The Tempted Hearts Series by KC Royale

Blurb 

Alex is a married man who is several years into his marriage to Michelle, and his life is the complete opposite of what he'd expected. Alex and Michelle are happily married until he discovers the secrets she's been hiding for over a decade. Kymoni is a woman who has been betrayed by two people closest to her, never quite recovering emotionally she has given up on love and began making plans to endure her life alone. Until one day she ran into her true destiny. 

Michelle Thomas is Alex's wife, a woman who always secretly enjoys having the upper hand in life and in her marriage, until her new boss Brian Ross comes along; a wealthy alpha male who secretly loves to dominate willing participants in his leisure time. Brian Ross has now acquired the company she works for, and soon discovers that Michelle will do anything for a cushy promotion and he has a plan that will give them both what they desire. As life throw curves to all involved, they all start to wonder if the path they are on is the right one. Is it worth being true to oneself, if it means sacrificing everything?

This book is intended for mature audiences. 

The Tempted Hearts Series has four parts.

Tempted Hearts Book 1

Tempted Hearts Book 2

Tempted Hearts Book 3

Hearts Tempted Book 4

Buy Links

Amazon

Video
https://youtu.be/TP5L7GwblOg

Teasers 

Author Bio

KC Royale started writing at the tender age of nine years old. Being the only girl in a house with four brothers, she used writing as a way to occupy her time. Her curiosity grew into her creating poems and short stories in various genres, which then grew into a love of writing all types of stories. Having grown up in the Washington Metropolitan Area, she got a lot of her inspiration from life, love and nature. She currently lives in Maryland with her family and her ever present laptop. When she is not writing she enjoys watching movies, theatre, cooking, traveling, and listening to soft rock music. She is also an avid reader who enjoys a good romance, erotica or thriller novel to pass the time.

Author Links 

Facebook , Newsletter , Goodreads  , 
Amazon , Twitter


Other Books 
Your first crush isn’t normally the man who ends up dating your best friend, nor is he the man you end up wanting to marry. But my inexperience on how to handle such a strong reaction to one guy nearly cost me everything back then. They say you can't control when you first fall in love or who you fall in love with. So when I found myself in love for the first time at seventeen, it was a bit shocking. Not for the reasons you think, but then again, maybe it was.

His name was Johnathan Pierce, the one who drove me insane with lust, and frustrated me to no end. How could I not fall for him? How could any girl refuse his green eyes, experienced touch and intoxicating words? I knew that he was no longer the seventeen year old boy who had taken me for the ride of my life, he was a man now. It’s been six years since my heart was taken by Johnathan, a man who was now a CEO of a billion dollar empire. A man who has taken all that I had to give, and hurt me in the worst way imaginable, causing me to give up everything and run away. The indescribable pain I felt has consumed me for six long years, but now the time has come for me to return home. Home, where it all started for a girl name Kathleen Toth-Chamberlin. Every story has a beginning… and an end

Jessica Moore is a woman who is still finding her way through life. Taking it all in, one class at a time, while she attended college. Being miles from home was never an issue for her, as she had easily adapted to living a college student’s lifestyle, until one night when she discovered that she was being followed.

Jessica Moore meant everything to a man that she had no clue had feelings for her. To say that he was infatuated with her, would be putting it mildly. It’d been three years of torture for him, watching her behind the scenes, and living her life as if he didn’t really exist. His attraction for her was way too strong to ignore, and he knew that there was only a matter of time before he snapped if he didn’t have her. Nothing would stop him from getting who he wanted, even if she was a student, and he was her Professor.

The MUSK series- Complete Set

Two guys. One woman. One big decision. She is attracted to both, but in two totally different ways. With one guy there is this magnetic pull to him, an intense physical attraction she can't control. But with the other guy, there is this warmth with him that she hasn't felt since ... forever. The emotional connection with this other guy, renders her speechless. Susan’s life has always been complicated, ever since she lost the last member of her family, a few years ago. She’s had a hard time dealing with her loss, and how alone she secretly felt in this huge world. Taking life one day at a time, in work and in finding love, was her new motto. Until love came knocking on her door, in more way than one. This book contains the complete set in the MUSK series. The Scent of Musk. The Scent of Passion. The Scent of Her. This book is a new and sensual trilogy that will knock your socks off. 

