My Personal Review for Nothing Ever Happens by Sue Brown

When author Sue Brown sent me her latest release, Nothing Ever Happens, II wasn't sure what to expect. Sure it would have the romance I love between two people but other than that I wasn't sure what to expect from this story. I am glad to say it blew me away. Nothing Ever Happens is a story that had me laughing one minute then crying the next-and I don't mean those few tears you cry when the allergies hit or the wind causes. Those big soul deep sobs that leave you exhausted in the end.

Sue Brown has given her readers a powerful, heart wrenching story that you will need a box of tissues to read. I was blown away by the sheer emotions that you feel throughout the story. Laughter, love, sadness, anger, passion are all felt by the reader as they follow Andrew and Nathan on their journey to a happily ever after.  Nothing Ever Happens is a story not just about two gay men but about two people who have baggage, fears, vulnerabilities and more to overcome in order to have their desires realized in the end. Ms. Brown captivated me from the moment I opened this latest book from her and I just could not put it down. It was riveting to experience the ups and downs these two men experience in their lives as life’s twists and turns took them, first, to their heart’s desire and then far from it. I stayed up late to finish it and found myself feeling every emotion the characters felt as I read Nothing Ever Happens. 

Trying to put this book down was hard. You just had to read another page and then another...another until you were up till the wee hours just to see what would happen next for Nathan and Andrew. The heartbreaks, the passion, the friendship and the love all come out between the characters and though I wanted to hate a few of the secondary characters, I really couldn’t. The story was more than a romance between Andrew and Nathan; it was also about finding out who you are inside and out, accepting it and living with the consequences of your actions. This author delivered a few twists that had me gasping in disbelief as I turned the pages wondering how this could happen. The characters stay with you long after the last page is read. 

Love isn’t smooth or Disney made but messy, wonderful and full of experiences. Ms. Brown delivers all that and more in Nothing Ever Happens with gusto. She is a talented author who knows how to make a story shine, with a few of little things to keep the reader on their toes and with characters you cannot help but fall in love with. Nothing Ever Happens is a book I plan to read again, this time with two boxes of tissues next to me. 

If you are looking for emotional stories, complex and believable characters and a passion so timeless, then pick up a Sue Brown book. This author is now one of my favorite GBLT authors to explore and I can’t wait to see what she has in store next for her readers.

My rating: 5 Stars 

*Please be aware that the author did not pay me for this review.*

Welcome Author D. C. Juris/Excerpt

So let’s get this party started. Please tell us about yourself. What got you interested in being an author? Hi there! Thanks for having me. I was born in Florida, but moved to Upstate NY in 2001. I'm a transgender man, and I live with my husband, four small dogs, and three cats.

Can you tell me a bit about your most recent/upcoming release? I've got a 7-story anthology called "Simply Smut" due out in a few days from Breathless Press. The stories consist of 4 m/m stories, 2 transgender stories, and one female masturbation story.

For any readers who may not have read any of your books, can you just give us a little sneak peak into your world (i.e. the type of genre you write, type of stories you like to write....etc)? I write all across the spectrum in regards to pairings - I write m/f, m/m, f/f, and transgender. As far as a preference, I'm more comfortable with m/m or transgender, but I enjoy the challenge of m/f. Although my stories are anywhere from sweet (no sex) to heavy, bloody BDSM, all of my books can be categorized as romance, and they all have happy endings. As far as settings, I typically write contemporary or fantasy.

How much of yourself, if any, do you put into your characters? Some and none. I do draw on my own experiences for my transgender characters. But all of my characters have their own backgrounds and personalities. We have very little in common overall.

Is there a genre you haven’t done that you would like to explore in the future? I haven't done a historical. I'd love to, but frankly the amount of research just terrifies me.

If you could throw a party with any five people (living or dead) who would you pick and why? Oscar Wilde, Edgar Allan Poe, Gerard Butler (he has to arrive naked, just because he's so much fun to look at), Tim Curry, and Ron Jeremy. Yep. :-)

What are at least five things you have on your bucket list and have you done any of them? I don't have a bucket list. If I want to do something passionately enough, I'll make it happen.

Is there one series/author you feel is a must read for readers to explore (can be e book authors or print NY house authors)? It all depends on the genre.

Do you listen to music when writing? Do you feel like some stories write themselves a soundtrack with specific music? If so, what book and what kind of music influenced it? I don't feel like any of my stories have a soundtrack, however I do have a specific playlist that I listen to when I'm in the mood for music when I write. It's a varied list that ranges from Pearl Jam, to Nirvana, to The Black Eyed Peas, to Ludacris, to the Benedictine Monks of Santo Domingo de Silos.

What is coming up for you in 2011? 2011 is turning out to be a busy year for me! I've had four releases so far, and have at least three more, including another story featuring Calliph and Mateo, my werewolf/werecat pair.

Are any of your characters just like you or have personality quirks/traits of you or someone you know? My character Derek is probably the closest thing to me on paper.

Where can readers find you on the web?

www.dcjuris.com

www.facebook.com/dcjuris

www.twitter.com/dcjuris

http://dcjuris.livejournal.com

and I'm published at:

www.torquerepress.com

www.fannypress.com

www.breathlesspress.com

www.nobleromance.com

www.mlrpress.com

www.ravenousromance.com

 Sneak Peek into Simply Smut  Anthology

Available at Breathless Press

Excerpt from "Rub-a-Dub-Dub"

Amber closed her eyes and leaned back in the tub, resting her head on the curved edge. She thought back to earlier in the day, to the website of erotic stories she'd run across at work. She'd been doing a search for a favorite romance author, and had wound up finding one by the same name, with a different spelling. But the stories she discovered weren't romantic at all, but steamy, hot tales of pure, unadulterated sex. Sex for the sake of sex, and, while she had initially turned up her nose, she hadn't been able to suppress a little bit of curiosity. 

