Author Interview: T.L. Bradford, author of StrangeLove

 Congratulations to author T. L. Bradford on her recent release, Strange Love.

About the author:

 

T.L. always hated math, so it was a good thing she had a way with words. Since she was a shy and quirky kid; words were her best friends. She would imagine entire worlds in her head and talk to herself endlessly. Her mother wondered if she was speaking with ghosts for a while.

Her older sister was a voracious reader of trashy romance novels and would pass them down to her after she had finished them. T.L. was the only 10-year-old kid sitting in class reading “The Stud” by Jackie Collins during reading time. Oddly enough, she never got called out on it.

As she grew older, her tastes evolved, but one thing held fast; her undying attachment to love stories. One day out of the blue, she decided to write the love stories she always wanted to read instead of searching for her story. Since then, writing has been a dream fulfilled for her and she could not be happier.

She enjoys writing about love, regardless of gender and is a proud supporter of the LGBTQ community.

T.L. calls the Pacific Northwest her home and enjoys the quiet rural life of her little oceanside home with her playful/crazy husband and their giant dog Noah.

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Instagram / Bookbub

 

1. What inspires you to write?

For me, writing is the best way to achieve personal expression. I feel most at ease in my own skin when writing because I’m speaking from my heart. It is also the most accurate depiction of who I am and my personality.

2. When did you first consider yourself a writer?

It was when I received the initial feedback on my first book. Up until that point, I had been writing in a void, not sure if anyone else would ever read my book, much less be drawn to the characters I had created. To hear another person voice the names of my characters and emotionally connect with them, meant that the characters come to life. At least in my head, they were now real. That was when I felt I had become a writer.

3. Why did you choose to write in your particular field or genre?

I write in the m/m romance genre. It is a small, but growing sub genre of romance. I grew up reading heterosexual romance novels. As I aged, I realized I started to have a broader perspective of what constituted love. It was no longer relevant the love be solely between a man and a woman. Love comes in all shapes, sizes and forms. It was this open concept that drew me to the m/m genre.

I find the m/m genre intriguing as often times their stories are overlooked, or moved to the sidelines of an overall story. I wanted to dive into the complexities of same sex relationships and make the characters human and not the stereotypes typically seen in movies or TV shows.

4. How do you feel about indie/alternative vs. traditional publishing?

I am a great fan of indie/alternative publishing. It gives a voice and a platform to those who want to make a statement. Indie publishing levels the playing field giving writers like me, a chance to have their stories be told on their own terms.

To be honest, the reason I write indie is because I’m stubborn want to tell my stories the way I originally intended. I’m not sure I’d be interested in or have the same drive to write if I was always being told how to structure my stories and characters.

I’m aware I reach a smaller audience, but those readers I do have found me because they like my style and that’s enough for me.

5. Where did you grow up and how did that influence your writing & did any travels away from

I grew up in the Pacific Northwest in the United States. My father was a navy man, so we traveled around a bit while I was in school. When I was thirteen years old, we moved to Hawaii, which was where I feel I was most shaped as an individual.

Hawaii is very much an integrated community. I met people from all over the world and was exposed to all types of cultures, languages and customs I never would have experienced had I stayed living in one place. It rounded and grounded me as a person. I’ve returned many times since and hope to retire there when the time comes.

6. What do you consider your most meaningful work you’ve done creatively so far to you?

I would say my most meaningful work is a toss up between True Faith and StrangeLove. My stories come from existing people and situations around and within me. True Faith dealt with the main characters working to find middle ground in their relationship. They struggled to find compromise where both parties could be satisfied in the relationship. StrangeLove goes one step further by introducing the element of interracial love. Both are situations my husband and I have dealt with, loving each other through all the slings and arrows, ups and downs, and bizarre situations. The point is, we worked as a team to overcome those hardships and have come out stronger on the other side.  

StrangeLove is now available on stores.

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First look at Mordizan by Alyssa Roat and Author Interview

Mordizan
Alyssa Roat
(The Wraithwood Trilogy, #2)
Publication date: March 15th 2022
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

The bane of Mordred, the son of Mordizan, and a millennia-old prophecy—together they may provide what Brinnie needs to defeat the world of magic’s greatest threat.

