Talking with Sammy Jo Hunt & a Contest

I have the extreme pleasure of having one of my new favorite M/M authors, Sammy Jo Hunt, dropping by today at Dawn's Reading Nook. To say I am tickled pink is an understatement. *grins* Now let's get down to finding out what makes this author tick.

Special Note: Contest informaiton is at the end of the interview. 

What is a typical day like for you?  A typical day includes a bit of writing, research and homework for grad school.  Work at present is writing romance stories. I'm sort of married to my computer and live online for both school and work. Writing has become a secondary career for me for the past couple of years now while I've been in graduate school. I love it, and it’s a great creative outlet for me, an escape of sorts from school and clinical therapy and textbooks. I love that I can feel so passionate and inspired about writing hot romantic stories in addition to helping people in other ways.

How long have you been writing? And have you always wanted to be a writer?  Since I was in my teens, when I wrote my first romance novel at the age of 15.  But professionally, I’ve been writing since I began my college education back in 1997 for social work. Now, I write a lot for graduate school and most of what I write is clinical and related to therapy and counseling. Some part of me needs an occasional break from that intensity.

So, for personal enjoyment, I’ve been writing steadily for the past 2 years in the m/m romance genre, and I really love it. I didn’t start writing seriously until two years ago when I became inspired by some people I met in the gay community that made me crave writing fictional romance again. And I absolutely adore a good story with a happily-ever-after ending. It totally does my heart good to believe in love and happy endings.

Who or what influenced your writing over the years?  I grew up reading and adoring great romance authors such as Jude Deveraux, Janet Daily, Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, and Sidney Sheldon. They were my favorites of the romance genre who captured my imagination and took me on romantic journeys to far-away places. I always wanted to write the way they did. They really inspired me, in style, concept, and originality.

To date, what has been the best advice or words of encouragement you've received?  They were from published author Sue Brown. She’s a wonderful close friend of mine. Sue told me almost a year ago that she knew I could do this (become published), and to not listen to the negativity that might come my way. She told me she believed in me, that my stories were good, and to go for it. She promised me she’d be right there for me, cheering me on all the way. I listened, and haven’t looked back since. And she was right. For her encouragement and belief in me, I will always be grateful. I probably wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for her.

What are three things about you that would surprise your fans?  I’d have to say that I’m a bit of a perfectionist, and honest to a fault. Also, I’ve never been married and don’t have any kids at the age of 43. And besides that, I’d have to say that even though I’ve always loved to write, and was encouraged by professors in college to pursue writing as a career, I never once seriously thought about pursuing writing professionally until I met Sue Brown a year ago. I was writing fan fiction for fun and that’s when Sue stumbled across my stories. She started leading the brigade almost from the get-go to encourage me to pursue becoming published because she thought my writing was good enough to merit it.

What do you love and hate most about writing?  I love the free license to be creative, and to bring to life with words the visions and stories which unfold in my head. I love communicating that world to my readers, where those who read my stories can escape somewhere else for a little while.  As far as what I hate about it, I don't really hate anything about the writing process. It’s all very interesting and fascinating to me, and comes easily to me, which is a gift in itself.

Perhaps the one thing I dislike the most is an equal weight shared between those times when I get writers block and can't move forward in a story until I solve some issue or dilemma; and then too, I dislike the editing process. I don't think there's a writer alive that enjoys editing his or her work. But one learns from the editing process how to be a better, more focused and capable writer. So even with the downside of editing, there’s some definite good that comes from doing it.

What do you consider the most challenging about writing a novel, or about writing in general?  I think developing a strong plot with great, passionate energy and chemistry that flows effortlessly between the two main characters is essential. Sometimes it’s a challenge. But when those elements come together and work right, the result is magic and it’s what I always strive to create.

What is your greatest strength as a writer?  I study human behavior and have a great deal of insight into how the human heart and mind work. That gives me the ability to develop and write great depth of character in the characters in my books. In addition, I’ve had a lifetime of experience, some of which has been emotional and hard. It’s much more difficult to write about something, a feeling, an emotion, a sensation, an event, if you’ve never been through it yourself. It makes writing more effortless when you’re telling a story about something you have strong personal feelings attached to, because you understand it. I think that makes my writing better, filled with more depth of feeling and emotion.

Tell me about your ideal man for the main character in your books.  For most of my stories, there is a common theme which tends to reoccur. My main male character is always tall, lean, beautifully sculpted in the physical sense, but not muscle-bound, and has jet-black hair and piercing blue eyes. There are several famous men in real life which I identify with, which all have those similar characteristics. 

In addition to physical looks and a strong, very dominant, alpha-male presence, my main character is always someone who has a great capacity to love his partner, is noble and honest, and at the heart, a very good man. He's someone I'd want to have in my own life personified through my stories, if I ever found the man of my dreams. He's someone that's not perfect, has a tendency to react in anger, but is willing to apologize for his mistakes.

That to me, is an ideal man:  someone who behaves realistically, and with real emotion. And of course, he's always a very passionate man, sure of himself, what he wants, and is a capable, tender, yet intense lover. I think many of us are searching for just that man or that partner in our own lives. So, until I, and all my readers find him or her, I'll write stories about someone that resembles what I believe our collective hearts are searching for.

How do you name your characters?

That’s a great question. It’s interesting too, because it involves quite the mental process to put names to my characters. Once I’ve envisioned a story line and created my plot, and my characters come to life, I look at them in my mind’s eye, see their faces, take into account what they look like, their overall dispositions, natures, and temperaments, and a name will usually come to me. It’s like the name chooses the character, if that makes any sense, based on the aforementioned components.

