Monday Author Interview with Ella Jade!

Today I’d like to welcome author, Ella Jade onto the couch. She’s hard at work on many projects, so it’s our good luck to have her here today! Welcome Ella!! Let’s start this interview! Where are you from?

I'm from a town in South Jersey about 25 minutes outside of Philadelphia.


East coast girl! When and why did you begin writing?

Writing was just something I always had to do. I've been jotting down plot lines and creating characters for years. The stories and the dialogue play out in my head and I go with it.



You can’t not do it when they start chattering. Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

It's not so much a message but because the book is m/m, I didn't necessarily want the focus to be so much on the fact that the two main characters are both men, but more on the emotional connection they share. For me it was about creating a relationship between the two and showing how unconditionally they love one another.

How much of the book is realistic?

I hope the whole thing reads realistically. I may have gotten a bit sappy from time to time because it is a romance novel, but I always try to create realistic dialogue and characters a reader will remember long after the last page is read.

A little sap is never bad. What are your current projects?

I'm working on a new m/m. This one is more of a suspense but it has a strong romantic undertone. I'm also toying with a story that has been playing out in my head for a few months. I'm waiting for that moment when I realize I have to stop everything and tell this one. Right now the characters haven't given me that BIG scene yet, but I'm not worried, I know its coming!

Grin. Do you see writing as a career?

Yes! Now that I've gotten a taste of what it's like to see my work published, I can't stop. I don’t know how successful I'll be, but right now I'm having fun trying, so I'll keep going and see where it takes me.

It is an addiction. Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

Thank you! Without you guys I couldn't do this. Of course I write for me, but it’s the thrill of getting to share my stories with all of you that really motivates me. I've met some really great writers and readers along this journey.

How long does it take you to write a book? Usually about a month, sometimes longer if another plot bunny pops up in the middle. My kids are in school full-time so I can dedicate lots of hours a week to getting the job done.

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

So far I have four published and two more under consideration. I'm constantly creating and have tons of stories in my head. I love them all, but if I had to pick one, it would be Embracing the Unexpected. I simply adore the two main characters.

I love most of my characters, too. What do you think makes a good story?

Strong characters and dialogue I can identify with. I want to get lost in the storyline and feel a strong connection to the people I'm investing my time in. If the book can make me lose myself for an hour or two at a time, then it is a good story.

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

I wanted to be a writer. I'm not kidding! I always had a notebook and pen in my hand. I'm a storyteller, but I never thought I could actually do it. That all changed when I discovered the eBooks industry.

What were you doing at midnight last night?

Sleeping! I have two boys to get up and out in the morning and then I put in a full day of writing, so I need to be asleep by ten.

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

I've always told my kids if we fall, we get back up. When we went to see The Karate Kid movie, Mr. Han says, "Life will knock us down but we can choose to get back up." I was like, "See, that's what I'm talking about!" Now, I say it all the time.

What do you want to know about the future?

I want to know that my children will be happy and healthy.

Have you ever cried during a movie? If yes, which one and why?

This is silly, but every time I watch the Wizard of Oz, I cry when Dorothy says to the Scarecrow, "I think I'll miss you most of all."

It struck a chord with me when I was young and it stuck with me.

I can’t watch the episode of M*A*S*H when Col. Blake passes without breaking into tears. I get it. Are you a morning person or a night person?

Well, I want to be a night person. I've always been, but after having kids, my bedtime seemed to get earlier and earlier. Now if I'm up for the eleven o'clock news that's pretty late. In the summer, I do tend to stay up later so I can write because with the kids home from school, my days are busy with them.

Kids take a lot out of you. Do you like thunderstorms?

Yes, there's something sexy about them when I'm using them in a steamy scene. Actually, I love a rainy day when we have nothing to do but stay in our PJ's and veg. Those are some of my favorite times.

Unless there’s about 8 rainy days in a row. Trust me. I live for the sunshine then.Can you taste the difference between Pepsi and Coke? If so, which do you prefer?

Yes, I've always been a Coke girl. I've been known to not eat at restaurants that only serve Pepsi. Strange but true.

That’s intense. Here’s the blurb for Embracing the Unexpected:

Sometimes love can be found where we least expect it.
When Parker Phillips, a successful attorney, has a confrontation with his friend Ava's abusive boyfriend, he finds himself facing assault and battery charges, and he's ordered to attend an anger management course. Parker, who has never been attracted to a man, is drawn to Dr. Jace Cross, the psychiatrist leading the class. But how can that be, since Parker is straight?