More than a year has passed since Brinnie left Wraithwood, never expecting to see it again. But when Mordred captures her sister, she is thrust back into the world of magic. She flees to Wraithwood, where she learns of a prophecy located in the dark wizard capital of Mordizan that reveals the identity of “Mordred’s bane,” something that could destroy Mordred for good.

Brinnie agrees to a rendezvous with Mordred to exchange herself for her sister, going undercover at Mordizan as a spy to find the prophecy and Mordred’s bane. There, she weaves a complicated web of secrets, lies, and tenuous friendships. She makes an unexpected ally in Marcus Vorath, son of the Master of Mordizan, who fears the implications of Mordred’s growing power. But in Mordizan, friends and foes may be one and the same.

In the midst of court intrigue, battle, ominous new depths to her power, and searching for Mordred’s bane, Brinnie struggles to draw the lines. How far is she willing to go to destroy Mordred? And how much of herself is she willing to give up along the way?

Goodreads / Amazon

Author Interview

1. When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I started writing “stories” when I was around four years old. My handwriting wasn’t great, my books were made out of construction paper, and most plots centered around dinosaurs, but it was a start. By late elementary school, I knew I wanted to be an author someday.

2. Why did you choose to write in your particular field or genre?

I’ve done a lot of different types of writing, but YA fantasy is my favorite. I love the high stakes, emotional character relations, and creative worldbuilding that are hallmarks of the genre. When I read, I like to be transported to a new and exciting world, and I feel the same way about writing.

3. Are you a full-time or part-time writer and how does that affect your writing?

I have a full-time job in corporate data analysis, as well as a part-time position as the managing editor for a speculative fiction imprint, so I’m a part-time writer. I definitely feel the pressure of writing deadlines.

4. Do you have a special time to write, or how is your day structured to accommodate your writing?

Because of working a full-time job while also managing an imprint, I have to fit in writing around my schedule. Fifteen minutes here while waiting for a workload to come in from a client, an hour there after work before dinner. I usually get at least half an hour of writing in after work, and during the weekends I try to have at least one writing session that’s a few hours long.

5. What have you written so far?

I have five books published at this point, with five more under contract. They span from superhero chat fiction, to sweet contemporary romance, to YA fantasy. I’ve also written hundreds of articles for newspapers, magazines, and online publications, and short stories and poems for anthologies, so I’ve dabbled in a lot of different things.

6. Favorite activities to relax?

Reading, of course! But also playing with my crazy cat, Kookoo, watching Disney movies, and playing Dungeons & Dragons.

 

Author Bio:

Alyssa Roat grew up in Tucson, Arizona, but her heart is in Great Britain. She has worked in a wide variety of roles within the publishing industry as an agent, editor, writer, and publicist. With 250+ bylines and 9+ books under contract in genres ranging from YA chat fiction to fantasy to sweet adult romance, you could say she dabbles in a bit of everything. Her name is a pun, which means you can learn more about her at www.alyssawrote.com or on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook as @alyssawrote.

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Interview with Author Meka James

Interview with Author Meka James

Meka James is a writer of adult contemporary and erotic romance. A born and raised Georgia Peach, she still resides in the southern state with her hubby of 16 years and counting. Mom to four kids of the two legged variety, she also has four fur-babies of the canine variety. Leo the turtle and Spade the snake rounds out her wacky household. When not writing or reading, Meka can be found playing The Sims 3, sometimes Sims 4, and making up fun stories to go with the pixelated people whose world she controls.

Find her on: Amazon | Website | Goodreads 

Social Media: Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr

11.    When and how did your writing journey start?

~My writing journey started in a sorta unconventional way. I started writing for fun in 2011, making ‘illustrated’ stories of sorts based off a computer game that I play. One of the readers of my story loved it so much she convinced me to turn it into an actual book. That is how Fiendish was born. Sadly, she died before it was completed and the book is dedicated to her.

2. Tell me about your latest release, Anything Once. What inspired you to write this plot?

~I wrote Anything Once because two of my Squad members (my critique/support group) asked me to try my hand at writing an erotic romance after reading my second book, Not Broken. Apparently they felt I did a halfway decent job writing the sex scenes.

