Mech Man blog tour: Interview with L.J. Garland

I'd like to welcome L.J. Garland to the blog today. (For those who don't know, L.J. Garland is a husband and wife writing team.)

LJG: Thank you for having us here today! We’re looking forward to the interview.

It's a pleasure. Can you tell us how long you've been writing with the hopes of publication?

LJG: We wrote for about five years before getting published. The first story was enormous…like 240K or something crazy like that. Yeah, it’s in a drawer, locked away. LOL But the next two stories were more realistic, coming in around 80K. They both got sold around the same time. But during those five years of writing, we studied the craft like crazy. Heck, we’re still studying it. This business tends to be fluid, so you have to watch what’s happening.

How did you get started?

LJG: Hmm, well, it wasn’t until I met my husband that the bug really bit. This story idea just jumped into my head, and I came home from work one day and said, “Honey, I want to write a book.” He was like, “Okay.” We discussed the plot and characters, the setting, etc. until we both agreed (we were on the same page <g>) So, off I went to write the first few chapters. Around chapter five, I decided to stop and show him what I’d done. I’ll tell you, there’s nothing so intense as sitting by, gnawing your nails, while the man you love reads what you wrote. Course later he told me that he’d been just as nervous. Before he ever read the first word, he wondered how he would tell me if it sucked. LOL  We’ve been writing together ever since.

What genres do you write in, and what appeals to you about those genres?

LJG: We write romantic suspense, sci-fi romance, paranormal romance, time travel romance. We love them all. There’s two things that appeal: 1. the romance genre itself leaves the door open for any genre 2. All of these set the stage for an excellent chance to blow something up. LOL We love high-action stories, lots of peril, and an intense relationship between the hero and heroine.

What titles do you have published? 

LJG: On the Fringes – He’s an intergalactic thief. She’s the law. He’ll cross the universe to steal her heart. (SFR)
Cadence Interrupted – He knows she’s keeping secrets. The only thing she trusts are her skills as a pilot. (romantic suspense)
MechMan – She wants revenge. He wants to be human. (SFR)

Do you have any recent or upcoming releases?

LJG: Dead or Alive – Accused of murder, he turns to the only person who can save him. Too bad she’s a bounty hunter who holds a grudge. (Decadent Publishing, 1Night Stand, SFR – May 5)
Sins of the Mind – He wants to protect her, but everyone she loves is dying. Is he next on the killer’s list?


Where can readers find you?


LJG: We can be tracked down at www.lj-garland.com. Or we can be caught at http://www.garland-and-gould.blogspot.com/ where we blog, chat about stuff, and interview other authors. Or, we can be emailed at mail@lj-garland.com - We love hearing from people who have enjoyed our stories.

Where can readers find your books?

LJG: On the Fringes –  Kindle

Cadence Interrupted –  Kindle

MechMan – Paperback / Ebook

Dreamspell Revenge – Paperback / Kindle / Ebook

Dead or Alive – May 5 from Decadent Publishing
Sins of the Mind – May 20 from Decadent Publishing

Mech Man blurb:

Raven is on a suicide mission. Jex is a biomech on a mission to save humanity. They discover their mutual passion to destroy the enemy isn’t their only desire.

A war against the Darch has raged for years, and humanity is on the verge of extinction. Scientists have created biomechs to supplement as warriors, but it’s just a temporary fix on what appears an insurmountable problem. One desperate scientist injects JXS241, a biomech warrior, with what he hopes is the solution for mankind’s survival. But the biomech is captured by the enemy.

Raven Nirvanni survives on the fringes of a shattered culture. While on a self-imposed suicide mission to annihilate an enemy destroyer, she encounters the imprisoned biomech. Deciding the fate of humanity far outweighs the destruction of a single ship, she recues him and decides to ensure he reaches his destination.

With the enemy anticipating their every move, Raven is completely taken aback when she realizes she’s falling for JXS241. But can she really love a machine? And if so, can he reciprocate?

Excerpt:

The needle slid between the third and fourth vertebrae in his neck. A flash of heat shot through him. More pressure was exerted to penetrate the synthetic cartilage of his neurospine.

Accessing his internal response center, he raised the pain threshold, but not so high he couldn’t monitor the procedure. Immobile, he waited for it to be finished.

“Done.” The doctor stepped back. “JXS241, system check?”

“No change,” he said, and reset his pain threshold. “As you said, Doctor Mechins. Just a pinch.”

“Good.” The doctor made a note on his techpad. “There are three biomechs just outside the lab, waiting to escort you and the information I implanted into your neurospine to the planet Altaiga.”

“Give me a ship, doctor. I’ll get myself to Altaiga.” Taking three biomechs away from the war to act as escort was a waste of resources.

“The information you carry is critical to the war effort.” Dr. Mechins tapped the techpad. “You’ll take the escort.”

JXS241 rose from his chair. The decision was illogical, but sometimes humans determined situations based on feelings rather than sound military strategy. He yanked a black shirt over his head and shrugged into his military-issue jacket.

The science lab shook, equipment toppled, and assorted paraphernalia crashed to the floor. Alarms barked to life, an alert that the base was under attack. Dr. Mechins’ reserved manner morphed to terror. His gaze rolled toward the ceiling.

“They’ve discovered us.” He grabbed JXS241’s arm, dragged him to the lab door. “You’ve got to get out of here. Take the other biomechs, commandeer a ship, and get to Altaiga. The fate of humanity may very well depend on you.”

JXS241 stepped through the doorway. Three heavily armed escorts awaited him. One shoved a pulse rifle into his hands. He grasped the familiar weapon, glanced at it, and toggled the setting to kill.  

“Wait.” The doctor clutched his shoulder. “You may notice some changes—”

The lab exploded. Hot twisted metal and glass missiled through the air, spiking everything in its path. A rush of heat shoved Dr. Mechins against JXS241, and they tumbled into the outer hallway.

Hands grabbed the biomech, lifted him to his feet, and propelled him away from the lab. On the floor lay the doctor, ripped metal and shards of glass jutting from his back, blood pooling beneath him.

