Interview with Sam Cresent

Lets welcome Sam Crescent to Julie's Book Review. She is giving away a _Copy of The Bad Boys' Virgin Temptress and The Bad Boys' Reluctant Woman , so don't forget to check out the rafflecopter to the right of the pg.


Welcome to Julies Book Review. Can you tell me a little about yourself?

Hi Julie and thank you so much for having me. 

Sam Crescent is passionate about fiction. She loves a good erotic romance and it only made sense for her to spread her wings and start writing. She began writing in 2009 and finally got that first acceptance in 2011.

She loves creating new characters and delving into the worlds that she creates. When she's not panicking about a story or arguing with a character, she can be found in her kitchen creating all kinds of havoc. Like her stories the creations in the kitchen can be just as dubious but sometimes things turn out great.

You can find me here: 

Blog: http://samcrescent.wordpress.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sam.crescent

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/samcrescent

Yahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LovingEroticRomance 

What kind of books do you write? Newest release?

I write a variety of books. I write, paranormal, contemporary and in mid-January, I'll have my first M/M romance released by Siren. 

Many of my books feature a dominant man, some delve into BDSM while others are merely possessive. Most of my women are rubenesque/ full-figured. 

My next release is on Janary 3rd and is the 4th book in my Cape Falls series, His To Control. 

Welcome to Cape Falls, a town with old-fashioned values.

William moved to Cape Falls to start a new life and to open up the BDSM club, Control. He never anticipated getting embroiled in the latest scandal or falling for the delicious red-head who visits his club. He can’t stay away.

Daisy’s life is falling apart. Everything she has known was destroyed the moment her mother revealed the true identity of her father. Throughout her life, no one has wanted her until William enters her life.

His dominance helps her to gain control of her own life. She falls for him hard and she is prepared to do anything, even be under his control.

But how can these two people find happiness with each other? And what will happen when jealousy from someone else threatens to take it away?

Be Warned: BDSM, sex toys, anal sex, menage sex (MFM), spanking

What should we expect in your book? action,adventure, drama, hot and steamy?

Drama mixed with hot and steamy. 
How do you get ideas for your books?

Most of the time they pop into my head while I'm cooking. I now have a notebook in my kitchen for when my muse hits. With, The Law Castle Bad Boys, the inspiration came from Stacey Espino where she wrote a blog post about bad boys. I found what she wrote inspired the idea for this series and I couldn't stop writing. 

Anything in your stories based on real experiences?

Not everything. I like to do a lot of research for my work but where possible I do try to draw on life experiences. I also like to make sure that my readers can relate to the characters.
Toughest criticism? Best compliment?

I really don't know how to answer this question. All of my books have had mixed reviews/ comments. I think the best way of looking at feedback about your books, is to see it a bit like Marmite. Some will love it, while others hate it. When readers have sent me an email or a message on Facebook, about how they enjoyed my stories, that brightens up my day. 

any advice for aspiring authors?

Never give up. I got plenty of rejections and I wanted to call it a day. If you love writing and it is your dream, do not let it go. 

I asked for feedback from the publishers and began improving my craft with each new story I wrote. 
What do you do for fun?

I like to cook and bake, go out for long walks and sometimes sit down with a hot cup of tea and read. 
Dogs or cats?

I love dogs. 

1 Fav book you have written? why?

I don't have a favourite book. They all have a different meaning to me as I've wrote each story. I could never pick a favourite and wouldn't want to. 

What about someone else?any favorite series or type of books you like to read?

I love to read. I don't get much time to read anymore. I love series that follows characters, either the same or different ones. I love reading about dominant men and cowboys LOL. I seem to go through certain themes every year where I will either read a paranormal, menage, cowboy, or sweet romance. discovering new authors is a pleasure. 

Favorite place to travel?

I've never been out of the UK but I'd love to visit Canada, America and Italy. 

1 favorite character? yours or someone else?

Callum and Arden O'Shea from Cowboy Outcasts by Stacey Espino. Loved these men and loved the book. 

would you want to meet them?

Hell, yeah. 

Is this your full time job? if yes, anything else you want to do? if no what else do you do?
Yes, I became a full-time write in October 2012. It has been amazing so far. I'm hoping I can keep going. 
Where can we find you and your books? Social media sites? (links)

http://www.evernightpublishing.com/

http://www.amazon.com/Sam-Crescent/e/B009BB6T68/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

http://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html?searchBy=author&qString=Sam+Crescent

http://www.bookstrand.com/sam-crescent

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sam-Crescent/e/B009BB6T68/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

http://www.amazon.ca/s?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=Sam%20Crescent&search-alias=digital-text

Thank you for coming on Julie's Book Review. I wish you lots of success and hope you and your families all have a Happy New year.
Have a wonderful Great Year!
Julie Ramsey
juliesbookreview.blogspot.com

Review of Belonging to the Steer Brothers by Sam Cresent

Belonging ton the Steer Brothers

Anna, at age 16 lost her parents to a terrible accident.  Her parents were very good friends with the Steer family and Anna went to live with the 2 brothers. In their care she didn't want for anything and has a crush on both men. David and Paul have a family tradition. The boys of the family (no matter how many) all share 1 woman. When they first bring Anna home, she is just a good friends kid that needed help. Now as she has grow up, feelings start to change. But as David goes through old diaries of the Steer women of the past, doubt sets in. How can he put Anna, who he loves in a situation like this. Paul disagrees but goes along with David. David starts to push Anna away. Slowly but surly he ensures she will leave there home. When she finally does, the men are heart broken but David feels he has done what is right. When she comes back several year later, after college, Paul is thrilled. He wants her with all his heart, and will go against David if he has too. But what they don't know is Anna has heard the rumors as well, and she is going to belong to the Steer Brothers.