Nechole Olden was a woman who had just graduated college and had relocated to Fairfield, Connecticut. Where she was offered a job right out of school at one of the biggest publication companies in the world. She was very excited to start her new life, living alone as an independent adult. But what she didn't count on was a sudden change of her plans as fate stepped in, planning to conquer her... in the form of two men. 

Two dominate men who could smell her innocence from a mile away. An innocence that had called to them both, but on two different levels. The secret, lies and manipulation to have her, had these men willing to do anything. Two will play but only one will win. This book has two parts. This is book one of this story but book 2 is also available. Both books will be released on the SAME day. This book is intended for mature audience.

What happens when you wake up from the nightmare called your life to find out that everything you ever knew was a lie? What happens when everyone you ever knew was not who they claimed to be? What happens when your entire world is turned upside down in only a matter of days? 

Life for Kaitlyn O'Brien was always simple and very structured. She was a very smart girl who was taking life one day at a time. But she always knew that there was more for her life... but she had no clue what that was exactly. It was very hard for her, growing up in a house that lacked love, communication and most of all freedom. But Kaitlyn was special, very special, especially to an organization who has had more control of her life than she ever knew… and she was about to find out exactly why that is.

What's coming 

Addison Kline Relaunch Sale!!

★.•**•.★ Live ★.•**•.★

Addison Kline has re-launched her 7 novels, all for just $0.99 EACH!!  All titles are also FREE on Kindle Unlimited!

Shadow Dancer

Amazon US- http://amzn.to/1sZ50Yi

Amazon UK- http://amzn.to/1Uri2E7

Stolen Innocents

Amazon US- http://amzn.to/1WB16RY

Amazon UK- http://amzn.to/1Uljecj

Black Horse

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Amazon UK- http://amzn.to/1UC9gGj

Broken Road

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Amazon UK- http://amzn.to/1XuAUcB

Miles Away

Amazon US- http://amzn.to/1UC9ehs

Amazon UK- http://amzn.to/1TQopBm

Down to You

Amazon US- http://amzn.to/1UC9cGn

Amazon UK- http://amzn.to/1U2zp10

Mark My Words-

Amazon US- http://amzn.to/1WB01tq

Amazon UK- http://amzn.to/28dDVB5

A Stolen Heart by Brenda K. Davies

  Alexandra Harris is anything but a proper lady.  In a time where women always need an escort, are never alone with a man, always wear dresses, and do women's work, she does just the opposite.  She can work like a man, dresses like a man, and goes to see Henry by herself every week.  Henry was a friend of her father's before he died.  Although her reputation is non-existent, Alex stopped caring two years ago when her father passed.  After that, all she cared about was getting even with the man who had made everyone's life a living hell if they happened to own land in the area.
   Murdoch was more than just ambitious.  He was willing to do whatever it took to get what he wanted.  Some of the farmers had already sold out and left because they could no longer get by, or they no longer wanted to deal with disappearing or dead cattle and livestock, and burned barns.  The community knew who was to blame, but there was never enough evidence and the sheriff was in Murdoch's pocket.  Alex and her brother, Hugh, had started robbing some of Murdoch's shipments of money and distributing it among the farmers to help them get by.  What they didn't know this time was that there was a new hired gun to help get the money through and he was very good.  In the end, the new guy, Jarrett, and Alex were both shot.  She shot him in the upper thigh and he shot her in the arm.  Since neither were fatal shots, both recover just fine.  But Jarrett is after revenge.  He wants to bring in the boy (who he doesn't know was actually Alex) that shot him and caused all of this trouble.  Bad news is that red heads are not common in this area, so Alex and Hugh have to be very careful and keep their heads down for a while.
   All the while, Megan, Alex's best friend, is watching the events unfold and knows once again that Alex is in trouble.  She believes none of the rumors in town about her friend and knows all of the story behind her anger.  It is a deep and sad story that Jarrett will come to know as well.  And as he does, he will gradually fall for this beautiful woman who makes his blood run hot.  But Jarrett has competition from a few men in town, and one of them is dangerous.  And Alex loves to live dangerously without ever thinking of her own safety.  It will be a stroke of luck if he can tame her enough to make her see just how much danger she puts herself in.