“Medic required at lab, level seven,” the tallest biomech said into his com-band. His gaze shifted from the doctor to JXS241. “In line, soldier. Primary objective is to obtain a ship and fly out.”

JXS241 moved behind the other biomechs, and they hastened to the hangar where pilots scrambled to their fighters.

Scattered throughout the bay, sparks of light appeared and stretched into beings. Six-and-a-half to seven-foot men and women materialized. Graced with flaxen hair, and beatific smiles, immense gossamer wings protruded from their backs. With a serene facade they surveyed the hangar.

The enemy had arrived.

Author Bio:

L.J. Garland is a husband-wife writing team who has thrived within their own romance for over 20 years. One of their favorite things to do is get into a hot bubble bath and brainstorm story ideas. Amid their long list of hobbies and interests, two activities stand above the rest. They are both licensed helicopter pilots with hundreds of hours of flight time, and they practice with a variety of weaponry from long bows to high-powered combat rifles. This, along with years of military experience, gives their books a heightened sense of reality. They enjoy their life together in a house filled with love, laughter, and adventure along with their three cats, whistling guinea pig, and three boisterous sons—who conspire to ensure there’s never a dull moment. They love hearing from readers who’ve enjoyed their stories at mail@lj-garland.com.

For more of the interview, pleases visit http://jessicasubject.com on May 23.

Sexy? - Guest post by Kashif Ross, author of Barcode: Legend of Apollo

*Warning* I'm a no makeup, lingerie, talk a little dirty, and tell me exactly how you want it type of guy. So when I'm blunt and honest, don't be surprised. I just call it how I see it.

Yeah. I want to go there. I want to define sexy because too many people try reaching such a prestigious goal, but fail miserably. What the hell is sexy?

Sexy is what you make it, right? Kind of.

From my experience, I've learned that women define it. No matter how many theories a guy comes up with, we'll all listen to women in the end. Women are the Greek goddesses of hot & steamy. From your curves to soft and gentle areas, you are erotic. Well...you were.

Once upon a time, I thought everything was sexy. I could see the true allure in the world and appreciated the uniqueness of life. But I can't do that anymore. I'm married. I've set my standards and realized that sexuality has become saturated.

There are pole dancing classes, unique lingerie, sex toys, photo shoots, body paint, skinny jeans, workout videos, and a heap of other tools...all made to help you become sexy. Though there are so many options, everything that is enticing looks the same now. Why? You've been programmed.

I'm not going to get into some political babble, but not enough people explore various realms of sensuality and seduction. Too many people look at Kim Kardashian, Angelina Jolie, Zoe Saldana, Rihanna, Chris Brown, Fifty Cent, The Rock, or Bradley Cooper. After analyzing these stars, people work at becoming just like them.

Pardon me, but screw them. No star or one person defines sexy. Taking pictures of your body in the mirror ain't cuttin' it. Sexting...are you serious? Booty shots--especially if you have no butt at all--not cute. Amateur porn? Stop or I'll shoot you.

There is no privacy anymore. There's no mystique or allure. Nowadays, sexy is defined by how much you put out. How much you can show off.

That's not me. That's not sexy.

Attraction is meant to be mental warfare. Every writer knows this. If you want to turn a reader on, add sexual tension. Don't reveal too much. Let it play out in the reader's mind. The more explicit you are, the less you allow the reader to fill in the blanks.

If you want to be sexy, you need to become an author of your own life. Let your viewer wonder. Let thoughts of you fester in their brain until it explodes. You want them to overflow with intrigue.

Stop giving it away for free! The more you expose, the less they wonder. Eventually, curiosity will vanish and they'll simply want the final product.

So women, until you get sexy back on the right track, I'm stealing your defining rights. You're not sexy until you're like a good book--full of mystery, twists and turns. By the way, having a good cover helps.

Barcode: Legend of Apollo blurb:

Spencer's an infamously well-known “god” uninterested in his own fate. He turns nineteen-years-old on the first day of his last year at Colt Academy, the academic institution for gladiators. To celebrate, he unwillingly mentors a mysterious nerd, watches his family's helicopter plunge into the ground, and meets a strange Louisianan boy that may want to kill him. With the future of his family's fortune on the line, Spencer not only has to fight the occasional trip to Hades, but also train with his most hated childhood friend, discover the truth about his mother's death, and reestablish his legend as America's savior.

Barcode: Legend of Apollo excerpt:

I’m such a failure.

My instructors say I’m the first of the bloodline that isn’t naturally a top ranking student. Therefore, professors are inclined to boost my grades in order to keep “the great Apollo” at the top of his class.

I apologize dear ancestors. I will honor you by falling on my sword.

Damn. I don’t have a weapon yet. Give me a few days, folks.

I find a seat on a stone bench next to a small pond and watch as several lizard-fish swim and crawl through the shallow water. One has the flesh of a koi fish but the body of a garden lizard. The gold and black colors blur as my heavy eyes close and my head drops. I’m still jet-lagged.

As I open my eyes, a sharp kick lands between my ribs. Before my attacker can remove her foot, I grab it tightly and swing her into the pool.

The plague sitting in front of me with her butt dipped in an inch of water, and her arms folded neatly around her legs, just so happens to call herself Hannah’s best friend, though I knew her long before the two met.

This tomboy has a kick that’s out of this world. Her barcodes are powered by the goddess Atalanta. Every god and demigod has a code that they’re born with. That’s what separates us from Apes and humans. Some gods bond well with their bodies, while others pump so much power into their flesh that they can hardly stand. Ever. It can be a gift or a curse.

“You got my panties wet, jerk.”

“Why would a boy wear panties?”

“Don’t call me a boy, you ugly pig.”

“You walk like one, talk like one, but wait, you kick like a girl,” I tease, but my ribs scream in pain. Even more, I’m defiantly conscious that Michelle’s beauty competes closely with the most attractive girl on campus, Hannah. Still, she and I are mortal enemies that will one day battle to her death.

I’ve seen these visions in my sleep. Any morning I wake up after slaying her just so happens to be a great day. Yes. I’m very aware that many people consider these dreams, but if they are prophetic, The Writer does truly love me.

