Chatting With The Spectacular Skylar Quinn!!!

Skylar is my friend and guru, I think she is amazing. She is the type of writer that makes you want to do more because she does so much! Right now she is going to talk about not one, not two but three books and more! Including indulging me with an inside joke!

Take us on a tour of Hemlock Valley

Oh my, take a tour! Ha! Well, here is a photo of Hemlock Valley. As you can see, Sunny and I put quite a lot of thought into where everyone lives and works in this little city. Think Gilmore Girls meets Salem. I absolutely love this world. Everyone is so different, and that means EVERY BOOK will be different in this world. So far, I have written about witches, vampires, werewolves, leprechauns and demons. OH MY! Sunny has written about vampires and werewolves, I believe, too. We have just so much fun making all of these creatures come to life. Literally I could talk for an hour about this.

You can check out the Hemlock Valley Series Here.

 

 

What is it like Untying the Knot with Logan Black?

Untying The Knot is every married persons nightmare come to life. Except this time, it includes SOLUTIONS! Logan and I have this couple, Allie and Erik, who are in their 40’s. They are parents to 3 boys, 10-14 years old. So you know, they just get in the way. They have been married long enough that sex has become boring. The same ole same ole. And then one day, Allie picks up a book. The book lights a fire in Allie and then into Erik. Together, they rekindle their sexual relationship with one another. The book opens up their eyes to the BDSM world. They have to learn to research the topics and see what interests them.

Most people think BDSM and get that 50 Shades crap image in their mind. There is SO MUCH MORE to BDSM than that. This couple will take you on their journey as they explore all the other aspects of this world.

It truly is a handbook essentially to any couple that needs new juices flowing in a stagnant love life.

You can check out the Untying The Knot series here.

What else are you working on?

Funny, you know I have so much going on. I started writing this new series, “At First Sight” that is kinda a spoof of the show, “Married At First Sight.” The first book is ‘Hotwife.”

Ann is the professional and she has to set up three people to be in a ‘hotwife’ relationship. Simon the husband, Sally the wife and Jacob, the bull. Easy peasy right?

Well, no. You know me, there is ALWAYS some twist to toss around.

I am thinking three books in this series maybe? At First Sight: Hotwife then At First Sight: Cuckold and finally At First Sight: Swingers

What are your thoughts on that?

Can we talk about spreadsheets?

So rude, lol. You know I love spreadsheets! I LIVE in my ‘Skylar Book Info’ spreadsheet where I house my writing schedule. You wanna see a sample of it? Okay, don’t twist my arm, haha. When the date is Green that means deadline met. When its white it means it hasn’t been written yet. I am typing this on Wednesday the 19th so you can see … I’m BEHIND! Haha.

 

 

What else does Skylar Quinn want to tell the world?

Untying The Knot is one of the series I am most proud of. If you’re looking for that book that made someone feel like they touched lives, this book series does that. So many women and a few men have come back and told me or Logan how much they relate to this book.

That’s what matters to me, the relatability factor.

As a writer my goal is to make world that people can see themselves in and that’s what this one does for so many people. And I couldn’t be happier. I wish everyone loved all of my series but reality is, that isn’t possible. But so far, this one is a gem and I can’t wait for you all to read it. We have 12 books planned with #13 being the print book of this whole world in one. It’s gonna be a HUGE ASS BOOK!

I’d like to tell everyone about my new release today. It’s one of my Freeuse stories! Captain & His Mates.

I love freeuse because it feels like everyone gets to play and no one is left out.

Thanks so much for reading this little getting to know me. And a special thanks to the Queen herself, Leonora, for having me!

 

If you’re looking to find more of Skylar here are her details below. And as an added bonus she will give all of my readers a special bonus. You can have 25% off all her non-Kindle Unlimited books on her website.

