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Excerpt of Redemption by Fire by #AADNOLA author Andrew Grey
Dirk Krause is an asshole of the first degree. His life is a hell of his own making, and he makes everyone around him just as miserable. When he’s injured on the job while fighting a fire, he’s nearly unbearable to the hospital staff, and of course no one from his unit cares enough to visit.
Lee Stockton is the new guy at the station, so he gets saddled with the job of bringing Dirk a sympathy bouquet from the guys at the firehouse. To Dirk’s surprise, Lee sees through him like a pane of glass and doesn’t take any of his crap. Lee’s determined to get Dirk to stop being a dick just to push everyone away. When their fighting turns to fucking, will the fireworks shine brightly on a possible relationship or leave them with nothing but ashes?
- Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (May 1, 2012)
- Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
- Language: English
- Amazon
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- Dreamspinner Press
Excerpt:
After a day, he began to feel better. He could breathe more easily even though he was still on oxygen. Once, when he’d woken, he’d found a card from his father, and one from his captain at the station, but other than that, he saw no signs of any visitors. He figured they were waiting until he got better.
He was wrong. The only person he saw other than the nurses and doctors was his father, and his visits were never pleasant.
“So after this, are you going to give up this fireman thing and get a real job? You have a degree. I could get you a job on my team at the brokerage,” his father told him in his usual “I know best” voice. “I’ll start the paperwork for when you get out of here.”
“I don’t…,” Dirk began, but he started to cough, and it got worse and worse. A nurse hurried in and gave him something to calm the spasms, and he collapsed back into the bed, his injured arm aching and his chest hurting like hell. “Can’t we just sit and talk?” Dirk asked, and his father looked at him like he’d asked for the moon.
“I have to be back in the office in half an hour,” his father told him, and Dirk nodded.
Then his father left the room, and Dirk hadn’t had a visitor since. That had been two days ago, three days since he’d awakened, and almost a week since the fire.
As the days went by, he fumed at everyone who walked into his room. He heard the nurses talking about him once in the hallway, but he really didn’t care. He spent most of his days watching television—he couldn’t get out of bed except to go to the bathroom, and it hurt to fucking breathe. This was definitely no picnic! After swearing away yet another nurse, he found himself with Brunhilda, the sadistic nurse from hell, and that did nothing for his mood or his sense of misery. The woman seemed to live to poke him with needles, and a sponge bath from her could make prisoners spill their guts in two minutes flat. “You should work for the CIA,” he told her as she scraped yet more skin off him, but she just grunted and paid no attention to him at all.
After that torture ended, Dirk lay watching television, feeling sorry for himself. His lungs still hurt, but only when he took a deep breath. The doctor had told him that they were hopeful he’d return to normal and that his lungs were aching because they were healing. “Just give it time,” he’d said before leaving.
Out of the corner of his eye, Dirk saw movement in his doorway and steeled himself for another visit from Brunhilda. Instead, he saw what looked like a brick wall casting a shadow carrying flowers in a plastic fire helmet. “You Dirk Krause?” the man asked and slowly stepped into the room, like he was nervous, setting the planter on the tray.
“Yeah, that’s me,” Dirk answered. “Who the hell are you?” The kid might have been huge, but he had a definite baby face, and he looked young as shit.
“Lee Stockton. I’m the new man on third shift, and the guys asked me to bring you the flowers,” the kid said pleasantly, and Dirk watched him shuffle from foot to foot trying to figure out what to say next. “The other guys have been really busy.”
“I’ll bet.” Dirk shifted on the bed, looking at the huge kid. “You draw the short straw or something?” Dirk had no time or use for a pity plant in a cheap bit of plastic that the guys probably had the kid pick up on his way over. “’Cause you’re the first damned guy from the company to visit. So you’ve done your job, and you can go now.” Dirk turned away and waited to hear the kid walk out of the room.
“You really are the biggest asshole on the planet,” the kid said, his voice deeper, and when Dirk turned to look at him, the kid’s eyes blazed. “I didn’t believe them when they told me what a dickhead you could be. But, boy, they weren’t kidding. Two minutes, and you were already acting like an ass. That must be some kind of record. No wonder none of the other guys wanted to come up here.” The kid moved to the side of the bed, and Dirk got a good look at him. The kid’s shirt barely held in his muscles, and when he moved his arm, it looked like the damned shirt was going to rip anytime.
“Well, fuck ’em all,” Dirk said. He wanted to yell, but when he took the breath, his lungs reminded him of their condition by shooting pain down his chest. If they didn’t want to see him, he didn’t want to see those assholes, either. The kid didn’t say anything. He just stared at Dirk like he was from another planet, and then his gaze heated, and Dirk squirmed a little, actually checking to make sure he was covered up. “What’s wrong with you? You some sort of fag?” His arm was throbbing, and his lungs ached with this talking, and he wasn’t in the mood for any crap. He expected the kid’s look to shift to something approaching pity, and he was having none of that.
It had been his experience that whenever anyone was asked that question, they backed away fast, but the kid took a step closer to the bed with an unreadable look on his face. “You seem to have me mistaken with some sort of fucking doormat. I came down here ’cause no one else would visit your sorry ass, and this is the thanks I get. What are you doing calling people names and shit?” Lee took another step closer and stared straight into his eyes, which made Dirk squirm, especially since the kid was freakin’ huge. “Anyone ever tell you not to poke the bear?” Lee said with a growl. “Because you’re damned close.” Lee continued stepping closer until he practically loomed over him. “Why are you such an asshole, anyway? You know what I think?” Lee leaned over the bed, uncomfortably close for Dirk. “I think you’re one fucking huge closet case. I’ve met plenty of guys like you before. You’re fucking miserable, and you make everyone around you pay for it. Well, I saw the way you looked at me, like I was dinner and you wanted to eat me whole. And don’t think for a second you’re ever going to get that chance, because I may fuck ass, but I don’t fuck closet-case assholes like you.”
“What the fuck, man?” Dirk managed to say as he pushed Lee away with his good hand.
