8 Questions Bad Boy Alphas Style: Sedona Venez

TamingBeastie-eBook-SedonaVenezTo celebrate The Fifth Moon’s Wolf release I’ve invited my fellow partners in crime from the Bad Boy Alphas project to answer my 8 questions. Today is Sedona Venez’s turn. Her Taming Beastie: (A Credence Curse World Novel) is filled with dark magic, powerful women, steamy love scenes, heart-pounding romance, and piles of sexy shifter secrets. Oh my!

“This big bad kitty is ready to play.

He’ll do anything to protect and claim his mate as only a tiger can.

Curvy Hope won’t go down without a fight and will try anything to resist Elijah Beastie, a dangerous, wild, and sexy tiger shifter.

Hope is everything Elijah wants in a mate and this sexy kitty knows just how to shatter her defenses and keep her moaning for days.

Danger lurks around every corner when they discover her secret. True evil wants Hope for the ultimate power that she can give them, yet she doesn’t realize the extent of the force she holds within herself.

Can true love stand the test of time? Or will temptation break their bond?”

Now, Let’s meet Sedona Venez:

When you were a kid you wanted to be…?

Sedona Venez: When I was young I wanted to be a fashion designer. As an adult, I still adore fashion and sexy stilettos, which my amazing readers know because I always find a way to weave it into my storylines.

The first book you read was…?

Sedona Venez: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou.

You discovered you were quite good at writing when…?

Sedona Venez: It was humbling when I started to get emails from amazing readers that loved my characters, plots, and writing style and were excited for my next release.

As a reader, your favorite genre is…?

Sedona Venez: I can’t pick one [smiles], my favorite genres are paranormal and Sci-Fi Romance. I love the mystique of shifters (i.e. how they live and love) and their journey to finding their true mate. And with Sci-Fi romance, I’m all in when it comes to a badass alien convincing his human mate that she’s all his.

Why do you like bad boys…?

Sedona Venez: I LOVE bad boys…they’re like potato chips: addictive, yummy, rough around the edges, and just one bad boy is never enough!

You write…?

Sedona Venez: Sizzling, sexy intricate paranormal and contemporary stories about strong but broken characters that push limits, overcome their fears, and risk it all for love.

The praise about your writing you like the most is…?

Sedona Venez: They couldn’t put my book down once they started reading and they look forward to reading much more from me in the future.

What’s next…?

Sedona Venez: My next book in the Credence Curse series, Reason to Love will be out very soon! Reason is a vampire and the bestie of characters Stormy and Lightning Credence from my novels Breaking the Storm (Credence Curse, book #1) and When Lightning Strikes (Credence Curse, book #2).

8 Questions Bad Boy Alphas Style: Sedona Venez

8 Questions Bad Boy Alphas Style: C.E. Black

To celebrate The Fifth Moon’s Wolf release I’ve invited my fellow partners in crime from the Bad Boy Alphas project to answer my 8 questions. Today is C.E. Black’s turn. Her Shifted Under Construction is a sizzling read that was recommended on the USA Today HEA blog.

“Bedroom eyes and rock hard abs make for yummy eye candy, but Harper Mattox knows a bad boy when she sees him. f4885c_e1db14a0b96247c0a3121670b4f25399She’s been there, done that, and refuses to buy the T-shirt. The scar was enough of a souvenir.
When Harper agrees to be the temporary secretary at H&V Construction as a favor to her best friends’ husband, Adam Hughes, she thought her days would be spent behind the desk, organizing until her heart was content. She had no idea she’d have to put up with the walking sex-on-a-stick Christian Viera. AKA, her other boss. No matter how many times she turns him down, he just oozes more charm in her direction, weakening her knees, as well as her resolve. And it’s only her first day!
When Harper’s life is threatened, Chris is ready and willing to protect her, showing off an animalistic side she never knew existed. She’s known violence in her past and has no room for it in her life now. Is the fiery passion between them enough to stick it out? Can she accept him? Fur, claws, fangs, and all?”