The plot came to me out of the blue as I was thinking of how I could write a story that revolved around the sex. The opening scene played out in my head (which is slightly different than the one in the book) and after that scene took shape, the rest of the story was born. I was excited to use a married couple because you don’t see them much in romance novels. And having an established relationship to build off of meant I could dedicate more time to the sex and less to the building up of the newbie relationship because typically I’m a slow burn kinda gal.

3. Anything Once treads through one of the sensitive issues couples face in their lives at some point of time. I must say, you did a great job handling it. Tell me something interesting that happened while writing this story.

~Thank you. In a new relationship, the sex can be exciting and hot, but in longer term ones, they can turn routine. Not always, but it happens. As far as something interesting that happened while writing it, um… I guess it would be the ‘research’ required surrounding Quinn and the porn. I mean I had to look up the same thing so I could accurately describe the sorts of things she might see on her browser.

4. So, a little birdie tells me a lot of background work has gone into writing the intimate scenes. Considering no scene was repeated again, how did you manage it? Where did the inspiration came from or who (*winks) inspired it?

~hahahaha if you’re asking if my “Research Assistant” and I act out all the scenes, sadly no. Sometimes, but not always. I have a pretty active imagination and I work hard to not repeat things. It’s not easy, but I do have some very forthcoming friends that are happy to share and give me ideas that they don’t mind being put in my books.

5. Tell me about your upcoming release with the Carina press. Tell us more about the plot.

~Being Neighborly is an erotic novella. It’s about two people that live across from each other in a Townhome community and put a new spin on getting to know your neighbor. There’s a little voyeurism, a few corny jokes, and sexy consent. 

6. When you look back at your writing journey, what do you feel? Can you tell me about the challenges you overcame?

~Looking back? LOL well, I still feel like a newbie, even with four books out. I’ve yet to do the same thing twice. Have no plan of attack, and seem to be stumbling my way through. The biggest challenge I’ve overcome is I’m no longer doing it alone. Having a support group of people that are in the trenches with you makes a huge difference. When the block and self-doubt hit they are there to keep the light on.

7. What other projects are you working on?

~um, too many. Hahaha but for real I’m attempting to write two more shorts to go along with Being Neighborly, but featuring different couples in the same complex. I also have two May/December stories started, both featuring older women with younger men.

8. Your favorite part/dialogue/scene from one of your books:  

~Oh man. Like how am I supposed to answer that? It’s like saying pick your favorite kid. Hahaha, um… I guess I’ll go with a scene from book two, Not Broken:

Malcolm and Calida had a lot to overcome due to her history and it was a bumpy road. They did have pockets, even in the middle of the serious that gave levity and showed the depth of their connection. This is from chapter 37 and it’s a conversation after their first sexual encounter.

“But you didn’t want—and I threw myself at you anyway.”

“Hold up. You think I’m leaving because I’m bothered by the fact you initiated sex?”

She nodded. “I did more than that, Mal. You told me no, and I kept trying. I...I was going to apologize when I called, but I chickened out. You didn’t seem mad or upset, but now you’re leaving me…”

“Because I’m not. Baby, let’s get one thing straight. I have zero problem with being your dick on demand. Believe that.”

Ginger’s eyes got wide before she started laughing. “Oh...oh my god,” she said, fanning her face as she tried to catch her breath. “I love that you can do that.”

“Do what?”

“Make me laugh.” She rested her head on my shoulder.

I reached up to caress her cheek. “I do too.”

We sat quiet for a little while. Ginger intertwined her fingers with mine.

I was the one to break the silence. “You cried. Afterwards. And they weren’t happy tears. That wasn’t exactly the reaction I expected after we were together for the first time, and words can’t describe how much that bothered me. Knowing I played a role in causing you that kind of pain, or distress, whatever. Then the next morning...hearing you had regrets...not exactly something you want to hear coming from the person you love.”

Ginger sat up to look at me before climbing back into my lap. She placed her hands on either side of my face and rested her forehead against mine. “I’m still learning to use my words.” She paused, and gave a small smile. “I’m sorry, Mal, for making you feel like that.” She readjusted herself on my lap.