She'd gone back to the website and was soon opening tab after tab in her browser, pouring over tale after tale of all kinds of sexual acts—anal sex, oral sex, BDSM, even homosexual sex—and then there were the things she'd never even heard of. The story about cock docking had nearly done her in. Such imagery in the authors' words! She had pictured every story in her mind, and by the time the end of the day rolled around, she had worked herself into such a sexual frenzy she'd barely been able to keep her cool when she'd stepped out of her office.

She'd hurried home, fed the goldfish, grabbed up her favorite sex toys, and gone immediately for the bathroom. Now here she sat, hot water up to her shoulders, still just as turned on as she had been when she'd left work.

Excerpt from "Torn"

Torn's not like any other place you've ever been. That planet has a soul—remember that. She'll demand your respect, and you'd do best to give it.

And in true human fashion, William had dismissed the words of his superior officer. Ten years of living in the barely-describable-as-civilized wilderness of Torn without incident had only served to cement his belief—no, his conceit—that nothing could stop him. There existed nothing that William, indeed any human, couldn't conquer, couldn't bend to their will. Couldn't convert.

Except Torn. She'd proven that, at last, and taken back the land from terraforming, digging, and drilling. Torn had handed down her revenge. The storm—the natives called it The Great Anger—had come on quickly. No preceding black skies, no foretelling howling winds. No time to react. No warning. Nothing.

Crudely built, the wooden shanties they had lived in had splintered and crumbled under the powerful gusting gales. The Great Anger had ripped mighty trees from their roots as if they had not been rooted at all, careened them through the air like they'd weighed no more than twigs. They'd become weapons in Torn's plan, a way of bringing about even more damage as they were slammed through walls and rooftops. Quakes had split the roads open, torrential rains had flooded the cities. In its wake, the Great Anger had left nothing but devastation.

My Personal Review for Morning Report by Sue Brown

When I picked up Sue Brown's Morning Report, I was just expecting a simple tale of two cowboys falling in love and finding their HEA. What I got was something much more. A story of two people fighting to  live their life as gay men together in a small town. Discrimination, friends who turn against them and a relationship tested for the first time. This is all what Morning Report is and more. Ms. Brown is one author I have on my auto-buy list since you get some highly emotional stories that resonate with the reader.

Morning Report is about a couple, Simon and Luke, who have been together for ten years.  They run Luke's family ranch, live as quiet as possible and keep their head down though Luke does have a temper at times.  When a new preacher comes to town, all that changes when this man preaches that the devil is in the town and in the process, gets the town folk all riled up. Small mindedness, discrimination and more happen when Luke and Simon find out and all hell breaks loose as they fight not just for themselves and their relationship but also for the ranch as some narrow minded individuals try to force them to leave in any way they can.

 What I love about this story is it has an established couple who find their relationship is tested in a way they never experienced before. It is a story that has you laughing one minute, swooning the next then to switch it up, crying like a baby. It runs the gauntlet of emotions from the first page to the last. Ms. Brown does a great job in keeping the storyline moving at an even pace with humorous scenes sprinkled within to lessen the heavier parts. The characters are well written, multi-dimensional and deliver strong performances-even the secondary characters get involved which I loved.

Morning Report is more than a M/M Western story, it's also about finding a way to live the life you want in a time where there are places where you may not be welcomed. Ms. Brown is a talented writer who continues to deliver stories that claim her readers hearts and souls. If you are looking for a well written, delightful Cowboy story, then I highly recommend grabbing Morning Report. I do want to mention there may be scenes that may not appeal to you (i. e. sizzling sex scenes). If oyu haven't picked up a Sue Brown book, what are you waiting for??? RUN-don't walk-to grab this and her other books to enjoy. I know I am.

My rating: 5 Stars

Morning Report is available in print and e-book from Dreamspinner Press

Guest Author Day with Berengaria Brown

Can you tell me a bit about your most recent release/upcoming release?

"Paige's Passion" blurb

Paige is sent on a business trip and invites her good friend Madeline to go with her. They’ve been lusting after each other for some time but Paige was worried that taking the step to a sexual relationship might destroy their friendship. At the end of the second night they are committed to an ongoing relationship together.

But when they get back to their ordinary lives Paige is consumed by her job. Paige desperately wants the relationship to work, but her career is very important to her and Maddie is so easy-going. Can they ever be happy together?

STORY Excerpt WARNING Lesbian Romance

"Shit, Paige, this's a really nice suite. Are you sure it's okay for me to be here with you?" asked Madeline, looking around at the solid wooden doors hiding the huge flat-screen TV and mini-bar, and at the ultra king-size bed.

Paige opened the drapes wide, exposing a fantastic view across to the river, which was dotted with yachts and other sailing boats. "Of course it's okay. Wait 'til you see the bathroom, Maddy. It's something special. Go, look at it."

"Oh, wow, this is great. Two would definitely fit in this Jacuzzi and in the shower. And there's a separate room for the toilet. That's really classy." Madeline's voice echoed back to Paige.

At forty, Madeline's hair was still a shiny chestnut with no signs of gray, her hazel eyes were always alive with fun, and she flitted from job to job as the mood took her. Paige, ten years younger, considered her short, dark brown hair and brown eyes positively dull beside the vivacious Maddy.

Paige grunted some affirmative noises, but her eyes and her mind were on that huge bed. She sat on the side of it and sank deeply into a cushy mattress and puffy quilt.

I'll finally be sharing a bed with Maddy. It's what I've wanted to do for so long. She turns me on so much more than any man ever has. And I know she's bisexual, she makes no secret of that. But does she desire me in that way? And if we fuck, will that ruin our friendship? We get on so well together. Will taking our relationship to a sexual level destroy our ability to have fun together? Gods, I wish I knew what to do here!

"Hey, wake up! Let's go try out the pool and hot tub on the roof," suggested Maddy, bouncing back into the room.

"Good plan. You change in the bathroom and I'll change here. But you have to put your clothes and shoes back on; they don't let you in the hallways just in swimwear."

