Interview With Michelle M. Pillow
I sat down (virtually) with Michelle M. Pillow for a short interview. Michelle M. Pillow’s most recent release is His Earth Maiden: A Qurilixen World Novel. The hero is a space pirate. Yum!
Cynthia Sax: I LOVE your sexy heroes. What makes them so freakin’ hot?
Michelle M. Pillow: Confidence and loyalty. My sci-fi heroes tend to have alpha male qualities, but also a kind of innocence when it comes to dealing emotionally with women. (The sexy part they have down.)
Cynthia Sax: They certainly do have the sexy part down! Where did you get the idea for your Space Lords series?
Michelle M. Pillow: The Space Lords series is a series installment in the sci-fi romance Qurilixen World collection. It came naturally as the characters from previous series began leaving their planet for the high skies.
The Qurilixen World is an extensive collection of science fiction and futuristic romance novels that started nearly 15 years ago with the original Dragon Lords series and has since grown into a massive collection with 34 books within 7 series installments and growing. Each book in each series is a standalone story. The Space Lords are interconnected with the other series, as well as set in the same universe.
The book titles (His Frost Maiden, His Fire Maiden, His Metal Maiden, His Earth Maiden – Woodland is next) refer to a curse the crew received when the pilot insulted an ancestral spirit on a planet they were visiting. Each book is an element of the curse.
Cynthia Sax: That’s super cool! What genres do you write in? Are there any that you’ve yet to try but want to?
Michelle M. Pillow: As an author, I love being able to move around to different genres and I’m so lucky to have awesome fans who happily hop around with me. So far I’ve done Science Fiction, Futuristic, Paranormal, Fantasy, Dark Fantasy, Contemporary, Historical, Chick Lit, and Cozy Mystery. I would love to do a thriller or horror novel someday. I also want to publish a photography book.
Cynthia Sax: Wow. You do it all! That’s awesome. Do you have any advice for new writers?
Michelle M. Pillow: The best advice I have that is worth anything, is to do your research. Research everything—your book, marketing, promo, your genre—and think about the long-term goals, not just instant career gratification. That’s what separates career authors from hobbyists. Writing as a hobby is fine, if that’s what you want to do. If you want to be a professional, you just have to spend the time and study up. There is no magic formula or secret handshake. I so wish there was. (Well, there is coffee. That’s kind of magical.) You just have to put in the hours and do the work. Knowledge really is power.
Cynthia Sax: That is so true! Thank you for joining us today, Michelle M. Pillow!
Michelle M. Pillow’s Website: https://michellepillow.com/
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Former elite Federation soldier, now turned space pirate, Jackson Burke has done his best to turn his life around—for the better. He isn’t prepared when fate leaves a woman’s safety totally in his hands. Since heroes don’t leave a damsel in distress—and despite being outlaw pirates, the crew considers themselves the good guys—Jackson assumes responsibility for the beauty. It’s enough that his ship is held together by rust and sheer will, now he’s got to keep this good guy thing straight and not give into the urges the sassy female brings out in him. Raisa is everything a man could want and for some reason she seems to like him, rough edges and all, but he’s on the Federation’s wanted list and they aren’t known to back down.
Buy Now:
On Author’s Website: https://michellepillow.com/book/his-earth-maiden/
On Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BRC1CTX/
On Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/his-earth-maiden-michelle-m-pillow/1128306556
On iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/his-earth-maiden/id1364701541?mt=11%3Fmt%3D11
On Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/his-earth-maiden
Topics: Author Interviews | 1 Comment »
Interview With Cara Bristol
I sat down (virtually) with Cara Bristol for a short interview. Her latest release is Body Talk, a compilation of sexy excerpts from multiple erotic romance subgenres!
Cynthia Sax: What makes your heroes sexy?
Cara Bristol: They care for the heroine. Even in the BDSM romances, the hero is interested in her as a person. While a character may be conflicted about the relationship, he respects her as well as desires her. I create heroes who are worthy of the heroine’s love—although there may trauma in their past that makes them believe they’re not worthy of love. That’s something they have to overcome in the story.
Cynthia Sax: Where did you get the idea for Body Talk?
Cara Bristol: I’ve been a lifelong romance reader. As a teenager I used to reread the sexy parts over and over. I thought why not produce a book that was all sexy parts? Body Talk contains full chapter excerpts of eleven of my sexiest sex scenes! My current readers can reread some of their favorite passages—and readers new to me can be introduced to a sampling of my work. All for only 99 cents (or free with Kindle Unlimited). They’ll be introduced to some of my sci-fi romance, romantic comedy, paranormal, and BDSM (light).
