Author Interview with Megan Slayer

Happy Sunday, folks! Hope everyone's having a chilled-out weekend. I'm currently in isolation in the kitchen while Nero records a podcast episode, but I have a plentiful supply of tea, and I'm getting some words down for Chaos Songs, so it's all good. While I get Lola and Tris into trouble, how about an interview? Megan Slayer is here with her recent release, HER SIR. Let's find out what it's all about!

Hi, Megan! Tell us a little bit about your newest release.

Her Sir is a hot little story about two people who belong together, but don’t realize they do until it seems like it’s too late. It’s a realistic story. I guess that’s why I like it so much. The characters are people you might know. Andi is an artist and she has an ex who is a drip. Dean is a Dom and a member of the local city council. There’s bdsm heat and heart involved. Oh and a mention of vibrators.

Gotta get those vibrators in! (No pun intended). Do you have a favourite genre to write in?

I like to write contemporary because I like that the story could happen. I like to put myself, via the characters, in those situations. It’s fun.

Who are your biggest influences – they don't have to just be literary ones!

Oh golly… well… writing-wise, it would be Harper Lee. I loved To Kill a Mockingbird and Go Set a Watchman. She wrote well, even when she needed an editor. Plus, she lead such an interesting life. Another would be my third grade teacher, Mrs. Jason. She said I’d do something interesting and creative with my life. She encouraged me to think outside the box. When she found out I’d become a writer, she said she wasn’t surprised and thought that’s what I’d do with my life. That stuck with me.

Encouraging teachers are awesome - I definitely had a couple who pushed me to further my reading and writing, and it was invaluable. Changing directions a bit - if you could have dinner with any three writers, living or dead, who would they be?

Harper Lee, Truman Capote and John Lennon. Mostly because I’d love to hear Capote and Lennon argue. Lol!

Lol, definitely one to be a fly on the wall at! Are there any books you can just read over and over again and never get sick of?

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Regularly Scheduled Life by KA Mitchell

Anna Faris is Unqualified by Anna Faris

Okay, I have to confess I've never read To Kill A Mockingbird. Time to add it to my list, clearly. If you could recommend any book (beside your own) to everyone reading this, what would it be?

Regularly Scheduled Life by KA Mitchell. The book involves the aftermath of a school shooting and two men dealing with their feelings. It’s couple-y, sweet, tough and tender.

Sounds good, and highly relevant for modern life right now. Okay, the hard ball question. Tea or coffee?

Neither. I never acquired the taste for either. Makes coffee dates awkward. 😊

Gasp! How do you function without tea? Apart from writing, what are your great passions in life?

Being a mom to a tot, dogs and cats, being a partner and creating art. I love to draw. 😊

Sounds awesome :) And what else are you working on right now? What's up next from you?

I’m currently working on the story that follows Her Sir. It’ll be called His Girl. After that…I’m not sure. I’ve got notebooks full of stories I want to follow through with. I’ll pick one that speaks to me and away I go. 😊

Ah, the writer's notebook. It's a blessing and a curse! Okay, so that's Megan. Now, how about a look at HER SIR?

 

HER SIR by Megan Slayer

Evernight Publishing

Contemporary Erotic Romance

M/F, BDSM, Exhibitionism, Anal Sex, Toys, Spanking

There’s only one man for Andi—her Sir.

Andi McCarron knew the moment she met Sir’s gaze, he’d change her life forever. Despite other Doms wanting her as their sub, she only submits to him because he knows how to make her skin tingle. The pain delivered from his crop makes her spirit sing. She needs Sir but she wants more—except he’s not interested in taking the relationship outside of the club. What’s a girl to do when the man of her dreams, the one wielding the crop, won’t leave the club?

Dean Meyer craves his sweet sub, Andi. She fills his dreams and fantasies, but she wants a relationship. He’s not sure she can handle both his demons and secrets. Still, he can’t deny the attraction to her. When fate throws them together, he has to make a choice—give his sub what she needs or let her go for good. 

Available from these fine retailers:

Evernight Publishing: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/her-sir-by-megan-slayer/

Universal link: https://books2read.com/u/38goyO

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BY57KMD/

Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B07BY57KMD/

Amazon FR: https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B07BY57KMD/

Amazon JP: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B07BY57KMD/

Amazon IT: https://www.amazon.it/dp/B07BY57KMD/

Amazon DE: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07BY57KMD/

Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07BY57KMD/

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07BY57KMD/

Excerpt:

©2018 Megan Slayer, All Rights Reserved

“You control everything,” she blurted. Her cheeks reddened, and she bowed her head. “Sorry. But you do.”