"Not a problem," responded Maddy, grabbing her tote bag and heading back into the bathroom.

Paige changed into her plain navy one-piece and hastily dropped an equally plain navy A-line skirt over it. She was buttoning up a pale blue shirt when Maddy called out, "Okay to enter?"

"Yeah, sure," Paige replied, moving over to her luggage to grab her flip-flops.

Paige's heart began to beat so hard it almost drummed its way out of her chest as she looked at Maddy. Her friend was wearing a bright candy pink and orange tankini that should have clashed horribly with her hair, yet somehow looked stunning. Maddy's lush breasts stretched the top enticingly, her hips rounded out the bottom, and her belly protruded just the slightest bit, making a smooth-flowing curve across the garment that was very enjoyable to look at. Her legs were long and straight and slightly muscled, yet very feminine.

Maddy dropped a pink sundress over her head, slid her feet into matching pink sandals, and asked, "Are there pool towels, or do we need to take towels with us?"

"When I went up to look at it before you arrived, there was a stack of pool towels on a table by the door."

"Excellent. Let's go."

Paige grabbed her keycard and followed Maddy to the door, trying not to drool at her friend's yummy ass swaying beneath the sundress. It was even worse as they got off the elevator and walked up the few steps to the pool entry. Maddy's calf muscles flexed and stretched. Her ass swung slightly and Paige's cunt clenched with desire. She's my friend. Just a friend. Someone to hang out with and talk to. Not a lover, she told herself sternly.

Buy Link: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=3121

For any readers who may not have read any of your books, can you just give us a little sneak peek into world?

Berengaria Brown is a multi-published author of erotic romance: contemporary, paranormal (ghosts, vampires and werewolves) and Regency-set historical. She loves to read all different kinds of romance so that is what she writes: one man/one woman; two women; two men; two men/one woman; three men…. Whatever the characters need for their very hot happily-ever-after, Berengaria makes sure they get it.

How much of yourself, if any, do you put into your characters?

I seem to turn up in a minor character from time to time. I’m not sure why. It just happens.

How do you keep sex scenes fresh and exciting so they don't become stale or repetitive?

The characters very much decide what they want. Some days I just seem to take dictation! But also, since I write menage, MM and FF there’s lots of differences and variety there.

If you could throw a party with any five people (living or dead) who would you pick and why?

I’m a huge James Bond fan so Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig. Yeah, I know, that’s six, but hey, I gotta have the whole set! Why? Hell, who could resist so much yumminess, and the potential thrill of a car chase or two, an explosion, and some bad guys breaking up the party so I could be rescued. Awesome!

What are at least five things you have on your bucket list and have you done any of them?

I’ve always loved traveling and my day job includes a lot of travel, so I’m fortunate in that I’ve been just about everywhere. It’s pretty awesome being paid to do what you enjoy.

Is there one series/author you feel is a must read for readers to explore (can be e book authors or print NY house authors)?

Georgette Heyer is likely my all-time favorite author. She introduced me to historicals and to romance as a genre.

Do you listen to music when writing? Do you feel like some stories write themselves a soundtrack with specific music? If so, what book and what kind of music influenced it?

Rainforest noises, birdsong, waterfalls, that type of music helps me concentrate.

 Do you feel your writing is character driven or plot driven? How do you balance these two elements?

The characters just appear in my head and take over. They yell, and scream, and stomp their feet until I write their stories. The plots just seem to happen as we travel along, although the plot gives me the most trouble as I have to ensure it’s logical and consistent.

Is there a genre you haven’t done that you would like to explore in the future?

I write pretty much all over the genres: menage, MM, FF. I even have a straight MF story, and a sweet romance! I write paranormals (ghosts, vampires, werewolves), and Regency-set historicals as well as contemporary. The series I’m currently writing is vaguely futuristic. So I think I basically have it all covered. Something for every taste!

 What is your favorite movie of all time? The one where you can watch
it and still get affected at the same spots each and every time?

Any James Bond movie, but especially the Roger Moore ones.

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what 5 things would you
have with you?

A hunky man, a solar-powered laptop, a fishing line, sunscreen, chocolate.

What is the one era you would love to go visit and why?

Regency England. Georgette Heyer: need I say more?

Out of all your books, do you have a favorite one? If not, then which one is closest to your heart?

A good Momma doesn’t have favorites, but I’m always closest to the book I’m currently writing, as those characters are living in my head 24/7.

What character out of all your books is the closest to your personality?

None of my heroines is me. (None of my heroes is either!)

What do you feel is the most important aspect a new author should remember when writing/creating their own stories? Any advice for aspiring authors?

Write what you care about, what interests you. And polish before submitting to a house that publishes books similar to yours.

What can we expect to come in the future from you? Want to give us a tease of your upcoming projects?

The first book in what I hope will become a new series is coming from Siren BookStrand in July. It’s called “Shared Possession, the series will be “Possessive Passion” and they are set in a world where brothers chose a bride and abduct her to be their shared wife.

Where can we find you on the net?

Berengaria Brown

http://berengariasblog.blogspot.com/

http://berengariabrown.webs.com/

Friend me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter

Thank you for having me!
Berengaria

My Personal Review for Seven Days by Andrew Grey

I don't know about you but when I picked up my first Andrew Grey book, The Best Revenge, I didn't know I would find an author I just had to read over the next few years. Each time I grabbed the newest book from this author, I always thought, "He can't get any better than the last book" and I was always proven wrong. Andrew Grey is a talented writer, one I know will always deliver a story that will leave me crying, laughing and smiling-sometimes all at once too.

Seven Days is this author's brand new release and one that completely hooked me from the beginning. I can't imagine the emotions an author experiences when he writes a pivotal scene(s) yet when a reader like myself is bawling their eyes out because of something he/she has written, well all I can say is "Pass the tissues".

