Tag Archives: showcase

July 18, 2013 · 8:00 am

Interview with Declan Finn

Welcome, Declan Finn!
 
 

1. For those who might not be familiar with you, would you be a dear and tell the readers a little about yourself? How did you get your start in the writing business?

(DF) Well, let’s see – I’m an overeducated history and philosophy nerd who studies Krav Maga, the self defense system of the Israeli military. That’s the short version. The long version includes being accused of terrorism (pre-9/11 … it’s complicated), a fascination with IRA songs, and being a walking confessional for college (and that was a long four years, let me tell you).

My start in writing? Once upon a time, I fell into a tv show called Babylon 5. I followed the show, read the writer’s notes on it, and I started dabbling myself. Soon, I had over 4000 pages of text, none of my material looked like where it started, and I was addicted to writing.


2. Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? If so, please share how you handle it.

(DF) I don’t actually suffer from writer’s block, mostly because I’ve never been forced to work on just one project. If it ever happens that I can’t think of what to do next on one project, I go onto another. Usually, I sit down at the computer, double check what cliff I left everyone dangling over this time, and start figuring out how to get them off of it without dropping them. I tend to have a lot of cliffs involved. And when the plot gets slow, I send someone through a door with a machinegun.

 

3. Contrary to what some people envision about a romance writer’s life, it’s not all glitz and glam. Well not for the majority of us. With that bubble sadly busted, when you’re not writing, how do you spend your time?

(DF) Not writing? What is this thing called “not writing”? There is no such thing. If I’m not writing a book, I’m writing a press release, or a letter to bookstores, or a guest blog for a site that’s never heard of me before. Or talking with a church group about talking in front of them, or … or … or … 

I will occasionally see a movie, or read a novel. Since my PR has started on both novels – Codename: Winterborn and A Pius Man – my reading speed has dropped significantly. Books I used to finish in a day now take weeks. When I really feel the need to just stop – as in “My head hurts even thinking about writing” – I turn on my Xbox and fall in for a few days.

 

4. I know many writers keep their pastime/career a secret. Do those close to you know you write? If so, what are their thoughts?

(DF) Most people know what I do, but my best friends tell me that I should rock on and keep plugging away. The ones who are just acquaintances tell me “that’s nice” and start discussing their little universe, because the latest Jersey Shore plot they call their life is more interesting than anything else.


5. Will you share with us your all time favorite authors? If you’re like me, it’s a long list so give us your top ten.

(DF) John Ringo, Vince Flynn, James Rollins, David Weber, Timothy Zahn, S. Kenyon (didn’t see that one coming, did you?), Jim Butcher, Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child (who really only count as one unit, they’re practically joined at the hip), Terry Prachett and Terry Goodkind.

(Kam) I’m a fan of SK, too. 🙂


6. If you could choose one book to go to the big screen, yours or otherwise, which book would you choose and whom would you love to see cast in the parts?

(DF) I’d definitely want my own books on the big screen, are you kidding? Though it would be a coin flip between Codename: Winterborn and A Pius Man. I think, though, that I would want A Pius Man to happen first. I actually have a whole vlog dedicated to that, but I’d be happy with a combination that’s one part Joss Whedon cast, and one part Castle. Christian Kane for Sean A.P. Ryan, Stana Katic for Manana Shushurin, Summer Glau for Maureen McGrail… the list goes on for a while. And those are only a few thoughts on a few characters. The Vlog goes on forever.
 
7. Would you care to tell us what you’re working on now? That is if it’s not top-secret information. If so, just whisper it in my ear. I swear it’ll go no further.
(DF) The two of us are working on the sequel to Codename: Winterborn, and I’m putting the finishing touches to my novel A Pius Legacy.

(The Pius Trilogy) (Volume 1)51ayssvbjbl-_sx331_bo1204203200_

Print Purchase Link

Kindle Purchase Link

 

8. Where can we find your stories, and is there a particular reading order?
(DF) All of my novels can be found at Amazon.com. There’s no particular reading order, as there is no continuing story … at least not yet. Codename: Winterborn is completely separate from A Pius Man.


9. Would you please share how your present and future fans can contact you?
(DF) We’re available through our Facebook page for Codename: Winterborn. I, personally, can be found at DeclanFinnInc@aol.com. 
Blog: apiusman.blogspot.com
Facebook Author page: https://www.facebook.com/A.Pius.Man.novel
 
10. Before we conclude this enlightening interview, do you have anything else you’d like to share? The stage is all yours. 

