Welcome special guest: author Mariposa Cruz

Today we have paranormal romance author, Mariposa Cruz, visiting. She balances writing with working as a fulltime corporate paralegal. As a writer she has interviewed a variety of characters from cowboy crooners to rock divas. Her articles have appeared in local magazines and indie newspapers. She currently resides with her own pack of two teens in Reno, Nevada.

* So, Mariposa, what inspired you to become a writer?
I’ve loved books since childhood and I soon discovered creating stories was as much fun as reading them.  Any pursuit that gives you a license to daydream is a good thing.
* When did you attempt your first story? What length was it? What's become of it?
My very first paranormal romance was written in high school with my best friend.  We filled an entire notebook with the story of our gang of friends falling in love with a group of guys who happen to be a werewolf, a vampire and a mad scientist.  Between bursts of giggles we took turns reading the finished story to our friends during a party.  Fortunately for us, they found it as funny as we did.
* How many stories did you complete before you sold your first?
I’ve been scribbling stories in notebooks since 7^th grade, so I’ve lost track of exactly how many stories I wrote before prior to my first publication.
* What genre(s) do you write in? What drew you to write in it/them? What’s your favorite genre of all to write in?
I write women’s fiction, paranormal and I’ve started work on a contemporary romance.  I’ve been fascinated with the supernatural since childhood and I love to put a paranormal twist on everyday problems.  For a werewolf, losing your cool at work could have lethal consequences.
* What are the best and worst pieces of writing advice you ever received?
A work friend wanted me to get involved with his business enterprise (one where you sign up as many friends as possible to sell stuff).  He loaned me one of his motivational tapes to inspire me.  According to the tape, to be successful in this enterprise you have to treat it like a job be consistent and show up every day—not dabble like a hobby. The tape’s message motivated me to apply the job mentality toward my writing—I set up files and weekly goals.  By being focused and organized I’ve accomplished more and have had fun at the same time.
I guess the worst writing advice is “write what you know” because stretching beyond my comfort zone has helped me grow as a writer.
* How do you celebrate/deal with acceptance/rejection letters?
I allow myself to feel thoroughly bummed about a rejection for a little while, but I force myself get the manuscript back out to market as soon as possible.  When I received the good news from my editor about Howl, I bought a chocolate crème pie to share with my kids.
* In regard to the book you’re promoting, which actor and actress do you envision playing the roles of your hero and heroine? If there’s a villain or other characters who are pertinent to the story, who would play those parts?
Cameron Diaz’s wide-set blue eyes remind me of Kate.  Gerard Butler with his intensity would make a perfect Jack.
* Is it a stand-alone story or part of a series? If it’s part of a series, please list the order the books need to be read in for maximum reading enjoyment.
I’m working on the follow-up book to Howl right now and I think there may be more stories coming from Haven, California.
*** Now for some fun info… ***
* What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
Tin Roof Sundae
* Are you a cat, dog or both kind of person?
Though readers of Howl might suspect otherwise, I honestly like both dogs and cats.
* What’s your favorite day of the week?
I am definitely a Friday’s child, especially since one of the local nightclubs started having Salsa lessons on Friday nights!

*** About Howl … ***
I read Kipling’s The Jungle Book, while writing Howl.  I loved his poem “The Law of the Jungle” and decided it would become the principle bylaw for the pack in Howl.  Shortly after Howl was published, I discovered that my wolves are not alone in their devotion to Kipling’s poem—“The Law of the Jungle” is recited by Wolf Pack fans prior to UNR’s men’s basketball games.

Blurb for Howl

As if Kate Owens doesn't have enough problems as a struggling single mom and paralegal, a brutal animal attack outside her office plunges her into turmoil. At work, she is attracted to her rescuer, Jack Walker, an attorney wary of commitment. Every morning after the attack she awakes drenched in blood beside the body of a mangled stray. Kate's days become a battle to maintain control while her nights are a disturbing blur of dreams. Will Kate's nightly madness harm her young daughter? Lone wolf attorney, Jack Walker understands the reason for his paralegal's exhaustion and haunted demeanor. Jack has pursued the beast since law school graduation and he knows the creature's relentless thirst for revenge. Can Jack save Kate from her attacker and her own savage nature?

