INTERVIEW with AWESOME Author

From time to time, I hope to bring you intereviews with fellow authors. This month, it's the incredible Sascha Illyvich.

Why do you write PNR ménage romance?
I love the depth of the genre and the multitude of love that can be expressed by more than one partner.

What is your favorite body part to describe? Can you list a few?
Her entire essence…but if I had to pick one, I'd say, her hips, fingers and lips…

How do you judge if it's hot enough? (That's my goal at any rate!)
If I'm aroused while reading…

How hot is too hot?
No such thing in my opinion.

Bestiality vs shifter? What is your take?
Look, I don't understand furries, so how you think I'll understand bestiality! Though for some reason I find girls with tails hot…

What's one weird fact about your novel?
I honestly have no clue about His Reign. The weird fact may be that it's the second book where a heroine's name was chosen by a friend of mine and she picked something exotic? (The first time she picked a name, she chose Kissa, from another series I'm pimping soon…)

Why does your hero or heroine feel the need for the type of relationship they're in?
This is the way the mates in this world are set up, and usually it amounts to helping increase the emotional tension. Twice the love, twice the potential for letdown, twice the potential for strife, twice the potential for the hero to pull his shit together.

What does having two heroes or heroines do for them?
Creates balance. Humans are complex creatures and having someone who is logical and primarily emotional, while someone else is primarily emotional but logical also, helps that heart/head war we read about so much in romance.

Tell us a deep dark secret we'd NEVER expect!
I really don't have any secrets. People have known for years I'm a little off the wall, I cross dress, have a lingerie fetish, um…yeah. Pretty much nothing new here.

Batman or Superman?
Batman. Always.


Which character is your favorite and why?
See now this leads into triad territory. When I created Józsi I sort of based him off Joséf from Endangered (you see the resemblance?) and Vin Diesel. But his two lovers differ tremendously from Joszí's in that Joséf's second (Isabella) is darker and probably more pragmatic than Lukina, but that may be the difference in age. Oh and the fact that vampires Livía and Isabella are a few hundred years old, whereas Lukina and Ilona are werewolves and far less old. I don't know. This was supposed to be simple! Who came up with these questions!

What happened to the first book you ever wrote?
It became Paula's Craving, out at Decadent books and Amazon. It's a spicy, yet heartwarming romance story about a man who couldn't find himself until the woman he loved showed him who she saw in him.

Have you incorporated actual events or people from your own life into your books?
Yup. There's a LOT of real life and people in my stories. My loved ones are deep inspiration.

Do you listen to music as you write? If so, can you tell us a few of your must-haves?
Yup. Right now a must haves include: Stealing Axion, The Apex Theory, TesseracT, Vildhjärta, Textures, sometimes Ease of Disgust and Cilice. Oh and Elitist!

When you’re writing do you have to have certain items? A particular pen, a certain drink, snacks, etc.
Usually just water or tea.

If you weren’t an author, what would you be?
I've been saying for years now officially I'd be a musician. But in truth? Probably I'd be in Tobacco or alcohol production. I still may end up in those industries anyway, honestly. At least as side projects.

Buy link for His Reign:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FW648G4

NANO?

So. . .who is participating in Write a Book in a Month (NANO)? The goal is to write 50,000 words in the days of November. I'm always tempted to join, and usually come up with excuses. There are various 'for' and 'against' camps. Some say it's too much pressure on a writer and disturbs the natural 'flow'. Others say it's great discipline and forces a writer to WRITE. So this year, I have decided to try. I have an idea (one of several actually) that's been patiently brewing in the back of my mind, waiting for a chance to be told. So, I'm listening to those characters and attempting to tell their story. I hope I do them justice. What about you? Going to give it a try?

COVER REVEAL

*drum roll*
And here it is!!!! The cover for 'She Waited', done by FAB artist Fiona and the incredible cover art team headed by Tara Adkins. Isn't it simply GORGEOUS? I am one blessed author to have these talented ladies in my corner.
And since no reveal is complete without a bit of the novel, here's a peek inside 'She Waited'.

There was a rustle of silk. Then the music began.


Every man in the room waited.

The shadowy light of candles could not conceal this one. And her many charms. She was clothed in layers of gauzy blue scarves and tiny bells which tinkled with her slightest breath. Some marveled at the bold confidence in her eyes. Some had never seen flame colored hair and pale, freckle dotted skin.

She began to dance. And all realized none had ever seen a woman such as this.

A Preview. . .

The power of submission lies not in the ability to kneel before Another or to give over one’s body. The power of submission can be found only in the heart of the one who gives her love freely to Another freely and willingly knowing what joy and pain shall come of it.

