• Character Interviews,  Contemporary

    Meet Julia Bennett from Locked Box #Contemporaryromance @Eve_Dangerfield #RLFblog

    Meet Julia Bennett from Locked Box, a contemporary romance by Eve Dangerfield.

    Author Bio

    Eve Dangerfield has loved romance novels since she first started swiping her grandmother’s paperbacks at the age of fourteen. Now she writes her own unapologetically sexy tales about complex women and gorgeous-but-slightly-tortured men. Eve currently lives in Melbourne with her lovely sister and a rabbit named Billy. Locked Box is her second novel.

    About the Book

    Title Locked Box
    Genre Contemporary Romance
    Book heat level (based on movie ratings G, PG, PG13, R): R
    Julia Bennett isn’t having a great day. Funding for her video game is running low, her IT job is sucking her dry and to cap it all off she’s locked in a police station with the very handsome, extremely married guy she’s been avoiding at all costs. Max Connor isn’t having a great year. He’s getting divorced, his best friend is squatting in his spare room and his inappropriate crush on the IT girl is getting dangerously out of hand. And that was before he locked the two of them in an evidence room for the weekend. Surrounded by three decade’s worth of drugs, guns and floppy disks, Max and Julia are forced to confront the heat that lies between them with dangerous, funny and occasionally toe-curlingly sexy results.

    Introducing Julia Bennett

    Welcome to Romance Lives Forever! We’re happy to have you here today.
    Name: Julia Bennett          
    Age: 24
    Gender: Female
    Birthplace: Brenthill, Victoria, Australia
    Profession: IT woman and game designer
    Describe your body and build, skin tone, height and weight. Include any unique features such as dimples, freckles, or scars.
    I’m super tall with light brown hair, hazel eyes and freckles. I burn very easily in the sun and can get away with not wearing a bra, which I do almost all the time because… Why wouldn’t I.   
    Who is the significant other in your life?
    Max Connor, I’ve been crushed out on the guy for years which was particularly painful when he was married.
    Please tell us a little about yourself.
    I’m a white trash girl who grew up in rural Australia. When I was a kid all I ever did was eat cheese toasties and play video games so it made sense that I tried to go into professional gaming. I didn’t have a lot of success; gaming is expensive and I’m a woman but my best friend and I are working on our own first person shooter game Scarlet Woman. I’m not great with people, especially guys, especially guys called Max Connor
    What kinds of things do you always carry (in pockets or purse)?
    Mints (for unexpected kissing) Condoms (for when things progress further), two USB storage devices, an external hard drive, lip balm and a bunch of unwrapped cough lollies that have merged into a superball of grossness.
    Are you involved in your community?
    I’m involved in my community in the sense that my sister and I adopt dozens of stray dogs and let them clog up our house and garden. This annoys a lot of our neighbors but if they complain we go around to their house with a couple of the saddest looking dogs and tell them to take them to the pound if they hate dogs so much.
    How do others perceive you based upon looks, and is this assumption accurate? In the IT industry and the gaming world being a woman is a huge setback. You might think being young and I guess conventionally attractive would be helpful but it really isn’t. People think you’re stupid, that you slept you way to a job or that you don’t know what you’re doing. They also expect you to be nice which is bull. I’m an amazing coder but I’m shy and not really that nice, unless you’re already my mate or you bring me coffee.
    Can you keep a secret? Why or why not?
    I’m an IT person, I know so much dirt about so many people it is unhinged. Basically nothing surprises me anymore. On that note I’m good at keeping secrets, mostly by stuffing them down and pretending they don’t exist because I don’t want to be thinking about your google history when I pass you in the hallway.
    How do you handle challenges?
    By curling up under my duvet and eating toasted cheese sandwiches until someone else makes me take responsibility for my life. I know that sounds bad but I have confrontation issues. Unless by challenges you mean ‘gaming related challenges’ in that case I drink a shit-tonne of Red Bull and I go to war.
    How emotionally expressive are you to others?
    I express my emotions mostly through grunting and fixing/breaking your electronic devices. Emotions are not my strong suit. I probably shouldn’t be telling you this but I’m extremely susceptible to guilt trips. I’ll give you my kidneys if you make me feel guilty enough.
    What would you like to tell your writer?
    Cheers for making me look semi-cool but you really went into a lot of detail with the sex stuff didn’t you? I mean I don’t care but Max is going to be super embarrassed when he finds out. He hasn’t gotten over his whole ‘fine upstanding gentlemen don’t spank people’ thing. Also please write a sequel about my sister. Ash’s story needs to be told. To take the spotlight off me.

