Meeting Mell

Good Morning everyone! Today, I would like to welcome Mell Eight for a feature in our Author Spotlight! 

Before I start answering all of Summer Michaels' questions, I wanted to thank her for giving me this opportunity to share some fun facts about myself and about my writing.  I really appreciate Summer giving me a plug in her blog and giving Stealing the Dragon a bit of extra spotlight.  It means a lot to me to have others in the m/m genre compliment my work. 

About You: The Person

Where do you call home?

I currently live in Upstate New York.  It's a whopping five degrees outside right now (without wind-chill) so I'm questioning the intelligence of continuing to live here, but it's home so I can't complain too much.  

Do you have any siblings?

Yes, I have two younger sisters and the cutest puppy ever! 

Favorite place traveled?

This is a hard question.  I've visited so many awesome places on five of the seven continents.  I'm going to have to choose Israel, although Egypt and Italy are very close seconds. 

Besides writing, what do you do in your free time?

I am taking an amazing martial art called Krav Maga.  It's the same martial art Israel uses in their army, so it's intense, but very gratifying.  A warning for any males looking to take the course, the rumors are true: I have so far learned about 500 different ways to make a man cry and I'm only in level two.  

About You: The Author

What was the first book you ever published?

Purchase Here

The first book I ever published was Finding the Wolf, the first book of the Dragon's Hoard Series. 

What made you decide to write in the MM genre?

You shouldn't even have to ask!  Boys are smexy.  Two boys just doubles the fun!  Now I can put my own wicked imaginings onto paper to share with everyone! 

Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

Most of the ideas for my books come to me when I'm in the shower.  There's something soothing about letting your mind go and only focusing on the mundane act of bathing that really lets the ideas flow.  It's not so good for my computer, though, because wet hands and dripping hair on a keyboard don't really work out well in the end. 

I do a heck of a lot of research to back up those ideas.  The Dragon's Hoard Series, for example, required that I look up a lot of information on dragons so my characters would be realistic.  Stealing the Dragon, book three, required research on medieval marketplaces, armies, and basic shop keeping.  You can never have a good book if you don't have the research to back up what you're writing, so I try my best to be factual even in the most fantastical of books. 

Who or what influences your writing?

My likes and dislikes influence my writing a lot!  I love dragons and werewolves, so Finding the Wolf had both creatures.  My educational background is in counter-terrorism and homeland security, so I've written a couple stories focused there too.  I also spend much of my time reading fantasy and paranormal stories written by amazing authors.  I know my writing can't compare, but I enjoy the challenge to reach their level. 

What current WIP are you working on?

I've found that it's impossible for me to work solely on just one story.  I think it's the ADHD or something, but I spend my writing time hopscotching between stories, writing a little here and a little there before moving on.  Therefore, I am currently working on at least three separate, tentatively titled, stories:

The Oracle's Flame is for LT3's If You're Reading This call.  It's about missing princes, pirates, and saving the world.  I'm still fleshing out the story, but I'm hoping it turns out all right!

The Red Apple Spell is for LT3's Fairytales serial.  That's a very tentative title, since I don’t think there will be a poisoned red apple in the story.  It's a mix of a bunch of different fairytales.  Hansel and Gretel and Snow White are the two I've introduced so far, but there are at least two more I'm planning to incorporate as well. 

Road to Home is the sequel to Road to Revenge, which will arrive in stores July 3^rd.  Road to Revenge is a spy thriller fighting terrorism in Israel.  Road to Home will also be fighting against terrorists, but it will be set in Venice and Cairo.  I've a lot of work still to do on this story. 

A Bell Jar Moment you will never forget as an author?

My Bell Jar Moment would probably be the very first time I had a story rejected by a publisher.  It hurt and it really, really sucked, but the trade off in learning was so large that I try to remember what I felt and how I grew as a person and as a writer because of it.  You can get a little arrogant or complacent about your work if you haven't had to struggle even the littlest bit to get your stories published, so I really appreciate the experience. 

Mell's next release is Stealing the Dragon which will be released by Less Than Three Press. Mell has been kind enough to bring an excerpt along with her!! Here's a taste of Stealing the Dragon!!

Purchase Here

Jerney looked down at what An'tatori was holding and gasped. It was a silver necklace with a delicate blue teardrop topaz hanging suspended in an intricate silver net. The topaz itself was such a clear light blue color that Jerney could see An'tatori's hand through the stone. It was beautiful.

