Over in the "Twitterverse", for some time now, a fabulous and supportive phenomenon has been occurring. If you search for this hashtag #WritingCommunity you will find an easy gazillion writers (published and not) working together to advise and encourage one another.
     Yes, there will be a few nonsupportive people leaving hurtful comments because they don't understand the good feeling people receive when they help others. But these undesirables can easily be unfollowed or muted.
     If you are a writer at any stage in your journey, I would suggest checking into this community and joining in this enlightened movement.
     We are currently in #IndieApril and focusing on buying, reading, and reviewing the many authors out in the writing world who have gone the self-published route.
I can say from experience, #IndieApril has helped me meet scores of those gazillion wonderful, funny, and insightful people who write, draw, game, and in general create art.
     I will give this warning - GIF's are addictive.
     You can find me @MsKenzieMack.

FOR LOVE THE BELL TOLLS
A Gothic Romance Short Story Anthology
Stars and Stone Books
 
Featuring: Cara McKinnon, Sheri Queen, Read Gallo, Serena Jayne, Kylie Weisenborn, and Heather Sheldon.
 
Buy Now:
 
Kindle | iBooks | Nook | Kobo | Google Play
 
Cara McKinnon - “The Doors Between”
Can love overcome an otherworldly evil?
 
Sheri Queen - “The Circus Train”
Finding love isn’t easy, especially when someone wants your blood.
 
Read Gallo – “Blood and Petals”
How much would you change to get what you want?
 
Serena Jayne – “Kiss Me Dead”
With only the light of their love, Simon and Lila attempt to conquer darkness and death.
 
Kylie Weisenborn – “Undead Men”
When the dead become unburied, so does the truth.
 
Heather Sheldon – “Lost Love Found”
A haunted gift flips Mandy’s world on end, and her handsome new neighbor might be her only salvation.
 
 
CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR AUTHORS
 
STARS AND STONE BOOKS: http://starsandstonebooks.com/
GOODREADS: http://bit.ly/2Emfv2B
FACEBOOK RELEASE PARTY 10/30/18: http://bit.ly/2CN0Ig1
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/starsstonebooks
ANTHOLOGY WEBSITE: http://starsandstonebooks.com/for-love-the-bell-tolls
Dark Paranormal and Theme
Gothic romance is sometimes called dark paranormal romance. We asked the authors what paranormal elements they included in their stories and why. We also asked about the theme of their stories. Did they choose the theme on purpose, or did it just come out of the writing process?
 
Read Gallo – “Blood and Petals”
The paranormal element is faeries, the darkest paranormal creatures of all. Lol. Since I was dealing with pregnancy and there’s myths about faeries stealing children and granting wishes I thought it would be fun to use that particular monster.
It’s a very feminist story, from the frightened woman finding her fight and claiming her right to her child and her body to the trans character earning his/her transformation. I knew I was going to be writing a story about lesbians in an older time, so I knew I was going to be dealing with queer issues from the get go. I was surprised at the layers I was able to get to, especially with Mrs. Bespatikos. She kind of lives as an evil villain and as a fairy godmother at the same time, and it was interesting to explore the role of this kind of mythic creature functioning with a modern feminist message.

Serena Jayne – “Kiss Me Dead”
Tarot cards and elements from Greek afterlife mythology make up the world. I plotted this story in a phenomenal Tarot for Writers course taught by Devon Ellington. I drew the death card for my protagonist and the other cards formed the story structure. For me the theme is love conquers all. It might be fun to take the same cards and create a tale in another genre.

Cara McKinnon – “The Doors Between”
I can’t seem to write many stories without magic or something supernatural, so I had a blast throwing the kitchen sink of gothic tropes at this story. My heroine is a witch, whose particular area of study involves spirits and helping them move on. Her big challenge in the story is to banish a demon, although it isn’t really a demon in the sense of heaven and hell. It’s a being from another universe that is trying to push through into our world. The house where she grew up is isolated on an island, and has long been inhabited more thickly by ghosts than the living, thanks to a family curse.
The theme of my story is that a house is not a home. Home is the people we love, and who love us. I definitely did not choose that theme. The story ended up there.

Sheri Queen – “The Circus Train”
Voodoo curses and rituals, a loup-garu who falls in love with the one person he could possibly pass the curse to, and ghosts that follow Lily wherever she goes. The mix of these paranormal beings were fun to write about. The main theme is something that just came out as I wrote and it’s about fighting for love, even if it might kill you.