“Actually, you do. When we play, you’re the one in control. You say stop or slow, and I follow. I push you, but you tell me when you’re done. I’ll encourage you to stretch your boundaries, but only because I want to make you fly.” He pushed the cooling coffee to the side. “If you say no, then I respect your decision.”

“You expect me to kneel.” She flattened her palms on the table. “Like that last time.”

“I wanted to show off my beautiful woman. If you’d have said no before we left the private area, I would’ve stayed out of the main room.” He leveled his gaze at her. “I expect a partner. You were my best partner.” He hadn’t taught her very well if she thought she was second rate. When they played again—and they would be—he’d show her what he meant.

“You have one. A partner. I saw the demonstration,” she said. “You replaced me.”

“Slow down.” He hadn’t known she was at the club when he’d done the demonstration or he would’ve plucked her from the audience. “Which demo?”

“There’s more than one?”

“I don’t have a permanent sub, so I’m expected to do demonstrations for visitors, for the videos … for people who want to play the voyeur. That’s part of my job at the club.” Not his favorite part and he couldn’t wait to pass the torch to someone else, but he’d tell her that later. She managed to aggravate him like no other. He wanted to stretch her ass across his lap and spank the sass out of her. Then he wanted to kiss her until she collapsed. He wasn’t one to settle down, but she made him think twice. In her own way, she’d broken him.

“I thought we had something.” She turned her cup around. “Now I understand I was just another client.”

“I never said that. Never thought it,” he said. She’d been special from the start. He loved the way she felt in his arms, the way she moaned during a scene, the flicker in her eyes just before she came…

“Then why replace me? Why not tell me how you felt?” she asked. “Or have you come to this realization now that we’re not at the club?”

“First, I didn’t replace you. I don’t have any one sub I play with. The girls in the video are one and done. No sex, just demonstration and go. I haven’t found anyone who can fill your place. I’ve had a couple offers, but they aren’t you.” They shouldn’t be having this conversation in public, but she needed reassurance. “Would you like to have dinner with me tonight?”

Author Interview - Aletta Thorne and her ghostly romance

I know, I know, I should have got this up yesterday. It would have made a perfect Halloween post! In my defense, I've had a headache since Sunday and I'm having a bout of seasonal affective disorder that's been kicking my ass, so I've basically been shirking...everything except the basics, I guess. You know, the day job, tea, cheesecake.

Anyway! It's the first of November and Aletta Thorne is here to talk about her new release, The Chef and the Ghost of Bartholomew Addison Jenkins, which is just a fantastic title. So, no more excuses from me - let's find out what it's all about!

Hi, Aletta! Tell us a little bit about your newest release.

My new book, The Chef and the Ghost of Bartholomew Addison Jenkins answers a question you probably haven’t asked, although I can’t imagine why not!  What happens if you have a one-nighter with a ghost?  The story is set in a little Hudson River town in upstate New York, in the autumn of 1982. The main character is a woman chef trying to recover from a nasty divorce.  The restaurant world was a pretty crazy place in the early 80’s.  So: Revolutionary war era ghosts--and cooks.  And believe it or not, a happy ending, but it’s a pretty wild ride.

So we've got the 80s, food, and a ghost. This sounds perfect! Was there any part of this story you found particularly tough to write? If so, why?

I’ve written YA books.  This is my first adult romance.  At first it felt weird NOT to cut away during the love scenes.  But after I got used to it, I was able to cope quite nicely by fanning myself a little and having a Diet Coke, thank you very much.  My life has been…enriched!  Funny how something that seems challenging at first can end up being liberating.  And wonderful.

So leading on from that, is there any part of this story you absolutely love, and why?

I love my characters.  The lead ghost is pretty complex: confident, needy, and quite sexy.  His side-kick Geoff is very funny, too.  He’s a trickster.  I love the setting.  I was a chef for a while in the 80’s and those were wild days.  It was fun being about to write about that pirate ship world. Anthony Bourdain doesn’t lie about how nuts it was.  Professional cooks are interesting people: smart, tough, and practical. Risk-takers.  A tribe, for certain.

