Book Review: Dive: a short story by Kory M. Shrum

Dive: a short story
by Kory M. Shrum
Kindle Edition, 36 pages
Published April 2nd 2014 by Timberlane Press
A young woman uses her supernatural abilities to find her parents' killer.

I read Shrum’s novel Dying for a Living (review) and knew she was going to be on my must buy list. Dive is a short story (only 36 pages), but you get a whole story about a young woman whose life has been shaped by vengeance after witnessing her parent’s murder. Of course our heroine/anti-heroine isn’t any normal woman. She has the ability to move through shadows and water into other places and worlds…some of them terrifying; giving her a means to carry out that vengeance.

This is a wonderfully dark story. What would you do if you had a power you could use for good or evil? I hope we will see more of Lou and her world.

4.5 “How’s the water?” Sheep

SharonS

About the Author:

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Kory M. Shrum lives in Michigan with her partner and a ferocious guard pug. When not writing, she can be found teaching, traveling, and wearing a gi. Her poetry has appeared in North American Review, Bateau and elsewhere.

MystiCon 2013

 Last year I attended MystiCon 2012 (recap here) and was thrilled when they ask me to attend MystiCon 2013 as a guest blogger! Bloggers and Reviewers are an important part of online promoting for authors and publishers and we are starting to get recognized as such. 

See the mountain?

MystiCon is a three day affair in the beautiful mountain town of Roanoke, VA and hosted at the Tanglewood Holiday Inn. It is a small con in size, but big in heart. A large percentage of people who attend dress up and this year Dr. Who was the theme! This might have something to do with the fact that Peter Davison who played the 5th Doctor from 1981-84 was a guest. You couldn't move without bumping into a Doctor, Dalek, Tardis or a Weeping angel.

It was so packed with convention lovers, they had to stop selling badges by lunch on Saturday because of the fire code rules. (I think that number was 1300.)

You can go here to see a list of all the guests like Orson Scott Card, Larry Elmore, and Peter Davison.
Here is the program

I Smell Sheep had a table set up from 9:00am-10:00am. I made this board to tell people about what we do and the blogging world in general. If you sent me swag I had it on the table for people to take! :)

Next, I taught a basic self-defense workshop for women. We had about 8 show up. It was the first time I taught this workshop by myself. I think all the ladies learned something and definitely had a good time beating up on the pads.

Afterwards I had a few hours to wander around and check out the vendors, buy some stuff for my kids, check out the Steampunk Dalek and the cool costumes. (pictures above)

At 1:00 I was on my first ever panel: 
Blog Much? 
James Fulbright (M) (blogger, convention expert), Brandon Blackmoor (gamer), David Halperin (author), John Hartness (author), Sharon Stogner, Steven H.Wilson (podcaster)
It was so much fun. We had quite a diverse group of panelists. I was the only "entertainment" blogger and only woman, the rest had personal blogs. We talked about how to make your blog/website successful and some nuts and bolts about websites plus answered a few questions from the crowd. We had a good number of people considering Orson Scott Card was doing a talk at the same time.

My next panel wasn't until 5:00 so I had the best turkey club croissant sandwich of my life at the hotel restaurant! Then off to my next panel.

Publishing on the Download
Stephen Zimmer (M), Richard Cook (author), John Hartness (M), Clare Sieffert (artist), Sharon Stogner, Steven H.Wilson, Scott Nicholson (author)
This was for people interested in e-publishing. I am not an author but I do help promote and that was one of the topics covered. Unfortunately, Stephen Zimmer got sick and couldn't make it. Fortunately, author Scott Nicholson showed up and stepped in to fill Stephen's spot. Now there is a man who knows about e-publishing. I was a little out of my league with these people but still managed to provide some valuable input. The ever funny author John Hartness moderated the panel.

John Hartness was wearing kick ass boots!

I am so glad MystiCon asked me to be a guest and I hope to do it again next year (hint,hint,hint) I was also excited to meet Scott Nicholson face to face for the first time as well as his wife. He gave me two signed books: October Girls (YA) and Dirt (graphic novel) that I will be giving away at a later date. I was so starstruck I forgot to get a picture with him!

The best thing about conventions is you can enjoy them no matter what your age!

