Friday Fun

A dog, a cat, and a penis are sitting around a camp fire one night.

The dog says, "My life sucks, my master makes me do my business on a fire hydrent!".

The cat says, "I don't think so, my master makes me do my business in a box of cat litter."

The penis outraged, says "At least your master doesn't put a bag over your head and make you do push ups until you throw up!"

Happy Hump Day!

Wanna be Flashed?

Hee hee... I was kind of at a loss as to what to blog about today. You really don't need to hear more about my freaking trials and travails. Sooo... I was trying to think... yeah yeah, no blonde jokes please. And I wanted to do something for the upcoming holiday (which I LOVE).

Halloween is one of my fave times of the year, I decorate, I dress up (even though no one but the neighborhood kids see me, usually) and I have a blast carving pumpkins and watching my hubby scare the kids of the neighborhood. Sooooooo... around this time last year I entered a Flash Fiction contest. It was fun, and it had a couple of characters from a current WIP (yes, it's still a WIP... took them this long to tell me I had the wrong animal...). I didn't mention it on the blog last year, so I have no idea if any of y'all have read it. But, I thought that I would share it with y'all here. I've added some to it (it was originally 500 words... too short in my opinion... lol). Enjoy!

©2009 Kealie Shay
“Where the hell is everyone?” Gemma muttered as she strode across the foyer of her too silent house. The stiletto heels of her boots clicked loudly. “Hello!” she hollered, from the foot of the stairs. Her voice echoed back. “Dammit.”

All those adult toys from the Adult Halloween Carnival she’d just worked had heated her up, now there was no one around to assuage the ache. “Guess it’s BOBs turn.” An unladylike snort slipped past her lips as she lifted her long, silky skirt to climb the stairs without tripping.

The low, animalistic growl behind her halted her momentum. The hairs on the back of her neck lifted. A shiver of fear tripped up her spine. Gemma gasped, heart pounding so hard it might burst from her chest; she had one chance at escape. She launched herself up the stairs, taking them two at a time. The low grunts and growls behind her grew louder as her pursuer closed in behind her. With a desperate burst of speed she moved faster, grabbing the newel post at the top landing, slingshot-ing around the banister and toward her bedroom. The scrabble of claws and thump of a body against the wall told her the pursuer hadn’t made the turn as easily.

She dashed through the bedroom door, and felt a burst of hope until an arm caught her from behind, squeezing the breath from her. The boning in her corset bit into her stomach as she was lifted then tossed toward the bed. Landing with a loud, “Ooompf!” she scrambled forward on hands and knees. Two huge hands slapped down in front of her face stopping her forward momentum. The creature came over the top of her, caging her with its body. Trembling, she held as still as she could despite the adrenaline racing through her. She was mesmerized by the clawed hand sliding down her body to slowly lift her skirt. A whimper slid past her lips before she could bite it back.

The rasp of claws against her stocking-clad leg, and then her naked thigh sent shivers down Gemma’s spine. She moaned as the feel of cool air and fur against her exposed backside shocked her system. The hairy, clawed arm next to her face transformed into an elegant, long-fingered hand attached to a man’s smooth, muscular forearm. The fur melted away and Gemma cried out as his huge cock slammed into her pussy from behind, the entry rough and just what she needed.

“God, Gemma,” Colin moaned as he pulled out until only the head of his cock remained inside her. “I could smell your fucking heat when you walked in the door.”

“It was all the toys. Brought some home… for later. Now, please, shut up and fuck me!” she panted.

Her mate obliged her, slamming back inside her to the hilt. His pubic hair rubbed against her naked ass as he rotated his hips to grind against her, his cock bucked inside her wet pussy. He pulled back and thrust back in with a groan. Then, as if his control had snapped, he set a fast pace, pounding in and out of her welcoming body, pushing them quickly toward completion. She whimpered when his callused fingers slid along her hip then burrowed into her folds to stroke her clit. The rough pad of one finger slid around the engorged bud slowly, pulling pleasure from deep within her. Lightning zinged up her spine and Gemma arched back, meeting each brutal thrust, desperate to reach that glorious peak.

A second finger joined the first against her clit and he squeezed the nerve-rich flesh just hard enough, just short of pain, pushing her over the edge into ecstasy. She screamed, her release rolling over her in waves while Colin kept up the punishing pace until, two thrusts later he came with a growl. Her arms gave out and they fell to the bed. He braced himself, stopping just short of crushing her with his massive weight by shifting to his side.

Still panting, Colin grumbled into the pillow, “It bloody well took you long enough to get home. Knowing what you were and weren’t wearing under that damned outfit… all I’ve wanted was to take you with your fucking boots still on.”

Gemma laughed. “They’re not ‘fucking’ boots. The correct term is ‘fuck-me boots’.”

A masculine groan pulled Gemma’s gaze from the ceiling above their bed to the men standing in the doorway. Her other mates, Farrell and Gerard, stood in the doorway watching her and Colin with greedy eyes.

“Dammit, Colin!” Farrell was clearly disgruntled at missing the fun. “You started without us!”

“Looks like he finished without us too,” Gerard griped from his position next to the larger male leaning against the doorframe.

