Tag: interview roulette

Gus Li joins us today!

 

1. What were your favorite childhood books?

The Wind in the Willows, Kenneth Grahame

Watership Down, Richard Adams

Tolkien (I was a nerd early)

I also read everything our public library had about history and mythology. I’ve always loved reading about battles, strategy, and the evolution of weapons.

 

2. Which of your characters is going to Vegas with you and why?

Wow, great question. I guess if I’m going there for below-the-board reasons, I have a wide range of morally grey characters to choose from. My Blessed Epoch mage Yarrow would be tempting, because magic, but since he is also a little too fond of a good time, he would probably get too drunk to be useful to me early on—probably get us kicked out of the casino too. So I guess I’ll go with Sasha, who can pick pockets, expertly manipulate people, and is hellfire in a fight 🙂

3. What is your favorite appliance?

Anything I can use to make things: the Wacom tablet, the sewing machine, the MacBook.

4. You’re being transported to the Middle Ages and can take with you a single piece of modern technology. What do you choose?

Firearms. Sorry. I know that’s not going to be a popular choice, but since I would almost certainly be on a quick trip to the stake in the Middle Ages, well…. And I could possibly save other interesting people doomed to be executed.

5. Describe one of your characters’ deepest regrets.

The cat couldn’t bear to see the young monk being beaten, burned, and hurt. He was beautiful—outside and inside—and the cat could no longer stand by and watch him suffer. One night, after he offered the young man all the comforts and pleasures his body could provide, the cat made his way inside the fortress. He found the sorcerer’s chambers, and he proposed to the magician a bargain.

“Put an end to that young man’s suffering, and I will offer you my servitude for as long as you find it valuable.”

The wizard took the bargain, but he still needed to free himself from Tajo’s brutal control. He made another bargain with the powerful demon in the Dream Realm. He promised to see that mortals died in distress and became Phantoms, and in exchange the demon would destroy Tajo and free Kazuo from his control.

The monk was beheaded. The cat stood next to the ankle of his new master as the monk’s blood soaked the ground. His pain was gone, and that pleased the cat. But to free himself from Tajo, Kazuo needed the help of the Dream Demon. Kazuo fed souls to the demon—with the cat’s help. When it grew strong enough, it cut down the warlord Tajo in his dreams, but that meant Kazuo owed it a debt. Kazuo was not a fool, though, and he knew what he had unleashed. The last thing he wanted was to trade one master for another.

 

6. If you had to live in a movie, TV show, or book, which would you choose and why?

Can I choose a video game? I’m going to choose a video game. It’s a toss up between Elder Scrolls and Dragon Age. I like the idea of wandering around and finding treasure in caves. That beats the hell out of getting a crappy desk job all day! Also magic. By a fine margin, I’ll choose Dragon Age, for the added bonus of being able to bring down oppressive organized religion. F the Chantry.

7. Which of your characters would make a good BFF?

Fox-Hat. Magically speaking, he isn’t the most powerful of my characters, but he makes up for it with cleverness. He is also less cutthroat than many of my characters and has the capacity to actually care about people he bonds to. But he’s enough of a bastard and a trickster to still be fun, and he’s no altar boy, so we could still do what we needed to do. Best of all, he’s a fox, so he could take fox form and I could pet a fox whenever I wanted.

Gus’s Links

Blog:

https://foxhatandfriends.wordpress.com/

FB

https://www.facebook.com/Ninja.Gus

Fox-Hat’s Den on FB

https://www.facebook.com/FoxHatsDen/

Twitter

https://twitter.com/Ninja_Gus

Tumblr

http://ninja-gus.tumblr.com/

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/augustninja1816/

My books at Dreamspinner Press

https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/searchresults?q=August+Li

At Harmony Ink

https://www.harmonyinkpress.com/authors/august-li-106

At DSP Publications

https://www.dsppublications.com/books/august-li-7-a

 

Nicki J. Markus joins us today!

 

1. If you had to spend a week snowed in at a mountain cabin with one of your characters, who would you choose and why?

 

Loki from The Ragnarök Chronicles of course. I would happily be snowed in anywhere with him. We’d find plenty of ways to keep warm *wink* Just don’t tell my husband!

 

2. Aliens kidnap you and put you in a zoo. What does the sign on your cage say?

 

Caution—May Bite If Provoked

Maintain Correct Grammar At All Times

 

3. Write a haiku poem about your favorite beverage.

 

Lovely chocolate drink

Creamy, hot and rich delight

Please stay off my thighs

 

4. Describe one especially fond childhood memory—for yourself or for one of your characters.

 

Visiting a forest filled with gnome statues with my parents and grandparents

 

5. What is the dumbest thing one of your characters has ever done?

 

Loki deciding to join forces with someone who’s always wanted to kill him (The Ragnarök Chronicles)

 

6. Describe your ideal writing environment.

 

Absolute quite in a room in which I’m surrounded by books

 

7. Name two of your pet peeves.

 

Bad grammar and people who step out of shops without looking first

 

8. What is the oddest thing on your music playlist?

 

Well, I have a pretty eclectic and wide taste in music, so what’s ‘odd’ on my playlist will depend on your own point of view and musical preferences.

I love musicals (including European shows), opera, classical, easy listening….

