Interview With Ashley Ladd
I sat down (virtually) with Ashley Ladd for a short interview. Today is the release day for Ashley Ladd’s Spooky Sojourn, a MF Paranormal Erotic.
Cynthia Sax: How does Spooky Sojourn start?
Ashley Ladd: Deanna Thompson has just been hired to manage The Gilroy Resort and Hotel in Homestead, Florida and to rid it of the ghosts—or whoever is trying to make the hotel appear to be haunted—haunting it. So she talks to the assistant manager and other employees, then hires a paranormal investigator to help her get to the bottom of the problems. She’s taken aback when the man on the other end of the line has the sexiest, most exciting masculine voice she’s ever heard.
Cynthia Sax: Where is Spooky Sojourn set?
Ashley Ladd: In a haunted hotel south of Miami, Florida.
I think haunted hotels are especially exciting. In this case there are two purported ghosts haunting the hotel, one who likes to cook and throw knives around the kitchen and the other haunts the bowling alley and not only bowls but chases the employees around with pins. This has driven away many guests and also hotel personnel. However, when a romance writing convention stays at the hotel, they request a ghost tour, surprising Deanna.
Cynthia Sax: What makes Deanna and Harry perfect for each other?
Ashley Ladd: They appear to be opposites so this is a story of opposites attract. Deanna doesn’t believe in ghosts and the supernatural. In fact she thinks anybody who does is silly, even strange and immature. Meanwhile, Harry DeVeaux, the paranormal investigator she hires to disprove the ghost theory, whole-heartedly believes in ghosts. They often irritate each other even as sparks fly fast and furious.
When someone tries to kill Deanna, Harry’s protective instincts kick into full gear. He lost the first love of his life to foul play. He’s going to do everything in his power to keep Deanna safe and here with him.
Cynthia Sax: What do you love about writing paranormals?
Ashley Ladd: Paranormal is so much fun, especially ghosts. They get to fly, float, become invisible, jump into bodies, talk through people, and do just about anything they want.
Since this release occurs right before Halloween, it’s perfect timing. The mood is set for spookiness and all kinds of paranormal fun, even in hot muggy South Florida.
Thank you, Ashley Ladd, for joining us today!
Ashley Ladd’s Website: http://www.ashleyladd.blogspot.com
*****************************************************************************
Someone’s trying to kill Deanna, but is it the ghosts she doesn’t believe in, the rich socialite who might be a murderess, or someone else with a beef against The Gilroy Hotel and Resort that Deanna has just been hired to manage? The Gilroy’s owners want the ghosts, or whoever is causing the trouble at the hotel eliminated, and they are pressuring Deanna to do the job as quickly as possible. Harry DeVeaux, paranormal investigator comes highly recommended to do the job and against Deanna’s better judgment, she hires him.
Although Deanna thinks Harry’s crazy for believing in ghosts and Harry thinks Deanna has a closed mind to the possibilities of ghosts and they highly annoy each other, sparks fly. Deanna can’t help but fantasize about Harry and inspired by a romance convention visiting her hotel, writes her fantasies in a private blog that Harry finds, hacks, and reads. Ooh la la!
Buy Now: http://www.totallybound.com/spooky-sojourn
Topics: Author Interviews | Comments Off on Interview With Ashley Ladd
Happy Halloween!
I LOVE Halloween. The Sax household always gives out good candy and we stay open as long as the trick-or-treaters continue knocking on our door. We don’t care how old the little ghosts or goblins are. Everyone is welcome.
I grew up as one of six kids. We were dirt poor. We didn’t eat every day and we didn’t have running water. Yes, in rural Canada and U.S.A., there are still homes with outhouses. We lived in one of these homes.
Halloween was a magical time for us. We’d spend months making our costumes. Once we made Native American costumes out of burlap sacks, sewing each hoarded bead on by hand, plucking feathers from our chickens for our headdresses.
Pumpkins for our Jack O’lanterns would be chosen from our own patch. Each of us would design a part of the face. I might have the honor of designing the left eye of the Jack O’lantern or two of his teeth. The seeds would be dried, salted and roasted for a delicious treat.
On Halloween, we’d rush home from school, grab our pillowcases, and trek to the neighbor’s house. We lived in the country so there were miles between houses. The poor farmers would give us apples. The rich farmers would give us full sized chocolate bars or cans of soda. We’d stay out as long as we could because this was our candy for the year.
My parents charged a ‘tax’ on Halloween candy (because they didn’t have money for candy either). Ten percent of all candy collected went to my mom and dad.