“Hey, I see right through you. There’s no hiding. I know a closet case a mile away, and I knew you were gay after being in the room for two seconds. You took one look at me, and I saw the way your eyes bulged and your mouth watered.”
“Little full of yourself, aren’t you?” Dirk pushed harder on Lee’s chest, and damn if he didn’t run up against a mountain of pure American muscle. “Now get the hell away from me. You don’t know shit about shit.” Dirk was more than a little uncomfortable, and Lee’s words were hitting way too close to home.
“I don’t, huh. You got yourself half a hard-on just thinking about me, and those sheets are thin enough that you really can’t hide nothing. So you can cut the bullshit and stop being such an asshole. Now, I brought you your fucking flowers and did what I said I was going to do. You’ll probably be in here for a while yet and at home for even longer, so I suggest you use that time to think about why you’re here all alone and nobody wants to visit your sorry ass.” Lee stepped back and looked toward the door. When he looked back, there was something in Lee’s eyes that Dirk couldn’t read at all. “See you around, closet case.”
“I am not!” Dirk countered, and he really paid for that one as his lungs protested.
Lee turned back to him, and Dirk thought he was going to leave, but he waited for Dirk’s coughing to subside, and then he moved close to the bed again. Dirk thought Lee was going to berate him again, but instead he leaned over the bed and planted a kiss on Dirk’s lips. This was no soft girly kiss, but one hard and strong, with Lee taking possession of Dirk’s mouth as though they’d been kissing forever. Fuck his lungs, the pain in his arms, and everything else. Dirk felt himself go instantly and painfully hard right then and there as his entire body reacted to Lee’s touch. Lee moved his tongue to duel with his, and Dirk lost as Lee took what he wanted in almost every way. Damn, he felt good, and Dirk’s body knew what it wanted and overrode his mind. Suddenly and without warning, Lee pulled back and stepped away from the bed. “Bullshit,” Lee said and strode out of the room without looking back at all.
#AADNOLA Author Spotlight: Andrew Grey
1. Tell us a little about yourself. I grew up in Western Michigan and have lived throughout the world. I love to travel and use those locations in my stories. I started writing in early 2007 and haven’t stopped since. I live in historic Carlisle Pennsylvania with my partner Dominic. When I’m not behind my computer, I’m often outside in my garden.
2. Did you dream of writing when you were little or did you dream of other things like being a doctor (or world domination, like me)? No. I started writing when I was in my forties. I had an idea and decided to try writing it to see where it led.
3. Were you always interested in writing m/m or did you start out interested in something else? I’ve always written M/M. I believe you should write what you know and since I’m gay, that’s what I write.
4. What is your writing process? I really don’t have much of one. I sit at my computer and write the story from beginning to end. All I start with is an idea and where I want to go.
5. How do you approach revising? Once I’ve drafted the story, I set it aside and for a few weeks and come back to it. I review it again once its fresh in my mind. I revise it and have it reviewed by my partner. Once that’s done, I submit it to my publisher.
6. What authors inspire you? For me, inspiration rarely comes from other authors. I read for enjoyment, but inspiration comes from the world around me, art, people, news stories, articles, they have all inspired me at one time or another.
7.. What are your top 5 comfort reads? I rarely read anything twice, so I really don’t believe I have them. When I want comfort and peace, I write a farm story. Those always clear my mind and make me happy.
8. Are you part of a group of writers/Do you have 1 trusted reader or CP? I belong to my local Romance Writers of America chapter. They’re the most wonderful group of people and I can always ount on an honest opinion and unwavering support.
9. Do you have a day job? If so, do you see yourself being able to (or even wanting to) leave it any time in the future to pursue writing full time? I do have a day job. I work full time in Information Technology.
10. What is your goal as a writer? To always write the best story I can. I try to entertain and sometimes I hope, I leave the reader a little wiser, smarter, and happier.
11. Describe (your latest book) in 140 characters or less. Man and his lawyer/boyfriend try to keep his family’s gold coin out of the hands of the government.
12. What do you love most about writing? It’s very solitary. Writing lets me explore the stories in my mind and share them with others.
13. What do you hate most about writing? It’s very solitary. It takes a great deal of time and I have less to spend with my partner and family.
14. What are you reading right now? Written in the Stars by Alix Bekins.
15. Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
My web site is www.andrewgreybooks.com
Email andrewgrey@comcast.net
I can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.
THIS OR THAT
- Peanut butter or jelly? Neither.
- Chips or cookies? Chips
- Bacon or sausage? Bacon, definitely bacon.
- Print or eBook? eBook.
- Pen or pencil? pen
- Print or cursive? Cursive, I dare you to be able to read it though.
- Notebook or computer? Computer
- Kleenex or handkerchief? Kleenex
- Zombies or vampires? Vampires if I have to choose, though I prefer werewolves.
- Angel or Spike? I have no clue about this question.
Andrew grew up in western Michigan with a father who loved to tell stories and a mother who loved to read them. Since then he has lived throughout the country and traveled throughout the world. He has a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and works in information systems for a large corporation. Andrew’s hobbies include collecting antiques, gardening, and leaving his dirty dishes anywhere but in the sink (particularly when writing) He considers himself blessed with an accepting family, fantastic friends, and the world’s most supportive and loving partner. Andrew currently lives in beautiful, historic Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
#AADNOLA Author Spotlight: Tilly Greene
1. Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m Tilly Greene, a writer of erotic romances and occasionally erotica, who keeps to the positive side of life. One of my secrets is that I love the research part of writing, be it through book, internet or travel. When I experience and enjoy something so much, I want to share it with others. A hunt for the best hot chocolate, unique neighborhood establishments, even a favorite sandwich, they and others have made an appearance in my books.
2. Did you dream of writing when you were a little girl or did you dream of other things like being a ballerina (or world domination, like me)?
