Blogging

For someone who has done a little bit of writing, blogging does not come naturally to me, neither did keeping a diary. Honestly I just don't find my life interesting enough to write down which is rubbish considering I have such a shocking memory.
My other issue (amongst many) is I spend half my time, whilst writing, fact checking. So I don't look stupid. It's very time consuming. (Imagine how bad it would be if I grammar checked too!) However I am here once again making an effort. Now however I must return to my Christmas novella "Her Merry Mix Up", which I hope to actually finish before this Christmas. Wish me luck. X M

Is it September yet?

As much as I'm looking forward to summer (and spring too, if it ever gets here!) I'm REALLY looking forward to September. "Why?" I hear you ask, because my four year old will be starting school. Which means other than making sure the house is generally tidy, and getting them to and from school--I can write! Unfortunately writing has taken a back seat to guilt, whether it's spending time with the kids and hubby, or friends and housekeeping on the two child-free days I do have.
I've also had a mental block with the short story I have been writing. I could have written a novel in the time it has taken, I have friends who could have written three of four novels--and probably have--in the time I've taken, although at least I managed to write and release Her Mr Perfect Christmas in this time.
It is sad to say goodbye to my little darlings babyhoods, but it also marks a new chapter in my writing (pardon the pun) . The time has come to knuckle down, find my muse, and become the writer I want to be. X

The Next Big Thing Blog Hop

SO WHAT IS THE 'NEXT BIG THING' BLOG HOP?

The idea is for me to answer ten questions about my latest book, and then tag three more authors in order to continue the 'hop'. But I think most of the authors I know have done this recently. So I'm opening this up. If you want to add your own hop, copy and paste the questions and answer for your own work then attack your friends ;).

TEN QUESTIONS ABOUT... ‘When Angels Fall’

1: Was ‘When Angels Fall’ always the title of this book, even when it was a work in progress?

Actually no, it started out as The Fallen but there were so many bloody books with that title already that I decided to rename!

2: Where did the idea come from for the book?

Two things, Scotland more specifically Edinburgh and Kevin McKidd *fans self*. Any red blooded woman who has seen him singing on Grey's Anatomy will know what I'm talking about (and I don't even watch the show!) I had an image come to me of a man lurking in shadows watching a woman, whether he was a stalker or protector I wasn't sure but I liked the image and it wouldn't go away so I had to write the story.

3: What genre does your book fall under?

Paranormal romance, there is a fare amount of sex so we might have to add erotic to that too.

4: Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

Well obviously Kevin McKidd for Alec. Hmm Melody is a bit harder, I haven't seen a Kiwi actress that fits her who would be right age, but a young Lucy Lawless or Simone Kessell. Actually yeah, Simone Kessell would be good.

5: What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

When Melody meets Alec, sparks fly—literally. Now he must protect her, but can he protect his heart in process?

6: Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

Neither. It's out now with Breathless Press!

7: How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

It was so long ago I couldn't tell you, a couple of months maybe?

8: What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

I have no idea?!

9: Who/what inspired you to write this book?

As above, Kevin and Edinburgh.

10: What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

It's got a super hot Scotsman, shower sex, angels and demons, kitchen table sex, a fearless heroine, and fire and ice after workout sex! What more could you want ;)

When Angels Fall is out now with Breathless Press, Amazon UK, Amazon US, All Romance

What day is it?! Ooh the day before RELEASE DAY!

Where did the time go? The past month and a half have flown by for me, what with snow, my birthday, illness ending in a hospital stay, my anniversary, my little man's birthday and finally my hubby's birthday next week. So with so many other reasons to celebrate in our house Valentines Day just doesn't exist for us. Though I wish all the lovers out there who do celebrate a wonderful day.
So now things are settling down I can finally start to enjoy the fact that I have a new book coming out tomorrow. WOOHOO! When Angels Fall is my longest story to date with a Kiwi heroine and hot Scottish hero. So here's a bit about it, but if you want a chance to win a copy of Her Mr Perfect Christmas as well, head over to Allie A Burrows blog and read my interview, who knows you might learn something new about me. I hope you enjoy. X

When Melody meets Alec, sparks fly—literally. Now he must protect her, but can he protect his heart in process?

Alec Connolly has led a mostly peaceful life since he fell from heaven a century ago. That is, until Melody Fremont pops up on his radar.

Melody has twice as much life force as a normal human, which is like catnip for demons. Now Alec must find a way to protect the spirited bartender, while keeping the vows he made to a woman long dead.

As Alec and Melody draw closer together, will Alec be able to protect her from his past, and himself from falling further than he ever thought he could?

Raven McAllan is Teaching Teacher & Me too!

