Author Interview – Houston Havens

I’m delighted to welcome my Liquid Silver Books pub buddy Houston Havens to my blog today. She has a brand new release to brag about, and it’s a “paranormal fantasy with futuristic, sci-fi, post-apocalyptic elements with hints of erotic pleasures”—all words that make my little heart flutter. New release month is a crazy time, so I won’t keep her long.

1. Hi Houston.

Hi Tara!

Thanks so much for dropping by.

Thanks for the wonderful welcome.

I can’t help but notice that you have not one, not two, but THREE gorgeous shirtless men on your cover. You must tell me more about them posthaste!

Mmm, quite a ménage wouldn’t you say? *Winks*

When the tall, dark, and handsome brothers Drakker and Arlo rescue Fay from the wreckage of her craft, they are immediately attracted.

Arlo is lean and muscled with the striking looks of youth on his side and lives his life leading with his chin. He’s the youngest brother who tends to wear his heart on his sleeve, which is why he instantly falls in love and wants to keep Fay. He’s naive and sometimes judgmental, yet still has an endearing way about him. His one saving grace is he has romantic tendencies that force him to find the deeper meaning of things.

Drakker has brawn and beauty and is the leader of their army. He’s a law unto himself. A pillar of strength, he’s found unique ways to use his war talents for interrogation and domination in the bedroom, methods he’d like to bestow on Fay. Drakker’s a pragmatic and responsible man, he knows he can’t acquiesce to Arlo’s request and keep Fay, even though his erotic nature yearns to seduce her. They must take her to their eldest brother Logan Abán.

Opposite of his brothers, fair-haired Logan is sexy and reserved. He’s the leader of their people. He’s handsome, stoic, and strong willed to the core, but it draws Fay’s sexual curiosity like a heart to love. However, he carries self-blame and guilt for the deaths of his parents. He trusted his gut and it let him down. Now, he struggles to believe anything but facts. He can’t trust anyone, even himself. So when a beautiful spy walks into his life, he denies his desires for her. Fay challenges his need to trust. Fighting his own Sinful Surrender to Fay Avalon, Logan’s frustrated by his brothers’ determination to keep her despite the fact they know she’s a spy. Logan digs in his heels and refuses to trust them or his gut.

2. Decisions, decisions.... So who’s the lucky girl that gets to enjoy the pleasures of these three hunks?

My dark-haired beauty, Fay Avalon, with violet eyes.

I hear she’s a psychic and a spy!

Tenacious and unwavering, Fay Avalon is a psychic spy for her government. She’s on a personal mission uncover the truth and find proof when she’s captured by the alluring and seductive Abán brothers—her enemies. Logan tests her imposed puritan beliefs with the tantalizing enticements of a polyandrous society that calls to her secret fantasies. Drakker challenges her hidden erotic desires with forbidden temptations of bondage and domination, while Arlo tempts her longing romantic heart with poetry, music, roses, and unimaginable love.

3. What do you think is the appeal of ménage romances?

It’s something different. By nature, most of us are fascinated by the unknown, but we don’t want to experience it firsthand … we’d rather read and fantasize about being in a ménage even though most will never do it. So ménage stories allow the reader to do just that. To take a walk on the wild side without ever having to step a physical foot into that erotic world. It gives them a peek into a place they’d never dare to tread. A world they may fantasize about but never venture into in their real lives.

Did any book in this genre inspire you to write your own?

No. I’ve yet to read an erotic romance book. Unlike most who say an author should read books in her own genre, I’m not of that belief… I think it would be too easy to subconsciously write something I read and liked. I stopped reading romance the day I picked up my pen. When I have time to read, I relax with New Age books on remote viewing, out of body experiences, quantum theory, matters of the four dimensions, the paranormal, and other kinds of books. It’s my research. Books like that give me my next series.

4. Who of the three heroes (in your opinion) is the best kisser?

Without a doubt—Drakker. Every woman who meets him is in love with the man.

