Three Fantastic Authors and a Contest!

I'm still away on vacation, but through the wonder of blogger and preposting, I actually have a blog today. Let me tell you about three wonderful women who are also wonderful writers - Charlotte, Jessica and Rachel. I am so freaking thrilled that we were all chosen to participate in the Sultry Solstice Collection.

I'd like to share a little bit about each one of them so please sit back and enjoy my fellow faery authors! And one lucky commenter will win all three ebooks in my Celtic Fire Series! (A winner will be chosen on Sunday, August 1st, at 7 pm EST)

So please, comment, ask questions, help me welcome my victims, I mean...interview subjects! I've had the extreme pleasure of reading all three Sultry Solstice stories and they're FANTASTIC! I highly recommend them all!

1.) Why did you want to take part in the Sultry Solstice collection? What appealed to you about it?

Charlotte: Everything. Fairy stuff, magic, summer sensuality, Zachary Quinto's bare ass, Labyrinthy stuff, magic, writing more things for Total-E-Bound...

Interviewers note: Zachary Quinto's bare ass is indeed motivational. Just sayin'

Jessica: Anything about faeries intrigues me. My first published book was the start of my faery series, The Fey. So a collection centered around faeries definitely appealed to me.

Rachel: It was a cold, rainy day in January. I saw the words “sultry” and “summer” and knew that if I didn’t immediately start writing about gorgeous people having al fresco naughtiness in a forest glade I was going to go crazy from the winter blahs and order an ill-advised novelty sun-lamp off Amazon. And then I was fortunate enough that the editors at Total E-Bound were clearly trying to avoid sun-lamps too. So, win-win, especially since it’s been so great getting to know the other writers in the collection!

2.) When you started this book, what was the one scene that was the clearest in your mind – the scene that you knew you had to have in your story?

Charlotte: The hero running naked through a green, wavering field. The feel of something dark and blazing behind him, at the end.

Jessica: The first time the 2 heroes and the heroine make love. That was what was in my head from the very beginning. Not so much the physical aspect of it...though that's just swell....but the emotions and thoughts of the characters' heads were so clear to me from the get go. As a result, I didn't write the story from beginning to end the way I normally do. I started with that scene and bounced around. Then I had to go back and "sew" it all together. LOL

Rachel: The scene that fuelled the story for me was definitely Mira’s discovery ofthe captive Johnny. I wanted to explore her shock, her arousal, her confusion. And, of course, the aesthetics of a desirable young man spread
out across an ancient oak! His vulnerability, her conflict, the otherworldly setting…I loved writing the chemistry between them.
3.) Do you have a faery inspiration? Feel free to share pictures if you have them.

Charlotte: The world of the movie Labyrinth has always been a strong influence on me, and particularly its idea of what fairies are really like-cruel little imps that bite you. And I think we've discussed the work of Brian Froud before, which definitely inspires. It's hard not to look at his work and be inspired. All the hidden little ugly-beautiful things...that's what I imagine when I think of other worlds.

Jessica: I love David Delamare's faery art. Amy Brown and Jessica Galbreth are 2 other artists whose work I stare at while plotting my faeries.

Rachel: I was looking through some old pictures taken at the Latitude music festival and rediscovered this beauty. When I saw the Sultry Solstice call I thought it would be great to mix the idea of someone dressing up like a fairy at a festival with actual fairies (who probably wouldn’t appreciate that very much).

Interviewers note: I'm thinking that would definitely piss off the faeries!



4.) What five words would you use to describe your writing?

Charlotte: Ridiculous. Fun. Dirty. Love-suffused.

Jessica: Oh boy...I don't know. I hope it's fun, engaging, emotional, sexy, and hot.

Rachel: “The perfect amount of cock.” (Note to self: What eloquence did you expect when you asked your tipsy dinner guests for their thoughts on this question?)

5.) What shiny new projects do you have coming up? Share!

Charlotte: Oh, I've got loads coming up. More than I ever thought I'd have coming up. Got a lot of sci-fi coming out soon- Past Pleasures is out August 9th from Total-E-Bound, and it's all dirty threesomes and time travelling and strange woman-less future worlds. Then there's The Horizon, which will be my first release with Ellora's Cave. That's out September 10th, and it's about spaceships and lust drugs and it's built on my love of funny sci-fi like Firefly and Red Dwarf. Oh, and I've got a novel coming out in November, about a woman who has to choose between a dominant and a submissive. Busy busy!

Jessica: I'm currently working on the next book in my vampire series, Into the Shadows - Seth's story. I've got a lot more "in the works"--the final 2 stories in my faery series, The Fey--and hopefully will be able to announce
some new releases soon!

