Tag: friends

Books · Self-publishing · Uncategorized

Community

gibbsdream6 Comments

I often hear people say that there is no sense of community any more and that social media sites are killing interaction and are the source of all evil. Or something like that. It is very easy to be swept along into thinking that as we each live our lives with our own families and group of friends and see all the negativity in the press.

I think that we are breeding generations who are addicted to the internet and struggle to interact in ‘real life’ and I think this is a problem that needs to be addressed but then are those people the ones who would have stayed at home anyway and been more reclusive in nature. Maybe social media is providing them with a form of interaction that they previously wouldn’t have had.

I have a lovely example of people in the internet pulling together in support and that support was for me. I entered my new book in a competition ‘Author’s Cover Wars’ and right out of the starting post I was in the lead. The competition lasts for a week and you can vote every 24 hours. As the week wore on I slipped into second place and by Saturday morning I was 39 votes behind the leader, 41 – 80. My first reaction was I can’t do this, I’ve lost but then my fighting spirit jumped up and listening to advice to someone close to me I decided to try to win. I tagged everyone I was comfortable to tag, family, friends, fellow authors who I have had a fair level of interaction and asked them for help. It was a long shot but I’m used to the odds being stacked against me. I posted in groups on Facebook cheekily hoping I wasn’t breaking any of their rules (not the ones who are rigid on no promotion). I kept this up through the day and night and when I work up this morning the other author was still in front but by 6 votes only, 90 – 96.

Again my initial response was I’ve given it my best shot and that’s all I can do now. Err no, cue determined bitch. I tagged more people and posted in more groups and by the end of the competition 8am EST/1pm GMT I had won by an outstanding 15 votes 117 -102. That is to me a prime example of community spirit happening over social media.

I would like to thank everyone who helped me this week and all the amazing authors and bloggers who rally round to support each other. This is community, just a little bit different from the chatting over the garden fence, curtain twitching kind.

 

Books · Christmas · Life · Self-publishing

New Release – A Boy from the Streets

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A BOY FROM THE STREETS

by Maria Gibbs

 



Genre: Urban Drama

Two babies abandoned at birth—one grows up in a life of privilege, the other in poverty.

On the 12th of September, 1981, twin boys are born in a Brasilian hospital and left to their fate as orphans. Jose is adopted by a couple who takes him to England, but the other isn’t so lucky. Pedro ends up on the streets of Rio, left to fend for himself in a harsh and unforgiving world.
Love and betrayal.
Twelve years later Jose’s family returns to Brasil, where he learns the truth about his adoption and his twin. Thinking his adoptive parents no longer want him, he runs away to find his brother. What follows will shake Jose to the core and shape the rest of his life—if he can survive.
Murder.
Jose isn’t the only one whose life will change. Pedro is offered an opportunity beyond any of his wildest dreams, but to keep it will mean the betrayal of someone he loves. This proves to be a far greater challenge than he anticipated when the orphan finds himself suddenly surrounded by family who, unfortunately, don’t all have good intentions.
Hopes and dreams.
A Boy from the Streets will tug at your heart-strings and have you rooting for the little guy as you follow the twists and turns this multi-continental tale takes.

“Fernando, we must take them both, we cannot separate twins.”
“Christina, you’re too soft, we can’t bring up two children. You’re not strong enough to cope with the needs of twins. Your constitution is weak. It would be unfair to all of us.”
“I know my health is delicate, Fernando, and I will always regret that I can’t carry your baby to term inside me, but I know I can love and care for these twins. We can afford to hire help…” She trailed off when she saw the determined jut of his chin, the expression that brooked no further argument. Christina decided to try one last tug at his conscience anyway. “If we leave one behind, he might end up on the streets, an urchin living in squalor and fighting to survive… if he even makes it past babyhood.”
“Christina, your abundance of love does you credit, but I have no doubts the other boy will be adopted also. The only thing left to do now is to choose which one you would like?”
Christina’s heart sank as she looked at the two bundles in front of her. He was asking her to choose one, like picking out a pair of shoes from the rows on display in a shop. One stirred and let out a howl, disturbing his twin. It was almost as though he were alert to the inherent danger in this situation and was warning his brother.
Christina reached out a hand to each of them, touching their delicate tiny fingers and marvelling at how small, how fragile they were. Both lay quietly now, staring up at her with eyes as yet unable to focus. The boy who had been woken by his brother curled his tiny digits around her finger. In that moment she knew. He was asking her for help. The other twin would have the strength and tenacity to face whatever life threw at him. Christina couldn’t think about that, now that the decision was made. There was no hope of changing Fernando’s mind.
Without a further glance to the brother, she scooped up her new baby, cradling his floppy head and bringing him close to her chest so that he could feel her heart beat and know he was safe. She started to walk away with Fernando’s supportive hand between her shoulder blades. The baby in her arms let out a whimpering cry, and his twin, who still lay in the cot, responded with a heart-breaking howl which tore at her heartstrings and caused Christina to pause her flight. Fernando’s hand applied gentle pressure while she lifted one leaden foot in front of the other. A silent tear fell from her face onto the baby in her arms. She muttered a quick prayer for his twin.
“All that’s left now is to fill in the paperwork and the boy is ours.” Fernando’s handsome face broke into a smile. He reached out and touched the silent baby in his wife’s arms.
“You are to be our son,” he crooned. “We must think of a fitting name to honour your new status in the Sanchez family.”
“Jose, after your father.” Christina dimpled as Fernando rewarded her with a winning smile then pulled her and their new baby into his arms before placing a gentle kiss on her lips.

I’m a self-published author who released her first novelette in January 2015 ‘As Dreams are Made on’ which was closely followed by my second one in February of the same year ‘A Lifetime or a Season.’
In 2016 I released ‘The Storm Creature’ after writing it for an anthology.
2017 will see the release of a novel which I am excited about ‘A boy from the Streets.’ During that time, I have also been working on a number of other WIP’s which are in the pipeline. I don’t fit into any neat genres where my writing is concerned, I am a ‘pantser’ and write anything that comes into my head. So my books range from thrillers, to romance, from paranormal, time slip to contemporary women’s fiction.
I started reading as soon as I was able to and followed on by writing soon after. My biggest influence as a child was Enid Blyton who taught me that books were an escape to new and exciting worlds. I love reading books from a wide spectrum of genres, if the cover attracts me and the blurb stacks up then I want to read the book. When I’m not reading or writing, or doing my full-time job I enjoy travelling, crafting, horse-riding and riding my motorbike.
Facebook ✯ Website ✯ Twitter ✯ Goodreads ✯ Amazon 

Books · Life · Self-publishing · Uncategorized

The inspiration behind ‘A Boy from the Streets’

gibbsdream1 Comment

png-kindle-cover

A boy from the streets will be the first novel that I have published but not the first book I have written. It was while I was researching for one of my other books which hasn’t been published yet that I came up with the inspiration and the basic outline for the story.

