Bronwyn Green's Random Thoughts : 2014

Okay, my loves, here's the deal, the last two weeks have kind of blown with family and work drama - much of it good, some of it less than good, and in the last five days, there have been two oral surgeries in this house - two kids and 8 impacted wisdom teeth. And now? I'm getting sick. My throat is swollen, and I'm pretty sure I'm running a temp, so this post is going to be so, so short.

This was another two-parter. It's a year later, Arthur is ruling by proxy since Uther is a shell of the man he once was and basically sits in his jammies, stares out his window and refuses to eat. Arthur's got his Uncle Agravaine there to help, but he's super sleezy.

Morgana is nowhere to be found (until of course Sir Leon and some other knights find her) and she kills two of the four of them by throwing them around with her magic. She's heading to the Isle of the Blessed with Morgause so she can sacrifice her sister and the entirety of Camelot can be killed off by Dementors. (called something else, but fever brain cannot remember)

Arthur, Merlin and the knights head out to stop the Dementors, but the only way to stop them is another blood sacrifice. Arthur plans to sacrifice himself for the kingdom and Merlin plans to sacrifice himself for Arthur, but Lancelot beats them both to it and sacrifices himself for Gwen because he promised Gwen that he'd protect Arthur with his life.

Oh yeah, Uncle Sleezewad is totally evil and in cahoots with Morgana.

I'm bummed that I feel like ass, because I actually like a lot of stuff that goes on in these episodes, but blergh. Okay, so the questions.

1. If I’d written this episode...There would be better explanations for shit. Where have Morgana and Morgause been for the past year? Why is Agravaine all Team Morgana?

2. The thing I loved/hated most about this episode.

Loved: There are a ton of things I loved about this episode. I loved that Arthur was willing to sacrifice himself for his people and that Merlin was ready to sacrifice himself for Arthur and he almost did. I also loved how worried Arthur was about Merlin surviving.

Hated: I can't stand Agravaine. He's the douchiest douche who ever douched, and I don't think his reasons for wanting Morgana on the throne are ever adequately explained.

3. Something you’ve never noticed about this episode before. How Gwaine is basically Winnie the Pooh eating honey from a tree and getting attacked by bees.

4. Favorite Costume. Going with the Cailleach. Nothing says evil like cheesecloth that's been dyed black. But whatevs, it works.

5. Here is proof of some random head canon I’ve created. Not mine, but there are definitely some Merthury moments in this one.

6. What Merthur moment did Jess have the naughtiest thoughts about? I think she had all the feels when Merlin and Arthur were having their heart to heart talk before Merlin jumped up to protect Arthur from the Dementor.

7. What made Jen lose her shit (in a good or bad way) in a bad way? The way magic is just not as scary and all powerful as it was in the last three seasons.

Jess' take on the episode is here, and Jen's is here.

Before we get to the exciting bits, gather 'round my children, for I must tell you a tale.

Once upon a time, I used to cross stitch like a mad fiend. Not unlike the way I knit now. *ahem* But anyway. I was super in love with a designer named Teresa Wentzler - she had magical designs. Maddening patterns. But I spent hours on them. I also spent hours on the TW bulletin board. Remember those? And a few other cross stitch boards, too. And while I was scoping out new patterns, fabrics and techniques, I met the coolest person. Her name was V.s., and we hit it off immediately. We emailed all the time, exchanged patterns and talked, talked, talked. I adored this woman to pieces.

After a while, life became somewhat of a shit storm, and I fell into a pretty deep depression. I sort of drifted away from email, cross stitching and everything else. It was enough of an effort to drag myself through the day, let alone communicate meaningfully with anyone. We fell out of touch and email accounts were closed, addresses were lost and I didn't realize the impact of that until I eventually, started clawing my way out of the gray. And that's when I realized I had no idea where V.s. was or how to reach her.

I googled. I stalked FB. I googled some more. Every year or so, I'd wash rinse and repeat, but nothing until last month. I got an email on my non-author FB account. IT WAS V.s. AND SHE'S WRITING EROTIC ROMANCE NOW!!! You guys, I was so damn excited! I can't even begin to tell you! I'm so happy that we're in touch again. And now, I want to introduce her to you, too. Because she's awesome! And I want to tell you about her new release!

First, the questions!

General Random Sorts of Questions

o What’s a typical day like for you?

I work full-time so I have the daily morning run-around of breakfast (and doing some quick author business), making lunches for hubby and me, and taking care of the pets before heading to work. I typically work an eight hour day, sometimes more. Then I’m home to make dinner and check in with my son to make sure he’s on track with his homework. I write or do author business in the early evening but try to shut down and read/listen books out loud with the fam to decompress, otherwise I have trouble sleeping. On the weekends, I shop and clean house with fam’s help, and cram in as much of writing as I can.

o What do you consider your greatest accomplishment?

