Sunday, September 30, 2012

Krystal Shannan - WIP - Pride Rules #22 - #SixSunday

Welcome back for the next installment from Darren and Eshe's story! It's heating up in here today! Check out www.sixsunday.com for more great authors.


He took the opportunity to swipe his tongue through hers and she couldn’t help but respond.  Her body betrayed her again.
He did taste like vanilla and chocolate. Her sex clenched as her arousal seeped into every pore of her body. It was not fair that he tasted so good. His mouth trailed down her neck to her bare shoulder.

“You are the best damn banana pudding I’ve ever tasted.” 

Friday, September 28, 2012

Krystal Shannan Interviews - S. J. Thomas - One Wild Vegas Night


Please help me welcome S. J. Thomas to the blog today! 

Tell us a little about yourself.

I’m originally from just outside of London but I have lived in the South West of England since I was 4. I live with my wonderful husband and a very spoilt Springer Spaniel on the edge of a small town right in the middle of the English countryside, about 20 minutes from the beach. It’s a really lovely part of the country. I have a full time job so have to fit the writing in whenever I can.

Did you always want to be an author?

I’m probably going to annoy people now but I’ve only thought about writing for a little while. I’ve always been an avid reader and had an active imagination and I did toy with writing when I was about 16, but I honestly didn’t think I could come up with anything original so I stopped. I didn’t write for years but discovering new authors, in particular Gena Showalter and Kresley Cole, and reading interviews by them about the inklings they had for some of their stories, I remembered the ideas I’d had when I was 16 and started writing again. I started a few different things but got more focused with the 2011 Mills and Boon New Voices competition and then came across a Facebook contest for a paranormal horror anthology. That helped me get really focused and having my story accepted gave me the confidence to keep writing and submitting and I've had several stories published so far.

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

When that little spark of an idea turns into a whole story seemingly by itself and when your writing takes you by surprise with a quirky twist or hidden secret.

Tell us a little about your book.


It's a paranormal romance short called One Wild Vegas Night, coming out in October from Breathless Press. 

The story follows a very sexy jaguar shifter Soloman Martinez, who facing an arranged mating he doesn't want, goes to Vegas for his last night of freedom. There he meets Hannah who is escaping a very dark past and is in Vegas to celebrate her new freedom. As soon as he sees her Sol wants her and though initially weary, Hannah soon finds herself falling for Sol and they spend a wild and passionate night together. But typical Vegas style they get a lot more than they bargained for!

What was your favorite part of ONE WILD VEGAS NIGHT?

The scene in the Salsa club - its so sexy and sensuous.

Rate your story in terms steaminess?

Very steamy. Sol's shifter side is very sexy and possessive and Hannah responds to it with a lot of enthusiasm.


Let's take a peek!


Excerpt:

