Author Interview: Romancing the Edge with CR Moss

Author Interview by A.J. Llewellyn

1. CR, I noticed on your bio you talk about how you grew up in a place with no kids around and little to do that was fun. You said that you wrote stories to entertain yourself…what kind were they?

I grew up in a rural section of New Jersey, back when farms were the norm and the word Condo referred to a place in the city. The first place I lived in was nestled between a river and a farm, and the stories I created were fairy tale in nature – the great prince coming to rescue his love. I loved the story of Sleeping Beauty and Beauty and the Beast as a child.
As an adult, I still love the story of Sleeping Beauty but it’s the one by Anne Rice now. :-) Then as I grew older and we moved to a dead end street, again with no kids my age and a river at the end of the road, the stories morphed into romantic adventure tales. In my teens, I went to what I call the dark side. Romance? What’s that? Horror baby all the way. I wrote horror in to my adult years and didn’t go back to romance till a friend turned me on to A Knight In Shining Armor by Jude Devereaux.
Now I write a mix. In fact the first horror story I’ve written in ages will be released on Halloween. Dirty Little Secret, a story for eXtasy Books’ Fantasy Games line, goes back to my horror roots, and I’m really looking forward to the book’s release! Then for the 2009 Valentine holiday season, my m/m story, Dirty Little Lie, the sequel to Dirty Little Secret, will follow suit.

2. Tell me about the inspiration behind the Si’Ludo Sisters trilogy? And will you really stop at three books?

Stop at three books? Nope! (chuckles) The Si’Ludo Sisters trilogy is actually a spinoff of a longer, mainstream series I’m working on, which will consist of several books within two series so far: Si’Ludo Prophesy & Si’Ludo Rising. And I’m working on a sequel story to the Sisters trilogy, where the bad guy gets his due. The inspiration for the first Si’Ludo Prophesy story (Postponing Eternity) came from a dream I had. Then the spin off of the Sisters’ stories came from something my muse spun last fall. So I ran with that idea and incorporated it all together. Atonement, the third book in the trilogy – out September 1st – is a far cry from what I originally thought it would be. The characters took on lives of their own and partake in f/f and m/m scenes due to the ‘religion’ they practice.
3. Hawk-man is a compelling creation. Where did he come from?
His 'character' just came to me. I don't know how or from where. The figure appeared and I wrote what I saw. ‘Tis the work of a writer's mind. Hawk-man is actually the war head-dress/mask of the Sufs, so when the men have to confront the heroine for the first time they’re in the official mask to hide their identities. I’m not quite sure where it came from. Maybe I saw something on the web or television. But for the most part Hawk-man is Cor’s dream version of himself when he tries to seduce the heroine. He uses the moon of his true home world as the setting since he feels powerful there.

4. I know you are a practicing Wiccan. How does this influence your writing?

I use aspects of it in my writing, but it doesn’t fully influence it.

5. What is your favorite Wiccan holiday?
Samhain (pronounced: Sow-win) Celebrated Oct. 31: Witches' New Year, marks the death of the God and his the arrival in the Land of Youth, where he opens the gates so the souls can revisit their loved ones. It is said to be the day when the walls between the worlds are to be the thinnest and when contact with one's ancestors can take place. It is celebrated with the Festival of the Dead. This is a time of reflection on the year and a celebration of our ancestors. Happy New Year! & Happy Halloween!

6. What is your work routine like? Do you write every day?

I wish I had the energy/time to write everyday! In the morning I’ll check email, do the promotion tasks listed for the day on my database, then if it’s Tuesday thru Friday I head to my job. There are days on my lunch break I’ll write, or do promo and participate in chats. Other days I’ll critique my crit partner’s work or I’ll edit my own stories. A lot of my writing takes place Saturday, Sunday and Monday, the days I have off from my job.

7. Who are your favorite authors? I know you love Anne Rice…who else? You have such an interesting mix of sci fi horror and erotica…would you say she influences this the most?

Yeah, I’m big on Anne Rice, but I don’t think any particular author’s work influences mine. I like to think I have my own voice. I believe my mix comes from the huge range of genres I’ve read over the years and the horror/sci-fi films & shows I’ve seen. With an English background in college I was exposed to a lot of different writing. But when it comes to my own tastes, authors I’ve bought on a regular basis over the years… Stephen King, Clive Barker (met him in person and got his autograph on a book), Jude Devereaux, Fern Michaels. I’m into Frank Herbert right now.

8. That’s funny, I met Clive Barker at a book festival and bought his book and he autographed it. I was astonished how normal he was. How nice. What was your experience like with him?

It was great. He was a real nice guy. Answered my nervous, silly questions and drew us some pictures in our books to go with his autograph.

9. I know your favorite all-time band is Rush. Do you play Rush when you’re writing or do you prefer silence?

Love Rush! Several years ago I saw them three times during one concert tour, twice in Jersey (we were living there at the time) and once in Las Vegas. Yep, took a weekend trip to catch them at the MGM. The first show we caught in NJ we had 12th row seats. It was heaven. Interestingly enough I don’t listen to Rush when I’m writing. Side note: They just did their first American TV appearance in 33 years. Thank god I have Tivo! Music by Rush is great to drive to.
Okay, back on track… music while I write, right? I have satellite television so depending upon my mood and what I’m writing determines the channel I turn on, either Audio Visions (music that you’d hear in a massage therapy session/spa environment) or Squizz-XL (plays a lot of Alternative). Though, if I’m having trouble with a piece, I’ll work in silence until I get through the rough patch.

10. Are you cats jealous of your computer? Do they try and kill the keyboard?

Nope. Calvin and Marius leave me alone because I’ve designated my work area as a Kitty Free Zone. So my keyboard and wires are safe from their furry little paws. Calvin was of the Calvin and Hobbes duo, named fourteen years ago after my favorite comic strip. When we knew Hobbes, our husky/lab pooch, wasn’t doing well health wise, we brought our second cat into the house to give Calvin a companion. A week later Hobbes went over the rainbow bridge. That was in October 2007. He was almost fourteen years old and had been born on the day we got married. Marius, our second cat, was a rescue, as were Calvin and Hobbes. Marius is named after the character in Anne Rice’s novels and acts as I always expected a cat to act. Calvin is very reserved and most times you don’t even realize he’s in the house.

11. Is your husband supportive, even enjoy your books? Does he read them?

We’re pretty supportive of each others’ goals. He likes to run and is currently training for a marathon, which is not as time constraining (which is nice) as when he was training for the iron distance Silverman triathlon here in town. So I support him in his races and his reacquired golfing goals, and now that I’ve boosted my writing schedule he’s good with giving me space to do what I need to do. He even came to a book signing event I hosted with other eXtasy Books authors.

