In Memorium - Celebrating the life and writing of author, Carol Mckenzie

Author (and friend) Carol McKenzie

The Staff of loveyoudivine Alterotica would like to invite you to join us on November 14th for a Requiem Chat in Carol’s honor.  Between 12 Noon and 8 PM EST, we’ll be posting her excerpts on our loveyoudivine Yahoo group and give away a copies of her print volumes, The Ex Factor, Cowboys and MEN: From His and His Kisses.

Featured below is an excerpt of one of Carol McKenzie’s last m/m stories 

On a more personal note, I wish everyone who reads this a very merry holiday season and a fantastic 2009. You take care. Carol

Ebook ISBN / Price: 978-1-60054-283-1

Length: 56 pages / 14,400 word count
Genre: M/M
Category: His and His Kisses
Rating: Shooting Star
Price: 3.75
Buy link: http://…com/4u2yz8
Video Trailer: http://…com/59anuw

About
Cowboys’ Christmas

It’s December and it’s cold. Blake’s back aches from busting broncs and he wants to settle down, maybe do some ranching. Blake loves his sister, who doesn’t know he’s gay. But he loves Riley, too. If he breaks the news, will his sister accept Riley into the family?

Thirty-year-old Blake finishes his obligations on the rodeo circuit for the year. It’s December and it’s cold. He calls his sister, Katy, in Rufus, Oregon, and tells her that he is getting too old to bust broncos. His back and bones ache. He mentions he may come home for Christmas. Katy ís delighted because she needs help with the Kinglsley Ranch; it’s falling apart, and her boyfriend is too much a tenderfoot to help.
Blake can’t wait to meet up with his “friend” in their usual camping area. Katy doesn’t know about his flame, Riley S. Campbell. What will she say or think when she finds he’s taken Riley, a man, as his lover? Will Riley’s family accept Blake?

Blake Kingsley pulled his truck and fifth wheel into a vacant island of Huck’s Gas Mart in downtown Longview, Washington, and stopped the engine. He climbed out and put his gray Stetson on his head. Heavy, cold rain beat down on the overhang and the air smelled of gasoline. He lifted the nozzle, pressed the mid-grade button and pumped forty dollars worth of gas into his tank, mumbling his displeasure the whole time. When he finished, he put handle back and ambled toward the pay station, the soles of his boots smacking in puddles.

“I’ll spring for the turkey, if I was to come,” Blake said and placed his Stetson on the passenger seat.

“So, how are you doin’ otherwise, little brother?’”

“It’s best you not ask, ’cause right now, I’m in a piss poor mood.”

“Why’s that?”

“These friggin’ gas prices suck. They’re high as hell. It costs too much drivin’ the circuit anymore. I’m twenty-eight and gettin’ too old for bustin’ broncs.”

“Get a different job, then. Stay home, settle down. Maybe get a job as, I dunno, be a cop.”

“I’ve done ruint my back.”

“Maybe it’s time to quit.”

“I’ve got to think about it. See you.”

“Tell your buddy hi. Oh, and call when you get close.”

“Will do.”

This week, please welcome multi-talented, multi-genre author, Jude Mason!

A couple of topics that have been going around a few of the blogs and yahoo groups of late concerning genres— what authors like to write, what readers like to read, and what the market is for all these new multi-genre books coming out in e-book format. Well, of course I have an opinion and I’ll do my best to share it with you. And, I’ll get to plug a few of my own books in the process. Bonus!

As an author, I’ve been told to write what I know.  In my opinion, that doesn’t necessarily mean things I’ve actually done, but things I’ve become interested in for one reason or another as well as the empathy I feel for others. What does that have to do with genres you might ask, well here ya go.

The first book I had published kind of followed the rule. It was about a topic that interested me greatly, at the time. It was called Dance of Submission and was published in 1999 by a now defunct publishing house called Amatory Ink. The next book was a science fiction. I grew up on science fiction: Ray Bradbury, Isaac Asimov and Mr. Heinlein, to name a few, so I felt pretty good going into that area. After that, I went a little nuts and dove headlong into a BDSM, fetish novel that took me forever to write and involved a topic I had literally no idea about. Anyone ever heard of pony boys? The interest was there. Oh yeah, and I did tons of research, so the book wasn’t bad. Who Races-Who Wins has since been pulled from the cyber shelves and waits for a re-write and a new home. I’ll get there. You’ll love Slither and his lovely wife, Christine.