Sometimes I have to play with several names until the name “feels right” to me. Once I know the name matches the character in the story, it’s a done deal and he or she becomes quite real to me in my imagination. It’s how I’m able to put so much realness into the personas of each male or female character I write about, because they’re real people to me, with real feelings and needs. Their story lives … and is written and told . . . through me.

What is it about the M/M genre of romance that makes you enjoy writing it?  I love romance. At the heart of everything, I love a great romantic tale full of twists and turns that centers around two main characters who must navigate the waters of love to find their way together. Beyond that, I think beautiful gay boys are extremely hot and appealing. They’re interesting together, not the same as normal hetero couples such as we’re accustomed to reading about in romance books.  I love telling stories about them and that’s what keeps bringing me back to the genre; that, and the desire to tell engaging stories that draw the reader in and keeps them coming back for more.

Knowing my readers are satisfied and emotionally filled at the conclusion of reading something I’ve written is the main reason I write. It’s important to me that my audience comes away feeling like the world is a good place, with hope, love, warmth, and promise, and that happiness is attainable for each and every one of us.

Tell us about your current news and latest projects?  I’m celebrating my first book release for A Wicked Encounter released through Silver Publishing on April 2nd. As of June 10^th, it’s now also available in Paperback format on Silver’s website, and will eventually be found at Barnes & Noble and other booksellers and retailers. It’s an honor to have my book selected for paper print, considering it is my first published work.

A Wicked Encounter is a m/m erotic Regency-historical romance. You can find it on Silver’s website, Amazon.com, and other well-known romance eBook sites. It was released April 1^st and is doing well. I’m very pleased with the reviews thus far.

In addition to that, I’m under contract for two new books. The first is a novel with Rebel Ink Press. It’s due out on or before Sept. 1st, and is entitled Haunted by Obsession. It’s a contemporary, m/m paranormal erotic ghost story and murder mystery. I’ve always loved nostalgic old ghost stories, and just had to write one with a hot, m/m twist on it. I’ve included an excerpt from this upcoming novel a little later in the interview so you can get a taste of what’s to come.

The other project I’m really honored and excited to be working on is the anthology entitled Chasing The Dream. This will be published through my first house, Silver Publishing, and is a joint project with several other amazing writers. This book will include short stories from Sue Brown, Patricia Logan, Lisa Worrall, GA Hauser, and me. The five of us have contracted with Silver to write a m/m short story of some sort following the theme of the title. I can’t wait to see how readers like this new book.

The scheduled release date for our full length novel of compiled stories will be Sept. 17^th this fall. That book will be available in both eBook and print formats, giving me two paperback books in print. I’m so excited to be part of this project and cannot wait to hold the finished product in my hands. So, in regards to both books, as well as several other writing projects submitted for consideration which I’m waiting to hear back on, things are happening quickly. I’ll keep you updated as they progress.

Can you share a little of your current work with us?  Absolutely! Here are the blurbs from both of my books and also a short chapter excerpt from each one to give you a taste of my writing.

Official cover blurb for A Wicked Encounter:   It’s a Regency-style historical that is a m/m erotic romance and is set near Devonshire, England, in the year 1792:

Christopher Allwyne, Duke of Bellwood, stood to inherit a vast fortune. Still reeling from the loss of his parents and most recently, his Aunt Polly, the Duchess of Bellwood, the young noble found himself traveling in the dark of night to oversee Her Grace's funeral proceedings and to attend the reading of his aunt's will. Along the way, his carriage suffers a devastating accident, and a dark stranger comes to his aid and rescue. The Marquis Evan de Lombard, rich French nobleman, takes an instant interest in the handsome Christopher. Sharing a wicked encounter shortly after meeting, things look promising as love blooms between them. That is, until the Marquis reveals his true identity and purpose.

Once Christopher knows the truth, will he ever be able to forgive Evan and love him, despite the man's indiscretions? Torn apart by dishonesty, can love win out over betrayal and rise to the occasion, reuniting them for a lifetime of happiness? The cost for true love could be a price neither one is willing to pay.

Excerpt from Chapter 1 of A Wicked Encounter:

“Christopher, Your Grace? I’m pleased to make your acquaintance,” the Marquis de Lombard said with a question in his voice. “Perhaps we can talk more later, and you can tell me all about yourself then. But for now, ‘tis probably best if we find some shelter for the night. Are you from this area?” His eyes flickered over the general locale.

“My aunt’s castle is somewhere near here, but since I don’t know exactly where ‘here’ is, I’m not sure how far away we actually are,” Chris replied. It drew raised eyebrows from the other man, but the Marquis only nodded in response.

“I believe we passed a small inn several miles back. If you don’t mind, perhaps we might find lodging there, Your Grace,” de Lombard said, indicating the way they’d come. “We need to tend to that cut on your forehead. It looks deep.”

Chris nodded and began to climb down from the coach. Mid-step, a wave of dizziness afflicted him and he stumbled. His rescuer caught him by the arm to keep him from falling to the ground, his blue eyes wide with worry.

“Here, let me.” De Lombard climbed down behind Chris and supported his body’s weight securely. The man’s lean frame, pressed firmly against Chris’s backside, was warm and solid, and he smelled like leather and warm male spice. The sensation was pleasant, perhaps more than pleasant, the contact stirring unfamiliar yearnings inside Chris. Strong arms supported him as the Marquis eased them both down gently, until they stood on solid, albeit wet and muddy, ground.

“Thank you. You’re most kind,” whispered Chris, shaken from more than just his near fall. He watched as the tall man hoisted himself back up to grab his leather carryall, then gracefully land on his feet as he jumped back down beside Chris. The man took hold of his elbow and urged him toward a grand carriage that stood off to the side of the road.

