Endangered by Sascha Illyvich

Endangered by Sascha Illyvich

As you may well have noticed, this is my second review and interview with Sascha. Therefore, I expected, much of the same material. Boy was I wrong!

I knew from the intro, I was going to be experiencing a bit of a different realm. Here we are dealing with Vampires and the world of darkness, so to speak. So my outlook is thinking a bit on the side of blood thirsty, and hoping Sascha will throw in his curve balls of sexuality and the spin of a tale of lovers uniting. This is what I'm kind of picturing, even before I start. 

Never try to figure a writer out, it just doesn't work that way.

This book was deeper, more intense. Darker if you will. As I was reading it, I just wanted to curl up into a ball, it made me feel like I myself was in a deep, dark place, and sometimes cold. The literature as you read, the surroundings, you can physically see your dwellings, and they are all dark and cold. Maybe I let my imagination get too over whelmed as I read, but I just felt as if I was there. As if I was longing to become a Vampire myself. 

The main character, Josef seems to be a real "hottie" if you will. At least in "my" imagination he is! But living the life of the undead, just doesn't seem very fulfilling, and I think that too, was part of the things that Josef was bantering with himself. I think, and this is just my personal assumption here, that maybe his character was wondering what it would be like to be human, or even different, as in something else. To me, he always seemed to be pondering, like his mind was off in a distance. A dark place, thinking, and wondering. But again, this was just my take, of the essence of the character. 

Josef is someone; women will dream about after reading this book. He deals with a lot, and his character is very real. As I read, I felt that the Author was very into this character, very related, and even a part of him, if you will. 

This book was a interesting read. A different role in writing was portrayed here, through Sascha, and I could feel the depths of darkness and what even seemed to be depression. I could be wrong, but as we all know~ were all entitled to our opinions. 

I enjoyed the book, "Endangered" as I personally felt that I could even be on the list of "Endangered" people myself. One thing you will learn, as have I~Sascha Illyvich pulls his readers into his work. He's just "that" good! His writing; becomes visual within you, providing you have an imagination! A work if art, something to dream about, and live through his very words!

I give this book five stars of five stars! You should honestly check it out, it's worth reading! Especially, if you like Vampires, and of course: using your imagination! Sascha Illyvich does it again! He is top notch!

~Deneale K. McElhaney~Williams

Here are my interview Questions for Sascha!

1.  What made you write this book?

ENDANGERED was a book I wrote for the growing vampire/werewolf market several years back.  As it turns out, the hero needed something more than what I as an author could give him over the years until I finally figured out what that was.  You'll have to read the series to learn what though!

2. Do you now frequently write about 'Vampires, Werewolves' as well as 'Shape Shifters' or do you like to mix it up a bit?

I've written vampires and wolves, one of my agents has a story involving Pumas and witches, and I've written about faeries too. 

3. Have you ever written erotica without 'Mythical Creatures' in it?

Erotica and erotic romance, yes.  I have a lot of contemporary romance titles. 

4. Out of ALL of your own work, do you have a favorite Character, if so~ who would it be?

I've been saying Joséf from Endangered because his story rings true to how I've felt.  Need to do good in the world, but alas, love isn't for me.  Considering events of late, I'd be hard pressed to say if I still held that belief or not but he's a rough character who uses any means necessary to get the job done. 

5. Who is your favorite Author of ALL the Authors in the World?

Probably JR Ward right now.  Even though the head hopping shit irritates me, her stories pull you in and make you invest yourself in the characters and the world.

6. Do you read 'Erotic Novels' yourself, and I don't mean, just your own work? (If so~ whom do read and prefer?)

Yup.  The usual suspects. JR Ward, Lora Leigh, Christine Feehan, Laurel K. Hamilton, Christina Dodd, every now and then you'll find me with a historical romance in my hands by Julie Templeton. 

7. What made you write a Novel with 'Vampires' in it? We're you trying to 'Follow the crowd' per se?

First off, the crowd follows me.  *ahem*  Second, it was something I wanted to do for years actually, write about the Goth, the undead, the sensuality, the darkness. 

8. When writing, sometimes I note your work to be deep, dark, and heart felt. Is this some of your one 'persona?'

Always.  It's most of it actually.  What you're missing is my legendary "artistic" temper tantrums I'm trying hard not to let out anymore, or my rage. 

9. When writing 'sexual scenes' have you ever done, or experienced what you have written?

Quite a bit yeah.  Especially with recent experiences mimicked by a story I wrote involving a pretty writer fan and Fiji.

10. Do you oft get turned on, as you are writing your sexual scenes?

Yeah it happens.

11. Other than your writing, what do you use as an 'out?' Meaning: a way to vent?

Sadly I really don't have any means of venting other than cigars and alcohol.  I tend to not overdo it anymore on either front because of health reasons and the fact that I prefer relaxation rather than getting all stressed out. 

12. Does your writing often reflect your mood?

It can and does. I'm found often in my work even when I mean not to insert myself. 