Well now, that’s an interesting question because apparently there was no doubt I’d write, but most of my family thought it would be children’s books. No, my plan was to be a fashion designer and made it through a year of studying before it was discovered I couldn’t sew, but I could illustrate a fab collection. Plan B was to be a teacher of the Classics or the History and Culture of Russia, but that didn’t work out either. Where I found my joy was Plan C when I started working with books. From there I fell headlong into writing and been there happily ever since.
3. Were you always interested in erotic romance or did you start out interested in something else?
HA! My reading choices while vast, when it comes to romance have always leaned toward the hot side.
4. Do you prefer Alpha males or do you like the Betas you can push around?
My reader and writer sides are in cahoots on this one – Alphas all the way, but they can’t be perfect. I prefer heroes that while physically and mentally strong, they often make mistakes when it comes to matters of the heart.
5. What is the first book that you can remember making an impact on you and why did it make such an impact?
A Child’s Garden of Verses Book by Robert Louis Stevenson is the book, but it’s the poem called Mr. Nobody. The book now rests on my shelves and I like to visit him for when I want to boost my creative side. The imp is full of mischief and I loved him back then as much as I do now. It’s all about creating fun.
6. What is your writing process?
Technically, I’m a pantser and other than that, the only sure thing I do is adhere to the BIC practice. Butt in Chair to write, write, and write more.
7. How do you approach revising?
Words and how we react to them is fascinating. When I first read this question ending on “revising” I was reminded of spending hours and hours of studying for exams and yet I have a different response to “reworking” a manuscript. I enjoy that phase of writing. If I let enough time pass, it’s a fresh approach and can be brutal when it comes to modifying the story to make it a better read.
8. What authors inspire you?
Kathleen E Woodiwiss, one of the first if not the first historical romance writer to be published, produced what I consider the gold standard of romance writing. Her work is full of unique characters and rich in both story and details that feed me as a reader and motivate me as a writer. The other one is Linda Fairstein, a mystery writer. How she uses New York City and its history within the plot is fascinating as well as entertaining. I find it encouraging as writer to read a fiction book and discover something I’d like to visit or learn more about.
9. What are your top 5 comfort reads?
That’s actually rather difficult, I’m more of a author/series reader, but I’ll try to pick just one:
- A Rose in Winter by Kathleen E Woodiwiss
- Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard
- A Gentle Feuding by Johanna Lindsey
- The Lion’s Lady by Julie Garwood
- Any book in the Cynster Family series by Stephanie Laurens – sorry, couldn’t resist noting at least one series I love.
10. Are you part of a group of writers/Do you have 1 trusted reader or CP?
I’m a member of RWA, but not a group of writers, single reader or CP mainly because I couldn’t equally reciprocate. Travel, whilst romantic and exciting, does cost greatly with time. I couldn’t promise something to someone and not be able to do it in a timely, fully focused manner. All that said, when I am hung up, I’ll often tap Selena Illyria for her opinion and she’ll do the same. Selena is a wonderful creative writer who thankfully gets honest with me and I love that!
11. Do you have a day job? If so, do you see yourself being able to (or even wanting to) leave it any time in the future to pursue writing full time?
As a matter of fact, I do – writing! Every day I get up, go to the room next door, and work. I create characters, flaws and all, and then pave their path to each other through words.
12. What is your goal as a writer?
To entertain readers!
13. What do you *love* most about writing?
Ooo, that would be letting my creativity run free with words and plots.
14. What do you *hate* most about writing?
Honestly, there isn’t anything I hate about writing. Occasionally, I get frustrated when I’m in the groove and have to stop to eat or sleep, or the admin side of writing, but really it’s a pretty good job.
15. What are you reading right now?
I have 3 books on the go. In paper, hardcover actually, it’s Catherine the Great by Robert K Massie. I’d like to say it’s research, but I’m a big fangirl of Massie’s Russian books and have always found Catherine intriguing. Loving that read, but it’s detailed and so for a taste of something else, so am enjoying The Man Who Died Laughing by Tarquin Hall and the last ebook I read and thoroughly enjoyed was The Craftsman by Georgia Fox.
16. Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
A week or so ago Come Back, the first book in the Come series which is a shape shifter erotic romance, was released and I’m finishing off the second book, Come to Me, as I sit here. Yup, authors are serious multi-taskers. Anyway, I thought I’d give a random commenter an eBook of Come Back in celebration of AAD in New Orleans – so excited to get down there and enjoy! There you go – comment or ask a question, I’ll be around to answer. Now, I’d like to thank Mama Kitty for interviewing me, this was interesting, fun and revealing chat.
1. Peanut butter or jelly? Not both? Dang, um, strawberry jam.
2. Chips or cookies? Ooo, Have’ a Corn Chips with a hint of lime cooked in soy oil…yummy!
3. Bacon or sausage? BACON! Oops, sorry, didn’t mean to shout – bacon please J
4. Print or eBook? Hmmm, print for my keeper shelf and ebook for immediate entertainment.
5. Pen or pencil? Pen, I’d rely on the eraser instead of thinking things through before writing.
6. Print or cursive? Cursive is easy to do and lovely to read, although print can often be cleaner.
7. Notebook or computer? I’m a portable electronic device chick all the way, writing on paper is saved for my copious to-do notes.
8. Kleenex or handkerchief? Kleenex, I loathe laundry and handkerchiefs would bulk it up.
9. Zombies or vampires? Vamp, bite me, but don’t tear me limb from limb.
10. Angel or Spike? I missed that series, but from their pics, I’ll go with Angel with a bit of Spike on the side.
Tilly Greene was born into the easy folds of a sleepy beach town and embraces the laid back mindset she grew up with. Life took a turn one day while sitting in the back of the school bus with her friends: she was introduced to the joys of romance novels and has never looked back. Now, every day she looks forward to writing about women who are independent and confident, the men who love them, and their twisting passionate path to each other.