"I can't accept this," Jerney said with a shake of his head. "It's beautiful, but I don't want to take a part of your hoard."

An'tatori held up the gem near Jerney's face. "It matches your eyes," the dragon said softly. "I want you to have it because I want you to be my friend."

"Your friend?" Jerney asked, incredulous. An'tatori wanted to be his friend after his spells had allowed for the hatching gem to be stolen? Jerney was a thief and a witch, which wasn't exactly friend material for a baby dragon.

"My big brother Nyle is friends with a wolf, so why can't I be friends with a witch?"

Jerney swallowed at the casual reminder that lovers Dragon Lord An'nanyle and Prince Leon were related to An'tatori. He thought An'tatori's logic was a bit off, but he was insistent.

"My name is Tori and I want you to be my friend," An'tatori said firmly, holding the necklace out again.

"My name is Jerney," he said softly as he reached out and took the necklace from Tori, "and I would be honored to be your friend."

"Good," Tori said with a happy smile. "Now put the spells on that necklace so you won't lose it!" Tori grabbed Jerney's hands and led him over to his bed. Jerney sat down across from Tori and set the necklace onto the blanket in front of them.

Tori was watching the necklace intently, one hand still clutching the ruby gem around his neck, as Jerney studied how serious the dragon really was. There was no indication that Tori was at all upset about how the night had gone—the tear tracks had all vanished from his cheeks and his gold eyes glinted with a child-like excitement that reminded Jerney again of his siblings when they were young and had found some new and exciting toy.

Jerney reminded himself that children could be fickle. There was every possibility that in a few days Tori would be at his door asking for the necklace back. But at that moment, Tori wanted his new friend to have it, so Jerney would oblige Tori for as long as the excitement would last.

Jerney prepared the spells in his mind, envisioning clearly the potion ingredients and the steps to brew it. Once he had a picture of the bottled potion in his mind, he lifted his hand and passed it over the necklace. A glance up at the dragon showed that Tori was biting his lip and wiggling in place in excitement, so Jerney added some sparkle and a flash of light to his spell.

The dragon jumped and giggled before reaching out to touch the necklace. "No one will steal it from you now?" he asked as he pushed the necklace towards Jerney.

"No one," Jerney affirmed. He picked the necklace up and clasped it around his neck. It settled there comfortably, with the teardrop landing just below the hollow of his throat.

"Good," Tori said with a nod. Tori yawned and shook his head. "We'll have to play more later," he said as Jerney got up off his bed. 

Want your chance to win Stealing the Dragon? Hop on over to Mell's blog and enter her giveaway! You can also win a copy of Finding the Wolf. You don't want to miss out! 

Thank you so much Mell for stopping by! I can't wait to explore the world of Dragon's Hoard. 

Thanks again to Summer Michaels for giving me a few moments on her blog!  Stealing the Dragon arrived in stores on February 6^th.  Please go check it out!  

Talking with Talya

Good Monday morning everyone! Today I sit with Talya Andor down for a little Q&A. If you haven't read anything by this author, then start saving up! Talya has only just begun!

About you: The Person

Where do you call home?

Salem (not that Salem), Oregon in the lush green Willamette Valley of the Pacific Northwest.

Do you have any siblings?

I don't! I was the one, the only. I credit that fact, in part, for my early development of a vivid imagination. I was world-building and story-telling for my own entertainment from a very young age.

Favorite place traveled?

I've been to a lot of amazing places, from the ruins of a French castle to the shores of a lake rumored to contain a legendary monster. My favorite so far is probably Half-Moon Cay in the Bahamas; it was so peaceful and gorgeous.

Besides writing, what do you do in your free time?

Many things! There's never enough time for it all. I enjoy snuggling up on the love seat with my girlfriend, and our kitty Pepper, who we spoil outrageously. She is the cutest cat in the world. I'm working on getting fit, and am currently doing the Insanity Workout with a friend - we buddy up for eating habits and workout resolve. I've lost 23% of my starting weight and I have further to go, but fitness is the focus. I used to get nail polish as a workout reward, then it took off and became its own full-blown habit, I mean hobby, and I keep a nail polish tumblr updated with my manicures as well as other pretty manicures I find. 