This one I was a little iffy about. Only because Anna is like their ward in the beginning. Later you do see the change in all 3, and nothing is ever tried when she is a ward. The story line is really different, following a family tradition, which is explained why. David is more worried than anything, but just because he doesn't want to put her into a difficult situation or one she will regret.  Over all a very good story. Adults only....menage!

Review Girl in the window- by Valerie Douglas

  Girl in the window

 Beth moves back to the home she wants nothing to do with.With so many memories she feels overwhelmed.
The next ranch over,  Josh is doing the best he can with what he has.  Beth feels a kinship to the skittish horse on Josh's farm that she has watched from a window in the house.  Finally she goes over there early in the am's.  Josh watches her from his window.  She is just as skittish as the horse and Josh is drawn to her, just as he was to this horse. Josh knows nothing about her but that she lives in the old house. Very slowly he learns more than he would have ever thought possible. Josh and Beth have a long Track ahead of them! Good thing Josh is patient.


This was not an easy book to read. I cried through most of it. I didn't want to put it down yet there was a few times I had to.  I will say it was healing also.  Valerie Douglas brought to life 2 very memorable characters.Such master weaving as only MS. Douglas can. Beth has a lot of well placed fears and worked so hard on facing them and controlling them.  Josh has so much love to give first with Fair (Horse) than with Beth.  It is touch and go and then slowly the characters come to rely on each other for support. Just when you think all is well you have to get back on the Bike and try again!  Roller coaster of a ride and so well written. I Highly Recommend this book.

5 Stars
Patches

Excerpt from Temptation's Heat by Michelle Zink Jan 1

Excerpt from Temptation's Heat 

Rowen Black leaned against the brick wall, taking in the formidable building across the street.

             Shadowguard Security Services, LLC.

            The sign hung on a massive Gothic mansion that had somehow been restored to its former grandeur without drawing attention to itself. Typical. Even in an old railroad town like Clifton, the Shadowguard was carefully under the radar.

            Established in the 1980s, Shadowguard Security Services had grown to over two hundred offices worldwide, all of them populated with angelic descendants tasked with addressing potential threats from the demons of the Legion.

            Sure, the Treaty was in effect, but that didn’t mean they could afford to be lazy.

            To the outside world, Shadowguard was a profitable, privately held firm specializing in physical and digital security, counter-measures, and surveillance. To the descendants of the Alliance and the demons of the Legion, it was ground zero for enforcement of a Treaty that has insured a balance between the forces of good and evil for eons—and the war for the souls of humanity that would start if it wasn’t honored.

            It was also home to Ambrose Montgomery, head of the Shadowguard and Rowen’s newest babysitter, thanks to his most recent run-in with the London police.

            It was one hell of a last resort. He’d expected to be kicked out of the Corp of Assassins, not promoted to Ambrose’s elite Shadowguard. But even that bizarre turn of events couldn’t mask the truth; the Alliance was out of patience. If Rowen didn’t get a handle on his notorious temper, he’d be kicked out for good.

            He pushed off the wall, one hand on the glaive at his waist, the pendant that channeled his ability to work the weapon snug beneath his shirt. He hardly noticed the women who turned to stare as he stalked across the street. It was nothing new. Women—mortal, descendants, and even the occasional member of the Legion were drawn to him like bees to honey, despite his frigid demeanor. Too bad they only interested him as a release for his insatiable sexual urges. He’d accepted the truth a long time ago; he was broken, defective, completely lacking the gene that required love and companionship.

            Fine with him. Life was simpler when you were loyal only to yourself.

DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT THE RAFFLECOPTER!! LAST DAY OF THE GIVEAWAY!!

Please Welcome Michelle Zink to Julies Book Review!!

Lets welcome Michelle Zink to Julie's Book Review. Michelle is giving away 3 books  1 of each of the Temptation series, so don't forget to check out the rafflecopter to the right of the pg.

 Can you tell me a little about yourself?

That's a loaded question! ;) I'm a single mother to four teenagers (well, one of them is twenty now). I love music, movies, and yoga. A multi-published author of four YA books, I've recently published two romantic novellas, TEMPTATION'S HEAT and TEMPTATION'S KISS, with Swoon Romance. 

What kind of books do you write? Newest release?

Until recently, my published work was all Young Adult. My first three books were in the Prophecy of the Sisters trilogy (Little Brown) and A Temptation of Angels (Penguin/Dial) came out this last March. My next YA book, This Game of Voodoo, will be out next fall. My newest releases are Temptation's Heat and Temptation's Kiss, the first two books in a trilogy of romance novellas for adults. 

What should we expect in your book? Action. Adventure? Sex?

All of the above? ;)

How do you come up with your stories for your books?

I get ideas all over the place! Sometimes they come from tv shows or movies, sometimes it's a story on the news. And every now and then, a secondary character in one of my novels clamors for their own book.

Is anything in your stories based on real experiences?

Not overtly, but I think everything in a writer's psyche ends up as fodder for our stories one way or another. I never pattern characters after people I know in real life, but I do think my writing is a mechanism for dealing with life's many mysteries. I especially like to explore the gray areas -- in life and in people. Because the truth is, none of it is as simple as it seems. 


Toughest criticism? Best compliment?