Mr. Grey delivers a strong, emotional story about one man's journey through loss and despair to finding that slim sliver of hope shining through when life closes one door and then proceeds to open a new one for you to walk through. Evan Donaldson is that man and this is the journey he goes on in Seven Days. I can't begin to put my thoughts into words as they tumble like a sparkling brook over rocks. The reader feels every emotion Evan has and experiences and finds that silver lining under all those gray clouds.

Evan is a character I fell in love with the moment he stepped off the first page-dirty, scared, resigned to life on the streets at a tender age. The moment Father Valentin steps into the picture, you get a sense of how one door closes for Evan and another beckons-if he is willing to trust one man who doesn't want to hurt him. First love, changing lives, friendships and more are experienced by the reader as Evan travels through the years in Seven Days. Mr. Grey has a knack for creating the right amount of mystery, tension and romance in his stories that will completely captivate the reader.

Seven Days is more than a story of two people falling in love, its about faith, trust and the sense that life may give you a few twists but in the end, you find that what you are searching for is worth it in the end. Kudos to Mr. Grey for creating this heartfelt, emotional story and I look forward to seeing what else this author may have in store for his beloved readers. 

My rating: 5 Stars

Welcome Ryssa Edwards today

Can you tell me a bit about your most recent release/upcoming release?

In my most recent release Michael, Archangel of War has been Banished to the mortal world. In the last year of his Banishment, he falls in love with Laine, a mortal. Warrior Angel, Heart’s Desire tells the story of what Michael and Laine have to do to stay together.

For any readers who may not have read any of your books, can you just give us a little sneak peak into world (i.e. the type of genre you write, type of stories you like to write....etc)? I write m/m paranormal romance. It’s not the classic “boy meets boy” romance. It’s more like romance/adventure. My characters have to fight against great odds and take incredible risks if they want to stay together. In the world I create Michael is Archangel of War, Raphael is Archangel of Healing and Lucifer is Archangel of Hell. They’re brothers who may disagree, but ultimately do what it takes to help each other. Azriel is a Hunter angel who used to be a warrior.
How much of yourself, if any, do you put into your characters?

I put a lot of myself into my characters. The one trait about me that makes it most clearly onto the page is my determination. If there’s something I really, really want, there’s no way I’m stopping till I get it. And well. . I’ve always wanted wings.

How do you keep sex scenes fresh and exciting so they don't become stale or repetitive? I keep my sex scenes fresh by pretending that every sex scene I write is the first one I’ve ever written. I think through the characters’ eyes. What would an Archangel of War be thinking when he’s making love to the mortal he wants to be his mate? What would a mortal be thinking when the Archangel he loves is holding him? I draw heavily on my character bios when I’m creating sex scenes, so that each scene between my characters could not happen in exactly that way with any other two characters.

If you could throw a party with any five people (living or dead) who would you pick and why? Peter Pan, because . . . the party would be at his place—Never Land. Stephen King, because maybe if he touches me at the party, his writing will rub off on me. Michelangelo, because his art is so alive, it speaks after all these centuries. I want to write like that. Carl Jung, because the unconscious is my playground, and he seems to know it best. Clarissa Pinkola Estes, because she’s right, the best treasures lie hidden in the dark.

What are at least five things you have on your bucket list and have you done any of them? I call my bucket list my “Future Resume”. The five things are: (1) live my life like I mean it (check); (2) write a m/m vampire romance novel (working on it); (3) develop a new writing skill every year (check); (4) read an entire series from beginning to end (working on this); (5) go to New Orleans and meet a real vampire (still not undead).

Is there one series/author you feel is a must read for readers to explore (can be e book authors or print NY house authors)? Definitely the Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J. R. Ward. It’s sheer entertainment, and proof that if a writer believes strongly enough in an idea, it can be sold.

Do you listen to music when writing? Do you feel like some stories write themselves a soundtrack with specific music? If so, what book and what kind of music influenced it? I always listen to music when I write. I don’t feel like the stories write a soundtrack, so much as the fine details of a story arise from songs with a certain feel

 Do you feel your writing is character driven or plot driven? How do you balance these two elements? Before I sit down to write a story, I do character bios on both main characters. I do this so that whenever I come to a divergence in the plot, I can ask myself, “What would [character] do here? With all the things he’s been through in his life, with his hopes and dreams and fears, how would he handle this?” This helps me to develop a character driven story, even when the plot is heavily laced with “adventure” or “action”.

I balance the character driven element by asking different questions at crucial turning points like, “Which plot line will advance the romance? Which plot line will force the characters to reveal more about themselves and how they feel to each other?”  I like to create a story that’s tense enough to keep readers wondering, but not so herky-jerky with action, that they lose interest.

Is there a genre you haven’t done that you would like to explore in the future? I would love to write a thriller / mystery / romance. Is that even a genre?

What is your favorite movie of all time? The one where you can watch
it and still get affected at the same spots each and every time? Star Wars. I can watch it over and over and still be thrilled each time at that big leap across the pit on the Death Star. I still feel like cheering when Han Solo makes that last shot on the Death Star.

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what 5 things would you
have with you? War and Peace, because. . I wouldn’t get interrupted, would I? Tarot Cards, because I’d see my rescue coming. A bottle with an airtight cork. Paper. A Pen.

What is the one era you would love to go visit and why? Whatever era Star Trek happens in. I want to go boldly explore and. . .I really want a microwave that cooks for me. I press a button, food comes out. Yeah. I’m ready to explore that.

Out of all your books, do you have a favorite one? If not, then which one is closest to your heart? Dark Angel, All the Stars is my favorite novella. It was difficult writing Lucifer because he seemed so invulnerable, and when he finally let me in to how he felt and why, it felt like a hard won victory.

What character out of all your books is the closest to your personality? Probably Kayne from Dreaming of a Kiss. I’ve lived through a lot of things in my life, but on many days, it feels like I’m just starting out, and there’s so much more to learn.

