Blakely’s Friday Interview with Harper Jewel

Posted on October 18, 2013 by blakely

Please give a warm welcome to Harper Jewel, author of Trent and Trey (Inked Heat Series).

Tell us a bit about yourself and what you’re currently working on or promoting.
I’m fairly new on the scene and write short stories (10,000 – 20,000 words) only at the moment. My latest release, Trent & Trey, was the second installment in my Inked Heat Series. All the books in the series are based around a tattoo parlor and the two drop-dead sexy men that co-own it. Derek & Maks (Inked Heat #1) are cousins, and Trent & Trey Buchanan are brothers. Both books revolve around the woman the men romance and are ménages.

What genre is your book? Do you write in other genres as well?
I am currently working on two separate Series: Inked Heat and A Seekers Story. The Inked Heat Series are contemporary erotica and the Seekers stories are paranormal erotica. The Seekers stories revolve around a race of bird-of-prey shifters. The first book, Virgin Prey, tells the story about Aviana Byrde as she turns 18 and discovers in the tradition of their race who her life mate is. After her husband shows her all the carnal pleasures to be had in the marriage bed, fate plays a hand in tearing the pair apart until Aviana makes a startling discovery that rocks her world on its axis.

Do you have an agent and/or publisher or are you self-published? If self-published, do you use a professional editor? If traditionally published, who is your publisher?
I consider myself very lucky to have heard about Horny Devil Publishing from a friend. After writing my first short, Derek & Maks, I considered self-publishing, but decided to submit my story to HDP before attempting to do it myself. HDP has been wonderful to work with. I do not have to find or pay for editors, nor do I have to find or pay cover artists. Dee Allen, one of the cover artists for HDP has created all three of my covers to date. They are in a word: stunning! There is no way I would have been able to afford a cover artist that could create anything close to these masterpieces.

Do you outline your stories or just go with the flow?
I always begin with an outline, yes. However, and that is a big however, there are times when my characters veer off the outline into their own direction. The original ending outlined for Trent & Trey was not how the final ending played out. In fact, after I thought I was done with the story and doing a read-through, both Trent & Trey halted me in my tracks, and I suddenly found myself rewriting the ending to please both the Buchanan brothers.

What does your writing space look like?
I feel lucky and unlucky with my writing space. I’m lucky in that my work space is located in the extra bedroom in my home. When I’m burning the midnight oil because I’m “in the zone,” and my current work is moving at a good pace, I don’t disturb either my husband or my daughter. When I’m done for the night or early morning as it is at times, I simply crawl into the bed in my workroom and call it a night. I have a great husband who doesn’t complain when he wakes to find my side of our bed empty. He understands that when things are going smoothly, I have a hard time stopping. The unlucky part of my work space is that I do not have a laptop. I still use a tower pc with a monitor. So, when we lose power, I’m shut down with no battery backup, and I can’t just take my writing with me when we travel.

Who is your favorite author and why?
My favorite author is Kate Douglas. I have read everything she has ever written all the way back to her very first e-published works. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting her in person and spent a very lovely evening with her two summers ago. She was definitely the author who drew me into reading erotica. To me, she is so descriptive with her characters and her scenes that I have no difficulty picturing them in my mind as I read. Those, as well as a great plot are the things that kept me coming back for more of her books.

What project are you currently working on?
Currently, I’m working on the second installment of A Seekers Story, tentatively titled Naked Prey. Once I have finished with that, I have two other things that are on the back burner. One is a new Series that the idea for came to me while sitting in traffic one day. It is a paranormal/sci-fi idea about an alien race from the planet Venus and their race to save their people from extinction. I’ve come up with the Series name of Warriors of Venus. I have also been talking with fellow HDP author, Dan Cocker, about the possibility of collaborating on something. That is still in the very early stages, though, and nothing is definite on that front.

What book are you currently reading?
I’m currently reading, Entwined With You by Sylvia Day. I had the opportunity to meet her recently at a book signing she did at a local Barnes & Noble. There were under 100 people there, and she spent almost 3 hours talking and signing books. It was great!

Is there a character that you enjoyed writing more than any of the others?
I really enjoyed writing the part of Trey in Trent & Trey. The younger of the two Buchanan brothers, he spoke the loudest to me. His southern drawl and the interplay he had with Trent was a blast to write.

Do you read your reviews and if so, how do you cope with a bad one?
As a new writer, I feel it is important to read every review, good or bad. I think constructive criticism is an important part of growing as a writer. I do understand, however, that my writing will not appeal to everyone.

I have found the writer’s community to be very supportive and welcoming. Please share three writers that you recommend for us to check out.

Cleo Taurus, a fellow HDP author I feel is very talented and writes from the heart. I also recommend checking out Oliver Lixx another HDP author as well as Bebe Balocca. I’ve read some of their things and have thoroughly enjoyed them.

You can find Harper on her website, blog, Facebook, Facebook page, Amazon, Manic Readers, Goodreads, and The Romance Reviews.

