#Ask the Author: Story Behind Hawk's Honor

 

Question: I'm intrigued with the idea of a Native American hottie who can shift into a hawk.What inspired the story Hawk's Honor?

Coming February 28

I cherished my childhood summers at the family cottage on a lake in Michigan. The neighbor next door, a member of the local Chippewa tribe, would thrill us with the legends and dances of his people. He taught us the importance and spirituality regarding the balance of nature. His stories of people who could shift from human to animal at will inspired me to write my own versions.

After writing Eagle Dance, a red-tailed hawk appeared in my yard after a storm and spent the day with me to rest. The large bird sat on the tongue of our snowmobile trailer studying me with dark eyes, rimmed with gold. Through a mist the creature shifted into an incredibly sexy Native American man. With a mischievous grin, he moved in a graceful manner to sit on a fallen log. Jamie Hawke introduced himself as a Chippewa and a Marine.

He quickly consumed a plate of chocolate chip cookies and entertained me with adventures he shared with his best friend in MARSOC. Hawks often endure a difficult time finding the perfect mate and his turned out to be his commander. Eventually, he might have to choose between love and honor. After the enjoyable afternoon, he shifted and flew towards his next mission.

Madame Eve’s 1 Night Stand might help him sort out his feelings. We shall see. Please enjoy Hawke’s story.

OH, by the way...I’ve placed a few Easter Eggs in this story and a few teasers of who gets their story told next. 

Ask the Author: What Inspired Queen of Hearts?

Your Valentine romance, Queen of Hearts features a Alice in Wonderland themed costume party and a really hot couple. What inspired the book?

There is a game a group of we authors play. Someone will post a photo and with a particular time frame, 20 minutes or 20 days, we create our own stories. The best part is reading the variety of tales one image inspires. Ironically, my brain will focus on a photo or image and create a story. Taming Rachel, Dark Soul and Hawk's Honor derived from single photos.

When I wrote the original Valentine's Day romance, Queen of Hearts, a photo in a Lover's Lane catalog set the wheels turning.

Jenny and Josh in their costumes.

Their friend Jenny who makes a cute Alice,  hosts the costume party.

Jenny has secretly lusted for her sexy next-door neighbor for years but is intimidated by taste of sexual adventure. After all, he hangs out in a kink club his brother owns. A woman like her could never hold the interest of such an experienced man. Nonetheless, she wouldn't cross the invisible line dividing friendship and romance even if it is Valentine's Day.

He's a man with a plan. Josh is done with his provocative life and ready to settle down and he has the perfect woman in his sights. With a few tricks up his sleeve and a Valentine's Day costume party, he take a chance to seduce his best gal pal.

Will the Queen of Heart allow herself to be seduced by the Madd Hatter's kisses and offer of more?

This book was previously published but has been revised.

BUY NOW on SMASHWORDS and coming soon to Amazon.

Do You Know a Writer?

This started out as a #Thursday13 but I ran out of points. 

Things you should know if you are acquainted with a writer. 

1. It's not that I'm anti-social. It's just that I'm currently writing at least three books in my head. It's hard to mentally outline and talk at the same time.

2. I'm not staring at your ear because I'm a stalker with a weird fetish. You just did something that gave me an idea for my WIP.

3. I'm not talking to myself. I'm PLOTTING.

4. You mangled the spelling of that word and yes, it will eat at me FOR HOURS.

5. Please don't reference any mainstream, highly successful novels unless you know for sure that they are free of typos and weak writing. And make sure there are no adverbs in it. Otherwise, you'll set off a literary hissy fit of epic proportions.

6. James Patterson is the Antichrist. Don't ask me why. Because I'll tell you. Ad nauseum.

7. IT IS NOT A F***ING HOBBY!

8. Yes, I'm neurotic. I'm a writer, duh.

(Yes, this is borrowed.)

1. It's not that I'm anti-social. It's just that I'm currently writing at least three books in my head. It's hard to mentally outline and talk at the same time.

2. I'm not staring at your ear because I'm a stalker with a weird fetish. You just did something that gave me an idea for my WIP.

3. I'm not talking to myself. I'm PLOTTING.

4. You mangled the spelling of that word and yes, it will eat at me FOR HOURS.

5. Please don't reference any mainstream, highly successful novels unless you know for sure that they are free of typos and weak writing. And make sure there are no adverbs in it. Otherwise, you'll set off a literary hissy fit of epic proportions.

6. James Patterson is the Antichrist. Don't ask me why. Because I'll tell you. Ad nauseum.

7. IT IS NOT A F***ING HOBBY!

8. Yes, I'm neurotic. I'm a writer, duh. When have you ever met a sane writer?

9. Meet my delicate artist ego. Stroke it. Praise it. It will purr for you. Then it will cry. Then it will accuse you of being disingenuous. Then it will tell you to go to hell. Then it will beg you to like it. Then it will be aloof. Then it will curl itself into the fetal position and suck its thumb until you stroke it again.

10. Don't ask where I get my story ideas. How the crap should I know? It's not like I have a storage locker....

9. Meet my delicate artist ego. Stroke it. Praise it. It will purr for you. Then it will cry. Then it will accuse you of being disingenuous. Then it will tell you to go to hell. Then it will beg you to like it. Then it will be aloof. Then it will curl itself into the fetal position and suck its thumb until you stroke it again.

10. Don't ask where I get my story ideas. How the crap should I know? It's not like I have a storage locker....

 

 

#FetishFriday - Writing Handcuffs & Silk

Handcuffs & Silk started out as a sweet romance. A simple one night stand between a lady cop and a lawyer sounded easy but somewhere along the line the characters took over the story and sexed it up.  Bring out the leather and restraints...I was off to write about something I had no idea about.

So what did I do?

What any good author does... RESEARCH.  Here's where hubby has that Cheshire Cat grin.  No, really... I poured over books (fiction & non-fiction), interviewing various Doms and subs then let my imagination go.

According to Wikipedia: BDSM is a consensual lifestyle choice, or type of adult role-play between two or more individuals. The compound acronym, BDSM, is derived from the terms bondage and discipline (B&D), dominance and submission (D&S), and sadism and masochism (S&M). BDSM includes a wide spectrum of activities, forms of interpersonal relationships, and distinct subcultures.

I found the best help on the subject (other than personal interviews) turned out to be the online site Seekers.  This site states, "D/s is a lifestyle choice, Domination and submission, where people live their lives opting by nature to be either Dominant or submissive. In a relationship the one complements the other and is based on the gift of submission, and absolute trust."

I must say this sight was not only helpful with my work, but I thought the owners handled the subject in a fundamental and kindly manner.

Writing Handcuffs & Silk became a whole new experience for me and opened a door I always thought was best kept closed. Not only am I becoming a better writer because of my research but I've also developed a sincere respect for my new friends who delve into this world. Hubby and I won't be visiting a dungeon any time soon, but he certainly enjoys being my "research assistant."

Never be afraid to ask questions, 

the answers may amaze you.