A richly cloaked driver hurried to open the door for his master. Chris climbed inside. A small lantern hanging from the center of the ceiling cast a low but cheerful glow on rich velvet upholstery and heavily carved woodwork. The inside smelled just like the man himself, sweet and spicy, of fine wood and heavy, tanned leather. The scent was pungent and filled Chris’s nostrils like a drug. He sank into the soft cushioned bench and curled in on himself, closing his eyes for a moment. The Marquis joined him, after speaking quickly in French to his driver and giving explicit instructions on where he was to take them. The man nodded his compliance. “Oui, Monsieur. Absolutement,” he answered, then folded up the coach stairs and shut the door.

A moment later, the coach lurched forward, the four black stallions glistening in the steady downpour as their powerful muscles contracted and began the task of pulling the carriage back down the road the way they’d come. The nobleman focused his eyes intently on Chris, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

“You should rest. Close your eyes, Christopher. We’ll be to the inn in a matter of minutes,” he said reassuringly. Chris didn’t argue. He was already too tired to complain or contradict and his head was beginning to throb horribly. He leaned back and drew his damp coat tighter about himself, closing his eyes. The sound of steady horses’ hooves lulled him swiftly away, and he slept.

* * * *

Here’s the official cover blurb for Haunted by Obsession, to be released by Rebel Ink Press on or before Sept. 1st.  This story is a contemporary, m/m paranormal erotic ghost story and murder mystery, very different from my first book:

Aaron Michaels and Kurt Freeman-Michaels are musical celebrities.  An openly gay couple living their dreams, the boys just celebrated their first year of wedded bliss.  Feeling the need to escape and spend some time alone for a change, Aaron and Kurt take an impromptu trip up the coast of California. While they're away, the pair happens upon an elegant Victorian mansion that draws them both in. After falling in love with the property, an unexpected turn of events occurs which makes it possible for the boys to buy the house.

Gordon Inn has stood magnificent beside the ocean for the past 127 years, yet the house hides a dark secret within its walls. Rumors of an illicit affair and a century-old murder color the Inn's unique and troubled past.

Aaron and Kurt quickly learn there's more to the history of Gordon Inn than meets the eye. But many questions remain. Will the couple's lives be torn apart before they find the answers they seek? Who will come to their aid when they're left alone inside the solitude of their ancient home? And, will the boys be able to solve the mystery before more lives are lost?

This is a short unedited excerpt from Chapter 2 of Haunted by Obsession, to give you a taste of what’s to come:

The end of August rolled around, and Kurt came home from tour on the twenty-third. Aaron arrived the following week, and soon Labor Day was approaching. Reunited after two months and only the occasional brief night together, they spent their Friday night before the holiday lounging in bed, working their way through a pitcher of margaritas and having animalistic sex.

Separated for too long made them both hot and horny. Unable to keep their hands off one another, Aaron had Kurt laid out on his back, ass up, legs in the air, pounding into him till he was too sore to sit down. They fucked like bunnies for the better part of the evening. Whoever said being married made sex grow boring after awhile, never met these two. They could go for hours, and still had energy for more. It only seemed to get better the more they practiced at perfecting their technique.

The next morning, their physical lusts having been satiated, they rose early with anticipation and each packed a weekend bag. They climbed into Aaron’s black convertible Mustang and hit the road, hauling ass up north to see the finished product. They were so pumped full of adrenalin, they could think of little else. They both had an intense desire to be there, to see the house and just experience the aura of what was now their own residence.

For the first time ever, they were actually going home to the very first house they’d bought together as a married couple. It was their home, and there was much to celebrate. It felt like sweet success.

* * * *

**AS A SPECIAL TREAT FOR READERS:  

Anyone who leaves a COMMENT BELOW, along with their email address, will be ENTERED into a DRAWING for a FREE, AUTOGRAPHED PAPERBACK COPY of my novel, A WICKED ENCOUNTER. The winner will be contacted via email within 48 hours following the conclusion of this interview post. Be sure to comment and Enter to Win! Good luck!!

Finally, is there a special message in your stories that you want readers to grasp?  Perhaps more than anything else, no matter who you are or what your station in life, I want people to know that true love is out there and attainable for all people. Being a hopeful romantic at heart who is still looking for her own true love, I believe that love is real, that it exists, and that it’s possible for each one of us to have the love we desire and deserve within our own lives.

This has been awesome. Thank you so much for having me on your blog. I’ve really enjoyed being here and sharing more about myself and my passion for writing with you and your readers. I hope you’ll all check out my current and future written work.

* * * *

If you’d like to purchase your own copy of A Wicked Encounter, click here:

http://silverpublishing.info/

http://www.amazon.com/A-Wicked-Encounter-ebook/dp/B004UW00UE/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-awickedencounter-543149-144.html

You can find Sammy Jo Hunt at the following websites:

Personal Website and Blog address:   http://sammyjohunt.livejournal.com

Twitter:   http://twitter.com/#!/SammyJo_Hunt

Facebook:   http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002250721821

Email:   sammyjowrites@gmail.com

CONTEST INFORMATION:

ENTER TO WIN A PRINT COPY OF A WICKED  ENCOUNTER

For anyone who leaves a comment with their email address on Sammy's blog post today  will have their names entered into a drawing for the book, A Wicked Encounter, signed by Sammy. Contest will end Tuesday morning at 10 am est. Dawn will announce the winner noon Tuesday June 14th. Open Internationally

disclaimer: If there is no email address in with the comment, it will not be counted.