I'd like to welcome the most excellent and versatile, Raven McAllan to my blog today, here to talk about her latest release Teaching Teacher, and teaching me a thing or two in the process.

So Raven, pleasure to have you here, how are the wilds of Scotland at this festive time of year? Any plans for Hogmanay?

Ah it's great to be here. Here you are, a slice of gluten free Christmas Cake and a dram…Yum I love Scotland, thanks Raven.

Now re Hogmanay…We do have a few plans. Though we tend to be very low key, and enjoy the company of a few friends, with a dram and a tall dark handsome first-footer…Okay, he's not got a lot of hair left and it is going grey, but…Hehe, I'm sure it still counts. (If you don't know what a first footer is GOOGLE is your friend ;))

Sounds good. So, we're here to discuss your latest release "Teaching Teacher". I'm a complete noob to the world of M/M erotic fiction, how does it differ to M/F (apart from the obvious, of course *snigger*)

Well I don't think it does. Okay it's about two people of the same sex, but to me, a love story is just that. A story about love, romance and all the trials and tribulations that goes with it. Does my bum look big in this applies to anyone! Hehe, so true.

What led you to start writing M/M? I think originally I wrote a couple of short stories, and realized that as I said above it’s a love story first and foremost, and the sex of my characters are secondary. Up to a point anyway! Then My first full length M/M Riding Ryder began to bombard me. I'm a pantster, I know I need to get (hopefully) from A to B, but how I get there is anybody's—well except the characters—guess.

Teaching Teacher started from a germ of am idea when I visited a certain seaside town in Scotland. Coincidentally the one I used for my two shorts, and partly for 'Ryder'. Which is strange because it's just a town! A very nice town, but nothing about it make me think ah ha, I need to write a book about here. Especially a M/M erotic romance, there's not a lot of eroticism on a wet Saturday in Scotland. Don't I know it ;)

What can you tell us about the heroes, Seb and Ruari?

They're normal guys. Work hard and wonder if they'll ever fall in love and then they meet each other. Seb's a head maser of a school and Ruari owns a pub. Ruari had a dark past and they both have to overcome obstacles to see if they can be together.

I read somewhere a while back that it's mostly heterosexual women who read M/M erotic fiction, any ideas as to why you think that is?

 I've no idea, I know men and women who read M/F M/M F/F etc etc, and all variations of the above lol. If you find out why, let me know! I will do ;)

Okay I know you have to head off to the theatre to see Dirty Dancing, so for my last question I must know. If you were Baby, who would be your Johnny? (Hubby is not an option!)

Well Richard Gere in his American Gigolo days was a big hit for me…(we were both younger and more supple then lol) And Johnny Depp any time…please??? I'm totally with you on JD

Thank you so much for coming to play Raven. I look forward to trying out my first M/M, and if you're curious there is no better time to start than now! Check out Teaching Teacher, out today with Breathless Press, Amazon, Amazon UK, All Romance, BookStrand.

Your welcome Mel, and as a treat, I'll give one lucky commenter a gift of either Riding Ryder or Addicktion vol 2 ebook…

Ooh what a pleasant surprise! Sounds great, so guys and gals get commenting and you could win with Raven! Now for the good stuff, keep reading!

Finding love in a new town had not been in Seb's plans. But life has a tendency to throw you curveballs – like Ruari.

When the new head teacher walks into his bar, Ruari knows he has to have him, and damn the consequences. When lust turns to love, nothing else matters. Together they will overcome, no matter what. Or will circumstances drive them apart?

Excerpt

Coffee or merlot?”

“Er, is either of them a euphemism?” Seb raised an eyebrow. Ruari choked as Seb went on. “Because I’d like a glass of merlot, and I’m fucking sure I’d love the euphemism.”

“I’m fucking sure we both would,” Ruari said frankly. “Not yet, though. First we’ll have the merlot. I’ll tell you a little bit more about my weird and, er, some would say wonderful family. Then you can decide if you still want to have the euphemism. If you do, great. If you don’t, no hard feelings. Well, maybe.”

Seb took the glass of wine Ruari handed over and then pulled him down so they could sit close together. “Surely, it can’t be that bad?” Seb asked.

“I’ll let you make your own mind up.” Ruari fortified his courage with a healthy swallow of the smooth liquid. It tasted of walnuts and spices. He relished the warmth that spread as it slid down his throat. As the last flavor left his taste buds, he took a deep breath.

Seb put a finger over his mouth. “Nope, enough already. Let’s just see where these tingles and hard cocks are taking us. Hopefully not to anymore cold showers. Hell, it’s a wonder I’m not shriveled to the size of a chipolata instead of hot, hard, and throbbing.”

Ruari burst out laughing. “You too? Thank God. I thought I was the only sappy one. I wasn’t going to jerk off until...well...”