In between writing and editing, I try to sneak in a fair bit of reading - I'm a fiction fan, primarily fantasy and sci-fi, with a fair bit of contemporary when the summary or author hooks me. I also enjoy playing video games and my girlfriend and I are movie geeks and regularly see first-run films in the theatre.

As a cooking enthusiast, I have seen pretty much every show there is to do with cooking: I collect Top Chef, I'm a huge fan of Masterchef Australia, Masterchef New Zealand, and even Masterchef U.S.; I've seen Gordon Ramsay's F Word, Hell's Kitchen, the Next Food Network Star, and probably more I've forgotten. I follow several food blogs, though I don't have one of my own, and I do a fair bit of cooking and experimenting at home. I love making healthy lunches to bring to work every week.

Music fuels a lot of my writing and I have a seriously eclectic collection. I listen to whatever strikes my fancy, or what my BFF, who is even more eclectic than I, force-feeds me in the name of exposure to new music. My iPod probably has about nine different languages represented on its playlists, maybe more.

About you: The Author

What was the first book you ever published?

Purchase Here

Signal to Noise was my first published novel. I'm so proud of it! It's very niche and not for everyone, being sci-fi horror with a pairing that wouldn't be to everyone's taste, but I'm happy that it's getting good reception from the folks who are reading. 

What made you decide to write in the MM genre?

I got hooked through fandom, initially. I started in the anime fandom back in college, and I was lured into yaoi after a brief stint writing gen humor. After reading a ton of yaoi, everything I could get my hands on, it sparked ideas. I'd always loved to write, so I became an enthusiastic and prolific yaoi writer. The dynamic of m/m hooked me in a way that hetero romance had never managed. Writing in fandom, and writing a ton, really helped me find my style and confidence. In time, I turned to writing original fiction, and learned to plot and follow through with novel-length ideas through Nanowrimo.

Throughout all that, my passion has been m/m fiction, both reading and writing, with some forays into f/f narratives. I can't get enough good gay fiction, and I'm really enjoying the proliferation into multiple genres that has happened over the years. When I started out reading m/m, finding it in published fiction was a treasure hunt. Now, we're becoming spoilt for choice with so many amazing independent presses.

Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

My inspiration comes from a number of different sources; I probably wouldn't even be able to pin them all down. Music, a lyric, a picture, a prompt that gets me thinking about what would be my take on it ... as a writer, I'm constantly filtering my impressions of everything that I take in. My series Appetite, coming out this year, sprang from my love of all things foodie as well as an idea that I had for competitive chefs whetting their blades to better themselves, and each other, and falling for each other in the process. A story that I wrote last year, Fireborn, came from a concept that I'd daydreamed of a young god and his willing sacrifice where death wasn't the end; it was the happy beginning. And an outline I jotted down the other day came initially from a short comic that I saw online, which was the jumping-off point to a fairytale-style fantasy of a lady knight and a monster who turns out not to be so monstrous after all.

Sorry, that turned out to be a very long way of saying "all kinds of things."

Who or what influences your writing?

When I was younger, I looked up to authors such as Roald Dahl, Anne McCaffrey, Mercedes Lackey, David Eddings, and Robert Heinlein. I think Mr. Heinlein and his views on writing had a lot of influence on me during my formative years as a writer. He projected an image of someone who loved and loathed writing, yet was inextricably bound to it and unable to do anything but produce it, try as he might. I think that's a relationship with writing that many authors can identify with. Some of his books in my collection became so tattered and pet-mauled, I had to buy new ones!

What current WIP are you working on?

Right now I'm working on The Fall Guide, in which a young male beauty blogger experiences failure to launch, and relies on the help of a smooth producer who happens to treat him better than his boyfriend does. I'm also outlining a sequel for Signal to Noise, which is tentatively titled Klaxon at the Core, and I guess I have to count Appetite: Surfeit for the Senses, because I may end up doing a bit of writing for the final draft I'll send to the editor. I also have a story I'm working on for a submission call titled The More Plausible Evil.

A Bell Jar Moment you will never forget as an author?

Probably the very first novel I finished as a wee kidlet. It started out as a hand-written mess in a series of notebooks, and ended up as a couple hundred word-processed pages, but I wrote a fantasy novel, revising and finishing it in my early teens. That first novel is lost to time and many moves and computer upgrades now, and it was most likely terrible, but I loved writing it and sharing and having friends tell me they loved it. The entire process of creation, and sharing, and feedback, was so thrilling that I knew I wanted to be a writer. From the moment I finished printing that stack with its neatly-lettered title and my name under it, my dream job--what I wanted to be when I grew up--was "author."

