Lucky
Stars Box Set
By
Seven Authors!
I am going to offer you a simple review of each book in this
set, as well as an interview with each Author. This way you can get to know the
writer, and about the book. Trust me, you will learn more this way. And it will
be exciting for everyone involved!
Each one of these fine books have earned a five star review from me! You read it right, five stars! A perfect score! I was impressed with each one of these books one hundred and ten percent! And I think you will be too!
So once you have read these reviews, my suggestion is go get your box set immediately, you will be glad you did!
Each one of these fine books have earned a five star review from me! You read it right, five stars! A perfect score! I was impressed with each one of these books one hundred and ten percent! And I think you will be too!
So once you have read these reviews, my suggestion is go get your box set immediately, you will be glad you did!
So let's begin the review process so you can see what is so spectacular about these books and authors:
“Lucky
Charms”
By
Louisa
Bacio
Cornelius was cursed, but not like anyone or anything you
would ever expect. Don’t even try to guess, because trust me you’ll never
figure it out.
His curse is the most unique curse I have ever encountered! The
she-devil who placed the curse on him gave him green hair and a shocking green
cock! Oh yes, you read that right. He was a human sized leprechaun. He had one
night a year, St. Patricks Day- to convince a deserving woman of his true
identity and potential love in order to find his ultimate happiness. He felt
that Jenna was the perfect woman who could remove the spell.
At first Jenna thinks it might just be a St. Patricks Day
joke, and decides what does she have to lose. She goes along with it, showers
with him, realizing the green cock doesn’t in fact wash off, and then thinks
maybe she may have had too much to drink.
In the morning, she realizes, and
even starts remembering little things from her past. Times where she has dates
Cornelius Pat before, where he tried to make it work, but didn’t make it in
time.
Maybe Jenna is the one to remove the curse after all? Is her
love strong enough?
This was truly an enjoyable read, a smile was on my face,
and I loved it to pieces! Its book like this that make reading fun! This was
fantastic!
Here
are my interview questions for Louisa:
1.
Wherever and how did you come up with this leprechaun story?
It was
all the fault of Kim Carmichael and Solera Winters. They threw out the
paranormal theme with a St. Patrick’s Day release, and I thought, “What do you
expect, for me to write a leprechaun romance?” And then the challenge was on.
2. What
made you design him with a green cock?
What
green cock? Seriously, if you’re going to be cursed, as a male, what could be
worse than a certain body part turning green?
3. How
long did it take you to write this story?
On and off
I worked on it for two months. That’s not continuously. I was finishing up a
full-length book, “Sex University: The Master Class,” which will release in the
fall. That book had a Feb. 1 deadline, and “Lucky Charms” was Feb. 14. The full
attention switched on in those last two weeks.
4. How
much fun was it writing this piece?
You know,
I’ve never used the term “chubby” before, lol. Fortunately, my critique
partner/beta reader Christine Ashworth let it slide. She actually said it
didn’t bother her in the least bit. I also read/edited her piece in the
anthology, “Thorne’s Rose.”
5. While
writing this story, please tell me if you were chuckling or not and be honest!
All the
time! The story is much lighter than I’m used to writing. Usually, I think I’m
funny in a “I can relate” type of way. For “Lucky Charms,” it was more so, and
I’m so glad that comes through.
6. What
are your future goals?
Just keep
going. I’ve got a series that I’m revising book 1 on, and my agent Tish Beatty
is going to shop it around. I’m excited to work on that project, but there are
so many voices in my head … they need to find a home.
To tell
the truth, I had a doctor’s appointment today, and she asked when she was going
to be able to pick my book up at Target. I think that’s a good goal!
7. Did
you have fun writing this story?
Once I
got past the “I’m writing what?” it was a blast. I totally turned off the
filter.
8. How
much do you enjoy writing?
Writing
is my passion. I also teach college and edit for publishing companies. But,
it’s the writing that works as my outlet. That means, I enjoy it very much.
9. What
suggestions can you offer to people wanting to pursue a career in writing?
Join
writing organizations. Just like fighting zombies, there’s safety in numbers.
Seriously, I consider myself shy but I put myself in positions where I’m not
able to be. Having a strong support group makes it easier.
10. Does
writing come easily to you, or do you have to help it, or what?
At this
point, writing itself it easy. Finding the time to write isn’t always easy. I
work, have two kids, and a husband, all of that also needs attention. In fact,
right now it’s hubby’s birthday and I know he wants me to come to bed (almost 1
a.m.).
11. How
long have you been writing?
Forever.
I wrote poetry starting at age 7. I’ve been published in more than 150
nonfiction magazines, and my first book was published in June 2010, and I’ve
been going since then.
12.
Please share with us how to follow you on social media, and how to find your
books:
13. Any
last words:
Thanks so
much for the interview, and your valuable time. It’s wonderful to know that
what I’m doing is reaching others.
Next I would like to share with you:
“Made
for Love”
By
Kim
Carmichael
This story is so romantic. It seemed like it wasn’t going to
go anywhere at first, and that comes from me, who used to be an avid pen
paller. (Yes I know that’s not a word, but to someone who pen pals, it is!