What do you feel is the most important aspect a new author should remember when writing/creating their own stories? Any advice for aspiring authors? The most important aspect to remember is to have fun!  In your rough draft, just let it happen. Go with the story. Don’t try to drag the story out of yourself, just sit back and let the story tell itself. If you trust yourself enough, it will. My second piece of advice is. . . don’t let the rejections  get to you. Keep writing and keep believing.

What can we expect to come in the future from you? Want to give us a tease of your upcoming projects? I’m working on the third novella in the Immortal Pleasures series, Hunter Angel. It’s the story of Zane and Azriel. After that, I’ll be working on the final novella in the series, which will be Raphael’s story. In June my short story, "The Moon House" will be included in the First Time For Everything Daily Dose. Very soon I’ll be starting a m/m vampire romance novel. It involves vampire warriors, fallen angels, a key and a black rock. That’ll be coming up next year.

Where can we find you on the net?

You can find me at:

My blog

Facebook

 Sneak Peek into Warrior Angel, Heart's Desire

  Coming Soon at Silver Publishing

Michael is the archangel of war, Banished to Earth. In the last year of his Banishment, he falls in love with Laine. But hour by hour, they're ripped apart by forces they can't control, because when Michael's Banishment is over, he'll lose Laine forever. They're given one chance. Laine must risk his life. Michael must risk his wings. What is love on the other side of forever worth?

"He's all I want," Michael said.

His brother landed beside him. Raphael, Archangel of Healing, avoided his brother's eyes. "He's mortal, Michael."

"And I'm Banished."

"We are of the Spirit World," Raphael said. "Invisible, untouchable to mortals. When you return to us, you'll be as He created you."

Michael stroked a black marble tombstone, running his fingers over the raised letters. In a few decades, that was all that would be left of Laine in the mortal world. The thought ignited Michael's fury. He kicked it over, leaving it flat and cracked. "I'll be alone."

"Why bring this sorrow upon yourself?" Raphael's voice was what every suffering mortal hoped to hear when they prayed to his statues. "Your exile is nearly over. Until then, his mortal body is yours to enjoy."

"I don't want just his body," Michael said, "I--"

Overhead a raven cawed and fluttered to the ground. His black wings curving up from his shoulders, Lucifer came to stand between his brothers. He drew a heart over Michael's armor. "I'm touched. In love with a mortal who spreads his legs for you, does things for you even I can't talk about, worships you to the soles of your feet." He rapped his knuckles against his brother's gold breastplate. "Get this Banishment thing done. War isn't the same without you."

Michael tossed his head back, flung his arms out. "You know how the flesh is. What's happening to me?"

"You're turning into a man too in love for his own good."

"Why didn't you mark Aeryn?" Michael said, and regretted it the moment he saw the pain that came into his brother's eyes, but he went on. He had to know. "Laine keeps asking me, but I don't think he knows what forever means to us."

"They don't, Michael. They can't." Lucifer rubbed his hands over his face. "I would have marked him that night. I waited that long because I wanted to be sure. And you see how that turned out."

"He'll be back," Raphael said quietly.

Lucifer rounded on his brother. "Don't shine any of your white light on me, not about Aery."

"It wasn't his fault," Michael said.

"Yeah, he can save every mortal on Earth except the one I loved." Lucifer's voice was low, bitter. He closed his eyes and took a moment to gather himself. "If you mark Laine, you're the only immortal he can be with, ever, in any lifetime. And you won't be in this realm much longer."

Something tugged at Michael, a feeling, a sense that Laine might be in danger. His dark green eyes on his brothers, he said, "I need your help. I can't go before the Council. But you can."

"Go to Laine," Raphael said. "We'll do our best."

The flaming sword across Michael's back felt useless, almost wrong. He spread his white wings. A whirlwind of grave dirt, dead leaves, and forgotten flowers swirled at his feet. His thick black hair blew around his strong face as his body faded into the whirling mini storm of his wings.

Joyee Flynn Blog Tour Stop/Contest Announcement

CONTEST ANNOUNCEMENT: One lucky Commenter will win a copy of Carson. To be entered, comment or ask Joyee a question and winner will be announced her on my blog on April 19th.

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Hi Joyee, welcome to Dawn’s Reading Nook. I am thrilled to have you here. So let’s get this party started.

Q: What got you interested in becoming an author? Was it something you always wanted to do or just in the last few years?

Honestly, since I was a kid, but I've always been very numbers oriented, crazy literal and logical. I guess I just wrote for fun thinking I didn't have enough creative aspect to ever do it for real. I lost a job a few years ago and decided pretty much to really just go for it. Doing what I thought I was "supposed" to in life with my degrees in corporate America made me miserable. So I sat down and in two weeks churned out a 100k mainstream book that had been in my head.

Q: Tell us about your latest release(s). Are they part of a series and if so, can you give us the book order for readers please?

My Maven, My Everything: Sons of Thanatus #1 is the first in a new series. And it's about the closest I'll probably ever get to contemporary though they're immortal and can see souls. LOL.

Carson: Resistant Omegas #2 (the first being Tristan) is my take on how bigger isn't always better and Omega doesn't mean weak. Hell, small doesn't mean weak to me either. I really had fun pushing the boundaries of what people are used to with pack werewolves and mates.

Isaac Dragos: Beyond the Marius Brothers #1 was actually a demand from Stormy Glenn's & my own Yahoo Group. Isaac plays a vital role in Remus: Marius Brothers #2 and after #3 came out, they started talking because I said I was going to work on Victor #4 that was released last month and holy crap did everyone just jump in and beg for his story. Which was a trip for me because I'd never thought to give him one. I promised I'd think about it… and when I did I sat down and just cranked out 17k words the first day I worked on it. It was CRAZY and just took a life of its own. It's chronologically after Victor #4, but since he's not a Marius Brother I gave him a spin off series name in case I come along other characters in that world that need a story as well.

Q: You write solo and with Stormy Glenn. How did you meet Stormy and decide to write together?

I emailed her with an outline of idea for the Delta Wolf series, some of my own works in progress, and pretty much just begged she give me a chance. Luckily she liked the idea.