Margerat Fowler from New Bern, NC and baby Grogan from Radford, VA

Book Review: (ARC) Immortally Yours by Angie Fox

Immortally Yours (Monster M*A*S*H #1) by AngieFox

IN THE WAR BETWEEN THE GODS…

No one patches upthe incoming wounded like Dr. Petra Robichaud. Recruited by the gods for heruncanny medical skills, she’s the best M*A*S*H surgeon in the army. Along witha nosy guard sphinx, vegetarian werewolf, and other paranormal paramedics, shebandages soldiers who are built like Greek gods (literally). But when one sexyimmortal ends up on her operating table—half dead and totallyto-die-for—Petra’s afraid she’ll lose her patient and her heart…

NOTHING IS MORE DANGEROUS THAN LOVE

Commander Galen ofDelphi is one gorgeous but stubborn demi-god. When his spirit tries to slip outof his fatally wounded body, Dr. Petra has to slip it back in—unwittinglyrevealing her ability to see ghosts. Now that Galen knows her secret, he’sconvinced she’s part of an ancient prophecy. If the oracles are right, Petracould lead Galen’s army to peace. And if he seduces her on the way to hell andback? Heaven knows—all’s fair in love and war…

This is an action-packed, fun paranormal romance. If youliked Angie Fox’s Demon Slayer series, then you are going to be pleased withthis one too. Immortally Yours is the first book in Fox’s M*A*S*H series, andlike most series debuts it has some growing pains. The first third of the bookis spent trying a little too hard to be funny, but after that the humor becomesmore realistic. The world-building isn't overwhelming and I really liked theclever and fresh premise for the series. Once the story starts buildingmomentum and the action picks up, I was invested in the characters and enjoyingthe ride.

The New Gods, a more hip and progressive group, havedeclared war on the Old Gods and the two have been fighting for over 700 years.As long as neither side gains the upper hand the fighting is contained inLimbo, a red flat wasteland, and the humans on Earth have no idea of what isgoing on. If one side does gain an advantage, then there will be naturaldisasters on Earth. Most reviewers have been emphasizing the Greek gods in thestory, but the war involves past gods and goddesses from many differentmythologies. However, our smexy hero Galen is a Greek demi-god. To help in the war the old and new gods are allowed to recruit people from Earth with supernatural origins, like vampires, werewolves, and Fae. Thereluctant heroine, Petra, is a half-fae doctor from New Orleans and wasrecruited by the New Order Army to help patch up the soldiers at a M*A*S*H unitin Limbo. While this seems like a great opportunity, there is one catch, youhave to serve in the army for the rest of your life or until the war ends.

Galen is Greek demi-god perfect. He is loyal,trustworthy, compassionate, and sexy as hell. Angie deviates from the normalPNR formula of a woman helping the emotionally damaged hero believe in himselfand trust love by having Galen be the emotionally stable one and he has tofight tooth and nail to make Petra believe in him and the prophecy. Yeah, youcan’t have a story about mythological creatures and not have a prophecy. Petrahas the forbidden ability to see and talk to the dead, but if the gods knew they wouldkill her. There's a quirky set of secondary characters thatincludes Petra's roommates: the brooding vampire, Marius, and a werewolf namedRodger who has a wife and pups back home he will never see again, but myfavorite is Jeffe. He is a Sphinx and is in charge of watching over therecovery room. He's a nice enough guy, just don’t let him trick you intoanswering a riddle. While the overall tone of the book is humorous Angiedoesn’t forget that war is also about fallen and the families torn apart whenloved ones must serve. No one wants to be in the M*A*S*H unit and it is easy tofall into despair, but that is where hope comes into the story in the form of asix pack of abs, a prophecy and love.