(DF) If they can’t get enough of my overly exciting writing style, they can find more from me at apiusman.blogspot.com, or @apiusmannovel or even @SeanAPRyan (a real account for a fictional character).
 

Wrap-up

Ladies and Gents, I hope you enjoyed our interview with Declan Finn. If you have any questions or comments for Declan, by all means, leave him a message below. Thank you in advance for your visit!

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July 11, 2013 · 8:00 am

Author Showcase – Mychael Black

 Dark Reign 4: Fight or Flight
by Mychael Black
 
Being a pariah is a burden no man should have to bear, but for Eric Salvatore, it’s brutal reality.

My name is Daniel Hughes. I’ve been living under the protection of Marcus Deleon and his pack for several years, and let me tell you, it’s a lonely life. Then Marcus’ vampiric lover, Jordan Silva, introduces me to his best friend, a vampire named Eric Salvatore. Keeping our hands off of one another proves impossible, but there are secrets that Eric carries which could destroy him. I’m not about to let that happen.

Meting out justice on the vampires who attacked him years ago is the easy part. Dealing with the fallout when the pack discovers the truth about Eric? That’s another problem altogether. But I refuse to give up on him… even when he should never have existed.

 
Kindle Purchase Link
 
 
sneakpeek
 
 
“Have you seen him?”
 
“The new one? I heard someone say he’s dangerous.”
 
I ignored the gossipers and continued down the street, eager
to get home. I loved my bartending job, but after ten hours of being on my feet
and filling drink orders for only God knew how many drunk men and women, I was
done. Things were safer now, though. We no longer had to worry about Dalton
Gray trying to steal the young ones or hunt the older ones. Hell, Marcus Deleon
— the leader of our little family — had even taken a vampire lover.
 
Not for me, thanks. I kinda liked my blood where it was: in
my body. Not that Jordan Silva wasn’t cute, because he was. I just didn’t go
for the whole bloodsucking thing. Then again, here lately, I didn’t go for any
sucking thing.
 
With Dalton dead and others of his ilk keeping a safe
distance after the fact, weres like myself could move around freely without
worrying about kidnapping — or worse. Of course, that also meant that normal
humans now tried to pick a few of us up for a fling here and there, but even
that slowed when humans realized most of us mated for life. Me, I avoided
anything resembling casual sex. I had no desire whatsoever to risk becoming
attached to someone who may or may not stick around. My hand and a trunk full
of toys were more than enough to keep my heart intact.
 
As I reached the front gate of the mansion, it swung open. I
nodded to the night guard and headed up the driveway. A few lights shone in the
windows, which wasn’t such a big deal, but the front door stood ajar, too.
Curious and a touch wary, I slowed down, approaching the house with a bit more
caution.
 
A figure stepped into the door frame and relief washed
through me when I recognized Jordan Silva. Before I got to the door, however,
another form took shape right in front of Jordan — out of thin air.
 
Long, straight black hair fell over broad shoulders, and an
ankle-length black trench coat just barely hid the man’s muscular frame. When
he moved, light glinted off something slender and steel. Jordan laughed and
hugged the man. Then they went into the house.
 
I followed, intrigued. The two of them had disappeared, but
I heard laughter and Marcus’ deep voice welcoming the newcomer. I wondered if
the women I’d overheard on the walk home had been talking about our mysterious
guest. He certainly fit the “dangerous” bill, if what I’d seen was
indeed a sword. Who the hell walked around with swords anymore?
 
Spying Geoff down the hall, I headed for the man before he
could disappear into the room he shared with his lover, AJ. Although the human
was blind, Geoff’s wolf was not. The man was also incredibly intuitive.
 
“Hey,” I said, hurrying to catch him. “Who
was that?”
 
Geoff glanced in the direction of Marcus’ office, which
meant he used a bit of the wolf’s energy to see. “Oh, him? Friend of
Jordan’s, I think. Eric something.” He grinned and leaned against the
door. “Why? Interested?”
 
“No! I just…” I scowled at him, though whether he
could still see me was up for debate. Letting the wolf’s vision through took a
good bit of his energy. “Besides, I only saw his back, which, I might add,
was covered in a trench coat.”
 
Geoff leaned in and whispered, “Wait until you see his
face.”
 
“This coming from a blind wolf who, funny enough, only
has eyes for one guy.”
 
