Author Interview: KIERNAN KELLY

Author Interview by A.J. Llewellyn

1. Hi Kiernan and welcome to the Dark Divas’ Den! You are very prolific, but my first question would have to be about your new book, Outland, which has had great reviews. It’s also an interesting subject matter. You tackle gay love in the bible belt and, something I find absolutely fascinating, your two leads are in their 50’s! You don’t see that much in gay erotic fiction. Where did the idea come to you for this book?

Hi, and thanks so much for the opportunity to interview here! The characters in Outland, Hank and Beaver, were inspired by a pair of real life partners I met two years ago during the Gay Days convention in Orlando. The men were older, in their late fifties or early sixties by my estimate. They stopped by my table and when we got to chatting, I discovered they’d been together twenty some-odd years. I remember thinking how awesome it was that they’d remained together for so long, and wondering about the challenges they must have faced in their lifetime, and how interesting it would be to base a pair of characters on them. The opportunity arose when I sat down to write Outland.

I realized when I wrote the book that using a pair of silver foxes was taking a chance (I’m as guilty as the next writer of using hunky stud muffins as my characters), but truthfully, I think there’s something incredibly sexy about mature, experienced men. I don’t think my readers were disappointed.

2. Your reviews always say that in spite of the high ‘heat’ level of your books, that your story development is excellent, that you don’t have your characters jumping into the sack on page one. Is this a deliberate choice on your part?

Absolutely. I think that if the characters have the time to invest emotionally in one another, then the sex is hotter and more fulfilling. Plus, I like the reader to feel like they’re right there in bed with the characters, and the only way I’ve found to do that is to vividly describe the setting, and let the readers inside the characters’ heads before diving between the sheets.

3. Are any of your stories based on your actual experiences?

I haven’t written any “true” stories, but I’ve often pulled bits and pieces from my life, experiences, and my personality and infused the stories with them. The character closest to being me is Beaver from Outland. The dedication in the book reads, “This book is for my husband. He tolerates my odd hours, encourages me always, and most of all, believes in me even when I don’t believe in myself. Hon, we are Hank and Beaver.” It’s true, we are, right down to the aching joints and gray hair. LOL

4. I know you live in Florida. Whereabouts and are you juggling a dreaded day job as well as your prodigious output of fiction?

I’m in Central Florida, land of the Mouse. I love it here, actually, even when it’s six degrees hotter than hell. I even love the kitschy tourist traps. I was fortunate enough to be able to leave my day job two years ago to write full time. Believe me, writing is the hardest, most time-consuming job I’ve ever held. I put in far more hours at my computer now than I ever did when I worked a day job!

5. As far as I can tell all your books are published by Torquere Press. How has your experience been with them and will you be working with other publishers soon?

Actually, while my novels are all held by Torquere, and I’ve written numerous short stories for them (and will continue to do so as long as they’re willing to publish them!), I’ve also written shorts for several other houses as well, including Cleis, Starbooks, Aspen Mountain Press, MLR Press, and coming soon, Circlet Press.

My experience with Torquere (pronounced “Tork-AH-ray” by the way) has been wonderful. They took a chance on me when I wrote my first title, Riding Heartbreak Road, and have been instrumental in helping me develop my craft.

6. There is a raging debate on the web about women writing gay erotic fiction. Do you think it matters and can you personally tell if a book’s been written by a man or a woman?

Personally, when I pick up a book to read (which I do often, having always be an avid, near-rabid reader), it never occurs to me to question the plumbing of the author. All that ever matters to me is the story. If it’s good, I treasure it, and look for more by that author. If it’s bad, I put it behind me and move on. I think that gay erotic fiction is the only genre where people seem to question whether the author has an “innie” or an “outie.” In my opinion, a good writer should be able to get inside anyone’s head, -- male, female, gay, straight, or other.

That said, I can’t always tell who wrote what. It depends on the person’s writing style. I’ve never made a secret of the fact that I’m a woman. People who haven’t read my webpage, or any of my interviews still often address me in emails as “Mr. Kelly.” I take that as a compliment.

7. You have a fondness for ice cream (even if crazed supermarket workers like to challenge your determination to eat it – yes, I read your blog!) what do you eat and/or drink when you’re writing?

Coffee. I’m a diehard coffee drinker. I would set up an altar and worship the beans in Starbucks if they’d let me.

Wow, you read my blog? Thank you! Yes, that was some adventure I had trying purchase ice cream at Publix. Sometimes you just have to sit back and laugh, or go crazy, you know?

8. I know what you mean! Kiernan, do you read much and which authors and what genres do you enjoy the most?

I am a voracious reader, always have been. I ‘m pretty eclectic, too, reading everything from horror, to romance, to thrillers, to historicals, both straight and gay. As I said before, what really matters to me is the story. I love Stephen King, especially his early work, when his novels were set in or around Castle Rock. I adore Jean Auel and her Earth’s Children series. I would read Sherrilyn Kenyon’s laundry list. I loved Milton Stern’s On Tuesday, They Played Mahjong.

9. As an author, which words or phrases do you find you most overuse?

I am forever looking for new and inventive ways to say “penis,” without resorting to stupid euphemisms like “greased love pole.” Seriously, there are only so many times you can use the word “c**k” in a paragraph, particularly when both parties involved have them.

10. How old were you when you learned there was no Santa Claus? How upset were you?

Wait…what? No…oh, no.

Seriously, I was eight when a horrible boy (whom I hope grew up to have terrible acne and is still a virgin living in his mother’s basement) in my class told me. I didn’t believe him.
Still don’t.

11. Another tough question: What was your favorite toy growing up?

My absolute favorite toy when I was growing up was a ratty old pair of roller skates. Mind you, this was before rollerblades -- these were bare-boned, metal skates that had a key that you needed to use to make them fit over your shoes. My parents’ basement had a tile floor, and I had a ball skating around down there like it was my own private rink.

12. Please tell me about your upcoming books.

My next novel releases in October, I believe, from Torquere Press. It’s the second book in my In Their Own Skins shapeshifter series, called The Mark of Cain. This one picks up several years after the first book ends, and continues the story of the shapeshifters at the Shifting Sands Ranch. I’m also working on a pirate novel, a vampire novel, a young adult series, and plan to begin writing a sequel to Seti’s Heart this fall.

13. If you weren’t a writer, what talent would you most like to have?

In an alternate universe, where I was not a writer, and was thin and graceful, I’d be a dancer. I always wanted to learn to dance, especially tap, but considering how clumsy I am, how uncoordinated (I barely qualify for having opposable thumbs at times), and how frequently I trip over my own two feet, the chances of my being a dancer have always been slim to none.

On behalf of Dark Diva Reviews, I’d like to thank Kiernan Kelly for stopping by today. To learn more about Kiernan's work, please check out these links:

http://www.kiernankelly.com/
http://kiernankelly.livejournal.com/
www.myspace.com/kiernankelly

Author Interview: MARC JARROD

1. Hi Marc and thanks for coming into the Dark Divas’ den…don’t get too many other guys in here, so this ought to be fun! Okay, my first question is, apart from being an author of romantic fiction, you’re a UPS driver. What’s the weirdest thing that ever happened to you in the course of delivering a package? Ever had a woman open the door naked?
Well, I hate to say this but, even though, I do work for UPS, I am not a driver. I am sorry I misled anyone. I think what it is, is that when I tell somebody I work at UPS, they immediately think I am a driver. What I do is work inside the building. I sort packages to their destination and I am also a clerk, doing address corrections. However, I was a driver at one point. One of the most humorous comments I would get from people receiving packages is when I would knock on the door and say UPS, I have a package, I would hear from the other side, Is it paid for? I don’t want it, if it’s not paid for. In other words, if it was a COD, they wouldn’t even open the door. (Okay, you had to be there.) LOL

2. Your books are intriguing because you seem to understand women very well and tell the stories from their POV. They all have quirks though, such as Charlie Jackson from One Dangerous Woman being a very violent, dangerous assassin. You know many women like this in your every day life?
Well, I hope not. LOL I love reading about the underworld— Demons, vampires, etc. I also love mobster novels, such as the Godfather. So, I incorporated the two genres into one. What I loved about One Dangerous Woman, especially from the woman’s perspective is that though Charlie was a cold blooded assassin, she also had a human side in that she loved children and she could also be in love as in loving Dexter.

3. If I were to describe your books, I’d say they were twisted romances…with demons, Satan and vampires running around in them. What books do you have coming out next? Will you continue in this paranormal realm?
As a matter of fact, next release will be in that genre. Last Christmas I wrote Ferver Black’s Christmas Wish, which was a vampire story. I had never written vampire before, even though I love that genre in that I have seen dozens of movies dealing with vampires. My favorite is Interview with a Vampire. There will be a sequel to the Ferver story, titled, Ferver Black’s Christmas Wish…Return to Darkness.

4. I know you are tackling M/M for an anthology…how graphic will it be and ahem…how much research is involved here?
Just like my Ferver story, this will be my first attempt. Luckily because it will be an anthology, it will be short so I wont have to stretch my imagination. J I believe it will be a love story. More like a male who thought he was straight, and a gay male who brings him around and shows him the joys of the gay life style. Because it will be his first time, it won’t be very graphic, but there will be some sex involved. I did my research from reading your stories, AJ. You are a master storyteller where, though your characters are vampires, you also make them human in that they laugh, cry, joke around etc. I love that. That is why I believe you are so successful.