Howl is available at The Wild Rose Press http://www.thewildrosepress.com/-p-3921.html

***Find Mariposa Cruz here***

She features author interviews and other writing-related musings at her blog http://mariposacruz.blogspot.com

Thank you for joining us here today, Mariposa! It was a pleasure getting to know you and your work.

Sunday Snapshots - Lake Las Vegas

Snapshots of Las Vegas through a resident's perspective.
Here are this week's pics...
Out at Lake Las Vegas...

As always, I appreciate your comments and if there's something you'd like to see, let me know!
Happy reading,
C.

Welcome special guest: author Michele Zurlo

Today we have erotic romance author, Michele Zurlo, visiting. Michele, who also writes mainstream romance under Debora Ryan, is a wife, mother, teacher, and writer.  She says, “I have a ton of stuff to do every day, so writing is my escape.”

* So, Michele, what inspired you to become a writer?
It was more like an impulsive decision.  I won a laptop and I didn’t have the internet or games, so I figured I’d write a novel on it.  Before then, I always preferred reading to writing.  It’s a lot less work.  Now I find I write way more than I read.  It appeals to the control freak living in my head.
* When did you attempt your first story? What length was it? What's become of it?
Four years ago, I began writing Tomorrow Cries.  I completed Letting Go before I finished tinkering with Tomorrow Cries.  Letting Go was around 100,000 words.  Tomorrow Cries was originally 500,000 words, but I pared it down to 130,000.  I learned a lot about novel writing, like over-explaining and giving every tiny detail led to a slow pace and readers lose interest.  I lose interest pretty quickly if the plot isn’t moving, so I figure most other people do, too.  So I cut it down. Tomorrow Cries ended up being my 5^th title published.  I’ve probably abandoned as many stories as I’ve read.  I’m very picky that way.
* How many stories did you complete before you sold your first?
Three.  I finished Letting Go, Hanging On, and Irrepressible Force before Siren contracted Letting Go.  I was still working with beta readers on Tomorrow Cries.  I think at that point it was a trilogy.  I am posting the first part of that trilogy as a series of free reads over the course of this year.
* What genre(s) do you write in? What drew you to write in it/them? What’s your favorite genre of all to write in?
I write romance, both erotic and mainstream.  I can’t help but infuse my stories with romantic elements.  Tomorrow Cries didn’t start out as a romance, but it definitely ended up that way.  Specifically, I write contemporary and paranormal, mostly because those are the two genres I prefer to read.
* What are the best and worst pieces of writing advice you ever received?
The worst advice I received was feedback simply saying it was good.  I knew it wasn’t good.  If it was good, I wouldn’t have asked for feedback. The best piece of writing advice came from Sharon Robinson (Jackie Robinson’s daughter) when she did an appearance where I work (also as part of the contest where I won my laptop).  She said she didn’t write a book until she was in her forties, and that it was never too late to fulfill a dream.  I guess when you grow up with a father who is such a fearless leader, you can’t help but be a little braver than the rest of us.  Her little nugget of wisdom came just before my laptop, and then it grew into something powerful inside me.
* How do you celebrate/deal with acceptance/rejection letters?
It took three years of submissions to get my first novel published.  Rejection letters, which came first and most prolifically, were things I mostly threw away or deleted.  Ones with specific feedback were helpful in the revision process.  It probably didn’t help that I had never read an erotic romance before writing Letting Go.  I’ve done a lot of market research since then, which has helped me to better target an audience.  Now that I’m established, that road is a lot less bumpy.  Siren-BookStrand has been good to me.  My last six novels were accepted within a matter of weeks.
* In regard to the book you’re promoting, which actor and actress do you envision playing the roles of your hero and heroine? If there’s a villain or other characters who are pertinent to the story, who would play those parts?