Heather Sheldon – “Lost Love Found”
I incorporated ghosts/a supernatural book/and dream travel. These subjects have always interested me. My theme would be that you can’t do it alone. People need people.

Kylie Weisenborn – “Undead Men”
My first thought was to include zombies or some other paranormal creature, however, then I thought that might be what a lot of people would choose to do. So instead, I thought about how horrified people back then would be if they thought people really were rising from the dead. It’s not your typical zombie story.
Theme is a hard one. I would say the theme is something related to unearthing the truth (sometimes literally). The truth and justice are important, and taking justice into your own hands is a slippery slope.
 
The anthology authors will be answering more questions on this blog tour! To check out all of the stops, visit: https://www.starsandstonebooks.com/blog-tour.

A new release with fabulous Evernight Publishing has arrived on book shelves where ever eBooks are sold. To pique your interest in this hot contemporary romance, here is a teaser...
Enjoy!!!
"Constantine Knight at your service.” A seductive grin tweaked one side of his mouth, exposing white teeth. He reached out and took her hand, bringing her knuckles to his mouth. A soft kiss brushed across her skin, creating a shiver of desire. Her knees became jelly and she feared they might buckle.

“What’s your name, beautiful?” His voice caressed her ears, her skin, her soul.
She gulped and blinked repeatedly, attempting to find her voice.
“Chloe. Chloe Thompson.” Her husky tone caught her off guard. She swallowed and wet her dry lips.

His sensual gaze followed her tongue. His chest broadened with a deep inhale. He leaned toward her ear and whispered, “It’s good to meet you, Chloe Thompson.”
The sexy rumble of her name in his voice caused her heart to race. No man had ever brought her to such a fevered needy peak with only a few words. His scent. The slightest of touches.
His stare roamed over her body and she felt naked before him. Yet, no longer nervous. Her usual prudish nature didn’t chastise or warn her to run.

She liked the desire building in her center. The interest of this gorgeous man enveloped her and she didn’t want it to end.
But she was a relationship kind of girl. No one-night stands. No kissing on the first date. No sex until after three months of dating.
Constantine made her want to slash and burn all of the rules she held dear.

The lovely V.L. Locey is being featured on Kenzie Mack's blog. Stop over and read a steamy excerpt.

LONG CHANGE
Collegiate superstar goalie Boone Crockett seems to have the world at his feet. He’s rich, handsome, attends an elite college and is a hot prospect for the pros. Pity all that is a front for a deeply closeted and troubled young man.

All Boone’s life plans are shattered when flamboyant ex-figure skater Preston Gordon, an orange-haired twink, shows up to audition for the team’s mascot position wearing sequins, scarves and toe picks. His moves on the ice send Boone into his own pirouette of frustrated and reluctant desire.

As senior year progresses Boone slides deeper and deeper into a dangerous depression, Preston’s sensual strength the only thing he has to hold on to. If Boone can’t keep from plunging through the thin ice he’s skating on, it could take a twink to make the big save.

Reader Advisory: This story has graphic sexual language and scenes—no closed bedroom doors (or other rooms) here!

A Romantica® gay erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave


Excerpt ~ PG-13 (Mature Language) 

I heard him as he hit the ice. Even with that stupid dog head muffling his voice, I heard every word and my body reacted with violent wantonness.

“Let’s go, Rotties!” Preston shouted with glee club enthusiasm.

I whipped around to see him chugging around the rink, a shovel in one hand, a trash can in the other, dressed as a dog. How demeaning. I mean, really. Cleaning up after the team? Didn’t the little twink have an ounce of pride? I ripped my mask off and lumbered toward the Zamboni door. A big brown dog with a Rock Point green-and-white hockey sweater stopped right in front of me. A couple of the guys chortled. Maybe they enjoyed the look of shock mixed with terror on my face.

“I’m scarf free today!”

I drew back as he did a tight spin right in front of me, my mask under my left arm and my stick in my right.

“You’re not queer free, though, are you, Preston?” someone yelled from behind me.

The attack came quickly. One minute I was trying to make words, the next Bradley Skinner, one of our D-men, crosschecked our mascot. Preston, who was completely unprepared for such a violent hit in the ribs, went down on his ass hard then rolled into a moaning ball. I reacted on instinct. My stick found Skinner’s side. The goon spun, his face a contorted mass of pain mixed with rage. He slashed at me. It bounced off my leg pads. I skated over to protect Preston, who was lying on the ice, trying to suck in enough air.

“Why don’t you back the fuck off, Skinner? Leave the kid alone.”

