Who's Who Wednesday Author Avril Ashton

Hello all please help me welcome Author Avril Ashton to Who's Who Wednesday! Looking for something, exciting, spicy and hot? Avril delivers in spades! Here is a bit about here then on to the interview:


A Caribbean transplant, Avril now lives in Brooklyn, N.Y with a Spousal Equivalent of eight years. Together they raise a 7 y/o daughter who loves reading and school (wonder how long that will last). Avril’s earliest memories of reading revolve around discussing plot points of The Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys with an equally book-minded mother


Always in love with the written word, Avril finally decided to do the writing in August of ’09 and never looked back. Spicy love scenes, delicious heroes, and wicked women burn up the pages of Avril’s stories, but there’ll always be a happy ending; Avril remains a believer of love in all its forms.


Visit: http://www.avrilashton.webs.com

http://www.avril-ashton.blogspot.com

Friend Avril on: http://www.facebook.com/writeravrilashton

http://www.twitter.com/#!/AvrilAsh


What would you say is your interesting writing quirk? I must have music. I must have coffee…hot or iced, it doesn’t matter.

What do you like to do when you're not writing? Read…Okay, I watch TV and read. Or hang with the family…then read. Either way I’m reading.

Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they? Write because you love it. Because you can’t breathe without putting those words on paper. Because anything else is unacceptable.



What quirks (flaws) if any do your hero and heroines have? We’re all vulgar…is that a quirk or a flaw? I never can tell J


Which of your characters would you most/least to invite to dinner, and why? Sasha Forde from A Wicked Ride for both…that b*tch crazy!

What would your ideal career be, if you couldn't be an author? I’d be involved somehow in someway with writing. When I began writing seriously, I told the SO if the writing didn’t happen I wanted to be an agent. Now I’d love to be an editor with any one of my pubs, although for the life of me I have no idea of the requirements...should google that, shouldn’t I?


Do you read reviews of your books? If so, do you pay any attention to them, or let them influence your writing? Reviews are great. I read them. I appreciate them. They bring a smile to my face but they don’t influence my writing in any way.

Are you anything like your heroines or heroes? Of course! My heroines and I have a thing for strong, sexy men, five inch heels, and colorful language. My heroes and I have a thing for vulgar women/men who insist on hurting us so good. We’re all alike ;0)


Where can readers find you? My website: http://avrilashton.webs.com

Blog: http://avril-ashton.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/writeravrilashton

Twitter: @AvrilAsh


Favorite dessert? Cake!!! Any kind is fine with me…care to bake me one?

What TV shows do you watch? Ahhh…Castle; Nikita; Daytime soaps (all of ‘em); Criminal Minds; anything on the Investigative Discovery Channel; NCIS/L.A; The Closer; Sons of Anarchy; Justified.


Tell us five things about you, that we wouldn't know. 1). I’m younger than you think. Wayyy younger LOL. 2). I’m antisocial. 3). For all that I love to eat, I abhor cooking. 4). I need absolute silence and darkness to fall asleep. 5). I’m the oldest of seven.


Tell us about your newest release. My newest release is my timid steps into the paranormal/shifter genre with my Paranormal Security Council (PSC) series.


Series Log Line: They’re the elusive agents of the Paranormal Security Council, trained killers, dangerous to all. Even the ones they love. Now the Council is crumbling from the inside out. Is it every man for himself? And who will be left standing when the dust settles?


Book #1 is Till Abandon. It releases Oct 17 and you can best believe I bring the naughty ;) Can you tell from the blurb?


They call her ‘The woman in white,’ whisper ‘Death-Bringer’ with their last breath, but no one knows exactly what she is. Not even Voltaire herself. The deadly magic within her is a living thing, able to crush anyone and everything with a blink. Abandoning the blood-soaked world she’s used to, Voltaire seeks out the one constant in her tired life—the green-eyed wolf in her dreams. She’s ignored the wolf’s call for years, afraid to surrender, but danger haunts her mate. He needs her.


Wolf-shifter Blake Montez is in the middle of a war, battling the usurpers intent on taking over his territory. Unfamiliar magic hums in the air, unnoticed—it seems—by everyone but him. He finds the source already under his nose, in his home. The delicate woman in white knows things no one should know, and the heat simmering between them is unlike anything he’s ever felt. His wolf recognizes her as his mate, though Blake remains unsure he can trust her.

Voltaire sets out to prove herself with time running out, enemies are on the prowl, some foreseen, others remain cloaked in shadow. She and Blake team up, fighting side by side, but in the end Voltaire might be the biggest threat to their love.


Where can we find your book(s)? My books are all on Amazon, ARe, Bookstrand, and NOOK.


Thank you for the fabulous interview Avril!

Welcome everyone to Who's Who Wednesday featuring Author Kelly Yeakle. Kelly will be giving away a copy of her book The Legacy Keeper's Treasure to one lucky winner. Please follow her blog, this blog and comment for your chance to win (leave your email address with your comment). Here is a little something about Kelly and the book she is giving away before we head into the interview:

Blurb: When Alexa took a job in Ireland searching for the lost O'Shea treasure, she had no idea what she signing up for. Between vivid dreams, ghosts, and the old Irish legend that surrounds the castle, she is overwhelmed.When she finds out the man she's been working so closely with is actually the heir to the O'Shea fortune, she is upset that once again a man has surrounded her with lies. Their relationship is further tested when a friend from the United States comes for a visit and Liam believes she's been telling her own tales.Will their love prevail? Will Alexa find the missing treasure and discover her heart's desire?