Now, let’s meet C.E. Black:

When you were a kid you wanted to be…?

C.E. Black: As a kid, and even a young adult, I had a hard time settling on one career goal. I do remember, however, wanting to be a teacher when I was in high school. Even took Teacher Cadets, which was a class to prepare students who wanted to go into the education field. But it wasn’t for me. At the time, I loved math and really wanted to teach algebra. Really hard to teach to a group of kids that are so close in age to yourself. So, I decided I’d go into accounting instead, and somehow ended up doing neither and became a stay at home mom.

Strangely, I now can’t remember a lick of Algebra, and what I once dreaded, reading and writing, have become something more than important to me. I only wish it had been so twenty years ago. I could have been doing this forever. Funny thing, when I was ten, I did write a short story for a writing competition, but I just didn’t have faith in myself, so I gave it up. If I only knew then…


The first book you read was…?

C.E. Black: I haven’t a clue. I must have been too young to remember. My memory is crap anyway.

You discovered you were quite good at writing when…?

C.E. Black: I still don’t know if I’m good at writing. Some people say so, others don’t. I enjoy writing, and I enjoy hearing from readers who have taken pleasure in reading one of my stories. But I wouldn’t say I’m necessarily good at it, though I keep trying to be better.

As a reader, your favorite genre is…?

C.E. Black: Romance.

Why do you like bad boys…?

C.E. Black: My hubby had once been considered a bad boy. Though he was never ‘bad’ around me. In fact, I remember hanging out with him and some of his friends when were dating, he seemed so subdued, though I’d heard all kinds of wild stories. Come to find out, he wanted to change. For me. Blew my mind! When does that happen? The bad boy reforming for the good girl? Which I was. I was the classic, good girl. But I just couldn’t help falling for the quiet, blue eyed, tattooed bad boy. I guess they still appeal to me even after being married to one for over fifteen years.


You write…?

C.E. Black: I write whatever wild story comes to mind. Right now, I’ve been sticking to paranormal and fantasy romance. But I’m hoping to venture into other sub genres soon.


The praise about your writing you like the most is…?

C.E. Black: Hands down, the best praise I have ever received has been when readers speak of the emotion they felt while reading my book. Whether they curse, laugh, cry, or swoon for the characters and their plights, it all makes me smile and want to write another book. This quote from a reviewer really stayed with me. “You don’t just read her words, you feel them.” What better praise is there than that?

What’s next…?

C.E. Black: Oh, my plate is so full! I have a ton of books sitting, waiting for me to either get started on them or finish. Though coming next, I’ll have a story in a multi-authored boxed set titled, A Wicked Halloween.

Each story will be set during Halloween, in Salem, Mass. My book, Behind The Mask, features cunning witches and sexy vampires. It has mystery, and it has romance, of course. But what it’s really about is a woman who hides behind a mask of insecurity, refusing to see who and what she really is. While she searches for what she thinks is her salvation, she ends up finding out her truest desire isn’t exactly what she thought it would be.

This boxed set, along with my book, Behind The Mask, will be released in October.

I’m also working on Book 4 of my Alpha Division Series. I can’t tell you much about that one, but I can say that this book will feature Leo, and maybe one other division member. And that’s all you’re getting. My lips are sealed. For now.

Other than that, I have so many books in the works, I only need more time to write them.

8 Questions Bad Boy Alphas Style: C.E. Black

8 Questions Bad Boy Alphas Style: lashell Collins

To celebrate The Fifth Moon’s Wolf release I’ve invited my fellow partners in crime from the Bad Boy Alphas project to answer my 8 questions. Today is Lashell Collins’ turn. Her Rogue Moon is a tale about vengeance and the healing power of love.f4885c_018fef18512d4f028b15c6988cca00af

“Trevor Dare is a werewolf haunted by memories of a life viciously ripped away from him, all for the sake of another man’s greed. They killed the woman he loved, and in so doing they unleashed a fury much too hot to ever be contained. It’s not the life Trevor signed up for when he fell in love and was willingly bitten. They made him what he has become … a killing machine.
Melissa Cartwright is a detective on a mission to get to the bottom of the strange, animal-like executions occurring around the city. But when the blood trail leads back to Dare Enterprises, Melissa stumbles onto a world she never dreamed existed. Could the sexy-as-sin billionaire CEO really be behind the murders?
Trevor knows he should do all he can to throw the nosey detective off his trail, but there’s just one problem. He knew the instant he smelled her that the beautiful detective is his mate.”

