Reading in bed just got a little hotter.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Interview with Kate Hill

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:
1) Links to website and list of books with purchase links.

My website is http://www.kate-hill.com. All my available titles are listed on the contents page of the sight. Click on a cover and it will take you to info about the book.

2) How long have you been writing? What got you in to writing?

I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t writing or telling stories. I can’t think of a specific thing that got me into it, other than a love of storytelling.

3) What was your first published book? Looking back, is there
anything you’d change about it?

My first published novel was Darkness Therein. Since it was reprinted by another publishing house several years after its initial release, I was lucky enough to make any changes I wanted to. My first published work was actually a short story called Goddess of the Wine. It was part of the anthology A Taste of Midnight from Circlet Press.

4) What or Who has influenced your writing?

Everyone who has written a story I enjoy has inspired me to keep writing.

5) Where do you get your ideas?

For me ideas can come from just about anything. A person, place, object or circumstance can stir a book idea.

6) What hinders your writing? (distractions? noise?)

I prefer to write in a quiet place with as few distractions as possible.

7) What genre are you most comfortable with? What would you like
to explore?

I love paranormal. I also love horror and would like to explore that genre more as a writer.

8) Are you a by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of writer, or do you
have to use an outline to put your collective thoughts into some
semblance of common sense?

I prefer to write using a loose outline so I know where I’m going but still have room for changes if necessary.

9) Which of your books is your favorite? Why?

I can’t choose a favorite because each book has things I love about it and parts that gave me trouble.

10) Do you incorporate some of yourself into your characters?
Personality traits? Likes? Dislikes?

Some of my characters are similar to me and others are completely opposite. For me the characters have their own personalities. I don’t always agree with the things they say and do, but I need to be true to them.

11) What do you think is the perfect hero/heroine? Why?

To me the perfect hero or heroine is imperfect. Someone with flaws and insecurities as well as admirable traits are the kind of characters I love.

12) Do you have any suggestions/comments for prospective
authors?

I would say just keep writing and never give up, but if the stories are inside you, you wont’ be able to stop telling them. If you want to write professionally, I think it’s important to decide where you want to go. Some people have their sights set on a major publisher while others are happier working with small press. Everyone has their own ideas about what success is, so be true to yourself and don’t get discouraged by those who have a different idea of what a “real” writer is.

JUST FOR FUN:

1) What is the sexiest or most erotic thing someone has said
to you?

In real life I haven’t known too many people with the gift of romantic gab. That’s part of the reason I write romantic fantasies!

2) If you could be an animal, what would it be? Why?
I think I’d like to be a gorilla. They’re powerful animals but also seem to share a lot of similarities to humans and they’re vegetarian too. LOL!

3) What would be a perfect date for you?

A perfect date for me would be going for a workout and maybe a hike then having dinner at home and whatever comes next. J

4) Do you have any obsessions? What are they?

I really love horror movies.

Excerpt from Mate Marks Cursed: Wild Woods
Author: Kate Hill
Genre: Erotica Paranormal
Available From: Changeling Press
Cover Art: Marteeka Karland

Blurb:

After a magical artist tattoos an intriguing demon on her skin, Madison meets a gorgeous stranger with an alarming reputation and a fiercely sexy winged creature with an attitude. She senses they are one and the same. Despite the danger surrounding them, she’s drawn to them by an inexplicable force.

Half-human and half-demon, Brody has spent his life fighting against his evil birthright. Despite the hatred of the townsfolk, he uses his supernatural powers to defend them from his foul bloodline.

Neither Madison nor Brody can fight their lust or deny their love, but hell is out to get him. When everyone close to him, especially his destined mate, is targeted by eight generations of Blazewood demons, the only way to fight evil is with evil.

Excerpt:

“Don’t you just want to eat her?” said a deep, sinister voice to Brody’s left.

Glancing from the corner of his eye, he saw another winged demon in the shape of a man, except covered in charcoal colored scales. Reddish eyes gleamed in his angular face, and his red lips curved into a leering grin. The demon flew naked, his powerful muscles rippling in the moonlight, his thick cock stiff, as if aroused by the wind, and his rat-like tail lashing.