    Buy This Book

    Amazon http://www.amazon.com.au/Locked-Box-Eve-Dangerfield-ebook/dp/B01CMU56O0
    Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/locked-box-eve-dangerfield/1123469512
    Kobo https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/locked-box-1
    iBooks https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/locked-box/id1086307872?mt=11

    Author Social Media

  • Character Interviews,  Erotic

    Interview with Henry Webb from Becoming His Master @MQBarber #RLFBlog #EroticRomance

    This feature includes a book cover, blurb, buy links, short questionnaire, and social media contacts for the author.

    About the Book

    Title Becoming His Master (Neighborly Affection #4)
    Genre LGBT erotic romance
    Author Name M.Q. Barber
    Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R
    Blurb (up to 300 words)
    From rescue to romance…
    Teach a wounded submissive the value of his service. The task ought to be an easy one for an experienced dominant like Henry Webb.
    But novice Jay Kress challenges his teacher like no other. Still bearing the bruises of an encounter outside the bounds of safe consensual play, Jay is desperate to submit to the man who saved him—and shamed by his desires.
    Henry recognizes the dangers of a relationship built on hero worship. He’ll teach Jay how to stay safe, that’s all. He won’t take advantage of the younger man’s trust. He won’t share his fantasies about his dark-haired, athletic student. He’ll never claim this submissive for his own…
    Becoming His Master is a Neighborly Affection series prequel that tells the origin of Henry and Jay’s relationship in their pre-Alice days.

    Buy This Book

    Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Becoming-His-Master-Neighborly-Affection-ebook/dp/B00ONTR8AY
    Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/becoming-his-master-mq-barber/1120611649
    Kobo https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/becoming-his-master
    iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/becoming-his-master/id936584977?mt=11&uo=4

    Author Social Media

    Interview with Henry Webb

    What is it that you want, but cannot have? Authors call this the conflict of the story.
    What I most desire is an impossibility—to have met Jay, my sweet-natured submissive, before an odious predator led him down a path toward harm. Failing that, I want to see him whole and happy. As a submissive and as a man, he’s a delight. He’s quick to learn and eager to please. He has a ready smile, a fit body, and an incomparably beautiful soul. But he needs a mentor, not a lover. I’m pledged to help him find himself. I cannot do that if I self-servingly bend his desires toward me.
    What’s your internal limitation? Meaning, what is it about you that makes it so you cannot do what it is you need to do during this story?
    I’m told, by well-meaning friends, that my self-denial at times borders on masochism. I suspect there’s a bit more to it than that, but it’s true that I hold myself to an ethical standard that many others do not. Flawed I may be, but I would rather take care in imposing my will on others rather than later discover I’ve caused an unforgiveable result.
    What inner doubt causes you the most difficulty?
    That I am not, and cannot be, a mind reader. Most dominants I know — the good ones, at any rate — want to provide the best experience for their submissive partners, whether for a single night or a lifetime. Alongside the granting of authority and power comes the expectation of omniscience. I strive to know my submissives, to gauge their moods and their desires, to recognize when they long for more and when they have had enough but fear saying so would disappoint me. But I am not a god. Like any man, I make mistakes. The consequences of an error can be harsh, both emotionally and physically.
    What’s your external complication? In the story world your author created, explain what it is you fear most.
    I fear that Jay, in his vulnerability, will return to the man who hurt him. The urge to belong is a powerful one — and a dangerous one. I am attempting to encourage his independence, but he is beautifully submissive. He yearns to be owned. If I cannot teach him to prioritize his own safety, he will return to a poisonous relationship rather than remain alone.
    Are you happy with the way your story ended? Why or why not?
    I am delighted. Jay has surpassed all of my expectations. I could not have imagined this joy in my life. But having found it, I am loathe to allow even a minute to slip away.

    About You: Questions for the writer.