Click the cover to buy Harper’s book:

Running from a dark past, Cassie St. Cloud wonders if it’s even possible to escape her worst nightmares. Regardless, the fiery redhead refuses to be a victim and does just that. While secrecy is key to her survival, Cassie inadvertently finds herself squashed inside a triangle of lust, threatening to expose her darkest desires.

Sexy brothers, Trent and Trey Buchanan, own the hottest Tattoo Parlor and Ranch in town. Kings of their own castles, both are pleasantly shocked when a tiny female brings them to their knees.

A silent enemy looms in the background, waiting for the right moment to strike. When things take an unexpected turn for the worse, dark secrets and an unforgiving past send Trent, Trey, and Cassie running for their lives…

Blakely’s Friday Interview with Jessica O’Gorek

Posted on October 11, 2013 by blakely

Please give a warm welcome to Jessica O’Gorek, author of Gemini Rising: Ethereal Fury.

What genre is your book?
YA paranormal romance

Do you write in other genres as well?
I can write in adult paranormal and horror/thriller

Who or what inspires you?
I’m inspired by my desire to make a living doing what I love, by my family’s faith in my ability as a writer, and by watching my dad click away on his typewriter as a child.

Do you have an agent and/or publisher or are you self-published? If self-published, do you use a professional editor? If traditionally published, who is your publisher?
I am published through Cogent Publishing, NY, but I am my own agent which has put my writing on hiatus. No time! It’s all spent promoting.

What advice do you have for writer’s just starting out?
Do not wait until you are published to start marketing yourself- start 1-2 years in advance and build an audience who are excited about your release. Line up reviews for 3-6 months into the future and keep track of who says they will review your book, use a spreadsheet. Count on 50-70% of your reviews coming through. You can never have enough reviews, guests posts, or interviews!

Do you outline your stories or just go with the flow?
Go with the flow, scene by scene, the plot comes to me

What does your writing space look like?
Just my laptop and me, I can write anywhere as long as it’s kind of quiet

What are your three favorite books including the authors?
Twilight saga, Stephanie Myer / Cell, Stephen King / Under the Lake, John Saul

Who is your favorite author and why?
Stephanie Meyer- because she inspired my imagination and Stephen King because he instilled a dark side in me and deep love of horror

What project are you currently working on?
Book #4 of the Gemini Rising Series

Is being an author your dream job? If so, how long have you been chasing the dream? If not, what would be your dream job?
Yes, it is my dream job. I’ve been chasing it hard for about two years now but I’ve been writing since I was 12.

What book are you currently reading?
Ella Medler– Blood Is Power

What has been your best moment as a writer?
When I found out someone wanted to publish my book!

What challenges have you faced in your writing career?
I’m facing one right now- how to get noticed amongst the slew of authors and books that the self-publishing industry has created. I feel like I’m doing so much work, I didn’t even need to go with a traditional publisher!

Is there a message in your book(s) that you want readers to grasp?
My upbringing taught me great respect for the earth and as a kid I always held a great contempt for what my ancestors did to the Indians and how we developed America. I remember being so angry in college when I discovered what horrible people all of our founding fathers really were. Why didn’t they teach me the truth in high school? So, yes, I would say my beliefs of how we treat the environment and how it might get even with us one day comes across loud and clear in my books.

How much time a day do you spend on social media?
4-6 hours or until my eyes bleed.

What do you do to stay sane as a writer?
I’m not sane.

Do you read your reviews and if so, how do you cope with a bad one?
I read all of my reviews and I haven’t had one under three stars yet. I have had some very good constructive criticism though. I like all feedback. If it’s bad it will most likely help me in some way to better future books in the series. If there was something I left out or didn’t make clear enough, if part of the book was too slow, or too long, it always helps to get as many opinions as possible! If I get a scathing review, well, I’ll just remind myself of Stephanie Meyer’s success despite all of those who don’t like Twilight.

Has reading a book ever changed your life? Which one and why, if yes?
Yes, the Twilight Saga. It evoked my adult imagination, which was something that no other books or movies had done. I honestly thought I was done writing…

If someone wrote a book about your life, what would the title be?
Serenity Now, and Later

I have found the writer’s community to be very supportive and welcoming. Please share three writers that you recommend for us to check out.

You can find Jessica on her website, Facebook page, Twitter, Goodreads, and blog.

Click on the cover below to buy Jessica’s novel:

Blakely’s Friday Interview with Savannah & Zeke Parker

Posted on October 4, 2013 by blakely

Please give a warm welcome to Savannah and Zeke Parker, authors of Billy Scarlet.

Tell us a bit about yourself and what you’re currently working on or promoting.
-Our names are Savannah and Zeke Parker. We have been writing for ten years now. We used to just come up with stories while we playing when we were little, but one day we just decided that it would be really fun to start writing then down. Right now we are promoting our story Billy Scarlet. It’s being published by Ink Smith publishing. It’s going to be coming out on September 5th. This will be our first book to get published so we are really excited about it.

What genre is your book? Do you write in other genres as well?
-Billy Scarlet is an Adventure/Fantasy story. That is the main genre that we write in, but we also write children’s stories and young adult fiction. We like exploring all different kinds of genres just to test our writing skills.