Trust and believe!)
Anyway, so I’m reading this. And so these people (Isra and
Damek) are writing to and fro because they’re supposed to be helping their
planets repopulate. Well, they want to get to know one another first.
I have to agree, it does seem more logical. I mean who wants
to just “jump on and get to humping.” Right. Oh yeah, I forgot. I’m old fashioned,
but in all reality it was the Damek who wanted to correspond, as you will read
and learn.
A gentlemen in Damek is found within this book, who tries to
teach the true ways of romance. Your heart strings will be pulled in many directions,
especially when you will wonder if Isra has fallen for him, and will decide to
stay with him, pregnant with his Child, or return to her home planet and
repopulate.
Fortunately, chocolate is used to help everyone see the
reality to true love and save the day.
You will truly love this love story. It will help you to see
romance in a whole new light, and long for it yourself! I also loved the fact
that pen palling was involved! It truly is an art worth admiring!
Now
here are my questions for Kim:
1. How long did it
take you to write this book?
about three weeks
2. What gave you the idea to have the people repopulate and meet up, but pen pal first? (Romantic!)
about three weeks
2. What gave you the idea to have the people repopulate and meet up, but pen pal first? (Romantic!)
I am having a sci-fi
phase and I wanted a plot where the main characters had not met in person yet
and were very different.
3. I loved the correspondence between them, at first it was you know-- slow and lame--but then....they grew so much closer! So perfect! Did you preplan this? All of it, or it just flowed out of you?
I am very much a plotter and yes it was pre planned but I never know what I am going to write until I’m at the keyboard.
4. What are your future goals?
3. I loved the correspondence between them, at first it was you know-- slow and lame--but then....they grew so much closer! So perfect! Did you preplan this? All of it, or it just flowed out of you?
I am very much a plotter and yes it was pre planned but I never know what I am going to write until I’m at the keyboard.
4. What are your future goals?
Well in my writing
life I just want to be happy. I have had a lot of obstacles (as most
writers have) and I am finally in a place where I am satisfied and happy.
I need to focus on the writing and not the other things.
5. What can you offer the aspiring artist who is trying to put out their first book?
5. What can you offer the aspiring artist who is trying to put out their first book?
Don’t ever let anyone
steal your joy and sometimes its okay to let go.
6. I was so worried that the love wasn't going to work, but low and behold, chocolate saved the day! Chocolate? Really?! I loved it! How did you come up with this? Do tell!
LOL I have to impart some of my contemporary romance roots wherever I am. Also since when doesn’t chocolate save the day?
7. If there was one thing you could change about yourself, what would it be?
My fear.
8. How long have you been writing?
8. How long have you been writing?
11 years
9. Does writing come naturally to you?
9. Does writing come naturally to you?
thank god yes.
10. Please share with us your links to your social media sites and books:
10. Please share with us your links to your social media sites and books:
On The Dotted
Line: http://www.amazon.com/Dotted-Line-Kim-Carmichael-ebook/dp/B00RM9XRLQ/ref=la_B0098RNFUI_1_1_title_1_kin?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1428550098&sr=1-1
Typecast (At Kindle
Scout because yes I am that much of a glutton for punishment): https://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/3OFYH0QEH7HUE
(I appreciate any nominations :))
11. Any last words:
It is because of bloggers like you that writers like me continue to write :-)
Next we will share:
“The
Last Date”
By
Solera
Winters
Vikki Amelia Godwin had a ritual with her dating. It was her
five date ritual, before the sixth date which always seemed to fail. She always
seemed to get hurt, and fall for the wrong guy, and was about ready to give up
completely.
Anthony Anteros, who preferred to be called Tony is the God
who avenges the unrequited lover. He has been watching Vikki and thinks she is
the perfect woman for him.
He asks Zeus and his Mother, and Zeus says he will think
about it. While Zeus is thinking, Tony decides to go to Earth and see if he can
get her interested in him.
Eros is Tony’s brother, and he is watching in the distance,
and also informing Zeus.
Vikki doesn’t believe it at first, and has an all at
tantrum, and runs off. Luckily her best friend Sherrie Cherish, once Tony
informs her of things he knows, decides to give Tony the secret location that
Vikki always goes to.
Eventually Vikki listens whole heartedly and decides to ask
a few questions of her own. She wants proof about him being a God, and Tony
tells her to call her prior dates to learn of their misfortunes. What he says
is true.
Zeus in the meantime, summons Tony back and gives him the
rest of the evening to convince Vikki to love him. Can he do it? Will Vikki
return the love for Tony or has she given up on love completely?
I love that God’s and Goddesses are involved. I always find
this interesting, and I love learning about them, Solera always teaches me, and
I love learning with her, as I read romance! It so works!
Here
are my questions for Solera:
1. What made you
decide to write this book?
We always hear about
Eros, but when I started researching different love gods I came across Anteros,
Eros' brother and he really intrigued me.
2. How long did it take to write?
2. How long did it take to write?
About a month.