5. Wow, thanks, Marc! You live in St. Louis, Missouri but moved there from Italy when you were a child. Do you remember much of Italy? Have you been there since?
Not a whole lot, I must admit. When I came here, which was July 4th, 1959, I spoke fluent Italian. Unfortunately, I went straight to school that September. I was able to speak some English but not a whole lot. So when a nun would tell me to color the drawing of a boat, blue, I would color it another color because I had no idea what she was talking about. LOL. I am thinking of perhaps traveling there when I retire from UPS.

6. What are the best and worst things about living in St. Louis?
The best things— along with the Arch, I would say it is truly a sports town what with The St. Louis Cardinals and Rams and the St. Louis Blues. When it comes to the Cardinals, people and even other teams say St. Louis is one of the best sports towns in the country because of the support we give our team. I was also proud that St. Louis was the host of the All-Star game in which we were able to showcase our city. The worst part is, because of the economy, two of our major auto plants—Chrysler and Ford have down. They were major employers for the city.

7. What is your writing routine like? With three books published (that I know of, including One Dangerous Woman, Ferver Black’s Christmas Wish and A Heavenly Christmas, you are pretty prolific. Do you write every day?
Well, not as prolific as you, AJ. LOL but thanks for the moral and morale boost. I try to write everyday even if it is in small spurts. Sometimes, just as every writer goes through this, I hit writer’s block. When that happens, I watch TV, take a walk or go to a movie. Believe it or not, I also get inspiration when I work. Sorting packages can be boring, so I would kind of daydream, thinking how I could write a scene. When it hits me, during lunch, I take pen in hand and start writing the scene before I forget it.

8. You were in the middle of edits on a book called Time Eternal when the publishing company went under. Will you ever resurrect that? The premise sounds so intriguing!
I am glad you asked that. Time Eternal—now renamed, Imagine because I felt it fit the story line better and the title to me, was exotic—is just about finished. I am very proud of this story because it was my first effort as a writer. To show how naïve I was a writer, the first thing I did after finishing the story, was to look for a literary agent to hawk my masterpiece. LOL I had no idea epubs were out there. Then I came across some epubs on the internet and after getting rejected a number of times, StarDust Press took me on. That is where I met one of my colleagues Stephani Hecht. Imagine is a time travel book but it will have a twist in the end and of course a HEA.

9. I know you are a big football and baseball fan. What other interests do you have? Do you read a lot and who are some of your favorite authors?
My favorite author is James Patterson who writes crime novels. I love his books because he is a fast read. His chapters are like only 2-3 pages long. What I love about his works is he is an author who cuts to the chase, without giving vivid descriptions of scenery or minor characters. Another favorite leisure time is Trivia. I occasionally go to Trivia Night gatherings and more than once, my team has won first place.

10. Now for a tough question. You ready? What was your favorite toy growing up?
The old Etch A Sketch and yo-yo’s. I loved doing, walking the dog, rock the cradle, around the world etc. on my yo-yo. I loved drawing landscapes on the Etch a Sketch. OMG, I am truly showing my age now. LOL

11. I know you like classical music and oldies rock. Do you listen to music and what kind when you’re writing? What about when you’re having sex?
I listen to oldies rock when writing. But if I am struggling, I will listen to classical to help me relax. Music while having sex? I don’t usually have music, but if I did, it would be classical because it would be so relaxing.

12. Which living person do you most admire?
My next door neighbor. She is close to 90 but has the energy of a 20 year old. I could only hope I have even half that energy if and when I reach that age.

13. Which living person do you most despise?
Osama Bin Laden. He is the true antichrist. And any dictator who is guilty of genocide.


On behalf of Dark Diva Reviews, I’d like to thank Marc Jarrod for stopping by today. To learn more about this awesome author’s work, please check out his links:
www.myspace.com/marcjarrod

Author Interview: ERIN SINCLAIR

Author Interview by A.J. Llewellyn

1. Hi Erin and thanks so much for entering the Divas’ dark den. So in doing a little homework on you, I googled your name and was shocked to find the first entry is you as a bondage and fetish model. I knew you were naughty, but Erin, you’re NAUGHTY! All jokes aside, I know you are not this particular Erin but don’t you get some nasty, suggestive email from men thinking you ARE that Erin?

They say you never really know people, huh? LOL Hello, AJ and thank you for inviting me! No, not me, but the irony of a porn/fetish model and a romance writer who writes sensual, sexy love scenes sharing the same name is hysterical to me.

Actually, I’ve had the pen name Erin Sinclair (for my romance author persona) picked out for years than the model has been alive, because I thought the first name and surname sounded good together. Approximately one month before the debut of Twilight’s Son, I double-checked Erin Sinclair and BAM, Erin Sinclair, model, pops up all over the place. Not sure if I didn’t notice it in prior searches or her career hit a point where constant searches brought her to the top of the Google list, but the rest as they say is history.

I advised my EIC and my publisher at Devine Destinies. A name can’t be copyright protected. We’re in two divergent career fields. I like the pen name Erin Sinclair, so I ran with it. No suggestive email thus far, although I noticed I started receiving an awful lot of young men following me on Twitter recently.

Young men following a sensual romance writer somehow didn’t compute. I updated my tweets with the message, “Sorry, not her”. Apparently, someone must have mentioned it to her because Miss Sinclair started to follow me! Time will tell if it becomes an issue. I have no judgments about her. In my mind she’s a consenting adult, has a constitutional right to live her life as she chooses. I have my career, she has hers, there’s more than enough room for the both of us on the ‘Net, lol.

2. I have read one of your books, Witch One - and enjoyed the cats in it by the way - and enjoyed your story. You are a romantic, clearly. Where did the idea come to you for this book? Thank you, I’m glad you liked it. I love Minerva and Cyrano. I had fun developing the interplay between the cats and dogs. Having been a companion to both species, the personalities I attributed to the characters comes from owning animals I swore thought they were human.

I’m most definitely a romantic. I believe in the power of love. I believe that a partnership, be it friends, family, lovers, built on a foundation of respect, communication, and loyalty wrapped in a blanket of love will succeed against all odds. Witch One grew out of my enjoyment of escapist fantasy over the years plus ideas I have on certain aspects of spirituality. I grew up watching Bewitched, Fantasy Island, etc. My personal spiritual belief system includes the concepts of a divine feminine and a divine masculine presence in my life. The idea for Witch One is an evolution and inspiration of all those influences.

3. Please tell me about your Fallen Angels series. I know Twilight’s Son came out last year and I am fascinated by the topic of reborn angels and the lives they live on earth. I know you have a new book in the series, The Betrothed coming out. I know this involves the same two characters, Brie and Shade. What new developments occur in this book and how many do you see in the series?

I’m fascinated by angels, angelic energy and have explored the concepts all of my life as well. The idea for the novels came to me when I was on the phone at my former job listening to an irate customer.

In order not to take his ranting personally, I zoned out. Suddenly, this beautiful angelic man appeared in my mind’s eye. I started writing down everything about him. His name is Shade. He calls himself Shade, as he believes he is only a shadow of his former self. The love he has for his human ward is so powerful he gave up his entire angelic existence just to be with her. In the world I’ve created that means giving up a very special gift clearly delineating the difference between an angel’s soul and a human’s soul. I don’t want to say what that is, suffice to say it is an enormous sacrifice.

However, as is the way with most great loves there is always something or someone who attempts to interfere. In my world, that would be the Archangel Uriel, the angel whom, according to biblical lore, will be the judge all of humanity when the world ends in the distant future. Twilight’s Son introduces our couple. Their relationship and their world develop in the first novel. It isn’t lighthearted (she’s a homicide detective and investigates a murder) but it is romantic and sensual.

The Betrothed is far darker than Twilight’s Son. It is a continuation of Brie and Shade’s story but revolves around discovery, conflict, and revelations leaving the hero and heroine at a place in their relationship where the rose colored glasses from Twilight’s Son are ripped away. Garden of Eden is the third and final novel of the series. It’s the Armageddon, the culmination of Books 1 and 2 and will take place in a very short period, picking up where The Betrothed left off. Yes, the biblical/spiritual references are intentional. The Fallen Angel series is a trilogy.

4. Wow, Erin. It sounds great. I WILL read all three! Where do you live and what is your life like? Apart from writing, what are your interests?

I live in Las Vegas, Nevada but not for much longer. My husband and I are moving to the Midwest at the beginning of August, 2009. My life right now consists of endlessly packing. My life prior to prepping for the move consisted of defining me.

I was reborn at 30 when I divorced and became a single mom. The succeeding years spent learning an awful lot about myself and realizing I’m still…becoming, what that is remains to be seen. However, one aspect I know for sure is perennial is I am a writer. I can’t wait to see where this part of the journey takes me.

I have varied interests, but they seem to revolve primarily around all things artistic. I love design--interior and horticulture. I’m considering becoming a certified paralegal (as I have practiced in law for years) however, because I have such a passion for design that may change once I’m settled in Oklahoma.

Our environment is so important to us on so many levels I love the idea of helping people create sacred spaces inside and out. I’m a very conscientious green fiend and love the idea of nurturing and protecting my first mother, the Earth. Time will tell. My immediate goals are to finish my degree (in Art and Creative Writing) and become a successful author.

5. What is your writing routine like? Are you balancing a job as well as being a wife and mom - as well as writing? Do you write every day?

