Two Guys from Starting Over by Starla Kate

Character Interview: Corbin and Matt from Starting Over

Today we’re interviewing a couple of guys who don’t know each other, not yet anyway.

Madame Evangeline has given us special permission to chat with the guys who are being matched up, but they don’t know about each other yet so sshhh! They think it’s an interview for a business eZine. Don’t tell!

Hi Corbin, grab a seat and make yourself comfortable. Coffee, tea or scotch neat?

Scotch neat. Maybe a double.

Well, I know you’re busy so let’s get started. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Just stating facts here…I’m a self-made multi-millionaire. Bradley Financial Advisors being the heart of my dozen varied businesses.

I understand you own a large building downtown. To what do you attribute your success?

Yes, I own a prime piece of property here in downtown Oklahoma City and every business in it is one of mine. Again, not bragging just stating a fact…I worked hard for my success. 24/7 plus for a lot of years. I’m the kind of man who sets a goal and reaches it.

Okay, now I’ve got you all comfy—you married?

No. I was, for quite a few years. But…well, it ended.

A handsome, successful guy like you all alone? C’mon you must want to meet someone, what’s your dream date like?

(He blushes) Successful, yes. As to the other…well, that’s a matter of opinion. And, yes, I’d like to meet someone. I don’t like living alone. I miss going home and sharing my day with someone. Although my ex calls regularly and we still share a lot of our lives. She’s an amazing woman.

(He sighs heavily and has trouble meeting the reporter’s eyes.) That was part of the problem. Pamela being a woman, I mean. I’ve…we’ve finally come to terms with my being more drawn to men. But I don’t really know what a “dream date” would be like. I’m really new at all of this. Not that I haven’t fantasized…a lot…over the years.

(Another sigh and he meets her eye) Okay, I’ll take a stab at the “dream date” thing. I want to spend time with a man who is very comfortable in his skin, in his being a gay man. I want a man who makes me burn inside from the second I see him. That doesn’t mean he has to be drop-dead gorgeous, but that wouldn’t hurt. It means more that he needs to pull all of my strings just by being sexy, hot, and somehow showing me that he desires me in return. Asking much…yes. Expecting to find that…no. At least not anytime soon.

Whew! Sounds pretty sexy! If you meet him find out if he has a brother for me. Thanks for joining us today, I’ll let you know when your article will appear in Successful Business eZine.

You didn’t really dig much into my business reputation. But I know you received my PR kit. I suppose you’ll get the rest of what you need from that.

Now it’s time to interview the other fella, successful Landscape Designer, Matt. Welcome, Matt, to Successful Business eZine.

I’m pleased to be here.

Can you tell our readers about yourself.

I’m not sure what you want to know. I’m just an average guy who happened to finally find something to do as a career that really fit me. I dream about creating masterpiece gardens. I salivate over plant catalogues with unique flowers and bushes. Pretty dull stuff, actually.

Landscape design sounds very interesting, how long have you been in that line of work?

I started mowing lawns for a lawn service when I was 19, then helped with some garden clean ups. That’s where I got my first taste of working with plants. Over the years I moved from job to job…worked in greenhouses, worked in nurseries, took horticulture classes. Finally I started this business and it really started blossoming about five years ago…when I took on a very special partner.

Does your business involve much travel?

It didn’t in the beginning. But as my clientele got more elite, they spread the word of what I could do. I started designing for bigger businesses, for big money individuals. Finally I started getting clients all over Europe.

Your significant other must hate you being gone all the time.

He didn’t. We were business partners as well as life partners. (He looks away, swallows hard) We’re not together anymore. He died.

Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. Have you begun dating again, it must be difficult to start over after such a long term relationship, being so close to someone and losing them.

I’ve only been “single” about six months and I’m having a hard time getting beyond the grief. But I think I’m finally to the point where I’ll start taking a stab at dating again. I hate being alone.

(He flashes a smile, eyes still wary, expression determined) Eager readers, huh? What would it take to win me over? Hmmm…a spectacular body, sock-me-in-the-gut handsomeness, an 8-inch, thick dick. (He grins mischievously) Sorry. Shouldn’t have said that. (He laughs) That wouldn’t be bad, though.

(He turns serious) In truth, looks don’t matter as much to me as what is inside the man. Decency, loyalty, pride, concern for others. Still, a good ass wouldn’t be a bad thing.

Really? Sounds like a special kind of guy. Well, hope you can find him, you seem like a great guy yourself and we wish you all the best.

