Interview with Author Mistral Dawn

Today I have the pleasure of interviewing Mistral Dawn, author of Taken by the Huntsman and Bound by the Summer Prince, which has just come out. If you love the world of Fairie, you’re in good company here. 

Tracy: Thanks for dropping by, Mistral.

Mistral: Thank you so much for having me on your blog today, Tracy!! :-)  I've read your blog for years, and I'm a huge fan of yours, but I never thought I'd have the opportunity to talk to you here!  I'm star-struck! Thank you! :-)

T: Then I’d better not let you hang around for too long. I don’t want you finding out how awfully ordinary I am.

This blog today is all about you. Tell us about yourself and how you got started writing.

M: Me? I'm fairly unoriginal: thirty-something, graduate student/hospital drudge.  I have kitties, do a limited amount of cat/kitten rescue out of my home (please spay or neuter your pets! ;-) ), and I've recently started writing adult, fantasy, romance novels.

Taken By The Huntsman came about because I had a dream (I'll leave the details to your imagination ;-) ) after having a debate with an online friend about the nature of consent, and what society should and should not accept in terms of other people's behavior.  My friend and I differed rather violently on this matter and I went to bed thinking about it.  When I woke up, I had the idea for my first novel.  Another friend of mine said the idea sounded interesting, so I wrote the first couple of chapters and sent them to her asking if she was bored yet.  She was kind enough to say that she wasn't bored and would like to read the rest of the story, so I wrote it. :-)

T: Your first book Taken by the Huntsman takes place in the world of the Fae, Fairie. What drew you to write in this genre?

M: I've always read sci-fi and fantasy almost exclusively.  When I had the debate with my friend, I was in the middle of researching European mythology (because I'm a nerd) and some of those legendary creatures made their way into my dream.  Besides, who wouldn't enjoy fantasizing about a gorgeous guy who is utterly devoted to you and can take you somewhere you'll live forever? ;-)

T: I’m firmly in the camp of eternal doting. Tell us a little about Taken by The Huntsman.

M: Taken By The Huntsman is the story of Cassie, a lonely human orphan trying to find her place in the world, and Cadeyrn, the Erlking and Fairie's top cop.  Cadeyrn is hunting another Fae who has escaped to Earth after killing a child.  While he's searching, he comes across Cassie on her way home from work.  She can't see him because he's cast a spell to hide himself from human eyes, but when his eyes meet hers a magical soul-mate bond forms between them.  He decides to kidnap her and take her to his fortress in Fairie, because, having been Fairie's Huntsman for hundreds of millennia, he has earned his share of enemies.  Knowing that most modern humans know nothing of the Fae beyond children's stories, Cadeyrn doesn't believe he'll be able to convince Cassie of the danger she's in, and the only way he can think of to keep her safe is to kidnap her.  He expects her to be angry, and to have to work to earn her trust, but is unprepared for how difficult she finds it to open her heart.

T: It sounds exciting. Swept away by a Fairie cop who is your soulmate? Awesome. Which begs for a hypothetical question here: a tall, handsome Fae appears before you and says, “Mistral Dawn, you are my fated love.” What do you do?

M: Ha! Knowing me?  Look for the hidden cameras. ;-)

T:  How much of you do you put in your characters?

M: Oh, there's bits and pieces here and there.  Like Cassie, I've worked in call centers and at other "menial" jobs.  The disagreement with her boss that she's worrying about on her way home is almost word-for-word an argument I once had with a boss. Roni and I share the curse (blessing?) of being a well-padded woman in a society that favors the skinny.  But none of my characters are truly a representation of me. :-)

T: Is there any other genre you'd like to write? Or is there one you wouldn't?

M: I'd like to write straight Sci-Fi one day. I actually have an idea I've been kicking around for years, but I don't think I'm ready to write it yet. :-)  I try not to close my mind to any possibilities, but I read almost exclusively Sci-Fi and Fantasy, so I think it would be difficult for me to write anything else.

T: What was the most surprising thing about becoming a writer?

M: I really found the fact that it's possible to self-publish anything you like, on multiple platforms, without anyone's by-your-leave.  Granted, each platform has their own rules, but they tend to be pretty broad.  The internet is wonderful. :-)

T: What are you working on now?

M: I'm working on the second book in the series I started with Taken By The Huntsman, which is the story of Roni, a human con-woman and petty thief, and Uaine, the prince of Fairie's Summer Court.  Roni accidentally stumbles into Fairie (and it's against Fae law for humans to be in Fairie unless brought there by a Fae) and is caught by Uaine.  To his surprise, the soul-mate bond forms between them and he has to convince her to want to stay. :-)  The first chapter and some excerpts are posted on my blog.