I'm always fascinated by behind-the-scenes accounts from the restaurant world! Do you have a favourite genre to write in?

I’m a paranormal author if I’m writing fiction, whether it’s for grownups or for teens. I just like magic--stuff that can’t possibly happen, but does.  And I almost always write in the past.  I guess it’s the “once upon a time” beginning that hooks me in creatively.  My YA books are time travelers.  

I feel the same way about magic :) If you could have dinner with any three writers, living or dead, who would they be?  

Hmm...Madeleine L’Engle (who wrote A Wrinkle in Time)  is a huge hero of mine, and informs my writing for young people.  I guess I’d also invite the contemporary British author of historical fiction Sarah Waters, who blows me away every time I open one of her books.  And the American poet Anne Sexton, who kept me sane during college years, and I think would have been wonderful to have a few glasses of wine with.  I’m sorry I never got to at least thank her.  That would be a good party!

Good choices! Anne Sexton would be a great person to sit down for a drink with. Are there any books you can just read over and over again and never get sick of?

I used to teach high school English,  so I’ve probably read The Scarlet Letter twenty times. Although Hawthorne was a gloomy gus and I don’t think I’d want to dine with him, that is pretty much a perfect novel.  (He was, however, really cute.  Google him and see!)

I felt obliged to add a picture of Nathaniel Hawthorne for you all.

If you could recommend any book (beside your own) to everyone reading this, what would it be?

Lincoln in the Bardo totally deserves the Man Booker Prize, and I’m not just saying that ‘cause I’m from the States.  Mind blown!

Now the hardball question. Tea or coffee?

Coffee, preferably latte.  Two cups in the morning, while I write.

I'm starting to feel like the only tea-drinker in the world! Apart from writing, what are your great passions in life?

I love music.  I sing choral music regularly, and play guitar and dulcimer.  I used to ring tower chimes in a church in New York City.  I DJ rock and roll at a little internet radio station, and I listen to absolutely everything.  I’m currently obsessed with a group called Offa Rex.

Awesome! My fiance used to DJ regularly, and still breaks out the decks every now and then. What else are you working on right now? What's up next from you?

I’m going to bang through something during National Novel Writing Month in November.  I’m actually toying with going way outside my comfort zone and writing a romance about a woman trying to live in one of the tiny houses that seem to be on TV so much lately.  

My all-purpose writer’s website is still under my real name, Christine Potter, (although posts about the romance are starting to appear there, too).  Because I will continue to write YA, I’ll probably split off a site for Aletta, but for now:

Blog: http://chrispygal.weebly.com/

Aletta Thorne on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alettasghosts/

Instagram (all my writing here, too): https://www.instagram.com/chrispygal/

Thanks, Aletta! So, now you know a bit more about the author and her book, how about a teaser from it? But first - don't forget to pick up your copy!

Evernight

Amazon

Excerpt

“You’ll turn over the record. Oh, because you…”

“I do like to keep up. Who poured you wine from the … refrigerator? Although, I don’t understand why people of your age prefer it so icy.”

Alma followed Bart into the living room, still wondering why things didn’t seem odder than they were. She remembered the Casper the Friendly Ghost cartoons she’d seen as a little girl. This ghost was acting—well, perhaps a bit more flirty than friendly. He only glowed a bit as they walked through the dim hallway that connected her rooms. You can hardly even tell he’s translucent. What had he seen of her, though? She was glad her frustrating night with Sid had been at his place.

As Bart bent over the turntable and flipped the record, the reading lamp by her couch highlighted the silver buttons of his coat. She curled up on the couch and put her wine glass on the glass-covered orange crate she’d turned into a coffee table. 

Bart sat beside her, suspiciously close. He put an arm over the back of the couch, and Alma shook her head again. That’s the old sneaky-arm trick—like a high school kid. It’s kind of cute. She pulled her legs up under herself, and they quietly listened to the music.

“You’re right,” she said after a few minutes. “‘Fountains’ is really good, too. I almost never listen to that side.”

Bart made a quiet harrumphing noise. 

Do ghosts clear their throats? Apparently so.

“Dear lady,” he said. “Although I do try not to snoop, as you would say, I have indeed observed your solitude. Let me assure you, your life will soon be happier.” He slid even closer to her.