The toughest criticism came early on from my agent when he informed me the characters in my books couldn't "just talk all the time." But it was also one of the most important things I learned as a writer. It's just not interesting to read about people talking. They have to MOVE. They have to do stuff and make discoveries and solve problems in an active way. The best compliments I receive are ones that compliment who I am as a human being, because while I'm grateful for the gift of my writing, being a decent human being is the most important thing of all. And it's not always as easy as it sounds. 


Any advice for aspiring authors?

Finish something. If you want to write short stories, finish a whole one. Ditto if you want to write novels. Writers likeshiny new ideas, but you will learn more about the craft of writing by forcing yourself to see something through then you will from any other single thing you can do. 


How about some fun stuff?

Dancing around the house? Singing on the porch after too many glasses of wine? Midnight scavenger hunt? 


Dogs or cats?

I love them both but I'm becoming more of a cat person as I get older (cue jokes about crazy cat ladies). 


1 Fav book? why?

White Oleander by Janet Fitch. Because it stays with you forever and the writing is so good, you will weep from the sheer beauty of it. 


Favorite place to travel?

I've lived in eight states, but I still don't feel like I've been enough places to answer this question! I hope I get the chance to go EVERYWHERE. My most recent dream is to make the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. 


1 fav author? Why?

Janet Fitch. Because I happily wait ten years for each of her books. 

Is this your full time job? if yes, anything else you want to do? if no what else do you do?

Right now, I'm lucky enough to call it my full time job. And honestly? There's nothing else I'd rather do. 

Where can we find you and your books? 

My YA books are available everywhere books are sold. My adult novellas, Temptation's Heat and Temptation's Kiss, are currently digital exclusives on Amazon. 

http://www.amazon.com/Temptations-Kiss-Shadowguard-Series-ebook/dp/B00AHZ2560/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1355763083&sr=8-13&keywords=temptation+kiss


http://www.amazon.com/Temptations-Heat-Shadowguard-Series-ebook/dp/B00AI3A79S/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1355764243&sr=1-1&keywords=temptation+heat

Thank you for coming on Julie's Book Review. I wish you lots of success and hope you and your families all have a Great New Year.
Julie Ramsey
juliesbookreview.blogspot.com

The Vampire, The Witch and The Werewolf, A Threesome Wedding Adventure by Louisa Bacio

The Vampire, The Witch and The Werewolf, A Threesome Wedding Adventure by Louisa Bacio

 

This is book four in the series.  It's all about planning the weddings between the three main characters, Lily, who is pregnant with Trevor the werewolf's baby, Lawrence and Trevor.  Each couple wants their own dream wedding and Lawrence, the Vampire, makes all of the plans to please his two loves, while trying to keep Lily and the baby that they all three love, well and happy. While on their wedding trips, Silver and Nick, Trevor's sister and Lawrence's "son", run the family business.  Things start happening in their part of the city, and someone unexpected shows up to create havoc on some of their friends in the form of a love potion that takes away all inhibition--and free will--in whoever takes it.

 

 

I really enjoyed reading this book.  When I first started, I didn't know it was part of a series, but it wasn't difficult to figure out who was who and what was going on.  It had just the right amount of steam in the sex scenes and there was a surprise when the author described a new way to exchange wedding rings between the three lovers.  If you enjoy paranormal romance with some hot, steamy sex thrown in, this book would be a great read.

 

 

Love-N-Stuff,

-Donna Flint-

Excerpt from Th Hollow Curse by Stephen B Pearl

ADULT CONTENT WARNING!!

Except from The Hollow Curse

Here Bailey, a maverick physician newly come from the east and Ada an emancipated slave living in the Colorado territories of 1874, Come together for the first time. Bailey in keeping with the curse that has hounded the soul mates for centuries is twice Ada’s age.

            Bailey is: A handsome man with gray-streaked, sandy-coloured hair, a broad-shouldered, muscular build and pale blue eyes.

            Ada is: A shapely woman with skin the color of milk chocolate and a muscular, large-busted body. Her face is lovely with high cheekbones and full lips.

Excerpt:

            “You haven’t washed your hands.” Bailey picked up a bar of soap from beside the sink.

            “Course I did, you watched me.” Ada could smell him, it was like baking bread and wood-smoke and all the good things about home rolled into one.

            “You haven’t washed them properly. Let me show you.” Bailey worked the pump spilling water over her hands then began to lather them with the soap. His firm, strong hands glided over her flesh as he stood behind her reaching around to caress her fingers, to stroke her forearms. Ada felt her breathing quicken and her pulse race.

            Bailey let his hands slide over her skin, she was so close. Her neck was practically in his face. A bead of sweat crept along her perfect, milk chocolate skin. He could stand it no more! Without thinking he kissed her neck then licked away the sweat. She spun in his arms, but before he could apologize her lips met his. He felt her soapy fingers caress his cheek. He pulled her to him, crushing their bodies together, loving the feeling of her large, firm breasts pressed into his chest.

            His hands crept down her back and cupped her buttocks, squeezing the firm mounds of flesh. Her tongue pushed into his mouth tasting the sweetness that it held. For long minutes they stood like that, hands exploring each other’s bodies then Bailey pulled away. “Ada, I...”

            She put a finger over his lips. “I reckon there has to be a first time sometime. I want mine to be with you. I... I think.”

            Bailey cupped her cheek. “I know, I believe in love at first sight. I love you, Ada. But I’m an old man. In twenty years--.”

            Ada silenced him with a kiss. “I don’t care now, and I won’t care then.”