Kelly was raised by loving grandparents in a small house across the street from a dairy farm. As a child she spent a lot of time daydreaming or playing pretend. She was always in good spirits and surrounded by friends.


As a teenager, Kelly began writing poetry and used it as a way to document the things she was going through in her life. Her senior year in high school she had a poem published as part of a compilation book she regrets she never purchased.


When asked what her favorite subject was in school, Kelly will tell you English class. Though she wasn’t fond of researching and writing lengthy reports, she loved getting the chance to put together short stories and fiction pieces.


It wasn’t until her late twenties that she began taking her writing seriously. Through a friend she met online, she was introduced to a website where she could post her work and receive votes and comment on it from strangers. After obtaining a nice amount of good feedback on her posts, she was determined to complete a story and get it published, and she did! Kelly is not only a writer, but also a wife and mother of three. When she’s not working at the Hallmark store she helps manage or putting her fingers to work on the keyboard, you might find her dancing around the house, singing karaoke online, or spending quality time doing silly things with her children.


Now for the interview!

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? I think writing has always been a big part of my life. In high school it was poetry and horror stories, but I never really did anything with it. I put away the notebooks and became an adult. Then after meeting a few new friends online, especially Robin, I was able to start taking my story telling more seriously. I joined a writing site called Textnovel and posted some of my work, and after receiving pretty decent feedback, decided to get back in the game.

How long does it take you to write a book? It really depends what I'm trying to accomplish. Short stories can take a few days to a month depending on length requirements and the flow of the story. A novel length usually takes me 3-4 months to complete the first draft.

What is your work schedule like when you're writing? My husband works second shift so I typically have from 8-11:30 each evening, after the kids are tucked away in bed, to write. Once school starts next week I will also have Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday mornings all to myself to write away.

Where do you get your information or ideas for your books? I get ideas from all over the place. They can come to me from something as simple as watching people at the mall I work in, or hearing a conversation in an aisle at the grocery story. Sometimes I dream up stuff that sticks with me, and other times I really have to work hard to get an idea to surface.

What do you like to do when you're not writing? When I'm not writing, I like to be outside. I love the outdoors, hiking, fishing, swimming, biking, anything active. I get stir crazy in the winter months when its so cold outside you turn into a Popsicle. Though I like to sled and snow tube and build snowmen and the such during the snowy season. I like to sing and take photographs.

What does your family think of your writing? My family is very supportive of my writing, my sisters especially. I will call them up and be like hey listen to this chapter and tell me what you think. They're good at telling their friends what I do and to buy my stuff. Its nice to feel the love.

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite? I have three books in circulation now and two short stories on the way this fall/winter. My favorite book so far is Forbidden Desires because its not your typical love story, and it was such a challenge to write.

Do you like to create books for adults? I definitely like writing for adults. I'm not a children's book kind of girl, and though I love to read young adult, don't feel I could write it. I need my sex in there.


Which of your characters is your favorite? My favorite character so far was Marilyn from The Legacy Keeper's Treasure. She's the friend every woman needs to have.

Do you read reviews of your books? If so, do you pay any attention to them, or let them influence your writing? I do read my reviews. Good or bad, they help me grow as a writer. It's an easy way to find out what I'm doing right and maybe what I need to change.

Are you anything like your heroines or heroes? I put pieces of me into each one of my heroines. It might be something I say all the time or a habit I have or even one of my own personality traits. I like connecting with my characters.


Where can readers find you (What websites, emails etc)? Readers cam find my blog at www.kellyyeakle.wordpress.com and they can find my website at www.kyeakle27.webs.com or even on facebook as Kelly Yeakle

Favorite dessert? If I can only choose one then I would say chocolate covered fruit

Favorite way to relax? Curl up with a good book

What TV shows do you watch? I don't watch a lot of TV, but when I get the moment to have it on in the background usually Jersey Shore, True Blood, and Army Wives

Tell us five things about you, that we wouldn't know. I'm barely five feet tall. I have body piercings and tattoos. I love Hello Kitty. I'm an Aquarius. And green is my favorite color :)


Where can we find your book(s)? You can find my books at http://www.DecadentPublishing.com, htttp://www.EvernightPublishing.com, and on Amazon.

Tempted By The Moon (Moonlight Shifters 2)

Title: Tempted By The Moon (Moonlight Shifters 2)
Author: Morgan Fox
Review Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by: Ebony Dreams
Publisher: Siren Publishing Inc.
Release Date: June 2011
ISBN: 1610348737

Book 2 of Moonlight Shifters
Book Genre: BDSM, Erotic Romance, Ménage or more, Paranormal Romance, Vamps & Shifters Romance
Blurb:
Newly engaged, Brie Ferguson and Jonah McCarthy submerge themselves in primal temptations, but the constant reminder of Sebastian McCarthy's absence is enough to ruin even the best orgasm.