Site: https://payhip.com/CrushPub/collection/skylar-quinn-s-books

Code: Skylar25

And if you prefer Substack, here is a coupon for that too. This link will get you 40% off her Substack membership. Monthly or Annual.

https://skylarq.substack.com/Leonora

Don’t forget that CRUSH is planning for the 2nd Annual CRUSH Virtual Erotic Con? You can secure your spot early!I am one of the moderators!

Skylar also has a podcast that is picking up traction. Make sure you check out Sunny Morgan & Sky’s latest CRUSH Cast episode at any of these podcast links below! New releases every other Tuesday!
Find the podcast HERE!

You can join her CRUSH Newsletter here!

And if this wasn’t enough, you can click here my linktree and it will take you to ALL her social media!!!

So glad Skylar stopped by today!!! 

 

Embracing A Warm Place and More With Ranch Hand

I can tell you that Ranch got me out of a writer’s slump last year when I saw one of his writing prompts on X–and keeps inspiring me to write. That is why I wanted to feature him on my blog because he is a writer for the writers–as you will see.

The first story of yours I ever read was part of your Acquiescent Yarn–talk about that series.

Acquiescent Writer started as a first-person nameless character who, as time progressed, needed his own story. His name, Ryder, is a kind of tongue-in-cheek homophone, and his occupation was journalism. As a child in the late ’70s and ’80s, I wanted him to be well-rooted as a city boy with a secret past and for that past to be a reversal from the norm—a riches-to-rags type. As the character grew, so did the world. I added characters so I moved into third person story telling. And now that the first novella is out, A Warm Place, I find that I like mixing the two styles to tell a broader narrative.

You created the Agency Magazine, describe its mission and aspirations.

I created an Agency Magazine to build a community. Sunny Morgan and I have been friends for a long time, and when she started Crush, I got the publication bee in my bonnet. I rounded up a posse (because that’s what you want to do when you want real Wyatt Earp Cowboy Shit), and I pressed the Start Publication button. The team acts as a group, from guidelines to writing prompts. The group chat consists of fights, big cries, annoyance, helping hands, and critical advice. It’s good therapy.

Our mission statement has changed a lot. Initially, we were looking for dark storytelling, but we’ve opened up and changed to all types to reach a wider audience. At our core, most of us like the darker stuff, so we lean that way heavily. In the end, we all love a good romance, so we publish long-form slow burners as well. In our last guide, we even opened it up for non-fiction blogs. Subsister, our therapy wing, has its own publication now. Nightlights is where we post poetry, Agency Magazine is our main hub for series and Randos, which has been very successful.

This past week The Agency created a new publication MicroXpressions, what inspired you to create that?

Our newest baby, MicroXpressions, daily prompt is on fire. We just want to stay active while also delivering great content.

MicroXpressions was just another prompt for me. I started Hundo a while back and wanted to sling words around again. I love Crush Publications, and I’m glad they have it going. I still write those when I can, and I always will, but the internet is a large place, and Medium has many writers, so why not?

How would you describe yourself as a writer?

Can I describe myself as a writer? I don’t know. I try new things every day, but I’m lazy most of the time. I’m nostalgic. I have written most of my stories in the past because I feel comfortable with less technology in the background. I try to rely on conversations filled with action, which, to some, can be boring. Even in my “erotica,” I leave some social commentary or tragedy because, as a whole, the best kinds of stories, for me, are the ones with a low chance of a happy ending. I think there are always consequences to sex. A Warm Place ends in pregnancy and a break up. Some Station stories deal with a child’s death because two people were struggling with their marriage. Reality can be shit. Sometimes, I have a hard time writing the fantasy that is an escape.

What is on the horizon for Ranch?

With the horizon comes my first two novels. Depending on which one is finished first because I can’t just work on one thing at a time, it could be Feral Funerals, a sequel of sorts to Station to Station or Degradation Street, An Acquiescent Writer Yarn. That story takes place right after 9/11, similar to the stories I’m writing in my MicroXpressions. Why do I romanticize about that background some would ask? Because I can think of no better time in recent American history when people would be more desperate to find love and happiness, when the world is burning around them.

