Saturday, August 31, 2013

When you least expect it......

INSPIRATION HITS!!!


People ask where authors get their inspiration and there are as many answers to that question as there are authors. You never know when you'll get hit with it or how but sometimes it's as simple as a single word.

For me, today, it was BODACIOUS.

I'm not sure why it stuck with me. I can't remember the last time I heard that word but someone said it today and then I saw this wine. Before I knew it I had a vision of a gorgeous, voluptuous woman who is new to Ecstasy Lake and ensnares a trio of brothers, who will of course have to earn her love.

I sat down with a blank piece of paper and jotted down some sketchy points of interest as they hit me. Nothing concrete but it's a start. It'll be nice to go back to the Lake. I've missed the craziness that's goes on there.

All this from one simple word. I can't wait to see what triggers my imagination next.


Friday, August 30, 2013

Most Magnificent Menage Males Contest


Inner Goddess

The VOTING:

1. The ménage male grouping with the most nominations WINS! Who will you nominate?
2. You can return to the blog once each day to nominate a ménage male grouping from Aug. 30-Sept. 2.
3.  If your ménage male grouping has already been nominated—Nominate them again!  The most noms (aka votes) is the winner!
4.  Definition of Menage Male Grouping:  A romantic tryst between three or more parties, two of which are male.  If there are more than two males, you may nominate all males in the tryst as the grouping. 
5.  NOMINATE/VOTE BY TYPING NAME of Grouping/author/book IN THE RAFFLECOPTER BOX BELOW EACH DAILY POST.  You may use the post’s comment area to give shout-outs to your fave grouping.  
 

The CONTEST:

AND THAT'S NOT ALL--
You can win our Litter of Loveliness: a basket of hot fictional guy yumminess!
That's up to 4 chances to win our basket of free books and swag just for nominating. (This contest is open Internationally and includes physical and ebooks.) Winner's name will be chosen at random by Rafflecopter. SEE CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS BELOW

The LABOUR OF LOVE:

We will post about the books in the basket (and their superhot leading men) throughout the voting AUG.30-SEPT.2 atwww.InnerGoddessForum.com   We will also post each day who has been nominated.  


Be sure to stop by after the drooling on Sept. 3rd to see who won the title of "2013 Most Magnificent Menage Males in Literature."

Litter of Loveliness winners' basket:

Tara Rose -- a coffee mug, signed copies of Racy, Indiana #1 &2 (Winning Her Racy Heart and Claiming Their Racy Sub)
Iyana Jenna--A part of me (ecopy)
Heather Rainier – Divine Grace, swag, and sexy plus-size chemise from Hips & Curves
Corinne Davies—ecopies of Claiming Destiny and Caress of Fur
Aoife Brennan --The Cougar Diaries (ecopy)
Michelle Graham --Landing the Big One
Cara Covington --a print copy of Love Under Two Adventurers
Gracie Meadows -  Dreamwalkers Duo, The Hidden Pack # 1  (ecopy)
Shae Shannon -- ebooks: Her Knights in Black Stetsons and Rush Against Time
Randi Alexander-- ebook: Double Her Fantasy
Hennessee Andrews -- ecopies of The Senator's Sons book 1,2,3 (Damon, Drew, and Drake)
Kim Carmichael -- Loads of Swag!

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Welcome Skye Dragen



skyedragen@outlook.com

Born to write legends in manlove, Skye is a full time writer living in a ivory tower. Though no dragons currently occupy the space, three werecats, a irritatingly chipper parakeet, and a very understanding partner in crime provide endless entertainment. You can  usually find her curled up in the den, watching bad reality TV,  and dreaming up her next set of heroes. She welcomes comments and questions from her readers on her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SkyeDragen or just shoot her an email at skyedragen@outlook.com.