“You decided I was a jerk or not? Yeah, me too, so are we jerks, jerking, or joining?”

Ruari shook his head, amused at the pair of them, and had another sip of wine. He could see Seb watching the play of his throat as he swallowed. He imagined it was Seb’s cum he was swallowing; he could almost taste and smell its salty flavor and scent. He cleared his throat rapidly. “So in the interest of not causing any droughts, human or otherwise?”

Her Mr Perfect Christmas

So I did it. I bit the bullet and self-pubbed. Firstly with Kindle which was a absolute doddle :), and then with Smashwords, which was a lot less of a doddle :(. (And still isn't quite right :\). I have to admit, it's the most scared I've been when a book has come out, because this one is all on me! I know it's far from perfect, but apart from my hero (obviously), nothing is perfect. So here's a snippit, and the cover (which I am immensely proud of, and grateful to Faye for her PP hint.)

Amy Martin and Dominic Shaw have never been friends. However, when Dom arrives on Marty's doorstep, after she leaves a drunken message meant for his sister; things begin to change between them. Can Miss Responsible and the boy who never grew up, really be a recipe for perfection? 

WARNING: This book contains alcohol consumption that will make your liver cringe, swearing that a sailor would be proud of , and scenes of a sexual and sensual nature--So an average Saturday night down the pub then.

"I'm not twelve anymore Dom, you can't frighten me like you used to."

"Are you sure?" He raised a questioning eyebrow, and she could see he'd taken her words as a challenge.

Oh, shit. She scrambled back to the opposite end of the sofa, as he advanced on her. Never taking his eyes off hers, he inched closer. He placed one hand on the back of the sofa and one on the base near her shoulders, and then heaved himself up quickly, angling directly above her.

Marty's breathing had become ragged and incredibly loud in her own ears.

As he leaned closer his t-shirt dropped to touch her camisole at the base of her stomach, the outside of his thighs, pushed against the inside of hers forcing her legs to widen. With amazing control he lowered himself until their lips almost touched, his head tilted to the side so they didn't bump noses.

My God, is he actually going to do it? Two worlds collided in her brain, the one that kept having the increasingly erotic thoughts and right now was making her extremely hot, and the one that said, "What are you thinking. This is Dom?!"

"Are you sure I can't still scare you?" He whispered. His breath was warm and smelled of beer and popcorn. Their only point of contact was mid-thigh, but despite this she felt the electricity between them at every point of her body he shadowed; their lips, their torsos, and most noticeably their hips.

Marty closed her eyes, took a deep controlling breath, and then licked her lips, before finding Dominic's gaze again. Reaching up she placed a hand either side of his body, feeling the taut muscles under the t-shirt, she couldn't resist running her fingertips, inwards to his abs, just a little. He closed his eyes and a very visible shiver rolled over his body.

She'd never been more turned on in her life. But it had to stop. Now!

Dominic opened his eyes, narrowing them. She knew he was calling her a number of unflattering names in his head right now.

Slowly she pushed up, and he yielded to her pressure, returning to a seated position on the far end of the sofa.

"To answer your question, Dom: No you don't scare me anymore."

What was scaring her was how much she'd wanted his lips on hers.

Reviews

I've just received a fantastic review, and yes like a sweet stuffed child I'm jumping around my house telling anyone who'll listen!

Getting a good review is a buzz, being told by anyone that "they liked what you wrote" gives you the hope that you're not completely crap after all, and it might just be worth putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) again. By contrast, getting a truly awful review, well let's just say hiding in the broom cupboard, with a box of milk tray and bottle or three of sauvignon blanc doesn't feel like an overreaction, at all!

I'm a firm believer in "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all", it may be old fashioned, but I'm an old fashion kind of girl, that's just me. I don't expect others to adhere to this, and if someone doesn't like my style or story they have every right to say so after parting with their hard earned cash. (Though I hope they don't.)

 I know friends will often give us 5 star reviews or ratings, but I've never asked for that and would never expect it of them, though I do appreciate their support greatly. I think when your friends do that for you, somewhere in the back of your mind you're thinking "Did they really think it was 5 stars? Or do they just love me that much?" I certainly try not to give 5 stars unless I really mean it, but I'm afraid to give friends/acquaintances anything lower in case I offend them. I mean honestly sometimes I'll up a 4 star to 5, but with most of the writers I know I can give my reviews very honestly (which is a massive relief).

What I want most from reviews is reasons. The bits you loved and why, they bits you didn't love and why.

I appreciate anyone who has written a review for any of my stories, whether it's 2 stars or 5. I know I can't please everyone, which is fine, it's just nice to know when I do please someone. x

So how do you feel about reviews? Inquiring minds want to know.