   I don't read many western style books, and I was surprised to see this particular author write a book like this, but it was really good!  It has some adult themes so it is not for anyone under the age of 18, but there is also a great story line to it as well.  Back in the Old West, women were expected to be proper and act like delicate flowers.  Alexandra is a tough-as-nails woman and is not about to change just because people talk bad about her.  Her world is full of secrets and heartache.  The only people she has are Hugh, Megan, Daryl (Megan's husband), and Henry.  That is, until Jarrett comes along.  Unfortunately he is the most protective of them all after more of Alex's story is revealed to him.  He has to learn that the harder they tighten the reins on her, the more she resists.  Even her brother thinks he has her in hand to a degree, but Alex knows what Hugh is up to.  Jarrett must pick a side, since his employer was the one causing all of the trouble.  And he must find a way to protect Alex from those who would do her harm, physically or mentally.

Pre-Order A Stolen Heart by Brenda K. Davies!!

A Stolen Heart, the newest Brenda K. Davies book, is now available for pre-order on Amazon, Apple, B&N, and Smashwords! The pre-order price will only be available for a short time after release so grab your copy now! Links are posted below!...

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MQ5JJAE
Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/a-stolen-heart/id904283901?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-stolen-heart-brenda-k-davies/1119986469?ean=2940046068719
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/461637

Dragon's Rival is out!

The Dragon and the Scholar Book 3: Dragon's Rival by H.L. Burke is now available on Amazon!!  Head over to the link below and check it out!

http://www.amazon.com/Dragons-Rival-Dragon-Scholar-Book-ebook/dp/B00MBV5C2M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407181050&sr=8-1&keywords=dragons+rival+by+h.l.+burke

Blood Claim (Half-Blood Princess Book 1) by Magen McMinimy

   Some things are not supposed to exist.  To humans it is such things as vampires.  To vampires it is the half-blood princess who is supposed to be half human and half vampire, which is an impossibility in the world of vampires.  Sophia Daletsky is the impossibility.  She is the half-blood princess.  And why is she a princess?  Her father is the first vampire.  Although half human, Sophia has been trained to fight by her cruel brother Irad and can very well take care of herself.  For the moment she is out of touch and out of sight from her entire family.  She's on a mission to find someone very special who needs protection from Irad.  What she doesn't expect is to run into an ex of another vampire she knows well.  Dante Baikov is beyond handsome.  He melts Sophia's heart rather quickly while she is on her mission to protect Dante's brother's girlfriend: Sarah.  Sarah is human, but the Baikovs are not.  Strangely enough, Sarah knows this.  It seems that she doesn't care that they're vampires and loves Tavien anyway.  Sophia must protect this seemingly gentle spirit of a girl, but the stakes are very high.  Not only are Sarah and her friends in danger, but Sophia's very life could be in danger.  Irad will not be put off easily, and although she is his sister, he won't hesitate to kill Sophia to get to what he wants.

   This is a shorter story, but still a rather fascinating story line.  I did miss some of the details that could have been added into the book though.  At times it feels like you are running through it, while others feel like you are living every moment in this book.  It is an interesting pace for a short story.  A lot of the attention in the book is divided between the growing attraction between Dante and Sophia and the struggle for her to keep Sarah and the others safe.  Another important point in the story is how no one knows who Sophia is for most of the book.  She doesn't like people to know who she is and even keeps it from Dante.  It seems that she is always trying to come up with a good time to tell him, but it never happens.  One of my favorite parts of the book is when her dad shows up in town per her request.  It's a shocker to find out who her dad is!