Since then, I’ve written in just about every genre you can think of that’s got either romance or erotica in there. At the moment, I have a variety of genres available to the readers. Roses Have Thorns is an erotic horror story that will curl your toes.

Jesse’s Homecoming is a lesbian western that begins with Jesse returning home from a weekend of wandering in the hills. She finds her lover, Meg, being brutally raped by an ex-husband she’d escaped from years ago. Jesse fires her gun, wounding the man. Battered and bruised, Meg is sure she’s unlovable. It’s up to Jesse to prove her wrong and to get the monster she’d married sent to prison. 

Yes, Ma’am, a print collection of BDSM novellas of fem-domme fiction at its finest! My publisher, Phaze, was proud to present the novellas of Jude Mason in print. An Acquired Taste, Pink Ribbon, Stage Fright, and Amber’s Toy, plus never before published extras!

Fertile Domain is a gay futuristic book that also includes fem-domme in all its glory. In a world where pollution and greed has pushed humanity to the brink of extinction, fertility is one of the priorities. Men must prove themselves to fertile fems. For those who are lacking, or who cease to please the women, harsh treatment follows. Two new men, Jax and Trev, vie for a place among the elite ’studs’ of a beautiful fem. Will they succeed, will the love they feel for each other survive?

Then there’s Shoon Joining, a science fiction tale in the style of Spider Robinson, if I do say so myself. Coerced into negotiating with the alien race, the Shoon, Earthman Ambassador Trevor Sloan finds himself tossed into a scenario never before faced. Imprisoned by a corrupt bureaucracy, then rescued by his lover, they fight together, along with the Shoon, to end the ills of humanity.

Shifters and ghosts, mysteries and femdom, the more you mix it up, the more the readers seem to like it. Writing teams are popping up as well, there’s Stella and Audra Price, Alessia Brio and Will Belegon, and don’t forget Jude Mason and Jamie Hill. It seems two can come up with even more interesting genre mixes than a single author.

Check out our Untamed Heart Series, two of which are now available through Total E-Bound, one of the up and coming e-publishers who are putting out amazing products.

Feral Heat, Book one in the series: The scent of a female is a powerful thing. Kai, leader of the cougar clan finds that out the hard way, much to his distress. Can he and his life mate, Aric, find the stolen talisman before it’s too late?

And Bear Combustion, Book two in the series: Fire rages, not only through the forest to threaten the lives of his clan, but in the hearts of Tarek, the leader as well as Inuka, his firey lover and Raven, the stoic companion who secretly adores him. Can the flames of their love survive?

Diversity seems to be the flavor of the day when it comes to e-publishing. Brick and mortar shops are closing because they can’t deal with the print on demand of e-publishers, but I wonder if they’ve really thought about the whys of it? The fan base is shifting. They want variety in their novels. They don’t only want novels either. They want shorter stories they can read in one sitting. When you buy an e-book the cost is less, so much less that readers can afford to try new authors and new genres. The e-publishing industry is growing by leaps and bounds, putting out a plethora of genre busting books to satisfy anyone’s need.

From the readers I’ve spoken to, I get the distinct impression they’re fed up with single genre books. They want variety. They want us to surprise and shock them. As long as there’s a happy ending, or in some cases a happy for now ending, they want it. The more twisted and turned the plots, the more outrageous the genre mix, the better. How to market all these multi-genre books? In the local book store, I have no idea and that’s a large part of their problem. In my opinion, they’re going to have to find a way, or they’re business’ is going to simply go further downhill.

Jon, thanks so much for having me here and letting me spout off to your readers.

- - -

*Jude Mason - Come, explore with me…if you dare*

Links

Phaze

http://www.phaze.com/

Total E-Bound

http://www.total-e-bound.com/

Roses Have Thorns

http://www.loveyoudivine.com/index.php?main_page=document_product_info&cPath=22_23_5&products_id=100

Jesse’s Homecoming

http://www.king-cart.com/Phaze/product=Jesse%27s+Homecoming+by+Jude+Mason

Yes, Ma’am

http://www.king-cart.com/Phaze/product=Yes,+Ma%27am+by+Jude+Mason

Fertile Domain

http://www.king-cart.com/Phaze/product=Fertile+Domain/exact_match=exact

Shoon Joining

http://www.king-cart.com/Phaze/product=Shoon+Joining/exact_match=exact

Feral Heat

http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?s=o3f2w6558676&strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=362

Bear Combustion

http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=423

 Where you can find Jude:

Website: http://www.my-haven2001.com/   
Newsletter: http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/Jude_Masons_Newsletter/

Jude’s Blog: http://jude-mason.blogspot.com/

Jude at MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/jude_mason

Custom Erotica Fantasies: http://customeroticafantasies.blogspot.com/   
To join my mailing list, email me: jude.mason@yahoo.ca  

This week I welcome multi-published author, Amanda Young, as Guest Blogger!