Distracted by the mating heat, Brie feels a deep longing to be with both her mates, especially her Alpha. Discovering that Sebastian's been infected with the same debilitating virus that turned Mason Levi, a convicted murder and werepanther, into an ultimate killing machine is enough to bring her to her knees.

Brie is tormented with the knowledge that the man she loves could destroy her, but the mating heat is all consuming and leaves her with little choice. Instincts drive her to once again feel the sexual heat and connection she shares with Sebastian and Jonah.

But once she learns that Sebastian holds the answers to her past, can the truth be the missing link into freeing her soul and igniting a passion so tempting Sebastian and Jonah can't resist?


[Ménage Amour: Erotic Paranormal Ménage a Trois Romance, M/F/M, werewolves, bondage, public exhibition]

Review:

Two sexy werewolves and a female with magical powers who has all their attention make for a sexy romp.

Jonah and Sebastian are werewolves in love and lust with the same female. Brie Ferguson is that female. She feels deeply connected to the brothers in more ways than one. Her lust and her desire for them both is as important as the air she breathes. The brothers feel the same deep connection and find it hard when parted from her as well. Enter part of the conflict. Sebastian has gone off and left Jonah and Brie in search of Mason Levi who had tried to kill her. Brie is trying to find out what she is and what makes her different. All of this happens with her being in mating heat. Which makes everything else more complicated.

While Sebastian heads out to find Mason Levi so that he cannot get their mate, Jonah is left to guard Brie. Their connection is just as potent as the one that Brie has with her Alpha male Sebastian, but at the same time not enough. She needs them both. There are a myriad of characters and personalities within this book which at times makes it a little hard to follow. But. Each character is an intricate part of the story as a whole. I think that perhaps it is because the author has plans for more in the series and with as much information that was offered, there should bemore to the series.

I liked Jonah and Sebastian, though at times the jealousy that was displayed made me wonder if their menage would work. In the end Morgan Fox showed that it could and would. I did want to see more with the conflict of Mason Levi and I am not sure it was given enough 'play time'. I feel that part of the plot was dragged out and not completed to my satisfaction. Though in saying that, it does go back to the fact that it seems the author is working towards a sequel and perhaps will answer it then. I hope so. The satisfactory HEA (Happy Ever After) I usually look for to me is a HFN (Happy For Now), because of the loose ends. In the long run, I wanted the three main characters to be together and rooted for them and was happy when they were.

Otherwise the world that Morgan Fox built was intricate and very interesting. I found myself liking the different personalities and how they interacted with one another. Three in particular caught my eye and that would be Reyes, Dominic and the female Dr. Shaw. There is something there between them all that the author touches on. Can't wait to see it. I will be looking for more from her and hope to have all my questions answered.

Four stars for the hot lovemaking, excellent public exhibitionism and varied characters.
Review posted on www.goodreads.com and http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=3283

Last Knight of Jarna

Title:  Last Knight of Jarna

Author: Alexis Martin

Review Rating:   4 stars

Reviewed by: Ebony Dreams

Publisher: Siren Publishing Inc.
Release Date: July 2011
ISBN: 1610346149

Book Genre: BDSM, Erotic Romance, Historical Romance, Ménage or more, Paranormal Romance, Vamps & Shifters Romance


Blurb:

[Siren Allure: Erotic Historical Paranormal Romance, M/F with F/F/M, M/F/M/M, M/F/M, F/F, bondage, vampires, werewolves]

Rain, a she-wolf, was seduced by three brothers, werewolves of Clear Water village—Zurk, Arran, and Rander. She had been chosen by Colcu, the alpha, for mating. Colcu discovers that she gave herself to the lesser wolves and, in a fit of rage, he sentences her to death.
Colcu chases her through the Daribu Forest, but one human knight from Jarna, Thane Ragnirak, stumbles upon the two wolves fighting in the forest. Thane dispatches the larger wolf, Colcu, and saves Rain, unaware that she is a werewolf.

Thane has lost all that he cares for in a surprise invasion from the barbarian hoard, and he is now the sole survivor—the last knight.
Soon the heat begins to build between the she-wolf and the human while lost in the forest, searching for the road to Jarna. His plans to warn the kingdom of the impending invasion are put on hold as he discovers the pleasures of the she-wolf.
A Siren Erotic Romance


Review:

I have to say when I first started reading THE LAST KNIGHT OF JARNA, I felt like there were two stories going on. And at first, that made it hard for me to follow. And truly maybe there is more than one story going on, for the possibility of a sequel. But once I got back on track, the story flowed for me and I fell in love with the main characters Rain and Thane.

Rain is innocence all wrapped up into a beautiful werewolf, who finds herself the object of lust for three werewolf brothers Zurk, Arran and Rander from her village. Needless to say, she has had dreams of being with them for as long as she can remember, but she knows she is promised to the Alpha Colcu. Not much protesting goes on, on her part against the brothers as they introduce her to first sexual experience (which I have to say that for an innocent, she sure caught on fast). It was definitely a hot scene that led into the Alpha finding them and sentencing her to death and get this, the males got sentenced to having to leave in shame for a year (yep, it fits the historical timing of how women were treated perfectly).