In our northern community, Halloween is a social day. Trick-or-treating is a way for neighbors to visit neighbors. One parent would stay at home and give out treats. One parent would walk with the kids and visit with neighbors. When the little kids grew tired, the seniors would dress up and take their place. There was always a pot of coffee brewing for the adult trick-or-treaters. There was no worrying about the safety of candy because we knew everyone we received candy from.
Now that I live in the big city, I give out packaged candy and buy my pumpkin. However, I continue the tradition of greeting and meeting my neighbors, being part of this wonderful community event.
Almond Joy is one of my favorite chocolate bars.
Topics: Guest Post | Comments Off on Happy Halloween!
Blaine – Billionaire, CEO And Pirate – Adult Content
Warning: This snippet has some adult content. Please do not read this if you are under the age of 18 or are sensitive to naughty words.
Anna gives us a sneak peak at their Halloween plans.
Will Blaine like his Halloween costume? I clasp my hands tightly, waiting in our shared bedroom, while my sexy CEO changes in the bathroom. Will he agree to wear it for me?
When I saw the pirate outfit, I thought it was perfect for my law-bending billionaire. Blaine has his own code of honor, makes his own rules. He’s my modern day pirate.
Then I told my friend Camille aka Goth girl about my choice and she’d laughed her pierced head off, telling me only I could convince the founder of a technology company to dress up as a pirate.
Software pirates are a problem for Blaine Technologies and other companies in his industry. I frown, not wanting my Halloween fun to harm the man I love. Camille promised there would be no media at her party, many of her guests being fellow hackers and other spotlight-shy characters. Blaine should be safe.
He chuckles, the sound low and deep. I relax. My billionaire isn’t angry.
The door opens and Blaine swaggers into the bedroom, the heels of his knee-high boots ringing on the floor. I suck in my breath, my nipples tightening and my pussy moistening. Black pants hug his slim hips. His white shirt billows, revealing a v of tanned skin. A bandanna covers his black hair, accentuating the angles of his face. Lights reflect off the gold hoop in his left earlobe.
He’s striking, dominant, all male and mine.
“A pirate, nymph?” Blaine slices his sword through the air, his brilliant green eyes sparkling. “Is this how you see me?”
“I AM a nymph.” I lick my bottom lip, wanting him, needing him.
Blaine’s gaze tracks the movement, his eyes darkening. “You’re my nymph.” He slides his sword into the sash around his waist. “I’m claiming you as part of my booty.” He stalks toward me, his expression stern and his body hard. I stepped backward, trembling with excitement, with desire. “And what I claim, I keep.”
*****************************************************************************
He Watches Me From Cynthia Sax
She desires to be seen. He wants to watch.
Anna Sampson has a naughty secret. Every night, she slips into her neighbor’s yard and swims naked in his pool. She fantasizes that the dynamic young billionaire watches her nightly nude aquatics, his brilliant green eyes gleaming with lust.
She discovers this isn’t pure fantasy. Gabriel Blaine has been watching her via his security cameras, and now that he has returned to L.A., he doesn’t plan to stop. That’s all he wants—to watch. Anna knows she shouldn’t allow him and she certainly shouldn’t want more, but she craves Blaine’s attention, needing his gaze fixed on her body.
Part One of The Seen Trilogy
Buy Now: http://www.amazon.com/He-Watches-Me-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B00CD36FS8
*****************************************************************************
He Touches Me From Cynthia Sax
His touch enflames her desires.
Anna Sampson has allowed billionaire businessman Gabriel Blaine to watch her, all of her. And looking is all he’s done—until now. After giving him permission to touch her, Anna realizes she won’t be satisfied until she has all of this handsome and secretive man.
Soon she tempts him, shreds his control, and pushes him too far. Blaine’s reluctance to take her virginity frustrates Anna. He fulfills her fantasy, but what is their reality together?
Part Two of The Seen Trilogy
Buy Now: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CD36FVA
*****************************************************************************
He Claims Me From Cynthia Sax
A billionaire’s desires and a virgin’s wish to be claimed come together.
Two men want Anna Sampson. Gabriel Blaine is powerful, intelligent, the CEO of a successful company, and a billionaire. He’s watched her, touched her, encouraged her to become a strong, independent woman, a woman unafraid of her desires.
Now secrets from the past are exposed, threatening Anna’s freedom and safety. Will the man she loves stand by her side, or will he desert her, leaving Anna once again to face the future alone?
The searing climax of The Seen Trilogy.
