Six Sentence Sunday

Welcome to Six Sentence Sunday! This week I am posting a random six sentence portion of my best-selling, m/m short story, RIP CORD, available here at Phaze Books.

When did he get naked?

Rip was like a sculpture, his body toned, his muscles distinct under his tanned skin. A fine sheen of sweat glistened those rock hard muscles. His cock was just as hard as Gil’s. Rip had his hand wrapped around his own shaft, stroking much slower than Gil. It was a lazy, slow motion, almost a preparation of sorts.

Check out some of my other fellow authors' Six Sentence Sunday!

Dee Carney

Alanna Coca

Hailey Edwards

Sara Brookes

New Release by guest Dawne Prochilo: SEX SELLS: ARE YOU BUYING

Erotic romance author and online sex advice journalist Dawne Prochilo released a self-published book, Sex Sells: Are You Buying on Feb 20. The ebook is a compilation of online relationship articles Dawne wrote for various men's websites.

Sex Sells: Are You Buying is available on smashwords.

Novels by Dawne Prochilo
Available at International Agora and Amazon
Crape Myrtle July 2009
On Her Own July 2009

Available at Secret Cravings Publishing, Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Room 11
Rachel's Desire
When We Meet Again

Tales from the Slush Pile

By guest blogger Misty Malone

So how many of you know that when an author sends a query letter off to an agent or editor, sometimes the agent/editor never even sees it? And no, I’m not talking about Postal Service fail or the vacuum of cyberspace eating a lost email. These days, many houses and agencies have gotten so overwhelmed by the sheer amount of unsolicited query letters they receive, they’ve had no choice but to ask for help. Enter: other published authors.

For the last year, I’ve been lucky enough to offer my services as one of these Slush Pile Readers for an agency in New York, and let me tell you, it’s been a wakeup call. The sheer amount of rookie mistakes—that every author can avoid just by doing a little, tiny bit of homework—makes me want to spork some people.

But don’t worry! I’m going to give you a short list of just some of the mistakes that make slush readers like me mark your letter for the Rejection pile within the first thirty seconds. And for the non-writers out there, think of this as a sneak peek into the world your favorite authors came from, emerging from the slush like Nessie from the Loch.

1) “Dear Sir/Madam”

• Okay, really guys? It doesn’t take much to surf the ‘net for the proper names (and properly spelled names) of the agents/editors you’re submitting your work to. If you want them to give your query the proper respect and consideration it deserves, show them the same courtesy and address your queries properly. Ditto for avoiding slang-y greetings and anything overly informal: things like kthxbye, omg, l8r, ;-) , and ‘sup should appear nowhere near your query letter.

2) Get to the Point

• Truth is, agents/editors don’t really what inspired you to write this book. They don’t care if your cat, mother, neighbor, or the brain-eating zombie in your dreams told you to write it. The purpose of a query is to sell your product; i.e., tell the buyer (otherwise known as the agent/editor) exactly what the book is about in three paragraphs or less. Leave the other stuff for the book tour and interviews.

3) Avoid the Squick Factor

• I have seen tons of queries that try to catch attention by being overly graphic, disturbing, or flat-out gross. This includes any mention of bodily functions, graphically described X-rated acts, or human/animal torture. Don’t laugh—I’ve seen it done. Even if you write horror, just give the agent/editor a brief (five sentences or less) summary of the main plotline and a reason to care about your characters. Save the gore for the actual manuscript.

4) Be Professional

• Remember when I mentioned your query should be professional? Well, beyond addressing it to the right person, you want to make sure it’s in an easy-to-read, business-style font (such as 10 or 12 pt Arial or Times New Roman). For e-queries, delete the hyperlinks and pretty font colors. Always double-check that your correct contact information appears somewhere on the query (near the bottom is usually preferred). In case you’d been considering it, queries written in crayon, Wingdings, or alpha-numeric code will be automatically rejected. Proper punctuation is a plus. While you probably won’t get slushed for missing a comma or two, not using a single capital letter or period will make query readers like me want to shove a Strunk and White’s down your throat.

5) What Not to Say

• Please, for the love of Barnes and Nobles, in your queries avoid using phrases such as:

o “I don’t know what genre to call this.”
o “I know your submissions guidelines say not to do this, but I’m going to do it anyway because I’m just that spechul.”
o “This book has no beginning, middle, or end.”
o “You may call this experimental fiction.”
o “I’m a great writer, but need you to tell me if this story idea is any good before I waste more time on it.”
o “So let me tell you about my super, awesome, guaranteed-to-earn-a-gajillion-dollars future New York Times Bestseller. I’m about 5,000 words into the first chapter but can totally tell you who should be cast when they make it into a movie.”
o “Manifesto”

(And nope, I’m not making those up, folks. I really, really, really wish I was.)

