Science fiction, Interracial Multicultural Author Shannon Leigh Discusses her Latest Work "Chasing Booty"

Scribal Love Welcomes Shannon Leigh!

Shannon Leigh is an author of erotic romance. Her newest work Chasing Booty is available from Amber Quill Press.

What is the name of your latest book?  And how did you come up with the title?

Chasing Booty is the title. This story is included in what the publisher calls an AmberPax, which is basically a group of 5 stories all centered around a particular theme. However, each story can be purchased separately as well. This Pax, titled Alien Nation, had to have stories about aliens and humans coming together. I wanted a title with a double meaning. Something catchy and comical.

What is this book about?  And what genre is this book in?

Gaelyn is a bounty hunter on the tail of her latest mark. Her adversary, Reese, a sexy Trøndite from the small planet of Sør-Trøndalag in the Capricornus Sector, has a nasty habit of stealing her contracts. Thinking she’s duped him on Jupiter, she not too happy to find him on Quaoar. Reese not only has the info she needs to catch her prey, he has a business proposal that’s too tempting to pass up.

Genre: Science Fiction / Futuristic / Action / Adventure / Interracial / Multicultural

Who is/are the main characters?  And why did you choose them?

Gaelyn is the main female, and Reese is the main male.

I chose Gaelyn because she was strong-willed, had a quick sarcastic wit, and could hold her own in a futuristic world where humans had to be tough to survive.

Reese is like the proverbial devil in blue jeans, of the male variety. With his red skin, sinfully good looks, and goliath form, he’s the poster-boy for incubus. Put them together and you have a couple that’s likely going to melt your computer screen (or kindle/nook!).

What is the coolest or best part about your book?  (Any Favorite scenes, the world-building etc.)

I like the scene in the bar, where Gaelyn first sees Reese. She so furious she can’t see straight, and her haughty don’t-mess-with-me attitude makes me laugh. I tried really hard to use good descriptions throughout the book so the reader gets a feel for this strange world and it’s equally bizarre inhabitants. I hope I succeeded.

Do you have a favorite character in the book?  If so, why?

It would be Gaelyn. She is the type of girl I think a lot of us would want to be like. You know, the one who’s beautiful but not arrogant, tough but not a bully or punk, and who still manages to have a heart despite the harshness of her world. She may wipe the floor with your behind, but she’ll love you while she does it.

Is this book part of a series?  If so? What can we expect in future books? 

Not as of yet, but I will probably write some more stories off this line. I don’t know if it will have the same characters, or maybe introduce some new players in the line up.
In future books, I’d expect a similar story line with bounty hunters and marks, but there’s always got to be a new twist.

If not?  Are you considering expanding it?

Whatever I come up with will likely expand from the original storyline.
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?No. I like it and can honestly say I wouldn’t change a thing.

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

I had to research space and solar systems. It was pretty cool and certainly opened my mind to some new ideas.

Do you have a publisher?  And if so, why did you choose them?

Actually, I have 3, but Amber Quill carries most of my titles. I love working with AQ, they’re very easy to talk to, get back with me on things right away, and offer great author services. Trace does an awesome job on the book covers, and my editor is very pleasant to work with.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

Probably Anne McCaffrey. Her Dragon Riders of Pern series really had a big impact on me. I haven’t tackled a dragon story as of yet, but I’m getting there.

What books are you reading now?

I just finished Eternal Embrace and am getting ready to start Feral Hunger.

What are the current writing projects that you are working on?

Several. One, The Age of the Vampire, is a joint effort with author Rebecca Suma. I’m also trying to finish up my novel length science fiction romance, Krécelian Mate. I have a sequel to More Than Prophecy, called When Destiny Summons, in the works, and a few others that have grown to several pages. I’m hoping this year I will get to finish what I’ve started, and start some more.

Do you write full time?  If not, do you hope to do so one day?

I wish. Unfortunately, I have to work full-time so I get far less writing time that I want. But where there’s a will there’s a way and so I chug along as best as I can, catching a few minutes or hours late at night or in the evenings when my hubby is occupied and my kids are busy saving the world on the PS3.

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

I’ve always loved to read. Somewhere around the age of 10 I had a writing project for school. I think that really sparked my interest. I began writing short stories through the years, but didn’t really take it serious until about 10 years ago.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

The time it takes. I try to be so descriptive and thorough that it takes me a long time to finish even a short story. I envy authors who boast about completing one in a week or a few days. 