Do you outline your stories or just go with the flow?
-We never really do a written outline. We talk out what our stories will be about. Mostly we just set down an outline in our minds. Sometimes we follow it, sometimes we don’t. We tried written outlines before, but then when we start writing everything just takes a different course, so now we just always talk it out and if it goes in a different direction, then, that’s just how it goes.

Who is your favorite author and why?
-We have different favorites most of the time, but the one writer we can really agree on is Tolkien. His writing has influenced ours in so many ways. His stories are about adventure, different worlds, and unlikely heroes. He could put so much into one story that just makes you want to read it over and over. We hope to capture a bit of Tolkien’s style of adventure in our stories.

What project are you currently working on?
-We are currently working on getting our story “Billy Scarlet” published. We are also working on revising some of our other stories that go along with “Billy Scarlet”. This story is the first in a series. There are two books that follow it, “The Curse of Laquendor”, and one that doesn’t have a title just yet. It also has a prequel call “The first Beginning”. We are also working the revisions of three other books that are tied into Billy’s story, “The Secret of Nautilus Island”, “Stakes on Life and Death”, and “The Dragon’s Empress”.

What challenges have you faced in your writing career?
-I’d have to say that the biggest challenge we faced was trying to get an agent or publisher. We were basically shooting in the dark when it came to writing query letters. It was a huge challenge just to figure out what to say in the letters. We sent off to more than two hundred agents and at least sixty publishers. When you get to the point where you are getting at least four rejections a day, it’ll either do one of two things for you. It will make you give up or it will make you revise and try harder. It only takes one letter saying that they want your story and then those two hundred who didn’t really don’t matter anymore. We’re very glad to be working with Ink Smith. It’s a great company and you couldn’t ask for better people to work with.

Do you see yourself in any of your characters?
-Yes. We have a tendency to write a bit of ourselves into some of our characters. Honestly, sometimes we don’t even mean to, it just happens. It started in the first story we ever started writing “The Secret of Nautilus Island”. The character Jonny, who is also in “Billy Scarlet”, was pretty much just writing Zeke into the story. Jonny was his character from the beginning. I put a bit of myself into the character Billy Scarlet. Her story is told from a first person narrative, so it was hard not to put at least a little bit of myself into the character.

Was one of your characters more challenging to write than another?
-Yes. The character that was most challenging was actually from “Billy Scarlet”. The character Rafe Newheart was pretty tough to write. He is a villain in the story, but he’s almost a sidekick. We’ve never really had trouble writing the main villains like Nate Grayheart, and Rossaletta, but there was something different about Newheart, something more complex. His story runs deeper into the plot. There were so many things about him that were hidden and secret. He was just really hard to explain.

Do you base your characters on people you know?
-Sometimes. It’s a way of knowing your character better. If you know who you want them to be like, it makes it easier to know how they would react in certain situations. We never fully base a character on any one person, but we always like to have an idea of what we want our characters to be like.

Click the book cover below to buy Billy Scarlet

Blakely’s Friday Interview with Tamala Callaway

Posted on September 27, 2013 by blakely

Please give a warm welcome to Tamala Callaway, author of the SuperNatural Novel Series & Hostile Series

Tell us a bit about yourself and what you’re currently working on or promoting.
I am a wife and mother of two. I work for the Coweta County school system transporting children to and from school, aka “Bus Driver.” Currently, I am working on part two of my Second Generation series which is a spin-off of my SuperNatural novel series. All together, the entire series is 7 novels long.

Who or what inspires you?
Initially I was inspired by my oldest daughter to write the SuperNatural series. As a storyteller to my children, they would always want me to revisit my made up stories over and over again. By suggestion, my daughter asked me to write a story so that she could read it over and over again whenever the mood hit. When a few pages weren’t enough for her, and the request to continue the story was becoming an everyday plea, I ended up a year later with five full novel length books in one complete series. Even when I said enough was enough, she and others who had been brought into the trap of SuperNatural begged for more. That then inspired me to do a similar story but focus on the offspring of the original characters, thus begetting “The Second Generation series, part 1 & 2.”

What genre is your book? SuperNatural is YA/Adult. It fits into the paranormal, fantasy, romance genre. Do you write in other genres as well? Yes. I have also written a suspense, thriller, romance series called the “Hostile Series.” Hostile Contact & Hostile Vengeance.

Do you have an agent and/or publisher or are you self-published? I am self-published. If self-published, do you use a professional editor? I do not. I would love to, however, it can be quite expensive for the amount of books I’ve written in a short period of time and not to mention the page/word count. Like I said before, I am a school bus driver with limited funds outside of family necessities.

What advice do you have for writer’s just starting out?
If you or someone you know has a story to tell whether fiction or non-fiction, just start writing. Don’t worry about editing, embellishing, or critiquing while you’re writing. It distracts you and can be daunting. Besides, you can always come back to clean and polish later.

Do you set writing goals and if so, what are they?
Sometimes. If I find myself procrastinating on writing, I will give myself a week to write a chapter. Usually, I will start when I only have 2 or 3 days to do so, then suddenly I am tapping away on the keys to my laptop and will have written 4 or 5 chapters within a few days. I believe I work well under pressure. But that’s just me as far as I know.