DRAFT COVER!!!!!

I just saw the draft cover of 'She Waited'. It is soooooo GORGEOUS, and I can't wait (hahaha) for y'all to see it too!

Movie Songs that Make You Sigh

I just heard 'Hungry Eyes' from the movie "Dirty Dancing". Everyone recall that movie? Patrick S teaches Jennifer G how to dance one steamy summer. It was actually filmed not far from where I live, and the lake and 'cottages' are fairly the same, all these years later. Every midsummer, there's a Dirty Dancin' movie fest, with this huge outdoor screen showing the movie for 12 hours from sun down to sun up. Truly awesome time. There's also an annual remembrance service for Patrick, taken way too soon from all of us from cancer. But back to the song. . . I heard that song as I was stumbling for coffee this morning. Immediately I flashed to the scene of the movie where that song is back ground. And I caught myself grinning, singing along and even swaying a bit, early morning pre coffee. Few things manage that miracle in me. When I first saw the movie, it was November in my little town. It stayed for 3 months at our 2 movie theater. I know because my best friend's birthday is a month before mine and we treated each other to the movie for our birthdays (I could tell you how old we were, but why date myself? lol). I recall feeling WOW and I could dance, too, if awkward Jennifer could. Course I learned later of all the lessons she had to take and there's nothing in the world all the lessons could do to make my two left feet graceful. I still sigh hearing that song. And others. The haunting score from 'Braveheart', the jazzy Celtic tunes from 'Titanic', 'You'll be in my Heart' from 'The Lion King', the scores (original, of course) from the 'Harry Potter', 'Star Wars' and 'Superman'. The song for 'She Waited', my novel soon out, would have to be Jessica Andrews-- 'Helplessly, Hopelessly, Recklessly', which describes exactly how Kylie feels after a few weeks with Master. When you read it, you will see exactly why that song fits so well. Here's to movie songs that make you SIGH. I feel a movie day coming on. . . .

YAY! EXCITING DEVELOPMENTS!!!! My Novel Description is UP: Description: Modern day Kylie enters the unbelievable world of sexual slavery, a world designed to resemble ancient medieval times. Bought by the notorious Pain Master, a Man so feared He is spoken of only in whispers, she believes her nightmare can't get any worse. Then she gets a taste of His whip and her nightmare becomes her deepest fantasy. As Kylie receives more training in the arts of pleasure, she discovers glorious delights from a Master who is at heart simply a Man longing for love, yet is forbidden to do so. Centuries ago, Brendan made a choice that cursed him to walk the earth until he fulfilled his vow. Separated from his beloved wife Brianna, who must remain a Shadow until his curse is broken, he must discover a way to correct his wrong before time runs out and he is forever damned. Celtic goddess Dubh Lacha guarded her adored Erin Isle and its women until the witch Chlaus persuaded the world of men gods and goddesses weren't needed. Caught in an ageless battle with Chlaus, she makes one final wager to determine who will be the victor, who will eternally disappear and the fate of Master's world. Intense with dashes of humor, hot sex, cat fights, belly dancing and lots of BDSM, SHE WAITED is a multi genre novel that begins with a promise broken to a goddess and a slave auction like no other. Add in a Master determined to ignore the Immortals trying to shape--or end-- His world; a woman determined not to be a submissive-- until she experiences the power a submissive truly holds; and a long suffering Shadow determined to be a silent spectator no longer and all the elements of a mesmerizing journey fall into place. SHE WAITED-- for bondage? Freedom? Power? Victory? Love? Read on and find out.

Summer Reading

CONGRATS to Prince William and his wife Catherine on the birth of their son. What a lovely way to distract from what my UK friends tell me is an almost unbearable heat wave there.

Course it's no slouch weather here, either, with thunderstorms and heat and humidity--all the things that make Summer Summer :)

And the best way to distract from the feeling the air is a hot wet blanket wrapping around you or when the whole sky lights with jagged streaks and the boom of thunder rattles doors and windows (and nerves) is to READ READ READ (with loads of cold water, iced tea or ice cream-- or all three).

Stephen King has a sequel to 'The Shinning' coming soon. Not sure I can read it, if it's like the first. I didn't sleep for days after reading that one and I admit I still often jump at noises in hotel rooms. The Jack N. movie version cemented him, in my mind, for all time as the best actor to play an insane deranged person.