“What does Hannah see in you?”

“What do you mean? She said that in our first year you always gushed over my blue eyes, and wouldn’t stop raving about my face.” I watch the wicked witch’s eyes nearly leap out of their sockets, and her face turns pale. If the tattoos on her legs shine, I’ll need to flee for my own safety. “Geez. You look so upset; I almost think it’s true.”

Author Bio:

For the past three years, Kashif Ross has been mainly known as a teacher. Yet, he's managed to pick up very random titles along the way. Previous jobs include Student Molecular Oncology Researcher, Camp Counselor, CGI Animator, Character Designer, and Professional Geek.

Now he's an author living in California's Bay Area. You can find posts about his random thoughts and adventures on his blog, www.kashifross.com.

Website / Facebook / Goodreads

Exclusive Cover Reveal - The Power of Three

I'm so excited to reveal the cover of The Power of Three, an upcoming release with Decadent Publishing, as part of their new erotica Edge line. This is my first paranormal romance, but it can be classed as scifi romance as well.

So, here's a little about the story first:

Cursed to live amongst several stone gargoyle statues, Oscar watches a young couple, yearning to participate in their sexual activities. For he has been away from his own lovers for over a year, and longs to touch and be touched again.

When he tumbles off the headboard onto the couple, he is released from the statue but must find a way home. His only thought: a ménage with the man and woman who freed him. But will they try something new to grant him his return passage, or leave him wandering Earth alone?

And here's the cover:

What do you think?

Also, if you didn't get a chance to see the cover reveal of the four launch stories for Decadent Publishing's new erotic science fiction romance line, Elatia, hop on over to The Galaxy Express to check them out!

http://www.thegalaxyexpress.net/2012/04/cover-reveal-exclusive-decadent.html

All Too Human - Guest Post by S. Evan Townsend

My latest novel, Rock Killer, is science fiction but there are no aliens in it.  That's because of when and where it's set (not too far in the future, and only in our solar system).  But also because I'm not very good at writing about aliens.  I admit this about my writing.  Last time I tried to do aliens they looked like cockroaches and had a matriarchal society (I made the males unintelligent).  But to me they just didn't ring true.

I read a lot of science fiction.  This means I read a lot about aliens.  And while most of the time the aliens are interesting and add something to the story, I have to suspend my disbelief because every alien I meet in science fiction is, in my opinion, too human.  Which makes sense because the writers are human, the readers are human, and it would be difficult for them to understand a totally alien species as it would be to understand the motivations of a slime mold.  But you have things like humans and aliens falling in love.  Which would be about as likely as an artichoke falling in love with a human.  The biology is just not there.  And even though I love Mr. Spock, two species that evolved on different planets mating and producing offspring is completely unlikely.  Again, you'd have more luck trying to mate a human and an artichoke.

This is partially why I don't buy the little green men and UFOs.  The aliens described by those who claim to have been abducted are too human.  Maybe by some evolutionary chance the basic humanoid form would be most efficient even for a species that evolved millions of light years away.  But evolution is random.  So you'd think any combination that could work would work.  Also (and this may be me projecting my human values on aliens), I doubt they would expend all the resources needed for interstellar travel to anally probe a few rednecks (are they that hard up for dates?).   But alien motivations should be completely alien to us.   It's possible that if we saw a real life alien, we might not even recognize it as such.  Arthur C. Clark said that any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.   We might think aliens were wizards.  We might think they are ghosts.  Maybe they travel in the fifth dimension and we don't see them at all.

One thing I've often wondered about aliens (assuming they exist and this universe seems too big for them not to somewhere), is would they have the same values we'd have? For instance, would their laws of economics be the same.  Our economic laws are, after all, based on human behavior.  The law of supply and demand, for instance.  The more something costs, the less that people want it.  But maybe to an alien, the more something costs the more they want it.  Why not?  But then maybe because resources are finite (unless you invent something that makes them infinite), the law of supply and demand is universal.

If aliens do come for a visit (or we meet them in space) they are likely to be so much more advanced than us that we'd be like ants to them. It could be they have already been here, seen us, and decided we're not an ant pile worth stepping on.   They would probably be hundreds of thousands of years ahead of us, if not millions of years.  Why?  Because they couldn't be much behind us because they wouldn't be in space and the universe is billions of years old so odds are they started gaining intelligence millions of years ago rather than closer to when we did. That means if we meet the Klingons or the Kzin, and they are hostile, chances are, we'll lose.

I'll continue to read and watch science fiction and enjoy alien interactions.  But I will always think of aliens, such as Mr. Spock, the way Captain Kirk described him: "Human."

Rock Killer Blurb: 

Space Resources, Inc. (SRI) mines asteroids for the riches a populated Earth needs without degrading the planet.  Yet there are those opposed to progress in whatever its form such as the Gaia Alliance, a front group for eco-terrorists.  During a violent attack on the Moon, the terrorists steal an exploration ship, arm it, and rename it the Rock Killer.

Charlene "Charlie" Jones of SRI security is trying to infiltrate the Gaia Alliance's cabal to find evidence linking them to the murder of her fiancé.  But a run-in with the law threatens to reveal her identity to the dangerous men of the Alliance.

Simultaneously, SRI Director Alexander Chun is traveling to the asteroid belt to bring a kilometer-long nickel-iron rock back to Earth orbit to mine for its valuable metals.  Following him and his multi-national team is the Rock Killer.  Without armaments, millions of miles from help, Chun must stop those who threaten him and the lives of his crew.

Author Bio:

S. Evan Townsend is a writer living in central Washington State. After spending four years in the U.S. Army in the Military Intelligence branch, he returned to civilian life and college to earn a B.S. in Forest Resources from the University of Washington. In his spare time he enjoys reading, driving (sometimes on a racetrack), meeting people, and talking with friends. He is in a 12-step program for Starbucks addiction. Evan lives with his wife and two sons, aged 17 and 20, and has a 22-year old son attending the University of Washington in biology. He enjoys science fiction, fantasy, history, politics, cars, and travel.