Enter the hero. Thane rescues Rain, and he didn't know that she is a Werewolf. Thane is handsome and all hard-bodied, the epitome of a knight in shining armor. I loved him. He had a realness and an honesty about him even though he had killed many men, and you could still feel that he was honorable. He saves Rain from Colcu again, not knowing she is a werewolf. When the fact is finally made known, the two cannot help their growing attraction for the other.

Hot and heavy sexual need blossoms and the two cannot help themselves. Which in turn also blossoms into a love for each other, and that finds Rain at a crossroads battling what she should feel and what she is feeling.

Now with the other characters that come into play such as the three brothers Zurk, Arran and Rander, at first I wondered why their story needed to be told beyond the fact that they mated with Rain. Alexis Martin leads you through an entertaining romp of sex and intrigue and you come to find out why all the other characters are mentioned and needed.

I liked this book and I would recommend it. It has Werewolves, Vampires, Succubi within its 118 pages and make for a fun read.

Four Stars for an exciting historical paranormal tale.

Also posted on www.goodreads.com and http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=3320

Title: Angel of the Morning
Author: J. S. Wayne
Review Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Ebony Dreams
Publisher: Noble Romance Publishing
Release Date: May 2011
ISBN: 9781605923109
Book 2 of Angels Would Fall
Book Genre: Erotic Romance, Paranormal Romance

Blurb: Aurora, the Angel of the Morning, has just received good news: her husband, Benoth, banished from Heaven for joining with Lucifer, has been granted a temporary pass from Infernos. The Angel of Death, Azrael, has sought an audience with Benoth regarding his renegade assistant, Moradiel, and his mortal lover, Ariel.

Benoth, never one to pass up an opportunity, manages to arrange his time so that he will have the entire day with his beloved and dearly missed wife.

As the two reunite for the first time in decades, they find that their passion burns just as hot and bright as ever.

But time flies, even for angels and demons. And sundown is coming . . .


Review:  

I love the title of this book. In fact it is what first attracted me and made me want to read it. Secondly just the thought of a fallen angel and a non fallen getting together after being parted for so long as mates is a fun aspect to ponder in itself. There are only 13 pages in this book so the author has to cover a lot of ground to give the reader a true sense of what has happened and what is happening in the present moment.

I think the descriptions in the book of the surrounding area, the people and what Aurora the heroine and Benoth the hero look like are very well done. So well that one can actually see it. I liked that about this book. I also liked how the author tied Aurora and Benoth's history together so you know why they are separated and have to sneak time with one another.

With a limited time together, the two waste no time in becoming intimate and showing that even after decades of being apart, the fire between them still glows just as brightly as it did before. Very hot, very sensual. I loved their moment together.

My only complaint has to be was that this was too short. I would have loved to have more story and more of Aurora and Benoth. I feel you get to know Aurora more than Benoth. I do hope the author will consider another longer book that will allow the reader to delve more into the plot and more into the characters.

Review: 3 stars for a sexy fallen angel and his mate.

Review on goodreads.com and http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=3285

Who's Who Wednesday! Author London Saint James

Epically Romantic would like to welcome Author London Saint James to Epically Romantic by Ebony Dreams. The author will be telling a bit about herself as well as giving a way a copy of her book Enchanted.  All you readers have to do is to follow my blog, follow her blog and comment here with your name and email address.  Here is a bit about London!

Bio:

London wrote her first short story in the second grade.  Her teacher informed her parents London had a big imagination, but having a big imagination wasn’t necessarily a good thing as far as he was concerned.  Without watering that seed of imagination, London placed her vivid characters, her childhood stories, along with her imagination on the shelf, where they would wither for a while.  At the urging of her eighth grade English teacher, London pulled her imagination off that shelf and wrote her second short story.  To no surprise, it was a love story which was inspired by a song.  With encouragement, London began to write once again.  She fell head over heels in love with writing, the power of words and the journey we all take when we read a great story.  Then as life does it moves on, so yet again London placed her imagination on the shelf to wither for a while.  She needed to do the “sensible thing.”

In doing the sensible thing London earned a degree in Psychology.  While in college she traversed into writing once more, was encouraged by a couple of professors to peruse that endeavor and wrote.  In doing so, she lit that spark of imagination which she thought was long dead. 

London writes erotic romance, from sweet to downright naughty.  She is an author for Evernight Publishing and a member of the Romance Writers of America as well as a member of Passionate Ink.

Blurb from Enchanted:

Can love withstand the test of time?
Winter never truly understood love, nor did she have time for men until she met Austin Wells Carlyle. He was the man who would rock her world to its foundations. He would test her notions, give her something to believe in, and change her misguided thoughts regarding happily ever after. Strangely, she was going to allow him be the one thing she never believed in—her soul mate.

Excerpt:

He took me into his arms. We danced to the sounds of the waves breaking on the shore, underneath the stars. The breeze madewhooshing sounds through the reeds and tall spiky grass up on shore. In the distance, the intermittent light flashed from the lighthouse which was perched upon a bluff. It was the perfect backdrop, too beautiful, too tranquil. This was the kind of place made up of dreams; no one should be nervous in this setting. To be here in this picture perfect place with a drop dead gorgeous man, the man I loved after all, was everything a girl could want. I needed to get a grip and stop being so totally silly, so jittery.

