OH MY GOODNESS!!!

My new story for the Decadent Publishing series 1Night Stand is coming out next TUESDAY AUGUST 2ND!!!!!

Didn't Fiona Jayde do a killer job on the cover? I just love it.

Well, here is a sneak peak of BEAR IT ALL just for you! You won't find this excerpt anywhere else!!!!

Enjoy!!


This would be the best vacation ever.

Good thing Travis jerked one out before he came down to the pool or he’d be sprouting an erection Paul Bunyan would have a hard time felling. He’d wanted to prevent ending the night in five seconds, but the longer he watched John by the pool the more he realized it might happen anyway. Especially when he imagined all that body hair tickling his flesh. The musk of his skin, the scent of his armpits, balls, the sweat on his neck—all of it filling his nostrils ’til he became drunk from it. Damn, his shorts tented further.

Travis perked up when John surveyed the Tiki bar. To his surprise, his gaze flitted right over him. Maybe the sun was in his eyes and he didn’t notice the Ohio State T-shirt Travis wore to identify himself and prevent John from accidently hitting on some straight guy. According to Travis’s correspondence with Madame Eve, John wanted this to feel like a clandestine meeting at a bar, rather than a made-to-order fuck. An innocent enough ruse. As long as it ended up with John’s cock buried balls deep in Travis’s ass, what could be the harm in a little subterfuge?

John stepped into the shallow water. The golden hour of evening approached, the sun rendering his tanned flesh bronze. Travis couldn’t wait to get his hands on him. Sipping his mojito, he swiveled in his seat, surreptitiously crossing his ankle over his knee. Looked like the preparation masturbation hadn’t really helped.

“Hey!” a kid cried when he and his friends caught sight of Poseidon entering their domain. “Can you do a cannonball?”

Travis hid a smile as the kids gave John a cheer, egging him on. Yes, his bear definitely had the look of the guy at the pool who did cannonballs for the kids.

John’s handsome face cracked a good natured smile. “Sorry, kids. Not today.”

The kids pouted and Travis hid a lecherous grin behind his glass. Don’t wear yourself out, honey. That’s my job.

He glanced at the clock, hoping the guy noticed him soon. The mojito went down smooth in the waning heat and the steel drum band filled the air with the tinny sounds of Bob Marley. But he came here for a different kind of sun and fun. Who knew? He’d only paid for the one night, but if John agreed, possibly they could have a whole vacation of man-on-hairy-man action. Desire simmered in his nuts just thinking about it, but he told himself not to get his hopes up.

John had one more look around the pool— missing Travis again— then took a perfectly formed, short dive beneath the water. Like a dolphin, seamless and no splash. Definitely a man of slow and studied motions. The sort who made love like a long, wet dream rather than a pile driver.

In his pursuit of the perfect boyfriend, Travis had been fucked by his fair share of big guys, most of whom had been Doms. Not that he couldn’t take it, but he preferred a little romance. He might like a bear, but he wanted a teddy not a grizzly.

John surfaced, shaking long, gorgeous curls out of his face and blinking back the water from his eyes. Travis loved it when guys did that. Water sluiced over John’s open lips, catching in his goatee as he took his first breath and Travis tried not to groan as he pictured the scene in slow-mo, complete with swanky porn music. He slurped the icy remnants of his mojito, his mouth suddenly dry.

“Another?” the bartender asked.

Travis offered him a smile and shook his head. He didn’t want to be too drunk to appreciate the fine hunk of flesh he’d paid good money for. “I’m fine, thanks. I’ll be leaving shortly anyway.”

He winked. “You let me know if you need anything else.”

Attractive, but too thin and far too much smooth skin for his taste.

John exited the pool and Travis’s hungry gaze zeroed in on the water running in rivulets through the luscious pelt covering his body, slicking beneath his swim trunks. God, he couldn’t wait to lick him from head to toe, ass to balls.

“You sure you don’t wanna do a cannonball?” the kids asked in chorus.

John gave them a kind smile, not irritated by the little twerps at all. “Maybe another time.”

Swallowing hard, Travis watched him vigorously dry off his arms and legs, ruffling up his fur. He tipped his head to the side to wring the water out of his long hair. Those eyes—light green, maybe?—roamed over the pool area once more, a disappointed expression crossing his face. Travis had to restrain himself from jumping off the barstool and yelling, I’m over here!

Not exactly the kind of discretion required at Castillo Resorts. It might be a rendezvous place for 1NightStand, but it was just a normal tropical resort.

When John headed to the bar, Travis had a hard time looking away from the mountain of muscle closing in on him. His hair curled at the temples, complimenting the rounded, but masculine features of his face. His trimmed goatee, peppered by light blond, hinted at being gray near his full lips. The fine lines around his eyes—hazel, Travis finally discovered—spoke of laughter and kindness.

Grinning, he opened his mouth to say hello, but John walked right past him.
Travis frowned when his date tapped his knuckles lightly on the counter. He should’ve opted for the red OSU shirt. Maybe John didn’t see the Buckeye logo on the front.

The cute bartender nodded in John’s direction, a flirtatious smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “What can I get for you, big guy?”

“I’ll have a Bud.”

Of course you will. The slightly soft curve of his stomach spoke of a man who never wasted time on a light beer.