Sleeping Roses by Rashelle Workman

   Sophie's life was tinged with grief and heartache.  She had started out well enough until the death of her parents.  After that she had went on, trying to live her life.  She went to college like they had wanted her to and during her college years she met Rina, her best friend, and David, whom she married.  She had been an amazing artist.  So much so that when she and David were married she had her own studio in their home.  But all wasn't well within their home.  She was unhappy, scared.  David had a temper and said he would kill her if she ever tried to leave him.  He would suffer no such embarrassment.  One day she finds him in bed with another woman and decides it is time to leave him.  It is a huge and scary step for Sophie, but she does it.  Rina is there helping her and being supportive as much as she can.  There is a job opening for an art teacher at the school Rina is Vice Principal at and Sophie gets the position.  David never let her work and demanded to know where she was at all times during the day.  There were dire consequences if he checked up on her and she wasn't where she said she would be.  Now she has some new found freedom, but she is still afraid.  Sophie knows that David is serious about killing her.  While she is trying to settle into her new life, she constantly has to deal with David lurking around and threatening her.  And there is a new guy in her life, Philip.  He works at the school too and is a nice guy.  But after suffering through her life with David, Sophie has a very hard time trusting men, including Philip.  Philip has a past too though.  One rather similar to hers.  Sophie has a secret though.  One that might cause a rift in their budding relationship.  Sophie's biggest problem at the moment is David.  When will the confrontation happen?  She knows it's coming and dread clouds any kind of happiness she has.

   This book completely threw me for a loop.  I had no idea that the ending would be like it was.  In fact, for a little while, you have a hard time distinguishing what is actually reality for Sophie.  I don't want to give away the ending so I can't even remotely get near it.  But I can say that it is shocking, and very fascinating.  It might bring a few tears to your eyes.  I think it will shock most people!

The Flesh Market by Richard Wright

   The Cadaver Riots began in Edinburgh in the early 1800's.  Why were they named so?  Because of the mob of cadavers that swarmed the city, tearing at and eating people wherever they found them.  Many were wounded and died from the attack.  And many more were to have nightmares about that night replay over and over in their heads for a very long time.  The poor population was what had been affected the most.  No one knew where the bodies came from or why they came back to life.  Dr. Knox is hell bent on finding the answers they need, although it is illegal to harbor a revenant (one of the undead).  He teaches medical students about the anatomy of the body and must have cadavers on hand for practicing on.  Some would say that his business was shady because he bought bodies that had passed on.  At that time in history, it was looked down on, but robbing graves was much worse than buying the bodies.  He and his few assistants begin taking in revenants and start cutting them up to find out why they are coming back to life.  The answers seem to evade them and when revenants come in that they recognize, questions are raised about the ethics of what they were doing as well as where the bodies were coming from.
   Bill and Nelly came to Edinburgh a year after the riots had happened and neither had ever seen one until they had moved here.  A friend of theirs had offered cheap lodging for them, but because things were tight, Bill and Nelly felt like they needed to "help" Maggie, the friend and owner of their current lodgings.  Maggie is willing to go to great lengths to get money, and her new (and very young) husband, William, is willing to go even further.  There is evil surrounding him that everyone seems to sense.  The selling of the revenant that came back to life in Maggie and William's lodge house to Dr. Knox is just the beginning of the slope Bill and William slip quickly down.  It doesn't take long for them to start murdering people and waiting for them to turn.  Funny thing is that they always do, and even in his almost constant drunken stupor, Bill starts to suspect that William knows how to turn them.  Bill had long suspected William of being a very dangerous man, and the further into the story you get, the more you can see why.

   Gruesome and fascinating.  A true terrors-of-the-night type of thriller.  Horror fans, this is the book for you!  Although written in a somewhat older style, to match the times no doubt, it is very in depth and many issues and thoughts come from what is really right and wrong in situations such as this.  How far would one go to find answers?  And how far would others go for money?  Bill Burke is pulled into William Hare's world of evil rather quickly.  To douse his conscience, he stays drunk most of the time.  He cannot handle what he is partaking of without it.  And unfortunately, Bill feels stuck in his position.  He knows William will come after he and Nelly.  And he has to keep Nelly safe.
   The most interesting thing about this novel is how it was based on real events.  While the Cadaver Riots (and undead in general) were a fabricated part of the story, the Burke and Hare murders were not.  It was very real.  These two men did start murdering people and selling their corpses to a Dr. Knox.  There were several victims of these two Irishmen.  If you would like to know a little about these murders check out the link below:
                   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burke_and_Hare_murders

Love's First Bite Boxed Set

 

 There is a new boxed set out that you can get for a little Valentine's Day romance that is only .99 for right now!!  It has six books in it by Cynthia Eden, Vivi Anna, Michele Hauf, Patrice Michelle, Erica Stevens, and Jordan Summers.  A sweet deal on this set!