Though specific guidelines vary between houses and agencies, it’s the writer’s responsibility to find out what those differences are and tailor their queries appropriately. Unless you’re planning to line your cat’s liter box with all those “Thanks, but no” rejection letters you’ll receive, take my advice and avoid becoming another casualty of the slush pile.

Check out Misty Malone's Phaze releases here:
http://www.king-cart.com/Phaze/product=Misty+Malone

Thursday Thirteen: 13 Awful Business Names

13 AWFUL BUSINESS NAMES:

Thank you to PopHangover for these goodies!

At least SOMEONE is getting lucky!

Which is more dangerous: A woman with PMS
or a woman with a weapon? How about both?

I can't even figure out what kind of business this would be.

WTF Wednesday

Brenda, please lock your doors and hide. Brenda Brenda Brenda Brenda Brenda Brenda!

Six Sentence Sunday

Welcome to Six Sentence Sunday! This week I am posting a random six sentences of my best-selling, interracial menage, DOUBLE DARE, available in ebook here at Loose Id, in paperback here, or for your Kindle here.

She saved her drink before it could spill all over her ugly bridesmaid dress. Yeah, that would have been a shame: to ruin such a nice, frumpy, pukey pink taffeta dress. One the bride had said she would be able to wear in the future. Like to a cocktail party. Or maybe her own funeral. Yeah, right. No one in their right mind would want to get caught dead in this thing.

Ruining the dress wouldn't have been a loss, but losing her drink would have. She was drinking slammers for a reason—to get good and drunk.

Check out some of my other fellow authors' Six Sentence Sunday!

Dee Carney

Alanna Coca

Hailey Edwards

Sara Brookes

New Release: EVERYONE'S MAN by Edward Kendrick

Blurb:

Colin Wilcox, a male whore who only takes clients of the same sex, is gang-raped while on the job. Needing medical attention he's taken the local ER and meets Dr. Rivers. Reoccurring flashbacks provide small images of his brutal rape and he’s forced by Detective Keyes to handle the emotional fallout of being victimized.

Detective Keyes, a rape victim himself, is assigned to solve the crime. When a second boy is gang-raped, he needs Colin‘s help to catch the perpetrators. He tries to use his own personal experience and attempts to help Colin understand he’s not to blame. A slow but sure friendship unfolds between the two men that turns into love, stunted by the traumatic event. With the perps in custody and Colin able to move forward, the next battle is underway. He must learn to lower the barrier that will allow him to let another in for mental and physical support. Only then will the two lovers be able to consummate their tender passion.

Excerpt:

Colin’s eyes widened when he saw the man standing there. “Damn and double damn,” he muttered under his breath.

Bill had to agree, although he wasn’t about to say so. If this was the detective, and the badge he was flashing said it was, he was definitely not fifty, nor fat. Quite the contrary. Bill figured he was in his mid-twenties, and obviously lean and muscular.

Keyes waited, a slight smile on his face. Finally, he broke the silence. “May I come in?”

“Sure, sorry. You weren’t quite what we were expecting.” Bill stepped aside to let him in. “I’m Bill Snider. The young man over there is Colin Wilcox.”

Keyes nodded as he crossed to look down at Colin. “Do you mind?” he asked, pointing at the empty space on the sofa.

Colin shrugged, watching him cautiously now.

Keyes sat and took out his notebook, flipping to a blank page. “I’d like to know what happened. You don’t have to go into details if that makes you uncomfortable. I just need to know how and why you ended up with those men.”

Worrying his lip, Colin glanced over at Bill. When he received a look of encouragement, he began telling the detective how he’d first met the man who had been instrumental in his rape.

“You never saw him before that evening?” Keyes asked.

“Nope. He was a new client, or at least new to me. We met in the room, he…” Colin swallowed hard. “I won’t do the S&M scene or bareback. A bit of light bondage is my limit. He wasn’t happy about that. He got angry, pulled a knife, I got cut, and got the hell out of there before he had a chance to do anything more.”

“He came with a knife. That’s interesting.”

“Interesting?” Colin chuckled morosely. “More than interesting I’d say.”,

* * * * *

“Can I ask a question, Detective Keyes?”

“Of course, and call me Dane.”

“Okay, Dane.” Colin smiled shyly at him for a second before getting back to what he wanted to know. “This kid they killed, was he in the business too?”

“At the moment, we’re not certain. We’re still trying to locate family or friends to find out more about him.”

“If he’s a whore like me, you might be shit out of luck,” Colin told him.

Keyes winced a bit at Colin’s bluntly calling himself a whore. That elicited a tight smile from the young man.

“That’s what I am, Dane. Why sugarcoat it?”

BUY LINK

Interview with Edward Kendrick, romance author

Please welcome author Edward Kenrick, who has a NEW release tomorrow with Silver Publishing, titled Everyone's Man!

• When did you get started writing and what motivated you to write?

I started about four years ago after joining a fanfic group. I decided to try my hand at it and was surprised to find that people liked what I wrote.