One of my favorite things about writing M/M romance is the ability to write outside the box. The characters don’t have to be the typical alpha male found in other genres. 

In my opinion, the idea of physical beauty in this day and age is a little skewed. Instead of smooth, flawless skin and gym-toned bodies, I’ve always been drawn to a different sort of man. The kind of man who’s built like a brick sh*thouse and covered in hair. That’s right—Bears. There’s nothing sexier to me than a hairy chest and a solid masculine body. Michael Angelo’s David be damned, I want to explore the allure of brawny men who can bench-press their own weight plus that of their partner.

For my next series, I’m planning to focus on big strapping men with even bigger hearts. There will be Bears, and Otters, and Wolves—oh my. For those of you who don’t know the terminology, I thought I would share some definitions (as I understand them) with you.

• Admirer - a term that refers to someone who is sexually or romantically attracted to Bears (this term is often used in various communities to describe an outsider who has sexual attraction to people within that community). Also often referred to as a Chaser. Admirers/Chasers can be of any weight, hairy or hairless and any age.
• Bear - a hairy man with a stocky or heavyset build and facial hair. Can be clean shaven and of any age.
• Bear run - a gathering or circuit party for Bear/Cub types and their Admirers.
• Cub - a younger (or younger looking) version of a Bear, typically but not always with a smaller frame. The term is sometimes used to imply the passive partner in a relationship.^[10] Can be hairy or hairless.
• Gobi - A male, often heterosexual, who is often in the company of bears. Likened to a Goldilocks.
• Daddy bear - is an older guy sometimes looking for a daddy/son relationship with either a younger Bear, Cub, Otter, Wolf or Chaser.
• Goldilocks - A female, often heterosexual, who is often in the company of bears (a bear’s fag hag).
• Leatherbear - A bear with a leather fetish.
• Muscle bear - a muscular version of a Bear. A muscle cub is a younger or smaller, yet muscular, version. Can be hairy or hairless and of any age.
• Otter - a man who is hairy, but is not large or stocky - typically thinner, or with lean muscle. Slimmer version of a Bear with little pockets of fat like love handles or a tiny gut, but not as lean as a Wolf.
• Panda bear - a bear of Asian ethnicity. A panda cub is younger version. Usually hairless.
• Pocket bear - A short Bear.
• Polar bear - a silver- or white-haired Bear.
• Wolf - A lean, masculine gay man who is attracted to bears and involved in the bear scene.
• Woof - A greeting often used when a Bear spots another Bear in public and wants to express physical attraction. He might make a growling noise (”Grrr!”) or say “Woof!”

What would you, the reader, like to see more of in erotic M/M romance? Maybe more overweight characters, or “Average Joe” type heroes. How about little known fetishes, like sploshing or water sports? For every kink you can dream up, there’s someone out there who’s interested. I’d love to hear what readers would like to see more of.

Author Bio:

Amanda Young writes in multiple subgenres, including M/F, M/M, and paranormal romance. The only thing she guarantees is hot ride and a happy ending. To learn more about Amanda’s books, please visit her website: www.AmandaYoung.org

  This week, please join me in welcoming multi-published Canadian author, Dawne Dominique! 

 I would like to thank Jon for having all of us Gremlin authors as guests on his blog. He and I met in our writing forum, and I was immediately drawn to his writing. He’s a very talented author, and a wonderful friend as well – thank you, Jon.

 Okay, a little bit about myself:

 For those who don’t know me, my name is Dawné Dominique, and I’m a managing editor for loveyoudivine, a cover artist for four publishers, and a published author myself in the genres of erotic romance, paranormal and fantasy. I’ve worn many hats throughout my life: I was a paralegal for seventeen years before resigning to pursue my lifelong passion of being writer; I’m a mother to a beautiful twenty-seven year old daughter, and a wife to the same tall, dark and handsome man for almost thirty years. I love anything chocolate, and I could eat pizza morning, noon and night (and I confess, I have done so). 