 

Get A Warm Place by Ranch Hand 

 

Talking Big Bad Wolf II And More with Sunny A. Morgan!

I mentioned my friends Sunny Morgan and Skylar Quinn in my book release post, now I am so lucky to host Sunny here (and Skylar next!) Sunny is a domino–amazing with her craft and as a friend. Let’s spend time with her!

What inspired BBW I?

Skylar Quinn and I wanted to do something with other authors as a charity. I love fairytale retellings, and the Big Bad Wolf sounded sexy and perfect for some spicy, erotic authors. We also loved that you could take this theme in several ways, from paranormal to a Wolf of Wall Street theme.

What made you want to do BBW II?

We had a lot of interest in doing the anthology, and it just made sense to do a second one. It worked with some of the authors’ schedules. It also gave us a chance to continue our stories from BBW I.

Tell us about your story!

Reclaiming Scarlett in Big Bad Wolf I is a spinoff that takes readers further into the world of my Sanctuary Security Series. The final installment of Sanctuary Security introduces readers to The Skull Kings, a motorcycle club filled with big bad wolves.

When we were discussing the BBW theme, I knew I wanted to write about Wulf and Scarlett, who were part of the Skull Kings world. Second chance, spicy romance is one of my favorite genres, and Reclaiming Scarlett was so much fun to write.

In Big Bad Wolf II, I stayed within the Skull Kings’ world with Claiming Savannah. This story is also a second chance romance with an age-gap theme. Where Rock and Savannah are forced together again after a one-night stand. They are forced to work through their anger, guilt, and trust issues. It’s filled with action, spice, pain, and love.

I love this world and plan on at least one more story with the Skull Kings.

What else are you working on?

Only about a million projects lol. Crush Publications is really big on community and bringing spicy/erotic writers together. Currently, we are hosting a monthly writing session via Zoom and in February we have planned our first virtual writers’ retreat.

Skylar and I have a holiday 6 book series with the first book coming out on November 15th. This is such a fun, sexy Santa themed series and I love the covers.

I have the rest of my 2024 publishing schedule finished and now I am working on 2025. The new year will be a year of taking more chances with my writing trying different niches. I recently started dipping my toe into my version of cuckold/Hotwife. It has been an interesting new niche. I also have plans to write and collaborate on an erotic/noir mystery inspired story with the amazing Logan Black. I am a huge fan of his and am thrilled he agreed to do this with me. This story has a bit of a twist, and I can’t wait to dig into this story.

Get Big Bad Wolf I

Get Big Bad Wolf II

Showcasing The Talented Stacia Kaywood

I love Stacia Kaywood! She is so multi-faceted as a writer and she is an AMAZING one at that. She writes in several genres and is stellar in each one. Stacia is has a new book out right now under another pseudonym, so let’s catch up on Desk-Capades and more with her!

 

What inspired Desk-Capades?

Desk-Capades was inspired by my own curiosity of what it would be like to date a much younger man, while throwing in the salaciousness of the boss/co-worker experience.

This story is contemporary, but I know you love historical. What are the differences and similarities in writing both genres?

Both genres come down to the human experience. Take any time period and people are fundamentally the same. It is the outside influences that mark the distinction between historical and contemporary. I like historical as an escape from the daily grind of current life. While contemporary is easier to write as first person, it allows me to explore current life in a way historical does not.

You also write paranormal–which is how I found you on Medium! Talk about that process.

Paranormal was a guilty pleasure of mine. While I am no expert in the genre, I have had so many real-life paranormal experiences, I wanted to bring them to life through my stories. Specifically, what would happen if a ghost was plaguing you and he happened to be a sexy ghost. My process for writing Haunting Jasmine has been a lot of what ifs that I found ways to answer. I am looking forward to finishing the series and making it into a novel.