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Trailer

Rock Killer Excerpt:

DeWite moved into the observation room and Prince followed.

The room looked almost exactly like a bar since it was a VIP lounge for watching ships land and take off. A large window looked over the shipyard, where various types of spacecraft were resting on the lunar dust. The window, made of Crysteel, invented by SRI's orbital laboratories, began about half a meter from the floor and extended to the ceiling and was about five meters wide. Crysteel, made in a factory in Earth orbit one atom at a time, was almost as strong as aluminum. Its one weakness was a very high index of refraction due to tightly packed oxygen atoms. It made great lenses but was not good for use where a clear view was needed such as spaceship windows and pressure suit helmets. But the picture window in the lounge would have been impractical without the Crysteel.

Four pressure-suited figures were moving across the plain. The suits were not SRI issue and they were carrying submachine guns. DeWite recognized them as a South African made 9 millimeter caseless that were favored by criminals who bought them on the black market.

One, carrying a 40-millimeter recoilless rifle, knelt just a few meters from the window and aimed. Fire shot out of the rear of the weapon, dying almost immediately in the airless environment. A flame licked a small intra-lunar shuttle followed by an explosion. The ship's skin crumpled and it folded in on itself in a slow, macabre death dance. An explosion marked the rupture of the fuel tanks. Fire burned until the oxygen ran out.

"Goddamnit!" DeWite exploded. "We need to get to the airlock."

Just then one of the four figures outside noticed the two Security guards. He tapped the others on their shoulders and pointed. The other three turned and again the recoilless rifle spat a fleeting flame. DeWite dived behind the bar—an easy task in the low gravity. The window exploded inward. Prince was thrown against the rear wall, his body shattered by the impact. Then the window exploded outward as the room decompressed. Prince's body was slammed against the bottom of the window and sucked out into the harsh sunlight.

DeWite heard the emergency door slam shut locking him in the room. He knew it would never open until the pressure in the room equalized with the pressure in the hall.

He stood, aimed his shotgun, braced his leg behind to compensate for the low gravity, and fired. He was surprised he heard it at all. Must still be a little air in the room, some part of him thought.

The figure with the recoilless rifle was thrown back and blood ejaculated from its torn body. It was freeze-dried before it hit the lunar plain. The remaining figures turned with their weapons firing. DeWite barely heard the bullets hitting the wall behind him. His ears felt as if they were going to explode. He screamed, not in fear, but to empty his lungs to prolong his already forfeit life a few more seconds.

Pump, FIRE, Pump, FIRE, Pump was DeWite's whole existence. Another figure crumpled, spouting blood. Then the bullets ripped into DeWite. Blood flowed like a fire hose. FIRE—DeWite could no longer stand, even in one-sixth gravity. He sank to the floor and died in a puddle of his blood that was boiling and freezing simultaneously.

Chance to win some trading cards.

I'm giving away some romance trading cards. One is for my upcoming release with Decadent for the new Elatia Line, Called Courtesan Boot Camp. The other is also for an upcoming release with Decadent, and it too is erotic science fiction romance. That one is called Rebel Souls. These cards are pretty. So stop by Paranormal Romantics and leave a comment for a chance to win. You will also get a sneak peek at Courtesan Boot Camp. I've posted an excerpt, but alas, no cover. There's an exclusive cover reveal of all the launching stories on Sunday at the Galaxy Express. I hope you will all stop by and check them out. They are gorgeous.

So here's the link to my post: http://paranormalromantics.blogspot.com/

Here's the link for Sunday: http://www.thegalaxyexpress.net/

Dawn

Holodecks: In the next few years?

I'm back on my blog schedule after a month of writing a manuscript. I had a deadline that I couldn't miss and thank you to Jessica and Dawn for understanding.

So as I'm peaking back into the real world there is a huge buzz about the Tupac hologram at Coachella.

My question is this: How long before we have real holodecks? I don't think it's that far off. Virtual Reality technology is amazing.

Although I'm not sure the immersion we saw on the Enterprise is around the corner just yet. But imagine holographic interaction combined with the Google glasses that you keep you updated on where you are in the virtual world.

Okay, my geek mind could run wild with this, but I want your opinion.

Whatcha think?

Graylin

Music about aliens

Just like in fiction, there is quite a bit of music out in the world that mentions aliens. The three I automatically think of are:








and Spaceman by Bif Naked.

But looking online, there are so many others, including:

Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft by The Carpenters

Starman by David Bowie

Intergalactic by the Beastie Boys

It Came Out of the Sky by Credence Clearwater Revival

So, what songs do you know of that talk about aliens?

It's time for the Best Lines Blitz. I asked several authors to give me their best lines. If you need to read more, never fear. I've included the buy links under the covers. Have fun and feel free to share your favorite lines from your books, or your favorite books. 

Buy Link

A military warrior, she reminded herself. Not her lover. Raven tapped her finger on the table. “I should apologize for, um, what happened on the bridge.”

He looked at her. His predatory gaze sent delicious tingles down her spine. “Not necessary.” He swallowed. “I didn’t mind.”

Her heart skipped. He didn’t mind? Her brain jumped to other activities he might not mind. ~Mech Man by Laura Garland.

Buy Link

“Abby.” Her name rolled from his tongue in a mix of desperation and lust. A voracious hunger to taste every inch of her body washed over him. The urge to kiss the small of her back, to run his tongue along her skin, delving and dipping into her secret, sensitive places, all but overwhelmed him. “Tell me to stop. If you’re not ready, honey, tell me to stop right now and by all that’s holy, I will. But you need to know how much I want you right now.” ~ Sins of the Mind by Debbie Gould and Laura Garland (Releases April 20th, 2012)

Buy Link

“Hello?” She held out her hand. “I’m Eleanor. Nice to meet you.”

He looked down at her gesture then back to her face. At least they’d sent a hunk. Maybe he wasn’t very smart, but he didn’t have to be, did he? ~ Senator Mine by Kerry Vail 

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"I can't take much more." She eased Yong back and lifted up on her elbows. "Tatsu, do you have any condoms and lube?"

She caught his unmistakable smirk. "Now? You're ready?"