I guess some of the Czech folk rock stuff might be up there on the obscure scale.

Here’s a link to one of the songs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNEeZV-W7zk

 

 

9. Which of your characters would make a good BFF?

 

I guess Cassandra in The Ragnarök Chronicles, as many aspects of her personality and tastes are based on my own, so we should get along just fine. 🙂

 

10. Describe a beloved item of clothing owned by one of your characters.

 

As a girl after my own heart, Cassandra would never be far from her favourite pair of comfy jeans!

For Ragnarök will be completed….

Nothing marks Cassandra out—except her visions. She’s only ever seen small, insignificant things. That is until the strange frost arrives.

With her normal life turned upside down, Cassandra is plunged into an extraordinary and terrifying world of Norse gods and rampaging giants, ancient feuds and broken prophecies.

A handsome stranger offers aid. But can Cassandra really trust him? More importantly, can she trust her own judgement when his slightest touch sets her heart and her body aflame?

 

Book buy links:

Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SW0TV46

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/ dp/B00SW0TV46

Kobo:  http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/the-ragnarok-chronicles

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-ragnar-k-chronicles-nicki-j-markus/1121134764?ean=9780994234605

Book Depository: http://www.bookdepository.com/Ragnar%C3%B6k-Chronicles-Nicki-Markus/9780994234605

 

Author bio:

Nicki J. Markus (aka Asta Idonea) was born in England but now lives in Adelaide, South Australia. She has loved both reading and writing from a young age and is also a keen linguist, having studied several foreign languages.

Nicki launched her writing career in 2011 and divides her efforts not only between MM and mainstream works but also between traditional and indie publishing. Her works span the genres, from paranormal to historical and from contemporary to fantasy. It just depends what story and which characters spring into her mind!

As a day job, Nicki works as a freelance editor and proofreader, and in her spare time she enjoys music, theatre, cinema, photography, and sketching. She also loves history, folklore and mythology, pen-palling, and travel, all of which have provided plenty of inspiration for her writing.

 

Author contacts:

Blog: http://www.nickijmarkus.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NickiJMarkus

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NickiJMarkus

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickijmarkus/

Pinterest: https://au.pinterest.com/nickijmarkus/

Google+: https://plus.google.com/+NickiJMarkusAstaIdonea

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4567057.Nicki_J_Markus

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolamarkus

Amazon Author US: https://www.amazon.com/Nicki-J-Markus/e/B004JM0UC8

Amazon Author UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nicki-J-Markus/e/B004JM0UC8

Today’s player is Tinnean!

1. If you could be any other living person for a single day, who would you be? If you’d asked me this years ago, I’d have said Cher or Kathleen Turner or Sigourney Weaver. Who can forget Cher playing Loretta Castorini in Moonstruck, or Kathleen Turner as the femme fatale Matty Walker in Body Heat, or Sigourney Weaver as the totally badass Ripley in either Alien or Aliens? I know, I’m shallow, and I suppose I should say women like Hillary Clinton or Ruth Bader Ginsberg or even Judge Judy, who doesn’t take guff from anyone. But seriously? I’m happy with who I am right now, and even if it’s just for a single day, I wouldn’t want to be anyone else.
2. You’re on a ship with Mark Twain, Albert Einstein, Catherine the Great, David Bowie, Billie Holiday, and Gengis Khan. But oh no! The ship is sinking and the lifeboat only holds four people. You get to decide—who gets on that lifeboat? If I include me, that only leaves three, so I’d go with Albert Einstein, because we always need genius, Billie Holiday, because she was a fantastic singer, and Catherine the Great, because she was an enlightened ruler, even though the poorest of her people never fared well. So those are the three plus me. However, if we’re doing four plus me, that’s going to take a bit more thought. Genghis Khan? No way. He’s too brutal for my taste. I mean, who else chucked bodies of plague victims at his enemies to demoralize them? So that leaves Mark Twain and David Bowie. I never was a huge fan of Mark Twain, although I did enjoy The Adventures of Mark Twain, the movie about his life, and the only thing I kind of, sort of know about David Bowie—other than how hot he looked as the Goblin King in Labyrinth—is that his wife, Iman, starred in Exit to Eden with Rosie O’Donnell. Would it be too bad if I made them toss a coin? 😉
3. What are you wearing right now? Fern-patterned shirt and sleep pants, even though it’s only 8:10 p.m.
4. Which holiday is your favorite and why? Boxing Day, because then we have about eleven months before we need to start worrying about buying Christmas presents again.
5. We all know about those big prizes such as the Nobel and Pulitzer and Academy Award. If someone invented a new prize that you were a shoe-in to win, what would it be? I’d love to be the first recipient of the Heinlein-L’Amour Award (named for Robert Heinlein and Louis L’Amour) for excellence in the Sci-fi/Western M/M genre. *cough*
6. What did you have for lunch yesterday? I was really, really bad. I had left-over pizza, Cheez Doodles, and salt and vinegar potato chips. Told you I was bad.
7. Describe your dream house. Pictures of it are on my desktop and both laptops, and I actually used it for inspiration for Josh’s house in Best Laid Plans. This is how I described it. Compared to the ranch it was tiny, but with its red tin roof and Savannah gray stone chimneys, it was a real gem. The expanse of roof was interrupted by twin gables as well as a chimney to the left and another in the center. A paved walk of red and gray stones wound up to a set of wooden stairs, which led to a banistered veranda that stretched across the front of the house. Large, multi-paned picture windows framed the white double door in the center of the house.