Talya's next release, A Cut Above the Rest will be published by Less Than Three Press.

Purchase Here

Alex always had it easy growing up, indulged by loving, but busy parents as he flitted from one interest to another without settling. Then he discovered the world of fine dining and became determined to be a chef capable of producing such magnificent meals. Despite the doubts of a father who limited his funds, and the difficulties of leaving Germany to live in the United States, Alex stuck to his new goal and graduated the Culinary Institute of America. 

Fresh out of school, he is eager to begin work at the restaurant owned by a good friend of his father's, a restaurant well known for the beautiful, innovative meals its chefs create. He is primed to join the ranks of those masterful chefs—until the day he starts, and learns that he is nothing more than kitchen lackey, lower in rank than even the dishwashers. 

Worse, his boss is none other than Nik, the beautiful, infuriating, highly talented classmate that Alex could never best—or resist. 

Talya is currently running a bundle giveaway over on her blog. Be sure and sign up for your chance to win! Don't let the chance of getting to know this author pass you by! 

I want to say a special thank you to Talya Andor for allowing me to interview her! It has been a pleasure getting to know more about you and your work!

Challenge Me Monday!

It's time for Challenge Me Monday! Please leave one challenge word for me to add to a current WIP. I will write 1k (1,000) words and post them next Monday. You have until January 23, 8pm EST to leave a word. I will randomly choose the winner. 

Six Sentence Sunday: Bell Jar Memories

Good Sunday morning to you all! Here are six sentences from my WIP, Bell Jar Memories. I hope you enjoy:)

Reaching to shut off my alarm, I stretched my naked body over the cool sheets. I could feel my morning wood pressing into the mattress. The alarm interrupted an amazing sex dream cut too short. I reached down to pump my cock to relieve the ache building in my balls when I froze. My free hand suddenly pinned to the bed and a muscled body straddled my legs with a hard dick pressed against my ass. "Want me to take care of that for you?" asked the voice above me. I could feel my cock immediately soften.

"Get the fuck off me Ryan," I yelled into the mattress.

Ryan started to stroke his cock up and down my ass cheeks. "Come on baby, you know you want it," he moaned.

Handkerchief

Part two of Challenge Me Monday!

Handkerchief was the word chosen by Xara X. Xanakas. 

"Dad!” cried Ragean.

 I ran as fast as my wobbly legs could carry me. She buried her head in my chest and wept hysterically. I tried to make out the jumbled mess of words she tried to form, it was pointless. I wanted to console her by telling her Drew would be okay, I just couldn’t bring myself to lie. The cautionary words of Judd Callahan pierced my brain again. I couldn't bring myself to utter those same words to my daughter. She needed her father to be strong right now.

On the drive over, I begged, bargained, and pleaded with God to save Drew. Drew had his whole life before him, it just seems so wrong to have his life cut short. How does a parent ever imagine their life without their child? I couldn’t picture my life without Drew in it. We might not have the most solid relationship, as long as he was alive, I could handle anything else.

Raegan finally started to calm down. I untangled her from my chest, “Where’s your mom?” I asked.

Her brown eyes swam in tears, “She went to ask the nurses if they had any news.” As if saying the world brought the situation back to life, she burst out in tears. I guided her to the hard plastic waiting room chairs. The smell of hospital cleanliness was strong. The off white walls seemed to close in around us.

“Raegan, honey, do you think you can tell me what happened?” I asked quietly.

I watched as she squared her shoulders, almost like she was mentally and physically pulling herself back together, “Drew and Jessie were going out to celebrate their signing with a group of friends." I put my hand on her leg to stop her.

“Who was in the car?” I was so distraught; I never once thought to ask about possible passengers in the car. My heart began to leap in my throat. So many lives could be changed tonight. The possibility was sickening.

“Jessie and Drew were riding together. The other guys were meeting them there. One of the baseball players, Mike Duvall lives out on Payson Farms. His parents were throwing a bomb fire for the senior players,” she said getting off track.

“So Jessie and Drew were driving to the farm?” I asked trying to steer the conversation.