After I finish the second novel I'll start writing a short story about Roni and Uaine, and then I have a third book planned which will involve the king of the Winter Court and his fated human.  So far I have five novels and two short stories planned, but I keep getting new ideas so the number keeps growing. :-)

T: I know that feeling. The ideas never seem to quit coming, do they? Writers tend to be the most voracious readers. What fiction do you read for pleasure?

M: Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Paranormal Romance/Erotica almost exclusively.  Occasionally a Historical Romance will slip in there, but rarely anything else. ;-)

T: What writer inspires you most?

M: Honestly?  You do, Tracy!  If you hadn't spent all that time on your blog talking about how to independently publish a novel and deal with all of the challenges that creep up, Taken By The Huntsman would almost certainly be sitting in a file on my hard drive, unread by anyone but me.  Until you wrote about it, I didn't even know it was possible to publish a novel without a publisher, so thank you very much!! :-)

T: My pleasure and thanks! I’m always delighted to help in any small way I can. Outside of writing, who inspires your life?

M: Oh, lots of people.  Anyone who can find a way to bring about change in society (large or small) without resorting to violence inspires me.  Teachers inspire me, social workers inspire me, animal rescue agency workers inspire me, soup-kitchen/food-pantry workers inspire me; basically, if you've left the world just a little bit better than you found it then you inspire me. :-)

T: Everyday heroes are the best. What is your passion outside of writing?

M: Taking in homeless cats and kittens, getting them healthy and well-socialized, and finding them their forever homes. :-)

T: So you are a hero yourself! I envy you doing that. I wish I could, but the hubs is allergic.

Okay, I’m going to ask a few miscellaneous questions so we can learn more about the woman behind hot and handsome Fairie beefcake. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would that be?

M: The Northern Pacific Coast of the US. Perfect weather as far as I'm concerned. :-)

T: Tell me one thing you absolutely cannot live without.

M: Hmm...besides my kitties?  Books! I'm a reading junkie and I'm not even interested in rehab. ;-)

T: Favorite quote?

M: “Humans need fantasy to be human. To be the place where the falling angel meets the rising ape.”

― Terry Pratchett

T: Nice one. I think that’s an excellent note to wrap this up on. Thanks so much for coming on the blog, Mistral. It’s been a delight to have you!

Keep up with Mistral Dawn and her writing:

Blog:  http://www.mistralkdawn.blogspot.com

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/MistralKDawn

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/MistralKDawn

Mistral’s first book Taken by the Huntsman is available at the following links:

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Mistral-Dawn/e/B00NGXETSM/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/taken-by-the-huntsman-mistral-dawn/1120336957?ean=2940046160284

iTunes:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/taken-by-the-huntsman/id917846309?mt=11

Smashwords:  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/474880

Kobo:  http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/taken-by-the-huntsman?utm_source=linkshare_us&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=linkshare_us&siteID=je6NUbpObpQ-021RpXazrG9lG7aKOA9oAQ

Bound by the Summer Prince is out too! Get this newest story in the series:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Bound-Summer-Prince-Book-ebook/dp/B00U1QFOWC/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1425000661&sr=1-1

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/522760

Interview With Author Sara Anderson

I’m so delighted to share a new voice with all of you. Sara Anderson is a friend of mine, and her first book is now available for pre-order (it comes out July 1). Starlight (Warriors of Dareen) is sci-fi BDSM from Siren Publishing.  Much like that man on the book's cover, it looks quite tasty.

I coaxed the Awesome Ms. A to answer a few questions about herself and her book so you can get to know her a little better. Here’s what she had to say:

Tracy:  Okay, let’s start with the basics. Tell everyone a bit about yourself and how long you've been writing.

Sara:  I am married, and I have three children. My husband is a great provider for us, which allows me to stay home with them. I started writing in the third grade. I thought for a long time that I would daydream about fictional people. I used to get into trouble a lot for my daydreaming. I would see a movie or read a book that sparked my imagination, and I would spend days working on characters that existed in my head. One day for a school project I wrote down what I had going on in my head. I got an A and my teacher was very impressed. I remember her telling me how I had creative talent and I should keep writing. I listened to her. I wrote a couple of science fiction stories as a teenager and then once I was an adult I moved on to romance.

T:  What specific genres do you concentrate on right now?

S: I write contemporary and science fiction.

T: Why these genres in particular?

