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Kayelle Allen

What’s Happening Now?
Interview
Kayelle Allen
1. First, looking back, how do you feel
about your 2013 goals and how well did you do in reaching them? What helped or
hindered your success?
I set the goal of
publishing two books this year and writing one new one. I accomplished all
that. What helped? Can I put "desperation" as a motivating factor?
LOL I really needed something new, and I was able to deliver that.
2. Life happens, and every writer is
subject to its effects (positive or challenging). What personal (spiritual,
emotional, physical, professional) life changes do you foresee affecting your
writing this year?
In 2013, three of my
family members died: a brother-in-law, and my father-in-law, and on the day of
his funeral, one of my sisters. It was a tough year in that sense. I am working
to get into better physical shape for 2014. I'm in the process of writing goals
for that now. I am much more balanced as a person than I was at the beginning
of this year.
3. What have you learned about yourself
recently as a writer (one random thing)?
That I love role-playing
as a means of creating characters. I'd RP'd before, but had never done it to
flesh out a character. It was great fun.
4. How many books have you published
(include anthologies)? Tell me about them (genre, bibliography)
I've had 10 books
published. Four just went out of print (as of December 1, 2013). Three will be
going back into print in January 2014. That fourth will get a sequel and come
out later in the year.
I have seven Scifi Romance books, and
two contemporary BDSM romances. Some are gay romances, others are het. Current
books are:
At the Mercy of Her Pleasure,
Loose Id: http://loose-id.com/antonello-brothers-1-at-the-mercy-of-her-pleasure.html
For Women Only, Loose Id: http://loose-id.com/antonello-brothers-2-for-women-only.html
Surrender Love, Loose Id: http://loose-id.com/surrender-love.html
Forbid My Heart, Loose Id http://www.loose-id.com/forbid-my-heart-a-luc-and-rah-story.html
For Women Only, Loose Id: http://loose-id.com/antonello-brothers-2-for-women-only.html
Surrender Love, Loose Id: http://loose-id.com/surrender-love.html
Forbid My Heart, Loose Id http://www.loose-id.com/forbid-my-heart-a-luc-and-rah-story.html
Keeper of My Pleasure http://ellorascave.com/keeper-of-my-pleasure.html
Fifty Gays of Shade http://is.gd/50gaysofshade
5. What can we look forward to from you
in 2014 (special projects, books and anthologies of course)
Readers can sign up for a fun newsletter that reveals all
sorts of good things and has links to free reads. http://eepurl.com/G3YND
Books coming soon: Tales
of the Chosen trilogy: Wulf, Alitus, Jawk (MM
Scifi set in the Tarthian Empire)
Wulf
Superstar Wulf Gabriel
must depend on the one man he swore he would never trust again. The most
powerful and feared man in the empire - the Harbinger. Lust. Power.
Forgiveness. A Chosen loves forever.
Alitus
The empress asks her
trusted spymaster, Alitus, to discover if a friend's lover is having an affair.
The truth could alter age-old alliances and rock the empire to its core.
Passion. Submission. Loyalty. A Chosen bares his heart forever.
Jawk
When immortal Luc
Saint-Cyr arranges a menage with Wulf and Jawk, he gets far more than he
bargained for. Pleasure. Trust. Possession. A Chosen 's
betrayal is forever.
Bringer of Chaos
This will be an
illustrated book done in collaboration with my son Jamin Allen of Nimajination
Studios. Pietas is the ruler of the immortals, and this will be his origin
story. We plan to release it in two parts.
6. Which of your books would you suggest
to someone new to your writing and why?
At the Mercy of Her
Pleasure was my first book, and it gives a good feel for the Tarthian Empire
where most of my books take place. It features a younger man and older woman,
and has several twists, one being that the man is the innocent virgin and the
woman is more experienced. It's also a good introduction to Luc Saint-Cyr, who
is not a hero in that book, but is in many of the others.
7. What’s your favorite online hangout
(complete link – only one)?
Oh easily Twitter. http://twitter.com/kayelleallen
I'm a nut for all things Loki and Avengers, and you can get your fill there. I
have a Paper.li newsletter devoted to them that publishes on Twitter. It's
called Loki's Army Recruiters. http://paper.li/kayelleallen/1383533309
Okay, that's two, but you can read the paper.li on Twitter. ^_^
And thanks for asking this question!