My first published novel was Ridley’s Rival, a modern-day western released through loveyoudivine, and is included in a print anthology called Cowboys available at:

www.loveyoudivine.com  - and - www.amazon.com 

Gremlins, An Anthology is a different type of novel. Now, I know a lot of people have read the title and scratched their heads. Let me clarify here that this book is not about erotic gremlins, but rather their human counterparts. Almost every genre is represented: horror, dark and classical fantasy, comedy, and paranormal (vampire).

 When S.D. Grady first approached me to write a “gremlin” tale, I was a little confused. I couldn’t think of one thing erotic or romantic about those little creatures, and when I made a joke about a gremlin being a vibrator, a story began brewing inside my brain. Yes — that space between my ears is a scary place to be. Thus, Bonamy & Clyde was born.

 Bonamy Parker is borderline OCD. Her need to be in absolute control is evident in her ultimate bitch approach in everything she does both in her personal and professional life. When little things begin to go wrong with her appliances, like her precious espresso machine, she assumes it’s a faulty kitchen gadget. When her vibrator begins acting up, she passes it off as a bad batch of batteries, not knowing that a little gremlin is to blame.

 Clyde Barrow has just recently moved to Seattle from Vancouver. He doesn’t know a lot of people in the city, but the beautiful neighbor who lives next door has him drooling. When he finally gets the nerve to talk to her, Bonamy shoots him down in flames leaving him singed and confused.

 Dipuc is a mischievous gremlin matchmaker with a very unique power, which he is not allowed to use — at least, not quite yet. Although born to be evil, there is a flaw of goodness in Dipuc – and that imperfection gets him cast him out of Danté’s Abyss, but another higher power takes him in.

 Typical of any gremlin, anything electrical draws Dipuc like a bee to honey. When he begins to have some fun with both Bonamy and Clyde’s electrical appliances in an effort to bring them together, he’s forgotten that using his unique magic during a thunderstorm can cause absolute havoc. Fleeing their respective apartments, Bonamy and Clyde come together and discover they both have been experiencing the same troubles. From there… Well, you’ll just have to read to find out more.

 The reviews I’ve received have all commented on one thing — the strong comedic aspects of the novel. I wanted to write something that would give readers some chuckles, as well as having to take a cold shower.

http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=608

 http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookReviews/Bonamyandclyde.html

 Excerpt from Bonamy & Clyde:

 From the fiery depths of Dante’s Abyss, high domain of all malice and evil, the tiny, insufferable minion roused into existence. He flexed shoulders covered in newly birthed flesh of yellow-green, soft and pliable like lavied gold. Claws extended, scratching at the womb, testing its strength, its resistance. Cognizance came slow, but with it, understanding. Mischief ruled him, yes, but corruptness, the true unwavering evil that governed his kind was absent.

 Mannerch the Maker sensed the imminent flaw. Sneering in contempt, he snarled at the bundle of waste lying near his cloven feet. “Your purpose is tainted.” Crimson eyes glowed with the licking flames of his dominion.

 “So be it,” the gremlin murmured, waiting for the inevitable. A curved talon brushed across the viscous wall of the cocooned sanctuary that held him. A small tear caught the tip of a claw, and hope flared hotter than the bowels of perdition whence he came.

 Light ricocheted inside his cell, pulsing with a heat so unlike the flames he’d been born into. Howls of frustration erupted from Mannerch, but soon, those cries faded to nothingness. The gremlin cowered, shielding sensitive eyes against the stark effulgence of his incubator. When a new voice spoke, the creature’s shivers subsided, and a cadence of love and understanding enfolded the cold, fragile body.

 “All creatures deserve a chance at life. It is what you do with that life which is important. Devil’s minion, I name you Dipuc. Go forth and wreak your mischievous havoc, but so shall you serve my side.”

 Good and evil collided then, a kaleidoscope of life, death and something in between. Thus, Dipuc the Gremlin transcended to the world of humankind–created in hell, but guided by the hand of another.