Now, let’s meet Lashell:

When you were a kid you wanted to be…?

Lashell: Many things – a supermodel, a dog groomer, a professional cheerleader.

The first book you read was…?

Lashell: Gosh, I don’t remember the very first because I fell in love with reading way early on. But I can tell you that I read Charlotte’s Web over and over and over again.

You discovered you were quite good at writing when…?

Lashell: When my history professor told me I should be writing books because my writing was quite good. I don’t think he was talking about writing stories at the time, but history … fiction … it’s all the same thing, right?

As a reader, your favorite genre is…?

Lashell: My favorite genres to read are the same things I write – romantic suspense, shifter romance and rockstar romance.

Why do you like bad boys…?

Lashell: Because they’re hot! Enough said.

The praise about your writing you like the most is…?

Lashell: I love when a reader says they felt as though they were right there with my characters as the story unfolded, and that my writing transported them there. That’s high praise.

What’s next…?

Lashell: Next up for me is to get book 2 from two different projects out – the follow up to Soul Stealer and the follow up to my Bad Boy Alphas book, Rogue Moon. But I feel like I’ve always got a million different projects in the works. If I gave you the full list of my Works In Progress your head would spin!

8 Questions Bad Boy Alphas Style: lashell Collins

8 Questions Bad Boy Alphas Style: Ellis Leigh

To celebrate The Fifth Moon’s Wolf release I’ve invited my fellow partners in crime from the Bad Boy Alpha project to answer my 8 questions. Today is Ellis Leigh’s turn! Her riveting novel, Claiming His Prize, will leave you fanning and hoping for a nearby icy waterfall to dive in…

f4885c_5b9f8499dbb34e2e9c77ee26226da6ae“Dragons don’t play well with others…

Dragon-shifter Piers has been fighting at The Pack House—an underground MMA-style fight ring for shifters—for months. He’s bested every opponent, won every prize, except the attention of the hot female doctor he can’t get off his mind.

Doctor Jane patches up shifters to keep her father safe, a fate not of her choosing. She’d be okay with her lot in life if it weren’t for the handsome dragon shifter with the charming smile she can’t stop thinking about.

When another dragon claims Jane as his mate, Piers will have to fight to the death to save her from a fate she didn’t choose. But the biggest obstacle in his way isn’t the fire-breathing dragon set on claiming what isn’t his, but the doctor herself who might choose duty over everything else. Maybe even him.

Scales will fly, hisses will sound, and dragons will take to the sky, but only one will end up with the ultimate prize: love.”

And now let’s meet Ellis:

When you were a kid you wanted to be…?
Ellis: A veterinarian. I was that kid who constantly brought strays home with her. “But Mom, he’s starving” was a mantra of sorts. I’m still that way though my husband doesn’t let me get away with bringing random animals home with me. Just a dog…and some fish. I’m working on another dog since mine passed away a few months back.

The first book you read was…?
Ellis: Oh gosh, I have no clue. Children are made readers on the laps of their parents, and that saying was true for me. My parents both read to me and my dad always bought us books. Probably the ones that stick out in my memory the most are Autumn Street by Lois Lowry and Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry. True story: I took a trip to Chincoteague in 1998 to see the ponies because of that book. Is sob like a baby if someone made me go to Autumn Street.

You discovered you were quite good at writing when…?
Ellis: When I wrote a fanfiction piece that garnered over a million reads in three years. Seeing those numbers pushed me to try writing original fiction.

As a reader, your favorite genre is…?