My writing routine prior to publishing Twilight’s Son was more along the lines of dreaming. I wrote when the mood struck me always with the desire of someone publishing me in mind. My haphazard writing habits are now unacceptable. It is my career. Organization and consistency is the key to production.

Over the last year I’ve let life take over and haven’t been as consistent in my writing technique as I know I should be. I try to write something every day but even that approach is unacceptable to me and will be pushing myself harder once after The Big Move. One thing I didn’t anticipate is how overwhelming it is to learn how to self-promote. I know my way around a computer and one or two social websites but I am a total novice in public relations. I’m considering a promotion company eventually but I’m the kind of person who wants to know how first before I allow others that type of control over me. It will enable me to know what to look for if their approach gets out of hand.

I balanced wife/mom/day job/writing and it wasn’t easy. Something always had to give. I put needs first wants second. My gorgeous girls are now married and on their own. My husband is very low maintenance because he’s so easy-going my focus has narrowed to me which is really helping me develop my writing career and how I should approach it.

6. Which authors and genres do you like to read? What are you reading right now?

I read everything. I’m finally incorporating reading for entertainment back into my life. I’ve been a student for so long I’ve been reading books that teach me something for the most part. I read all genres with the exception of horror/gore because I don’t understand the attraction to that genre at all. I do love suspense/thriller if it is well written and keeps me breathless until the end though.

I love anything by Marion Zimmer Bradley, love Anne McCaffrey. I’ve read just about everything ever written by Kathleen Woodiwiss. Love Anne Rice. When I was younger I was a big fan of King and Koontz. Loved Judith Krantz and Danielle Steel when a teenager, definitely Maya Angelou, Judy Blume, Toni Morrison. I love anything written by the husband and wife team of David and Leigh Eddings. I’m having so much fun writing romance, I’m rediscovering my enjoyment of the genre.

7. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

Self-doubt. I was going to say procrastination, but I get around to accomplishing what I put off, eventually.

8. What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Lying.

9. What was your favorite childhood toy?

My Breyer model horses. Anything to do with horses for that matter. Oh and my Pentax K-1000 camera, of which I still have to this day. I fancy myself an up and coming genius free lance photographer one day, lol.

10. You have an intriguing quote on your website. I bet you would have been so much fun to hang out with at school! “One of my many goals in life is to engage you, the reader, to take you to my worlds, drop you off, let you have fun in my playground, then bring you home. Tomorrow we’ll do it again!” Don’t you think romance writing should be like this? A beautiful escape?

I write with two goals in mind, one to entertain, one to impact. I love receiving feedback from readers because the ideas I think about enter into my novels. I wonder if other people think about those subjects I write about and what’s their perspective on them as well. Romance writing is all about beautiful escape. I’m glad to be a part of it.

I have very distinct ideas on what romance should be like. I observe some couples I know and think, “You guys, it doesn’t have to be that hard!” One of the most beautiful expressions of love I’ve EVER heard of was while watching an Oprah Winfrey show many years ago. It dealt with the devastating effects cancer has on a family psychologically, spiritually and emotionally. I was crying my eyes out through the whole show.

A wife learned she had breast cancer. Her adoring husband was by her side through all of it. When she started going through chemotherapy, she started losing her hair, a feature the husband adored. She was afraid he wouldn’t love her any more because she was losing her hair, her breasts, things she thought marked her as woman, as female (okay, choking up here). He lovingly shaved her head, and then he shaved his! When her eyebrows fell out he shaved his as well. It was the dedication, the solidarity that brought me to tears. He let her know in no uncertain terms he had her back, she wasn’t alone and never would be.

Another love story that I’ve never forgotten was on a NOVA episode regarding HIV. This old (they were both in their 70s) divorced couple, who remained friends despite the break-up had a gay son who tested positive for the virus.

The young man’s partner nursed his lover until the day the young man died in his arms. The old man, who had issues at first with his son’s sexuality but eventually came to terms with it, made such a profound statement in his interview, I’ve never forgotten it. This isn’t verbatim, but he said, “The love my son experienced prior to his death was astounding. The devotion his partner showed him until he died was not something I could ever have been capable of giving my wife. Who am I to judge my child when I myself could never love like that?”

I bawled my eyes out! That’s what I write about, the love we should all have, should be able to give and love that knows no boundaries. It is the type of love I have with my current husband.

11. That was a beautiful answer, Erin...wow...I have water on my face...ahem...what is your greatest extravagance?

Designer perfume. One day I hope to include designer shoes and purses of unique beauty in the mix. They are all my weakness! LOL

12. Please tell me about any of your other upcoming projects.

My current publisher, Devine Destinies, mainstream imprint to eXtasy Books, has contracted me for some wonderful projects. Once the Fallen Angel series is complete I am moving on to my next set of stories, a paranormal romantic comedy series known as Big Fat Greek Tall Tales of which Cupid’s Folly – Tall Tale 1 was released on February 15, 2009! It is a series set in 21st century San Francisco approaching the Greek pantheon of gods and goddesses with tongue totally in cheek.

I’m having a rocking good time writing them because I love romantic comedy with an HEA. From there I will complete my shape shifter series known as The Five Prides (five full length novels in all). This series will be dark and intense. I’ve come up with an intriguing twist on the concept I hope readers will love. I’ve also written a short erotica story for eXtasy Books’ Café Nowhere anthology entitled, Kameoth.

It is set during the firestorm created by the allied bombings of Hambourg, Germany in 1943. It is currently in edits. It is my understanding Café Nowhere will be released in September, 2009. I have much more on my plate, now to start writing them!

On behalf of Dark Diva Reviews, I’d like to thank the lovely Erin Sinclair for stopping by today. To learn more about this talented author, please check out her links:

Thank you, AJ, this was so enjoyable and thank you, readers of romance! I can be found at— www.erinsinclairauthor.com

www.devinedestinies.com,

www.myspace.com/erin_sinclair_author,

www.facebook.com/ErinSinclairRomanceAuthor

www.twitter.com/ESinclairWriter,

plus I blog every Friday at http://themanyshades.blogspot.com/.

Come join me and together let’s believe in love that’s out of this world!

Author Interview: DANA LITTLEJOHN

Author Interview by A.J. Llewellyn

1. Hi Dana and welcome to the Divas’ dark den…first of all I’d like to ask you about your Dioni Chronicles series. How did the idea come to you for this series and how many books do you envision being in it? I also believe it’s coming out in print soon. Is this correct?
Yes, The Dioni Chronicles will be in print later this year. It didn’t really start as a series. I came up with the idea from the role playing game Dungeons and Dragons. I asked one of my friends if all the creatures did was fight and conquer to get to the next level. When he answered yes that kind of bugged me (don’t know why). So I decided if my nocturnal creatures had to fight they would have something to fight for. And, since there is nothing worth fighting for more than love, I turned it into a romance. After the first one was done people started asking me if I would write a story for other vampires in the pack.

2. You seem to enjoy writing contemporary romances as well as fantasy/paranormals…which are your favorite?
I like contemporaries best. The rules in the real world are already locked in place. When I do fantasy it becomes complicated trying to keep the rules of the world you create in order and kinda sorta realistic.

3. With such a prolific output, do you write every day? What is your writing routine like?
Oh yes, every day, without fail. Even if I only get an hour I still take that hour and put pen to paper…well, fingers to keyboard. My schedule is erratic at best. Some days I have more time to write than others because of my nine to five, but I am never too busy to improve on my craft or do what I love.

4. I read on your website that you were something of a poet when you were a small child. Can you share with us a sample of your youthful work?
Oh no! I left that hickory dickory dock stuff back there in the 80’s. LOL

5. Is it true you wrote your first sensual romance at the age of 7? LOL and what was the story about?
No, not 7! LOL Seventh grade! Geesh! I wasn’t thinking like that at 7, I shouldn’t have been thinking like that in the seventh grade! I can’t believe I’m telling you this. Keep this between us, AJ. I had a major crush on Zorro and had a dream that a mask man was running around kissing making love to all the girls in the neighborhood. I later found out what I thought was sex was not, at best it was something similar to dry humping, but what did I know? I was 12!

6. You’ve collaborated with our mutual friend Kendra Mei Chaiylin on the Cupid’s Arrow anthology. I was very intrigued by the time-travel theme of these stories. Did you enjoy the collaboration? How did you do the actual writing together?
I love doing that book. It was a lot of fun to write off another and collaborate on ideas. The concept was Kendra’s and she asked if I wanted to do two stories for it. I read the stories that she did to get an idea of what she wanted and wrote my own to complement hers.

7. What can we expect to see from the two of you coming up? And will there be any other pairings coming up for you?
We have been talking about doing a cop series for a while. It will be contemporary, but it will touch several sub genres…if it comes to past. It is up in the air.

8. You have some new books coming out this year, including The House through Whiskey Creek Press-Torrid, To Have and To Hold with Red Rose Publishing and Happy Feet coming at the end of the year with Phaze, I noticed. Congrats! Please tell me what is coming soon and a little about your forthcoming projects.
I did a story for Take Over Publishing for their version of the seven deadly sins called Street Vices. My story was for anger. I called it Blaze’s Black Widow. I am working on a Halloween, too, but it may be too late to send it somewhere to be published except Red Eclipse Writers.