The M*A*S*H unit follows the news on PNN, Paranormal News Network so Angie has created a PNN website for fans to enjoy. Be sure to check it out here

3.5 “wailing and hair pulling” Sheep

SharonS (edited by BAK)

Book #2 comes out Feb 26, 2013

Even during a truce, Dr. Petra Robichaud has her hands full as the M*A*S*H surgeon to an army of warring gods—especially when Medusa herself turns up pregnant. Petra has no idea what to expect when a gorgon’s expecting, but she won’t let it turn her to stone. As the healer-hero of an ancient prophesy, it’s Petra’s job to keep the peace. But as the lover to a warrior demi-god, she knows how impossible some jobs can be…

Commander Galen is sexy, strong, and sworn to lead his team to hell and back. But when he announces to Petra that he can no longer risk her life for his love, the doctor is on her own…Until a mysterious new entity—in the form of a hot-blooded male—enters the picture. Can he be trusted? Can he be resisted? Meanwhile, an oracle delivers another prophesy that places Petra back on the frontlines with the man she may be bound to for eternity—in love, or in war…

Angie Fox

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Angie Fox is the New York Times bestselling author of several books about vampires, werewolves and things that go bump in the night.

She claims that researching her stories can be just as much fun as writing them. In the name of fact-finding, Angie has ridden with Harley biker gangs, explored the tunnels underneath Hoover Dam and found an interesting recipe for Mamma Coalpot’s Southern Skunk Surprise (she’s still trying to get her courage up to try it).

Angie earned a Journalism degree from the University of Missouri. She worked in television news and then in advertising before beginning her career as an author. Angie enjoys making up fun quizzes and thinks you should take one right now.

Sheep Interview: Paranormal Romance Author C. J. Ellison

Would you go to a hotel that catered to Paranormal creatures? You know:

Vamps, Weres and Wizards...Ohhhhhh myyyyyy...

Yeah, me too! Author C.J. Ellisson writes the Vampire Vacation Inn series, and the third book Big Game came out this year. So let's go check in (see what I did there?) with C.J. and find out some interesting things. (And by that I mean talk about vampires and sex, duh!)

Sharon: Hello CJ! Welcome to the Flock…drink some Kool Aid and eat some moon pies and let’s talk Vampires!
Katie: Now we're talking!
C.J.: Thanks for having me, ladies! *drinks the kool aid* Woo-hoo, let’s get started!

Sharon: You are a new author to me, so could you tell me and the Flock a little about your Vampire Vacation series…and where Katie can get reservations?
Katie: And phone numbers.
C.J.: The series is set in an isolated region of Alaska, above the Arctic Circle. Picture a fully self-contained seasonal resort for vampires and other supernatural critters. A place where they can take their everyday masks off and be themselves. Spooky and sexy all at once, right?

I don’t blame you, Katie, I’d like to go, too!

The first book starts out with a murder. Our loving couple who run the resort tries to find the killer without upsetting the ongoing sexual fantasies of their guests.

Sharon: Why Alaska?
C.J.: It seemed like the perfect location for vampires. When I thought of it as a seasonal spot during the long winter nights, I wondered why no one else had set a vampire story there yet. When I posted my work on writing.com for feedback, one of my reviewers pointed out that someone had -- 30 Days of Night, a graphic comic later turned into a horror film, was set in barrow (which was where my inn was originally located).
Sharon: Is your series more PNR, mystery or the perfect balance of both!
C.J.: I’d love to say it was a perfect balance, but the true PNR fans will notice there is no actual romance in the book, just lots of sex. Apparently when categorizing a book that detail matters ;-)

By romance guidelines, I couldn’t have a happy husband and wife. I’d have to break them up and bring them back together, creating conflict in the series between them for it to be labeled a true romance.

I’m not a cookie-cutter mold type of writer, so I ignored the standards and wrote the story I wanted. It’s part mystery, adventure, intrigue, has some humor and dark parts, and sex. The first book has more sex than the other two in the series, but it’s still there.

Katie: Who's your dreamboat vampire and why?
C.J.: Hmm… I’d have to say Jean Claude from the Anita Blake series. More so in the earlier books than when she started collecting men, but he’s definitely at the top of my list!

I like him for his understated sexuality and control. He waits as long as it takes to win Anita and he accepts her for who she is, no strings attached.

Sharon: Got to agree with you, all that long dark curly hair! *swoon*
Katie: No strings? Well how about handcuffs?
C.J.: Are you quibbling over the handcuffs? I’m not so sure I would!

Sharon: Can the books in the Vampire Vacation series be read as stand alones?
C.J.: I think so and I’ve had some reviewers read them out of order, too. The first book really is sex heavy. I find readers either love it or hate it. Book two and three are told in a different manner, from multiple points of view, and the overt sexuality associated with Vivian in book one is watered down when we’re in other POVs.