The couple in the middle of the dance floor swayed together in a sensual embrace, staring into each other's eyes with a deep intensity, the heat between them almost palpable as they moved to the slow beat of the music. Sol Martinez watched them with an almost painful yearning. After tonight he would never experience such passion.
Lifting his glass to his lips, Sol swallowed the last of his drink with a grimace. The burn did little to ease the black storm swirling inside him, but Sol was sure if he drank enough the storm would eventually calm. Around him the club in his hotel was alive with the early evening buzz only Vegas could provide and Sol was determined to lose himself in it; even it was only for this one night.
Raising his hand to signal the waitress for another, he cast a longing look at the human couples around him. Men and women brought together because of mutual attraction and free will. A precious luxury he was to be denied.
The waitress put his drink down and he slipped some dollars onto the table. Flashing him a suggestive smile she scooped up the money and sauntered off, fully aware of how good her ass looked in that tight black skirt. Unconsciously Sol's grip tightened on his glass, his anger simmering at what he was facing.
As one of only a handful of pure blooded jaguar shifters in the world, since childhood Sol had been pledged to mate a pure bred jaguar female called Anita. A female who was both breathtakingly beautiful and a cold hearted bitch he loathed.
Though he'd known her his whole life Sol hated her, hated how spiteful she was, how she lorded her pure breed status over everyone around her, not caring if she inflicted hurt with her cutting remarks and humiliations. Anita's beauty did not override her flawed character and Sol had known from an early age that there would be no passion between them. Hell just the thought of having her in his bed was enough to make his cock go into hiding.
When he'd come of age Sol had tried again and again to break the arrangement between them, pleading with his parents and Anita's to release him from their pledge, but they had refused. The match was too good, the desire to breed more jaguars too strong, and tomorrow he would have to go through with the mating ceremony.
Sol slammed the glass to the table, the noise earning a few curious glances from the humans around him, but he didn't care. God damn it, he didn't want this. Didn't want to be joined to someone he didn't desire and who would make his life a misery. But for all his power and strength he couldn't get out of it.
Though he could go out on his own terms, which was what had brought him to Vegas. While he should have been home preparing for the ceremony, instead Sol was in Sin City, the place where dreams could be made and where anything went. His last night of freedom, as far as he was concerned, and Sol was going to make it one wild night. Drowning himself in drink and burying himself in a string of willing females until Anita was nothing more than a bad dream.
Sol lifted his glass to his mouth, the liquid touching his lips with a welcoming sting, when a flash of red caught his eye. His head turned, his gaze zeroing in on the human woman who was walking into the bar. She was dressed in a slinky red dress that hugged her generous curves in a truly divine way and his gaze moved over her appreciatively, his body responding viscerally to the color. Males his kind loved red.
Realizing he was staring at her body Sol dragged his gaze up to her face and the view got even better. Her skin was pale but flawless, matching the light blonde hair that hung loosely down to her shoulders, giving her an ethereal quality. Large hazel eyes framed by thick lashes dominated her face, but were balanced by full, almost bee-stung lips. Her features gave her a sensual air that his animal side responded to instantly.
Yet despite how she was dressed, and the sensuality that rolled off her in waves, she looked nervous; her wide eyes darting round the bar, her skin flushing when she noticed the interested looks from the gathered men. She kept flicking glances over her shoulder, as if she was expecting someone to come after her.
Sol's brow furrowed. The woman was dressed for sex, dressed to turn heads, but her manner screamed the exact opposite. He found it a fascinating contradiction. Breathing in deeply Sol caught her scent, his groin tightening in response. He could smell her fear, but underneath that he could also smell her; a delicate floral scent that sank into his cells, firing up his blood and hardening his body.
His fingers clenched, digging furrows into the table and he quickly drew his hand back. Now this is what he wanted—that physical gut deep reaction to a female, that possessive need to stalk over there and pull her tight to his body, to imprint part of himself on her so every other male would know she was his. But for the moment he held himself back.
He watched as she took a seat and ordered a drink, her hand clutching her purse so tightly he could see her knuckles whitening. She looked scared and uncomfortable, but taking a deep breath she crossed her legs, exposing an expanse of thigh that attracted even more glances from the males in the bar. Sol struggled to suppress a growl. Oh yes. He was definitely feeling possessive.
The woman kept her eyes down, not raising them till she'd taken a large swallow of her drink, but when she did their gazes locked instantly. Sol's entire body tensed in reaction and her eyes widened, a delicate blush moving across her cheek. She looked positively mouthwatering and it took all his self control to remain seated.
Sol tipped his head as he smiled at her and she tentatively returned the gesture before dropping her gaze and reaching for her drink. She was skittish, on edge, ready to bolt at any minute—exactly like prey being stalked. The thought sent a bolt of lust straight through him and into his cock. Sol shifted uncomfortably in his seat, trying to adjust himself without anyone noticing.
Forget who else he'd intended to be with this night. In that instant Sol knew he wanted this woman. Wanted to break through whatever fear she was carrying until she was naked beneath him and he was thrusting inside her. He would have her legs wrapped round him and her cries ringing in his ears before the night was out.
Seeing that her glass was nearly empty Sol signaled the waitress. "Another for me and whatever that woman over there is having," he said nodding toward her.
"Sure thing honey. Do you want me to invite her over here?"
"No, just send the drink to her."
"You got it."
Sol watched with a growing sense of anticipation as the waitress took the drink over. The woman looked up at her in surprise, starting to protest, but when the waitress gestured to him, he nodded and smiled. She looked shocked but then returned his nod with a small smile, accepting the drink and taking a sip.
Sol had meant to wait before walking over, but when her tongue darted out to dab at the alcohol lingering on her lips he was up and moving to her before he even realized it.


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

As I said above I only really started writing last year and I haven't written a full novel yet as I've mostly been doing short stories for anthology calls. One Wild Vegas Night and Alpha Chase (the other story I have releasing as part of the Hot Shifters line) are my two longest stories so far.

Where do you get your inspiration?

Anywhere really. It might be a film, a line in a book, an image, a song. Anything that creates that little spark of what if? I got the inspiration for One Wild Vegas Night from the film the Hangover.

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

I'm actually half and half – I get the spark of an idea and run the scene through my head but then will mentally plot out how they got there and where they are going though I don't write it down.

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

My first published work was a short story in the Withering Darkness, a paranormal horror anthology. The publisher Candy Crum author of the Eternal Series ran the submission call through her Facebook page. I came up with an idea, submitted it and got accepted. Since then I've had several stories published with Candy, as well as Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing and my main publisher Breathless Press. One Wild Vegas Night and Alpha Chase will be my first stand alone book and that's very exciting.

What book have you most recently released?

An anthology release called Ravaged from Breathless Press featuring my short story Pleasure Bound. This book has every type of hot shifter you could want!