Hot Thoughts Blog?ARe Cafe?Facebook?Pinterest?Twitter
Recent Shape Shifter Erotic Romance Release:
Recent BDSM Erotic Romance Releases:
(the real) AAD Spotlight: Samantha Kane
Today we’re honored to have the lovely Samantha Kane on the blog for a chat! (for real this time, lol)
1. Tell us a little about yourself.
I live in North Carolina with my husband of sixteen years and my three kids, ages 11, 8 and 5. I taught high school social studies before I became a mom, and then a full time writer. I’m 45, I’ve been writing professionally for about seven years, and my 16th book will be released this fall from Bantam Loveswept. I recently had to give up both alcohol and caffeine due to allergies (I survived—barely), I’m making myself crazy organizing my house to sell it, and I’m going to Disneyland next month. J
2. Did you dream of writing when you were a little girl or did you dream of other thing like being a ballerina (or world domination, like me)?
Well, both ballerina and world domination were beyond my skill set. So, yes, I’ve always wanted to be a writer, and in fact was writing and entering contests as early as grade school. I also wanted to be a teacher. I achieved both goals.
3. Were you always interested in erotic romance or did you start out interested in something else?
I always wanted to write spicy romance, but when I first explored the idea of writing romance with the goal of being published, erotic romance was still a relatively new idea. When I did encounter it, both as a reader and a romance writer (thank you, Ellora’s Cave) I fell in love with the subgenre and knew I wanted to write it.
My new series with Bantam, The Saint’s Devils, isn’t erotic romance, but it is quite steamy. I originally plotted the series as erotic, but was encouraged to try for a mainstream audience by readers and agents, which I did. So this is sort of back to my original roots. I will still be writing my erotic series Brothers In Arms. I have many more books planned in that series.
4. What is the first book (doesn’t have to be romance) that you can remember making an impact on you and why did it make such an impact on you?
Watership Down by Richard Adams. I loved the characters in that book so much. It was the first book I read that was so complex and character driven, with romantic heroes (yes, they were rabbits) in a classic quest narrative. Believe it or not, this book led me to Dumas and the Three Musketeers, Rafael Sabatini and Herman Wouk.
5. What are you reading right now?
I’m beta reading an erotic romance by my critique partner Mari Freeman. When I finish that, Princess Charming by Nicole Jordan.
6. What is your writing process?
I used to be a pantser; that is, I sat down and began writing and figured out the story and characters as I went until I somehow reached the end. Now I’m a plotter. So the first thing I do is figure out my characters, plot, conflict etc. I use Scrivener for that. I break my books down into 3 Acts, similar to a movie, and I work my scenes into that structure. Then I sit down and write. I have to write progressively, from chapter one to the end. I can’t jump in and write a scene that’s in the middle of the book. I have to get there organically, in other words let the story lead me there rather than work my story around already written scenes. Part of my OCD I suppose. J
7. How do you approach revising?
I have no problem with revisions. After all, there’s usually two or three or four different directions the story could go from the first moment I envision it. I don’t see revisions as breaking down a story so much as writing a new one. Since it’s what I do, (write stories), it’s not that difficult.
8. What authors inspire you?
Any author who manages to finish a book that people want to read. LOL
9. What are your top 5 comfort reads?
1. The Windflower by Laura London
2. Shanna by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss
3. Pride and Prejudice (I don’t really have to put the author, do I?)
4. Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie
5. Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank
10. Are you part of a group of writers/Do you have 1 trusted reader or CP?
I belong to HCRW, Heart of Carolina Romance Writers chapter of Romance Writers of America. I learned all about the business of writing from that chapter. A great group of writers as a whole, and several of those ladies I consider my core writer group. I met my critique partner and bff, Mari Freeman, through HCRW. I also have a fantastic beta reader, Kati, who is very smart and generous with her time.
11. Do you have a day job? If so, do you see yourself being able to (or even wanting to) leave it any time in the future to pursue writing full time?
No day job except Mom, lol. Which we all know is a full time gig.
12. What is your goal as a writer?
I just want to keep writing books that people want to read. I have set goals in the past—to be published, to get an agent, to be published with a certain house—but the business is changing so rapidly these days that my present goal is to stay relevant and have a recognizable name in a market glutted with so many good books and authors.
13. What do you love most about writing?
I love being my own boss, and making a living doing something that I love and that is so fun. Not many people are blessed with that privilege.
14. What do you hate most about writing?
Promoting. LOL I’m not very good at putting myself out there. “Buy my book!” just doesn’t come naturally to me. I wish it did. The biggest burden for promoting a book these days is on the author. I’m learning to be more aggressive and self-promoting, but it’s a struggle. I’m a bit of an introvert, and if everyone would let me I’d sit on the sidelines and observe. That doesn’t really sell books, though, especially now. Like I said, so many books, so many authors—you’ve got to get out there and introduce yourself to readers or they’ll look right over your book.
15. Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
Well, my new book, The Devil’s Thief, will be released by Bantam Loveswept on November 12, 2012. It’s a Regency historical romance, the first in a series based around a group of friends from school known as The Saint’s Devils. In each book, Sir Hilary St. John, a Sherlock Holmes type character, will help his friends solve a mystery.
From the Random House website page for The Devil’s Thief:
In Samantha Kane’s sensual tale of wicked passion, a desperate woman must resort to burglary—but the beautiful thief ends up stealing the heart of a rogue.
The daughter of a reformed jewel thief, Julianna Harte knows a thing or two about stealth. When the foundling home she provides for finds itself in dire financial straits, Julianna is forced to do the unthinkable. In a bit of misguided Robin Hood derring-do, she slips through the window of a wealthy rake to search for a treasure she knows is there: an invaluable pearl. But when the towering and very naked occupant of the moonlit bedroom ambushes her with a bargain—a night in his bed in exchange for the pearl—Julianna doesn’t know if it’s masculine heat or sheer desperation that makes his terms so tempting.
Alasdair Sharpe had no intention of keeping his end of the bargain. Planning to offer his little cat burglar carte blanche instead, he promptly loses himself in the delights of unexpected pleasure. But when he awakes the next morning to find his family heirloom gone, fury quickly replaces sensual languor. Of course, Alasdair is more than willing to use seduction to reclaim his stolen pearl—and find the key to Julianna’s heart.
