10 Q Tuesday with C.R. Moss

Where do you dream of traveling to and why?

I’d love to get back to the western part of the Caribbean. DH and I traveled there a few years ago, and I fell in love with the islands, the sun, the abundance of water. I’d love to go to Hawaii and Australia, get back to Catalina Island, too. My current interest in vacationing on islands probably stems from the fact that I live in a landlocked desert area. 

Does travel play in the writing of your books?

It does on occasion. I’ve used places I’ve visited in stories and plan to write some more stories set in places I’ve been to. In fact, Sunset Desires (for the 1NS series), my first story to be released via Decadent Publishing, is mostly based in Grand Cayman and starts off in a pub loosely based on a beach hangout hubby and I went to when we were there. 

Do you believe in ghosts?

Sure do. I’ve seen and felt presences in my home and other places. It was neat when a friend and I both saw the same thing at a ranch we were staying at and were able to share the experience.

What is your favorite color?

Normally, it’s a toss-up between black or deep blue. Love dark, deep colors.

If you could spend the night anywhere, where would it be?

The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, CO. I think it’d be neat to see what kind of experiences I could have there and see the place that inspired Stephen King.

What was the scariest moment of your life?

Hmm… I have a few… There was the time I almost drowned in the ocean at the Jersey Shore when I was a kid. Then in my early 20’s I was traveling from OH to NJ on I-80 in PA in February and spun out on black ice. Car hit the guard rail twice. I ended up perpendicular on the interstate looking at oncoming traffic through the passenger window while trying to get traction to get out of the way. Luckily I was able to get to the emergency lane without further incident. Also in my early 20’s I almost got lost in the Swiss Alps. Good thing I have a pretty decent sense of direction & was able to find my way back to the town before I caused problems. But at the top of my list is a tie between two events. Both involve accidents my husband was in while out on training rides for triathlons. The first call was seven weeks after we had moved cross country. I barely knew the area, still had yet to meet people I could count on, and I got a call that he’d been hit by a car. Bicycle was totaled. He had a broken bone and road rash but otherwise was okay. Second call was a couple years later. He went down and hit his head on the curb. When I went to meet him and the ambulance, he was gray and repeating the same questions and statements over and over. That was worrisome. Thank God he’d been wearing a helmet. He had a concussion & still doesn’t remember about nine hours of that day, but if he hadn’t been wearing the helmet, I hate to think what would have happened.

New York or LA? Why?

Los Angeles. I grew up in NJ and have been to NYC plenty of times. Plus, the city was never one of the places I cared to go to. (I actually preferred to go to Philly over NYC.) Now that I live on the west coast and am used to sunny locales, it’d be LA all the way. I still have yet to visit the famous parts of LA, but I’ve been close…been to West Hollywood and drove through/near the area to get to Long Beach to go to Catalina. And now, if I start missing NYC for some reason, I can just drive south several blocks and go to the mini-version of it here in town. 

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

There was a very short time period when I was young that I wanted to be an astronaut. Then I thought of teaching. But when it comes right down to it—the one constant throughout the years—I’ve always wanted to write, be a published author. And, here I am. Here’s a pic of my upcoming Decadent Publishing release…

What songs are most played on your mp3 player?

Anything by Rush, Seether, Disturbed, Maroon 5.

What are your favorite TV shows?
My absolute favorite show at the time of answering this question is American Horror Story (http://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/originals/ahs/). I also can’t wait for the next installment of Spartacus to start on Starz (OMG, talk about hot, almost naked men filling up the screen. Yum! http://www.starz.com/originals/spartacus) Then under those top two faves are the ghost/paranormal shows (yes, even the three screaming guys.) The Big Bang Theory is a hoot. I’m looking forward to Being Human coming back on, and I like a handful of shows on Bravo, History, Discovery, Science, TLC… Good thing I have a DVR!

Happy Reading!
C.R. Moss ~ www.crmoss.net

10Q Tuesday with Nishi Serrano

Where do you dream of traveling to and why?

NS: Two places hold a special curiosity for me: Scotland and Japan. I have never been to either place, but someday wish to. Scotland is on my list because my Grandpa Nick is part Scottish and I’ve always felt an affinity towards that part of my heritage. As for Japan, I love the culture, art, folklore, and Asian men are HOT!

Does travel play in the writing of your books?
NS: Absolutely! My characters are always on adventures to exotic places, whether in the sky, under the sea, or on a completely alien world. I love building atmospheres. The feeling of discovering something mysterious and new is a passion I like to share in my writing.

If you could spend the night anywhere, where would it be?

NS: Anywhere misty, cold, moody, dark, and haunted—did I mention I’m a Goth at heart? If monsters were involved, I’d definitely spend the night!