Buy Now: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CD36FTW
Topics: Guest Post | Comments Off on Blaine – Billionaire, CEO And Pirate – Adult Content
One Last Bus Ride
As Avon writers are sharing Halloween stories this week, I thought I’d share one of my true life ghost stories. Having spent years volunteering in senior citizen residences, I’ve seen more than my fair share of unusual circumstances and coincidences. Elba’s story is my favorite. I often dream of her sitting on that bus, her face radiant with happiness.
One of my favorite bingo partners was Elba. Elba wouldn’t tell me her age but, as she teased her ninety-year-old friend about being “just a youngster”, she must have been close to one hundred years old.
My buddy, Elba, was fascinated with my weekend bus ride to and from my hometown. She wanted to know everything – when the bus left, what the fare was, what the bus driver said, who stopped at which towns. I spent hours with her every Monday, recapping my trip from start to finish, relating every little detail.
At the end of my Monday visits, she’d sigh and tell me how she always wanted to take a bus ride across the country. She would stay in the tiny little towns along the way, meet different people, eat different food. “It would be the grandest thing”, Elba would say. “Once.” She slapped the armrest of her wheelchair. “I get out of here, I’ll go.”
She said this every time, sounding quite determined, but I knew it wouldn’t ever happen. Elba was very sick. She had some complicated illness I had never heard of and I was told she hadn’t long to live.
One Friday, the boss kept me at work later than usual and I had to run to catch the six o’clock bus. As I hustled to the back of the vehicle, I looked up. My Lord. I stopped in the aisle. There, sitting in a seat, was a woman who could have been Elba’s twin. This woman was wearing an old fashioned white wool coat. Her gray hair was perfectly curled in that 1960’s Jackie Kennedy style. A tiny white pillbox hat was balanced on top of her head. The light above her made her skin glow.
As I stood there, gawking at Elba’s twin, another passenger bumped into my back. “Excuse me,” she snapped. When I didn’t respond, she pushed her carryon luggage against me.
I ignored her, my gaze fixed on Elba’s twin. Should I ask her who she was? No. If she wasn’t related to my friend, I’d die of embarrassment. I’d ask Elba next week. This would give us something to talk about.
The bag dug into my spine and the lady behind me huffed impatiently. I moved to an unoccupied seat and sat down. When I exited the bus at my stop, Elba’s twin was gone, her seat empty.
On Monday, I rushed into the senior citizens’ residence, eager to talk to Elba. I poked my head into her room. There was a new lady sitting primly in Elba’s bed. I double checked the door number. Yes, it was the correct room but where were all of Elba’s things?
“Where’s Elba?” I asked a nurse.
That was when I found out.
She had died.
On Friday at exactly six o’clock.
Just in time to make the bus.
Topics: Guest Post | 1 Comment »
Interview With B.J. McCall
I sat down (virtually) with B.J. McCall for a short interview. B.J. McCall writes hot erotic romances and her latest release is Trick or Treat: Demon Treat, a sexy Paranormal Romance.
Cynthia Sax: Why does Trick or Treat: Demon Treat start where it does?
B.J. McCall: The book begins in the fiery chambers of Perdition. Brabus is a Limbo, a soul that hasn’t transitioned and is only half demon. He sees Hekka all dressed up and ready to go to the surface to celebrate All Hallow’s Eve. Hekka isn’t into tricks. Her favorite treats are hunky human males. Although Hekka is a powerful Wicked and he’s a lowly Limbo, Brabus wants her. Ignoring the sage advice of Hekka’s enforcer, Brabus follows the sexy Wicked to the surface.
Cynthia Sax: Does a character in Trick or Treat: Demon Treat have a secret?
B.J. McCall: Brabus knows Hekka is on the prowl for human males to satisfy her needs. Using his human name of Lorcan, Brabus meets Hekka in Sweet Evil, her favorite club. He’s determined to be her holiday treat and seduces her without letting on that’s he’s a Limbo, the lowest rank in her domain.
Fooling a powerful Wicked like Hekka can have serious consequences, but bad behavior was what got Brabus into Perdition and he isn’t about to change his ways now. Besides, a sexy blonde is always trouble and trouble is always fun.
Cynthia Sax: What is your favorite line from Trick or Treat: Demon Treat and why?
B.J. McCall: Hekka is a female demon used to getting what she wants. She exudes powerful pheromones and human males are usually putty in her hands. When Brabus takes the inititive and asks her to dance, Hekka tells him she doesn’t do hip-hop.
Brabus responds, “Once you press that fabulous body against me I won’t care what the DJ is playing and neither will you.”
From that moment, Hekka is hooked.