You are the second teacher I have talked to, how does that affect or not affect your writing?

Being a teacher is limiting in some ways. I could not publish under my given name due to the nature of my novels intended for adult audiences and especially because of the extra spicy content under my Erin Stacey pen. Because of the current political environment in my state especially, when politicians are more interested in banning books than reading them, I feel the threat towards my profession more keenly. So there are two sides to me that I keep mostly separate. Though, I am feeling more like a writer these days than an educator.

What is on the horizon for Erin Stacey/Stacia Kaywood?!

There is a lot on the horizon for both pens. Under Erin Stacey, Temp-Tations, a second erotic romance will be released this November. And I am currently drafting the third novella taking place in the same universe called Sin-Tern. I hope to release that in December. Stacia Kaywood has been extra busy. My publisher currently has Stealing Annabelle and will hopefully publish at the beginning of 2025. It is my first Regency Romance, which was incredibly fun to write. I am currently drafting the second book in the Belles and Rogues series called Forgetting Francine. I should also complete Haunting Jasmine this summer, to released in October 2025.

Get your copy of Desk-Capades here!

 

F. Leonora Solomon Talks about Her Back to Back Release Days!!!

Let me tell you it is hard to interview yourself! But I have not ONE, but TWO books that were released yesterday and today so here goes!!! The links for the books will be at the end!

 

How did you get involved with The Cards of Passion series?

The AWESOME Dr. J asked me if I wanted to be involved and I never had a question. I was in another anthology with her and Mischa Eliot and was immediately like sign me up! I wanted the adventure whatever it was going to be. Plus with writing opportunities, I never say no.

Tell us all about Satisfaction Guaranteed!

Lux, my protagonist, works with sex toys but never used them. She got one while on a work trip abroad and it malfunctioned on her. Ironically, she finds the company has a storefront near her. I don’t want to say too much more because it is not a linear plot, but everything that follows is sensual and erotic. My card from the Cards of Passion deck was stunning and as soon as I saw it, the seeds of my story stirred up from nothing in my imagination.

Lux works with sex toys and writes erotica–you write erotica. Do you ever think about it “mechanically” as she said? Ever feel burned out?

Once I felt like everything was so saturated with sex for me as far as writing and it spilled into my life, creating a creative desert for me. I did not want to write anything. But then I came back writing more than ever! I embrace burnout because the other side is usually amazing. I’m a writer after all, I love to do it.

 

How did you get involved with BIG BAD WOLF II?

Maybe because I was in BBW I? I’m being silly. As soon as my friends, Sunny A. Morgan and Skylar Quinn asked me to write a story for the first volume (of which all of the proceeds go to the NY Wolf Conservation Center), I was in. I love fairy tales and dark ones at that. I wrote about Cherry for both books.

Tell us about Cherry!

Cherry, like her author, loves fairy tales–well waaaay more than me. But she has also had a lot of trauma in her life. She was headed to her grandmother’s house with cake and wine in the first story and let’s just say we all know what Little Red Riding Hood is like…so…it’s a super modern twist and very erotic. Exactly what I like to write!

Both stories have a lot of red, the cover of Satisfaction Guaranteed, your character’s name is Cherry in the BBW books…

I did not even realize how much red there was! But it is a beautiful, passionate color. I look at red and feel something – I am sure most of us FEEL something looking at red things. Red is blood, hearts, spicy food. Just a good color!

What is next for Leonora?

I have a few projects in the works–will announce anything cool I do here. I write on Medium a lot and I am happy to be blogging here more. I started this blog to do an introduction meme for a conference I was going to over ten years ago–it’s special to me.

 

 

 

Never Too Late To Go Back To School With Jordan Lubov

I have always been a fan of Jordan Lubov so I was tickled pink to see that she has a book called Back to School. Being that she is a teacher and a writer, I decided to pick her brain about her seasonal fall book that rivals any pumpkin spice latte!