13. Were you in a dark place when you wrote this manuscript? If not, how did you manage to make 'this' book seem & 'sound' so much differently, compared to the last book I read of yours? What IS your secret?

I've said before my books are that good and I'm that talented an author and that's what it boils down to.  People think you can simply write a story and then bam, it's good but if the story doesn't make you feel something, or if it doesn't move you, then it's not complete.  I was in a period of change when I wrote ENDANGERED, whereas the book you first reviewed, Burning for Derrick was a much lighter story because my world was better then, and the agent of awesome told me to lighten the hell up.  There is no secret, you simply cut your heart open and pour it over the pages.

14. Do you have more books in the works?

I do.  I'm in the middle of starting a romantic suspense, Endangered has a sequel (it's actually a series.  The tag line is: A small group of unlikely heroes faces an entire Criminal Organization for the fate of the world while discovering true love.)  Plus I have my Covenant of Wolves series we're in the middle of reworking slightly.  I have tons of material for years, practically.  All in romance, of course. 

15. Please provide for me all area's to contact you, and see your work:

Website:  Http://saschaillyvichauthor.com

Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/author/saschaillyvich

Facebook  http://www.facebook.com/saschaillyvich

Fan Page:  https://www.facebook.com/RomanceAuthorSaschaIllyvich

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/SaschaIllyvich

GoodReads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2928546.Sascha_Illyvich

YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/user/SaschaIllyvich?feature=mhee

16. Anything you would like to add:

I'm looking forward to sharing Endangered and the Nights of Lust series (out Sept '14 from Red Sage) with all of your fans and mine. 

Thank you Sascha for allowing me to review and interview you once again, I hope to do this again in the near future, as I do so very much, enjoy you, and your work!
~

Sascha Illyvich~Burning for Derrick

Burning for Derrick

(Not yet released)

by Sascha Illyvich

My review of the Book:

As I began reading, I was immediately pulled in, which for me, takes a lot. Ordinarily I get bored easily, I won't lie. But right from the beginning, I am drawn into the book, and feel as if I am right there. Not as thought I am the Character, but as though I am sitting there watching him, as I read along through the pages, so much so, that I can smell the cigarette smoke in the air of the bar.....

The words aren't just words as I am reading them, it is written so intensely, so descriptive, it is as though I am there, I can feel, hear, smell, and even taste.

 

 The music being played in the bar, death metal, the drink he's drinking: Manhattan. He meets with the bartender, who had hired him, and agreed to give him free drinks, if he agreed to do the for him.

Derrick was just glad to be out of his house, he himself a single Shape shifting Puma. He was not into Death Metal Music, but something about the Music was making him notice it.

Here, live on the stage, a beautiful woman was singing her heart out, and she was doing something to Derrick. Calling him, making him-- he wanted to go to her-- fortunately Rob stopped him and told him, no, not until after, and fortunately Rob had brought Derrick back to his senses.

The woman on the stage, is Sonja, Rob's sister. She is who Derrick is being ask to protect. She is a Goddess Witch, with amazing powers, and there are people who want to seek her out and destroy her, or use her as their own weapon.

Human's do not like nor approve of Shape Shifters, and Witches aren't supposed to mate with them. The Russians want to use the Witch and her mighty power to end the race of Shape Shifters, and another Shape Shifter, is going to turn on the Russians, because she was made into a Shape Shifter, not born as one. 

This Shape Shifter is the most evil of them all, and just may cause the death of everyone. 

Within this book, there is so much to look for, watch for, and see, and worry about. There is magic, heart ache, love, romance, sex and even death. 

Your feelings will go in so many directions, you will not know which way to turn from one minute to the next. One minute your fantasizing about the romance and love making, and the next minute, your worrying if they will make it through the night. 

And at the end, the worst part is worrying, will she honestly sing her heart out, and do what they told her to. I was sitting there on the edge of my seat going, "Oh God, Sonja, please no, Don't do it. Don't do it!"    

I found this book a very edge of the seat, moving, I couldn't get enough-kind of book. I would've kept going, and reading forever, that's how pleased I was with the entire book!

 Five stars!

My Interview Questions for

Sascha Illyvich:

 

    

1. How long have you been writing?

 13 years roughly.

2. How many books have you written?

I think I'm actually at over 40 novellas right now.

3. Obviously erotica is your passion, but exactly what is your favorite part about writing about it?

I can't really say I have a favorite part about writing erotic stories other than the ability to use my imagination or play with fantasies I might be too chicken to live out.  Or in reality, there are no true shifters/vampires etc.  Not in the same sense of how we think of them anyway. 

4. What exactly led you to write erotica?

The more I thought about this the more the answer truly was "So I could get laid."  But not like one of them pretentious assholes who says they write highbrow erotica but someone who truly understands human sexuality. 

5. Do you answer fan mail, and if so, and yes I'm being serious, because you write erotica, have you ever had any letters where people have written to you saying sexual things to you? (You don't have to answer this, if you don't want to!)