Jace accepted the fact that he was gay many years ago, and he's comfortable in his sexuality, but he's been single for some time now. He throws himself into his work to fill the lonely void.

Although sparks fly whenever they're together, Parker's reluctant to embrace these feelings he has for another man.

Can the sexy doctor help him discover who he truly is?

Find Ella at:

Ella Jade has been writing for as long as she can remember. As a child, she often had a notebook and pen with her and now as an adult, the laptop is never far. The plots and dialogue have always played out in her head, but she never knew what to do with them. That all changed when she discovered the eBooks industry. She started penning novels at a rapid pace and now she can't be stopped.

Ella resides in New Jersey with her husband and two young boys. When she's not chasing after her kids, she's busy writing, attending PTO meetings, kickboxing and scrapbooking. She hope's you'll get lost in her words.
http://beachwalkpress.com/embracing-the-unexpected/
http://ellajadeauthor.blogspot.com

Sunday Book Video ~ Their Boss's Pet: Their Submissive Switch by Tonya Kinzer

Nick continues to teach Sondra more about the lifestyle they share and the things a submissive needs to know...how to follow rules being one of the most important. Sondra strives to make Nick proud of her as she learns all he shares with her but...is he aware she's learning more than he ever imagined? How will he react if and when Sondra decides to take what SHE wants for a change?

Available here!
And here's Tonya Kinzer's links:
http://www.tonyakinzer.com/


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Want to see your book commercial here? Email us at menagerieauthors@gmail.com to find out how!

My brain hurts today...

I've got too MANy irons in the fire and thought I'd have a week to chill out. Thought some MANcandy would be perfect. Doesn't hurt the brain to look up hot guys.

I know it's not the most intelligent or thought-provoking post, but hey, they can't all be cerebral. Enjoy! I'm off to find some tylenol.

Happy Hump Day!

Oh yeah, now that's a scene I could be a part of. Yum!

Monday Author Interview with Morticia Knight!

I want to thank author Morticia Knight for coming by. It’s always wild here at the Menagerie, but she gives us a dramatic flair. Welcome, Morticia! Why don’t you tell us a little bit about you? Where are you from?
I'm originally from Los Angeles, and I grew up around the entertainment scene. I spent a lot of time as a rock singer on the famed Sunset Strip, and also performed in a couple of theatre groups for awhile. My flair for the dramatic has been amazingly helpful in coming up with different scenarios when I write. Plus – I met a lot characters in Hollywood!


I bet that was a lot of fun! When and why did you begin writing?
Both my parents worked long hours, and I didn't have siblings to play with. I was watched by old ladies who watched soap operas all day, so I had no choice but to entertain myself. I would draw picture stories that went on for pages, and I would add the little cartoon balloons above their heads to tell the story. There were usually magic genies and ghosts or princes involved in my stories. Oddly enough, my current WIP is inspired by one of those kid stories. Except it's spiced up considerably since I was 8!

Hey, you never know when you can use those ideas. Grin. When did you first consider yourself a writer?
When I was contracted by a rock 'n' roll journalist to ghostwrite his story. He was paying me large chunks of cash every week to make sense of his crazed 1960's adventures, and I had to work really hard to have it come across readable. He would blather stream of consciousness recollections into a mini recorder, and I had to interpret it. I did this for a year, and at the end of it, there was a complete book that publishers were interested in. I was amazed.

Now that sounds like a fun but strange trip. Very cool. If you had to choose, what writer would you consider a mentor?
Stephen King. I read him early on as a pre-teen, and have read dozens of his books. He has a certain way of taking something ordinary , and putting that certain twist on it. Those gears in his brain must be turning all the time. He was also one of the first popular writers I read where the characters seemed very real and like my buddies. They would say quirky things and have these great sarcastic observations that I could absolutely relate to.

There is at least one or two King books that felt doggoned real to me. Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
Several, actually – it would be way too many to list. Some maybe aren't all that new on the scene, but they're new to me. A few come to mind becasue I just read something by them: Lisabet Sarai writes some excellent and smart BDSM, GLBT and more. In paranormal romance, Dani Harper is just now releasing the third installment of her Changling series. In other contemporary erotica, Megan Hart is a very talented writer; I recently read one of her menage stories.

