Title: Deceit

Author: Lainie Suzanne

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Other Titles in the Nexus Series:

Book 1: The Core of Erotic Desires

Book 2: Soleil

Gina’s been drawn to the dark and mysterious Leo, since the moment he first returned to Nexus.

Leo put up a good fight, but Gina’s natural submissiveness taunts his sadistic nature. 

Can Gina endure Leo’s demanding ways or will her past destroy her and those closest to her, including newlyweds, Katherine and Isaac?

Lainie Suzanne

Lainie Suzanne is from Atlanta, Georgia and makes her home in North Carolina. She’s married to her best friend and the love of her life. The mother of four, all flown from the nest, she and her husband share their home with their German Shepherd. She loves sports, listening to music, dancing, spending time with family, and of course…reading.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook ~ Twitter  ~ Pinterest

Describe your book/series in 15 words or less!

The Nexus Series is a series centered around Nexus, a fictitious local BDSM club in Atlanta.

When did you start writing? How did your first book evolve into what it is now?

I’ve always had stories that played around in my head. During quiet, daydreaming moments, the stories would elaborate in my mind. I LOVE to read erotic romance. My husband encouraged me to write my stories for others to enjoy.

What made you go indie?

I work full-time and have many obligations related to my job that is not conducive to have traditional deadlines from publishers. I have to write on my time.

What issues popped up for you through the indie channel? Formatting, covers, platforms, etc.

As an indie writer, promotion is the very hardest part. There are so many great books, getting yours noticed is quite difficult.

Writing style…what is your writing process like? 

The hardest part for me is finding quiet time to write. I work full-time, so time is limited already. I write best in silence, unless I’m using music for a scene and that’s sometimes difficult around my house.

How do you develop your characters?

I have the initial thought, but then I let the characters speak to me. Then the story line dictates how the character develops.

Tell us a little bit about your cover art. Who designed it? Why did you go with that particular image/artwork?

I’ve designed all of my covers. I use corsets because they are easily identifiable with BDSM clubs which is what The Nexus Series is centered around.

How do you spend your time when you aren’t writing?

Besides working, I enjoy reading, sports, music, dancing, and spending time with my family.

Are you the driver or a passenger in your book? (Are you in control of where the story goes or does it sort of just happen?)

The passenger… I tried driving in Soleil and Master Derek put me in my place.

What’s next for you?

I’m currently working on book #4 in The Nexus Series and have recently decided to dip my toes into Erotic Paranormal. I hope to have a Vampire Novella released in the early fall.

Now for the SILLIES 

If your book/series was a dessert, what would it be and why?

Key lime pie because it’s a sinfully delicious dessert that I love.

 If you were a toy, what would you be and how would people play with you?

I would be a teddy bear. People would cuddle with me at night.

Now do you people see why I ADORE this woman?? Trust me when I say you won’t want to miss out on following her on Facebook and reading everything she puts out!

What is something about yourself that most of your readers don’t know?

I am very patriotic.

We all need a hero! Tell us about your protagonist(s)? Was there a real-life inspiration behind him or her?

There are little pieces of me and my husband in the characters. There are parts of each character that I can relate to personally.

You’re having a party. What character from your book do you hope attends? Why? What character do you hope doesn’t attend? Why?

I want all of them to be part of the party. The only ones I don’t want to attend would be Rick Foster, Scott Jenkins, and Master Isaac’s former sub, Vicki.

Characters often find themselves in situations they aren’t sure they can get themselves out of. When was the last time you found yourself in a situation that was hard to get out of and what did you do?

At a function for work, funny awards were given away. The surprise of me getting one, caused me to draw a blank and I spoke a phrase that could be twisted into a sexual innuendo. The group roared with laughter and I laughed along too. They have no idea I write erotica. So, I replied that it would take more than that slip up to embarrass me.

Who is your favorite “Book Boyfriend”? What series is it from and who wrote it?

Xavier Leduc – My liege of Dark Haven by Cherise Sinclair

If you could have one super power what would it be? Why?

I think I would want to fly.

What do you think about when you are alone in your car?

Usually book plots.

What song best describes you? Why?

Free your mind by EnVogue

The message in the song is about accepting the differences of others, something I believe in with my whole heart.