Gemma laughed as the feline shifter at her back purred his contentment. “Don’t worry, boys. There’s plenty for everyone.”

Farrell pushed away from the door jamb with Gerard hot on his heels. The men prowled across the room like the predators they were. Farrell grabbed Gemma’s ankle and yanked her to the edge of the bed as he bent down to crush her lips beneath his own. “The fuck-me boots stay on,” he growled against her smiling mouth.

Author Interview ~ Michelle Polaris

Today, here at the Menagerie, we are pleased to have with us, published author Michelle Polaris. Let’s all make sure we give her a nice warm welcome. Hi Michelle, welcome! Pick a couch and make yourself comfy and we’ll get started. So, why don’t you tell us your latest news?

I am psyched to be celebrating my first release ever of an erotic romance, Bound Odyssey, out at Ellora’s Cave this past October 23rd. This book almost wrote itself. The characters were so crisp and clear in my head and such a pleasure to unfold. I am very proud of this story. And even my DH got to participate in the research. No, not the erotic research (grin). He’s a scientist and the book has some futuristic, post-apocalyptic elements. We had to come up with a scientific experimental disaster that would lead to the destruction of earth’s environment. Okay, so maybe it’s not based on real, hard science, but we had to make it believable enough to lead to the story events and conflicts.

Wow, sounds like fun. And I’m thinking you’re fibbing a bit about the erotic research… just saying. :-D Your story sounds like it’s right up my alley, I’ll have to go take a look and see if it’s what I usually add to my library or if it’s something new and … better. LOL So, when and why did you begin writing?

I began writing my first stories in middle school, although it took me until my thirties to get serious about publishing. As a girl I was already soaking up everything fantasy, particularly sexy romantic fantasy, I could get my hands on. I read a lot of Sharon Green back then. I dreamed of being able to create what those authors were creating. At the time I was a fairly quiet, introverted kid with lots going on inside my head, so making up stories was a natural. When I sat down to write my first novella in middle school, I set it in the He-Man universe. Do you remember that corny cartoon? In my story, the He-Man hero’s love interest was She-Woman, a female kick-ass warrior version of the guy. It’s not surprising my first published romantic erotica has some female domination elements along with the futuristic, ménage, male/male and male domination components. I still read tons of urban fantasy with powerful female figures, so I wasn’t surprised to be drawn to writing stories with similar power dynamics.

Huh, funny how we all start writing at a younger age. Either we see a movie and think, “OH, I could sooooo do that better as a book lol. Or, we read a book and decide we need to change the ending to suit our romantic heart. Do you have a specific writing style?

It’s not exactly a style, however I tend to write long, dark stories. I like to torture my characters, give them intense internal conflicts and watch them struggle to grow and find the love that helps them to heal. So although a reader has to invest a little more time in my novels due to their length, I build the plot, emotional payoff and sexual tension carefully so that by the end it’s definitely worth it.

Well, I like those kinds of books. Then again, I love books.  So, how did you come up with the title of your release?

First of all, the novel is a BDSM erotic romance, so BOUND was an easy fit.
From the beginning I knew that one of my two heroes was a pretty wounded, noble guy and that his journey into the BDSM lifestyle and into relationships with the two other protagonists was really an epic journey during which he’d be able to grow. I immediately thought of the Odyssey as a prime example of epic journey. Although I didn’t name my hero Odysseus (grin), I wanted a name that evoked the image of a hero embarking on that type of adventure. So the name Jace Argo was born. Reminiscent of Jason and the Argonauts. Actually, in the book Jace explains that he had his name changed legally to this after reading the Argonautica and wanting to think of himself as a hero to help escape the powerlessness he felt in his dark past.

Wow, what an interesting journey for your story to go on, again, I seem to have this one on my buy list at some point. LOL Okay, If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

Joey W. Hill. She is a Master (or Mistress – grin) of developing heart wrenchingly beautiful poignant characters and writing gorgeous prose. All mixed in with hotter than hot sensual and sexual scenes. I love her. If you haven’t read her stuff, both the contemporary BDSM and her paranormal erotic romance, you need to do so right now.

OMG, Joey is one of my favorite authors. She always makes me want to cry at least a little bit. And then I get all hot and bothered. She is AWESOME! Okay, what are your current projects?

Currently I’m working on a novella involving an erotic magic show. It’s a male/male love story and has BDSM elements. I loved reading about the famous stage magicians and the psychology of why people are drawn to watching magic. The subject lends mucho potential for sexy, sensuous, and mysterious story setting and tone. And I’ve thrown in paranormal/fantasy components as well.

Very cool! As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

I always wanted to be a novelist, specifically of fantasy. But along the way I also wanted to be a paleontologist, a poet, a zoologist, and a choreographer.

Awww… I can relate to the choreographer part… and I did it. LOL, and now for the questions that have nothing to do with writing: When you looked in the mirror this morning, what was the first thing you thought?

Are you kidding me? I didn’t have time to think. I was racing to get out the door with my kids to school. At the best I was wondering how fast I could throw on clothes and comb my hair before my two young sons could thoroughly beat each other up downstairs. Needless to say, I am far from high maintenance in the clothes and presentation department in the morning.

LOL Don’t we all feel that way? And if you don’t K know what to hear it. :-D What were you doing at midnight last night?

