Fabulous Author Friday ~ Heather Long

Please help me welcome Heather Long to the blog today! Can't wait to hear all about her new release.

Without further ado......

Tell us a little about yourself.

I’m a mother, a pet owner and a student of life. I studied journalism, psychology and business in school and I have degrees in two out of three of those subjects. I write because I can’t not write and every book is a passionate love affair for me and every time I type “the end” it’s a bittersweet moment.

Did you always want to be an author?

I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. I’ve always loved books and I was always telling my own version of stories. Initially I wanted to write comic books, DC Comics specifically and I even pitched to an editor in New York and developed a potential working relationship. Alas, that came to naught, so I continued on, but I never stopped writing. When my daughter was born, I went from having a lot of free time to almost none and that was the last kickstart I needed to finish a full manuscript. 

Five years of practicing, writing, re-writing my fiction while working as a freelance writer continued to grow my craft. From 2006 to 2008, it was all about the rejection letter. Then in late 2008, I received my first acceptance and now here I am four years and 18 books later with nearly ten due out total this year. It’s been a wild ride, but I wouldn’t trade any of it. The challenges actually made me a better writer.

WOW! Kuddos!

What is your favorite part of being a writer/author?

Writing is my favorite part about being a writer and I mean that literally. I’ve always loved to read, but writing lets me immerse myself deep in this world that is unfolding while you are writing is just amazing to me.

Tell us a little about your book.

Jacob’s Trial is the second book in the series that began with Cassandra’s Dilemma.  Jacob Book, one of the two men Cassandra is in love with is also a Wizard. In this world, Wizards are the product of liaisons between Fae males and human females. Cassandra’s choice to help the Fae out themselves to the world has changed Jacob’s life. To keep the woman he loves safe, he has to build a true alliance with the Elf Helcyon, and stand against his own kind as they come after Cassie. As much as I enjoyed writing Cassandra’s Dilemma, it was exciting to see this story come to fruition as these three delved deeper into what it their commitment to a triad means.

Blurb:

[Ménage Amour: Erotic Fantasy Ménage a Trois Romance, M/F/M, elves, light bondage, HEA]

New alliances are threatened…

Wizard Jacob, Fae Helcyon, and their paramour Cassandra have set up a household together. Jacob and Helcyon have accepted the other in Cassie's life, but they must work to realize that they need each other too in order to become a true trio.

Dark pacts are revealed…

The Fae are trending worldwide, but the arrival of many dangerous beings, old foes, and new friends bring about charges of treason for Jacob and a new danger for Cassie. Intrigue closes in on all sides as factions jockey for power on the divided Wizard Council.

One legacy may unite them…

Helcyon and Jacob are determined to keep the woman they love safe, but danger lurks at every turn and the old ways threaten their future.

A Siren Erotic Romance

STORY EXCERPT

Helcyon’s sword flashed through the air, slicing toward Jacob’s throat only to be caught between his hands. Jacob was both a Homeland Security Agent and Wizard. A vibrating hum ripped through the room. Cassie stared at them both with wide eyes and an open mouth.

“Are you out of your mind?” They were currently occupying the mansion’s solarium. Morning sunshine poured in the broad windows, warming every surface.

“No,” Jacob said slowly, giving a push with his hands to send the blade back to the Elf. “You need to learn to defend yourself.”

Cassie pointed a long painted nail first at Jacob and then at Helcyon. “No.”

“Cassandra.” Helcyon’s voice carried the patience of the ages, his stance relaxed. “The Wizard is correct. Self-defense is vital to your survival.”

“And I’m still not learning how to use a sword.” She wrinkled her nose at both of them, nibbled on a cruller, and pointedly returned her attention to the digital tablet in her lap. In the week since their announcement went live on every major news network, the shit had literally hit the fan about the Fae. Appointment calls poured in from late-night television, daytime television, newspapers, and Congress. She’d expected them all, even the calls from congressional leaders. She simply hadn’t imagined they’d come all at once.

“Cassie.” Jacob stalked toward her, and she barely managed to wrap her fingers around the tablet before he tried to tug it away. “This is important.”

“Yes.” She yanked the tablet back to her chest, wrapping her arms securely around it. “It is important. I don’t have an assistant to field these calls. I need to review every single one.”

Her heart spasmed on the word “assistant.” Billy had been dead for two weeks.

Two.

It seemed impossible that in less than two weeks she’d gone from footloose media consultant to coveted Fae-human liaison. More impossible that she’d gone from overworked professional woman to up to her eyeballs with two of the most gorgeous and loving men she’d ever met. Well, when they weren’t arguing. She glared up at Jacob, meeting his hot, demanding stare with steel.

Typically she wore contacts to cover up her previously green, now supernaturally colored eyes. A byproduct of a blinding spell, her men wanted the hue disguised whenever she was in public. They cited safety, security, and simplicity. It wasn’t a point she felt the need to argue. At home, she skipped the contacts, so she knew he was staring into her gold eyes the same way she watched the gold flecks in his liquid brown eyes warm to flinty points. Behind him, Helcyon sighed.