While reading ‘Small Wars Permitting: Despatches from Foreign Lands’ by Foreign Correspondent Christina Lamb I came across something I hadn’t heard about before and it shocked me. This is taken from Christina’s book:

“There was one aspect of life in Rio I knew I would never get used to. Every morning when I arrived at my office downtown, there would be bundles in the doorways. After a while I discovered they had names and faces. These were children, some of the thousands – some say millions – of street kids who roam Brazil’s cities. Sometimes they would be sniffing glue from shoemakers’ tins or out of coke bottles for a high to dampen their hunger. Most Cariocas just step over them as if they were insects. Some areas like Ipanema had even erected iron railings round the parks to stop the children going in.
The first year I lived in Rio, Amnesty International ran a series of advertisements: ‘Brazil has found a new way of taking its children off the streets – killing them.'”

The book goes on to talk about 500 killings in one month alone, many of whom were children.

“Death squads pick up and kill the street kids who so upset the tourists and the businesses dependent on tourism. Many of the squads are run by policemen who have no shame about their methods of cleaning up the streets.”

After the initial revulsion and the coldness that pervaded my body at the thought of what these poor children endured and disgust at humankind, the beginnings of a story formed. I picked up my pen and the words flowed. This has now been polished by me and my editor and a new beginning was added later on as the story changed shape in my head. A Boy from the Streets was born. I am now coming to the end of the journey with this book as I aim to publish it early April.

Check it out:

Two babies abandoned at birth—one grows up in a life of privilege, the other in poverty.

On the 12th of September, 1981, twin boys are born in a Brasilian hospital and left to their fate as orphans. Jose is adopted by a couple who takes him to England, but the other isn’t so lucky. Pedro ends up on the streets of Rio, left to fend for himself in a harsh and unforgiving world.

Love and betrayal.

Twelve years later Jose’s family returns to Brasil, where he learns the truth about his adoption and his twin. Thinking his adoptive parents no longer want him, he runs away to find his brother. What follows will shake Jose to the core and shape the rest of his life—if he can survive.

Murder.

Jose isn’t the only one whose life will change. Pedro is offered an opportunity beyond any of his wildest dreams, but to keep it will mean the betrayal of someone he loves. This proves to be a far greater challenge than he anticipated when the orphan finds himself suddenly surrounded by family who, unfortunately, don’t all have good intentions.

Hopes and dreams.

A Boy from the Streets will tug at your heart-strings and have you rooting for the little guy as you follow the twists and turns this multi-continental tale takes.

A small snippet from the beginning of A Boy from the Streets:

“Fernando, we must take them both, we cannot separate twins.”

“Christina, you’re too soft, we can’t bring up two children. You’re not strong enough to cope with the needs of twins. Your constitution is weak. It would be unfair to all of us.”

“I know my health is delicate, Fernando, and I will always regret that I can’t carry your baby to term inside me, but I know I can love and care for these twins. We can afford to hire help…” She trailed off when she saw the determined jut of his chin, the expression that brooked no further argument. Christina decided to try one last tug at his conscience anyway. “If we leave one behind, he might end up on the streets, an urchin living in squalor and fighting to survive… if he even makes it past babyhood.”

“Christina, your abundance of love does you credit, but I have no doubts the other boy will be adopted also. The only thing left to do now is to choose which one you would like?”

Christina’s heart sank as she looked at the two bundles in front of her. He was asking her to choose one, like picking out a pair of shoes from the rows on display in a shop. One stirred and let out a howl, disturbing his twin. It was almost as though he were alert to the inherent danger in this situation and was warning his brother.

Print & Kindle Copies available NOW

 

West Midlands Attending Author: Scarlett Flame
Books · Life · Self-publishing · Uncategorized

West Midlands Attending Author: Scarlett Flame

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SR.jpg

1. Can we start with your name and where you’re from?
  I am the author Scarlett Flame and I am from Manchester, in the UK.

2. Most authors love reading, is this true for you and if so who was/is your inspiration?         I love to read, especially Sci-Fi, paranormal romance, steampunk (of course!), thrillers. To be honest I love an eclectic selection of genre. Two of my favourites are Dean Koontz and Anne Rice.

3. What genre do you write in or do you cross over into many?
 I write in a variety of genre. I mainly write erotica though. With main themes being BDSM, bondage, Dom/sub. I also have a Steampunk book that has elements of ménage, werewolves, dragons, magicians and any number of magical creatures featuring. I have two WIP’s at the moment and one has a Dominant, that is also a vampire featured and the other is once again a D/s but with MMF erotic scenes in it. These two new books are due to be published in Spring 2017.

4. If you could take any character from someone else’s book and make him/her your own creation who would it be and why?
I think it would have to be the Vampire Lestat. Loved these books by Anne Rice and would love them to be my creation.

5.When did you first start writing?
I began writing in 2012, secretly.

6. Do you plan every inch of your books or do you just let the words flow?
I do a combination of the two really but, I always write the first draft longhand. The words just seem to flow better. I write words I want to use in the margins and go back through and edit before typing the draft up. I do use a timeline and storyboards too. In order to make sure that the work has a proper timeline.

7. Who is your favourite character and why? (your own character)
My favourite character in my own books is one I am currently writing and it is Ellie, she is the main female in my upcoming book “A Gothic Romance: Vampires of Whitby Book 1”

8. Was there an event in your life that triggered a book, or even a scene in a book? If so what was the book and what was the event?
Hmmm now then a LOT of the scenes in my book relate to people, events and situations I have been in myself. But I would be telling tales out of school if I told you which ones.

9. Are you working on anything at the moment? If so can you share any tasty morsels?      I am currently about ¾ of the way through two very different books. One has no title and the other is the book about the Whitby vampires.

10. What one piece of advice would you give to someone starting out?
Get your media presence in place early, and establish yourself. Do your homework too and double check your work and get a good editor.

11. What do you do when you’re not writing?
I have six children, all boys, and five grandkids. I am also a committee member at the local mining museum, which is where my own book signing events take place in Manchester. I am also involved in several local projects, so never a spare moment just now

12.What is the hardest part of the whole writing, editing, marketing process for you?
Finding the time to both write, edit, format, and then advertise your books. I am currently looking for a PA to help me out on that score to be perfectly honest.