(Pssst…spell Dipuc backwards)

** Recently released

Blurb:

 Amy Radcliff took the job as a paid escort for Cream of the Crop Escort Service to help pay off her accumulating student loans. In her final year of corporate law, they need to be paid off—and soon. After a girlfriend tells her how much money she can make as a paid escort, Amy jumps at the opportunity. Faced with her first client, who is drop-dead gorgeous, and rich, Amy begins to realize that perhaps she’s not cut out for the job…or is she? Available at: www.loveyoudivine.com

 Excerpt from Amy:

 At the request of the client, she wore a fitted black suit jacket and matching skirt with a modest hemline a few inches above slender, shapely knees. Red stiletto heels, no nylons, and a matching handbag added a risqué touch to the apparel, but still kept it professional looking. Flaxen-streaked hair twisted tight into a French bun made her feel awkward, but whatever the client requested, Patrice’s girls delivered. Amy thought she looked more like an uptight executive secretary than a paid escort, and she was thankful for the guise. No one in the hotel could have suspected what she was there to do.

Taking a deep breath, and running a tongue over lips that sported just a hint of color, she knocked on the hotel door.

 “Come in,” a sonorous male voice called out.

 Amy’s heart beat like a bongo drum. Swallowing past the lump in her throat, she waited for the click of a lock before gripping the door handle with sweaty palms and entering.

Thick, brocade drapes covered a large wall-to-wall window across from the entrance.

 She squinted in the dimness, her eyes slowly adjusting to the diffused gloom. On her right, a large sunken sitting room displayed an expensive settee and a bar. Large oriental vases filled with freshly cut flowers stood scattered around the room. It smelled like heaven, and little bit of her fear disappeared. Any man that liked fresh bouquets couldn’t be all that bad, right? Movement on her left caught her eye. She stared at the entryway leading into a massive bedroom—and the silhouette of a tall man leaning against the doorframe.

 Amy gulped down a gasp. He stood shrouded in shadow, but it wasn’t fright that made her heart beat faster. Her first thought was why this guy would ever need an escort service. He was the most handsome man she’d ever seen, and oddly familiar, as well.

 Short, ebony hair layered in soft wisps rested against the nape of a thick, tanned neck. His unbuttoned, white silk shirt revealed a broad, hairless chest and washboard stomach. Black silk lounging pants hung from strong, muscular hips. He was dressed for an evening indoors. So much for dinner, she griped. I should have grabbed something to eat on my way here.

 Unable to think of something clever to say, she stood in the foyer, gripping her purse tighter, trying not to gawk.

“I’m not what you expected, I see,” he murmured with a shrug. The deep voice carried a proper, lilting English accent with a cadence that caused goosebumps to rush up and down her spine.

 Amy realized too late that her mouth hung open. Trying to gather her wits and look professional, she shook her head and lowered her gaze. “I’m sorry. I’m…I’m kinda new to this and—”

 “Well, that makes two of us.” He paused, and the heat of his stare nailed her to the spot. “As you can see, I’m not really dressed for dinner. I’d rather stay in this evening. The hotel is full of people I’d rather not see. I can order us some dinner, if you wish.” An ebony brow quirked.

 Confused, she tried not to blush at the ease in which he read her mind. Is terror written all over my face? He smiled then and the brilliance of his white, even teeth glowed in the darkness of the room. The small gesture eased a little of her discomfort, but only just a tiny bit.

 From the distance between them, she could see eyes that were a brilliant blue, a nose regal and Greek-like, and a strong, rugged jaw finished the picture. He looked more like a poster boy for a men’s fashion magazine than a client. Bemused, Amy tried to figure out why she was here. She’d always assumed the men who used escort services were pudgy, married and rich, preferring to have discreet affairs with beautiful women who kept their secrets safe. Why would someone like him have to pay for a woman’s attention?

 What I’m working on now: 

 I have several novels on the go, but I’ve recently returned to a fantasy novel called Tears of San*Ferath (after placing it on the backburner for almost two years). It’s classic fantasy about a strange illness that wipes out all the mage’ic and mage’cial creatures of Allanoria, but 500 years pass before the actual story begins. This is adult fantasy which encompasses dragons, evil battling good, a little naughtiness, and of course…mage’ic. I hope to finish this one in the next month or so.

 Eden’s Hell is a different twist of the story of Adam and Lillith, his first wife, and the origin of vampires. I hope to have this novel finished by early next years.

 Physical Therapy is a dark, mystery/stalker tale that delves into the underworld of BDSM and sexual therapy.