Cynthia Sax: Is Trick or Treat: Demon Treat a series and will you be writing more stories in this series?
B.J. McCall: I have written another book set in my demon domain. Demon Seduction is Despina’s story. Even in Perdition a demon must ascend the ladder of power and Despina wants to be promoted to Hekka’s position. She’s given the challenge to go to the surface and reclaim a soul that a desperate last-minute prayer snatched away. The eternal battle for the human soul is great fodder for story telling. I plan to write more demon books.
Demon Seduction will be released in November by Changeling Press.
Thank you, B.J. McCall, for joining us today!
B.J. McCall’s Website: http://www.bjmccall.com/
*****************************************************************************
Demons come out of hiding on All Hallow’s Eve to play tricks, but Hekka’s preferred treats are hot, hunky human males. Her favorite club, Sweet Evil, is packed with treats and Hekka is on the prowl.
Brabus is new to the demon world. Although Hekka is a powerful demon and Brabus’ soul is still in limbo, he wants her for his own. It’s All Hallow’s Eve and Brabus isn’t above tricking Hekka into his arms.
Buy From Changeling Press: http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=2127
Buy From ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-demontreattrickortreat-1313967-340.html
Buy From Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FPW9XFG
Topics: Author Interviews | Comments Off on Interview With B.J. McCall
Interview With Denysé Bridger
I sat down (virtually) with Denysé Bridger for a short interview. Denysé Bridger writes hot erotic romances for Ellora’s Cave and her latest release is Reckless Assignation.
Cynthia Sax: What excites you about Reckless Assignation?
Denysé Bridger: Several things make this particular story exciting and fun. To start with, it’s set during Halloween, and that is also part of the backdrop for the seduction and adventure, as well as the lesson being taught to the heroine. This story is a bit different from many I write in that we have an older, worldly hero, and a younger, idealistic heroine. He’s given up a dangerous but exciting lifestyle/work, and she’s growing into a strong and confident woman as their relationship deepens and grows.
Cynthia Sax: Where is Reckless Assignation set?
Denysé Bridger: The setting is an abandoned, crumbling hotel, one that is reputed to be haunted by the ghosts of murdered people. It’s exciting because in the opening scene we establish that the heroine is being lured by the hero – for a sensual seduction, but also as a way for him to teach her the dangers of being led by her curiosity.
He’s gone to endless trouble to plan a romantic tryst that is filled with surprises, and lots of atmosphere. The trappings of Halloween were a lot of fun to write, creating the spooky atmosphere with oil lamps, candles, cobwebs, things that go bump in the night… The hero also has plans to introduce his partner to some new ways to have fun, and when he first makes contact with her, he blindfolds her, ties her to a chair and things get hot very quickly.
The thriller element comes into play when the happy couple is visited by someone from the hero’s past, someone with a deadly score to settle. That’s also where the paranormal element emerges…
Cynthia Sax: What do you love about writing paranormal erotic romances?
Denysé Bridger: In any paranormal one of the most fun aspects of it is the impossible becomes possible, first and foremost. Paranormal lends itself to atmosphere and romanticism on many levels, and there is never a wrong way to create a vampire, or a shifter, or a ghostly encounter. Even demons and angels can be so multi-layered, and so romantic if you sharpen the traditional elements that make romance so appealing.
Cynthia Sax: What goals have you set for 2013?
Denysé Bridger: The goal for 2013 is actually a three-parter, with at least a couple of the “wishes” standing a chance of being fulfilled. One, I want to finally work with a good agent, and have the perfect book for it – I hope! Secondly, once commitments from last year are cleared up, I have set myself the task of creating at least one new novel, though ideally it will be two. One is a fantasy set in Sicily, and the second one is a paranormal involving angels. Last wish is the least likely, I’d love to have my favourite model on the cover of one of the new books! So, here’s hoping!!
Thank you, Denysé Bridger, for joining us today!
Denysé Bridger’s Website: http://www.denysebridger.com
*****************************************************************************
A haunted and abandoned hotel on Halloween is the setting for a very private party between two lovers, one of them a world-class, sophisticated intelligence operative who’s trying to teach his young and innocent lady that curiosity can sometimes take you places you’d be better not to go. Amid elaborate trappings meant to scare and entice, Rick’s seduction takes some unexpected but wickedly wonderful twists. But, Rick also has a lesson to learn, when his past collides with his present, and almost destroys everything he cherishes most.
Buy From Ellora’s Cave: http://www.ellorascave.com/reckless-assignation.html
Topics: Author Interviews | 3 Comments »