It was about time to internally scold myself when Austin’s hand brushed up against the small of my back. I delighted in the feel of his hand as he made small movements against my bare skin beneath my shirt. He leaned in and caressed the base of my neck with his lips.

Against the hollow of my throat, I experienced his words. “Winter, I love you.”

“I love you,” I said, breathless.

With each dance, Austin seemed to pull me closer into his body. With each dance, I wanted him more and more. The anxiety and nervousness I had experienced earlier was now gone as if it had never even existed. The slow simmering of desire had turned into a full-blown boiling beneath my skin. I wondered if he was feeling the same. I thought he was.

Austin kissed my lips softly. My body began to tremble. He looked at me with those all too tempting eyes. “Winter.” He whispered in my ear with his silk ridden voice. “Would you like to go back to the cottage with me?”

I whispered, “Yes.”

He pulled back. He was gazing deeply into my eyes. His fingertip ran over the lines of my lips. He sighed contently then took my hand. We walked without words back up the beach, finally reaching the cottage. The others were gone from the terrace, off getting into their own sort of trouble I guessed. Austin paused. We dropped our shoes at the back door. He gazed at me with the softest expression then kissed my lips softly before entering into the cottage.

We went up the stairs slowly, down the hall then stood in front of the door to our room. The pause seemed like a lifetime. I studied the wood-grains in the door, wondering if we were ever going to go inside. Then Austin glanced over at me with a heat which could only be described as mind-blowing. He opened the door, scooped me up into his arms and carried me inside, closing the door behind him with his foot.

My eyes flitted around the room. It was filled with dozens of white, pink, and red roses. The light of the room was only candlelight. Music played softly like a lullaby in the background.

He has been busy. This is good. This is very good.

“Don’t be mad,” he said as he put me down.

Has he lost his mind?

“Why would I be mad?”

“Well, I was hoping.” He paused. “I want us to be closer. I want to make love to you so bad it hurts. But if you are not ready than please do not feel like this.” He gestured toward the room and the four-poster bed. “Do not feel like I am pressuring you. I love you. You are more important to me than anything so I can wait.”

I never said a word. Every insecurity I ever had was vacant from me. I was going to allow my body to do all the talking tonight. I moved with assurance toward him. He watched me. I wrapped my arms around Austin’s neck. I stood on my tiptoes in order to press my lips to the hollow beneath his ear. I closed my eyes, took a breath, and wanted to dissolve.

He smells so good.

“Winter,” he whispered softly.

“Shh.” I opened my eyes to see him. “You told me once you would not look until I wanted you to, do you remember that?”

“Yes.”

“Well….” I dropped my hands from his neck. “I want you to look.”

His returning smile took my breath. I had to look away from his eyes, which was almost impossible. I glanced at my hands. They should have been shaking, but they were not. My hands found Austin’s shirt. I unbuttoned each button slowly foregoing the urge to hurry. With a tremulous breath, I ran my hand down his skin, exposing the perfect alabaster of his muscular chest. His shirt was off and on the floor. He’s so beautiful, I thought.

My lips found his chest and liked the feeling of his flesh beneath them. My fingers outlined the angles and planes of his strong rippled stomach, moving slowly around his tight waist. I watched his skin, his reaction to my touch. The muscles beneath my touch seemed to jump, flex, relax. I could not believe this beautiful man was here with me. If I could, I would look at him; worship Austin’s perfection for the rest of my life. My eyes were filled with more beauty in this moment than ever before.

I allowed my hands to find and trace the outline of his wide shoulders, follow the contour of his muscular back. My body moved around him while my eyes, hungry, followed my fingers which were lost to the canvas of his flawless skin. Touching him was like finding a secret. I pressed my lips to his shoulder blade. He groaned. I burned. My teeth grazed the surface of his skin. My tongue followed the line of him while my hands ran freely over the surface of his biceps, his forearms.

I had to wonder in awe. A part of my mind told me such beauty should be a dream, because no one could be this fabulous. But touching him grounded me in reality. I had never seen anything so magnificent, so beautiful. It was in this moment I knew. I knew in the whole of my life I would never want anyone but Austin Carlyle. I would indeed love him, forever.


Now on to the interview!

Ebony: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

London: I’m not sure it was a realization as much as it was I just scribbled down stories all the time. I would think of a long drawn out scenario in my head and scribble it out on paper. I think even before I could really write, I would talk out stories when playing. I had a whole make-believe world going on when I was young. I guess I always wanted to write, however I was not encouraged to do so until one of my English teachers in junior high school encouraged me to do so.

E: How long does it take you to write a book?

L: I can, when I have quiet time, kick out some words. One book, which I have not submitted for publication yet, took me only a couple of weekends to write. Some books seem to take on a life of their own and flow right out onto the page. My best answer to this question is, it depends on time restraints and how well thought out my idea is.

E: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

L:  Willy-nilly! LOL…When I write I lose track of time, place, you name it. I suppose it is best described as getting lost within the story. I seem to write at odd time schedules like late night or early morning or even write all night. I do try to write on my weekends (if free). If I have a day off, I write.

E:  What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

L:  I read my story back to myself out loud. I need to hear it, besides reading it. I have to “hear” if it is working.

E:  Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?