It took a team effort, but I consider my marriage my greatest accomplishment. I met my husband in college, and we were married after graduation. We have weathered death of family members, health issues, several moves, layoffs, etc. and are still going strong. We celebrate our 20th anniversary next summer. Not bad for two “kids” with divorced parents and dysfunctional families.

o Do you have any collections?

I still have the comic books my brother and I collected as teenagers. It’s fun to look through them with my son.

I like ladybugs, so friends and family have given me items with ladybugs on them.

My eReader has a boat load of books on it, so I’d consider that a collection.

Finally, I have a ton of cross-stitch ‘stash,’ patterns, fabric, and fibers.

o What are your hobbies?

Cross-stitching is one of my favorite hobbies. I learned as a teenager, but took it up seriously after college. I love taking a blank piece of fabric and making something beautiful. It’s super relaxing, and I find it helps focus my mind when I’m plotting a story.

I also enjoy spending time outdoors, walking, bird watching, and just plain enjoying being out in the fresh air.

o Are there any skills you’d like to learn?

I’d like to learn to play the electric guitar. That’s what’s at the top of my head at the moment. I’m one of those people who love to learn new things.

o What’s your favorite word?

Awesome

o What’s your least favorite word?

Can’t

o What sound do you love?

Laughter
Music

o What sound do you hate?

Someone using a nail clipper or a fork scraping a plate. Anything metallic like that sets me on edge.

o What’s your favorite curse word?

Shit, but I’ll go with fuck when scared (e.g. by spider), hurt, or really pissed.

o What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?

I like what I do, except I’d want a job where I had more time to write. When I retire, I’d like to volunteer at a nature center.

o What profession would you not like to do?

I don’t think I could hack working in the sewers.

o Dog or cat person?

Dog person. I like cats too but am allergic.

o Coffee or tea?

Both, but coffee more often.

o City or country?

Country.

o Star Wars or Star Trek?

Both. However, I am a bigger Star Wars fan – of the original trilogy. We will not speak of the prequels.

o Buffy, Angel or Firefly?

All. I’m a huge Joss Whedon fan. I watched every single episode of all three of these series. I can’t even rank order them – it’s like picking a favorite child. Wow, I’m a geek. ;)

o Pirate or ninja?

Pirate. Westley aka Dread Pirate Roberts (The Princess Bride) and Captain Jack Sparrow are hands down awesome!

o Morning or night person?

I used to be a total night owl, but now I have to get up at 5:30 for work so can’t stay up late like I used to. I’m not a fan of mornings either, so I call myself an evening person.

o Procrastinator or get things done early?

I try to get things done in a timely manner and am fairly organized, but I also procrastinate especially if it’s something I’m not thrilled to be doing.

o Introvert or Extrovert?

I lean towards being an Introvert, yet I’m very outgoing in my comfort zones and with friends.

o What do you like best about writing?

Creating something new that entertains readers.

o What do you like least?

The cycle of doubt is it good/not good or getting stuck mid story.

o Do you have a day job aside from writing?

Yes, I’m a Project Manager. It requires a lot of organization and communication both internally and with clients. I enjoy it but it doesn’t fulfill my creative side, so extremely happy I’m a writer, as well.

o If you were a book, which book would you be – and why?

Wow, this was a tough one. I think I’d be Jane Eyre. I started out by humble means, survived some crazy times and people, and with quiet determination came out on top on my own terms. And I’m married to a guy who’s tall, mostly dark, and handsome. Rawr! ;)

o If you were a song, which song would you be – and why?

“Somewhere I Belong” by Linkin Park. I connect with this song for the reasons mentioned above.

Book Related Questions

Hunter’s Mark is a multicultural mm romance, and it looks fabulous. I can’t wait to read it! Can you tell us what inspired the story?

Decadent Publishing has an open call for twisted fairytales. In order not to receive a hundred Cinderella stories, Decadent randomly assigned a story to each author who signed up for the challenge. I was assigned Grimm’s “The Skillful Huntsman.”

I folded elements from the original story into my own version but it’s largely my creation not a straight re-telling. As we like to say, “It’s not your mama’s Grimm.”

I’d like to hear about Hunter and Casey – can you share a bit?

