Marvelous Mia

Today, I've got Mia Watts on the blog with me! Her brand new MM Historical Shifter book, Feral Lust is out today from Resplendence Publishing and as an added bonus, if you leave a comment (and a valid email address) you'll be entered to win the e-book of your choice from Mia's impressive collection - even the brand new shiny one! A winner will be drawn Sunday at 9pm EST.

So, let's get started - first the interview, then the blurb and excerpt!


How did your writing path evolve?

I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t writing. As a young child I made up stories in my head to put myself to sleep. I’d drift off and pick up the story the following night, just to see where it ended. As I got older, I kept journals and wrote stories in with my diary entries. And later, I’d be driving a long commute to work and keeping pace with a story in my mind.

Even now, as a mom with kids of my own, I tell stories and invent explanations. The kookier the better.

What type of research do you do for your books?

Whatever is necessary. I have researched everything from the history and style of scissors, to architecture, pre-historical American Indian culture and archeology, to the fancy wear of Regency era clothing. I’ve studied the provenance of floggers and the exact way to tie a cravat, to invisible poisons, and exactly how early medicine would have handled a closed complete leg fracture

If it’s going to be in a book, I’ll look for the facts.
From what or where do you derive the most inspiration for your stories?

From things that make my heart go pitter-pat. I like taboo subjects like forbidden loves and relationships that might not be welcome, like best friends to lovers. I enjoy things that get my pulse racing, and will push my own inhibitions through writing until I find that line I just can’t cross. I did find it, by the way. Very recently. I wrote the story, but there’s not likely to be a sequel.

Tell us about your upcoming releases?

Well, as you know, Feral Lust comes out today. It a historical male/male (Mia Watts) shifter book where I play heavier with BDSM than I ever have. It was fun and scary because of it. I have an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night coming out. It’s a male/female (Katie Blu) book titled Twelve Nights. That releases on the 16th of November with your book, among several other authors. Then on the 25th of November, I have a super short male/male (Mia Watts) book coming out at MLR to celebrate Black Friday.

What are you working on at the moment?

I’m working on two books at the moment. I’m trying to get ahead of publisher expectations, so that I can plan ahead on a few series. I’m working on a Navy SEALs book for Katie Blu, and another Regency shapeshifter book that’s also male/female for Katie Blu.

Then I’m working on a semi-secret series of books that will either piss a few people off, or make people laugh. *Crossing fingers* Bet you know how I hope it’s received, huh?

What do you like best about being a writer? What do you like least?

Best: I work at home. That means I’m accessible to my children 100% of the time.
Worst: I work at home. That means I’m accessible to my children 100% of the time.
What would you do if you weren’t a writer?

I’m sorry. That question doesn’t compute.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not writing?

Ha! Ha ha ha ha haaaaa!!! Good one!

Of all of the characters you’ve created, who is your favorite and why?

Seth. I haven’t written him yet. He’s still in the ol’ noggin’. I’m selfish about him. I want it to be really good and I think I finally have something coming next year.
Do you find it difficult to keep love/sex scenes fresh and interesting?

Sometimes. Usually the characters rule the story and they do things they way they’d, well, do things. When I think too much, then the sex gets challenging. In books. *ahem*
What genre of books most appeals to you and why?

Regency. It’s all about the romanticized version of the era. I’m in love with it.

Do you listen to music when you write or do you need quiet? If you listen to music – what kind?

I rarely listen to music. I work best in total silence. There were three titles, though, that required it. I listened to an assorted collection of my own that included Adam Lambert, Katy Perry, and Alanis Morrisette, along with Fall Out Boys. The other one, I listened to a compilation of non-depressing love songs that Brynn Paulin got for me.

What makes a man sexy?

Humor and intelligence. There’s no substitute for that.
Do you family and friends know you write erotic romance – if so, how have they reacted?

My real friends know and they’re supportive. My family hasn’t a clue.

What’s your favorite food?

Everything. Ta da! Wasn’t that easy?

Do you have any bad habits?

I waffle. In my head, out loud, on the phone, in my notes. I can debate ANYTHING with myself and end more confused that when I started. I blame my high school debate team for ruining me.

If you were stranded on a desert isle, what five things would you want to have with you?