The villains in my contemporary romances are the main characters.  I firmly believe in the power of internal conflict.  People are their own worst enemies and create so many problems for themselves.  My heroines and heroes tend to be stubborn and strong, two wonderful traits that can really backfire on a person.  Time to Pretend is no different.  Daniel’s bull-headedness causes the majority of the conflict.  Both of the people he loves, Alaina and Evan, are more than willing to accept Danny as he is. During the novel, we get to see Daniel coming to terms with who he loves and what he really wants out of a relationship.
Truthfully, I didn’t imagine any actors or actresses as my characters.  In my head, that would tamper with who they are because all actors already possess a personality.  However, when I fill out a cover questionnaire, they want actor likenesses.  In Time to Pretend, Olivia Wilde comes closest to the way I imagined Alaina.  She’s a bit shorter and a little older, but she still has that same kind of sexiness that makes it so you can’t look away.
Daniel is somewhat close to Bobby Cannavale, but a little better looking, a little more suave and sophisticated.  I saw Evan on a gardening TV show.   When I first saw Scott McGillavray a few months ago, I actually wrote his name on a sticky note so I could put him down as Evan’s likeness.  Since I don’t know his personality or even the name of the show, I had no problem picturing him in my head as I finished writing the novel.
* Is it a stand-alone story or part of a series? If it’s part of a series, please list the order the books need to be read in for maximum reading enjoyment.
Time to Pretend is the 4^th installment of my Awakenings series. The series follows a group of women as they discover what they really want out of life. 
The series, like a lot of things, was an accident.  After I finished Sabrina’s story in Letting Go, I found myself drawn to many of the peripheral characters.  I wrote s short story featuring Drew, which is available as a free read on my website.  Then I decided I wanted him to have more, so I gave him Sophia.  As I revised Letting Go, I expanded scenes with Sophia and Drew so that Hanging On would flow nicely from Letting Go.
While writing Hanging On, I fell for Daniel and I decided he needed his own story, preferably with the little spitfire with whom he had a really disastrous date.  Time to Pretend was a difficult story to write, mostly because Daniel wouldn’t cooperate with me.  Every time I sat down to write, he kept doing things that messed with my storyline.  While we fought, I wrote Two Masters for Samantha. That took about three weeks.  It was nice to work with such amenable characters, especially since I wrestled with Daniel for another four months after that.

I have ideas for two other series that I’d like to explore, so this is probably the last book in that series, at least for the time being.  Of course, as I write this, I’m already kicking around ideas for Stephen Galen (Sabrina’s old boyfriend from Letting Go), so who knows what’ll happen.
Each Awakenings story stands on its own.  You don’t have to read one in order to enjoy another, but it helps.  Here’s the list: Letting Go, Hanging On, Two Masters for Samantha, Time to Pretend.
*** Now for some fun info… ***
* What’s your favorite color?
Purple.  One of my friends on Facebook took a poll asking this question. We deduced that most people who went to my high school favor that color. It probably had something to do with the fact our colors were purple and white. We spent our formative years making positive associations with that color.  Now it’s the only color pen I’ll use.  Most of my clothes have some element of purple in them.  I’d like to streak my hair with purple highlights, but I’m too lazy.  Plus, I swim for exercise, so the chlorine will take that kind of color right out.
* Are you a morning person or night owl?
I am a morning person.  For some reason, my mind shuts down mid-afternoon and I’m usually in bed by ten, more often nine. Sometimes I go to bed before my kids.  However, I can get up at five a.m. and the words just flow.  I teach, and by 7:30, I’m usually standing in front of a group of sleepy middle school kids who wish I wasn’t quite so chipper. On the weekends, I get up at the same time and it gives me the opportunity to work when my kids and spouse are asleep.
* What’s your favorite day of the week?
Sunday.  No work, no obligations.  I can stay in my pajamas all day long.  I can watch TV, write, snuggle my kids, and take a nap.  Of course, in the summer, every day is like Sunday.

*** About Michele’s book… ***
Time to Pretend blurb:
[Ménage Amour: Erotic Cougar (older heroine) Romance, M/M/F, with M/M elements, sex toys]
One glimpse of Daniel DiMarco sets Alaina Miles’s hormones into overdrive, but she cannot act on her feelings. Not only is he ten years younger than her, he’s a notorious womanizer. When the tension between them escalates into one night of passion, Alaina takes it in stride. It’s a dream come true, but it’s only one night.
When a leak in her roof forces her to hire a contractor, Evan Carrico, Daniel’s best friend and secret lover, is the man for the job. It doesn’t take long for Alaina to realize that her attraction to Evan is much more serious than it should be.
As she falls in love with them and they fall for her, Alaina discovers their secret, but she wants to wait for them to build enough trust in their relationship to tell her themselves. When she stumbles upon them locked in a passionate embrace only hours after a tragic event, will the explosion destroy everything they’ve built?
Buy Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/time-to-pretend

***Find Michele here***

Not only can you find out about all my books at The Steam Room, but I feature an interview with a new author each week. http://www.michelezurlo.com
This blog is devoted to my mainstream titles, and you can find chapters of Rhiannon Rising here as a free read.  http://deboraryan.wordpress.com

Thank you for joining us here today, Michele! It was a pleasure getting to know you and your work.