• What genres do you write in and why?

I write primarily male/male because I like the interaction and, honestly, the lack of the ‘gushy’ factor people expect of male/female pairings; although I have done a couple of those and some M/M/F as well. I deal in contemporary setting and have humans, vampires and shifters.

All of, or the majority of my stories, have a mystery of some sort as part of the plot line. I’ve done cops, private-eyes, and just people drawn into trouble and having to solve the crime to get out of it.

• What do you have published and where?

My first book, ‘Everyone’s Man’, is due out on Feb. 19th from Silver Publishing.
http://silverpublishing.info/product_book_info/coming-soon-c-2/everyone-s-man-p-185

• Tell me about some of your WIPs?

I’m just finishing a vampire/shifter, M/M story I call ‘Lies and Misunderstandings’. I think that one will lead into a new one about one of the sub-characters from it.

I have many more that I’m thinking about submitting; a trio of urban fantasy ones, a couple with characters who are in the theater, and blah, blah, blah. –grinning-

• Where can we find you on the Internet?

http://edwardkendrick.blogspot.com/
http://edwardkendrick.multiply.com/
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4541493.Edward_Kendrick

• What do you like to read? Who are your favorite authors?

I tend towards mysteries, fantasy and horror. My favorite author at the moment is Dave Cullen because of his book, ‘Columbine’. Otherwise, I own almost all of Lackey’s ‘Valdemar’ series, I like Richard Kadrey, J.D.Robb, Brent Weeks, Koontz, some of Stephen King’s, anything by Neil Gaiman, the list goes on and on.

• How do people react when they find out your are an author?

There’s the ‘You are? You’re kidding’ factor, followed by, ‘You write WHAT?’.

• Do you like writing your hero or heroine better? Which POV do you prefer?

I prefer writing males, and in the third person.

• How long did it take you from when you started writing to being published? From first submitting to being published?

From when I first started writing, it took about four years give or take before I got up the nerve, with a lot of prodding from friends, to submit something, around August of last year. That one, my first, was accepted by the second publisher I sent it to.

• Are you a plotter (plots and outlines) or a pantzer (by-the-seat-of-your-pants writer)? Why?

I am definitely a pantzer. I get an idea for a story or a character and run with it. Plotting the story out is just not me other than to know, in some vague way, where I want it to end. And even then it doesn’t always go there.

• Is there a genre that you haven’t written that you would like to?

I wish I had the mind-set to create a fantasy world with all that involves but that’s just not how my mind works. Maybe someday, with lots of time on my hands, I’ll take a stab at it.

Readers, stop back tomorrow for the blurb and excerpt for EVERYONE'S MAN!

Thursday Thirteen: 13 FUNNY DOORSTOPS

13 FUNNY DOORSTOPS:

WTF Wednesday

Please. Don't EVER EVER EVER let this person have babies...

Interview with Author Misty Malone

Please welcome fellow Phaze author, Misty Malone!

• Tell me a little bit about yourself.

Geez, where to start? Really, I’m just a glorified nerd. I love going to Renaissance fairs, canoeing, camping, curling up with good books. I also sing in a local chorus, and love travelling. I’ve actually been to all fifty states, and ten different countries, including Israel, Australia, and New Zealand. I get a lot of inspiration from the places I visit when I travel!

• Do you use a pseudonym and if so, why?

“Misty” is my pseudonym—I’m also a YA author, so I definitely want to keep these two aspects of my writing life separate.

• What genre do you write in? Why did you pick that genre?

I love to read genre fiction—fantasy, historical, soft scifi—so my writing interests tend to go along the same route. The short I have out with Ravenous Romance—The Hitcher and his Ride—is paranormal, and the first novel out with Phaze was a contemporary erotic romance—Dead Men Get No Tail. Also out with Phaze is an Arthurian-era historical, The Consort, and I’m currently working on an Urban Fantasy/Fairy Tale crossover for them.

• What inspires you to write the type of stories that you write?

I get a lot of inspiration from my dreams. I’ve always been a lucid dreamer, and am lucky enough to remember most of my dreams long enough to write down the interesting parts in a journal. Just recently, I woke from a dream and spent the next eight hours plotting the novel and writing the character notes!

• How would you describe your writing style? Plotter or pantser? Why?

I’m actually a recovering pantser! I used to just grab a concept and go, but then an editor wanted to see a series I was working on—the first two novels were completed, but the third only in concept form. The editor asked for a plot treatment for that third novel—basically an extended outline with all the major plot points laid out chapter-by-chapter.

After learning how to write a treatment, I’ve never gone back, as seeing my plot (and plot holes) laid out like that before I even begin Page One saves me tons of time and editing angst in the long run!

• What is your favorite genre to READ?

Probably a good ol’ fashioned high fantasy. Something about dragons and magic and elves and fairies has always tugged at my heart.

