Author Spotlight – Melissa MacKinnon

Today it is my pleasure to welcome guest Melissa MacKinnon to the blog. I sought her out to be a guest on my blog because her book just sounded so dang good!!!!

44Author Bio:

Melissa spent her childhood exploring the coast of Maine and immersing herself in any book she could get her hands on. Although she pursued a career in theater, the written word was her true calling. Melissa leads a full life with her husband and five children, traveling the country to wherever the Army sends them, and still finds time to write in her “spare time”. She sports a Military Wife badge of honor, and is lucky enough to have her own knight in camo armor.

Melissa enjoys writing everything from sexy, sword-toting heroes to spit-out-your coffee funny romantic comedies. Her passion lies within the ancient walls of fantasy and historical romance, where anything is possible.

I visited with Melissa to talk about her writing background and future projects. I can appreciate that she is a working mom with a military husband. My oldest is in Japan right now with her Marine Corp hubby. Wife, mother, career woman…..It’s hard to wear so many hats. I’m thankful for this opportunity to meet an interesting person and make a new friend.

1 Tell us briefly about your writing journey. What led you to writing? What route did you pursue, agent/publisher vs small press vs direct publication?

I’ve been writing short stories since I was little. I loved to read, and you’d rarely see me without my nose in a book. While reading one particular amazing book, I told myself… “I can do this.” And my writing journey started. I never thought it would ever see publication, but an author friend encouraged—okay, made me—submit it. I shopped around, had my fair share of rejections, until I found the perfect fit. Being my first novel, I sought out a publisher within my genre. I had no idea what I was doing, so I was too nervous to self publish. I’ve learned so much about myself through writing. It’s a journey I never want to see end.

2. What inspired your current project?

Believe it or not, the entire plot of Return to Me came to me in a dream. I thought I was watching a movie when I woke up, but the tv was off. It stuck with me, and a week later I decided I needed to get it down or it was never going to get out of my head.

3 Where there any surprises in your current project?  Something that later you said…I didn’t see that coming? Oh yeah. I had no idea I was going to fall in love with these people (my characters) and cry along with them. I also didn’t know I could be so crass and curse so much. 😉

4 Tell us something no one knows about you.

I’m a Disney freak. My family lives and breathes Disney. During the day, I am a Disney Travel Agent. I plan Disney vacations for families and love every minute of it. There’s entirely too much Mickey in my house.

5 Future plans or projects on the horizon.

I have a new historical romance releasing this fall. The Archer’s Daughter is about a woman named Cate, and the hero who wants her dead.

My next writing endeavor will be a Military romance. It follows the struggles of a single mother trying to do her best and the man learning to live again after a tragic accident left him scarred.

and now more about….

ReturntoMe 200x300Return to Me

by Melissa MacKinnon

Book Blurb:

The only thing worse than loving the enemy is trying to live without him.

Archaean bounty hunter Marek Coinnich isn’t particularly fond of Engels. In fact, he prefers them dead. But to save his injured brother, he must enter the manor of an Engel enemy. Marek finds himself enthralled by the slave girl nursing his brother back to health. When his enchantment with her lands them in a compromising position, he refuses to let the young beauty pay for the misunderstanding with her life.

Brynn of Galhaven prefers to keep to the shadows. When she is ruined by an outsider, she barely escapes with her life and finds herself left alone in an unforgiving land. Through her struggles to survive, Brynn discovers a world she never imagined and never forgets the enemy Archaean who stole her heart.

Marek can’t deny his desire for Brynn, but these are wartimes, and she is the enemy. And though love knows no prejudice, the world in which he lives isn’t nearly as forgiving.

*** Historical Romance with strong Fantasy elements.***

Buy Links:

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | GOODREADS | ESKAPE PRESS

SMASHWORDS  | KOBO | ITUNES

BOOKSTRAND GOOGLE PLAY | ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS

 

Website | Blog | Facebook | Facebook Fan Page | Twitter

 

Excerpt:

It was the scream that caught his attention, the sound of pure terror. A woman’s ultimate terror — he’d heard it many a time throughout his hardened life. For a quick moment, Marek’s eyes shifted in search of the treeline instead of the soldier he battled. The swing of an Engel sword narrowly missed his shoulder and sent him staggering backward on his heels. Marek barely escaped the bone-crushing blow. The soldier advanced on horseback, whereas Marek battled on foot. Regaining his stance, he blocked the Engel’s next blow with only seconds to spare. He couldn’t focus — he worried for her safety. Damn woman. He was going to get himself killed.

Marek was torn between the two battles. Did he attempt to fight the man he engaged, praying Brynn could fend off her attacker until he could reach her, or did he make a run for her, hoping to surpass his own battle? Given another few minutes, Marek would slay his opponent. Another scream sent him reeling. The Engel held a blade high above her.

Damn, she won’t be afforded another few minutes. He was out of time, and no risk was greater than that of her life. Narrowing his eyes, Marek charged his opponent and wrenched him to the ground. The soldier, caught off guard, slid from the saddle, dropping his weapon. With one swift jerk, Marek’s sword slid along the man’s throat, severing it. A wild fray of blood spurted at the sky as the body slumped to the ground. Marek spun on his heels to race across the field.