Getting to know Marshall Thornton

So let’s get this party started. Please tell us about yourself. What got you interested in being an author?

I was about sixteen and we’d just read The Great Gatsby in English. I was so taken with it that I decided to be a writer and started to write a novel. I showed bits of it to a student teacher and she liked it. That hooked me. In junior college I began writing plays, which were much easier to finish than a novel (these was back in the days of typewriters and whiteout. After spending about a decade working in the theatre – mostly for free. I began writing screenplays and eventually was accepted in UCLA’s prestigious screenwriting program. After completing my MFA, I began to get frustrated by the always “unfinished” aspect of film writing. It’s never done until it’s a movie, and if it’s not a movie it’s not really anything. So, I returned to fiction writing in 2008 and have been publishing regularly since.

Can you tell me a bit about your most recent/upcoming release?

My latest book is Boystown 3: Two Nick Nowak Novellas. With the publication of this book, the two previous Nick Nowak Mysteries will be released in paperback. Previously, the were ebook only.

The series is set in Chicago during the early ‘80s and follows the professional and personal adventures of private eye Nick Nowak.

For any readers who may not have read any of your books, can you just give us a little sneak peak into world (i.e. the type of genre you write, type of stories you like to write....etc)?

Most of my published work is in the mystery/suspense genre with the exception of my comedic novel The Perils of Praline, or the Amorous Adventures of a Southern Gentleman in Hollywood. I like to flip back and forth between the genres. I used to think this was kind of weird, but a writing friend of mine pointed out that comedy and suspense are usually both about some kind of obsession and I think there’s some truth to that.

How much of yourself, if any, do you put into your characters?

Writers really only write about themselves. That sounds like narcassicism, but really it’s impossible to write characters you don’t connect with. That said, I am surprsied at how different some of my characters are from me.

Is there a genre you haven’t done that you would like to explore in the future?

I’m tempted to try a comedic paranormal. I’ve been noodling around with it and may pop it out one of these days.

If you could throw a party with any five people (living or dead) who would you pick and why?

My Dad and my friend Vinc, they’re both gone and I miss them. Rock Hudson because I’d like to know if he was as sexy in person as he was on film. Dashiell Hammet since you can never get too much writing advice. And, Joe Orton because I think his plays are ridiculously funny.

What are at least five things you have on your bucket list and have you done any of them?

Gee, I tend not to think in terms those terms. If I want to do something I tend to make it happen. I’d some day like to go to England, since that’s my ethnic background. I’d like to go on a cruise – but I’m planning that for next year. I’d like to move to Palm Springs some day, but I’m no hurry. There are a couple of things on the sexual frontier I’d like to try… but, we barely know each other, so I won’t mention them here.

Is there one series/author you feel is a must read for readers to explore (can be e book authors or print NY house authors)?

Just one? Eek. I don’t think I can do it. As a mystery writer, I my two biggest influences are Joseph Hansen and Sue Grafton. I’d also have to say my early reading of James Kirkwood’s work (in the early 80s) still influences me. I heartly recommend all three.

Do you listen to music when writing? Do you feel like some stories write themselves a soundtrack with specific music? If so, what book and what kind of music influenced it?

I’ve been making playlists for my projects for several years now. With the Boystown Series I put together a list of ‘80s music, particularly music I listened to at the time. Nick is also a jazz buff – which I’m not, really – so I’ve put together a little of that to listen to.

What is coming up for you in 2011?

Things are going to be quiet for a while. Boystown 3 is the fifth book I’ve put out in a year. Yikes, I’ve been busy. Mostly I’ve been doing a lot of editing. Of course, I’m currently working on Boystown 4 which is going to be the first complete novel in the series. Beyond that, I have several projects waiting but haven’t quite decided what I want to work on first.

Are any of your characters just like you or have personality quirks/traits of you or someone you know?

Well, just like Nick Nowak I have a violent streak that occasionally gets out of control. Actually, I don’t. Nick has punched many more people than I have. You know, I think all detective characters are like their writers in at least one respect. Solving a mystery is somewhat like writing a story. You figure it out one piece at a time. And, so on one level, all mysteries are about the process of storytelling.

Where can readers find you on the web?

http://marshallthornton.wordpress.com/

http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowAuthorBooks.php?list=_ABKLIST56&author=Marshall!Thornton

http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=marshall+thornton&x=33&y=4

http://www.amazon.com/s/qid=1307045976/ref=sr_st?page=1&rh=n%3A133140011%2Cn%3A%21133141011%2Cp_27%3AMarshall+Thornton&sort=-price

Set in Chicago during the early 1980s, the Boystown series follows private Investigator Nick Nowak as he works challenging cases and grapples with an even more challenging personal life.

In Little Boy Boom, Nick’s car explodes when a thief attempts to steal it. Realizing the bomb was meant for him, Nick sets out to discover who wants him dead only to find that the list of possible suspects is longer than he’d like. When he begins to run out of suspects he wonders if the bomb was truly meant for him.

Little Boy Tenor finds Nick investigating the murderer of a church choir’s star tenor, while at the same time his friend Ross asks him to discover the truth behind his lover, Earl Silver’s mysterious death. As he juggles the two cases, he becomes increasingly disturbed by what he learns.

Sneak Peek into Little Boy Tenor in Boystown 3
Available at Torquere Press

Everyone lies. They lie to the people they love; they lie to themselves. Once you admit it, it’s not such a hard thing to live with. What is hard to live with is how far people will go to keep their lies alive.

Reverend Edward Pepper was a fussy little man. He sat uncomfortably in the guest chair across from my desk, looking around my office as though he wanted to take a rag to it and wipe up all the dust. Of course, I wouldn’t allow that. I was fond of the dust.