Lisabet is a dear friend of the Menagerie. So, dish about your latest news.
I'm currently finishing up Part 4 of the Bound by Pleasure Series. This one will be called Dirty Discoveries, and continues the theme of some pretty hardcore BDSM. I'm planning a total of six in the series. I also have a menage story coming out in May through Total-E-bound Publishing for their Anthology, All Together Now.


Cool! What animal makes the best pet and why?
Snakes. They only eat once in awhile, and their poop is easy to clean up. They also don't bark.

Shiver. I’m not a snake person. I like things that bark. You can have the snake I was meant to have. Are you a morning person, or a night person?
How could anyone with the name "Morticia" possibly be a morning person?

This is true. Do you like thunderstorms?
I LOVE them. Especially with an incredible lightning show. Windstorms are great too. The more drama, the better!

Yes! Now that I can relate to. Grin. What stereotype would you label yourself as?
A Valley Girl. Totally.

Hee hee. Gotta be something. Do you sleep with the light on? Why or why not?
Absolutely not. The darker the better baby!

Yeah, I’m on board with that, too. How many fingers am I holding up?
Just that one in the middle.

Now why does everyone think I have my middle finger up? I was raising my little finger and drinking tea. Giggle. But seriously, here's a little bit more about Morticia and where you can keep up with her:
http://morticiaknight.blogspot.com

Erotic Romance author Morticia Knight enjoys a good saucy tale. Whether it is contemporary, historical, menage, M/M or BDSM - she loves it all! One of her passions is bringing people's fantasies to life on the page, because life is too short for even one boring moment. Her stories are volcanic in heat, deep in emotion, and sprinkled with doses of humor. She is currently working on her first erotic paranormal romance about an evil Djinn.

Thanks Morticia! So glad you could be here! Check her out!

Sunday Book Video ~ Grey's Lady by Natasha Blackthorne

Book one in the Carte Blanche Series


Seeking sexual excitement and conquest, poor but beautiful Beth seduces wealthy merchant prince Grey Sexton, only to find herself the pursued as he seeks to own her body and soul.

Flouting the moral standards of Jeffersonian America, temptress Beth McConnell lets no man touch her heart. Her motto is love them once and leave them burning.

But when she boldly seduces Grey Sexton, a self-controlled merchant prince from New York, she finds herself too fascinated by his ice-over-fire nature to stay away. His possessive determination to own her, body and soul, threatens to expose her secret erotic life to public shame.

But Beth will only surrender her love to a man she can trust. And Grey's materialistic approach to relationships leaves her little reason to believe he can ever give her what she truly needs.

For these two cynical yet lonely people, can deep sexual intimacy work a miracle and lead to the opening of their hearts?

http://natashablackthorne.blogspot.com/
http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=1318


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Want to see your book commercial here? Email us at menagerieauthors@gmail.com to find out how!

COLD!!! (part two)

You're probably confused. Part two? Well, I ranted about it being cold and people driving in snow over on my blog. You can read it here. But right now I thought I'd share a little bit of what warmed me up. Grin.


Warming you up yet? He's doing wonders for me. Grin. Happy Friday!

Happy Hump Day!

It's the dead of winter here in the northeast, so this picture appeals on many levels. But mostly, I just think it's beautiful....

Monday Author Interview with Ilona Fridl

Our author today is Ilona Fridl. A word about the author... she’s always loved to write. She is a transplanted Californian who has lived in Wisconsin for forty years with her husband, Mark. She took creative writing and journalism in college and has sold short stories and articles to various magazines. Let’s welcome Ilona!

Thank you, Megan for hosting me today!

Where are you from?

I'm originally from the Los Angeles area in California, but have lived in Wisconsin for the last forty years. Still have issues with the winters around here.

It’s really, really cold here in Ohio so I can totally understand. Tell us your latest news?

I've completed my first three book set Dangerous Times with the release of Bronze Skies. The first two books are Silver Screen Heroes and Golden North. The first book takes place in early 1920s Hollywood in a movie studio that was taken over by gangsters. The second takes place in Juneau, Alaska Territory about a year later, when the Shafers flee from the gangsters. The third book is set in the 1940s and follows the next generation out as they deal with World War II.

I love a good historical. Can’t wait to read it. When and why did you begin writing?