Thanks. I am a great guy…a super catch. (He flashes another sexy smile)

So…this is Misty Meadows, for Successful Business eZine. Be sure to catch our next interview,

Blurb for Starting Over

Corbin was finally trying to ease into his new lifestyle. He was scared shitless, wondered what had possessed him to agree to this 1 NightStand arrangement. He’d spent years fantasizing about this. As he neared the long, lean man with graying hair a bit shaggy, a hard on pushing at the front of his swim trunks, and a sexy-as-hell grin, the dreams paled in comparison.

Excerpt

Matt had considered changing his mind about this one-night arrangement. But as the tall, well-built man walked across the pool area toward him, all thoughts of that fled. Those broad shoulders, the amazing pecs, the spattering of dark hair on his chest…all of it called to him. He wanted to touch it, play with it. He forced himself to calm down. This was a virgin gay man. He would be his first male lover and he would have to find the inner strength to take his time. Could he?

Matt sat on a chaise lounge near the poolside bar, sipping on some fruity island drink the bartender had insisted he try. Not bad really, but he preferred beer. He’d been out here almost an hour and already had two women and a young stud make advances. He’d politely turned them all down, saying he was here with someone. Now he wished that someone would join him before he had to make excuses again to the Barbie-doll shaped woman heading in his direction.

She had no sooner wobbled up on her ridiculously high-heeled sandals than he spotted Corbin Bradley walking into the pool area. Well, well, well. Prime male and mine for the night. The thought surprised him, but he couldn’t deny the way his pulse raced and his body went on high alert. He grinned, glanced past the twenty-something blonde, and waved at his roomie. “Over here.”

Frowning her disappointment, the blonde walked off, muttering, “What a waste.”

He’d heard that kind of comment many times over the years and didn’t care a bit. He was comfortable with his homosexuality, even if others couldn’t easily see it until he revealed it. Unconcerned with her reaction, he studied the tall, well-built man making his way across the pool area. The photo he’d seen of Bradley didn’t do him justice. It seemed so wrong to ever hide those broad shoulders, the amazing pecs, and incredible six-pack beneath a suit, even an obviously expensive, tailored one. He longed to smooth his hands over what he saw, feel the muscles beneath his palms, play with the nipples and the spattering of dark hair on his chest. He wanted to…. God! Get it together. Stop salivating and be cool.

His cock had hardened and pressed the front of his trunks, so he lowered the hardback book he’d been reading and tented it over his erection. “Any trouble getting here?” A lame question, he knew.

“No.” He looked down at him and Matt saw uneasiness in his eyes. Yet he’d come all this way in spite of his rigid posture, the tightness in his jaw. He stretched out a hand. “Corbin, but I guess you know that already.”

Matt gave him a reassuring smile and shook it. Their hands, like their overall size, appeared similar, except his was callused from work. “Matt.”

With a slight nod of acknowledgment, Corbin eased onto the chaise lounge next to him, turning his head to take in the scene, the dozen sunbathers, the few people enjoying the pool. “I guess you can tell how nervous I am. I hope I don’t disappoint you.”

Matt relaxed. “I didn’t come here with a lot of expectations other than getting away, seeing someplace new, sharing the experience with someone.” He held Corbin’s gaze and said, “I’m a little nervous myself, but I think we’ll be fine together.”

His dark brown eyes looked hopeful. “As long as you understand….”

“Don’t worry about it.”

As if he needed to make sure Matt knew what he’d meant, Corbin leaned closer and said so only he would hear, “I’ve never…well, never been with a man.”

The admission took guts. Until that moment, Matt hadn’t really intended to actually have sex with the date he’d been matched with, although he’d toyed with the idea. Now he intended to be Corbin’s first male lover. He would guide him into what could happen between them.

Find out more about Starla at her BLOG

Allison from Carrie Pulkinen's To Catch a Spirit

Hi Allison and welcome to Got Romance Reviews.


1. We hear you have a special talent? A healing method?
Yes. I have many psychic gifts, but I earn my living practicing Reiki, a form of healing through the manipulation of energy.

2. Can you tell us how you learned to use Reiki?
I know it sounds ordinary, but I took classes. There are three levels of Reiki classes, and I went through the entire course. That makes me a "Reiki Master"--meaning I can teach others the process.

3. I understand that form of healing can be used even long distance…has that been your experience as well?
It can, though it's much harder. Healing over a long distance requires incredible concentration and focus. The closer the subject, the easier it is to transfer the healing energy.

4. Do you have any an anecdote you can tell the readers to show how you use your gift to clear bad energy from furniture?
I wandered into Lucia’s Antique Furniture Store two years ago and was struck by a beautiful cherry-wood vanity in the back of the showroom. The moment I touched it, tendrils of sadness crept up my arm like ivy climbing a lattice. I saw a woman, who’d lost a child, sobbing at the vanity. She’d cried there every night. The furniture had trapped her energy.