            Bailey kissed her then pulled away and smiled. “I think we should wash the soap off first then go to my bedroom.”

            Ada smiled and turning grabbed the pump handle. As she rinsed the soap away she enjoyed the feel of Bailey’s hands exploring her body from behind and the rain of soft kisses over her shoulders and neck. Then it was Bailey’s turn to rinse and her turn to play. Feeling him ridged and long through his pants fascinated and worried her. She wasn’t sure where she was going to put it all, but she was going to enjoy figuring it out.

            Bailey turned and kissed her letting his wet hands run over the work dress she wore. His kisses strayed down her neck and he tasted her skin.

            “Ada, this is mad. I’m old enough to be your father. And your parents--.” He finally said.

            Ada kissed him and their tongues dueled. “Don’t talk so much. Make love to me. I want you to.”

            Bailey kissed her again then releasing her took her hand and guided her to the stair that led to the sleeping loft.

            “I-- Ahhh.” Bailey’s words were lost in a moan as Ada pressed her palm against the front of his trousers and squeezed. He kissed her then followed her up the stairs appreciating the rounded curve of her buttock as they moved.

            Toping the steps they both stopped and stared at each other in the half-light that leaked through the shutters’ slats.

            “I never before.” Ada blushed shy with the reality of what they planned.

            “You don’t have to.” Bailey was torn, part of him longed to take her, to hold her, and the future be damned. The other part saw how young she was, barely twenty, admittedly old for a single woman on the frontier, but young by eastern standards. He didn’t want to hurt her.

            “I want to, but... teach me?” Ada moved so they were almost touching.

            Bailey looked into her large, brown eyes so warm and soft. The duskiness of her skin was exotic and added to his sense of arousal, but mostly this was Ada. This girl who he’d known for mere days stirred such emotions in him. He knew of the followers of Buddha who believed the soul skipped from life to life and wondered if this girl might be the same spirit that had once stirred his heart. Finally what tipped the scales was a simple, animal impulse. He was male, she was female and nothing else mattered.

            His lips met hers in a kiss both gentle and insistent as his fingers fumbled loose the buttons on her dress. His kisses strayed from her lips and down her throat then pulling the loosened dress to the side he exposed the new territory of her rounded, muscular shoulders. She tasted of salt and spices. He kissed back to her ear and nibbled it.

            “Oh God! Bailey, I need you!” Ada’s hands traced patterns over her man’s back then she ran her fingers through his hair.

            Bailey pulled away and began lifting the dress off her shoulders.

            “No. I...” Ada blushed. “I’ll do it. I ain’t never seen a man before in the all together. Will you show me?” She stared at the floor in a sexy, shy way that made Bailey’s blood boil.

            Bailey stepped back unbuttoning his shirt.

            Ada watched then quickly lifted her dress off over her head, her undergarments followed and she stood naked before her man. Her skin was nearly flawless and a life of hard work had left her toned with just a subtle womanly rounding at the hips. Her large breasts were firm and topped with nickel-sized nipples surrounded by large areola.

            Bailey paused in unbuttoning his pants to stare at her, appreciating the long lean expanse of leg and well-toned body. “You’re magnificent. So beautiful.”

            Ada’s blush tinted her cheeks and she motioned for him to continue stripping. She watched the broad, solid expanse of his chest with its light dusting of hair. He turned his back before dropping his trousers, and the solid line of his shoulders came into view. She licked her lips as her mouth went dry. Her pulse pounded in her ears and it was all she could do to keep from rushing up and grabbing him. He straightened and turned. His manhood was erect as long as her two hands stacked and as thick as a duck’s egg. Her eyes swept over him, and he was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. He took a step towards her and she fell into his arms. They kissed and this time his fingers traced over her naked flesh leaving trails of fire that burnt into the core of her.

            “Ada, my Ada,” he whispered as he brought her to the cot-like bed. His kisses strayed over her shoulders then down to her breasts and he suckled her. A moan escaped her lips as she crushed his face into her chest. She imagined nothing could be better than this until his fingers found her womanhood. He traced her length. She felt moisture seep down her leg then, throwing her head back, she fell onto his bed. She knew enough to know that he would thrust into her, and she longed for it, but he didn’t. Instead he kissed her ankle then slowly kissed and licked his way up her long, shapely leg until his pale face looked up at her from the V of her dark thighs. He kissed her sex, sending a tremor of bliss through her then he licked the length of her. She clutched his head to her as her mind exploded with sensation. It may have been hours, it may have been seconds, but after a time she lay still on the bed. Bailey kissed his way over her flat abdomen and their lips met.

            “Thus far we have done nothing that means you’re not a virgin. I must, as a gentleman, ask. Do you wish to continue?” Bailey gazed into her eyes.

            Ada looked up at the handsome face above her, at his graying tousled hair and strong features. There could be only one answer. “Yes, make me a woman.”

            Bailey kissed her and positioned himself. “This may hurt, my sweet Ada. It cannot be helped.” He eased into her.

            Ada felt him press against her most intimate passage. It resisted then gave way. There was a sharp pain. Bailey paused letting her adjust, then eased gently back and forth until he rested fully within her, holding her. He kissed her face, her eyelids, her lips. The pain eased and a strange warmth began to build. It was like they became one. He moved within her and it hurt a little, but she wouldn’t have moved for the world. She held him length-to-length, flesh-to-flesh. His chest hairs brushed her nipples sending lightning bolts of pleasure to her brain. She’d never felt so close to anyone, felt so cherished.

