Resolute in 2012

I'm not one for making New Years resolutions most of the time.

I like to fly by the seat of my pants most of the time. But this year things are a little different. I am a big sister. I have a new home. I'm an author...and I love all those things. I want more of the good stuff, so I'm putting some thought and some elbow grease into getting it.

My resolutions?

1)Write two books a month.
2)Publish Two books a month.
3)Keep my liebling home where she belongs and keep her healthy.
4) Keep my baby brother safe, and well, and kick anyone's ass who fucks with him.
5) Kick their asses hard enough that their grandkids still feel it. Um and that goes the same for folks who fuck with my liebling (aka, the kidlet)
6)tell the people I love that I love them as often as possible.
7) Get Daniel here.
8) Buy a house
9) Remember to thank everyone who has been kind to me, and do it in ways meaningful to THEM.
10) Lick a stripper. Again.
11) Fall in love. Again.
12) Live life as it was intended, loud and proud. And have a helluva lot of fun!

Friday On the Other Side of the Pond

Pssst.

Hey, Psssst.

I've got some more Daniel A. Kaine to toss your way, luvs, but sadly not today.

Sigh.

He's Brilliant, Brittish, and Built...heh. Total Triple Threat.

And just as soon as I can convince him to pop by, you'll get to revel in his presence for a full 24hrs.

Alas, that day is not today. Today, we will drink and make merry like the other Friday Fools...

So slip into something sexy (like Daniel's smart and sexy book, Dawn of Darkness) and get ready for a rip-roaring good time tomorrow with the infamous Vicktor Alexander, author of Unthinkable.

******************************

Oh, and don't forget to get ready for the new year, babies. Get your ducks in order, clean your cupboards, make plans to see your loved ones early in the new year and often after. And tell someone you love them. Plus, leave me a comment between now and midnight on the 31st to be entered in my year-end Sooper Sekrit drawing for a book of your choice from my backlist or a copy of my upcoming Silver Publishing release, Tian's Hero

Wanton Wednesday: Six Degrees of Lust

Taylor V. Donovan.

That name has become synonymous, in a very short amount of time, with witty dialogue and tightly written, evocatively descriptive writing. Today we're celebrating the release of Taylor's first full length novel, Six Degrees of Lust. So we're gonna do something a little different over here at the cave to mark the occasion.

Yes, there's a prize to be won. But this time, you have to be witty. And your wittiness needs to be shown in your comment. You still have to leave an email address or no matter how witty you are, you won't win. And I'm the judge of who is witty this time. So, read the interview, and then check out SDoL's teaser, and then leave a witty remark that gives me some insight into what the three interview answers mean to you, and why. It's worth a copy of the book. :)


Three little Questions


Cherie: Taylor, though you are a relative newcomer to the field of writing, you've achieved some notable success in the short time you've been around. To what would you attribute your early success?

Taylor: *throaty chuckle* First things first, dear. Thank you so much for having me on your blog today :)
In answer to your question, I'd have to say Heatstroke put me on the map. It is a beautiful story that touched reader's hearts and they've recommended it to their friends. I'm very thankful for that.

Cherie: I know this is a standard question, but the answers vary so much from author to author that I feel it's  always a valid one...What inspired you to write?

Taylor: A friend motivated me...and my many gay, bi-sexual and transgender friends inspire me every day.

Cherie: What moves you? Judging by your writing I would have to believe that you are a very passionate person in real life. So what is it in this old world where there's nothing new under the sun that moves you, Taylor V. Donovan, to stand up and be heard?

*smiling as she answers*
Taylor: Quietly so... ;) I don't talk much as a general rule. I'm more of an observer...not much of a talker. But I am extremely passionate about the people I care for and my beliefs. My love for them moves me. The need to see them well moves me. I want to protect them and see them happy. I'm also very much into civil rights. I advocate for minorities and equality. And I have very strong, adverse reactions to injustice and abuse of any type. I guess that, at the end of the day, is what makes me stand up and open my mouth. :)

Six Degrees of Lust

Le Blurb

New York City FBI team leader Samuel Shaughnessy lives for his immediate family and his job. After a marriage gone wrong he has stuck to a firm rule when it comes to relationships: he doesn't have them. Sexually active and emotionally unavailable keeps him satisfied, especially now that he is in hot pursuit of a serial killer targeting gay men.

Former firefighter Machlan O'Bannon now manages a successful sports bar in Houston and after years of waiting he's ready to stand up and be the man he always wanted to be: out, proud and drama-free. His politically aligned family wants to keep him locked in the closet, but Mac just wants to meet the man of his dreams.

One man is as high strung as the other is laid back. A chance meeting brings the two men together, and one night of passion ignites a fire neither can fight. Their lives are not only miles apart, but as different as day and night. They don't want to get involved...but will they be able to stay apart?

Le Excerpt

The gods must have been smiling on Sam because, after brushing his teeth, dressing in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt and writing down a note for his mother in case she got up and went looking for him, it only took him forty minutes to make his way to Mac. At a club. He was picking him up as opposed to meeting him at his hotel room.

Fucking unreal.

What had possessed him to make such an offer? This wasn't a damn date. It was... a sexual meeting. Yeah. And he'd sped all the way from Queens to Manhattan in order to make it there as soon as possible, not because he was anxious to see this man, but because the sooner he took care of business, the sooner he could go back home.

Yeah. That was it.

He double parked a few feet away from the club's entrance, sent a message to Mac and instinctively scanned the street, something he'd been doing since his days with the police department. People would be surprised if they could see how many normal looking predators lurked the streets, especially around this club. It was the place where some of the victims on the Leviticus case had last been seen.

But then the door opened and all coherent thought escaped Sam.

“Holy Mother of God...”

He rolled down his window and signaled with his truck's high beams until he was sureTexhad seen him. Then he leaned back in his seat and just watched him.

The guy was huge. He was wearing blue jeans that were tight in all the right places and a dark red shirt that brought out his lightly tanned skin and the whiter streaks in his golden blond hair. It also showcased bulging, rippling biceps. His full, sensuous mouth and straight nose softened the sharp angles of his face, and Sam could’ve sworn he was able to see Mac’s emerald green eyes sparkle under the street lights.

He was fucking stunning and Sam was insanely turned on just from watching him walk.