We all know the best books are those we fall in love with, either through the plot or the characters or both. Be it Romance, Horror, Mystery, History, Fantasy or Paranormal I want to love them all.  I should start a monthly book dedication-- Best and Worst. Of course, it would be my opinion only, and my tastes vary greatly from others. But it's definitely an idea spinning around in the back of my mind.

 And speaking of books. . . my hard working editor is hard at work on mine, and I should have a firm release date for everyone soon. Kylie and her Master have become very dear to me and I hope they will to you, as well.

Grab a book, some ice cream and read away the Summer heat. It's not long until Fall!

Horror Stories

I just finished Dean Kootz's, 'Deeply Odd'. I think the best horror stories are the ones like these and by the master of horror, Stephen King, who write about the every day and make it absolutely terrorifying. A possessd car can kill people, a family pet can turn into a killer, a simple trip to run errends becomes a run for your life.
As if Life isn't scary enough, these authors manage to turn the things we take for granted into the very things that could ruin or destroy our lives, or at the very least, change everything we thought we knew about where we're headed in life and who we think we are.
It's a lot like Love. It swamps us when we least expect it, changes everything we thought we knew and becomes a central part of our lives.
And let's face it: We all like that shake up from the every day, the excitment and yes, even the fear. Because we become the person we always wanted to be. If only in reading a book.
Which is why I love books :)

TB Premiere

I won't do SPOILERS (geesh, I LOVE River Song) but for fans of The True Blood show, the series premiere for the next season is a killer (hahaha). The characters are faithful to the author's voice and life breathed into them from her books and even though I think Sookie is a big fool for what she does at the end (see? no spoilers) it's exactly what her character would do.

And the word of the season, probably to go down in series history: Bilith.

I'm always worried when a series or movie based on popular books is brought to the small or big screen. It's easy to 'rewrite' and'make something better' which completely changes who the characters are, why they act as they do, etc. I thought 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'Harry Potter' were fairly faithful to the books, though I do like the books better. So it's good to see 'True Blood' staying more or less true to the author's creations.

Let's hope more series and movies take a note from these and stay true to the characters. Though I do sort of wish the tv True Blood doesn't end the way the last Sookie book did. . . .

A Low Down Dirty Shame

My social media this weekend was lit up with posts over a case of an unknown author deliberating posting chapters word for word from a NYT best seller author as her own work. It's stealing, it's wrong and it's a shame. It's low down and the unknown ought to be flogged. Harsh? Nope.  Stealing makes the entire industry of authors look, and feel, horrible. There's a reason 'thou shalt not steal' is one of the oldest laws known to humankind, as is 'thou shalt not lie'.

Because it's WRONG.

Those of you who have followed the Romance Genre for years can recall a Famous Author who's work was proven deliberately stolen by another famous author (I'm not naming names; those who followed the industry will know who I mean; if you don't, email me and we can discuss it privately). The sad thing in that situation was the stolen work was published in the thief's (sorry, calling a spade a spade here, and since thief admitted she 'lifted' passages, she's a spade) name and hundreds of unsuspecting Readers got caught up in the scandal. I for one, vowed never ever again to read something from the thief, and I never have.

Writing is hard, hard, HARD work. And having your blood, sweat and tears stolen and posted/submitted/published under someone's else's name is unthinkable. Most of us would never consider such a thing. Then there are the 'bad apples' who stink up the whole writing industry. Kinda like that idiot in class, who bought a paper from the internet and now the entire class is under a cloud.

I know there are 'fanfic' sites that allow famous characters like Star Wars and Twilight to have their own 'stories' written by people other than the original authors. I admit to reading a Doctor Who story about the Doctor and River's child and her adventures. The thing is, openly admitting, "yes, I am using characters and/or scenes developed by another author and adding to them" is a whole different animal than, "Hey, lookie! I wrote this fab scene/chapter/novel and you have to read it." One gives credit where credit is due, one is flat out stealing.

I don't mind someone sharing my work AS LONG AS MY WORK GETS THE CREDIT AS MY WORK/WORDS. I hope saying that doesn't come back to haunt me, where half the section is lifted and mis poted as someone else's own. Isn't that horrible I even think that? In addition to everything else writers have to worry about, we are now supposed to worry about some moron thief stealing own words and passing them off as his/her own. It makes me sick.

So, Lesson here: For those of us who live, breathe and wake with characters, plots and stories dancing in our heads, we're way too filled with our own to steal anyone else's. If you have to 'borrow' or 'add to' someone's idea, character, or plot, regardless how 'well written' it is, IT IS NOT YOUR OWN. Give credit where credit is due.

Don't be a stinking bad apple.