Sunday Snapshots - the dam

Snapshots of Las Vegas through a resident's perspective.
Here are this week's pics...

As always, I appreciate your comments and if there's something you'd like to see, let me know!
Happy reading,
C.

Fun tidbits about your host...

Happy B-day to me today! In the spirit of the day, I figured I’d share some fun tidbits of info about myself. The questions are taken from the interviews I hold of other authors. :)

- What’s my favorite color? ~ Well, depending upon my mood it changes from a deep blue, to black to deep green. I really dig dark, rich colors.

- What’s my favorite ice cream flavor? ~ Chocolate peanut butter. Most specifically http://www.haagen-dazs.com/products/product.aspx?id=210

- Am I a cat, dog or both kind of person? ~ Both, but right now we’re a one cat household. Don’t need to be staff to any more bosses. ;)

- Would I/have I own(ed) a snake or some other exotic pet? ~ Yep. Once upon a time, we had a python. We also had piranha and a clown knife fish. Must say, it was quite interesting watching them all eat.

- Which do I prefer: rain or sun & warm weather or cold weather? ~ Sun and warmth all the way. I’ve turned into a real desert rat, and I get cold when it hits 70 degrees.

- Am I a morning person or night owl? ~ Night owl.

- What’s my favorite number? ~ Used to be two. Now, depending where I am and/or what’s going on it varies between the choices 3, 7, 11 & 21.

- If I could live anywhere in the universe, where would it be and why? ~ If another livable planet was found and it was comparable to earth, I probably wouldn’t mind going there. But since the space program is changing, we probably won’t be going anywhere for a long time. So, here on earth, aside from where I live right now, I wouldn’t mind having a multi-acre get-a-way place in the mountains near a lake and/or a home on a tropical island with private beach.

In celebration of my b-day, I’m giving away one PDF copy of one of my books to a lucky winner. Comment here, leave your email (or email your email to me at contact@crmoss.net) & you’ll be placed in my B-day drawing. A name will be drawn and contacted after 6pm pacific on Thursday, April 21. If you’re not following the blog yet, follow and that will count as an extra entry.

Thanks for sharing my b-day with me.
C.R. Moss

Sunday Snapshots - Sunset in Vegas

Snapshots of Las Vegas through a resident's perspective.
Here are this week's pics...

As always, I appreciate your comments and if there's something you'd like to see, let me know!
Happy reading,
C.

Welcome special guest: author A.J. Llewellyn

Today we have m/m romance author, A.J. Llewellyn, visiting. A.J. Llewellyn is the author of over 100 published gay erotic romance novels. He lives in California, but dreams of living in Hawaii. Frequent trips to the islands, bags of Kona coffee in his fridge and a healthy collection of Hawaiian records keep him refueled. A.J. has a passion for all animals and believes love is a song best sung out loud.

* So, A.J., what inspired you to become a writer?

The death of my mother when I was 6. The adults around me wouldn’t talk about her. I wrote my first book when I was 8. I crammed an exercise book with single-spaced drama and death. It was a horse story and a story about cancer. The boy in the book discovers he has six months to live. He dies at the end…everyone dies at the end. Even the horses! Yes, I was a macabre little boy!
* When did you attempt your first story? What length was it? What's become of it?
As I said, I wrote my first book when I was 8 but my first professional work was as a journalist. I wrote interviews with actors for a now-defunct Australian movie magazine (I was born there) …it got me my green card here in the US. I went to college and film school here and got the job through a friend of my father’s.
I was very lucky to be in school and earning money as a writer. One of my first interviews was with Mel Gibson. He was a very nice man in those days and he was very kind to me. I still recall he was shooting “Lethal Weapon” a block from where I lived in West Hollywood and we chatted a couple of times. I dropped by the set which was right on Santa Monica Boulevard and I met some of the other actors. Mel and I had the Australian thing in common. I was missing Australia a lot and he suggested I go to this British pub on Sunset Boulevard for fish and chips and some Guinness like we got back home. I have been going there ever since!