What does your writing space look like?
I have a spare bedroom that I have set up as a professional office. Book shelves, desk, lamps, curtains and wall décor. I have a desk top computer that sits unused because I prefer to write on my laptop, but change up the screen saver to keep the look fresh. My office must be clean for me to concentrate, so when the family infiltrates my space, I have to reorganize in order to get back to work.

What project are you currently working on?
The final book in my SuperNatural “The Second Generation” series. It will make the 7th book and I’m looking forward to the bitter/sweet end of an era. It is where it all began for me as a writer, but I have taken on other genres and look forward to expanding my horizons as an Author.

Is being an author your dream job? Yes. If I could financially support my family as an Author, I would be in heaven. I didn’t know that I would love writing so much if I hadn’t been challenged by my daughter and preview readers. If so, how long have you been chasing the dream? 4 years – 8 novels later.

What book are you currently reading?
I recently finished “The Ex Wife” for a book club. However, I am doing the re-read thing on “The Second Generation book 1” as I am anxious to complete book 2, already 111 pages written so far.

What has been your best moment as a writer?
I have two: A book signing event that I wasn’t expecting to do so well, and sold out of the 45 copies of my books, wishing I had brought more; and walking up on a group of teenagers in Barnes and noble reading my books and discussing them, and asking… “Hey, how are you enjoying SuperNatural?” The looks on their faces that they actually recognized me was priceless and euphoric.

Is there a message in your book(s) that you want readers to grasp?
In SuperNatural, yes. Not judging a person for their exterior or what you think you may know about them, and recognizing the differences in others as a useful resource rather than a hindrance, and loving unconditionally between you and one other individual proves more fulfilling than mindless courtship with many.

Do you see yourself in any of your characters?
Quite a few. Some have my mentality, some my aggression, some my ability to love hard, & others have my habits (bad and good).

Is there a character that you enjoyed writing more than any of the others?
Yes, Ramone has always been one of my favorites. He is a male version of me in my younger years. (Hardworking, resourceful, loving, caring, supportive, & extremely protective of the ones he loves. Not to mention, people tend to be drawn to him for whatever reasons.)

What do you do when you’re not writing?
Decorating, rearranging, cleaning, or spending time with my family. Working is a must, but not my favorite pastime.

How much time a day do you spend on social media?
More than I need to. Approximately 2 hours daily. It used to be much more, but I’m embarrassed to say truthfully.

If someone wrote a book about your life, what would the title be?
Living in the fast lane, beware of dangerous turns.

I have found the writer’s community to be very supportive and welcoming. Please share three writers that you recommend for us to check out. Here is what Tamala had to say:

I chose these people as they have been a force in helping others create platforms and fan bases as Authors. Wherever you see either of them, you will find positivity, motivation and growth.

You can find Tamala on her website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Pinterest, and Amazon.

Click on the icons below to buy Tamala’s novel:

Blakely’s Friday Interview with Joelle Casteel

Posted on September 19, 2013 by blakely

Please give a warm welcome to Joelle Casteel, author of Out of the Night: Book One.

Tell us a bit about yourself and what you’re currently working on or promoting.
I’ve been writing since my first English teacher succeeded in teaching me how to write a sentence. I got into erotic fiction as a teen, specifically into BDSM fiction when my first girlfriend introduced me to Anne Rice’s “The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty.” While I have multiple projects going, my focus is on my “Vala’s Story” series. It began as a birthday present for my dominant at the time, who was the original inspiration for my character The Queen. The first book Out of the Night: Book One is available for purchase and the second book Gates of the Garden: Book Two is with my editor. I’m working further on in the series with my beta readers. The series is planned at nine books.

What genre is your book? Do you write in other genres as well?
I’m still struggling with the words. When I look at tags, they don’t seem to fit. I describe my writing as “hardcore pansexual BDSM erotic romance” and then proceed to explain what I mean after I’ve said those things. “Hardcore”- I use that word because too many see romance and expect Harlequin, the verbal equivalent of soft-focus camera work, soft core pornography. My writing is not focus; it’s graphic, sometimes brutal even. “Pansexual”is one of those newer, created words whose definition isn’t universally agreed to. I use pansexual to mean that my writing contains homosexual, heterosexual, and anything in between, in terms of sexuality, of the genders that find themselves being intimate. BDSM of course is the acronym around all sorts of alternative sexualities involving hundreds of different activities, from pain play to age play to role play… and sometimes not even play :D. I’ve taken the erotic romance label because yes, my characters are very love, even tell each other “I love you,” but I struggle with the label because the loving often enough doesn’t look like the mainstream culture thinks it “should look.” BDSM erotic writing- whether fiction or non- is the focus of all my non-spiritual writing.

Who or what inspires you?
Living the truth of my life and showing diverse characters living the truth of their lives.

Do you have an agent and/or publisher or are you self-published? If self-published, do you use a professional editor? If traditionally published, who is your publisher?
I self-published using a combination of Lulu, Kindle Direct Publishing, and B&N’s “Pub-it” as well as software like Calibre and friends’ help. I use beta readers, but I also have a friend who copy edits for me. Why I’ve gone this way is answered under other questions.