9. I know you have a public appearance coming up with a book signing for the Street Vices anthology in Indianapolis during Black Expo weekend (July 17-19) at Circle Centre mall. Do you enjoy these public experiences and how have they been for you so far?
Unfortunately, the book signing at Circle Center is cancelled because I had to move to Kansas City, Missouri this summer. But on the up side, I am working on a book signing there for the end of the summer. I have done only two other signings and they have been really cool.

10. What is your greatest fear?
I really, really don’t like the water. Up to my waist is as far as I go.

11. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
I may be a little too trusting. It has cost me to have a lot of pain and to make a few bad decisions.

12. What is the trait you most deplore in others?
When people don’t say what they mean and mean what they say.

13. Which living person do you most admire?
I really like Oprah. She has all this money and power and yet she makes it her business and thinks it’s really important to give back. I think that is awesome.

On behalf of Dark Diva Reviews, I’d like to thank Dana Littlejohn for stopping by today. To learn more about this awesome author, please check out the following links:
websites: http://www.danalittlejohn.net/
and http://www.liljohndana.webs.com/
My blog: http://www.danalittlejohn.blogspot.com/
My videos trailers: http://youtube.com/shantemaria

Author Interview: T.D. McKINNEY

Author Interview by A.J. Llewellyn

1. Hi T.D. and welcome to the Divas’ Den! So nice to have you here. First of all I’d like to ask you about your southern influences. I know you have said that the history of the south has influenced you as an author and you experienced your first New Orleans mardi gras at the age of three. What do you remember of it and how much have they differed over the years?
Thank you, A.J. It’s great to be here. Thank you for inviting me. Ah, Mardi Gras – My favorite holiday. I will admit I remember very little of that one in 1963-64 (LOL – yeah, go ahead, do the the math). A man who in my admittedly fragmented memory had a nice smile and dark hair caught a bracelet and gave it to me. Just flat plastic bead strung on two strands of elastic but I thought it was wonderful. I suppose I should insert something here about relying on “the kindness of strangers.” At least with my accent it sounds right.

2. You wrote the well-acclaimed historical romance My Secret Yankee with Aimee Masion about a Union officer falling in love with a Confederate lady and set during occupied New Orleans. Your research was extraordinary with this book. Will we be seeing historic New Orleans as a backdrop again?

Thank you. I think authenticity adds to a book. As for revisiting occupied New Orleans, well, I might. It sort just depends on how the mood strikes. I do now have quite a few books on the War and lots of URLs I can delve into. New Orleans has marvelous history. The whole of the American Gulf Coast does. It’s an old, old land with all sorts of fascinating, interesting bits unique from the rest of the country.

I’d love to do something in Alabama with the Casket Girls in Mobile or with the massacre at Fort Mims or the yellow fever in Blakeley. It’s really easy for me to fall into something so lush and exotic. Well, exotic to the rest of the world. I grew up hearing stories going back over a hundred years. Fascinating ones about cursed love, hidden children, murderous duels, forbidden love, Indian battles where the natives weren’t the bad guys. I might actually do something based on my own great-great-grandmother who was disowned by her wealthy father for marrying a moneyless Scots-Irishman. There’s so much to tempt.

3. I am impressed that you received a sparkling review from my all-time number one hero, John Douglas, one of the pioneers of criminal profiling for the FBI. How did you get him to read Dancing in the Dark? Is he a big vampire fan?
John is my number one hero as well. I’m am tremendously proud to say he is also my friend and mentor. I adore the man. When I wrote Dancing, that research geek who demands authenticity rose up again and possessed me. I figured if I was going to write about profilers I better be damned sure I got it right. I contacted a dear friend who I knew was into the whole forensics thing (now remember this was before the CSI craze). She directed me to MindHunter by John Douglas.

I highly recommend this book to anyone with the least interest in profiling. I was completely fascinated and more than a little freaked at how close my fictional profiler, Jack Niemczyk, was to John (though John’s much nicer). I visited the forum attached to John’s website and found everyone there very helpful. John was fairly active on the site at that time. When all the final tweaks were done, I got brave or crazy enough to send him an email asking if he’d be kind enough to look it over. I firmly expected him to say no. Instead, I got a phone call from him in the middle of the day! We talked for an hour – well, mostly he talked and I listened!

Before we hung up, he gave me his address and told me to send the manuscript to him. Believe me, I was then and am now completely aware of how rare something like that is from him.
To have him tell me “you got it right, kid” about the profiling means more than I can explain. I was lucky enough to attend an 8 hour class he taught on profiling a couple years ago at the American College of Forensic Examiners. We had the chance to talk a good bit and he introduced me to fellow profiler Greg Cooper and some other L.E. people. It was great! I hope to get to see John in September when he’s here in DFW as keynote speaker at a conference.
LMAO!! As far as I know, John isn’t into vampires in general, but he likes mine. And boy, does that put a grin on my face.

4. I am so jealous. I met him at the signing for his book Journey into Darkness....but..sob! You really know him! Ahem...I see that Dancing is the first book for a slated Shield and the Darkness series. When will be seeing more of this fascinating character, Jack Niemczyk?
The next book, Walking After Midnight will be released by Amber Quill Press early this fall – probably September-ish. It’s about a year and a half after Dancing and Jack’s life has gone to hell. Baby’s left him to go to Europe with the Master and even though Jack still has the mansion, the car, and the money, he’d trade it all to have her back. Now, just to add to the misery, some wacko is killing Chosen – humans who are the bonded lovers of vampires. And it’s very personal, the killer is leaving notes at each scene addressed to Jack. Shall we just say that Jackie is not pleased!
I’m working on the third book, Going Down in Flames, between other projects. I love this series but it takes a lot of effort and planning. Writing it is a very emotional experience. I love the characters and I love being in Jack’s head. But I do dig about in some very dark psyches. Of course, I may be getting really good at that. I’ve been asked to co-author an authorized non-fiction exploration of the BTK killer in Kansas. I’m a tad conflicted on how I feel about crawling about in Denis Rader’s mind. But I have a wonderful co-author and John Douglas’s support, so I should be okay.

5. You have strong and vibrant tastes in writing - from sci fi, to historical – even gay historical with Paxton’s Winter, to crime, paranormals, contemporary romance. Which is your favorite genre to write?
LOL This is the question everyone always asks me because I do have books listed in so many different genres, sometimes the same one simultaneously. And I’m going to give you the answer I give everyone else – I don’t write genres; I write stories.
Honestly, I don’t have a favorite genre. See, I don’t worry about “oh I have to do this because this is a ROMANCE” or “all mysteries must have this” or “the rules say I need to do this in a gay romance.” that! I expend that energy on making 3-dimensional characters with real emotions and reactions. I work on atmosphere and settings. I’ll visit the places I write about so I can convey that sensory experience to the reader. I love a smooshie gay romance, I love an adventurous one, too. I love vampires and profilers and mucking about in a serial killer’s head. I had a blast doing Paxton’s Winter. Sort of my tribute to all those Louis L’Amour books I read as a teen. Gunfights are so cool. But it wasn’t about the genre stuff – it was about the Colorado mountains I remember living in for 6 weeks at age 16 and about all the westerns I watched as a kid and actually meeting Mr. L’Amour at a book signing 35 years ago. It was about the good memories.
I sit down to each story pretty much the same. A mystery or historical may need more research and plotting than a romance but some of the romances take just as much. I get some idea in my head (usually from listening to a song) and I need to write it. So I do.

6. You had a wonderful collaboration with Trixie Stilletto in Eight is never Enough. Can we expect to see more of these humorous contemporary romances from you and Trixie?
I love working with Trixie. She is a great person and a wonderful author. Such an amazing sense of humor. I’d love to do something else with her and we’ve batted around a few ideas. It’s sort of hard for Trixie to work with me when we’re at opposite ends of the country, though. So I’m not sure when you’ll see something from us.
I’ve been really lucky with having such wonderful co-authors. T.L. Lawrence/Terry Wylis and I practically think with the same brain. We’re working on a gay romance set in Maine right now.

7. I know you live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area of Texas and you and your husband share a love of vampires, sword collecting and Japanese. Do you have a lot of swords? And do you know any dirty words in Japanese?
No, but I can cuss in Cajun. :)
Yes, we have swords. I don’t know what you’d consider a lot. There’s a bit over a dozen. One day I’ll have to tell you the story of getting a very expensive tashi and an equally expensive autographed Highlander katana back to DFW from Denver on Continental Airlines… in a rifle case… in the cabin of the plane… with a switchover in Houston…

8. I know you juggle marriage, motherhood, writing and other careers. What is your writing routine like? Do you write every day?
Yes, I write every day. It’s very rare when I don’t write something. It may just be play. It may just be something for me (there’s an epic fanfic going that will only ever be seen by a handful of people) or for a friend. But I write. I have to. I’ll go nuts if I don’t.
I gave up sleep. Seriously. I used to sleep 8-10 hours a night. Now I sleep 4 or 5. I use the extra hours for writing. I often start writing for the day after 9 or 10 pm.

9. Now for a tough question. How old were you when you learned to tie your shoe laces?
OMG – that was the hardest thing! My first grade teacher thought she’d never get me to understand the concept! I always wore slip-on or buckle shoes. Poor Mrs. McGowen. But I had mastered it by the end of first grade. I still hate tie shoes though. I think I only own one pair and I keep them loose enough I don’t have to tie and untie them.