Ask me one question…any question at all and I have to answer it no matter what!

What’s your favorite book of all time?

That is so not a fair freaking question! I mean really…it changes with every series, every book, every author! Even when I think I have found my favorite book/series I start a new one and I fall in love all over again. 

ENTER TO WIN 1 OF 5 GIVEAWAYS HERE! 

Title: Desires Unleashed

Author: Miles Hightower

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Desires Unleashed is a modern day erotic romance about a husband and wife and their passion for one another. Miles Hightower writes the husband’s POV and shares the desire of a man for his wife.

Mitch and Molly have a happy marriage, but they are wanting something more. They both admit to having similar fantasies and desires that go beyond their current relationship. See which discoveries they act on and how their marriage handles their erotic adventure as their desires become unleashed.

Miles Hightower

Miles Hightower is my alter ego and now pen name. He came about as my wife started reading erotic romance and discussing the books in FB chat groups. Wanting to be apart of what interested her, I came up with Miles Hightower as a persona to lurk about in the social media world while keeping my personal life personal.

I am a husband, for 16 years and counting, to my wife Sara. We have two children. When not being husband and dad to them, I also enjoy flying. At one point I wanted to be a career corporate pilot, flying Lear jets all over the country. After I graduated from college I taught people how to fly for three years. Long story short, a flying career didn’t work out and I ended up working in manufacturing. But that’s where I met Sara. So it did work out after all. I still work in manufacturing, as a Quality Engineer and now just fly for fun when the weather is nice.

Along with flying I also enjoy playing golf, darts, taking my family to water parks, sitting in our hot tub with Sara and a glass of wine and now writing. I tried to learn the guitar a few years ago, but that didn’t go so well. Apparently I have no musical talent whatsoever. I am a product of the 80’s and still am very into the hair band music from that era. And no, I didn’t have big hair back in the day, but I did sport a mullet.

As far as my writing goes, I don’t write “Disney Fairytale” style romances (as I like to call them) where a knight in shining armor comes in and saves the damsel in distress. I write about fictional erotic fantasy from a guy’s perspective. About how a guy might think, feel or act in a particular situation. My stories are stuff I make up with a little reality of the things that interest me (like flying) and how life is in general tossed in. I do research some things that I don’t know anything about, in an effort to make the story seem a little more real than complete fantasy. If it’s on the internet it’s true, right? I like my book(s) to come of as fantasy, yet slightly plausable.

Social Media

Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Google+

Describe your book/series in 15 words or less!

A happily married couple open up about their fantasies, then act on them.

When did you start writing? How did your first book evolve into what it is now?

Started in May of 2014. Finished in February of 2015. I wrote when I had time or when the mood struck. I wanted to write an erotic novel about a married couple that was fantasy, yet one that seemed possible.

What made you go indie?

I wanted to succeed or fail on my own terms.

What issues popped up for you through the indie channel? Formatting, covers, platforms, etc.

Well my cover ended up being too sexy for Amazon, so they flagged it as adult content. Now my book is difficult to search for and find. I don;t think my cover is inappropriate, and it is very fitting to the content of the book.

Writing style…what is your writing process like? 

I am a husband and father first. When I didn’t need to be either one of those, I wrote when the mood or the words struck me. I was in no hurry and didn’t have a time line to finish. The words seemed very easy and organic.

How do you develop your characters?

Most of the characters were somewhat based on people I knew at one point or another. Names and physical characteristics were changed and they may have never crossed paths like they did in the book, but the general memory of the person was the foundation.

Tell us a little bit about your cover art. Who designed it? Why did you go with that particular image/artwork?

The cover was done by Book Cover by Design. Kellie was referred to me by a fellow author, I wanted to show a couple that appeared in love and sexy(to reflect the content of the book). I selected the main image and gave her a rough idea of what I wanted to see and she nailed it on her first shot. Would definitely use her again.

How do you spend your time when you aren’t writing?

Like I mentioned before, I am a husband and father first. So when not writing I was doing that.

Are you the driver or a passenger in your book? (Are you in control of where the story goes or does it sort of just happen?)

The driver.

What’s next for you?