13. We all have those friends or family members who make sweeping statements about our writing or the process, which is your particular bug bear?
That people refer to erotic writing as porn. It is quite different. The use of words for example. You can write erotica and still be a wordsmith. People also assume you are sat in stockings and suspenders when you write. Which makes me laugh as quite often it is pj’s, dressing gown and slipper and of course the ubiquitous glass of red wine.

14.What is your idea of happiness?
To be loved, and to love. To be able to curl up, and read in peace with a nice cup of tea, to being with family and friends for a meal and a good natter. Or, maybe curled up with the one you love. All of the above, really.

15. For this one I want you to showcase your creativity by painting me a picture, with words, of your ideal setting to write in.
My ideal setting is sat on the settee, quietly, with no disturbance. Phone off, cuppa tea and some gingernuts to munch on.

16. What makes you laugh/cry?
Watching my children and grandchildren perform in school plays and the like. Kindness also makes me cry. I have cried when I shouldn’t really. I was a children’s nurse and I remember crying assisting to lay out a young man who has died when a student nurse. I got told by the nurse I was working alongside, that if that doesn’t move you to cry, leave the profession. Empathy is a huge part of nursing

17. You’re stranded on a desert island and you can take three men/women who would they be and why? This can be practical or purely sexual in nature.
Oh, put me on the spot then as I have 6 kids and love them all to the stars and back!  But, if it was purely sexual hmmm. A handsome Dom would have to among them. Or maybe three gorgeous Doms that all wanted to take care of me.

18.What is your most annoying habit?
I procrastinate – a LOT!

19.Please tell me about your books? For each one please send a pic (kindle cover would be perfect)
This is some blurb about A Valentine’s Bind: Manchester Dominants and submissives Book

Winner in the #erotica category of Top 50 self-published

books of 2016 and 5th overall

Nominee in the erotica category Summer Indie Books 2016

 

Go on treat yourself it is a BARGAIN

 

and #FREE to read on KU too

 

★*´¨)¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)

(¸.• ** #FREE to read with #KindleUnlimited

99c US 99p UK

Available in paperback

 

When University student Nicky Johnson decides to make an impromptu visit to a #BDSM club with friends she get more than she bargained for.

The alcohol fuelled evening finds her asleep on her sofa the next day, suffering from memory loss.

But who brought her home?

#Dominant Dariel Pearson shows her that #spanking and submission can be empowering.

Will this be a life changing experience for Nicky?

This New Adult contemporary romance is a steamy, sexy tale of love, dominance and #submission.    This is The Prophecy Unfolds: Dragon Queen book 1    ★*´¨)¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.• *#‎FREE‬ to read with Kindle Unlimited

#Steampunk #Werewolves #Dragons #Magicians

#ParanormalRomance #Erotica

#Shifter #Ménage

 

Life is not measured by the breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away – Anon.

 

For Alex, this was supposed to be a fresh start.

New job, new part of the country.

But she got much more than she bargained for.

As she travelled through the Snowdonian National park, with its remote villages and Wales’ highest mountains, she stops to eat a bite to eat.

There she is kidnapped by three strangers, and transported to the Dystopian, Steampunk world of Syros.

A world of dragons, magic and werewolves.

Where science fiction meets science fact.

This is only the beginning of an epic urban fantasy, and the fulfilment of a prophecy over 200 years old.

Will she survive on a planet where three factions battle for dominance?

 

Book One of the series Dragon Queen   Finally Bound for Passion: Erotic Love Stories. My debut book       

★*´¨)¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)

(¸.• ** #FREE to read with #KindleUnlimited

Amazon Bestseller in #Paranormal Erotica

Available in paperback

#Ménage #ParanormalRomance #Erotica #BDSM

 

Newly updated and edited

 

When Vivienne sits inconsolable in the hospital chapel, the last encounter she expects is a fervent entanglement with an otherworldly being, as passions increase she learns for the first time in her life the true meaning of out of this world. In the second, Sarah meets a new lover after telling him all her intimate fantasies in an internet chat room. And, the final story concerns the journey a young woman takes, as a Dominant offers to show her the ropes, in exchange for her submission via BDSM. Individually these stories are hot, but together they are sizzling

 

 Remember to Turn up the AC!, June 4, 2016

By 

1DreamReader

Verified Purchase(What’s this?)

This review is from: Bound for Passion: Erotic Love Stories (Kindle Edition)

I have not read a lot of Erotica but enough to say that this Novella was enough to turn the heat up.
The first short story was a full-on excitement as a young women anticipates meeting her cyber lover in the flesh to live out her fantasy. Just the prelude to the meeting was a poetic foreplay of words. Let me tell you, I felt the heated anticipation with her every step of the way, as the author does not skimp on the juicy details. All three of the stories were well written and had good character descriptions. If you are looking to spice up your love life, then this book is a must for you!
Remember to turn up the AC!

Lightning round
Tea or Coffee?                Tea (I am intolerant of coffee)
Cash or credit?                Cash
Cats or Dogs?                   Dogs
Beach or Mountain?           Mountains
Summer or Winter             Winter
Sweet or Savoury                    Savoury
Early riser or late riser?            Early riser
Morning or Night?             Night
Christmas Tree – real or fake?       real
Sex – Lights on or off?      Lights on

Thank you very much for taking the time to answer these questions.
Please leave Facebook, Twitter, Website links so we can check you out further.

Books · Life · Self-publishing · Uncategorized

West Midlands Attending Author: Sophie Valentine

gibbsdreamLeave a comment

 