* How many stories did you complete before you sold your first?

I am lucky I sold my first magazine story right out of the gate. Selling my first book took a little longer…lol.

* What genre(s) do you write in? What drew you to write in it/them? What’s your favorite genre of all to write in?

I write M/M and have done two M/M/F stories though my passion is M/M. As a struggling writer out of college I wrote M/F. M/M didn’t exist in my world and I wrote a book that I was proud of but didn’t sell. I later rewrote it as M/M. That was “Beyond the Reef” and I still think it’s one of my best books.

* What are the best and worst pieces of writing advice you ever received?

I get asked this a lot. I think advice is something we all get and mostly should be ignored. Advice is an opinion. Just that. I would say though that if it feels instinctively right, go with it. If it doesn’t, just don’t do it.

* How do you celebrate/deal with acceptance/rejection letters?

I can’t stand rejection letters and was devastated when I got my first one. And then they kept coming. I read a wonderful book by Dame Diana Rigg called No Turn Unstoned in which she lists famous rejection letters and cruel critiques. Then I interviewed actor Rob Lowe one time and he told me he had laminated a really bad review of his and that he carried it in his wallet.  He showed it to me. It read: Rob Lowe in his performance has the personality of a doorknob.
Ouch! I realized that there are always going to be haters. It is tough to accept but not everyone is going to like you. I was impressed that he kept that thing! It was a real head-leveler!

* In regard to the book you’re promoting, which actor and actress do you envision playing the roles of your hero and heroine? If there’s a villain or other characters who are pertinent to the story, who would play those parts?

I learned a long time ago that keeping an actor or actress in mind when you are writing something is a fantastic way to keep a character real. If you can see them in your mind, if you see your story like a movie, then it’s working. However, actually getting that person almost never happens. I worked as a Hollywood story analyst for several years doing screenplay coverage and almost every screenplay I read seemed slanted for the big names of the day. I still do this work on a freelance basis and I guess Brad Pitt has stood the test of time because he seems to be the guy EVERYONE wants in their movie. He obviously can’t do all of them right? When Morgan Freeman became hot I remember reading a plethora of screenplays with an older African American man in the lead, very clearly slanted towards him.
It’s funny, but that’s the nature of the business. So no, I haven’t really imagined who would play the characters to be really honest!

* Is it a stand-alone story or part of a series? If it’s part of a series, please list the order the books need to be read in for maximum reading enjoyment.

I am promoting my new book The Love God of Indian Frybread coming to Amber Quill Press’s Amber Allure line on May 1. It’s a stand-alone.

*** Now for some fun info… ***
* What’s your favorite color?
Purple. And I love, blue, too.
* What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?

Fantasia. You can only get it at Disneyland.
* Are you a cat, dog or both kind of person?
Both kinds of a person!
* Would you/have you own(ed) a snake or some other exotic pet?
I have a turtle. She is awesome but whilst I respect snakes, I could never feed a live animal to one. I can’t stand seeing people buying mice and rats at Petco knowing those cute little guys are going to become food.
* Which do you prefer: rain or sun & warm weather or cold weather?
I like sun and rain (tropical).
* Are you a morning person or night owl?
Morning.
* What’s your favorite day of the week?
Friday.
* What’s your favorite number?
5. The number of change.
* If you could live anywhere in the universe, where would it be and why?
Hawaii. It is in my blood.
* If you were stranded on a desert island and were only allowed to have five modern conveniences with you, what would they be?
My laptop, flushable toilet, toilet paper, a full medicine cabinet and a case of bottled spring water.