Okay. Now the ghost is absolutely coming on to me. This is really happening. Oh, hell—why not? He’s not bad—for a dead guy.

“Um, Bart?” she said. His eyes really were a startling color—almost bronze… “You can’t actually be…”

Bart set his fingertips on her cheeks, looked into her eyes, and sighed. Then he smiled. “You think this is a ridiculous situation. It’s not ridiculous,” he said. “Not at all. Allow me to demonstrate … with your permission, m’lady.”

Somehow, that was funny, and Alma giggled. “Granted.”

Bart’s hands were impossibly soft and gentle—and his touch had some of the same fire-and-ice buzz that she’d felt before in the kitchen when he’d tried to get her attention. He guided her lips to his, and gave her what would have been a tiny peck—from anyone else. It shot a bolt of fire straight through her. 

“Oh,” she said. It took a minute to get her breath.

Writerly Wednesday - an interview with Lea Bronsen!

Happy hump day! If you made it this far, treat yourself to a cup of your favourite hot beverage and relax. Unless you're at work, in which case relax whilst still looking like you're working.

Okay! Now you're relaxed, how about a chat with Lea Bronsen about her new book, viking romance TORN AVENGER? If you want dark, m/m historical romance, this is the book for you! Lea was kind enough to answer a few questions for me, as well as sharing a teaser, so read on and enjoy!

Hi Lea! Tell us a little bit about your newest release.

Hi, and thanks so much for having me! Torn Avenger is a gripping, emotional story of murder and passion where two ancient worlds collide.

As the second son of a Viking earl, Alv Gunnulfsen wasn't meant to inherit a throne or avenge a murder. But when his brother is slain during a raid and their father dies of grief, Alv is expected to take command and claim the killer's death. In a world of ruthless retaliation and strict social codes, he must also maneuver cleverly to protect a troublesome secret: his attraction for men.

Roeland van Dijk, a wealthy Dutch merchant settled in Norway, has done the unthinkable to protect his family — hacked off the head of a Viking rapist. The wrath of the blond savages will cost him his freedom, and possibly his own head… Unless he's willing to accept the love of another man.

Was there any part of this story you found particularly tough to write? If so, why?

Yes, historical accuracy bothered me a lot. I wanted to set the story in a real period in history. Alv was to represent the last of the Viking raiders and Roeland the first of European merchants to settle in Norway. I had to conduct quite the research to make sure these two strong civilizations actually met!

Also, I wondered whether the Norwegians and their European “invaders” co-lived in peace or bloody confrontations occurred. I couldn’t find any information, but thought it quite probable that some Vikings, tempted by the precious goods imported into Bjorgvin and the wealth of their merchants, raided the trading post the same way they were reputed to in the rest of the world. Why wouldn’t they? In this case, I allowed myself some artistic freedom :)

Sounds like you got really in-depth, so a little artistic freedom is probably allowed here and there! Shifting directions a bit, who are your biggest influences – they don't have to just be literary ones!

Oh, I’ve always been an avid lover of rock, from early, bluesy stuff and backstreet glam, via grunge, to industrial/alternative rock and thrash/heavy/death metal. The whole palette of rock music has had a major influence on me since I was old enough to buy my own vinyls, lol. I can’t imagine an existence without it to make me vibrate and feel alive!

On the literary side, I’m a huge fan of psychological thriller authors like Mo Hayder, Cody McFadyen, and Lisa Gardner. I simply thirst for dark, hold-your-breath thrillers that blend graphic violence and gore with the sickest forms of mental deviance. Their inspiration is evident in some of my books. *Ahem* it probably says something about me…

We have similar tastes in music! I'll need to check out some of those authors, since that sounds like my kinda thing too. Apart from writing, what are your great passions in life?

I have three lovely daughters aged 7, 15, and 17, and when I’m not busy at my day job or nose-deep in one of my stories, I try to spend as much “quality” time with them as possible. I love taking them out fishing, mushroom picking, boat/motorcycle riding, cooking, mountain climbing, and chess/card playing. Children are gifts of life and time passes very fast, so it’s important to spend it well.

Wow, I'm impressed you fit the writing in! What else are you working on right now? What's up next from you?