 

Not sure I have ever seen Back to School be this hot–tell me about the story!

About the story – Back to School is an erotic romance with elements of BDSM and a little bit of an age gap. Justin and Kelly meet at a resort over summer vacation and sparks fly immediately. It’s a hot and heavy fling and Kelly doesn’t expect it to follow her home. But it turns out that Justin’s new job makes him an assistant principal at the school where she teaches and the pair get a chance to continue their romance when they get back to school.

As a teacher yourself, contrast what back to school means for you.

I tried to base the non-erotic elements of this story on the reality of what coming back to school after vacation is like for me. Coming in early to set up the classroom, catching up with co-workers after a summer away, attending meetings and workshops – all of those things are exactly what I went through just a couple of weeks ago! Of course, my own back to school experience never included the sort of excitement and conflicted feelings that Kelly experiences in the book. There’s a blush-inducing, thigh-clenching, lip-biting thrill for Kelly, when she remembers all the things she’d done with the new assistant principal.

What makes the trope of the summer fling so eternal?

I think the trope of a summer fling has a certain nostalgia attached to it. Readers might be reminded of school days, college days, a time when summer was linked to new experiences and good times. Staying out later and spending time with peers. It’s related for many, I think. And it feels lighthearted! A better excuse for acting naughty without a commitment.

You write such intimate connections, what inspires you?

Thank you – I’m flattered that you feel I write intimate connections. I’m inspired by the real moments in life, by the urge to make my stories feel relatable and realistic to the readers, for my characters to be believable. There’s so much intimacy in the genuine way that friends talk to each other, in the way that couples relate to each other outside of the bedroom. It’s in the small, realistic details.

What else is on the horizon for Jordan Lubov?

I’m branching out a bit more lately, writing across genres outside of erotic romance. I’ve been writing articles about some of my personal struggles as well as parenting and humor. But I’ve not completely switched over, just widening my range. I have more erotic romance in the works as well, including books three and four in the Webb Brothers Series and the eventual release of Feral Funerals, which my writing partner Ranch Hand and I had been working on back in the spring.

 

It is never too late to go back to school, get your copy of Back to School here.

 

Sri Savita Shares About Sensual The Deed With The Duke on Her Release Day!!!

Summer might be over, but Sri Savita provides us the sensual and summery experience that she loves in romances (as a reader and) as a writer with the newest Cards of Passion release. The Deed With The Duke is a decadent enemies to lovers tale, layered with Sri’s academic and literary touch. She describes her process and inspiration with us on her release day.

How did you get involved with The Cards of Passion series?

Dr. J. and Mischa Eliot asked if I’d be interested in joining the project and I was excited to be part of a collaborative series that had an interesting concept around weaving a theme from the cards that Dr. J. created into a story. I chose desire, and since my story was going to be set in the Regency era, Dr. J. and I discussed having my story almost serve as a prequel to lead into her story.

Tell us all about The Deed With the Duke!

The Deed with the Duke begins with the hero, Raaz Panchal—the Duke of Wednesbury—searching for the missing deed to his late father’s beloved cottage. He travels to Robin Hood’s Bay, but when he arrives in the countryside, he learns the home is not vacant, and a beguiling woman—the heroine, Camelia Parikh—claims it’s her property now. Hijinks ensue and sparks fly in a forced proximity situation!

I knew I wanted my story to be a love letter to Indian representation in regency romance by making them the main characters rather than only present in the backdrops of these stories, imported goods, on the table, and in the clothing. I also wanted my story to be a love letter to what I love about historical romance and stories in general with a very warm, kind, gentle, cozy, and summery experience for the reader, my characters, and me. It’s been great to see that the first chapter has largely stayed the same since then, and the story conveys the deep emotion, romantic chemistry, and tension that I love to read.

You work in academia, tell us how that adds to your writing and vice versa.