Do you use test readers? If so, how many?
I do use them and the number of readers fluctuates between 2 and 5. Part of my issue with writing BDSM erotic romance is that sometimes, a person who isn’t personally into BDSM just doesn’t understand my writing and ends up giving non-helpful comments. As well, someone into BDSM but not practicing it similarly to me or my characters may or may not give valuable feedback. Then there’s the last type of reader, those not into BDSM at all, who give their own particular flavor of feedback.

What are your three favorite books including the authors?
1. Philosophy in the Bedroom by Marquis de Sade.
2. A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce.
3. Memnoch the Devil by Anne Rice.

Who is your favorite author and why?
Anne Rice. As I saw in the introduction to one of my novels, I love her “Beauty Books” as they’ve come to be known because she shows male and femdom in the same book as well as how fluid the notion of sexuality is in her books.

What challenges have you faced in your writing career?
Besides the struggle around what to call my genre, I have struggled through chronic health issues (I’m bipolar and hypoglycemic), balancing life & family (I’m a home educating mom of a teen, a lifestyle submissive and have 2 at-home jobs beyond those 2), bad beta readers (my very first BR with Vala’s Story stopped reading in a child-ish fit of “You don’t write BDSM like I want you to” that stopped me from writing for years). Throughout all of this is the topic of being “out of the closet.” I am very out of the closet on a variety of issues, all of which put me on the edges of “polite society.” When I decided to publish erotic romance under my legal name, much discussion took place in my household around that, but finally it was agreed, yes, publish as Joelle Casteel, as yourself.

Is there a message in your book(s) that you want readers to grasp?
That sexuality, love, romance, relationship are too varied among the human family to say that anything consensual is wrong.

Do you see yourself in any of your characters?
Pieces of me are in all my characters, although most thoroughly in the title character for my series, Vala. The Queen leads her through changes to become what she wants to be. I’ve described her as “me to the Nth degree” because she’s gone further than I ever thought to go in many experiences.

If someone wrote a book about your life, what would the title be?
She Pushed the Envelope Off the Edge

I have found the writer’s community to be very supportive and welcoming. Please share three writers that you recommend for us to check out.

You can find Joelle on her blogger, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and Goodreads.

Click on the cover below to buy Out of the Night: Book One.

Blakely’s interview with Jane from the My Body Trilogy

Posted on September 16, 2013 by blakely

This week I’m sharing a blog post from my previous blog tour. It’s one of my favorites. Check out my interview with Jane.

Blakely: I’m very excited to interview you, Jane. It’s like a wonderful visit with an old friend.

Jane: Yes, we have been joined at the hip for quite a while now. 😉

Blakely: Without giving too much away (we wouldn’t want to spoil it for our readers) how are you doing these days?

Jane: Life is truly wonderful. I no longer look upon my past with shame and regret. I thankfully survived it all and came out stronger, happier and healthier on the other side. Nothing can compete with good love.

Blakely: Are you ready to dive into the interview?

Jane: Sure.

Blakely: Many of our readers and fans have a hard time understanding why you stayed so long with Luke. Can you explain it to them?

Jane: Luke provided an intense passion and connection that I never experienced before and when he was “good Luke” nothing in the world could touch the elation I felt from his touch and attention. Just his mere kiss caused me to melt. Unfortunately, there were two definite sides to him and he could be very cold and cruel. Like many woman who stay in unhealthy relationships, I thought if I could just do things “right”, I would live in bliss with him. Eventually my whole world was wrapped around Luke , his life; and it seemed like dying to be apart from him. We ultimately weren’t good for each other and I can see the part I played in our crazy dance. Looking back, I believe my poor relationships with my parents might have driven my desperation to make it work. I have wondered that if my father had been there for me the day that I called, would I have gone back to Luke? There’s no way to know now but it surely didn’t help my state of mind at the time.

Blakely: With the benefit of hindsight now, do you think your relationship with Luke was abusive as opposed to an alternative lifestyle? If so, at what point was that line crossed for you?

Jane: I think there were abusive moments through the course of the relationship but there were also large segments of time where his harsher tendencies took a back seat. This is a tricky question for me. I don’t have a vast amount of experience in the lifestyle but Marcello was pretty clear that Luke screwed things up in regards to me and my first forays into a Dom/sub relationship. The crossing the line bit is even harder to answer because that invisible line kept being pushed further and farther away from who I knew myself to be. The hardest crossing was when Luke sent me to Marcello’s which I adamantly fought against.

Blakely: Do you think Luke did the BDSM relationship the right way? Many of our readers were upset about how he used the so-called “safe words”.

Jane: I am positive that there are many different ways to have a Dom/sub relationship. Just through my talks with Janice and her experience, all of her BDSM relationships were different. I don’t think there is only one right way to go about it. However, the safe words with Luke were nothing of the kind and he should have called them something else.

Blakely: Do you feel that you really are a submissive or just masqueraded as one to please Luke?

Jane: This question made me laugh! My body unquestionably loves the submission. I wouldn’t say I was masquerading to please Luke but I did lose myself along the way trying to please him. I’m definitely NOT a natural submissive but sexually, it surely causes the most intense orgasms. 😉

Blakely: Do you think monogamy or children will be important to you at some point?