3. Are any of your characters based off of anyone?
3. Are any of your characters based off of anyone?
A little bit of
myself in the character of Vikki.
4.What draws you to like
& write about Gods & Godesses?
I
love the classic stories and the ancient religion has always intrigued me from
the Egyptians to the Greek deities. I love the myths, but I also like to learn
about the rituals
associated
with their cultures. It's always fascinated me. The more I learn, the more I
fall in love with them.
5.Did you research everyone of them you've written about
exquisitely?
I
research each one of them I read the myths and some scholarly works about the
ancient religions. That's what I love about my job of writing about them, all
the learning I
get
to do. I've found overall that the lesser known gods give me a little more
freedom to write about. For example everyone knows Eros, but when I started
researching
Anteros
I found out that he was actually born for the precise purpose of keeping Eros
company. A lot of families do that, don't they--have a second child so the
first won't be
an
only child. Then I started thinking about what the god of unrequited love might
do. Eros is so famous for the myth with him and Psyche which I refer to in the
story, but
Anteros
doesn't have a myth like that so I felt I could have more leeway with his
story.
6. Who are your favorite Authors?
6. Who are your favorite Authors?
I like Kim Carmichael
and I just read a Christine Ashworth story that I loved.
7. What suggestions can you offer to someone writing their first book?
Remember it's a
process. Write what you love and then polish it to a shine.
8. Does writing come easily to you?
It depends. This
story came pretty easily but sometimes I really struggle over getting through a
scene.
9. How long have you been writing?
9. How long have you been writing?
All my life and seven
years seriously.
10. What are your future goals?
I'm working on a
short for a new box set coming out in the summer and revising a fairy tale I
cowrote with Kim Carmichael. I'm working to finish the second Olympian
Seductions book too.
11. Did you enjoy writing this book and why?
11. Did you enjoy writing this book and why?
I loved this story
because of the humor. Anteros was such a fun character to write.
12. Please share with us your links and where to buy your books:
12. Please share with us your links and where to buy your books:
13. Any last words?
Thank you so much!
Next comes a new Author I’ve not met until this set. Her
name is:
Christine
Ashworth
And her book is:
“Thorne’s
Rose”
The Thorne house, or should I say mansion was built in the
1900’s. And Hollister has requested that Emmalee Jones Gordon come to register
and catalog the roses in his rose garden. A cursed rose garden
none-the-less.
Emmalee is excited to do this, in fact, she even volunteers
her services to catalog books, and anything else Hollister may need, she is so
interested in the house and the property, oh and Hollister himself.
Within the garden there is one rose bush that hasn’t bloomed
in years.
Emmalee did research while studying and cataloging the
roses. She learned that Kennedy Melville Jones had two loves, Susannah and
Cornelia. And he wrote that he wanted his ashes mingled with Cornelia’s when he
died.
Eventually Hollister and Emmalee end up in the garden
themselves, to have a romantic picnic, which leads to romance, and more.
Together they learn a few unexpected things that they didn’t plan on, and even
break the curse put on the men in the family by voodoo and madam Latrance.
The story is overwhelmingly romantic, and it draws you in,
and you won’t want to put it down. It’s a love story, and a more. I found it
very intriguing and loved every minute of it!
Here
are my questions for Christine!
1. What, where, or how did you come up with this
beautifully romantic love story mystery all combined into one?
It started out based on the Grimm Fairy Tale, The Rose. I'd
actually done a 10 minute play of it for a local high school; in that
version, it hews very closely to the original fairy tale, where the daughter
dies in the end. I decided I wanted to do something different, so I made the
rosebush itself the mystery...one that hadn't bloomed in a hundred years.
2. Did you do research on breeding roses?
I did not. I did, however, search roses and how they grow and
what types - but not the breeding of them, per se. Plus my mother grew roses,
and I have about 20 rosebushes in my back yard, so...yeah. I'm a total
fangirl.
3. Do you yourself keep journals?
I used to. The one I had from 14 to 16 was left behind on a bus
in Seattle, when I was up there for a ballet camp...heartbreaking. Now I have
blogs instead, lol.
4. How long have you been writing?
Forever. (My first writing was in the 1980s, when I did Lord
Peter Wimsey Fanfic. Honest.) But seriously and for publication, since
2000.
5. Who is/are your favorite Author(s)?
Too many to list! All of the authors in the Lucky Stars Box set
have become favorites, though some of them are new to me.
6. What are your hobbies?
Hobbies? Um...Cooking, I guess...
7. What would you offer as suggestions to any aspiring writers?
Write. Keep writing. Never stop writing. But when you do stop
writing, then Edit. Polish. Rinse and repeat...
8. How long did it take you to write this book?
Hm...I didn't work on it solid, because I was working on another
project; but I guess 3 months?
9. Are any of the characters derived from anyone?
Nope...they're all a product of my imagination, lol.
10. What did you like best about this book yourself?
I love Emmalee...she's just so - full of joy, you know?