I let out a long, low groan. “This is why I need to go. I am in physical pain with how much I want you right now. But...the next time we’re together, I want there to be no regrets. And the only tears you should have are because I rocked your world so much you are at a loss for words, so crying is the only option.”

Her head tilted. “Really? It’d be that good, huh?”

I smiled. “Without a doubt.”

9. What authors do you like to read? What book or books have had a strong influence on you or your writing?

~This question is always so hard for me. I don’t know that I have a “go-to” author currently. I read based on my mood. And I can’t say that there has been any book/books that are a direct influence of my writing. At least none that come to mind because I have a crap memory. I’m sure somethings have wormed their way in, but I couldn’t pinpoint them.

10. What's your family like?

~Crazy. Loud. Annoying at times like all families. But I adore them, even when my husband’s chewing drives me batty. hahaha

Rapid fire:

1. A random fun fact about yourself: I have 5 tattoos

2. Best surprise ever:  Sir Titan The Mighty the ¼ I talk about in question 7

3. Pet peeves: loud chewing

4. An unforgettable moment in your writing journey: My first ‘fan’ mail

5. When I'm not writing, I'd like to:  Play The Sims

6. Your hidden talent:  Don’t have one

7. Dogs or Cats: Dogs, we have 3 ¼ (one is a 4lb. Yorkie LOL)

8. Spa retreat or camping:  Spa! All day, every day.

9. What is the best piece of advice you’ve received?   Don’t worry about what other folks are doing.

10. The most inspiring quote: Don’t really have one

Message to your fans:

~Thank you! I appreciate each and every one of the readers that

 

support me by buying my books and spreading the word about 

them. I know I’m a slow writer, but I promise it’s more than my 

lack of focus. I want to make sure I’m giving you the best possible

 story I can. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading as much as I’ve 

enjoyed  sharing. And I like hearing from you. Fan mail is the best 

and always makes my day!

Thanks again

Until next time

~Meka

Interview with Author K.A. Young

Interview with Author K.A. Young 

PARANORMAL ROMANCE AUTHOR

Called as Mistress Kay by her beloved fans, Kass is a wonderful friend with an honest soul. Her stories would lead you through an action roller-coaster and has every element you could ever ask for. She is a writing machine with 15+ books under her belt and many upcoming. She’s well known for her sensual and gripping plot.

Aside her busy schedule with a full-time job and a writing, she’s also a lovely mother, who loves her boy to the moon and beyond and a fierce friend. I can’t wait to pick her brain today. How does she do it all? Let’s find out.

(Ooooh! And Mistress Kay had a surprise in store for me. This interview includes an excerpt from one of her best books. Read on)

About the Author:

I'm K. A. Young, also known as SerenityR0se on writing sites. 

Through the online writing site, Wattpad, I've cultivated an audience. By my readers, I've torn down the barriers of individual supernatural genres and created one unique to my own writing style. My writing brings you into the story itself, able to picture it vividly as if it were a movie or T.V. series as many of my readers believe it should be.

A master of plot twists and the queen of cliffhangers, I create complex worlds of fantasy, paranormal, supernatural novels with erotica throughout.

I've been writing silently all my life up until about three years ago. Starting out small on free sites while using feedback and constructive criticism to help improve my writing, I'm now using that feedback to see just how far I can go. My dream is to be able to hold every book I write in my hands, never finding just the right story to read, so I write them instead.

My mind and thoughts are organized chaos, wanting to write and live so many lives. Stories of worlds beyond our recognition pull us away into fantasy and wonder. Is it selfish to want to live so many lives? Perhaps, but at least this way, I can write for everyone to enjoy and spiral down the same pathway I've chosen.

Find K. A. Young on Patreon | Amazon | Goodreads

Social Media: Twitter | Facebook | 

1. When and how did your writing journey start?

Hey Cathy, thank you for the interview! 