Would you mind sharing a snippet to show off Fay’s first kiss with Drakker?

When she opened her mouth to reply, Drakker tried to slip a bit of the serum into her mouth. What liquid made it in, she spit out.

“Why are you being difficult?”

Fay tossed him her nastiest, most challenging glare. “I like being difficult.”

He arched one of his sexy dark eyebrows. The sly smirk playing at his lips spoke volumes. “Well, I’m a man of endurance, ma chérie. I will keep at this until I get my serum in your mouth.”

The double entendre didn’t escape her. “I’m sure you will.”

“A woman who wants to be tamed, huh?”

He tried again to get the liquid in her mouth. This time she choked. The thought of rape was preferable to the idea of death by poison. Panic tightened her upper chest. She’d swallowed some of the potion and was already feeling funny from the little bit of liquid she didn’t manage to spit out. “How much of that will it take to kill me?”

He squinted at her as if he were insulted. “I’m not trying to kill you, Fay. This is a truth serum. I’m trying to get you to talk.” He smirked. “I like my women alive when I interrogate them. They make better conversationalists.”

She didn’t believe him. He’d poisoned her. No truth serum she’d been trained to resist had ever made her feel all tingly inside or her body feel hot. Everything in the room took on a sharp focus unlike the other serums that made everything fuzzy. He tried again to give her more of the potion. She could see in those deep blue eyes of his her resistance challenged rather than aggravated him.

“As a rule, I normally wouldn’t do this,” he said, while unbuttoning his shirt. “But since you’re being difficult…”

Her body tensed. Here it comes. Her pulse hit an exhilarated tempo as his white cotton shirt fell to the floor. All she could think about was pressing the soft-looking fabric to her nose and inhaling Drakker Abán’s scent. How bizarre. She should be worried about dying, not craving her killer’s scent. The poison’s playing with my mind. It has to be. She hoped the mind traveler realized this was just too odd for a woman facing torture. The drug was definitely affecting her. She tried to fight the urge to peek at his tanned muscled chest and failed.

“Fay?” His voice strummed her heart like a string instrument, sending erotic waves through her body, arousing her hormones. Drakker removed his boots and socks. She couldn’t rip her eyes from his beautiful feet. The sight of his perfect toes sent another ripple of desire rushing through her. She raised her vision to take in the mesmerizing dark brooding sight of him.

“Fay?”

Her gaze shot all the way up at his call. There was that ghostly smirk again. It was there, in his smoldering eyes. Her blood boiled over with desire.

“I said, normally I wouldn’t do this, but in your case I’m making an exception.”

“Don’t do me any favors.” To her surprise, Drakker took a bit of the red liquid into his mouth. So, he hadn’t lied about it being a truth serum. He moved in, his naked chest so close she could feel the heat of his body permeate hers. He pressed his sculptured lips to hers, and her body went limp with pleasure.

5. One last question: How did you get your start as a writer?

I’d have to say it was my life and in my blood. Telling stories are like breathing... I don’t remember my first breath … storytelling has always just been a part of me. I have a fascination with science, the future, history, myths, and of course—romantic love. Being an Irish lass, it’s only natural for me to see the world in stories. I then combine what I see and know with all the things I enjoy into an erotic tale to intrigue my readers.

Can you give us some insight into the modern-day publication process?

It appears to be pretty much the old process just pushed into the modern age like the rest of us. It is much quicker than in the past when readers had to wait twelve to twenty-four months for the next book from a favorite author. And of course with eReaders, people can carry around hundreds of books with them everywhere they go.

I’m going to let Houston run away now so she can write more sexy stories. For more information about the book and author, just scroll down. Comments are always much appreciated.

Thanks so much for having me here today. It’s been fun!

Sinful Surrender

Top psychic spy Fay Avalon saw too much on her latest mind traveling mission and is now on the run from her post-catastrophic dystopian government, searching for the truth and proof. She escapes but is shot down, landing in the arms of the enemy.