Mac reached the truck and instead of getting in right away he stopped by the driver's side door and smiled. A low moan rumbled its way out of Sam's throat before he even realized it. He loved dimples, and Mac had them in spades.

“Damn,” Mac said. “You are hotter than I remembered.”

Sam felt his face heat up a little under Mac's scrutiny, and all of a sudden wished he had taken more time on his own appearance. But if that burning, hungry stare was any indication, the Texan wasn't put off by Sam’s disheveled state or the fact that he hadn't even bothered to shave. Thank fuck.

“Get in,” Sam all but growled. He didn't take his eyes off the guy for a second. Once he was inside, he asked, “Where to?”

As soon as Tex gave him the name of a trendy hotel in Chelsea, Sam rolled up his window and put his hand on the gear stick, and maybe because he was busy looking at the rearview mirror to make sure no other cars were coming, he never noticed Mac move until it was too late.

A gasp jumped from his throat. He snapped his head to the side and zeroed in on his own hand, covered by hot as hell Texan’s slightly bigger one.

“Rough couple of days, huh?” Mac’s voice was low, his thumb gently caressing Sam's obviously injured knuckles.

Sam cleared his throat and tried to pull his hand back, but seemed to be frozen in place by Mac's touch. “You could say that.”

“Then let's hope I can make it a little better for you, darlin’.”

Nodding, he took a deep breath when Mac removed his hand and settled in the passenger seat, leaving a tingling sensation behind and Sam feeling completely off balance. He wanted to tell the big guy nobody ever touched him without his explicit permission... then he wanted to tell him to bring that hand back, but wrap it around his cock this time.

He wanted to tell him he had no use for words of endearment, even if that sexy as fuck accent made them sound prettier. He wanted to tell him to get the hell out of his damn truck.

But he didn't.

Goddammit, what was wrong with him? Why was he overlooking actions that would be deal-breakers with any other potential lay? Was it because the guy was going back home the next day and there was no chance of Sam running into him again? Or because Sam wanted him so damn much he couldn't see straight anymore? Whatever the reason, it didn't stop him from pulling his SUV out of the parking spot and driving them to Mac's hotel.

They didn't say a thing during the short trip and that was fine. Sam had never been one for small talk. He had no problems sharing his body—to an extent—but his thoughts and feelings were off limits.

He took a deep breath, feeling a little dizzy when Mac's clean, spicy scent hit his nostrils and filled his lungs. Christ. Whatever that cologne was, it had the same affect on Sam as pheromones, which was odd and annoying, as he was usually indifferent to such things.

 The anticipation permeating the interior of his truck was damn tangible, and the not so subtle way Mac kept glancing at his mouth, hands, and crotch with those intense cat eyes of his had Sam on the brink of combustion. It was madness, and all of a sudden he felt it was imperative that he take care of business fast, then get the heck away from the gorgeous blond as soon as he could manage.

After finding a parking spot they strode through the hotel lobby, always keeping a safe distance between them. Once inside the elevator they both leaned against the far wall and allowed for their shoulders to touch. Mac's desire was obvious in his labored breathing, clenched jaw, the tension on his insanely broad shoulders, and the wild pulse on his thick neck. Sam couldn’t remember anyone wanting him so badly before…or him reciprocating.

By the time they reached the fifth floor the sexual tension was off the charts. There was no disguising the primal, unadulterated lust that had grabbed them both literally by the balls.

“I'm all the way down the hall.”

Mac pointed to their right and Sam considered getting back in the elevator and going home. Because the sight of that muscular, tanned arm lightly dusted with blond hairs almost made Sam drool, and he was afraid to find out what kind of reaction he would have once he got to see the man naked… or his cock...

Lord, yes!

And just like that he turned and headed in the direction Mac indicated, not waiting for him. He couldn't face the man. Not when he was having such a hard time pretending he wasn't anxious and completely out of his comfort zone.


****************************************

And there you have it, babies. Now it's your turn. Go on, dazzle me.

You can reach Taylor's website by clicking on the words Six Degrees of Lust above her lovely cover!

Twisted Tuesday: Part Two of the Double Header with Vicktor Alexander and Karenna Colcroft

Sorry Babies,
the techno idiot, aka moi, ran into some severe challenges yesterday and as a result ended up taking a whole extra day to get Vicktor's stuff up.

You'll forgive me once you see the AhMahZing Interview though.

LOL.

And I can't even take credit for it being so amazing.

*pouts* The equally amazing Lady A. did a bang-up job of interviewing Vic...all I had to do was get the stuff to post to my finicky blogspot...

**************************

The AhMahZing Interview of Vicktor Alexander
a shocking lot of goodness in two parts...or more...

Lady A: Hi Vic! So, tell me about The Tate Pack series. What are the books about? What inspired you to write them?


Vic: The Tate Pack series is about a bunch of shape-shifting cowboys who all find their mates in the most unlikeliest of suspects. The Alpha's mate is a dancer (in Tate Pack Book One, Unthinkable) and his Beta's mate is a cross-dressing performer (in Tate Pack Book Two, Inconceivable). What inspired me to write them? Well, while there are a few cowboy/paranormal stories out there, I had yet to read any where the mate was such a contrast to the shifter. And *I* love finding those characters that either get dismissed or ridiculed by others in the community. Unthinkable actually started as a totally different book, but after I started writing it the story changed drastically.

Lady A: What are you working on now?


Sneaky Cherie: *laughter--from moi, Cave hostess extraordinaire...what isn't Vic working on?*

Vic: I am working on quite a number of things (glares at Cherie) actually. I am finishing up the first round of edits for the first book in my Passion's Hero series. The book is entitled The Alpha King, and is a futuristic, sci-fi, paranormal set in a new world with elements of mpreg, mystery, suspense,tragedy, and family drama.

Sneaky Cherie: *imagine trying to find a tidy way to list that one--the mind boggles...I can't wait to read it*

Still the Vic: I'm also finishing up a Hanukkah novella (Wooing Elijah) that I'm co-writing with author Cherie Noel. I'm writing a book entitled Love's Enslavement. It has absolutely nothing to do with BDSM.

Sneaky Cherie: *O.O Really?*

Still the Vic: *ignoring the sneaky one* Love's Enslavement  is an interracial historical romance with elements of suspense, war, and disability. Honestly, I think that LE is going to be one of my favorite and probably one of my most heart-wrenching books. I'm working on a contemporary story called Daddy's Boy--


Sneaky Cherie: I love this one. It's holy shit good. Just sayin...