I got my stick up a bit higher this time. Skinner’s head kicked back. The underside of his chin began to bleed where I had clocked him. The scrum was broken up by our team captain.

“Save it for Allegheny State!” Mike Piana barked, shoving his dark self between Skinner and me. Mike was the only black player on our team. He was sharp, fast, driven, and one of the best people I had ever had the pleasure of knowing. Skinner lunged at me. Mike gave the huge idiot a two-handed push that sent his ass soundly into the boards. “I said save it for Allegheny! Go scrub your nuts, Skinner. You smell like my jock.”

“You make sure that fucking little pansy stays out of the locker room,” Skinner spat before he trudged off with his hackles plenty ruffled.

I waved goodbye to the enforcer with my middle finger, then bent down beside Preston. He was in the process of removing his dog head. I gave him a hand after dropping my helmet to the ice.

“You okay?” I asked when I had Roddy the Rottweiler’s head in my hands. Preston nodded, his mouth drawn in pain. Mike skated off to fetch Preston’s shovel and trash can.

“Oh yes, I’m just ducky.” God, the tiny twink was mad. I didn’t blame him. “Thank you for coming to my defense but it wasn’t really needed.”

I studied him as he got to his feet, then I followed, my hand open and ready to catch him in case he teetered. He didn’t, but he seemed to be having some issues drawing in a deep breath.

“Um, yeah, it really was. Skinner would have kicked your scrawny ass,” I said as Mike returned, smiling, with a plastic shovel and a blue trash can. Preston gave me a glower as he took his puck cleaning tools from Mike. “Nothing personal, but he’s got the most fighting majors on the team. He would have knocked you into New York State.”

Ellora`s Cave: http://www.ellorascave.com/long-change.html


I love to meet new friends and fans! You can find me at-

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/pages/VL-Locey/124405447678452

Twitter- https://twitter.com/vllocey

Pinterest-http://www.pinterest.com/vllocey/

Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5807700.V_L_Locey

My blog- http://thoughtsfromayodelinggoatherder.blogspot.com/

tsú - https://www.tsu.co/vllocey

Seven things about the Devil May Care series that came as a surprise.

#1 Ray Perry. The man is sex on a stick. He may have stolen book three from Xanthe.

#2 The spiders. They’re everywhere!

#3 The heroines. Arianna, Natalie, and Xanthe are all so different, but they are a force when they work together.

#4  When I started book one. I didn’t know what kind of supernatural creature Blake would be. I really love the scene with him in the elevator when he gets his mojo back.

#5 Xanthe and True’s encounter with Naomi. 

#6 Sixx the imp. He’s snarky, perverted, and sleazy, but he’s darned fun to write.

#7 I’d planned for this to be a trilogy, but I’m writing book four. A certain fallen angel begged for his own happy ever after and I couldn’t turn him down. 

What's a lust demon to do? 

All of Xanthe's heart's desires are coming true. She's a bridesmaid in her cousin's wedding and in charge of the bachelorette party. Her boyfriend, True, is extra limber and up for sex whenever and wherever she wants. Everything is just too perfect -- on the surface, anyway. 

She suspects her sexual appetites are taking their toll on True. And the wedding festivities just aren't as festive as she imagined. Enter Ray Perry, a bad boy with a dark past. He's every bit as dominant as True is submissive, but an evil imp with a penchant for porn has a contract out on him. 

When she discovers a vile plot to sabotage the wedding, Xanthe fights to save the day and her sexy men -- one of whom holds her heart and the other her soul.


Excerpt ~Devil in a Blue Dress (Devil May Care #3)

The bridal shower sucked imp balls. Xanthe was a fool to risk so much to come to this dimension. Being a bridesmaid should have been the greatest thing ever. But it was all a big, fat, hairy lie. Like everything else, the shower failed to meet her expectations. Maybe she was doomed.


She led True through the private party room. An older woman with dark brown hair streaked with gray stood in the doorway. A spider charm encrusted with sparkly stones glittered from around her neck. Xanthe pushed past her, and the brightly wrapped package the woman carried crashed to the ceramic tile floor. The spider lady dropped to her hands and knees, crooning. A waitress tried to help but the woman shot her a hateful gaze and unleashed a flurry of curses.

"Where are we going?" True's question pulled her attention away from the woman's hissy fit.

Without a reply, she headed toward the front of the restaurant with True on her heels. He'd figure it out soon. Their sexual encounters were much more satisfying than her usual random hookups, but something was missing. True tried his damnedest to please her, and sex in public would certainly make the day more interesting. Or so she hoped.