And while I have no pictures of the inside, this is how I imagined it, also from the book: The interior of the house was as incredible as the exterior. The foyer opened to a huge living room on the left. The windows at the front of the house let in an amazing amount of light. There wasn’t a lot of furniture, though, just a sectional sofa, a coffee table, a bookcase, and a TV sitting on an entertainment center set between two windows. To the rear of the room and off to the side were a pair of french doors. Two of the bedrooms on one side of the ground floor had been combined to make a large master with an en suite. The room was huge, with a king-size four-poster bed draped with mosquito netting, a pair of night tables, a triple dresser, and a rocker near another set of french doors that opened on to the veranda. A whitewashed brick fireplace was against the outside wall, between two windows that looked out on to the side yard and let in a lot of natural light.

The en suite bathroom was done in sea-foam-green subway tiles and had dual vessel sinks, a stand-alone shower, and a claw foot tub.

 

Book blurb: This is my latest Mann of My Dreams, You Were Made for Me.

Can things possibly run smoothly when a CIA spook moves in with a WBIS spy? If they’re Quinton Mann and Mark Vincent, they damned well better had.

Quinn, having resigned from the CIA after the debacle of a covert agent being outed, is now living with Mark. Over the next year and a half, they learn to navigate the seas of their relationship together, dealing with a death in the family and Quinn’s new career as a writer, while friends from Mark’s previous life reach out for help and the CIA tries to get Quinn back.

 

Book buy links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/You-Were-Made-Continuing-Adventures-ebook/dp/B0763XZ4VW/

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/you-were-made-for-me-tinnean/1127176105?ean=2940154573471

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/751346

 

Author bio:

Tinnean has been writing since the 3rd grade, where she was inspired to try her hand at epic poetry. Fortunately, that epic poem didn’t survive the passage of time; however, her love of writing not only survived but thrived, and in high school she became a member of the magazine staff, where she contributed a number of stories.

It was with the advent of the family’s second computer—the first intimidated everyone—that her writing took off, enhanced in part by fanfiction, but mostly by the wonder that is copy and paste.

While involved in fandom, she was nominated for both Rerun and Light My Fire Awards. Now, although she still dabbles in fanfiction on occasion, she concentrates on her original characters and has been published by Nazca Plains, Dreamspinner, JMS Books, Wilde City Press, and Less Than Three Press, as well as self-publishing five books to date. Recent novels have received honorable mention in the 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 Rainbow Awards, and two of the 2014 submissions were finalists.

A New Yorker at heart, she resides in SW Florida with her husband and three computers.

Ernest Hemingway’s words reflect Tinnean’s devotion to her craft: Once writing has become your major vice and greatest pleasure, only death can stop it.

Author contacts:

• Website: www.angelfire.comfl5/tinnssinns/Welcome1.html
• Blog: https://tinnean.dreamwidth.org/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tinnean
• Twitter: @tinneantoo
• Email: tinneantoo@gmail.com

Today’s Sean Michael’s turn at the wheel!

1. Which would be your preferred vacation choice: a luxury hotel, an apartment in a historic building, or a tent?

Well, I can cross off the tent right away, because I am very much not a camper. Even the thought of ‘glamping’ makes me think, well why not just stay at a hotel. I like my visits to the beautiful outdoors to be day trips. And while I would love to visit a historic building because they’re quite often beautiful, I do like being comfortable. So I would have to say the luxury hotel.

2. There’s Tumblr site called Describe a Film Plot Badly. Describe one (or more) of your own book plots badly, in no more than 140 characters.

Farmer’s son falls for tech nerd while searching for ghosts. – The Supers

3. One of the characters in your latest book buys a birthday present for another. What is it?

Blaine, from The Supers, would buy Flynn an expensive piece of ghost hunting tech.

4. One of your characters has signed up to teach a 1-day workshop. What’s it on?

Flynn would totally sign up to teach a workshop on how to use technology to search out ghosts.

5. What is your theme song?

Tom Petty’s Running Down a Dream. I listened to the album that’s from a lot during the time I was in New Zealand (Free Falling was played a lot around Bungee Jumping time!) I love the song, and the idea of running down your dreams.

6. Make up a new word you really wish would catch on. What is it and what does it mean?

I can actually think of a lot of made up words that ought to be real. But if I’m choosing just one… I’m going to go with dorkalicious. Which is wonderfully dorky – it would totally be a compliment to someone who is a dork.

7. One of the characters in your most recent book wins a dream vacation to anywhere in the world. Where does he or she choose?

Oooo. I love dream vacations. I think Blaine would love to take Flynn to Europe where they could visit all the old castles.

8. What is the most useless or frivolous thing you’ve ever bought?

Probably my blow up dragon whose wings flap. I put it up in the front yard every year and it makes me extremely happy.

9. What was your favorite school subject? Least favorite?

I was very much a nerd in high school and there were very few subjects I did not like. While I enjoyed English very much, my absolute favorite was math. Loved math.

 

Blurb:

Hunting ghosts and finding more than they bargained for.

