My Review for Wolfman Apocalypse by Brannan Black

You know you found the perfect book when all you can do as you read that last page is go "WHAT???? What do you mean there is no more?" in a wail that probably rivals a banshee's call. Brannan Black delivers all that and more in the introduction to a post-apocalyptic world where men are turned into stuff of nightmares and myths. Here is my personal review for WOLFMAN APOCALYPSE.

The world has gone to hell....literally. A plague has decimated the world, killing some, and turning others into mindless wolf men. Daniel is the last gay man it seems in the world and along with a few of the survivors, tries to live in alife so changed, he doesn't want to remember the BP, or before Plague, time.

Daniel saw what those rabid animals have done to the human survivors and is afraid when he is confronted by a band of them...that is until the leader grabs him and takes him with them. Then Daniel finds his life is about to get interesting....or more deadly. Daniel now has to figure out if living with these different wolf men is better than living on the outside with the survivors or with the leader of the bad, Mace?

I got to admit....the fact this had my favorite theme-apocalypse-got me front and center. Add in strong characters, a fast paced storyline and yes hot, "oh my god where's my panties?" sex scenes-you got the makings of a series that will knock you back and make you wonder "what if?".

Brannan Black is one talented author in my opinion. Here we have two strong alpha males, granted one has claws, sharp teeth and brute strength & the other a penchant for mouthing off. Hey, I didn't even think Daniel was going to live long past chapter one until you saw the sparks fly between Mace, the leader of this band of civilized, or I should say, somewhat civilized pack of wolfmen. Each page was something new in the story...be it Daniel mouthing off, Mace seducing him or something new that added dimension to this novella.

All I can say is...damn...where can I get a Mace and Daniel for my very own? *grins* So if you are looking for a hot MM Futuristic werewolf story that is a bit unique then I suggest you grab WOLFMAN APOCALYPSE. I swear you won't be disappointed at all and if you are, why Mace will probably tear your arms off. :-P

5 out of 5

Get to know Sloane Taylor

Hi Dawn, thank you for having me out today. I’ve been looking forward to being grilled, er, I mean interviewed by you.:)

To get us started can you tell us a little about what you are working on or have coming out?

CLAIRE DE LUNE is my newest release and is co-authored with the amazing Robert Appleton. Rob is a brilliant sci-fi author and I’m thrilled he wanted to work with me.

Here’s the blurb to entice everyone:

You’re invited to the galaxy’s most prestigious beauty pageant. Clothing optional. Romance and danger…fully provided…

Cocky young detectives Gerry Rappeneau and Sebastian Thorpe-Campbell arrive at the premier lunar resort expecting a week of eye candy and long massages. With a half-billion-credit purse up for grabs, this year’s pageant is the focus of a hundred worlds. And beauty isn’t the only thing in the eye of the beholder.

One contestant, Evelyn Lyons, is attacked and her assailant killed. Surely a simple case of a stalker gone mad, as nothing bad ever happens at the Selene contest. So the brochure says.

The closer Gerry gets to Evelyn, the more he is convinced she’s hiding something. His meticulous character sparks with her wild, sassy nature, and they embark on a torrid affair. Their forbidden romance isn’t the only thing set to ignite in Pont de Reves.

Sebastian’s infatuation with demure Claire Villiers, another contestant, threatens to put all four of them in harm’s way.

A deadly trail of corporate conspiracy, monstrous assassins and hot bikini wax is more than anyone bargained for in this incendiary erotic mystery. Get ready for some serious heat on the dark side of the moon.

What makes a book great in your eyes?
Most important is a plot that grabs me and won’t let go. I want to be a part of a book, firmly implanted in the story as if I’m one of the supporting characters.

Do you have any guilty pleasures?

Absolutely! After a hearty Italian dinner I must have whopping amounts of chocolate. Unfortunately, I eat a lot of Italian food. groan.

How much of the book is realistic?

CLAIRE DE LUNE is sci-fi without green or purple people. Our heroes and heroines are human and indulge their carnal pleasures in very realistic ways.:)

What is the hardest scene you have had to write (published or not)? Why?

The hardest scene was in my first book, TEDDI TURNS ON. Teddi had to explain her husband’s death to David, the hero. As a widow it was heart wrenching to go through it all again. My editor later told me that scene made her cry. She wasn’t the only one.:)

If you had a reporter follow you around for the day, what would the readers get to see in your daily schedule?

Hmm, that I’m the world’s greatest procrastinator and live in my ratty green bathrobe for the better part of the day. I think the damn thing’s become my security blanket! But – I start work at 6:30 am after Studs leaves for work and continue until 5:00 pm with two breaks and lunch. Yep, I treat my writing and all its side parts like a fulltime job.

When you begin your stories, do you go with the flow, or go with an outline?