Losing his footing to the slick mud, he skidded to his knees, realizing he’d never make it to her side in time. The soldier would have the dagger in her chest before he could intercept. Marek fumbled for the protruding handle of the knife still wedged in his boot. Finding it, he pulled the blade from its sheath. With his heart racing and his hand oddly trembling, he whirled the knife into the back of the soldier’s skull.

 

Felicia Fox Blog Tour

When passion and obsession collide, someone has to fall.

Series Book Trailer can be found here

Consumed Cover SmBook 1 – Consumed

Synopsis

Felicity has never met someone like Alex before. Alex literally glows from their lovemaking. For the first time, Felicity is in love, but the woman she’s spent the last two months with may not actually be a woman at all. Felicity knows that Alex is something more, but she doesn’t know exactly what. Allowing Alex into her life might be the worst mistake she’s ever made…

Add to Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22664637-consumed

Buy Links

Amazon US ~ http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L3XEHF2

Amazon UK ~ http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00L3XEHF2

Amazon Au ~ http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00L3XEHF2

Amazon Ca ~ http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00L3XEHF2

 

Captive Cover SmBook 2 – Captive

Synopsis

As Felicity falls deeper in love with Alex, she finds herself immersed in Alex’s dark, erotic, succubus world. She and Alex are both in danger as a killer trails their every move. Not even the threat of torture and death can stop their passion when Alex reveals her motives for finding Felicity. Will their love conquer all or will they meet their end at the hands of a madman?

Add to Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22664635-captive

Buy Links

Amazon US ~ http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L4EHNXI

Amazon UK ~ http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00L4EHNXI

Amazon Au ~ http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00L4EHNXI

Amazon Ca ~ http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00L4EHNXI

 

elegant sensual young woman in red dress on recamier indoor shotBook 3 – Crave

Synopsis

When passion sets your soul on fire.

Object of a deadly obsession, Felicity has been taken by the crazed incubus, Marius. Secrets, lies, and betrayals are mounting against Alex and Felicity. Will their passion and love be enough to keep from breaking Felicity, or will Alex’s world be the end of her?

Add to Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22664636-crave

Buy Links

Amazon US ~ http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LJ2SXDE

Amazon UK ~ http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00LJ2SXDE

Amazon Au ~ http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00LJ2SXDE

Amazon Ca ~ http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00LJ2SXDE

About Felicia Fox

Felicia Fox hails from Northern California. She has her Associate’s degree in Applied Sciences, but has always known she wanted to be an author. A lover of arts and crafts, pin up looks, and avid reader, Felicia enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. Consumed, Captive, and Crave is her first published erotica series.

P.S. Felicia Fox is a big fan of drunk Skype 😉

Connect with Felicia

Facebook ~ https://www.facebook.com/authorfeliciafox

Amazon ~ http://www.amazon.com/Felicia-Fox/e/B00L9DGD9E

Goodreads ~ https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7497754.Felicia_Fox

 

Follow the Consumed Series Blog Tour

Rafflecopter Enter to Win

Felicia Fox Blog Tour August 18th through 22nd

Felicia FoxI’m pleased to be a host for Felicia Fox Blog Tour this week.  The Tour Starts today and you can follow it through Wicked Reads

Follow the Consumed Series Blog Tour

Connect with the raffle copter link at each stop to get in the drawing. Prize is a Swag Pack & Winner’s Choice of one book from the Consumed Series (US Only).

The Consumed Series BT Banner

 

Series Book Trailer can be found here

Felicia Fox Blog Tour – Coming 8/19/14

Hi happy readers.

I’m honored to be a site on the Felicia Fox Blog Tour. Come on over next week and check it out.  You can also follow the tour by checking in with Wicked Reads

The Consumed Series BT BannerThere will be prizes

 

Author Spotlight – Kellie Kamryn – Guilty As Sin

My Guest today is Award-winning author Kellie Kamryn. She is a retired elite gymnast and competitive coach. These days she is captain of her crew of four wearing many a hat: chauffeur, cook, maid, and arm chair psychologist, although her favorite title, and the one she answers to most, is “Mom”. Even with her busy life, she creates time for Baguazhang training at least twice a week, a challenging martial art form. While her friends would describe her as sweet, her readers know she’s got a sassy side, and most days she can be found channeling her sass into writing stories and poetry that sweep readers away into other worlds. When her muse requires a break, she channels her creative energy into bringing many a tale to life through her work as a narrator.

Winner of the RONE (Reward of Novel Excellence) Award for Best Erotica 2012, Kellie is also a workshop presenter, and motivational speaker, having presented at the Moonlight and Magnolias GRWA Conference in 2011. One of her latest books, Sugar Daddy Wanted: Now Accepting Applications, has been nominated for Best Novella in the RONE Awards for 2013.

