Curses!

 I’ve made no mystery about my recent string of bad luck. 

My mother’s plumbing problems, my step-father’s health, their car trouble, the death of my printer, one of my dog’s tango with a tick-born blood disease, my desktop’s blue screen of death, everybody in the family getting colds, the tax return that could have saved us, the flat tire. And the Writer Waiting Room.

I began to wonder if I wasn’t cursed. 

But then it occurred to me. The world tries to balance itself on a daily basis. In order to have good luck, one must on occasion have bad luck. In order to experience the bliss of glorious good fortune and joy, one must endure the ravages of truly dismal shitty luck.

It stood to reason that if my luck was bad now, it was about to get really good. Is this line of thinking legit or am I just blowing sunshine up my own poop-shoot? 

Matter of opinion I guess. The thing is, things are starting to turn around. It remains to be seen just how much yet, whether this will be a simple side-stretch or a full-out, skirt-above-my-head, panties-showing twirl. At any rate, I’ve got my dancing shoes on and I’m wearing cute underwear. I’m expecting good things. I’m hoping Fate is a good fucking dancer. 

So that’s my story and I’m sticking to it. That’s how I’ve made sense of the world around me in recent days. Maybe you agree or maybe not, but there’s a logic to what I’m saying and I am a creature of logic. I want, no—I need things to make sense.

Flat

The stroke of bad luck continues.

Husband and I went to Subway for dinner. While inside, I started talking about the possibility of curses. I mentioned something about good luck. Then within seconds, a commercial came on over the radio. It mentioned good luck. I thought it was kind of coincidentally weird. 

After Husband and I ate dinner, we came out and found we had a flat tire.

To the man who asked Husband if he needed help and the woman who stopped to make sure I wasn't stranded and talked to me while Husband walked to the gas station to get the spare tire filled with air, bless you both. Angels come in all shapes and sizes.

My Interview With RC Murphy

My pal Leona Bushman asked if I would interview her author pal R.C. Murphy and I happily obliged. 'Cuz that's how I roll, yo. And I'm so happy I did. It was a hoot! Enjoy.

Hello Renee! Or do you prefer R.C.? Thanks a bunches for doing this interview and telling us about Enslaved. It sounds like a good read.

-R.C. is fine. Though truth be told, I answer to a slew of names. Seem to collect new ones every year.

First off, I love the cover. Nice! Juicy man meat! *wipes slobber from chin* Tell us about Enslaved. What inspired you to write it?

-Ha ha! Thank my editor/publisher Jinxie G. for the hot cover. When she showed me the original picture, I spent days staring at it. What can I say? I’m a sucker for good shoulders.

Enslaved came from, appropriately enough, a dream I had one night. It stuck with me the entire day until I gave in and scribbled down what happened on a Post-It. At the time, I had two other novels, the end of a novella, and a couple short story ideas on the workboard hanging above my desk. But it became apparent a week later that I needed to write this story. Deryck and Shayla were talking. Loudly. This far into my writing career, I know better than to ignore the voices in my head when they start babbling.

The novel rewrites the origins of the incubi. In this world, they aren’t demons. They’re offspring of fertility gods who cavorted with humans. Because of their potential for vast, unchecked power, the gods enslaved the incubi, forced them to sleep with humans in a realm called the Inbetween—not quite the dreamscape, but not the human realm where they’d be able to absorb the energy of the humans they service.

Very few of the incubi know of the out clause. Deryck becomes the first incubus in ages to be given the chance for freedom. He needs help from an office aid named Shayla. However, her history with men is downright ugly. In the end, she holds the power to determine both of their fates.

In the agonizing, thrilling, maddening pleasure-pain experience that is writing, what is your favorite part? Least favorite part?

-My favorite pare of writing has to be getting through the first chapter and realizing, yes this story is awesome. The feeling doesn’t last very long, especially when I get into the middle of the book and start thinking the plot is dragging, when in fact it is going just fine. I’m all about instant gratification, waiting to see the finished product is hell.

Do ideas come easy to you or do they fester in your mind like a canker worm until you bolt upright in bed screaming, “Okay, okay, dammit!”?

-It depends on the project. Some ideas will wake me up, or prevent me from sleeping until I at least take notes. Other ideas have to be coaxed like a shy lover, but once I have them where I want them, they’re amazing.

Speaking of creepy things, your website is a cool dark themed place. Me like. Do you like horror movies? What’s your favorite?

-Thanks! The skull on the banner of my page is named Yorick. I took the photo myself one day in a fit of boredom.