The sound dragged her attention to the Elf. He and Jacob were so alike and yet so wildly different. Helcyon was the dark to Jacob’s light in looks. Silky, midnight-black hair poured down his back, and warm, mysterious forest-green eyes softened whenever his gaze touched her face.

Her heart squeezed. They were amazing. Both of them.

“Dammit, Cassie.” Jacob’s fist came down on the arm of the chair, and she pursed her lips, bracing for the argument that always erupted when she fought back against the total obedience he demanded. She understood his need to protect her, a need that just seemed to escalate after they captured Michael. He was still pissed that the Glashtyn, the Fae vehicle he traveled in, chose to aid her and demonstrated remarkable affection toward her. Affection she used to run away from the warring pair just a week earlier.

Blowing out a breath, she tilted her head. “Jacob, be reasonable. I need to do my job.”

“This is me being reasonable. I haven’t turned that annoying thing to ash.” He pointed at her tablet. “And your job includes you staying alive, which means you need to increase your knowledge of self-defense.”

“For all those times you two plan on leaving me alone?” She pretended to ignore Helcyon’s faint smile. The Elf was so much more patient than Jacob, but in the hours before the press conference, they’d informed her that they were willing to stay with her…both of them. A thought that sent heat skittering through her blood and thrummed pleasure against every pulse point.

No one fell in love in seven days, and she’d done it twice. A week later, she knew she loved them, every stubborn, argumentative inch. They both wanted her to choose, but they were willing to share her body, her heart, and her defense.

The defense part was getting on her nerves.

What was your favorite part of the book?

Jacob’s Trial had a lot of great moments for me, I think my favorite is when the guys have to watch Jude teach Cassie how to shield herself. The camaraderie between the two was very visceral and seeing Cassie stand up for herself was a heck of a lot fun. She was a hard heroine in some ways because she wasn’t a kickass heroine who could hold her own in a fight--she was brilliant and talented, but she actually needed protection and they needed her to be able to last those four or five precious seconds it could take for them to get to her.

Rate your story in terms steaminess?

Siren gave it a sextreme rating which is pretty racy, I think I pushed some of my own personal limits with this one, and again with the third book which is due out later this month.

Heather has gifted us with two excerpts and I'm using both! I love excerpts and this second one is SMOK'IN! The second excerpt is rated *adult* and is at the bottom of the post.

When did you start writing and when did you finish your first book?

My very first book was written at the age of 9, and it took me about a week to write. I’ve gotten more complex, but I’m still pretty fast.

Where do you get your inspiration?

I get my inspiration everywhere. It can be a line of dialogue in a television show, a joke shared between friends or just something I see while driving my car. Everything has a meaning to me and everything has a story.

Do you plot and outline or do you just write?  Plotter or Pantser?

I’ve done both and these days I’m somewhere in between. I always have a rough outline in mind when I start, I know the major events that have to happen and then I let the story unfold - sometimes that means deviating from the original plan, but eventually it works out.

Can you tell us a little about the process of getting your first book published?

My very first book published was actually a novella. I’d written it years ago, played with it, tweaked it and submitted it. When I received the offer letter to publish it, I had a mini panic attack.  Funnily enough, that feeling -- hasn’t changed and I’ve gotten the offer letter more than a few times.

What book have you most recently released?

This has been a really busy summer for me. Jacob’s Trial came out in the beginning of June and it was swiftly followed by books four and five in my Always a Marine series and then The Taming of the Thief which is the second book in my Fortunate Buddha series.

Do you have another book in the works?

Always.  I’ve been extremely fortunate this month, I have several releases coming out and I am always hard at work on the next one.

What advice would you give new authors?  What have you learned about the business?

Don’t give up. Ever. Keep writing. All the time. Take classes and learn. But write like you mean it. Write for yourself. For me, writing is a lot like working out, the more you do, the stronger you become.

Boxers or Briefs?  Boxers.

Pizza or hamburger?  Pizza.

Beer, Wine, or mixed drink?  Beer.

If you could spend a week anywhere in the world, where would it be?  Would you write or read there, or do something else?

Mont St. Michel in Normandy, France. I’d like to just experience the area, explore it, take notes and let a story come to life there.

(Character Questions)

What were your first impressions of each other?

Helcyon:  She is a beautiful, enchanting woman. He is a pain in the ass.

Cassandra: Helcyon is fascinating, powerful--compelling. I couldn’t keep my eyes off him. Jacob is stubborn, grumpy and engaging. I couldn’t get my mind off him either.

Jacob:  She’s gorgeous, smart, and far too engaged with the Fae. He’s a pain in the ass.

What’s your favorite characteristic of each other?

Helcyon: She believes in a better way and makes us believe as well.  Jacob’s loyal, steadfast and--trustworthy.

Cassandra:  Helcyon’s lived longer than I can imagine, he’s very forgiving and understanding and patient. Oh my God he’s patient.  Jacob is combustible, a force of nature and so stubborn. He wants his way and he will make you fight to hold onto yourself.

Jacob: Cassandra’s faith in everyone--Fae, human, Wizard--it’s incomparable. She makes me think the world can be a better place.  Helcyon’s--he’s okay for a Fae--fine dammit, he’s better than okay. He’s the only one I trust.