My next release is the dark erotic crime MMMM ménage The Audition, about a young wannabe actor challenged to comply with the film producers’ dirty fantasies in order to get a movie part. It’s hot, it’s dirty, and one of the main characters is a ruthless drug lord, so there’re elements of crime and danger, too. I really hope my readers are going to like it.

Aside from that, I’ve started work on the sequel to my debut novel Wild Hearted, a gritty inner-city crime drama that came out in 2013. Let me tell ya I’m super excited about bringing my two favorite characters, Tomor, an imprisoned gang leader, and Luz, his long-lost love, back to life in a whole new psychological thriller!

So if all that whet your appetite for Lea's stories, read on for a closer look at TORN AVENGER!

   
Clickety-click.

Writerly Wednesday - An Interview with Kathrine Wyvern

Happy hump day, folks! It's almost bed time here, but I'm pushing through the exhaustion of spending a day trying to hire a development chef to get this interview up, because I think this one you really want. Katherine Wyvern is here with her new release, WOMAN AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE. I can't wait to read this book - I think it's going to be something special. So without further ado, let's say hello to Katherine, Nina, and Julia/n.

Hi, Katherine!

Hello Naomi, and thank you so much for having me and my new release here on your blog today!!

You're welcome! Let's start with you telling us a little bit about your newest release. 

Woman as a Foreign Language is the first book I wrote after a four years writer’s block. I almost thought I had lost the will or ability to tell stories, and then suddenly this exploded in my mind, and HAD to be told. It is the story of two gender-queer persons who meet by chance and find that they complement each other perfectly. Nina is an almost incurable tomboy who is struggling to express her feminine side and Julia/n is a beautiful cross-dresser who sometimes just needs to just shrug out of his masculine identity and be a beautiful woman. They both have a lot of darkness behind them, and it was beautiful to watch them finding the light together.

I'm so intrigued by these characters, and have been since I heard the title of the book! Was there any part of this story you found particularly tough to write? If so, why?

Not so much tough but painful, yes. In the story it was obvious from the start that Nina came from a history of early bullying and abuse, and originally I had intended to leave that as a memory she has to cope with. But that made for a lot of “telling”, and finally I decided to have Nina still living with her mother, to “show” some of the stuff she had had to put up with. That was tough, because Nina’s story is partly autobiographical and I really felt on my skin that I was closing her in a very dark place. But of course this made the story much stronger, and when she finds her freedom it is that much more exhilarating.

On the flip side, is there any part of this story you absolutely love, and why?

All of it, I think! I am really passionate about this book! But I particularly love the way Nina’s vision of Julia as an almost supernatural being slowly adjusts around Julian’s more earthy and solid persona, and yet still retains some of that initial reverence. One of my favorite lines in the story is when Nina tells Julia/n, towards the end, “I love you. I have loved you since the first day I saw you. I thought you were a goddess. I still do.” And I love how Julian’s incredible control over his body, voice, eyes and generally himself slowly falls apart as he falls in love with Nina.

I can't wait to read that scene! Changing directions a little bit, do you have a favourite genre to write in?

Not really, I am hopelessly eclectic, in fact. I love Fantasy and Sci/fi for the wonderful opportunity they offer of creating alternate realities and worlds, but I am also happy writing the occasional contemporary story. I like to include LGBT relationships in my books, but I also like straight and simple FM stories.

So are there any genres you haven't tried yet that you really want to?

I have a couple of paranormal stories slowly simmering in the back of my mind… Each has a few pages or chapters written, but they are not quite “there” yet. I am looking forward to exploring the magic in them!

Ah, the "almost ready stories." I know them well. Who are your biggest influences – they don't have to just be literary ones!

I think, writing-wise, Antonia S. Byatt. It is really presumptuous to compare my writings to hers, but if there is one writer whose prose really infuses my own voice, that is her. Patrick O’Brian too. His more humorous bits of dialogue and narrative have me in stitches, and they are definitely a constant inspiration. Outside of books I’d have to say, my husband. All of the heroes in my story have something of him in them … in and out of bed !

AS Byatt has been on my "to try" list for years. A friend recommended her books and I've just never got round to them. If you could have dinner with any three writers, living or dead, who would they be?