Readers are welcome to join her on Facebook in her Sweet & Sassy Divas and Dudes group! It’s the first place she mentions contests, articles and much, much more! Come join in the fun!

For upcoming releases, contests and more, visit with Kellie at: http://www.kelliekamryn.com

GUILTY AS SIN

Guilty_as_Sin_Sin_City_Series_1_500_800Blurb:  A UFC fighter caught up in the world of organized crime risks his one chance at freedom to save the woman he loves.

As a UFC fighter, Sinclair Reed aka Sinister 3, always had a plan. Getting tangled up with the mob, or falling in love with a woman he can’t forget, never factored into it.

After a brief affair, bestselling author, Cherie Bouchard, thought she’d seen the last of UFC light middleweight champ “Sinister 3” when they parted ways at the airport. Determined to discover if her feelings are real for Sinclair, or the result of her hopeless romantic imagination, she purchases tickets to his fight when the UFC comes to town.

As the lovers re-unite, they discover someone wants him dead, and Sinclair has twenty-four hours to choose between Cherie and freedom. For a smart guy like him, it should be a no-brainer. When it comes to the woman he loves, he’s as guilty as sin.

Buy GUILTY AS SIN at AMAZON or BARNES AND NOBEL

 

Award-winning Author of Erotic Romance & Audio Book Narrator:

Excerpt:

Unspoken communication passed between them—desire, longing, raw sensuality. She gestured between them. “So, that’s all this is between us? Lust?”

“Is that what you came to ask me?”

Swallowing hard, her head bobbed an affirmative. “I suppose.”

Sinclair cast his gaze downward, before locking it onto her. “No. Yes.” He sighed in exasperation. “Truth is…I haven’t stopped thinking about you since I said good-bye.” The admission lightened a burden he hadn’t been aware he’d carried.

Her breath caught, and she pressed a hand to her heart. “Really?”

“Yeah, really.” Truth sets you free.

“Jesus H… I thought it was just me.” Pacing in a small circle, she gestured in a wild fashion. “I tried so hard to put you behind me, to tell myself it was only a good time… But I just couldn’t—”

He interrupted. “Get me out of your head?”

Sheepish, she nodded.

“Yeah,” he admitted. “That’s how I felt, but about you.” Sinclair waved his arm in a helpless gesture. “I didn’t want to hurt you. You’re an amazing woman. But with my training schedule, and the distance—I didn’t want to commit to something—”

“Stop.” Cherie raised both hands in front of her. “Don’t. I thought maybe if I saw you again, I’d see you for who you are and be able to get you out of my system once and for all. Turns out—not so much.”

“This’ll make me sound like more of a jerk, but just because I’ve thought of you often, doesn’t mean I’ve been celibate since we parted.”

A light laugh accompanied her shrug. “I didn’t expect you to be. We had no commitment. I’ve been on a date or two as well.”

Unexpected jealousy reared its ugly head. Sinclair bristled, a low growl sounding in his throat at the thought of her with another man, his hands on her, fucking her.

Curiosity etched her brow. “Let’s agree not to talk about our sex lives,” she suggested.

Sinclair gave a curt nod. “Agreed.” He shifted in his seat, legs splayed.

Her eyes were drawn to his crotch. Moistening her lips again, she quickly averted her gaze.

“Cherie,” he said, voice low when he spoke. “It’s not that I don’t want to talk to you. I just can’t think of anything coherent to say. Not when I want you the way I do.”

“You’ve already warned me. Understood.”

For a moment, he wondered if she’d walk away. He half hoped she would, simplifying their lives.

With deliberate slowness, she untied the knot at her waist, letting the sweater fall open and hang from her shoulders to reveal the silky fabric of her tank top for a moment before letting it fall to the floor. Cherie shimmied her shoulders, the thin straps of her top, sliding down her arms.

Sinclair sucked in a breath as the top snagged on her beaded nipples for a second, the built-in bra dissolving as the shirt slid down her torso. “You don’t have to do this.”

“Oh, believe me, I want to.” Cherie wriggled her hips, and in a dull swish of clothing, jeans, shirt and panties pooled on the floor at her feet.

His erection grew as his eyes roamed over her body from head to toe. Nude, she posed in front of him, one hand on jutted hip. He watched her breasts rise and fall with each panting breath. She lifted her chin, and he took the hint, unzipping his jeans, and sliding the material down over his hips, lifting his ass to remove them altogether. He lowered himself into the seat a little more, cock straining against his boxer briefs.

She tilted her head in a coy gesture. “It’s not a fair fight.”

With a chuckle, he stripped off his underwear, allowing his cock to spring to attention. The scent of her arousal wafted over to him, assaulting his senses. He extracted a condom from the wallet in the back pocket of his jeans, and rolled it down his dick.

Swaying her hips, she sauntered toward him, and reached for his T-shirt. He lifted his arms for her to take it off.

His arms circled her waist. “Come here, baby.”

An ear-to-ear grin on her face, Cherie climbed onto his lap, one knee on either side of his thighs, hands resting on his shoulders.