Still the Vic: ahem...as I was saying, I'm also working on book Three of The Tate Pack, Unassumed, and another contemporary (and yes, this one IS BDSM) called Mark Me. Mark Me will be the first in a new series, The Dom. Also working on my first Virgin Special Forces story, The Alpha Team, the Last Men on Earth series (first book is Discovery), my Damien & Roman series (first book is Damien & Roman: Forever). Warning--this one? Is very gritty. Don't pick it up unless you are ready to deal with some tough reality and have your heart used as a punching bag. *raises eyebrow* Got that?


There's Light the Way, The Agean Tasks, and cUm: Chance, Utopia & Micah...and...whew...I think that's it for now.

Sneaky Cherie: *opens mouth. Intercepts scathing look from Lady A. Shuts mouth.*

Lady A: How many works in progress do you have?!? Last time I tried to count, my eyes started to blur. *gentle laughter*


Vic: It is a very good thing that you're asking me this today, as the answer tomorrow will probably be very different. I currently have about 92 WiP's. These are books that I've gotten ideas for and have already sketched out the outline and the main characters for, and done character notes and chapter outlines for. That's not including the six "flat puppy" ideas that I've just written down while we talked.

Sneaky Cherie: *geez. Makes a girl feel intimidated...and oddly energized. If the Vic can do that much...smacks self on head. Ducks out of Lady A's sight*

Lady A: *tossing haughty look in direction of sneaky Cherie, and then smiling graciously at the Vic* 
How many of them have you actually started?


Vic: Are we talking actually started writing the first chapter? Because that would be about 80. If we're talking sketched out? Then all 92. If you're talking about the ones that I write a little in every day, I think it's about 9 or 10. You can see them listed above, where you asked what I was working on now.

Lady A: How is cUm coming? And how is TAK shaping up?


Sneaky Cherie:*sneaking a peek around Vic. Rats. Lady A. has her eye on me.*

Vic: cUm. LOL. The name of that book makes me chuckle every time I think of it. It is coming along very well. Chance and Micah haven't met just yet, still doing some world building right now, setting the stage if you will, but I do think that it's going to be a very enjoyable book. I know that when I sit down to start writing it I always end up having a nice little chuckle.

TAK? The Alpha King.  *Sigh* I swear I feel like I'm giving birth to this book. And for a gay man that is an amazing feat, I tell you what. The characters in this book, especially the main characters, Tal and Blaze, are so complex that every time I write them, I feel like I'm pulling back a new layer and discovering something that I hadn't seen in them before. It's fascinating. I love writing about them, and I love the fact that whenever I talk about them with other people they fall just as much in love with them as I do. TAK will hopefully be released toward the beginning of next year. *fingers crossed*

Sneaky Cherie: Ahem. Excuse me. Sorry Vic, Lady A., I'm afraid that's all we have time for today. But...Would you come back on Friday? I'm afraid I'm booked up tomorrow and Thursday...please?
*gazing out at the slew of readers eating up every word by the Vic and Lady A...*
Please? We can...um...run a contest? Who every leaves the most comments (one per day that Vic an Lady A. are present) until the end of the year gets a copy of something from the Vic's backlist? And if there's a tie for first we can have a drawing? What do you say?

Lady A.: well, if you behave yourself, Cherie. *sniffing in disapproval*


Vic: *openly laughing at Cherie* Sure. And what she said. *pointing at Lady A.*

Cherie: sure. Okay. Just come back. Please.

************
You can reach the Vic at his website: http://vicktoralexander.com/
Right, then. We'll have Lady A. and the Vic back on Friday. Tomorrow, I think (if we're lucky) we'll have the amazing Taylor V. Donovan, and then Thursday *shivers with excitement* Daniel A. Kaine returns.

Bye-bye Babies!

Oh Shit!!!!!

Crap. Technical Difficulties again. I'll be able to get Vic's post up in a bit, after I retype it.

Meh.

Eh, it will be worth the wait though!! Give it an hour or two and then check back with me. Thanks.

Manic Monday Double Header Vicktor Alexander and Karenna Colcroft

Holy hotness.
Right, so I over booked...which just means you lovelies get more smexy goodness over at the Cave today! You get to double your pleasure today. I have a fun little interview with the AhMahZing Karenna Colcroft, and you best get comfy...cause once you read it, your gonna wanna get your hands on one or two of her books and laze the rest of the day away...

*can you hear me giggling?*

Okay.

Ready, steady, go-go-go, babies! Dive right into the opening pitch of our double header and see if you can catch everthing they are pitching (Vicktor and Karenna).


First up? Karenna Colcroft and her Vegetarian Werewolves

1) Why vegetarian werewolves?
Most of the werewolves are omnivores in human form and carnivores in wolf form, but Kyle Slidell was vegan before he was changed into a werewolf (in my novel Salad on the Side, which MLR Press released in June of this year). After he became a werewolf, he was just too stubborn to eat meat, even in wolf form. I used to teach special education and worked with a lot of boys who were very intelligent and very stubborn--even oppositional--but humorous and fun to work with, and I tend to have a soft spot for people like that and to create a lot of characters who fit that mold. Kyle's opposition to eating meat and refusal to follow the "rules" of being a werewolf were just plain fun to write.

2) What inspired the decided difference in your werewolves?
Kyle remaining a vegan was inspired by a conversation with some other writing friends one day. A hetero werewolf romance had just been released (my apologies, I've forgotten the author's name) with a hero described as a "reformed vegan", meaning apparently that he'd been vegan until he was changed into a werewolf, and then had started eating meat because he'd had no choice.
One of my friends asked, "How could a werewolf be vegan anyway?" I was bored that day, so I quickly wrote a scene, 1000 words or so, with a man waking up in wolf form, having gone through his first shift when he was changed, and panicking because he's vegan and the people around him bring him meat. That man was Kyle, and that scene is mostly intact in Salad on the Side.

3)What is your favorite thing about this time of year?
When it's over...Honestly, I'm a little Grinchy about Christmas, just like Tobias is in Tofurkey and Yams. I do like seeing how happy my younger daughter is about decorating the house, though; I've been letting her decorate for the past five years now because she does it better than I do!