LEGENDS OF AVALON: DRAGON TAMER


EXCERPT


Aden seized one of the knights. Tjaden’s eyebrows furrowed. He clearly couldn’t see the error that had allowed Aden to claim his piece. He hadn’t deliberately sacrificed the knight, though he could have if he’d been paying more attention to the games.
Aden licked his lips in a reptilian fashion. “Remove your tunic,” he commanded. Surprise flickered in his expression before the defiance built in Tjaden’s gaze. Aden’s eyes narrowed and smoke rose from his nostrils in a darkening cloud. “As per our agreement. You owe me a boon for claiming a higher piece.”
A muscle in Tjaden’s jaw ticked, but he obeyed, unbuckling the belt at his waist before drawing his tunic over his head and then folding it neatly into a pile next to him. Aden was again struck by the human’s beauty. He was quite intriguing. The idea of keeping Tjaden as a servant appealed more and more as the game wore on.
Their game resumed, and it wasn’t long before Tjaden sat naked in front of their match, his clothing in the same neat pile that he’d started. His arrogance was fading in slow degrees with every advancement Aden made.
“Och,” Tjaden murmured under his breath. “You’ve quite a wicked mind, dragon.”
“And you quite a wicked body, human. We’re both paying for my curiosity.” The idea of distracting Tjaden had backfired. Aden was the one distracted by Tjaden’s naked flesh.
The first board was almost empty by the time Aden gave a slow, triumphant smile. “Checkmate.” A string of curses exited the human’s mouth that would’ve made a sailor proud. “Regretting your choice of game yet, boy?”
“Tjaden,” the boy said in a steady voice. “Tjaden or Moore, whichever you prefer. But I’m not a boy or a lad or anything resembling a bairn. I’m a man.”
Yes, yes you are. He wasn’t normally so intrigued by human nakedness. “Fine. Tjaden then.”
Their game resumed with two chess boards remaining. Then something surprising happened. Aden started to lose.
He frowned, studying the boards closely. He couldn’t figure out where the traps were, but he was certain they were there. Without intending to, he’d fallen into the mindset that Tjaden’s human inferiority would also make him an inferior chess player. Like poker, chess required a bit of bluff. I’m going to lose. Everything in him rebelled at the thought, but he could say with a reasonable degree of certainty that he’d been set up nice and proper. The little sneak had let him win the previous match on purpose.
He gritted his teeth, unwilling to let Tjaden know he understood his strategy. Maybe there was time to correct the boards...
“Checkmate,” Tjaden said, smiling softly.
His eyes zeroed back on the board he’d been ignoring while he tried to correct the third board. A low growl issued from his throat before he could resist it. He abhorred being bested by a human, even a handsome one. “Tricky, tricky, Tjaden Moore. I won’t underestimate you again.”
“You’ve already lost, wee dragon, and you know it.” The human sounded downright giddy as he spoke.
“The game has not concluded as of yet,” Aden reminded. However, the human was correct. He was going to lose. Sighing heavily, he pouted. It wasn’t the most dignified way to conduct himself, but it was the only way he could resist the urge to lash out in frustration.
When Tjaden called checkmate for the final time, Aden was unsurprised. It’s only one day. One day as a human being. I don’t remember it being too terrible of an existence. He comforted himself with the knowledge.
“Per our agreement, Aden Canicus, I command you to assume human form,” Tjaden said, staring up into Aden’s eyes.

BEHIND THE SCENES

Q: What can we expect from you in the future?
A: Definitely more Legends from Avalon, a new series called Sidhe Bound, a Steampunk novella called Clockwork Romance, and a full-length novel called Twisted Roses where all the fun legends from Legends of Avalon and Sidhe Bound come from.
Q: What can readers who enjoy your book do to help make it successful?
A: Leave reviews, spread the links, and let people know what you thought of my piece.
Q: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
A: I’ve wanted to be a writer since I could hold up a pencil in elementary school
Q: How long does it take you to write a book?
A: It really depends on the book and how well the words are flowing. Sometimes, it goes really fast and I can finish a piece in a couple days. Other times I will be working on a piece half that length and it will take four times as long.
Q: Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
A: I am a little bit of a research nerd so I tend to do a lot of it. Sometimes a little piece of history or an odd fact will strike me and that will inspire a whole slew of new ideas.
Q: What do you like to do when you're not writing?
A: When I’m not writing I like to park my butt on the couch and watch TV. Right now I’m really into Under the Dome and Grimm.
Q: What do you think makes a good story?
A: A good story will take the readers on a journey. Even if it is a story purely for entertainment, the story should pull them along and immerse them in whatever situation your character is in.



Monday, August 26, 2013

Five Things You Might Not Know About Me...


Watch out for splinters!

Did you know the traditional symbol for a 5th anniversary is WOOD? (yes, I giggled too) I think it's very fitting given my genre(s) of choice. ;)

My very first book, Believing Is Seeing came out five years ago last week so in honour of that I thought I'd share five things about myself that you might not have known.




What if....what if.....what if...
 #1
My muse is a big bisexual, chocolate addicted, Highland warrior with ADD. He runs around my subconscious swinging his sword, killing monsters and zombies, while making dirty jokes...all the time. I'm positive that is why I haven't been able to stay in one genre. I've written M/F, M/M/F, M/F/M/M+, contemporary and steampunk but I'm still completely a paranormal girl at heart.


Character driven perfection!
#2
It's no secret that I think /Firefly/Serenity is one of the best character story combinations ever. I even have my own "Jayne" hat to wear on special occasions. (yes, i knit it myself.) But, did you know that I have worked small quiet references to this movie in almost every book I've written?