10. Another toughie. Are you a snoop? Ever looked anyone’s medicine cabinet? Found anything scary?
I’m not a snoop. I have enough weird shit just appear in my life. I have absolutely no need to go looking for any. LOL – my day-to-day life can occasionally turn fairly terrifying so I just let it go.
11. Who is the sexiest vampire of all time?
Ooooo – tough questions! There’s been so many. And I collected them all up until about 1985 or so. St. Germaine…Langella’s Dracula…Saberhagen’s Dracula… So many choices!
The sexiest vampire of all time – Jean Claude DuValliere… until I turn Jack.

12. Please tell me about your upcoming projects.
I think I’ve already worked them in! Look for the 2nd in my vampire and FBI profiler series, Walking After Midnight, this fall. Keep an eye out for Sea Glass & Solitude, my next gay romance written with the wonderful Terry Wylis. A reclusive former child actor sheltered in abject loneliness on an island off the coast of Maine falls for a vibrant, altruistic young man with a beautiful Appalachian accent and a fearless heart. At some point there will be a true crime exploration of Denis Rader, the BTK, told with full access to Rader and with the blessing and cooperation of the families of his victims.

On behalf of Dark Diva Reviews, I’d like to thank the awesome T.D. McKinney for stopping by today. To learn more about her work, please check out her links:
http://www.tdmckinney.com/ - website
http://twitter.com/Ebony_Silvers - twitter
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=783300628&ref=name – Face Book: Theresa D. McKinney
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Terry-Wylis-TD-McKinney/44450105669?ref=s – Face Book: Terry Wylis & T D McKinney

Author Interview: ADRIANNE BRENNAN

Author Interview by A. J. Llewellyn

1. Hi Adrianne, and welcome to the Divas' dark den. You are one of my favorite people on our group Midnight Seductions Authors. Your paranormal/vampire Dark Moon series books Blood of the Dark Moon and Blood and Mint Chocolates have done very well and received rave reviews. I know there are a slew of sequels and even a prequel coming out soon. Can you please tell me where you got the inspiration for the series?

Mostly from dreams and my crazy Muse. My Muse and I go waaayy back. Ah, good times. First he introduced me to the wide, wonderful world of writing, then he got me addicted to things like LARPs (Live Action Role Play) and RPGs.
I just have to send him offerings of wine and chocolate, and he does so much for me. :)
What are the titles and release dates for the upcoming books?
Due to my recent unemployment, my life got a little crazy. I have no release dates for anything right now because I've been focused on trying to make sure I can continue paying my mortgage, and interviews and studying for tech interviews have eaten up my life.
I can, however, refer people to the following page: http://www.adriannebrennan.com/books.html

It contains previews for upcoming books with blurbs and in some cases, cover images.
Examples include books 3-5 in The Oath Series: Broken, Anointed, and Union plus the sequel to Blood and Mint Chocolates which is Blood and Spice, and Book 2 in the series which is Shadows of the Dark Moon.

2. Blood and Mint Chocolates is a fascinating F/F novella in the series, but will soon have its own sequel. What can you tell me about Blood and Spice, and when is it coming out?
Blood and Spice picks up some months after Blood and Mint Chocolates left off with Merideth visiting Kalia and the rest of Clan Corvus in New Orleans. Their relationship continues to grow, but political issues within the Order of the Dragon and the Rose may tear them apart. A new character will finally be introduced, and I'm doing my best to prevent this individual from taking over the story. Needless to say, there's already been some intrigue about this person and I'm looking forward to seeing people's reactions!

3. I am fascinated that you own a big car called The Tardis. You are a Doctor Who fan! Who, in your mind is the best Doctor and why?
Only bigger on the inside! *laughs* That's actually how the name came about. People kept telling me that the car was bigger on the inside and I thought to myself, "Hm...where have I heard this before?" It's even the right color of the police box he travels in, so even better!
Honestly, I'd have to say that it's David Tennant who's pulled off the best Doctor. He's clearly watched the show and has incorporated bits and pieces of all of the Doctors into his personality, and it makes for splendid viewing. I will miss him when he goes, and feel that he's leaving way too soon. :(

4. Speaking of cars…I am excited to know more about your upcoming series My Other Car is a Broom. What can you tell me about it? Obviously it's about a witch, right?
It's about a witch named Samantha living in Salem. Aside from the obvious bad luck she'll have with that name, it's not your typical tale about witchcraft. In this book I'll be covering love triangles, alternate realities, and the fae. It's going to be very interesting when I'm done and I hope people will enjoy it!

5. I know you live in Boston and you juggle your prolific writing schedule with the dreaded day job. How do you balance the two? What is your writing routine like?
Well, the dreaded day job is sadly gone. You'd think this would be mean I would have more free time, but in reality I probably have a bit less. The stress is keeping my Muse at bay and I'm trying to get that back.
My writing routine...well, isn't. I usually am the most awake during the evenings and hence my Muse is out in full force during then. I can't tell you how many times I've sat at a computer, started to type, looked up and suddenly...daylight. I can get like that. :)
I still struggle with the balance. I have a lot going on in my life, and if I don't take care of me then my Muse will withdraw until I do. He's a harsh taskmaster but doesn't like working with me when I'm less than optimal. I recommend long walks, music, trips to the spa, and treating yourself to your favorite meal and beverage.

6. I know you went to Salem and visited some of the “witchy” type stores. What were they like? Did you get a sense of history there and which ones are your favorites?
My favorite stores are Nu Aeon, Artemisia Botanicals, New England Magic, and Magic Parlor. All of them have "the real deal" in regards to their products and are run by the same. I try to avoid the places that sell the colored glitter as "fairy dust" as it's cute, but it's not my thing. :)
There's definitely huge amounts of history. Just wander around in the graveyards and look at the dates of some of the homes. If you're up for it, stay at the Salem Inn--rumor has it that it's haunted. I did once for a weekend getaway and while I didn't spot any ghosts, I did have a wonderful stay.

7. You took a deep dive into the BDSM community for your Oath series. How did you research this genre? Also I have to ask you, why of all erotic genres does BDSM seem to engender such fierce and diverse opinions by practitioners of it?
I'll be blunt--I didn't really have to. I've been in and out of the BDSM community for the past decade or so and have friends who are heavily into the scene and dated a few who were as well. As a result, I've attended certain clubs, play parties, events, and workshops. I'm also a member of a few local groups who do their best to educate and provide resources to others.
If you're ever in Boston, I highly recommend attending the Fetish Flea. :)
Like any subculture that specializes in a particular field of choice for their study/practice/what-have-you, people guard that information jealously and with every five people you'll get twelve opinions. It's a passionate group of passionate people. I'm sure some will read my works and love them. Some may read and dislike certain aspects.
We alt types are an opinionated lot. I think that this comes from being so used to hiding out among the mainstream. We keep it all in, then we explode when we're around each other. I see the same syndrome among fellow pagans, occultists, even gamers.

8. I know you are a fan of the ancient philosopher Iamblichus. What is so alluring about him? Will we see him pop up in your erotic fantasy novels any time soon?
Iamblichus was the one who coined the term "theurgy" which literally means "god work". In essence, it's mysticism and/or magic for spiritual purposes. This term is used heavily within many modern secret esoteric societies, traditions, and religions. I'm also quite fond of his work as not much of ancient Greek mystical thought has survived.
I don't think he'll pop up, but I'm sure you'll find references to other characters in history who will be found just as alluring to others of similar backgrounds. The original 007, John Dee, may make such an "appearance". :)

9. Do you read much fiction or do you prefer non fiction? What are your must-keep books?
I snack, devour, and hoard both. Recent purchases include the latest Charlaine Harris novel, Crowley's Book 4, a book on Reiki, and a huge book on ASP.NET and C#. As you can see, I'm a little diverse in my reading interests. :D
Must keep books include anything by Madeleine L'Engle, Neil Gaiman, Karl Kerenyi, Peter Kingsley, Charlaine Harris, LA Banks, and Yasmine Galenorn. They're among my favorite authors. :)

10. Now for a completely off the wall question. You get to invite six people alive or dead to dinner. Who would you invite and what would you serve?
Jim Morrison, Madeleine L'Engle, Neil Gaiman, Peter Kingsley, Robert Anton Wilson, and Jack Parsons.
I'd make sure an excellent vegan gourmet meal was served. :D Good wine, too.

On behalf of Dark Diva Reviews, I'd like to thank the amazing and wonderful Adrianne Brennan nfor stopping by today. To learn more about this awesome author, please check out her links:

~ "Where love and magic meet" ~http://www.adriannebrennan.com/Experience the magic of Blood of the Dark Moon: http://www.adriannebrennan.com/botdm.htmlTake a bite out of Blood and Mint Chocolates: http://www.adriannebrennan.com/bamc.htmlDare to take The Oath in this erotic fantasy series: http://www.adriannebrennan.com/books.html#the_oath

Author Interview: SOPHIA DANU

Author Interview by A.J. Llewellyn

1. Hi Sophia and welcome to the Divas’ Dark Den…so great to have you here. My first question for you would be about Kentucky Hunger. Are there such things as vampires in Kentucky? Because I loved this book!

There are vampires EVERYWHERE…even in Kentucky. :) Okay so maybe they only exist in my head, but since Kentucky is where I live then that’s where they live. :)

2. I know you recently had your first book signing with the Atlantis Allure anthology. What was that like? I read your blog where you described how great it was to see your family congregated there. Did some of your readers come to it?