Now available for pre-order on:
THIS OR THAT
1. Peanut butter or jelly?
Peanut butter is proof that George Washington Carver loved us and wanted us to be happy.
2. Chips or cookies?
Cookies are my downfall. I will never lose weight as long as cookies exist in this dimension.
3. Bacon or sausage?
Bacon. Super crispy. Almost burned. Well, burned is okay, so long as it’s so crispy it crumbles if you pick it up and hold it too tightly between your fingers.
4. Print or eBook?
Ebook. Print is unwieldy and a pain in the butt. It also takes up way too much space in my house and collects dust, which my daughter and I are both allergic to. Some books you’ve got to have in print, but most I prefer in ebook.
5. Pen or pencil?
Both. Or neither. I write so little these days, except grocery lists and to sign my name, that my fingers cramp quickly and my writing is atrocious. Isn’t that awful? But I do write with a pen more often. It’s the notion of permanence, I think. I’m thinking of getting a fountain pen and forcing myself to write just so I can maintain an almost lost skill.
6. Print or cursive?
Cursive. I’m too impatient for print.
7. Notebook or computer?
Computer. Macbook to be exact. It took me a minute to realize you didn’t mean notebook paper.
8. Kleenex or handkerchief?
Kleenex. I don’t want to carry my old snot around in my purse or pocket.
9. Zombies or vampires?
Neither. I like my people alive and well.
10. Angel or Spike?
I love them both, but I have to give the win to Angel. He’s the whole package. Swoon worthy hero material. The ultimate redeemed bad boy. Sigh. I miss Angel. There are no good vamps around these days. (Yes, I love JR Ward’s Brotherhood, but they’re no Angel. Just not the same.)
Samantha Kane lives in North Carolina with her husband of fourteen years and three children, two boys and one girl. She spent seven years as a high school history teacher before becoming a full time writer and mom. Ms. Kane has a Master’s degree in American History.
She loves to hear from readers, so please feel free to email her today.
AAD Author Spotlight: Bronwyn Green (+ giveaway!!!)
Today, we’re honored to have the amazing Bronwyn Green grace us with an interview. She’s funny, she’s smart, and she’s all around awesome. Links can be found in her bio after the interview if you’d like to learn more about the fantastic Ms. Green! 
1. Tell us a little about yourself.
Honestly, I feel like one of the luckiest people in the world. I have two jobs that I absolutely adore – writing and editing. I have a great husband, who, while not perfect, is perfect for me. We have two fantastic teenage sons and four very sweet rescue cats. I also have the best friends on the planet. See? Really lucky!
2. Did you dream of writing when you were a little girl or did you dream of other thing like being a ballerina (or world domination, like me)?
I vividly remember telling my mom I wanted to be either an astronaut or a waitress. Having been a waitress in high school, I have NO CLUE what the hell I was thinking. I was horrific at it. The same goes for being an astronaut. I’m epically bad at math and claustrophobic, so I have a feeling that only would have ended badly, too. I was in high school when I started to think about writing as a career and in college when I realized that it was my dream job.
3. What is the first book (doesn’t have to be romance) that you can remember making an impact on you and why did it make such an impact on you?
Bridge to Terabithia. I first read it in 5th grade, bawled my eyes out, turned around and read it again. That was the first book that I had gut level emotional response to. I remembered be awed that the author could affect me so profoundly with “just words”. If you’ve never read it, it’s a tear-jerking combination of sad and hopeful and still remains one of my favorites today. As a side note, the movie is ridiculous – they focused on all the wrong aspects of the story, IMO.
4. What are you reading right now?
Let’s see – I usually have multiple books on the go depending what I’m in the mood for. Right now, it’s Fate’s Mirror by M.H. Mead, The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater, American Vampire by Jennifer Armintrout and You On a Diet by Dr. Oz.
5. What is your writing process?
Check my deadline. Panic. Recheck my deadline. Panic some more. Put in the headphones, turn on the music and start typing.
6. How do you approach revising?
First, I pout a little then I suck it up and dive in. My ultimate goal is to get everything back to my editor as quickly as possible.
7. What authors inspire you?
So many, but I’ll try to keep it short – let’s see… Suzanne Brockmann, Joss Whedon, Charles deLint andMaggie Steifvater.
8. What are your top 5 comfort reads?
I can only choose five? Okay, let’s see: The Wild Wood by Charles deLint, Lament by Maggie Steifvater, Grimm’s Fairy Tales by the Brothers Grimm, Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Prachett and Crossing to Avalon by Jean Shinoda Bolen.
9. Are you part of a group of writers/Do you have 1 trusted reader or CP?
I’m part of an awesome group called the Grand Rapids Region Writers Group, but I’m also lucky enough to have an amazing Critique Partner, Brynn Paulin. We’ve been CPs for almost 20 years.
10. Do you have a day job? If so, do you see yourself being able to (or even wanting to) leave it any time in the future to pursue writing full time?
I have the best day job in the world – I’m an editor who gets to work with amazing authors who inspire me every day. As long as I can both happily write and edit, I’m thrilled to have my day job!
11. What is your goal as a writer?
To have fun and write books that I want to read and hopefully other people do, too.
12. What do you love most about writing?
I love getting lost in other worlds and other lives.
13. What do you hate most about writing?
Deadlines and distractions.
14. Describe (your latest book) in 140 characters or less.
Two for the Shrew is an updated version of The Taming of the Shrew – ménage style!
15. Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
I love to chat on Twitter and play around on Pinterest, so please stop by and say hi! J
THIS OR THAT
1. Peanut butter or jelly?
Homemade strawberry jam
2. Chips or cookies?
Salt and vinegar chips. Mmmmmm
3. Bacon or sausage?
Bacon – extra crispy (I know, so picky!)
4. Print or eBook?
eBook
5. Pen or pencil?
Whatever’s handy
6. Print or cursive?
An unfortunate mix of the two
7. Notebook or computer?
Computer
8. Kleenex or handkerchief?
Kleenex
9. Zombies or vampires?
Vampires, but I prefer shifters or faeries 
10. Angel or Spike?
SPIKE!!!!