Sinclair gripped her hips, guiding her pussy until she was poised over his cock which strained to get inside her. He searched her eyes for any sign of hesitation. “You sure?” he asked.

“Absolutely.” She lowered her hips until the plump head of his cock probed her slick entrance. Her hot, wet pussy melted around his hard shaft as he slid home. Her head tipped back, eyes rolled up to the ceiling.

“Fuck, baby.” Sinclair panted, pressing a kiss to her collarbone, his tongue licking a path along the ridge and up the column of her throat. He resisted the urge to flip her to her back and fuck her like an animal in heat. “I’ve missed you.”

The tears shining in her eyes tugged at his heart. “I’ve missed you, too, Sin,” she whispered, using the nickname she’d given him as a play on his fighting name, “Sinister Three”.

“Ride me, Sweetheart. Now.”

 

Dragon Betrayal – TBR August 2014

Eden Glenn author of erotic romance, contemporary and paranormal addressing all spectrums of relationships; menage, f/f; lesbian; m/m; gay and m/f.

Good morning everyone! It’s a beautiful Monday in the mountains. I am going to give you a wee taste of the free read that is due to release August, 2014. “Dragon Betrayal”.

I shall set the stage.  In Dragon Guardian we meet Cathwren ‘Wren’ and two hunky dragon shifters, Ethan and Caleb. They have a character arch to follow and are rather neanderthal in this first vol 1 of the trilogy. Wren is rather unsure of herself but gaining ground quickly. This is vol 1 and begins the romance between the three.

Additionally, I have previously published with Rebel Ink Press a variety of side novellas and novellettes that generally have these three as walk on characters and little cameo appearances from various characters in the world. Slivers that touch upon the world of Wyrmarach.

Those titles of The Amethyst Desire Collection (in order) are Raynia’s Magic; Beverly’s Secret; Phoenix Reborn; Shifter’s Legacy; Emma’s New Year.  Two other novellas, Dar’kind Promises and what was titled Dragon’s Unbound…to be re-released as Dragon Emergence (this fall) also tie into this world.

Dragon Betrayal is a bit of the back story of a side character in Dragon Guardian. Kiernan comes in strong, dark, tortured and mysterious. I planned on this free read as a bit of a reward for faithful followers. Also it intentionally poses a lot of questions.  It is not designed as an encapsulated story, my friends. It is a hook and I won’t mince words on that. Some of this will be resolved in the next novel “Dragon Mark” as part of the secondary romance building in that volume 2.

DragonBetrayal_LargeResCover (3)Draft Blurb:

M/F Erotic Paranormal Romance

Kiernan Walker couldn’t seem to get the black haired healer, Isobeau Monroe out of his thoughts. E-sa-bow he’d whispered her name, let her feel his need.

Now he was in the service of the Enforcers, the mates of the rising Dragon Guardian.   Isobeau guides him on a healing journey taking him back to revisit the past that set him on a path of self destruction.  What will be the ultimate Dragon Betrayal?

Now this story is under the setting staged in Dragon Guardian.  Kiernan was held and tortured by the enemy for six months in dragon form. Cathwren “Wren” saves his life in D.G.  It’s up to Isobeau to guide him on a metaphysical healing journey to tie together some of the loose ends.  This novellette explores what he experiences going back into the past during that journey.  The blurb needs a bit more work, that’s why it’s a draft.  Blurb writing is hard! LOL

draft excerpt:
The Dragon who was Kiernan stared down at the sultry healer Isobeau. He turned his head to consider her with one large eye. E-sa-bow, he savored her name in his mind. At the moment she was yapping at him like a terrier with a rat.
“First you don’t want to shift to dragon so we can heal your beast and now you don’t want to shift to human. Healing is a balance between metaphysical beings. You’re not cooperating.”
When had he ever been cooperative?
 

I’m off to work on edits for Kiernan’s story and see if I can wrestle this dragon to ground.

I would love to discuss this work with readers and look forward to your comments.

Marketing for Authors – Two

The first topic I think we should tackle is Social Medial. Time Sucker or Revolution / Image Builder or Implement of SELF DESTRUCTION!

DISCLAIMER; You know I’m pretty strong natured, opinionated. So everything I say from here on out is IMHO i.e. In My Humble Opinion.

I started as an author with a “My Space” Page. Okay, stop laughing long enough to read this post.  That’s all there was way back then when dirt was young and computers had just evolved from a string of beads in a rack (abacus for the children).

Then someone hit me up on “My Space” and said hey, I’m over on “Facebook” it’s pretty cool, come on over. I did because of course I’m an early adopter in technology.  A lot…. A whole lot of folks said — I don’t like it as much because you can’t do as much with it as you can “My Space”.

I said quit laughing.

We all now know how THAT story has ended. IMHO

Seriously, social media. Some people love it, some people hate it.

Here is a fun list of all the social media places I can be found. The Facebook page is the anchor for the first grouping.

 

(looks at list again) I might have forgotten and left some off the list. Humm. I’ve actually found authors with more social networking sites than I have. So, I’ve got a few more to investigate. Some of you are thinking I’ve lost my mind. Maybe I have.