I love horror movies. They’ve been my bread and butter since I was a child. My love of all things horror is inherited from my father, may the gods bless his soul. That love of horror is what started my writing endeavors, back when I thought I could be a screen writer at all of 18. It also lead me to a seasonal job working at The Grove Haunt in Sanger, CA.

As for my favorite horror movie . . . A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors. I watch it at least 30 times a year. It is one of my comfort movies and by far the best of the ANoES series.

You mentioned a pretty awesome list of things that make R.C. Murphy happy, music being one of them. Any artists or song that helped inspire or motivate you to write Enslaved?

-Enslaved had a rather weird soundtrack. Actually, it had two soundtracks because Deryck and Shayla have vastly different tastes in music. Any time I’d swap POV (point of view), I’d have to swap stations on Pandora. For the most part Shayla’s soundtrack was Evanescence, Flyleaf, and Apocalyptica. Deryck’s included Five Finger Death Punch, Slipknot, and Stone Sour. There were also times when the tension in the book was so thick, any noise at all made it difficult to write, so I hunkered down in my cave/office and wrote in silence.

Last but not least, this addiction to puppy breath. What helped you overcome it or did you succumb? I’m uh…*cough* asking for a friend.

-There is no cure for puppy breath addiction. You just accept it and cuddle All. The. Puppies. Of course, you must ask permission from the pup’s owner before you rush over to get your fix.

You can get your copy of Enslaved by R.C. Murphy at Just Ink Press and  http://www.amazon.com/Enslaved-The-Inbetween-Novels-ebook/dp/B00BFGG2VO

Crimson

Today is release day for Crimson Volume 1 with Breathless Press! *cheers* Best of luck to all the authors and here's to some great sales! *raises glass of virtual champagne*

My Interview With Deadra Krieger

I consider myself an animal lover. My first experience with Breathless Press introduced me to yet another animal lover Deadra Krieger, my editor for the Ravaged anthology. What follows is my interview with her. Enjoy!

Hi Deadra. Welcome to my blog! Let me say thanks for doing this interview with me. Thanks, Deadra!!!

And thank you for having me!

First things first. What are you currently working on? Any deadlines creeping up over your shoulder? What does 2013 look like for you with regard to writing projects?

I've got several deadlines nipping at my heels. Starting in January, I'll have a new series of four books coming out every two months. The Faxfire Series is a cross between a paranormal romance, an urban fantasy with a dash of mystery. The story follows a animal behavioral therapist who also happens to be an animal empath as she helps solve paranormal cases. I also have a few other various books I plan to try to write. You can find more details on the In Progress section of my website.

For those out there new to your work, tell us a little about Ruff Love. What inspired you to write this story? And where did you get such a cute, irresistible cover? 

I've noticed that many people don't understand that the animals at shelters take far more work than food and shelter. Many of them have suffered abuse, neglect, or other extreme circumstances. They require a lot of connecting on an emotional level to start them on the path to healing and ultimately, the path to being adoptable. I also wanted to help Kathy, the owner of the rescue in the story, so I thought it'd be a good way to help by advertising Kat's Kennel and Rescue and donating royalties.

As for the cover, the lovely Victoria Miller from Breathless Press had full rein *ahem*, I mean reign to make me something cuddly. I think she did an ace job!

I read on your blog you’re a Pagan by religion. Tell me about that.

I am! Believe it or not, from the moment I was born I could hear animals like I can people. It's not the Doctor Dolittle, they talk in English thing. It's more like growing up in a home where someone uses sign language to interact. Your own mind automatically translates everything into a language you understand, but you know how to talk back in their own. It has allowed me to rehabilitate many animals that most people couldn't, because I was able to talk to them in a way they understood. Becoming a Pagan was just kinda natural given my unnatural "ability."

What’s your writing lair look like? Do you have a room all to yourself? Decorated and organized or functional and chaotic?

Functionally chaotic. J My desk is in the corner of my overly large bedroom. I thought it would allow me to hide from my kids while I was busy... That didn't go so well, but it's mine and it's home.

What are you daily writing goals? Do you have a certain daily word count you try to achieve?

Ha! I don't even have monthly writing goals, unless it's NaNo. No, I write as the story flows and when I do sit down and write (maybe a couple times a week) I usually get about 2-3k out. 

What about hours? Are you a daytime writer, nighttime writer or an any-time-I-can type a word kind of writer?

A nighttime writer, hands down. When the kids are in bed, the work is done, and the house is quiet. I put in my MP3 player and type like a psycho.