SV.jpg

  1. Can we start with your name and where you’re from?
    S. Valentine, and I’m originally from England, but living in Spain.
  2. Most authors love reading, is this true for you and if so who was/is your inspiration?
    Yes, I absolutely love reading, and always have. My inspirations are so many different authors.
  3. What genre do you write in or do you cross over into many?
    I write romance, erotica, suspense, a bit of horror, and hoping to write some YA in the future.
  4. If you could take any character from someone else’s book and make him/her your own creation who would it be and why?
    Carrie Bradshaw from SATC. I know the book was more letters / a column that a fictional story book, but it was a story on the show, and I loved that character. Also the Gossip Girl characters, in particular Serena Van Der Woodsen, which were based on books.
  5. When did you first start writing?
    I started writing from a very young age. I wrote full MC’s at 18, but focused on another career until most recently.
  6. Do you plan every inch of your books or do you just let the words flow?
    Depends. Sometimes I plan out, and other times I let the story lead me.
  7. Who is your favourite character and why? (your own character)
    Ooh tough one! I quite like exclusive club owner Darion Milano. He’s hot, kinky, and adventurous. Not to mention extremely good looking. He can be found in The Black Door trilogy series. I also quite like Mia McKenna too in my upcoming romance standalone. She’s sassy and cool.
  8. Was there an event in your life that triggered a particular book, or even a scene in a book? If so what was the book and what was the event?
    I think a lot of books there can be scenes where it’s close to home to an author. My upcoming contemporary romance is a book ALL women will be able to relate to. It’s an emotional, feel-good read.
  9. Are you working on anything at the moment? If so can you share any tasty morsels?
    Yes. I’ve just finished a duology. Again, this is another book most girls will be able to relate to. A life a lot of us want and dream of.
  10. What one piece of advice would you give to someone starting out?
    Keep going. Finish that manuscript. Promote, interact online, get your work critiqued, get it as best as it can possibly be.
  11. What do you do when you’re not writing?
    I’m a movie and series freak. I could literally do that, or read all day. Other stuff includes shopping, sightseeing, and seeing my friends. Oh and sunbathing.
  12. What is the hardest part of the whole writing, editing, marketing process for you?
    The worst part in editing is having to cut out large chunks. Fortunately I haven’t had to do that yet. Marketing is tough overall, as it’s a never ending process. The whole writing part is seeing that blank page, and having to churn out 80-90,000 words again. But, it all has its good parts too!
  13. We all have those friends or family members who make sweeping statements about our writing or the process, which is your particular bug bear?
    I think it’s annoying when people see writing as a hobby. Like, why would we want to torture ourselves by churning out 80-90,000 words over and over again, sleepless nights, an overactive imagination that never stops, and spend hours constantly promoting it? It’s tough at times, but again, it’s worth it.
  14. What is your idea of happiness?
    To be content within yourself. To be where you want to be in life, and have those you love and those that love you surrounding you. Family and friends matter most.
  15. For this one I want you to showcase your creativity by painting me a picture, with words, of your ideal setting to write in.
    The wind gently played with her curls, the salt in the air filling her nostrils, the sound of the waves lapping the shore meeting her ears. The rays of the sun warmed her face. Removing her hat, she sat up on the lounger and scanned the white sand, and cerulean sea before her. She had the perfect view from her garden and it was peaceful and relaxing. She was spoilt with whether to swim in the refreshing pool, or run and dive in the sea. Before she could decide a handsome butler approached carrying a tray of snacks…. Haha! Perfect!
  16. What makes you laugh/cry?
    Comedy movies make me laugh, and sad movies / shows make me cry. Also when people let me down, or show their true colours, but that’s life.
  17. You’re stranded on a desert island and you can take three men/women who would they be and why? This can be practical or purely sexual in nature.
    Okay, other than my family and friends, who of course I’d take, but Mark Wahlberg because he’s hot and funny. Eminem because he’s hot and could rap and entertain me. And Blake Lively because she seems sweet and funny, and we all need a good friend     ☺
  18. What is your most annoying habit?
    I bite my nails sometimes.
  19. Please tell me about your books? For each one please send a pic (kindle cover would be perfect)
    His Confession, Her Confession and Their Confession is an erotic romance trilogy. It’s about a man who owns an exclusive membership club, and a ‘vanilla’ woman seeing if she can come to terms with it because she loves him, or getting him to tone down his kinky, taboo, experimental ways. It tests their relationship. And in each book, someone has a confession.
    I have written short stories for anthologies too. My upcoming short story for Fourteen Shades Of F*cked Up is about a handsome, charming man who despises the opposite sex for anything other than pleasure, and has a secret.
  20. Lightning round
    Tea or Coffee? Coffee.
    Cash or credit? Cash.
    Cats or Dogs? Both.
    Beach or Mountain? Beach!
    Summer or Winter? Summer.
    Sweet or Savoury? Sweet. I love cakes!
    Early riser or late riser? Late.
    Morning or Night? Night-owl.
    Christmas Tree – real or fake? Fake. It’s cruel to kill that many trees just for one day, especially when fake ones look just as good.
    Sex – Lights on or off? Depends on my mood.

 

You can find me on:

www.facebook.com/SophiaValentineAuthor

www.twitter.com/SophiaVAuthor

www.instagram.com/sophiavalentineauthor

www.pinterest.com/SophiaVWrites

www.s-valentine.wix.com/books



Thank you very much for taking the time to answer these questions.
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Books · Life · Self-publishing · Uncategorized

A Lifetime or a Season- Teaser

gibbsdreamLeave a comment

lifetime-3

My Mother had bee one of those alluring women, a flaming redhead, who had men baying at her feet like enslaved dogs. Not for her the indifference of men, she had played the game to the hilt and every man that walked out of her life was a man she had send packing.

Find out more about Athena’s journey to self-discovery as she throws aside the shackles that bind her in.

Novelette pricing:

Kindle 0.99

Paperback: £3.50/ $5.00

Amazon Link: http://mybook.to/ALifetime 

For more information and reviews: https://gibbsdream.wordpress.com/my-published-stories-a-lifetime-or-a-season/ 

 

 

Books · Life · Uncategorized

West Midlands Attending Author: Holly J. Gill

gibbsdream1 Comment

HG.jpg

1.Can we start with your name and where you’re from?

My name is Holly, I’m from Grimsby in North East Lincolnshire

2. Most authors love reading, is this true for you and if so who was/is your inspiration?

Yes, I love reading. I have always read since being a child,  paperbacks and now my Kindle is full and the paperbacks I have now, are signed and stay grease free.

I never had any particular authors who inspired me as they all did. I read so many genres, including the gippy ones the teachers use to pull out.

3. What genre do you write in or do you cross over into many?

I guess I should say, it depends what genre my mind is working on. At The moment all my current published works are erotica, as that is where I initially started. However, my mind started wondering and has taken me to genre’s I never expected I would write, romance, supernatural, action thriller, ghost…if my mind is thinking it, it will write it.  

4. If you could take any character from someone else’s book and make him/her your own creation who would it be and why?

Gosh I truly have no idea. I have read so many amazing books, it’s too hard to choose.  

5. When did you first start writing?

I started writing when I was about 7 or 8 years old. The only time the teacher got my attention was when she said essay. I loved my imagination taking over. I recalled in my English class when I was 13 or so, the teacher (who was a cowbag) told me off for handing in an essay of 30 pages, she said ‘next time only give me 5.’ I hated her, I thought teachers were meant to encourage students. I guess not. Anyway after that, I handed in 5 pages and once marked went home to finish it.

My first ever novel was written, handwritten might I add called ‘Full of Surprises’ a cute sweet romance, back when I was 16 and I still have it to hand now.

6. Do you plan every inch of your books or do you just let the words flow?

I allow the words to flow. I have an idea where the book is going, but nine times out of ten it will turn. Wowzers! I never saw that coming. I just allow the characters to tell me where and what they won’t me to write.