 4) Tell us a tidbit about your wolves that we may not know but that is characteristic of some thing that is intrinsic to their personality.
Werewolves in general, in the world I've created, prefer structure. They really don't like it when things are left to chance or when there aren't obvious rules or guidelines. That's probably why they've created an entire governmental structure, complete with conferences and meetings to make sure things run smoothly. 

And then please tell me about your favorite character, either that you've written or read, and what in particular made them your favorite.
My favorite romance character that I've written--who may very well be my favorite of all my characters regardless of genre--is definitely Kyle Slidell. He's such a wiseass, and he's incredibly fun to write. He's cynical and mouthy and he doesn't like to take orders, but he's also loyal and is devoted to his mate, even if he doesn't always act like it.

How did your Christmas story come to be?

 I saw Kris Jacen mentioning something about Christmas stories that MLR Press authors were doing. Somehow I hadn't gotten an invite to the MLR authors' group at that point, so I hadn't known anything about the Christmas story call, but I mentioned to Kris that I was considering writing a story about Kyle and Tobias's first Christmas together because I'd gotten such good feedback about Salad on the Side, the novel that introduced the characters. She told me to go for it, so I did.

Tofurkey and Yams 

Mlr Press

Karenna can be found TURNING PASSION INTO FOREVER at her website: http://karennacolcroft.com/

Go on. You know you wanna get you some...

Just Another Manic Monday

Today I am hosting a double-header.

*Oi! Minds out of the gutter*. I said double, and while *I* think the interviews are penetrating, I said DOUBLE HEADER. 

Sheesh.

FFS, hold on to your underpants. And watch the bloody vid while I work my behind the scenes magic to get your yummilicious slice of The Vickster aka Victor Alexander put up where you can get at it, and then let you have a turn checking out the wonderful worlds written by the incomparable Karenna Colcroft.

Yeah, and I've gotta move furniture too. 

Tres manic, babies. 

Heh.

Have A Happy Merry!

Hey there Babies,
just dropping in to wish you a very Happy Merry. Whatever you celebrate during this holiday season, may your life be filled with love, friendship, and loving family--be they family of blood or adoption.

Muaaah!
Here's a little Christmas Candy I've been gifted with here and there over the past few days...just in case Santa missed stuffing your stocking.

*waggles eyebrows*

Enjoy.

More AhMahZing Goodness from the Fabulous Daniel A. Kaine

Hold on to your underpants, babies. 


Daniel A. Kaine has graced us with an excerpt. 


Yeah, yeah, I'm shutting the hell up now and letting his characters speak for themselves.


*shivers in anticipation*


*********************************

When I awoke, I noticed Ash was up and nowhere to be seen. Only the faint glow of the street lamps illuminated the room. So much for a power nap, I thought. The sound of the door opening and closing caught my attention.

"Look who's finally up," Ash said. I sat up and wiped the gunk from the corners of my eyes. Ash was out of breath and I saw the sweat beading on his forehead. "I went for a jog to clear my head," he said. "You up for a bit of sparring? I need a chance to really vent."

I was a little frustrated too after the day's events, so I nodded and we gathered up our things to head to the gym. There were only a few others using the facilities when we arrived. We secured our items in the locker room, and went out into the open hall. After doing some stretches and a couple of laps around the place, we grabbed some head guards from the storeroom. The sparring started off light, but we quickly got into it. Ash had been kick-boxing since he joined the academy. It had become more of a way to relieve stress than an actual hobby. My interest in the sport only begun after meeting Ash a little over a year ago. Since then, he had taught me everything he knew.

"That all you got?" he taunted me, dodging another blow to the head. I replied with a front kick, catching him off-guard. He let out a gratifying grunt. His feet continued to dance every which way, keeping me on my toes, but he was tiring. I could hear it in his shallow breaths, and see it in his sluggish movements. He was slowing down. I wasn't in much better condition. My heart beat against my rib cage, and sweat poured from my brow and everywhere else imaginable. Every muscle was beginning to ache, begging me to stop, but my first victory was just within reach. A little more and I would finally beat him.

I willed myself to keep going, barely blocking the flurry of punches aimed at my head. I focused on his movements, biding my time as he wore himself down, and waiting for an opening. I blocked a kick to my side, and seeing my chance, lifted my right leg into a front kick. Ash moved back out of reach, as I hoped he would. At the last moment I faked out and moved into a roundhouse kick with my back leg, aiming for his unprotected flank.

For a short while, time slowed almost to a halt. I could see him grinning as he dropped to the floor, his leg sweeping mine out from under me. Then I was falling and time resumed. I landed with a thud on the mats, gasping for breath as the wind was knocked out of me.

"Man, I'm exhausted." Ash was at my side, hunched over, fists resting on his knees as he caught his breath. He ripped the Velcro strap open and threw his head-guard to one side. As I lay there, all I could think of was how close I was to beating him. In the year we had been training together, I had never been as close as I was then. And I blew it. I gritted my teeth in frustration. Next time would be different.

"You ready to hit the showers?" Ash asked. He stood over me, one hand held out.

"Whatever," I grumbled as I reached out and was pulled to my feet.

We made our way back to the locker room, discarding our protective gear into the basket on the way out. I decided not to shower at the gym, instead choosing to head back to the dorms for a real shower. I pulled on my jacket and gathered the rest of my belongings into my gym bag.

"I'm heading back for a long, hot shower," I called out over the noise of the running water.

"Okay, I'll see you back there."

Outside was cold and pitch black, save for the soft glow emanating from the windows of the nearby buildings and an occasional street lamp. The sky was overcast, the moon hid behind a blanket of silver-lined clouds. I walked on autopilot, down the dimly lit short-cut to the dorms, planning the rest of my evening. I would shower, grab something to eat, and then settle down with a book until I felt ready to sleep.

It was as I approached the end of the alleyway that a dark figure ran around the corner into me, dropping the papers he was carrying. He apologised and I mumbled under my breath that he should watch where he was going. Regardless, I bent down to help gather the loose sheets. A quick glance at one of the papers told me they were blood reports, most likely from the research department.

The man was about my size, though better built. He wore a navy jacket, the hood pulled close around his head. Strands of what I could only describe as silver hair spilled out of the hood, falling over his downcast eyes. I handed him the few sheets I had collected and he thanked me, keeping his head down the whole time, as if trying to avoid eye contact. With that he raced off into the night, to complete whatever errand it was he was on. Strange guy, I thought. I shrugged it off and continued on my way.