Deciding to get the party started, Travis scooted one stool closer, until he sat right beside his date. The giant shifted and glanced over. Offering a slight tip of his bottle in greeting, John cleared his throat awkwardly and turned away.

Oh! So he’s shy.

Well, there was a damn good reason more than one of his lovers had called Travis an aggressive bottom. Nothing stopped him from going after what he wanted.

Tonight, he was bear hunting.



I hope you enjoyed the preview!

Make sure you pick up a copy next Tuesday at Decadent Publishing!

Thanks!

~Deanna

COCKTAILS & COCK TALES with WENDY BURKE

Today at the bar I have a dear friend of mine Wendy Burke. We're gonna be talking books, special projects we both have coming out in August and....we'll be drinking!!!!

Duh...didn't you see the title?

What we are drinking:

Spotted Cow
A smooth lager from Wendy's home state of Wisconsin--which my husband says tastes like Pabts Blue Ribbon LOL It doesn't, BTW


Deanna: Welcome Wendy! (((snags a bottle opener from under the bar))) I just love this pic!!! So cute!

Wendy: Thanks, Deanna! It's good to be here. (((looks around as she pulls out two cold ones))) Though I must say it feels familiar

Deanna: That's only cuz you've been in my real bar. My cyber bar is very similar. (((pops the tops off the Spotted Cow and holds them up in a toast)))

Wendy: Cheers! (((clanks bottles))

Deanna: Cheers! Now the most important Q of the day is: Where are you and what are you wearing?

Wendy: If it weren’t so dang HOT out I would be wearing, flannel. I LOVE flannel. I love the smell of GREY FLANNEL too. (oh that reminds me of…sorry, can’t say – no, he’s not in a witness protection program but I hate to kiss & tell.) But, right now I’m sitting around the house in jammy pants and an unmatching shirt. Two different prints…I know, I am NOT fashionable but I sure am comfy! I’m in the loft of our condo, which is a glorified TV room…not ‘lofty’ at all.

Deanna: What’s your poison? Vodka? Hot Coco?

Wendy: I don’t know if I’ve even ever really had Vodka – OBVIOUSLY I haven’t spent enough time with YOU! Not a big cocoa fan, but I drink a bit of wine at night, beer on the weekends --Spotted Cow -- and I like a nip of Scotch now and then. I don’t drink CONSTANTLY like it sounds above, not that I don’t deserve to, however!

Deanna: Of course you deserve to!!! Now that we’re comfy, tell me about your new book?

Wendy: Well, you know all about it cuz you pestered me into finishing it!

Deanna: (((holds up her bottle))) You’re welcome.

Wendy: RESPITE (which was a spur of the moment title, as the story really didn’t have one --- read that, I pulled it out of my butt) is a ‘love’ (gag..) story about a WW2 vet who needs some space (ie respite) after the war in Europe to decompress. Ryan doesn’t want to go home, so he hits up the Moroccan coast where he meets Maddy, who needs some ‘respite’ of her own. Needless to say after they meet they don’t get much ‘rest’ at all – heh…

Deanna: Where did the idea for this story come from?

Wendy: It was actually the prologue to another story I was working on, (contemporary) also untitled. But you badgered me so much to make it a separate story I did and it’s my first published work of fiction…THANKS DW!

Deanna: Yes, readers. I shall have you know Ms. Burke wasn’t going to give Maddy and Ryan a HEA!!!! I had to threaten her with ….nah. I just whined. Whining works. (((passes over another beer)))

Wendy: Thanks! (((takes a pull on the bottle))) Deanna should come with cheese. But, hey? I’m published!! Anyways, I’ve always been enamored by the post WW2 era, both my parents were of that time. My father served in the Army in the Pacific – my mom was a Civil Defense coordinator for her neighborhood – had the little helmet and all. It was a different time then, simpler, more patriotic.

Deanna: What was the hardest part of writing this story for you?

Wendy: The end…always, the end. I have written only ONE OTHER finished work...THAT end (Crossing Paths) I am happy with. I always feel I have such a good story that maybe subconsciously I don’t want to part with the characters or the story itself – and that makes the writing the end difficult. I also don’t want to mislead the reader with a good story and an ‘eh’ ending.

Deanna: What’s the easiest thing about writing it?

Wendy: Determining what characters look like and the locale. I’ve heard that people ‘write what they know.’ (Well, maybe that’s not the case with YOUR stories…ahem!!!) I know the area in which I live, I know the Great Lakes Midwest and the central Lake Michigan shore of Wisconsin. So, therefore most of my stories (those yet to be published) take place between Detroit/Toledo and Sheboygan, WI. With RESPITE – Morocco seemed warm and welcoming especially after WW2 (that whole Bogey and Bacall thing)…but I’ve never been there – so it’s ‘fiction’ in the truest sense of the word.

Deanna: Check out the sweet trailer for RESPITE here
What is your dream story, your opus, if you will? The one you dream about writing but haven’t don’t it?

Wendy: I love a good action thriller. I am a huge Brad Thor fan and when I work out on my elliptical in the morning, it’s either a Brad Thor novel, or lately a James Rollins ‘SIGMA’ series book. Of course, I would incorporate a bit more romance and obvious sex in the story – I understand a good story can be carried out without written sex, you know, just the ‘inference’ of it. But, if you have amazing characters who have a solid relationship or are leaning that way, why not be more blatant about it? Hey, what’s better than sex, action, mystery and politics all rolled into one? That’s just IMO…humble as it is, and you know what ‘they’ say about opinions – like navels (or other body parts) everyone has at least ONE.