12. What was that like? And did you sell a lot of books?
It was an interesting experience. We held it in a small venue (wine store/boutique) so it’s not like we had droves of people flocking through, but still, I sold a few books and the eXtasy Books’ anthologies (Violet Visions & Atlantis Allure) the other authors had available sold like hot-cakes.

13. I told people “I’ve been to enough of his events that he can finally come to one of mine.” Good thing I can entertain myself with my stories, though, when it comes to his gigs, standing around for 3 to 4 hours while he’s out running a race would be boring otherwise. Yes, he’s read my first two books and I asked him to read the third in the trilogy to give me some reader insight, which he was happy to do. He says he enjoyed them.

14. How do you like living in Las Vegas? I went there almost every weekend for several years covering boxing and it has changed drastically…how do you feel about the grand old hotel casinos being demolished and big expensive ones replacing them?

There’re casinos here? Just kidding. We rarely go to the Strip, only when people visit from out of state for the first time or if we’re down there for the LV marathon (look for the marathon and a threesome in my December 1st release Holiday Spirits), and we barely gamble anymore, so when it comes to the old buildings replaced by the new and improved it doesn’t bother me.

For the most part I love living here, the heat, the sun, the blue sky. The original reason we moved here was for the weather so he could train for the Ironman in HI.

15. Hawaii? *Perks* My favorite place…did you love it?
Sadly, we haven’t been to HI yet. Having been in two bike accidents, my husband has stopped training for triathlons, so the goal of qualifying for Kona is no longer a priority. Hopefully he and I will be able to visit the islands one day, whether it’s for a race or not.

16. Stephen King…who is fond of walking, turns up at your door…all the way from Bangor, Maine (he resists being hit by a car). He asks you to take him to your favorite hangout. Where do you take him and if you could ask him three things, what would it be?

I take him to Steiner’s for a great burger and some Death Valley Chips. I thank him for the Dark Tower books and the ending of that series which I was pleased with. Then ask -- Question 1: Dude, what were you thinking at the end of It? 2: What was the deal with Tommyknockers? 3: Could we collaborate? :D

On behalf of Dark Diva Reviews, I’ll bet Mr. King would collaborate! Thanks to CR for her time and her talent…Find out more about C.R. Moss at her website http://home.earthlink.net/~cr_moss/
Check out her myspace page at www.myspace.com/cr_moss
Her books are available at http://www.extasybooks.com/

Author Spotlight: Barbara Metzger

Today's author in the spotlight is Barbara Metzger with her new release, The Scandolous Life of a True Lady, released in June by Signet Eclipse (ISBN: 978-451-2438-5). Readers can go to http://www.barbarametzger.com/, and see pictures of Ms. Metzger's covers, and her wonderful little dog Valentino, and write to her. She'll send bookmarks if readers give an address.

Blurb:

TRUE DECEIT

Harry Harmon has already written his own obituary--that is, the obituary for the old spymaster Major Harrison, one of his aliases. After his alter ego's staged death, Harry's next assignment is to spy on enemies at a country house party. To do that, he'll require a courtesan who is learned, truthful, and beautiful.

With no guardian, dowry, or references, sensible, smart Simone Ryland has come to Mrs. Burton's bawdy house in search of work. But when madam notices the virgin's regal, exotic beauty, she packs her off with Harry. Soon Simone, fearful of what she's only heard in whispers, in in for something thrilling--something that looks a lot like love.

This is the second of the TRUE LOVE TRILOGY, after YOURS TRULY, Sept., 2007, to be followed by THE WICKED WAYS OF A TRUE HERO, Feb. 2009. They are all about the amazing Royce family, where the males can tell truth from lies, and the women can recognize true love when they see it.

Excerpt:

He needed her.

No, he needed a female like her. Otherwise he could take one of Lyddie’s girls and be done with it. He’d have a pretty bit of fluff on his arm with less effort, less money, and less on his conscience. He’d also make less of an impression as a connoisseur of woman, a man with exquisite taste and deep pockets.

He needed a ladybird who was almost a lady, one who would have everyone talking, to create a stir heard back in London. For once, Harry sought the publicity, the notoriety, with everyone and his uncle knowing precisely where he was and with whom. Then Major Harrison could die.

Miss Ryland was perfect; too perfect, unfortunately. No matter that every head would turn when she walked into a room, he could not turn a well-bred woman into a whore. If he didn’t, though, Lyddie would, so what would his scruples and sacrifice have accomplished? Nothing. Furthermore, Miss Ryland herself seemed determined on the course. She had problems too, and lofty principles could not outweigh bare necessity. She needed money; Harry needed a mistress. Both of them were in a hurry.

Harry watched her as she watched him, wishing he knew what she was thinking, how she wanted him to decide. Then he recalled that he was done making decisions for others. His half-brother had pummeled the truth into him that he was not always correct in what he thought best for everyone else. No matter that he thought himself omniscient, Rex had said while Harry lay bleeding on the canvas at Jackson’s Boxing Parlor, he did not have the right to play god with anyone else’s life. Of course Harry had let the younger man win the match; Rex was lame in one leg, after all.

He could make provision for Miss Ryland and the brother. That was no problem. He could even leave her as chaste as he found her. That might be a problem, for the woman was exquisite. Her reputation would be destroyed, though, and he knew how precious that was to a female.

But damn, she was stunning enough to make headlines in the gossip columns, and smart enough to listen to whispered conversations in whatever language.

Harry wanted to be done with this scheme, with all intrigue, for all times. The war was over, his days as spymaster in the Intelligence Division of the War Office were almost at an end. He wanted to retire, by Zeus, not live in shadows and disguises and under aliases for the rest of his life.

He saw how happy his half-brother Rex was, with his lovely wife Amanda helping him recover from his war wounds, both mental and physical. Why, they had twins already, a boy and a girl, that Rex doted on. Harry was jealous, not just of the infants, but of the peace he felt surrounding the viscount and his wife at the christening.

Harry hadn’t want ed to attend the event at all. What, the bastard brother waving his bar sinister at the church for all to see? His presence would have embarrassed everyone. But Rex had insisted, and their father, the Earl of Royce, had written his hopes of seeing all of his family, sons and grandchildren, together. Even Lady Royce, his father’s wife, had written a polite letter of invitation herself. The countess, Harry knew, felt guilty for keeping the half-brothers apart so long. Some women would have taken their husband’s by-blow into their homes to raise. Not Lady Royce. She’d left the earl and her own son, instead. Now that she and Lord Royce were reconciled, secure in their own marriage at last, she could be forgiving of the boy—a man now, of over thirty years— for coming between them through no fault of his own.