An outline which is really more a synopsis. At first I need the structure, which includes a collage of all the characters and important items particular to them, then as the book evolves I go with the flow.

Is it hard coming up with titles or characters names?

Titles and character names are easy. It’s the plot that gets me. LOL

What does your workstation look like?

Does pig sty send a bad message? LOL. I’m fortunate to have a dedicated room with plenty of natural light and space. Unfortunately, no matter how hard I try, my desk always looks like a file cabinet threw up on it. There’s notes, reference books and stacks of printed WIP pages from one end to the other of my desk. My only saving grace is that after each book is turned into the publisher, I clean it all up and start again.

Are you the type of individual who gets weepy at the end of a good movie, or a sad movie, or do you just stay neutral through it all?

The older I get the more every tender situation chokes me up. Even some of those romantic commercials get me. I ought to run for the Senate. I’d fit right in with those weepers. lol.

Is there any books coming that you are itching to read (either electronic or print) from your favorite authors?

Absolutely! For my birthday I received James Patterson’s Cross Fire, but won’t crack the cover until I finish my current project. It’s my carrot to not procrastinate.:) In March Melissa Bradley has a new e-book, Byzantine Provocateur, releasing which I’m looking forward to.

If you were to replenish your cabinets with one junk food, what would it be?

This is a tough one. Do chocolate syrup and French vanilla ice cream count as one thing? No? How about potato chips and garlic dip? As you can see, I like duo indulgences.

What is one thing scientists should invent?

Mercy, woman, you do ask hard questions. Several things run through my brain, but the one thing is to eliminate cancer in the world. I’ve had too many loved ones suffer and not survive during my lifetime and fear for our future generations.

Are you a morning person or a night person?

Every weekday I bounce out of bed at 6:00 to fix Studs’ lunch and see him off to work. On the weekends, I sleep in until 7:00 and think I’ve wasted part of my day. You think I need professional help?

Do you like thunderstorms?

You bet! The more thunder and lightening, the more it fascinates me. I sit by the window and watch Mother Nature regain control of an insane world and marvel at her power.

Where can readers find you on the ‘Net?

My website is www.sloanetaylor.com, blog www.sloanetaylor.com/blog, facebook http://www.facebook.com/home.php, and myspace http://www.myspace.com/home.

Thanks, Dawn. It’s been fun and you’ve certainly made me think today.:) 

CLAIRE DE LUNE

Robert Appleton & Sloane Taylor

ISBN-13: 978-1-61124-011-5 (Electronic)

ISBN-13: 978-1-61124-995-8 (Paperback)

Amber Quill Press – Amber Heat

Genres: Science Fiction / Futuristic / Action / Adventure / Mystery / Detective / Voyeurism

Heat Level: HOT

Length: Novel (70k words)

Buy Link http://amberquill.com/AmberHeat/ClaireDeLune.html

EXCERPT:

Evelyn’s self-esteem soared like a rocket as she gazed into Gerry’s eyes. All the need and desire that filled him shone through. She liked him, maybe more if she were honest, and had wanted him from the moment his pompous ass walked into her hotel room. Being with him and initiating sex tonight was the right thing for her to do.
Gerry wrapped an arm around her waist, tugging her closer. Damn, his hard chest felt good against her achy boobs, but not as good as his rigid cock nestling into her belly.
“Evie—"
“Don’t talk.”
He nodded and traced his index finger along her bottom lip. She nipped the tip, then sucked it in, tonguing the pad until he groaned.
“Ah, Ev—” He caught her face in his hands and kissed her with a passion that ignited her.
His tongue toyed against the seam of her mouth, then delved in, a beautiful taste of wine and herbs, lapping and swirling until her knees trembled. With a regretful sigh, she pulled away.
“Did I do something wrong?”
“No talking. It’s my little quirk.” She tapped his mouth, then took his hand and led him to the sand. After she stooped, she patted the ground, inviting him to join her.
Evelyn rose up on her knees and combed her hands down his chest, flicking his nipples until they sprang to life. Intrigued, she swiped her tongue over her dry lips and leaned into him, licking and sucking the copper-colored discs.
She continued lower to the blond tuft cradling his cock. Gently, she glided her thumb over his swollen head, teasing the drops of pre-cum from the slit to the sensitive underside. Her other hand cupped his balls, rolling the tight sacs with her fingers, taking pleasure in her teasing.
His hips jerked with each touch. Through hooded eyes, he watched, but did as she had requested and maintained silence.
On a rush of air, she gave his lips a quick peck and eased over him, holding her thighs tight against his frame. Heat emanated from his body, soothing and stimulating, a new awareness she longed to experience more than once.
Her breasts swayed close to his mouth. He stretched up and tweaked her pebbled nipples with his thumbs and index fingers. Cuddling them together, he licked and suckled the sensitive tips, first one, then the other. A deep shiver rocketed through her, increasing the ache low in her belly.
She teased his cock along her nether lips, loving the feel of his hot flesh grazing against her clit. In slow motion, she edged onto his shaft, savoring the inches that penetrated her wet vagina.
He rocked into her, clutching her hips, holding her in place. She locked her hands around his wrists and pulled them away, the need to set the pace paramount.
“This is so sexy I don’t want to come,” he bit out through clenched teeth.
“I do.” She slapped his hip. “Again and again.”