“No,” Brody lied. He wanted to lick and taste every part of her. The feel of her firm yet rounded body and her delectable scent roused his lust more than anyone he’d ever met. Like most of his kind, Brody had a powerful sexual appetite, but this woman pushed his desire off the charts. The sensation was magical and almost irresistible.

“Come on, son, you said yourself she’s delicious. All it takes is the taste of one sweet soul, and you join the party.”

“I don’t have a taste for sweet souls.”

The demon chuckled. “The scent of your lust says otherwise. This human lights your fire--literally.”

“Get out of my sight.”

“If you’re not going to eat her in the traditional way, then at least eat her in the sexual way. You knocked her out. She won’t know any better.”

“I’ll know.”

“Sometimes I wonder if you’re my son at all or if a shadowing angel got to your mother before me.”

Brody glared at his father. His grip unconsciously tightened on Madison, and she moaned. He loosed his hold and momentarily closed his eyes, resting his cheek against the top of her head and enjoying the scent of her hair.

***
Be sure to stop by Kate Hill's website to find out more about her books!

Monday, March 14, 2011

Tigress by the Tail by Teresa D'Amario


PUBLISHER: Self-Published
AUTHOR: Teresa D'Amario
GENRE: Contemporary Paranormal Romance, Tiger Shifter, Wizards, Magic
OTHER: M/F
LENGTH: 149
HEAT: Boiling
RATING: 4 roses!
                                     REVIEWER: Willow
BLURB:
Lance is a Wizard. He’s not a great wizard, but he’s all right. Descended from a long line of wizards, his brothers taunt him for being slow to learn. And as the youngest, it’s his due course to accept such teasing. Life is good, and normal. For a wizard that is.

Cassie is a Shifter. A tigress to be exact. Raised by her father after her mother’s death she’s as well adjusted as any shifter can be, and still live in the human world, hiding who and what she is.
Bliss comes to a screeching halt the night Satanist kidnap Cassie and her best friend to use as sacrifices to bring forth their Dark Lord. When Cassie literally collides into Lance, she begs him to help them escape their captors, despite the dangers. The couple work together to save the life of Cassie’s friend, only to discover a shocking passion driving them closer together at a time when both should be devastated. But when Lance overhears Cassie’s father threaten his life, he heads for the hills. Cassie follows, determined to clear up the confusion. But evil is still afoot and Cassie is taken by a secret government organization dedicated to the eradication of all things magick. Is Lance willing to put his life on the line for a woman he believes is out to kill him? Especially when he realizes the organization that’s taken her, is the one he works for?

REVIEW:
Tiger shifter Cassie and her best friend—a jaguar shifter—Lin, have landed themselves in quite a pickle. Funny thing is; they have no idea how they got there.  But they’re not too concerned with the why’s or how’s, they just know they need to escape. On their way out, Cassie runs into (literally) a guy who’s obviously not a part of the cult that kidnapped them. There’s something about him she can’t explain; despite her own peril, she senses this man is important to her. But there’s no time to ask questions, the bad guys are coming and Cassie and Lin have to escape.
When Lance takes on the assignment to investigate a supposed Satanist cult, the last thing he expects to find is a full-blown ritual going on with the intended sacrifices running for their lives. Before he knows it, he’s caught up in the mayhem. Despite his limited magical powers, he can’t seem to remember any incantations to help himself or the two women. But then something happens he doesn’t anticipate. Seems there’s more than meets the eye to the two captives. He’s heard of shifters, he just never knew they really existed.
First off, I want to say that the cover for this book is really neat. It’s definitely an eye catcher. Tigress by the Tail started off with action and just kept on going. There were very few parts that lagged or didn’t play a crucial role in the final outcome. Ms. D'Amario does a fine job with plot and character development. There were a few things that caught my attention. Some minor editing—missing words, comma misusage—would have made the story a little tighter. I was also a little caught off guard by the point of view shifts. Most publishers don’t allow more than one or two shifts a chapter, and they are usually designated by some sort of symbol (***). This story has frequent point of view shifts that occur throughout. While it doesn’t detract from the story, it can make you a little confused until you figure out whose head your in. The ending felt a tad rushed. Once the main problem was solved, it seemed like the author tried to tie up some loose ends but did so a bit too quickly. There were a few things toward the end that just seemed odd or a little too unbelievable. But, this is a paranormal story and some allowances have to be made. Overall though, it was an enjoyable story that I enjoyed reading and I do look forward to reading more about those hunky Maxey brothers.
If you’re in to shifter stories and you like a little action with your love, then grab a copy of Teresa D'Amario's Tigress by the Tail, you won’t be disappointed. Just be forewarned, Cassie is one frisky feline who turns Lance’s world upside down, in more ways than one.