S: I started in science fiction because that is my favorite genre. I have been a sci-fi nerd since I was little. My favorite movies growing up were the Star Wars Trilogy.

T: Is there any other genre you'd like to try? Or is there one you wouldn't?

S:  I would like to try paranormal one day.

T: What fiction do you read for pleasure?

S:  I have read fantasy such as David Eddings and Mercedes Lackey as well as erotic books. I love to read and I will read most anything.

T:  What writer inspires you most?

S:  Oh there are so many, but I have to say David Eddings.

T:  Outside of writing, who inspires your life?

S:  I would have to say my husband. He is such an amazing husband to me and father to his children.

T:  How much of you do you put in your characters? Where do I see Sara when I read your work?

S:  I think I put a little bit of myself into every character. While I am writing and different situations come up, I think about how I would react.

T:  Which of your characters is your favorite so far?

S: I have to say that Laura in my second book is my favorite character. She wasn’t afraid to go after what she wanted, even when she had every reason to be afraid.

T:  What are you working on now?

S:  I am on book 3 of my Warriors of Dareen series! Book 2 was accepted and will be released in August.

T:  Congratulations! Talk a little bit about your upcoming release. How did the idea for it come to you?

S:  This upcoming release is my first book, Starlight. I have always had this story in my head. What if there were aliens out there and they knew all about us, but kind of like with Star Trek they can’t interfere at all? What if it was unavoidable for them to come to our planet, and what would they do if someone found out about them? That is how Starlight came to life.

T:  I’m a huge Star Trek fan, so this ‘Prime Directive’ complication sounds like something I’ll love. Okay, let’s stray away from the writing for a few questions. Favorite sex toy?

S:  My flogger. For something so simple it is an amazing toy. It can be relaxing or stimulating depending on how it is used.

T:  If you could live anywhere in the world, where would that be?

S:  The east coast. My family lives there and the ocean is warm unlike California’s ocean.

T:  George Clooney or Brad Pitt?

S:  Well, Brad Pitt is from my area so I will have to go with him.

T:  Tell me one thing you absolutely cannot live without.

S:  Internet. I did not used to like it so much until I got a lap top. Now it sits in the living room and I am always on it whether it is research or just playing around.

T:  Favorite quote?

S:  My favorite quote is from a poem someone sent me when my second daughter was born.

“Cleaning and scrubbing can wait til tomorrow, for babies grow up we learned to our sorrow. So quiet down cobwebs, dust go to sleep. I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep.”

That is my favorite. Whether I am working on a book and I get annoyed due to the distractions or I want to clean and I have a clingy baby, this reminds me that they are little for such a small time.

T:  So now I think we need to take a peek into Sara’s book Starlight. Let there be description and panty-drenching excerpt:

Starlight (Warriors of Dareen)

Siren Classic: Erotic Sci-Fi Consensual BDSM Romance, capture, spanking, flogging, HEA

Kara Johnson has learned the hard way that she will always be alone. Her father died, and the man she thought she loved cheated on her. She has built walls around her heart to make sure no one can harm her again. Then a sexy FBI Agent shows up at the sheriff’s department where she works and turns her world upside down. She spends her days fantasizing about all the ways he could force her to submit to him, not believing he would ever be interested in her.

Joran is on earth hunting his enemy. He sees Kara, and suddenly she is all he can think about. He wishes he could keep her, but their laws are clear that humans must remain unaware of their existence.  When Kara is attacked, Joran is forced to reveal himself.  Joran gets his wish to keep Kara for his own. He uses dominance and his alien senses of truth seeking and empathy to win her heart.

Excerpt:

Kara watched him get up off of the bed and walk over to a small dresser. He pulled out what looked like a vibrator, but it looked strange. Her legs ached from how he placed them up and bent them, but she did not dare move. Her pussy still throbbed painfully from its need for release.

“I am going to introduce you to the delights of anal stimulation with sex.” He walked back over to the bed and knelt between her spread legs. “I am going to get this nice and wet so it slides right in.”

“Wait, Joran, please. I don’t want anything up my ass.” She whimpered, seeing how huge the thing was. All she could imagine was pain. Ryan had fucked her up the ass once and she cried the entire time. It was not fun at all.

“Do I need to start your lesson all over again, Kara?” Joran asked in an ominous tone.

Her face drained of color and she shook her head no. “No! Please, I am just scared. It hurt last time anything was up there.”

“I promise to be gentle with you. If it hurts, I will stop,” Joran told her, his face full of confidence that she didn’t feel.