 Well, that’s about all for me, folks. I had a lot of fun sharing my writing with you, and hope to be here again. Thank you so very much for having me, Jon. {{HUGS}}

 If you would like to know more about me, please visit me at:

 http://myspace.com/dawnebooks

http://dawnedominique.blogspot.com/

 Looking for an experienced cover artist? Check out my portfolio:

http://dawnedominique.sampasite.com/

  Live, Love and Laugh

Featured this week is another author of the recently released GREMLINS print anthology, released Halloween day from loveyoudivine.com.  Please join me in welcoming erotic romance author, Cerise Amour.

WHEN YOU HEAR THE WORD GREMLIN, I bet sexy isn’t the first thing that comes to mind, right?  Well, not to me either.  Though, after I thought about the criteria for our Gremlins stories, I knew what I wanted to do, with some help from other media and influences.  I had a snippet of a story involving a princess having a psychic connection to a murderer and that’s as far as it went.  My gremlins came from the idea that people have companions, but not like your typical cat or dog.  I thought, what about a soul bound companion?  Something connected deep to you that they could read your thoughts and you theirs.  What if they felt what you felt?   Then, I saw the movie The Golden Compass.  I’d read the book and well, my gremlins were born. They are called “soul beings.”   

I know, you’re still wondering what makes that sensual or sexy.  Well, that in itself doesn’t.  The fact that the princess is in trouble from this killer who is connected to her and that the captain of the guard has been ordered by her father to find the killer, brings them and their gremlins together.  The gremlins are attracted to one another.  Their feelings, in turn, flow to the captain and the princess.  Adventure ensues and the passion grows. 

Check out the reviews for Fire For Ice:

http://coffeetimeromance.com/BookReviews/Fireforice.html

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/justeroticromancereviewsnewsletter/message/381

Ebook ISBN 978-1-60054-231-2
Length: 15,250 words

Genre: Erotic

Category: Dark Fantasy

Rating: Shooting Star

Price: $3.00

Available at www.loveyoudivine.com

Though Fire For Ice is my first published work, I’m looking forward to publishing more.  I have a vampire tale in the works.  Hopefully it will be part of a vampire anthology at loveyoudivine.  It’s not the only story I’ve been working on.  I have a contemporary tale about a female bodyguard and her boss that I hope to have polished and submitted by the first of the year. 

Other things I’m working on include a two-book story about dragon shifters.  I’m also trying my hand at two different westerns tales.  One set in modern day and that other back in the late 1800’s, sometime after the civil war.  Many others I’ve started and working on in spurts. 

And, thanks to one of my lovely reviewers, I am working on a new tale with Callista, Tamir, Torch and Glaze. 

Thank you for reading and thank you, Jon, for having me here this week!

Blessings,

Cerise Amour

Continuing with my Halloween guests dropping in the to sit a spell, please welcome author, S.D. Grady - whose current release, The Silver Scream, also appears in the dark fantasy - print anthology Gremlins - from loveyoudivine. 

Looking for Gremlins with S.D. Grady
 
Most of the time I’m a pretty romantic creature.  I love a good fairy tale.  My stories are often filled with silk gowns, glittering chandeliers and true love found.
 
So then, where did such a tale as “The Silver Scream” come from?
 
Well, one of my favorite TV shows as a kid was Alfred Hitchcock.  You never knew what kind of tale might come from the darkness.  It might be funny, frightening and even contain a bit of a fairy tale.  But I knew each week I would be watching and experiencing that familiar flutter of the stomach…the bit of suspense…the need to see beyond the black corner and face the monster.       

The Silver Scream

I am fortunate in that I live in New England.  Halloween is decorated by Mother Nature each and every year.  The yards and streets are carpeting in a blanket of dead leaves.  They crunch under your feet, sending that crisp, unmistakable scent into the air.  The historic graveyards enjoy the autumn sun, only to descend into creepy shadows once the moon rises.  If you ever needed inspiration for a setting for a scary story, New England is the place to come.
 
Every town center is graced by a white, steepled church several hundred years old…perhaps, the pointed steeples mean to chase those things that linger on the edge of our imaginations back to where they belong.
 
And then there are the business sections of town.  Often they are the direct descendents of the Industrial Revolution.  Brick buildings line the street, empty shop windows next to newer ones.  You look up and see the love and care the artisans of the 19th Century took in placing each brick.  Arched windows, granite lintels over each portal, elaborate decorations…often crumbling with neglect.  You add the bitter wind of late autumn, the sound of leaves scurrying in the alley after dark and a desire to see your town come alive in a different time and…
 
The Gremlin in The Silver Scream came to life.
 