With a Ph.D. in Psychology, research is naturally part of the fun of crafting fiction for me, and I enjoy bringing my passion for learning, reading, language, and psychology to my characters and stories. As a historical romance author (and reader!) I love prose and line-level editing is one of my favorite things, the writing is as much a character as the setting and characters are in the genre, and my background as a psycholinguist lends itself to thinking about prose deeply while drafting and editing to capture readers’ attention for a reading experience that is immersive, well-paced, and evokes a lot of emotion with only a few sentences.

Lust-at-first sight! What do you like most about writing erotic scenes?

Yes! For a shorter novel I went with lust-at-first as a guiding trope for the romance, but while the story might begin with insta-lust, there is not immediate fulfillment because my favorite thing to build up is the romantic chemistry, tension and seduction, and I want that to spring from a well of deep emotion and intimacy between the characters. So, there is an initial spark of longing that builds to a more deeply rooted desire over the course of the story, and the growing connection between the characters. That blend of emotion and heat is what creates a compelling erotic scene for me—and creates a connection between characters that I can feel and believe in as both a writer and reader.

What is next for Sri Savita?
I’ll be sharing more about a free exclusive story for my newsletter subscribers soon that is a companion tale to The Deed with the Duke. Additionally, I’ll be writing a bonus epilogue for The Deed with the Duke for subscribers as well. After that, I’ll be focusing on writing happily-ever-afters for Raaz’s four younger siblings. When you read the book, you’ll see who’s next in the epilogue. I’ve also got a couple other secret regency romance projects in the works that I can’t say too much about yet, but stay tuned!

Get your copy of The Deed With the Duke here.

The Fortune to Chat With Kaitlin Schmidt on Her Release Day!!!

I am SO excited to host Kaitlin on her release day. I love the enemies to lovers trope and she managed to include so many other details that have me ENTHRALLED!!! I’ll let her tell you all about The Cartomancer’s Curse.

 

How did you get involved with the Cards of Passion series?

Dr. J invited me to join after we worked together through Rosy Wellness. Unbeknownst to her, I was feeling stuck on what my writing critique group calls my “Swamp Situation”―the swampy queernorm dark fantasy novel that I daydream about and neglect in equal measure—and I was excited to divert my attention to a shorter, cozier project.

Tell us all about The Cartomancer’s Curse!

I’m really big on writing queernorm fantasy (I just wrote this post explaining what queernorm writing is—and M/F stories can be queernorm, too!). This novella is queernorm, it’s sapphic enemies-to-lovers, it’s cozy, it’s spicy, and it’s magical!! All the major food groups, haha. Meridian is a grumpy psychic who needs to learn that a partner can take true, selfish pleasure in her pleasure. Her defenses are high because she’s been hurt in the past, so she pushes away her sunshine counterpart, Wren. The universe rolls its eyes and curses the two women, and Meridian gets thrown into a reluctant enemies-to-lovers arc with the hot thief who keeps saying she wants to tie Meridian up.

The psychic ability to taste people’s desire? Molasses? Tell me more!

Okay, so my initial drafts of things tend to be overly abstract, so I was trying to turn Meridian’s ability into something concrete. I wrote a draft with her able to taste desires on an absolute whim for an unrelated flash fiction contest called Writing Battle. I believed I was having a fun romp and would then figure out the real story later. But it turns out it was *too* fun, and I had to keep going! So then I started smelling a lot of spices and tea and food―even metal!—to decide what they meant.

Molasses in particular has a special place in my heart. I find it to be a strange-yet-compelling combination of earthy and sweet, and it was introduced to me as a good ingredient for oatmeal by my loving partner in real life, so I associate it with them, too. When Meridian tasted it on Wren, I had a vague feeling about what desire it represented, but couldn’t put my finger on it until I was almost done with the draft. I was writing Meridian having an epiphany about it, and then *I* had an epiphany about it at the same time as her! But to find out what it means, you’ll have to read the book 🙂

This is a particularly adversarial enemies-to-lovers story—what inspired you?