11. What are your future plans?
Book 2 in the StarTide Agency series just came out last month;
books 3 and 4 will be out this year, and I'm in the plotting stages for three
more in this series. Lots of emotional romance (and sex!), plus a
thread of suspense; I'm really enjoying this series!
12. Please share with us links to follow you on social media,
and find your books:
Website and Blog: Http://christine-ashworth.com
Twitter: @CCAshworth
13. Any last words:
I love people and I love meeting new friends - so please, don't
be a stranger. Feel free to stalk me any time!
Oh by the way! I'll be at the Book
Obsessed Chicks Beach BBQ Booksigning at Lido Beach, Long Island, on July 26th, and at Hot Mojave Knights book signing in
Las Vegas, on October 3rd! Come see me!
Next
comes:
“Taming the Beast”
By
Erzabet Bishop
With
this book, I can say: “Don’t judge a book by its cover!” Wait, I mean title.
And I mean, you can, but don’t.
Oh
just read my review, or better yet, read the book because it is even better
then my review can portray!
You
see, Allyse Montlake is a BBW, you do know what that is right? And on top of
that she is a witch, with some extra talents, to boot.
And
Soren Rochester is the guest of honor on the bachelor, and Allyse manages to
get a job interview that lands her a spot as one of the bachelo rettes.
Soren
decides to be a different kind of bachelor and offers up a quickie kind of
remedy different than any other show ever seen. The producer explains that’s
not how its done, but then proceeds to offer it to the girls, who like the
idea.
You
see, little does anyone know, that the man who adores animals, has a bit of a
predicament entangled on himself, and that he needs to find himself the love
of his life.
This
is why and how he can communicate with these animals, because he turns into
one, and unless the ‘beast can be tamed’ by the someone who can love him
back, then he will remain and beast forever.
Can
Soren find the perfect love, and can someone help him to end this problem,
and help him live ‘happily ever after’ like the fairy tales promise in the
end? He thinks Allyse is that special someone, what do you think?
This
is an amazingly interesting book, you’ll truly enjoy it, a very different and
passionate read!
My questions for
Erzabet:
I love fairy tales and wanted to create a modern version of Beauty and the Beast for real women.
2. How long did it take to write?
Give or take about two weeks. I work full time so trying to fit writing in my schedule can be a challenge.
3. Are any of your characters based off of anyone?
These
characters-no. The only one mildly representative of anyone is the
character of the bachelor and the reality television show he represents.
Otherwise they are their own people so to speak.
4. Who are your favorite Authors?
So many to count! I do love Melissa Marr, Kim Harrison and Laurel K. Hamilton.
5. What suggestions can you offer to someone writing their first book?
Give
yourself a general outline to follow and it will guide you through.
Also don't give up. You are your own motivator and its up to you to set
your boundaries and that includes saying no to people when you have to
have time for your work.
6. Does writing come easily to you?
Most
of the time yes but I can tell when its time for a recharge. Sometimes
after a long day at work its difficult to get in the groove, but you sit
down and immerse yourself in the world you've created and its all good.
7. How long have you been writing?
Steadily for over two years now but I've been playing at it for about thirteen years.
8. What are your future goals?
I would love to write full time and not have to split my efforts between a day job and my writing.
9. Did you enjoy writing this book and why?
I
did. I've always felt like BBW don't get represented as much as we
should and I wanted to give the modern woman something to hold onto. The
chance to marry the prince and kick the meanies in the teeth for once.
I'm looking forward to making the story more of a full length novel and
can't wait to see where it takes me.
10. Please share with us your links and where to buy your books:
Erzabet Bishop has been crafting stories since she could
pound keys on her parents’ old typewriter. She has only just learned that it is
a whole lot more fun writing naughty books. She is a contributing author to the
Silk Words website with her Fetish Fair choose your own romantic
adventure stories, Potnia, A Christmas To Remember, Taboo II, Forbidden Fruit, Club
Rook: The Series, Sweat, Bossy, When the Clock Strikes Thirteen, Unwrap these Presents, Wicked Things, Unbound Box, Milk & Cookies & Handcuffs, Corset Magazine: Sex Around the World Issue and Man vs. Machine: The Sex Toy Issue, Smut by
the Sea Volume 2, Hell Whore Volume 2, Can’t Get Enough, Slave Girls, The Big Book of Submission, Hungry for More, Gratis II, Anything She Wants, Dirty Little Numbers,
Kink-E magazine, Eternal Haunted Summer, Coming Together:
Girl on Girl, Shifters and Coming
Together: Hungry for Love among others.
She is the author of Lipstick (upcoming),
Dinner Date, Holidays in Hell, Red Dress, Fantasies in Red, Tethered, Red Moon Rising, Sigil
Fire, Written on Skin, Club Beam, Pomegranate, Taming the Beast, The Erotic
Pagans Series: Beltane Fires, Samhain Shadows and Yuletide Temptation. Erzabet is a finalist in the GCLS 2014 awards
in two separate categories. She lives in Texas with her husband, furry children
and can often be found lurking in local bookstores. She loves to bake, make
naughty crochet projects and watch monster movies. When she isn’t writing, she
loves to review music and books.