7. Who is your favourite character and why? (your own character)

Hmm, I am not sure I can answer this question. It’s a cruel question as I love all my character even the badass. If I was really to say…gosh…Holly in All That We Are, why, because she in some respects is telling a story of me. Her character lacks confidence.  She hides behind her laptop, keeps herself at a distance of anyone and hates any form of confrontations. And there is also a scene of bullying in there which is true, to each and every word. I had a little cry after I wrote it, no one should ever go through such acts, ever.

8. Was there an event in your life that triggered a particular book, or even a scene in a book? If so what was the book and what was the event?

For me I guess all my novels are my autobiography, there is something in them all that has stolen a little snippet of my life. The worst one for me is in All That We Are regarding the bullying and how that affected my adulthood. For me when writing the scene through the tears, brought it all back, some would say why write it, because to me it was like a sense of relief, sharing a part of me and possibly getting the message across that bullying isn’t acceptable, do something about it, don’t dwell as it will only hurt more.

9. Are you working on anything at the moment? If so can you share any tasty morsels?

I’m currently working on four books, one I’m writing an action erotica thriller which appears to be my favorite genre at the moment.

I have one book I had to take down from publication is with an editor called Innocence BK 1. This book is a romance, and a little taster, Two pasts, one direction. When pain hits full force. Emotions run high. Guilt and protection. Can two hearts hold it together?

Book 2 is awaiting an editor, booked for March called Destiny BK 1. Sexy Erotic Billionaire Romance. Taster, Destiny is a girl who wants for nothing! Compromise Mr. Wright, compromise.

Book 3 is awaiting the editor, booked for June called Target, Scar Lover series BK 1. Action Erotic Thriller. Taster, He was sent to kill her, only instead unearthed more problems.     

10. What one piece of advice would you give to someone starting out?

Write to enjoy it. Write for it to be a hobby. Write what you want to write. Never give up, keep writing. Don’t allow anyone to spoil your illusions. Write the first manuscript in draft, then leave and go back and polish, re-write, make it better, stronger and fuller. Stalk authors, get yourself on social media, talk to authors, that is what I did, and even today I reach out for a little help. We are a great community, yes we can get some nastiness, but generally we are all there doing the same thing, getting our work promoted.

11. What do you do when you’re not writing?

I have a part-time job as a care assistant in a residential and nursing home so that takes care of two days working 12 hour shifts. I am a nana to twins a girl and boy who I see as regular as possible. I enjoy reading, spending time with family, going camping in the summer months and visiting places in the UK.

12. What is the hardest part of the whole writing, editing, marketing process for you?

Editing, I loathe it especially as I cannot see the errors. I intend to sink back into the characters and pulling myself out can be tricky. Authors told me to step away. Leave the book for a year or so…doesn’t work I still end up back in their minds and bodies. This is why I hire editors as trust me I need it.

Marketing is a nightmare. It rather daunting at times, you write the book, find a good editor, get it proofread and then start arranging the formatting, and boom hit the big button…and you start hitting social media, crying out to all those bloggers. It’s hard work, and even more so to get it out there.

Will I ever give up…no. I love allowing my imagination to do its stuff, giving up isn’t an option.

13. We all have those friends or family members who make sweeping statements about our writing or the process, which is your particular bug bear?

I’m lucky, I think a majority of my fans I work with they are just brilliant, all so supportive and buy my books. At my last place of work, one woman did suggest telling me her life story and wanted me to write about it…I don’t think so. I think because people think your write stories that you would like to write theirs…nope I have enough people screaming in my head without your story, which isn’t all that exciting.

My family and friends are very supportive, well my hubby has to be he, he’s my assistant for the book signings, at least my muscle man.

14. What is your idea of happiness?

To always be a naughty woman, who is well known for making rude gestures from nothing. Live life to the full and be who you want to be. I don’t worry about much, as life is too short.

15. For this one I want you to showcase your creativity by painting me a picture, with words, of your ideal setting to write in.

Large room, sofa bed, desk with draws, book shelves, chair, notice board, images of characters staring at me, a wall decorated in my published works and another wall with my family, walls can be white and wooden flooring with a rug under my feet.

In a corner would be a desk with draws underneath, in oak. The desk will sit my laptop in the center. My glasses, notepad and dictionary will be to my right and my kindle, headphones, phone on silent with fruit and bottles of juice to my left. To the right a large window with blinds to block out the dazzling sunlight in white and white curtains. And between the window and wall to my right fixed book shelves where I can easily reach for research.

In front of me above my laptop will be a notice board in shabby chic, with pins with ideas and inspiration and other possible ideas that spring to my mind.

I will also have at the far side more book shelves with swag, signed books and a list of names and contacts when looking for promotional ideas, which will also contain all the links to where my books are published.

The far wall would have pictures of my family, grandbabies and below a sofa bed where I can go and relax and read my kindle or sneak a snooze.

One the left wall will be my book covers in all their glory.

The lighting will be variable, depending on what I am doing, reading my kindle would be a small lamp in the corner and when writing a bright light so I’m not squinting. I will also have a Bluetooth speaker if needed to help with inspiration when ideas might run dry.   

16. What makes you laugh/cry?

For me, bullying, child cruelty and hearing a baby has died, it breaks my heart.

17. You’re stranded on a desert island and you can take three men/women who would they be and why? This can be practical or purely sexual in nature.

This is going to sound drab but my hubby, Nigel. He is amazing at knowing what to do when stranded, he would know what to do in every department, how to build things, go hunting and how to please me. He is always watching programs where people are dumped and left to survive. For entertainment my hubby as he knows me, he knows what I like and would protect me from anything, well sort of unless he gets hungry and decided to eat me lol.     

18. What is your most annoying habit?

I’ll ask my hubby…he said, ‘I cannot cook.” I hate cooking lol!

19. Please tell me about your books?

Desires the series, there are 5 books up to date. This series is about a sex club, an exclusive club where you can go and enjoy your erotic side without being judged. The series tells us the story of a couple, Stacie and Dan. Stacie is the guest who is seeking confidence sexually after being in a bad relationship. Dan the sex worker a serious hot toy boy is her tutor, and well he teaches all she needs to now and more. Heck, he blew me away, the cutie. The series also brings in a scorned woman, jealous of the couple and spends most of her miserable time trying to spilt Stacie and Dan up.

All That We Are, this book is about a promoter called Holly who starts talking on social media to Ashton Noir, who is a bestselling author. They start talking, building up a friendship and helping in areas where they both lack confidence. This is an internet love story which in the author world I bet has happened.  