Do you have any advice for other writers seeking to get published for the first time?

Don’t give up. When someone says no, take their criticism as constructive, fix what needs to be fixed and submit it somewhere else. Perseverance goes a long way in this industry.

Thanks Shannon for Dropping by!

You can find Shannon on the web at:

Publisher: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberHeat/ChasingBooty.html

Author website: http://shannonleigh.org

Pirate Punk Erotic Romance Author Maureen Betita Discusses Her Newest Work, "The Kraken's Mirror."

Scribal Love Welcomes Maureen O. Betita!


Maureen O. Betita is an author of The Kraken’s Mirror. This debut book will be available from Decadent Publishing in early 2011. 

How did you come up with the title?

Well, the kraken is an integral part of my book. In fact, the kraken in question is the Great Albino Kraken, who plays matchmaker for the two main characters. The mirror is the device he uses to transport Emily Pawes to the pirate’s paradise of Tortuga and into the arms of Captain Alan Silvestri.

What is this book about? And what genre is this book in?

The book is about a woman’s search for a life once she’s past the point the modern world considers prime. Emily is a widow at 53 who learns there is still fire down below when there is silver on the top. And the man who teaches her this is a pirate in a topsy turvy Tortuga, where pirates have ipods and every tavern has a blender, even if it is 1690. Alan Silvestri is cursed, with good luck, and Emily holds the key to not only unlocking that curse but also his heart.

Genre is a tough one! There is steamy sex and romance. So, we’re going with erotic romance. But I like to think of my book as the first of its kind. Piratepunk.
　
Who are the main characters? And why did you choose them?

Emily Pawes is a modern woman, widowed a year. She is pragmatic, has experience as a bartender and curses like a sailor when aroused. ;-)

Alan Silvestri is a very successful pirate who calls Tortuga his home. He has decades of experience with women, though Emily challenges him in ways he never thought possible.
I wanted to write a book with a couple older than the average romance novel couple. It’s important to me that not every story be about the perfect 20 or 30 something, but how about a couple for the babyboomers? I tend create characters near the 40 mark, generally. I like pushing the envelope.
　
What is the coolest or best part about your book? 

Hee, hee. I loved tossing in the elements from the modern world into the historical Tortuga. I also adored throwing the conventions to the wind. My book totally disregards accuracy and remakes the Caribbean. My Tortuga encompasses a great deal of Cuba. Also, adding blenders, rubix cubes and ice makers was amusing, and tossing in the assorted paranormal characters was fun. Such as waltzing vampires, a forest full of werewolves and a swamp full of zombies. All done with love and appreciation!

Do you have a favorite character in the book? If so, why?

I am in serious lust with Captain Silvestri. A man of infinite experience and patience who will not let Emily give up on herself…sigh. What else could a woman ask for?

Is this book part of a series? If so? What can we expect in future books?

I’ve written a sequel, featuring another couple from The Kraken’s Mirror, Captain Jezebel and Mick March. I again toyed with convention and slipped some steampunk elements into my piratepunk. Call me the mad chef! I hope to entice Decadent into looking at this sequel and perhaps, just maybe, a third book. Featuring the pirate circus.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

Good question! Wow. Well, I might make my zombie magic woman a man. No particular reason, but it did cross my mind.


Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?


Break rules often and with aplomb! If someone says no one will buy this, prove them wrong.

Do you have a publisher? And if so, why did you choose them?

Decadent Publishing and they chose me, but once the offer was made and I looked into them, I don’t think there could be a better marriage. The support for a debut author has been wonderful and I adore my cover. 


If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

Well, I aspire to be the next Edgar Rice Burroughs… Not sure he’d be a mentor, but he’d be top of the list of who inspires me.


What books are you reading now?

An erotic collection put together by Allison Tyler.


What are the current writing projects that you are working on?

I have a short little erotic piece I’m polishing up, along with the sequel to The Kraken’s Mirror. I usually work on more than one project at a time.


Do you write full time?

I’m a woman of leisure and write whenever the fancy takes me. Full time? Well, between that and blogging, websurfing, e-mailing, walking the dog and avoiding housework, life is full!


Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

I think when I began imagining myself swinging in the trees next to Tarzan. Or fighting alongside Fahfrd and the Gray Mouser from Fritz Leiber’s books. Or was it debating the vagaries of alternate universes with Elric of Melnibone from Michael Moorcocks’s series…? So many choices!


Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Untangling plot lines. I’m murder on myself with side stories. I am the consummate pantser and so get myself in trouble, often.


Do you have any advice for other writers seeking to get published for the first time?

There are worse things than rejection, so hang tough and believe. (I nearly died in 2007. Trust me, there are so many scarier things than rejection.)


Thanks Maureen for Dropping by!  You can find her on the web at:　
　
http://believinginsecondchances.typepad.com/　(every Sunday)


http://www.castlesandguns.com/　(every other Tuesday)


http://romancewritersrevenge.com/　(every Friday as 2nd Chance)　

I’m also available on Facebook and Twitterwww.maureenobetita.com

Author of 'Blood Loyalty', D. Fay

D. Fay is an author of Fantasy.  His newest work 'Blood Loyalty' is available from Amazon on Kindle. 

Blood Loyalty
check it out now on Amazon

What inspired you to write this book?


I’ve always loved fantasy and wanted to do some world building just like JRR Tolkien.  So I used the novel to build the world.  I also took a lot of inspiration from my old dungeons and dragons days. 




Do you have a specific writing style?  


I think I’d identify my writing style and colloquial and formal all at the same time.  I like to give honor to the high fantasy writing style of men like Tolkien and Alexander but I also like to throw in some informality and humor.  I like what Stephen King says about being honest and raw with the reader, which is what I’ve tried to do.




What is the name of your latest book?  And how did you come up with the title?


The name of the book is “Blood Loyalty”.  The title comes from the choices many of the characters have or have to make throughout the book.  Will they be loyal to their natures or will they be loyal to those attempting to change their natures?




What is Blood Loyalty about?


Blood Loyalty is about a Terren (sort of like a Halfling) whose only desire is to get his masters robes in the magic art of crafting with Eoc’s Blood, settle down with his loyalty partner, have younglings, and spend his time teaching and researching at the College of the Blood.  Unfortunately his gifts and talents won’t allow this and he’s thrown into a struggle with a traitor to his race and the society of the Elite, which is a society of undead seeking to overthrow the world of Eoc.




What books have most influenced your life?


I think in the world of fantasy they would be the chronicles of prydain by Lloyd Alexander and the lord of the Rings by Tolkien.  I also love the work of Barbara Hambly and Mercedes Lackey.  I’ve also been strongly influenced by the work of Stephen King.




If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?


I think if I could be mentored by an author it would be either by Stephen King or Dean Koontz.




What books are you reading now?  


Right now I’m reading a biography of Albert Einstein, a book on qualitative research methods, a book on psychological ethics (I’m working on my Ph.D. in Psychology) and I’m also re-reading the Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander.




What are your current projects?


I’m trying to promote blood loyalty and will be finishing a prequel to Blood Loyalty which is tentatively titled Solomon’s Song.




Do you see writing as a career?


I would love to write for a career.  My dream is to write fantasy and be a black and white nature photographer – maybe after I graduate.  




If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?


If I had to write it over again I’d kill off Gwen right at the end of the book, now I have to write a sequel to make sure she dies.




Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?


I’ve always loved writing.  I wrote my first horror story in first grade.  It’s just part of what I do.  At times I take breaks but I always come back to it.




Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?


Story arc is very challenging for me.  I tend to see stories in scenes and then I try to connect the scenes and sometimes this creates difficulty in writing a smooth arc.  I also struggle with point of view.  I like to read books with multiple points of view and thus I try to write with multiple points of view and at times I get lost.




Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?


The biggest thing I learned was that I could actually have the discipline to write a novel.  Blood loyalty took me 365 days to the day to write and at times it was quite arduous, but very fulfilling to write “the end”




Do you have any advice for other writers?


I think the best advice I would give is study many different authors, read in and out of your area, make sure you have the basics and then don’t be afraid to play.




Thank you D. Fay!  And best of luck!


You can find D. Fay on the web too!

to purchase on kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004477X8M
my website: the world of Eoc: http://worrldofeoc.webs.com/
my myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/551538844

You can buy Blood Loyalty at   https://www.createspace.com/3486364