Ellis: Romance of course! Women’s fiction and chick-lit would come next. Then, oddly enough, horror.

Why do you like bad boys…?

Ellis: Because they’re hot. In fiction, having a guy be all rough and demanding is intriguing to me. In real life, I’d probably tell him to keep walking because I tend to like control a bit too much. But man, when a strong, confident man jumps off the pages at me? Yeah. That’s amazing.

You write…?
Ellis: Strong, sexy romance currently of the PNR variety.

The praise about your writing you like the most is…?
Ellis: About my heroines. When readers call out the strength of the women I write. When they see the theme of consent and choice running through books dealing with fate and destiny. I dig that. Those are women after my own heart.

What’s next…?
Ellis:
Wolves, aliens, and mechanics.

8 Questions Bad Boy Alphas Style: Ellis Leigh

8 Questions Bad Boy Alphas style: Tasha Black

To celebrate The Fifth Moon’s Wolf release I’ve invited my fellow partners in crime from the Bad Boy Alpha project to answer my 8 questions.

The first to start the dances is Tasha Black, the lovely author of Burn This! (A 300 Moons Book) I have read Burn This!’s first chapter and the main character is quite the bad boy and a rockstar: a deadly combo for any shifter reader. Plus, Johnny Lazarus has that dragon tattooed on his ripping body… just makes you wonder, doesn’t it?

“Johnny Lazarus is a rockstar who’s used to getting what he wants. Money. Fame. Women. You name it. But Johnny has a dark secret, and the spell that helped him keep it in check all these years is about to wear off. As his control begins to slip, Johnny finds the perfect place to weather the storm. And it looks like his plan to keep to himself just might work… until he meets Neve.
Neve Whittaker is known as the Angel of Malibu to the people whose lives she’s helped to recover. When bad-boy rockstar Johnny Lazarus shows up, she sees him as just one f4885c_31bdc6071cc94455a6596490555de692more challenge. But she soon learns there’s more to Johnny than meets the eye. As she struggles to unravel the mystery surrounding her newest patient, she finds herself inexplicably drawn to the handsome stranger. Now she’s torn between her need to help him, and her primal desires. And if she’s not careful, she might end up losing more than her heart.
When things heat up, can Johnny and Neve overcome their inner demons in time to save each other, or will they both end up getting burned?

And now, let’s meet Tasha:

When you were a kid you wanted to be…?

Tasha: I was a chubby kid, so naturally I wanted to be a ballerina, a model, an actress – any job that would verify that I was lovable. Thank goodness I grew up and learned that chubbiness and love are not mutually exclusive! (I would have been a terrible dancer!)

The first book you read was…?

Tasha: I wasn’t allowed to watch TV as a child, so I read a lot. My favorites were Tasha Tudor’s glorious picture book, A Time to Keep, and later, James and Deborah Howe’s Bunnicula. As a matter of fact, Bunnicula is still a favorite of mine – it’s a story about a dog and cat solving a mystery that involves a rabbit. And the rabbit may or may not be a vampire. I’m now convinced that it was Bunnicula that is responsible for my interest in PNR!

You discovered you were quite good at writing when…?

Tasha: Am I quite good at writing? I think most authors spend half our time throwing out what we’ve just written and the other half feeling like complete frauds. One thing I can do is write a convincing letter. I once wrote a grant proposal that raised enough money to send forty inner city kids to camp for the summer. That was the moment when I realized that being good with words was more than just a neat trick.

As a reader, your favorite genre is…?

Tasha: Paranormal romance, of course! Followed by classic Russian lit, mysteries, and young adult.

Why do you like bad boys…?

Tasha: In my opinion, real men should sit quietly and await instruction from the wise women in their lives. BUT in books I adore bad boys! Bad boys are unpredictable, they don’t care about the minutiae of everyday life, they don’t vacillate in endless analysis – they DO stuff, with reckless abandon! Bad boys see what they want and take it. When attracted, they seduce. When threatened, they kick ass! And when love hits them it’s like a tree falling in the forest: resounding and permanent. 