Follow her reviews and posts on Twitter @erzabetbishop.
Links:
The Romance Reviews: http://www.theromancereviews.
Wix and newsletter: http://erzabetwrites.wix.com/
Ylva Author Page: http://www.ylva-publishing.
Unbound Box Dessert Comes First Flash Fiction: https://unboundbox.com/
Liz McMullen episode: http://www.thelizmcmullenshow.
About Me: http://about.me/erzabet.
Facebook “like” page: https://www.facebook.com/
Author Wordpress blog: http://erzabetbishop.
Amazon author page: http:// amazon.com/author/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/
Lesfic Blog: http://lesficandlipstick.
Review Blog: http://erzabetsenchantments.
Author Database: http://authorsdb.com/authors-
Authorgraph: https://www.authorgraph.com/
11. Any last words?
Thanks
for having me on the blog today. I love to hear from my readers and
hope you sign up for my newsletter so you don't miss a thing!
               
Erzabet Bishop author of Sigil Fire and Written on Skin
Erzabet Bishop (website and newsletter sign up)
Next
let’s travel to a far off World with:
Fred T. Kerns
In
“Mission to Bellatrix”
They
are going to research a ship in space known as the Vancouver, which was
sending a distress signal.
Dylan
is married to all the women on the ship, and the ship mates seem to have fun,
they play seemingly ‘old’ version of Grand Theft Auto and together, and what
not.
Apparently
Donovan was running from others, and didn’t divulge that in the beginning,
and eventually, the people after him, found him, and confronted the crew.
Koyla
was falling for Donovan, as was he for her, but she couldn’t understand why
someone would fall for her, because she had a scared up face. She still had
her guard up too.
The
ship with the distress signal had spores on it, and everyone was dead, they
were sending a signal requesting that the ship be destroyed so that it would
not make any other contact with people and infect them. The medical officer
read the ships log, and the crew went aboard the ship and seen the damage,
and that the crew had abused one another, violently.
The
Jemison sent the message to their people, and it was received with all of the
information, and they agreed, to scrap the ship, and prevent anyone from
being infected further.
The
people that had attacked, and came aboard the Jemison trying to fetch
Donovan, Cora had read their ships intentions. They planned on taking him and
killing everyone aboard the Jemison. So they agreed to let all of them board
the Jemison, and then set their targets on their ship and destroy it, and
then they battled the crew, and killed them, slowly and successfully.
Donovan
apologized for his fraudulent act, and told Koyla that he dearly loved her.
She didn’t want to accept his apology. She was hurt too. She didn’t know if
she should trust him again, or was he still lying. She wasn’t sure what to
do, was love worth it in the end? Would Koyla chose love after all?
This
story is a very enchanting love story, worth reading, and very enjoyable. My
only fear was that the spores were going to get in my lungs while I was
reading it, because I swear they were bothering me while I was reading!
Otherwise, I truly adored this book!
My questions for Fred:
1.
What made you write this book?
I'd
had this character, Kolya Mason, in mind for a while, inspired by an image I
saw in a trailer for the first Borderlands game. I like to play around with
tropes, usually by subverting or inverting them. Something I've seen fairly
often is a male character with a scarred face (or a face that's just not what
society might consider conventionally attractive) hooking up with a gorgeous,
supermodel-type woman, so I thought it'd make an interesting story to reverse
the genders and see what happens. I had a few false starts with the story,
never really got it to click, so I put it on the back burner and focused on
the other half-dozen books, serialized stories, and fanfiction I tend to
write all at the same time. One of them was a novelette titled "Game
Over," which introduced several of the supporting characters who appear
in "Mission to Bellatrix" plus several more who all ended up
becoming the crew of Cora's ship, as well as her husband and wives.
Then,
I was contacted by Solera Winters, who told me about the Lucky Stars
anthology and asked me if I wanted to write a story for it. Even though
romantic relationships are often at the core of the books and stories I
write, I'd never tried to write a "romance" before. But since this
box set was going to be paranormal/sci-fi romances, I decided to give it a
try. For a few seconds I didn't even know where to start, but then I
remembered Kolya and realized she'd be a perfect protagonist for this story.
I also wanted to continue the adventures of the characters from Game Over, and
decided to have Kolya hitch a ride on their ship.
I
had the overall plot of the whole story worked out later that same evening,
started writing, and here we are. :D
Here's
the image that sparked off my ideas for Kolya, by the way, in case you're
curious.
2. Ok
so Dylan is married to all the women on the Jemison? I know a lot of guys who
would just 'love' to be him! Right?