Jane: Absolutely to both.

Blakely: Do you foresee a positive relationship with either of your parents or has that ship sailed as far as you’re concerned?

Jane: My mother goes through a metamorphosis in My Body-Mine so read to find out about that.

Blakely: How did you feel being the object of desire for two men and a woman?

Jane: It completely changed the concept I held of myself. When you have two parents who don’t seem to like you very much, it definitely shapes your outlook on yourself. They (Luke, Janice, and Marcello) helped me to feel more desirable and Marcello encouraged me to feel more deserving of love.

Blakely: Who has been your most incredible lover?

Jane: Blakely, don’t you think that’s giving a bit too much away? They still need to read My Body-Mine!

Blakely: Yes, I guess you’re right. One last question then?

Jane: Yes, because you-know-who is waiting for me. 😉

Blakely: I’ll be quick. Do you think you will share your story with our readers about you-know-who and your future?

Jane: The trilogy is complete but I’ve heard rumors that you might right a prequel, Blakely, about Janice and Luke.

Blakely: Anything is possible but we shall see. Thank you, Jane, for your honest and open answers. I’m sure our readers appreciated your time.

Blakely’s Friday Interview with Elizabeth Laura Abrey

Posted on September 13, 2013 by blakely

Please give a warm welcome to Elizabeth Laura Abrey, author of The Gift of Love, Abigail and The Foxwood Creek Murders. Click on the story titles to read her work.

Tell us a bit about yourself and what you’re currently working on or promoting.
My name is Elizabeth Laura Abrey. I’m 32 years old, single with no children. An only child to a British dad and a South African mom. I was born and raised in South Africa but moved to the UK 11 years ago. My parents are now deceased, my mom from cancer in 2008 and my dad was murdered in 2009, 8 months after my mom passed. I have diplomas in Creative Writing, Forensic Science, Parapsychology and Child Care. My short story The Gift of Love has been published in the June edition of The Wordsmith Journal, an online Christian based publication. I have two other short stories published called Abigail published by The Writers Drawer online publication ~ June 2013 and The Foxwood Creek Murders published by The Writers Drawer online publication ~ August 2013. I’m currently working on a couple other short stories for competitions and have just enrolled in a Romantic Fiction Writing course with Stonebridge College.

Who or what inspires you?
My mother has always been a huge inspiration to me and my memories of her continue to inspire and motivate my writing. Another huge inspiration to me is the amazingly harmonious classical crossover band Blake. Having met them and enjoyed their music on numerous occasions, they provide me with endless inspiration that I turn to whenever I feel lost or need a creative jolt!

What advice do you have for writer’s just starting out?
Never give up hope! Persevere, stay motivated, keep dreaming and learn from criticism.

Do you have any writing rituals or interesting writing quirks?
I have to listen to Blake in order to be in the right frame of mind to write. I know it’s weird but it works for me! The creative juices just flow when I have their music on in the background! I also have a pair of fuzzy slippers that I consider my ‘writing shoes’!

What are your three favorite books including the authors?
Gone with the Wind – Margaret Mitchell
The Great Gatsby – F Scott Fitzgerald
Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen

Is being an author your dream job? If so, how long have you been chasing the dream? If not, what would be your dream job?
It is most certainly my dream. It’s taken me just over three years to have one of my short stories published.

What book are you currently reading?
Inferno – Dan Brown

What has been your best moment as a writer?
Having my short story The Gift of Love published in the June issue of The Wordsmith Journal.

Is there a message in your book(s) that you want readers to grasp?
To never give up hope!

Do you see yourself in any of your characters?
I do. My female characters are a part of me and they do reflect on myself as a person, however small the comparison may be.

What do you do when you’re not writing?
Apart from working an 8-5 job, the little free time I allow myself is usually spent reading or watching re-runs of Criminal Minds or CSI – I’m a bit of a crime show addict.

What do you do to stay sane as a writer?
Sanity is not part of my vocabulary! 😉 Honestly, I do yoga and deep breathing exercises that help me to focus mentally and clear my head of all the daily rigmarole!

I have found the writer’s community to be very supportive and welcoming. Please share someone that you recommend for us to check out: Anna Andrews

You can find Elizabeth on her blog, Facebook page, and twitter.

Blakely’s Friday Interview with Celeste Carrara

Posted on September 6, 2013 by blakely

Please give a warm welcome to Celeste Carrara, author of Give Me Pleasure.

Tell us a bit about yourself and what you’re currently working on or promoting.
I am a stay at home mom to 2 awesome kids. Now that they are older (10 & 15), it’s my time to chase my dream. My husband and my children have been hugely supportive as I do that. What’s my dream? Honestly, I don’t have that dream of becoming rich off of my books. I don’t even need to see my books on a bookshelf to feel like I’ve made it. You know what I want? I want people to love my stories. I want fans that can’t wait for the next book to be released. I want people to relate to and fall in love with my characters. When I read a review that says all of that, that’s what makes me happy. That’s what reinforces that I am on the right path, chasing the right dream.