I do have another book in the works. It is a continuation of Desires Unleashed. I am trying to make it a stand alone book rather than a series. I hope to have it out in the Fall of 2015. Just in time for my first author signing event at the Rebels and Readers Author Event in Huntington, WV this November.

Now for the SILLIES 

If your book/series was a dessert, what would it be and why?

Red Velvet Cake. Everyone likes that, right?

 If you were a toy, what would you be and how would people play with you?

A ball. There are so many fun things to do and ways to play with a simple ball. People could play how every they wanted and still have fun.

What is something about yourself that most of your readers don’t know?

Even though I can fly an airplane I am afraid of heights.

We all need a hero! Tell us about your protagonist(s)? Was there a real-life inspiration behind him or her?

Not sure my book has a “hero”. It’s not a book filled with drama where someone comes in and ultimately saves the day. But to answer the question I would say the “hero” in my book is the institution of Marriage. The book is about an couple secure and open enough in their marriage to discuss and live out their erotic fantasies and yet find themselves closer and more deeply committed to each other in the end because of it,

You’re having a party. What character from your book do you hope attends? Why? What character do you hope doesn’t attend? Why?

I hope every one attends. I like all my characters for different reasons. Some may not be as comfortable as others at the party progresses, but I still enjoy them nonetheless.

Characters often find themselves in situations they aren’t sure they can get themselves out of. When was the last time you found yourself in a situation that was hard to get out of and what did you do?

Not sure I can answer this. My book is pretty drama free, and that’s how I like to live my own life. I try not to put myself in situations where I can’t get myself out of.

Who is your favorite “Book Boyfriend”? What series is it from and who wrote it?

Can’t say that I have a “Book Boyfriend”.

If you could have one super power what would it be? Why?

To fly. I love flying airplanes and wish I could fly like birds.

What do you think about when you are alone in your car?

Don’t crash.

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What song best describes you? Why?

“Don’t Worry.Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin

ENTER TO WIN 1 OF 5 GIVEAWAYS HERE! 

Buy on Amazon

When one enemy is taken out, another rises up. One who is hell bent on destroying The Stone Society.

Dante Di Pietro is the New Atlanta Medical Examiner. Over 500 years old, Dante has resigned to living his life alone until he finds his mate, the pretty doctor he is working closely with at the prison. She is well aware of the fact that Dante is a Gargoyle. She herself is a half-blood who comes from the Original line of shifters.

Isabelle Sarantos’ life has not been easy. When she was 12, her parents sent her to live with a foster family, hiding the truth of what she is. Now, 20 years later, Isabelle’s life has been thrown into another tailspin. Not only has she just found out she’s a half-blood shifter, but the fates have decided Isabelle is the perfect mate for the sexy Medical Examiner. Isabelle is not only guarding her heart, but a secret from her past that may take care of any feelings Dante has for her.

Book 3 is an adventure full of passion, secrets, action, and hot sex. 

Buy links:

Amazon US     Amazon UK     Barnes and Noble     All Romance Ebooks

Describe your book/series in 15 words or less!

Hot Alpha Gargoyole Shapeshifters in a Post-Apocalyptic World finding their mates

When did you start writing? How did your first book evolve into what it is now?

I started writing in high school. the idea for my first book came about 6 years ago that started as a sci-fi bounty hunter story. over time, the bounty hunters turned into shapeshifters

What made you go indie?

The opportunity to call all the shots, choose the covers that are right for me, make the money.

What made you go with a traditional publisher?

I’m a hybrid, having both a publisher and publishing myself. the publisher asked for short stories to be included in a valentine’s anthology so I sent them something I wrote and they accepted.

What issues popped up for you through the indie channel? Formatting, covers, platforms, etc.

Marketing, definitely. It’s taken a while to figure out how to get my books in front of people. That’s something i’m still working on

Writing style…what is your writing process like? 

Most of the time i have the beginning and ending in my head. I sit down, write what comes to me and the characters dictate where the story goes from there. I tried outlining, but when the characters have minds of their own, I’m wasting my time with an outline.

How do you develop your characters?

They develop themselves. I have someone in mind, give them a name, an occupation, and the rest evolves from the story.

Tell us a little bit about your cover art. Who designed it? Why did you go with that particular image/artwork?