“How long have you had this piece?” I asked Lucia.
“Too long,” the woman replied. “It’s so beautiful, but I can’t sell it. It’s 18th century, you know.”
“I know. It’s got a lot of negative energy stored in it. I can clear it for you. See if that helps it sell.”
“You can do that?” Lucia’s eyes widened. “Yes! Please, I’ll do anything to sell that piece.”
I closed my eyes and took a few deep, cleansing breaths. Then I put my hands on the vanity and focused my energy toward it. I opened myself up like a conduit, allowing the negative energy to pass through and out of me, releasing it back into the universe. When I was done, I pulled a crystal out of my pocket and placed it on top of the vanity.
“There. That should do it. Keep this crystal on it overnight, and I bet it’ll sell pretty quickly now.” I smiled at Lucia and turned to go.
“Wait. What about your crystal?”
“I’ll come back for it in a few days.”
When I returned three days later, the vanity was gone.
Lucia pulled me into a tight embrace and kissed me on both cheeks. “I sold that piece the next day. I can’t thank you enough.”
Heat flushed my cheeks, and I shrugged. “It’s what I do.”
“How much would you charge to work on all my furniture?”
“Umm, I don’t know. I’ve never worked on such a large scale before.”
“Is your office somewhere close by?” Lucia asked.
“I don’t actually have an office. I see what few clients I have in the park. I’ve been taking care of my mom. She was sick with cancer, but she passed away a few months ago. I’m still trying to get back on my feet.” I had to blink back the tears. I missed my mother terribly, and it still hurt to talk about her passing.
Lucia put her arm around me. “I’m sorry about your loss, dear. But meeting clients in the park is no way to start a business. You need an office.” She led me to the back of the showroom where a small door opened into an empty room. “It’s yours if you want it. We could work out a way for you to pay rent. Maybe you could work on my pieces in return for the space?”
The size of my bedroom, the office held a small counter and sink on one side. The soft jade walls produced a calming effect, and thick, camel-beige carpet covered the floor.
“It’s perfect.”
Lucia took me in, gave me a place to build a business when my hope was about to run out. I'll be forever thankful for the kind, motherly figure that came into my life at just the right time.

5. Why does furniture need clearing up?
Like the anecdote above states, it can hold on to negative energy. You might be in a bad mood whenever you sit in a certain chair, but you won't know why. If the energy is cleared from the object, it can't have negative effects on people.

6. What’s the scariest haunted location you ever visited?
Oh, definitely the old mental hospital on Halloween. It nearly killed me! But you'll have to read the book for all the details. Just thinking about it makes me queasy.

7. Can you tell us anything interesting about your author?
Well, she grew up next door to a cemetery, so she's been around death and spirits all her life. She's an empath, kind of like me, but on a smaller scale. Oh! She's also a ghost hunter. We have a lot in common!


8. Where can our readers find your book?
They can go to her blog: http://carrie-pulkinen.blogspot.com/p/my-books.html. There are links to the different places they can purchase it. They can also get it directly from Breathless Press: http://www.breathlesspress.org/Book/241.

9. If a reader should have a haunted house, would you be able to help them?
Hmm...I'm not sure. After the Halloween incident, I'm still a bit hesitant to take on any new spirits. Helping Logan with his ghost was difficult enough.

10. How can the readers find your author?
At her blog: http://www.carrie-pulkinen.blogspot.com
Or Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Carrie.Pulkinen
They can also email her at carrie.pulkinen[at]hotmail[dot]com
And follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CarriePulkinen


Thank you so much for talking with me. It was fun!




BLURB:
Psychic Allison Dupuis has a soft spot for Logan Mitchell, even though she’s never met him. All it takes is one encounter for the millionaire’s true emotions to slip through Allison’s shields, and she is intrigued. He needs her help, but Allison soon discovers that the kind of help Logan needs is the kind she isn’t willing to give. Logan has a ghost, and Allison doesn’t work with spirits anymore.


But the ghost is the least of Logan’s problems. Born an empath, Logan is constantly barraged with human emotions. And while his talent has come in handy in the business world, it’s about to drive him insane. Literally. Logan has OCD, and his ability triggers unbearable attacks that have him counting and cleaning until he collapses from exhaustion.


Sex and money. That’s all anyone wants from him. Even worse, he’s plagued with recurring visions of his future wife’s death, so Logan has spent his entire life avoiding love. He’s given up hope of ever having a normal life, until he meets Allison. She’s everything he’s ever dreamed of, and now he has to decide if loving her is worth risking her life.