Deanna: I think you were looking for the word 'assholes.' You know, this is my blog, hon…you can say what you please!

Wendy: Well, okay then!

Deanna: When did you first discover you were a writer? Were you like sitting on the toilet and just said, “Ya know, I think I’m gonna write a book.” Or was it more profound?

Wendy: Well, I’ve always been a ‘story teller’ of sorts. I made up all kinds of shit in my head as a kid (that’s called schizophrenia now) and I was an A-grade storyteller on my high school forensics team. So, with all THAT running around in my head, the next natural step would be writing it all down. I, however, took a detour and ‘told stories’ with my voice in radio for many years --- all morning radio really is IS telling stories. Why did I write a book though? My first finished ‘novel’ (or super mega novel – is that what 300,000 words+ is!?) was written for my dear friend, Deb. She was going through a rough time and I told her, ‘I’m gonna write you a cheesy romance baseball novel.’ And, I did – it was finished five years after I started it and a year after she died of a life-long battle with diabetes and all the nasty fall-out that goes along with that shitty disease. I love her and miss her terribly – and I know ‘Crossing Paths’ will someday be for sale through some publisher – dedicated to her of course.

Deanna: ANy chance it's this kind of baseball story, Wen ------->

Wendy: No!!! You brat, I'll leave the hot man on man stories to you!

Deanna: You say that now. I'll get you to come to the dark side one day! LOL Now what helps you when you are stumped on a scene in a manuscript? I usually have a cocktail or three. But that’s just me.

Wendy: I usually email you! – and you tell me if I’m full of crap. Alcohol works, but just walking away from it for a day usually is the cure. I call my ‘epiphanies’ on a scene ‘baloney sandwich moments.’ Usually, if I IGNORE my ‘problem scene,’ it’ll come to me at a later time – usually when I’m making a baloney sandwich!

Deanna: Most of my stories have a theme song, do you do that for your characters?? If so what is it?

Wendy: I don’t really know about Maddy and Ryan in RESPITE – and it’s not something I ‘consciously’ do for my characters. BEER CAVE (aka AMORIS DEFENDE) which I’m working on as a follow up to RESPITE, well, Ty and Erin have a song or two: The Divinyls ‘When I Think of You I Touch Myself’…and there was another one I thought of, but it escapes me at the moment – darn old age!

Deanna: Tell us about a scene that you have written then afterwards, when you read it, you shocked yourself? You know I want a dirty answer (((hint hint)))

Wendy: Sorry, don’t have one. In ‘Crossing Paths’ it was the very end…the last chapter which wraps up the entire story and the tribulations both characters have gone through to find their HEA (happily ever after …I had to ask TOO when I first heard it…) The end chapter was everything I wanted it to be and I actually cried when it was finished. Then I announced to my husband ‘It is done.’ Yeah, that only took FIVE years!

Deanna: Shall we give them a sneak peak of our new stories?

Wendy: Sure! Why not! Just pass me another beer first.

Deanna (((cracks open another round of cold ones))) Wendy and I had a cool idea a few months back. I wanted to write a story for our publisher’s 1NightStand series. But the trouble with a short story like that, you never get to find out what happens to the couple afterward.
So what if my couple made a guest appearance in someone else's book, eh? Problem solved!!!
And that’s what we did. In my m/m story BEAR IT ALL which comes out August 2nd the reader meets Travis and John, an unlikely couple who realize that opposites really do attract. The story ends after their hot night of tropical passion but if you want to find out if their HFN (happy for now) becomes a HEA (happily ever after—don’t you love writer lingo?) you have to check out…


Wendy: My story THE ONE HE CHOSE. See, aren’t we clever? LOL

Deanna: I thought so (((grins)))

Wendy: In my story you meet Grace—John’s sister—and learn that there really can be love after loss and sometimes it is right under your nose. You just might need a little ‘push’ to see it. Check out the book trailer for THE ONE HE CHOSE, due to be out this August.


THE ONE HE CHOSE (trailer)


Deanna: Thanks for stopping by, Wen!
Now we need to hook up at my real bar later...this cyber bar is making me thirsty!

If you leave a comment—and please do—you can be entered in a chance to win a FREE copy of RESPITE.

Find Wendy online at:
Facebook
Twitter
Blog

You can buy her books here:
Decadent Publishing
Amazon

COCKTAILS AND COCK TALES WITH STEVE TINDLE AND BRENDA WOODY

After a long absence, the cock is back!!! Well, my interviews are back anyway! And today I have at the bar an erotic duo of writers Steve Tindle and Brenda Woody. Or shall we say a duo or erotic writers. I guess we shall see!



What We Are Drinking

Rattlesnake Shooters
Look out they bite!
Kahlua
Vodka
Baileys
Shot glasses and a teaspoon.

In the first shot glass, pour a third of Kahlua. With the teaspoon slightly tipped in the top of the glass, slowly pour the Baileys to layer on top of the Kahlua. With the spoon still in place, pour the Vodka slowly to layer on top of the Baileys. Repeat with the other shot glasses as needed for your friends who are watching, waiting and anticipating for their shooter.