"I'm more than ready—it's time to wrap the dragons." ~ Double Dragon Seduction by Kali Willows

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Erik should be the one she thought about kissing, not Melina, not a woman. She knew everything about him, or once had. But Erik had turned into an asshole, and Melina wanted to be friends. Maybe more? Her body warmed at the thought. ~ Never Gonna Let You Go by Jessica Subject

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 Love meant taking the wig off and she would never expose her bald head to a man again. If that meant a life of one-night stands, so be it.

She reached into her shoulder bag and pulled out the red lace teddy she’d bought the day before. If there’s one way to get a man to fuck me, it’s with sexy lingerie. ~Beneath the Starry Sky by Jessica Subject
 

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He licked her thigh and a second orgasm tore through her, stronger, more intense than the first. It pulsed around his fingers. He hooked one of her legs and rested it on his shoulder. His lips traveled up and she gasped. The man was sexy—crazy as shit, but oh, my God, sexy. ~ This Endris Night by D L Jackson

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Okay, maybe he should have let her shoot him. Seth yanked on the cuffs that linked him to the solid iron headboard. The last thing he was inclined to do was explain to anyone how he’d found himself cuffed to the damned bed, his pants down around his knees, with his ball-sack glued to his thigh by dried cum. And when he didn’t contact his ship for his nightly check-in, they’d come looking. Whoo-hoo for protocol and bio-tags. ~ Rebel Souls by D L Jackson

Release date TBA.

Buy Link

“You’ll win her with ya Irish charm and green eyes, so ya will. Now drink up ya coffee and stop whining like a baby. This girl’s gonna have a fantastic night tomorrow. She’s gonna worship da ground ya cock drags on.” ~ Sweet Irish Kiss by JoAnne Kenrick 

Buy Link

Her candle snuffed out from a breath, and not her own. The chill exhale kissed her neck and skated down her body like an icicle drip. The horror of it sent her hurtling backward. Had it not been for the wall behind her, she would have landed on her butt.

“Who’s there? Bar dude, is that you?” She pressed herself against the cool stone bricks, too excited to be truly afraid. After all, this was what she wanted. To not know what was going to happen next, and to fully engage in life again. And the way her heart jumped and her chest pounded, she felt alive for the first time in years. ~ Dracula's Kiss by JoAnne Kenrick

Link

"My body is a mess of sensation—pleasure, pain, piping feral need. The room spins, and I feel faint. I’m frustrated, angry, frightened. My desire is bigger than anything I’ve ever imagined and I don’t know what will sate it, how to let go." ~ From Gigolo Seduction by Fierce Dolan (Releases May 4, 2012)

Buy Link

She couldn’t let it end like this. Rising from the couch, she slipped the straps of her gown off her shoulders, and let the dress fall off her body to pool around her ankles on the floor.

“Just one night, Colin.” She stood in front of him, stripped naked to the soul in nothing more than her strappy heels. ~ Second Chance by Debbie Gould.

What I'm Working On Now... An Excerpt

I'm excited to say that my fourth 1Night Stand story, Satin Sheets in Space, is now in edits, but in the mean time, I'm still writing All Grown Up, which is the second book in the Mark of the Stars series. Here's one of my favorite excerpts thus far:

Katrina raised her hands to touch gloves with Dietrict, but he just stood there. 

“This isn’t a friendly competition. I plan to knock you down, alien.”

Jeff couldn’t see her, but imagined her eyes steeled with determination as they did before every match. Dietrict deserved every hit he would get.

The fight began. Katrina and Dietrict circled each other, throwing the occasional jab while sizing the other up. Katrina connected first, her fist against his jaw. Dietrict stumbled back, but quickly righted himself and launched a series of kicks and punches. She blocked every one with little effort.

Jeff’s heart raced. He didn’t doubt Katrina would win, but watching her aroused him more than ever before. He’d held her body against his, felt her soft skin. He wanted to strip off her tight clothes and take her there on the mat in front of everyone.

He turned away, hoping to settle his aching cock. Movement at the door caught his attention. CWO Michaels eyed up the scene then walked toward Jeff. “MC Bennett, I need a word with you.”

Jeff followed his senior officer out to the hall, hoping he’d be able to return before Dietrict went down. They stopped just outside the door.

“Bennett, your report was informative last week. It’s nice to see you’re finally taking this assignment seriously.”

“Yes, Sir.” His stomach sank. He hadn’t been thinking about his task since he’d written the summary.

“If all goes well, we’ll make sure you stick around for your next tour.”

“Yes, Sir.” He wanted to stay at CFB North Bay, or at any of the bases in Ontario where he could be close to his family. He’d seen them more since returning to this base than he had his entire time with the Canadian Forces.

“Now get back in there and get the information we need. You’re dismissed.”

“Yes, Sir.” He had to keep his own needs in check, remember his duty first. He walked back into the gym. She’s an alien. She’s an assignment, nothing further.

He joined her instructor once more. Cam had to know a lot about Katrina, but if he started asking questions, he would look suspicious. He returned his attention to the fight.

Dietrict dropped down and kicked Katrina’s feet out from under her. Jeff’s stomach lurched as she fell to the mat. She hit the ground then rolled, quickly jumping back up. With a jab, Dietrict tried to knock her down again, but she spun low then rose up in front of him bringing her fist to his face.

Blood flew everywhere, pouring from Dietrict’s nose, spraying onto Katrina.

LaSalle and another officer rushed to Dietrict’s side, supporting him under his arms.

“You alien bitch. You broke my nose.”

Katrina wiped the blood from her hands, her towel no longer white. “And I’ll do it again. Just give me the opportunity.”

That’s my girl. Jeff froze. My girl? He had it bad. Somehow he’d have to combine his desires into his job.

Page 77, seven lines down, next seven

Each author is requested to
*go to page 77 of your current WIP
*go to line 7
*copy down the next 7 lines, sentences or paragraphs as written and post them
on your blog or website
*tag 7 other authors
*let them know they've been tagged


Okay...
You all can thank Ms. Webb for this one. It would be my luck it's smack dab in the middle of a sex scene. This is from my WIP, Bomb Voyage.