If you are looking for some vampire or paranormal romance, then here is the book set for you!  (not recommended for anyone under age 18 due to graphic content in some of the books)





The Wolf Within by Cynthia Eden
-Werewolves and vampires, and a paranormal unit that specifically works crimes happening due to rogue vamps and weres.  There are some real surprises in this one!

The Vampire Affair by Vivi Anna
-A reporter who will go to unknown lengths to get her story, including doing some naughty acts with a businessman/vampire she is trying to get the scoop on.  This one is more "gettin it on" and in some very public places more than it is a well rounded story.  But if you are looking for something hot and heavy then this is it!

The Dark's Mistress by Michele Hauf
-A super dark tale about a girl that  is under the Devil himself's coercion.  She is a vampire and any mortal she bites, she takes their soul, holding it in her heart for the Devil.  Then she meets this hot rocker and wants him to try to save her from the evil one.

A Taste for Passion by Patrice Michelle
-Another very hot and heavy book!  Girl meets vampire.  Vampire thinks that she is his long lost, reincarnated fiance'.  And Mr. Hot Vampire gets all in her dreams, interrupting them so that all she can think about is him!  A few twists in this one as well!

Captured by Erica Stevens
-A world where vampires rule and humans have become the subservient, the slaves, or just outright on the run from them.  They have taken over and some humans are captured and just drained while others become blood slaves.  One girl is captured and becomes the blind prince's blood slave.  His treatment of her is different though and he has secrets of his own!  A true romance!

Paris After Dark by Jordan Summers
-I have not personally read this one yet because of time constraints, but with more detectives and vampires, it's got to be good as well!!

Vampires Rule (Rule Series Book 1) by K. C. Blake

   Yes when I first saw this book the title jumped out at me as corny at best, and only more than a little over played.  But I finally decided to give this book a try and it was much better than my expectations.  My expectation was a Twilight rerun.  But Vampires Rule had an interesting story line and I wouldn't mind reading the complete series.
 

   In the beginning of the book, Jack is a vampire.  A 17-year-old boy forever stuck at that age.  Never to grow old and never to even feel the heat of the sun again.  He was turned ten years before when his mother and father and he were killed by a werewolf.  Luckily there had been vampires nearby and they turned him.  In a stroke of luck, or possibly fate, he is mauled by a werewolf in a cemetery while trying to save a teenage girl.  Turns out she didn't need saving, but he might.  Being scratched by a werewolf was a death sentence to a vampire and to a human it was the curse of becoming what had injured them.  Silver, the girl Jack was trying to save, takes him to her house to heal.  She saved him from the werewolf.  Silver is one powerful hunter that has the power to suck the souls out of werewolves.  And she was destined to meet Jack.  It is all written in a diary from long ago.  Strangely enough, because of his injury, Jack turns back into a human.  But not a normal human.  Unfortunately some of his powers, along with a few new ones, would be returning to him.  He would have some vampire powers as well as some werewolf powers.  Why?  Because he and Silver were not only meant to meet and be together, but they were meant to take down the head werewolf.  In killing the oldest werewolf, that would make all others into regular humans again.  But being human is much harder than Jack thought.  He is tempted to go back to his vampire family on more than one occasion.  Even going back to finish high school is hard.  His temper is out of control and he has to deal with his would-be younger brother that has now taken the roll of parent basically.  Billy, his brother, is under a lot of stress and continually hopes that he doesn't have to kill Jack.  Billy's afraid of Jack to some degree.  He knew what he was before Jack came back home.  Then there is Silver.  Jack is crazy about her but feels like he is putting her in even more danger since everyone seems out to get him.  Can he balance his crazy life, the revenge he wants for his family's death, and find the head werewolf?