I admit to being one of the last ones to rake my leaves in the fall.  Every day when I walk out to my car, I stop and stomp through the thick blanket of russet, flaming orange, bright yellow and dessicated brown leaves.  Often I hear something rustling…out of sight.  Probably a squirrel.  But honestly, isn’t it much more fun when you think it might be a creature from another place?
 
I dare you!  Explore the darkness!  Read “Gremlins: An Anthology” today…and find that wide-eyed horror of youth all over again.
 
Visit my website!  http://sonyadgrady.com
Be my friend!  http://www.myspace.com/sdgrady_author
 
“The Silver Scream” by S.D. Grady 
Once of seven tales within “Gremlins”
 
Film school student, Gilda Albright, has taken a job in the newly refurbished Orpheum Theatre as a movie projectionist. The gem from another era prompts her imagination to take flight, and she invites her boyfriend Seth to a private screening. Looking like a movie star from the 50’s, she strips in the spotlight, ensnaring Seth’s lust and drawing the eager eyes of another to her buxom figure. The building takes on a life of its own—fear invades Gilda’s workdays. Will the unseen gremlin let her go or fulfill its erotic obsession with a vision from the past?
 
Buy your copy of “Gremlins: An Anthology” today!  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1600542301

Love, Sonya

Want to know more about author S. D. Grady? She’s featured author of the month at The Romance Studio:

http://theromancestudio.com/who8.php

http://sonyadgrady.com

I have a very special Halloween treat for you, starting this week with multi-published, author, graphic design artist, editor, Anastasia Rabiyah…

Gremlins in my Laptop

Thanks for having me on your blog, Jon! Hi to all the readers out there. I’m Anastasia Rabiyah and I write dark fantasy and erotic romance in many cross genres. I’m going to focus on the big October release for all my gremlin authors and me. Most everyone knows what a gremlin is. That nasty little bugger that sneaks into our laptops, our emails, our car engines, and anything else we don’t want to take the blame for, and chews up the wiring and the magic things that make our mechanical doodads work. Some people think of them as cute and fuzzy, or maybe green with sharp teeth and fangs. No matter what, they cause trouble!

Gremlins are all trapped inside this new print anthology cleverly titled: Gremlins An Anthology which comes out this Halloween from www.loveyoudivine.com. Seven stories by seven talented authors of dark fantasy that will change the way you envision these nasty little critters—or maybe not. There are some cute ones, some that need to be shot, and some that will lure you into a dark place to have their way with you—okay, that would be mine. She’s quite the seductress.

When author S.D. Grady first suggested this rather unusual idea to write erotic romance themed with gremlins, I was intrigued. I love paranormal baddies and anything mythical or fantastic in nature, so I jumped on the project. Being a recovering gamer—yes, it’s an addiction—I used my fascination with golems to weave a tale of coming of age and dark secrets for my gremlin tale, Hiram’s Secret. What gremlin wouldn’t want to tear apart a mechanical golem and destroy it? In my story, Hiram, an ambitious young man, runs away from his village, hoping to start a new life, find a beautiful bride, and make something of himself other than a poor pig farmer. Hiram crosses the forbidden boundary into another plane where everything is not all it seems to be. Soon enslaved by the grim Lord Beorolf, Hiram finds his hopes dashed…until he sees a mysterious pair of eyes watching him from the cell across the way.  

Several authors stepped up to the plate to add to the gremlin magic. Dawné Dominique’s tale, Bonamy & Clyde, takes a cold, strong willed woman and turns her world upside down with a little help from a gremlin all in the name of love. Bret Jordan spins some medieval magic when a forest witch weaves a seductive spell over a hunter, luring him away from his beloved bride. When he resists, the witch enlists the aid of vile, little gremlin. Cerise Amour’s gremlins are companions to their humans, but their mischief brings hero and heroine close together in a heated moment of passion which gets them both into trouble. Dahlia Rose’s gremlins are a large scale infestation that needs to be eradicated by a New York cop and a band of paranormal hunters. Crymsyn Hart’s gremlin is a cursed creature with many faces in need of a woman who can free him. And S.D. Grady weaves a tale of horror and glamour in her seductive theatre show gone wrong.

I’ve always had a fascination with fantasy. As a child I brought home critters of all kinds from toads to lizards. I guess the way I see it, the gnarly looking creatures are just misunderstood. They need love too. Readers will find a new twist in every gremlin included in this beautiful book. It is my hope too that Gremlins An Anthology will be a cherished keepsake with its unique interior flourishes and decorations. Adult fantasy lovers will fall hard for this creative work packed with darkness, whimsy, and sexual tension enough to make a laptop overheat.