I am a HUGE Doctor Who fan. And I just discovered the Doctor WHo books (yes, I'm way behind the times, I know). But with the announcment of the 11th actor leavng the role, and the search for the next Doctor ongoing, I admit I'm paying more attention to the gossip and blogs and posts and comments about Who might be the next Who.

He will have to be Brittish. Or Scottist. Or Australian. Or, omg, Irish. Mmmmmm accent. Smart, witty, know what to do in every situation and yet be vulerable. Love the TARDIS above all and treat her like the Lady she is.

Plus, I'm Team River. She's His Love. Always. Forever.

And, important to me, the Companion has to be strong, fun loving and not dopey in love with him. Sure we all love--or hate-- the Doctor, depending on what he does or says. But the reason I never warmed to some of the previous companions is that they were so dopey about their feelings they couldn't see straight.

And. . . I can't stand a dopey female character. Sure, be so in love with someone you can't eat, sleep, talk, think about anything but HIM/HER. But never lose sight of the fact you are also YOU. Think this way: YOU are a fab cake, wonderfully delicious and amazing, the best unique one on the earth. Whoever you choose as your 'One' should be like icing on your cake: compliment what's already there, not change the basic structure.

So Who should be the next Who?

BIG DAY!!!

I'm SIGNING THE BOOK CONTRACT FOR SHE WAITED TODAY!!!! I am beyond excited :)

In all the excitement, I do want to say: It's easy to get lost in the excitement and simply sign. After all, this Publisher wants my book! And while my Publisher is amazing, has great people and an excellent reputation, the age old, tv Judge Judy advice still holds true: READ everything you sign. Read it completely. A first time, a second, a third. Let someone else read it, someone who deals with legal issues and contracts (and has a savy business sense). Not because you don't trust the Publisher. Not because you think there's 'hidden' meanings in the clauses. But because it makes sense. Because it's the smart and PROFESSIONAL to do.

Writing is a talent, a joy, a pain. But Writing for Publication is a Business. For the Author, for the Publisher, for the Reader. For the Author to follow deadlines and edits and reviews and hopefully, make some money doing what he/she loves. For the Publisher, it's to make money, and to be the company promoting and Publishing the next best seller and simply an excellent story. And for the Reader, its knowing your hard earned money is well spent on a story that will leave you breathless, let you escape and take you away.

So as I sign this Contract, I hope I've fulfilled all the above. I'm moving from Writer to Professional Writer, and I can't thank my Publisher enough for the opportunity to share my story with Readers.

Now. . .buckle your seatbelts and grab some chocolate. SHE WAITED is coming soon!!!!!!

Wow

I tend to read the book before the movie, tv series, etc. So even knowing what was going to happen in 'The Red Wedding' of  'Games of Thrones', a week later, I'm still saying WOW.
Without giving away too much (as River Song in Doctor Who says, "Spoilers"), some beloved characters die, and in pretty violent ways. I read it, I knew it was going to happen, and still I was breathless, crying and yelling at the tv for the characters to, "RUN!!!".
Sighs. Deaths further the plot, sometimes, and when we lose a beloved book/movie/fictional character, it's a sign the author did a awesome job creating a living person on the pages. But it still makes me want to smack Mr. Martin, lol

I LOVE this! And it truly says it all!

And Now It Starts. . . .

Well, Time for me to get going on blogging for real instead of simply talking about it! And I'm right proud of myself, to have managed the buttons and options, though I tend to change my mind often, so expect changes as I see all the fun things to do on here!

I'll faithfully try to blog often, though I don't make schedules like, "I'll blog every day!"or "A new post at 12:01AM every Tuesday!". Not going to happen with the realities of Life and such. But I will visit and blog often and invite you to comment and do the same.

 We all want a good story and unforgettable characters. Which is what this blog is mainly all about. I'll post bits of mine and others. Nothing better than a roaring discussion of authors and books, is there? Beats politics any day. Ever get stumped at a party, ask about books. Any books. Tells you right away the people you want to spend the hours talking with and those who may not have much in common with you.

No real rules, just be respectful, honest and upbeat. I've been known to vocally voice in words my opinions and invite the same, even if it differs. Just remember I'm not out to change the world, just survive it, and in the end, we all have our own thoughts, feelings, opinions and dreams.


As the characters in my First Book, SHE WAITED, discover.

(How's that for a nice little plug, ehh? Stay tunes. More glimpses into these characters later. Enough to say the heroine is a red head who quickly discovers a new world and the hero is a Master who realizes there's much more to this new one than just red hair. . . )

So let's all grab a coffee or a cuppa, relax and get to know each other, shall we?