If she’ll even have him. Allison’s lost too much already – her mother to cancer, her father to suicide. But, Logan is so charming and so real, she can’t help but fall for him. Now she has to overcome her fear of commitment…and ghosts…or face spending the rest of her life alone.


EXCERPT:
She sensed them as they drew closer to her - many different spirits, their energy buzzing on varying frequencies.


"One at a time, guys. Please." she said. But they didn’t listen. These were the spirits of the mentally ill, after all. Taking turns wasn’t their concern, and they all rushed her. She felt their presence closing in on her like an avalanche, and she was consumed. Every mental illness imaginable was thrown into her psyche as she tightened her grip on Gage’s hand and slumped down in her chair.


"Allison! Allison, are you okay?" Gage’s voice was a distant echo as she fought to hold on to herself. She was slipping. Sliding into the depths of despair and the spirits were pulling her down.


"It’s . . .No . . .There’s a light . . .You need to . . .You need to go to it." She tried to help the spirits cross over, but they wouldn’t listen. There were too many. Twenty at least, and they were so consumed by their own illnesses they thought of nothing else. Paranoia, depression, anxiety. Allison felt it all, and it was going to kill her. The pressure. So hard to breath. Her hands cradled her head as the migraine overtook her. Sharp, pounding pain had her crumpled on the floor as she drew her knees into her chest and rocked back and forth.


"Make it stop. Please, just make it stop." She was paralyzed. Frozen by the anguish of the tortured souls that forced themselves upon her. Hot tears streamed down her face and blood trickled from her nose. She gasped for air as she heard a faint voice call, "Get her out of here!"

Freak Week Opening by Sarah Angel

Hello kids! Sarah Angel, the original earth angel here.

Once again Freak Week is upon us, a glorious excuse to spend too much time on the computer, dish on paranormal happenings and give away the goodies in Stephanie Beck’s coiffures of fantasticness.

For schedules, scavenger hunt details, rules and all things relating to Freak Week, check out www.stephaniebeck.net and click on the Freak Sorority Tab—trust me, you’ll like it.

Anywhosers. What’s been happening with everyone since the last Freak Week? James, Ivy and I have been on a world adventure, checking out possible locations for a new Freak Sorority Headquarter. I’m leaning toward somewhere sunny, my vampire love has other thoughts. I’ll be on Facebook at www.facebook.com/StephanieBeckAuthor today for chit chat, so be sure to stop over there as well.

Now, for the real fun of Freak Week.

CONTEST:

*All correct answers will be ‘hatted’ and then chosen blindly. Duplicate answers by different commenters are okay, but try to be original when possible. (Answers will be accepted until 10:00 PM Central Standard on Monday Aug 1, 2011). Winners will be announced here and posted on www.stephaniebeck.net at the end of the contest day.

1. Name the first sorority recognized in the United States.

2. What women’s group was the first to be known as a ‘sorority’?

3. Name 3 movies with sorority themes.

***Three winners will be chosen from Monday’s answers, so get your answers in and tell your friends to stop by!*** (if you have troubles commenting, please email answers to stephaniebeckauthor@gmail.com )

Big hugs my Freak Week Friends!!

Cinnamon and Spice Scavenger Hunt

L. K. Below’s Cinnamon and Spice Scavenger Hunt

Hello, everyone! As a writer of erotic romance, among other things, I’m very pleased to introduce to you my latest release -- and my latest contest!

Blurb: Jack is smart. Jack is charming. Jack is persistent.

But Melissa is dead certain that he isn't the guy for her. In a moment of weakness caused by his shiver-inducing voice, Melissa finally agrees to one date. She shows up on his doorstep determined to get it over and done with, but Jack has something different planned. With a home-cooked meal, wine, and cinnamon-scented candles, can he break down Melissa's resolve?

Can he steal her heart?

Rules:

1. Must be 18 or older to enter contest.

2. Contest open to entrants world-wide

3. Email me at the provided address (lbelow at lbelow dot net) with the answer to the question. No need to answer in essay format (unless you feel moved to do so) a simple sentence or even one word will enter you.

4. Only one ballot per question -- but if you visit my other stops and answer the other questions, you will be entered multiple times.

5. Contest open until May 2nd, 2011 at 11:59PM EST. Winner will have 48 hours to confirm their email address and give a physical address where they would like their prize to be mailed.


Prize:

1. A goodie basket of cinnamon-scented products.

2. A photo of the Cinnamon and Spice cover, signed by me (L. K. Below)

3. A PDF copy of Cinnamon and Spice.


CONTEST ALERT: To enter to win the above prizes, simply email the answer to the following question to lbelow(at)lbelow.net.

Question: Have you ever dated someone you weren’t attracted to?