If you can’t wait to get your hands on our gremlins, the book is available for pre-order at 20% off the publisher’s retail price. Click over to www.loveyoudivine.com to reserve yours now. Gremlins is also available from Amazon.com and any major bookstore. If you’d like to taste-test it before you buy, check out the free mini read available at the publisher’s website and see if you’re brave enough to step into the darkness.

Readers who want to find out more about me can stop by my website at www.RabiyahBooks.com where I have lots of pages of interesting goodies, from e-books to free online jigsaw puzzles.

Much love to all,

Anastasia Rabiyah

Hey, ya’ll!

Yep, I hail from the southeastern portion of the USA; born and raised in the state of Georgia.  I thought my first post should be a little about me to provide some insight for those who might not have met me or read some of my writing - and I’d like to hear about you too!  So, feel free to reach out, give me a shout; ask just about anything.  I’ll post a regular message on the 8^th of each month, and perhaps intermittently throughout the month – so, check back often!

How long have I been writing? 

Let’s see, as long as I can remember actually.  Is that an answer?  To put an age to my response, I’d say since I was about ten years old.  I used to create characters and make-up simple story lines, often playing out scenes in my head – or acting them out for my family.  Didn’t we all do this at some point?  My family said I had “an active imagination.”  I probably have every scrap of paper, poem, blurb, idea, character, storyline or novel I’ve ever written, piled in boxes in the attic and basement.  Ironically, I didn’t get serious about publishing until last year.  Growing up, school, career – life kept getting in the way, I guess.  I’m a new author at Loveyoudivine His & His Kisses and very happy to be among some of the most talented, creative authors I’ve come across in a long while; imaginative, witty, creative and pushing the barriers.  My recently released story, VOYEUR, deals with the obsessive depths of voyeurism and what happens when a few innocent glances can spiral into obsession that changes the protagonist’s life forever. Voyeur released Friday, June 13^th this year and will also appear in Loveyoudivine’s His & His first print anthology titled, MEN, set for release August 1^st, 2008.

What genre do I prefer to write the most?

 
I write about ideas and stories that press forward in my mind, whatever I’m feeling, what moves me, perhaps has even touched my life at some point.  I’ll be driving along or waiting in line at the grocery store when a story idea or character surfaces in my thoughts.  If it stays with me long enough, I’ll typically get my thoughts down on paper, or via in the computer – even recorded on a micro-cassette recorder I keep in the car.  I have a boxful of scraps of paper, notes, scenes, characters – you name it.  I’ll cull from this stash now and again when needing inspiration or the right look or feeling for a character.  I enjoy jotting notes of description about “real people” and what it is about them that captured my attention; often guessing what may be going on in their lives at that moment by just studying a face, a body, a walk – even the clothes worn.  I write gay-themed suspense/thrillers and mystery stories, often with erotic and romantic undertones.
 
Current work-in-progress?

I have hundreds!  I always have “something” in progress.  Currently, I’m writing a murder-suspense novel titled “Pretty Boy Dead”.  The story focuses on a closeted Atlanta homicide detective who - upon returning to the job following a “forced” six-week sabbatical – catches a high profile case involving a young man’s suspicious death.  Discovered in a popular Midtown park, the victim’s brutal murder ensnares the large metropolis and threatens to consume the embattled homicide detective, Sgt. Kendall Parker, a man of many secrets who’s battling his own inner demons.  While investigating the death of the popular nude dancer, Parker must deal with an apathetic department and judging public while forced to confront her own inner demons of acceptance.

Authors that have influenced my writing…

There are many, from the time I was an impressionable teenager and discovered my love for curling up with a good book.  The first author that comes to mind is S.E. Hinton (Outsiders, Rumble Fish) and Ray Bradbury.  The novel I credit with pointing me toward a path to writing my own stores is Patricia Nell Warren’s, The Front Runner, to this day, one of my favorite all time authors.  I’m also very fond of James Kirkwood’s, Good Times/Bad Times, John Grisham’s, A Time To Kill/The Firm, Felice Picano’s, Like People In History, and anything written by Michael Nava.

. 
You can contact me/find me on the web here:
http://www.jonmichaelsen.net

Michaelsen.jon@gmail.com