Q: Who has been the most delightful character to write about? The most challenging to write about?

That's hard to answer… it's kinda like picking a favorite family member. All of my main characters, have at least a little bit of me in their personalities in some form or another. Riley from the Marius Brothers is one that's a LOT like me I think because if I could do college over again in an alternative universe I would have gone to medical school so he's my vicarious living.

Reed in Lust & Vamp was challenging because it was a way for me to work some things. The way he dances, what it means to him is how writing is for me. So it was very challenging to get it just right for my perfectionist personality.

Q: I loved Micah, the first book in the Marius Brothers series. What gave you the idea for this series? How many other series do you have out or are in the works?

I honestly can't remember, I wrote it well over a year ago. I wanted to do vampire brothers, but the name came about when my pup kept crawling under my desk and licking my toes because he wanted to play. I promised him I'd name it after him if he'd let mommy work. So that's how it got the name.

I have twelve. Nine currently out by myself, one in the works & a secret project. One co-authored series with Stormy Glenn. And one was just announced as a joint project with Stormy & Gabrielle Evans. We're doing something very different and unique. We've been having a blast working on it and we think everyone's really going to love it.

Q: What do you do when your muse decides to be a pita and not communicate with you? How do you kick start the muse again?

I've yet to really lose a muse, it's more picking one while all the others stay quiet in my head for a while. But when I'm stuck or need to figure out where to go with a story I either go outside & play fetch with pup until we both burn off the extra energy or start cleaning.

Q: I know you enjoy food and coffee. What is your favorite comfort food to enjoy? What is one of your favorite coffee drinks at Starbucks to grab?

Besides chocolate… Alana, the brat, got me addicted to Cheryl's frosted sugar cookies. I've actually got one hanging out of my mouth as I type this, LMAO. For mornings, I'm a Quad Iced Venti Peppermint Which Mocha no whip gal. If it's an afternoon pick me up & warm enough out then I'm a caramel white mocha frappe girl but that's rare and I only do Starbucks on release days or when I finish a new book as a treat.

Q: If you could meet any author (living or dead), who would it be and why?

I have like six that immediately pop into mind from all over the place, so I can't just pick one, lol.

Q: What got you interested in writing M/M romance genre? Is there a sub-genre you haven’t done yet but want to in the future?

I read it & thought it was just hot. It was something in my mind that I could play a lot with action and suspense while still having the romance element without too much chasing around the desk that drives me a little nuts as a reader.

Someday I want to be like Charlaine Harris when I'm all grown up. I like the continuing stories where there's so much awesome action with some sex & love thrown in. I've written a couple of mainstream books along those paranormal lines that I've not worked on getting published since I started writing under Joyee. Maybe in that spare time I don't have one day… maybe not though. I'm kinda just going with the flow for now.

Q: So where can we find you on the web, Joyee?

www.joyeeflynn.com; Facebook, & I have a Yahoo Group

 Sneak peek into Carson, Resistant Omegas #2

Siren-Bookstrand

Available HERE

When Carson's old inner circle is challenged and overthrown he knows that he will become the Omega for the new Alpha and his Betas. After all he barely survived the abuse dished out by his last circle and he knows that, as defective as he is, he can only hope to keep the punishments at bay for so long.

Declan, Ian, and Taylor have never wanted to run a pack, but after seeing Carson and realizing how he was being treated at the hands of certain members of the pack, they couldn't stand by and let him suffer. But while they may have won their dreamed of Omega they quickly find it becoming a nightmare. 

Can they help their Omega realize his worth or will he forever be an Omega without hope?

PG excerpt:

“Yes, I swear it,” I said with a soft smile. “I’m not crazy. I’m telepathic.”

“You thought you were crazy? Oh hell, please tell me you didn’t believe Alpha Peter when he said you were schizophrenic?”

“Yeah, I did.” I shrugged. “But we all talked, and they’re going to give you my release papers that you can send to the High Council if they ever beat me or let others use me.”

“Good,” she said, narrowing her eyes at Declan. “And I won’t hesitate to do it if you ever lock him up like that again either.”

“We were trying to protect him.” Declan sighed. “I thought he had stuff to do in that room. We weren’t trying to punish him.”

“Okay, I believe you,” Dorothy replied after a moment. Then she leaned into me and whispered so they couldn’t hear. “Are you sure you want to show them the studio?”

“How did you know?” I whispered back.

“Because you only smile like that when you’re going down to work,” she smiled and gave me another quick kiss on the cheek. “You boys run along, and I’m going to make lasagna for dinner. If I make your favorite, you have to promise to eat and get some meat on those bones.”

“Yes, ma’am.” I giggled as we left the kitchen. Ian kissed my forehead gently before we went down into the basement. “I could get used to this kind of treatment.”

“I’ll carry you around always,” Ian said, getting choked up. “Just don’t ever scare me like that again and make it to where I have to carry you.”

“I won’t, I swear. I am sorry,” I replied as I moved to kiss his lips softly. “I didn’t know anyone cared, but now that I do, I promise I’ll stick around.”

“Good, because there’s a lot more to life than you’ve ever been shown and we want to give it to you,” he whispered in my ear as we reached the basement. I pointed to the back corner. When we got there, I tapped his arm so he’d let me down. I moved around and pulled off the tarps that I had covering my work so it looked like storage instead of a hidden studio.

“Fuck, these are amazing, Carson.” Taylor gasped as he picked up my painting of the Alpha house. “Where did you learn to do this?”

“You mean did I have any training?” I asked, giggling when he nodded. “No one taught me how to paint. I just picked up a pencil one day and started drawing when I was a kid.”

“Who knew our gorgeous love was so talented,” Declan said as he stared at a landscape of the pack lands. “I can’t get over how gifted you are, baby.”

“Thank you, but that’s not what I wanted to show you,” I replied as my face heated up. I pulled a canvas out from behind a stack of blanks and handed it to him. It was a smaller one, about two feet by two feet. Declan gasped as he took it from me. “See, I saw you that day, too.”