I’m currently promoting my book Give Me Pleasure. It is the 4th book in my Paranormal City series. Feel free to read them out of order or even pick one that looks interesting to you. Yes, it does help to read them all in order, but you don’t have to!

What genre is your book? Do you write in other genres as well?
My books are erotic paranormal romances, but I will be releasing an erotic romance in the coming months. No matter what I write, there always has to be explicit sex and romance! I can’t help it 😉

Do you have an agent and/or publisher or are you self-published? If self-published, do you use a professional editor? If traditionally published, who is your publisher?
I am self-published and I use a professional editor. Her name is Lindsay and she completes me lol. I don’t know what I would do without her. My stories would be one giant run on sentence if it wasn’t for her!

Do you use test readers? If so, how many?
Yes I do. I have 2 test (or beta) readers that I use. They are wonderful ladies who take time out of their busy schedules to read my work and do it all for nothing in return. Well, I do give them shout outs at the beginning of my books as payment lol.

What advice do you have for writer’s just starting out?
My advice to writers just starting out would be to write what you want to write. Don’t let genre rules dictate how your story goes.

What project are you currently working on?
Currently I am working on Give Me Your Love. It will be the 5th book in my Paranormal City series. This one is tough to write and has been kicking my butt, but it’s going to be a great book. The characters are some of my favorite supporting characters from my other books in the series.

Do you base your characters on people you know?
Yes I do! That’s bad, no? I can’t help it. I know some pretty interesting people in real life and their personality traits show themselves in my characters. I have talked about this in my blog, but in book 1 of my series, Give Me Forever, my main character Serena’s father Sebastian is my father. His personality and the relationship between the two are very similar to my relationship with my father. It was actually therapeutic to write their scenes.

Is there a message in your book(s) that you want readers to grasp?
Oh yes there is! Even though I write about vampires and witches, my characters go through real life struggles. At the core, my books are about relationships. The struggles one goes through when they have a difficult relationship with a parent. We can all relate to trying to find our own way in life, finding our own voice and place in this world. Everyone has their cross to bear in their lives. We love, we fight, we live, we die, we party, we cry, you get the point lol. My characters go through their share of strife, but in the end, they persevere. Just like we all do.

Who or what inspires you?
Music is my biggest inspiration. It has always been a huge part of my life, but when I started writing, I thought it would be a distraction. I was wrong! I almost always have music playing while I’m writing. I even created a playlist for each book and have it on my website! As for who inspires me? I would have to say, my husband and our children. They are my life and they inspire me everyday to be the best I can be.

What do you do when you’re not writing?
When I’m not writing I’m promoting myself. I’m all over social media! When I’m not doing that I am doing all the normal things moms do. Oh, I can’t forget that on my down time, or “me time” I like to plan our family vacations. Every year we go to Disney World because it is my happy place and I love it. 🙂

I have found the writer’s community to be very supportive and welcoming. Please share three writers that you recommend for us to check out.

You can find Celeste on her website, Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, AllRomanceEbooks, and Goodreads.

Click on the cover below to buy Give Me Pleasure:

Blakely’s Friday Interview with Ann B. Harrison

Posted on August 29, 2013 by blakely

Please give a warm welcome to Ann B. Harrison, author of Outback Gold.

Tell us a bit about yourself and what you’re currently working on or promoting.
I live in the beautiful Hunter Valley wine region of Australia. It’s hard but someone has to live here and I wouldn’t change it for the world. Currently I’m working on another rural romance which I should have available in a few weeks. In the meantime, Outback Gold is my latest rural book.

What genre is your book? Do you write in other genres as well?
I mainly write rural romance because that is what I know. Growing up on farms instilled a great love of the outback in me and it remains my favorite genre. I also write YA as Ari Harper and have another release on Halloween called Changling.

Who or what inspires you?
It can be a song, something I see when I’m walking (that is where my head seems to go into ideas mode the most) or a song I hear.

Has a dream every inspired any of your stories?
Yes definitely. I had a dream last year and quickly wrote it down, something I normally forget to do thinking I will remember, and I’m working on that book now. Its another YA called The Book Exchange.

Do you have an agent and/or publisher or are you self-published? If self-published, do you use a professional editor? If traditionally published, who is your publisher?
With my first few books I went the publisher route, mainly to prove to myself that I was good enough to snaffle a contract or two. Now I like to self publish my rural romances and I always use an editor for that. Its amazing how often you can look at your work and not see the mistakes.

Do you use test readers? If so, how many?
I have a couple of CP’s who give me great feedback before I do my last draft and then once its all edited I send out to my street team.

What advice do you have for writer’s just starting out?
If it is the stuff your dreams are made of, don’t give up, ever! Learn your craft and don’t be too precious to take criticism. We all did the hard yards and took a heap of rejections before we were ready. Its like anything worth having in life, you have to practice and then practice some more.

Do you outline your stories or just go with the flow?
I just go with the flow. I’ve tried to plot and plan and it doesn’t work for me as I don’t know what is going to happen until it does. My readers get as surprised as I do.