  1. Lightning round
    Tea or Coffee? Tea
    Cash or credit? Credit
    Cats or Dogs? Neither
    Beach or Mountain? Beach
    Summer or Winter? Summer
    Sweet or Savoury? Sweet
    Early riser or late riser? Early
    Morning or Night? Morning
    Christmas Tree – real or fake? Fake
    Sex – Lights on or off? On.

Thank you very much for taking the time to answer these questions.
Please leave Facebook, Twitter, Website links so we can check you out further.

Desires Series: Erotica, BDSM, kinky romance.

 

Bk 1 Desires

Bk 2 Touching Angel’s Desires

Bk 3 Desires’ Secrets

BK 4 Embracing Desires

Bk 5 Dan’s Desires

 

Trust series

 

All That We Are

 

Buy Links

 

Amazon UK :

https://www.amazon.co.uk/All-That-Are-Trust-Book-ebook/dp/B01GIPN1AG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1464979067&sr=8-2&keywords=holly+j+gill

 

Amazon US :

https://www.amazon.com/All-That-Are-Trust-Book-ebook/dp/B01GIPN1AG?ie=UTF8&keywords=holly%20j%20gill&qid=1464979009&ref_=sr_1_2&sr=8-2

 

Amazon CA :

https://www.amazon.ca/All-That-Are-Trust-Book-ebook/dp/B01GIPN1AG

 

Kobo:

https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/search?query=Holly%20J.%20Gill&fcsearchfield=Author

 

Barnes and Noble :

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Holly%20J.%20Gill%22;jsessionid=02F398A2A308A2B98E5E56076EEE04A5.prodny_store01-atgap06?Ntk=P_key_Contributor_List&Ns=P_Sales_Rank&Ntx=mode+matchall

 

Itunes : https://itunes.apple.com/us/author/holly-j.-gill/id656813976?mt=11

 

Links to me

E-mail mailto:holly_gill@btinternet.com

 

Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/hollyjgillauthor?ref=hl

Erotic Holly BLOG :http://hollyjgill.blogspot.co.uk/?zx=b9ccabad8f15e367

Romance BLOG Holly : http://hollyjodygill.blogspot.co.uk/

Twitter : https://twitter.com/HollyJGill

Google + : https://plus.google.com/u/0/107879443337932231480/posts

Goodreads : https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6860426.Holly_J_Gill

Pinterest : http://uk.pinterest.com/gill0839/

Wixhttp://hollygill.wixsite.com/hollyjgill

Books · Life · Self-publishing · Uncategorized

#Booksarenotfree

gibbsdream15 Comments

 

There is a growing trend in society to believe that books should be free or heavily discounted and we have all been guilty of feeding into it. I pick up freebies but I am also happy to pay for the books I want. Maybe I can’t get all the ones I want but hey isn’t that just life? I see lots of clothes I like and I might be able to pick up a new dress for a special occasion or a new pair of jeans because my old ones have holes in where no self-respecting forty-something wants holes but I can’t buy every item that my heart desires. Certainly not on my non-existent income as an author. Just as well I have a full-time job that stops me from being a starving artist languishing in a garret with only bread and water to sustain me. My day-time job takes up a huge portion of my week and often leaves me drained but from somewhere I have to find the time for my passion which is writing. My dream would be my writing to take off and be able to write full-time but alas that can’t be at the moment.

Everyone of us has had people who ask for a free copy, I’d like to quote my friend and fellow author Chris Turnbull “erm No! There is no such thing as a free copy…even I don’t get a free copy and it’s my book.” 

We do have a free copy on our computers, sure and we can send it to our Kindle device but if we want a print copy of our book, we have to pay – the proof copy isn’t even free. But let me tell you a bit more about what we’ve paid for: A beautiful cover, a feast to the eye, to tempt you, an editor to shape our words and spot mistakes and inconsistencies. And let’s be clear on this my editor and cover designer, both wonderful women who are also authors won’t accept it if I ask them to provide their services for free–which I wouldn’t do. Some people pay for marketing and do promotional giveaways.

I have three novelettes on the market at the moment and a pending novel (having the red pen treatment). A novelette is small, doesn’t require the same time frame to write it but I still used my time and I still paid for the above items. Yesterday was the two-year anniversary of my first novelette ‘As Dreams are Made on.’ Based only on the cover and editing alone I have lost £36.00 on it. So to recap, two years on and with 104 kindle sales and 16 paperback copies I am still in the red. I haven’t set my price high 0.99p/c because it is a short read. An hour or so of entertainment for under £1.00/$1.00 but still people want it for free. You could argue that if they like it they might buy one of my other books and yes that is true but lets also go back to the earlier paragraph where I acknowledged that I can’t buy all the books or clothes I like. So maybe it would generate sales–but maybe not.

Books aren’t just entertainment they are often an escape from reality –a reality that many people find challenging so given the duality of the product why do we question its value?

I’ve got an experiment for you to try (I won’t do it myself as I previously mentioned my busy schedule 🙂 )

Walk in to or phone your hairdresser and ask them if they will give you a free haircut.

Ring your garage next time your car needs a service or MOT and ask them to do it for free

Who loves having their nails done? Manicure? Pedicure? Facial? Let’s see about this freebie

The list is endless.
I would love to hear back from anyone who gets a freebie. Good luck and happy hunting.

But for this author who works endlessly and pays for the services I receive the only freebies I will consider are those that I choose to give for a promotional event which will require your participation.

For anyone who believes that authors should be paid for their work please leave a comment in support and it you are so inclined please share it with the hashtag #Booksarenotfree let’s get it trending.

If you are interested in my books follow the links:

US: https://www.amazon.com/Maria-Gibbs/e/B00SDDJV1U/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Maria-Gibbs/e/B00SDDJV1U/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

If you want to know more about my books have a look at the other pages on this website. You can even see the reviews that I have left for the books I’ve read recently.