“How will you know?” she squealed trying to wiggle her ass away from the evil-looking vibrator.

“I have studied your every facial expression. I will know if you are in pain, my beautiful girl. Trust me,” he entreated.

He pushed the vibrator into her pussy, then pulled it out. He pushed it back in, twisted it, then pulled it back out.

“Oh,” Kara cried, gripping the ropes holding her hands up over her head. She did not expect it to feel so good.

“That’s it, my bonded, let your body take what I give you.” He knelt between her legs again and ran his tongue over her clit.

Kara moaned and pushed her hips up to his face to get more from him. She whimpered when he pulled the vibrator out. She was half afraid he would again leave her panting and in pain with the need to come. He stuck his tongue in her pussy, fucking it like he had with his cock. While it felt good, it did not relieve the ache pulsing in her clit. She whimpered while trying to push herself into his face.

“Hold on,” he warned her, then his mouth closed on her clit. He sucked on it hard while running his tongue over the top of it. At the same time, something hard and huge shoved against her ass. Her eyes opened wide. He really was going to fuck her ass with a vibrator, but he again sucked hard on her clit and all thoughts evaporated. She pulled her legs higher and farther apart as her orgasm rushed at her. A wave of pleasure crashed as burning pain seared in her ass. It combined, melting into a wave of pure bliss. Kara’s mouth opened wide as every muscle clamped hard. Everything disappeared but the feeling of his mouth on her clit and the stretching of her back hole. She shrieked when the orgasm gripped her, exploding throughout her body. Her hips bucked hard as she screamed. Lights flashed in her vision. Joran pulled the vibrator out of her ass, then pushed it back in, all while his tongue stroked her clit. Another orgasm crashed through her while her body shook.

She finally opened her eyes to see him smiling over her. “That was the most amazing orgasm I have ever witnessed a lover of mine experience. You honor me with your body,” he told her. His eyes shone with something, but Kara did not dare think it could be love. They barely knew one another.

“Thank you,” she croaked, her voice close to giving out from all her screaming.

“Don’t thank me yet. We are far from done, my beauty.” Joran’s smile was sadistic.

“What are you going to do?” Kara asked worriedly. She did not know how much more she could take.

Joran twisted the vibrator and it suddenly came to life in her ass. She tensed as nerves she thought were sated were suddenly flaring back with need.

Kara bit her bottom lip and moaned again. “Joran, I can’t,” she hissed.

“Oh, you can, and you will,” he ordered her as his golden eyes bored into hers.

He climbed in between her legs and pushed his cock into her slowly. The vibrator in her ass made her pussy feel even tighter than their first time together.

Kara gasped as he forced his cock into her. He would pull out, then shove in harder, slowly entering her inch by inch.

“Fuck, oh fuck. Kara you are such a treasure,” Joran panted while pushing into her more with each thrust.

“Don’t stop. I will do anything, just please don’t stop,” Kara panted as he stretched her. She felt so overfull, but nerves she never knew existed screamed in pleasure. Finally, she felt his balls against her and knew he was all the way in. He stopped and rested his forehead against her.

“Do not move,” he hissed between clenched teeth. “I need to get my control, or I will spill too soon.”

Now available for pre-order at http://www.bookstrand.com/starlight-anderson. 

You can also connect with Sara Anderson on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008273408323.

Interview with Erotic Author D. X. Luc and Excerpt

I just love reading alternate versions of well-loved stories.  So when I saw author D. X. Luc had written an erotic adventure featuring characters from The Wizard of Oz, my curiosity was immediately piqued.  Down the Yellow Brick Road:  Finding Home looks to be a highly original twist to an old favorite.  

So let’s get to know a little more about the D. X. Luc and her work.  

Q:  Thanks so much for letting me interview you and feature your book on my blog.  What genres do you write? 

A:  I write erotic romance.

Q:  Why do you focus on this genre? 

A:  It wasn't a first choice, but I love the naughty and the sexy. I love sex. Why not write about something I love and others enjoy as well!

Q:  You’ll get no argument from me!  Is there any genre you'd like to try? Or is there one you wouldn't?

A:  I'd probably not do well with non-fiction. My life is pretty boring! But I've always loved dark fantasy and fiction.

Q:  What fiction do you read for pleasure?

A:  I enjoy Ernest Hemingway, Shakespeare, and Edgar Allen Poe. And of course I love romance and erotic romance novels.

Q:  What writer inspires you most? 

A:  Wow, that's a tough question. I have many and I'm truly a child of the classics. Ernest Hemingway. He was an amazing writer.

