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.

Upcoming Book News from Andrea Speed

Coming May 16th from Dreamspinner Press, the next installment in Andrea Speed's Infected series: Life After Death.

More Information HERE

In a world where a werecat virus has changed society, Roan McKichan, a born infected and ex-cop, works as a private detective trying to solve crimes involving other infecteds.
But when your heart is gone, it’s easy to fall into a black hole and never crawl out. Roan has been lost and alone for more than a year, and his best friends think a new case might be just the motivation he needs. Roan forces himself back into the game and discovers a dead man who might not be all that dead, a street hustler that wants to hustle him, and a dominatrix who is well prepared to take Roan’s orders. As Roan claws his way out of the darkness by diving back into his work, he finds himself in a race against time in the adrenaline-pumping realization that nothing helps a person want to live like helping someone else survive.

Fantasy/Paranormal GBLT
Book three in Infected Series

The Infected Series is as follows:

BOOK ONE

Infected: Prey
Available in Print and E-book from Dreamspinner Press
Paranormal/Fantasy GBLT

In a world where a werecat virus has changed society, Roan McKichan, a born infected and ex-cop, works as a private detective trying to solve crimes involving other infecteds.

The murder of a former cop draws Roan into an odd case where an unidentifiable species of cat appears to be showing an unusual level of intelligence. He juggles that with trying to find a missing teenage boy, who, unbeknownst to his parents, was “cat” obsessed. And when someone is brutally murdering infecteds, Eli Winters, leader of the Church of the Divine Transformation, hires Roan to find the killer before he closes in on Eli.

Working the crimes will lead Roan through a maze of hate, personal grudges, and mortal danger. With help from his tiger-strain infected partner, Paris Lehane, he does his best to survive in a world that hates and fears their kind… and occasionally worships them.

BOOK TWO

Infected: Bloodlines
Sequel to Infected: Prey
Available in Print and E-book from Dreamspinner Press

In a world where a werecat virus has changed society, Roan McKichan, a born infected and ex-cop, works as a private detective trying to solve crimes involving other infecteds.

The newly married Roan is struggling to balance his work with his home life as he grows increasingly distracted by his husband Paris's declining health. One case with strong emotions attached takes up most of his time: finding the murderer of a missing little rich girl. It's a family with secrets so toxic they'd rather no one investigate, and there's no shortage of suspects. But despite the dangers and obstructions involved, Roan won't stop... until he loses something infinitely precious as well.

Guest Author Day with Julie Lynn Hayes

 A big, warm welcome to Julie Lynn Hayes to my blog. I loved hearing about your interests and the upcoming book sounds divine. Without further Adieu, Ms. Julie Lynn Hayes.....

1. What do you write and why? 

I write whatever interests me, no matter what the genre. I’ve primarily been published as a romance writer, m/m and m/f, but I also write YA and historical, and I like to blend genres. I have historical m/m novels, and my YA has definite elements of fantasy. I think I like to write romances because there is just something about them that gets to me, about people in love, something special. YA is something new that I wanted to try, and I’m a major geek when it comes to history—I love it and I want other people to love it too, and to realize it’s not stuffy or dry or boring at all, as many have been led to believe by less than competent teachers.

2. What do you read and why, especially if it's different from what you write? 

I read a lot of manga, especially yaoi. Since I can’t draw for beans, I don’t see ever being able to write one. I read novels of all sorts. I’m especially addicted to Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, Sherrilyn Kenyon, historical writers like James Michener, and I love true crime books.  I love Thomas Harris and think he created the best character ever in Hannibal Lecter. I want to create my own serial killer someday, which is a far reach from my romance novels, although Hannibal has his romantic moments; he’s an incredibly complex character.

3. What publisher(s) do you write for?

I write for Silver Publishing, Wicked Nights, and Dreamspinner Press.