“No. Say my name like my lover, not my mechanic.” He laced his fingers between hers and began to slide them up and down on her clit. “Say it.”

            “Jayson,” she whispered. He pushed two of her fingers inside her, working one of his own in beside them. Slowly, in and out he moved her fingers and his.

“Just like that. Louder.”

Happy April Fools.

            An April Fool’s Day joke.

            Okay, there was this blonde, she walked into a bar and went ouch.

            I just know someone out there is scratching their head and saying, “I don’t get it.” That’s okay, give it a minute. *snickers*

             Alright, alright, so I’m not the best jokester, but I do enjoy my humor. When Olivia suggested the Getting Naked In April Blog Hop, I couldn’t resist—signing up, not getting naked. Let’s talk about the day first, and then I’m going to share a little of the sneaky humor in my Edge Carnality series.  

            Well, to understand the origins of April Fools, you have to know a bit about it. Way back, sometime around 1582 in France, the Gregorian calendar was changed and with this change, April 1st was no longer considered New Year’s Day.

            Because folks didn’t have cell phones, word about the change didn’t get around in a speedy manner. For years, many continued to celebrate April 1st as the New Year. These folks were called fools by the better informed. From there, the holiday became a day of practical jokes, a time to become the tricked and tricksters.

            In many of my stories I like to have a touch of humor. I love subtle humor, the kind that you’ll read, and five pages past, hits you, aka, dry humor. Sometimes I go for a slow punch line, and sometimes it’s in your face.

            My Edge Carnality stories are no exception. In Carnal Desires, Mercedes, a good girl, finds herself in the back of an adult toy store holding a giant vibrator.

Excerpt:

            She tried to set it down but couldn’t. The desire to hold it a little longer engulfed her. It continued to buzz, vibrating in her hand. Her thumb slid along a button, increasing the speed. The head undulated faster, drawing her deeper into its hypnotic dance. Mesmerizing.

            Sin in her palm, the four rows of beads spun around the silicone member underneath a thin skin of soft rubber. A little red devil, a clit stimulator buzzed with excitement, ready for more action than she thought she was capable of giving him.

            What would it be like to do something a little naughty? Something completely wrong and out of character. Her thighs clenched and she closed her eyes. Two guys at once. Maybe a woman. If only she’d been more adventurous, Kevin would have never have left her for that—sl…other woman.

           Something that smelled like warm chocolate, musk, and sex wafted across the air from behind her. Mercedes lifted her nose, inhaling. Keeping her eyes closed, she let the combination soak into her. Incense? Who cared—it was—decadent. A fluttering started in her pelvis and heat balled in her belly. It had to be the sexiest thing she’d ever….

            “Would you like a demonstration?” asked a voice that could only be described as an erotic growl, made even more so, coming from heated lips pressed against the sensitive flesh of her ear.

Busted! Can 't you just feel the heat in her cheeks?

In Carnal Attraction, Jezebel is on the prowl. Here, she brings home dinner.

Excerpt:

            “Good.” She leaned in, hooked her bra top around the back of his neck, and pulled him into a kiss hot enough to melt him in his boots. Seconds later she released her top, leaving it draped on his shoulders. “Meet me out back in five minutes,” she eyed his buddies, “—alone.”

            Jezebel rolled to her heels and rose to her feet, slowly sashaying her way back from where she’d come.

            As she passed Azael who crunched on an apple, while leaning against a wall that led to the changing rooms, she reached out and brushed her fingers across his jaw. “I’ve brought take-out.”

            He grinned and tossed the apple over his shoulder. “American?”

            “An MRE,” she said as she exited into the back room.

            Hu-ah. Three guesses what Jezebel is doing and who her target is.

            And last but not least, Carnal Denial. The hunters become the hunted, but my demons know a thing or two about survival, and there’s nothing in the rule book that says they have to play fair. Virgin demon slayers are dangerous and Jezebel plans to do something about that.

Excerpt: 

            As it ebbed, they stared into each other’s eyes, panting to catch their breath. Mike didn’t say anything, but held her pinned against the hood of her car, her legs wrapped around his waist, her torn panties hanging off her left ankle like a banner of surrender. Neither said anything, staying where they were until it stopped. Too late to change her mind. Too late for regrets. And she didn’t care. Jezebel and Azael had never harmed her, or anyone that she could tell.

            So, leave a comment for your chance to win one of my Decadent Edge e-stories, Carnal Desires, Carnal Attraction, or Carnal Denial. I’ve also included a $10.00 Amazon gift card to sweeten the pot. Tell me a joke. Give me a funny line from one of your favorite books. Do you like your humor subtle or in your face? Give me your best April Fool’s joke. Now for more April Fool's surprises, make sure you hop back to:  http://romancingthepentoday.blogspot.com/p/lets-get-naked-april-fools-day-rush.html?zx=7d6d11586d4cd4

D L

How to bag and tag a muse.

Okay, so I’ve listened to too many of my husband’s hunting shows while I work on my laptop. The other night I had a dream. Yeah, woke up saying, “that was freaking weird.” So, I just had to share. It’s strange what influences us sometimes, even subliminally.

Good morning ladies and gentlemen. Today were hunting the big game, the elusive Terran muse. Now there are all kinds of techniques you can apply, but for now, we’re going to go over the basics of muse hunting.

Your mind is blank, you can’t pen a word. Many authors have found themselves mired down in writer’s block, desperately trying to find inspiration. It doesn’t have to be like this. Any author can capture a muse with a little know how. And today on Hunting Fiction, I’m going to show you how.

The first thing you need to do is slip into some hunting clothes. Today, we’re hunting special game and I’m decked out in camo with combat boots and a Rambo-style bandana, employing a little limp to my gait.

Now depending on what you’re looking for, you might want to switch up your hunting gear. Sexy shorts and tank tops will also help if you’re looking for the erotic variety of muse.  I’m hunting dystopian muse today, so I didn’t trim back the fabric, but feel free to go skimpy if that’s what you’re targeting. Accessorize, whatever. But for God’s sake, lose the bathrobe and sweats. You’ll scare them away looking like that.