He was dressed in a black shirt with a clerical collar. Over that, he wore a short woolen jacket that was now making him sweat. It was May and the weather was hot one day, cold the next. That day had begun cold and quickly heated up. I’d asked if he wanted to hang the coat on the hook behind my door but he’d declined. He was a small man, wiry and tight. He seemed on the verge of shaking. With his white blond hair and his anxious blood-shot eyes he reminded me of a rabbit. A pretty rabbit, maybe, but a rabbit all the same. Even his nose was pink. He’d been in my office for ten minutes and I hadn’t been able to find out why he was there.

“How did you find me, Reverend Pepper?” I asked.

“We have a choir. They’re good. Quite good. They perform every Sunday morning on The Towering Hour. Have you seen it?”

“The Towering Hour? No, I generally sleep in on Sunday mornings.”

“Oh. Of course,” he said. He’d already identified me as a heathen. I hoped he wouldn’t try to change that. I liked being a heathen.

He hadn’t answered my question, so I asked it in a different way. “Did someone in the choir recommend me?”

“Yes, I mean, no. I mean they called around until they found someone who could recommend some like you.”

“Someone like me?” I suspected I knew what he meant but I wanted him to say it. “Why were you looking for someone like me?”

“Gregory was shot, you see. Gregory Dane. Outside his apartment building. About a month ago.” I kept an expectant look on my face, hoping he’d give me more details. It worked. He went on, “Gregory had the most beautiful voice. When he sang it was like listening to an angel. Everyone liked him. We can’t figure out why--”

“I still don’t understand why you came to me.”

“You’re uniquely qualified to find Gregory’s killer.”

I took pity on him finally and guessed, “Gregory was gay.”

“Yes,” he said, sitting back in his chair as though relieved he wasn’t going to have to use the word himself.

“And you think something about Gregory’s being gay is what got him killed?”

“It must have.”

There was something about the good Reverend I didn’t like. It might have been his nervous little rabbit ways. Or, his unwillingness to come out and say what he meant. Or, his assumption that being gay got Gregory Dane killed, I don’t know. But I didn’t like him so I said something that was a little on the untruthful side, “I’m sure the Chicago police can handle the case.”

“I don’t think so,” the Reverend said. “They’re already making mistakes.”

“Yeah? What mistakes have they made?” I asked.

“They found a gun in a trash bin about three blocks from where Gregory lived. They say it’s the gun that killed him. The gun is registered to me.”

“Gregory was killed with a gun you own?”

“No, that’s not what I said. It’s not what I said at all.”

It certainly sounded like what he’d said.

“You see what I mean?” he went on. “The police aren’t doing a good job.”

“I’m afraid, I don’t see,” I said honestly.

“I’ve never owned a gun in my life.”

My Personal Review for Stirring Up Trouble by ZA Maxfield

I had the pleasure of reading one of the funniest and well written books I have read in a awhile. Stirring Up Trouble is funny, heart warming and sexy all wrapped with a big red bow. Ms. Maxfield delivers a story that will charm the socks off of you and leave you smiling once the last page is read.

Now onto my review of Stirring Up Trouble......

All Toby Andrews knows is that he is a good Chef but has lousy luck when it seems bad things happen whenever he is around. He can’t help it when things go wrong, he just magically in the thick of it. Forced out of working the haute cuisine in the heart of New York City, Toby finds himself unemployed and eager to get revenge on the food critic that destroyed his dreams. Finding work at a local restaurant that is on its last legs, Le Potiron, Toby finds he likes the area, the people and especially the surly owner/cook, Evan Blankenship. Sparks fly between the two men as both men find out the lesson in success as they work together in and out of bed to make Le Potiron successful.

I got to admit, I love stories with a little humor tossed in the story to liven things up. Z. A. Maxfield does a wonderful job in creating a story that is funny, sweet and sexy all at the same time. Ms. Maxfield is a talented author who knows how to create the right balance when adding humor to her stories. Too much overwhelms, too little makes it seem off balanced. This author knows how to keep the balance and delivers a classic comedy story that will have you laughing out loud at times while rooting for Toby and Evan to get their happily ever after. 

What I loved the most was the setting. I could literally picture Le Potiron in my head and the delightful cast of characters that run it. All the characters were multi-dimensional, flawed beings that I could relate to. Toby had an ego but he was so charming it was cute. Evan hated people and being in the restaurant business, all he wanted to do was cook and not deal with them. Enter in Toby. Sparks fly between the two as Toby helps Evan and La Potiron become a success. Toby also learns that he cannot just steamroll over Evan either. It was fun to see these two work out their differences even as their relationship grew amid the pages. A few secondary characters had me hoping they return in the second book, All Stirred Up. They kept the story moving nicely and there was no interruptions in point of view. 


Stirring Up Trouble is a perfect beach read on a sunny afternoon. Light hearted, sensual and fun, ZA Maxfield has another winner. I am eager to see what goes on when we see what happens to Evan's brother, Brandon in All Stirred Up. ZA Maxfield has a talent in creating stories that have a sweet yet sexy romance with a dash of humor in it. I look forward to seeing what else this author can deliver for her readers in the future.


My Rating for Stirring Up Trouble: 4 Stars


Read Stirring Up Trouble and find out what happens for Brandon, Evan's brother in All Stirred Up.