4. How long have you been writing? 

I’ve been writing for over forty years. My first story that I remember was when I was maybe nine, and was influenced by a book we were read in class about children having an adventure on an island, and it had dinosaurs in it. I was writing fanfiction before I ever heard of it or knew there was a name for what I was doing.  One of my first stories was about Peyton Place.  I think I just dated myself there lol

5. How do you world build? 

I am working on a new series for Wicked Nights which does involve world building. I think I use the micro-to-macro approach. My world begins with the world we know, a what if scenario, and takes place in the year 2056 AD after a fictional even. I extrapolated how I envisioned things might change, and why, and took my characters and placed them in that new world, as being what they know, and then began. I’ve never built a totally new world, but would like to try that someday, whether fantasy or historical. I think world builders anchor their worlds, at least in their heads, on things that they do know, so there is a probable basis for reality in them if you know where to look for them.

6. Any tips for new writers hoping to write in the genre of your book?

I would tell new writers of any genre to read the genre, of course, but more importantly, rather than worrying about what others have done before you, do what your heart and brain tell you to do. Don’t be afraid to try something new. The important thing is to develop your voice, what makes you  unique. And then tell the story you want to tell, regardless of genre.

7. How do you build characters and their personalities and looks? 

Sometimes characters leap into my head as fully formed personalities, but other times I have to get to know them through their actions. I have trouble with descriptions, so I get a general idea of what my character looks like and then I start “shopping” online for someone who fits that mold, and when I find that perfect one, I use that pic as a model that I can refer to.  It helps immeasurably, rather than having a faceless image in my head.  Not to mention, searching through pictures of hot guys is far from boring!

8. Tell me about some of your heroes and heroines: 

My characters are a diverse group, I think.  Max is a 44 year old gay werewolf, in a long term committed relationship, who really just wants to get along with people, but the world isn’t necessarily making that possible for him. Fisher Roberts is a practical guy who writes articles for an online magazine and lives with his best friend whom he secretly loves, but he doesn’t believe that happily ever after exists, or that dreams can come true—yet.  Damien is a young Frenchman in turn-of-the-century Paris, adopted son of a group of twelve artists, a beautiful young man who is about to have his coming out party at the Moulin Rouge. He is sweet and charming and hedonistic and yet innocent—an evil Fate places him beyond the reach of everyone except for his one true love, whomever that might be.

Those are just a few of the heroes that I have. I have a YA heroine named Desiree who’s just lost her mother and is stuck under the guardianship of an older brother who is rather controlling. I have a handsome Italian priest named Sergio who is trying to help people get their lives back, after the devastation that has occurred in the future, and now he’s about to meet his match in the spoiled rich boy who’s been sent to do community service in the help center known as Sanctum.  I could go on and on, but I think you get the idea, there are a lot of them!

9. Are you a pantser or plotter?

I am a definite pantser. I begin with a character and an idea of what is currently happening, but I don’t plot ahead, except in vague terms of things I know will happen. But I like to think of my writing as organic: it grows with the characters, naturally, and it isn’t forced. I think that when you try to force things that is when you get into trouble, and your plots come off as contrived.

10. What's your latest release and tell me about it:

I have a release coming out April 30^th, from Silver Publishing: Leonardo di Caprio is a Vampire.  It’s about my practical Fisher Roberts, and his long time best friend Hunter Long, aka the man he secretly loves. They are almost opposites in temperament—Fisher is sensible, Hunter is fun-loving and playful; Fisher hates holidays and Hunter revels in them, especially Halloween. It’s the night before Halloween, and Fisher has agreed to go to a party with Hunter. Worse yet, it’s a costume party. And it’s at the home of one of Hunter’s exes. Things go from bad to worse, including an unexpected kiss, and Fisher finds himself in a situation far beyond his usual scope and has to sort out fact from fiction, and decide if he’s ready to lose Hunter forever.

11. What genre haven’t you tried, yet, that you would love to explore?

I want to explore Regency romances. I plan to write one, but haven’t started yet, being cowardly. I do love a good Regency, I’m a sucker for a man with a title. My favorite character in the movie Moulin Rouge is the Duke. Go figure.  I’d like to try both m/f and m/m Regency, cause there aren’t too many of the latter, I think.

12. If you could take one of your characters out on the town, which would it be and what would you do?

13. Favorite naughty dessert and decadent drink.

I love ice cream, the more chocolate the better.  So I think I’ll say Ben & Jerry’s Pfish Food.  As for drink – either Hot Sex, or a Dreamsicle, made with ice cream.