Harry still might have refused the invitation to the family’s ancestral home, where he would never be part of the true family, but Cousin Daniel had insisted they’d all be offended otherwise. Daniel reported that his own mother wanted to meet her new nephew, his sister was excited when she heard he was as handsome as the other Royce males, with the same dark coloring and unique black-rimmed, blue eyes. She wanted to show him off to her girlfriends, which would have been enough to keep Harry in London, except Amanda, Rex’s wife and the sweetest woman he knew, had asked him to stand as godfather to the boy. He could not refuse.

Daniel was godfather to the girl. He started weeping the instant that tiny scrap of lace and love was placed in his arms. Everyone laughed except Harry, feeling the tears well up in his own eyes, to see them reflected in matching blue ones with the dark rim. A baby, born in harmony, wanting for nothing, his future assured. Oh, lucky Rex, and oh, how Harry wanted one that peace, that promise, a son, for himself.

And that was the truth. It was as sweet as honey, as sweet on his tongue as nectar.

Miss Ryland coughed, and he came back from his wool-gathering to wonder what her lips would taste like.

He sighed. Such thoughts were for another tomorrow. Today was for finding out the truth, the way the Royce men always had, always could. Rex saw colors, true-blue for honesty. The earl heard notes of discord for lies. Poor Daniel got rashes at untruths. And he, Harry, the illegitimate son, could taste a lie.

The odd, unheard of gift of truth-knowing made them all invaluable to the country. Lord Royce acted in the legal system; Rex and Daniel had been the Inquisitors on the Peninsula, interrogating prisoners to find the enemy’s secretes, secrets that could keep the generals informed and the soldiers safe. Rex was a huge help to Bow Street’s police force before he left for his wife’s confinement and the infants’ births. He’d do more when he returned to London. They all worked in secr ecy, of course, for the talent was too close to sorcery or witchcraft or magic for the public’s comfort. Or for Daniel’s. He was determined to sow his wild oats in London, then become a gentleman farmer, where only nettles could make him break out in hives. He had no interest in serving the country in time of peace, only in carousing his way through the city’s underworld. Harry could sympathize, but he had plans for Daniel anyway. The gift was too important to waste on barmaids, brawls, or barley crops.

As for himself, Harry was usually tucked away in hidden offices, in wigs and disguises when he went out. He was the Aide, a state secret onto himself. Half myth, half truth, he could sift through all the gathered intelligence and recognize the truth. He had fingers in every aspect of military or political or criminal life , in everything that could threaten his country. Recently he’d dealt with smugglers, embezzlers, and spies, French sympathizers all.

Now Napoleon was gone, and the Aide could be, too. The Harry might make a real life for himself, as himself. The house party was the key. Harry Harmon, Lord Royce’s bastard son, was invited now that he was acknowledged by his powerful father. He’d go, raffish Harry, and Major Harrison would stay behind. An assistant was already fitted for the right clothes, the wig and beard and moustache. The man wouldn’t be in actual danger despite the death threats— Harry would not have let another man take a bullet meant for him— but he’d die anyway. He’d suffer a heart spasm spectacularly, loudly, visibly, right there on the steps of Whitehall for everyone to see. He’d be carried inside, physicians sent for, for naught. Harry had the obituary already written.

Farewell, Major, with all your enemies. Welcome, Harry Harmon, rakehell from the wrong side of the blanket.

To buy The Scandolous Life of a True Lady visit:

http://www.amazon.com/Scandalous-Life-True-Signet-Eclipse/dp/0451224388/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1216924655&sr=8-1

Author Interview: MARTINE JARDIN

Martine Jardin's Blueprint for Success

Author Interview by AJ Llewellyn

Award-winning Artist Stops by to visit the Dark Divas!!

1. Martine, you are a very accomplished artist and have won many awards and now it turns out that you are a talented author! How hard is it to balance your art and writing lives?

It's not easy to balance. I do whatever the muse tells me. Be it art, I create covers. Be it writing, I work on present works or start a new story.

2. Can you tell me a little about your background? Are you self taught? Or did you go to art school?

I've sketched, did water colors and charcoals since I was very young. I won some art competitions over the years. I ventured into oils in my twenties and painted just for relaxation and to use as gifts at Christmas, weddings, anniversaries etc. Early nineties I started to dabble in digital art. I took some online courses, but am mainly self taught. Just recently, I bought new oils and canvas, but I haven't had time to paint anything as yet.


3. Your work covers a wide spectrum but has such a wonderful dreamlike quality to it. What inspires your art?

Sometimes it's just the muse, many times it's an author's blurb that inspires a book cover.

4. How closely do you work with authors on their covers?

I work with them very closely, although many authors have learned just to let me and my muse have their way.

5. Why, is your muse a bee-yatch? LOL

I don't know what that means…LOL oh, a bitch? Well, I am on a strict diet, so yes, maybe. Sometimes…

6. Do you ever have to put your foot down with authors? I like to joke that you speak softly but walk with a big paintbrush. I think this might actually be true...right?

I rarely put my foot down. I'll work and rework a cover until the author is happy. Being an author myself, I know what it's like to get a lousy cover. Been there. My first print published book, Shadowed Love, had a very disappointing cover and the publisher wouldn't let me make my own.

7. How influenced do you think book buyers are by covers?

It's different for everyone. Personally, I look at the covers before I pick up the book to examine it further.

8. Have you ever bought a book for its cover?

Yes, I have. Not always a good thing to do. A cover can be very appealing but the content not what you expected it to be. Wasted some money that way and have learned to read blurbs and excerpts before buying.

9. Which artists do you admire?

Rembrandt, one of the oldies, and there are a lot of digital artists I admire, too many to name, except I do love Jim Warren.

AJ: I love Jim Warren! I have his painting of Goddess Pele on my living room wall.


Martine: He is one of my favorite artists of today. I quite often go to his website for inspiration and silently wish I had the time to dabble with my oils and become just as good. And you know how I found him? I googled painting of unicorns in sea…and there were his paintings. Just gorgeous paintings. I am not quite sure how he does it all…I think it’s a mixture of media but his can of tomato soup looks like a mix of oil and digital…beautiful work, just beautiful.

10. About your writing…Blueprint For Revenge is a wonderful story set in Switzerland. You paint a very convincing picture of a haunted castle. Is this place real? Did you go there?

No, I haven't been to Switzerland. I did a lot of research for this book. I have, however, visited castles in France and the Netherlands, and based some of my descriptions on those. I researched castles and blueprints of castles extensively before writing this story.
11. The story of the sociopathic husband is chilling and yet believable. Is he based on somebody real?

Not really, although some of the fella's behavior is based on someone real. By studying people, listening to them, reading about true life events or watching a true life drama on TV, one can create very believable characters.
12. What is your work routine like with your art work? Do you work at night or morning? Do you have to carefully juggle your schedule to accommodate your writing and do you ever feel torn?

Yes, I do have a job to do after all, so I have to juggle everything. And yes, I quite often feel torn between writing, art, and my regular work. I do my best art at night, as well as my writing. And I do art just to relax when I'm tense, in turmoil or upset. It really brings tranquility to me.