She yanked open the door with the icon of a woman in a skirt and pulled him past the two females grooming themselves in front of the mirror. Ignoring their squeals of protest, she strode past the two smaller cubicles to pull open the door to the large one. They would need all the space the bigger one would offer. She shoved True against the flimsy wall and kissed him, jamming her tongue into his mouth.

His muscular body melted against her. She shoved her hand down his pants. He let out a gasp and kissed her harder. Under her firm grip, he always relented.

Copyright © 2015 by Lily Vega

Connect with Ms. Vega ~

Twitter: @LV_Writer
Website: www.lilyvega.com
FB: https://www.facebook.com/LilyVegaWriter
Amazon Author: http://www.amazon.com/Lily-Vega/e/B00O76ME0W/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_6?qid=1433471031&sr=8-6

A sneak peek of Jacqueline Anne's latest release is on Kenzie Mack's blog.  Awakening the Willow's Heart ~ Secret Cravings Publishing

Blurb:

Coming from a troubled home where no one loves her, Miya Jenkins turns to the only people who ever cared – the Walkers. Her best friends, Cate and Caden, always have her back and their parents treat her like a second daughter. She’s smart, dedicated to her education, and focused on success. Miya learns to trust her instincts and never relinquish control, all while enjoying what life and men have to offer. Trust is a hard thing to come by for Miya, and she refuses to open up her heart. Like the willow tree under which she lost her innocence, she bends but doesn’t break.

Caden Walker – always there for her, always protective, always a comfort, but wanting more.

Miya refuses to reveal her inner self, not even to him, and she’s not willing to sacrifice their friendship. She wants a normal life, to feel anchored in the safety of someone’s arms, but she wonders if anyone can ever tear down the high walls built around her heart. Is it possible the walls already began to crumble beneath that willow tree? Will all of her successful endeavors lead her to the one she thought most unattainable?


Story Excerpt:

“So? What now? Did you think of something?”

“Yeah. Get your coat and boots on.”

“Why? Where are we going?” I stood up from the couch wondering what he had planned. The last thing I really wanted to do was go out in the cold.

“Just trust me. Bundle up, okay?”

When we reached the entryway, we grabbed our winter garb. I put my scarf and hat on too. Caden opened the door, bag in hand, and he indicated for me to exit first. It was just after eleven o’clock at night. There was about two inches of snow on the ground.

“Where are we going?” I asked him again as he closed the door behind us. “It’s late and very cold.”

“Are you cold already?”

“No, not at the moment but it is cold out, and I am sure I will be freezing soon.”

He grabbed my hand and we strolled down the lighted sidewalk together. The Christmas lights on the houses were breathtaking. Some of the houses were pitch black inside obviously a sign of everyone all nestled in their beds waiting for Santa to come. Still, others were all lit up in the midst of parties. Some had a few lights on. I wondered if they were parents getting ready for the next morning.

“Penny for your thoughts?”

Just because I was thinking about something didn’t mean I wanted to share it. I sighed. Caden squeezed my hand and looked at me waiting for an answer. “I was just picturing the moms and dads putting presents under the trees for their kids, and then how happy the kids would all be in the morning when they came downstairs to see all the surprises.”

We were walking toward the park. “Miya, you are going to have that someday too.”

“It would have been nice to have it when I was little. As for the future, I don’t think so, Caden. It’s not for me. It’s not what I know.”

He pulled my hand, halting me, and turning me around to face him. “And why not? Don’t you want that kind of life someday?”

“Ah, see that is where the difference between wanting and being capable of having come into play.”

“You can have anything you want, Miya. You just have to want it. Don’t ever want anything less because you think you aren’t capable of it. You are stronger and smarter than that.”

I turned away and continued walking with him in silence. All I could think about were the Christmases I had growing up. For me, they were just another day on the calendar. There was one thing though. Somehow, every Christmas morning, there was a present waiting on the front porch for me. I wasn’t sure who it was from or how it got there. When I was little, I always pretended Santa left it there instead of inside since we never had a tree. As I got older, it remained a puzzle. I never questioned it aloud, but I was always grateful for the surprise.

Once we got to the park, Caden opened up the bag and pulled out a blanket. He set it under the weeping willow tree, the same weeping willow tree under which I lost my virginity — to him. I smiled at him.

“What are you doing?” A quiet, nervous laugh escaped me. I tried to control the butterflies in my tummy, but my best friend’s sweet gestures were getting to me. My mind and body had to stay on the same playing field. He is my best friend, I reminded myself.