You write…?

Tasha: I write paranormal romance with a mystery/thriller element starring real women with agency (meaning they make their own choices in life, even if sometimes their choices are not good choices), and the achingly gorgeous men who risk life and limb to pursue them.

The praise about your writing you like the most is…?

Tasha: I love when readers say that the characters feel like real people. I’ve had a few say they wanted to throw their e-reader at the wall in frustration at the decisions the characters are making. I’ve had others say that they feel these people are their friends, and that they wish they could live in the fictional town of Tarker’s Hollow, where many of my books take place. I feel that way too! I will never stop being stunned and grateful that other people are going along on these adventures that began in my head.

What’s next…?

Tasha: My next book in the 300 Moons series, Bite This! will be out very soon! This book tells the story of Burn This! star Johnny’s foster sister, Darcy, as she navigates the arrival of her 300th moon. I don’t want to give too much away but this one has wolves, kidnappings, magic, and a wild love scene in a moonlit creek! I hope readers will enjoy seeing more of the 300 Moons mystery unfold in this book as well!

8 Questions Bad Boy Alphas style: Tasha Black

Broken Bargain Pre-Release Tour: J. L. Mbewe

Broken Promises tour_banner_v2

The Broken Bargain Tour has officially started, and I am happy to announce that one lucky reader, Michelle Li, has won a copy of Marie’s Journey!

J. L. Mbewe, Secrets Kept’s author, is my guest today, and her book could be yours by entering a Rafflecopter giveaway

In her words:

Writing as J. L. Mbewe, Jennette is an author, artist, mother, wife, but not always in that order. Born and raised in Minnesota, she now braves the heat of Texas, but pines for the Northern Lights and the lakes of home every autumn. She loves trying to capture the abstract and make it concrete.

She is currently living her second childhood with a wonderful husband and two precious children who don’t seem to mind her eclectic collections of rocks, shells, and books, among other things.

While living life balanced between reality and dreams, she is creating worlds inhabited by all sorts of fantasy creatures and characters, all questing about and discovering true love amid lots of peril.

For more information about her journey as a writer mama and all things creative please visit her blog.

MBewe Cover

Secrets Kept

“With a curse, she will build an army.
With the dagger, she will undo the last sacrifice.
But first the sorceress must find the secret keeper.
Torn from her homeland and thrust into a betrothal against her wishes, Ayianna learns her family has a deadly secret that now has her on the run. She joins forces with Kael, an embittered half-elf, and Saeed, an elderly High Guardian, to seek answers to her father’s death, the destruction of Dagmar, and the plains people’s bizarre behavior.
Ayianna discovers there is more at stake here than just her mother’s disappearance and her familial duty to her betrothed. The sorceress has cursed the plains people, and it is a race against time to release them before the sorceress resurrects an ancient evil.”

My 8 Questions for Jennette:

1. What was your favorite book when you were a teenager?

I devoured books when I was a teen, but a few that stood out were: The Sword of Shannara trilogy by Terry Brooks, Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton, and Christy by Catherine Marshall

2. What was your favorite movie?

It’s hard to remember when I watched what back then, but some of my favorite movies were ones that carried over from my childhood such as Labyrinth, Willow, and The Neverending Story. I also LOVED The Three Musketeers.

3. Did you have an actor-crush?

Not really.

4. Did you already know you wanted to be an author?

When I was eight, I knew I wanted to be an author, but it didn’t take long for that dream to be swept under a rug and forgotten. I still did a lot of writing as a teen such as journaling, poems, a few attempts on novels.

5. What is your favorite genre to read?

Fantasy. Especially young adult.

6. Do you write in that genre?

Yes.

7. What do you like the most about writing YA?

I love the coming of age aspect and the characters’ figuring out their identity and dreams, and discovering true love along the way.

8. What are you working on?

I’m currently working on the second book in the Hidden Dagger Trilogy as well as a few short stories that will be released throughout the year, leading up to the second book’s release. No date set on that one yet.