*Clutches breech-loading, pump action shotgun to chest* A good weapon also helps. The sound of this sucker loading, will draw the game to you. Remember, our girl chases zombies and won’t be able to resist. Hand to hand combat also works. I recommend a little UFC. You need to call to the muse’s baser desires. In this case, our girl craves the double tap—and Twinkies. No, scratch that. I always mix up Woody and my dystopian muse. No Twinkies.

 Now if you’ve been sitting a while and you haven’t seen any sign of muse, a good idea is to use a call. In this instance, a death rattle works wonders. Moans can also draw our muse out into the open, but you need to be on the proper hunting ground, or they’re not going to hear you. Doing it in public can also get you into trouble, so be sure you’re alone when you start calling your game to you. You know what they say. Location, location, location. So follow me while we move to a more suitable environment. *Starts off toward the woods.*

There are a number of snares you can employ. *Suddenly ducks behind tree and lowers voice to a whisper* Look over there, skipping through the field of flowers with a harp, and wearing a toga. Now that’s a classical muse. The best lure I can think of is golden apples, re-runs of 300, and Gerard Butler. She’s not the game we’re looking for today, but if you want to bag a classical muse, those lures are pretty fool proof. Come on, let’s not attract her attention. *motions with hand for you to follow*

With dystopian muse, I find doomsday preparation shows to be great bait to set your trap. Nothing like thinking about the end of the world to draw a zombie hunting muse into your sights.

*raises finger to lips* Look over there, clumped against the barbwire fence watching the cowboy on the horse. Those are Western muses. Now they like leather, Stetsons and cow shit. Sorry, that smell kind of goes hand and hand with cowboys. Never fear, you can always toss them in a shower and soap them up. *Clears throat.* The cowboys, not the muses, and stop thinking about soaping cowboys up in the showers. *Cocks thumbs toward fence.* We’ve got their attention and that’s the last thing we need right now. Come on, let’s get out of here before they decide to move closer. There’s too many here to handle on our own. When multiple muses attack it’s never pretty. You end up with a lot of unfinished manuscripts.

Oh the stories I can tell you about cowboys.  I once got lassoed by a cowboy. *Glances back.* Run. *Hauls ass into old barn and up into the loft, pulling up wooden ladder.* That was close. You need to clear your mind, or we’re not going to catch the muse we’re looking for. *Looks around* Now this is excellent hunting ground. Go over into the shadows and start moaning. I’ll keep watch.

No, no, no, not that kind of moan. You’re working the Western muses up again. They think we’re having an orgy up here in the hay. *Points down to over excited muses dressed as saloon girls jumping and trying to reach the loft.* Put less sex, and more pain in it. That’s it. Get your zombie on. Look over there. *points out window. See her? She’s in black, sticking close to the buildings. Wait for it. *raises hand and pumps shotgun with single hand. Muse begins to run toward barn.* Hold. Not yet. Let her get closer. And... Now! *Drops steel cage on muse*

Booyah!  Look at that one. We got us a real tree-shaker. A beauty. Whooeeeee! Dat un will be good writing.

*Starts whispering and sets 12 gauge to the side.* So, it was a great hunt today. We saw a variety of muse, but we got what we come here for. *Guitars begin to play in the distance. Muse in cage is now wearing saloon girl clothes and carrying a sword. Turns and looks back. * What did I tell you about thinking about soaping up the cowboys in the shower? Now we’ve crossed genres. Oh well. I guess we’ll have Old West, zombie-hunting cowboys.   

Just one parting bit advice I’d like to share before we wrap up our hunting excursion today.  If none of these techniques work for you, you can always relax. A muse can’t resist down-time. Take out your beach towel, sunglasses and a drink. I guarantee she’ll be right there, screaming, me, me, me.

Next week I’ll show you techniques for the proper preservation of your wild game. Until then, have fun bagging your muse.

Rebel Souls

Okay, it's not out yet, but I really, really wanted to talk about it. Now the cover has three characters on it and the first thing I want to say, is it's not a menage. I do have menage stories, but this is not one of them. So why did I ask to have three characters on the cover? Because both men play a pivotal role in the heroine's life in this story.


First you have Brodie Mark. An orphan who was raised on the streets, later roamed the Blue District with packs of feral children. As he grows up, he rises through the ranks of the Nexian Resistance to become leader of the underground. In this short excerpt, you meet Brodie at twenty, already a force to be reckoned with.

Excerpt: 

“Come with me, Duchess.”

Ava snapped awake and stared into the lapis depths of Brodie Mark’s eyes.

“We’ll make history today.” He straddled her hips with his hands pressed into her bunk on each side of her head, leaning in with his lips inches from hers.

“I’m not dressed and if that was a pass, it was really bad.” The New Xieran summer had been hotter than usual and the scorching afternoon baked the air in her cabin, forcing her to strip to the thin T-shirt and her skivvies. Sometime during her nap, the sheet had worked down to her knees, exposing the naked flesh of her thighs and her belly, where her shirt had bunched up.

“Not a pass.” His smile started as a twitch in the corners of his mouth and quickly spread to his whole face. Jewels twinkled from around her hips and navel, reflecting in Brodie’s gaze. “And it’s more than obvious you’re not dressed, Duchess.”

“Brodie,” Ava gasped and grabbed the sheets. She yanked as hard as she could in an attempt to cover her body. Best friend or not, he didn’t need to see her nearly naked. “You’re not supposed to be here—when I’m alone.” She shoved his shoulder, pushing him back. “Uncle Theo will kill you if he finds you in here.”

Brodie shrugged, knowing there was little chance of that. Her uncle had left for a meeting and told Ava to stay put. She’d soon grown bored and dropped into sleep only to be woken by the twenty-year-old, heartthrob.

“I’m serious. You shouldn’t be in here.”

“I know,” he said. “But you’re always safe with me. And when you’re not with me….” He pulled a medallion on a long chain from his pocket and dangled it before her. It spun around, glinting in the light pouring through her cabin’s portal window. “I have a surprise.” He dropped it on her chest between her breasts and leaned back in, pressing closer, until Ava’s breath caught in her throat. “Today is special—monumental.”