John Keats. It is incredible to think that all his magnificent poetry was written when he was so unbelievably young. I think he must have been a tremendously intense and sensitive soul. Tolkien, of course, an all-time favorite of mine, although it worries me that he tended to mumble quite a bit, which would make table conversation rather difficult. And Bill Bryson because he’s been to a lot of places, and he sounds like fun, and any dinner party needs a guest like that!

True! Keep the conversation flowing. Are there any books you can just read over and over again and never get sick of?

The Lord of the Rings. The whole Aubrey-Maturin series by Patrick O’Brian. And Possession by Antonia Byatt.

Following on from that, if you could recommend any book (beside your own) to everyone reading this, what would it be?

There you have me. I have been trying to find similar stories to host on my blog, but I am not going anywhere! There is quite a lot of Transgender romance being (self)published, but they are often MM stories in disguise or sex-transition stories, which is not the case with WaaFL. So for now, I’d have to say that WaaFL seems rather unique!

It's definitely not a story I've come across before, which is one of the things that intrigues me about it. Okay, the hardball question: tea or coffee?

Both, but preferably beer.

I think that's cheating, but I'll allow it! And last but not least, apart from writing, what are your great passions in life?

I am an obsessively creative person, and I love to MAKE things. I have dabbled in lots of different artistic mediums in my life, painting, textile art, woodwork, even cob building! I also really love gardening and animals… I have three cats, a dog, two horses, and a flock of ducks!

Oh, fantastic! You're living my dream life! Now, having found out a bit more about Katherine, it's time to get a closer look at Nina and Julia/n. Read on for an excerpt! 

What do you do when the woman you want to be … is a man?

Nina’s abusive childhood left her feeling so vulnerable when wearing anything flimsier than combat boots that she has spent her whole adult life dressed like a gang boy. But when she meets the tall, glamourous, charismatic Julia (actually her cross-dressing neighbor, Julian, going out en femme), Nina is seized by an overwhelming and terrifying urge to finally express her own femininity.

Julia/n has not only a slightly split personality but also a thoroughly broken heart. What s/he wants most is a partner who will love both Julia and Julian. While Nina learns from Julia how to be a woman, Julian discovers that they might well be made for each other, but it will take a struggle against prejudice and a whole conservative mind-set before they can follow their hearts, and express their true, unique, and beautiful selves.

Click for more!

Author Interview - Maggie Mundy

Happy Monday! I'm sure there's a Monday/Mundy pun to be made here, but I'm above such cheap laughs (I'm really not), so let's skip over that and go straight to the fun part! Maggie Mundy kicked off her Dark Storm series last autumn with IDOLIZE. She was gracious enough to answer a few questions for me and share a bit about the book and her writing life, so let's go!

Tell us a little bit about your IDOLIZE.

Idolize is book one in the The Dark Storm series. The books are based around the lives of actors on the show.

Blurb

Cassi moved to LA to escape a violent past and wants anonymity for herself and her son. She is starting to get her life back on track when she meets Declan Reed. He is latest hit on the Hollywood scene, playing the lead in the TV series Dark Storm. She gets the love of a TV star, and the fame that comes with it causes her past to come back and haunt her with what could be fatal consequences.

Was there any part of this story you found particularly tough to write? If so, why? 

I wrote phone sex. I have never done it, so I researched what was acceptable. It seems anything goes as long as you are happy consenting adults.

Ah, okay! That seems a good rule for life in general. Do you have a favorite genre to write in?

It used to be paranormal romance but now I really like contemporary fiction

Are there any genres you haven't tried yet that you really want to?

I am trying to write women's fiction at the moment and loving the woman's journey part of the story.

If you could have dinner with any three writers, living or dead, who would they be?

Jane Austen. I’d like to find out the real story behind her life and loves. Nora Roberts. She is just amazing. JK Rowling. She helped my dyslexic daughter learn to read.

Are there any books you can just read over and over again and never get sick of?
Pride and Prejudice. Love it.

It's always hard to beat the classics! If you could recommend any book (beside your own) to everyone reading this, what would it be?

I love Sophie Jorden’,s Devil’s Rock series for contemporary and The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant for a bigger historical read. Don’t expect an HEA with the second one.

I haven't read any of these! Obviously time to add them to my TBR pile. Now, the killer question. Tea or coffee?

 Tea. My mother used to call me teapot when I was a kid because I drank so much of it.

The correct answer! Apart from writing, what are your great passions in life?

My family.