*** About A.J.’s book… ***

The Love God of Indian Frybread
Concept: I went to the Science Museum here in LA with some friends who belong to a tea group. We meet once a month for afternoon tea and plot little jaunts.
My lovely friend Rosie who usually comes to everything didn’t want to go because the idea of The Mummies of the World exhibit frightened her. She said, what if a spirit of a mummy came home with her?
And that gave me the idea for the story.
The exhibit by the way was fascinating but I was disturbed by the mummified dogs and cats I saw...really creepy stuff. I’d had no idea many cultures, even in South America and Europe had mummies…not just the Egyptians!
Logline: Ever Beleño just fell for an older man...about 1,600 years older!
Blurb: Ever Beleno is a collector of old Hollywood memorabilia. He's also a fan of dead people. Mummies are his special passion, just like flying saucers are his roommate Johnny's particular obsession. Ever's dark and gothic world might be lonely but after a heart-breaking split with his ex, it's exactly how he wants it...until he visits the sold out Mummies of the World exhibit.
As Ever studies one particular ancient Egyptian mummy, he experiences the odd, chilly sensation of somebody touching and following him. Every time he turns to look, he thinks it's handsome but obnoxious security guard Chris Coelho, who sneaked Ever into the exhibit as a favor. He clearly wants it returned, but would Chris really feel him up in public? Ever isn't sure, but then once he goes home weird things start happening.
Chris shows up everywhere, but he's suddenly, sweet, silly, profound and...forgetful. After a torrid night of passion, Ever becomes hooked on the guy even as his feelings for Chris veer between desire and exasperation.
And then, the mummy he'd been studying disappears from the exhibit...could they be connected? Could the spirit of the mummy have somehow followed him home? Is Ever losing his mind? Or is Chris really, as he says in a drunken moment, The Love God of Indian Frybread?

***Find A.J. here***

My website is www.ajllewellyn.com you will find details of all my blogging appearances and chats.

I tweet: www.twitter.com/ajllewellyn

I love Facebook: www.facebook.com/aj.llewellyn

and I still love mySpace: www.myspace.com/ajllewellyn

Thank you for joining us here today, A.J.! It was a pleasure getting to know you and your work.
Thanks so much CR!!

To a lucky reader, A.J. will give away a paperback copy of his new book My Yakuza – a book he co-authored with John Simpson. It’s a modern-day samuraitale set in Hawaii, Tokyo and New York. On Thursday evening, April 14, around 6PM pacific, a winner’s name will be drawn by C.R.. To enter you need to comment on the post with your email (or email contact@crmoss.net with it) so you can be notified should you win.

A storyteller’s storyteller ~

I’ve done a ‘radio’ interview! Desmond Haas of the Romance Radio Network was kind enough to interview me, and our talk is now up on his site. He has some really nice things to say in the beginning, including but not limited to, “C.R. Moss is a storyteller’s storyteller!” Check out the blog/listen to the interview here: http://romanceradio.net/2011/04/03/rrn-cr-moss-author-interview-show-025/

When listening, please note the following:
Introduction for the interview is from the start to 2:25. From 2:25 to 8:35, Desmond offers some personal publishing news and commentary on the news links he provides in the blog posting. The actual interview starts at 8:35.

Enjoy!

C.R. Moss

Sunday Snapshots - Views 3

Snapshots of Las Vegas through a resident's perspective.
Here are this week's pics...

All three pics were taken in a community located in Las Vegas. See? It's not completely the dry, brown dust bowl that some think it is. ;)

Happy reading,

C.

Welcome special guest: author Mark Alders

Today we have m/m romance author, Mark Alders, visiting. As Mark says, "I live in a house. This house has a street in front of it which is a good thing because if it didn't I wouldn't be able to drive down to the shop and purchase the chocolate I need on a daily basis *giggle* Seriously, I am a mild mannered post office worker by day and an erotic romance writer (mainly male/male) at night. Not much else to say other than, like everyone else, I have bills to pay, a mortgage and family that I love and drive me crazy all at the same time. Oh, and I have a dog, too! See? Average Joe...except when I get down and write...then I let my imagination go to places I never knew existed and my characters invade my mind."