LINKS:

Robert Appleton www.robertappleton.co.uk

Sloane Taylor www.sloanetaylor.com

Talking with T. C. Archer/Excerpt

To get us started can you tell us a little about what you are working on or have coming out?

We're currently working on another space opera where our heroine's boss sends her a fantasy role-playing vacation. The rub is, she thinks she’s on vacation to rest.  A third romantic sci-fi we're working on dabbles in the paranormal where a galactic war separates factions that threaten our hero and heroine's love. He must decide whether or not to trust her with the knowledge of what he is, and she must decide if she can trust a man who has lied to her.

Do you have any guilty pleasures?

Shawn--I love pastries!

Evan—I take long lunches and play tennis.

What is the hardest scene you have had to write (published or not)? Why?

One of our toughest scenes is from an as yet unpublished romantic thriller. The scene is an action/fight scene that takes place in an alley between our heroine and half a dozen attackers. Things get even more complicated when the hero shows up and she thinks she has to save him. When a hit man makes an appearance, pacing and tone shift gears to a slower pace, while maintaining tension. Information is integrated into the scene at that point, making it all the more difficult to keep tension high

Fight scenes are highly choreographed. Aside from making sure the action makes sense and tension remains strong, the reader mustn't get confused at any point, otherwise, the scene comes to a halt. Its painstaking work, but the results are so much fun.

If you had a reporter follow you around for the day, what would the readers get to see in your daily schedule?

Shawn--ROFL. They would be very bored! During the school year, I start my day by getting my daughter off to school. Then, if I'm not working away from home that day, I do enough cleaning for me to be able to sit down and start writing, which is where I sit until my daughter gets home from school. The bored reporters would trail after me between the kitchen and my seat throughout the day as I get up for coffee, snacks, lunch, and maybe laundry. (I wonder if I could get them to pitch in with that housework!) Once my daughter gets home, I cook lunch (or an early dinner, depending on how you look at it,) then help her with homework. Once she's settled in, I'm back at my seat, writing. On days I work, the reporters would be sitting in the back of my car as I drive clients to the airport. I own a small business that shuttles people to and from the airport.

Evan—I shower, shave, and drive to work. I go to my cubicle, read the email I got during the night and reply to some of it. The people I don’t like will have to wait. I get on IM and see if Shawn has any news, or we talk about the books. I’ll have meetings or work in the lab or write reports all day. I drive home, do supper, and write for a couple hours. Pretty boring. Save me, please.

When you begin your stories, do you go with the flow, or go with an outline?

We always begin stories by going with the flow. It's hard for us to get a handle on a story without digging in just a little bit. For longer novels, we do outline after those first few chapters. For shorter works, we pantser our way through until we have a finished manuscript.

Is it hard coming up with titles or characters names?

Not really. Between the two of us, we come up with names pretty quickly. 

What does your workstation look like?

Shawn--ordered chaos. (Is anyone buying that?) I have a three tiered desk, with a folding table to my right. I keep books, papers and two computers on my workstation, along with a large lazer printer that is too ancient to date, as well as reference books on the top shelf of the desk.

Evan—I have a Morris chair and matching ottoman I built myself a MacBook Air and that’s pretty much all. My reference books are in the bookcase. The Internet is my library.

When you're not writing, what do you like to do to just kick back and have fun?

Shawn--I read and bake, and I love going to the movies with my daughter.

Evan—I play tennis.

Do you ever experience writer's block? If you do, how do you cope with it?

We definitely hit spots where we come to a halt for one reason or another. However, this is one of the advantages of collaboration. If one of us gets stuck, we simply pass the book to the other, and command them to make it so. Hasn't failed yet.

Were you an avid reader as a child? What type of books did you enjoy reading?

Shawn--Yes, yes, and yes! I was a total book geek as a kid. I still am. I read absolutely everything from the Box Car Children to Rudyard Kipling. I read all of Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Pippi Longstocking--I absolutely adored Pippi--C. S. Lewis, Zane Grey, Georgette Heyer, and so many more.