 

Books · Life · Self-publishing · Uncategorized

West Midlands Attending Author: Nicola C. Priest

gibbsdreamLeave a comment

 

NP.jpg

  1. Can we start with your name and where you’re from?
     I write under my given name, Nicola C. Priest, but people tend to call me Nicky. Midlands girl, born & bred.
  2. Most authors love reading, is this true for you and if so who was/is your inspiration?
    Completely true.  When I was younger, I used to love reading Stephen King and James Patterson, mainly because my mom loved to read those authors so I picked up her books, but now I’m predominantly a romance girl and love to read Nicole Edwards and Kristy Bromberg
  3. What genre do you write in or do you cross over into many?
    Most of my books are contemporary romance, but one of my in progress books, Perception, leans towards the Crime genre, with a touch of romance thrown in.
  4. If you could take any character from someone else’s book and make him/her your own creation who would it be and why?
    Just one character? Don’t think I could do that, but Id happily take all seven of the Walker Brothers from Nicole Edwards’ Alluring Indulgence series.  Seven hot, sexy cowboys; what’s not to love there?
  5. When did you first start writing?
    I’ve loved writing since I was in school. Our creative writing classes were always my favourite.  I started writing fanfiction based on various TV shows but it wasn’t until a certain trilogy came out that I decided to have a go at writing something original. I figured if she could do it, then so could I.
  6. Do you plan every inch of your books or do you just let the words flow?
    I do plan to some degree, but I tend to just write and go where the characters take me.  I never know how a story is going to end until I get there. Two of the books I’ve released ended in completely different ways to what I originally envisioned.
  7. Who is your favourite character and why? (your own character)
    Tough one, but I’d have to say Jackson MacKenzie out of Somewhere Love Remains.  I won’t go into details, but there are parts of that book that mean a lot to me and I’ll leave it there.
  8. Was there an event in your life that triggered a particular book, or even a scene in a book? If so what was the book and what was the event?
    Somewhere Love Remains.  I had an armed forces penpal back when I was a teenager.
  9. Are you working on anything at the moment? If so can you share any tasty morsels?
    Yes.  I’m working on the sequel to Heart & Soul, called Mind & Soul which has a couple of twists people won’t see coming.  The second I’m working on is Perception, which is a little different to what I usually write.
  10. What one piece of advice would you give to someone starting out?
    Just write.  I’m a firm believer that everyone has at least one book inside them, but you won’t get anywhere unless you write.  All the editing and formatting comes after, just get the words on the paper and the rest will follow.
  11. What do you do when you’re not writing?
    I work full time as a financial services contractor so that takes up most of my day.  When I’m not working or writing, I go to the gym and catch up on my reading list.
  12. What is the hardest part of the whole writing, editing, marketing process for you?
    Definitely the marketing.  Getting a new book out there is hard and I hate pestering people or posting repeatedly on pages/groups.  I know how it makes me feel seeing the same post over and over, but then I remember that this person is trying to do the same things as me, they’re just being a bit more forward lol
  13. We all have those friends or family members who make sweeping statements about our writing or the process, which is your particular bug bear?
         I hate it when people assume that just because I have a book on Amazon, I must be raking in the cash.  I’ve lost count of the amount of times I’ve heard “You’re an author? You must be loaded” or words to that effect.  I wish I was loaded, but as most of us indie authors can attest, that’s just not the case
  14. What is your idea of happiness?
    Being able to give up my full-time job so that I can write for a living instead.  I’d love to be able to earn my living as an author.
  15. For this one I want you to showcase your creativity by painting me a picture, with words, of your ideal setting to write in.
         For me it would have to be a log cabin in the middle of nowhere, with an open log fire and huge armchair.  I’d have a glass of my favourite wine next to me with the fire roaring, warming the room and casting a soft glow over the furnishings.  I’d have my Macbook on my lap and just let the words flow.
  16. What makes you laugh/cry?
    I’m a big softie.  Anything that my nieces and nephews achieve always has me in tears, and they’re not even m kids!  My niece recently took park in the Children in Need choir which was televised and when I caught a glimpse of her on the TV I teared up.  I’m a sucker for sappy movies too.
  17. You’re stranded on a desert island and you can take three men/women who would they be and why? This can be practical or purely sexual in nature. Hmmmmm.  I think I’d take the inspirations behind my leading men.  Henry Cavill inspired Alistair Lockwood; there’s just something about him and I could look at him all day.  That man can wear a suit like no other.  Canadian actor Yannick Bisson inspired Jason Harper, again, very easy on the eyes, but also a fantastic cook so he’d be able to keep all of out energies up.  The last one, and I’m not giving a name here as it’s personal, is the inspiration for Jackson MacKenzie.  He’s a good friend of mine and has helped me through some tough time.  I wouldn’t be without him in my life.
  18. What is your most annoying habit?
    I’m the queen of the saying “I’ll do it in a minute.” It drives my husband mad as whatever it is never gets done and he ends up doing it himself.  My memory is terrible so unless I do something there and then, I completely forget about it.
  19. Please tell me about your books? For each one please send a pic (kindle cover would be perfect)
         I have three books out at the moment: Heart & Soul is part one in the Heartland series.  You have Alistair Lockwood, Hollywood moviestar and heartthrob, you meets clerical assistant Samantha Westfield during a meeting.  There’s an instant attraction, but both have dark secrets that they want to keep hidden.

Somewhere Love Remains tells the tale of Olivia and Jackson, two people who connect when Olivia places an advert for an armed forces penpal.  Throughout the years Olivia falls for Jackson, but he falls for someone else and they lose touch.  Jump to 14 years later and a chance encounter has them reconnecting, but they’re both different to what the other remembers.

Chase the Knight is a novella you can read in 45 minutes.  Abigail’s life is threatened by her dad’s shady work dealings so he hires Alexander Chase, and undercover cop, to protect her.  Can’t really say much more without giving it away.

Mind and Soul & Perception are currently in progress. Mind & Soul carries on six weeks after Heart & Soul ended with Alistair and Samantna trying to move on with their lives.  Perception is a little different to the other books in that it is a crime book where several girls have gone missing, with two turning up later, apparently murdered.

  1. Lightning round
    Tea or Coffee? Tea
    Cash or credit? Cash
    Cats or Dogs? Cats
    Beach or Mountain? Beach
    Summer or Winter? Summer
    Sweet or Savoury? Savoury
    Early riser or late riser? Late Riser
    Morning or Night? Night
    Christmas Tree – real or fake? Real
    Sex – Lights on or off? Both

    Thank you very much for taking the time to answer these questions.
    Please leave Facebook, Twitter, Website links so we can check you out further.

 

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nicola-C.-Priest/e/B00GW2VPUE/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1484058652&sr=1-1

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicolacpriest

 

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/NicolaCPAuthor

 

Website: https://www.nicolacpriest.co.uk

 

 

 

Books · Life · Self-publishing · Uncategorized

West Midlands Attending Author: Laura Morgan

gibbsdreamLeave a comment

 

LM.jpg

1.Can we start with your name and where you’re from?

I’m Laura Morgan, originally from Essex but I now live in the West Midlands.

2. Most authors love reading, is this true for you and if so who was/is your inspiration?

Oh absolutely. I love reading anything dark and powerful. I found there was a real gap in that market a few years ago and that was what inspired me to write my first dark novel. They say if you can’t read the book you’re trying to find, then you have to write it, and that’s exactly what I did!