            Bailey’s rhythm slowly increased, and he stared into her sweet, young face. She was beauty and perfection. She was everything.

            Ada looked to the wall where a mirror hung and saw herself entwined with her lover. His pale skin contrasted with her darker complexion, making both seem richer, more complete, right. She remembered her dream and smiled. There would be plenty of time for her to sit astride him later. This time, her first time, she relished the warmth of her man covering her. She kissed him and her passion built. Heat welled up from her sex and her breathing became rapid. Again the world disappeared into a glory of sensation. She recovered just in time to see her man’s face contort and listen as a moan escaped his lips. He collapsed on top of her and they kissed once again. Slowly he softened within her. When her body expelled his manhood he moved so they both lay on the small bed and kissed her.

            “Ada, I love you.”

            Ada’s heart thrilled. Her mother had warned her that men would say anything to get a woman’s virtue, but Bailey already had that prize, and there was no reason for him to lie. “I think I love you too.”

            They kissed then lay in each other’s arms until a pounding at the door disturbed them.

GIVEAWAY GOING ON! CHECK OUT THE RAFFLECOPTER TO THE RIGHT OF THIS PG!

Stephan B Pearl interview

Let’s welcome Stephen B. Pearl to Julie's Book Review. Stephen is giving away 3 e-book versions of his book The Hollow Curse they will be in a PDF format, so don't forget to check out the rafflecopter to the right of the pg.

Welcome to Julies Book Review. Can you tell me a little about yourself?

Let’s see. I’m a middle aged guy fighting a losing battle with a waist line determined to expand. I have worked a lot of different jobs but more as a lifeguard swim instructor than anything else. I’ve been married to a wonderful woman whom I adore, despite the fact she drives me nuts some times, for twenty six years and have no intention of changing that status. I’m a fair handy man and back yard mechanic with strong first aid skills. My politics are all over the map since I think a good idea is a good idea no matter its source though I do lean left of center over all. Really, I’m quite dull my work is where all the interesting stuff is so let’s move on to that.

What kind of books do you write? Newest release?

Now this is a loaded question.

At present my novel length works available for purchase are:

Tinker’s Plague: A post-apocalyptic, science fiction, medical and political thriller, ISBN 978-1-933157-30-6 Available in paperback and e-book formats from Draumr Publishing: http://www.draumrpublishing.com/store/cart.php?target=main

Slaves of Love: e-book: A futuristic, romantic, erotic, detective story of love and madness.

The Hollow Curse: e-book: A New age romance erotica involving past life regression spanning centuries and dealing with love and obsession

Available from Club Lighthouse Publishing: www.clublighthousepublishing.com

Nukekubi: A paranormal, detective novel, ISBN 978-0-9867633-6-6 - eISBN. 978-0-9867633-7-3 Available in paperback and e-book formats from Dark Dragon Publishing: www.darkdragonpublishing.com

In 2013 I have coming out:

Words Apart: a Paranormal Romance involving a wizard from a parallel earth and a second degree Wiccan priestess from our world. ISBN: pending Will be available in paperback and e-book formats from Draumr Publishing:

As well I’ll be venturing into the waters of self publishing for the first time with.

Havens in the Storm: Classical fantasy about a prince who must become a wizard to save his people. ISBN: pending Print and e-book.

This doesn’t mention my shorter pieces in anthologies such as

The Pagan Writers Press Sabbath series: http://paganwriterspress.com/

Morbid Seraphic: http://www.crushingheartsandblackbutterfly.com/index.html

Hot Shots Volume #3: http://www.breathlesspress.com/index.php?main_page=product_free_shipping_info&products_id=390&zenid=qrprsi5i6595ot0scdul0k7116

I’m also trying to market a space opera, Cloning Freedom, and a semi-hard science fiction book, Deep Black Charter, where humans have an interplanetary technology but no FTL capacity.

So for this question there is no easy answer. If it’s one step to the side of “normal” I’ve probably played with the idea. I write what I’d like to read that way I stay interested and I feel that interest reflects into the writing.

What should we expect in your book? action, adventure, drama etc.

See above… I guess I should elaborate. J  In my work you can expect a lot of action and a fast pace. I like characters that get on and do something instead of agonizing about the consequences of their actions. As much as I love speculative fiction I also feel that worlds must have a logic to them and a character’s actions have consequences. If you interrupt a Japanese Goblin’s feeding schedule it may well decide that your parents will be the next meal. One thing you should expect is flawed people doing their best in a bad situation. To me our flaws define us as much as our virtues and flaws can be exploited for conflict so my heroes are in no way perfect, moral, caring, brave, but not perfect. As to my villains, I try to make them three dimensional. The Nukekubi, Japanese Goblin, in Nukekubi doesn’t think of himself as evil. Frankly, he wouldn’t care anyway sociopaths rarely do. The political villain in Tinker’s Plague is selfish and self serving; he’s a politician, go figure. That may have been somewhat unjust. I don’t think that all politicians are incompetent, self-serving scum just about eighty percent of them, so I apologize to the twenty percent who actually give a damn whether I agree with you or not.

Enough of me shooting off my literary mouth.
How do you get ideas for your books?