“Yeah, Jessie was driving,” she whispered. I put my hand on her leg in comfort and waited for her to continue. “We don’t know for sure what happened, but Jess ran off the road and hit a tree. Jessie was wearing his seat belt and had to be cut from the car. Drew wasn’t wearing his seat belt and was thrown from the car.”

“Why the hell wasn’t he wearing his seat belt?” I asked. I could hear the anger in my own voice. I was the one who taught the kids to drive. Rule number one: The car does not move unless everyone has on their seat belt.

“I don’t know, dad.”

“We’ll just have to ask him when he gets out of surgery,” I said.

I sat back with my arm around Raegan. She had stopped crying, I think we both needed the added comfort. I stared at the boob-tube, not really caring what was on. The mindless infomercial brought relief.

Raegan jumped to her feet when Christine entered the waiting room. “Did you find out anything?” she asked.

Christine stared at me. Her blue eyes were piercing with pain. I got up and walked to her without speaking. She was once my wife, we knew one another. I tried not to be hurt when she flinched as I hugged her. After a while, she balled my shirt in her hands. “We can’t lose him,” she cried softly.

“We won’t,” I said. Please God, don’t let me be wrong I prayed.

When she had her emotions somewhat under control, she stepped back taking Raegan in her arms. 

“The nurse said the surgeon would be out soon to talk to us.”

I crossed my arms, rubbing my hands up and down trying to push away the goose bumps dancing on my cool bared arms.

I tried not to be hurt by the fact that I was just finding out that my only son had signed his letter of intent. Later, I could deal with that later. Right now, I just wanted to hold on the good memories I had with Drew.

I could easily close my eyes and picture his first day of t-ball practice. He stood in the outfield, his brown glove and hat two sizes too. Unlike the other children around him, Drew paid close attention to what the coach had to say. Every move, every detail did not go unnoticed by him.

On our way home, we stopped to get ice cream, where Drew announced that he would one day be a famous baseball player. Just like that, he was hooked.

It was the sound of Christine digging through her purse, which brought me out of memory lane. "I know I have a bag of tissues or a handkerchief in here somewhere," she said.

When the doctor walked into the waiting room, we all jumped up at once. Every hope and prayer said in the past two hours came down to this moment. Whatever this doctor had to say, I knew it would change my family's life.

"Mr. and Mrs. Dunn?" he asked. Nodding, neither Christine nor I corrected him. He didn't need to know we were divorced.

"I'm Dr. Woodall. Your son has been in my care since he arrived. Drew came to us with sever blood loss. In order to stop the bleeding, we had to remove your son's legs."

Remove your son's legs. Those words bounced around my brain like a ping pong being smacked back and forth.

I could see Dr. Woodall's mouth still moving, but nothing was penetrating my brain. "Is he going to live?" I yelled, mostly trying to clear my mind.

"He's no longer losing blood, which was our main concern. He still has several obstacles to overcome. Everything will be touch and go from here on out."

Please feel free to leave next week's challenge words at the end of either Challenge Me Monday posts. I will combined words from both post if necessary. 

Poltergeist

Last week, I started a new blog theme event on Monday's called, Challenge Me Mondays. Where anyone can leave a word to help me with a current WIP. After randomly selecting a winner, I would have a week to write 1k using the wining word. 

Two words were left last week. Instead of picking one word, I chose to keep them both. So up first we have Poltergeist, left by Casey Cox...because she is evil;)

I chose my father/son story, currently titled Running on Empty. I have to warn you, I cut the sex scene because if I left it in, then you, the reader would be lost on what takes place in the next chapter, which happens to my the next CMM word winner. Sorry:)

"Ashland Park Community Trust Bank, This is Adam Dunn, how may I help you?" 

"Oh, I can think of several ways you can help me today, Mr. Dunn."

"Is that right, sir? Please do tell. I'm all ears."

"It's not your ears I want Mr. Dunn." 

Haden's laughter made me want to pack up and head home early. Glancing at the clock, I wanted to groan at the slow moving hands. "I'll be leaving here in about an hour and then you can have any part of my body you wish."

"Promise?" he said nearly purring.

"Absolutely."

"Actually, I just wanted to remind you that tonight's your Friday, so please don't forget dinner. I'm starved!"

"Haden, I haven't forgotten. I always look forward to date night. I'll pick up Chinese food on the way home."