Do you have any other creative interests besides writing? Tell me about those.

I cross stitch, I can crochet blankets and scarves, I paint statues, I draw; I'm a jack of many trades and a master of none.

What is your biggest inspiration? The things, people or ideas that get you really fired up and keep you going?

My biggest inspiration is actually more a phrase my mom used to say, "If not you, then who?" If I don't write the books, if I don't work with that animal to help it rehabilitate,...if I don't wash those dishes (LOL) then who will? Sadly, the answer is often, "No one," and I can't live with that.

Boxers, briefs, or commando?

I'll just say I'm 75% Scottish, and we all know the saying about Scots. ;)

Deadra's story Ruff Love:  True Tails of Rescue is available at Breathless Press. 

Hot Wings

Coming soon from Ellora's Cave...

The first in a new series!

Hot Wings!

An Awesome Interview and Even Awesomer Giveaway

Okay, so maybe awesomer isn't a word. Yet.
Here follows my totally sweet interview with Leona Bushman. I had a lot of fun doing it and look forward to doing more.

Hi, Leona! Thanks for letting me interview you, Facebook-Twitter-Breathless Press- anthology buddy!

You're welcome! We've had fun, haven't we? Get us going and twitter breaks down! Or steams up, depending on the fun we're having ;-)

So, what are you currently working on? Any looming deadlines? Monkeys on your back? By the way, what do your monkeys eat?

OH good lord. I have SEVEN contracted items. Although one is on proposal. I'm past due on that one. Have to do a rewrite. *frowns* That one's a fantasy. I'll get it done. Watch me. That's the biggest monkey on my back and it eats brains…wait, maybe it's a zombie!! Oh, monkey just told me it's not my brains it's eating. That's been long gone. It's apparently chomping on my muse now and then, but calling it love bites.

The others, well, they passed while this taunted me in my inbox. I have The Captain's Christmas I just finished pre edits for, I'm going to try to get into a service anthology. But that deadline is looming and I've barely started what I think will be a regency. I approved my new cover for the Naughty Nursery Rhyme I have coming in November. That's always a blast. They make some pretty hot covers at Breathless Press.

And, I had another edit deadline for my short in the Crimson anthology and that one's about vampires :D Speaking of bites. There are others (sequel to The Ulfric's Mate for example) that I'm working on in between all this craziness.

For those folks out there new to your work, tell us a little about The Ulfric’s Mate and the inspiration behind the story.

The Ulfric's Mate is a shapeshifter suspense romance. I live on the Yakama Nation Indian Reservation, I'm married to a descendant of the confederate tribes, so it was natural for me to want to set my book here. But there was this guy, Nolan, and this woman, Alex, and they WOULD NOT SHUT UP. Here I was trying to write this awesome devil's son with a soul story, and they kept chatting away in my head. Finally, just to shut them up, I wrote a short story sent it off to two publishers that took short paranormals. One said, I like this, but what about this, and this, and that? Make it longer and resubmit. I told the devil's son he'd have to wait his turn and rewrote and resubmitted. She—my editor— said yes. *Cue screaming and loud music* It made my holidays!

We’ll be appearing in the Breathless Press Crimson anthology next year. What’s the title of your story and what is it about?

*Lets out a happy dance squeal and tries not to wake up the house* I love that we're in another one together. How fun is that!!

Daryn's Slayer is the title and it's, as I stated, a vampire short. It's set in Victorian times even though I wanted it set earlier. Stinking Muse. Kept making me change it. *Glares at muse in remembered frustration* However, my story has a twist. *forgives Muse as remembers the brilliance of this twist* If this short is well loved, then I'll make a full novel and build this world even more. The biggest difference in my book is that vampires can walk in daylight—if they have werewolf blood to feed from. It creates a symbiotic relationship with them that can cause many problems even as it solves others. Without Werewolf blood, they burn in the sun.

Our heroine, Ernestine Primrose, is the granddaughter of a werewolf. A nasty coven of vampires kills her grandmother and she becomes a slayer. She knows what she wants and goes after it, whether it's killing a vampire or kissing one.

She is returning from a vampire kill when she meets Daryn whom she thinks is hotter than any vampire has the right to be!

Daryn Lancaster III is a black sheep among his fellow vampires, just trying to stay out of the evil coven's leader clutches. Together they make sparks fly. *Note: My editor will likely make a much better blurb. I'm no good at that LOL I want to tell you all the awesomeness that I've fallen in love with about my characters. I've had to pull back here. Especially with Daryn. I could go on forever about his hotness. Whew.*

And it's now occurred to me that my hostess now has a sneak peak at my story for the Crimson anthology and I have yet to know hers. *crosses arms* Don't think I didn't catch that little extra deviousness here.