Blaine Franks is a member of the paranormal research group the Supernatural Explorers. When the group loses their techie to a cross-country move, newly graduated Flynn Huntington gets the job. Flynn fits in with the guys right off the bat, but when it comes to him and Blaine, it’s more than just getting along.

Things heat up between Blaine and Flynn as they explore their first haunted building together, an abandoned hospital. Their relationship isn’t all that progresses, though, and soon it seems that an odd bite on Blaine’s neck has become much more.

Hitchhiking ghosts, a tragic love story forgotten by time, and the mystery of room 204 round out a romance where the things that go bump in the night are real.

 

Buy links:

Dreamspinner Press:  https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/the-supers-by-sean-michael-8860-b

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Supers-Dreamspun-Beyond-Sean-Michael/dp/1635338891/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1506354992&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=the+supers+sean+michael

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-supers-sean-michael/1127079735?ean=9781635338898

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/the-supers

 

Bio:

 

Best-selling author Sean Michael is a maple leaf–loving Canadian who spends hours hiding out in used book stores. With far more ideas than time, Sean keeps several documents open at all times. From romance to fantasy, paranormal and sci-fi, Sean is limited only by the need for sleep—and the periodic Beaver Tail.

Sean fantasizes about one day retiring on a secluded island populated entirely by horseshoe crabs after inventing a brain-to-computer dictation system. Until then, Sean will continue to write the old-fashioned way.

 

Sean Michael on the web:

WEBSITE: http://www.seanmichaelwrites.com

BLOG: http://seanmichaelwrites.blogspot.ca

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/SeanMichaelWrites/

TWITTER: seanmichael09

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/seanmichaelpics/

EMAIL: seanmichaelwrites@gmail.com

Louise Lyons takes a spin today!

1. Pick any place in the world to spend the next 6 months. Where is it and why? This one’s easy! The Lake District, in the north-west of England. It’s my favourite place in the world and I hope to move there in maybe 5 or so years from now. I could spend every day of the six months hiking in the mountains, whatever the weather, and never get bored.
2. Which of your characters is most likely to end up in the emergency room and why? Maybe Paul from my first novel, Conflicted. He has a bad temper and he got into a number of fights both prior to the start of the book, and during the first couple of chapters. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least to see him in the ER with a broken nose, or damaged knuckles. He calmed down a lot when he fell in love, but it wouldn’t take much to set him off again, especially if anyone hurt his lover, Greg.
3. One of your characters has an allergy that’s proved problematic. Tell us about it. None of my characters so far have allergies, but Joel in Cervena was in a serious motorcycle accident years before the start of the book. He broke his leg and had to have pins put in it to support the break. He’s left with a slight limp, more pronounced when the weather is cold and damp, as that makes the old injury painful.
4. If you could make anything edible, what would you choose? One of my favourite naughty treats is a recipe called Mount Nacheesmo that I got from the programme, Man v Food. It’s a huge pile of nachos covered with anything you like – usually I top them with shredded chicken, refried beans, jalapenos, tomatoes, red onion, green peppers, guacamole, sour cream, and cheese sauce. I don’t have a Man v Food sized portion, but it is very delicious (and loaded with calories!)
5. Who are your favorite visual artists and why? I love the 19th Century German romantic landscape painter, Caspar David Freidrich. I have a print of one of his oil paintings hanging in my hallway, and two more upstairs. My favourite is called the Stages of Life and is based on his thoughts on his own mortality. It’s one of those pieces of art I can stand and stare at, and get lost in.
6. Say you met your all-time favorite celebrity; would you play it cool? Or would you utterly humiliate yourself? I’d probably be cool and relaxed. About 13 years ago I met a person who was pretty famous some time before that, whom I admired at the time, and ended up being good friends with him for a couple of years, even acting as a kind of part time PA for a while. I got to attend a TV show he was on and sit in the Green Room watching, and accompany him to a couple of performances in a fancy car, and a few other things. Most of it was more mundane, though – such as hanging out at his mother’s house and ordering pizza! I’d like to think I’d be cool enough to act like that if I met someone like Dwayne Johnson!
7. If you could choose anyone on the planet to narrate an audio version of your latest book, who would it be? Liam Neeson, I love his voice.

 

Book blurb:

Can romance and rock ‘n’ roll dreams survive with a storm raging around them?

Alex Randall has always wanted to be a rock singer. When he answers an ad from a local band, his dream finally comes true. He loves the stage, and the group’s fans love him. Things couldn’t be better, except for the attraction he develops for the band’s guitarist, Lindsey. Alex is surprised and initially worried, since he only had one brief flirtation with a boy in his teens. But even though he and Lindsey become close and start seeing each other, Alex fears commitment, and Lindsey worries that Alex might only be experimenting.

When Lindsey’s ex contacts him following a health scare, fear and anger drives a wedge between Alex and Lindsey, which causes rifts within the band. Alex and Lindsey’s relationship is still new and fragile, and with Alex unwittingly blaming Lindsey for their problems, it becomes a true challenge for them to weather the storm.