Thanks for having me!

Thank you, Jennette! By the way, Secrets Kept’s cover looks amazing.

Finally, don’t forget, to win a signed copy of J. L. Mbewe’s Secrets Kept enter a Rafflecopter giveaway

Broken Bargain Pre-Release Tour: J. L. Mbewe

Something to Read on the Ride: James Griffiths

Today, I am pleased to host a debuting author, James Griffiths. Let’s welcome James into the publishing arena by buying Something to Read on the Ride, and don’t forget to let him know how much you liked his short, Through Glass.

James Griffiths author picIn his own words:

I’m 18 studying journalism at Cardiff University. My “Something to Read on the Ride” contribution was my first properly published piece of fiction, however I am a contributor to the student newspaper too.

Currently juggling the prospect of being a journalist or an author or both! I also dabble in theatre from time to time and constantly seem to find myself with a guitar in my hands. You can follow me on Twitter @JGriff95, if you’re into that sort of thing. I’m sure you won’t regret the decision!

Now, let’s hear his answers to my 8 questions: 

1. When you were a kid you wanted to be…?

It’s something that has changed a few times but I’ve always wanted to simply be creative. During my childhood I wanted to be an author and still do, but I’ve also felt inspired to become an actor or a journalist more recently. I tend to stick with “writer” to answer that question these days!

2. The first book you read was…?

I can’t remember the exact first book I read but I remember as a child absolutely loving “The Edge Chronicles” by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell. My friend gave me a copy of “Beyond the Deepwoods” and I never looked back, Riddell’s illustrations are so rich and brilliantly complemented the imaginative world that I read about.

3. You discovered you were quite good at writing when…?

Realizing in primary school that English was by far my best subject, and constantly looking forward to the creative writing tasks. I’m not sure I thought then that I was “good” and I still don’t, but I know writing is one of my favourite things.

4. As a reader, your favorite genre is…?

Either fantasy, sci-fi or thriller. Something with a good adventure, memorable characters and has an edge to it.

5. No, really, what’s that title you’re hiding in your kindle…?

A Clash of Kings by big George, the second one of the Game of Thrones books.

6. You write…?

A sort of mish-mash of fantasy and sci-fi, I like to go in for good realism and dark undertones.

7. The praise about your writing you like the most is…?

I haven’t really written enough to gather much praise but a couple of people have praised the creative imagination in my writing.

8. What’s next…?

Working on some sci-fi about gangs, sewers and a metropolis. It’s sort of inspired by the Copertina Sandro Beneficenzavideo game Fallout 3 among other things!

 

And once again, don’t forget to buy Something to Read on the Ride to read James’s short. You will also support a great cause, the Wallace and Gromit’s Grand Appeal, A Children’s Hospital Charity.

Something to Read on the Ride: James Griffiths

Something to Read on the Ride: Paul B. Kohler

Wednesday on this side of the hemisphere, frigid cold but sunny outside, warm and cozy inside. Today, our guest is author Paul B. Kohler, who, in his own words, when not practicing architecture, works on his writing. He lives in Littleton, Colorado, with his wife and daughter. Linear Shift, Part One, his serialized novel, sounds rather intriguing.

Linear Shift, Part One

No one said time travel would be easy.
Peter Cooper, a widowed father of two whose life is crumbling around him—until a bizarre encounter with a desperate Army general launches him on a risky mission: to go back to 1942 and change a moment in time. The repercussions will almost certainly alter the conclusion of World War II. But will the ripple effects stop there? And what kind of life will Peter return to?
Unknown Consequences:
A successful mission may not have the success he had intended.
Linear Shift is a serialized novel, with four total parts planned. This is part one.

NB: Part Two is coming soon!

Paul B KohlerPaul has gracefully agreed to answer my 8 questions:

When you were a kid you wanted to be…?

Growing up, I wanted to be everything.  My earliest memory was to be a fighter pilot. I loved the Blue Angels and knew that would be me up here one day. The next week, I am certain it was something else.  From the time I was 10 or so, I wanted to be an architect.  That one stuck all through high school, and that is my day job today.