Do you have another book in the works?

I'm finally about to start working on my novel. I've got a delicious idea for a demon series and I've had the characters running round my head for months. I've also got a half finished twist on a fairy tale as well as several other scenes jotted down.

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

Start off with short stories for anthologies. It gets your name out there, its really good practice and its a lot easier to complete a short story. My writing has really improved with the stories I've written and going through the full editing process is an eye opener.

Research publishers, make sure you submit to the right place for your story and follow their submission rules to the letter.

Definitely set up a Facebook page, Twitter account and website and try and find groups and pages related to the kind of story you write to connect with readers and get useful contacts.

Don't think you have to go through the traditional agent, publishing house route, ebooks have really opened up the market with e-publishers being a lot more accessible and much better self publishing options.

Boxers or Briefs?

Boxers

Pizza or hamburger?

Pizza

Beer, Wine, or mixed drink?

Mixed drink - barcardi and coke

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

My favorite holiday destination is Disney World in Florida so it would always be there and I would be running round the parks like a loon with my husband.

(Character Questions)
What were your first impressions of each other?

Sol: Sexy, mysterious, delectable.

Hannah: Jaw droppingly handsome and sexy but kind.

What’s your favorite characteristic of each other?

Sol: All of her, there's not one bit that's not sexy.

Hannah: His smell, spice and pine that just makes my mouth water.

What are your plans for the near future? 

Sol: Make love, order room service, make love, have a shower, make love in the shower - you get the idea.

Hannah: Well yes all that and I am determined to see Cirque du Soleil

Find S. J. Thomas @



twitter @SJThomas25

www.sjthomaswpr@hotmail.co.uk

Comment to win a copy of ONE WILD VEGAS NIGHT when it releases in October. Leave your email address and 'LIKE' S.J. Thomas' FaceBook page!



Thursday, September 27, 2012

Krystal Shannan Features - Delilah Devlin - Laying Down the Law ~ Give@way


Laying Down the Law
by Delilah Devlin


~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Seeking sanctuary could be the hottest mistake she ever made.

The TripleHorn Brand, Book 1

A lifetime ago, Zuri Prescott kicked the dirt off her boots and ditched her small-time small town for the glam city life—and lived to regret it. When she’s framed for a bank job, she lights out for home, seeking refuge with her old high school sweetheart while she figures out her next steps. Only she discovers that the boy she left behind is the last man she should trust.

Sheriff Colt Triplehorn knows trouble when he sees it, especially when it comes in the form of a familiar trespasser, caught naked between an angry bull and her underwear. Sure she’s up to her usual no good, he grants her sanctuary at his ranch—the better to keep an eye on her, and purge her from his system once and for all.

Reconnection is sweet and hot, but the heat can’t hide the truth. When Colt inevitably finds out what Zuri’s running from, it’s too late to put the fire out, and he’s got a career-compromising choice on his hands. Follow the letter of the law, or follow his heart.

Product Warnings: When a sheriff captures the girl who got away, expect revenge so hot it leaves brands on two lonely hearts…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Excerpt:

She’d landed on her knees, her pantyhose shredding on impact—the long, fat ladder that rippled up her thigh as strangely upsetting as the masked man behind her who grabbed her by the hair and pulled her up to face the security alarm.

She’d pressed the buttons on the key pad, disarming the premises alarm and dropped her hands. But another nudge of hard steel against her back, and his hushed, “The vault alarm too, sweetheart,” had her punching a second set of numbers before he hustled her around the corner toward the vault, out of sight of her manager who waited in the parking lot for the all-clear signal.

The vault operated on a timer. At any other time of day, she wouldn’t have been able to open it—a fact that didn’t register until later. She’d spun the two combination locks, heard the inner mechanisms clang as they released, and he’d reached around her to grab the lever and push it down. The large steel door swung open.

The thief had shoved her through the anteroom with security deposit boxes lining both walls, heading straight for the locked door at the rear. Again, he’d waited while she found the key and opened the door, then shoved the mesh interior gate inward.

Forcing her to her knees, he’d wrapped her wrists and ankles in duct tape, and pulled a hood over her head.

Then she’d been left to shiver on the floor, listening to the sounds he made as she followed him in her mind through the gate while he scooped stacks of cash into a bag. One side only. Later, the assistant manager pointed out that the thief must have been timing himself, a real pro, because he’d skipped the temptation of pausing to finish the sweep.

Less than five minutes had passed since they’d entered. Another two and the manager would call the police.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Delilah Devlin is an award-winning author of erotic romance with a rapidly expanding reputation for writing edgy stories with complex characters. Ms. Devlin has published over a hundred stories in multiple sub-genres and lengths with Atria/Strebor, Avon, Berkley, Black Lace, Cleis Press, Ellora’s Cave, Kensington, Kindle, Running Press, and Samhain Publishing. In January 2013, she’ll add Montlake Romance to her list of publishers when SHATTERED SOULS releases! 