A friend of mine is an excellent graphic designer, so I asked her to do the first cover. She did such an amazing job, i beg her to do all my covers. this cover was a little different, in that it isn’t dark/night time. But the story is set in Greece and I had to show the beauty of the waters and architecture.

How do you spend your time when you aren’t writing?

Reading, riding my Harley when the weather permits, playing trivia.

Are you the driver or a passenger in your book? (Are you in control of where the story goes or does it sort of just happen?)

I drive the first leg of the journey, the characters take over about a fourth of the way in, then I bring it home.

What’s next for you?

Book 4 (Frey) in the series

Now for the SILLIES

If your book/series was a dessert, what would it be and why?

Chocolate mousse, sweet, decadent, and oh so yummy!

 If you were a toy, what would you be and how would people play with you?

Is this a family show? I’d be a vibrating dildo and men would have their wicked way with me!

Now do you people see why I ADORE this woman?? Trust me when I say you won’t want to miss out on following her on Facebook and reading everything she puts out!

What is something about yourself that most of your readers don’t know?

I’m adopted.

We all need a hero! Tell us about your protagonist(s)? Was there a real-life inspiration behind him or her?

My heros are all different. Some are more alpha than the others, but they are all badasses in their own right. Dante is a little more passive in the bedroom than some of the others, but he is all male when it comes to his mate. My alphas are all figments of my imagination, the way I think men should be.

You’re having a party. What character from your book do you hope attends? Why? What character do you hope doesn’t attend? Why?

I hope all my Gargoyles attend because they are just HOT! If I had to choose one, though, it would be….Frey I hope Alistair doesn’t show up because he’s an absolute ass.

Characters often find themselves in situations they aren’t sure they can get themselves out of. When was the last time you found yourself in a situation that was hard to get out of and what did you do?

That’s an easy answer but it was a hard time in my life. I married the absolute wrong person. He was abusive, but I did what I had to do and left.

Who is your favorite “Book Boyfriend”? What series is it from and who wrote it?

Kane Dalton, from Always by Kindle Alexander

If you could have one super power what would it be? Why?

Premonitions, so I could stop the evil bastards from destroying our world.

What do you think about when you are alone in your car?

Singing, really loudly. driving is my time to let loose and have a concert

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What song best describes you? Why?

Amen by Halestorm. It’s about taking control and ownership of your life. Live the life you want to live with no regrets. That, I do.

Ask me one question…any question at all and I have to answer it no matter what!

Do you think I’m sexy? lolol

Oh good lord woman! Of course I do!! Have you looked at yourself?? Hehe that hair…(that apparently EVERYONE wants to touch)…your smile…everything about you is sexy!! Hehe Just thinking about all of the fun we had (no you pervs not of the sexual sort…I mean the type of fun you have by eating pizza and drinking beer in the lobby of a rather fancy hotel lol or better yet a group of awesome authors (and me) playing Cards Against Humanity…yeah that sort of fun) at Pay It Forward makes me super thrilled that I can count you as my friend! I may never be able to thank you for everything that you have done for me in the short time that I have known you! I hope that we are able to get together again soon…I mean seriously I’m going through sexy Faith withdrawals!

ENTER TO WIN 1 OF 5 GIVEAWAYS HERE! 

Exsanguinate

EBook@Amazon

Author Killion Slade

Where Vampire Urban Fantasy Meets Paranormal Romance!

“They can’t touch you!” What could possibly go wrong at Orlando’s beloved Global Studios Halloween Scream Nights theme park?

Cheyenne O’Cuinn’s task is to study fear even though she is the biggest chicken on the planet. In order to carve out a slice of the billion dollar scare industry for her online role-play company, she researches what causes people to run screaming out of haunted attractions.

Determined to face her own fear of Oldhouseophobia, Cheyenne confronts her bloodcurdling obsession – the dreaded haunted house. Her worst nightmare manifested, Cheyenne is brutally attacked and left for dead by a rogue vampire. Splattered across the front page of the Orlando Sentinel, Cheyenne discovers her sisters are missing while she recovers in the hospital.