    You have the length of a tweet (140 characters) to describe yourself as a writer. Let’s see what you can do.
    From a flurry of ideas channeled through a ballpoint pen, sweetly erotic literature emerges.
    Why did you choose to write about this character?
    Henry spoke to me. When a character is so insistent about telling his story, it’s impossible to push him aside. He’s a bit unusual for a fictional dominant, and I found his style intriguing.
    Was there anything you discovered about this character that was a surprise to you?
    Becoming His Master was my first chance to write a novel-length piece from Henry’s perspective. “Surprise” might not be the right word, but he astonished me with how deep his caretaking streak runs and how thoughtful he is about the plans he makes for his submissives. Being a good dominant is a lot of work!
    When you wrote about this character, what made you the most happy? What made you the most sad?
    Henry makes me happiest when he’s happiest, which is almost always when he’s guiding someone else toward a better place in their life. He’s very good at seeing problems and working out the necessary steps to surmount them — for others. He’s not as good at turning that perception on himself, and I think he makes me saddest when he denies himself the things he wants.
    What do you want to write next?
    It’s always such a tough decision! I jot down ideas when they come to me, so by the time I finish one book, I tend to have a pile of ideas for other books waiting. Recently, I’ve been debating whether to follow the same characters for a little bit longer, start following some friends of theirs, or move to a different set of people entirely — ones who’ve been waiting a while for their turn in the spotlight.
    What other character from this book do you want to write about? Care to tell us why?
    Oh, there are half a dozen other characters whose stories I’d like to tell. But the ones most likely to get their own books someday are Henry’s best friend Will and his friends Victor and Emma, the couple who mentored him in dominance and submission. They all have lives I’d like to explore further.
    Are any sequels planned for this book?
    In a way, all of the Neighborly Affection series books are sequels to Becoming His Master. It’s the first novel chronologically, because it shows us Henry and Jay as their love story began.
  • Character Interviews,  Gay or MM

    Meet Picayune from Beloved Unmasked #gayromance @britaaddams #RLFblog

    Meet Picayune from Beloved Unmasked by Brita Addams.

    Author Bio

    Born in a small town in upstate New York, Brita Addams has made her home in the sultry south for many years. In the Frog Capital of the World, Brita shares her home with her real-life hero—her husband, and a fat cat named Stormee. All their children are grown.
    Given her love of history, Brita writes both het and gay historical romance. Many of her historicals have appeared on category bestseller lists at various online retailers.
    Tarnished Gold, the first in her gay romance Tarnished series for Dreamspinner Press, was a winner in the 2013 Rainbow Awards, Historical Romance category. The book also received nominations for Best Historical and Best Book of 2013 from the readers of the Goodreads M/M Romance Group.
     A bit of trivia—Brita pronounces her name, Bree-ta, and not Brit-a, like the famous water filter. Brita Addams is a mash-up of her real middle name and her husband’s middle name, with an additional d and s.

    About the Book

    Title Beloved Unmasked   
    Genre Gay Romance
    Book heat level (based on movie ratings R):

    Introducing Picayune/David Reid

    Welcome to Romance Lives Forever! We’re happy to have you here today.
    Name: Picayune, later David Reid
    Age: at the time of this interview, I’m 24.
    Gender: male           
    Birthplace: Storyville, New Orleans
    Profession: Survivor.
    Describe your body and build, skin tone, height and weight. Include any unique features such as dimples, freckles, or scars.
    I’m tall, tanned, and slim, with a full head of dark hair that needs pomade.
    Who is the significant other in your life?
    You’ll have to read Beloved Unmasked to find out. I’m not being coy, here, but it’s best you read about it.
    Please tell us a little about yourself.
    As a boy, I spent as much time as I could out my mother’s way. She hated me. She named me Picayune, for crying out loud. What kind of mother does that? Said I didn’t deserve a last name. With a great deal of help, I’ve overcome a lot, but something tells me I’ll never stray too far from Picayune. To forget him would do him, and me, a great injustice. I plan a better future, but I’ll always wonder if I deserve it.
    How do you dress?
    As a kid, I worked for the ragman, as well as Mr. Anderson, the mayor of Storyville. More often than not, I wore baggy overalls, with one broken buckle, but, what’s that, right? My yellowed shirt itched and was at least two sizes too big. My shoes were something. Nester, the man who took care of all us kids at the Gem, he tied my soles on with rope.
    Nowadays, I like my suits and two-tone Oxfords. Emile says I spend too much on clothes, but I tell him that is born of deprivation.
    I’m told I’ve got a Cajun accent. I used to talk like everyone else in Storyville—dese, dem, doze, but people don’t take you seriously when you sound uneducated. I’ve spent many hours trying to speak like the people I went to school with. Now I sound like them, except when I get excited, and I still have an accent.
    Are you book-smart, self-taught, widely-experienced?
    All of the above. I read a lot and I was a good student. I raised myself on streets where you learn quickly, mostly things you shouldn’t learn. Nester and Miss Effie, they kept me straight. I never got into trouble, though Sapphire, my mother, saw fit to discipline me, mostly for no good reason other than she was angry at something.
    On what special skills do you rely?
    I draw and play the piano. I have a fair-to-middling singing voice, too. When I draw or play, nothing else matters.
    Are any of your skills a source of pride or embarrassment, and if so, which ones and why?
    Miss Effie always said we shouldn’t be prideful, but I’m a fast learner. King Oliver himself taught me to play piano and he didn’t mess around. He’d play a few notes, then tell me to play them. I’m proud I learned all I know about music from the king himself, and from hanging out at the Funky Butt Dance Hall. They had a kid over there, Louis Armstrong. Man, could that boy play that cornet of his.
    Do you care about what others assume about you?
    Don’t we all care about what others think of us? I have more secrets than most people I know, but to defend myself, I’d have to reveal them. Spence calls that a double-edged sword.
    If someone from your past showed up, who would you most want it to be, and why?
    All my life, I’ve thought about who my father might be, but there’s no way of tellin’. The why in that question is obvious. I’ve read stories about families, but they don’t have anything to do with me.
    Can you keep a secret? Why or why not?
    Sure, because I have so many of my own.
    What is your biggest need?
    I want someone to love and who’ll love me. *Bows head*
    How do you handle challenges?
    Straight on. That’s how Nester taught me.
    What is your breaking point?
    In the book, Beloved Unmasked, Ms. Addams wrote about it. A man has to make a decision and stick to it. That’s what I did. Let’s just say it has something to do with a broken broomstick.
    How emotionally expressive are you to others?
    I have my moments. I’ve spent a long time finding my heart.
    Who in your life has the power to hurt you the most and why?
    The person who loves me. He has my life in his hands.
    What would you like to tell your writer?
    Thank you, Ms. Addams, for being patient with me. Some of the stuff you pulled out of me wasn’t easy—for either of us.
    What would you like people who hear your story to know?
    We are all responsible for our happiness, and we have to be a person someone wants to care for.