It started in 4^th/5^th grade and I picked up writing full stories when I was about sixteen to seventeen. I was born 1990 in British Columbia, Canada and moved to California in 1997 for my dad’s job. I was never strong in school when it came to reading and writing. In fact, I was held back in third grade, repeating course work that still made little to no sense to me. I learned how to memorize, skating by as much as I could…that is, until I met my match.

A teacher who taught fifth grade opened up a 4^th/5^th grade class, hoping that the older classmates would help the younger ones. It worked in some ways, but she always reminds me about how I told her that she’s not the boss of me. In her class, she wanted to provide a creative space, having us create stories that she would send in to be published through a kids company so we could take them home at the end of the year.

Seeing something I created come to life, it was what triggered something in me. My teacher recommended Sylvan Learning Center. I flourished there, learning how to improve my reading and writing. I went in with a third grade reading and writing level, leaving two years later and starting 8^th grade, I was reading and writing at a 12^th grade standards.

A lot happened to me in high school, much of which I don’t like talking about as the past still haunts the present in more ways than one…but I used writing to escape. I found my escape, and learned how much it could help others find their voices when they didn’t think the world cared to hear them, or they felt too scared to speak up. 

2. Tell me about your work Walking Among The Vampires. The blurb seems promising and I’m sure it would be no short of surprises. How did you come up with the plot?

Walking Among Vampires is probably my most innocent and sweet book compared to the rest of my works. It doesn’t belong to any series, just a standalone that spins a take on Romeo and Juliet. The plot came from my other works and I slowly twisted in a way I wanted both a human to be curious about a vampire and also the vampire curious about a human as he’s never seen one alive.

3. You are a writing machine. I also know you hold a full time job. When do you write your books?

Haha, thanks! Yeah, people tend to think I have all the free time in the world because I produce so much so quickly, but you are right about having a full time job. I write when I have spare moments at work, using my lunch to pump out anywhere from 800-1200 words. When I come home, I spend time with my husband and son until around 8 PM and then I write and or edit anywhere from 2-4 hours…it’s a lot of hard work, but I enjoy what I do.

4. Blood Magic Series is one of the best Vampire series I’ve ever read. It’ll always be on the top of my list. Do you plan to publish Blood Magic Series in the future?

I enjoyed writing this series very much! From creating new species and involving blood as a weapon against vampires, to spanning across a few generations of family, it is something I treasure very much. I’ve begun publishing the series on Amazon where The Slave That I Am is available and book two, The Pureblood Vampire Huntress is available for pre-order with a set release date of March 15^th. The whole series will be available over the next few years.

5. How’s your writing process like? Do you plan each story before writing or you write as you go?

I usually have a skeletal plot with branching ideas, actions and reactions. Depending on when I get to a certain part of the book, I see which alternating paths I think will turn out better for the concept and move from there. I’m a gamer and play extensive Dungeons and Dragons, roleplaying at its finest. This helps me visualize better and also helps picturing movements along with plot flow.

6. Author Kay doesn’t bother to take a plunge to the dark side when it comes to writing. And does she rock the underworld? She does. When she writes, it just flows. Some tips for me please. A few words to authors who struggle to cross that invisible line and explore their writing.

The best tips I can leave are to write down dreams you can remember the moment you wake as sometimes the best stories come from when our subconscious has free reign. Changing up books when you feel you are cornered and exploring other plots that come to you should be acted on. Traveling to new places can spark creativity, but always remember, if you can’t focus on what you are presently working on, listen to your mind and work on what it wants to, not necessarily what you believe you should be working on.

Above all else, write to please yourself, because you can’t please everyone and what better person to appease then you?

7. We all know Kay is a proud mother. Tell us about your lovely boy? What does he loves to do the most?

My son is a miracle, as I wasn’t supposed to be able to have children. We named him Tobias, “Gift of God”, because that is what he truly is. He enjoys sitting with me when I write while he colors on the bed, or he’ll play Pokémon Go and catch for me. He’s almost four, but he looks like he’s six and each time someone sees him, they tell me he’s going to be a heartbreaker and I’m in trouble when he reaches his teen years.

We’ll see! I’m proud of who he is becoming as he’s such a sweet little boy and cares deeply about others. He’s quick to pick up on things kids his age shouldn’t and he’s extremely observant.