But in college I learned that people absorb information in different ways. Some of them are readers, others listeners, others hands on.  People are going to live “cyber-world wise” and “solid-world wise”  where they are comfortable. IMHO

I want my information to be out there where they can receive it best and most comfortable for themselves.  Someone who is very graphic oriented might see my cover on Deviantart and jump on my website.  Someone in the solid world might want a book in their hand and find me at a book signing at a local library, public speaking event or author event in a book store. IMHO

So I’ve linked these together through Facebook to make it easier for me to manage them.  For the most part. The others just require updates when a new book releases.

Now a soap box speech about these various worlds. IMHO – I have seen authors melt down their career in ten seconds on FB or Twitter, because of what they said or how they acted (on a social media site).  These are places where you have ONLY words to present who you are. (for the most part…maybe a couple of pictures. Please dear god no boob and dick shots.)

So watch well the words you type here, er there… because you don’t want to have to eat them over and over again. The internet never goes away (till the Zombie Apocalypse starts) and someone is always watching. IMHO

It is a really easy place to tell too much and that is fine line between sympathy and everyone thinking you’re a high maintenance wierdo kook. If you don’t know where that line is….and believe me, you usually DON’T know where that line is. So, keep it shut about your negative reaction to bad reviews and anything else that might haunt you. IMHO

I’ve not done business with people because they turned on the Jesus-freak too loud on their professional page. I’m spiritual don’t get me wrong but there is a fine limit between enough and way too much. There isn’t much in between ground.

I have a friend. We’re going to talk about her personal page for a moment. I’ll leave her anonymous. She’s an atheist. She attends a little church for community and fellowship. It’s not a mainstream Holy Roller christian church. So, she started posting little snippets about what was going on. She’s part of that community, it’s part of her life.  A family member unfriended her because, she was “TOO religious.” Seriously. (insert significant outrage here and no IMHO)

Another person disassociated from her because she isn’t religious enough, cause she’s an atheist.  Are you seeing the fine line here? Now this is her personal page and anyone can go hang for all I care. But if we are talking about your professional page…humm something to think about.

Perception is a very individual thing. And, perception is reality.

Okay so what if it was a professional author page.  You’ve got someone out there telling everyone. “Yeah I really liked her at first  but she got TOO religious (TOO political, pagan, puppy rescuer … substitute what you like).  See what I mean? Now I’m not saying to not put personal flavor on your page. I do. I just don’t post 25 pictures of puppies that need rescued before they’re euthanized.

Woosa, people find balance. And yet I run that same risk with someone reading this blog and saying. “I really liked her at first but she’s just so snarky.” IMHO. LOL

I figure one political rant is worth two puppies are gonna die pictures. You’ve got to find your own balance.  What’s I’m saying is HEY Don’t be a nutzo extremist on any subject.

Remember THIS is a PROFESSIONAL image you are building here. Party girl pictures with your boobs and ass hanging out and you’re wasted on tequila last Friday night– probably won’t improve your image.  I guess maybe that comes down to knowing your audience. LOL Okay if you’re a stripper maybe, post away.

People will buy your books from all walks of life so don’t make yourself appear to be too narrow and exclude the wider variety of customers from relating to you.  How many times have I heard?….okay…okay…I was on a roll and I was going to say a negative but I stopped myself. Let’s turn it around.

How many times have I heard? “I met her at a book signing (elevator, restaurant, youtube video, grocery store, readers cyber chat room, Zombie Run, readers FB page…substitute where every you meet people and it’s everywhere solid world and cyber world) “and she was such a nice person. I’ll read anything she writes and tell everyone how nice she is and to buy her books.” I think you get the idea. If you don’t then you’ve missed the train and you might catch a bus over at 23rd and Main and you can hit up the drive to buy one of your books you’re lugging around in that shopping bag to sell to any unsuspecting stranger that makes the mistake of making eye contact with you. IMHO. Yet I digress once again.

Now, and a big whoa Nellie, Social networking is not I repeat, Not spaming people and shoving news of your latest release down their throats.  Social networking is just that, networking  and making relationships.

Oh heck. Questions anyone? Comments. Let’s fire it up with some discussion! I’m not an expert. That’s why I’ve kept my comments framed with IMHO (In My Humble Opinion)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author Spotlight – Erzabet Bishop

My Guest today is the wonderful and multi-published, Erzabet Bishop. I enjoyed getting to know Erzabet a little more and I am facinated by her stories. I can’t wait to get reading! I’ve showcased several of her books today for you to see the scope of her work. You will find interviews and questions/answers interspersed in between the book promos and at the end a bit more about Erzabet Bishop.  Enjoy!

Cover Sigil FireSigil Fire by Erzabet Bishop

Paranormal erotic urban fantasy/romance

Pairing: f/f

Published by Ylva Publishing, June 2014

104 pages

Multiple 5 star reviews

 

E: I interviewed Erzabet to get to know her a little better.

Who is your favorite character in this book and why? 