Book buy links:

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beautiful-Thunder-Louise-Lyons-ebook/dp/B014I2B0QS

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-Thunder-Louise-Lyons-ebook/dp/B014I2B0QS

DSP: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/beautiful-thunder-by-louise-lyons-6196-b

Author bio:

Louise Lyons comes from a family of writers. Her mother has a number of poems published in poetry anthologies, her aunt wrote poems for the church, and her grandmother sparked her inspiration with tales of fantasy.

Louise first ventured into writing short stories at the grand old age of eight, mostly about little girls and ponies. She branched into romance in her teens, and MM romance a few years later, but none of her work saw the light of day until she discovered FanFiction in her late twenties. Posting stories based on some of her favourite movies, provoked a surprisingly positive response from readers. This gave Louise the confidence to submit some of her work to publishers, and made her take her writing “hobby” more seriously.

Louise lives in the UK, about an hour north of London, with a mad dog called Casper, and a collection of tropical fish and tarantulas. She works in the insurance industry by day, and spends every spare minute writing. She is a keen horse-rider, and loves to run long-distance. Some of her best writing inspiration comes to her, when her feet are pounding the open road. She often races home afterward, and grabs pen and paper to make notes.

Louise has always been a bit of a tomboy, and one of her other great loves is cars and motorcycles. Her car and bike are her pride and job, and she loves to exhibit the car at shows, and take off for long days out on the bike, with no one for company but herself.

Author contacts:

• Website – http://www.louiselyonsauthor.com
• Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/louiselyonsauthor
• Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/louiselyons013
• Email – louiselyons013@gmail.com

 

It’s Tracey Michael’s turn today!

 

1. What is the strangest food you like to eat? Ketchup on my Mac & Cheese and syrup on my cornbread.
2. Is there a fiction genre you would write only if forced to at gunpoint? That would probably be horror. I’m not a horror fan in any form so writing it would have to be forced.
3. If one of your characters were to practice a random act of kindness, what would it be? My Thea from Pretty Please is the first person I thought of. She’s a mechanic and already barters for payment, so I could see her stopping to help a stranded driver or helping someone carry their groceries to their car in a driving rain.
4. What’s one thing that inspired your latest book? Paul Walker and Vin Diesel inspired Beyond the Grill. Every time I saw a picture of them, I couldn’t help but feel the closeness.
5. Describe a traumatic weather-related experience you’ve had. If you’ve never had any, make one up. Dude, every time it snows and I have to drive in it, it’s a traumatic weather experience. I’ve lived in Ohio my whole life but I’ve never been comfortable driving in snow. I’m so tense, when I get where I’m going, everything aches.

Book blurb: Justin Walker is used to being the hookup but never the boyfriend, and that’s okay. Justin has goals—he might sling burgers by night and work on his car by day, but he has plans to go to school and make a life for himself. He also has a few friends and loving parents.

What more could a guy ask for?

Hot, muscular, manly Shane Steel is a walking wet dream. Justin fantasizes about having Shane as more than a casual acquaintance, and one night he works up the courage to flirt with Shane. To his surprise—and terror—Shane is interested. Very interested.

As they bond over their love of cars and drag racing, Justin begins to believe he can be more to Shane than a side guy. Too bad Shane’s manipulative and dangerous ex is dead set against letting that happen.

 

Book buy links: http://amzn.to/2i66BIk

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/beyond-the-grill-tracey-michael/1124600896?ean=2940156953035

https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/beyond-the-grill-by-tracey-michael-7596-b

Author bio: I am known by a few names. At any one time I am known as Mom, Mommy or Mama, depending on which of my three children are wanting me. My husband of 20+ years has his own names for me. But the name on my driver’s license says Tracey. I work as a cost accountant at a local manufacturing plant.

I’ve been having a love affair with books since I was a teenager. I love to read. Romance novels are my favorite. I read traditional and non-traditional.

Around 1999, my husband introduced me to NHRA drag racing and I loved it. We try to go as often as possible. Mmmm…the smell of Nitro.

I love to bake when I have time.

 

Author contacts:

• Blog http://traceysteinbachtraceymichael.blogspot.com/
• Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Author-Tracey-Steinbach-also-writing-as-Tracey-Michael-255179941185173/?ref=bookmarks
• Twitter @authorsteinbach
• Email steinbachtracey145@gmail.com
• Other https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5280919.Tracey_Michael?from_search=true

Z. Allora plays today!

 

1. You’ve been invited to a party being held by your boss. Which of your characters will you take with you as your guest?

Tristan Cooper (the librarian) from The Librarian’s Rake. He’s shy but well read. Tristan would be on best behavior because he’s all good manners and kindness no worries he’d embarrass me by offering to blow a coworker. (Z. side eyes several characters) While he’s not great in crowds he’s fantastic one-on-one and would engage others in conversation allowing me to listen and not talk.

 

2. Are you a nervous cleaner? (And if you are, will you come hang out at my house?)

Organization and orgasm are spelled rather closely. I don’t think that’s an accident. I’ve just deep cleaned my house and I’m sitting down after 4.5 hours… and yes, I showered first. When I feel out of control I find cleaning provides me with a calm purpose that burns off my crazy. A clean house means at least something in the world is in control even if it’s only my dust.

 

3. A 17-year-old girl has asked one of your characters for advice. What is she asking about and what advice does the character give?

She asks, “So Zack, um how old do you have to be to join a BDSM club?”