In Drakker and Arlo’s world, women are so rare the men have accepted a polyandrous lifestyle. When the brothers stumble upon Fay unconscious in the wreckage of an aircraft, they are immediately attracted to her. Arlo wants to keep her, but Drakker knows they can’t. They must take her to their brother Logan Abán, leader of their people.

Logan struggles with trusting anyone, even himself. When a beautiful, intelligent, and intriguing woman falls into their laps, his denied desires for intimacy challenge his need to trust the spy. He’s frustrated by romantic Arlo’s claims of her innocence. When pragmatic and dominating Drakker defends her as well, Logan refuses to trust his gut.

Can one woman satisfy the diverse desires of three men? Will Logan’s fears be realized by betrayal? Is Fay to be sentenced to death as a spy, suffer a fate worse than death by being returned to her government as a traitor, or will she find a new life and love as the wife of three sexy brothers?

Buy Links: LSBooks | Amazon | AllRomance | Kobo

About Houston Havens

Houston Havens retired from a successful modeling career and an adventurous jet-set lifestyle to set the world on fire with her erotic romance books. A tenacious Irish lass, she strives to entertain with seductive stories created from her decadent imagination and traces of a provocative lifestyle she may or may not admit to.

Her interest in the paranormal, fascination with quantum science, passion with myths, and the lure of her mysterious Celtic Irish-Druid bloodlines are combined with generally unknown truths, strange facts, and questionable fiction. Her novels reflect a mix of the past, present, and future, with sexy blends of futuristic science fiction, paranormal fantasy, western romance, and always love everlasting.

An author of six romances, a seven book erotic romance series, and numerous articles in literary magazines, she has two award winning blogs. Stop by for a visit and leave a comment at http://houstonhavens.wordpress.com

Website and Blog | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads | Google+ | Pinterest

Author Interview – Alissa Baxter

Continuing with my recent international theme, I’m welcoming fellow Decadent Publishing author Alissa Baxter here today to chat about her Ubuntu line release, The Blog Affair. Set in Cape Town, South Africa, this story features a young writer in search of new beginnings and her sexy boss. Curious? Let’s pump Alissa here with some questions.

1. Hi Alissa, and welcome.

Thank you for having me, Tara!

1b. Let’s start with you (and then we’ll move on to your characters). Why did you choose this city to set your story? Are you a Cape Town native yourself?

I’m not a Cape Town native myself, although I lived in Cape Town for 15 months a number of years ago. I decided to set The Blog Affair there as I like to set books in cities I’ve lived in – I can then portray a unique sense of place.

2. I tend to do the same thing–it does lend quite a bit of authenticity. I’m curious about the title. Is your heroine a blogger? What does she write about?

Yes, my heroine, Emma Bradshaw, is a blogger. She has a pattern for falling for unsuitable men and decides to start a blog about these so-called “serial datists” in order to make sense of her dating past.

3. I’m always very curious about male protagonists, so I need some physical details. What type of “sexy” is Nick? Tall-dark-and-handsome?

Nick IS tall, dark and handsome! How on earth did you guess? ;-)

4. Might have something to do with your cover, but let's keep it a mystery. What kind of chemistry do Nick and Emma have? Can you share a snippet to illustrate their connection? 

“Miss Bradshaw.” His voice rang with a gravelly note. “We meet again.”

She cleared her throat. “Mr. Reynolds.”

“Nick.”

“Um, Nick. I apologize for earlier.”

“No need to. Of course, I don’t normally welcome potential employees spying on me, but I’ll make an exception in your case.”

“But...I...well, you see...it’s just that—”

“Relax!” He laughed. “I’m just teasing you.”

She glared at him, and scrambled around for something to say, but words eluded her.

“Your curtsey was charming, by the way,” he continued.

She sat up straighter in her seat as her fighting spirit came to the fore. “If you insist on bowing to people, dressed in eighteenth century costume, it’s more than likely they’ll curtsey in response!”

“Indeed. Although I must admit you were the only person who did….”