"I can't wait to see you, drive safe."

"I always do," I said hanging up.

As an ER nurse, Haden's job doesn't always allow him to leave in time for dinner every night. Unlike other couples, our weekly date nights are spent at home. We take turns bringing home take out, as the other picks out a Netflix film and we snuggle in for the evening. 

I don't know if Haden has any clue how much I looked forward to our Friday's. After my divorce, I swore, I would never again be in a relationship where I couldn't be my true self. Christine, on a best day, allowed me a few minutes just holding her in arms before she would think of something else that needed her attention more. I needed the comfort, but I also think our relationship needed it more. It wasn't the main reason our marriage ended, but for me it ranked high on our failure list. 

It wasn't as if our choice of film set the mood. Case in point, tonight's flick was 1982's classic, Poltergeist. Just spending time together meant everything to me.

I rushed to power down my computer and cram my belonging in my briefcase. Anyone wanting a loan could wait until Monday morning. 

When I pulled into our driveway, I grabbed our square boxes of bliss and jetted for the door. Leaving behind my briefcase and cell, since work and phone were banned on date nights. 

Hearing pots and pans clang around the kitchen, I headed to find Haden. When I finally laid eyes on him, I stopped mid step. My heart began to gallop like a race horse and my mouth watered. Haden was bent over in search of something with his amazing bare ass sticking in the air. 

"That," I started, "is one hell of a welcome home greeting."

Whipping around grasping his chest Haden let out a loud screech. Again for the second time within seconds, my mind was wiped completely of its thought. Haden wasn't entirely naked. Instead, he stood in our kitchen wearing only a black apron with, 'My Meat is Hand Rubbed' in red lettering. 

The take out bag slipped from my fingers, making a loud thud. 

"I wanted to make dessert," he said weakly. 

Devouring the distance between us quickly, our mouths found one another in a rough tangle of passion. At first, I wondered if I was being too rough. The pleading sounds and the strong grip on my shoulders, pulling me closer, made my head swim. It was the green light I needed to continue. He soon slowed our kiss, making it more sensual. When we finally pulled away we were both panting. Haden's eyes were the brightest blue I had ever seen. Love, joy, and contentment shined back at me. 

"Don't you dare stop," he said, resting his head in the crook of my neck.

I lifted him off the ground, his legs easily wrapping around my waist. Haden's eyebrows lifting as he pondered my next move. His eyes never left my own as I carried him to our room. 

<<Sex Scene>>

"No one has ever carried me to bed before," Haden said around a mouthful of reheated fried rice.

"Next time we will have to remember to turn off the stove before getting carried away."

"For sex like that, I would burn dessert every night," he chuckled. 

I glanced at the burn pan in the sink and winced. There wasn't enough S.O.S. pads in the world to bring that thing back to life. "We'll need to take stock in Tupperware," I laughed.

As Haden finished his meal, I started to clean up before loading the movie. A loud knock on the door startled us both.

"I'll get it." Haden said, getting to his feet. "Thank goodness we decided to put clothes on."

I could tell by the deep voice, that our visitor was male, but couldn't hear what was being said. 

"Did you tell them we don't want any?" I asked without looking up.

"Adam," Haden said softly, as if he was in pain grabbed my attention. 

Haden had come back to the kitchen followed closely by Officer Judd Callahan. Judd and I had gone to high school together long before he joined the police force.

"Hey Callahan, if you are here about the vandalism charges, we won't be pressing any charges. It seems my son is still a little ticked off about his father's new path in life."

"Adam, I'm not here about the charges. I tried calling, but your phone kept going over to voice mail."

"Honey, it's Drew," Haden said quietly.

What was Drew? I studied Haden and Callahan's worried faces before it finally registered. Drew was hurt.

"Is he?" I couldn't bring myself to ask the question. There was no way my son was dead. I would know. Wouldn't I?

"Why don't you sit down," Haden said, guiding me to the dining room chairs.

"What happened?" I finally mumbled.

"About an hour ago a call came in to dispatch. The woman said she could see the taillights from the road, but that the car had traveled at least twenty yards into the field.  She didn't realize how bad the accident was until she walked out to the car." Callahan stopped his story and knelt down in front of me, eye level.

"I'm going to be honest with you here, Adam. In the twenty years I've been a police officer, I have never seen anything like this before. I think you should prepare yourself for the worst case scenario here."