“We’re having a picnic.” He went about setting everything up.

“You do realize that it is really late, in Ohio, in December and -” I looked up at the sky as the snowflakes started falling lightly on my face. “And it’s snowing.”

“Yep.” He patted a spot on the blanket next to him, and then handed me a thermos. I took a sip of the delicious hot chocolate just the way his mom made it.

“Mmmm.”

“Good, huh? I put ten mini marshmallows in it, just like you like it.” He took a sip of his own.

“Perfect.” I took another sip. I don’t know how I came to prefer that number of marshmallows. When I was little, I always thought ten was the perfect amount. The warm treat felt so good traveling down my throat, warming my insides. “What else you got in there?” I tried peeking into the bag, but he was already digging some goodies out.

“Cheese and crackers, and cookies too.”

“Well, look at you, Caden Walker. If we weren’t best friends, I would think this a very romantic date.” My words served as a reminder for myself, and for Caden. We were best friends and I did not want anything to change.

He sighed with a grin, leaned up against the tree pulling me close. He pressed a kiss to the top of my head. We sat there for a while just taking in our surroundings, and enjoying our hot chocolate and snacks.

Then Caden finally spoke. “I know you are still thinking about what I said, and I will say it again and again if I need to. You just have to want it, Miya.”


Connect with Jacqueline Anne:  www.facebook.com/authorjacquelineanne

What is it about cowboys?

I've always had a thing for cowboys. I loved them even when I was a young girl. There's just something about a man and a horse. 

What is your favorite thing about writing?

Getting the characters out of my head and onto paper. I love bringing them and their stories to life.

Hopes for the future...

To continue on as I'm doing. Writing and having fun with it. I can never hear enough how much my readers love my stories. It keeps me going

Emily Walters needs help fast. Her ex-husband is being released from prison and Adam Walters swore he’d never let her go. She knows he’ll come for her. Her only choice is one of the bad boys of Dry River, Lucas Taggart. Lucas raised a lot of hell when he was younger and never backed down from anyone. It's what Emily needs in a protector and a husband. She offers him half of her ranch in exchange for protection and marriage. Whispering Pines is one of the largest horse ranches in the States. Would it be enough to entice the brooding man? 

Lucas Taggart isn't interested in marriage but he is interested in Whispering Pines and when he looks into Emily’s eyes, he knows it wouldn't be a hardship being married to her, as long as it's a real marriage.  

When Adam Walters shows up to claim the woman he still thinks of as his wife, will Lucas have to do the unthinkable to protect the woman he's come to love with all his heart? What happens if or when Adam is finally out of the picture? Will Emily still want Lucas around and will she ever return his love?


Connect with Susan
Website:  www.susanfisherdavisauthor.weebly.com
FB:  https://www.facebook.com/skdromanceauthor

Why do paranormal romances appeal to you?

As a reader, I love the way you can escape and leave real life behind with a paranormal romance. As a writer, it’s the same principal. I can more or less have my paranormal characters do anything and be as fabulous as I want. They can do superhuman things or take on characteristics of powerful animals. It’s great.

What is your favorite thing about writing?

I have more than one I think that seeing my characters develop and take on lives, inventing the setting, where they live, and the landscape is thrilling. With my romance stories, it’s writing a happy ending for my lovers. I must have happy endings, because it seems to me that there are so few in real life. I guess I write to escape, just as I read to escape.

Hopes for the future ...

I don't want to talk about the hope for world peace and the eradication of disease and poverty. I don't want to talk about better treatment for animals and the environment. Naturally those hopes are always at the back of my mind.

As an author I hope to have the time to write the stories that crowd my mind presently, all clamoring to be written, but many unlikely to be written.

The dream is that time will, for once, be on my side.

I seem to have so little time for writing. My time is filled with the seemingly constant need to market my product. Time to write has become such a luxury it's almost a guilty pleasure. I've begun to think I'm doing something wrong that marketing takes up three quarters of any time I have left over from my day job. The amusing or sad fact is that most of my marketing is fruitless. Maybe I should just give it up in the face of the horrendous new statistics on the flooded publishing industry.

The sprinkle of magic for me will be that I retrieve the joy I had in writing a story, and simply enjoy it, rather than allow the pressure of marketing to send me running from writing.

The dream is that more of my stories will reach readers.

Ultimately what I write are love stories. They reflect my own hope and need for a HEA in life.