Bronwyn lives in Michigan with her wonderful husband, two amazing sons and six somewhat-psychotic cats. When not tormenting her characters, she can usually be found helping with reading and writing projects in her sons’ classrooms as well as being the car pool mom extraordinaire for a four teens and a couple preteens.
Besides writing, she also enjoys reading, knitting, sewing, cross stitching, pottery, drawing—basically anything that helps her avoid cleaning and cooking.
Bronwyn has graciously donated TWO (single author) ebook titles of the winner’s choice!!
To enter: Fill out the handy dandy Rafflecopter form below (the only option that’s mandatory is leaving a comment – all other options are just extra entries) and a winner will be chosen on Friday the 13th (dun dun dunnnnnn). The winners will be announced on the 14th in a rare Saturday post. If the winners do not contact me by the 15th, new winners will be announced by the 16th. Sound fair? Bueno.
AAD Spotlight: Guest blog by Carolyn Crane – The scariest possible thing EVER that you can put in an urban fantasy…EVER!
We are honored to have the fabulous and wonderful Carolyn Crane, author of the kickass Disillusionists series, on the blog today. Carolyn will be one of the authors I’ll be fangirling over meeting when I get to NOLA in August for Authors After Dark, and she graciously agreed to write a post for us today talking about something very serious. Take it away, Carolyn!
The scariest possible thing EVER that you can put in an urban fantasy…EVER!
Hey Mama Kitty, thanks so much for having me over at your blog! Happy March!
So, today’s topic: what is the scariest-to-me thing in urban fantasy or paranormal romance? Or even a mystery series? Is it dhampirs? Dragon shifters? The Omega? Well, okay, the Omega is pretty scary, and actually has been known to give me nightmares.
But there is something scarier.
Imagine your heroine. She is out fighting baddies. In danger. The streets are dank and dark. She escapes back to her apartment. And there, waiting for her, is her loving and totally vulnerable pet.
Nothing strikes fear into my heart in a book like the hero or heroine having a pet! A sweet, innocent little pet, because I am always totally paranoid that the pet will get killed. Or, a vulnerable animal sidekick, or even a stray cat that the heroine feeds. I can tolerate a lot of death and mayhem, but an animal in danger completely freaks me out!
I think it may have all started with Bambi’s mother getting shot in the movie Bambi. I never quite got over that. My animal freakout solidified in Wizard of Oz, where Toto survived, yes, but OMG when the witch threatened him: “I’ll get you, my pretty, and your little dog, too!”
Nooooo! Leave Toto alone! Take Dorothy, fine, and the Scarecrow guy the munchkins and the Good Witch and Tin Man, but leave Toto alone! Let Toto live!
Ahem, where was I?
I love the Stephanie Plum series, but does anybody else worry about her little hamster? Any bad guy could walk in there and kill it! Bad guys walk into her apartment all the time. Maybe she should think about leaving that hamster with Ranger.
Also, I stopped reading Kim Harrison’s Hollows series on the first book, which seemed like a very wonderful book, because I was so worried about Jenks. It seemed like Rachel Morgan didn’t protect him and left him so vulnerable to getting his little wings damaged. I know I need to get back to that series—everyone tells me it’s great—it is totally just a mania of mine that I worried.
There are a lot of fun animal friends of heroines that I don’t feel I need to worry about. The wonderful miniature underwear-sniffing unicorn Phineas in Allison Pang’s Abby Sinclair series doesn’t seem that vulnerable, I think because he’s funny and has that attitude of his, so you know he won’t get killed. And Oberon in Kevin Hearne’s Iron Druid series seems too much a main character to be in danger, though he nears the alert zone.
Hellhounds I feel can care for themselves.
Galahad in the JD Robb In Death series seems very well protected in that compound of Roarke’s, but you never know…Eve has some very sinister enemies. I haven’t read all the books in that series, though. Gosh, maybe Galahad gets killed. I hope not!
And there’s Secret McQueen’s little kitten, Rio, who we watch grow into a cat. Secret is very capable of protecting those she loves, and I think Rio knows to hide from baddies, but in a choice between, say, Rio and Lucas, I know who I want Secret to save!
Some psychologists say that when you stress out to an extreme degree about innocent, vulnerable animals being in danger, it’s partly about you, that it’s you projecting the innocent vulnerable child you once were on animals, because when you’re a child, you’re unable to save yourself from a lot of things. I don’t know how I feel about that, but in this one new series I’m working on, there was this opportunity for me to use that bit. I was going to have the hero and heroine come upon a dying baby bird, and the heroine freaks out, and hero realizes the little bird is the heroine’s heart, in a metaphorical way. Anyway, it was going to be so cool and poignant, but I could not bring myself to put a dying baby bird into a book of mine. That scene will never happen.
Anyway, that is the scariest thing to me. Hamsters. Fluffy bunnies. Hungry stray cats. Too much.
Mama Kitty, I hope that you are never threatened by vampires or werewolves, though I have a feeling you can handle yourself. And thanks so much for inviting me to visit your blog!! I’m looking so forward to meeting up at AAD in NOLA!
Contest!!
Ahem. Do you ever worry about animals in books? What is the animal you most worry about? Answer the question by [Wednesday March 21st?] and you could win a copy of Devil’s Luck, the ebook novella about Simon (which stands alone, so you can read it without reading the series) and it has NO animals in danger whatsoever!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I’m a writer living in Minneapolis with my husband and two daring cats.
I work a day job as a freelance advertising writer, and have for years. I’ve also waited tables at a surprising number of Minneapolis restaurants and bars (though not as many, incidentally, as my writer husband has). I’ve also been a shop clerk and a plastics factory worker, which I was dismal at (think I Love Lucy).
Also, I can relate almost any life experience to one or another Star Trek episodes, and if you invite me to your party, your cheese plate will be in grave danger.