Evan—Yes. I could read before I knew the alphabet. Well, I knew the alphabet song, but the letters had no meaning to me since they were not the words. I asked my first grade teacher how to spell the letter a. After all, the Greek letters had a spelling (i.e. alpha, beta, etc.). I swear she thought there was something wrong with me. I used to read a lot: Scifi, mysteries, adventures, spy novels, historical novels, the classics, and electronics text books.

Tell us a bit about your latest book, and what inspired you to write such a story.

Sasha's Calling is an erotic space opera. Sasha Smirnov is a professional spy--only the current mission is personal. She must discover the secret to Centor's warp field. This warp field can save her planet from being destroyed by their sun, which is about to go nova. Dirk Roscoepilot works for the Ethan Syndicate, the legal pirates of the galaxy. Dirk has other plans for Sasha. He is going to save her from herself--even if that means chasing her across the galaxy and dragging her back to his bed.

What inspired us to write this story? The move into romantic science fiction was a natural step for us. Evan writes hard sci-fi and, together, we write romantic suspense, so the fast paced subgenre of space operas holds a strong appeal for us. After all, high stakes, swash-buckling-techno adventure, and a heroine (or hero,) in distress just can't be beat. Put all that in a setting where technology is limited only by the possibilities of unlimited science and the imagination runs wild.

Is there any books coming that you are itching to read (either electronic or print) from your favorite authors?

Shawn--So many books, so little time. I just started a book by an author I've never read before, Ghost Swamp Blues by Laraine Herring. This genre of this book is magical realism, a genre I've read little of, but am very intrigued with. I also want to read Douglas Clegg, who writes horror, and Philippa Gregory. (Those are just a few in my overflowing TBR pile.)

Evan—I’m still playing catch up. There are so many books I have not read yet. I’m reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo now and Larsson’s other two books are next and I found a Mickey Spillane book I haven’t read yet. (I started that one last week, couldn’t wait).

If you were to replenish your cabinets with one junk food, what would it be?

Shawn--OMG, so many choices. As odd as it is, one of my favorite combination is pretzels and Red Vine licorice.

Evan—Popcorn, especially the white cheese kind. And goldfish. And peanut filled pretzels. And – oh, you asked for one.

What is one thing scientists should invent?

Shawn--A way to eat all those goodies without gaining an ounce.

Evan—A transporter so I don’t have to drive to work. But then again, if I could write full time . . . okay, then a device to extract free energy from the quantum vacuum. 

Are you a morning person or a night person?

Shawn--I've developed much more into a morning person than I used to be. My energy is higher, and I'm more productive.

Evan—I’m a morning person. By 2 pm, I’m ready for a nap.

Where can readers find you on the ‘Net?

www.tcarcher.com

 Sneak Peek into Sascha's Calling

Buy link

http://www.loose-id.com/Sashas-Calling.aspx

Nothing can stop freelance thief Sasha Smirnov from saving her planet -- except, Dirk, the gorgeous ambassador with polychrome eyes. Is it lust or designer pheromones? He is hot, too hot to resist -- or forget. A single, sizzling kiss burns him into her memory, and her body, but she can't afford to stop for passion, let alone love.

Sasha needs to get as far away from Dirk as possible and take the classified data she stole with her. So she stows away on a ship outward bound, only to discover Dirk's the pilot. Now she can't get away from him, or the system, but he will let her into his bed...
Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Public sex.

Excerpt

Sasha leveled her gaze on the ambassador. “I locked that door.”

He shrugged. “Memory erased.”

The green field. She repressed a shudder. “I’ve never seen anything like that Memstat.”

He edged closer. “It’s special technology that allows me to come and go freely. With all electronic memory on the ship erased, no one can accuse me of stealing secrets.”

She pretended not to have caught the lie. The ship would need all forms of memory to function. He had to have sent that beam only to this room because he knew she was there. But how?

Sasha eyed him. “What about the ship’s computer? How do you operate without computer memory?”

“The little bot stores all that’s necessary. It has diplomatic immunity.”

Diplomatic immunity? Excitement tightened her stomach. Diplomatic immunity would get her back inside the spaceport, no questions asked. “Who do you work for?”

He took another step forward. “The Ethen Syndicate. You?”

Sasha holstered the Omegatron. Why lie? Only someone from the Syndicate could need or afford a fancy runabout like a Dasinger-Wong. He could verify her identity with a quick DNA scan anyway.

“Freelance,” she answered.

His gaze sharpened. “You play the freelance game hard and fast, little cowgirl.”

She blinked. “Cowgirl?”

“The way you wear that Omegatron low on your hip reminds me of nineteenth century Earth cowboys, but you’re certainly no boy.”

She stared, torn between lust and laughter. The Pinkertons had kept alive their humble beginnings in the old cowboy stories. She’d never been compared to anything resembling them.

The ambassador took another step, stopping at arm’s length. “I could teach you a thing or two. Join us. The pay is better.”