Rachel: I’ve been quite into threesomes lately (who isn’t?), and I’ve got several in the works, including a very-enjoyable-to-write Victorian-era BDSM story. At the moment I’m working on a free read that’s a prequel to the events of The Festival Spirit (three days of hot sex in a swanky NYC hotel!), and if all goes according to my devious plan, that’s not the last you’ll see of Lee, Johnny and Mira.

It's Faery Time!!!!

As a lot of you know, I love me some faeries. I'm not big on the fluffy, glittery types that grant wishes - I'm more about the darker types who would just as soon kiss you as curse you - perhaps in the same breath.

A new collection of faery stories has been released from TEB - my new book, Moonlit Menage along with awesome stories from Charlotte Stein, Jessica Jarman and Rachel Randall are out today!


Here's the blurb:

Moonlit Menage - Book Three in the Celtic Fire Series


American grad student, Brontë Matthews, travelled to Wales to study at the elite Bren Gwyrdd Music Conservatory, but life on the secluded campus isn’t what she expected. She quickly becomes friends with Quillen Davies and Tarran Ashe, and finds herself attracted to both. Even more troubling, an eerie melody repeatedly pulls her from sleep. When she follows, she finds herself in trouble and in the arms of her friends, the men who've haunted her daydreams.


Crown Princes of the Seelie and Unseelie Faery courts, Quill and Tarran know Brontë is marked for sacrifice by the bloodthirsty factions of their people. By Sidhe tradition, human blood must be spilled to bind their reign, but Quill and Tarran know there must be a way to save the woman they love. They only hope they can find it in time.

And here's an excerpt:

Quill watched as Brontë disappeared down the light-dappled path that led back towards the campus. At least in the daylight she’d be safe to wander the woods, and after dark, he hoped she’d stay locked in her living quarters. He continued to stare after her. The sun created a nimbus of her shoulder-length red hair and her pale skin practically glowed, begging for his touch. His fingers itched to caress her bare legs beneath the hem of her skirt. “She doesn’t believe us,” he muttered.

“Got all that from that clusterfuck of a conversation, did you?” Tarran rolled his eyes.

“Well, it’s not like we can tell her the truth.” He sighed and laid back on the sun-warmed grass.

“None of this would even be an issue if you’d come back to court already.”

“I’m aware,” Quill snapped. “In fact, it would be even less of an issue if I’d never left in the first place, right?”

“Your words. Not mine.”

“I’ve heard you think them often enough.”

“Why? That’s what I want to know more than anything. What is your fascination with the humans?” Quill opened his mouth, but Tarran held up his hand, momentarily stalling his answer. “I understand your attraction to Brontë. She’s different than the others, but I just don’t get what you see in the rest of them.”

Quill opened his mouth again, but Tarran was nowhere near done.

“Seriously—they’re destroying the planet, polluting earth, sky and water, killing or mutating natural life everywhere.”

Quill sighed. He’d heard it all before. “Finished?”

“Not remotely.” Tarran barely took a breath before starting in again. “They haven’t a care for anything save their own petty needs.”

“And the Sidhe are so different?” Quill bit out. “Seelie…Unseelie…self-centred narcissists, the whole lot of them.”

“Don’t forget, you’re every bit as fey as the rest of us, and sooner or later, you need to return. Time is running out. The Solstice is almost upon us.”

Quill closed his eyes and let the sun beat down on him. Slowing his breathing, he tuned into the quiet rhythmic pulse of the earth beneath him. The insistent thrumming repeated Tarran’s message. Time was short. He was needed in his own realm. If he didn’t return for the coronation, chaos would ensue. Both the Seelie and Unseelie Courts needed their rulers to maintain any semblance of order. He had no desire to go back, to be yoked by the crown. Worst of all, the crowning required a sacrifice. A human sacrifice. And he was pretty sure he knew whom the faeries had chosen.

Reading his mind, Tarran asked, “You know where this is all leading, right?” Quill glanced at the other man who stared off in the direction Brontë had taken.

“I won’t let it happen.”

“What?”

Quill sat up and glared at his sometime friend. “The Sidhe can take me, crown me, use me, but I won’t let them have her.”

Tarran’s head whipped around. “You don’t have a choice. You can’t stop it.”

“Watch me.”

My New Prettiful Cover

Lookie what I got this weekend! I'm super excited! Moonlit Menage will be part of TEB's Sultry Solstice collection along with Jessica Jarman, Charlotte Stein and Rachel Randall all coming out July 19th!!! It's just so prettiful!!!

The Book Boyfriend - Janna Made Me Do It

The lovely Janna of Erotic Romance Reader tagged me in a Book Boyfriend meme, and seeing as how I live to procrastinate (and I'm finally done cleaning up puke) I'm totally playing.