Delilah will be awarding a $20 Amazon Gift Card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Be sure to visit and comment at all the stops to increase your odds of winning.

Happy Reading,
Happy Writing,
Krystal Shannan

Be sure to subscribe to my blog by email to be entered in my monthly gift card drawings.


Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Scene Interruptions - Krystal Shannan - Scene and Structure #13

So I'm really excited this week. I've joined a fabulous group of authors and will be merging my Wednesday Words of Wisdom with their Writers Words of Wisdom!

Don't worry, I'm still going to finish Jack Bickham's book Scene and Structure. We are almost done though....only two more chapters after today.... so I will have to go shopping for another title for us to study. It's been a great book. I have learned a ton and I hope you have gleaned helpful tidbits as well.

Today Jack discusses interrupting a scene. But you are saying "Wait!" Didn't he tell us earlier not to interrupt a scene?

Yes! He did!

Don't interrupt a scene for 'no good reason'.

But DO interrupt a scene to further tease and tantalize your reader!

Disrupting the scene with some sort of suspense, forces a temporary postponement of the conflict completion. Remember though to keep these interruptions short and allow the reader to get back on with the main story line.

A carefully planned scene interruption can be a huge tool to intensify the suspense in the story and to make that reader keep turning the page!

Be sure to check out the other Words of Wisdom today too!

Tammy Dennings Maggy(Tammy Smith) http://tammydenningsmaggy.blogspot.com/

Happy Writing,

Happy Reading,

Krystal Shannan

Monday, September 24, 2012

Krystal Shannan Interviews - Sara Brookes - Reclaiming the Edge


Please help me welcome Sara Brookes to the blog today with her steamy new release - Reclaiming the Edge!

First, tell us a little about yourself. 

I’m Sara Brookes and I’ve been writing professionally for five years. I’m not someone that sticks to one particular genre or heat level in romance, mostly because I love different aspects of different genres. Be it contemporary, paranormal, futuristic/sci-fi or urban fantasy—if the story and/or characters interest me, I’m going to write the book. For the past three years, it’s been all about the BDSM & erotic romance for me.

Did you always want to be an author? 

When I was younger, yes! But as an adult, no. I wrote a bunch of short, cute stories when I was a young teen. But as a young adult, I was newly married and writing was the last thing on my mind. In fact, there was a long stretch of time in my twenties where I didn’t write at all.

What made you choose to write romance?

I’m a sucker for a love story. Even during high-adrenaline action/adventure movies, I want to see the hero (or heroine) get the girl (or guy) in the end.  

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

Creating something from nothing, even if I complain about it. *g* 

Tell us a little about your book. What inspired you to write it?

Reclaiming the Edge will release from Ellora’s Cave on October 5th and I’m so excited to share this piece with readers! The trio were first introduced in Ragged Edge and though I haven’t worked with them in well over a year, they are side characters in another book I was working at the time. They seemed to be very vocal about the story they wanted told that had nothing to do with that book. And the rest, they say, is history!

The sexual journey of Dalton, Cade and Erin begins in Ragged Edge. You won’t want to miss the beginning of their lusty connection!

It isn’t a birthday celebration without a little pain to chase the pleasure—at least according to Dalton and Cade, the two men who stole Erin’s heart. Relationships are complicated and Erin has been retreating—both emotionally and physically—from her lovers. Pushed away for reasons they don’t understand, and determined to erode her resistance, the men devise a wicked plan. They intend to use two very special gifts and one captivating night to reclaim her submission. But Erin’s trip to subspace extracts a heart-wrenching confession that threatens to rip the triad apart forever.

Warning: Contains a well-trained, dirty-talking submissive who succumbs to the commands of her Master, custom nipple clamps, tongue wagging oral sex, a well-deserved punishment with a butt plug, men who share more than a few heart-racing kisses and a custom-made-work-of-art sex chair that shows this M/M/F triad just how powerful their passion for one another is.
And that’s just chapter one.

Reclaiming the Edge
Copyright © SARA BROOKES, 2012
All Rights Reserved,
Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.