• Do you have a specific place where you like to write? When, during the day, is your most creative time?

My writing group meets in various coffeehouses around town, meaning I *have* to have noise now when I write! We meet twice during the week in the evenings, and then a few of us do all-day, twelve-hour marathons on Saturdays. It’s intense, but it’s such a great feeling of accomplishment when you see just how much you can produce when you sit down and get to work.

• What’s your typical writing day?

Not sure anything in my life can be called “typical!” Some days I’ll do some critiquing for my writing partners, some days I assist an agent friend of mine with going through her slush pile. And then there are the days when I’ll feel like tackling new content on my own books, or going back and editing those problem areas I’ve been trying to hide from.

• Do you have critique partners or beta readers? Why?

Yup, I definitely rely on my crit partners. By this point, they know me and my style fairly well, so they’re not afraid to tell me when I’ve made the characters do something stupid, or if I’ve dropped plotlines along the way. Their crits are invaluable to me because they see my world through the perspective of a reader, which is 100% different from that of the writer.

• Who give you the most support along in your writing?

My parents, no question. I’ve been writing since I was a young child (cliché, I know, but completely true), and they’ve always encouraged me to follow that passion, whether it was doing an internship at a local newspaper, trying out Journalism as a college major, and then not even batting an eye when I switched out to the Creative Writing school because it was much more fun to make up facts than be confined by true ones.

• Do you have another job (besides writing)? If so, what do you do?

Sure do! I’m afraid I can’t say much about what I do, but I can say that I work for a major theme park company. I’ve been here for a number of years, and really enjoy what I do and who I work with.

• What’s your take on the future of ebooks and epublishing?

Like all technology, once it’s out there, it’s going to get bigger and more widely accepted. Ebooks, ereaders, and epublishing won’t “destroy” modern publishing as it exists now, in my opinion, but enhance it. And isn’t the whole point of this business to get your work into the hands of readers? Personally, I care less about the media and methods readers use and more about the fact that I just want to tell a good story and entertain people.

• Do you have a favorite quote -- yours or someone famous or even infamous?

Oh, God, there’s so many that have inspired me over the years! But maybe my all time favorite is, “Love like you’ll never be hurt. Dance like there’s no one watching. Live like there’s no tomorrow.”

• What’s your favorite food?

Anything Chinese!

• What’s your favorite movie? Why?

Princess Bride. Why? Because it’s inconceivable not to!


• Do you have a favorite book or author?

There’re four that I just can choose between—Carlos Ruiz Zafon, J.R.R. Tolkien, Piers Anthony, and J.K. Rowling.

• Tell me about your latest or upcoming release?

This past fall, The Consort was released. It’s a triangle of historic proportions where love, lust, and murder sleep in the same bed. Rhys must steal the crown of Wales or face death at his father’s hands. But when Rhys loses his heart to the reluctant Welsh Prince Accolon, blood shall be spilt and a kingdom will fall if The Consort has his way.

• Do you have any releases scheduled for 2011?

Not just yet, but hopefully more to come on this front!

• What’s your next project?

I’m currently working on Spellbound—a street-savvy New Yorker who’s seen one too many bad relationships gets sucked into a fairytale world. But Bryce will have to find his own Happily Ever After when Grimm’s Grimmest try to force him away from the one man who might just be his very own Prince in Disguise.

• Where can readers find you on the web?

Come visit me at http://www.mistymalone.com/!

Six Sentence Sunday

Welcome to Six Sentence Sunday! This week I am posting a random six sentence portion of my best-selling, m/m short story, RIP CORD, available here at Phaze Books.

“Boxers. Off. Now.”

Gil shivered, but obeyed, and with a yank had his boxers pooled at his feet, Rip never releasing him.

“That’s better.” He whistled, appreciatively. “Damn. Why is it geeks are always hung like horses?”

Check out some of my other fellow authors' Six Sentence Sunday!

Dee Carney

Alanna Coca

Hailey Edwards

Sara Brookes

New Release by guest Stacey Kennedy: Silent Howl

SILENT HOWL
The Blue Bloods ~ Book Two (Liquid Silver Books)

When murder threatens innocent lives, will one woman unleash the wolf within her or hide behind the human that cowers in fear.