Zack (from Lock and Key): “You have to be 18 in most states. You might want to take classes. Knowledge is power. Never settle for less than you deserve, and ALWAYS have a safeword… (Zack sighs) and use the safeword if you need it.”

 

4. What is your worst phobia?

My first is depressing so let’s go with speaking in public since that is a close second. If this is indeed the case, one might ask why the hell I signed up as a Featured Author for the GRL >> which requires I do a panel or a reading. (Hitting my head against a wall) Why did I do that to myself? I’m totally freaking out. My plan involves Valium, wearing bondage cuffs, and hoping people don’t show up.

I stutter and usually when I talk to someone I’m able to jump over words I can’t say. But when I’m nervous nothing comes out of my mouth and I give a blank stare. SIGH… So there’s a chance during my panel I’m going to look like an idiot. Go ME! Yeah, facing your fears not so much fun. Thanks for asking. (Z. leaves and re-cleans house)

 

 

5. What’s one thing that inspired your latest book?

I sitting with MC Houle and Katie Obbink at the GRL San Diego. They were wearing glasses… for some reason they both whipped them off and stared at me with purpose. BOOM! Tristan Cooper was born… the sweet shy librarian with a lustful heart aching to sin… Yeah, that was some awesome glasses fu style times two they gave me! The Librarian’s Rake had a name and a main character.

 

6. One of the characters in your latest book buys a birthday present for another. What is it?

Phillip Valentine (the rake) from The Librarian’s Rake would buy Tristan a sex toy from Bad Dragon. Of course, he would demonstrate how to use the dragon’s penis butt plug (probably in public and definitely in private).

 

7. If you were magically transported into one of your own books, which one would you choose and why?

Damn! That’s hard. I guess I’d go into my first book because that’s where Z. Allora was given voice. Before the Dark Angels I wrote but never shared. To give me the opportunity to thank these characters for the love and life I have now would be incredibly rewarding. Visiting Bali again wouldn’t be too hard on me either.

 

8. One of the characters in your most recent book wins a dream vacation to anywhere in the world. Where does he or she choose?

Tristan Cooper (the librarian) in The Librarian’s Rake would take his lover to Paris because he’s romantic and envisions sipping chocolate after a full day at the Louvre (The sex they had in the museum’s bathroom might have been ill-advised but was Phillip’s idea of romance… and quite exciting and satisfying).

Book blurb:

Opposites might attract, but is acting on that attraction wise?

Librarian Tristan Cooper can’t steer clear of sexy, motorcycle-riding bad boy Phillip—the man is hot—but Phillip is bound to find quiet, bookish Tristan boring, like all Tristan’s boyfriends. Tristan yearns to explore his wild side, the part of himself he’s only allowed into his fantasies, and maybe rakish Phillip is just what he needs to feel free.

Sexperienced hairdresser Phillip is more of a believer in happy endings than happily ever afters. Experience has taught him not to hope for more—until he meets sweet, vulnerable Tristan, who seems genuinely interested in his heart. But Phillip can’t trust enough to see himself as a man Tristan might want for more than a night.

With the help of a pair of matchmaking grandfathers, Tristan and Phillip might find the courage to step beyond their comfort zones and discover what has been missing from their lives.

 

Book buy link:  http://bit.ly/2yQoD93

Author bio:

Allora believes in happily ever afters for everyone. She met her own true love through the personals and has traveled to over thirty countries with him. She’s lived in Singapore, Israel and China. Now back home to the USA she’s an active member of PFLAG and a strong supporter of those on the rainbow in her community. She wants to promote understanding and acceptance through her actions and words. Writing rainbow romance allows her the opportunity to open hearts and change minds.

Author contacts:

• Website: zallorabooks.com
• Blog: http://zallora.blogspot.com
• Facebook: Z Allora Allora
• Twitter: @ZAllora
• E-mail: AlloraHappyEndings@gmail.com
• Other: Queer Romance Ink: www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/z-allora

It’s Antonia Aquilante’s turn today!

 

1. Due to a magical curse, for the rest of your life you can read only one genre of books. Which genre will it be? Romance! For once, I can answer a question like this easily. Romance includes everything and anything with a guaranteed happily every after too. I really need that comfort in my life. Wait. I don’t have to narrow it down to a subgenre, do I? Because I don’t think I can do that…
2. What hobby do you wish you could take up? I’d love to learn how to knit. I see people making such wonderful things, and I’d love to do that. I’m not sure I’d be any good at it, but I should probably find the time to try.
3. Which (living) celebrity would you most want to have dinner with? Tough question, but I’m choosing the Obamas. Which I know, they’re two people, so I guess I’m technically cheating, but it’s my made-up dinner party, so I’m going with it.
4. If one of your characters sent something in to PostSecret, what would it be? I’d never heard of Post Secret until this interview, and then I totally fell down the rabbit hole reading them! Too funny! Hmm, I’m not sure. I do have a royal family with a pretty big secret that someone might be tempted to reveal if it couldn’t be traced back to them. Alexander, maybe. He has a mischievous side.
5. Which house did the sorting hat put you in? Hufflepuff. I expected Ravenclaw, but I always get Hufflepuff, and I can understand it too.
6. Describe a beloved item of clothing owned by one of your characters. Amory treasures the clothes he married Philip in because of the memories attached. They’re white and embroidered in the traditional style of wedding clothes in Tournai.
7. If you were magically transported into one of your own books, which one would you choose and why? Well, all of my published books are set in the same world, so no matter what I picked I would be able to explore Tournai, which would be so exciting. If I have to pick one, maybe The Dragon’s Devotion because then I would get to see the dragon fly.