Haha ... one line I should've added to the story is Donovan saying, "No wonder Dylan's so mellow. It's because he's exhausted." XD But I'm planning to expand the story into a full novel, so I can add it then. Yeah, a lot of guys would love to walk a few miles in his shoes. And who knows, maybe it would be awesome if it really happened and came together the right way. This particular situation started during Game Over. A while back I saw something randomly on TV Tropes about harems in various anime, and the idea lodged in my head. Usually it's played for laughs, but when I decided to use the idea in Game Over, I played it much more seriously. Dylan, Cora, Grishnag, and the others went through a series of rather horrific experiences, but found themselves falling in love while all this was going on. "Mission to Bellatrix" takes place several months later, after they've been married. 3. The Vancouver sure did suffer a great deal. I could feel the spores entering my lungs are I read, I swear! Tell me they weren't on the pages as you wrote them! Well, since I write entirely on my PC or my Nextbook, you're safe ... though I can't guarantee that of the paperback version of the Lucky Stars set. Mwahaha. All of my novels and stories (minus the fanfics) take place in the same universe, and the space-time rifts the characters in Bellatrix talk about have appeared in Chaser, a novel that's coming soon from Keith Publications, and "Elsewhere," a serialized story that spun off from Chaser. The spores and what they turn people into appeared recently in Elsewhere, and I decided to use them in Bellatrix to flesh the concept out a little more. My idea is that they're basically like the Borg, except they're entirely organic instead of cybernetic or robotic. They work the same way, though -- infecting, spreading, taking over planet after planet. 4. Donovan and Koyla are so awesome together, I couldn't help but want to root for them the whole way through, even after we learned the truth. Are these characters derived from anyone special? Aw, thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed them so much. They're not based on anyone. When I decided that Kolya has a badly scarred face, I figured making her bitter and angry would kind of be the obvious way to go, so I instead steered her in the opposite direction. I thought it'd make the story more interesting if she was fairly well-adjusted and had a generally positive attitude and didn't let bad stuff get to her, at least not for long. And I decided early on that she would be an explorer and adventurer, and I'm planning to write a whole series of books with her as the protagonist. I'd originally planned for her to stay solo, at least for a long while. But when I decided to use her for the romance anthology, she needed someone to have a romance with. ;) So I came up with Donovan, and even though he does kind of have his own agenda, I figured he would genuinely find her attractive. Not that he's a scar-fetishist or whatever, but the scars and the damaged eye are simply not deal-breakers for him. And even though it happened quickly, he really did fall in love with her. So now they'll be adventuring together in the rest of her books. 5. Cora seems like a very amazing ships Captain, please tell me she is derived from someone? Or is she just that cool?! Thank you again. :D I'm glad you liked that character, too. I definitely have fun writing her. She's not derived from or based on anyone, either. My main motivation in creating her was that I'd grown kind of tired of all the fictional works across various media that portray robots and AI as inherently evil -- The Terminator, Battlestar Galactica, even Star Trek and Doctor Who often come across as anti-AI/anti-robot. I have a very different view of robotic characters, and many of my works include AI or robots who go against the typical "AI is a Crapshoot" trope. So when I decided to add Cora to the characters in Game Over, I came up with the idea of AI being much more varied, and also I had the idea that when an AI becomes sentient, it's granted freedom to find its own path in life if it so chooses. Cora started off as a sexbot, but when she became sentient, she was given the choice to either continue in that role or find her own purpose, and she chose the latter. I also wanted Cora to be pretty much the opposite of the usual portrayal of robotic characters, so she's warm and compassionate and very protective of her loved ones and anyone whose safety she's responsible for. She'll take a villain's life if she has to, but she does it reluctantly and doesn't feel good about it afterward. 6. Did you do any special research for this book? When writing stuff with space opera elements, I do try to get the science as right as I can. Things that really bug me are spaceships banking like they're airplanes in an atmosphere, or an endless hurricane when a ship's atmosphere is venting into space -- the whirlwind continues long after the entire atmosphere would've already been lost. So when I write a scene like that, the venting takes only a few seconds and then it's done. Also, the popular idea of explosive decompression is way off. A person wouldn't actually inflate like a balloon and pop. Instead, he'd lose consciousness in ten to fifteen seconds (it'd be painful, though) and suffocate a minute or so later. Though, if he made the mistake of taking a deep breath and holding it before being exposed to vacuum, his lunge would rupture. So that's the kind of stuff I research. I probably still get some of it wrong, but I put in a lot of effort to get it right. One resource I used a lot for both this story and Game Over was a website called 100,000 Stars (http://stars.chromeexperiments.com/). I used it to find out the locations of the stars appearing in the stories, their direction and relative distances from each other, and a few other details. Another thing I made sure to do was to use the proper designations for each star and its planets. The one in Mission to Bellatrix was Gamma Orionis, so the first planet discovered orbiting it would be called Gamma Orionis b (not capitalized, by the way) until someone gives it an actual name, the next one discovered would be Gamma Orionis c, and so on. Similarly, the names of alien species aren't capitalized unless they're proper nouns. Common nouns like "human" or "dog" aren't capitalized unless they're the first word in a sentence, but "American" or "Doberman" are proper nouns. That was something I didn't