Yes, readers came and bought and it was a fabulous experience! I was so nervous about not selling a book (to anyone other than my family and friends that is) but that didn’t happen! I am so glad that I agreed to do it. It was a true joy speaking to readers.
I am grateful to the Kentucky Romance Writers for including me in the book signing. They are a wonderful group of women and writers and I appreciate that they involved me in the event.

3. You have four books out with eXtasy Books – five with the AA anthology. What is coming up next for you?

I have six books out with Extasy Books, including the AA anthology: Mystic Roots, Forbidden Desire, Kentucky Hunger, Keeley’s Curse, The Cotillion and Atlantis Allure.
I am currently working on a novel for Halloween release and the title is still up in the air. It’s a psychic heroine and an Irish Druid hero with most of the plot set once again in Kentucky. Demons and rogue druids are involved. I am really enjoying writing it.
The next book is going to be Book II in the Mystic series. I’ve had so many readers request for Mystic Roots to be a series that I thought I should listen. lol

4. Your books are all paranormal, obviously a genre you love writing…do you also enjoy reading this genre and who are some of your favorite authors?

I do enjoy reading paranormal and my favorite authors include (I can’t possibly name them all) Laurell Hamilton, Charlaine Harris, Kim Harrison, Christine Feehan, Sherrilyn Kenyon, and Angela Knight.
Having said that, I enjoy any genre with a well-developed plot and characters. I read a lot of suspense and horror and from time to time, I go back to the classics for a little break from the dark stuff. :)

5. I know you are married and have two daughters. Do you have a day job? And how in the world do you balance all these things with writing?

I do have a full-time day job. I am a software developer and I work for an engineering firm. We specialize in providing software and solutions for E911, Fire Depts, Police, school bus routing, property value administration, etc.
I have to say that it is really tough to balance the time. Sometimes I either work on my day job’s projects or writing until 3 am, and of course I work in time for my very sexy husband and my sweet girls and soccer and school plays, etc. Honestly though as overwhelmed as I get at times, I wouldn’t want it any other way. I love my family and my friends and all of the activities that come along with them.

6. Now let me throw out a ‘writerly’ question. Which word or phrase do you most overuse as an author?

WAS and HAD BEEN
I am constantly going back over my work and trying to take those out; to make more action statements and less passive wording. :)

7. As a writer, what qualities do you think define a romantic male hero?

I like a dominate male hero, a take-charge kind of man who maintains an honest and noble character and is willing to do what’s necessary to protect the people he loves.

8. What is the best advice – and the worst – anyone ever gave you as an author?

The best advice I’ve been given is to be persistent and to keep on keeping on. Keep writing and growing and developing my craft.

9. Since you are into the paranormal realm and oddities are possible, if you were to die and could come back as anyone or anything, who or what would you be?

That’s really a hard question since I am a pretty happy person and wouldn’t want to be anyone else, but to be on the whimsical side of things, perhaps a witch. :)

10. What is your personal motto?

Uh….let me think on that one…lol

On behalf of Dark Diva Reviews I'd like to thank Sophia Danu for stopping by today. To learn more about this awesome author's work, please check out her links:

http://www.sophiadanu.com/
http://sophiadanu.blogspot.com/
http://www.myspace.com/sophiadanu

Author Interview: RUTH SIMS

Author Interview by A.J. Llewellyn

1. Hi Ruth and welcome to the Divas’ Den! I must say your book The Phoenix is very intriguing…a 19th century roué in Jack Rourke (son of a demon and a whore) who becomes Kit St. Denys. He finds love with Nick. Will we be seeing anymore stories involving them?

Hi, A.J. Thank you for the chance to fill every writer's wish, namely to talk about ourselves! I must say, you have an interesting set of questions. The questions are more interesting than the subject, I’m afraid.

Am I allowed to take mild issue with you on something? I would never describe Kit as a roué, defined as “a dissipated man; debauchee; rake”. To my mind, a roué is someone who’s pretty much a waste of space, useless, cynical, and corrupt from choice. Kit’s excesses are brought on by his attempts to deal with his past and by fears he can’t face. If he were truly a roué, he couldn’t possibly function as he does in the theatre. It’s only when the damaged child in him takes over that he loses it. That’s why steady, compassionate Nick was able to do what no one else could. And Kit also has a sweetness and generosity about him that no roué would be caught dead with. At least that’s how I saw him; perhaps I didn’t do a very good job of getting it across. And, of course, every reader interprets things differently.

Didn’t answer the question, did I? Short answer: I don’t know. Several people have requested a sequel. But the only story idea that came to me would be about 18 years after the end of The Phoenix, just after WWI, when Nick’s grown son, raised to hate him, would put in an appearance. The only scene that has been written was a confrontation between Nick’s son, Jamie, and Kit. Nobody has ever won an argument with an infuriated Kit.

2. What is it about the 19th century that inspired you to set your story there?

I like the late Victorian era because I’m lazy. It’s close enough to our own time that it’s easy to research and I feel at home there. It’s not so far back that I have to spend eons researching underwear, food, and footgear. And since it’s not contemporary I don’t have to contend with AIDS, cell phones, and Terrorist Attacks. I say “I feel at home there” facetiously, but in a way it’s true. One of my best friends is a Wiccan priestess who is adamant that I lived a prior life in the late 19th century and that’s why it feels natural. I think it's just that the only books I had when I was a kid were from the public library and I early on discovered Dickens, Hardy, Poe, Twain, London, the Brontes, etc.

3. Oscar Wilde has a minor part in your tale, not without reason being such a prominent figure there. How do you feel about the legendary gay bookstore named after him in NYC closing its doors?

I hate to see any independent bookstore close, but especially one that had such a historic link to gay history. I always thought Oscar would be proud to have a bookstore named after him. I’ve never been there, but I have read about it and seen pictures. But…in this economy I suppose we’re lucky that any independent bookstore stays afloat. All independent bookstores are struggling for their lives. I always urge my readers to buy from them if they’re lucky enough to have one in their town. We don’t. I either have to buy from the internet or not buy books at all. When I look at my teenage granddaughter and her friends texting every five seconds I wonder if the next generation will even read books, let alone go into a bookstore.

4. Since your stories seem so immersed in history, who are your favorite historical figures?

The two Alexanders: our Alexander Hamilton—I’ve been working on a book about him on and off since the 70’s, and Alexander the Great—as long as we’re not talking about the godawful movie of a couple of years ago. FDR. Eleanor Roosevelt. Mother (Mary) Jones (who is in one of my w.i.p.s).

5. Do you read other historical authors? And speaking of authors who are your favorites?

I actually read more nonfiction and biographies than I do fiction of any kind. Here are just a few of my favorite historical novelists. (I have not included several top favorites because they are personal friends and I’m afraid I might accidentally leave someone out.) Mary Renault, Pat Barker, Patricia Nell Warren [The Wild Man],Gore Vidal, Anya Seton, Stephen Vincent Benet [John Brown’s Body], Dalton Trumbo [Johnny Got His Gun]. Often those who might be considered historical writers really aren’t because when the books were written they were contemporary!

Favorite authors, again leaving off my friends (will they ever speak to me again?)
Thomas Hardy, Arthur Heller (God Knows), Ron Chernow, Gore Vidal, Walt Whitman, Jack London, Mark Twain, Rod Serling, James Baldwin, Edgar Allen Poe, Toni Morrison, Joe Keenan, Sheldon Bart (Ruby Sweetwater and the Ringo Kid), Judy Blume, Harvey Fierstein, Iris Murdoch…so many more the list would be endless.

6. I am a big Jack London fan too! Is it true you have lived your entire life in the Midwest and have never seen the sea? Or was this you just being poetic?

I don’t have a poetic bone in my tubby little body. I really have never been out of the Midwest except once to Vermont and Rhode Island for two days and once to Orlando for two days. I was disappointed that I didn’t get to see the Atlantic. On the other hand, I’m afraid of water. Give me a sea of amber waves of grain and tall corn any time. My mind and spirit have ranged worldwide, though, thanks to books, and film, and the Internet.

7. What is about gay men that particularly enthralls you to write about them?

The odd this is that I did not set out to write about gay men. Believe it or not, the book first saw the glimmering of life in the mid 1980’s and it was supposed to be a straight Civil War romance! That’s right: a straight (as in non-gay) story. I had never met a gay man (as it turned out, I had but didn’t know it) or read a gay book. You must remember, I grew up in this same small, rural town in the 50’s, in a place and at a time when gay books were as few and far between as gay people themselves.

So…how did a straight Civil War novel end up as a gay late Victorian novel, with basically the same protagonists? Funny you should ask. I worked on it every moment I had between my job, my family, my kids’ school activities, which means it was written at odd hours in corners on a Selectric. Anyway, as time passed I was puzzled and a little freaked out when the two main characters—men—kept being drawn to each other instead of the designated female. Again and again I just threw up my hands and put it away only to bring it out and work on it again a couple of years later. But the characters would not behave! Damn them, anyway. Finally, I decided to just let them do whatever they were going to do and go wherever they were going to go and be whatever they were going to be. And I also decided that there are a lot of wonderful Civil War novelists around and I wasn’t one of them. Hence, the shift in era.