Here's how this meme goes:

We all have our favorite book boyfriends and now you have the chance to create one just for yourself and your fantasies! How do you play? Fill out the quiz bellow, post a picture of sexy man and tag five (5) other book addicts to do the same. Don't forget to pop to their blogs as let them know they have been tagged!

Once tagged... you have to do the same, grab the button, answer the questions, and keep it rolling! But don't forget the picture of the sexy man! It doesn't have to match your fantasy man, just a little eye candy for the rest of us... heheheee!

1.) Hair style and color - Honestly, I'm open to most styles, however, buzz cuts and mullets need not apply. I do like enough to grab onto, and I prefer men with darker hair.

2.) Eye color and facial features - I'm a sucker for green eyes...or blue...the kind you can get lost in. Le sigh... I like a rugged face with scruff, full-ish, kissable lips, but please, no butt-chin - at least not a big one.

3.) Height and body type - 6' - 6' 2" is a nice height, and I'm going to go on record as saying overly-muscled, body building types creep me the hell out. I always assume, perhaps wrongly, that a guy like that is more interested in spending time watching himself do reps in the mirror at the gym than anything else. I like broad shoulders and tight abs as much as the next girl, but I'd rather see them on a normal looking guy with an athletic build.

I like strong, capable looking hands. I don't mind if they're a little rough or dinged up from working on the house or the car. I like some tattoos - now, I'm talking about tribal work or Celtic knot work - not some ill-conceived and tacky skull, roses and American flag number or scary looking portraiture of a teacup poodle. I'm totally on board with a strategically placed piercing or two.

4.) Visible age - 30-40

5.) Bangability - i.e. kinky/bi/size - First off, I applaud the use of the word, bangability. :D I like 'em straight and more than a little dominant. Hey...it's my imaginary BBF. ;) And size? I'm with Janna...who wants small in this perfect little fantasy?

6.) Human or other - Human or shifter - fey works, not into vamps so much. It's not the biting...it's the living dead part that makes me a little squidgey.

7.) Paranormal skills - the ability to transport us from place to place - makes world travel that much easier. The ability to freeze time would also be badass.

8.) Interests - Wait? You mean besides worshiping me? Okay then, let's see...hot sex, traveling, music - I know it's cliche but I love a guy that can sing and play guitar.

9.) Habitat - Where I am, but I'm so not gonna complain if he's got a castle in Ireland or Wales.

10.) Special skills - Making me laugh (oh, so important), long, slow kisses, book research and knot tying. ;)

I'm tagging:

1. Brynn Paulin
2. Mia Watts
3. Kris Norris
4. Dakota Rebel
5. Charlotte Stein
   

I'd like to introduce...Charlotte Stein!

I'd like to introduce you all to an amazing writer I recently met...well, 'internet met', anyway. :) She's smart, hilarious and she writes a really hot book. I had the extreme pleasure of reading an advance copy of Waiting in Vain (out today from TEB) and I freaking LOVED it. I laughed my ass off all the way through it and was left with a happy sigh when it ended.

I can't tell you how excited I am that Charlotte has joined the TEB family. Please read more about this amazing writer and say hi. Also, I highly recommend that you scamper off to TEB and get your copy of Waiting in Vain!

Tell us about a typical day (and night) in the life of Charlotte Stein.
Weird. Very weird. When I tell people what I did yesterday, their eyebrows always disappear into their hair. Mainly because I’m nocturnal- I sleep all day until about 2pm, then I teach creative writing until about 9pm. Then I play a bazillion games of poker on my DS, or watch something rubbish, like Masterchef, or read, or eat. Then I write from around midnight, to about 6am. This is a very bad routine on the days when I have to get up at 9am.
How did your writing path evolve?

I don’t know, really. I just remember that when I was about ten, I copied the entirety of the story Sleeping Beauty out, into an exercise book. Word for word copy, not a story of my own. When I look back on it now it seems almost like a practice, before the big game that has consumed my whole life. Like I somehow knew that I was supposed to be doing something with a pen, and this was it. By the time I got to thirteen, I’d written an entire and very, very crappy novel about a vampire and his immortal beloved. Because I was so cool, and original. And then I just couldn’t stop.
What type of research do you do for your books?

I have a terrible, awful “fill in the blanks” kind of approach. Instead of the make of gun and how it works, for example, I’ll say this in my story: “She picked up the macguffin and macguffined the macguffin”. And then once done, google that mofo like whoa.

I know. Very, very unprofessional.

From what or where do you derive the most inspiration for your stories?