Writing. I stay up way too late. And even when I’m done I need to settle down with a good book for at least several minutes. All in all, this pattern doesn’t lead to much sleep since I’m still getting up early to send young children off to school the next morning. I’m not a morning person, but I’m functional both in the morning and at night after I get my second wind.

What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever eaten?

Escargot maybe? Or curry conch stew? The snails were pretty good, because what isn’t when drowned in enough butter and garlic? And I love curry. Come to think of it, these are not particularly strange things to eat in some other countries. I must be an exotic foods virgin. I need to ratchet up my world traveling. That should provide many more chances to eat really weird stuff.

Oh, blech, don’t know if I could eat snails by choice. What is your favorite animal?

Do they have to be real animals? I was always a nut for unicorns growing up. Cliché for a little girl, but they rock! If I have to keep it real I’d say any of the large wild cats.

LOL. What do you want to know about the future?

Although the idea is nice, probably nothing. Too much potential to screw with your head and affect all sorts of decisions you make on a daily basis. If I knew something bad was to happen to me or my family in the future, I think I’d go crazy. And counting on something good happening would be too easy of a way out to live my life.

What is your heritage?

Russian on both sides. My husband wonders how my ancestors survived in such a cold country. I’m constantly freezing and start layering sweaters as early as the first cool day in September. I wear socks to bed September through May. He cannot believe I come from hearty peasant stock.

If you could wish for anything, what would you wish for?

Joy for me and my family. And that by the end of my life I’d lived in a way that led to no regrets. That I kept an open mind about the world and the people within it, and treated friends, loved ones and strangers with respect and compassion. Oh, and I wish for lots of book sales too (grin).

So that about wrapped it up for now. She’ll be hanging out with us here at them Menagerie, so ask her some questions in the blog.

Once described by a new age practitioner as having an old soul, Michelle remains skeptical, but has learned to accept that the universe is a big place. Growing up, she always wanted to write novels. Her dream of creating fantastical stories as a full time career stayed with her after her first handwritten fantasy romance novella in middle school.

Luckily, she has made that dream come alive. Michelle loves to explore the duality of dark and light in her characters’ lives. Only when they push beyond the scars on their souls to accept themselves (helped along, of course, by their lovers) can she feel content she’s written a great story.

Living in a small New England town, she loves to rebel against a staid Yankee lifestyle through the pages of her manuscripts. Michelle adores pushing the boundaries of sensuality and taboo in her work, but mostly because, in the end, she knows that the connections she forges between the hearts and souls of her characters will lead them to happiness.

You can contact her at mapolaris@gmail.com or visit her at her group blog site at www.thequirkyladies.com , you can also visit her personal blog site and personal author website.

Bound Odyssey
Michelle Polaris

The year is 2067 and Earth is self-destructing from environmental cataclysms. A portal to a new world is ripped open and refuge there is Earth’s only hope. Enter Jace, cowboy diplomat, who is preparing for the negotiation of a lifetime. A sexually conflicted alpha male, he hates everything with a cock, especially himself. The last thing Jace expects is to fall in love with both a woman and a man.

His dark history presents the ultimate challenge to Mira and Roman, the sexual Dominant team hired to prepare Jace for the female-dominant culture of the new world. Tragedy has made Mira distrust her Mistress abilities. Survival is her priority, and she resists her deep attraction to Jace’s haunted eyes and sculpted body.

Roman, however, falls hard and fast for Mira and Jace, ready to honor Mira as his Mistress and force Jace to recognize him as Master. Bound in one another’s chains and pushed to the limits of arousal and pain, they must outrun sabotage and conspiracy to find salvation for their bodies, souls and hearts.

Book Trailer ~ Spring Right by Vioeletta Caprice

Spring Right by Violetta Caprice

Left behind by her human expatriates, Nere Aditi is caught in the sensual upheaval of the Komentani spring celebration. When Akosh Feltiruakh rescues her from the uninhibited crowd and hides in them in his house, they both become prisoners of their passion. But there are other powers fascinated by the telepathic abilities of the Komentani and seeking to profit from a tie between a human female and a half-alien hybrid. Once the marsh winds die down, Akosh and Nere will have to fight for their lives, and the fate of their union may herald the future of a whole race.

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Friday Funny ... A Little Late

If you can't

find the book you want

You're probably

shopping at the……

MIA

ACK!! Despite email reminders to myself, I keep forgetting to blog on Thursdays. Kealie's going to disown me.

I've been absurdly busy (though I'm sure every single person reading this could say the same thing), and got my second round of edits back for "Shut Up and Kiss Me" a couple of days ago. It's exciting to be one step closer to getting a release date, though I have to admit to wishing Kealie was along for the ride with me, since she's the reason I wrote the story in the first place (we challenged each other to write a complete short story of at least 7500 words in 24 hours), but she'll get there. I've read her stuff... she's going to make some publisher somewhere very happy.

In any case, I've also been working on a second story and it's nearly done as well. The best part is, I think (I hope!!) I've learned quite a bit from the edits that I've gotten on SUaKM (hey, that's a cool acronym) so that I won't have to have quite so many edits on this one. Guess we'll see. I was shooting to get it submitted in the next couple of weeks, but now that I got the other edits back, it may have to go to the back burner.