*Note to readers: This is a self-published book and is available through several outlets*
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
All Romance Ebooks
Place of Romance
Smashwords

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Draconus by Grace Draven


PUBLISHER: Amber Quill Press
AUTHOR: Grace Draven
GENRE: Historical Paranormal Erotica, Dragon Shifter
OTHER: M/F
LENGTH: 72 pages
HEAT LEVEL: 911!
RATING: 5 roses!
REVIEWED BY: Willow




BLURB:
An earth dragon, long-lived and skilled in the ways of magic, Magnus Silverclaw has hunted relentlessly for his errant human lover. He is furious and bitter over what he considers Leida’s betrayal and seeks retribution by having her sentenced to four years of enforced servitude to him—in a position far below the one she once occupied as his mistress. He does not anticipate her horrified reaction to the punishment or the reason for it, and her revelation leaves him reeling with shock and jealousy.
 
After nearly four years of evading capture, Leida of the Glimmer South stands bound before a tribunal of dragon judges, accused of theft and the illicit use of dragon magic. Once the favorite of the dragon lord, Magnus Silverclaw, she faces punishment for a crime considered high treason among dragons. Leida is still deeply in love with Magnus but refuses to divulge her reasons for why she stole from him and left without warning four years earlier. Only the threat of enslavement makes her reveal a carefully guarded secret, one that can either reunite her with Magnus or tear her from him forever...

REVIEW: 
A rash decision made four years ago has finally caught up with Leida. Now it’s time to stand before the the dragon lords and plea her case. Not known for their mercy, particularly when it comes to theft, she doubts her punishment will be nothing short of death. Would her accuser, the man she still desperately love stand by and watch her die? Why wouldn’t he. After all, she used to be his favorite. Running away from him had been a big blow to his pride, but stealing one of his prized possessions undoubtedly sealed her fate.

Magnus loved Leida like no other. He’d spoiled her with jewels and clothes, everything a woman would want, or so he thought. For four years he’d searched in vain, determined to find her and make her explain why she ran away in the first place. Now that he finally had her within his grasp, he had to decide what to do with her. He knew the dragon judges would seek her death, but Magnus had other plans. Despite his anger at her betrayal, he still wanted her, far more than he’d ever wanted any woman, mortal or not.

Leida has another secret, one that will spark Magnus’ fury even more. She has no wish to die for her crimes, but desperation to live is due to her child. Can she convince Magnus to give her another chance? Or will he side with the dragon judges and order her execution?

I really enjoyed reading Draconus by Grace Draven. This was the first erotic dragon story I’ve ever read and most definitely won’t be my last. I’m curious to see what Ms. Graven has cooked up in her other dragon tales. The author’s use of grammar, punctuation, and point-of-view is impeccable. If there were editing errors, I didn’t pick up on them. The attraction between Leida and Magnus draws you in from the start. There’s never a dull moment. Ms. Draven has created memorable characters and an exciting plot that will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next. The sex is definitely hot and the passion between Leida and Magnus will make you want to rush off to find your significant other.

If you’re looking for a fast-paced story with memorable characters and an exciting plot, then grab a copy of Grace Draven’s Draconus. Just be forewarned, you might want to keep some ice water and a fan nearby, you’re gonna need them!