Deanna: Well thank you Brenda for the recipe! These things look awesome! ((whips up three and passes them around))
Lets make a toast, shall we? ((they all raise their shooters))
To tapping kegs and spreading legs and keeping sperm away from eggs!
((they down their shooters and Deanna makes another round)) So lets get on with the drinkin...er...I mean the interview. First off guys, where are you and what are you wearing?

Steve: I’m inside your computer answering questions about Brenda’s and my works in progress (WIP).

Deanna: Oh I can see somebody's gonna be trouble already! LOL

Steve: Who me? never! I hope your readers enjoy the answers. As for what I’m wearing, my clothes wouldn’t fit in this tight area; which is fine since I’m anticipating this blog interview will be heating up real quick.

Brenda: LOL Great question. Sitting right beside Steve on the couch playing my on laptop. Umm NOTHING. We get naked time very evening while the youngest is in college classes!

Deanna: Okay I take that back, we're all in trouble! And why the hell am I wearing pants? ((strips down to her skivvies)) Good call, Brenda. Now beside these delicious little shooters, what’s your poison? Vodka? Hot Coco?

Steve: I have never been a heavy drinker; however I do like an occasional 2 fingers of Crown Royal Black or a White Russian.

Deanna: ((produces a bottle of Crown and wordlessly pours Steve three fat fingers to which he nods his approval))

Brenda: I like an occasional cocktail. White Russians being my fav. But I'll have another one of those Rattlesnakes, if you don't mind

Deanna: Now that we’re comfy, tell me about your new book?

Steve: After Brenda and I submitted Best Lover in Town, our publisher asked us to submit a short story for an anthology he was putting together called Temptation Triggers. After he read our story, he asked us to submit several more and he would dedicate the entire book to our stories. I wanted to submit eleven stories because it was to be published in 2011. By the time we had seven completed we were over the publisher’s word count limitation. Brenda and I already had several other stories outlined so the publisher is talking about Temptation Triggers II.

Brenda: Both of our books were fun to write. Temptation Triggers is on Amazon for Kindle and will be released in print on July 1st.

Deanna: Where did the idea for this story come from?

Steve: The first short story idea for Steal My Love came from the cover of Temptation Triggers. Brenda and I enjoy sitting in the spa talking about characters and scenes. Sometimes a scene we create doesn’t fit in our WIP. We jot the idea down to use in another project even if we haven’t started on it yet.

Brenda: The short stories are from many ideas that seem to find their way into our heads. Patty Melt came to us when Steve took me to Whataburger on Valentine’s Day for a patty melt – my favorite sandwich. Break Up Pudding is from a recipe our youngest found. We love Savannah, GA, so we wrote a short story in this location.

Deanna: What was the hardest part of writing this story for you?

Steve: The hardest part of writing for me is the stress of the deadline. Working with Brenda, we’ve been able to submit the manuscript before the due date.

Brenda: Editing our own work. We can find all the writing mistakes in another author’s work, but I’m blinded when it comes to editing our own.

Deanna: What’s the easiest thing about writing it?

Steve: Brenda and I are very open with each other which make the sex scenes easy to talk about and write down.

Deanna: I just can't imagine that, what with writing naked and all, LOL

Brenda: Once we knew what we were going to write, the character names, plots and twist just fell into place. I’m ready for another drink. Is there a bartender or is it self service?

Deanna: Whoops! where are my manners? How about a White Russian? In honor of the Dude?

Brenda: Perfect!

Deanna: What is your dream story, your opus, if you will? The one you dream about writing but haven’t don’t it?

Steve: Many fans have asked us to write about ourselves. How we went to high school together but never dated and found each other online 30 years later. Brenda and I have thought about it but want to have a few more books to our name before we tackle the project. I’ll have some Crown, chilled and neat. LOL

Deanna: Just two fingers, eh? ((winks at Brenda)) Two fingers right after another I see. Just my kinda folks! ((pours herself and Steve a drink)) And Brenda, what is your dream story?

Brenda: For me, my dream book is a WIP with a character Marci Perez who is a homicide cop. Marci is from Creole and Cuban descent; she is very beautiful and sure will get into trouble! We plan to write Marci into several books in a series.

Deanna: Sounds fun! When did you first discover you were a writer? Were you like sitting on the toilet and just said, “Ya know, I think I’m gonna write a book.” Or was it more profound?

Steve: I had written songs and poems in high school and college. Brenda sent me a story she had started years before which was only a few pages. After reading it, I suggested a few changes and Best Lover in Town was created. We used this book to learn about each other and ourselves as we talked about passion and romance. Since Brenda was in Portland and I was in Dallas the manuscript kept us talking about our past and dreams. Brenda moved to Dallas in 2009 to complete our work in progress and to start a new chapter in her life.

Brenda: I have been writing poetry for a very long time. My first romance book was Shana by Kathleen Woodiwiss when I was sixteen. I was hooked on romance novels from then on and always dreamed of writing a novel but didn’t think my writing was good enough to get published. Plus I always hid my dark side. With Steve, I can act on this side. *wink* BTW the research is fun!

Deanna: I'm sure writing naked is also helpful while researching, LMAO!