I think my first book was a picture book about a snowman I did when I was four. I've always loved making up stories, but didn't do it seriously until we got our first computer.

Computers can be addictive things. How did you come up with the title?

When I first started Silver Screen Heroes in the Dangerous Times series, I heard the classic rock song by the Kinks, Celluloid Heroes. It's a song about the actors honored on Hollywood Boulevard. I didn't think many people would know what celluloid was, so I changed that to silver screen. Book two takes place at a theater/restaurant in Juneau, Alaska Territory, so I called it Golden North. For the third, that took place in World War II in Alaska Territory, so I was going to call it Alaskan Skies. My friend pointed out to me that for the first two, I had metals in the title, so for the third, it was called Bronze Skies.

Nice way to tie everything in. Can you share a little of your current work with us?

Tom Shafer glanced down to Juneau’s airfield. “I see my cousin Hank has fallen asleep on top of the hood of the car. This is too tempting.”

Sitting behind Tom, Ernie Collins knew what the young Army pilot was going to do. “Damn it, Tom, don’t buzz him! I’ll get blamed for it.”

Maneuvering the small mail airplane into position, Tom grinned over his shoulder at Ernie. “Don’t worry. I’ll tell them I made you sit in the dummy seat.”

The early morning Alaska sun was well up in the sky. Below, Hank was stretched out on the Hudson’s hood and windshield, using it as a lounge chair. His white Navy uniform ruffled in the summer sea breeze, the cap over his face.

Centering the plane on his target, Tom picked up speed while dropping, pulling up just in time. He circled around and Hank was on the ground, his white cap rolling off on the other side of the car.

Laughing, Tom headed for the landing strip and brought the plane coasting toward the mail office, as he had done many times before he joined the Army Air Corps. The post office agent, Bill Wright, stood next to the door, hands on hips and a less than pleasant look on his face. “Ernie! What the hell do you think you’re doing? You know you have government property on that airplane!”

Tom hopped off the wing. “Yeah, and a part of the property is me.”

Mr. Wright started, then smiled and held out his hand. “Tom, it’s great to see you again. How’s everything in Anchorage?”

“Busy, as usual. But for once Hank and I managed to get leave the same week. By the way, don’t be hard on Ernie. He didn’t know I was going to pull that stunt.”

Mr. Wright glanced at Ernie, who wore a contrite demeanor. “I’ll let it go this time, only because Tom was one of our best pilots.”

Ernie sighed. “Thanks, boss.” He started unloading the sacks of mail from the cargo.

Tom paused for a moment in helping him. “Is Pam still working at Millie’s?”

“Yes, she is. Are you going to stop over?”

“I plan to.”

Hank stalked toward them, knocking the dirt off his cap and uniform. “Still doing those circus tricks, I see. Damn it, Tom, you practically scared the shit out of me!”

They scuffled, then threw their arms around each other, and Tom clapped Hank on the back. “My God, it’s good to see you. It’s been almost a year, with us not getting leave at the same time.”

Saying their goodbyes to Ernie and Mr. Wright, the boys headed to the car. Tom looked around and took a whiff of the new-car smell as Hank started it up. “Wow, this is a great car. Yours?”

Hank snorted. “I couldn’t get this on a sailor’s wages. I borrowed my dad’s.”

“Whew, the theater must be doing better now. They were still behind, a year ago.”

“It looks like we’re finally coming out of the depression, although even then people still came to the movies.”

“How is the restaurant doing? I heard Mrs. Hutton retired and went to Los Angeles to live with her son.”

“Jen took over the business end, and Aunt Amelia is our cook, and a good one since she was working with Mrs. Hutton all those years.”

Tom shifted on the seat. “I’m going to miss Mrs. Hutton. Anything new?”

“The folks are getting into stage again. Mainly at the insistence of your mother.”

Tom chuckled. “Not many can say no to her. I’ve tried countless times. I guess everyone will be at the theater, since this is the busy season, but first, Hank, can you drop me off at this corner? I want to go to Millie’s.”

Hank smiled knowingly. “Going to see Pam first, uh-huh. Don’t be long. Everyone is going to grill me when I get back without you.”

“Stay in the kitchen. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”

Nice excerpt. Who designed the covers?

Rae Monet. She is one of the excellent artists at The Wild Rose Press. She did my first cover and I was so impressed, I've asked for her for my other books. She also designed my web site.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

I want to thank them for their support on my first series. I'm working on a new series of mysteries and hope to have the first one out next year.