8. I know you as a writer, a friend and a mother. What’s your life like? How do you manage it all?

It is like my mind; controlled chaos. I don’t have firm structure of day to day life, but I make the most of what time I do have on my hands to disperse it between everyone in my life. It becomes hard sometimes, but I have to remind myself that I’m only human (damn being a vampire would be easier sometimes) and that I can’t do everything I need to.

9. Tell us about your lovely husband. When and how did you meet your better half? Was it love at first sight? And are any of your main characters inspired by him?

Jay is the most amazing man I’ve ever met. He found me in my darkest place, helping me through times I thought absolutely unbearable. We started dating the beginning of senior year in high school and have been together ever since. Together for ten years and married for four this year. It wasn’t love at first sight as I was skeptical, but he showed me love and trust I never knew, which formed into an unbreakable bond.

Yes! Many of my characters are inspired by people who have come in and out of my life, for better or worse, and Jay is no exception. Part of Lailoken (Loki) from Transgression, Cormac from Code of Conduct, and many others have inspirational parts.

10. Your life before and after becoming a writer:

Before: I was drowning in life.

After: I’ve become much more confident and have created lasting friendships through the words I write.

11. Your favorite part/dialogue/scene from one of your books:  

Ah, there are many, but one that sticks out in my mind is when those who believed someone so weak managed to outsmart one of her tormentors. The entire book of Transgression is very close to hitting home for me and when a lot of readers berated me for creating such a weak character and stating what they would do in situations, my most repeated statement I would tell them is that I don’t make weak characters, I make real characters with stories of real world events and situations told through fictional eyes and that you truly don’t know what you would do until you are in the exact situation, not theorizing about it.

This is the scene from Transgression: (slap your reading glasses on)

"Sweet Acacia," Lars regards me, bringing me back to a time when I was fascinated with the way he could manipulate and use magic...just like how he placed a rune on my own. He wanted to control me...ever since the beginning, he has been controlling me...down to even playing with the ties of fate with my beloved.

I'm done being controlled.

I'm done playing the pawn.

Today...today I will make my first move as queen.

"Please...Lars..." I allow myself to fall into how I've always been, and it comes through easily with a facade over my heart when I beg, "...help us."

Lars arches a brow, his arms crossed in front of his chest as he asks, "When all hope fades, it is I who you seek?"

"You're strong and I know you want freedom and peace," I tell him, discerning the slightest tells in his features, "you want to live in harmony...for that to happen, Mercury...Ciarán, they will not allow for this peace to exist with power and control over you."

Lars nods and replies, "You have a point...however," his voice trails off as he eyes me before stating, "how is it you believe I can help...would I have not already offered my services to the council before it's begun to tear itself apart?"

Releasing a short breath, I state with complete affirmation, "You won't give without receiving anything in return...isn't that right?" There is a silence that sets between us for a few moments before I let the word roll off my tongue with ease and causing him to tense for a moment, "Incubus."

He chuckles and sighs, "You're well aware then of what it is I ask for in return?"

"I will bring down the veil," as I say this, I see the slight twitch of his lips, but they never curl into the smile I know he'd show, forsaking what his true intentions are and that I have indeed selected correctly. There's much knowledge that was transitioned to me through the book Nimue had allowed me to access to...my subconscious memories that I know are pushing harder from the corners of my mind, awaiting this glamour and seal to be removed...

...not only this, but I know how to outplay Lars.

Wait for the right moment and align the pieces he wishes to into place...

Make the right deal.

Lars tilts his chin upward slightly, knowing he's going to try and weave a deal that will be to his gain...but I won't play into his hands. He says, "Stop those who are coming for the throne, in exchange for the veil to be brought down?"

I take two steps toward him and reply, "No."

"No?" He repeats.

"I will bring down the veil..." my voice trails off as I catch the spark igniting in his eyes at my request, "...for the exchange of my freedom."

"Your freedom?" He asks this, regarding me with skepticism as that word alone entails everything that has taken control over me.

I stare into his eyes and reply, "Yes, my freedom in exchange for the veil to be brought down."

If I am what I am...

...I won't need the help of these trickster demons.

I just need my freedom.

