What About Fan Fiction?

Every now and then I am asked about the fan fiction I used to write back in the day. Today, I was asked about a particular epic that may or may not have included several real actors from LOTR....Well, needless to say, that when I decided to write the OF (original fiction), I not only took down all of my fan fic, I desolved the old website. I am not ashamed of it...well, I don't think that I am and God knows that I loved the amount of attention and feedback that I got from the fan fic community, but now that I'm in business with a publisher, I get paranoid. What if someone sued me? Would it effect my career in the long run?

I don't know how publishers deal with former fan fic writers, but I do know that a lot of writers (ebook especially) cut their teeth in fan fic. I would love to know what they have done with their old fan fic cataloges. As for me, I would love to rewrite and transform those steamy tales in to original works but with 4 projects on the TBW (to be written) list, it won't be anytime soon...Que Sera, Sera...

G-Strain b. Sage Whistler

I love sci-fi, especially when it involves hulking, tall, warrior-like aliens. "G-Strain" by Sage Whistler is such a gem and I do not say that because I know her. I say that because I stayed up all night, neglecting my work and my gaming addiction to read this wonderful novella. Why is it wonderful though? Her talent at not only world creation but at setting a fast pace from Earth to a desolate planet and on to a vibrant, wonderful new world.

The story follows the abduction of two human males, specifically. Others are abducted, but this story focuses on two, Kenano and Jared. They are abducted by handsome, blue-skinned warriors called Lykurgans, due to a genetic trait that makes the two species compatible.

Kenano specificaly gets bonded to a warrior named Nurak, who has to protect his frightened yet couragous human from alien attack by a rival alien faction and a harsh, violent planet.

Sage knows her sci fi, I will give her that and her various alien species have wicked technology and even more wicked biology. I was totally immersed in the action and deeply craving the hookup between Kenano and Nurak.

If anything, my only gripe was that the novella needed to be a plus sized NOVEL. Still, this ebook was a delight to read!

Available from Amazon in Print Today!!

A Guardian's Desire, is officially my first print book release and it is available today from Amazon. It even has a blurb!! Oh yeah, I'm stoked and not just because I spent a hell of a time working on it but because I am a glossy, print book whore.

I will admitt that when I initially started work on this book, I did not think or imagine that it would be taken to print, and when I found out, I just kept staring at the email like, is it real? I made my first book in elementary school with board, contact paper, glue, needle and thread and paper. I illustrated it and everything. It was then that I knew what I wanted to do, make books, and today even more so, this book raises the bar.

Hopefully, I will continue to release ebooks and while another print book is not always promised, for now and for today, I have one and it is a very good one, full of adventure and erotic goodness.

Available today from Loose-Id and Amazon, I present "A Guardian's Desire."

Scarecrow b. Matthew Reilly

Am I a fangirl? Yes I am. On my fourth Matt Reilly book already and yes, whatever this man writes, I will read. I've come to the realization that the absurd, over the top action and nick of time salvations that occur a LOT in his text as well as the superhuman abilities of one Shane "Scarecrow" Schofield attract me in the same way that James Bond does, times ten. It is fiction and adrenaline fiction at that, which he writes and no matter how absurd the near death situation is, it gets my pulse going and does not let up.

In "Scarecrow," our hero is on a list of 15 international targets who are slated for elimination by some of the most elite badass, merc squads on EARTH! Each of the 15 have million dollar bounties on their heads and yup, Shane is one of them.

Along with his regular squad of friends: Book II, Gant, Fairfax and the Queen B herself, Mother, Schofield is joined by a new allie, someone who is just as tough, resiliant and superhuman as Scarecrow is. It's like when Superman meets Batman and they agree to work as a team...Yup, it is that awesome.

Literature it ain't, but ass-kicking fiction, it definitely is and while I doubt there will ever be a movie based on any of Reilly's books (the special effects would be waaay too costly), I for one am definitely looking forward to checking out more of his works.

Meow Mix...The Heart of Bast

It's novella time!!! (WhhoooHoooo) I am currently at 23,000/50,000 words on my latest project "The Heart of Bast," and well it's kind of a relief to be working on something smaller for a change. I am trying to stick to my guns and wrap this story up, not going to try to blow it out of proportion at all. It is my ode to the Zoe-chick--aka-my cat, who is relaxing after a hearty meal of yellowfin tuna florentine and a bit of play with her new cat nip mouse.

Anyway, I was trying to figure out the best way to describe the story when I found this pic from the film 10,000 B.C. Sure the movie sucked balls historically, but it was beautiful to look at. This pic however describes the feel of my current project immensely though. Big cat bully!

In "The Heart of Bast" a werecat thief named Seth who likes pricey gems, fast cars and swank condos. He shuns his heritage but on the invite of a powerful boss, attempts to steal a prized artifact from the Basti, a werecat pride. The attempt is a horrible failure and his encounter with Crnswar, the Lord of the Basti is nothing short of life changing. Worse still, Seth soon discovers that while he thought to steal from the Basti, that they have instead stole something from him.