Do you believe in ghosts?

NS: Well, since I believe in the existence of other dimensions, I do believe there are many supernatural things on this planet that we do not understand. Plus, I’ve been witness to numerous unexplained phenomena happenings, alas, that’s a different story.

What hobbies do you actively pursue?
NS: The great outdoors is a wonderful playground, hiking, canoeing, and camping are some of my favorite hobbies. Costume making and wearing (cosplay) is another of my interests. I do a lot of research wherever I’m at to find unique events and gatherings. Finding awesome tea shops is also high on my list. Writing is a given.

Tell us about your favorite restaurant:

NS: The funny thing is, before I was living here in Louisiana, there was a little restaurant in the Portland area called The Delta, serving southern cuisine and some of the tastiest darn cocktails I’ve ever had. Now, I don’t mean to offend anyone in the south, but the food at the Delta has far surpassed any food I’ve eaten since moving to the south.

New York or LA? Why?

NS: Los Angeles baby! But I’m partial to la-la land because I was born and raised in California. The memories of LA and Hollywood in the 1980’s are something to cherish—the parties were outstanding!

Tell us about the absolute BEST fan letter you have received.
NS: Since cultivating my online presence, I’ve met some of the most wonderful people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. I used to be pretty against meeting people online, but now, I can’t believe I’ve put it off for so long. There is one person in particular that when I wake up and find a letter from her in my personal email, it makes my day. It’s because of individuals like her that I don’t give up writing, ‘cause let’s face it—it’s pretty scary being a writer nowadays. P.S. she’s working on an amazing YA book too!

Tell us about your current release.

NS: Mile High Airship Club is my first erotic Steampunk short story, and it’s a sort of prequel to the novella I’m working on that chronicles the further adventures of Lady Rose and her friends.

MHAC is a saucy piece with a bite of class and a whole lot of steam!

Tell us about your next release.

NS: Here’s crossing my fingers it will be the companion novella to Mile High Airship Club. I’ll give you a little hint, but I don’t want to divulge too much: Peep shows under the sea!

Happy Halloween!!!

If you would like to read more about my adventures and free stories, come join me at: http://www.nishiserrano.blogspot.com

You can also find me at these sites: The Steampunk Empire, Book Blogs.ing, Goodreads, Facebook, and Twitter. 

Maggie and Ian's Top 10...

1.     

Maggie shares some things about Ian…

He has the most gorgeous sky blue eyes, like looking at a summer sky and wanting to just sigh in happiness.

His shoulder-length dark brown hair is so thick, so soft and I can’t keep from running my fingers through it.

He always looks like he needs a shave. God, how I love that look!

His Scottish burr makes me hot all over. It’s like this crazy, sensual purr. Hot, hot, hottt!

He gets the cutest look when he’s irritated with me over something (which I don’t understand, because I’m so perfect all of the time). These pair of lines crease his forehead, another pair dance together between his thick, dark eyebrows, and his lips sort of purse in consternation.

Have I mentioned his lips? Kissable…oh, yeah, very kissable.

He has this amazing body, runner lean and mean and oh so touchable. A simple touch of my fingers and that six-pack goes all fluttery; his chest expands as he draws in a shuddery breath. And when I start trailing my tongue up from his oh-so-adorable navel (he wouldn’t like that description, macho man and all…), he groans and can’t be still at all.

He has this fascination with my bare butt, which is absolutely okay with me.

His hands…his fingers…all I can say is they’re Wonderful with a capital “W.”

He loves me, every quirk of mine and all. It doesn’t get better than that.

Ian shares some things about Maggie…

Those brown eyes of hers turn to molten dark chocolate when I… Well, when I touch her in just the right places.

There is nothing better than having that mass of long, pale blond hair draping down over me, tickling my chest, when she plays wild cowgirl and shows me her skills at riding.

Her skin is so soft, so creamy…so soft. I have to touch her every chance I get.

Her voice gets all breathy, all God-help-me sensuous, when we’re…uh, I’m sure you understand.

When she’s frustrated with me (which I don’t know why because I’m perfectly reasonable all of the time), her eyes flash with a spark of brown fire. Her pretty little bow mouth tightens and all I can think about is kissing the devil out of her.

She has this sassy way of swaying her hips sometimes, usually when she is trying to get my attention. She doesn’t understand that to get my attention all she needs to do is be anywhere near me. I want her with every fiber of my being…all the time.

Her body isn’t perfect, or so she tells me. She’s wrong. It’s absolutely perfect to me. I don’t see these imperfections she keeps talking about. I see a woman who makes me so damn hard I can hardly walk at times.

Have I mentioned her ass? Love it. Especially when it is deliciously bare and turned up over my knee. And I don’t have to spank it to enjoy the moment. Okay, a few light smacks are always good…for both of us.