I love all my characters, but Sonia is especially close to me. She is recovering from a traumatic experience and struggles to keep going. She doesn’t remember all the details, but knows enough to stay under the radar.

Fae is fierce. She’s been through the fire and dreams of Sonia and what could be. They are two sides of the same coin and needed to find each other.

What inspires you for your stories?

My imagination is chock full of characters just waiting to be unleashed on the world.

Tell us something no one else knows about you.

I have an addiction to salted caramel dark chocolate Dove candy. I also have ten doggy fur babies that make me insane (but I love them).

When did you start writing and what kicked off your passion to be an author?

I have been writing since I was a child but it wasn’t until 50 Shades came out that I really started to write. I had to see what I could do. Every short piece of fiction leads me closer to my goal of being a novelist.

What is your biggest challenge?

Time. It is so elusive. I work as a bookstore manager and my hours change every week. Writing time is fit around my responsibilities but I hope one day to make writing my full time job. (Well, it already is but it would be nice to only have one. Lol)

Wild card: Tell us something you want to share with us about yourself…hobbies…guilty pleasures?

Hobbies-crochet, monster movie watching, puppies, baking, knitting, reading

Favorite guilty pleasures-pepperoni pizza, ice cream, anything chocolate, coffee-lots of it, orange chocolate sticks (orange gel covered in milk chocolate) and Amazon cards so I can buy books. My e-reader will explode one day…but I always need more books.

E: Wow Erzabet I think we might be kindred sisters. Wishing you much success on your writing career. And now a little more about Sigil Fire!

Where there’s smoke there’s Hellfire.

Sigil Fire box1Blurb

Sonia is a succubus with one goal: stay off Hell’s radar. But when succubi start to die, including her sometimes lover, Jeannie, she’s drawn into battle between good and evil.

Fae is a blood witch turned vampire, running a tattoo parlor and trading her craft for blood. She notices that something isn’t right on the streets of her city. The denizens of Hell are restless. With the aid of her nest mate Perry and his partner Charley, she races against time before the next victim falls. The killer has a target in his sights, and Sonia might not live to see the dawn.

For a sample read:

Amazon:

Are:

Smashwords:

Barnes and Noble: 

Excerpt

Blood pounded in her temples, and Sonia’s feet hit the pavement. Tears blurred her vision as the reality of what almost happened sunk in. He was the killer, and he knew where she lived. He was a fallen angel.

Turning the corner, she saw the tattoo parlor and picked up her pace. The shadows mocked her from every angle. He would be out there waiting. His oily presence oozed unholy joy at her panic, and she stumbled, almost losing her footing on the uneven sidewalk. Footsteps echoed on the street behind her, and in her panic, she couldn’t distinguish between friend and foe.

The glass doors loomed large, windows covered with posters of the latest trends in piercing and ink.

Pulling maniacally on the door, Sonia let out a howl of frustration to discover it locked. “Son of a bitch! Oh Goddess! Open up!” Tears ran down her face, and she tore at the door, hoping for some weakness that would allow her entry. Something. Anything.

She bit back a sob and staggered backward. It was over. He would find her in moments.

The street had become too quiet and the echo of sinister laughter crept along the edge of darkness. The bastard was playing with her.

Fear shot through Sonia’s body, numb and cold, causing her to yelp as the doors rattled behind her.

The sound of a barking dog came from the interior of the shop.

A voluptuous dark-haired woman leaned out, the bluish light illuminating her features with beams of icy radiance. “If you’re looking for a corner, succubus, you’ve picked the wrong one. Move it along.”

Sonia stepped closer to the door, turning her head into the light. “I’m here to see Fae.” She wrapped her arms around herself, shivering. The T-shirt and jeans had been warm enough earlier, but the air had turned chillier.

“Red?” The woman’s eyes grew wide. She assessed Sonia’s every movement.

Sonia shook her head, tears pricking at the corner of her eyes. “Do you know me?

The barking of a dog sounded closer, and the dark-haired woman drew back as the little body pushed past her.

Sonia leaned down. “What are you doing here?”

The little dog barked furiously, wagging its tail and whining. Its furry little face searched Sonia’s, and it jumped against Sonia’s leg, licking her hand.

“Hey there. Glad to see you made it home.” Sonia reached down at petted dog’s head.

Snorting, the dog rubbed its head against Sonia’s hand, letting out a delighted sound.

“Your dog knows me.” Sonia searched the dark-haired woman’s face. “I saved it. In the alley yesterday. There was a demon trying to take it.”

“Jellybean, what have you been doing?” Fae returned her gaze to Sonia and stared hard. “You saved her? How?”

A frustrated snort came from the dog, and she growled at the shadows.

“You’re lucky that you have a hellhound to watch over you. Someone must have loved you a lot.”

The woman’s face softened. “My mother. Jellybean was the last gift she gave me before she died.”