5. As a newbie author, I’m always curious. How did you get your start as an author? What was your path to publication like?

I started writing my first novel, a Regency romance called The Dashing Debutante, when I was 19 and in my second year at university.  I sat next to a publisher on a plane and I happened to have my manuscript with me. I gave it to her to read and she offered to publish my book! Crazy story, but true.

Hey, that's an awesome story! You can probably write a book about it. Since I’ve heard you’re a really busy lady, I’ll let you run off. Thanks again for dropping by.

Thank you, Tara! I’ve really enjoyed being here.

For more information about the book and author, just scroll down.

The Blog Affair

Twenty-something, white, South African Emma Bradshaw has a pattern of falling for unsuitable men and starts a blog about these so-called “serial datists”. Her search for new beginnings takes her to Cape Town, where she gets a job working for sexy author, Nick Reynolds. Romance with her boss is a no-no, but slowly, Nick works his way around her defenses. Trust him, or not, especially with her awful track record with men?

When an anonymous male reader of the blog challenges her on her ideas about the male species, Emma realises she must confront her past and find her true self before she can move forward...and love can blossom again in her future.

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK 

About Alissa Baxter

Alissa Baxter was born in South Africa, and grew up with her nose in a book on a poultry and cattle farm. After school and university, where she majored in Political Science and French, she published her first novel, The Dashing Debutante. Alissa travelled to London, England, and did an odd assortment of jobs while researching her second novel, Lord Fenmore’s Wager, which she wrote after she moved back to South Africa and settled in Durban. Alissa then relocated to Cape Town where she wrote her third novel, Send and Receive, before moving to Johannesburg, where she currently lives with her husband and two sons.

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads 

Author Interview – Nana Prah

If you remember, I spotlighted Nana Prah’s new release, Midwife to Destiny earlier this month. As promised, I now have her in the hot seat and she has some grilling to look forward to.

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Giveaway

If you haven’t yet had a chance to enter her giveaway, it’s still going on! Click on the link below to find out how to win a $20 gift card.

RAFFLECOPTER 

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1. Hi Nana, and welcome to my blog! Since we share the same editor, I’ll start with a writing-related question before we dig into your new release. What’s did Zee obsess *cough* I mean focus on during content edits? (My Achilles Heel was excessive use of passive voice, aka “was” and “were”). 

I’m happy to be here Tara. Oh my goodness I thought I was the only one with the “was” issue. Plus, Zee is adamant when it comes to the “show don’t tell” aspect of writing. If you didn’t know how to show before, you darn well will when she gets through with you. I love my whip cracking editor, she’s made me a better writer.

2. I love her too (and she even let me sneak in a few "were"s).  So that was my attempt to make this a serious author interview. Let’s move on to the good stuff. A birdie told me your romance centers around a doctor and a nurse—can you tell me more about them?

I suppose you want to hear about them tearing each other’s clothes off in the doctor’s lounge when they first meet, like on ER. Didn’t happen. They are too grounded for those kinds of sexual shenanigans (I have always wanted to use that word), but the drama is high when it comes to other aspects. Ora is a fantastic ER nurse who can handle anything that comes her way, well, almost. Jason is a fine ass (I hope I can say ass, here) doctor who is laid low by an extremely stubborn woman.

3. As a devout Grey's Anatomy fan, I love it when doctors get laid low, pun intended. Okay, I'm trying to be serious here. The concepts of duty and honor tend to vary from culture to culture. What exactly was expected of Ora that prompted her to return to Ghana after meeting Jason? Are these expectations typical of Ghanaian society?

Marriage is a gigantic deal here in Ghana. It’s an integral part of the culture. In fact many people don’t think a female is a woman until she’s gotten married and given birth. Ora has fallen into the pressure of this thinking and decided to marry a man she respects, but doesn’t love. She leaves Jason to fulfill this promise. It broke my heart to write it, but the story had to be told.

4. As much as I love learning about different cultures (I really do), I tend to have a one-track mind when it comes to romances. Are you at liberty to divulge details about Jason and Ora’s first kiss? 