even think about thanks to a lifetime of seeing Klingon, Vulcan, Silurian, Daleks, etc. capitalized. A few years ago I noticed the names of alien species in the Mass Effect games weren't capitalized, and it made me curious so I looked into it and then a light bulb appeared over my head. "Ohhh, right. It's like how I'm a 'human,' not a 'Human.'" So the species in Mission to Bellatrix, shonari and zorai and so on, aren't capitalized. Anyway, sorry for the long-winded answer. I'm kind of a nerd, so when I start talking about stuff like this, sometimes I really get rolling. :P 7. How long did this take to write? The rough draft took a couple of weeks. Then I did the requested edits, which led to a couple more drafts over the next two or three weeks or so, including the time it took for the edits to get back to me. The biggest changes were three or four scenes I added to the story to flesh out certain events, but the majority of what ended up in the final draft was done in a couple of weeks. 8. Any special suggestions for anyone thinking about trying to write or even finish or maybe even start a book? Several come to mind. I've always found starting and finishing a book to be among the hardest things to do. That's probably why even my novels seem like they're kind of serialized. The main plot is resolved at the end, but there are plot threads that continue from one book to the next and then the next. Sometimes I struggle with starting a chapter in the middle of a book, or even a scene. One of the tricks I've come up with is to begin a scene or chapter with a line of dialogue, which starts it with a hook and also helps me focus on where the plot is going next. For another thing, be ready for a long haul. I kept writing and submitting stuff to publishers for over 20 years before I finally got a novel accepted two years ago, and Mission to Bellatrix is the first story since then that I've had published without just doing it myself. But if you're serious about getting published, then keep at it. I've nearly given up many times over the last quarter-century, but don't let it grind you down. When things start coming together, it'll be worth all the time you've put into it. Meanwhile, just keep writing, getting feedback, and polishing your work. Another thing. Set up a website, start a blog, use Facebook, Twitter, and any other social media site you can think of, and find websites where you can post sample chapters and other content to get your work in front of readers. If a certain book series, TV show, movie series, or video game really captures your attention, you might even try writing some fanfiction and using it as another sample -- content that people can read for free and decide whether they like your writing style. Build up a fan base and many of them will be interested in that novel you're getting published. I've been writing Mass Effect and Transformers Prime fanfiction partly just to get certain ideas out of my head, partly for the fun of it, and partly to help build up an audience (plus a GI Joe fanfic for Kindle Worlds, which is another opportunity to bring in a few bucks). It seems to be working. :D Also, use sites like Fanstory.com to post your rough drafts and get critiques. It'll improve your writing, and it'll increase your chances of being noticed. I posted stuff there for several years, and one of the readers began commenting on every chapter of everything I posted, and one day suggested that I send Chaser to her publisher. I did, and a few months later, shortly after I moved to Tucson, I got an email from the publisher telling me that my book had been accepted. I didn't have internet access when I first started trying to get my foot in the door, but with all the resources and connections you can get from putting your work online, it probably won't take you nearly as long as it did for me. But as mentioned above, however long it takes, keep at it and keep improving, and sooner or later you'll catch the break you need. 9. How long have you been writing? Roughly 25 years. Started when I was around 17, and never got my foot in the door until recently. It's been a long and frustrating road, but as I said above, it's been worth it. I've had my first two successes, and I feel like the next one is just around the corner. 10. Any future goals? Mainly, to make a living with my writing. That would be ideal, since I'm driven to keep writing. I can't not write. So to make enough at it to write full-time would be absolutely awesome. For specifics ... my short-term goals include finally finishing my fourth novel (third in the Neon City series) which I've been working on sporadically for four years; expanding Game Over into a full novel as the novelette has only sold a few copies since I published it, and I feel like there's more to the story, enough for a whole novel that I'll submit to the same publisher that accepted Chaser; expanding Mission to Bellatrix into a full novel as well, because there's plenty more story to tell there, and then either put it in the Kindle Scout program and see what happens, or submit it to the same publisher; get started on a sequel to Chaser; keep working on Elsewhere; finish my current Transformers Prime fanfic and then start on the next; get started on the next GI Joe story for Kindle Worlds; and keep working on my Mass Effect fic (currently 113,000 words with a long way still to go before it's finished). 11. Please lead us to your social media sites and where to buy your books: My website: http://fredtkerns.weebly.com/
My
Blog: http://fredtkerns.blogspot.com/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/fred.kerns
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/fredtk
Fanfiction.net:
https://www.fanfiction.net/u/2891344/Fatal_Intestinal_Maelstrom
12. Any last words? Thank you so much for this opportunity, and for bringing the Lucky Stars set and each author's works to the attention of more readers. I had a great time answering these questions, and hope your readers enjoyed this just as much. I hope you check out our other books and stories and enjoy them as well. ^_^ 
Last
but not least:
“Submit to Him”
By
Sasha Illyvich
This
is a story about the leader of the wolf pack, named Reinhold, who believes he
may be in love Theresa. She is a bit of a character in herself, a spoiled
brat who thinks she can get away with just about anything.
Christoph
tried to warn Reinhold that she couldn’t be tamed, but Reinhold himself is
quite stubborn, and used to getting his way.