I love to read adversarial enemies-to-lovers arcs, so I knew I had to write one. I think it creates really interesting power dynamics, including opportunities for sexy bondage (my favorite). It brings out the heat between characters! Unfortunately, I mostly see enemies-to-lovers stories that are M/F, and while I love those too, I want to bring that dynamic into F/F more.

What is next for Kaitlin Schmidt—editor and author?

As a writer, now that I’m done with the novella, I’m knee-deep in the Swamp Situation again. (I love it.) I also hope to write a Part 2 to The Cartomancer’s Curse featuring Riley, a character with their own secrets who gets introduced in the current book (and they may or may not be in love with both Wren and Meridian).

As a freelance editor, I absolutely love working with indie authors (now booking for late fall and winter!). I like copyediting and proofreading especially (though I also offer higher-level edits) and am primarily seeking genre fiction, especially fantasy, romance, LGBTQ+, or all three combined.

Cannot wait to read this story and you should not either–here is the link!! 

 

 

 

Henrietta Holland Tells Us About Hope on Her Release Day!!!!

It is AMAZING that the fifth Cards of Passion book is out already! I am so happy for Henrietta on her release day! It has been a pleasure working with her and all of the other authors in this series. Her story is a small-town romance and I have to say I love those! It is funny too because Henrietta and I both live in large cities! Find out more about Henrietta and Wild Within set in the small town of Hope!

How did you get involved with The Cards of Passion series?

I’ve asked myself that same question often over the last few months!

I was asked by Dr. J to consider writing one of the stories for her series. I’ve only recently discovered series that are written by several authors. It’s something new to me. I didn’t think about it too long. It was a way to fulfill a lifelong dream: write a book and have it published. But should I? Then I thought about the support system already in place for this project, and the amount of varied writing experience and knowledge possessed by the other authors. I knew I would probably never be given this opportunity again within such a nurturing environment. I had so much to learn, but I couldn’t say no.

 

Tell us all about Wild Within!

Wild Within is set in the imaginary town of Hope, located close to the Sierra Nevada mountains in California.

My protagonist is Molly. She is a divorced mother of two who has relocated to Hope to get on with her life and away from the influence of her ex, Zach. She wants to complete her recovery from his mental/emotional and verbal abuse, but there still exists a voice in her head repeating Zach’s demeaning and hurtful comments.

Her life revolves around her children and the bookshop she owns. But she can’t help feeling something or someone is missing to make her life complete.

Josh is Molly’s neighbor. He has left the police force after being injured in a shootout. Molly is attracted to him, but doubts anything about herself could attract a man, much less her gorgeous neighbor. The voice in her head reinforces her negative thoughts.

The story follows Molly’s journey as she tries to find her way to complete recovery and accept herself as she is, while also accepting that she is attractive to men, or a man, no matter what the voice in her head tries to say.

What inspired you to write this story?

Honestly, Dr. J and her Purple Passion cards were my inspiration. I received her cards as a gift when they were initially released. I was also gifted a place in her first workshop and the time I spent with that group of women was amazing! 

My partner has been encouraging me to write again. I earned an M.A. in literature and creative writing about ten years ago. But I haven’t continued writing on a regular basis. And any writing I have done has been for me. Looking back, I don’t think the writing program I was in was particularly nurturing or encouraging. The other students were wonderful, and I received good feedback, but I never got the feeling the teacher believed I had any talent. I ended that experience on a very low note.

When Dr. J asked if I might write a novella inspired by her cards I was astounded. I had no expectation of being asked to participate, but I did believe the series concept was a wonderful idea. I didn’t really think, I responded from my soul. I knew this experience would be different, that I would be surrounded by a caring and nurturing group of women. And their combined experience and knowledge would help me through whatever I encountered. I knew the one topic that spoke to me the loudest — body image. My biggest challenge would be my own procrastinating nature.