The ransom call from the kidnapper sets into motion the rabbit hole of a parallel supernatural reality she must play inside her game to rescue her family. In a race against the hourglass, Cheyenne confronts a double-agent vampire, a cyberchondriac werewolf, and a mafioso dragon. Can they be trusted to help her, or are they a part of the twisted scheme?

With her sister’s lives on the line, Cheyenne has no choice but to beat the kidnappers at their own game and ensnare them with her own brand of deception while fighting for her life and her heart.

Killion Slade

Killion Slade is a married writing team who met in the virtual realms of Second Life and virtually enjoy everything. Mrs. Slade writes and crafts the stories, while Mr. Slade formats and publishes. Members of the Horror Writers Association and the Paranormal Romance Guild, they storyboard their characters inside Second Life as their avatars reveal their stories. Tucked away in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Northern Montana, they stay busy chasing kids, corralling horses and cats, and enjoying the harvest from their garden. Married on Halloween – they love to live life to the fullest and embrace one another each and every day.

Killion Slade can be reached at the following:
Email:  Killion@killionslade.com   Facebook   Website   Amazon Author Page   Google+   Twitter

We all need a hero! Tell us about your protagonist(s)? Was there a real-life inspiration behind him or her?

I love it when equally there is a hero and heroine in a story.  Jewel of the Nile or Mr. & Mrs. Smith come to mind.  That is what I wanted for the World of Blood series.  Since I knew this wasn’t going to be a stand-alone one book, it gave us the opportunity to delve deeper into the two heros.  I can’t say that they are built on any one person other than our own avatar imaginations inside of Second Life.

Tell us a little bit about your cover art. Who designed it? Why did you go with that particular image/artwork?

We fell in love with Ravven when I came across her artwork on Facebook.  She is an expat who lives in the UK and she’s a gamer to boot.  Her artwork is clean, sexy, and inventive. http://www.ravven.com/  We love her mostly because she is truly genuine person and such an amazing artist.  She has a way of embedding such detail when you look at the cover up close, but ti doesn’t look too garbled.  Her lighting and textures are simply magnificent.  We can’t say enough good things about her.

What are two of your favorite characters in your books/series?

That is a tough question!  It’s like asking which child is your favorite.  On certain days you can answer that question, but usually you love them all for their weird quirks and snark.  I would have to say I truly enjoy Dakota’s character because she can truly say what is on her mind and get away with it.  Whereas, Cheyenne and Sheridan have to be provoked a bit more before they lose their grasp of hold the tongue before thou speaketh.

What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

In Exsanguinate I enjoyed writing the scene ambiance as Cheyenne walked into the Halloween Horror Park.  So much of writing these days is show, not tell  – but be sure and don’t stop your action or the reader will get bored.  I had so much visual imagery to work from with Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights and Busch Gardens HalloScream that there wasn’t enough room in the book to write down everything I wanted to include. This is why we decided on having the interactive features in the book so readers could enjoy extended scenes if they wanted.

It’s kinda funny – there have been a couple people who didn’t understand the QR codes or the ebooks links into the website.  They thought the code links were ads or dvds to a game.  But then there are others who totally grooved on finding the hidden easter egg gems we have stashed away for fun on the website.

Silly stuff

Are you the driver or a passenger in your book? (Are you in control of where the story goes or does it sort of just happen?)

This is a fantastic question, Becca!  I would have to say both.  Often times I have paved the road they are walking down, given them props and people to play with and then often times, they’ll surprise me with the words that come out of their mouths.  Sometimes it’s shocking what they do! 

You’re having a party. What character from your book do you hope attends? Why?

Oh, I totally want Dakota, Harris and Beano to show up! Those two are forever getting their snark on and who can resist a loveable Beano puppy?

What character do you hope doesn’t attend? Why?

I don’t think I would want Edric.  He is truly a bad dude and just the thought of him totally creeps me out!

Characters often find themselves in situations they aren’t sure they can get themselves out of. When was the last time you found yourself in a situation that was hard to get out of and what did you do?

That is a truly relevant question and quite timely.  My editor, Mary Ann Peden-Coviello, tore me a new one recently.  It would seem as if my personal life was taken out on a few characters and I did some irreparable damage to the cast.  If I had published the story with some of the unkindness which spewed from Cheyenne, she would have lost respect from the readers and you can’t do that with your protagonists.  I’m thinking we will publish the “off the wtf were you thinking” scene onto the website.  That way readers can see how I almost destroyed the entire cast!