Cool! When you looked in the mirror this morning, what was the first thing you thought?

The eighteen-year-old that lives inside me was wondering who the hell that old woman was.

I know the feeling. What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever eaten?

Do pencil erasers count?

I guess they can. What is your heritage?

I am an American mutt. I've got everything from Native American to a number of nationalities in Europe.

Mutts are good. Have you ever cried during a movie? If yes, which one and why?

My favorite movie is Casablanca and the scene at the end at the airport where Rick and Ilsa break up always leaves me a mess. Especially when he says, “Here's looking at you, kid.”

LOVE that scene. Are you a morning person or a night person?

Definitely a night person. My heart doesn't start until at least noon.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com
http://www.ilonafridl.com
Also on FaceBook and GoodReads!

Here's a little more about Bronze Skies:
Dangerous Times

When her plane-crazy high school sweetheart goes off to join the Army Air Corps, Pam Wright writes him often but is disappointed that he doesn’t reply to every letter. She’s lonely, hurting from his seeming lack of interest, and dances with someone else one Saturday night.

By the time Pearl Harbor is attacked, Lieutenant Tom Shafer has been home on leave, explained how busy he’s been with officer training, and made sure Pam will be waiting for him after the war. He’s also had a fight with the guy who won’t leave her alone after that one dance. But is it safe to leave her in the same town with this obsessed bully? How can Tom fulfill his promises to protect both his country and the love of his life?

Sunday Book Video ~ Animal Attraction by Jenna McClure

Environmental consultant Emmalyn Ashmore is outraged when she discovers the last minute replacement for guest speaker at her annual conference is none other than Adam McLean, a cattle rancher, whose lifestyle represents everything she loathes.

Adam McLean has never met a more contrary woman. From the moment Emmalyn opens her mouth, he knows she's exactly the type of woman he doesn't need in his life—ever.

As the sparks fly, Emma realizes there's more at stake than conserving the environment. She has to figure out how to conserve her heart, before she loses it forever.

Buy Here!

Website: www.jennamcclure.com.
This has some bio info and an excerpt, as well as the links to TWRP and Amazon for buying my book. It also has my Blog and a Forum for readers to participate in. Check it out!

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jenna-McClure/141729892552797

Twitter: @JennaMcClureRW

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Want to see your book commercial here? Email us at menagerieauthors@gmail.com to find out how!

A Tour and Fun Stuff!! Come Check it out!

Okay, if you read my tweets or posts then you know I use the phrase 'check it out' a lot. But that's cuz I've found some pretty cool stuff I think you might like. Today's my day to chatter on the Menagerie, but since you're here, I thought I'd mention some stuff I'm taking part in or well, stuff you might like. :-)

Fallen releases today from Changeling Press! Yes! Today! I'm so excited! What's Fallen? Here's the blurb:

He's her salvation if she's willing to lose her wings all over again.

Livia was cast out of heaven for the crime of falling in love with a human. So what's a fallen angel to do when she meets the man of her dreams? Falling certainly has its perks.

Ty didn't expect the angel at his party to be fallen or to have a murky past. He also didn't expect her to end up in his arms. Now he's not about to let the past stand in the way of their future.


Also, I've been on tour all week for Permanent. Want to get in on the action? Here's the tour link. Where am I today? Well here for one, but also over at My Odd Little World. Want that link! Here you go! I hope to see you there.

The Romance Studio is having a HUGE ebook giveaway. Yep. Go here and check it out. Why? You could win enough ebooks to fill your reader. Worth it to me.

The Cock and Bull Tour is winding down. What's the Cock and Bull Tour? A group of MM authors talking about their recent releases. Oh and there's a GC involved. Yep. Here's the deets:
To celebrate the release of Blind Space, I’ll be embarking on a two week blog tour with a great bunch of authors. We hope you’ll follow along! Our schedule is:

Jan 2: TA Chase
Jan 3: Julia Knight
Jan 4: LA Witt
Jan 5th: Freddy MacKay
Jan 6th: Marie Sexton
Jan 7th: JP Bowie
Jan 8th: Megan Slayer
Jan 9th: Amber Kell
Jan 10th: JP Barnaby
Jan 11th: Sue Holston
Jan 12th: Simone Anderson
Jan 13th: Kit Sands
Jan 14th: EM Woods
Jan 15th: Devon Rhodes
Jan 16th: Sara York

Grand Prize: $150 Amazon gift card
2nd: $100 Amazon gift card
3rd: $50 Amazon gift card

There will be smaller prizes along the way. We’ll also be hosting a chat here on January 4th, noon to 5:00 EST. The more comments you leave along the way, the better your chance of winning! I hope you’ll join us!