Giggle

This picture made me giggle. I wish I attended this lecture.

One Word

Today starts the first Challenge Me Monday. Please leave one word you would like me to use in a WIP this week. I will randomly select a winner at 8pm EST. I will post the 1k words next Monday. Thank you guys!

Summer

New Resolution

For the new year, I didn't want to get swept in the type of a New Year's Resolution. However, in my writing world, I need the extra push! You see, I have been sitting on a WIP (Work In Progress) for WAY to long!! It has been sitting at 57K. Why you ask? Simple. I'm afraid to finish it. It may seem silly but I am. 

What could an author be afraid of a almost completed manuscript? The WIP in question needs a lot of editing. There are holes that need to be patched. Thoughts needing to be completed. The short of it, it's a rough draft. 

I recently was told that all rough drafts suck. I thought for sure this person was just pulling my leg, trying to make me feel better about my writing. Talking with other authors, I have come to realize that not only do rough drafts suck, but every author who has ever dreamed of being published questions their talent. 

So this year, my New Year's Resolution is to stop being afraid of the 'What If' and start writing. My goal is to submit three stories for publication this year. I want to stop standing in my own way of my dreams coming true:)

Starting this Monday, (Jan 7)  I will start a new blog theme titled, Challenge Me Mondays. The rules of CMM are simple. I want fans, other authors, or the causal passerby to post a word for me to use in my WIP for that week. You post the word on Monday, I toss all the words thrown at me in a hat, and pick that word as my challenge word. I will have until the following week to post 1k written with the winning challenge word. 

I already participate in a weekly writing challenge with some friends, but this will be an extra challenge to help push me to write. I hope you all will pitch in and help me:) I look forward to hearing from each of you on Monday! 

Did anyone else make any New Year's Resolutions? Please feel free to share;)

Little Lion Man

I can't believe this is the last Monday of 2012! Where did the time go? There have been so many blessings to count in the year of 2012, I can't wait to see what 2013 brings my way.

For this weeks Playlist Monday, I have chosen one of my favorite new bands...Mumford and Sons! I love their entire album:) I am always listening to it. If you haven't bought it, you should!

One of my favorite songs from the album Babel is Little Lion Man. I hope you enjoy it, on this Playlist Monday!

The Next Big Thing Blog Hop

The beautiful and amazingly talented, LC Chase was kind enough to tag me in The Next Big Thing Blog Hop. This blog hop was created so authors could discuss their latest release or their current WIP (Work in Progress). LC got our engines running with her current WIP, American Muscle I'm gonna slow it down and tell you about my latest release, Substitute Heart. 

First, I want to share. This was the angel I received after finally submitted my story. When someone from my writing group submits a story, the stunning Xara X. Xanakas always gives our stories an angel to watch over them in the submission process. Isn't he breathtaking! 



1. What is the working title of your book?

Substitute Heart. I have to show you a picture of the AMAZING cover! I cried when I first saw it. Aisha, from Less Than Three Press designed it. (See Right-->)

2. Where did the idea come from for the book?
The title actually came first along with the first chapter. It was the first time I ever just sat down without thinking about what happens next, and wrote what I saw playing in my head.

3. What is the genre of the book?
Gay contemporary romance. 

4. Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie
rendition?
I think Travis would be played by Matthew Mitcham and Oliver would be played by Vin Diesel. 

5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
A solider returns from the dead to help husband move on. 

6. Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency/publisher?
Less Than Three Press published Substitute Heart on Dec. 12.

7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
I wrote the first chapter and set it aside until almost a full year later. I picked it back up, only taking a week or so to complete. 

8. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
I haven't come across any in my genre per say, but I would say Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol. 

9. Who or what inspired you to write this book?
I love military stories. I always cry watching one YouTube video of a soldier returning home after another. This is picture (Left) also spoke to me. A lot of my work as a brotherhood theme, I admire their work and sacrifice. They are men and woman of honor. 

10. What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
When one of my best childhood friends passed away, I always wanted that one last chance to say goodbye. We all weren't blessed with that peace of mind of knowing our loved one is safe and okay. Travis gets to not only say goodbye, but know without a doubt that his former husband is always with him. 

To keep this blog hopping, here’s a list of awesome authors I think you should check out:
Zach Sweets and Casey K. Cox