Geoff laughed. “Yes, well, even AJ thinks the guy’s hot
as sin. Unfortunately, he’s straight, as far as I know.”
 
“Probably for the best,” I muttered as I headed
for my room.
 
My bedroom acted as a sort of refuge, and I took great
delight in shutting out Geoff’s chuckles. We’d been friends for years —
twelve, to be exact — and he found it incredibly amusing that I refused the
notion of casual sex. While many of our kind mated for life, several within
Marcus Deleon’s house enjoyed fucking for the hell of it — no relationships
needed. Geoff had been like that once, until he’d caught wind of AJ. Hell, he’d
been the one to save AJ from certain death after Dalton Gray nearly beat the life
out of the poor man.
 
I, however, wanted something different. I just didn’t have a
clue what, beyond someone I could come home to every night. Stripping off my
clothes and heading for the bathroom, I wondered if I’d ever find that
particular someone. I was pushing thirty, and for a shapeshifter, that was a
bit old to be mateless.
 
I got the water started and stepped into the shower, tugging
the curtain closed. The hot water felt amazing as it rained down onto my back,
loosening muscles and draining tension away. I loved my job, but it was
exhausting.
 
Images of random men I’d met throughout the night filtered
through my mind. Hot, muscled, sexy. While my head and heart had no intention
of going for casual sex, my dick certainly didn’t mind it. Bracing myself with
one hand on the tiled wall, I stroked myself with the other. I thought about
the hot bear of a guy who’d ordered a round of shots for himself and his cub. I
imagined the two of them, sweaty and panting, the cub on his knees, his bear’s
thick cock pistoning in and out of his lips.
 
“Fuck…” I pumped my cock faster.
 
The picture in my head morphed into another, this one dark,
dangerous, a flash of steel, the metallic sound of metal on metal. Long,
straight black hair hid the man’s face, but those biceps flexed with every
swing of the sword. Strong legs, hard torso…
 
“Oh, God…” I moaned and shot my load onto the
shower wall. Christ! Vampire or not, the man had burrowed his way into my
imagination, and I hadn’t even seen his face.
 
 Kindle Purchase Link
 
 
 
mychaelblack_author1_400x400
 

What do online gaming, Spongebob, cooking, writing, and an unnatural addiction to Mountain Dew all have in common?

Not a damn thing, which is what makes Mychael Black an interesting bird indeed.

Born in north Alabama, Mychael now resides on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Having run the gamut of labels in regard to gender and sexuality, Mychael now shuns society’s views on normality and embraces a poly-everything attitude. Call Mychael her or him—it doesn’t matter. Just keep reading the books.

Facebook Link / Twitter Link

 

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May 3, 2013 · 12:00 pm

Author Showcase – Clemy Warner-Thompson

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I was born in Shropshire in the West Midlands in 1991 where I am still currently living, growing up alongside one younger and three older brothers.

Books and writing was an interest that I began to develop from the first years of secondary school, and on my thirteenth birthday, I began to plan and design the idea to write a fantasy novel. I finished secondary school with high GCSE’s and then went on into further education to study English and all aspects of art and design. After six years of writing, planning and overall editing of the book, it was successfully completed, containing over 82,000 words, and self published in the first week of 2011.

With high expectations in myself, I immediately began to write a second novel in the series, while keeping my art and design a part of the process. The achievement of completing the first novel ‘Purest Light,’ allowed the ideas of the second to flow much easier and it was completed by early 2012. As I was writing the third and final book, New Beginnings, at the same time, the series was finished by its publication in 2012/ 13.

Writing is now a part of my everyday and I have started on my newest project, Shadows, which is also planned to be the first of three. Only time will tell.  

Facebook Author Page

Personal FB Page

 
 
 
 
~ Series Blurb~
 
When a brother and sister from a small village fall upon an angel, blessed with the ability to fly and conjure magic, they are thrown into a world beyond their understanding, and so begin to venture from their simple lives into a war between Light and Darkness. They come to realise that their lives were never mapped out as simple mortal destinies, but rather that of two warriors, with a fate to end the unseen suffering of the land.
 
Along the path that they decide to follow, they meet further Seraphim and others who offer their help, but not everything is gained; friends and family are lost. Their very souls and hearts, and that of their friends, are thrown into an aeon old war between Light and Darkness. Filled with feelings unknown to them, they must decide which element is to be superior and survive from their seemingly never ending task. 
Will they reach the edge of their world to restore the balance, or will they fall and be defeated by Darkness? 
 