* When did you attempt your first story? What length was it? What's become of it?
My first story was written in 1847…lol (seriously I think it was an eternity ago) It was a Lord of the Rings rip-off. Pretty much word for word, except I changed characters names. Frodo became Eric…Gandalf became Morgan etc, etc. I still have it and give myself the shudders every time I attempt to read it. It's good for the ego to see how far I have come to look at it. Phew, glad I am no longer writing like that! Lordy! It was about seven million words in length, too! Just to prove that I can write crap in large quantities. It now sits on the bottom of my book case, stopping it from tipping over by adding weight to the bottom because the rest of it is crammed with books and stuff…and more books…and more books.
* How many stories did you complete before you sold your first?
Oh dear Lord! How long is a stick? Well, I think I wrote for years and years, having limited success in small online publications, but other than that, nothing happened until late 2009 when eXtasy took my first book and gave it a home.
* What genre(s) do you write in? What drew you to write in it/them? What's your favorite genre of all to write in?
I write in sci-fi and fantasy genres with a m/m erotica flavor. What drew me to them? Well, who wouldn't like to read about hot men in outer space! Tell me.
* What are the best and worst pieces of writing advice you ever received?
Keep writing…worst advice, keep writing…seriously I have a love/hate relationship with my muse. She wants me to write when I don't and vice-versa! The bitch!
* How do you celebrate/deal with acceptance/rejection letters?
I always celebrate an acceptance with some chocolate and champagne, never worry about a rejection.
* In regard to the book you're promoting, which actor and actress do you envision playing the roles of your hero and heroine? If there's a villain or other characters who are pertinent to the story, who would play those parts?
I don't really watch much TV or movies, so it's hard to say. I don't really have movie stars in my head when thinking of characters. My characters are more like parts or me mixed in with people I know in real life. Far more interesting.
* Is it a stand-alone story or part of a series? What sparked the idea for the story/series? If it's part of a series, please list the order the books need to be read in for maximum reading enjoyment.
The current book I am promoting is The Soldier. It is part two of a three part series about a human who becomes a nourisher to an alien spider. What sparked the idea? My complete and utter fear of spiders. I hate them with a passion and turn into a big girl whenever one is in the room. Seriously, have you seen a grown man scream? Put a spider in the room with me and wait two seconds!
*** Now for some fun info… ***
* What's your favorite color?
Green
* What's your favorite ice cream flavor?
All ice cream. Any flavor. Any time. Anywhere!
* Are you a cat, dog or both kind of person?
Dog. Definitely a dog! Love my little doggie, coco!
* Would you/have you own(ed) a snake or some other exotic pet?
No effing way to a snake, mouse, rat, spider, whatever. I will stick to a dog. At least I can admire an animal who can lick his own balls.
* Which do you prefer: rain or sun & warm weather or cold weather?
I am a cold weather person. I like to snuggle by the fire and read :)
* Are you a morning person or night owl?
Night owl. Get me up before 7.00am and I am a grumbly bumbly bear!
* What's your favorite day of the week?
Friday. Always nice to have the weekend to look forward to.
* What's your favorite number?
14 (my birthday number)
* If you could live anywhere in the universe, where would it be and why?
On Uranus…LOL Only joking…I would love to SEE the planets, but I think where I am is just fine. Right amount of oxygen and all…
* If you were stranded on a desert island and were only allowed to have five modern conveniences with you, what would they be?
Computer, Wi-fi, running water, hot water, toilet.

*** About his book… ***

I am currently promoting, The Soldier, it can be bought here: http://extasybooks.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=55&flypage=ebook_flypage.tpl&product_id=9825&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=50
Here is the blurb:
Drake Glauco, now a successful nourisher and happily joined to Vernon, comes to realise it's time for a Priaxian/human alliance to come to fruition. The joy he had experienced too great for it to not be used to benefit mankind. The mutual need too important. With each passing day, Drake and Vernon's symbiotic relationship grows just as much as the hatchlings inside the egg the Priaxian carries as the hope of his species.
But trouble stirs in the dark places of the galaxy. A once sleeping giant, an enigmatic race known as the Herdsmen, stirs. Their awakening brought about by many events, including trespassing into their territory. The result of them becoming known is devastating for all the sentient species, especially for humans. The Herdsmen have developed a taste for mankind's flesh.
Can Drake and Vernon negotiate an agreement with the Herdsmen before it's too late? Offer some alternative to the slaughter that will result if they enter human space. Or will their plans to dominate the galaxy obliterate all in their path, including their allies?
All hope once more falls on Drake...and a mysterious Priaxian soldier who communicates to him in his dreams.

***Find Mark here***

http://www.markalders.com 

Thank you for joining us here today, Mark! It was a pleasure getting to know you and your work.

Contest for 'The Soldier,' in PDF format. One week from the posting of this interview, the winner will be picked by the webmaster. Entrant needs to comment on the post with their email so they can be contacted. (or email contact@crmoss.net with it) :) Pretty simple, really. Mark will send the copy of the book when the winner sends him an email on markalders@yahoo.com