My editor knows my characters so well that she called me out on it immediately and said, “WTF were you thinking?”  LOL – Literally!  SO after we discussed what I was trying to accomplish [can’t tell cause it’s a spoiler for 2^nd book], who was in the scene, and they needed to react realistically – I rewrote the scene in two parts.  One portion from Cheyenne’s point of view [POV], and the other from Khaldon’s POV.  So the scene carries out two simultaneous conversations from each here’d point of view.  It was an extremely difficult chapter, but one that is critical to the growth of both my protags.

Who is your favorite “Book Boyfriend”? What series is it from and who wrote it?

Awww, man!  I think you’ve got me there.  I think it would have to Bones from the Jeaniene Frost’s Night Huntress Series.  I fell in love with his voice narration on the audiobooks and it made me love the written character even more.  He is a tender- hearted bad ass and he makes my toes curl up!

What books are on your nightstand or by your chair?

I’m not so sure what this says about me, but do grammar and self-editing books count?  The emotion thesaurus is an absolute must as well.  I have a kindle fire on my nightstand, so I literally have hundreds available to me at any given moment.  My TBR list is longer than my to edit list…

What’s next for you?

We are deep into Book 2 for the World of Blood series – not sure yet of the launch date, but we are striving for a winter 2014 release.

Don’t have time to read a paperback or don’t have a kindle?  Never fret!  We are deep into production for Exsanguinate the audiobook version which is due to release in November 2014!  We are very excited about this project because it truly brings the characters ALIVE when you can experience them in the venue. CLICK HERE for a FREE sample containing the prologue and chapter one of Exsanguinate.

Is there anything else you would like to say?

We get asked this question quite a bit.  Is there a real Beano? And the answer is Yes!!!  In the book however, Beano is portrayed as a male puppy dog, but our beloved Beano is female.

ENTER TO WIN 1 OF 5 GIVEAWAYS HERE! 

The Last Drop

Paperback@Amazon

EBook@Amazon

@Audible

Remotely Unplugged

Paperback@Amazon

EBook@Amazon

Author Andrea Perno

 THE LAST DROP

Synopsis: Jeremy always said Space Academy was Earth’s last hope. People only dream of leaving a dying planet in search of better lives. Avery never expected he would be forced to do just that. On the heels of his brother’s murder, his father’s disappearance and Earth’s dwindling water supply now contaminated with a deadly virus, Avery and his younger brother have no choice but to leave Earth behind and join the survivors migrating the nearest habitable planet. What they don’t know is that the rarity of water extends far beyond Earth and they aren’t the only ones fighting for survival.

REMOTELY UNPLUGGED

Technology is all around us. Humanity is becoming hopelessly bound by it. What if a society were built exclusively with dependence on technology? An existence where all the information you need is literally plugged into your head? Sarah finds herself within this world, craving for change, but all she sees is a mindless compliance to the technology around her. Her unwillingness to follow the status quo has landed her in trouble and there are those who have had enough of her meddling. In an effort to correct Sarah’s mal-compliance issues, she is taken to a remote facility to be “unplugged.” “Reset” in an effort to make her conform to the world around her. But hers is not a simple reset and what she discovers once she arrives will not only put her in mortal danger, but will also unravel a truth far beyond her expectations.

Andrea Perno

In an effort to write a biography that won’t bore people stiff, I’ve kept this one pretty simple.  I, Andrea Perno (and yes it is very strange referring to myself in the third person) write futuristic science fiction. I am a writer, an illustrator, an artist, an outdoor enthusiast and oh yeah, how could I forget the most important one? I’m a middle school inspirational life coach, disciplinarian, stand-in parent, “stop throwing clay at him and for the love of God put your jacket on it’s cold outside”…teacher.

I grew up in Florida and Pennsylvania where my childhood consisted of riding horses, catching lizards, shooting, hiking, building things, and camping literally all over the U.S.A. My parents are keen on experiencing all that life has to offer. That mentality has really shaped who I have become as an adult. I also grew up watching huge doses of science fiction (thanks Mom) and home improvement shows (thanks Dad) Star Trek, Star Wars, Batman, Superman, Bob Vila, Home Improvement, MacGyver…I could go on or I could just say that’s where a ton of my writing inspiration comes from. I love creating worlds for people to escape.