My favourite wine glass.
 #3
The inner me is still a headbanging, tattoo loving twenty something who loves anything with a skull on it. LOL  This was one of my favourite wines and I am determined to get up north to this winery next year. Back From The Dead Red from Coffin Ridge Winery. I loved horror movies in my youth but not so much anymore. I think becoming a mom gives you a sense of mortality that you don't have when you're younger and invincible/immortal.


"Boo" socks. 
# 4
I am a complete yarnaholic and knitting fanatic. As far as I'm concerned you can never have too much yarn or too many projects on the go. My husband may not completely agree with me on that one.( Especially, after he opened the hall closet and was caught under an avalanche of fiber. lol) I can't help it. My knitting muse can be as loud as my writing muse at times and demands attention. Shawls, socks, mitts....I love rubbing a new ball of yarn against my cheek and mentally envisioning what it would look like all knit up.

S+J   4-eva
#5
Jack and Sally from A Nightmare Before Christmas are one of my favourite love stories. Sure there is other stuff going on in the movie but it's the part when Jack admits that he loves Sally that makes me sigh and reminds me why I love Happily Ever Afters. I firmly believe that there are people out there we are meant to be with and when we find them we just know. It doesn't mean that everything is hearts and roses forever. There are still boogie men to be faced and mistakes made but as long as you kiss under a full moon in the end it will work out. ;)


This was a lot of fun and I hope you enjoyed it. I can't wait for 2018. That will be my 9th anniversary and apparently the traditional gift is Leather Goods ;) Hell ya! Now we're talking! ;)


Everyone who comments below will have their name put in a draw! One lucky person will win their choice of 1 book from my backlist. The list can be found HERE.

Don't forget to go to Kasey Dean's blog for a chance to wine a $50 Amazon gift card.
Somewhere in everyone blog posts there is a code word.  Visit each blog and find the code word for extra chances at the Grand Prize.  My word is WOOD. ;)

Good Luck Everyone!!

Be sure to check out the other awesome blogs on this hop!


Monday, August 12, 2013

Alanea Alder

Alanea loves reading almost as much as she loves writing and can be found at any given moment either in front of the computer lost in her own world or on the couch with her iPad reading some of her favorite authors. She believes that love truly conquers all and that everyone no matter what, deserves a chance at that love and a place they can call home.


Kindred of Arcadia: Fate Knows Best

Rebecca Morgan thinks she knows what she wants out of life, until her life plan goes to hell in a handbasket. Now she is out looking for adventure. She just doesn’t expect to discover a shifter-only town and one six-foot-eight, grumpy, bear-shifting sheriff named Aleksander Arkadion.
Aleksander Arkadion only wants to date shifter females after working a brutal homicide case that has him returning to the shifter-only town of his youth. Which is why is he curious to discover a human in town and shocked when he realizes the tiny woman is his mate.
As the attraction between them grows, Aleks realizes that he can’t stay away from the petite female, but the realization may come too late. Although her body was never in any danger, he may have destroyed her heart by pushing her away. Now he has to convince his mate he really does want her while keeping her safe from rogue hyenas bent on taking her.

Excerpt
“Aleks, hey, buddy,” Liam said lazily.
“Hey, asshole,” Aleks replied sounding distracted.
“I just wanted to call and let you know that you’ll be picking up Rebecca at my house for your date.” Liam waited. Three, two, one and… He held the phone away from his ear at the roar.
“What the hell is she doing at your house, cat!” Aleks roared. Liam smiled. He was making this too easy.
“Well at the moment her luscious little self is in my shower and wait, yes, I smell coconuts. She’s bathing.” He held the phone away from his ear again at the roar, unaware that everyone had stopped what they were doing to listen.
“If you so much as lay one finger on her, cat, I will rip you apart.” Aleks growled.
“What was that, Rebecca, you need help getting into your dress? Don’t worry, kitten, I’m coming. Sorry, Aleks, have to run. Toodles.” He stayed on the line long enough for one last roar to come through before disconnecting the line.
He turned around whistling and saw everyone staring.
“What?” he asked
“Aleks Arkadion is going to kill you,” Ashby said, white as a sheet.
“No he isn’t. If he didn’t kill me for wrecking his Charger, he won’t kill me now,” he said sitting down on the sofa. He reached over and grabbed a magazine and started to flip through the pages.
“That was you?” Rian asked, his eyes wide.
Liam just chuckled.