I sure wish I had about five hours more every day, though I'm betting if I did, I'd fill them up, too. I'm not a person who relaxes very easily -- I like to be busy, busy (which is a good thing, considering my crazy life).

Also, I'm on Facebook, but I can't figure out how to share the link, but if you search by name (Mysti Holiday), you'll find me!!

Have a great night :-)

Happy Hump Day!

A Big FAT No!

Yup, that's right after all my angst and work and revisions, TWRP gave me their decision last week concerning my resubmission of Claiming Her Cowboy. It was a very nice... brush off. She basically told me that even after I had made the revisions she suggested, and that the story was so much stronger and the conflict was great, that even after all that it just wasn't a good fit for their line. Which, while it sucks, it doesn't. They did in fact tell me that they "enjoyed your writing" and that I would "make it in the publishing industry" which could be platitudes but they made me feel better. Yanno?

So, I'm looking at submissions guidelines for the following pubs:

Respendance Books
Samhain (because Mysti said I should)
and I'm looking through some others.

Anyone got any suggestions for ePublishers I should submit to? You don't want to go someplace that doesn't have a good reputaction, yanno? Any suggestions?

Author Interview ~ J. K. Coi

Today we have the distinct pleasure of interviewing, multi-published auther: J.K. Coi. Welcome to the Menagerie. I hope you have as much fun as we do. Let's get started: Where are you from?

Hi! I’m from Canada—and I say that vaguely because it’s really true. I’m from Canada all over. I’ve lived (sometimes very briefly, like 3 weeks) all across this country. I was born in Alberta though and it’s a place that I love. My heart belongs to the Rockies. The mountains are some of the most beautiful visions this world has to offer and it takes my breath away every time I go back to visit.

Alberta also has some of the coolest names for its cities and towns that you’ll ever find (except maybe for Spread Eagle, Newfoundland and Dorking, Ontario). Of course, there’s “Vulcan” which I’ve only been to, but I lived in Chicoutimi, Red Deer and Medicine Hat, Alberta—all beautiful places by the way.

So what was the question? Where am I from? Well, I’ve lived in British Columbia, Quebec, New Brunswick, Manitoba, and now I live in Ontario (pretty close to Dorking, actually). But I’m from Alberta first and foremost.

LOL, at least you figured out where you live! :-D Tell us your latest news?

Well, my son just learned to ride his two-wheel bike (my heart thanks him for saving me the agony of having to watch him fall off the thing), and we spent our vacation channeling drowned rats as we froze our butts off in the rain while camping this summer.

But in other news, I’ll just released a book that came out in September! It’s a re-release of my novella, The Trouble With Destiny, and it’s coming out from Samhain Publishing so keep your eyes open for it. This book was loads of fun to write. It’s a sexy and funny urban fantasy romance—Sarah is the biggest smartass you’ll ever meet, and Dorian is coolness extraordinaire all wrapped up in a hot hot package.

I also just finished a new book. A short story, actually, but the characters are so deep and real, and it’s packed full of so much emotion (and yes, hot sex) that I’m surprised it doesn’t explode off the pages—about a couple on the verge of divorce who are trying to figure out if their marriage can be saved. (And there’s not a demon or a vampire to be found—the sky must be falling because I’ve written something that isn’t paranormal J )

Awesome, gotta love it when your submissions are moving right along. Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

Writing The Trouble With Destiny was definitely a learning experience. For one thing, it was a departure from my series, The Immortals. Still a paranormal world, but with a completely different set of mystical rules. It was also a little bit lighter and a lot snarkier (sure it’s a word). I also wrote it in the first person, something I’d never tried before. It took a while to figure out how that was going to work, but I love the results.

LOL, snark is good. How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

LOL, this is a trick question, right?

I do love all of my books. I have a special attachment to My Immortal, for obvious reasons—it was my first book. And I love Immortal Kiss because I completely fell for Baron’s high energy, boyish charm. Alric from Dark Immortal is my tortured soul, and his and Diana’s story touched me very deeply. While Gideon and Lyssa from Forever Immortal are so vibrant and feisty, the two of them burn up the pages. Then of course, there’s The Trouble With Destiny—my foray into writing in first person. Sarah’s sense of humour is warped, to say the least, but I loved writing her.

So, um, what was the question again? A favourite?

I really think you need to read them all.

LOL, yeah yeah, not a fair question to ask, but we couldn't resist. Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?

I think that everybody needs different things to improve their skills, but some of the best advice I’ve ever heard that I think applies to all of us, is to find a group of like-minded individuals and glom onto them. For me, it’s my RWA Chapter group. When I first started going to meetings, I felt completely outclassed and intimidated. But writers (and if I may say, especially romance writers) are an amazing species: generous, supportive, and kind. I learned so much in my first year of membership that the only way I can ever repay those wonderful women is to share my own experiences and knowledge with the newer members coming into the group. There’s nothing in the world like having a support system of people who know exactly what you’re going through, who understand why you’re so excited to reach 30,000 words and who will always be able to make you feel good about getting another rejection letter.

Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?

I have fabulous readers that I absolutely love! I couldn’t ask for a better response to my books. It makes me cry just thinking of how lucky I am.