Brenda: ((laughs and helps herself to another White Russian))

Deanna: What helps you when you are stumped on a scene in a manuscript? I usually have a cocktail or three. But that’s just me. Most of my stories have a theme song, do you do that for your characters?? If so what is it?

Steve: We don’t normally get stuck on a scene; this is the advantage of writing as a team. We bounce ideas off each other no matter how silly they seem at the time. Sometimes these ideas are used in other stories (Gnat and FLO).

Brenda: Steve is right, the words start flowing. Coffee is my drink when I write. Our hot tub is our muse where we bounce scenes and characters off each other.

Deanna: I have a writing partner too, and we find that two heads are always better than one. Hmmm, must be why I write m/m...
Back to the point though, those Rattlesnakes seem to have made me distracted. I think I'll have another. ((Whips up three and passes them around))
Tell us about a scene that you have written then afterwards, when you read it, you shocked yourself? You know I want a dirty answer (((hint hint)))

Steve: Every time we reviewed Grandma Finds Her G-Spot we were shocked. The more we read the short story the more we laughed. Brenda read it to a friend who laughed all the way through the reading. It was great to be able to entertain friends with our story.

Brenda: Let’s just say Steve ain’t complaining after we write a sex scene. Ummm sometimes – well you get the drift, if your own writing makes ya horny and all. LOL

Deanna: Oh yeah, if it doesn't get me hot, it won't make anybody else hot either! That's why my husband calls what we write Lady Porn! LOL Now, these are the kinda answers I wanted. Just needed to lube you all up with some...what were we drinking again? ((looks around blankly)) Yo, Steve, pass over that Crown!

Steve: ((clutching the entire bottle now he takes a healthy swig before passing it over))

Deanna: Well looks like I'm gonna need to hit the liqueur store before the next interview! And while Steve and Brenda and I get our drink on, why don't the rest of you check out their links and an excerpt from their books HOTEL SAVANNAH.

If you post a comment you could win a free e-book of BEST LOVER IN TOWN in pdf to one lucky commenter.

You can find Brenda and Steve online here:
yola
Facebook Fanpage
Blogger
Twitter
Goodreads

And you can buy their books here:

BEST LOVER IN TOWN on Charles River Press
TEMPTATION TRIGGERS on Charles River Press

Best Lover in Town and Temptation on Amazon
Best Lover in Town on Barnes & Noble


An Excerpt of HOTEL SAVANNAH

Saturday, February 13, 1932

Today was a day I won’t soon forget. I met with him early as we had discussed the night before. He had a horse and carriage waiting for us outside the hotel. He helped me onto the bench and covered us with a blanket. The driver cracked his whip and the horse drove us around the city of Savannah.

There was a cold chill in the air but the blanket and my new friend kept me from noticing. As the carriage took a sharp turn, he took advantage of this opportunity and moved closer to me. I didn’t mind, I welcomed his advances. I would have sat on his lap if I hadn’t been so worried about appearances.

He pointed out several historic buildings and could name every one of them. We became closer and closer as the day passed. When the wheel of the carriage hit a pot hole and our hands made contact as we both grabbed for the falling blanket. I didn’t retract my hand and neither did he. We turned to look for each other’s reaction. Looking into his dark eyes, I wanted to stay here forever.

The driver asked if we wanted to walk River Street while the horse rested a few minutes and he checked the wheel. I had never been to River Street so this was a great adventure. I was helped down by my escort and we strolled down the cobble stone road to see the shops and eating establishments.

The wind shifted and the moisture in the air became heavier so we headed back to the carriage. A few minutes before we reached our destination the sky opened up drenching us with rain. The driver was ready and said the wheel was fine. We hurriedly got back into the carriage and cuddled under the blanket attempting to fight off the cold wind’s attack on our bodies. He pulled me close and put his arm around me to shelter me from harm. I felt safe under his care.

We arrived back at the hotel and went to my room to get dry. I didn’t want to leave him for a minute so didn’t suggest me going to my room and telling him to go to his. He retrieved a towel and dried me off starting with my hair. He actually asked me if I wanted to strip to my underwear before starting to unbutton my garment. I was very impressed by his mannerisms.

He slowly unfastened the bead buttons and carefully slipped my dress off my body, not wanting to get it more messed up than it already was. He placed the dress over a chair close to the fireplace. I was a bit nervous and asked him if he would like some hot tea brought to the room. While I called room service, he stood by the fire watching me. I wonder what it would like to be married to him instead of Thomas. I think my life would be happier.

COCKTAILS AND COCK TALES with MICHAEL MANDRAKE

Well, I know I have been gone a bit from the virtual bar--the place I like to do my interviews-- but I'm back with a bottle of Jack and m/m author Michael Mandrake. I heard he's got a soft spot for Jack Daniels so (((giggles))) I got a nice fifth I plan to tempt him with.

WHAT WE'RE DRINKING

Jack Daniels straight!



Deanna: Welcome Michael! Can I interest you in a shot of Jack?

Michael: Oh, I thought it was just rumors we had to drink during the interview!

Deanna: Nope! ((((pours a couple shots))) Bottoms up!!! Now that we got the first one down, tell me: where are you and what are you wearing?

Michael: Haha, really? Stretch pants and a long unsexy tee. Not that sexy… I'm in the kitchen where I can be away from my kids so I can concentrate.