Purchase Links
 

Purest Light (currently being re-edited for re-release)

Darkest Regrets

New Beginnings

 

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April 10, 2013 · 10:00 am

Author Showcase and GIVEAWAY OFFER – Jennifer Labelle

Jennifer Labelle resides in Ottawa, Ontario Canada with her husband and three beautiful children. After her third child she became a stay at home mom. In her busy household Jennifer likes to spend her down time engrossed in the stories that she creates. She is an active reader of romance (especially historical), mystery and anything paranormal. With an education in Addictions work she’s decided to take a less stressful approach in life and hopes that you enjoy, as she shares some of her imagination with all of you.
 
Contact Info~
Website
Blog 
Twitter
Facebook
Goodreads
Amazon Author Page 
 
 
 

Goody, goody Teegan Hallowell was tired of being teased for following the rules. So, when her brother’s sexy friend shows an interest, she rebels, and learns all about the good kind of bad.

Now ten years later, Teegan returns home to escape a horrible mistake, but wonders if she’s made an even bigger one by returning. There was a reason she left Digby, when her dreams shattered and the man she loved betrayed her. So when she realizes she’s still in love with him, matters become complicated when he reveals her reason for leaving him was all in vain.

Liam Bates has every intention of loving Teegan again, but she’s had it rough and he needs to rebuild her trust.  The spark is still there, and as they explore what once was, their love is tested when Teegan disappears, and Liam will stop at nothing until he finds her again.

 
~~PURCHASE LINKS~~
SCP
ARe
Amazon

 

EXCERPT~

Jagged rocks aligned across the coastline. The moist salty air was refreshing, and the tide slowly rose against the Fundy Shore. It was good to be home again. Teegan sat on the fallen tree trunk, and tried to capture the beauty of the scenery with her sketch pad.

She hadn’t been there in years and the beauty of it still captivated her. This secluded patch of beach once belonged to Liam’s family and she wondered if it still did. Seeing Liam again brought so much back to her, that she just needed a place to unwind, and some of her most precious memories belonged right where she was.

Smiling, she turned up her iPod and sang along to the lyrics of Shinedown’s Breaking Inside, relating to the lyrics. Subconsciously, she ended up adding a boy and his father fishing right where she sat into the picture. Liam! Why can’t I seem to let you go? Sighing, she almost fell off the log and into the water. Her heart raced, and adrenaline pumped as she wondered who in the Lord’s name snuck up on her like that.

Large arms wrapped around her, pulling her close as his heat enveloped her senses. He was the one man in the entire world who could make her weak in the knees by just being in close proximity to her. The one man she was trying to avoid. Too afraid of her emotions. Oh Lord, he smells so good. Get it together, Teeg. You don’t even know him anymore.

“Liam?” She sounded breathless and winced turning away. She could not let him see how he affected her, could not risk losing her heart again. It hurt too much.

“Hasn’t anyone ever told you not to sneak up on someone like that? Geez, you just about gave me a heart attack not to mention an unwanted swim.” Placing a hand to her heart she turned to face him again only to have the urge to smother his smile with her lips. He was beautiful, and she missed the taste of him.

“It’s good to see you too.” He chuckled, “And there is no way I would have let you fall in. Hasn’t anyone ever told you that this is private property?”

She could tell by the glint in his eye he was only teasing, and she hated how easily he could make her smile. As if, she was eighteen all over again. “Ya, but you see, I used to know one of the owners of said property very well. I have many fond memories here, and I just had to see if it was as remarkable as I remembered it.”

“Well is it?” His face turned serious as he closed the distance between them.

With his closeness distracting her she whispered, “Is it what?”

Before she knew it his head was lowering and her breathing turned rapid. Be careful what you wish for. She could feel his breath against her and all she could think about was the taste of his lips on hers. Soft, plump, and delectable…

 
 
 
 Giveaway offer – Comment below for a chance to win a copy of “No Strings Attached” in the format of your choosing. The contest will run from today until April 14th. Monday, the 15th, I will select a winner and notify him or her via email. Once I hear back from you, I will forward your email address to Jennifer. So readers, please either comment with your address or have your settings programmed where it allows messages from me. 