* * * *

“Aleks. Can’t. Breathe,” Liam said as Aleks’s hand squeezed his throat. Aleks was surprised at the lack of interference he was getting from the pride. They just shrugged their shoulders.
“Ashby told him you were going to kill him,” Rian said.
“Where is Ashby?” Aleks asked, his hand still around Liam’s throat.
“He’s upstairs finishing Rebecca’s hair. Nicholas did her makeup. She put in a lot of effort for you, bear, so you better not fuck this up,” Rian said, his arms crossed.
Aleks raised an eyebrow. The pride seemed to be more protective of Rebecca than their Alpha, whom he had pinned to the wall by the throat.
“Oh for God’s sake, Aleks, let him go! You’ll upset Rebecca and ruin your evening before it begins,” Kate said, coming down the stairs. Aleks immediately dropped Liam.
“Kate, why are you here?” he asked.
“Why would I miss the opportunity for actual girl time? We don’t have much of that at the pack,” she said, swiping a piece of chocolate.
Aleks opened his mouth to say something when the door upstairs opened and Rebecca appeared at the top of the stairs. Her scent hit his nose, and he felt his chest constrict. How could he have possibly thought he could stay away from her? She made her way down the stairs with Nicholas and Ashby following behind her. She moved gracefully, and when she got to the bottom of the stairs, he got the full effect of the dress. It had tiny spaghetti straps that seemed to accent her shoulders. The black dress only seemed to display her creamy skin to its every advantage. The lone slit up one side was nearly his undoing. He didn’t realize he was growling until Liam hit him in the ribs. Rebecca just blushed and smiled at him.
“Ready?” he asked, holding out a slightly trembling hand. She nodded and moved forward, taking his hand.
“Goodnight, everyone, thank you, for everything,” she said, smiling at the room.
“Have her back before midnight, young man,” Liam said, standing in front of the pair.
“Out of the way, cat,” Aleks muttered. Rebecca stepped forward and gave him a hug.
Aleks growled. She ignored him.
“Goodnight, Liam.” She kissed his cheek. Aleks growled again.
“I’m serious though, if you don’t want to go back to the bed-and-breakfast we made up a guest room for you. That’s where Sebastian has been hiding. I let Leona know you may be staying here,” Liam said, smiling down at her.
“Watch him for me?” she asked. Liam nodded.
“Who’s Sebastain?” Aleks asked. Rebecca waved.
“Goodnight, everyone.” She started walking toward the door.
“Who’s Sebastian?” Aleks asked again walking out the door with his arm around her waist.

Behind the Scenes

Q: Do you have any unique talents or hobbies?
A: I’m a fast reader J I can usually do about 100 pages per hour, I wish I could write that fast!
Q: What can we expect from you in the future?
A: Definitely a whole lot more in the Arkadia universe. As of right now I have two additional series planned based in the same world. I’m also kicking around a futuristic/space story line.
Q: What can readers who enjoy your book do to help make it successful?
A: Tell their friends and leave reviews!! I love reviews J I keep them all.
Q: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
A: When I was six. My book collection was minimal and I was too little to go to the library. That’s when I realized I could create my own  stories. I’ve been doing it ever since.
Q: How long does it take you to write a book?
A: That really depends. If I’m focused, have copy and shiny objects are to a minimum, then about two weeks. If I can’t seem to get the story going two months.
Q: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?
A: I work a full time job as an Operations Manger so I put in 50-60 hours a week doing that. My writing schedule is squeezed in around those hours.
Q: What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
A: If I’m stuck I eat Red Hots. Have no idea why it helps, but it does.
Q: Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
A: Google is my friend. Google is my kryptonite (shiny object) when I’m trying to write. It starts like this. Hmm I wonder what is the gestation period for bears is. Ohhh cute picture of a baby bear. I wonder what a baby hyena looks like. Little hyenas are cute, grown ones look mean. Oh yeah they are getting tortured by Payne, I wonder what medieval torture devices I can write about. Holy shit!! I can never unsee that!! Hmmm how does that work. That’s just wrong! That looks like a nipple ring lol. Ohhh nipple clamps. BDSM tools of the trade…. What in the hell is a cock cage? LMFAO ha ha ha ha….hmm…. What was I doing?
Q: What do you like to do when you're not writing?
A: Read, I love to read.
Q: What does your family think of your writing?
A: My entire family is 100% supportive, they know exactly what I write. My mom insists she is my biggest fan and has read both of my books lol.
Q: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
A: I have two published but a ton more written. I will always love Fate Knows Best since it’s my first published, but my fantasy novella will always have a special place in my heart. It may be dug out later,, you never know.
Q: Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
A: When Fate Knows Best was released, I started hearing from readers almost immediately. I was as spazzy as a caffeinated squirrel. So far nearly all my communications have been positive.
Q: What do you think makes a good story?
A: I think making the characters realistic, slightly flawed and quirky. I also love falling in love with the characters. I can usually forgive a lot in a book if I like the characters.
Q: As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
A: Ok, as a result of a childhood of reading adult fantasy, I wanted to go on an epic quest with elves and knights, fight in a huge battle and then rule as queen. Yeah. I’m still working on that.




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