Each book does have its own adventure, even though a larger over-arcing storyline is hinted at and builds through each book.
Sharon: Katie, this is the second time she has mentioned all the sex in book 1… I am starting to think there might be a lot of sex in the first book…;)
Katie: *note to self: get first book*
C.J.: LOL! Love you guys! Yeah, I mention it often because no matter how many times I do, I still get readers that are shocked at the sexual content. Personally, I think they must be living under a rock to not know what is in so many bestselling vampire series.

Sharon and Katie doing Shocked faces

Sharon: Are there any supernatural creatures you plan on introducing into the series, like mermaids or Fae or Thor…there should always be Thor, just saying…

C.J.: Agreed! There should always be a Thor. In my mind Rafe kind of looks like Thor, but a bit more rugged.

There are werewolves in the series and mention of witches. In the last book I introduce wizards, who are not born with magic like a witch would be, and shifters, beings that can change into any animal.

I’ve debated on whether or not to have multiple species of Were animals, and I might down the line. A novella I’m writing with Boone Brux this fall will combine her grim reaper world with mine. We plan on sending her new reaper to my inn to tangle with some of the resident vampires while she reaps some ghosts on the property. I’m really looking forward to that one!

Katie: Is there such thing as "too much" vampires? I mean really?!
C.J.: I’d say that is up to the reader, wouldn’t you? I know I got tired of the alpha vampire, alpha were, alpha male whatever who comes on strong and the semi-strong heroine who falls for him and his line of alpha-ness. I think the beauty of lots of authors and tastes means we’ll always get to find something interesting to read!

Sharon: You know what happens in New Orleans doesn’t stay there <G>. I intercepted a facebook status about AAD that implicates a certain vampire author, beads, and men…got anything to say <G>?
Katie: And before you answer this just know that I will be at the Vampire Ball in New Orleans so I need all the deets on where to go!
C.J.: LOL! Holy crap was that fun! We started calling it “objectifying men” when we went out cruising the streets. Buy some cheap beads, holler til you lose your voice, and throw the plastic bits at good-looking men. Damn, my kind of town!

My camera ate some of the best shots (bleeping piece of crap!), but one reader got one of me and this totally hunky French guy named Roman. I was at least 15 years older than him, but he was so freakin hot I couldn’t have cared less. I swear, when I get that picture it’s going up at my desk.

The entire atmosphere made me feel sexy and desirable. Young guys wanting to talk to us even if they didn’t have a snow ball’s chance in getting lucky with any of us? Man, it was heaven. I could go on and on about those magic nights objectifying young men… ahh… so awesome.
Sharon: You go girl! *secretly hating CJ for getting to go, and crying on the inside because I couldn’t*
C.J.: Come to Savannah, Sharon! And you too, Katie! I’ll be there and I would LOVE to party with you both. If there isn’t a party going on, I make one. Yup, I’m that dedicated to having fun when I’m finally allowed to leave my computer. ;-)

Sharon and Katie doing objectifying men faces

Sharon: Was this your first time to AAD and would you recommend this event to other authors and readers?

C.J.: Yes, it was my first AAD event and YES I would recommend it to both. I’m going back next year and I hope to go back every year Stella will have me. It was so different than RWA or any other convention I’ve been to. Some of them were very writer-centric, which is okay, but this one was totally focused on readers.

Readers are why we write. To chat and hang out with people who love the same stuff we do? Who appreciate the fictional characters we fall in love with in not just our own series, but other series as well? Priceless! Picture the best book club meeting you could ever imagine, then multiple it by like a thousand.

Sometimes we talked books, just like a regular meeting, but other times we just talked. You’ll find that the people who read books with open-minded philosophies regarding sexual orientation, love, and religion are very similar to you when the cards are on the table. I can’t even say that about the real book club I’m in at home.
Sharon: I have been trying to decide which con at attend next year and I think you just made up my mind J
C.J.: Woo-hoo! I’ll buy you a drink, my dear. We’ll chat and have a blast.