Happy Hump Day!

Love that she looks like she can't get enough of him....

Monday Author Interview with Tanith Davenport!

This week, I'd like to welcome my pal and fellow Total-E-Bound author, Tanith Davenport. It's always fun to talk to folks from the same publisher and when she came up on the calendar, well, I was excited!

So let me welcome Tanith!!!

So glad you're here. Let's get this party started! What inspired you to write your first book?
I had been noting down ideas for some time, but never got around to actually writing anything until the idea for The Hand He Dealt came to me. There was something about it that gripped me – I like to say it was the characters with their entwined personal problems, but the ménage sex was certainly a push! I was working on it for three years before the approach of my thirtieth birthday, and the ensuing “ohmygod turning thirty” crisis, spurred me on to finally finish it and get it out to publishers.


Hey, we all have those OMG moments! How did you come up with the title?
I often take titles from songs, as music inspires a lot of my writing. The story was called Shiver for quite some time before I recognised that the title simply didn’t suit it any more. I didn’t come up with another title until I was finishing it off, when I started to throw around casino-based ideas and landed on the expression “you’ve got to play the hand you’re dealt”, which works not only in casino terms but also for the way the individual characters behave in the story. In particular, Astra’s boyfriend Harry is the catalyst for her personal arc, so I decided she was playing the hand he’d dealt, and there was my title.

Gotta love it when one character or one idea gets stuck in your head. I have it happen all the time. Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
I’ve always felt that sexuality and orientation is on a continuum rather than falling into neat little boxes. Very few things about sex are black and white. The characters in The Hand He Dealt are all discovering their sexual preferences in their own way, and what they do tends to fall into the grey areas.

Cool! What is your favorite character you’ve written (published or not)? Why?
Probably Astra Scott, who is currently in The Hand He Dealt but began as a fanfiction character. Originally she was an Australian performance arts student who went everywhere on roller-skates. I re-invented her for Hand, since she was such a fun character to write that I couldn't leave her to languish in discarded fanfic - I did keep her musical ability and love of partying, but I couldn't keep the skates; it would have been too much like Boogie Nights.

Yeah, you don't want the story to be too much like a movie, unless it's your movie! Grin. When did you write your first book and how old were you?
About thirteen, and it was terrible! That said, it did serve as an apprenticeship, as did the one I wrote immediately afterwards, which was slightly better but still not something I’d want anyone to see.

Despite my obvious inexperience, both books contained a lot of sex, so apparently I was starting early with an interest in erotica. They also contained a couple of characters I may make use of at a later date if a suitable plot suggests itself.

Grin. What animal do you think makes the best pet and why?
My cat is sitting on me ready to claw me if I say anything other than cats, and since he owns the house and everything in it I’ll have to agree with him. If I could, I’d definitely be a crazy cat lady – not only are they cute and furry, they’re self-cleaning.

I've got a couple cats like that. They think the keyboard is there for them to lounge upon. Do you hate how you look in pictures? Why or why not?
Yes, and I imagine most people who have seen how I look in pictures can immediately tell why. Cameras hate me. I’ve just had some professional shots done for future promo work, but in the meantime I’m making do with shots that make me look slightly demented.

Considering I don't take good pictures, I can understand. Grin. Boxers, briefs, boxerbriefs…. Or commando? Why?
Once I would have said boxers, because I always hated tight little pants on a man. Now I say commando. It saves time if you feel the urge to have sex in the car.

Yanno, when I see that question, I think, well, if I'm writing him, he can be commando. If it's the CBs then they better have boxers on underneath because I am not washing those pants if they weren't. Isn't that sad. Sigh. Let's talk about something more fun. What is your favorite pizza?
Meat Feast or four cheese. In fact, Meat Feast on top of four cheese, with a garlic stuffed crust. I don’t skimp when it comes to pizza.

I guess you don't. Are you a morning person or a night person?
Very much a morning person. I’m usually up by half past six – I do all my clearest thinking in the morning.