14. If we looked on your bookshelf right now, what are some of the titles we would find?

I have about five bookcases, actually, not to mention the books that are just piled around on tables.  No, make that five and a half bookcases (one small one). I have, just to name some: 8 volumes of Kizuna, a ton of Stephen King, Preston and Child, most of the Dune books, Mother Night by Kurt Vonnegut, I, Lucifer by Glen Duncan, Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne.

15. Where can we find you on the internet?

My blog:  http://julielynnhayes.blogspot.com

My website: www.julielynnhayes.com

My facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=527332074

My Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3442231.Julie_Lynn_Hayes

My Publishers:

Silver Publishing: http://silverpublishing.info/index/typefilter/book_authors/book_authors_id/88

Wicked Nights: http://wickednights.info/?page_id=361

Dreamspinner Press: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/index.php?cPath=55_222

 Sneak Peek into  Leonardo Di Caprio is a Vampire

Coming to Silver Publishing April 30th

Blurb: Leonardo di Caprio is a Vampire

“Tis the night before Halloween, and Fisher Roberts wishes it was over, not being a fan of this or any other holiday.  But he tolerates it because his roommate/best friend Hunter Long takes a childish glee in all things Halloween.  And Fisher has a vested interest in keeping Hunter happy.  If only he could find the nerve to tell his childhood friend that he loves him, and has for a very long time.

Fisher thinks Hunter is carrying things a bit far this year, though.  First Hunter claims to be a vampire, and he just won’t let the silly joke go.  Then he forces Fisher to go to a costumed Halloween party which Fisher would rather avoid, especially when he realizes where it’s being held, and whose house it is. Things at Fisher’s job might just be going south, too, when he receives a mysterious summons to report to the editor’s office the next morning.  And then Fisher goes and does something stupid—like kissing Hunter!

Bad leads to worse when Fisher ends up at the Halloween party from Hell, and he learns something that threatens to destroy his and Hunter’s relationship forever.  Running from his fears, Fisher encounters a strange young man with an unusual resemblance to Leonardo di Caprio, who shows him things he never realized before, truths about his life and the people in it.

Can Fisher find his way back to Hunter, and can he find the courage to do what his heart wishes?

Excerpt:  Leonardo di Caprio is a Vampire

 “Did you know that Leonardo di Caprio is a vampire?”

            Fisher Roberts stopped in mid-chew of a mouthful of fibrous cereal to cast a wary, disbelieving glance at his best friend and roommate Hunter Long on the other side of the table.  Wary, because he wondered what in the world Hunter was going on about so early in the morning.  Disbelieving, because he only had so much time for breakfast before he had to get going to work, and he had a bad feeling that Hunter was trying to eat into that time.  Why he wanted to do that was beyond Fisher.  Of course, a lot of things about his roommate were beyond Fisher, despite the fact that they’d been friends since they were—well, too young to actually remember how long they’d known each other.  But for as long as Fisher could remember, he and Hunter had been best buddies.  And he’d learned over the years that, with Hunter, longevity did not equate to knowledge-ability, far from it.

            Now, Fisher could react in one of two ways.  He could ignore his roommate and keep eating.  Pretend he’d heard nothing.  But from past experience, that would only cause Hunter’s performance to escalate.  Which would entail taking more time to decipher what he was saying, and in the process make Fisher even later to work.   Or he could simply bow down to the inevitable and give in by asking him the question he was doubtless waiting to hear.  Even if it brought about that smug smirk he was so fond of wearing.

            Fisher finished chewing, swallowed, and managed not to roll his eyes as he reached for his juice to kill off what was left in the glass.  Waste not, want not.  “What do you mean?”

            Hunter Long might be six foot two and possessed of a body that many a male model would kill for—at least that’s what Fisher heard the girls who flocked around him say—with the palest of blue eyes that twinkled all the time, and a smile that could and did light up a room.  But honestly, he had the capacity to be an overgrown child at times, and this was one of those times.  Fisher chalked it up to it being that time of year.

            “Well,” Hunter replied, “look at him, going on forty, and he looks just like he did what, fifteen years ago?  It only stands to reason he must be a vampire.  They never age, you know.  I mean take a look at us.  We’re almost his age, but over the years we’ll grow up to be little old men and he’ll still be playing sweet baby-faced guys even when he’s collecting social security, know what I mean?”