Here’s a snippet of their first kiss *giggling*:

Moving away a little, he peered into her eyes. She gathered all of her energy to loosen her arms from around him. In a flash, his lips touched hers in an electric kiss. Their soft fullness glided over hers and when she kissed him back without hesitation, he moaned, sending a rush of heat through her. 

Reality crashed in and she pulled away.

He rubbed the back of his fingers under her chin. “I’ve been waiting to do that for three years. Have a good night.”

5. Oh dear, it seems I need to read your book to find out if she did have a good night.  One last question before you go – How did you get your start as an author? What was your path to publication like?

I wrote a book about five years ago and sent it out. It got shot down. I wrote another one called Love Through Time, this time letting beta readers help me strengthen it, sent it in to a query request on Savvy Authors and it got picked up by Black Opal Books. And now here I am as a multi-published author showing off my latest release with Decadent Publishing.

Since new release month is a busy time for every author, I’ll let Nana run off. For more details about the book and author, just scroll down. Comments are always much appreciated!

Midwife to Destiny (Destiny Series)

Ghanaian nurse Aurora ‘Ora’ Aikins never expected to find the love of her life while on vacation in South Africa. Engaged to another and believing that love has no place in her life, she returns to Ghana, and puts duty and honor first.

Three years later, Dr. Jason Lartey still can’t get Ora out of his mind or his heart. After learning she never married, he takes a risk and moves to Ghana hoping to rekindle what they started. His sudden appearance in Ora’s Emergency Department sends sparks flying all over again. 

They’re in the same country, working in the same hospital, and together but distance creeps between them. Can they make their destined love one for the ages?  

Buy Links: Amazon | Decadent | ARe | Barnes & Noble

About Nana Prah

Nana Prah was born in Ghana, West Africa, raised in the US and currently resides in Ghana where she loves her job as a writer and nurse educator. She has been writing since she can remember (in her journal) and has been an avid reader of romance novels since the eighth grade. She has finally been able to utilize the years and years of inadvertent research into writing her own romance novels where love always conquers all.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

 

Enjoy the following excerpt for Midwife to Destiny:

Ora focused on putting one foot in front of the other as if she were a one-year-old learning how to walk. After turning the corner and seeing the back of his head, she froze. She would know that head anywhere. He’d grown his hair out a little, but his adorable, Will Smith ears gave him away. Initiating the process of pivoting and sprinting out of the ED unnoticed sprang to mind when he turned around and his gaze caught hers.

The air became charged with tension and neither of them moved. Her heart threatened to pop out of her chest with the force of each beat. The nurses stood between them, looking back and forth as if they watched a tennis match. They didn’t bother to hide their expressions of curiosity.

They’d never seen Ora behave in such a manner. Not cool as a cucumber super nurse. Like herself, they kept looking at the new doctor just because of his tall, broad-shouldered, gorgeous stature. The past three years had matured him, adding a few lines around his eyes and the new feature of a goatee with a moustache changed his countenance a little. But otherwise, the same man she’d met three years ago, at least in the physical sense, stood before her.

After an eternity, Ora snapped back to attention. “Akwaaba, Dr. Lartey. Welcome to the ward.” Madam Professional stuck out her hand for a handshake.

Her words seemed to drag him out of his own stupor. “Uh….”

She had rendered the man speechless. Ora’s gracious nature—that’s what she blamed it on, anyway—took pity on him and she touched his shoulder. The contact sent sensual awareness through her and she recoiled her hand.

“Hello, Aurora. Please forgive me. It’s just that I’m a little surprised to see you.”

“Not as much as I am,” she muttered, attempting to squash both the joy bubbling up inside of her at seeing him again and the overwhelming sadness of what she’d been missing for so long.

“Pardon me?” he asked.

“I didn’t expect to see you here. It’s a surprise to me, too.” She tried to smile, but it came out contorted, as if she’d been able to have a painful, rocky bowel movement after being constipated for seven days.