   When Simi finds a pretty old candlestick among the discarded props in the company storeroom, she never imagines it will grant her dearest wish. There’s something mysterious about the carved candlestick, but Simi is drawn to it. She’s saved a red candle from a box she bought years ago in an antique shop, and intends to use the candlestick to hold the last candle and make her solitary Christmas lunch more festive. It’s Christmas Eve, there’s sleet in the wind, Simi slips, but Jason catches her. Who is Jason? Where has he suddenly appeared from in the night?

   Simi looks into the eyes of this gorgeous man and sparks fly …

I’m talking about Candle Magic today my latest release from Siren Publishing

   I got the idea for this story very late at night as I shivered in a sudden downpour of rain on my way home from work. It was still summer at the time and although late, the sky was quite light. That happens in Britain where I live and often dawn comes in at around 3.30 a.m. How do I know this? I’m often still up writing or playing around with graphics for book covers. I’m lucky because my day job is in shifts so often I can grab a few hours’ sleep and still get to work on time.

   My hero, Jason Chandler, doesn’t know what he is. Maybe an angel, or a spirit, he only knows he’s given assignments to fulfill by the enigmatic higher powers of the universe. This assignment is different, and when he finds himself materialize beside Simi, my heroine, he’s instantly hopeful that his lonely existence is about to change.

   Although the action in Candle Magic starts on Christmas Eve this story can be read at any time. It’s full of love and magic.


Read a snippet from Candle Magic

Jason moved closer. He reached out and took a handful of her hair. He let it slip through his fingers. “So pretty and soft as silk.”

Simi leaned into his touch. She imagined his kiss. Time slowed for her as she openly stared at his lips. She must have been radiating need because he took her hand and stood, bringing her with him. Simi dreamily followed. They stopped under the mistletoe.

Jason took her face in his hands and kissed her.

The moment his lips touched hers, Simi’s stomach felt dissolved. The air charged with desire and Simi pressed against Jason, wrapping her arms around him. His kiss drained her of coherent thought. The gentle, sexy, pressure of his mouth sent pulses of desire right through her body. Her breath left her, but she couldn’t take her lips from his. She didn’t care about breathing. All she wanted was more of the languorous kiss and his hands gentle on her skin.

Jason broke the spell as he eased away from her mouth to look into her eyes.

“I so like mistletoe, don’t you?” He rested his forehead on hers.

Simi closed her eyes in pleasure. Her answer was a murmur. “Yes.” The need for another kiss drove her. She moved her nose against his, a little sound escaping her as she found his lips with hers. She moaned softly as he took over the kiss. She held him tight and returned his kiss hungrily.

Copyright Elodie Parkes and Siren Publishing

 

Follow Elodie, Blog on Twitter on Facebook on Tsu see her Amazon page and Google+

Elodie Parkes is a multi-published British author writing romance, erotic, contemporary, and often with a twist of mystery, paranormal or suspense. Her books are always steamy. Cool stories and hot love scenes.

Elodie lives in Canterbury with her two dogs. She works in an antique shop by day and writes at night, loving the cloak of silent darkness that descends on the rural countryside around her home.

Time for a quickie.  A short author interview with the fabulous Lily Vega.

Why do short stories appeal to you?

Instant gratification.

I love diving into a story world and knowing I can get to Happy Ever After in a single sitting. It’s great to read an ebook on my smart phone or on an ereader when I have smaller blocks of time or when I want a quick fix.

What’s your favorite thing about writing?

I love when I discover something about my story that surprises me – a plot development or something I didn’t know about a character. I also love working with other authors and getting an advance look at their works in progress before publication and see how their stories evolve.

Hopes for the future…

I am hoping to release the final installment in the Devil May Care trilogy, Devil in a Blue Dress, and Going All In, which received a third place award in the Contemporary Romance category of the Greater Seattle Romance Writers of America’s 2014 Emerald City Opener contest.

I would also love to write more holiday or themed stories. I had an absolute blast writing a naughty romance between two of Santa’s elves. Naughty, Naughty (Peppermint Twist) is available now from Changeling Press and will be available soon at Amazon, B&N, Kobo, AllRomance.com and CoffeeTimeRomace.com.

Here is an excerpt from my naughty holiday story:

Naughty, Naughty (Peppermint Twist)

Copyright ©2014 Lily Vega

"Why do naughty girls get coal in their stockings instead of toys?" Zed turned the naked Darby doll in his hands, examining the beige plastic skin and perfect, pencil-eraser-sized breasts. He hooked a miniature stethoscope around the doll's neck and dressed it in a white lab coat, leaving the buttons undone.