Kayelle's Social Hangouts:
Homeworld http://kayelleallen.com
Unstoppable Heroes Blog http://kayelleallen.com/blog
Newsletter http://www.kayelleallen.com/contact.html
Twitter http://twitter.com/kayelleallen
Facebook http://facebook.com/kayelleallen.author
Pinterest http://pinterest.com/kayelleallen/
G+ https://plus.google.com/u/0/106709321860454955924/posts
Goodreads http://goodreads.com/KayelleAllen
Amazon Author page http://is.gd/kayelle_amazon
Shelfari http://shelfari.com/kayelleallen
Romance Lives Forever - Kayelle's Guest Blog http://romancelivesforever.blogspot.com/
Unstoppable Heroes Blog http://kayelleallen.com/blog
Newsletter http://www.kayelleallen.com/contact.html
Twitter http://twitter.com/kayelleallen
Facebook http://facebook.com/kayelleallen.author
Pinterest http://pinterest.com/kayelleallen/
G+ https://plus.google.com/u/0/106709321860454955924/posts
Goodreads http://goodreads.com/KayelleAllen
Amazon Author page http://is.gd/kayelle_amazon
Shelfari http://shelfari.com/kayelleallen
Romance Lives Forever - Kayelle's Guest Blog http://romancelivesforever.blogspot.com/
Dara Young

What’s Happening Now?
Interview
1. First, looking back, how do you feel
about your 2013 goals and how well did you do in reaching them? What helped or
hindered your success?
Goals? Was I supposed to have goals? Just kidding! I fell a
little short on the goals I would have liked to hit, but hey, there is still
time for me to hear from Harlequin. Right?
2. Life happens, and every writer is
subject to its effects (positive or challenging). What personal (spiritual, emotional,
physical, professional) life changes do you foresee affecting your writing this
year?
Right now, just time management. As always, I work full time,
write part time, have a husband, and am an active member of my local RWA
chapter.
3. What have you learned about yourself
recently as a writer (one random thing)?
Nothing new lately, but I hope to have a different answer to
that question after 2014. If we aren't learning and changing then we aren't
growing and improving.
4. How many books have you published
(include anthologies)? Tell me about them (genre, bibliography)
The Cancan Dancer & The Duke -
historical romance
5. What can we look forward to from you
in 2014 (special projects, books and anthologies of course)
I am planning to self-publish a paranormal romance this year
called Boiling Point (Aegis Book 1). It will be the first in what I hope will
be a four book series. Guess it all depends on how readers like the first book.
6. Which of your books would you suggest
to someone new to your writing and why?
I guess it would have to be The Cancan Dancer and The Duke
since it's my only book published.
7. What’s your favorite online hangout
(complete link – only one)?
http://www.twitter.com/dyromance
Zenobia Renquist

He got grabby but it'll take more than that to keep her.
Haruto's first attempt to secure a mate failed, leaving him on the brink of death. And then he met Janine. Claiming her saves his life but Haruto and Janine both come to realize the bond they share is more than a simple cure. Learning to be a couple is the only option because the magic won't let them live without each other.
Haruto's first attempt to secure a mate failed, leaving him on the brink of death. And then he met Janine. Claiming her saves his life but Haruto and Janine both come to realize the bond they share is more than a simple cure. Learning to be a couple is the only option because the magic won't let them live without each other.
Janine walked over to him and
crouched down. He didn’t look strong enough to stay sitting up, let alone to
hurt her. “So you claimed me because you’re dying?”
“Yes. Starving to death.” Haruto
braced one hand on the ground as he started to fall over. “My kind feeds on
sexual energy.”
“Well, that explains a lot.” When
he looked at her, she made a “keep going” motion. If he didn’t remember licking
her pussy, she wasn’t going to educate him. That might give him ideas. “And?”
“I and the others of my
generation were stricken with an age-old malady to block our ability to feed
until we claimed a potential mate.”
“You’re impotent, then?”
“No. My ability to have sex
remains, but I gain no sustenance from it. As well, my power to draw and entice
women to me was rendered inert.” He closed his eyes and his brow creased as
though he were in pain.
She placed a hesitant hand on his
shoulder. When Haruto looked at her, she asked, “So you can feed now, right?
You said that tattoo means you claimed me, so you can feed now.” She paused in
thought. “Do you have to feed from me?”
“I don’t have the strength to go
anywhere else. Breaking free of the void and unconsciously seeking you out
sapped the last of my strength.” He turned his gaze to the tentacle stretched
out on the floor. “I can no longer feel it. Soon it will fade and my death will
follow shortly after.”
Janine didn’t like this talk of
death and Haruto’s seeming resignation. “Will it hurt?”