Erin Corvus rubbed at the tension headache building between her eyes. Tired and cranky after a long day at work, she wanted nothing more than to go home and pull the covers over her head. Most of all, she didn’t want to think. She’d spent so much time being miserable lately, she’d forgotten what it meant to be happy.
Blindly going through the motions of her life had become her modus operandi.
She’d gotten so caught up in a huge project for a client tonight, she’d nearly hit the ceiling when her cell phone vibrated. The text from Dalton had indicated the importance of meeting him and Cade at the shop around ten. Now fifteen past, neither lover was anywhere to be found. As sheriff for their small, sleepy town of Collington Creek, Kincade Roberts was usually a stickler about schedules. Hopefully he wasn’t late because something serious had happened to one of the town’s residents.
She tossed her key on the side table, annoyed she’d driven across town when she could have gone home, taken a shower and curled up in her favorite sweats. Instead she stood in the back room of Dalton Shaw’s motorcycle shop, Iron Cruisers. There were too many memories here she wasn’t interested in remembering. As she wrapped her arms in front of her, she did her best not to look at the bed.
It was so cold and barren—just like her.
Annoyed with the sight of the location that had once been such a place of immense pleasure, she turned. The oddly shaped piece of furniture in front of her gave her pause. It seemed out of place amid the other pieces of Dalton’s bondage equipment tucked against the walls. A shimmering aquamarine fabric draped over the item, the iridescence of the cloth causing it to appear to move and flow even though the air in the room remained still
The shade of blue was the same as her eyes.
Curious now, she stepped closer, brushing her fingers against the surface. Smooth and silky, the fabric under the tips of her fingers triggered a warm feeling low in her belly. She’d worn a flowing dress made of this very same fabric the last time Dalton’s ropes had bound her wrists and ankles. He’d secured her in place to a set of chains that dangled from the ceiling, forcing her to watch while Cade knelt before him to pay loving attention to his cock.
The reminder that the devious torture had lasted for hours caused the warmth to flash to hot, burning through her so swiftly, she gasped. She took a moment to mourn the sensation that had been absent recently. Ever since her life had taken a first-class nose dive into the shitter.
Swallowing the self pity, she clutched at the covering and pulled. The material fell away, slowly revealing the treasure it hid. Interest lost in the fabric, she let it fall to the floor as she stepped forward.
Calling it furniture didn’t do the piece justice.
It was a work of art.
Dalton’s hands had been all over this thing. His craftsmanship and attention to detail was once again impeccable. A solid sheet of brushed metal served as the side support while stunning blue leather curved sensuously in a sweep that resembled the contours of a woman’s body.
She reached out, brushing her hand over the buttery leather cushion that came to her waist. She followed the arc as it dipped off to her right into a deep curve that begged to cradle someone. It swept up again, flowing into a graceful hump no higher than her knee.
The luscious curves seduced the eye as well as the mind.
“I haven’t seen that look in your eyes in a very, very long time.”

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

I’m a hybrid of the two. I can never fully plot a book before I write it, but I can’t fully pants a book either. I usually know the end of the story before I even start it. In fact, one of my books (the award-winning Midnight’s Ghost, a futuristic romance) was written backward. Don’t ask me how, I haven’t been able to duplicate it since.

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

A lot hard work getting the book into a format I was happy with submitting. Stressing out while waiting to hear back once it was submitted. And a whole lot of determination to not take the rejections to heart. Early on the process, I think that’s the hardest thing. It’s not personal. So don’t take it that way. You just have to dig your heels in. My outlook was to prove all those people wrong.

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

One of my favorite pieces of advice to pass on is read, read and then read some more. Never stop reading because you’re on the path to publication or you’re already there. 

Do you have another book in the works?

I always have books in the work! I have probably a handful that are all in various stages of the process right at this moment. I just turned in a futuristic erotic romance with some lovely D/s scenes to my editor that I’m waiting to hear her thoughts on. It’s actually the first of a trilogy, so I’m starting to play around with the other two books in the series.

What do you like to do in your free time, besides read and write of course?

I love video games. I’ve had gaming binges before where I’ve spend entire weekends playing. It’s actually a great way to blow off steam if I get stuck on some plot or storyline for a book I’m currently working on. It gets my brain off book related things. Many a plot line complication has been solved while playing video games.

Where do you dream of going on vacation?

I would love to spend a week on a small island in the middle of nowhere where technology isn’t around. No cell phones, no email, no computers, nothing. Ah….bliss.

Boxers or Briefs? On the right man, doesn’t matter!
Cookies or cake? I’m a sucker for chocolate chip cookies.
Pizza or hamburger? Hamburger.
Beer, Wine, or mixed drink? Beer.

(Hero/Heroine Character Questions)
What were your first impressions of each other?

They’re all otherwise indisposed, so I’ll answer for them. *g* All three met in a very unusual circumstance. The boys were celebrating *AHEM* and Erin found herself unable to look away. So, needless to say, she had quite the first impression of them!

What’s your favorite characteristic of each other?

Best if I answer this one too, or rather not. See Dalton has a mouth and he’s not afraid to use it. His flair for specific language has rubbed off on Erin, so they’d both tell you point blank without any kind of censoring. And Cade, well, he just encourages it since he loves to hear it from both of them. So, I’m afraid the answer to this question would degrade very quickly into…vulgar territory.
ROFL!

What are your plans for the near future?  

I’m not sure they know. They all seem to love that “live each day as it comes” mentality. But I can tell you talk of their future together plays very heavily into Reclaiming the Edge. You’ll have to read it to find out! 

