Nyki Blatchley @ DDR Tomorrow

Stop by the Dark Diva's yahoo group tomorrow, between 12pm and 1pm est, and chat with Nyki Blatchley about his up coming book Kaydana and the Staff of Ishlun.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DarkDivaReviews


Welcome to the dungeon, sorceress--where every man, woman and demon is against you.

Freelance sorceress Kaydana seeks her fortune in the city only to find it overrun with like-minded magical entrepreneurs. To make ends meet, she takes a commission from the seductive golden-skinned Tati.

Kaydana reluctantly agrees to rescue Tati's lover from a sadistic king and his demonic devourer, knowing she's no match against the castle's mystical protections. Amid plotting, intrigue and sexual trickery, the powers hidden within the mysterious Staff of Ishlun begin to emerge and awaken Kaydana's darker sensual desires.

Kaydana and The Sword of Ishlun is the first tale in a sizzling sword and sorcery series.

Warning, contains strong sexual content, f/f, f/f/m.

Author Interview: KISSA STARLING

Author Interview by A.J. Llewellyn

1. Hi Kissa and welcome to the Divas’ Down n dirty den! Well not so dirty, there’s a clean spot right there. Okay, get comfy girlfriend ‘cos I have some questions for you. How in the world did you got come up with such a hawt pen name as Kissa Starling? It’s both sexy and ethereal.

I've always been Kissa online. I used it as an AOL name, along with Dali, way back when I first used the internet. Starling was a name I came up with for a long-haired calico I once had. The combination seemed great at the time. And I thought someone named Kissa should so write about kissing!

2. I do too! I think your story Search for the Brown Boobies is one of my favorite titles. I know it’s a lesbian piece (which is by the by) but please tell me how this title came about.

I get so sucked in by submissions calls and when I read the one for Island Girls I wondered what I could come up with that was 'different'. I did a bit of research, 'cause that is what I love to do, and found a tropical bird called a Brown Booby. That inspired me to write a story about a photographer trying to get to an island to photograph these birds.

3. You talk often in blogs and chats about being a southern girl living in Georgia. Is this the real you or Kissa you who is a southern belle?

Oh, we both carry ourselves as true southern belles. The whole ladylike during the day and improper at night- it's ingrained in us from birth. Excerpt I have to say my mother is a ....dare I say it? YANKEE! hahaha I was raised here in Georgia but she threw a few northern traditions into my mix.

4. A-ha! So you’re both naughty girls! I love it. You have some interesting…habits. You write at night. You meditate AND box…what else do you do that we don’t and SHOULD know about you?
I love bendy straws and Cherry Lime-Aids. I have a soft spot for animals and children and anyone else in need.

5. What’s a Cherry Lime-Aid?

Only the best drink ever! It is a mixture of lime juice, cherry juice, and seltzer. They put real limes and cherries in there too. I usually get mine at Sonic, a drive-in type place.

6. Now I want to try one! You’ve written straight and lesbian fiction…any M/M coming soon? Or ménages, since that’s the new hot trend? What do you think of the constant shifts in tide when it comes to trends in erotic romance fiction?

I don't see myself writing m/m, I have no experience or background to bring to the story. Funny thing- I told someone a few months ago that I'd never written a menage scene. In the middle of edits for Robert's Story I realized it HAD a menage scene. WOW. I surprise myself sometimes. There is definitely a trend to jump on the bandwagon and write what's selling. I write what my muse allows me to write- no more, no less.

7. May I ask what your muse looks like? I sometimes ask this since Stephen King once said his muse is a fat, hairy guy with a cigar!

Hahaha, I can see that. Hmm, mine is a slave-driver for sure. It’s a woman, I do know that, and she gets into my head when I least expect it. Picture a sweet librarian with a bun and glasses. (who keeps a whip and flogger under the desk to use when she deems necessary. If I ever go away from my characters true being she slaps me and makes me stay up all night to fix it. She really is relentless.

8. I was shocked to see a nice girl like my Kissa writes Kustom Erotica. How is this working out for you and in what genre do your readers usually request their stories?

A lot of readers like short stories where I use the names of people they know. Fetishes are often inserted as well. I have one girl wanting to buy a novella for her friend who is graduating from college. This is a popular thing with bridesmaids too. I love doing this every once in a while. It's fun to read what people want to include in their stories...

9. What kind of…fetishes?

Toe-sucking, high heels during sex, and a lot of them want a ménage scene in their story. Group sex seems to be popular as well as whipped cream!