He looked at her. “Does sex
normally hurt you?”
“No.”
“Then no.”
“And that’s all you need?”
“Yes.”
She pushed to her feet and
crossed her arms over her chest. “Is this a line?”
“Line?” Haruto stared up at her
in confusion.
“I’ve known plenty of guys who
play the pity card to get sex. You look rough but you don’t look like you’re
about to drop dead.”
They locked gazes for several
breaths. Haruto smiled and straightened so he sat on his knees. He drew his
tentacle back to himself, wrapping it around his waist. While he still appeared
exhausted, the hopeless aura that had been surrounding him disappeared. “It
seems my mate is smart.”
“What’s that mean?”
“It means you are not as gullible
as the other women I’ve known.”
“Thanks.”
Looking into her eyes, he said, “I
request humbly to have sex with you.”
“You don’t look humble.”
He bent forward, resting his
hands on the floor in front of him, and bowed to her. “Please. It is true I am
no longer close to death, but I am far from healed.”
“What’s in it for me?”
“Pleasure.”
“And?”
Zenobia and her books on the Web
Website: http://zenobiarenquist.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ZenobiaRenquist
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/zenobiarenquist/
Jessica Nicholls

Interview - "What's Happening Now?"
1.
1. First, looking back, how do you feel about your 2013 goals and how well did you do in reaching them? What helped or hindered your success? I think I have done ‘alright’ in 2013. I didn’t participate in NaNoWriMo 2013 which
I’m annoyed about, but I did do
JuNoWriMo and the product of that is really starting to blossom. Plus
there was the Here Kitty Kitty project Mia Darien invited me to be involved
in. My writing improves a little every
year. What helps would be the time I am
now gifted during the week (my kids are now of an age where they are both in
school at the same time, in the same place).
A balanced lifestyle helps me write.
I like running, I get irritated if I can’t get out and expel the stress. Eating right and sleeping enough are also
really important. Then again, when I say
balanced if I’ve been too good I get bored and I feel a need to indulge in a
bit of wine or rich food. You know the
saying? All work and no play?….that’s
part of the balance. What hinders? Life….
2. Life happens, and every writer is subject to its effects (positive or challenging). What personal (spiritual, emotional, physical, professional) life changes do you foresee affecting your writing this year? This year, well my biggest
challenge in life is being a parent. But
there are others - My other half is ridiculously busy starting his business so
it’s pretty much me all the time with the kids.
We are live abroad and sometimes that’s hard. Sometimes I find the chaos a bit much, I
crave complete normality, being surrounded by cultural familiarity, knowing
exactly who is going to be where and when and for how long, what we are doing
next week, next weekend, etc. It makes clearing my head difficult, so that
I can’t focus on my stories. I wish I
could control life more. But I can’t. Accepting that sometimes, is hard. But when I do, and I just get on with the
writing, I find it fulfilling.
3. What have you learned about yourself recently as a writer (one random thing)? I write better when I try
different things out, flip between genres.
4. How many books have you published (include anthologies)? Tell me about them (genre, bibliography) I have had one short story,
entitled In Our Nature, published in a paranormal romance anthology called Here
Kitty Kitty.
5. What can we look forward to from you in 2014 (special projects, books and anthologies of course) In 2014 I am going to put out a
story called Into The Arms of Morpheus.
I’ve been working on it on and off for years. I’ve recently gotten some good feedback
about it so it is getting close to being ready. I suppose it would be considered a dark
fantasy. Its main focus is a young woman
who has an obsession with Morpheus, the Greek god of dreams. I’m
also going to be involved in another romance anthology spearheaded by Mia
Darien. The funds for this will go to
the Red Cross. So it will be a worthy
purchase when it comes out.
6. Which of your books would you suggest to someone new to your writing and why? Really, at this point I would
suggest people purchase Here Kitty Kitty and read In Our Nature (as well as the
other stories because they are awesome).
Here Kitty Kitty involves the type of authors I love to read – I’m a
sucker for paranormal romance and all of them have such a different
approach. I would only write what I
would enjoy reading. For me, it’s the
dark stuff that tends to capture me most.
Check out the short story, and look out for Morpheus in early spring
2014.
7. What’s your favorite online hangout (complete link – only one)?
http://www.empireonline.com/ I love empire magazine. I usually agree with their reviews. I find the writing on there really
intelligent (but not pretentious) and so funny.
Plus, they are usually quite fair.
If they have to say something uncomplimentary it is done with good
reason and not for the purposes of just being nasty. All of the articles on there I have read are
written by people who are genuinely passionate about films.