            “There are no such things as vampires,” Fisher made his typical logical reply, “and just because it’s Halloween tomorrow night, and you’ve got the house all decorated for it, doesn’t mean you have to bring it to the table.  Know what I mean?”  He arched a no-nonsense brow at the other man.  This was not Fisher’s favorite time of year.  Neither was Christmas, come to think of it.  Or any other holiday.  Ironic that he should write articles for a living that meant he was forced to expound on such seasonal topics for Midwest Home and Fantasy, a regional online magazine with a growing fan-base, when he had no real interest in them himself, being a practical, no-nonsense kind of a guy.

            “I’m a vampire.” Hunter smiled, leaning across the table toward Fisher.  “Want to see my fangs?”

Chatting with Willa Edwards

Eric, my hero from my Christmas release, Naughty List, was kind enough to stop by and let me interview him a little. 

Thanks so much for being here Eric.

No problem. I’m glad I could help out. 

So let’s just get started. Why don’t you tell us a little about yourself?

Hi, I’m Eric. I’m a social worker. I’m an avid baseball fan, or at least I used to be. I haven’t been that interested in baseball recently.  I love Christmas, and spend every Christmas Eve with my best friend Callie. We have a great time watching old movies and decorating cookies.

Are you single?

Um…Yes…

Why don’t you tell all those ladies out there that might be interested, what’s your biggest turn on?

We’re starting out with the tough ones, huh. 

Confidence and passion is the sexiest thing on a woman. Or if that doesn’t work, a nice tight ass in tiny lacy panties will definitely get my attention. 

What’s your biggest pet peeve about women?

You don’t want me to have a date again, do you?  Alright, I really can’t stand it when women give men too much credit. Always making excuses for their behavior. If a man keeps putting off being with you, or committing to you, that’s a sign something’s wrong. I hate when women allow men to treat them as less than they deserve.

I think we can all agree with that. So do you where boxers, briefs, or nothing at all?

Um…Ah…I usually wear boxers. But those velvet Santa pants felt pretty good without anything else on.

Wow! Sexy Santa, what kind of girls are you interested in getting in those pants with you?

A woman that will let me tie her down and spank her. Just kidding.

I like down to earth girls. I’ve never been a fan of high maintenance women who are more concerned about their hair than spending time with their significant other.  I’ve never gone for a girl covered in makeup. I’d rather have the girl covered in mud from playing touch football.

And a woman that’s willing to accept help and ask for something if she needs it. I don’t like to play games, besides maybe some full contact sports if you get my drift, and I’m not a mind reader. If you want something or need something, let me know, don’t expect me to guess. 

Sounds like you’ve met a few women like that?

A few. But just as many that aren’t. Callie would never make a guy guess, she’s not into primping or playing, and she’s can throw an amazing spiral.

As you know its holiday time. What’s you’re favorite holiday tradition?

Every year my best friend Callie and I have a bet to see who can get the other the best gift. I lose almost every year, but I still love it. The competition and the anticipation to see who won, it’s like a sport. It’s almost like sex, lots of great build up and anticipation, with a great end result. Oops, I didn’t say that.

Sure…What would you like for Christmas?

Angelina Jolie. Ha ha! No seriously, I’d love to meet the woman of my dreams. I know it’s kind of dorky, but what I’d really like to find that right girl, to settle down, get married. I’ve never been the love ‘em and leave ‘em kind. I want a family, someone to come on home, someone to share my life with. What can I say, I’m a geek. At least Callie always says so. 

Callie sounds like a good friend. What do you like about her?

Callie’s the best. She’s a great friend. She’s always there when I need her. The best part about Callie is she’s always there for everyone. She cares about everyone so much, the kids at her school, she’s an elementary gym teacher, her friends, me. I just wish she’d give herself more credit. That she’d believe in herself more. She’s amazing, I wish she realize that.

Thanks so much for being here Eric. We really appreciate your candor. And we hope you get everything you’re asking for this Christmas. And make sure to check out Naughty List coming out on Christmas Eve by Cobblestone Press.

BLURB

Eric has been in love with Callie since the day they met, one month after someone else put a ring on her finger. Since her engagement ended Eric has been biding his time, waiting for her to be ready. Until he finds a naughty list of Christmas wishes hidden between her couch cushions with his name on the top.