Rynn Murphy is a werewolf and she is in a state of bliss―her junkie parents are in recovery for their drug addiction. Her Grandfather, Pops, suffering from Alzheimer’s has settled into a nursing home in Utah. And she has just witnessed the bonding ceremony of her friends, Nexi and Kyden from the Otherworld. With her mate, Briggs by her side, life can’t get any better…

But this happiness is about to end as Rynn is brought to Philadelphia. As a Blue Blood Werewolf, she has been given a special gift to possess a strong scent. And after horrific murders take place in the Pennsylvania territory, Rynn must use this ability to seek the killer out…

This task does not come easily, Rynn is struggling. The human in her flees from danger. The wolf in her is desperate to end his murderous rampage. Rynn must reconcile these two halves while these murders begin to cross State lines. Soon, danger will be all around them, and Rynn will have to decide what is more important―the human who remains in her or the wolves she has sworn to protect…

BUY LINK - http://www.staceykennedy.com/books/blue-blood-series/silent-howl/

EXCERPT:

Chapter One

Twelve Steps by Narcotics Anonymous:

1. Admit we were powerless over drug abuse—that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. Come to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3. Make a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
4. Make a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. Admit to God, ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. Be entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed and be willing to make amends to them.
9. Make direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
10. Continue to take personal inventory and when we are wrong promptly admit it.
11. Seek through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, as we understand Him, pray only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and practice these principles in all our affairs.

*

Plymouth, Minnesota may have been voted America’s best place to live by Money Magazine, but Briggs would argue that point. It’s really a vague memory now. Such a short time ago, his mate had walked home from a long shift with sore feet and a deep ache to her back. What she hadn’t known at the time was that walk would change her life forever. Attacked, bitten and then transformed into a werewolf--it was of no surprise to him that she was still trying to adjust to the horrors of that night.

He looked to Rynn as she sat next him in a hard chair that was not made for comfort. Her long brown hair cradled her face as her deep silver eyes penetrated his soul. How he craved to reach out, touch her creamy skin, kiss those soft lips of hers. But when a chair shifted in front of him, the present situation drew him back to where they were and why they were here. Rynn’s parents, Warwick and Tarina Murphy.

Just a few short days ago, Briggs had forced them into drug rehab treatment at On Belay House in Plymouth, Minnesota--Rynn’s hometown. Now, her parents were in the recovery process. As he knew it, they were on still on stage one and needed to admit their lives had become unmanageable. Which is exactly why they were here now, sitting in these chairs and staring into the faces of people Briggs wished had no part of her life.

The room had soft pale yellow paint on the walls, simple office chairs with even a fake plant in the center of the coffee table--classic therapy room--to avoid distraction for the reason they were here. Briggs glanced away from the room and back to an old guy with glasses sitting low on his nose in a proper office chair as he spoke. “We are here today for Warwick and Tarina to share with you the process that they’ve been through these last few days here and to speak from their hearts. We’re not here to judge, only listen.”

Briggs’ anger grew in strides. What a ridiculous display this was. No conversation would fix what they had done. He came here for Rynn, and her alone. He hoped this meeting would give her a sense of peace. Resolve this situation in her heart. Yet, he doubted that was possible. Knowing that his emotions were running away with him, he tried his best to close off his feelings so Rynn wouldn’t sense them. He wanted her to deal with her own emotions, not his. Usually, he enjoyed the intense connection they shared as werewolf mates. Now, she needed him to lean on for support and he did his best to remember that.

But tonight, he could sense her unstable emotions. Clearly, she wasn’t sure how to feel about this meeting with her parents. They looked great, probably because they continually washed. When Briggs discovered them, they’d resorted to living on the streets, caring for nothing and no one except drugs. Pathetic couldn’t even explain how unclean and disgusting they had looked when he’d first laid eyes on them.

The Doctor’s gaze left Briggs and he gestured toward Tarina to start.

“Rynn,” Tarina said, her voice soft and reserved.

Briggs could immediately sense Rynn’s emotions crumble. This wasn’t going to be easy for her. He could feel the anger within her that they’d chosen drugs over her but there was also sadness that they had abandoned her so young.

He could throttle the two people sitting before him. They were only lucky they had gotten this far. His resolve to this problem was to see the end of them, but his mate wouldn’t have that. For her, he would sit through this ridiculous display and listen to the two individuals who had caused her a lifetime of pain. He doubted anything they said would change his opinion of them.

Tarina cleared her throat softly before she continued. “There is nothing I can say to change what has happened in the past. Nothing that will forgive what I have done.”

“You’re bloody right about that,” Briggs interjected.

Rynn squeezed his thigh, drew his gaze down and into her pleading eyes. He took a deep breath and settled back to listen. She needed his support and he would give her that. Again, he reminded himself to rein it in. But it didn’t change the underlying truth that these two sods could rot in hell as far as he was concerned.

Tarina started crying.

Briggs snorted. Her mother knew how to put on a show. How many tears had Rynn shed for them? The woman’s sadness did only one thing…pissed him off more. She was not going to earn his sympathy.

“Go on, Mom,” Rynn said and frowned at Briggs.

It only amused him and eased a bit of the tension along his shoulders. His soft mate looked so lovely when she was angry. Such a little ball of fire she was. He’d piss her off at times just to see that look, it enthralled him.

Tarina sniffed a couple times. Her look was so similar to Rynn, brown hair the exact shade, except Tarina’s was cut at her chin. Even her silver eyes were nearly identical in color and held the same round shape to them.