“Shit! He could be looking in a mirror,” Ian whispered as he moved next to our Alpha. I’d painted a portrait of each of them, Declan was holding his. I wasn’t lying. I had seen them that first day at the Omega claiming ceremony with Alpha Peter. While they were staring at that one, I pulled out the paintings of Ian and Taylor.

“I thought you three were the most gorgeous men I’d ever seen,” I said softly as I handed them their portraits. “I was so sad that I couldn’t paint you right away. It was a couple of months until Dorothy helped me set this up in secret. But these were the first things I did when I moved in here.”

“Can I keep mine?” Ian sniffled as he glanced up at me. “This is coolest thing anyone’s ever done for me. I’d really like to hang mine in my room if that’s okay with you?”

“You really like it? You’re not creeped out that I’m some stalker or something?”

“We took over an entire pack to be with you and keep you safe. And you’re worried we think you’re a stalker from a gorgeous painting?” Ian said with a laugh as he gently put his painting down as if it was made of glass. Before I could even reply, he lifted me up and swung me around the room. “You can’t stalk the willing, baby. I love you, and I think you’re truly gifted.”

“Thank you,” I whispered as I started to get choked up with emotions. I wrapped myself around him, nuzzling his neck in a very wolf-like gesture as I memorized his scent. “I’m glad you like them.”

“I think we should move your studio to one of the sitting rooms that has a lot of light,” Declan said as he kissed my cheek. “If that’s what you want, I mean?”

“I want to see a movie,” I answered instead, taking another leap. “I’ve never been to a movie theater, and I really want to.”

“We’ll go as soon as you’re feeling better and healed,” he replied with a wide smile. “Anything else?”

“Can we go to a restaurant? I’ve never been to one of those either.” I was thrilled down to my toes that they were wanting to do things with me.

“We can go anywhere you want, baby,” Taylor said as he leaned over and kissed my other cheek. “I’m sure there are lots of restaurants in Chicago for you to try out.”

“We should do, like, a date night once a week.” Declan smiled widely at all of us as if he was proud of his idea. I was just happy that they were trying so hard.

“That sounds perfect,” I whispered. “And yes, I’d love to have a studio with actual light instead of a lone lamp.”

Talking with Scarlett Hyacinth

Let's get right to it. What comes first for you when you sit down to write a book? Plot, setting or Characters?

It depends. Usually, it’s a little of all the three, but mostly a vague idea of the characters and the plot. The setting evolves as I write. World building in my books is very important and grows more and more, especially in series. For example, in my Deadly Mates series, the first book was originally meant as a stand alone werewolf/were-snake story. It became much more and the setting evolved a lot as I wrote the following books.

Tell us about your latest release/upcoming release. What inspired it?

My newest release is called Awakenings and is a ménage m/m/m/m story with twincest elements. It is a fantasy, and the story rotates around three mermen who struggle to come to terms with their taboo emotions and do so only by the intervention of a fourth in their relationship. As for what inspired it, I've always been fascinated with mermen. There's just something about them that makes me love all stories dedicated to mermen. For me, mermen are beauty, strength and magic, like the sea itself.

What do you find the most difficult to write? Dialogue? Back story? Emotion?

Probably the back story. Sometimes it is difficult to keep the balance. I want to show the world and the characters as I see them and for that reason, I write elaborate back stories. Emotion is the easiest, because in the romance is emotion, whether it is erotic or not.

Do you write full time, what is your schedule for the day? Or do you have a full time job, if so, when do you find the time to write?

I write full time now, since I've finished my master's last summer. Generally, I wake up quite early, and try to write as much as I can in the morning. I take a break at lunch, then in the evening, I either return to my current work in progress or edit something else. Often it varies, depending on cover questionnaires I get or other assignments I have.

How do you keep sex scenes fresh and exciting so they don't become stale or repetitive?

Well, it's easier when you write ménage, because you have more to work with, and I've written quite a lot of ménage lately. I like to add the occasional kink or change the dynamics between the characters. Changing the setting also helps – I've been known to write sex scenes over a branch, on a bathroom sink, in a cave, inside a computer system, etc.

If you could throw a party with any five people (living or dead) who would you pick and why?

Only five? LOL. For the first three, my best friend, Orlando Bloom, Manna Francis. Why? Orlando Bloom is my forever crush since seeing him in Lord of the Rings and I'd love to discuss m/m with Manna Francis. As for my best friend, I'd pick her because I'd want to share this amazing experience with her, of course.  For the fourth person, I'm oscilating between Jules Verne, Karl May and Tolkien. They are the mainstream authors I love most. Finally, for the fifth person, I'm undecided between Vlad the Impaler and Yamane Ayano. I'm fascinated with history of all types. I'm curious to see what Vlad would say if he found out he is now considered a vampire. And Yamane Ayano is my favorite mangaka and an amazing artist. I'd love to meet her. 

What do you find easiest and most challenging about writing a series as opposed to a stand alone novel?

The most challenging thing is to keep track of everything you've written in the previous books and preserve continuity. I'm not sure what the easiest is – but what I like the most is that it allows all the characters you create to grow, therefore giving you more freedom to move around in each book.

You write primarily Manlove erotic romances. What drew you to write these types of stories?

Many people have asked me this question and I'll tell you what I told them. There are many reasons why I write m/m. First of all, it offers a depth to the characters. Gay relationships still have to fight against a lot of prejudice, and this is an angle that adds to the story, even in a paranormal setting. Secondly, I have more emotional freedom with the characters. In an M/F, the heroine always has to be strong and keep the man/men in line. Tears are rarely allowed. But if a man cries, it's okay, because it means he's in touch with his sensitive side J (Of course, that doesn't mean we have to make them sniveling babies either.) Finally, it's hot! I love it. Once you go m/m, there's really no turning back.

You have a lot of different series that you write.  How do you manage your time to work on them all and how do you keep track of the various projects/worlds?