L:  Read everything you can get your hands on and keep on writing. I think you will find as you read and write your work will continually get better. Write what you love, have a passion for and don’t compromise your passion. Never let people discourage you from your dream. Never give up on your dream. Remember you may sometimes hit that wall of rejection, but find a way around the wall. And if you can get around it, go over it or through it. A writer friend of mine said to me once, “I can’t get past the wall.” My comment was, “Go through the damn wall, bust it down if you have to.” Some of the greatest authors around have been rejected, told their work sucked and later they were published with great success.

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

L:  I have actually. I have received emails from readers, even more so than I would have thought. They usually tell me what they liked about a particular story or a particular character, and give advice on what they would want to see happen next.

E:  Are you anything like your heroines or heroes?

L:  I think as a writer you do put parts and pieces of yourself into your characters. I can’t say I am “like” a specific heroine, but I do have pieces of myself within them.

E:  Where can readers find you (What websites, emails etc)?

L:  My website is www.londonsaintjames.com

My blog is http://londonsj.blogspot.com

People can email me at London@londonsaintjames.com
I can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace at:

Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/LSaintJamesRomance

Facebook Authors Page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/London-Saint-James/154331444626603

MySpace:

http://www.myspace.com/lsjromance

Twitter:

http://twitter.com/#!/LSJRomance

E:  Favorite dessert?

L:  Anything with chocolate! If it has chocolate, I’m so happy.

E:  What TV shows do you watch?



L:  I’m a huge True Blood fan. (Love me some Eric). Also, I must watch Ghost Hunters. I would love to hang out with Jason and Grant! Other than trying to keep up with watching them, I don’t really have a lot of time to watch a lot of different shows.


Thank you London Saint James for the wonderful interview.  I do hope to have you back again sometime.

Tamed By The Dom

Title:  Tamed By The Dom (Guilty Pleasures 3)

Author: Jan Bowles

Review Rating:  5 stars

Reviewed by: Ebony Dreams

Publisher: Siren Publishing, Inc.
Release Date: June 2011
ISBN: 1610344987
Book 3 of Guilty Pleasures
Book Genre: BDSM, Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance, Western Romance

Blurb:

[Siren Everlasting Classic: Erotic Cowboy Romance, BDSM, sex toys] 

When Katrina Masters returns to Fairfax, Texas, after seventeen years away, she finds things have changed. The guy she had a crush on at high school is now running a sex club and is a Dom to boot! Common sense tells her to steer well clear, but she's sorely tempted by his job offer. Selfmade man Colt Donahue is a strict Dom. His business, Club Fusion, is a great success, and he's not about to let the local Sheriff or the narrowminded people of Fairfax close him down. He's here to stay. From the moment he sees Kat, he wants her. Just one look in her sultry hazel eyes, and Colt knows the sassy, outspoken woman is for him. Nothing would excite him more than making her submit to his will. Colt shows Katrina what a Dom is really capable of, but can he tame the firebrand into complete submission? 

A Siren Erotic Romance

Review:

What a wonderful pairing of a hero and heroine Jan Bowles gives us in the form of Katrina Masters and Colt Donahue. Two characters that have a flaws which compliment each other. Katrina has made some bad choices in her life. Choices that follow her to Fairfax, Texas. When she returns back home to Fairfax, it is under a few well-placed lies. So much so it gets her into hot water. Basically making a problem bigger than what it should have been and running into the hero on whom she has had a crush on since she was fourteen makes for some fun times. I liked Kat because she was feisty yet she had a vulnerability that showed she wasn't truly the bitch she had to portray. Colt was sexy as hell, a cowboy and a Dom. What a wonderful combo. I loved his Alpha attitude but I also loved it that he didn't rush Katrina into anything. The right Dom knows exactly what 'his' submissive needs and Colt knew most definitely what Kat wanted and needed. The sex between the two was sizzling, and with the additions of the sex toys, it had me wanting more. The conflict within the story was beautifully done and added enough tension to the story to push it along to a wonderful conclusion. Loved this book. Now I am wishing I had had the chance to read #1 and #2 in the Guilty Pleasures series. I do recommend this book for those who want a little taste of a Dom in their lives. I will be on the lookout for more from this author. Five stars for BDSM, the Dom and his sub. Review posted on: www.goodreads.com and

http://erotic.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=3145

Send

Title: Send
Author: Alyssa Turner
Review Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by: Ebony Dreams
Publisher: Xcite Books

Release Date: January 2011
ISBN: 9781908086235
Book Genre: Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance, Ménage or more
Blurb:

An erotic novel set in steamy, corporate Miami where emails send temperatures soaring.

Tina thinks she’s found her perfect match; a mirror of her black upper-middleclass background. But when heartbreak wears the polish off of his shining armor, it’s time to discover what she’s been missing.

Latin beauty Noemi works hard and plays rough, finding pleasure in bringing men to their knees. How long can she remain on top? That depends on who’s asking. Pamela has it all, but it’s not what you have, it’s how you get it, and she doesn’t like things to come easy. When she stumbles across a suitable challenge, she might finally be in over her flaming red head.

Satisfaction. Every woman wants it, but when too much of a good thing is more than they can handle, these three women find themselves in uncharted territory, testing the limits of their deepest desires. It's Jimmy's game and rules are not his concern. He’ll bring them to the edge of passion where seduction is a unique indulgence that respects no boundaries.