1.   She has small hands, but what she can do with them…. When she takes my cock in those hands… Even better, when she puts those sexy lips around…

2.   She loves me with all of her heart. I’m so damn lucky.

Maureen tells all...

Tell us about your favorite character from your books.

Nooooo! You want me to play favorites! I’m a good mom, I love all my characters equally. (Shut up, Mick! I don’t have a favorite, I don’t!) Well, all right, I sorta have a favorite. But only because I wouldn’t mind sliding in and taking her place, sneaky like. (No, Mick, it isn’t your Jezebel.)  I guess if I use those criteria, well…it would be Emily. (Mick! What a mouth you have!) What can I say, I like older men!

Does travel play in the writing of your books?

Well, time travel, space travel, sailing…and places I’d like to travel. Like the Caribbean.

Tell us about your next release.

Oooo! Later this month, Decadent is releasing the second of my books set in the Kraken’s Caribbean. The Chameleon Goggles is pirate world meets military steampunk invasion. Yup, period pirate ship verses armor clad zeppelin. Quite the challenge! Toss in a nice romance, a tragic past and some major risk taking. Fun!

Do you play games? What kind?

Games? What sorta games? (peering sideways at you…) I don’t know you well enough to talk about this… Okay, well, I like to play Mahjong on my computer, and Free Cell…and I like to play with my dog and tease my cat.(In a fun way!)

Do you listen to music while writing? If so what?

Sometimes! Mostly soundtracks. Sometimes music that inspires me with certain lyrics…I’ve got a running theme in my latest scifi romance and like to set my mood with Evanescence and Grey Eye Glances (two groups completely different from each other, yup…I  be a multi-faceted.) Then when I’m ready to dive in…Pagan Saints.(Something totally different!)

What was the scariest moment of your life?

Driving home after a dental appointment and having my first panic attack on the road, alone. Thank God my sis was visiting a friend in the next city. Called her, she talked me to the restaurant where they were eating and talked me down so I could get back on the road home…two more hours on the road. (To be honest, as panic attacks go, it wasn’t terrible. But it was my first where I didn’t know what was going on and thought my heart was getting ready to freak out of me…again.)

What is your favorite meal?

Favorite meal…when I get a chance and find it available…red pepper sauce, spaghetti, garlic bread…starting with a crispy green salad and tart Italian dressing. Dessert?Something with chocolate and cinnamon. Now, I’m hungry.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

A historian. I’m not sure I knew what that meant, but I loved history and historian sounded very involved with history.

What group did you hang out with in high school?

The gnurds! (Yup, nerds but we spelled it differently.) We were the smart kids, not unpopular and we lived in the science wing of my high school. We had really good parties, btw.

Beatles or Monkees? Why?

Monkees! Why? The show.Naismith and the beanie hat.

Dominique Eastwick's 10 Q Tuesday

Tell us about your current release. Strawberry Kisses is a 1NS story that takes place in Las Vegas between Gavin, middle aged Accountant, and Mia, a self-proclaimed rubenesque geek. Both have sisters who just knew they needed to find someone and Madame Eve was the person to do it.
 
Has someone helped or mentored you in your writing career? Honestly I think we all have to help each other, Valerie Mann has always been a huge Supporter and Help for me.

If you could spend the night anywhere, where would it be? Good lord that question could get me into serious trouble with my hubby you know.  But I would love to spend the night with my DH on a private Greek Island overlooking the sea.

What does your significant other and family think of your writing career? They are all excited, though Hubby does thinks it’s more of a hobby then a career.  Even my Grandmother buys my books, she hasn’t figured out how to read them on the computer yet though…Thank goodness.

Does your significant other read your stuff? Nope he read the first three pages once and it made me nuts and he was nuts having me watch over his shoulders we are both quite content this way.

What songs are most played on your mp3 player? At the moment it would be Can You Here Me by Enrique Iglesias, And anything by Adele.

What do you do to unwind and relax? Unwind who has time to Unwind lol. Ok if I did have time I would take a hot bubble bath and read a book or I go to a park with my camera and just start shooting.

Do you have a milestone birthday coming up? If so, how are you approaching it? As a matter of fact I do, I turn 40 today and I am thrilled. I see it as the middle ground. I am the years behind me for people will listen, I still have some youth so I can follow the hip scene even if I am not hip, but I feel like I have life experiences behind me. 

As Martina Mcbride says in This Ones For The Girls

Every laugh, laugh line on your face
Made you who you are today

Morning Person? Or Night Person? How do you know? Oh Night person…how do I know? It’s after midnight and I am finally working.

Who is your Celebrity Crush?  Karl Urban GRRRRRRRRR(thud)