The first book you read was…?

I cannot remember the name of the first book I read.  I know the main character was a bi-plane pilot, and I think his last name was Buchanan.  It was an old book when I read it, and I LOVED that book.  Somewhere along the way, I lost it, as well as the name.  I have occasionally tried to google search on something new I will occasionally remember from it.  It’s hard trying to remember something that happened 30+ years ago.

You discovered you were quite good at writing when…?

Actually, my first story I ever wrote was Amy.  I wrote it about a year and a half after my daughter was born.  I occasionally, I would write about my day or other lame stuff when I was 29, but after writing that first story and having my wife cry when she read it, told me I was on to something.  Not for making my wife cry, but by being able to dray out emotions with the written word.

As a reader, your favorite genre is…?

I LOVE Sci-Fi.  I cannot get enough of it.  Space flight = good. Aliens = good. Time Travel = good.  You get the point.  My love for Sci-Fi has been very intimidating though, as that is the genre I most want to write in, but I feel so inferior after reading so many good stories from so many great authors.

No, really, what’s that title you’re hiding in your kindle…?

Hmm.  I think there might be a story or two on there that is in the erotic fiction category.  I got them free a few months back, and wanted to see what all the fuss was about.  I figured why not try and bang out a story in that genre. You’re all safe though, as I don’t see that happening anytime soon.

You write…?

Linear Shift coverI write what moves me.  Right now, I am in starting the 3rd part to a Time Travel serial.  Part 1 is published, and part 2 will be in early December. I have a huge imagination, and I have a ton of story ideas to get to.  From adult-contemporary to horror, and even romance.  My mind is all over the place sometimes.

The praise about your writing you like the most is…?

I like the surprise aspect. Take my short story Amy for instance: I don’t particularly like to make people tear up from reading my stories, but I’ve gotten so many to get emotional after reading it, I feel like I can actually move people.  I win, and here’s some tissue. The praise doesn’t necessarily mean words.

What’s next…?

After my Linear Shift project, which I am hoping to wrap up in April (if not sooner) I have a few things I’ve been thinking about.  One in particular would be a stand alone literary story, about a father and son finding a common bond after half of their family is killed in a house fire.  I’ve been thinking a lot about it, and I feel it’s about time to make more people cry.

Don’t forget to buy Something to Read on the Ride to read Paul’s short andCopertina Sandro Beneficenza support a great cause: The Wallace and Gromit’s Grand Appeal, A Children’s Hospital Charity.

Something to Read on the Ride: Paul B. Kohler

Something to Read on the Ride: Louis Hessey-Antell

Louis Hessey AntellAnother week, another author who donated a short to Something to Read on the Ride. Today, gracing my cyber corner is British author, Louis Hessey-Antell. As often happens with creative people, Louis has much to share with the ever-growing, worldwide artistic community. Stay tuned for the imminent release of two of his works. Meanwhile, enjoy his interview.

Let’s meet Louis:

I’m 25 and currently working in ‘The Office’ come to life. On the side, I’m writing novels, making films, composing songs and creating a comic book. It sounds more impressive than it is, believe me!

While I will always be trying to contribute to the cultural conversation, it would be a pleasant turn of events to be able to financially rest on my creative wits. 

I also have a blog, The Rational Rock ‘n’ Roll, which hasn’t seen much action recently, but I stand by every word!

My first novel (working title: News, Booze and Heat-Death) is being dragged through its final draft, and my comic book, Numachi, is moving along nicely. I look forward to sharing them. 

Now, let’s ask Louis a few questions:

When you were a kid you wanted to be…?

John Entwistle’s replacement in The Who. 

The first book you read was…?

I believe it was the old Catcher in the Rye. I can’t remember earlier than that to be honest! 

You discovered you were quite good at writing when…?

I wouldn’t dream of calling myself good. However, once a friend paid me a tenner to do his English coursework for him. The teacher marked it and told him he should be a writer. I never received such praise. 