10. You know what's weird? I just got through reading a newspaper article that said we all harbor millions of harmful bacteria on our feet. Yum! LOL...let me ask you, is there a genre you would never write in?

I've learned to never say never so NO.

11. So tell me about Robert’s Story…what kind of research did you do to pen this little BDSM tale?

I didn't have a lot of research for this one but I did go over the safety aspects of needle-play in the bedroom. Oh, I did a little research on tattoos and heart-o-grams as well.

12. I am intrigued by your upcoming book Celtic Destiny…a paranormal historical tale…sounds so awesome..what kind of research did this involve? And have YOU ever had an encounter with a ghost?

I so wish I could meet a ghost! I love all things unusual, spooky, or scary. The only research I did for this one was the setting. It takes place in Scotland so I did a little research on the topography and castle ruins. I also looked up king and queen names from the era the ghosts came from. This is my first sweet romance novella so I'm really excited about its release from Lyrical Press, Inc..

13. I read on your blog you got a free sippy cup for your grandson…GRANDSON? You have a grandson? How many children do you have and do they know about your naughty books?

I have one son who now has one son. Everyone in my immediate family knows about my writing. I'd tell the whole world if I didn't live in a small, bible-belt town in rural Georgia!

14. I bet they are all secretly the ones emailing you for Kustom Erotica! Okay, let me ask you this. What is your writing routine like? Do you plan your stories – or as in the case of Robert’s Story are you more of a panster?

I am so a pantser. I get an idea for something and wing it. Now that isn’t to say I go ahead haphazardly. I research a lot; love that part of writing.

15. What are the three things I would ALWAYS find on your desk?

Music, a glass of water, and book covers to inspire me and remind me of all I’ve accomplished.

16. Do you play music when you are working and if so, who inspires Kissa Starling?

I love all types of music. I’m the only one in my family who likes country music. I listen to a lot of new pop music but love the oldies and if I had to chose- southern rock is my fave!

17. Do you read much and who are your favorite authors?

I used to read a lot but that almost came to a complete stop when I first began writing. That is what first led me to reviewing. Now I’ve come to a better balance. I read about 2-3 books a month. I read tons of shorter books and critique for several people.

18. If your house was on fire and you could grab three things, what would they be?

My pets, my purse, and a doll that belonged to my grandmother.

On behalf of Dark Diva Reviews, I’d like to thank the gorgeous and talented Kissa Starling for stopping by today.

Why thank you, A.J.

And might I say that you are even more gorgeous in person!

To learn more about Kissa's wicked, wicked works, please check out her links below:
http://www.kissastarling.com/
www.myspace.com/kissastarling
www.glee.com/kissastarling

Author Interview: SAVANNAH CHASE

Author Interview by A.J. Llewellyn

1. Savannah, welcome to the Diva’s Den…when I first started communicating with you, you were with DEP and had your first book, “Bid For Love” published. DEP closed its doors and I know you were devastated but you’ve bounced back in a big way. You have three publishers that I know of and all kinds of books happening. Congratulations!! Was it tough getting over the hump?

I want to start off by saying a big thank you for interviewing me. It is an honor. As we speak I’m currently now with four different publishing companies. When my first publisher closed down it was right before a huge event that I was getting ready to attend. I was shocked that it was happening to me.

I had never experienced a publisher closure and it was something that hit me from out of nowhere. It was horrible to have your company close on you after you worked so hard on your books and had just released it. I was nervous because a lot of companies were not too open to take books that have been already released even if it was for a short period of time. With the closure I felt like I had to start all over again.

2. I believe Lyrical Press was started by a former editor of DEP…so was it difficult getting “Bid For Love” reprinted and also, did you have to haggle to keep your original cover?

I submitted "Bid For Love" to Lyrical not too long after my other publisher had closed down and they accepted the book not too long after. I was thrilled that it found a new home and would get a second chance. No there was not trouble keeping the original cover since it was created by the now owner of LPI. If I had to I would have did all I could to keep my amazing cover since it was just so hot and it fit the story so well.

3. I know you live in Canada…whereabouts and can you tell me a little about your life there? Are you a coffee shop gal? Do you have pets? What is it about your town that you love? Do you travel much?

I live in Ontario. I think like anywhere else it’s pretty normal. I use to live in Toronto for many years and then moved away a few years ago. Life was getting too expensive and congested in Toronto. I wanted to live somewhere quieter and not too congested. I love coffee shops but I don’t spend that much time in them. If I do I won’t get any work done.