My Personal Review for Nothing Ever Happens by Sue Brown

When author Sue Brown sent me her latest release, Nothing Ever Happens, II wasn't sure what to expect. Sure it would have the romance I love between two people but other than that I wasn't sure what to expect from this story. I am glad to say it blew me away. Nothing Ever Happens is a story that had me laughing one minute then crying the next-and I don't mean those few tears you cry when the allergies hit or the wind causes. Those big soul deep sobs that leave you exhausted in the end.

Sue Brown has given her readers a powerful, heart wrenching story that you will need a box of tissues to read. I was blown away by the sheer emotions that you feel throughout the story. Laughter, love, sadness, anger, passion are all felt by the reader as they follow Andrew and Nathan on their journey to a happily ever after.  Nothing Ever Happens is a story not just about two gay men but about two people who have baggage, fears, vulnerabilities and more to overcome in order to have their desires realized in the end. Ms. Brown captivated me from the moment I opened this latest book from her and I just could not put it down. It was riveting to experience the ups and downs these two men experience in their lives as life’s twists and turns took them, first, to their heart’s desire and then far from it. I stayed up late to finish it and found myself feeling every emotion the characters felt as I read Nothing Ever Happens. 

Trying to put this book down was hard. You just had to read another page and then another...another until you were up till the wee hours just to see what would happen next for Nathan and Andrew. The heartbreaks, the passion, the friendship and the love all come out between the characters and though I wanted to hate a few of the secondary characters, I really couldn’t. The story was more than a romance between Andrew and Nathan; it was also about finding out who you are inside and out, accepting it and living with the consequences of your actions. This author delivered a few twists that had me gasping in disbelief as I turned the pages wondering how this could happen. The characters stay with you long after the last page is read. 

Love isn’t smooth or Disney made but messy, wonderful and full of experiences. Ms. Brown delivers all that and more in Nothing Ever Happens with gusto. She is a talented author who knows how to make a story shine, with a few of little things to keep the reader on their toes and with characters you cannot help but fall in love with. Nothing Ever Happens is a book I plan to read again, this time with two boxes of tissues next to me. 

If you are looking for emotional stories, complex and believable characters and a passion so timeless, then pick up a Sue Brown book. This author is now one of my favorite GBLT authors to explore and I can’t wait to see what she has in store next for her readers.

My rating: 5 Stars 

*Please be aware that the author did not pay me for this review.*

Welcome Author D. C. Juris/Excerpt

So let’s get this party started. Please tell us about yourself. What got you interested in being an author? Hi there! Thanks for having me. I was born in Florida, but moved to Upstate NY in 2001. I'm a transgender man, and I live with my husband, four small dogs, and three cats.

Can you tell me a bit about your most recent/upcoming release? I've got a 7-story anthology called "Simply Smut" due out in a few days from Breathless Press. The stories consist of 4 m/m stories, 2 transgender stories, and one female masturbation story.

For any readers who may not have read any of your books, can you just give us a little sneak peak into your world (i.e. the type of genre you write, type of stories you like to write....etc)? I write all across the spectrum in regards to pairings - I write m/f, m/m, f/f, and transgender. As far as a preference, I'm more comfortable with m/m or transgender, but I enjoy the challenge of m/f. Although my stories are anywhere from sweet (no sex) to heavy, bloody BDSM, all of my books can be categorized as romance, and they all have happy endings. As far as settings, I typically write contemporary or fantasy.

How much of yourself, if any, do you put into your characters? Some and none. I do draw on my own experiences for my transgender characters. But all of my characters have their own backgrounds and personalities. We have very little in common overall.

Is there a genre you haven’t done that you would like to explore in the future? I haven't done a historical. I'd love to, but frankly the amount of research just terrifies me.

If you could throw a party with any five people (living or dead) who would you pick and why? Oscar Wilde, Edgar Allan Poe, Gerard Butler (he has to arrive naked, just because he's so much fun to look at), Tim Curry, and Ron Jeremy. Yep. :-)

What are at least five things you have on your bucket list and have you done any of them? I don't have a bucket list. If I want to do something passionately enough, I'll make it happen.

Is there one series/author you feel is a must read for readers to explore (can be e book authors or print NY house authors)? It all depends on the genre.

Do you listen to music when writing? Do you feel like some stories write themselves a soundtrack with specific music? If so, what book and what kind of music influenced it? I don't feel like any of my stories have a soundtrack, however I do have a specific playlist that I listen to when I'm in the mood for music when I write. It's a varied list that ranges from Pearl Jam, to Nirvana, to The Black Eyed Peas, to Ludacris, to the Benedictine Monks of Santo Domingo de Silos.

What is coming up for you in 2011? 2011 is turning out to be a busy year for me! I've had four releases so far, and have at least three more, including another story featuring Calliph and Mateo, my werewolf/werecat pair.

Are any of your characters just like you or have personality quirks/traits of you or someone you know? My character Derek is probably the closest thing to me on paper.

Where can readers find you on the web?

www.dcjuris.com

www.facebook.com/dcjuris

www.twitter.com/dcjuris

http://dcjuris.livejournal.com

and I'm published at:

www.torquerepress.com

www.fannypress.com

www.breathlesspress.com

www.nobleromance.com

www.mlrpress.com

www.ravenousromance.com

 Sneak Peek into Simply Smut  Anthology

Available at Breathless Press

Excerpt from "Rub-a-Dub-Dub"

Amber closed her eyes and leaned back in the tub, resting her head on the curved edge. She thought back to earlier in the day, to the website of erotic stories she'd run across at work. She'd been doing a search for a favorite romance author, and had wound up finding one by the same name, with a different spelling. But the stories she discovered weren't romantic at all, but steamy, hot tales of pure, unadulterated sex. Sex for the sake of sex, and, while she had initially turned up her nose, she hadn't been able to suppress a little bit of curiosity. 