 He's willing to do anything to make Callie happy, including take on the role of dominate Santa Claus and spank her to blow-your-stockings-off orgasm. But is she ready for everything he wants? Does she want his love?

EXCERPT

“Ready to go?” Eric smiled at the small sneer covering Callie’s lips as she stood posed in the entryway of her home, blocking him from the warmth within. Her dark red hair tousled about her head. He fisted his hands at his sides to stop his needy fingers from smoothing down those silky waves, stroking their long, coiled length.

They had plans to go to the local theater and see It’s a Wonderful Life, a favorite Christmas tradition of theirs. Callie said a theater was the only way to appreciate such a movie. All Eric cared about was spending time with Callie.

“I thought we were meeting there.” Her eyes gleamed like emeralds, sparkling in the elaborate Christmas lights she’d arranged around her door, regardless of the irritation curling her lip.

Callie loved Christmas. She decked her small Cape Cod cottage each year, turning it into a Christmas wonderland complete with a porcelain snow-capped village and Mariah Carey singing about what she wanted for Christmas. The entire house smelled like pine, sugar cookies, and home. Warmth and comfort radiated from every corner, just like Callie.

“We were, but I thought you’d like a ride.” He knew she hated it when he tried to take care of her, even with a simple ride to the theater, but he couldn’t help it. She might try to deny it, reassuring everyone that she was fine, that she’d healed from what happened with Josh, but he knew better.

He noticed the crinkles around her mouth, the heaviness of her brow, and the dull pain that always rung in her voice, regardless of how happy she appeared on the outside. She still held the incident with her, tucked in her heart, where she wouldn’t allow anyone. The urge to go to the ballpark and bash Josh into mincemeat grew stronger every day. And he would have to, if Callie hadn’t made him promise to leave the bastard alone. She claimed she only wanted to move on, but she hadn’t.

Besides, a few more minutes with Callie, or seeing the way her eyes lit up for a special gift, were well worth her prickliness.

Callie put up a hiccup of a fight before holding the door open, allowing him into her cozy home. “Fine. Come in. I was just about to get ready.”

He snorted. Knowing Callie, she hadn’t been planning on getting dressed for another fifteen minutes.

Most women, if ambushed early, would be half dressed, maybe hair up, or makeup half done. Not his Callie. She was still in her pajamas. More annoyed that he’d deprived her of a few more minutes in her comfy flannels than her prep time.

“You don’t have to change on my account. I think you look quite festive.”

Callie smiled, twirling in front of him to show off her cuddly Christmas pajamas. Reindeer with bright red noses, long flirty lashes, and gigantic pursed lips molded around her legs as she spun. Red ribbons and sparkling snowflakes curled around the most gorgeous heart-shaped ass he’d ever seen.

Eric swallowed to prevent himself from making any noise. His cock pressed against the rough denim of his jeans, his balls tight and heavy as ceramic tree ornaments. If Callie knew the truth, knew how much he wanted her, their entire relationship would change. He couldn’t pressure her like that.

Across the stretchy red tank top covering her small, perky breasts, large silver block letters spelled out Sexxy Vixen. Unconsciously he bit his tongue, tasting the faint metallic trace of blood in his mouth. Everything about Callie was sexy. Even her flannel pajamas.

His nails bit crescents into his palm. He wanted to rip that tank top off her, touch her breasts, hold her hands down as he sucked her nipples until she bucked and begged for more.

But Callie was too fragile to handle his aggression, the frantic need that had been growing within him for four long years. Since the day they met.

He couldn’t push himself on her. She still needed time.

“It may be a Christmas movie—” she grinned “—but I don’t think I should be dressed this festive.”

“I don’t mind. No one’s going to see you in the theatre.”

“Actually—” Callie’s gaze shifted to the plush taupe carpet. Eric’s gut clenched. Callie only avoided his stare when she had really bad news to deliver. “Krista and James are going to meet us there.”

Eric groaned. “James is weird. You know he doesn’t even watch football. Last time I met him he told me he didn’t watch the Super Bowl last year—he finished the school board budgets instead. What kind of person does that?”