Okay, hookey blurb aside, this is a piece with a lot of claws, biting, blood and brooding...oh and hot werecat porn.

The Ice Man Cometh...Difficult Protagonists...

A few weeks ago I posted a sketch of Micah, the fire sorcerer, who beta readers seem to like waaay more than this guy here. Meet Peter Fitzgerald, one of my most intriguing and difficult protagonists. The reader may not like him much, but I just find him fascinating. Why? Because he is an unstable dominant personality and has a lethal personality. I'll admitt that I was thinking of a combination of Sub-Zero and the Ice Queen from 'The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe,' when I first thought of Peter.

In the first book, Peter emerges into his power and basically takes ownership of his lover. Although Micah is more powerful than Peter, the loose vulcan canon in the relationship is definitely more lethal.

I am fascinated by the idea of the dark side (Anakin) and the fallen (Harvey Dent) and I want to use Peter to explore those ideas my own way. I want to see Peter get stronger, become more wicked, a tad more perverse and more unstable.

World Building...Or Plain Gluttony

First off, The Sorcery of Shadows submission package was sent off this morning. While I am wishing it luck, I know that backer or no, it will have a sequel.

Second, I also got to work on The Heart of Bast, my ode to Zoe's favorite brand of cuisine; The Fancy Feast/ Elegant Medleys selections. She actually prefers the Shredded Fare over the Florentines and Souffles, but anyhoo, I'm looking forward to weaving in many different, delectable entrees for the werecats in my story. Ah, yeah, a werecat would like sushi as well! Hot damn, I get to write about delicate plates of beautiful, ornaments of seafood and seaweed.

There are a lot of books and writers who have opinions on world building and the importance of it, and I for one stress the importance of knowing your paranormal breed and how you want to breath life into them. My werecats are far bigger than their natural counterparts, the change is physical, there are many types, some that like civilization and some that don't. As a reader, I know that I always want details, small and big. It can even be fun.

I'm making a few flounder filets tonight for me and Zoe (and heh, it's baked so it shouldn't be too fattening for her) and plan on getting back to work :D

The Ruins b. Scott Smith

There is a movie based upon this book. It was not very popular, but it was good... and it was far creepier than one might have imagined. A backstory addict, I will admit that the reason I just had to read the book had to do with me wanting to know more about the villian. Well...the book isn't concerned with the whys and the whyfores either. What the book is concerned with is terror and is far more intense, tragic and gory than the movie.

Outside of 'The Cobra Event,' I can't imagine a more terrifying way to die than any one of the ways in this book. Luckily, the majority of the book, probably 75% is dedicated to buiding up to the ominous end. It's light and jovial at times, following two couples and their friends on vacation, but when they take a trip to find a friends brother on a remote archealogical dig-- Well you can see the dark clouds just looming.

The evil in this book is plant-like in nature and pretty damn scary ..to me. So is the thought of being held prisoner on a hill with little food or water in an extrememly hostile environment. It was good book, slow at times but really scary in the way that worms are icky...(Thanks Wal Whitman btw.) I enjoyed it but it needs to go back on my Paperback Swap Bookshelf, some books are just too creepy to leave around the house.

Giving Back, Research, Helping Out...Or Yum...

I don't know what to call it, when an author buys another author's work. Maybe it might depend on the motive. I know that before I was published, I bought a lot more books than I do now. I purchased a lot of books from publishers I hoped to court and submit to, if only to develop a sense of their style. Lately, I spend so much time writing, that I rarely get the opportunity to read and I must admit that when it comes to ebooks, I can not sit and read a book on a computer because the compulsion and feeling of guilt will not let me get through it.

I'll be honest, I ordered Jet Mykles two Dark Elves novels for one specific place. The Bathroom. I read on the train, in the car (if not driving), while walking and definitely when flying, but it is in the bathroom where I trully love to read. In the shower or on the throne, I love the peace and quiet I get in that room. Crass, I know, but true.

While I haven't been reading much erotica lately (as represented by my book reviews), I am so stoked to have picked up this series. Why? Because it is a smutty, easy-reading, gem of fantasy and because I am a notorious fan of the Drow, which may or may not have been an inspiration for the species of dark elves in this book. An ole' AD&D player, I could not resist the idea of hot dark elf sex...(ref. to post about Prince Nuada/Drizzt) . It's no secret, I love monsters and hot fantasy sex, hell I my favorite fanfic pairing is Legolas and Gimli, so this book definitely caught my attention.

I have read the first book (Part 1 & Part 2) already. Yup. It took all of 5 days of bathroom time and it was a saucy, sexy delight. Het/ MM...Menage... tis my kind of read and while I won't go in depth with a Review until I have completed the entire series (I hear tell of a 5th book) I am definatley a fan of the series...it's so wickedly, naughtay :D