Warmth radiated from his body. “If the pay was better, I’d already be working for you,” she said in a casual tone she was far from feeling. Damn his pheromones. They were working overtime on her. “I like things the way they are.”

“Not me.” His gaze dropped to her breasts. He reached out with a finger, slow and unthreatening, hooked her bra at the little pink rose on the clip between the cups, and pulled her so close, she could taste his breath. “I think we have some unfinished business.”

He flicked open the bra’s clasp, and her breasts pushed free against the fabric of her bodysuit. He bent toward her, and Sasha jerked back. He caught and held her gaze, then slowly leaned closer and kissed her lightly, flicking her lips with his tongue.

Heat exploded between her legs. He pulled back an inch and lifted a questioning brow. Her heart jumped into warp drive. It had been so long since she’d had a man, and an Adonis like him didn’t come along every day. Sasha pictured straddling his hips and lowering herself onto his hard, beautiful cock. She shivered, forcing the picture from her mind with some effort. What was wrong with her? That was the second time she’d envisioned doing just that in the last hour. Jumping into bed with strangers wasn’t her forte—not to mention, this lovely would consider her enemy number one after she commandeered his ship.

She hesitated. After she stole his ship, then what?

The Spice of Life with author Nina Pierce

The Spice of Life

Guest Blog by Nina Pierce

“Wow, Nina you’re a writer? What do you write?”

“Romance.”

“I love romance. Boy meets girl. Girl plays hard to get. Sunset moment when everyone finds true love.” *sigh* “I’d like to read yours.”

“Just a caveat…mine are spicy romances.”

“Of course they are. All romances are a little naughty.”

“Weeellll, it’s more than a little. Mine are true romances with the bedroom door wide open. There is no fade to black when it comes to the sex scenes.”

Heavy pause. Whispered response, “Erotica? Why didn’t you say in the first place? What’s your website?”

I can’t tell you that’s how all the conversations go when I reunite with old friends and tell them about my new career. But it amazes me how many women of all ages are enjoying erotic romance. This genre that began in the back rooms of small internet publishing companies a decade ago has exploded in the digital age and has now gone mainstream with Berkley, Harlequin, and Kensington, just a few of the NY publishing companies that are jumping into bed with this genre.

But what’s the allure? What fascinates women enough to seek out erotic romance books?

Well, for one it’s the quality of the storyline and the writing. Erotic romance is not pornography. Let me repeat that lest you become confused. Erotic romance isn’t about writing a story around one gratuitous sex scene after another. The character’s love story, as in all romances, is the primary push of the plot. The conflict of emotion and the tension between the central characters is high even if the relationship is consummated. It’s the journey of the characters to find—if not their happily-ever-after—at least their happy-for-now ending. The plot may be central to the character’s sexual awareness, but having lots of sex is not what’s driving the main characters.

Also, the length of erotic romances varies immensely. Harlequin’s Spice Briefs and EC’s Naughty Nooners can be as short as 5,000 words and all publishers accept erotic romance stories up to a full novel length of 90k and everything in between. This means there is something for every reader from the “quickie” to the satisfying “take-it-slow-lounge-in-bed-for-the-whole-weekend” story. 

Secondly, I think women are more in touch with their own sexuality. We know what we like and what gets our juices flowing and we’re not ashamed to seek it out. Our fantasy lives are as diverse as the authors and their stories. Want a vampire to seduce you? That’s out there. How about a little public sex? Oh, yeah available by the truckload. A little seduction with leather bindings and a ball gag? Bondage/Dominance/Submission/Masochism (BDSM) is one of the highest grossing erotic romance genres. Perhaps the idea of two men finding love through a vigorous sexual experience is what you’re looking for. The m/m erotic romance abounds. And of course the fantasy of multiple men intently focused on satisfying one female is growing exponentially. (That’s my personal favorite—both to read and to write.)

So what is it about erotic romance that draws you or makes you shy away? What component keeps you coming back to the genre as an author and/or a reader?

I want to thank Dawn for letting me hang out on her blog today. If you want to find out more about my erotic romantic suspense stories you can visit:

my website http://www.NinaPierce.com

my blog: http://www.karadunn.com/romanceblog

or follow me on

facebook http://www.facebook.com/nina.pierce

twitter http://www.twitter.com/ninapierce

Nina’s newest release A Touch of Lilly, a futuristic ménage is available from Ellora’s Cave (http://www.jasminejade.com/p-8420-a-touch-of-lilly.aspx)

Blurb:
Ex-Chicago detective Lilly D’Angelo is part of a secret alien race living on earth. With a gentle caress she can elevate the sexual energy of any male. Apprehending criminals lost in an erotic fugue is almost too easy—until she uses her gift on the wrong alien. Kidnapped and shipped into deep space, Lilly barely escapes with her life. Now she travels the galaxy alone working as a bounty hunter and hoping to find a soul mate unaffected by her touch. 