Sharon: What is the nerdiest thing you own?
C.J.: Hmm… nerdy, that’s such a personal opinion, you know? Cause sure as sh*t we all felt super cool when we bought whatever it was. I was at an ICON back in college at SUNY and bought some Star Trek holograms. Which I think my husband still has in frames somewhere. Or maybe the Dr. Who action figures I bought a few years ago? *shrugs* I embrace my nerdiness like Sheldon from Big Bang. It is what it is, so why quibble?
Sharon: We encourage nerdiness around here…I have the delux Optimus Prime and BumbleBee transformers on my desk as well as a Thor hammer (not the fun one, but a nerf one)
C.J.: Way cool! I think I bought my husband a Picard Borg action figure. Wonder what he did with it…

Sharon: Which Disney Princess’ life would you like to live?
C.J.: Oh God, I’m not sure. I’m really not a “the hero must save the day and save me” type of chick. I really liked Mulan. She was kick ass with the sword. I think I wouldn’t mind having her mad skilz.

Sharon: lol! That is the one I liked most, too. Good choice.
C.J.: Let’s bring plastic swords to AAD 2013. When they dress up for the Elemental Ball we’ll go as sword wielding kick-ass chicks. LOL!
Sharon: OMG, I can bring the swords! Really…see? I have Gumdo swords too!

Katie: What's the best way, in your opinion, to catch a vampire?
C.J.: I think that would depend on what you’re hoping to catch. I met this incredible man, John Edgar Browning, who discussed the “real” vampire lifestyle prevalent in New Orleans and other cities. He had so much knowledge on the topic it was fascinating simply spending time talking with him.

I’m not saying that’s my thing, but I respect that everyone has a right to choose to live how they want (as long as it doesn’t hurt others, kids, or animals).

Now, if you mean the PNR kind…. Hmm… the protagonists in those books don’t seem to do anything to get that lucky! They seem to be either in the right place at the right time, or were somehow destined to be with the vampire.
Damn, I really have no good advice on that one—sorry!
Sharon: That’s okay, Katie is pretty good with a net <G>
Katie: And a tranquilizer gun. *evil laugh*
C.J.: Oh! I bet both of those will come in handy on my mission to objectify men in Savannah. The men there are a more… umm… sober…. species of men then what we found on Bourbon street. They might need some extra persuasion rather than plastic beads and cheap booze. Bring them both, Katie!

Sharon and Katie show mischievous hunting faces

Sharon: Is there anything coming up you would like the readers to know, appearances, releases, where you hide the Girl Scout cookies?
C.J.: That’s funny because my daughter actually is a girl scout! I’m going to be in Bouchercon in early October, which is a mystery convention held in Cleveland. Then I’ll be at the Anne Rice Vampire Ball in NOLA, hopefully partying with Katie!
Sharon: *stomps feet* I wanna goooooo!
C.J.: We’ll bring you back pictures of us both cozying up to hunky vampire guys.

To answer your question regarding releases, I’m finishing up a manuscript right now that is near and dear to me. I’ve never written a contemporary erotic romance before and I have no idea how well it will be received. My alpha readers are loving it, but I worry they are just being super nice.

The book is called VANILLA DOM and it may be out this fall. Depends on which publisher I decide to sell it to. I’ll be sure to keep you posted!
Sharon: I don’t mind vanilla, but a little hot fudge sauce is nice <G>
Katie: don’t forget the whipped cream…it isn’t a dessert till there is whipped cream…
C.J.: Agreed! I do have a scene in the novel with chocolate covered strawberries… yummy.

Rapid Fire

Grab onto the closest vampire and GO!

Sharon: Deli or bakery?
C.J.: Deli. Unfortunately I’m gluten free.

Katie: Guitar solo or Saxophone solo?
C.J.: Guitar

Sharon: Underground or underwater?
C.J.: Umm… To do what? If it’s making love I’d say underground. That whole “do it in a pool” idea is grossly overrated.
Sharon: I was talking about exploring…gosh! Seems like everything goes back to sex with you <G> (Shhh…I was totally talking about sex, good call)
C.J.: LOL!

Katie: Boxers or briefs?
C.J.: The combo – boxer briefs! Love those tight things.
Sharon: *high fives*
C.J.: Damn skippy. Tight is good.
Sharon: I am amazed! I thought I was the only one who said Damn Skippy! Wesley Snipes kicks ass!