    Buy This Book

    Publisher http://dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6961
    Amazon  http://www.amazon.com/Beloved-Unmasked-Cherished-One-Book-ebook/dp/B015VNYQE6/
    Barnes and Noble  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/beloved-unmasked-brita-addams/1122712062
    ARe  https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-belovedunmasked-1897343-367.html

    Author Social Media

    Website/Blog  http://britaaddams.net
    Monthly column at The Novel Approach http://thenovelapproachreviews.com
    Please stay in touch by subscribing to my monthly newsletter https://www.facebook.com/BritaAddamsEroticRomance/app_100265896690345
  • Erotic

    Meet Bernadette Holt from Commanding the Billionaire #romance @Andrea_Dalling #RLFblog

    Meet Bernadette Holt from Commanding the Billionaire.

    Author Bio

    Andrea Dalling lives in the sexy Southeast, where the summers
    are hot and the romance hotter. She loves to torture her characters but eventually
    rewards them with a happily-ever-after.
    Married to her college sweetheart, she’s an ally and an advocate
    for LGBT rights. When she’s not writing, she enjoys gardening at her Raleigh home
    and scuba diving in the clear blue waters of the Caribbean.
    For news about her upcoming releases, sign up at http://eepurl.com/00WxP or visit her website
    at http://andreadalling.com

    About the Book

    Title Commanding the Billionaire
    Genre BDSM Romance
    Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R
    It takes a strong man to surrender to a dominant woman.
    Bernadette Holt isn’t looking for love. A child of divorce, she
    knows it’s just a lie. All she wants is a man who can handle a good spanking. At
    her five-year high school reunion, she meets up with Max—the geek who once followed
    her like a puppy—who’s grown into a successful entrepreneur and a sculpted hunk
    of man muscle. As devoted as ever, he seems eager to obey her orders. Max’s humble
    adoration slowly wears down the barriers around her heart, but she doesn’t trust
    those feelings.
    Tech whiz Max Martinov is CEO of a billion-dollar company, where
    he makes tough decisions all day. At home, he wants someone else in charge. Bernadette,
    with her steely exterior and soft heart, has been his dream girl since high school.
    The tall, beautiful redhead carries deep wounds from childhood that he longs to
    help heal. But when the ghosts from her past resurface, his love may not be enough
    to save her.
    This novella is for a mature audience. It contains scenes of
    pain and gentleness, sweet kisses, sensation toys, a well-equipped dungeon, a bossy
    Domme, and a confident sub who sometimes gets too toppy.