"Coal is an incentive for people to try harder to be good next year. But it doesn't work for everybody. Take this one." Santa poked his pen at the list of names that curled and wound around the perimeter of the shop. He squinted at the small print. "Joy Lang. She's so naughty, I doubt there's hope she'll ever make the nice list."

"I don't understand. Her name is festive. How could someone named Joy be banned for life from the nice list? And what's so wrong with being naughty, anyway?"

Santa let out a deep belly laugh. "We're all a little naughty sometimes, but Joy is extremely naughty. She has quite the reputation as a party girl and is the star of a number of adult movies."

The idea of denying a famous actress a nice gift seemed mean. Zed bounced on his heels. "She's a movie star?"

"Never you mind, little Elf." The big man in the red suit rose and rubbed his enormous belly, which famously shook like jelly when he laughed. But he wasn't laughing. If anything he looked troubled. Or constipated. "When you're done with your shift, swing by the kitchen. Mrs. Claus baked those teddy bear sugar cookies you like so much."

Did Santa know his guilty pleasure of biting the bear heads off, licking the frosting and feeding the rest of the cookies to the reindeer? Zed stared at his pointy green velvet shoes. Maybe he, like Joy, wasn't capable of making the nice list.

Outside the window, fluffy snowflakes danced like drunken monkeys dumped out of a barrel. The North Pole looked like it was encased in a snow globe.

Once the tinkling of the bells Santa wore on his belt grew faint, Zed powered up the computer. He'd never rest without running Joy's name through the Yahohoho search engine.

Her fan page featured a photo of a beautiful blonde woman with milk chocolate eyes, candy apple cheeks, and red gumdrop lips. He moved the mouse to hover the cursor over the button to view a sample of her movie, Naked Babes in Boyland. Another glance around the room confirmed the workshop was empty. He clicked the mouse button.

Joy was back on the screen, but this time she was naked and on all fours, her breasts swinging like the pendulum on a grandfather clock. She licked her lips, moaned and reached back to touch herself. The camera panned to a naked, hairy man standing behind her. He advanced, slapped her ass and pointed his enormous penis at her like a missile.

Zed's jollyrod inflated, tenting his pants. He couldn't take his eyes off the man who was ramming his oversized rod into Joy's special place. Her eyes rolled back and her moans grew more frantic. Zed knew he couldn't compete with the giant's gargantuan member.

"Whatcha doing?"

Zed jumped at the sound of the scratchy feminine voice, grabbed the doll and dropped it on his lap to hide his erection.

Reindeer turds. It was Maisy, the girl Elf with the rat's-nest hair and bad attitude. Sure, she smelled like vanilla and had skin softer than anything he'd ever felt before, but she was so annoying. She twisted the candy cane in her mouth and he wondered what it would feel like if it were his rod she sucked on instead of the sweet.

She stepped closer and held out a wrapped candy cane. Damn, today she smelled like vanilla and peppermint. His favorite combination.

He swiped the candy while blocking the screen from her sight.

"Santa told me to tell you Mrs. Claus was baking --" "Teddy bear cookies. I know." He logged off the computer, trying his best to look like he'd had a legitimate reason for using it.

"Want to groom the reindeer? I can go get the curry comb." Her green eyes widened.

He followed her gaze to see she was staring at his lap. Where he held the Darby doll upside down and was poking at the doll's special place with the candy cane.

Brody the brown-nosed Elf peered into the workshop. Santa would definitely take Brody's name off the nice list if he knew what a bastard he was to the other Elves. "Got the dolls dressed yet, Zero?"

"His name is Zed, you asshat." Maisy tossed her candy cane and it shattered against the doorframe, raining minty shards on Brody's head.

"Do you kiss Santa with that dirty mouth?" He picked up a piece of the broken candy from the floor and ate it.

She scrunched up her face. "You're disgusting, Brody. I'm sure that was full of germs."

"It's yummy. Just like you."

Maisy pulled her hat over her pointy ears, crossed her arms over her chest, and glared at Brody. "Where are your minions, Dopey and Pervy?"

"Do you have a nickname for me too? You can call me whatever you like if you go out with me."

"I don't need a nickname for you, dumbass."

While Maisy and Brody bickered, Zed peeled the plastic from the candy cane and eyed the doll, an idea forming in his mind for the perfect toy for Joy, his naughty girl.


I would like to thank my awesome critique partner, Kenzie Mack, for hosting me on her fabulous blog.  Her newest release, Moon Dances: A Reader’s Choice Tale, is being featured on my blog this week http://www.lilyvega.com   Please hop over and check it out.