Review:

SEND was most excellent. It had me guessing all the while I was reading it. What an exciting read! Thank you, Alyssa Turner, for something that was so different in its approach to romance! First of all, there are three heroines and basically three heroes. No, it's not a ménage per se, but it takes a look at three women and their relationships with men and one man in particular is in the midst of it all.


I have to admit. When I first started reading this, my romance spirit was ruffled and sort of not wanting to like this book. But I don't give up. I promised the authors and review sites as well as myself that even if I don't like something, I will continue to read it. First of all because as a reviewer I think we should give our all to what we are reading so we can give our true opinion. Secondly because I have been entrusted with someone's creativity and to not read it to me is just not right.


So, again when first reading it, I was at the point that I wondered where it was going and thinking I would not like it. But Alyssa Turner showed through her creative mind and nontraditional look at romance that the love someone has for another can still shine through, right along with a person being able to reach a happily ever after or a happy for now kind of relationship without all the usual trappings.


Like I said there were three heroines that evolved around one male by the name of Jimmy.


Jimmy. Jimmy, wow, how interesting and sexy was Jimmy. He knew what he wanted and he played the game well. The thing I like about him is he interacts with each of the heroines and each of them has a thing for him. I seriously got so wrapped up in his character I began to wonder and second-guess what he was going to do next. He was full of surprises. Though I thought he was sexy and irresistible, I didn't want to love him or fall for him like the heroines all seemed to be doing. He didn't fit the neat little package of romance I was used to. But I fell for him anyways.


Tina is an African American professional who works with Jimmy and is friends with him. I didn't want to like her either. She was full of games just like Jimmy. But she grew on me and in the end I was rooting for her to be happy and to get all that she desired out of life and that included Jimmy. Now, I do have to say Ms. Tina did a very shocking thing early on in the book that made me not want to like her while she was doing it, but like she was under the spell of Jimmy, I was under the spell of some excellent writing that brought me back around.


Noemi is a Latina who by day is an exceptional nurse and also a caretaker of her brother and a waitress by night at a very interesting club. Not well off, she has to work two jobs to support herself, her mother and her brother. She was such an odd mixture of Alpha like female and sweetness. Noemi as well is enraptured with Jimmy. It is amazing the pull that one character had on them all. What Jimmy asked, Noemi did. No matter what it was and she truly got entangled in his games. Even though part of her disliked what she felt about him or the situation she found herself in because of him, she still would do it and find some pleasure in it.


Pamela is a Caucasian who is rich and sophisticated and basically a bitch to most. It was amazing to watch her interact with Jimmy and not get what she wanted or what she was used to getting. I liked that she thought she knew what she wanted. Though in fact she truly didn't come to realize what that was until Jimmy showed her. 


Three women distinctly different yet at the same time alike. Wanting the same man. Jimmy. The author wove the three characters' stories together so well that you will find it explosive in what happens in the end. I will not divulge information on the other heroes, as I think in doing so I will give away the book and its ending. 


I am telling you that it is a must read! Unconventional, Sexy, Erotic, Fun, Hot, Steamy and even endearing. I loved this book and I recommend it to anyone who still believes in love and happy endings.


Five stars...just fabulous!

Review also on: http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=3372 and http://www.goodreads.com

Who's Who Wednesday! Author Josee Renard (giveaway)

Epically Romantic would like to welcome a wonderful author, Josee Renard. I first encountered Josee when I read her book What's New Pussycat.  I want to thank Josee for stopping by and doing my first ever author spotlight. Josee will also be giving away a her book  Treat Myself from her Part Time Lover series .  To be entered into the giveaway you must leave a comment on my blog, follow her blog as well as mine.  A person will be chosen at random. (Please make sure to comment, follow the blogs and leave your email where you can be contacted if you win the giveaway). 

Josee Renard writes women’s fiction, magic realism, paranormal and erotica. She writes short fiction, poetry and novels. Josée blames her good friend Anna Leigh Keaton for getting her into writing erotica – she loves Anna Leigh’s books and wanted to try one herself – now she can’t stop. She blames her mother and her two grandmothers for her reading and writing obsession – all of them were avid readers, and they passed the books and the obsession on to her. 

Josee's Links:
http://joseerenard.wordpress.com/
http://www.joseerenard.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Josee-Renard/163055307086304
http://www.twitter.com/Josee_Renard

She also writes women’s fiction as Kate Austin. You can check out her alter ego at www.kateaustin.ca

Now on with the interview.

Ebony: How long does it take you to write a book?

Josee: Hmmm, this definitely depends on a whole bunch of things, including, I suspect, where the moons of Jupiter are in relation to the Ides of March. I'm only sort of kidding - a book takes as long as it takes and that seems to vary. If I have a deadline, I always meet it. But as I work best under pressure, and I know pretty much how long things take, I generally get it done at the very last minute. If I'm working a lot at the day job, it takes longer. If it's holiday season, it takes longer. But if it were an ideal world and my full-time job was writing, the first draft of a full-length novel would take me 6-8 weeks working Monday to Friday, 5 solid hours of writing a day. So it takes me 150-200 hours of writing time. Of course, that never happens so I would give myself three months.