During rare moments when I’m not at my computer, I can be found reading in bed, running, helping animals, or eating Mexican food.
#AADNOLA Spotlight + Giveaway: PJ Schnyder
Gimme Shelter
The zombie apocalypse is here. This is what happens next.
Zombies walk the earth as a father finds food for his daughter in the wasteland. A gun travels from hand to hand. Teenagers make out in a barn while zombies rise outside, and a woman deals with the most important third-date question. Stories of suspense, horror, adventure, and romance meet in this anthology of short fiction.
Gimme Shelter features all-new fiction from Filamena Young, Jared Axelrod, PJ Schnyder, Christiana Ellis, Peter Woodworth, Tee Morris, Mur Lafferty, Rob Wieland, David A. Hill Jr., Phillipa Ballentine, Chuck Wendig, and J.R. Blackwell. The fiction in Gimme Shelter was inspired by the live-action game, Shelter in Place.
- Publisher: Galileo Publishing (January 15, 2012)
- Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
- Language: English
- ASIN: B006Y8H1JK
Born and raised in the North East, PJ Schnyder spent her childhood pretending to study for the SATs by reading every fantasy and sci-fi
novel she could borrow from the local and school libraries. She scored fairly high in the verbal portion.
She was introduced to the wonderful world of romance a decade later by her best friend at an anime convention in Seattle.
She now lives somewhere temperate watching the seasons go by with her two dogs and super stealthy ninja kitty, writing her stories.
- Visit PJ on her blog: http://pjschnyder.com
- Twitter: http://twitter.com/pjschnyder
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/
pjschnyder
Want a chance to win Gimme Shelter? Enter here!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
AAD review: First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones
”Charley sees dead people. That’s right, she sees dead people. And it’s her job to convince them to “go into the light.” But when these very dead people have died under less than ideal circumstances (i.e. murder), sometimes they want Charley to bring the bad guys to justice. Complicating matters are the intensely hot dreams she’s been having about an entity who has been following her all her life…and it turns out he might not be dead after all. In fact, he might be something else entirely.”
- Publisher: St. Martin’s Press (February 1,2011)
- ISBN-10: 0312662752
- ISBN 13: 978-0312662752
- Language: English
- My Copy: Bought with my own money
I will be attending Authors After Dark 2012. Yay!!! This will be my first conference and I am very excited to attend with my girl MK. So I decided that I was going to start reading some of the books by the authors that will be attending AAD that I am not yet familiar with. I am starting with Darynda Jones, and boy what a way to start!! I couldn’t have picked a better book!
Charlotte Davidson (aka Charley Davidson) is the grim reaper. Yep the one and only (as far as she knows). Although she doesn’t wear a black robe and carry a scythe, she is more of a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl. She tries to help the dead cross over while trying to not end up dead herself. You see, Charley has a knack for getting herself into some pretty sticky situations. And whenever she does and her life is on the line the Big Bad is there to rescue her. He seems to be saving her life but he scares the shit out of her too. She has been seeing the Big Bad (as she calls him cause she really doesn’t know what the hell he is) ever since the day she was born. Is he really bad? Maybe or maybe not….
While trying to help 3 dead attorneys find their killer Charley and her BFF Cookie run into plenty of trouble along the way. Charley soon realizes there is more to her and the grim reaper gig than she was aware of….
This was a laugh out loud book. I loved how at the beginning of every chapter she would put a t-shirt or bumper sticker quote.
“I’d have a longer attention span if there
weren’t so many shiny things.”
—T-SHIRT
Or then there’s my personal favorite:
“When fighting clowns, always go for the juggler.”
—BUMPER STICKER
Charley is great character and I look forward to more of her crazy adventures and her future with the mysterious and outrageously sexy Reyes. The relationship with her and Cookie is only going to blossom as the series continues and Cookie learns more about Charley. I loved it!!,As a matter of fact I have already started Second Grave on the Left.
Rating: 4 meows
AAD Spotlight Interview: Manda Collins
1. Tell us a little about yourself. Well, I live and grew up on the Gulf Coast, and I work as an academic librarian when I’m not writing.
2. Did you dream of writing when you were a little girl or did you dream of other thing like being a ballerina (or world domination, like me)? Nope. Didn’t think of growing up to be a writer at all, though I loved books. I wanted to be a detective like Nancy Drew.
3. Were you always interested in historical romance or did you start out interested in something else?
For me, it’s always been historical romance. I started reading Regency romances when I was in middle school and then I found Jane Austen and I was hooked. I also am very interested in the Victorian period, and that’s what I focused during my time in graduate school.
[note from MK: JANE AUSTEN FTW!!!]
4. What is the first book (doesn’t have to be romance) that you can remember making an impact on you and why did it make such an impact? The Secret in the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene. It was my very first Nancy Drew and my mom and I read it together when I was in the first grade. I loved everything about it.
5. What is your writing process? It’s been different for every book. Something that has remained consistent is that I need to have some kind of outline. Even if it’s just very brief, I need to know what the major conflict is going to be between the hero and the heroine. I need to know the basic beginning, middle and end. It doesn’t even have to be detailed, but I’ve found that if I don’t have a plan when I start out I write myself into corners and waste a lot of time. If I have a plan, I stay on target and am more consistent as I go.
6. How do you approach revising? I generally do one pass of revisions after I finish my first draft. Then I send it out to beta readers and incorporate their suggestions into the manuscript. When that’s finished I send it to my editor and when I receive her editorial notes I do one final round of revisions. There’s an old saying that “writing is re-writing” and I think that for the most part, it’s true. I would never want that first draft of mine to see the light of day, or be seen by anyone but my very close friends or my editor.
7. What authors inspire you? Gosh, so many of them. When I was a college student I used to read and re-read Lisa Kleypas and Julia Quinn’s bios and dream of getting published right out of school. Of course things didn’t work out that way for me, but I definitely think it’s amazing that they sold so soon after finishing college. I also am constantly amazed by the generosity of some writers. Eloisa James has been very gracious and helpful to lots of up and coming authors. Brenda Novak inspires me with her yearly auction. I could go on and on.