    Introducing Bernadette Holt

    Welcome to Romance Lives Forever! We’re happy to have you here
    today.
    Name: Bernadette Holt
    Age: 23
    Gender: Female
    Birthplace: Pennsylvania
    Profession: MBA student
    Ethnicity/Species (if not human): White Anglo-Saxon Protestant
    Describe your body and build, skin tone, height and weight. Include
    any unique features such as dimples, freckles, or scars.
    From the age of twelve, I’ve towered over other women. Almost
    six feet tall, I used to try to hide my height. Not anymore. I’ve embraced who I
    am, a bossy, voluptuous, wasp-waisted woman who dominates men for their pleasure
    and my own.
    Who is the significant
    other in your life?
    Most of my relationships were casual, until Max Martinov came
    back into my life. We went to high school together, and he had a huge crush on me.
    I didn’t appreciate him then, the baby-faced geek who was barely shaving. But he’s
    all man now, a self-made billionaire, broad-chested and sexy as hell. He makes me
    feel beautiful, and he’s the only person who’s ever really seen inside my heart.
    Please tell us a little
    about yourself.
    I had a pretty normal childhood until my mom left when I was
    nine. Like a lot of kids, I blamed myself for the divorce. My dad isn’t the most
    affectionate person, so it’s difficult for me to bond with other people. I don’t
    trust love. It’s let me down too many times.
    How do you dress?
    Outside of a professional environment, I tend to show some skin.
    I’m not a clothes horse, but I pay attention to my image. Dressy clothes, carefully
    applied makeup. My long, wavy hair tends to look a bit tousled. I suppose I generate
    a sort of sexual energy. Most people are intimidated by it, but it draws in the
    type of strong, self-assured men I’m interested in getting to know better.
    If we could only hear
    your voice (but not see you) what characteristic would identify you?
    I’ve got a raspy voice, and I’m not exactly shy. You can hear
    me coming. I tend to stand out in a crowd. I’m not looking to be the center of attention,
    but I tend to get noticed. Which isn’t necessarily a good thing. Some people judge
    me harshly because I don’t meet their stereotype of what a nice girl should be.
    I gave up trying to please those people a long time ago. I can’t be someone I’m
    not. I spent a lot of years trying to, and it made me miserable. The kind of man
    I’m looking for likes me just fine the way I am.
    Are you book-smart, self-taught,
    widely-experienced?
    I don’t consider myself book smart, even though I’m working on
    an MBA from an Ivy League school. I like hands-on experience more than theory—applying
    practical solutions to practical problems.
    What is your viewpoint
    on wealth?
    My mother was a pediatrician, and my father a corporate vice
    president, so I’d describe my upbringing as upper middle class. But I spent most
    of my childhood feeling isolated and unhappy, so I don’t believe there’s any real
    connection between wealth and happiness. As long as you’ve got enough to get by—a
    warm bed and a full belly—that’s what matters. A loving family is the most important
    thing, and no amount of money can buy that. (Believe me, I know.)
    What kinds of things do
    you always carry (in pockets or purse)?
    I keep a black bag in the trunk of my car that contains my emergency
    Domme supplies: wrist cuffs, a short-handled crop, sensation toys. I’d never want
    to disappoint a man in need, especially if what he needs is stern discipline. ;)
    Do you see morality as
    black-and-white, or with shades of gray?
    My morality is based on the Golden Rule. I treat people with
    respect, and I expect the same in return.
    If someone from your past
    showed up, who would you most want it to be, and why?
    I’d want it to be my mom. I lost her to cancer when I was in
    college, and I miss her every day. I have so many questions about my childhood,
    things I never really understood. Like why she didn’t sue for custody, when she
    knew my dad and I had a difficult relationship. I’m still haunted by that all these
    years later.
    Can you keep a secret?
    Why or why not?
    My whole life is a secret. No one knows I’m a Domme except others
    in the BDSM lifestyle. A lot of people misunderstand BDSM and especially dominant
    women. I’m not cold or cruel. Most of the men I’ve dated have powerful jobs. In
    their personal life, they want to let go of control and let someone else make decisions.
    I help them find balance.
    What inner doubt causes you the most difficulty?
    Ever since my mom left, I’ve felt unlovable. The fact that I
    don’t meet that petite, demure feminine ideal reinforces that feeling. Having a
    man kissing my feet drives away those feelings of inadequacy. But those feelings
    always come back when I’m alone.
    What are your biggest
    hopes and dreams?
    My goal is to be a C-level executive for a Fortune 500 company.
    In my heart, I want marriage and children, too. But I don’t see that happening to
    me, that fairy tale little girls dream of. I didn’t experience a lot of love growing
    up. I’ve got no reason to think the future will be any different.