And because you asked, I’ll share a few of the comments that I’ve gotten from some of the readers who have gotten in touch with me by email:

“I have just finished "Dark Immortal," the first work of yours that I have read. I was bowled over by the strength and depth of the characters and the wonderfully sexy romance.”—Heather

“How do you do it? You just keep getting better and better! The whole time I was reading, I was just glued to the pages!”—Angela

“I started reading your book really quickly at work today... bad idea, because you've got me hooked. And I've only read the first chapter!”—Melanie

What wonderful notes! What do you think makes a good story?

I believe that good stories are all about the characters. Characters are what bring out emotion in a reader. They’re what we remember from the books that we love. A well-drawn scene, or a brilliant mystery –while also essential—aren’t the heart of a book and will always be the window dressing that helps to distinguish the whole.

Absolutely! As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

When I was little, I wanted to be a dancer. I wanted that life so bad my math teacher sent me to the office for doing pliés in front of the class while he was trying to teach us algebra. I wanted the tutu and the slippers and the red roses thrown at my feet. I wanted the lights and the music and the crowds cheering my name… Trouble is, I’m about as coordinated as a buffalo.

So there you go. Dreams dashed all over the place.

ROTFL, well, that's okay, you can't all be dances. Besides, it's not as easy as it looks... aches, pains, rehearsals...blech. And now for the "Absolutely-Nothing-To-Do-With-Writing Questions": What animal do you think makes the best pet and why?

*sigh* I want a puppy.

Hubby won’t let me.

My son and I are still wearing him down, but I think we’re making progress. We have pictures of puppies plastered all over the house, and he has to take them off of his computer screen every time he wants to use it.

LOL, you'll get that puppy sooner or later. Do you hate how you look in pictures? Why or why not?

Unless you’re Jennifer Aniston, I think everyone hates how they look in pictures. If it’s not a big tuft of hair sticking straight off of my head, or red eyes, or my big chubby cheeks that make me look about 12 years old... nevermind. I think I’ll skip this question.

LOL, so true. When you looked in the mirror this morning, what was the first thing you thought?

Yep. Still here.

What were you doing at midnight last night?

I was working. I’m always working. My six year old son already knows the term “workaholic” and it makes me sad. Since I have a day job, I write at night—although I usually try to wait until after kiddo goes to bed so that I don’t have to pay for his therapist’s bills when he gets older and says his mommy never played with him.

What’s a saying you use a lot? Where did it originate from ?

“You're lookin' to spit Chiclets, Dude.” Canadians love hockey, never doubt it. So I’ve visited my fair share of hockey arenas in my day and witnessed enough ice-fights. The term is a popular one, and when you consider that Chiclets are pieces of white chewing gum that look a little like teeth if you squint really hard, it translates loosely to mean: “Keep it up and I’m going to knock your teeth out.”

If you could wish for anything, what would you wish for?

More sleep.

Wow, these questions were pretty cool and I want to say thank you so much for letting me chat your ear (screen?) off today!

Let me leave you with a question now: If you were a superhero, what would be your awesome power? How would you use it to get Hugh Jackman in the sack? (okay, kidding on that one)

Thanks!

J.K. Coi writes dark and edgy paranormal romance, where love is all consuming, the stakes are always high, and the immortals are to die for…

Trouble With Destiny by J.K. Coi

There’s got to be more to life than studying…

The starving student routine is starting to wear a little thin for Sarah McInnes. If only she could be left alone long enough, she could finish grad school, get a normal nine-to-five and finally afford to move out of her one-room apartment. Maybe even afford a decent wardrobe.

Destiny has other ideas. Not the least of which is the mysterious, overbearing, insufferable Dorian…who also happens to be the hottest thing this side of hell. Three months ago he saved her from certain dismemberment at the hands of a daemon. He also discovered she possesses the ability to send these beasts back to hell where they belong.

Now he not only won’t leave her alone, he’s forcing her to face certain facts: Her social life isn’t going to improve anytime soon. And she may never make it to calculus on time again.

It’s enough to piss a girl off.

Warning: This title contains a beautiful, capable college student whose mystical tats have gotten her in almost as much trouble as her smart ass mouth. It also includes a devastatingly hot, mysterious warrior whose sense of humor is as non-existent as his humanity.

Book Commercial - Immortals by J. K. Coi

The Immortal Series by J.K. Coi

Evil lurks in the darkest of shadows, but a band of warriors stands ready to defend humanity against hell’s own monsters—Immortal men hand-picked by destiny and taken out of time hold the fate of the world in their hands.

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Happy Hump Day!

Author Interview ~ Lisette Kristesen

Today, we have the joy of having a guest author hanging out with us that is going to be bringing much to the table. Let’s all give a warm Menagerie welcome and help her to feel right at home. Sit back on the couch and relax and we’ll get started. Where are you from?

Southern California originally, today reside in the Chicagoland area.

Oh, so you’ve moved a little bit. Sounds like they would be good places to grow up. So, tell us your latest news!

My first short story, Surprise Party released August 7th with Eternal Press!

How awesome is that. Huge Congrats, hon. I hope to be doing that jig in a short order of time. When and why did you begin writing?