Fabulous Friday with the AhMahZing Daniel Kaine

Okay, babies, here's the dealio...

Today I have the first installment of a series of interviews with hot new talent, Daniel Kaine, aka Dangelina and fiance of the BradVic. 

*gives the you damn well better behave eye*

Remember, he's a bloody Brit. 

Ergo, his humor may not make sense to us damn Yanks. 

If you're not sure, raise your hand and I'll have our resident Brit/Aussie translator team at your house in a trice. 

No, really.

And I know it's a bloody long post, but he's so damn cute I couldn't help myself. Plus, just look at this cover...could you have said no?

I'll post up some excerpts --one from his currently released novel which is now available on ARe (<---click on the word to see it! ) and one a salacious tease from the sequel to Dawn of Darkness. And yes, this first in the Daeva series is Daniel's debut novel.

Don't miss this one kiddies. The boy is lava-lava burning hot, and his writing is damn good too. 

*wicked grin*

***AhMahZing Interview***

Daniel, when did you first know you wanted to become a writer?

I guess if I had to pick a specific point in time it would be around the time I finished my first novel. I started coming up with ideas for sequels, and other stories. Before long I had so many ideas I didn't know what to do with them all. But I did know that I wanted to continue writing them, and after I received some great reviews from a few friends on the NaNoWriMo forums, I decided I wanted to share them with the world.

Why do you write?

Because I enjoy it. Because my mind is constantly supplying me with new ideas, and telling me that I absolutely HAVE to write them. I can't not write... I'd go crazy otherwise.

How long have you been writing?

I started writing in 2008 with some Naruto x Sasuke fanfiction. I could never complete the story though. Then in January 2010 I started writing my first original piece of fiction and I've been writing (procrastinating mostly) ever since.

What keeps you motivated?

Besides Vic offering me spankings and other surprises if I hit my target word counts? Oh, the promise of some smexy M/M scenes too – because inevitably nearly everything I write ends up with some hot mansex. Writing is a great excuse to just sit there and fantasise about hot guys, and to do research... lots and lots of research. You know, on possible positions and everything. Very easy to get distracted by research. And on a more serious note, hearing that people enjoyed my stories is a massive motivational boost.

*LOL at the Vic gifting Daniel with spankings*

Where do you write? Describe your writing space?

Mostly I just write at home in the living room. It can be hard at times, with other conversations going on around me, and the TV playing too. And it can be difficult to write certain scenes with other people sitting close by. Good job I have the laptop to cover any tell-tale signs, which pop up quite a bit with all the research I'm doing. Vic does not help with that problem.

What’s your writing schedule/routine?

I don't have one. I write when I feel like it, until I reach a block. Sometimes I'll write 3,000 words in a day, other times I won't write for a week. It just depends on circumstances... and the number of distractions.

*wanna bet by "distractions" he means Vic? --waggles eyebrows*

Where do the ideas for your novels come from?

The idea for my first book was inspired by the anime, '07-Ghost'. I don't cry... no, seriously, I don't cry. But the story of Teito and Mikage was possibly one of the most heart-wrenching things I had ever watched. It ALMOST had me in tears. But there was just one thing wrong with it. Wait, two... Teito and Mikage never had sex. Actually, there were never even in a relationship, although there was a total bromance going on.  I wanted to change that, so I started writing my own story.

As for my other ideas, they just randomly pop into my head at the most inconvenient times. It could be a random thought I have while I'm walking home and have nowhere to write it down, or while I'm in the shower. Or just as I'm about to fall asleep and really don't want to get out of bed to write it down.

What genre/genres do you write in?

Mostly paranormal fantasy, but I also have some crime and high fantasy planned. Of course, nearly all the books I plan to write have at least some hot guys getting it on with each other.

*Oh goody. I loves the hot mansex happening in well crafted books*

Why/how did you choose the genre/genres you write in?

I've always loved paranormal fantasy, ever since I got hooked on the Anita Blake books. Ironically I went off them when they had more sex than anything else. In my defense, the main character was a woman, so that may explain it. I enjoy reading about monsters and magic, things that we don't see in our own world.

If you could try your hand at another genre without worrying about deadlines or what your editor thinks, or actually selling it, which would it be?

Science-fiction. I do have one half-formed idea that's an inter-galactic M/M story with lots of xenomorphic aliens that want to devour everything. Except Vic. Only I get to devour him *winks*

*Oh. Oh my. It's actually quite flustering when he winks. Er, what were we talking about?*

Do you plot out your stories before you write or do you just work it out as you go along?

When I start a book, I usually know the beginning and the end. I know what the major turning points of the book will be. As for the rest, I like to let the characters tell me how they're going to get there. That's probably why the book I'm currently writing has more sex scenes that I was planning on having. I blame the main character, of course – damn pervert.

How do you combat writer’s block?

By not writing. I like to completely forget about writing. I might leave it for a few hours, or even a day or two. I get on with other things that need doing, like chores.

What’s your stress release?

Hot water. A nice long bath or shower does wonders for me. I'm not sure what I do once the hot water hits me, but I can stay in a shower for half an hour and it will only feel like five minutes. Same with baths. I usually come out looking like a lobster with wrinkly toes and fingers.

And you can't beat a good orgasm for stress release. Vic's very helpful in that department. He knows a lot of ways to relax. Oh, and he owes me a back massage as well.

*Vicktor...oh, Vicktor! Did you hear that?*

What’s the most difficult part of the writing process for you?

Doing line edits. I do the majority of my editing myself, and I hate it. But I'd rather do it myself. I'm not going to pay someone to do something that I can very easily do myself. What makes it difficult is the repetitiveness and the amount of time involved. By the time I get to the third read-through, I feel like wanting to violently murder someone... or have several hot baths, with bubbles of course.

What’s the easiest part of the writing process for you?

Sex scenes. I just need to sit back and let my perverted imagination take over and then the words (and other things) start flowing. I'll usually play out a sex scene in my mind a couple of times, and making myself quite horny in the process. Oh, and let's not forget the research. I enjoy doing research, and as a result, I enjoy writing sex scenes. I think that's what makes them easy for me, because I enjoy writing them.