Be sure to visit Sara@
Website/Blog: www.sarabrookes.com
Twitter: @Sara_Brookes  http://twitter.com/Sara_Brookes

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Krystal Shannan #SixSunday - WIP - Pride Rules #21

Welcome back for another taste of Eshe and Darren. Be sure to stop by www.sixsunday.com for more fabulous authors.

I barely smell human in your scent at all.”
With a single stride, he was standing nearly on top of her again. His scent flowed around her and she drank it in. It’s soothed her overheated nerves. He wrapped a hand around her hip and slipped the other beneath her damp hair, tilting her head up. His mouth sunk down to meet hers and Eshe shrieked, but it was muffled by his kiss. 

Friday, September 21, 2012

Krystal Shannan Interviews - Heather Long - Yesterday's Heroes


Please help me welcome Heather Long to the blog today!

Heather Long lives in Texas with her family and their menagerie of animals. As a child, Heather skipped picture books and enjoyed the Harlequin romance novels by Penny Jordan and Nora Roberts that her grandmother read to her. Heather believes that laughter is as important to life as breathing and that the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy and Santa Claus are very real. In the meanwhile, she is hard at work on her next novel.

Did you always want to be an author? What made you choose to write romance?

I've always had a passionate love affair with books. I could see the world, explore my desires, discover new things—so yeah, I think I always wanted to be an author. Romance is a natural fit—love unites and brings tears—of course, I also hated Romeo and Juliet and I wanted to write a different ending.

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

The writing. Hands down. I love to sit down and visit the worlds and characters I create in my head.

Tell us a little about your book. What inspired you to write it?

I love superheroes and I love romance. It was a match made for me. And once the idea occurred to me to write it, most of the story began to form in my mind—it was like reading a mental graphic novel and I couldn't shake it—at all.  It wasn't long before I didn't want to shake it. Loved writing this book—and while I rarely pick favorites this series is like teenage me, twentysomething me and thirtysomething me getting together to party.



Aurora “Rory” Graystone
Codename: Halo
Abilities: superior reflexes, I.Q. and aptitude for calculating probabilities
Mission: find missing teammates
Rory knows she’s being watched, and she’s not about to let the hunter catch her in his trap. She’ll confront her stalker, a man she suspects is involved in the disappearances of other superheroes--if she can ignore the sensual heat that fills her every time he’s near…
Michael Hunter
Codename: Hard Target
Abilities: expert tracker and sniper
Mission: kill Rory Graystone
One of five desperate men sent back in time to save the future, Michael believes eliminating Rory is the key to his mission. But even as he takes aim, a split second of doubt causes him to miss his shot.
Drawn together by passion, and on a collision course with fate, can Rory and Michael work together to change the future? Or have they set in motion the horrific history the time-travelers are trying to prevent?


Excerpt:

He missed.

He never missed.

Michael stared at the sidewalk swarming with citizens and shopping debris. His bullet had hit one of the shopping bags, turning it into scraps of leather, metallic buckle bits and paper drifting in the air.

How the hell had he missed?

Michael allowed himself the twenty seconds it took him to collapse the rifle back into his bag to analyze. But it was twenty seconds too long.

Her slender, lithe body appeared over the roof’s edge and landed, one knee and one foot down for balance. Power coiled through her body’s compact musculature. Intelligence shimmered in her violet eyes. Danger sheathed her like a halo.

She was absolutely magnificent.

“Going somewhere?” Her voice undulated, low and husky, the sardonic notes pinging his nervous system as though they were played on a too-tightly-strung guitar.

“Unfortunately, no.” A flick of his wrist dropped the small-caliber weapon into his hand, but the woman rolled, twisting and turning through the air as she avoided his bullets.

Incomprehension tangled with irritation. He never missed.

Until today.

Twice in as many encounters.

“Tsk, tsk. Didn’t your mother teach you not to play with guns? If you’re going to shoot at something, hit it. Otherwise, what’s the point?” The come-hither voice was close and the liquid heat in her tone tormented his cock. He narrowly jerked his head back, avoiding her fist whiffing the air just millimeters from his nose. But he had no time to savor his victory as her arm completed the arc, punching down on the crook of his elbow.

Nerves screaming, he released the gun and jerked himself to the right to avoid the blow of her leg lashing out at his knee. He struck back, unsurprised that she avoided the strike. She used her forearm to send it wide and swiveled so that his own mass and velocity sent him flying over her shoulder.

An unexpected grin turned up the corners of his mouth. Despite her slighter frame and fragile appearance, the she-vixen offered him a challenge.

God she’s fast.