 

Book blurb:

Corentin is a scholar with a secret—his magical Talent allows him to turn into a dragon, and he isn’t alone in that ability. Long ago, dragons were hunted fiercely, until they went into hiding, becoming things of legend. Corentin has traveled the world with one aim—to protect his people and keep their secret safe. Drawn to the principality of Tournai by news of someone close to discovering that secret, he hopes to avert suspicion. His attraction to the too-serious Bastien isn’t convenient for his purpose, but it isn’t something he can ignore either.

Lord Bastien, Earl of Ardesia, inherited his title unexpectedly when his parents were killed in a sailing accident along with the parents of his cousin, Prince Philip. Since then, Bastien has devoted his life to the obligations of his family and estate—so much so, that it has caused tension between him and his siblings. His world is further shaken when he receives an anonymous letter informing him that the tragic boating accident may, in fact, have been murder. Bastien throws himself into investigating whether the allegations are true and finding out who killed his parents.

As Corentin and Bastien become closer, the mystery of Bastien’s parents’ death draws him further into danger. Corentin feels compelled to protect Bastien, but the threat is closer than they know. Now, Corentin must decide whether preserving his secret—and potentially his people’s safety—is more important than saving the man he loves.

 

Book buy links:

NineStar Press

Amazon

Apple

Barnes & Noble

Smashwords

Kobo

Author bio:

Antonia Aquilante has been making up stories for as long as she can remember, and at the age of twelve, decided she would be a writer when she grew up. After many years and a few career detours, she has returned to that original plan. Her stories have changed over the years, but one thing has remained consistent— they all end in happily ever after.

She has a fondness for travel (and a long list of places she wants to visit and revisit), taking photos, family history, fabulous shoes, baking treats, which she shares with friends and family , and of course, reading. She usually has at least two books started at once and never goes anywhere without her Kindle. Though she is a convert to e-books , she still loves paper books the best, and there are a couple thousand of them residing in her home with her.

Born and raised in New Jersey, she Antonia  is living there again after years in Washington, DC and North Carolina for school and work. She enjoys being back in the Garden State but admits to being tempted every so often to run away from home and live in Italy.

 

Author contacts:

• Website http://www.antoniaaquilante.com
• Blog http://www.antoniaaquilante.com/blog
• Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AntoniaAquilanteAuthor
• Twitter https://twitter.com/antoniaquilante
• Email antonia.aquilante@gmail.com
• Other https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14431299.Antonia_Aquilante

 

 

Lynn Lorenz spins the wheel today!

1. One of the characters in your most recent book wins a dream vacation to anywhere in the world. Where does he or she choose?

Well, I think Sammi from Soul Bonds really needs a vacation. He’s been on the streets, a sex slave, and now he’s learning to be a chef, working in a diner, and going to school. The boy needs a break!! In Soul Bonds, Sammi dreams of a road trip to the mountains, with Mitchell driving, the top down on the car, and the wind in their hair. He’s never been out of Houston, and can only imagine what the hills and mountains would be like. I think I’d want Mitchell to take him to the Grand Tetons, when they’re covered in snow. Gorgeous!

2. One of the characters in your latest book buys a birthday present for another. What is it?

What do you get the guy who has everything? In Rush in the Dark, Brian loves his rancher Rush, so it’d have to be something practical, because that’s how the guys are. I think, knowing Brian (who is a cop and a former P.I.) he’d buy Rush a new rifle. Then they could both go shooting, winner gets bragging rights. Or maybe a new poker table, for when they have poker nights with the guys.

 

3. One of your characters just won a prize for doing something really well. Who is it and what prize did he or she win?

This is a tough one…I think, since I’m on a roll with the Common Powers guys, I’d have to pick Edward from Edward Unconditionally. He always wants the last word with Jack. I think Jack would bet him he couldn’t keep his mouth shut. Now that’s a challenge! If Edward wins, then Jack would give Edward a massage, since that’s what Edward does at his new spa, and you can be sure Jack’s massage would have a happy ending!

4. Your letter from Hogwarts never arrived. Now what?

That’s okay. I’d slip into my own magical world, like the one I created in Locke and Blade. These guys are inspectors on the witch’s police force, fighting crime, villains, and monsters. They could give me a wand and teach me how to use it…for good and not evil!

 

5. Describe a hobby one of your characters likes to engage in.

Well, it’s sort of a hobby, but Captain Dan Chan from No Good Deed, loves him some cowboy boots! He has a collection of them, and chooses a different pair to wear each day. Since he’s a fifth generation Chinese-American Texan, he knows his boots, and even knows how to do a little boot scootin’ around the dance floor. Yeehaw!

6. If you could make anything edible, what would you choose?

I think it would be all the flowers! They’re so pretty but how cool would it be if they were delicious? Then we could eat the flowers in an arrangement before they die, or just snack on the flowers in our yards, without being poisoned!