Yet, her eyes didn’t hold the sweet soul that belonged to his mate. That could never be duplicated. “We were never there for you growing up. Never saw you or cared for you, and that is what I’m so very sorry about. You didn’t have a family.”

“Yes I did,” Rynn retorted without a moment’s hesitation. “I had Pops and he was all I ever needed.”

If it wasn’t for Rynn’s grandfather who had taken her in when she was four, Briggs couldn’t even imagine what would have happened to her. His heart clenched just thinking about it. Now, her grandfather was sick with Alzheimer’s and couldn’t remember her.

Briggs knew the pain it caused her daily. She hadn’t been able to go and visit him since her transformation. Without the control over her wolf, she couldn’t risk shifting in front of him. Just because his mind was gone, didn’t mean that seeing a human morph into a wolf wouldn’t be shocking. No need to make his situation worse.

Soon, she would see him again and Briggs eagerly wanted to take her. She’d only been released from the hospital earlier tonight. It took a little while to recover from her recent injuries.

Injuries sustained by Danika, a wolf determined to see the end of Rynn so her daughter could bond with Briggs. The plan was so unbelievable no one had put it together. It consisted of the fake kidnapping of her own daughter, Kali, bring Rynn out into the wolf world to expose her, then have hired goons kill her.

Luckily, Danika failed, but it wasn`t without injury. Grazed by a bullet and nearly blown to pieces, Rynn was lucky to be alive. In the end, Danika was dead, killed by her mate for her acts of betrayal. Briggs was certainly glad for that. Rynn had a hard time accepting her fate and although he understood that, he wouldn’t have wanted any other outcome.

Briggs drew back from his thoughts when Warwick reached out to take Rynn’s hand. His growl came immediate. No, the man was not allowed to touch her. Warwick wasn’t as stupid as Briggs thought, he instantly placed his hand back on his lap.

Her father looked much older than his forty years. Briggs suspected this was from prolonged drug use. Deep crow’s feet that seemed to create crevasses along his face surrounded dark eyes. His hair, recently cut, had salt and pepper coloring. The man looked worn.

Warwick’s gaze left Briggs and fell to Rynn. “We’re sorry that we let our disease rule us and made us forget everything that was important. We’re grateful that Pops knew just how special you really are.”

Rynn’s eyes began to well up and tumultuous emotions ran through her. Briggs tensed and she reacted to it instantly. She reached out and ran her fingers along his tight fist. Her emotions told him that she was okay--overwhelmed--but okay.

“You have turned out to be a fine lady and are a better person than your mother and I will ever become. We owe Pops a great deal for raising you so well.” Warwick turned his gaze to Briggs. “I respect the loyalty you have to her and if I was sitting in your position, I’d be looking at me like you are now.”

Briggs arched a brow. “Would you now?”

Warwick nodded, his tone full of disgrace. “We have failed her and if you held us in high regard, I suppose that would say you don’t deserve her.”

“And do you think you are worthy of her?” The accusation from Briggs held heavy in the air.

Warwick’s head hung in shame. “No. I do not think I am.”

“Then we do agree on something.”

Dr. Wanker cut in. “We are not here to judge, only to listen.”
Briggs steeled him with a hard look. “Best we direct the conversation away from me then. I have nothing to say here that’s not judgmental.”

“We are here to help in their recovery,” the Doctor chastised.

“No, I am here because my wife wants to be here.” Briggs corrected him quickly.

Rynn stiffened at the word wife. Briggs understood why she felt uncomfortable with the title. She was his mate. The two seemed worlds apart. She gave her head a shake, then looked to Briggs. “Can we just move on please?”

Dr. Wanker pushed his glasses further onto his nose. “Yes.” He nodded at Warwick to continue.

Warwick’s gaze focused, unwavering, on Briggs. “We will make right what we have done wrong to her. We see now what our disease has done to us. We can gain her trust back.”

Briggs’ tension multiplied. He was doing his best to shield his emotions from Rynn, but suspected she could sense that he felt they could never nullify what had been done.

She ran her fingers softly against his hand to gain his attention. When he glanced at her, she gave him a little smile. It said it all. She didn’t mind his protectiveness, but she wanted her parents to get well, needed them to.

He reached up and brushed his fingers along her sweet soft cheek and Rynn leaned into his fingers. No matter what his feelings were on the matter she was his only priority.

Tarina sniffed loudly. “You seem so happy.”

Rynn moved away from Briggs’ hand and glanced at her mother. “I am, very happy.”

“Thank you for taking care of her,” Warwick said to Briggs.

Briggs thought he was in control of himself. Apparently, he wasn’t and had reached the end of his tolerance. He forced himself to keep the glare from showing on his face, but was unable to control the anger in his voice. “Your daughter needs to be taken care of by no one. If you hadn’t spent the last years out of your mind, you would know that. She’s kind, generous, loving and strong--all qualities that obviously came from neither of you.”