He slammed against the rooftop and rebounded to his feet, pivoting to face her. Gone was the sweet white t-shirt that hugged her breasts. In its place was an almost-white body suit that lingered like a lover on every curve. A rainbow swath of color wrapped around her right thigh, cut up across her hip and over her abdomen to blaze a trail of treasure to her left breast. The Kevlar-based polymer shimmered in the morning sun.

It was both practical and erotic.

Deep within his brain, the microchip he’d thought dead flared to life. Data scrolled across his internal eye, a mechanized voice reciting the information

Target acquired: Codename Halo.
Abilities: Superior reflexes, high I.Q. and an uncanny knack for discerning the possibilities
Suggested defense: Unknown
Suggested offense: Unknown

Computers were not meant to be sarcastic, but the advice carried the weight of dry humor that Michael associated with the programmer it imitated.

“Got a name big boy?” Her words were a provocative tease and his body tingled in response.

Her voice spawned a physiological side effect on his anatomy. It must have a correlation with her ability, but the chip remained silent on the matter. Her second attack came in a flurry of kicks and palm strikes.

Michael could take a man down with three moves or less. She was slender, slighter in build, and he should be able to snap her in two. Instead, he blocked, evaded and turned her blows until he was able to capture a wrist and spin her back against his chest, his arms coming down to cage her. She turned her palms down, her suggestive little ass rubbing his crotch as she tried to break the hold.

Using his size and associated muscle mass, he bent with her, his fists shackling her wrists, his knuckles brushing her firm breasts. She twisted her hips, going for the side spin. Michael moved with her, boxing her tighter to his body. The motion brought the rich, velvet of her hair to his nose. He drew in a lungful of her scent. The tart lemon was a top note, but beneath the citrus was a distinctively musky, feminine scent.

Blood surged into his cock and she stilled as his arousal pressed solidly against her backside. The teasing curve of her body was soft against his hardness, filling his mind with erotic images and the desire to determine just how the sexy little body suit came off.

Had any battle been more fun?

Or more exciting?

“Done?” He touched his lips to her ear, stealing the smallest taste of her flesh. Her tender skin tasted of schnapps and cool malt, both decadent and sweet.

“Nope.”

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

I do both. I give myself a road map and then I enjoy the ride.

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

Never give up and keep writing. It sounds simple and it's not—but writing, writing, writing is the only way to get there.

Do you have another book in the works?

I have several, but yes, fingers crossed we will see Boomers #2 – so go buy lots of copies so they want to continue the story!

Boxers or Briefs?  Boxers
Cookies or cake? Neither
Pizza or hamburger? Pizza
Beer, Wine, or mixed drink? Beer

(Hero/Heroine Character Questions)
What were your first impressions of each other?

Michael: She shops. A lot.
Rory: He's monosyllabic. A lot.

What’s your favorite characteristic of each other?

Michael: *silent*
Rory: *snickers*

What are your plans for the near future? 

Michael: That's classified.
Rory: We're going to save our friends.






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Thursday, September 20, 2012

Krystal Shannan Interviews - Nikki Prince ~ Demon Mine


Please welcome author Nikki Prince to the blog today! I don't know about you, but I can't wait to hear about her new release DEMON MINE.

Nikki Prince is a mother of two, who's always had a dream to be a published author in the romance genre. Her passion lies in raising her children as readers, gaming, cooking, reading and her writing. Her mother can now breathe easy about the child who used to get in trouble because she was hiding books everywhere and reading when it wasn't appropriate. She loves to write Interracial romances in all genres, but wants to let everyone know to not box her in, because there is always room for growth. 

Did you always want to be an author? 
From the age of 12 when I started reading romance books I wanted to write. I felt that I could do it too.

What made you choose to write romance?  
It’s what I love to read so it was what I always wanted to write.

What is your favorite part of being a writer/author?  
I love creating characters and their worlds.  It’s fun.

Tell us a little about your book. 
Samael is a fallen angel doomed to repeat his life and love for Lilianna Jackson over and over again.  That is until she finally remembers who she is and the reason for the curse that has befallen them both.  For you see, Lilianna was once Lilith the first wife of Adam and the lover of Samael.  Are they doomed to keep repeating the past?  Or will there be a new future for the reincarnated lovers?  

What inspired you to write it?  
I was looking around at submission calls and there was a submission call for a succubus…the story morphed into Demon Mine. 


Excerpt: Heat rating - Molton Lava!!!!!!!!
Liliana Jackson sat on the bed in the darkened room. Her breath was ragged as she eagerly waited for her lover to arrive. The need she felt was always instant when she thought of him. The slightest movement of cloth from her sundress scraping over her hard nipples tortured her as her bare pussy dampened. She glanced at the small clock on the wall opposite her bed. It would be only a matter of minutes before he stepped across the threshold.