“It is, is it?”

His tangled hair hung in a mass of dreadlocks around his face and dirt smudged his left jaw. It didn’t temper his devastating looks. Many an innocent girl lost her virginity to Brodie at the crook of a finger, and Ava was determined not to be one of them.

She tugged her gaze from his and stared at the open door to her quarters, anything to get her mind off him. “You need to get out of here before my uncle comes back.”

“I will if you come with me.”

Ava turned back to him. “My uncle will kick my ass if I leave the ship.”

“What is it the Terrans say? Damned if you do—damned if you don’t?” He cocked his head and gave her a wicked grin. The muscles in her thighs clenched and her heart began to race. Two years older, Brodie had been the leader of a pack of feral children. Now a man, he’d joined the resistance and had quickly climbed the ranks. Taller by a foot and twice as strong, he could easily force Ava to come along, but instead, he asked with excitement beaming from his eyes. “You know you want to.”

Ava snorted and fought the smile that tugged at the corners of her mouth. “Brodie Mark, you’re likely to get me into trouble.”

He sat back on his heels and laughed. “I am trouble.” Brodie was as tough as a seasoned soldier and twice as lethal. He’d been forced to fend for himself and had killed to survive since the age of five. Brodie had very few things he valued, and those few things governed his honor code. That code meant he’d never harm a Rebel, or those that served the cause. Most of all he’d never harm her. Going with him should be safe.

She’d first met him on the street as he’d followed a target when he was twelve. She’d tagged along, wanting to get a closer look at his blaster rifle. Brodie told her to go away, but Ava had been persistent, dogging his heels until he’d spun around and knocked her flat. “Not this time. It’s too dangerous for little girls. Someday when you’re older.”

“I’m not a little girl. I’m ten.”

His eyes swept over her as he stared down. “You look like a baby.”

“I’m a Frost, not a baby.”

Brodie’s eyes had popped wide. He gave her a curt nod. “Be safe, Duchess. Go home. You can come another time. I promise, I’ll come and get you when you’re ready.”

It had been the first time he’d called her that, his pet name.

It had taken her years to realize it wasn’t a nickname, but a title, one she’d hold if her mother hadn’t murdered her husband and run off with her father.

“Well, are you coming?” Ava pulled out of her memories and stared Brodie in the eyes. She bit her lip, debating whether it would be worth the trouble she’d get into. Seeming to sense her indecision, he gave her his best pouty face. Ava’s heart skipped, and she fought the giggle. Puppy dog eyes looked ridiculous on the dangerous Rebel. She should tell him.

“Well, Duchess?” Charm, charisma, and heat rolled off him.

He knew she couldn’t say no.

Brodie disappears for several years after an attack in the Blue District and Ava fears her friend is dead. While smuggling a shipment of fissile materials for the Resistance, Ava slams head on into Commander Seth Reynolds of the Fleet Regulators. In this encounter, Ava knows he isn't good for her and hanging around with him could be dangerous to all the resistance has accomplished, but like that forbidden chocolate bar, she can't resist taking a bite out of him. But Seth just might be more than she can handle.

Excerpt: 

The way she’d fingered his uniform ignited every cell in his body. She touched it as if she stroked skin, and somehow he’d gotten harder. He held her gaze as he reached around her and snagged his com off a shelf. “I’m never off duty,” he said.

She raised a brow. “Pity. I’d like to know you when you aren’t all business.”

He dropped his gaze to her mouth. Her lips were luscious, her teeth perfectly kept. This woman wasn’t meant to be a smuggler. She was born to warm a man’s bed and heart.

“Is there something you want, Captain Reynolds?”

Yeah, and she was a micro-moment from finding out. “No.” He grabbed her hand and pressed his com into it. “Contact a shuttle. I’ll escort you to your room. It’s not safe for a woman to travel New Xiera Port at night on this side of the city.”

“The Blue district?” She gave a soft laugh. “I’m half Nexian. If you didn’t notice, it’s a Nexian neighborhood. Now you, on the other hand….” She tossed his com on the bed and slid a hand up his chest. “A big strapping Regulator like yourself might get some second looks, especially dressed like that. Who goes to the beach dressed to work?”

He pushed her hand away. “I’ll escort you.”

The corner of her mouth curled and an impish dimple appeared. “What’s wrong with hanging out here?”

Seth frowned. “This is my room.”

“I see that,” she said, though she hadn’t taken her gaze off him.

“I don’t understand.” She couldn’t be insinuating….

She rose up on her toes and slid her hands into his hair. She pulled his face down to hers. “Then let me explain it.” As her mouth made contact with his, jolts of energy shot through his body. Seth didn’t resist. Should’ve. The woman was bad news. If he had any common sense left, he’d throw her against the wall and cuff her, not kiss her. But he couldn’t. He’d fallen victim to Frost’s charms, and he could do nothing but give in and let it happen.

He ran his hands down her back, stroking bare flesh under his fingertips. They traveled over her hips and around to her ass. Ava Frost had a figure. She had flesh and softness to her frame, wasn’t boney and hard like many of the women around this sector. He loved her curves and filled his hands with them in the manner he’d dreamed about for most of the day.

Ava pulled her mouth away and looked him in the eyes. Spontaneous combustion. Nothing could cool the inferno raging inside him…well, almost nothing. Not a good idea. If he buried his cock inside her, the League would bury him. Seth knew better, but his body wasn’t listening. He’d seen that look before and knew what it meant. “This can’t go any further,” he said.

She smiled and shoved him onto the bed, following him down. As he landed on the mattress, she straddled his legs and reached for his buckle. “Let’s get you into something a little more comfortable.” He snagged her wrists, not sure he could let this continue and keep his pride intact. This wouldn’t buy her way out of trouble, or get her off for any crimes she might have committed.

Ah so two men, one dead the other very much alive and a bit resistant. But what happens if one of them isn't dead and he comes back to claim the woman he'd been secretly protecting?

Hence the love triangle and the reason you see them both on the cover. Who will win her heart. Who will lose?