Deanna: (((pours another shot and passes it over))) I think you need this.

Michael: I usually do vodka, but apparently you really want me to party! Bring on the Jack Daniels! (((downs his shot)))

Deanna: (((laughs)))You;re too easy! Well, now that we’re comfy, tell me about your new book?

Michael: My latest sole author book is THE TRUE MEANING OF LOVE out from XOXO publishing but I’m currently in 11 out of 14 anthologies that I’ve been accepted to. The latest of which is LONGING FOR A NORMAL STATE OF VERTIGO inside the RIDING THE ROCKET ANTHOLOGY.

Deanna: Ha ha, you said riding the rocket. Okay, I'll be mature. Must be the Jack. (((pours another round which, despite protests, Michael downs easily))) Now, where did the idea for this story come from?

Michael: For VERTIGO, I knew I wanted to do a different kind of story other than contemporary. I was thinking of a paranormal, non vampire and I came out with a historical which was originally a steampunk idea but it didn’t turn out that way.

As far as TRUE MEANING, it’s just an everyday contemporary tale about a gay couple that has a disagreement and it results in an accident. Through that occurrence, they learn how to love and respect one another more.

Deanna: What was the hardest part of writing these stories for you?

Michael: Nothing hard about TRUE but for VERTIGO, because it’s a historical paranormal, trying to find facts on the early 20th century. Also, about the speech which I might have slipped up on a couple… lol For the most part, I did okay.

Deanna: What’s the easiest thing about writing these stories?

Michael: VERTIGO, my characters. The story development was linked directly to my main character. My supporting one seemed to fit right in. (((grins)))

Deanna: What is your dream story, your opus, if you will? The one you dream about writing but haven’t don’t it?

Michael: Hmm, well, I have the story written but not edited or released. I have a paranormal gay romance ménage sitting in my Stories Not Done folder. I’d love to be able to get that out. I love the story, as well as the characters.

Deanna: SHOT TIME!!!! (((pours another round and holds up for a toast))) May you have a Republican's money and a Democrats sex life!

Michael: I'll drink to that! (((clinks glasses and downs the Jack))))

Deanna: So Mikey...can I call you that?

Michael: (((shrugs and blows a raspberry))) Sure! Why not? (((giggles)))

Deanna: Hmm, I guess the whiskey's taking effect already. Lets get back to business before poor Mikey passes out. When did you first discover you were a writer? Were you like sitting on the toilet and just said, “Ya know, I think I’m gonna write a book.” Or was it more profound?

Michael: (((laughs and hiccups))) Nope not on the toilet but it was a time I was sitting at my desk at my last job. I’d received a letter from an editor of an anthology who saw my story on the Erotica Writers Association list and wanted to present it to the publisher. Now, it didn’t make it in but, it did tell me that I might be good enough to do the writing thing.

Deanna: What helps you when you are stumped on a scene in a manuscript? I usually have a cocktail or three. But that’s just me. (((holds up her shot glass in illustration)))

Michael: (((laughs))) No, I don’t really get stumped. I always just look back at my work and if the characters don’t like it, I change the course of the story. I’m a very characters driven writer.

Deanna: Most of my stories have a theme song, do you do that for your characters?? If so what is it?

Michael: Wow, that’s ingenious.

Deanna: Its the liquor

Michael: Well, I may have a particular song in mind when thinking of the story. If it’s not an 80’s pop tune then it’s a heavy metal song that I can’t get out of my head.

Deanna: Ah, a boy after my own heart. Love me some Heavy Metal Now that I have you a little bit schnockered, tell my readers about a scene that you have written then afterward, when you read it, you shocked yourself? You know I want a dirty answer (((hint hint)))

Michael: (((laughs))) You’re hilarious. Um, I would have to say, the scene I’ll have to edit out, unfortunately but as a story on its own. It’s an M/M/F scene in Masquerade, that is featured in this month’s Cocktails, Gossip, and Fiction Mag. I’ll give the link at the end.
Basically, the scene includes double penetration on one woman. (((laughs))) I’m still shocked I did it and for those that have read, they say it’s written well. Hey, I watch a lot of porn, not as much as I used to but, having that and an active imagination helps.

Deanna: Wow!!! Finally someone gave me the naughty answer I was looking for! I should give Jack to all my guests. It really loosens up the tongue. But from how steamy Michael's book sound, I think more than tongues are being loosened! LOL

Thanks again for stopping in today Mikey. You need to stick around. We still have half a bottle left! I want to hear more about this DP scene!

Michael: (((laughs))) Okay! Thank you, Deanna, for this fun interview. I’m sure it is the funnest one I’ve done!

Deanna: It's the Jack, baby. It's the Jack!

Now while the rest of you check out Michael's links, me and him are gonna finish off this Jack and find some Frat party to crash! Later!