She tried to be patient and wait. She let out a whimper, trying her best to wait for him, but failing. Slowly, she slipped her dress up her thighs, baring her shaved pussy to the air in the room, parting her legs while she leaned back onto the pillows; her fingers teased along her slit in one smooth stroke. She slid two fingers around her wet entrance, and then leisurely teased her clit. Liliana inched one, then two fingers inside of her drenched folds with a moan. She rocked her hips to push them in deeper as her head fell back against the pillow.

She groaned once more as she neared orgasm. One without him. He'd want to punish her, and she'd welcome it. She loved it when he acted all badass around her. In fact, she wanted it. Even as independent as she had always been, she needed his commanding presence, lust and strength. It fueled all of those things within her as well. His needs fed her needs. Her eyes moved to the door. She grinned. There he stood, leaning against the doorjamb, arms crossed over his muscled chest. He looked angry—the edges of his mouth turned down and narrowed eyes fixed on her undulating body.

“Hello, lover.” Her words were a raspy purr of arousal.

Samael, her lover and the object of her lusts, filled the doorway with his presence. Samael, with his lithe, muscular body, tattoos on his arms, long, dark hair that fell past his shoulders, and when angry, eyes so dark they were fathomless against his paler skin. He was her dark demon, the possessor of her very being, her soul. He continued to stand there, arms crossed over his chest. Samael’s dark eyes turned hazel as they slowly traveled her body to focus on her fingers, which continued to thrust in and out of her pussy. The change in eye color was a sure sign of his rising lust, a hue she was well acquainted with and wanted … no, craved to see.

"I ordered you to wait, Lili." She heard the impatience in his voice.

Biting back a small moan, she arched her back up off the bed, her eyes still connected with his as her fingers curled to stroke her g-spot.

"You order me to do a lot of things, Sami. I don't always listen."

He gave a low warning snarl. A groan from her was the response he received. He hated when she shortened his name from Samael to Sami. Her eyes moved down his body with leisure, exploring every nuance that made up the fabulous male standing before her. The black t-shirt fit his muscled form well, along with the black jeans that did little to hide his huge hard-on.

"You protest, yet your cock is enjoying the attention I'm giving myself. Seeing as you were late, I thought it would be okay to start without you. Honestly, do you think I would rather have your cock or my fingers?" All the while, her fingers continued to plunge into her tight core, her legs bent on the bed as she arched her back. She splayed her legs out before him so that he saw every thrust.

"Lili, you're just begging to be spanked." She shivered and ran her tongue over her bottom lip. His words sparked more need than fear. His approach was leisurely as he watched her continue to pleasure herself. She moved her free hand between her spread thighs and tugged at her clit. "Stop your fingers now. Remove them or you'll not get what you want from me."

With measured deliberation, Liliana pulled her fingers from her pussy. Keeping her eyes on Samael, she slowly, teasingly licked them clean. His eyes narrowed, and Liliana smirked. "You didn't say I couldn't taste."

"Remove the fucking dress, Lili. Do it quickly, or you will not get a chance to come as you need to. Then get your pretty little ass on your knees and hold on to the headboard." His words quickly wiped the smirk off her face. She didn't say anything as she got to her knees and slipped the sundress off, tossing it to the floor. With one last look of feigned defiance, she turned to settle on her knees with her hands clutched to the headboard. The rustling of his clothing filled the otherwise silent room, and then they were skin to skin. His cock, hard and throbbing, pushed against the crease of her ass as his body pressed close to hers from behind.

Her breath caught in anticipation of his touching her as she craved. She did not say a word. If Liliana tested him, he would follow through on not letting her come. That could not happen; she wanted him bad. A soft mewl slipped from her lips as the head of his cock stroked along her dripping entrance. Her hands tightened on the headboard when he pressed into her. His lips were only an inch from her ear as he spoke with what could only be devilish delight.

Fabulous excerpt Nikki and beautiful cover!

What advice would you give new authors?  What have you learned about the business?  
I would tell them to keep writing and not to get discouraged.  Keep reaching for their dreams.  Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.  Submit to different publishing houses.

What do you like to do in your free time, besides read and write of course?  
I am a gamer, I play World of Warcaraft amongst other games.  Love to play Xbox too.  I also spend time with the kids and yep they love to game too.

Where do you dream of going on vacation?  
Dream vacation would be Spain.

Boxers or Briefs? 
Boxer briefs or boxers.  NO tighty whities.

Cookies or cake? 
Cheesecake

Pizza or hamburger? 
Pizza!

Beer, Wine, or mixed drink? 
Wine and mixed drinks really, depending on where I am and the mood.  I don’t like beer.

What are your plans for the near future?  
To write, write and more writing.  I have several works in progress at the moment.  Including a sequel to Demon Mine and to Mocha Kisses along with the other works I am working on.

Thank you so much for sharing a little about yourself and your book today, Nikki! Readers be sure you visit Nikki @

Websites, Blogs, Twitter, FaceBook, etc.
twitter @authornprince.