   It is especially interesting in this book to see how vampires and werewolves were created, and who created them.  The reasoning behind it was rather selfish.  My question is why would you create both of these factions and then write in a diary about visions of ending werewolves and vampires after you were the one who had created them?  This is a question that there is no answer to in this book.  The woman behind all of this is rather vague and we don't know a whole lot about who she was.  Then watching Jack struggle with being some kind of destined super human is definitely worth the read.  When he becomes human, he feels even more alone than when he was a vampire.  No one seems to really understand him.  Those close to him seem to fear him.  Others want to kill him.  And the only other person besides Silver that he feels close to and connected to turns out to be his mortal enemy.  And his enemy warns him that Silver brings trouble with her wherever she goes.  In fact, at the end of the book, Jack receives another sinister warning about Silver from an unexpected source.  Just another thing to add to the pot of complicated that has become his life.


*image via K.C. Blake
   

Reclamation (Book 3 of The Ravening Series) by Erica Stevens TEASER

   The saga continues...Bethany and Cade are still running for their lives, but things are changing.  The death and destruction left from the aliens have reached an all time high and the group can barely stomach what they are seeing.  As lives are continually in jeopardy, so are Cade and Bethany's secrets about who they both really are.  And the secret does come out that Cade is one of the aliens.  Fortunately because of his love and dedication to Bethany, they don't try to kill him.  But the group remains very distrusting of him.  Who would blame them after what they had seen and been through?  Then there is Bethany's little secret about the changes Cade's blood made within her.  Everyone finds out about that too and suddenly she is on the bad list as well.  She lied to everyone about that and Cade.  But Cade will do anything for Bethany to make sure she survives and has the life she deserves.  And that includes a very daring move to try and rid Earth of the aliens that continue to stalk it.  It's the only move they have.  With the help from a very unusual source, they have to at least try to save the world.  If they don't succeed, all will be lost.

"There's something about certain humans that entangles us.  There's something about them that we react to, and it is only one of them for each of us."

   This book made me want to laugh and cry.  It makes you feel like you are living it.  You can feel yourself wading through the emotional turmoil of the characters.  It is an amazing ending to an amazing series!  Make sure you check it out!  The book comes out January 28th!

Kiss of Fire (Imdalind Series Book 1) by Rebecca Ethington

   "Everything changed on my fifth birthday."

   On Joclyn's 5th birthday, she was bitten by something that permanently left a mark behind her ear.  As a result, she was in a coma for months.  After that, things changed.  Her parents started fighting and eventually her father left, looking for answers.  The doctors had said they thought she had some kind of weird allergic reaction to something, but her father suspected it was more.  Her mother never believed that though.
   When Joclyn hit puberty, she started wearing baggy and dark clothing and lots of hoodies.  She didn't want anyone to see the mark on her.  It ruled her life.  She never even got close to anyone except her best friend Ryland.  They had been best friends since she was a little kid.  When her father left, her mom became a cook in Ryland's majestic home.  She has no other friends until a new girl comes to school and befriends Joclyn.  Wyn is a bubbly girl and has a brother named Ilyan that's quite a bit older than her.  He seems cold and reserved, nothing like Wyn.  That's when things start going awry.  The relationship between she and Ryland starts getting out of hand.  He is not even supposed to be around her, but they both have feelings for each other.  Then one night at Ryland's he sees the mark after telling her he loves her and knows exactly what it means.  Joclyn is in danger. Ryland's father will kill her if he catches her.     After that night, her life as well as Ryland's is in danger.  His father is a brute of a man and has forced
unspeakable things upon his children.  He wants to kill Joclyn because she is the last one of the Chosen Children.  She bears the mark, which means she can use magic.  And Joclyn's magic is particularly strong.  Ilyan and Wyn try to keep Joclyn safe as well as teach her about her new power.  But they also need to save Ryland from his father before it's too late.