Sharon: Coke or Pepsi?
C.J.:Pepsi.
Sharon: YESSSSS! Finally. I knew you were cool, even though you never did say where you hid the Girl Scout Cookies….
Katie: BOO! HISS!
C.J.: LOL! I stepped into a private battle there, eh? Sorry, Katie!

Katie: Swimming or Jogging?
C.J.: Jesus, neither. But damn, if I HAD to pick one to get in better shape (ugh) it would be swimming. God did not build big-busted women for them to run in comfort.

{Sharon and Katie have no idea what that is like.}

Sharon: M&Ms or Skittles?
C.J.: M&Ms. Is there really any contest? I mean really—they are chocolate, people!!
Sharon: *shakes head in agreement* Do you like the new pretzel ones?
C.J.: L Can’t have them due to pretzels have gluten in them. Are they Good? Please tell me no, they suck.

Sharon and Katie showing sucking faces

Katie: Hot poker or Brass Knuckles?
C.J.: LOL! To beat the sh*t out of someone? Holy cow, that is a funny question. Hmm… The hot poker will give you more reach, but you also run the risk of burning yourself, too. Think I’ll go with the hot poker. Always better to keep your enemy at a safe distance.

Sharon: Suffer in silence or scream like a banshee?
C.J.: Depends on what it is. I’d say mostly it would be suffer in silence. Of course, if it’s something my children have just destroyed I’m going to go with scream like a banshee.

Katie: Sexy highlander vampire or Sexy biker vampire? (this is a win/win question!)
C.J.: Agreed! It certainly is! Damn, the highlander will have that awesome accent and possibly be in a kilt… possibly naked underneath.… the biker will have tatts and possibly be dark n sexy… I’ll go for highlander vamp.

Sharon: Basket of flowers or Basket of Carnivorous plants?
C.J.: LOL! I’ll go with the basket of flowers, please. We’ve had carnivorous plants and my kids managed to kill them all. So depressing.

Thanks so much for visiting and rubbing our noses in the awesomeness that was ADD <G>.
C.J.: LOL! Hey, you all did your research ahead of time and saw the pictures. I was simply confirming that it was awesome.

Thanks so much for having me – it was an absolute blast!

About the Author:

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C.J. Ellisson, author of contemporary fantasy and erotica, lives near DC with her husband, two children aged 11 and 9, two Staffordshire Bull Terriers and a young cat she's newly allergic to. After spending most of her working life dealing with real estate - either as a sales manager in wholesale mortgage banking, a corporate trainer, a Realtor, or as a property manager - she's now writing full-time and happy for the first time in years. Writing has become her passion and to find people want to read her stories feels like a dream come true.

Free

Download the first half of Vampire Vacation here

And the first half of The Hunt here

you can also find these on CJ' website

amazon link to CJ's books

Sheep Interview: Laura Kaye + give aways

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Today we have the lovable and apparently lusty (her words, not mine ;) Laura Kaye! She just released the second book in her Hearts of the Anemoi series, West of Want (and you will want). Stay with us till the end and enter to win an ecopy of West of Want or a West of Want t-shirt!

Sharon: So excited to have you here Laura! Have some moon pies and kool aid *hands Laura a glass shaped like a male torso* It is fun to lick the condensation off the abs <G>

Laura: LOL Thanks Sharon! *slurp* Mmm, tasty. Oh, and thanks for having me here!

Sharon: So I guess we should start with the basics…WTH is an Anemoi?<G> I am thinking not a creature that lives in the sea?

Laura: No! That’s an anemone! Totally different book…*winks* The Anemoi were wind gods the Greeks associated with the weather and seasons. There were four Cardinal Anemoi (north, west, south, east) and lots of ordinal Anemoi (i.e., northwest, southeast, etc.). And they have a great mythology full of power plays, fraternal feuds, lost loves and betrayals!

Katie: Sounds like my kind of story!

Laura: *goofy grins*

Katie: Have you ever written a romance scene that made even you have to stop and fan yourself?

Laura: Uh, yes. Definitely. The consummation scene in my vampire book In the Service of the King is DEFCON-5 hot! And I have a scene in an as-yet unpublished book that melts me! After all, they do say the mind is our largest sex organ… *winks*

Sharon: *innocent blink* What is she talking about Katie?

Katie: Oh my sweet, sweet Sharon.*pats Sharon's head* Don't you worry about it my dear.