13. What are you writing now and how is your experience at Devine Destines? This is your second book with them.

I am working on several older novels that have been collecting dust. It will take a while to rewrite them. I have so many old manuscripts, it's hard to pick which one I really want to work on next. One of my favorites is the one that was stolen and published in Russia for which I never got a penny.

14. Wow…how did that happen??

Long story. I'll make it as brief as possible. I signed with an agent. She is listed on P & E and several other sites, so I feel comfortable posting her name, Kelly O'Donnell, alias Martha Ivery, O'Donnell Literary Agency and later on, Press-Tige Publishing. This woman promised me the world, encouraged me to write and write and she'd publish my books. I found out she was ripping people off for thousands of dollars, so I terminated my contract with her. It was a few months later when I suddenly received a fax from Russia to send them a missing page from my manuscript.
Someone had copyrighted my works in their name, or so they said. (It was never done). But, what they didn't notice was that I had for some odd reason put the title page with my address, phone and fax number, at the end of the manuscript. This is how Russia knew where to fax me. Kelly O'Donnel in collaboration with Deering Literary Agency, sold my books to this Russian publisher. I ran up quite a phone bill trying to investigate it all. I never saw a penny and I have no idea which name these books were published under or the Russian titles. It was a devastating experience and taught me a bitter lesson. But not lesson enough. I could probably write a whole book about crooked agents and publishers and the many times I've been bitten.
I'd really like to work on the one book Russia faxed me about and optimize it for publication. How a page ever went missing from the floppy disc, is beyond me. It's an historical, written in the Angelique series style. Another one is Send Me An Angel, but since someone else has published with that title, I'll have to think up a new one. However, rewriting an older book is more work than starting a new story, so these are constantly put on the backburner.

15. Are you planning to give these books to Devine Destinies?

Some. It depends on how much sexuality is in them. Devine Destinies allows sensuality, but not explicit sexual scenes like eXtasy Books. I haven't looked at these books in quite a while and don't remember how hot they are--or not.

16. Who are your favorite authors to read?

J. R. Ward. Some old timer authors if I can find their books. I like some of Stephen King's books, especially his dark tower series. Over the last years, I don't read as much anymore because I'm afraid it will influence my own writing.

17. How did you first discover romantic and erotic fiction? Did you read it growing up?

I started devouring books at a very young age, as soon as I could read. My mother introduced me to the library at age 6 and I was reading a book a day. When I was a teenager, I started reading Barbara Cartland. Those were considered very spicy for that time. After that, the Angelique series--even spicier. I loved the Angelique series for all the adventures and intrigue and trouble Angelique got herself into. Plus it was historical. From there I ventured into reading historical fiction.

18. Okay a wild question: Rembrandt comes back to life and turns up at your door demanding afternoon tea. Where would you take him and what would you order for him since he doesn’t speak English?

There is a story in that, LOL. Mmm, Rembrandt in today's time. Could make for an interesting book. I speak Rembrandt's native language so he could tell me what he'd like. Maybe I'd introduce him to MacDonalds? Or…since he was a starving artist in his time, he'd probably be happy with just a plain old Dutch cup of tea with biscuits.

19. What do you think he would make of some of your more provocative art??

He'd probably love it since he's done some provocative paintings himself in his day. LOL He'd probably shock me… tell me my art isn't provocative enough…

On behalf of the Dark Diva Reviews team, I’d like to thank Martine Jardin for her time and her passion.

Find out more about Martine at www.martinejardin.com and find her books at www.devinedestinies.com

Inside the Wondermind of Horror Author RICK R. REED

Author Interview by AJ Llewellyn


1. Rick, you definitely do not write to the comfort level of your readers. There is rarely a happy ending. Sometimes one character gets it, another doesn't. You also bump off major characters. Is this a conscious decision in your work, to flaunt tradition?

Oh, I don't know; I think you'll find a lot of happy endings in my work. It all depends on how you look at things. When I write, I simply like to look at things realistically, so my books are rarely black and white in any sense, they move between the two extremes...and happy endings are one example of what I think of as realism and the shades of gray we find in real life. My stories are very personal and usually driven by my characters, who become very real in my head. So I don't think there's any deliberate attempt to flaunt tradition.

2. When did you start writing? I believe your first published book was in 1991 wasn't it? But what about the actual writing?

I started writing when I was about six years old, when I wrote my first short story. I haven't let up since. I wrote my first play in 4th grade, my first novella in fifth and, by the time I graduated high school, had written two novels and enough short stories to fill an anthology. Of course, I wouldn't share any of that stuff with anyone now! Writing is a constitutional thing with me. Like being gay, it's just who I am...and definitely not a choice!

3. What drew you to horror and whose work in that field do you admire?

I have always been fascinated with the dark side of things. Even as a small child, I preferred horror movies over Disney type stuff (my parents used to let me stay up late on Saturday nights to watch the Chiller Theater double feature out of Pittsburgh). Horror intrigues me because it explores that dark side that I think we all have inside us. I find flawed and even frightening people much more interesting to contemplate. True crime fascinates me and I can quote chapter and verse on most of the twentieth century's most notorious serial killers. I admire in fiction people like Flannery O'Connor (whose work is deliciously horrific), James Purdy, Patricia Highsmith, and Ruth Rendell. Of course, from when I was small, I have been a die-hard Stephen King fan and continue to be so. I used to feel that way about Anne Rice, but now, not so much.

4. Rick, I am very interested to hear you say this about Anne Rice because I loved her books too but could not get through much of Christ, the Lord Out of Egypt. I felt that a lot of what made her books so original was gone. Did you read that book?

No, I started giving up around the time Queen of the Damned came out. It was so long and overblown. I was afraid she was beyond the reach of an editor. When she started putting religion into her books, I just got bored. But the first couple Lestat novels were beautiful…some of the best vampire fiction I think, well, ever.

5. I know you have said your ideas come from different sources but with each successive book, you manage to pinpoint topical issues such as sexual addiction in High Risk, meth amphetamine addiction and gender bias in Orientation. Do you follow the media much? Or are these things you see in your life in general?

I think the inclusion of topical issues is more on a subconscious level because, as I said above, I am fascinated by flawed people and one of my biggest fascinations is of obsession. It really intrigues me to think about people doing things they can't help doing, but do it anyway because their compulsion is so fierce. I will pass on saying how this relates to my own personal life.


6.You are one of the pioneers of GLBT fiction. How has it changed in recent years?