Theresa’s
sisters Lynne and Crissy knew what was going on, and they understood. It was
them that had helped Reinhold to feel the true feelings of love.
Reinhold
took Theresa aside of one evening and tried to get her to see and feel, and
say what she wanted, but she refused. He left her there for a bit to wallow in
self pity, just as she was about ready to call out for him, Reinhold came in,
and untied and her and let her go. He did however, make her walk all the way
home, in a rather unique way.
When
Theresa arrived home, she more or less, tattled to her sisters about
Reinhold. They weren’t upset, in fact, they asked her why she hadn’t figured out
why he had chose her. She went to her room to sulk, and finally figured it
out.
Eventually
Theresa learns that she does in fact need Reinhold, and that he is everything
she craves and desires. She goes to him, and he teaches her, and once she
becomes part of him, he then changes her name to: Artista.
Together,
Artista is taught about submission, and her desires, and love, and that she
was truly meant to be a part of Reinhold, and that now they will be leaders
of the pack.
I
very much enjoyed the spoiled brat part of this story, and the submission.
This was an excellent story, and so true to life with relations with people
and their attitudes, even though these were wolves.
My
questions for Sascha:
1. Reinhold seems different from any other of your wolf
characters I've ever read, why is that?
Reinhold was written around a time when I had three non-blood
related sisters taking care of me, in the D/s role, and I wanted to honor my
love for them. He came about not so much as a part of me, though that shows
through as a softer side of what some folks like to think of as me.
Reinhold was not tough as nails, but he was tough, on himself. He
put his pack’s needs first, fed them first, tried for them first, and he was
probably just an aspect of me I’d shelved because I wanted someone to see
that side but I couldn’t publically admit it existed.
2. Theresa certainly is a handful. Did you derive her character
from anyone, or just made up?
She’s the third, bratty, stubborn redheaded sister. In
reality, she’s based on a real person who mimics a lot of Theresa’s traits,
down to sticking her tongue out at me to tease me and tell me to piss off.
Little shit…
3. How long did it take you to write this book?
Few years I think. Started it way back, the idea was for it to go to Total E-bound at the time but shit came up and I had something more important to finish, so this book got neglected. Part of it had to do with the fact that I didn’t have a proper ending. In my recent depression, I was asked to contribute to this collection and I was having trouble coming up with a story idea for what I actually wanted to write, and was digging around my hard drive to see what I had that could fit, and I remembered this unfinished story. I skimmed through it, found the copy had already been edited but I can’t remember the person who took a crack at it, just that it had been given some great feedback. When I reread the story, I realized I had just the ending, based on an experience I was going through at the time with someone who…owns a part of my heart, but doesn’t know what to do with it? The advice I’d been given was to handle the situation just as Reinhold handled Theresa.
4. Any suggestions for a person wanting to write a book?
Take a lot of N-Acetyl Cysteine for all the booze you’re going
to consume because it’ll drive you crazy? Develop not only a routine but the
discipline to follow that routine, and as I’ve always said, ignore the
critics. You’re a writer, then write. A lot. Every day in
fact. And learn to buy your own shit.
5. Why do you write?
So you can read. So you can feel when I can’t. I write so
you can understand, I write to share my pain, I write to justify my drinking
and cigar hobbies, I write for me. I write for them. I always wonder if
you make the world a stage for me, can you hear me scream?
6. What are your future plans?
Right now, they area up in the air. I just relocated back
to Tennessee for a short spell, but once I finish the final Opeth Pack book,
I can write whatever I want. I’m aiming for a Romantic Suspense, and
I’d like to get Stalker polished for my agent since she’s indicated there’s
still interest. Oh, and what you read as “Burning for Derrick” is
getting launched as “Slow Burn” as of this interview.
7. Have you ever written anything not sexually related? Or
thought about it even?
Plenty. I’ve written a lot of educational articles for ACC
Cigars, done SEO copy for porn sites, written ad copy for non-erotic books,
wine reviews, spirit reviews, done some technical editing.
8. What is the fastest book you have ever written and how long
did it take and why?
Probably the fourth Opeth Pack Book, because I had inspiration
in the form of a sweet bunny that kept pace with me until she fell asleep
around 1AM. Two months for 89,000 words. Plus, the story just
wrote itself.
9. If you could change one thing about yourself what would it
be?
Probably my ability to deal with stress. The more chaos
and stress around, the more I tend to start to crack until eventually I
break, and when I do? When the pressure is mountain high, I’m good but
when it goes beyond? It’s bad. Blackout and hurt myself bad.
10. Please proving links to your social media sites and books:
Website: Http://saschaillyvichauthor.com
Opeth Pack Home: http://thesilverwolfprince.wix.com/opethpackwolves
Nights of Lust Home: http://thesilverwolfprince.wix.com/nights-of-lust
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/illyvich/boards/
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/SaschaIllyvich?feature=mhee
11. Any last words?
Realize that for a writer, this is a job that takes a great deal
of torment from us, but for us as well. We are pouring our souls onto
the page and doubting
We do it for you, but we do it for us, because we can’t do anything but write. Own it. |