As a reader, your favorite genre is…?

Amis style comedy. Dark and funny. 

No, really, what’s that title you’re hiding in your kindle…?

A lot of Batman comics! I’m fairly open about that though. 

You write…?

Real life after a couple of beers. 

The praise about your writing you like the most is… ?

I enjoy praise in regard to my style. My favourite author is Wodehouse, so  I yearn for compliments on my style. 

What’s next…?

A novel about a stand up comedian, and a graphic novel about WWII.

Copertina Sandro BeneficenzaTo read Louis’s short and contribute to a great cause, The Wallace and Gromit’s Grand Appeal, a Children’s Charity Hospital, buy Something to Read on the Ride!

Something to Read on the Ride: Louis Hessey-Antell

Something to Read on the Ride: Dan Fiorella

Another great guest today on my blog: multi-talented author Dan Fiorella, who has been published pretty much everywhere, is clearly a fun character, and also a PC game writer. Dan gets two pics because he has the most adorable puppy on display on his Amazon page and that gives him twice the right to be seen.

Let’s meet Dan:

Dan FiorellaDan Fiorella lives in New York City. Downtown New York. Very downtown. Okay, he lives in Staten Island. He has written for stage, screen and radio speaker. From Cracked magazine to Prairie Home Companion, his comedy insights and insults have given belly laughs to the masses.

In addition to Cracked, he’s been published in MAD, Reader’s Digest, the New York Daily News, the New York Post, the Staten Island Advance, Weekly World News and, in France, his Sherlock Holmes parody was included in the anthology “Sherlock Holmes Dans Tous Ses États.”

He’s worked on “The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers” and “The Start of Something Big” for TV and written comedy material for the American Comedy Network and All Star Radio. And was the writer for the PC game “The Lost Cases of Sherlock Homes 2.”

Let’s ask Dan 8 questions:

When you were a kid you wanted to be…?

A palaeontologist.  I was in love with dinosaurs and read every book about them.  Then I found out there was an actual name for a “dinosaur guy.”  And an eight-year old who can pronounce “palaeontologist” really impresses adults.

The first book you read was…?

The Dick & Jane series.  Required reading at school.  After that, the Hardy Boys books.

You discovered you were quite good at writing when…?

I’m not sure I have.  I knew I liked it.  I knew some of it got good reactions.  It probably wasn’t until college when a teacher asked me to write sketches for a weekly lunch program that I started to think of it as a talent I had.

As a reader, your favorite genre is…?Dan Fiorella and puppy

I’m really not sure I have a genre.  I’ve liked different books, but they rarely send me off into other books in a genre.  But I find a lot of books do tend to be in the detective/mystery style format.  But if it’s got a goofy twist on it, I’m in.

No, really, what’s that title you’re hiding in your kindle…?

I keep reading YA books…but luckily things like Harry Potter, Lemony Snicket and Artemis Fowl kind of transcend them.

You write…?

Humor, comedy, funny stuff.  Whether  skits, screenplays or this new fangled book stuff, it’s always about setting up a funny situation and the humor that can build out of it.

The praise about your writing you like the most is…?

That someone laughed out loud while reading my book.  Can you imagine that?  Someone on the subway or bus reads something I wrote and busts out laughing?  And all those people just stare at him like, “What’s his problem?”  I did that!

What’s next…?

I’ve actually fallen in love with one of my characters, Nick Flebber, PI.  I published two novella (Lost Claus & Space Case) and a short story (Cupid is as Cupid Does) featuring him and his off-beat cases, and I’m now laying the ground work for another.  But before that there’s a childhood tale I want to finish about a kid and his adventures leading up to Halloween.

Copertina-Sandro-Beneficenza6To read Dan Fiorella’s short and donate to a great cause, the Wallace and Gromit’s Grand Appeal, A Children’s Hopital Charity, buy Something to Read on the Ride. It’s only $2.99 and all the proceeds go to the charity.

Something to Read on the Ride: Dan Fiorella