A pioneer? Thanks for making me feel ancient!
(AJ says: I didn’t mean to, I meant it as a compliment!)
Oddly, thanks for making me feel honored. I don't know if I am a pioneer or not, but I do think we have seen a much broader acceptance of GLBT fiction and media lately and that's a good thing, but I think we still have a long way to go. GLBT fiction is still way too marginalized and hard to find. I think the key is finding stories that appeal not to the sexual beings in all of us, but to the human beings in all of us. We all share common bonds and when we find those stories, I think GLBT stories will be much more accessible to a wider audience. I try to write not from a GLBT perspective, but a human one. My character's sexuality is secondary to their humanity.

7. I have noticed on message boards you get a lot of female fans. Why do you think more and more women are becoming drawn to gay fiction?


I have noticed that too. I expected my gay serial killer novel about online hookups to have a very narrow appeal to gay men, but then I get letters from grandmothers telling me they loved it. I think the reason women are drawn to M/M stories is because that, when they are done right, they appeal to common issues people have: love, hope, desire. M/M is just a variation on a theme, and perhaps, a compelling variation.

8. What sort of books do you prefer to read in your own time?


I read mostly fiction, with occasional forays into non-fiction (mostly true crime or histories of disasters--am I cheery or what?). I mentioned some of my favorite authors above, but I do enjoy a good mystery and am even discovering some aspects of science fiction that I like, a genre I never thought I'd enjoy.

9. When you branched out from your usual fare with High Risk, were your publishers and fans receptive?


HIGH RISK is, if I may say so, a thrill ride of a story (I've had more than one person tell me they stayed up all night to finish it or had to read it in one sitting). So I would say that, in general, my publisher and my readers have been receptive. No one has complained about the characters' straight orientation. As I said, I think a good story appeals to anyone, regardless of gender or orientation.

10. Can you please tell me a little about your writing life? Do you write at specific times? Do you commit to a certain number of pages per day?


When I'm writing a novel, I do try to be disciplined about it, because I am my own boss (unlike I am my own wife, which is a whole 'nother story). I usually write first thing in the morning because I am very much a morning person. I usually give myself a goal of 1,000 words per day. It's an easily attainable goal for me and I often write more than that. But on the other hand, if I only write 1,000 words or a little less, I don't beat myself up too badly...and when I do beat myself up badly, I always steer clear of the face.


11. (Laughing) Dead End Street, your new book coming in October looks very, very dark. Do you spook yourself when you are writing? As a reader, your books are harrowing...what do you put yourself through to write them?

Dead End Street is a young adult novel, so while it is horror, in many ways is less dark than my other books. It's the story of five misfit kids who discover an abandoned house in their small town where a family was murdered years ago (and the son went missing) and decide to tell ghost stories in the house over the course of several weeks. Only the house is NOT as abandoned as they might think...and that's where the terror comes in. I can't really say I spook myself. I do get caught up in my characters and what's happening with them, yet I don't have to keep telling myself "it's only a book." I'm the little man behind the curtain...and I know all secrets of what will scare my readers, so I protect myself in that way.

12. You have a prolific output. Do you work on more than one book at a time?

There's no way I could write more than one book at a time! I have a hard enough time keeping everything straight in one book at a time. I just look prolific because 2007 and 2008 have been good years for me getting published. It doesn't necessarily mean everything was written from scratch in that time frame.

13. What are you working on next?

I am contracted to write two ebooks (novellas) for my publisher and need to get those done. One will be a homoerotic take on a very popular fairy tale and the other will be a coming out story about a married, closeted man. After that, I want to write a new full-length novel and will either do a sequel to IM or a new story that's been dancing around in my head about a gay couple, a murder, and a haunted condominium.

14. A haunted condo? I love it! You have been described as the Stephen King of gay horror. As such, I have to ask you, what does your muse look like? He says his muse is an ugly, chubby guy with a beard. What about yours?

I'm afraid I'm more prosaic. I just look in the mirror. He's a tough muse and he's getting old.

15. What are the two things you love most about Lily? And how does she feel about your books?

Lily is, of course, my Boston Terrier. I love the way she snorts like a pig and how she loves to cuddle with my partner and I at night when we all go to bed. She thinks my books are potboilers and not worth the paper they're printed on. But what does she know? She's a dog.

16. You say on your website that you suffered numerous head traumas. Is this true? And if so, what happened and has this influenced the 'twisted' elements in your work?

Yes, it is true. If I shaved my head, I'm afraid it wouldn't be a pretty; it would be a mass of scars from stitches and concussions. What happened: bike riding accidents (as both an adult and a child), a sledding accident where I knocked a STOP sign out of the ground with my head, being hit by a car, falling over the banister in my parents' house and landing on my head, hitting my head on the edge of a coffee table. What else? That's all I can remember. Those injuries probably explain a lot...more than just my twisted stories!

17. You and your partner are allowed to invite anybody to dinner – but they must be dead and/or fictional. Who would you invite and what’s on the menu?

If they’re dead, that would be kind of gross, wouldn’t it? At least I wouldn’t have to worry about what to serve them. I guess the first fictional character that popped into my head was Ignatius O’Reilly from A Confederacy of Dunces. He would have bad manners and would complain loudly about whatever I served, but he would make me laugh, and that goes a long way in my book. I suppose, befitting his home town, I would cook him up a mess of red beans and rice with a nice big ham hock and some corn muffins. And we’d have to have lots of beer…and maybe some crayfish…and shrimps.

18. One final question. I just made you God for a day. Quick, you get to change one thing about the world. What will it be?

I’d give the Republicans the same things the Tin Man and the Scarecrow were missing.


On behalf of Dark Divas Reviews, I want to thank Rick for his time and his awesome answers.


Find out more about Rick R. Reed at his website: http://www.rickrreed.com/

and visit his myspace page at www.myspace.com/rickrreed

Author Spotlight: Helen Madden

Today's author in the spotlight is Helen E. H. Madden and her new e-book release, Demon By Day, with Mojocastle Press. To contact Helen email her at, helenmadden@cox.net, or visit her website, http://www.helenhmadden.com/.

Demon By Day

ISBN: 1-60180-061-4

BUY LINK: http://www.mojocastle.com/demon/byday.html

Author Biography:

Helen E. H. Madden is a writer and graphic artist who quit her lucrative day job years ago to tell dirty stories for fun and profit. Her published works have appeared in various anthologies, including "Cream: The Best of the Erotica Readers and Writers Association" and Alessia Brio's anthology "Coming Together: With Pride." Helen also writes and produces the Heat Flash podcast, a free audio program of erotic short fiction. When not writing, Helen devotes her time to creating naughty pictures with her computer graphics and animation programs. Her “Stick Figure Porno” cartoons are currently running at AtomFilms.com.