Always had a desire to write but felt intimidated by doing it, never felt like I had the talent. Then a year ago I read an article that said writing is a craft, it can be learned. That got my courage up to start, now may not be the best writer, but with hard work can become a better writer.

Well, it would be interesting to see what article that was! I completely agree with it. There are always things to learn. When did you first consider yourself a writer?

When Eternal Press bought my short story, Surprise Party

Again, Congratulations! What a huge thing for you to have happen! Way to go, hon. Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

That we need to recognize who we are and not be afraid of it.

That is a wonderful way to look at life, and your heart will follow. What book are you reading now?

”My Sexy Greek Summer” by Marie Donovan

Never heard of that one, guess I’ll have to take a look at some point. What are your current projects?

Story for Harlequin Blaze

Well, another round of congratulations. Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.

Windy City Chapter of the RWA
It’s always a major relief to have someone Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Getting that deep POV consistently

I can understand that. Do you have any advice for other writers?

Remember it’s a craft that with hard work can be learned and you can improve. Also, write and submit.

That is something we all need to remember. What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

Write from 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. and the revise at night and do emails.

Not a bad schedule to stick to. Although…. 4 am would have me screaming bloody murder for my caffeine! When did you write your first book and how old were you?

Laughing now and not telling.

LOL, fine be that way. What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

How insecure we writers are, no matter how successful you may be, we are a twitching group.

Oh, we’re all very insecure. Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?

Read all genres, go to workshops, and write and write. Also, find a small group of critique partners.

Excellent advice. And now for the “Absolutely Nothing to do with Writing questions: What were you doing at midnight last night?

Sleeping, just got back from the RWA National Conference in Washington DC.

Yes, well, sleep is a rather necessary thing. What is your favorite animal?

Love dogs, don’t think I could live without them.

Have you ever cried during a movie? Oh Please, yes. If yes, which one and why?
Nights in Rodanthe, well don’t want to spoil it but let’s say what would you expect from Nicholas Sparks, eh?

Are you a morning person or a night person?

Definitely a morning person, I like to write from 4 a.m. to 6 a.m.

Do you like thunderstorms?

Absolutely love them.

Thank you so much for hanging out with us today on the couch. We look forward to hearing more from you. Don’t be a stranger!

When we asked Lisette for her short bio this is what we got. :-D

My name is, Lisette Kristensen, and I am a published writer of erotica and romantica.

Through my writing, I attempt to explore all elements of erotica. It is my desire to show how the various fetish's and kink's can expand and deepen relationships, that would be presumably labeled vanilla. For I believe we all have a bit of kink in us, just waiting to bubble to the surface. I am happy to announce that my short story Surprise Party has been bought by Eternal Press. Release date is Aug 7th...

You can reach her on the web at her webpage, and also at her blog.

Surprise Party by Lisette Kristensen

Jocelyn, recently separated from what she thought was the man of her dreams, is reawakened to the pleasures and pain of the BDSM world at a Surprise Party.

He changed her life, took control of her and made her the way he wanted her, and then left her. Jocelyn withdrew from her social life, and lost faith in herself. Beth, her best friend, convinced her to attend a surprise party. Unlike any surprise party she’d ever attended, Jocelyn’s senses were thrust into the world of BDSM. Will the pleasure and pain from this experience reawaken Jocelyn’s sexuality and desire to live in a world of depravity.

Book Commercial ~ A Surprise Party by Lisette Kristensen

A Surprise Party by Lisette Kristensen

Jocelyn, recently separated from what she thought was the man of her dreams, is reawakened to the pleasures and pain of the BDSM world at a Surprise Party.

He changed her life, took control of her and made her the way he wanted her, and then left her. Jocelyn withdrew from her social life, and lost faith in herself. Beth, her best friend, convinced her to attend a surprise party. Unlike any surprise party she’d ever attended, Jocelyn’s senses were thrust into the world of BDSM. Will the pleasure and pain from this experience reawaken Jocelyn’s sexuality and desire to live in a world of depravity.

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Want to see your book commercial here? Go here to find out how!

Happy Hump Day!

What's My Name Again?

Every now and then (and in my case more than I'd prefer) life steps in and takes over. As a Stay-At-Home-Mom, who rarely stays home, of four children some days are more hectic than others. I honestly thought that with one more child off to school for at least part of the day that my life would be so much more peaceful... Stop laughing! It's not funny!

Those of you who have been in my shoes are not so quietly snickering at my naievete, I know. Granted, I do have a couple hours a day when the baby is taking a nap (yes, I still call my 20 month old the baby, he will always be unless we have another one... and don't hold your breath there). But those hours are consumed with playing catch-up. I know some of y'all know I finally got my story revised and sent off, now I'm editing another one that I did in a sort of ... challenge with Mysti. Her result is contracted and in the process of editing for publishing. Mine is still waiting for edits. But, I digress.