    Buy This Book

    Publisher Artesian Well Publishing
    Amazon http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0189TSKPU

    Author Social Media

  • Suspense

    Aislinn Salameh Seduction in Sierra Leone #Suspense @olivianightread #RLFblog

    Meet Aislinn Salameh from Seduction in Sierra Leone.
    Author Bio
    Olivia Night, a
    fictional character herself, has always been an avid reader and writer. She
    found the romance genre in college and has never been able to get enough. One
    sleepless night, the main characters of Book One in her Men of FTI  series
    sprang from her head fully formed. They demanded she tell their story; so she
    did. As they revealed themselves, so did two other intriguing characters. Those
    characters convinced her to give them their own books because their stories
    were worth telling too. And so Olivia suddenly became a romance author. When
    Olivia is not writing, she has the best job in the world, which, too, will
    remain a secret. In her free time, she reads, write, drinks wine, or is, most likely,
    out emulating Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Olivia lives in one of the most diverse
    and vibrant cities in the U.S.—Baltimore. She lives with her cat, which she is
    convinced was a gladiator in his past life. Olivia plans to continue being
    awesome at this thing called life. Really, that’s her only goal.
    About the Book
    Title: Seduction in Sierra Leone, The Men of FTI Book 1
    Genre:  Contemporary, Romantic
    Suspense
    Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R
    In the mangroves of
    Sierra Leone, two strangers raised a world apart find themselves inextricably
    connected. Seduction in Sierra Leone, the first in a series of three
    novels, is a fast-paced tale of murder, lust, and love that transports the
    reader to a foreign and mysterious world of danger.
    Aislinn Salameh, an
    American relief worker, is searching for purpose in her self- imposed lonely
    world. The stranger who enters her village on a blistering hot day seems more
    animal than human. She knows she should stay far away but can’t stop herself
    from being drawn to the mysterious man.
    Brandt Fairlane is
    haunted by the sins of his past. Detached from others, Brandt has spent his
    life alone. His line of work is too dangerous for the luxuries of love and
    family.
    When Brandt sees
    Aislinn and her haunting eyes, he knows he must possess her. But when Brandt’s
    past comes back from the dead and Aislinn is caught in the crossfire, it is up
    to him to keep her safe. In order to survive, they must learn to rely on one
    another. As they run for their lives, the heat between them becomes undeniable.
    Now, Brandt must not only protect Aislinn from a madman committed to stealing
    her away, but he also must protect her from himself. Because if Brandt steals
    her body and her heart, he’ll never let her go.
    Introducing Aislinn Salameh
    Welcome to Romance Lives
    Forever! We’re happy to have you here today.
    Thanks! I am happy to be here today!
    Name: Aislinn (Ashling) Salameh
    Age: 26
    Gender: Female
    Birthplace: Maryland
    Profession: That depends on the year. Last year I was a teacher, this year I am a
    relief worker in Africa.
    Ethnicity/Species (if not human): I am Arablc (Salameh) and Greek. Though my first name is Gaelic. My
    mom was a bit nutty. Hence my pretty odd name.
    Describe your body and
    build, skin tone, height and weight. Include any unique features such as
    dimples, freckles, or scars
    .
    I’m super short, and would never be called skinny. I think the feature
    most people notice, or stare at are my eyes. They are a really, really light
    green. Brandt, my man, says they are the color of the inside of a cucumber.
    Who is the significant
    other in your life?
    Brandt Fairlane, CEO of Fairlane Trade International
    Please tell us a little
    about yourself
    .
    I am a currently a relief worker in Sierra Leone. I grew up all over
    and have a hard time settling. I travel a lot because of that and I kind of
    just go where the wind takes me.
    Do you see morality as
    black-and-white, or with shades of gray?
    I think I am more of a situational person. I’m not sure that people
    appreciate situational ethics, but in my experience what is right in one
    situation may be wrong in another.
    What past event causes you
    the most fear?
    Losing my parents. We were abroad when it happened and when they died
    I was truly alone. It was terrifying and that feeling has stayed with me.
    What is your biggest need?
    To feel that I am, in some way, being of service to others.
    If you could make any one
    thing happen, what would it be?
    I would bring my parents back. That, or take away what happened to Brandt
    as a child. But rewriting the past can have repercussions and I’m not sure that
    I would like how that would change the future.
    How emotionally expressive
    are you to others?
    That is entirely up to who it is. I tend to be guarded around most
    people. But I learned to be open with Brandt. It wasn’t the easiest thing for
    me to do, but it was worth it.
    Who in your life has the
    power to hurt you the most and why?
    Well, that would be Brandt. He never would, of course. But when you
    love someone they have all the power in the world. It’s kinda an exchange of
    power in some ways.
    What would you like to
    tell your writer?
    Thanks for sticking with me! I know sometimes I was difficult to put
    down on paper because I tried to keep from exposing myself fully to you. But
    I’m glad I eventually did. You told our story perfectly.
    What would you like people
    who hear your story to know?
    Life can take you on some many different types of journeys. Any
    journey that involves love is the best kind. I hope you love reading about my
    journey as much as I loved experiencing it.
    Buy This Book
    Publisher – Liquid
    Silver Books
    Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Seduction-Sierra-Leone-Men-Book-ebook/dp/B011J74H74/(e-book and paperback
    available)
    Barnes and Noble – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/seduction-in-sierra-leone-olivia-night/1122341426?ean=9781622102426
    Kobo – https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/seduction-in-sierra-leone
    iBooks-  https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/seduction-in-sierra-leone/id1020494392?mt=11