Podcast: http://www.heatflash.libsyn.com/

Stick Figure Porno cartoons: http://www.atomfilms.com/af/content/stick_figure_pornoBOOK

Blurb:

Half-demon, half-mortal, all bastard...In the underground realm of Daeva Shudra, the half-demon Orziel struggles to survive the deadly schemes of his immortal kin. His vicious beauty and ruthless cunning are his only weapons, but he wields them with fatal precision. When the empress of demons steals Orziel's lover, the half-demon vows revenge. But then he seduces a beautiful mortal youth, and Orziel must decide - stand by the one who loves him, or commit the ultimate betrayal?

Excerpt #1:

"You shouldn't be here."

Orziel regarded his petulant lover with mild amusement. Asheru, a demon prince and nephew of his most hated enemy, sat at a marble dressing table running a brush through his silver hair. In the soft eldritch light emanating from a nearby lamp, the young demon's translucent skin glowed beneath his gossamer robe.

"I spent over an hour scaling the walls of your uncle's keep, and that's all you have to say to me?" Orziel replied.

Asheru sniffed. "You climbed the walls only because your sorceries are too weak to get you in here any other way."

"Or perhaps I climbed the walls to show how much I desire you. How manyother lovers would risk breaking their necks just to see you?"

Orziel reclined against the window casement and pulled a silver flutefrom the folds of his doublet. He played a soft, seductive melody,letting the delicate notes spiral into the amethyst sky behind him.There was no sun or moon in the sky. In fact, there was no heavenly light at all. The underground realm of Daeva Shudra dwelled in endless twilight. Only the cool blue flames of eldritch fire pierced the darkness.

The sorcerous light of the bedchamber lamps flickered and danced played. He basked in the glow and stretched to the full length ofhis lean, muscular body. His sole weapon was his beauty, therapier-sharp physique of a rogue sheathed in doublet and breeches of gleaming blue velvet. Black boots, fashioned from the scaled hide ofsome netherworld beast, molded to his calves. His hands and face remained uncovered, revealing flesh as pale as Asheru's though not quite so translucent. Where Asheru's hair gleamed silver-white, Orziel's brooded darker than a cloud of night upon his head.

"If my uncle finds you here, he'll kill you." Asheru spoke to his ownreflection in the silvered glass, refusing to look at his suitor.

The music stopped. Orziel pocketed the flute with a sigh as he studied the lines of the prince's willowy body, clearly visible beneath the silkrobe. "Valefar can't kill me. The empress has forbidden it. No one maykill a Daeva and live."

"You're mortal, not Daeva!" the demon prince exclaimed, haughty anger flashing in his silver eyes.

"I'm half Daeva, and that's good enough for our beloved empress. As Irecall, it was also good enough for you once."

Orziel abandoned the casement and strode across the room. Asheru jumpedup in alarm, but before he could flee, the half-demon caught him by thewrist and shoved him back against the dressing table. The hairbrush clattered to the floor as Orziel pressed his velvet-clad hips againstAsheru's.

"I'll scream!" the prince threatened in a fierce whisper.

"Yes, you will scream," Orziel purred. "You'll scream my name over andover again as I tear away your robe and throw you onto the bed. You'llscream for mercy as I spread your legs and impale you on my hardened sex, and then you'll scream for more as I ride you like a prize stallion rides a mare in heat." He pressed his mouth against the young demon's,forcing his tongue between the youth's pale, shimmering lips.

Excerpt #2:

Locked in the struggle against his memories, Jarresh almost didn't hear the first notes of music that drifted through the square. The sinuous melody wormed its way into his awareness between gulping sobs, until at last he became aware of its rise and fall, the piping sounds fluttering like a bird through the hushed evening sky. The music wrapped around him like a lover, brushing away his tears before tugging at his hands and drawing him to his feet.

Jarresh followed the sound like a dreamer, floating through the gathering crowd until he came to a torch-lit corner of the square. Hooded and cloaked in patched velvet, a minstrel sat beneath the flickering lights, playing upon a silver flute, a battered brass bowl set at his feet. Lips pressed to the mouthpiece in a gentle kiss, he breathed life into the instrument and coaxed out a rippling refrain. The bowl chimed as a bystander dropped a handful of coins into it.

Jarresh stepped into the light, compelled by the cascading notes. He hesitated at the edge of the crowd and then sighed as the stranger spotted him and nodded, welcoming him to dance. Without further thought, Jarresh slipped off his shirt and breeches and laid them on the ground next to the minstrel. Clad only in a loincloth, he stepped out into the street.

The minstrel took no further notice of him but continued to play, picking up the tempo as the crowd moved back to give Jarresh room. The cold night air caressed his bare skin as he took the first few gliding steps. He turned and dipped, following the lead of the music as it swirled around him. All thoughts of danger faded from his mind as the thrill of the dance took hold.

He had never heard such music before. Dreamlike and dissonant, the eerie rill of notes slithered from the silver pipe like a serpent over the desert sand. The melody wrapped around him and howled like a demon, urging him to spin faster and faster, to leap higher and higher into the air until he thought he would escape the earth's grasp altogether and hang like a star in the sky.

His heart pulsed in time to the drumming of his feet on the cracked stones of the pavement. A second pulsing soon followed, a strange throbbing that radiated from his groin in sultry waves of heat. Jarresh knew that feeling, had experienced it before on dark nights when he was alone, when he let his hands dance over his body the way the music danced with him now. As the music flowed faster and stroked him to a furious beat, the pulsating rhythm drove to an inexorable climax. Jarresh moaned as he spun and leapt, soaring with the music until his body convulsed with ecstatic joy.

Then the music ended and he fell back to the earth, exhausted and spent. Trembling, he crouched on the fractured pavement and gasped for breath. A collective sigh washed over him and Jarresh looked up. The surrounding throng trembled with him, eyes glassy, mouths open and gasping. Wet stains spread across the robes of every man standing there. The women flushed with a desperate heat. More than a few stood with their robes pulled open, naked skin dimpling in the frigid night air.

Jarresh stood up on shaking legs. A damp heat still spread from his groin, battling against the cold night. Blushing, Jarresh noticed his loincloth clinging wetly to the swollen cock that peeked out of hiding. He hurriedly tucked the tip of his rogue member back into the waistband before darting back to his abandoned clothes.

"You dance well," the minstrel said as Jarresh struggled into his breeches. "The crowd was pleased." He tapped the bowl at his feet. Jarresh gasped at the mound of copper coins that filled it. There were enough in the bowl to pay for several meals.

The minstrel tucked his flute into the folds of his cloak before gathering up the coins. "I hope you've got a large enough purse to carry all this in."

"I-I don't have any purse," Jarresh said as the stranger offered him a handful of the flashing coins. "I mean, I had one, but someone stole it."

"Your boots and cloak as well?" the minstrel asked.

Jarresh nodded, too embarrassed by the admission to look the other man in the eye.

The stranger reached into his cloak again and pulled out a clinking pouch. He filled it with the coins from the bowl and then handed the overflowing bag to Jarresh. "There. Now you have a new purse and enough money to buy boots and a cloak as well."