8. What are your top 5 comfort reads? Wow! Great question! In no particular order, Sea Swept by Nora Roberts, Simply Married by Mary Balogh, Much Ado About You by Eloisa James, You Can’t Hide by Karen Rose, Lady Be Good by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
[Note from MK: I love Sea Swept!!]
9. Do you have a day job? If so, do you see yourself being able to (or even wanting to) leave it any time in the future to pursue writing full time? Yes, I do. I’m an academic librarian. I love my job but of course it would be wonderful to pursue writing full time. Not there yet, but I hope in the not too distant future
10. What is your goal as a writer? My goal is to write stories that will take people away from the day to day angst and drama of regular life and provide them with an entertaining and absorbing read.
11. What do you love most about writing? I like the planning stages the most, I think. There can be a lot of discovery during the writing process, but there’s nothing that compares to the giddy excitement of coming up with a new idea and feeling it begin to take shape. It’s wonderful.
12. What do you hate most about writing? I hate knowing that I have to get my words in for the day. Once I get started I’m fine, but actually getting to that point takes a lot of determination because for some reason I always start out wishing I could do something else. Of course once I’m finished I’m always glad that I kept at it.
13. What are you reading right now? Right now I’m reading Shiloh Walker’s If You See Her and A Lady Awakened by Cecilia Grant.
14. What is most challenging about writing historical romance? Getting the feel for the period right without sacrificing entertainment value or readability.
15. What is your current work in progress? I’m about to dive into my editor’s suggestions for my revision of the third book in the Ugly Ducklings Trilogy, How to Entice an Earl
16. Out of everything that you’ve written, what has been your favorite? I’m not sure I have a favorite yet. How to Romance a Rake was the most challenging emotionally, since it dealt with the heroine’s very serious disability. How to Dance with a Duke was the most fun to write. I don’t think I can choose.
17. Have you published anything that you wish you could go back and re-write? Not yet! Knock on wood!
18. Is there anything else you would like to share with us? Just that I’m very excited to be attending my first ever AAD event this fall. Hopefully I’ll meet a lot of you there!
THIS OR THAT
1. Peanut butter or jelly? Peanut Butter
2. Chips or cookies? Cookies
3. Bacon or sausage? Bacon
4. Print or eBook? E-book
5. Pen or pencil? Pen
6. Print or cursive? Cursive
7. Notebook or computer? Computer
8. Kleenex or handkerchief? Kleenex
9. Zombies or vampires? Vampires
10. Angel or Spike? Spike
Manda Collins spent her teen years wishing she’d been born a couple of centuries earlier, preferably in the English countryside. Time travel being what it is, she resigned herself to life with electricity and indoor plumbing, and read lots of books. An affinity for books led to a graduate degree in English, followed by another in Librarianship. By day, she works as an academic librarian at a small liberal arts college, where she teaches college students how to navigate the tangled world of academic research. A native of coastal Alabama, Manda lives in the house her mother grew up in with three cats, sometimes a dog, sometimes her sister, and more books than strictly necessary.
AAD Spotlight Review: Coyote Law by Kris Norris
In Benevolence, New Mexico, the west isn’t the only thing that’s wild…
Sheriff Jeremiah Stone is a man with a secret—and if the good folks of Benevolence discover he’s a coyote shifter, he just might end up on the wrong end of a noose. He works alone and is careful to cover his tracks, there’s just one problem. The new doctor in town is his intended mate, and he can’t claim her without divulging who, and what, he is.
Dr. Katherine Cooper knew moving to the small, border town of Benevolence would be difficult, but she never counted on dodging gunfights or falling for the town’s sheriff who’s got a body to match his name. Kate’s been doing everything she can to get the handsome lawman to notice her, but he seems determined to keep her at arms’ length. But when she unwillingly becomes a target of the area’s most notorious gang, her only salvation is the one man who holds both her life and her heart in his hands.
- Publisher: Resplendence Publishing, LLC (December 11, 2011)
- Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
- Language: English
- ASIN: B006L9S0Z6
- My copy: given to me by the author for the purposes of an honest review
Warning: I babble a little in this review. I blame lack of sleep. Or too much sleep? Crap, I think I’m getting sick again…
Coyote Law is the first coyote shifter book that I’ve ever read. Sheriff Jeremiah Stone has been hiding his shifter side for a long, long time for fear that the citizens of the town will string him up (with good reason – back in the day, people hung or shot what they feared, and what else would you fear more than a person who could shift into an animal… what was that song from Pocahontas? If I don’t understand it or it’s different, it must be evil? …Or something like that.)
But Dr Kate moves into town, and she’s his mate, and that screws his world all up, because now he’s got to fight against his natural impulses to… well… mate with her. And that’s not an easy thing to do, because fighting against your natural instincts is hard enough to do when you’re human, but when you’re part animal fighting against your instinctive side is nearly impossible. And watching him fight against trying to be with her was both amusing and hurtful to me. I wanted to reach out to him and thump him in the head and just say GO TO HER! YOU NEED TO BE WITH HER! SO JUST DO IT ALREADY!
I was a little confused as to why the bad guy was sniffing around Dr Kate at first or why he stayed such a dickhead after she tried to help the young one (she’s such a good person!! And she was so torn up over the fact that she couldn’t help him and it was obvious that she was torn up over it!! But the other guy just had to keep being a jackass and keep coming after her because what? He needed to prove he had the bigger dick? I don’t know…), but if there was no conflict, there’d be no story so it did make sense in the end. (sorry, I babble sometimes)
The smex was absolutely smoking hot and I was a little afraid that my iPad would melt. I was thisclose to demanding that Kris buy me a new one if it did, cause these suckers aren’t cheap! In fact… *shifty eyes* Kris… my iPad melted. And it was an iPad2. You need to buy me a new one, cause it was your hot hot HOT smex scenes that did it. Yeah… that’s it…
Rating: 4.5 meows
AAD2013