 

 

Julie Saunders and Gunnery Sergeant, Ryan Hawke have both hit a rough patch in life. Demanding jobs ensure there aren’t enough hours in the day to get out there and meet people. Tired of feeling lonely and in need of attention, they turn to the personals for a no-strings-attached encounter.

When Ryan sees Julie’s response to his ad for a hook up, he’s relieved he’s found a sane one in the bunch. She’s beautiful, they share the same goals, and she’s got a hell of an adventurous side–just what he needs.

Can reality live up to expectations or will a no-strings hook-up leave them craving more?

BUY LINK

 

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March 22, 2013 · 12:00 pm

Author Showcase – Sara Jay

 
Genres: Razor’s Edge Press, Dark Fantasy, Hot Flashes
Themes: Menage, Elves, Dragons & Magical Creatures
 
 
Blurb 
Fae law prevents Sinn from mating, but the bikers have rules of their own — nobody rides for free.

In a world where Fae desires overrule those of mere humans, Sinn is consumed with desire for her soulmate, Daka. However, Daka refuses to break the Fae law that prevents them from having sex without the queen’s permission. Sinn finds a way to sate her sexual hunger in the company of three bikers.
 

They’ll make a good tribute to the queen’s appetites, too…

 

 
EXCERPT 
 
“Come on,” said the blond cowboy, smiling at her charmingly. “You can’t stay out here alone. It’s dangerous! Coyotes and bears and stuff.”

She didn’t tell the idiot that such animals would never come within a mile of her out of fear. They faced the direction she was going — and besides, she could make them go any way she wanted if they chose to divert from her path. She simply simpered, “Well, all right, gentlemen.”

She walked over to them, wondering which one she should straddle first.

Where had that come from?

Green Eyes spoke up for the first time, and his voice — though still notably human — slid over her like a dark whisper across stone. “Nobody rides for free.”

“What was that?” Sinn asked, perplexed. Surely they didn’t expect tribute from her as the queen did? Humans didn’t even know of such things.

“You heard him, darlin’,” said Cowboy, his accent more annoying now. “Ass, gas, or grass — nobody rides for free.”

“I see,” she replied. She should just go ahead and kill them. But then she’d have to drag all three bikes herself, which, though not impossible, wouldn’t be easy with the queen’s insistence of non-flight transportation. “Of course. I can buy your gas at the next station.”

Green Eyes snorted, as if he felt her no longer worth transporting. The other two seemed like they were still game.

“Okay, little lady, hop on,” said Cowboy, and he presented her with a clunky old helmet.

She almost laughed at the thought of falling off the motorcycle and hurting herself. She’d flutter to the ground and watch them die without much interest, then lug them all to the shrine with her. 
Instead, she maintained her human cover, adjusting the helmet over her long black curls, and got behind Cowboy.

As soon as he revved his engine up, she felt desire stirring again. Her breasts, pressed against the back of his leather jacket — something that might normally make her gag — began to tingle, and she could feel the rough texture against her nipples through her silken shift.
What trickery was this? No human had ever made her feel so — so lustful! Only Daka could do that.

Daka… Just thinking about him made her even more aroused. The vibration of the bike between her legs made her imagine being beneath him. His slick green skin would bob over hers, his spiraled tattoos rendering her dizzy as he dipped himself into her body over and over again…

Oh, Daka! She could feel her release building and Cowboy must have sensed it because he laughed a little and grabbed her knee. “We’ll get some ass out of you yet, princess,” he drawled.

Though she knew he assumed she couldn’t hear him over the roar of the engine, her Faery ears made out his words perfectly. Indeed, Cowboy? We shall see about that.

But as they traveled into the night, she began to think about his words. They wanted ass from her, did they? She, too, wanted some relief, after all. They were not of the Fae. They wouldn’t break her contract.

What of Daka, though? What would he think? He considered humans nothing more than toys as well, and her playing with them would likely not upset him. Especially if she managed to help him play with a human or two of his own later.

She felt a real smile return to her face. She was going to play with some humans tonight.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Kindle Purchase Link (US)


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Sara Jay won the Spring Fling Contest at Changeling Press this past spring. Woo-hoo! Be sure to send your congrats her way! Here is an excerpt from her winning story, Nobody Rides for Free.

Visit the Author: Sara Jay
Supernatural Romance Not for the Faint of Heart
Nobody Rides for Free, a feral faery-and-biker foursome
Get your copy here

https://www.facebook.com/sarajayschmidt

 

 

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