Full of twists and turns, this book is a great read!  Joclyn slowly starts changing as she realizes the mark on her has taken hold of her life, destroying it.  Although she blames the mark, she starts to realize it is her fault for letting this happen.  And then there is the whole "I can do magic" thing that she now has to contend with.  Although it sounds a little out there, it is the only explanation she has for what has been happening.  Then there is the strange Ilyan.  Ryland sent her to him and Wyn to keep her safe.  Ilyan has such a big part in this that I cannot begin to explain it all.  He is the only one who can help Joclyn.  And it almost seems  like he doesn't like his position among the others that much.  It is a somewhat lonely position to have and he has no wife or girlfriend.  The life of Ryland and Ilyan are enigmas that slowly unwind and show the painful past they share.  All in all, a great book and I would love to continue the series!


                                                   http://www.rebeccaethington.com/


*quote via Rebecca Ethington
*pictures via Rebecca Ethington

Interview with Indie Author Brian D. Meeks!!

I had a little email interview with Brian Meeks this weekend and here is what he had to say!

1. How long have you been writing?

 I started writing on Jan 2, 2010. I hated writing before that, but the college football game didn't kickoff until eight o'clock, so I was wandering around the internet and found the blogger site. I had taken up woodworking and decided to write a post about my foibles. After I hit post I went to a woodworking forum and decided to post it there, too. The next day, when I went back, 300 people had read the post and 25 had left comments. It is amazing how external validation can change one's perspective. I've blogged every day since.

2. What was your main reason for becoming an Indie Author?

I didn't intend to write novels. I wrote the 1st chapter of a noir mystery that takes place in 1955 New York City for my blog. My blog was about woodworking and I didn't have anything to write about that day, so I created Henry Wood. He's a detective with a love of woodworking and the Brooklyn Dodgers. The readers of my blog asked for more of the story and three years later I've written four mysteries, one thriller, one YA, a satire, and a book about the 1986 Iowa Hawkeyes Men's basketball team.
The thing about writing books is that I could never write an entire novel, but I can write one chapter. I don't plan out my novels, I just bang out the next chapter, and eventually I get to the end of the story.

As for why I choose the Indie path as opposed to the traditional route, well, it's simple...money. I like my books. I like them a bunch and I think others will, too. When the day comes that I'm selling thousands of copies per week, then I'd rather get 70% of gross than 15% of net. Another reason is speed to market. I can finish a novel and get it published in a month, or quicker if I've been giving my chapters to my editor while I write.
My greatest skill is not writing, but analysis. I was a data analyst for GEICO, where a 15 minute call could save you 15% on your auto insurance. I worked in the marketing department and learned a bunch about data. I track lots of different things with regards to my books. If I went the traditional route, I wouldn't have access to the data, and that would drive me nuts.
With each ad I run, I learn valuable information that I can use to improve my marketing. Two months ago I had 277 sales and last month 513. I could talk for hours about the data I gathered and the patterns I see, but most people would stop reading, so I won't.

3. Do you normally insert a little bit of yourself into the books you write, like we see in A Touch To Die For? Yes, but it isn't always where people expect.

In most of my books there are people eating food. 90% of the time they are eating what I'm eating at the time I'm writing that bit. Sometimes, though, I have the characters eat something I hate, just to be different. Also, most of the "me" is sprinkled into characters other than the main ones.
I have a book I'm working on publishing now called Underwood, Scotch and Wry. The snark from the main character is very much me, but his lifestyle isn't me at all. When that books becomes a huge best seller, and people offer to buy me a drink, they'll be shocked that I'll likely order a Pepsi. I'm not really a drinker. I usually drink about once every year and a half or so.
The serial killer's computer in A Touch To Die For is exactly like the type of thing I'd have built if I were a billionaire. However, I'm not much of a mass murderer, though. So, the point is, I sprinkle myself all over the books, but it isn't always apparent except to the people who've known me for twenty plus years.
I had one person ask me how long I had lived in New York City, after having read Henry Wood Detective Agency. I've been to Manhattan, twice, for a total of three days. I'm not afraid to do research.