P.L. Parker

Blurb: “Beyond Tomorrow” Book 3 in “Riley’s Journey series” by PL Parker
The vicious and predatory Cros are amassing in
ever growing numbers in the foothills above the travelers’ temporary
encampment. Facing inevitable attack, the tribe hastens to prepare for the last
leg of their journey—the perilous voyage across the Bering Strait to the shores
of the Americas . But time is in short supply.
Kidnapped by a band of marauding Cros, Rachel’s fate as a slave is preordained. Females are few, the tribeswomen the ultimate prize and better off dead the reality. But fate is capricious and unsettled. When the savage warrior, Hawk, overpowers her captors and takes her for his own, Rachel’s destiny takes a new direction.
Kidnapped by a band of marauding Cros, Rachel’s fate as a slave is preordained. Females are few, the tribeswomen the ultimate prize and better off dead the reality. But fate is capricious and unsettled. When the savage warrior, Hawk, overpowers her captors and takes her for his own, Rachel’s destiny takes a new direction.
Sleepless and edgy, Rachel hugged
her arms, debating whether to add a few more branches to the fire or tough it
out. On the other side of the fire pit the man Hawk slept, the steady rise and
fall of his chest the only outward sign that he lived and breathed. She rubbed
her cheek, unconsciously studying the male. Savage and untamed, he was an
incredible enigma. Muted light from the campfire brushed his bare form with
flickering strands of copper highlight, accentuating the ripped abs and
muscular thighs. As if sensing her perusal, he sighed, brushing a hand through
the tousled locks. I still can’t believe
he speaks English!
He’s the one who saved me from the
saber-toothed cat! The same thick curling hair, broad well-muscled chest and
powerful arms. He was taller than she’d first believed, standing well over six
feet, closer to Jonas’ height Funny! He
reminds me of Jonas! Better looking though! But how could a Cro be so good
looking? Most of the ones she’d seen up to now were downright butt ugly. Hawk
wasn’t pretty boy handsome by modern standards, but the rugged masculine
features were much more appealing in her view. Nice teeth too! Too bad he was such a macho pig!
The cavern
was growing colder. She sighed, wishing she’d taken him up on the offer of the
bed but after he told her his name, he’d pretty much ignored her. Guess my little outburst didn’t much
impress him! But what was I
supposed to think? Not every day a naked male gives me the come hither sign!
For all I knew, he was just another Cro
and in the mood for love!
Stealthy as
a field mouse, she crawled to her feet and crossed the few steps to the wood
pile. Selecting several nice sized logs, she started back only to stumble to a
halt. Hawk’s eyes gleamed beneath the half-closed lids.
“Cold,” she
explained in hushed whisper. Squatting down, she dropped the logs onto the
glowing coals, one eye on the fire and the other on the warrior. Feigning
indifference, she poked at the branches, blowing on the coals until the wood
caught fire.
He watched
her for a few seconds then relaxed, sliding back into slumber with the ease of
a child.
Why is that so effortless for the male
population? Men never seemed to let worry keep them from sleeping! Wouldn’t it be nice!
She rocked on her heels, staring
into the fire. The faces of those who wouldn’t exist for forty thousand years
danced in the flames—parents long dead before she’d even stepped through the
time portal, friends and co-workers. The cottage she saved so long for and even
the small dog she’d left in the care of the child next door. All lost in the
mists of time! An ache grew in her breast. Her life hadn’t been perfect but at
least she’d been happy! Not now! She swept tears from her cheeks. I’d go back in a second if I had the chance!
She almost
squealed as Hawk sat up and tossed his leather jerkin and then settled back
down. Dumfounded by the unexpected gesture, she reached for the article holding
it to her nose. The leather smelled like him, musky and male. By Cro standards,
it was a fine piece of handiwork, far above any she’d seen on a savage before,
almost as well made as the ones Geena contrived. Quills dyed in reds, blues and
yellow decorated the front panels, interspaced by leather fringing, but it was
the back panel that was the most impressive. Feathers of all colors were sewn
into an intricate pattern, the end result resembling a bird of prey. A hawk
most likely! Curious, she glanced at the male. Someone had made the vest with
loving hands. Who could it be? Wife,
lover, boyfriend? No matter. She wrapped it around her shoulders and lay down,
cradling her head on her arm.
Across the fire Hawk’s lips
stretched in a brief grin. “Sleep,” he murmured.
Contact Links
Comments
theresa.esterline@gmail.com