 

I love the charm of a small town, why did you pick this one to tell your story in?

I love that charm too. I’ve always lived in Los Angeles. L.A. has so much available as far as things to do and places to visit, but it doesn’t have the closeness and community that can be found in smaller towns. You can find the closeness in some neighborhoods, or within clubs or groups, but it’s not the same. I wanted to create a sense of community and decided the best way was to place my story in a small-town environment.

What is next for Henrietta Holland?

This is a great question! I’m not completely positive, as what I think I’ll do next changes from day to day.

I have a sci-fi murder mystery swirling in my head that I need to figure out. My hope is to get initial thoughts down on paper soon, so I can begin to develop the story. I’ve never written anything like this. It gives me an even greater respect for Agatha Christie and Anne McCaffrey.

I’m also thinking of creating more stories based in my town of Hope, created from other characters in Wild Within, or people mentioned, but not actually in, my first book. I just need to figure out where to start.

 

You can start reading Wild Within now–here is the link!

Talking A Sinful Tryst with Ally Daine On Her Release Day!!!

This is the fourth blog post I have done for the Cards of Passion series I am involved with and it gets more and more exciting each week! Especially today with Ally Daine! It is her release day today with Sinful Tryst, but get ready for more–Ally Daine is a rising star!

How did you get involved with The Cards of Passion series?

Donna invited me to participate and I couldn’t say no! I was in the middle of finishing my first full-length novel last summer. While I’m working on editing that, I took some time to do a side quest and wrote Sinful Tryst. 

Who does not love the premise of a Sinful Tryst–tell us all about your story! 

Sinful Tryst was borne out of one elf’s deepest, darkest fantasy to have a dangerous liaison with a human—illegal in the world where he lives. But he happens upon a witch in a forest one day who offers him the chance to fulfill his fantasy, for a price of course. So he comes to our world to carry out his dual quest: help the witch and have a tryst with a woman. His paramour is getting over a recent heartbreak. Her fantasy is to have a one-night stand. Though she has always wanted to have one, she feels like putting herself out there and giving into her wild side will also help her get over her breakup. 

What inspired you to write this story?

This story is a prequel to my upcoming full-length novel. There are only two perspectives in that novel, but a few of the other characters have lots to say. Cato was the loudest and I liked the opportunity to tell a bit of his story and reveal some of his world before the novel comes out. I also really liked the theme of “Fantasy” while exploring the characters’ own personal fantasies.

What is next for Ally Daine?!

If you liked peeking into Cato’s world, look for my first full-length novel, Fade, coming in Winter 2025. 

Oooooh there is more? Do tell!!!

If you liked peeking into Cato’s world, look for my first full-length novel, Fade, coming in Winter 2025. Taking place roughly 30 years after Sinful Tryst, this story follows Izzy as she quite literally falls into the elven realm.

Izzy, on the verge of starting her sophomore year at college, tumbles through a mountain while on a climbing trip with friends only to land on a dining table, surrounded by creatures with pointed ears and demonic eyes. Thrust into a world she knows nothing about, Izzy discovers she is an elf, a lost princess from a dying kingdom, hidden away in our world since infancy. The haunted faces around her reflect shame and grief, yet no one will tell her what happened twenty years ago.

Two decades prior, Aris, the King of Alltaar, reduced Cortha to rubble, consigning its people to their meager existence. True retribution eluded him when the Corthan princess slipped through his fingers. When news reaches him that his greatest enemy has returned, Aris races to the ruined kingdom in pursuit of vengeance. He finds trouble instead, as the human lands to the north grow restless, thirsting for elven blood.

Set against a backdrop of war, intrigue, and magic, Aris and Izzy must navigate their fraught past to forge a new future for themselves and their people.

Don’t worry readers of Sinful Tryst, our hero Cato plays a big role in Fade!