Cynthia Sax: Where do your stories start?
Cara Bristol: Each excerpt begins with a lead-in to a sexy scene. In some cases, the characters intend to have sex; in others, but in others, they haven’t realized it themselves yet. What I’m trying to say is that it’s not a wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am. There is pursuit and seduction. Love and affection. Readers will get to know the characters, their motivations and bit of their stories. Each scene is complete; there isn’t a cliffhanger.
Cynthia Sax: What advice would you give new writers?
Cara Bristol: Don’t give up. Pace yourself. Realize that there is no sprint to success. It’s a marathon you have to run every day. Being an author is my dream job, but it is work. If you don’t love writing, you probably won’t have the discipline to see it through to success.
Cynthia Sax: Thank you, Cara Bristol, for joining us today!
Cara Bristol’s Website: http://www.carabristol.com
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Remember when your favorite paperback books used to naturally open to the scenes you’d read over and over, the ones that made you laugh, tugged your heart or got you hot and bothered? In Body Talk, USA Today bestselling author Cara Bristol has compiled full-chapter excerpts of the sexiest scenes from her most popular and favorite erotic romances. These story excerpts will tug at your heart, captivate your imagination, and stir your senses. You’ll visit the familiar…and escape to the unexpected in a variety of subgenres including: contemporary romance, BDSM/spanking romance, science fiction romance, romantic comedy, and even a historical romance selection.
Buy Now:
On Amazon: http://hyperurl.co/BodyTalkAmz
Topics: Author Interviews | 1 Comment »
Interview With Tina Donahue
I sat down (virtually) with Tina Donahue, one of my good buddies, for a short interview. Today is the release day for Passionate Pursuit, Tina’s sexy new historical!
Cynthia Sax: What makes Tomás so freakin’ sexy?
Tina Donahue: Although Tomás is a warrior knight, having fought in countless conflicts for the Spanish crown, he’s also a fair and compassionate man. With Beatriz, the woman he adores, he’s protective and gentle. Add to that his generally easy-going nature and wit, and he’s everything any woman would want. Courageous and daring on his alpha side, but also cherishing on a deeper level. Like most women, I love a strong hero. However, that doesn’t mean a man who snarls, dictates, or is generally abusive toward the heroine. That isn’t strength. A real man is comfortable in his own skin and can afford to be kind, generous, and cooperative. That’s also an adult. Nothing is sexier than a man who isn’t afraid to be emotionally intimate.
Cynthia Sax: You had me at warrior. How does Passionate Pursuit start?
Tina Donahue: Tomás has just finished his service to the Crown and has survived a near-fatal illness. You’d think the poor guy has earned some down time. Not a chance. Time now for him to wed. At least that’s what the Spanish mamás and their eager-to-marry daughters think. They descend upon his castle en masse. Fighting Moors has never been this challenging. Tomás longs to flee. More importantly, he yearns for Beatriz, the one woman he does want. However, as the story opens, Beatriz is a mere servant at his castle. Tomás has no idea the secret she’s hiding or that her past is an enormous obstacle to their future happiness.
Cynthia Sax: Ohhh… secrets. I love secrets. Where is Passionate Pursuit set?
Tina Donahue: Passionate Pursuit is set in medieval Spain. 1489 to be exact. The war with the Moors is ongoing with the Crown eager to reconquer lands. The Inquisition rages. Within this turmoil, is the countryside. A veritable paradise of lush forest, endless wheat fields, and Moorish castles that warrior knights have reclaimed for Spain. The monarchs have gifted Tomás with an opulent estate for his military service. Within this Eden, Tomás devises numerous delights for Beatriz to woo her and make her his.
Cynthia Sax: What advice would you give new writers?
Tina Donahue:Write daily, read as much as you can, and know there isn’t anything close to overnight success. Yes, I know there are stories about authors who one day decided to write a book, did so, and now they’re zillionaires. If you dig deeper into their backgrounds, you’ll see they wrote and read as much as they could prior to writing that bestseller and they also were savvy marketers. Some also have contacts in the publishing industry. No successful writer happens by accident. That’s a myth. It takes endless hard work and constantly perfecting your craft to succeed. If you want to be a writer because it sounds cool or you’re eager to make a lot of money, this isn’t the career for you. Authors who last in this profession are those who write because they have to, not because they want to. Writing to them is as necessary as breathing, eating, living. It’s part of their soul. They’d be lost without it. If you don’t have that fire and drive, then you need to find another occupation.
Cynthia Sax: So true. I write for myself. I have stories published for readers. Thank you for the great advice, Tina, and also for joining us today!