7. One of your characters has signed up to teach a 1-day workshop. What’s it on?

 

I think it might be my new character Phillip, from my upcoming release, Pushing Phillip. This is the fourth book in the Common Powers series, and Phillip had a small role in Edward Unconditionally. He’s longed to be a real cowboy, and he’d love to teach someone to ride a horse. His motto is “Save a horse, ride a cowboy!”

 

Book blurb: A Common Powers Christmas story

When the guys decide to spend Christmas together at the ranch, it’s going to be time for catching up with each couple. Rush and Brian are hosting, Edward and Jack will be there, and Mitchell and Sammi are coming in from Houston.

When Brian and Rush take Phillip, a newly-outed gay man, under their wings, they discover he’s got a power. But this power is one that makes all of them uncomfortable, along with the young man himself, as issues of trust arise.

Phillip finds himself jobless, homeless, and alone at the holiday, and he’s run out of options. Just when he’s ready to move on, he finds new friends who are ready to give him a second chance at his dreams.

Along with a second chance at love.

Book buy links: It’ll be up for pre-order on November 7^th from Pride Publishing! General Release will be December 19^th.

https://www.pride-publishing.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=67987

 

Author bio: Lynn Lorenz is an award-winning and bestselling author who grew up in New Orleans but currently lives in Texas, where she’s a fan of all things Texan, like Longhorns, big hair and cowboys in tight jeans. She’s never met a comma she didn’t like and enjoys editing and brainstorming with other writers. Lynn spends most of her time writing about hot sex with even hotter heroes, plot twists, werewolves and medieval swashbucklers. She’s currently at work on her latest book, making herself giggle and blush and avoiding all the housework.

 

Author contacts:

• Website – http://www.lynnlorenz.com
• Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/LynnLorenz.58
• Twitter — @lynnlorenz
• Email – lynnlorenz@live.com

Please welcome Jodi Payne!

1. Where’s the weirdest place you’ve ever written?

Very recently I wrote a sex scene while sitting in a church pew.

2. What food would you only consider eating if you were stranded on a desert isle with nothing else to consume?

Cottage Cheese. I hate cottage cheese. GAH.

3. What’s one piece of advice you would give to an aspiring author?

Write something every day. Anything. Only have two minutes? Write. Stuck on your WiP? Write about what you ate for dinner. Write, write, write. Every damn day.

4. Which of your characters is going to Vegas with you and why?

Oh, I am so taking Bradford from the Deviations Series. He has money to burn, he knows how to work a crowd, and he could talk the shirt off of anyone (in fact, he has).

5. If you could be granted instant virtuosity on a musical instrument you don’t now play, which one would it be, and why?

I’ve always wished I knew how to play a nice bluesy harmonica. Yes, really.

6. Write a haiku poem about your favorite beverage.

Never happier

Than when a shot of Patron

Slides over my tongue

***

Book blurb:

Best-selling thriller author Reese Kelsey knows his career isn’t conducive to romance. He doesn’t work the normal nine-to-five, and sometimes his characters take hold and demand all his attention, causing him to neglect important appointments… and lovers. Rather than go through another heartbreak, Reese contents himself with his small circle of friends—fellow gay New York City artists—and his dedicated publicist, Chad.

Until he sees Owen Mercado lugging his cello toward the subway and impulsively offers him a ride.

Owen has worked long and hard for a career in the symphony, and success comes with a demanding schedule—something Reese understands. Their desires and lifestyles are surprisingly compatible, and Reese and Owen certainly set the bedroom on fire. They’re both carrying baggage, but they fit, and it’s hard not to hope for a future that once seemed impossible.

But when Reese’s work inevitably pulls him into its dark world and refuses to let go, Owen draws a hard line, and Reese discovers he can’t rely on good intentions alone. He will have to control the obsession that drove his other lovers away or risk losing Owen as well.

 

Book buy links:

Universal Link: https://books2read.com/u/478NXL

Dreamspinner Press: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/creative-process-by-jodi-payne-8887-b

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075D7BYH4?tag=books2read02-20

Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/creative-process-jodi-payne/1127047656?ean=2940158850752

QueeRomance Ink: https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/jodi-payne/

 

Author bio:

Jodi Payne spent too many years in New York and San Francisco stage managing classical plays, edgy fringe work, and the occasional musical. She therefore is overdramatic, takes herself way too seriously, and has been known to randomly break out in song. Her men are imperfect but genuine, stubborn but likeable, often kinky, and frequently their own worst enemies. They are characters you can’t help but fall in love with while they stumble along the path to their happily ever after.

For those looking to get on her good side, Jodi’s addictions include nonfat lattes, Malbec and tequila however you pour it. She’s also obsessed with Shakespeare and Broadway musicals. She can be found wearing sock monkey gloves while typing when it’s cold, and on the beach enjoying the sun and the ocean when it’s hot. When she’s not writing and/or vacuuming sand out of her laptop, Jodi mentors queer youth and will drop everything for live music.

Jodi lives near New York City with her beautiful wife, and together they are mothers of dragons (cleverly disguised as children) and slaves to an enormous polydactyl cat.

 

 

Author contacts:

Email: jodipaynewrites@gmail.com

Website: https://jodipayne.net

Blog: https://jodipayne.net/blog-2/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/payne.jodi

FB Author Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/jodisgents/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JodiPayne