I’d rather be on a dessert isle, but okay. I can work with this… Um. A magic genie lamp, a hurricane resistant mansion, a serving staff of handsome virginal men (hey, I’m clean, but I need them to be in case the condoms run out), an endless supply of food in a magical pantry, a boat with gas in it, and the entire library of congress.

I like to do things in style, baby.

Do you have any pet peeves?

Yep, but they evolve/change depending on my mood. Something that totally pisses me off one day, may not even faze me the next. Like people yelling at me. If I’m having a rough day, don’t even TRY to go there with me, because I’ll f*cking win. Otherwise, yell all you want. I have the blank stare on standby and I really won’t care unless you get personal. Then all bets are off. That’s, you know, a for instance.
What do you like about where you live?

It’s mine. Only mine. I’ve had a lot taken away from me in the past, but this one? Yeah, you can’t touch it.
If you could travel back in time, would you? If so, what time period would you visit and why?

Ironically, as much as I love the Regency period, I wouldn’t go. I know for a fact I’d never fit in. I’m too… what would you say, Bronwyn? Too irreverent? Unpredictable? Verbal? Not willing to submit quietly to social order? Unhappy with feminine hygiene products of the era?

I think I’d go back to dinosaur landia and the cave dudes. But only if I could come back when things got dicey.

Bronwyn, thanks for the opportunity to come and chat with your readers. This has been a blast.

Feral Lust: Blurb

As a third son of an Earl, Mr. Michael Hastings hasn’t a title or lands. Since a title comes with responsibilities, Michael needs only money to leave the prying eyes behind and live a quiet life—with another man.

Country recluse Viscount Lord Atherton is the bearer of a family curse. He must wed and conceive an heir before his birthday, or live with the painful physical changes that turn him from man to wolf, several times a month. But Atherton has another, dangerous secret. His attraction to men could place him at the end of the hangman’s noose, for sodomy.

Atherton pays Hastings to groom him in order to find a wife by Christmas. Yet the more time Atherton spends with Hastings, the more he wants to know. And when Hastings displays a lust for sex play that rivals his own, can Atherton trust Hastings enough to share the truth behind his quest? As Atherton loses his heart where he least expects it, he wonders if he can fulfill his destiny, or face a lifetime of pain from the curse?

Feral Lust: Excerpt

Mr. Leedy tried to direct him to the left corridor, but Michael froze in shock. A man stumbled against the wall, his shaggy blond head bowed as he drunkenly wobbled on his feet. But what shocked him most was the man’s state of undress. Namely, the man’s stark nudity.

He was tall and muscled as though he were a laborer, however his skin appeared far too pristine to have ever been scalded by the sun. Michael stared in fascination at the delineation of his chest and abdomen. While he himself had a well-formed body, Michael had never encountered a man of breeding with such obvious physical power. His musculature marked each rib; it hugged a central line of hair that flared just below the umbilicus to collect at the base of a magnificent cock and low, full testicles.

“Mr. Hastings, please come this way.” Mr. Leedy tugged on Michael’s arm.

Michael jerked out of his grasp. “Is this Lord Atherton?”

The nude man lifted his head. Piercing silver eyes met Michael’s for the first time. Michael inhaled sharply. Whoever he was, the naked god before him had drunk more than his share of spirits.

Michael frowned. It appeared he had his work cut out for him. Two months, a period he’d thought was more than adequate to prepare a lord for a Christmas Ball, suddenly seemed far too limiting.

“His lordship is not well. Please come away with me, immediately,” Mr. Leedy insisted.

“His lordship hired me to prepare him for social interaction. Where better to start than the appropriateness of adequate attire in public?” Michael argued.

“You are a day early, sir. You have no idea what you’ve come across. Mind yourself that you don’t judge before being privy to the workings of this house.” Mr. Leedy snatched at Michael’s arm again.

Michael turned and walked to Lord Atherton, who was slowly regaining some balance. The handsome lord took hold of the door handle as though he meant to flee inside, but Michael reached him before he could escape. Michael put his hand over Lord Atherton’s. Without waiting for permission, he slipped his arm around the lord’s bare waist, and opened the door.

“Lean on me, my lord. I’ll help you settle,” Michael directed firmly.

“Really, Mr. Hastings, you overstep yourself,” Mr. Leedy barked.