Do you want more chances to win? Each scavenger hunt question answered counts for one ballot towards the prize. Check http://lbelow.blogspot.com for the full itinerary. Good luck!

Please Welcome Marianne Stephens

Marianne, I thank you for coming today to share Tamerla’s story. She’s truly a woman who had to live through more than challenging times.

First of all, can you give us a little bit of background about your nonfiction book, “Guilty Survivor – Memoirs of Tamerla Kendall”; where it takes place, and what was going on there…in general terms.
“Guilty Survivor” takes place in Sarajevo during the Bosnian War (1992-1995). Ethnic groups became pitted against each other in a struggle for power. People living in Sarajevo became political hostages, finding themselves “stuck” in the middle or a war zone. A background overview about Tamerla Kendall is given before her war years’ story is presented, and information about her life after the war is added.

How did you happen to meet Tamerla and write her story?
Friends knew I’d ghostwritten an autobiography of a female speaker for a women’s shelter back in 1999. They were acquainted with Tamerla and her husband, and knew Tamerla wanted to tell her story.

I believe nonfiction is a new venture for you, was there a great deal of research to be done?
I approached this as I did my first ghostwritten, nonfiction book. I tape-recorded all our sessions so I wouldn’t miss information and took notes as Tamerla spoke. I guided her into dividing her comments for certain periods of time in her life. I even interviewed her husband.
I read information about the war, and contacted Dr. Florian Bieber, a professor (now living/teaching in Austria) who wrote reports about the war for the United Nations. I asked if he’d give me permission to use some of his text in the Foreword of my book as historical background. He told me to send what I wanted to use, and he’d allow me to use the revised version he put in his book about the war. I appreciate his gracious gesture!

I understand she had to make some extremely difficult decisions concerning her children and their safety?
Her daughter, Joana, lived with her in Sarajevo and faced the fears war brings. Going to school was difficult and dangerous. Her first husband had already left, fleeing the area because he was afraid of being picked up by the Bosnian army. Although Joana could have gone with him, Tamerla was afraid that if her husband got caught trying to leave, Joana would be left somewhere alone.
When sniper and grenade attacks escalated, Tamerla had no choice but to plan a secretive trip to get Joana to safety. Using two cars and different drivers, they passed three checkpoints and arrived at her parents’ home in Croatia. Tamerla returned, as she was the only one to save their family restaurant for their future.
Her son, Eddie, was born after the war to Tamerla and her second husband, an American. Eddie was shunned at times for being half-American. When Tamerla was assaulted at gunpoint, robbed, and threatened because she married an American, she decided their lives were in jeopardy. Once again, she had to make plans to keep her child safe…and that meant getting Eddie out of Sarajevo.


How did that affect their relationships with their mother?
Eddie misses his friends, but has made new ones in the United States. He’s happy living with his mother and father.
Joana, on the other hand, was brain-washed into believing that her mother “abandoned” her by her father. Although he encouraged Tamerla to stay in Sarajevo to keep the business operating, his plan wasn’t to return. He wanted her to sell the business at the end of the war and move to Montenegro, where he settled with Joana during the war. Tamerla divorced him, and Joana refused to listen to her mother or see her. Their relationship is tentative now that Joana is an adult, but many heartbreaking years went by without any bonding.

Where is Tamerla today and how is she doing?
Tamerla lives in the Kansas City area with her second husband and son. She’s taking more English lessons and classes for a degree in Hotel Management and Food Preparation. Her goal is to get back into the restaurant business.
She visits Sarajevo occasionally, but things are not the same. She became a US citizen last year.

Finally, writing this book, about people living in such difficult and tragic times, in a war-torn country…how did this affect you?
I had to keep focused on the tragedy and hardships she faced while putting myself in her position. I found I couldn’t write romance books at the same time, because I’d try to turn Tamerla’s story into a romance! Hers is a difficult journey of survival, crucial decisions, and finding inner strength.

Buy Link:
http://www.secretcravingspublishing.com/MarianneStephens.html
Other Links:
http://www.mariannestephens.net
http://www.romancebooksrus.blogspot.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/romancebooksrus
http://alldayallnightromancedivas.blogspot.com
http://www.secretcravingspublishing.com
http://www.xoxopublishing.com
http://www.breathlesspress.com
http://www.jasminejade.com/m-310-marianne-stephens.aspx

***Secret Cravings Publishing Grand Opening Contest Prizes include:
Registration for Romantic Times Booklovers Convention
Registration for Lorie Foster's Reader and Writer Get Together Weekend
Kindle, Nook, or Sony ebook reader
And more! Visit: http://www.secretcravingspublishing.com for details.
Thanks for having me here today to talk about “Guilty Survivor – Memoirs of Tamerla Kendall”!