Good dog, you get up way before me. If I had my druthers I wouldn't get up before 10. If you could wish for anything, what would you wish for?
The freedom to spend my time either writing or travelling the world as the urge took me. I don't expect that for a long time, if ever, but I can dream.

I want to thank Tanith for dropping by. I'd love to go travelling, too. Hopefully that can be a goal we both achieve. Now, do you want to know more about Tanith? Here’s the official bio:
Tanith Davenport lives in Yorkshire with her long-suffering husband and pampered cat. Her interests range wildly between rock music and modern cinema to medieval literature and the language of flowers. She loves to travel and dreams of one day taking a driving tour of the United States, preferably in a classic 1950s pink Cadillac Eldorado.
Tanith writes erotic romance and has just had her debut novel published by Total-e-Bound Publishing.
You can follow her blog at: tanithdavenport.blogspot.com

And here’s a little bit more about The Hand He Dealt:
Astra Scott likes to live life to the full. A sorority girl and Gaming Management student, she spends her days studying and practising guitar, and her nights partying or working at the Fountain Casino, where she has an internship as part of her final semester. The only blot on her landscape is Ash Drake, her best friend Sasha’s boyfriend. Arrogant, physical and blond, Ash has never forgiven Astra for her rejection months earlier and enjoys annoying her at every turn.
But when Astra’s boyfriend Harry reveals a shocking secret, Astra responds in the only way she can think of: by finding a way to take on a more attractive, masculine role in the relationship. Her experimentation with sex toys finds a surprising outlet in Sasha, but when Ash discovers their secret and wants to get involved, Astra finds herself torn between dislike and desire… and as their undercover relationship grows, Astra finds herself falling in love, a path she feels can only end in heartbreak. For Ash may be the only man whose own fantasies are a match for hers, but can she knowingly steal his affections from her best friend?

Sunday Book Video ~ Blue Light Special ~ Mysti Holiday

When Karin Lattimer moves across the country and her over-protective brother asks his friend Caleb Hawkes to keep an eye on her, she’s more than annoyed…she’s turned on. The attentive cop is a walking wet dream, but Karin knows he’s only hanging around out of a sense of duty. Acting on her crazy attraction would reveal more than the man’s buff body—it would also reveal her heart.

Caleb is well aware that Karin is all woman. He can’t keep his eyes off her and his hands itch to touch her. But she’s not one-night-stand material, and he firmly believes cops make lousy partners for long-term relationships.

Still, thinking clearly isn’t a top priority when Karin and Caleb finally touch. Sparks fly and barriers melt away as easily as their inhibitions, but can she convince him there's more to life than playing it safe?

Want a copy? Get yours here!

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At the Risk of Being Blunt...

I've been really thinkin'

And

I got nuthin' today.

Nil, nada, zip, zilch.

Can you say done tuckered out?

Yeah, well... curling up with this wouldn't hurt.

Okay, I guess I had something after all. Grin.

Happy Hump Day!

What a fun little tangle!!

Monday Author Interview ~ Jenna McClure

Our guest today is the fantastic Jenna McClure. She's a Wild Rose Press author and friend. And since she's here on the couch, well, let's get this thing started! Grin. How did you come up with the title?

It sounds clichéd to say it, but it’s true…it just came to me. Since my two main characters are an animal lover and a cattle rancher turned land conservationist, I wanted the title to reflect something to do with animals. And since their relationship is based on physical attraction, my subconscious put two and two together! Some may think the title is a bit cheesy, but it really does reflect the two main components of the book.


Nothing wrong with a little cheese from time to time. Besides, it is a great summary of the book. Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
There is, but I don’t want it to be the only thing readers remember about my book. I want my readers to like the characters, the plot and the writing first, and think about the message second. To be blunt, the message is that eating meat is not good for the environment. Not only does it waste precious water, it also contributes more to the destruction of the ozone layer than all forms of transportation combined. But that’s another book…



It might not be good for the environment, but if you come from a cattle raising family, like I do, that's money on the table. To each their own. If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
Of course, and I bet I’m not the only one who thinks this about their work! Besides the small grammar mistakes I missed during editing, I would probably add another scene or two with the main characters to help support their character growth. I’d also want to fine-tune one of the sub-plots to provide more support for her book, which I’m currently working on. Do authors ever really feel 100% confident their work is the best it could be?