“I know, but she’s one of my best friends, and he’s the principal of the school, and they’re having a hard time so—“

“I’ll be nice to him and on my best behavior all night.”

“Exactly.” She laughed, playfully slapping his right biceps. If he grabbed her hand he could pull her into his arms in seconds, and his mouth would be on hers a second later.

And the next moment she’d be pushing him away, their friendship ruined.

“I’ll just be a minute,” Callie replied, her hand brushing along his arm as she stepped behind him to her bedroom. “I’m going to slip into something less comfortable.”

“Take your time,” he called, holding his breath as he waited for the bedroom door to click closed.

He’d fantasized about that bedroom so many times. The dark navy comforter, the soft baby blue sheets decorated with smiling snowmen she used all winter long. He imagined them so many nights. The smell of her skin along the sheets, the feel of the fabric wrapped around him as he perched above her, soft against his back as she straddled him, keeping them warm as they drifted off to sleep, Callie tucked into his side.

The doorknob snapped shut and Eric jumped to attention. He wouldn’t have long. Callie was always quick getting ready. If he wanted a chance of finding any evidence of what Callie wanted for Christmas, he’d better move fast.

Callie and he had an ongoing bet to find the most heartfelt present for the other. The loser had to be the other’s designated driver for New Year’s Eve. And Eric had lost for the last three years.

If she hadn’t been newly engaged he probably would have lost four years ago too, but when he’d found the picture of her parents’ wedding he’d had the brilliant idea to have her friend Amy make a duplicate of her mother’s veil. Callie had cried when she opened the box and had worn the veil for the rest of the holiday party. Eric had never done anything so right as commissioning that frilly lace train.

It wasn’t that he minded losing. Callie was funny when she had too much to drink. She told racy jokes and got overly touchy, which as long as she was only touching him, was worth being sober to ring in the New Year.

But after all she’d been through this year, calling off her wedding and finding out the truth about Josh, he wanted to make all her Christmas wishes come true. Starting with the perfect present, even if he had to snoop to find out what she wanted.

Eric looked around the room, frantically searching for something she might need. He tipped his head to look into the trash, inspecting the contents for clues, hoping to find some recently broken appliance or family heirloom he could repair that Callie’s elementary gym teacher salary wouldn’t allow.

A sliver of light green between the arm and cushion of Callie’s mocha-colored couch drew his eye. The bright color protruded from rich leather, one of the few pieces of furniture in the room besides an inherited coffee table and elaborately decorated Christmas tree. Taking two steps to the couch, he gripped the spearmint object between his thumb and forefinger, pulling the folded holiday paper from the crevice. Why would Callie shove a piece of paper between the couch cushions? Why would she need to hide something in her own home?

Eric unfolded the paper, expanding the corners into a large, flat sheet. Twirling red ribbons and shiny gold ornaments decorated the page and snowflakes dotted each line. The written words stopped his breath. Callie’s tight, neat script whispered his greatest fantasy.

His throat closed, trapping the oxygen in his chest. His eyes blurred as he read the words over and over. His vision must be playing a trick on him. Callie would never be interested in this kind of sex, and she would certainly never be interested in him.

He’d been in love with Callie since the day he’d met her, which happened to be one month after Josh had slipped a three-carat diamond ring on her finger. He could still remember the bite of that hard rock into his palm as he shook her hand, thanking her for volunteering at the special needs event for thirty kids with physical handicaps, several his cases, that her fiancé’s team was hosting. The small pinch reminded him their meeting was not a dream. This funny, interesting, beautiful woman was real.

He may have denied his feelings at first, but he’d long since accepted he’d never have her, and forced himself to become just her friend. In all that time he’d never imagined she could return his affection.

He wasn’t her type. Callie went for athletic pretty guys. Hell, Josh had been a professional baseball player. How was a social worker supposed to compete with a guy like that? Awkward, gawky, and broke to boot—what a catch Eric was. She deserved better.

His stare remained glued to her naughty Christmas list. His gaze drifted to the top of the page where she’d written his name. He reread each increasingly kinky line. How long had she been thinking about him like this? Since she’d broken off her engagement? Before? If he’d only known, he would have already fulfilled all these wishes and then some.