Is your family supportive or do you find you have to steal your writing time? Come on now, be honest…

I usually have to steal my writing time. I don't really talk to my family about much, and definitely not my writing. Sorry Mom, but you are NOT reading my sex scenes. You hear me? *hugs laptops close to him*

Who gets to see your manuscripts first?

My main beta-reader is Patricia Lynne, author of 'Being Human' and avid Mik-fangirl. Can't blame her... Mik is hot. Vic agrees too. I have a few other beta-readers who get to view my manuscripts too. They usually won't see it until the end of the second draft though.

How much input does your editor have for what your next project will be?

None, because I don't have one. This is where the self-published authors jump on me for 'giving indie authors a bad name', and the traditionally published authors try to use me as an example for why they're better than the indies. Hate to disappoint you guys, but I've had no complaints about editing issues. Self-editing isn't for everyone, but if you can pull it off I say, why not?

Rejection – how do you deal with it?

Chocolate. Hot baths. More chocolate. Porn... hey, it's what the internet was made for!

What was the greatest thing someone has said about your writing (can be from a reader, editor, reviewer, etc)

All the reviews I've had so far have been great. It's hard to pick out just one thing as greater than the rest. I'm gonna go with this one though: “starting it before bed may be hazardous to your mental health and your sleeping pattern.” This was from the first review I got from a paying customer, so it was extra special to me.

This one made me laugh though, “by the end I didn't know WHAT I wanted to do to Mik, but I wanted to do it soon...and fast...and probably hard”.

Which one of your heroes is your favorite and why? Don’t forget to tell us what book/books he’s from.

Oh god... I don't know which one to pick. On the one hand we've got Mik, the snarky, introverted one. On the other hand, there's Ash, the extroverted, cocky, flirty one. I love them both, and I don't think I could choose just one because they're both just so great together. Oh, and they're from my first book 'Dawn of Darkness'.

What’s the worst story you have about a book signing?

The one where I haven't had one yet.

*making shocked face that no one has offered the wonderous Daniel a signing...*

What’s the most exciting thing that’s happened to you as a writer?

Receiving my first reviews. I think I actually held my breath while reading them. And then when I was done, I jumped up and did a little fistpump. Okay, not really... but I did imagine myself doing it.

What do you remember about your first crush?

Bastard.

Any pets?

Two dogs. I've also had five guinea pigs, three other dogs, a rabbit, two rats, several hamsters, and eight fish. I plan on getting another rat because they're just so cute and cuddly and smart, even though Vic disagrees. I'm sure I can persuade him to let me have a guinea pig too. I think the ferret and iguana are gonna be a little more difficult to get permission for though.

What do you love to read?

Mostly paranormal/supernatural books.

Which authors are a must buy for you?

Jeff Lindsay. I love the Dexter series. LOVE them! Charlaine Harris for my paranormal fix. Heidi Cullinan for hot mansex.

What are you reading now?

Currently reading the 'Sword of Shannara' trilogy.


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General Links to Daniel's Stuff:
Where to get the Goods 
Amazon 
Website 
Goodreads Author page 
Createspace (for the paperback)
Smashwords
Allromaceebooks

Amy Lane's Christmas Blues: yeah baby, blow that horn, light the lights, ring the bell...

Christmas Blues, Silvers, Reds, and Greens

So my house looks like crap.  I say that a lot, and people imagine a pleasantly cluttered artist’s space and look at me indulgently like, “Of course it does, silly woman.  That’s the price you pay!”

No.  Seriously.  I don’t have enough stuff to go on hoarders, and we manage to keep our eating spaces relatively clean, and sometimes we clean the bathrooms, but seriously?  The kids don’t invite people over unless those people have been warned, the kids have vetted the prospective visitor’s own home, and I myself have somehow indebted the kid by taking him to the movies and glutting him with popcorn while my own children ply him with slushies in order to keep said visiting child from disliking us upon sight of the Lane Family Crapmansion, because we all know it’s possible.

So in order to decorate this year, we had to clean the house.  First we had to excavate the little kids’ room, then we had to excavate the living room from all the crap that we moved out of the little kids’ room.  The living room was unwalkable for a week—we had to move shit to the corner to see the television—and generally?

We were about to become a reality television show, just Mate and me, buried up to our armpits in old Legos and stuffed animals, looking at each other in complete bemusement saying, “Where in the hell did all this crap come from?” while the kids wailed, “NO, YOU CAN’T THROW THAT AWAY, I MIGHT PLAY WITH IT SOME YEAR!!!”

But we did it.  We got it all cleaned and sent craploads of stuff to the Goodwill and the kids now have a place to play and we have…

A place to put the tree.  Yes.  We did all that so we could put our Christmas tree somewhere.

Because it’s important.  It’s important that we take a moment to celebrate, to light up our world, to give each other gifts.  It’s important to watch Zoomboy labor over a model of Santa’s Little Sweatshop, er, Ski Lodge, and to steal our kids’ letters to Santa to see if we can make their dreams come true.  (We can—imagine our surprise when we actually FOUND Air Swimmers in Toys R US--- woo-hoo!)  It’s important to sing songs, to gather warmly, to have a time in the year when you can anticipate seeing family and doing for them the things you can only think wistfully on during the rest of the year.

It just is.

So, when I wrote The Winter Courtship Rituals of Fur Bearing Critters, I had this sense of  “doing” for the people we love.  I do this.  I make people things, when I first get attached.  Of course, a person can only use so many hats or pairs of hand-knit socks, and then they just generally have to rely on my otherwise poor sense of gift giving for the rest of our acquaintanceship, but in the beginning, I like to demonstrate my love and high esteem.  I MAKE them things.  That’s the essence of Rance in this story.  He really has one means of communication—and that’s actual, concrete actions.  It’s the only thing he has to offer Ben, and because Ben has a warm and generous heart, he sees that it’s the perfect thing to look for in a mate.  It’s a very visceral thing—and it’s one of the things that knitting means to me personally, and that’s what I think gives this story so much heart.