I never feel 100% confident. Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
There were two distinct experiences actually…The first was in 7th grade, when our English teacher gave us an in-class assignment…to look at a group of pictures, pick one and write a one-page paper about it in 30 minutes. She picked the top three papers and read them to the class, and mine was one of the top three! Then, in my senior year of high school, in AP English, we had to write an in-class paper about a book we’d recently read. I picked Death of a Salesman. It was the first time I used the word “albeit”, and I actually got it right even though I wasn’t completely sure what the word meant! The teacher gave me an A+, which was extremely rare for her. And finally, I’m sure my sister had something to do with my becoming an author. Grin. She’s the one who started me on romance books as a teenager, and we’ve been trading favorite authors and books since then. If she likes my book, then I know I have a bit of talent!

How cool. As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
A veterinarian. I’ve always loved animals, but when I got to college and realized how much science I would have to master to become a vet, I changed majors. I’ve never lost my love for animals, which is probably why I have more animals than I currently have ideal room for. If I didn’t have animals in my life, making me laugh and getting fur all over my couch, life would definitely be much less satisfying.

I love critters, too. 2 cats, 2 dogs, and one totlet is more than enough for me, though. What is one thing scientists should invent?
The Transporter or Beamer, or whatever that thing is from the Star Trek movies, that disperses you, then reassembles you somewhere else. This would, hopefully!, reduce our dependency on cars and help lower greenhouse gas emissions. There is probably one in progress in some top-secret facility somewhere, but come on, get it finished already!

Can't rush science. If we did, who knows what evil would lurk around every corner. Oh wait. That's another show. Back to the questions. Do you like thunderstorms?
Love them! They are so relaxing and great for sleeping. They wash the world clean and make it new again. I love to watch all kinds of extreme weather, either on television or from a safe distance. It’s amazing to watch how powerful nature can be, and fascinating to learn how storms/extreme weather form.

IMHO thunder storms, when the power is fine and dandy, are great for writing sinfully hot scenes. Hee hee. What animal do you think makes the best pet and why?
Now that I’ve had a Greyhound for a few years, I have to say they make the best pets. Yes, they are big and can take up a lot of room in a small space, but they are so laid back and low maintenance, it’s like having a cat. They sleep most of the day like cats do, but then they have these brief moments of frantic energy that make you laugh and wonder how you ever got along without one. They’re just big four-legged goofballs with such sweet personalities. Plus, they aren’t barkers as a breed, so they’re great for condos or apartments.

Dogs are great. Do you have any strange handwriting habits, like capitalizing all your “r”s or dotting your “I”s with heart (or anything like that)?
I do – I write in a strange half-print, half-cursive combination. I don’t remember exactly where or how I picked it up, and it’s slowly getting more and more illegible, but I think that’s genetics. My paternal grandmother’s handwriting became more slanted as she got older that I stopped being able to interpret it altogether. I used to dot my lowercase “i’s” with hearts, but that took too much time, and I could never get the hearts to actually look like hearts. No one ever really appreciated it anyway…

Teens. They never appreciate anything. Grin. Have you ever cried during a movie? If yes, which one and why?
Of course! The first one I remember crying at was Bambi in the 3rd grade. I knew it was a cartoon movie, but I am not sure I realized that it was really fiction. Another one was E.T. I was with my father, and I think he even had tears in his eyes. I cry every time I watch Armageddon because Bruce Willis’s sacrifice is just so brave and courageous, and his last scene with his daughter very touching. The Last of the Mohicans is another tear-jerker. Very emotional, with a musical score that makes you cry even when the movie isn’t playing. Is that enough??

Yeah. A great soundtrack does make a movie great. Now that you've read the interview, and thank you Jenna for being here, want her links?Of course you do. Here you go:

Site: http://www.jennamcclure.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jenna-McClure/141729892552797
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/JennaMcClureRW

Want to know more about Animal Attraction?

Environmental consultant Emmalyn Ashmore is outraged when she discovers the last minute
replacement for guest speaker at her annual conference is none other than Adam McLean, a cattle rancher, whose lifestyle represents everything she loathes.
Adam McLean has never met a more contrary woman. From the moment Emmalyn opens her mouth, he knows she's exactly the type of woman he doesn't need in his life—ever.
As the sparks fly, Emma realizes there's more at stake than conserving the environment. She has to figure out how to conserve her heart, before she loses it forever.

Buy here!