Astonished, Jarresh looked up and for the first time noticed the eyes of the stranger, dark blue like the night sky and as seductive as the music he played. "I can't take all of this! At least half of it should be yours."

The stranger shook his head and smiled. "You need it more than I do. But if it will make you feel better, you can use some of that money to buy us both dinner."

At the mention of dinner, Jarresh's stomach broke into a deep rumble. He blushed and opened his mouth to apologize, only to find himself falling forward as he spoke. He drifted like a feather and landed in the stranger's open arms.

"Steady," the minstrel said, propping Jarresh back up on his feet. "Are you all right?"

Jarresh slumped against the other man. "Hungry," he whispered. "I'm just hungry, that's all."

The stranger's face broke into a rakish grin that made Jarresh blush again in spite of his sudden weakness. "More likely you're starved. This way," the piper said, guiding the young dancer out of the main square. "We'll find you something to eat, and then get you new boots and a cloak. And just to make sure you don't freeze to death on the way..."

He opened up his mantle and drew Jarresh inside its voluminous folds. The dancer felt his heart skip a beat as the minstrel's arm wrapped around his waist. For a moment, he thought about pulling away, but the night had already descended into bitter cold and the cloak felt warm and inviting. Nodding, Jarresh huddled deeper into the sheltering garment and let the stranger sweep him away...

Author Interview: DJ MANLY By AJ Llewellyn

DJ MANLY: SO MUCH MORE THAN TALENTED

For This Hot M/M Author, Writing is a Necessity ~ Interview by A.J. Llewellyn

1. DJ, how old were you when you first started writing and what were your earlier efforts like?I was around ten I guess. I remember writing this really raunchy soap opera…straight stuff…and cutting out pictures from magazines to paste on the cover. LOL…I’d hate to look at it today.


2. Do you read M/M erotic fiction and who would you say is an influence in your work?The first m/m fiction I ever read was Gordon Merrick’s “The Lord Won’t Mind.” I fell in love with the characters. You know, it’s weird, I don’t read much m/m fiction at all. I have more of a tendency to watch gay films and series. My influences are not gay literature, but literature in general. I would say they are people like Margaret Laurence, believe or not, who knew how to tell a good story.

3. Speaking of gay movies and series, do you have any favorites?
Queer as Folk, The Lair, Dante’s Cove, I have all these. I love Maurice, Pricilla Queen of the Desert, or there are far too many.


4. Your earlier work [I read Brennus' Witch] had a distinctive Yaoi feel to it, but you seem to have moved away from that. Will we see more of it in the future? Do you like Yaoi as a genre?That was clearly an accident. I wrote the book without trying to make it Yaoi. Someone said, hey, that’s Yaoi…and I went really??? You’re asking me if I like Yaoi as a genre, and I’m going to get in trouble here…big trouble…and I guess the surprise is…Not really or only sometimes. I do respect the genre. No one can ignore its popularity. Some of the stories are wonderful. When I read a book, Yaoi or not, and one of male characters is made to resemble a person with some exaggerated, effeminate characteristics, I really don’t like it. Now don’t get me wrong, I have no problem with men who act or dress in a stereotypical female way. I have a problem when the only kind of m/m love accepted is that which mirror male-female stereotypical roles. Now I could go on and on about this and put you to sleep. When I was in graduate school, my dissertation was about gender roles and homophobia. For me, gender is a social construct. There is nothing biological about roles we adopt. I don’t care what roles two men in love adopt but I get the impression that some people only accept m/m literature when one of th e characters adopt the role of female (i.e. helpless, whiny, etc…) Boy will I catch hell for this one…lol…I’m not saying all Yaoi is like that. I also know that in my books some characters are stronger or more dominant than others. But I would hate to think that I consistently give my men stereotypical roles. Enough said.


5. How do you manage to be so prolific? Do you have a set output you aim for every day? What is your writing routine like?Me Prolific? Lol…How do I manage it? My publishers nag me!!! Lol…no, I told someone once in another interview that writing is like breathing to me. I have to do it. So, every minute I’m not teaching, editing, researching, running my business, I’m writing. I do have a partner and he is usually somewhere in the house…lol…I do call him on the cell from time to time. But seriously, I nag myself and if I drag my laptop everywhere and in between clients and classes, I write or edit20or whatever else I have to do.


6. Is it easy juggling so many publishers?
Well, I have four. It’s not a problem.

7. Why do you think so many women readers are drawn to M/M romances?
That’s an easy one, whew…becaus e hetero women love beautiful men! And since I never do anything the easy way, the more complex answer is because they like to see two men in love…two men begin from the same status pedestal (did I say that???). Anyway, it’s fun to watch the fireworks, the sex, the romance. It gets away from Tradition…it’s fresh and new and oh so sexy. (psst, I have gay male readers)

8. William Maltese recently said women writing M/M have changed the genre, inserting emotion into the work. Have you noticed this yourself and do you agree with him?
Yeah, maybe but I think the difference Maltese speaks of is the difference between porn and eroticism. I know some women who write damn hard core porn…but eroticism blends the sexual with the emotional. But I believe a good writer can write just about anything. It’s a gift writing. You must be born with it then you have to practice and perfect it like with any art. I’m going off track, I do that. Women are tau ght to be more comfortable expressing emotion, on paper or off.

9. Where do you get your ideas for stories? Do you day dream? Do they come easily or do you work on ideas over a period of time?
I dream them sometimes or I take a germ of an idea and then let the characters play it out. Sometimes they come easily, sometimes not. I’ve written some stories in a week, others have taken months. Sometimes I stop mid way and start something else. I go back and the ending comes later. That’s hell. I hate that.

10. What books do you like to read yourself? Favorite authors?
I read books for work like English Second Language stuff, sometimes books on the craft of writing, very few books for pleasure I’m afraid.
11. Stephen King once said his muse is a fat, bearded guy who smokes cigars. What does your muse look like?I don’t have one. If I did, he/she certainly wouldn’t look like that. He’d probably be a clown with a big red nose.


12. What are you working on now? Do you work on more than one book at a time? I’m writing a sequel to “So Much More Than Naked” and a new vampire story. 3.

13. What are the publication dates for your upcoming books?
Oh well, I believe Arsenic and Rio at Extasy is coming out sometime in August. I have a trilogy called Love Most Inconvenient at Liquid Silver, I don’t have a date but I’m imagining early august. Melting Ice 2 at Mojo…I have no idea. Brennus’ Witch 3 at Extasy for Halloween.

14. AJ *perks* A sequel to Brennus’ Witch? Yahoo! Okay, DJ, do you work well under pressure?
I guess I’d have to say yes, I’m always under pressure.
15. What is the one thing we will always find on DJ Manly's desk? Coffee, tea. A pen, chunks of paper.