4. How do you deal with writer's block?

I don't believe in writer's block. I believe in writer's lazy, though. If I sit down and write, I have no problem getting into the flow. I don't really ever have deadlines, but if I put one on myself, it is just a matter of tuning out the world and letting myself get into the story.
One thing I like to do, that helps with writer's lazy, is to write in public. The Hamburg Inn No. 2 is a great little place to go eat and write. There is something about tuning out the white noise that gets the words to flow. It never fails.

5. How do you keep from burning out?

No idea. I guess I just like writing books. I've never burnt out with regards to golf, tennis or eating bacon. I think I'm not really prone to burning out on something. I still love all my hobbies, but I just don't have time to devote eight hours per day to 20 different things...oh but if I could...it would be awesome.

I'm not sure one can be a successful author if they don't imagine it taking a decade to achieve their goals. It is rare that one can make it with one novel. Sure, occasionally there will be a Harper Lee, but more often than not, it is the third, forth, or fifth book that takes off and then ones that came before are discovered. Again, one can point to J.K. Rowling, and others, but they are the exception not the rule.

6. who/what is your biggest inspiration? 

I have a degree in economics. My hero is an economist by the name of David Ricardo.  He lived from 1772 - 1823, and most people have never heard of him. His theories were so advanced that they weren't fully appreciated until 140 years after his death. I like thinkers.

7. What type of novels do you enjoy reading?

I love many different types of writing. My favorite authors are Rudyard Kipling, Ivan Turgenev, Elmore Leonard, Vladimir Nabakov, J.K. Rowling, Vikram Seth, and indie authors Johnny B. Truant and Sean Platt. Johnny and Sean have just released a science fiction series called The Beam, and one day it may be considered a classic. They also write the series Unicorn Western, which is delightful.

8. Do you have other hobbies you are passionate about?

Those who have known me for a decade or two would laugh at this question. The first question people ask when my name comes up, "What's Meeks' latest hobby?"

My interests are many and varied. I have, at various points in my life, been obsessed with...fencing, chess, badminton, golf, tennis, baseball (and softball), photography, video games, woodworking, collecting baseball cards and comic books, learning French, and squash. I'm sure that is an incomplete list, but to answer your question, yes I do.

Currently, I limit myself to writing and golf. I'm constantly seeing things I'd like to try, but it is my nature to throw myself into a new hobby one hundred percent, and that would be bad for my writing. I'm committed to making it to the "Tipping Point" as an author and I don't want to get distracted.

9. What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

I have learned a bunch over the last few years. I could write a book...maybe I will. But, in the interest of brevity (I'm rarely interested in brevity)

    1) Learn Scrivener and use it for writing your novels or screen plays. If one has the talent to write one novel, they will surely write more. The ease in publishing with Scrivener, once it is learned, will save the new author hours.

    2) Hire a great editor.

    3) It isn't necessary to describe every detail you imagine. Yes, you may be able to see every lamp, chair, and sconce in a room, but it is enough to say, "He walked into the library with all its Victorian finery and stopped when he saw her in the glow of the Tiffany lamp." I'm sure you can see the desk, the paneling on the walls, the carpet, the paintings, but even if you can't see what I see, your image is just fine. The best part about creating scenes that let the reader fill in the blanks is that they will give you the credit. 

 4) I leaned this from reading Elmore Leonard. If character A asks a question, sometimes character B will say something unrelated because they may not have been listening. It's how people talk and it makes for good dialog.

It's almost time for a giveaway!!

BIG NEWS to all my avid readers out there!!  I will be starting a giveaway for a pretty awesome prize pack very soon!!  Keep on the lookout for it!!    Coming Soon!!

Light and Darkness (War of the Fae: Book 3) by Elle Casey

"The difference is in the way we believe humans should be treated and the role we should play in their society.  The Light Fae believe our best chance for survival and to have access to the resources provided by the humans is to stay hidden...to continue to operate in their shadows and dreams, not their realities.  However, the Dark Fae do not agree.  They want to be out in front of the humans, living in the open, no longer hiding who they are and what they do.  They want to exert their power over the humans and assert their fae dominance."

A great little tidbit of a book I recently finished reading.  Great stuff!!

*quote via Elle Casey
*picture via Elle Casey