Puppy, Car, and Snow, is sort of a different short Christmas story.  Scotty and Ryan are an established couple—they know each other’s families, they are entwined in each other’s lives—and that brings about it’s own sense of complications.  Ryan’s mom is sort of a dragon lady—“If Passive met Aggressive, had a child and groomed her for prep school, that child still would not have met Taylor Connors’ approval.”  Scotty doesn’t meet her approval either.  This is a subtler story in some ways—every family has its uncomfortable dynamics.  We all have the family member who makes us grit our teeth, and we’ve all had experiences of trying to meet our parents’ approval.  I know that before my parents got to know my beloved Mate, they were absolutely certain he was not the right guy for me.  Of course, twenty-five years after I first brought him home to help me study for my homework (he thought) they now love him more than they love me—and I’m thrilled.  But there were some sticky moments there when staying in the kitchen with my step-mom was tantamount to throwing myself on the disapproval grenade to save him.  (Now it’s throwing myself on the disapproval grenade as a simple act of martyrdom for myself, but he’s out in the garage, swapping stories with my dad, so it’s okay.)  The thing is, that even with this uncomfortable dynamic, very few families actually amputate members from their core—usually they simply exist together in an uncomfortable gathering of mismatched personalities and try not to whump into each other as they struggle clumsily to work as a whole, functioning body.  Families are stuck with each other—and sometimes the joy of a day like Christmas is that a family can turn that into a blessing instead of a curse.

So I love Christmas.  I love the movies, I love the music.  I love watching my children get excited and decorating the house and spoiling them rotten.  I love watching my daughter cook and making people fun things and wrapping presents.  I love celebrating my family with all of their foibles, and doing for them when usually they can do nicely for themselves.  I think that’s why (so far!) I have such happy Christmas stories.  There are times when my angst prefers to sit back, drink a glass of eggnog, and take a nap, letting my joy party on.

Can be found HERE

Can be found HERE

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'Kay. If you know the Soooper Sekrit password...Then tell it in the comment section, and you may get an extra chance to win one of Amy's amazing books. Just do it. Dooooo eeeeett! You know you wanna. And for fuck's sake, leave me an email addy so if you win I can give the addy to Amy and she can send you a freaking book!!

A Charlie Cochrane Christmas : Getting What You Will

Okay, so the name Charlie Cochrane is synonomus with good reading material. We get that. What you may not know though is that today is the day you can get your hot little hands on the latest by the uber-talented CC...What You Will is hot off the presses at ManLoveRomance, and you can get your grubby mitts on it right freaking now.

O.O

*I know, Snoopy Dancing all around*

I sweet talked Charlie into coming over and giving us a little insight into what Christmas means in the Cochrane household, and a teensy taste of what we might find in store between the covers of What You Will.

Are you ready?

Heeeeeeeeeeeeres<------(a la Tonight Show mc...) Charlie!!!

Charlie, what do you love best about this time of year?

Everything. I’m like the worst sort of overexcited child. The Cochrane household is already full of: presents bought, wrapped and hidden away; cards written and ready to post; Christmas songs being sung by me and youngest daughter at annoyingly loud volume.
Specific events I’m looking forward to are the Christmas lights going on in our local town Romsey and then the late night shopping event there, which has lots of wonderful events happening. Can you imagine drinking mulled wine while sitting in a 13^{th century hunting lodge and listening to madrigals? Magic.www.charliecochrane.co.uk}

What inspired your new story?

Shakespeare. I love his plays but I’ve always wanted to know what was going on in his life around the time he wrote both the early sonnets and the gender-bending plays such as As You Like It. Yes, I know he must have written about girls dressing as boys as his women were played by boys so it made good use of the raw material (and the epilogue to As You Like It is only funny if spoken by a boy playing Rosalind) but I’m convinced there’s more going on there.
When we went to see Twelfth Night (with Patrick Stewart as an amazing Malvolio) I kept wondering about the true relationship between Antonio the sea captain and Sebastian. It’s been nagging me ever since and had to be written one day. Where the Steampunk element came from is a whole other matter!
Have you got any funny tales from the holiday season you'd like to share?
Christmas is always amusing in our house and there are lots of family stories to share, like the year my mother-in-law had to hide the gin bottle because of overindulgence by all present at on New Year’s eve. And then she couldn’t find it the next day!
The younger Cochranes have been known to eat so much at Christmas dinner that they have to lie down on the floor before they can even face pudding. And to have had a touch too much to tipple; once we made them get up from the table and prove they could walk a straight line along the edge of the rug. Waviest straight lines I’ve ever seen…


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Alright, 'nuf said, right? Did I not warn you that Charlie is not to be missed?

Just do eeeeet.

Get you some bay-bee!

　
My story: What you Will
Blurb: They say there’s no fool like an old fool.　Antonio didn't count himself　as old　but he was　more fool than any man ought to be who’s flown around the world and back again so often he might as well have just been going from Deptford to Dartford. There was a lad involved. There’s always a lad in the tale,　 for such as him.
Website: www.charliecochrane.co.uk

^{Blog: http://charliecochrane.livejournal.com}
And was there a happy ending? Now that depends on whether you believe what a certain playwright wrote, or whether you want the real story.

Manic Monday yet again

Hey there my lovelies,
I'm back with another installment of Manic Monday. And yes, the mania is in full effect. I have a book releasing today (did the e-release party on Saturday--when I had another Christmas story releasing O.O yes, two in less than a week...) you can find my two new books at the following locales...

Christmas Rum Balls is out at Silver Publishing...and the cover, by the amazing Reese Dante couldn't be more scrumptious, nor a better likeness of one of the main characters...can you guess which one?

Cuddle Time Chicken Soup released today (sounds of the hallelujah chorus being sung by the world's most talented choir) by MLR Press. Yes, yes, more of that uber-smexy duo, Christie and Robert from The Soldier and the State Trooper. I know. Merry fucking Christmas to you too.

Okay, on with the mania. I'm being hosted over at Charlie (the fabulous) Cochrane's blog today. Yee-haw babies. Freaking Charlie Cochrane ---->sings this part---->The Amazing!!  Is hosting me. I has arrived. Woo -hoo. 

More mania for the week. I am co-writing a Hanukkah story with the amazing Vicktor Alexander. Yes, the same Vicktor Alexander who wrote Unthinkable and Inconceivable the first two books of The Tate Pack Series...yeah baby, werewolves, cross-dressers, cowboys and dancers, oh my!! 

Heh. 

You know you wanna get some.

So, we've teamed up and we are planning on dropping a hot little Hanukkah piece by the 20th of this month....I'll let you know where and when. And *keep your fingers crossed* we may even sweet talk the incomparable LC Chase into gracing us with a custom cover. 