Briggs raised his hand to stop Dr. Wanker when he was about to speak, his scowl prevalent. “And what you should all realize is that this ridiculous session has nothing to do with you. It’s not about you.” He pointed to Rynn who had a tear falling down her cheek. He could feel the swell of love course through their bond. “It’s about her--her healing. Your words will fix nothing. Hearing you apologize is meaningless. If you want to make it up to her, get well, and begin to restore the betrayal she suffers. Show her. Not until then should you speak a word of your happiness because we all know, your word means jack shit.”

Silence filled the room. Rynn looked at her hands as she cried.

Dr. Wanker cleared his throat loudly. “I believe Tarina and Warwick have spoken what needed to be said here.”

Briggs was still furious. What had been said really? That they now realized they made mistakes? Well, it was too late for that. The damage was irreversible. The future would be what determined their fate in his eyes.

Tarina stood and went to hug her daughter, but Briggs stood quickly and stepped in front of her. “Embracing her is something you must earn and you have not even come close to that, woman.”

Tarnia dropped her arms and sobbed again, but said nothing. Warwick still sat in his chair, gaze on the floor. Dr. Wanker just looked pissed.

Briggs turned and helped Rynn to her feet. When she glanced at him, her eyes tearful, all he felt was a feeling of security. She seemed to understand what it cost him to be here. He wanted to kill them. It may be violent, but that’s just the wolf’s way. His only thought was of her, to shield her, and she was humbled by that.

He also sensed that she craved to go into her mother’s arms and tell her that she forgave her. She wanted her to know that it was all right and that she understood, but also understood why Briggs had done it. He was doing this to protect her. If she allowed herself to open up to them, they could hurt her and that was one thing he couldn’t allow. Not ever. She had already had her fair share of that. He wouldn’t see her hurt again.

With a final look at her parents, seeing them in all their misery, he pulled on Rynn’s hand and led her from the room. Just as the door closed behind them, Briggs’ phone rang. He reached into his pocket and flipped it open.

“Aye.” He listened for a few moments, then he smiled as he met Rynn’s gaze, happiness flaring through him. This call was just what they needed after this ordeal.

Rynn’s gaze turned curious. When he closed the phone, she asked, “What?”

“We have somewhere to go.”

“Already?” A little pout rose to her darling face. “We can’t go home?”

He shook his head, grinning. “Not yet, darlin’.”

Website - www.staceykennedy.com
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/profile.php?id=100000956942180
Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3473046.Stacey_Kennedy
Twitter - http://twitter.com/Stacey_Kennedy

Interview with Author Stacey Kennedy

Please welcome author Stacey Kennedy, who has a new release out TODAY! And come back tomorrow to learn more about another one of her great books!

• Tell me a little bit about yourself.

My journey as a writer began as a way to keep my brain alive since being a stay at home mom can be a little let’s say numbing. It was an escape from screaming kids, dirty diapers and plain old mom duty.

It started as a hobby, but as the stories progressed it became a passion. Now, I indulge at nap time, especially the juicy bits! Every mom needs a good thrill!

• Do you use a pseudonym and if so, why?

Nope, Stacey Kennedy is actually my real name. When it came down to it, I just had no idea what to call myself. And truthfully, I thought it was so strange that my readers would be calling me by a name that wasn’t mine. It just never felt right to me.

• What genre do you write in? Why did you pick that genre?

I write Urban Fantasy Romance and Paranormal Erotic Romance. Why? Well… because I love supernaturals. Not just the sexy vampires, or the powerful werewolves, but I love the magical element. My stories are always fast paced tales that have some adventure and danger involved. And of course passion is always guaranteed.

• What inspires you to write the type of stories that you write?

Truthfully, I’ve never attempted to write outside of these genres and I can’t see myself trying anytime soon. I love urban fantasy/paranormal romance. I think what inspires me the most is the world-building. To create a place that is all yours, is a pretty neat thing to do.

The inspiration comes from real characters. I love women who would be just like you and me. Who are thrown into these crazy dangerous situations and watching them somehow try to get out of it alive. I love emotion in books, and therefore, my work tends to have a lot of it…add in sexy scenes, and that is all the inspiration I need.

• How would you describe your writing style? Plotter or pantser? Why?

Pantser all the way!! I tried my hand at plotting, but it is pointless. The story always goes in another direction once I start writing it. Needless to say I gave up trying to fight against it and now just let the characters lead the way. It makes for tough edits when I’m done trying to make sure it all makes sense …but somehow, it all works out in the end.

• What is your favorite genre to READ?

Um…urban fantasy and paranormal romance of course!!

• Do you have a specific place where you like to write? When, during the day, is your most creative time?

On the couch surrounded by my quilt! If it was my choice I would write in the afternoon. It’s when I’m most productive. But…I have two small children. One is in school all day. The other is gone three times a week during the morning. So, I take those nine hours a week and write as much as I can in that time.