Agent Dallas Sawyer works for QAL—deep space’s version of the FBI. After a disastrous mission that left a president murdered, his team member executed, and Dallas near death, he’s determined to take down the assassin targeting government officials. When a sexy human female gets between him and his goal, Dallas and his alien partner find themselves on the receiving end of some wild sex and a proposition that may very well blow up in their faces.

Because in deep space … true love can happen with just a touch.

  

Sneak Peek excerpt of A TOUCH OF LILY:

Lilly D’Angelo could have been walking into any of the seedier establishments lining Forty-fifth and Wester on Chicago’s south side. Except for the clientele, the tavern’s owner had managed to replicate nearly every detail right down to the blue haze and the soft crooning of a jazz band on the corner stage. The acrid stench and gruff hum of a Friday night crowd tripped Lilly down memory lane—a place she had no desire to travel at the moment.

Lilly pushed the sour thoughts of home out of her mind and focused her energy on the patrons at the bar. Morphing her features into her sexiest vixen pout, she moved gracefully toward the long bar on the other side of the room. Her voluptuous breasts, spilling temptingly from her silk blouse, led the way. The eyes watching her ass sashay around the battered tables were clustered on various life forms—none of them human.

Yeah, definitely not Chicago. Shit, this wasn’t even Earth for chrissake.

“Regent’s ale, straight up, hold the brenic.” She spoke English, hoping the two-headed Xerick behind the bar had a cochlear translator in one of those eight holes that passed for ears. Satisfied when one head nodded, she settled on a stool, making sure her fur jacket and blouse parted enough to offer a seductive view of her cleavage. Lilly shifted just enough to let the black leather skirt ride up her thigh and expose a little more silky real estate. Surreptitiously checking her image in the mirrored glass behind the liquor bottles, she was pleased she looked every bit the part. She wasn’t trying to attract anyone in particular, perhaps something on the less offensive side that could offer her a bit of entertainment to help fritter away the next couple of hours.

Lilly wasn’t a xenophobic bigot by any stretch of the imagination. But six months in deep space, working these kinds of joints, wasn’t really long enough to become accustomed to the scenery. The Nebulae Galaxy’s spaceports overflowed with aliens of all sizes and genders. Only that wasn’t really a fair term here in deep space.

Alien inferred the life forms didn’t belong. On the contrary, it was humans who were invading their territory. The treaties of 2253, signed well over forty years ago, had guaranteed the safe travel of humans in deep space. After the snafu of ’34, which saw the first major space disaster since light travel had been discovered, humans had insisted on protection for their species. They’d formed some bullshit board of security, guaranteeing humans could run roughshod over the universe like everywhere else. Though most people referred to them as the QAL, Lilly nicknamed them the alphabet mafia. At one point she’d actually considered working for them until they’d discovered who she was—or more specifically what she was. It didn’t matter. They could all go fuck themselves if they didn’t appreciate her gifts. Lilly had found a way to use her talents and still bring down the bad guys.

Of course in deep space, bad was a relative term.

There was the kind of bad that got a person lost on the ice caps of Dallas Eight without a backup plan. Or the bad that forced someone to stow away in the engine room of a Drikspa alien tanker bound for unknown destinations, praying not to get caught. Or the bad that got a human female imprisoned as a sex slave on the mining colonies of Krystallos Three, hidden from even the long arm of the QAL. Lilly shivered at that one. Even her talents wouldn’t free her from that kind of torture.

She was just happy to be here on Garalon Five where bad meant nothing more than crossing paths with every brand of space pirate, ex-con or fugitive looking for a new start. As one of the more recent colonizations in the Nebulae Galaxy, the G-5 government turned their collective back on past offenses on other planets and allowed anyone to start a legitimate business. It’s what had brought her here.

Talking with Author Elle Amour/Lise Fuller

Military Couples & Cybersex

A few weeks ago, I hosted a party on my publisher’s yahoo loop. On it, I had one of the gals interview my husband about military couples and cybersex. Now, as a military wife whose husband has been deployed, I have to say, times can get pretty lean, sexually speaking.

Thank God for the internet. Years ago, we didn’t have that luxury. Mail got crossed and a letter you’d written just a few days ago would be delivered the next week, yet one you wrote a few weeks ago, could be delivered three weeks after the second. This is particularly amusing (that’s the only word I can use in good company) when you are sending updates of family life or whatever. However, another difficulty is trying to be sexy for your man thousands of miles away.