I once heard an author say, "We all have the same amount of hours in the day, it's up to us how we use them." Or something like that... I guess I should take the quotations off... Anyway, I know that everyone has the same allotment of time in their day. Everyone has a million things they need to get done. Why does it seem that I never get everything done? I know that I have quite a few irons in the fire (some that y'all have no ideas about) and I also have a distressing lack of the ability to say, "NO!" But, honestly, I don't squander my time! So, how is it that I look up and realize that the kids will be walking through the door any minute and I just barely got through emails? Or that I find after blinking my way out of a scene that I forgot to blog or put up my Hottie (which I am SUPREMELY sorry for... please forgive me) not once but twice? Where does the time go? And who the heck am I at this point in time? Mommy? Author? Wife? House-slave? Geesh... what's my name again?

Is anyone still actually reading this blog, or do y'all just pop in for the hotties? LOL, just kidding, I know y'all are around, it's ME who's been AWOL. But seriously, any suggestions on time management. I start my day with a to-do list and at the end of the day there aren't as many things crossed off as I would like. Am I reaching too far, should I just keep plugging along? I don't want to plug along, I want to accomplish something. I have quiet a few author friends and they seem to have the same problems. Does anyone out there do this without losing their sanity and their name? Just wondering... okay, and whining a bit... but seriously. Anyone?

Author Interview ~ Sandy Sullivan

Today we are so very pleased to have hanging out on the couch with us today, Sandy Sullivan! She’s been a great friend of our site and of us all. So let’s all make her feel comfortable. Go ahead and sit back and relax, Sandy, and we’ll get started. Where are you from?

Technically I was born in California and lived there until I was about 14, before my parents moved to Washington State. I stayed around the Northwest for several years off and on until 2005 when my second husband and I moved to Tennessee. We now have a nice place with 20 acres for my menagerie of animals.

Well, you didn’t move around TOO much, lol. But as a Military Brat I can certainly relate to moving about a lot. So, tell us your latest news?

I have a release due in October from Siren-Bookstrand called Cowboy Love. It’s about a registered nurse who works in Dallas at a large hospital. Amy has had a pretty rough love life dating doctors and has all but given up finding someone she wants on a long-term basis, until she runs into Tanner. He’s a roughneck cowboy who sings on the side at a local bar.

Sounds very interesting! Will have to check it out. When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I’m a writer? Oh dang! That’s what all these novels on my computer are! Actually, I still really don’t consider myself a writer, I just put stories on paper or computer and hope someone enjoys reading them as much as I enjoy writing them.

LOL, it’s amazing how it sneaks up on you like that. You’re not the only author to feel that way, I assure you. But, hate to break it to ya… you are IN FACT a writer. :-D What inspired you to write your first book?

Let’s see. I was between jobs and had a lot of time on my hands. I’m an avid daydreamer and the story of Texas Lady, which is my first novel, kept swirling around in my brain so I started writing it down. I had a few friends read it and they kept saying it was fantastic. I kept going from there.

It’s so great when we have people in our lives who will keep pushing us forward to do the things that we need to do. The things that make us happy. How did you come up with your titles?

The titles seem to pop into my head. Sometimes before I’ve written the book and other times after. It just depends, but I always know when it’s the right title.

Lucky duck! I have such a hard time with titles… at least for myself. I an help others brainstorm for title ideas, but it rarely happens for me. So, I’m rather envious of you, ya lucky ducky. Are there any new authors that have grabbed your interest?

Oh yes, lots. I don’t just read one author specifically. If I like the sound of the book, I’ll read it.

I think quite a few of us are that way. You’ll have to let me know which ones you absolutely loved so I can add them to my lists! What are your current projects?

My current WIP is a series of 3 brothers, Chase, Cole and Justin. I think it will be called the Wild Series. The first book is name Wild Wyoming Nights and has Chase and Abby’s story. The second is Wild Rodeo Nights and is the story of Cole and Carrie. The third, which I’m in the middle of now, is called Wild Nevada Ride and it is Justin and Katrina’s story. I have blurbs of all three on my website at www.romancestorytime.com.

Sounds very intriguing, I’ll have to go check those blurbs out! Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.

One of my biggest fans is a friend in Texas, Cathy Gehret. She and I met some 15 years ago over the internet when she asked a question online about Clay Walker. I just love that man! Anyway, that’s how we started talking. When I told her what I was doing, she took the ball and ran with it. Just about all her family are now some of my biggest fans.

Isn’t it great when we have friends like that who are our very own cheering section. It’s great when they do herke jumps for you! Do you see writing as a career?

I’d love it to be, but for me it’s something I enjoy doing so that’s why I do it. The money would be just a bonus.

Well, we all look at it that way, and I think when we stop enjoying it that will mean that we need to take a step back and reevaluate. Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?

No. I wish I could travel more, but my full time job and responsibilities at home make it difficult. Thank the lord for the internet!

Who doesn’t wish they could travel more to promote their books! Then there are those who are done with it and would much rather stay home. Would love to get to that point where I’m so popular it’s preferable to stay home and let them come to me. LOL Who designed your covers?

I designed my first two book covers and Jinger Heaston designed Cowboy Love.

Oooohhhh…. You do other things too! We all have to find that second..or third creative outlet otherwise we are mired too deeply for too long in our worlds in our heads. *sigh* Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

Just that I hope they enjoy the stories. Mine are usually light-hearted and fun, but also have a little bit of frustration for my characters. The road to love is never easy and losing yourself in a good story is the best release.