Hot men and my favourite films. No word of a lie. I know some people like to say “the face of my newborn” or “the works of Vladimir Nabokov”. But that’s not me. Whatever man I’m crushing on at that moment- he will inspire me to write a story all about him. And my love of film - Aliens, Return To Oz, Twelve Monkeys, Terminator - fuels the rest. Different images in all of them- things I’ve remembered from childhood. One of the most potent images that has stayed with me for years and years – and that I thought I had imagined – was in the awful eighties nightmare film, My Demon Lover. The guy turns into a demon as the girl runs a hand up his bare back, and as she does, little ridges pop out along his spine.

I’ve never forgotten that image, and what it meant. That a guy was so hot for his girl, he turned into a demon.

I sound like an idiot, don’t I.
Tell us about your upcoming releases?

Well, my Total–E-Bound release, Waiting In Vain, of course! It’s out 28th December and it’s about a girl who gets persuaded to be very kinky and naughty one Christmas eve night, while surrounded by most of her family.

And I have a book from Xcite coming out in Autumn of next year (hopefully! I’m terrified of jinxing myself), called Control. That’s about a girl who can’t decide between a dominant, and a submissive. And all the fun they have together!


What are you working on at the moment?

The aforementioned Control, and something for TEB. Oh, and about a million shorts and novellas for various calls.
What do you like best about being a writer? What do you like least?

There is nothing I like the least. Nothing. This is what I’ve wanted all my life- for sixteen years of writing and never daring to send anything off. Rejections and publishers closing suck, but without them there wouldn’t be the glorious highs.

What would you do if you weren’t a writer?

I would likely lecture full time- besides being a writer, I also teach creative writing at a local college.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not writing?

Hanging out with my best friend- my husband. Reading, watching movies, watching TV. Playing my DS. I’m not a big party girl by any stretch of the imagination.
Of all of the characters you’ve created, who is your favourite and why?

Charlotte Stein. Ha! That’s weird, huh? I picked my pen name based on one of the first characters I ever created, and over time she evolved into this weird, cowardly, neurotic, witty little creature, who lives in a permanent eighties B-movie inside my head. So she’s my fave. Her novel is written, but it can never see the light of day.

And then there’s Jake Baum. Because he’s hot.

Do you find it difficult to keep love/sex scenes fresh and interesting?

Keep? Are my love scenes fresh and interesting at all? I don’t even know! But I don’t find it hard to write different takes on love scenes, because for me it’s less about “oh, here’s ménage scene number 186” and more about how did this ménage come about. I want the approach and tension to be there, so that when the sex hits, the freshness will come not from using dick instead of cock, but because the characters have never been to this place before.
What genre of books least appeals to you and why?

Ones about modern day cowboys. I’ll never say that there’s a genre that cannot be written well- Emma Holly’s The Top of Her Game has what I would call a modern day cowboy and it’s awesome. But you’ve got to write as well as Holly for me to pick a book with a cowboy in it.

I do not know why. Just my v. obnoxious pet peeve, I guess. Some sort of irrational hatred of cowboys.

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

I always, always listen to music. Music on, muted TV playing something with a hot dude in it, then work. I make playlists on my itunes for every story I write, but I have the worst musical taste in the world. Sugababes, Beyonce, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga. Some good stuff- La Roux, Joni Mitchell, Tori Amos.
What makes a man sexy?

Black hair, side parted. Glasses. Big nose. Sweater vest with shirt and tie underneath. Basically Clark Kent.

Do you family and friends know you write erotic romance – if so, how have they reacted?

Everyone – even my Gran – knows. Some of them can’t quite bring themselves to read my work, considering that doing so is almost like incest, but they are so massively proud of me. They always knew I’d be a writer, and it’s only me that’s doubted.
What’s your favourite food?

Oh God…seafood paella. Chicken satays with peanut sauce. Red Lobster’s cheese biscuits. Baskin and Robbins’ watermelon sorbet (they haven’t done it for years, but I can still taste it). Rare tuna. Fizzy worms. Chocolate raisins. Cherry liqueurs.

I could go on.
Do you have any bad habits?

See above. Stuffing my face with crap. Oh, and worrying in a paranoid way about everything. She hasn’t emailed me- she doesn’t like me! The website is down- my publisher has folded! My finger hurts- it must be my heart!

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

My husband. My laptop with unlimited battery power. A Chinese restaurant that only sells chicken satays with peanut sauce. My film library. A shower.

Hey- you didn’t say it had to be a reasonable list!
Do you have any pet peeves?

Just people being arseholes for no apparent reason.
What do you like about where you live?
Everything. It’s the best home anyone could have.
If you could travel back in time, would you? If so, what time period would you visit and why?

Can I travel to the future? You know, the one where we’ve all forgotten what sex is, and I have to teach some really, really hot dudes how it’s done?

Yeah, I’ll take that. Especially if they’re wearing sweater vests.

Please visit Charlotte at her blog to learn more about this fanfreakingtastic writer! I heart me some Charlotte!