She'd gone back to the website and was soon opening tab after tab in her browser, pouring over tale after tale of all kinds of sexual acts—anal sex, oral sex, BDSM, even homosexual sex—and then there were the things she'd never even heard of. The story about cock docking had nearly done her in. Such imagery in the authors' words! She had pictured every story in her mind, and by the time the end of the day rolled around, she had worked herself into such a sexual frenzy she'd barely been able to keep her cool when she'd stepped out of her office.

She'd hurried home, fed the goldfish, grabbed up her favorite sex toys, and gone immediately for the bathroom. Now here she sat, hot water up to her shoulders, still just as turned on as she had been when she'd left work.

Excerpt from "Torn"

Torn's not like any other place you've ever been. That planet has a soul—remember that. She'll demand your respect, and you'd do best to give it.

And in true human fashion, William had dismissed the words of his superior officer. Ten years of living in the barely-describable-as-civilized wilderness of Torn without incident had only served to cement his belief—no, his conceit—that nothing could stop him. There existed nothing that William, indeed any human, couldn't conquer, couldn't bend to their will. Couldn't convert.

Except Torn. She'd proven that, at last, and taken back the land from terraforming, digging, and drilling. Torn had handed down her revenge. The storm—the natives called it The Great Anger—had come on quickly. No preceding black skies, no foretelling howling winds. No time to react. No warning. Nothing.

Crudely built, the wooden shanties they had lived in had splintered and crumbled under the powerful gusting gales. The Great Anger had ripped mighty trees from their roots as if they had not been rooted at all, careened them through the air like they'd weighed no more than twigs. They'd become weapons in Torn's plan, a way of bringing about even more damage as they were slammed through walls and rooftops. Quakes had split the roads open, torrential rains had flooded the cities. In its wake, the Great Anger had left nothing but devastation.

My Personal Review for Morning Report by Sue Brown

When I picked up Sue Brown's Morning Report, I was just expecting a simple tale of two cowboys falling in love and finding their HEA. What I got was something much more. A story of two people fighting to  live their life as gay men together in a small town. Discrimination, friends who turn against them and a relationship tested for the first time. This is all what Morning Report is and more. Ms. Brown is one author I have on my auto-buy list since you get some highly emotional stories that resonate with the reader.

Morning Report is about a couple, Simon and Luke, who have been together for ten years.  They run Luke's family ranch, live as quiet as possible and keep their head down though Luke does have a temper at times.  When a new preacher comes to town, all that changes when this man preaches that the devil is in the town and in the process, gets the town folk all riled up. Small mindedness, discrimination and more happen when Luke and Simon find out and all hell breaks loose as they fight not just for themselves and their relationship but also for the ranch as some narrow minded individuals try to force them to leave in any way they can.

 What I love about this story is it has an established couple who find their relationship is tested in a way they never experienced before. It is a story that has you laughing one minute, swooning the next then to switch it up, crying like a baby. It runs the gauntlet of emotions from the first page to the last. Ms. Brown does a great job in keeping the storyline moving at an even pace with humorous scenes sprinkled within to lessen the heavier parts. The characters are well written, multi-dimensional and deliver strong performances-even the secondary characters get involved which I loved.

Morning Report is more than a M/M Western story, it's also about finding a way to live the life you want in a time where there are places where you may not be welcomed. Ms. Brown is a talented writer who continues to deliver stories that claim her readers hearts and souls. If you are looking for a well written, delightful Cowboy story, then I highly recommend grabbing Morning Report. I do want to mention there may be scenes that may not appeal to you (i. e. sizzling sex scenes). If oyu haven't picked up a Sue Brown book, what are you waiting for??? RUN-don't walk-to grab this and her other books to enjoy. I know I am.

My rating: 5 Stars

Morning Report is available in print and e-book from Dreamspinner Press

Guest Author Day with Berengaria Brown

Can you tell me a bit about your most recent release/upcoming release?

"Paige's Passion" blurb

Paige is sent on a business trip and invites her good friend Madeline to go with her. They’ve been lusting after each other for some time but Paige was worried that taking the step to a sexual relationship might destroy their friendship. At the end of the second night they are committed to an ongoing relationship together.

But when they get back to their ordinary lives Paige is consumed by her job. Paige desperately wants the relationship to work, but her career is very important to her and Maddie is so easy-going. Can they ever be happy together?

STORY Excerpt WARNING Lesbian Romance

"Shit, Paige, this's a really nice suite. Are you sure it's okay for me to be here with you?" asked Madeline, looking around at the solid wooden doors hiding the huge flat-screen TV and mini-bar, and at the ultra king-size bed.

Paige opened the drapes wide, exposing a fantastic view across to the river, which was dotted with yachts and other sailing boats. "Of course it's okay. Wait 'til you see the bathroom, Maddy. It's something special. Go, look at it."

"Oh, wow, this is great. Two would definitely fit in this Jacuzzi and in the shower. And there's a separate room for the toilet. That's really classy." Madeline's voice echoed back to Paige.

At forty, Madeline's hair was still a shiny chestnut with no signs of gray, her hazel eyes were always alive with fun, and she flitted from job to job as the mood took her. Paige, ten years younger, considered her short, dark brown hair and brown eyes positively dull beside the vivacious Maddy.

Paige grunted some affirmative noises, but her eyes and her mind were on that huge bed. She sat on the side of it and sank deeply into a cushy mattress and puffy quilt.