The silence is deafening as time passes between the two of us, though a moment later, Lars breaks the silence by confirming, "Deal."

Lars quickly reaches a hand to his belt, bringing into view a dagger before he draws it across the palm of his hand. As he does this, he walks toward me, seeing the way his irises shift to an electric blue, the demonic form awaiting to release from its shell as it believes it can outmatch and outsmart me.

He won't...not this time.

Lars outstretches his hand while he holds the blade of the dagger. I take it from him, knowing the second I cut myself...

...Lailoken will know as he'll feel my pain.

This must be done quickly before he has a chance to stop me...because, for the first time in my life, I know what I'm doing.

I know who all the players are and the game...

...it's time to checkmate this demon.

I hold the handle of the dagger in my hand, opening my other as I drag the blade quickly across the palm. Wincing from the pain that comes from slicing open my palm, the dagger is taken from my hand by an unseen force, almost like at the place dad's parents once lived when they were alive. Lars holds my gaze as he extends his hand and I immediately take it without hesitation as now...

Ekáti!

It's the first time...yet how is it I feel his mind within my own? His thoughts coursing through mine?

I feel Lailoken's soul immediately connect to mine, trying to suppress the fear he feels for me as I know he's already left, Castle Valentine.

...the clock is ticking.

The second our blood intertwines, I feel an extension of the oath and deal we have made. As he believes there is a way around what we've promised to, he didn't make a smart choice in raping me...after all this time, I've come to terms with the fact he made me believe it was something of my consent. None of it was and he made the mistake, believing he could get me pregnant...

Our hands fall away from one another as he orders, "Bring down the veil."

Without any hesitation, as part of me is now bound by blood...my eyelids flicker shut for a moment, feeling the wisps encircle around my arms and down around my hands. When I open my eyelids and focus all the strength and directive on the crackling spiderwebs that reinforce the veil...black wisps rise up and around me, almost like a hurricane. It's devastatingly terrifying at first, but that darkness strikes at the center of my chest without a second to spare, watching as the veil becomes nothing...

I'm breathing hard, gasping almost as I come to regain consciousness of my movements. My hands grasp the grass in front of me, black wisps with purple flecks encircle my hands and up my arms, encasing my entire being in a flurry.

Another vision comes to pass...

...but, I don't feel hopeless like I had seen.

Empowerment.

Ekáti! I feel you...

I see boots before me, just out of my vision. Slowly, I lift my chin and my gaze before I see Lars. His amethyst eyes bore into me, his voice slipping easily, "When all hope fades, you made the right choice."

I've not lost hope...

...I'll never lose it so long as there is something worth fighting for. Right now, everyone is worth fighting for and I won't let anyone destroy what was created.

I won't let mom's death be in vain...for dad's sake.

Lars raises his hand, the pads of his middle finger and thumb coming together as he states, "Freedom."

It's like the sound of an electrical transformer is blown as a dark light emits all around me. Everything slips back into place, flooding me as the innate strength within me finally takes hold as if it's been there all along...

...but it's not the strength of magic alone.

A shockwave radiates from my body and knocks Lars across the lake and into the tree. Rising to my feet, I stare long and hard at him before I feel the energy pulsate from my hands. They extend outward and as I breathe out, the spiderwebs reform, weaving new ties of threads as whatever does cross over...they will be found by Lailoken and sent back across the veil...but it is only down for a minute at most before the restoration is returned.

Lars' eyes are wide open, though they are an electric blue as his form suddenly shifts in his rage. Demonic wings protrude from the center of his shoulder blades, a thick tail ending in a spade whips back and forth in anger. He snarls as he glides back over the lake, coming to stand a few feet away from me. His two sets of upper fangs are bared while a lower one can be seen as well, watching as his anger escalates while he snarls, "We had a deal."

"We did," I reply simply, "you asked for me to bring the veil down..." my voice trails off as I glance away for a moment, feeling a new strength from within as I reply, "...you never specified for how long and I'm going to take a wild guess...your strength no longer matches my own and you can do nothing to put back in place what you took away."

Lars' eyes are livid as he's been outplayed and a second later, I tilt my head to the side and call loudly, "Vexialarie!"