Guilty Survivor – Memoirs of Tamerla Kendall
Link: http://www.secretcravingspublishing.com/MarianneStephens.html
A BLURB:

Tamerla Kendall is the woman you see rooting for her son at sporting practice. You might meet her in a grocery story. Perhaps you’ll see her planting a garden behind her home. Or, talk to her at school or work. She’s a student, worker, wife and mother.

Surviving a dark past is hidden by her façade of an everyday, average life. Reading her memoirs will reveal her true struggle to survive in a war zone, and is a testament to her courage.

Bosnian Croat, Tamerla Kendall, lived through the carnage and chaos in Sarajevo during the Bosnian War (1992-1995). Hers is a story of courage, fear, ingenuity, and survival. Difficult choices she made then still disturb her peace of mind and life today.

She made a few trips out of Sarajevo, only to return to keep the family restaurant business operating. One carefully planned, secretive trip was made to remove her daughter from the dangers of fighting, but this created a heartbreaking rift in their relationship. For her second trip, Tamerla masqueraded as a United Nations Protection Forces soldier and rode in a tank. A uniform and travel assistance came from a Ukrainian general.

Her hopes for a return to normalcy at war’s end diminished as corruption and religious zealots took control. She married an American, and this marked her as an outcast by some she’d trusted. When her life was threatened at gunpoint, she faced a critical decision concerning her family’s safety in her beloved country.




Guilty Survivor – Memoirs of Tamerla Kendall
Link: http://www.secretcravingspublishing.com/MarianneStephens.html
Unofficial Excerpt:
Restaurant Meli was attacked more than once by grenades. I was downstairs in the bakery area the first time when a grenade was thrown. It destroyed my beautiful winter garden. There was broken glass and debris everywhere and the storefront was damaged.
My first reaction was one of fear and panic. I froze where I stood, wondering if the basement had also been hit and damaged. My heart skipped a beat, and then began beating wildly. What if I’d been upstairs? What if customers and my employees had been there? Then, my fear turned to anger. Why was this happening? Who were the cowards who tried to steal my sanity and wanted to drive me away?
That same day, my employees and I put up a heavy protective wall covering in the front of the restaurant. This remained in place during the war and for some time after the war ended.
In that one instant, everything changed before my eyes. I had felt a kind of safety I’d convinced myself existed inside my restaurant. I now knew that was no longer true.
Another time, a grenade destroyed my roof. After my initial sense of heart-pounding fear, anger again took its place. I let frustration rule my senses. I got up on the roof and had some employees help me repair the damage.
It was a long, difficult job, and a saner person might have considered how vulnerable we were standing out in the open. I’d gone beyond sane level thinking and just wanted to fix the damn roof. My employees didn’t balk at this, but joined me in doing the job quickly.
We had to put rolls of material and hot asphalt on the roof. Roof attacks happened five or six times. We fell into a routine of accomplishing repair work between sniper attacks.
Death and destruction were everywhere. There was no avoiding this. Ignoring it as if it didn’t happen on a regular basis would be like ignoring an elephant sitting in the restaurant.

Getting to know PJ Schnyder

Welcome PJ Schnyder!

1. Tell us your latest news. There’s plenty of exciting news to kick off the new year!

At Decadent Publishing, the first of the Terra’s Guardians series is going to print! Heart’s Sentinel will be released to print in the Spring.

I’ve also got a brand new sci-fi romance story coming out with Carina Press. Hunting Kat is scheduled for release in July.

2. What initially inspired you to become an author? I’ve been writing stories for a long time, since childhood. I’d never considered publishing my stories until the last year or two.

Friends online wanted me to share my stories. I wanted to improve my writing craft, challenge myself and learn more. The idea of sharing my stories, becoming a published author, took a surprisingly strong hold.

I had a big life change in January of 2010 and threw myself into my writing and into the idea of becoming a published author. Writing happily ever afters for readers to enjoy is incredibly therapeutic.

3. What is your favorite book? And Why? So many to choose from! If you look at my book shelves, you can tell which books I’ve read again and again. For some well-loved favorites, I’ve picked up the hard cover for a lasting collectible.

Why? Because they are stories of worlds so complete, of plots so compelling and of characters so vivid that I return over and over again to immerse myself.

There’s Anne Bishop’s Black Jewels trilogy and Patricia Briggs’ urban fantasy and older fantasy stories. Anne McCaffrey’s Dragonriders of Pern, Crystal Singer and brainship books have all been long time escapes for me. Lisa Kleypas’ Wallflowers have swept me off to England and Lora Leigh’s Nauti Boys and Breed series wrap me up in heat. I love them all!