     

    Author Social Media
  • Character Interviews,  Fantasy

    Lyerra Ahdia from The Rose Hunter by @ciaragold #RLFblog #fantasy

    Interview with Lyerra Ahdia

    This interview is designed for your hero or heroine to tell
    readers about himself or herself.
    Tell us about
    yourself, please.
    I was born in the human realm in 1251 AD but shortly after
    taken to Alfheim Haven. I never knew my mother but the other elfin witches
    whispered of her betrayal. My aunt took care of me in the beginning but fled
    when madness claimed her good senses and I was sent to live at the Castle
    Hamingjur where I honed my magick. Some would call me privileged in that
    respect as I had the ear of the Keeper himself until he met the human who would
    become his one true love. I hold no grudges and never did especially after
    meeting my own human.
    Authors call what you
    want but cannot have “the conflict” — what is yours?
    Ah. The conflict. I desperately needed to feel whole again
    but the change toyed with my emotions and stripped me of magick at the worst
    possible times. My greatest gift is the ability to heal, to absorb another’s
    pain and sickness but my affliction rendered me useless to those who needed me
    most. That is, it did until the human came into my life.  
    What can you not do (but
    need to do) during this story?
    I need to feel in control of my destiny. I was sent into the
    human realm to redeem my family’s name. My mother had stolen the Rose of Amondeir,
    and I’d been charged with its safe return to Alfheim Haven, but the change made
    the journey more difficult. Toad spores. I needed my powers to see the mission
    to completion, but the infernal change made me vulnerable and beholding to a
    human. 
    What inner doubt
    causes you the most difficulty?
    I sincerely doubt my ability to find the Rose. The jewel has
    been lost to us for well over 500 human years. 
    The only clue I have is a Templar Knight’s tunic and a medallion my
    mother bequeathed me.
    In the story world
    your author created, explain what it is you fear most and why.
    Everything I’ve ever known about myself unraveled the day I
    met Lucian Willshire.  An elfin witch
    should feel no desire for a human and yet…what I fear most is losing who I am,
    of becoming someone or something different. Unfortunately, Lucian holds the key
    to seeing me overcome my ailment.
    Tell us about your
    significant other, that person who makes living worthwhile.
    From the very beginning, Lucian has set my world on edge. When
    the change fell upon me, he alone restored my magick with just a touch. I could
    not make the journey without his help and while he did so grudgingly, I
    discovered that behind his sometimes gruff manner, hides a man dedicated to his
    convictions, a man driven to effect change for a society bent on turning a
    blind eye to the poor and destitute. He became more than a means to an end and
    each day I fall more in love. Did you know? I gave up my world to be with him
    and I have no regrets.
    What would that
    person say about you?
    Oh goodness. He will say I’m stubborn to a fault and
    determined. I took a risk to follow him into the human realm so he’ll say I’m
    no coward and yet, he’ll also say he understands my motivation, my need to help
    my world thrive by returning the Rose to its rightful place.
    What is your family
    like?
    They’re all witches. Well, not entirely. My extended family
    includes trolls, gnomes, faeries and meddlesome pixies. I am blessed with a
    rather enchanted family.
    What special skills
    do you rely on?
    All elfin witches need faery dust to levitate so while it’s
    useful, it’s not my most valued skill. My most valued skill is my ability to
    heal, but I can also make you see something that’s not there. A most useful
    gift when trying to hide something in plain sight, wouldn’t you agree?
    If someone from your
    past showed up, who would you NOT want it to be, and why?
    The only enemy that comes to mind is Edward Chauss, the late
    Duke of Somerton. A very nasty man who let greed get in the way of true
    happiness. Did you know, he actually kidnapped me in hopes of securing
    possession of Beletania’s Diary? He meant me great harm and all because with
    the diary he’d have access to an endless supply of gold. No, I would not want
    to see him ever again. The mere thought causes my heart to race with
    trepidation. Toad spores, but let’s do talk about something more pleasant.
    Why are you happy (or
    not happy) with the way your story ended?
    I could not be happier. I found my soul mate and love has a
    way of making insurmountable problems seem small and petty.