And finally, what else are you working on right now? What's up next from you?

I am working on book two in the series called Fantasize. It is about a paparazzi, a blackmailer, and Gemma, one of the actresses on the Dark Storm show.

So that's Maggie and IDOLIZE! Like the sound of it? You can pick up your copy at the following places:

Evernight Publishing

Amazon US

Amazon UK 

And pretty much anywhere ebooks are sold! You can also grab Maggie's latest release, RANDOM MEETING.  

And if you want to keep up with Maggie online, here's where to find her:

Maggie's blog

Maggie's Twitter

Maggie's Facebook 

 Want a taste of IDOLIZE? Read on for an excerpt!

Guest Interview - Azelea Moone

If you've got the right mindset, every day is Halloween, right? Right! So I'm pleased to say hello to Azelea Moone today, who's here to talk about her Halloween romance, A HELL-HOUND'S TALE. Let's get to it!

Tell us a little bit about your newest release.

My newest release "A Hell-hound's Tale" is actually a re-released short story once offered in an anthology. It follows a couple of devil dogs on their journey during Halloween night.

Devil dog Ryu has always been interested in humans. Now that he has this chance to be off his leash for the night, he'd rather play than work on his job: collecting souls to take back to Hell. On his way, he meets Grant, a sexy gay man who's got a bit of a secret. Ryu's intrigued by the man and can't help but want to get closer to him.

Oh, but you'll have to read the book to learn the secret.

Is there any part of this story you absolutely love, and why?

I really love how playful the story is. By the synopsis, or my description above, you might think it's scary but not at all! It's really just a good time, with a little bit of aww at the end.

Ryu was a very fun character to write. I did some research into hellhounds, and decided to make him a little more exciting and frisky than hellhounds are meant to be. I think it came out very well.

I love hellhound mythology - so much to explore! Do you have a favourite genre to write in?

I've dabbled in several different genres through my career, but my favorite has to be M/M fantasy romance. In the past few years, I've devoured (read) tons of fantasy books with gay romance elements and I'm always looking for more.

If you could have dinner with any three writers, living or dead, who would they be?

Hmm, this might be a difficult one.

I think if I could have dinner with any three writers, I would choose L.A. Witt, cause you know, she's absolutely wonderful! Then, I would choose Anne Rice, because I have always admired her for the work she's done. And for the third writer, I would choose... Ha! I think would choose any writer cool with just sitting and chatting with me.

If you could recommend any book (beside your own) to everyone reading this, what would it be?

You know, I recently read a very interesting autobiography by Tatamkhulu Afrika called "Bitter Eden". It's a telling of a man who gets captured in WWII and spends a few years in POW camps in Italy and Germany. During that time, he deals with the emotions of being close to a couple other men, and eventually develops a close relationship with one of the men.

It's a lovely tale, if not a difficult one to read, and is definitely not a romance. If books like these are interesting to anyone, I'd say have a look!

Awesome. I love a good historical autobiography. Apart from writing, what are your great passions in life?

I've always been a computer nerd. After high school, I graduated with a degree in PC Support and Repair and from there, I continue to take an interest in other types of computer stuff: software, hardware, website programming, etc.

Recently though, I was introduced to the world of sewing. Oh my God! It is so fun to play around with fabric and make things. I've made pajamas for my kids so far, a few things for myself, and a little catnip pillow for my kitty. It's such a good time.

What else are you working on right now? What's up next from you?

Coming up next is the 3^rd book in the Operation Wasteland series, "Redemption". It's the ending installment and a culmination of Randy, Leyton, and Preston's story as they make the final attempt to fight the military. And hope to escape back to their home in the wasteland.

Look for it sometime in October, available by Evernight Publishing!

Thanks, Azelea! You can find all Azalea's Evernight titles here. 

You can sign up for her mailing list here.

And you can find her Facebook page here. Go show her and her hellhounds some love!

Guest Blog - Yuki and Olivia R Burton take over!

Since on Friday I got distracted by NXT Takeover (OMG I love American Alpha so hard. SO HARD), I didn't get to post this. And yesterday I went to finalise my holiday to Iceland with Mum, so I didn't post it then either. But today I have neither American Alpha or Iceland to distract me, so here we go!