Sharon: Got to know how you came up with such a clever idea for your series,using the N,S,W,E. Does this mean there will only be 4 books in this series?

Laura: I found the mythology of the Anemoi after I started writing the first book in the series, North of Need. I thought the hero in that story, Owen, was simply a snowman come to life. But when I tried to write it that way he would not cooperate! He insisted he was a snow god who simply manifested through the snow man, and then I went a-researchin’! Turns out many traditions have attributed the weather and seasons to supernatural entities, but the Greek mythology of the Anemoi captured my imagination in part because they were four brothers, and all of a sudden a series idea was born. Originally, there were only going to be four,but a new character emerged in West of Want, and he just might be demanding his own book!

Sharon: So what you are saying is there are all these sexy men gods running around in your head?...would you mind if we took a look? *sound of bone saw in background*

Laura: Meep! Step away from the bone saw! I die. They die!

Sharon: So be honest…which way does your compass prefer to point? This is a smarty pants way of asking which of the 4 do you like most.

Laura: I think I’m torn between the North and the South (Owen versus Chrysander) – can’t I have them both???

Sharon: how about you take N & S, cause you kind of created them…and Katie and I get E & W?

Katie: But I like the up and down parts!

Laura: Trust me, Zeph has up and down parts like you read about…

Katie: In the PNR world why do you think vamps are such a hit?

Laura: I think vamps are still so popular because they are the ultimate paranormal bad boy—they’re deadly, powerful, mysterious, immortal, and animalistic, and that triggers so many of the reasons people love reading paranormal romance. I also think it’s because their mythology is so flexible—people have offered so many variations on the classic vampire, and that means you can read story after story and not find exactly the same thing twice. Plus, you know, THEY’RE AWESOME!

Katie: Yes, yes I do know that. Le sigh. One day I'll finally capture one in my vampire net trap. I'll show you later how it works.

Laura: Oh, yay, toys!

Sharon: You mention in your bio a “bad dog”. Do tell… 

Laura: I totally have a bad dog, just a good thing he’s so cute! Jackson’s a German shepherd-collie mix we got from the animal shelter a little over 10 years ago. He’s the best dog evah! even when he’s being bad, which includes copious counter surfing, the ability to open and pilfer the pantry,and stealing stuffed animals, among other offenses. *winks*

I think she is telling stories about this cutie!

Sharon: Counter surfing? That is the first time I have heard it called that <G>. Our dog is a wastebasket raider…she is too short to reach counters and she likes to eat money! The paper kind…

Laura: Oh, Jack likes the trash cans, too. And do you know how hard coffee grounds are to clean up???

Sharon: What was the first paying job you ever had?

Laura: When I was 15, I got a job at a mall restaurant called the Orange Bowl, which served pizza, sandwiches, and desserts, but no oranges, interestingly… And I totally developed a crush on a mall security guard, too. LOL

Sharon: men in uniform…even at a young age, women can’t resist.

Laura: Even really tacky uniforms, le sigh…

Katie: If a book could become reality what fantasy world would you want to be sucked into?

Sharon: *makes sucking noises*

Laura: LOL! I’m not even hesitating here: the world of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. My absolute favorite paranormal series!

Sharon: *wipes drool from Katie’s chin*

Katie: No, the drool won’t stop! I want V and Z at the same time.Then John for dessert. Just saying.

Laura: Z is MY male! That is all.

Sharon: Your husband works for the White House, so can you tell us any secrets?

Katie: Yeah but she may have to kill us….

Sharon: But that would be bad PR: “author kills bloggers!”

Laura: *snickers* That might depend on the author or blogger involved! Every secret you need to know you can find in the National Treasure movies… *winks*

Sharon: I knew it!!!

Laura: Stick with me, Sharon, I’ll hook ya up every time.

Sharon: During the zombie apocalypse (cause we all know it is coming) which fictional character would you like to have at your back?

Laura: ROFL! I’ll go with the BDB’s Rhage, cause he could turn into his dragon and eat those mofos!

Sharon: Squee! He is my favorite brother!

Katie: Mmm Hollywood….