    About the Author

    Ciara wrote her
    first “under the bed” book at twenty. Another fifteen years passed before she
    bravely attempted another, but she’s been happily writing ever since. A true
    Renaissance woman, when she’s not penning lively stories, she’s reading,
    sewing, painting, camping, sailing or dancing. A recent empty nester, she and
    her soul mate currently live on a modest plot of land surrounded by trees, a
    pond, an array of wildlife and seven barn kitties. .
    What was your biggest
    challenge in writing this book?
    Time. I began this story shortly after writing The Keeper of
    Moon Haven. The project took well over five years to complete. Part of the
    reason had to do with research and finding the answer to my own questions on
    where the Rose could be hidden and why.
    Why did you choose
    this character for the interview today?
    Lyerra has always had a special place in my heart. Her path
    wasn’t easy, but I felt she had the more interesting storyline of the two main
    characters. Don’t get me wrong, I loved Lucian’s character as well, but Lyerra
    is more playful, more willing to divulge secrets about herself that Lucian
    would have been.
    When writing the
    book, what did you discover about this character that surprised you?
    Her resilience and her ability to change and grow. She started
    out as a rather shallow creature in The Keeper of Moon Haven but when she got
    her own story, I discovered how much more there was to her character.
    Are any sequels
    planned for this book?
    Yes. I’ve already started two in fact but again, I write
    slow so who knows when I’ll have either done. The first is her parent’s story
    and this will take a lot of research. I am excited about the project but don’t
    expect it will go very fast. The other is set in 1878 and I’ve yet to figure
    out which characters from The Rose Hunter will make an appearance. The main
    character for this one is a leprechaun.
    What genre(s) would
    you like to write that you haven’t tried yet?
    Maybe steampunk. I’ve written fantasy paranormal, sci fi
    futuristic, historical western, time travel and suspense though to be quite
    honest my favorite to write are the ones with paranormal elements.  
    What would your
    readers be surprised to learn about you?
    That I spent three years as a dental assistant before going
    back for a teaching degree in art. This is my thirtieth year teaching high
    school art.
    Why should readers
    who haven’t picked up one of your books before give this one a try?
    The Rose Hunter is more than a romance. The Rose Hunter is a
    magical journey, a fairytale for adults. Readers will be charmed by a
    meddlesome pixie, intrigued by the mystery of the Rose and delighted by the
    love story that unfolds.
    Is there anything
    you’d like to say to your readers?
    Thank you for taking the journey with me, for allowing me to
    entertain you with my wild imagination.
    Please tell us about
    your latest book.
    Lucian Willshire is
    plagued by thoughts of a fey world and the disappearance of his aunt some
    nineteen years past, but when his friend drags him back to Hamingjur Castle, he
    stumbles into Alfheim Haven once more where mystical beings become more than a
    distant memory.
    Lyerra Ahdia is baffled
    by the sudden emotional changes she’s experiencing until she discovers she’s
    the only witch to suffer “the change” since her mother stole the Rose, a
    special talisman with the power to perpetuate life among those in her coven.
    Tasked with finding and bringing the Rose home, she begs Lucian’s help in
    navigating the human realm. Against his better judgement, he agrees.
                Though
    neither set out to find anything except the Rose, fate has other plans. Will
    love be more elusive than hunting the Rose?

    About the Book

    Title The Rose Hunter
    Genre  Victorian
    Fantasy Romance
    Author Ciara Gold
    Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R

    Buy This Book

    Champagne
    Books   http://champagnebooks.com
    Barnes and Noble http://goo.gl/GXy284
    ARe https://goo.gl/bP39SF

    Author Social Media

    Website  www.ciaragold.com
    Amazon Author Page http://goo.gl/oTWhDG