I do answer fan mail.  And let's say I've had some interesting email conversations over the years. 

6. Out of curiosity, does writing erotica ever "turn you on?" as you are writing it? (feel free to ignore this question if it offends....)

If it's a really hot scene and the inspiration is from someone I love or care about (or have fantasized about) then yeah I do get the urge to take matters into my own hands just so I can diffuse my pressure.  Warning, all people are fodder for writers. 

7. When you read books, do you too, visualize the scene in your mind?

Yes I do indeed.  If the writer has done their job well then this is easy. 

8. Do you read erotica?

Not so much these days.  Mostly I read erotic romance, cigar and wine trade magazines, when I have time to read.  Which, isn't a lot sadly.

9. Who is/are your favorite Author(s)?

I'm really loving Rhyannan Byrd's BloodRunners series.  Before that, JR Ward, Joey W. Hill have special places in my heart. 

10. Where did the idea for this book about "Burning for Derrick" come from?

Oddly this may read like an episode of Burn Notice but the idea for this story started a few years back.  There was a former publisher this was targeted at because I knew the editor and she promised me a slot.  The premise originally had to do with a drink (an Old Fashioned) and how the bartender set up odd couples.  Over time my plate became full on other current projects so I put this one back because I had nothing more than just that idea.  It would be two characters that shared a common goal, to be in old fashioned love.   Somehow, over time I grew angrier with life and the story took a different road as I realized it just needed to be written.  My two characters became jaded, real.  The heroine grew into a witch who fronts one of the larger Death Metal bands in the US, the hero, an ex spy. 

11. Why did you make Derrick a Puma?

Might have something to do with pumas being something I like and are different enough for the readers who enjoy shifter romances.  I had been teasing a friend about writing a puma story for months and when this idea had time to be written, it had a different title.  One afternoon I was smoking a cigar, in fact it was the "Puma" by Gran Habano from their Azteca line.  When I realized what I'd done and the timing of both writing the book and smoking the cigar it just seemed funny and kinda like fate stepped in.

12. The cigar smell described in this book, cocoa and something else, is "that" what "you" smoke?

Yes.  Those cigars are Don Cervantes, put out by ACC Cigar.  Cocoa, earth, sweetness, dark chocolate.  That'd be the flavor profile of the Tres Maduro which Max smokes.  Derrick is more of a Masterpiece Platinum guy because he enjoys the slightly earthier notes.  Plus, the maker of the Don Cervantes line is a friend of mine and a chance to name drop for him is one I'll take when I can. 

13. The character Sonja where did the idea of her come from?

I just started listening to Devildriver and Katatonia about the time I started this book.  I wanted a vocalist for the heroine, one who could sing as well as scream.  But the scream had to work for me, because I’m very picky about my music.  Mostly vocalists.  I wanted a singer who could be believed could carry the power she had, plus go forth with the Slayer tribute at the end.  I wanted someone who possessed Angela Goscow's terrifying screams to meld with the power I created behind the heroine.  She needed to be a little unsteady too.

14. Why did you choose Russians to come after them?

Why not?  In Communist Russia, They come after the Russians! 

15. As you were writing the ending, were indecisive as to what choice you would personally make for the ending?

You must have heard my rant about killing off people.  The final non Russian villain is actually based on someone I had the misfortune of meeting online.  I'd make a stupid comment about a certain holiday in May that involves drinking and piñatas and she branded me a racist.  Seeing how that's not true, I decided my villain would be racist and I'd kill her because she hated shifters.  Believed they were an abomination and Gods Will was to kill them.  What I WANTED to do was violently kill someone who pissed me off.  I wanted to kill her violently, sort of in the style of what you'd find on Metalocalypse.   The book after all is a "heavy metal" romance.  But I didn't want readers feeling the brutality would eclipse the romance I built up, so she just got knocked out and taken into custody.

16. Can you please provide for me all of the information as to where to find this book, links etc? (If it hasn't yet been released, can you provide a release date or estimated one?)
Currently, this book is in the loving hands of Saritza Hernandez of Corvisiero Literary Agency and is being shopped around.   I imagine it'll probably have a Winter 2013 release or early Spring 2014 release.  By the way, I'm currently editing Max's story.  I think you'll enjoy that one as much as you loved Burning for Derrick, since it's Derrick's brother's story.

17. Any last words or thoughts you would like to share:

Nothing really special.  I'd like to thank all of my readers, both old and new.  You make this career worth every agonizing minute and I'm forever grateful. 

18.. Now can you provide for me your own personal links, web site information, etc, so readers can learn more about you:

https://www.amazon.com/author/saschaillyvich

http://saschaillyvichauthor.com

http://www.write-sex.com

http://www.facebook.com/saschaillyvich

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2928546.Sascha_Illyvich (I do read as much as I can when I'm enjoying a cigar and libation)

   

Thank you Sascha, for allowing me to do this for and with you, it has truly been an honor. I have learned a great deal, and had a wonderful time while doing so!

~