I’m a workaholic with very little free time who’s fueled by chocolate and French Vanilla tea…yes tea, not coffee. I’m allergic to coffee. I will die. Though it may seem like I run all day and have zero time left for anything else, I am savagely loyal and passionate and will drop anything in a heartbeat for friends or family who need me. I, we…are nothing if not for the people around us.

Social Media

Don’t forget to look me up on Facebook, Pinterest, Google+, and follow me on Twitter  

Describe your book/series in 15 words or less!

My books are YA, futuristic science fiction that push the boundaries of reality and imagination.

When did you start writing? How did your first book evolve into what it is now?

I began writing at a very young age. My first grade teacher, Mrs. Hess, made me keep a journal in school. I can’t really read my writing from back then, but I wrote a lot and that spilled into my middle school and high school experiences where I participated in Journalism, debate and newspaper clubs. My senior high school English teacher told me fondly that I was the only student in his 27 years of teaching who needed a page limit for writing papers. (I tend to write prolifically.) I also attribute a lot of my inspiration for writing to my parents. They provided tons of opportunities to love writing on camping trips where my siblings and myself were each charged with writing short stories to share around the evening campfire. My writing dropped off after college while I worked as an Art teacher and then was sparked again after reading The Hunger Games. Suzanne Collins in part inspired the writing of my first novel, The Last Drop.

What made you go with a traditional publisher?

The goal was always to find a traditional publisher. I feel like as an author if you have a traditional publisher to back you, you don’t have to muddle through all of the marketing and editing on your own. I’ve always liked someone to walk me through a process and to have a constant sounding board if I need one. Beau Coup Publishing LLC has been all of that and more for me.

What issues popped up for you through the traditional publishing channel? Formatting, covers, platforms, etc.

The wonderful team at Beau Coup publishing LLC has really helped me through any and all of those issues.

Writing style…what is your writing process like? 

I tend to write in the first person. I like the feel of telling a story step by step as seen through the protagonist’s eyes. My process for writing varies by the day. I try my best to build a schedule and stick to it but sometimes that doesn’t always work. Typically (and this is only over the summers and holiday breaks since I’m a teacher as a second career) I work for about 3-4 hours in the morning. ( Sometimes this equates to doing a lot of research or simply staring at the screen hoping my imaginary characters would like to talk to me that day) I’ll take a break, maybe go for a run, do housework or chores or artwork (I’m also a freelance illustrator, so breaks sometime simply mean switching from creating with words to creating with pictures) When my husband gets home from work we spend some quality time together and then I typically hit the computer hard for one or two more hours before bed. Ironically the best times to write are sometimes right as I climb into bed and call it a night.

How do you develop your characters?

I like to think that I’m a creative genius who develops my own characters but that’s just not how it works. My characters literally “come to me” they tell me how they look, what accent they have, who their brother and sisters are and why they hate the dog in the next door neighbors house. They sort of develop themselves and evolve as the story does. It’s my job as a writer to listen and capture what they are telling me.

Tell us a little bit about your cover art. Who designed it? Why did you go with that particular image/artwork?

Cover art is one of my favorite things about being a writer. I designed both of my covers. The first one was done through a royalty free image website, but the second book I literally painted the image and did all the artwork myself. The wonderful Jennifer Stevens of Beau Coup Publishing LLC took my artwork and created the title fonts that go with it. It’s a team effort, but I really love the fact that I got to have input and better than that, could create the artwork for the covers.

How do you spend your time when you aren’t writing?

When I’m not writing I’m an art teacher, freelance illustrator and outdoor enthusiast. I’m either painting, hiking, running or on the back of a horse enjoying the outdoors with my husband, family and friends.

Are you the driver or a passenger in your book? (Are you in control of where the story goes or does it sort of just happen?)

Definitely I’m the passenger. The characters tell me where they want me to go and I’m along for the ride to capture what they are saying and doing.

What’s next for you?