4. 4. Do you have a particular time of day to write? We love to hear about a writer’s process.

While I don’t have a set time of day to write, I do most often find the time at night after the day job is wrapped up. I tend to head off to mixed martial arts training for a few hours to work off the stress of the day and then come home and take a long, hot shower, mulling over the next scene I’m going to work on. (Love my showers)

I sit down to my laptop, relaxed and refreshed, with a clear idea of the scene I’m going to write.

5. What do you find to be the most difficult part of writing? Knowing when to step away.

The scenes never come out as well when you force them. In the day job, I’m ruled by deadlines and I tend to want to apply that discipline to my writing. But I’ve found the stories flow much better at their own pace rather than forced. If the scene I planned to write doesn’t want to come to me, I switch to something else or take a break.

6. Do you have a favorite author? Wow, it’s impossible to pick just one. I have several favorites, each for a different aspect of their writing.

While I love Anne Bishop, I also can’t get enough of Lisa Kleypas, Kelley Armstrong, Patricia Briggs, Nalini Singh and Lora Leigh.

7. Tell us about your first published work. Heart’s Sentinel is set in a post-apocalyptic world where humans rebuild cities of advanced technology and shape-shifters restore the wilds of nature. I love shapeshifters and the possibilities of a futuristic world. Beyond that, I also tapped into the strength it takes to survive.

Mackenzie of Heart’s Sentinel never wanted to be a shapeshifter. After a shifter stalks and brutally Changes her, she runs to the jaguars of River Gap pride for protection from the stalker still searching for her, to come to terms with the attack and learn to control her new, powerful cougar body.

Learning self-defense and awareness are very important. In January 2011, I participated in a women’s self-defense workshop held by TriState Martial Arts Academy and gave away a free ecopy of Heart’s Sentinel with a signed cover flat to one of the attendees.

8. Do you have a favorite of your own works? Honestly, no. I love every one of my stories for their own characteristics.

9. Where can our readers find you on the web?

I’m all over the social media. LOL!

Website and Blog

Facebook

Twitter

Terra’s Guardians page

10. Where can they buy your books? All of my current releases can be found at:

www.DecadentPublishing.com

www.allromanceebooks.com

1placeforromance.com

amazon.com

11. Anything you would like to add? Thank you to Got Romance Reviews for having me!

Today we are chatting with Margie Church, author of Dangerous Love

Welcome, Margie. Thank you for visiting with us today. I understand it’s a special day!
M –Yes, Kate, and I'm thrilled to spend the release day for Dangerous Love with you and Val. You two were some of my first friends when I got started as an author. Plus, I enjoy the support from Got Romance so much.

So Dangerous Love is out today, congratulations. This is book II in the Love Bites series. I enjoyed Love Bites when it came out last summer. Can you tell us how you came up with the idea for Love Bites?
M: I was staring at a photo of the Heidelberg castle and memories of having been there came back to me and suddenly the castle became personified as the vampire, Wade. I know it sounds crazy, but many authors can be inspired to write an entire book based on a single image, sound, suggestion, or experience. At times when I was writing Love Bites and Dangerous Love I felt overwhelmed by the task of creating these other worldly creatures and how many cities and countries they visit. It took a lot of research and thought!

Your take on vampires is a bit unique and in Dangerous Love you go further into both the relationship between Jui and Wade?
M: My vampires move among humans virtually unnoticed. They function in society and are peaceful to keep their true existance a secret. The angst in both these books comes when vampires develop romantic feelings for humans, as Wade does in Love Bites. Human emotions are forbidden and vampires who engage this way are harshly dealt with. Wade is no exception.

In Dangerous Love, the leader of the vampire nation comes after Wade in full force and he has his hands full trying to protect a mere human—Jui—from creatures she cannot fathom. Luckily for Jui, not only does Wade love her, he has genius intelligence. Coupled with vampire ingenuity, he will do anything including die, for the woman he loves.

A crazy aspect of these characters is also that some wield negative human emotions, such as jealousy, anger, and revenge that converge with shocking results.

What can you tell us about Dirk and Laddie?
M: If vampires could be psychopaths, Ladislav could be the poster child. He's cold and heartless toward anything and anyone except Victoria. You'll have to read the book to find out his connection to her over the years and her pivotal role between Ladislav and Wade. However I will say this, Victoria (Tori) is trouble beginning on the first page.

Dirk is a new character in Dangerous Love. He's the Master Prophet – he leads the shape shifter flock. He's a big dude who dresses in black leather and carries a whip. He's a Dom. Watch out for him because his face is in the moon on the cover. Not only is he dangerous, but he's unpredictable when he and Ladislav work together. There are several really intense, gritty scenes between these two leaders in Dangerous Love.