I'll finally be sharing a bed with Maddy. It's what I've wanted to do for so long. She turns me on so much more than any man ever has. And I know she's bisexual, she makes no secret of that. But does she desire me in that way? And if we fuck, will that ruin our friendship? We get on so well together. Will taking our relationship to a sexual level destroy our ability to have fun together? Gods, I wish I knew what to do here!

"Hey, wake up! Let's go try out the pool and hot tub on the roof," suggested Maddy, bouncing back into the room.

"Good plan. You change in the bathroom and I'll change here. But you have to put your clothes and shoes back on; they don't let you in the hallways just in swimwear."

"Not a problem," responded Maddy, grabbing her tote bag and heading back into the bathroom.

Paige changed into her plain navy one-piece and hastily dropped an equally plain navy A-line skirt over it. She was buttoning up a pale blue shirt when Maddy called out, "Okay to enter?"

"Yeah, sure," Paige replied, moving over to her luggage to grab her flip-flops.

Paige's heart began to beat so hard it almost drummed its way out of her chest as she looked at Maddy. Her friend was wearing a bright candy pink and orange tankini that should have clashed horribly with her hair, yet somehow looked stunning. Maddy's lush breasts stretched the top enticingly, her hips rounded out the bottom, and her belly protruded just the slightest bit, making a smooth-flowing curve across the garment that was very enjoyable to look at. Her legs were long and straight and slightly muscled, yet very feminine.

Maddy dropped a pink sundress over her head, slid her feet into matching pink sandals, and asked, "Are there pool towels, or do we need to take towels with us?"

"When I went up to look at it before you arrived, there was a stack of pool towels on a table by the door."

"Excellent. Let's go."

Paige grabbed her keycard and followed Maddy to the door, trying not to drool at her friend's yummy ass swaying beneath the sundress. It was even worse as they got off the elevator and walked up the few steps to the pool entry. Maddy's calf muscles flexed and stretched. Her ass swung slightly and Paige's cunt clenched with desire. She's my friend. Just a friend. Someone to hang out with and talk to. Not a lover, she told herself sternly.

Buy Link: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=3121

For any readers who may not have read any of your books, can you just give us a little sneak peek into world?

Berengaria Brown is a multi-published author of erotic romance: contemporary, paranormal (ghosts, vampires and werewolves) and Regency-set historical. She loves to read all different kinds of romance so that is what she writes: one man/one woman; two women; two men; two men/one woman; three men…. Whatever the characters need for their very hot happily-ever-after, Berengaria makes sure they get it.

How much of yourself, if any, do you put into your characters?

I seem to turn up in a minor character from time to time. I’m not sure why. It just happens.

How do you keep sex scenes fresh and exciting so they don't become stale or repetitive?

The characters very much decide what they want. Some days I just seem to take dictation! But also, since I write menage, MM and FF there’s lots of differences and variety there.

If you could throw a party with any five people (living or dead) who would you pick and why?

I’m a huge James Bond fan so Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig. Yeah, I know, that’s six, but hey, I gotta have the whole set! Why? Hell, who could resist so much yumminess, and the potential thrill of a car chase or two, an explosion, and some bad guys breaking up the party so I could be rescued. Awesome!

What are at least five things you have on your bucket list and have you done any of them?

I’ve always loved traveling and my day job includes a lot of travel, so I’m fortunate in that I’ve been just about everywhere. It’s pretty awesome being paid to do what you enjoy.

Is there one series/author you feel is a must read for readers to explore (can be e book authors or print NY house authors)?

Georgette Heyer is likely my all-time favorite author. She introduced me to historicals and to romance as a genre.

Do you listen to music when writing? Do you feel like some stories write themselves a soundtrack with specific music? If so, what book and what kind of music influenced it?

Rainforest noises, birdsong, waterfalls, that type of music helps me concentrate.

 Do you feel your writing is character driven or plot driven? How do you balance these two elements?

The characters just appear in my head and take over. They yell, and scream, and stomp their feet until I write their stories. The plots just seem to happen as we travel along, although the plot gives me the most trouble as I have to ensure it’s logical and consistent.

Is there a genre you haven’t done that you would like to explore in the future?

I write pretty much all over the genres: menage, MM, FF. I even have a straight MF story, and a sweet romance! I write paranormals (ghosts, vampires, werewolves), and Regency-set historicals as well as contemporary. The series I’m currently writing is vaguely futuristic. So I think I basically have it all covered. Something for every taste!

 What is your favorite movie of all time? The one where you can watch
it and still get affected at the same spots each and every time?

Any James Bond movie, but especially the Roger Moore ones.

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what 5 things would you
have with you?

A hunky man, a solar-powered laptop, a fishing line, sunscreen, chocolate.

What is the one era you would love to go visit and why?

Regency England. Georgette Heyer: need I say more?

Out of all your books, do you have a favorite one? If not, then which one is closest to your heart?

A good Momma doesn’t have favorites, but I’m always closest to the book I’m currently writing, as those characters are living in my head 24/7.

What character out of all your books is the closest to your personality?

None of my heroines is me. (None of my heroes is either!)

What do you feel is the most important aspect a new author should remember when writing/creating their own stories? Any advice for aspiring authors?

Write what you care about, what interests you. And polish before submitting to a house that publishes books similar to yours.

What can we expect to come in the future from you? Want to give us a tease of your upcoming projects?

The first book in what I hope will become a new series is coming from Siren BookStrand in July. It’s called “Shared Possession, the series will be “Possessive Passion” and they are set in a world where brothers chose a bride and abduct her to be their shared wife.

Where can we find you on the net?

Berengaria Brown

http://berengariasblog.blogspot.com/

http://berengariabrown.webs.com/

Friend me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter

Thank you for having me!
Berengaria