What does your writing space look like?
An absolute mess. My desk is tiny at the moment because we aren’t in our forever house yet. I have a lovely antique desk in storage a friend gave me that is the size of a large dining table and that is great. It has room for my two computers and all my bits of research and photos. Until I move into my next house I have to work in a small space but I manage.

What project are you currently working on?
I’m working on my latest rural romance From the Outback and a YA The Book Exchange.

Is being an author your dream job? If so, how long have you been chasing the dream? If not, what would be your dream job?
Most definitely it is. I started writing seriously about six years ago and now I write full time. I couldn’t think of anything I would rather do.

What has been your best moment as a writer?
Getting my first contract. That is such a buzz and something you don’t forget in a hurry.

I have found the writer’s community to be very supportive and welcoming. Please share three writers that you recommend for us to check out.

Téa Cooper, author of Matilda’s Freedom
Annie Seaton, author of Italian Affair: An Affair Series Book
Susanne Bellamy, author of White Ginger

You can find Ann on Facebook, her website and Amazon.

Click on the cover below to buy Outback Gold:

Blakely’s Friday Interview with Monica D. Pitts-Lack

Posted on August 23, 2013 by blakely

Please give a warm welcome to Monica D. Pitts-Lack, author of Chance & Crossroads.

Tell us a bit about yourself and what you’re currently working on or promoting.
My name is Monica D. Pitts-Lack. I live in Laurel, MS with my husband and two daughters. I currently am working on the C4 Series. Book one, Chance, was published in November 2012 and Crossroads was released this past April. There will be four books to this series and the third, Courage, is due for release sometime in Sept/October 2013.

What genre is your book? Do you write in other genres as well?
Fiction/Romance/Suspense

Do you have an agent and/or publisher or are you self-published? If self-published, do you use a professional editor? If traditionally published, who is your publisher?
I am self-published. My editor is Melissa Ringsted with There For You Editing Services and she is fantastic!

Do you use test readers? If so, how many?
When Melissa edits my manuscripts she has at least two beta readers “test read” my material once it’s finished. I also have a few friends that I work with that also beta read for me as I write.

What advice do you have for writer’s just starting out?
I am still new to all of this myself. My first book has only been published for 8 months. My biggest advice would be… Make sure that you have fun while you’re writing. Don’t ever think of it as a job. Writing is the easy part. What you don’t know or, unfortunately, don’t get told is the hard part is marketing. Getting your book out there. Hitting publish on Amazon was easy. Finding true author friends and staying connected in the literary world is the hardest part. Make friends with people that have “been there, done that”. We authors stick together, so find bloggers, reviewers, and other authors who don’t mind you picking their brain because I bet you at one point or another; they have been exactly where you are and are willing to help you.

Do you outline your stories or just go with the flow?
I do an overall outline. Where I want the book to go and how I would like it to end. But as far as getting there… totally with the flow.

Do you have any writing rituals or interesting writing quirks?
I have a few ((giggle)) I have to CONSTANTLY read while I’m writing. I can read 2-3 books a week. I find that it helps me with writers block. I pay attention to the grammar and vocabulary an author uses so I don’t get too repetitive in my own manuscript. I also listen to music. I find a song that I like to set the tone and will repeat, repeat, and repeat until that thought is finished or until I need a new song or I see the mood is changing in the book.

What are your three favorite books including the authors?
• This Man Series by Jodi Ellen Malpas
• Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire
• Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L. James

What project are you currently working on?
Right now, I’m working on, Courage. It’s the third installment of the C4 Series.

What book are you currently reading?
Saving Dallas by Kim Jones

How much time a day do you spend on social media?
Literally every break I have. I know that seems like a lot, but I work a full-time job at our local hospital, so when I get a break or I’m at lunch I get on Facebook or Twitter and shamelessly self-promote. At first, I wrinkled my nose at self-promotion, but I need the confidence to be my biggest fan because if not I get discouraged easily.

Do you read your reviews and if so, how do you cope with a bad one?
I do read my reviews and honestly, I freak out! I tend to be a perfectionist, so in the beginning I wanted to go back and rework my manuscript every time I got a negative review. But, once I started looking at them as only opinions, that people will have different taste in books and it’s okay if they didn’t like it, I realized that my reaction to those negative comments were a bigger reflection on myself as an author than what they had to say.

I have found the writer’s community to be very supportive and welcoming. Please share three writers that you recommend for us to check out.

Saving Dallas by Kim Jones
Redemption Series, Acropolis Series, and The Scribes of Medeisia Series by R. K. Ryals
Where The Four Winds Collide by Hildie McQueen

Please be sure to like Monica’s Facebook page, follow her on Twitter and check out her blog!

Click on the covers below to buy her books:

Coming soon:

Blakely Bennett

Author of erotic romance, erotic suspense, and romance.

Tag Archives: Interview

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Blakely’s Friday Interview with Joelle Casteel

Blakely’s interview with Jane from the My Body Trilogy

Blakely’s Friday Interview with Elizabeth Laura Abrey

Blakely’s Friday Interview with Celeste Carrara

Blakely’s Friday Interview with Ann B. Harrison

Blakely’s Friday Interview with Monica D. Pitts-Lack

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