Well I’m sure the readers will enjoy Dangerous Love. I found it to be very exciting as well as touching. Wade and Jui are really special people to me after reading the two parts of their story you have so far. But you have also released a short recently, right?
Yes, my erotic romance, WET is on the market. It's a novella about Reagan and Noah, a divorced couple who are trying to build a different relationship because of their children. WET is very hot, funny, and emotional. When it rains one night, Reagan and Noah get wet in more ways than one. It's also available from Noble Romance.

What was the first thing you wrote for publication?
M: A haiku of mine was published in McCall's magazine when I was in sixth grade. I'm still friends with that teacher and he has read all my books!

Do you have any further projects in the works?
I'm writing a novella titled, Hard as Teak. This is my first venture into male/male love and I'm really enjoying it. Kade Marks is a nature photographer who takes a vacation to his cabin in northern Minnesota. While he's there to reconnect with his passion for work and his girlfriend, he meets Teak Jameson. From the first glance Kade recognizes how handsome Teak is and he's attracted to Teak but doesn't take it seriously . . . until their first kiss.

Readers who know my work often say I am very poetic in my narratives. Hard as Teak is like that. It's also a erotic romance. I expect to finish writing it by the end of November.

Thanks again for coming by. We wish you every success with Dangerous Love as well as all the books in your future!
M: It's always a pleasure to be here, Kate. I hope we'll be doing it again soon.

Contest:
One lucky winner will win a copy of Love Bites and Dangerous Love today! This is the only blog on the 10-blog tour with this double prize! Tell me whose face is in the moon on the cover of Dangerous Love and what your plans are for Thanksgiving! My birthday falls on the holiday, so maybe I'll spend Thanksgiving with you! LOL

Keep up with Margie:
Margie's website and blog: Romance with SASS
Twitter: @MargaretRChurch
Facebook: Margie Church
Red Lipstick Journals



Dangerous Love

Blurb: Wade Kairos faces deadly consequences for defying the leader of the vampire nation. Ladislav Husek partners with Master Prophet Dirk, to prove Wade can run but he can't hide. And neither can Jui Fabrice, the woman Wade loves. Every bit of his ingenuity is needed to protect her from being turned into a vampire or a prophet.

If that's not enough trouble for him, another vampire from Wade's past comes forward and makes it abundantly clear that what used to be hers is still up for grabs.
Adult Excerpt
Dangerous Love
By Margie Church
"Take off your shirt," she said while tearing open the foil package. His hard shaft jutted proudly in front of his body and Jui knelt, unable to resist sucking his gorgeous cock. She cupped his smooth balls as her lips and teeth moved up his length to the crown. She tickled the tip and let the long string of pre-cum cling to her tongue as she drew back. She smiled up at him before swallowing as much of his dick as she could. Her throat strained as she sucked him, and Wade's fingers digging into her shoulders told her how much he loved every second in her mouth.
When the ache in her body became irresistible, Jui pulled the condom out of its wrapper and began the tight journey over Wade's shaft. Then she bent over the couch and presented her glistening pussy to him. "Now it's my turn."
He pushed aside the thin strap of her thong and entered her. The pressure, the fullness of his shaft moving in her body, drove her crazy. She pumped hard against his hips, needing the glorious pain of release.
"Minx, slow down. I want to make this last."
She heard the words but couldn't obey. "We'll do it again. Make me come."
His teeth found a resting spot on her shoulder muscle. He reached around and slapped her clit.
She whimpered. "Yeah, again." The sting of his slap made her vaginal muscles tense with each tap, building the mindless need stemming from her pussy.
"Baby, you're out of control," Wade said. "Right now you just need to come. Let me give it all to you."
Wade pressed her hard against the back of the couch and drilled his cock into her pussy. Jui screamed with pleasure and encouragement. His finger teased her tight asshole and slowly entered. Her moans sounded loud and achy. She burned with lust. All she knew was his finger and cock were moving simultaneously in her, hard and fast and it . . .was . . . making . . . her come. She howled as her orgasm arrived, gripping his cock with her pussy, gushing slick juices around him.
His grunts grew louder and his thrusts slowed. "That's it. God you feel good, even with this nasty thing on my dick." He stiffened, and an extended groan filled the room. Suddenly, he pulled out, yanked off the condom, and spilled his cum on Jui's ass. "I'm going back in," he said in a raspy tone. "I have to feel you."
"Wade . . . ." Her sentence finished in a pleasurable groan as his wet shaft slid deep inside her.