Hunter is a foul-mouthed, street-smart master assassin who is also a wolf shifter. He uses the money from his jobs to help care for his mom and disabled sister. Although he’s a gun-for-hire, Hunter has a moral code. He will not kill innocents or shifters. Hunter is a hardcore badass, but he’s also funny, loyal, and very sexy.

Casey is a potter who lives in Eugene, Oregon. He was raised by his human adopted mother. He’s also a wolf shifter but didn’t know he was different until puberty and doesn’t know other shifters exist. He represses his wolf to stay safe. Casey is sweet and sassy. His default mode is being happy, and this ginger can be sexy as hell.

Can you tell us about any upcoming stories?

I recently contracted Sam’s Temptation with Decadent Publishing. It’s a sequel to The Gift but can be read as a standalone. It’s a multicultural foodie romance set in Montana and is the first het romance I’ve submitted for publication. I’m starting the editing process soon.

I’ve also started writing the sequel to Hunter’s Mark. Its working title is Rex’s Mate and is centered on Hunter’s smartass best friend, Rex. I loved writing him in HM! And we’ll see a lot of Hunter and Casey too.

Title: Hunter’s Mark

Author: V.S. Morgan

Publisher: Decadent Publishing

Length: 74 pages

Genre(s): Contemporary Erotic I/R M/M Paranormal Romance

Available many locations including:

Decadent Publishing - http://bit.ly/1Elj1Bd
iTunes - http://bit.ly/1t0b8yb
Kobo - http://bit.ly/1vHOnw2
Amazon - http://amzn.to/1BJ13Ez

Smashwords -http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/483108

Barnes & Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hunters-mark-vs-morgan/1120507547?ean=2940150688599

ARe - https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-hunter039smark-1646700-145.html

Release Date October 10, 2014

Blurb:

Artist Casey Smith lives a quiet life, under the radar of his enemies, until one fateful night he loses control and the astonishing image of a wolf racing down a suburban street splashes all over social media.

Hunter’s bullet never misses its target. The assassin seeks out and kills his prey with a clear conscience by following two simple rules: 1) Don’t kill innocents 2) Don’t kill shifters.

Realizing his latest assignment violates those rules, the hunter activates Princess Protocol and the assassin becomes the protector. Red hot attraction flares between the hit man and his former target. Can Hunter resist the sweet shifter in his care?

Excerpt:

He stepped closer to Casey’s stall but stumbled over something small and furry. The toe of one Birkenstock caught on a clump of grass as he attempted not to trample the little beast, and he ass-planted with said beast jumping onto his chest to give him a broad doggie smile.

His buddy laughed piss-your-pants-hard in his ear. Fuck a duck.

“Miss Priscilla!”

The target he’d worked so hard to observe remotely sank to the ground between his sprawled-out legs, peeling the tiny hairball off his chest and setting it on the ground.

“I’m so sorry! Are you okay?”

Big blue eyes fringed with long, pale lashes scanned his body while strong yet gentle hands moved over his ankles and legs, searching for an injury. Oh, a toucher. His wolf basked in the tactile attention. His breath hitched as those hands glided past his knees and skimmed his thighs.

Damn, he needed to get laid after this assignment.

“Oh, my, what a li’l sweetie. Look at those freckles! I wonder if he’s got them everywhere. I’d like to lick them,” Rex crowed in his ear.

He growled.

The other man chortled. “Possessive, much?”

He inhaled deeply, only to be slammed with the force of a Mack truck. Strawberries on a warm summer’s day and fresh-cut grass—shit, his target smelled delicious. He took another breath, and his brain reeled. He’s a wolf shifter, too? Fuck.

Casey’s brows furrowed. “Where are you hurt?”

He forced a smile. “I’m fine. No worries.”

Casey returned the smile, his wide and high beam combined with sparkling eyes. Hunter stared as warmth wrapped around him like a blanket. He had no ammo against such a happy, open expression.

The guy freaking glowed.

About the Author:

V.S. Morgan has lived all over the US but calls Minnesota her home now. Her family includes her hubby, son, and a menagerie of pets.

She's been writing stories since she could hold a pencil and dreams of happily ever afters - even for two hot men - because love knows no boundaries. V.S. writes MC/IR contemporary, paranormal, and suspense m/m and m/f with heart. She plans to branch into fantasy and sci fi romance, as well.

V.S. is a GLBT ally and a lifetime contributor of The Trevor Project.

Website: http://www.vsmorgan.com

Facebook and Goodreads: V.S. Morgan

Twitter: @vsmorgan1

And here's a pic of the gorgeous giveaway prizes! I *love* that little wolf jewelry bowl, and the necklace is fab, too! C'mon and enter! Giveaway ends November 7th, 2014.