I do have a few big influences though. JR Ward is one of my all time favourites, as is Pepper Winters and Colleen Hoover.

3. What genre do you write in or do you cross over into many?

I’m one who crosses over. I have a dark paranormal series, a contemporary romance duology and a crime novel coming out soon. I also write dystopian science fiction under another pen name too. I just write what comes to me, regardless of genre.

4. If you could take any character from someone else’s book and make him/her your own creation who would it be and why?

I’d have to say Rhage from the Black Dagger Brotherhood. I’ve always had a thing for the bad guy with a heart and he was the one character who stayed with me long after reading about him. I’d love to take him and make him my own. To pop him in my worlds and see what happens!

5. When did you first start writing?

I’ve always made up stories since being a child, but I only started properly writing them down around four years ago. I hadn’t even realised that coming up with stories in my head wasn’t what everyone did. I figured it was the norm to conjure up characters and storylines, but got the shock of my life when I realised that wasn’t quite the case. That realisation gave the push I needed to finally put pen to paper.

6. Do you plan every inch of your books or do you just let the words flow?

Both really. I plan some, usually at night while I tell myself a story to fall asleep. Then the next day, I type up what I came up with and then some more.

7. Who is your favourite character and why? (your own character)

My favourite character has to be Cate, the Dark Queen in my Black Rose series. She’s dealt some pretty bad cards in the first book and is pushed in directions she doesn’t want to be, but then she finds her strength and turns it all around. She becomes a force to be reckoned with and I absolutely love her for every moment of it.

8. Was there an event in your life that triggered a particular book, or even a scene in a book? If so what was the book and what was the event?

Not really. There are a few real moments I have added along the way. Secret scenes only those who know me really well will spot, but most of all I will see a real-life scenario and ask ‘what if?’ That’s what makes it into the story rather than a real event as such.

9. Are you working on anything at the moment? If so can you share any tasty morsels?

I’m about to release a new story called Rough Love. This one is a modern day tale of both the good and bad in our world. A world where love can conquer all, but at the same time the monsters can also win a few of the battles along the way. It’s a contemporary crime with elements of romance, but fundamentally it’s a mystery and a dark one at that!

10. What one piece of advice would you give to someone starting out?

Don’t get too swallowed up in sweating the small stuff. Just sit down and write. Blurt out an initial draft and don’t give up. It’s better to have a rough draft you can work on a million times than nothing at all.

11.What do you do when you’re not writing?

I love to sing and am part of the Military Wives Choir, through which I’ve had some great opportunities to sing with famous artists and even go on the radio with the amazing Chris Evans. I’ve written poems and songs for them as well and hope to have even more input as time goes on. It’s something I hadn’t thought I’d love so much when I started out doing but now couldn’t live without!

12. What is the hardest part of the whole writing, editing, marketing process for you?

The marketing. I’m too nice and don’t like to bombard people or shove my cards under anyone’s nose I find. I’m awkward like that, but I guess it comes with the territory or being a loner who sits in front of a computer for hours on end talking to imaginary people lol!

13. We all have those friends or family members who make sweeping statements about our writing or the process, which is your particular bug bear?

Because I write romance, the amount of people who tell me random stories about their lovelife is unreal! But then they almost always follow up their story with a, ‘but don’t put that in your book!’ Really?! I think you fail to comprehend the complexity of the writers’ imagination if you think I’m going to put you in my next book 😉

14. What is your idea of happiness?

Being able to write and do what I love for the foreseeable future. I truly love what I do and would adore being able to write full time. My family are incredibly supportive and it’d also be amazing not to have to sacrifice my family time so much.

15. For this one I want you to showcase your creativity by painting me a picture, with words, of your ideal setting to write in.

I love to sit down in my nice and warm writing cave with my coffee brewed to perfection and perhaps a biscuit or two for dunking. Next, it’s on with the writing playlist and I choose whichever one ties in with my current piece of writing. With (ideally) no distractions, I then close my eyes, focus on the story, and begin to type. The words are then not simply black and white symbols on a page, but the narration of the movie playing out in my head. They flow perfectly and only stop when I say so…

16. What makes you laugh/cry?

I’m a sucker for love. I cry at the sweetest of stories and the heart-warming ones. Laughing wise, I’m like a twelve year old. A good fart joke or someone falling over will get me giggling every single time!

17. You’re stranded on a desert island and you can take three men/women who would they be and why? This can be practical or purely sexual in nature.

I’ve got a serious fan-girl situation going on with a singer/writer called Corey Taylor so he’d be first on my list for shooting the breeze, singing together and having some fun (he also comes across as a hilarious guy.) After that, I’d have to go with some eye candy—the one and only Tom Hardy. He’s a great actor and has been the inspiration behind many of my leading men so he’d have to come along to keep on inspiring me 😉 Then, I’m thinking some more eye candy and my other inspiration, Henry Cavill. He seems so nice and gentlemanly, but also like he’d fun and perhaps let me ogle him while he’s swimming and hunting 😉

18. What is your most annoying habit?

I don’t think I have one really? My hubby might tell you differently though, but I do know I can be quite annoying with grinding my teeth at night. I sometimes wake myself up with the noise it’s that bad, oops!

19. Please tell me about your books? For each one please send a pic (kindle cover would be perfect)

I have quite an extensive collection now! The Black Rose series is my dark paranormal collection. They have angels and demons galore, and of course all the dark deeds you might expect given the setting. I cover controversial and taboo subjects, as well as the age-old concept of balance between the worlds of light and dark. I drag the reader kicking and screaming through both the good and bad in this and other worlds.

My contemporary romances Forever Lost and Forever Loved are set in the real world, but one just as dark in its own way. You have hookers and gangsters, but also the story of a young woman who’s overcoming her own history via their world. Plus, you have a hot alpha lead you cannot help but fall in love with haha!

With my science fiction, I wrote from another perspective. One of a futuristic society where the human race is no longer in charge of the earth. Following an alien invasion, the series begins with the story of a young woman who has been brought up under their reign, but she has a bright future ahead of her, if only she can overcome the obstacles in her path first.

  1. Lightning round
    Tea or Coffee? Both! Earl grey tea for me though, if you please
    Cash or credit? Cash
    Cats or Dogs? Dogs – I have a furry friend who sits by my feet as I type
    Beach or Mountain? Beach, but always in the shade otherwise I melt haha
    Summer or Winter? Winter
    Sweet or Savoury? Savoury – I’m a crisp monster
    Early riser or late riser? Late riser for sure!
    Morning or Night? Night
    Christmas Tree – real or fake? Fake
    Sex – Lights on or off? On!

    Thank you very much for taking the time to answer these questions.
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