I have one pet, a dachshund who I love so much. I haven’t really had the chance to explore this town that much since we moved but the one place I do love is the waterfront. There are events that are going on there during the year from concerts to light shows. There are art galleries and museums around the area so there is always something so see as well. I love to travel but have not had the chance to do so. My dream is to take a trip all over Europe and visit Italy, France, Greece and so many other places.

4. I used to date a Canadian guy called Jeff. Do you know him?

Hmm….I don’t think so, but you never know I might have met him…LOL

5. “Pleasure After the Pain” is a very short tale that in essence is about a magical tattoo of a man with a sword…who comes to life and awakens Serena’s sexuality. I have read the book and enjoyed it. What inspired it? Also, did you ever get the tattoo you had in mind?

I love tattoos; it is a fascination of mine. I think it started when I was a little kid and went to a shop to watch my sister get her tattoo done. Yeah it was painful but something about it interested me. I love how each person’s artwork has a meaning to them. No matter what it is. Plus I think someone who can draw such amazing things on skin is an artist with a gift. Unfortunately I still have not gotten the one I wanted. I had to reconsider it since it would take up a lot of my skin and that is something permanent. When I do go I want to start off with something smaller.

6. You show a real flair for paranormal/fantasy in the tale…will we be seeing more stories in this genre from you?

Oh you can bet on it. Paranormal is my favorite topic. My favorite topic would have to be vampires. Something about them just draws me to them and to write about them. I’m currently working on a few novels that I hope to have out sometime this year.

7. I know you are a voracious reader and I’ve read in several interviews that you like to craft. What kind of crafts do you do? You make your own bookmarks, don’t you? What else?

I do love crafts. Something about them relaxes me. I love to work with floss to make bookmarks, rings and other things. I use to even use to use floss to make hair decorations. I also work with lanyard to make key chains and zipper accessories. I’ve recently started to work more with beads to make jewelry as well as bookmarks. You need a lot of patience to work with all these things but I still find it relaxing.

8. Is writing your fulltime job or do you have a day job? Also, please tell me something about your writing routine.

I wish writing was my fulltime job. It is something I do part time since I do have a day job. I write mostly in the evening. I find that it’s when I do my best work. I make a point to try to write at least 1000 words a day. If I can’t write that much or my muse has gone on a vacation I still use the time to make notes for stories or do research for other books I’m working on.

9. You told me once you’re like a walking juke box. Please tell me how come you know so much about music and always manage to win my contests – even when I ask about obscure Hawaiian music! What is your favorite song of all time and what is the one song stuck in your head that you wish you could shake loose?

LOL.Walking juke box, I like that….The reason that I know so much about music is because it is something I’m very passionate about. I got my writing start in the music world. For many years I studied and wrote music. I wanted to go into the music business because it was something that I love and could not live without. I try to keep up with what is new and happening in the business but I’m not as involved as I use to be. I always wanted to write for other artists. It was something I just loved to do since it gave me an outlet of expression.

Oh I have too many songs that I love. I can’t just name one…Some that are on my list are "Insatiable" by Darren Hayes, "After The Rain" by Cinema Bizarre, "I’ll Be" by Edwin McCain. Don’t have a song that’s stuck in my head. I find myself always listening to music during the day and humming one thing or another.

10. You have an interesting quote on one of your blogs: “The greatest revolution of our generation is the discovery that human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds can change the outer aspects of their lives. “- William James. What does this quote mean to you as a writer – and as a woman?

As a writer and as a woman it means that if the attitude in my head is negative then it will affect everything around me. When you feel negative you live a negative life. You have to think positive so that you push yourself to have a positive life. When you think positively you will live life a lot better. You will be happy and it will make your life run a lot smoother.

Yeah I understand life is hard and especially now with everything going on in the world but we have to think that things will get better and we need to try to make it better for ourselves.

11. If you could have your pick of any guy and you could bid for him at an auction (and if money were no object and it all went to a good cause, and of course, if life imitated your art)…whose love would you want to buy?

I wish I could answer the question but I can’t. I haven’t found that guy yet that I would bid everything on. When I find him I shall tell you…..

12. What was your favorite toy growing up?

I never had a favorite toy. I loved all the toys I had growing up because they all meant something to me.

On Behalf of Dark Diva Reviews, I’d like to thank the gorgeous and talented Savannah Chase for stopping by today. To learn more about Savannah, please visit her links:

Official Site:

http://www.savannahchase.com/
Official Yahoo Loop: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/savannahchase/
Official MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/savannah_chase
Official Newsletter: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SavannahChaseNaughtyNews