Lily Vega

Connect with me:

FB: www.facebook.com/LilyVegaWriter

Twitter: @LV_Writer

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/LilyVegaWriter

I’ve been tagged by the lovely Lily Vega to join a group of talented writers in the Meet the Character Blog Hop. I am pleased to introduce you to John, the hero of Moon Shadows (March 2014) and Moon Dances (Sept. 2014).

But first, allow me to introduce Lily Vega’s debut story, Devil Inside (August 2014)





Blake Owens, a fourth generation demon from the second circle of hell, is used to masquerading as human. Arianna Prince, dressed in a sexy angel costume, seduces him at a party and proves to be a genuine damsel in distress. If he wants more than a one-night stand, he must come out of the supernatural closet to harness his demonic power.

Until she meets Blake, Arianna believes her immediate future involves sex with a creepy shifter and death while giving birth to its offspring. Blake takes the term "sexy devil" to the next level by actually possessing horns and a tail.

Blake may be just the guy to give Arianna pleasure beyond her wildest dreams and save her from her stepmother's deadly plans.

Lily Vega lives in the Midwest with her sexy husband who combines all of Dean Winchester's best qualities with a flair for computers. She continually cultivates her dirty mind, fueling it with caffeine and craft beer. She believes all creatures, especially those of the night, deserve mind-blowing sex with a happily ever after.

Check out  www.facebook.com/LilyVegaWriter for quirky posts and photos of hot guys. Visit Lily's website: LilyVega.com and follow her on Twitter @LV_Writer.

Who is John?

A personal trainer, John focused on fitness.  A lover of sleek muscles and beauty in any form, a partner for John could be found in either sex.  And perhaps, even in an exotic magical species.

Where does Moon Shadows take place?

John calls central California home. The opening scene takes place on a local jogging path.

What won’t John talk about?

John won’t discuss his fears.  Is he good enough, strong enough, handsome enough to deserve a mate like Ebony?

John’s Goal:

John will do whatever it takes to make Ebony his mate—forever.  Opening his heart, his desire to bond with this ancient beast propels him into actions he never dreamed possible.

The problem:

John must surrender to an inner beast he didn’t know resided within him.  Second, he must bond with each member of Ebony’s pack to earn his place.  Not an easy task.

Meet next week’s authors.

Hunter lost a bet at a blackjack table and begrudgingly traded temperate Southern California for the sweltering heat of Las Vegas. There she resides with an extremely tolerant boyfriend and two cats, Latte and Java. When she’s not dreaming of returning to coastal living, Hunter works on her MA thesis in British history and at her government day job. In order to appease her muse, she writes the kind of fiction that keeps her sane. She adores romance in all forms, but prefers her stories with two heroes that find their happily-ever-after with each other.

What Can Brown Do For You?  was released in May 2014.

IT geek Sean Barlow lusts after the dreamy UPS guy who charms the ladies in his office with his roguish smile and sinful brown shorts. The delivery guy couldn't be more out of Sean's league, even if by some miracle he was gay. But when a freak power outage finds Sean trapped in the elevator with his uniformed hunk, he learns first-hand that you can't judge a UPS guy by the size of his package.

www.hunterfrost.net

www.hunterfrost.net/honorablemention

Next meet author ~ V.S. Morgan

V.S. Morgan has lived all over the US but calls Minnesota her home now. Her family includes her hubby, son, and a menagerie of pets.

She's been writing stories since she could hold a pencil and dreams of happily ever afters - even for two hot men - because love knows no boundaries. V.S. writes MC/IR contemporary, paranormal, and suspense m/m and m/f with heart. She plans to branch into fantasy and sci fi romance, as well.

V.S. is a GLBT ally and a lifetime contributor of The Trevor Project.

Artist Casey Smith lives a quiet life, under the radar of his enemies, until one fateful night he loses control and the astonishing image of a wolf racing down a suburban street splashes all over social media.

Hunter’s bullet never misses its target. The assassin seeks out and kills his prey with a clear conscience by following two simple rules: 1) Don’t kill innocents 2) Don’t kill shifters. 

Realizing his latest assignment violates those rules, the hunter activates Princess Protocol and the assassin becomes the protector. Red hot attraction flares between the hit man and his former target. Can Hunter resist the sweet shifter in his care?

Hunter's Mark is releasing on October 10, 2014

Website: http://www.vsmorgan.com

Facebook and Goodreads: V.S. Morgan

Twitter: @vsmorgan1