Michael Mandrake - http://tabooindeed.blogspot.com
Rawiya - http://rawiyaserotica.blogspot.com
Facebook and Twitter - http://twitter.com/#!/rawiyamikembl
Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3542690
Its Raining Men Blog - http://rainingmenamen.blogspot.com
Livejournal – Taboos and Perversions http://desiresdd.livejournal.com/

The Cocktails Mag Fiction and gossip – Story, With Menage Comes Insecurities
http://www.wix.com/cocktailsmagazine/fictionandgossip#!erotic


THE TRUE MEANING OF LOVE

Blurb:

Brandon McFerry and London Davies are a couple that has been together six years. After having an argument over the importance of Brandon's event at his art gallery versus London's party at his club, London is involved in a serious car accident that makes him temporarily incapacitated. During his rehabilitation, Brandon and London will learn the true meaning of love thus bringing them closer together.

NETWORKING - Part Three

FOLLOW UP

Well you prepared for your conference and you executed your plans perfectly. Now what?

You're home, exhausted and excited. And when you look in that cool free bag you got at that conference its full of promo....and your purse is full of cards!

Take a Deep Breath

Now, hopefully you kept all the important ones separate. Sorry, forgot to mention that you should have a special place, ie a business card holder...to put all the cards that are important. Oops!

If you followed all the steps in my previous blogs it should be a simple thing to sort through the cards and choose the top people you connected with. They are your FIRST STRING


FIRST STRING

Facebook and email them immediately

Don't wait

Remind them of who you were and how you met...Now do you see why you needed the back of your business card to be blank and why you wrote details on their cards? Their kids names, that article you told them about. The blog they were interested it?

See, I'm not full of total crap! LOL

Also be sure to include any info in the email about what you discussed. Real networking is about not how that person can benefit you but how you can benefit each other.

If there was something that you can do to help them out make sure to include it in this email. That special touch, showing that you cared enough to help them out will go a long way to forming a real relationship

Hopefully your new friends respond and you can cultivate the connection that will benefit both of you.


SECOND STRING

These are the folks who gave you cards but maybe you didn't feel that there was a huge connection. Well you never know who will become a friend and who will forget you. Often my first stringers forget all about me :(

At my second conference I realized these second stingers often remember you and when you can reconnect they get bumped up to first string.

Don't discount someone that you chatted with for ten minutes. Take a moment to drop them a line and say Hi!


REMEMBER: Email every connection you feel is useful or valid.


GETTING FANCY

You can kick it old school and send them a thank-you card via snail mail.

Just make sure that their address was on their card. Don't google it or they will think you're a nutter! LOL


ONE EMAIL IS NOT THE END

Sometimes you get no response, after a week and a half feel free to drop a second email but don’t go stalker crazy.

That’s why FB is so great because they accept your request and the social connection is there to be cultivated until the next conference


REVEL IN YOUR SUCCESS!!

You did it!

Your preparation paid off and putting yourself out there despite personal fears paid off!

Well, I hope I offered you a few helpful tips for making your conference successful!

Good Luck!

Now GO NETWORK!!!

Deanna
'Spicing up your love life one naughty read at a time!'

NETWORKING - Part Two

EXECUTION

So you followed some of the pointers from yesterday's post and you are prepared to network your butt off at your conference. You know what your agenda is. You are there to network and meet new people. You have clear concise business cards. You have some prepared conversation starters.

Now it's GAME TIME BABY!!!!

The first thing you need to do is:


SMILE

Your prepared you can do it. Its why you and all the rest of these people are there. Half of them are just as nervous as you



GO WHERE THE PEOPLE ARE

We’ve identified most likely places:

Gym for the workout folks
Café for the early birds.
Classroom for the learners
Bar for just about everyone and those in between.


PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE

DO NOT lock yourself in your room and write or sit in the back of the class or find a secluded corner of the restaurant then hide behind your friends.

They are all there for the same reason you are.

There are scheduled speeches and meals, join a table of strangers. You will be sharing a meal and the conversation will just happen. And if it doesn’t happen you already thought of some conversation starters before you got there so use them.

Oftentimes people get excited when someone starts handing out business cards in a group because they were waiting for the opportunity to do so with out being pushy.


LISTEN

This is something I have to train myself to do when I am working. In casual settings I talk constantly and forget to listen sometimes. But when I am in work mode I am all ears. Sure I offer info about myself but when someone is in my salon chair it is all about them. They are my primary focus. It makes them feel important.

When networking this is equally important. I am eager to chat about my books all day and so are they. But if you listen to them more than you talk about yourself they will remember you!


MAKE NOTES IMMEDIATELY

Write down their personal info on their business card or bookmark, whichever they gave you.

I will even do this in front of the person and tell them, "I enjoyed chatting and I don’t want to forget you when I get home because of all the cards I already have."

Be thorough with what you write. Hair color, conversation, kids names, etc.


STEP OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE

You meet the nicest people smoking.

I didn’t say take up the habit but I cant tell you how irritating it is when you are having a great chat with 2 people and they go off to smoke. You stay behind and dammit when they come back, they made plans to go somewhere else and you have no idea what they were just chatting about.

News Flash: You should have gone too.

This holds true for classes. You want to attend the Writing Craft class and the nice lady you are chatting with is going to the How to Write Sex class.

Well what are you waiting for?

You can take an online class anytime!

Go with her. Solidify the bond.

Somebody wants to go sit in some piano bar and you don’t like bars or pianos but you think you’re making a great connection, suck it up and go!

This is doing something out of your comfort zone. And you should strive to do this at least THREE TIMES every day.

Only by constantly putting yourself out there will you make that one or two great connections. You will be so proud of yourself when it is all said and done.