Thank you so much DJ. We know how busy you are. From all of us here at Dark Diva Reviews, keep the passion going!

Visit DJ Manly at
http://www.djmanly.com/
www.myspace.com/djmanly

Author Spotlight: Tess MacKall

Today's author in the spotlight is Tess MacKall, and her upcoming release, Gabriel's Gun, Book One in her Gabriel's Ride Series, available July 8, 2008 from Freya's Bower. Read a sizzling excerpt below...

Blurb:

Gabriel’s Ride Series
Book I: Gabriel’s Gun
Including the prequel Gabriel’s Horn

Two strong women struggle for answers in these two unique stories. At their centers is a mysterious stranger who brings change to their lives. Who is he, and who will be the woman to finally bring him to heel? Sex, lies, and big bucks...only Gabriel has the answers.

Gabriel’s Horn (prequel)

They say Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned and Raquel is no exception. Her husband has taken a lover and Raquel plans to get even. But when you play the game of payback, be careful of the man you choose to do it with, especially if that man is Gabriel.

Gabriel’s Gun

Someone has taken a shot at movie idol, Jillian Traynor, and she’s pissed as hell to find herself in hiding before a major premiere. But one look at Gabriel sets her body aflame, and the term bodyguard takes on new meaning.

Excerpt

Raquel let the sable fall from her shoulders and slipped out of her black heels. She opened her clutch and took out what appeared to be a large silver pen, but proved so much more. A camera, easy to conceal, simple to use, and it took great pictures.

She smoothed her hands over her black silk skirt, preparing for what she was about to do. With her senses on overload with fear and doubt, a shiver of excitement rushed through her body. The skin across her breasts constricted and her nipples grew taut. What if he caught her? Money is a powerful motivator and the possibility of losing half a billion dollars could drive a man to do almost anything.

Focused on the end result, Raquel ignored her doubts and pushed the stairwell door open a couple of inches. Cautiously, she surveyed the long corridor. In a few minutes, she’d have everything she needed to set the wheels of justice in motion and free herself. With no one in sight, she stepped out into the hall and eased the door shut.

Raquel flattened her back to the wall and moved with measurable steps. Every inch closer to the penthouse door increased the flow of adrenaline running rampant through her body. Halfway there, she stopped. The beats of her heart escalated, and panic rose up inside her as she struggled to breathe. She clenched her hands into fists, the pointed tips of her nails digging into her palms, and forced herself to drag in air.

Several moments passed before she calmed enough to continue. This time she made it the rest of the way without further panic. She placed her ear to the door and listened. Hearing nothing, she swiped the card key through the security mechanism and observed the blinking red light turn green. She took the card key from the slot, tucked it between her breasts and readied the camera.

The soft click of metal rubbing metal resounded as she turned the gold door knob and pushed the door open just enough to see inside. Convinced Justin and his bitch were in the bedroom fucking, she opened the door wider and tip toed inside.

Fear threaded her veins, and self-doubt crept in. Can I do this? He’d broken his promise to her, took her love—and their future. Righteous anger and determination swelled inside her, replacing the fear and doubt. She intended to see him stripped of everything he held so dear. Money. Power. Position. It all belonged to her and she wanted it back. I’ve played the fool far too long.

Raquel paused in the living room and smiled. The opulent surroundings reminded her of everything he’d lose over one night of lust. She couldn’t wait to see the look on his face.

Laughter interrupted her thoughts. She jerked her head in the direction of the sound. Gripping the camera tightly in her palm, she leveled her eyes on the open doorway. Fueled by anger, determined to come away the winner, she crossed the room.


The laughter metamorphosed into the sounds of sex. Groaning, grunting, moaning—sighs of ecstasy. Raquel paused and squeezed her eyes shut, the fury of a woman scorned replaced by grief. When had their love died?


A cold tremor shook her body. She clenched her jaw tight and rejected the tears she needed to shed. Armed with the icy shield formed around her heart, she leveled her back to the wall, angling her head next to the door and stole a look. Her eyes grew wide, stunned by the scene playing out on the bed.


About Tess...

Single and loving it, Tess is a sassy southern belle who loves to flirt and tease. And it was no big surprise to her friends when she began writing erotic romance. There’s nothing she likes better than weaving a sexy plot that entangles her hero and heroine and forces them to look love square in the eye.

With a background in journalism she began her career with a local newspaper and then moved on to her greatest passion–politics. With a flair for marketing, she worked in various political campaigns across the south and honed her skills as a speech writer. Leaving the political arena, she returned to her beloved hometown in the south to raise her family and to finally live her distant dream of writing romance.

Next on her list of dreams is to start life anew in a small coastal town. She’s hearing the call of the ocean and can imagine sitting on the beach listening to the waves and to all those sexy characters that keep talking in her head.Life is about change and the need to keep it fresh. There is nothing more exciting than a little “reinvention” from time to time~~new locales to explore and to motivate the muse.Her three children have been her greatest joy and when she passes from this life to the next, she wants a diamond created from her ashes for each of them because “love lives on”.

Available July 8, 2008 from Freya’s Bower http://www.freyasbower.com/
The Gabriel’s Ride Series
Gabriel’s Gun including the prequel Gabriel’s Horn

Coming Soon from Whiskey Creek Press Torrid
http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/torrid
His Sweet Obsession

Visit Tess’s Website http://www.tessmackall.literalseduction.com/
Visit Tess’s MySpace http://www.myspace.com/tessmackall
Join Tess’s Newsletter http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TessMackall
Tess on the Nice n’ Naughty Blog http://nicennaughtyauthors.blogspot.com/
Tess on the Sensual Secrets Blog http://sensualnsecret.blogspot.com/
Join Midnight Seductions http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MidnightSeductions

Reviews for June

Here's a list of all the reviews we posted last month. Swing by the site to read them, http://www.darkdivareviews.webs.com or click on them.

Disoriented Dress by Liam Stalls- Erotic Romance
The Date by Sandy Storm- Erotic
To Catch a Casanova by Ericka Scott- Erotic
Dragoness By Annmarie Ortega- Paranormal
Ghost Lover and Other Erotic Fantasies by Christopher Newman- Paranormal
Apocalypse Woman by Tyree Kimber- Paranormal
CAJUN MAGIC by Dana Littlejohn- Paranormal
What Worse Place Can I Beg in Your Love? by Syd McGinley-BDSM
The New Ickford Manor by Anthony Stevens- BDSM
Interstitial By Ann Somerville- GBLT
Shadows Beneath by Jesse Fox- GBLT
The Gold Warrior by Clare London-GBLT
Orientation by Rick R. Reed- GBLT- A Recommended Read
Eureka Point By Betty Ann Harris- Suspense
Adventures in Space 2: Command Me by LA Day- Scifi