I open my eyes. Take Tinker’s Plague. I asked myself based on current fossil fuel reserves and what is being done to deal with environmental problems what the world would be like in a hundred years. After I stopped trembling under the covers I increased the time frame to two hundred years so that things would have stabilized a bit. That gave me the basis for my world. I extrapolated the high tech societies that held on around the old hydroelectric plants and what the rest of Ontario would be like. I also looked at global trends and when I uncurled from a fetal position I decided that I could reasonably restrict my book to the great lakes region. Truth is, due to the moderating effects of the great lake distance above sea level and fresh water reserves Ontario is likely to be less hard hit by the coming changes. This illustrated something actually. After the initial concept the research will supply a lot of the ideas that flesh out your book.

Next I asked what would be a valuable skill set for dealing with the dark lands, areas without electricity. That gave me my tinkers, Doctors of General Applied Technologies; highly skilled Jacks of all trades who travel the dark lands helping people bootstrap themselves back to energy abundance.

Now that I had my world and my hero’s profession and skill set I needed a conflict. Several presented themselves but I happened to watch a news piece on Bio-research facilities about the time I was making these decisions and it seemed providential. A plague unwittingly released by the descendants of those who survived the collapse of society.

After this it was all reasonable extrapolations to make the characters and fill out the world.

If you have ever made a module for a role playing game, RPG, you’ve done the start up work for generating a novel. The too are more similar than many would like to think.

To sum it up in a book everything must flow naturally from the world you are setting the action in. So where do I get my ideas from.

1)      What if the world was a certain way or contained certain elements.

2)      How would this change the world?

3)      Who would rise to face the challenges created by these changes (my protagonist)

4)      Who would profit at the expense of others (my antagonist)

5)      What specific thing does my hero need to address? (My conflict which grows out of the circumstances of the world.)

6)      Who else would exist in this world as a logical consequence of its nature?

7)      After that I just have fun.

Anything in your stories based on real experiences?

Quite a lot but not all.  I think we all draw from our experiences. I have spent time in all the real world environs I use in my books. I also incorporate bits and pieces from my life and experience often in a twisted form.  I’ll leave you all guessing when it involves my smutty books. ;-)

Toughest criticism? Best compliment?

“I think it’s a pipe dream,” among the last thousand or so words my father said to me before he died, it was in regards to my writing. The source and the circumstances        are what made it hard to take. He never forgave me for not becoming an Air force office and an MD, his unrealized dreams. Fathers and sons, one of us had to be the grown up.

The best complement has been repeated several times. People who bought Tinker’s Plague have come up to me at personal appearances smiled said hello scanned my table picked up Nukekubi and pulled out their wallet. They didn’t even ask about the price. That tells me I did my job and did it well.

Another one I received was a nine and a half star review from a reviewer who averaged about six stars and had reviewed things as low and one star. Some reviewers always give high ratings. This is very nice and Gods bless them for pulling up peoples ratings on the various websites but as a reader I question its value as a purchasing tool. With a person who gives a range of ratings the review reflects an honest opinion. It may be a flawed opinion, but it is meaningful for people who share that reviewer’s taste. That nine and a half star review means a lot to me.

Any advice for aspiring authors?

Get out while you can! There is little money in it, it consumes your life, people don’t get what it takes, it’s harder than you think it is.

Now if you are still so masochistic and or addicted that you have to write, may the Gods have mercy upon you, write what you love. If you try and churn out something production line style it will smack of that. This isn’t to say you don’t have to work at it. Think of yourself as a craftsman. Each book is a custom piece. A cup may be a cup but the unique qualities the potter brings to a hand thrown and fired cup are what distinguishes it from something mass produced in a factory.

This being said, the potter works the wheel, he / she will spend hours turning cups and so must the writer. So in particle terms, write, turn off the TV, sit down at the computer and put something on that screen, not solitaire! Get the words out and don’t worry if they stink making it good comes later at the start just write.

When you have a story down realize this, no matter how much you love it at this stage it is a steaming pile of what the cow left behind. So now you edit. Make every word pull weight. Look at the characters, are they all important? Can you combine two or more into one? Do you give your audience a reason to care?

After you’ve done your first edit start over and edit it again. Then take it to a writers’ group. I prefer on line writers groups because all people see is the work just like with an audience. Take the suggestions you receive from the critiquing group look for common threads and repetitions then go back and fix the problems in your work.

Now you can either go through the critiquing process again, the smart thing, or shell out a lot of money to get a professional editor to go over your work. I have the advantage of being married to a technical writer which saves me a lot of dosh. Fix the work once more.

Then and only then should you approach a publisher or consider self publishing.

It can take years from starting a book to when it’s published, keep this in mind at the start.

All the cautions aside I will say this. When you hold that book in your hand, have people come up to you and praise your work, know your words have touch someone it is a marvelous feeling. Just be prepared for all the blood sweat tears and effort that precedes that moment.

How about some fun stuff?

Dogs or cats?

Cats, three at the time of this writing.

1 Fav book? why?

Lord of the Rings, within this tome is the template for living an honorable life and a story of the will indomitable. The language is like a poem and the characters are a nearly pure expression of the character archetypes all fiction draws on. I write in a completely different style than Tolkien but I recognize a true master of his art.

Favorite place to travel?

Thus far England in future I’d love to visit Egypt.
1 fav author? Why?

J.R Tolkien, see above.

Frank Herbert, his works weave together all aspects of society and humanity in a logical manner where you can see why things are as they are.

Living authors: Jim Butcher, the Harry Dresden wizard for High books bring a flawed yet moral man fighting the good fight empowered by knowledge into the modern era.

I love the Jim Butcher as well, His wife's is awesome as well! Shannon K Butcher

 
Where can we find you and your books?