What’s your writing lair look like? Is it naughty or nefarious like a dungeon or bright and cheery like nothing bad ever happens there?

HAHAHAHAHAHA LAIR? I have three kids still at  home, 11, 8, and 3, the last has Down Syndrome and is VERY high functioning physically. My writing space has things I've put up out of his reach, some of my painting things, lots of art and writing books, and paper. Loads of paper. And movies for me to listen to while I work. And, when the older two use my space, I then end up with all sorts of extra things…

What’s your daily goal? A certain word count you like to achieve?

That's tricky. Before I had so many different things in different stages (from idea, to rough draft, to polishing, to submitting, to editing, to marketing) I had a goal of 7k. I can make it too. Now, I'm aiming between 3-5k. Couple weeks ago, I wrote 21k in less than 72 hours. When I know where I'm going, nothing can stop me. Except a hungry three year old.

That would stop anyone. You just can't ignore a hungry child.

And your hours. Daytime author, nighttime or any time I can type a word in edgewise? Btw, I don't think typing edgewise is possible.

Edgewise is what I do best :D Daytime has become more for edits and organizing my time, with as much edgewise writing as I can get in. The nighttime, *strokes the night, pets the darkness* why it's the time your dreams and muses have a chance to run and play if you'll only let them out. *kisses muse and pinches cheek* *you're a good muse*

Now you also paint. Tell us about that. When did you start? What do you paint? Materials of choice?

I love to paint. It all started when I needed two more credits to be a full time college student, 9+ years ago. I took an experimental 2 credit oil pastel class. I. Was. Hooked. I have five children, two are now grown, and have had to work, so I've taken classes here and there. (it's been three years now. Boo!) But I took an art class every quarter I was in college. In the middle of all this, I found out I had cancer. Painting got me through. That class got me through. I sometimes go months without painting because of life around me. But then it overwhelms me, and I HAVE TO PAINT.

I like to paint photos I've taken. But in reality, I paint whatever I want to paint unless I've been commissioned for something. I've done abstract, knife work, realism, and in between. But my paintings that seem to impact people the most are of a style I call, "Expressionist impressionist".

Mostly, I use oil paints for painting, Ultrech and DaVinci being my brands of choice. Which probably means little to most people LOL But DaVinci has a great texture for knife work. I use little to no mediums, just straight paint when using a pallet knife for painting so texture/consistency is important in my paints.

But for drawing/sketching, I use oil pastels, soft pastels, and charcoal the most. Oil pastels will always hold a special place in my  heart for introducing me to my artistic self.

What is your biggest inspiration? The thing(s), people or ideas that get you really fired up and keep you fired up?

Inspiration? That's tough. Wanting to improve my children's quality of life is what keeps me working even when the odds are against me. That, and that I need to write in the same way I need to paint. If I'm going to write anyway, might as well make life better while doing it. Right?

My kids inspire me all the time to do better. The ideas that get me fired up are injustices and cruelty. I'll get madder than a wet hen being chased by a wet cat. Oh, you mean, happy fire?

Feedback. Positive, constructive feedback. Whether it's someone telling me which of my paintings are their favorites, my CP telling me what she loved or didn't love so much about something I've sent her, or a reader telling me they downloaded my book and finished it already because they couldn't put it down—it's happened more than once!—I love having people take the time to look at my work and care enough to tell me what they think. It's an amazing feeling. Wanting to have my kids proud of me—er, they don't read these books. They just know momma has them out and *gasp* people are buying them—and to show them you can go after a dream, keeps me going even when I get the rejection letters, or my sales don't hit fifty shades of neutral color stardom. :P

I'm curious, what gets you all fired up? *grins* You have that purty red hair. I'm sure something gets you fired up…

By the way, did you know that Alex has red hair, even as a wolf. She's very pretty in wolf form. I like red. Always wished my hair was red. And, sorry Nolan, but she sort of took over the story when we went to the longer version. But no worries, they all make a comeback in the sequels. I'm writing two of the sequels simultaneously. Talk about a glutton for punishment!

See. I TOLD you it'd be a hoot.

Wanna some free books? How's about a copy of Leona Bushman's The Ulfric's Mate and Ravaged featuring stories by Leona, myself and a bunch of other awesome authors? Both books are published by Breathless Press. It's easy peasy. Just leave a comment! Told you it was easy. :)

Here's some cover yum to tempt you.