I’m in the process of continuing The Last Drop series. This is a trilogy that I started over a year ago. It seems to be taking me just about a year to finish each book what with teaching and other side jobs. I hope to have the second book of the trilogy (tentatively being titled: Change of Tides) into editor’s hands at the beginning of August. At which point it will be full steam ahead with the third and final book of the trilogy and onto a few stand alone books that I have in mind. Most of those books are also going to be Sci-fi/fantasy.

Now for the SILLIES

If your book/series was a dessert, what would it be and why?

I don’t know if you would consider spicy hot Cheetos to be a dessert… but I’d imagine my book, The Last Drop would be a bag of spicy hot Cheetos because most of the story takes place in the desert.

 If you were a toy, what would you be and how would people play with you?

I think I’d be a toy soldier. I pretty much grew up playing with toy soldiers with my two brothers. We would create armies (and I mean we had HUNDREDS of these little plastic soldiers) and then use rubber bands to shoot each other’s soldiers down. Which ever army had the last man standing won the war.

What is something about yourself that most of your readers don’t know?

Readers might not know that I competed in western and English horsemanship shows in college. I’m also very good at riflery. I shoot regularly with my father and have even gone deer hunting a few times.

We all need a hero! Tell us about your protagonist(s)? Was there a real-life inspiration behind him or her?

My protagonist for my novel, The Last Drop, is a sixteen year old boy who’s growing up on a military base the controls Earth’s last remaining water. Pretty much everyone works for the army or you don’t survive. Unfortunately for, Avery, his father is also the commanding general. While Avery doesn’t believe it’s right to kill people to survive he pretty much has to do what his father wants him to do.

This story is a lot about growing up and doing what’s right and finding yourself. I think it’s something that everyone can relate to as they’ve grown up. The real life inspiration for my main character is drawn from a number of very strong people in my life who have successfully been able to stand up for what’s right despite the odds being stacked against them.

You’re having a party. What character from your book do you hope attends? Why? What character do you hope doesn’t attend? Why?

I hope Avery attends just because I’d really like to meet him face to face. I spend so much time in his head…or vise versa depending on how you look at it. It would be really neat to meet him in person. The character I hope doesn’t attend is Rustin. He’s the embodiment of every awful person, bully etc. that you’ll ever meet. Just not a nice person.

Who is your favorite “Book Boyfriend”? What series is it from and who wrote it?

Book Boyfriend…I really like Peeta Mellark from the Hunger Games. Written by Suzanne Collins. Admittedly he’s probably a little young for me, though. ; )

If you could have one super power what would it be? Why?

I would want my super power to be controlling time. There’s never ever enough time to do all the things I want to do or plan to do in a day. Especially the fun stuff. I’d speed up time to get through the stuff I don’t want to do…ie cleaning the house. Slow down time so I’d have more of it to spend with family and friends.

What do you think about when you are alone in your car?

BOOKS. I spend typically two hours a day commuting back and forth to work. Half of The Last Drop was written through voice notes on my phone that I later transcribed.

What song best describes you? Why?

hahaha, I couldn’t think of one so I asked my husband what he thought. He immediately said (and I mean took less than a second to respond)
I’ll make a man out of you- from the movie Mulan. I’m not going to even touch why he said that.

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EEEEK!! It’s almost here and I cannot believe this much time has passed!

The week of July 4th Breathless Ink will officially be 1 year old!

A whole lot has happened and changed over the course of our first year and our little blog has grown into quite a thing to behold.

While we lost a few of our reviewers and bloggers, we have gained a few newbies as well. You guys all know Jen and her lovely self and hopefully I will be introducing our new blog members soon! (If you are interested in being a reviewer for us and getting FREE books just email me and let me know!)

No matter what has changed, Breathless Ink is still focused on bringing you book reviews & giveaways, talking with authors & characters, keeping you up to date on what is new in the world of book romance and sooooo much more!

Some of you may remember our first week as a blog. We started out with a BANG by doing a huge blast with a ton of authors…

Welp, as I thought about our 1 year Blog-Birthday and what we could do to celebrate…I decided that there was no better way to celebrate than to do another BASH!

The Birthday Bash will begin on June 29th and run through July 3rd <3 

WANT TO BE A PART OF THE BASH? Fill out the form below!