Tinker’s Plague: Draumr Publishing: http://www.draumrpublishing.com/store/cart.php?target=main

Slaves of Love: and The Hollow Curse: e-books only: Club Lighthouse Publishing: www.clublighthousepublishing.com

Nukekubi: Dark Dragon Publishing: www.darkdragonpublishing.com

WORLDS APART: coming soon: Dark Dragon Publishing: www.darkdragonpublishing.com

Thank you for coming on Julie's Book Review. I wish you lots of success and hope you and your families all have a Happy New year.

Julie Ramsey

Julies Book Review 

Thank you for having me and may the blessings of the strengthening day be yours and all that you desire increase with the sun.

Stephen B. Pearl http://www.stephenpearl.com author of

Tinker's Plague a post apocalyptic, science fiction novel,

Slaves of Love a science fiction, romance, erotica novel,

The Hollow Curse a paranormal romance, erotica novel.

Nukekubi a paranormal, detective, action adventure

Review of Lykaia by Sharon Van Ormen

Lykaia
Sharon Van Ormen
 
Sophia is a medical examiner who is deeply rooted 

in science and fact. When her two brothers temporarily

 move to Greece to explore their roots, they become

 fascinated by folklore and tales of werewolves, kings,

 and priests. Shortly after their move, Sophia and her 

mother stop receiving calls and emails from them. When

 three months pass without any word from either, she

 hops aboard a plane to Greece in search of them. While

 going through their apartment looking for clues, she

 discovers one brother's extensive collection of notes

 and research on the werewolf folklore. Although she

 believes the tales to be completely absurd, having 

nothing else to go on she follows her brother's research

 hoping it will lead her to them. Along the way she 

uncovers truths she does not want to see nor believe,

 truths that completely contradict laws of nature, and 

eventually she must accept these truths in order to survive.
 
This book was very exciting, and had a great historical

 aspect to it. I couldn't stop reading. The detail the

 author got into when describing the history of the

 folklore and in detailing ceremonial rights was excellent.

 My only complaint would have to be that the book jumped

 around a bit, following different characters over the 

course of thousands of years, and was occasionally hard 

to keep track of where you were at and at what point in

 history. In the end, all I can say is, IS THERE GOING

 TO BE A SEQUEL???

Kristin
 

Lee Thompson Blurbs and Excerpt Jan 1

Jeremy's Kiss Blurbs and an excerpt!

Blurb:
Murder A college student receives an assignment to solve an unresolved murder. The case brings her into contact with a world she never believed existed. Vampires living among humans. Hidden in plain sight. Contact with vampires brings her a new case to solve. The murder of the man she loved.



Excerpt

(Present Day)
Natalie stood at the kitchen sink to wash the blood off her hands, the sweet luxurious blood covering her hands and her right arm up to her elbow. Even the little drops of blood touching her skin on her face and neck felt like little pleasures of life to her skin. The blood was life, the source of her nourishment and immortality. She knew she needed to drink it to survive, but the feel of it on her skin was like a wondrous drug to her senses.
The scent of the blood filled her nostrils, urging her to taste it, to drink it and let it fill her with life. She could feel her fangs pushing against the inside of her bottom lip. She wouldn’t drink any of this blood though. They deserved to be dead and she would not allow even a portion of their blood to live inside her.
She turned on the water and thoughts of Lady MacBeth crossed her mind. The image of washing the blood from her hands passed through her mind before her hands touched the water.
The water was like a bucket of ice thrown onto her while relaxing in the bathtub. Losing the pleasure of the blood on her skin was so intense it felt painful.
From the living room behind her, she could feel Steve’s sanity slipping. He knew he had just helped kill the man who employed him. He knew the two dead bodies in the living room were as close to friends as he had known in his life. He also knew he had been powerless to do anything but help Natalie kill them.
He wasn’t slipping away from her though; the link between them was going to last longer than his sanity. The thoughts of sharing his fall into insanity were far more unsettling than washing the blood and flesh from off her hands and arms.
Looking back, she wondered how she got to this point.

Don't forget about the rafflecopter to the right of this page. Awesome giveaway and much more to come!

Review of Eternally Yours by Kelli Scott

    Eternally Yours

Prom night should be a time that is happy and holds good memories for adults. Luke has nothing but heartache and longing. His girlfriend was taken from him on prom night, he had been left for dead and she was never seen again. After many years in a psych ward and learning how to cope with the incident. He had a gut feeling she was out there. So as he made more money, he placed rewards, Internet site and what ever he could think up to at least try to find out what had happened to his girl whom he had loved.

This was a different twist on a love story. It surprised me. It is VERY short. The author could have made this one a full length book, very easily. Would have been a great full length story or even a prequel (hint hint). In some short books, you can get away with having only 20-50 pgs. But I get a story line that could be awesome and I did want more of this story. So it was defiantly worth the read (lunch time book), I really hope the author writes a longer version if this story or even a book for after this one! I would read/buy it!! ADULTS ONLY!!

Review of Just What She Wants by Barbara Elsborg

Just What She Wants

Indiana or Indie for short, just got tricked into a vacation to the states. Her best friend knew she needed to get away. Her last boyfriend had hurt her (emotionally) and Christmas time just brings back everything full force. So when she realizes she is going alone, she almost decides to turn back around and just go home. It is hard to turn away a all inclusive resort  though. When she gets to the resort, she realizes that it is more than what she has ever thought. When she meets 2 attractive men, she wonders if maybe this resort may offer her a chance of a lifetime. Kyle and Marc have been together for a while. One had been seriously hurt in a accident that killed someone near and dear to them. But while one is hesitant , the other wants to have what they have talked about for years a third in their relationship. When they see Indie, they think, she just may  fit the bill.