Michael glared at him. “Perhaps I have, Mr. Hastings, or perhaps his lordship requires more care than I was led to believe. Either way, I’m here now, and he requires assistance. There will be time later for you to chastise me. At present I’ll do precisely what I was hired to do and it begins here, now, with his lordship at the very bottom of his preparedness.”

Mr. Leedy sputtered.

Michael was surprised to hear the low chuckle of his naked employer. “It’s alright, Leedy. I’ve been caught, and you’ve been corrected.”

Michael didn’t wait to see if Leedy permitted him to continue, he helped his lordship into the room. A huge suite opened with an enormous bed and rich appointments. Decadent burgundy details on rich cream adorned the bed and canopy, reflected in the colors throughout the room’s decoration. Though the combination could have been feminine, the large heavy wooden furniture stopped it short and spoke only of masculine elegance.

This room belonged to a man of breeding and culture. It didn’t fit the drunken lord who wandered undressed through the halls of his castle. Perhaps it promised more lucid moments, or it had been decorated by another’s eye and was tolerated by a man who didn’t care one way or the other about the things which surrounded him. Michael assumed he’d discover the truth soon enough.

He carefully led his lordship to a dressing chair. “Sit here, my lord. I’ll collect your attire.”

A pile of clothes had been left on the floor. Michael gathered them and carefully laid them at the foot of the bed for the housekeeper to review. Then, moving between the armoire and the chest of drawers, he pulled together a fine outfit in gray tones to match the man’s unusual eye color. He gave a passing thought to the awareness that he’d considered the color perhaps too closely, but brushed it aside. He brought the garments to the dressing chair and lifted the gown first.

Lord Atherton stared steadily at him.

“My lord, might you lift your arms for me?”

He tried to hold his lordship’s gaze as though it were no difficulty. Silver eyes regarded him above the slight tilt of a curious smile. Atherton sat back in his chair, pushing his legs out before him in a reclining pose. Slowly Atherton cocked a tawny brow.

If Michael weren’t convinced of Atherton’s drunkenness, he’d have sworn the man was taunting him. It was foolish to think so. Atherton had no way of knowing Michael’s inclinations toward other men, and yet the new pose spiked Michael’s already accelerated heart rate.

“Are you so ready to cover me up, Mr. Hastings?”

He was, but not in the manner Atherton intended. “You’ll catch cold, and it’s unseemly to parade about undressed.”

A golden glint entered the man’s eyes. Michael thought he imagined the color shift. Atherton’s eyes narrowed. He gripped the armrests, and rose to his full height, towering over Michael by several inches. He stood close, and Michael debated whether he should retreat to give his lordship room, or if this was a test of his mettle.

Deciding that his lordship had better get used to being directed over the next two months, Michael stood his ground. He lifted his gaze from broad shoulders to lips that had twisted into a knowing smile, and up to the bi-tonal silver and gold-streaked irises. He caught his breath. The man was truly magnificent.

Atherton’s expression had changed when they’d entered the room. His lordship had appeared calm if chagrined. All semblance of discomfort had fled. In its place rooted dominance and something darkly aware. Michael suddenly remembered his place and glanced away. He might be a drunken man’s tutor, but he wasn’t a Viscount’s better.

Atherton chuckled low as he had earlier. “Why dissemble now, Hastings? You’ve stood your ground admirably, despite your odd welcome here.”

“My lord, forgive my impertinence. I’m here to help you, not offer up judgment.”

“And yet you have judgment, don’t you?”

Fingers sifted into the back of Hastings’s cued hair, scraping lightly against his scalp and roughly pulling until Michael had no choice but to look at the man who commanded his attention.

A low rumble escaped Atherton, and he descended, claiming Hastings’s mouth in the kiss of a starving man. Michael lost his bearings as his head swam and his stomach plummeted sharply. Held in place by the hand in his hair, Michael’s knees weakened. He scrabbled at Atherton’s shoulders, trying desperately to hold on and keep his feet. Lust swamped him.

He gasped, and Atherton easily invaded him. His tongue passed Michael’s lips to fill his mouth. Michael’s body rioted. His cock filled, pressing insistently at his breeches. The forbidden press of a man’s lips to his tipped his senses.