For those of us in that situation, the internet in all its corrupted glory, has been a God-send. I mean, not only can you send emails, but on occasion, you can actually instant message each other. And, not to go into any detail, but those dang cameras can get pretty hot—if you’ve got one. Better than any porn I know for sure. Beyond all that, I’d hate to think that some military person is monitoring this stuff, ‘cause like my husband mentioned, all soldiers do this. They have to in order to stay sane. Well, and to prevent a case of blue balls. (Sorry, there’s no better way to put this.)

What’s funny, though, is some of the stories my husband has told, and some of the difficulties. Guys try to find a private place (as the at-home spouse, it’s a little easier for me and others), but that’s not often possible. Apparently the guys try to give each other as much privacy as they can, but when the need arises, they go for it. Thing is, some forget others can hear them as they often have headphones on and when they get in that erogenous zone, well, I’ll let your imagination take over here. (If you’re wondering, yes, my hubby was careful but a lot of the guys aren’t. And let’s face it, a lot of them are young and either aren’t thinking about it or are more like my husband and don’t give a you-know-what at the time. They are talking/interacting with their significant other, and that’s what’s important to them. It what reminds them of where they are and what they’re doing and why. And quite frankly, it talks to both partners of the sacrifices they make. And know that when a soldier goes to war, their family does sacrifice, too. It’s hard. And one of the hard parts is being a temporary single person. But the internet helps with that in a big way.)

Now, being a writer, it can be doubly interesting. You see, my husband also has other benefits. When he’s gone, I write a LOT of sex scenes. It’s my outlet for the lack of my husband being here. And guess who my first line editor is for these? You got it. It’s my husband. He loves reading this stuff when he’s gone (when he has the time). And I always sent them to him. The funniest part is he takes on the persona of my hero and his responses can be hilarious because he makes believe I’m the heroine. His latest is Rurik, my alien space hero—sexy, strong, and definitely virile. The one before that was Jake Colder, small town sheriff and ex-special forces. So you see, in this, we can still have fun together and enjoy each others company—even though we’re so physically far apart. (And I bet you didn’t realize the other fringe benefits the average romance novel had!)

So there you have it. Cyberspace and marital bliss.

Thank God.

Lise Fuller (also writing as Elle Amour)

www.lisefuller.com

www.elleamour.com

Join me on twitter at www.twitter.com/lisefuller !

Talking about Pen Names with author Elle Amour

Blog Title: My Nom de Plume, Elle Amour

Thanks, Dawn, for having me. There are many reasons people use a pen name. For me, I wanted to differentiate between my regular action/adventure romances and my erotic ones, but it’s strange. Although this began as a way to connect with readers and let them know it was a certain kind of book, as I started writing these, I’ve actually connected with myself in deeper, more sensual ways. I’ve discovered more about myself, and have actually ‘fleshed out’ this person, Elle Amour. I like it. It’s fun. And it’s a discovery. I love discovering new things, so this, I add to my list. Now, to tell you more about this ‘inner’ me, I’ve copied by bio below, however, if you get a chance, please check out my new website: www.elleamour.com, or my old one for that matter: www.lisefuller.com. I’ll still working on them, adding new things. One of the new things I intend to add is some free reads. One of the characters, Rurik—the hero’s son in CLAIMED, will have a journal. He wants to document his findings because, as an Earther, this whole galaxy thing is new to him and he’s stunned by his revelations.

Yes, the book CLAIMED is an erotic futuristic romance, and the first of an initial three that I have planned. You can check out Dawn’s blog on March 2^nd for more on that, but here’s the link to the publisher if you want to read more: http://www.jasminejade.com/ps-8214-50-claimed.aspx. And there’s an excerpt after the bio—a hot (but not too hot) one so beware. I love to hear from readers so email me if you’d like at elle@elleamour.com and let me know what you think!

Elle/Lise

Bio for Elle Amour ~

A woman poised on the edge of discovery. That is who I am. If we watch close enough, we find who we are by what we do. I love to write. I love the alternative worlds that the mind drops into when dreaming. It’s liberating, it’s invigorating. It is an exploration. It’s a creation. I believe in dreams. I believe in the power of dreams to motivate you. Dreaming is a gift. Pursue it, pursue the thoughts, I say to myself. To whatever end. For who knows where the journey will take me? I’ll never know what I can achieve until I garner the courage and take the first step.

So in this, Elle is a woman of discovery, an explorer, an adventurer. Now, I must admit, I developed the nom de plume so that readers will know they’re getting a different kind of book from my others under Lise Fuller. Yes, I still love the action and adventure, and will always have some of that in my works, but as I kept writing as Elle, more things of wonder came to me, and I hope, as you read my works, the same will come to you. As to Elle Amour, the name? I took it from the French—“Elle” for “she” and “Amour” for love. She loves.

That is what I do, who I am. Join me on the journey.