• What’s your typical writing day?

It’s really quite simple. I make a coffee, I make sure there is no noise around me, I curl up on the couch and then write. That’s it…that’s all! In a good day, I can get out about three thousand words in one sitting. But like I said, mornings are not the best time for me…so it usually takes me a good hour, a few gulps of coffee to get my butt in gear.

• Do you have critique partners or beta readers? Why?

Yes, I have an awesome critique partner who I mesh with really well. I actually don’t have beta readers. Why? Well…that’s because I’m a really sensitive person. I can’t take too many people critiquing the story or I’ll start to doubt it. So, I let my critique partner have a go at it, then I edit the heck out of it when she sends it back, and then it’s off to the publisher. It’s a partnership that I love and I couldn’t ask for a better critique partner.

• Who give you the most support along in your writing?

The readers without a doubt. Every time I get an email where a reader gushes over my story, it gives me the confidence to write more. I swear my most loyal readers have more confidence in me than I do in myself. I can only hope that I keep making them proud and they continue to enjoy my stories.

• Do you have another job (besides writing)? If so, what do you do?

I’m a stay at home Mom. That’s been my life for the past five years now and I love it. I’ve enjoyed spending so much time with my children and watching them grow. It’s going to be a big shock to the system when my youngest goes off to school in September full time. But I can’t deny I’m not excited for all the writing time that will allow me.

I do also have a part-time job at a children’s clothing store. Truthfully, I needed to get out of the house after I had kids. Let’s just leave it at…I was lonely. The kiddies are great, but I needed some adult conversation to keep me sane. So, I do that two days a week in the evening. I really love it and all the fantastic women I work with. It’s a good and healthy thing to get out of the house once in a while.

• What’s your take on the future of ebooks and epublishing?

Hmmm….my take is it’s going to flourish. I think that has already been proven. I stopped reading paperbacks a while ago…and my Kobo has become my new best friend. So, for me, ebooks simply ROCK!

• Do you have a favorite quote -- yours or someone famous or even infamous?

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." Dr. Seuss

"Beginnings are scary endings are usually sad but it's the middle that counts the most." Hope Floats Movie

• What’s your favorite food?

Anything that is horribly bad for me―chocolate and me just get along really well!

• What’s your favorite movie? Why?

All time favourite movie is The Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood. Combine a story of one woman’s life, the healing of hearts, the joining of women and a romance in there too… and I’m a sucker!

• Do you have a favorite book or author?

Katie MacAllister and Jeaniene Frost are by far my two favourite authors. I have a real big thing for stories told in the first person and where the hero and heroine stay in love throughout the entire series. I’m not a huge fan of drama and if I’m not given a happy ending, I’m grumpy.

• Tell me about your latest or upcoming release?

My latest release came out today. Here is a little about it:

Whispers of Evil – The Watchers Book Two (Cobblestone Press)

Nayeli has been locked away, hidden from the world in a mental institution, all due to the whispers of evil which have corrupted her mind. Unbeknownst to her, the voices that have plagued her are a gift given to only one kind―Watchers.

Griffin, her Seeker, is about to break this cage of imprisonment woven around her and give her a new chance at life. But when a demon leaves the confines of Hell to create havoc in Louisiana, will his love for Nayeli free her wounded heart, or will she succumb to the whispers which threaten to steal her soul?

*WARNING: Explicit sex between a timid Watcher and a gorgeous Seeker, and a ceremony that will certainly raise eyebrows!

BUY LINK - http://www.staceykennedy.com/books/erotic-romances/the-watchers-series/whispers-of-evil/

• Do you have any releases scheduled for 2011?

I’ve got a co-authored story with Sara Brookes that I’m presently working on. It’s a paranormal romance and is going to be fantastic! Hopefully, we’ll get this one wrapped up soon and off to submission.

I’m also going to be part of a paranormal erotic anthology with Keta Diablo, Amber Scott and Elise Hepner. So keep an eye out for that…it’s very exciting!

My urban fantasy romance, Stolen Dreams, The Lingering Spirit Book One, I’ve decided to go indie with…so wish me luck!!

Basically I have a release slated for every month until May. Needless to say, there will be lots of books to continue on with my all of series, and maybe a few single titles squeezed in there too.

• What’s your next project?

Right now, I’m working on the third Watchers book. I’ve been dying to write this story since I began The Watchers series, so I’m very eager to dig in and write Tate’s story.

• Where can readers find you on the web?

You can find me here:

Website – http://www.staceykennedy.com/
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/profile.php?id=100000956942180
Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3473046.Stacey_Kennedy
Twitter – http://twitter.com/Stacey_Kennedy

Thursday Thirteen: 13 Adult Snowmen (Not CHILDSPLAY)

13 SNOWMAN THAT YOUR KIDS DID NOT MAKE :

Or at least I hope not! Here are 13 not-your-average snowmen...