Other than that? You know. Normal life stuff. Building a menorah for the Vic. Building (finally) the storage unit so he has someplace to store his shite besides in his suitcases ...it seems like every time we set time aside I get sick or he gets injured. 

Pfft. 

Yeah, there's a ton more stuff, but I haven't time to write it all down as I must get to writing. But stay tuned for some awesome-sauce covered guest bloggers this month. *waggles eyebrows*

A Holiday Treat from Matthew Lang

Today, it's my great pleasure to host the magnificent Matthew Lang here at the Writing Cave. For those of you who haven't heard of Matthew...well, you are in for one heck of a treat. I'm just gonna pipe down, and let Matthew speak for himself. Heh. You'll be glad that I did!

Matthew Lang's Awesome Interview

1)Matthew...can you give me an idea of what the holiday means to you personally? And how does that factor into your Christmas story?

I'm not really big on Christmas. I think it's become more about shopping and commercialism than about being thankful for what you have and enjoying your life. Admittedly, my family have never been huge on it, and those were the subjects that came out when I wrote about Christmas in The Secret of Talmor Manor.

But I think there's a lot to be said for Christmas as a time of celebrating life and what makes your life special, and for me that was what Christmas Memories is all about as a book, but also, that Christmas (Hannukah or non-denominational seasonal holiday of choice) memories are really what the season should be about.

2)If there were one gift, aside from your writing that you could give to the world at large, what would it be?

Peace on earth and goodwill towards all? Or maybe a fully functioning integrated global platform for the reduction of our carbon emissions below 1990 levels that would be implemented around the world irrespective of whether governments liked it or not.

3) How/When/Where does inspiration strike you?

Surely a better question for me would be where doesn't inspiration strike? Usually at the most inopportune time when I don't have any way to record it.  2AM in the morning if I'm up that late typically.

4) Describe the experience of writing a winter holiday story during the summer...or wait, it's the opposite for you isn't it? A summer holiday during the winter. 

Honestly, I think it was just like writing anything else. I'd spent a week in Hong Kong just before I wrote it though, which is where the Japanese watermelon dessert came from--there's a fantastic little place in Tin Hau on Hong Kong island--so that helped. Really, I think it's easier putting yourself into the holiday mindset than it is to write about walking across the surface of a tidally locked planet. If nothing else, you at least have actual first hand knowledge of what the holiday season is like.

5)Tell me how your stories happen. Do you plot them out, etching the bones of the story first and then later fleshing it out? Do you wake with a story full blown in your head and then fush to get it down before you forget? Do you listen to the voices of your characters, no more knowledgeable of the story's conclusion that any other reader until the tale is fully told? 

I'm a plotter rather than a pantser. I tend to say, "What is this story about?", and , "Who is it for?", and, "What do I need in the story to make it work?", Once I've nutted that out I find it much easier to get the story working. I often think that I have a full blown story, but there are always holes--usually the the identity of the antagonist or the identity of the *actual* antagonist, or that little section between the middle and the end of the novel that I haven't quite foreseen. That's when things get hard. I'm also fairly vicious when it comes to making the stories work. I've dumped whole drafts because they haven't been exciting enough. I know you can often get away with slice of life stories, but the risk I find in slice of life is that the story starts reading like a diary...'and then we went to the fair and, and then we has sex, and then we told each other how much we loved each other, and then we went home and threw a party'...I don't know. I like my stories to have some tension, something at stake, something to learn. Maybe it's my theatre training showing, but on stage, if there's no tension or nothing forwarding the narrative at any given point, you end up with 'dead' time where the audience can  tune out. I know books can be put down, and often are, but I want my readers to not be able to put the book down. Or at least wish the didn't have to.

6) Why do you write? Give me both the long and short of it.

Because I have no other marketable skills that I'm willing to use in a career? Seriously, I decided early on that if I was going to be famous, I wanted the famous where I could walk down the street without the paparazzi swarming around me. Now, I'm certainly not famous, but that's probably one of the reasons I decided to write--also because breaking into acting as an Asian man would have been very difficult. I still find the television and film industries to be very Anglocentric when it comes to characters and casting. Also, I've always been attracted to fantasy, and that's something where the biggest market is in books and games--let's face it, the amount of special effects needed for a fantasy film means that the good ones are few and far between. They're also very heteronormative, with the majority of heroes being straight and male. The traditional quest is, after all, kill dragon, rescue princess, marry princess and rule the kingdom (or half of it at least). And I found that a lot of writing featured characters I just stopped relating to. The thing I realized, is that I can either whine about stories about people like me not getting told, or I can tell them myself. And that's what I'm trying to do. Of course, I've found a lot of other great writing since I've started, and it's nice to know that there's more to be read now that I know where to find it! 

7) Why this story? What did it mean to you? What were the challenges of finishing it?

Because it was a story I needed to tell. I often got asked if I was going to write a sequel to Talmor, and I always said 'not unless the characters have something to say.' The thing is, Nate and Jake did have something else to say, but I didn't know what it was at the time. I knew the story wasn't quite finished, because there were a lot of unanswered questions at the end of the book about exactly how the'd manage. Christmas Memories completes that journey, they go from talking a lot about Christmas and Christmas memories to being able to build some of their own, which finishes things off nicely. It's funny, because it wasn't until Laura Baumbach brought up the idea of Christmas stories that everthing clicked and I realised there was another chapter of the story to be told. It wasn't a big chapter, and certainly not a full novel, but it was ready to be told...so I told it.

See, I told you it'd be better if I just let Matthew do most of the talking. He's got his own unique charm that really just carries itself, yeah?

Here's a hint of what his latest, a lovely Christmas short from MLR Press called Christmas Memories: A Talmor Story is all about.

Jake and Nathaniel found their happily ever after in The Secret of Talmor Manor...the problem is that afters come with their own set of problems. How exactly do you navigate the minefield of a family Christmas and a new relationship without explaining you met in a dream--or that the dream included a crazy sister and her lover hell bent on killing you both? Is it better or worse when the reincarnated person you're with differs oh so slightly from the man you fell in love with? After a year of paranormal, is a little slice of normal too much to ask?

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You can find out more about Jake and Nathaniel, as well as the beginning of their story at MLR Press.

Matthew Lang can be found at the following locations:

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