This was a very good menage. You get a laugh about her name but the author does a really good job about how much pain all of the characters are in (emotionally and physically). None of them know it yet but they are truly meant to be. Great sex scenes, good story! Worth the read, I would read this author again!

Lee Thompson Interview jan 1

Lets welcome Lee Thompson to Julie's Book Review. Lee is giving away your choice of Paperback or Kindle version of Jeremy’s Kiss, so don't forget to check out the rafflecopter to the right of the pg.

Welcome to Julies Book Review. Can you tell me a little about yourself?
Hi Everyone.  I am a new author who is learning so much about what it means to be an author.  Currently I provide Quality Assurance for a manufacturing company, and I hope someday I can be a full time writer.  I was born in Georgia, but now I live in Washington state.  I published my first novel April 2012 (Jeremy’s Kiss).

What kind of books do you write? Newest release?
I like to write Fiction – Thrillers with elements of other genres (such as Romance, Mystery, Action, and more).  Jeremy’s Kiss is still the newest release.  I am currently working on a novella that is more likely to fit Romance than thriller (but it won’t read like a Harlequin Romance).

What should we expect in your book? Action/sex/drama
I consider Jeremy’s Kiss to be rated R for sexuality and violence.  You will find elements of drama and action.  There is some romance.  In the end there are several twists and turns, some things are resolved and some things are left open for a possible sequel.

How do you get ideas for your books?
Jeremy’s Kiss was born from two different ideas.  The first came through playing games with friends.  I developed a story line for one of our games and that became the foundation for Jeremy’s Kiss.  Later I started writing a short story and I realized it would merge very nicely with the foundation I had developed, so I did merge them and it was an amazing success.  That short story gave me what I needed to start developing characters that I needed to be able to write the book.
The next book I am writing comes from my own need to deal with some difficult emotions.  It is accumulation of personal experiences that I am rolling up into two characters.
I have another story idea to be written at an undetermined date.  I don’t recall exactly how I got the idea, but it was a bunch of ‘what if’ questions that led to a thought that I realized was very original.  I want to see it written and available.

Anything in your stories based on real experiences?
My thrillers (Jeremy’s Kiss, Jeremy’s Kiss sequel – pending, and Immortals – pending), are not based on my personal experiences.  The next work I will publish (Island of Regrets) is based on an accumulation of my personal experiences.

Toughest criticism? Best compliment?
The toughest criticism I get at this point is that there is an error in the book such as a misspelling or a grammar mistake.  My best compliment.  A newspaper reviewer printed that he hopes I find a representative and a publisher very soon.

any advice for aspiring authors?
The first advice is write for yourself.  I didn’t write Jeremy’s Kiss for anyone but me.  It was my story and I wanted it to be good enough for me (I am also an avid reader).  I didn’t write for a publisher, or even with the dream of seeing it published (that came later). 
The next advice is never be afraid for your story to take a direction you didn’t expect.  Maybe your subconscious has come up with an idea that will have a huge impact on the story.  Sometimes you just have to follow through and see what happens.

How about some fun stuff?
I can play the violin.  I am taking lessons, but I have reached the point where I feel comfortable to say that I can play.  I am also an avid Football fan, I am one of those guys who can have games on all day long on Sunday (and keep up with my college team too).  I am also a hunter during hunting season, and I love camping.

Dogs or cats?
Sadly I have 3 cats.  I don’t really want 3 cats, but they came with the family and it isn’t up to me to say whether or not they stay.

1 Fav book? why?
Catch 22 by Joseph Heller.  Wow, that was an amazing story.  I was completely shocked by how much I enjoyed that book, and at the end of the story I found that I wanted to cry.  Talk about pulling on emotions, books don’t do that to me.

Favorite place to travel?
In the US – just let me get away to the mountains, forest, hills, or wherever it is that is away from people, or crowds, or tourist attractions.
Outside the US.  I like England.  I can’t explain it, but I feel so relaxed and comfortable there.

1 fav author? Why?
Robert Jordan.  Author of The Wheel of Time series.  Jordan has an amazing way of weaving an incredibly intricate story with amazing characters and places.  The series will span at least 14 long books, and he was not able to see it to the finish.  Another writer has stepped in and is doing an admirable job of completing the story.

Is this your full time job? if yes, anything else you want to do? if no what else do you do?
I wish this was my full time job.  I have so much in my head that I simply need to get written, and it’s really hard to find free time.  My full time job is in Quality Assurance in a manufacturing company.  I am also a husband and father, and those take my time as well.

Where can we find you and your books?
Jeremy’s Kiss (and all future books at this point) are available on Amazon.com in print and on Kindle, and are also available for Nook.  Jeremy’s Kiss is also available through other online retailers, and hopefully someday will find space on bookstore shelves.

 http://www.amazon.com/Jeremys-Kiss-Lee-Thompson/dp/144146820X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1355145560&sr=8-1&keywords=jeremy%27s+kiss

 http://www.amazon.com/Lee-Thompson/e/B007WDA2FQ/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1355145741&sr=8-1

 http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/jeremys-kiss-lee-thompson/1110020731?ean=9781441468208

Thank you for coming on Julie's Book Review. I wish you lots of success and hope you and your families all have a Great New Year.
Have a wonderful NEW Year!!
Julie Ramsey
juliesbookreview.blogspot.com