Tina Donahue’s Website: http://tinadonahuebooks.blogspot.com/
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Is their passion strong enough to break her chains?
Andalucía Spain, 1489: Innocent Beatriz is desperate to escape the threat of a miserable marriage to a cruel Marquis. Forced into the betrothal by her ruthless merchant papá, her only hope is to conceal her identity and become a servant in a nearby castle—a life drastically different from her comfortable upbringing.
Tomás doesn’t know what to make of his well-spoken new servant girl. Her beauty and charm captivates the military hero; her mysterious nature intrigues him. And the desire she ignites burns brighter with each glance, as does his longing to claim her for his own.
Beatriz can’t resist Tomás’ passion nor deny the heat of her own. But neither the lush countryside nor the walls of the opulent Moorish castle can entirely protect her—and if he were to discover her secret, she could be torn away from him forever. Yet how can she sustain his love if she’s living a lie?
Buy Now:
On Amazon.com: https://goo.gl/GOhbrm
On Amazon CA: http://goo.gl/OQoyKI
On Kobo: https://goo.gl/ZjVJJ2
On Books a Million: http://goo.gl/FqvCzl
On Penguin-Random House Canada: http://goo.gl/WsuyMm
On Fantastic Fiction: http://goo.gl/uAlGdE
Topics: Author Interviews | 1 Comment »
Interview With Tina Donahue
I sat down (virtually) with Tina Donahue, one of my good buddies, for a short interview. Today is the release day for Wicked Whispers, Tina’s sexy historical!
Cynthia Sax: You’ve written so many delicious stories. What makes Wicked Whispers special?
Tina Donahue: My heroine, Sancha, and my hero, Enrique. The story takes place in 1488. Women weren’t allowed much, if any, freedom in those days. They were expected to wed and produce heirs. Sancha is different. She longs to heal. Highly educated, she can read and write Latin, Spanish, and Arabic, and has used Islamic medicine to help the peasants. As the storyline takes place during the Inquisition, Sancha’s healing could lead to her arrest and burning as a witch. She has more guts than I do. She’ll stop at nothing to save people, change the world, make it a fair place for men and women. She’ll also stop at nothing to love Enrique.
Although Enrique is a man of his time, he learns that to claim and keep Sancha’s love he must respect her as an individual. He moves heaven and earth to keep her safe so she can continue healing.
Cynthia Sax: What is your favorite line from Wicked Whispers?
Tina Donahue: The night was perfect for love, their attraction too intense, his kiss soft and searching at first then filled with raw male need.
Given the Inquisition and a woman’s accepted role, Sancha and Enrique face no end of obstacles. Constraints Sancha fights against. She and Enrique shouldn’t be together, but can’t help themselves. Their love is so powerful, nothing can keep them apart.
Cynthia Sax: Where did you get the idea for Wicked Whispers?
Tina Donahue: Years ago I wrote a paranormal romance that began during the Spanish Inquisition then fast forwarded to modern times. The research on this historical period fascinated me. I wanted to write a romance that took place when women could easily be called witches and lose their freedom or lives when all they wanted to do was heal and learn.
Cynthia Sax: Where is Wicked Whispers set?
Tina Donahue: Wicked Whispers takes place in medieval Spain, 1488 to be exact. Spain is a beautiful country, the men decidedly sexy. The romance takes place against the backdrop of the Inquisition. During that period, danger lurked everywhere.
Cynthia Sax: I love Spain so much and I also love medieval romances. This sounds like exactly my kind of book, Tina. Thank you for joining us today!
Tina Donahue’s Website: http://tinadonahuebooks.blogspot.com/
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Follow the heart through darkness…
As the Inquisition gains force, even the faintest rumor can brand one a heretic. In this world it is Sancha’s gift–or curse–to be blessed with the gift of healing. But the villagers are in need of her arts more than ever, and she feels it is her duty to help them at the risk of losing her life. And at the sacrifice of her heart…
Enrique has never wanted a woman as he does Sancha. Determined to have her love, he woos her with exquisite passion, giving her refuge to pursue her healing in secret. But their very desire and escape from the ruthless forces of the world may be their undoing. And together, they must pit themselves against a jealous rival and archaic tradition to secure their place in a hopeful new dawn…
Buy Now:
On Amazon.com: http://goo.gl/JKkMaZ
On Amazon UK: http://goo.gl/EFPTuo
On iBooks: https://goo.gl/Q3vQ18
On Kobo: https://goo.gl/kUPgPE
On Google Play: https://goo.gl/87G3cm
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