Laura: Mmmmmm, Rhage…oh, what? I’m sorry, what were we talking about? I think I was daydreaming for a moment there… *wipes drool away*

Sharon: *hands Laura bib* we go through a lot of these…

Sharon: If every time you entered a room a theme song/music would start playing, what would you want yours to be?

Laura: Bwahaha! Hmm…well, it wouldn’t beMadonna’s “Like a Virgin”… Ooh, I got one! Bruce Hornsby’s “The Show Goes On”

Sharon: *looks around uncomfortably* TMI, Laura, TMI…

Laura: If it’s TMI that this 40-something-year-old woman isn’t a virgin, I don’t know what kinds of women you hang out with!

Sharon: Of the 7 deadly sins, which was the last one you committed?

Laura: I was very lusty yesterday. Take that how you will…

Sharon: TMI LAURA!! <G>

Katie: Again, we shall talk more on this later Laura. Sharon and her virgin ears.

Laura: I am very suspect of these virgin ears… ‘Sall I’m sayin’.

Rapid Fire Round!

Sharon: Raindrops on Roses or Whiskers on kittens?

Laura: Whiskers on kittens! (I originally typedWhiskey on kittens—that too!)

Katie: Coke or Pepsi?

Laura: Coke!

Sharon: *sob!*

Katie: Baaahahahaha Don't hate. Coke is always the clear choice.

Laura: Damn tootin’.

Sharon: wall flower or social butterfly?

Laura: Sadly, wall flower.

Katie: Talking duck or talking monkey?

Laura: I’m going with the duck.

Sharon: AFLAC!

Laura: OMG, yes. AFLAC!!

Sharon: sweet nothings or dirty talk?

Laura: Dirty talk every day of the week and twice onSundays.

Sharon: O_o I’ll let Katie take this one ;)

Katie: lol

Laura: Katie, me doth think the lady protests too much…

Katie: War Hammer or Mace?

Laura: LOL I’ll go with the hammer.

Sharon: *thinking about Thor’s hammer*

Laura: *thinking about Chris Hemsworth* Thud.

Katie: *helps Laura up* Don’t worry, that happens here often…

Sharon: strong arms or strong legs?

Laura: Do I have to choose??? Oh, okay. Strong arms.

Katie: Glory of Love or On the wings of love?

Laura: I’ll go with the glory!

Sharon: school’s in or school’s out?

Laura: Schooool’s out for summer! Schooool’s out forevah!

Sharon: wedding in a castle or in a barn?

Laura: Aw, a castle would be lovely!

Katie: Aye! Aye!

Giveaway!:

One commenter who leaves their email will win anebook of West of Want! Open to international!
A second commenter wholeaves their email will win a West ofWant t-shirt (sizes L and XL available). U.S. only!

Don’t miss the West of Want in the Wild (thru 8/24) giveaway events, too!
"Laura Kaye's captivating writing and vibrant world-building will have readers hooked on the gods of the Anemoi. WEST OF WANT is steamy, spellbinding, and a must-read for all romance fantasy fans." ~Elisabeth Naughton, author of the Eternal Guardians series

Betrayal is all he's ever known, but in her, he'll find a love strong enough to be trusted...



When Marcella Raines' twin brother dies, she honors his request to be buried at sea, never expecting the violent storm that swamps her boat. Though she's gravely injured--and still emotionally damaged from her recent divorce--Ella fights to survive.



Zephyros Martius is the Supreme God of the West Wind and Spring, but being the strongest Anemoi hasn't protected him from betrayal and loss. Worse, he's sure his brother Eurus is behind it. When Zeph's heartbreak whips up a storm that shipwrecks a human, his guilt forces him to save her.



Ella is drawn to the vulnerability Zeph hides beneath his otherworldly masculinity and ancient blue eyes. And her honesty, empathy, and unique, calming influence leave Zeph wanting...everything. When Eurus threatens Ella, she and Zeph struggle to let go of the past, defend their future, and embrace what they most want--a love that can be trusted.

About Laura Kaye:
Voted Breakout Author of the Year in the 2011 GraveTells Readers’ Choice Awards, Laura is the bestselling and award-winning author of over a half-dozen books in paranormal, contemporary and erotic romance. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with all things paranormal. A published non-fiction author, Laura’s work as an historian and training as an archaeologist help her create vivid and accurate portrayals of other times and places. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.
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