“Can you please let me in?” Sonia glanced behind her. The shadows grew longer, and the temperature continued to drop. The street was deserted now. “I need to see Fae. Monty sent me.” Sonia hated that her voice shook. She couldn’t help but notice the woman who blocked her path was intoxicating. The stranger’s dark hair rippled in the cold light of the shop, and her tight fitting shirt revealed far more than it chose to conceal. Her eyes burned black in the darkness, and despite her fear, Sonia felt herself falling inside them. They were safe. Familiar somehow. It didn’t make sense.

“Why the hell would Monty send you here?” The woman straightened, and the illusion of a simple shop owner vanished.

Jellybean barked. The dog’s body tensed, and she stood in front of Sonia, protecting her from the darkness beyond. The energy on the street grew malignant. The dog’s eyes flashed red and power radiated from her.

Sonia and the woman stared, momentarily speechless.

“Well, I’ll be damned. Come on.” The woman grinned as Jellybean jumped up and down. “Get in here.”

Dark laughter echoed down the street and Sonia flinched.

Jellybean growled, the hair on the back of her neck standing straight up.

Sighing deeply, the woman held the door open. “Come on then. Jellybean’s vouching for you and I’ve been looking for you myself.”

“Thank you.” Sonia scurried through the door, tears of relief brimming on her lashes. She blinked, but the tears still managed to fall. She was an immortal. Fear was not something she was used to living with, and it made her angry. Her head and soul were still spinning from everything that had happened in the past hour. She staggered. Her life was about to change even more. She could feel it.

Q&A:

How did you come up with Sigil Fire?

This story began as a writing prompt that didn’t make it into the anthology it was originally intended for. After much more work, I sent it in to the Ylva Halloween anthology and the amazing and wonderful Astrid believed it could be so much more. What was a nine thousand word story became a nearly thirty thousand word novella.

Will there be a sequel?

Yes. Charley, Perry, Sonia and Fae will be back for book two, which has already begun.

Favorite dessert?

Chocolate. Any kind. Anywhere.

Do you have a pet?

Yes. My husband and I have a pack of furry canine children that constantly keep us on our toes.

Favorite place to relax?

That would have to be in bed with a good book, my puppy Tadpole by my side.

Who are some of your favorite urban fantasy or erotic authors?

There are so many! I love Kim Harrison, Lisabet Sarai, Jaye Wells, Red Phoenix, Cari Silverwood, DL King, Alison Tyler, Rachel Kramer Bussel, Rhavensfyre, Patricia Briggs, Laura Antoniou…the list goes on and on. If I could be sealed in a room for a year I would never be bored reading these fabulous authors and more.

What are you working on now?

I have several works in progress. I write for the serial, Club Rook and have just finished the last two episodes to finish out the first season. There is also a CYOA for Silk Words, a twisted fairy tale for Decadent and a Halloween tale for my wonderful friends at Ylva. Not to mention the second book in the Sigil Fire series and two urban fantasy tales…

Here is a blurb for the first episode of Club Rook.

Clubrook1Demons. Angels. And strippers… Oh my! Enter the exclusive world of Club Rook, an erotic women’s club… built over a portal to hell. Demons walk the streets but angels do, too, and which is which may surprise you. No other 500+ page novel is released in weekly installments of 10,000+ words each accompanied by a music video and original EDM/dubstep song. Watch and listen every Monday at http://clubrook.angelsofanarchy.com or buy the soundtrack now at http://www.amazon.com

An erotic hybrid of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Lost Girl,” “Club Rook” is drenched in secrets, sex and monsters. Hunter Echo Abeje may own the Rook, but witch/seer Shanti sets the wards; alchemist/dealer Jules brews the potions, and musician/dominatrix Heather is a fierce fighter. And don’t forget Temperance Ruiz, the newest dancer at the Rook, and so much more.

All Angels of Anarchy serials are published weekly in a television-like format (with an ensemble of characters) written by a team if writers each in charge of her own characters. Check out all our serials at http://www.angelsofanarchy.com and read them weekly or in complete season editions of twelve episodes each.

Dive into a new episode of “Club Rook” and immerse your senses — read, watch and listen.

We are currently looking for reviewers for the first three episodes, so drop me a line at erzabetwrites@gmail.com if you are interested in checking out this great new series.

Club Rook at Amazon

fantasy/romance

Pairing: f/f and polyamorous

Format: Serial

Publisher: Angels of Anarchy

fetish fair book coverAnother new release is my choose your own erotic adventure Fetish Fair. You, the reader, get to choose your path to romance and adventure. Floggers, ménage, sexy corsets and more. Check it out!

Fetish Fair at Amazon

Blurb:

Kari’s BFF tricks her into attending a fetish expo, promptly losing her as they arrive. She can find her friend or maybe, just maybe find the secret to her own heart’s desires? Only a choice can open the door. If she dares.

 

SilkWords LLC is the go-to source for interactive women’s fiction. Blurring the line between fiction and gaming, SilkWords.com offers high quality romance and erotica that allows individual readers to choose how stories proceed. Two formats are available: branched fiction (“pick your path”) and linear stories that are produced with reader participation. Future phases will focus on development of a SilkWords community by adding more levels of interactivity for both authors and readers. SilkWords is a place for smart, busy, adventurous women to unwind and have fun. To learn more about our unique reading experience, visit www.silkwords.com.