E: What do you like to do when you're not writing?

J: Reading is at the very top of my list. I read between 350-400 books a year and reading is an addiction rather than a choice. If I don't read, my world falls apart. I also shop - a relatively minor addiction compared to reading. I love movies, especially on the big screen. I spend a lot of time with my women friends, they save my sanity at the most complicated of times. I walk on the beach as often as I can. I like to talk about books, hence my book club. I love going out to dinner or for a drink with my partner - both of us are social animals and we love the city, so we're out a lot. I'm also addicted to art galleries so I spend a lot of time hanging out looking at art.

E: How many books have you written? What is your favorite?

J: I wrote and published dozens (maybe hundreds) of short stories before I started writing novels, then I wrote three novels before I wrote one I thought I could sell - those three novels have been consigned to oblivion. Since I sold my first novel, I've written 9 novels (8 of which have sold), probably 7 or 8 novellas (all of which are sold), and about 20 short stories (all of which are sold).

Right now, my favorite book is one that I haven't written yet, but is stuck in my head and because of the way my brain works, I can't talk about it. But my favorite book that I've published? I sort of waffle between Awakening and The Gossip Queens. Right now? The Gossip Queens. I love the women in that book, I love the way the three stories connect, and I think it's got one of the greatest and most interesting heroes in it.

E: If you were to do your career as an author again, what would you do differently, and why?

J: I'm not sure I'd do anything differently. I know I made mistakes - some of them at the time seemed pretty serious - but those mistakes brought me here. And I really like where I am right now. I think if I did make a mistake it was in not listening to my agent about a couple of things - it's taken me almost two years to get back to where I was when I stopped listening. I did, however, grovel appropriately when I realized she'd been right all along :)

E: What do you think makes a good story?

J: I'm all about character rather than plot, so if I love (or hate) the characters, I'm in love with the book. But I also like gorgeous, lush writing, which doesn't always go with great characters, so I'll often be committed to a book just because I fall in love with the writing.

But a good story? Good plots - and I'm an avid reader of romantic suspense so I know whereof I speak - keep me turning the page, but I'd give it up if I didn't want to know what happened to the characters, if I didn't feel as if they were part of my life as well as the life of the book.

E: What was one of the most surprising things learned in creating your books?

J: I'm always surprised about what happens to characters in my books and even more surprised to find, when I go back to revise, that I'd set up the surprises without even knowing it.

E: What does your family think of your writing?

J: They're all avid readers, so they love the fact that they have a writer in the family. Since I started writing erotica, they don't always read everything I write, but they buy it. They give away my bookmarks like crazy and everytime I meet one of their friends, they already know all about me. It's great.

E: What would your ideal career be, if you couldn't be an author?

J: Oooh, this one is easy. I would write labels for OPI nail polish. I love their names and I always pick my polish because of them. Right now I'm wearing Shootout at the OK Coral. In the winter I go between An Affair in Red Square and I'm Really Not a Waitress. Others I love: Kiss on the Chic, Color to Diner For, Houston We Have a Purple.

E: Favorite dessert?

J: Creme caramel (NOT creme brulee), hands down.

E: Favorite way to relax?

J: Re-reading one of my favorite books for the 10th or 20th time. I know the ending so I can just enjoy the ride.

E: What TV shows do you watch?

J: I'm passionate about Glee, love the characters and the music. I watch Criminal Minds because I like the characters and I'm delighted that JJ is back. My partner loves Hawaii 5-0 and I can't complain about the scenery, so I watch that. Those are the only consistent things I watch. Oh, yeah, and soccer (English Premier League, World Cup, Champions League). Love it.



E: Tell us about your newest release.  

Blurb:  

Mercy’s feeling blue because her business—and occasional sex—partner Jules is walking around looking like a cat who just stole a pint of cream. But she’s not a woman to wait for something to happen, she’s going to make it happen.
When she finds a post on Part Time Lovers from two men who want, finally, to show their love for each other and need a woman to facilitate their night, she’s in. What she doesn’t realize is that she’s going to learn a whole new side of herself. She going to learn that she loves watching.

J: Just call me Dickens. I'm in the middle - both publishing wise and writing wise - of a 10-part serial that's being released from Cobblestone Press between now and the beginning of December. Ten linked stories called Part Time Lovers, about a website called just that, and each story is also titled after a Stevie Wonder song. PTL isn't a relationship website, it's about finding the right person for right now. Jules and Mercy, friends since grade school, own and run the website and so you get to follow their stories all the way through, but each story takes us through people who have met through the website. I've loved writing it, and you can check out my blog to find excerpts of the upcoming stories, as well as a little bit about the settings - all of them in Vancouver.

E: What can readers expect from you in the near future?

J: The next 8 stories from Part Time Lovers and I'm part of an e-anthology - which you'll be able to download from my website in October - with a group of paranormal writers. It's called Erotic Nights and the stories are all paranormal and all very very hot. Don't forget to check it out.

E: Where can we find your books?

J:

www.cobblestone-press.com
http://www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/a58829/Josee-Renard
http://www.amazon.com/Kate-Austin/e/B001H6S3NC/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1314316529&sr=8-1

Once again thank you so much Josee for telling us about you and your writing. I myself look forward to reading more of your work.