I’m sure they will! And if the road were easy we wouldn’t appreciate the love that grows from that turmoil. What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

I work full time as a registered nurse in my local emergency room so I write on my days off. I’m usually up fairly early and I’ll write most of the day, but if I get tired, I stop. If I don’t, I’ll get really frustrated with the story and how it’s progressing so it’s better for me to quit while I’m ahead.

I am the daughter of a Trauma Nurse, I know all about that insane schedule. I can’t get up early… it am a very mean mommy when I wake up too soon. Lol What do you like to do when you're not writing?

I love to horse back ride, fish, travel and spend time with my husband. Unfortunately, our schedules don’t always mesh so that’s hard sometimes.

But, what a fun way to decompress when you get there. What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

That writing the book is the easy part.

HA, I’ve learned that one. You can easily write the book and get it finished. It’s the refining and editing and revisions and “MORE” of this or that… yeah. I understand. How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

Not everything I have has been published, but I’ve written 5 novels and 3 short stories. Hopefully, I’ll have more that will be available on a commercial basis in the coming months.

Well, good luck with that! We’ll keep our eyes out for more of your stuff. And now for the “Abstolutely-Nothing-To-Do-With-Writing” questions: When you looked in the mirror this morning, what was the first thing you thought?

Good grief where did all those wrinkles come from?

ROTFL… the wrinkle fairy whacked you upside the head with her wee want… the brat. What were you doing at midnight last night?

I was asleep. When I’m working at the ER, I’m usually up until just past midnight since I don’t get home until about 11:15pm.

OY, yeah, you need to sleep when you can. What’s a saying you use a lot?

I say, “ya think,” all the time.

Where did it originate from?

I haven’t the foggiest idea. I just started saying it one day and still do.

That’s really funny, my sister and I say that one a lot! Have you ever eaten a crayon?

No that I can remember, but I think every kid has. I’d have to ask my mother I guess.

Yeah, she’ll remember… they remember all the silly stupid things we did as kids that we wisely blocked out. What is your favorite animal?

I love all kinds of animals, but I guess my favorite is horses. They are such big babies! At least mine are and spoiled rotten.

LOL, sounds like you understand them. What is your heritage?

Scottish, English, German, Dutch and Irish. I guess you could say I’m a European mutt. My maiden name is Mauch (pronounced Mow like cow). It’s about as German as you can get.

LOL, my family says we are IHOP=International House of People. Have you ever cried during a movie? If yes, which one and why?

All the time. Couldn’t tell you exactly which one because there are several I’ve cried during. I love sappy movies and if there is a happy ending, I cry or if there is a sad ending I cry.

Nothing wrong with that… we women let our emotions out so that we don’t become all uptight like the men in our lives. Just saying. What is your favorite pizza?

Canadian Bacon and pineapple, which I don’t get much. There just seems to be a lack of it in the south!

Well, you and my son would get along great… he’ll stab you with a plastic fork to get at his piece. :-D Are you a morning person or a night person?

I do better as a night person. I’m pretty grumpy until I get a couple cups of coffee in me.

Oh, I can certainly relate, but since I don’t drink coffee, it’s usually caffeinated soda. Do you like thunderstorms?

I absolutely love thunderstorms and good thing too. We have them all the time in the south.

Ain’t that the truth. Miss those rainy, thundery nights when I spent summers down south. I still say Y’all… lol. And, last question: Can you taste the difference between Pepsi and Coke? If so, which do you prefer?

There is definitely a difference in the taste of the two. I prefer Pepsi, but I’ll drink Coke if Pepsi isn’t available.

I agree, I can taste the difference and I’m a Pepsi gal myself. Well, it was so great having you here at The Menagerie today, Sandy. It was great fun getting to know you better. Don’t be a stranger.

Sandy Sullivan is a romance author, who when not writing, spends her time with her husband Shaun on their farm in middle Tennessee. She loves to ride her horses, play with their dogs and relax on the porch, enjoying the rolling hills of her home south of Nashville. County music is a passion of hers and she loves to listen to it while she writes.

She is an avid reader of romance novels as well as an author, and she enjoys reading Nora Roberts, Jude Deveraux and Susan Wiggs. Finding new authors and delving into something different helps feed the need for literature. A registered nurse by education, she loves to help people and spread the enjoyment of romance to those around her with her novels. She loves cowboys, so you’ll find many of her novels have sexy men in tight jeans and cowboy boots.

You can keep up with Sandy on the web at her website.

Cowboy Love by Sandy Sullivan

Amy Russell has sworn off men until she runs into Tanner Lewis. His muscular chest, soft brown eyes and drop dead gorgeous, sexy dimpled smile has her rethinking her decision. Can she learn to trust again, especially a cowboy, after her ex broke her heart? Will she let Tanner penetrate the shell around her heart?

Tanner's been burned. Yeah, he was in love once, until he caught his fiancée in bed with his best friend. Now all he wants is to get his singing career on the right path. Just when he thinks things are going perfectly, he runs smack into Amy Russell, horse tamer extraordinaire and registered nurse. As he watches her take a difficult horse and turn it into a docile pussycat with nothing more than soft words and a kind touch, he's fascinated, but Amy doesn't want a relationship. Can he convince her there's nothing better than a cowboy's love?

Note: This book contains anal sex.