Genre: Erotic choose your own adventure

Pairing: multiple

Format: CYOA

Publisher: Silk Words

ErzabetfloweryThanks for having me on the blog today! I hope to see you around Facebook and hop over to my author site to sign up for the newsletter.

About the author:

Erzabet Bishop has been crafting stories since she could pound keys on her parents’ old typewriter. She has only just learned that it is a whole lot more fun writing naughty books. She is a contributing author to the Silk Words website with her Fetish Fair choose your own romantic adventure stories, Elemental Passions, Potnia, A Christmas To Remember, Taboo II, Club Rook: The Series, Sweat, Bossy, When the Clock Strikes Thirteen, Unbound Box, Milk & Cookies & Handcuffs, Holidays in Hell, Corset Magazine: Sex Around the World Issue and Man vs. Machine: The Sex Toy Issue, Smut by the Sea Volume 2, Hell Whore Volume 2, Can’t Get Enough (upcoming, Cleis), Slave Girls, The Big Book of Submission (upcoming Cleis), Hungry for More (upcoming Cleis), Gratis II, Anything She Wants, Dirty Little Numbers, Kink-E magazine, Eternal Haunted Summer, Coming Together: Girl on Girl, Shifters and Coming Together: Hungry for Love among others. She is the author of Lipstick (upcoming), Dinner Date, Tethered, Sigil Fire, The Erotic Pagans Series: Beltane Fires, Samhain Shadows and Yuletide Temptation. She lives in Texas with her husband, furry children and can often be found lurking in local bookstores. She loves to bake, make naughty crochet projects and watch monster movies. When she isn’t writing, she loves to review music and books.

Follow her reviews and posts on Twitter @erzabetbishop.

Links:

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Marketing for Authors – One

One of my friend and a fellow Rebel Ink Press author Lori J. Gordon asked the following question. While I quote her. I very easily could have written these same words. We all FEEL this.

“I’m going to ask for help here….I am sadly failing at promoting. I see a lot of you doing so well and have to ask what are you doing? (Please keep in mind I’m on a very tight budget.) I admit I could be a bit lazy about this but it’s past time I got serious. Need advice on where to start?”

Haven’t we all been in that place. I was. Heck! I still AM!!!

Okay. Let me say first loud and clear and unequivocally. I have NO IDEA what works in promoting and marketing. Is it a mystery? Some divine club that senior members give you the golden ticket and it helps us all know what to do? I don’t think so.

The industry is changing moment by moment. I’m not sure its not all about Promoting and Marketing, really. We’re asking ourselves. How do I be a professional author? How to I gain a following of readers? How can I have sales and be successful at writing books? What can I do that will make a difference?

So, let’s explore this concept together over the next few weeks. Watch for the articles I’ll post on Wednesday’s for awhile while we explore the mystery of Marketing and Promoting.  Let’s see if we can find any answers together. Certainly we can share what we do. Maybe ten years from now we’ll know if it accomplished our objective. LOL

I’ll tell you what I do as step one. First, foremost and your greatest priority is 1. Write the next good book. No amount of marketing will work if your book sucks the big stink or never gets written at all. And, we are all learning. I still haven’t necessarily figured out where to put commas. Sometimes my sentences faill to be … well… sentences. I have echo words that have to be culled out and boy do I miss a few.

The point is, I can’t think of too many authors who have totally “Arrived”. Well, except … well there are a few. The divine Queen Nora. Yeah, that woman has arrived.  I think she’s defined the word, arrived. She’s witty, humble, smart. She might not say she’s arrived but in my book. Oh yeah, she has. But I digress.

The POINT IS! we are all still learning and growing. I read craft books. I study. I dissect other books. What was good? What was bad? What hooked me? What made me want to throw it at the wall? I watch what others do. Observation and critical thinking.

So, READ is the second most important thing you can do to help yourself.

Write good books. Read Good Books.

Future Topics on this thread:

Here are some of my thoughts for topics. If you have others, pop them into the comments so we can dig into them together. I think with time and a little effort we can nail this jello to a board.
Social Media, Time Sucker?, Volume, Conduct, The Avalanche
Book Signings
Press Kits and Releases
Website
Blog
Relationships/Networking
Reviews
 

Squee! Let the Party Begin! Happy Release Day = “Emma’s New Year”

It is quite fitting that we should throw a party for a book who’s setting begins at a New Year’s Eve Party!

Happy Release Day for Emma’s New Year. One night when everything changes for Emma and sets her world on end.

Have you ever had that kind of experience…a pinnacle where everything changes as if your whole world was turned inside out and remade?

Come and visit me today at either this party page. or at either Skye  or Mummy’s Naughty Corner or at Lori J. Gordon’s

I’ve gathered the links for “Emma” at all your favorite ebook vendors

AMAZON

BARNES AND NOBLE

ALL ROMANCE E BOOKS