Elle

Book: Claimed, 1^st book of the Mate Seekers series

ISBN: 9781419925023

Author: Elle Amour

Excerpt:

Lead In:  Trista's been wounded by Rurik’s enemies and Rurik has taken her to his ship to heal. No one but a trusted few knew where he would be. Rurik knows he has a traitor in his midst and realizes his woman can only be safe with him. Thank the ancestors the healer was not only able to cure Trista's wounds, but was also able to restore the youthful lines of her body. Unfortunately, due to the memory erasing ray he had to use every time he visited her, Trista still believes him a dream. Yet Rurik won’t risk losing her again. He's waited too long. Per the Svendian ritual, Rurik moves to claim Trista as his bondsmate, a practice that concludes with their sexual joining. However, before he takes her, this time she must agree to the union. So how is he going to get her approval if she thinks he isn’t real?

Excerpt:

Trista moaned again and turned toward him. She batted her eyes then peered at the ceiling.

“Hello.” He listened to his voice, knowing it was the translator implant in his body allowing him to speak her language, yet the sounds of the ancients always intrigued him.

She looked at him. “You’re…here again.” Her voice wavered.

He strode to her and sat on the bed. “How do feel?” He fingered the soft strands of her hair.

“I…” Her green eyes narrowed. “Am I dead?”

Her voice grew stronger. Rurik sighed in relief. “Hardly. You’re fully restored. Well, almost. When you’ve rested more, your healing will be complete. There will be nothing wrong with you. Nothing.”

She lifted a brow. “Really?” The word echoed with sarcasm. Then she laughed softly to herself. “Well, this is the most interesting fantasy I’ve had in a while.” She gazed at her naked body then looked at him. “I guess I like to be nude. In my dreams at least. Or is that some condition of yours?”

He pressed his lips together to keep from laughing. “I prefer it.”

“Ah.” She rubbed his leg. A come-on smile graced her lush lips. “This is a dream then, some inner fantasy, because when I’m awake, I certainly try to stay covered as much as possible.”

He wondered why she would hide her luscious body. “You’re not in a dream, woman.” He worked to keep the anguish from his voice, the pain of almost losing her. He caressed the side of her waist then slid his hand across her belly. The lines she’d had there were gone now, one of the effects of full-body restoration. Alaric had said those marks were the ancient signs of childbearing. Good. He knew she’d already had two children. He’d seen them often from a distance. Knowing they’d been there reassured him that his match with her would bring forth a needed heir and people to replenish their clan.

His fingers traversed her rib cage to her breast. The silky feel of her skin made him ache for her. His cock stiffened. He worked to control his breathing. He couldn’t simply take her this time. For one thing, for all intents and purposes she was a virgin again. He wanted her to enjoy their mating.

More importantly, she had to agree to this. He wasn’t about to erase her memory. He needed to mate, bring an heir to life if his sperm could impregnate her. Yet before she could agree, she had to realize this was real, not some dream. There was no going back to her world. Not now. Not when he was this close to the claiming, the ancient rite of choosing a life mate.

With bridled passion, he molded his fingers around her breast, squeezing the mound gently as he slipped them toward her nipple.

Her back arched in pleasure. She lifted her breast to him. Her eyes grew heavy-lidded. “It’s been too long,” she crooned, her voice roughened with desire.

“Too long?” He wasn’t sure what she meant. From all indications she had conjoined with a man many times.

“Too…long since…” Her eyes opened. She stared at him with lust.

He pinched her nipple. She moaned as her lids closed once more.

“Since this?” He licked the peak of her breast as he rolled the knob between his fingers.

“Yes.” Her breathy voice stirred him, made his hard-on throb as the blood filled his organ.

Why had she waited so long for sex? Curious. Still, for some reason her confession pleased him. He wanted to tease her more. “And this?” He pinched her clit and tugged on the flesh.

“Oh!” Her hips shot straight up.

He grinned. “As usual, you are ready for me. Almost.” A sure indication that the fates meant for them to be together.

Panting, she lifted her head. “As usual?”

“Yes.”

She frowned. “Ready for what?”

He arched a brow, amused by her muddled state, one caused by her recent healing and intense sexual reaction. “To fuck you, of course. And complete the claiming ritual.” He slid a fingertip to the entrance of her vaginal canal, stopping before he hit her newly restored hymen.

“Oh,” she purred with seduction, “of course. We’ve done this before.”

“Yes, my lady.” With that he released her and stood to shed his coverings, not able to resist her any longer.

When his member sprang free, she rose on her elbows and smiled. “Thank God I have an imagination. Otherwise I’d never get any sex.”

He wanted to question her about her abstinence but the thought left him as she touched his steel-hard dick. With her last breath, she caressed his rod then placed her lips over the soft flesh of his tip.

By the ancestors. He almost lost his precious semen in her mouth.