Q:  Outside of writing, who inspires your life? 

A:  My children. They are and have always been my biggest supporters. Even when I'm 'totally not cool'.

Q:  How much of you do you put in your characters?

A:  I put my passion and emotions into my characters. But as for my personality, not much. I take that from the world around me.

Q:  Tell me a bit about yourself and how long you've been writing.

A:  Well, I'm a mom of three. My youngest is only 9 months old. I homeschool my older children. I got my degree in psychology with a concentration in human sexuality. I am pretty fun and loud. My friends consider my behavior eccentric and I am proud to be so! I love shocking people. I've made it a hobby when it comes to my mother. The youngest of eight children, I have tattoos and piercings. I've been with my husband for ten years, married for almost seven. We have quite a few pets, including a python who we love to pieces. I've been writing since I was in elementary school. I had a poem published in a school anthology in the 9^th grade and helped write a script for drama right before I left high school.

Q:  I love the idea of erotica based around the story of Oz.  Which of your characters is your favorite?

A:  I love Toto. In the book, the movie, and my own book, I've always loved Toto and felt he needed a bigger part. He's got that loyalty and devotion one would see with their pet. But at the same time, he has the dominance and protection quality of an alpha. He's a sexy and great character.

Q:  What are you working on now? 

A:  Edits before the book comes out. And I have a new series being typed up as well as the second installment of Down the Yellow Brick Road saga.

Q:  So there’s a whole saga to look forward to!  What's your latest release and how did the idea arrive? 

A:  My upcoming release is Down the Yellow Brick Road: Finding Home. The idea came from hanging out with a good friend at the 2009 Romantic Times Convention, having a lager (or two) and then recalling one of my favorite stories. I love watching a fairy tale become a romance and realized Dorothy hadn't had her chance yet. So, why not let her grow up and love?

Q:  It sounds terrific!  Thanks again for taking time out of what sounds like a crazy schedule to talk to us.

Imagine having someone so devoted to you and you don't even know it. What if that person, that perfect one was right under your nose? What if that person was not only the hero of your heart, but a savior to many?

Dorothy Gale found herself growing older and was stuck in neutral. She wanted adventure and love. Yet her love life was non-existent, with only fantasies of hot sex and being dominated keeping her company. Lacking in human companionship, she felt blessed to have her devoted dog, Toto. He was her solace. Little did she know, her dog had a big secret and an even greater destiny.

Toto craved her every waking and sleeping moment. Unconditionally he worshiped her, but knew his true nature had to remain hidden. Hope of loving her nearly seemed impossible, that was until a mystical accident left them in a world beyond. Under the pretense of a local, Toto shows Dorothy that love comes in all forms, be it the loyalty of an animal or the passions of a man. Though he had only thought to get them home safely, he begins learning his presence in the strange land is far more important than either of them could have fathomed.

Secrets unravel, truths come to light. Join Toto and Dorothy through their journey in a dark and magical place. A place just over the rainbow twister, where finding home means having faith in love.

Prologue

Outer skirts of Oz

“My people, it would seem the LOLLIPOP GUILD INC. has made a decree to destroy all of our people. Already many of us have been eliminated. We must flee while we still can!”

All around men, women, and children shifted into their various Caninion forms, scattering with what little possessions they could harness to their bodies to escape from the tortures that the guild had placed upon their peoples’ heads. Many hadn’t gotten all that far when the deep hums of the guild began to echo from outside the small village, the sound causing fear and chaos. In a matter of seconds, the courtyard was filled with creatures, their skins were the color of rust, their bodies short and stout. With hairless, nose-less forms, their small onyx eyes stared with pure disgust, while wide red lips were pursed together. The LOLLIPOP GUILD INC. had arrived for the slaughter.

Battered and exhausted, two small black dogs, with silky fur, and one ripe with child, stumbled through the woods. They knew that their demise was close on their heels, saddened that their child would not know of them because of some archaic prophecy. The purple sun began to set, bringing a sense of relief to the pair as they found shelter for the night. In the darkness, dog-like whimpers, human screams and the smell of death and fire filled the air, all the while, deep in the hole of a rotted tree, the heavy pants of a female Caninion could barely be heard while she brought her son into the world. At the sound of his helpless yelps, his parents' dark eyes stared down at him with love and sadness, deciding that in the morning they would take him to the only one that could save his life. They would go To The East.

Author page on New Concepts Publishing: http://newconceptspublishing.com/d.-x.-luc/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/dxluc

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002897872356&sk=wall

Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/D-X-Luc/127121317364246