpected turn when her grandfather's condition improves slightly and to her shock, he goes ahead and arranges a wedding ceremony at his hospital bedside before he passes on. Now, all Emma has to do is convince unsuspecting, commitment-phobic Evan to tie the knot with her in seven days. Can love blossom in the most unlikely situation?

17 January 2012

Wednesday Brief!


Wednesday! This means some more great flash work, and a piece of my own. We've changed our name to Wednesday Briefs, but I'm sure you'll like this banner as much as the last. Enjoy!




Oh, my god.

A huge, shiny pimple right in the middle of my forehead. With a heavy sigh, I pulled out my arsenal of weapons. You’d think, at nearly thirty, I would have a crystal clear complexion made from shiny unicorn butts.

Not so.

And imagine my horror at finding this thing right after I introduced myself to the new stud at work. With a bald head and green eyes, and shirt sleeves rolled up to reveal brawny arms and a hint of a tattoo, he’s everything I’ve ever fantasized about.

Tommy. Even a typical bad boy name. I sighed and yanked myself from the daydream of fields of waving daisies and my luscious breasts spilling over a corset as Tommy carried me into the sunset. The cat wrapped around my legs as I applied my face mask and wrapped my still wet hair in a towel. One soft, fluffy robe later I was ready for my cereal and favorite TV shows.

Just as the gangs on the documentary started shooting, a knock echoed through my small apartment. I angled my head to stare at the door, mouth full of cereal. The knock came again.

I shuffled to the door and threw it open, not expecting to see Tommy staring at me from the hallway. With a gasp, I slammed the door shut and pressed my hands against the cool wood to try and think him away. But he just knocked again.

Steadying myself, I opened the door again, slower that time. Tommy smiled at me as I floundered for words. “Tommy! What a, ah…a surprise. If I’d known you were coming I would have, you know. Washed my face at least.”

He chuckled. “Not a problem, Pam. Can I come in?”

I stepped aside. “Sure. Let me go wash up and I’ll be right back.”

He settled on my couch as though he belonged there and the damn cat cozied right up next to his bulk. “Oh, hi, kitty,” Tommy said, scratching Boots in his favorite spot behind the ears.

Smiling, I darted down the hall and locked the bathroom door behind me. “Stupid,” I whispered. “What the hell was all that?” The cold water shocked my system. “Why not just throw yourself into his arms, naked and glistening. That would have gone smoother than all this.”

I muttered to myself as I shoved my jeans and a t-shirt on. Tommy glanced up as I came back in.

“You look nice.”

“Thanks. Anything to drink?”

“No, thanks. I came by to ask you something.”

Perplexed, I sat on the edge of my chair and looked at him, waiting. “What’s up?” I said after an awkward moment.

“Do you believe in ghosts?”

“Ah…” The question threw me, and I scratched my head. “Maybe. Why?”

“Come on a ghost hunt with me.” His face broke out with a wide smile as he waited for my answer.

“A ghost hunt.” He nodded. “Like looking for ghosts?”

“Yeah.” Tommy stood and began making grand gestures as he described his idea. “There’s this place right down the street, and a group of people are going to hunt ghosts. It’s an amazing building with a ton of history and I thought maybe you might join me.”

As in a date? Unique. “Okay, I’ll go.” What the hell was I thinking?

~End~ (For now)

The other great flashers:


14 January 2012

Part Two of Kacey Hammel's stop!


Kacey Hammel is dropping back by with an interview! Enjoy!

Welcome aboard! Tell us a little about yourself, please.

Thanks for hosting me on your blog!  I’m a mom of three awesome kids, wife to an amazing and loving hubby and a writer who sometimes struggles to find time to write. But, I’ve never been happier.

What about your latest release?

SINFUL is a contemporary erotic romance about an aspiring singer and a songwriter/record producer who enters her life unexpectedly. They work hard, love their music and love those around them wholeheartedly. Together, they make beautiful music.


Ok, let’s get down to the fun stuff. If you were stranded on a lush tropical island, and all of your basic needs were met, what two items would you have with you? What person would be with you? Remember, you’re stuck there for an indefinite period with only each other to occupy the time.

With my hubby of course. Cell phone and camera – have to call the kids periodically (if there is a signal, if not—oh well ROFL), and camera to remember the time we were carefree and just being together. Wouldn’t that just be priceless time!

I know down deep I’ve had fantasies of Matthew McConaughey and I stranded together but… J

If you could play opposite any of your lead characters, which one would it be and why?

I always thought Brady, from Illusions would be my main man, but while he’s still very near and dear to my heart (being my first! LOL), Dare in my current WIP makes me salivate. He’s a P.I. too, though works exclusively for a law firm, and nearly drives me to my knees whenever he’s around. He’s delicious. I’d want to be around him all the time!

If you could lead any of your secondary characters, which one would it be and why?

Hmm, probably Connor from Illusions. He’s Isabella’s partner, and a tortured hero – can’t tell you why til his story – and I think it’s going to be the most emotional story I’ll have written this year (or at least start this year).

You’re locked in a closet with Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, three paperclips and a string. How do you get out?

Dammit, do I have to get out? I mean, could I just push Kate out and fend for myself?? Oh, no, can’t cuz the door is locked. Hmm, well, I’ll push her into the corner and ignore her. That’s the ideal dream of course, and I wouldn’t even try to get out if I’m stuck between JD and CF. I’d be quite content between them.

Name five things you can do with a pencil.

Write.
Scratch my back just under the shoulder blade where my fingers can’t reach!
Curl my hair, then stick pencil in to make a bun, and get any dang strands out of my face.
I frequently tap pencils as if playing the drums. I always wanted to play the drums…
And I joke w/ my daughter (who’s 15) to always have a sharpened pencil in her purse…never know when a boy will get out of hand…or if vampires will attack (good for stabbing through the heart) *g*

Who’s your favorite character from your book(s)? Why? Don’t worry, we won’t 
tell.

Oh good, thanks for not telling. These characters can be quite possessive and domineering. They like being the center of my attention—all of them, at the same time. It’s difficult!

While the men are lusty and sexy and delicious…Isabella, from Illusions holds 
a very near and dear spot in my heart. A lot of friends/family that have read the story say that she and I have a lot in common and that our red hair should be outlawed for our tempers LOL

She also holds a personal connection of never believing true love would find her. With my own personal life, after tragedy and abusive past, love wasn’t even on my radar years ago. So Isabella’s emotional struggles are identifiable for me and while she’s tough-as-nails like I am, we’re both relentlessly protective about those we care about and hate being vulnerable.

Where can we find you around the vast interwebs?

Readers are welcome contact me at kaceyhammell@gmail.com

And follow me at …

What about your books? Where are they being sold at?

Last Man Standing is available at Whispers Publishing

Sinful is available at Amazon, B&N, aRe, and all online stores. Links are on my website

Illusions will be available at Decadent Publishing on February 28, 2012

Thanks for dropping in! Any last words?

Thank you so much for having me on your blog. I truly appreciate it and loved your questions.

Readers, please feel free to contact me anytime at kaceyhammell@gmail.com