What are your plans for the near future? 

Helcyon: Protect Cassandra.

Jacob: Protect Cassandra.

Cassandra: Take care of them and keep building bridges.

I think I see a theme developing! LOL! Thanks for sharing.

Alright everyone. Heather has a question for you. 

Could you choose between what you’ve always known for an uncertain future if you loved someone?

Be sure to answer the question and leave your email in a comment for a chance to win a copy of CASSANDRA'S DILEMMA and JACOB'S TRIAL.

Also you can visit and follow Heather@

http://www.heatherlong.net

http://www.facebook.com/HeatherLongAuthor

http://www.twitter.com/HVlong

http://dailydose-fantasyromance.blogspot.com

http://paranormalromantics.blogspot.com/

ADULT EXCERPT

Her gaze dipped to the silken ropes in his hands. “What are those for?”

“Control.” He circled the bed, drawing the ties across his palms. “Put your hands up to the headboard.”

Her teeth dragged against her lower lip. He hardened at the action. His cock jerked as he recalled the feeling of her mouth wrapping around him, pulling him deep into her throat, and the greedy way she swallowed every drop of seed. Exhaling slowly, he reasserted his control. Her lip biting was her tell. He always knew that her mind worked through the possibilities when she worried that soft, lush lower lip.

He waited, drinking in the shift of her hips and the roll of her bottom against the bed. Excitement beat in her pulse, flooding her body with the fire he longed to bury himself into, stoking that furnace until it consumed them both. But she needed control, and here, in this bedroom, she would learn how to take that power by submitting to the need for it.

Lips pursing, Cassandra raised her arms and pushed her hands against the slats of his headboard. He allowed another smile, this one warm with approval. Moving swiftly, he wrapped the silken ties around her wrists before threading them through the slats. Firm and secure but not tight enough to be painful. Cassandra watched him wordlessly, the tempest of her desire banked against the curiosity he could sense shimmering the air around her.

But she said nothing, and he paused to slant his mouth across hers, a long, wet kiss that invited her tongue to duel. She murmured a groan against his mouth, and Helcyon dragged his lips away, containing the need to devour her.

She growled, and he slid his hands down her sides to pinch her round bottom, enjoying the buck of her hips. “Lesson number one, if you want something, you have to be able to reach for it.”

Her mouth opened, aggravation warring with desire for a foothold in her expression. She tugged her arms, but they remained bound to the headboard. Feathering his hand over her hip, he traced the fine line curving her abandon, barely brushing across the soft, autumn-kissed curls at the juncture of her thighs.

“If I am supposed to reach for it, why did you tie me up?” The words were husky with emotion.

He stroked his hand down her left thigh, exploring the contour of the muscle flexing beneath his caress. “You think your enemies will be fair with you. That they will give you quarter. But why should they?”

Sweeping his hand up the inside of her thigh, he pressed her legs apart, smiling at the dewy flesh and swollen clit. She pushed up against his hands, trying to lift her hips. Feeling how slick it was with need, he grazed his fingertips lightly across the scorching heat of her pussy, never quite touching the soft flesh.

He chuckled at the wordless snarl of demand, combing the curls of her pussy with his thumb, dipping it down to warm the air above her clit but not quite touching it. “Why should they concede to you anything you want if you can’t take it?”

Steeling himself against the throb of blood pulsing through his cock, he stretched out, slanting his body against hers and indulging himself in a long, slow rub along her naked, quivering flesh. Every muscle in her body clenched and his protested the denial, but he watched her fevered expression. Her lips twitched, opening and closing as though she couldn’t find the words.

Her nipples speared against his chest, their turgid points pebbled to such hardness that the rub of his shirt incited them. He nibbled a path along her upraised bicep, enjoying the spicy musk of her want perfuming the air. Bracing his feet he stroked the length of his cock against her pussy. His pants constricted against his cock and his balls drew up, the pain so close to the edge of bliss that it took every ounce of his control to keep him from sinking home into the sexy little furnace.

The whisper of fabric rasped against her and Cassandra thrashed, but he couldn’t quite reach her clit. The barrier of clothing prevented it, and he lavished his attention across her shoulders, circling her breasts and teasing the desperate nipples flushed dark red with need.

“Lesson number two.” The words clogged in his throat, but he pushed them out, fighting the urge to take one perfectly rosy nipple in his mouth to suckle. He longed to slide down her body and suck that hot little clit into his mouth until she came and he could lick her clean and begin again.

But he focused on the lesson at hand. “You must change the rules if you want to take control back.”

“How?” The wail of sound peaked. He could almost feel her heart slamming against her ribs. He turned his head against her, listening to the wild cadence kickboxing inside her chest.

“Remove the barriers you don’t want to be there…focus…take from me what you want.” Fisting his hands into the comforter, he ground himself against her pussy, his cock desperate to be free. Desire threatened to completely shred his control, but he shackled the lust. Cassandra needed him, and if he could walk through fire for her, he could suffer the brutal pinch of his balls’ impending explosion.

 YUM! Thanks for sharing, Heather, and thank you so much for being my guest today!