Lars' eyes are wide when a very large kitsune stands alongside me, her energy causing ripples of shockwaves to exude from her. Off on the other side of the lowered lake, I catch Lailoken...Taron, Rian...they're standing with confusion. Even when Taron tries to move forward, Lailoken holds him back as I feel the connect slip clearly through my mind.

Ekáti.

It's a dark growl that leaves Vexy's lips as I tell her, "Is this not the one that set a mark out for your imprisonment?" I nod at Lars and I see the evil glint in her eyes, the fox taking steps toward him...

"Acacia Arin...Ekáti, I believe we have come to an understanding," Vexy cackles maniacally.

As she lunges at Lars, there's no escape for him as his magic wasn't enough to catch her...he relied on others in the council for her imprisonment. Every move he made...he wanted her out of the picture, so she couldn't bring him down and interfere with his game...

A horrifying shriek leaves his lips as the kitsune snaps her jaws on his face and a second later, they're both gone...

...she's used her ability of transportation and I surely wish with all my heart that she doesn't spare Lars a quick death...and plays with her food.

My gaze falls now on my mates, all of them staring at me...for many different reasons. Taron's mouth is agape as he stutters, "H-Ho-w?"

Even Rian appears slightly afraid, "Her eyes..."

What?

When I go running forward...

...I move much quicker than I ever have before. I hardly realize that I don't allow for the spiderwebs to aide me and I fall over the edge and down into the lake below. Moments flash of how I'd have been injured if my brother hadn't saved me those years ago from falling off the tree when I tried to save him.

I stand, the impact not affecting me in the slightest.

"Loki...she's-she's a...a-" Taron is continuing to be baffled and even I am confused...that confusion clears up, but new questions fill my thoughts the second I glance down at my reflection on the surface of the water...

...where I find reddish-orange irises staring back at me...my own.

12. What authors do you like to read? What book or books have had a strong influence on you or your writing?

Unfortunately, I don’t get to read as much as I would like to, but a lot of my writing is inspired by comics turned into movies such as Underworld.

13. [Yay! That’s my favorite too.] I’ve been a proud stalker of yours for a while now. There were certain situations that’d test the patience of an author. I always admired and looked up to you on how you never shied away from a trouble and how you never hesitated to put your foot down and face it when needed. A few wise words for your fellow authors on the same please.

I’ve had my voice silenced many times by influences in the past and I learned that in order to make a difference, you have to not be afraid to take the brunt and opinion of others. Not jeopardizing who I am and compromising what I want to achieve and accomplish is always at the forefront of my mind. Being honest when the odds are against you and standing up for what is right regardless of how others will perceive your actions is something that has become more natural for me.

I won’t be silenced any longer after being forced into silence for so long.

RAPID FIRE:

1. What is the one thing I wouldn’t compromise with?

My erotica part of my writing. A lot of publishers want family friendly or teen angst books without all the detail…why? The devil is in the details and I won’t compromise the story I want to write just to have a better chance at being recognized for not telling a story in its entirety.

2. When I’m not writing or working, I’d like to –

Game!

3. Favorite childhood movie:

Willow.

4. This is our family thing:

Movie nights.

5. Pet peeves:

People who talk a big game and judge before understanding.

6. What is a perfect vacation according to me?

Spending time with the relatives left behind in Canada.

7. A walk on the beach or a night curled in a couch binge reading or binge watching movies?

A walk on the beach, because you never know what will inspire you.

8. Vampires or Werewolves?

Can I say hybrid? ^_^ Vampires will always have my heart though.

9. If I get to live as a character from my book for a day, I’d be:

Nimue Vossen from The Deliverance Series.

10. I need this while writing:

Music.

A few words to your fellow authors:

We’re all in this together. The writing industry is hard as it is so when one of us succeeds, we all do and should support one another.

Message to your fans:

You all mean so much to me and the journey we have been on and 

continue to walk is the highlight of my world. I write to express my

chaotic mind, regardless if people read or not, I’m glad you’ve all 

chosen to walk this with me. It can be a lonely road at times, so 

your voices are what encourage me to continue in the right 

direction.