Since Yuki is always keen to help around the house, I asked her to sit down with my friend and fellow cat-lover, Olivia R Burton, and ask her some questions about the re-release of her funny, smart, sugar-rich urban fantasy,  MIXED FEELINGS. Yuki did her best to stay on topic and I think she did very well for a first attempt. So, without further ado, let's see what they had to talk about!

Y: Hello, Miss Olivia! I am Miss Yuki, and I am a Beautiful Girl and also a cheeky missus sometimes. Like me, your book cover is very beautiful. Would you tell me a bit about the inside and is it also a cheeky missus?

ORB: I'd say Gwen can be pretty cheeky, even though she's usually too busy being cowardly and hungry to be cheeky. She does have some fun adventures, which I hear you have your share of as well. I'll bet if Gwen got stuck on the roof of the shed, she'd cry more than you do, though.

Y: It is true that I do cry a lot when I get stuck on the shed roof and up trees and on the roof of the house, but it's not because I'm upset. I just want everyone to know where I am at all times in case they want to bring me something.

ORB: In Mixed Feelings, Gwen's first book, she doesn't get stuck on the shed, but she does have to help some fairy monsters find some missing kids, which she needs help with just like you sometimes need help coming down off the roof! Luckily, like you have your people, she has her best friend Chloe there to hold her hand and make sure she gets through the ordeal safely.

Y: Yes, it is good to have helpful people. My people are very patient with me when I forget how to get off the shed. I understand that there is a werewolf in your book, which is like a big dog. I myself do not like dogs, so can you explain why you put one in there?

ORB: I bet you wouldn't mind this werewolf. Mel doesn't turn into a wolf too often, and spends most of his time just trying to get his hands on kitties. Generally they're a different type of kitty than you are, but I'm sure he'd be more than happy to scratch behind your ears if you asked. He's always happy to please a lady.

Y: And I am always happy to be pleased! You have a lot of cats. Which one is in charge?

ORB: It used to be Snapshot in charge, but that's been a source of contention in the house since my roommate moved in. He has a lady cat named Lucca who likes to think of herself as being the boss, as well. They steer clear of each other, both pretending they are the boss, and have decided it's not worth having words over anymore.

Y: As an only cat, I am in charge by default but I would be in charge anyway because I am the most precious and beautiful cat ever, the man says. The lady in your book, Gwen, can tell people's feelings with her mind, which I think would be good for cats, because sometimes I have to meow twice to make people do things for me, and if they just knew what I wanted with magic, that would save time. Do you think Gwen's magic would be good in real life?

ORB: Hmmm. That's a good question, Yuki. I'd say that, if all people could actually feel the emotions of people and animals around, the world would have to be a much different place. It could make us all more compassionate, helping us to see that people we say mean things to have feelings too, and aren't just standing in front of us willing to take verbal abuse. On the other hand, it could also have become such a common occurrence throughout history that people would go the opposite way and be jaded about feeling the sadness of those around them. Maybe we would be so used to feeling those around us being sad or angry or happy that we wouldn't really notice anymore.

Y: My people moved the snake tanks so I can't sit and watch them and tap on the glass any more and that made me sad, but nobody is helping me.

ORB: I bet the snakes miss seeing your cute little face!

Naomi's note: She's not sad at all, don't worry.

Y: You have another book about Gwen and cake out, too. What else happens in that besides cake, and are there going to be more after that one?

ORB: If it were up to Gwen, nothing would happen other than cake. A glutton sitting around eating cupcakes and candy wouldn't make for good reading, though, so Gwen's going to have many more interesting adventures. In Business With Pleasure, Gwen's second book, she's got to help find a murderer, help stop a stalker, and make nice with her ex-husband. She does get to eat ice cream toward the end, though! In the next book there will be more cupcakes, more werewolves (sorry, Yuki!), and a proposal.

Y: Gwen is very adventurous! Where can people keep track of your cake books?

ORB: They can go to my website, OliviaRBurton.com, or they can follow me on Twitter. I also have a page on Facebook that can easily be liked, and an Instagram where I often post pictures of all my cats.

Y: Thank you, Miss Olivia, for sharing all your book and cat and cake news with us! Now I am off to steal socks from the neighbours, because I worry that my people maybe don't have enough. Good day!

Naomi's note: I don't know if she did steal these socks or not, but they definitely aren't ours and she does look really pleased with herself so...