With the writing of that book I discovered that I could write about gay men if that’s what the characters had to be. I don’t force it; just like children my characters let me know if they are or if they aren’t as the story goes along. The reception of my book by gay men was very positive and now I don’t freak when two guys fall in love in my books. Of my works in progress about half of them are about gay men, and so are the short stories I’ve done.

8. Have you had any negativity from gay men about being a woman choosing to write “their” stories?

Not at all, though people being what they are I’m sure there are men who get sniffy about it. It would be unrealistic to think otherwise. Some of my biggest fans are gay men; some of them are prolific authors who are far more successful than I would ever be. I’ve had wonderful letters from gay men, most of whom have gone on to become my good friends. I think the only actually negative personal response I’ve ever had was from a straight woman who ranted that she felt cheated because the sex scenes in my book were not explicit enough. But from gay men themselves I’ve had nothing but encouragement and kudos. It’s very, very humbling.

9. What are the qualities you most admire in a man both in life and art?

I admire the old fashioned things that don’t seem to be valued much anymore, like steadfastness (now there’s a word you don’t hear these days), intelligence, compassion, loyalty, generosity, courage—not the Rambo kind but the kind that keeps him going when things are tough. But then, they’re the same qualities I admire in a woman, too. I have all too few of those qualities, myself. Maybe that’s why my characters so often do have them; I can pretend they’re mine.

10. You described yourself once as an evergreen granny. What does an evergreen granny do every day?

Did I really use that term somewhere?

AJ says: Yes, in an interview with Josh Aterovis. I did my homework on you, Missy!

Blessed if I remember it. I don’t even know what it means unless it’s because I’m so old moss is starting to grow on me in unlikely places. The only thing I really recall saying about being a granny is that I bake a lot of cookies, and that I adore my grandkids.

11. I see you have several WIPS including Counterpoint, another Victorian story, which your website says is under consideration with a publisher. What else do you have coming up?

So-far untitled novel about Alexander Hamilton; Quinn – the violence and drama of the organized labor movement in the 19th century; A Bit of Earth – US Midwest 1910-1925—an interracial couple fights poverty and prejudice; Cullain—19th century gay romance between a young Wiccan and a disgraced schoolteacher; Forbidden—19th century gay romance of two young Rom (Gypsies) in England; Rain Dancer—contemporary gay/hate crimes police story. It’s hard to make anything sound interesting in five words so they probably sound very, very boring! They even sound boring to me, but the stories and characters are intriguing—even to me.

On behalf of Dark Diva Reviews, I'd like to thank Ruth Sims for stopping by today. To learn more about this wonderful writer, please check out her links:

My website: http://www.ruthsims.com/
My book review site: http://www.reviewsbyruth.wordpress.com/

My publisher’s website http://www.lethepressbooks.com/

Author Interview: BETH WYLDE

Author Interview by A.J. Llewellyn

1. Hi Beth and welcome to the Divas’ Den! When I first met you a couple of years ago, you were a prominent F/F author. I am curious why you think the genre not only does not “sell” but why some publishers are now not even accepting F/F themed stories.

I wouldn't say it doesn't sell I would just say it is a niche market. It takes quite a while to break into the ranks of the top lesbian fiction authors but once you develop a fan base the lesbian fans are the best in the world. The support from readers is fabulous. The books also sell much better in print than in e-book format and I think that is because fans of the genre probably don't realize how many great lesbian stories are available online. This is where those of us that write this pairing need to focus our promotional efforts.
There are several publishers that will not even look at a f/f manuscript but will accept m/m themed submissions. The same also goes for m/f/f vs. m/m/f. But i have noticed that now several more publishers are opening up to lesbian themed stories. Maybe it's just a sign of the times. ^_^

2. You have written a couple of M/M books with Cassandra Gold in a were-lion series. Obviously this was a shrewd move, but do you enjoy writing in this genre? And what did you do to research male-male sex?

I really enjoyed writing this pairing and i didn't think I would. I was very hesitant going into it. I've read and enjoyed plenty of m/m books but i wasn't sure i could pull one off then the storyline for Alpha-Omega hit me. Cassandra does my beta work so I told her my idea and that I was really worried about pulling off the m/m sex scene. She took my hand online and led me through it. She was so patient and the scene turned out HOT!!!! We just released the sequel to Alpha-Omega too which was so much fun to write. It's called The Morning After, and is available from Torquere Press http://www.torquerebooks.com/

3. Is there a genre you would never touch?

So far I haven't found one. My muse seems to believe in equal opportunities for everyone to find love.

4. What do you think of the HOT new genre M/M/M/F. Does it seem to you readers want more and more extremes of emotion?

I have to admit that I haven't read any m/m/m/f yet, my writing has been keeping me really busy so I don't get to read as much as I used to. I think lots of readers read to escape from reality and when characters are more realistic and emotional it makes the escape even more meaningful.

5. You are a wife, mother of three (two of whom are twins!!) and an author. Please describe your average day. Do you write every day?

I'm not sure anything in my house is ever average. LOL I try to sit down at my computer for at least a couple hours a day but that doesn't always mean I'm getting any writing done. Trying to be creative with three young kids running around is tough. A lot of times I'll work on answering emails and promo and then at night, if I'm not totally exhausted, I'll try to squeeze in an hour or two of writing time after the kiddies have gone to bed. When I can't get computer time I usually carry a pen and notebook with me and work longhand then transcribe it to a word document. I do what I can when I can.

6. Does your family know about your work and how do they react?

Not really. They know I write stories with very adult themes but that's it and things for me are better off that way. I get all the support I need from my readers and my close friends. My family likes to turn a blind eye because they think what I write is smut. I know I can't change their opinion so I'm done trying.

7. You mentioned in a recent post your urge to write Y/A. Have you actually done this?

I have a YA story in the works but with so many other projects going on the story has been put on the back burner. Hopefully when things settle down this summer I can pull the manuscript back out and finish it up. I love the storyline and the characters.

8. You once said in an interview you write what you like to read. Who are your favorite authors?

OMG! How long do you have? LOL My bedroom looks more like a library and I still need to add at least one more bookcase before the current stacks start collapsing. I've been a bookworm as far back as I can remember and I've saved almost every book I ever bought. If it deals with a paranormal or erotic theme and the blurb catches my eye I will buy it. Some of my favorite authors are Kim Harrison, Laurell K. Hamilton, Diana Gabaldon, Jolie du Pre, Mychael Black, Cassandra Gold, DL King, Syd McGinley, Kathleen Bradean, Lara Zielinsky...the list goes on and on. I'm such a nerd. ^_^

9. As a writer, do you have ‘pet’ words you tend to overuse and must excise from your work?

LOL
I tend to be pretty good about that. I love my thesaurus!

10. And now…an off the wall question. What is your greatest fear?

Hmm...that's a hard one. For me I think it is getting old and dying.

On behalf of Dark Diva Reviews, I'd like to thank Beth Wylde for stopping by today. To learn more about this awesome author, please check out her links:

My Website: www.bethwylde.com/
My yahoo group for hot excerpts and fun author days at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bethwylde/
MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/bethwylde
Also I have yahoo IM. Just look for b.wylde

Plus you can find me on facebook, ning, twitter, bebo, GLEE... Just visit my group for all the links and info.

Author Interview: DESIREE LEE

Author Interview by A.J. Llewellyn

1. Hi Des, and welcome to the divas’ dark den…you say you’re putting the romance back in necromancy…what does this mean exactly? I’ve been er…dying to ask.

I tend to like things on the darker side of life. Paranormal, horror, most anything macabre really piques my interest. When I discovered that romance books weren’t all sappy, Velveeta-laden fluff, I was stoked. Hey, I could get away with writing stories I like to write… and interject a romance in there too.

2. I know your earliest work was a short story about food…that grows to human size and takes over. I love this idea…what is the scariest food in the world to you?

Um, good question. I’m allergic to tomatoes and nuts so anything with those in it has scary potential. I love lasagna though, and salsa, so sometimes I cheat and suffer the consequences anyway.

About 15 years ago, Jake, a guy I was dating at the time, and his friend Stu got it in their minds that they wanted to try haggis. There is an annual Highland Games & Celtic Festival in the city we lived in and we knew that there were haggis vendors there. The three of us resolved that yep, we were going to try it. We got there. We got in line. We got up to order and I got a whiff of it. OMFGoodness, it smelled like a steaming dog turd. I gagged and said I was chickening out. I couldn’t get past the smell to try it. Jake and Stu each ordered some. Jake took a few bites and said he didn’t like it. Stu said it was pretty good. He ate all of his and the rest of Jake’s portion too. I’ve since been told that wasn’t “real” haggis and that if I ever went to Scotland, I’d have to try it there. I don’t know.

AJ says: I am the wrong person to ask regarding taste, since I am a vegetarian but I’ve been to Scotland and I smelled it. Steaming dog turd is so apt. Even the locals say it’s an acquired taste!

Then there was also a time Jake and I went to a Star Trek convention in Reno, NV with his friend Greg, whom we called Poly because he had a homemade Star Trek uniform (the old jumpsuit kind) that his mom made for him out of polyester. It was also made way too small for him, and Greg wasn’t exactly a trim and fit guy, if you know what I mean. Plus the legs were too short, but he loved it and he wore it, despite the fact that if you looked at the crotch area, it was the most obscene Star Trek costume on the face of the planet. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t discriminate on body type, but some people do not look good in skin-tight polyester Star Trek costumes. Nor should they wear them with white sneakers.
But, I digress…

AJ says: Des, you are hysterical!!!