But you're not done yet! There is a lot to do when you get home! Stop by tomorrow and find out what!

Deanna
'Spicing up your love life one naughty read at a time'

NETWORKING - Part One

PREPARATION

Ahhh, networking...sounds scary to some of you doesn't it? We spend so much time making "computer" friends and writing that sometimes the idea of face to face networking can be daunting. But trust me, everyone has something they can use to their advantage while networking at a conference... even if the very ideas of talking to strangers makes your hands sweat.

And why should you trust what I have to say? Well for those of you who know me personally, I'm outgoing and usually have a lot of success when I attend conferences.

But here's the thing: None of it was accidental.

I remember someone laughing the first time I went to RWA Nationals when I said I didn’t care what classes I was taking because I was just going to hang out in the bar. It may have sounded silly but it was part of my plan. I went there to make connections and meet people.I knew people would be at the bar and I was going to meet them.

I had a plan! Was it perfect? No, but I had one.

I have been networking professionally for my career since 94. Being a hairdresser is all about selling yourself, making good first impressions, being prepared, executing a good service and follow up. Same things one needs to network and network well.

So in the next few days I would like to pass on some of the things I have learned.

Today I am going to discuss possibly the most important of all.


PREPARATION

This is the hard part. Just like plotting your book, all good things come from good preparation. Its more than just business cards but planning what to say and where to go. I tried to break it into four easy steps.


1. WHAT IS YOUR AGENDA?

Why you are at the conference?To improve your craft?
Meet an agent?
Pitch your books?
Meet other authors?
All of the above?

My personal goal is always to make a good connection with one person each day. Just one...now come on, that isn't that hard when you think about it. Just one.

If your goal is to take a lot of classes, then your best chance of meeting people is in the classroom. So don’t sit with your friends. Find a stranger.

Personally, I would caution against only focusing on classes while attending a conference. There are great things you can learn but you can do that at home online, too. If you spent the money to attend a big conference you need to network.

Remember: Everyone else is there to network too!


2. MAKE A GAME PLAN

a. Dress for success. Sounds like a no brainer, but you would be surprised by what some people think is acceptable. You should look your best at all times, like you’re on a job interview for your dream job.

NO SWEATPANTS!!!! Get out your make-up, ladies!!! No frumpkins allowed.Writing is a business and just because we can wear sweat pants while we work, doesn't mean we can at a conference!

b. Identify where are you most comfortable meeting people?

The biggest part of networking is being where the people are so golden opportunities don’t pass you up.
There are basic places you meet people:

Café
elevator
classes
bar

So think of the places you feel comfortable and put them into your plans to be there you wont miss serendipity stopping by.

Are you an early riser? The coffee shop.

Are classes your fave place? Sit buy a stranger.

Bit of a lush like yours truly? The bar. And frankly this is where 80% is done, is a great place to make friends!

Over wine sudden friendship springs....

c. Before you get on the plane, make sure you have an active Facebook account because I guarantee 90% of the people you meet will ask. And its becoming almost unacceptable not to have one.



3. BUSINESS CARDS AND PROMO

My favorite!

This is possibly the most important thing in preparation after psyching yourself up.

Once the conference is over and everyone has gone home this is all they have of you.

Things to avoid when making your business cards:

a. Shiny paper. The person who gets it can't make notes about who you are if its shiny.

b. Busy, dark backgrounds. If you use a dark card, make sure the back is white so people can write notes about you.

c. I would avoid putting your face on your card if you are using something you think is sexy or if your face consumes more than 1/4 or the card. If you put a pic of yourself on the card...think Real Estate Agent, where their face is in a box next to their name.

Your name and contact info are THE MOST IMPORTANT THING not some sexy/fun picture or an overexposed pic of your face.

d. I would even caution against having more than one book cover on the card. It tends to get busy

A busy crowded card is a forgotten card. KISS: Keep it simple stupid

If you want your cover on the card, make sure it is a thumbnail pic and your name is the most prominent feature.

e. Clear concise font, no fancy swirly stuff no one can read. Preferably a pale background with a matte finish.

They will get a lot of cards and you don't want them to forget you!

f. ALWAYS have your promo material handy. Maybe paperclip the card to your bookmark and tie it with a ribbon so you have something nice to hand folks.

The extra touches will be what they remember when they get home and are sifting thru that giant stack of promo and cards they have in their conference bag

g. Always say your name twice!

When you introduce yourself and when you hand them your card. Say your tagline.
Repetition for emphasis!


4. CONVERSATION STARTERS

My consultation with my customers is scripted. I ask the same questions every time and I ask then in the same order. This is because I do not want to miss something important. You can be just as prepared in ‘casual’ conversation

There’s nothing wrong with making a list of 5 or 10 interesting things to start conversations if you are nervous about talking to strangers.

"Have you attended RT before?"
"This is me 1st/2nd conference. How about you?"
"Wow, this is a really nice hotel!"
"Are you a writer?"
"What classes have you taken so far? Wasn’t that a great welcome speech?"


Well now that you have a start on how to prepare yourself, you are one step closer to having a successful conference. Some of these things may seem simple but they are great reminders.

Stay tuned for tips on how to execute all of your preparation when you get to the conference!

Deanna
"Spicing up your love life one naughty read at a time!"