A wicked smile curled his lips. His body burned stronger than the fire in the chimney Kris Kringle would soon be coming down. His cock pressed against his jeans, hard, hot, wanting. The confinement was a sweet pain he’d become used to after years of being so close to the woman of his dreams but unable to touch her.

There was no time like the present.

“Ready to go?” Callie asked from the bedroom door. He raised his head, cramming the list under his thigh as he drank in the poinsettia red sweater hugging her curves. His mouth watered at the rose blush staining her cheeks. He’d do better than that.

Eric nodded, his tongue no longer working properly. Callie’s curls fluttered as she pulled on a white puffy jacket, making the most adorable candy cane he’d ever seen as she walked to the door. One he couldn’t wait to taste.

Eric trailed behind, stuffing the holiday page into his back pocket. Christmas suddenly looked a lot brighter.

 Follow Willa on the web at:

www.willaedwards.com

Cover Love-Books I am itching to read!

Ok, I love really great covers. You know the ones...those eye catching, "OH MY GOD, I NEED IT NOW" covers. The ones that 'POP' and say BUY ME! *grins* I found a few that have me itching to read NOW! I know there are a ton more (I should know, I have a 3-ring notebook full of titles and authors I want to read or are reading) that I can put here but then I would be here all day, not getting any work done at EDJ. So here are a few upcoming books I am dying to read. Any others you think I should check out or put on the list? I am always up for suggestions. *smiles*

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Harvest Hunting

Book 8 in Otherworld Series

Yasmine Galenorn

Release date-October 28th, 2010

Pre-order HERE at Amazon

It's Samhain, and the Autumn Lord has called for my training to begin with the Death Maidens...and I find that I like it. But we've got problems: werewolves are going missing and a new magical drug, "Wolf Briar," is being used as a weapon. My dear Chase and I have come to a delicate crossroads. And most dangerous of all: Stacia Bonecrusher has put a bounty on our heads. Now it's a race to take out the demon general before she realizes the sixth Spirit Seal is within her reach...

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River Marked

Mercy Thompson #6

Patricia Briggs

Release date: January 26th, 2011

Pre-Order at Amazon HERE

Car mechanic Mercy Thompson has always known there was something different about her, and not just the way she can make a VW engine sit up and beg. Mercy is a shapeshifter, a talent she inherited from her long-gone father. She's never known any others of her kind. Until now.

An evil is stirring in the depths of the Columbia River-one that her father's people may know something about. And to have any hope of surviving, Mercy and her mate, the Alpha werewolf Adam, will need their help...

 

***

Firewalker

Stormwalker #2

Allyson James

Release Date: November 2nd, 2010

Pre-Order at Amazon HERE

Janet Begay's Crossroads Hotel has attracted the supernatural ever since it opened. But a new, dark power is rising, this time inside Janet herself. Her boyfriend Mick, a sexy dragon shapeshifter the Navajo call a Firewalker, know what terrifying magic is threatening to overwhelm Janet and her Stormwalker powers. He watches over her, ready to fight for her, to do anything to keep her safe.

But then a mysterious corpse is found near the Crossroads Hotel-and Janet becomes the main suspect. Now Janet and Mick must uncover what really happened, and their investigation leads to the most perilous decision of their lives... 

***

The Sworn

The Fallen Kings #1

Spin-off to The Necromancer Series

Fantasy

Release date: January 25th, 2011

Pre-order at Amazon HERE

Summoner-King Martris Drayke must attempt to meet this great threat, gathering an army from a country ravaged by civil war. Tris seeks new allies from among the living - and the dead - as an untested generation of rulers face their first battle. Meanwhile, the legendary Dread are stirring in their burrows after millennia of silence and no one knows what hand wakes them and whom they will serve when they rise.

Now, Drayke turns to the Sworn, a nomadic clan of warriors bound to protect the Dread. But even the mighty Sworn do not know what will happen when the Dread awake. All are certain, though, that war is coming to the Winter Kingdoms.

THE SWORN is the beginning of a new adventure set in the world of The Chronicles of the Necromancer. 

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Honorable Mentions: Pale Demon (Kim Harrison), Shadow Walker (L. A. Banks/YA), The Black Prisim (Brent Weeks), Ascendant (Diana Peterfreund), Vampires Not Invited (Cheyenne McCray) and many more.