Jake, Poly and I were in Reno for this Star Trek convention and we got there early. We decided to get breakfast. We went to the restaurant in the hotel where the convention was and they said there was a 45+ minute wait for a table, and asked for our name. Poly spouted off, without a moment’s hesitation, “Griswold.” As in Clark W. Griswold from the National Lampoons Vacation movies… Somehow Jake and I managed to keep straight faces. The hostess gave him an incredulous look, but wrote it down. We left and went across the street to another casino to see what the wait time was there. We ended up in this Hof-Brau at 7-something in the morning, ordering 99 cent breakfast specials. It was one of the most horrible things I have ever dared to put in my mouth. I think it’s still lodged somewhere in my intestines.

Word to the wise: A 99 cent breakfast in a Hof-Brau is a bad, BAD idea. Don’t walk away, run.

3. I’ll keep it in mind! Do you still have the actual story and where did the idea for this come from?

No, I do not have the story, unfortunately. I wrote it for a class project and it earned me a ticket to a Young Writer’s Conference where we got to do writing workshops and listed to a keynote speech by a children’s author. That year the keynote speaker was Eve Bunting. Fascinating lady and I loved her books as a child. I even read one of her books to my class when I was working at the elementary school a few months ago. But, I’m off on a different subject again.

Anyway, all of the entries of the students who attended the conference were put into an anthology and given to us. (Spiral bound with construction paper type covers, but hey, it was a book!) Unfortunately a flood in 1986 ruined a lot of my possessions, that book being one of them.

The idea came from a dream of mine. I actually dreamt the scene. At the end of the story, when I woke up, soda and food were all over the floor of my room. That didn’t happen after the real dream. *LOL*

4. You are a night owl from what I have read and you describe yourself as a vampire. One of you early pen names in fact was Desmodus Rotundus. How does Desmodus differ from Desiree as an author and as a person?

It’s almost like an evolutionary chain for me. Desmodus Rotundus the character is one that is nearest and dearest to my heart. That was my role-play character for years. In the course of being a vampire though, Des the character changes her name occasionally to account for passage of time. Mortals might notice, you know. One other name that I considered was Desoline, which was the name of my great-great grandmother. When I started getting serious about writing, I didn’t think Desmodus Rotundus (which is the genus and species of the vampire bat, btw) would be taken seriously. I felt I needed something more of a “real sounding” name. My RL surname is Japanese and gets botched in pronunciation a lot. *LOL* Plus, with my RL first name, it has a sing-songy type effect. Author Andrea Dean Van Scoyoc told me my name sounded “like an anime character.” I thought that was pretty funny.

I’ve been “Des” in some form or another since 1995. I sat and made a list of many potential pen names, but none of them felt like “me” except something “Des” related. Lee is my dad’s middle name, and also the middle name of my older brother, who is no longer with us. It’s also the surname of the vampire family my friend and I had for a vampire themed RPG we created. It was already pretty firmly entrenched into my persona, it seemed like the perfect fit.

When I got divorced last year, the judge offered me one free chance to change my name while we were there doing the divorce proceedings. I passed on the opportunity, mostly because it was such a pain to change everything over from my maiden name to my married name after the wedding, I didn’t want all the hassle in reverse. Plus, I still had book submissions floating out there with publishers that I didn’t want to have to go back and correct the name on. “Oh by the way, I submitted this book under this name, but now it’s changed to this name…” did not appeal to me. The thought of changing it to Desirée Lee crossed my mind though! I thought if I did that, my parents would be upset that I got rid of my given name. My ex didn’t care if I kept his last name so it was easiest to just keep my name as it was. Funny thing is my mom asked me later on why I didn’t change my name to Desirée Lee when I had the chance. I was floored. Missed opportunity there, I suppose. If I knew it wouldn’t have upset them, I would have legally changed it. Now if I want to legally change it, I have to go through all the paperwork, fees, yada yada. Phooey on that.

5. Wow, Des! Your real name sounds like an anime character? I love it! Okay, you and I have both had severe computer woes and lost almost entire books due to computer crashes. We both wept. I still ache. Did you ever replace the lost manuscript and do you think it is better for the rewrite?

I found a floppy disk in a box that I think MIGHT have that book on it, but it is Mac formatted. I need to find someplace here that I can get it converted over to PC format. My own computer doesn’t even have a floppy drive.

I never rewrote that story. It’s just gone now. I know however, if it is on that floppy and I do eventually recover it, then it will need a total rewrite. I knew nothing about writing when I started that. I’m sure it’s chock-full of head-hopping, passive voice, grammar errors, etc.

6. You have a lot of books published and some tied up with closed/defunct publishers. This must be devastating as an author to have your book come out, only to have the company fold. Have you had trouble getting the rights back to your books?

It was devastating. Aphrodite’s Apples closed less than a year after my first professionally published work, Top This, was released. It also closed down the day before my second book was to come out – Virginal Concupiscence, the sequel to Top This. I got my ARC, but it never hit the virtual-stands.

My other book Inking Violet got contracted by a new publisher that never even opened their cyber-doors. I tried contacting them through email and snail mail both and never heard a word from the owner. My certified letter came back returned as undeliverable as addressed. I sent it to the address on my contract.

7. On a brighter note your book Money Laundering has just been released by Wild Child Publishing. Please tell me a little about it and how the book came about – and how is your experience this far with Wild Child?

Wild Child and sister company Freya’s Bower, have been great. M.E. Ellis is a great editor, though she recently resigned her position with the companies. She really helped me polish up Last Chance upon a Murder (with FB) and Money Laundering.

Marci Baun, the company owner, is really nice. She’s communicative with the authors and very approachable. I’m pleased so far with them.

8. You’ve taken on a day job! What are you doing? And do you love it?

I work for a local telephone company. I do love it. The office is nice, pretty laid back. The people are nice. The benefits are really great. The pay is pretty decent too. For the rural area I live in, this is one of the best employers around. I’m really lucky they picked me and not another applicant. My cousin has worked there for years. My sister-in law works there too. There is also a mother-daughter team who work there. It’s very family-friendly. It’s a good blend between small-town friendliness and professional conduct. I like it. If course, I wish my sole job could be writing, but I’m pragmatic. Most writers don’t make a living off of writing, I think. We do it because we love it. If I didn’t have an outlet for the ideas, I think my brain would implode.

9. When you are writing, what is your routine like? I notice you have several books in the works…is this how you like to work, juggling?

I wish I could write start to finish, but my Muse is flighty. She’s opinionated, bitchy and stubborn. She and I butt heads a lot, but when she does work, she’s brilliant, if I do say so myself. *LOL* I write until the inspiration runs out. Maybe it’s just a snippet, or a scene, or a sub-plot line. Maybe it’s an entire chapter. When I get to a point where the idea is gone, I put the WIP aside and move on to something else until the inspiration comes back around. I figure that they’ll all get finished eventually.

10. What was the role-playing game you were addicted to and how did you cure yourself of it?

I played in numerous FFRP (Free Form Role Play) games on the Internet for years. They’re run in chat rooms and your posts are in character. It’s like improvisational acting, only instead of being on a stage or something, you’re on the computer. My other RP addiction came to EverQuest, then EverQuest2. I tried Final Fantasy Online for a bit, but went back to EQ. I haven’t tried World of Warcraft, only because I didn’t want to pay for yet another subscription to a game. I invested many years and a lot of money into my EQ/2 characters. I didn’t want to have to start all over from scratch again, though WoW does sound like a really fun game from what I’ve heard. Now that I’m working again, I’m almost considering starting up my EQ2 account again… almost. Still debating on that.

Honestly, I used the games as creative tools too. I would create characters to help me “flesh out” some of the characters I was writing about. If I could get into the game and play them, I could put myself into the characters’ mindset. I could play out the scenes then write them down.

My shifter story, Scorpio Risen, was somewhat influenced by game characters. The scorpion-men and spider-men were physically based loosely on some of the monsters in the games. A few months after Scorpio Risen was released, the movie The Scorpion King starring The Rock was on TV. The scene at the end, where he is morphed into the half-scorpion, half-man, that’s the look I was going for with my shifters. I saw the movie and was like “DOH! Why didn’t I mention that somewhere?” *LOL*

11. I know you love evil bad guys. Who are your favorites of all time?

Dracula, hands down. I love that book. He’s so much darker in the book than in the movies. I feel like bad guys are misunderstood. I don’t think Dracula intended to be the reviled creature he was, it was just in his nature.

Dee Snider played a real twisted character in Strangeland. The mindset of that character blew me away.

Many romance readers like the tortured anti-heroes who are redeemed in the end by the heroine. Where would historicals be without the dashing rake? I like a bad guy who has his own appeal. He may be bad, but he’s bad for a reason. It makes all the difference between an appealing bad guy and a sick, twisted sucker who should be locked up for good.

On behalf of Dark Diva reviews, I’d like to thank my lovely friend Desiree Lee for stopping by today. For more information on this amazing and talented author, please check out her links below:

http://www.desireelee.com
http://www.myspace.com/authordesireelee
I have some other social networks listed on my website under the Contact section, but I am on the website and MySpace most often.
I have a non-chatty newsletter-only Yahoo group too. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/the_open_coffin/
I’m always accessible at des@desireelee.com . I adore feedback!