I write as it comes to me. I love series because I'm very fond of all my characters and can rarely be persuaded to give them up. They all demand stories of their own, and I have to give them. I do try to be organized. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't. You can't force it, because the story is useless and bland if you do.

When did you first think about writing and what prompted you to submit your first ms?

I've been thinking about writing ever since I was a kid. I still have my first writing attempts lost somewhere on my pc. I began to do so more seriously after a friend challenged me to write a story together. That project is on hold now, although we hope to get back to it. Anyway, after she lost interest, I started writing on my own. Another friend, also an author of m/m, Rayne Auster, talked to me about submitting and eventually, I did.

What are some of your favorite things or hobbies to do when not writing?

I love to read of course and to listen to music. I'm also in love with manga – for those people who don't know what it is, let's call them Japanese comic books. Another thing I enjoy a lot is watching movies, particularly fantasy and paranormal (some things never change). I'm a big fan of The Lord of The Rings.

What can we expect from you in the future?

More, more, more J. I'm continuing my older series, and I am working on the next books in three of my series: Deadly Mates, Bloodkin and Guardians. As a small parenthesis, the first book in the Guardians series came out a few weeks ago, and I expect the first book in the Bloodkin series in a few months, both from Silver Publishing. My next release after Awakenings, Artie the Good Witch, is a bit of a change, being my first ever comedy. I also have a few surprises in store, so keep an eye on the website.

Who are some of your favorite authors, and if we were to visit your home, what books would we find on your bookshelf, end table, floor or e-reader?

Currently on my end table you can find The Danube Pilot by Jules Verne and the Heaven Sent series by Jet Mykles. In my ereader, the largest space is occupied by the Administration series by Manna Francis. I also have fiction by Alice Montrose and a couple of stories by Abby Blake. On my bookshelf, among other things, you would find a lot of manga. My favorite magaka (manga artist) is Yamane Ayano.

How do we find out about you and your books?

  I am all over the place on the web.

• Contact email: scarlet.hyacinth@gmail.com
• My website: http://scarlethyacinth.webs.com/
• My Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000898624333
• My blog: http://scarlethyacinth.blogspot.com/
• My LiveJournal: http://scarlethyacinth.livejournal.com/
• My Twitter: http://twitter.com/scarlethyacinth
• My Google group: http://groups.google.com/group/scarlets-slash?pli=1
• My Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3149556.Scarlet_Hyacinth
• My publisher links:
• Siren Bookstrand: http://www.sirenpublishing.com/scarlethyacinth/
• Noble Romance: http://www.nobleromance.com/BrowseListing.aspx?author=94
• Silver Publishing: http://silverpublishing.info/index/book_authors_id/89/typefilter/book_authors

Awakenings

Blurb

Mermen twins Jaden and Chrys have been scorned all their lives by Atlantean society. The only one who cares about them is Prince Aurus. But when Aurus and Chrys fall in love, they leave Jaden an outsider. Secretly, Jaden wants his twin, but he keeps his sinful affection well hidden. After they are separated from Aurus, he is the only one who can comfort Chrys, even if only in a brotherly manner.

When the Atlantean king concocts a plan to hurt them, Jaden and Chrys run away, and their paths cross with Aurus's again. This time, though, a strange force interferes in their lives. A dark, powerful beast that lives in the depths of the ocean calls out to Jaden, luring him toward its lair. With Jaden in danger of disappearing forever, Chrys and Aurus are faced with a choice, a realization, and a decision. Will mysterious Vaar finally help the three mermen see the truth, or will he end their very existences?

Link: http://silverpublishing.info/product_book_info/coming-soon-c-2/awakenings-p-263

Excerpt

Sighing, Jaden tried to force himself to rest. Just when he thought he'd succeed, a small moan tore through his consciousness. He tensed and his eyes shot to his twin. Like before, Chrys clung to Jaden, but the peaceful expression had vanished, replaced with something that looked like pain. Concerned, Jaden pressed his hand to Chrys's shoulder, intent on shaking his twin out of the nightmare.

But then the worst possible thing happened. A gasp escaped Chrys's lips, and he actually leaned into Jaden's touch. His tail rubbed against Jaden's and when their scales made contact, Jaden bit his lip to suppress a groan. Pleasure shot through him, and he answered the intoxicating motion, thrusting back against his twin.

Chrys's moans turned louder, incomprehensible mutters, out of which Jaden could only catch a few random words. The occasional "yes" spurred Jaden on, his mind melting at the sensations that shot through him. There was no awkwardness, no fumbling. They simply fit together. How could they not? They'd been born that way.

He thought he even heard his brother call out his name, and realized in glee he'd been worried for naught. Chrys wanted him, just like he wanted Chrys. They'd be all right.

And then, among all the yeses and mores, Jaden understood one other word. Aurus. His brain instantly cleared, the haze of pleasure disappeared, his irrational hopes dashed. Of course. Of course his twin wouldn't have a dream about him. It had all been an illusion.

For the first time in his life, Jaden couldn't look at Chrys. If he stayed in this room, he'd die of heartache.

Carefully slipping out of the small bed, Jaden headed toward the door. After a final glance in his twin's direction, he went out. By now, he knew Chrys could take care of himself and the bandits would not bother him. At this point, they'd been separated many times because of their individual expeditions into the Atlantean capital. But where to go? Where could he possibly find refuge when nothing went as he wanted it to? His heart hurt, and he couldn't figure out any solution out of this inescapable situation.

The call from the distance returned and Jaden threw an angry glare toward the Forbidden Zone. Someone or something wanted him to go there. Very well. He'd go, and if the beast ate him, so be it.

Not allowing himself to change his mind, Jaden swam toward the dangerous abyss. He idly noted that the closer he got, the more barren the entire area seemed. In the end, there were no fish or vegetation left, only rock and sand. The darkness, though, seemed to have a life of its own, and Jaden shuddered, already regretting his decision.